Get to Know...Lisa and Laura Roecker!

The hilarious Roecker sisters, authors of The Liar Society, have dropped by to let us get to know them better! I am so excited. They are FUNNNNY. I believe the hot pink hair in their author photo can attest to that!!

Let's get to it!! :)

1. Someone hand dips you an entire crate of chocolate covered twizzlers…how do you thank them?

Personalized copies of The Liar Society, of course. KIDDING, KIDDING. We thank them by sharing the Twizzlers—because after approximately 7, a candy stomach ache of epic proportion sets in, and we write their fabulousness into our next book. After all, Twizzlers aid in our writing process so really we would owe it all to them!

2. What’s the perfect outfit to compliment a hot pink wig?

For us, something total prepster. The hot pink hair hints at an edge, but the prep is a bit of a twist. Perhaps a fitted blazer, crisp button down shirt and skinny jeans? Kind of unexpected, right?
* I love this! If only I could pull off skinny jeans...*le sigh*

3. What is the credo for your secret society (and I’ll be nice…you don’t have to answer in Latin)?

Sisters4eva. A nod to good ole Fear. Have you ever seen that movie??? Marky-Mark at his BEST.
*I have to confess I have never seen this movie...might have to get is ASAP, though, if it's getting this kind of recommendation!*

4. If you could pick one character from a book, movie, or TV show that would be perfect to be Kate’s BFF if they ever met…who would it be?

We’ve always thought that Emma from Lee Nichols’ Haunting Emma series would be a kick ass BFF. And Emma’s a ghostkeeper. VERY handy.
*I LOVE this series, too. Emma and Kate - whoa! What a combo*

5. Were there any scenes, characters, etc that you had to cut from The Liar Society that you would have loved to keep?

We were very attached to one line that kept on getting changed and eventually ended up on the cutting room floor. Here she is…we still get all weepy when we think of her.

There was now a distinct before and after. Before Grace died and after Grace died. I still hadn’t figured out who I was in the after-Grace.

And the new… There was now a distinct before and after, and I still hadn’t figured out who I was in life after Grace.

Do you see the difference or are we crazy?
*Wow. I actually really like the phrase after-Grace, but hey...I'm no editor.*

6. What was the last book that you read that you would recommend to other readers?

We just read the first book in a new series for middle graders called Alice-Miranda at School by Jacqueline Harvey. The main character had such a sunny disposition and outlook on life it was hard not to fall in love!

7. Quick Picks: Favorite Vacation Destination? Favorite Childhood Book? Favorite Movie? Favorite Food? Favorite Clothing Item?
1. Hilton Head
2. Anything by Christopher Pike
3. Singles
4. Grandma/Mom’s homemade spaghetti/sauce
5. Yoga pants because they’re so deliciously comfortable
*OMG. I have just recently discovered the wonder of yoga pants...now I'm trying to figure out a workable scenario where I can wear them 24/7...too bad my Library doesn't really think they classify as business casual! :P*



If you haven't already read The Liar Society...what are you waiting for?? Check out my review here and go get yourself a copy!! Don't forget to check out the Roeckers' hilarious blog, Lisa and Laura Write and show them some love. Lisa, Laura, thank you sooooo much for stopping by!!!

Your Highness - Movie Review

Your Highness
starring Danny McBride, James Franco, and Natalie Portman

When the glorious crown Prince, Fabius, returns home with a bride-to-be, his younger brother, Thaddeus, is none too impressed. When an evil wizard steals Fabius' fiancee from their wedding to use her as part of a nefarious plot to sire a dragon that would be under his control, Fabius sets out on a quest to save her. Sick of Thaddeus' antics, their father, the King, forces Thaddeus to accompany his brother so that he will become a man along the way. In the midst of their quest, the brothers meet a very pretty, very psychotic young woman, Isabelle, also questing to take out the evil wizard in revenge for killing her family years before.

If you like campy, slapstick, perverted humor, then this is the movie for you. If you don't like dirty humor, nudity, or wizards that shoot lightning out of their fingertips, you may want to skip this one.

I, for one, loved it. I guess there is a part of me that channels 12 year old boy humor, but I thought this movie was hilarious. I was horrified in spots at the dark depths of the humor and parts made me blush, but I would not have stopped watching for anything. So funny!!

If You Like: Veronica Mars

"If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week includes suggestions for some favorite older titles and childhood favorites.

With everything I had going on this week, I didn't get a chance to submit my recommendations, but the other bloggers sent in some great ones! If you loved "Veronica Mars," which I did...it was my favorite show of all time!...you will also love these books, TV shows, and movies.

Pandora Gets Angry

Pandora Gets Angry
by Carolyn Hennesy Pandora
series, book five

Pandora and her friends are off to Persia to track the fifth evil: Rage. They have camels to help them cross the desert, but mysterious sandstorms and frightening strangers keep them from moving quickly. Luckily, help arrives in the form of a cute Persian boy who helps Pandy and her friends search for Persia's secret Garden of the Jin. In the garden, where genies hide their treasure, there is a lamp that was once used to imprison an angry genie. So Pandy & Co. just have to figure out how to capture one of the most enraged genies of all time. Easy, right? (Description from Amazon.com)

If you are a mythology lover, you should definitely try this series. It's great if you are having Percy Jackson withdrawl. The premise is fun, the characters are great and there is tons of magic and mythology to keep things fresh and fun.

I loved the Persian mythology and magic in this one. It was neat to learn about some of the gods from that part of the world. It also had genies...I always end up trying to decide on smart wishes whenever I read about genies...

There was a little more romance in this one and very great loyal friendships. There were moments that made me snort and ones that made me tear up a little. I cannot wait to see what the trip to Rome in the next book about Greed brings...

Annie's Adventures

Annie's Adventures
by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
with Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted
Sisters Eight, book one

A rather large problem has befallen the Huit girls. (Sisters, actually. Octuplets to be exact.) One particular New Year’s Eve, the girls wait for their mommy to bring them hot chocolate and their daddy to return with more wood for the fire. But they don’t. Mommy and Daddy, that is.

They’re gone. Poof! Maybe dead—no one knows for sure. You must see the problem here. Eight little girls on their own, no mommy or daddy to take care of them. This is not a good thing. So now these little girls, must take care of themselves. Get to school, cook the meals, feed the cats (eight of them, too), and pay the bills. They can’t ask for help, oh no. Any self-respecting adult would surely call in social services, and those well-meaning people would have to split them up. After losing their parents, being split up would be completely unbearable.

At the same time, the question remains: What happened to Mommy and Daddy? The Sisters Eight (as they are called, affectionately and otherwise) are determined to find out. Luckily, they do seem to have someone or something helping them. Notes keep appearing behind a loose brick in the fireplace.

It’s a good old-fashioned mystery with missing (or dead) parents, nosy neighbors, talking refrigerators, foul-smelling fruitcake (is there any other kind?), and even a little magic. Eight little girls, eight cats, and one big mystery—let the fun begin!

This was a very cute start to a fun, short series. The tone of the narrators, the Sisters Eight, often referring to themselves as we, etc., was very similar to the tone of Lemony Snicket. I loved it.

At first, I was worried that the whole missing parents premise would be totally unrealistic, and to an extent it is, but the Logsteds make it work. The mother, an inventor, left the Sisters Eight with plenty of things to make their lives work without adults. The local mechanic is sympathetic to their plight and helps them out on occasion. I can't wait to see how they continue to get along as time passes.

In My Mailbox - April 17, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

Borrowed:

Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
*borrowed from my awesome friend, Sharon, at I Mainline Fiction*

Bought:

What's a Ghoul to Do? by Victoria Laurie
The Reckless Bride by Stephanie Laurens
*From the final weekend sale at my local Borders location*

From the Library:

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

For Review:

Hotel No Tell by Daphne Uviller
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Hereafter by Tara Hudson

On My Nook:

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking
Heat Wave by Richard Castle

Delirium

Delirium
by Lauren Oliver

What if love were a disease? There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it. Then, at last, they found the cure. Now, everything is different. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. But then, with only ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable... (description from Amazon.com)

Lauren Oliver proves that not only is she a phenomenal wordsmith, but also a wonderful world builder. This dystopian world is so intriguing, so captivating, because it feels so possible. Set not too far in the future, the government has declared love, LOVE, a disease. To control love, and its people, the government has walled in cities, killed thousands of "infected," and perform authorized lobotomies on every citizen over the age of 18!

As the information is revealed, little by little, both Lena and readers are horrified. It is inconceivable that the feeling that we all strain to experience could be forbidden! When Lena meets Alex, readers can't help but root for them. The only flaw in this book is a minor tendency towards the end to dive into what I like to call, "Bella syndrome." The overly melodramatic, "What will I do without him..." Lena, though, decides to take action and go for what she wants.

As Oliver concludes the book, Lena proves her strength and as I teared up a little bit, I was grinning through my watering eyes and I am now anxiously waiting to see how Lena proceeds in the second Delirium book.

Full disclosure: Audio book reviewed for AudioFile Magazine

Happy Release Day - Enclave by Ann Aguirre

To celebrate today's release of Enclave by Ann Aguirre, here's the book trailer!!



As I said in my review of Corsets and Clockwork which featured a great story by Ann Aguirre, I can't wait to read Enclave. It sounds awesome!

"New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known."

Find out more about 'Enclave' at http://www.annaguirre.com/books/ya-novels/enclave/, including the first two chapters, the book cover and an interview with the author!

Corsets and Clockwork

Corsets and Clockwork
ed. by Trisha Telep

Dark, urban fantasies come to life in the newest collection of Steampunk stories, Corsets & Clockwork. Young heroes and heroines battle evils with the help of supernatural or super-technological powers, each individual story perfectly balancing historical and fantastical elements. Throw in epic romances that transcend time, and this trendy, engrossing anthology is sure to become another hit for the fast-growing Steampunk genre!

This collection features some of the hottest writers in the teen genre, including: Ann Aguirre, Jaclyn Dolamore, Tessa Gratton, Frewin Jones, Caitlin Kittredge, Adrienne Kress, Lesley Livingston, Dru Pagliassotti, Dia Reeves, Michael Scott, Maria V. Snyder, Tiffany Trent, and Kiersten White. (description from Amazon.com)

I am a huge steampunk fan so I was stoked to read this book featuring tons of great authors each spinning their own steampunk tale. They did not disappoint me! Each tale was full of machinery, adventure, and romance. I was swept over and over into new and exciting worlds.

Though it's hard in a collection like this to pick favorites, I will name three stories that really stood out for me:

Wild Magic by Ann Aguirre - This steampunk also featured a lot of fantasy with wild fey magic that had become illegal. It was a great story about love overcoming one's duty and class barriers. (Now I have to go read Enclave because I really loved Aguirre's writing style!!)

Under Amber Skies by Maria Snyder - This interesting tale was set in Poland during World War II. It had lots of really ingenious steampunk inventions, including little protection crabs. Really cool.

Tick, Tick, Boom by Kiersten White - This tale featured a super smart female protagonist who is a secret revolutionary. When her day to day and secret lives collide it makes for very interesting sparks!

Steampunk lovers and newbies who want to tiptoe their way into the genre would both do well to read this collection. I enjoyed it from start to finish!!

Full disclosure: ARC received from Book It Forward ARC Tours

If You Like: Boarding School Edition

"If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week includes suggestions for some favorite older titles and childhood favorites.

Check out our combined recommendations for books/movies/tv shows set in Boarding Schools. There are some good ones I need to go back to again!!

Writing the Breakout Novel

Writing the Breakout Novel
by Donald Maass

A breakout novel is one that rises out if its category - such as literary fiction, mystery, romance, or thriller - and hits the bestseller charts. Maass explains the elements that all breakout novels share and shows readers how to use these elements to write a novel that has a good chance of succeeding in a crowded marketplace. They'll learn to: - Create a powerful and sweeping sense of time and place - Develop larger-than-life characters - Sustain a high degree of narrative tension from start to finish - Weave sub-plots into the main action - Explore universal themes that will interest a large audience (description taken from Amazon.com)

This book was only somewhat helpful for me. There were some very similar tips to books I had already read. The section about plotting, developing things to the next level...really pushing the characters...I think I found that the most useful. Some chapters seemed a lot less helpful without really good examples.

I would skip this one in favor of some other books in the same field.

Rapunzel's Revenge

Rapunzel's Revenge
by Shannon and Dean Hale
Illustrated by Nathan Hale

Once upon a time, in a land you only think you know, lived a little girl and her mother . . . or the woman she thought was her mother.

Every day, when the little girl played in her pretty garden, she grew more curious about what lay on the other side of the garden wall . . . a rather enormous garden wall.

And every year, as she grew older, things seemed weirder and weirder, until the day she finally climbed to the top of the wall and looked over into the mines and desert beyond.(description taken from Amazon.com)

I really enjoyed this version of Rapunzel. Visually it was interesting and cleanly done. I really liked how Nathan Hale envisioned Rapunzel. She was slight but tough. (I also love that she's a redhead!!)

This was a wonderful girl power version! I just saw the movie Tangled and had thought that would be my all time favorite version of Rapunzel, but I love Shannon Hale's girl, too. Either way...she saves herself...and her "prince!" I loved, too, that this version weaves in Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk." The allusions to that story were fun to pick out of Rapunzel's tale.

I can't wait to read Calamity Jack soon.

In My Mailbox - April 10, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:

Corsets and Clockwork ed. by Trisha Telep
*Thank you to Book It Forward ARC Tours!*

From the Library:

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
by Renni Browne and Dave King

In this completely revised and updated second edition, Renni Browne and Dave King teach you, the writer, how to apply the editing techniques they have developed to your own work. Chapters on dialogue, exposition, point of view, interior monologue, and other techniques take you through the same processes an expert editor would go through to perfect your manuscript. Each point is illustrated with examples, many drawn from the hundreds of books Browne and King have edited. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Another good book with plenty of tips for someone seriously trying to get into writing. With both a tips checklist and exercises at the end of the chapter, there are plenty of chances to practice the principles shown. The examples were well done and I thought the dialogue and interior monologue sections were especially well done.

Fantastic, Fabulous Creatures and Beasts: Volume 1

Fantastic, Fabulous Creatures and Beasts: Volume 1
by Melanie Dellas
Illustrated by Christopher Bennett

Fantastic, Fabulous Creatures & Beasts came about because of my love of history. As a child I was fascinated with folk tales from other countries and the history of ancient civilizations. I read everything I could get my hands on, including the many encyclopedias my parents kept in the study. There was a certain thrill in discovering mythology from all over the world and seeing how closely related it all was. As an adult, my love for mythology and history never ceased. In fact, it grew stronger. After having my second child, I decided it was time to put my favorite myths into a book that would not only entertain my children, but teach them about the various cultures and their folklore.

I have taken the "real" folk tales and written them in a format that will help children remember them. Because I have not embellished the stories or changed them in any way from their original versions, you will find happy creatures and sad creatures, friendly creatures and not-so-friendly creatures. The tales contained within are from China, Russia, India and many other countries. Through this book, it is my hope that children will come to respect and appreciate the multicultural world they live in and, of course, remember that our world is still mystical and magical - as long as our stories remain alive. (description taken from Amazon.com)

This book takes mythical creatures from many different cultures and showcases a poem and illustration for each. Some of the creatures are familiar to children in Western cultures, like the unicorn, Pegasus, and Medusa, while others from very foreign lands may first be learned about here.

Dellas presents each creature's story in a poem. The rhyming stanzas vary in reading level from creature to creature. Younger children can pick this book up and enjoy the illustrations and have someone help them understand the poems. Older readers will be able to enjoy on their own.



The Phoenix, it's said, has iridescent wings
and a body of reddish-gold,
with a tuft of feathers at the back of its head
that is fiery and bold.

The illustrations that match each creature are really stylized and just plain "cool." They actually remind me of the type of illustrations you would see on an album or CD cover. One of my favorite illustrations is of an electric blue and purple "Heaven Dog" from China. I also really loved both the poem and the illustration for the "Simurgh," a Persian mythological bird that gathered seeds from the Tree of Life and gave them to the world.

Though this book is a scant 45 pages, readers of almost any age are guaranteed to learn new mythology and to enjoy the beautiful format.

Full disclosure: Copy borrowed from my Library, but purchased for the Library after being contacted by publicist.

A Novel Idea

A Novel Idea
by Aimee Friedman

Once upon a time there was a Brooklyn hipster named Norah. Unlucky in love, and short on extracurriculars for her college apps, Norah decided to start a book group. She knew the perfect locale -- a local indie bookstore with a crush-worthy cutie manning the soy latte counter.

When the first meeting arrives, Norah gets a page-turning surprise. The attendees may be bookish, but there are also a few hotties! Most noteworthy: sweet, literary James. He's like a modern Jane Austen hero....

Only, how to snag him? Ever the romantic heroine, Norah devises a secret plan. And if it works, Norah may just find her "Happily Ever After" love story. The End. (description from Amazon.com)

Oh. This book was the perfect break from all of the books I'm reading strictly to review. It was wonderful to just sit down to a happy little romantic comedy. :)

Norah was a funny character. She's kinda funky...with that indie vibe...perfect to start a hipster book club. As a book lover, I really enjoyed the fact that this entire storyline was centered around a book club...and it made me want to run out and join one!

I also really loved how Friedman layered the events of Norah's favorite new, oh horror of embarrassing horrors!!!, romance novel into the events of Norah's real life. It was so cute how the two intertwined.

Really, all in all, just a cute little book that I recommend if you want something light and happy. Something that will leave you with a smile.

City of Fallen Angels

Congratulations to Cassandra Clare whose fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series, City of Fallen Angels, hits bookshelves (and millions of mailboxes world-wide, I'm sure) today!

I'm actually being a super person and letting the teen at my library who is absolutely DESPERATE to read this book check it out first, but I'm sure I'll have it by this weekend to read. :)

Not sure you want to read it? Check out the official full length book trailer, exclusive to EW here.

If You Like: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

"If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week includes suggestions for some favorite older titles and childhood favorites.

Check out our combined recommendations for Jennifer Donnelly's Revolution.

The Queen Bee of Bridgeton

The Queen Bee of Bridgeton
by Leslie DuBois
Dancing Dream series, book one

When fifteen-year-old Sonya Garrison is accepted into the prestigious Bridgeton Academy, she soon discovers that rich girls are just as dangerous as the thugs in her home of Venton Heights. Maybe more so. After catching the eye of the star, white basketball player and unwittingly becoming the most popular girl in school, she earns the hatred of the three most ruthless and vindictive girls at Bridgeton. Can she defeat the reigning high school royalty? Or will they succeed in ruining her lifelong dream of becoming a world class dancer? (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was the story of a driven, passionate girl who hopes that her dancing can take her out of the ghetto. Sonya is a strong, compassionate, hopeful girl...and a great character to read about. Her motives are always clear and honorable, her passion for dancing is palpable, and her longing to be accepted and loved is heartbreaking.

Sonya begins to dance at age 8 and by the time she is 16, her dream is to attend a prestigious dance school in Rome to help her career as a professional ballerina. The dancing scenes were lovely, full of terminology, but never confusing, and solidly illustrating how devoted Sonya is to her dancing. Even when she begins dating a very intriguing boy, she never truly loses sight of her dancing dreams. Her passion even inspires those around her to become better people.

The juxtaposition of the Bridgeton Academy and Sonya and Sasha's roach-ridden apartment life in Venton Heights perfectly illustrates why both Sonya and Sasha have developed into the girls that they are, both driven to leave the ghetto behind, and why they will never truly be accepted at Bridgeton if anyone learns of where they live. It's sad to realize that race is still an issue and it's good that those feelings, of not being white enough, of not being black enough, are explored in books like this one. It really made me smile when Sonya realized that not everyone would judge her because of where she grew up...that she could be accepted for exactly who she was as a person. :)

I cannot wait to see what happens to Sonya next - where her dancing can truly take her!

Full disclosure: E-book provided by the author for review

In My Mailbox - April 3, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:

Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee *Thanks to the author!
Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt *Thanks to SLJ

Oh. Yeah. and did I mention what I opened in the mail this morning, yet? No? Well...



Supernaturally by Kiersten White
*OMG!! I screamed like a little girl and jumped up and down like an idiot...special thanks to HarperCollins!!!!

From the Library:

Annie's Adventures by Lauren Baratz-Logsted with Greg Logsted and Jackie Logsted
Girl's Best Friend by Leslie Margolia


A Shore Thing by Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi (SHORE for a good laugh)
Steampunkery by Christi Friesen (Gonna make me some awesome steampunk accessories!)

On My Nook:

Dead Witch Walking By Kim Harrison
Straight Stalk by Tera Lynn Childs

*And still working on my five ABNA manuscripts!*

Wither - Blog Tour

Wither by Lauren DeStefano The Chemical Garden Trilogy, book one By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out? (description from Amazon.com) This was a compelling and creepy dystopia. DeStefano's debut is impossible to put down. Though I really enjoyed the characters, the world DeStefano creates is even more of a draw. I never would been able to imagine this society with a very short life expectancy...and how society has managed to cope...or not. The polygamous marriages that become common amongst the wealthy to continue procreation, the Gatherers that kidnap girls to become brides, the orphanages that must exist when most parents are now dying before their children are old enough to care for themselves...unnerving. I just want to creep into the back of Lauren DeStefano's brain to see what else she'll imagine! I really felt for Rhine. She was trapped in sooo many ways. Physically, metaphorically, and mentally - their entire society is pretty much trapped...so sad. The cover (which is absolutely GORGEOUS) really epitomizes the story. They did a phenomenal job designing it. Anyway, I think the thing that really struck me the most - out of all these crazy, shocking ideas was that poor Rowen, Rhine's twin brother, would outlive his sister by five years. They're twins! The closest that two people can really ever be...and there was no way that he could know that she was alive for those years, even if she was all the way across the country...she will die at twenty, no matter what. That broke my heart a little. I am super curious to see what happens in the second book. I don't want to go into spoilers, but I will say I cannot wait to see more of this world. DeStefano was a master at dropping in little bits of information to build the world. Mini-flashbacks, sensory triggered memories, and explainations built into events just kept adding layers into what became a more and more fascinating (and scary) version of our future. An extremely well-done and fascinating debut. Full disclosure: ARC received from Book It Foward ARC Tours 2011 Debut Author Challenge title

Tell Me a Secret

Tell Me a Secret
by Holly Cupala

It's tough living in the shadow of a dead girl. . . .

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda's death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister's world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

When two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears, Miranda is stripped of her former life. She must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister's demons and her own. (description taken from Amazon.com)

First off, can I just say that Jenna Lamia is an AH-MAZING narrator. She took this wonderful book and squeezed even more emotion out of it, so that I spent three days tearing up in the car (okay, okay, full on sobbing sometimes...) on the way to and from work! That does NOT make for a pretty face, but it does make for an excellent listening experience. I highly recommend the audio version of this book!

Onto the book itself - Cupala blew me away. I am not a huge fan of this type of realistic fiction...what's sometimes known as the "problem" book. I didn't even really know that that was what this book was about, really. Sadly, I just downloaded the serialized podcast because I recognized the cover and it was free. (I'm such a sucker for free stuff!!) I am SOOO glad that I did, though.

I feel honestly that though this is a hot cover, it is highly misrepresentational of the book itself. This is a deep book about family, betrayal, redemption, love, teen pregnancy and most of all finding yourself. Romance...yes, I suppose the tiny incident of conception counts, but really this is not a book that needs a steamy cover. Not at all. I had completely different expectations for this book because of the cover.

However, I was beyond pleasantly surprised at the depths of this book. Cupala picked my heart up and squeezed out all the emotional juice in one awesome scene after another. Poor Miranda, sometimes Mandy, wants to be Rand, just has to fight for her right to be herself. She loses all her friends, alienates herself from her family, and finally deals with a huge ordeal almost completely on her own. Though it took bringing her to her lowest point, she is a fighter, and she came out of the depths a new and better person and I was right there cheering every time little step on.

I can't even really say how much I really enjoyed this book other than to say that when my computer refused to cooperate and I couldn't get it to download the second half, I had a full on breakdown and cried until my husband (whom I will love FOREVER) managed to wrangle iTunes into submission so that I could finish it.

Full disclosure: Listened to the free serialized podcast of the audiobook from the book's website - www.tellmeasecretnovel.com

Anxiously Awaiting...

Legend
by Marie Lu

Publication date: Nov. 2011

The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history....

Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.

Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.

Only one person could be responsible.

Day.

And now it's June's mission to hunt him down.

The truth they'll uncover will become legend.

This sounds like it could be EPIC.

The Liar Society

The Liar Society
by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Since when do the dead send emails?

Kate Lowry's best friend Grace died a year ago. So when she gets an email from her, Kate's more than a little confused.

To: KateLowry@pemberlybrown.edu
From: GraceLee@pemberlybrown.edu
Subject: (no subject)
Kate,
I'm here... sort of.
Find Cameron. He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell. They'll hurt you.

Now Kate has no choice but to prove once and for all that Grace's death was more than just a tragic accident. She teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not-so)-shining armor-the dangerously hot bad boy, Liam, and her lovestruck neighbor, Seth. But at their elite private school, there are secrets so big people will do anything to protect them-even if it means getting rid of anyone trying to solve a murder... (description from Amazon.com)

This was one of those books that I finished and I was happy. Just happy. It was fulfilling. I've seen a lot of people online already asking for book 2, but for me, The Liar Society ends at a spot both plot-wise and in Kate's emotional life that I am satisfied with...for me it could be a standalone.

It is a great Veronica Mars like mystery. There's danger, good friends, and snarky attitude. Everything I desired! Kate was a great heroine. Though she was still massively grieving her best friend's death and had no clue what was going on, she was fighting for justice!

My favorite passage from the book is AWESOME and epitomizes everything I loved about Kate:

p. 332 I had to laugh. Something about me running through underground tunnels with a sword was beyond funny, but I took it with me anyway. A girl could never be too careful. Besides, I was ready to start slaying my own damn dragons.

My only complaint - that Kate wasn't wearing an awesome pink wig as she ran through those tunnels with a sword!

Kate's journey is full of twists and turns and mysterious Latin puzzles (that I loved) and her biggest helpers, aside from the romantic lead that was definitely swoon-worthy, were a very hilarious redheaded sidekick who made me think of a cross between Ron Weasley and Agent Fox Mulder and a kick-@ss security guard who I think may honestly have been my favorite character in the whole book. Did I mention how much I loved how much time Kate spent hunting down clues in the Library??

Kate kept me on my toes and Lisa and Laura Roecker are hilarous-ness embodied. If you haven't checked out their blog yet, you must do so immediately! You'll find information about the book, their touring, what they're working on next...oh yeah, and their family stuff, celeb gossip, and did I mention I'm pretty sure this is where Kate got her snarky attitude??

Signing off in true PINK fashion one last time...


Full disclosure: ARC borrowed from the awesome Jen at Yabooknerd.
2011 Debut Author Challenge title