If You Like: Space 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 is for astronomy geeks...lol! If you love space adventures, aliens, and more, check it out here! (PS - I also added something I forgot in the comments...my fave TV show - duh! - Torchwood)

Hourglass

Hourglass
by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened? (description from Amazon.com)

What a debut! This is one of those books that I put down and was afraid to pick anything else up...nothing was going to sit right for awhile...McEntire gave other books a lot to live up to!!

That's why this book is getting a GOLD STAR REVIEW!




I loved this book...hot buttered biscuits, did I love this book! It's got adventure, it's got time travel, it's got "ghosts," it's got romance, it's got betrayal, it's got jealousy...oh yeah, did I mention the romance?

In amongst the time traveling awesome adventure is some hot, hot romance. Not only does Emerson have one HAWT soul mate, but she's got another suitor that I just want to reach through the book and snatch up. How lucky can one girl get? The best part...it's not the focus of the book. Yes, you will be fanning yourself at some moments...maybe even drooling, but the adventure and mystery is the real story.

Emerson doesn't let romance get in her way. Not even when things seem impossible to work out in every aspect of her life. The romance is integral and consuming, but also shoved to the back burner when more important things occur. Emerson is one delicate-looking, snarky, tough cookie that isn't gonna let anyone...not even a heartthrob...tell her how to live her life. She makes her own choices.

*sigh* I want to go home and dive right back into this one now...and I hardly have time to reread anything these days, so Ms. McEntire that is the highest praise I can give you! I will be rereading Hourglass soon...very soon...and I will be purchasing my own copy...AND I will be desperately trying to flatten out the (now very mushed) cover poster that I got at BEA to put on the wall in my office.

Full disclosure: ARC borrowed from Jen at YABOOKNERD - *Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!*

Ruby Red Winner!

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the RUBY RED giveaway (via random drawing at random.org) is...

Carol M!!

Carol, check your email...you have until this Wednesday, June 15th to contact me with your mailing address so the publisher can send you your copy of Ruby Red. Congratulations again!

Into the Gauntlet

Into the Gauntlet
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The 39 Clues, book 10

Throughout the hunt for the 39 Clues, Amy and Dan Cahill have uncovered history's greatest mysteries and their family's deadliest secrets. But are they ready to face the truth about the Cahills and the key to their unmatched power? After a whirlwind race that's taken them across five continents, Amy and Dan face the most the difficult challenge yet- a task no Cahill dared to imagine. When faced with a choice that could change the future of the world, can two kids succeed where 500 years worth of famous ancestors failed? (description from Amazon.com)

What a great "end" to the series! Having waited a little bit to read it, I know that there is a whole secondary series beginning, so this isn't truly the end, (and boy am I glad!) but it came to a really good point in this book.

Without ruining things for anyone, I will just say that I love the adventure, puzzles, fun facts, and family in this series. Yes, I say family, because even as this family is fighting, clawing, and scheming their way around each other for clues, people like Nellie (the au pair) are becoming part of the Cahill family and members from different branches of the family...ones who never mingled before...are drawing alliances and coming together as a larger extended family.

In fact, the end of this book is all about if Dan and Amy can bring the family together or not, essentially to save the world from power hungry Cahills! What happens made me smile. I really loved all of the revelations about the younger Cahills...from all branches...in this final book.

There, no spoilers. I will just finish with - IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN READING THIS SERIES...START NOW! It's sooooo good. (And they are really quick reads!)

Winner #1 in the BEA ARC Giveaway!!

I am pleased to announce that the FIRST winner of the BEA ARC giveaway (via random drawing at random.org) is...

Ashly at Lost in the Stacks!!

Ashly, check your email...you have until Monday, June 13th to contact me with your mailing address and the two ARC titles that you want. Congratulations again!

Don't forget, I'll be choosing the second ARC winner on Wed, June 15th! Good luck. :)

Winner! Everlasting by Alyson Noel

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the copy of Alyson Noel's Everlasting (via random drawing at random.org) is...

Robyn!!

Robyn's favorite book in the Immortals series is Evermore, which also happens to be my favorite. There was just something so magical about the introduction to not only Ever, but the world of this series. :)

Robyn, check your email...you have until Monday, June 13th to contact me with an address that I can pass on to the publisher. Congratulations again!

Ruby Red - Book Trailer and Giveaway

So, there's been huge buzz online for the first book in a new time travel trilogy. The first book, Ruby Red, came out May 10th.



Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.



Sound like Ruby Red might be right up your alley?

Here's a chance to win a copy! Leave me a comment...with your name, email address, and where and when you would visit if you could time travel.

Entries must be received by Sunday, June 12th. I'll randomly pick one winner from the comments on Monday, June 13th and they will have until Wed., June 15th to get me their adress (US/Canada only...per publisher) so that we can get your book sent out to you!

Supernaturally

Supernaturally
by Kiersten White
Paranormalcy, book two

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal. (description taken from Amazon.com)

First off, ummm...can I just gush about how much I love this cover?! I tweeted mid-read about how hard a time I had finishing the book, not because I wasn't loving it, but because I kept closing the book to pet the cover! Yes...really. I pet it because it is just sooooo pretty. I can't wait until it is sitting all lovely right next to my copy of Paranormalcy on my bookcase. *sigh* Does anyone know where I could get a poster of the cover...no? Wishful thinking. I'd love to put that up next to the poster of Myra McEntire's Hourglass that I got from BEA this year.

Okay...enough about the GORGEOUS cover...

I loved this book. I loved the first and I was soooo happy to not be disappointed at all in the second. I started out the book giggling and pretty much ended the same way. When a book begins with "Oh, bleep. I was going to die." and you start laughing two lines later, you know you have a winner!

*Slight Spoilers Ahead!*

I love the romance between Evie and Lend. They have a sweet romance that, yes, has its rocky moments, but never truly wavers. Lend is a great boyfriend...he may disagree with Evie's choices, but he never tells her she can or cannot do something...just that she must be honest with him about her decisions. Lend truly wants Evie for, well...Evie.

Though I love Lend, my heart really went out to the new boy in this book. No, no! I swear he's not competing with Lend for Evie's affection. He's just, well...Jack. And that is quite a character to behold. Another teen whose life was tainted by contact with faeries, Jack is kind of all over the place. Literally. He can open doors to the faerie paths and delights in making mischief. His emotional baggage, though, makes for a potentially dangerous loose cannon.

*Spoilers end*

Essentially, all of the things I loved about Paranormalcy are found again in its sequel. What's even better is that this is the middle book in a trilogy and it has a full and complete plot, awesome characters, and a wonderful, funny tone. I love Kiersten White's writing...sweetness wrapped up in a little tart. I have no doubts that I will love book three when it finally arrives!

Full disclosure: ARC received from publisher for review

Wings of the Wicked Book Trailer

I loved Courtney Allison Moulton's debut Angelfire. The sequel, Wings of the Wicked is due out Winter 2012...

Check out the beautiful and intriguing trailer...


...and it ends with the awesome cover that was revealed today!
I can't wait for this to come out next winter! :)

The Iron Witch

The Iron Witch
by Karen Mahoney
The Iron Witch, book one

When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed Donna Underwood’s father and drove her mother mad. Her own nearly fatal injuries were fixed by alchemy—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. Now seventeen, Donna feels like a freak, doomed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. Only her relationship with her best friend, Navin, is keeping her sane.

But when vicious wood elves abduct Navin, Donna is forced to accept her role in the centuries-old war between human alchemists and these darkest outcasts of Faerie. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous guy with faery blood running through his veins and secrets of his own, Donna races to save Navin—even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to the death to protect. (description taken from Amazon.com)

I think when I read this book I may have been in a funky mood. There were parts I really loved, but I just couldn't get into it. I've heard such great things...every review I've read has been good, so I think I may just have been overloaded on this type of book...

Anyway, what I liked:
*The awesome way that the alchemists repaired Donna's arms by infusing them with iron. Everytime I pictured the silver swirls on her arms, all I could think was AWESOME!
*The boys. Both of them. I liked Xan and his revealed secret about having fairy blood and I liked Navin, Donna's "normal" friend. PS - Did I mention that he's Indian...very cool!
*Alchemy. I've always been fascinated with it...and I love how it was mixed with magic in this story.

*Sigh* I really did like a lot of the elements of this story! I'll have to make sure to read the second book in the series, The Wood Queen, to see if it really just was that I was in a funky mood when I read this one...

If you Like...Summer

"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.

Summer is my favorite time of the year. I love the heat. I love the summer clothes. I love how everyone seems happier somehow. This week's If You Like is full of titles celebrating summer...check it out!

Gemini Night

Gemini Night
by Bonnie Hearn Hill
Star Crossed, book three

Starting her junior year, Logan McRae is excited about her internship at CRUSH magazine. But she is not so excited about her new boyfriend Jeremy’s travel abroad in Ireland. Logan’s in over her head trying to balance school, love, and friends, while trying to solve an astrological mystery—the fate of a Gemini is star-crossed.

Will Logan find out who is in danger before the CRUSH Halloween costume party? Can she prove to the publisher she deserves her own astrology column? And will her relationship with Jeremy survive the distance? Only time will tell as Logan continues to reach for the stars! (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was a fun, easy read. The overall plotline was interesting with a good twist and the pages interspersed between the real chapters containing astrology knowledge were really cute and intriguing. I like the way the book was structured with Logan's "columns" about how to interest each individual type of guy (ie. Taurus, Virgo, Pieces, etc.) in between the major chapters. I liked the "handwritten" notes that Logan made to herself as the story moved along.

I liked Logan and all of her friends. I especially liked the way that Logan and her two best friends, Chili and Paige, always supported and stood up for one another. They were a group I would have loved to have hung out with in highschool.

And, though at some points I was actually distracted by Logan's references to peoples' signs (ie. - "Way to go, Gemini" or "That's because he's a Taurus..."), I did find myself thinking about what signs each of the character was...as well as many of my friends and family. It made me want to go out and get a copy of Fearless Astrology to start reading more.

Overall a fun, light read.

Full disclosure: Review copy received from publisher

Anxiously Awaiting... (With a little Cover Craving on the side! lol)

Here's two books that I'm super excited to have come out...plus I just wanted to look at their great covers again...


The Son of Neptune
by Rick Riordan
Heroes of Olympus, book two
Publication Date: Oct. 4, 2011


Clockwork Prince
by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Devices, book two
Publication Date: Dec. 6, 2011

The WSJ, "Age Appropriate" Censorship, and #Yasaves

I don't know if you're all already on Twitter...if you are than I am sure you've already seen the Wall Street Journal controversy and it's followup responses under the Twitter hastag, #Yasaves.

If not, then here's the condensed version...
Yesterday, the WSJ debuted an opinion article titled, "Darkness Too Visible" by Megan Cox Gurden. (Here's the link.) Basically, she trashes all YA as being too dark, too real to the point that there are no "age appropriate" books for teens anymore.

Say what?

I'm sorry, but obviously the author and the woman whose situation she quotes are not actually LOOKING at the YA books before they trash them. YA is an age group...not a genre. Which means...huh...there are about a hundred different types of YA books. That means that there IS a book out there for every teen reader. I swear!

As a YA Librarian, the most important part of my job is to connect the teen readers (and the adults now that are branching into YA :P) to the right book. That is what I am here for...there are so many choices that it can sometimes be difficult for a reader to determine what's right for them. (This was actually my first response to the article - ummm...instead of just wandering the bookshelves at a bookstore, you could talk to a Librarian to get some recommendations...)

The reason that Reader's Advisory is such a huge part of my job? Because every reader is different. Their needs are different, their tastes are different, their reading levels are different... It's my job to figure out how to mesh all of these factors together to come up with the right book.

For some, it's a book that is sweet and funny. Full of dreams, funny situations, and not too much beyond a gentle kiss... This reader might love SUITE SCARLETT by Maureen Johnson or SLEEPAWAY GIRLS by Jen Calonita.

For others, it's a science fiction book that features a male character...This reader might love ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card or EPIC by Connor Kostick.

For others, it's what we might term a "problem book," something dealing with abuse, because they've lived through it or someone they know has had to deal with it... For this reader it might be a book like THE RULES OF SURVIVAL by Nancy Werlin or A CHILD CALLED IT by Dave Pelzer.

Each teen needs a different book. It may be because they know someone dealing with some issue. It may be a safe way for them to explore a life issue without actual experimentation. It may be that it was recommended by a friend. It may be that they are dealing with something they don't want to talk about. For whatever reason, it is up to me and other Librarians and book sellers to provide them with THAT book.

YA books have exploded in the last few years. There is more choice available than ever...and yes, a lot of these books reflect the life that teens are facing now. It is only adults who bury their heads in the sand that cannot acknowledge that even if THEIR TEEN does not need or want to read a specific book, that it will not be the perfect fit for someone else's teen.

For every happy teen living in a suburban house with the perfect life, there is at least one teen living on the street, or heck even in the suburban house next door that maybe has a life that is reflected in these new DARK YA books. They need them.

The overall point is that YA covers all gamuts. It covers all genres. It covers LIFE. There are light books, there are dark books, there are fantasy titles, and realistic fiction. There are nonfiction books dealing with sex, drugs, abuse, school topics, biographies...need I go on?

To say that an entire age group of books is now worthless and should be avoided is just pure closed-minded censorship. What the author really needs to do is explore all that YA has to offer! Become more informed instead of just running off at the mouth.

To see more opinions than just mine, check out the #Yasaves hashtag on Twitter or check your favorite authors' blogs, as many, many, many people out there have already put out responses and opinions on this topic.

In My Mailbox - June 5, 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!

Won:

The Girl Who Was on Fire ed. by Leah Wilson
*THANK YOU to Teens Read and Write!!*

For Review:

Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley

From the Library:

Kiss of Death by Lauren Henderson
Graveminder by Melissa Marr

On My Nook:

Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison
Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa


Did anyone get anything super exciting this week??

It's Finally Coming - Everlasting by Alyson Noel - book trailer and GIVEAWAY

Everlasting is the sixth and final installment of the epic love story, The Immortals by Alyson Noel. A love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.



Will they be united—or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!

Check out this cool trailer!


If you can't wait to find out how the saga finally ends, well...you could win a copy of Everlasting here!!

Leave me a comment by Wed. June 8th with your name, an email address, and your favorite book in The Immortals series and I'll draw a random winner on Thurs. June 9th. The winner MUST get back to me with their mailing address by Mon.June 13th in order to receive their copy!!

Enclave

Enclave
by Ann Aguirre
Razorland, book one

WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE
In Deuce's world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed 'brat' has trained into one of three groups-Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce's troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn't like following orders. At first she thinks he's crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don't always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she's never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce's perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy... but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she's ever known. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Though I really enjoyed the concept and storyline of this book, I think that there are definitely stronger examples of the genre out there. This may be in part due to this being Ann Aguirre's debut YA novel...she may just not have quite hit her stride yet. I read her short story, Wild Magic, in the compilation, Corsets and Clockwork (see my review here), and LOVED it. It was one of my favorites, so I don't think that there is anything wrong with Ann's writing in general.

This was not by any means a bad book...just not strong in comparison to books like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I will say that the worldbuilding that Aguirre does within the enclave is amazing. Deuce's world is fully realized and very, very interesting. It is only as she ventures out of her underground world that details start to fall apart. For instance, the tunnels are full of "freaks" - creatures that could be zombies, but really aren't. There is no real explanation for what they are, how they developed, or what their limitations might be...then they begin to change and things get even more hazy. There is no explanation for how power and running water still exist in a deserted city.

Some of this is due to the fact that this is the first book in a series. When book one ends, there are several major questions left unanswered. Deuce has only just begun to discover the outside world around her, so readers are also somewhat in the dark. It's just that as she discovers things, even the explanations sometimes are not enough...

I loved Deuce as a character, though. She was tough and conflicted and very, very interesting. I loved the way that she constantly questioned things, even if not always out loud. Deuce's moral compass rang fairly true, especially taken into the context of the dark world in which she was raised. Her friends in the enclave were all really well done. Fade was also a strong, multidimensional character. Stalker and Tegan, the two main characters that they meet aboveground are more stereotypical, but I think that may change in book two of the series, Outpost, coming fall 2012.

This was a short novel. I think that if Aguirre had fleshed somethings out a little more it could have been really great. I'm hoping that book two takes this interesting world and really makes it real.

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for AudioFile magazine; Hardcover received to review for publisher
2011 Debut Author Challenge title
2011 Zombie Reading Challenge title

BEA wrap-up and Giveaway

Hmmm...how to summarize Book Expo?

I got up at 4:40 a.m. to get ready and leave by 5:15 a.m. to drive the hour to the train station. Got Dunkin Donuts breakfast after my ticket and panicked while waiting for my friend and co-worker, Miss Kim, to arrive...just before the train!

Train ride full of "Oh, we have to do this...and oh.my.god. I have to get this book signed, and do you think we could hit this one and this one before the time's up???"

Arrival at NYC Grand Central Station...asking which exit to find taxi stand...worst taxi ride of my life (serious fears of dying, people!!)

Arrival at Javitz Center...WOOT!! BEA. AWESOMESAUCE.

We tag teamed the booths first, then hit some signings...more booths, more signings...and REST. Sort of...Poor Miss Kim went off to buy lunch while I powered through with a PB&J and some yogurt covered raisins in line.

We hit the YA Book Buzz which was great...until they had no one handing out the ARCs at the end. Talk about a mad crush! Some brave souls finally ripped open the tops of the boxes stacked at the edge of the room and a huge crowd gathered to grab...people were nice, though, and were passing back to others. (Psst...I also saw Laini Taylor in the back of the room...ie. She was within 10 feet of me...Oh.My.God!! That made my day, right there...)

Other highlights...
*Popped by Harlequin after their teen signing and talked to Cara Lynn Shultz (who rememebered me from our CLA annual conference panel!)
*Bumped into Violet Haberdasher and snagged a totally unexpected ARC of The Secret Prince
*Managed to snag the one ARC Miss Kim was absolutely desperate for, even though they weren't technically handing them out
*Ran into a ton of my fave Library people!! (Jen, Bailey, Karen, Heather, and Andrea!!)
*Got to meet Michael Scott and get a totally unexpected signed copy of Warlock
*Snagged a signed copy of Trial by Fire from Jennifer Lynn Barnes, who also remembered me from our CLA event!
*I met some awesome bloggers in real life standing in line!
*Five bloggers actually recognized my blog...doesn't sound like a lot, but to me that meant the world!!

There were so many other awesome moments, I can't even get them all down. I really, really love BEA. To help share the BEA love, I'm doing a GIVEAWAY!!

Here's how it will work:
I have six extra ARCs from BEA...


Signed ARC - Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
ARC - Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham


ARC - Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
ARC - The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima

ARC - The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith
ARC - Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with your name and email address before Friday, June 10th. On Saturday, June 11th, I will randomly choose our FIRST WINNER.

The first winner has to get back to me by Monday, June 13th with their mailing address (US only this time...sorry!) and their choice of TWO of the ARCs below.

Then on Wed., June 15th, I will choose a SECOND WINNER. This person will have their choice of one ARC from the remaining titles. The second winner will have to get back to me by Fri., June 17th with their mailing address and the ARC they want.

So...even if you couldn't make BEA this year...you can still read like you did! Good luck!!

A Shore Thing

A Shore Thing
by Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi

It’s a summer to remember . . . at the Jersey Shore.

Giovanna “Gia” Spumanti and her cousin Isabella “Bella” Rizzoli are going to have the sexiest summer ever. While they couldn’t be more different—pint-size Gia is a carefree, outspoken party girl and Bella is a tall, slender athlete who always holds her tongue—for the next month they’re ready to pouf up their hair, put on their stilettos, and soak up all that Seaside Heights, New Jersey, has to offer: hot guidos, cool clubs, fried Oreos, and lots of tequila.

So far, Gia’s summer is on fire. Between nearly burning down their rented bungalow, inventing the popular “tan-tags” at the Tantastic Salon where she works, and rescuing a shark on the beach, she becomes a local celebrity overnight. Luckily, she meets the perfect guy to help her keep the flames under control. Firefighter Frank Rossi is exactly her type: big, tan, and Italian. But is he tough enough to handle Gia when things really heat up?

Bella is more than ready for some fun in the sun. Finally free of her bonehead ex-boyfriend, she left home in Brooklyn with one goal in mind: hooking up with a sexy gorilla for a no-strings-attached summer fling. In no time, she lands a job leading “Beat Up the Beat” dance classes at a local gym, and is scooped up by Beemer-driving, preppy Bender Newberry. Only problem: Bella can’t get her romantic and ripped boss Tony “Trouble” Troublino out of her head. He’s relationship material. Suddenly, Bella’s not sure what she wants.

The cousins soon realize that for every friend they make on the boardwalk, there are also rivals, slummers, and frenemies who will do anything to ruin their summer—and try their relationship. Before July ends, the bonds of family and friendship will be stretched to the breaking point. Will the haters prevail, or will Gia and Bella find love at the Shore?
(description from Amazon.com)

I can hear you all now...why on Earth did you bother to read that book??
I have to admit something somewhat shameful...I am an unabashed, full on, Jersey Shore addict. Yes, I said it! I love that show. It's soooo ridiculous, but I can't not watch it whenever it's on.

So, that being said. I have not yet read any of the "how-to" books by The Situation or JWoww, but when I saw that my beloved, god awful, hilarious Snooki had "penned" a novel. I knew I had to check it out. Call this my ultimate guilty pleasure.

...and I loved it. This book is exactly what I would read if I went to the beach. It was so over the top, out there ridiculous that I literally laughed my way through it. I read parts out loud to my husband...I quoted funny lines to friends...

You know those dog breeds that are so ugly they become cute again? That's what this book is...it's literally so BAD that it becomes great. This book was written so that it read as if you were reading a script for one of the Jersey Shore episodes. OMG. Funny. It was literally SNOOKTASTIC.

Would I recommend this? Eh. Unless you actually like the Jersey Shore or are looking for something to read that requires absolutely no thought whatsoever...no. Did I love it. Yes. It is a "special" book for certain readers. Whatever you do, though, don't spend money on it!! :P

My Favorite Band Does Not Exist

My Favorite Band Does Not Exist
by Robert Jeschonek

Sixteen-year-old genius Idea Deity believes that he exists only in the pages of a novel written by a malevolent, omnipotent author . . . and that he will die in chapter 64. Meanwhile, an older teen named Reacher Mirage sings lead vocals for the undercover rock band Youforia . . . a band that exists in Idea’s world only as an Internet hoax that Idea himself perpetuated. Then there’s beautiful and mysterious Eunice Truant, who links their destinies. When Idea and Reacher plunge into the reality of Fireskull’s Revenant, the twisted epic fantasy novel they’ve both been reading, chapter 64 bears down on them like a speeding freight train on an unstoppable collision course. Being trapped in a bad book can be a nightmare. Just ask Idea Deity. (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was one of those rare books that I put down and I literally could not decide how I felt about it. Now, since I was formally reviewing it...that's an issue! Sadly, I've submitted my review and I'm still somewhat conflicted.

The conceptualization of this book is amazing. It's sophisticated and interesting.

The characters all have really weird names that kept distracting me.

There are sections of a book within the book that look like a different book...I both liked and hated that.

In some ways this felt over the top...but in others, all I kept comparing it to all of the things I loved about the hallucinogenic road-trip in Libba Bray's Going Bovine. The existential feeling that I got from this book was strongly reminiscent of hers...

I think that the people who like this book are actually going to LOVE it. I think it may develop a strong underground type of following. I also think that your average reader will skip right over this book...

Me? I still can't describe how it made me feel!

Full disclosure: ARC received to review for SLJ

Darkness Becomes Her

Darkness Becomes Her
by Kelly Keaton
Gods and Monsters, book 1

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. (description from Amazon.com)

This book is...lush, dark, creepy, intriguing, entrancing, exciting...all the best things about a dark, urban, dystopian, paranormal fantasy. This is just how I like my books. I was sucked so deep into this story that I literally devoured it in one sitting, unable to put it down...bedtime be damned!

Ari won me over, heart and soul. She is tough, strange, mysterious, and heartachingly vulnerable at times. Unaware of who she really is, she delves into a dangerous, forbidden city and enters a lush, exotic world of people and things she never knew existed. She manages to be clueless and in control at the same time.

Oh, and can I mention New 2? Umm...I have never in my life wanted more to buy plane tickets to New Orleans than I did immediately after finishing this book. The descriptions are amazing and decadent and haunting. It was like being there...in a post-disaster, creepy way. I loved it! The setting definitely helped to make this book.

Darkness Becomes Her is definitely at the top of my list of books I've enjoyed recently and as such, it earns a GOLD STAR REVIEW!!

I can not wait for the second book in the Gods and Monsters series, which will be coming out in Feb. 2012!

Hotel No Tell - Blog Tour

Hotel No Tell
by Daphne Uviller
Sequel to Super in the City

The smart and sassy detective Zephyr Zuckerman is now armed and undercover in a Greenwich Village hotel where mysteries—from garbage-grabbing guests to the reservation system—lurk around every corner.

Now working as a junior detective with the New York City Special Investigations Commission, Zephyr’s gone incognito as a concierge to find out who laundered a hundred grand off the hotel books—and why. But the discovery of a prone, flush-faced guest gasping for air in room 502 only hints at the sinister goings-on inside this funky establishment. While the rapid response of the fire department leads to a sweaty date with a smooth-talking, rock-climbing rescue worker, Zephyr finds herself even more hot and bothered by an attempted murder on her watch. Could the smart-mouthed Japanese yenta across the hall know more than she’s telling? How are cryptic phone calls from a mysterious corporation linked to the victim in 502?

Under pressure and overwhelmed, Zephyr soon finds that a concierge cover is no protection in a place where crime, like the city itself, never sleeps. (description from Amazon.com)

This was a romp of a read! I flew through it and giggled my way down the twisting path of poor Zephyr's case. Not only does this book have a good mystery, Zephyr is one of those characters that I just immediately connected with...

Zephyr is an SIC agent, solving cases for the city. When she's assigned to go undercover to figure out where some missing money went, she struggles a little bit because Zephyr has a close knit group of friends and family that she usually tells all about her work. Once in place at the hotel, though, Zephyr commits wholeheartedly and not only solves her case, but is an exemplary consierge, as well.

One of my favorite characters from the entire book is actually Zephyr's boss, Pippa. A classy, unapproachable woman who collects sea-foam green handbags and uses ferry rides to hold important meetings, she is determined to take Zephyr under her wing. She was both competent and sweetly quirky.

I enjoyed this read so much, now I have to go back and read the first book, Super in the City. I also really hope that we'll get to delve into Zephyr's life again in the future!!

Full disclosure: Book provided by Publisher as part of Blog Tour

In My Mailbox - May 29, 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!

From The Library:

A Gaggle of Goblins by Suzanne Harper
Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz
Sidekicks by Jack Ferraiolo


Steel by Carrie Vaughn
Divergent by Veronica Roth


For Review:

Everfound by Neal Shusterman


From BEA:
I'm just going to highlight my favorites for the moment...


Signed: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter and Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.


Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Legend by Marie Lu, The Bridge to Never Land by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, The Secret Prince by Violet Haberdasher, and Floors by Patrick Carman.

The Water Wars

The Water Wars
by Cameron Stracher

Would you risk everything for someone you just met?

What if he had a secret worth killing for?

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than oil or gold...

Hundreds of millions of people have already died, and millions more will soon fall-victims of disease, hunger, and dehydration. It is a time of drought and war. The rivers have dried up, the polar caps have melted, and drinkable water is now in the hands of the powerful few. There are fines for wasting it and prison sentences for exceeding the quotas.

But Kai didn't seem to care about any of this. He stood in the open road drinking water from a plastic cup, then spilled the remaining drops into the dirt. He didn't go to school, and he traveled with armed guards. Kai claimed he knew a secret-something the government is keeping from us...
And then he was gone. Vanished in the middle of the night. Was he kidnapped? Did he flee? Is he alive or dead? There are no clues, only questions. And no one can guess the lengths to which they will go to keep him silent. We have to find him-and the truth-before it is too late for all of us. (description from Amazon.com)

I love dystopian fiction. This is no secret. I've read a lot of books in this genre, but this was really the first that dealt so openly with an environmental issue that had completely changed society as we know it. Granted, books like Carbon Diaries, 2015 deal with how society might begin to change if our destruction of the environment continues, but in The Water Wars life has already been irreperably changed and life is just completely different because of a lack of water.

The only book I could really compare it to in that respect is Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. When a meteor strikes the moon and its orbit is suddenly altered, the effects on the earth's weather patterns and ecosystem are devestating. Volcanoes erupt, earthquakes strike, flooding is massive, and winter becomes an inescapable reality.

In The Water Wars, humans have devestated the earth. The polar ice caps have melted into the oceans, altering the face of our continent. Unfortunately, with that there is no longer enough drinkable water on the planet to sustain us. Wars break out across the globe as countries begin to fight for limited resources. In North America, the U.S. breaks down. No longer a government with 50 states, there are now six independent republics warring not only each other, but the mighty Canada. Yes folks, you heard me right...Canada. In this future, Canada is THE superpower in the globe. By damming off all of the rivers that flow out of Canada, they now control the largest percentage of drinkable water on Earth...and they aren't sharing.

Poor Vera and her brother Will live in Illinowa, a desert area. They live on strictly rationed water and take dry showers. They are used to being constantly thirsty. Then Vera meets the greatly intriguing Kai. A boy who isn't afraid to waste water. He brings them extra water, wonderful water that hasn't been chemically altered. He even shows Vera a hidden spring...and tells them of a secret river. Fascinated, both teens become obsessed with Kai and his river.

When he disappears, Vera knows he didn't just leave...he was kidnapped. They set out to find Kai and rescue him. Unfortunately, they themselves get kidnapped, and rekidnapped, and then rescued, and...well let's just say there are explosions and dead bodies everywhere! This book could definitely be turned into a movie that any 14 year old boy would be happy to sit through...

The Water Wars is exciting. It's also really thought provoking. I have to admit that though I know we need to conserve water, it wasn't until I read this book that I really thought at all about what life would be like if we didn't have enough...no drinking water, no agriculture, no showering, no washing clothes...it goes on and on and on. This book really made me stop to think about desalinization of water and the chemicals that go into water to make it safe. The best part, though, is that it in no way detracted from the story...I thought about those things when I put the book down. This really is a thrilling read.

On a related note, we were lucky enough at our Library to have Cameron Stracher visit on Thursday night. I was sad to have a really small turnout, but Cam was very gracious and we had a really riveting discussion about the environmental future and how The Water Wars is based somewhat in fact. He also let us know that his next young adult book will be a post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure where the natural laws of the universe are failing. Time becomes fluid, gravity no longer holds, etc. I can't wait to read it already! It was a really good author visit!!

2011 Debut Author Challenge title

Red Glove

Red Glove
by Holly Black
Curse Workers, book two

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose. (description from Amazon.com)

I still can only commend Holly Black on how intricately she can build a believable, yet fantastic world! I love how her urban fantasies are wholly rooted in our world, yet have such strong elements that make them spring fully from her imagination. The world of the curse workers is intricate, flawed, and cool as hell.

I'm still not as in love with Cassel as many other readers are, but I definitely grew to enjoy him more fully as a character in this second book. I think as he came to know the whole story of what he'd done and how his actions reflected on his personality and desires, he became more fully rounded and believable in my imagination. I loved some of the choices he made here and can't wait to see how he'll pull things off next!

I am definitely looking forward to Black Heart. So many life altering choices were made or inadvertently forced onto different characters in this book, that it will be really, really interesting to see where they all end up in the next. *Mwa Haa Haa*

Bad Taste in Boys - Book Trailer

Can't wait for this one to come out!!

Abandon

Abandon
by Meg Cabot

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld. (description from Amazon.com)

Check out the great trailer for this book, here.

I really liked this new twist on the Persephone myth. It was modern and fresh, though steeped in ancient mythologies. It was almost like watching an episode of Supernatural based on the Hades and Persephone story. LOVE.

I found it amazing that this book took place over the span of just a few days, but managed to feel like it was covering eons. Meg Cabot used flashbacks to cover incidents that had happened years before, keeping the book constantly moving. I do have to admit that until I got used to that, I was confused at a few points in the early chapters, but once I got the rhythm it was a really great way to add layers to the events that were happening and to foreshadow important clues about the people around Pierce.

As for Pierce, I really liked her. She was tough and vulnerable. Poor Pierce gets pulled into a darker world than most people ever have to deal with... the biggest problem? She's not always unhappy to be there...

John was...John was the sexy bad boy that I think we all secretly think about. He was broody and moody and just...smouldering in some spots. I loved learning more about his background and how he came to be a Death Diety. Very intriguing. Cabot managed to paint a very vivid picture of both the eternally young man and his Underworld that made me almost want to stay forever...

I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series, Underworld. There are a lot of questions left unanswered at the end of Abandon and I'm dying to see how Meg Cabot plans to get Pierce out of her sticky situation.

Heart of a Sheperd

Heart of a Sheperd
by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's dad is shipped off to Iraq, along with the rest of his reserve unit, Brother must help his grandparents keep the ranch going. He’s determined to maintain it just as his father left it, in the hope that doing so will ensure his father’s safe return. The hardships Brother faces will not only change the ranch, but also reveal his true calling. (description from Amazon.com)

I hate that I truly judge a book by the cover so often! I heard great things about this book and so I checked it out from the library. Then...it sat on the shelf in my office for AGES because I kept looking at the cover and picking up other books instead. *sigh* I don't know why I can't break that habit!!

This book was GREAT! It's short and really easy to read, but still packs a really big emotional punch. I smiled, I cried, and when I put the book down, I was immediately kicking myself that I hadn't read this book ages ago when it first came out and started winning awards.

Brother is a great character. He is trying soooo hard to keep things going after his father goes to Iraq and his brothers are away. He's learning all these great things about the ranch (I learned some things, too) and he learns about himself. As you follow Brother's emotional journey, you become invested as a reader. I cried several times and when he makes the statement at the end, letting everyone know what he wants to do when he gets older, it just feels exactly right.

Parry's debut book is a knockout! Well worth the read, anytime.

Girl's Best Friend

Girl's Best Friend
by Leslie Margolis
A Maggie Brooklyn Mystery

Dogs are disappearing in her neighborhood, and Maggie Brooklyn Sinclair knows all about it. After all, she has a semi-secret after-school gig as a professional (ok, amateur) dog-walker. Maggie hates to see a pup in trouble, so she's even willing to help her ex-best friend Ivy recover her rescue-dog, Kermit. Kermit's being held for ransom, and Maggie has noticed some suspicious behavior lately. But she never suspected her crush Milo could be involved . . .(description from Amazon.com)

This was a fun tween mystery! Maggie is a very relatable character, concerned with having a job, getting along with her parents and brother, dealing with other kids from school, and being true to herself. She has a really good relationship with her family which I thought was great.

She's smart and creative and honest. Maggie even has morals, not wanting to date Milo after she suspects that he's been doing something wrong. She is willing to help her ex-best friend, Ivy, even though they are now archenemies because Ivy's dog is in trouble. Though she's a great role model of a character, Maggie also feels real. In short, Maggie is the tween I wish I'd been.

I really liked this mystery too. Though I had an inkling of what was really going on, Margolis threw in just enough twists that I think the average tween will love this mystery and be kept guessing until the end. Definitely recommended and I hope there are more books coming in this series!

In My Mailbox - May 22, 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:

Secrets of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar

From the Library:

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis
The Ghoul Next Door by Lisi Harrison


Bite Club by Rachel Caine
4 Ingredients by Kim McCosker and Rachael Bermingham

Off to BEA on Tuesday (*squee!!!!!*) so I should have lots in next week's IMM! :)