Secrets of my Suburban Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Back Cover: Everything changed for Lauren ("Ren") after Harry Potter killed her mom. no, it's not what you think-Harry Potter didn't come to life and stab her or anything. A stack of those thick books crushed her. Now Ren is stuck out in the suburbs of Connecticut, dragged out there because her father is too grief stricken to continue living in New York. Ren tries to fit in at her new school, but the most popular girl, Farrin, keeps icing her out. Then Ren discovers that Farrin has a secret: She's been communicating online with an older man, and they are actually planning to meet! Ren can't let Farrin go through with it- she's witnessed enough tragi events as it is. So she comes up with the perfect plan to stop the perv. But then she finds out who he is... This was a good book, kinda weird the way her mom dies, but it's all good. It's a likable story and Ren is a likable characters, who has some crazy things going on in her life. But it's like what, she thought her dad was the perv! I mean, it kinda made sense, but that was def concluding something way too fast. It is def scary how people can find so much information about you online and everything, unless of course you never go online, but still! It was sad how she had to write to her mom instead of being able to talk to her, even though she thought she wasn't handling it too well, it seemed to me like she was. This cover is kinda scary though, like a scary dollhouse or something haha so ya it was good though!

The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti

Back Cover: Eighteen-year-old Indigo Skye feels like she has it all- a waitress job she loves, an adorable refrigerator-delivery-guy boyfriend, and a home life that's slightly crazed but rich in love. Until a mysterious man at the restaurant leaves her a 2.5-million dollar tip, and her life as she knows it is transformed. At first it's amazing: a hot new car, an enormous flat-screen TV, and presents for everyone she cares about. Indigo laughs off the warnings that money changes people, because she knows it won't happen to her. Until the day she looks around and realizes everything important is slipping away, and no amount of money can buy it all back... So this was my favorite book from her so far from the other two that I read. I like how it has a good message, even though you always hear how money isn't important and it can change you, it's hard to remember that when you;re young and wanting to be important or have nice things, thinking it'll help you out. Indigo knew it at the beginning, but her little trip changed her until she realized that even though she needed a break from things, those were the things that made her who she was, so she figured out what to do with that money and made a good plan! This was a great book. Even though i know it took me a while to read! Wow, haven't taken me that long to read a book in a long time, but I like it. No need to rush! And today is Christmas, so hope everyone had a good one! :]

Backwater by Joan Bauer

Front Flap: We rounded a curve, climbed over a rock formation glistening with frost. "We're here," Jo said, and extended her hand to the expanse of blue-gray sky and the beauty of the snow-capped mountain summit. It was perfect. Was it? Stuck in a family overflowing with lawyers, Ivy Breedlove longs to be understood, to break free of unfair expectations and to find the truth about the mysterious hermit aunt who broke the family mold- the relative no one will talk about. With an outrageous mountain guide leading the way, Ivy sets out on the journey of a lifetime to find the missing link in the Breedlove family. But is she too late? In this powerful, compassionate and funny new novel, award-winning authoe Joan Bauer transports the reader to the wild and wintry Adirondack Mountains and into the backwater as Ivy searches for the one Breedlove who is, perhaps like herself. This was a really good book! It went by really fast though. But I like her books a lot, because they're for teens, but they're so different than other teen books and series, not that I don't like the others, but this is a way to get out of the other types of books. It was crazy to read about her hermit aunt who just loves birds! And how it was a journey to reach out to this woman, Josephine, who lives all by herself in the woods! That'd be scary, especially if you need help, like they ended up needing, but they got it from Mountain Mama and Jack! It gave hope, that you can reach out and talk to someone. I like how she likes the history of her family, I mean she knew everything about all her ancestors. That'd be really interesting to look up my family that way and make some type of book like she did. But it was a great book!

Splendor by Anna Godbersen

Front Flap: As spring turns into summer, Elizabeth relishes her new role as a young wife, while her sister Diana, searches for adventure abroad. But when a surprising clue about their father's death comes to light, the Holland girls wonder as what cost a life of splendor comes. Carolina Broad, society's newest darling, fans a flame from her past, oblivious to how it might burn her future. Penelope Schoonmaker is finally Manhattan royalty- but when a real prince visits the city, she covets a title that comes with a crown. Her husband, Henry, bravely went to war, only to discover that his father's rule extends well beyond New York's shores and that fighting for love may prove a losing battle. In the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, New York's most dazzling socialites chase dreams, cling to promises, and tempt fate. As society watches what will become of the city's oldest families and newest fortunes, one question remains: Will its stars fade away or will they shine ever brighter? Very sad that the books are over! I was gonna say it sounded like it the last few pages, because I don't read the summaries until I finish the book so now it plainly says it's the conclusion! Very sad, but I think it was really amazing and successful so four is a good number. I thought that Henry and Diana would for sure get together, but in the end she picked to make herself happy first over anothers, and that must have taken some serious guts! I think it was a good idea to leave New York though because of all that gossiping and scandal and crap jeez. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about all of that! And Elizabeth ended up being happy, I'm glad because she deserves it. I can't believe Mr. Snowden actually had Will killed! That was so sad when it happened, and to know that your new husband killed your former one because of money! And your father too! Wow, good thing he got out the picture and in came Teddy. For some reason he reminds me of that guy in Little Women, I think it's Laurie? But yeah, and too bad for Penelope, but I guess her and Henry stay together, but not in love. I'm also glad I marry for whom I love, not what looks right with whoever's family and stuff. But I'll miss the books, I might just buy them all though since I don't have any, just got them from the library and borrowed from people or whatever.

it had to be you by Cecily von Ziegesar

Front Cover: Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live in luxe Fifth Avenue apartments and attend Manhattan's most exclusive private schools. We're smart, we've inherited classic good looks, we wear fantastic clothes, and we know how to party. We can't help it- we were born this way. Our story begins with three inseparable, completely gorgeous fifteen-year-old, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and Nate Archibald. Blair has loved Nate and his glittering green eyes since she was in Bonpoint onesies. Too bad Nate wishes Blair's beautiful best friend, Serena, was the one with the crush. And Serena has a secret she's keeping from them both. Hmm, something tells me these three best friends might not be as close as we thought... How do I know all this? Because I know everything- and lucky for you, I can't keep a secret. So sit back while I untangle this messy little tale and tell you how it all began. Admit it, you're already falling for me. So, this is how it all started! Now I got the details on the heart in the sweater and the ruby ring and Serena and Nate having sex together for the first time and the Red Sea thing and all of that good stuff! It was great just as always. It's kinda fun to read the prequel since you already know everything that's going to happen later. It's like background stuff they refer to or you know about the character but haven't read it yet and there it is! I can't wait to read the last book I don't remember what it's called but the one that just came out. I'm waiting for it to come out in paperback though cuz I don't want one random hardback one ya know what I mean? But yeah! It did take me a while to read this one but that's because it's finals week! And I finished my goal so I'm not rushed plus it's bigger than the others so yeah! Loved it. For some reason when Serena was sad about Nate I was like kinda nto caring, maybe because I know what she was going to do behind Blair's back, but oh well haha.

Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot

Back Cover: Growing up in far-off India, wealthy young heiress Victoria Arbuthnot is accustomed to handling her own affairs. But in her siexteenth year, Vicky is unceremoniously shipped off to London to find a husband. She may be in a strange new city, but Vicky knows one thing: her own mind. And she has decided that handsome, worldly Hugo Rothschild will suit her needs admirably in the matrimonial department. But raffish young ship captain Jacob Carstairs disagrees. Vicky is mystified by Jacob's insistence that Hugo is not for her- that is, until it becomes clear that Hugo is not all he professes to be. Not only has Vicky misjudged Hugo, she has misjudged Jacob... and the reason for his interference. Will Vicky be forced to admit that- for the first time in her life- she might actually be wrong? I FINISHED 300 BOOKS IN ONE YEAR GO MEEEE!!!!! YAY!!! WOOHOOOO This was a great last book for my 300 book goal! I loved it and I thought it was even better than the other I read similar to it because it was funny to read about Victoria and her ways and about life in India compared to England. It was great. And of course I knew at the beginning that the Jacob guy was the one she was gonna want, you can always tell! Well now I can, before I didn't really pay attention probably but now I do and it kinda sux sometimes though since I know like who they're gonna end up with at the end but that's ok. I loved the story and the way she talks and everything. I wanna read more fun books like this one! Alright gotta get ready for school but yay im so excited i did it and today is my last real day of classes and then i just have 2 finals and 2 final papers and im done with this semester!!!

Devious by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Back Cover: Everyone at elite Waverly Academy actually look forward to the freezing month of January: it's Jan Plan, four blissful weeks when cool independent projects replace hectic schedules and boring classes. Wild weeknight parties, late-night trips to the crater, and plenty of time to gossip about it all? Yes, please! Jenny Humphrey can't wait to start her solo art project. But the real masterpiece is Isaac Dresden, the new dean's gorgeous son, who's taken an interest in Jenny's painting... and her. Tinsley Carmichael has a new friend, too: Isaac's out-of-control sister, Isla. The two girls are a match made in hell, and heir racy photo project has the whole school talking. Too bad tinsley's boyfriend, Julian McCafferty, disapproves of their kind of"art". Exes Callie Vernon and Brandon Buchanan are thrown together on a psychology experiment about the origins of true love. And they might just be the best subjects... Without the structure of real classes, the Waverly Owls are bound to find crazy ways to entertain themselves. Now who said school wasn't fun? Def another amazing book to add onto the collection. I love how they have this Jan Plan and at PLU we have J-Term, although you don't get to do fun stuff like them, but it's a time where lots of people study abroad though! But I'm taking stats how fun boo haha anyways, this was a fun book. Isla is def trouble, and she's the dean's son man! I guess that's how she's always been according to Isaac, who is def not helping Jenny although he thinks he is, since she's getting special treatment from the dean himself with h er solo art project. And sadly they didn't mention Heath! It was weird without him around, just a few times his little log of what was going on showed up but it def got worse each time and then at the end of course he gets to the party just in time with Easy along and Easy saves Isla from probably dying or being very injured because she fell through a window. And then Isla blames Insley, uh oh. And Easy's appearance shocks everyone, especially Callie who was starting to get cozy with Brandon. Def drama coming up in the next one. It's amazing, this is what the 9th book and they're only in January of Jenny's first year there man it's great! I don't want them to end soon! It seems as if lots of series end after like 10 or 11 books!

Donut Days by Lara Zielin

Front Cover: Emma has a lot going on. Her best friend's not speaking to her, a boy she's known all her life is suddenl smokin' hot and in love with her, and oh yes, her evangelical minister parents may lose their church, especially if her mother keeps giving sermons saying Adam was a hermaphrodite. But this weekend, Emma's only focused on Crispy Dream, a hot new donut franchise opening in town, where Harley bikers and Frodo wannabes camp out waiting to be the first ones served. Writing the best feature story on the camp for the local paper might just win Emma a scholarship to attend a non-Christian college. But soon enough Emma finds the donut camp isn't quite the perfect escape from all her troubles at Living Word Redeemer. In a fresh, funny voice, newcomer Lara Zielin offers up a mesmerixing, fastpaced narrative full of wit and insight. This was a really good first book! It was really interesting, I mean who would expect to read about pastors and donuts and bikers all together? Ya know? And it def kept me interested the whole way through wanting to know what was going on with her parents and Mr. O'Connor. And of course they end the book where they don't say if she made it or not! Into that college, but I guess it was good she discovered things about herself and her parents. I also love the cover, it's silly. And those donuts sounded amazing. Man, there's a donut place near my house called Pao's donuts that are fresh and deeelicious. 2 more books everyone!!

Darfur A Short History of a Long War by Julie Flint and Alex De Waal

Back Cover: Sudan's westernmost region, Darfur, sprang from oblivion into sudden notoriety early in 2004, when a war of hideous proportions unleashed what the United Nations called "the world's worst humanitarian crisis" and the United States labelled 'genocide'. For the last two years, the conflict has been simplified to pictures of immense sprawling refugee camps and lurid accounts of 'Arabs' murdering 'Africans'. Behind these images lies a complex and fascinating story of a remarkable and remote region of Africa, home to Muslim peoples with a unique history. In the 20th century, Darfur became synonymous with poverty and neglect, culminating in famine and a series of undeclared and unacknowledged wars in the 1980s and 1990s. This book details the history of Darfur, its conflicts, and the designs on the region by the governments in Khartoum and Tripoli. Much of the story of the war in Darfur has remained untold until now. This book investigates the identity of the infamous 'Janjawiid' militia, tracing its origins, organization and ideology. It inquires into the nature of the insurrection launched by two rebel groups, the radical Sudan Liberation Army and the more Islamist-oriented Justice and Equality Movement. It charts the unfolding crisis and the confused international response, including the African Union's first major venture into peacemaking and peacekeeping. The book concludes by asking what the future holds in store for Darfur. So I read this for anthropology. It was boring most of the time but there was some good parts. There was some really horrible parts too like the Janjiwiid and them terrorizing these poor innocent people. There were times when they said that they tied little girls and burned them alive, or raped women various times in front of their husbands seriously it makes me cringe inside and makes me feel like so violated, it's horrible. But this is the last book I have to read for my classes! Woohoo basically like a week and a half left can't wait for winter break!

Giving up the V by Serena Robar

Back Cover: Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex- like her entire crew of friends- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd though. Enter Benjamin Hopkis, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy? This was a good book. I say that everytime right? But man how she had to do the pap test sounds so scary i haven't done one yet. I don't know if I should have it done already but I'm still a virgin so ya know but yeah anyways god book. Ben waqs def an asshole and I knew just like the reader always does and so do other people but the two people who like each other never know. since he was in a grumpy mood when Ben was nice and talking and laughing and whatever else with Spencer. But there was def some good drama and man teens think about sex that much? ha I can imagine it though especially the guys. But the thing that's funny is here it's like all sacred for some and not for others but in other cultures they have like arranged marriages and have to have lots of kids to support the family and everything when they're like around that age of 16 or maybe even 15 I'm not completely sure, but it would be really interesting to find some books about teens in other cultures and how they have different experiences than here. ALMOST DONE with my goal!!!!! I can do it yes i can!

The Earth, My Butt, & other BIG Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

Back Cover: Virginia Shreeves has a larger-than-average body and a bus-size inferiority complex. She lives on the Web, snarfs junk food, and obeys the "Fat Girl Code of Conduct". Then there are the other Shreveses: Mom is an exercise fiend and a successful adolescent psychologist; Dad, when not jet-setting, or golfing in Connecticut, ogles skinny women on TV; and older siblings Byron and Anais are slim, brillant, and impossible to live up to. Delete Virginia, and the Shreveses are a picture-perfect family... until a phone call changes everything. I thought this was a great book because Virginia is so relatable in the things that she does and feels. I can't imagine my om being a psychologist I mean that's crazy! And not being able to be herself because of comparisons to others and pressure from her parents I'm sure many girls go through that stage in life. It's sad because you think these few years are like the defining things in your life but later on you can become so successful and be happy and look back like wth! But it's in the moment of course. And that was so brave of her to just buy those tickets and go to Seattle, but I'm glad she did to do something she wanted to do after begging her parents so much. and it was so funny she mentions Mt. Rainter and the Space Needle yay! Haha, I'm so used to the mountain I don't even think of other people thinking it's weird like my room mate from last year did! haha. Normal to us northwesterners haha but I really liked it and in the end she didn't have to become anorexic or anything she accepted who she was and tried to stay healthy by doing an activity that she liked and dressing better. Go her!

The Formal by Kate Harmon

Back Cover: As newly initiated Zeta Zeta Tau sorority sisters, Jenna, roni, and Lora-Leigh are ready to tackle spring semester at LU- especially with Greek Week and the ZZT Formal to look forward to. Roni is helping plan the sorority's formal, and she wants it to be the most romantic and beautiful dance yet. But nothing seems to go her way with the planning, and boyfriend Lance is totally unsympathetic. Lora-Leigh and Jenna are supportive, but then Jenna has her own boyfriend worries. Could the Formal be the perfect opportunity to take her relationship with Tiger to the next level? And while Jenna and the rest of the ZZTs plan for Formal, Lora-Leigh is keeping a secret, one that could take her far away from LU- and her ZZT sisters- forever. There's a lot on the line for each of the three best friends; but when it comes to ZZT, sisterhood will always see them through. Great book once again! And it's in college yay. I can relate to being so busy, although I'm not in a sorority and I'm not in band, but I do have a job haha. But man those girls be doing alot of things! A sorority like that does sound kinda fun with all your sisters being there for you and the formal sounded great! Some days I just feel like going out and dancing to some intense adrenaline inspired music! But it doesn't really happen sadly. Let's see... Jenna has some serious thinking to do about losing her virginity but at least she is in college and older! And she ended up doing it with Tiger, but hey if she really felt that special connection then that's good. Lora-Leigh actually made it to FIT after LU which is really great. Dang she is always making new clothes and everything, they should add pictures! And DeShawn made it to the NFL that'd be crazy to know someone who made it to the NFL! And then Roni just had to do Formal all by herself which sounds very stressful plus the problem with Lance. Lance apologized and lala but we'll see what's gonna go down with him. I don't think there's another book after this? But if there is I def want to read it and if not I hope she does another one!

The New Sisters by Kate Harmon

Back Cover: So far, college life at Latimer University has been everything Jenna, Roni, and Lora-Leigh expected.They've already made close friends, caught the eye of a few hot frosh boys, and participated in sorority recruitment. As if it were meant to be, all three found home in the Zeta Zeta Tau sorority. Now Roni hopes to be the most perfect ZZT in history, while Lora-Leigh can barely believe how quickly she went from cynic to sorority new member! Jenna is just as excited to be in the sorority, but she also has classes to study for, a nasty roommate to put up with, and a marching band scholarship to uphold. How's a girl suppossed to appease everyone and everything- not to mention strike up a romance with an adorable fraternity boy- all the while keeping her diabetes hidden? Lora-Leigh and Roni are there for her, but ZZT initiation is on the horizon and Jenna must decide is she really trusts her new sisters enough to share her secret... This was a great book! It's been like a really long time since I read the first one so of course I kinda forgot the girls but then I remembered pretty easily! I don't know why Jenna didn't want to tell the other girls about her diabetes. What's wrong with that, it's not like you asked to get it or something, your body has it, but you can still have fun and do normal things, just gotta be a little more careful. I know if I got diabetes I'd probably cry and not like it since sugar is like my best friend haha but I would still tell people so they can be aware of my condition, but thats me. Besides that those family feuds are pretty rough! I cna't imagine having fights like that with my family, but I guess their families are different, especially Roni who didn't turn out all perfect like her parents wanted. Screw that! Whatsup with parents wanting to control our lives? damn. And that initiation wasn't too bad, but some are weird sounding. We don't have sororities and fraternities at PLU, but I'm glad cuz then everyone would be all like cliquey, and sometimes they already are so not good, plus it's so little like half the people or more would be in it. But anyways about the book, it was really good and now I'm gonna read the next one! It's actually about girls in college, like my level not high schoolers haha.

The ChickenHawk Syndrome by Cheyney Ryan

Front Flap: In recent year, the question of war and sacrifice has been a major topic of political debate and controversy. If our country goes to war for reasons we endorse, what is our responsibility to share in its sacrifice? Does supporting a war mean serving in it? Does it mean encouraging our children to do so? Such questions have been posed by the so-called chickenhawk phenomenon: pro-war leaders and their pro-war children who call on Americans to assume the burdens of war and its sacrifices, but avoid these sacrifices themselves. George W. Bush and other architects of the Iraq conflict have been the most prominent chickenhawks. Cheyney Ryan argues that the chickenhawk issue is not just a matter of personalities- it will remain with us long after the Bush administration has left office. Ryan poses fundamental questions of war and personal sacrifice, pointing to the basic disconnect in American politics between the support for war and the willingness to assume its costs, which he calls "alienated war" Calling for the reinvigoration of civic involvement, this illuminating and insightful book offers both a philosophical and historical exploration of America's citizen-soldier tradition and the consequences involved in separating the citizenry form the armed forces. This was for philosophy and it was the best and most interesting book I read for this class. It was pretty amazing to hear about all these things onwar and about like this generation and compared to other generations in the past and other wars. I learned a lot about the war and other concepts. It was really repetitive at first, but thats ok. It made sense and was in language I could understand but now I gotta write a 5 page sectional paper on it boo! haha

The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman and the members of the tectonic theater project

Back Cover: On October 7, 1998, a young gay man was discovered bound to a fence in the hills outside Laramie, Wyoming, savagely beaten and left to die in an act of brutality and hate that shocked the nation. Matthew Shepard's death became a national symbol of intolerance, but for the people of Laramie the event was deeply personal, and it is their voices we hear in this stunningly effective theater piece. Moises Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half in the aftermath of the beating and conducted more than 200 interviews with people of the town. From these interviews as well as their own experiences, Kafuman and the Tectonic Theater members have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience. The Laramie Project chronicles the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder, using eight actors to embody more than sixty different people in their own words- from rural rachers to university professors. The result is a complex portrayal that dispels the simplistic media stereotypes and explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. This was sad. I hadn't heard of it before but my dad did and it was something that was very national and a lot of people knew about it and still do. It was short, but it was to the point. The way its set up is moments, instead of like scenes. And it really is realistic and sad. The good thing about it is they not only focus on the death but what it did to this little town and how it changed their views on some things. It's sad really how someone could just kill a guy because he's gay, or he supposedly made a pass on him. It lets you know how Matthew Shepard was and gives a story to his name, not just a picture and a victim. It was good and when I first started reading it I totally forget to even think about masculinity and violence! But i have to, but it was def moving and a different type of play I've read because of course Shakespeare is where it's at it in high school ha. But it'd be interesting to actually go see the play or I think it's a movie too? Not sure.

Snow in Love by Claire Ray

Back Cover: Welcome to Alaska! A special welcome to my boyfriend Jake, the cutest tourist I've ever met! Explore our natural beauties and untouched wilderness. Jake and I like to hike our great (romantic!) nature trails...Enjoy our perfect skiing and snowboarding conditions. Be sure to catch Will Parker doing his snowboarding tricks. He makes all the girls in town melt. (Except for me. Who needs Will when you've got Jake?) Experience our world-class resorts and spas. While you're there, find out what's up with that hot girl Jake brought to the lodge this year. She's probably just his cousin or something. Right?! Get ready for a vacation you'll never forget! Um, tell me about it. I love this cover first of all, it's so cute and snowflakes are so pretty! :] But this was a great book. Of course she got what she wanted but in the end Jake really wasn't the guy that made her get butterflies, it was Will! Who liked her all along too, but was sweet enough to help her get another guy I mean man! Must've been hard. And it was so horrible when she had to find out about Jake bringing that other girl and never even officially breaking up with her or having any closure. I don't know whyd she wanna get back together with someone like that cuz he could just go do that again! But she ended up with the right guy. And can I just say they eat alot of ice cream for being like in the snow. I love ice cream no matter what too so I guess that's cool over there! Yay ice cream. And snowflakes!