I LOVE to ReaD

Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah

2010-12-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

Front and Back Flap: Joy Candellaro used to love Christmas more than any other time of the year. Now, as the holiday approaches, she finds herself at loose ends. Recently divorced and estranged from her sister, she can't summon the old enthusiasm for celebrating. So without telling anyone, she buys a ticket and boards a plane bound for the rural Northwest. Yet Joy's best-laid plans go terribly awry. The plane crashes deep in the darkness of a forest. Miraculously, Joy and her fellow passengers walk away from the wreckage as the plane explodes. There, amid the towering trees, Joy makes a bold and desperate decision to leave her ordinary life behind and embark on an adventure... just for the holidays. Following the death of his ex-wife, Daniel O'Shea has returned to the small town of Rain Valley. Now he is a single father facing his son's first Christmas without a mother. Eight-year-old boy Bobby isn't making it easy- the boy has closed himself off from the world, surrounding himself with imaginery friends. When Joy and Bobby meet, they form an instant bond. Thrown together by fate, these wounded souls will be touched by the true spirit of Cristmas and remember what it means to be a family. Then a dramatic turn of events shows Joy the price of starting over. On a magical Christmas Eve she will come face-to-face with a startling truth. Now she must decide: In a time of impossible dreams and unexpected chances, can she find he faith to reach for the love she has found... and the new life only she believes in?

I know this is a really long summay, but right now I don't really feel like writing much. But it was a great book, super surprising that she was ended up being Bobby's imaginery friend since Daniel acted so cold toward her! Weird in some moments and made others make sense. But def shocking when she woke up and they said it didn't happen, I thought it really didn't but guess the magic of Christmas and of Joy made it happen and she found where they were at. But anyways, might have one more book on here before 2010 ends!

Let Them Eat Fruitcake by Melody Carlson

2010-12-23T00:43:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: It's the holiday season, and each of the roommates at 86 Bloomberg Place is a little blue. Megan has a difficult boss, and now her mom is going on vacation to Mexico, leaving Megan alone for Christmas for the first time ever. Lelani can't afford fly home to Hawaii and isn't sure she'd be welcomed anyways, not that she can admit that to anyone. Anna's old boyfriend- the one who cheated on her- has sailed back into her life, just when she's met a for-real "nice guy" she's been keeping secret from her largem crazy Latino family. And Kendall's met a famous actor, who might be the answer to her money woes- if she could only convince him she's the love of his life. Thank goodness God's around to listen when the girls need help! Let's face it, relationships are hard work- whether they're with family and friends, coworkers and customers, or boyfriends and girlfriends. And when you've got your first house, a real job, and grown-up responsibilities, too, relationships are loaded with confusion, emotion, and secrets you can't tell to anyone but God, let them eat fruitcake captures al the uncertainty and joy of being twentysomething in pitch-perfect detail- and the stories of these four girl just might sound like someone you know.

Melody Carlson writes some awesome books. I didn't even know I was going to get this book I just went to the library and then it was in the Christmas section and I said I wanted to read a few Christmas books, so I got this one and another one! And it was good. Not amazing like some others, but I still enjoyed reading it, but I must say that Anna and Kendall are the crazy ones. When Kendall all lied to her parents about marrying this guy she met and lieing about getting a house in the neighborhood that famous guy was at and he didnt even like say anything about wanting her there, like wth! And then Anna being all pissed off at Lelani even though she knew that Jake was a snake! Arg haha but it was a good book and nice for them because they all had troubles and for all of them to let it out and be there for each other makes you so much closer and have awesome friendship that's for sure. But it was fun to read and I enjoyed it.

I Will Always Love You by Cecily von Ziegesar

2010-12-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: It finally happened: we went to college. We started over. No one knows who we've coveted, what we scored on our SATs, where our parents live, or when we became debaucherous. We've changed. Or at least, some of us have. But old habits are hard to break- especially when faced with your former besties and former flames. With everyone back in the city for the holidays, this break is guaranteed to be filled with makeups, breakups, and shakeups.

This book was good, but not one of my favorites. It was confusing at first because it kept being Christmas like what? but then I was like oh this is the next year, so it was kinda cool to see and compare the differences that each person had with relationships and everything like Blair dating Pete, then dropping it for Nate, then Pete again, then Pete thinks she's with Nate cuz he crawls into bed with her then the next year she's with Chuck! Which I wonder has anything to do with because in the tv show she's with Chuck? Interesting. and it's like all these relationships when they're with the one they love it doesn't work ou and they go with someone else but then always thinking about the other one they were with. So there were a lot of hook ups let's see if I can name them all. Blair and Pete. Serena and Dan. Vanessa and Dan. Vanessa and Hollis. Jenny and Nate. Blair and Chuck. Blair and Nate. Serena and Nate. Who knows! haha but anyways, it was alright. Not as intesne for me, maybe because it was just same time of year for three parts of the book, but still work me buying, have to complete the collection! and waited one year just for the paperback!

Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah

2010-12-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: In the rugged Pacific Northwest lies the Olympic National Forest- nearly a million acres of impenetrable darkness and impossible beauty. From deep within this old growth forest, a six-year-old girl appears. Speechless and alone, she offers no clue as to her identity, no hint of her past. Having retreated to her western Washington hometown after a scandal left her career in ruins, child psychiatrist Dr. Julia Cates is determined to free the extraordinary little girl she calls Alice from a prison of unimaginable fear and isolation. To reach her, Julia must discover the truth about Alice's past- although doing so requires help from Julia's estranged sister, a local police officer. The shocking facts of Alice's life test the limits of Julia's faith and strength, even as she struggles to make a home for Alice- and for herself. In Magic Hour, Kristin Hannah creates one of her most beloved characters and delivers an incandescent story about the resilience of the human spirit, the triumph of hope, and the meaning of home.

AMAZING! Omg I absolutely loved this book. This is only the second book I've read by her but they are so diversely different and both so well written. It was heartbreaking that little girl them finding all those marks on her. And how she didn't understand anyone else. And especially at first, when they went in her head the first ime I'm like wth does this have to do with anything? but then I knew after that, and it was so sad how she could talk but made herself not do it, when that's what Julia wanted. The time she said the first word was like yes she finally talked! Cuz she knew it would make Julia happy. And it's crazy how at one moment you want something but over time you want the opposite. At first they wanted to find the parents, but then after Julia got through to Alice she didn't want anyone to step through and say Alice is my girl, but that's what happened! and it was so intense. Learning about that guy and then them finding that place in the forest where she was tied up. Scary, and things like that do happen to people, which is sickening really. How could someone do that? But that moment when her real dad was coming to pick her up, and Julia had to leave Alice, was so heart wrenching. I was like omg this is so sad! But then I knew when someone knocked at the door at the end it had to be Alice, I had a feeling. At first I thought she like escaped and somehow made it back on her own, but it was very courageous for George to give her daughter to Julia like that. But yeah so this book was great. It did take me a while to read, but yes I'm done with finals now!!! So on to the next one. Sadly I won't be able to make 100 books this year but still read quite a bit, can't believe it's been another year passed by! But reading will always be my fav.

Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz

2010-12-01T23:46:00.000-08:00

Front Flap: After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the five remaining gates that guard the earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silver Bloods. Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a crumbling coven. Struggling with her heartache over the loss of Kingsley and with her overwhelming esire to destroy Jack, she must focus all her energy on a perilous new threat. Vampires are being abducted and their captors are planning to burn them alive online... for all the world to see. Help arrives in the form of Deming Chen, a Venator from Shanghai, who must untangle the web of deceptions before the killers strike again. As the young vampires struggle for the survival of the coven, they uncover a deadly secret, a truth first discovered by Schuyler's mother during the Renaissance but kept buried for centuries. And as the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler to a terrible choice that will ultimately map the destiny of her heart.

Awesome book like always. Haven't read the one before it in a while, but of course you get back into things and remember what was going on. I think the stuff going on with Mimi was alot more deadly and intense though! But I loved it. And the cover too is nice. I am not sure what big secret they're talking about? I guess that's bad since I just finished it a few days ago, but with so much stuff on my mind with school, it makes sense right? Anyways, Schuyler and Jack are in love. Aw, yet they get separated at the end. What's going on there? And Mimi wants revenge, uh oh Jack is in trouble. Then Mimi has all this stress when she misses Kinglsey, and wow she's going to Hell to get him?? BRAVE! Plus they didn't even find any of the 5 gates which goes to show you there's still a long way for this series to go, which is good! Cuz I don't want it to go away anytime soon that's for sure. Deming was a good character to add into the mix since she was from Shanghai, that's awesome. And now her and those other two brothers are going out to find others like that half demon half human guy, forgot his name already, sad I know. But so adventorous. I was tired of reading about vampires for a while since last semester I had that class but now every now and then this book is great, esp I feel it's different than others for some reason. Maybe because the focus more on like the demons and the gates of Hell. Now that is something you don't want to mess with! Well it was a good read and so I'm hoping to maybe get 100 books by the end of this year but I'm doubting it, not even at 80 yet I don't think, but oh well, it's still a lot of books I read! :]

Pure Sin by Kate Brian

2010-11-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: After getting rid of her best-friend-turned-enemy, Ariana Osgood should be on top of the world. She's in love with a hot guy. She's a member of Atherton-Pryce's best secret society. And she's one of the most popular girls on campus. But now that Lexa Greene knows a terrible secret about her, everything Ariana has worked so hard for hangs in the baance. Can she keep up the facade... or is her house of cards about to tumble around her?

DANG. Ariana has always been crazy, at least in this one she don't kill nobody but jeez. Def insane. And poor Lexa, carrying this burden on her while Ariana just goes through life with no worry since she's killed other people before too. She is always going form boy to boy too. I mean once she has Palmer, then Jasper comes into play and she is falling in love with him. But of course her psycho personality at the party ball thing when he says he knows what she did she goes psycho and tries to kill him with some shears, and it really was something else. And Lexa is losing her mind, how could she not? To the point where she jumps out of the greenhouse glass! And then she sees Reed a the hospital, oh boy what's going to happen next. I wonder though since in the Private series Reed isn't sure what to do next, and there's still another book coming out so she has to be deciding or something. I don't exactly remember what happened I just know Reed was at her house and learns that Noelle is her sister, but anyways, As always, can't wait for the next murderous book to come out jeez!

Sugar and Spice by Lauren Conrad

2010-11-20T00:30:00.000-08:00

Front Flap: Fresh from being betrayed by one of her closest friends, new reality-television celebrit Jane Roberts has learned a few lessons. Most important: know who to trust. And in Hollywood, that list is short. Although the press is intent on creating a tabloid war between her and ex-friend/current costar Madison Parker, Jane just wants to take control of her life. She's started by swearing off guys and the drama that comes with them. But when her high school sweetheart Caleb and her unrequited L.A. crush Braden show up, both acting sweeter than ever, Jane has a hard time remembering her no-boys rule... Her best friend, Scarlett, has only one guy on her mind: her boyfriend, Liam. The girl who once thought love a four-letter word is now head over heels. The problem is, being on a hit reality show means hanging out with other guys on-camera, and Liam isn't too happy with pretending to play a bit part in her love life. Just when everything feels out of control, Jane makes a shocking discovery- one that changes everyone's definition of "reality" forever. In her deicioulsy entertaining novel, television star Lauren Conrad pulls back the curtain on young Hollywood and shows that sometimes the real drama is behind the scenes.

Lauren is so great, love her! And also this book. It's really simplistic, but I don't think I've ever read many other books where it's taking about the stars being in a reality show, which makes total sense for her since she was, and I'm sure some of the stuff in the book had to do with her and what happened in the long time she was in a reaity show. And I also like the characters because they're all different. Dumb thing is Jane always thinking about all those guys dang! That's enough of them. ha. But love the theme and the covers, I wonder is this the last one? since it says something about what happened to them and how in Season 3 itll be Gaby and Sophie or whatever her name is, it probably is, but sad! It was good while it lasted.

Vanished by Kate Brian

2010-11-12T18:15:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Against all odds, Reed Brennan re-established Billings as an underground library soceity. She and the new initiates created a glamorous secret headquarters and were ready to show Easton Academy that even though Billings House is gone, the Billings Girls are stronger than ever. But before Reed had a chance to revel in her success, something horrible happened. Noelle disappeared. Now Reed has no idea who wants to hurt Noelle or why, but it's up to Reed to save her. As the clues build up, the clock ticks down, and Reed fears that unless she finds Noelle soon, she'll lose her friend forever.

Man I read that one super fast! Well the private books I do tend to read really fast, just because they're so intense and I wanna keep reading. I mean this one my heart was pounding along with her in fear! And I can't believe that nothing was wrong with Noelle, and Reed did ALL that stuff for her! For what reason? I guess for at the end when they find that book of secrets, which is the next Private book. And it sounds awesome since they're supposed to be witches I guess when they start the Billings society, but it kinda sux since there already is a prequel, and now there's a prequel to the prequel, it's kinda weird! but oh well I'ma still buy it, but why do the prequels have to be in hardback? I'm just gonna buy it in hardback, then when it comes out in paperback I'll get it! Just like I did with the other prequel! But yeah I'm sad cuz I think I remember reading somewhere this series is almost gonna be done!!! But at least there's still privilege, and plus she'll probably come out with more books too or maybe another series? But anyways, loved it.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

2010-11-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Spencer covets her sister's boyfriend. Aria's fantasizing about her English teacher. Emily's crushing on the new girl at school. Hanna uses osme ugly tricks to stay beautiful. But they've all kept an even bigger secret since their friend Alison vanished. How do I know? Because I know everything about the bad girls they were, the naughty girls they are, and all the dirty secrets they've kept. And guess what? I'm telling.

Wow. This was def intense! It kinda reminded me of Gossip Girl how no one knows who it is, yet she knows everything. But this one is a lot more scary, cuz it's like the only girl who knew everything about all these other girls is dead! And then at the end when they find her, it makes them all realize that someone knows all their secrets besides Allison. At first of course had to get oriented on whose who, but I think I've read the second one before, but I'm reading it again. I think it tells of stuff before, which is good since of course it keeps refeerring to the Jenna thing and it makes you like wth happened! Maybe Jenna is the one who is "A", but who knows. This is only the first book too! I do wanna see the tv series too, but I think I'll just wait until it's on DVD to buy and after I've read more of these amazing books! I know I'm getting older, 21 in Jan, but I think lots of stuff in teen books can apply to older people, plus they're some pretty crazy stuff in there, I mean wth is with our culture here? To have books like this where everyone is drinking, and yeah it's reality, but no wonder it keeps going on! Well I've never drank yet, so I'm glad of it too. But onto the next one! I read all these such a slow pace now that I have a few bought and by the time I'll be done, more come out! haha

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

2010-11-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want- husband, country home, successful career- but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldy enjoyment and divine transendence.

AWESOME book. Now this stuff is deep, the way she has with words. How she describes the feelings she gets, especially when she's in India. It's amazing. And also makes me realize look at how my education helps me when I'm even reading for pleasure, because she was talking about some things I understood from my ethics and diversity class last year. I love it! But it was just so great to hear about someone whose life actually isn't fulfilled even with the typical or normal American dream, because not everyone is like that or wants that. It's especially hard to decide what you want with so much pressure, but she went to reinvent herself and it worked. Italy sounded gorgeous just eating all that food all day, although some dishes sounds kinda weird, lol. And India was for focus and that's intense, to think of just sitting there and trying not to think of anything, and how long that would take for you to achieve it. And finally in Indonesia she finds a new little family and also her lover, who is now her husband, Felipe. And that shows how your soulmate can be anywhere, but that doesn't mean you'll find him/her, but they found each other, and in a place she didn't even think she would find anyone. Stuff happens. And when it does you have to be strong and to cope with things and to be positive. this book shows that, and how sometimes loneliness and depression can be a part of everyone's life, but don't let it bring you all the way down. Super good book. And I love how each word in the title is made. It's pretty, especially the love.

Wolves in Chic Clothing by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

2010-10-21T23:29:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Julia, a hip downtown salesgirl at Pelham's jewelry store, finds her social life turned on its head when she is asked to deliver a necklace to the store's young heiress, Lell Pelham, on Lell's wedding day. Beguiled by Julia's earnest cluelessness and her vintage-chic vibe, Lell and her gang adopt Julia, and "Eliza Doolittle" her into passing as the heiress to a family fortune, just for a laugh. Dazed by the whirlwind of trust funds, pedigrees, Cosmopolitans, and penthouses in her new world, Julia is unprepared for the ardent advances of Lell's husband- or the vicious claws her new "friends" develop when they decide Julia is an ingrate, and demote her from society goddess to penniless cling-on with one well-timed editorial. Suddenly, she must return the borrowed couture clothes and try to remember who she was before the body snatching took place.

Wow, haven't been here for a while, I think I been renewed this book like 3 times it took me so long! But it was pretty good, it just seemed like it went by too fast, not like me reading it, but like the story. Like I thought more stuff would be happening, but I guess it just maybe seemed fast if I only read some everytime and didn't remember exactly everything that happened! I dunno, but it was a good read and nice to read after all this school! It's crazy, but I can't just not read, gotta keep myself sane somehow! And love to read, but it's def harder and harder to do every night like I used to! Well, books are awesome is just it!

Dark Secrets 2 by Elizabeth Chandler

2010-10-09T01:25:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Secrets taken to the grave don't always stay buried. In Not Time to Die, Jenny is devastated by the recent death of her sister, Liza. Looking for a sense of closure, she secretly signs up for the drama camp where Liza died. Jenny knows that someone here holds the key to what really happened to Liza that night, but if she doesn't find out the truth soon, she may become the next victim. In The Deep End of Fear, Kate has tried to bury the horrible memories associated with the Westbrook estate. After her best friend, Ashley, drowned there. Kate vowed enver to return. But now, twelve years later, she is drawn back to the house and that fatal icy pond. There, Kate still feels Ashley's presence, and the past seems to be pulling her back toward Ashley's life-threatening dares.

Wow, I took a while to read that book, but it's pretty long and I got school! AHHHH My stupid internet and I wrote everything and it went away I do not feel like resaying it!! haha I'll just say that I loved these two books that the first one was really interesting and I would def not wanna go back to where my sibling was murdered, so she was super brave and was hard to figure out who to tust, same as in the second book. And the person she trusted the most was the one who killed Ashley, but Adrian hired him to. Sickening. That was one def more creepy because the way Ashley was living through Patrick and everything. But yeah so hopefully it won't take me as long for the next book, don't know how I read those 300 books in one year, but that was freshman year and I didn't have a full load like I do now with way more stuff, so hopefully will come back sooner! Until then! :]

Sweet Life by Mia King

2010-09-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: When her husband, Paul, gets a new job, Marissa Price leaves the island of Manhattan for the island of Hawaii. Paradise seems like the perfect place to find herself, save her marriage, and reconnect with her eight-year-old daughter. But once there, Marissa discovers her new life is less about beaches and beautiful sun sets and more about cows and lava flows. Their new "home" is a fixer-upper at best. But what most needs fixing- her marriage- is the first to crumble when her husband annoounces he wants some time apart to find himself. As New York beckons her back and Marissa suspects Paul of having an affair, she begins to seriously question the wisdom of having made the move to Hawaii. Yet the women she takes in as tenants to make ends meet and her daughter's blossoming love of the island begin to hint at a new definition of ohana, or family. Pulled in opposite directions, Marissa is faced with the most important decision of her life- a choice that will define who she is, what she wants, and where her happiness lies.

This was an excellent book. I liked it alot because it's so realistic, and even though I can't really relate because I'm not married and with a kid, I'll eventually be able to relate. And it goes to show how assumptions are not good, even though all the facts and observations seemed to line up for Paul cheating on Marissa, he didn't! and the one girl at the beginning she hated because she was pretty, ended up becoming one of her good friends because her boyfriend got her pregnant and left her. The irony of that one. What we think and assume of people isn't always true, probably most of the time isn't true, but we're such a judgemental country, it's sad really. and it's also sad how Pansy's parent never saw her!! Only for a few minutes. Marissa was actually scared to spend time with her own daughter, now that's def a weird thing. Def something common though, especially in families where the parents are like big time people. But I think it'd be great to visit Hawaii and this time is very good compliment to that.

Weird Washington by Jeff Davis and Al Eufrasio

2010-09-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Ah, Washington: evergreens, coffee, rock, and rain. That's pretty much it, right? Well, no. There is a whole lot of weird going on in our state. Washington is home to some of the weirdest travel destinations, scariest legends, and most colorful folk tales in the United States. Because there are so many odd and unusual tales, cemeteries, beasts, and people here, it took two authors to traverse the state to document it all. With cameras and notepads, Jefferson Davis and Al Eufrasio boldly ventured the highways and byways, back roads, and forests, shorelines and mountaintops to investigate all the state has to offer. For starters, there are lots of unexplained events here- in fact, we're ranked number two in the whole country for mysterious phenomena: America's only unsolved hijacking happened here; look up, but watch out for raining rocks, mysterious flying men , and UFOs; ook down, and you might uncover a body turned to soap in Crescent lake or deadly monsters in Lake Washington. Where else can you find a tribute to a giant squirting razor clam? Discover Ozette, our own Pompeii of the Pacific Northwest, cruise by Gospodor's monumental controversy on your way to Gravity Hill, but is that's Bigfoot you see, no worries because here in Washington, Bigfoot saves lives! Investigate the elusive Northwest tree octopus, feed a hungry ghost at Starvations Heights, and see what's not going on in Aberdeen. Yes, Washington is a whole lot weirder than you ever imagined, and Weird Washington is here to show and tell you all about it.

Haha, me and my boyfriend saw this in a like souvenir store for Washington and thought we'd look it up at the library and they actually had it! And I actually did read all the stories and everything. Some were def more interesting than others, but they were all cool since they come from my state Washington! Some stuff is def weird too, and it was entertaining. That's all I gotta say, oh and alsl of course alot of ghost stories and things that really don't sound true, but ya def gotta be there and experience something before you really know!

Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

2010-09-13T23:10:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Ever is trying to help Haven make the transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat- exposing their secret world to the outside. But Ever's struggle to keep the Immortals hidden only propels Haven closer to the enemy: Roman and his evil companions. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman' power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who's hell-bent on her destruction. Now there's a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does she can't stop thinking about Roman- and longing for his touch. As she struggles to resist the fiery attraction threatening to consume her, Roman is more than willing to take advantage of her weakened state... and Ever edges closer and closer to surrender. Franctic to break the spell before it's too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything he knows and loves to save herself- and her future with Damen...

Man, that ending was crucial! I read super fast, and I hate when I get all excited and read super fast and then like glance over a few paragraphs or something then it ruins what happens, cuz I can feel like oh no something really bad or good is about to happen! But this was def a more darker book than the others because of the dark flame she held within her for Roman, which she should have just told Damen about it because he loves her unconditionally, no matter what happens! And she knows that! And I can't believe that Haven is acting that way, and now she's her worst enemy because she thinks Ever killed Roman, uh oh next book here we go! and then about Miles seeing that painting, he's def freaked out and Sabine seeing that Ever was the fortune teller! Now she's in trouble! No wonder she had all her focus on bad things, but now she's really going to have to step it up and against her ex best friend, how devastating! I really liked this one and I actually read it super fast, in like a day and a half because I realized it's due from the library and I can't renew it! haha so yes a fast read but def a good one I was all at school reading it for an hour in between my classes :] hopefully I can still be on here about the same but we'll see with school so much is going on! Happy readings to everyone though

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

2010-09-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness. But life after the Return is never save, and ther eare threats even the Barrier can't hold back. Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling. One night beyond the Barrier... One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery... One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

One of the best books I've ever read. Not even lieing. I don't remember the first as much, but I remember it also being super good, my bestie told me about it, but this one is soooo freaking amazing. Wow, it's like Gossip Girl the show or Friday Night Lights, where all this stuff happens and you're like omg this is only one episode! I'm like omg this is only one book!!! So many intense things happen. Where life is so scary and unknown. It's a lot to process, but just the story she wrote. It's so real ,I can see why it says 14 and up because it has some really hard things in it! I mean I can't imagine a world like that! Like wow. Where you can't go anywhere else because these monsters are there and they'll infect you and then you'll become one of them wow. And just so many great moments, insightful and I don't even remember them but you just HAVE to read this book! You don't even have to have read the first one because the second one is about the daughter of the girl in the first one which is a cool idea and I like because you can still see the first girl's life but also a new girl's story. From her kiss with Catcher, the others getting caught, her mom leaving and her finding out she's not even really her mom!, her trying to kill Daniel, escaping, finding out about the cult, following the path of the forest, Cira turning into a Mudo, Catcher being immune, her loving Catcher then Elias, finding her mom and her old village, finding out her story and life, then the end where they have to go over all those Mudo in the valley. I could picture that in my head it made me shiver ewww. And I love the ending because it's happy, but you don't get the ending because they're still going on the path and it gives you hope. But I was just reading this book and did not want to stop! So I really loved this book and I'm about to buy both of em cuz this is the library's, but yeah it was an amazing brutal real book. LOVE IT!

Demon Princess Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

2010-08-29T00:50:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Nikki didn't think her life could get any more complicated after she moved to the dreary town of Erin Heights- fitting in at a new school while navigating the social scene was stressful enough. But when her sixteenth birthday rolls around, she's visited by a mysterious stranger, Michael, who tells her that her long-lost father is actually the demon king of the Shadowlands- the dimension that protects our world from the Underworld and Hell. Maybe it's because she's in shock, or maybe it's because Michael is seriously cute, but Nikki follows him into the Shadowlands. There she learns about her half-demon powers, about the potential war between the SHadowlands and the Underworld, and that her father wants her to assume the throne- forever. Not to mention that her growing crush on Michael is completely forbidden... Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew- what's a teenage demon princess to do?

This was def something different! I like it though because of that reason. It's funny and has a good story line, although the Shadowlands does remind me of that other series which I'm about to read the latest book that came out, totally forgot the name but anyways. This book I wouldn't mind reading the next one because it's interesting and it's still current and of course everyone loves the forbidden love right? always want what ya can't have! Also the cover is great with the little horns and everything. Def a cool idea though to be a demon princess. You wouldn't normally put those two together! I like Michael and Nikki together though, like father like daughter since he was the one who married and had a kid with a human and broke the laws! not like no one ever breaks the laws jeez. But yup I liked it and will try to read the next one if I remember to get it at the library! if not a nice read, fast but good. :]

Thanks for the Memories by Cecelia Ahern

2010-08-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: How can you know someone you've never met? That's the question haunting Joyce Conway these days. REcovering from a terrible accident and with her marriage in pieces, Joyce is suddenly plagued by an overwhelming sense of deja vu that makes her feel as if the life she's living id not her own. During the day the has vivid memories of things she's never seen- such as cobblestoned Parisian streets she's never visited- and at night she dreams of a little girl she's sure she's never met. Joyce is convinced she's lost her mind... until a series of coincidences leads her on a journey to meet the one person who may hold the answer she needs. Someone's life could be depending on you right now... That's the pitch that finally persuades Justin Hitchcock to donate blood- the first thing to come straight from his heart in a long time. REstless and lonely, Justin chased his ex-wife and daughter from Chicago to London, and now he's in Dublin, guest-lecturing to bored college students. When hre receives a basket of muffins with a thank-you note attached, he's sure someone's playing a joke on him, but then the presents keep coming. Intrigued, Justin is determined to solve the mystery- a quest that will change his life forever.

Gosh I just love to read, especially books like these when I know nothing about it and it's super good! I've never read a book like this before. How Justin donated blood and it ended up going to Joyce and she is now seeing his memories. I guessed it pretty early on, at first I was a little confused though. But then it hit me! And it's def a unique ideas, I wonder if that's ever happened to someone before? ya never know, but anyways the book is super good. Because it has a woman who has struggled a lot, especially not being able to have a baby and then losing it, that's super hard. But she still has her dad, even though her mom is gone, and Justin had the opposite, until his mom died carrying the secret with her, him being the only one left! That's so sad too, that he killed himself! The dad did. And he's the only one who knows, but not anymore because now Joyce does. And she's the one who gives him those presents, but is too scared to meet him. I mean it's so crazy! That you can be connected to someone that way by giving blood. But it was def an interesting book and I'd def like to read more books from her :]

The Tiara Club by Beverly Brandt

2010-08-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Georgia Elliot grew up in a small Gulf town full of Southern charm- and a superefficient grapevine- so the few secrets she's managed to keep are precious. A second-generation beauty queen, Georgia has one secret in particular she'd like to keep from her controlling society mama, and so turns to women she knows she can trust: the Tiara Club. All the members are pageant veterans, but they've just admitted one woman who doesn't fit in- a Yankee who's never taped her breasts or smeared glue on her butt. And the Tiara Club is determined to help this outsider win the coveted Shrimp Queen crown. Add in an impending wedding and the club's attempts to keep Georgia's secret, and the women of the Tiara Club have all they can do to hold on to their pose, their friendships, and their sense of humor.

This was a really great book that I just randomly picked out from the library because of the cover! haha love it. It was funny, sexy, emotional, and kinda foreign with all that southern type stuff, but it's funny to learn about all that and I really like the story line. I haven't read a book like it before. But there def were a lot of secrets between Georgia and her mom! Ones that they held for a long time, which is crazy. I don't think I even have any secrets and if I do, none that big!! But I really liked this book, it was diff and it great! haha

A Respectable Trade by Philippa Gregory

2010-08-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Bristol in 1787 is booming, a city where power beckons those who dare to take risks. Josiah Cole, a small dockside trader, is prepared to gamble everything to join the big players of the city. But he needs capital and a well-connected wife. Marriage to Frances Scott is a mutually convenient solution. Trading her social contacts for Josiah's protection, Frances finds her life and fortune dependent on the respectable trade of sugar, rum, and slaves. Into her new world comes Mehuru, once a priest in the ancient African kingdom of Yoruba, now a slave in England. from opposite ends of the earth, despite the difference in status, Mehuru and Frances confront each other and their need for love and liberty.

Man I just love reading books like this and getting continious really aweesome books! I have read a few of her books before, but this one was diff than the others like the other boleyn girl about queens and all that, but this was so real. It was also very sad and reminded me alot of Roots. How the slaves were just snatched out of their homes and on these horrible ships connected to each other by chains and left down to just sit there in their own filth and eat hardly anything and then get shipped off and expected to work! It was sad, esp very sickening when that one guy raped one of the slave woman :[ It's so horrible how poeple treated Africans. They thought they weren't people and were stupid, but then they want to rape the woman and make babies? It's very disturbing and scary. And then it shows that anything can happen no matter how society and rules and laws are because Mehuru, which is an awesome name by the way, and Frances fall in love with each other, but it can't work out. What is it with the forbidden love thing right? You want what you can't have huh. But besides that everything was realistic, I wasn't sure sometimes what they were talking about with the trade and everything, but it seemed like all of that could and probably did happen. With the slaves and how Josiah like bet and loaned and all that stuff. It really is sad how marriages worked out then and some places still are, but I guess that's because I grew up learning marriage is your own choice and because you love someone and that's it! Not your status or position or skin color or none of that! But this book was just very interesting and super sad at parts, esp when Frances dies at the end because her baby is born! But I still liked how it ended because the slaves got free and even though Frances died, her baby survived and is living on within the baby. So yes excellent book, very sad, very realistic and very amazing!

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

2010-08-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: "Dear John", the letter read. And with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives changed forever. When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets Savannah, the girl if his dreams. The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty. But neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world. Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover how love can transform us in ways we never could have imagined.

This book was sooo much like the movie! And I loved it. I didn't remember too much from the movie, but reading the book made me remember parts from it. But I can tell a lot of the stuff stayed true throughout the movie. One weird thing is how in the book she's a brunette, but I think that the actress, don't remember her name, plays the part really well with the way she acts and her general character. It def was very sad in the book and in the movie when John's dad was sick and then passed away. It's just so amazing how someone can write things down that you feel but not like specific things, just things that you go through and can't explain but somehow he does. And I really just like the story line of what happens and how it does. I think they should have kept the ending from the book where he donates the money from the coin collection and Tim is with Savannah still but at the end of the movie John like meets Savannah somewhere and they hug I think. Anyways, enough comparisons between book and movie. This book was super good. I just like the rawness and realness of it. The feelings and how it's laid out. I def got into the book. And I def should read more of his books!

Runaway by Meg Cabot

2010-08-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Em Watts is on the run. She's on the run from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself. With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel Fashion show on New YEar's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope... what's the point of even going on? But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to. Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved- since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed- this time, permanently?

I did like this one, but it kinda did remind me too much of princess diaries, like the way Em was thinking stuff to herself about Christopher and everything else, but I felt that in the other books too, I guess it's kinda good but kinda bad. Good because you can tell it's by Meg Cabot, but bad cuz it's like always a negative type of personal dialogue. Anyways the beginning there was kinda confusing cuz I didn't remember who knew that Nikki Howard was really Em, but then I realized oh everyone in that house does! And that is def a crazy concept to think about, having brains put in someone else's body! WTH! I wonder if technology will ever get that good and if it does it wouldn't surprise me but it'd def be scary! Overall a pretty good book that went by fast. And I'm guessing it's the last book in the series since they caught the bad guy and all that happy ending type stuff! That dress she's wearing on the cover does remind me of a sequin black top I have that looks like that but is a tnak top! So yes, pretty good book, but not the best.

Classic by Cecily von Ziegesar

2010-08-03T22:32:00.001-07:00

Back Cover: It's almost Valentine's Day at Waverly Academy, and love is in the air... and in everyone's inboxes. Each year, the Waverly Computer Society runs Perfect Match, an online personality survey that airs up Waverly Owls with their supposed soul mates. Now the campus is overrun with peculair pairings, odd couples, and mischief-makers hoping to play Cupid for a day. Jenny Humphrey is convinced she'll be paired with her adorable new boyfriend, Isaac Dresden. But when he starts acting skittish, she begins to wonder if he's her Perfect Match after all. Brett Messerschmidt and Tinsley Caarmichael definitely aren't feeling the love this Valentine's Day: When Isla Dresde, Isaac's siter, steals Tinsley's thunder- and Brett's boyfriend- the two girls vow to plot their revenge. But in Isla, they might have just met their match. Callie Vernon is starting to wonder if a girl can have two soul mates. She's in love with both Easy Walsh and Brandon Buchana, but on February 14, she can give only one of them her heart. In this final dramatic it girl novel, the WAverly Owls once again prove that all's fair in love and war...

I'm so sad that the series is over! One less book in a series to look forward to coming out in the stores, but oh well. I think this book was a good ending book. There was def a lot of stuff going on at once for all the girls. I think the most was with Callie, but I knew she'd pick Easy! since when she saw those hearts being collected by him she just was imagining him and that's it, not worrying about Brandon! It was also very understandable the characters and their feelings. I feel like these things could all happen in life, it's not fake. And I also really liked the ending part, because Jenny didn't go home with a boy. Not that I didn't want her too, but it shows at the ending you don't have to have a guy to be happy! and Tinsley is just happy flirting with Heath! Btw, I wonder how she came up with these names like Tinsley? That's def weird, it reminds me of Christmas, haha. But a good ending book, can't believe all those books were only one school year their should be that many for every school year! haha But I wonder what else shes going to come out with next! Can't wait to see but in the meanwhile I def need to get that latest gossip girl when it comes out in paperback soon, finally!

Sweet Deceit by Kate Brian

2010-07-31T00:31:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Ariana Osgood has been tapped for Stone and GRave, Atherton-Pryce Hall's most exclusive secret society. But so has her arch-nemesis, Kaitlynn. they go head-to-head during Hell Week, but Ariana has worked too hard for her luxe life at APH to give it up without a fight. When the competition turns deadly, only one girl will walk away from it alive...

WOWWW!! Arianna just keeps killing people omg! She's so crazy, she like doesn't even care no heisitation or nothing jeez! So I just started this book and it's already done! Because it's so riveting and I wanna know what's coming next. She just keeps coming up with these crazy plans, but they work. And that means Kate Brian comes up with them and they're def clever but she def keeps the books coming in this series and the private one! But anyways, this book was def crazy because she killed Kaitlyn and then Kiran! Who was one of her really good friends, not her enemy. And there was Noelle on the phone. But I wonder if Kiran's death will be in the other private book! Cuz I don't know the time line comapred for both of em and I don't remember if she was in Paradise Lost or not? But that's crazy. Who knows what's gonna happen next! I did sort of forgot what was going on in the beginning but then man another death of Brigit! All these killings jeez, is there like an age minimum for these books? haha But I def gotta go look at the website cuz I guess there's some like mini series or something for the private books but not sure for the privilege ones but def can't wait for the next book in the series!

Winter's End by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

2010-07-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Four teenagers escape from their prison-like boarding schools to take up the fight against the tyrannical government that murdered their parents fifteen years earlier. But only three of the friends make it safely to Jahn's restaurant, the headquarters of a secret resistance movement, where they discover the astonishing power that one voice can have in the fight for freedom. As the battle rages, the three friends are in a race against time to save their companion, who has been forced to participate in a deadly, ancient game for the amusement of his captors. Will this new generation prevail, or are they destined to meet the same grisly fate as their parents?

I borrowed this book from my best friend and she def has good taste. This was a great book! Gosh sometimes I get tired of myself because I alwayas love all the books I read, which is good, but still haha. Anyways, these types were a group is revolting against the government they're so exciting and thrilling. It was very interesting and of course there were parts where you were like omg! Because one point of view in the story then crossed with another when they were traveling but the others didn't know! and it was sooo sad at the end that Milos died :[ But I have to wonder whose the kid? Was it a kid from him or what? That part def confused me in the epilogue. But besides that it was very intense and action packed. I think it'd make a great movie too.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

2010-07-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. But Wanderer, the invading "soul" who occupies Melanie's body, finds its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who has avoided invasion and lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Soon Wanderer and Melanie- reluctant allies- set off to search for the man they both love. Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, The Host is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human.

This book was excellent. I have been wanting to read it for a while, and I finally bought it! It was really interesting how this love triangle worked since Melanie was there but so was Wanda or the Wanderer, controlling her body and everything and how at first she was just treated so crapply and confused since she didn't know much about our world and has hardly been living here. I really liked that though since it's different and unique. While I was reading it I did kind of got tired of being in the caves so long and then when they went out and had to get the medicine for Jaime I was glad they finally went outside the cave and did stuff cuz I didn't want everything to happen in there! Then they went on raids with Wanda and found the Seeker and it was so sad at the end how she wanted to sacrifice herself for Melanie but thank goodness they found her another body. I knew there had to be a happy ending haha! A weird thing too was like the other planets like the spiders and dolphins and bears, but it was creative that's for sure. And I saw in the back from the questionaire how there's gonna be a movie? The book was published in 2008 so I have no idea when the movie would come out but I'd def want to go see that! And I also loved that I got the copy with the bonus chapter in it to see what happened to Melanie after Wanda left her body since the whole book is from Wanda's point of view, she couldn't put that in the book. But overall I liked the book a lot and it actually I think took me longer to read than Roots! But hey loved it, but only have a few more books that are mine left then I gotta get going to the library! :]

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

2010-07-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down's syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. Compulsively readable and deeply moving, The Memory Keeper's Dauighter is a brillantly crafted story of parallele lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love.

This was a very good book. I think from this book and a few others I really like reading books that tell a whole life story from when they were a baby or really young til like they're older at least 20 years later. It's amazing how that one decision shaped everyone's lives. It affected more than like 20 people because of DAvid's whole family, Caroline and the people she met and the people that Phoebe met and it goes on! But it's also fascinating to read how you may think you know someone or know your family but you never will completely because there are so many sides to someone and so much to know about someone, you'll always learn something about them and that's also the beauty of relationships to learn someone and accept them for everything they are. And its so sad how Norah and David just became so separated because of that one thing, and Paul too. How the were still married but didn't know each other at all and became completely different people. It makes me feel def blessed for how my family is, but it still makes you think! The wonders of reading ya know, of how wow my parents had a whole other life before me and my brothers came but you always think of your parents as just your mom and dad when they were someone else before, it's hard to believe. But things like that in this book just make you think and I like that. Teen books are good and everything especially the series ones I read but they only take place in such a constricted area and in such a short amount of time like senior year and that's it, you don't get to know the person as much as books like this. But I really liked it and def glad I bought it for only like $2 I think at Half Price hehe :] Onto the next!

Dark Secrets 1 by Elizabeth Chandler

2010-07-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Two girls haunted by the past... and destined to relive it in Legacy of Lies, Megan has to stay with the uptight grandmother she wants nothing to do with. She's determined to get through the visit without any drama, but when she falls into a twisted love triangle with potentially fatal consequences, Megan may be caught up in her family's legacy in more ways than she realizes. In Don't Tell, Lauren knows that by returning to the town where her mother drowned seven years ago, she'll be reliving one of her most haunting memories. When she arrives, she is propelled into a series of mysterious events that mimic the days leading up to her mother's death. Maybe her mother drowning wasn't an accident after all... and maybe Lauren is next.
These two were really awesome. Spooky, myserious, thrilling, and suspenseful! But I woner if or how they're connected. I know though that it's in the same town cuz they mention the Scaraborough Road in both, and then in Don't Tell, it says seven years earlier... so what does that mean?! Is it just letting you know or they're connected? I was trying to find stuff but I couldn't. so the first one was about Megan and her grandma and how she's coming to visit her but some weird things are happening. Like she's having weird dreams and moving things and sleep walking, because she's a reincarnation og her grandma's sister, Avril. But she isn't sure of that until things start clicking into place, and I never would have guessed either of the killers. I liked these alot also because I haven't really read much mystery so I wouldn't mind reading more of those like that! Especially when you don't know what's going to happen next, which is good. Like the second one I had no idea that Holly was the killer! Of course they made it seem like Nora, which I guess is a good cover up cuz Holly is all like a friend and isn't crazy. But yeah I def gotta go buy the second one though! I also love that key on the cover. It's so cool looking.

Roots by Alex Haley

2010-06-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

Front and Back Flaps: When he was a boy in Henning, Tennessee, Alex Haley's grandmother used to tell him stories about their family- stories that went back to her grandparents, and their grandparents, down through the generations all the way to a man she called "the African." She said he had lived across the ocean near what he called the "Kamby Bolongo" and had been out in the forest chopping wood to make a drum when he was set upon by four men, beaten, chained and dragged aboard a slave ship bound for Colonial America. Still vividly remembering the stories after he grew up and became a writer, Haley began to search for documentation that might authenticate the narrative. It took ten years and a half of a million miles of travel across three countries to find it, but finally, in an astonishing feat of genealogical detective work, he discovered not only the name of "the African"- Kunta Kinte- but the precise location of Juffure, the very village in The Gambia, West Africa, from which he was abducted in 1767 at the age of sixteen and taken on the Lord Ligonier to Maryland and sold to a Virginia planter. Haley has talked in Juffure with his own African sixth cousins. On September 29, 1967, he stood on the dock in Annapolis where his great-great-great-great-grandfather was taken ashore on September 29, 1767. Now he has written the monumental twp-century drama of Kunta Kinte and the six generations who came after him- slaves and freedmen, farmers and blacksmiths, lumber mill workers and Pullman porters, lawyers and architects- and one author. But Haley has done more than recapture the history of his own family. As the first black American writer to trace his origins back to their roots, he has told the story of 25,000,000 American of African descent. He has rediscovered for an entire people a rich cultural heritage that slavery took away from them, along with their names and their identities. But ROOTS soeaks, finally, not just to blacks, or to whites, but to all peoples and all races everywhere, for the story it tells is one of the most eloquent testimonials ever written to the indomitability of the human spirit.

AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. AMAZING. WOW, this was an AMAZING book!!! I read it because my grandma wanted me to, and at first it was alright and I had to get used to the language and all that but after that it was just soooo real and so like wow. Esepcailly the part where Kunta is in the ship going to America and what they describe is so horrible. How they're all chained together and just sit down there under in like the dark and cold and just fester and rot and there's rat and they have to go to the bathroom and throw up just all over the place then live in it! Imagine how that would be omg. And then Kunta getting whipped and his foot cut off. I just really liked how the story just progressed down the family. At first it was Kunda telling the story, then it went to his daughter Kizzy after she got sold to someone else and after that is the last you know of Kunta and then Kizzy never gets married because her "massa" rapes her!! It was horrible that part. And then she only had one son, George, who was named after the master's first nigger. And they say that a lot obviously. And then George gets married to Matilda and they have 8 children!! And then the story is in George's point of view and he fights chickens with the massa and another guy and then after that the story kinda just goes through Tom, one of the sons who marries Irene. After that it's not really in anyone's point of view. But it was also crazy to read about all the history going on during that time and then they finally became free and just started their own village and everything. It was such an amazing book, I don't even know what else to say, but I can't believe they traced it all the way back to him! Just goes to show you how if you keep telling your children something and they pass it on it goes on for a long time and lots of generations! It would be so awesome to be able to somehow trace back my ancestry took because I know my dad is black and so is his dad and my grandma and my great-grandpa but I don't really know much else, but yes everyone should read that book. It is relaly long basicaly 700 pages but I read it in 8 days! go me haha but it was hard to put down and super good! I def wanna watch the movie now. But yes amazing I know I said it lots of times but it really was!

Thank you to Ashley!

2010-06-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks Ashley for awarding me woohoo! :]

The Rules
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share seven things about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (in no particular order...)

4. Contact the bloggers

Well, here are seven things about me!
1. I love to read! I think that's pretty obvious but I had to include it in there.

2. I love to scrapbook. I love being creative and using different papers, stickers, frames, beads, ribbons, glitter, postcards, and pictures to make awesome scrapbooks which is way more fun than just printing out pics and putting them in an album!

3. I am in love with my boyfriend Joel, who I've been dating since March 14, 2005! He means the whole world to me.

4. Strawberries are my favorite fruit. I have a strawberry necklace from Puerto Rico which is one of my favorite necklaces and just recently bought some strawberry earrings to match :]

5. I go to PLU and I'm going to major in social work. I want to help people, that is my goal for my job and I think my area is people in poverty.

6. I am Filipino, Black, Cherokee, and Irish and I love to be unique.

7. My favorite color is pink.

Bloggers I'm Awarding
1. Scrap That
2. Collegiate Bookworm
3. Angela
4. Johnathan
5. Laura

I dunno who else!!! Sorry!!!

You Just Can't Get Enough by Cecily Von Ziegesar

2010-06-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: It's September- time to put away your white eyelet sundresses and platform espadrilles and say goodbye to the East End. But say hello to Manhattan's newest residents, the scene-stealing, heart-stealing Carlyle triplets. Lock up your boyfriends and throw away the key because B and A are hotter than NYC during a sultry Indian summer. I love this series already! It's so interesting to be reading about triplets and of course all the interconnections everyone has with each other. Like when they're at the part and the couples but only momentarily are Owen and Jack, Baby and J.P., Avery and Tristan, and Rhys and Kelsey. But the thing is, Jack is J.P.'s ex, and she's only with Owen because she knows Owen's secret that he likes Kelsey who he lost his virginity to over the summer and so it's all tense and by the end of the night nothing is the same! It's def a crazy world that's for sure haha. But now the couples have changed so we'll see how long that lasts, nothing really does last in these books. But I like the triplets. It's fun.

The Carlyles by Cecily Von Ziegesar

2010-06-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Get out your Montblanc pens, Chloe satchels, and cashmere cardigans: it's a brand-new season on the Upper East Side, and the irresistible Carlyle triplets are taking Manhattan by storm. You now it's going to be another wild and wicked year, and I'll be here to whisper all the juicy secrets... you know you love me, Gossip Girl. So I liked this new series, but I'm still missing the other characters, especially since the show has them and I'm used to hearing about them and everything, but this bunch is interesting. At first I just had to get used to the new names, but it didn't take too long to do. I like the idea of the triplets though, I think that was different. And funny that one of their names is Baby. Hmm. But besides that of course there's gotta be the bitchy one, but she ends up losing her credit cards, her boy, and the position on the board or whatever it's called, so we'll see what's gonna happen next because I'm about to be reading that now. The only thing about the Gossip Girl books is I read them so fast!

Shopaholic & Sister by Sophie Kinsella

2010-06-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: What's a round-the-world honeymoon if you can't buy the odd souvenir to ship back home? Like the twenty silk dressing gowns Becky found in Hong Kong... the hand-carved dining table (and ten chairs) from Sri Lanka... the, um, huge wooden giraffes from Malawi (that her husband Luke expressly forbade her to buy)... Only now Becky and Luke have returned home to London and Luke is furious. Two truckloads of those souvenirs have cluttered up their loft, and the bills for them are outrageous. Luke insists Becky go on a budget. And worse; her beloved best friend Suze has found a new best friend while Becky was away. Becky's feeling rather blue- when her parents deliver some incredible news. She has a long-lost sister! Becky is thrilled! She's convinced her sister will be a true soulmate. They'll go shopping together, have manicures together... Until she meets Jessica for the first time and gets the shock of her life. Surely Becky Bloomwood's sister can't... hate shopping? First off I just have to say it's really annoying because my book's cove background is like light lime green and all the ones I found have this yellow? WHAT! haha, but anyways I loved it! These books are so funny and Becky is so crazy! All that shopping she does and the thinking of why she needs to buy it is interesting and most likely true for other people, like I just was watching True Life I'm obsessed with shopping or something like that. But yeah this is the kind of situation where you feel two different ways because Becky did all that shopping and wanted that angle purse so told that guy Luke would do whatever and then made Luke super mad so you're like wth why did she do that just for that stupid bag??? But then when she's all alone at moments in the book and really sad you're like SAD! And wish everything would be better. I mean I feel like that for lots of things or see it in shows or other books so that's def a realistic thing happening, but this book is just so fun and funny and energetic. Becky is def a crazy character who def does need to do less shopping, but I still love the style of the book, especially the funny bank notices or letters from bank or organization to Becky, love that!

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

2010-06-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Jane Roberts was the average girl next door until she and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, landed their own reality show, L.A. Candy. Now the girls have an all-access pass to Hollywood's hottest everything. But there's more to life on camera than just parties and shopping... When racy photos of Jane are leaked to the press, she finds herself at the center of a tabloid scandal. She turns to her co-star Madison Parker for help, unaware that Madison is scheming behind the scenes. She might be Jane's shoulder to cry on, but does Madison really have Jane's back? Scarlett's working on a scandal of her own. She's fallen for someone who's strictly off-limits- which means Scarlett has a big secret to keep... from the L.A. Candy cameras, the paparazzi staking out her apartment, even from her best friend. Of course, nothing stays secret for long for the stars of the newest TV series, and all this drama couldn't be better for ratings. But can Jane survive another season in the spotlight? In television star Lauren Conrad's dishy, entertaining novel about young Hollywood, the lies are only as sweet as the people telling them. I loved this book, the only annoying thing is that I'm always comparing it to The Hills and I am seeing some similarities. Like at the end when Caleb came back is that like Jason or something? Haha, but besides that it was good! Of course there had to be this evil character Madison! And she just reels Jane in man that's such a hard world! I also see how reality shows aren't too reality, they like set up stuff so that it seem real but it really wouldn't happen if the cameras weren't there ya know? I also love the covers, very cute! But def will be excited when the next one comes out.

A Place Called Here by Cecelia Ahern

2010-06-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Ever since the day her classmate Jenny-May Butler vanished, Sandy Shortt has been haunted by what happens when something- or someone- disappears. Finding has become her goal. Jack Ruttle is desperate to find his younger brother Donal who vanished into thin air a year ago. So when spots an ad for Sandy's missing persons agency, he's certain that she will answer his prayers and find his missing brother. But then Sandy disappears too, stumbling upon a place that is a world away from the only one she has ever known. Now all she wants, more than anything, is to find her way home. This was an amazing, captivating, like nothing else book. When I got this book, I didn't even realize it was by an author of a book I already have called Rosie Dunne which is also incredible btw written all in IMs, notes, letters, and e-mails! Of a girl and boy who are soul mates but go through lots of diff things, anyways, back to this book! It was like nothing I've ever read before, because thinking of something like that, is crazy! About a girl who cares so much about finding things once they're lost, like socks and things that aren't too meaningful so ya know. But to think of a place where all the things that are lost, including memories is pretty weird!! But I loved this book because it was different and not about things you normally think about in a novel or really at all, because it's true how people go missing and after time some people forget or give up and it's really sad! That part isn't new, but the Sandy Shortt character was def different. I def would like to read more of her books though that's for sure! It's a diff scene from the teen ones, which I like to put in between so I won't get too tired of em haha not that I ever do, but ya know just in case!

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

2010-06-03T13:11:00.001-07:00

Front Flap: Ever and Damen have traveled through countless past lives- and fought off the world's darkest enemies- so they could be together forever. But just when their long-awaited destiny is finally within reach, a powerful curse falls upon Damen... one that could destroy everything. Now a single touch of their hands or a soft brush of their lips could mean sudden death- plunging Damen into the Shadowland. Desperate to break the curse and save Damen, Ever immerses herself in magick- and gets help from an unexpected source- a surfer named Jude. Although she and Jude have only just met, he feels startlingly familiar. Despite her fierce loyalty to Damen, Ever is drawn to Jude, a green-eyed golden boy with magical talents and a mysterious past. She's always believed Damen to be her soul mate and one true love. But as Damen pulls away to save them, Ever's connection with Jude grows stronger- and tests her love for Damen like never before... This one was really good too! And I see the next one is coming out soon! :] There is something kinda annoying, I dunno why but how Ever keeps talking about Damen's past and I dunno somthing she keeps saying, I don't remember what it is, but a definite twist at the end where Ever makes Haven an immortal, now what about Miles? And how is she gonna tell Haven this! And Roman is just pure evil, while Ever is so dumb to go and visit him wth! She's crazy haha. And definitely weird thing about Jude being the guy Ever always tries to pursue or likes until Damen comes along, that changes things too. I just like the book because it's different, instead of vampires jeez! Haha. And there's so many interesting things going on like wth! Like the twins! We do learn more about them though so that's nice. But once again Ever is dumb and doesn't look at what she's doing, trying to use magic, in dark way and Roman knows! So the next book will def be intense too!!

Scandal by Kate Brian

2010-05-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: After her terrifying Caribbean vacation, Reed can't wait to get back to campus and resume her normal life of classes, shopping trips with the Billings Girl, and late-night gossip sessions. But when she arrives at Easton, she gets the shock of a lifetime. Billings House is gone. The administration has razed the scandal-rocked dorm and separated the Billings Girls. Outraged, Reed takes immediate action, turning Billings into a secret literary society- with a whole new set of rules. Eleven spots are open to any girl strong enough to endure initiation. Every girl on campus wants in, and it's up to Reed to pick the best and brightest. And only the strongest will survive... This book I felt was one of the better ones, but also not for the same reason. Because it wasn't as fast paced, or like not as many deadly things happened as others like Reed always being targeted and someone getting killed. There were def some intense moments though. And another new headmaster! This new secret society sounds cool and all, but of course it brings trouble. I really liked the ending because it leaves you hanging, just like all the other ones. Who in the world took Noelle? And so you just know the next book is gonna be really good cuz they're gonna have to find her and figure out wth is going on! I hope the series doesn't end soon!! I feel like it won't though because Reed isn't a senior but we'll see. Def can't wait for the next even though I know I did read this super fast!!! Sadly haha.

Sunset Boulevard by Zoey Dean

2010-05-30T21:01:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Starlet Amelie Adam's new movie is being shot on location- at Beverly Hills High. But the drama on-screen is nothing compared to what's happening off-screen. Lights, camera, deception! So this was really good too! It's like reminding me of a good episode of like Gossip Girl or Friday Night Lights where like so much happens in one like book or episode. Like Jake started dating Kady and by the end she's going to Prague to shoot a movie. And with JoJo and Myla being buddies to now like enemies kinda, even though they're sisters. And then with Amelie finally realizing her crush on Jake, Jake still liking her too, but so does JoJo I think! ARG! haha, but it was really good, I still find myself liking it better than the first one because of the diversity I guess and also Myla isn't as bitchy as Cammie, plus Myla actually realizes it at the end, so we'll see what happens because now Amelie is about to be going to their school!

Hollywood Royalty by Zoey Dean

2010-05-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Some people are born with it. Meet the new Hollywood Royalty: Amelie, the not-so-innocent starlet; Myla and Ash, the golden couple; Jacob, the geek turned hottie; and JoJo, the outsider who'll do anything to get on the A-List. I thought that this book was better than the first A-List! Don't get me wrong, I liked the characters in the first series, but these ones just seemed a lot more diverse and interesting and covered more types of people. The first one, all of them were rich and wore nice clothes and were already integrated in the business, besides Anna but it didn't take her long and she was rich too. This was alot different, plus being updated a little bit, like with the technology and what they do in the book. I think it's cool that JoJo has two dads. And she's trying to be in the A-List but of course she finds out her parents are actually this rich couple who has a daughter Myla who is jealous and then breaks up with Ash, who JoJo starts to like but he just wanted Myla to be jealous. Then there's Amelie, the fairy princess, which is kinda weird, but I'm thinking she's the one on the cover cuz the pink dress and red hair? But she's all innocent but then really likes Hunter, but her tutor Jacob who was a geek and is now hotter likes her. I felt so bad for him! He likes her and she just wants Hunter. And yeah ha but I'm about to read the next one now! I also really like the dresses on the front and back covers!

California Dreaming by Zoey Dean

2010-05-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: With college just a week away, the private jets are booked, the vintage Gucci steamer trunks packed, and it's time for the A-list crew to say good-bye. Or is it? Sam's headed to USC film school, but when Eduardo offers her a different ending- moving to Paris as newlyweds- will she go completely off-script? Cammie's already living her California dream as the owner of Hollywood's hottest new venue. But will her relationship with Ben, Tinseltown's reigning nightlife prince, last? Anna's lifelong dream of Yale no longer feels like a fantasy, and with a one-way ticket to Bali from new love Logan in her pocket, her future is wide open. There are only a few precious days left in L.A, and it's time for everyone to choose what their futures will hold. Only one thing is certain: Wherever they go, they'll always be on the A-list. I def would say that I like reading these books, but not as much as I used to! Also kinda annoying is always saying what they;re wearing like the brands and stuff I'm like I have no idea what all this means! Haha, but it's still fun to read, just not as entertaining as before, ya know? But I'm about to read the first two of her other series so we'll see how those characters are cuz I still really like Sam and Anna in these books, but def not Cammie who is a big bitch! So yeah! haha

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

2010-05-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place as the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the "coolest girl in the world" moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all- beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever, by summer's end they've become TullyandKate. Inseparable. So begins Kristin Hannah's magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives. For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship- jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they've survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart... and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test. This was AMAZING!!! I LOVED IT! Wow. . . haha. I don't think I've ever read a book like it. Going through the whole lives of two best friends. I was reading it and felt what they felt, especially Kate. And it did give me fear of when I have kids and what they'll be like because I never had a rebellious stage like Marah did so I hope my kids won't either! But it was so emotional and realistic and there. How Kate and Tully met and how they went through sooo much together and were always there for each other, even in the end. I felt that jealousy and anger and fear. It was soo sad when Kate got cancer. I almost started crying because of how young she was and having your mom die before you especially how young they were is just so sad. I read in the back how she made it pretty personal to her life and you can tell while you're reading because going through something and writing about it is much before raw than making it up, even though that can be emotional too. I really love this book and want to read more from her.

Blue Moon by Noel

2010-05-10T20:45:00.001-07:00

Back Cover: Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers increase, Damen's begin to fade after he is stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life. Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, where she uncovers not only the secrets of Damen's past- the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden- but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back and clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them- or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker by the day... So I thought this one was a lot better than the first one, I dunno why! but I just did haha. It was probably because I knew more about them, but also just cuz all the weird stuff that was going on! of course they don't mention Roman in the summary, but that was def weird how everyone in the school was like hypnotized by him so that they all acted nice to each other and no one liked poor Ever :[ But she got through it! And I was pretty surprised that Ava was bad and ran away since she was talking to Riley in the first book and everything. It was so weird the part where it was back to her old life and she didn't remember anything, and then in the car Riley told her she couldn't change anything, of course she fell for Roman's trick! I had a feeling he wasn't being good yeah right she saw before how evil he was and in that vision he was going to kill Damen. I really don't know which is worse, having the one you love killed or having them be alive but never being able to touch them like kiss or have kids together I mean wow! Having them alive yes but so many limitations! And at the end of course Damen doesn't remember anything so now I wanna read the next one to see what happens! I see it's called Shadowland, so maybe that's like the opposite of Summerland, probably! But yeah it was good and I like it since it is different and also isn't focused on high school drama, but more intense things!

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

2010-05-07T22:48:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana- except for her "disability". She can read minds. But when Bill Compton walks into her life, she can't hear a word he's thinking- and then one of her coworkers is killed. Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea... The beginning of the book was alright and then it kind of got better, but by now I'm sorry but I'm tired of reading about vampires! And seeing so many vampire books everywhere arg! But besides that I thought it was alright, I do like though how it could be to a a different audience since she's not in high school but just working at a job and is constantly with people her age and older! some parts were really weird I guess how it was written or maybe what was going on I didn't understand all the way. But it def was kind of like a mystery book too because you had to figure out who was the killer, and if course who would have ever thought of Rene, or anyone else for that matter, because the vampires are killed but I didn't feel like it would have been them. But at least Sookie is a strong female characters and I must say the first episode of the True Blood series is so freaking sexual like within the first 10 minutes man! But they do stay pretty true to the book in that episode so I like that about it. But overall it was alright, I'll probably try to sell it back.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

2010-04-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: After a horrible accident claims the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever Bloom can see people's auras, hear their thoughts, and know someone's entire life story by touching them. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities, she has been branded a freak at her new high school- but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste. Damen is gorgeous, exotic, and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head- wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can peer straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. And she has no idea just who he really is- or what he is . The only thing she knows to be true is that she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him. This was a good book. I enjoyed reading it, but at the end I def did think of Twilight since Damen has lived so long, he's like another type of being who can read her mind, although Edward can't read Bella's mind he has the ability, and how she falls so deeply in love with him and becomes weak because of it. But besides that, a lot of the info on how they are what they are and like logistical stuff was kinda confusing sometimes, but the story I liked. And Drina was def evil, causing basically all the bad things to have ever happened in Ever's life, which is an interesting name to pick for a character. And I like how Riley her sister visits her and chose to, but at the end it's really hard to let go and I can understand that. It must suck to be like Ever, fer reals. Then again to also reminds me of Sookie in Dead Until Dark which I just started reading for english class, because she can read people's thoughts so having a boyfriend would be horrible, especially having sex. And Ever is kinda the same way. I feel a trend going on here of main characters in like these vampire/immortal type books where the main girl character is like not very social and/or doesn't have many friends and if she does then she's not into it. Hmmm What does that say about teenage girls who read these books? I dunno, anyways, I enjoyed reading it and there were def some suspenseful parts in there where I was like omg what's gonna happen! But now I'm about to read the second one cuz I borrowed the first two from my best friend so we'll see how that one goes now that we know the initial story and characters and all, kinda like Vampire Academy. haha

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

2010-04-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires- the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger... and the Strigoi are always close by. Rose and Lissa must navigate their dangerous world, confront the temptations of forbidden love, and never once let their guard down, lest the evil undead make Lissa one of them forever... So I had to read this book for my english class. At first I didn't like it at all cuz I was really confused with all these classes of people, but then about halfway through it got really interesting really fast! We watched this video on youtube today about why readers like the book/series and who their favorite character was and I thought it was funny because most of them said Dimitri, or Adrian, who isn't in the first one, and how girls just care about the guys in the book because they think they're hot haha! And the book itself was kinda just high school and let's add in some vampire things with the dance and high school drama, but I like how the Moroi have to be protected because they need to stay away from the Strigoi! I thought it was kinda funny/weird that a necklace could have compulsion and make Rose and Dimitri have more lust for each other when it was there anyways! It made it better, and you kinda want them to get together! Then another weird relationship was Lissa and Rose where they're not really lesbians, but it kinda hints at it because Rose actually does like her blood being sucked by Lissa and she has moments of jealousy when she feeds off of others. Of course at the end you never would have thought that Victor was the one who was taking Lissa away from her powers. I thought the fire and water speciality thing wasn't too original, but the spirit part was. I wouldn't mind reading the next book just to see how it goes and if it's as action packed as the second half of the first one. Overall, I liked it.

The Last Summer (of you and me) by Ann Brashares

2010-04-18T23:19:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Riley and Alice, two sisters now in their twenties, and as fiercely different as they are loyal, have spent every summer at their parents' modest beach house. And every summer growing up, there was also Paul, a close friend to both girls. Now, after three years away from the island, he's come back. But his returns marks a season of change, of unspoken attractions, tragedy, and deep secrets that will launch three friends into an unfamiliar adult world, from which their summer haven can no longer protect them. This was a pretty good book, but not amazing. It's kinda confusing at first, one of those books where the story is kinda progressing but there's still some stuff going on with the past so I'm not sure what's right now or not. But it was def way different than Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which is good to get variety. I did like it though and it was sad when Riley died, but for some reason I didn't feel as sad other times in books when someone died. But it was something kinda familiar that could have been in another book, but I liked this one because it seemed seasonal. That these girls only saw Paul in the summer which is only 3 months out of 12 in the the year so it's not like 9 out of 12 they saw him not at the beach house. Anyways, it was good and I enjoyed the story.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2010-04-16T23:37:00.000-07:00

OK So this is my second time reading Twilight, because we had to read it for class and also I've been wanting to read it anyways and see how good the movie compares haha. But we discussed it in class and man people went nuts! Like talking about all these things that I didn't even think about or worry about. Like how race plays into it. That the vampires are white and the werewolves colored and Bella picks the white one? And how there's a few other people that are Bella's friends that aren't white and that they put them in there just so they could have them there. And how Edward is like a stalker because he goes in her room and watches her while she sleeps and follows her scent and has this control over her because she's like weak and wants to do anything to please him. It's pretty intense, these two sides of the room are always kinda tense but now it's like getting flung around. I just wanted to say the second time around after taking this class I did notice some things I didn't before but I still enjoyed reading it and there were still parts that made you feel emotion somehow. Now I just watched the second movie for the third time haha and want to read the second book, probably over the summer I will. We'll see but of course I like Twilight. I don't hate it but I'm not obsessed with it. That's all I gotta say.

Posh and Prejudice by Grace Dent

2010-04-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: When sixteen-year-old Shiraz Bailey Wood's year-end test results come in, she's astonished to discover not only that she passed them all, but that she's actually clever! Emboldened by an invite to higher-level classes, Shiraz enrolls in Superchav Academy's "Center of Excellence" to get even brainer. Hanging with goody-two-shoes types in higher-level classes seems like just the ticket to avoid getting stuck forever in her crap hometown. But Shiraz gas to figure out for herself: Are these posh types really any better than she is, or do they just want to stick up their noses at everyone? This was a funny boo, I read the first one last year sometime and the way she talks is just like wth? I like the glossary in the back though, fun times. I wonder if some people really use those words and talk that way? hmm, but it's a good story about Shiraz Bailey Wood who is getting a higer education and not so sure about it. I like how they did the Increase the Peace campaign thing but so sad no one cares, I bet that's the case lots of places where there's a lot of crime or perceived to have a lot of crime. But she's so funny, but so bad she cheated on Wesley, and then Joshua did not treat her well. Saying crap about not wanting to do nothing or get her nothing for Valentine's day. I bet he was with that other girl Claudia. Ha, and I love the other descriptions of the characters and the stuff they do. It just cracks me up, but it so realistic and I do like that part. Another thing is, on the cover I think she's holding her hands really weird. Like I guess showing off her bling? But it just looks funny and unnatural to be that way. Anyways, the book was good, not something deep just a fun read.

Three Wishes by Isabelle Merlin

2010-04-06T18:41:00.001-07:00

Back Cover: When Rose creates a blog for an English assignment, she doesn't realise it will change her life. An elegant stranger arrives to announce that Rose has an aristocratic French grandfather who would like to meet her. Rose arrives in France to find that her grandfather lives in a magnificent castle. Utterly enchanted, she grows to love her new life- and Charlie, a charming boy who is equally besotted with Rose. But as Rose begins to delve deeper into her family's past, her fariytale turns into a nightmare. Who is friend? Who is foe? Someone wants her dead. And she must find out who before the wish comes true! This was def a creepy book, but really good. I especially liked it because she was writing it all out in a diary, which means me, the reader, I don't know whose the bad guy! A lot of times it's a different point of view and they write a different scene with the bad guy so you know and it's suspenseful because you don't want the main character to fall for it or get killed or anything. This time, you didn't know! But I think it was set up for you to think it was Paul who did it, when in fact it was Charlie, and that def is scary how he could be so nice and charming and then be so evil and twisted, I mean wow, thats scary and probably pretty realistic too. But it was kinda of like an old fairy tale but made into something new and modern especially with the blogging. Which I must say was an awesome idea because there is actually a real blog for Charlie when he called himself Koschei I think it was and one for Rose too. I gotta check em out, but that's def a really creative idea that's for sure, so I love that! and Rose is just an innocent girl being corrupted by these men and has no idea who is doing what and neither do we. Of course they don't even tell you until a few pages later who the villian was when she gets rescued by that one guy forgot his name ha. But it was def good and had me creeped out since it wasn't like so over the top but something that could happen and is just kinda freaky and scary so I loved it!

A Little Help From my Friends by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt

2010-04-02T23:07:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: As the youngest and shyest Miracle Girl, Zoe Fairchild was happy to fade into the background last year. But when she sheds her baby fat and shoots up four inches the summer before her junior year, everything changes. Now she's turning heads at school, and this new attention is beginning to strain her relationship with her sweet, serious boyfriend, Marcus. Pressure builds when Zoe's assigned partner for her history class is Dean Marchese- a handsome New York transplant who isn't afraid to show her how he feels. Just when Zoe needs her her three best friends the most, the other Miracle Girls are suffering from boy troubles of their own. Even Zoe's rock-solid home life begins to shake beneath her when her parents' relationship frays over finances. As this uncertain year of growing pains comes to a frenetic head, the quietest Miracle Girl must find her voice at long last and take control of her destiny... with more than a little help from her friends. This was a wonderful book. I did read the first one although that was a while ago! But I remembered the characters and all that after a little bit, of course, memory is amazing right? But I really do think girls like that who have each other no matter what are just so good for life. I really don't have that, ya know, so they can like take things for granted a lot of times, thinking everyone has it that good with their 4 or 5 best friends with them, I have 2 besties though :] Anyways, the book was great because you learned things from it, how Zoe had to learn to speak her mind, which kinda sounds like me needing to do that more too! And just how real it is, that's why I love these teen books because they're so realistic and they change with time because of all the technology or activities people do or whatever, so it's nice. It''s def getting away to another world, even though I'm not in that high school frame of mind anymore, it's fun to read it and look back on it and kinda be like hmm was I like that before and didn't see it? But all these characters were inspiring since they were standing up for their teacher and doing anything they could for her! And also finding out more about themselves along the way. I also love that umbrella on the cover, I want it!

Strange Relations by Sonia Levitin

2010-04-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: A summer in paradise. That's all Marne wants. That's all she can think of when she asks her parents for permission to spend the summer in Hawaii with Aunt Carole and her family. But Marne quickly realizes her stay in Hawaii isn't going to be just about surfing and morning runs along the beach. For one thing, Aunt Carole isn't even Aunt Carole anymore- she's Aunt Chaya, married to a Chaisdic rabbi and deeply rooted in her religious community. Fitting into such a foreign culture presents challenges and joys Marne never even imagined. She can't help longing for her own friends and her own culture- not to mention the cute surfer boy she keeps running into. But as these two worlds collide against Oahu's lush backdrop, Marne begins to think about spirituality and identity in a way she never has before. This was def an interesting book, especially with all the Jewish terms and everything since I don't know anyone Jewish I don't recognize anything except for the Torah. And wow that household was crazy, but in most environments humans are able to adapt and Marne did just that. I can't imagine having that many people around, it'd drive me crazy at first I'm sure. But it was an inspiring story of how different Chaya and her family is compared to Marne's, but how she learns to go with the flow of everything. She even manages to save Chaya's life. It's the good books that have tragedies where the characters try to hold on to things and then they finally learn something from the past and grow up a little. It's realistic and shows deeper sides to things than just worrying about your hair or clothes or whatever, even though those books are good too. But it's nice to have a variety of things to read. Plus the cover is interesting. I like it. This was a educational book too since I learned some things about Jews, and it does seem pretty intense at times, but respecting others beliefs is important. And of course those boys and Marne with her friend Kim and her sisters were not behaving well haha. They are like the bad temptations, but she like ran all the way from there to her aunt's house, I def couldn't do that, suck at running! But oh well, it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.

The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham

2010-03-30T00:33:00.000-07:00

Front and Back Flap: Everything's coming up roses for Fleur Daxeny as she goes through more rich men than she does designer hats. Fleur is beautiful, charming, and utterly irresistible, and her success at crashing funerals to find wealthy men is remarkable. Fleur wastes no time in seducing her latest conquest, the handsome and rich widower Richard Favour, and she swoops into his life like a designer-clad tornado. His children are caught up in a whirlwind as their father's new girlfriend descends on the family estate, leaving chaos and excitement in her perfume-scented wake. Soon, more than one family member is suspicious of Fleur's true intentions. Fleur is not one to wear her heart on her Channel sleeve, but she soon finds herself embracing Richard and his lovable family. But just as Fleur contemplates jumping off the gold-digger train for good and enjoying the ride of true love, a long-buried secret from her past threatens to destroy her new family. Can she trust her heart or will she cut ties and run away as fast as her Prada pumps can take her? I thought this was an awesome book. I especially liked the ending since it wasn't like picture perfect, but it seems more realistic. She can write such diverse books, but they're all so suspenseful and interesting, like what the book is about. It seems pretty crazy a woman going around crashing funerals to get money from the rich guys there, but it worked good in this novel. I think Fleur was a great character, but not because she did steal money, because she was actually finally falling for one of the guys she was trying to take money from! And it was so sad how his ex Emily was just so not a good person it seems like but he still defended her and so did everyone else, probably scared. But it was an amazing novel and can't wait to read more of her books. Plus the covers are funny and they like match each other in their style.

Girl Stays in the Picture by Melissa de la Cruz

2010-03-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

Front Flap: Devon- one name only, please- is the latest and jail-bait-est pop star to hit number one on the Billboard chart, and she's making her big-screen debut in Juicy. But after her stint in rehab, the studio isn't so sure she's their girl anymore. If they cut any more of her lines, she'll be a silent film actress! Can Devon regain her star status? She needs to watch her back and make sure that flash doesn't catch her causing a scene, and we don't mean the kind you can yell "Cut!" after. Livia has lost the weight and gained the attitude in the Hollywood party scene. Her dad's an Oscar-winning producer, and with a hot Beverly Hills boyfriend on her arm as well as her photos all over the pages of Gosizzle.com, Livia looks like she has a perfect life. But looks can be perfectly deceiving... And there's fresh-faced Casey, who left a job bagging groceries at the Piggly Wiggly to play personal assistant to her best friend... and Devon's rival. She's got the biggest crush on the biggest star of the film- a hot Brit known for loving and leaving. Will Caset stay true to herself while trying to find a place in his universe? Stars. They're just like us. But what does that mean for the rest of us? Stay tuned, people. I thought this was a really good book and I love Melissa de la Cruz. She's awesome! Anyways, I love how like each girl had a guy and then he left her or something happened and then she's now like wanting another guy, with the exception of Casey. Because at first Devon was with Randall, then they broke up and Spy came into the picture but she thought she lost him but of course he came back at the end. Then with Casey she always wanted Jaime but couldn't have him then she got him at the end. then with Livia who had Trevor and found him cheating on her with Summer and wanted to be with Bruno but she upset him and then of course at the end he came to her also. Sooo basically it's like ok girls the guys will come back to you for sure! Haaa. wonder how true that is? But it was still a fun book.Summer is def crazy and it's so annoying to me stars who are going to act all crazy and pushy and act like they're all tight like that, yuck! But hey this is a series, so we'll see when the next one comes out this did take me a while to read like a week and a half!!! haha I def took my time but I had to be reading Dracula for class so ya know, education first! :] But now it's spring break woohoo

Dracula by Bram Stoker

2010-03-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Well, once again the back of this book is not a summary so I'll explain myself! This was for english class: Jonathan Harker goes to Count Dracula's castle, with warnings from everyone to not go there. He ends up realizing that he is being held captive while Dracula is pretending to go out and be him. He sees these three weird sisters that he desires, but Dracula saves him. He is then put into a mental hospital because he has brain fever. Meanwhile, Lucy, and her recent husband Arthur, aren't doing too well because she's having dreams and sleepwaking. she actually gets bit by Dracula and Dr. Seward brings in his friend Van Helsing. Van Helsing actually knows a lot of things and kind of doesn't tell anyone his suspicions. Lucy soon dies. They have to put a stake through her heart and chop off her head and full her mouth with garlic so as her not to keep going on and killing little kids since she also became a vampire. They all come together and hunt down Dracula by putting sacred wafers in his different boxes of dirt. He ends up getting to Mina, who is Jonathan's wife, and they're in a hurry to save her innocence. They chase after him and end up killing him at the end! Sooo this was actually a really good book I might consider keeping. It's really suspenseful and gets pretty scary actually especially if you're reading it at night. the language isn't hard to read and it's really suspenseful. Did I already say that? yes ha. Well it's good. It def sux since I already know Dracula is a vampire because if I didn't know then it'd be much more of a weird horror and Gothic book, but excited cuz this is the last time we have to write a paper!!! woot woot

Hollywood is Like High School with Money by Zoey Dean

2010-03-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

Back Cover: Twenty-four-year old Taylor Henning has just landed her dream job as an assistant at a major movie studio. Immediately, her catty coworkers undermine her, and she realizes the saying "Hollywood is like high school with money" is absolutely true. But Taylor wasn't exactly a social butterfly in high school. How is she supposed to do any better now? Then she meets her boss's popular daughter, Quinn, and has an epiphany: Maybe the queen-bee teenager can teach her the tactics she needs to succeed in the movie business. The shrewd Quinn takes Taylor under her wing and soon she's racking up victories against rival assistant Kylie. But when Taylor is directed to steal Kylie's boyfriend, something happens that's not in the script: She falls for him. Can Taylor harness her inner mean girl while staying true to herself? This was def an unexpected book for me! I thought that it'd be about something to do with like a teenage intern or someone in the business, but it was actually someone even older than me! haha, but I really liked it. Taylor has her dream right in front of her but it's not exactly amazing, and of course there's the thing where ya gotta start off at the bottom and then go higher up. And there's of course gotta be the other means girl around! and probably Hollywood is like high school, which is why I don't really care about it. Reading it in books is good enough for me! I ain't got time to deal with no stupid drama and there's no drama in my life now so I'm awesome without it! ha. The only thing I don't like is the cover, because I'm not sure what it's supposed to be? I actually just made a connection that maybe it's Taylor and she's going to go on the plane to see that one producer director guy. I dunno, it's not cute, but hey can't judge a book by its cover right?

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking by Melody Carlson

2010-03-12T22:28:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Certain she's paid her corporate dues, thirty one-year-old Cassidy Cantrell struts through the office in her chic Valentino boots to turn in her latest project. She's confident she'll make a spectacular impression and seal the deal on her long-anticipated promotion at the Seattle marketing firm. But when reality tromps over her expectations, Cassie quickly realizes those same stylish boots are all wrong for pounding the pavement in search of a new job- or for kicking her cheating ex-boyfriend out of her life. Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps back to her ski resort hometown- to find her rebounding-from-divorce mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe whose thriving social life only accentuates the dismal shape of Cassie's own romantic prospects. What will it take for Cassie to jump back into life and regain her stride? This sassy and hilarious novel from Cassie's journey, stumbling through the wilds of romance, career, and spirituality and learning to trust that God's plan will always be the perfect fit. This was a cute book. I def love the cover, cute! :] And Melody Carlson is just an awesome writer, especially since she writes Christian books! Cassie def goes through some things that many women may go through. And sometimes just going home and taking it easy will help you figure things out. I liked how Will was such a simple character, but he was always in the back of her mind, and it's those people who we really care about. It was also kinda funny and annoying at the same time to learn about her mom, cuz that'd be def weird if my mom acted like that! It's always weird when the mom looks younger and better than the daughter! But it's like why can't people just want to look their age and be fine with it ya know? dang. Who cares so much, wasting money trying to look young when you're gonna get old sooner or later! Goodness haha, anyways, it was a cute story, and I like the ones that are in a small town, it seems so nice and cozy even if you did know like everybody. At least everyone would be watching out for ya!

Notes From a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea by Melody Carlson

2010-03-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: After her life-changing journey to Ireland, twenty-year-old Maddie Chase feels ready for whatever she and her Aunt Sid will find on their trip to Papua New Guinea. But when she sets foot on the beautiful South Pacific Island, she can't help but wonder if it's really the paradise she thought it would be. As Maddie delves deeper into the culture and history of the land- and develops relationships with nationals who are eager to share their lives- she finds a tangled past that could help to explain the current health crisis. Will Maddie be able to see past the darkness to offer light to these gracious island people? Join Maddie on her latest international adventure as she learns that maybe it is possible for one person to change someone's world. I thought this was pretty good. I like how she's 20 like me though, for sure! And it was so sad to hear about those stories for AIDS. I always feel horrible when hearing things like that and it makes me soo sad! Which is why I wanna major in social work, to help people out like in those situations! But it was def intense how the cities are and the people in them with all the crime rates! And it reminded me of like in anthro class I learned when HIV/AIDS was first discovered people thought it was only in gay men and that it was a punishment from God for being gay, and this kinda ties into that. Those people thought ones with AIDS were bad! But in fact they're not, some could be, but not all those women who got raped and got the virus. It's really sad and I know a lot of women are out there like that. So I'm really glad that this book talks about that and will expose younger readers to that tragedy. On a higher note, it was a good book. And there should totally be more books in this series but I think there's only three and now I've read all 3 of them! :]

Beautiful Stranger by Zoey Dean

2010-03-06T11:50:00.001-08:00

Back Cover: Anna decides to take an end-of-summer getaway- to get away from her drama-filled LA life. So she packs her Louis Vuitton, grabs her close friend Sam, and heads to the Big Apple. Between trips to the Met and shopping at Bendel's, the girls are living the A-List life on Anna's home turf. But their trip isn't exactly a vacation. Sam is here to spy on Eduardo and decode his recent strange behavior. Will what she discovers send her hopping on the next private jet back to Beverly Hills? And who is the beautiful stranger who appears on Anna's Upper East Side doorstep? anna begins to wonder whether she wants to head back west again- especially since Ben seems to have moved on... with someone who isn't a stranger at all. when it comes to the A-List, there's drama coast to coast. So, I already read this last year, but didn't know it was a series, so I didn't really know everything, but this time I've read all the books before it so I know what's going down! And I really want to read the last book now but i have all these library books I need to finish first! Because wow, crazy ending, Anna just rushing off to the airport and it'll be so amazing that she gets to go to Indonesia with Logan which is def what she needs. Then Adam punching Ben, which I bet Cammie wanted. She is such a selfish bitch I mean really! She was planning it all along, while enjoying the ride. Then Sam gets jealous, but I can totally relate and understand to that! But Eduardo is so sweet, and he really loves her! so there's so many things going on, we'll see how this awesome series ends and then to the new one too! :]

The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham

2010-03-04T20:02:00.001-08:00

Front Flap: From the author of the internationally bestselling Sophie Kinsella novels, Madeleine Wickham's The Wedding Girl is a delighted comedy about a secret that becomes the ultimate wedding crasher! At the age of eighteen, in that first golden Oxford summer, Milly was up for anything. Now, ten years later, she is a very different person. Engaged to a man who is wealthy, serious, and believes her to be perfect, she is facing the biggest and most elaborate wedding imaginable. But one small episode from the past has the power to completely derail her carefully planned nuptials. Milly has locked away this history so securely that she has almost persuaded herself it doesn't exist- until, when only four days to go, her secret catches up with her... And when "I do" gives you deja vu, it could be a problem. Wow, that was sooo good and gossipy and secret-y and intense! Ha. Every character that entered in just had like new juicy secrets or something wrong with them or I dunno but it was def really good! With Milly she is such a sweet girl. The thing I don't understand is why she's acting like she isn't herself, but in the end it's ok since she ends up actually getting married! Because the photographer, Alexander was like a boy who picked up something and then he recognized her. Everyone thought he told the guy who was going to marry them but it was actually her godmother who thought the marriage was a bad idea! I was sooo like omg nooo when Milly was about go in the car with her godmother, like Isobel run! and then her sister ends up being pregnant and by guess who, Simon's dad! And Simon is Milly's ex-fiance then fiance again then husband! And his dad, Harry, is like a millionaire! And then her mother, Olivia, was like obssessed with the wedding! I hope my mom won't get like that but I doubt she will. But it was so beautiful at the end when she was walking down the aisle, it's amazing1 :] But Madeleine has such a great mind, and so many secrets, I totally forgot even to mention that she was married to that guy 10 years ago and she got in contact with Rupert, the guy he loved and they ended up breaking up like 2 months after the marriage and rupert just found out that Allan died and that told his wife, then Rupert told Milly. I know that was very confusing, but hey I like telling it in my type of crazy tell everything at once and be everywhere way! :] But it was a good book and I'm excited and look forward to reading more of her books as Madeleine Wickham instead of Sophie Kinsella. hehe

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

2010-03-03T22:24:00.001-08:00

Uhm on this one I'm actually just going to say myself what happened! Since this is like a norton critical edition the back is booooring! So here we go. From My Mind: Frankenstein creates a monster. After being isolated from his family, and being obssessed with making life from death, he finally makes life. But once it happens, he instantly regrets it. Throughout this story, Frankenstein pays for his creation. His young brother, William, is killed, by the monster. Then so is his friend Henry Clerval, but only because Frankenstein wouldn't make the monster a mate, and then came his cousin but married for one night Elizabeth, and his father dies from shock and misery. Frankenstein ends up dieing on a ship where he has told his whole story to a guy named Robert Walton. Then the monster sees the death of his creator and in the end goes to kill himself too. Sooo, yes, I said Frankenstein is the creator because he is indeed, and his name is Victor Frankenstein, and he made the monster, who doesn't even have a name and he calls the wretch a lot. hmmm interesting right? But I liked this book. I had to read it for my english class and it wasn't too bad actually. It was sad though, how the monster was so alone. He like was watching a family and learned to speak all by himself and like just wanted to be accepted by humans but he wasn't. Then again I felt bad for Victor, but basically everything is his fault because if he never created the monster, none of that would have happened! So yeah, it was def interesting. I don't think I've seen a movie for it? But we are in class and reading some like critical essays about it and all. So we'll see how that goes but overall it was good and pretty fast it's only like 156 pages so pretty short! But hey I liked it, but not enough to keep it hehe

Beachglass by Wendy Blackburn

2010-02-26T22:29:00.000-08:00

Front Flap: When Delia entered treatment for drug and alcohol addiction at age seventeen in Los Angeles, her life changed completely: She became immersed in AA, began to heal old family wounds, and developed a whole new perspective on herself, on spirituality, on relationships. Out of the rubble, she built a life that any recovering woman would be proud of, with a loving husband, a beautiful daughter, and her own brand of hard-won wisdom. But her long-term sobriety is put to the test when she receives a phone call from her gay best friend, Timothy. Fulfilling a pact they made a decade prior, Delia tears herself away from her new life in Seattle and rushes to Los Angles, to Timothy's bedside. There she must face the one thing she fears her sobriety cannot survive- losing him. Back in Los Angeles, Delia beings to encounter familar people, places, and temptations- a barrage of memories that makes her stop and sort through her past, looking for the courage she knows she needs now more than ever. As her past catches up with her present, she sees that she has not merely survied her losses and mistakes, but she has been made stronger because of them. This understanding comes to her in full as she holds a piece of beachglass in her hand and realizes that its scuffs and scrapes give it its quiet splendor, its immperfections give it its beauty and individuality, and it is from being tossed and tumbled that it no longer shatters. She knows the same goes for her, too. Wow this took me quite a while to finish! Amazing , like the longest space between blogging on a book before I think lol. Anyways, this was a beautiful book, full of despair but also hope. It was one of those, once again, where the narrator is in a present situation, while most of the book is them telling the story of how they got to that point. And Delia was a teenager who had a serious problem, but when she met Tim they went through everything together. But Tim has AIDS, at very sadly at the end of the book he passes away, as well as Joan, her mentor did earlier on in the book, both from AIDS. It was heart wrenching to hear about how everyda his T-Cell count just kept getting lower and lower. So many people have to face this, I can't imagine my best friend having to go through that while I watched. I would be there for her 100% but to know everyday it's getting worse. But at least it wasn't as painful as it could have been in the book. But it was so real. And it says the author is some type of counselor for that type of thing with drugs and so I wonder if her story is based off of a person she counseled or parts of it. The thing is it was so raw. It was beautiful too at the same time. And it had everything in it. It was a book with real emotions and of serious problems, but also true friendship and family. And the cover is also pretty. But this was amazing. It was very sad and made me want to cry, but in the end Timothy got to be with Joan and Delia had the best time ever with her best friend, so she knows she did everything she could and there are so many memories between them. I think it was a good ending too, even though Timothy died, it was kind of expected how the book prgressed, but she just realized who she was and how she didn't have a perfect life, she had rough spots but it made her pretty and she got there because of Timothy. So I loved it and everything should read it! :]

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole

2010-02-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: First published pseudonymously in 1764, The Castle of Otranto purported to be a translation of an Italian story of the time of the crusades. In it Walpole attempted, as he declared in the Preface to the second edition, 'to blend the two kinds of romance: the ancient and the modern'. He gives us a series of catastrophes, ghostly interventions, revelations of identity, and exciting contests. Crammed with invention, entertainment, terror, and pathos, the novel was an immediate success and Walpole's favourite among his numerous works. His friend, the power Thomas Gray, wrote that he and his family, having read Otranto, were now 'afraid to go to bed o' nights'. So, I had to read this book for Women's Lit. I must say it was actually good! Not that I doubted it would be, but ya know, it's a class! It is kinda weird how there aren't any quotation marks, but after a while I got used to it. Most of the times I could see who was saying what, but the way the book is layed out, it's supposed to be like small events being big and hectic and lots of action. Basically, it's kinda like an old school type of drama or soap opera! Manfred's son, Conrad, dies by a gaint helmet. His fiancee, Isabella, is who Manfred wants. Isabella then escapes with help from Theodore. Matilda, Manfred's daughter, also meets Theodore. Theodore then falls in love with Matilda, but Manfred think Isabella and Theodore are an item. And etc, haha. But it was good and very short!

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham

2010-02-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

Front Flap: Chloe needs a holiday. She's sick of making wedding dresses, her partner, Phillip, has troubles at work, and the whole family wants a break. Her wealthy friend Gerard has offered the loan of his luxury villa in Spain. Perfect. Hugh is not a happy man. His immaculate wife, Amanda, seems more interested in her new kitchen than in him, and he works to hard to pay for it, he barely has time for his children. Maybe he'll have the chance to bond with them on holiday. His old friend Gerard has lent them a luxury villa in Spain. Perfect. When both families arrive at the villa, they realize the awful truth: Gerard has double-booked them for the same week. What no one else realizes is that Chloe and Hugh have a history, and it seems that Gerard's "accidental" double-booking may not have been so accidental after all. Soon an unexpected romance begins to seriously heat up this holiday, and it isn't long before long-buried secrets and fiery passions erupt. With her trademark style of keen insight and razor-sharp wit, Madeleine Wickham will keep you on the edge of your seat. So sit back, grab a cool drink, and get ready for a wonderfully wicked trip you'll not soon forget. This was an amazing story. I was like what. It was like a soap opera, but way more juicier and intense and realistic. But I must say, I HATE when a character in a book cheats, it just makes me sooo pissed off. arg. Because I'm like why the heck are you doing that? Hugh and Chloe both cheated, and at the end of the day, yeah Jenna found out, but nothing happened with the truth, so it's like this huge secret and lieing like they didn't know each other. It's just crazy. But it was def intense, with the two jobs ending up colliding with each other because one was bulldozing the other. It's sad, the story of Hugh not knowing his two little girls. I know there are many families out there like that. And wow, Phillip and Chloe have been together for a freaking long time. I'd say that's like me and my boyfriend haha, which will be 5 years in March, but hopefully we'll be married in 5 or more years. Anyways, this was a great book and was nothing like the shopaholic series, which I liked because one of her others kinda sounded like Rebecca Bloomwood. But this was just great. The irony and everything of it. It made me think. And I like that. It was a fun read, but also something to think about your relationship with someone, and hopefully they're ex won't come back to haunt your relationship!

Laguna Cove by Alyson Noel

2010-02-13T12:36:00.001-08:00

Back Cover: Welcome to Laguna Beach, California, where the beach is hot, the teens are beautiful, and there's always time for surfing. Anne's new life in Laguna Beach feels more like a death sentence than a vacation. The local high school is the exact opposite of her former Connecticut prep school, and the social scene is completely foreign; it's all about hanging at the beach and surfing. But when Anne finally makes friends at one of her dad's show-biz parties, she decides to give California a chance. There's wild child Lola; laid-back, free-spirited Jade; and beautiful, competitive Ellie. And, of course, Chris, the gorgeous guy who teaches Anne how to surf. Anne becomes fast friends with Jade and Lola, but no mattwe how hard she tries. Ellie won't give her a chance. And the closer Anne grows to Chris, and the better she gets at surfing, the more Ellie seems to hate her. But now thatAnne has worked so hard to find her place, she's not about to budge- especially since she plans to enter the aunnual surf competition, where she'll really give Ellie a run for her money. This was a pretty good book, right away I gotta say I didn't really like the ending thoug. Becaus the surf competition was like a major thing and it didn't really last that long, and then all of a sudden Ellie is helping Anne and then she says she's ok with Chris liking her, just seems weird to all of a sudden say that. And you never find out what happens with Chris and Anne or Ellie or maybe even Duncan? Or who wins or nothing! But besides that, I pretty much loved it. I thought maybe the guy that Lola was dating was like a married guy or something, but hey, it ended up being Ellie's older brother, hmm. And it's so funny but pretty saring that Lola and Diego are pretending to like each other so much! ha. And poor Jade, I don't think she should've been punished like she was! At least she got to go to the surfing thing. but overall it was a good book, and reminded me of course, of the show Laguna Beach! And I sooo wanna go there!

The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

2010-02-09T22:04:00.000-08:00

Front Flap: With fierce intelligence and emotional intensity, Alice Sebold brings us a searing portrait of a mother-daughter bond that descends into murder. Clair and Helen Knightly are a parent and child locked in a relationship so unrelenting that they have become the center of each other's worlds. But as this electrifying novel opens up, Helen crosses a boundary she never thought she would approach. And while her act is almost unconscious, it somehow seems like the fulfillment of a lifetime's unspoken wishes. Over the next twenty-four hours, Helen's life rushes in at her as she is forced to confront the choices that have brought her to this one riveting crossroad. As a woman who spent years trying to win the love of someone who had none to spare, she now faces an uncertain and dangerous freedom. With her unflinching ability to confront the violence and danger that lurk beneath life's everyday surface, Sebold explores the complex tie within families, the meaning of devotion, and the thin line that separates us from our most haunting impulses. The Almost Moon is unforgettable, a raw and powerful story of passion and redemption written with the strength of voice only Alice Sebold can bring to the page. This was just powerful and creepy and intense and passionate and crazy as it gets! MAN! When I first started reading it, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue. It kinda freaked me out. I mean all the moments of after she killed her mother, like cleaning her and freezing her and cutting off her braid. It was really weird. But yet it was what she always wanted to do, and it came so easy to her. Most of the book was memories, kinda like the book I read a few ones back, and it made me like the style a little bit more. The memories are what makes the present story real, because you have to know all the history of the characters to understand what's going on. But after a while, I must say I did get into it, especially at the end, I wasn't quite sure what she was gonna do, but I had a feeling that she wasn't gonna kill herself, because she couldn't put her daughters through that. And also there was Jake, who flew all the way there to help her out, and even lied to the police for her. Endings like that always make you want to know what happened after! I guess that's what also makes the book how it is, you don't know the ending! So it's up to your imagination to make it up for you, or to kinda guess what happened. I would say this is a kind of difficult read, because it is pretty gruesome in spots, but it's worth it. I can tell it's she who wrote it, because I've read Lovely Bones, which I need to go see in the theaters btw. So it was def a great novel and I want to read her other one too, Lucky I think it's called.

Bittersweet Sixteen by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

2010-02-06T18:51:00.001-08:00

Front Flap: A brand-new wardrobe from Saks. A private jet to Holland to select the perfect tulip. A guest list that rivals red-carpet after-parties. And a birthday bash that blows all others completely out of the water. Okay, it's not your average birthday wish list, but Whitney Blake and Sophie Mitchum are anything but average. I'm Laura Finnegan- thrift-store junkie and scholarship student at Tate, our posh all-girls high school in Manhattan. Needless to say, I'm not like Whit and Soph- gorgeous, popular, and filthy rich- but that doesn't stop us from being BFFs, until they started turning in to the all-Sweet Sixteen, all-the-time channel. Now tempers are flaring, Prada bags are flying, and guys are being tossed around in vicious tug-of-war battles. All this, just to see whose Sweet Sixteen reigns supreme? I'd have to say I really liked this book, although it is really superficial and crazy for my taste, I liked Laura, who seemed like she could be similar to how I am. A scholarship student and not rich, but her parents love her and take time to know what happens in my life. This was alot like the show Sweet Sixteen, where they want this and that, but for them it seemed like they got everything they wanted, there was no daddy I want this and temper tantrum because he said no, it was just all out! And I know I read this book and enjoyed it, but sometimes those type of people make me so mad, because they could be spending money on something way worthy like helping poor people, I mean whats like $1,000 to them? nothing, but to a country who needs it, it's alot. That's one of the first things I'd do if I win like the lottery is give it to charities fro my heart, not for publicity or anything, like that matters I'm not famous! lol But anyways, I did like the book and Laura was a great character. It shows how sometimes all those material things get in the way of important friendships! But I love the cover, of course I love pink, but it's cute like a giftbag. But overall it was goo and I enjoyed it.

Scribbler of Dreams by Mary E. Pearson

2010-02-04T15:12:00.001-08:00

Back Cover: Seventeen-year-old Kaitlin Malone was born to hate the Crutchfields. The hatred her family has harbored for generations is the one thing Kaitlin knows she can count on. But with her life turned upside down as she starts her senior year among strangers at a public high school, Kaitlin discovers that even her family's hateful legacy can't steady her- and that hatred and love are sometimes separated by nothing more than a heartbeat. It's young Bram Crutchfield, a gentle and compassionate artist, who wins Kaitlin's heart. And when she tells one lie and then another to conceal her identity to protect their love, Kaitlin is quickly caught up in a web of deceit that threatens to destroy everything she knows and values. In a riveting contemporary love story, Mary E. Pearson explores the strong ties that can bind or break families- and the brave choice that can signal hope for a fresh start. WOW! This was def an amazing and heartbreaking story. Of course it kinda reminds me of Romeo and Juliet but contemporary and also with many more different twists. When I first started reading and Kaitlin met Bram, I had a feeling he was going to be a Crutchfield. But all of her lies, although not good, showed her that the Crutchfields aren't evil, that they share the same pain as her and her family. Sometimes because of thee hatred you feel for someone, you don't look into their lives or their families and see how they have pain too. It was so sad that they hated each other and for what? Kaitlin needed to change that, but her parents wouldn't let her. It was horrible when Rick was at that party. And the feelings she experienced when Bram no longer wanted nothing to do with her felt so strong and realistic. But I'm glad that he decided in the end to try to change for her! This was just an amazing book that tells a story about a young woman who is trying to change, and that change is hard.

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

2010-02-03T22:08:00.001-08:00

Front Flap: It's been seventy five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her. And she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone now, and she doesn't want to talk about it. They wouldn't get it, anyway. They wouldn't understand what it feels like to have your best friend ripped away from you. They wouldn't understand what it feels like to know it's your fault. Amy's shrink thinks it would help to start a diary. Instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia. But as she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past wasn't as perfect as she thought it was- and the present deserves a chance too. Well, I liked it, but I liked some of her other novels better. This was the book where there was a big event or something happened that you don't know about, except for little bits and pieces, and that the main character, in this case Amy, has changed and been affected by it in a major way. Finally like in the middleish of the book Amy tells the story of what happened that night and that she thinks she's a murderer. Her counselor thinks otherwise, and talks to her about choices. Yeah she told Julia to get in the car and drive, but she chose to do it. She didn't have to listen. Amy is going through a time where it's like she's so confused and trying to hold onto the past. But the title fits perfectly. She loved her best friend, who was the only one who didn't care about her tallness, who actually called it being like a model. She hated her because she was what she couldn't be. And now she misses her because she was her best friend and they did everything together, and there are so many memories going through her head. This book, I dunno, there's some like the way it's written isn't so straight forward, it's more based on emotions and moments. I like it, but sometimes I kinda don't? I don't know if I explained that right, but that's how it feels to me! But Elizabeth Scott is def an excellent writer.

Notes From a Spinning Planet: Mexico by Melody Carlson

2010-02-02T00:10:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Madison Chase's holiday break is drawing to a close and she's eager to leave the gray Washington winter and join her Aunt Sid on a warm vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Maddie is pleasantly surprised when her good friend Ryan McIntire shows up to enjoy the trip with them. But when Ryan runs into his high school crush- the beautiful Shelby Wagner- Maddie's jealously threatens to spoil their sun-drenched days. Unsure of her relationship with Ryan; Maddie distracts herself by befriending a local girl, Francesca Tarrago, who is both intelligent and hardworking, but lives in deep poverty. As Maddie does what she can to help Francesca, she discovers a secret that Shelby has been keeping from all of them. Can Maddie put aside her conflicted feelings and love Shelby enough to help her? Follow Maddie to the romantic beaches of Mexico as she explores a love deeper than simple affection- and discovers the beauty of true sacrifice. Hmm, this was pretty good. I didn't know it was the same girl as the Ireland one, and of course the other one I have from the library too but I got it later on haha. Anyways, it did sound nice to be in Mexico right now, especially with the pina coladas, although I know Shelby def didn't need any more of those. this reminds me of a book I just read! With the alcoholic and they're like on vacation, oh sheezy what book was that. See how fast I forget these things? Ha. Short term memory for me I guess! The cover is really pretty too. I like the suitcase that has the other book titles on it like cut off but you can see what it is basically. Cute idea. Like all the books and travels together on the cover. And Maddie was a great person. She felt what all girls feel! jealousy is a biatch! Hate it, gone through it. Dang it sux. But just gotta be confident and love yourself, no comparing! So she was 20 though, like me! So that was cool. Overall, nice book to read and relax.

Lost in Las Vegas by Melody Carlson

2010-01-28T23:34:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: In a whirlwind, DJ accepts "lonely" Taylor's invitation to join her mom's tour in Las Vegas during Christmas break. DJ soon discovers that the unsupervised Taylor is focused on one thing only- partying with a capital "P". She's invited Eliza too, and DJ is quickly overwhelmed by the behavior of the wild duo. Desperate she calls on Casey for help and prays for a miracle before Taylor self-destructs. It was ok. I must admit I have been reading these ones so fast because they're so short and bigger wwriting compared to the otoher few I read before these last few! But I liked it and everything, and of course I remember the characters and all, I just wasn't as into it for some reason, maybe because of what the whole book was about. It was kinda sad since most of the book was only focused on two of the girls, I know they had the dance at the beginning but that felt like history real fast! haha. And I'm glad Taylor got help, and really fast too, which doesn't seem relaly likley, but hey it could happen. It was really sad DJ was all by herself, but she made and with her prayers she can get through anything. Hopefully the next one will be better, it def sounds better.

Ex-Mas A Love/Hate Story by Kate Brian

2010-01-27T15:27:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Seventeen-year-old Lila Beckwith's parents just left for vacation and Lila's all set to throw the holiday party of the season. But when her Christmas-obsessed little brother, Cooper, discovers that global warming is melting the North Pole, he and his best friend, Tyler, take off on a runaway mission to save Santa. Lila has to get Cooper safely home before her parents get back on Christmas Eve. But the only person who can help her is Tyler's older brother, Beau- a.k.a. Lila's musician, anti-everything ex-boyfriend. It'll take more than a Christmas miracle for Lila and Beau to overcome their differences and find their fugitive brothers. But could a journey destined for disaster help these polar opposites fall in love all over again? This was good, but def not one of my favs by Kate Brian, because I am definitely in love with the private and privilege series, but anyways. I do think it was something different, even though it's a Christmas book, it doesn't focus on Christmas, as much as the journey Lila takes with the ex she thinks she hates to find her little brother who ruined her plans and also thinks she hates, but in the end those two and her parents are the ones who she loves the most. And that's a good ending. Because of course the college boyfriend cheats on the high school girlfriend. And it's like CArly said duh how could she not think that? Well then why the freak were you still dating him then? But ya know, it took a lot for her to figure out that she still really did love Beau, and I like that the guy she loves ends up not being the popular jock guy or whatever, but someone different and someone that she actually connects with. Who knows what really goes on in high school with relationships like that, I know I found my perfect guy though! :] I also love the cover! The green is really pretty and the candy canes are cool feeling haha. But still a good read, just not as magnificent as some others she's written.

Princess in Training by Meg Cabot

2010-01-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Student body president, that is- nominated by her power-mad best friend, Lily. This is not how Mia imagined kicking off her sophomore year, but as usual, she has bigger problems to worry about, like Geometry. And now that Mia's one true love, Michael, is uptown at college, what's the point of even getting up for school in the morning? But the last straw is what Lana whispers to her on the lunch line about what college boys expect of their girlfriends... Really, it's almost more than a princess in training can bear! Another good book, and I def go through it extra fast! Like in a few hours man haha. But a kinda annoying thing like I think I said before? Is she's so unsure of herself and of Michael, and she always is worried about the same things over and over and mentions it in everything she does and says! I'm like man. It's kinda sad. I'd think by now she'd know Michael enough to like know he's there for her and they can talk about stuff. I mean if you can't talk about it, you def shouldn't be doing it!!! Talking and communication is one of the most important things! But anyways, that is so great she won the election! But of course Lily wants it, and now so does Mia, so I'm sure there'll be some great drama in the next book, at least maybe a big fight or something. It kinda reminds me of how I won prom queen, but I didn't give a speech or nothing. I was kinda like everyone knew me and my boyfriend, but we weren't in the popular crowd, I was just known, like probably most people knew my name and stuff, but yeah. I like that chair in the cover too, I want one of those haha. But yes, It was a good book and def one that flys by really fast! Oh yeah, it was also really funny how she mentioned the movie in her diary haha.

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

2010-01-25T20:06:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Andrea Sachs, a small-town girl fresh out of college, lands the job "a million girls would die fir." Hired as the assistant to Miranda Priestly, the high-profile, fabulously successful editor of Runway magazine, Andrea finds herself in an office that shouts Prada! Armani! Versace! at every turn, a world populated by impossibly thin, heart-wrenchingly stylish women and beautiful men clad in fine-ribbed turtlenecks and tight leather pants that show off their lifelong dedication to the gym. With breathtaking ease, Miranda can turn each and every one of those hip sophisticates into a scared, whimpering child. The Devil Wears Prada gives a rich and hilarious new meaning to plaints about "The Boss from Hell." Narrated in Andrea's smart, refreshingly disarming voice, it traces a deep, dark, devilish view of life at the top only hinted at in gossip columns and over Cosmopolitans at the trendiest cocktail parties. From sending the latest, not-yet-in-stores Harry Potter to Miranda's children in Paris by private ket, to locating an unnamed antiques store where Miranda had at some point admired a vinrage dresser, to serving lattes to Miranda at precisely the piping hot temperature she prefers, Andrea is sorely tested each and every day- and often late into the night- with orders barked over the phone. She puts up with it all by keeping her eyes on the prize: a recommendation from Miranda that will get Andrea a top job at any magazine of her choosing. As things escalate from the merely unacceptable to the downright outrageous, however, Andrea begins to realize that the job a million girls would die for may just kill her. And even if she survives, sher has to decide whether or not it's worth the price of her soul. Wow, this was really good! And it was def intense, I mean it got really annoying, every time someone said, wow a million girls would die for that job. OK! We get it, I def wouldn't die for that job sheesh. She is one crazy boss, and I hope other people out there aren't like that, although I'm sure there are some. But that just makes me mad, who freaking cares if your coffee isn't at an exact temperature, as long as it's hot. Or to go find some information about something you know nothing about, like madness. I would've quit right away, and look what happened when she did quit. She got to become friends with someone new and got some of her writings published in a nice magazine, Seventeen. Which is a lot more nicer and to young girls than Runway. Haha, I think of RunAway! But it was a great book because Andrea was so herself and funny and showed how you can make your job like your whole life, and the people you love around you fade into the background. It was sad she lost that spark with Alex, but I was kinda mad when she was flirting with that Christian guy, makes sense later on when they're like on break and know they won't be the same anymore, but before! Arg. But it was good ending, without it being too cheery and all, since we never find out what happened with Alex. And also good Lily, which always reminds me of Mia's best friend from Princess Diaries, was getting help and not bringing home guys every night to have sex and be all drunk everywhere. I thought she was gonna die in the book, that woulda been heartbreaking. Overall I loved it, and now I def have to go see the movie! And hey, the actress who plays Mia in Princess Diaries is in it, isn't she? haha.....

The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous by Carolyn O'Neil and Denise Webb

2010-01-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

Front and back flap: Welcome to the dish, where new nutrition aptitude meets stylish lifestyle attitude! Serving up heaping helpings of nutrition knowledge designed to fit a busy schedule and a sense of taste, the dish is here to proclaim that you can have your chocolate torte and eat it, too! Forget starve-yourself regimens and diet gimmicks that just don't work; instead join Carolyn O'Neil and Denise Webb as they invite you to wine and dine, entertain and travel, and feel fabulous. As registered dietitians, they know their stuff, but call them the Dish Divas as they put the fun into eating right and feeling great. In these pages they dish out smart tips on how to make healthy eating stylish, and how to be trim by eating more, not less (yes, it can be done!). There are no food police on patrol here, just some real-life advice from two nutrition experts, who talk you through food challenges with wit and wisdom. Eating out? The dish is here, from four-star tables to the fast-food lane. What about a bit of the bubbly? The Dish Divas offer the lowdown on the liquid portion of portion control. Need to get your rear in gear? From power walking to karate kicks, they'll help you find the moves that appeal to you. They've even dished up plenty of fresh advice on beauty and fashion. To show you how to maximize flavor with flair, there are loads of easy-to-cook recipes from top chefs, dubbed Gourmet Gurus. And to answer that oft asked question How do stylish women stay fit and still live the high life?, Carolyn and Denise gather the secrets that work for their Hip & Healthy Heroines. A marvelous mix of nutrition advice, culinary wisdom, and chic insight, The Dish is here to help you create your own hip and healthy lifestyle. I liked this book alot! I read a little everyday and def learned a lot. First off, it's really easy to read and also fun. They have recipes in there. They had some really great charts for like how to get fiber in your diet and what drinks have the most calories and how long food lasts in the fridge and freezer. Everything was relatable and the things they gave were manageable. I learned a lot of things, especially since I'm a nerd and wrote down some of the stuff. It was also a cool idea how they put what book you should read if you wanted to learn more about a certain topic, and websites to go to to find out more information. I think it's awesome. and hopefully will help me out in my journey to be healthy and lose weight!

Tangled Up in Daydreams by Rebecca Bloom

2010-01-21T22:14:00.001-08:00

Back Cover: Sweet, funny L.A. hipster Molly has a blossoming new business and a supportive family. When she and Liam, a talented up-and-coming musician, meet, their attraction is instant, their connection unparalleled. But when Liam's recreational dabbling in the darker side of fame turns into a full-blown addiction, Molly must decide if her love is enough to change Liam... or if she should let him go to save herself. Tangled Up in Daydreams explores the terrain of one woman's emotional search for a love to last a lifetime and confirms that Rebecca Bloom is one of today's most creative talents. Hmm, interesting book. I liked that it was a book of someone older since I always read teen books, but the way it was structured was alright. Hence the title, it kinda got confusing sometimes because of some memories and going back to daydreams and the past. After a while I knew where it was in the present, but at first I was kinda like huh? It reminds me of this book I read senior year of high school I always forgot what it's called but it's in like stream of consciousness, which is kinda how this is. But I did love is how each character even though there wasn't any in first person, showed their feelings and emotions about things. and what Molly was feeling was so real and confusing and unsure and doubtful, it was really realistic and it didn't have like a fairy tale type ending, it leaves you wondering, what really did happen to their relationship? It was also kinda funny how it just said like, after someone talked, "looking up", or "brushing her hair" kinda lke I dunno hard to explain haha but overall I liked it, but it wasn't amazing. Oh and it's so funny because the author's name is almost the name of the main character of Confessions of a Shopaholic! Rebecca Bloomwood ha

A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova

2010-01-18T22:19:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: When you are fifteen years old and invited to Paris to give modeling a try, between the moments of glamour, you are still a young girl, alone in a foreign city. But Jirina is determined to make it work. The question is, at what cost? This was def interesting. To follow a young model, to Paris! I must admit that it was not very glamorous, at all! And for some reason I've like read books and the only other language they spoke was spanish, so I pretty much understood all of it, but here they're speaking French I'm like huh? and don't know how to pronounce it in my head haha, but to you it becomes something, to yourself, maybe not to other people. Like how you say someone's name or how you picture a place looking like. But Jirina, still dunno if I'm saying it right in my head, but it's all good. Of course the life of a model looks to be all great and fabulous, ya know I wanted to be a model before, but now not so much. And I wonder if the experiences are actually from Paulina's life or just made up or altered? Because it does say a novel, so I dunno. But it was harsh and brutal, to be a model in Paris. It sounds so great thogh. But she def didn't have that great of a time. But it's good to see the truth and feel how a model does, especially that no all models always think they're gorgeous and they need people to say they are, I guess lots of people are that way. But it was def a good book, took me a while to read because of the pretty small print, but I finished a lot today. But it was worth buying.

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

2010-01-16T12:20:00.001-08:00

Back Cover: Since being diagnosed with Panic Disorder, Jade DeLuna is trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. That's why Jade keeps the live zoo webcam on in her room, which is where she first sees Sebastian. When she finally meets him, their connection is immediate, and soon Jade is drawn into the cozy life Sebastian has with his son and his grandmother on their Seattle houseboat. Even though the situation is complicated, Jade hasn't felt this safe in a long time. Until she learns that Sebastian is hiding a terrible secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right, and what feels right... This was another great book by her. It did seem kinda slow maybe at the beginning with the guy in the red jacket and I guess there was time to just learn about Jade, btw love her name, and how her life is, but ya know. I loved learning about the elephants and the quote at the beginning of every chapter, are they real? well whether or not they are I liked it. And the elephants sounded so amazing, like they feel everything just like humans do. And it's so weird, because it talks about in the book how she liked counted off words or whatever on her fingers and saw if it ended on her pinky. I used to do that! Like syllables, and it's so crazy that it's in a book that someone does that. I thought I was super weird about that! But anyways, Jade and Sebastian just click and they make something up that's not perfect, but that molds together perfectly. It was sad when he had to leave, and it was crazy that Jade's mom is the one who caused it. Speaking of her mom, she was like the teen in the house going to all the dances and things while Jade didn't. I liked that, how it was different than normal situations. Reading things that aren't always the same makes you learn stuff too. But yeah I'm just slowly moving along with my books, relaxing pace! No rush anymore :]

The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz

2010-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Front Flap: With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry; love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Schuyler has made her choice. She has forsaken Jack for Oliver, choosing human over vampire. But old loves die hard... And even coldhearted Mimi seems to suffer from the ties that bind. Young vampires unite in this highly anticipated fourth book of the New York Times best-selling series. This was sooooooo goooood! I mean i was flying through it at one point and I did not wanna stop reading. I like how this one was into the different sections for Mimi, Schuyler, and Bliss. Some stuff I still am kinda confused about like all that history and when they used to be different people and everything, but it was great. Esepcially the part with Bliss! And that scary Visitor inhabiting her body I mean how weird would that be? And like at the end of every person you were left in suspense until you got to them again! It was so good, I love these books. I'm totally thinking of buying em all cuz I don't have any, just read it from library. But def a dark and scary book but there's still some love partsd. I was especially torn when Oliver just knew he had to give up Schuyler. SAD! And also when Bliss sayd good-bye to Dylan! But I know the next book whenever it comes out will be just as exciting! Cannot wait! Man there's so many good books out and series of books and everything. loooove it.

Mediterranean Holiday by Kate Cann

2010-01-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Hi Abby, Bet I'm the last person you expected to get a card from. The island is HOT and beautiful and brilliant, but you were 80% right about Davinia. No- 90% right. She's totally self-centered and she's trying to force me to date this CREEP! I'd sooner slit my wrists because I'm in love with someone else. He's gorgeous but he hates me. Aren't holidays supposed to be relaxing?! Abby, I wish we hadn't fallen out. Maybe see you when I get back? Lots of love (honest!), Chloe xxx This book was pretty good. For some reason to me it felt different than the other holiday type books. I think because it was a different type of situation. But dang, Davinia's parents were rude and not good parents, yelling at Chloe and everything. they act like Davinia is all that matters. But I liked how the beginning was like a separate world then the end. Like I remember Davinia and the guy she wanted Chloe to hang with, but then this next world with Alex and Chloe being so happy is what sticks to you and seems like a whole another story! But good book, def wish it was summertime and no school! It'll come fast though I know. and this is only my second book of the new year! Iv'e been sick all this week. But I'll hopefully be getting into a steadier pace, I know I def have lots of books for that though!

Shopaholic Ties The Knot by Sophie Kinsella

2010-01-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Life has been good for Becky Bloomwood: She's become the best personal shopper at Barneys, she and her successful entrepreneurial boyfriend, Luke, are living happily in Manhattan's West Village, and her new next-door neighbor is a fashion designer! But with her best friend, Suze, engaged, how can Becky fail to notice that her own ring finger is bare? Not that she's been thinking of marriage (or diamonds) or anything... Then Luke proposes! Bridal registries dance in Becky's head. Problem is, two other people are planning her wedding: Becky's overjoyed mother has been waiting forever to host a backyard wedding, with the bride resplendent in Mum's frilly old gown. While Luke's high-society mother is insiting on a glamorous, all-expenses-paid affair at the Plaza. Both weddings for the same day. And Becky can't seem to turn down either one. Can everyone's favorite shopaholic tie the knot before everything unravels? This was a great book! Becky just does not want anything to go away and keeps delaying things, now that's a procrastinator! But it was so fun to read about planning a wedding and made me want one! :] I thought it was so funny though, she just keeps plowing along thinking everything will turn out ok, and not wanting to hurt the other people. But in the end that was a brillant plan, and they figured out it's about them being together as the most important thing, not how it was done. But now I can't wait for the next one with I guess she has a sister? We will see

Secrets of my Suburban Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

2009-12-28T22:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-25T22:19:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-19T22:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-15T23:51:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-08T00:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-07T00:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-06T01:07:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-05T00:42:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-03T13:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T22:28:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-02T00:18:00.000-08:00

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!

Never Bite a Boy on the First Date by Tamara Summers

2009-11-30T23:34:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Hall Pass Bathroom Nurse's Office Principal CHECK Other Issues I've got a few issues 1. I'm a vampire now 2. One of my classmates was found dead, with telltale fang marks 3. I didn't do it! (Really!) 4. Nobody believes me, so... 5. I'm going to have to find the real killer. I've already got three suspects. (Three very cute suspects.) One more problem: I am seriously falling for one of them... but what if he's the killer? So, I've never read a book from a vampire's point of view, the only vampire books I've read are Twilight, at least that I can remember anyway, which sounds bad I know but hey I've read a lot of books this past year ok? lol Anyways, it was good. I love how she just gets into these three guys and a lot of these things she finds out I def didn't expect. For some reason I was not thinking of how anyone would be trying to hunt and kill vampires, but that's what Milo does! At first I was all nervous for her when those pictures came up because I thought that he did it and that was his proff, but then I was like why would he be that stupid? And I kinda thought Rowan could've done it, but no he killed her when she was alive, how crazy is that. And then Daniel was kinda suspicious, but he ended up saving her at the end and getting the last kiss! But it was a great book I think and some good action in it too, not all love stuff, more like flirty type stuff haha and the cover I like. It's funny to me for some reason, like the lips are flying in the air with the bats haha I know I'm weird right?

Love on Cue by Catherine Hapka

2009-11-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Maggie Tannery is a true theater girl and a total shoo-in for the lead in this year's school production of Romeo and Juliet. She's seriously psyched because it looks like her crush, Daniel, might be playing her Romeo both on- and offstage- if all goes as planned. But when her school decides to perform a musical instead, Maggie catches a major case of stage fright- because she can't sing! With her lead role in jeopardy, as well as her chance of winning her leaading man, Maggie turns to the musically talented Nico to give her voice lessons. But their voices aren't the only things that seem to be harmonizing. As Maggie tries to break a leg- and not her heart- she wonders who the music man of her dreams really is... HAHAHAHA They got the name wrong omg, it's Derek not Daniel, wth? That's hilarious, I have never seen that one before. Anyways, this ws a cute book, but man Maggie def needs to work on her boy skills haha, not that I'm much better but damn! That's so annoying I'm sure, liking a guy and not even being able to talk to him, although some girls can master that. I don't have to worry about it anymore though. But cute story, kinda diff than others. And I like how they actually get into the play even though at first they're all complaining and everything, that's what teens do right? But its good, except the wrong name thing but what can I do about that? I can't believe I'm almost done,I have to read a book a day now or else I won't make my goal! I did finish this last night, just didn't feel like doing the blog so we'll see!

Suite Dreams by Rachel Hawthorne

2009-11-27T00:05:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Hello, mate! (Practicing my Australian*. How am I doing?) I'm so glad the timing worked out for this couch exchange. I'll be crashing yours by the time you get to mine.** If you run into any problems just find Alyssa. She'll help you out with whatever you need.*** Your couch-swapping mate, Rick. *That's cute. Go have fun in Australia and leave ME- your girlfriend for an entire semester- to waste away on campus, ALONE. **Um, think again. Your couch is already taken. ***Great. Now I've got to find a place for the (unbelievably hot, it turns out) Aussie to crash. But there's only one couch available: the one in MY dorm room. Ha, this was cute and actually wasn't someone in high school! They were in winter break of first year in college so that was cool, I thought all these ones were high schoolers haha but it didn't make much of a difference I mean the same stuff happened, which is kinda good and bad cuz that means people in college do same stuff as people in high school? But then it's like people still have same feelings when they date someone at first no matter how old they are but it was cute and I knew she was gonna fall for that Aussie Jude! They're cute together though. And it was kinda random how they got stuck together in the snow and woods and all but a cute touch I think. I like her and the other books I've read from her and the cover is cute too! Makes me kinda want snow but only during winter break not when my bf has to drive to school no way! haha

Love Off-Limits by Whitney Lyles

2009-11-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

Back Cover: Natalie should be on top of world dating Jeremy. He's totally perfect by everyone's standards. But the seemingly flawless couple has been dating since freshman year, and now Natalie fears the spark may be sizzling. Being such an "expert" in love, Natalie gets coaxed into writing a romance column, and soon she finds spending time with her editor, Matt, to be way worth the work. There's just one catch. Matt is Jeremy's best friend, and dumping your boyfriend for his closest friend is just wrong... right? This was a cute book. I love the irony of her writing a love advice column and she has no idea what to do in her own relationship. It just goes to show how you can say some things but not really mean it or know what the heck you're talking about. Of course she like the best friend, a classic story! But it was gross when Jeremy like went on her lap and farted, twice! I'd be so pissed if my bf did that to me fer reals! But anyways, it was good. Def. the cover gives the picture away, especially how they describe Matt and at least she was happy. and all those Halloween costumes sounded so fun I can't believe Halloween went by so fast and it's already Thanksgiving, today actually! So HAPPY THANKSGIVING! to everyone, might do a post tomorrow, well probably will but just to say it now! Yum food, oh no fatness here I come haha