Monday 30 March 2009

Perfect You - Elizabeth Scott

Perfect You - Elizabeth Scott

Pages: 282
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: 25th March 2008

Other Titles By This Author: Bloom; Stealing Heaven; Living Dead Girl; Something, Maybe; Love You. Hate You. Miss You. (May, '09)

Kate Brown’s life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate is invisible.

And then there’s Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can’t stand even though she can’t stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she’s sure she’s just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn’t realise is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen - but only if she lets them…

I probably should have left this review until I got home because I just did a Biology presentation on the ecology of Dangermouse. Yes. Dangermouse. A cartoon mouse detective. For Biology. For some reason I know don't know what to write about Perfect You.

Let's see. I really enjoyed it although Kate's character became irritating sometimes. She just moaned and moaned and was so horrible to the lovely Will. I understand her reasons and would probably be the same in her situation but she really got on my nerves.

The plot was well executed and dealt with lots of family and friendship dramas that I recognise as an Elizabeth Scott trademark after reading only two of her books. Nevertheless, I did enjoy it and now I have to go to Biology and show the class my amazing presentation!

Have a great day everyone!

Sophie

Sunday 29 March 2009

In My Mailbox IX

I've borrowed the idea of this from the amazing The Story Siren who was inspired by Alea. If you want more information check out her blog. All summaries are from the book jackets.

Don’t Ask - Hilary Freeman

Lily believes her boyfriend Jack is perfect, but wonders why he won’t talk about his past. Wouldn’t it be fantastic, she thinks, if she could talk to his ex and fill in all the gaps?

Lily devises a way to do just that. But what begins as a bit of fun has unexpected - and disturbing - consequences…

Don't Ask is a story about love, friendship and secrets. Sometimes it’s better not too ask too many questions.

I really enjoyed Hilary Freeman's first novel Loving Danny so I've got high hopes for this one.

When It Happens - Susane Colasanti

When you find something real, everything else falls into place…

Seniors in high school, Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara’s other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, she’s thrilled. But then there’s Tobey. His amazing blue eyes and quirky wit always creep into her thoughts. Lucky for Sara, one of Tobey’s goals is also to make her fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey’s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

I've heard lots of good things about Susane Colasanti's books so I'm looking forward to reading this.

Falling - Sharon Dogar

Neesha is afraid - haunted by the fragments of a nightmare about a girl falling, far away and a long time ago.

Just when the echoes in her head threaten to overwhelm her, a boy unexpectedly comes to her rescue.

Handsome and talented, Sammy finds himself strangely drawn to Neesha - but it’s only when they come together that they begin to realise why.

Are they falling in love or being pulled into the past - fated to replay a love affair that ended in blood?

Sharon Dogar's first novel Waves blew me away so I'm really excited to read Falling. The cover of this book is also gorgeous.

I didn't get very many books at all this week but all three look really good.

Sophie

Friday 27 March 2009

The ABC's of Kissing Boys - Tina Ferraro

The ABC's of Kissing Boys - Tina Ferraro

Pages: 215
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: 31st January 2009

Other Titles By This Author: Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, How to Hook a Hottie (my review)

Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. Anyway, the coach moves everyone from JV up to varsity. It’s just what happens.

But that’s not what happens.

This year Coach Hartley moved up every JV but two - and one of those two is Parker.
Parker has spent her life being a team player, but as soon as school starts, she’s stuck with (horror or horrors) the freshmen, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fall. Worse? Her friends her own age are cutting her loose, and now the freshmen kid across the street is the only one who’ll give her the time of day.

But Parker’s determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. The only catch? She has to trick her way into a place on the kissing booth at the school’s annual sports fair, then pull a stunt crazier than any she could ever dream up on her own. But the kiss has to look real. And Parker is less than experienced in playing that sort of field.

Parker knows that practice makes perfect. Now she just has to find the right coach…

This book was short, sweet and fun. I enjoyed it a lot more than I did How to Hook a Hottie but I don't know why.

I though the whole kissing booth scam was hilarious and absolutely brilliant. I mean, who would dream up something like that? Amazing! I also loved the way Parker got to know herself again and learned to like herself the way she really was and not as the person under Chrissandra's shadow and rule.

The whole mean girl clique bullying the rest of the girls with subtlety and evil was really well handled and will resonate with lots of secondary school girls who are on the receiving end of popular girl's bullying.

On a lighter note, the boys in this book were awesome. I loved Tristan. Apart from having a really cool name, he had a great sense of humour and was really sweet. Luke also really made me laugh and the way that the girls reacted around him was so realistic. Embarrassingly so!

This is definitely my favourite of Tina Ferraro's novels so far, although I've yet to read Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress but I will do soon!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sophie

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Glass Houses: The Morganville Vampires - Rachel Caine

Glass Houses: The Morganville Vampires - Rachel Caine

Pages: 358
Publisher: Allison and Busby
Release Date: 26th May 2008

Other Titles By This Author: The Morganville Vampires Series, Weather Warden Series

Welcome to Morganville.

Just don’t stay out after dark.

Morganville is a small college town filled with unusual characters. But when the sun goes down, the bad come out. Because in Morganville, there is an evil that lurks in the darkest shadows - one that will spill out into the bright light of day.

For Claire Danvers, high school was hell, but college may be murder. It was bad enough that she got on the wrong side of Monica, the meanest of the school’s mean girls, but now she’s got three new roommates, who all have secrets of their own. And the biggest secret of all isn’t really a secret, except from Claire: Morganville is run by vampires, and they are hungry for fresh blood…

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read many books with vampires as the villains so this was a bit different from usual. But I loved it.

It was fast-paced and full of action all the way through. The story didn't let me put the book down for very long at all. Seriously, I started it before college, took it with me and had finished it by the time I went to bed!

The characters were great. I loved how Michael, Shane and Eve were all so different yet they were the best of friends and would do anything for each other. And the house was very cool with all it's secret rooms. My only problem was with the characterisation of Claire. To me she seemed to be a bit wishy-washy at times. One minute she'd be strong and brave and the next, cowering behind Shane and Michael. I also thought she seemed younger than sixteen at times.

Although I thought that it really didn't bother me at all after the first few chapters. I loved Glass Houses and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!

Sophie

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Extreme Kissing - Luisa Plaja

Extreme Kissing - Luisa Plaja

Pages: 327
Publisher: Corgi
Release Date: 2nd April 2009

Other Titles By This Author: Split by a Kiss

Bethany is the sensible one with a long-term boyfriend, Carlota is the rebellious one with the wild past. All is fine in their world - except Carlota hates her step dad and longs for her ex. And Bethany is worried that her boyfriend is about to dump her - and she’s ‘late’…Carlota has a plan to put their troubles behind them on a crazy day out in London. She uses her favourite magazine to guide them on a life-changing adventure - setting real challenges from the glossy pages that lead to exclusive shopping, exciting snogging and … explosive secrets.

The magazine will take them everywhere they need to go - but will it make them reveal the truths they are keeping from each other?

I really enjoyed this novel. Luisa Plaja's second novel is as brilliant as her first, if not better.

The story flows and the characters are well developed and extremely easy to like and relate to. I think that Bethany and Carlota represent a lot of teenage girls which will make them appeal to so many. Lots of their thoughts, feelings and even situations will apply to the lives of lots of girls.

Extreme Kissing was also really funny! Some of the things that they got up to, such as the silent rave, were brilliant and would make for an entertaining day out with your friends.

The plot develops in ways I really wasn't expecting. The twist at the end was such a shock. I didn't see that coming at all! And Zac is lovely, which always makes a brilliant book even better.

So go and buy this and Luisa's first novel for a light read that will take you away from the world for a few hours and enjoy!

Sophie

Monday 23 March 2009

Let It Snow - John Green; Maureen Johnson; Lauren Myracle

Let It Snow - John Green; Maureen Johnson; Lauren Myracle

Pages: 352
Publisher: Speak
Release Date: 2nd October 2008

Sparkling white snowdrifts…

Beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicoloured lights glittering in the night through falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you only see in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold an wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would normally not end with a delicious kiss with a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks.

Thanks to the three of today’s best-selling teen authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle - the magic of the holiday shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

I really enjoyed these three stories. They were cute, funny and completely charming. I finished the book with a huge grin on my face and found myself daydreaming about Christmas. In March. But hey, I enjoyed it!

All three authors write beautifully and the characters were well developed and easy to relate to and like. I expected a lot from John Green's story and I wasn't disappointed. I don't mean to sound all fan-girly but his writing really is amazing. There was also something that I loved about Maureen Johnson's story. It really appealed to me so I'm definitely going to seek out some of her books. Any recommendations?

Sophie

Sunday 22 March 2009

In My Mailbox VIII

I've borrowed the idea of this from the amazing The Story Siren who was inspired by Alea. If you want more information check out her blog. All summaries are from the book jackets.

Extreme Kissing - Luisa Plaja

Bethany is the sensible one with a long-term boyfriend, Carlota is the rebellious one with the wild past. All is fine in their world - except Carlota hates her step dad and longs for her ex. And Bethany is worried that her boyfriend is about to dump her - and she’s ‘late’…

Carlota has a plan to put their troubles behind them on a crazy day out in London. She uses her favourite magazine to guide them on a life-changing adventure - setting real challenges from the glossy pages that lead to exclusive shopping, exciting snogging and … explosive secrets.

The magazine will take them everywhere they need to go - but will it make them reveal the truths they are keeping from each other?

I loved Luisa’s first novel Split by a Kiss so I’m really looking forward to this one. I’m going to start it tonight.

Ten Stations/Mates, Dates and the Secret Story - Jenny Valentine/Cathy Hopkins

Two books in one! Flip-sided book pairing two authors - our own award-winning Jenny Valentine, with Piccadilly's teen sensation Cathy Hopkins. TEN STATIONS Lucas and his sister Mercy have good intentions when they take their little brother Jed and forgetful grandad Norman on a day out in London. It's only ten stations - what could possibly go wrong? A real gem that will make you laugh and cry, featuring favourite characters from the award-winning novel FINDING VIOLET PARK. MATES DATES: THE SECRET STORY Tony has no idea that he is about to fall for the lively, elfin Lucy. But the course of true love never did run smooth -- and reading his side of the story as well as hers is an irresistible treat. At last - what the MATES DATES fans have been waiting for! A sneak peek at the into the full story of Tony and Lucy's romance -- told from both sides! (From Amazon)

A book for a pound and written by Jenny Valentine. I couldn’t not buy it really.

WAGS’ World: Playing the Game - Anonymous

Bling, Boys and (Gucci) bagfuls of glamour

Sixteen-year-old Amy Thornton can’t wait to spend the summer with her super-fit boyfriend, Damien Taylor, footballer of the moment. She’s left her life in Yorkshire behind and is ready for London. But her dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered when Damien spends all of his time out on the pitch and partying in nightclubs.

Soon Amy is surrounded by gossiping girls and friends who seem more like enemies. In this world of secrets and scandal, who can Amy trust?

Let the games begin.

I won this from a competition at Chicklish and it looks full of glamour and gossip. A complete guilty pleasure.

Sweethearts - Sara Zarr

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also each other’s only friend. so when Cameron disappeared without warning. Jennifer thought she’d lost the one person who could ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she is popular, happy, and dating - everything “Jennifer” couldn’t be. But she still can’t shake the memory of her long-lost friend.

When Cameron suddenly reappears, they both are confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.

I loved Story of a Girl so my hopes are high for this one.

I Heart You, You Haunt Me - Lisa Schroeder

Girl meets boy.
Girl loses boy.
Girl gets boy back…
…sort of.

Ava can’t see or touch him,
unless she’s dreaming.
She can’t hear his voice,
except for the faint whispers in her mind.
Most would think she’s crazy, but she knows he’s here.

Jackson.
The boy Ava thought she’d spend the rest of her life with.
He’s back from the dead,
as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

This is so going to make me cry!

In Your Room - Jordanna Fraiberg

From: Molly
To: Celeste
Date: June 14, 2008 10:33pm
Subject: yoda-is that you?!

Celeste -FINALLY arrived. I’m sleeping in some boy’s room. Three words: STAR WARS SHEETS!!! HELP!! Can you send me mine (the white with the lilac trim)? And while you’re at my house find out is the boy staying in my room is cute or a crazy sci-fi freak. I want details!!!
- XOXO Molls

When their families randomly switch houses for the summer, retro-chic LA fashionista Molly Hill and laidback granola boy Charlie Richards find themselves living in totally unfamiliar rooms for two long hot months. Soon they become entwined in each other’s secrets, relationships and dreams. Day by day, they grow closer…even though they’re living 1,000 miles apart and have never met face-to-face.

Can perfect strangers be perfect for each other?

Will Molly and Charlie make it through a summer of seductions, missed connections and the thousand miles between them to find out?

This sounds so cute; perfect for the sunny weather we’re having at the moment.

I Was a Teenage Popsicle - Bev Katz Rosenbaum

I, Floe Ryan, was frozen - well, “vitrified” - when I was sixteen years old. My parents and I had a rare disease, and it was our only option until they found a cure. Now I’ve been thawed, and guess what, it’s ten years in the future and I’m still a teenager. And my parents are still, shall we say, chilling out…

So now my little sister is my older sister, and payback’s a beyotch. She’s making me suffer for every snotty thing I ever did. Try getting used to that…not to mention a new school, new technology, and a zillion other new things that happened while I was napping in the freezer. Luckily, I have Taz. He’s the hottie skater boy who used to make me melt before I was frozen. He was a Popsicle too, so at least we get to reintegrate together. But now they’re trying to close the Venice Beach Cryonics Center - with my parents still in it! Now that’s cold. It’s up to me to save the clinic and my parents - so I can finally have a chance for a somewhat normal life…

This such a cool (no pun intended) idea. I can’t wait to see how it’s delivered.

Inkspell - Cornelia Funke

Let the imaginary become real…

Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of the extraordinary events of Inkheart, and the story whose characters strode out of the pages and changed her life for ever.

But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater, torn from his world of words, the need to return has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the magical ability to read him back, he sets in motion a dangerous reversal that sees the characters of Inkheart transported to a charmed Inkworld, about to be fought over by rival rebels and princes.

I’m intrigued to see what happens to the crew from Inkheart, so I should enjoy this.

Glass Houses: The Morganville Vampires - Rachel Caine

Welcome to Morganville.

Just don’t stay out after dark.

Morganville is a small college town filled with unusual characters. But when the sun goes down, the bad come out. Because in Morganville, there is an evil that lurks in the darkest shadows - one that will spill out into the bright light of day.

For Claire Danvers, high school was hell, but college may be murder. It was bad enough that she got on the wrong side of Monica, the meanest of the school’s mean girls, but now she’s got three new roommates, who all have secrets of their own. And the biggest secret of all isn’t really a secret, except from Claire: Morganville is run by vampires, and they are hungry for fresh blood…

This was sent to me by the publishers, Alison and Busby, and I can’t wait to get stuck in. Plus, it has a glow-in-the-dark cover which is brilliant.

Flightsend - Linda Newbery

Flightsend is Charlie’s new home, whether she likes it or not. Her mother sees it as a chance for a fresh start.

Charlie’s certain that the move to a remote, ramshackle cottage will cause more problems than it solves. But she couldn’t be more wrong. Charlie’s first summer at Flightsend proves to be a turning point for both of them. It’s a summer of startling self-discovery, it’s a summer that Charlie will never forget.

This one was sent to me by it’s publisher Random House and I didn’t expect it at all, but it sounds great.

I had a really great week but it may be my best week for a while because I'm saving up. There might be a trip to California with my Psychology class and I so want to go and the only way I'm gonna be able to afford that is by cutting back on my book buying *cries*.

Have a great week everyone!

Sophie

Saturday 21 March 2009

Fairy Tale Contest

Cyn Balog is holding a contest over at her blog to win an ARC of Fairy Tale and a a silver fortune cookie necklace like the one Morgan wears in the book with THREE different ways to win.

Here's the summary from Amazon:

A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it.

Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobody expected Cam to live, and nobody expected his biological brother, heir to the fairy throne, to die. But both things happened, and now the fairies want Cam back to take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Even as Cam physically changes, becoming more miserable each day, he and Morgan pledge to fool the fairies and stay together forever. But by the time Cam has to decide once and for all what to do, Morgan’s no longer sure what’s best for everyone, or whether her and Cam’s love can weather an uncertain future.

Fairy Tale is out in hardback on 23rd June 2009 .

To enter, visit Cyn's blog HERE.

Sophie

Friday 20 March 2009

Destroy All Cars - Blake Nelson

Destroy All Cars - Blake Nelson (ARC)

Pages:
205
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: May 2009

Other Titles By This Author: Girl, Paranoid Park, Rock Star Superstar, Gender Blender, Exile, User, Prom Anonymous, The New Rules of High School, They Come From Below

It’s time.
It’s time to destroy all cars.
It’s time to own up to the fact that we’re completely screwing up the planet.
It’s time to yell at the world.
And it’s time to deal with the ex that won’t go away.


James Hoff likes to ride against America’s consumerist culture. He also likes rail against his ex-girlfriend, Sadie, who he feels isn’t doing enough to change the world. She wants to build bike paths. He wants to overthrow the oil companies.

But just like James can’t avoid buying things, he also can’t avoid Sadie for long. They’re in for another crash - and whether you see them coming or not, crashed always hurt.

Meh. That's pretty much how i felt about this book. The characters were okay. The story was okay. The writing was okay. It wasn't bad, it just didn't jump out at me.

It did make me feel a bit guilty though. Lots of the environmental issues that the main character James brought up were things that don't often occur to me so I did feel like I should do more to help the environment. But that, however, only lasted while I was reading it.

I probably won't be reading any more of Blake Nelson's books in the future, but who knows? I might be convinced otherwise at some point.

Sophie

Wednesday 18 March 2009

Waiting on Wednesday III

This was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It tells everyone about the books that you are most looking forward to.

City of Glass - Cassandra Clare

To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadow-hunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadow-hunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her new found powers to help save the Glass City -- whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling trilogy The Mortal Instruments.

Release Date: 6th July 2009 (UK), 24th March 2009 (US) (shockingly unfair!)

I loved City of Bones and City of Ashes so I am very excited to read the final installment and the cover is so creepy. Do you think it might be Simon? The only thing is the agonisingly long wait. July is so far away!

Sophie

Evermore - Alyson Noel

Evermore - Alyson Noel

Pages: 301
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Release Date: 3rd February 2009

Other Titles in the Series: Blue Moon (7/7/09)

The first book in Alyson Noël’s extraordinary new Immortals series. Enter an enchanting new world, where true love never dies…

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 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.

I had really high expectations for this book and it met them, although it took me a while to engage with the story.

I loved the setting of sunny California and the way that the characters grew. I didn't connect with Ever very well until about halfway through the story although I did like her. And well, Damen, what can I say about him? The red tulips, a visit to Disneyland and drop-dead gorgeous. What more could a girl want?

In the end I really enjoyed Evermore and am looking forward to Blue Moon in the summer. It also has a really beautiful cover.

Sophie

Tuesday 17 March 2009

Teaser Tuesday's III

Teaser Tuesday's is when you share a couple of teaser sentences from your current read with the blogging world.

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between the lines 7-12.

You also need to include the title of the book just in case someone wants to buy the book.

'You'd think being deadwould make a person act a little nicer, a little kinder. But noy Riley. She's just as bratty, awful and spoiled as she had been when she was alive.'

Evermore - Alyson Noel P. 41

Sophie

Monday 16 March 2009

City of Bones and City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

City of Bones - Cassandra Clare

Pages: 442
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: 2nd July 2007

It’s after dark in New York City, and Clary Fray is seeing things. The best-looking guy in the nightclub just stabbed a guy to death - but the victim has vanished into thin air. Her mother has disappeared, and a hideous is lurking in her apartment . With her life spiralling into darkness, Clary realises that she has stumbled into an invisible war between ancient demonic forces and the secretive Shadow hunters - a war in which she has a fateful role to play…

City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

Pages: 411
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: 7th July 2008

With her mother in a coma and her father hell-bent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged into New York City’s terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters. Discovering the truth about her past was only beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary’s shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

I decided to both these books in the same post because I'd just gush about how amazing they are in two, so I might as well squish it into one! Seriously, I didn't expect to love them as much as I did.

Cassandra Clare is a genius. Her writing is beautiful, her characters are fabulous (especially Jace!) and the plot kept me enveloped in the world of demons, vampires and werewolves throughout. Fantastic. I really can't put into words how much I loved this but I'll try.

I finished City of Bones last night and started City of Ashes straight after even though it was 11pm and I had college today. I took it with me today and read it at every available moment and when I got home, read it until I finished it a couple of hours ago.

I cannot wait for City of Glass, it's going to be amazing. It's just a shame I have to wait until JULY! So far away! But anyway, everybody who hasn't already, needs to read this amazing series right now!

Sophie

Sunday 15 March 2009

In My Mailbox VII

I've borrowed the idea of this from the amazing The Story Siren. If you want more information check out her blog. All summaries are from the book jackets.

The Ant Colony - Jenny Valentine

“I came out of Camden Town station and vanished without a trace.”

“He says he wants to be alone! But I don’t believe him.”

For Sam, number 33 Georgiana Street is a place to disappear. For Bohemia, it’s a blip between her mum’s boyfriends. Old Isobel acts like she owns the place, although it actually belongs to Steve in the basement. Like ants, they scurry about their business, no questions asked.

But dig deep enough and you’ll find that everyone has something to hide…
I loved Jenny Valentine's first two novels so I have high hopes for this one.

City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare

With her mother in a coma and her father hell-bent on destroying the world, Clary Fray is dragged into New York City’s terrifying underworld of werewolves, demons and the mysterious Shadowhunters. Discovering the truth about her past was only beginning. Now the fate of the world rests on Clary’s shoulders, but can she master her new-found powers and control her feelings for a boy who can never be hers?

I'm reading City of Bones at the moment and and I'm near the end and it's brilliant! So I'm really looking forward to this

Zombie Queen of Newbury High - Amanda Ashby

A prom night Mia will never forget…

Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. Rob - super hot football god - has asked her to prom! Life couldn’t get any better. Enter Samantha - cheerleader queen and Miss Popularity - who has made it quite clear that Rob should be her prom date. Mia is desperate to make sure she doesn’t end up dumped in front of the whole school. So with prom in just a few days, she turns to Candice - her holistic, hypochondriac best friend - and decides to try a love spell to make Rob stay with her.
Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus on her whole class instead, and she is their zombie leader! At first, she loves all the attention. But when she learns from zombie hunter hottie Chase that her classmates will actually try to eat her in a few days, she’s not too thrilled. She’s sure she and Chase can figure something out, but in the meantime, she’s suggesting that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.

After reading You Are So undead To Me, I've been in the mood for zombies so I'm excited about reading this!

Sophie

Thursday 12 March 2009

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty - Jody Gehrman

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty - Jody Gehrman

Pages: 255
Publisher: Speak
Release Date: 26th November 2008

Other Titles in This Series: Triple Shot Betty's in Love

There’s nothing better than being a Betty.

Geena can’t wait to spend summer vacation with her favourite people: her best friend, Amber, and her cousin, Hero. They’ll be working at the Triple Shot Betty coffee shop, and Geena’s sure it’ll be great. But the moment Amber and Hero meet, the claws come out. They hate each other on sight. Geena’s dreams of a girl-bonding summer fly out the window, and then threaten to vanish entirely when a few cute (okay, drop-dead gorgeous) guts enter the picture. But all is not what it seems; and in a story of mistaken identities, crazy summer high jinks, and enough romance to make Shakespeare proud, Geena and her friends learn that when Betty’s unite, they can take on the most powerful force in their world: a hot guy.

This book was really funny. Some of the remarks that Geena and Amber came out with were biting, sarcastic and generally hilarious.

All of the characters were really well developed and written about in a way that allowed me to get to know them and like them (or in the case of John, hate them!).

I really wished I had read this in the summer because it is the perfect holiday read. Although, it did brighten up our miserable, rainy March. I'm looking forward to reading Triple Shot Betty's in Love to see how the Betty's get on.

Sophie

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Interview: Rachel Ward

Rachel Ward is a British author whose amazing first novel 'Numbers' was released by Chicken House in early January of this year. Rachel was kind to enough to answer a few questions for me. You can see my review for 'Numbers' here.

1. Tell us a bit about 'Numbers'.'

Numbers' is a thriller, but also a love story. The main character, Jem, is a fifteen-year-old girl who has a special gift (or curse?) - when she looks in someone's eyes, she can see the date of their death. She gets involved with a boy at school, Spider, even though she knows a secret about him: he only has a couple of months to live...

2. Who were your favourite authors as a teenager? Are they similar to those you like now?

I stopped reading fiction when I was a teenager, and only really started again in my twenties. In those days, there wasn't really teenage or young adult fiction, nothing to bridge the gap between children's and adult novels. Nowadays, I like reading contemporary fiction - Barbara Kingsolver, Anne Tyler, Nick Hornby, Rose Tremain, Philip Pullman, Theresa Breslin, and new writers like Catherine O'Flynn and Stef Penney.

3. If you were only allowed to take three books to a desert island, what would they be?

I love desert island questions! But it's really hard to choose. I might take Tove Jansson's 'The Summer Book' which is about spending the summer on an island, Stef Penney's 'The Tenderness of Wolves' and maybe, 'The Saga of Noggin the Nog' to remind me of my mum reading to me when I was little.

4. Do you have a particular place that you write or can you write anywhere?

I write anywhere. I do my best writing early in the day, before everyone else in my household is awake.

5. Seeing a person's death date is a concept I've never come across in a novel before. Where did you get the idea from?

I was interested in giving my main character a gift (like Lyra in 'Northern Lights') but in a really contemporary setting, someone at the bottom of the heap in the UK today. I also loved the US TV series 'Six Feet Under.' Each episode started with a death, and then the date of death would come up on screen. It made me think that there is a number out there that will apply to all of us. What difference would it make if we knew our numbers?

6. Is there any reason that you made Spider an unconventional hero or was it unintentional?

What a great question! I wanted to make Spider someone seemingly unlovable, so that Jem could be the one person who sees the good in him (as he sees the good in her). Actually, his nan sees the good in him, too, and she's one of my favourite characters.

7. You tackled some serious issues such as death, drug addiction and terrorism in 'Numbers'. Was this something that you set out to do when you began writing?

I wanted to write something quite edgy. I suppose I write about things that worry me. Certainly, I was thinking about mortality and the fear of losing friends or family, and I realised I wanted to tackle it head-on and try and work out what I thought about mortality. Actually, I ended up with the same attitude that I started with i.e. that life is a gift and you should treasure each day with friends and loved ones.

8. What are you working on at the moment?

I'm writing a sequel to 'Numbers.' I don't want to give too much away, but it takes the same concept as 'Numbers' and (hopefully) ratchets it up a level. I'm really excited about it, but writing it is quite a disturbing experience! It's due to be published in 2010.


Thank you Rachel for taking part in my first ever author interview. I can't wait to read the sequel to 'Numbers'. It is available in the UK and the US. I really do recommend it; it's brilliant!

Sophie

Waiting On Wednesday III

This was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It tells everyone about the books that you are most looking forward to

Willow - Julia Hoban

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy —one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.

Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

Release Date: 2nd April 2009

I've heard so many amazing things about this book that I can't wai to read it. I want it so much that I might even get it in hardback which is something I rarely ever do!

Sophie

Tuesday 10 March 2009

I Love Your Blog Award!

Thanks to Jenny at Wondrous Reads and T.V. and Book Addict for this award. I really appreciate it; you guys rock!

Here are the rules to keep the award moving:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!

My 7 are:

Wondrous Reads
T.V. and Book Addict
Steph Su Reads
Hope's Bookshelf
Chicklish
Reading Keeps You Sane
Em's Bookshelf
The Story Siren

Sophie

Teaser Tuesday's II

Teaser Tuesday's is when you share a couple of teaser sentences from your current read with the blogging world.

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between the lines 7-12.

You also need to include the title of the book just in case someone wants to buy the book.

'If I opened the door, he would be hit by a wave of nauseating foulness. What if it was Mr. Bettaglia - would he see right away from my expression that I' d been thinking about his butt-skin?'

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty - Jody Gehrman P.47

Yes, it really is that funny all the way through! Also, email responses and updates may be slow as my computer is playing up and the college computers don't let you respond to personal emails (how inconvenient, it's like they actually want you to work or something!).

Sophie

Monday 9 March 2009

Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers

Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers

Pages: 214
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date: 2nd February 2009

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?

When “perfect” Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter’s High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher’s pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn’t want to talk about it. She’d just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counsellors are demanding the truth. Worse, there’s a nice guy falling in love with her and he’s making her feel things again when she’d rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she’d turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it might just be her fault.

Wow kinda sums up how I felt about this book. All of the glowing reviews made me expect a lot from it. It certainly lived up to the hype.

There was something that bothered me though. I really didn't like Parker in the beginning, even though her witty, sarcastic remarks made me laugh, especially when they were mean (that says a lot about me doesn't it!) I did grow to like her though. As more was revealed about what she was hiding I seemed to start to understand her more. She was a really great character that I'm not likely to forget in a hurry.

One of the things that really made this boo stand out was Courtney Summers' writing. It was sharp and concise, yet filled with emotion. I cannot wait to see what she writes next. In fact, does anybody know if/when she's bringing out another book?

Sophie

Sunday 8 March 2009

You Are So Undead To Me - Stacey Jay

You Are So Undead To Me - Stacey Jay

Pages: 263
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 22nd January 2009

Q: How many zombies does it take to ruin a social life?
A: Not many.

Megan Berry is a Zombie Settle by birth, which means she’s part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you’re trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it’s kinda hard to score a date. Let’s just say Megan’s love life could use some major resuscitation.Megan’s convinced her life can’t get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angst Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it’s up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, cute and full of adventure. I really liked the take on the zombies and the chants to send them back to the grave after being councelled. The ending was also a really big surprise, I really didn't expect that person to be raisng the dead!

I will definitely look out for more of Stacey Jay's books in the future. In fact, I think there's going to be another Megan Berry book, I think it's called Undead Much and to be published next January. I certainly hope so anyway!

Sophie

Friday 6 March 2009

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

Pages: 215
Publisher: Speak
Release Date: 16th October 2008

Other Titles by This Author: Looking For Alaska, Paper Towns

19 Katherines and counting…

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katharine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times to be exact. On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral dog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun - but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge dumpees everywhere, and may finally win him the girl.

I loved this book, it was amazing. There is something about John Green's writing that completely sucks you into the world of his characters.

All of the characters, especially Colin, Hassan and Lindsey, were very complex and throughout the novel there was a steady progression of getting to know them which I liked. It was also very clever and very funny. Some of the things that Hassan came out with made me laugh out loud.

John Green must have put in so much research and work into the languages, maths and really random facts. And it payed off, I loved it.

I really can't wait to read Paper Towns now. I read the first two chapters in the back of this book and I want more!

Sophie

Thursday 5 March 2009

I Got a Blog Award!

Jenny over at Wondrous Reads nominated me for this award. So thanks Jenny!

The rules of this award are that you have to list five things that you are addicted too and nominate five brilliant blogs to pass this onto. So here goes!

My addictions (other than books!):

1. Gossip Girl - I love this TV show. I can't get enough of it. Fabulous clothes, juicy gossip and Nate Archibald!

2. Lie-ins - I'm not a happy girl when I don't get a lie-in. They make really do make my day. I don't think I'd survive without my weekend lie-ins!

3. Twilight - I know, I know, but I can't help it. This is a major addiction that I successfully passed on to my little sister and quite a few friends.

4. Diet Coke - I know it's bad for you and everything, but when I'm drinking it, I don't care! Whenever I go out I get some because mum won't let us have it in the house!

5. The Computer - I can't go a day without checking my emails or updating or looking at my blog. I swear it wasn't this bad until I got my blog.

The bloggers that I nominate are:

- Luisa at Chicklish
- Em at Em's Bookshelf
- Hope at Hope's Bookshelf
- Nancy at Tales of a Ravenous Reader
- Kelsey at Reading Keeps You Sane

Thanks again Jenny!

Sophie

Wednesday 4 March 2009

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

Pages: 543
Publishers: Chicken House
Release Date: 7th June 2004

Other Titles in This Series: Inkspell and Inkdeath

Dare to read it aloud…

Meggie loves stories, but her father, Mo, hasn’t read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared.

When a stranger knocks at their door, Mo is forced to reveal an extraordinary secret - when he reads aloud, words come alive, and dangerous characters step out of the pages.

Suddenly, Meggie is living the kind of adventure she has only read in books. But this one will change her life forever.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this when I started it because I tried to read it a couple of years ago and only read half of it and can't remember why. But I was pleasantly surprised.

I loved the constant references to classic children's stories and the way that Meggie, Mo and Elinor talked about their books. The fact that the entire book was centred around a book may have helped too!

My favourite character was Elinor because I really wanted to live in her house! I have a thing for big, old manor houses and any book lover would be jealous of her books and library.

I didn't like it enough to rush out and but Inkspell and Inkdeath, but I will read them at some point to see how Meggie's story ends.

Sophie

Waiting on Wednesday II

This was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It tells everyone about the books that you are most looking forward to.

Falling - Sharon Dogar

Neesha is afraid - haunted by the fragments of a nightmare about a girl falling, far away and a long time ago. Just when the echoes in her head threaten to overwhelm her, a boy unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Handsome and talented, Sammy finds himself strangely drawn to Neesha - but it's only when they come together, that they begin to realise why. Are they falling in love or being pulled into the past - fated to replay a love affair that ended in blood?

Release Date: 6th April 2009

Sharon Dogar's debut novel Waves blew me away with her beautiful writing and a story that had me hooked from the very first sentence so I am very excited to read Falling.

Sophie

Book Trailer: Hunted - P.C. and Kristin Cast

The fifth book in the House of Night series, Hunted, will be released in hardback on March 10th. And I've got the book trailer for you!

The video won't work so I had to post a link instead. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/v/DHsaYbqIcgg&autoplay=1&hl=en&fs=1

You can also read the first chapter of Hunted online here:

http://www.houseofnightseries.com/pages/hunted.html

Sophie

Tuesday 3 March 2009

Teaser Tuesday's I

Teaser Tuesday's is when you share a couple of teaser sentences from your current read with the blogging world.

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between the lines 7-12.

You also need to include the title of the book just in case someone wants to buy the book.

'Wild country had always protected him. Only when every breath he drew hurt him him did he throw himself down into the long grass behind an abandoned cistern where frogs croaked and the rainwater had collected among the grey stones steamed in the sun.'

Inkheart - Cornelia Funke P.278

Sophie

Monday 2 March 2009

February Round-Up

I've had a very good book month. I read twenty books! Most of them very, very good. Here they are:

1. All My Sons - Arthur Miller (For English Lit.; it was very boring)
2. A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray
3. Rebel Angels - Libba Bray
4. Marked - P.C. and Kristin Cast
5. Betrayed - P.C. and Kristin Cast

6. Beautiful Dead: Jonas - Eden Maguire
7. Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
8. Pretties - Scott Westerfeld
9. Specials - Scott Westerfeld
10. Extras - Scott Westerfeld
11. Bloom - Elizabeth Scott
12. Two-Way Street - Lauren Barnholdt
13. Enduring Love - Ian McEwan (for English Lit.; weird and I'm not sure if I liked it or not!)
14. How to Hook a Hottie - Tina Ferraro
15. Perfect Chemistry - Simone Elkeles
16. Split by a Kiss - Luisa Plaja
17. Love, Lies and Lizzie - Rosie Rushton
18. Life, Interrupted - Damian Kelleher
19. The Thirteen Treasures - Michelle Harrison
20. Numbers - Rachel Ward

How was everybody else's February?

Sophie

Sunday 1 March 2009

Numbers - Rachel Ward

Numbers - Rachel Ward

Pages: 285
Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: 5th January 2009

Since the day her mother died, Jem has known about the numbers.

When she looks in someone’s eyes, she can see the date they will die.

Life is hard, until she meets a boy called Spider. Suddenly her world seems brighter.

But on a trip to London, Jem foresees a chain of events that will shatter their lives forever…

The concept of this book was one that I've never encountered before and I really enjoyed it. Jem had a strong, individual voice that portrayed every emotion that she felt. Her vulnerability showed through whilst remaining strong, if you know what I mean.

While I was reading this book I felt that she was telling her story to me alone which helped me enjoy it so much more. I also loved that Spider wasn't a typical hero but she fell for him anyway.

I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants something a bit different with a very emotional ending.

Sophie

In My Mailbox VI

I've borrowed the idea of this from the amazing The Story Siren. If you want more information check out her blog. All summaries are from the book jackets.

War of the Witches - Maite Carranza (ARC)

The chosen one, Om’s descendant, will arrive one day.
She’ll have fire in her hair,
Wings and scales on her skin,
A howl in the her throat,
And death in her eyes.


She will ride the sun
And brandish the moon.

When Anaid wakes to her mother has disappeared, she discovers why she’s always felt different from everyone else. She’s a witch, but not just any witch…She is the daughter of the chosen one, prophesied to end a bloody war with the cruel Odish clans who are obsessed with attaining eternal life at whatever cost. As Anaid searches for her mother she will discover new powers, travel to exotic lands and finally discover that love is the best magic of all.
Thank you to Jenny for this one.

An Abundance of Katherines - John Green

19 Katherines and counting…

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type is girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katharine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times to be exact. On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral dog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun - but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge dumpees everywhere, and may finally win him the girl.

You Are So Undead To Me - Stacey Jay

Q: How many zombies does it take to ruin a social life?
A: Not many.

Megan Berry is a Zombie Settle by birth, which means she’s part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you’re trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it’s kinda hard to score a date. Let’s just say Megan’s love life could use some major resuscitation.
Megan’s convinced her life can’t get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angst Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it’s up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it.

Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?

When “perfect” Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter’s High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher’s pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn’t want to talk about it. She’d just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counsellors are demanding the truth. Worse, there’s a nice guy falling in love with her and he’s making her feel things again when she’d rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she’d turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it might just be her fault.

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty - Jody Gehrman

There’s nothing better than being a Betty.

Geena can’t wait to spend summer vacation with her favourite people: her best friend, Amber, and her cousin, Hero. They’ll be working at the Triple Shot Betty coffee shop, and Geena’s sure it’ll be great. But the moment Amber and Hero meet, the claws come out. They hate each other on sight. Geena’s dreams of a girl-bonding summer fly out the window, and then threaten to vanish entirely when a few cute (okay, drop-dead gorgeous) guts enter the picture. But all is not what it seems; and in a story of mistaken identities, crazy summer high jinks, and enough romance to make Shakespeare proud, Geena and her friends learn that when Betty’s unite, they can take on the most powerful force in their world: a hot guy.

City of Bones - Cassandra Clare

It’s after dark in New York City, and Clary Fray is seeing things. The best-looking guy in the nightclub just stabbed a guy to death - but the victim has vanished into thin air. Her mother has disappeared, and a hideous is lurking in her apartment . With her life spiralling into darkness, Clary realises that she has stumbled into an invisible war between ancient demonic forces and the secretive Shadow hunters - a war in which she has a fateful role to play…

Evermore - Alyson Noël

The first book in Alyson Noël’s extraordinary new Immortals series. Enter an enchanting new world, where true love never dies…

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 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.

Destroy All Cars - Blake Nelson (ARC)

It’s time.
It’s time to destroy all cars.
It’s time to own up to the fact that we’re completely screwing up the planet.
It’s time to yell at the world.
And it’s time to deal with the ex that won’t go away.

James Hoff likes to ride against America’s consumerist culture. He also likes rail against his ex-girlfriend, Sadie, who he feels isn’t doing enough to change the world. She wants to build bike paths. He wants to overthrow the oil companies.

But just like James can’t avoid buying things, he also can’t avoid Sadie for long. They’re in for another crash - and whether you see them coming or not, crashed always hurt.

I won this one from a competition at Nancy's blog. Thank you Nancy!

Let It Snow - John Green; Maureen Johnson; Lauren Myracle

Sparkling white snowdrifts…

Beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicoloured lights glittering in the night through falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you only see in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold an wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would normally not end with a delicious kiss with a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks.

Thanks to the three of today’s best-selling teen authors - John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle - the magic of the holiday shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

The ABC’s of Kissing Boys - Tina Ferraro

Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. Anyway, the coach moves everyone from JV up to varsity. It’s just what happens.

But that’s not what happens.

This year Coach Hartley moved up every JV but two - and one of those two is Parker.

Parker has spent her life being a team player, but as soon as school starts, she’s stuck with (horror or horrors) the freshmen, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fall. Worse? Her friends her own age are cutting her loose, and now the freshmen kid across the street is the only one who’ll give her the time of day.

But Parker’s determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. The only catch? She has to trick her way into a place on the kissing booth at the school’s annual sports fair, then pull a stunt crazier than any she could ever dream up on her own. But the kiss has to look real. And Parker is less than experienced in playing that sort of field.

Parker knows that practice makes perfect. Now she just has to find the right coach…

Perfect You - Elizabeth Scott

Kate Brown’s life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate is invisible.

And then there’s Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can’t stand even though she can’t stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she’s sure she’s just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn’t realise is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen - but only if she lets them…
I had such a good week this week. I think that this is he most books I've ever gotten in a week before! I'm going to enjoy reading all of these!

Sophie