Waiting on Wednesday (48)

Tokyo Heist by Diana Renn

Sixteen-year-old Violet loves reading manga and wearing scarves made from kimono fabric, so she’s thrilled that her father’s new painting commission means a summer trip to Japan. But what starts as an exotic vacation quickly turns into a dangerous treasure hunt. Her father’s client, the wealthy Yamada family, is the victim of a high-profile art robbery. Someone has stolen van Gogh sketches from the Yamadas’ Seattle mansion, and is holding them hostage until the Yamadas can produce the corresponding van Gogh painting. The problem is that nobody knows where this painting is hidden, and until they find it, all of their lives are in danger. Violet’s search for the missing van Gogh takes her from the Seattle Art Museum, to the yakuza-infested streets of Tokyo, to a secluded inn in Kyoto. As the mystery deepens, Violet’s not sure whom she can trust. But she knows one thing: she has to find the painting and the criminals—before it’s too late.

Release date: June 14, 2012 (Viking)

I love mysteries and this sounds awesome and exciting! I loved books where teens save the day and Violet sounds like an awesome main character.

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Blogger Mentorship Program- Big Sib/Little Sib

Hi everyone! It’s Hafsah, Ivy, Katie, and Kelsey here! Over the last few hours we have been working on a secret project, but it’s not so secret anymore since we are now sharing with you all!

Our secret project is called, Big Sib/Little Sib! Big Sib/Little Sib is a program where we help pair novice bloggers with veteran book bloggers. We try to pair novices to veterans to help them get started in the book blogging community.

If you guys are interested, sign up below:

Sign-up to be a Big Sib Book Blogger (Veteran)

Sign-up to be a Little Sib Book Blogger (Novice)

If you guys have any comments, suggestions, questions, etc. please don't hesitate to email us at: bloggersibs @ gmail . com .

We will be creating a page to put all this information on. Please visit my FAQ page to see if your questions have been answered or not.

Thank you! We are looking forward to working with you all!

Sweet Venom 2 Title Hunt!

If you're looking for a letter to try and figure out the title for SWEET VENOM 2, you've come to the right place! My letter is....

E

The hunt is open internationally and prizes included five signed copies of Sweet Venom and a grand prize of a $50 bookstore gift-card.

Be sure to stop by Tera Lynn Childs' blog for all the details and links to the rest of the blogs posting letters: http://teralynnchilds.blogspot.com

Blog Tour: Character Interview with Lissa from Shut Out

I'm thrilled to be kicking off the Shut Out Blog Tour with an interview with Lissa, the main character in Shut Out. Take it away, Lissa!

1. What is one piece of advice you would give to other teenage girls?

My best advice would just be to stay true to yourself. Okay, okay. That's cliche, I know. But I think that sometimes in the chaos of friends and boyfriends we get so caught up in doing what makes everyone else happy instead of what we want. So maybe it's cliche advice for a reason, you know?

2. When you came up with the idea of having a sex strike did you ever imagine everything that would come as a result?

Not. At. All. Honestly, I thought the strike would only last two weeks! I thought the boys would just cave in. I had no idea it would become this crazy boys versus girls thing. And I definitely didn't predict what happened with Randy and Cash and I . . . But I think things turned out pretty good in the end. Though, there were plenty of bumps along the way, that's for sure.

3. Do you ever wish there was one thing you could change about yourself?

Yes. All the time. I wish I weren't so neurotic. My constant need for control can really get in the way sometimes, and my family never misses a chance to make fun of me for it. I know they don't mean to upset me, but I really can't help it. I feel panicked when I don't think I'min control, when things don't go the way I plan. It terrifies me. I wish I could just let go sometimes. I know it won't happen over night or anything, but i'm working on it.

4. In ten years where do you see yourself?

Recently, someone told me I'd make a good copyeditor. I think he was kidding, but it stuck with me. I think I'd like fixing other people's grammar and punctation for a living. Maybe it sounds boring, but the perfectionist in me loves the idea. I mean, I already highlight and circle typos in books as it is. I'd just be getting paid for it that way. So I hope I'm copyeditor in ten years. Maybe married? I don't know, though. For once, I'm going to try and just let life surprise me.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world with any person (living or dead), who would it be?

I'd go to Paris, I think. It just seems so romantic and classic. Plus, so many great books take place there. And I think I'd go with my Mom. She died a few years ago, and I miss her a lot. Heck, I'd just go to the 7/11 if it meant I could go with her.

--

Thanks so much Lissa (and Kody!) for stopping by. Be sure to check out Kody's website for more info on Shut Out and also visit The Teen Book Scene website for links to the rest of the tour stops!

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles (and Giveaway!)

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Sometimes sorry isn't enough....

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

Review:

Fury is one of those books that I felt had so much potential but just didn't live up to it. I loved the premise and, of course, the cover is gorgeous. I think one of the biggest things that makes or breaks a book for me is the characters. As soon as I feel a disconnect with them I lose touch with the book. Of course, I did still like Fury, it just wasn't the powerful and fantastic read I was hoping for.

Greek mythology has always fascinated me and so when I heard this book involved Furies I was hooked. Elizabeth Miles definitely did her research on these frightening beings and I loved their involvement in the story. The tagline "Sometimes sorry isn't enough..." couldn't be more true in the case of Fury. It's the middle of a chilling winter in Maine and Em and Chase have made terrible mistakes. Em has hooked up with her best friends boyfriend and Chase has done something terrible to an old friend he regrets more than anything. As their guilt continues to pile up, Chase and Em are about to discover that the worst is to come. Because three mysterious girls have just arrived in Ascension, Maine to make two people pay. Two people they think deserve it most- Em and Chase.

As I mentioned before, I never really liked Em or Chase. Of course they weren't meant to be entirely likable, but still I wished I felt more of a connection with them. There were several secondary characters that I liked, though (JD, for one). Of the two, Em made the biggest impact on me. She did start to change for the better as the book progressed and I think she learned a lot over the course of the novel.

The premise was extremely unique and unlike anything I have read before. Plot wise, this book was a winner. Packed full of endless twists and surprises, I enjoyed all the intrigue and suspense. While it may not seem like it will be at first, by the end of Fury I was 100% creeped out. Things just get more and more creepy as the book progressed and I looked behind me and out the window a few times while reading. I wish these things started happening earlier on, though. The first half of the book was a little slow and I wish the Furies had appeared sooner. But, overall, I liked how fast paced the plot was and how it threw a lot of curve balls that kept me guessing.

Elizabeth Miles has a nice writing style and several of the passages were very beautifully written. I liked seeing the story develop and trying to figure out how things would end up.

Although I didn't enjoy Fury as much as I had hoped I would, this was a solid debut. The ending definitely left me eager to read the sequel and I'm interested in seeing what's going to happen next.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

August 30, 2011/Simon Pulse/352 Pages/Young Adult/Book One

Source: Publisher (ARC)

___

I'm also excited to be hosting a giveaway for a signed, finished copy of Fury by Elizabeth Miles.

Fill out THIS FORM to be entered!

US Only. Ends September 12. Good luck!

In My Mailbox (92)

I was able to trade for a lot of awesome books and also picked up a few at the Strand and a Border's closing sale. I've scheduled a few posts (this one included) for the next couple of days in case I lose power because of Irene. Good luck to anyone dealing with the hurricane!

Review Books:

Flyaway by Lucy Christopher

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Traded:

Raider's Ransom by Emily Diamond

Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi

Purchased:

Forgiven by Janet Fox

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Swag:

Vanish/Firelight postcards, stickers, and bracelets

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Two Year Blogoversary!

Sooooo.... my two year blogoversary happened on July 30th and since I was away at camp I completely forgot to post about it! It's been an amazing two years and I have had so many fabulous experiences. As a thank-you to all my loyal followers, I'm hosting a giveaway for your choice of a pre-order of one of the following books:

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!

Ends September 16. US Only. Good luck!

Review: My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

PLEASE READ THIS! MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!

Okay, maybe that was a bit melodramatic, but I’m sorry, I’m feeling a bit melodramatic at the moment.

Here’s the deal. My name is Brooklyn Pierce, I’m fifteen years old, and I am decisionally challenged. Seriously, I can’t remember the last good decision I made. I can remember plenty of crappy ones though. Including that party I threw when my parents were out of town that accidentally burned down a model home. Yeah, not my finest moment, for sure.

But see, that’s why I started a blog. To enlist readers to make my decisions for me. That’s right. I gave up. Threw in the towel. I let someone else be the one to decide which book I read for English. Or whether or not I accepted an invitation to join the debate team from that cute-in-a-dorky-sort-of-way guy who gave me the Heimlich Maneuver in the cafeteria. (Note to self: Chew the melon before swallowing it.) I even let them decide who I dated!

Well, it turns out there are some things in life you simply can’t choose or have chosen for you—like who you fall in love with. And now everything’s more screwed up than ever.

But don’t take my word for it, read the book and decide for yourself. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll scream in frustration. Or maybe that’s just me. After all, it’s my life.

Review:

Jessica Brody's novels always have such fun and original premises. I adored her young adult debut, The Karma Club, and have been eager to read her next novel for months. My Life Undecided proved Jessica Brody cannot be stopped and I enjoyed every minute of this entertaining and unique novel. Filled with laughs, heartbreak, and more- I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what Jessica next has up her sleeve!

Brooklyn Pierce has always had a little trouble making good decisions. Ever since she was a baby, Brooklyn's decisions have often let her astray and even to danger. And when one particular plan lands her in the police station and ruins her social life, Brooklyn knows she has to do something to make sure she never makes another mistake. So Brooklyn enlists the help of the world. Or at least her blog readers. Brooklyn starts a blog called "My Life [Un]Decided" and she posts polls for every decision she has to make and allows her blog readers to vote. Whatever the outcome of the poll is, that's what Brooklyn will do. One thing Brooklyn knows for sure is that her life will never be the same.

My Life Undecided was packed full of unique and well developed characters. Brooks, at first, irritated me a bit, but as the novel progressed she learned a lot about herself and how her actions impacted those around her. Brooks had a lot of interesting experiences and even when she didn't enjoy some of the things she tried, at least she did it. The plot was wonderfully developed and contained so many fantastic twists and occurrences. As she navigated her new life, Brooklyn discovered a side of herself she never knew existed.

I particularly liked the scenes Brooklyn spent volunteering at the nursing home. Mrs. Moody was a fantastic and unique character and her role in the story was one of my favorites. There was much more to her than met the eye. There were quite a few other secondary characters I liked and Brooklyn's love life also played a part in the story- and how all the polls in the world can't choose who you'll fall in love with.

There were some very important messages weaved into Brooklyn's story and the reader will definitely take something away with them. I enjoyed watching Brooks come up with different polls and to actually act on the decision her readers made for her. This made for an extremely entertaining and humorous read and I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica's sophomore young adult novel. All in all, I definitely recommend My Life Undecided. It's the perfect contemporary read and I can't wait to read Jessica's next book, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father (2012).

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

June 7, 2011/Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BFYR)/320 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Publisher

Other books by this author: The Karma Club

Waiting on Wednesday (47)

Radiate by Marley Gibson

Hayley Matthews has one dream: to make it onto the varsity cheerleading team her senior year of high school. Odds are against her, but she doesn't let that stop her from trying. So she works hard for months, perfecting her gymnastics and dancing moves. And despite the odds, she makes the squad.

In an instant, Hayley's life changes. Now she's part of the popular crowd at school, dating a football player, and going to parties. And she's working hard to be as perfect on the squad as her captain expects them all to be.

But then one day Hayley notices a lump on her left leg and the steady throb she's been feeling has gotten much worse. She can barely walk. When Hayley goes with her mom to get it checked out, the diagnosis is cancer. The doctor can't say how bad it is or what the prognosis will be. At the minimum, she'll have to have surgery. At the most it could mean loss of her leg or even her life.

Once again Hayley's life changes in an instant. Now she must face the odds again and show everyone, including herself, just how strong she is. And through it all--three surgeries, chemo, radiation, rehab, and just getting back to a normal life--it's cheerleading that keeps Hayley focused and positive.

All she wants to do is cheer, and nothing, including cancer, is going to stop her.

Release date: April 12, 2011 (Graphia)

I have yet to read anything by Marley, but I really want to! Especially after reading that heartbreaking and inspiring summary. This is definitely going to be a tear-jerker!

What are you waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday Is Hosted By: Breaking the Spine

Review: Stealing Bases by Keri Mikulski

Stealing Bases by Keri Mikulski

Reformed mean girl Kylie Collins desperately wants to put the craziness of basketball season behind her. (And with it, her cheater ex, Zachary Murphy.) Maybe she'll finally be able to silence her snarky streak and concentrate on her lifelong dream - being recruited for Division One softball.

But when Kylie arrives at her first softball practice of the season, she comes face-to-face with her worst nightmare: Amber McDonald, the best pitcher in the state.

Now, Kylie's forced to warm the bench as Amber wows crowds again and again. With all the drama happening out on the softball diamond, Kylie finds herself drawn back to bad habits-sabotaging people and hanging out with a certain Zachary Murphy. . .

Review:

As I've mentioned before, I am not usually a big "sports" reader, but Keri Mikulski won me over with Head Games and Stealing Bases sealed the deal. I am definitely a fan of the Pretty Tough series!

Kylie was a returning character from Head Games, but this time around she was the narrator. Through Taylor's eyes in Head Games, Kylie had always seemed like a selfish and mean person, so I'm glad I got to know her side of the story in Stealing Bases. While it did take me a little while to warm up to Kylie, by the end of the book I did like her and felt for all she was going through. Kylie had a lot on her plate and her softball dreams are being shattered by the arrival of new star pitcher, Amber McDonald. I understood why Kylie was upset, she had always been the pitcher and now Amber had taken her spot, but at times she acted a little too immature. As I said before, going into this, I wasn't sure what I was going to think of Stealing Bases simply because I didn't like Kylie before. Getting to know her in this book did change my opinion of her though, and she really was trying to amend her mean ways. There were quite a few characters from the last book that reappeared in this one as well. Taylor even had a small role. I liked getting to see some of my favorite characters from Head Games, even when they only played a minor part in Kylie's story.

The plot of Stealing Bases was fresh and held my interest. I enjoyed learning about all the different plays in softball and how the team worked together. Kylie was faced with some tough choices during the course of the novel and learned a lot about both herself and those around her. Another character that was reintroduced in Stealing Bases was Zachary Murphy. He had an intriguing role in this book and Kylie had to make a decision about him once and for all. While Kylie put on a brave front, she was dealing with lot of issues back home. Her parents had recently divorced and she was living a family friend's pool house with her dad. I admired Kylie for staying strong during the ordeal and it made her a more realistic character.

Keri Mikulski always does a great job making her teenage characters realistic and believable, as well as all their experiences. I am a big fan of contemporary YA and Keri Mikulski does not disappoint. There were quite a few entertaining and important twists in the story that kept me reading and I enjoyed getting to know all the different characters and learn even more about softball. Stealing Bases isn't overly "sporty" either- it combines just the right amount of sports, romance, drama, and friendships. The girls even visit Pinkberry- I adore frozen yogurt!

All in all, Stealing Bases was an entertaining and realistic addition to the Pretty Tough series. Kylie was a character that had to grow on me, but in the end I did like her. Keri Mikulski has an eye for writing books that will appeal to a variety of readers and Stealing Bases is no exception. I'm eager for the release of Making Waves (coming in 2012)!

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

July 7, 2011/Razorbill/272 Pages/Young Adult/Book 5

Source: Purchased

Other books in the series: Head Games

Blog Tour: Amy Reed Interview

1. Your covers are very bold and eye catching, yet, in a way, simple. What were your thoughts on seeing them for the first time? Were they what you had expected?

I loved both covers when I first saw them. My experience with the Beautiful cover was most dramatic because that’s the first time I saw the exciting concepts that both books share--the use of white negative space and the handwritten titles. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I think my biggest fear was that the covers wouldn’t stand out, that they wouldn’t be special. Luckily, my fears were totally unfounded. The covers are striking and haunting and they really embody the characters’ internal states. I love how the model on the cover of CLEAN is basically in a box, which is a perfect metaphor for addiction.

2. What is the biggest thing you hope readers of CLEAN take away with them?

A lot of things. I hope they might think a little about the consequences of certain actions and decisions, that some ideas that may seem exciting in the moment have long-term effects that look very different. For kids who maybe aren’t doing the kinds of things the characters in CLEAN are doing, I hope they find some compassion for the kids who are, some understanding of how deep down we’re all the same even though we have different experiences and different tools for dealing with them. Mostly--and I think this applies to anyone, no matter how much they do or don’t relate to the kids in CLEAN--I hope readers realize that we’re all capable of great change and transformation. There is always hope, no matter what.

3. If you could give teenagers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Follow your heart. Listen to that little voice inside that knows what’s right and wrong for you. Choose right even if no one else does. This is the most revolutionary kind of rebellion.

4. What is one place in the world you would love to travel to? What has been your favorite travel destination so far?

I want to go everywhere, the wilder the better! My perfect vacation would be a combination hiking, camping, kayaking adventure in the jungle and/or ocean, followed by a few days in a secluded cabin on a tropical beach with a couple scuba diving trips thrown in. So far, my favorite vacations have been a road trip through Baja, exploring the rainforest and Mayan ruins in Belize, and scuba diving the islands of Thailand.

5. What's next for you writing wise?

I just finished my third book with Simon Pulse, CRAZY, which will probably come out next summer. This is how my editor recently described it on Twitter: “A raw, unforgettable book about a boy falling in love…with a girl who’s falling over the edge.” It’s a love story told in letters written between the two main characters. I’m currently working on something new that I’m really excited about, but I’m afraid I have to keep it a secret for now ;)

--

Thanks so much, Amy, for stopping by! Be sure to visit her website for more info, as well as the Clean tour page for links to the rest of the stops!

In My Mailbox (91)

I traded for quite a few books this week and also purchased a couple. I'm especially looking forward to reading Birthmarked, Nevermore, and Playing Hurt!

Review Books:

The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

City of Orphans by Avi

Bronxwood by Coe Booth

Bought: (Used Bookstore)

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Trades:

Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

Picture Book Towell (Thanks Little, Brown!)

Mystify T-shirt and notebook/pen (Thanks Artist!)

IMM Is Hosted By: The Story Siren

Review: Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.

In this fourth installment of the New York Times best-selling series, the Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth.as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie’s future may lie deep in the past.

Review:

Only the Good Spy Young was a fast paced and enthralling fourth book in the Gallagher Girls series. There were entirely new plot twists and developments in the story and I had a hard time setting this down for a second. As I’ve mentioned about the previous books in the series, Only the Good Spy Young was a fast paced and mysterious read that kept me glued to the pages. I’d finished Don’t Judge a Girl By Her Cover on the same day I started this one, so it was great to not have to wait to get resolution after that killer cliffhanger.

Cammie, Bex, Liz, and Macey are back and better than ever. They have such a great relationship and it’s always great to know you have your friends out there to get your back. And this is especially important in the case of the Gallagher Girls! This addition to the series started off with a bang and the action was endless from then on. The girls are dealing with some very serious things and the senior agents are getting involved as well. Secrets are revealed and friendships are tested as Cammie learns just how important it truly is to be able to rely on those close to you.

The plot moved at a rapid clip and there were so many intriguing twists thrown in to keep the story interesting and fresh. The Gallagher Girls are just as tough and brave as in the previous books, even more so, at times, in Only the Good Spy Young. Cammie particularly proved herself in this novel and showed just how bad an idea it was to mess with Cammie or her friends and family. She stopped at nothing to make sure the truth was revealed.

I really liked the previous books in the series and the plot always kept me on my toes, but Only the Good Spy Young truly thrust the girls into the real world of danger and betrayal. Some new characters were introduced and many of my old favorites had even bigger roles. Zach and Cammie’s relationship also played a role in this story and readers gain some more insight into Zach’s character and the school he attends.

Only the Good Spy Young was packed full of shocking twists, nail-biting action, and an ending that left me wanting more! Why, oh why must we wait until 2012 to read Out of Sight, Out of Time? I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first three installments in this series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Cammie and the rest of the gang.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

June 29, 2010/Disney*Hyperion/265 Pages/Young Adult/Book Four

Source: Bought

Other books in the series: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Book 1), Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Book 2), Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover (Book 3), and Out of Sight, Out of Time (Book 5, '12)