Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

Source: Publisher

Abby accepted that she can’t measure up to her beautiful, magnetic sister Tess a long time ago, and knows exactly what she is: Second best. Invisible.
Until the accident.
Now Tess is in a coma, and Abby’s life is on hold. It may have been hard living with Tess, but it's nothing compared to living without her.
She's got a plan to bring Tess back though, involving the gorgeous and mysterious Eli, but then Abby learns something about Tess, something that was always there, but that she’d never seen.
Abby is about to find out that truth isn't always what you think it is, and that life holds more than she ever thought it could...

I love Elizabeth Scott. Her books are always fantastic and surprise me in someway. Between Here and Forever was definitely amazing. Abby feels that she can't measure up to her sister, but I think that everyone feels that way about someone that they won't ever be as pretty or smart enough. She would do anything in order to wake up her sister and I adored her dedication to her sister. It was similar to what I would do for my sisters. She thinks that no one can see past Tess, but the whole time she was wrong. Tess had secrets that were uncovered and I found it sad that the person that Abby knew was not the person that she was. Eli was so sweet and he liked Abby so much. The character were so believable and relatable that I couldn't help loving it. The plot of this story was spectacular. Every moment of the story was beautifully written. Elizabeth Scott has such a raw and intense prose that makes a story so intense and realistic every moment. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of contemporary fiction and Elizabeth Scott's previous books. It comes out on May 24th.

My Most Read Author

Several bloggers have done this, so I decided to join in with my five most read author.
1. Meg Cabot
There is a reason that Meg Cabot is well know. She writes a lot of book and fairly quick. They are really cute and fun read. I have somehow read 26 of her books and that is not near the amount she has written. My favorite of her books it the Mediator Series. Ghost are pretty epic.
2. Roald Dahl
I loved Dahl growing up. I devoured his books like crazy. I have read 16 of his books. My favorite it The Witches. I have no clue how many times I have read it. Such an amazing book.
3. Scott Westerfeld, Cate Tiernan, and Lemony Snicket
I have read 15 books of each author.
Scott Westerfeld is epic. I haven't hated any of his books. Though Peeps has made me never want a cat ever. My favorite series is the Midnighter series. It is so epic.
Cate Tiernan wrote the Sweep series, which I love. I gobbled up that whole series in a week. I am so glad that my library had them all.
I love Lemony Snicket. His books make me laugh, cry, and totally get invested in the story. A Series of Unfortunate Events are my favorite books by him.
4. Kate Brian, Holly Black, and Melody Carlson
I have read 13 books of each.
Kate Brian's books are so engaging and suck me into the story. So addicting and I love the Private Series.
Holly Black is epic. So, of course I love her. Ironside is my favorite of her books.
My brother is a future pastor and he buys me Melody Carlson books, because I find them interesting. They are also quick reads. My favorite is Who I Am...
5. Sarah Dessen and Elizabeth Scott
I have read 10 of their books.
I adore Sarah's style, which makes it a perfect read. Plus the characters are so easy to relate to and I adore the boys. The Truth about Forever is my favorite, closely followed by What Happened to Goodbye and Just Listen.
I swear Elizabeth Scott is the future Meg Cabot. She writes such amazing books, so quickly. I have loved all of books, even the one by her paranormal pseudonym. My favorite book by her is Between Here and Forever.

Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 20/20
Writing: 20/20
Recommendation: 19/20
Overall: 96/100 or A
Source: Publisher
Grace was raised to be an Angel. Her message would come with the aftermath of the suicide bomb, but she refused to die for the cause. She is now on the run and dreaming of the chance of freedom. The border seems to be just out of her reach as she travel with soldiers on a rundown train in the middle of the desert. She is accompanied with the mysterious Kerr as she struggles to be invisible. Her fear of discovery is a constant though as she recalls the history and events that brought her to this point.
I don't know how to explain Grace in just a few words. It is one of those rare books that captures your attention from the first word. You are thrown into a world that seems really realistic and full of fear that seems foreign to you. I could see this dystopian story happening at some point in the near future, if we make the wrong choices in how we handled things. Another thing that I admire about this book is that it discussed religion and politics in a way that I have never seen in Young Adult fiction. Grace is set in an extremely oppressive government, where there are no real choices, except the way that you will die. The faith that Grace had in her will to live with her own freedom was admirable. This book made me admire people that are oppressed, more then I ever had, because it was pure honesty in Grace's eyes of the danger that is in your thoughts with each second that passes.
The way that Scott wrote in short sentences and chapters shows the limits in Grace's choices and the desperation that is in each although her mind. Grace is strong character that has faced things that are imaginable to me. Kerr was an interesting character that I admired, after his mystery unraveled. I like that they began to understand each other and found some sort of medium. I found Grace's flashbacks to be compelling and cleverly written. The plot was fast and kept me thinking and anticipating the next thing to happen. I did not want to put this book down, because each word made me want more, even long after the book was over. Grace is an original book that is unlike anything that I have ever read. Scott's writing is fresh and new, while having the intensity from Living Dead Girl. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a spectacularly original book with a strong voice that is full of hope.

The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Rating:

Characters: 19/20

Plot: 18/20

Originality: 18/20

Writing: 19/20

Recommendation: 19/20

Overall: 93/100 or A

Source: Publisher

Sarah has always had a crush on Ryan. He is easy to talk to, super smart, and he totally gets her. Recently, it seems like he is paying more attention to her. Everything would be perfect, if Ryan wasn't Brianna's boyfriend and Brianna is Sarah's best friend. She tries to avoid Ryan and tries to not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him and she would never want to hurt her best friend. One night, when she is thrown together with Ryan one and something happens. It feels wonderful, but awful at the same time. Sarah is torn apart by guilt for betraying her best friend and the fact that she wants more from Ryan.

Elizabeth Scott writes amazing books that both teens and adults can relate to, and The Unwritten Rule is no different. Sarah was an amazing character. She was so selfless with her best friend that she lost experiences and even the boy that she really liked. She was also treated like wasn't good enough by Brianna, which made me sad. It wasn't a healthy friendship and I could really relate to that, because I have had horrible friends and I am very passive like Sarah was. Sarah's nickname was Sarahbear, which made me laugh, because I could already relate to this character so much. Brianna was so manipulative and mean at times. I want to punch her in the face at times. I understand that she had a hard family life, but she didn't need to take it out on someone else. She used Sarah to make herself feel better, which is just so wrong. I found Ryan to be cute and funny at times. The plot unravels in a predictable matter. Scott makes sure that you know how the characters feel, while they deal with misunderstandings that they had about what happened. The plot also moves really quickly and brings an amazing and fantastic read. I found it to be original in the way that Sarah and Brianna's friendship dynamic was portrayed and also how Sarah felt guilty about she did. Scott is an amazing writer that create a world full of depth and realism. Her writing is easy to get into and wonderfully written. I would recommend The Unwritten Rule to fans of Sarah Dessan and Susane Colasanti.

An Interview with Elizabeth Scott...

Elizabeth Scott grew up in a town so small it didn't even have a post office, though it did boast an impressive cattle population. She's sold hardware and panty hose and had a memorable three-day stint in the dot-com industry, where she learned that she really didn't want a career burning CDs. She has written Bloom, Perfect You, Stealing Heaven, Living Dead Girl, Something Maybe, and Love You Hate You Miss You. She lives just outside Washington, DC, with her husband; firmly believes you can never own too many books; and would love it if you visited her website.

1. You have said in a few interviews, that you wouldn’t like to write a sequel to a currently published book. Would you ever consider writing a series for any future books?

If an idea hit me that could be turned into a series, and if I could find an interested publisher, then absolutely!

2. What is easiest and hardest for you as a writer?

Easiest: answering emails from readers (LOVE!) and first drafts.

Hardest: getting that first rewrite done (the others come easier after that)

3. What novels are you currently working on?

I've got three books coming out in 2010--in March, Simon Pulse will release The Unwritten Rule, about a girl who falls for her best friend's boyfriend. In June, HarperCollins will be releasing Miracle, which is about a girl who survives a plane crash. And then, in the fall (I don't have an exact date yet), Dutton will be releasing Grace, which is about a girl who is a suicide bomber.

4. What is a normal writing day for you?

I get up around 7, answer emails, write my blog entry if I'm doing one for the day, and then take care of other things like addressing packages, going to the post office, updating my website--that sort of thing. Then, if I'm lucky, I have time to exercise. If I don't, I dive right into whatever edits/copy edits/page proofs are waiting for me. And then I write until my husband gets home from work.

5. Which one of your characters do you relate to the most?

I can relate to all of them in some way--I have to because otherwise I wouldn't be able to write about them.

6. What are some of your favorite YA books? Currently and as a teen?

I think there's so many great young adult novels out there right now-- we're really living in a golden age. But two novels that I don't think get nearly enough love are She's So Money by Cherry Cheva and Fresh Off The Boat by Melissa de la Cruz. When I was a teen, young adult novels weren't anything like they are now--I read a lot of Judy Blume when I was younger, but had moved on to adult books by the time I was a teenager.

7. Other then writing and reading, what activities or hobbies do you enjoy?

I really and truly like watching tv. I know some authors are not for it, but I like it! I also enjoy spending time with my husband and dogs and my friends.

8. If you could go to any era in time, what time frame would you choose?

I have to say, I'm pretty happy right where I am :-)

9. Is there anything that you would like to add?
For those of you who read this--what would *you* like to know?

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Rating:

Characters: 18/20

Plot: 17/20

Originality: 19/20

Writing: 18/20

Recommendation: 18/20

Overall: 90/100 or A

It has been seventy-five days, since the accident that caused the death of her best friend, Julia. Amy has been at Pinewood, she has been recovering from Alcohol dependency and trying to recover from the absence of the only person that ever completely understood her. When she gets out of rehab, she is asked by her shrink to keep a journal. Amy writes letters to Julia. She must deal with her past in order to realize what really happened and that it wasn't all her fault.

I love Elizabeth Scott. Her writing can light and fluffy or serious and thought provoking. This book was definitely on the latter of the two. Amy's guilt, regret, loneliness, and resentment were really realistic and common in anyone something similar happened. The letters to Julia and flashbacks were full of emotion and well done. Scott's writing fit the book very well. The focus of friendship with both it's positive and the adverse side effects of it. It also displayed all of the awkwardness of making friends and all the judgement that can be falsely is made. Scott makes a unique, thoughtful, and emotional novel. Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott is a must read.

Waiting on Wednesday (Week Four)

Title: Love You Hate You Miss You
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Release Date: June 2nd, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
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, and Amy doesn't want to talk about it. No one knew Julia like she did. No one gets what life is without her.
No one understands what it's like to know that it's all your fault.
Amy's shrink thinks she should keep a journal but instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia. And as she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past holds its own secrets--and that the present deserves a chance.
Reasons I am waiting on this:
1. It is by Elizabeth Scott and her books are amazing.
2. It has a pretty cover.
3. The summary sounds really good.
4. Everyone so far that has read it, has liked it.
5. It looks like a very intense, but good read.
Peace out, Sarah

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Score: 5/5

Summanary: Alice was kidnapped from a school field trip, at age 10. She enters the world and is completely controlled by her captor, Ray. She has been beaten, starved and sexually abused. As, she reaches fifteen. She no longer looks or acts like a little girl. Ray decides that she needs to find someone else, another little girl. Will she end up like the last Alice and be killed? Also, will she ever make it back to 623 Daisy Lane and to her family?

Note: This book is amazing. I love Elizabeth Scott's book. They are all well written. She has published 3 other books (Bloom, Perfect You, and Stealing Heaven) in a little over a year, which is incredible. Living Dead Girl is a wonderful tale. It is not a safe world, sadly and there are sickos like Ray out there. I like how the book is honest and doesn't sugarcoat it. This book was really direct and though it was short it did leave me satisfied. I don't understand why it was a hardcover, when it was under 200 pages. I also love the strength that she gave to her heroine. I am going to shut up, because I'll keep fangirling her.

Elizabeth Scott's Blog: http://www.elizabethwrites.com/blog/

Some other bloggers' opinions:

http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/bookshelves_of_doom/2008/09/living-dead-girl----elizabeth-scott.html

http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-review-living-dead-girl-by.html

Rumor has it that Steph will have Elizabeth Scott thing in December and also check out Steph, because she is awesome:

http://reviewerx.blogspot.com/

Happy Reading!

Love Sarah.

Library holds...

Yesterday, my mom went to the library. To get just two books on hold. It turns out that there were 10 and she didn't bring a bag. Whoops.
Today, I got a call and they said that I have 11 on hold. The books are all ones that I requested. So I am excited to get them. I have already finished Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott, which I will review soon. I am now reading The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher, which is good so far and I also will review. I am excited to read all of these books.
I am going to be Nano-ing from 1pm to 10pm, tomorrow. I need to catch up, I am at 6,000 words.
I am also excited, because I had two comments from people that I don't know. Yay!
I am thinking about doing a contest in middle to late December to help with the fact that I have no room on my book shelf and I will probably get a few books for christmas. I now have two boxes under my bed and I don't think a third would work out.
Happy Reading!
Peace out, Sarah.