Say The Word by Jeannie Garsee

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Setting: 9/10
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 20/20
Writing: 19/20
Recommendation: 10/10
Overall: 95/100 or A
Shawna Gallagher has the perfect life, well she tries to anyways. Then she gets a call from Fran. The women that her mother left her for, ten years ago. It turns out that Shawna's mom has had a stroke and is dying. She takes the first possible flight from Cleveland to New York to see the women that abandoned her, when she was seven.
By the others choices and the past, Shawna has to find the difference between being perfect and making the overall right choice.
I really liked Garsee's first novel, Before, After and Somebody in Between. So when I heard about Say the Word coming out, I had to read it. I loved Shawna, she was so real and had so much to deal with. I liked her relationship with LeeLee and how when they fought. Also how realistically, they became friends again. I also loved that Say the Word was more about family and friendship, then love. Dr. Gallagher also became one of my least favorite characters ever, and I felt sorry for Shawna having to deal with him. I highly suggest this book, Garsee is definitely an author to watch.
Peace out, Sarah.

Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Setting: 9/10
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 9/10
Overall: 90/100 or A
Sam is sick of hearing her best friend, Mal and her boyfriend, Mark calling each other "pookie" and being the third wheel. So, Sam decides to apply to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp in the New York Catskills. Sam soon figures out that camp isn't what it seems. She quickly become enemies with Ashley, the queen bee and daughter of the camp's owner. Sam starts having a crush on the very flirtatious, Hunter. She also has playful and oh-so-comfortable, Cole. Sam luckily finds a gang of girls that she becomes very quick friends of, and they call each other, Sleepaway Girls.
I really liked Sleepaway Girls. It was cute and a quick summer read. The characters were real and multidimensional. Calonita brings her writing style from The Secrets of My Hollywood Life series to this fun book. I also felt like I was back at camp. It is a must read for summer.
Sleepaway Girls comes out on May 1st, 2009.
Peace out Sarah.

In my Mailbox (Week 7)

This is a In My Mailbox, started by The Story Siren. Check it out here.
Say the Word by Jeannie Garsee
The world expects perfection from seventeen-year-old Shawna Gallagher, and for the most part, that's what they get. She dates the right boys, gets good grades, and follows her father's every rule. But when her estranged lesbian mother dies, it's more than perfect Shawna can take. Suddenly, anger from being abandoned ten years ago is resurfacing along with Shawna's embarrassment over her mother's other family. As she confronts family secrets and questions from the past, Shawna realizes there's a difference between doing the perfect thing and doing the right thing.
Shawna's honest and reputable voice will draw readers in and hold them until the last page in this coming-of-age story. Jeannine Garsee has delivered a compulsively readable second novel, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson.
I was so excited for Say the Word. So, when I got it in the mail and did a little happy dance. Since I read Before, After, and Somebody in Between, I have been waiting for more by Jeannie Garsee. I have already read it and loved it very much. I really love this cover too. It is so pretty.
City of Glass by 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 enter-ing 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 newfound 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.
I love this series so much. So, I bought this the day it came out and was so excited to read. I highly encourage anyone to read this series.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute...
Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the teenage outcast. The triumphant ending, in which Melinda finds her voice, is cause for cheering (while many readers might also shed a tear or two). After reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who may be screaming beneath the silence.
I love this book. I met Laurie Halse Anderson and decided to buy a book for a contest.
Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee
Maybe (short for Maybelline, her mother’s favorite mascara brand) wears oversize men’s T-shirts, uses lots of black eye makeup, and rejects everything girly—which is probably a reaction to her mother’s charm school and impending seventh marriage. This latest husband-to-be is the worst yet, and when he attempts to rape Maybe (in a scene that is realistic but not explicit), she and her friend Ted decide to join their buddy Hollywood when he moves to California for film school. Maybe’s stated goal is finding her biological father, but as she runs out of money and hope, that goal changes to finding herself. Despite the heavy topics, this is a breezy read populated with friendly characters and sunny serendipity: Maybe is welcomed into the home of an ex-stepdad, Ted, finds work as an assistant to a movie star, and Hollywood aces his first film. When your starving protagonist spends her only five dollars on eyeliner, the intended audience is obvious; for those readers, Maybe’s ugly duckling–type transformation will be predictable but pleasing.
I got this from Bookmooch and I really like the cover. It also sounds really good.
Brave New Girl by Louisa Luna
Angry and alienated teens seem to be growing ever younger. Doreen, the protagonist of this disturbing coming-of-age novel, is only 14. But in her anomie and hatred of her family, she puts Holden Caulfield in the shade. Like Holden, she tells the story in sarcastic first-person, which is often scalding in its use of expletives (at one point the f word appears 63 times in one and on-half pages), but still manages to be oddly artful in its consistency and voice. Despite her tough talk and her tendency to self-pity, Doreen gradually grows into a complex, intriguing character. Her affection for another young outsider, her only friend, Ted, is touching; her longing for her older brother, whom her father kicked out of the house when she was a girl, is haunting; and her confused feelings for her older sister's boyfriend are absolutely credible. When he sexually abuses her, readers share her pain, confusion, and despair. The ending to this difficult story is surprisingly hopeful and emotionally satisfying, if not entirely believable. This was published for adults, but it's clearly for teens--though it will best suit those readers mature enough to embrace its attitudes and edginess.
I have already read this book and really like it. So, that is why I got it from Bookmooch. So, I am excited to own this now.
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another's only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she's lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she's 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 are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken. Sweethearts is a story about the power of memory, the bond of friendship, and the quiet resilience of our childhood hearts.
I really liked this book and wasn't expecting it at all. So, I was really excited to find this book. I really loved it, when I got it from the library. So to own it, is super awesome. I adore this cover it is so cute. It makes me want to go bake some cookies and send them out.
Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst
At least that's what the wolves of the Wide Valley believe. Until a young wolf dares to break the rules -- and forever alters the relationship between wolves and the humans who share their world.
This is the story of such a wolf. Born of a forbidden mixed-blood litter and an outcast after her mother is banished, Kaala is determined to earn a place in the Swift River pack. But her world is turned upside down when she saves a human girl from drowning. Risking expulsion from their pack and exile from the Wide Valley, Kaala and her young packmates begin to hunt with the humans and thus discover the long-hidden bond between the two clans. But when war between wolves and humans threatens, Kaala learns the lies behind the wolf 's promise. Lies that force her to choose between safety for herself and her friends and the survival of her pack -- and perhaps of all wolf- and humankind.
Set 14,000 years ago, Promise of the Wolves takes us to a land where time is counted in phases of the moon, distance is measured in wolflengths, and direction by the scent of the nearest trail. Years of research into the world of wolves combines with mythical tale-telling to present a fantastical adventure set in a world filled with lore.
I got this from Pulse It and I am not sure if I will like this book. I am going to try to read it soon...
So that is what I got this week. I am excited for the books and can't wait to read the books, that I haven't
Peace out, Sarah.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Rating:
Characters: 19/20
Setting: 10/10
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 20/20
Recommendation: 10/10
Overall: 97/100 or A
Lia struggles with Anorexia. She had a sick contest with her best friend, Cassie on who could be the skinniest girl. That was until she went to rehab and Cassie ditched her like she had the plague. The book starts out with the mysterious death of Cassie in a hotel room and the 33 calls that were left unanswered.
Lia continues down the path of her eating disorder, thought it could easily kill her. She starts seeing the ghost of Cassie everywhere.
Wintergirls is a convincing novel of eating disorders, being alone, and the spiral of depression. Both my mom and older sister have had eating disorders and are currently not showing any symptoms. So, in that aspect it hit really close to home. I think that the counting calories was very realistic and interesting. It was really sad to see a girl that wouldn't be happy with her appearance until she was dead. If you are looking for a very deep haunting novel that is fantastical written, I hightly suggest this, because Laurie Halse Anderson has dug deep to come up with this novel that can only be explained as amazing.
Here is the amazing Wintergirls book Trailer
Take Care, Sarah.

I-am-sorry-that-I-haven't-posted-in-a-week-but-I'm-having-another-contest...

Sorry for the lack of posting. I have been busy, reading, or catching up on Being Erika(Love that show) Anyways by the title, I have a contest. I got to meet Laurie Halse Anderson, yesterday. I bought another copy of Speak. So the contest is for a signed copy of Speak.
Here is a summary: Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute...
Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel is a stunning and sympathetic tribute to the teenage outcast. The triumphant ending, in which Melinda finds her voice, is cause for cheering (while many readers might also shed a tear or two). After reading Speak, it will be hard for any teen to look at the class scapegoat again without a measure of compassion and understanding for that person--who may be screaming beneath the silence.
How to enter:
Leave a comment before April 18th at noon. It is open world wide.
Extra Entries:
Become a follower (+2)
Be a current follower (+4)
Blog about this Contest, sidebar okay (+3)

Peace out, Sarah.

Waiting on Wednesday (Week One)

Title: Lovestruck Summer
Author: Melissa Walker
Release Date: May 5th,2008
Publisher: HarperTeen
It is the story of 18-year-old Quinn, an indie-rock girl spending the summer in Austin on a coveted music internship. While she hopes to find the perfect hipster boyfriend, she unexpectedly falls in love with a college cowboy who makes her challenge her own stereotypes, expand her musical tastes, and ultimately open up her world.
Reasons why I want this:
1. I love Melissa Walker's Violet series, and I can't wait to read more by her.
2. This looks like a really cute and quick summer read.
3. The cover is really cute and I love it.
4. I love music and this book has a lot of music according to Melissa Walker herself.
5. Quinn sounds awesome and really likeable.
Peace out, Sarah.

Just a quick message...

Happy Birthday, Carol!
Woot! You are seventeen. Go tell her Happy Birthday, here.
Take Care, Sarah.

In my Mailbox (Week 6)

This is a In My Mailbox, started by The Story Siren Check it out here.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Thanks to Sharon, your awesome.)
In Mary's world, there are simple truths.
The Sisterhood always knows best.
The Guardians will protect and serve.
The Unconsecrated will never relent.
And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village. The fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.
But slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power. And, when the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness.
Now she must choose between her village and her future, between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death?I decided that I had to read this after seeing the amazing trailer. So, when Sharon offered to trade for this I was really happy. I have already read it and like it. So expect a review soon.
Prophecy of Sisters by Michelle Zink (Thanks to Laura, you are amazing.)
Sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe and her twin sister Alice have just become orphans and, as Lia discovers, they have also become enemies. The twins are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate and to remain in the arms of her beloved boyfriend James, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does. Only then will she understand the mysterious circumstances of her parents' deaths, the true meaning of the strange mark branded on her wrist, and the lengths to which her sister will go to defeat her.
Debut novelist Michelle Zink takes readers on an unforgettable journey where one sister's fateful decision could have an impact of Biblical proportion.
Prophecy of Sisters sounds really good. I also love the cover. It is also one of the debut novel, this year. Michelle Zink is also really nice. I am really excited for Prophecy of Sisters.
I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert
A raw, edgy, emotional novel about growing up punk and living to tell.
The Clash. Social Distortion. Dead Kennedys. Patti Smith. The Ramones. Punk rock is in Emily Black's blood. Her mother, Louisa, hit the road to follow the incendiary music scene when Emily was four months old and never came back.
Now Emily's all grown up with a punk band of her own, determined to find the tune that will bring her mother home. Because if Louisa really is following the music, shouldn't it lead her right back to Emily?
I have read I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone from the library and have been meaning to buy it since them. I was really excited to win I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone from Amanda Ashby's launch party. I also love the cover, so pretty.
Golden Girl by Micol Ostow
Paige, Spencer, and Madison have it all: the looks, the connections, the money, the boys. As the daughters of three of the most prestigious families on Philadelphia's Main Line (read: old money, and lots of it) and the ruling juniors at Bradford Prep, nothing can stand in their way....except, perhaps, their own dark secrets. When an old frenemy from Paige's hidden past shows up at Bradford and plays nice--too nice--Paige is desperate to smother the threat. How far will she go to silence the truth?
I got this from Pluse It. I am really excited to read Golden Girl. I haven't read anything by Micol Ostow and I think that it is about time. Golden Girl also looks like a quick read, sort of like Gossip Girl series or Private serise. I also have seen a few reviews for this and make it sound pretty good.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
If you had the power to kill with your bare hands, what would you do with it?
Graceling takes readers inside the world of Katsa, a warrior-girl in her late teens with one blue eye and one green eye. This gives her haunting beauty, but also marks her as a Graceling. Gracelings are beings with special talents—swimming, storytelling, dancing. Katsa's Grace is considered more useful: her ability to fight (and kill, if she wanted to) is unequaled in the seven kingdoms. Forced to act as a henchman for a manipulative king, Katsa channels her guilt by forming a secret council of like-minded citizens who carry out secret missions to promote justice over cruelty and abuses of power.
Combining elements of fantasy and romance, Cashore skillfully portrays the confusion, discovery, and angst that smart, strong-willed girls experience as they creep toward adulthood. Katsa wrestles with questions of freedom, truth, and knowing when to rely on a friend for help. This is no small task for an angry girl who had eschewed friendships (with the exception of one cousin that she trusts) for her more ready skills of self-reliance, hunting, and fighting. Katsa also comes to know the real power of her Grace and the nature of Graces in general: they are not always what they appear to be.
Graceling is the first book in a series, and Kristin Cashore’s first work of fiction. It sets up a vivid world with engaging characters that readers will certainly look forward to following beyond the last chapter of this book.
I got this randomly and have already read/reviewed it. I really liked it and I am happy to have my own copy. I also got a Graceling tattoo with it, which is awesome.
This was a pretty awesome week mail wise.
Peace out, Sarah.

Contest: Mackenzie, Lost and Found

I have a signed copy of Mackenzie, Lost and Found up for grabs.
The description is:
Fifteen-year-old Mackenzie Hill knows something is up when she arrives home to find her father making a home-cooked dinner, instead of his standard delivery pizza. But nothing prepares her for the bombshell announcement: Mackenzie and her dad, alone since the death of her mother a year ago, are moving to Jerusalem, where her father has taken a position as a visiting professor at a university.
The adjustment from life in Canada to life in Israel is dramatic - though it's eased somewhat when Mackenzie is befriended by an American girl in her new school. The biggest shock of all comes when Mackenzie faces the wrath of her new friends, new community, and even her own father after she begins dating a Muslim boy.
To Enter: Answer the Question: What is the one place that you wouldn't want to move to?
For Extra entries:
Comment on My review of Mackenzie, Lost and Found (+1)
Comment on My Interview with Deborah Kerbel (+1)
Become a follower (+2)
Be a current follower (+4)
Blog about this Contest, sidebar okay (+3)

Contest is open worldwide and ends on April 4th at Noon.
Best of luck, Sarah.

Interview with Deborah Kerbel

Here is an interview with Deborah Kerbel. She is the Author of Mackenzie, Lost and Found.

1. How did you get the idea for Mackenzie, Lost and Found?
A friend of mine lit the spark of the idea in my head one day over lunch, talking about how her parents moved her from Canada to Israel when she was fifteen and how the experience changed her life. I was on the look-out for a new story idea at the time and this concept seemed like one with HUGE potential for drama, high emotion, and forbidden love. I went home and wrote the first chapter that same day.
2. Do you think that you’ll ever revisit Mackenzie or Nasir?
Yes! As far as I’m concerned, their story is not over. I’ve already started a small file and am slowly collecting ideas for the sequel. I’m in between manuscripts right now, so I might start writing it this Spring.
3. What are you currently working on?
My second YA is called Girl on the Other Side and it’s about two girls who go to the same school, but live in totally opposite worlds. Tabby is rich, pretty and the most popular girl in her class. Lora is smart, timid and the constant target of bullies. Although they’ve never been friends, a series of strange events causes their lives to come crashing together in ways neither could have ever imagined.
If all goes well, Girl on the Other Side will be hitting the bookshelves in Fall, 2009 (yay!). And I just finished the final draft of a new YA that is worlds apart from anything else I’ve ever written before. It’s called Bye-Bye, Evil Eye and -- I don’t even know the right way to describe it – it’s kind of a paranomalish mystery, comedy, romance! Lol - did that make any sense? You can read the first chapter on my website.
4. What advice do you have for teenage writers?
Have fun and live your ‘growing-up’ years to the max – because you’ll draw on these memories and experiences for the rest of your writing career.
5. What is easiest/hardest for you as a writer?
The easiest (and best) parts of being a writer are those moments when the characters start to take on an energy of their own and you, as the author, have to take a step back and let yourself get carried away on the arc of the story. That’s really magical.
The hardest parts for me are the revisions. Going back into the story, taking apart all the carefully woven threads, re-writing, and then tying all the threads back up again as seamlessly as possible. It can be painstakingly tedious.
6. What were some of your favorite books as a teenager?
God, that seems like so long ago! Even then, my literary tastes were pretty wide-ranging. Judy Blume was probably my favourite contemporary author back then (in the 80’s) but I loved reading classics too. The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand was a favourite of mine as was Watership Down and The Hobbit. On the trashier side, I adored the whole V.C. Andrews Dollanganger series -- and I’m not at all ashamed to admit it!
7. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Just a big thank you for inviting me to chat on your blog, Sarah! If you want to learn more about me or my books, you can visit my website at: http://www.deborahkerbel.com/. Good luck to all of you with the contest! And definitely write to me after you’ve read Mackenzie, Lost and Found – I love hearing from readers!

Mackenzie, Lost and Found by Deborah Kerbal

Rating:
Characters: 17/20
Setting: 9/10
Plot: 18/20
Originality: 20/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 8/10
Overall: 90/100 or A
Fifteen year old, Mackenzie Hill is still mourning the lost of her mother. Mackenzie is lost in her grief. To make matters worse, her father has decided to leave the only place she ever knew and the memories of her mother, to go to Israel. Her father gave her the deal of having three months in Israel and then she could always go home if she wanted to.
Mackenzie falls in love with the culture. She becomes friends with Marla, an American girl. Mackenzie also finds Nasir, a Muslim... that she finds herself falling for The three months past, Mackenzie decides to stay without a though. She also finds out that someone is selling artifacts at the Souk. Will Mackenzie be able to find the seller, while being able to keep Nasir?
Mackenzie was an amazing character and I liked learning about her. The setting of Jerusalem, was well done. I have had family there and they commented on the craziness, invisible divide between religions, and the culture. I love the whole star-crossed lovers feeling between Nasir and Mackenzie. I wished for a better ending, but the ending was still really good. I also liked how religion wasn't so overpowering, like I though it might be.
Overall, Mackenzie, Lost and Found is a fantastic book and I recommend it. Kerbel creates such a real setting and plot. Her writing style was flowing and makes you want more. I can't wait for more books from her in the future.
Take Care, Sarah.

Booking through Thursday(3)

So I did this ages ago and I am going to start doing Book Through Thursday again.

What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers? Or, What book do you think should NEVER be made into a movie?

I would love to see 20 Boy Summer, The Luxe, and Looking for Alaska as a movie. They are all great book. Alea, also mention Going Too Far and I totally agree with her.

As for what book shouldn't... Breaking Dawn... I am sorry, it would not go well in my opinion.

Take Care, Sarah.

The Season by Sarah Maclean

Rating:
Characters: 19/20
Setting: 10/10
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 17/20
Writing: 19/20
Recommendation: 10/10
Overall: 94/100 or A
Alexandra Stafford is seventeen in the 19th Century. She is just about to start her first Season. Alex doesn't really want to attend the Balls and other event in all there ritzy and glorious decoration. Neither do her brothers, Will, Nick, and Kit that are being forced to attend with their younger sister by their mother, Duchess of Worthington. Alex doesn't believe that she can find a husband that will allow her to have her own freedom and be intelligent.
Alex starts having feelings for the newly titled as the Earl of Blackmoor... also known as her childhood friend and neighbor, Gavin. As, Alex and her two best friends, Ella and Vivi uncover a mystery surrounding the Earl of Blackmoor and the former one. They believe something else is going on.
I loved this book. It was amazing and it was hard to put down. The setting was really well done. Maclean creates strong female characters with Alex, Ella, Vivi. They each had various personality. I liked Alex's three brothers and Gavin as well. Gavin will make you wish that you were in the book. The humor in this book was also there and it made me laugh... a lot. The mystery wasn't overdone or too little, but perfect. It had a lot of suspense that will have you turning pages, even though that the ending is kind of predictable. I can not say how much I recommend this book. Just go read it as soon as possible. I know that you will love it. I also can't wait for Sarah Maclean's next book, since this was such a wonderful debut.
Peace out, Sarah.

Blog Awards..

So, I got this award from Melissa at A Mom With Too Little Time. Thanks so much, Melissa.

Five things that I am addicted to is:

1. Books... no duh

2. Doctor Who... Love that show. It is so amazing. I wish I had a Tardis and could go againist Daleks.... Though I probably wouldn't be as good.

3. House... Just started watching it and love it. I love how, I can understand most of the medical jargon.

4. Chatting online, I love talking to some of you on YA Swap, Chatzy, or MSN.

5. Youtube... I just love it.

I'll nominate people after the next award.
I got this one from the amazing Shalonda and the awesome Khyrinthia.
"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

I am giving to just a few you of the amazing bloggers out there. I would give this out to 20 people, but that might be over the top.

1. Korianne aka Korianne Speaks: Korianne is really random and nice, when we aren't on War on Twitter and even when we are. She totally understand what little insanity that I have.
2. Hope aka Hope's Bookshelf: Hope is really sweet and awesome. She is really great, I am glad that she is Friday for Seven Book Babes.
3.Erin aka Miss Erin: I am so sad that I didn't get see you, when you came in Febuary. Erin is really nice and creative.
4.Vanessa aka What Vanessa Reads: I miss her blogging not recently. I am so glad Vanessa agreed to be our Sunday. I am so excited for her video... it will be awesome. She is really helpful and friendly
5.Chelsea aka The Page Flipper: Chelsea is always trying to get people together. With her book club and author chats, which are always fun and interesting. She is just really rad.
6.Megan aka The (Po)sey Sessions: Megan is really understanding and a great person to talk to. I also love her sense of humor.
7.Zoe aka Zoe's Book Reviews: Zoe is really sweet. She is always great to talk to. I am glad that she is Saturday.
8.Alea aka Pop Culture Junkie: Alea is always so nice and friendly. She is also so thoughtful.

Torched by April Henry

Rating:
Characters: 14/20
Setting: 9/10
Plot: 15/20
Originality: 16/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 7/10
Overall: 78/100 or B+
Ellie's parents have always been eccentric hippies. They start having MED or Mother Earth Defenders, hanging out in their front room. They all seem to be very devoted and there is a cute boy named Coyote.
It turns out that the cops have been watching her house and her parents are growing marijuana. Her parents aren't as young as they were. Ellie's father doesn't have the best heart and might not be able to handle jail.Ellie has a chosen to work for the FBI and go undercover to spy on the MEDics. She is now closer to Coyote, but it comes with a cost. The MEDics' cause can dangerous. Especially when protecting the Earth might cause a lost of lives.
Torched is a fairly great book. The characters are fairly awesome. The plot is really exciting. It was really action packed. I felt that there were a few things that I didn't like, Ellie and Coyote's relationship seemed over developed. The message was amazing though, that sometimes too much of a good thing can turn out to be overall bad.
Peace out, Sarah.

In my Mailbox (Week 5)

This is a In My Mailbox, started by The Story Siren Check it out here.
In the Mail:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Oakler
According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.
I am so happy to get this. I have already read it and Wow is all I can say for now. I love the Sea glass on the Boardwalk very cute.
Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita
When Sam's best friend gets her first boyfriend, she's not ready to spend the summer listening to the two of them call each other "pookie." Sick of being a third wheel, Sam applies to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp in the New York Catskills. But what she doesn't realize is that it's not going to be all Kumbaya sing-alongs and gooey s'mores. If Ashley, the alpha queen of Whispering Pines, doesn't ruin Sam's summer, then her raging crush on the surfer-blond and flirtatious Hunter just might. At least she has playful Cole, who's always teasing her, but is oh-so-comfortable to hang out with, and the singular gang of girls that become fast friends with Sam-they call themselves the Sleepaway Girls.
This book looks really cute and I can't wait to read it. The cover is so cute. I also really like Secrets of my Hollywood Life Series and I am excited to read this.

Hottie by Johnathan Bernstien
Alison Cole’s got it all: She’s gorgeous, dating a steamy surfer boy, and has just been crowned Beverly Hills High Freshman Class President. Then during a special “symmetry” surgery, a lightning bolt zaps her, and Alison instantly transforms into Hottie—that is, a totally sizzling superhero with the power to shoot fire from her fingers!
Shunned as a Pyro-Freak, Alison must adopt dorky David Eels as her crime-fi ghting sidekick. Worse, she’s falling for the one guy who wants to “extinguish” her forever, Junior Class President of Cuteness— and wannabe fi refi ghter—T. Hull. But she doesn’t realize that a supervillain’s lurking. Has Hottie met her match?
This sounds like a pretty cute book. I am not a fan of the cover, but what can you do... the words count more anyways.

Swoon by Nina Malkin
Sin is Coming...Prepare to Swoon!
Torn from her native New York City and dumped in the land of cookie-cutter preps, Candice is resigned to accept her posh, dull fate. Nothing ever happens in Swoon, Connecticut...until Dice's perfect, privileged cousin Penelope nearly dies in a fall from an old tree, and her spirit intertwines with that of a ghost. His name? Sinclair Youngblood Powers. His mission? Revenge. And while Pen is oblivious to the possession, Dice is all too aware of Sin. She's intensely drawn to him—but not at all crazy about the havoc he's wreaking. Determined to exorcise the demon, Dice accidentally sets Sin loose, gives him flesh, makes him formidable. Now she must destroy an even more potent—and irresistible—adversary, before the whole town succumbs to Sin's will. Only trouble is, she's in love with him.

This book sound amazing. I can't wait to read it. The cover is so pretty.
I also got Project Paris from Zoe and Impluse by Ellen Hopkins from S&S for Readergirlz Street Team. I got Bloom and Going Too Far back from Ashley and Kristi.

The Bought:
Same Diffence by Siobhan Vivian
Emily is ready for a change. She's been in the same town with the same friends for a long time...and none of them really understand her art. But when she goes to Philadelphia for a summer art institute, she suddenly finds like-minded people. One in particular, Fiona, intrigues and challenges her. But there are some things Emily is going to have to find out for herself -- like what the balance is between life and art, and which is more important when push comes to shove.
I love A Little Friendly Advice, that came out last year. So, I had to buy this one. I also heard how amazing it was. I also really loved the cover.


Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby
Quiet, unpopular, non-cheerleading Mia is blissfully happy. She is dating super hot football god Rob, and he actually likes her and asked her to prom! Enter Samantha—cheerleading goddess and miss popularity— who starts making a move for Rob. With prom in a few days, Mia needs to act fast. So she turns to her best friend, Candice, and decides to do a love spell on Rob. Unfortunately, she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class, making herself their leader! At first she is flattered that everyone is treating her like a queen. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up, because in a few days, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. She’s sure she and Chase can figure something out, but she suggests that no one wear white to prom, because things could get very messy.
Amanda is really sweet and has an awesome blog. I also heard that it was really good. I am excited to read this.


The Season by Sarah Maclean
Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra is strong-willed and sharp-tongued -- in a house full of older brothers and their friends, she had to learn to hold her own. Not the best makings for an aristocratic lady in Regency London. Yet her mother still dreams of marrying Alex off to someone safe, respectable, and wealthy. But between ball gown fittings, dances, and dinner parties, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get herself into what may be her biggest scrape yet.
When the Earl of Blackmoor is mysteriously killed, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. But will Alex's heart be stolen in the process? In an adventure brimming with espionage, murder, and other clandestine affairs, who could possibly have time to worry about finding a husband? Romance abounds as this year's season begins!
This book sounds amazing and all the reviews so far, say that it is. I love Historical fiction and pretty covers.
I am so excited to read them all.
Take Care, Sarah

Top Teen Books...

Stolen from Chelsea aka The Page Flipper.
Instructions:
Put an “X” next to the books you’ve read
Put a “+” next to the books you LOVE
Put a “#” next to the books you plan on reading
Tally your “X”s at the bottom
Share with your friends!
(I didn't do the books I love thing because that would've been all of them...haha)

1. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy / Douglas Adams X
2. Kit’s Wilderness / David Almond

3. Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian / Sherman Alexie
X
4. Speak / Laurie Halse Anderson X
5. Feed / M.T. Anderson X

6. Flowers in the Attic / V.C. Andrews X
7. 13 Reasons Why / Jay Asher X
8. Am I Blue? / Marion Dane Bauer (editor)

9. Audrey Wait! / Robin Benway X
10. Weetzie Bat / Francesca Lia Block
1
1. Tangerine / Edward Bloor

12. Forever / Judy Blume X

13. What I Saw and How I Lied / Judy Blundell X
14. Tyrell / Coe Booth
#
15. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants / Ann Brashares X
16. A Great and Terrible Beauty / Libba Bray X
17. The Princess Diaries / Meg Cabot 
X
18. The Stranger / Albert Camus #
19. Ender’s Game / Orson Scott Card X
20. Postcards from No Man’s Land / Aidan Chambers

21. Perks of Being a Wallflower / Stephen Chbosky X
22. And Then There Were None / Agatha Christie
#
23. Gingerbread / Rachel Cohn X

24. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist / Rachel Cohn and David Levithan X
25. Artemis Fowl (series) / Eoin Colfer
X
26. The Hunger Games / Suzanne Collins X
27. The Midwife’s Apprentice / Karen Cushman
28. The Truth About Forever / Sarah Dessen X
29. Little Brother / Cory Doctorow
#
30. A Northern Light / Jennifer Donnelly
X
31. Tears of a Tiger / Sharon Draper
32. The House of the Scorpion / Nancy Farmer
#
33. Breathing Underwater / Alex Flinn
X
34. Stardust / Neil Gaiman
X
35. Annie on My Mind / Nancy Garden
X
36. What Happened to Cass McBride / Gail Giles
X
37. Fat Kid Rules the World / K.L. Going
#
38. Lord of the Flies / William Golding X

39. Looking for Alaska / John Green X
40. Bronx Masquerade / Nikki Grimes
X
41. Out of the Dust / Karen Hesse 
X
42. Hoot / Carl Hiaasen X
43. The Outsiders / S.E. Hinton
X
44. Crank / Ellen Hopkins X
45. The First Part Last / Angela Johnson
#
46. Blood and Chocolate / Annette Curtis Klause
X
47. Arrow’s Flight / Mercedes Lackey

48. Hattie Big Sky / Kirby Larson
X
49. To Kill a Mockingbird / Harper Lee X

50. Boy Meets Boy / David Levithan #

51. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks / E. Lockhart X
52. The Giver / Lois Lowry X

53. Number the Stars / Lois Lowry X
54. Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie / David Lubar
X
55. Inexcusable / Chris Lynch
X
56. The Earth, My Butt and Other Big, Round Things / Carolyn Mackler X
57. Dragonsong / Anne McCaffrey

58. White Darkness / Geraldine McCaughrean
X
59. Sold / Patricia McCormick
X
60. Jellicoe Road / Melina Marchetta
X
61. Wicked Lovely / Melissa Marr X
62. Twilight / Stephenie Meyer X
63. Dairy Queen / Catherine Murdock X
64. Fallen Angels / Walter Dean Myers
#
65. Monster / Walter Dean Myers
#
66. Step From Heaven / An Na
#
67. Mama Day / Gloria Naylor

68. The Keys to the Kingdom (series) / Garth Nix #

69. Sabriel / Garth Nix
X
70. Airborn / Kenneth Oppel

71. Eragon / Christopher Paolini
X
72. Hatchet / Gary Paulsen X
73. Life As We Knew It / Susan Beth Pfeffer 
X
74. The Golden Compass / Phillip Pullman
X
75. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging / Louise Rennison X
76. The Lightning Thief / Rick Riordan #
77. Always Running: La Vida Loca / Luis Rodriguez

78. How I Live Now / Meg Rosoff
X
79. Harry Potter (series) / J.K. Rowling X
80. Holes / Louis Sachar 
X
81. Catcher in the Rye / J. D. Salinger X
82. Push / Sapphire

83. Persepolis / Marjane Satrapi 

84. Unwind / Neil Shusterman
X
85. Coldest Winter Ever / Sister Souljah

86. Stargirl / Jerry Spinelli X
87. Chanda’s Secrets / Allan Stratton
#
88. Tale of One Bad Rat / Brian Talbot

89. Rats Saw God / Rob Thomas

90. Lord of the Rings / J.R.R. Tolkien
X
91. Stuck in Neutral / Terry Trueman

92. Gossip Girl / Cecily Von Ziegesar X

93. Uglies / Scott Westerfeld X
94. Every Time a Rainbow Dies / Rita Williams-Garcia
#
95. Pedro and Me / Judd Winick

96. Hard Love / Ellen Wittlinger
X
97. American Born Chinese / Gene Luen Yang#
98. Elsewhere / Gabrielle Zevin 
X
99. I am the Messenger / Markus Zusak
#
100. The Book Thief / Markus Zusak X
Read: 65
To-Read: 16
Woot! Over halfway there. I tend to always do good at these things.
Peace out, Sarah.

Vlog Project...

Hey Everyone!
A few book bloggers are starting a youtube channel. We are all excited and I hope you check it out.
The Description is:
We are book bloggers, YA Book Bloggers to be exact. Our love of books is what has brought our friendship together from all over the US. One day, we though it would be fun to do a Five Awesome Girl Channel mixed in with books and our lives. We hope you enjoy our antactics, rants, and pure randomness.
The Schedule looks like this:
Monday- Sarah from http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/
Tuesday- Sharon from http://sharonlovesbooksandcats.blogspot.com/
Wednesday- James from http://Myspace.com/bookchicclub
Thursday- Shalonda from http://shalondasblog.blogspot.com/
Friday- Hope from http://princess2293.blogspot.com/
Saturday- Zoe from http://booksaregolden.blogspot.com/
Sunday- Vanessa from http://whatvanessareads.wordpress.com/

The vlog channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/Sevenbookbabes and we are starting on Monday. But you can subscribe now, thanks to a short video from Sharon.
Best Wishes, Sarah.

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Setting: 8/10
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 19/20
Writing: 18/20
Recommendation: 9/10
Overall: 89/100 or A-
The Dust of 100 Dogs tells the story of Emer Morrissey and Saffron Adams, which are really two of the same people. Emer was born in the Seventeenth century and saw her parents get killed. She then lived with her uncle till she was old enough to get sold. She escaped that to go to the Caribbean, she becomes a pirate and starts stealing Spanish galleons. When she decides to return to her normal life with her with her beloved Seanie. She is cursed to live the lives of one hundred dogs. A few cnturies later Saffron Adams is born. She knows where the treasure is. She just has to wait and find a way to get to Jamaica, when she is 18.
This is one of those books that it is impossible to describe or label it, yet amazing it is. I loved the setting. It felt that I was in Ireland, the Caribbean, and America. I really loved the characters and the many dimensions that they had. I like that is both contemporary and historical, without a touch of Sci-fi. The characters were amazing. To be born with such knowledge would be both a blessing and a curse in it's self. Saffron's family is interesting. I also felt for Seanie and Emer and was rooting for them the whole way.
I also love the writing. The dog facts were really cute and made the read more interesting. King is also gifted to give both Saffron and Emer such a lovely voice. Check this book out. It is amazing and I don't think it will disappoint.
The Book Trailer is:here.
Take Care, Sarah.

A Short Interuption for a contest.

I have heard about Willow and it's Greatness for the past few months. Lauren brought a ton of bloggers together to celebrate the release. I hope you all enter, since so many great Prizes. The Contest starts on March 1st and ends on April 30th.

To enter: One must buy the book (ARCs do not count of course) and send proof (receipt, picture of book, etc.) to me at: Lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

All the Great Prizes:
Khy is giving away Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?
http://www.freneticreader.blogspot.com/

Kelsey is giving away B&N ten dollar gift card in a cute felt penguin “bag” and some bookmarks.
http://justblindedbookreviews.blogspot.com/

Carrie will give Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby
http://carriesyabookshelf.blogspot.com/

Kelsey is giving an ARC version of Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
http://readingkeepsyousane.blogspot.com/

Alea is giving away Sherlock Holmes Volume 1.
http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/

Kristi is giving a 10 dollar Amazon gift card.
http://www.thestorysiren.com/

Harmony is making a soundtrack with songs she feels fit the book.
http://harmonybookreviews.wordpress.com/

Lenore is giving 10 dollars to Amazon
http://www.presentinglenore.blogspot.com/

Gabbi is giving Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips
http://fivestarreading.blogspot.com/

Lauren will give the winner a book of their choice (has to be paperback!)
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/

Chelsea is giving a $10 card to Amazon
http://www.thepageflipper.blogspot.com/

My Favorite Author is giving Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
http://www.myfavoriteauthor.blogspot.com/

Vanessa is giving Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
http://whatvanessareads.wordpress.com/

Shalonda is giving away Sherlock Holmes Volume 2.
http://www.shalondasblog.blogspot.com/

Carol is giving an ARC of Because I Am Furniture.
http://www.bookluver-carol.blogspot.com/


Tirzah is giving Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
http://www.thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/

Lauren is giving a 15 dollar gift card to B&N
http://www.laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Laura is giving a 10 dollar Borders gift card and the book Flygirls.
http://laurasreviewbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Sarah is giving The Adoration of Jenna Fox
http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/

Alyssa is giving Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston.
http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/

I really hope you all enter this.
Take Care, Sarah