Top Ten Tuesday (5)

Another Top Ten Tuesday, this one is: Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light & Fun.
1. Any book from Sarah Ockler. Her books are fun and usually deal with friendship, family, or romance. I really love them
3. Any book from Jennifer E. Smith. Her books are really fun and there is always traveling. I love travel.
4. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard. This book is just wonderful. I have a desire to travel and this book captures it wonderfully.
5. Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. Her books are so amazing and extremely relatable. I can't wait for the next one and the relationships in it was fun. 
6. Any book from Sarah Dessen. I love the relationships that she creates and just find these books to be so much
7. Anything by Ally Carter. It doesn't matter what she writes about, but Ally Carter's books are always fun and make me laugh.
8. Also Known As by Robin Benway. She makes really fun concepts that I just adore.
9. Georgia Nicolson series from Louise Rennington. This series is the most hilarious series that I have read. It makes me laugh so hard and I just love it. I have not read her new series, because I am afraid it will not be the same.
10 Awkward by  Marni Bates. This books is so hilarious and I adored it. 

Waiting on Wednesday (118)

Title: The Book of Broken Hearts
Author: Sarah Ockler
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: May 21, 2013
When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.
Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.
Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?
Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?
Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.
I have adored all of Sarah Ockler's book. I can't wait to read this one. It sounds so amazing.

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Source: Publisher
Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.
So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.
It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...
I would like to disclose that the first time that I read this book was before there were ARCs. Even with my early read of Bittersweet, I hope that you will value my review. 

Hudson is a very amazing characters. She thought she knew what her dreams are and now she is trying to redeem a mistake that she made. I could connect to Hudson so well, because she was very similar to most teenagers. I liked that she was ambitious and strong.There are two boys in the book, one is sweet and charming and the other isn't as sweet. For example, Hudson's best friend Dani was a perfect balance to her and added humor and reason to the book. Bug is Hudson's brother and is so adorable.  The other boys on the hockey team that Hudson trained with were random and hilarious. It was one of my favorite parts of the book.  Either way, Ockler creates  realistic relationships, through out the book. Ockler knows how to craft brilliant characters with multiple dimensions, while still keeping them relatable to her audience.

The plot of Bittersweet was amazing. It dealt with cupcakes, ice skating, and teenage angst. The amount of love that Hudson had for baking was awesome. I adored reading the cupcake mixtures and really wanted a cupcake after reading this book. The ice skating was really awesome and I enjoyed watching Hudson attempt to accomplish her dream. The teenage angst in this book is definitely warranted, Hudson is trying to decide what she wants without disappointing anyone in her family and is still processing everything that happened.  The complex plot was original and funny and Ockler crafted a story that was easy to get immersed in.

It is no secret that I love Sarah Ockler. Twenty Boy Summer and Fixing Delilah were both amazing and I honestly didn't know if Bittersweet would measure up. I was very reluctant, when I picked it up. Luckily it was amazing. Ockler's writing was original and fantastic. I can't wait for more from Ockler in the future.  She created complex characters that are realistic and interesting, while having an amusing, but serious plot that is skillfully written. I would definitely recommend this to fans of her previous books, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols, and Stephanie Perkins.

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 19/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 19/20
Recommendation: 19/20
Overall: 93/100 or A
Source: Publisher
Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.
She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.
Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?
Rich with emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.
Fixing Delilah focused on her family and their many secrets. I believe that all families have that, even if your family is close, which my extended family isn't. I could relate to Delilah's questions about her history and what that means to her, because I feel that way. This book also focused on a mother and daughter relationship, and not another romance. Delilah has such an amazing voice, and I loved the sincerity and caring that I could feel through out the book. Patrick was such a sweet character. He was so patient of Delilah and really felt for her situation. I found the romance between Delilah and Patrick to be so cute. It was just so sweet and romantic. The setting of Red Falls, Vermont was gorgeous. I love the character that small towns hold, and I was interested in what was going to happen to the town after the book. I enjoyed the plot of Fixing Delilah so much. I found it to be captivating and stunning. It was also very original for contemporary fiction and I enjoyed it. Sarah Ockler created a stunning book about families, secrets, and hope. I can't wait for her next book. I would strongly recommend this book to fans of Sarah Dessen.

Interview with Deliliah Hannaford from Fixing Deliliah and A Contest

I have the amazing Deliliah from Fixing Deliliah. Her story was very captivating, and I hope that you enjoy this tiny glimspe into her. world.
1. There are only three Hannafords left. what legacy would you like your family to leave?
That's a loaded question for sure! ;-) When I first arrived in Vermont with Mom and Rachel this summer, I was so bent on figuring out the past. I felt like I couldn't think about where I was going until I understood where I came from. There were so many fights, so many tears, so much pain... and now I realize that thinking about a legacy is kind of like trying to predict the future. Part of my problem was that I was so tied up with the past and the future -- the "what happeneds" and the "what ifs" -- that I was totally missing the moment, the right now, the important things that make life worth living. I'm still figuring that part of it out, but I'm getting better. :-) That said, whatever happens with my family, I hope that we've all learned to appreciate one another as family, and that we all have our secrets and imperfections, but above all, we love each other. I don't know if that's a legacy, but I hope we carry it with us for a long time.
2. What are the parts of Red Falls that you think that you will never forget?
If coming back here after eight years taught me anything, it's that I'll never truly forget Red Falls. Even though a lot of it was hazy on arrival, it was all still inside me, all the memories, good and bad. It was such a part of my life for so long -- so many memories of my family are tied to this place. So much of my family's history is wrapped up in this town, in this house, on the lake. After this summer, those memories are even stronger, even more cemented. I'm not going to forget any of it.
3. Patrick and you were friends growing up and now you realize that there is something more. How hard was it to act on your feelings without the fear of losing friendship?
Everything with Patrick happened so fast! Because I hadn't seen him since we were really young, I don't think I was worried as much about our friendship as I was about falling hard for him and then having to leave at the end of the summer, losing him all over again. I was also trying to deal with some trouble I'd gotten into back home, including a bit of a scandal with my non-boyfriend Finn, and I didn't want Patrick to simply be my distraction from that. The timing for us was actually really bad, but like Aunt Rachel says, when the universe is trying to hit you over the head with something, you might want to pay attention. :-) From the first moment I saw him under the bleachers that day, I knew I was falling for him, bad timing or not, lost friendship or not. Sometimes you just have to take that risk!
4. After going back to your grandma's, you gained a new appreciation for family and your past. What do you love most about your mom and Aunt Rachel?
If you asked me this when we first arrived in Red Falls, I don't think I would've been able to answer. But now I realize that even though their relationship still needs a lot of work, they really do love each other. I'm so grateful for that, because if my mom and Rachel can find a way to reconnect -- even if things are still super rocky -- it gives me hope for me and Mom, too. I'm also grateful that even when I was at my worst, they didn't walk out on me or give up. I love them for that.
5. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I just want to say thank you for letting me share my story, and for being patient. I know I can be... difficult... sometimes. I had a lot of stuff to sort out this summer, and it wasn't always easy, but it helps to have a few good friends. True friends, like Patrick says, the best kind.
(But you know, good friends or not, I'm not sharing him. Sorry! :-) )
I hope that you enjoyed the interview as much as I did. I also have a signed copy of Fixing Deliliah or Twenty Boy Summer for giveaway. Just fill out the form below by December 9th and US only.

Words can't express this...

I wrote this post, when I heard that Ellen Hopkins was uninvited to an event and I was livid. Now someone compares the rape scenes in Speak to porn. I am more then angry and honestly wondering what the moral compass, does he think he has. My older sister was sexually abused, shortly after I was born and I still think that it could have been me. My mom was drugged twice in her twenties, but luckily had a friend there that noticed something was wrong, when my energetic mother was quiet. By the time, I was seven, my mom had drilled me to always get a new drink after I leave, if I am at a party or a bar.
In 2002, I was eleven, and my mom came home with three books for one for her, one for my sister and one for me, not just any book, Speak. We read the book together and I will admit that I may have skipped ahead, when she was working. I was really shy, then. I wouldn't talk unless I was forced to, Melinda Sordino's silence may have been for a difference reason, but she was the first character that I could relate to and her voice helped me find my own. Laurie Halse Anderson is an amazing writer. Speak is a realistic portrayal of high school and also of rape and how hard it is to raise your voice. Her other Young Adult books deal with serious issues in life, that not just teens can relate to, but anyone can. I met her, while she was on tour for Wintergirls, and I can honestly say that she is a remarkable person.
In the same post, Wesley Scroggins also targeted Slaughterhouse-Five and Twenty Boy Summer. Slaughterhouse-Five was removed, for rather unusual reasons(Do they seriously not read the book?). Twenty Boy Summer is being reviewed, because of drinking at a party and having sex and using a condom. I know that drinking at teen parties happens, some of my friends have facebook pictures with this. And I also though that safe sex was a good thing. Writing is suppose to be realistic, and Twenty Boy Summer is about grief and trying to move on after something happens.

I would also like to say that both of my parents are both very conservative Christians. They don't believe in censoring the books that I read, because they rather have me reading about it now, then experiencing it later. My parents have bought me all three books mentioned above and my mom had read all three and my dad has read one. I am sorry if this post offended anyone.

Here is Laurie Halse Anderson's post.

Guest Post from the author Sarah Ockler...

I have an amazing guest post from my name twin, Sarah Ockler. She is the author of Twenty Boy Summer and Fixing Deliliah Hannaford. I also got to have dinner with her and Khy, while I was in New York. So, here is a sweet birthday story from her...
Birthdays are usually a time of celebration, especially when you're a teen and birthdays are still associated with milestones like getting a driver's license and buying your own tickets for an R-rated movie. :-) But some birthdays don't come with cake and confetti. Sometimes, turning another year older brings a day marked with reflection, worry, and maybe even loneliness.
For me, turning eighteen was like that. I was excited that I could finally vote and be considered an "adult" (because back then I thought being an adult was much cooler than it actually is), but the truth is, my life was a red hot mess. After a series of unfortunate incidents during the summer after high school graduation, I was on extremely fragile terms with my mother, and I wasn't even speaking to my father. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I'd just shipped off to college into a dorm room with three other girls who were 1) sophomores, 2) complete strangers, and 3) already best friends with one another. My own best friend was still in high school, and she and I were currently on the "hating each other" side of our regularly scheduled "hating each other / being inseparable soul mates" cycle. My other friends were spread out all over the place. And my non-boyfriend was pretty much... well, just what you'd expect from a non-boyfriend. I didn't know my assigned roommates at all, and though they seemed nice enough, I was just too shy and scared to be sociable. In the week since we'd all squeezed our lives into a dorm room the approximate size of a minivan, I'd done everything I could to avoid being home.
So there I was on my eighteenth birthday, finally out of high school and into college, my whole academic career ahead of me, my whole future wide open... and I'd never felt so lonely in all my life.
My parents lived less than an hour away, so my family decided to get together at my uncle's place to celebrate my birthday. I was already dreading the whole thing because I was kind of too old for birthday parties -- I mean, I knew there wouldn't be a Care Bear cake or a clown making balloon animals or hot dogs on the grill or anything else I loved about previous parties. To further complicated things, I was still struggling to figure out where I belonged after leaving home, and my dad and I were each still busy pretending the other didn't exist. The last thing I wanted to do was pass the hours of my first grown-up birthday with some forced family fun where everyone put on party hats and pretended like everything was just dandy when it soooo wasn't. It was like the anti-dandy, actually.
I also didn't want to hole up in my dorm room all day, and I didn't have anywhere else to go. So I accepted the family invite and struggled through the dandy-less birthday party at my uncle's, which went down pretty much as expected. I don't even remember whether we had cake, and if there was singing, it was certainly flat. The whole thing made me sadder than I already was. I remember leaving, walking out to my car and thinking, who *are* these people, and where do I fit in? Do I fit in anywhere? Does it get any better than this? What is the POINT?
I dragged myself back home to the dorms, which I'd taken to calling "home" even though it didn't really feel that way. As I climbed the stairs to my floor, carrying a few sad birthday cards and hastily-bought presents under my arm, I tried to think of a way I could sneak in unnoticed. I didn't want to tell my roommates where I was, or that my family seemed to be falling apart, or even that it was my birthday in the first place. I just wanted to stash the cards under my bed and crawl into the blankets and wish the whole day away.
When I got into my room, I set my stuff down and headed for my desk, thinking I could lose myself in a mountain of homework. But there, on top of all my books, was a cake. "Happy Birthday, Sarah!" it said, bright pink letters on white frosting. There were helium balloons tied to my chair. And from the other end of the room, my three total stranger roommates smiled and wished me a happy day.
I never asked how they found out about my birthday. It didn't matter. It only mattered that with that one simple gesture, they made me feel at home on a day when I thought I had no place to call home anymore. Soon after, things got better with my family. Dad and I started talking again. I found my groove at school. Ditched the non-boyfriend. Got a job. Started figuring things out. I won't say that the cake changed my life, but it definitely changed my eighteenth birthday. And it gave me a second chance -- a new perspective on things. Sometimes, that's all we need.
A little extra cake never hurts, either. :-)
To Zoe and Sarah, my hair twin and my name twin, whether this birthday is a loud and happy celebration or a time of quiet reflection, I hope it's a special day for each of you. Happy birthday, my friends.
XOXO
Sarah

Author Appreciation: Sarah Ockler

There are many authors that I have a love for and appreciate all of the amazing things that they do. One of these authors is Sarah Ockler.
We are name twins, which instantly makes it so we have to like each other or a pack of werewolves will come and kill all the Sarahs in the world. Liking Sarah is not hard. She is probably one of the nicest people. At first, we talked to each on twitter and at Chelsea's (The Page Flipper)book clubs. She was always there and totally awesome. I also started talking to her on Twitter and then I got a copy of Twenty Boy Summer. I fell in love with her writing style and how a beach read could make you cry. I can't wait for her next book, Fixing Delilah Hannaford. It sounds amazing.