I Read a Book this Week! (Meaghan)

Yes, book. As in singular. I only read one book this week, but is was a good book all the same, and 310 pages long, no less! It's by Jacquelyn Mitchard, the same author of The Midnight Twins! Isn't that fun?

Anyway, the book I read was All we Know of Heaven, and I loved it. I really like the cover, do you? Take a look at it to your left! I'm going to type up the information about the book that's on the inside front flap.

"Bridget Flanery and Maureen O'Malley have been BFFs since forever. Then a breif moment of inattention on an icy road leaves one girl dead and the other in a coma, battered beyong recognition. Family and friends mourn one friend's loss and pray for the other's recovery. Then the doctors discover they have made a horrible mistake. The girl who lived is the one who everyone thought had died."

As I've said before, I really liked All we Know of Heaven. It was very interesting. I don't want to give away any secerts, so it's hard to say what I liked about the book, but here goes. I liked the characters, especially Maureen and Danny. I also liked the romance, the drama, and, yes! Even the setting. I like it being set in a small town. It adds a certain touch. I liked rooting for Maureen, as she recovered, and crying (or feeling really sad) for her when she got frustrated. Yes, I felt pity for a fictional character! Why not? :D

Jacquelyn Mitchard has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read the rest of The Midnight Twins trilogy, and I can't wait to read more of her books. I hope the rest of her books are as good as the first two I read!

I'm still reading The Book Theif. I like it so far, but it's just one of the books I read slowly. I read I Am The Messanger by Markus Zusak a while ago, back when I first checked out the YA section of my library and remeber really likeing that one. I like The Book Theif, too.

What can I say about The Book Theif? I really like Leisel so far, and I absolutley LOVE how it's narrated by Death himself. That is a very interesting thing about that book. I also like the cover. Look at it, over on your right, this time! I also like how it's set in Nazi, Germany and I also like the character of Hans.

I may get more time to read it now, because I've started school again. We have a 40-minute TEP, in which we can read, which I choose to do, do homework or anything else quiet. And, on Friday's, we get to watch movies! Anyway, I may have it finished within the next week.

The next book I'm going to talk about is Suite Scarlett, by Maureen Johnson. After I finished All we Know of Heaven last night, I started this book this morning and read it during TEP today and after school. I really like it so far. Here's the burb on the front flap.

"Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopwell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City. Her nineteen-year-old brother, Spencer, is an out of work actor facing a family deadline to get his career in order. Eighteen-year-old Lola has the delicate looks of a model, the practical nature of a nurse, and a wealthy society boyfriend. Eleven-year-old Marlene is the family terror with a tragic past.

When the Martins turn fifteen, they are each expected to take over the care of a suite in the one elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, and estonishingly gorgeous actor who just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpecter turn.

With Mrs. Amberson calling the shots, Spencer's career to save, Lola's love life to navigate aroud and Marlene's prying eyes everywhere, things won't be easy. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of theivery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps and theatrical deception.

The show, as they say, must go on."

I haven't gotten far into it, but the book looks and sonds very promising. I like the cover of that book, too. :D

The next book, which I also like the cover is, I'm going to talk about is The Missing Girl, by Norma Fox Mazer. That's the book I'm going to read next. So, here comes the book blurb from the front flap!

"He could be any man, and respectable, ordinary man.

But he's not.

This man watches the five Herbert girls- Beauty, Mim, Stevie, Fancy and Autumn- with disturbing fascination.

Unaware of his scrutiny and his increasingly agitated and forbidden thoughts about them, the sisters go on with their ordinary, everyday lives- planning, arguing, laughing and crying- as if nothing could every breach the safety of their family."

I want to talk about Peeps, now. I actually ended up returning Peeps to the library. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but after about 150 pages, I just couldn't get into it. I think I might pick it up again someday. I liked the character of Cal.

I liked the Uglies trilogy, and I read Exras, which was really good, but I couldn't get into Peeps. So, now I'm going to leave you with a SuperPost, with colored text and pictures of book covers. I hope you enjoyed it! It took me about a half an hour to write. :D

See ya next Tuesday!

P.S.- Anyone else have a full day of school today? Oh, man, I felt ready to take a nap after school, I was so tired. So that's why I didn't update earlier. Good luck for the rest of the year, people!

Hello!

Hi everyone. This is my first post here on Teen Tuesday and I'm very excited. My name is Megan and my blog's name is Simply Books. I read a lot of YA literature and am happy that I get to share a bit about my blog with you every Tuesday.

So I'm currently reading Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld and it's pretty good. It's all about a girl who goes to boarding school, and since I don't go to boarding school, it's very interesting. I wonder how it compares with a real boarding school experience?

On my blog I recently reviewed The Luxe by Anna Godbersen (very, very good), Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier (it was ok) and Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky (also good).

For upcoming reads, I'm finally (finally!) digging into my To Be Read list, which probably has like 50 books. I got City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, which I'm excited to read because I've heard very good things about it and its sequel, City of Ashes. I also borrowed from the library one of my all-time favorite books, Eva Underground by Dandi Daley Mackall. I don't think many of people have ever heard of it but it's so good, and I read it a few years ago and want to read it again. It's about a high school senior who goes to Communist Poland with her father to aid the underground movement. It has romance and action and it's just really good. I also emailed my first author asking for an ARC and she said yes. Isn't that sweet? The book is Death by Latte by Linda Gerber and I'm so excited to read it.

School starts on Thursday and I still have summer reading left, so I better go. See ya next Tuesday.

Megan
http://wwwsimplymegan.blogspot.com

Physical Science at 8:00 AM

Okay, people! I though this must be a joke, but nope. There she was all perky sitting in her seat a big cup of coffee next to her newly organized desk. Mrs. Blank (for security), my Freshmen Physical Science teacher, was ready. Ready to torture and rudely awaken the awaiting freshmen sitting at the tables in front of her. She then explained to us how this year would go and how there would be no way we could get by cheating the way that most of us did last year (not me, I didn't need to cheat) because we have tests/quizzes every Friday.

I have really survived my first day of high school unharmed, unless you count the matching blisters on the back of my heels from the cutest purple flats in the world. I however didn't have time to read at all and was officially about 20 minutes late to Health class with Mr. Blank (nope, no relation :D) because I had to refill the water machine for Student Council.

This week was a good one for me. I posted reviews for the following:

Anatomy of A Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky - 4.5
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen - 4.5
How I found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood - 2
Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita - 3.5
Violet On The Runway by Melissa Walker - 4
Ambition by Kate Brian - 5
Legacy by Kate Brian - 4.5
Inner Circle by Kate Brian - 4

I am currently reading Fringe Benefits by Valerie Frankel. It's pretty good. I read it until ten last night when I went to sleep. I still can't believe I fell asleep at such an early hour. :)

My blog will be hosting a contest for a surprise author coming soon, plus an author review. Just stay posted.

I've Officially Survived the First Day of School. (Hope.)

I just got home from school and realized that it was Tuesday and that I should probably post my Teen Tuesday post. :p

I was gone last week on vacation, and I got a lot of reading done. I read seven books:

-->House of Dance - Beth Kephart
-->City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
-->The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites - Heather Brewer
-->Courage in Patience - Beth Feldbaum
-->Unbelievable - Sara Shepard
-->The Midnight Twins - Jacqulen Mitchard
-->Larry and the Meaning of Life - Janet Tashjian

I enjoyed all of them a lot. I'll just give you a little rundown of them:

House of Dance was a great book about the relationship of a granddaughter and grandfather. It was written wonderfully and the setting was really nice.

City of Bones was just... wow. It was exciting, and even though it was long, I read it in one day. I have City of Ashes on hold now from my library. Is there any more after City of Ashes?

Eighth Grade Bites was just... okay, in my opinion. It wasn't the best, it wasn't too bad. I don't know if I'm going to read the next one, Ninth Grade Slays or not.

Courage in Patience was a very moving books. It's one of my favorite books now. If you're looking for a light read, you will not find it in this book, but it is still very excellent. I've posted the review on my personal blog. Click here.

Unbelievable was pretty much amazing. It had me hooked and.. gosh. I can't wait for the next one to come out now. I think this may be my favorite Pretty Little Liar book so far.

The Midnight Twins was just okay. I felt that a lot of scenes were forced in it, and it made it very hard to read. I liked the concept - it's something I've never read about before, but it was just too... forced for my taste.

Larry and the Meaning of Life was hilarious. It was very unrealistic - but I still enjoyed it. There are two books before it, which I haven't read, and I didn't know how I was going to feel about it because I haven't read the other two, but everything made sense and the footnotes were really funny. I put the first to on my To Be Read List because they sound really cool.

That's it for now. Sorry if this seems a little rushed to you - I just got my yearbook from last year today and I'm eager to thumb through it. :p

hope.

I'm Bringing Nerdy Back

Hello again my lovely book buddies,

So are you tired of me complaining about East of Eden every week? I'm tired of me complaining about East of Eden every week. But not to worry! Because I FINISHED! Woo-hoo!

Now I just need to do the work along with it. Seeing as today's the first day of classes and all. But they never ask for summer work on the first day, so I got til tomorrow, right? RIGHT?

Anyways, back to YA:

Richelle Mead stole the made of awesomeness position away from whoever was holding it last week (this is really sad that I can't remember these things) with her Vampire Academy series (Vampire Academy and Frostbite). Like, WHOA! I love a kick butt and full of attitude character as much as anyone, but I'm always a little leary of them in case they turn out to be Mary-Janes. Rose Hathaway? Not so much. Way to go, Richelle! Reviews are forthcoming (I'm a teensy bit behind, due to the fact that I was so busy fine tuning my procrastination skills), and I am totally looking forward to Shadow Kiss!

Also, I finally got to read Ever! It was different from GCL's normal style, but it was good just the same. And the cover totally rocks!

Are you a fan of Mary Hogan's Susanna series, or just like books about girls in the "rich" world? Read Savvy Girl by Lynn Messina, and don't be fooled by the demure cover--it's a little more edgy than it lets on.

La di da, let's see, what else? Oh! I unearthed Justine Larbaestier's Magic or Madness trilogy from within the deep an terrifying depths of my car (don't ask) and am reading that now. I want some magic door action already, but she's taking her own sweet time. Which reminds me, I want How to Ditch Your Fairy. I don't care about the bad reviews, I just really really want it.

Oh! I'm totally psyched about a big contest I'm holding! It's not been announced yet (but there's hints!!), but it'll most definitely include books and cute pink clothing! (Sorry guys, especially Kyle, you probably won't get too excited about cute pink tank tops emblazoned with the words----OH! I ALMOST GAVE IT AWAY! AREN'T YOU INTRIGUED NOW?) Watch my blog!

Well, that's all for now, chums. Be good in school, don't follow my evil procrastinating ways (only professionals should attempt), and read lots! I am on the nerdy fast track and will be engulfed in advanced classes and such nerdfest activities, but don't fret--behind every textbook lurks a YA book, demanding attention.

Cheers,

~TCR

P.S. But on a side note, how many of you are TOTALLY PSYCHED about school?? I love school! I would marry it! I am that nerd whose endless enthusiasm you hate! The coolest thing? Read them YA books, cause that just makes you smarter! And embrace your inner nerdiness! Revel in it! Absorb it and exude it with confidence!

Now go and get smart.

Stinkin' Last Day of Summer Today, Well, Yesterday (Kelsey)

Yes, I start school today, well technically tomorrow since I'm writing this on Monday and scheduling it for today, but whatever. Okay, now I'm going to shock myself and tell you that I've only read TWO books this week! Yes! Two books! That's kinda low for me, huh? And the last one I had just finished today, well, yesterday! Well, anyhow, the books are:

1. Gone by Michael Grant
2. Peeled by Joan Bauer

I have a pretty good feeling who's going to win the awards. Now, time for *me speaking in an announcer voice* The Little Bestie Awards:

• Best Character: Hildy Biddle from Peeled by Joan Bauer
• Best Plot: Gone by Michael Grant
• Best Setting: Gone by Michael Grant
• Best Writing: Peeled by Joan Bauer

Winning Book(s): Gone by Michael Grant and Peeled by Joan Bauer.

Okay, here's me shocked for the second time today, well, yesterday. *Shocked* I kind of thought that Gone would win by a landslide, but apparently not, if I really thought about it. Gone by Michael Grant, didn't really have one main character, just a ton of them, and I really liked Hildy's confidence and attitude. Gone had the best plot by far. It was close for the setting, but since Gone was at a beach and Hildy was at a town full of apple's with a ghost in town, I went with Gone. The only thing Peeled won for Best Writing is because Grant used third person, which I'm not a fan of, as you probably know by now, and Bauer didn't so that's the only reason, but really I think Gone is a much, much, much better story overall and would recommend that story, whereas with Peeled I wouldn't necessarily recommend but if you happen to come across it in the library, I'd say pick it up.

This next week I plan to read Where People Like Us Live and maybe hopefully I'll get Sleepless, or Invisible Touch or Fabulous Terrible in the mail and read that, because I doubt I'll be able to read Shrimp and Cupcake before I have to return them to the library. But hopefully I'll also be able to find Pretty Things by Sarra Manning at my school library this week and get that to read soon.

Ohh, I just checked the books at the library that I requested and noticed that I not only have Where People Like Us Live by Patricia Cumbie but also Harmless by Dana Reinhardt! Yeah, Now I'll have those to read also! I just have to get to the library now. Before they go and send the books off again, hopefully tomorrow because, obviously today is Labor Day, well, yesterday was. Oh, and I'm getting In Your Room by Jordanna Frailberg sometime soon too.

But, yeah, that's about it. Don't forget to enter my hundredth post contest! It ends this Friday!