Shortly after reviewing "Losing Faith " for Denise Jaden, I received an email from Denise about The Contemps. The email contained a very awesome PDF explanation; because I can't really post a PDF on blogger (that I know of), I simply copied and pasted. THE CONTEMPS: YA Authors Keeping it RealEmbrace the Real! www.thecontemps.com Introducing The Contemps!
We're a group of YA authors with contemporary novels releasing over the course of a year. We are passionate about realistic fiction because these are the books that remind us we're not alone in this real world. Our mission is simple — to spotlight contemporary fiction for young adults through blog posts, author events, and (over)sharing from our teen years.
We hope you'll help us spread the word to readers about our group! We have fun things planned on the site all year long, including a contest going on NOW through November 15, 2010.
Take the Challenge! Read 18 of our 21 books and enter to win all 21 of our books! The contest is open to anyone age 13 — 113! Visit the "Get Involved" page at www.thecontemps.com for more information. Read, Write and Celebrate Realistic YA with: Denise Jaden, LOSING FAITH (S&S/Simon Pulse, 9/2010) Kody Keplinger, The DUFF (Little, Brown/Poppy, 9/2010) April Henry, GIRL, STOLEN (Henry Holt, 9/2010) Mindi Scott, FREEFALL (S&S/Simon Pulse, 10/2010) Daisy Whitney, THE MOCKINGBIRDS (Little, Brown, 10/2010) Sarah Ockler, FIXING DELILAH (Little, Brown, 12/2010) Courtney Summers, FALL FOR ANYTHING (St. Martin's Press,12/2010) Michael Northrop, TRAPPED (Scholastic, 1/2011) Sara Bennett Wealer, RIVAL (HarperTeen, 2/2011) Lindsey Leavitt, SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD (Bloomsbury, 3/2011) Kirsten Hubbard, LIKE MANDARIN (Random House/Delacorte, 3/2011) Micol Ostow, FAMILY (Egmont USA, 4/2011) Emily Wing Smith, BACK WHEN YOU WERE EASIER TO LOVE(Dutton, 4/2011) Jo Knowles, PEARL (Henry Holt, Spring, 2011) Hannah Harrington, SAVING JUNE (Harlequin Teen, 5/2011) Lisa Schroeder, THE DAY BEFORE (S&S/Simon Pulse, 6/2011) Elizabeth Scott, BETWEEN HERE AND FOREVER (Simon Pulse, 6/2011) Melissa Walker, SMALL-TOWN SINNERS (Bloomsbury, 7/2011) Brent Crawford, Third CARTER book (Disney-Hyperion, summer, 2011) Kristen Tracy, SHARKS AND BOYS (Disney-Hyperion, summer, 2011) Sarah Darer Littman, WANT TO GO PRIVATE? (Scholastic Press, 8/2011)
I printed two copies of the PDF and have one up for my students to see (above) and one up with my own progress (which is very little right now, "Losing Faith" and "The DUFF") (below).
Since posting these I have had several students ask how they can get in on the "challenge" and what the prizes are. I've had such a great response that I have about six girls coming in after school on Wednesdays to talk about what they are currently reading and how far they have come in the challenge.
This has turned out to be a fantastic classroom activity that has really sparked the interest of my students. I only have one book on my shelf right now, "The DUFF," but students have really gone out of their way to find these books, at least the ones already released.
My class and I will be participating in this challenge, will you?
Bitter End by Janenifer Brown Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 10th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 359 pages Source: Publisher Rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is. At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose"love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose — between her"true love" and herself. Review: Bitter End is such a realistic portrayal of how a relationship can take a dangerous turn. Alex is smart, caring, and well-liked. She has 2 wonderful best friends, Zack and Beth, who she is super close with. Then she meets a new boy at school. Cole seems wonderful at first. He's athletic, sweet, and seems to care a lot for Alex. It's easy to see why Alex is smitten from the start.
Eventually things get a little more scary. It doesn't start out drastic at first, because no abuse typically does, but the warning bells start to go off. First, Cole isn't fond of Alex spending time with Beth and Zack.well, mostly Zack. He tries to keep them all from hanging out by keeping Alex distracted. Then more things begin to happen and although Alex knows they seem odd, she can't help but believe what Cole tells her.
Cole isn't from a perfect family and Alex can't help but feel for his situation. But slowly she finds out more and more of the truth about Cole. As she becomes more isolated from her friends, Cole has more of a hold on her. That seems to be exactly what he wants and soon Alex doesn't know how to break free.
Jennifer Brown did an amazing job showing how a teen relationship can turn dangerous. I could see why Alex liked Cole from the beginning. He did and said exactly the right things. Alex wanted attention and he gave her all she could ever want. Her friends remained supportive as much as they could. They tried to fight for Alex and show her how much they cared. Both characters were the perfect addition to this plot. Beth was friendly and supportive. Zack was the crazy one in the friendship and his humor and crazy personality was a nice break in the drama.
Bitter End shows how even a girl who is social and outgoing can be sucked into an abusive relationship. It doesn't have to be any certain"type" of girl who can be subject to abuse and the abuse doesn't have to start at day one. Janenifer Brown shows the inside and outside of a relationship gone wrong. It shows exactly how trapped someone can feel.
Bitter End is a heartbreaking story of a young girl just trying to find love, and the boy who tries to take everything away from her. This book can help young girls notice some warning signs that can come up in a relationship. I recommend this book for everyone, parents and teens. Relationship abuse can happen to anyone, at anytime.
Find Janenifer Brown | Blog
Purchase Bitter End Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
1. What made you decide to share a story involving relationship abuse?
I like books that deal with tough issues. I think that reading can lead to thinking and talking, and thinking and talking can lead to problem-solving. Relationship abuse is a tough issue that's really happening to many teens. Teens are finding themselves in violent and dangerous relationship situations far too often, and I like the idea of creating a book that maybe might speak to some of them, and possibly help them get out of their situation.
The truth is, being a teen these days means dealing with some really tough stuff. They have to worry about things people in my generation never really had to even think about. I don't think I'm going to solve the world's problems in the pages of a novel, but sometimes I think all it takes is to hear one person, even if that person is just a fictional character, say,"I've been there. I got out. You can get out, too," to make a tough, or seemingly impossible, situation look… different.
I'm passionate about shining a light on social issues, because I truly do believe that books like Bitter End can make a difference.
2. What do you think teens should know in order to stay safe in a relationship?
First of all, love doesn't hurt. It doesn't leave bruises. It doesn't make you feel like you're worthless or stupid or ugly. If you're in a relationship where you're feeling these things, or where you're hurting, or especially where you're coming away with bruises, you are not in a loving relationship. It can all feel so very complex, especially when you're in love, but the abuse isn't going to get any better. If your partner is hurting you, emotionally or physically, you have to leave, even if you don't feel like you're strong enough to do so (you are). Also, tell someone. Don't keep secrets about what's happening to you. It may feel embarrassing or scary to tell someone what's going on, but in the end the person you tell might be able to help you stay safe.
3. Are there any resources for teens that you would recommend? (websites, phone numbers, groups, etc.)
Absolutely!
National Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 www.loveisrespect.org (Recently, Break the Cycle, www.breakthecycle.org, has partnered with the National Dating Abuse Helpline)
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE www.thehotline.org
There is also a list of helpful resources in the back of Bitter End, as well as a Q&A with a licensed psychologist about abuse and abusive relationships — how to recognize one and how to get out of it.
4. What do you hope teenagers take from readingBITTER END? First and foremost, and always, the enjoyment of having been immersed in a good story. As passionately as I feel about getting teens talking about tough issues, I feel even more passionately about the enjoyment and entertainment of reading.
But I'll admit, if even one teen recognizes his or her relationship in Alex's story and makes a change… that would be pretty great, too.
Bitter End by Janenifer Brown Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 10th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 359 pages When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is. At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose"love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose — between her"true love" and herself.
Find Janenifer Brown | Blog
Purchase Bitter End Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Remember to check out THIS PAGE to sign up to win a copy of this book and the other books mentioned during"Stand Up Against Abuse" week. Help spread the word about the links and phone numbers listed on that page.
Thousand Words by Janenifer Brown Published: Little, Brown (May 21st, 2013) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 282 pages Rating: 5 of 5 stars Summary: Ashleigh's boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college, and Ashleigh is worried that he'll forget about her while he's away. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh's friends suggest she text him a picture of herself — sans swimsuit — to take with him. Before she can talk herself out of it, Ashleigh strides off to the bathroom, snaps a photo in the full-length mirror, and hits"send."
But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb takes revenge by forwarding the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. As her friends and family try to distance themselves from the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone — until she meets Mack while serving her court-ordered community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he's the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh's photo — and didn't look.
Acclaimed author Janenifer Brown brings readers a gripping novel about honesty and betrayal, redemption and friendship, attraction and integrity, as Ashleigh finds that while a picture may be worth a thousand words.. it doesn't always tell the whole story.
Review:
Incredible story! I think this is a must-read for all young girls and boys. It shows the consequences for both when sexting occurs. I remember seeing a very similar case on TV one day where the 18 year old boyfriend was charged and will forever be listed as a sex offender. I never realized till then that a charge like that could happen from sharing a photo.
I think that many teens are unaware as well. Janenifer Brown did a terrific job showing what can happen and how it does alter the lives of all involved.
In this book, Ashleigh is dealing with the consequences of sending a single nude photo to her boyfriend while at a party. She wanted him to know she loved him and that he shouldn't forget about her while he's at college. Her friends pushed her to do it and she surprised everyone by going through with it. But then her and her boyfriend have a horrible breakup and her picture ends up all over school.
After a while, everyone knows about the photo-- including teachers and everyone in town — and what Ashleigh did. Even though she has to go through all of the consequences of the photo as she loses all her friends and the respect from others, she also has a punishment to face. She has to do a community service project to help show teens what can happen to them if they make the same mistakes she did.
I'm a huge fan of romance in a book but you won't find that here. It isn't what this story needed and I applaud Janenifer for leaving it out. For this book, the character needed to tell her story and get stronger by spreading the word about something that so many teens do. It's truly a cautionary tale that so many teens need to read.
This book also shows how something so simple changes many lives. The boyfriend, Kaleb, has to deal with the fact that he is 18 and forwarded a naked photo of an underage girl. That carries a lot of heavy consequences that people usually don't consider. I was happy to see that we really get to see the full picture of what happens in these situations… before, during, and after it occurs.
Tonya Hurley is the New York Times best-selling author of the highly acclaimed “ghostgirl” book series; creator, writer and producer of animated and live action hit television series; writer and director of independent films; writer and director of commercials for Playstation, Gameboy and Warner Home Video; and creator of groundbreaking videogames. 1. You have accomplished so much in your life already. From writing books, directing movies, and writing films; how do you find time for it all? What is the biggest challenge?
If you’re passionate about an idea, you have to see it through. I think of myself as a storyteller, so I write down my story first and see which format best suits it. 2. On top of being a New York Times best-selling author, you have received countless awards for your other accomplishments. Can you share a little of what that has been like and what honors tend to mean the most to you? Without sounding sappy, the biggest honor is being Isabelle’s mom.
3. You have worked with so many amazing people, can you tell us if there is anyone in the writing world that you would love to work with, and why? There are so many, I don’t even think I could list them! 4. The “ghostgirl” series has some of the most beautiful and unique covers I have seen for any novel. Did you have a lot of input into this process? The direction and art was taken from my website. Little, Brown did a fantastic job translating that into a book cover.
5. The third book in the trilogy, ghostgirl Lovesick, was just released in July. What projects are coming up for you now? Something will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
Here are some places Tonya will be appearing this week.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010CARLE PLACE, NY7:0oPM to 8:30 PM Talk & Signing BARNES & NOBLE 91 Old Country Road / Carle Place, NY 11514 _______________________________________________________________________ Saturday October 30, 2010CENTEREACH, NY2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Talk & Signing BEST BARGAIN BOOKS 217 Centereach Mall, Centereach, NY 11720
Ghost girl: Lovesick by Tonya Hurley Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers (July 12th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 320 pages Series: Ghostgirl #3 Before she can rest in peace, Charlotte Usher must return to the tragic site of her death: high school. Once there, her assignment is to help a designated teen solve a personal problem in time for the allimportant prom. But no one explained what happens if you fall in love with your class project. Charlotte would die (again) for love but facing the all-too-familiar feeling of invisibility may be too much for her to swallow.
According to local lore, an old butcher once lived in the woods off Holland Road in Western New York, near the railroad tracks. He liked his privacy, and to frighten would-be tormentors, he cut off the heads of pigs and put them around his property on stakes — that's how he earned his nickname. Well, one night, a few boys decided to ignore the warning and give old Pigman a scare. Instead, the butcher caught them, decapitated them, and put their heads on stakes, jammed into the ground near the old covered bridge.
And Pigman was never seen again… at least, not while he was alive.
Don don don don… don!
Fast forward 60 years. I was 19 years old, and I just got my license. My first car was a 1985 Celica GT 5-speed with 130,000 miles on it, a rusted bumper, and a hole in the gas tank that prevented you from filing it more than 1/4 up. Not bad for $500, right? It took me a while to master the art of stick shift, but I didn't let a little bucking and stalling stop me from escaping my parents' house any chance I got. And rusty or not, that car could MOVE.
One summer night, my friends and I decided to investigate the notorious legend of Pigman for ourselves. We didn't have any high-tech ghost-hunting gear or infa-red goggles, but we did have that 1985 Celica GT, a full (well, as full as it could be with that hole) tank of gas, and the kind of courage you usually find in a group of bored suburban teens with lots of free time and some major Superman complexes.
The rules of Pigman Road, as it was then called, went something like this: You drive down Pigman Road, stop your car under the covered bridge, and turn off the engine. Then, in the pitch black night, you're supposed to call out the name"Pigman" three times, and try to start your car. If your car doesn't start, you die. It's that simple. Party time, right?!
(What can I say? We didn't have the Internet back then. We had to make our own fun.)
We all piled into a couple of cars and headed out toward the tracks. My best friend, her boyfriend, her brother, and I were in the Celica with me behind the wheel. Everyone else was ahead of us in the other cars. We all drove onto the middle of the dark bridge. Killed the engines and removed the keys. Sat in silence for a few minutes to amp up the dramatic tension. And then, the chanting began.
"Pigman," we called in one voice."Pigman. PIGMAN!"
The other two cars started up and took off. From behind the wheel of that old Celica, my whole body shook as I jammed the key back into the ignition. Pushed in the clutch. Turned the key, praying it would start, praying we'd survive this ridiculous rite. The car started, and the four of us let out a collective nervous giggle as we started to roll. And then, poof. The car bucked and stalled. I tried to start it again, but it wouldn't turn over.
"Go! Get the hell out of here!" My friend screamed in my ear. My hands were slippery and shaky. My legs didn't work. I couldn't get the car to start — I just couldn't do it. Four young people in the prime of our lives were all going to die at the hands of some age-old legendary psycho butcher ghost, and it was all my fault. Seconds-that-felt-like-hours later, my friend's boyfriend crawled over to the front seat and shoved me out of the way. He pushed in the clutch, started up the engine, and squealed out of there as fast as we could possibly go in the ol' rustbucket, which, as it turns out, was over 110 miles per hour (kids, do NOT try this at home). None of us could speak. We kept waiting for a train to hit us, the car to skid and careen down the embankment, or a half-man half-pig monster to appear in the back seat with a big meat cleaver, sharpened for the kill.
Minutes passed, the tires rolling down the old dark road, finally slowing to a safer speed. Certain we were out of immediate danger, we pulled over and met up with the rest of our friends at the other, non-Pigman end the railroad tracks. We tried to laugh with them at our own expense, but it's hard to laugh when you're not even sure your heart's still beating. Eventually, encouraged by the friendly taunts and the safety-in-numbers thing, we relaxed. It looked like we might just survive the night after all. Pigman? What a silly little game for silly little kids! Eat me, Pigman! Ha. Ha. Ha.
Ha!
That's when we saw the flashlights bouncing out of the woods. Faster. There were footsteps. Shouts.
"Don't move," a deep voice ordered. A tall man approached the tracks, bright white flashlight blinding us to his appearance."IDs. All of you. Get 'em out."
Another man joined him, bathing us in light. It was one of the few times in our short, trouble-making careers that we were thrilled to be harassed by cops. We tried to explain what the hell we were doing out on the railroad tracks on Pigman Road in the middle of the night, alternately screaming and laughing. We tried to tell them about the legendary butcher and the stalled car and how we almost died, just moments before. It didn't look like they were buying it. But we weren't drinking or anything, and fortunately they hadn't clocked us speeding out of there, so the cops just returned our IDs and shooed us away. I figured they were used to that sort of things — chasing away stupid kids who come to test the Pigman legend for themselves.
Later, I learned that Pigman Road was not only the supposed property of the murderous butcher, but the actual site of a heinous train wreck in the 1860s in which 50 people were burned alive in a flaming train car. Apparently, police monitor the area constantly, many claiming that supernatural activity is rampant under the old bridge. Some think it's the ghosts of the people who died in the train accident. Others — perhaps the officers that tracked us down — believe that the legend of Pigman is real.
Pigman or train passenger ghosts, we survived the night. And the one after that and the one after that. We went back to college, back to work. On to marriages and kids and jobs and real life. And soon the legend of Pigman faded into our collective memories of the best of times, the worst of times, the creepiest of times.
As for the old Celica GT? Well, Pigman's curse or not, that car finally did die a painful death a year later when my friend tried to race it up the side of a mountain to impress a girl.
And now I drive an automatic, just in case.: -)
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (December 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 320 pages 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?
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 1st, 2009) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 290 pages "Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it." "Okay." "Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?" "Don't worry." I laughed."It's our secret, right?"
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 every 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.
Prize:
1 winner will receive a signed copy of Fixing Delilah OR Twenty Boy Summer. Winner picks!
Rules:
You must be at least 13 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is US ONLY and ends November 13th.
Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
The form must be filled out to enter.
- Thanks so much Sarah for the book donation and story! Find Sarah Ockler Sarah Ockler / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads
Pre-Order Fixing Delilah Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
Purchase Twenty Boy Summer Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
* Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post.
*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.
It has been a crazy month since we moved so I am extremely behind on IMM. This isn't everything from the past month but it's most of the books/swag. Hopefully soon I can get back on track and do them each week again: ) Sorry for the picture overload in this post!
Special thanks to HarperTeen, Penguin, Bloomsbury, Little Brown, Random House, and Sourcebooks. And, big hugs to Deb Caletti for taking the time to sign my books, Jeri Smith-Ready for sending me a signed copy of Bad to the Bone, Nancy Holder and Erin (love you both!), Angeline Kace, Michelle Zink, and Sophie Jordan for the other goodies this week!
Signed Books
Review Audition (ARC) by Stasia Ward Kehoe Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink The Power of Six (ARC) by Pittacus Lore Supernaturally (ARC) by Kiersten White Love Story by Janenifer Echols The Carrier of the Mark (ARC) by Leigh Fallon Don't Breathe a Word (ARC) by Holly Cupala The Fox Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson Vanish (ARC) by Sophie Jordan Sweet Venom (ARC) by Tera Lynn Childs The Dream Catchers by The Predicteds by Christine Seifert Glow (ARC +2 HB copies) by Amy Kathleen Ryan Michael Vey by Richard Paul Evens Hades by Alexandra Adornetto Sweetly by Jackson Pearce Melody Burning (ARC) by Whitley Strieber The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor The Shattering by Karen Healey … and adorable towel from Little, Brown!
Purchased A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells Birthmarked by Caragh M O'Brien The Fledgling Handbook 101 by P.C. Cast
Purchased (Signed)
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead Wings by Aprilynne Pike Spells by Aprilynne Pike
Gifted (Signed) Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (and signed bookplate)
From Ash to Nash Tour (got signed) Across the Universe by Beth Revis Hourglass by Myra McEntire The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
Swag Firelight and Vanish cards and stickers from Sophie Jordan Descended by Blood bookmarks (signed) by Angeline Kace Card from Deb Caletti
Deb Caletti (Signed) When I worked with Deb Caletti on the Stand Up Against Abuse feature she was kind enough to sign all of the books I had by her! The Fortunes of Indigo Sky Honey, Baby, Sweetheart The Six Rules of Maybe Stay The Secret Life of Prince Charming The Nature of Jade
Something that didn't come IMM!
I got a new car!! It's a 2011 Kia Soul (Alien color!) and I absolutely love it. Technically this is my very first car that's just for me (okay.me and my 3 year old, ha!) But if you are thinking"ya know, this car makes me think of a hamster" you would be correct! It is the car that was featured on the VMAs and I adore their commercial!
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
Always a Witch (Witch #2) by Carolyn MacCullough (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 8/1/2011) Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman (Scholastic Press 8/1/2011) Circle of Fire (Prophecy of the Sisters #3) by Michelle Zink (Little Brown and Company 8/1/2011)
Betrayed (The Guardian Legacy #2) by Ednah Walters (Firetrail Publishing 8/1/2011) Popalazzi by Elise Allen (Harcourt Children's Books 8/1/2011) Never Have I Ever (The Lying Game #2) by Sara Shepard (HarperCollins 8/2/2011)
Between by Jessica Warman (Walker and Company 8/2/2011) Blood Ties (Blood Coven #6) by Mari Mancusi (Berkley Trade 8/2/2011) Eternal (Immortal #3) by Gillian Shields (Katherine Tegen Books 8/2/2011)
Dark Angel (Dark Angel #1) by Eden Maguire (Hodder Children's Books 8/4/2011) All You Desire (Eternal Ones #2) by Kirsten Miller (Razorbill 8/9/2011) Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay (Delacorte Books for Young Readers 8/9/2011)
Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik (HarperTeen 8/2/2011) The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (Hyperion Books 8/2/2011) Dark Parties by Sara Grant (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 8/3/2011)
Hooked by Catherine Greenman (Delacorte Books for Young Readers 8/9/2011)
If you know of any other new releases for August 1st-15th feel free to add them in the comments so others will know about them!
I’ve always been a believer in the paranormal. Even when I was small, ghosts and spirits seemed perfectly possible. And I’m sure having a New Agey 1970‘s mom didn’t hurt, either. But I was never one of those people who was comfortable with the idea of communicating with spirits. If they’re out there, I’d think, I hope they leave me alone! And they did until one night when I was about thirteen. I was sound asleep when something — I still don’t know what — woke me up. But I didn’t wake up a little at a time. I didn’t wake up gently. Instead, I sat straight up in bed, my heart racing. A glance at my clock told me it was exactly 1:00am and then, my eyes were forced to the foot of my bed where I saw something coming toward me in the dark. A figure, somewhat large, moving swiftly toward my position on the bed. You’d think I would have jumped out of bed in fear, but I was so terrified that I actually threw myself back against the pillow where I remained stock still in the seconds it took the figure to reach me. My heart was still slamming against my chest when I felt the pressure at the foot of the bed. It was as if someone were sitting right on top of my legs. Then, I had the very real sense that the figure was male though all I could see was a smudgy, shadow in the outline of a person. I was scared. More than scared, really. Way more than scared. I felt menace emanating from the figure and felt, without really knowing how or why, that I was in danger. But I couldn’t seem to move. I was frozen, not only by the pressure of the figure on my legs but by the feeling that if I moved, something terrible would happen. After what seemed like hours, I finally got up the courage to turn my head. I glanced at the alarm clock, the red 1:14am beaming its light into my room. And that’s the last thing I remember. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the morning. There was no slow drift back to sleep. No gradual reassurance that I was imagining things. Just the very real pressure on my legs, the clock, and a swift, sudden descent back into sleep. The encounter haunted me for me months, but I told myself it was a one-time thing. As long as I didn’t think about it when I was getting ready for bed, I could still sleep with the light off. Except it wasn’t a one-time thing. Throughout my teenage years, the figure appeared sporadically in the middle of the night, sometimes standing behind a young woman in white who seemed oblivious to his presence. I never stopped feeling like I was in danger. I felt like he was trying to send me a message. Trying to tell me something. But to this day I don’t know what it could have been. Once, when I was about fifteen, I went to a psychic with a friend. It was all fun and games until the psychic told me she sensed a dark presence trying to infiltrate the positive energy in my spirit. She asked me if I’d seen anything strange or had the feeling that I was being watched by ghosts or spirits. When I told her about the presence that had been following me since I was thirteen, she asked me if the woman who sometimes accompanied him looked anything like me. I was shocked to realize that she was right. The girl was, in fact, me. Which only made it scarier when he continued to show up in my room, his arms wrapped around the girl from behind while she smiled beatifically, totally unaware of the ominous presence behind her. Sometime during my late adolescence the spirit stopped appearing. I haven’t seen him since I was about seventeen, but I still get goosebumps when I think about it. And I still try not to think about it before bed, as if thinking of him alone will conjure his presence.
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (August 1st, 2009) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 352 pages Series: Prophecy of the Sisters, book #1 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.
Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (August 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 340 pages Series: Prophecy of the Sisters, book #2 The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.
Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.
Prize:
1 winner will receive a signed copy of BOTH Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate, as well as a CD of the Prophecy and Guardian scored by Kenneth Zink, and Halloween goodies!
Rules:
You must be at least 13 to enter.
Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is INTERNATIONAL and ends November 7th.
Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
The form must be filled out to enter.
- Michelle, I can not thank you enough for the book and goody donation and for taking the time to write a story!
I also wanted to mention that Michelle and Jessica Verday are doing a Ghosts & Graves tour and it starts today!
Sleepy Hollow CemeteryDate: October 24 Time: 2:00-4:00 pm Location: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery 540 North Broadway Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 The Otis LibraryDate: October 25 Time: 6:30-8:00 pm Location: The Otis Library 261 Main Street Norwich, CT 06360 Easton Public LibraryDate: October 26 Time: 7:00-8:30 pm Location: Easton Public Library 515 Church Street Easton, PA 18042
Harleysville Books LLCDate: October 27Time: 6:00-8:00 pm Location: 674 Main Street Salford Square Harleysville, PA 19438 Borders Express Date: October 28 Time: 6:00-8:00 pm Location: Borders Express 298 Exton Square Mall Exton, PA 19341
Jefferson Market Library Date: October 29 Time: TBA Location: Jefferson Market Library 425 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10011
* Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post.
*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (December 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 320 pages Source: Publisher for review Rating: 5 of 5 stars 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? Review: This book embodies the strained relationship of a mother and daughter. Delilah is facing change as her mother moves her to her grandmother's house right after her death. They are faced with what to do with her belongings, along with the secrets they left behind eight years ago. Delilah feels like her world is falling apart. Her mother is constantly working and the death of her father right before her birth leaves her feeling like she has no parental connections. She has been rebelling by sneaking out with bad boy Finn recently and her mom's frustrations with her lead to a lot of heated arguments. The sudden move doesn't make Delilah feel any better.
Once they arrive Delilah stumbles upon a little boy from her past."Ricky", now known as Patrick, isn't so little anymore and Delilah can't help but notice. As they catch up Delilah learns about his life, his new love of music, and she tries to get a glimpse into what may have happened between her mother and grandmother eight years ago that had them leaving and never looking back. Patrick doesn't know the secret and it seems no one who does wants to discuss it. Her aunt Rachel tries to keep the peace but Delilah can't help but wonder what tore their family apart years before.
Sarah presents Delilah as a character who can be easily understood and connected with. Many families deal with similar situations with busy moms or family conflicts and Fixing Delilah does a fabulous job of exploring the issues surrounding these women.
Patrick and Emily, the girl Delilah meets in town, are amazing characters that help keep Delilah grounded throughout the book. The setting allowed the reader to relax and feel"cozy" within the lines on each page. As much as this was a story of helping Delilah find out the truth, it was one of allowing 3 women to bond and learn more about themselves by dealing with the past.
Fixing Delilah is the heart-warming story of love, loss, and finding your way home again no matter where that home may be. Obstacles may get in the way but the only way to heal is through acceptance and renewed strength. Sarah does a fabulous job presenting strong characters that each find their way into your heart as the story progresses. By the end, the book is more about fixing a family than just simply Fixing Delilah.
Find Sarah Ockler Sarah Ockler / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads
Pre-Order Fixing Delilah Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
Thanks to The Teen {Book} Scene for the tour opportunity!
Ada Adams, author of the book ReVamped, is here today to tell us about the characters from her book. She has also been kind enough to offer up a signed copy of ReVamped to one lucky winner! Sign up below.
Thank you very much for having me on your wonderful blog today! I am honored to be here and excited to share some exclusive information about the main characters of my new novel, ReVamped!
Age: 19 in 2015 Birthday: July 5th, 1996. Birthplace: Undisclosed, USA Eyes: Violet Hair: Brown, Long, Wavy Height: 5’6 Dawn is a special kind of vampire—a Born. In total, only about five vampires are born in the world in every generation. A Born vampire is stronger than any Made vampire, and ages and grows just like a human child until she gives birth to her own offspring. Dawn doesn’t know much about her mother (who died in childbirth) or her past, and throughout the novel, we find out that her father has guarded some very monumental secrets from her. Dawn had spent her entire life within the confines of the Scarlet House (her vampire father’s presidential headquarters). She had always dreamed of being allowed to venture out on her own mission, and is ecstatic when she’s finally tasked with revamping a group of four misfits into strong and powerful guardians of a little town called Angel Creek. Her father had ensured that she has had the best academic and combat training, but being sheltered from the outside world prevented Dawn from having much of a social life. She’s is very shy and guarded around guys, so when she ventures out into Angel Creek and meets Ethan and Sebastian, it’s not surprising that they turn her world upside down. Dawn is very caring when it comes to her friends—she constantly puts others ahead of herself. While the misfits drive her crazy on more occasion than one, she always comes to their aid whenever necessary.
Vampire – Made Age: 21 in 2015 Birthday: November 18th, 1853. Turned: July 7th, 1875. Birthplace: Angel Creek, USA Eyes: Light Grey Hair: Black, Longish, Curly Height: 6’2 Before Dawn ever meets Sebastian, Hannah, the gossipy waitress from the Angel Creek Diner, has this to say about him: “Sebastian York is a twenty-one year-old Scorpio. He has gorgeous light gray eyes, the color of sparkling glaciers. His midnight-black hair is slightly curly, and just long enough to make you daydream about running your fingers through his locks. He’s super tall and really, really hot. Just try to peel your eyes away from all those lean muscles! Yum! He’s brooding, mysterious, strong, and self-deprecating (or at least, he seems like the type)—the perfect vampire!” However, upon meeting him, Dawn doesn’t receive the best first impression of Sebastian. He’s rude, moody, and clearly wants nothing to do with her or her mission in Angel Creek. Throughout the novel, we find out that there is much more to Sebastian than meets the eye. His ties to Angel Creek, and even Dawn herself are essential to Dawn discovering more about her past. Soon, she finds herself falling for him despite her desire to stay away, but Sebastian’s secrets may shatter her world.
Age: 23 in 2015 Birthday: July 24th, 1992. Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, USA Eyes: Hazel Hair: Blond, Short Height: 5’11 The moment Dawn meets the cute, kind Angel Creek bartender, she’s completely smitten with him. So much so that she even forgets how to talk! Everything about Ethan is effortless, warm, and safe. However, as we learn more about the seemingly perfect Ethan, we discover that he’s harboring some very dark secrets that could be detrimental to both Dawn’s mission and her safety.
The Misfits
Vampire – Made Age: 17 in 2015 (Forever) Birthday: March 29th, 1942. Turned: May 10th, 1960. Birthplace: Sacramento, California, USA Eyes: Dark Blue Hair: Blonde, Shoulder-Length, Straight, Bangs Height: 5’5 Brooke has spent most of her vampire life travelling around the country, enrolling in countless high-schools, and vying for cheer captain spots and prom queen crowns. While at first glance, she seems like a shallow, boy-crazy girl (and one some extent she is), she’s also haunted by her past. Her father had abandoned her for his political career, so ever since then, Brooke has been trying to cling on to the only thing that brings her a sense of comfort and stability—the quest for popularity. Brooke is the type of character you will either love or love to hate, but as the series develops, we will see her grow and mature as she faces certain challenges. There is also a rumor that there may be an unexpected romantic interest in her future!
Vampire – Made Age: 18 in 2015 (Forever) Birthday: April 17th, 1900. Turned: August, 9th, 1918. Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, USA Eyes: Dark Brown Hair: Black, Bun Height: 5’0 Sophie is a sweet, shy girl. She has been a vampire since the 1920’s and currently works at the Angel Creek Library. She is very smart and loves to read, but she’s not the greatest vampire. In fact, she knows very little about her kind, so her transformation into one of Angel Creek’s guardians is a slow and laborious one. Sophie was turned by her best friend, Charlotte—a girl she considered to be her sister. However, due to the fact that Sophie was of lower status in society, Charlotte broke off their relationship when it came time to choose between inheriting her family’s wealth or her friendship with Sophie. Sophie still harbors a deep love for Charlotte, despite the fact that it has been almost a hundred years since she has last seen her.
Vampire – Made Age: 21 in 2015 (Forever) Birthday: October, 16th, 1961. Turned: June 23rd, 1983. Birthplace: Owensboro, Kentucky, USA Eyes: Green Hair: Brown (Blue and Green Streaks, Red Tips), Long, Ponytail Height: 6’1 Hunter’s motto in life is “the louder, the faster, the better”. He’s an ex-80’s rock star who, even after being turned by a vampire groupie, hasn’t abandoned his bad-boy ways. When Dawn first meets him, she finds out that Hunter has been drinking the blood of drunks and junkies and has no plans for being reformed. Dawn is not only tasked with running a homemade rehab program for him, but also has to find a way to get him on board as one of Angel Creek’s guardians.
Vampire – Made Age: 16 in 2015 (Forever) Birthday: March 3rd, 1999.Turned: June 25th, 2015. Birthplace: Angel Creek, USA Eyes: Dark Brown Hair: Black, Short Height: 5’8 Seth is the youngest member of the group—both in human and in vampire years. He had been turned only two weeks before Dawn arrives to Angel Creek for her mission, by none other than Brooke herself! While most people in society admire vampires, Seth’s family is against “the fad”. Therefore, Seth must hide his transformation from his parents, while training with Dawn and learning about his new abilities (which are few and far between—his five-year-old brother can still beat him up)!
Who is Aurora, you ask? You’ll have to read ReVamped to find out! I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into some of ReVamped’s characters! ReVamped is only the first book in the series—an introduction to the characters. In the upcoming books, we will learn much more about the characters’ pasts, as well as witness development in their personalities and love lives!; ) If you have read the book, I would love to know: “Who is your favorite member of the ReVamped gang?”
ReVamped by Ada Adams Published: February 20th, 2012 Paperback: 300 pages Reading Level: Young Adult Series: Angel Creek #1 A simple mission turned deadly.
Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.
When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.
Prize:
1 winner will receive a SIGNED copy of ReVamped by Ada Adams.
Rules:
You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter.
Name and email must be provided.
Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
Contest is US only and ends May 2nd.
Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers (August 1st, 2009) Reading Level: Young Adult Paperback: 352 pages Rating: 3 of 5 stars Series: Prophecy of the Sisters book #1 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 proportions. Prophecy of the Sisters is the first of three books. Review: This is the story of two sisters fighting on the sides of good and evil. They have recently experienced the loss of their father, and since their mother died years before, they are now left alone with their younger brother Harry and their aunt Virginia. Lia is sweet, caring, and curious to discover the mystery surrounding her father's work and his death. Alice is quiet, dangerous, and may know more about the mystery than she lets on. As Lia searches for answers she discovers that her and her sister Alice may be the keys to a prophecy that says two sisters will be divided by good and evil forces. While one wants to destroy, the other wants to save. It seems from their drastically different personalities, that Lia would be the force of good; however, the prophecy says otherwise. Now Lia must go on a journey to answer these questions and find out how she can deal with the prophecy that seems to have a link to worlds beyond her own. The way Michelle tells a story is incredible. The language, descriptions, setting, and characters were perfect for the time period. I felt like I was in the story with Lia and I could visualize each and every detail. My problem for me was in the pace of the story. I felt that maybe the beginning was a little slow, and while the middle picked up pace, the ending left me with a few too many questions about Lia, Alice, and their history. I was also frustrated with a few parts of the story but those contain spoilers so I can't really point them out. Overall, if you enjoy a great historical tale, this one is unique and full of possibilities. The paperback cover is amazingly beautiful and the details on each page inside show just how much detail was placed in this story.
Guardian of the Gate (Book #2) Released August 1st, 2010
Find out more on Michelle Zink and The Prophecy of the Sisters series Michelle Zink / Twitter / Goodreads
Buy from: Amazon / The Book Depository / Barnes & Noble
It's official. I've caught the bug. Only took me a day to finish this (started around 6pm and stayed up all night then read the final four chapters in the morning — always a sign of a good book). Beware of mild spoilers.
From Amazon.com...
"Recovered from the vampire attack that hospitalized her in the conclusion of Twilight (Little, Brown, 2005), Bella celebrates her birthday with her boyfriend Edward and his family, a unique clan of vampires that has sworn off human blood. But the celebration abruptly ends when the teen accidentally cuts her arm on broken glass. The sight and smell of her blood trickling away forces the Cullen family to retreat lest they be tempted to make a meal of her. After all is mended, Edward, realizing the danger that he and his family create for Bella, sees no option for her safety but to leave. Mourning his departure, she slips into a downward spiral of depression that penetrates and lingers over her every step. Vampire fans will appreciate the subsequently dour mood that permeates the novel, and it's not until Bella befriends Jacob, a sophomore from her school with a penchant for motorcycles, that both the pace and her disposition begin to take off. Their adventures are wild, dare-devilish, and teeter on the brink of romance, but memories of Edward pervade Bella's emotions, and soon their fun quickly morphs into danger, especially when she uncovers the true identities of Jacob and his pack of friends."
I know I kind of threw a Twilight fit a week ago — but here I am the prodigal reader. I read and liked Twilight when it first came out. Then I tried to read New Moon, but for some reason (that I can't think of now), I just hated it. I was mad at Bella and I was furious with Edward — so I abandoned it... only for it to become a phenomena years later. In 96 hours I picked up Twilight and finished it, then I watched the movie, and finally I read New Moon. I think it's safe to say I caught the bug.
I don't quite now how to compare Twilight to New Moon — probably because I read them so close together that they kind of bleed together (haha — pun). New Moon was... oh wow, I can already tell this isn't going to be a very good review!
What I didn't like was that I felt like Bella was purely using Jacob and then all of a sudden he's her best friend? I feel like that relationship wasn't built strong enough for me to believe. He was her crutch — we've all had one. I felt bad for Jacob — because Bella was so clearly not over Edward. Maybe I'm missing something, or maybe it's in the next two books, because from what other readers have told me — Bella and Jacob are a big deal. And I just didn't get that from New Moon. I think it would have made a difference if Bella could have stopped pitying herself all the time and would have been more attracted to Jacob right away rather than RIGHT before all heck broke loose.
Again, wow I seem to be a Bella hater, it bothered me how Meyer constantly had to remind us that Bella is a klutz. I gotta ask, why is this so important? Her character is built on her 'attracting trouble' and being uncoordinated. In my opinion, that's all her character is good for — getting into trouble and then being saved by Jacob or Edward. This damsel is getting on my nerves. Also, now I can't say I've ever been in love — but people move on from loss everyday. I think about the little old man who sits in the second pew at church who lost his wife fifteen years ago (made up story, but still — you get my point). Life goes on. Is Bella's love for Edward more than the love he had for his wife? I just can't fathom living in a shell and ignoring everyone for that long! Yes, a couple weeks, maybe a month, for the sake of argument let's say two months — but really four months and you're still catatonic? I just... I can't imagine.
But really, that's all I disliked — well and the whole Edward bit. I loved how Alice played such a pivotal role. Like I mentioned before, I love the Cullens. While I love that Alice has a bigger role — I am sad that the other Cullens are almost nonexistent. Sad day. This will depress me when I go to the movie — I've already mentioned my slight crush on Jasper.
I absolutely loved the Romeo and Juliet analogy — I mean, wow! Stephenie Meyer definitely thought that one out — perfect!
And while I didn't totally buy into the relationship between Bella and Jacob — I really liked Jacob (and think he could do SO much better than Bella). Even when he's tortured, he's a great guy. Edward's attitude, behavior, and down right demeanor gets kind of 'glum' after while — reminds me of Eeyore. So Jacob brought a great fun and lightheartedness to Bella's life (and in case she didn't notice, to my reading experience). It's hard to constantly be reading about how depressed and angry Edward is. But anyway — Jacob was just a fun character to read. Bella was kind of... coquettish with Jacob — holding his hand etc. And the boy didn't even get a kiss!
I liked how it expanded on the Vampiric history and what not. Although, those last four chapters (I'll admit) I did a lot of skimming to find out what happened. I also liked how it ended — with the vote. And Bella's epiphany — that was a very honest part of the book. Despite how I feel about Bella — I know what it's like to know that you don't deserve someone and then have him leave you. A guy can tell you he loves you a million times, but it takes just one sentence for you to see that it was a lie. Wow — I'm getting depressed.
Again, just for good measure — I loved the Romeo and Juliet analogy! Just loved it!
I've got to read a couple ARC books and slim my library pile down a bite... I mean bit... before I pick up Eclipse. But hopefully by Monday I can start back in with my 'recreational' reading!
Forgotten by Cat Patrick Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 7th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardback: 288 pages Source: Publisher Rating: 5 of 5 stars Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.
Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies. Review: Woah! This book was so good! I had heard great things about it but it still blew me away. Forgotten is about London, a girl who forgets details of her life every night. She is forced to leave notes that tell her what happened. She can also see the future so she knows what will happen days, weeks, or years later.
I was afraid that I would get tired of things repeating but this book wasn't like that at all. London deals with her situation in the best way possible. Then a new boy, Luke Henry, comes to school. Swoon! Luke is incredible. He's so understanding and sweet. London doesn't tell him that she can't remember him a few hours after their encounters but their relationship still seems to work.
Right when Luke arrives London starts having disturbing dreams of what she thinks is her future. Everyone is at a funeral but she can't figure out who died. London is used to visions of the future but this one seems different to her. This brings the element of mystery to the plot. As much as London tries to have a normal life and even hang out with her best friend Jamie, the more things get complicated for her. It's difficult for Jamie to deal with London's ability because she already knows their future. London could easily change things and alter what can happen later.
London is such a strong character. She deals with so much but still manages to live life in the best way she can. Luke turns her routine upside down but his appearance is exactly what she needed. It proved to her that maybe the future can't exactly be predicted, even with the visions. And, Luke has some secrets of his own. Their sweet, caring romance was great to follow and I really enjoyed reading about their interactions. Luke is just amazing!
Cat Patrick's writing was flawless! The story flowed smoothly and had some very surprising angles. Mystery, suspense, romance, and captivating characters make Forgotten a must read!
Cat Patrick has created a fascinating debut novel that will have readers begging for a sequel!
Find Cat Patrick Website | Goodreads | Twitter
Purchase Forgotten Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Thanks to Random House, St. Martin's Griffin, HarperTeen, Kensington/ The Teen Book Scene, Poppy, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Simon & Schuster for the amazing books this week!
Review Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton You Don't Know About Me by Brian Meehl Tighter by Adele Griffin My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher Jane Jones: Worst Vampire Ever by Caissie St. Onge Slicker by Lucy Jackson Twisted: Pretty Little Liars #9 by Sara Shepard Dragon's Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast Falling For Hamlet by Michelle Ray The Familiars: Secrets of the Crown (ARC) by Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson Deadly Cool (ARC) by Gemma Halliday Touch of Frost (and bookmark) by Janenifer Estep Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (*2nd copy- read and it is a great book!) Forgotten by Cat Patrick (*2nd copy- LOVED it!)
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
1. Can you share with us something people would be surprised to find out about you?
Through Twitter and blogs, I'm such a chatterbox online that most people would be surprised to know that I'm pretty shy in real life. It takes me a while to warm up to a crowd and most social activities leave me a bit overwhelmed — I'd much rather hang out with a close friend one-on-one. Maybe it would be different if everyone in real life was as fun and awesome as book bloggers, but I think you guys are a rare breed.: -)
2. You share a lot of"high school memories" on your blog. Can you tell us your most embarrassing high school moment?
Um, that would be the time I decided to tell my crush how much I loved him. In writing. In a four-page letter. I think I may have casually thrown in the word"soulmate." His"I'm really flattered" response was mortifying enough, but when his whole football team got hold of the letter… let's just say I had to feign the flu so I could miss a week of school until the drama died down. Fortunately we didn't have texting or the Internet back then, otherwise I think my faux pas would've gone viral!
3. Twenty Boy Summer involves a secret first love and a horrible tragedy that follows. Where did you get the inspiration for this book?
I was inspired to write Twenty Boy Summer by the teens I met through my work with the National Donor Family Council, and organization that supports families whose loved ones have died and donated organs or tissues. I wanted to share a little bit of their stories, their fears, their hopes, and their courage. But as I was writing about the tragedy, I was also thinking about how life goes on, even when we don't want it to. So even though Anna and Frankie are reeling from Matt's death, they're also still dealing with everyday life stuff like clothes and makeup, boys, best friend drama. It's all part of life, and that's what I wanted to write about.
4. What advice would you give teens who are currently struggling with high school and first love?
This sums it up right here: you're not alone. And it gets better. Just like with bullying or any other struggle in high school, things do get better. Whether you're suffering from a broken heart, dealing with harassment, stressed about grades or family stuff, or just trying to figure out where you belong in this world, you *have* to struggle with that stuff — it's part of being alive and coming into your own. When you give up, that's it, it's over. But if you fight, struggle, question things, wrestle with the issues, if you can get through it, you'll come away stronger, wiser, and ready for things to get better. I don't mean to go all"After School Special," but I truly believe that. And besides, crappy high school experiences make for awesome YA books later in life!: -)
5. Fixing Delilah deals with complicated issues between a mother and daughter. What do you hope teen girls take from reading this book?
There is something important I hope both teen girls *and* their mothers take away from Fixing Delilah, and it's this: there is an entire world inside each of us — our secrets, our hopes and fears, our dreams and wishes, our mistakes and shame, our life experiences. We can never know everything about another person, but we can assume that we have this in common: we're all capable of screwing up, and we're all capable of immense love. I hope that moms and daughters remember that and come away from Delilah's story with a new appreciation for one another, even when things aren't perfect.
6. Your books focus on new discoveries and secrets revealed over the summer. Why do you think summer is such a time of change and new beginnings?
Because most teens have summers off in between school years, it's naturally a time to reflect on the previous year and think about how things might be different in the coming year. On summer break, we're away from a lot of the people and pressures we're faced with every day at school, and having that distance often gives us a new perspective on how things are and how we want them to be. Returning to school each fall is like a forced fresh start — new classes, new classmates, new challenges — and we face it with the knowledge and experience we gained over the summer. We've all seen some of our classmates come back from a summer break completely transformed, often as if they're entirely new people. Summer just does that, I think.
7. Can you share with us any projects you are currently working on?
I'm currently working on a new young adult contemporary, but I'm not ready to share too much about it yet! I will tell you that unlike my first two novels, this one is set in the winter, and it features such things as cupcakes, ice skating, a pet hamster, and very adorable hockey boys.: -) I'll be chatting more about it soon, so you can visit my web site for updates in the next few weeks!
Thanks again for hosting me today, Jessica! I hope readers enjoy Fixing Delilah!
Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (December 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 320 pages 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?
Find Sarah Ockler Sarah Ockler / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads
Pre-Order Fixing Delilah Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository / IndieBound
Thanks to the amazing Sarah Ockler for the interview and The Teen {Book} Scene for the tour opportunity! USE GOOGLE to follow the other blogs on the tour and stop back by Tuesday, December 14th for my review of Fixing Delilah.
I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler (Sourcebooks Fire 5/1/2011) Shift (Shade #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready (Simon Pulse 5/3/2011) Bite Club (The Morganville Vampires #10) by Rachel Caine (NAL Hardcover 5/3/2011)
Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth (Katherine Tegen Books 5/3/2011) Everfound (The Skinjacker Trilogy #3) by Neal Shusterman (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 5/3/2011) So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti (Viking Juvenile 5/3/2011)
But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (Flux 5/8/2011) Bitter End by Janenifer Brown (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011) What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen (Penguin Young Readers Group 5/10/2011)
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs (Walker Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011) Tighter by Adele Griffin (Knoph Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011) The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel (Knoph Books for Young Readers 5/10/2011)
Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott (Simon Pulse 5/24/2011)
Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing 5/3/2011) Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum (HarperTeen 5/10/2011) The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski (EgmontUSA 5/10/2011)
Flawless by Lara Chapman (Bloomsbury 5/10/2011) The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 5/10/2011) Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 5/23/2011)
Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini (HarperTeen 5/31/2011) Blood Magic (The Blood Journals #1) by Tessa Gratton (Random House Books for Young Readers 5/24/2011)
If you know of any other new releases for May 1st-31st feel free to add them in the comments so others will know about them!
Crazy-good book week!! Got some great summer/fall titles that I've been wanting badly!! Thanks to Hyperion, HarperTeen, Random House, Simon & Schuster, St. Martin's Press, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and author Megan Duncan.
Review Mercy (ARC) by Rebecca Lim The Near Witch (ARC) by Victoria Schwab Putting Makeup On Dead People by Jane Violi Girl Wonder by Alexa Martin .an UNrequired reading water bottle and 2 packs of cards (1 for giveaway soon) Sass and Serendipity by Janenifer Ziegler (ARC and finished copy) Fateful (ARC) by Claudia Gray The Beginning of After (ARC) by Janenifer Castle A Beautiful Dark (ARC) by Jocelyn Davies Released (SIGNED) by Megan Duncan Soul Thief (ARC) by Jana Oliver Damned (ARC) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Vigule Sometimes it Happens (ARC) by Lauren Barnholdt Forgotten by Cat Patrick The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller The Other Countess by Eve Edwards Wildcat Fireflies by Amber Kizer Starstruck by Cyn Balog The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris Amen L.A. by Cherie Bennett Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Purchased Shadowspell by Janena Black
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
The Eternal Sea (Everlasting #2) by Angie Frazier (Scholastic Press 6/1/2011) Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari (Scholastic 6/1/2011) Stupid Fast by Geoff Herback (Sourcebooks Fire 6/1/2011)
The Vampire Stalker by Allison van Diepen (Point 6/1/2011) The Ivy: Secrets (The Ivy #2) by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur (Greenwillow 6/1/2011) Forgiven (Faithful #2) by Janet Fox (Speak 6/2/2011)
He's So Not Worth It (He's So/She's So Trilogy #2) by Kieran Scott (Simon and Schuster 6/7/2011) The Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski (HarperTeen 6/7/2011) Nyx in the House of Night (House of Night) by P.C. Cast and others (Smart Pop 6/7/2011)
Everlasting (The Immortals #6) by Alyson Noel (St. Martin's Griffin 6/7/2011) My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (6/7/2011) Chicks Kick Butt (Shifters) by Various Authors (Tor Books 6/7/2011)
Crush Control by Janenifer Jabaley (Razorbill 6/9/2011)
Possession (Possession #1) by Elana Johnson (Simon & Schuster 6/7/2011) Hereafter (Hereafter #1) by Tara Hudson (HarperCollins 6/7/2011) Forgotten by Cat Patrick (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 6/7/2011)
If you know of any other new releases for June 1st-13th feel free to add them in the comments so others will know about them!
It's been 3 weeks since I have had an IMM post. I've been so busy with Haunted Halloween and grad. school starting back (yuk!). But since I've gotten so many amazing books I wanted to make sure to do an IMM and thank those people this week! Thanks to RandomHouse (LOTS of great books!), Lauren Hammond, Shelley Workinger, Julie Berry, Julie Chibbaro, Kari from A Good Addiction, Kimberly Derting, Nancy Holder, Little Brown, HarperTeen, Harlequin Ambassadors, and Susie Fishbein.
Review Sammy Keyes and the Wedding Crasher by Wendelin Van Draanen Ice Claw by David Gilman Love Sucks by Lauren Hammond Solid (SIGNED) by Shelley Workinger Dark Water by Laura McNeal Trash by Andy Mulligan Fixing Delilah (ARC) by Sarah Ockler Secondhand Charm (SIGNED) by Julie Berry Deadly (SIGNED) by Julie Chibbaro Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan Delirium (ARC) by Lauren Oliver The Rat Brain Fiasco (SIGNED) by Julie Berry Curse of the Bizarro Beetle (SIGNED) by Julie Berry Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah McLean Kosher by Design: Teens and 20-somethings by Susie Fishbein Case File: Canyon Creek, Wyoming (5 copies) by Paula Graves
*The picture next to Deadly is also from Julie and her husband! He drew this picture for her Haunted Halloween post HERE and I ask her if he would mind printing it for me and signing it because he is an amazing artist, and just so happens to be the one who illustrates the pictures inside of Deadly. I was so honored that he drew this just for Haunted Halloween and THRILLED when it came in the mail. Thank you so much Julie and Jean-Marc. This means so much to me! Won Alexis by Alexis Papalia — won from A Good Addiction
SwagSplurch Academy (stickers, bookmarks, and tattoos) Thank you so much Julie! This is the cutest swag!! The Body Finder (tote, poster (not pictured), stickers, bracelets, bookplates, bookmarks) Kim you are AMAZING! I flipped out when I saw the"Desires" bracelet! Crusade (card, bracelet, mints) The Wicked mints are for the twitter party swag pack winners. And, Nancy was kind enough to send me 2 Crusade bracelets and some Vampire mints! Nancy, you are one of the sweetest people!! Thank you for all your support during the Haunted Halloween event! Crossroads Tour swag (bookmarks, tattoos, magnets, and more!) *Not Pictured because a giveaway is starting tomorrow! But thanks so much to Judith Graves for putting together the tour and sending the swagy-goodness!: )
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
*IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristie at The Story Siren and it was inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
