Apologies + The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Holy Cow! It's been a long time since I've posted! And you all deserve an explanation just as much as I deserve to have various objects thrown in my direction. This semester has been kicking my BUTT! Whew. I have a seminar that is just insane! So I'm so sorry I've been neglecting both my reading and you guys! It's been just awful.

So here's what I have been up to regarding reading (not for class!). I read Catching Fire (of COURSE, I could not let that one slip by me) and I cried at the end. I hate having to wait so long for the third book! I also read Education Esme which was pretty funny and insightful. I recommend it if you're thinking about going into education, and even if you're not. I started a bunch of books but haven't finished them yet, I guess you could say I got into a sort of funk. I couldn't find that right book to get me back into the swing of things. And then one random day (as I sat gloomily in my home thinking "Oh, I'll never post again!") I got a surprise from my mailwoman. And this just happened to be the book that got me excited about reading again. This book is The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard (EEK!!!). So, after a long awaited review of SOMETHING, here is a very special one:

Take Romeo and Juliet. Add The Outsiders. Mix thoroughly.

Colt and Julia were secretly together for an entire year, and no one—not even Julia's boyfriend— knew. They had nothing in common, with Julia in her country club world on Black Mountain and Colt from down on the flats, but it never mattered. Until Julia dies in a car accident, and Colt learns the price of secrecy. He can't mourn Julia openly, and he's tormented that he might have played a part in her death. When Julia's journal ends up in his hands, Colt relives their year together at the same time that he's desperately trying to forget her. But how do you get over someone who was never yours in the first place?

Wow. At only 192 pages this novel really packs a punch. But it's so simple. This novel lets what happens to someone after they've lost a person they love take the stage. There's not a complex plot but it doesn't need that. The pain in this novel is so large that words can only do so much. But the words Hubbard did use, she used intelligently. I flew threw this novel. I could feel the numbness that came over Colt, could feel the spark he felt when Kirby came along, and feel the pain of the realization that he may never fully get over Julia's death. But, how could you? It shows how one tragedy can change your whole life and how trying to pick up the pieces isn't easy. This novel showcases how the truth can, literally, set you free. And it's the first step to living with the pain.

A great novel that I absolutely cannot get over. I recommend it x 100 to everyone. It's really, really worth it.

Rating: 5.0

Up next: The Shining by Stephen King. I know it's not YA but it's Halloween and I couldn't resist!

Happy Reading!

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

What an AMAZING debut novel! It had me up all night finishing it. Jinn? Super sexy AND can grant you anything-now that's the kind of guy I need! Holy crap, Jackson Pearce is hilarious. Her writing style is inviting and intoxicating. Humor mixed with a sweet love story makes this novel seriously irresistible.

And how cool is it that a younger girl I know just read this book, and let me tell you she doesn't read a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g! And she loved it! Yay for reluctant readers finding something (really great) in this novel!

Jinn just might be my new fictional character crush. I know that this review is really informal but I feel like a gushing school girl telling her best friend about her first (or fiftieth) crush.

So if you haven't read As You Wish, WHY NOT? Go pick it up! Now!

Rating: 5.0

Happy Reading!

P.S. Jackson Pearce is way too cool for words. She teaches color guard. I teach color guard! This somehow makes me feel cooler. Haha! And I definitely sent her an email telling her all of this-in much detail.

In My Mailbox (8, 9, 10)

So it's been FOREVER since I've had a chance to post a REAL blog entry. So here's my in my mailbox, which consists of three weeks of books! :)

As always, thanks to the Story Siren for this awesome meme!

For Review:

Snap by Carol Snow

Madison Sabatini thought she knew who she was: an almost-sophomore with a bright future. The newest photographer on her school paper. A shopaholic with great hair and a fabulous wardrobe. Then, in a flash, everything changed.

Now she's stuck in Sandyland, a gloomy beach town in the middle of nowhere, living with her parents in a crappy hotel "suite." Instead of spending the summer with her friends at home, she's hanging out with pink-haired Delilah, an artist who works in a shop called Psychic Photo, and a skater boy named Duncan who's totally not her type. Except, maybe he is . . .

Determined to make the best of things, Madison throws herself into her one passion: photography. But when strange figures start appearing in her pictures—people who weren't there when she snapped the shots, people who are later reported dead—she begins to question everything about who she is . . . and who she wishes she could be.

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Moonlight can totally change your life.

And it all starts so simply.

You. Him.

The moon.

You're toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material-his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowan

As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands—the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious—and surprisingly cute—messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her gowing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew—what's a teenage demon princess to do?

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Everything Else:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl

Birds of prey have run in fourteen-year-old Owl Tycho's family for hundreds of years. Every generation or so produces a shape-shifter, an apparently normal human being who can change into an owl at will.







Educating Esme by Esme Raji Codell

There aren't too many teachers who are written about in the New Yorker, People, Entertainment Weekly, Elle, and excerpted in Reader's Digest. But Esmé Raji Codell is no ordinary teacher. An irrepressible spirit, she wears costumes in the classroom, dances with the kids during math lessons, rollerskates down the hallways, and puts on rousing performances with at-risk students in the library.

In Educating Esmé, the uncensored diary of her first year teaching in a Chicago public school, she opens a window into the closed world of a real-life classroom. Refusing to let anything get in the way of delivering the education her fifth-graders deserve, this dedicated teacher finds herself battling bureaucrats, gang members, inflexible administrators, angry children, and her own insecurities, while at the same time changing her students' lives forever.

Read My Lips by Teri Brown

Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well-even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there's no turning back.

From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena's identity has done a 180...almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she's not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school's most exclusive clique.

With each new secret she uncovers, Serena feels pressure to find out more. Reading lips has always been her greatest talent, but now Serena just feels like a gigantic snoop...

So that's all I can remember right now, I'm up at school and I'm not right in front of my bookshelf. I'm SURE I missed something so I'll post them when I get another chance!

Happy Reading!

Winners of the End of the Summer +Birthday Contest!!!

So the time has come (why does this remind me of Alice in Wonderland? to talk of many things? of shoes and ships...haha) to announce the two winners of my super huge clearing of my bookshelf contest!!

The winner of the 9 books is....
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Melanie from Melanie's Musings!!!

YAY! Congrats! Send me an email within 48 hours with your mailing address!

And the second winner (because I got over 150 followers) of his/her choice of 1 YA pre-order (within $16) is...
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MeganDreamer!!

Woohoo! Send me an email with your book choice/address and you'll receive it from amazon as soon as it's released!

Thanks to EVERYONE who entered! I love you the better for it and for reading my blog!!!

Happy Reading!

And the Winner is...

of Ruined by Paula Morris

The Ghost Blogger!!

Send me an email with your address within 48 hours to claim your prize and Congratulations!!!!!

Remember there's still time to enter my end of the summer + birthday contest-you can find the link at the top of my sidebar!

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday!

So sorry I haven't been posting lately! I've been working and getting ready to go back to school, it's just been SO hectic! But I'm back! And here's what I'm waiting for this Wednesday:


Michael and his friend Francis share a secret passion for Evgard, the fantasy world they have created together. But then Michael finds a note in his locker, revealing that their secret is out. He immediately suspects Francis, and tries to get revenge by telling the school bully—known affectionately as Shitley—that Francis is gay, which guarantees Francis is in for a pounding. But did Francis really betray his friend? Or is Michael really the traitor?

This gripping account of a troubled friendship unfolds both as a contemporary story and as a compelling glimpse into the world of Evgard. The Traitor Game tackles difficult issues without hesitation and will surely draw in gamer and fantasy fans as well as contemporary fiction readers.

Why I want this: The paperback version is being released in September so now I'll go and buy it! It just looks really riveting and different. Sometimes it's hard to find original voices out there and this looks like it'll be just that!

Happy Reading Everyone!

The Sweetheart of Prosper County by Jill S. Alexander

Almost-15-year-old Austin Gray is tired of standing at the curb and watching the parade pass her by. Literally. She decides this is the year she’ll ride on the hood of a shiny pickup truck in the annual parade, waving to the crowd and finally showing the town bully that she’s got what it takes to be the Sweetheart of Prosper County.

But far from simply being a beauty contest, becoming Sweetheart involves participation in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), raising an animal, and hunting or fishing. Austin will do almost anything to become Sweetheart, and has the support of her oldest friend, Maribel, her new FFA friends (including the reigning Sweetheart, and a quiet, cute cowboy), an evangelical Elvis impersonator, a mysterious Cajun outcast, and a rooster named Charles Dickens. If only her momma would stop overprotecting her, and start letting Austin live her own life. But Austin can’t move on until Momma moves on, too—and lets the grief of losing Austin’s daddy several years before out into the open.

The Sweetheart of Prosper County was such a lighthearted and heartfelt novel. I know lately I've been using cooking metaphors for my reviews but this reminded me of homemade cookies. With each ingredient being important and made special. The author put so much of her experience into the novel. I learned so much, like, I had no idea what grappling was until this novel. And I didn't know having a rooster as a pet could be so cool.

The characters in this novel were unforgettable. At the core of this novel was friendship and love. Each character had depth and identity that shone through each page. I think everyone can relate to Austin in some way-just trying to find that something that makes you special. Maribel and Austin's FFA friends were quirky, sweet, and I loved reading about them.

If I could live in a novel, I think I would live in this one. The story, character, plot, and setting all were so real. While I was reading I felt like I lived there my whole life. Sometimes you need a little small town lovin'. Everyone knows everyone and especially, helps everyone out.

I recommend this novel to anyone who's ever had a friend. Or has ever been a teenager. This novel is the perfect, real, coming of age story I've read in a long time. I loved it.

Rating: 4.5

Happy Reading!