In My Mailbox (8/24 to 8/29)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. If you want more details, click here. In My Mailbox explores all the books that I get in a week, whether it's in the mail, borrowed from a friend, borrowed from the library, or bought from a bookstore.

Recived:

The Snowball Effect by Holly Nicole Hoxter (ARC/ March 2009/ HarperTeen)

18-year-old Lainey Pike can tell you everything you need to know about the people in her family just by telling you how they died. Her reckless stepfather drove his motorcycle off the highway and caused the biggest traffic jam in years. Her long-suffering grandmother lived through cancer and a heart attack before finally succumbing to a stroke. And Lainey's mother, still devastated over her husband's death, hung herself in the basement just days after Lainey's high school graduation. Now Lainey's five-year-old brother is an orphan and her estranged older sister moves back home to act as his guardian. Dealing with her brother has always been a struggle, but sharing the responsibility with her sister is proving to be just as challenging.

Lainey knows that this is all her mother's fault, but she also knows that she eventually has to move out of the "anger" phase of the grieving process. What she can't figure out, though, is how to make peace with a dead woman.


Hancock Park by Isabel Kaplan (Already Published/ June 2009/ HarperTeen)

Becky Miller lives in the best neighborhood, goes to school with the children of movie stars, and has her psychiatrist on speed dial. She may live in the City of Angels, but this sixteen-year-old's life is far from perfect.

By day, Becky navigates the halls of one of L.A.'s most elite schools, where the mean girls are a special breed of mean, and at night, she deals with sparring parents, a grandmother who is man-crazy, and a younger brother, Jack, who answers only to J-zizzy. As Becky's life comes crashing down around her, she struggles to put it back together and learn to grow up while trying to stay sane.

Isabel Kaplan dishes the dirt on the children of Hollywood's elite—from Spago delivered to campus at lunch and shrinks who dole out psychotropic drugs as though they're candy to parent-free parties at the Four Seasons—the lives of Becky and her creator, Isabel Kaplan, are like no other, and yet strangely, just like everyone's.

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley (Already Published/ June 2009/ Greenwillow Books)

When her adoptive mother dies, Katherine Bab takes the chance she has been waiting for her whole life: she moves from her country village to London, to uncover the secret of who she really is. Before long, Kat has become a favorite of Queen Elizabeth herself, and rumors are swirling - could fiery-haired Kat be the secret daughter of the Virgin Queen? Kat's got plenty of other things to figure out, as well . . . such as how to choose between her childhood love and two handsome men at court vying for her affection.

This smart, sensual novel drips with intrigue, period detail, and drama and will resonate with anyone who has ever longed to find his or her place in the world.


Living on Impulse by Cara Haycak (Already Published/ August 2009/ Dutton Juvenile)

Mia Morrow is impulsive, plain and simple. While her friends are concerned with grades and colleges, Mia would rather focus on the things that make her happy— like chasing boys or snatching something off a department store shelf. No big deal, right? But then Mia gets caught shoplifting, and her thoughtless behavior doesn’t just push her friends away, it gets her into a lot of trouble, too. In this eye-opening tale of friendships, family, and negative impulses, Cara Haycak subtly shows that the power to heal is within all of us, and it almost always starts with forgiveness.


Avalon High: Coronation 3 by Meg Cabot. Illustrated by Jinky Coronado (ARC/ September 2009/ HarperCollins)

The exciting conclusion to Meg Cabot's magical Arthurian manga!

Ellie has only one day left to get her boyfriend Will to truly believe he's the reincarnation of King Arthur, or the world will plunge into eternal darkness. But Will refuses to believe her! Meanwhile, the upcoming Homecoming game and dance have everyone distracted, especially Ellie. Some people aren't too happy about her Homecoming Queen nomination and are determined to cause trouble. Ellie's got to save her reputation and the world before the new moon on the night of Homecoming brings them all to a dangerous crossroad. If Ellie can't convince Will of his destiny, the world may never recover. . . .

This manga series of Arthurian legend and high school romance comes to a thrilling climax in this final volume. And just remember—anything can happen if you believe!


As You Wish by Jackson Pearce (Already Published/ August 2009/ HarperTeen)

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.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Invisible I: The Amanda Project by Stella Lennon (ARC/ September 2009/ HarperTeen)

Amanda Valentino changed everything.

Callie Leary has exactly one thing, and one thing only, in common with Nia Rivera and Hal Bennett: They were each chosen by Amanda to be her guide. When Amanda arrived at Endeavor High, she told Callie she moves around a lot and always picks one person to help her navigate the choppy waters of a new school. Why did Amanda lie?

Following a course that they suspect Amanda deliberately plotted, Callie, Nia, and Hal piece together some cryptic clues. But they find more questions than answers and quickly realize that before they can figure out what happened to Amanda—the girl who changed their lives—they'll need to solve the most important mystery of all: Who is Amanda Valentino?

The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson (ARC/ September 2009/ Henry Holt and Co.)

Destiny Faraday makes a point of keeping her distance from her classmates at Hedgebrook Academy. Her number-one rule: Don’t get attached. But one day, unexpectedly finding a car at their disposal, Destiny and three of her classmates embark on an unauthorized road trip.

They’re searching for one fair day—a day where the good guy wins and everything adds up to something just and right. Their destination: Langdon, a town that Destiny’s unsuspecting companions hope will hold simply a day of fun. But, as Destiny says, “Things are not always what they seem.” Only she knows that Langdon holds far more than that—a deep secret she has never shared with anyone.

The Miles Between explores the wonder andmagic of a very real world where chance, mystery, and secrets abound.

The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor (ARC/ Febuary 2010/ HarperTeen)

Before he died, Melissa’s father told her about stars. He told her that the brightest stars weren’t always the most beautiful—that if people took the time to look at the smaller stars, if they looked with a telescope at the true essence of the star, they would find real beauty. But even though Melissa knows that beauty isn’t only skin deep, the people around her don’t seem to feel that way. There’s her gorgeous sister Ashley who will barely acknowledge Melissa at school, there's her best friend Ryan, who may be falling in love with the sophisticated Courtney, and there’s Melissa’s mother who’s dating someone new, someone who Melissa knows will never be able to replace her father.

To make sure she doesn’t lose her father completely, Melissa spends her time trying to piece together the last of his secrets and completing a journal her father began—one about love and relationships and the remarkable ways people find one another. But when tragedy strikes, Melissa has to start living and loving in the present, as she realizes that being beautiful on the outside doesn't mean you can't be beautiful on the inside.

This is a lyrical tale of love, loss and self-discovery from the author of THE SEPTEMBER SISTERS.

In A Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth (ARC/ Febuary 2010/ Walker Books for Young Readers)

Story of a heart transplant told in alternating chapters between two girls: the heart transplant recipient and the heart transplant donor. When Eagan dies during a figure skating competition, Amelia receives her heart, but when she experiences new personality traits, she questions whether she's received more than just a heart.





Daughters of the Sea: Hannah by Kathryn Lasky (ARC/ September 2009/ Scholastic Inc.)

Daughters of the Sea tells the story of 3 mermaid sisters who are separated at birth by a storm and go on to lead three very different lives. Book 1 is about Hannah, who spent her early days in an orphanage and is now a scullery maid in the house of rich, powerful family. She is irresistibly drawn to the sea and through a series of accidents and encounters discovers her true identity. Hannah relizes that she must keep the truth a secret but she also knows that soon she will have to make the choice - to be a creature of the land or the sea.

WOW. Amazing week! What did you guys get?

-Lexi(:

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Pub Date: August 11, 2009

Summary: It was supposed to be just a simple one night stand.

Ellie has hooked up with many guys.

Each time she hopes there will be more than the sex.

When she’s with them, she always feels loved.

But it never lasts.

When Josh, a virgin with a troubled life, leads Elle to the back of his van she follows.

Their “one-time-thing” comes with complications.

Ellie ends up pregnant.

Josh doesn’t know how to deal.

Caleb and Corinne, their close friends, deal with their own swirl of emotions while all of this happens.

All four teens will be forced to grow up faster.

No matter what Ellie chooses none of their lives will be the same again.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I had been waiting forever to read Jumping Off Swings. I had really high expectations and Jo Knowles definitely surpassed them. I fell in love with this book from the beginning. It pulled me in right away, it was so descriptive. I felt like I was actually there. The characters were so well written, everything about this book just flowed. There was never a moment when I was like "Couldn't something better happen?". Every part of this book was amazing, I'm so glad I got to read it. But, I think one of the best parts of this book is that it really makes you think. After reading this book I really thought about a lot of my past decisions and the effect they have on everyone around me, not just myself. I actually changed somethings in my life after completing this book. I'm a lot happier with my life now and I really think I owe it to Jumping Off Swings and especially Jo Knowles. You should read this book the first chance you get.

-Lexi(:

In My Mailbox (8/17 to 8/22)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. If you want more details, click here. In My Mailbox explores all the books that I get in a week, whether it's in the mail, borrowed from a friend, borrowed from the library, or bought from a bookstore.

Received:

Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen (ARC/ October 2009/ EgmontUSA)

Sara Black is tiptoeing across a fraying tightrope.

As the new eleventh grader at Anton High–the most elite public school in the country–she sticks out like an old VW bus in a parking lot full of shiny BMWs. But being the new kid also brings a certain advantageous anonymity.

In Anton High’s world of privilege, intelligence, and wealth, Sara can escape her family’s tarnished past and become whomever she wants.

And what’s the harm in telling a few little black lies when it can lead to popularity? That is, until another it girl at Anton becomes jealous of Sara’s social climbing.

With her balance evaporating, one small push could bring Sara crashing down.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (ARC/ October 2009/ Little, Brown Young Readers)

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

In her third novel, acclaimed author Sara Zarr examines the coexistence of affliction and hope, and what happens when everything you thought you believed---about God, about your family, about yourself---is transformed.


Ash by Malinda Lo (ARC/ September 2009/ Little, Brown Young Readers)

Cinderella retold

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

Those are all that I got this week, but they're all amazing! I'm so excited to read them!

-Lexi(:

After by Amy Efaw

Pub Date: August 20, 2009

Summary: Who would leave their own baby in the trash to die?

Devon would never do that, or would she?

Straight-A student. Star soccer player. More mature then her own mother.

No one can imagine why Devon did what she did.

But panic and desperation played a major part.

Now Devon is in a juvenile detention center.

She’s being charged with attempted murder.

If Devon is tried as an adult, she will spend her whole life in jail.

All her dreams will be destroyed.

Devon says that she didn’t know she was pregnant.

Was she in such denial that she couldn’t see the signs?

Or did Devon have a devious, premeditated plan?

As Devon faces a future behind bars, the truth will slowly come out.

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: I loved After. It was an amazing book. Amy Efaw is such an amazing writer. I really couldn’t put this book down. The characters were amazing and pulled me in from the very beginning. I'm so lucky that I had the chance to read this book before it's published. I loved this book from the beginning. Everything about it just pulled me in. The middle of the book wasn't slow at all like some books are. But the ending for this book, took my breath away. I was not expecting it at ALL. It fit the book so wonderfully. In the back of my mind, I knew this book would have an unexpected ending. It was just needed, but I didn't see it ending this way. I think that's why I really loved this book. You have to read this book the first chance you get!

-Lexi(:

The Comeback by Marlene Perez

Pub Date: August 1, 2009

Summary: Sometimes all the drama happens backstage.

Sophie Donnelly thinks she has it all.

The Hot Boyfriend. The Cool Friends. The Lead in her school’s play.

Then Angie Vogel shows up.

In record time, she takes away everything Sophie thought was so important.

But, there’s only room for one star, one top drama queen.

Sophie’s going to do anything it takes to get back what was her.

No matter what things she might lose in the process.

Her best friend. The guy that might be her true love. The career at the high school drama star.

Once she realizes what she CAN have, will she want to get everything back?

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Review: I really enjoyed reading The Comeback. I thought that it was a really cute book. The characters were all well written and very likeable no matter what bad things they did. While reading this book you start to feel sorry for Sophie, but you don’t really want her to get back her old life. You start to notice that she could be a lot happier if she just leaves everything alone and lets them fall into place. I was definitely pulled into this book from the beginning. I actually read it in one sitting. I wanted to know what was going to happen, I needed to know it.

This book might be up for a contest, haven’t decided yet so keep a look out!

-Lexi(:

In My Mailbox (8/3 to 8/8 and 8/10 to 8/15)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. If you want more details, click here. In My Mailbox exlores all the books that I get in a week, whether it's in the mail, borrowed from a friend, borrowed from the library, or bought from a bookstore.

I didn't post last week becuase I was busy.

So I'm combining this week and last week.

Even though this is two weeks, I only got two books. Haha.

8/3 to 8/8

Recived:

Behind Every Illusion by Christina Harner (Already Published/ June 2009/ Two Trees Books)

When soft-spoken Tatiana turns eighteen, she begins to experience unusual changes. Suddenly, she can read minds, sense emotions and move at a speed that far surpasses anything she’s known before. When her physical features begin to change as well, Tatiana tries desperately to keep her new abilities a secret. Amidst tragedy, unimaginable transformations and an unexpected friendship, Tatiana has to learn to reveal the girl hidden behind her illusions and what it means to face the world in order to preserve not only the forest but her very existence.

Borrowed:

None.

Bought:

None.

Won:

None.

8/10 to 8/15

Recived:

None.

Borrowed:

None.

Bought:

None.

Won:

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (Already Published/ July 2009/ Feiwel and Friends)

All her world’s a stage.


Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.


Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.


COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.


ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.


BERTIE. Our heroine.


Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.


Open Curtain


What books did you get this week?

-Lexi(:

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin

Pub Date: August 1, 2009

Summary: Ever wonder how long it takes to lose your mind?

Sophie Blue

Sarcastic. Artistic. Gothic.

A year ago on her birthday, her father left.

Or maybe he joined a cult.

Or just combusted.

No one really knows.

But he had bad timing because now Sophie’s being followed.

A Popsicle truck with tinted windows has started circling her house.

Kenny Fade

Basketball Star. Popular. The guy every girl wants.

He’s got everything.

The cheerleader. The title.

Every girl (and their moms) would do anything to have him.

Sophie and Kenny don’t have anything in common.

They’re very different.

Except for the fact that they both think they’re losing their minds.

Rating: 1 Star

Review: I’m sorry, but I really didn’t enjoy this book. I thought it sounded interesting enough when I read the summary online, but it’s so different when you read it. I really gave this book a chance, but I was not into it at all. I think it’s definitely for people with an acquired taste in what they read. If you think you would enjoy this book, then by all means, read it. I think that the plot was a very interesting idea; I just didn’t like the writing style very much. This was the first time I’ve read anything by Sean Beaudoin so maybe I just didn’t know what to expect. Even though I didn’t really like Fade to Blue I still want to give Going Nowhere Faster a try.

Stay tuned for contest details!

-Lexi(:

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter

Pub Date: April 2009

Summary: The Summer of Passion.

For seventeen-year-old Jory Michaels, she hopes the next three months are the best summer ever.

Spending time with her best friends. Obsessing over her crush. Trying to find what she is passionate about. Saving money for a nose job.

The only thing that stand between Jory and her happiness is her nose, the Super Schnozz.

To cover the cost of surgery, Jory takes up a job delivering wedding cakes.

But she forgets to mention that she is accident prone.

Jory tries to find her passion by trying yoga, trying to become a foreign film buff, but to her, nothing is as good as finding a boyfriend.

But, to Jory, that can't happen until she loses the Super Schnozz.

She soon discovers though, that the beautiful person she want to become, may not be as perfect as she wants to be.

Rating: 3 Stars

Review: My Big Nose was kind of a disappointing book. The beginning was too slow. I wasn't really pulled into the story as I hoped to be. The middle and ending though, did pick up a bit to the point where I ended up loving the end. Jory was such a cute character. I didn't like her that much at first, but by the ending I wanted to be her friend. I thought it was nice how she was there for her friends but I didn't like how obsessed she was with getting a nose job. I know that people out there are like that, but I think people, girls especially, should be comfortable in their body. I think that I might read this book again, but I do recommend it to readers.

-Lexi(:

Secrets of Truth and Beauty by Megan Frazer

Pub Date: July 2009

Summary: Dara Cohen was the cutest seven-year-old. She was a star when it came to singing.

No wonder she was crowned Little Miss Maine.

Now at the age of seventeen, Dara isn't so little anymore.

When her classmates find out about her past, they're amazed.

This becomes only one of her problems.

Her mother is a control-freak and won't get off her back about things.

But the worst thing is their family secret, Dara has an older sister that her parents tried to erase from their lives.
Dara realizes she has a decision to make after a school project sends her to the office and her parents pull her out to save face.

Option A: Keep following the rules and being misunderstood.

Option B: Reach out to the sister her parents tried so hard to keep a secret.

Dara chooses option B.

To figure out who she really is, Dara just might have to let go of everything she took for granted.

Rating: 3 Stars

Review: Secrets of Truth and Beauty was a very slow book at the beginning. It took me awhile to get into it. Before I started it I had really good expectation for it, but I think they might have been too high. By the end of the book, the plot really started to pick up. But I feel almost like everything was jammed into the end and middle of the book. The beginning had almost nothing in it that grabbed on to you and made you want to finish the book. Also, I felt like not a lot of the characters were very likable. Dara wasn't even my favorite character but she was a good character. I loved everything she learned and by the end of the book, I was proud for everything she accomplished. I don't know if I'll read this book again, but I'm still glad I read it.

-Lexi(:

I'm Still Here...

I'm still here guys!

I haven't gone anywhere.

I've just been really busy and kind of in a reviewing funk.

I have about 6 or so reviews that I really need to write but haven't gotten too.

But, expect them this week.

I'm sorry guys! Hope you didn't forget about me.

-Lexi(:

In My Mailbox (7/27 to 8/1)

In My Mailbox was started by The Story Siren and Alea from Pop Culture Junkie. If you want more details, click here. In My Mailbox exlores all the books that I get in a week, whether it's in the mail, borrowed from a friend, borrowed from the library, or bought from a bookstore.

Recived:


Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles (ARC/ August 2009/ Candelwick)

Ellie remembers how the boys kissed her. Touched her. How they begged for more. And when she gave it to them, she felt loved. For a while anyway. So when Josh, an eager virgin with a troubled home life, leads her from a party to the backseat of his van, Ellie follows. But their "one-time thing" is far from perfect: Ellie gets pregnant. Josh reacts with shame and heartbreak, while their confidantes, Caleb and Corinne, deal with their own complex swirl of emotions. No matter what Ellie chooses, all four teenagers will be forced to grow up a little faster as a result. Told alternately from each character’s point of view, this deeply insightful novel explores the aftershocks of the biggest decision of one fragile girl’s life — and the realities of leaving innocence behind.

I'm so excited to read this! I've wanted to read this since I first heard about it and now I have my own copy of it(:


After by Amy Efaw (ARC/ August 2009/ Viking Juvenile)

An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .

Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made—Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there’s only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.

And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible— she turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon’s unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption.

I think this book sounds amazing! I'm really excited to read it.


And Then Everything Unraveled by Jennifer Sturman (Already Published/ July 2009/ Point)

Delia Truesdale has no idea her life's about to change forever. She's too busy enjoying the California summer. Her internet tycoon mother, T.K. Truesdale, is out of town, and that means Delia can spend all her time at the beach, surfing. That is, until everything unravels.

Her mother suddenly goes missing, and everyone thinks she's dead - excpet Delia, who knows T.K.'s way too organized to simply disappear. But Delia's still sent to New York to live with her two aunts - a downtown bohemian and an uptown ice queen.

And in case that's not bad enough, she also has to deal with a snooty new school and trying not to fall for the wrong guy. Oh, and finding her mother.


As she delves deeper into the tangle of conspiracies and lies surrounding T.K.'s disappearance, Delia begins to suspect that the wrong guy may be the right guy...and that some secrets - especially the dangerous ones - were never meant to be unraveled.

At first, I didn't really want to read this book, but now I'm kind of excited.


Airhead by Meg Cabot (Already Published/ April 2009/ Point)

Em is considerably more interested in playing computer games with her friend Christopher than in befriending the A-list girls who rule her high school. A freak accident mortally injures Em and leaves superstar model Nikki brain dead. After a transplant operation, Em wakes up in Nikki’s body and learns that she must keep her identity a secret and live her life as Nikki. Readers who are willing to swallow the brain transplant idea will find that the rest of the story goes down easily enough; there’s plenty to entertain readers with stars in their eyes as well as those who disdain the pop-culture glamour of Nikki’s life. Besides the juxtaposition of Em’s world with Nikki’s, there are elements of humor and glimmers of compassion for the rich and famous in this first-person story. Toward the novel’s end, “Nikki” enrolls in Em’s old school. Can the girl inside that too-perfect body reconnect with the boy she secretly loves? Stay tuned.

I've never read anything by Meg Cabot before, but I heard she's amazing so I can't wait to find out for myself(:


Being Nikki by Meg Cabot (Already Published/ May 2009/ Point)

Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.


But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.


How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns - especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...

Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.


But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

The sequal to Airhead, yay(:

Borrowed:


Giving Up the V by Serena Robar (Already Published/ June 2009/ Simon Pulse)


What's So Wrong With Waiting

Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex -- like her entire crew of friends -- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd thought.

Enter Benjamin Hopkins, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy?

I've been wanting to read this forever! And now, thanks to Ashley, I finally can!


Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson (Already Published/ July 2007/ Blooming Tree Press)

Destiny has a secret. She's been told not to tell anyone what happened to her, her mom, and her little sister at Crater Lake. She also can't tell anyone that sometimes her sister is covered in bruises. Her friends all want her to report her parents, but Destiny won't tell the school counselor. If she does, it could cost her little sister's life or possibly her own. When the secret becomes too much to carry and the truth she knows becomes a lie, Destiny has to make a decision. Will she find the strength to speak the truth or will she drown in the lies? Will she discover her own worth and the voice she needs to cry it out, or will she remain what her mother has always called her -- a bad girl?

Another borrow from Ashley(:



Annie's Baby (Already Published/ December 2004/ HarperCollins)

Sparks (It Happened to Nancy) shares another slice of a troubled teen's life, this time focusing readers' attention on the topic of teen sex and pregnancy. The first, most excruciating entries in 14-year-old Annie's diary trace her victimization and impregnation by a manipulative and sadistic boyfriend. Completely obsessed with 16-year-old Danny ("He called me an 'Earth Angel.' And I think I'm going to commit myself completely to being just that for him, no matter what!"), Annie is less prepared than readers for the devastating fall she takes the day her home pregnancy test comes out pink. The remaining, more solution-oriented segments of the book convey Annie's arduous climb from rock-bottom ("I CANNOT BEAR TO FACE IT! I WILL NOT!") to a state in which she can confront her mistakes and plan for herself and her child. With the support of her exceptionally tolerant mother, patient teachers and a nonjudgmental therapist (supposedly Sparks), Annie changes from a self-deprecating romantic ("Could plain me possibly be good enough for awesome him?") to a more level-headed realist, who learns, painfully, to put her baby's needs before her own. The book carries a strong anti-abortion sentiment and has an aura of soap opera as well. However, it provides a plethora of objective and valuable information about sex, pregnancy and birth control, and even includes a "What Is Love?" quiz to help girls assess their relationships. An appendix lists relevant statistics, crisis and information hotline numbers, and other useful resources.

The third book borrowed from Ashley for this week(:

I got amazing books this week! I'm so excited to start reading them.

What did you get?

-Lexi(: