In My Mailbox (17)

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:

Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ December 2010/ Two Copies)

Sixteen-year-old Sophie knows there is more to the story of her parents' death. And she is on a mission to find the truth. To aid her in solving the decades-old mystery, she has enlisted her best friend, Mikael, whose friendship has turned into someone more. It's soon clear that Sophie's future is very much wrapped up in the details of her family's past, and the key lies with information only one man can provide: her parents' former employer, the elusive billionaire Alfred Nobel. But the more Sophie learns, the more she realizes that nothing- and no one- in her life is what it seems. And coming to terms with the dark secrets she uncovers means imagining a truth that she never dreamed possible. Full of gorgeour settings, thrillin adventure, and romance, INVISIBLE THINGS is a novel that dares to ask, what if?

Stranded by J.T. Dutton (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ June 2010)

Who abandoned Baby Grace?

A farmer’s discovery in his cornfield thrusts a small farm town into a raging media frenzy—and Kelly Louise into a new home. Who knew a person could feel so completely stranded somewhere with national news coverage?

How is Kelly Louise supposed to shed her virginal status when the baby in the cornfield shadows her every hair flip, every wink? And the one boy around who rates anywhere near acceptable on the Maximum Man Scale only has eyes for her cousin, Natalie (who only has eyes for Jesus).

But Natalie has a secret. Everyone is so busy burying the truth about Baby Grace, they can’t see who they’re burying alive.

Welcome to Heaven, Iowa.


I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan (Paperback/ Scholastic/ June 2010)

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.

When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time.


Sellout by Ebony Joy Wilkins (Paperback/ Scholastic/ July 2010)

NaTasha has a wonderful life in affluent Park Adams. She fits in, she has friends, and she's a member of the all-white ballet troupe. Being nearly the only African American in her school doesn't bother NaTasha. But it bothers Tilly, NaTasha's spitfire grandmother from Harlem, who decides NaTasha needs to get back to her roots or her granddaughter is in danger of losing herself completely. Tilly whisks NaTasha away to a world where all of a sudden nothing in NaTasha's life makes any sense: Harlem and Comfort Zone in the Bronx, a crisis center where (cont'd)
Tilly volunteers her time to help troubled girls get on the right track. Girls who are completely unlike anyone NaTasha has ever encountered. These girls are rough, beautiful, streetwise, sure of themselves, and wield their secrets like knives--and they dislike NaTasha and her world of privilege with a passion.

If there is ever a time when NaTasha feels like running away from something, now is it. But she doesn't. She stands her ground. And what she discovers surprises everyone, especially NaTasha.


The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti (Hardback/ Simon & Schuster/ March 2010/ Two Copies)

Scarlet spends most of her time worrying about other people. Some are her friends, others are practically strangers, and then there are the ones no one else even notices. Trying to fix there lives comes naturally to her. And pushing her own needs to the side is part of the deal.

So when her older sister comes home unexpectedly married and pregnant, Scarlet has a new person to worry about. But all of her good intentions are shattered when the unthinkable happens: She falls for her sister's husband. For the first time in a long time, Scarlet's not fixing a problem, she's at the center of one. And ignoring her feelings doesn't seem to be an option.


And Then I Found Out the Truth by Jennifer Sturman (Paperback/ Scholastic/ July 2010)

Delia Truesdale is still searching for the truth about her mother, who is in hiding somewhere in South America. But for now, Delia has to make do with her mystery-solving in New York City, alongside her Aunt Charley (a downtown hipster), her Aunt Patience(an uptown ice queen), a detective with a questionable taste in neckties, an eccentric psychic, her brainiac friend, and Quinn, the wealthy, gorgeous boy who--gasp!-- seems to return Delia's affections. Too bad Quinn's shady CEO dad may be involved in the scheme Delia is trying to crack. And a trip to South America may be in order after all.

Plain Kate by Erin Bow (Paperback/ Scholastic/ September 2010)

Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. As the wood-carver's daughter, Kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden talismans are so fine that some even call her “witch-blade”: a dangerous nickname in a country where witches are hunted and burned in the square.

For Kate and her village have fallen on hard times. Kate’s father has died, leaving her alone in the world. And a mysterious fog now covers the countryside, ruining crops and spreading fear of hunger and sickness. The townspeople are looking for someone to blame, and their eyes have fallen on Kate.

Enter Linay, a stranger with a proposition: In exchange for her shadow, he’ll give Kate the means to escape the angry town, and what’s more, he’ll grant her heart’s wish. It’s a chance for her to start over, to find a home, a family, a place to belong. But Kate soon realizes she can't live shadowless forever -- and that Linay's designs are darker than she ever dreamed.


Grace by Elizabeth Scott (Paperback/ Dutton Books/ September 2010)

A fable of a terrifying near future by critically acclaimed author Elizabeth Scott.

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

Told in spare, powerful prose, this tale of a dystopian near future will haunt readers long after they've reached the final page.


You Wish by Mandy Hubbard (Paperback/ Penguin Group/ August 2010)

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteenth sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. And a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride… but they MUST STOP. Because when she was 15? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her.

And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.


Lifted by Wendy Toliver (Paperback/ Simon and Schuster/ June 2010)

Poppy isn’t happy with her single mother for moving her to Texas and enrolling the decidedly secular 16-year-old in a private Baptist high school. Soon, however, she becomes fascinated with the two most elite girls in class. Befriended, she ignores (to her later peril) her initial contact at Calvary High, the frumpy Bridgette. Instead, Poppy becomes caught up in whirlwind mall trips; her new friends, despite their pious attitudes, are shoplifters. Toliver does a good job of making clear the thefts are less about the desire for things like designer jeans than about the adrenaline rush of getting away with something. She is also sensitive to the school’s core values while still making clear the hypocrisy of people who hide behind veneers of holiness. Especially well drawn is Poppy’s crush, a quirky, sincere minister’s son, who—as Poppy’s world spins out of control—comforts her with unconditional support: We all make mistakes. It says so in the Bible, so it’s gotta be true. Will appeal to all teens interested in wayward behavior.

Wildwing by Emily Whitman (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ October 2010)

Addy knows there's so much more to life than what she has. She must be destined for more than being a maid to an eccentric elderly man. And so when she finds a mysterious contraption in the gentleman's study, of course she steps inside. Of course she bumps into the wrong button. Suddenly Addy is in medieval England, mistaken for the young woman betrothed to the lord of the nearby manor. It's destiny. But is it home? And will she ever find her way back to her own time? Will she want to, once she's met the shy, handsome falconer's apprentice?

The White Horse Trick by Kate Thompson (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ September 2010)

It is the latter part of the 21st century, and dramatic climate change has made life in Ireland almost impossible. Meanwhile, Tir na n'Og is faced with a refugee problem, and the king of the fairies is not happy about it and when it is revealed that the warlord who is behind the problem is a member of the Liddy family, JJ is sent to sort him out...Following on from The New Policeman and The Last of the High Kings, The White Horse Trick travels from the now to far distant futures: from world's end to world's beginning..

-Lexi (:

Update!

Hey guys! I've been majorly slacking on my blog lately and I feel horrible about it!

I got so busy with school and preparing for finals, that after school, I was totally just out of the whole blogging thing.

BUT I'M BACK NOW. (:

So here's a little list of what you should be expecting!

Reviews:
  • Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter
  • The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti
  • House Rules by Jodi Picoult
  • Snap by Carol Snow
  • Dawn by Kevin Brooks
  • Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
  • Airhead by Deb Cabot
  • The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
  • I Know It's Over by C. K. Kelly Martin
  • Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
  • Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Posts:
  • In My Mailbox
  • Review Rewind
  • Old vs. New
  • GIVEAWAYS
  • Author Guest Posts

I have a lot of fun stuff planned for my blog this summer so keep checking back! I wouldn't want you to miss a giveaway! (:

Oh! And I have some exciting news.. After my mom found out how well I did in school this year and on my finals... She bought me a Sony Reader! I've already read 3 books on it, I'm in love with it. (:

- Lexi (:

Review Rewind (5)

Hosted by Ashley at Books Make Great Lovers.

So, in this post I'm just going to link some of my reviews that never got any comments or reviews that only got one comment. I think that everyone should have the chance to see them and be reminded of the good books that aren't so new!

Review Rewind (1)

Review Rewind (2)

Review Rewind (3)

Review Rewind (4)

The Exile of Gigi Lane by Adrienne Maria Vrettos.
4 Star review.

Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison.
4 Star review.

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott.
4 Star review.

Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson.
2.5 Star review.

Thanks guys!

-Lexi (:

Old vs. New

The book I choose for this week is Taken By Storm by Angela Morrison.

I reveiewed this book awhile ago, if you want to read my review just click here.

And Angela Morrison also did a guest blog, if you would like to read it click here.

For this post, I'll be showing you the US hardback cover and the US paperback cover.

Old Cover:
Also the US hardback.



I really like this cover. The effect of the boy and girl looking at each other like you caught then in a moment, is nice touch. I also really like the colors. They fit the cover well.

New Cover:
Also the US paperback.



I actually don't like this cover as much as I like the Old Cover. I think this one is kind of cheesy with the boy and girl standing apart and sort of reaching towards each other. It goes the main plot of the novel well, but it's not appealing to the eye. The colors on the other hand, add detail to the cover.

The winner for this week, is the old cover/US hardback. I like the colors and how the boy and girl are facing each other more.

But this post isn't just about me, leave a comment and tell me what your favorite cover was this week!

-Lexi (:

Review Rewind (4)

Hosted by Ashley at Books Make Great Lovers.

So, in this post I'm just going to link some of my reviews that never got any comments or reviews that only got one comment. I think that everyone should have the chance to see them and be reminded of the good books that aren't so new!

Review Rewind (1)

Review Rewind (2)

Review Rewind (3)

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz.
5 Star review.

Lost It by Kristen Tracy.
4.5 Star review.

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick.
3.5 Star review.

The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor.
3.5 Star review.

Switch by Carol Snow.
3 Star review.

Thanks guys!

-Lexi (:

Old vs. New

The book I chose for this week is If I Stay by Gayle Forman.

I reviewed this book awhile ago, if you want to read my review just click here.

For this week, I'll be posting the hardback and two other covers that I think are the paperback and UK versions.

Old Cover:
Also the US hardback.





I love the simplicity of this cover. You can just let your imagination run wild about the characters, the setting.. pretty much every part of this book can have whatever picture in your mind that you want it to have.

New Cover:
Also the US paperback.




(The only picture of this cover that I could find was from Amazon.com so it's not that great.)
I don't love this cover as much as the first one, but it deffinitly has a lot of character to it. The dark colors, the mist, the way the girl's face looks all say something about what If I Stay is about. It depicts the novel very well, but it a subtle way.


Another New Cover:
Also the UK cover.




I like this cover about as much as I love the first one. This cover is very nicely donw. I love how there is a slight effect of snow and how it looks like the girl is almost floating without even really noticing. Personally, I think that this cover shows more of the feeling this novel gives you.

This week, I think my favorite cover is... the new cover, also knows as the UK cover!

I think it had a very fun side to it yet it showed the seriousness of the novel.

But this post isn't just about me, leave a comment and tell me what you're favorite cover was!

-Lexi (:

In My Mailbox (4/12 - 4/18)

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 Deadly Sister by Eliot Schrefer (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ May 2010)

Abby Goodwin is sure her sister Maya isn't a murderer. But her parents don't agree. Her friends don't agree. And the cops definitely don't agree. Maya is a drop-out, a stoner, a girl who's obsessed with her tutor, Jefferson Andrews...until he ends up dead. Maya runs away, and leaves Abby following the trail of clues. Each piece of evidence points to Maya, but it also appears that Jefferson had secrets of his own. And enemies. Like his brother, who Abby becomes involved with...until he falls under suspicion.

Is Abby getting closer to finding the true murderer? Or is someone leading her down a twisted false path?


Compromised by Heidi Ayarbe (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ May 2010)

With a con-man dad and a long-gone mom, the only thing that makes sense to Maya is science. In fact, every time her dad’s cons go wrong, she has a scientific way to fix it, to keep both of them safe and together.

Only this time Maya’s scientific method doesn’t work. She finds herself stuck in an orphanage, and then living on the street, where scientific laws don’t apply, with two unlikely allies, and she has to learn to live on instinct alone. But when Maya goes off in search of an aunt she’s never met in hopes of finding some semblance of stability in her chaotic world, she finds something even more important: her own strength.


Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ May 2010)

A descendant of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, fourteen-year-old Alex is stuck at boarding school near Lake Geneva, Switzerland, when he finds himself drawn into a web of paranormal intrigue. It turns out that Lake Geneva is also home to a secret school for vampires called the Scholomance—and now to a dangerous vampire clan lord known only as Icemaker, who’s using the Scholomance for his own dangerous endgame. With the help of his friends and of special agent Sangster, it’s up to Alex to fulfill his family destiny and stop Icemaker’s frightening plans once and for all.

Alex Van Helsing is a showstopping hero set to leap off the page—stake, naturally, in hand. Drawing from centuries of actual vampire lore and literature (and with a nod to zombies, too!), Jason Henderson delivers a breathlessly paced thriller that will captivate vampire fans as well as readers who loved Alex Rider.


Mistwood by Leah Cypess (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ May 2010)

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes.Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty-because without it, she may be his greatest threat.Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

Brilliant by Rachel Vail (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ June 2010)

Everything is going to be fine . . . .Quinn Avery can handle change. It's just paint, right? Bright, blinding white paint covering her once dazzling red bedroom walls. Quinn knows she shouldn't be angry at her mom-she's doing what she must to sell the house-but still, Quinn is beyond mad, and she doesn't know what to do about it.Until now, Quinn was doing a pretty good job at pretending to be her old self-calm and brilliant Avery daughter, responsible big sister to Allison and Phoebe, piano virtuoso, girl who makes everyone proud-but without the sanctuary of her room, a new, wild Quinn is emerging. Lying, sneaking out, partying, Quinn is practically asking to get caught. When Quinn adds kissing the wrong boys-including her sister's boyfriend and her own piano teacher-to her list of crimes, has she gone too far to save herself?Brilliant, the final book in Rachel Vail's critically acclaimed sisterhood series, which includes Lucky and Gorgeous, follows Quinn through a summer of change as she discovers that while letting go is never easy, hanging on can be even harder. Witty and poignant, Brilliant is the perfect ending to this addictive trilogy of interconnected sister stories.

Wayfarer by R.J. Anderson (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ May 2010)

The faeries of the Oak are dying, and it’s up to a lone faery named Linden to find a way to restore their magic. Linden travels bravely into dangerous new territory, where she enlists the help of an unlikely friend—a human named Timothy. Soon they discover something much worse than the Oakenfolk’s loss of magic: a potent evil that threatens the fate of all faeries. In a fevered, desperate chase across the country, Timothy and Linden risk their lives to seek an ancient power before it’s too late to save everyone they love.

R. J. Anderson has artfully crafted a world of stunning magic, thrilling adventure, and delicate beauty, where a girl far from home must defeat the pervasive evil befalling her beloved faery realm.


Bullet Point by Peter Abrahams (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ May 2010)

Wyatt never really thought much about his dad-a hardened criminal, a lifer in a prison somewhere on the other side of the state. But then the economy had to go and tank, and the community had to go and cut the baseball program from Wyatt's high school. And then the coach had to go and show Wyatt a photograph of his dad at sixteen, looking very much like Wyatt himself. Through a series of unfortunate-or perhaps they were fortunate-events, Wyatt meets a crazy-hot girl named Greer with a criminal dad of her own. A criminal dad who is, in fact, in jail with Wyatt's own criminal dad. Greer arranges a meeting, and Wyatt's dad is nothing like the guy he's imagined-he's suave, and smart, and funny, and cool, and-Wyatt's pretty sure-innocent. So Wyatt decides to help him out. A decision that may possibly be the worst he's ever made in his life.This is another hold-your-breath thriller by the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award nominated Peter Abrahams.

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ June 2010)

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.


Summer of the Geek by Piper Banks (Paperback/ New American Library/ May 2010)

The third compulsively readable book in the smart and witty series about a high school for gifted students. Miranda Bloom has scored an adorable, lacrosse-playing boyfriend, Dex McConnell, and an awesomely easy summer job looking after a ten year old mini-genius, Amelia. This summer is going to be sweet... Then reality puts the brakes on everything. Though Dex and Miranda are official, she feels like he's keeping secrets-secrets that may have to do with his fashion model ex-girlfriend. Meanwhile, Amelia is harder to figure out than advanced trigonometry. How can they bond if all she does is practice the piano? Plus Miranda's mom just invited her to live in London with her. Living across the pond would be great, but can she really leave Geek High andDex? Looks like Miranda has a secret of her own...





Hothouse by Chris Lynch (Paperback/ HarperCollins/ August 2010)

Sorry guys, I couldn't find a picture or a summary.




Life, After by Sarah Darer Littman (Paperback/ Scholastic Press/ July 2010)

After a terrorist attack kills Dani's aunt and unborn cousin, life in Argentina--private school, a boyfriend, a loving family--crumbles quickly. In order to escape a country that is sinking under their feet, Dani and her family move to the United States. It's supposed to be a fresh start, but when you're living in a cramped apartment and going to high school where all the classes are in another language--and not everyone is friendly--life in America is not all it's cracked up to be. Dani misses her old friends, her life, Before.

But then Dani meets a boy named Jon, who isn't like all the other students. Through him, she becomes friends with Jessica, one of the popular girls, who is harboring a secret of her own. And then there's Brian, the boy who makes Dani's pulse race. In her new life, the one After, Dani learns how to heal and forgive. She finds the courage to say goodbye and allows herself to love and be loved again.


Borderline by Allan Stratton (Hardback/ HarperCollins/ March 2010)
Fifteen-year-old Sami Sabiri is a typical suburban teen. He is a good student, has a close group of friends, and struggles to live up to his father's expectations. He faces some bullying at school because of his Muslim faith, and does not get the support from the administration to stop it. When his dad cancels a planned trip to Toronto with him, Sami begins to suspect he might be having an affair. He checks up on him and unknowingly stirs up a completely different investigation of the man's behavior. Is Sami's dad a terrorist? What ensues is a tautly paced thriller with well-crafted characters and realistic teen dialogue. It is the plausibility of the plotline that makes it, ultimately, so disturbing. The FBI breaks into the Sabiris' house one night, destroys their belongings, and takes Sami's father away. The teen's troubles at school are neatly juxtaposed with the assumptions made by the FBI about his dad, and ultimately lead toward a positive resolution to Sami's relationship with his father. This is a great, fast-paced read that will have particular appeal to fans of the television show 24. It is also notable for its characterization of a strong male Muslim who is true to his faith and struggles to do the right thing throughout. While the cover art is not compelling, this title will make an excellent booktalk. Once it finds its way into the hands of teens, word of mouth will ensure that it circulates.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Paperback/ Scholastic Press/ July 2010)

In Maggie Stiefvater's "Shiver," Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in "Linger," they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, "Linger "is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.


-Lexi (:

Angela Morrison Guest Blog

Today, we have a special guest: Angela Morrison.

Her novel, Sing Me To Sleep, was recently published.

I had the opprotunity to read and review this book before it's publication, if you would like to read my review, just click here!

Now, on with the post!

Thanks, Lexi, for hosting my blog tour today. You are my second to the last stop. I've visited 25 blogs--you are the 26th. The YA book blogging community has given SING ME TO SLEEP a fantastic kick-off. It's doing really well. And I've had a great time visiting with followers from all over the world. So much positive energy. Writing takes a lot of alone time. My kids think I'm a total hermit. It's been wonderful to crawl out of my cave and get to chat with readers and bloggers.

Lexi let me choose my topic today. I wanted to leave you with something new. I've been mulling over a post on the art of cutting (your manuscript ONLY, not the other kind) and how it evolves when you work with an editor for my website's liv2writ blog so I thought I'd preview it here.

I learned my first lessons in cutting from the brilliant pen of Ron Koertge, my first MFA advisor at Vermont College of the Fine Arts. He's a poet and YA novelist (see STONER & SPAZ, etc.) His writing is incredibly succinct--vivid, tight scenes you can step into. He taught me about the dribble effect. I had a tendency to ruin the power of a scene or chapter by dribbling PAST the dramatic point where the scene should stop. This is a common problem in first drafts. Easy fix with Ron's pen to X out the dribble. I got better at doing it myself, too. If you cut the boring tying up stuff--leave the reader wanting more--and jump to the next scene at the start of the next chapter, it makes such a difference.

Ron challenged me to cut entire scenes and chapters that weren't working. It's hard to let go of those words you've sweated out of your creative soul and artfully arranged on the page--but it's a critical skill. I resisted, rewrote, and then finally agreed with Ron. Tough to do, but when it came to working with an editor, I was thankful I'd learned those lessons.

By the time I sold TAKEN BY STORM it was seriously over weight--closing in on 90,000 words. My editor, Lexa Hillyer, who recently left Razorbill to start her own literary development company, Paper Lanterns, Inc., wanted me to cut a third of the novel. Yikes. Some of my favorite scenes and chapters got the ax. Lexa encouraged me to save them for the sequel we planned. (See UNBROKEN CONNECTION.) I used some of that material in UNBROKEN CONNECTION, but many of those scenes will only see the light of day if I ever get around to posting them on my blog.

When I wrote SING ME TO SLEEP, I was prepared to get out the hatchet again. This time, though, Lexa needed me to add scenes. She just asked for one big cut--the epilogue.

I wrote the epilogue in response to my daughter's critique of the ending. She thought it was too abrupt--felt readers needed a bit more denouement. Without her choir experiences and friendships, there wouldn't be a SING ME TO SLEEP, so I wrote short epilogue.

Beth's future surprised even me. I was so proud of her and where the journey she takes in SING leads her.

Lexa's publisher (the boss) objected to the switch to an adult tone and voice, so I agreed to cut it.

One of my favorite novels is Katherine Paterson's JACOB HAVE I LOVED. And my favorite part of that novel is the epilogue--where Louise is delivering babies in Appalachia. I suppose I intuitively wanted to give readers a similar look at Beth in the future as an adult. Not just a few weeks or months down the road.

Perhaps I should have fought harder to keep it in. Lexa suggested I post it on my website as a reader extra--which I've done--so AFTER you've read SING ME TO SLEEP, be sure to visit my ChatSpot Blog and read it and the tributes there. But it isn't the same as having the true beauty Beth becomes as the closing scene the reader walks away with.

Hmm . . . maybe if I'm a really good little author they'll put it back in for the paperback.

Thanks again, Lexi for all your support. If your followers have questions, I'd be happy to stop back in and answer them. Oh, and for all of you who loved the trailer soundtrack, "Beth's Song" is NOW ON ITUNES!!!


All best,

Angela


Thanks for the visit, Angela.

If you have any questions, just leave them in a comment and I will be sure to pass them on!

-Lexi (:

Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson


Pub Date: January 2008

Summary: What do you do when your past suddenly catches up with you?

Scarlett Wakefield has to transfer from her posh private school, St. Tabby’s, to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, a world-renowned prep school that her grandmother runs.

The only thing Scarlett cares about is that no one at her new school knows her dark secret and past.

A few months before transferring schools, Scarlett got invited to an elite part by Plum Saybourne, the queen of St. Tabby’s.

The guest list was full of the hottest names in their society, including Dan McAndrew.

Scarlett’s secret crush.

She has always wondered what it would be like to kiss Dan.

Once they were on the penthouse terrace, she no longer had to wonder.

Dan leaned into kiss her.

It was perfect and magical.

Until, Dan McAndrew suffocated in her arms.

No one knows why or how he died but they all think Scarlett had something to do with it.

All Scarlett wants to do now is forget it ever happened.

Only she can’t.

Scarlett receives an anonymous note.

It says, it wasn’t your fault.

Now Scarlett is on a mission to clear her name and find out what really happened to the first boy she ever kissed.

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Review: Kiss Me Kill Me was not at all what I expected. I had an idea of the plot and such, but I really wasn’t sure. I bought it more on a whim and I wish I hadn’t. Although I did like Scarlett as a character, I didn’t really like all of the other characters. Well at St. Tabby’s that is. Once Scarlett got to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, I found most of the girls a lot more likeable. The mystery of what happened to Dan seemed like it was a big thing at the beginning and the end of the novel. But at the middle, it all seemed pushed aside. It was never really addressed fully until the end of the novel where the whole mystery was simply wrapped up in about 2 or 3 chapters. For me, that was the point when I really started to not like this book. What seemed like it would be an important thing in the story was, then wasn’t, then was, then wasn’t. Sadly I don’t think I would recommend Kiss Me Kill Me to many people.

-Lexi (:

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott


Pub Date: June 2009

Summary: How are you supposed to move on after your best friend dies and it’s your fault?

Amy is getting sick of a lot of things.

Her parents suddenly caring. People asking her about Julia.

Amy doesn’t want to talk about Julia.

She was her best friend and how she’s gone.

Amy knows people won’t understand what it’s like for her.

What it’s like to have your best friend ripped away from you.

What it’s like to lose the one thing you really cared about.

What it’s like to lost the one person you would do anything for.


They wouldn’t know what it’s like to know that all of that is your fault.

Her shrinks told her to keep a journal, but of course she didn’t listen.

Amy starts writing letters to Julia instead.

But as she writes, Amy realizes that maybe the past she had with Julia wasn’t as perfect as she thought it was.

Maybe Amy needs to give the present a chance instead of always pushing things away.

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Love You Hate You Miss You is the first novel by Elizabeth Scott that I have really liked reading. Amy was a really unique character. You could tell within the first few pages that the relationship she shared with Julia was very special and it meant a lot to her. You could also tell that Amy did blame herself for the death of Julia. I didn’t really like Amy at some parts but when I did like her, I could really relate to her. I understood how she felt about drinking and parties, guys and sex. A lot of the time I thought that she was very confused and unsure about the things that were going on around her. She felt empty and alone without Julia. Amy didn’t think anyone could fix that for her. But towards the end, a guy comes into her life and makes Amy feel things that she hasn’t ever felt before. The ending of Love You Hate You Miss You is sort of bittersweet in some ways. I really recommend this book. Now I just need to go out and buy my own copy so I can read it again whenever I want to.

-Lexi (:

Review Rewind (3)

Hosted by Ashley at Books Make Great Lovers.

So, in this post I'm just going to link some of my reviews that never got any comments or reviews that only got one comment. I think that everyone should have the chance to see them and be reminded of the good books that aren't so new!

Review Rewind (1)

Review Rewind (2)

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
3 Star review.

In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
3.5 Star review.

Secret Society by Tom Dolby
4 Star review.

Invisible I: The Amanda Project by Stella Lennon
3.5 Star review.

Thanks guy!

-Lexi (:

Old vs. New

The book I choose for this week is Willow by Julia Hoban.

I recently review this book, and I loved it! If you want to read and comment my review just click here.

For this review, I'll be posting the US cover and the UK cover.

Old Cover:
Also the US cover.




I absolutely love this cover. I love how the face is tilted down and it looks like the cover has been cut. To me, it fits the book and Willow well.

New Cover:
Also the UK cover.



Now, I do like this cover just not as much as the other one. I also don't like the new title of the book. I think Scarred just gives a little too much away about the book. I also don't like how the girl on the cover seems to be crying and the background is so dirty but yet her dress is still very yellow.


This week, my favorite cover has to be the old cover/the US one.

But tell me which one was your favorite this week!

-Lexi (:

Sing Me to Sleep by Angela Morrison


Pub Date: March 2010

Summary: Beth has always been known as, “The Beast”.

Height. Scars. Glasses.

Those are only some of the things that make people scared of Beth.

She only has one true friend, a geek named Scott.

That is until Beth is chosen for her choir’s soloist.

She receives the makeover of her life and now everyone loves her.

Or wants a piece of her.

On a trip to Switzerland, Beth meets Derek.

He seems perfect, maybe too perfect.

Derek soon helps Beth realize that she too can find love.

In Derek’s eyes, she is beautiful.

No longer a beast.


After a confession from Scott, Beth’s heart is torn in two.

If that doesn’t change things, Derek has a secret that could shatter everything.

Should Beth choose sweet and steady or danger and passion?

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Sing Me to Sleep is the second novel that I’ve read by Angela Morrison and I have to say, I really like her as an author. She comes up with not so new plots but really makes them her own. From the first page, I found myself pulled into this novel. Even though I knew in my head that I couldn’t really relate with Beth, I FELT like I could. I think knowing you can’t but actually feeling like you can is very different. It takes a very skilled author to create a feeling like that. I was so happy for Beth when she actually found someone that liked her for her because I know what that feels like. But at first, I wasn’t so sure if things were going to work out with Derek. I thought “Hmm, he lives somewhere else. That couldn’t be easy for them. But it would be easier for him to end contact with her if he wanted.” Once this the relationship between Beth and Derek really started, my mind completely changed. I was happy for them but I really wanted what was going on behind closed doors with Derek, as Beth did also. The end of Sing Me to Sleep played out very nicely. The ending was so cute and had so much personality. I could tell that Beth and Derek would be headed in a very good direction with each other.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this novel from its publishing company/author with the understanding that I would provide an honest review. I am not getting paid in any way for writing and posting this review.

The Exile of Gigi Lane by Adrienne Maria Vrettos


Pub Date: April 2010

Summary: My name’s Gigi Lane. You wish you were me.

You can call it whatever you want, but everyone knows it’s true.

Gigi Lane is about to be crowned Head Hottie of the infamous Hot Spot.

It’s her job to keep the other girls at Swan’s Lake Country Day School in line.

She’s strict. She’s bossy.

Gigi Lane can’t wait for the night of the Founder’s Ball.

Everyone knows it’s when the new Hot Spot is announced in front of everyone.

But that night, one girl exposes Gigi for what she really is.

A Mean Girl.

Gigi’s world slowly starts to fall apart in just one night.

She ends up at the bottom of the social scale, struggling to find a place for herself.

Somewhere she’s never been before, something she’s never had to do before

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: I’m not quite sure what to say about The Exile of Gigi Lane and I don’t mean this in a bad way. I simply mean, where do I start?There’s a lot to say about this book, its characters, and the plot. Most of it is positive too! Hence the 4 stars I gave it. I loved Gigi, she was one of the best characters in awhile even thought she was kind of stuck up. Her and her friends thought they had it all until someone decided to put them in their place which I can say doesn’t happen all that often in high school. But this book is mostly about how Gigi struggles to make it back to the top of the social scale. This for her is a very hard task. The people who loved her now hate her. The people who hated her now hate her even more. I could feel myself connect with Gigi in some ways, but not in all of them. I myself have never been very popular, but I know what it’s like to try to fit in. Sometimes it’s hard. But you’re true friends will always be there for you in the end. That’s that one thing that Adrienne Maria Vrettos really showed in her novel The Exile of Gigi Lane.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this novel from its publishing company/author with the understanding that I would provide an honest review. I am not getting paid in any way for writing and posting this review.

Willow by Julia Hoban


Pub Date: April 2009

Summary: Some secrets are hard to keep, especially is they aren’t easily hidden.

Seven months ago, Willow’s parents were killed in a car accident.

She blames herself for losing control of the car, even though it wasn’t her choice to drive home.

Now as a seventeen year old, Willow finds herself living with her older brother.

Who barely speaks to her.

Willow has had to leave behind everything she knows.

Her home. Her friends. Her school.

But somehow, Willow has found away to survive.

She has found something that numbs her from the world around her.

But, it’s something she has to keep secret.

Willow has begun to cut herself.

Then Guy comes into her life.

He soon discovers her secret and makes it his mission to help her, to stop her.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Willow. Willow had to be one of the best characters yet. I could relate to her in so many ways. I myself use to have a serious problem with cutting and all throughout the novel, I knew exactly how Willow felt. The guilt, the pain she was causing other, the numbness. I knew it all too well and I felt bad for her. But I also knew that once Guy came into her life everything would change. He wanted to help Willow so bad but she didn’t make it easy for him. She didn’t want help. The relationship and loved between Guy and Willow really developed before your eyes. You saw him fall for her first from the first minute he met her. But for her, falling for him and letting him wasn’t easy. In the end, everything fell together. Guy wasn’t the only person Willow had though. She had her brother but she thought she hated him. When he really didn’t, he loved her more after the accident. Once Willow became friends with Guy, she became friends with his friends too. This meant girlfriends who she could go shopping with and get advice from about guys. Willow never had that after moving away from home. For me, the ending was almost beautiful in a way. I really recommend Willow, I think I’m going to have to read it again very soon.

-Lexi (:

Review Rewind (2)

Hosted by Ashley at Books Make Great Lovers.

So, in this post I'm just going to link some of my reviews that never got any comments or reviews that only got one comment. I think that everyone should have the chance to see them and be reminded of the good books that aren't so new!

Review Rewind (1)

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter
The first book I've read by Sydney Salter.

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
Part of the Immortals series.

Giving Up The V by Serena Robar
A good book about your first time.

Thanks guy!

-Lexi (:

Old vs. New

The book I choose for this week is I Know It's Over by CK Kelly Martin.

I have not yet reviewed this book, but I will as soon as I get the chance.

Andddd, here we gooo!

Old Cover:




I really like this cover. I think what I like is how she's walking away, hence the title.

New Cover:



I don't think this picture fits the title as well as the first one.



My favortie of the two would probably have to be the old cover.

But tell me what you think!

-Lexi (:

Switch by Carol Snow


Pub Date: September 2008

Summary: What would you do if every time there was a thunderstorm, you switched bodies with someone?

Every since Claire Martin became another teenager, this happens to her all the time.

During every thunderstorm, Claire finds herself as someone else.

Usually she’s back into her own body by the next time she wakes up.

But this time, something goes horribly wrong.

Claire gets stuck in Larissa’s body.

Larissa happens to be the new hot blonde.

She’s also got the attention of Nate, Claire’s longtime crush.

Claire isn’t sure she will ever get back to her old body, her old life.

If she can, she’s not even sure if she will want it all back.

Rating: 3 Stars

Review: When I first received Switch in the mail, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but I was excited to read it. For me, it kind of started out a little slow and at some points I found myself not really connecting with Claire like I hope to in books. But the plot was definitely different than anything else I’ve read. I really liked that about the book. The plot was unique and well written. But not all of the characters flowed and communicated well together. When Claire switches bodies with Larissa, I really didn’t expect her to get stuck. That was the big climax in Switch, but I think it might have came a little late for me. Sometimes the ending felt a little rushed. There wasn’t very much suspense before the book just ended. If you someone who thinks you would really like this kind of book, then you should definitely go for it! Chances are you will like it. It’s not a bad book, I just think some parts could have been a little better.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this novel from its publishing company/author with the understanding that I would provide an honest review. I am not getting paid in any way for writing and posting this review.

The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor


Pub Date: February 2010

Summary: The stars. That’s the one thing Melissa’s father always told her about.

He told her everything about them especially that the brightest stars weren’t always the most beautiful.

Deep down, Melissa knew that beauty wasn’t just what was on the outside.

But the people around her didn’t view things the same way.

Her older sister, Ashley. The beautiful one.

Her best friend, Ryan. He’s falling for the new girl at school, Courtney.

Then, Melissa’s mother is dating someone new, someone who will never be able to replace her father.

Melissa begins to piece together the parts of her father’s life that she never knew.

She goes through his journals about love and relationships.

When another tragedy happens, Melissa begins to realize that she needs to start living in the present.

Will she finally begin to understand that being beautiful on the outside doesn’t make you beautiful on the in?

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review: The Life of Glass was a fast read, but that’s not always a bad thing. One of my favorite parts was the relationship between Melissa and Ryan. They were best friends so of course you knew they would end up together in the end! I could find myself relating to Melissa a little bit and I felt very bad for her because she lost her father. But it was nice that she still had something that she knew she could remember him by and it also happened to be something really unique. The contrast between Melissa and her older sister, Ashley, was something that kind of pulled me in. They weren’t all that different on the inside, but on the outside they were. That was all that matter the Melissa though, she never felt close to her sister because her sister was the pretty one and Melissa never felt pretty. But I think at the end of The Life of Glass, both sisters finally understood that what is on the inside is what should really matter.

-Lexi (:

FTC: I received this novel from its publishing company/author with the understanding that I would provide an honest review. I am not getting paid in any way for writing and posting this review.

In My Mailbox (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 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:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Hardback/ HarperCollins/ March 2010)

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.


Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter (Paperback/ Graphia/ April 2010)

It’s the summer before senior year and Polly Martin has sworn off boys. Who needs the hurt and confusion? Five recent breakups have left her with an unnatural knowledge of NASCAR, the ultimate hiker’s outfit, a student council position, the sixth highest score on the Donkey Kong machine at the mall, and a summer job at Wild Waves with ex #2 Sawyer Holmes.

Success seems a sure thing when Polly’s grandmother, the syndicated advice columnist, Miss Swoon, moves in for the summer. Polly almost doesn’t mind sharing a room with her little sister, Grace. Think of all the great advice she’ll get!
Everything is going according to plan except... Miss Swoon turns out to be a man-crazy septuagenarian! And then there’s Xander Cooper. If only he wouldn’t keep showing up at Wild Waves with his adorable cousins every afternoon — and what is he writing in that little notebook?

No advice column in the world can prepare Polly for the lessons she learns when she goes on a group camping trip (with three too many ex-boyfriends). Polly is forced to see people for who they are — a blend of good and bad qualities that can’t be reduced to a list or a snappy answer in a Miss Swoon column.


Bought:

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Paperback/ Grand Central Publishing/ September 2009)

#1 bestselling author Nicholas Sparks's new novel is at once a compelling family drama and a heartrending tale of young love. Seventeen year old Veronica "Ronnie" Miller's life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alientated from her parents, especially her father...until her mother decides it would be in everyone's best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie's father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story of love on many levels--first love, love between parents and children -- that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts...and heal them.

-Lexi (:

Review Rewind (1)

I stole this idea from Ashley at Books Make Great Lovers! Love ya, Ashley! (:

So, in this post I'm just going to link some of my reviews that never got any comments or reviews that only got one comment. I think that everyone should have the chance to see them and be reminded of the good books that aren't so new!

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
My first review ever!

The Lovely Bones by Alice Seabold
This book made me fall in love with reading.

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
First novel in the House of Night series.

I would love it if you would comment on these reviews!

They are from when I first started my blog so they aren't great reviews, but they are reviews none the less!

Thanks guy.

-Lexi (:

Old vs. New

Now, hopefully all of you remember when I used have a weekly post called Alternative Covers.

Well, I have changed the title of my post. I think this one is better (:

But if you have a suggestion, I would be happy to hear it!

Back to the post, the book I choose for this week is Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.

I reviewed the book not to long ago. If you wanna read and comment my review, just click here!

Andddd, here we gooo!


Old Cover:


Personally, I absolutely love this cover! I think the way they Incorporated the horses was really nice since horses actually are a big part of this book. Plus, I love the font and how the colors aren't really bright. Everything about this cover is very delicate but really pretty.


New Cover:


This cover happens to be the one that I own. I like how John and Savannah are placed on the cover and how they are kind of looking out in the distance. But I don't really think I like it more then the other one.


This isn't all about me though!

You guys need to tell me what you think about the covers.

Just leave a comment, I love knowing what you think!

And if you have any suggestions about how I can improve my post, don't be afraid to share.

-Lexi (:

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers


Pub Date: December 2008

Summary: What causes the perfect girl to make the perfect fall from grace?

Parker Fadley is known as the perfect girl at school.

Cheerleading captain. Girlfriend of the most popular guy. Future Valedictorian.

But she turns into someone completely different.

Someone no one could have ever imagined her as before.

Parker starts drinking at school and failing her classes.

The one thing Parker hates doing is talking about what made her this way.

She just wants everyone to leave her alone.

Parker wants to disappear, she wants everyone to just ignore her.

If she can act like it’s no big deal, then why can’t everyone else follow suit?

But, Parker’s parents put her on suicide watch.

And her counselors are demanding to know the truth.

When a nice guy starts falling for her, Parker doesn’t know how to handle the feelings.

He’s making her feel things that she hasn’t felt in so long.

Parker knows something bad has happened.

She knows it might be her fault.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Review: Cracked Up To Be was a wonderful debut novel by Courtney Summers. It had a dark and haunting angle to it, but it still had a hint of love and romance. Parker was the perfect character. She was haunted by everything that happened to her, everything that she saw. She doesn’t know how to handle things. She feels as if she’s lost it all, so why not act like it? The nice guy (whose name will go unsaid) was pretty much the exact opposite of Parker in every way, but yet they were pretty much perfect for each other. I could picture many parts of this book in my mind, which is always a plus. Most of Cracked Up To Be could be someone’s real life high school experience and I don’t think everyone’s ever had a plot quite like this before. I’m really happy I had the chance to enjoy this book. I think a lot of other people need to read Cracked Up To Be, I’m almost certain they will like it!

-Lexi(:
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