Help, tips & opinions please!

Hey everyone! :)

On Tuesday, I'm very honored to be hosting a workshop about blogging at a center downtown. This is my first time doing something like this and I'm not exactly a blogging "expert", so I would love your help!

The tagline is, "Do you dream of creating a blog about something you adore? Learn from a fellow teen, Sara Shalash, who has created a wonderful and successful blog (www.SarasBookJourney.blogspot.com). She’ll teach you how to get started and how to keep it going!"

Based on that, I'm thinking of sharing my own personal story of how and why I started my blog. I also had the idea of making a handout beforehand of tips and steps on keeping up/starting a blog. Any ideas on what to include?

Also, I'm thinking about discussing, layout/theme, content, advertising, and communication. Is there anything else I should add? Or any feedback or comments would help out a ton!

Thank you! 

In My Mailbox (36)

In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week.

For review:

Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him. 

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Not that Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

Summary:

Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things.

But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you wants to sleep with yourself - but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out.

Slut or saint? Winner or loser? Natalie is getting tired of these forced choices - and is now going to find a way to live life in the sometimes messy, sometimes wonderful in-between.

I Will Save You by Matt De La Pena

Summary:

Kidd is running from his past and his future. No mom, no dad, and there’s nothing for him at the group home but therapy. He doesn’t belong at the beach where he works either, unless he finds a reason to stay.

Olivia is blond hair, blue eyes, rich dad. The prettiest girl in Cardiff. She’s hiding something from Kidd—but could they ever be together anyway?

Devon is mean, mysterious, and driven by a death wish. A best friend and worst enemy. He followed Kidd all the way to the beach and he’s not leaving until he teaches him a few lessons about life. And Olivia.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

Summary:

Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?

Blood on My Hands by Todd Strasser

Summary:

Callie is at an October keg party in the woods, when she notices that her friend Katherine has gone missing. The kids spread out to look for her and Callie finds her, lying on a path, with a big, bloody fake knife in her. She reaches for the knife and raises it, only to discover, to her horror, that it is real. At that moment, another of the search party stumbles on them, and takes a photo of Callie holding the bloody knife. Now she is the suspect in a grisly murder. How can she prove her innocence - and find the true murderer?

What's in your mailbox?

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Book review #64
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Rating: Five stars

Summary:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

I've heard so many amazing things about this book, but I never fully understood. Reading the summary, it sounds interesting, but nothing special. I finally understand what all the hype is about. 

My love for Anna and the French Kiss is going to make it very difficult to review. I want to marry this book. I want to live in this book. Most of us are familiar with the moment when you're reading a book and suddenly the whole world around you does not exist anymore; this is the case for Anna and French Kiss. It has an element of some sort that makes it extremely addicting, allowing me to devour it in close to one sitting. Near the end, I found myself rationing out the last pages to savor every last minute of it. 

The story began with Anna being sent to boarding school in Paris for her senior year of high school. At first, she's reluctant to leave her friends and job at the movie theater, terrified of being away from home. But almost immediately, Anna and the readers are transported to Paris- a new world, a new life of endless possibilities. 

I can't pinpoint exactly what made this book so amazing; it's a tie between the romance and the characters. The romance was one of the most flawless amazing things I've ever read about it. The romance is very gradual and starts out as a friendship based level. Friends or more, they always had a bond, they were there for each other through thick and thin. St.Clair or Entienne was so swoon-worthy, I'll admit if I fell for him too. I don't think I've ever read about a male in fiction, so perfect in my eyes, flaws and all. Their relationship was more than real, it was the closest thing I've read that compares to a real life romance. 

The characters are so realistic, you start to feel as if they are your own real life friends. They are flawed actual people, that will leave your heart aching. Anna is quirky and authentic. I love the fact that she loves old movies and is always herself no matter what. She was very easy to relate to and at times reminded me of myself. It was refreshing to finally read about someone who didn't let boys control her, who had interests other than the opposite sex. Not to mention she is hilarious; Anna's commentary will leave you laughing out loud and most likely having a huge grin on your face throughout the book. The minor characters- Josh, Rashmi, and Meredith- were just as well developed and fantastic as the main characters. Together they formed their own little family.

This book will have you wanting to drop everything and fly to Paris as soon as possible. The descriptions of the food had my mouth watering. The scenery, the beauty, and the architecture had me yearning to experience it for myself. Paris is such a beautiful setting for a book, it makes things appear magical. 

You honestly won't be able to understand the amazement of this book without reading it for yourself. Not only is Anna and the French Kiss a love story, but it deals with more serious issues like family and illnesses, which made it even more lovable. Anyone who enjoys charming, well written books, set in one of the most romantic/amazing cities in the world will fall in love with this book. 

Waiting on Wednesday (30)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we "can't-wait-to-read".

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

Release date: May 10th, 2011

Summary:

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.

At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.
 

I was so excited when I discovered Jennifer Brown was coming out with another book. The Hate List by her was amazing, so I'm sure this will be just the same. It sounds like a very relatable story that many teenagers go through. I can't wait to try it out. :)

In My Mailbox (35)

In My Mailbox is a meme originally hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren (click for more information) that shares all the new books you've bought, borrowed, received, or traded for the week.

For review:

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Summary:

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

I already started this one and it's so good and addictive. ♥

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
Summary:

I had a life anyone would kill for.

Then someone did.

The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.

Now Emma’s desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she’s the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?

Sara Shepard is amazing. I've been waiting to read this since I first found about it. I'm sure it'll be just great. :) And I heard it was going to be a TV show this summer! 
 

What's in your mailbox?

Teaser Tuesday (19)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:
-Grab your current read.
- Open to a random page.
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
-BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
-Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser:

"He says my name and his voice his so hoarse and hypnotic it pulls me up onto my feet, pulls me across miles of shame and guilt. I don't want to go to him, but I do want to too. "

-Pg.36,The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

"I almost expect the trees to lower their branches when we pass, the stars to hand down some light. I breathe in the horsey scent of eucalyptus, the thick sugary pine, aware of each breath I take, how each one keeps me in the world longer. "

pg. 76, The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Sorry, I definitely cheated this time! I even wanted to post a third teaser. The whole book was filled with amazing lines to choose from. I'm not even half way done yet, I'm trying to ration it out, so it won't end. <3

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Book review #63
You Wish by Mandy Hubbard
Rating: Four and 1/2 stars

 Summary:

Kayla McHenry's sweet sixteen 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. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the 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 fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.

You Wish has to be one of the funnest, cutest, quirky books I've ever read. The insane humor and interesting concept made it a perfect read to lighten up your mood. Romance and some more serious events balance out the fun, turning You Wish into a perfect read. Before picking this one up, I expected a predictable fluffy read, but it surprised me in more than one way.

Hubbard creates an average teen named Kayla. She doesn't care what anyone else thinks and is just herself. She also has a great personality, making her likable. Her main problems mostly consist of the whole being in love Ben, her best friend's boyfriend, and dealing with her workaholic problem. But bigger problems arise when her sixteen birthday wish comes true. All her past birthday wishes start coming to life. Imagine a real life Ken, a pink pony, a lifetime supply of gumballs, and worst of all a kiss from Ben...

The characters were hilarious, as were the wishes. The wishes kept on getting better and more crazy as they went along. I would eagerly wait to see what was thrown at Kayla next. As for the characters, I easily connected with each and every one of them. Ben and "Raggedy Ann" were my favorite. Ben was what most girls look for in a guy-down to earth, sweet, and funny. I absolutely loved whatever connection Kayla and Ben had. Anne on the other hand, was the funnest thing to watch transition from doll to human.

Even though the plot was funny and entertaining, it had a more serious note, giving readers a powerful message. Over the course of the wishes, Kayla really got to find herself while learning not to grow up too fast. 

You Wish is very original and definitely one of my favorites of the year! Anyone who loves romances and laugh out loud books, will eat this up. In fact, pretty much anyone would enjoy this one. I know I'm going out to by myself a copy to reread in the future.  

Waiting on Wednsday (29)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we "can't-wait-to-read".

Sometime It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt
Release date:  July 12th 2011
Summary:

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Ryan dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss. The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Ryan, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...

Lauren Barnholdt is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to hear she's coming out with more books! Lucky for me, I signed up for a book tour;hopefully I won't have to wait too long. (: 

Daily Dose Monday (27)

Daily Dose Monday is hosted by Holly over at Good Golly Miss Holly and features inspiring/magical images that you would like to share with your readers :)