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 :)

In My Mailbox (34)

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.

Here are all the books I bought for a total of 8 dollars! :)

Bought/for review:

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder 

Summary: 

Restless souls and empty heart.

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams. 

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface. 

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

I've been wanting to read this for awhile and when I saw a hardcover for so cheap I knew I had to get it! I've heard great things, so I can't wait.

The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
Summary:

Lifelong best friends Nina Bermudez, Avery Dekker, and Melanie Forrest face their first separation the summer before their senior year when Nina attends a ten-week summer program at Stanford. Nina returns home bursting with stories about Steve, her summer romance. But she soon learns the shocking truth about what her friends were up to while she was gone when she sees Mel and Avery . . . kissing. The friendship is rocked by what feels like the ultimate challenge. But it's only the beginning of a sometimes painful, sometimes funny, always gripping journey as three girls discover who they are and what they really want. 

I love Maureen Johnson, so I'm sure this one is great. It also happens to be a splashproof read- aka 100% water proof! :)

How To Take the Ec Out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison
Summary: 

Sixteen-year-old Giovanna Petrizzo finds it hard enough to fit in. Three years since her family moved to Texas, she's still the newcomer compared to everyone around her. It doesn't help matters when her twin brother, Dante, takes on the mayor's son by running for class president. The least she could expect, though, would be for her boyfriend, Jesse, to support their cause. But Jesse's apparent defection triggers Giovanna's rash emotional side, and before she knows it, she's turned Jesse from the boy of her dreams to the exboyfriend she dreams of winning back.

I haven't heard much about this one, but I"m in love with the cover!

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Summary:


A funky pair of dungarees and a strong friendship lie at the heart of this compelling coming-of-age novel. During the first summer they'll be separated from each other, four friends share a pair of second-hand jeans...and experience happiness, heartbreak, and all the complications of growing up.

I've already read and loved this one, but I couldn't pass a 50 cent book to keep on the bookshelf :) 

Meet Me at the Boardwalk by Erin Taft
Summary: 

Growing up in the resort town of Seashell Point, Jade, Megan, and Miles are best friends, and spend their summers working at the Clam Shack, making fun of the snooty summer people, and chilling on the boardwalk. But this summer, everything's different. Not only does Jade have her house to herself -- can you say parties? - but there's that tiny little issue of Megan's giant crush on Miles. Then there's the mysterious new girl who catches Miles's eye, and the threat that their beloved boardwalk will be torn down. This is one summer the friends will NEVER forget! 

I love these fluffy summer reads to lighten up the mood.  

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Summary:

When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?


I love Sarah Dessen and I'm surprised I haven't read this one yet! It sounds great.

Red: Teenage Girls in America Write on What Fires up Their Lives Today edited by Amy Goldwasser
Summary: 

For every teen girl who thinks she’s alone, and every adult who’s dared to try to figure her out, comes this eye-opening collection in the spirit of New York Times bestseller Ophelia Speaks. In Red, fifty-eight girls—ranging in age from thirteen to nineteen, and writing from across the spectrum of geographic, socioeconomic, racial, and religious upbringings—share “heartbreaking, hilarious, and often harrowing” (Francine Prose) essays about everything from politics to pop culture; from post-Katrina New Orleans to Johnny Depp; from the loneliness of losing a best friend to the loathing or pride they feel about their bodies.

The authors of Red are brave and honest documentarians of their own lives. These girls are the best shades of red (not pink): a little bit angry, a lot passionate. They’re on fire, and their essays speak gloriously for the future.

I've already read some of this and I LOVE it. It's kind of like Chicken Soup, but more brutal and honest.   

What's in your mailbox?

Help please!

Hey everyone!

I've been asked by the library to set up a book display. The theme for the display are fairytale turned into novels. An example would be Beastly by Alex Flinn. I can't really think of many, so I would LOVE your input and opinions. It would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. :)

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

"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".

Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams
Release date: March 15, 2011
Summary:

Thirteen-year-old Lacey wakes to a beautiful summer morning excited to begin her new job at the library, just as her mother is supposed to start work at the grocery store. Lacey hopes that her mother's ghosts have finally been laid to rest; after all, she seems so much better these days, and they really do need the money. But as the hours tick by and memories come flooding back, a day full of hope spins terrifyingly out of control.... 

I was so delighted to hear Carol Lynch Williams had another book coming out! The Chosen One and Glimpse were both amazing, and this should be no exception. I love the title and cover as well. I can't wait :)