Coffeehouse Angel

Coffeehouse Angel

Suzanne Selfors

Publisher: Walker and Company

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

From the author of Saving Juliet comes a romantic comedy that is good to the last drop. When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .

My Thoughts:

This book was beautiful and amazing. I felt a real connection to it from the beginning. Katrina is a character who is relateable and real. I guarantee that everyone has felt how she did before. Suzanne Selfors did an amazing job of telling Katrina's story, as well as creating the perfect Angel. This book is very different than anything else I have read recently. It was very simple but had charm and charisma much like the Coffeehouse in the book. This book is very sweet, and we get to see al the characters grow and learn things abotu themselves. I think Katrina is a great leading female character, she can provide girls with someone to look up to.

Recommendation:

This is a must read!

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up

Signing

Well let me just say I had a fantastic time last night. I met Suzanne Selfors, Suzanne Young, and Lisa Schroeder. Those ladies are amazing! We had a blast talking and laughing. I will post pictures soon! Suzanne Young already has some up!

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging Confessions of Georgia Nicolson

Louise Rennison

HarperCollins Publishers

$8.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Banres and Noble:

There are six things very wrong with my life:1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years.2. It is on my nose3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room.4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberfuhrer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic teachers.5. I am very ugly and need to go into an ugly home.6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive.
In this wildly funny journal of a year in the life of Georgia Nicolson, British author Louise Rennison has perfectly captured the soaring joys and bottomless angst of being a teenager. In the spirit of Bridget Jones's Diary, this fresh, irreverent, and simply hilarious book will leave you laughing out loud. As Georgia would say, it's "Fabbity fab fab!"

My Thoughts:

My first thought is lol. This book is truly laugh out loud hysterical. Georgia is the true female character. I love British humor. I think that this book takes you on a journey with Georgia and you truly are able to see what she sees. It is written in the form of a journal, so nothing is censored and no one is spared. I loved everything about this book, I remember reading it about 6 years ago, and dying of laughter then, and I decided to read it again and continue on in the series. This book is a must read, the charactrs are amazing and everyone has a little bit of Georgia in them.

Recommendation:

Anyone wanting a laugh

Grade: A+

Age: 14 and up

Extras:

There are other covers for this book. I chose to use the newer one for my blog because later in the series they will match better. Also this has been made into a movie. It is caleed Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Songging. It has yet to be released in the U.S. but with some skill it can be found and watched. It was an amazing movie. Also the Sex God's band in the book the Stiff Dylans does exist. They formed for the movie, and I have to say they are prely amazing so check them out!

Reincaranation

Reincarnation

Suzanne Weyn

Scholastic Inc.

$8.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

From prehistory to the present, theirs was a love for the ages. It starts with a fight in a cave over an elusive green jewel . . . and then travels over time and lives to include Egyptian slaves, Greek temples, Massachusetts witch trials, Civil War battlefields, Paris on the eve of World War II, America in the 1960s . . . and a pair of modern-day teenagers. For readers who believe that love is stronger than time or death, this is an unforgettable novel from a wonderful storyteller.

My Thoughts:

The story line of Rencarnation was beautiful. This is a true love story, and I did love it. I have read in other reviews that people found the book to be repetitive, but I have to diasgree. While the characters remained the same as the years changed the stories did not. As they progressed in their lives the stories also progressed. I absolutely loved this book. the idea is amazing, it shows that love can truly stand the test of time. The ending was so sweet, I could not have been happier.

Recommendation:

Anyone who wants to read a love story

Grade: A

Ahe: 14 and up

Sea Change

Sea Change

Aimee Friedman

Scholastic Inc.

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.
There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality.
Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

My Thoughts:

I was first drawn in by the cover of this book. The guy pictured reminded me of Cedric from Harry Potter. And then after I picked up the book, the rest of my sense were intrigued. I was excited to read a story about mermaids. The idea was very different from the rest of the fantasy books I had been reading. I loved Miranda's character. I could relate to her, and the emotions she felt. Her trip to Selkie was one I felt I traveled with her. She was able to use her smarts, but also learned that friends can come from many different places and when you least expect them. Leo was also an amazing character. He was unlike the typical stuck-up jock boy, and yet he was still gorgeous. This book was amazing, it has a great story, and an ending that leaves you wondering.

Recommnedation:

Anyone looking for a Summer Romance

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up

Vacations From Hell

Vacations From Hell

Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Mlynowski

HarperCollins Publishers

$9.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Life's a beach . . . and then you're undead?
in this must-have collection, five of today's hottest writers—Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty), Cassandra Clare (City of Bones), Claudia Gray (Evernight), Maureen Johnson (13 Little Blue Envelopes), and Sarah Mlynowski (Bras & Broomsticks)—tell supernatural tales of vacations gone awry. Lost luggage is only mildly unpleasant compared to bunking with a witch who holds a grudge. And a sunburn might be embarrassing and painful, but it doesn't last as long as a curse. Of course, even in the most hellish of situations, love can thrive. . . .
From light and funny to dark and creepy, these stories have something for everyone. You definitely won't want to leave this collection at home!

My Thoughts:

These stories were amazing. All told remarkable tales of what vacation would be like if we added a supernatural twist. I picked up this book as a joke. I was about to endure a 2 day long drive to Arizona to go to my cousin's wedding. I thought of it as my vacation from hell, so I picked up the book to pass the time. It became much more than that. I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by this book. All the characters had interesting stories that were very different from what one could ever imagine. I finished this book before we even hit Nevada! I loved the uniqueness of each author's writing, and the fact that each story packed more surprise than the next.

Recommendation:

Any weary travelers looking for a good read.

Grade: A

Age: 15 and up

A Great And Terrible Beauty

A Great And Terrible Beauty

Libba Bray

Delacorte Press

$8.95 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

It’s 1895, and after the suicide of her mother, 16-year-old Gemma Doyle is shipped off from the life she knows in India to Spence, a proper boarding school in England. Lonely, guilt-ridden, and prone to visions of the future that have an uncomfortable habit of coming true, Gemma’s reception there is a chilly one. To make things worse, she’s been followed by a mysterious young Indian man, a man sent to watch her. But why? What is her destiny? And what will her entanglement with Spence’s most powerful girls—and their foray into the spiritual world—lead to?

My Thoughts:

I really really like this book. It was one of the first books that got me into fiction. I decided to read it again so I could finish the series. The characters and setting work wonders together. Gemma has spunk. She is not the type of girl to sit back and let things happen. There is surprise throughout the book, and also mystery. I loved the setting created by Spence Academy. It brings to mind old English society, but adds a darker twist. I think this book had a great flow, and the characters worked well with eachother.

Recommendation:

Anybody looking for a good read!

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up

Waiting on Wednesday

For this edition of waiting on wednesday I am going to do a movie... more like the movie!!!!

I know I am not the only one dying to see this!!! I just listened to the audiobook and that has me even more excited! This is going to be amazing no matter what and I cannot believe there is still almost 3 months. I cannot wait!!!! I love New Moon and am super excited to be a nerd and see it at midnight!!!!!

6 Hour Reading Challenge

Hey guys!
I am soooooo sorry I haven't been keeping up on my blogging. I have been so intent on reading that I just could not tear myself away! But I did take part in the challenge today so I have a review for ya! I was able to finally finish the 7th Harry potter book which has been taking up most of my time recently, so here is the review:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

J.K. Rowling

Publisher Scholastic Inc.

$27.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis by barnes and Noble:

It all comes down to this - a final faceoff between good and evil. You plan to pull out all the stops, but every time you solve one mystery, three more evolve. Do you stay the course you started, despite your lack of progress? Do you detour and follow a new lead that may not help? Do youlisten to your instincts, or your friends?Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcruxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end?

My Thoughts:

I am so ashamed of myself for not reading this book sooner. I waited and bought it the day it came out but did not take the time to read it until now. This book was pure amazement. I absolutely loved it. When I finished reading it I was overwhelmed with relief. There was no better way for the book to end. Every loose end was tied up and everything seemed perfect. I was lucky enough not to have had any secrets spilled to me in the two years I postponed reading it, so I was surprised, shocked, and dismayed at many points in the book. Reviewing a book like Harry Potter is very difficult. It is a book that almost everyone has read. We all know and love the characters and tories, so how do I show how I felt about it in a new way. I am not sure how, so I will say I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. I think I actually appreciated it more since I took the time to read it. I don't think I was ready before, so it all felt even more real now. After reading all the books I feel like I know the characters, and many of them grew even closer to my heart in this book. They all grew in ways that I thought unimaginable. I was so proud of them all. The story line was amazing. I believe that J.K. Rowling wrote the best story possible. She knows these chracters inside and it out and was able to form a journey that would try and teach them all. This book was amazing. Perfect ending. Best book I have read in a long time.

Recommendation:

Do I have to make one, everyone should read this.

Grade: A+

Age: A lot of scary things happen in this book but I set the age low knowing that so many kids have read this book, and that Harry Potter is like a right of passage. 12 and up

Ink Exchange

Sorry I haven't been here in awhile guys! I have been busy reading not blogging lol. I will try and keep up but like I said I am busy reading and trying to finish a bunch of books before school starts.

Ink Exchange

Melissa Marr

HarperCollins Publishing

$8.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.
Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

My Thoughts:

This book was alright. I stuck it out until the end hoping for a happy ending and was given an okay one. While I found Wicked Lovely to be dark, Ink Exchange was even darker. There seemed to be no happiness in this book, and that is what I longed for. I think that I was confused by many elements of this book, and that did not help. The story was told from the perspective of different characters in this sequel, and I think many things were left up for reader discretion. The plot moved well, and I did find myself wanting to know what would happen next, but then was disappointed. I enjoyed the times when Leslie was with Niall, but was throughly depressed when they did not end up together. I think my favorite character in this book was Aislinn even though she was less prevalent in this book. I believe she stepped up and took her responsibility. I enjoyed seeing how she chose to rule her people. My favorite idea of the book was the tattoo. Melissa Marr made the description so vivid I could not help but be intrigued, and the entire idea was very interesting.

Recommendation:

Someone in the mood for a dark fantasy book.

Grade: B-

Age: 15 and up

Waiting on Wednesday

Heartless

Sara Shepard

HarperCollins Publisher

$ 16.99 U.S.

Release Date: January 19, 2010

Why:

After reading Killer I nearly had a heartattack. So much happened within the last few chapters that I couldn't belive I had to wait for more. I am dying for Heartless to come out. There is so much I need to know, and so much I am suspicious about. These girls are in over their pretty little heads. I cannot wait for this book.

Killer

Killer

Sara Shepard

HarperCollins Publisher

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

In picture-perfect Rosewood, Pennsylvania, ash-blond highlights gleam in the winter sun and frozen lakes sparkle like Swarovski crystals. But pictures often lie—and so do Rosewood's four prettiest girls.
Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have been lying ever since they became friends with beautiful Alison DiLaurentis. Ali made them do terrible things—things they had to keep secret for years. And even though Ali was killed at the end of seventh grade, their bad-girl ways didn't die with her.
Hanna's on a mission to corrupt Rosewood's youth, starting with a very attractive sophomore. Aria's snooping into her boyfriend's past. Spencer's stealing—from her family. And pure little Emily's abstaining from abstinence.
The girls should be careful, though. They thought they were safe when Ali's killer was arrested and A's true identity was finally revealed. But now there's a new A in town turning up the heat. And this time Rosewood is going to burn.

My Thoughts:

The killer was right in front of them the entire time... Oh my goodness this book was intense!!!!! All my suspicions were proved correct. Then there were more problems dumped on me. The most intense event in all the books unfolds at the end of this novel. I am literally dying a little inside each day waiting for the new one. I felt like the girls finally alligned forces in this novel. It was a miracle. New "A" is causing more problems than the first, and the girls begin to get in over their head. They finally work as a team and unearth the biggest secret any of them could ever know. I was enthralled with this book. I sat down and read it in only 2 days. I had to know what would happen next. The plot was intriguing.

Recommendation:

Must I say it...

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up

Wicked

Wicked

Sara Shepard

HarperCollins Publisher

$8.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

In idyllic Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four very pretty girls just can't help but be bad. . . .
Hanna will do anything to be Rosewood's queen bee. Spencer's digging up her family's secrets. Emily can't stop thinking about her new boyfriend. And Aria approves a little too strongly of her mom's taste in men. Now that Ali's killer is finally behind bars, the girls think they're safe. But those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And they should know by now that I'm always watching. . . .

My Thoughts:

Something wicked this way comes, and oh look it is our favorite four girls from Rosewood. After book four I thought things were done, the culprit in Ali's murderer is behind bars, and the mystery behind "A" is revealed. But I was wrong. It would be to easy to let the girls think they had won, and that they were free. The drama is back and so is "A" in full force. I loved the plot in this book. Everything was a surprise, I never knew what would happen next and I loved that. I enjoyed how their girls were somehow becoming closer, but then they went and ruined it. Wicked shows a new side to all of the girls. We begin to see their dubious sides, and their "wicked" nature. I think this book was a great continuation in a fabulous series.

Recommendation:

Read It!!!!

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up

Unbelieveable

Unbelieveable

Sarah Shepard

HarperCollins Publishers

$8.99 U.S.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Four pretty little liars' charmed lives have turned into living nightmares.
Emily's been shipped off to Iowa to live with her überconservative cousins. Aria's boyfriend is behind bars—because of her. Spencer's afraid she was involved in Ali's murder. But Hanna's fate is far worse: She's clinging to life in the hospital because she knew too much.
If these girls don't start listening to me, Hanna's going to look like the lucky one.

My Thoughts:

Unbelieveable... who thought these four girls could get into any more trouble. Whoever said high school was boring has never met Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily. I loved the girls stories in this book. I think a new side is revealed in each of them. I felt horrible for Emily as she was shipped away to Iowa. I think this is the major turning point for Emily. We finally get to see into her character, and she finally begins to have fun. Hanna, recently maimed, spends her time in the hosital trying to remember what she had just figured out. And it is crucial. Spencer's life seems to be going downhill, and fast. She can barely keep up, and "A" knows it. Finally Aria is having to deal with Ezra's recent departur -- to prison. The girls are in for more than they thought in the fourth book of this series. A big secret is revealed in the end, one that shows a positive outlook for the girls. But we all know that the girls couldn't get off the hook that easy. I read this book thinking it was the last in the series, so boy was I surprised when I found out there were more. The girls are in for more mischief and mayhem than they thought possible.

Recommendation:

Any PLL fan. And if you haven't read PLL read it now!

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up