Twenty Boy Summer

Twenty Boy Summer

Sarah Ockler

Little Brown Books for Younger Readers

$16.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

FTC: I borrowed this book from the library.

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie -- she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

My Thoughts:

I was surprised by this book. I expected it to be your typical girl loses boy book where the girl is not able to move on, but I got much more than I bargained for. I absolutely loved this book. I felt so many emotions as I read each page from love to hate, from happiness to anger, from sorrow to acceptance and many more. This book was beautifully written. I think it was also very inspiring. While I did want more, this book ended in a good place. I felt like Sarah Ockler did a good job of leaving the characters in a good place. I absolutely loved the plot turns near the end, and could never have expected them. I am really glad I chose to read this book. An added bonus was the fact that it was from the library so it had the distinctive book smell, and crinkly cover.

Recommendation:

Anyone looking for a good summer love story.

Grade: A

Age: 15 and up

Quote: "Like the stars, fasing with the halo of the vanishing moon. Like the ocean, falling and whispering against the shore. Nothing ever really goes away -- it just changes into something else. Something Beautiful." ~Anna

The Devouring

The Devouring

Simon Holt

Little Brown Books for Young Readers

$7.99 U.S.

FTC: I am not receiving any compensation for promoting this book

Synopsis from the back of the book:

When dark creeps in and eats the light, bury your fears on sorry night. For in the winters blackest hours comes the feasting of the vours.

The Vours: evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the eve of the winter solstice.

When Reggie reads about the Vours in an old, mysterious joural, she assumes these are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

My Thoughts:

I Thought this book looked kind of scary but also really interesting. After looking it up I went out and bought it! I loved the cover of this book. The swirling purple drew me in but then I looked at the girls face. There were so many emotions there.I am excited to read this book because it looks different than the other things I have been reading lately. It sounds like a ghost story gone wrong. Keep a look out for the review!!!

Let It Snow

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances

John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle

Penguin Group

$9.99 U.S.

FTC: I purchased this book.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

The weather outside is frightful, but these stories are delightful! When a huge blizzard (that doesn't show signs of stopping) hits, Gracetown is completely snowed in. But even though it's cold outside, things are heating up inside, proving that the holiday season is magical when it comes to love. In three wonderfully (and hilariously!) interconnected tales, YA stars John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson create a must-have collection that captures all the spirit of the holiday season.

My Thoghts:

Love! I read this right before Christmas and it was just perfect. I bought this book because I needed a winter story to curl up and read next to fire. If that is what you are looking for than this is the right book. I absolutely love that the stories were all connected. It was exciting to see three different parts of the story work together as well as see it from the point of view from three different characters. I think each author added their own individual flair to their stories which made you feel intrigued, it also made you want to keep reading to see if more would happen. I think that the three short stories were masterfully tailored together to create on amazing snow time novel. The ending was perfect, and I was so excited that i decided to pick this book up.

Recommendations: Anyon looking for a winter read.

Grade: A

Age: 13 and up

Quotes:

"There is nothing about a bad situation that four hyper cheerleaders can't worsen." ~Jubilee, The Jubilee Express-Maureen johnson

"The middle is never the end, though." ~Tobin, A Cheertasric Miracle-John Green

"The new me, however, was not a whimperer." ~Addie, The Patron Saint of Pigs-Lauren Myracle

Ella Enchanted

vs.

Ella Enchanted was written by Gail Carson Levine in 1997. In 1998 It was awarded the Newbery Honor. In 2004 the beloved novel was turned into a movie starring Anne Hathaway. When it comes to comparing the two it very easy for me to say that the Book wins hands down. I have read the book many times, and love it every time I read it. I was very excited when they decided to make it a movie but then I was let down when it came out. While the basic plot was the same, the overall feelings of the book were not portrayed. I think that the large issue came because the movie came out so much later than the book. The book was a classic when the movie was made, and it is hard to replicate a classic. I would recommend reading the book, because there is much more detail.

Lipstick Apology

Lipsitck Apology

Jennifer Jabaley

Penguin Group

$9.99 U.S.

FTC: I borrowed this book from a friend, who received it from a publisher. I will provide an honest review without compensation.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Sometimes a good-bye is just the beginning...
When Emily Carson's parents die in a plane crash, she's left with nothing but her mother's last words scrawled in lipstick on a tray table: "Emily, please forgive me."
Now it's fall and Emily moves to New York City— where she attracts the attention of two very different boys: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner, Anthony. With the help of some surprising new friends, Emily must choose between the boy who helps her forget and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.
Debut author Jennifer Jabaley has written a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy with real emotional depth. Full of lovably wacky characters, Lipstick Apology is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of forgiveness

My Thoughts:

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I found it to be a heartfelt story about loss as well as forgiveness and love. I think that Emily was a great lead female character. She was very relatable and you found yourself empthyzing with her. This message portrayed many good values, but never came off as preachy. Throughout the book the characters learned forgiveness, as well as the ability to love yourself. I think that this made me love the book even more. Jennifer Jabaley addressed some very big issues, but she did it with poise. I think that this novel is very empowering for women. I absoloutely loved it. I think the charcter development was well done. I was able to feel as if I had known these people my entire life.

Recommendations: All Girls!!!

Grade: A

Age: 14 and up

Quote: "the sStatue of Liberty, the universal symbol of freedom was perched on a small twelve-acre island in the middle of the rocky, turbulent Hudson River. And suddenly it occured o me: maybe that's because the road to freedom is never a cal journey. Maybe you have to battle the currents to reach the ultimate giak, Freedom from the grief. Freedom from the mystery. Freedom from the truth." ~Emily

Super Contest

So today I was scanning through book blogs and found this blog. I was really intrigued and I saw that it is having a major contest. I think everyone should check out Book Bound! Here is the link for the contest http://b00kbound.blogspot.com/2010/01/mega-giveaway-best-ya-of-2009.html

Incarceron

Incarceron

Catherine Firsher

Penguin Group (USA)

$17.99 U.S. (Hardcover)

Release Date: TODAY!!!! 1/26/2010

FTC: I am not being compensated for mentioning this book.

Synopsis by Barnes and Noble:

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a 17-year-old prisoner, has no memorie of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escapes seem impossible.

nd then Finn finds a crystal key that lets him communicate with a girlnamed Claudia. She claims to live outside -She is tha daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and is doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia thinks she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and more than they know.

My Thoughts:

I do not know why but the moment I heard about this book I was hooked and wanting to read it. This is such a unique and different concept than anything I have been reading. Not to judge a book by its cover but this one looks dark, and also intriguing. I think that Incarceron will provide a much needed break from the ordinary. I cannot wait to read it!