Heyy

So I have to take my little laptop into the shop tomorrow, (the disk drive isn't opening), so I shall not have internet access at all for how many ever days.

In preparation for that I have posted 4 reviews today. Marni, The Espressologist, The Dark Devine, and In A Heartbeat. So you can check those out! Note: I noticed that my reviews have all been for kind of "girly" books, but when I return that shall change! :)

Also, have any of you checked out my review with Emma Kinna?

Have a fantastic week, I have to start doing my homework now!

Review: In A Heartbeat

Okay final review of day. Enjoy:)

In A Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
Published: by Walker Books for Young Readers- 2/2/10
Pages: 195
Series or Standalone? Standalone.
Acquired From: Around The World Tours

Summary (from GoodReads):
When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart.

When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different — dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy —her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan’s life,meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.

Told in alternating viewpoints, In a Heartbeat tells the emotional and compelling story of two girls sharing one heart.

In A Heartbeat was good, but I'm having trouble saying more than that. I think I was expecting a wonderful, heartfelt, have-me-balling-my-eyes-out book- and all I got was good.

I'm not trying to undermine the quality of the book, it was good, but I felt I had expected a lot more than I got.

I mean I'm a horribly over-emotional person, but I did not shed a tear though I fully expected to. (I mean come on, its about a heart transplant between two teens younger or a year older than myself. That definitely sounds tear worthy.) I feel as if my lack of tears comes from my lack of connection. Though even with a deep connection I still don't know if I would have cried because its not as gut-wrenching as I had anticipated.

Can I specifically pin-point my where my lack of connection came from? No. I think it was a combination of predictability and a little bit of being melo-dramatic.

In regards to characters, they were good. Again, I'm having trouble saying more than that.

Amelia. I liked her more than the other characters, including the other protagonist. Not quite sure why, but I think its because she seemed genuine.

Eagan. I liked seeing her remininces of her life. She was mostly a static character, but I think to an extent that might have been the author's point.

The Boy we come across. Yeah I forgot his name. Which in all honestly isn't that hard to do. But okay, who didn't see the ending coming as soon as we met him?

Overall, In A Heartbeat was a good/okay book, and despite all of the faults I have found in it, I truly encourage you to pick it up and decide for yourselves. (I have also seen some rave reviews for this book!) I recommend this one more so to girls.

When Hooked: Some Where in the Early Stages of Book.
Hookability: (8/10)
Writing: (9/10)
Characters: (8/10)
Plot: (8.5/10)
Originality: (9/10)
Romance: (5.5/10)
Ending: (7/10)
Remembarable: (8.5/10)
Recommendability: (8.5/10)
Enjoyability: (8/10)

Overall: (8.05/10)









(If you're a "letter person" 80/100= A-)


*To see others' reviews of this book who were a part of the Around The World Tour, go here.
**Cute cover though it is a bit cliche. Cover= 7.5/10

Want More Loretta Ellsworth? She is also the author of In Search of Mockingbird and The Shrouding Woman, which are both currently released.

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You can find Loretta Ellsworth on:
her website (http://www.lorettaellsworth.com/)
her blog (http://www.lorettaellsworth.com/journal/current.html)
or on GoodReads (where she is a member)

You can find In A Heartbeat at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes&Noble / Amazon / Indie

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Also, take a look at the book trailer for In A Heartbeat!

Review: The Dark Devine

So that's 3 reviews in one day from me, pretty good. One more today and than I'm calling it quits. Sad thing is that I'm still not even going to be caught up until a couple more reviews though:(

The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
Published: by Egmont USA - 12/22/09
Pages: 375
Series or Standalone? 1st in a series. (I don't know how many books are planned but I know there is a sequel.)

Summary (from GoodReads):
Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

Awesome! Yes, that is how I'm going to start of this review because this book was awesome from start to finish! It has secured a place on my "favorite debuts" and "favorite books of all times" lists.

I'm seriously at a loss here on how to review this without just saying how awesome it is every other word or giving anything away.

One thing I will say though is that I was not aware going into this book that this this was a book with supernatural aspects, which I totally think made it ten times more awesome!

Let it be known though that once you start this book you will not be able to put it down until you have read every last word! I mean homework, cooking, cleaning? Forget about it- you're going to be too hooked!

In regards to characters, Bree Despain kicks some serious butt! They were all highly developed, dynamic, and well, awesome!

Grace. Such a wonderful protagonist/ heroine. She is the right mix of courageous and strong, and yet vulnerable to be a very "real"/believable character! And that is to be seriously admired by both Grace and Despain!

Daniel. Uhm, Best Bad Boy of '09 contender right here! He is also the right mix of things; bad boy and heart throb yet seriously hot because he can be sensitive too.

Jude. All I can say is that the evolution of him was quite a thing to see. (well, read.)

Also, I shall address the "religious" aspect of the book. While I personally don't have a problem with religion being mentioned in a book (as long as its not being preached at me), I know that some do. Yes, there is a religion mentioned and it is an aspect, but it is in no way preaching or advocating one religion over another. It is however adding depth (right word?) in that it really puts it in perspective the significance of some of the character's actions because of the religion.

Oh my word, I just seriously love this book! The story is so enthralling and captivating that time is almost at a standstill. I simply can't find a flaw in it.

Overall, The Dark Devine is a simply amazing debut that is now one of my all time favorite books. I highly recommend it to all- slightly leaning more towards girls- but I think all can find enjoyment in it.

When Hooked: Immediately.
Hookability: (10/10)
Writing: (10/10)
Characters: (10/10)
Plot: (10/10)
Originality: (10/10)
Romance: (10/10)
Ending: (9.5/10)
Remembarable: (10/10)
Recommendability: (10/10)
Enjoyability: (10/10)

Overall: (9.84/10)








(If you are a "letter person" 99.5/100 = A+)*

*This is a great example of how my scoring of the aspects doesn't necessarily correlate with the overall rating. Though they usually are close.
**Also: This cover is soooo cool! I absolutely adore the purple! Cover= (9.5/10)

Want More Bree Despain? The sequel to The Dark Devine (which doesn't have a determined title yet) is set to be released 2011, I think.

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You can find Bree Despain on:
her website (http://www.breedespain.com/)
her blog (http://www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/)
her twitter (@BreeDespain)
or on GoodReads (where she is a member)

You can find The Dark Devine at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes&Noble / Amazon / Indie

Review: The Espressologist

After writing this review, I am seriously craving some coffee! :)

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer
Published: by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux - 10/27/09
Pages: 184
Series or Standalone? Standalone.

Summary (from GoodReads):
What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie.

Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee.

Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right? With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers.

In the time before reading The Espressologist but having heard of it, I was seriously psyched for it- I mean the synopsis sounds sounds so cool! So going into this book I had really high expectations, and I think thats where I had my problem with this book. It was in no way a bad book, it was seriously cute, but altogether it wasn't my cup of tea, or coffee rather.

I have to give Springer props for the idea though because I am seriously in love with it! Hooking people up based on their coffee orders? That is so cool, especially for a coffee addict like myself.

The Espressologist was very fast paced as you were always wanting to know what happens next. It was never that you couldn't probably tell where the book was headed, but I still wanted to see how it would all play out. And it was a quite fun, cute ride getting there.

In regards to the characters, I felt that Jane might have been the only dynamic character. Not that is necessarily a bad thing, but it might have been nice to see a bit more sides to the other characters.

Also, the whole romance-drama thing- I totally called the ending as soon as the whole drama was being foreshadowed. Which again isn't exactly a bad thing, I just usually like a book that has me guessing a bit more. Though this is probably because I have become a sort of an expert on predicting later events after the 100s of books, movies, and TV I have watched/read.

All in all, a very cute, light but fun debut. While a bit predictable, it makes up in its coffee loving awesomeness. I would recommend this to girls looking for a fun, cute, COFFEE read (or just a fun, cute read in general!) Seeing as there really is zero sexual/inappropiate content I think this could be a YA-MG crossover.

When Hooked: Early On.
Hookability: (8/10)
Writing: (9/10)
Characters: (8/10)
Plot: (8.5/10) <-- I'm torn; concept is awesome but...
Originality: (9.5/10) <-- again, concept is awesome but execution...
Romance: (7/10) <-- About that...
Ending: (8/10)
Remembarable: (7/10)
Recommendability: (7/10)
Enjoyability: (7.5/10)

Overall: (7.97/10)








(If you're a "letter person" 79.5/100 = C+)

*I ♥ the coffee heart! It makes me want some coffee too! Cover= (8/10)

Want more Kristina Springer?
Her second book, My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours, is due out from FSG on September 1st, 2010; and her third book, Pumpkin Princess will be out sometime in the Fall 2011.

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You can find Jackson Pearce on:
her website (http://www.kristinaspringer.com/)
her blog (http://kspringer.livejournal.com/)
her twitter (@TinaSpringer)
or on GoodReads (where she is a member)

You can find The Espessologist at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Indie

Review: Marni

It should be noted that as this is a non-fiction book, this is bit of an unconventional review for me. {P.S.- Marni=Book, and Marni=author}

Marni by Marni Bates
Published: by HCI Teens - 8/3/09
Pages: 159
Series or Standalone? Part if the Louder Than Words books, but they all stand as standalones.

Summary (from GoodReads):
Marni Bates has battled a stress-related disorder known as trichotillomania for roughly six years. The impulse to pull out all her hair (including her eyelashes and eyebrows), has been a source of much pain, frustration, and in rare moments, humor. It wasn't until Marni googled 'hair-pulling' that she discovered what she was doing had a name and an explanation. Hiding her condition took a lot of work, but being confronted with it was far more difficult. Unfortunately, the majority of high school students don't know how to react when faced with trich. Health courses tend to focus on already highly publicized conditions such as anorexia and bulimia, ignoring other stress-related disorders.

In Marni, author Marni Bates powerfully shares her journey, from the roots of her anxiety which was caused by her parents' messy divorce when she was eight, a dysfunctional relationship with her sister and father, and feeling like such a misfit that she convinced her mom to let her drop out of middle school to be homeschooled, to having her emotional turmoil give birth to trichotillomania. The urge to pull out all of her hair felt as uncontrollable and natural as breathing or cracking her knuckles. Unfortunately, her new habit led to social embarrassment, crushingly low self-esteem, and years of therapy.

First off, let me say that going into this book I was extremely nervous. I usually hate non-fiction books- I avoid them like the plague- but this one has left me to actual question that. It was that good.

Straight from the getgo Marni gets you immersed into the inner workings of her head, and its quite an interesting place to be. Like I said, I'm not an usual fan of non-fiction, and I'm not sure if it was because Marni is a teen or her story is just that awesome, but I loved this book!

I found Marni a really relatable book, though I personally don't have trichotillomania, or hadn't even heard of it before. I think this is a major reason why I loved this work of non-fiction while I usually hate the others; This one I could make a definite connection with , while the others I felt lacked that.

In any case, regardless of why I loved this book, the point is I did! The writing was fantastic and flowing, the story enthralling, and the narrator genuine. A fabulous book from page 1 to close. I recommend this to all, mostly girls though I guess, who want a good non-fiction read or want to learn more about trichotillomania. If Bates were ever to write anything else I would surely pick it up. Oh and as soon as I track them down, I'm definitely reading the other two Louder Than Words books!*

When Hooked: Immediately.
Hookability: (9/10)
Writing: (9.5/10)
Characters: (10/10) <--Marni was awesome!
Plot: (10/10) <-- Uhm its her life though, so its kind of hard to judge!
Originality: (10/10)
Romance: (--/10) <-- I loved how it ended, but once again with the real life thing.
Ending: (9.5/10)
Remembarable: (10/10)
Recommendability: (10/10)
Enjoyability: (10/10)

Overall: (9.21/10)








(If you are a "letter person" 87.5/90 = A+)

*There are a couple more Louder Than Words books to be released this year (?), and Chelsea (of the Page Flipper) is to be one of them! see here.
**Also: Thats not the real Marni on the cover, though she is shown on the back flap inside book, but the cover is quite gorgeous. Cover= (9/10)

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You can find Marni Bates on:
her website/blog (http://www.louderthanwordsbooks.com/marni/blog/)
or on GoodReads (though she isn't a member)

You can find Marni at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes&Noble / Amazon / Indie

Review: As You Wish

I have no (good) reason why it look me so long to post this, sorry:(

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Published: by HarperTeen- 8/25/09

Pages: 304

Series of Standalone? Standalone

Debut? 2009 Deb

Summary (from GoodReads):

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Wow. I am writing this review with some time between the time I read this and now, and I am still in awe. What a great debut! And though 2009 was full of fabulous debut books, this is definitely a contender for my favorite 2009 debut!
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Before diving into more about the book, I'm going to give you a little back story. In early 2009 when I came across the 2009 Debs site, I also came across Jackson Pearce. I found her blog and it was so outstandingly funny that I had begun to "stalk" her. {Not in a creepy way- she lives to far away from me for that anyhow.} I began to check her blog everyday to see if there was a new post, and then continue to check it multiple times throughout the day. (Please note this is wayy before I started a blog of my own or had come across the wondrous book blogging community.) I then found her YouTube which was full of even more hilarities. Which led to my EXTREME want need for her book. (Closer to the release date I even checked my library's online catalog constantly to see when it was coming in- which took FOREVER btw.)
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Needless to say going into this book I was extremely psyched and had high hopes for this book. And the best thing was that this book did not disappoint, but instead it made me aware of new levels of awesome I hadn't known of before.
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As You Wish is a fast-paced read that digs its claws into you with it's hook and will keep you immersed the whole time with its epicness of action.

Literally from start to finish I was utterly captivated, there was no way I was going to be able to put it down- not even for a minute.

In addition, the characterization used by Pearce was fantastic. Usually theres at least one character/ character fault I don't like in a book, and I'm not sure how she did this, but Pearce was able to make me love every single character. Even the characters who weren't designed to be "liked" I still loved.

Viola. Oh my word, I ♥ Viola. She was truly an exceptional character. I really identified with her (though not her situation) and due to her relatability was able to connect with the book on a whole new level.

Jinn. Dibs! I looooooooove Jinn! If I were to ever find out that jinns are real, he would be mine. I can't even put it into words why he's so awesome. Sure he's cute, hilarious, and oh so sweet, but theres also something I can't put my finger on that makes him so awesome.

Lawrence. Again, I looooove him! He was so cute, I want one of him for my self.

Now, the ending. Gahhh! I don't want to give anything away, but I was supremely happy with the ending. It was a happy ending minus the "Disney" style happily ever after that are so often correlated with happy endings. Basically, it ended happy but not in a predictable over-dramatised way.

All in all, As You Wish was a wonderful read, and debut nonetheless. I don't know if you got the picture already but everything- the plot, the romance, the writing, the characters, the originality, the ending, the EVERYTHING- was simply fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good "light" fantasy read*, but leaning more towards girls than guys.

When Hooked: Immediately.
Hookability: (10/10)
Writing: (9.5/10)
Characters: (9.5/10)
Plot: (10/10)
Originality: (9.5/10)
Romance: (9.5/10)
Ending: (9.5/10)
Remembarable: (9.5/10)
Recommendability: (9.5/10)
Enjoyability: (10/10)

Overall: (9.23/10)

(If you're a "letter person" 96.5/100= A)

*I am in no way trying to say that this is a "light" book that is shallow and lacks depth, because this is certainly not the case. I am only saying that as a fantasy novel it is on the lighter side in regards to the fantasy aspects of it.

Want More Jackson Pearce? Her sophomore novel Sisters Red, the first of a series, is set to release in Hardcover on July 7th, 2010 from Little Brown for Young Readers. The sequel Sweetly will release on an undetermined date in 2011.

You can find Jackson Pearce on:
her website/blog (http://jacksonpearce.com/)
her twitter (@JacksonPearce)
or on GoodReads (where she is a member)

You can find As You Wish at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes&Noble / Amazon / Indie

Interview: Emma Kinna!

So, for your friday enjoyment today, the lovely Emma Kinna, author of A House Afire, has graced us with her presence via this interview! :D

Before we get to the interview, let me introduce you to her debut A House Afire. (Note: I haven't read A House Afire yet, but I am dying to!)


A House Afire by Emma Kinna

Phyllis Sorin has seen all sorts of people. With two kind Aunts who rent out the rooms of their house to anyone in need, the people she calls family are a little different from most. There’s Bill, who takes on the personalities of movie characters. There’s Quincy, whose best friend is a drag queen. There’s Anna, an opera singer and kung-fu master.
And Phyllis, well, she’s not exactly normal herself. But even as she begins to navigate high school’s social jungle, Phyllis finds comfort and humor in her odd home.

When Dominick Siddons moves in, however, all of Phyllis's priorities become inferior to finding out his secret. A young lawyer with a vicious wit and ferocious temper, Sid may understand Phyllis in a way no one else can. And through truth and fiction, through the inevitable chaos of the house, Phyllis finds much more than she bargained for.

Now, for the wondrous questions Emma was so kind as to answer...

1.) In Kindergarten we all have a clear idea of what we want to be when we get older. When you were in Kindergarten (or sometime around there) did you know you wanted to be a writer, or did that come later on?

I did know that I wanted to write in kindergarten! In fact, I wrote a "book" about my grandma's dog when I was 6. My love of writing is one of the only things I've always known about myself, actually.

2.) How did you get the idea/ what was inspiration for A House Afire?

A lot of different things inspired me. I guess the biggest inspiration for it was the movie "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Cary Grant, but a lot of other things went into it. People I know, people I wish I knew... Phyllis and Sid, the main characters, actually showed up together before any of the others did, and as they evolved and I got to know them better the story kind of came along with them.

3.) What has been your favorite part of having your book published?

So far, my favorite part has been talking to book bloggers and fans. I mean, I like being able to say I'm published, too, but I didn't realize that it would give me such a great opportunity to talk to other people who love books. Maybe that should have been obvious, but I really had no idea what to expect.

4.) What do you hope readers take away from A House Afire?

I hope they have fun! I hope it helps entertain them and cheer them up, and that it lets them escape into another house. I really wanted to try and put the reader right in the house and get to know all the people who live there (especially Phyllis, obviously). I hope that some parts make them laugh, and other parts make them think.

5.) What are your plans? What do you plan to write/ are writing next?

Well, my first plan is to graduate from college. You've probably noticed that this book isn't well-publicized, and that has a lot to do with the way my life is right now. I plan to finish school and to slowly establish my presence in the YA realm. But I also plan to write the next story about Phyllis and other characters. I have a lot of ideas, it's just a matter of writing them down and finding out where they'll go. If all goes well there will be many more books in the future!

6.) If for some god awful reason writing books became banned, what would you do instead?

I would die. No, not really. Good question, though. If writing books became banned, I'd probably be some sort of artist. If I couldn't express myself in writing, I'd do it through photos or drawings. And, given that I'd be living in a world where writing books was banned, I'd probably become some sort of activist, too.

7.) If you were stranded on island and could only bring 1 book and 3 other (non-book) items what would they be?

Hmm...I have no clue what book I'd bring. Maybe "Hannibal," because there's so much to that book. Or a Sherlock Holmes volume, because I haven't read them yet. If I were stranded with no hope of ever leaving the island I'd bring a notebook and pen, and a snorkel set. Oh wait! One book I feel I can always go back to is "Necklace of Kisses" by Francesca Lia Block. It's like going on a beautiful vacation. Maybe I'd bring that one.

8.) So there has been much debate over Team Zombie vs. Team Unicorn. Which are you?

Team Unicorn. Way too many zombies out there right now— somebody needs to take a stand.

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Thank you so much Emma!

If you want to learn more about Emma's book A House Afire you can do so at it's GoodReads here. And if you want to learn more about Emma Kinna you can do so at her blog here.

Waiting On Wednesday (6)

Waiting on Wedenesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

This week I'm waiting on a very highly anticipated book by one of my favorite authors Elizabeth Scott! And the book is...

The Unwritten Rule (!!!)

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...

The Unwritten Rule (by Elizabeth Scott) will be released March 16, 2010!

Holy Smokes is this much awesome even allowed? (Outside contest)

So I told myself I wasn't going to do full posts for outside contests atleast for a little while, but I had to make an exception for this one! Reggie of The Undercover Book Lover (Not Really) is having a huge contest for her 15th birthday!!! The prize(s) you ask, take a look...

Plus, Before I Fall (I couldn't fit it into the snip)

Oh yeah, did I mention the prize is for FINISHED COPIES of these books?!?!?!?!?!

Note again what the great Reggie has listed as the prizes:

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO ENTER HERE!

In My Mailbox: Feb. 7th (7)

Okay so I had been planning on postponing doing IMM until I had a couple more reviews up, but this weeks goodies were wayy too awesome to resist. Also, technically this is 3 weeks of books, but only 2 came 3 weeks ago, and only 3 last week, 90% of them came this week and were bought by me! And yet again, sorry for the extreme length:)
Oh yeah, and credit for IMM goes to The Story Siren & Alea, thanks guys!



























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The Won:

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.


--- I am super excited for this one! I loooooooved Shiver, so as soon as I track down a copy of Lament I shall have to devour both books immediately! Thanks Andrea! <---whos book might I add is one of the ones I am most looking forward to! :)


The next two are from Georgia from YA LIT CHAT, and from LEAP BKS. Thank you Georgia and all you over at Leap Books!


Freaksville by Kitty Keswick

High school is hard enough when you’re normal. There’s peer pressure, book reports, the in crowd and the enormous zit that has a life of its own. Having a family whose skeletons in the closet lean toward the paranormal is not a topper on anyone’s list. Sophomore Kasey Maxwell is busy juggling the typical teen angst. Add visions, ghosts and hairy four-legged monsters into the mix and you get FREAKSVILLE. It’s a wonder Kasey has survived.

Every woman in the Maxwell family has the gift of sight. A talent sixteen-year-old Kasey would gladly give up. All she wants is a normal life. Shopping and talking about boys with her best friend and long-time sidekick Gillie Godshall consume her days. Until Kasey has a vision about Josh Johnstone, the foreign exchange student from England. The vision leads her into new waters, a lead in a play, a haunted theater…and into the arms of the Josh. Yet, both Kasey and Josh have secrets lurking in dark corners. Can Kasey’s new romance survive FREAKSVILLE?

-- I've read mixed reviews about this one but I'm super excited to draw my own conclusions, I think it sounds really good, and have you seen this trailer.


Island Sting by Bonnie J. Doerr

Kenzie Ryan's New York know-how and private girls' academy education prove useless in the middle of an island wildlife refuge.

Upon arrival in the exotic Florida Keys, she is thrown into the midst of an ecological mystery involving the endangered Florida Key deer. How can she navigate this upside down world? A world deftly maneuvered by Angelo--island native and nerve-wracking hunk. The two team up to accomplish what perplexes law enforcement, but Angelo exposes Kenzie's insecurities, as well as her inexperience with nature and the opposite sex.

Danger and disagreement follow the pair wherever they go. Enamored with Angelo and his local savvy, Kenzie hopes to secure his loyal friendship. But how can she win Angelo's trust when what she must tell him will crush his ego?

Island Sting includes notes on the endangered Florida Key Deer and the National Key Deer Refuge.

--This one looks very inrtiguing. I haven't heard an awful lot about it so far, but I'm eager to find out!


Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

-- I am DYING to read her Poison Study series, so I am very happy to have this book too! And squee! its signed & personalized! Thanks again Mandy & Maria!



And now all the WONDROUS books I bought(!!!):
They were either bought via Borders or Barnes & Noble, but all with my own money. Apparently when you order a pre-order from B&N they don't start shipping until all the books are in, so 17 books came to me yesterday even though I ordered them in December:p


All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Carly: She was sweet. Smart. Self-destructive. She knew the secrets of Brighton Day School’s most privileged students. Secrets that got her killed.

Neily: Dumped by Carly for a notorious bad boy, Neily didn’t answer the phone call she made before she died. If he had, maybe he could have helped her. Now he can’t get the image of her lifeless body out of his mind.

Audrey: She’s the reason Carly got tangled up with Brighton’s fast crowd in the first place, and now she regrets it—especially since she’s convinced the police have put the wrong person in jail. Audrey thinks the murderer is someone at Brighton, and she wants Neily to help her find out who it is.

As reluctant allies Neily and Audrey dig into their shared past with Carly, her involvement with Brighton’s dark goings-on comes to light. But figuring out how Carly and her killer fit into the twisted drama will force Audrey and Neily to face hard truths about themselves and the girl they couldn’t save.

-- I have wanted this for sooooo long, and there have been sooo many good reviews, and well, squee!


Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Love can be a dangerous thing....

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

-- Oh my word, how I have waited for this book! I was full of squees when I got it! It sounds and looks AMAZING!


Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omolulu

Everyone has secrets. Some are just bigger and dirtier than others.

For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal.

When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue.

With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

-- Okay so seeing as this was the book that made me wait a month and a half to get the other 16 books you would think that I show some sort of resentment towards it, but I don't hold a shred of resentment because this looks absolutely fabulous!


Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...

-- THIS LOOKS SOOOOO COOL! Even my brother flipped out when he saw this one! (I'm going to have to hide this from him until I can read it first)


Heartless by Sara Shepard

The newest installment in Sara Shepard’s bestselling Pretty Little Liars series is packed with juicy drama and delicious surprises that will keep readers guessing to the very end.
Hanna, Aria, Emily, and Spencer have been telling some outrageous tales; only, the proof always seems to go missing. The friends insist they’re telling the truth, but all of Rosewood thinks they’re just out for attention—and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf. So when the big bad killer comes after them, will anyone believe the girls. . . or will they be the next to disappear?

-- Holy crap you have no idea how much I have wanted this one! I AM SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS YOU DONT KNOW! The Pretty Little Liars series is of my 3 favorite series ever, and the only one that doesn't have to do with dystopia or fantasy!


Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

17 year-old Kelly Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what shethinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelly's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

-- I have heard sooo much good things about this book! So excited to get this one:D


Darklight by Lesley Livingston


Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was Faerie royalty, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved New York City from a rampaging Faerie war band. When a terrifying encounter in Central Park sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful—but cut short. For they’ve been plunged into a game of Faerie deception and wavering allegiances in which the next move could topple a kingdom...or part them forever.

The fans who flocked to Lesley Livingston’s Wondrous Strange will fall hard for Darklight, the soaringly romantic second book in the trilogy. Breathless high stakes and vividly magical characters make this a can’t-miss fantasy for readers of Melissa Marr and Holly Black.

-- Yeah I buy sequels to books I have not even read the first one of, but it looks wayy to good to have to wait until I can track down the sequel! :)


Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

-- Yay! I've heard great things about this one! And I think the cover is gorgeous, even in alu of the contravercy surrounding it.


Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Material by Rosalind Wiseman

Looking for a new beginning after a terrible mean girl past, Charlie Healey realizes there’s no escaping high school drama

Charlie Healey thinks Harmony Falls is the beginning of a whole new life. Middle school was brutal. But high school is Charlie’s big chance to start over and stay out of drama, except that on her first day she runs into Will, her ex–best friend, who had moved away. Now a varsity athlete and hotter than Charlie
remembered, Will hangs with the crowd running the school. But Charlie doesn’t understand their power until an innocent delivery guy falls victim to a near-deadly hazing prank.

Torn between doing what’s right and her secret feelings for Will, Charlie must decide whether to turn in her very best friend or live with the guilt of knowing what he did.

Rosalind Wiseman’s first novel for young adults is a fresh, funny, and juicy read about friendship, betrayal, and how far some will go to be accepted.

-- Creator of Mean Girls and has a Tina Fey quote? Count me in!


The Mark by Jen Nadol

Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

-- I do have the ARC too, but this was wayy too pretty to pass up! Also, I'm reading it right now and its really good!


Numbers by Rachel Ward

Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.

Burdened with such an awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they’re waiting to ride the Eye Ferris
wheel, Jem notices that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today’s number. Today’s date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem’s world is about to explode!

-- This looks awesome! As a huge sci-fi nerd I am super psyched for this! Oh and my mom saw this and just about flipped out in her want for this book- another one I am going to have to hide until I get a chance to read it!


The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard

Seventeen-year-old Colt has been sneaking out at night to meet Julia, a girl from an upper-class neighborhood unlike his own. They’ve never told anyone else about their relationship: not their family or friends, and especially not Julia’s boyfriend.When Julia dies suddenly, Colt tries to cope with her death while pretending that he never even knew her. He discovers a journal she left behind. But he is not prepared for the truths he discovers about their intense relationship, nor to pay the price for the secrets he’s kept.

-- Yay for Tenner books, especially ones that look as good as this book! :D


By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Daelyn Rice is broken beyond repair, and after a string of botched suicide attempts, she's determined to get her death right. She starts visiting a website for "completers"- www.through-the-light.com.

While she's on the site, Daelyn blogs about her life, uncovering a history of bullying that goes back to kindergarten. When she's not on the Web, Daelyn's at her private school, where she's known as the freak who doesn't talk.

Then, a boy named Santana begins to sit with her after school while she's waiting to for her parents to pick her up. Even though she's made it clear that she wants to be left alone, Santana won't give up. And it's too late for Daelyn to be letting people into her life. Isn't it?

National Book Award finalist Julie Anne Peters shines a light on how bullying can push young people to the very edge.

"23 Days and Counting

Dear
___mother
___father
___other

There was nothing you could do to stop me because:

___I’d already made up my mind
___I have been suffering my whole life
___ you were too slow to notice

I offed myself because:

___my life sucks
___the world sucks
___ you suck

Good-bye,
Daelyn"

-- This one looks good, maybe sad and depressing too, but good nonetheless.

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

What's the worst thing you've ever done?

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

-- I've heard so many good things about Courtney Summers! And of course before I read Some Girls Are I had to read this one!

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.

Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

-- This one I've had since the release day and have been drooling over, but I had to wait until I read Cracked Up to Be first:D

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over...

-- I don't know how many times I saw this as a "Favorite Read of 2009", but I was convinced I had to read it!

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

-- Insert 100 squee's here! Soooooo excited!

Hearts At Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a vampire slayer on the hunt for his father's killer.

-- Also, VERY excited for this one too! Despite the hype I still looooove vampires, and havent read a vamp book in like 4-5 months! OH NO!

Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton

Felicity's no ordinary teen matchmaker...she's a cupid!
Felicity Walker believes in true love. That's why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid's Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn't just a matchmaker...she's a cupid! (There's more than one of them, you know.)

Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But when she bends the rules of cupidity by matching her best friend Maya with three different boys at once, disaster strikes. Felicity needs to come up with a plan to set it all right, pronto, before she gets fired...and before Maya ends up with her heart split in three.

-- This looks adorable! Can't wait!

Firespell by Chloe Neill

As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…

When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

-- I LOVE books about Boarding Schools, and I LOVE fantasy, so I supsect I will quite enjoy this book!

Stake That by Mari Mancusi

Two sisters—as different as the sun and the rain. For one, getting into the Blood Cover is to die for, but it seems destiny has something else in mind...

Rayne McDonald had it all figured out. Get turned into a vampire, become the mate of the Blood Coven leader, and live the high-life for all eternity. Too bad the head vamp took a bite out of her twin sister by mistake. Now, not only is Rayne still not a vampire, but she learns she's a slayer instead—destined to destroy vamps gone bad.

After being recruited by a secret organization, Rayne is given her first mission: infiltrate a seedy bar downtown and expose its vampire owner, Maverick, for purposely spreading a nasty blood virus. Luckily the Blood Coven sends some help—in the form of sexy vampire Jareth. Will vampire and slayer be able to settle their differences and work together to bring down the evil Maverick? Or will they find their own hearts on the line?

-- I have heard good things about this series, and now I own them all, yay!

Girls That Growl by Mari Mancusi

Rayne McDonald thought getting into the Blood Coven was the hard part. But now there's a new breed of trouble in town...and the former slayer and her vampire boyfriend may be the only ones who can stop it.

Now that she's an official vampire and full-fledged member of The Blood Coven, Rayne assumes her vampire slaying days are over. Sure, she doesn't have any vampire powers, thanks to a mutated blood virus, but she and Jareth can go out in the sun, which is a pretty good trade-off.

But just when Rayne's starting to enjoy her afterlife, she's contacted by Slayer Inc once again. It seems that a member of her high school's football team has disappeared—and the powers-that-be think the cheerleaders had something to do with it. Now Rayne has to infiltrate the squad before the cheerleaders have a chance to sink their teeth into someone else...

-- Yay for Vampire books! :D

Bad Blood by Mari Mancusi

Sunny McDonald is in the ultimate forbidden relationship. Her boyfriend Magnus is a vampire, and the leader of the Blood Coven. Their differences have never been an issue, until now…

When the Blood Coven decides that Magnus needs a mate to be his co-ruler, Sunny’s humanity puts her out of the running. The Coven’s chosen candidate is Jane Johnson, a magna cum laude graduate of Oxford University who just happens to look like a vampiric celebutante.

Sunny is suspicious of a Rhodes Scholar who can’t answer the most basic poly-sci questions, but Magnus brushes it off as petty jealousy. Still, when the Blood Coven goes to Las Vegas for a vampire convention—where Magnus and Jane’s bonding ceremony will be the main event—Sunny and her sister Rayne secretly tag along. And Sunny’s not going home before she learns the truth about Jane. Because not everything stays in Vegas—especially bad blood…

-- Oh my word, how gorgeous is this cover???

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

-- I've been wanting to read this series for awhile now, and with the movie coming out it seemed like the perfect time! :D

From Library:

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

MOST OF MY friends now go to Pius Senior College, but my mother wouldn’t allow it because she says the girls there leave with limited options and she didn’t bring me up to have limitations placed upon me. If you know my mother, you’ll sense there’s an irony there, based on the fact that she is the Queen of the Limitation Placers in my life.

Francesca battles her mother, Mia, constantly over what’s best for her. All Francesca wants is her old friends and her old school, but instead Mia sends her to St. Sebastian’s, an all-boys’ school that has just opened its doors to girls. Now Francesca’s surrounded by hundreds of boys, with only a few other girls for company. All of them weirdos—or worse.

Then one day, Mia is too depressed to get out of bed. One day turns into months, and as her family begins to fall apart, Francesca realizes that without her mother’s high spirits, she hardly knows who she is. But she doesn’t yet realize that she’s more like Mia than she thinks. With a little unlikely help from St. Sebastian’s, she just might be able to save her family, her friends, and—especially—herself.

-- I read this and it is now one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS EVER! I loooove it so much, I want to read everything Melina Marcchetta has ever written now!

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

In the last months of high school, charismatic eighteen-year-old Sutter Keely lives in the present, staying drunk or high most of the time, but that could change when starts working to boost the self-confidence of a classmate, Aimee.

-- {I couldn't find a longer summary} Anyway, I read this one and liked it, it was very, uhm, peculiar though.

Project Sweet Life by Brent Hartinger

For most kids, fifteen is the year of the optional summer job: Sure, you can get a job if you really want one, but it isn't required or anything. Too bad Dave's dad doesn't agree! Instead of enjoying long days of biking, swimming, and sitting around, Dave and his two best friends are being forced by their fathers into a summer of hard labor.

The friends have something else in mind, though: Not only will they not work over the summer, but they're determined to trick everyone into believing they really do have jobs. So what if the lifeguard doesn't have a tan or the fast-food worker isn't bringing home buckets of free chicken? There's only one problem: Dave's dad wants evidence that his son is actually bringing in money. And that means Dave, Curtis, and Victor will have to get some . . . without breaking the law and without doing any work!

Project Sweet Life is designed for the funny and lazy bone in all of us—a true comedy of errors (without any effort!) from seasoned storyteller Brent Hartinger.

-- Reading right now- not very far, but seems like a funny read!