This Week In Books Or Book Buying=Stress Relief!

Monday:

Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot
She Went All The Way by Meg Cabot
Sixteen edited by Megan McCafferty

These were all from bookmooch!

The Season by Sarah MacLean

For review! Wohoo!

Tuesday: nothing

Wednesday: nothing

Thursday:

Bittersweet Sixteen by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

JUST missed a bus so I popped into the Barnes and Noble right next door to the building I usually seek warmth in, in the morning and browsed their clearance section. Found this book for $2.

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman

Got these from the Library Book Store.

Friday:

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

I won this from Free Book Friday Teen! And it's signed!

Take the Reins (Canterwood Crest #1) by Jessica Burkhart
Geek Charming by Robin Palmer
Wake by Lisa McMann

You can't say blogs don't work. I kept reading about the Canterwood Crest books recently and today I checked out the website for the series here. I needed to have it! And check out the Cover Story for Take the Reins over at Melissa Walker's blog here. The covers are gorgeous! Geek Charming I featured on Waiting On Wednesday a few weeks ago and Wake recently came out in paperback so I had to get it!

Killing Yourself To Live by Chuck Klosterman
The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton
Irish Girls About Town
Make Him Look Good by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

Carol told me about the 3-day $1 sale Barnes and Noble was having so I had to head over to my local store, these are the books I found!

Saturday:

The Makedown by Gitty Daneshvari
Girl Most Likely To by Poonam Sharma

The Makedown is for review, this book sounds great! And Girl Most Likely to is from Bookmooch!

Lookalikes 34

Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler

Beastly by Alex Flinn

This is a great one because there isn't a duplicate photograph but has several similar elements. Black background, flower, and for the first two, similar handwritten title treatments. I can't pick a favorite, I like how simple the first one is but I like the colors of the flower in the second and how the third combines the flower with the type.

Which is your favorite?

Thanks to Kelsey of Just Blinded Book Reviews for pointing out this lookalike!

Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

From Amazon.com:

Twelve-year-old Lonnie is finally feeling at home with his foster family. But because he’s living apart from his little sister, Lili, he decides it’s his job to be the “rememberer”—and write down everything that happens while they’re growing up. Lonnie’s musings are bittersweet; he’s happy that he and Lili have new families, but though his new family brings him joy, it also brings new worries. With a foster brother in the army, concepts like Peace have new meaning for Lonnie. Told through letters from Lonnie to Lili, this thought provoking companion to Jacqueline Woodson’s National Book Award finalist Locomotion tackles important issues in captivating, lyrical language. Lonnie’s reflections on family, loss, love and peace will strike a note with readers of all ages.

Peace, Locomotion is a hopefully book that speaks of the different definitions of family. Biological family, foster family, and your country. I believe the book is set around current issues but really it's relevant for any time period. I hadn't realized when I started reading, that this is a companion book to the book, Locomotion, but I felt it had to power to stand alone just fine.

The book is a series of letters that Lonnie Collins Motion aka Locomotion writes to his little sister Lili. After losing their parents in a fire they are put into separate foster homes and don't get to see each other as often as they would like it. In his letters Lonnie tells his sister all about his life, his classes, his poetry, his friends and also his foster family who has a son in the war.

I thought this was a sweet book that deals with some heavy issues in a very hopeful way. It made me smile but also made me a little teary eyed. The character of Lonnie is wise beyond his years and his love for his sister and foster family is touching. It's inspiring to see what a good person he remains after having to deal with so much at a very young age. The author has captured his voice perfectly.

Peace, Locomotion was released on January 22nd.

4/5 Stars
ARC received from publisher

"Waiting On" Wednesday! 15

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

From 2009 Debutantes Website:

FOUR LITTLE WORDS WRITTEN IN LIPSTICK mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother's last words. Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth? With the help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal. Sometimes goodbye is just the beginning.

Released August 9th 2009

Oh my gosh, I get chills just reading the synopsis! A tragic mystery and two cute boys? And learning about your family and yourself. I'm there!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday Thingers!

Prior to today, were you aware of Open Shelves Classification? Have you helped to classify any books yet? Is this something you are interested in? Did you know that if you classify any books, it will also show you who else has classified the book?

Prior to today I was NOT aware of the Open Shelves Classification. Apparently I don't scroll down the pages much! I might be interested from time to time in classifying a book (if I remember). I tried to check it out on the Great Gatsby's page just now and it said something to the effect of this round of classifications are over. So I couldn't really see the new feature to try it out.

Sometimes it's hard to classify a book, what do you think?

Hardcover vs. Paperback 13

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com Product Description: 

Dear Anthony:

I appreciate your recent interest, but I’m not accepting applications at this time. Your letter will be kept in our files and someone will get back to you if there is an opening. Thank you for thinking of me.

Respectfully,

Alejandra Perez

P.S. It’s not “Allie.” It’s “Ale.”

Meet T.C., who is valiantly attempting to get Alejandra to fall in love with him; Alejandra, who is playing hard to get and is busy trying to sashay out from under the responsibilities of being a diplomat’s daughter; and T.C.’s brother Augie, who is gay and in love and everyone knows it but him. 

I first saw the paperback cover when Reviewer X posted it along with her review. I definitely like it more, less sports and more people. I like how for the most part all the elements are maintained but wish the sparkles were added onto the paperback like on the hardcover. 

Hardcover or Paperback? 

No More Us For You by David Hernandez

From Publisher's Website:

For a life to come together, sometimes it first has to fall completely apart.

Isabel is a regular seventeen-year-old girl, still reeling from the pain of her boyfriend's tragic death exactly one year ago.

Carlos is a regular seventeen-year-old guy, loves red licorice and his friends, and works at a fancy art museum for some extra cash.

The two have no connection until they both meet Vanessa, an intriguing new transfer student with a mysterious past. While Vanessa is the link that brings these two very different lives together, will she be the one that can also tear them apart?

In his stunningly beautiful second novel, David Hernandez gives his readers a poetic and profound story that tells of two completely different teenagers and how through everyday life and monumental tragedy lies endless possibility.

This is a sweet and sometimes humorous book that deals with death, grief, life, and love. It wasn't exactly what I was had thought it would be like but there is nothing wrong with that! I loved reading the alternating perspectives of Isabel and Carlos, their private fears and wishes, and their thoughts about each other and their friends. I was expecting to get to know Vanessa a lot more than I actually did and I felt there were some loose endings left with her storyline.

I liked Carlos's perspective the most, everytime he was in the art gallery that he worked at as a security guard my ears perked up. I loved it all, the strange artwork, the crazy man that comes into the gallery to destroy artwork, and the artist that comes in to repair his neon sign piece that has partially burnt out. It was a great atmosphere that the author created. You could definitely tell the author has a background in the arts! This passages really shine for me!

I found this a hopeful book that shows a great snapshot of teen life but felt like it barely scratched the surface of what the author had created for himself to play with.

No More Us For You is released on January 27th.

Click here to Browse Inside the book!

3.5/5 Stars

ARC received from publisher

What's your favorite book that alternates perspectives?

GoldenGirl by Micol Ostow

From Amazon.com:

Paige, Spencer, and Madison have it all: the looks, the connections, the money, the boys. As the daughters of three of the most prestigious families on Philadelphia's Main Line (read: old money, and lots of it) and the ruling juniors at Bradford Prep, nothing can stand in their way....except, perhaps, their own dark secrets. When an old frenemy from Paige's hidden past shows up at Bradford and plays nice--too nice--Paige is desperate to smother the threat. How far will she go to silence the truth?

This was a gossipy, scandalous, fashionably good time! I really liked reading the thoughts of Spencer via her blog posts, especially the little love triangle that she has gotten herself into. Because most of the blog posts are from her point of view (in this book) I felt I got to know her the best of all the characters. It was also really nice hearing from some of the other characters on the school blog, The Bradford Blog, I hope to get to know them just as well in future books.

What initially attracted me to this book was how it's working on multiple platforms, we have the book, which is essentially a collection of blog posts and a few emails and then probably a good dozen or so websites, from myspace profiles, to twitter pages, a Bradford Prep official website, and websites for other locations in the book. I loved the idea of being able to poke around online and get to know the characters better.

I think most of the fashion and label references got lost on me since I don't know much about fashion, so I wouldn't have minded a few less, but I'm sure there are people out there that love them! Also, I don't know if this is showing my age or what but some of the acronyms I had to look up. A little glossary of terms in the back of the book would have been very helpful to someone like me!

I'm definitely looking forward to where the second book, Fashionista picks up! There is somewhat of a mystery brewing and I really want to know the truth!

GoldenGirl is released on January 27th.

Check out the Bradford Novels website here!

3.5/5 Stars
ARC received from publisher

Have you ever read a book that uses a lot of blog posts? I'd love to hear about it!

The Bookshelf Meme

I was tagged by Korianne of Korianne Speaks for this meme!

1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!

2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.

3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.

4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…

1. The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

I'm just taking a guess here but I recall reading this book over and over again when I was little and learning how to read. Before I could even read I'm pretty sure I just memorized it and said it over and over again (like I was reading) before I could actually read the words! I'm not sure if anyone in my family could actually remember how much truth there is to that but that's what I remember!

2. A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Again, I'm depending on my memory here but, I believe one of my cousins gave this to me when I visited Lebanon when I was 9 years old. I have no idea why they gave it to me but I'm pretty sure that's where it came from. And sadly enough, I still haven't read it! I think for awhile I assumed I was too young to understand it but now I have no excuse!

3. A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):

An Idiot Girl's Christmas by Laurie Notaro

So, I was on vacation a few years ago with my family somewhere, no idea where, and of course I go into all the bookstores I see. I went into one and found this little tiny clearance section and this book was in it for a 50 cents or a dollar. I had read another of the author's books and liked so so I picked this one up. When up to the cash register to pay and the guy just looked at me, laughed and said "Just take it". So I said "Are you sure? I can pay." and he was like "No, it's fine". So I just slowly backed away and left. Very bizarre, for the life of me I have no idea what that was about, but I wasn't about to argue! And of course, still haven't read it!

4. The most recent addition to your shelves:

Red: Teenage Girls in America Write On What Fires Up Their Lives Today

So this is one of a few of the most recent books I got. I think I originally heard about it on Melissa Walker's Blog a few months ago. I'm really excited to dive right into this, hopefully in the next few weeks. It's a great concept and I can tell there is going to be sure a diverse set of voices here, there is no way that this book could be bad, NO WAY!


5. A book that’s been with you to the most places:

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

So this book I bought while I was studying abroad in London for the month of July in 2004. I had brought The Catcher of the Rye with me and finished it. I didn't think I would have tons of reading time, which I really didn't. But wanted to find another book to read, so me and a friend or two went into a bookstore and had a grand old time looking at all the books we knew but with different covers! I'm not sure if I knew about this book before hand (I saw the movie at sometime not sure if it was before or after) but I remember being really taken with this cover. So I bought it and started reading it but then my friend insisted I borrow her copy of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants because it was so addicting, so I ended up reading that instead. Still haven't finished this book yet! :/ It did travel back to college with me and then home after I graduated.

6. A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the 11th grade we read The Great Gatsby in my English class, I adored it and proclaimed it to be my favorite book! Basically in class we decided people either love it or hate it. I loved it while my good friend hated it. That Spring I had to get all of my wisdom teeth removed and my friend gave me a gift saying "You can't open it until after it is all over with and you are awake." So I think, on the way home I'm sitting there crying from the pain, I open the gift from my friend and it's my very own copy of The Great Gatsby! I was so touched that she would get it for me especially considering how much, she herself hated it! It totally brightened my spirit right away!

So wow, this was really fun to do! I'm going to tag a few people, feel free to do it or not do it (but it's really fun) I don't think you've done it yet but you may have and also anyone else fell free to do it too!

I'm going to tag: S Krishna of S. Krishna books, Sharon of Sharon Loves Books and Cats and Shalonda of Shalonda's blog!

Happy Tag!

Sharon of Sharon Loves Books and Cats tagged me for this meme!

So here are the rules:
Link to the person who has tagged you.
Write down six things that make you happy.
Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it.
Then tell the person when your entry is complete.

1. My favorite song randomly shuffling on via my ipod.

2. Getting everything on my to-do list done.

3. Tapirs.

4. Friends, Family, and Blogger Buddies.

5. Reading a really great book or watching a really great movie.

6. The weekend.

I'm in lazy mode so I'm not going to tag anyone, feel free to play along!

Kreativ Blogger Award Part Two!

S. Krishna of S. Krishna books passed on this Kreativ Blogger Part Two award to me! Thanks! And this one has a fun meme!

7 Things I Did Before:

1. Went to college.
2. Worked in a photography lab.
3. Drank lots of regular soda.
4. Lived on Instant Messenger.
5. Watched movie trailers obsessively online.
6. Visited Lebanon for 3 weeks.
7. Created zines and comics.

7 Things I Do Now:

1. Work as a graphic designer.
2. Work out (for the time being).
3. Take the bus.
4. Live on Twitter.
5. Go to the library book store weekly.
6. Wish I had more time for my hobbies.
7. Eat string cheese :P

7 Things I Want to Do:

1. Buy a car.
2. Travel a lot more.
3. Move out.
4. Find more time to read.
5. Go to The Strand and Powells.
6. Get back to working on my zines and comics.
7. Spend more time with my friends.

7 Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex:

1. Nerdy glasses
2. Originality
3. Similar interests
4. Humor
5. Artistic Abilities
6. A cute smile
7. Kindness

7 Favorite Foods
I can't answer this one, it will make me sad to think about all the foods i'm not eating because I'm trying to eat healthier!

7 Things I Say Most Often

1. Oh my god.
2. My (insert body part) hurts. (I complain a lot)
3. Hahahahah!
4. Did I get any packages? (To my sister over the phone)
5. No way!
6. How are you?
7. I think that should work (at work)

I'm not going to tag anyone but let me know if you do it, I'd love to come see your answers! Mine are pretty random! :)

This Week In Books Or A Pretty Conservative Week, For Me!

Monday: no mail day!

Tuesday:

Kiss My Book by Jaimie Michaels
King Dork by Frank Portman

Kiss My Book came from the awesome Vanessa of What Vanessa Reads via Bookmooch. And King Dork came from the very sweet Zoe of Zoe's Book Reviews via a Book Swap!

Wednesday:

Chasing Boys by Karen Tayleur
Adios to All The Drama by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Amigas and School Scandals by Diana Rodriguez Wallach

Chasing Boys came for review which I featured on a Waiting On Wednesday post a few weeks back and the other two (long titles!) came from the great Carol(ina) of Bookluver- Carol's Reviews!

Thursday:

Just Like That by Marsha Qualey
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith

Got these at the library book store! Just Like That, mainly because I wanted to be like Shalonda who I noticed had it in her bookshelves post this week :P

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman
Red: Teenage Girls in America Write On What Fires Up Their Lives Today edited by Amy Goldwasser
Got these from Amazon! I've been so excited for those first two to come out in paperback and doesn't Red sound amazing!

Friday: nothing

Saturday: nothing

Lookalikes 33

The Frog Prince by Jane Porter

If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor

These photos have to be from the same shoot! Seemingly same shoes, wand, tights, sidewalk and dress! What is also interesting is that they both use only partially colored images and a large band on the top for the title. It's hard to pick a favorite for me, I like the color of the first cover and the composition of the second.

Which is your favorite?

Booking Through Thursday: Inspired

Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?

I think my reading is inspired by a lot of things. My interests are always growing and changes so that's reflected in my reading. It seems I get really excited about a genre for a year or more and then move onto another (but still remain interested in the rest as well, so I basically go around collecting more genres that are of interest to me) I think the last few genres I started reading were: memoirs, short stories, graphic novels, and now YA.

I'm also inspired by what others are reading and talking about. That's why the book blogosphere is so great! Browsing a bookstore or looking at recommendations online are great too. I also love falling in love with the idea of a book through its cover, hoping the book is as great as the cover.

Usually when I find out about something that I think may be of interest I always look to see if there is a book about that subject matter!

Not sure if that really answers the questions by yeah...

What inspires your reading?

"Waiting On" Wednesday! 14

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

From the author's website:

Samar--a.k.a. Sam--is an Indian-American teenager whose mom has kept her away from her old-fashioned family. It's never bothered Sam, who is busy with school, friends, and a demanding boyfriend. But things change after 9/11. A guy in a turban shows up at Sam's house--and turns out to be her uncle. He wants to reconcile the family and teach Sam about her Sikh heritage. Sam is eager, but when boys attack her uncle, chanting "Go back home, Osama!," Sam realizes she could be in danger--and also discovers how dangerous ignorance is.

Released March 10th 2009

Doesn't this one sound interesting! I love stories where people learn about their heritage and learn to balance it with what they already know and live!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday Thingers!

Today's question: Have you ever used the Swap This Book function which can be found on the main page of any book (here is an example of Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter: link shown on book page, what it looks like if you click on the link)? If so, what do you think about it? If not, are there any other swap sites you utilize to exchange books once you are done? What do you do with your books if you no longer want them anymore?

I used the check out the Swap This Book function when I first joined LibraryThing. I think that's how I first heard about Bookmooch. Eventually I joined Bookmooch and haven't really looked at that function since.

When I first saw it I thought it was kind of interesting and it got me thinking about joining Bookmooch. (I also looked into the other swap sites before picking Bookmooch) Before I joined Bookmooch I used to take my books to Half Price Books. It was never very many but every so often I had a bag full. Bookmooch is much more fun!

Hardcover vs. Paperback 12

Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com Product Description:

In a fabulous blend of the bestselling traditions of Prep and The Devil Wears Prada, Secret Society Girl takes us into the heart of the Ivy League’s ultraexclusive secret societies when a young woman is invited to join as one of their first female members.

Elite Eli University junior Amy Haskel never expected to be tapped into Rose & Grave, the country’s most powerful—and notorious—secret society. She isn’t rich, politically connected, or…well, male.

So when Amy receives the distinctive black-lined invitation with the Rose & Grave seal, she’s blown away. Could they really mean her?

Whisked off into an initiation rite that’s a blend of Harry Potter and Alfred Hitchcock, Amy awakens the next day to a new reality and a whole new set of “friends”—from the gorgeous son of a conservative governor to an Afrocentric lesbian activist whose society name is Thorndike. And that’s when Amy starts to discover the truth about getting what you wish for. Because Rose & Grave is quickly taking her away from her familiar world of classes and keggers, fueling a feud, and undermining a very promising friendship with benefits. And that’s before Amy finds out that her first duty as a member of Rose & Grave is to take on a conspiracy of money and power that could, quite possibly, ruin her whole life.

A smart, sexy introduction to the life and times of a young woman in way over her head, Secret Society Girl is a charming and witty debut from a writer who knows her turf—and isn’t afraid to tell all....

I can't pick a favorite, I like them both and think they both work for what I know about the book. The door really helps to show that the society is a secret, closed off thing but at the same time I like the use of a girl on the paperback.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Going To See The Elephant by Rodes Fishburne

Amazon.com Product Description:

On a windy September day, twenty-five-year-old Slater Brown stands in the back of a bicycle taxi hurtling the wrong way down the busiest street in San Francisco. Slater has come to “see the elephant,” to stake his claim to fame and become the greatest writer ever. But this city of gleaming water and infinite magic has other plans in this astounding first novel—at once a love story, a feast of literary imagination, and a dazzlingly original tale of passion, ambition, and genius in all their guises...

Slater Brown lays siege to San Francisco like Achilles circling Troy—until he crashes headlong into reality. Out of money and prospects, he applies for a job at a moribund weekly newspaper called the Morning Trumpet—and, as if by fate, is given a very special parting gift from a moonlighting mystic.

Suddenly Slater has an exclusive on every story in the city. With his uncanny knack for finding scoops, he’s bringing the Trumpet back to life, infuriating a corrupt mayor and falling in love with the woman destined to become his muse. But it is the astonishing inventor Milo Magnet—a man obsessed with harnessing the weather—who will force Slater to navigate the most dangerous straits.

For as Milo unleashes his power on San Francisco and the ravishing Callio de Quincy entrances Slater with hers, as storm clouds gather literally overhead, Slater will become at once a pawn, a savior, and the last best hope for a city that needs him—and his knack for the truth—more than ever before.

Going To See The Elephant is a hilarious, quirky, and very full of great little details. It felt to me that the story was set in an alternate universe San Fransisco. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what time period it takes place in and I loved it for that. It's truly original.

The characters in this book are priceless. A sleek young reporter that somehow always has the biggest scoop, the crazy over-eating Mayor, the genius of everything that decides he wants to produce his own weather, the chess prodigy who is as sweet as can be, and don't forget the mini weather packets moving around the city. These characters make the story.

And on top of all these fabulous characters are all the back stories that the author weaves in, my favorite being the history of the newspaper, The Morning Trumpet. I felt like I was reading a really great classic, full of quirks and originality.

I went into this story looking for a coming of age story of a 25 year old man which sounded great to me but it was so much more than that, I don't even have the words to describe it. If you like a story full of random details and humor this is for you!

Going To See The Elephant was released in Hardcover on December 30th.

4/5 Stars
ARC provided by LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Program

What's a book you enjoy with quirky characters?

Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

Amazon.com Product Description:

When 16-year-old Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret. A few months ago, Scarlett was invited to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then . . . Dan McAndrew took his last breath as she held him in her arms. No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.

Kiss Me Kill Me is a fun and thoughtful story. I really liked the main character, Scarlett. She is your everyday girl, sort of quiet and funny, has a few close friends and enjoys gymnastics. She has a crush on a popular boy so when she gets the chance to possibly see him at a party she drops her friends and hangs out with the popular girls. She feels bad about it but does it anyway. That night her life will change forever.

I like how we have the chance to get to know Scarlett instead of being dunked head-first into the mystery, so then, by the time Scarlett has to hold this heavy burden of thinking she killed Dan with a kiss we are rooting for her all the way. I also like the sleuthing tactics that Scarlett uses, which usually involve her gymnastics (swinging from trees, fitting into very small spaces etc). It's great fun to watch her set out to solve the mystery of how Dan actually died.

When Scarlett starts attending Wakefield Hall which her grandmother runs, she's determined to keep her past a secret and not get involved with any other boys. She doesn't want to risk killing anyone else with her kiss. It doesn't turn out so easy for her though, with another student Taylor, snooping through her things and the attractive groundskeeper Jase being so sweet to her.

I don't think I was ever truly shocked by anything that happened in the book but it was still great fun to read! The book ends with a lot of questions still unanswered so I can't wait to see where the story goes in the sequel Kisses and Lies.

Kiss Me Kill Me was released in Paperback on January 13th and is also out in Hardcover.

3.5/5 Stars
Review copy received from publisher

Do you know of any other teen mysteries?

E-books and Other Ways To Read Online!

More and more lately I've been seeing a lot of books in e-book form available for free online so I thought I'd share a small list of a few I've encountered along with a few other ways to read and sample books online!

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan (Book One) by John Flanagan

They have always scared him in the past—the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. What he doesn’t yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied. . . .

This e-book will be available until February 15th! You can download it here!

Night World 1 by L.J. Smith (Book One Secret Vampire)

In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.

This week, J. Kaye discovered that you could download the first book in Night World 1, Secret Vampire from Amazon for a limited time. Click here to check it out!

Jumble Pie by Melanie Lynne Hauser

JUMBLE PIE is the story of the elusive nature of friendship, sometimes clinging, other times liberating; a story for any woman who has ever lied to her best friend just to make her feel better - and who has been brave enough to tell the truth, even when it hurts. And of course, it's a story about the remarkable healing power of pie.

Check out the website here, to see how to get your own copy!

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

Click here, to Browse Inside of The Luxe. Harper Collins has many books that you can Browse Inside, click here to see more!

Daily Lit

Daily Lit is a really cool website that allows you to read any of a selection of books in small installments daily in your email or RSS feed for free. Since I first visited this site a few years ago, it looks like they have gotten a ton more titles! Lots of the titles are Classics and Romance. Check out the site here!

Dear Reader

Dear Reader emails you 5-minute portion of a title every day for free. You get a different book every week which allows you to sample about 2 to 3 chapters of each book. The great thing about this site is there are different Book Clubs to sign up for including Teens, Fiction, Pre-publication and Audio-Books among others. So there's a good chance you'll be interested in the titles you preview each week! Check out the site here!

So these are just a few e-books and other ways to read online that I thought of off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more, feel free to share them in the comments! And also, if you try and of these out let me know how you like them!

Thanks To You! *hugs*

I'm really feeling the love so I thought it was time for some thank yous!!!

Thanks to Holly of Writer's Block Reviews for giving me the Butterfly Award!

Thanks to the 99 people following me on blogger, subscribers, lurkers, people that send me emails, and to people I don't even know read my blog. Thank you!

Thank you to those that comment regularly or just every once in awhile!

Thanks to those who chat with me on Twitter, YA Book Swap and tons of other places!

And also a very big thank you to everyone that's been sending me Lookalikes to post and just telling me how much they enjoy seeing them and also to those that have been suggestions Hardcovers vs. Paperbacks. It's all about collaboration so I love seeing what you guys come up with and also add in the comments! So it's not just me coming up with these amazing finds, we have a lot of awesome people to thank for these crazy fun lookalikes!

Thanks to all the suggestions I've gotten, we have Lookalikes set to post through the beginning of April!

So to everyone THANK YOU! You always brighten my day!

This Week In Books Or Please, Don't Act Surprised!

Monday:

Night World 1 by L.J. Smith

How To Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

Free For All by Don Borchert

Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

All from bookmooch!

No Such Thing As The Real World by Various

The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro

The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan

No Such Thing came from the very generous Book Chic! ABC's came from author Tina Ferraro for my sister and I! Thank you guys! And Devil's Paintbox for review!

Tuesday: nothing

Wednesday:

I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna

Super In The City by Daphne Uviller

These came for review! Super In The City from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's Program.

Sisters 8: Annie's Adventures

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Other Jazz Age Stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Ordered these on Amazon. I featured Sisters 8 on Waiting On Wednesday a few weeks ago!

Thursday:

Big Boned by Meg Cabot

All We Know Of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard

In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash

First two from the library sale and last one for review!

Friday:

Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski

Love Is Hell by Various

The Writing Class by Jincy Willett

The Kiss Murder by Mehmet Murat Somer

Thanks to S. Krishna for letting me mooch a copy of Bras and Broomsticks! The Kiss Murder for review and other two also from bookmooch!

Saturday:

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

For review!

All but two of these came in the mail, so thanks to everyone that made that happen!

So, what's the most exciting book you got this week?

Lookalikes 32

Dirty Laundry by Daniel Enrenhaft

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers (Advance Uncorrected Proof) Sorry for the crappy picture!

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers (final cover)

So these are very similar! Especially the Dirty Laundry cover and Cracked Up to Be ARC cover. They are totally the same photo down to the bleacher! I do wonder if that's why the Cracked Up to Be final cover is different that the ARC? But anyhow, between these covers I like the Cracked Up to Be final cover better because of the outdoor environment and the greens. On the Dirty Laundry cover it doesn't make sense to me why that bleacher is on a white background. I really like the color palette on the Dirty Laundry cover and title placement though!

Which is your favorite?

Thanks to Val and Kristi of The Story Siren for finding this lookalike!

Update: Thanks to Kelsey (Just Blinded Book Reviews), Liviania and Shalonda for reminding me to include this one!

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Update 2: Thanks to Courtney Summers and Bookworm for pointing on this additional cover!

Leap of Faith by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday! 13

One Lonely Degree by C. K. Kelly Martin

From the author's website: 

Fifteen-year-old Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It all started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn's best friend, her witness to everything and the only person (under thirty) Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn's childhood friend Jersy moves back into town—reckless, beautiful boy Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you'd want to dip your fingers into it if you weren't careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. After all, how could she possibly say no to Audrey?

With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time since September, for the first time in her life maybe, something feels right—absolutely, stunningly right. But Finn can't be the girl who does this to her best friend...can she?

Released May 26th 2009

Wow wow wow. I'm still really excited for the author's previous book, I Know It's Over and this one sounds equally as good! I cannot wait to read it! Loving the cover and the title font as well!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday Thingers!

Have you ever looked at the Common Knowledge page, or viewed the history of changes/additions? If you were aware of this section, have you added any information? Do you find this information useful or interesting?

I looked at the Common Knowledge page for a few books when the feature was first featured on the LibraryThing blog. I think it must have been when it was originally introduced. I thought it was kind of fun and wanted to find a way to contribute but I don't think I ever did. 

I do find it interesting (just like movie triva!) and need to remember to check it out more often. I think my only concern is that a lot of times for the books I'm reading I might not find anything. I think for classics there will be a lot of Common Knowledge but for newer books maybe not so much.

Hardcover vs. Paperback 11 (Paperback vs. Paperback)

Looking For Alaska by John Green                                         

 Hardcover and Paperback Original Cover - Paperback $7.99

New Paperback Cover $9.99

Amazon.com Product Description:

Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter’s whole life has been one big non-event. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-butboring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into a new life, and steals his heart. After. Nothing is ever the same.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Hardcover Original Cover - $16.99

Paperback Cover $3.99

Amazon.com Product Description: 

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton’s type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He’s also a washedup child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin’s on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl.

Letting expectations go and allowing love in are at the heart of Colin’s hilarious quest to find his missing piece and avenge dumpees everywhere.

A few interesting things happening here. First, with Looking For Alaska, the new edition is the size and shape of a mass market paperback but it's 2 dollars more than the original paperback. And secondly, An Abundance of Katherines doesn't seem to have gotten a normal paperback release like Looking For Alaska and went straight for the bargain $3.99 version (and this one is a normal trade paperback size). 

I like both of the Looking for Alaska covers, but that's based on not having read the book yet. I was never too fond of the original An Abundance of Katherines cover so I'll have to go with the new one!

So what do you prefer the new or old covers?

Thanks to Reviewer X for suggesting these two!