Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Teaser Tuesday (15)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Leaving Gee's Bend by Irene Latham

In My Mailbox (35)
For Review:
I've already read this, and I could not stand it. Yeah, I'm probably the only one, but just thinking about it makes me grimace. -shudders- I received this for review from Around The World Tours.
I had a good week! What about you?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Interview: Jennifer Richard Jacobson, author of The Complete History of Why I Hate Her
Nola, whose life has been overshadowed by her sister’s illness, travels to Maine to experience a summer of independence. There she meets Carly – a dynamic friend who breaks all boundaries and threatens to steal Nola’s fragile identity. Ironically, it’s through confrontation with Carly that Nola learns who she truly is.

I wanted to write a friendship book. For some reason, we allow ourselves to be trapped in friendships that are fraught with difficulties. If a girl breaks up with a guy who’s bad for her, we applaud. But if a girl wants to end a female friendship that’s toxic, we label her petty or mean. We often don’t give ourselves permission to do what’s best for us.
The writing process was hard for this book. I put so much energy into creating the sly, manipulative Carly that I often felt completely drained by the end of the day.
3. The Complete History of Why I Hate Her deals with what I like to call "frenemies," a common relationship nowadays. Did you draw from personal experience or from other people's experiences with these kind of relationships?
I drew from personal experience. When I was younger, I met a women who I thought was the perfect friend. What I didn’t realize was that she had been stalking me. Not only had she been following me, watching me -- she was slowly becoming me. Carly is primarily based on that experience.
4. Do you have any necessities while writing?

All I require is my laptop. I’ve learned to write anywhere.
5. Everyone's forced to read classics in high school English. Which ones did you love? Which ones should students never be forced to read?
I loved anything written by Jane Austin. No high school student should be required to read Moby Dick. (I’ve tried many times and given up.)
6. The one book everyone should read?
If you like my book, The Complete History of Why I Hate Her (and you’re interested in writing) read Truth and Beauty: A Friendship -- a memoir by Ann Patchett.
7. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so, please tell us a little about it.
It’s 3:00 am. A seventeen-year-old girl calls her best friend: “Come get me! Please!” Apparently her boyfriend had crawled through her bedroom window. Or did he? It’s a story told from several points of view and each telling or retelling gives an entirely different perspective.
Thank you so much for joining us Jennifer!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
UTF: Unable to Finish (3)

(HC/May 2010/Harcourt Children's Books)
I haven't yet read Jessica's Guide, but after this lackluster read, I'm not sure I'll even bother. The plot could have been very interesting, and near the middle, it was the only thing propelling me forward. Jill was boring, mousy, and so dull. I could never decide if Tristen was good or bad. There was no humor, no excitement, and no chemistry. It was a flop. Maybe you should pick it up if you enjoyed Ms. Fantaskey's previous work, but I can't offer a personal take on that.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Gateway by Sharon Shinn

Sunday, April 18, 2010
In My Mailbox (34)


Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens
Lifted by Wendy Toliver
Spell Hunter by R. J. Anderson - reading this now and really liking it!
Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter
Thanks to Around The World Tours for these
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Star Shack by Lila Castle

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
I'm back!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Hiatus

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday Wishlist (14)

Oblivion Road
by Alex McAulay
Courtney Stanton thinks she's on just another ski trip with her friends -- until a horrific car accident strands them all on an isolated Colorado road during a blizzard. Frightened but alive, Courtney and her companions discover an abandoned vehicle nearby, and seek help. But the vehicle turns out to be a prison van, with the inmates missing, and the guard's dead body in the front seat.
Soon after, a stumbling figure emerges from the snow, a handcuffed refugee from the van. He says he's been in prison for selling meth, but that he once served in the army. Dare they trust him? He pleads innocence about the guard's murder, warns them about the other fugitives, and promises he will help guide them out of the wilderness. But as the group begins a nightmare trek across the frozen landscape, they start to get the feeling he hasn't told them the entire truth, and someone -- or something -- is secretly watching their every move.
Reasons I want to read this:
1. Gorgeous cover - love the simple font.
2. Doesn't this sound thrilling and terrifying and chilling and nail-bitingly suspenseful all at once?!?
3. This is exactly my kind of read.
4. Oh boy. I just can't get over how amazing this sounds.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Hola!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
In My Mailbox (33)
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Family Greene by Ann Rinaldi
