Traveling To Teens: Sarah Cross

Traveling To Teens Tours are a way for us bloggers to get the word out about fantastic upcoming novels, that may be a great add to what you are currently reading. You can find out more about this all here.
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Author Bio:
Sarah Cross is a Taurus born in the year of the Monkey. She is four inches taller than Wolverine, but does not have adamantium claws ... yet. Fierce but cute Pallas' cats are her favorite animals--and if you don't think that is relevant, then you really don't know her. She grew up in Ohio and now lives in New York. DULL BOY is her first novel.

Summary:

Sometimes I wish I didn't care what would happen if anyone knew the truth about me. But I do care. I have to keep this - super strength, flying - a secret. No one can know - not my parents, not my friends... It's just that it's getting harder to hide it.

Superpowers are awesome - unless you actually have them, like Avery does. There's only so much he can pass off as "adrenaline" before people start to get suspicious. Probably it's best to lie low, so guys in white lab coats don't come to carry him away, to find out what makes his freakish body tick. Who wants to be vivisected? But flying under the radar becomes a whole lot harder when you can actually fly. It's dangerous to be different, so for now he'll pretend to be normal, unremarkable Avery - a dull boy - anything to keep his secret safe.

What he doesn't expect is the horrifying truth about where his powers came from, who else might have them, and the madness of one villain's plan to turn this superpowered dull boy into something even more powerful and amazing.

Review:I had been really wanting a book with a male narrator lately and not only did I get that from Dull Boy but I got one I really loved. I liked Avery's attitude and he really made me laugh. Avery is also surrounded by friends with all kinds of attitude and humor of their own and that made it a really fun read.

Overall I thought the plot was a little predictable but I had fun reading Dull Boy anyway. The mixture of superpowers and humor kept me interested despite the predictable outcome. What wasn't predictable were the superpowers each kid was given. Cross really used her imagination to give each character a really fun original power and I loved how they reflected their personalities.

Guest Post:
The Songs Superheroes Listen To:

I cannot tell you where I got this very secret information; just know that it was obtained in the most unethical of ways. And that it pays to be nice to butlers. Jarvis & Alfred, this post is for you.

"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins

Superman could never quite get rid of that little curl in the front of his hair, you know he's still a Top Gun fan. He puts in some good noise-blocking headphones and rocks out to this song while flying Mach 10.

"My Body is a Cage" by Arcade Fire

When Rogue is in the mood to angst about her powers ("Ah can't touch anyone!" <-- note the Southern accent; C what I did thar?), she goes straight for this song. (Dr. Doom has also been known to wear this song out, but he prefers it on vinyl.)

"Never Gonna Give You Up" by Ashley Tisdale

I'm pretty sure The Falcon had never heard this version before it was included on my Sarah + Billings (the hawk) = BFFs music video (no longer available, sorry), but once he did, he was hooked. It is clearly the theme song for superheroes and their falcon sidekicks everywhere.

"Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé

Cyclops always has it bad for someone, whether it's Jean Grey, Emma Frost, or just himself when he's dancing in front of the mirror in the X-bathroom, using Wolverine's hairbrush as a microphone. That's why everyone in the X Mansion has learned to knock first; you don't want to walk in on that dance party. But hey--Cyke sees the world through rose-colored (okay, ruby-quartz-colored) glasses; he thinks he looks supercool.

"Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera

Jean Grey as the Phoenix: by "you gotta make a big impression; gotta like what you do" she means "show me you're up for destroying some planets, bb." Phoenix is kinda warped. Beast--er, I mean, some random guy who services Jean's iPod and prefers not to be named here--says he tries to delete this from Jean's "I'm the muther@#$%^& Phoenix" playlist as soon as it appears.

"This is Such a Pity" by Weezer

Professor Charles Xavier cranks this while he's doing bicep curls on his Bowflex and lamenting the troublesome relations between humans and mutants. "This is such a pity/We should give all our love to each other/Not this hate that destroys us." Word, Charles. Word.

"What About Love" by Heart

Pretty much every girl Batman has ever dated has dedicated this song to him. Once, the whole Justice League pitched in and bought Bruce an iPod Shuffle with this song, and only this song, preloaded. Rumor has it that he sometimes listens to it in the Batcave while he broods. But that rumor is thus far unsubstantiated.

Songs I Listened to While Writing DULL BOY:

I listen to music nonstop while I write, so I listen to A LOT of different songs. But here are the top 10 tracks I listened to while writing DULL BOY:

#1 - Carry on My Wayward Son by Kansas
#2 - Break the Ice by Britney Spears
#3 - Untouched by The Veronicas
#4 - Piece of Me (Remix) by Britney Spears
#5 - Start All Over by Miley Cyrus
#6 - Paralyze by Tila Tequila
#7 - Misery Business by Paramore
#8 - Be Good to Me by Ashley Tisdale
#9 - Damaged by Danity Kane
#10 - Potential Breakup Song by Aly & AJ
#11 - Popular (Live) by Nada Surf

Erika also asked me to unmask a band that secretly has superpowers. I hate to do this to you guys, but I respect Erika too much to bypass the question, so ...

The members of the YA author band, TIGER BEAT (aka Libba Bray, Barnabas Miller, Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Natalie Standiford), have superpowers. Yes. You thought it was amazing that they wrote excellent novels AND could rock out ... but I bet you had no idea they were capable of causing infinite destruction.

I'm so glad they're on our side. Catch a sampling of their rockdom on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGjz0XYEE_Y

Thanks for having me, Erika!! :)

Head over to Traveling To Teens for a Dull Boy giveaway!

Traveling To Teens: J. A. Yang

Traveling To Teens Tours are a way for us bloggers to get the word out about fantastic upcoming novels, that may be a great add to what you are currently reading. You can find out more about this all here.
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J.A.Yang has slummed it in the valley with the Wakefield twins; slumber partied with Huey, Dewey and Louie; joined Krakow in stalking Angela; and climbed every mountain with the Von Trapps.

Originally from San Diego, he's lived and traveled the world (okay, not all of it) in pursuit of that most elusive of targets -- inspiration.

He's authored and published a book, written for online and offline publications, and maintained a variety of popular blogs on subjects ranging from movies and technology to personal stories and amateur musings. He's just wrapped up his second book, a fiction novel for teens, and is hard at work on his third one.
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Summary: “Chloe-Grace can't help it—she's spectacular. How could she not be with celebrity parents who have been the queen and king of Hollywood for years? And Chloe is a celebrity all unto herself as well— she's the first celebrity-adopted kid in Hollywood. But now Chloe's sixteen, and she is tired of every undesired moment of the world's attention. She wonders what it would be like to be a "normal" kid in a regular school. To really understand it, though, she would need to go undercover. So after getting a "make-under" at the hands of her mother's fabulous stylist, she enters the "real" world. But she soon finds out that there is just as much drama there as there is in Hollywood....”

Review: The May release date is perfect for this book. It is a great book to sit outside, enjoy the sunshine and read.
Exclusively, Chloe isn't the next great American novel but it is fun and adorable and I really enjoyed it. Even if the story was a little predictable I thought Chloe was fun and smart character, trying to handle an impossible situation with grace.
I liked her relationship with her friends, from both schools, as she refused to give in to social circles and made an eclectic inner circle. I wished for a little more depth from her best friend Rachelle, but I suppose some celebrity kids actually are most concerned with fame.
I did really like the supporting cast of Luther, Vickie and Jana and of course Jake.
The ending left me wanting a little more as everything just wrapped up perfectly in what felt like a few pages. It was too abrupt although it did have the outcome I was hoping for.
Overall this is a prefect, cute summer read that I really enjoyed.


Come back for a guest post from J.A. Yang and head over to the Traveling To Teens site for a giveaway of Exclusively, Chloe.

Waiting on Wednesday - Rachel Vincent

Waiting On Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. Head over to check it out and play along.

My Soul To Take (Soul Screamer, Book 1) by Rachel Vincent.
Publication Date: August 1, 2009

Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh. She doesn't see dead people, but....

She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee know who'll be next....

Why I Want It:
I LOVE Rachel Vincent and the cover and synopsis are amazing. And I have said many times I love a series because I can get attached to the characters.
Also I will be helping Rachel promote the book's release with a author interview in late July so make sure you check back for that!

Teaser Tuesday - Exclusively Chloe

Teaser Tuesday asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
You can post teaser in the comments or as a post on your own blog.

"As the day went on, I tried to deal with the mixed feelings I had about my mom thrusting herself into dating - all cougarlike, with someone who could feasibly be my older brother - so soon after I had found out about everything. Sure it had been kind of exciting to have Chaynin Powers show up at the door, but that didn't make up for how inconsiderate she was being."
Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang (page 63)

In My Mailbox

Books and people mentioned:
ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro
Mrs. Magoo Reads
Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch
Sloane Sisters by Anna Carey
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter
Dayhunter by Jocelynn Drake
Korianne Speaks
Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway
The Elite by Jennifer Banash
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

As always In My Mailbox is hosted by the amazing The Story Siren. See her blog for more details.

April Wrap Up

Books Read: 4 (year total 34)
The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Fun Stats:
New followers: 32 (total 103)
Google Reader Subscribers: 125
Posts: 39
Visits: 1,732

Google Analytics fun:
Visits from 43 countries
and 47 of the 50 states
Where were Vermont, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming this month?

My most visited post was my first vlog.

I also completed BEDA and managed to blog everyday!

100 Followers Contest Winner!

I know I said I was going to film it but I just have too much going on. So I randomly picked the name of one of my followers to get a brand new copy of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and the winner is
BOOKWORM

Congrats Bookworm! and be sure to email me your address so I can get the book out to you. I also know things have been quiet around here but there is lots of fun stuff coming up like pictures from my graduation and reviews for about 5 books that I have finished. Plus an interview with the awesome Robin Benway, author of Audrey, Wait.

Stick with me, I have a lot going on right now and unfortunately it is cutting in to my blogging time but I will be back with so much awesomeness you can barely handle it very very soon.

Teaser Tuesday - Dull Boy

Teaser Tuesday asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
You can post teaser in the comments or as a post on your own blog.

"Darla? If lying was a sport I would letter in it, go to state, get a college scholarship, and be a first-round draft pick."
Darla blinks. "Sports metaphors - not my thing. Is it safe to say you mean yes?"
Dull Boy by Sarah Cross (page 95)

In My Mailbox - Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone is taking some time today to love their mothers!



Books and people mentioned in vlog
Korianne
Dull Boy By Sarah Cross
Traveling To Teens
The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano
Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
My Favorite Author
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The Diamonds by Ted Michael
Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
39 Clues series
Starfinder by John Marco
Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster
Jennsylvania
Exclusively, Chloe by J.A. Yang
Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Sarah's Random Musings
Fireworks: Four Summer Stories by Niki Burnham, Erin Haft, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle

I'm back! and some awards!

Hello everyone, I have returned from my week in Boston and it was tons of fun. Thank everyone so much for congratulations on my graduation. I had such an amazing time and I promise there will be pictures soon.

Until I can get caught up on my google reader and inbox I am leaving you with some awards and the promise of lots of reviews.
I have finished
Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty
Vamped by Lucienne Diver
Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro
My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
and I am in the middle of Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster and Dull Boy by Sarah Cross so expect lots of reviews very soon.

I also have an interview with the amazing Robin Benway, author of Audrey, Wait, to post very soon.

And I am still at 99 followers so as soon as I hit 100 we will have a drawing for a great prize.

Thanks so much for the awards, I am so glad you like what I do here because I really put a lot of work in to it.

Thank you Callie and Bingo for the One Lovely Blog Award
1) Accept the award, post it on your
blog together with the name of the person
who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs
that you’ve newly discovered.

3) Remember to contact the bloggers to let them
know they have been chosen for this award.

Thank you Desert Rose for the Zombie Chicken Award


"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all..."

Thank you Korianne for the I Love Your Blog Award

The rules to keep this award going are:
1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!


I feel like these awards have hit all my favorite blogs but I am also still a little fried from my week away so if you haven't gotten them yet consider yourself nominated!
I will be back soon with lots of great stuff!

My Graduation Day!

Today while most of you are reading this I will be in Boston sitting through my incredibly long graduation ceremony. I am so excited to be a college graduate and to celebrate the day with all my amazing friends and family.

I had a wonderful experience at Northeastern University and wouldn't trade it for anything. Here is to the next phase of my life!

Be back in a few days with lots of pictures and stories from my week in Boston! and then of course we will be back to the regularly scheduled programs. Book reviews!