BEDA Wrap Up

Wow this was an exhausting month! BEDA started out innocently enough with Maureen Johnson suggesting she would blog every day in April and suddenly tons of bloggers jumped on the bandwagon. I jumped on and I have to say I actually was able to keep up with it! I am really proud I was able to keep up and really thankful to everyone who left encouragement throughout the month.
All my BEDA posts can be found under the BEDA label if you want to go back and see all the book posts...and some of the random posts too.
Now as I said in my last vlog things will be a little quiet for a few days while I am in Boston graduating college!!! This post was prescheduled but I can guarantee I am having a wonderful time with my amazing friends! There will be plenty of reviews and of course pictures from my trip when I get back. Congrats to all the lovely bloggers who also completed BEDA!

Also, as of writing this I have 99 followers! When I get back if I have hit 100 all 100 names will go in a hat and I will draw one to get a special prize. So grab that last spot!

Waiting on Wednesday - The Ex Games

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

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols
Publication Date October 6, 2009

BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE BATTLE OF THE EXES...

Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized break-up. Now the two are “just friends,” excluding the occasional flirtation.

When Hayden wins the girls’ division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn’t have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick’s bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden’s and the boys on Nick’s, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated--and if they’re not careful, they might end up igniting some old flames.

Why I want this
I love Simon Romantic Comedies
I love Jennifer Echols (Going Too Far and Major Crush reviews)
I love sports

Shooting Stars Magazine Party

In celebration of a May 30 birthday there is a party going on through all of May at Shooting Stars Magazine. And Sarah Cross (author of Dull Boy) made this awesome banner for it. So head over and check it out.

Teaser Tuesday - Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress

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.

"Confused, yet unmistakably happy, I pushed open the caf door and, as if on autopilot, floated back to my classroom. Maybe Rascal was sweeter than everyone gave him credit for."

from page 63 of Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro

BEDA Day 27 or the end of the month is hard!

Between work and packing I am giving you another little post so that I can keep up with BEDA. I leave for Boston very, very early Wednesday morning and still had to work tonight and tomorrow. So my BEDA post today is just a picture of me and my sister taken yesterday when I got home from work. It was gorgeous outside and we went to play kickball and blow bubbles. Enjoy!

IMM and blog update

from bookmooch
Secret Society Girl: An Ivy League Novel by Diana Peterfreund
Skinny Dipping (Au Pairs) by Melissa De La Cruz

from Waldenbooks
Cross My Heart and Hope To Spy by Ally Carter

from Korianne
Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty

from Bree Despain
My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter

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

BEDA Day 25 or wouldn't it be horrible if I failed BEDA this late in the month

Ok guys I am totally going to level with you. I just worked an 11 hour shift and therefore have no brain cells to write the Vamped review I need to write. So instead I am going to share with you the awesome trailer for The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King which I reviewed yesterday. I totally admit this is a lame post but it would be even lamer to fail at BEDA this late in the month and I just can't put together anything better. So enjoy, and check out my D100D review if you haven't already. This book seriously rocks.



And just a little hint, while A.S. King is still on a blogging break she can sometimes be found here

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

Synopsis:
In the late seventeenth century, famed teenage pirate Emer Morrisey was on the cusp of escaping the pirate life with her one true love and unfathomable riches when she was slain and cursed with "the dust of one hundred dogs," dooming her to one hundred lives as a dog before returning to a human body-with her memories intact.

Now she's a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica.

Review:
I was sort of scared to read this because of all the hype. I was scared it wouldn't live up to all the rave reviews and I really hate being disappointed. But it did live up to all the hype and I really enjoyed reading D100D.

I really enjoyed going back and forth between Emer and Saffron. Their voices were very distinct and the idea of them being the same person but centuries apart is really original. The story is also so unique it really defies genre. I have no idea how to classify this book because it is so unlike anything I have ever read.

This may be the debut of A.S. King but she is a master story teller, weaving different time periods and different points of view together masterfully and creating something completely unique. I highly recommend everyone go out and get this book right away.

If anyone else has reviewed The Dust of 100 Dogs please leave a link in the comments and I will add it to the post.

This book counts toward my Spring Reading Thing Challenge and '09 Debut Authors Challenge

Wanna win some books?

There is a giveaway going on at Starry Night for TMI by Sarah Quigley. So go enter and make sure to say I sent you!
Ends May 3

100 Followers contest from Juciliciousss Reviews. Ends April 25

Generation Dead from Shady Glade. Ends April 27

Blogoversary contest from Frenetic reader. Ends May 10

Sea Change from A Maze of Books. Ends May 20.

Body Image Week at My Favorite Author

The awesome bloggers at My Favorite Author (they seriously rock, check them out) are hosting a body image week and issuing a challenge for everyone. I am definitely taking part in the challenge and I think everyone should take part.

Body Image Challenge

Part I: Feel Better About Yourself
For the next 7 days, we challenge you to look in the mirror every morning and find something you like about yourself. I don't care if all you can come up with is that you like your nail polish or your cute socks or your earlobes! Find something you like and can be happy about all day.

PART II: Accept That Other People Think You Are Great
Throughout each day if you ever receive a compliment about anything I want you to say "THANK YOU" and Stop. Right. There. Don't negate the compliment with "Whatever ... you're the one that's pretty" or "Thanks, but I wish my hair would have turned out better today" or "Thanks, but I'm not really very good at that".

PART III: Be A Builder
Now it's your turn to help the people around you know that you think they are beautiful and talented, too! Make a conscious effort to tell your friends and family the things you like about them, whether it's cute shoes, a listening ear, etc. You never know when it's just the thing they need to hear!

PART IV: Accept the Challenge
Add your name to the Mr. Linky widget at the MFA blog and comment to let us know that you have accepted the challenge. I strongly encourage you to post about accepting the challenge on your blog, Facebook, Twitter or MySpace pages. It's not a requirement of the challenge, but will definitely help you to remember and to do the challenge through the coming week. (The Mr. Linky widget should let you just sign your name without a url if you don't have a blog or website, but if it gives you an error just use the MFA url.) And be sure to comment after signing Mr. Linky!

Here is a link to the participating blogs and schedule. Please check it out, this is a brilliant idea.

Waiting on Wednesday - Ballads of Suburbia

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

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
Publication Date July 21, 2009

There are so many ballads. Achy breaky country songs. Mournful pop songs. Then there’s the rare punk ballad, the ballad of suburbia: louder, faster, angrier . . . till it drowns out the silence.

Kara hasn’t been back to Oak Park since the end of junior year, when a heroin overdose nearly killed her and sirens heralded her exit. Four years later, she returns to face the music. Her life changed forever back in high school: her family disintegrated, she ran around with a whole new crowd of friends, she partied a little too hard, and she fell in love with gorgeous bad boy Adrian, who left her to die that day in Scoville Park. . . .

Amidst the music, the booze, the drugs, and the drama, her friends filled a notebook with heartbreakingly honest confessions of the moments that defined and shattered their young lives. Now, finally, Kara is ready to write her own.

Why I want it:
As I have mentioned I love books with anything music related and I think Kuehnert rocks!

You can read the first chapter here and there is all kinds of other goodies, including a soundtrack at Stephanie's website.

Teaser Tuesday - Vamped

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!

"When I got to the dorm, I saw that "sanitized" meant that all the pictures had been taken off the walls and the beds stacked up like they weren't in use. Product had been cleared from the bathrooms, which made them seem almost spacious. I'd seen spy shows where cleaners could make a whole crime scene disappear, but I'd never had believed it could be done so quickly if I hadn't witnessed it."
from page 85 of Vamped by Lucienne Diver

Couple of housekeeping notes:
1. As of posting this I have 93 followers, the 100th follower will get a special prize so be on the lookout for that. In a related note Liv is trying to get to 150 followers and she also has surprises coming. So go on over there because her blog rocks.
2. I have been a slave to the restaurant where I work and been working double shifts for the last four days but today is my first day off in a week and I will be catching up on reading/blogging/all the things that get lost when I am working so much. If I owe you emails/packages it will be taken care of today.
3. Because of said crazy schedule I haven't gotten much reading and reviewing done. I will hopefully be picking up the pace so looks for lots of reviews soon!
Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

Bad Girls Don't Die contest

Over at Books By Their Cover, Katie Alender, author of Bad Girls Don't Die is Katie is giving away a "oodles of fun random stuff" to a random winner! But wait, Yan is giving away an ARC of her book! So that means you lovely readers will have two (2) chances to score a lovely prize! So head over to Books By Their Cover and check it out. And of course, mention I sent you!

Katie is also having a launch party all week so go over to her blog and get all the details.

Vote for the People's Choice Blog Awards

Hey, Teenager of the Year is hosting the new People's Choice YA Book Blog Awards. It's time to show some blog love!

Nominations are now open. Here's the quick rundown of the categories:

Best Interviewer: That blogger who asks authors all the tough questions
Best Reviewer: Whose reviews are almost better than the books?
Best Newcomer: A new, fabulous YA book blogger (Six months blogging or less).

The Golden Book Blog Award: This award is for the long-time blogger who deserves recognition for their commitment to making a star blog. The blogs that inspired you to start book blogging, the pioneers of YA book blog land. They know who they are.

Rules:
You can nominate for one category, or you can nominate for all four. You cannot nominate more than four times, and you can’t nominate yourself. You can nominate someone who has already been nominated, though.

Nominations are open until the end of April. If there are more than ten nominees in each category, the most popular will be up for the awards. From there, I’ll make up polls – this is a people’s choice award. Head over to the contest post to nominate your favorite blogs.

Jennifer Banash goodness!

Jennifer Banash is giving away an ARC of Simply Irresistable, the third book in her Elite series. Since I am currently waiting for Korianne to send me the first book because I only own the second this prize would make me very happy! Check out Jennifer's website for all the details because there are lots of great prizes!

In My Mailbox

Books mentioned in vlog

In the mail:
Daughter's of Fortune by Isabel Allende
You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay
Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne
Haunted by Meg Cabot
Vamped by Lucienne Diver

From Barnes & Noble
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (After I filmed this I found out a won a copy of Speak from Sarah so I am going to return Speak and get something else! Any suggestions?)
My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler

My pushy BEDA post

As promised here is a Chelsea Handler moment to make you all laugh


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

'09 Debut Authors Challenge

I am a bit late in signing up for this one but I realized that I have been having a major love affair with debut authors this year so I thought I would jump on the challenge. The '09 Debut Authors Challenge is hosted by The Story Siren (yes the awesome blogger who hosts In My Mailbox).

• The objective, obviously, is to read a set number of YA or MG novels from debut authors published this year. I’m hoping to read at least 30, but choose a number that you feel comfortable with. You don’t have to list your choices right away, but if you do feel free to change them throughout the year.
  
  
• The challenge will run from January 1, 2009- December 31, 2009. You can join at anytime!

I will be aiming for 15 books.

1. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
2. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
3. Willow by Julia Hoban
4. The Season by Sarah MacLean
5. Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell
6. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
7. Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
8. You Are So Undead To Me by Stacey Jay
9. Vamped by Lucienne Diver
10. The Forest of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan
11. My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Louise Salter
12. Hottie by Jonathan Bernstein
13.
14.
15.


So I still need three more titles but I am sure they will come to me! Anyone else participating in this challenge? If so leave a comment with the link.

BEDA day 17: In Nikki's Head

There is a new blog that I wanted to share with you called In Nikki's Head. It is dedicated Meg Cabot's May 1 release Being Nikki. Being Nikki is the follow up to Airhead.

I am excited to see what this blog offers up because I am about to go on a serious Meg Cabot kick and read as many of her books as I can. More details in Sunday's In My Mailbox vlog so make sure you come back for that.

So far In Nikki's head has a contest, review and guest posts. Make sure you check in to see what else they have planned.

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty


Synopsis:
Jessica Darling’s in college!

Things are looking up for Jessica Darling. She has finally left her New Jersey hometown/hellhole for Columbia University in New York City; she’s more into her boyfriend, Marcus Flutie, than ever (so what if he’s at a Buddhist college in California?); and she’s making new friends who just might qualify as stand-ins for her beloved best friend, Hope.

But Jessica soon realizes that her bliss might not last. She lands an internship at a snarky Brooklyn-based magazine, but will she fit in with the überhip staff (and will she even want to)? As she and Marcus hit the rocks, will she end up falling for her GOPunk, neoconservative RA . . . or the hot (and married!) Spanish grad student she’s assisting on a summer project . . . or the oh-so-sensitive emo boy down the hall? Will she even make it through college now that her parents have cut her off financially? And what do the cryptic one-word postcards from Marcus really mean?


Review:
I have struggled a little with this series because everyone seems to love it so much and while I like it I have yet to become really attached to it. I didn't really like Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings got a lot better for me but I wasn't completely hooked yet. And unfortunately Charmed Thirds didn't get me all the way to Jessica Darling fangirl either.

What I liked: I liked that Jessica wasn't the whiny brat from the first book and she shows real maturity in how she handles her personal relationships. I really enjoyed the further exploration of her relationship with her sister and that she makes friendships and relationships with people at college that are very true to the college experience. I also loved the moment with her father around Christmas. I also continue to love Bridget and Percy. They are for sure my favorite characters.

What I disliked: We never really get to see her and Marcus happy and together. They are together at the beginning but they live on separate coasts and have the natural problems that come with that. And by the end of the book they are happily together again. I don't want to give away too much of the plot but I wish I got more than a few pages of them together and happy.

I find myself annoyed while reading these books and then at the end of them my overall feeling is that I like them. Which makes the reviews really hard to write. I am getting Fourth Comings from Korianne soon and can't wait to see what kind of mixed emotions McCafferty can draw from me this time.

This book counts toward my Library Challenge

Waiting On Wednesday - All Unquiet Things

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

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
Publication Date: January 10, 2010

Summary: All Unquiet Things centers around the murder of teen heiress Carly Ribelli, who was found shot to death a mile from her house in a wealthy Northern California suburb. Carly’s uncle, a dissolute alcoholic, was convicted of the crime, but a year later his daughter still doesn’t believe her father is guilty. Determined to prove his innocence, Audrey Ribelli contacts Carly’s ex-boyfriend, Neily Monroe, the boy who found Carly’s body. She is convinced that he knows more than he thinks about the events that led up to Carly’s death. Despite Neily’s initial reluctance, he and Audrey begin their investigation at the posh private school they attend, identifying prime suspects from among their spoiled classmates and digging up secrets about Carly’s past to get to the truth behind her murder.

Why I Want It:
I have been having a major love affair with debut authors lately and my guess is Jarzab will be no different. What first grabbed me was the cover (I know I say that every week) and then when I emailed Jarzab she was so sweet that I really can't wait for this one. Plus I love a good mystery.

Teaser Tuesday - The Dust of 100 Dogs

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!

"After months below in the sweltering heat, Emer stood on deck and enjoyed the gentle breeze. She refastened her blond hair in a tight bun, exposing the back of her neck, and removed her overskirt, revealing a ragged sheer slip that kept the coarse wool from scratching her legs."
page 151 of The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

BEDA Day 13: Adventures in Barnes & Noble

I am getting this post in just under the wire to keep me perfect for BEDA! woo hoo! I haven't had a day off work since last Tuesday and it has been hard to keep up but the fact that I have done it is making it all the sweeter. Because I just got home from work and have to get a post up you get a fun story about my trip to Barnes and Noble this morning before I went to work.

I was actually out shopping for a dress for my college graduation but of course I had to stop in at Barnes and Noble...well...because I was there. I was limiting myself to two books and standing there trying to narrow it down when a girl was chatting with her father and saying she had one book picked out but couldn't decide on a second. I was standing in front of a shelf with a paperback copy of Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway (my review) on it and I turned to her and said "You should try this one. It is a really great book and there are a bunch of quotes on the back from reviewers who loved it too if you don't believe me."

She looked at me a little blankly at first and then said "thanks, but how do you know about the quotes you were looking at a totally different book."

My response. "Because I am a book blogger and a bunch of the quotes are from book bloggers that I am lucky to call friends and who are awesome."

She said thanks and bought the book. I am a book pusher. This is my story for the day. I really hope she likes it.

In My Mailbox - HAPPY EASTER!

Hope everyone is having a great holiday! Here is what I got in my mailbox this week.



Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Hottie by Jonathan Bernstein
Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by by S. G. Browne
Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn

From library:
Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro


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

BEDA Day 11: Book Suggestion?

For one of the challenges I am doing The Compass Points Reading Challenge hosted by Kristin from Book N Around

Now I have book for three of the four compass points
North: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
South: South Beach Sizzle by Suzanne Weyn and Diana Gonzalez
West: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

But I need a suggestion for East. Anybody have any books they enjoyed with East in the title?
I would really appreciate any help! Thanks!

BEDA Day 10: Lord of the Screen

So I have a funny story for you. About four years ago a friend and I decided to plop ourselves on the couch and watch all three Lord of the Rings movies. In a row. Without breaks. (well except for the bathroom and to restock the candy and pizza.) I have no clue why we did this and by the end I hated life. My butt and back were sore. My brain was fried and I was feeling more than a little sick from eating too many twizzlers. But now, I am glad we did it and it is a really fun thing we can say we did once.

Fast forward to BEDA when Jordan, who is running the BEDA blog and helping MJ keep track of all those participating, asked bloggers for a challenge. A challenge you ask? Well I have a great one for you! In no way did I ever expect Jordan to answer my challenge of watching all the Lord of the Rings movies in one day but he did. Not only did he do it but he kept a running commentary for us to read and it is hilarious.

So head over to the BEDA blog and laugh at Jordan's misery and hilarious commentary. And Congrats to Jordan! It kind of makes me want to do a movie marathon again. Have you ever done anything like this? Let me know in the comments.

(And yes this is my BEDA post for today. Easter weekend at the restaurant is kicking my butt and I haven't had much time to read but I promise more book related posts to come VERY soon!)

BEDA Day 9: You like me, You really like me!

I was supposed to have my Q&A vlog up today but I kept getting interrupted yesterday and just didn't have time to get it finished. So it will be for another day. Until then, I have been majorly slacking on awards.

So since I started this blog I have been awarded a couple of awesome honors from some of my favorite bloggers and it is time to share and pass them along! I have said it before and I will say it again but I still have a hard time believing anyone but my best friend actually read this thing but I really appreciate all of you who do!

From Bookin With Bingo and A Novel Menagerie The Proximade Award

This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award.

From Shalonda's Blog and The Epic Rat - The Sisterhood Award

Rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude.

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they have received this award.

5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

From Bookworm Readers the I Love Your Blog Award

So, here are the rules:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog

2) Add a link to the person/people 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

Also from Shalonda is The Your Blog Is Fabulous Award

Rules are:

Write 5 things you're addicted to and then nominate 5 other blogs to pass this award on to!

1. Books, obviously! That is why you guys keep coming back right!

2. Northeastern University sports. I love my sports teams so much I can't even handle it!

3. Grey's Anatomy. I know it isn't as good as it used to be but I still love it.

4. JTR. My best friend, see her here in Best Friend Guest Reviews. She really is the best friend a girl could ever ask for.

5. Peanut butter. and if you add chocolate I may bite your hand to get it from you.

I am sorry if you have given me one and I missed it. Sometimes I am not as organized as I would like. Just remind me and I will post it!

So now it is time to pass them on! Instead of doing them individually I am just going to nominate a bunch of people and you can pick whichever one you want!

Korianne of Korianne Speaks
Hope of Hope's Bookshelf
Sharon of Sharon Loves Books and Cats
Adele of Persnickety Snark
Mrs. Magoo Reads
Jess from Book Reviews by Jess
Lady Tink of Up Close and Personal With Lady Tink
Vania of Reverie Media

And of course all the other amazing bloggers out there! I would list you all if I could!

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Summary:

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun — the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom — is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life — because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.


Review:
I loved Uglies so much that I couldn't wait to dive in to Pretties and I have to say it doesn't live up to the first book, in my opinion. The first thing that bothered me was the language of Pretties. All the "milli-Helen" and "pretty-making" and "brain-missing" just annoyed me instead of immersing me in the world of the pretties.

Eventually the language went back to normal as Tally fought against the programming and I began to enjoy this book more. I liked her relationship with Zane but I hated the lack of David. David was my favorite character from Uglies and he is only in a short section of Pretties.

I don't want to give too much away but to me this book just felt like filler. It didn't have a real ending and it felt to me like a chapter between Uglies and Specials as opposed to its own story. I kept waiting for the plot to pick up and when it finally did the book ended. I usually really like series book but this one didn't stand up on its own.

I know it sounds like I hate this book but I really don't, I just loved Uglies so much and had really high expectations that Pretties really didn't live up to. However, I still can't wait to read the next in the series, Specials, because I do really want to know what happens to Tally and David and Zane.

This book counts toward my Library Challenge

If anyone else has reviewed Pretties please leave a link in the comments and I will add it to the post.
Melissa's Bookshelf

Waiting On Wednesday - So Punk Rock

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

So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) by Micol Ostow and David Ostow

Publication Date: July 1, 2009

Summary: Despite his dreams of hipster rock glory, Ari Abramson's first-ever band, the Tribe, is more white bread than indie-cred. Comprised of four suburban teens from a wealthy Jewish day school, their Mötley Crüe is about as hardcore as SAT prep and scripture studies.

But after a one-song gig at a friend's Bar Mitzvah—a ska cover of Hava Nagila—the Tribe's popularity erupts overnight. Now, Ari is forced to navigate a minefield of inflated egos, overbearing parents, misplaced romance, and the shallowness of indie-rock elitism. It's a hard lesson in the complex art of playing it cool.

Loaded with sarcasm and delicious pop culture condescension (not to mention David Ostow's too-cool-for-school cartooning work), So Punk Rock is the E! Behind the Music story of an epic Jewish band that never was. If it got any more kosher, it'd be totally traif.

Why I want it:

Micol Ostow rocks and I love books about music. Plus the cover makes me giggle.

Readergirlz & Elizabeth Scott rock my socks

Just two random things I am packaging together in one post. The thing they have in common. They rock my socks!

Readergirlz Rock The Drop!
This week's challenge: Post about how you plan to Rock the Drop on your blog, in a bulletin, on twitter, etc. Spread the word about Operation TBD, and tell us how you're doing it!

My mother works at a hospital (and it is a fabulous nurse) and I am always giving her books to bring in and give to patients. Especially the thrillers I pick up at tag sales in the summer. I read them in an afternoon and then send them to the hospital for others to enjoy. It only costs me a quarter a book and it is fun.


Elizabeth Scott
The always amazing Elizabeth Scott is asking her readers to help spread the word about Something, Maybe and the Out Of This World contest! and I am happily playing along.

Something, Maybe was released March 24 and I can't wait to read it. If you buy it make sure to send proof to Elizabeth and be entered to get your very own star. Details here: Out Of This World contest.

And a little something about the book:
Want to win a star? Yes, a real star! Well, all you have to is enter Elizabeth Scott's Something, Maybe Out Of This World contest!

Here's how you enter:

1. Buy a copy of Something, Maybe, which is available at your favorite local bookstore and also at Wal-Mart and save the receipt.

2. Take a picture of the receipt and then send the picture to elizabethscottcontest@gmail.com

3. Once Elizabeth gets the picture of your receipt, you'll be entered into the Out Of This World contest!

Here are the prizes:

First Prize: A star (If you read the book, you'll know why this is the first prize, and not only will you get your very own star--you'll even get to name it, and it is your star FOREVER!)

Second Prize: Two people will each get a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore of their choice

Third Prize: Three people will a signed copy of any of Elizabeth's current novels--including the upcoming Love You Hate You Miss You

Again, all you have to do to enter is buy Something, Maybe and send a picture of your receipt to elizabethscottcontest@gmail.com

Teaser Tuesday - Charmed Thirds

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!


"I know this is all true. And yet, it bothered me now, as it bothered me then: Why did I have to hear about these things through a third party? Why hadn't Marcus ever said any of these things to me?"
page 129 of Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty

Things That Make Me Happy: Darby's blog

For everyone who watched my first vlog you saw me talk about the two books I received by author KC Dyer. I also mentioned that the main character of her book A Walk Through A Window had her own blog. Darby's blog is really fun and has lots of great guest authors and contests. So imagine my delight when KC Dyer stopped by my blog, commented on my vlog and then posted about it on Darby's blog. So go over and give Darby and KC some love and maybe you can even enter their fun skateboard limerick contest. Thanks for the love KC and Darby!

BEDA Day 6: Blowing Bubbles

For BEDA I have decided to break a rule I made for myself when I started this blog and talk about things that aren't book related. I had originally decided that I would try to keep this blog very focused and try and leave all the other aspects of my personality out of it. Well, as I became more involved in the blogging community bits of personality have slipped out here and there especially since I started chatting with everyone on twitter. And with BEDA a lot of suggestions have been to talk about non-book things. So I am going too. Let me know at any point if I get too far off course and you want me to shutup and get back to books!

Last week I twittered that I was going out to blow bubbles with my little sister and Korianne requested a blog post about it and since I think she is awesome here is the post with pictures and everything.

I have a four-year-old sister, Mackenzie, who was born after I had already moved away to college so having just moved home I am spending as much time as I can with her. Last week we finally got some nice weather and she LOVES blowing bubbles so this was our first bubble adventure of the year.


This is the two of us hanging out in the front yard after chasing the bubbles. I know, we look nothing alike.


And because it was so nice we brought the dog out with us to run around and so here is the answer to Sharon's question from twitter. Yes, Sharon I have a pet. We have a yellow lab named Sasha and she is awesome. She goes running with me when it is nice out and sleeps in my sister Chelsea's bed. (sadly Chelsea was at softball practice while Mackenzie and I were blowing bubbles. She is a senior in HS.) So here is a picture of me and Sasha after the bubble blowing.

So this was how I spent my one day off last week and it was really fun. What do you do on your time off? And what else do you want to see in my random BEDA posts? My second vlog is coming later in the week so leave your questions!

Super cool contests

The Girl She Used To Be from Drey's Library. Ends April 17
Swim The Fly from Steph Su. Ends April 17
Undone from Starry Night. Ends April 17. (Tell her I sent you!)
Take Me There from For The Love of Books. Ends April 18
Breathing super cool contest from Cheryl Renee Herbsman. Ends April 20

Me, My Elf and I from Sharon Loves Books and Cats. Ends April 21

Geektastic from Brooke Taylor Books. Ends April 22

Birthday contest from Korianne Speaks. Ends April 25

Girls in Trucks from Epic Rat. Ends April 28

Secret Society Girl giveaway and Pub Story from Reviewer X. Ends April 28

(Ends April 28): Shana Silver did some spring cleaning, and now there's a long, long list of books you can win. First place gets 8 books, second gets 6, and third gets 4.

I know its over from Reader Rabbit as part of Canada month. Ends April 29

April's bookshelf cleaning giveaway from At Home With Books. Ends April 29

Cracked Up To Be from Reader Rabbit. Ends April 29

Miss Smithers from Reader Rabbit. Ends April 29

Daniel Joseph Guest Blog Contest from Shooting Stars Magazine. Ends April 30

Spring has Sprung contest from And Another Book Read. Ends April 30

First in a Series contest from Carries YA Bookshelf. Ends April 30

Audio Book Giveaway from Bookin With Bingo. Ends April 30

If I Stay from The Bookshipper. Ends April 30

The Diamonds from The Book Reader. Ends April 30

Being Nikki from And Another Book Read. Ends May 1

The September Sisters from Bookluver Carol. Ends May 15

Swoon from Bookluver Carol. Ends May 15

Mackenzie Lost and Found from Bookluver Carol. Ends May 15

Love You, Hate You, Miss You from Bookluver Carol. Ends May 15

How To Hook A Hottie from Bookluver Carol. Ends May 15

In My Mailbox - My First Vlog!

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

Ok everyone, this is my first attempt at a vlog. Let me know what you think!



Books and People mentioned in vlog
Hope and Book Chic who both have AWESOME vlogs for IMM

A Walk Through A Window by KC Dyer
Mrs. Zephyrs Notebook by KC Dyer
KC Dyer's blog
Darby's blog

Books from The Book Muncher
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Maureen Johnson's Blog Every Day April
Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
Elizabeth Scott's blog

From Lindsey Leavitt
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Bought
Willow by Julia Hoban

Willow contest at Shooting Stars Magazine
Getting To Know Willow blog

Korianne from Korianne Speaks

Me on twitter
My BEDA post

Ok, I think I linked to everything. What do you think? Do you like or should I stick to typing? Plus ask me anything for my next vlog, later in the week!

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Summary:
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

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

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Review:
I have been sitting here staring at the computer screen for five minutes because I can't put in to words how much I loved this book. In fact, I have been putting off writing it for a few days because I am not sure I have the words to tell you how much I love this book. But, for you, my devoted followers, I will try.

The story is told from Anna's perspective and her voice is so clear and honest that I often felt like I was reading her diary and it some times made me a little uncomfortable. Not uncomfortable in a bad way, but in a brutally honest way that I really enjoyed.

While the path that Frankie travels is a little predictable I really believe it is exactly how some people would react in her position and her character is beautifully written. When the girls are having fun together I actually found myself laughing out loud. The scene where they make sand angels had me giggling. But there are parts of the novel that had actual tears in my eyes. It is the mixture of both humor, sadness and brutal honesty that make this novel impossible to put down.

I strongly recommend you set aside some serious reading time for this book or it will keep you up until 3 a.m. like it did with me. I was a zombie at work the next day but it was completely worth it.

If the novel being awesome isn't enough for you the author is pretty awesome too. I have had the pleasure of chatting with Sarah on her blog and on twitter and she is really awesome so stop in and say hi to her! And if you are lucky you may get in to a super long twitter conversation about the best movies and music of the 80's and 90's and learn she really loves Naught By Nature.

Twenty Boy Summer will be released June 1 but I strongly suggest you preorder it NOW.

If anyone else has reviewed Twenty Boy Summer please leave a link in the comments and I will add it to the post.

Linda Gerber contest

www.createyourcountdown.com

Linda Gerber runs a super awesome blog which you should check out! And since her book Death By Denim is coming out in just 6 weeks she is having a contest. Go check it out and make sure you tell her I sent you!

Death By Denim is the third in the Death By Series which I adore and can't wait to keep reading.

Readergirlz Rock The Drop!

Support Teen Literature Day on April 16th
For more information go to readergirlz

Blog Every Day April

Maureen Johnson, author of such wonderful books as 13 Little Blue Envelopes and Suite Scarlett has created the Blog Every Day April challenge (from now on referred to as BEDA because that is less to type). And after much deliberation I decided to go for it. Many of my favorite bloggers are playing along. Korianne, Sharon, Sarah, Book Chic, John Green and Readergirlz just to name a few.
I was hesitant because at the end of the month I will be traveling to Boston for my college graduation ceremony and blogging then will be difficult but that is why I am going to be a good little blogger and make sure I have them prescheduled.
If you are interested in playing along check out Maureen's post for all the fun and info.

THE BLOG EVERY DAY IN APRIL MANIFESTO

I commit to this idea and am determined to create something EVERY DAY in April, including weekends. Every day, I will find something to say. I embrace the reality that there is always something to talk about, if you are willing to take the time to look for it.

I _Erika Lynn_ promise to blog every day in April.

So, now a question for you, what do you want me to blog about? There is no way I can get a review/meme up every day so I need some fun topics that YOU want to read about. Have any questions for me? anything? help me out a little so you don't end up reading about my boring shifts at the restaurant or my obsession with sports!

March Wrap Up

Books Read: 7 (bringing my year total to 30)
H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton
Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby
Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway
Evernight by Claudia Gray
Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Fun Stats:
New followers: 29, thats practically a new follower every day!
Google Reader Subscribers: 86
Posts: 48
Visits: 1,759

Google Analytics fun:
I had visitors from 30 countries! and if you are the super cool person from Singapore who visits almost daily speak up! let me know!
And anyone who read last month's round up knows I had visits from 47 of the 50 United States and was holding out for Vermont, North Dakota and Wyoming and I GOT THEM!
I have now had visitors from all 50 states which I think is super cool!

Most visited post was March 8 In My Mailbox

Most commented post was March 29 In My Mailbox

Challenges Update
Support Your Local Library Challenge:
19 out of 25 read

First In A Series Challenge:
7 out of 12 read

Compass Points Reading Challenge:
1 out of 4 read

Spring Reading Thing:
1 out of 15 read

So how was your March? Are you involved in any challenges you are doing that I am missing out on? Anything else you would like to see in my monthly wrap-up? Is anyone still reading at this point? Talk to me!

Waiting On Wednesday - Perfect Fifths

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

Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty
Pub. Date: April 14. 2009
Summary: Old flames are reignited in this eagerly awaited fifth and final book in the Jessica Darling series. Captivated readers have followed her through every step and misstep, from a tormented, tart-tongued teenager, to a college grad stumbling toward adulthood. Now a young professional in her mid-twenties, Jess is off to a Caribbean wedding. [SPOILER ALERT! Proceed with caution if you haven't read Fourth Comings.] As she rushes to her gate at the airport, she literally runs into her former boyfriend, Marcus Flutie. It’s the first time she’s seen him since she reluctantly turned down his marriage proposal three years earlier—and emotions run high. Marcus and Jessica have both changed dramatically, yet their connection feels as familiar as ever. Is their reunion just a fluke or has fate orchestrated this collision of their lives once again? Partly told from Marcus’s point of view, Perfect Fifths finally lets readers inside the mind of the only person who’s both troubled and titillated Jessica Darling for years. Expect nothing less than the satisfying conclusion fans have been waiting for, one perfect in its imperfection.

Why I want it:
Because even though I am only on Charmed Thirds I can't wait to read Fourth Comings and Perfect Fifths. I must know what happens to Jessica and Marcus. And the reviews have been amazing.