Marvelous Monday: Interview with Cyn Balog!

I'm very excited to introduce Cyn Balog who is joining us today for another Marvelous Monday!

Cyn Balog's debut novel, Fairy Tale, hit stores June 23 this year! Her next book, Sleepless, comes out July 2010! You can visit her on the web at http://www.cynbalog.com

Where did you get the idea for Fairy Tale?
I wanted to write a story about fairies but I thought the whole "girl finding out she's a fairy princess" thing was overdone. So I thought it would be much more interesting if the guy learned that HE was the fairy! Imagine him having to explain that to all his friends?

If you could bring only 1 character to life from Fairy Tale, which would it be?
Pip; he's such a cutie. And if I asked him to do my laundry or make me a sandwich, he would just do it.

Fairy Tale was originally titled Fairy Lust, were you upset at all about the title change?
Well, Fairy Lust is certainly more memorable. I know that when you hear Fairy Tale, you don't automatically tie it with me, because it is so generic. So in that way, I was a little concerned. But then again, having a title like Fairy Tale means that I don't have to constantly explain, "No it is NOT erotica" whenever a young girl and her mother approach me at a signing, so it's all good.


What was the road to publication like for you?
Luckily I had the help of friends that I met online. They helped me find both of my agents, so I received very little rejection when looking for an agent. However, my first novel did not sell so I did get rejected by editors. But meanwhile, I kept writing Fairy Tale, which I churned out in three months. It sold 6 weeks later.

What can your share with readers about your 2010 release, Sleepless?
It's about a Sandman who falls in love with a mortal girl whose sleep he controls. It's coming out July 13, 2010!

What advice can you give to aspiring writers?
Do not give up. Keep writing. While you are waiting for response from agents, work on your next book. It is very easy to get discouraged in this business, but if you keep at it, you will get there. Of all the friends I met online, I would say MOST of the ones I still keep in contact with have gotten book deals. The other ones got disheartened, gave up, and disappeared. Just keep working at it, keep connecting with other writers, and keep the faith. It will happen.

Thanks Cyn for taking time to be interviewed!

In My Mailbox (9)

In my mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:


Pretty Dead
Francesca Lia Block (For Review)
Charlotte Emerson seems to have the perfect existence. She is enviably beautiful and lives alone in a mansion full of reasures and beautiful clothes, perched atop the cliffs of the Pacific Palisades. But Charlotte has been lonely and dead for almost a century. Now she might get a second chance at life.









The Everafter
Amy Huntley (For Review)
Madison Stanton doesn’t know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this — she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can reexperience — and sometimes even change — moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister’s wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life — and death.
This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments — and the strength of true love even beyond death


Never Cry Werewolf
Heather Davis (For Review)
Shelby’s summer plans go totally awry when her horrible stepmother sends her off to “brat camp” as punishment for one too many broken curfews. Camp is full of spoiled rich kids, obnoxious counselors wanting Shelby to talk about her feelings, and a totally inhumane “no cell phones” policy.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that bad boys get her into trouble…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one?

Heather Davis’s debut novel mixes together irresistible characters, a pesky full moon, and a delicious taste of the supernatural.


The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.


Inexcusable
Chris Lynch
"I am a good guy. Good guys don't do bad things. Good guys understand that no means no, and so I could not have done this because I understand."

Keir Sarafian knows many things about himself. He is a talented football player, a loyal friend, a devoted son and brother. Most of all, he is a good guy. And yet the love of his life thinks otherwise. Gigi says Keir has done something awful. Something unforgivable. Keir doesn't understand. He loves Gigi. He would never do anything to hurt her. So Keir carefully recounts the events leading up to that one fateful night, in order to uncover the truth. Clearly, there has been a mistake.

But what has happened is, indeed, something inexcusable.


The Noah Confessions
Barbara Hall
At the age of 16, it's standard procedure for every girl at Lynnie Russo's posh Los Angeles prep school to get a car. So on her 16th birthday, Lynnie is startled when she opens the small gift box from her father—it doesn't contain the shiny new set of keys she was expecting. Instead she finds a worn-out bird charm bracelet. What can he be thinking? When she cuts school to go try surfing so as to have a special day, instead of grounding her, her father hands her a manuscript box and says, "Your mother wanted you to have this when it seemed you were losing perspective. I think now's the time."

Through "The Noah Confessions," Lynnie uncovers her family's secrets, loves, and tragedies, and comes to recognize that their past may not necessarily determine her future.

The bought:

City Of Bones
Cassandra Clare
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.


Such a Pretty Girl
Laura Weiss
Meredith was promised nine years of safety, but they only gave her three. Her father, who was sent to prison for sexually abusing Meredith and other children in their small town, has been released on good behavior. He was supposed to be locked up until Meredith's eighteenth birthday, when she could legally be free of both her abusive father and her delusional mother who dwells on a fantasy that the three of them will be a happy family once more.

But Meredith is only fifteen, and her father is out of prison...and her mother is bringing him home. And Meredith won't let him hurt her, or anyone else, ever again. No matter what the cost.

Lyrical, suspenseful, and emotionally shattering, Such a Pretty Girl captures a young woman's painful fight for survival -- and her journey back to herself.

What'd you guys get?

Create Your Debut Ya Cover!

CREATE YOUR DEBUT YA COVER

1 – Go to “Fake Name Generator” or click here

The name that appears is your author name.

2 – Go to “Random Word Generator” or click here

The word listed under “Random Verb” is your title.

3 – Go to “FlickrCC” or click here

Type your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.

4 – Use Photoshop, Picnik, or similar to put it all together. Be sure to crop and/or zoom in.

5 – Post it to your site along with this text.


I found this over on The Siren Siren and it looked like fun :)

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Inexcusable
Chris Lynch
Release Date: October 25, 2005
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 176

Rating: 1.5 stars

"I am a good guy. Good guys don't do bad things. Good guys understand that no means no, and so I could not have done this because I understand."

Keir Sarafian knows many things about himself. He is a talented football player, a loyal friend, a devoted son and brother. Most of all, he is a good guy. And yet the love of his life thinks otherwise. Gigi says Keir has done something awful. Something unforgivable. Keir doesn't understand. He loves Gigi. He would never do anything to hurt her. So Keir carefully recounts the events leading up to that one fateful night, in order to uncover the truth. Clearly, there has been a mistake.

But what has happened is, indeed, something inexcusable.

This was a book that sounded so good, and it just didn't live up to my expectations. From page 1, readers learn about Keir and all the things he's done where he procedes to tell readers he's a good boy, monsters wouldn't do those things. I think the premise of the book could make a really great book, I just think Inexcusable could've been strengthened in some areas.

I felt like with the topic of the book, it should have been really emotional and touching, but I didn't really have any emotions or feel anything throughout the entire book.

Inexcusable was a shorter book, and you never really get to know any of the characters. With Keir being the main character, you didn't learn much about him except about his family and that he plays football. There wasn't enough depth for readers to connect with him. Keir's two sisters, Fran amd Mary, on the hand I felt were a bit stronger of characters. They didn't appear as frequent in the book as other characters, but scenes with them seemed more emotional and connected.

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

Never Cry Werewolf
Heather Davis
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 224

Rating: 4 stars

Shelby’s summer plans go totally awry when her horrible stepmother sends her off to “brat camp” as punishment for one too many broken curfews. Camp is full of spoiled rich kids, obnoxious counselors wanting Shelby to talk about her feelings, and a totally inhumane “no cell phones” policy.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it. Shelby knows that bad boys get her into trouble…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one?

Heather Davis’s debut novel mixes together irresistible characters, a pesky full moon, and a delicious taste of the supernatural.

Never Cry Werewolf was a fast-paced, enjoyable read! It was your typical "my mom's died, and now I have a stepmother who I do whatever I can to annoy and my stepmother has no great feelings for me either" situation. It was a cute and short book! I couldn't put it down!

Some of the characters weren't as developed as they could of been, but were easy to relate too. I just felt like you never got to know any of the characters real well. The variety in characters was entertaining. All these kids are at "brat camp" so there was such a mix. You had Charles the gossip and one who has to be in everyone's business and Ariel who was kind of quiet and unsure. Mr. Winters was way out there, and the places he showed up in the book were really entertaining. Cynthia, or "Guitar Lady" was another really entertaining character. She was the counselor you would associate with a "brat camp" and everything about her was just overall entertaining.

I felt like Austin barely knew Shelby, and he had already told her he was a werewolf. It felt almost like "Hi! I'm a werewolf! Nice to meet you!" I just didn't feel the relationship there grow and develop enough for me to understand why Austin would tell the secret he's only told 1 person ever.

Austin and Shelby's relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book, but I didn't feel like it had enough base to grow from.

The end was definately one of the endings that make you go "Aw!" It was so cute, and I loved it.

The cover is gorgeous with the girl and the moon. I thought it was cute that they have her wearing a red hoodie - you know Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf.

I definately cannot wait to see what Heather Davis comes up with next! *Do I smell a sequel?*

Winner of (Re)Cycler!

There were a total of 23 people entered with 85 entries total! Now the winner of the ARC of (Re)Cycler is....


#74 Korianne

Congratulations! Check back soon for another contest!

Simply Irresistible by Jennifer Banash

Simply Irresistible (The Elite, Book 3)
Jennifer Banash
Release Date: July 7, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 250

Rating: 4 stars

Small-town girl turned Big Apple beauty, Casey McCloy is really beginning to enjoy the high life in her high-rise. She's climbing the social ladder, to the dismay of her neighbor and rival, Madison Macallister. And Casey could end up as popular as Madison now that the two are set to star in their own reality show, "De-Luxe." But reality TV can be so unreal…

Madison loves the attention, but having every bit of her life caught on tape is often less than glamorous. Yet fame comes at a price-and she's willing to pay. Meanwhile, now that Casey and her almost-boyfriend Drew Van Allen are currently more off than on, she's beginning to wonder if everything in her life is just an illusion-and how much longer the illusion can last.

This third installment of The Elite series keeps the drama going! Simply Irresistible is just as entertaining as the first 2 books! Everyone's favorite characters are back, and you learn a thing or two about them all in turn. All the characters and their emotions are portrayed realistically. In Simply Irresistible, I felt like Drew almost was a bit over the top in parts - every girl he touches he lusts after. Those who loved the first 2 books will not be let down!

Waiting On Wednesday (16) - Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about.


Front and Center
Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Release Date: October 19th 2009

After five months of sheer absolute craziness I was going back to being plain old background D.J. In photographs of course I’m always in the background . . .
But it turns out other folks have big plans for D.J. Like her coach. College scouts. All the town hoops fans. A certain Red Bend High School junior who’s keen for romance and karaoke. Not to mention Brian Nelson, who she should not be thinking about! Who she is done with, thank you very much. But who keeps showing up anyway . . .

What're you guys waiting on?

In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash

In Too Deep (Book 2 of The Elite)
Jennifer Banash
Release Date: January 6, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 256

Rating: 4 Stars

If you don’t belong here— you just don’t belong…

The Bramford building’s newest resident and small-town transplant Casey McCloy is adapting to life in the Big Apple and loving it. She’s got the look, the attitude, and a delish new boyfriend, Drew Van Allen. But she’s starting to have second thoughts as to whether the “New York” Casey is the real Casey. And she’s not so sure she likes herself much anymore. She’s not the only one.

Madison Macallister has always had her Manolo Blahniks firmly planted on the top rung of the social ladder—until that corn-fed cow Casey stole Drew away from her and made her look the fool. So what if Madison wasn’t exactly dating Drew at the time? She wanted him. And everyone knows that Madison gets what she wants, like Drew—and a little revenge.

Everyone's favorite characters from The Elite are back with more drama, fun, and lessons of the Upper East Side. Jennifer Banash picks up where The Elite left off and continues writing the fabulous story of Madison and her clan, Casey, and Drew. In Too Deep is once again written in alternating chapters between the characters, and I can never get enough of all the characters. I'm hoping to hear more from Phoebe and Jared in Book 3! In Too Deep reveals so much more of all the characters stories and lives. It's jam packed with drama, drama, and more drama. The end leaves readers begging for book 3!

Marvelous Monday: Interview with Kelley Armstrong

I'm very excited to introduce Kelley Armstrong who is joining us today for another Marvelous Monday!

Kelley Armstrong is the author of both the Otherworld and Nadia Stratford as well as the YA trilogy The Darkest Powers. She lives in Ontario with her husband and three children. The last book in The Darkest Powers, The Reckoning, comes out next spring. You can visit her online at http://www.KelleyArmstrong.com


To someone who has never read the Darkest Powers, how would you persuade them to read the books in a few sentences?

I’m going to admit, first off, that I’m really bad at persuading anyone to read my books. It feels pushy. If I absolutely have to, I usually say…

“It’s a supernatural thriller about a teenage girl who suddenly starts seeing ghosts, and is taken to a group home, which she quickly discovers is not what it seems. If it sounds like something you might like, you can read the first ten chapters free online.” Then I’d direct them to the excerpt, which is at http://browseinside.harperteen.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061450549


Was it any different writing the Darkest Powers versus your other books for adults?

The only real difference is the age of the characters. I cover a lot of narrator ages in my adult series, but teens are a lot different. When I’m writing adult characters, whether they’re 25 or 45, they’re dealing with a similar set of issues (jobs, finances, marriage & children) Teens are at a different place in their lives and the characters need to reflect that. They also have a limited set of tools for dealing with problems. If I have an adult character on the run, they can empty their bank accounts, get fake ID, hop on a plane, rent a hiding place etc. Fifteen-year-olds can’t do that.

Are any of the characters from the Darkest Powers based on real people?

No. I always make sure my characters aren't based on anyone I know. They have traits in common with myself and others, though. For example, Chloe stutters and so do I, because it's an experience I can relate realistically.

If you could have any of the powers the residents of Lyle House have, what would you choose?

I would love to be a werewolf because I’d love to experience life in a different form. The secondary characteristics would be cool, too. Those "extras," though, also make it hard for werewolves to blend, so if I was being very practical, I'd go with spell-casters. Their powers take work to learn, but overall they have fewer drawbacks.


After The Reckoning (Book 3), what future plans do you have for the Darkest Powers or any other YA Novels?

Chloe’s story is currently a trilogy. Now I’m starting a new trilogy set in the same world, with all new characters, about another Edison Group experiment. If readers want me to return to Chloe later, I would.


What was the inspiration for the Darkest Powers?

I’d had a book idea that was inspired by my second adult novel, Stolen. The plot would have been about supernaturals just coming into their powers, though, which in my world happens at puberty, so it wouldn't work for an adult series. That idea was in the back of my mind as I began getting email from readers I considered a little too young to be reading my other books! After toying with the idea for a couple of years, I finally decided to try writing the book during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.)


What's your favorite part of writing?

There isn’t any part that I dislike, but if I had to pick my favourite, it would be writing the first draft. It’s the creative process of seeing an idea unfold into a story that I like best. Next would be editing—the chance to polish the story. Least favourite would be proofreading, because by that time, I’ve read it so often I know what every line should say and I don’t catch the errors.


When you're not writing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Cooking, learning new things, hiking, spending time with my family…

Thanks Kelley for taking the time to be interviewed!

In My Mailbox (8)

In my mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:

From The Library:


The Elite
Jennifer Banash
From the top, you can see everything - except yourself.

When Casey McCloy steps into the elegant Bramford building, she's overwhelmed. Fresh from the Midwest, she’s moved to New York's Upper East Side to live with her grandmother and attend the prestigious Meadowlark Academy. Here all that matters is who you know. The girl to know is Madison Macallister: popular, pretty, platinum blond. She's not just Casey's new classmate and neighbor; she's an icon. So Casey aims to get in with Madison and her gorgeous gal-pals from the start. As the reigning queen of coolness, Madison is capable of destroying reputations with one well timed whisper. Better to be on her good side.

But after a city-haute makeover from her new frenemy Madison, Casey is wearing the right clothes, saying the right things, and meeting the right people,including Drew, the boy-about-town who Madison thinks belongs to her and her alone.


Simply Irresistable
Jennifer Banash
Small-town girl turned Big Apple beauty, Casey McCloy is really beginning to enjoy the high life in her high-rise. She's climbing the social ladder, to the dismay of her neighbor and rival, Madison Macallister. And Casey could end up as popular as Madison now that the two are set to star in their own reality show, "De-Luxe." But reality TV can be so unreal…

Madison loves the attention, but having every bit of her life caught on tape is often less than glamorous. Yet fame comes at a price-and she's willing to pay. Meanwhile, now that Casey and her almost-boyfriend Drew Van Allen are currently more off than on, she's beginning to wonder if everything in her life is just an illusion-and how much longer the illusion can last


The Demon's Lexicon
Sarah Rees Brennan
Nick and his brother, Alan, have spent their lives on the run from magic. Their father was murdered, and their mother was driven mad by magicians and the demons who give them power. The magicians are hunting the Ryves family for a charm that Nick's mother stole -- a charm that keeps her alive -- and they want it badly enough to kill again.
Danger draws even closer when a brother and sister come to the Ryves family for help. The boy wears a demon's mark, a sign of death that almost nothing can erase...and when Alan also gets marked by a demon, Nick is des-perate to save him. The only way to do that is to kill one of the magicians they have been hiding from for so long.

Ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse, Nick starts to suspect that his brother is telling him lie after lie about their past. As the magicians' Circle closes in on their family, Nick uncovers the secret that could destroy them all.

This is the Demon's Lexicon. Turn the page.

What'd you guys all get?

The Elite by Jennifer Banash

The Elite
Jennifer Banash
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Pages: 256

Rating: 4.5 stars

From the top, you can see everything - except yourself.

When Casey McCloy steps into the elegant Bramford building, she's overwhelmed. Fresh from the Midwest, she’s moved to New York's Upper East Side to live with her grandmother and attend the prestigious Meadowlark Academy. Here all that matters is who you know. The girl to know is Madison Macallister: popular, pretty, platinum blond. She's not just Casey's new classmate and neighbor; she's an icon. So Casey aims to get in with Madison and her gorgeous gal-pals from the start. As the reigning queen of coolness, Madison is capable of destroying reputations with one well timed whisper. Better to be on her good side.

But after a city-haute makeover from her new frenemy Madison, Casey is wearing the right clothes, saying the right things, and meeting the right people,including Drew, the boy-about-town who Madison thinks belongs to her and her alone.

I really enjoyed reading The Elite. It was a lighter read full of drama from the top of the social ladder Upper East Side teen girls. The drama wasn't the over the top and exagerated drama that you see so much of these days, which was certainly entertaining. I loved the alternating chapters between the 5 main characters, reading the story from all the different characters added so much depth and you get to hear their side. Jennifer Banash's writing style really draws readers in as well. I found myself having a hard time putting this one down!

Willow by Julia Hoban

Willow
Julia Hoban
Release Date: April 2, 2009
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 329

Rating: 5 stars

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy—one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.
Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

With her debut novel, Julia Hoban blows away readers with a gripping story full of emotion, truth, and what could be real life experiences. Willow blames herself for the accident that happened months ago, and expresses and releases the guilt she feels through cutting herself.

Willow is written in 3rd person, and at first it distracted me from the book. But after a few chapters, it made the story so much more raw and emotional and definately suited the book. It made the writing almost detached, and Willow is dealing with so many emotions and so detached herself.

The first page Guy walked into the story, you could feel the romance that would happen between Guy and Willow. The journey and build up to that romance was so sweet, open, and honest. Guy was such a well-rounded character. The fact he cares about Willow and what she's doing to herself, all the while taking action to help her was great. I can relate to some of his emotions he felt towards Willow in regards to her cutting herself, as one of my best friends took up the same escape. I don't think a lot of people realize the seriousness of the issue. As a narrator, Willow was interesting. Hearing her story and emotions she feels toward everything was really enlightening. Julia Hoban nails what I'd assume the emotions that would be going through a sixteen year old's head in that situation.

The end was so sweet. It's not exactly what readers are thinking will happen. This was a book I was addicted to, especially needing to know how it would end.

While Willow deals with such a intense plot, it's not depressing. It's full of hope that Guy expresses towards Willow and helping her through that point in her life. I cannot wait to see what Julia Hoban comes up with next.

Intertwined Sweepstakes

BBAW Nomination

I got nominated for Best New Blog for Book Blogger Appreciation Week! I really don't know what to say! Thanks to every one who voted for me! I've sent in my sample posts and now I can just wait and see. I really feel honored as there are so many amazing blogs that are less than a year old. Thanks again :)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver
Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic
Pages: 400

Rating: 4.5 stars

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Shiver was one of those addicting books that you cannot put down! With the first words, I was hooked. Shiver is a perfect title, because while you read it it kept you "shivering" from the beautiful imagery Maggie Stiefvater uses. I simply fell in love with basically everything about Shiver. The writing was beautiful and flowing. Maggie Stiefvater adds so much to the story writing in alternating POVs between Sam and Grace.

Sam and Grace's relationship was really something! You could feel the intensity of it, especially when Sam was still a wolf. The longing they had for each other was so apparant.

All of Shiver's characters were well-written and just seemed to click with the story. Grace was such an amiable character. She was one of those characters that everyone could relate to. Sam was just so sweet and another character you really could relate to. I also really liked Isabel as a character. She played a more minor role but she was such a strong character that she stood out among the others. The one character I would've liked to know a bit more about is Shelby. She is hostile and wants Sam and to be at the "top", but I didn't feel her as a threat as much as I think she could've been. At different points in the book, they refer to Shelby's past but you never find out what that actually is.

Shiver was an absolutely phenomonal start to the trilogy. I cannot wait for Linger, and hear more of Sam and Grace's story!

Waiting On Wednesday (15) - The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With Waiting On Wednesday you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about.


The Naughty List
Suzanne Young
Release Date: February 4, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill

Tessa Crimson: Cheerleader by Day, Spy by Night

As leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), Tessa’s mission is twofold: pep preservation and relationship salvation. That’s right, Tessa is a head cheerleader whose night job is catching cheating boyfriends in the act! Thank goodness her own relationship with Aiden is strawberry-smoothie purrfect—except for the fact that she’s been concealing her nocturnal habits for, oh, two years.

Aiden suspects something’s up, and his patience is wearing thin. But in the meantime, Tessa’s far too busy to deal with her own romantic roadblocks. The Naughty List is at maximum capacity; because so far, every single suspect on it is 100% guilty.

When sultry Chloe Ferril transfers to Washington High, things only become more catastrophic. Tessa knows this predatory vixen won’t stop hunting Aiden until her claws are planted firmly in his backside…

But Tessa’s in for an even bigger shock when Aiden’s name shows up on The Naughty List, and she’s finally forced to confront the unthinkable: is her own boyfriend just as naughty as all the rest?

What're you guys "waiting" on this week?

Megapalooza Contest!

Ok, so there's another huge contest going on over at Bloody Bookaholic you must check out!

You can win up to 7 of the following:

- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies
- Hardback Another Faust
- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters
- ARC The Dark Divine
- ARC Hush Hush
- ARC Give Up The Ghost
- ARC Ash
- ARC Behind Every Illusion
- ARC Shiver
- ARC Eyes Like Stars
- ARC The Demon's Lexicon
- ARC Betraying Season
- ARC Any Given Doomsday
- Dead Until Dark
- Gossip Girl 1st Book
- The Black Tatto + poster
- Vampire Academy
- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.
- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.

20 books, now I am going to have 3 winners.

Winner number One gets to pick 7 books out of the bunch.

Winner number Two gets 3 books out of the bunch.

Winner number Three gets 1 book out of the bunch.

Only the first winner gets to choose his or her prize.
For the other two I get to choose what they get.

It ends September 27!

If you enter tell her Erica from The Book Cellar referred you, both me and you will get extra entries!

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Candor
Pam Pachorz
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Publisher: Egmont
Pages: 256

Rating: 4.5 stars

In the model community of Candor, Florida, every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks. The son of the town’s founder, Oscar earns straight As, is student-body president, and is in demand for every club and cause.
But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, compliant–perfect–through subliminal Messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. And Oscar’s built a business sabotaging his father’s scheme with Messages of his own, getting his clients out before they’re turned. After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks?
Then he meets Nia, the girl he can’t stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever. Keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure . . . and more.

Candor is a fresh take on the sci-fi topic of mind-control while being intriguing, thought-provoking, and almost a little creepy. The thought of teens lives being controlled by messages they don't even realize are there moves it right up the scale. Candor is definately a book to keep your curiousity pumping!

Candor took a few chapters to really pick up, but once it did, there was no putting it down. The story was addicting - I had to know what would happen next. Pam Bachorz kept you guessing at every twist and turn what was going to happen. The ending was the biggest shocker of all!

I loved all the characters, both main and supporting. Oscar and Nia were such opposites in some ways and alike in other ways. Nia was my favorite character, I loved her attitude and her I'm going to do what I want sass. At first I wasn't the biggest fan of Oscar, but the change in character when Nia comes into his life changed my opinion of him. When Nia came into his life, he was still the arogant son of a genius, but he seemed more real. The supporting characters were great as well. Mandi played her role perfectly, letting you see the effect the messages have on the teens. Sherman was another character that at times you were so annoyed with him, but then because the messages controlled his life you found yourself sympathizing with him.

I was expecting something a little different from Oscar and Nia's romance. At first, it seemed there was no basis really and they just fell for each other right away. I didn't feel as much of a build between the two as I expected. Later, you truely can tell the emotions they have for each other are there completely, but to get there seemed a bit of a jump.

Candor is definately one to pick up this fall! I'd pick up a continuation of Candor's story in a heart beat should Pam Bachorz chose to tell us more!

Ballad Trailer

Check out the trailer for Maggie Stiefvater's Ballad! She once again has another amazing trailer!

Marvelous Monday: Interview with Jennifer Echols!

I'm very excited to introduce Jennifer Echols who is joining us today for the first ever Marvelous Monday here at The Book Cellar!

Jennifer Echols has written two Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies, Major Crush, which won the National Readers Choice Award and the Aspen Gold Award, as well as The Boys Next Door. She also wrote Going Too Far (you can check out my review here) which came out in March of this year from MTV Books. Her next book, The Ex Games, comes out September 8. You can visit her online at http://www.jennifer-echols.com/.

Now for the interview:

Describe The Ex-Games in 8 words,

Watch out for that treeeeeeeeee! And that boy.

Your upcoming novel, The Ex-Games, deals largly with snowboarding, are you a fan of snowboarding?

I became a fan while doing research for the book. I went snow skiing a lot in high school, before snowboarding got big, and I tried to draw on that experience. But I also watched a LOT of snowboarding videos and read a lot of mags. I watched the entire Winter X Games on TV last January, from the failed double-flip on a snowmobile to Gretchen Bleiler's concussion in the half-pipe. Ouch!

Are there any writing rituals you have?

I make a soundtrack for each book and listen to it on my iPod while I write. You can listen to the soundtrack for The Ex Games and read the first chapter here: http://jennifer-echols.com/theexgameschapter.html

Is it any different writing your Romantic Comedies versus your Romantic Dramas?

It's very, very different. Especially now that my editor for my romantic comedies has changed, I find that he is looking for something specific, and he doesn't always get my jokes. ;) For my romantic dramas, I write what I want and see if my editor likes it.

What was the road to publication like for you?

Long! I finished my first novel when I was 20 and got my first literary agent when I was 22, but I didn't sell a book until manuscript number 10, when I was 35. I'm glad the internet has made things easier on authors today. Information on what agents and editors are looking for is more readily available.

What are you currently reading?

I'm between books. I just finished a book about the enneagram, which is a fascinating system for figuring out people's personality traits. I love pop psychology books because they help me create characters with depth. Next I'm reading the advance copy of The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore.

Thanks so much Jennifer for taking time to be interviewed! :)

50 Followers Contest Winners!

This was my biggest contest yet! 57 different people entered, and there was 570 total entries! Without further ado, here are the winners!

Winner 1: 400 Samantha
Winner 2: 335 Rachel
Winner 3: 202 Brooke

Winners I'll be contacting you to see what books you'd like and for your mailing addresses :)

Remember my contest to win an ARC of ReCycler is still open, and check back for more contests soon!

In My Mailbox (7)

In my mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.

This week I got:


Candor
Pam Bachorz
In the model community of Candor, Florida, every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks. The son of the town’s founder, Oscar earns straight As, is student-body president, and is in demand for every club and cause.
But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, compliant–perfect–through subliminal Messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. And Oscar’s built a business sabotaging his father’s scheme with Messages of his own, getting his clients out before they’re turned. After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks?
Then he meets Nia, the girl he can’t stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever. Keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure . . . and more.




The Dark Divine
Bree Despain
I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”
Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.




Ballads Of Suburbia
Stephanie Kuehnert
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....
Amid 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.




Demon Inside
Stacia Kane
Hanging out with demons can be hell....
It's been three months since psychologist Megan Chase made the stunning discovery that the world is filled with demons, and once more the situation is too hot to handle. Ironically, Megan -- the only person in the world without a little personal demon sitting on her shoulder -- has become the leader of a demon "family," but now some unknown arcane power is offing her demons in a particularly unpleasant fashion. And while her demon lover Greyson Dante is still driving her wild with desire, he's also acting strangely evasive. Then there's the truth about Megan's past -- the truth she's never known. Caught between personal problems and personal demons, Megan is having one hell of a hard time. Will the help of her Cockney guard demons and her witch friend Tera be enough so that Megan can finally resolve the past, survive the present, and face the future?



From Contests:

Secret Society
Tom Dolby




Eyes Like Stars
Lisa Mantchev
Plus a sweet necklace, a bracelet, & other swag! (which includes bookmarks, a sticker, & a postcard)
I got Eyes Like Stars and the swag from a contest at I Heart Monster and Book Blather




Boy Toy
Larry Byga
I got Boy Toy from a contest from Laura



From Harmony I got:

In Too Deep
Jennifer Banash




Willow
Julie Hoban




Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies
Erin Dionne



What'd you guys get?


P.S. Check back tomorrow for the first ever Marvelous Monday, a new feature here at The Book Cellar! Marvelous Mondays will feature a different author each time one's posted and will take place several times a month! =)

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

Boy Toy
Barry Lyga
Release Date: September 24, 2007
Publisher: Graphia
Pages: 416

Rating: 3 stars

Five years ago Josh’s life changed. Drastically. And everyone in his school, his town—seems like the world—thinks they understand.

But they don’t—they can’t.

And now, about to graduate from high school, Josh is still trying to sort through the pieces. First there’s Rachel, the girl he thought he’d lost years ago. She’s back, and she’s determined to be part of his life, whether he wants her there or not.

Then there are college decisions to make, and the toughest baseball game of his life coming up, and a coach who won't stop pushing Josh all the way to the brink.

And then there’s Eve. Her return brings with it all the memories of Josh’s past. It’s time for Josh to face the truth about what happened.

If only he knew what the truth was . . .

Barry Lyga writes a powerful story in which he holds nothing back. Boy Toy's written back and forth between Josh's flashbacks from 5 years ago and the present. At any given time, you're chance to be wondering what Josh's thinking, and later you find out. Joshua has withdrawn himself, and avoided Rachel, because of the incident 5 years ago, until he bumps into her. Now he must face himself and open up with the truth. The plot kept me flipping pages, waiting to see what Josh would do next. Josh was a great narrator, his voice was pleasant and kept you reading. I definately will be checking out Barry Lyga's other works!

Contest Update!

There's now been over 50 different people that entered my 50 Followers Contest so another book has been added to the prize pool!
*Drum roll*


Confessions Of A Serial Kisser by Wendelin Van Draanen has been added for one lucky person to win!


The contest ends tomorrow, so it's not too late to enter!

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

Ballads of Suburbia
Stephanie Kuehnert
Release Date: July 21, 2009
Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 368

Rating: 5 stars

Ballads are the kind of songs that Kara McNaughton likes best. Not the cliched ones where a diva hits her highest note or a rock band tones it down a couple of notches for the ladies, but the true ballads: the punk rocker or the country crooner telling the story of their life in three minutes, the chorus reminding their listeners of the numerous ways to screw things up. In high school, Kara helped maintain the "Stories of Suburbia" notebook, which contained newspaper articles about bizarre and often tragic events from suburbs all over and personal vignettes that Kara dubbed "ballads" written by her friends in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago. Those "ballads" were heartbreakingly honest tales of the moments when life changes and a kid is forced to grow up too soon. But Kara never wrote her own ballad. Before she could figure out what her song was about, she was leaving town after a series of disastrous events at the end of her junior year. Four years later, Kara returns to face the music, and tells the tale of her first three years of high school with her friends' "ballads" interspersed throughout.

Wow, Stephanie Kuehnert doesn't hold back a thing with Ballads of Suburbia! It hits you hard, not letting you forget. Even after I finished reading, the stories and the characters kept playing through my head. Every event that took place, I felt like I was there. And though I've never had the same experiences at Kara, I felt like I was there with her experiencing it all the same. It takes a truly talented writer to do that.

The characters and their stories were all so real, all the characters had some sort of hardship which really had you feeling for them. Stephanie Kuehnert shares the hardships each character has through their own "ballad" where they have the chance to share their story, and how it influenced them and ties into their present lives. Ballads of Suburbia told the truth no one seems to tell. While the characters are fictional, everything that happens to them has probably happened to someone in the real world.

Ballads has definately made its way into my favorite books. I honestly don't know exactly the words to right describe it and do it justice. Hours later I'm still thinking about the story, and throughout the whole book I felt for all the characters as they journeyed through life, dealing with hardships.

I absolutely love the cover! The park is so to central to the story, it would only make sense for it to be on the cover.

I cannot wait to see what great story Stephanie Kuehnert has for us next!

Contest Alert!

So there's a contest I felt everyone should know about!
It's pretty much amazing! Check it out here!

You can win:
1. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick ARC
2. Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen ARC
3. Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters ARC
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater ARC
5. Troy High by Shana Norris ARC
6. Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott ARC
7. Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn ARC
8. Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker
9. Death by Series by Linda Gerber (3 books total)
10. a 5 dollar giftcard from Walmart (you can buy yourself half of a book with it, lol)
11. 3 Sarah Dessen books ( Just Listen, This Lullaby, Someone Like You)
12. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
13. Fire By Kristin Cashmore ARC
14. Last but not least, I have some extra amazon cards, so I will also include a preorder for CATCHING FIRE BY SUZANNE COLLINS. It will be shipped to on or around Sept 1st (whenever they ship it)
AND a book of your choice (under $15.00 please and it can be a preorder as long as it comes out in September-so many good books get released)

If you do enter, please let Cindy know Erica at The Book Cellar sent you. I'll give you an extra entry in any of my contests if you add a comment here letting me know. :)

Win (Re)Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin

(Re)Cycler hits stores this month, and this is your chance to win an ARC edition!



How do you grow up, if who you are keeps changing?

Jill McTeague is not your average high school graduate, she’s a scientific anomaly. Every month for four days she turns into Jack, a guy—complete with all the parts. Now everyone in her hometown knows that something very weird is up with her. So what’s a girl (and a guy) to do? Get the heck out of town, that’s what! With her kooky best friend, Ramie, Jill sets out for New York City. There both she and Jack will have to figure out everything from the usual (relationships) to the not so usual (career options for a “cycler,” anyone?).

As in Cycler, the first book featuring Jack and Jill, author Lauren McLaughlin deftly weaves the downright mundane with the outright bizarre in a story that, while defying classification, is peopled with characters that readers can fully relate to.

Answer this question and leave an email address to enter:
If you were changed into the opposite gender 4 days a month, what would your other name be? (You must do this to qualify for any extra entries)

Extra Entries:
+1 Becoming a follower
+2 Already being a follower
+1 Following me on twitter (Leave a username)
+2 Linking to this contest (Leave a link)


Contest will end August 25! US Only

Waiting On Wednesday (14) - The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With WOW, you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about.

(No cover yet)
The Iron King
Julie Kagawa
Release Date: February, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

MEGHAN CHASE HAS A SECRET DESTINY— ONE SHE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Invisible I: The Amanda Project by Stella Lennon

Invisible I (The Amanda Project Book 1)
Stella Lennon
Release Date: September 22, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 304

Rating: 3.5 stars

When enigmatic high school student Amanda Valentino disappears, her closest friends vow to find her. The search begins in Invisible I, the first title in the eight-book series. But once the teens follow clues that might lead to Amanda, they realize that everything they thought they knew about her was false and find themselves with more questions than answers. As they begin to compare notes on their missing friend, the mystery of where—and who—Amanda is deepens.

The series begins with the books, which stand alone, but will lead readers to www.theamandaproject.com for an extended Amanda Project experience. Online, they can write stories, post art, share theories about Amanda (which could be chosen to become a part of later books in the series), even design and buy clothing and accessories inspired by Amanda. Regularly updated content by and about the characters from the books will keep the community buzzing and ensure that readers check back often.

The Amanda Project is more than a new series plus a website—The Amanda Project is the evolution of fiction for girls.

Invisible I is a promising start to what could be a great series! Invisible I takes you through Amanda's disappearance and her 3 "guides" quest to find her. It was definately a page turner, because I kept thinking Who's Amanda? and What's She Doing? This was a totally fun read.

My issue with Invisible I was that it didn't seem come to any point. For Book 1, I don't necessarily want all the answers for the series, but I'd like a little more information. When Book 1 finishes, I want some issues resolved and also putting something new on the field. I felt that I was just running in the same circles throughout the entire book. All I really figured out was that Amanda told about a bajillion different stories. I also found it a little hard to believe everything she managed to pull off - though maybe that's a topic for the next 7 books.

The ending is totally intriguing, it sets up the next book and makes readers want to know exactly what will happen next and get the answers to their questions.

I love the page design on the book, there's different designs on some of the pages, and "notes" on others. I also really like the cover.

I'll definately check out Book 2, I want to see where finding Amanda leads Callie, Nia, and Hal next and how their friendship grows.

Award :)

I got the Kreativ Award from Nicole over at Word For Teens and Shayla from The Book Explorer


7 Favorite Things:

1. Books. ... duh.
2. Musical
3. ♥ Show Choir ♥
4. Food
5. Johnny Depp
6. Pirates
7. Dance.

Blogs
1. Amy
2. Brooke
3. Jessica
4. Sab H
5. Tirzah
6. Steph Su
7. Bri

Behind Every Illusion by Christina Harner

Behind Every Illusion
Christina Harner
Release Date: June 6, 2009
Pages: 500

Rating: 4.5 stars

All creatures born of human parents must be human and therefore must be ordinary.

Even the soft-spoken eighteen-year-old Tatiana Lewis wholeheartedly accepts this logic. So when she begins to experience unusual changes, she has no clue where to turn and instead keeps her new abilities a secret. But her best friend and brother, Isaac, sees past her illusions and together they explore the significance of her differences and search out the meaning behind them.

Amidst tragedy, unimaginable transformations and an unexpected friendship, Tatiana has to learn to reveal the girl hidden behind her illusions and what it means to face the world in order to preserve not only the forest but her very existence.

Behind Every Illusion is the first book in an exciting series about the extraordinary ways the earth has evolved in a desperate attempt to save itself from the destruction caused by humankind.

I love fairies and mythology, so reading a book that included both was great! Behind Every Illusion was a much more personal book than other of its genre to me. It really dealt with being comfortable in your own skin, which is something some people have such an issue with. That message is great! Behind Every Illusion for me was a bit slow in the beginning, but really picked up towards the end. Though, I read the ARC Edition which I've been told is about 25000 words longer, so I'm sure it doesn't drag at all in the final edition. Behind Every Illusion wasn't an action-packed book, but through some slower parts everything that goes on with the characters really sinks in as you read the next part. The beginning was intriguing, but as the book went along I found it harder and harder to put it down. I was getting so involved in the story, and just had to know what happened next. There was a big "Going Green, Save The Earth" message in the novel which also I thought was interesting. It gives a fresh spin to the invovlement of other creatures with the way humans are destroying the planet!

The book took a few large twists and turns I had no clue were coming! The ending was my favorite part - I was flipping pages so fast to know what was going to happen.

Another forte of the book was the characters. I really just fell in love with Isaac, Winter, and Adam. All 3 of these bring so much emotion to the story, which is such a large part of the novel. Tatiana was a great character as well, but the one thing about her that bugged me was that she had to tell everyone she's an introvert.

I think the cover is just gorgeous, and cannot wait to read more of Titiana's story in the sequel!

In My Mailbox (6)

In my mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren! In My Mailbox is a way to share the books you received each week.



Behind Every Illusion - Christina Harner - Christina even signed it! :) (I'm reading this now, and loving it!)
The Amanda Project - Stella Lennon

From Contests:
Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
I'm SO excited to read this one! (Thanks to Mitali & Heidi over at Sea Heidi for the contest)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (Thanks to Susan over at Suko's Notebook for the contest!)
Suite Scarlett - Maureen Johnson - There was also a cute sleeping mask with it (Thanks to YA Book Realm for the contest)

She's So Money- Cherry Cheva
Beige - Cecil Castellucci - I won these 2 from one of Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia's awesome LA Hearts contests! They're signed *squee*

From various book stores for under $2:
The Minister's Daughter - Julie Hearn
The Secret Rites of Social Butterflies - Lizabeth Zindel
Girl of the Moment - Lizabeth Zindel
The Will of the Empress - Tamora Pierce
Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers - Louise Rennison (I actually got this and the book above together for 2.60! and it has a CD with it.)
Sight - Adrienne Maria Vrettos
Aimee - Mary Beth Miller

The mooched/swapped:
The Faerie Path - Frewin Jones
Secret Society Girl - Diana Peterfreund
The Society of S - Susan Hubbard
Waking Up to Boys - Hailey Abbott
Dreamland - Sarah Dessen

From Booksales:
How To Deal - Sarah Dessen
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Lucky - Alice Sebold
Innocence - Karen Novak
24 Girls in 7 Days - Alex Bradley
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Lady Knight - Tamora Pierce
To Live Again - Lurlene McDaniel
Sweet 16 - Kate Brian
The Clique: Kristen - Lisi Harrison
Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani
Julius Caesar - Shakespeare
The Comedy of Errors - Shakespeare
The Odyssey - Homer
The Iliad - Homer

Darcy's Story- Janet Aylmer
The Jane Austen Book Club - Karen Joy Fowler
I picked these 2 up for the Everything Austen Challenge

I also got an ACT workbook :P It was brand new for .50! So I figured why not.
And The Complete Professional Audition - I figured it'd be something worth just having around.

What'd you guys get this week?

Waiting On Wednesday (13) - Candor by Pam Bachorz

Waiting on Wednesday is a topic brought to life by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. With WOW, you get to introduce to everyone upcoming books you're excited about.


Candor
Pam Bachorz
Release Date: September 22, 2009

In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, Oscar Banks has found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages that turn even the most troubled kids into model citizens. On the outside, he's the perfect Candor teen, and no one knows that he's built an entire business around helping new kids escape before the Messages take hold.

But then Nia Silva moves to town, and Oscar thinks she's perfect exactly the way she is. Soon he must make a choice: let Nia be lost to the brainwashing, or help her stay special and risk himself in the process.

What're you guys "waiting" for this week?

Awards!

The past few weeks I've gotten a few awards!


I received the Lemonade Award from Alexa &
Shayla
The Lemonade Award is a feel good award that shows great attitude or gratitude. Here are the rules for accepting this award:
-Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog or post.
-Link your nominees within your post.
-Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
-Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

1. Taschima
2. Reggie
3. Sab H

I received the Humane Award from Shayla

About the Humane Award, which was created by Eleni.

This award is to honor certain bloggers that are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendship trhough the blog world.

1. Leslie
2. Mitali
3. Arya

I also received the Your Blog Rocks from Shayla


I'm going to nominate the following for this award!

1. Chelsea
2. Nicole
3. Lizzy

I got the Me-to-You award from Kate and Leslie!
(I love the picture, it's adorable!)

1. Shayla
2. Chelsea
3. Harmony

I got the Zombie Chicken Award from Reggie


I'm going to nominate:

1. Harmony
2. Nicole
3. Shayla