Congratulations

Dominique [the Book Vault] is the winner of the contest. I will contact you soon. Thanks everyone for participating. Another contest is on its way.

Author Review: Jody Gehrman

Name: Jody Gehrman
Age: 36
Best-Known book: Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty

1. Why did you want to start writing?
I can't even recall, really; I've just always done it.

2. Fave Author
Really, it depends on my mood (classic or comedic, dark or fluffy). Some of my favorites are Vladimir Nabokov, Jane Austen, Helen Fielding, Nick Hornby. In YA: Maureen Johnson, Scott Westerfeld, Megan McCafferty, Louise Rennison.

3. Fave Place to Write
In my writing room. There's a hummingbird feeder in front of my window that keeps me entertained while I'm finding the next sentence.

4. Fave Food
Ice Cream.

5. Fave Book Blog
Hmm...that's a tough one. I bounce around a lot.

6. Fave Article of Clothing
Right now? This little black tank top that's comfy yet flattering.

7. Describe Your Room.
My boyfriend built our bed; the headboard and footboard (is that what you call it?) are both wave-shaped. It's got white walls and periwinkle trim (the only room in our house that's painted white!) It's sunny, small and sweet.

8. Did you imitate the characters in your book from people in your life?
Not really. They're composite characters; little pieces come from friends and acquaintances, but then each one takes on a life of her own.

9. What Book are you reading now?
I just stared My Most Excellent Year.

10. Do you like to write on the computer or in paper? Why?
I do outlines and notes by hand at first, but I compose the actual book on a computer. The computer is good for editing on the fly and really getting each sentence right, but writing by hand helps me think through the stickier issues.

11. Who are you most like: Hero, Amber, or Geena? Why?
Geena, probably, though there's a little of me in all the characters. Geena and I share a certain perspective on the world and we both love words. She's got a funny mixture of confidence and insecurity. I think we've got that in common, too.

12. Fave Coffee Drink:
I'm moody. Somedays I like mochas, other cappucinos, still others I'll go for a caramel macchiato. I crave variety.

13. Fave Part about being an author and Why?
Sometimes I just sit around and try to imagine my book in people's hands. I picture readers lying by the pool, sitting on airplanes, waiting in doctor's offices, all of them reading my words, and it gives me this indescribable thrill. After writing for so many years with an audience of mostly family and friends it's mysterious and wonderful to be reaching strangers, touching their imaginations in some way.

14. What would you say to a teen trying to get a novel finished and written? One who is trying to actually get it published?
Write what you love as often as you possibly can and don't let anyone who trivializes your work get too close to you. Take yourself seriously in terms of the amount of time and energy you give to it, but also let there be pleasure and a sense of whimsy in your writing life. External validation is always a blast, but it's the delight you take in the writing itself that will keep you coming back.

15. Anything that you'd have liked me to ask??
No, those were great questions!

CHOOSE ONE:
Coke or Pepsi Coke
Snickers or Kit-Kat Snickers!
L.A. or N.Y.C. NYC, though I'm a native Californian...
Roses or Daisies Roses
Writing or Reading Writing
Dogs or Cats Cats
CoverGirl or Maybelline Maybelline I think
Texting or Calling Texting, usually
Butterflies or Fireflies Fireflies
Cooking or Take-out Take-out
Flip-flops or Tennies Flip-flops
Last One: What is the number 1 item to have with you at all times during the summer?

A fabulous hat.

9. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Pretty Little Liars is about four friends. Or well, they used to be friends. Hanna, Aria, Spencer, and Emily are all best friends with Ali, the most popular girl in school in the beginning of the book. Then Ali goes missing, or she died. Nobody really knows for sure. Anyway, the girls split up after that. Hanna becomes best friends with a girl that they used to pick on and they are both really popular. Aria moved to Iceland with her family, until she moves back. Spencer pours herself into her school work and spends all of her time doing activities that will look good on her application. Emily begins swimming and spends a lot of time with her boyfriend. Then three years later, Aria moves back and the story really begins.

They all start to get notes/text messages/emails that talk about the things, we'll say, they don't want talked about. So someone knows their secrets. The only person who ever knew these secrets was Ali. They wonder if Ali is back and if she's coming after them. Then they have more problems. However, all of these problems had sort of started when Ali was there with them.

Hanna uses bulimia to stay beautiful and skinny. Ali was the first (only) person to know that she was bulimic, and she was there when she first began. Aria is crushing on her teacher (and he's crushing back). Ali was the first (only) person to know that her father had a similar relationship. Emily is crushing on the new girl in school (and she's crushing back). Ali was the first (only) girl who Emily had ever crushed on before. Spencer is crushing on her sister's boyfriend (and he's crushing back). Ali is the first (only) person to know that this isn't the first time. When all of these messages detail the things that had happened in the past, they can't help but wonder if she's back.

Read this book. You won't be sorry. I can't wait to get started on the rest of the series.

RATING: 4 stars

8. Confessions of A Triple Shot Betty

First off, I loved this book. I am in the process of applying for a job at a coffee shop sort of like this one in the book and I really hope I get it. But anywayz, back to the book. Geena is the regular sorta-tomboy, boys-kinda-suck, skateboarding chick. But she is also super smart and hangs out with the skank of the town. She also works at the coffee shop. Geena hopes this is the summer to remember. She'll have her best girl friend, Amber, and her cousin, Hero, there to do girly things with like tan around and paint their nails and go shopping. Then Hero arrives and right off the bat Amber is positive she doesn't like her. So they fight. Then Hero finds a love interest. He likes her too.

However, the player of the town, the irrestiblely hot John Jamieson likes Hero and he won't give up until she finally admits that she likes him too. Everyone is surprised that Hero doesn't latch on to John, as any other girl would do, even Amber and Geena. Then something happens that (mmhmm that's right, I'm not gonna tell you) will keep you guessing how its gonna turn out.

I got this book in the mail yesterday and I finished it this afternoon. That just tells you how good it is.

RATING: 5 stars

Author Review: Tina Ferraro

Name: Tina Ferraro
Age: (my agent won’t let me answer this!)
Best-Known book: Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress

1. Why did you want to start writing?
Because I didn’t know any better! J I was 7 and it was fun!

2. Fave Author:
I love the books that my critique partner, Kelly Parra, writes.

3. Fave Place to Write:
Here at the computer!

4. Fave Food:
Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie...

5. Fave Book Blog:
The two I participate on, YA Fresh (http://www.yafresh.blogspot.com/) and Buzz Girls (http://www.yawriters.blogspot.com/)

6. Fave Article of Clothing:
My “Stressed Out” sweatshirt.

7. Describe Your Room:
Well, my room being my office...two computer stations, a long, cluttered table, a couple couches, bookshelves and a treadmill.

8. Did you imitate the characters in your book from people in your life?
Not directly, no, but definitely there are stereotypes.

9. What Book are you reading now?

WAKE by Lisa McMann.

10. Do you like to write on the computer or in paper? Why?
Computer. My brain and my fingers are fast!

11. Where did your inspiration for “Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress”?
I saw a book called 101 THINGS TO DO WITH A BRIDESMAID DRESS and it started me thinking...what if it was a prom dress? An UNWORN prom dress. What if the guy dumped her 27 hours before the prom... And away I went! J

12. Are you at all like Kate DelVecchio? Were you inventive/creative as a teen?
NO! Kate and I are polar opposites. She’s directed and calm and methodical, and I’m, um, not. And as a teen, yes, I was very creative, writing stories and inventing games. My friends thought I was a bit weird (but they loved me anyway).

13. What is a bit of the plot from The ABC’s of Kissing Boys?
Parker Stanhope doesn’t make Varsity Soccer with all her JV friends. She devises a crazy-but-might-just-work scheme to encourage the coach to promote her, which requires her to kiss the socks off the prom king at the sports fair.

14. What would you say to a teen trying to get a novel finished and written? One who is trying to actually get it published?
I would tell her/him to remember that storylines are done again and again and again, but your voice is what makes it special. So play with your voice, take risks and have fun, and you can’t go wrong.

15. Anything that you’d have liked me to ask??
How about what’s my favorite TV show? I’m a LOST junkie!

CHOOSE ONE:
Coke or Pepsi: Tough one--I like Coke Classic and Diet Pepsi
Snickers or Kit-Kat: Snickers
L.A. or N.Y.C.: I see the beauty in both.
Roses or Daisies: Roses (‘cause they’re romantic)
Writing or Reading: Writing on good days; reading on bad
Dogs or Cats: I am a cat lady!
CoverGirl or Maybelline: Maybelline, ever since I learned models use their mascara
Texting or Calling: Both, but I’m a slow texter
Butterflies or Fireflies: Fireflies because I like the night!
Cooking or Take-out: Easy, take-out because I hate to cook
Flip-flops or Tennies: tennis, unless I’ve just had a pedicure!

Last One: What is the number 1 item to have with you at all times during the summer?

Um...my driver’s license?

7. L8R G8R by Lauren Myracle

Okay, so this book begins with Doug coming back from a big semester-long world trip. Zoe goes with Maddie to meet him at the airport and they welcome him. They all believe that this senior year is going to be the best ever. However, they get into it with Jana, the evil queen bee, again. She is not going after Maddie this time. It's Zoe. Maddie and Angela are supposed to defend her. Zoe doesn't even really pay attention because she's spending all of her time with Doug. They are so codependent on each other that they're the only people the care about. Pranks between {Angela and Maddie} and Jana hit an all time high.
Then the senior prom comes and nobody will ever forget that. Angela and Maddie get kinda mad at Zoe because she won't stick up for them against Jana and Doug gets mad at her because she won't stick up for herself. She may have some issues to sort out there. Do you think she can do it? You'll just have to read and find out!
Sorry this review is so short. I'm just kinda out of it today. The next one will be longer. I PROMISE!

RATING: 3.5 stars

The First Contest!!!! Wh-HOO!

Ok, so anybody interested can sign up for this one. Tina Ferraro, author of 'How to Hook a Hottie' and '10 Uses for An Unworn Prom Dress', has let me host a contest for her. Please post a comment and tell me about your 'DREAM' prom, your preference of either of her books, and your name and email address. Thanks for participating. This contest ends on June 22nd. Thanks

Author Review: Rachel Paige Myers

ok, so this is my very first author review. Check her out at myspace.com/unfortunately_magnificent. She's so good!!

Name: Rachel Paige Myers

Age: Fifteen

Best-Known book: Unfortunately Magnificent

1. Why did you want to start writing?

I love to create stories. It was something to do.

2. Fave Author

I have a lot of favorite authors! Stephenie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Sarah Dessen, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. It's a never ending list!

3. Fave Place to Write Outside

under the sun on a blanket, with my headphones on.

4. Fave Food

Chicken tacos, and anything with ranch dressing.

5. Fave Book Blog

Words Speak Volumes of course!

6. Fave Article of Clothing

My navy blue sweater, although it's too hot to wear it now.

7. Describe Your Room.

A cluttered mess. There are clothes on my floor. Books piled high on every surface.

8. Did you imitate the characters in your book from people in your life? Actually no.

All these characters came from my head.

9. What Book are you reading now?

I just finished reading "Harmless" by Dana Reinhart. It was really good. Now I am reading "Inexcusable" by Chris Lynch.

10. Do you like to write on the computer or in paper?

Both. The computer is more convienent, but I like writing by hand better sometimes.

11. Are you ever nervous that you won't get published? Yes, I'm very nervous. I would be very disapointed if I didn't get published but I could accept it. I love writing and there are always other stories out there to be told. If not this one, maybe the next one.

CHOOSE ONE:

Coke or Pepsi----Coke

Snickers or Kit-Kat----Kit-Kat

L.A. or N.Y.C----I've never been to either, but if I had a choice, I'd go to new york city.

Roses or Daisies----Daises

Writing or Reading----Hmm. depends on my mood. Now in this moment, i would say writing.

Dogs or Cats----Dogs, I dislike cats very much. I have a Chiuahiua.

CoverGirl or Maybelline----Cover girl.

Texting or Calling----Texting, gives you time to think about what your going to say.

Butterflies or Fireflies----Fireflies

Cooking or Take-out----It depends on what's in the cabinets.

Flip-flops or Tennies----Flip-Flops

Last One: What is the number 1 item to have with you at all times during the summer?

What else but a book?

Summer Vacation

Guess what?

SUMMER is here! Summer vacation! Yay, I'm so glad. School had gotten so dramatic and unbearable. Now I've got 10 weeks of summer vacation. 10 weeks to re-invent myself before school. 10 weeks to chill out and just have fun. I'm so excited. Reading, my summer job, volleyball, and my friends are my main priorities right now. I'm really glad too.

6. TTFN by Lauren Myracle

Time for another book review. TTFN is the second in the IM-filled book series by Lauren Myracle. TTFN takes place in their junior year. The book begins with the girls satisfied with their lives and over everything that happened in the first book. Angela gets some bad news: her family is moving. Moving all the way across America to California, where she will indefinitely be separated from Zoe and Maddie. Maddie meets a new guy, Chive. Chive is perfect for Maddie until she finds out that he's into some pretty heavy stuff. Maddie is in love with him even though she won't admit it. Whitney, his girlfriend, isn't right for him, she says. She's too giggly and she never understands his jokes or blogs.
Zoe gets a new job and guess who else works there? Doug. You remember Doug. Doug, Angela's Doug. Of course, he's not really Angela's Doug, since they were never together; he only pined for her. She never accepted him and just turned him down over and over. He got over it. Now he likes Zoe. Zoe likes him back. Angela doesn't know this. So she called Doug, one night, drunk and sad. She told him that now she was ready. She wanted him and would kiss him if he were there. She was feeling lonesome and watching 'A Cinderella Story' isn't fun by yourself. Doug was confused. Hadn't Zoe told her about him? He told her that they were together and Angela was furious.
She decides not to talk to Zoe and becomes even more lonely in California. Towards the end, Glendy [:(] pushes Angela to the edge and she pulls a stunt that she normally wouldn't have. Zoe and Doug do something that isn't exactly Parental Approved, and Maddie gets caught. Caught doing what, you ask? You'll just have to read it.

RATING: 4 stars

Coming Soon

Okay, everyone.
HELLO!
Got your attention? Good. My very first, extremely anticipated (at least by me...and her) author interview is coming on Monday, June 9th. I will post a review hopefully every Monday after that, but I am starting with.....*drumroll-bum bum bum ba da da da bu bum bum* Ms. Rachel Paige Myers. She is an extremely amazing soon-to-be-published author, which is why I picked her. I wanted to start with something different. I didn't want to start with a fabulously-known author, who everyone else has interviewed. No, I wanted her. Her book, Unfortunately Magnificent, is great so far, at least what I've read. Anybody who wants to check it out can use my friends on myspace (she's in there) and Trust me, you won't be sorry. To check her out even more, you can come check out my blog on Monday to see her review. Thanks!
Um,
P.S. You can come and check it out before Monday too, because I will most definitely have some more book posts, starting with the rest of the TTYL series.
C Ya!

5. TTYL by Lauren Myracle

TTYL has always been one of my absolute favorite summer books. I promised myself that I would reread it before I posted it as a blog. So I did. I reread it today. I read it today, because today was the third to last day of school. Tomorrow we are going to a waterpark as our end of the year field trip and on Friday we will spend the day sitting around, signing yearbooks, and planning our summer as we flit from class to class.
TTYL takes place in the sophomore year of Angela (SnowAngel), Zoe (zoegirl), and Maddie (mad maddie)'s. The entire book is written in IM, which makes it that much more fun and easy to read. Seriously, if you get into it, you'd find yourself falling in love with the characters and realizing that there's some of them in all of us. Zoe, the shy brainiac, keeps the other two from killing each other and is so sweet nobody would expect that she has an 'affair' with a teacher. Angela is, well, boy-crazy, but we all can be a little bit, right? She falls for Rob, her Spanish partner. For a few weeks, Rob and Angela are perfect together. They go to parties together, have special dates, and even Zoe and Maddie are getting annoyed by all the talk that has been focused on Rob during their conversations. Then evil Tonnie begins to butt in and Angela can't accept that Rob is giving her a lot of attention. She thinks it's all Tonnie's fault, even when.... wait, I can't tell you about that. Can I? Anywayz, on to Maddie, Maddie has tried so hard to keep the 'winsome threesome' together until all of a sudden her arch-enemy, Jana, becomes her best 'friend'. She's skipping things with Zoe and Angela to hang out with her and she doesn't realize it.
Then one night, Maddie completely ditches Zoe and Angel, and she goes to a party with Jana. She looses it and does some regretable things. With a 10th grade year of seductive teachers, bad boys, and drama-loving queen bees, who wouldn't be in trouble? The real question is, will the 'winsome threesome' make it back together?

RATING: 4 stars

4. Confessions by Kate Brian

OHMIGOSH! These books just keep getting better and better. So Confessions starts out with the whole student population of Easton 'locked in'. They aren't allowed to leave the school grounds until the murder has been totally figured out. People become angry and rebel. Nobody wants to be held up in this place. Reed sneaks out one night and goes to the police station. She isn't allowed to talk to Josh, who's unfairly accussed of Thomas's death, and that makes her angry. Reed attempts to talk to Taylor, but she won't respond in an e-mail. Reed thinks that she is avoiding her for a reason and she thinks that Kiran, Noelle, and Arianna know that reason. Reed knows for sure that Josh is innocent. Her friends don't really believe her though. She tries to contact Blake Pearson, Thomas's absent brother, who doesn't show or contact in any form. Blake (and the school secretary) are the only people who have an alibi for Josh. (But that's a whole different part of the story)

They saw him the night Thomas was murdered. Neither of them will confess to it though. The secretary finally goes to the police and Josh is released. Noelle, Arianna, and Kiran are all sort of glad to have Josh back, but now they are pinpointing the murder on Blake. Next something happens that you would expect. The Billings Girls decide to leave the house and get drunk, a bit wasted, and over-all humiliate themselves at a friends house. After that, something you would NEVER expect comes. I'm not gonna write about it. You're just going to have to read it.

RATING: 5 stars

Author Meme

I was tagged by Plenty of Paper (Heather) http://plentyofpaper-reviews.blogspot.com/. So I guess I should get started!


(ahem) these be the RULES
Link to the person that tagged you
Post the rules somewhere in your meme
Answer those questions
Tag six people in your post
Let the tagees know they’ve been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog
Let the tagger know your entry is posted.

#1. Who’s your all-time favorite author, and why?
It's gotta be Lauren Myracle. Her books are so funny. I hvae read TTYL and TTFN so many times I can't even count. I read Rhymes With Witches last summer and I thought it was so funny. All of these girls are so serious about the popularity theft...wait, I don't wanna talk too much about that. EVERYONE should read that book. It's hilarious. haha. I emailed her once when I was having a really bad day and she sent back and she was so thoughtful. She told me that I could get through it and that I shouldn't worry so much about other people. The people that care about me will always be there. I was really touched and now I can't wait for Bliss, her next novel coming out August 20th. I'm buying it as soon as I can.
2. Who was your first favorite author, and why?
My first favorite author is Eric Carl. When I first learned to read, I had 'A Very Hungry Caterpillar' by my bed every night. It was the first book I could read on my own. That was when I was about three and a half. Since then I've read....idk, thousands of books, but he will always be my FIRST favorite.
3. Who’s the most recent addition to your list of favorite authors, and why?
The most recent has to be Kate Brian. I've read a few of her books before this month (Sweet 16, Megan McGowan's Guide), but lately I've been OBSESSED with the Private collection. I'm serious, I started Saturday and I've already finished 1, 2, and 3. They're great. I'd recommend them to anyone. The mystery keeps you reading way into the book until it's the last page, and even then you want to grab the next one in the series and begin right away.
4. If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth? Are there any you’d add on a moment of further reflection?
Kate Brian, Lauren Myracle, and Meg Cabot.... After a minute, I'd add Jodi Lynn Anderson, Alyson Nol, Ann Brashares, Lauren Halse Anderson, Lisi Harrison, Lurlene McDaniel, Aimee Friedman, Sarah Dessen, Cecily von Ziegesar, Zoey Dean, and the soon-to-be-published author of Unfortunately Magnificent
1. Steph (Reviewer X)
2. Tasha (And Another Book Read)
3. The Book Muncher http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com/
4. Muffins and Books http://cheeseandbooks.blogspot.com/
5. Book Bopper http://bookbopper.blogspot.com/
6. Em's Bookshelf emsbookshelf.blogspot.com

Now I have to keep my promise and inform you ppl up there!

3. Untouchable by Kate Brian

Whoa, if I keep going at this speed, I'm gonna have over a hundred books done by the end of this summer. Untouchable has to be the most suspenseful Private book so far. The book begins with Reed and the Billings girls and half of Easton Academy at Thomas' parents' house. He's dead. His parents seem unaffected except for the fact they have to miss their flight to Paris because of 'this'. This inconvience, aka their son's DEATH. The Billings Girls bail out early with Josh, Thomas's once-roommate. Nobody knows for sure how this handsome, popular, easygoing boy died. That doesn't stop the girls from doing a little digging. They figure out the name of his drug supplier and tell the police.

Meanwhile, it's Thanksgiving time at Easton. Which evidently means Break. They have an end of the term bash, which almost ends with Noelle bashing Taylor's face in. Nobody knows the reason for that. Reed knows that there's a secret somewhere that they aren't telling her. The students file out of school, all except for Reed, Josh, and Taylor. She left early that week in the middle of the night, which nobody wants to take about. Reed is confused and doesn't know why this girl was so distrought or why she left in Karin's mother's car. Reed and Josh are left at the school alone and things happen so fast that they are both confused and pleased by the time school starts back up again.

People return to school, all except for Taylor. Reed is told that Taylor is away and not returning. This stimulates more questions than answers and with Thomas's killer still out on the loose, the drug supplier had an 'alibi', people are way more uptight than usual. Reed finds out something about someone that she thought she knew and she knows that she has to do something about it. The ending is so surprising and mysterious (leaving you with more questions than answers!), You can't wait for the next book. CONFESSIONS! Lucky I have it sitting right beside me. As soon as I post this blog I am going to begin that book. Toodles!

RATING: 5 stars

You've Been Tagged

Rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

The nearest book was Invitation Only by Kate Brian. I reviewed it only two minutes ago. These are the 5th, 6th, and 7th sentences on page 123.

"I'd rather hear about your trip. Was it as amazing as it sounded?" Yes.

Now I've tagged you. Post it on your blog and send me a comment. Hehe

2. Invitation Only by Kate Brian

Okay, I'm totally getting the hang of this reviewing stuff. Today I rode in a car for about five hours. Four of those hours I was reading, enticed in this book, which I have to say is even better than the first. Reed (main character, again) is living at Billings. Billings Hall, the one place she most definitely wanted to go. She is an official Billings Girl. Or so she thinks. Soon enough, you find out that life on the other side of the tracks isn't as grand as you thought it would be. There's still struggles, hardships, and the occasional (if you count everyday) chore. She knows that this is still better than before.

So, Reed is enjoying the pleasures and hardships of Billings as she thinks about the boy that left her (and everyone else). She is confused because she doesn't know how she feels about him and she feels guilty because she is 'involved' with another boy. This boy is the kindest, most gentleman-like boy you would ever meet in high school and he happens to be in love with Reed. Reed doesn't feel the same about him, but her old roommate does. Reed attempts to get them together but it only backfires when she begins to use him to get something (or somewhere) she wants.

Blackmail from an unsuspecting source surprises you until you have no idea how its going to turn out. Reed is stuck between two very different, yet extremely similar, decisions and she just follows her heart looking out for herself and then for her friends. The ending is nothing you will ever predict. The last page leaves you wanting more. Excellent read.

RATING: 4.5 stars