My Signature

So I went on mylivesignature.com today to look for my signature, because a good amount of the people of TEEN TUESDAY had them and I felt left out so I checked it out. My signature is more bubbly and connected, but this is the one I choose

It's sort of similar, but the letters are closer together and my m's, n's and h's are more bubbly. Maybe one day I'll take a pic of my handwriting so I can show you, but here it is, nonetheless.

September Contest!!

The Book: The Elite by Jennifer Banash




Timespan: September 5th through September 26th

How to Get Points:
1 ENTRY
- Post a new comment on this post with your name and email address.
- Post a new comment on a book review on my blog.
- Post a new comment on an interview on my blog.

2 ENTRIES
- Make a bulletin on MySpace advertising my blog. (Make sure we're friends first, so I can see it.)
- Post a link about this contest on your blog.
- Join Wired Wednesday, which is another of my blogs.
- Refer someone to my contest and make sure they tell me.

3 ENTRIES
- Make me a banner or button to advertise my blog or Wired Wednesday.

4 ENTRIES
- Make me an animated banner or button to advertise my blog or Wired Wednesday.

When you've done something to gain points, please email me with what you did in the subject line (a different email for each task, please). words.speak.volumes@gmail.com is the address. Have fun.

I have decided to do this on Friday, so that I can call it Free Friday. I love alliteration. I am now part of Salon Sunday, Teen Tuesday, Wired Wednesday, Booking through Thursday (no alliteration, but it sounds cool all the same), and Free Friday. Free Friday will occur on the FIRST Friday of every month.

P.S. If you have any more ideas, you can email them to me and I'll pick the amount of points.

Booking Through Thursday: Volume Two

Peer Pressure

I was looking through books yesterday at the shops and saw all the Twilight books, which I know basically nothing about. What I do know is that I’m beginning to feel like I’m the *only* person who knows nothing about them.

Despite being almost broke and trying to save money, I almost bought the expensive book (Australian book prices are often completely nutty) just because I felt the need to be ‘up’ on what everyone else was reading.

Have you ever felt pressured to read something because ‘everyone else’ was reading it? Have you ever given in and read the book(s) in question or do you resist? If you are a reviewer, etc, do you feel it’s your duty to keep up on current trends?

Giving that I am a reviewer, I often feel as though I am expected to be up on the trends. I read Twilight and New Moon in seventh grade and I just started my Freshman year on Tuesday. I want to re-read them to be ready to read Eclipse and Midnight Sun. My friends love the series. I have one friend who's read Twilight at least eight times. My other friend finished Midnight Sun in less than forty-eight hours. I am not pressured as much to read Eclipse as I am to read Midnight Sun, because it just came out. It's new. At school, nobody except me and my friends view reading as a fun, relaxing, voluntary experience. So nobody can really pressure me to read something. My friends wouldn't do that. They just want me to enjoy it. If they really liked it, they'll recommend it and leave it at that.

What I really don't like is offering to review a book for someone and I don't enjoy it. Then I feel as though I'm obligated to finish it. I do it anyway because my curiosity overcomes me, but sometimes I just think, 'There's so many way better books out there that I could be reading. Why do I have to read this?' Then I remember that I offered to read it and review it and that's like a client.... kind of.

Well, I hope that answers your question. Thanks for reading.

Wired Wednesday: Volume Two

Feeling: Pretty energized

Current Book: Fringe Benefits by Valerie Frankel

Next Book In Line: Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress by Tina Ferraro

Last Book Blog Seen (besides your own): Teen Tuesday

Link This Blog Please. Click Here.

Are you impressed by that Blog? Of course, there are so many thoughts and ideas there from other reviewers.

Any plans for today? Well, I plan to take a shower and get dressed. I will do my hair and makeup, and then I will make some breakfast. Then I have SCHOOL = Physical Science, Spanish II, World History, Band/Choir, World Lit, Lunch, Health, Intro To Food Service, and Geometry. After that, I have practice from 3:30 until 6:30ish. On the sheet, it says we get out at 6:15, but that never happens. Then I might get a haircut and eat some supper. Yup, that's pretty much it.

Teen Tuesday: Volume One

Okay, people! I though this must be a joke, but nope. There she was all perky sitting in her seat a big cup of coffee next to her newly organized desk. Mrs. Blank (for security), my Freshmen Physical Science teacher, was ready. Ready to torture and rudely awaken the awaiting freshmen sitting at the tables in front of her. She then explained to us how this year would go and how there would be no way we could get by cheating the way that most of us did last year (not me, I didn't need to cheat) because we have tests/quizzes every Friday.

I have really survived my first day of high school unharmed, unless you count the matching blisters on the back of my heels from the cutest purple flats in the world. I however didn't have time to read at all and was officially about 20 minutes late to Health class with Mr. Blank (nope, no relation :D) because I had to refill the water machine for Student Council.

This week was a good one for me. I posted reviews for the following:

Anatomy of A Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky - 4.5

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen - 4.5

How I found the Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood - 2

Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita - 3.5

Violet On The Runway by Melissa Walker - 4

Ambition by Kate Brian - 5

Legacy by Kate Brian - 4.5

Inner Circle by Kate Brian - 4

I am currently reading Fringe Benefits by Valerie Frankel. It's pretty good. I read it until ten last night when I went to sleep. I still can't believe I fell asleep at such an early hour. :)

My blog will be hosting a contest for a surprise author coming soon, plus an author review. Just stay posted.

29. Anatomy of A Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

Before all this happened, the closest I’d ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it’s not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone a relationship.

Then I met Wes, a track-star senior from across town. Maybe it was his soulful blue eyes, or maybe my hormones just started raging. Either way, I was hooked. And after a while, he was too. I couldn’t believe how intense my feelings became, or the fact that I was seeing-and touching-parts of the body I’d only read about in my Gray’s Anatomy textbook. You could say Wes and I experienced a lot of firsts together that spring. It was love. And then came the fall.

I enjoyed this book, but it definitely wasn’t as good as others that I’ve read. The main character, Dominique, isn’t very strong. She spends too much time with her boyfriend and becomes obsessed with the way that they are seen and how much time they spend together.

RATING: 4.5 stars

Back To School

13 hours and counting before my first day of high school starts.....



I'm only a little nervous. I know at least one person in each of my classes which is good. One of my best friends, Jade, is in 8 of my 9 classes, which is pretty exciting. I have a new book that I started tonight. FRINGE BENEFITS by Valerie Frankel. I'm bringing it along in my new purse. For school, I always get new stuff, that's part of the fun.

Tomorrow is a big day for me. I have my first day of high school, which is exciting, of course.
Then tomorrow is also my first high school volleyball game. I'm on the freshman team and I can't wait. I just got new shoes and they're orange, one of my school colors. I'm going to get back to reading, because being in school makes me want to read even more.

28. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

"Ruby, where is your mother?"

With that question fromt he social worker, Ruby knows the game is up.

She's been living alone in the old yellow house, waiting out months until she turns eighteen and can finally be on her own legally. It certainly wasn't in her plan to be reunited with Cora, the sister who left ten years before, and broguth to live with Cora and her weathly entrepreneur husband.

Suddenly life is transformed: a luxurious house, private school, new clothes, and even the chance of a future Ruby couldn't have dreamed of. So why is she wary and unable to be grateful, incapable of letting anyone close? Her old life has been left behind, but where does she fit in this new life? Only Nate, the genial boy next door, seems to understand, perhaps becasue he's hiding some secrets of his own.

Funny, perceptive, and touching, Lock and Key will delight the legions of Sarah Dessen fans and win many new ones.

Lock and Key was a good read. It was longer, over 400 pages, but sometimes you love books like that. You just want to keep reading when the book ends, you wish it hadn’t. The storyline has so many plot twists and it’s different from the other Sarah Dessen novels you love, but you still wish you were like Ruby just like you do with Dessen’s many other protagonists.

I would have to say that some of the story was predictable. You knew how she would handle the situation, but you just as to read it to make sure. I would definitely recommend it.

RATING: 4.5 stars

Today/Tomorrow/The Day After

Okay, so the rest of today/tomorrow/the day after (plus a bunch more days after that) are going to be so busy. I'm just gonna get right to my point.

My Schedule:

THE REST OF TODAY-8/28
11-12: Cleaning my room

TOMORROW-8/29
12-1: Reading & Surfing The Web (I can't get to sleep before 1 o'clock anywayz, might as well do something useful)
1-6: Sleeping
6-6:50: Getting Ready & Drinking Coffee & Checking my e-mail/blog/myspace
6:50-7: Driving To My Dad's House
7-7:45: Waiting at my Dad's House (Watching TV & Drinking More Coffee)
7:45-7:55: Walking to school
7:55-8:15: Organizing My Locker (No school hasn't started yet, I just know my combo, so I'm gonna bring my stuff now.)
8:15-8:30: Getting Ready for Volleyball Practice
8:30-10:40: Volleyball Practice
10:40-10:50: Get Ready to Go Home
10:50-11: Walk Home
11-11:30: Make lunch & eat it (What? I don't know yet)
11:30-4: Chill Time & Showering (The only time I really have to just hang out by myself all weekend.) Plus Brandy (a friend) arrives sometime in this area.
4-4:10: Driving to my mom's house
4:10-10: Hang out with Brandy (Watch movies & sit in the hot tub & surf the net)
10-12: Sleeping (Hopefully we fall asleep by then.)

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW-8/30
12-4:30: Sleeping (Hopefully)
4:30-5:30: Getting Ready
5:30-5:45: Find Something to Eat for Breakfast (and Coffee)
5:45-5:55: Andrea (a junior) picks us up to bring us into town (SCHOOL)
5:55-6: Wait for all the other Student Council members to arrive
6-6:45: Ride the Bus to the Craft Show
6:45-2:45: Help out at the Craft Show (and earn Community Service hours)
2:45-2:50: Get Ready to Leave
2:50-3:35: Ride the Bus Back to School
3:35-5:45: Going to a friend's house (don't know which one yet)
5:45-6: Getting to another friend's (spoiled) surprise party
6-10: Participating in said party
10-10:10: Getting back to my mom's house
10:10-10:50: Getting ready for bed
10:50-11:30: Checking e-mail/blog/myspace
11:30-12: Reading & Watching TV on my laptop

THE DAY AFTER THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW-8/31
12-12:30: Reading & Watching TV on my laptop
12:30-1: Trying to fall asleep
1-5:45: Sleeping
5:45-6:45: Getting Ready
6:45-7: Drinking Coffee, maybe finding something to eat
7-8:40: Driving to my aunt's church
8:40-9: Mingling in the lobby and drinking more coffee
9-10:30: Church Service
10:30-10:50: More Mingling
10:50-11:10: Driving to my aunt's house
11:10-4: Family Bonding
4-6: Heading into town (shopping, maybe?)
6-9:30: More family bonding
9:30-10: Being forced to lay down because school's coming up, but there's no way I'm going to sleep
10-11:30: Reading
11:30-12: Possibly falling asleep (if not, more reading)

THE DAY AFTER THE DAY AFTER THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW-9/1
12-10: Catching up on my sleeping
10-12: Family bonding
12-1:30: Driving Home
1:30-2: Getting Caught up on my laundry (and my family's)
2-4: Relaxing as much as I can (Checking e-mail/blog/myspace)
4-6: Reading and reviewing, hopefully
6-9: Watching a movie with the fam, checking to make sure we have all our school supplies.
9-10:30: More reading and reviewing
10:30-11: Trying to Get to Sleep

9/2
SCHOOL

I guess what i'm just trying to say is that I'm going to be SOOOOOO UBER busy that you shouldn't hope for any more reviews until Monday, but I will try. I promise I will. Well, now I need to get started on my room. Good night to you reviewers and Good Morning to REVIEWER X, I think. I don't actually know what time it is wherever she is. But Good Morning/Night anywayz, toodles.

Booking Through Thursday: Volume One

This week's BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY post goes like this:

If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?

Or, um, is it just me?

I have to say that I am a mix of all of those. Definitely for the story. If the story isn't interesting, then why read it? I hate to keep reading a book, when I don't enjoy it. I also like to see the character development and interaction. I love people watching and reading is like doing it from your own home. (I'm a pretty nosy person.) I don't like metaphors much because if I don't understand them, then I feel stupid. I'd rather people just say what they mean.

Though when an author can make you laugh out loud or just start crying in the middle of a chapter, you know that person has unbelievable writing skills. You know that they really enjoy their profession. However, like Deb, I'd have to say that I'll keep reading for the story. I read because I want to know what's coming.

I enjoyed this post. Thanks Deb.

Things I'm A Part Of

YA Books Bloggers is also really cool. I posted my first blog today. I'm really excited to see what all the other bloggers have to say.

Booking Through Thursday is a cool site. All you have to do is answer the post.

Random Buzzers is so cool. Just joined today. I already love it.

Weekly Geeks is one of the best hidden secrets on the web. Plus I think this pic is so cute.

Wired Wednesday: Volume One

This is a new addition to the blog. On Wednesday as soon as you get up, grab a cup of coffee (or something else that's caffienated, if your not a coffee addict like me). Nothing before. We need some coffee to get us through the rest of this Hump Day. Then state how you feel on the blog and answer the following questions.

Feeling: A little tired

Current Book: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Next Book In Line: Top Ten Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress

Last Book Blog Seen (besides your own): The Reading Sanctuary

Link This Blog Please. Click Here

Are you impressed by this Blog? Yes, I liked the layout.

Any plans for today? I have volleyball practice until 4:30 then at 5:15, I have to babysit with the rest of the freshmen in Student Council. Then I will come home, shower, eat something, and begin to read.

New Stuff II

September is going to be a big month. A bunch of stuff is coming up.

1. A contest is coming. The name of the book is to be announced.
2. An author review is coming. The name of the author is also to be announced.
3. A new addition to this blog, a reviewer review is coming. Again, to be announced.
4. A poll is coming. I don't even need to write it. TBA.
5. Then a bunch of reviews will be coming.

I am very excited and you should be too. SEPTEMBER is the month to be here. Only six more days.

27. How I Found The Perfect Dress by Maryrose Wood

I had the most unbelievable summer. On a bike tour of Ireland, I fell head over handlebars for the hunky guide, Colin, and-oh, yeah-magically discovered that I'm a half-goddess. Then it was back to my painfully normal life-and my relationship with Colin fizzled to the occasional e-mail-until he wrote saying he was coming here!

But Colin's arrival is not so magical-the poor guy's exhausted. It seems that when I found my goddess mojo, a spell was cast on Colin. In his dreams he's forced to dance till dawn with the faeries, who want to boogie for an eternity. If I don't break the enchantment somehow, the prom I've been dreaming of will be Colin's worst nightmare. Look out, faeries, Colin's next dance is with me!

Can this half-goddess dance the night away with the mortal of her dreams?

I didn't enjoy this book. It read long and I wish I had read the first one in the series to see if it was the same.

RATING: 2 stars

26. Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita

I'm going to let you in on a little Hollywood secret: Movie stars don't always get along. It's true. You can't believe everything you hear during interviews on Access Hollywood. When a star is asked about her costar, she'll gush about how the two are best buds who go to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf every Saturday morning after Ashtanga yoga for a fat-free Ice Blended. The truth is they probably haven't seen each other outside work in six months. Celebrities will say anything for good publicity.

How do I know? You've probably already guessed. I'm on of them. I'm Kaitlin Burke, one of Teen People's "25 Hottest Stars Under 25." Number six on Entertainment Weekly's "It List."

I thought this book was predictable, but highly addictive. I love any journal book, and this one was interesting. I just kept reading.

RATING: 3.5 stars

25. Violet On The Runway by Melissa Walker

ON THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED

THE LADY IN THE GIANT CHANEL SHADES

STARED ME UP AND DOWN

"Gorgeous, I've got fall castings coming up and I think you could be IT. And I mean IT. Are you busy next weekend? I can have you on a flight to New york Friday Night. If it's up to me, I say you're the next Kate Moss-but, you know, taller and without the PR problems...I hope!" Then she threw her perfectly highlighted hair back and laughed, which gave me a good look at her straight white veneers.

So that's how I happen to have this business card in the front pocket of my jeans as I start my senior year of high school. The card of Angela Blythe from Tryst Models in New York City, who wants to put me on a plane this weekend and whisk me into her world of high-heeled boots and oversized sunglasses. Me, Violet Greenfield, who's been P-L-A-I-N practically forever.

And you wanna know a secret? I'm going...


I really liked this book. Violet is such an interesting character. She's really strong and a bit predictable, but you love her for it. In this world that she now lives in, in this world of running around and magazine shoots and backstabbing your best friends, you need to know there's one thing that will stay strong.

RATING: 4 stars

24. Ambition by Kate Brian

THE HIGHER YOU CLIMB, THE FARTHER YOU HAVE TO FALL...

Reed Brennan knew being elected president of exclusive Billings Hall would change her life. What she didn't count on was being dumped by her boyfriend, Josh Hollis, or being held responsible for a fire that destroyed Easton Academy's oldest building.

AND NOW THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SHUT BILLINGS DOWN. FOREVER.

As president, it's up to Reed to save Billings Hall. What better way to win over the headmaster than to host a glam fund-raising event in New York City? Everyone needs a date, and the newly single Reed is the most eligible girl on campus. All of Easton's hottest boys are angling to take her out, and for once, Reed's biggest problem is which one to choose.

Reed has never felt so popular or powerful until the police start asking questions about Cheyenne Martin's death. Excited party buzz quickly turns to whispered rumors and dark moods, and one thing is clear: There is someone who wants to see Billings, and Reed, go down. And they will do anything to make it happen.

I probably liked this one second best. Confessions will always be my all-time favorite, well until Revelation comes out, because that looks so good. This one Reed really shows that she is a force to be reckoned with. She's a tough person and she'll stand up for what she thinks is right.

RATING: 5 stars

23. Legacy by Kate Brian

THE PRICE OF POWER.

After Cheyenne Martin's death, everyone at Easton Academy is struggling to recover from yet another tragedy-especially the girls of Billings Hall. With Cheyenne gone, they need to elect a new leader. And who better than Reed Brennan, the ultimate Billings Girl?

As the new Billings president, Reed suddenly has access to power she never imagined. Gossip is reported to her immediately. She has first dibs on everything from dining tables to dorm rooms, and Billings's most powerful alumnae are at her beck and call. So when Easton's students discover they're the only prep school on the East Coast not invited to this year's ultra-exclusive Legacy party, everyone turns to Reed to get them back on the list.

REED IS THE MOST POWERFUL GIRL AT EASTON.

She revels in her newfound status, but knows better than anyone that the Billings leaders have a tainted legacy: Ariana was institutionalized, Noelle was expelled, and Cheyenne just died. History has a way of repeating itself at Easton, and now that Reed has everything she's ever wanted, she has everything to lose.

This book was just as good as the others. Though, it does change the perspective, because Reed has become popular and idolized. The Reed we all knew was awkward and unsure of herself. She didn't know how to handle situtations, much less be in the center of things. She's grown up, but she's still the same girl.

RATING: 4.5 stars

22. Inner Circle by Kate Brian

LAST YEAR WAS THE BEGINNING. WELCOME TO THE INNER CIRCLE.

Reed Brennan arrived at Easton Academy expecting to find an idyllic private school experience-challenging classes, adorably preppy boys, and a chance to create a new life for herself. Instead, she discovered lies, deception, blackmail, and ... murder. But, thanksfully, the killers were caught and the nightmare is finally over.

THE OLD BILLINGS GIRLS ARE GONE.

Now, with a new school year ahead of her, Reed steps back on Easton's ivy-covered campus ready to start over. So when the headmaster announces that Billings is forbidden from holding their traditional, secretive initiation, Reed is relieved. She champions the new rules and the six new girls the administration has picked to live in Billings Hall: Constance, Missy, Lorna, Kiki, Astrid, and newcomer Sabine.

But Reed's fellow Billings resident and new nemesis, Cheyenne Martin, believes the changes are a mockery of Billings history. Despire the new rules, Cheyenne vows to keep the old ways alive, no matter what-or who-stands in her way...

I liked this book. It took me forever to find it but it's like I just re-started and I feel as though I never stopped reading this series. It's definitely not as good as the others, but it's still a really great read.

RATING: 4 stars

21. True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet by Lola Douglas

Teen star Morgan Carter's mom is trying to kill her. At least, that's what Morgan thinks when she's sent to Fort Wayne, Indiana, after a near overdose outside L.A.'s Viper Room.

Morgan's been sent to recover out of the spotlight. Way out. She's been given a major makeunder, a new name, and a completely different identity. Her plan? To keep a diary of the experience, have it published as a tell-all book, and stage a comeback. But when this L.A. girl finds love and a new life in Middle America, will she abandon it for another shot at super stardom?

Makeunder: New dark brown hair, fake squared-off fake tortoiseshell glasses, removing all traces of makeup, clothing from Target, Old Navy, and Payless

Name: Claudia Miller

Identity: Claudia Miller moved from New York to get away from the drama at her school. She moved in with her aunt and wanted to start new.

It's an interesting book and a fast read.

RATING: 4 stars