Across the Pond by Storyheart

Finding himself packed off to friends in the USA, fifteen-year-old English born Fred Squire is not happy. Then he meets Brittany.

Struggling with his feelings for Brit and the language, Fred is further confused when he meets Brit's flirtatious friend, Angel.

Escaping from a confrontation with Steve Harris, the neighborhood bully, Brit tells Fred her dark secret about Harris, and Fred's world is turned upside down.

Life continues to throw Fred a curveball when he catches a baseball worth a small fortune. Further run-ins with Harris, a crazy family BBQ, and a chase through a mall all add to Fred's American adventure.

"Brit and her Brit", know that their young love will be followed by heartache when Fred has to return to England. But not before some final twists in the tale.

What i thought: Storyheart comes across as a modern day Judy Blume with Across The Pond. The book's humor is reminiscent of Blume's books that were written for younger audiences while touching on a serious subject similar to the books written for older audiences.

It is an extremely well written novel for a young adult romantic adventure. The characters are well developed and their escapades are believable. A fantastic story about teens, young love and what really happens when you go "Across the Pond". This book is a hilarious look at culture shock even when you both speak the same language and a fresh look at the ins and outs of teenage romance.

Readers will love laughing along with Fred as he finds out what it really means to be an American. It helps that Fred's a very likable character, and his humor is not only laugh-out-loud funny at times, but it's also very touching. He was a clever character, and i couldnt help but falling in love with the British 'Knight' myself.

Between the characterization and the well-paced plot, this book never becomes tedious. Since I traveled from the States to the UK recently, I was fascinated by the lead character's views as he traveled from the UK to the US. For American readers who grew up with the Harry Potter series, this book will be especially interesting. It shows the cultural differences on both sides.

This young adult novel provides wit, humor and a little romance. Although lacking suspense at times, this book is sweet, fun--although not always light--and entertaining. It does a good job of teasing out the differences and the similarities that two cultures share through the eyes of doting teenagers. It's a quick and solid read, a book that teenagers will love because it doesn't treat them like they're stupid and incompetent. It's well paced and doesn't talk down to the readers. Parents and other adults will enjoy this book as well.

If you are just looking for a sweet, short, easy, fun read, this is definately a good choice.

Thank-you Barry for the copy of your fantastic novel!

the Host by Stephenie Meyer

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.

Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves—Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

What i thought: This book is outstanding! I absolutely loved this book. It made me cry: I was full-on sobbing at the end of this. It is one of the most truly transcendent, uplifting, moving, awe-spiring, and inspiring books I've ever read. To say that this is a book about body snatching aliens says absolutely nothing about why I loved it--in the same way that saying Twilight is a vampire romance does it no justice, but even more so. It's a book about what it means to be human and to love, and not just romantically.

MANY people ask which is better--Twilight or the Host. And honestly, there is no answer to that. They are completely different in so many ways that there is no possible comparison.

The Host will grab you--from beggining to end--and keep you reading far into the night and will keep you thinking LONG after you turn the last page and shut its cover. This book really gets you thinking, and might change the way you view things--even love, pain, grief life, and death. It is a thoroughly haunting book, and Melanie/Wanderer's story is one you will never forget.

If you like this, there are so many different types of books that branch off from the Host that i truly cannot recommend any certain book or genre. Also, Meyer has mentioned that a second and third installment will/have been written (the second one is done, the third is not) and she will release information on them if/when they are edited/published (sorry about all of the /'s. i honestly am not sure about the sequels bussiness; Meyer has only mentioned other installments--and has not gone into detail.

click here for the excerpt on Stephenie Meyer's site! Also, there are three ways to read the complete book online for free. The first one is just the site with the ebook thing (it only takes up like half of the page--its annoying; i prefer the other types) text (for people who cant do Adobe Acrobat. this is even more annoying then the ebook thing. so annoying i would not even bother clicking that link), and the Adobe Acrobat pdf file (which i think works the best--and i just love Adobe pdf files)!

What Came Out Today?

Five books were released today! January has been particularly insane, with TWENTY TWO (omg!) book releases, and there is only ONE more left after today, but we still have eleven more crazy months left!

The five books that came out today are. . .

Seraph of Sorrow by MarryJanice Davidson:

Half weredragon. Half beaststalker. All heart.

Slowly coming into her own, Jennifer Scales just may be the bridge to bring the two warring sides of her family together—provided she can survive learning the most ancient skills of dragonkind.

This is the fourth book in the Jennifer Scales series, and sounds just as amazing as the ones preceding it--and hopefully following it. I have not yet read any of these books, but i suppose in had better start on them; they honestly look good! To read excerpts from the first novel in the series, click on the book's title: Jennifer Scales and the ancient Furnace

This full House by Virginia Euwer Wolff:

(the publishers site says it is released today, borders site says its released on February First. I may happen to be wrong. So kill me.)

Each discovery disturbs the arrangements of the known world, and it is our job

to stay alert to all possibilities.

LaVaughn believes she is keeping alert to all possibilities. She has made it through the projects, she's gotten over heartbreak, she's grown up, and now she's been admitted to the Women in Science program that might finally be her ticket to COLLEGE. But the discoveries she makes during her senior year in high school--two girls pregnant, with very few options--disturb everything in her known world. And in an effort to bring together people who should love each other, she jeopardizes the one prize she has sought her whole life long.

When do you know whether you're doing the right thing? What happens when you can't find a way to make lemonade out of lemons? Virginia Euwer Wolff takes on the biggest questions--about life and love, certainly, but also about girls and women, sacrifice and compassion--and has something quite rev-elatory to say about them in this full house.

Okay, i personally think that this book looks fantastic! The cover is cool, plus I love these kind of books, the ones that question what you know, see, think, and feel--and life itself.


To 'Browse Inside' (read the first 60 or so pages) this novel, click here, and when you reach the site, click 'Browse Inside,' which is located to the right of the cover picture, and above the 'Buy Now'!

No More Us for You by David Hernandez:

For a life to come together, sometimes it first has to fall completely apart.

Isabel is a regular seventeen-year-old girl, still reeling from the pain of her boyfriend's tragic death exactly one year ago.

Carlos is a regular seventeen-year-old guy, loves red licorice and his friends, and works at a fancy art museum for some extra cash.

The two have no connection until they both meet Vanessa, an intriguing new transfer student with a mysterious past. While Vanessa is the link that brings these two very different lives together, will she be the one that can also tear them apart?

In his stunningly beautiful second novel, David Hernandez gives his readers a poetic and profound story that tells of two completely different teenagers and how through everyday life and monumental tragedy lies endless possibility.

This books description reminds me of Sarah Dessens books. With the two completely different people meeting by chance. . . and changing eachothers lives. I dont know why, but these books always GET to me somehow. This is a MUST READ! (and the cover is cool; i love the books with candy on the covers)

As with the book preceding this, you can 'Browse Inside' this book by clicking here and then clicking the 'Browse Inside' which, yet again, is to the right of the image, and above the 'Buy Now.'

Warrior Princess by Frewin Jone:

"You can be a warrior, if you choose to be."

It takes just a moment for fifteen-year-old Branwen's life to change forever. In the blink of an eye the Saxons attack and her brother is killed. Almost as quickly, she is sent away from her home to a neighboring stronghold where she'll be safe from harm. Now Branwen lives as a princess should—surrounded by exquisite things and lavish quarters. But deep down remains the soul of a warrior.

Just when Branwen is sure she has been pushed to her limits, a chance encounter with a mystical woman in white forces her to question everything—and everyone—around her. With no time to lose, Branwen must make a choice: continue in the path her parents intended for her . . . or step into the role of true Warrior Princess.

Book looks good, covers cool. . . why not?

Browse Inside! (Click it! this one goes STRAIGHT to the browse inside page! yay!)

Envy: A Luxe Novel by Ana Godberson:

Jealous whispers.

Old rivalries.

New betrayals.

Two months after Elizabeth Holland's dramatic homecoming, Manhattan eagerly awaits her return to the pinnacle of society. When Elizabeth refuses to rejoin her sister Diana's side, however, those watching New York's favorite family begin to suspect that all is not as it seems behind the stately doors of No. 17 Gramercy Park South.

Farther uptown, Henry and Penelope Schoonmaker are the city's most celebrated couple. But despite the glittering diamond ring on Penelope's finger, the newlyweds share little more than scorn for each other. And while the newspapers call Penelope's social-climbing best friend, Carolina Broad, an heiress, her fortune—and her fame—are anything but secure, especially now that one of society's darlings is slipping tales to the eager press.

In this next thrilling installment of Anna Godbersen's bestselling Luxe series, Manhattan's most envied residents appear to have everything they desire: Wealth. Beauty. Happiness. But sometimes the most practiced smiles hide the most scandalous secrets. . . .

THis eagerly awaited third enstallment to the Luxe series continues with its twists and turns, and i just LOVE all of the covers for these books--very intriguing!

I think all of these looks fantastic, but some more than others. Comment, and tell me what YOU think!

Browse Inside! (also goes straight to the browse inside page! eeeee!)


POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Frostbite: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Rose Hathaway's got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian. (So not cool).

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladimir's on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians--including the legendary Janine Hathaway...Rose's formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose--and her heart--are in more danger than she ever could have imagined...


What i thought: Just like the first in its series, this book was amazing. The crafting of this novel is just fantastic! Richelle mead definatly knows how to write a story, and the endings of her books all leave you hungry for more.



Rose's character becomes even clearer throughout this book, and matures a lot. She begins to realize that she is going to be a gaurdien soon, and that it isnt just the fun and thrill of a fight; its a huge responsibility. Her love for Dimitri becomes much more dominent, and that itself simply enthralled me.

the stunning conflicts that occur through this novel will have you gasping, and feeling a feirce need to comfort the harmed characters. Because Rose, despite how tough she seems, has battling emotions. . . and needs to have someone to believe in, to lean on.

I think that these books are absolutely amazing! If you like PC/Kristen Casts thrilling House of Night Series, Vampire Academy seres is definatly for you. With a gripping plot, vampire-action, and forbidden romance, these books will have you from start to finish!




POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to the earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires--the ones who never die.

The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir; she is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

After two years of illicit freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Academy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking hearts.

Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's--but now their world is fraught with danger both inside and out of the Academy's iron gates. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities.

Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, confront the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their guard down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...

What i thought: Yes, the covers are tacky and cheesy (I ADMIT IT, FRANNE!), but the books themselves are amazing.

Rose, like Suze and Jess in Meg Cabot's AWESOME novels, has SERIOUS temper issues (As Suze puts it her 'anger mechanism is over sensitive') Very often, Rose feels as if she would find pleasure in throwing fists around, and definately never gives right hooks subtly. I related so much to Rose, I felt like I was her. Rose is strong and interesting, fighting for Lissa and so much more. Her character/personality was very clear through the entire story, and i loved that.

Mead knows what high school is really like, with parties, cliques, relationship drama, etc. She fantasticly intwines current high school issues with the problems between dhamphir/humans and Moroi (such as 'blood whores,' 'feeders', etc) at St. Vlads. I can't even explain how the author describes relationships (AWESOME!). Everything just makes sense, and I can even guess a character's feelings before they even say something, or state what it is they are going through emotionaly. That's how great the writing is, and how well you get to know the characters.

The storyline itself is amazing. . . Richelle Mead blends together her own version of vampires along with the very well known superstitions and legends. Mead sticks to the traditional but adds in her own twists on it that make the different types of vampires so much more believable and realistic. Richelle Mead is definitely one of my new favorites authors.

This book is a thrilling mixture of horror, romance, wacky teachers, sexy mentors, good friends, and just full-blown teen drama. I would especially recomend it to fans of L.J. Smith (especially the Vampire Diaries and Night World series), Stephenie Meyer (the Twilight Saga), P.C./Kristen Cast's House of Night series (especially these, with the vampire school) but really every teen reader would love these books (i have only read the first and half of the second, but still).

Also, say thanks to Hannah (from Books Books and more Books) who got me to read these books in the first place; lets face it, we all judge books by their covers.

Think it looks good? Read an Excerpt!

COMMENT ON THIS! (i really want to know what YOU think!) Thanks!

POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

When 16-year-old Scarlett Wakefield transfers from St. Tabby’s to Wakefield Hall Collegiate, she is relieved that no one knows her dark, haunting secret.

A few months ago, Scarlett was invited to an elite party with a guest list full of the hottest names in British society, including Dan McAndrew. Before the party, Scarlett had only imagined what it would be like to have her first kiss with Dan, but on the penthouse terrace, Dan leaned in close and she no longer had to wonder. Their kiss was beautiful and perfect and magical, and then . . .

Dan McAndrew took his last breath as she held him in her arms.

No one knows how or why Dan died, and everyone at St. Tabby’s believes Scarlett had something to do with it. But now that she’s safely hidden away at Wakefield Hall, Scarlett would rather forget that it ever happened. Only she can’t. Especially when she receives an anonymous note that will set her on the path to clearing her name and finding out what really happened to the first and last boy she kissed.

What i thought: What a fascinating story! this book was VERY well written, and i think this book is for all teens, despite the age of the characters, and the length of this book (its really short). The only thing that bothered me was how sometimes the story was slow, and since it was such a short book, that really effected what i thought. so about three fourths was very gripping and exciting/hooking, but the other 1/4 was entirely slow and uninteresting.
Lauren Henderson writes a wonderful story of a girl caught up in the desire to be part of the in crowd and having it going terribly wrong. The reader will keep wondering how Dan died and what Scarlett will do about it in the end. The mystery will keep you guessing until the final chapter. And the way Henderson crafts the story leaves it wide open for a sequel for Scarlett.

Its a fun blend of mean british girls, stuck up friends, and a whirlwind of mystery that builds up through the entire story. Fans of Libba Bray's books will enjoy this british murder mystery as well, and the ending will leave you gasping in anticipation for the sequel.
The breath-taking sequel was also released this month, on the same day as Kiss Me Kill Me.

Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson

WARNING: SPOILER- DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE ALREADY READ KISS ME KILL ME!!!

After discovering that someone saw what looked like Dan’s emergency EpiPen in A-lister Plum’s designer handbag, Scarlett and her tough American sidekick, Taylor, sneak into a posh London nightclub, where Plum has a private table. Scarlett is stunned to discover a piece of evidence that might implicate another girl in Plum’s exclusive circle, Lucy Raleigh. Which means Scarlett must cast a wider net in order to catch the right suspect.

Back at school, groundskeeper Jase is hoping to take Scarlett’s mind off her troubles with some heart-stopping kisses. Scarlett can’t help but feel guilty for indulging in romantic rendezvous when she should be hunting down Dan’s killer. However, once Scarlett finds out how Lucy is connected to Dan, she knows she must drop everything and travel to the McAndrew estate in Scotland to hunt for more clues. But when she arrives, Scarlett becomes the target of a dangerous hunt herself.

ohmigod i need to read this!

POSTED BY THE TruNerd

What Came Out Today?

Perfect Match by J. Minter: So much drama! Flan Flood’s fabulous life continues in the newest Inside Girl adventurenbsp;After a semester at a public high school, Flan Flood has gone back to her Upper East Side roots, now attending the private school Thoney. She’s reunited with her best friend Camille, she’s managed to keep her arch-enemy Kennedy at bay, and she’s kinda sorta dating a really great new guy. But before Flan can relax and put up her Manolo Blahniks, drama is just around the corner, and her life is about to be shaken up again. This latest in the Inside Girl series is just as fun and fashionable as its predecessors, and is perfect for fans of The Clique or The Ashleys.

looks okay. i have neither read any books from this series, nor do i plan to; i hated the clique series. people had fricken mental breakdowns because of a damn pair of shoes, and the only conflicts were fricken clothes related! BLECH! and, yes, i DO know what i am talking about; i read the first five books in the Clique Series. Poo-y!


Sun Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George: A spirited retelling, perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Donna Jo Napoli.When a great white bear promises untold riches to her family, the Lass agrees to go away with him. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle. To unravel the mystery, the Lass sets out on a windswept journey beyond the edge of the world. Based on the Nordic legendEast of the Sun, West of the Moon,with romantic echoes ofBeauty and the Beast, this re-imagined story will leave fans of fantasy and fairy tale enchanted by Jessica Day George.A Teen Top Ten“A vivid, well-crafted, poetic fantasy for readers . . . who are ready to move from Gail Carson Levine to more sophisticated fare.”

weird. dont you think?


The Comets Curse by Dom Testa: When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. Desperate to save humanity, a renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, theGalahadand its crew—none over the age of sixteen—is launched.Two years of training have prepared the crew for the challenges of space travel. But soon after departing Earth, they discover that a saboteur is hiding on theGalahad! Faced with escalating acts of vandalism and terrorized by threatening messages, sixteen-year-old Triana Martell and her council soon realize that the stowaway will do anything to ensure that theGalahadnever reaches its destination. The teens must find a way to neutralize their enemy. For if their mission fails, it will mean the end of the human race….

Creeeeeeep-y! Looks GOOD!

Other books that came out today/recently:

• Pricess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica George
• The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro
• Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
• 3 Willows by Ann Brashares
  

Also, quite a few books are coming out on the 22nd, 27th, and 29th. Go to my post titled 'Upcoming Book Releases. . .'


POSTED BY THE TruNerd

The Sweet Terrible Glorious Year i Truly Completely Lost it by Lisa Shanahan

IN MY FAMILY, when anyone rides the wave of their emotions, we say they're chucking a birkett. When the emotion drives out all common sense, we say they're chucking a big one. The telltale signs are: flaming cheeks, shortness of breath, bulging eyes, and a prolonged illogical outburst.

Gemma Stone is convinced that it's always unseemly to chuck a birkett and that it's actually insane to chuck one in front of a complete stranger. But that was before she fell for a boy who barely knows she exists, before she auditioned for the school play, before she met the family of freaks her sister Debbie is marrying into, before the unpredictable Raven De Head took an interest in her, and before she realized that at the right time and for the right reason, a birkett could be a beautiful thing.

What i thought: I personally loved this book. It was laugh-out-loud funny, and i nearly cried at some parts. Shanahan was an amazing author, and really wrote--in this case--as if she were a fourteen year old.


This book takes place in the UK, so i had trouble understanding a few terms, but other than that, i loved it. Also, this book is in the perspective of a mere fourteen year old, so that fact alone my stop you from reading it, but i think this is a book for all ages. The beggining was a bit slow, too, though not slow enough to discourage you from reading it. About nine or ten friends requested that i read the sweet terrible glorious year i truly completely lost it but i never did. But the other day at the library, this book stood out, so i decided to pick it up.


Its lengthy title basically sums it up. Gemma, the main character, is your average confused teenager who is struggling, trying to find out who she really is, and along the way, loses it. Completely. It was rather hilarious, actually.There really is know way to REALLY describe what i thought of this book. The only way to know yourself is to, well. . . read it!

The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor

Abigail Reed and her younger sister, Becky, are always at each other's throats. Their mother calls them the September Sisters, because their birthdays are only a day apart, and pretends that they're best friends. But really, they delight in making each other miserable. Then Becky disappears in the middle of the night, and a torn gold chain with a sapphire heart charm is the only clue to the mystery of her kidnapping. Abby struggles to cope with her own feelings of guilt and loss as she tries to keep her family together. When her world is at its bleakest, Abby meets a new neighbor, Tommy, who is dealing with his own loss, and the two of them discover that love can bloom, even when it's surrounded by thorns.

This exquisitely written first novel illustrates life as it truly is—filled with fear and danger, hope and love, comfort and uncertainty.

My reason for posting this is:Okay, i REALLY want to read this book! You can win a signed copy from Jillian Cantor herself! All you have to do is click here! there are three ways to get entries, and each thing counts as ONE!

The contest closes on January 20th! Which is. . . tommorrow:( Sorry i posted this so late!

Anyway, show your support to Jillian by visiting her blog and leaving comments! Only 35 days until this book is released! (scroll down; there is a widget on the left sidebar!)

Thanks Guys!

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship.

Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.

Sarah Dessen's third novel is better than a Cinderella story--unlike a fairy tale, it COULD happen. To YOU.

What i thought:First of all, i have to say, this is my least favorite out of all of Sarah Dessen's books. I thought that the story did NOT flow very well, and I got really bored throughout the story, so bored that i had to put the book down repeatedly, as my mind would continue to WANDER and WANDER and WANDER. . . i think you get it.

For another thing, I just didnt like the overall story:

• Fat girl not so fat any more; mom goes away as Kiki Sparks, newly-thin infomercial star
• Not so fat anymore fat girl goes to live with eccentric aunt, Mira, for the summer
• Colie (the previously mentioned not so fat anymore fat girl) is a total bitch to sweet Norman--who i personally loved since they mentioned him in the beggining of the book
• Colie is totally unconfident, but not in a way that i could relate to. More in a pathetic, annoying way, that made me want to scream, rather then help her.
• Colie is so stupid throughout the entire story: she in always negative, falling within herself, even when she had reasons to be happy or positive.
• Colie finally lets herself get to know Norman and obviously likes him, and he OBVIOUSLY likes her, too, but she wont even listen to her own heart or let herself relish in the happy tingly feelings she gets when she sees him
• The not-so-resolving/not-so-great ending

One word to describe this book: Blech

One to ten rating (one being horrid, ten being amazing): 5

What i say to you: Dont bother; its a waiste of time. Read Dessen's other novels, especially The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and This Lullaby.

Basically what im saying is this: If you have read Sarah Dessen's other books, and loved them. . . dont waiste your time reading this one, because you assume its going to be just as good as the others. If you HAVENT read Sarah Dessen's other books, but hear they are great, and pick this one to start. . . well, your screwed. Sorry, guys, i know i shouldnt have even BOTHERED posting about a book i dislike to much. . . but i needed to say SOMETHING about it.

If you do read this book, or already have, and like it. . . well all i can say is this: Wow.

Added on January 18th, 2009 at 9:18 PM: I guess this book wasnt TOTALLY horrible. . i was sort of being harsh (thanks Hope! hehe). . . i suppose i was just a tad upset about the fact that this book was nothing like i thought it would be. . . yeah. Well, anyway, give it a try. Its a 50 50 chance you'll like it. . .

Well, anyway, i guess this book is allright


POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Teen Choice Book Awards

TeenReads.com, the ultamite reading list, is having teen choice book awards (for 2008 only), and i just placed my votes! Show your favorite authors some support and nominate their books!

I personally feel its important people realize that some teens really DO care. So show some YA love and vote for your top five favorite books of 2008! Let's make sure everyone knows teens do care about what they read!

The polls close on January 31st, and the five titles that receive the most “votes” will serve as the finalists for the CBC’s 2009 Teen Choice Book Award. Later I will tell you where you can go vote for them once the five finalists have been announced. The winner will be announced in May 2009.

The five books i voted for are. . .

Book #1--Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Book #2--The Night World (the first book) by L.J. Smit
Book #3--Untamed by P.C. Cast

Book #4--Chosen by P.C. Cast

Book #5--The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

So click here to vote for YOUR favorite books from 2008! Let your voice be heard.

Show them you DO care.

POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

High school junior Jenny Greenley is so good at keeping secrets that she's the school newspaper's anonymous advice columnist. She's so good at it that, when hotter-than-hot Hollywood star Luke Striker comes to her small town to research a role, Jenny is the one in charge of keeping his identity under wraps. But Luke doesn't make it easy, and soon everyone -- the town, the paparazzi, and the tabloids alike -- know his secret . . . and Jenny is caught right in the middle of all the chaos.

What i thought: Okay, i totally picked this up on a whim. You see, I have this problem where i cannot go to school without a book. And i did not have a book at school today. So i sort of had this mental breakdown after i took a test in History. I was sort of just sitting there. . . Anyway, i started laughing really hard out of no where and almost started crying. . . well, basically i flipped. I was sitting next to my friend Sami and she asked me if i had a book. I, of course, did not. Sami told my teacher this, and my first hour teacher. . . lets call her Ms. Sally. Well, Ms. Sally sent me to the library. Yuh-huh. The library. So i went, and i picked this up. I have read just about all of Meg Cabot's teen novels and thought, Why Not?

Yeah, well, back to the review, i am happy i picked this book. It is a short and fun read, but DEFINATELY worth it. I personlly feel this book ranks up with the Princess Diaries series, and How to be Popular some of Meg Cabot's other great novels.

I think Jen had a lot of potential, and honestly was a truly GOOD person. She was really nice to everyone in school, and comforted them when they needed it, but just stood by when the "beatings" actually occured. Jen never tried to put a stop to things, even when she could have.

And when she DID try, it really made a big difference.

Also, i think Cabot did an AMAZING job incorperating the horrors of highschool, and how a famous person like Luke really WOULDNT understand it, and would probably be disgusted. Luke reacted the way i feel someone SHOULD when they walk into Clayton High for the first time, seeing how all of the students treated eachother. I myself was appalled. The students treated one and other so horribly.

Jen learned a lot through the story, and even falls in love (with whom i will not say).

this book is a great combination of humor, fame, teenage problems, romance, and friendship, all told in Meg's convincing teenager voice, one which reveals feelings and sucks you into the story.

Fan's of Megs other novels, particularly the Princess Diaries series, All-American Girl and Ready or Not, and How to be Popular, will enjoy Teen Idol.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

My name is Chloe Saunders and my life will never be the same again.

All i wanted was to make friends, meet boys, and keep on being ordinary. I dont even know what that means anymore. It all started on the say that i saw my first ghost--and the ghost saw me.

Now there are ghosts everywhere and they wont leave me along. To top it all off, I somehow got myself locked up in Lyle House, a "special home" for troubled teens. Yet the home isnt what it seems. Don't tell anyone, but I think there might be more to my housemates than meats the eye. The question is, whose side are they on? Its up to me to figure out the dangerous secrets behind Lyle House. . . before its skeletons come back to haunt me

Chloe Saunders used to have a relatively normal life.

But now she finds herself in the middle of some really strange situation because:

• She suddenly starts seeing dead people
• She gets locked up in a group home for unstable teens
• The Group home may not be what it seems. . .

What i thought: I thought that this book was fairly good, although at sometimes the story was ridiculous. Also, it wasnt always very realistic. Dont say that this is because it involves ghosts, because that is not it; The Mediator series involves ghosts, yet was COMPLETELY realistic. I just found some parts of it to be either utterly predictable, and that some things, like the fact that all of the doctors at Lyle House somehow FOUND all of these odd people, and how the were all at the same place. I know that there was a REASON for that, but it still seamed weird to me. Also, i think that some parts just were so unrealistic that you could not even relate to the story. I honestly cannot explain it. You have to have read it to understand what i mean

Edge-of-your-seat tension is built through the first half of the story as Chloe starts to question the schizophrenia label that the Lyle House doctors seem so keen tape on her forehead. I personally think it is really obvious that there is something very odd about Lyle House and its patients, something that i feel parents should realize, as with the other patients.

Also, this book ended horribly. Yes, i know, i say that a lot. But this one ended in the middle of a CONVERSATION, so i was seriously mad when i shut the book, and BARELY resisted the urge to scream. I cannot wait for the next book, to see what will occur with these characters.

Overall, this book is DEFINATLY a great read, just one with those few disappointments. The Awakening, the sequel to this book, will be released soon.


POSTED BY THE TruNerd

When Lightening Strikes: the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU Series by Meg Cabot

Jess Mastriana was misunderstood by her teachers and had a crush on the local bad boy, but that didnt mean she was trouble. But trouble found her when she survived a lightning strike and descovered that a newfound talent had been bestowed upon her.

Now, whenever she sees a picture of a missing child, Jess knows exactly where he or she is when she wakes up the next morning. Reuniting lost children with their deperate parents is one thing, but Jess must choose whether to use her power for good. . . or for evil.

What i thought: When Lightning Strikes was a great start to this fantastic series. Filled with laugh-out-loud-humor, Jess tells her story in a tone of sarcasm and wit.

I personally loved the character Jess the most out of the entire story, and felt her personality really helped the story flow. Jessica Mastriana was often rather sarcastic, and it was very enjoyable, reading words that honestly seemed to be coming from an every-day teenager in Indiana. Jess, similar to Suze in the Mediator Series and Tally in the Uglies series, often tried to hide her true feelings, and was pretty good at it. Jess, like Suze, was never afraid to throw a punch, although punching wasnt always nessecary. She would often display her feelings through violence, and i feel this really helped formed her personality. . . helped you get to know her better. Jess, even with the odd powers, was very realistic and her feelings were really easy to relate to.

Jess is a typical teen with problems both at school and at home -- for example, her brother is mentally ill, and her mother insists that she and Jess dress alike. Understandably, when Jess finds herself with psychic ability, she is confused and doesn't know what to do. The exciting pace of the novel will have readers entranced with unfolding events, much like an action adventure movie.

Elements of romance and other relationship issues round out the plot to let readers see all sides of Jess and her family, as well as offering a bit of a breather from the intense action. Meg Cabot writes with her trademark style, utilizing familiar teen language and behavior. Fans will want to pick up other books in the series, and also check out the Lifetime television series, 1-800-MISSING, which is based on characters from the book.

This book is filled with undeniable suspense and humor. Although not as great as the Mediator series, i think it falls under the same category.

if you do not have access to a bookstore currently, click here to read the book online for free!!! I am not sure whether or not this works out of the U.S., but might as well give it a try!

SIMPLY NERDY BOOK REVIEWS

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Special Circumstances




Frighteningly beautiful.


Dangerously Strong.


Breathtakingly fast.


Tally thought they were a rumor, but now shes one of them. A Special. A super-amped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down--and the pretties stupid.


But maybe being perfectly proggramed wiht strength and focus ISN'T better than anything she's ever known. Tally still has memories of something else.


But its easy for her to tune that out--until she's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes donw to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she was programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world may never be the same.


What i thought:Packed with action in the face of relentless danger, the stakes continue to increase with each unexpected plot twist. During Tally's quest she discovers one surprise after another, but when she arrives at her destination, she's in for the most shocking revelation ever.

Out of Uglies, Pretties, and Specials, i feel this one has the most gripping start, and one that you will not have to fight. Specials is fantastic, and Tally's new transformation will frighten even the most impressive of readers. "Specials" are breathtakingly beautiful, but in a cruel. . . EERIE way. Tally, is a strong heroine throughout this entire story, something that kept ME reading, as i had wanted to know what the next daring move of hers would be. Also, different from the other books, Tally did not willingly sacrifice herself to become a Special, but, as in the other books, she grows to except it, and cure herself in a way unimaginable.


This stunning page turner continuously deals with things like government, cliques, humanity, appearance and differences in society and is a very well-written and surprising third installment in the fantastic Uglies series. Its shocking ending will leave readers hungry for more.


If you have not read any of these books yet, click here for my review on Uglies. If you HAVE read this book, and the first two, i recommend that you read Extras the riveting conclusion to this "scary-making" (bubbly; happy-making; awe-inspiring; remarkable; gripping. . . you name it) series.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Gemma Doyle, sixteen and proud, must leave the warmth of her childhood home in India for the rigid Spence Academy, a cold finishing school outside of London, followed by a stranger who bears puzzling warnings. Using her sharp tongue and agile mind, she navigates the stormy seas of friendship with high-born daughters and her roommate, a plain scholarship case. As Gemma discovers that her mother's mysterious death may have an otherworldly cause, and that she herself may have innate powers, Gemma is forced to face her own frightening, yet exciting destiny . . . if only she can believe in it.


What i thought: My sister bought this book, but never actually READ it, so i simply picked it up. . . and began reading. A Great and Terrible Beauty is one of the most beautiful historical and gothic novels I have read in a really long time. The story enthralled me from beginning to end. There are many unexpected twists throughout the novel. A Great and Terrible Beauty is the sort of novel that you cannot put down because there are so many elements, so manyLAYERS that make the novel so suspensefull and exciting.

I loved the backdrop of Victorian England and Libba Bray easily showed the way women were viewed and what was expected from them in those times. The female characters spoke volumes about this particularly difficult time period for women. Pippa's desire to meet the perfect prince touched me. She is a very flawed character, but with dreams and desires that spoke to me. Felicity is also quite complex. She was a loyal friend and an innocent at times and was cruel, despicable and disturbing in others. Gemma is a great heroine. She had the sort of confusions and issues that girls at present time could definitely relate to. There was a naive tenor to her voice that made her all the more compelling.

The gothic aspect of the novel is the perfect complement for the time setting. The horror aspect of the novel could be chilling at times. The story became very fanciful about halfway through the novel, but the elements of magic in those scenes were very well done. I fell in love with this book and Libba Bray seems quite an interesting author. There are loose ends at the finish of the novel, that easily tell you there will be a second novel, and make you beg for more. I recommend A Great and Terrible Beauty most highly.


If you like this book, i would reccomend Rebel Angels , the second novel in this fantastic series, and The Sweet and Far Thing, the riveting conclusion to this trilogy. These books are JUST as good as the first, if not better. Rate it HIGH!

The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot

There's a hot guy in Susannah Simon's bedroom. Too bad he's a ghost. Suze is a mediator-a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.
But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind.and Suze happens to be in the way.

What i thought: These books are a great series by Meg Cabot, and is one of my favorite series ever. The next five books are just as great as the first, Shadowland. This series combines mystery, suspense, humor, and romance, and definately will appeal to teens with various tastes in reading.

Suze was a funny, rebelious girl who always surprised me. She was often portrayed as a "hero" throughout these books, and, similar to Tally Younglblood from Scott Westerfeld's Uglies, Suze is not big on showing weaknesses, and is not afraid to take a punch. Jesse was an old fashioned ghost who tried to keep her out of trouble. It was a great story about a girl with an extraordinary talent. . . one that she simply sees as an unfair burden, one that she was cursed with since reaching the age of two.

Full of fun and whit, i would definately reccomend this book to teens who love reading any genre, as this one is a combination of everything. I highly recommend that all of Meg Cabot's fans give it a try - even though this series is very different than her other books, in my opinion, it's her best yet.

If you like these and are looking for more, i recommend you read the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU series, also by Meg Cabot, about a girl who gets struck by lightning and gets these odd powers--that help her find missing kids.

SIMPLY NERDY BOOK REVIEWS

Forever Princess: Princess Diaries X by Meg Cabot

What's a Princess to do?
It's Mia's senior year, and things seem great. She aced her senior project, got accepted to her dream college(s), and has her birthday gala coming up . . . not to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia's first-ever elections.
What's not to love about her life? Well . . .
Her senior project? It's a romance novel she secretly wrote, and no one wants to publish it.
Prince Phillipe's campaign in the Genovian elections isn't going well, thanks to her totally loathsome cousin René, who decided to run against him.
Her boyfriend, J.P., is so sweet and seemingly perfect. But is he the one?
And her first love, Michael, is back from Japan . . . and back in her life.
With Genovia's and her own future hanging in the balance, Mia's got some decisions to make: Which college? Which guy? How can she choose? Especially when what she decides might determine not just the next four years, but . . . forever!

What i thought: Forever Princess, the final book (and longest, with 400 pages) in the Princess Diaries series, is full of the same smart, independent, and fiercely passionate princess we've all known and loved, but with a bit more maturity and wisdom that has been a long time in coming. The fairy tale elements of the series that have sucked countless girls in are ever present in Forever Princess--the ball gowns and parties, hi-tech gadgets and name dropping to name a few. Throughout it all, Mia is kept down to earth by her flaws and outbursts and true-to-life emotions that readers can identify with. One of the main conflicts of the story is Mia's love life, and readers will root for her as she discovers what it means to truly be in a healthy and happy relationship, and fights for what she wants. Themes of courage, independence, and standing up for yourself are also evident, and Cabot presents them in a convincing style as Mia struggles with the decisions she must make, and her journey through high school and all of her experiences culminate, giving us a Mia who is strong and sure of herself. With a satisfying, optimistic, romantic, and slightly cheesy conclusion fit for a princess, Cabot ensures that Mia goes out with a bang.

This book was laugh-out-loud funny, just like the others in this bestselling series. Cabot creates a teenage girl that EVERYONE can relate to, and whose problems are hilarious. I loved reading Mia's diary, and thought that it was enjoyable, reading her words, and hearing them very clearly in your mind, almost as if she was whispering into your ear

I felt some parts were ridiculous though, as it was completely obvious that she was in love with Michael, and that it was NOT MHC. It bothered me that i could easily figure something out that the character in the book could not, even when it was HER life.

Despite this, Meg Cabot did an AMAZING job with this series, and this book will NOT disappoint you. it is so utterly shocking, yet hilarious.

If you have not yet read the other nine books in this series, i would run to Borders and get them RIGHT NOW. These books are very entertaining, and a fabulous read.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that?

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license--for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixtenth birthdsay brings an opperation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive petty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there. But Tally's new friend Shay isnt sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk her life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world--and it isnt very pretty. The cruel-pretty Specials present Tally with the worst choice she could ever imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes will challenge her world forever.

What i thought: I thought these books were amazing. they are filled with suspense, excitement, and even a bit of romance. This book, the first in a fantastic trilogy, asks engaging questions about the meaning of beauty, individuality, and betrayal. It teaches you how to be a good friend--even when it seems impossible. Tally learns that being beautiful isnt everything--and that even the seemingly greatest of things has dark secrets. . . ones that she never could have guessed. Uglies is HIGHLY readable with an extremely convincing plot that includes futuristic techonology and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies. I loved Tally's character, and felt that Uglies very easily portrayed her. Tally acts tough through out the book, but the deeper you dig, the more you realize that she pushes away a lot of her feelings, and tries really hard not to show weakness, but there are times when it all comes crashing down on her: the guilt, the pain, the loneliness, the isolation, the longing for freedom. . . everything. And she learns that sometimes you need to be able to have someones shoulder to cry on, even when you dont want to admit it.

Westerfeld is a fantastic author, but i think that the begginings of every book in this series was very weak, and that caused many readers to stop and simply toss it onto their shelf--something i have seen first hand. I feel that the begginings of books need to be strong, because if there is a fantastic ending, and a thrilling middle, your readers will never know, if they cannot even get through the first page. I nearly put it down myself, but decided to give it a chance. This happened repeatedly to me during this entire series, and felt that it really ruined the amazing plots of each of these books.

I think that all this book needs is a chance; try to put it down after you read page twenty-something; these books will not dissapoint. . . so long as you give them time. I really loved this series, despite those fiew problems.

If you like these, i would recommend Westerfelds other series, The Midnighters (which i LOVED) or Peeps (which i havent gotten up to reading yet) and Unwind by Neal Shusterman.

List of Upcoming Teen Releases in January and February!

Sadly, once again, i could not find the dates in anyplace other than the United States! : ( Here's the link to Borders, where they have this list posted. Maybe your smarter with computers than i am. . . cuz i'm just a book nerd. not tech nerd.

JANUARY:

• The Secret Circle: The Captive Part II and The Power by L.J. Smith--January 1st, 2009 (yeah, i know, it already came out!)
• Boy Toy by Barky Lyga--January 5th, 2009
• Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine -- January 6th, 2009
• Shelter Me by Alex McAuley -- dito
• Ransom my Heart (a novel by Mia Thermopolis) by Meg Cabot-- Jan 6th, 2009
• Princess Diaries X: Forever by Meg Cabot--ditto
• A Wreath for Emmett Till by Marylin Nelson -- January 12th, 2009
• Kiss me Kill me by Lauren Henderson--January 13th, 2009
• The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro -- Jan 19th, 2009
• Perfect Match by J. Minter--January 20th, 2009
• Ninth Grader Slays: The chronicles of Vladimir by Heather Brewer--January 22nd, 2009
• Seraph of Sorrow by MaryJanice Davidson--January 27th, 2009

FEBRUARY:

• The dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King--February 1st, 2009
• Where ever Lina Lies by Lynn Weingarten--ditto
• This is what i Did by Ann Dee Ellis-- ditto
• Envy: a Luxe novel by Ana Goberson--February 1st, 2009
• Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Goberson--ditto
• The Twilight Saga: the official guide by Stephenie Meyer--February 1st, 2009
• Family Affairs by Jen Colanita --February 1st, 2009
• Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee -- Feb 1st 2008
• The Spring of Candy Apples by Debbie Viguie--February 1st, 2009
• The Seventh Daughter by Frewin Jones -- ditto
• Inchworm by Ann Kelley -- ditto
• One day in Horror Land -- Feb 2nd, 2009
• The One and Only -- ditto
• My Friends call me Monster -- ditto
• Who's your Mummy? -- once again, DITTO
• Amy Green Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble--once AGAIN, Feb 2nd, 2009

(yeah, i know; some of them dont have authors. I couldnt find them. it just had the title of the book)

• Miss Match by Wendy Toliver -- Feb 10th, 2009
• Vampire Diaries: Nightfall by L.J. Smith--ditto

You know what i think? I think that this list is getting REALLY LONG. So, i am going to STOP at February 10th and write MORE later. Oh, yeah. The ones in different colors are the books that i FOR SURE am planning on reading. Like NDBT.

So, that said, i am going to go have my spicy buffalo wings (the meatless kind. BTW, they are GOOD).

UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES (in the US)!

Here are some of the books coming out in the FIRST HALF of 2009--in the United States, at least. Enjoy!

Meg Cabot:

Ransm my Heart (a novel by Mia Thermopolis)- January 6th, 2008
Princess Diaries X: Forever- January 6th, 2009

L.J. Smith:

Night World: Volume 3- April 28, 2009
Vampire Diaries: Nightfall - February 10th, 2009

P.C. Cast + Kristen Cast:

A House of NIght Novel: Hunted - March 2009

Sarah Dessen:

Along for the Ride- June 16th,2009

I'll browse the web for the UK and Canada (and other place releases)!


POSTED BY THE TruNerd

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she's never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister

Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy. As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated.

Despite the war, it's a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy's uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. The fact is, Daisy has the time of her life, and most of her exhilaration came from falling in love with Edmond, her first cousin. As she admits:

"Now let's try to understand that falling into sexual and emotional thrall with an underage blood relative hadn't exactly been on my list of Things to Do while visiting England, but I was coming around to the belief that whether you liked it or not, Things Happen and once they start happening you pretty much have to hold on for dear life and see where they drop you when they stop."

But soon the war, which had once been just rarely listened to rumors, is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.

What i thought: this book is a very emotional and filled with sadness and an endless void of desperation and a feeling of loss, but ends on a note of hope. At first Daisy and her cousins are so happy that they are free from adult supervision, but then the threat of war becomes real, and their short time of freedom is over.

This book teaches very many lessons, like how, although being without parents is fun in the beginning, eventually things will always start to go awry; there is a reason why we have parents sometimes, right?

Meg Rosoff creates a world where there is nothing you can do but hope for the best, while you watch the world fall apart around you. The entire story is told in Daisy's words, and i loved how the words really showed her personality clearly, and even how she viewed life. The one thing i did not like about Rosoff's writing technique was how there were not any conversations in quotations until the end of the story. I got a little lost sometimes during the story, because in most books, the conversations help you get to know the other characters better, and have a better understanding of what is going on. In How I Live Now you dont get that.

Also, another thing i did not like very much, was how it ended (i know i say that a lot, but this time it was not that i was upset the story had to end!). i am not going to spoil it for those of you who plan on reading this book, but i did not like the book's ending, as i do not feel Edmund and Daisy's conflicted relationship was resolved.

But, despite these few downsides, How i Live Now is a riveting and astonishing story

WARNING: if you do not like books that discuss Wars, books with a bit of blood and guts, or books that you need to prepare for emotionally, this book is not for you

Ally Carter's Spy Novels

Gallagher Girls Series:




With a killer title and a great cover, Ally Carter's I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU is a great eye-grabber of teen readers. Thanks to the author's hilarious writing style and the book's romance-meets-teenage spy girl storyline, the book will keep readers both laughing and interested.


Cammie Morgan attends the Gallagher Academy, an all-girls school that is known for its emphasis on academics. Adults know it is prestigious; local kids assume that the students are all spoiled snobs.


What outsiders don't know is the school is actually training the young ladies to become spies. Gallagher Girls learn martial arts in PE, taught "Tru"History, learn many things unknown by the everyday citizens, and are taught multiple languages--and are supposed to speak certain ones during meals.


Cammie's parents are both spies - well, were, in the case of her dad whose death is a mystery to Cammie. Her mom, Rachel, is a retired CIA operative and is currently the school's headmistress. Cammie is an only child who finds solace in her best friends and classmates, such as clumsy but lovable Liz, British Bex, and many others, all of whom are also spies-in-training.



Little does Cammie know the surprises that await her as she enters her sophomore year at the Academy: a new teacher, a new (bitchy) classmate, and a first crush. Cammie has never had nor wanted a "normal" life - until she meets a local boy who is funny and nice. Of course, he doesn't know she's a spy-in-training, and she can't tell him. This leads to mistaken identities, covert meetings, costume changes (can't wear the spy gear, don't want to wear the private school uniform, must find clothes an average teenager would wear), and plenty of pratfalls.



I WILL NOT spoil whether or not Cammie gets the guy in LOVE YOU KILL YOU, but I will tell you that the second book, CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO SPY, continues her studies through the spring semester. The Gallagher students know how their school operates and are used to it being an all-girl campus. What will happen when boys from an all-boy-spies-in-training Academy come to share their studies and their teachers?



Some of the girls get distracted while others get suspicious while Cammie is a bit of both . She grows accostum to the guys presence, and begins to like them, but she does not trust them at all. She kind of got off on the wrong foot with Zach, one of the spy-guys, and she can't stop thinking about Josh. She also thinks her new schoolmates are hiding something -- and they might not be the only ones.


Old photographs and whispered conversations make Cammie question her father's spy-school experience and spy work. Will she ever find out what really happened to him? CROSS MY HEART will please fans of the first Gallagher Girls novel and make them want a third. . .

. . . and they'll get it in DON'T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER! It will be released around June 2009.

What i thought: As i said in the first paragraph, these books are hilarious, totally laugh-out-loud funny, and, despite the fact that they ARE spy books, contain very little action--but I dont nessecarily find that a good thing.

The way Cammie reacts when she starts dealing with guys--guys who are not her CovOps teacher, and are actually her age--is hilarious. The fact that she is a sophmore makes the story even more funny. I mean, you'd think they'd let the girls mingle with some guys every once in a while, right? So Cammie freaks when guys notice her on a mission. . . its so funny. And Liz and Bex make the story even more of an entertaining read.

Ally Carter wrote this book in the voice of Cammie, and, unlike very many books written by adults for teens, it really sounds like Cammie is the one talking. The words sound like words that your average teen girl would use, and that helps you form a clearer picture of her in your mind. Cam, Liz, and Bex really are just teens when you get down to it, and throughout the books you realize that. I mean, sure, they could probably kill you with chopsticks and crack thousands of codes, but they really are just girls. And along the way, i think that Cammie realizes that, too.


I love the first two and simplycaait till the third, Dont Judge a Girl by her Cover ,coming out this June, and cant help but hope SOMETHING will get resolved in it, and that there will be a tad more female-spy kicking ars.

OTHER BOOKS CONTAINING GIRL SPIES (THAT I HAVE NOT READ YET, BUT WILL): The Specialist series by Shannon Greenland



POSTED BY THE TruNerd

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged . . . until now.

Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, and a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

What i thought: this book is absolutely amazing. One of the best books i have ever read, and the best that focuses on the topic of death/illness. This book has no age limit, but you should be atleast twelve years of age to actually understand all of the emotions layered and layered, threwn in an overly large stack in the corner of Anna's and Kate's room. i could not believe this story. Right after i finished it, i stood there staring at it for a while. I was so shocked and awed. The story of Anna and Kate is utterly unbelievable. So much, that i cannot even BEGIN to describe it. Fine, i am describing it by saying it is indescribable arent i?

I was so entranced in the story of Anna that i read late into the night, hiding under the sheets with only the light of my iPod and the conforting sound of Jack Johnson in my ears. This book is like a tidal wave of emotion, and sent me into hysterics at the end. I was bawling for at least fifteen minutes. After i finally stopped crying, i had to go back and re-read the ending. i was so shocked. the words did i REALLY just read that, kept moving through my mind, even when i lost consiousness. i could not believe it. This book is so wonderfully written. Picoult perfectly portrayed the entire families feelings, and how Kate's illness had such effect on Anna and their brother

What i especially loved about this book was how it continuously switched perspective, and each perspective was in a different font. It really helps you grasp the different things everyone is feeling, and how the things that occur throughout the story effect everyone differently. It really helps you dig deep and find the meaning of the story.

Basically, it was beautifully-written, a emotional ride, a page-turner, and SHOCKING. This book will amaze and shock you beyond belief.

If you read thirteen reasons why by Jay Asher, Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel, or Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin and are looking for books a step above them, this is your book. THis is a book that will touch everyone who reads it (even the unwilling readers), and change the way you view life. . . and maybe even the way you live it.

POSTED BY THE TruNerd

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

“the Heartland War” has been fought and was resolved by the “The Bill of Life.” So human life cannot be touched from birth until you reach the age of thirteen, but then you can be UNWOUND between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. Unwinding doesnt technically end life, but they sort of cut the person to peices and the body parts are taken to hospitals and used for medical transplants (arms, legs, and other things like that are given to people who need them--for large amounts of money, that is). In this distirbing future, unwinding cannot be undone, and once the papers are signed, you are sent to Harvesting Camps, where you are eventually brought to the Chop Shop. . . and well, things happen. BAD things

Three Unwinds are brought together by chance: Connor, Risa, and Lev. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker; Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since birth, as a part of his religion (its called tithing) If they can survive until their eighteen birthdays, they cannot be harmed--But when every peice of them, from their hands to their hearts, eighteen seems far far away. . .

WHAT I THOUGHT: I just finished this book - literally.

The UNWINDing process is so disturbing, but Shusterman does not go into detail about it, for which i am partially greatfull yet disappointed; i would have liked getting more information on it.

The fact that mankind could even AGREE on a process so disturbing is just well . . . there is no word for it other than REPULSIVE. And the fact that they consider it OK since the Unwind is technically still ALIVE. . . it is such a weird ( and terrifying) topic, yet the overall plot is still very realistic.

Throughout the story, Neil Shusterman 'challenges your ideas about life--not just where life begins, and where it ends, but what it truly means to be alive'

This story was disturbing with just a touch of hope and some romance mixed in.

There is no possible way to descirbe what i thought. But i can some it up in one word:

UNBELIEVABLE! you'll have to read it to find out just how unbelievable this book is

YOU WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOURE A FAN OF: The Host, by Stephenie Meyer