Waiting on Wednesday - 109

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released.

Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood by Abby McDonald

Hallie and Grace Weston have never exactly seen life eye to eye. So when their father dies and leaves everything to his new wife, forcing the girls to pack up and leave San Francisco for a relative’s house in shiny Beverly Hills, the two sisters take to their changing lot in typically different styles. Shy, responsible Grace manages to make friends with an upbeat, enterprising girl named Palmer but still yearns for her old life — and the maybe-almost-crush she left behind. Meanwhile, drama queen Hallie is throwing herself headlong into life — and love — in L.A., spending every second with gorgeous musician Dakota and warding off the attention of brooding vet Brandon. But is Hallie blinded by the stars in her eyes? And is Grace doomed to forever hug the sidelines? (from Goodreads)

 

I love Jane Austen so I'm looking forward to see what the author does. Plus, Abby McDonald is a great writer! Jane Austen Goes to Hollywood will be released April 9, 2013.

Top Ten Tuesday - 55

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Kick-Ass Heroines

1. Hermione Granger
She's practically a genius and pretty much saves Harry and Ron a few times every book.

2. Katniss Everdeen
She won the Hunger Games and is very handy with a bow and arrow. Need I say more?

3. Tris from Divergent
This girl is fearless! I would never be able to do all the crazy stuff she does, nor would I pick the same faction.

4. Kat Bishop from Heist Society
She's fluent in several languages and knows how to break into musuems to steal priceless art. Pretty kick-ass.

5. Ellie from Angelfire
Ellie is an angel who fights reapers and demons in her spare time.

6. Clary Fray from The Mortal Instruments
She is thrown into the Shadowhunter world but is able to hold her own against vampires, demons, and even her evil father. She also has the ability to create new runes, which is pretty awesome.

7. Tessa Gray from The Infernal Devices
While she may not be a physically tough as Clary, she can Shapeshift and uses this talent to try to save the world.

8. Lena from Delirium
She leaves her life behind and starts a tougher one in the wild because she believes in love.

9. Saba from Blood Red Road
For most of the book she's on the run, but she also is forced into ring fighting where she kicks butt. I can't wait to read the next book!

10. Violet from The Body Finder
She's kick-ass because she finds dead bodies regularly and still keeps going. I don't know if I could do that.

35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say by Dr. Maura Cullen

Summary:
Even well-intended people can cause harm.

Have you ever heard yourself or someone else say: "Some of my best friends are... (Black, White, Asian, etc.)"? "I don't think of you as... (Gay, Disabled, Jewish, etc.)"? "I don't see color, I'm colorblind"? These statements and dozens like them can build a divide between us and the people we interact with. Though well-intended, they often widen the diversity gap sometimes causing irreparable harm personally and professionally. If you've ever wanted to be more effective in your communication with others, or have been afraid of saying the wrong thing, then this concise guide is essential to becoming more inclusive and diversity-smart.

A powerful diversity training too from one of the most respected diversity trainers. (from GoodReads)

Review:I'm an RA and we had a diversity training session based on this book, so I was very glad to receive of copy of 35 Dumb Things. I'm definitely one of the well-intended people the book talks about because I'm very conscious of what I say and how I say it. Luckily for me, I don't really say any of the things on the list, but it was still interesting to see the reasons why you shouldn't say them.

A lot of the things on the list I hear all the time. I really liked how Dr. Cullen made the distinction between intent and impact. Many of the statements are meant to be nice or a way to connect with a person of diverse background. However, when a person says it it comes across as condescending or ignorant. I think it's important to recognize the fact that while you can say whatever you want, everyone will be happier if you don't say it in an offensive way.

Dr. Cullen gave many tips about being a conscious speaker and also gave some explanations as to why something you say may not seem like a big deal, but the person reacts strongly. It's called the "pile-on principle" and it means that all day a person might hear racist/sexist/homophobic comments so when you make a slightly offensive jibe, the person may be more upset than if your comment was the only one they heard all day.

The only thing I didn't like and that made me roll my eyes a lot was that the author had blank pages throughout the book each with one of her own quotes on it. Usually this page would come in the middle of a section and it would throw me off when the section continued after it. Also the quotes were ones that could already be found in the text so they were unnecessary.

Overall, I think this is a book that should be required reading for every person because it has a lot of good information. A lot of people may not care about what they are saying but there are probably people that would learn a lot from it.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: a gift

2008/Morgan James Publising/141 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 108

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released soon.

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath — with candles and a contract and everything — to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle. No one wants to end up with a toaster on wheels, so they hire a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away — no way would she fall for them. But old warnings fade fast, because Emilio turns out to be the first guy in forever she likes. Really likes. Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…

But what if her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking. (from GoodReads)

I really enjoyed Sarah Ockler's first novel Twenty Boy Summer and I'm excited to see what she does with forbidden love. I also think I'm going to be singing "Hey Jude" while reading this. The Book of Broken Hearts will be published May 21, 2013.

Top Ten Tuesday - 54

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

 

Top Ten Books to Get into the Halloween Spirit

1. Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan

This book freaked me out! It's essentially a ghost story and I was actually afraid to go to sleep while I was reading this. Granted, I was in middle school, but still.

2. Stranger With My Face by Lois Duncan

Another favorite of Lois Duncan, this book was really creepy as someone is impersonating the main character and looks just like her! Lifetime recently made an original movie out of this book.

3. I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

This is the last Lois Duncan book, I swear! She is such a good author, though! This book is way better than the movie and just a good, suspenseful read.

4. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

I read this when I was really young (maybe 10?). After reading it I decided never to read horror again because I was so scared. Not sure how the book would be now but then I was thoroughly freaked out. The movie is pretty similar to the book, but wasn't as scary.

5. Goosebumps Series by R.L. Stine

I loved these books so much! They aren't that scary now but when I was in elementary school they definitely were.

6. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Not super frightening but definitely eerie. Would you want to hear the echoes of dead bodies? I didn't think so.

7. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

This isn't scary in the conventional sense but it's apocalyptic and has a hopeless feel to it.

8. Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

This book wasn't super scary either, but the ending was so creepy!

9. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

Another favorite from my childhood; I loved these stories. And some of the pictures were really scary, too!

10. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The zombies or "Unconsecrated" are really creepy in this. Another apocalyptic and hopeless novel.

The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab

Review:
Caro Mitchell considers herself an only child—and she likes it that way. After all, her much older sister, Hannah, left home eight years ago, and Caro barely remembers her. So when Caro’s parents drop the bombshell news that Hannah is returning to live with them, Caro feels as if an interloper is crashing her family. To her, Hannah’s a total stranger, someone who haunts their home with her meek and withdrawn presence, and who refuses to talk about her life and why she went away. Caro can’t understand why her parents cut her sister so much slack, and why they’re not pushing for answers.

Unable to understand Hannah, Caro resorts to telling lies about her mysterious reappearance. But when those lies alienate Caro’s new boyfriend and put her on the outs with her friends and her parents, she seeks solace from an unexpected source. And when she unearths a clue about Hannah’s past—one that could save Hannah from the dark secret that possesses her—Caro begins to see her sister in a whole new light. (from GoodReads)

Summary:
I was really curious to read The Opposite of Hallelujah because I read Anna Jarzab's first novel (All Unquiet Things) and enjoyed it a lot. The books are totally different but I absolutely loved The Opposite of Hallejuah, which shows how good of an author she is!

Even though The Opposite of Hallelujah isn't a straight mystery like All Unquiet Things, there are still some mysterious aspects. I wanted to get the backstory on Hannah and find out why she decided to go in and then why she left. Lucky for me, Caro has the same goal.

The relationship between Caro and Hannah is interesting because even though they are sisters, they barely know each other. Hannah is eleven years older than Caro, which means Caro was only eight when Hannah left. My siblings and I are really close in age, so the dynamic in Caro's family was completely different. What was nice was seeing the girls become closer in their relationship even though they are so far apart in age.

Religion plays a huge role in The Opposite of Hallelujah, obviously because Hannah was a nun. But Caro becomes even more interested in her faith and questioning aspects of Catholocism. Previously Caro was a Christmas and Easter church-goer so it was interesting to see that change once Hannah comes home. Since I'm not religious at all, I liked that the author wrote the book with an open mind and didn't become preachy.

There were so many things going on in The Opposite of Hallelujah, but all the themes were woven together seamlessly. There was the religion part, family dynamics, sister relationships, friends, school, Caro's love interest, science, grief, forgiveness, and healing. It sounds like a lot but the author did a great job of incorporating all these aspects in one book. The Opposite of Hallelujah is a pretty deep book, but I also found myself laughing at parts. I literally couldn't put it down even though I had to go to sleep. I would recommend it to anyone that likes to read because I can't see someone not liking it.

Rating: 10 out of 10.
FTC: received from LitPick

2012/Delacorte/464 pages

This is Not a Drill by Beck McDowell

Summary:
Two teens try to save a class of first-graders from a gun-wielding soldier suffering from PTSD.

When high school seniors Emery and Jake are taken hostage in the classroom where they tutor, they must work together to calm both the terrified children and the gunman threatening them--a task made even more difficult by their recent break-up. Brian Stutts, a soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq, uses deadly force when he's denied access to his son because of a custody battle. The children's fate is in the hands of the two teens, each recovering from great loss, who now must reestablish trust in a relationship damaged by betrayal. Told through Emery and Jake's alternating viewpoints, this gripping novel features characters teens will identify with and explores the often-hidden damages of war. (from GoodReads)

Review:
When I received This is Not a Drill in the mail, I was excited to read it. I really enjoy movies and books that are thrillers, and this novel sounded like it would fit into that genre. I wish I could say that gunmen in schools and other public places never happened in our society, but the fact that it does made this book even more freaky. Heck, even my high school was on lock-down when a gunmen held a bar down the street hostage a few years ago.

I could definitely understand the terror and fear that Emery and Jake feel when Brian Stutts comes into their classroom with a gun. They have to take care of a bunch of first graders, who have no idea what's going on. I don't know how they held it together because I would have been a mess.

I liked that the author tried to make the gunman into a real person. It's obvious that he is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and his life has been changed by his time in Iraq. As a psychology student, I feel so bad for people who don't have the opportunity to seek mental health services or decide not to based on the stigma. I know that's a big problem in the military, but it needs to be an attitude that we change.

I wish This is Not a Drill could have been a little more exciting - even though the classroom is being held hostage, it's actually boring at times. Most of the book is Emery and Jake trying to entertain the kids. Overall, it was a quick read and I would recommend to anyone interested in this subject.

Release Date: October 25, 2012
Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: sent by publisher.

2012/Nancy Paulsen Books/224 pages.

Re-Review: Sprite by Leigh Michael

Summary:
Annabelle Walsh thought she had it all. She was the star of her swim team, had a loving family, a great boyfriend, and to top it off, she’d be starting at UCLA in the fall. One day, she’d be referred to as Dr. Annabelle Walsh.

She was living every girl’s dream – until her life was turned upside down. All starting with finding out that she's not just a human, but also a water spirit. Half-human, half-sprite to be exact. Although not just any sprite, Annabelle is prophesied to be the only one who can save both the sprites and mankind.

With a mix of current events, anecdotes from Greek mythology, tidbits of folklore, and Leigh’s own imagination, we join Annabelle in her journey to restore order beneath the sea. Each step of the way her mind, body, and soul are pushed to the limit begging the question, how much can one half-human, half-sprite take? (from GoodReads)

Review:
Writing a book is hard work - that's why I merely read and review. If writing is your passion, that should be something you pursue. However, publishing is a tough industry, and sometimes a writer cannot find a home for their book. Self-publishing can be an effective way to get your novel out there, but it also allows for some errors to make their way to the finished product. The ability of an author to recognize that their work is not complete is very important and I'm happy to say that the author of Sprite, Leigh Michael, has that trait.

When I first read Sprite, I did not realize that I was reading an older version of the book. The author took it upon herself to revise and edit her novel and republish it. I was so grateful for the opportunity to reread Sprite, because I can't base my humble opinion on a piece of work that is not finished.

That being said, I saw a lot of changes in the new version of Sprite. While the story was the same, which is what I enjoyed the most, spelling errors were corrected, along with other grammatical issues. For example, some of the passive voice changed to active voice. Overall the novel read smoother and was a more enjoyable read.

Since this a re-review, I'd like to say that I enjoyed the mythology aspect of Sprite along with the character of Annabelle. She was a strong female protagonist, which I like to see. I wish the story could have been longer, but the added detail helped me to visualize this underwater world a little better.

So I want to applaud the author, Leigh Michael, for taking the time to edit her novel and republish it. Not many authors would that. If you get the chance to read Sprite make sure you pick the right copy!! I'll be sure to do the same in the future.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: read on Smashwords provided by the author

2012/CreateSpace/161 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 107

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at  Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books will be published.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. (from GoodReads)

Everyone raves about Between Shades of Gray (I haven't read it yet unfortunately) so I'm sure Out of the Easy will be just as good! Plus, New Orleans is such a great setting. Out of the Easy will be released February 13, 2013.

Top Ten Tuesday - 53

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten Favorite Authors in the Fantasy Genre

1. Cassandra Clare
She is an amazing writer and her books are always so detailed and creative! I had the opportunity to get my book signed by her which was so much fun. Can't wait til she visits again!!

2. Cinda Williams Chima
I wasn't so sure I would like her first book (The Warrior Heir) because it's narrated by a boy. But I ended up loving it. I still need to finish that trilogy but I'm working on it!

3. J.K. Rowling
No comment needed :)

4. Claudia Gray
I know vampire books seem pretty ubiquitous these days, but her paranormal novels are still exciting and she even puts a twist on a bogged down genre.

5. George R.R. Martin
His novels are so long and detailed, but the world building is wonderful. The show is just as good (probably because he's a producer!).

6. Courtney Allison Moulton
Angelfire and Wings of the Wicked are two of my favorite novels and I can't wait to see how the trilogy ends!

7. Kiersten White
I enjoyed Paranormalcy and Supernaturally very much! The story is pretty light but very original.

8. Libba Bray
I'm including The Gemma Doyle Series in this because a big portion is fantastical. The Realm is such a great place to read about.

9. Jenna Black
If you like fairies, I would definitely suggest her Faeriewalker Trilogy!

10. Kimberly Derting
I sorta consider The Body Finder Series to be fantasy and they are great books.

Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin

Summary:
THEN: The formation of the UNA, the high threat of eco-terrorism, the mammoth rates of unemployment and subsequent escape into a world of virtual reality are things any student can read about in their 21st century textbooks and part of the normal background noise to Freya Kallas's life. Until that world starts to crumble.

NOW: It's 1985. Freya Kallas has just moved across the world and into a new life. On the outside, she fits in at her new high school, but Freya feels nothing but removed. Her mother blames it on the grief over her father's death, but how does that explain the headaches and why do her memories feel so foggy? When Freya lays eyes on Garren Lowe, she can't get him out of her head. She's sure that she knows him, despite his insistence that they've never met. As Freya follows her instincts and pushes towards hidden truths, the two of them unveil a strange and dangerous world where their days may be numbered. Unsure who to trust, Freya and Garren go on the run from powerful forces determined to tear them apart and keep them from discovering the truth about their shared pasts (and futures), her visions, and the time and place they really came from. Yesterday will appeal to fans of James Dashner's The Maze Runner, Veronica Roth's Divergent, Amy Ryan's Glow, Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and Ally Condie's Matched. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I was really excited to read Yesterday, because I think C.K. Kelly Martin is a great author and I wanted to see what she would do in a new genre. Lucky for me, I very much enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it to fans of science fiction.

It's funny that I like Yesterday so much because I was super confused in the beginning. I didn't realize I was reading the prologue (which is set in the future), so when I moved onto the first chapter (which was back in 1985), I had no idea what was going on. Fortunately, I was able to figure it all out, which enabled me to actually invest in the story.

Ever since Freya moved back to Canada, she's been having vivid dreams that feel like memories, and her actual memories seem artificial. How terrible would it be to feel as though your memory had been changed? That's what Freya goes through during a big chunk of Yesterday. When she sees a boy on the street, she's positive that she knows him - even though they've never met. It takes awhile for Freya to learn the truth, which is revealed to the reader as a huge info dump. Normally I would hate that, but it really was the most effective way for the reader to quickly learn what had happened and to get an overview of the dystopian world.

I would definitely characterize Yesterday as science fiction, because that's a very important part of the story, but we only really see the future world through flashbacks and memories. Most of the book takes place in 1985, which doesn't feel any different than present day. The only differences is that there is no Internet or cell phones. Other than that everything is the same.

Once Freya learns the truth, Yesterday becomes infinitely more exciting and tension-filled. Freya and Garren (the boy from the beginning) are on the fun and I was really hoping everything turns out for them. There's a bit of a twist but I liked the ending. Overall I really enjoyed Yesterday and I thought it was a very different approach to the typical dystopian format.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: recieved from LitPick

2012/Random House/368 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 106

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what new books are going to be released.

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.

Lindsey Leavitt perfectly pairs heartfelt family moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and a little bit of romance in this delightful contemporary novel. (from GoodReads)

This sounds so cute and hopefully it will be pretty funny, too! Going Vintage will be released March 26, 2013.

Top Ten Tuesday - 52

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Rewind: Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptations

1. The Hunger Games
I was extremely impressed when I first saw the movie back in March. They were able to recreate Suzanne Collins's world magnificently and the changes were minimal. I also enjoyed the extra scenes they added of the Gamemakers and of President Snow.

2. Something Borrowed
I really enjoyed the book and was hoping the movie would be just as good because it featured some of my favorite actors and actresses. Luckily for me, the movie was way better than the average romantic comedy and captured the spirit of the book, as well.

3. Romeo and Juliet
Even though I love Leonardo DiCaprio, I'm talking about the 1968 film that was a more traditional retelling of this epic play. The costumes and the setting all looked how I imagined them to be.

4. Game of Thrones
I'm still counting this even though it's a tv show. This is probably the best book to visual medium adaptation I've ever seen. Obviously they can go into so much more detail but I can't believe how real the sets, costumes and locations look. Pretty much everything in the books is in the show, which is refreshing.

5. Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants isn't my favorite book ever, but I actually enjoyed the movie. It was a very well-done adaptation.

6. Game Change
This is an HBO movie based off a book of the same name that discussed the entire 2008 presidential election (including both the Republican and Democratic primaries). The movie only focuses on John McCain's campaign, and specifically Sarah Palin, but it mirrored that part in the book perfectly. It also won a few Emmys, so it's worth checking out.

7. Harry Potter
I know I've complained often about the movies (obviously the books are better) but now that they're all done, I really did enjoy them.

8. Revolutionary Road
This is one case where I watched the movie first and then read the book. This is my favorite movie and luckily the book was just as good.

9. Gone With the Wind
Gone With the Wind is an extremely long book, and the director was able to hit all the major points by making the movie 3 hours long. For being filmed in 1939, it's a very good movie and obviously still a classic.

10. Jane Eyre
There are probably multiple adaptations but I saw the 2011 version and I thought it was really well-done. My sister watched it with me and liked it (and understood it) even though she hadn't read the novel.

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Summary:
It's 1582 and eighteen-year-old Will Lacey's family is in trouble. After years of wasteful spending, his late father has run Lacey Hall to near ruin. Tasked with marrying his family back into fortune, the new Earl of Dorset is all set for a season at court to woo not just the Queen but potential brides with his jousting skills. But when Ellie – a strong-willed girl with nothing to her name but a worthless Spanish title – catches Will's eye, he faces a bigger battle than he could ever have anticipated. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I love a good historical fiction novel and luckily for me The Other Countess fit the bill exactly. I always have low expectations with this genre because I have read some bad historical books, but this story had a believable romance and was rich in detail.

The Tudor court is one of my favorite time periods to read about and The Other Countess is perfect because it's set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth doesn't have that big of a role in this story, but she's in some scenes which is nice. The book focuses on three characters: Ellie, whose father is an alchemist so they are poor; Will Lacey, the earl who is trying to restore his family's fortune; and Jane, whose family is trying to find her a suitable husband. The book switches point-of-view between these three characters, although the majority is on Ellie.

The romance is similar to Pride and Prejudice, where the two main love interests (Will and Ellie) don't like each other until they get to know one another better. Will was more antagonistic toward Ellie than she him, so it was nice to see him mature and outgrow views he held back when younger. Ellie was a strong female protagonist, which is always nice to see, especially during this time period.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Other Countess. The setting was well-created, as well as the characters. I enjoyed the romance and the plot. I'm also really excited that there are two more novels in this series!

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: received from Random Buzzers

2010/Puffin/333 pages.

Waiting on Wednesday - 105

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine for bloggers and readers to see what books are coming out.

V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram

When Val Jensen gets dumped for her decision to stay a virgin until marriage, the nasty breakup goes viral on YouTube, making her the latest internet sensation.

After days of ridicule from her peers, Val starts a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. She meant to make a statement, but she never dreamed the entire nation would get caught up in the controversy.

As if becoming nationally recognized as “Virgin Val” isn’t enough, Val’s already hectic life starts to spin wildly out of control when bad boy Kyle Hamilton, lead singer for the hit rock band Tralse, decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge.

How can a girl stay true to herself when this year’s Sexiest Man Alive is doing everything in his power to win her over? (from GoodReads)

This sounds super interesting and I want to see how swoon-worthy this love interest will be. V is for Virgin will be published this December!!

Top Ten Tuesday - 51

Top Ten Tuesday was started by The Broke and the Bookish for bloggers who like to make lists about books.

Top Ten "Older" Books I Don't Want People to Forget About

1. Nancy Drew Series
I absolutely loved these books when I was younger. I'm convinced that I am Nancy. It doesn't help that I love to play the computer games, which are awesome, by the way. I hope girls never stop reading these!!

2. Goosebumps Series
Goosebumps books (along with the show) used to scare the pants off of me. I think it's a great way to introduce children to the genre of horror and I think it's why I love scary movies so much.

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry
If you ask me what my favorite book is, I'll probably tell you The Giver. It's kind of a lie because I honestly don't have a favorite, but it's the closest thing to one.

4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This is one of my favorite classics and even though it's a little long, I hope people don't stop reading it!

5. 1984 by George Orwell
Dystopias are so popular but this is arguably the "original" so don't forget about it! Plus, it's a great read.

6. The Baby-Sitter's Club Series
I can't imagine kids not reading these and I'm pretty sure it's required preparation for anyone who wants to be a baby-sitter in the future.

7. Dear America Series
I think this jumpstarted my love of historical fiction. They're easy to read but provide so much information about life in different time periods.

8. Harry Potter Series
Doesn't need an explanation :)

9. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I think every 9th grader has to read this but for those who haven't, you really should!

10. Anything Shakespeare
He's pretty much a literary genius.