Review: The Cuffing Game

 

Mia Yoon wants to make a show for her college all about crushes. But her initial idea doesn't get off the ground. Instead, she brainstorms how to make it better with her nemesis. She isn't thrilled with the idea of changing the storytime about crushes to a reality dating show but...it does work.

The show gets greenlit for winter break. Mia, her crew, and the contestants (including Noah) travel to a winter wonderland. There she oversees the entire production. But what happens if she falls for one of the contestants...

My Thoughts: As they are in college - this is technically a new adult book. But it works as a YA book. I loved this book. Even though I don't watch much reality TV (Bake Off is my favorite), I love reading about it. I loved how this is from the perspective of the producer/host and not a contestant. What a fun twist on Pride and Prejudice! 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

 Why I read it: retelling of Pride and Prejudice + reality TV show

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library

Review: Flip the Script

 

Hana loves K-dramas but this is her first time acting in one. Her co-star is a K-Pop star with tons of fans. But still the ratings for the first few shows aren't what they hoped. The executives come up with a plan - for Hana and Bryan to fake date. 

Hana doesn't like Bryan. In fact, there might be someone else on the show that she's crushing over. But how can she make a move when the world thinks she's dating Bryan. And neither scenario is good for the show...

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for Hollywood stories and while this isn't set in Hollywood - it's still filming a TV show. I loved the moments on set. I loved the moments Hana explores South Korea. And the food! There's so much to love with the food in this book. Lots of tropes here: fake dating, secret relationship, love triangle, famous people... If any of those are your jam, read this one! I loved the ending and how it ties into the book title. 

Tiny Spoiler: Hana is bi. She was born in American but now she and her family moved to South Korea for her acting career. All of this drama forces her to realize that she's not okay with staying silents.  I really liked two points in this book: 1. old fashioned vs homophobic and 2. the need to be safe in telling your truth. You don't have to share your truth unless you want to. Hana was Brave and Inspiring. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your school and public library.

If Lyla Lee sounds familiar to you, she's the author of fabulous Mindy Kim series for kids!

Graphic Novel Review: How to be Bad

 

From superheroes to super villains, Mischief and her cat Mayhem team up with Melvira to cause havoc. Mischief wanted to be a superhero badly, but she didn't have any powers. She lied on her camp application. When she's discovered and humiliated, Melvira is there to manipulate the situation. 

Mischief and Melvira cause trouble all across the city, but there's a line Mischief won't cross. What happens when she has to stand up to her best friend?

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel about finding yourself, friendship, and smart plans. The art was great and colorful. Lots of action, danger, and humor. I also liked the question this book asks - what makes a hero or a villain. I can't wait to read more of Mischief and Mayhem's story.

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your school and public libraries.

* Read for the Cybils Award

Review: Orange for the Sunsets

 

Twelve-year-old Asha and her best friend, Yesofu, never cared about the differences between them: Indian. African. Girl. Boy. Short. Tall. But when Ugandan President Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country, suddenly those differences are the only things that people in Entebbe can see—not the shared after-school samosas or Asha cheering for Yesofu at every cricket game.

Determined for her life to stay the same, Asha clings to her world tighter than ever before. But Yesofu is torn, pulled between his friends, his family, and a promise that could bring his dreams of university within reach. Now, as neighbors leave and soldiers line the streets, the two friends find that nothing seems sure—not even their friendship. And with only days before the deadline, Asha and Yesofu must decide if the bravest thing of all might be to let each other go. (Summary from the publisher).

My Thoughts: I really liked this book about friendship, changes, differences,  survival, and doing the right thing. I felt really bad for Asha and Yseofu and how their friendship was torn apart by forces outside their control. I wanted to give them both a giant hug. This was a hard story to read, but a great story. It's great for starting discussions about so many topics. 

Cover Thoughts: I love the sky and the details in the lettering

Source: Won from a blog contest

Library Recommendations: A great book for your school and public library - highly recommended. Also a great book for discussion. 

If you like:

Review: Be Not Far From Me

The woods can kill you. Ashely knows this to be true.

But it becomes real after a night partying in the woods with her friends.

After she drinks. After she catches her boyfriend with another girl. And after she stumbles blindly into the woods and hurts her foot - badly.

When she wakes up in the morning - everything hits her. She's lost. She has no idea where she is. She can't walk. She has no supplies.

How is she going to survive?

My Thoughts: I'm not going to lie - this book was hard to read in some parts. Gruesome. Ick. Gross. But also, I didn't want to stop reading. I wanted to know what happened and how everything turned out. And it was not the way I expected it. I loved how Ashley was determined and strong. I loved that she had a knowledge of the woods and it helped keep her alive. She was impressive and brave. I would not be that brave.

Cover Thoughts: Intriguing
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: A great survival story/thriller for your public library's collection.

Review: From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Zoe Washington just turned twelve. On her birthday, she finds a letter from her father. He's in prison for murder. He wants to be part of her life. But she doesn't know him. He claims that he's innocent.

Zoe's determined to find out. She secretly writes him back. She asks him for information about his case; she wants to prove his innocence. But all the secrets and lying adds up.

She needs to tell someone about him. Will the truth come spilling out and ruin the rest of her summer plans - her baking internship, and her audition for a kid baking show.

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. I loved the baking parts and how Zoe made up her own cupcake flavor. I loved her moments in the bakery - how it was boring awesome and sometimes boring. I liked her friendship drama with Trevor and how that worked out. I loved her relationship with her grandmother. I loved her letters with Marcus and how they started to have a relationship. I enjoyed their conversation about music. I like how Zoe wanted to uncover the truth about her father even if it meant keeping secrets. I love how everything turned out. An impressive debut novel that leaves me waiting to see what Janae Marks writes next!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries. 
Conversation Starter: There aren't too many books about incarcerated parents and this book would make a great book discussion book.

Review: Secret of a Heart Note

Mim knows her future - following her mother's footsteps as an aromateur. Together they make love potions to help push love along and to make the world a better place. Mim likes her future, but she also wants to experience a normal life - which is why she begged her mother to attend high school.

But now her worlds are colliding when her teacher comes looking for help. Mim's entrusted with giving out the elixir, but she spikes the wrong person's drink. She doesn't want to tell her mother about the mix-up, so she attempts to untangle the web with the help of her best friend and a potential crush.

Aromateur's aren't allowed to fall in love. Mim's secrets soon pile up and threaten everything she holds dear.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved learning more about plants and their smells. I loved the idea of an aromateur and this book made me want to go out and explore the world for scents. And also create perfumes. I love that Mim made a gigantic mess of everything and that she worked hard to set it right. I loved her loyalty. I loved meeting her aunt. I loved the moments between her aunt and her mother. I enjoyed Kali and Court. I felt a little bad for all the drama, friendship and family - but I liked how things turned out. And now I'm curious what my heart note might be...

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Great book for your school and public library

Picture Book Review: The Cranky Ballerina

Ada hates Saturdays because she's forced to take a ballet class. She's terrible at Ballet. She hates everything about it from the clothes to the positions. When she attempts a pirouette, disaster strikes. But it could be the best thing that ever happened to her.

My Thoughts: A really fun story about something you hate helping you find something better. The pictures are super fun. I love the sound effects. The ending is priceless. Which makes me hope for a sequel.A fun story to share with others.

Review: Orphan Queen

* First in a duology*

Wilhelmina is a princess without a homeland. Years ago, her parents were murdered in front of her eyes. A boy helped her escape her kingdom unharmed. Now she and a band of her people hope to take back her land.

Wil and her BFF Melanie forge documents and impersonate two ladies to gain access to the palace of her enemies. Will must complete tasks and uncover secret information to bring back to her team.

She meets the Black Knife in the city. The vigilante's already suspicious of her. The more time she spends with him, the more she stops viewing him as a threat.

With two secret identities to keep, Wil know she's only at the palace for a limited time. She only hopes that she isn't discovered and thrown to the wolves. She can't let her people down...

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - learning why Wil didn't have a homeland, the magical creatures destroying the land, and how she infiltrates her enemies castle. I loved her sense of loyalty and love, but how she also had lines that she would not cross.  I liked her thieving ways and her interaction with the Black Knife. 

I liked her friendship with Melanie - even though they had their moments of distrust. I'm interested to see how the exiled Princess will move forward with regaining her kingdom. 

Cover Thoughts: Impressive
Source: Sent for Review

Final Thoughts: I can't wait to read The Mirror King - to uncover what happens next.

If You Like:

Review: City Love

* First in a new trilogy *

Three girls find an apartment together in NYC the summer before staring college.

Darcy just got out of a serious relationship with a boy who broke her heart. Understandably, she's not looking for anything serious.  But the she meets a boy she can't stop thinking about and wonders if she should take another risk with her heart.

Sadie's lived in NYC her entire life and never wants to leave. She's excited to score an internship for Urban Design. A believe in true love and soul mates, Sadie locks eyes with a cute boy on her first day at her internship. Could it be love?

Rosanna's working for the summer and trying to put the past behind her. She barely has enough money to get by. On her first day, she makes an enemy without knowing why, but it also causes her to meet a boy. He's from a very different world, but they seem to click.

Can these three girls for a bond and find romance in their summer of freedom?

My Thoughts: I devoured this book, loving the adventures the three girls had in the city. I loved the idea of them coming together for a summer before starting college and the idea of freedom.

I really loved the romances - the good and the bad. It's easy to be swept away by the idea of love, especially when you're in a new place. 

I loved seeing the city through their eyes, it makes me want to go explore New York desperately.

This book takes place in such a short time, establishing characters and romances. I hope the next two books take place over the rest of the summer and a little into fall. I anticipate the girls becoming closer in the next two books. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the backdrop of the city behind the couple
Source: I won a copy of this book

Final Thoughts: I loved reading this one and can't wait to see what happens next to these girls. 

Fun Fact: I added some tourist items to my bucket list because of this book.
Similar Reads: Check out these travel books for more adventures.

Tween Tuesday Review: Destiny Rewritten

Emily's mother often retells the story of her naming, how she was named after Emily Dickinson while looking in at a book in a bookstore, and how she knew her daughter would write poetry- just like her namesake.  Emily's kept that book close to her. Her mother wrote down all her life's progress besides fitting poems.

Emily doesn't like to write poetry. She's not interested in it. She's more interested in happy endings. When an accident causes her to misplace her book, she worries about finding it. Mostly Emily worries about her destiny. Is she in control of her own destiny?

What will happen to her future? After talking with her best friend, her cousin, and her mother, Emily decides to attempt to change the way she makes decisions. If she changes, will the book come back to her? And  can she change her future?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I really liked the concept behind it - can we change our Destiny. I like how Emily searches for her lost book -even though she wants to change her Destiny. I like how much the book means to her and what it could mean for her future. I love how Emily wishes and requires happy endings. I love that she write Danielle Steel letters. I love that she gets a response from these letters. I loved the ending of the book - powerful and obviously happy.

Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.
Source: My Library

Happy Sweet Shadows Day!

It's the release of the 2nd book in the Sweet Venom trilogy. I ADORED Sweet Shadows. 

Tera, as always, rocks!

Go get yourself a copy and enjoy these sisters finding each other and learning to kick monster butt!  

Tween Tuesday Review: Bliss

**Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun! **  

Rose's parents own a bakery. It's not an ordinary bakery. They follow recipes from the Bliss Cookery Booke - which includes magical ingredients. The recipes are written in story format. Best of all, the goodies make people happy.

Rose's excited at the idea of baking with magic. When will her parents allow her to really help in the family business? She's getting tired of waiting. 

Then her parents are called away on an important mission. They give Rose a key to secret room, where they keep the cookbook. Rose is under strict instructions NOT to use the book. She promises, but things get out of hand when Aunt Lily appears.

Rose has never heard of Aunt Lily, but soon she becomes part of the family.  Rose's brothers want to experiment with the book. They convince Rose to copy out a few recipes and try them. The results are a disaster. Each recipe they try, they just make it worse. Can they fix things before their parents come home?

My Thoughts: A magical bakery = sold. I loved this idea and really enjoyed reading this one. I loved the magical elements to the story - the secret ingredients, the secret rooms, the cookbook made from stories. I enjoyed the squabbling between Rose and her brothers, but liked how they pulled together. The small town feel of the this book made it more delightful. Everyone knew everyone's business, which made their bad behavior more amusing.  I loved the descriptions of the librarians fighting, the girls going crazy over Ty, and the disco party.  I'm so interested to see where this series will continue after the cliff hanger ending!

Cover Thoughts: Great, it made me want to read the book. Plus I love the wrap around cover!
Source: My Library

Review: Insurgent

 * sequel to Divergent *

Tris's world collapsed when she realized  the lengths fractions would go to change the world. Now she's stuck under a mountain of grief, but struggles to uncover a way to help the people.

War is coming, but not everyone wants to choose sides. Tris and Four are running from the Erudite fraction. That fraction has secrets. Tris is curious to learn their secrets and why they're turning people against people. One thing is certain, they need to be stopped.

As the world's deteriorates, it's hard to know who to trust. Secrets spill out changing beliefs and sometimes loyalties.  Can Tris save the people she loves without spilling more bloodshed or will she die risking her life?

My Thoughts: I LOVE this series.


I love the romance between Tris and Four - the strength, the tenderness, their loyalty, and the heat.  They get a little off track in this book with their secrets.  


Tris goes through Hell in this book - first with guilt, then with compensation, and finally with torture. She's so strong yet her past propels her forward without thinking about her own future.  
I found this book to be highly emotional with lots of action and and danger. Tris's emotions of guilt made this book a heavy read. Tris risks her life multiple times to eavesdrop, save people, or recover an item. She's under a bridge, outnumbered with no weapon, and escaping from people who want to stop her. Her shock and guilt resemble PTSD. She shakes when a gun's put into her hand. She's rather be without weapons, but with all the danger, it's not the wisest choice she makes, With her judgement clouded with her emotions, Tris pushes herself and her body to the limit without caring about herself. She's self destructive but covers her behavior with a need to help and to save people. 


Insurgent isn't an easy book to read. I didn't devour it, but I did read it fairly quickly. There were moments when I had to put it down and step away from the weight of this book, which makes me think about the book more.  I couldn't stay away from the book for too long because it's simply an amazing read. The cliff hanger at the end sets up book 3 perfectly. I can't wait to uncover the truth.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic


Source: my Library

Review: Sweet Shadows

*2nd in a trilogy - read my review of the first book - Sweet Venom *

** This book comes out in September, so keep your eyes open for it**

Sweet Shadows picks up a few moments before the last book ends, which was on a major cliff hanger. The triplets dive into the ocean. From that moment on, they know that they not only need each other to survive, but their lives will never be the same again.

Someone wants to kill them. As they get deeper into the mystery of the key generation and the prophecy, they realize how many layers exist in their decision.

The sisters understand they must learn to trust each other more than ever as things grow darker and more dangerous.

My Thoughts: I love this trilogy. I love the monster fights. I really liked the description of the Abyss and the monsters locked in the darkness. 


I found the secondary characters of Nick and Thane very interesting. They both have secrets, especially Thane. I'm looking forward to discovering more about his past and how he fits in with the triplets. While he was absent for most of the book, I can feel his story will be significant. 


I liked the romance (and the heat) between Nick and Gretchen. I thought their interaction provided both comic relief and plot twists.


I loved the sisters' relationship and their learning to lean on each other. I liked their struggle. Greer attempts to remain perfect, but the facade's crumbling. She isn't sure what to do, but her sisters might have the answer. Grace doesn't like keeping secrets from her family. She hates the thought that they can't trust her. Gretchen can't stand not knowing what to do next to save her mentor. She must trust her sisters to watch her back. They became friends, despite their differences.


Again, this ends on a cliff hanger - which only leaves me more excited to read the final installment. 

Cover Thoughts: I love how it connects with the first book with the hair split int tendrils (almost snake-like) and the dark shirt fading into the background.


Source: Tera! Thanks Tera - you rock!

Review: Pretty Crooked

Willa and her mom move to a posh neighborhood where Willa enrolls in private school. It's the first time they've had money.  Willa isn't too sure about the school, but she lands among the Glitterati.

She soon discovers that the popular girls aren't the nicest girls. They talk trash about their fellow students, especially those students on scholarship. Willa can't bring herself to break up with the Glitterati, but she wants to find a way to help the scholarship students.

Willa begins thief lessons. Soon she's taking money from purses and buying items in secret for the girls.  She's a modern day Robin Hood. Willa loves the rush she gets from seeing the scholarship girls wear the clothes. She wants to do more and more.

Will her big ideas be her downfall?

My Thoughts: In writing this review, an idea just occurred to me in the future of the series. In my mind it makes sense and I can't wait to see if it's true. I liked this book. I liked the action. I liked the modern day Robin Hood idea. There were times that I didn't like Willa and I didn't understand her decisions.  I'm interested to uncover the truth about her mother. I really liked Tre. I didn't really like Aidan, but I could see his charm.  The ending took me by complete surprise and it will keep me reading the next book.


Cover Thoughts: Cute - but it doesn't totally match the book


Source: Netgalley

Challenge: Debut Author 2012

Review: Love and Leftovers

Marcie's mom left her dad and moved halfway across the country. She thought it was just for the summer.

She was wrong. She's not returning home to her friends, to her boyfriend, to her school. Now she's forced to start a new school - where everything thinks she's stuck up because she wasn't friendly over the summer.

Marcie tries to cope with her life changing. She tries to cope with her mother's depression. She tries to move on with her life.

She meets a boy. He doesn't take the place of Linus her boyfriend, but he becomes something. She's not sure she knows what love is - and she desperately wants to find out. Who does she love? Who loves her? Can Marcie figure out her life?

My Thoughts: A debut novel - Love & Leftovers is a novel in verse. Marcie's confusion about life and love rings true. Her lost, her loneliness, and her feelings drive her actions. I enjoyed watching her figure out her new life and trying to blend it together with her old life. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - love the sneakers and how it works with the book.

Source: My library

Review: Sweet Venom

Grace and her brother just moved to San Fransisco. Grace's interest in computer science earned her a scholarship to Alpha Academy - a private prep school. Grace has always known she was adopted, but never imaged she'd have a twin.

She meets Gretchen by chance - right in the middle of a monster take down. Gretchen isn't interested in Grace. Gretchen is interested in learning how the monsters are breaking the rules. Previously only one monster can escape their realm at a time. But that night in the club, there are two monsters.

When Grace arrives on her doorstep the following day, Gretchen reluctantly she agrees to give Grace lessons on monster killing. She also tells Grace the history of monsters. She doesn't talk about herself much - her foster families or living on the streets. Despite not being interesting in family bonding, she does tell Grace about Ursula - her missing mentor.

Gretchen wants to know why the monster realm is changing. She wants to fight monsters- not train her sister. Grace wants to learn how to defend herself against all the monsters seeking her out. When she discovers they have another sister, she knows that the the third sister is in grave danger. Can she convince Gretchen to help her save their unknown sister?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book. I loved the darker tone, the monster fighting, the uniqueness of each sister, the snark, the fighting scenes, the lighter tones of romance and friendship, and each sister rediscovering who they are in light of each other. I didn't want to this book to end, especially after the cliff hanger! I can't wait for book two!!!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE the cover!!!!

Source: from the publisher

Author Visit: Tera Lynn Childs

Tera and I have been chatting online since I read Oh My Gods - which I LOVED. Since then, I've read all her YA books (I need to read her chick lit books!) and LOVED each of them. I was so excited to have her come to the library for a program!


The room set up:

A teen volunteer Allie drew and painted this awesome mermaid!!!!!

A sparkly castle - just right for Lily!

The Food Table: with cupcakes and mint Oreos (because they are both delicious and Vegan!)
The Favors:

Bookmarks, Buttons, Rose Bath Salts, book postcards

Mermaid Buttons, toenail polish, and these amazing foot scrubs.

Tera speaking:

Here are the secrets I learned:
*Tera used to consider herself a math/science girl and not a reading/writing girl
* Her mermaid books came from daydreaming at the beach about a merman coming out of the water and kissing a woman - transferring power to the woman with a kiss
* The original cover of Oh My Gods (featuring an ancient statue - which I LOVED) wasn't carried by the two major booksellers. Instead, it gained recognition with librarians through a starred review in PW
* The last book that Tera adored and thinks everyone should Love, is The Hunger Games
* When she read the Baby-Sitter's Club book: Logan Likes Mary-Ann, she though that every book should have a happy ending (I do too!)
*Her character Gretchen from the upcoming Sweet Venom came from E. Lockhart's Fly on a Wall


Some Fun Pictures:

A goofy picture of me swimming with Lily
(That was for you, Jess!)

Me, Tera, and Jess (who was caught eating during picture time)

Here's Allie (the mermaid artist) and Tera!



Everyone had a great time - I heard so many people commenting to me about the visit! It was So great to meet Tera. She's so sweet and lovely.

Fins Are Forever Week!

Tomorrow is the release date for...
Tonight it also the BIG author event with Tera at the Otis Library. I'm SUPER excited to meet Tera and for the event!!!

I'm working on decorating the room and putting out the cupcakes:


If you want to know how awesome the book is, I gush about it here.

Plus you can watch the book trailer I made here:

If you're in the area, come meet Tera tonight!!!! It's going to be an awesome event. There will be prizes!

Did you see those cupcakes?!

If you can't make it, I'll spill all the secrets I learned and post a bunch of pictures tomorrow :)