Top Ten Tuesday: Older Favorite YA Books

This week's topic is  Top Ten "Older" Books I Don't Want People To Forget (I'm going with a rewind this week because I didn't have ideas for the original topic). Plus as a librarian, I love recommended books - either newer or older titles. I just want the readers to be happy. I'm going to limit myself to the first 10 I see, but there are SO many more that I wish readers would notice.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Review: There's No Place Like Home

*****spoilers from the previous 5 books****

Kaitlin's just starting over in Hollywood with a new TV show - Small Fries. It has the potential to become HUGE. With Sky has her co-star again, things are looking better than ever.

Until her Mom starts overbooking her. With Broadway under her belt and another hit TV series, Kaitlin has her pick of movies her the show production's hiatus. She has the choice between working with Spielberg and Eastwood. Her mom wants her to choose both and she won't take no for an answer. Her mom also wants her promoting her TV show, leaving no time for dates with her boyfriend or time with her friends.

Kaitlin doesn't want to disappoint her mother, but neither does she want to burn out. After huge fights with her mother and her friends, Kaitlin realizes she needs to make some serious choices about her future.

My Thoughts: I'm so sad to say goodbye to Kaitlin and her Hollywood life. I love Kaitlyn because while she's the "IT Girl," she longs to be normal. She values loyalty, friendship, and honesty. The book is broken into three parts: the present, an alternate universe, and the present again. The alternate universe answers the questions Kaitlyn has been asking throughout the series - what would happen if she could live a normal life away from all the pressures. Would she be different? What would she do? A different approach to ending the series, but it really works as Kaitlin's been struggling with this issue ever since going incognito to high school during the first book. I do love how the series ended. It's an addicting fun series.

Cover Thoughts: I love it - it works so well with both the theme and with the covers of the previous titles in the series.

Source: My Library

GoodReads

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Broadway Lights

Kaitlyn's leaving for New York City and ready to make her Broadway debut. She's not happy about leaving her boyfriend behind for so long, but she's convinced they can make it. She's not ready for a costar who likes her and a jealous boyfriend.

She and Austin keep missing phone calls and thus stop sharing details. Kaitlyn has enough on her mind trying to get ready for a live audience, a snarky costar, adjusting to a new city, and a media fight with two former friends.

As Kaitlyn explores the city, she can't help but wonder why her relationship is falling apart. Nor can she help wonder about the future. There's a great pilot she read, but it might mean working with Sky again. With Sky, in the city for work, they've moved towards friendship. Could she risk it all by attempting to work with her again? All she knows is she's not letting the future scare her anymore and she's ready to take back control of her life.

My Thoughts: Love this series - its fun, flirty, and even though it's about Hollywood, Kaitlyn is a down-to-earth girl adjusting to life's curve balls

Cover: My 2nd favorite in the series

Source: My Library

Sad Fact: This is the 2nd to last book in the series. The last book comes out in Mach 2011

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Paparazzi Princess

Kaitlyn Burke's still reeling from the news about her hit TV drama ending. She's been working with the same cast and crew for ten years. She can't believe that it's all coming to an end.

Now, her family and her people are pressuring her to find another job pronto while her star quality remains high. But Kaitlyn can't begin to process the ending of her show let alone start looking for a new project.

She can't turn to her best friend because they're in the middle of huge fight. She barely sees her boyfriend. Her family is driving her crazy setting up meetings without asking her or even telling her in some cases. Even Lani is pressuring her to study more for the SATs and creates crazy schedules. Kaitlyn turns to two new girls - heiresses who might not have her best interests at heart. Will she let them lead her astray with parties, dancing, and attention in the tabloids?


My Thoughts: I love Kaitlyn and how she makes her way through Hollywood and life getting herself into scrapes and dealing with them. She's so down-to-earth, but in this book, she gets a little out of control. A fun episode this great addicting series.

The Cover: My favorite one yet of the series.

Source: My Library

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs

Kaitlyn Burke just wrapped up her summer movie which included her co-star Sky - her nemesis. She's headed back to her day job - the popular drama Family Affairs. This season a new character appears for a story arc. While Alexis seems friendly, nice, and charming, there's something a little off. Sky makes her feelings known to Kaitlyn, Alexis is out to steal their jobs and make them look bad. at first Kaitlyn dismisses Sky's idea, but she vows to take a closer look at her co-star.

The new "IT" girl seems to be making splashes wherever she goes. She's talking up Kaitlyn's boyfriend and making diva demands one minute and then becomes a demure newbie the next.

Will Alexis push Kaitlyn over the edge and drag down the family drama?

My Thoughts: This is the 3rd book in the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and I adore them. I devour these books that contain drama, Hollywood secrets, romance, friendship issues, and work.

The Cover: I like the diary concept, but overall, I'm not crazy about them

The Source: My Library

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location

Kaitlin Burke is back on top and ready to film a new movie on her vacation with one of Hollywood's leading directors. Before she starts filming her only major concern seems to be finding time for her boyfriend. Once she get on set, problems start popping up. First of all, her co-star is the boy who broke her heart when they weren't technically dating. Not only does she have to work with him, but the publicity team is forcing her to appear with him in public as a couple. She has yet to break the news to her perfect non-Hollywood boyfriend.

Next, her arch nemesis from her tv show will be playing her rival in the movie. Tension always escalates for Kaitlin when Sky's around.
Plus someone on set is spreading rumors about the costars, mixing up call times, and creating havoc with Kaitlin's personal life. Will the movie set and all the bad press sink Kaitlin again or will she combat all the drama?

My Thoughts: The second book in the series is still fresh, funny, and filled with drama. I love Kaitlin and can't wait to read more of her story

The Cover: I like the concept of the diary, but I'm not crazy about this cover.

Source: My Library