BEA 2010

BEA was quite an adventure - and that was just the bus ride, which I won't bore with you the details, but it was horrific.

I saw amazing people. The ones not included in the video are Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Kristi from the Story Siren, Jessica Miller from I Read to Relax, awesome CT YA librarians, and Laura M who I meant at ALA Midwinter in Boston.

Here's some photos taken with my cellphone and not the best:

Jonathon Stroud:

Lauren Kate:

Ridley Pearson:

The Amazing Harlequin desk

Where I saw Maria V. Snyder!

I missed some great authors and events due to the bus issues.

I missed other authors that I meant to see, but never found.

I also missed some booths that I really wanted to see.

However, I got amazing goodies books like these:

Listen to Summer

Enjoy the sounds of summer!




* have a fun and safe holiday week*

Adult Review: Insatiable

Meena hates vampires. They're ruining her life.

First they invade her work. Meena doesn't get the promotion to head writer she's been hoping to achieve. Then they announce the popular daytime drama will be adding a vampire story line to compete with it's major competition.

Second, there's a serial killer on the loose leaving dead female bodies drained of their blood in the various parks of New York City.

Third, Meena goes out to walk her dog, Jack Bauer*, in the middle of the night. She's attacked by numerous bats, but protected by a mysterious man. She almost thinks she dreamed this late night incident.

Fourth, she starts dating this man after meeting him again at a party only to discover he's a vampire prince - ruler of all vampires. She discovers the truth about her boyfriend after a member of Palatine Alaric Wolf comes to warn her and worm the whereabouts of her new boyfriend out of her. She refuses to give up his location, even when she realizes that he IS the prince of darkness.

Lucien, despite his family history, seems to love Meena and want to protect her. However Alaric Wolf can't stand by and let that happen. He's determined to rescue Meena if it's the last thing he does.

When she puts everything together, Meena's seriously annoyed, but with a vampire war looming, which side will she end up upon?

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book.** Meena is sweet with a wicked sense or humor, snarky, and feisty. Plus she has a secret where she can see how people are going to die. Her vampire romance is sexy and sweet. Lucien's one part charming and one part dangerous. Wolf is amusing. Meena's vampire neighbors are hilarious - causing ruckus in the vampire world all in the name of match making. All in all, it's a charming sexy read full of romance, danger, protective men, and one kick butt heroine.

While this IS an adult novel, I think some older teens will naturally gravitate towards this one because it's Meg Cabot and also vampires!

The Cover: Is this supposed to be Meena? The cover, while attractive and eye catching, doesn't fit with the book.

Source: Sent to me by the amazing author! I ADORE her! (Thanks Meg!)

Book Trailer:

Check out Meg Cabot's post about why she wrote a vampire novel and how she feels about book trailers

* I love that the name for this anxious dog is Jack Bauer.
** Insatiable comes out June 8th**

Author Visit: Marley Gibson

Marley Gibson came to Otis Library on Monday.

Here's a photo of us together:

Ten Fun Things about Marley
10. She wrote two books under the name Kate Harmon
9. She's a BUZZ girl
8. She used to make up stories about her 300 stuffed animals - proms, weddings, beauty pageants and she made up a newspaper with these stories, plus photos articles, and gossip
7. She started ghost hunting in her teens and she's seen things that she can't explain
6. She's going to do a ghost hunt at a library in Key West
5. She's really funny: "They're going to eat that up like chocolate cake" (speaking of the Heather Davis book The Clearing)
4. She and her sweetie are traveling around the country in their RV with their books and goodies (including awesome, but gross skull brains)
3. There could be SIX books in the Ghost Huntress series
2. which just might be made into a movie - it's been optioned!
1. Her books give me chills - but in a good way

Here's a READ poster:

Morning with an Author: Sarah Strohmeyer

This year, after our annual library fundraiser, we had a Morning with an Author at the library with awesome author Sarah Strohmeyer.

Here we are together:


10 fun facts:

10. She's super sweet.
9. She lives in Vermont
8. She used to be a reporter
7. She tells amazing stories both in life and in her books
6. She just turned in manuscript- about martinis
5. Which meant, she had to try a bunch of them
4. She's very entertaining - we laughed a LOT
3. She puts stories people tell her in her books
2. She has a very funny story about a Hollywood meeting
1. She's going to be writing a YA novel!

Here she is with some library staff:

Here's a READ poster:
Here's a book trailer I made for the event featuring The Penny Pinchers Club

PS. You can also read about her visit at Papermom

Display: Star Wars

Celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope. Here's our library display of all things Star Wars

Mysterious Saturday Review: Tressed to Kill

Grace Ann returns home after a divorce and back to her mother's beauty salon. When an uppity woman comes into the shop looking for a haircut as her usual place couldn't fit her in, she causes trouble. She takes a phone call that allows the dye to stay in her hair too long. Her hair streaks turn orange and she threatens shut down the business. Later that night Grace Ann and her mother stumble across this woman's body.

Now they're the prime suspects for murder. Grace Ann and the rest of the staff at the salon take it upon themselves to gather information in hopes of clearing Grace Ann's mother. Someone doesn't want them digging and leaves messages to warn them off the case.

That doesn't stop Grace Ann, even when the attacks increase in malice. Will she stick her neck out too far?



My Thoughts: The first in a new series complete with beauty recipes and Southern charm. The secondary characters add flair. There's just a hint of romance making this new cozy a pure delight.

The Cover: very cute!

The Source: ILL from the library system

Review: Pride and Prejudice the graphic novel

Pride and Prejudice in graphic novel format

My Thoughts: I liked seeing the graphic format and the pictures were amazing - except for Lizzie's mother, she was hideous. From my understanding, this book is part of a 5 book series although, the book ended with the proposal. I'm not sure where the other books will go. I like that Marvel decided to create a classic graphic for females. Maybe this book will lead reads to the book.

The Cover: Interesting how it resembles a magazine.

Source: My library

Review: Shade

Logan's birthday was supposed to be the day that tied him and Aura together. Instead, it became a day of sorrow; a day Aura would regret forever. While her boyfriend played an amazing gig which could result in a record deal, he didn't live long enough to make it a reality.

It doesn't help that in Aura's world, everyone under the age of 16 sees ghosts. When Logan reappears, it's almost as if he never left, except she can't touch him or feel his touch. Life goes almost back to normal.

Aura deals with her family life, her school life, and those people talking smack about her. She stands through it all. She does meet a new friend, a boy whom she must work together with on a school project. He makes her feel safe again. When he's around, it's almost as if she's normal and not the girlfriend of a ghost.

Zach likes her and doesn't hide his feelings. He has a secret and it involves Aura. When it comes out, will it ruin everything?

My Thoughts: An amazing read! I can't wait to read more and find out what happens next. The idea of seeings ghosts is both creepy and intriguing, which makes for a very interesting and most unusual book. Ghosts, love, heartbreak, and uncovering secrets make this a book not to be missed!

The Cover: Awesome!

Source: My Library

Review: Red Pyramid

Kane has a strange family life. His mother died in an accident that ripped apart his family. Now he travels around the world with his father, an Egyptian archaeologist, while his sister lives in London with their grandparents. Kane and his father only see Sadie twice a year.

This year, something strange occurs moments into their visit. Their father visits the British Museum. First he makes excuses to the curator and then he instructs his children to stay in another room, no matter what happens. However, they investigate when they hear the noise and witness their father blowing up the Rosetta Stone.

When the stone blows up, he disappears but unleashes five powerful Egyptian Gods. Kane and Sadie discover their unique heritage includes blood of the past pharaohs. Only they have the power to stop the gods from creating chaos all over the world. However, not everyone wants the gods to remain dormant thus Kane and Sadie find peril at every turn. Can they gather the knowledge needed to stop these powerful beings or will the world be doomed?

My Thoughts: I really liked this start to a new series by Rick Riordan. The only part I didn't like was the set-up. I'm not a fan of narrators talking directly to readers and I know this form set the book up like finding a recording, but it did annoy me. I loved the mythology and learning more about Egypt. I loved the visual descriptions of this book; I could see everything pictured in my mind. I'm already looking forward to the next installment.

The Cover: I like it.

Source: My Library

Similar Read: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott for the mythological creatures and magical battle

Chatting with Y.S. Lee

Welcome Ying! She's the awesome author of Spy in the House, the first book in the Agency series! Thanks for chatting with us and let's get started

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What made you choose to write and why YA?

Choosing to write: I always wanted to, but was too much of a coward to admit it for years. But as I was finishing my PhD and contemplating being an English professor, I suddenly thought, This is my last chance to try it. It felt crazy and weird and pointless, but it was only then that I wrote the novel that eventually become A Spy in the House.

Why YA? I originally wrote Spy as an adult historical mystery. When my agent read it, she pointed out that it was really a coming-of-age story and suggested that I revise it as a YA novel. I was floored – had never thought of it that way – but she was absolutely right. I cut 30,000 words and a subplot, but the substance of the original work is all there.

Where do you write best?

I try to write wherever and whenever I can get an uninterrupted block of time. It’s usually at my desk or my favorite café (hey there, patient baristas of CoffeEco!), but I’m not picky: sometimes on road trips, I type in the passenger seat.

What was the last book you’ve read that you’ve been recommending to everyone?

Just one?! Argh. For adult literary fiction, I’m pretty evangelical about Jane Gardam’s Old Filth. For YA, I think everyone should read Meg Rosoff’s The Bride’s Farewell.

How do you get your ideas? Do you use real events in your novels and if so, can you describe one?

I love Frances Trollope’s answer: “Of course I draw from life, but I always pulp my acquaintance before serving them up. You would never recognize a pig in a sausage.” It’s a brilliant description of what goes on in a writer’s brain.

Because the Agency novels are set in Victorian London, I include real events. The Great Stink of 1858 (which forms the backdrop of Spy) really happened! It was a particularly warm year and the smell from the grossly polluted Thames became, quite suddenly, unbearable. People panicked. Those who could fled London for the country. And the Great Stink finally pushed the government into cleaning up the Thames and modernizing London’s sewer system.

How do you come up with your titles?

Painfully, clumsily. I brainstorm a longlist, run it by friends, then submit a shortlist to my agent & editor. Eventually, something emerges but it’s definitely not my strength. I really envy those whose brilliant titles just come to them out of the blue.

Can you tell us a little bit about Spy in the House?

A Spy in the House is the first of the Agency novels. Its heroine is Mary Quinn, a smart, feisty 17-year-old with a criminal past and an uncertain future. Mary is rescued from the gallows, trained as an undercover agent, and sent on her first assignment, into the house of a rich merchant suspected of smuggling. The world of the Agency, a secret all-female intelligence force, is dark and dangerous - far from the "tea and scones" stereotype of historical fiction.

I adored this book, you can read my review here.

What’s up next?

The second MQ novel, The Body at the Tower, comes out in August. Here’s a description: In July 1859, a bricklayer falls to his death from the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament – the most recent horror in a string of scandals that plagues the building site. With the British people eagerly watching the installation of Big Ben, Mary Quinn disguises herself as a 12-year-old boy laborer to uncover the grim truth. Her fellow workers are suspicious. Mary’s secret past distracts her. And then James Easton returns…

Sounds awesome!

If you like the cover for Body at the tower, there's some behind the scenes photos here

How many books will there be in the series?

There were supposed to be three, but I’ve just finished writing the third (The Traitor and the Tunnel) and am finding that I’m not quite done with Mary Quinn: there was just too much to pack into one book. After that, I’m not sure. I may go on to write about other members of the Agency, but it depends in part on what my agent and publisher think of that idea.

Oh, I hope we see MUCH more of Mary Quinn. I ADORE her! I'd love to read about other members of the Agency too.

I read that your PhD in Victorian literature led you to write this series. Do you have a favorite Victorian novel?

Yes! Middlemarch, by George Eliot. Please read it. You won’t regret it.

I read that in college, loved it too!

What person from the Victorian era would you most like to share a cup of tea?

Cultural and art critic John Ruskin. I’d congratulate him on the things he got right (lots of them!) and try to re-program him on the subject of women.

Are there any authors you’d love to meet?

Yes and no. I’m terrified of my favorite authors – they sound so fierce and eloquent and intelligent that the idea of making conversation with them is utterly intimidating. I’d probably fret for ages, mumble something incoherent, then flee the room.

Ha! That's what happens to me too. I become so fan girly, that it's embarrassing, but it's amazing at the same time.

Do you have a book crush?

Of course! As a kid, I was madly in love with Teddy Kent from L.M. Montgomery’s Emily Starr trilogy. (Looking back, I wonder why – he’s not that special, and even a bit weak.) Now, I prefer Captain Wentworth from Jane Austen’s Persuasion or Will Ladislaw from Middlemarch.

Oh, I liked Teddy too. Gilbert was a favorite of mine. And Mr. Darcy. To be honest, I could play this game all day....

Do you have a favorite quote?

No. Is that weird?

Listing if your favorites:

Candy: bittersweet chocolate

Pizza topping: green olives

Genre of books: literary fiction

Singer and/or Song: Rufus Wainwright

Restaurant: any open-air kitchen in Malaysia

TV show /Movie: action flicks – the sillier, the better

Color: red

Shoe: shiny red patent

Video Game: does Tetris count?

Ice cream: Ginger

Time of day: that little window when you’re surfacing from sleep but still not quite awake

Awesome, thanks for chatting with us! Be sure to pick up a copy of this awesome book Spy in the House, you won't regret it!

Ghosty Display

Reading Meme

Reading Habits is a meme going around the blogosphere right now. So, of course, I had to do it.

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack:
Only sure lunch - usually when I'm at work.

What is your favorite drink while reading?
Sometimes I'll drink hot chocolate or tea.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
NO! - well, ok, only in college.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?
A bookmark - or what ever is closest to me.

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?
Fiction most of the time - so I can escape from my world. Rarely nonfiction - unless it's something of interest

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?
I like the end of the chapter, but it's not always possible, especially for those authors who write cliff hanger chapters - then I sometimes read until I can breathe again.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?
No, but I will make growling noises sometimes.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
I just ignore it and keep reading.

What are you currently reading?
The Next Best Thing (adult romance) and pages away from finishing Merlin's Harp. I'm about to start Disney In Shadow: Kingdom Keepers III

What is the last book you bought?
for myself: Cinderella Society and Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?
Multiple - sometimes I have a work book, a downstairs book, and an upstairs book. Which can be a pain when I need to know what happens next and the book isn't right there.

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?
I can read anywhere. I usually have a book with me wherever I go, just in case.

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?
Either, although I love series books because there are characters I simply NEED to spend me time with.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yes mostly as part of my job - YA Librarian and to other reader. In my job there's a lot of questions for what to read after (fill in the blank) - which is usually vampire or a paranormal read. But there's are a fair amount of books I always recommend and that changes frequently. Right now it's Forgive my Fins (once it comes out), Cinderella Society, Heist Society, anything by Maria V. Snyder, plus the staples: Hunger Games, Graceling, Eon, anything by Meg Cabot. I really could go on and on all day.

How do you organize your books? (by genre, title, author's last name, etc.)
At home, by categories and then my favorites. Some categories include: Fantasy, Jane Austen, childhood reads, mysteries, girly books. Usually I lend out so many books that my shelves are never complete.

What about you?

Mysterious Saturday Review: Red Delicious Death

No good deed goes unpunished. Meg Corey points to young people in the direction of a building for their dream of opening up a restaurant. To her delight, they purchase the building. They're going to need some help getting it ready. Meg knows that Seth will do what he can to give them a hand. She's ready to give them some names of people in the area who might sell them produce.

The trio (a married couple and their best friend) move into the space above the proposed restaurant and get to work. They're so excited to get started on their dream, until of of the trio turns up dead.

Their friend is found face down in a pig field with a boot print on his back. No one understands this murder. There are very few clues as he hasn't been in town long enough to make any enemies. No one from his past looks dangerous.

Will this murder derail the plans for the restaurant? Meg steps in and attempts puzzle out this case while she starts getting ready to harvest her first apple crop. She's extraordinarily busy with learning about the orchard. Is there a murderer living among the townspeople? Will this case ever be solved?

My Thoughts: This is the 3rd in the series. Quite an enjoyable read and fun to get to know the town better. I'm looking forward to the next book.

The Cover: Eye Catching

Source: my Library

Fun Fact: Sheila Connolly has a new series coming soon: Museum Mysteries, which will be set in Philadelphia. The first book should be out in Fall 2010--watch for future announcements!

Review: The Reckoning

Chloe and her pack are happy they found Andrew, someone from the brothers' past they can trust. He provides them with a home --beds, food, and a roof over their heads. Andrew used to work for the Edison Group and he knows people with similar powers.

He gathers them to meet the pack. Chloe, Tory, and Simon now have a chance for training. No one can help Derek, as there aren't any other werewolves in the group. He'll have to go through this change on his own. The training begins, but the adults do not believe in the strength of the pack's powers. One woman forces Chloe to go into a graveyard and raise the dead. She refuses to believe Chloe can simply summon the dead without the use of spells.

When she realizes the truth, she's afraid. She has the same powers as Chloe, but on a much smaller scale. With the adults afraid of their powers, especially Derek's werewolf form, no one is comfortable. Everyone's jumpy and before long, Chloe starts second guessing everything.

Slowly the plan to rescue friends from the Edison Group fizzles forcing the pack to reevaluate their situation. Something seems a bit off, but they can't quite put their fingers on it. Are they really safe or this house just a cover with danger lurking right around the corner?


My Thoughts: I'm sad to see this series end. I Loved the danger, the friendship, the double crossings, the twists, the action and the paranormal elements. The ending fit perfectly, very satisfying.

The Cover: Awesome - love the similarities of the series

Source: My Library

Fun Fact: Taken from K. Armstrong's journal:
While this is the last book in the trilogy, it's not the end of the series. Book 4, The Gathering, comes out next spring. You won't find a page for it here because of the site overhaul, though. The Gathering adds new characters to the series while the current ones take a well-deserved break!

Awesome news!

Spotted: Elixir

Coming October 12, 2010

Bookalicious has a summary.

What do you think? Will you read it?

I think it sounds pretty good. I like the cover too.

Spotted: Love Bites

If you can't wait for the book's release (next week), check out a juicy chapter one

there's also a contest to win a copy of the book here

Spotted: Fledgling Handbook 101

Every vampyre fledgling who arrives at the House of Night receives
a copy of The Fledgling Handbook 101, and now, fans can have one,
too, with this gorgeous must-have edition. Inside you’ll find original
stories, the complete vampyre history, inside info into rituals, vamp
biology, and the Change, and much more.

from St. Martin's Press

Cinderella Society Winner

is jlarkin!

Congrats!

Review: The Carrie Diaries

Carrie Bradshaw lives in a small town that she's ready to escape. She can't wait for her senior year to end so her real life can begin. But even so, she wants to have a killer year to remember. It starts off slow, but soon a boy moves back to town.

Carrie crushed on Sebastian years ago and now that he's back, her heart doesn't stand a chance. In upsetting the most popular girl in school, she snags him for her boyfriend.

While she loves that he picked her, she can't help but wonder if she's good enough for him. She can't give him up, but she doesn't always like the way her treats her. Nor does she always like her behavior when she's around him.

Will she let this boy ruin her senior year fun or is he the key to her happiness?

My Thoughts: While I enjoyed reading about Carrie's life in her teen years, I didn't love this book. I hated Sebastian. I hated Carrie's reaction towards him - and yet in all the girls/women I know, they've been in at least one of this type of relationship. Still, his behavior drove me crazy. I liked watching Carrie struggle with her writing. I liked her relationships with her friends, as you can see little pieces of her character in her adult years. I love the last little bit of the book where she views the world differently. I loved the ending (even though it was predictable). Overall, I'm glad I read the book. I was extremely curious about it and it was entertaining. I wonder if there will be a sequel starting her New York life.

The Cover: Ok, but I liked the UK version better


Source: My Library

Review: Before I Fall

Sam has an average day at school, hanging out with her friends, and going to a party. On the way home, she dies. The next day she wakes up only to discover she must live it all over again.

For days, Sam wakes up and must change her present - not to change her future, but to change herself. Each day, she does something different to change the day and in doing so, changes the outcome of the day including pieces of herself. She understands more about her friends, her family, her boyfriend, and her enemies.

Why does she do the things she does? Why doesn't she stop certain things from happening? Will she find all the answers?

If she fixes herself and come to terms with her life, will she finally be at peace?

My Thoughts: I loved the changes from day to day as Sam's eyes open and she's much more aware of the people around her. I liked reading the same day over an over again with changes, some subtle, so not. I enjoyed watching the various secrets unfold and discovering the core of people, events, and issues.

The Cover: Interesting

The Source: My Library

Read-Alike: 13 Reasons Why

Review: Ironman 2

Over the weekend, I saw Ironman 2:


I enjoyed watching Pepper Potts step into a more leading role


I enjoyed the villain


I loved Black Widow
which made me intrigued by the Avengers movie (no photos yet for this movie.)

I confess that I'm not into comic books, but I think I should start reading them. I love the superhero movies (when done right). Ironman 2 was amusing and witty, serious at times, and very entertaining. In reading EW this weekend, their review mentions this movie as a planned trilogy. I can't wait for the next installment.

Review from www.teensreadtoo.com: Karma Club

Madison has the perfect boyfriend. She even sent in his photo to an uber-popular magazine for best boyfriend. Once they publish his photo, she hopes they will rise in popularity.

She couldn’t be happier gaining entrance to the exclusive parties at the Loft, until she finds her boyfriend making out with Queen Bee Heather Campbell. She rushes out of the party and waits for him to call and apologize. The phone call never comes.

Instead, Madison must face the new “It” couple on Monday. She spends the week wallowing, until her mother forces her on a field trip – where she has a brilliant idea.

Boys break hearts and nothing ever happens as a consequence, so Madison and her two BFFs start up a Karma Club to take back what matters most to the boys who broke their hearts.

Will messing with Karma come back to bite them in the butt?

My Thoughts: A very entertaining read filled with friendship, girls kicking butt, and taking a break from boys. I love books with girls taking charge - and this one fits the bill perfectly.


Cover: Not crazy about it

Source: for review

Fun Fact: Kick Butt Trailer

TV Moms

Yahoo has a post of favorite TV moms. You can read it here.

I have two favorite TV moms.

For Laughs (and her laughter): Kitty from That 70s Show

And for overall: Lorelai Gilmore

Who is yours?

Mysterious Saturday Review: Glazed Murder

Suzanne bought a donut shop directly after her divorce from Max. She's struggling to make it work and adapt to her crazy schedule - getting up and into the store by 2 AM and sleeping at 8 PM. One morning, she just makes it the store when she spies a body thrown out onto the street.

She doesn't get a good look at the person, but she scared when she realizes it's murder. Although the police have their own investigation going, she can't help wondering if they're looking in the right place. She's nervous that the killer could be coming after her next. Everyone around her seems to be telling her something different.

A former policeman is helping dig around. Her assistant wants to be part of the team, but Suzanne doesn't want anything happening to the young girl. Her ex-husband seems to be there every time she turns around. Her mother's driving her crazy. Then there's Jake. As the police, he's hurt she doesn't believe he can do the job, but as a man, he could be just the thing she needs to hep her move on from her past.

She and her best friend Grace start asking questions about the murder. The deeper they dig, the more they uncover and the more questions arise. Could what they uncover put them into danger?

My Thoughts: I craved donuts while reading this book. I loved hearing about the baking side of making donuts and working in the shop while trying to generate more customers. It also contains donut recipes. Overall, I Loved it.

I can't wait for the next one, Fatally Frosted coming in August.

The Cover: Simple, yet cute.

Source: Purchased

Spotted: Reading around the world

Spotted this on twitter and I LOVE these photos. This one is my favorite.

Where's you favorite place to read?

I adore reading in a comfy chair - but really I'll read anywhere.

Review from www.teensreadtoo.com: Something Like Fate

Lani and Erin have a long history. As best friends, they have an amazing history together, but they also have a dark past that strengthened their bond. Lani thinks nothing will ever tear them apart, until she meets Jason – Erin ’s boyfriend.

At first, she gets to know Jason because Erin wants them to be friends. Before long, she discovers the two of them have an undeniable chemistry. She has no idea if Jason feels the same way, but she’s determined to ignore her feelings.

She tries avoiding him. She tries ignoring her feelings. She tries being just friends. She doesn’t want to acknowledge that she's fallen for her best friend’s boyfriend, but she can’t keep hiding the truth. What kind of friend does this?
How can their friendship possibly survive?


My Thoughts: An amazing read of two people drawn together by fate, but kept apart by friendship. I loved watching this story unfold and the intense bonds of both friendship and love. Susane Colasanti is a new author to watch on my personal list. I look forward to reading her next books.

The Cover: Cute, I really like it.

Source: for review

Fun Fact: You can read Melissa Walker's blog post on the Cover Story

Review: Hannah's List (adult)

Hannah died last year, but she left her husband a letter to be opened on the anniversary of her death. He opens it to find an expression of love and something he never thought he'd find - a list of three women Hannah wants him to date. She wants him to move on and knows that this past year, he's been going through the motions, but not really living.

She knows him well. He's extremely reluctant to follow her advice. The first woman on the list is her cousin who owns a cafe on Blossom Street. He wanders into the cafe on morning for coffee. She isn't there, but he leaves a message at the counter.

The next woman is a nurse who made Hannah's last days comfortable. Michael speaks with her at a hospital children's picnic. She's recently divorced herself and understand what he's going through. They agree to dinner later in the week.

The third woman he calls cold, asking her to come into to paint a mural on the wall at his office. When she arrives late, he remembers her from the funeral. Everything about this woman annoys him and he can't understand how she made Hannah's List. He hires her and now must deal with seeing her in his office until she completes her project.

Will one of these women help him come out of his shell and bring him back to life?

My Thoughts: This isn't a book I normally review on this site, but I adore the Blossom Street series. They're adorable and heartwarming. I can't decide which one I like best. This one was amazing as well. I was a little shocked to see this book written in majority from a male perspective, but it works.

The Cover: I LOVE it - very cozy!

Source: my Library

Spotted: Body at the Tower

I'm super excited for this book, I adored the first one - check out my review if you missed it.

Here's the 2nd book cover, it comes out August 10th.


Is it it pretty?
HURRY Up August!!!

(add to Goodreads)

EDITED to add: Y.S. Lee wrote up a post complete with pictures on the making of this book cover. Check it out

The Official Cinderella Society Blog Tour Giveaway

Two weeks ago, we celebrated the release of the awesome Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy

(go here if you missed it)

Kay has graciously decided to host a giveaway.

One LUCKY reader will win
The Cinderella Society glass slipper bookmark



To Win:

1. Be a Follower
2. Comment on your favorite movie makeover scene
3. Leave me your email address so I can contact the winner

*Contest ends on Tuesday the 11th at midnight*

and don't forget to snag yourself a copy of this book, believe me, you DON'T want to miss it!

Fairy Tale Display

Poll results:Awesome Girls who Kick Butt and take names!

So most of you wish to be Katniss:

which I get, because she's awesome, but I don't think I have her guts and I would not like to be a participate in those types of games. LOVE THE BOOKS, can't wait for both the conclusion and the movie.

Hermione was the second pick:
I can identify more with her because of her bookish qualities, but I'm not sure I'd want to go up against the deadly wizard of all times, even I was a smarty pants.

Actually, while I adore all these characters, I'm not sure I'd be as brave as they are. They all still rock and I think they're awesome characters.