Life post BEA... the madness and exhaustion!

Last week I attended my first ever Book Expo America. It was a fabulous experience, if a bit exhausting as the days wore on. However, I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world and I'm glad I decided to attend. So, here's a rundown on my days in New York!

Saturday, May 21
Flew in to NYC. Basically a day of travel but I did get to meet a long time friend and eat dinner with her which was fantastic. First time meeting her!

Sunday, May 22
Went to the Museum of Modern Art which was beautiful, as I knew it would be. Here's a pic of my favorite picture.

After the MoMA, I went to Books of Wonder for an author event featuring Megan McCafferty, Elizabeth Scott, Melissa Kantor, Julie Chibarro, Casey Scieszka and Steven Weinberg, and Amy Ignatow. It was a fantastic event and I got a few signed books from it.

When I got back to my hotel, another of my roommates had shown up so I was excited. I stayed with four people which actually worked out fairly well despite the small bathroom. We went out to eat and then went to The Strand, that very famous New York bookstore. It was great and I only bought two books so you know, not too bad.

Monday, May 23
On Monday, after breakfast, I went to a Simon and Schuster blogging event. There was free swag, book talk, and author readings. Ellen Hopkins read from Perfect and new author Elizabeth Miles talked about her book, Fury, which I got a copy of. There were about 60 bloggers in attendance and I recognized several familiar faces.  After this event was probably the most disappointing event of BEA week for me. Teen Author Carnival was cramped, hot, and not run very well at all. I was not at all impressed. The one highlight of it was meeting Melissa Walker who I really admire. She has a great online personality and is just as wonderful in person and she recognized me via my Twitter handle! Huzzah! But mostly, I didn't enjoy Teen Author Carnival, despite all the great authors in attendance. Monday night was a different story completely though.

Then, I went to the Apple store to hear author Gena Showalter speak, hosted by Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches Trashy Books. It was a fun event and I got a signed copy of one of Gena's books. I've never read her teen stuff before but she was really sweet and had fun answering the questions.

After that, Gail from Ticket To Anywhere had invited me, along with a few other bloggers, to have dinner with Julie Kagawa and Harlequin Teen's editor, Tashya. We went to what I would describe as a very authentic NYC pizza place, Arturo's Coal Oven Pizza, and then sat and chatted about books, what new things Harlequin has coming out, and about blogging. It was a great evening! And after that, we went to The Shake Shack. (Yes, much of my NY adventures revolved around food and I don't even care.)

Tuesday, May 24
First day of BEA! I attended the children's authors breakfast and heard Sarah Dessen and Brian Selznick speak, then headed into the exhibits. It definitely took me awhile to get my bearings in terms of where the booths I wanted to find were located. I got a few signed books that day also but the days of the conference have kind of blended together in my head so I'm not totally sure what I got when. I just know I was lucky to pick up several books throughout the day. But mostly, I was lucky to meet Tyra Banks!! Yes, that's right. If you know me on Twitter, you know I love America's Next Top Model, and Tyra was signing a chapter from her upcoming book, Modelland, which, judging from the excerpt, is totally Tyra.

Also on Tuesday, Sarah Dessen was making the rounds and doing something very fun. Handing out free Whoopie Pies outside the Javits center! I got red velvet.

Tuesday evening was also wonderful because I got the chance to see How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with Daniel Radcliffe!! Seriously, the play was fantastic and I can't recommend it highly enough. Great music, great choreography, funny, and sweet and DAN RAD! I went in it for him but was really pleased by the entire experience. At the end, we tried to get a glimpse of him as he came out the side door but I mostly just saw him entering his car.

Wednesday, May 25
Another awesome day of books at BEA. I attended the adult author breakfast because Mindy Kaling was speaking and she did a fabulous job. I can't wait to read her new book this year. Lots of line waiting (particularly for Lauren Oliver, but I got in her line early) and book grabbing but I had the chance today to meet a few of the publicists I have connected with via email only in the past, so for me that was nice. I also attended the Middle Grade Buzz Panel which was not only a nice place to sit down but I heard about some great middle grade books. Honestly, I think I'm more excited for middle grade this year than YA.

I did however meet one of my favorite romance authors finally on Wednesday. Victoria Dahl writes contemporary romance and I love it! Her newest series will be set in Boulder, CO so I've been begging her to have a signing there. Alas, not so far but since I got to meet her at BEA I don't feel too sad anymore.

I also got to meet another favorite contemporary romance writer at BEA. Kristan Higgins!! I got a signed copy of her November release and I can't wait to read it.

In the evening, I attended another Books of Wonder event with The Class of 2K11, with more readings and book signings. Then, I went to Max Brenner's with two of the roommates and an editor from Egmont which was just awesome. She was really nice and gave us a few sneak peeks into what titles are coming out from Egmont in the future, including Countess Nobody which despite the awful cover sounds interesting. Then, it was finally time to head back to the hotel and yeah, I needed it. Sore feet and BEA go hand in hand, that I learned.

Thursday, May 26
Last day of BEA. Another adult author breakfast, this time featuring Roger Ebert. Unfortunately, I was so tired I kept nodding off through much of it so the roomie and I left early. I was able to get in line for several authors that morning due to leaving early which I liked. In the early afternoon, I attended a book reading event with the Class of 2K11 again, this time at Le Poisson Rouge. Free food, lots of laughs and a place to sit. Score! In the evening, I went to a Scholastic signing and got a signed copy of Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.

I have to thank my friend Tiff for all the awesome adventures we had on Thursday. After this event, it was my third stop at Pinkberry. SO DELICIOUS! Then, it was time to say good-bye to Tiff and back to the hotel.

Friday, May 27
Book Blogger Con! Galleysmith did a great job at this event and there was lots of fun to be had. I attended a publicist panel in the morning, a gray areas of blogging, and then niche marketing blogging which I didn't stay the whole time for. It was nice to meet more bloggers again and even connect with some publicists that I have been talking with online. There was some fun swag at this event also which yeah, I liked. :) I'm not sure I'd attend BBC again however, just because I'm not sure how much new information I got out of the program. While I loved the publicist event, I was let down by the niche marketing event. I think more than anything I just need to keep developing my own blogging style. However, meeting so many bloggers that I knew on Twitter did make it worth it.

Friday night, it was out to dinner and then on to Crumbs for some seriously phenomenal cupcakes!!

Saturday, May 28
Last day in New York! The week went by so very quickly and I did so much and it was fun but exhausting. After breakfast, the roomies and I went to another Books of Wonder signing where I got a signed copy of Bianca Turetsky's The Time-Traveling Fashionista. The book is seriously pretty so I definitely recommend checking it out. Gail Carson Levine, Kristi Cook, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maurissa Guibord, and Daniel Kirk who had some impressive illustrations for his book, were also in attendance. It was a really fun event with a lot of laughter. I'm glad I got in so many Books of Wonder signings because who knows when I'll next be back in NYC.

Then it was on to the Harry Potter Exhibit which I liked a lot. It went by way too fast and I wish I could have taken pictures but the costumes and scene items were so awesome to look at. Definitely go there if you get a chance since it's the last stop in North America. I'm so glad I was there while it was also in NYC. I then went to lunch with a good friend who I have known for years. First time meeting her in person but it was great. You may know her from a small website known as The Ack Attack where she posted hilarious Lost recaps.

Then, after a quick stop back at the hotel, one roomie and I went to The High Line which I first read about in Susane Colsanti's latest book. I'm so glad I visited it because it was a really fun way to see NYC and enjoy a new view.

And hey, it's free too! You can't beat that. It was a gorgeous evening in New York and so fun to walk around. After that, one last stop at Pinkberry and I was in for the evening, packing and resting.

Sunday, May 29
Time to travel home. It was a long travel day but I was so glad to be back in my own bed by night's end. BEA was a lot of fun and I'm really glad I went. I know there was some drama but it didn't really effect me and I tried to present myself more as a librarian working with teens to promote books than just another blogger. I think for the most part it worked. That's not to say I'm not proud to be a blogger because I am but I think sometimes the librarian aspect holds more sway with publishers still.

And, here are my suitcases! So glad I didn't break the weight limit with my checked bag.

 This was my carry-on. There was nothing in there but books. I also mailed one box of books home.

This is my checked bag. Clothes and books. It made it safely back to Colorado with me. Like I said, this was my first BEA experience but if you have any questions feel free to ask me as I'd be happy to try to answer.

Other BEA recaps:
The Story Siren talks about BEA
Stacked talks about BEA
Reclusive Bibliophile talks about BEA

Contest winners!

I've got contest winners!

The winner of Deborah Harkness's book, A Discovery of Witches, is Jess P from The Joys of Reading.

The winners of Jenny Han's We'll Always Have Summer are Kendel from The Lively Reader and Ashley from Book Labyrinth.

Congrats to you all!

(And now, I'm back to working on my BEA recap.)

Don't forget to enter my contests!

I have two contests ending May 29! If you haven't had a chance to enter yet, do it now! Spread the word. These are great stories and you need to read them.

Enter to win A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Win We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Two great books, very easy to enter. Just follow the links.

Review: With or Without You by Brian Farrey

With or Without You is the kind of book that focuses on the changes that come when two friends start growing apart due to outside influences. One friend has the best of intentions while the other seems to not care at all about the growing distance or danger he is facing.

Synopsis: Eighteen year-old Evan and his best friend, Davis, get beaten up for being loners. For being gay. For just being themselves. But as rough as things often seem, at least Evan can take comfort in his sweet, sexy boyfriend Erik--whom he’s kept secret from everyone for almost a year.

Then Evan and Davis are recruited to join the Chasers, a fringe crowd that promises them protection and status. Davis is swept up in the excitement, but Evan is caught between his loyalty to Davis and his love for Erik. Evan’s lied to keep his two worlds separate. Now his lies are about to implode…and destroy the very relationships he’s been trying to protect. (Goodreads.com)



Evan and his best friend Davis are ecstatic about graduating high school. Finally no more bullies who can hurt them, break their arms or basically make their lives a living hell. Their plan is to go to Chicago together, escape from their families in Madison and make a new start. Except, Evan has a secret. He's been dating a college boy for a year and they are in love. Seriously in love. Only Evan has never been quite brave enough to introduce Erik to his family or Davis. Evan has always been searching for acceptance and he has finally found it with Erik and does not want to disturb that tenuous balance but life is about to change when Davis becomes fanatical about the Chasers, a local group led by Sable who is determined to enlighten local gay youth about the history of themselves. It sounds all well and good except there is definitely a sinister side to Sable, a side that Davis is all too enamored with. What is a best friend to do?

There is much to contemplate in this story and it mainly revolves around Evan. He is a complex character who doesn't have the best relationship with his parents, has only ever relied on Davis, but suddenly finds himself committing to Erik, a guy who celebrates all that makes Evan wonderful. His artwork, his loyalty to his best friend, and more, even as he pushes Evan to try new things and take more chances. Seeing Davis through Evan's eyes is the only way I could remotely like Davis. For the most part, he seemed incredibly selfish to me, mean, and cruel. I realize the two had history that made it hard for Evan to let go, and that's what kept giving me hope Davis would show that side of himself again. It was somewhat hope in vain but letting go of that final connection with Davis did give Evan a chance to focus on himself and what was best for him.

I also liked the relationship between Evan and his parents. It was not necessarily a bad relationship but it wasn't healthy either. He did not fit their expectations so they kind of forgot about him, but there were small ways, particularly towards the end, where I found that his parents gave him more thought than he initially considered. These moments aren't fully fleshed out but they are there and show another side to just Evan's perceptions of his family. There is also his older sister, Shan, who showers him equally with love and some disapproval.

There is indeed gay history in this book, particularly swirling around the Chasers. There is somewhat of melodramatic overtone to their storyline but at the same time, perhaps it was needed to showcase the gravity of what the Chasers represent. This story has a sort of quiet triumph at its end that appealed to me because I felt like Evan was finally on the road to progress, to making his own mark in whatever way he chooses.

And in case you haven't had the chance, definitely check out what author Brian Farrey does when he isn't writing. It includes a very yummy recipe!

Vacation!

I'm currently on vacation in the great city of New York! I'm attending my first ever BEA and my first ever Book Blogger Con. SO EXCITED! But, that means posting will be a bit sparse this week. However, there are some things coming up in the week, including a review of Brian Farrey's With or Without You so don't miss out. In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful week.

In My Mailbox (08)

Sarah Mail!

One last The Story Siren inspired IMM before BEA. Here's what I got this week:

For review:
With or Without You by Brian Farrey
My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Love Story by Jennifer Echols
Viola in the Spotlight by Adriana Trigiani

And now... I'm in NY about to attend my first BEA! What did you get in YOUR mailbox this week?

Friday eye candy

It's the end of the week, it's almost time for BEA and my NY trip so I have to leave you with something equally enthralling. So... courtesy of Melissa Walker on Twitter last night I give you...

Hot Guys Reading Books!

You're welcome. (Though sadly, this post actually has nothing to do with Ian. I just think he's hot.)

When I'm Not Writing with author Brian Farrey

Today, I'm really excited to bring you a guest post from author Brian Farrey, whose book, With or Without You, will be out May 24! You can find out more about With or Without You on Goodreads.



I am positively thrilled to be here. Sarah has not only graciously invited me on to her blog to do a guest post while promoting WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, she’s asked me to talk about what I do when I’m not writing.

In other words, she wants to expose me for the weenie that I am.  Terrific.

I say this because, all in all, I’m quite boring.  As in “let’s go watch paint dry so we don’t have to listen to Brian” boring.  As in I make lectures on transquantum astrodynamic proto-physics seem like a thrill ride.  Those of you with a low tolerance threshold for narcolepsy, beware. Here goes:

BIKING

I love to go biking. I’m not a hard core enthusiast by any means.  But few things make me happier than to hit the trails on a hot summer day and bike for miles.  I do some of my best writing while the endorphins are pumping. (The trick is to remember it all until I can get somewhere to actually write it down.) One of my proudest accomplishments was a solo bike trip I took around Scotland.  I did a loop that encompassed most of the country, saw some amazing sights (if interested, you MUST do the Great Glen Way along Loch Ness), and developed a taste for haggis (which I don’t recommend eating whilst on a solo bike trip, FYI).  The Mississippi River is in my backyard so summers are often filled with treks along the riverside with my husband.

(Me with my bike along the Great Glen Way in Scotland, circa 2006)

COOKING

Again, I’m not an expert but I really enjoy puttering around the kitchen.  As inspiration, I’ll put the Food Network on in the background and spend an entire Saturday working out a new recipe.  I love to make fresh pasta. I enjoy baking (I make a mean chocolate chip cookie) but I really like experimenting with entrees.  (True fact: I once won first prize in a chili-recipe contest with my recipe for Pizza Chili.)  I geek out over cooking equipment (I have what some may consider to be an unhealthy attachment to my KitchenAid mixer) and can spend hours meandering through Penzey’s looking for exotic spices.  Schedules being what they are, it’s gotten harder to find time to really let go in the kitchen but when I can, it’s a treat.

YOGA

I don’t practice nearly as often as I should but I do enjoy a good downward dog.  At one point not long ago, I was quite bendy. Now? Meehhh, not so much.  But bendiness aside, I believe yoga is one of the most healthy, beneficial things you can do for yourself.  I sometimes have sciatica issues and when they flare up, I know just the right poses to feel better again.  Not a fan of the hot yoga, I’ll admit. (Seriously, I sweat enough doing yoga under normal circumstances, let alone adding desert-like conditions.)


Still awake?

I SAID, ARE YOU STILL AWAKE?!   

I SAID—Oh, never mind. 

And... here is Brian Farrey's award winning Pizza Chili recipe!

BRIAN FARREY’S PIZZA CHILI


Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil
½ small white onion, diced
½ green bell pepper, diced
½ tsp. oregano
1 lb. ground Italian Sausage
2-15oz. cans of tomato sauce
1 cup of canned pizza sauce
2 T chili powder
20 pepperoni slices, cut in half
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
1-15oz. can of kidney beans
½ cup sliced mushrooms
½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. fennel seed
1-16 oz. bag of shredded mozzarella

Serving suggestion: Best served in a bread bowl or with slice of thick bread

1. Saute oregano, onion, and green pepper in olive oil for 5 minutes over low head. Set aside.
2. Brown Italian sausage. Once done, remove from heat and add vegetables.
3. In a soup crock, add tomato sauce, pizza sauce, chili powder, pepperoni slices, red pepper flakes, kidney beans, mushrooms, black pepper and fennel seed. Stir together over medium heat for 5 minutes.
4. Add sausage and sautéed vegetables.
5. Simmer over low heat for one hour, stirring occasionally.
6. Pour into bowls (bread bowls are recommended) and sprinkle top with ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella.
7. Serve!
Brian Farrey’s debut YA novel, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, will be published May 24 by Simon Pulse. He tweets @BrianFarrey and he blogs at www.brianfarreybooks.com/wordpress.

New York, New York! YA Literary Inspiration

With my first ever Book Expo America on the horizon, and my second trip to New York happening in a matter of days, I’ve kind of become even more obsessed with the city of New York than ever before. In fact, I’ve always been a bit obsessed with New York City, ever since I read my first Baby-Sitters Club book, Good-Bye, Stacey, Good-Bye. Stacey was my favorite BSC member too. Some of my favorite shows are set in New York (How I Met Your Mother, Mad Love) and in general, I’ve always dreamt of being able to afford to live in New York. I’ve been revisiting books that feature New York as the setting because frankly, I need to let off some of my excitement and reading about New York for now is my only option. I thought I would share some of my favorite New York set books with you all so you too can indulge in the city that never sleeps.

The most recent book I’ve read featuring New York is Susane Colasanti’s new book, So Much Closer. It has me majorly intrigued about the High Line and I have totally added that to my trip itinerary. I want to see it. Brooke’s delight with the city is how I feel about New York and I too cannot wait to be part of it.

Then there is The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. High fashion, high society, and scandals galore all taking place in turn of the century Manhattan. This is a great series to read to get a feel for New York in a different time period but set amongst the world of those with money, and the jealousies those without feel about it. Plus, the covers are gorgeous!

David Levithan’s Love is the Higher Law tackles a difficult topic in New York: the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The lives of these characters have been changed forever and this book shows how they deal with their emotions and feelings in the fall out of this life changing event.

Rachel Cohn’s Gingerbread uses the backdrop of New York for a little father daughter bonding, which leads to the further adventures in Shrimp, and then Cupcake. And speaking of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, they have two great books that feature New York. One in particular showcases New York’s holiday season (also known as one of my favorite times of the year!): Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares and perhaps the more famous, Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist.

Now, if you’re looking for something a bit more lighthearted, Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries series is the way to go. Mia Thermopolis tackles not only Genovia but also New York.  Love, adventures, and more are to be had in Mia’s New York. This series has been out for years now so if you haven’t had the chance to read it yet, I definitely recommend it.

More recently, Gayle Forman’s new book, Where She Went, used New York as the backdrop for Adam and Mia reuniting. Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more become important locations for talking, ranting, crying, and emotions.

Lisa Greenwald’s book Sweet Treats & Secret Crushes takes us into the boroughs by visiting Brooklyn around Valentine’s Day. This is a fun story with a little romance and some humor.

Then there is the famous Maureen Johnson who has Suite Scarlett and Scarlett Fever. I’ve only read Suite Scarlett but it definitely gives you a feel for the quirkiness that can be New York residents.

Jennifer Sturman’s books, And Then Everything Unraveled and And Then I Found Out the Truth also feature New York, with plenty of mystery thrown in. These books kept me intrigued and while New York isn’t necessarily the central focus, it’s a good light mystery for teens.

These titles are just the tip of the New York iceberg of course. I haven’t even delved into the world of YA paranormal. But as you can see, there are plenty of stories being published to feed your need for New York any time of the year. From lighthearted to more serious in nature, I love how this famous city has become a character of its own in literature.

Do you have a favorite YA New York set story you’d like to share? Please leave your suggestions in the comments! I’d love to hear them.

A Day in the Life of a Teen Librarian

This post is totally inspired by Abby (the) Librarian's posts about a day in the life of a librarian. I'm in kind of a reading slump so I'm looking for other things to post. Hopefully you'll be somewhat interested in my work day.

9:00am: Arrive at work, turn on computers, print out internet passes, and chat with coworkers.

9:30am: Sit down to read email and answer anything that needs immediate attention.

10:00am: Grab some nonfiction J books to use at the career fair I am attending.

10:30am: Grab library minivan keys and head to career fair at local community college.

11:20am: High school teens enter career fair. Lots of talking, handing out of candy, promoting teen summer reading program.

1:15pm: Career fair over! Time to pack it up and head back to the library.

1:30pm: Lunch time. Huzzah! Reading and food.

2:45pm: Call another local Japanese restaurant in hopes they will participate in teen summer reading program. It's my last contract I need for summer.

3:00pm: Head up to Teen Central with cart of new books to put on display.

3:30pm: Teen Central reference desk time. Answering lots of DVD related questions, but also teen fiction and computer related questions. Chat with teens. Usually one of the more fun parts of my day.

5:30pm: Back down to office to straighten up and see if anything needs immediate attention before I go home. Talk with library assistants and clerks if problems have creeped up during the day.

6:00pm: Heading home!

It's that time of year again!

It's summer reading promotion time. If you are a public librarian you know that this time of year is filled with school visits, booktalks, parent nights, school announcements, and every other way of promoting summer reading that you can think of. If it will get even one more teen reading over the summer, I will do it.

I have attended two career fairs this month, been on several of my middle school's morning announcements to promote summer reading, and done a few in-library tours for fifth graders who are then moving up into the teen summer reading program. Lots and lots of promotion.

As part of promoting, I've been doing a few booktalk programs with two middle schools. (It's nearly impossible for me to get into the local high schools sadly.) In choosing books to book talk, I've been trying to go with an easy, breezy summer theme in my mind. Something that won't be too heavy for the more reluctant readers but that is still interesting enough to engage the voracious readers. Some of the reader favorites that I've booktalked so far, and that have gotten oohs and ahhs (okay, not audibly, but they are asking questions about the book and perking up when I delve into the story) include: The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (contrary to popular belief, not every teen has read this one yet. I booktalk it mainly to eighth graders), Donut Days by Lara Zielin, Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt and Trapped by Michael Northrop (kids love the idea of being trapped in a school!). I love asking teens what they are reading to see if there are titles I am missing in my own repetoire. They are happy to oblige and perhaps even happier to say why they hated a book you are suggesting. No worries for me, I love to hear that too.

This is a very busy time in any youth librarian's life. Work days are usually filled with visits and last minute touches for summer reading. This year, my library is giving away an iPad as the teen grand prize and let me tell you, I get awesome reactions from that. They are very psyched to read for summer when I show them what they can win. At my library, teens also have a chance to win the grand prize by coming to a library program or by working on a library BINGO card. So, three chances to win total. My hope is that at least one of those chances will engage my local teens on some level.

Are you working hard at summer reading? What has been a successful recent school visit? Any tips you want to share?

Follow me to the Hub!

I'm over at YALSA's Hub today to talk about Teens' Top 10, particularly about The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks! I hope you'll follow me over there and give your own thoughts about this Printz honor and Teens' Top Ten title!

Romance Roundup: May 2011

Here are the various romance titles I reviewed recently.

Pleasure Me by Monica Burns
Already Home by Susan Mallery
My Irresistible Earl by Gaelen Foley
Moon Burning by Lucy Monroe
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
Archangel's Consort
When You Dare by Lori Foster

As usual, I highly recommend everything Nalini Singh related. She is truly a fabulous storyteller.

Have you read anything romance related lately? Please share any recommendations!

Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

In all honesty, this is a review about a book I did not finish. I just couldn't. I made it halfway through but Elana Johnson's Possession made no sense to me whatsoever. It starts off strange and just gets stranger and more incoherent as I went along.


Synopsis: Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play. (Goodreads.com)

So, there's this world. What this world is, I can't really say because the worldbuilding is atrocious. Seriously, I don't always follow along with the really deep and convoluted worlds dystopian YA writers are creating but on the other hand, I need some structure. This book just opens up and throws you in without any serious introduction to its world. There is the Goodgrounds and the Badlands and people are either good or bad. Violet, the protagonist for Possession, is supposedly "good" but she is really a rule breaker and has broken one rule too many, causing her to be thrown in jail. I never understood why Violet was rebelling against the Goodies. While there are some sister issues that come to light as the story continues, Violet's actions never made any sense to me. There was no real context for me to connect to as to why Violet was rebelling.

So, Violet gets imprisoned and of course, she gets locked in with another criminal, one Jag Barque. And it's instant attraction! Never mind that just one chapter or so previously, Violet was proclaiming her love for her match, Zenn. And now, she is very much into Jag. Add to my confusion, throughout the story, these two tell each other "I love you" which... again, no context for this. There was no emotional buildup between them that could allow me to even remotely believe these two were in love. Jag is kind of a jerk anyway, deserting Violet at one point because he did not like the answer she gave as to why she liked him. And thus Violet has to begin her trek into the Badlands, while she is tagged, hearing a voice, and attempting to stay away from the Mechs. And oh yeah, did I mention that Violet has special powers all her own that make her really valuable to the Goodgrounds Thinkers? Because of course she does, right?

As you can tell from this review, I did not enjoy Possession. I was flummoxed by the story's characters, plot (holes) and rather unsteady story structure. This book has 400 pages. I made it to page 248 in the ARC copy before giving up. I honestly felt like pulling Violet and Jag's hair out because nothing they were doing made any sense to me or to what was supposedly going on in the story. I figured out several key plot points way, way before the big reveal in the story and I just could not be impressed with the use of technology in this story when it all seemed to lead to making Violet seem more special or important. I wanted to like Violet but she was so very enclosed as a character, there wasn't really anyone besides Jag for her to play off and thus develop from. And there wasn't much to Jag either besides the typical bad boy rebel character that is popping up in every other YA dystopian right now. For me, this book was a flat-out disappointment. I'm sure for other readers there will be some redeeming qualities in the narrative and characterization that work, but for me, this is I think the last straw in my YA dystopian addiction. I'm going to need something pretty darn amazing to bring me back to the genre.

Other reviews:
Book Shelf Lust reviews Possession
One Book at a Time reviews Possession
My Bookish Ways reviews Possession

ARC provided by Around the World Tours

Review: The Summer of May by Cecilia Galante

The Summer of May by Cecilia Galante is not at all what I was expecting but I'm glad it wasn't because I enjoyed it immensely. Maeve "May" O'Toole is a young girl on the verge of going very bad places. She has anger issues, family issues, and an unhealthy disrespect for authority. It all culminates into one endless summer spent with her eighth grade English teacher after May defaces school property. Summer, that one precious harbor of safety for most school students, is taken away when May has to face the consequences to her actions by spending the summer retaking eighth grade English.

There are several things I really enjoyed about this story and the first thing is May. She is not having the easiest time of life right now. Her mother is gone, her relationship with her father has deteriorated to the point where they basically yell at each other all the time, and May's Grandmother spends her time in her bedroom, door closed, just like an eerie specter of May's mother. May is angry about life. She lives in an extremely small apartment, has one friend, Olive, who she is sure she will lose, and oh yeah, she has to spend her summer with Movado the Avocado, the teacher she is incredibly angry at.

May's anger, her frustration, her sadness, and hurt, leaps off the pages. Her actions mimic what she is feeling, one minute feeling close with Olive, the next, getting into a screaming match with her father. May represents what a lot of kids are feeling at this age I think. Anger at adults who do not seem to understand you whatsoever, rebellion, and the need to lash out at those who care about you. But equally so, she is a good friend to Olive, a good granddaughter who listens to stories from the past even though those same stories hurt May, and yeah, she can be a good daughter, when the mood strikes. I feel like Cecilia Galante has created a truly authentic teenager. The angst is not angst for the sake of angst or drama. It is true feelings, feelings that May does not know how to process or understand so it becomes fuel for the angry train she is living.

Movado the Avocado and May have a very intriguing teacher/student relationship. It veered somewhat into the too corny for me but on the other hand, the author does a great job of making May have to face consequences and using the teacher to do so. May realizes that her impressions of Miss Movado are not necessarily true, that this is a woman who has experienced her own pain, but that does not always stop May from letting loose with her volatile feelings. Miss Movado started out as the cliched teacher character for me but fortunately she does move past that into something a bit different and a good mix for May.

I also liked the friendship between May and Olive. These two have their ups and downs throughout the story but I liked that they did not drift away or that one fight was not the end of their friendship. May had to find the courage to apologize, and she does, and Olive also realizes that she did not behave the best either. There was drama in their friendship but not enough where I would end up doubting these two would make it.

Also, no boys! I mean that in the best way possible because much as I love romance stories, not every story needs a romance and this one definitely didn't and I'm glad it wasn't included. May has a personality all her own and she has a lot to learn about herself and controlling what she is feeling.

The Summer of May turned out to be not at all what I was expecting but all for the better! I zoomed through the story, pushed onwards by May's growing anger, her risk-taking, and eventual realization that she could not keep going this way. Cecilia Galante convinced me, that's for certain. I do wish the cover was different however as it looks slightly younger than the content actually represents. Also, no cat in this story, but instead a fun little hermit crab named Sherman.

The Summer of May releases April 26, 2011 and it will make a great edition to any library collection as the emotions May experiences here are definitely felt by all teens but many authors haven't really tackled anger in this way.

ARC reviewed from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab.

In My Mailbox (07)

 Sarah Mail!

It was an EXCELLENT and exciting week in books for me. Now I just need to find the time to read them all, and with BEA on its way, my reading time is becoming more constrained for May.

For review:
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Love Story by Jennifer Echols (Around the World Tours)
Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski (Amazon Vine)
Sweetly by Jackson Pierce
Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (the ladies of Go Fug Yourself)
Bumped by Megan McCafferty (Amazon Vine)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature from The Story Siren to promote new and upcoming books.

Be sure to enter my contests to win We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness!

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

A Little Bit About Me...

I was totally inspired to do those post from the ladies over at Book Blather, particularly Katie who introduces herself here. Even though I know bits and pieces about Katie the librarian, I didn't know nearly anything about her otherwise (except for her love of Vampire Diaries!). I thought it was really nice getting to know these bloggers a bit more, so following in their lead, I've written a bit of an introductory piece about me. I hope you don't find it too boring. :)

That's me! I am a teen librarian who currently lives in Colorado. I am originally from Minnesota and I really long to be back there, cold winters and all. I have decided in my two and a half years in Colorado that being near my family is very important to me so I'm hoping I'll be able to get a job back in Minnesota when the time is right. As you all know, I love teens and interacting with them, being a book friend for them, and just working with them in general. But, when I'm not at my job, well, I do lots of other things.

Music: Some of my favorite bands include Passion Pit, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, She & Him, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more. I adore Johnny Cash (I remember the day he died, vividly). I love Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, Styx, Judy Garland, and listening to Christmas music all year round. Christmas in July? Hell yeah!

Hobbies: Honestly, reading. But otherwise, TV. Seriously, I love me some TV. Will get into my favorite shows in a bit. But I enjoy going to live theater (I love musicals!) whether it's a high school production or something Broadway worthy. I enjoy baking way too much for my waistline. I love going for long walks, being with my friends and family, and I love winter and fall. I pretty much hate intense heat so summer and late spring suck for me, particularly here in Colorado. Other interests include live music (not famous concerts, just local bands), going to art shows and museums, and just generally life-long learning. Sounds cliched for a librarian, but it's true.

I also love my cat, Stella. Here she is in all her glory. She is a friendly little cat and if I could, I'd add a second cat to my family but currently my apartment situation does not let me.

TV: LOVE me some TV. Currently addicted to Cougar Town, Vampire Diaries, and Modern Family. Have dropped Glee (DESPISE Matthew Morrison and Will Schuester). Am addicted to America's Next Top Model, How I Met Your Mother, and more. My first big TV fandom was Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I still adore that show, along with most of the classic WB shows (Gilmore Girls, Dawson's Creek, etc).

Family: I have one younger brother and parents. No kids or husband for me yet, but someday!

In my spare time...I'm either reading, watching tv, messing around on the internet or exercising. I don't really like talking on the phone so I much prefer to communicate online somehow.

And that's me... Or a bit more about me anyway. I am not the most exciting person by far and one of my true passions in life is really reading so, I dedicate a lot of my time to that pursuit. But if you ever have any questions about me, feel free to ask!

Review: So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

When I heard the premise of Susane Colasanti's new book, So Much Closer, I kind of had to read it! It's like a version of Felicity for high school kids. Yes, I thought Felicity was crazy for following Ben to New York City and I kind of thought the same for Brooke but that does not mean I could stay away from the story because rest assured, I could not.

Synopsis: When Brooke's crush, Scott, moves from their suburban town to New York City, she decides to follow him there. Living with her formerly estranged dad and adapting to a new school are challenging, and things go from bad to worse when Brooke learns that Scott already has a girlfriend. But as she builds her new life, Brooke begins to discover a side of herself she never knew existed. And as she finds out, in the city that never sleeps, love can appear around any corner...

Brooke is kind of cynical and at times, rather uncaring of others, even her best friends, April and Candice. But Brooke also has a goal and that goal is to be Scott Abrams' girlfriend and she will do whatever it takes to accomplish that, to make him see her. So, she packs up her belongings and moves to New York City to live with the dad she hasn't seen in years, the dad who abandoned her mom. It just so happens that her father's apartment is right around the corner from Scott's new home. It's like fate has stepped in to bring them together.

But as most readers are going to expect, the Scott of Brooke's dreams and the Scott of reality are two very different guys. It's not that he is a bad guy at all, he is just a typical high school boy and cannot fulfill all of Brooke's deepest wishes of the heart. Nonetheless, she perseveres in trying to make him fall hard for her. And this is a major plot line in the story but what had me more interested was seeing Brooke change. Honestly, Brooke started off rather unlikeable and a bit of a Mary Sue. She's this genius who does not play it up at all. She hates school and she wastes her gifts for school by hating the system. But, then something changes and it is through peer tutoring that she starts to recognize what a true gift she does have and some appreciation comes from that. Also, she lets go of some of her internal anger by finally venting her feelings and it was a relief because well, she felt a bit like this constipated, blocked character for much of the story, but then... well, relief to put it mildly.

Brooke tells Scott what for, she gives her new friend Sadie "boy confidence" and she starts to realize some goals for her own future. It felt like her character was finally being fleshed out and she was becoming much more multifaceted. I feel like her inability to articulate what she wanted to be when she "grows up" was very honest and refreshing to see in a YA book because it doesn't happen often enough. Not all teens know what they want to be when they grow up. Heck, not all adults know what they want to be. I feel like Brooke still has a ways to go in understanding her future but she has a definable goal that will utilize her passions and her talents.

And, can I say how much I got a crush on John? Because... he is incredibly crush worthy. Scott isn't a bad guy though. I liked how Colasanti did not vilify him but rather just showed the differences between reality and a perfect image in Brooke's head. Additionally, Colasanti set up a nice contrast with a guy in a coffee shop crushing on Brooke and her ignoring his feelings. She was this perfect girl in his head but they both come to find out that drama defines them both in different ways.

I also enjoyed the passion for New York City that comes out in this novel. As a big fan of New York myself, I liked how Brooke explored the city and came to understand its quirks and what made it a wonderful place, both the good and the bad.

All in all, this book did not rock my socks off but it was a satisfying story to spend time with. I enjoy Susane Colasanti's stories and So Much Closer is no different. It's not perfect but its imperfections give it strength in its narrative and characterization. If you enjoyed her previous stories, I think it's safe to say you will want to read this book also.

Other reviews:
Write Meg reviews So Much Closer
Another Book Junkie reviews So Much Closer

ARC received from Penguin Teen and Around the World Tours.

Review: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

I hadn't really heard anything about Attachments by Rainbow Rowell until Pop Culture Junkie started raving about it on Twitter. I finally purchased it for my Kindle and then proceeded to devour it basically. It is a sweet romance though it's not a traditional "romance novel" in the way I am used to reading. As you know, I don't review too many adult books on this blog but since I hadn't heard much about this book before, I thought others may be in the same boat and would enjoy a review.

Synopsis: Beth and Jennifer know their company monitors their office e-mail. But the women still spend all day sending each other messages, gossiping about their coworkers at the newspaper and baring their personal lives like an open book. Jennifer tells Beth everything she can't seem to tell her husband about her anxieties over starting a family. And Beth tells Jennifer everything, period.
When Lincoln applied to be an Internet security officer, he hardly imagined he'd be sifting through other people's inboxes like some sort of electronic Peeping Tom. Lincoln is supposed to turn people in for misusing company e-mail, but he can't quite bring himself to crack down on Beth and Jennifer. He can't help but be entertained-and captivated- by their stories.
But by the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late for him to ever introduce himself. What would he say to her? "Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you." After a series of close encounters and missed connections, Lincoln decides it's time to muster the courage to follow his heart . . . even if he can't see exactly where it's leading him. (B&N.com)


Lincoln is a total sweetheart. He is kind of dorky and shy. He lives with his mom still. He is still not over his breakup with his high school girlfriend, the girl he thought he would spend the rest of his life with. All in all, he seems kind of like a loser, on first glance anyway. Why would any woman want a guy like that? Fortunately, there are a few more layers to Lincoln that give him depth and genuine sweetness. He is not a loser, that is for sure. He is awkward, unsure of himself, but at heart, a kind man who has a job he finds reprehensible. He reads the email messages at the newspaper he works for. It is an incredibly boring job and he doesn't do much actual work, which he is quick to point out to his supervisor. Instead, he reads emails between two friends, married Jennifer and Beth, who is in a relationship. This is how the reader gets to know Beth and Jennifer, through email.

Lincoln feels guilty about what he is doing but he cannot stop and soon he is quite smitten with Beth. And, though he doesn't realize it at first, she is smitten with him. They both do several hilarious (and perhaps a tad crazy to the average person) things in order to find out more about each other. At the same time, Lincoln realizes he needs to put himself out there more. Sure, he has his D&D group but to say he is a social animal would be absurd. So, he puts himself out there with mixed results. But those results felt real to me, like something I would experience. There would be a few successes and definitely some low points.

You are left wondering as you read this story, will it ever work out for Lincoln and Beth? They are like two ships passing in the night honestly. They encounter each other but don't and keep missing that key connection point. That doesn't stop Lincoln from wanting to be with Beth, even as he tries to date other women and makes an effort to make new friends and engage in new situations. His awkwardness just really reminded me of myself. This is definitely not a traditional romance, if anything, it's a bit closer to women's fiction, but that doesn't quite fit either because it is Lincoln who narrates the majority of the story. It is just a general fiction story I guess, but it does have a strong romantic bent.

It's hard to describe this story. It's written in traditional narrative form and also in email exchanges. But it works, at least for me. You do get the chance to know Jennifer and Beth, particularly Beth. You see her as a girlfriend, a friend, a sister, and someone with a crush on "her cute guy." Also, for me, this felt like a true to life courtship in many ways. There are smaller moments that make up a beautiful ending. There was so much awkwardness and hesitation, and odd ways of getting to know that other person. I really identified with Lincoln as he tried to grow up in many ways. He is a gentlemen, a good friend, and just a sweet guy.

Have I convinced you at all to try this book? I've been in a reading funk lately and this one lifted my spirits considerably. Not a whole lot of doom and gloom, teen angst, or out of the world scenarios. Just two characters trying to find their way in life, trying to find someone to share their lives with. It was nice to read an adult book honestly but I think, if you know the right teen, there could be potential to hand this to him or her also. It is a clean read, with drinking being the worst of the sins. This was a delicious change of reading pace for me and am very glad I took the risk and just bought it. It has a real comfort read appeal to it.

Other reviews:
Chrisbookarama reviews Attachments
A Bookworm's World reviews Attachments
Bewitched Bookworms reviews Attachments

Contest: Win We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han!

Do you want to win the final book in Jenny Han's Summer series?? Here is your chance! In fact, TWO people have the chance to win We'll Always Have Summer. It doesn't get any better than that. All you have to do to enter is fill out the form below. No hoops to jump through, no extra entries, just fill out the form and you are entered. The contest runs until May 29, 12:00PM MST, so enter and spread the word! (Open to US/Canada only alas.)

You can read my review of We'll Always Have Summer if you want a few more details about the book. You can also take a fun quiz! Literary or athletic? Shaggy or clean cut? Take the quiz where, like Belly, you to can find out once and for all if it is Conrad or Jeremiah that you should give your heart to forever. And finally, there is a fun trailer for the new book!

Enter to win We'll Always Have Summer!

Review: We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

I will start by saying that this book, We'll Always Have Summer, the final book in Jenny Han's Summer series, ended the way I wanted it to end, in that Belly was with the Fisher brother I wanted her to be with. But to get to that point, well it was definitely a long and winding road, and not an easy one.

Synopsis: It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever

I'm a huge fangirl of the Summer series and of Jenny Han in general. I read everything she writes, even those books geared towards really younger kids such as Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream. Like I said, fangirl. Fortunately, this book lived up to most of my hopes and dreams. This is Belly's big chance. She is with Jeremiah now and she is committed and in love with him. But then, something happens to shake that confidence, to shake that foundation which she thought was strong. And she is left to question yet another Fisher man. But that decision leads to something even more momentous, to a marriage proposal. Is this the right choice?

Jenny Han makes me believe in possibilities and she makes me believe in marriage for two characters who truly were not ready for it. I rooted for them, wanted their relationship to succeed against all else, but there are always questions and much as Belly tries to stay true to Jere, it's not easy when Conrad is back in her life now also.

This is a more grown-up Belly, but truthfully, a just as immature Belly also. She wants her marriage to happen, even paying the price by alienating her mother. Then there are the doubts that just will not go away. I think Jenny Han very skillfully weaves doubts, happiness, marriage excitement, and more into one big ball of Belly energy. Belly does get caught up in the wedding hype but on the other hand, it also pushes along the storyline because she starts to realize that maybe, just maybe, marriage is not what she needs right now, being not even graduated from college. She sees some hard realities as she apartment searches with Jeremiah, as she realizes that they cannot continue to live off his dad's credit card. I really thought Jenny Han did a great job in displaying that marriage, and adulthood, is not all flowers and bliss.

I fell hard for both Conrad and Jeremiah in this series. I fell for Belly. She continues to be a great character and the series ends in a way that made me happy and worked for my romantic's soul. It's not perfect but this series does for summer and romance what Twilight did for vampires, at least in this reader's opinion.

And did I mention the other narrative voice in the book?? Because there is! I won't spoil it though. I will say, that while I enjoyed hearing this person's thoughts, I wished there had been more dedicated to this person. I felt like, since she decided to include another narrator, she should have gone the distance and really fleshed out what this character was thinking and feeling. It ended up only feeling like hints at some points.

If you've read this series from the beginning, do not miss out on the ending. And, if you haven't picked up these books yet, what are you waiting for? Belly and the romance is only one reason to read this series. Jenny Han's fabulous writing, her ability to weave the magic of summer any time of the year, and the questions she creates for her characters is another. These slim stories pack a punch. (See, such a Jenny Han fangirl!) But definitely read these books in order because if not, you're going to miss out on the actions and plot details that have made these characters who they are by the final book.

Did I mention I like this series? I know this ended up being a gushy review but there is a lot going for Jenny Han's books and I was very satisfied by the time I finished reading We'll Always Have Summer.

Other reviews:
The Allure of Books reviews We'll Always Have Summer
Chick Loves Lit reviews We'll Always Have Summer
The Book Sp(l)ot reviews We'll Always Have Summer

Copy provided by publisher for review. 

Month in review: April 2011

April proved to be a pretty good month for books read! Here is what I read in April 2011:

56. Girls' Guide to Flirting with Danger by Kimberly Lang (4/1/11)
57. Claimed by Evangeline Anderson (4/1/11)
58. The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin (4/2/11)
59. Ripply by Mandy Hubbard (4/3/11)
60. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh (4/5/11)**
61. Exposed by Kimberly Marcus (4/6/11)
62. Clarity by Kim Harrington (4/8/11)
63. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (4/9/11)
64. The Summer of May by Cecelia Galante (4/9/11)
65. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning (4/9/11)
66. Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh (4/10/11)
67. Scrawl by Mark Shulman (4/11/11)
68. Flora's Defiance by Lynne Graham (4/12/11)
69. Divergent by Veronica Roth (4/15/11)
70. Reckless Conduct by Susan Napier (4/17/11)**
71. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas (4/22/11)**
72. Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean about Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding by Jessie Sholl (4/23/11)
73. Bitter End by Jennifer Brown (4/24/11)
74. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (4/30/11)
75. Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton (4/30/11)
76. Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley (4/30/11)


Total books read: 21
Favorite book read: Clarity by Kim Harrington
Most disappointing book read: Scrawl by Mark Shulman


Compared to April 2010, I read 7 more books. Lets hope I continue this trend so I can finally hit 200 books this year! There were definitely several re-reads in my books this month. I was looking for some comfort reads and my romance re-reads will do that.