Waiting On Wednesday: Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that features upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Awaken

by Katie Kacvinsky

Published by Houghton Mifflin Books

Length: 352 pages 

Release: May 23, 2011

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.
Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.
In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

 This book sounds very interesting; especially because the description makes me think that the future could actually turn out this way.

Review: The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Title: The Duff

Author: Kody Keplinger

Publisher: Poppy

Pub. Date: September 2010

Length: 288 pages

Summary (from goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “the Duff,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

 My thoughts: I had never heard the word 'duff' until I read about this book. I looked it up and found on Urban Dictionary what it meant (this was before there was a cover or description of the book, and I had only seen the first part of the title). Normally, I don't like to read books like The Duff; but once it was published and I had read so many fantastic reviews, I decided to get it from the library. After I read the first few pages, I knew I had to own the book, so I went out and bought it.

You could say The Duff is a bad book because the teens are participating in adult activities, but its not promoting that teens should have sex. However, Keplinger didn't discourage it either. She simply wrote a realistic portrayal of the topic.
I loved at lot about this book. The humor, the characters, the romance... but my favorite part is that Bianca does not magically change herself into some perfect-looking person. She accepts herself the way she is. Bianca is an easy character to relate to, I think everyone can find some part of themselves inside her. At the beginning of the novel you meet Wesley and Bianca's two best friends Casey and Jessica.Their personalities are woven in beautifully; and you know them within the first few pages.
This book is a must read for anyone who has ever felt like the duff. Many, many people have had thoughts exactly like Bianca, "No wonder I'm the duff. I'm so out of shape its depressing." In some ways, this book helped me make peace with my body and the way I see myself. The Duff helped me see myself as a better person, as well as helping me realize that we all have flaws and no one is perfect, even the people everyone else sees as perfect.
In The Duff, we are put inside the mind of a girl who is constantly putting herself down because she sees herself as "the designated ugly fat friend." Seeing her do this while we can see that she is  obviously amazing made me want to yell and tell her to stop being so stupid.

Rating:

5 Moons

Kimberly Derting's "BIG FRICKIN' HUGE GINORMOUS DESIRES OF THE DEAD WIDGET CONTEST!!!"

 Kimberly Derting is hosting a Huge, Awesome giveaway at her blog, The Road to Publication.  It runs through December 31. For details, check out her post. 

FIRST PRIZE: A signed ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD, a signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, and a complete Desires of the Dead swag pack (including a signed DotD poster, bookmarks, stickers, rubber bracelets, and buttons).

SECOND PRIZE: A signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, an ARC of UNEARTHLY, and a complete DotD swag pack.

THIRD PRIZE: An ARC of THROUGH HER EYES, a $15 gift card to the online bookseller of your choice, and a complete DotD swag pack.

Waiting On Wendesday: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that features upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Imaginary Girls

by Nova Ren Suma

Published by Dutton

Length: 304 pages

Release: June 14, 2011

Chloe’s older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can’t be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby’s friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.
But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns home two years later, a precarious and deadly balance waits. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.
Imaginary Girls is a masterfully distorted vision of family reminiscent of Shirley Jackson, laced with twists that beg for their secrets to be kept.

 This cover is beautiful♥

Best Covers Of 2010

I've decide to post my top five favorite covers out of all the books published in 2010. I've had a difficult time deciding, so the books are in no particular order.

 Fury by Shirley Marr

 Let me tell you my story.

Not just the facts I know you want to hear.
If I’m going to tell you my story,
I’m telling it my way.

Strap yourself in...
Eliza Boans has everything.
A big house.
A great education.
A bright future.
So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?

 Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

 Her And Me And You by Lauren Strasnick
I met Fred first.

Fred: Hot. Enigmatic. Alex's first friend in her lonely new town. Maybe her first...everything.

I met Adina the following Monday.

Adina: Fred's twin sister. Cold. Troubled. Trouble.

I kissed him.

She pressed her mouth to my mouth.

People warn Alex to sterr clear of the twins, but Alex is drawn to them. She wants to be a part of this crazy world...no matter the consequences.

Glmipse by Carol Lynch Williams

In one moment

it is over.

In one moment

it is gone.

The morning grows

thin, grey

and our lives-

how they were-

have vanished.

Our lives have changed

when I walk in

on Lizzie

my sister

holding a shotgun.

Matched by Ally Condie

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Waiting On Wednesday: Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that features upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Fall For Anything

by Courtney Summers

Published by St. Matin's Griffin

Length: 224 pages

Release: December 21, 2010
From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are comes a gripping story about one girl’s search for clues into the mysterious death of her father. 

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Cullen seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

I absolutely loved Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers, and ohmygoodness, I think this one may just be better than that. All I can say is... Wow. And only 2 more weeks! 

Review: Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

Title: Wherever Nina Lies
Author: Lynn Weingarten
Publisher: Point
Pub. Date: February 2009
Length: 288 pages
Summary (from goodreads.com):
Nina was beautiful, wild, and adored by her younger sister, Ellie. But one day, Nina disappeared. 2 years later, everyone has given up hope that Nina will return, but Ellie knows her sister is out there. If only Ellie had a clue where to look.Then she gets one, in the form of a mysterious drawing. Determined to find Nina, Ellie takes off on a crazy, sexy cross-country road trip with the only person who believes she's got a chance - her hot, adventurous new crush. Along the way, Ellie finds a few things she wasn't planning on. Like love. Lies. And the most shocking thing of all: the truth.
My thoughts: This book was nothing I expected. I put off reading it for so long because I thought it was going to be similar to The Clique or Gossip Girl, but with a twist.  I was so wrong. At first, I hated the cover of Wherever Nina Lies; I thought it was completely wrong for the story. But now, I love it. I like how the lettering matches Nina's personality and how the cover model is holding a finger to her face,  like she is keeping the secret of what happened to Nina. 
Ellie's older sister has been missing for two years now, and although everyone is telling her  to move on, she can't. This is her only sister. The only one she has shared memories with, the only one she admired, and the only one she will ever have. So when the chance comes for her to go looking for Nina, she grabs it tightly and doesn't let go.
Lynn wrote Wherever Nina Lies in such a way that it had me addicted. I loved how her words influenced what you thought was going to happen. I felt as if I was Ellie, and I realized a few things with her that would have been obvious if I wasn't so dragged into Ellie's character. Lynn worked in all the events and clues leading to the truth about what happened to Nina wonderfully. There were some flaws in the plot, like how Ellie agreed to drive across the country with a guy she barley knew, but I found they were easy to forget. 
Wherever Nina Lies was definitely worth reading. I love Lynn's writing style, and I will be looking forward to her next book.

Rating:

4 Moons

2011 Debut Author Challenge

This year I will be participating in the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. In this challenge, you must read at least 12 YA/Middle Grade books published in 2011, that are the author's debut. You do not have to have a blog to participate, nor do you have to enter by a certain time. If you want to join, click here to sign up.

These are the 16 books I plan on finishing by December 31, 2011, though as the year goes on I may add/remove books from this list:

1.  Wither by Lauren DeStefano Review to Come
2. Lost Voices by Sarah Porter Review to Come 
3. Warped by Maurissa Guibord Review
4.  The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter Review
5. The Lipstick Laws by  Amy Holder Review
6. Across The Universe by Beth Revis Review
7. This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson  Review 
8. Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison  I own this!

Review: A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

Title: A Blue So Dark

Author: Holly Schindler

Publisher: Flux

Pub. Date: May 2010

Length: 288 pages

Summary (from goodreads.com):

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that "creative" equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked—and together may offer an escape from her fears.
My Thoughts: The cover design is beautiful; its what made me buy the book to begin with. It matches the story, with the color of the water and detail of the title, perfectly. The title also drew me in. It sounded interesting and, obviously, dark. It is written almost lyrically, and I especially loved Aura's poems.
Now for the story. Aura Ambrose has been caring for her schizophrenic mother ever since her father left them a few years ago. The story begins with her remembering an important event in her life from before her mother was diagnosed. You learn right away that Aura's mother is not normal and that Aura, as the only one caring for her, is hiding it from everyone else. As expressed in the description, both characters are artistic, but while Aura hides it, her mother does the opposite. Her artistic ability causes her to meet Jessie, her crush, in an art class. Near the beginning Jessie and Aura talk, and you realize, even though its hidden, that there is something between them.
Holly Schindler wrote her characters very well. Aura's father was portrayed exactly right. You know from Aura that he just doesn't care enough to to help, and when you meet him, you know its true. And, while I have no experience with mental disorders, her mother seemed to fit the part exactly. Her actions didn't seem over the top or exaggerated, just how you would expect some who hallucinates to act. The only character who bothered me was Aura's best friend, Janny. I understand that she is busy and stressed by her own problems, but she seemed just flat-out rude and inpatient, making her an unlikable character. 
A Blue So Dark is pretty unique considering its topic. I think a lot of girls can relate to Aura, minus having a schizophrenic mother. I know I (and my friend who also read the book) did. Its a story that stays with you long after you finish reading it, but I just didn't click with it.

 Rating:

4 Moons

Waiting On Wednesday: Eyes In The Mirror by Julia Mayer

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that features upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Eyes In The Mirror

by Julia Mayer

Published by Sourcebooks Fire

Length: 240 pages

Release: August 1, 2011

This is the story of two girls, Dee and Samara. Samara is a cutter; and has been cutting herself for a while now. Her mother killed herself a few years ago, and her father is distant and uninvolved in her life. His focus is work and his girlfriends. Samara is looking for herself, for a way out of her pain. That’s wh.en she meets Dee. Dee turns out to be her reflection in the mirror – literally her exact opposite.
They live in parallel universes where they can go through the mirror into each other’s worlds and also switch bodies if they want to. Dee first discovers this and enters Samara’s world to try to help her. When Samara realizes that there is a parallel world through the mirror, she is horrified. But eventually she opens up to it and the girls talk to each other all night long. They’re exactly alike but exactly opposite at the same time; true reflections of each other.
Every teen girl fantasizes about having a double and best friend rolled into one--an alter ego with whom she can trade places, allowing her to disappear. Samara is a troubled and lonely adolescent, prone to cutting, who desperately craves both intimacy and escape from her unfulfilled life...until she meets her reflection, Dee, the seeming answer to all her problems.
With dual and dueling points of view, EYES IN THE MIRROR provides a perspective on one girl’s life never before seen in YA fiction: from her own, and from her freer and wilder reflection.

Eyes In The Mirror looks very creepy. But in a good way. It also sounds very original and deep; another book to put at the top of my list.