In My Mailbox (3)

I hadn't been to the library in awhile but I finally popped by last week. I also ran off and forgot my list of books, so I didn't get very much. I'm expecting some stuff coming in the mail, but the darn mail has been slow all WEEK! I think the postal workers have a secret day off because twice this week there has be no mail. Or, the junk mailers decided to save some trees and not send anything this week. What did you get in your mailbox/library?

"In My Mailbox" is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren and inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkee 

You've Got Blackmail by Rachel Wright

Lozzie Cracknell is a girl on the edge. Her parents have recently separated; she forgot to mail the invitations to her mum’s super-important client party; the school bully is out to get her following an unfortunate e-mail incident involving Photoshop and a picture of a horse’s behind; and now it looks like Mum might be dating her English teacher, the utterly loathsome Mr. Hilary Barnett.

Just when she’s got about as much stress as she can handle, Lozzie and her best mate Dex stumble upon a tantalizing mystery—it seems Mr. Barnett is being blackmailed. But who on earth would blackmail a bore like him, and why? As they delve deeper into the mystery, questions pile on top of questions, and the one thing that does become clear is that danger can lurk in totally unexpected places . . .

This was my first British novel, so you can image the culture shock or the head-spins from all that foreign slag. To tell you the truth, you really need a glossary of British slang because most of the time, I didn't know what they were even talking about. And I thought some of our slang words were silly, try this out for size:

Instead of saying or saying something close to "Saved by a bell", they say "Saved by a biscuit".

"Saved by a biscuit"?? You've got to be kidding me. Of course though, they probably think the same way about our gang slangs like "Sup'" or "Dog" (most unintelligent).

The "mystery blackmail" plot in this book is pretty predictable-sorry no Agatha Christie or even Nancy Drew here. I felt that the book was rather choppy and had too many short sentences which gave you the feeling that the author was trying too had to describe the moment. You've Got Blackmail is a comedy so you won't be board I can tell you that, but the characters were a tad too shallow. Nonetheless it was fairly enjoyable and will surely keep those pages flipping. Say, maybe you'll even pick up some funky slang words like "saved by a biscuit" or "bugger"....then again, maybe not.

You've Got Blackmail is a short light read that will tickle you pink or even awaken your best British accent. Tea anyone?

Pages: 194   Year Published: April 2009    Genre: Realistic/Contemporary, British

Age Group: YA, 12+  Classroom Use? No   Content: References to "doing the do" 

         Enjoyed It: 3/5 BLTs    Rating:             

 

Hot Off the Press (9)

Wondering what's comin' out this week? Look no farther, "Hot Off the Press" is your official guide to all the new YA fiction. "Hot Off the Press" is featured weekly or whenever new books are comin' off the press....

     

Looks like we have two swashbuckling adventures, a Elizabeth Scott novel, a robbery, and some nice stuff for tween girls! All these books came out May 26th. Any of 'em sound interesting to you?

For Tweens:

Also Known as Harper by Ann Haywood Leal 

Franny Parker by Hannah Roberts McKinnon

Highway Robbery by Kate Thompson 

For Teens (YA):

Peril on the Sea by Michael Cadnum 

(Cadnum writes lots of high seas adventures and for the younger people, Iain Lawrence wrote several books about pirates.)

Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Bad Company by Mike Walker  (modern day pirate story)

(Oops! Forgot this one!) See No Evil by Jamila Gavin

No More Waiting on Wednesday Posts or We're Cooking Something Up!

Yep, you heard it guys, no more "Waiting on Wednesday" posts. This is not a bad thing though, because I'm cooking up something even better! Join me June 3rd for an new kind of "wishing" post and some other really neat updates.....

Till then, wish big and happy reading!

The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas

-From amazon

Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen, she’s still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. Seem strange? Well, to Antonia, saints are royalty, and she wants her chance at being a princess. All her life she’s kept company with these kings and queens of small favors, knowing exactly whom to pray to on every occasion. Unfortunately, the two events Antonia’s prayed for seem equally unlikely to happen. It’s not for lack of trying. For how long has she been hoping to gain the attention of the love of her life – the tall, dark, and so good-looking Andy Rotellini? Too long to mention. And every month for the last eight years, Antonia has sent a petition to the Vatican proposing a new patron saint and bravely offering herself for the post. So what if she’s not dead? 

But as Antonia learns, in matters of the heart and sainthood, things are about as straightforward as wound-up linguini, and sometimes you need to recognize the signs.

__________________

Antonia's family is like my family....Italian, loud, and has the oddest way of expressing love-as Antonia puts it-"being totally honest with each other" (i.e. fighting).

Naturally, I enjoyed reading about all her greasy-headed-pasta-eating Italino family and her optimistic opinion on boys. (Constantly reminded me of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding though in this case, it should be "My Big Fat Italian Life" instead)  What about all those saints, you ask? Silly, I repeat silly. Of course the story wouldn't be the same without Antonia's obsessions over Catholic saints; though the idea of literally praying to all those people seems a bit time consuming if you ask me.

Antonia's character was quite humorous and Freitas description of the Italian families made me laugh out load. The Possibilities of Sainthood's main focus point was Antonia's quest to become the first living saint and the rest was about Antonia's search for the perfect boy to kiss. In my humble opinion, this book was composed pretty well for a first-timer and I would defiantly be on the lookout for any future books by Donna Freitas.

If you're looking for a book with a little comedy, a little romance, and with just a dash of, er, a lot of saints, then The Possibilities of Sainthood is just for you! And now for a nice bowl of pasta......have a great serata guys!

Pages: 272   Year Published: 2008    Age Group: YA, ages 13+

Genre: Realistic/Contemporary, Romance, Comedy

Content: Kissing  Classroom Use? No   Enjoyed It: 4/5 BLTs

Rating:

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Seventeen year old Mia has choices to make. Go to Julliard to continue her music career or stay in Oregon with her boyfriend. When Mia's family takes a drive one icy day to he grandparent's house, everything Mia has ever wished or dreamed for is slipping away. Now there's only choice left: to stay or go?

*******

This book was very touching and sad, but I liked reading Mia's story nonetheless. It made me teary just to imagine what it would be like to see my parents dead or even be in a accident period. At first I didn't really like the idea of Mia being in an "out of body experience" so to speak, but then again what really happens when you are in a coma? Most of the book switched back and forth between present time and Mia thinking back about all the things leading up to this event.

If I Stay placed you in Mia's shoes and made you think about what your family and friends would be doing if you had only one choice. Mia's character was carefully written, but she sometimes seemed more mature than her parents which was kinda odd for me. (It has to be all that classical music.)

Overall If I Stay was a heartfelt story of love, choices, and above all, family.

Gayle Forman is the author of Sisters in Sanity and Can't Get Here From There. You can visit her website and blog here or If I Stay's book trailer at ifistay.com 

Pages: 196   Year Published: April 2009    Genre: Realistic/Contemporary, Tragedy

Age Group: YA, ages 13+   Content: A few sexual references and graphicness 

Rating: 4/5 BLTs   Reviewer Enjoyment: 4/5 BLTS

                                                           Rating:

Hidden Voices by Pat Lowery Collins

The renowned Opsedale della Pieta in Venice takes in abandoned baby girls and teaches them to sing or play an instrument. Though the orphanage cares for their every need and much more, the only thing that truly matters to the hearts of the Pieta girls is finding true love. And for Luisa, Annetta, and Rosalba, real love is far from what they expected.

******

I was quite shocked frankly. I had such high hopes that this book was going to be good, but it ended up being rather disappointing and a waste of time. After reading a few pages of the book, my first thought was that it was going to be a loooong week because the book moved so slow. I got exactly halfway through when it happened! The disaster event. Rosalba thought she could just pick a "suitor" and things would act out like a play. Instead she got herself raped and ended up giving another "orphan" back to the Opselade. The book also ended a far cry from "happily ever after", which in this setting, such a thing only happened in plays.

The entire book switched off between the three girls, Luisa, Rosabla, and Annetta, (whew all those Italian girl names all end in "a"!!) which made it rather interesting, but since the story kept dragging on, the character changes didn't really make it any better. Hidden Voices could have been a somewhat nicer story, but the rape details were uncalled for. Either the author was just explaining what could happen to you if you made Rosalba's silly decision, or she was simply just writing about the orphan girl's unhappy endings. I'm sorry to sound this way because an author's book(s) are his masterpiece(s)-no matter how the sad the story is-but I just could not recommend this book. Hidden Voices was released May 12th, 2009.

Special thanks to Candlewick Press and Flamingnet for sending me this book.

Pages: 340  Year Published: May 2009   Genre: Historical, 1700s

Age Group: YA, ages 15+    Recommend? No

Content: Sexual references and rape     Use in Classroom? No

               Rating:

Wishing on Wednesday (12)

Wishing on Wednesdays" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

BLT features this muse weekly and to make it somewhat unique, I try to find books that haven't already been featured on other book blogs. Till next week, wish big and happy reading!

When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton 

Will be released June 11th.

Jimmy lives in Rowlesburg, West Virginia, during the 1940s. He does all the things boys do in the small mountain town: plays a mean game of football, pulls the unforgettable Halloween prank with his friends in “the Platoon,” and promises to head off into the woods on the first day of hunting season— no matter what. He also knows his father belongs to a secret society, and is determined to uncover the mysteries behind it! But it is a midnight encounter with a train that shows Jimmy the man his father really is.

Newcomer Fran Cannon Slayton’s powerful first novel captures the serendipity of boyhood by shining a spotlight on the peak adventures of Jimmy’s life. But at its heart, this is a story about a boy and his father in a time when trains reigned supreme.

I think it's really great that there is more historical fiction (and fiction period) for kids and teens nowdays. The only down-point is that they put most of it in the "Juvenile" section, so don't be afraid to go take a peek in there. (Just because it says "9-12" doesn't necessarily mean it's for kids.)

I like books that take place in the deep south because there always lots of mystery and people that are up to no good. Hope it comes to my library soon.....

Hot Off The Press (8)

Wondering what's comin' out this week? Look no farther, "Hot Off the Press" is your official guide to all the new YA fiction. "Hot Off the Press" is featured weekly or whenever new books are comin' off the press....

Girls You Just Don't Get It by Jennifer Leigh 

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith

The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb & Darcy Vance 

Can't wait to read all three of these books (but mostly I'm dying to get my hands on You Are Here)....which are released today! Happy reading guys!

Monday Muse: Pick or Plan

Monday Muse is a creation of B.L.T, which features discussion on books, the library, book covers, you name. Hope we give ya something to think about! Happy reading...

A lot of people I see at the library are searching for a specific book-more so in the usual bookworms or the kids with essays due the following day than the random browsers. The librarian asked me the other day if I needed help finding anything or if I was just browsing. It made me think. Are you the kind of person who walks around mumbling to themselves, list in hand, searching for a specific book(s); or are you the random browser who just picks up any book they're in the mood for? 

I actually do both. I usually have at least two or three books in mind (or written down) and the rest I just wing. And yes, I have a terrible habit of talking to myself when I looking for a book. Look on the bright side though. At least I'm embarrassing someone else for a change.

In My Mailbox (2)

"In My Mailbox" is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren and inspired by Alea @ Pop Culture Junkee 

This week has been rather exciting since I received three newly released books! I think I'm reading fast enough now to feature "In My Mailbox" every week, but I'm making no promises. LOL 

What's in your mailbox this week? Anything your extremely excited to read? Want to see a specific book reviewed here on BLT? Tell me, your thoughts never go unheard :)

The Borrowed

In My Mailbox

Just a little note here, Hidden Voices and If I Stay will be reviewed this week so be sure to stay tuned for their reviews! 

Love Rules by Dandi Daley MacKall

Emma and Jake Jackson and Mattie Mays -The Three Musketeers, The Three Stooges, Three Coins in a Fountian. When Mattie and Jake (Emma's brother) decide to head for California to Freedom University, Emma is left behind; but before they leave Missouri, Emma makes them promise to send her postcards about everything they learn about love. And from the looks of things, it's going to be pretty hard too.....

LOVE RULE #1:

The chances of finding love at this university are slim to none. And slim went home.

From "Greek God" to the nervous nerdy Jeremy Skittles, Mattie sets out to find true love-but could it possibly be right under her nose?

This book was absolutely stunning and so very fun to read! The book is narrated by Mattie who is the best character I've read in a long time. (I think I was secretly glad to read a character who thinks like me.) I mean, she's so animated and realistic! She's got a unique sense of humor, an inspiring view thats all her own, and a funny habit of speaking in foreign accents. Plus to top it off, MacKall puts the best little details in the book about Mattie, Jake, and Emma's friendship. (My favorite detail in the entire book was the "moon checks".)

Though Mattie is the main narrator, another neat thing about this book is that you get to see inside the minds of Mattie's dates or other guys she meets.

Okay don't get me wrong, this girl is not some tramp who goes around deliberately dating guys nor is college the best time to look for true love, but nevertheless it made a wonderful heartfelt story about finding true love and what true love should really be.

To tell you the truth I sorely miss Mattie, Jake, and Emma and am excited to read more of MacKall's books. Just to give you a taste of MacKall's writing skills, I'm going to give you a little blurb from the beginning of the book:

There are some moments that are prefect. I'm only 17, and I know this. Sitting on the hood of the old Ford, wedged between Emma and her brother, Jake, I lean back against the windshield. I can't even guess how many time the thre of us have come to this spot. First on our bikes....and later, when Jake got his license, in his car. I want to memorize every detail-the stars, white explosion on blue-black sky, their blurred reflections on the reservoir lake, rippled by the late summer breeze.

Dandi D. MacKall has written over 350 books for adults, teens, and kids. Some of her teen novels include Crazy in Love, Eva Underground, and Maggie's Story. Love rules! End of story.

Pages: 242 Year Published: 2005 Genre: Realistic/Contemporary,

Romance, Comedy, Chic Lit Age Group: YA, girls ages 14+

Content: Mild sexual references, drinking, and one frat party scene

(main characters do not take part in any of the above)

Recommend? Yes!

Rating:

Enjoyed It:

Escape by Sea by L.S. Lawrence

-from bookjacket

Sara lives a privileged but sheltered life as a senator's daughter in Carthage her home on the North African coast. But in horrific afternoon, everything changes. With his last breath, a soldier tells Sara that her only brother is dead and that the Romans will attack Carthage within the hour. Fleeing for their lives, Sara and her father hastily gather a cargo to trade across the sea; but no sooner have they left the African coast than they face a tempest, pirates, vengeful merchantes, and the Roman navy itself. 

Then a devastating turn of events leaves Sara alone, wondering whom she can trust. Returning to Africa is no longer an option, yet Sara has no destination in sight. With danger constantly at her back, she must rely on her own wit to survive in a man's world and lead her ship to freedom. 

This coming-of-age adventure that starts in ancient Carthage provides fascinating details about what life was like then on the Mediterranean and raises questions about tolerance, morality, and diversity. 

There aren't very many books for teens/kids about ancient Rome, Greece, Gaul [Germany] so when I saw this book I was actually quite excited. Escape by Sea was a fairly good peek into the past, but there was hardly any plotline and then when it was getting really good..... it just ended. Most of the book took place at sea and most of the characters thoughts and actions were about either defending the ship or trying to figure out the where they were going. The book was written in third person and Sara's character seemed lacked personal emotions, so I couldn't really connect with her or the characters. One thing that annoyed me the most was that inside of saying "Sara's father_____" it said his full title and name; thus I mixed up the characters a lot. Towards the end of book it got pretty good and I started to get the feel of the ancient seas and even imaged what the Roman soldiers looked like. (Plus it helped that I watched B.C. Battles on the History Channel.) RANDOM THOUGHTS HERE: I love the History Channel. I watched the ancient roman Battle for Marathon (hence the modern word to run a marathon) and the Battle of Troy. I also watched these neat western re-caps. 

Now back to the review: Not bad for a first novel. I'll give it a B- for first attempt at a historical fiction. HF is tuff to write, maybe Lawrence's next book will be better. (And if he does I will most likely read it) If you like stuff about sea voyages and adventures this is probably a nice light read for you! 

(PS. The cover is so neat!)

Pages: 188   Year Published: 2009    Genre: Historical fiction, ancient

Age Group: YA, girls ages 12+           Recommend? Yes

Classroom Use? Most defiantly

                         Rating: 

                     Enjoyed It:

Wishing on Wednesday (11)

"Wishing on Wednesdays" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

BLT features this muse weekly and to make it somewhat unique, I try to find books that haven't already been featured on other book blogs. Till next week, wish big and happy reading!

Gosh, another week gone by and-naughty me- I haven't finished that Amazon order yet. I guess you guys might have to wait a bit longer to see my most wished for 2009 releases. Sigh. But I have been busy suggesting recently released books to my library. In fact the library called me (aren't I special?) to let me know that TWO of those suggested books are ready for me to pick up! :) Want to know what they are? Stay tuned for my "In My Mailbox" post on Sunday.

Now about  why I'm wishing for the following books: I haven't read Oh, My Gods by Tera Lynn Childs yet, but I couldn't help featuring the sequel. There's something about colorful or clean book covers that make be excited about reading what's on the inside. The second book I heard about a few months ago. I'm a such sucker for Regency Era stuff.

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs will be released June 11th.

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada 

heels. But trying them on, she trips…conks her head…and wakes up in the year 1815!

There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily’s family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily’s cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex’s heart, before her time in the past is up?

More Cabot than Ibbotson, Prada and Prejudice is a high-concept romantic comedy about finding friendship and love in the past in order to have happiness in the present.

Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbord will be released June 11th.

Hot Off the Press (7)

Wondering what's comin' out this week? Look no farther, "Hot Off the Press" is your official guide to all the new YA fiction. "Hot Off the Press" is featured weekly or whenever new books are comin' off the press....

Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel 

All About Us #4: Who Made You a Princess? by Shelley Adina 

Kaleidescope Eyes by Jen Bryant 

The Other Half of Life by Kim Ablon Whitney

The Uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones 

Academy 7 by Anne Osterland 

Are U 4 Real by Sara Kadefors 

Death by Denim by Linda Gerber 

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

A Match Made in High School by Kristen Walker UPDATE: Just found out that this book won't be released until Feb. 2010!!!

Slob by Ellen Potter

Hidden Voices by Pat Lowery Collins 

Darkwood by M.E Breen 

Anything that your dying to buy? I'm thinking about purchasing Kaleidoscope Eyes or maybe Are U 4 Real. The rest I'm suggesting to the library. I haven't read any of the All About Us novels, but I've seen them at my library and I think they will be the next series I'll get into. Has anyone read them? How did you like them?