My Contest is Ending & Oh Look! I Got Awards!

Hey guys! Just a little reminder that my contest is ending today (12:00 am), so last chance to enter. Click here.

Also I will be leaving for the weekend (don't worry, posts will go on as usual), but I won't be able to send out contest book till I get back. So short delay there.

And now for my blog awards! Special thanks to WDebo from The Electric Book Cafe,to Silvia at Silvia's YA Bookshelf, and MssJoss at Reviews of Young Adult LIterature thanks so much you guys! (Looking at all the comments is sometimes confusing, so if somebody else gave an award, please let me know on this post!) Sorry it took so long to post about the awards, but I've been scouring the blog-o-sphere in search of worthy nominees:

Thanks to Isa, Genevieve, and Liana for all the comments and for being some of BLT's first followers! 

1. Isa of Mixtures Books 

2. Genevieve of Genevieve's Blog

3. Liana of Liana Has Too Much Spare Time 

I discovered these guys recently and I really LOVE their blogs. Plus I hear Willowe and Reading to Myself are being nominated for a big award over at Hey, Teenager of the Year!

4. Willowe of Readings of a Teenage Tree

5. Reading To Myself

6.Michelle of Michelle's Bookshelf (it seems I'm not alone to think Barbie when I see My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters) 

7. And finally Lauren at Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf, the first blog I ever followed.

Now pass it on! "This award is given to new blogs and blogging friends.The rules to follow are:1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.2) Pass the award to at least 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award."

I also received the Zombie Chicken Award from Michelle at Michelle's Bookshelf! Thanks so much! Very thoughtful. As for who I'm nominating, I'm still trying to decide. Don't worry, I'll try to have the nominees posted by next week! Thanks again for the lovely awards.

2009 Debut Authors Challenge

Guess what? I've decided to join the 2009 Debut Authors Challenge! Yay! Everyone's right when they say there's tons of new authors, so what better way to welcome them into the world of YA than to read, buy, or borrow their new books!

I'm going to try for twenty books, but that may change since I tend to end up reading more than I plan. :)

Here I go........

1. Escape by Sea by L.S Lawrence

2. My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

3. My Big Nose and Other Natural Distaster by Sydney Salters

4.Shadowed Summer by Sandra Mitchell

5. The Season by Sarah MacLean

6. Double Eagle by Sneed B. Collard III

7. Pure by Terra Elan McVoy

8. Funny How Things Change by Melissa Wyatt

9. The Battle for Duncragglin by Andrew H. Vanderwal

10. Are U 4 Real by Sara Kadefors

11. Desiderate by Judy Ferro

12. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King

13. The Entomological Tales of Augusts T. Percival by Dene Low

14. When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton

15.The Straits by Jeremy Craig

16.Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill

17. Lipstick Apology by Jessica Jabley

18. The Stone Child by Dan Poblocki

19. Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

20. Panama by Shelby Hiatt

21. Medina Hill by Trilby Kent
22. Black Angels by Linda Beatrice Brown

Wishing on Wednesday (9)

"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!

A Retelling of Anastasia 

Nadya is a mischievous kitchen girl in a Russian tavern. Having nearly drowned in the Iset River during the turmoil of the Revolution, she has no memory of her past and longs for the life she cannot remember.Then two young men arrive at the tavern and announce that Nadya's long-lost grandmother has sent them to find her. Yearning for family and friendship, she agrees to accompany them to Paris for the joyful reunion. Nadya eagerly embarks on her journey, never dreaming it will be one of laughter, love -- and betrayal. 

I've always loved books about Anastasia so I'm excited about reading this book!

The Diamond Secret by Suzanne Weyn will be released June 1st.

Set on a path of humiliation and despair, thirteen-year-old Desiderata is forced to march alongside her family on the long and treacherous road to the court of their conqueror, King Charlemagne (Karolus). The headstrong young duchess has become a pawn in the political intrigues of her time. In this period piece set in eighth-century France, Desiderata lives a life of duality, of nobility and peasantry, unwillingly betrothed to Young Pepin, the despised son and heir to the throne of Karolus, while falling in love with his older brother. Readers will identify with her young adult exploration of fate, control, and free will. Her father, Odillon, said that Karolus had left them no choice, but Desiderata disagreed. For her, fighting was a choice, even when victory was not.

Not many books about the 8th century. I've been waiting for this for awhile.

Desiderate by Judy Ferro will be released June 1st.

Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott

KJ Miller is a geek magnet. And to prove it, she's got not one, not two, but three geeks following her every move. Sure they bother her, especially Glenn with his constant rude remarks, but deep inside KJ just can't be mean. Or can she? When KJ unexpectedly befriends high school starlit, Tama Gold, she suddenly finds herself in the "in" crowd; but hanging with the populars comes with a price. Ditch the geeks or never hook the high school football Cameron Richardson. With her homelife and friendships fraying, and the Grease production on the brink of disaster, is KJ really ready to kiss her greekdom friends goodbye?

This charming story about one girl's quest for love, life, and forgiveness is sure to bring out the "geek" in everyone.

***********

There I was scouring the "New Releases" shelf at the library when I bright pink cover caught my eye. [Ooooo shiny!]

When I pulled it out, to my surprise it was Geek Magnet (and also to my surprise the geeky guy on the cover looked an awfully lot like a certain person I know-spooky). 

From the beginning of the book I knew I would rate it 4 BLTs. The characters were funny, KJ's emotions were very relatable-especially her homelife problems-and the the chapters were set up in scenes like a production. Speaking of productions, amidst KJ's problems she was also the stage manager for Grease, which was a great addition to the book. Though the end was fairly predictable, Geek Magnet did manage to keep me on the edge of my seat. KJ kept making wrong turns and creating the perfect mess. I was mad along with her, frustrated with her, happy with her, knew what she was going through-what a great relatable character KJ is, huh?

TINY SPOILER........

 I can also that Tama Gold just burns my toast! Boy what a brat, and thankgoodness KJ turned out to be a smart girl after all. The best part about Geek Magnet was forgiveness and that being "popular" is not important.

Okay, now I can truthfully say I Am a Geek. After all, we ARE the smart ones.......

Kieran Scott is also the author of I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader, A Non-Blonde Cheerleader in Love, and Brunette's Strike Back.

Pages: 308    Year Published: 2008    Level: YA, ages 13+

Fiction: Realistic/Contemporary, Comedy, Romance

This Book is For: Teen girls   Recommend? Yes    Buy or Borrow: Borrow

4 BLTs For: Mild crude humor, family violence, references to teen drinking, and mild language. 

     Rating & Reviewer Enjoyment:

The 30 Question Book Meme

Instead of doing my Monday Muse meme, I decided to this instead. I saw The 30 Question Book Meme on several blogs, but I'm not sure who started it. Enjoy guys...

1. Hardback, trade paperback or mass market paperback?
I like hardback better because it lasts longer and when getting books at libraries, hardcover is always in better condition. The only downfall about hardcover is that it's twice as expensive.

2. Barnes & Noble or Borders?
I've only been in a Borders twice. Yeah, it's called living in a rural area. The closest chain bookstore is Hastings and that's an hour away. The closest Barns & Nobles is two hrs., and the nearest Borders is four hrs. I like Borders because it feels airy and makes you want to buy every book you see. (Sneaky, huh?) Barns & Nobles is more professional or business-like. I usually go strait to the bargain shelves and hardly ever buy a thing from the YA section. I take one look at the prices and freak out. I usually order my books from Amazon, but I wish I could just pick them up at a bookstore. See how picky I am? 

3. Bookmark or dog-ear?
Oh, gosh I could never bend my book's pages! I ALWAYS use a bookmark.

4. Amazon or brick and mortar?
Amazon, but like I said before, if there was a bookstore close, I might buy from a bookstore more often.


5. Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random?
Neither. I sort my books by genre or personal interest.

6. Keep, throw away, or sell?
NOOOO! Step away from that trash can! The bookmobile takes their old books down to the post office and I save them from being thrown out. And I must agree with one book blogger, "One Reader's Trash is Another Reader's Treasure".

7. Keep dust jacket or toss it?

When I was little I hated book covers until I realized it kept the wear off. Sometimes if the book cover gets in the way I will take it off, but that cover's there for a reason.


8. Read with dust jacket or remove it?
Already covered that. (Get it!)


9. Short story or novel?
Both. Though I prefer a novel, I will reading short stories. That's all I have in World Literature!

10. Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
Ugh. Neither. I read one Snicket book when I was twelve and talk about weird. (No hard feelings Snicket lovers)

I personally think Lemony Snicket has a warped mind. As for Harry Potter, I've never even touched. Not kidding either. I don't like witches, wizards, dragons, or freaky elevators. I'm also wary of pinstripes now thanks to Snicket. 

11. Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
I never want to stop reading but my eyes only allow me so much. I usually stop during chapter breaks.

12. “It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?"
Um, not exactly sure what this means but if it's something like comedies vs. tragedies I'd say a "happily ever after".

13. Buy or borrow?
I would love to buy books 24/7 but it seems there's a hole in my money pocket, so I borrow more than I buy.

14. New or used?
I like new, but used is just fine with me. 

15. Buying choice: book reviews, recommendations, or browse?
Even though I like to beware of all the "good" books, I also like to browse. Most of how I pick out my books are either through recommendations or personal interests.

16. Tidy ending or cliffhanger?
Tidy endings are good, but in order to steal my heart away I'd have to say end a book with a meaningful cliffhanger or give the reader something to think about.

17. Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?

I'm a night owl and I prefer to do most my reading at night.

18. Stand-alone or series?
I like stand-alone titles because I don't like to get into a series that has like twenty some odd books.

But I will make exceptions, just so long as there's approx. 3 to 4 books in the series.

19. Favorite series?
So far either Shenandoah Sisters by Michael Philips, The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne T. Batson, or Notes From a Spinning Planet series by Melody Carlson

20. Favorite children’s book?
My cousin (who loves books also) bought me a Strega Nona story book. I still love that thing to death. I also (still) love Beatrix Potter's tales. My favorite story is "The Tale of Samuel Whiskers" and "Ginger & Pickles". 

21. Favorite YA book?
Yikes! Can't pick. But my favorite genre is historical fiction and/or chick lit.

22. Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
The Ancient Ocean Blues by Jack Mitchell-this book needs more publicity! It was so entertaining!

23. Favorite books read last year?

A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson.

24. Favorite books of all time?
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis, need I say more?

25. What are you reading right now?
Love Rules by Dandi D. Mackall 

26. What are you reading next?
Hmmm maybe I'll go with Escape by Sea by L.S Lawrence.

27. Favorite book to recommend to an eleven-year-old?
Read the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I can't imagine not growing up without them.


28. Favorite book to reread?
My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt, The Ancient Ocean Blues by Jack Mitchell, Isle of Swords by Wayne T. Batson.

29. Do you ever smell books?
Do I dare admit it? Yes, I do. I love the new book smell.

30. Do you ever read Primary source documents, like diaries or letters?

I'm a Dear America junkee, yes!

Want to join in the fun? Post The 30 Question Book Meme on your blog and link it to Mr. Linky!

Premiere Saturday: The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding

It is 1790 on Drury Lane in the city of London. Miss Cat Royal is an orphan that was left at the Drury Lane Theater when she was a baby. Ever since then, she has been living at the theater earning her keep by doing small jobs. One day she over hears the theater owner talking about a secret diamond that has arrived in the theater. She is determined to help keep the secret safe, and not let anything happen to the diamond; then suddenly word gets out that the diamond has been hidden in the theater. Even though Cat hasn't seen the diamond, she knows that she must keep it out of harms way. In the process of her great adventure she makes new friends and foes on Drury Lane.

Review & Book Trailer by 

Posted by

The Boy Who Dared: The True Story of a Hitler Youth by Susan C. Bartoletti

As Helmuth sits in his prison cell awaiting a death sentence, he recounts his life as it leads up to his rebellious choices.
In Helmuth's world you can't say bad stuff about the government, you can't write or read things criticizing the government, freedom of speach is gone, and the Gestpo [police] constantly bully people into bending to their will. What will? The will of the Nazis. Helmuth lives in Germany during Hitler's rule in the 1930s-1940s, and he is not happy about it either. Everything Hilter does is supposedly "good" for the Fatherland. But does that seriously include killing Jews, imprisoning/murdering fellow Germans, filling minds of false "honor" and "duty" to their country, and trying to control half the world?
Helmuth sees lies and he wants others to see the truth-but will it all be worth it in the end?
The Boy Who Dared pries deep into Nazi Germany where so many believe in "protecting" Germany from Communism, Jews, etc.; yet there are some-like sixteen year old Helmuth Hubener-that see past the lies of Hitler. This book is based on the true story of Helmuth's life and how he sought to uncover the truth.

*****************

There always has been corrupt governments and dictators and their will always be. After The Great War (or WWI) Germany was in great need of a leader. Hitler's patriotic and promising words of “hope” made him leader, but Germany (and the rest of the world) paid for it. With his twisted ways and corrupt thinking, the world will forever remember ONE of the cruelest leaders, Adolf Hitler; will the world forget to spot another "Hitler" and his corrupt government? This is what this book told me. What will it tell you?

This book contains graphic reality and mild violence.

Pages: 192    Year Pub.:2008   Level: YA (ages 13+)   Fiction: Historical

Time Period: World War II/1900s           This Book Is For: Guys & Girls

Should I Waist My Eyes On This? Yes      Buy or Borrow: Both

           Rating & Reviewer Enjoyment:

Wishing on Wednesday (8)

"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!

 

Kyla is exactly the kind of girl Alex could never talk to in real life. She’s a gorgeous, outspoken L.A. girl who parties to forget about her absent father and depressed mother. He’s a shy ballet dancer from outside San Francisco who’s never been kissed. Luckily, when these sixteen-year-olds meet for the first time it’s not in real life—it’s in a chat room, where they can share their feelings of isolation and frustration away from the conformity-obsessed high school scene. Alex and Kyla quickly forge a friendship that’s far from virtual— maybe they’re even falling in love. But what happens when the soul mate you’ve never met moves from online to in person?

Why I Want to Read It

First of all I don't really agree with the meeting online stuff, but the story sounds kinda cute. My main point why I want to read this book is because I was a dancer too. :)

Are U 4 Real by Sara Kadefors will be released May 14th.

Emma Healy has never fit in with the rest of her family. She's grown used to being the only ordinary one among her rather extraordinary parents and siblings. But when she finds a birth certificate for a twin brother she never knew she had, along with a death certificate dated just two days later, she feels like a part of her has been justified in never feeling quite whole. Suddenly it seems important to visit his grave, to set off in search of her missing half. When her next-door neighbor Peter Finnegan -- who has a quiet affinity for maps and a desperate wish to escape their small town -- ends up coming along for the ride, Emma thinks they can't possibly have anything in common. But as they head from upstate New York toward North Carolina, driving a beat-up and technically stolen car and picking up a stray dog along the way, they find themselves learning more and more about each other. Neither is exactly sure what they're looking for, but with each passing mile, each new day of this journey, they seem to be getting much closer to finding it. 

Why I Want to Read It

Road trip! Sounds neat and a "cleaner" so to speak than the book Wherever Nina Lies, a novel similar to You Are Here.

You Are Here by Jennifer E. Smith will be released May 19th.

Remember the Holocaust: A Booklist (1)

Today, April 21st, is Holocaust Remembrance Day. In honor of the people who died in during the Holocaust, am I featuring a booklist of WWII era books. I will also be posting a special book review for The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti on Thursday. Today is not just a day to remember, it's a day to make sure another holocaust never happens again; to pick our leaders wisely. Remember how Hitler came to power, remember the consequences. Read about the past to apply to the future. Happy reading guys!

The Boy Who Dared by Susan C. Bartoletti, Good Night, Maman by Norma F. Fox, & Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli

The Great Escape The Book Thief Memories of Anne Frank

by Mike Meserole by Markus Zusak by Alison Leslie Gold

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

by John Boyne

Premiere Saturday: My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter

You know how they say "don't judge a book by it's cover", well I did....in a good way. Picture me sitting at my computer scanning the new book releases when I see the title "My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters".

"Whacky title....this outta be interesting."

[Clicks link that goes to Amazon; book cover appears]

"Oh my gosh! I have a Barbie just like that!"

Instead of saying "Oh, this sounds good" or "Alright, a book about someone who doesn't like their nose either!", I only wanted to read it because there's a Barbie on the cover. Um, yeah, somebody played with Barbies waaay too much. And for the record I like my nose, even though it resembles my grandfather's round Irish strawberry nose. (When the rest of your family has big pointy noses, you'll be estatic with anything but a big pointy nose.)

Now onto the review:

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters was great narrative by an average teenage girl with some acceptance issues. (Who doesn't right? As for the people who love themselves as is: Good for you!)

After finishing her junior year of high school, seventeen year-old Jory Michaels has three things on her summer to-do list: get ride of the Super Schnozz, find her passion (aka land Tyler Briggs as boyfriend), and learn to drive a stick-shift.

When both Jory's friends, Hannah and Megan find their "passions", Jory feels she must speed things up a little; and when she does, natural disaster follows. If only she can get ride of her big nose everything will be peachy....right?

In this comedic drama about every girl's worst nightmare comes the story of accepting yourself and getting the guy without causing natural disaster.

******

Yes, you can take away the Barbie doll image now ladies. This girl has a serious problem. After reading the first chapter I was hooked! The humor was great, the issues surrounding Jory were so-true and relateable, but she was a little too obsessed with boys for my taste. Kinda to the point where she was getting rather ridiculous and getting way too desperate. I think girls should never get desperate over boys-especially when some girls only have boyfriends for approx. three months. Me? I'd rather skip the boyfriend fling and find my "Edward" for keeps.

How cool is this? Not only do you get to read a fun teenage novel, but you get to be introduced or re-introduced to those life lessons we keep ignoring. Now if only there was a book on how to accept those pesky black-heads. Talk about best-seller....

*Because of some sexual content and references and underage drinking, I would only recommend teen girls that are at least fifteen read this.

Pages: 345 Year Published: April 6th, 2009 Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Age Group: YA, ages 15+ Content: Teen drinking, some sexual situations/references

Enjoyed It: 4/5 Rating:(based on content)

For more fun with My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters go to www.sydneysalter.com!