the fruit of my lipstick

Author: Shelley Adina

Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA

Favorite Character: Gillian-she was pretty cool and upbeat. Everybody needs a person like her around.

Summary: Gillian Chang is the loud one of them. The one who is fearless and who speaks her mind to anyone and everyone. Somehow, though, she starts changing and for what? To hook the guy she's been crushing on, Lucas Hayes, who never seems to be satisfied with her. Gillian's relationship leads her to shut her friends out, so even they aren't sure if Gillian is innocent of helping other students cheat on tests, after all, she's turned into someone they no longer know.

Review: Much better than the first book. This one didn't drag; it flowed neatly and easily. I was afraid that since this book was by Gillian's point of view, that the author wouldn't be able to give her a definite character, but I was wrong. Gillian is way different than Lissa.

Gillian can stand up for herself and for her friends. She feels independent and able to care for herself, even when Lucas is definately ruining her. She doesn't see what is right in front of her and her friends aren't able to show it to her. After a while, Gillian stops talking to them. These things happen in real life. The relationship in this book isn't necessarily abusive, but the same concept applies to a truly hurtful one. The victim thinks it's their fault. Gillian thinks she really is too loud and should be more serene like an Asian girl is "supposed" to be like.

I loved this story. It totally helps you understand situations which you might encounter, so that if you see a resemblence then you know that you aren't overreacting. Stuff like this is abuse, even if it isn't exactly physical! Great lesson with awesome characters. Details are what make or break a story and this book had all the necessary fluff it needed to make it worthwhile.

Rating: 4/5

other books in the series:

1. it's all about us

3. be strong and curvaceous

4. who made you princess?

You Might Also Like:

1. The Girls by Amy Goldman Koss

it's all about us

Author: Shelley Adina

Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA

Summary: some things you just know without being told, like... You passed the math final (or you didn't). Your boyfriend isn't into you and wants to break up. You're the New GIrl and your junior year is going to be utterly miserable.

Lissa Mansfield is used to being in the "in crowd"-but being accepted by the popular girls at posh Spencer Academy boarding school in San Francisco is a lot harder than she thought. And then there's her New York-loudmouth roommate, Gillian Chang, who's not happy just to be a Christian herself-she's determined to out Lissa, too. If Lissa can just keep her faith under wraps long enough to hook Callum McCloud, the hottest guy in school, she'll be golden.

But when Callum pressures her to go all the way with him, Lissa has to decide how far is too far. How can she see that line when he's so gorgeous and popular and God seems so far away? Between that and shopping for a knockout dress and booking the hottest celeb for the Benefactor's Day Ball...who knew finding a place at Spencer Academy would be so complicated?

Review: The first 60 pages were really slow, and even though I'm a believer, the religion angle was stressed too hard there in my opinion. After that, though, the book turned out great. I would definately recommend it to anyone who's having a hard time making decisions like the ones portrayed in this book. I don't think you need to be a believer to appreciate the lesson taught in this novel so my recommendation goes out to any girl.

The characters were actually pretty interesting. Lissa wasn't overly religioug, but then she was too butt-facey in parts like she was two different people. It settled out fine with me though. At least I could relate to her in some ways although she had a tough decision to make. I liked the plot and I thought that the glamour was right for the story, but it was still real.

Rating: 3/5

other books in the series:

2. the fruit of my lipstick

3. be strong and curvaceous

4. who made you a princess?

Wild Magic

Today I will be letting my tween sister talk about her latest read. She usually dislikes reading, but coming across the right book can change that. The other reason why she's posting today is that I still haven't gotten around to reading anything, but soon...Anyway, give her some encouragement! :D

Author: Cat Weatherill

Publisher: Walker & Company

Summary: The pied piper has led the children away from Hamelin Hill for reasons rooted in a long history of wild magic. Mari and her brother Jakob, are among those lured by the piper's enchanting music,and they are now trapped in an unfamiliar world-one as cruel as it is beautiful.

All the while, a fearsome beast stalks the forest in search of a special child he needs to bread a centuries-old curse.But finding the chosen one could have deadly consequences, and Mari and Jakob will soon find themselves in a spellbinding adventure, full of dark magic and unexpected danger.

Review: Some things I liked about this book, is that you could really picture the places and feel what they felt, whether it was a good, sad, scared, or mad, emotion. I think the descriptons were good, sometimes too good lol.

Other things I didn't like about the book are that it needed more of an ending and...... thats all I can think of. XD

If you are the type of person who likes to read kinda creepy and weird books this would be a good option.

If you do get around to reading this book I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!... or more...!!!!!!! [=

Rating: 4/5

farewell all don't miss me too much! jk

Bloodshot

Artist: Jack's Mannequin

Yup it's a song. It's the first one I ever heard by this band and now I'm really into their music. Hope you guys enjoy it. And yes, I'm just trying to appease you because I haven't read anything in over two weeks. Sorry? I'll be getting some stuff soon. Don't hate. :)

Oh and don't miss Wdebo's contest. She's got FIVE arc copies of Twenty Boy Summer which you totally want so go over there and enter. She just asks a pretty easy question. YEY! A song and a contest...

Winner of Latino Book Giveaway

Yey! Thanks to all of you guys for entering! I was really happy after reading all the comments and this is the first contest! I chose the winner today and it's...

Mindy!

I hope you like the reads!

Waiting On Wednesday (5)

Title: Real World

Author: Natsuo Kirino (translated by Philip Gabriel)

Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group

Summary: (B&N) In a crowded Tokyo suburb, four teenage girls indifferently wade their way through a hot, smoggy summer. When one of them, Toshi, discovers that her nextdoor neighbor has been brutally murdered, the girls suspect the killer is the neighbor's son. But when he flees, taking Toshi's bike and cell phone with him, the four girls get caught up in a tempest of dangers that rise from within them as well as from the world around them. Psychologically intricate and astute, Real World is a searing, eye-opening portrait of teenage life in Japan unlike any we have seen before.

Response: It sounds really fascinating. I read another book on stuff like psychology in Japan which was called Chain Mail: Addicted To You which I reviewed here. This one sounds really good and I also used to be obsessed with mystery novels.

Bones of Faerie

Author: Janni Lee Simner

Publisher: Random House

Summary: (b&n) The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

Review: This book combines dream-like elements and a girl's struggle for self-realization and independence into a lovely story that you might just never forget. Well, I thought it was good.

The characters are amazing. The main one is a fifteen-year old named Liza with a unique talent. A talent that is forbidden by her father in the town that he has proclaimed to have saved. I especially like her childhood friend Matt. He is super cool. I kind of hoped *possible spoiler* that more had happened between Matt and Liza than what did because nothin' happened much *end of possible spoilers*. Her mom actually annoyed me because of how pitiful and untrusting she was, but I understand her reasons. Caleb was just weird, but at least he helped Liza. Liza's dad is evil and he deserved way worse than what he got!

Wonderful plot. The details were unexpected and really realistic. Those small details really made the story depressing. It was fun and full of many adventures, but it certainly wasn't a happy read. I cried in some parts, but, as you probably already know, I cry a lot! :D If you want an original read with awesome imagery then please read this cool book.

Rating: 5/5

I only post recommendations if I have read the books and I don't have any to recommend since this is my first book on faeries. Oh, and sorry that it's taken this long to post, but procrastination is so strong! :)

Stuff

Yeah, so today is Thursday and I'm pretty much freaking out. Guess what? Tomorrow is the AP U.S. History test and I don't know the presidents very well or half of my notecards!!!! :(

So scary.

Oh, and I'm also behind on reviews and my books haven't gotten here yet and I should be working on a manga with my friend and....breath...

Being Nikki

Author: Meg Cabot

Summary: (B&N) Things aren't pretty for Emerson Watts.

Em was sure there couldn't be anything worse than being a brainiac the body of a teenaged supermodel.

But it turned out she was wrong. Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who's gone mysteriously missing, a brother who's shown up on her doorstep demanding answers, a former best friend who's intent on destroying Stark Enterprises to avenge the death of his lost love, and a British heartthrob who's written a song about her that's topping the charts.

How can Em balance all that with school, runway shows, and weekend jaunts to St. Johns - especially when she's got ex-boyfriends crawling out of the woodwork who want more than just a photo op; a sister who is headed to the high school cheerleading championships; a company she represents that seems to be turning to the dark side...

Not to mention trying to convince the love of her life that models aren't really airheads after all...especially one model in particular.

But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

Review: Okay, if you read Airhead then you should have already gotten your copy of Being Nikki which came out YESTERDAY! It really doesn't dissapoint. Another great book by Meg Cabot with tons of witty comments, lovestruck heroines, sweet friends and a wild life to encompass it all.

The story starts off where Airhead began and things happen fast. Nikki's character is talked about more and also her family. Em gets involved with Nikki's past since it also dictates how safe she is. Her suspicions of Stark grow and the reasons behind it just get weirder and more exciting.

The only part I actually disliked was the ending. There was no conclusion or anything that kind of said that it was the end of phase two in Em's life as Nikki! It just stopped! T.T I guess it's understandable since there will be a third book. I REALLY want to read it! I'm like starving for the conclusion. It gets really exciting and major and suspenseful and I need to know what happens...

Read the book

Rating: 5/5

This is the sequel to Airhead and here's my review.

Airhead

Author: Meg Cabot

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Summary: (B&N) EM WATTS IS GONE.Emerson Watts didn't even want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister, Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Gabriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there-along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard. How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her-and life as she'd known it-forever? One bizarre accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.Now getting her best friend, Christopher, to notice that she's actually a girl is the least of Em's problems. But what Em's pretty sure she'll never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one thing that's going to make her dream come true . . . .NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY.

Review: Why wouldn't you want to read a book by Meg Cabot!? They are always filled with adventure, boys, life-gone-haywire themes and above all they are comical! I absolutely love this book and if you haven't read it yet then go read it now because you are missing out.

Em Watts is relatable to for the typical girl. She feels strongly about disliking the Queen Bees of school who give little reason to think that they have a single independent thought. Em thought she would always look down on them with all their posh and money, but Nikki makes her see that stereotypes aren't the way to go. If you believe labels then you are just as brainless. It won't ever allow you to actually open your mind to what people different from you go through and that means that you exercise little tolerance. Meg's writing as Em is amazing. Em seems like a real girl and that's one of the things I love about her. Meg always knows how to reach teens without sounding like a flake. Yey Meg Cabot!!! I strongly recommend this book to all girls (it's probably not that good for guys) and look for the next book in this awesome series, Being Nikki coming May 5 which is tomorrow!!!

Meg Cabot is awesome

Rating: 5/5

You might also like:

1. I'd Tell You I love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Allie Carter (my review)

2. Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers (my review)

Author of Silver Phoenix is holding a contest

Yup. Cyndi Pon is giving away one of her gorgeous paintings with a

signed copy of her book or a $100 gift card and a signed copy of

her book. Enter it here and it ends June 8th.

And you can also enter this contest at this blog for more chances to get Silver Phoenix!

Summary: Ai Ling discovers a great ability of hers and realizes that she is destined to fight a monster who's really strong. At the palace, she meets Chen Yong who will be part of Ai Ling's new life.

Latino Book Month Contest

CLOSED

Yey! My first contest which I'm hosting on behalf of Hachette Book Group!!!

So here is the book pack...

Here are my short summaries:

1. B as in Beauty by Alberto Ferreras: A woman resenting the name which she fells doesn't apply to her slightly overweight self. She never minded that until she finds out that her boss might try to get her fired because of it and then some matchmaker decides to introduce her to a bunch of guys. Even though it might lead to disaster, she starts falling for one she shouldn't. more

2. Into the Beautiful North by Luis Urrea: A girl left behind after most the men in her town leave to find work in the North, tries to fix up a band of her own Magnificent Seven to help her town fight the approaching bandits. more

3. Hungry Woman in Paris by Josefina Lopez: Canela's life pressures her from everywhere and the need for an escape envelopes her. After her beloved cousin's suicide, she breaks off her unhealthy engagement and uses the honeymoon ticket to go live in Paris for a while where she recovers slowly helped by the people around her. more

4. The Disappearance of Irene Dos Santos by Margaret Mascarenhas: She was fifteen when she went, believed to have drowned. Her best friend Lily Martinez starts seeing Irene in visions and dreams and Irene insists on having her disappearance resolved even though it involves even the whole country of Venezuela and its inner turmoil. more

5. Houston, We Have a Problema by Gwendolyn Zepeda: Jessica is a grown woman with all sorts of issues. She almost never makes a decision on her own until she meets Jonathan who actually thinks about marriage. Jessica is unsure of what to do and no one will help her make this critical decision concerning the rest of her life. more


Rules: I will pick one winner who will get all five books each. The contest will end May 16 and then the publisher will get you your prize if you win! Aren't you excited!!!!!

1. US and Canadian residents only :(
2. No P.O Boxes please.

One entry for commenting and leaving your e-mail address
+1 for following my blog or if you've already been
+1 for putting the contest link somewhere on your blog and leave me a link pleas

I'm dying to read most of these books and the mystery one sounds cool! Thank you and good luck!