A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker
"When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. That’s until she marries her “husband”: jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very dorky, very big Johnny Mercer.

Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes."- summary from Amazon

OH. MY. GOD. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I flew through it so quickly and it was just amazing. It's such a cute book, but it has a bit of emotional depth to it too, which I really liked. My favorite bits were when Fiona and Todd were together; the zingers they throw at each other are just so hilarious and had me laughing out loud. I loved their interactions. The romance was also done really well because I wasn't sure who Fiona would end up with, at least not right away; that definitely helped me to enjoy the book a bit more with that small mystery.

Now, a few days ago, while reading the book, I went and looked for some reviews. I found one review where the blogger had said that they almost put the book down after 100 pages or so because Fiona's character was so self-centered and was being a bitch to everyone she knew. When I read that, I was shocked because I thought EVERYONE ELSE was being a bitch to Fiona for absolutely no reason, which is why I was looking for other reviews to see if other people mentioned it. This brought me to a question: Am I self-centered for not seeing that Fiona was being selfish and self-centered, and for sympathizing with her? Because I was seriously like "WTF? Why is everyone so mad at Fiona? She's not doing anything wrong!" Which, in at least one situation, I still don't think she was wrong and think her "friends" were being bitchy for no reason. Feel free to ask me about it if you've read the book.

Another thing that made me happy was the inclusion of a gay couple; it's very biased of me, but I love it when gay people are represented well in YA books. I also quite enjoyed a particular exchange that happened when this couple was introduced; it made me giggle a lot. I also liked Fiona's parents, especially her mom and what she did to protest the marriage course going on. The book has a lot of fantastic, memorable characters, but there isn't enough room to really get to know them and so they aren't developed to their full potential, but that's ok. The events of the book and the witty exchanges keep the story alive and well. This is a really good novel, and I can't wait to read more from Kristin Walker.

FTC: ARC provided by publisher. Amazon link is an Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

In My Mailbox- Week of Jan. 25 + Retrospective

No vlog again this week. I got some books I don't care too much about and some I am so happy to have! The ones I don't care about will be listed at the bottom, but the ones I'm excited for will have pics and summary.


The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .)

Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut.



Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.


Other books:

Runaway by Meg Cabot (2nd copy (up for a tour at Princess Bookie's site, though signups are closed now; with Scholastic Summer 2010 Catalog CD)
Night Road by A.M. Jenkins
Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell
The Little Piano Girl: The Story of Mary Lou Williams, Jazz Legend by Ann Ingalls and Maryann Macdonald


And here's my retrospective:

Monday- I posted my thoughts on Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu.

Wednesday- I interviewed Lisa McMann, author of the Wake trilogy.

Friday- I posted my review of Gone by Lisa McMann.

Gone by Lisa McMann

Gone by Lisa McMann
"Janie thought she knew what her future held. And she thought she'd made her peace with it. But she can't handle dragging Cabel down with her.

She knows he will stay with her, despite what she sees in his dreams. He's amazing. And she's a train wreck. Janie sees only one way to give him the life he deserves--she has to disappear. And it's going to kill them both.

Then a stranger enters her life--and everything unravels. The future Janie once faced now has an ominous twist, and her choices are more dire than she'd ever thought possible. She alone must decide between the lesser of two evils. And time is running out..."- summary from Lisa's site

The final book in the Wake trilogy is a doozy of a book, full of twists and revelations as well as some great angst and romance between Janie and Cabel. McMann's writing is still very tight and simple and easy to read; her prose becomes almost lyrical at points in the book. A lot of questions are answered and of course others are brought up (and answered), and it's a satisfying read. The trilogy definitely is tied up well and you can tell this is the final book, but there's also this sense of ambiguity at the end that makes it seem like there could be more at some point in the future. I have no idea if this will happen, but even if it doesn't, I'm content enough with the ending here.

FTC: Review copy provided by publisher. Amazon link is an Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

Interview with Lisa McMann

My friend Lisa McMann allowed me to ask her a few questions via email to promote the final book in her Wake trilogy, Gone, which is out next week. Hope you all enjoy!

1) Gone marks the end of your Wake trilogy with Janie. Has it been difficult to let go, or are you anxious to start with new characters and concepts? Or maybe a mixture of both?

It was difficult to write GONE and say goodbye -- Janie and Cabel are very dear to me. But I like to think they are tough enough to continue living just fine without me somewhere, on their own or together or whatever happens to them after GONE.
I am VERY excited to work with new characters and a new concept.


2) What can your fans look forward to from you next? I know you've got a couple things in the works.

I just turned in the manuscript for my next book, CRYER'S CROSS (spring 2011), to my editor, and what happens near the end of the book was so creepy I almost freaked myself out writing it. There's also a love story in it -- two, actually, I guess. I think readers will like it. It's a stand-alone this time, rather than a start of a series.

And in the fall of 2011, my first middle grade novel comes out. It's a dystopian fantasy called THE UNWANTEDS, about a society where strength and intelligence is rewarded and creative children are sent to their deaths. This could be the start of a series -- I'll know more on that next year.


3) With this book and the previous one Fade, you've teamed up with your publisher Simon and Schuster to do a sweepstakes to give out a scholarship to someone who deserves it. Tell us about the contest you've got going on for Gone.

Yes indeed, and really it's an amazing contest. Teachers, tell your students. Teens, borrow a camera or use your cell phone and start thinking about this -- it's again a Fund Your Dreams sweepstakes like last year, and all US teens (14-18) have to do is video themselves telling me how their goals and dreams are similar to Janie's. Make it funny or serious -- just don't be boring. Upload it to youtube (or whatever) and add the link to it in your entry. You can enter right on my website, http://lisamcmann.com The prize is $1000 to go for your future life goals. Contest ends March 8, 2010.


4) Silly question- What's your favorite candy to eat? I have to ask this since I've asked you the Jelly Belly question before and we had a slight argument about the differences (or, in my opinion, lack thereof) between Jelly Bellys and jelly beans.

Sort of funny, but I don't really eat much candy. I'm much more into savory snacks rather than sweet ones. But I like caramels. M&Ms too. Ooh, the peanut butter M&Ms -- those are the best! Everything tastes better with peanut butter.


5) What book(s) are you reading now, or are about to start?

I have grown to adore this question, because I'm finding lots of great stories out there. Recently read:
FAT CAT by Robin Brande
TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler
JUMPING OFF SWINGS by Jo Knowles
NAILED by Patrick Jones
WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead
ONCE WAS LOST by Sara Zarr
THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FAN BOY AND GOTH GIRL by Barry Lyga

Looking forward to:
SPLIT by Swati Avasthi (comes out in March)
GOTH GIRL RISING by Barry Lyga
Also, A. S. King's next book comes out this fall. It's called PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ. It's quirky and amazing.
Linda Gerber's TRANCE is also something to watch for this fall -- a cool paranormal winner.


6) As you said above, you're writing a middle grade novel. How different was it from YA to write? Do you think you'll ever branch out to adult fiction as well?

Why yes, yes I *did* say something about that above, you clever thing! :)

I wrote THE UNWANTEDS after I wrote FADE, back in 2007. It was something I started while waiting for WAKE to come out. And the voice is totally different. You won't read it and say, yep, you can hear that Lisa McMann voice in there. Because it's totally so so so different from the WAKE trilogy. And it was so much fun. It's written in a more melodic, fantastical way. It was a good break from the staccato voice of WAKE & FADE. I'm excited to start working on it again (I'm in the editing stage and waiting on the first editorial comments at the moment).

As for branching out into adult, I don't see it. Not in the near future anyway. I'm of a mind that adults should read YA, so that's pretty much where I want to stay.


7) The New Year recently started. Do you have any resolutions? Are you a resolutions kind of person, or do you generally not care for that sort of thing?

I do make resolutions, but I set them year 'round, not really just at the New Year. I resolve pretty much daily to be a stronger person, a more compassionate person, but also a less vulnerable person when it comes to my work. I think I mentioned to you once before that I really limit myself from reading reviews, and that has helped me tremendously. I usually read a few when the book is first coming out to get a general consensus, then I shut down the noise machine and focus on what's next. It's been a very healthy resolution for me.


8) A few months ago, you released a short story for free from Cabel's point of view for your fans. Did you enjoy writing from his perspective? How did that story come about? Have you thought about writing more from his side of events during the Wake trilogy?

I really enjoyed writing from Cabe's perspective. He's an interesting character and I love getting deep inside his brain. My editor asked me to write that short story as a sort of gift/teaser to tide readers over between FADE and GONE, and I liked the idea. As for writing more like it, my standard answer is "not at this time." If my publisher wants me to, I'll consider it. If I do actually do it someday, I'd want to tell the whole story of Cabel from before Janie met him (as well as after) because that's the part we don't see much of in the trilogy. We know what happens, but we don't really see it -- we see parts of it in Cabe's monster man dream, but that's not necessarily reality, or the way it really happened. I think that would be a great story. But at this point, no plans for that. What do your readers think?


I would love to read more from Cabe's side of things, and I'm excited to see what you all think about it too! Thank you so much, Lisa, for stopping by! You rock! :)

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu
"Everyone has a secret. But Lucy’s is bigger and dirtier than most. It’s one she’s been hiding for years—that her mom’s out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right."

Since I am a tad obsessed with the show Hoarders on A&E, I was excited to read this book and was so happy to receive a copy (thanks Anna!). The jacket copy (which is not the one above) didn't mention the mom dying (not a spoiler- it happens within the first 30 pages or so) so I was expecting something different than what actually transpired in the story. Now, that doesn't mean the book was bad because it was still pretty good; it just didn't play out the way I expected it to. The mom dying had something to do with not going with my expectations. I was expecting a story of learning to deal with hoarding and maybe in the end, there's a hope for the family of getting better; also, secrets would come out. Unfortunately, with the mom dead and Lucy alone, not many secrets were revealed or, if they were, answered. So that aspect kinda disappointed me, but Omololu still did a good job with the novel.

There's a lot to be said about the things people keep and when you're going through a hoarder's belongings, memories come up and they make you nostalgic. I enjoyed getting to know about Lucy and her family's past through the cleaning up of the house and her coming across various items. It was a clever way of doing exposition.

The ending again was something I wasn't expecting, but it does feel right to end it that way. Very symbolic and all that English major jibberjabber. It was definitely an interesting read and I kind of want to read more books about hoarding. That should be the next trend in YA- hoarding. Oh please let it be so!

This book will be released on Feb. 2, so go get it then or pre-order!

FTC: Received hardcover from the publisher. Amazon link is an Associate link; any profits go toward funding contests.