Heist Society by Ally Carter

Heist Society by Ally Carter
"When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre...to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria...to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own--scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help. For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in history--or at least her family's (very crooked) history."- summary from Amazon

Carter has got the market on spy books; her attention to detail and clever plotlines make her books the most fun to read and they're so unique. I don't think I've ever read a book about a family of thieves before. Heist Society is the start of a new series, and it's one I know Gallagher Girls fans will enjoy immensely, especially while waiting for the next GG book. Kat is a bold, serious, and very smart heroine, one readers can look up to and root for.

Carter does a great job with romance too, and this novel is no different. It's definitely a lower-tier plotline, as the story is more about the heist, but it shines through in the small patches it's in and is realistic in its portrayal. It takes time for a romance to begin and blossom, and the signs are starting, and it's just so cute. I loved it, and am really wanting to see how it all turns out!

The scenarios Carter writes are so amazing and full of suspense, and it was so hard to put the book down. I flew through this book and loved reading about Kat's adventure, as well as about all the exotic places she went to throughout the story; I didn't want it to end, though of course it had to. I'm excited about it being a series, and I can't wait to see what happens next to Kat and her friends!

FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Amazon link is an Associate link; all profit goes toward funding contests.

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! :)