Crossed by Ally Condie--release date Nov 1, 2011!

Crossed by Ally Condie

Guess who has an ARC of Crossed by Ally Condie! Me! I am so excited--I have never had an advanced reader's copy of a book before! Well, at least not before the book came out.

Review so far: The sequel to Matched, 2nd in the trilogy, is fast-paced, with crisp, clean writing so far. The story is told from the perspectives of Ky and Cassia in alternating chapters.

 Do you think the 3rd book will include Xander's perspective as well? I LOVE the setting of the Outer Provinces, which is inspired by Condie's home state of Utah. The descriptions remind me of Zion National Park.

Before the climax of the book, I felt a little bit bored. However, the pace quickened for the last 60 pages and now I can't wait to read the sequel. What is Xander's secret? Will Cassia and Ky be together or separated?

Song to Read by: When I read about "the Society," which only allows a Hundred Songs to be chosen, I am sooo grateful for the wealth of music in our world.

Check out "Anoanimal" by Andrew Bird: (live version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSg8u8Rk3X4


Go to Ally Condie's website and you can read about song's on her Crossed playlist, songs she listened to while writing. http://www.allysoncondie.com/category/crossed/

Forever in Blue

Forever in Blue: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 4 
by Ann Brashares

I enjoyed growing up with these girls. I read the series during college and related the most to this book, their first year of college. I re-read this book when I moved away from home, and I was feeling like Carmen at her new school, finding her place and her confidence. I was happy to follow Lena as she found her artistic identity and figured out who she was separate from Kostos. One of my favorite parts of these books are the meaningful quotes in between the chapters. I've written down many of those quotes and remembered them for years. 

Song to Read By: "Every day is a Winding Road" by Sheryl Crow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khrx-zrG460

Four Girls, Best Friends, Their First Summer Apart

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

By Ann Brashares

I related to this book amazingly well. Would I grow apart from my family and friends when I moved to college? Or traveled to California every summer for work? I related the most to Lena, because she is artistic, shy, and timid when it comes to love. She's learning to take risks. My second favorite story is Tibby and Bailey. Every time I watch the movie, I cry as Bailey and Tibby look at the stars. The film version is well-done and won't disappoint readers and fans. Each character has something to admire--Bee's bravery and Carmen's passion.

Song to Read By: "Simple" by Katy Perry from the film soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGyqdB_hFxw

More Hilarity Ensues: Scarlett Fever, the Sequel!

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

Disclaimer: Okay, odd but true, I read 100 pages of the sequel before I read Suite Scarlett. Not wanting to miss a minute with her family, I went back and read the first book.

Review: Summer’s over and now Scarlett is the assistant to the Amy Amberson Agency and the only client is her brother Spencer. He snags a role on the Scarlett’s fave cop show, “Crime and Punishment.” Next up, a donut disaster and many awkward encounters with her kind-of ex, Eric. How will Scarlett balance school, work, and obsessively watching Eric’s pizza commercial? And now she has to spy on the strange brother of their new client, the creepily perfect-looking Chelsea. Once again, love the characters, tone, sense of humor, and unpredictable, random events. This book will make you smile.

I like this book cover better:

Song to Read by: "New York, New York" by Ryan Adams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHgY_J63Ik

Living in a Hotel--Not So Glam as You Might Think

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

I love Scarlett’s sense of humor and quirkiness. She and her brother Spencer had a witty repartee going on. This summer, Scarlett is stuck taking care of the dilapidated Hopewell Hotel where she lives with older sister Lola and younger terror, Marlene. Scarlett’s problems pile up as former actress/aspiring writer/agent Amy Amberson checks into her suite and takes over her life like a crazy, yoga-loving, chain-smoking hurricane. When Spencer’s production of Hamlet goes awry, Scarlett has to solve everyone’s problems while trying to figure out if hottie/actor Eric is even really her boyfriend or just playing the Southern Gentleman card.

Song to Read By: "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqlJl1LfDP4

Reading about Faeries? Surprisingly Addictive!

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Phoebe and Mallory are best friends, but there's more to Mallory than meets the eyes. She's from the faery realm, but she becomes torn between her mission (given by the Faerie Queen) and her true friendship to Phoebe. From Day One, Phoebe gives Mallory a fashion makeover and helps her with her bereft mother. Phoebe is from the extraordinary Rothschild family, but fears she's ordinary and will never live up to her mother. Mallory’s brother Ryland arrives to seduce Phoebe for nefarious purposes. As the climax nears, they enter the fairy realm. Strangely addictive reading!

Author website: http://www.nancywerlin.com/

Song to Read By: "Only Time" by Enya: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfYIMyS_dI