The Hunger Games Movie Sneak Peek!

http://perezhilton.com/2011-08-29-first-real-hunger-games-clip-is-officially-here

Go to this link to watch a clip from the Hunger Games movie, which will be released on March 23, 2012.

I love Gale's narration! It shows Katniss in the woods with her bow...Oh, just watch it already!

Hilarious Greek Gods

The Fire Thief by Terry Dreary

The Fire Thief is a middle grades read, a hilarious, storytelling voice. The book has elements of mystery, the drama of Greek gods, and self-referential writer jokes. The main characters are Prometheus, Zeus, and an orphan boy in Victorian England named Jim.  

The story skips back and forth between the world of Olympus, Zeus and Prometheus as characters. Jim and his adoptive uncle are actors using a front to rob dumb rich people in Eden City. The story moves at a quick clip, and you’ll keep reading for the laughs and to find out what will happen.

Song to Read By: "One of Us" Glee cast version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyF6jEMc8Yg

Scuba Diving in the Pristine Mediterranean Sea

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson

Clio's summer was set up: an awesome job at the art store, a crush-worthy boy... until her crazy dad sweeps her along on an adventure. Once they co-created a board game, traveling the world together....now they're estranged.  Her life is derailed, but she can't even complain about it, because she'll be on a yacht off the coast of Italy. As usual, I love Johnson's voice, sense of humor, and witty dialogue. However, I don't get why the love interest guy tends to be so annoying (also in 13 Little Blue Envelopes). 

Overall, I enjoyed Clio's journey along the Italian Riveria! 

Song to Read by: go back in time and don't laugh at me: "Sailing" by NSync, the song is a cover...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6A-BF7tNTg

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