Saturday, March 21, 2009

Miles to Go Before I'll Ever Read This


In case you haven't heard, the one and (thank goodness) only Miley Cyrus has written an autobiography, so cleverly titled Miles to Go. I haven't read this book and I don't feel any inclination to spend money to buy it, but I just wanted to review for the fun of it.



If you didn't know, Cyrus plays Hannah Montana on Disney's hit show, Hannah Montana. Her rise to fame was rather sudden and unexpected, but now she has taken the tween world by storm. In her new book, she explores her life before stardom, and how she's coping with all the changes. She talks about her family, friends, and all the heartbreak (can you say Nick Jonas?). Cyrus has stated that, "“I am so excited to let fans in on how important my relationship with my family is to me. I hope to motivate mothers and daughters to build lifetimes of memories together, and inspire kids around the world to live their dreams.” Yes, because every kid wants their own TV show in which they have two personalities.


The book, which came out this month, is sure to be a hit with the 9-12 year old girl fanbase. Surprisingly, it does not rank on my books to read list. But if you are a fan of the show and have nothing else to read, do, or think, then go ahead and immerse yourself in this 272 paged joke. Just be careful or else you'll find youself wearing something resembling this. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

P.S, It's Another Clique Book!


The newest book in the Clique series is out. I know you're all so excited. I'm not sure why I even bother with this series, but I was actually surprised with this new book, titled P.S. I Loathe You. It wasn't as, well, boring as the other books in the series. It actually seemed to be going outside of the little nine books of nothing streak that the series had seemed to be aiming for. And I quote the main character when I say, "Ehmagawd."

In this tenth installment, several different things happen. Massie pushes the rest of the Clique too far, she has to share her crush with LBR Layne (LBR meaning loser beyond repair), and she has to deal with all of her friends realizing that she's a total snob and ditching her. Then Kristen is stuck in the middle of the whole Massie and Layne feud, which could never end well. Alicia is tired of being Massie's second in command, so for once, she pushes back. Dylan has a secret crush on Massie's ex-boyfriend, and it just so happens that he likes her back. And then there's Claire. Well, Claire doesn't really do anything in this book except ride a bike with her boyfriend, Cam. It is most definitely not as confusing as it all sounds.

Out of all the pretty covered Clique books, I'd have to say this one was my favorite. But that's not saying much. I agree with this review that it was the most creative, but still annoying too. The whole thing was incredibly unrealistic (the 'Clique' are only in eighth grade), and the way Massie talked made me lose a few braincells. I know this is supposed to be a younger version of Gossip Girl, but Lisi Harrison hasn't quite followed in the footsteps of Cecily von Ziegesar. Maybe in a few more books I'll be happy. Maybe.

Two and a half Pictures, Images and Photos


Saturday, March 14, 2009

Watch Out Sisterhood, There's a New Group in Town

Don't know what to read now that the Sisterhood series ended? Don't worry, Bass Ackwards and Belly Up and Footfree and Fancyloose will keep you hooked even after you've finished reading.

Written by friends Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain, these two books go beyond the normal four girl friendship. They follow the adventures of best friends Harper, Sophie, Kate, and Becca as they figure out what they want to do in life. When Harper gets rejected to her dream school, NYU, she tells her friends that she's going to follow her dream of becoming a writer, which prompts the others to follow in her footsteps and follow their dreams.

These books were a breath of fresh air. The four main characters were so relatable, I felt like they were my friends by the end of the second book. The plot had some major twists that were totally unpredictable, and I couldn't stop reading until the end. I would recommend this to anyone who's a fan of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series or even Gossip Girl fans.

I give the series a five out of five, because it's just that good.
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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Green's Greatest


If you have ever heard of John Green, then hopefully you know that he isn't the regular young adult author. No, Green is in a class of his own. His earlier books, Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines were both nominated for awards (and Looking for Alaska even won the Michael L. Printz Award). So when I heard about Paper Towns, I couldn't help but hold high expectations.

And good thing too. John Green did it again in this tale of Quentin 'Q' Jacobsen and his eccentric next door neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. When Margo appears at Q's windowsill, asking for him to accompany him on her escapades, he can't refuse. Off they go to various houses and stores across town, playing pranks on all of Margo's enemies. Their last stop is Sea World, into which they break in and dance to a song playing on the old speakers. The next day at school, Q is looking forward to seeing Margo now that they are connected by their crimes, but she is nowhere to be seen. After no sign of her for a few days, Q and his friends go looking for her. Their search leads them to Margo... and to a Paper Town.

This book was brilliant. Green really captured a teenager's feelings, which is something most YA authors strive to do but never achieve. The plot was smooth and the dialogue quick. Q and his friends were likeable from the start, especially his friend Radar and his embarrassment over his parent's collection of Black Santas. Beneath the witty teenaged banter though, questions lurk that will have you pondering the answers throughout the book. This review gives a more indepth explanation and also explains the title. I give the book a four and a half stars out of five. I took off half because I thought the middle was a little bit slow. Other than that, it was an excellent book.


Friday, March 6, 2009

Hey Fashionistas!

Looking for a juicy book series to satisfy your thirst for glamour, instant fame, and backstabbing drama? Look no further! The Violet on the Runway series by Melissa Walker is all of that and more.


Violet Greenfield is plain and normal, much to her dismay. Sure, she may be 6'1 and skinny as a stick, but that only made her self-confidence drop even more, until now. While working her normal shift at the movie theater, Violet is spotted by an agent working for Tryst Models and is given a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to New York to model during Fashion Week. After much discussion, her parents allow her to go. Of course, Violet leaves all of this out to her two best friends, for fear that they wouldn't understand.


Off she goes to New York, afraid that people will see through to the plain person she really is. Imagine her surprise when her modeling career takes off. Suddenly, everyone wants her to pose and walk for them. But can shy, wallflower Violet withstand the constant scrutiny and pressure she's suddenly under? Or will she fade away and be destined to always be the ordinary girl she was in high school?


This book was good. Nothing overly amazing, but not bad. I liked the whole idea of a regular high school senior with a low self-esteem being chosen to go model. Violet was a very real character and was easily related to. Her friends were witty too, and I had fun reading all the dialogue. The only problem was that the whole thing was a bit too predictable for me. There wasn't any huge plot twist to keep me on the edge of my seat, and even though the ending left room for sequels, I felt that it could have just ended there. That being said, I thought it was well-written and showed a side of the modelling world that most people haven't thought about. I'd give it a four out of five stars.

Be sure to check out all the books in the series! Violet on the Runway, Violet By Design, and Violet In Private.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

How Not to be Popular

Sick of all those preppy, clique books where the heroine is trying to rise above her nerd status to be something better? Well then, here's some refreshing news to you. This book isn't about a 'loser' trying to rise above all the obstacles life throws at her. No, it's quite the opposite actually.

Sugar Magnolia Dempsey, aka Maggie, has lived in more places and left more friends than sane for a high school senior. When her crazy hippie parents, Rosie and Les, move the close-knit family of three to Austin, Texas, Maggie takes matters into her own hands.

Instead of making friends and being heartbroken when the inevitable uproot occurs, Maggie decides that it would be best for all if she became unpopular and make as little friends as necessary. But she didn't account for Penny, the oddball who doesn't even notice Maggie's attempts at being uncool, or the strange Young Republican, Jack. As Maggie joins the Helping Hands club (Napoleon Dynomite flashback, anyone?) and takes up water aerobics, she can't help but like all the 'losers' she's hanging out with.

Overall, this book was mildly entertaining. I couldn't help but enjoy Maggie's radical clothing choices and her 'dates' with Jack. The beginning was really boring, and there were parts that I skipped over altogether. The middle and the end were great, and almost made up for Maggie's moping over her ex-boyfriend, Trevor. It was a nice change to read a book where the main character isn't always obsessing over friends and looks. For more reviews, check out Amazon. Like the feedback? Go buy it; you won't regret it.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Now I Know My ABC's

When my dad bought me The Abc's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro (I have no idea why he didn't mock me for picking out a book with such a girly title), I expected it to be some superficial story that only the likes of Hannah Montana wanna-bes would enjoy. Maybe Disney brainwashed me. Or, maybe I was wrong.

Parker Stanhope is in a bad position. Beginning her junior year, she expects to remain semi-popular and make the varsity soccer team. Imagine her horror when she is only one of two JV players who, well, remain JV players. A junior on the JV team? Parker knew this was the social equivalent to leprosy even before her Queen-B friends begin to ditch her. That's when Parker thinks of the plan.

Her plan involves her older brother's god-like friend, Luke, and the varsity team's kissing booth. But in order to fool her coach and ex-teammates into believing that Luke would really pay $300 to kiss Parker, and ultimately buying her way onto the varsity team, she has to make the kiss look believable. Here's the catch. While she may be a solid soccer player, she is less than solid at kissing. So, she decides to 'take lessons' from her freshman neighbor, Tristan. And to make things even more intense, both Tristan and Parker's families are feuding in a battle comparable to the Montague's and Capulet's.

I think you can understand what's happening, especially with the Romeo and Juliet reference thrown in there. But is Parker willing to risk whatever is left of her reputation for a freshman? Are you willing to go out and buy this book to find out?

Although there were some spots that were utterly predictable, ABC's is a fun, surprisingly deep book. The dialogue between Parker and Tristan will have you smiling, or maybe even giggling, to yourself. I agree with this review, and give it a three and a half out of five. If you're looking for a new, easy read that won't kill off all your brain cells, then this is a great read.