The Contemps

Spotlight On Terra Elan McVoy and BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS

2012-05-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

From the first time I heard the title of this book, I knew I had to have it. You see I've always been friends with boys. I took one of my best male friends to prom. I was friends with my husband long before we became anything else. When Harry Met Sally is one of my all-time favorite movies. I've always loved even the idea of girls being friends with boys and so I naturally gravitated toward the subject in a book. And--wonderfully enough--Terra and I share an editor, who happened to send me a copy of this very pretty new book!

The thing with being friends with boys is that it's very risky! It may feel totally normal one moment, and cross over into something completely different in the next. Terra McVoy is a master of capturing those changes over and over and over again (with several different boys!) You will be on the edge of your seat wondering who Char is going to end up with. I know I was!

Here's a little more about the book...

From the author of Pure and The Summer of Firsts and Lasts, a friendship story with one girl, several boys, and lots of complications.Charlotte and Oliver have been friends forever. She knows that he, Abe, and Trip consider her to be one of the guys, and she likes it that way. She likes being the friend who keeps them all together. Likes offering a girl’s perspective on their love lives. Likes being the behind-the-scenes wordsmith who writes all the lyrics for the boys’ band. Char has a house full of stepsisters and a past full of backstabbing (female) ex–best friends, so for her, being friends with boys is refreshingly drama-free…until it isn’t anymore.
When a new boy enters the scene and makes Char feel like, well, a total girl…and two of her other friends have a falling out that may or may not be related to one of them deciding he might want to be more than friends with Char…being friends with all these boys suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.

Love, love, love this book! If you'd like to get your own copy (which you totally should!) you kind find it at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or at your favorite independent bookstore.

Spotlight on UNBREAK MY HEART by Melissa Walker

2012-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Melissa Walker's latest novel, Unbreak My Heart, released yesterday and is a perfect romantic read for the summer!

From the author's Web site:

The year that broke her heart. The summer that healed it. A dual love story.

Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams’ heart. She fell for her best friend’s boyfriend and long story short: he’s excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents’ plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he’s just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem’s walls and heal her broken heart? Told in alternating chapters that chronicle the year that broke Clem’s heart and the summer that healed it, Unbreak My Heart is a wonderful dual love story that fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Susane Colasanti will flock to.

♥ “A super cute love story! Melissa Walker will inspire readers to never stop believing in true love.” —SUSANE COLASANTI, author of When It Happens and Keep Holding On

♥ “A raw, real, and ultimately heartwarming discovery of what it means to be a true friend. Walker gets it exactly right.” —JENNIFER ECHOLS, author of Love Story and The One That I Want

♥ “ I can’t stress enough how firmly this book has wedged itself in my heart.” -The Hiding Spot

♥ ”This book earns an infinity amount of stars!” -Novel Nerd Bailey

♥ ”Unbreak My Heart challenged me as a reader…and I loved every bit of it.” -Anna Reads

♥ ”There are tinges of Julie Taylor and Matt Saracen in this one. For real, y’all.” -Clear Eyes, Full Shelves

Find it at IndieBound, B&N, or Amazon. Follow Melissa on twitter at @melissacwalker or visit her Web site at: www.melissacwalker.com.

PRETTY AMY by Lisa Burstein

2012-05-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes "date" is a four-letter word.

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Even worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

cover image from goodreads

available from Entangled Publishing in both print and ebook formats

click HERE to read an excerpt!

connect with the author:

website
blog
goodreads
twitter
facebook

Spotlight: I HUNT KILLERS by Barry Lyga

2012-05-18T13:50:00.001-07:00

I love a good contemporary mysterious thriller, and Barry Lyga certainly delivers with I HUNT KILLERS.

What's it like to have a monster for a father? Seventeen-year-old Jazz’s father, Billy Dent, was a serial killer. After over a hundred murders, Billy was finally caught and sent to prison for life - but not before he taught Jazz everything he knew. Jazz learned everything from how to be disarmingly charming to how to dismember a body - knowledge he intends to never put to use.

But when a woman is found dead in a field, Jazz is drawn to the investigation. Then another woman is killed and another - and Jazz falls under suspicion. Together with his hemophiliac best friend, Howie, and his girlfriend, Connie, Jazz decides to hunt down the killer himself. As the investigation falters and the deaths pile up, Jazz must fight his own demons. Can he step of out of his father's shadow, or does evil lurk inside him too?

This is an intense and sometimes gory read that will appeal to older teens as well as adults. No surprise that it's already been optioned for a TV show.

Barry's blog

Barry's Twitter

Spotlight: WHILE HE WAS AWAY by Karen Schreck

2012-05-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Today we have a new novel (released May 1st) by debut author, Karen Schreck. Hooray for debut authors!

It's kind of strange to think about how long war has been in the background of American teenagers' lives, and yet, there aren't that many books about it. I'm glad to see more YA novels exploring the topic, including this one - WHILE HE WAS AWAY. Isn't that cover just smoking hot?

Description from Goodreads:

All she wants is for him to stay. She's been doing pretty well, pretending he doesn't have to go. But one day, after one last night to remember, she wakes up and there's not denying it anymore. He's gone.

When Penna Weaver's boyfriend goes off to Iraq, she's left facing life without him. As summer sets in, Penna tries to distract herself with work and her art, but the not knowing is slowly driving her crazy. Especially when David stops writing.

She knows in her heart he will come home. But will he be the same boy she fell in love with?

Kirkus says: "Strong characterization, the vivid setting of a small Oklahoma town and the clear depiction of present life, with Skype, e-mail and phones with their inadequate promise of instant communication, strengthen the narrative and ground it in the present. A strong entry in the growing genre of fiction about the Iraq war."

Karen's blog
Karen's twitter

Spotlight: IN HONOR by Jessi Kirby

2012-05-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

Jessi Kirby is one of my new favorite authors.

I was lucky enough to get an Advanced Review Copy of IN HONOR and I actually dog-eared pages that I thought were especially well written.

It's a beautiful book, with characters I loved.

Here's the description from the back of the ARC:

Honor receives the last letter from her brother, Finn, three days after his military funeral. Devastated, she makes the impulsive decision to take a road trip in order to fulfill his final request. as she pulls Finn's old Chevy Impala out of the driveway, her brother's estranged best friend, Rusty, insists on coming along. Rusty is the last person to Honor would have picked to travel with -- he's obnoxious and and infuriating, and it doesn't help that he's distractingly good-looking. Somehow, though, as the two log the miles from Texas to California, they're able to communicate over their shared loss and the love they both have for Finn. But when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

What people are saying:

VOYA says: The characters are entertaining, and their budding relationship is believable. Readers will find themselves rooting for the two to see past their differences and get together. This title is recommended for middle and high school readers of light romance, and those who appreciate accompanying characters on an emotional journey with interesting stops along the way.

Author Sarah Ockler says: A beautiful, engaging journey with heart, humor and just a pinch of Texas sass. Hands down my favorite contemporary of the year.

Author Lauren Barnholdt says: An amazing novel about first kisses, last goodbyes, and what it means to finally let go. I absolutely loved it.

Jessi's website.
Jessi's twitter.

Spotlight on REVIVED by Cat Patrick

2012-05-08T02:58:00.000-07:00

I. Loved. This. Book.

Cat Patrick's done it again and this time, (dare I say?), even better. Her debut Forgotten was a mind-bender in its own right, but Revived takes the reader even further into a character's world which feels almost, but not quite, real. And that's what makes her writing so special. It is real - it's our world, as we know it - but it's the character's unique experience in our world that is fantasy-esque. Her stories center around contemporary characters who we come to really care for, but that live lives that make us scratch our heads and wonder, "What if this really were the case?" And the writing is good enough that for a while, you are so absorbed in the main character that you can forget that her circumstances are fictional.

You should go buy this book. And I'm not the only one who thinks so...

A well-done exploration of a teen’s growing understanding of death, even though she herself has died five times. - Kirkus

With its suspense, romance, and life-and-death drama, Revived kept me up half the night. - April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Night She Disappeared

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger—and more sinister—than she ever imagined.

Be sure to check out more about Cat at her Twitter, Facebook, and website. And if you're in New York City, come see us read together with Jen E. Smith, Jen Calonita, and Kody Keplinger on Wednesday, May 16th at 7pm at the Barnes & Noble on 86th Street between Lexington & 3rd Aves.

Spotlight on ZERO by Tom Leveen

2012-05-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

I'll be honest. I chose to spotlight this book simply because Tom was a co-member of the Class of 2k10 with me, and I like to spotlight author friends whenever possible.

At first.

But then I got a hold of an early copy of this book on Net Galley. I LOVED it! I'm not kidding. Zero warmed my heart and made me think in new ways, both personally and artistically. Amanda/Zero is such a refreshingly truthful person (and please note, I feel the need to call her a person and not a character). Plus, even though there's rock music and band antics involved, how often do you get to see someone fall for the drummer? But that's the kind of book this is--not the female artist who goes on to fame and fortune, or the guitar hero who is swamped with adoring fans. They're both just finding their own little niche in the world, and it's wonderful to watch. Here's what it's about (from GoodReads):

For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name.

Huge congratulations to Tom Leveen on a wonderful second novel!

I'll definitely be buying a copy to keep on my shelf. And here's where you can get yours: Ask your local bookstore if they have it or can bring it in for you. Or your local library. Or you can order it through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Spotlight on WELCOME CALLER, THIS IS CHLOE

2012-05-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

Releasing TODAY- MAY 1, 2012

WELCOME CALLER, THIS IS CHLOE

Big-hearted Chloe Camden is the queen of her universe until her best friend shreds her reputation and her school counselor axes her junior independent study project. Chloe is forced to take on a meaningful project in order to pass, and so she joins her school’s struggling radio station, where the other students don’t find her too queenly.

Ostracized by her former BFs and struggling with her beloved Grams’s mental deterioration, lonely Chloe ends up hosting a call-in show that gets the station much-needed publicity and, in the end, trouble. She also befriends radio techie and loner Duncan Moore, a quiet soul with a romantic heart. On and off the air, Chloe faces her loneliness and helps others find the fun and joy in everyday life.

Readers will fall in love with Chloe as she falls in love with the radio station and the misfits who call it home.

Publisher's Weekly says, "Debut novelist Coriell shows sparkling wit and great skill in creating complex characters with memorable personalities. Chloe’s emotional growth is believable, and her attraction to a quiet, mysterious boy at the radio station adds spice and tension to the story."

A professional journalist, Shelley Coriell has worked as a newspaper reporter, an award-winning magazine editor, and an association executive. She is a six-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Prize. This is her first novel. She lives in Tempe, Arizona. Visit her online at www.shelleycoriell.com

Spotlight: 7 CLUES TO WINNING YOU by Kristin Walker

2012-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today's spotlight is on super funny contemporary writer Kristin Walker's newest book, 7 Clues to Winning You (releases 4/26/12).

From Goodreads:

When a humiliating picture of Blythe goes viral, she's instantly the target of ridicule at her new school. To salvage her reputation, Blythe teams up with Luke to win the Senior Scramble scavenger hunt. But Luke is an unlikely ally and potentially can't be trusted.

Perhaps it's his Shakespearean witticisms that reel Blythe in despite her better judgment . . . or maybe she just craves the thrill of the game. But as the hunt progresses, their relationship heats up. Soon their madcap mischief spirals out of control. Blythe is faced with arrest and expulsion, among other catastrophes - until Luke shows her what the Scramble (and love) is really about.

What People are Saying:

"In this hilarious account of a girl's reluctant adjustment to new circumstances...Walker (A Match Made in High School) focuses on Blythe's regrets and changing attitude... The vibrant, first-person narrative captures the humor and heartache of Blythe's predicaments." - Publishers Weekly

"7 Clues to Winning You is a definite winner for any contemporary fan! I loved it! This is exactly the kind of YA I need more of in my life. I want more of these kind of stories. Funny light yet deep and thought provoking. I hope you'll all give this book a try!" - Princess Bookie

"A clever, well-woven plot with a loveable cast of quirky characters and a sprinkle of Shakespeare. Kristin Walker's latest laugh out loud book will leave you wanting more."
– Kristina Springer, author of The Espressologist and My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours

My Thoughts:

Yep, that last blurb was from me. :-) I adored Kristin's newest book! It's on the longer side at 317 pages but reads fast because Kristin has such a great and hysterical voice. She first won me over with her debut book, A Match Made in High School, which is a tears rolling down your cheeks from laughter kind of book. And her latest did not disappoint. While I loved her main character Blythe, I have to say the two elderly woman she befriends at the nursing home are by far my fave. Just read it; you'll love it. Promise.

Find it now on Indiebound, Amazon, or Barnes and Nobles. Follow Kristin on twitter at @Kristin_Walker or visit her Web site www.Kristin-Walker.com.

Spotlight: BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

2012-04-24T02:00:00.000-07:00

Today's spotlight is also a debut!

Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.

When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

blurb and cover image from goodreads

Praise for Breaking Beautiful (via author website):

"Emotional, wrenching, and hopeful, BREAKING BEAUTIFUL is a perfectly blended coming of age and murder mystery."--Kari Olson, A Good Addiction

“A mystery, a tragedy, a love story—Jennifer Shaw Wolf draws you in and keeps you guessing until the very last page.”—Holly Cupala, author of Tell Me a Secret and Don’t Breathe a Word

"A fast-paced, heart-pounding mystery. I can't wait to see what this debut novelist does next." —Kirby Larson, Newbery Award Winning author of Hattie Big Sky

Early reader reviews are buzzing!

"Breaking Beautiful was an amazing debut novel and Jennifer Shaw Wolf is definitely an author I look forward to reading again." ~ Turning the Pages

"It isn't often that I am brought to tears while reading, but the level of honest emotion that this book evokes was beautiful and breathtaking. A fantastic Young Adult Read." ~ E + K Family Book Reviews

"An emotional, heartbreaking story. I recommend Breaking Beautiful as a must read." ~ I Heart YA Books

"The air of mystery, the creepiness, the plot, the characters, they were all great. I just loved so much about this story that it really is hard to put my finger on any one thing." ~ My Guilty Obsession

"I wanted to jump inside the book and give this girl a hug! A fabulous debut novel. I loved everything about it!" ~ I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read

Also worth reading:

The Story Behind the Story ~ Jennifer Shaw Wolf's guest post at YA Book Reads

Breaking Beautiful releases today from Walker Books for Young Readers. Request it at your local library and/or purchase from your bookseller of choice. And please give Jennifer a big DEBUT CONGRATS on Twitter!

Happy Reading!
~Lydia

Spotlight on BELLES by Jen Calonita

2012-04-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

I started Belles yesterday and finished it today. That ought to tell you how much I enjoyed this read. The story takes place in North Carolina and at the last author event where I saw Jen Calonita, she said, "You being from Kentucky, I'm eager to here if you think the Southern stuff rings true." Well, Jen. It does. It most certainly does.

Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Scott loves her life by the boardwalk on the supposed wrong side of the tracks in North Carolina. But when tragedy strikes, a social worker sends her to live with a long-lost uncle and his preppy, privileged family. Isabelle is taken away from everything she's ever known, and unfortunately, inserting her into the glamorous life of Emerald Cove doesn't go so well. Her cousin Mirabelle Monroe isn't thrilled to share her life with an outsider, and in, addition to dealing with all the rumors and backstabbing that lurk beneath their classmates' Southern charm, Isabelle finds out a secret about her new family that she can't ignore.

I really enjoyed getting to know the two "belles": Isabelle and Mirabelle. I love the juxtaposition of their histories and discovering the things they actually do have in common as well. And I love that we discover those similarities at the same time that the girls do. I thought that the characters were fun and loved the range. To me, Belles reminded me of Gossip Girl season one set in the South, with Mira's friends being the Upper East Siders and Izzie's friends being the Brooklynite Humphries – and yet with so much more depth. There was one point mid-way through the book that I found myself choked up and my eyes filled with tears. I did not see that one coming and at that point realized that I was totally invested in these characters' lives.

I hope you get a chance to pick up a copy soon as it just hit bookshelves! Also, come meet Jen herself, along with me and three other Little Brown Young Readers authors at a book reading/signing at the Upper East Side Barnes & Noble on May 16 at 7pm. (cross streets are 86th between Lexington & 3rd Ave)

And you can find Jen on Twitter, Facebook, and at her website.

Spotlight on GONE, GONE, GONE by Hannah Moskowitz

2012-04-17T03:00:00.003-07:00

Hannah Moskowitz is one of my favorite authors, both her books and her Twitter personality, so when a new book of hers comes out, I jump at the chance to spotlight it. Her latest release is GONE, GONE, GONE, out this month from Simon Pulse.

Summary from GoodReads:

In the wake of the post-9/11 sniper shootings, fragile love finds a stronghold in this intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer.

It's a year after 9/11. Sniper shootings throughout the D.C. area have everyone on edge and trying to make sense of these random acts of violence. Meanwhile, Craig and Lio are just trying to make sense of their lives. Craig’s crushing on quiet, distant Lio, and preoccupied with what it meant when Lio kissed him...and if he’ll do it again...and if kissing Lio will help him finally get over his ex-boyfriend, Cody.Lio feels most alive when he's with Craig. He forgets about his broken family, his dead brother, and the messed up world. But being with Craig means being vulnerable...and Lio will have to decide whether love is worth the risk.

This intense, romantic novel from the author of Break and Invincible Summer is a poignant look at what it is to feel needed, connected, and alive.

The subject matter of this book may not have been my normal reading fare, but I'm so glad I picked up this book. Hannah Moskowitz's writing style is a treat--so different, so inside the heads of the main characters it's almost a stream of consciousness. Plus, I love a good real-world book, and what is more real-world than living life in the midst of local sniper shootings? Something you can't do anything about, but are forced to live with. I couldn't have imagined what it would be like to live through something like that, but now I can. The underlying sniper fear that each character deals with in their own way was so delicately woven into the story of two boys and their very strong relational fears.

Every time I read a book by Hannah Moskowitz I feel like it stretches my understanding of the world. You can pick up a copy of GONE, GONE, GONE now from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your local independent retailer.

Spotlight: THOU SHALL NOT ROAD TRIP

2012-04-12T10:05:00.005-07:00

I love discovering a new author. I bought Antony John's FIVE FLAVOR'S OF DUMB some time ago, but it's still waiting on my TBR pile. I moved that book up and added his next offering, THOU SHALL NOT ROAD TRIP, after listening to this podcast Antony did with Sara Zarr. If you are a writer or a reader (you're here, so you're at least one:)), I recommend checking out Sara's podcast series. Antony was wise and witty in his episode, and I'm sure his books are as well. Learn more about Antony at his website and read an excerpt from the book.

Also, I love this book description. Adding a book tour for a sixteen-year-old to the road trip trope? So brilliant.

When sixteen-year-old Luke's book, Hallelujah, becomes a national bestseller, his publishing house sends him on a cross-country book tour with his older brother, Matt, as chauffeur. But when irresponsible Matt offers to drive Luke's ex–soul mate, Fran, across the country too, things get a little crazy. On the trip, Luke must loosen up, discover what it truly means to have faith, and do what it takes to get the girl he loves.

Told with Antony John's signature wit and authenticity, and featuring smart, singular characters who jump off the page and into your heart, this story is a spiritual awakening and rockin' road trip in one

Reviews:

"A highly readable balance of humor, heart, self-discovery, and shenanigans."

(The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books )

from Brian Katcher, author of Almost Perfect

Spotlight on PURITY by Jackson Pearce

2012-04-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

PRAISE FOR PURITY

"Shelby's biting, irreverent first-person narration finely blends the humor and pain of her situation...A purely satisfying look at mourning and sexuality -- and even their connection." (Kirkus Reviews )

"A hilarious and heartfelt story about what happens when a teenage girl actually tries to honor all the promises that adults demand from her while staying true to herself. I loved this book." (Jennifer Echols, award-winning author of Endless Summer and Love Story )

"Reading Jackson Pearce's Purity feels like talking on the phone with a lively and honest best friend -- who is telling it like it is. Shelby reminds us all to be first and foremost true to ourselves. This book is a must-read for anyone thinking about making promises to themselves or others." (Amy Deneson, author and New York Times essayist )

Jackson Pearce is twenty-six years old and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy. She auditioned for the circus once, but didn’t make it; other jobs she’s had include obituaries writer, biker bar waitress, and receptionist.

Jackson began writing when she got angry that the school librarian couldn’t tell her of a book that contained a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. Her solution was to write the book herself when she was twelve. Her parents thought it was cute at first, but have grown steadily more concerned for her ever since.

Jackson is also the author of SISTERS RED, AS YOU WISH, SWEETLY, and FATHOMLESS (Fall 2012).

Find Jackson and look through her awesome video's about writing, life and more on her BLOG!

Spotlight: TAKE A BOW by Elizabeth Eulberg

2012-04-03T07:38:00.001-07:00

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business.

For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform.

The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

description and cover photo courtesty of goodreads

"The author sustains dramatic tension as she explores how her protagonists’ relationships and dreams for the future evolve during their high-pressure senior year." ~ Publisher's Weekly

"This fresh, fun, fabulous read will have you cheering for new beginnings. Five shiny gold stars." ~ Susane Colasanti, author of WHERE IT HAPPENS

I am so excited to read this book! I've heard the book has four points of view, which can be tricky to do. I know, because I have a draft of a YA I'm working on with four points of view. But reviews are really positive and if you've read Elizabeth's other books, you know she is a wonderful writer and has a talent for bringing characters to life.

Elizabeth's web site.

Elizabeth's twitter.

Spotlight: The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George

2012-03-28T04:53:00.000-07:00

Madeleine George wrote one of my favorite YA novels, Looks (go get it if you haven't read it--achingly excellent). In her sophomore release, The Difference Between You and Me, we meet Jesse and Emily, two girls at the opposite of the high school spectrum who happen to meet (secretly) in the middle.

Here's the description:

Jesse cuts her own hair with a Swiss Army knife. She wears big green fisherman's boots. She's the founding (and only) member of NOLAW, the National Organization to Liberate All Weirdos. Emily wears sweaters with faux pearl buttons. She's vice president of the student council. She has a boyfriend.

These two girls have nothing in common, except the passionate "private time" they share every Tuesday afternoon. Jesse wishes their relationship could be out in the open, but Emily feels she has too much to lose. When they find themselves on opposite sides of a heated school conflict, they each have to decide what's more important: what you believe in, or the one you love?

Kirkus gave it a star, and said, "Readers will ache for [Jesse], and they will be torn between rage and pity toward Emily, so intent on forcing herself into a normative role that she cannot admit the truth even to herself. Clever phrasing, a decided political bent against big-box stores and characters who gently poke fun at various stereotypes round out this work of contemporary fiction."

PW gave it a star too. And so do I! Madeleine George makes you feel each moment as if you're inside it. Don't miss this one.

Spotlight: LIFE IS BUT A DREAM by Brian James

2012-03-27T01:00:00.017-07:00

Life Is but a Dream by Brian James
releases March 27 from Feiwel & Friends
ages 12+

Is the world crazy--or are they?

Sabrina, an artist, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents check her into the Wellness Center. There she meets Alec, who is convinced it's the world that's crazy, not the two of them. They are meant to be together; they are special.

But when Alec starts to convince Sabrina that her treatment will wipe out everything that makes her creative, she worries that she'll lose hold of her dreams and herself. Should she listen to her doctor? Her decision may have fatal consequences.

Brian James calls Life is But a Dream "the most intense book I've written. Bringing this unique character to life and seeing the world through her eyes, with all its beauty and confusion, was an immense challenge that I hope is just as rewarding to read as it was to write." Intense--yes. Unforgettable--definitely.

*blurb and cover image from goodreads

It's refreshing to see more YA novels that focus on mental illness in some way, either through the main character or a supporting character. Because sometimes illness isn't quite the right word. The mind of a person can be a beautiful mystery, a thrilling scape to explore. Just because it is different from the norm doesn't always mean it is sick or in need of fixing. I don't know which is the case in this particular novel, but I'm really looking forward to reading and finding out! Can't wait to see what is in Sabrina's head and how it moves her through the story.

author website
author twitter
publisher website

Happy reading!
~Lydia

Spotlight on WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard!

2012-03-21T03:00:00.003-07:00

If you've heard of today's spotlight book, WANDERLOVE by Kirsten Hubbard, I'm sure you've heard something good.

This is one of those cases where it would be much easier to talk about what I didn't love about the book than one I did love. The list of what I did love is looonnnnnnnnnng...from the take-you-there settings to the deep and personal inner journey of Bria. From the brave and artistic main character to the challenging and hot young man that sweeps her to places she would otherwise never go. Oh, and the artwork? Did I mention the amazing artwork throughout? I guarantee this book will make you want to jump on a airplane without a plan. It'll make you fall in love with more than just the hot young man.

What I didn't love is easy...the part of that book where it's over and I had to say goodbye. This is easily one of my favorite reads so far this year.

Here's the description from GoodReads:

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.

Congratulations, Kirsten, on a wonderful sophomore novel! You can pick up a copy of WANDERLOVE through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or from your favorite independent retailer.

Spotlight on Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

2012-03-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I just started reading Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin and so far sooooooo cute! I love her main character Kelsey—she’s hilarious and sweet. I know you’ll love her too! Here’s some more information on the book:

From Goodreads:

Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…

About the Author:

Meredith Zeitlin is a writer and voiceover artist who lives in Brooklyn with two adorable feline roommates. She also writes a column for Ladygunn Magazine, changes her hair color every few months, and has many fancy pairs of spectacles.

In case you're wondering whether any of Kelsey's experiences are based on Meredith's own, the answer is NO WAY. When she was fourteen, Meredith looked and behaved perfectly at all times, was never in a single embarrassing situation, and always rode to school on her very own unicorn.

This is her debut book.

Find it on Indiebound, B&N, or Amazon. Connect with Meredith on twitter at @zeitlingeist or on her Web site http://www.kelseyfinkelstein.com

SPOTLIGHT- The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

2012-03-14T08:40:00.003-07:00

I have been a fan of April Henry since I first discovered her amazing blog on livejournal years ago. She's a majorly fantastic person as well as an accomplished and very talented writer.

New from acclaimed mysteries writer

New York Times Best Selling Author

April Henry

THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED

Gabie drives a Mini Cooper. She also works part time as a delivery girl at Pete’s Pizza. One night, Kayla—another delivery girl—goes missing. To her horror, Gabie learns that the supposed kidnapper had asked if the girl in the Mini Cooper was working that night. Gabie can’t move beyond the fact that Kayla’s fate was really meant for her, and she becomes obsessed with finding Kayla. She teams up with Drew, who also works at Pete’s. Together, they set out to prove that Kayla isn’t dead—and to find her before she is.

THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED is also Junior Library Guild selection and has already sold foreign rights in Germany, England and Turkey. Already garnering excellent reviews, be sure to pick up a copy of April's newest teen mystery at your favorite book store!

April Henry's first young adult novel, Shock Point was an ALA Quick Pick, a Top 10 Books for Teens nominee, a New York Library's Books for the Teen Age book, named to the Texas Tayshas list, and a finalist for Philadelphia's Young Readers Choice Award. It was followed by two more teen thrillers: Torched and Girl, Stolen. Girl, Stolen was an ALA Quick Pick and an ALA Best Books for Young Adults and is a finalist for many state awards.

April's books have been short-listed for the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award, and the Oregon Book Award, and chosen twice for Booksense by the independent booksellers of America.

Spotlight on Pretty Crooked by Elisa Ludwig

2012-03-13T09:38:00.005-07:00

JUSTICE IS IN THE BAG!

What a tag line. What an fun novel! The trailer for this book is what first grabbed my attention. It's short, gets the plot across, and I love the look on the main character's face below. Debut author Elisa Ludwig delivers a fun, yet thought-provoking spin on the Robin Hood tale. Out TODAY!

Description:

Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most

Spotlight on PIECES OF US by Margie Gelbwasser!

2012-03-07T02:56:00.023-08:00

I'm always thrilled to spotlight a book by an author I know, especially one as super-cool as Margie Gelbwasser, but even more so when it's something so strikingly and hauntingly written as this:

Summary from GoodReads:

Two families. Four teens.
A summer full of secrets.

Every summer, hidden away in a lakeside community in upstate New York, four teens leave behind their old identities…and escape from their everyday lives.

Yet back in Philadelphia during the school year, Alex cannot suppress his anger at his father (who killed himself), his mother (whom he blames for it), and the girls who give it up too easily. His younger brother, Kyle, is angry too—at his abusive brother, and at their mother who doesn’t seem to care. Meanwhile, in suburban New Jersey, Katie plays the role of Miss Perfect while trying to forget the nightmare that changed her life. But Julie, her younger sister, sees Katie only as everything she’s not. And their mother will never let Julie forget it.

Up at the lake, they can be anything, anyone. Free. But then Katie’s secret gets out, forcing each of them to face reality—before it tears them to pieces.

Thanks to Net Galley and Margie Gelbwasser, I was able to read an early copy of PIECES OF US. I guarantee this is a novel that will make you think. It goes to places that very few novels dare to go - tells a dark and painful story of four uniquely troubled teens. This story does not hold back--if you don't care for graphic and painful reading material, this one may not be for you. For those who are up for it, though, these gritty, well-drawn characters will take you on a memorable journey into their poor decisions and consequences that will haunt them--and you--for a long time after.

"Suspenseful, disturbing and emotionally fraught, a strong novel for a strong stomach.” - Kirkus Reviews

You can find out more about PIECES OF US on Margie's website, or pick up a copy of the book from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or your local independent retailer. Congratulations, Margie!

Spotlight on BOY 21 by Matthew Quick

2012-03-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

This book is one of the best I've read in a while and definitely this year. Matthew Quick is a super talented author with a strong voice and this latest project was up to par with his debut Sorta Like A Rockstar, which I also loved. Boy 21 is the type of book that you don't want to put down. It takes you into a world that you don't want great kids like Finley and Erin to live in and then it takes you into pain that you don't want a good kid like Russ to have to experience. Actually, if I'm being completely honest, I don't want any kids to leave tough lives or experience death of family. I want a world where kids feel safe walking around their neighborhoods. And maybe it's that anxiety, that naive desire for a safe and happy world, that made me even more tense as I turned page after page. The book is supposed to be about basketball, but as the reader finds right away, it's about so very much more.

BOY21 (Little, Brown & Co): Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in broken-down Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, his dad works nights and Finley is left alone to take care of his disabled grandfather. He's always dreamed of somehow getting out, but until he can, putting on that number 21 jersey makes everything seem okay.

Russ has just moved to the neighborhood. The life of this teen basketball phenom has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he won't pick up a basketball, and yet answers only to the name Boy21—taken from his former jersey number.

As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, "Boy21″ may turn out to be the answer they both need. Matthew Quick, the acclaimed author of Sorta Like a Rock Star, brings readers a moving novel about hope, recovery, and redemption.

Still need convincing? Publisher's Weekly loved it and Kirkus (yes Kirkus!) gave it a STARRED review:

"...satisfying but never simple... A story that, like [its narrator] Finley, expresses a lot in relatively few words." Kirkus *STARRED REVIEW*
"...[Quick's] emotionally raw tale retains a delicate sense of hope and optimism, making it a real gut punch of a read." Publishers Weekly

I'm happy for Matthew Quick and the much deserved praise this books has already received. Do yourself a favor and get this book for your libraries and your kids. Do them the favor.

You can find Matthew Quick at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MatthewQuick21
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Quick/38926094304
Web: http://matthewquickwriter.com/

Spotlight Wednesday: The Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin

2012-02-29T09:20:00.001-08:00

When Kirkus calls something "a stellar debut," we all stop and listen, right? And then, they go on to say, "The Girls of No Return is absolutely, completely gripping—once I’d started reading, I didn’t put it down, not even while I was giving blood—and despite its subject matter, it’s never exploitative. It never compromises its emotional core, and never feels like anything but The Truth. It left me feeling wrought-out and wrecked, but in a good, subtly supercathartic way."

Hello!

Readergirlz Co-Founder Lorie Ann Grover says, "I was intrigued and held in wonder and suspense from the first page. Be prepared for a journey into the wilderness and into self."

Can I get a whatnow? And then a copy of this book, stat. Oh wait, I have one. It's next in my pile! And I'm excited.

How about you?