Forever by Judy Blume

Forever by Judy Blume is a good read for anyone from teenagers to adults. It is a realistic look on teenage love and views on sex. The book, talking a lot about sex, is often challenged. It has even been banned from most libraries, and I can see why some parents wouldn't want their children reading Forever. However Blume brings in knowledge of safe sex practices and the consequences it [sex] brings along with it.

In the first chapter, Katherine meets a young boy, Michael, at a  New Year's Eve party. They go on a date the next day, become completely involved with each other, and as they continue to go out on dates he pressures Katherine more and more about sex. Everything seems to be just great, but when they are separated over the summer, Katherine learns that forever might not just be forever. She meets an older and more mature guy while working at the camp. 

Blume truly does tell a story of first love in Forever. It is a great book for teenage girls. However, younger girls should wait off awhile until they are more mature on the subject of the book. A lot of younger girls have been 'grossed out' by this books graphic details. Mind you, that it is in no way pornographic. The honesty of how teenagers deal with changes and growing up is one of the great aspects of this book. 

This book is  a reminder that love is not always forever, and it doesn't have to be. Forever gives anyone who reads it an outlook on sex and love. I didn't think that this book was too explicit for anyone that is mature enough to read it. This book doesn't end with a perfect ending; just like life doesn't always. If you are looking for a story about love and truth, then this is a great book for you to read.

Coming Out Soon..

From stephaniekuehnert.com

"Stephanie's first novel I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE will be published by MTV Books in July 2008! 

I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE is: 

A raw, edgy, emotional novel about growing up punk and living to tell. 

The Clash. Social Distortion. Dead Kennedys. Patti Smith. The Ramones. Punk rock is in Emily Black's blood. Her mother, Louisa, hit the road to follow the incendiary music scene when Emily was four months old and never came back. 

Now Emily's all grown up with a punk band of her own, determined to find the tune that will bring her mother home. Because if Louisa really is following the music, shouldn't it lead her right back to Emily?"

GET A SNEAK PEEK OF THE FIRST CHAPTER BELOW!

Pretty Little Liars:Unbelievable 

From Amazon.com:

"Behind Rosewood's grand façades, where the air smells like apples and Chanel No. 5 and infinity pools sparkle in landscaped backyards, nothing is as it seems. It was here, back in seventh grade, that five best friends shared everything—Seven jeans, MAC makeup, and their deepest, darkest secrets. For Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily, it was a dream come true . . . until Alison, the most beautiful of them all, suddenly vanished.

Now someone named A has turned their charmed lives into a living nightmare. Emily has been shipped off to her hyper-conservative cousins in Iowa. Aria is stuck living with her dad and his home-wrecker girlfriend. And Spencer fears she had something to do with Alison's murder. But Hanna's fate is far worse than all of that—she's clinging to life in the hospital, because she knew too much.

With A's threats turning dangerous and Ali's killer still on the loose, the girls must uncover the truth—about A, about Ali, and about what happened to Hanna—before they become A's next victims. But as they unravel Rosewood's mysteries and secrets, will it bring an end to the horror . . . or is this just the beginning?"

May:Contests.

1. http://lindagerber.blogspot.com/2008/05/bikini-day-4-melissa-walker.htm ~ In honor of the release of Linda Gerber's Death By Bikini, Melissa Walker presents: The Top 5 Reasons I Love a Beach Read. Melissa Walker will be picking a commenter on the blog link above to win a signed copy of her first book, Violet on the Runway. All you have to do is post a comment telling her one reason you love a beach read. (Ends May 21st)
   
2. http://www.melissacwalker.com/blog/ ~ Each week Melissa Walker hosts Win-it Wednesday. Check back there weekly for her current prizes. (Ends each Wednesday)
   
3. http://claudiagray.livejournal.com/ ~ Claudia Gray is hosting, at the moment, at least five contests promoting Evernight.
   
4. http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/youngreaders/plugin_sweeps.html ~10 winners get Audrey,Wait! by Robin Benway.  (ends 5/20/08, 11:59 p.m. EST) 10 winners get Lock and Key by Sara Dessen (ends May 27th) 10 winners get Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gherman (ends 6/03/08, 11:59 p.m. EST) 10 winners get Peeled by Joan Bauer (ends 6/10/08, 11:59 p.m. EST)
5. http://www.teensreadtoo.com/Contests.html ~ Check here each month for new contests and how to enter each one. (ends at the end of each month or as posted)
   
6. http://thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/2008/05/may-books-of-month.html
   1 winner gets: When it Happens and Take Me There by Susane Colassanti. (ends 5/28/08, midnight)
   
7. http://www.michaelspradlin.com/contest.php
   1winner gets: Spy Goddess: The Chase for the Chalice by Michael Spradlin. (ends 5/29/08)
   
8. http://www.jointheclique.com/contests.vm
   10 winners get: The Clique Summer Collection, Book #3 Alicia by Lisi Harrison. (ends 5/17/08, 11:59 p.m. EST)

I've Been Tagged by Book Brat.

Rules: 
1. Pick up the nearest book. 
2. Open to page 123. 
3. Find the fifth sentence. 
4. Post the next three sentences. 
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

1. The Quiller Memorandum by Adam Hall

2. Check.

3. Check.

4. Leaving me, to speak to the guards, he hadn't raised his voice, because he knew I would hear and thus hoped I would believe in what I heard; my own sentence of death. There are many and distinct types of courage and fear. A man who will climb the face of a cliff may funk grasping a snake; a man who will brave a raging sea may faint at the sight of blood.

5. Check!

Secrets of My Suburban Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Secrets of My Suburban Life, no doubt, is an exceptionally interesting book. The narrater, Lauren-or Ren, is learning to adjust to living with her newly widowed dad and moving to a new town, with new people and a new school. Ren's parents are both writers, however, her mother gets killed by Harry Potter. Not literally, but when a stack of Harry Potter books fall on her mother she dies.  As a result, her father decides to move out of New York and into a suburban town in Connecticut. 

At Ren's new school everyone is expected to participate in at least one sport. Ren meets Farrin, the popular girl, when she is forced to join the school cheerleading team. They are both in some of the same classes, and its during English that Ren learns the Farrin has been keeping a secret. She learns that Farrin has been talking to older men over the internet, and even says that she wants to meet one of these men who goes by FDA. Ren comes up with a plan to stop this pervert in his tracks and figures out how to impersonate Farrin over the internet while talking to FDA. The more Ren learns about FDA the more she thinks that she just might now who this man is; but she is in for a surprise when she really finds out who it is.

Author Lauren Baratz-Logsted does a great job keeping the suspense up throughout the entire book.  I would highly recommend this read to teenagers and adults alike. It's full of many surprises and an overall fun book to read, with a message that warns teenagers of the dangers of the internet.

April Book Releases.

001. Clique Summer Collection #1 Massie (Clique Series)

by Lisi Harrison.

Release

 date:April 1,2008

Editorial Review from www.amazon.com:

"Massie gets BE-yoo-tiful: After Massie Block gets kicke

d off her high horse and out of her ultra exclusive Westchester riding camp, her pa

rents force her to do the unthinkable-find a summer job. Not one for dog-walking or brat-sitting, M

assie comes up with the ah-bvious solution: She'll be a sales rep for the cosmetics brand Be Pretty. Massie fully

 hearts her new role as fairy gawdmother of makeup-until she discovers transforming LBRs into glam-girls takes more th

an a swish of her royal purple 

mascara wand. "

002. Creation In Death by J.D. 

Robb

Release Date:April 1,2008

Editorial Review from www.amazon.com:

From Publish

ers Weekly
"At 27 books and counting, Nora Roberts is more prolific under her Robb pseudonym t

han most authors manage in a single career. Yet the latest in her not-so-near-future detective series 

featuring New York Police Det. Eve Dallas offers a 

satisfyingly novel mélange of suspense, sex, forensics and heroics. It's 2060, and the serial ki

ller nicknamed The Groom is back in town after an absence of nine years, res

uming his horrific run of kidnapping, torturing and killing young women. Dallas, who served as a detective in the 

frustrating first investigation, assumes lead role in this one. This time, not only do the killer's chosen 

victims have ties to Dallas's husband, Roarke, but Dallas herself may be the killer's ultimate target. Swiftly p

aced, the story cuts frequently from the investigation to the killer's

 progress with his victims. Dallas works to outplan, outfight and outsmart the killer; to keep 

her handsome, rich husband happy; and to be ready for the next round after a good night's sleep. Rob

b's latest is bound to please Dallas fans." (Nov.) 
Copyright © Reed Bus

iness Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

002. Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman

Release date:April 8,2008

From the back cover:

"Another mesmerising episode from the universe of His Dark Materials including the very first meeting of those two legends and friends, Lee Scoresby, the Texan balloonist, and Iorek Byrnison, the armoured bear." 

*updates.

Hi all,

I know it has been along time since my last post. However, I have been doing a lot of reading while I was away. I also plan to kick off my own book drive very shortly. This means that I will be collecting old or used books and be sending them to various charities. I would also like to start giving out previously read books in contests here on my blog. I really hope the all will work out for my book drive. It is always a really good feeling to see people enjoying books. I will keep you posted and hopefully you will see some book review posts up this week!

E-mail/Contact Information

Hello fellow bloggers,

I just wanted to let everyone know that I changed my e-mail address. For anyone that has any suggestions for books that I should review, authors that would like me to review their book, or anyone who just wants to talk please forward all messages to:

readingisforlovers@gmail.com

-Cassidy

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Before I get to the review;

Sunday Brunch Quote...

"For books are more than books. They are the life, the very heart and core of ages past, the reason why men lived and worked and died, the essence and quintessence of their lives." Amy Lowell 

And now, onto the review!

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. 

Where do we go when we die? When Liz is killed in by a passing taxi while riding her bike, she wakes up on a boat. At first, Liz thinks that she is dreaming and that her mom will be waking her up momentarily. But when she finds out that this boat is no dream, she knows that she will have to leave her old life behind. Eventually, Liz ends up in a place called Elsewhere, where she is greeted by a younger-looking woman, who she finds out is her grandmother. In Elsewhere, everyone is dead and ages backwards, until they are a baby again and then they return to Earth to start anew.

Liz goes through many trials throughout this book. Upon arrival, she seems at bit depressed that she will never be able to get her drivers' license, graduate from high school, fall in love, or grow old. With her grandmother at her side, she is able to accept the fact the she must start her new life (or death) in Elsewhere. Throughout the book, Liz will have to make decisions that will not only effect her new life in Elsewhere, but maybe even those of her past life. 

Zevin's "Elsewhere" was an extremely well-written book. Zevin put a lot of emotion into this book, it will make you want to laugh at times and at other times it will make you want to cry. The writing is so good that it will have you turning pages and wanting to read more. The concept of the book is fascinating and has an interesting perspective of what the after-life may be like. It's a book that once you are done reading will make you say "Wow!" I would recommend this to anyone age 12 or 13 and up.

BookBurger GiveAway Contest!

Gossip Girl Prequel: It Had to Be You by Cecily von Ziegesar

Poseur by Rachel Maude

Sealed With a Diss: A Clique Novel by Lisi Harrison

Beautiful Stranger: An A-List Novel by Zoey Dean

Lucky: An It Girl Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar

So how does one win this five-book set? We're trying a new giveaway strategy:

1. If you email us, you're automatically entered to win--only one entry per email address allowed. Send emails to mail at bookburger.com.

2. HERE'S HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES BIG-TIME: Mention bookburger on your MySpace, Facebook, blog, or any other page, link to us, then copy the link in a comment below. Do that, and you're entered FIVE times. So you've got FIVE times more chances to win....

Joining the Young Adult Challenge..

SWEET AND SIMPLE:

~ Choose 12 Young Adult novels

(you may switch novels at any time)

~ Link your YAC list from your blog onto Mister Linky

(and subsequent monthly reviews)

~ Read them during 2008

(you may read them at your own pace)

A-Z Reading Challenge

The A-Z Reading Challenge is hosted by Thoughts of Joy.

Requirements:

~ align the author's last name or the title of a book (excluding "the", "a", etc.) with its corresponding letter in the alphabet

~ enter a different book for each author and title (total of 52 books)

~ complete the alphabet lists anyway that suits your fancy
(i.e.: complete each list separately in alphabetical order, read both "A" entries, then "B" entries, fit whatever you're reading into either list, etc.)

~ complete the challenge in the year 2008

~ enjoy the experience!

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet-Lola Douglas

When Hollywood Star, Morgan Carter, overdoses on narcotics, her mom decides that she won't be able to recover in L.A. and ships her off to live with a friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Morgan is devastated that she will have to move to middle America, go to an actual high school for a year, and get a new "under makeover." In order for nobody to recognize her as Morgan Carter she dyes her hair brown, gets fake classes, and decides to call herself Claudia Miller. She finds out that life in middle America with her moms friend, Trudy, isn't all bad after all. Considering, that Trudy is the closest thing to a motherly figure that Morgan has ever had. Between school, Narcotics Anonymous classes, and visits to the YMCA, she meets a few new friends and a possible new crush.  As thing start to decline again, she begins to notice more reporters in town. Could someone actually know that she is there? How will she explain to her new friends that she is Morgan Carter if she is caught?

Douglas' "True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet" was a very satisfying read. The whole story is told through Morgan Carter/Claudia Miller's journal entries.  Morgan's funny and wit narrating makes this book all the worth while. I recommend this book for all teenage girls ages 13 and up. I absolutely can't wait to read the sequel to "True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet." The sequel is, "More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet," and picks up right where True Confessions leaves off!

Nineteen Minutes Trailer.

So basically, I really want to read this book!

Project 17 Trailer.

New February Releases.

FEBRUARY RELEASES.

001. Good Enough By Paula Yoo.

"How to make your Korean parents happy

1. Get a perfect score on the SATs.

2. Get into HarvardYalePrinceton.

3. Don't talk to boys.*

Patti's parents expect nothing less than the best from their Korean-American daughter. Everything she does affects her chances of getting into an Ivy League school. So winning assistant concertmaster in her All-State violin competition and earning less than 2300 on her SATs is simply not good enough.

But Patti's discovering that there's more to life than the Ivy League. To start with, there's Cute Trumpet Guy. He's funny, he's talented, and he looks exactly like the lead singer of Patti's favorite band. Then, of course, there's her love of the violin. Not to mention cool rock concerts. And anyway, what if Patti doesn't want to go to HarvardYalePrinceton after all?

Paula Yoo scores big in her hilarious debut novel about an overachiever who longs to fit in and strives to stand out. The pressure is on!

*Boys will distract you from your studies." COMES OUT 2/5/2008

002. Legacy by Kate Brian

Description:

The price of power...

After Cheyenne Martin's death, everyone at Easton Academy is struggling to recover from yet another tragedy--especially the girls of Billings Hall. With Cheyenne gone, they need to elect a new leader. And who better than Reed Brennan, the ultimate Billings Girls?
As the new Billings president, Reed suddenly has access to power she never imagined. Gossip is reported to her immediately, she has first dibs on everything from dining tables to dorm rooms, and Billings's most powerful alumnae are at her beck and call. So when Easton's students discover they're the only prep school on the East Coast not invited to this year's all-inclusive Legacy party, everyone turns to Reed to get them back on the list.
Reed is the most powerful girl at Easton.
She revels in her newfound status, but knows better than anyone that the Bilings leaders have a tainted legacy: Ariana was institutionalized, Noelle was expelled, and Cheyenne just died. History has a way of repeating itself at Easton, and now that Reed has everything she's ever wanted, she has everything to lose.  COMES OUT 2/19/2008.

003. Am I Right or Am I Right? By Berry Jonsberg. Description:Calma Harrison is in love. Not just with herself, but also with the handsome checkout guy at Crazi-Cheep. So stocking shelves at the Crazi- Cheep seems like the perfect job—until that annoying customer tries to hold up the store. . . .And then there's the small matter of the rest of Calma's life, which is fast falling apart: her absent father turns up after five years and wants to "talk," her mother is clearly living a secret second life, and her new best friend is hiding something horrible.

Calma is sure she knows exactly what's going on. And clearly her direct, personal intervention is required to make things right. Except . . . if she's wrong. And then her butting in will make everything much, much worse.

Am I Right or Am I Right? is a whip-smart, wise-cracking, big-hearted novel about a girl who is learning that things are not always what they seem, and how to start again when you've gotten it all so very wrong. COMES OUT 2/13

004. Clique #9. Bratfest at Tiffany's (Clique Series) 

Book Description:"New Year. New Pretty Committee. New LBRs?

Massie Block: The Briarwood boys have invaded OCD and are taking over everything. Worse, the soccer boys have become so popular that the Pretty Committee's alpha status is in serious jeopardy. So Massie lays out a New Year-New Pretty Committee rule: Anyone caught crushing on a boy will be thrown out of the NPC -- forever. But will she be able to follow her own decree when she sees that Derrington has ditched his shorts-obsession in favor of ah-dorable jeans?

Alicia Rivera: Is the opposite of onboard with the boyfast. Her crush, the Ralph Lauren-luh-ving Josh Hotz, is more irresistible than the creme brulee fro-yo. But is he worth losing her spot in the NPC? And taking on the wrath of Massie?

Dylan Marvil: Is so ready for the boyfast. She's straightened her unruly red hair and premanently pressed boys out of her life. If only she could do the same with curly fries and caramel popcorn.

Kristen Gregory: Has traded her sporty-chic Pumas for Billabong board shorts and a shark tooth necklace. She claims she's sworn off boy-crushes, so what's with herBlue Crush makeover?

Claire Lyons: Spent all summer thinking about Cam's one blue eye and one green eye. But now he's moved on to a new girl faster than you can say cuh-yutest couple. At least Claire finally has a secure spot in the NPC -- unless jealosy-flirting breaks the boyfast....

The Clique...the only thing harder than getting in is staying in." COMING 2/5/2008

005. Thirteen by Lauren Myracle 

Book Description:"Winnie Perry is a teenager—at last! And it’s a really big deal. A ginormous deal, which, wouldn’t you know it, brings ginormous problems along with it. Winnie’s bff #1 is growing up too slowly, while her bff #2 is growing up too fast, leaving Winnie stuck in the middle. Winnie’s boyfriend, Lars, is fabulous—except when he’s not. And as for Winnie’s family, well, BIG changes are in the air.

Bestselling author Lauren Myracle concludes her enormously popular trilogy about a winning young heroine whose humor, daring, and compassion for others is infectious and unforgettable. "

Kissing Snowflakes-Abby Sher,

"Kissing Snowflakes" is a cute tale of 15 year-old Samantha and her winter break vacation to the Vermont Inn. "Winter break is supposed to be all about romance, but Samantha is stuck spending hers in a Vermont Inn with her dad, brother, and impossibly perfect new stepmom". This is not exactly what Sam pictures to be a romantic vacation, that is until she meets Drew. When Sam decides to venture out to a skiing class, she meets her beautiful blonde ski instructor.   After  Drew shows her around the slopes and how to kiss, she feels that this vacation could not get any better. That is, until Eric, the inn owner's son, tells Sam how much of a player Drew is. Could this be true? After getting snowed in the lodge, Sam realizes how much of a jerk Drew really is and finds out how great of a person Eric is. 

Abby Sher's first YA book,"Kissing Snowflakes", was amazing! The characters really easy to relate to and lighthearted. It was nice to read a chick-lit book that didn't have the same mean girl gets revenge, "Gossip Girl",plot. Sher was really descriptive, enough that i almost felt like I was in the inn sitting right next to Sam. I recommend this book to my fellow chick-lit book lovers or anyone else that needs a great book to snuggle up by the fire with.

Best Book of Winter 2008

If I Have A Wicked Stepmother,Where's My Prince?-Melissa Kantor

Coming Soon!

Fahrenheit 451-Ray Bradbury

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury,

Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" is one of the most influential books of our time. Ray Bradbury predicts a controlled society, where everyone simply just wants to be happy.  In this society, books are illegal, and fireman are hired to burn these banned books. The main character, Guy Montag, is one of these firemen. He starts with books being the culprit, but as the book goes on he realizes that there is a need for reform in the society. His point of view changes when he meets a 17 year-old girl, Clarrise. Clarrise helps Montag open his eyes and realize the meaning of books.  He realizes that it is time for a change, and that is just what he will do.

The book has great suspense and is very engrossing. The book shows us the fate of censorship. That we must start thinking and talking about things that matter, so that we can remember them for generations to come. That we must constantly battle with what is right and what is wrong. The book is great because it is realistic of something that could happen in the future. It is a book the everyone should read and discuss. I recommend this book to anyone up for an enlightening read that will impact the way they think about books forever. Someone that likes a little bit of suspense and mystery. If you like a book that keeps you turning the pages and that will draw you in, I recommend you read this book. You will not regret it!

The Truth About Forever-Sarah Dessen

The Truth About Forever

Sarah Dessen's "The Truth About Forever" is by far one of her best books yet. The story starts when sixteen year old Macy's boyfriend goes away to Brain Camp for the summer. Macy is left behind doing his job at the dull library. On a whim Macy meets the crew of the Wish Catering Company and finds herself looking up at life. Delia and here catering crew are far from perfect and that proves to be what Macy just might need. They show her that it is okay to let your inner feelings show and that it is okay to make mistakes. Even though her mom doesn't like her acting like a normal kid, Macy does not let that stop her from living for her and not her mother. Macy even finds her self head over heals for one of the caterers. Wes is a good-hearted kid who Macy found to be very lovable and charming. Macy's new way of life and love take her through a huge change from a girl focused on the future to a girl that lives in the now and accepts the past. 

"The Truth About Forever" was inspiring and very well written.  It was not just an ordinary book but one that can change your whole perspective on life. The plot line was very relatable and realistic. While reading it I couldn't put it down! Afterwards, I feel like I could read it over and over again. This book is something that anyone should read and a book that I will always keep close to my heart. 

I read this book a couple months ago and reread it about a week ago, so i though I would write a review on it. My first book of Dessen's was Just Listen. I have also read some of her earlier work and enjoyed that too. Sarah Dessen is a really captivating writer. She is brilliant, funny, and inspirational. All of which make for excellent books! She is possibly one of the best authors out there. So, if you haven't already..read this book because you will not regret it!

Gold Star Book!

The Luxe-Anna Godbersen

The Luxe

The year is 1899 and New York City is mourning the death of ideal young lady Elizabeth Holland.  As the book goes back to the weeks before Elizabeth's death we find deep secrets, scandal, and sacrifice. When Elizabeth discovers of her family's financial problems she is forced into loveless engagement. Elizabeth feels obligated to marry the wealthy Henry Schoonmaker in order to saver her family from financial ruin.  A jealous friend, maid, and sister make you question if her death really was an accident. 

The Luxe has a clever plot and historically accurate details. Godbersen portrayed 1899 New York life very well. It is one of the best books of 2007 and most are anticipating the 2008 arrival of the sequel to The Luxe,Rumors.