Sleepaway Girls and more

Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita


Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Synopsis: When Sam's best friend gets her first boyfriend, she's not ready to spend the summer listening to the two of them call each other "pookie." Sick of being a third wheel, Sam applies to be a counselor-in-training at Whispering Pines camp in the New York Catskills. But what she doesn't realize is that it's not going to be all Kumbaya sing-alongs and gooey s'mores. If Ashley, the alpha queen of Whispering Pines, doesn't ruin Sam's summer, then her raging crush on the surfer-blond and flirtatious Hunter just might. At least she has playful Cole, who's always teasing her, but is oh-so-comfortable to hang out with, and the singular gang of girls that become fast friends with Sam-they call themselves the Sleepaway Girls.

Review: I love Jen Calonita's Secrets of My Hollywood Life series, so when she released this book, I HAD to read it. I loved this book because it was a quick --not to mention fun-- read that only took me about 2 and a half hours to finish. I have to admit that some parts were very predictable, but overall I enjoyed reading about the days Sam spent at camp...recommended for those who want an enjoyable summer read during their spare time.

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Contest Alert: Catching Fire

Book Review to Come Soon! Another Contest!

I have a review about Sleepaway Girls that I just need to write up. Meanwhile, Kristen from BookWorming in the 21st Century is holding two contests. One for Catching Fire and one for multiple books. The Catching Fire one ends on August 7th and the ALA one ends July 31st.

Good luck!

Prada and Prejudice & Catching Fire Contest

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis:
To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips...conks her head...and wakes up in the year 1815!
There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily's family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily's cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.
But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex's heart, before her time in the past is up?


Review: One of the best books I've read this year. Mandy Hubbard went right into the story starting from the second chapter. And from then on, the story got more intriguing on every page I turned. It is a great read to show that you don't need anyone--just your confidence. It won't disappoint!

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For those who are waiting to read Catching Fire, Drea is giving away a copy! This contest ends August 1st so enter quickly! http://awaitingserenity.net/?p=1133

Catching Fire Giveaway

Are you dying to get Catching Fire on your hands? Abby the Librian is giving away THREE copies. Head on over to http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/2009/07/thats-right-shes-giving-away-catching.html to enter!

-Kim

Win an ARC of Shiver!

"Shiver" is coming out on August 1st. But right now, Sarah is giving you a chance to win an ARC.

For details, please go here:
http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/2009/07/150-follower-contest.html

If you entered, please say I referred you; that way, we will both get more entries :)

The Girlfriend Project

Synopsis: On the outside, Reed is the high school hottie, but on the inside, he’s still the clueless dork with braces and thick glasses who has never been kissed. Reed simply doesn’t know how to talk with girls, and it’s up to the Internet to get him up to speed and out on the market. Reed’s friend sets up a website to help him figure out how to meet girls and get in to dating circulation, but he’s confused about what he wants in a relationship. Soon, the website develops into more than just a way to get Reed a girlfriend. The Girlfriend Project reveals the struggle of teen dating with all it’s extraordinary highs and heart breaking lows, with rare insight into the vulnerability and insecurity guys often hide. This book is for any teen who has ever felt like the odd one out when it comes to dating—or in other words, every teen.

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Review: I was wandering around my public library and wanted a quick read, and this was what it delivered. The Girlfriend Project tells the story of Reed, a high school senior who has just gotten a "makeover." He got rid of this glasses, braces, and pretty much cleaned up well enough for the girls in school to notice him. Despite this, Reed still has trouble with his attempts to ask out girls. After messing up twice in the same day, his best friends, Lonnie and Ronnie, set up "The Girlfriend Project." But once, Reed scores two dates on the same day, he realizes that he doesn't want to date just anyone, he wants someone he can find love with. With every girl in school finally noticing him--even the girl who turned him down four years ago--Reed receives many viewers on his website (The Girlfriend Project). He starts to find out that he might be in love with his best friend, Ronnie. The only problem is she's in a serious relationship with her boyfriend, and if he told her this, it would ruin their friendship.

The Girlfriend Project was good in my opinion, although it didn't make my favorites list. I was kinda disappointed with the ending, since it was just a tad bit rushed. However, if you are looking for a quick read in your spare time, this is the book for you.

Rating: 3.5/5

Two Way Street = Awesome

Last week, I was googling sites that were giving away ARC's of Catching Fire, and came across a synopsis for Two Way Street:

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

Review: Of course, this immediately captivated me because of my curiousity to find out about the secret and I couldn't wait to read it. So what did I do? I reserved a copy of it online at BN.com and read an exerpt on the author's website, http://laurenbarnholdt.com/

On the day I read it, I couldn't put it down, despite my mom's attempts to make me stop reading and go see the fireworks show in my city. Within a couple of hours, I was finished with the book and like all great novels, it left a deep impression on me.

Review: Lauren Barnholdt is extremely talented in that she has the ability to alternate from past and present in her writing. This book also alternates between the two main characters' point of view. There are many twists in this story and you will not be able to put this book down when you realize what made the two break up. They both truly love each other, but because of the one decision Jordan made to protect Courtney, it resulted in seperation. However, they still have to go on the roadtrip together. Jordan and Courtney even put up shows as to make the other jealous, Jordan with his "girlfriend" and Courtney with her past crush, Lloyd. There are also many funny moments in this book as well as the serious, page turner ones. To sum it up, his novel will leave you breathless! It was an amazing read...

Overall, I give it a 5/5

I loved it to death and wanted there to be more pages after the ending, but the book ended the way it did for a reason, and I was glad it ended the way it did. I seriously loved it so much that I made my very first book trailer for it! I had never used Sony Vegas before so it was a great experience!

My trailer:



You won't be disappointed!