North of Beautiful, Justina Chen Headley

From Goodreads: Born with a port-wine stain birthmark covering her entire right cheek, Terra Rose Cooper is ready to leave her stifling, small Washington town where everyone knows her for her face. With her critical, reproachful father and an obese mother who turns to food to deflect her father's verbal attacks, home life for Terra isn't so great either. Fueled by her artistic desires, she plans to escape to an East Coast college, thinking this is her true path. When her father intercepts her acceptance letter, Terra is pushed off-course, and she is forced to confront her deepest insecurities. After an ironically fortuitous car accident, Terra meets Jacob, a handsome but odd goth Chinese boy who was adopted from China as a toddler. Jacob immediately understands Terra's battle with feeling different. When Terra's older brother invites her and her mother to visit him in Shanghai, Jacob and his mother also join them on their journey, where they all not only confront the truth about themselves, but also realize their own true beauty. North of Beautiful is the engaging third YA novel by Justina Chen Headley. This is a gorgeously-written, compelling book featuring universal themes of defining true beauty, family bonds, personal strength, and love. This book has been sitting on my shelf for months, just sitting there waiting to be opened and absorbed. After getting a personal recommendation from Yan, I finally picked the book up. And WOW! Am I glad I did. This book is gloriously written. The characters are deeply drawn and I felt every emotion that they felt, even the lesser characters who are equally just as important in this story of acceptance. Terra Rose Cooper has always been ridiculed because of a port-wine stain birthmark that covers the side of her face, no amount of cover-up, laser surgery can lighten it enough to make Terra and her family forget about it. I cannot agree more with Goodreads review of this book, and feel as if anything I write is trite in comparison. This book just WOW'D me and I find myself still thinking of it's themes of beauty, acceptance, the bonds between family and most of all love. I loved Jacob and his right on sexy Goth boy getup. He knew when to make the most of a tiny flaw and would showcase it for everyone to see. If people only see the flaw, then just smile and move on your way, they're not worthy of you. I could learn a lot from that statement! We see so many ads nowadays with beautiful, long-legged models with perfect teeth, cheekbones, chins, foreheads, etc, but what we consider beautiful is deep within us and not everyone's idea of beauty is they same. Terra worked hard on her body to take away from her face and it worked as she snagged a boyfriend, Erik, but he doesn't get her all. Not like Chinese American goth guy, Jacob. Who sees past Terra's cover-up and sees true beauty. 5 Bookmarks

Winner of Day Five: Suite Scarlett is...

Sylvia sylvia_uy4@yahoo.com

Day 5: Suite Scarlett Giveaway

Everyone is getting an extra entry for today! Her new summer job comes with baggage Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off. Praise for Suite Scarlett: "I can't wait until my room at the Hopewell is ready." - Meg Cabot "This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)" - Libba Bray "I couldn't put it down." - Michele Jaffe "I loved it!" - E. Lockhart "An utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue." - ALA Booklist, starred review. I will be giving away 5 copies for 5 days. I will pick a random winner daily at 9PM EDT time (6pm PDT) . All you have to do is just comment under this topic that you want a copy. If you don't win today you have until Friday to try to win a copy. **Please note: that if you do win a copy, please do not enter again. For those of you who entered after 9pm EDT, please leave a message here to win this one!

Winner of Day Four: Suite Scarlett is...

Michelle G :) Michelle, can you e-mail me your address so I can send the book to you! Congratulations! Laura

Day 4: Suite Scarlett Giveaway

Her new summer job comes with baggage Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off. Praise for Suite Scarlett: "I can't wait until my room at the Hopewell is ready." - Meg Cabot "This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)" - Libba Bray "I couldn't put it down." - Michele Jaffe "I loved it!" - E. Lockhart "An utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue." - ALA Booklist, starred review. I will be giving away 5 copies for 5 days. I will pick a random winner daily at 9PM EDT time (6pm PDT) . All you have to do is just comment under this topic that you want a copy. If you don't win today you have until Friday to try to win a copy. **Please note: that if you do win a copy, please do not enter again. For those of you who entered after 9pm EDT, please leave a message here to win this one!

Winner of Day Three: Suite Scarlett is...

nfmgirl nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com Just so you guys know how I pick a winner, I got to random.org and put in the number of entries. You guys are assigned the number that you post. So the first poster is number 1, etc...

Day 3: Suite Scarlett Giveaway

Her new summer job comes with baggage Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off. Praise for Suite Scarlett: "I can't wait until my room at the Hopewell is ready." - Meg Cabot "This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)" - Libba Bray "I couldn't put it down." - Michele Jaffe "I loved it!" - E. Lockhart "An utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue." - ALA Booklist, starred review. I will be giving away 5 copies for 5 days. I will pick a random winner daily at 9PM EDT time (6pm PDT) . All you have to do is just comment under this topic that you want a copy. If you don't win today you have until Friday to try to win a copy. **Please note: that if you do win a copy, please do not enter again. For those of you who entered after 9pm EDT, please leave a message here to win this one!

Winner of Day Two: Suite Scarlett is...

Lilibeth Ramos lilibethramos@live.com Congratulations! Remember everyone can try again tomorrow!

Day 2: Suite Scarlett Giveaway

Her new summer job comes with baggage Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off. Praise for Suite Scarlett: "I can't wait until my room at the Hopewell is ready." - Meg Cabot "This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)" - Libba Bray "I couldn't put it down." - Michele Jaffe "I loved it!" - E. Lockhart "An utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue." - ALA Booklist, starred review. I will be giving away 5 copies for 5 days. I will pick a random winner daily at 9PM EDT time (6pm PDT) . All you have to do is just comment under this topic that you want a copy. If you don't win today you have until Friday to try to win a copy. **Please note: that if you do win a copy, please do not enter again. For those of you who entered after 9pm EDT, please leave a message here to win this one!

Winner of Day One: Suite Scarlett is...

bridget3420 bjhopper(at)me(dot)com Congratulations Bridget!

Suite Scarlett Giveaway

Her new summer job comes with baggage Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City, and Scarlett lives there with her four siblings - Spencer, Lola, and Marlene. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest called Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deceptions. But in the city where anything can happen, she just might be able to pull it off. Praise for Suite Scarlett: "I can't wait until my room at the Hopewell is ready." - Meg Cabot "This book is made of funny and smart and whimsical deliciousness (really, lick a page and taste for yourself)" - Libba Bray "I couldn't put it down." - Michele Jaffe "I loved it!" - E. Lockhart "An utterly winning, madcap Manhattan farce, crafted with a winking, urbane narrative and tight, wry dialogue." - ALA Booklist, starred review. I will be giving away 5 copies for 5 days. I will pick a random winner daily at 9PM EDT time (6pm PDT) . All you have to do is just comment under this topic that you want a copy. If you don't win today you have until Friday to try to win a copy. **Please note: that if you do win a copy, please do not enter again.

In My Mailbox (12)

I have to create a new IMM because I JUST got more books in the mail!!!! They are: Wanderlust: a Beautiful Americans Novel, Lucy Silag The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, Lauren Kate Frostbite, Richelle Mead Shadow Kiss, Richelle Mead Seeing Redd, Frank Beddor Remember to keep your eyes peeled here I have a bunch of giveaways coming up! plus a bunch of reviews!

In My Mailbox (11)

This will encompass about a week and a half of goodies. In no particular order (and no pictures because just too many!) THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS ONE MORE BOOK ARRIVES!! From Barry Lyga himself: Boy Toy! (can't wait to read this one and give it away!) Impossible, Nancy Werlin After, Amy Efaw Suite Scarlett, Maureen Johnson (I rec'd two and have news about this title for next week) Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen (I've lost track of how many I've had and given away) Possessions, Nancy Holder The Looking Glass Wars, Frank Beddor ArchEnemy, The Looking Glass Wars, Frank Beddor The Hollow, Jessica Verday Sea Change, Aimee Friedman A Map of the Known Word, Lisa Ann Sandell (I have 3 copies) Black Rabbit Summer, Kevin Brooks Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, Nahoko Uehashi Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness Nahoko Uehashi (I have 2 of these) Reincarnation, Suzanee Weyn Ladybug Girl, David Soman and Jacky Davis (Picture Book) Otis, Loren Long (Picture Book) I have a lot of reading to do and a ton of giveaways, so just keep your eyes on the blog. I have a HUGE giveaway next week starting on June 22!

CONTEST!!!!!

If I can get up to 200 Followers I will give away my copy of Shiver (after I read it). You will find the option to follow me BELOW the next two posts (which you are free to read too!) Just click on follow, then leave me a post here! easy peasy So peeps, tell people to find my blog and friend me and they're included to win a copy of Maggie Steifvater's Shiver I need 10 more followers to hit 200 and if you're new follower I'll like you to comment that you're following me RIGHT here. (you oldies don't need to comment, just my new followers) How does that sound. THIS contest includes EVERYONE!!!!! What are you waiting for GET GOING!

Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater

From Goodreads: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. My reaction: I enjoyed the story of Grace and Sam. I think when this book is released you will see many instances of it being compared to Twilight, but I didn't see it. When Grace was younger, she was taken by a pack of wolves and bitten, which would normally mean that she would change, but she didn't. From that moment, the wolf with the beautiful yellow eyes has captivated her, she even knew his howl. From that moment, you knew their destiny was to be entwined, but Sam is only human during warm months and when one lives in the Northern Minnesota, warm months don't last long. I enjoyed this story a lot. It did take me a while to read it, and that was through no fault of the writing or the storyline. I enjoyed the relationship of Grace and Sam and how it grew as the story progressed. The mystery of why Grace didn't change after being bitten is exciting and a bit current for our times. I won't give it away, you'll have to read it. I definitely see this book jumping up the booksellers bestseller's list and it bring Maggie Stiefvater (who has written 4 books, while being a mom and a wife, I commend her imagination!). I think everyone who pick up this book will be howling for the next one--which is not due out until 2010. 4 Bookmarks

Winner of Signed Shiver

Is Bookduck! Sarah @ sodens@sio.midco.net. I have e-mailed her. Please congratulate her as well! Thank you to everyone who entered. Remember I'm still giving away a copy of Shiver (not signed) once I hit 200 followers! So recommend your friends to join my blog! Thank you!

Winner of the Signed Prophecy of the Sisters book!

Is Jeannine Garsee! Her number came up in Random.org; I know she's not around right now, but congratulate Jeannine on winning the signed copy of Prophecy of the Sisters!

In my Mailbox (10)

started by the lovely Alea and memefied by the equally lovely Kristi Week 5.31.09 - 6.5.09 (excluding BEA) ** Posh & Prejudice: A Diary of a Chav Novel, Grace Dent Ghostgirl: Homecoming, Tonya Hurley (my 3rd one, can you say contest!) Ash, Malinda Lo Twenty Boy Summer, Sarah Ockler I don't want a Posh Dog, Emma Dodd (Picture Book) The Curious Garden, Peter Brown From Penguin (a new contact I met at BEA) Short Girls, Bich Minh Nguyen The Magicians, Lev Grossman Last week from Random House The Childrens Story, AS Byatt (my all time fave author) ** No pictures of books, too lazy

Twitter Twenty Boy Summer TONIGHT

Join us for this one-of-a-kind YA book launch party featuring book trivia, spontaneous (and sometimes inappropriately personal) author Q&A, prizes and giveaways, laughs, and tons of tweety tomfoolery celebrating Sarah Ockler's debut novel, TWENTY BOY SUMMER!

Date: Friday, June 5, 2009 Time: 7:00-11:00 PM, EST Location: http://twitter.com">Twitter.com

TRIPLE of CONTESTS I have going on!

The first one is a copy (unsigned) of Shiver that I am giving away once I hit 200 followers. The second one is a (signed) copy of Prophecy of the Sisters that requires a hoop to jump through. You must post on Michelle Zink's blog where she links the contest below The third one is for (signed) copy of Shiver which is exactly the same contest as Michelle Zink's. You must find Maggie's post that links to back to here It's really quite simple! Three great books, easy to win!

200 Followers Contest

I seemed to have stalled at 177 followers. I know I have about 153 followers on google reader so that puts me at 317. However, I don't know who follows me on google reader, so if you could follow me here, you'll be entered! I want to make sure that EVERYONE is covered. So just log onto laurasreviewbookshelf.blogspot.com and click on follow. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

BEA Swag things

Okay, so this is what I'm giving away THIS week. SIGNED Shiver edit: Maggie updated her blog so GO GO GO!!!! SIGNED Prophecy of the Sisters just comment here and there might be ONE MORE hoop to jump as well. will know more later. here's the hoop. YOU must find on Maggie's and Michelle's blog, the link to this. POST on their site then LINK back to me so I can see you left a message to them. If you have any questions or problems, e-mail me at lauram68 at gmail . com (you know the drill) good luck and happy hunting!

Twenty Tweet Summer

Come join the "Twenty Tweet Summer" Twitter Party or what I've decided to call, The Stalk Sarah Ockler on Twitter Night. When: Friday, June 5th @7-11 EST Where: Twitter.com DUH! How: Follow @sarahockler on twitter For a more complete how-to: check out Sarah's post. Her book was released YESTERDAY and is stores now, so go, run! run! run! :) PS: Completely stole this from Sharon

New Moon Trailer

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer