The Body Finder, Kimberly Derting

• Reading level:       Young Adult
• Hardcover:            336 pages
• Publisher:              HarperTeen,  March 16, 2010

Bookmarks:          3

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her “power” to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he’s claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay’s intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she’s falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

I liked this book, didn't love it.  There were really some moments of brilliance within these pages, and  Kimberly tells a good story and she really shines when we're in the head of the serial killer.  She leaves nothing untouched and really creates a bad person who you really want to be caught because his crimes are so gruesome.

I found myself questioning the actions of Violet at times.  Knowing that she has this gift to find 'dead' people, why would a teen feel it is her problem to find the killer?  Yes, she's able to see the 'echoes' that a killer would leave, but it's still probably safer to get the police involved.

I really liked Violet's relationship with Jay, until they became romantic.  I liked the idea that she had a best friend who was a guy.  I thought the sexual tension was pitch perfect, but once they finally give in, I found myself a bit bored.  Jay was presented as a great person and I saw that in the pages.  He cares deeply for Violet (in fact, I think he's crushing on her before she's crushing on him).

The overall story is strong and satisfying.

70 Books

Were donated today to the local high school and let me tell you, the librarian (Alicia Boudreau) was beyond thrilled.  I had three huge bags that I brought in.  Even the secretaries in the office were waiting for me!  One of the students helped me bring the books up to the library because those bags were heavy!

The high school library is beautiful and such a big place, but I was surprised by how sparse the stacks were.  I really hope that the school kids of Northbridge High School really enjoy the donation.  It feels good.  But my goodness, I still have a ton of books here that I have no place to put them!

I hope that when you decide to clean out your bookshelves, floor, closets or wherever you keep your books that you'll call your local high school or public library and see if they'll take them.  I have a feeling they will.

Do you care that I don't do IMM posts?

I did do them at one point, but then people started complaining about who was getting books and what not.  It just became so political that I just stopped doing it.  I did do What I'm reading and books I've received this week.  I kinda stopped doing that one too.  I only had one negative remark about getting books, but it still stung.

Do you care what books I've received?  I mean I figured that you really couldn't care less:)  But if want to know what I've received, I guess I can do it.

Let me know what you think.  I want this blog to be what you guys want.

Thanks!

A Call for Help

My local library and High School library are seriously lacking in books.  They don't have Liar, by Justine Larbalestier or Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.  These are book that the teens are looking for!  So I'm asking my fellow bloggers can you help them out?

I'm donating a bunch of advance copies and finished copies of books to both mediums.  They will get Shiver (high school) and Liar (public library).  Can you as bloggers, dig into your bookshelves and donate some books to these two places?  They are:

Whitinsville Social Library (which lost accreditation because they don't have a head librarian!)

Northbridge High School.  They're library is suffering and tried to raise money during a fundraiser last December.  $700 was raised.  Obviously not enough to buy what is out there.

So if you have any Advance copies or finished copies that are gathering dust, would you like to donate to one of these very worthy places?  I'm putting together a bag this weekend for them and I know how appreciative they will be there.

Author's I know that these libraries do not have any 2009 Deb books.  Could you donate a copy?

Thank you very much!

Picture Book Thursday (17)

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten, Audrey Vernick; Illustrated by Daniel Jennewein

This is a special book.  This is a book that won't be out until June, 2010, but I got a copy of this book and am I really happy I did!  Another book blogger Lenore said I had won a contest.  But what is amazing about this book is that Lenore's hubby illustrated the book!  Daniel's illustrations are perfect to the story and the bold colors and big buffalo, will have kids laughing along with the story!

The story is wonderful for those of you who have children heading to or in Kindergarten, like I do.  Lily just adored this story and she was able to point out things in the illustrations that she does in kindergarten.  Snack time, listening to story time, even the sharing and caring aspect of being in Kindergarten.

One wouldn't think a buffalo would go to Kindergarten, but this story is for anyone who's been shy, nervous and just doesn't know what new things are out there for them.  Audrey Vernick's story really brought me back to Lily's first day in September and how nervous she was, but how the teacher was able to break down that barrier and let Lily be the person that she is today.

When this book comes out in June, please get this book.  Your Kindergärtner will really appreciate it.

Twitter Party--- TONIGHT!

Join Lonely Hearts Club author Elizabeth Eulberg and Amy of MyFriendAmy for a Twitter party Wednesday, January 20, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. EST!

• Be sure to follow Elizabeth @ElizEulberg and Amy @MyFriendAmy before the party!

• Join the fun! No one expects you or your tweets to be perfect; we’re just happy you made it to the party!

• Anyone who tweets during this hour using #LonelyHeartsClub is entered to win a limited edition Lonely Hearts Club t-shirt!

• Watch for questions from @MyFriendAmy and win awesome prizes including an iPod shuffle, $50 iTunes gift card or $25 VISA gift card!

• To join the party, you can use our official party tweetgrid or just search #LonelyHeartsClub on Twitter.

• Ask Elizabeth questions or chat with other partygoers about how excited you are to read LHC—just use the tag #LonelyHeartsClub in all of your party tweets! (This is added automatically in TweetGrid.)

• Please don’t post any spoilers and don’t forget to pay attention to the time zones, the party starts at 8:30pm EST.

Going Bovine, Printz Award Winner!

Well you guys have spoken and this will be my next book!  But how cool is it that Libba Bray JUST won that award?  I talked for a little while to Libba's awesome hubby, Barry Goldblatt at the ALA Tweetup.  When I mentioned the poll on my blog, he was thrilled (of course, we didn't know about the Printz yet).  I'm so excited to read this because you guys think it'll be a great read!

I'm also giving away a copy of this book to one lucky person who commented on the poll!  I will pick a winner soonish.

Thanks again for your help!

ALA Books

I promise to post pictures, but I don't know how to upload them, and I'm waiting for hubby to tell me what program to download etc... (I really stink at pictures, too!).  So here ya go! (this does not include the picture books I got for Lily)

1. Sorta like a rock star, Matthew Quick
2. Radiant Shadows, Melissa Marr
3. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Beth Hoffman
4. Guardian of the Dead, Karen Healey
5. Beryl: A Pig’s Tale, Jane Simmons
6. Tell Me A Secret, Holly Cupula
7. Early to Death, Early to Rise, Kim Harrison
8. Brilliant, Rachel Vail
9. Happy Face, Stephen Edmond
10. Demon Princess, Reign Princess, Michelle Rowen
11. Thirteen Days to Midnight, Patrick Carman
12. How to grow up and rule the world, Vordak the Incomprehensible
13. A Nest for Celeste, Henry Cole
14. This World we Live in, Susan Beth Pfeffer
15. Mamba Point, Kurtis Scaletta
16. Jekel Loves Hyde, Beth Fantaskey
17. The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, Francisco X. Stork
18. Conspiracy 365, Gabrielle Lord
19. Incarceron, Catherine Fisher
20. The Eternal Ones, Kirsten Miller
21. Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger, Lee Smith
22. Guardian of the Gate, Michelle Zink
23. The Grimm Legacy, Polly Shulman
24. Perchance to Dream, Lisa Mantchev
25. Will Grayson Will Grayson, John Green & David Levithan
26. The Dead-Tossed Waves, Carrie Ryan
27. The Queen of Palmyra, Minrose Gwin
28. Compromised, Heide Ayarbe
29. Dragon of Darkness, Antonia Michealis
30. Faithful, Janet Fox
31. Linger, Maggie Stiefvater
32. The Passage, Justin Cronin
33. Forget-her-nots, Amy Brecount White
34. Finikin of the Rock, Melina Marchetta
35. Border Crossing, Jessica Lee Anderson
36. Living Hell, Catherine Jinks
37. The Line, Teri Hall
38. For Keeps, Natasha Friend
39. The Popularity Papers, Lydia Goldblatt & Julia Graham Chang
40. Leaving Paradise, Simone Elkeles

ALA= American Librarian Association Mid-Winter Convention 2010

On Saturday, January 15, Kim Harrington and I attended this splendid event.  Kim and I drove into Boston.  She picked me up at our favorite bookstore where we generally try to meet for coffee (or hot cocoa, for her).  It was a glorious day and we didn't even need jackets!  The drive in was a ton of fun.  We were both anticipating what the day would bring.  Kim didn't kill me nor did she get us lost!  We get to the convention center and I'm amazed how built up this section of Boston is because 5 years ago, it was all dirt lots!

We park the car and they have shuttle buses to take us to the center, which we technically could've walked, but hey, shuttle was free!  We get inside and not exactly sure where we need to go, so I ask the information desk. We have to go downstairs.  First off, Kim sees the Scholastic booth with their ginormous logo.  Of course, she'd see them, it's her publisher!  Once we're all registered we immediately head to Scholastic.  I want to see if my friend Cheryl is there and Kim just wants to look around.  I immediately text Gail to find out where she is and she's with a librarian eating lunch!  So Kim and I look around.  I immediately notice that there are not many ARCs out.  Okay, I'll see what is available and keep looking around.  We head to the HarperCollins booth and I turn around and Kim is gone!  She's chatting with someone that I don't know (I've been introducing her to people that I did know).  Turns out it's her editor, Aimee Friedman and Alex Bullen!

They were both so sweet and Alex was doubly excited because her launch was being held on Sunday (I did not make it, but Kim did).  Aimee was very sweet, and I mentioned that I did have her book as well (Sea Change).  Then I turn around and I see a fellow LJ'er and friend, Shana Silver (who has a couple of MS on submission, good luck, Shana!).  I'm so excited to introduce Kim to Shana, they're both going to SCWBI in a few weeks, so they have someone to connect with.  Then I see Mitali Dave and TiffanyE.  It's like BEA all over again!  Of course there is just so much to do, that chatting is practically non-existent! I introduce Kim to them.  Oh, and then I turn around and here is Kate Messner with her beautiful daughter, Ella!  I was handing out my bookmarks and I loved it when they said they recognized my blog!  YAY!  After I talk to Kate for a few minutes, Mitali Perkins is right behind me! (I've been trying to meet up with her for ages! LOVE HER TO PIECES!

I think right about now, both Kim and I are swimming with all the people we're meeting, seeing, saying hello to, etc.  We're all there for the same reason, WE LOVE BOOKS!  Let me tell you, tho', the YA books were flying off the shelves and the adult titles weren't moving quite as fast.  Just goes to show you that the YA titles and authors are HOT right now.  By now, my bag is getting quite filled with books.  Kim was a bit more shier about asking for books, so I did it for her.  She now has a sparkling Before I Fall and Will Grayson, Will Grayson.  We finally decide to eat, because we're starving and I need a drink.  All that talking and schmoozing is hard work! :)

We have lunch with Gail, Shana, her mother-in-law-to-be me and Kim.  It was good to sit down and get the heavy books off our shoulders!  After lunch, I had to get to Little, Brown to get Michelle's book before they were gone and Feiwel and Friends to get Lisa's book (I got both!).  I talked to the Little, Brown rep for a little bit.  I look around and Gail is with me, but Kim is gone! Wouldn't you know that EVERYONE was wearing red shirts like Kim was!!!  I try to text her, but I hate my phone so much because the keyboard is ON SCREEN ARGH!  I finally make my way to the Scholastic booth again, to see if that is where she went. But I wait there for her and she finally shows.

We talked with Daniel Nayeri who is working for Houghton Mifflin and is editing Carolyn McCullough's Always a Witch! of course he wouldn't give anything away, but said it was brilliant. (I think he's paid to say that tho':)) Daniel was rocking the pink converses and was doing a really cheesy card game when I spotted him.  We talked about him writing with his sister and how they managed to do it.  Luckily they're on two different continents so that helps! :)

We had about an hour or so before the great ALATweetup, so we wandered around.  But first we did managed to bring our books back to the car.  It felt SO good to get those books off my shoulders!  I swear I had about 65 or so! Books are heavy!  One of the last places we headed to was Flux/Llewellyn booth.  We chatted with them and saw all the pretty shiny books they've published.  Maggie Stiefvater was proudly there as was a gorgeous display of Laurie Faria Stolarz' books.  Those were being given away on Sunday, but I wasn't there.

We had such a great time and pictures were taken, so many people were met and talked to.  Once I'm able to figure out how to post the pics from my phone I will.  I still have to take the pictures of all the books I received.  One thing I learned is Librarians really know how to party! :)

Before I Fall Winner

Is Pepsivanilla!  Her birthday falls on February 11!!!

The reason I picked the 12th of February was because that is the one day that Sam must relive for 7 days.

So Pepsivanilla, e-mail me and I'll get the book out to you soon!

ALA = OMIGOD I have too many books! :)

I attended ALA today and met a ton of authors, editors, publishers, bloggers, librarians, agents, and just book-loving people.  I have in my hot little hands:

Linger, Maggie Stievater
Guardian of the Gate, Michelle Zink
Radiant Shadows, Melissa Marr
The Line, Terri Hall

And a bunch of other books that I'll have to take pictures of because I can't remember all of them.  But I'll do a complete roundup with pictures tomorrow.  Now, I'm off to bed!

Quickfire Contest!

I just came up with this idea.  I mean like literally JUST came up with it.

The UPS delivery man JUST dropped off a copy of BEFORE I FALL.  But I already have it and have reviewed it here.

So if your birthday is on February 12, 2010, you win the book.  If your birthday falls before or after and you're the first person to comment, you win the book.

Good luck!

A Brief Hiatus from Picture Book Thursday

I need to stock up on more picture books, and just haven't had time to do that. So it'll be a brief hiatus. However, if you are really jonesing for good picture books recommendations you'll have to check out Rated By Kids.  A blog in which young children review and rate their favorite books.  I mean how cool is that?  And don't be surprised if you see Lily's review pop up sooner or later.  She's still learning to read! :)

I'm currently reading and loving The Body Finder, by Kimberly Derting.  I'll probably have that review up sometime next week, when I finish the book.  I'm a bit stuck on what my next book, so I'm going to put a poll up and have you guys pick the book that I'll read.  AND whatever book I read, I will give away to a lucky winner, so make sure you vote!  BUT in order to win, you have to comment under this post that you voted.  Got that?  Vote, then comment here, and whichever is the winning the book will also be given away.

The Everafter, Amy Huntley

• Reading level:       Young Adult
  
• Hardcover:            248 pages
• Publisher:              October 1, 2009
  

Bookmarks:          1

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this—she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that with these artifacts, she can reexperience—and sometimes even change—moments from her life.

Her first kiss.

A trip to Disney World.

Her sister's wedding.

A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death.

This is a haunting and ultimately hopeful novel about the beauty of even the most insignificant moments—and the strength of true love even beyond death.

___________________________________________________________________________


I've been dreading writing this review because I really did not like this story at all.  I'm not sure if reading Before I Fall ruined this one for me, but the way this story played out was definitely a factor.  Let me start out by telling you why I didn't like it.

I couldn't get a read on Maddy.  I couldn't like her or not like her.  Like her character stuck in IS, I felt like I was stuck too.  The whole psychobabble bullcrap about Heaven and Hell and Purgatory dragged this story down.  The idea that certain objects that she lost in her lifetime could bring her back to that period in time just didn't jive with me.  This could've been a great story, but the time spent in limbo just made me more frustrated.

Gabriel.  He was the amazingly beautiful boyfriend. Maddy questioned and still questioned why he was with her.  This plot point in books is getting old.  Really old.  I'm going to call this the Bella-technique.  Maddy was annoying in her jealousy of Gabriel's ex-girlfriend.  Who is not so nice.  Okay.

The set up of the story seemed mashed together.  And the final revelation? I was more like who cares.

Please realize this is my opinion and I know others that have absolutely LOVED this story.  Obviously this one wasn't my cup of tea.

Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver

• Reading level:       Young Adult
  
• Hardcover:            480 pages
• Publisher:              HarperTeen, April 8, 2010 (or March 2, 2010)

Bookmarks:          5

___________________________________________________________

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.

I'm going to start of this review by telling you how much I loved this book. I know, I know. At first I was all, the characters are too mean for me to get into this book, but there is a reason behind the meanness. And it all plays out in a fascinating manner.

A cross between It's A Wonderful Life and Groundhog Day, Samantha Kingston dies and she knows she has died.  But when she wakes up, it's February 12, again, and again, and again and so on.  She knows that because she has the power to change things, she can and will.  But is it what she needs to stay alive or help her friends stay alive?

With each chapter representing the day that she is repeating, Sam learns that her friends may not be the type of friends that you want around.  Or the boyfriend really isn't the one who quickens her heart.  That the girl that everyone pokes fun of, may have plans that are quite dire and needs help that no one can sense.  But after reliving the day for seven days, Sam thinks she finally has the answers to right the wrong that has happened.

Lauren Oliver creates a tightly woven story of bitchy, mean girls that you just don't like.  And honestly you don't want to like them.  But as Sam navigates her life and sees what is important, you understand that what is done and how people are aren't necessarily their true selves.  Sams friends are shallow, drunken and don't care about anyone else except themselves.  Or how many roses they get on Cupid Day.  Or how getting into a car at a certain time can mean destruction for people around them.

I really enjoyed the lesson learned and the ambiguous ending.  Which is strange because I'm not about ambiguous endings.  But it was satisfying.  I literally read through every page wondering where was this going next? because I just couldn't figure it out.  Sam grew on me and Sam herself realized that she was growing up too.  I highly recommend this book for the older teen crowd (14+).  You'll find yourself rooting for the mean girls and you realize they do have humility.

Almost finished with Before I Fall...

And I'm really enjoying it.  Just wanted to announce that my next book will be The Everafter by Amy Huntley.  I've heard really good things about it and I guess it's keeping with the theme of what I'm reading now.

So what is everyone else reading during their challenges?  I'm curious.  Is there a book out there that you just can't wait to read?  Let me know!

Chat with Richelle Mead of Vampire Academy fame!

Hi there!

We’re hitting the ground running with all sorts of fun stuff for spring, starting with a live online chat with Richelle Mead, author of the New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series. The chat will be taking place on Thursday, January 7^th in our Publisher’s Office Watercooler at 8:00 PM EASTERN time. Here’s the link (you can even sign up for a reminder if you think you’ll forget!): 

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishersoffice/subcontent/watercooler.html

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

The lovely J. Kaye is hosting a young adult reading challenge that I've decided to participate in.  Yes, I know I'm three days late, but oh well!  So this is the one I've decided to join:


--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.


I will be posting over at J. Kaye's blog as I finish the books.  I will link from here to there so you can also keep track of what I'm reading.  I will also take recommendations from my readers.  So keep an eye out when I post a rec reading challenge!


So my first book right now is:


1. Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver.  Some thoughts on the first 50 pages.  I don't like the protagonist.  She comes across as demeaning and just plain mean.  I would never have been friends with the group that she hangs out with.  This book definitely has a "Mean Girls" vibe to it.  Perhaps if protag was nicer, I could understand what she is going through, but right now she's got a lot to learn and this is NOT a small book.

Resolutions for 2010

1.  Read More books.  I failed miserably in 2009!

2.  Send out books in a timely manner.  I failed miserably in 2009

3. Comment more on other blogs.  I failed miserably in 2009

4. Post more often, and strive to have that once-a-week review thingy that I promised.  I failed miserably in 2009

5. Not allow other bloggers to bother me anymore.  I run my blog how I see fit. I failed miserably in 2009

6.  Try to work on more memes.  I failed miserably in 2009.

7.  Work harder on keeping my followers happy and keep them coming back. I failed miserably in 2009

8.  Try to really hone my reviewing skills.  Take notes if I have to.

9.  Read all of the books I have on my bookshelf.  I can do it!

10.  Start off the year reading Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and healthy venture into the New Year.  Let's make 2010 a smashing good time!

Oh and one more:

10a.  Interview more authors! :)