“If I knew then what I know now, I never would’ve sent that text. I wouldn’t have done a lot of things. Yeah, if my life were a movie, I’d go back and edit out all the bad stuff. Leave it all on the cutting room floor.

But I can’t. And now I will have to pay.

Big time.”

~Dez, p. 7 of The Cutting Room Floor

Dez and Riley grew up as next door neighbors in the Heights, and they’ve always been close friends. But Dez secretly loves Riley. In fact, it’s more like an obsession. Dez goes to great lengths to interfere with Riley’s love life behind the scenes in the hopes that they end up together. But the problem is that Riley only sees him as a friend. She still has feelings for her ex, Emma, even though Emma outed her to the school and sent her to “social death row”. Tori, mean girl and mayor’s daughter, makes Riley’s life miserable as much as possible and teachers ingore the verbal abuse she endures.

The only teacher that Riley has ever trusted and truly connected with, Mrs. Dunn, was brutally murdered inside the school. Riley starts investigating the circumstances surrounding Mrs. Dunn’s death and makes some shocking discoveries that make her start questioning who she can really trust. She also discovers how Mrs. Dunn was connected to the mayor, which causes her to dig even further for clues and attempt to be friendly with Tori in order to gather more evidence.

The Cutting Room Floor was an intriguing, suspenseful read that kept me entertained as the show more clues unraveled and multiple characters became suspects. I really enjoyed the interesting use of the filmmaking theme--many scenes were written as if you’re seeing through the eyes of a film director. Flashback sequences were included frequently to reveal characters’ backstories. Also, the point of view switched back and forth between Dez and Riley, which kept things interesting and moved the plot along. There were a lot of secondary characters to keep track of, but Stella really stood out as someone who was a great friend to Riley and who accepted her for who she was. While some of the characters seemed a bit over the top, Stella seemed pretty normal and believable.

As a librarian, I think it has high teen appeal with its themes of bullying, self-discovery, and pursuing your passion. But older readers looking for a suspenseful thriller will also find something to enjoy. show less

An eerie remote island, secret scientific experiments, and a dangerous discovery--these elements and more had me hooked on this story from the beginning. The story focused on 3 main characters, and each chapter followed the events surrounding Sophie, Jim, or Lux. I think first person point of view would have worked better for me than third person (but that’s probably just a personal reading preference.) The setting really came to life on the page, and I could picture it very well. The plot moved quickly and was full of twists and turns. The suspense and chilling atmosphere grew as the story progressed. I was never really sure which characters to trust! Vitro was a fast-paced and action-packed read that kept me entertained. I haven’t read the companion novel Origin yet, but I will definitely be picking that one up now!

I've enjoyed Miranda Kenneally's previous books, and Racing Savannah is another great addition to the Hundred Oaks series. It could be read as a standalone, but it's more fun if you read the other 3 books first and get to know those great characters. In Racing Savannah we get little glimpses into where they are now!

I really like Savannah. She's tough and unafraid of going after what she wants in life. She stands up for herself and doesn't let anyone treat her poorly. Family is important to her, and she works hard to help her dad as much as she can financially. Over the course of the novel, she demonstrates growth as she learns not to judge rich people all the same.

I found myself alternately loving and hating Jack (much like Savannah!). He's not perfect, and he makes some mistakes, but ultimately he does redeem himself and show some character growth, too. Also, Savannah and Jack have great chemistry, and the kissing scenes are definitely swoon-worthy!

The secondary characters are a nice addition, especially Rory and Vanessa. I love that Savannah is able to have a close guy friend that is purely platonic - no love triangle here. And Rory and Vanessa's blossoming relationship is just too adorable.

I don't really know much about horse racing, but it was fun to live vicariously through Savannah in that world. The setting was well-described and I felt like I was there. It really made me want to visit Franklin, Tennessee again.

Pick this one up if you're looking for an engaging show more coming-of-age story with a sweet romance and realistic characters. show less

Elena (Lena) Rodriguez, an Army doctor, has been deployed for a year and is about to come home for the holidays. She has received an anonymous love letter every month, plus one for her birthday. Through these letters, the secret admirer has stolen her heart, and she’s anxious to finally meet him face to face on Christmas morning. Because of the small town gossip included in the letters, Lena is pretty sure the letter writer is someone that she already knows--she just can’t figure out who! I liked reading the little snippets from the letters, but I wish some longer parts had been included too so that we could see why Lena was so touched by them.

Zack Benson is best friends with Lena’s brother Mike and has grown up alongside the Rodriguez family. Zack and Lena have a close friendship and have always treated each other like brother and sister. Neither knows the other’s true feelings. Lena has had a secret crush on Zack since her early teens. Zack also has feelings for Lena that he has kept hidden all this time. He regrets waiting so long to pursue a romantic relationship. Zack hopes that Lena will give him a chance once she realizes it was him writing those love letters all along.

Letters from Home is a sweet story of a friendship that blossoms into something more. It’s a novella around 100 pages long, but despite the short length the characters were well-developed. Lena is a hard-working, motivated person who has never given herself the time to date or have a show more relationship. Zack, a former soldier himself, admires her dedication and understands her sacrifices.

Zack is definitely my type--a tall, handsome, military man with blue eyes and curly brown hair. Oh, and he’s also thoughtful and romantic, let’s not forget that! I love the way he treats Lena. Lena tries to fight her growing feelings for him as she waits for her Christmas surprise from the letter writer, not knowing it is actually Zack.

Just when I thought I had the ending all figured out, the Christmas morning scene surprised me with a dramatic twist. I was a little annoyed at that, but only because I’ve read a handful of books lately that used a similar plot twist.

Overall, I enjoyed this quick and satisfying novella. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an uplifting holiday romance. show less

Lili is a social worker who left her small town to take a job as a case manager in Pediatric Surgery at Philadelphia Hospital. Due to budget issues, resources had to be reallocated and case managers started to rotate on different surgery services. At the beginning of the story, Lili had just started a new rotation in Neurosurgery. Her first encounter with the sexy, chiseled Dr. Chase Colton, Chief of Neurosurgery, left her awestruck. Their mutual attraction was instant and magnetic. She was then invited into the OR for surgeries in which the patient was woken up mid-procedure. Very quickly, Lili and Chase’s relationship moved from professional to personal as they were unable to ignore their intense connection. Over time, they had to help one another come to terms with their traumatic pasts in order to move on and find true happiness together.

When I first read Beautifully Awake’s description, I knew it would appeal to me since I’m such a big fan of medical dramas on TV. As promised, there was a glimpse into the daily workings of a hospital and its staff. We got to know Guy--the 3rd year resident with a bit of a crush on Lili, Sam--the intern, Jackson--the physician assistant, Leanne--the nurse, and Kate from the recovery room. And we also got to see what happens in the on-call room, if you know what I’m saying. ;) I’m not sure how realistic all of these medical details and scenarios were, but it was fun to read anyway.

I had mixed feelings about Chase as a love show more interest. He was attractive, mysterious, and an unselfish lover. He treated Lili well, wining and dining her in New York City and spoiling her with designer shopping sprees. But at the same time he was extremely possessive, which was a big turn off for me, and some of his lines were too cheesy for my taste.

Lili and Chase’s chemistry was off the charts. This story was more explicit than the romances I usually read, so be prepared for some seriously steamy scenes. But it wasn’t all lust and passion--Lili and Chase connected on a much deeper level, too. Once they finally opened up about their pasts, they helped each other start to trust again and let go of guilt.

Some of my favorite secondary characters were the best friends. Sierra, Lili’s pregnant BFF, wasn’t afraid to tell her the truth and was always there to support her and listen to her problems. Sierra also provided a lot of comic relief with her pregnancy stories. Asher was also a great friend to Chase, and toward the end of the story, Lili found herself wondering why Asher was still single. I was thinking the same thing while reading. It turns out that the next book in the series will tell Asher’s story!

I recommend Beautifully Awake to anyone looking for a sexy and entertaining read about two broken people who help one another heal their emotional wounds. show less

I have to confess that I've never seen Bethenny's reality shows, and I haven't yet had a chance to catch her new daytime talk show on the air. But I have watched Bethenny make several appearances on Ellen's talk show and have tried several of her Skinnygirl products, so I was interested in listening to this audiobook and hearing what she had to say.

Bethenny shared practical tips for improving many different areas of your life and gave examples from her own day-to-day life with plenty of details on how she manages to fit it all in. Each chapter was packed full of useful information. You know when you're browsing Pinterest and you come across a new idea for simplifying your life, and you ask yourself "Why did I never think of that before?!" Well, this book made me ask that question several times. I found several new ideas to try among all the tips on cooking, cleaning, organizing, travelling, entertaining, using a smartphone for time management, and more.

I really enjoyed the section which discussed diet and exercise, and I liked Bethenny's philosophy of eating with common sense--no foods are off limits and no-calorie counting allowed. Think of your diet as a bank account--just keep it in balance and check yourself so you don't go overboard. Then you can enjoy everything in moderation. As someone who can become a bit obsessive with numbers if I start counting calories or weighing myself too often, this is something I needed to hear! I appreciated her honesty about healing show more her unhealthy relationship with food and exercise, and loved the advice to never use food as a reward or exercise as a punishment. Now I'm interested in reading Naturally Thin for more of her advice on common sense healthy living.

I recommend Skinnygirl Solutions to fans of Bethenny and anyone who wants to get a jump start on their New Year's Resolutions show less

Sixteen-year-old Angel Moncoeur dreams of becoming a top fashion designer while her best friend Lily aspires to be a famous stage actress someday. Both girls are talented and driven, but they come from different backgrounds. Angel’s mom, Simone, is a housekeeper employed by Lily’s dad, Philip. Philip’s social climbing girlfriend Margot and her spoiled daughter Clarissa stay with the girls while he goes to South America. As Angel is putting the finishing touches on her Teen Couture fashion competition entry, she discovers that Clarissa has stolen her designs in an attempt to pass them off as her own. With a 1st prize of $50,000 and the chance to work in designer Antoine Vidal’s Paris salon, Angel desperately wants to win the competition. When Lily’s estranged grandmother invites her to Paris for two weeks, Angel goes in her place and pretends to be Lily in order to expose Clarissa’s theft.

I really enjoyed reading this modern Cinderella tale! It was interesting to read about a talented girl pursuing her passion. I loved all the vivid descriptions of the gorgeous designer fashions, and I could really feel how much Angel loved creating her own designs.

While the Teen Couture competition was the main plot point, there was a sweet romantic storyline as well. Nick, Lily’s childhood friend, fell for Angel before he knew her true identity, and Angel struggled with how soon she should reveal the truth. I have a weakness for cute boys with British accents, so I was show more immediately swooning over Nick! I felt like I was there in Paris with Nick as he took Angel to art museums, the Eiffel Tower, and other attractions. It definitely gave me the travel bug and made me want to visit Paris again.

As you might expect from a fairy tale retelling, The Cinderella Moment does have some predictable elements. However, there were also several surprises in the plot, especially toward the end. Family secrets were revealed in a twist that I personally did not see coming. The ending was satisfying and heartwarming.

The secondary characters were intriguing, especially Lily (a.k.a. the best friend ever!). I would love to read a story about her pursuing her acting career. Jennifer Kloester is an author I will definitely keep on my radar, and I hope to see more novels from her in the future. show less

Wow, what a powerful little book! With few words it made a big emotional impact. It's amazing how much someone can say in such a small space. The artwork and stories included were poetic, beautiful, and sometimes whimsical. I found myself bookmarking several of them and wishing I could blow them up as posters for my wall.

Now I have Volumes 1 and 2 on my wishlist and can't wait to read them! In the meantime I'll be exploring the hitRECord.org website.

If you're a fan of projects like Six Word Memoirs, PostSecret, and StoryPeople, I encourage you to give this book a try. This is a quick read, but it's one that will stick with you long after you've finished the book. I know it's a book I'll return to again and again.

I was first drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover, and the title sounded interesting, too. (I actually thought it was set in space before I read the plot description!) After seeing so many of my fellow bloggers and librarians give it 4- or 5-stars, I knew I needed to finally start this series. I haven't read Persuasion, but I don't think that affected my enjoyment at all. It does make me want to pick up the Austen novel and see how they compare!

The world-building was excellent, and the characters were believable and relatable. I really admired Elliot as a character who was born into a rigid caste system, questioning the values she was raised with. She had to choose duty over following her own heart's desires, but she still quietly rebelled in her own way. The ethical issues that were raised in the story were thought provoking, and I found myself wondering what I would have done in Elliot's situation.

I loved the way that letters were inserted in between chapters because the told the story of how Elliot and Kai's friendship grew in the past despite the cultural obstacles they faced. The letters also showed character growth over time for both Elliot and Kai. And that last letter - ah! My heart!

I'm looking forward to picking up Across a Star-Swept Sea next and returning to this fascinating world.

I was really impressed with this novel in verse told from 3 different points of view. Each character had a distinct voice and was honest, raw, and relatable. I think the choice to tell the story from 3 different perspectives was important because it reminds us that everyone has private struggles and issues to work through, even if their life seems great on the outside.

I think this book would be a great addition to a public library's YA collection. Give it to fans of the novels in verse by Ellen Hopkins or those who like character-driven novels about real life issues.

I had been in a sort of reading slump lately, and this was just the book I needed to bring me out of it! I flew through it and finished it in a day, which is rare for me.

It was great to continue Anna and Bennett's story, and I have to say that I enjoyed reading from Bennett's point of view even more than Anna's. For some reason I just connected with his character more, and it was really interesting to be inside his head as he grappled with difficult decisions about how to use his ability.

Sometimes I get nervous about reading time-travel stories because the plots and timelines can confuse me, but this story was easy for me to follow despite Bennett's shifting between past, present, and future. I think I'll be more likely to pick up stories featuring time travel in the future.

While the plot was interesting, my favorite thing about this book was the characters and their relationship. Anna and Bennett's romance felt real and I was really invested in finding out what would happen to them and how Bennett's ability would affect them. If you're looking for a satisfying, emotional love story with a time-travel twist, look no further than Time After Time!

First of all, that cover is gorgeous! It's what initially drew me to this book, and I was not disappointed.

The F-It List was a quick and enjoyable read, which seems strange to say given the seemingly depressing subject matter. Alex's sarcastic, sometimes crude sense of humor and her witty banter with Becca helped to lighten the mood a bit. I loved their strong friendship and how they were able to forgive one another for mistakes made.

Alex had a lot on her plate between dealing with grief over her father's death, helping Becca complete her bucket list, and recognizing her growing feelings for Leo (as Leo also dealt with his own family tragedy).

Fair warning -- there was some cursing (the title should tip you off to that) and some descriptions of sexual encounters. But don't let that deter you from reading--it would be a shame to miss out on this engaging story of grief, friendship, and love.

I was intrigued the premise of this novel--the description sounded a little similar to the story in P.S. I Love You, a book and movie adaptation that I really enjoyed. (Side note--I think The Life List would make a great movie, too!) While I enjoyed the plot, I found it to be pretty predictable. Plus some of the goals were accomplished by convenient coincidences, so it wasn't totally believable to me that everything would fall in to place so easily by the end. But if you are looking for a comforting, inspiring read, this one will do the trick. It will make you think about your childhood dreams that you've abandoned and remind you never to settle.

The audiobook narrator does a great job of portraying Brett's emotional journey, and I felt a deeper connection to the character while listening than I would have if I was reading the print book. She does distinguish between characters' voices as well, which is helpful. The production was crisp and clear, and it made for an enjoyable commute while I listened to this story.

Give The Life List a try if you like stories about family relationships, love, and going after your dreams.

It's always exciting when a new Meg Cabot book comes out! I was looking forward to this one, and I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy.

I enjoyed the previous Heather Wells mysteries, and The Bride Wore Size 12 was no exception. While it could be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous books so you can truly appreciate Heather's character growth throughout the series. In this book, I could really tell she had matured and grown more confident in herself and her abilities.

There were several subplots going on at once--the dead RA, the trouble-making VIR (Very Important Resident)living in the residence hall, Heather's wedding, family issues, etc. But despite what could have been dark and depressing subject matter, the story is told in a lighthearted, entertaining way.

I loved the ending of The Bride Wore Size 12. I'm not sure if this is the end of the series...but if so, it ended on a great note. Definitely check out this book and the rest of the series if you like light, fun mysteries with a bit of romance.

I’m normally not a big fan of vampire books, but I decided to give this one a try based on the description alone. I’m glad I did because it definitely offered a unique and interesting vision of vampires.

The world building was really well done. It was fascinating to learn Coldtowns were formed to see how the world reacted to the vampirism outbreak. Vampires were feared but romanticized at the same time. The structure of the novel added to the excellent world building. Chapters alternated between present day action and shorter chapters that flashed back to characters’ experiences in the past. This showed not only their personal experiences but also how the world changed as vampirism spread.

The vampires in this book were scary and attractive at the same time. Before, I never really understood the attraction to vampires (I mean, I was on Team Jacob while reading the Twilight series), but this book helped me understand the attraction a little more. I think it has one of the best kissing scenes I’ve ever read! Tana has a love interest, but there is no love triangle, which is refreshing for a change.

This was my first time reading Holly Black, and I will definitely seek out more of her books!
As far as I know, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a standalone novel. The plot was nicely wrapped up at the end, but I wouldn’t mind reading more books set in this world. If you’re looking for a good read with a creepy, chilling atmosphere with action and a bit of romance, give show more this one a try! show less

As soon as I read the book description, I was intrigued. I’m a fan of the television show Revenge as well as Pretty Little Liars, and I thought that this book sounded like something I would enjoy. In the end, I didn’t love it, but I did have fun listening to the audiobook. I can definitely see the teen appeal in this dark and intense mystery.

While reading a story from four different points of view was cool, I never really connected with any of the characters, probably because this novel is more plot-driven than character-driven. Nevertheless, it was entertaining to put the pieces together as more and more plot details were revealed about what really happened the night of Willa’s drowning.

I have no complaints about the audiobook production. The sound was clear and the narrator had a pleasant voice. I was impressed with her ability to differentiate between the four main characters’ voices as well as many secondary characters. I always knew who was speaking. Plus, I loved that it was a really quick listen—sometimes I have a short attention span when it comes to audiobooks, and this one was the perfect length! I’d recommend this to teen readers who enjoy fast-paced mysteries.

In my recent review of Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls, I discussed my personal history with fandoms, starting with 'N Sync (words cannot describe how excited I was when they briefly reunited at the VMAs!). Well, I am proud to say that I am definitely a Rainbow Rowell fangirl! I've read all of her published books so far and plan to read everything else she writes.

It was fun to read excerpts from the Simon Snow stories and Cath's fanfiction. It helped me imagine the books as having a following on the level of Harry Potter.

One thing I really love about Rowell's book is the characters. They are flawed and realistic, but you can't help identifying with them and rooting for them. I really identified with Cath's introvertedness and awkwardness. (I probably would have avoided the dining hall, too, if it weren't for the fact that I roomed with a high school friend so I had a built-in security blanket.) I also love how the characters grow in her stories. Cath had to find her own way in college and also deal with her family issues, neither of which came easy to her.

The following paragraph is slightly spoilerish, so you may want to skip it!
Another thing Rowell is great at is making me develop crushes on the boys in her books. (In my notes for this review, I have a line that just says "LEVI!!!") There is no insta-love in her books. It's more of a slow burn romance, which is the best kind. The scene where Cath is reading to Levi...swoon! And that first kiss scene. WOW. That's all I can show more say about that.

Can we get more well-written books set during the college years, please? I'd love to read them! And can we get another Rainbow Rowell novel ASAP? I think I've gushed long enough...time to close by saying that you should definitely purchase a copy of this book or request that your local library purchase it. It was the top pick for the September 2013 Library Reads list! show less

I loved Throne of Glass, but Crown of Midnight is even better. "WOW!" is all I could think after I finished. (I'm still trying to formulate coherent thoughts, but I'll do the best I can to write this review.)

The characters are so vivid and real and awesome. Just don't get too attached to any characters in particular because Maas is not afraid to kill off characters we love! I guess you have to expect a certain amount of bloodshed in a book revolving around an assassin, you know?

The world building is really well done. In this book, we learn a lot more about the history of magic in the kingdom and the secrets that Celaena has discovered. (Some of the questions I had from the previous book were answered.) We also get a lot more information about Celaena's own background, including a HUGE reveal at the end that totally surprised me. What an ending! Can we have the next book NOW, please?!

I love that this fantasy novel has elements of action, mystery, and romance intertwined. While there are two potential love interests, Caleana makes her choice and sticks with it. Their relationship is definitely up and down like a rollercoaster, but there are happy times to read about in the midst of all the loss and tragedy.

So basically, you need to drop whatever you're reading and start this series now so that you're ready to read Crown of Midnight when it releases on August 27. You'll be glad you did!

Open Mic is a quick, humorous read in which ten different authors share how their cultural identity shaped their experiences growing up. It gives readers a chance to walk in someone else's shoes for a while and learn what it's like to grow up in a different culture. I enjoyed every piece, and I appreciated how several different formats were used to tell their stories. I tried to pick a favorite selection, but I think they were all fairly well-written and entertaining. I wish it had been longer and included even more voices! This would be a great addition to a K-12 school library or a public library YA collection.

I'm always nervous about stories with alternate narrators because sometimes you can't really distinguish between the characters. However, that was not the case here. Emmy (love that name!) and Justin have unique voices and they both acted like real teenagers.

The extended cast of characters was an interesting bunch, and all the teens at Heartland came to life as we got to know more about their backstories. I appreciated the bonds that they formed and the ways that they worked together to help one another overcome their problems.

Personally, I had a few issues with the way that eating disorders were portrayed, and I felt like the romantic relationship was unnecessary to the story as I was far more interested in Emmy's relationships with her family members. Overall, though, I was entertained by this book and ending up laughing quite a few times and rooting for the characters to work out their issues. I think teens will like it!

WOW. That was my immediate reaction after finishing this novel! It was so gripping, thought-provoking, and real. It was an intense and suspenseful read, and the pages flew by as I just had to know what would happen next. I wanted to know what Asher did in order to make Leonard feel that he had no choice but to kill him. And I was on the edge of my seat hoping that someone would interfere or something would make Leonard change his mind so that he wouldn't follow through with his sinister plans. I didn't think I would ever sympathize with a character like Leonard, but I totally did. And Herr Silverman...what an amazing character!

The format of the story was unique, incorporating footnotes, poetry, and letters from the future. .

I feel like I'm going to start gushing if I try to write any more, and I'm not sure I can really put my thoughts into words without spoiling the story too much. So I'll leave you with a quote from a really awesome review of this book by Sarah from Forever Young Adult (posted on Kirkus Reviews):

"Pro-tip: Never, ever play Paper Rock Scissors with Matthew Quick. Because he will always win with paper. You could have the sharpest pair of finger scissors, and dude will come out of nowhere with a piercing page of words and DESTROY YOU."

In a way, I'm kind of glad I didn't get around to starting this series when it was originally published. It's really nice to be able to read series books back to back and not have a year or two of waiting time in between! I was excited to be able start Hallowed soon after finishing Unearthly.

Second books in a trilogy can sometimes be disappointing, but Hallowed was great. There were so many
plot twists and reveals that I didn't see coming. The characters showed growth, and the love triangle got even more interesting...I don't have a clear favorite at this point. While there were some dark and emotional moments, there was still quite a bit of the humor that I loved in the first book. I'm really looking forward to Boundless!

This was a fun read that I can see middle grade readers really enjoying. I think anyone with siblings can relate to Sunday's feeling of being overlooked. While the family dynamics were a big part of the story, the mystery added another interesting element to it. I loved the idea of finding a hidden manuscript in the basement of the library--how exciting! It was pretty easy to solve the mystery myself before the characters finally figured it out, though.

Sunday is faced with an ethical dilemma once she realizes what will happen once she reveals the secrets she's discovered. Readers will find themselves wondering how they would react in that situation.

A Summer of Sundays will appeal to young readers looking for a light mystery with a charming small town setting and a relatable main character.

Besides reading, my other interests (obsessions?) are music and organizing. I even had a part-time job at The Container Store last fall, which only deepened my love for all things organizing.

"Everything I pass suddenly seems useful to living a more orderly life, and my cart quickly fills. I keep saying to myself, Do people know about this place?" -The Tao of Martha

I identified with the author's quest to improve her home because I'm always on the lookout for tips on home decor, organization, and cleaning (clearly, I'm a Pinterest addict).

"There is nothing more soul satisfying and therapeutic than rearranging a room." - The Tao of Martha

Every time I read one of her books it's like sitting down with a close friend to catch up. I'm a big fan of Lancaster's memoirs, and once again she delivered a funny and relatable story. She's not afraid to make fun of herself and to admit when her attempts at living the Martha Stewart lifestyle go awry.

"Underneath all the junk, I unearth 3 boxes of my favorite kinds of pens, 2 bags of the mechanical pencils I really like, a pair of Gucci sunglasses, and $17.32 in loose change. I also find rock bottom because clearly this is what I've hit." - The Tao of Martha

I'm glad that I decided to listen to this book because Lancaster narrates it herself. I think it really enhanced my enjoyment because she has great comedic timing and also conveys her emotions very well through the narration. I hope that she narrates more of her own books in the future!

Surrender to Sultry is the third and final book in the Sultry Springs series, and it's another great romance filled with humor and heart. It was fun to finally read Colt and Leah's story (with some appearances from the great characters from Sultry with a Twist and A Shot of Sultry that we've grown to love, too!). This book could be read alone, but I definitely recommend going back and reading the others, too.

The setting and the characters really came to life in this story. Colt and Leah were both realistic, flawed characters who had to overcome their past mistakes and learn to forgive one another (and themselves). They had me rooting for them despite the odds stacked against them.

If you're looking for a romance series that is both sweet and sexy, give the Sultry Springs series a try!

I’m no stranger to fandoms--my first fandom was ‘N Sync, and I just HAD to own all the albums (including import CDs), put dozens of posters on my wall, set the VCR to record all their TV appearances, and go to their concerts every time they were in the Midwest. I remember visiting fan websites and waiting impatiently for pictures to load (back in the dial up internet days). I read fanfiction and even tried writing it once. I bought all kinds of ‘N Sync merchandise, but my most prized item was a towel that I caught when they threw it into the audience. Only my family and closest friends knew the true extent of my fangirling--I tried not to let too many other people see that side of me because I was worried they’d judge me or make fun of me.

Nowadays I am more willing to let my fangirl flag fly. I go to midnight premieres of movies based on my favorite books, I get to book signings so early sometimes that I’m first or second in line, and I even go to my favorite artists’ concerts by myself if none of my friends are free because I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity. Life is too short to be embarrassed about the things you enjoy, you know? (And while I don’t have posters covering my walls anymore, a quick glance at my Pinterest boards will tell you that I still have music, books, TV shows, and movies that I’m very passionate about!)

I was really excited when I first heard about this book. Even though I’ve only seen a few episodes of Supernatural, I show more knew I could relate to the topic of fandom! Fangasm touches on many aspects of fandom, including reading and writing fan fiction, making fan pilgrimages, attending fan conventions, becoming part of a fan community, and so much more. It examines the negative ways we react to fan behavior, even from within the fandom itself sometimes.

For those unfamiliar with the language of fandom, Fangasm includes a Glossary of Terms so you can learn all the relevant lingo (for example, “shipping” and “OTP”). The authors share some research from the field of fan studies as well as anecdotes from their own experiences as Supernatural fans. While many of their stories made me smile or laugh, they also made me think critically about what it means to be a fan and the relationship between fans and creators. This book challenges fan shame and shares insights from the perspectives of both the fans and the creators. It's also a fun read that a lot of people can relate to. show less

I don't typically read a lot of books with angels as characters, but Unearthly was highly recommended by readers I trust, so I'm glad I finally gave it a shot during the Radical Read-along!

I really liked Clara. Even though she was an angel blood, she still acted like a normal teenager. She had a great sense of humor and still had her awkward moments even with all her amazing angel abilities.

I'm not a huge fan of love triangles in books, and for a while I wasn't really favoring either Christian or Tucker. But later on in the book we got to know both characters much better and found out a secret one of them was hiding, and the love triangle became WAY more interesting. I'll be looking forward to seeing how everything goes romantically in the next book in the series.

While the romance aspect was a big part of the book, it wasn't the entire focus of the story. It was interesting to watch Clara's relationship with her mom grow and change as she grew closer to discovering her purpose. (And can I just say that I loved that Clara was the hero of the story! Yay for strong female characters that don't need to be saved by a boy.)

The main conflict was resolved, but there were still plenty of questions left unanswered at the end, so I'm looking forward to reading Hallowed. If you're hesitant about reading paranormal/angel stories, I urge you to give this one a try! It's a well written story with great characters, and it's a great start to a series.

First of all, let me just say that I adored the Nashville setting. I'm always on the lookout for books set in the Midwest (especially Indianapolis, Chicago, Louisville, and Nashville). Echols does a great job of bringing the setting to life, and I really felt like I was there with Bailey as she played gigs in Nashville. The setting alone was the main reason I chose to read this book, and it did not disappoint.

I identified with Bailey's love of song-writing and her weakness for country boys who sing and play guitar. :) Sam was very frustrating though!

The characters were authentic, and their dialogue felt real. I found myself wrapped up in the story and burning through the pages. I liked the way it ended, but I think everything was tied up a little too quickly and neatly and I wish the book was longer! I really would have liked to see more of Bailey and Julie's interactions, too.

I recommend this book if you're looking for a countrified love story with a protagonist who struggles to balance the pursuit of her dream career with her complicated family relationships. This is my first Jennifer Echols novel, and I plan to read more in the future.

Story
It's been a rainy spring/summer here, so I was definitely excited to pick up a beach read and live vicariously through the characters. When I started reading, I was immediately transported back to Colby (a familiar setting that I loved in Along for the Ride), a small beach town in tourist season.

What I love most about Dessen's novels are her strong characters and her realistic depictions of family relationships and friendships. I identified with Emaline and her confusion about where to go and what to do after high school. The summer before college is such an interesting time in a person's life, and I love reading stories about it. This one was no exception!

I normally swoon over the love interests in Dessen's novels, but for some reason I just wasn't feeling either Luke or Theo. I'm glad the book wasn't entirely focused on the romance angle. It was interesting to see Emaline work through family issues and ultimately choose to take her own path for the future.

Audio
I tend to gravitate toward the audio versions of Dessen's stories. The narrator's always do a fabulous job, and Gallerani is no exception. She sounded believable as an older teen and made Emaline's character come alive. The sound and production quality were excellent, and it was a pleasant listening experience. I will continue to listen to Sarah Dessen books (and also put the hardcovers on my shelf because they are just so pretty!).

I was first drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover art, and then I noticed the author's name. Susan Crandall is a local author whose work I have enjoyed (Seeing Red was my first foray into romantic suspense, and I thoroughly enjoyed it). Whistling Past the Graveyard appealed to me because I love coming of age stories set in the south, especially during the Civil Rights era.

Starla's voice was strong and authentic, and the dialect fit well with the setting and time period. (I had to smile at all the humorous figures of speech as they reminded me of things my mom says: nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, madder than a hornet, etc.). I loved watching Starla grow as a character and learn difficult lessons about life, love, and family. And Eula's story was heartbreaking yet ultimately inspiring.

The plot was fast-moving, and full of suspenseful twists and turns. I wasn't quite sure how the characters were going to get themselves out of the messes they were in, but I thought the ending was perfect.

I recommend Whistling Past the Graveyard to fans of southern stories like The Secret Life of Bees, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, and The Help.