The Market by J.M. Steele

Title: The Market
Author: J.M. Steele
ISBN: 9781423100164
Publisher: Hyperion Books/Disney

Summary:
"High School Senior Kate Winthrop is about to find out just how much she's worth.

After stumbling across the Millbank Social Stock Market (MSSM), Kate's horrified to discover that out of the 140 girls in her class, she's ranked a bleak 71. Sure, she's not drop-dead gorgeous, and her fashion choices leave a bit to be desired... but 71?! Determined not to accept her fate as a "junk bond," she and her best friends quickly set out to make her the fastest rising stock on the Market.

Armed with a sexy new haircut and killer wardrobe, Kate puts their plan into effect - and the analysts take note. In a matter of weeks, her stock value soars, and "Blue Chip" status is within reach. But what begins as a fun social experiment quickly turns into an obsession, one that threatens to ruin her reputation, friendships, and a chance at first love. Will Kate survive the highs and lows of the Market, or will her security crash and burn?"
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First Lines:

"Somewhere in the distance I heard a cell phone ringing, and I slipped in unnoticed through the side door. Gretchen's kitchen was crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with kids from Millbank, and the smell of sweat hung in the air."
Page 3
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Review:

Well, that little teaser of the first lines really didn't do the book much justice. It was the start of a party scene - one where Kate realizes the whole market system in place at her school. You know, I'm a little torn between thinking the idea of ranking people in high school is a horrible, terrible, unforgivable thing to do and it being a little bit fun. Of course, thinking that it's fun is only in the context of a high school - where drama reigns anyway :).

The beginning of this book had me worried about what I was getting myself into. There was something about the way it was written that didn't seem to flow very easily - I had to concentrate to make sure I understood what things meant. It took me the first couple of chapters to realize we weren't in the summertime yet... just really close to it. I honestly thought they had all just graduated, not getting ready to. I dunno, I was just really thrown off.

But once I fully got into this book, I enjoyed it. The story became a lot clearer and more interesting. There was quite a bit of "Market Speak" that I had to work through a little, but that's a small thing. It's also one of those books that you can kinda see where things were headed - but there were a few things that surprised me. I was expecting one thing, but got another. Not that they were ever fully shocking, just not what I was expecting.

I think this book is going to be good for anyone looking for high school chick lit. It's probably even good for those middle grade readers who love to read about high schoolers :). And once I got past the beginning, it really was an easy read.

Oh, and "J.M. Steele" is a pseudonym, so I can't very well link ya in, can I?
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Other Blog Reviews:

Laurel's YA Book Reviews
Karin's Book Nook
Em's Bookshelf
Osceola Library Teens
Young Adult Bookworm

A little piece of happy!

What a great Friday so far! I've gotten my first award today - from The Serpentine Library. Can I just have a w000t for Librarians, please?! Thanks so much.



So, for the Bliss (Happy 101) award I'm supposed to list Ten things that make me happy. Let's see what I can come up with.

1. My wonderful Family
2. My amazing Fiance
3. My fantastic Friends
4. Candy Stores
5. Scrapbooking/Pictures
6. New books
7. Surprisingly, my job
8. Beautiful Sunsets
9. Fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies
10. Figuring out something complicated

And now I'm supposed to pass this award on to some wonderful bloggers. Hopefully none of these people have gotten the award already!

Wrighty at Wrighty's Reads
Greenbeanteenqueen
Maria at Fantasys Ink
Catherine at Words World and Wings
Sharon Loves Books and Cats

Friday Fill-In (2)

Friday Fill-In is a kinda fun meme that's hosted by Janet at the Friday Fill-In blog. Just fill in your answers!


1. Wouldn't it be easy to go home and go back to sleep!?

2. The weather is better than ever! (ohh, sorry... that was dripping with sarcasm. My bad.)

3. I love the taste of most anything candy-related. I have a candy problem.

4. My bedroom is in the living room. (I live in a studio apt. It's a little bigger than what you're imagining, but not much... and I have one room that's considered my "living space". Thanks NYC.)

5. The first thing we're going to do is figure out the best way to get out of doing any work today. I seem to have a great start .

6. squeek, squeek; drip, drip, drip; SPLASH!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being off work, tomorrow my plans include working, unfortunately and Sunday, I want to watch the Pro Bowl and be as lazy as possible!

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson

Title: Witch and Wizard
Author: James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
ISBN: 9780316036245
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Summary:
"Your books, music, and art - BANNED

You are holding an urgent and vital narrative that reveals the forbidden truth about these perilous times...

This is the astonishing testimonial of Wisty and Whit Allgood, a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and wizard.

They are not alone in their terrifying predicament. Thousandds of young people have been kidnapped. Some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared - for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic... and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.

Most copies of this story have already been seized, shredded, or burned. Read this rare, surviving edition and pass it along with care - before it's too late."
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First Lines:

It's overwhelming. A city's worth of angry faces staring at me like I'm a wicked criminal - which, I promise you, I'm not."
Page 3
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Review:

There's something kinda safe and happy about any of James Patterson's YA novels. I've never read any of his adult stuff, so I can't speak for that. But when you pick up one of his books, you know pretty much how the format is going to go... how the story is going to progress... and how long it will take you (not very, I promise).

This book was no different. The writing style is the same as all his other stuff, but I really still like it. It's easy, it's to the point, it flows well... and so on. Now, just because it's written well and all that doesn't necessarily mean I loved the story.

Don't get me wrong. I did like the story... I just didn't love it. I guess the premise was interesting (seeing as I picked it up and all), but there was something that seemed to be missing. Almost like there wasn't enough explanation about things to help me know what to think about things. The extra info probably wouldn't have jived with the flow of the book, so I'm sure that would have been cut.

I was also a little overwhelmed with all of the "W" stuff. Witch, Wizard, Whit, Wisty.... It was just a bit much. All of this isn't to say that I didn't enjoy the book. I did. I think it will be great for middle grade readers - ones who just want to stick their toes into fantasy stories. But I don't think this is for the more advanced, teen reader.

If I were recommending James Patterson to anyone, I would give them the Maximum Ride series over the others he has written. That one is just well fleshed out and you really end up adoring the characters. PS - Witch and Wizard totally had a shoutout to the bird kids of Maximum Ride! It stopped me in my tracks. So funny!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Bug
The Book Smugglers
A Book Dork
Young Adult Books Central
YA Book Nerd

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Title: The Hollow
Author: Jessica Verday
ISBN: 9781416978930
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Summary:
"When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead... and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again... but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her - one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian as well as her own sanity."
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First Lines:

"They said she killed herself. Everyone was saying it."
Page 1
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Review:

There are several things I loved about this book:
1. I really adored the fact that Abbey had such a clear hobby - the making of perfume. It's easily translated in the story to something the reader can imagine, feel, and experience throughout the book. It's also wonderful to see that both of the main characters had some seriously creative outlets to turn to. Drawing, making jewelry, creating perfumes, etc... it's just wonderful.
2. I also really loved that the whole story of The Sleepy Hollow ran throughout the book. I do realize that is necessary as the story takes place in Sleepy Hollow, but it gives the book a certain edge of mystery and intrigue.
3. The cover is absolutely beautiful - it's eye catching and uses the things from the story pretty well.

All that being said, this book was HUMONGOUS! I mean, seriously... 500 pages?! It was double spaced, too... which made it seem like the book could be half that size. I do get that those Twihards out there probably get prickles in their fangs about the size of the book.... but seriously. Ahem... anyway.

I really did enjoy the story here. It may have dragged out a bit longer than I had really anticipated, but it was good. There were times that I really wanted Abbey to snap out of her love-haze (but this might be a symptom of my having read too many teen romances lately).
SPOILER:
One thing that bothered me a little was how long it took for the story to get to the whole "ghost story" portion of the book. I mean, it's one of the main subjects for this book... but you barely get used to the idea before the book ends. Though, I do understand that the author is working on a second book with the same characters. So maybe this will be fleshed out a lot more in the next book.

You should really check out the author's website. I was just clicking around over there and realized I could purchase the scents from the book! How cool is that?!? I'm seriously thinking about it. I also had a little heart-flutter when I saw that Verday is living in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.... that's so close to where I'm from! Soooo cool!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
J. Kaye's Book Blog
Karin's Book Nook
Harmony Book Reviews
The Book Bug