Sunday Salon - 48 Hour Book Challenge - update 4 -

Finished:
Wings by Jason Lethcoe
Pgs: 63 (glossary and excerpt inc)
35 min to finish from last post

Story of Edward MacLeod who goes to Foundry school, school for misfits who can't survive anywhere else. Edward's there because his mom died and he was sent there. He's 6 1/2 ft tall and has an itch he can't scratch. Turns out he's a specially powerful Guardian. Interesting but a little confusing. Too much jumping around. The glossary in the back should have been in the front because it really helped. Book 2, Flight, sounds promising, will have to remember to pick it up from library.

Book Challenge Time:
Books: 3
Pgs: 832
Time: 14hr 30m

Finished:
Death Run by Jack Higgins
pgs: 62 to end
Time: 50m from last post

Not as good as Sure Fire. Lot more draggy. Jade's character was a real...didn't really care for her this time around. The coincidences piled up in this one and I had a hard time suspending disbelief. I'm sure I'll read the next one, Sharp Shot, but will get it from library instead of buying.

Book Challenge Time:
Books: 4
Pgs: 894
Time: 15hr 20m

This weekend I'm participating in the 48 hr. Book Challenge. I didn't set a goal as this is my first challenge. I only commit to buying a book for Color Online's Summer Book Drive for each book I finish. So far I owe them four books. Feel free to match my donations!

It's been tough for me, this challenge. I can't seem to get "into" any book. I keep stopping and starting or just thumbing through my piles of book or looking at past posts trying to decide what to read next. I have a few blog tours coming up that I could read for but suddenly none of those are pulling at my senses. What do you do when in a slump?

The challenge will finish at 8 pm EST for me, about 6 1/2 more hours. That can be one mid sized book or two short books. Not sure which to go for: something off my summer reads list or something off my book tour list or some random book pulled out of a hat? WWYD?

Anyway, that's my Sunday Salon for today. I need to read and do chores but will prolly just nap. Also have lots of homework to do and grocery shopping...::heavy sigh::...what's wrong with me?

PS: Total time is 16h 15m (reading/reviewing/networking) and 4 books.

In My Mailbox - June 7

Check out the picture of books that arrived at my house this week, either from stores, the library, or generous publishers and friends.

Library Loot!
It was a busy week at the library for me and I kept bringing books home. Not that I don't already have enough books in the house!

Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher - patron told me this was a good series, thought I'd check it out see if I should get for school.

Baseball Great by Tim Green - a student told me I should have these in the library. I think Green has written three of them.

Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez - on my Are You My Newbery list.

Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson - on my Are You My Newbery list.

Horrid Henry by Francesca Simon - received an email about these. Wanted to see what they were about before committing to anything.

Blog Tours:
These tours help me stay connected to the rest of the cool book bloggers out there as well as find authors whose work I may not come across. Here are two new July ones -

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
The Brain Lair Tour Date: July 9
Tour Dates: July 6 - July 10

Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed. Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Monday Giveaways
Month of July

This one's gonna be huge! There will be celebrations and giveaways throughout the YA blogosphere. We will kick off this event with a Twitter Party!! Mark your calendars boys and girls - let's see how many times @lisamantchev gets kicked off for too many tweets. Can she beat @SarahOckler's 5? You won't know unless you sign up and show up!

• Friday, July 10^th, from 4pm to 7pm (PST)


• Prizes given for best Opening Night outfit (black tie or ball gown/prom dress, accessories like tiara and opera gloves OR dressing as a character from the book.) Pictures will be compiled into a gallery for the Théâtre Illuminata website.


• Must be a follower of @lisamantchev or @TheCallBoard to win

I'll have a variety of fun filled activities here including Contest Mondays!

That's what I have - what about you? Have a great week and hope to see you on Monday! IMM is brought to you courtesy of The Story Siren, head on over if you want to sign up.

48 Hour Book Challenge - update 3

I'm in hr 36 of 48

Finished:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Flightsend by Linda Newbery

Started:
Death Run by Jack Higgins - 191 of 253
Wings by Jason Lethcoe - 150 of 197
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith - 32 0f 275
Miracle Girls by Drayton and Vanderbilt - 17 of 291

Waiting in the Wings:
Hunger by Michael Grant
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Gunn
Vanishing Sculptor by Donita K. Paul
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle by Nan Marino
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Shaffer
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson

I know I'll finish both Death Run and Wings. Not sure about anything else as I have a ton of laundry, grocery shopping, and general housekeeping that I've been neglecting and really need to get on! Especially the grocery shopping!

PS: Total time is 14hrs (reading/reviewing/networking), 2 bks, 769pgs

48 Hour Book Challenge - update 2 - Flightsend by Linda Newbery

Flightsend

Linda Newbery
David Fickling/Random House UK
Pgs: 242
Rdg Time: 3hr. 12m


Book Challenge Time
Books: 2
Total Pgs: 379
Time
Reading: 5h 3m
Twitter: 2h 9m

Writing
Charlie did not want to move. She was 16 yo and she had loved her neighborhood and her friends. Her mother, Kathy (such a great name!), wanted to start over. She wanted to get away from the people and the places that held so many memories for her, she want to put "...an end to...well everything that's gone wrong." (p. 6) So she found a place that wasn't so far that Charlie had to switch school but far enough for things to begin again. She and Charlie could move forward with questions or complications. It turns out Flight's End was just what they needed.

Arithmetic
I really enjoyed this book. Both Charlie and her mom were well-rounded characters who were allowed to grow, make mistakes, and even fix some of them. When I first met Kathy, I thought she was running away. Charlie says "they couldn't rebuild their lives on pills." (9) so I got the sense that something was missing and her mom didn't want to face it. Kathy grew more confident throughout the telling of the story. She comes to terms with her past and builds a better future. You also see Charlie becoming more sure of her place in the world.

"You've got me haven't you? Don't I count? Don't I mean anything to you? (27)

Moving to Flightsend means not hanging around after school, not seeing Rowan as much, and trying to determine where she fits in. I enjoyed seeing Charlie take on responsibilities but not lose the friendships from the past. I wish there had been more of Angus in the book because I was hoping for a relationship to develop between him and Charlie. He is exactly the type she needs. Maybe Ms. Newbery will do a sequel.

I found the story engaging and entertaining without making me maudlin. Ms. Newbery uses the phrase "new mood of optimistic vagueness" (10) and that's how the story starts but slowly shifts into something more real. I found her use of imagery fascinating and could conjure up each scene she wrote. I even liked the chapter headings, moving from Flightsend to Flight's End. I give it 4 copies! I will purchase it for the library, which unfortunately won't be until January 2010!

PS: Total time is 8hrs (including reviewing/networking), 2bks, 379pgs

Now time for dinner and some more networking!

48 Hour Book Challenge - update 1 - Twenty Boy Summer

Twenty Boy Summer
Sarah Ockler
Little, Brown
Pgs: 290
Rdg Time: Total for book 2hs 49 min

Book Challenge
Books - 1
Pgs - 137
Time:
Rdg: 1hr 51m
Twitter: 1hr 9m 20BoySummer Twitter Party

Writing:
Twenty Boy Summer tells the story of Anna and Francesca (aka Frankie), and Matt, three best friends. Francesca and Matt are brother and sister. Anna and Frankie are best friends. Matt and Anna? Anna's always loved him and they finally get together only to have Matt torn from her one measly month later. But they never told Frankie and now it seems like its too late. Frankie has enough hurt and the things she's doing to bury it can only cause problems later. But Frankie and Anna get a second chance and decide to have the absolute best summer ever: the A.B.S.E.

'Rithmetic
I enjoyed Sarah Ockler's writing style in this book. She has a way of juxtaposing the sad with the humorous and never downplaying either. Her details are vivid, when Frankie puts on her armor, we see it:

"Anna, I know things aren't great right now," she says. "But we need to confer on outfits. We have to coordinate in tone and style. And also, I need to borrow your silver dangle earrings." p. 254

Frankie was by far my favorite character. She felt real and 3 dimensional while Anna seemed more like a follower. I thought the pacing of the story was just right and I liked how Matt stayed with us throughout the entire book. I really "knew" him as a character.

I thought the parents weren't very well-drawn. I almost got to know Jayne, Frankie's mother, but then she faded into the background again. All the parents were completely clueless, and luckily, I don't know many parents that way. Yeah, some of us pretend to be blind, but these four were completely oblivious. I also didn't like the picture of virginity as something to be gotten rid of nor did I like how Anna had no feelings about it afterwards. I do think these are issues that a book club can discuss and even for moms to discuss with daughters. I would gladly give this book to Jess and then we could talk about things over our very own VaVa Vineapple Smoothies.

All in all, I give the book 4 copies. I will buy it for the library and put in the hands of small groups of mature young ladies. Don't tell the parents, though! j/k :)


PS - Total time is 3hrs 45 minutes to be adjusted for twitter time.

48 Hour Book Challenge - Go!

This is my first official post for the 48hr book challenge! It's not too late to join! - go here.

I'm reading Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler.
Pg. 152

It is 8pm. Check back with you later!

Friday Five - June 5

It's The Friday Five! Welcome - come on in!

1. Viola in Reel Life - check out this summary from PW:

"...Adriana Trigiani’s Viola in Reel Life. The first YA book from bestselling author Trigiani, the novel is the first in a series featuring Brooklyn teenager Viola Chesterton. Chesterton, a funny teen whose parents are globe-trotting documentary filmmakers, is forced to attend her mother’s alma mater, a stuffy boarding school in South Bend, Ind., called the Prefect Academy. Convinced she’ll hate Prefect and South Bend, Viola, who largely views the world from behind her camera, learns unexpected things about herself—and starts a romance—as a result of the move..."

People, I live in South Bend, Indiana!! IRL! OMW! This is a total must read for me. And..it just moved Very Valentine closer to the top of the reading pile! This is so rad!

2. Twitter Party - yes, you read that right! I'm going to a twitter party tonight! Come join @sarahockler for a night of fun and good times with to kickoff your summer of reading. We'll be discussing Twenty Boy Summer! What? You haven't read it? Get off the computer and read it!! NOW! This will be here when you get back! See you at the Twitter Party at 7pm EST!

3. 48 hr Book Challenge - I'll be starting this later today. Watch for my beginning post. I will be donating books from their wishlist to Color Online's Summer Book Drive. If you'd like to help out they have a wish list at Powell's. If you can't find their wishlist - use their email address - cora_litgroup@yahoo.com.

For each book I finish, I will buy them a book from the list.

4. Jane Carter Solution - seriously thinking of locing my hair. Right now it's twisted and I always undo it before it locs. Twisting takes about 2 hrs and my hair is short! Still, it's an easy do. I think I'm going to take the plunge sometime this summer...thoughts? Also, if you go to JCS - turn down the sound, it talks automatically!

5. 20 Must Reads - Last year I posted 20 YA books I wanted to read over summer. I've read 17, not too bad. Here are 18 more plus 2 from my previous list:

• Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins
• Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
• My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
• Far From You by Lisa Schroeder
• Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
  
• The Rock and The River by Kekla Magoon
• Reality Check by Peter Abrahams
• Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
  
• Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
• Return to Sender by Julie Alvarez
• Ash by Malina Lo
  
• Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange
• Hate List by Jennifer Brown
• Happy Face by Stephen Emond
  
• Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
  
• Diego by Carmen T. Bernier-Grande
• The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, 1 by MT Anderson
• Never Slow Dance With a Zombie by E. Van Lowe
  
• My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson
• Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice by Phillip Hoose
  

You will note that a couple of these haven't come out yet - giving me a little leeway! What's on your must read list?

Well, that's the Friday Five today. I'll be posting an awful lot over the next few months so I hope you stick with me! Look for my first Contest Monday on...Monday!! Have a great weekend!

PS - Apologies to E. Van Lowe - I have 2 ARCs of your book right here!! I was just typing too fast. Please forgive!

What My Daughter is Reading - June 4

Welcome to What My Daughter is Reading, brought to you courtesy of Jill at The Well Read Child. Here I'm keeping you up to date with what my 13 yo, the Amazing Dancer girl, is reading each week. My goal being to widen our horizons and learn about all types of books.

Who Made You Princess, #4
Shelley Adina
Faithwords

I found this series when I was looking for something other than The Clique series. I didn't know what they were about but I liked the covers and the titles. Once Amazing Dancer read It's All About Us, the first book in the series, she was hooked.

Recently, I listened to a podcast of Shelley Adina, Anne Drayton, and May Vanderbilt, who are all Christian YA authors, talk about their writing inspirations as well as answered questions from the audience. It was a great interview and now I'm reading these books!

Well, that's where the Amazing Dancer is this week. What are your children reading?

Twenty Boy Summer 20 Days of Fun - Day 1

Twitter Party!

Tomorrow we will kick off our Twenty Days of Fun with a Twitter Party hosted by none other than

Sarah Ockler! Join twitter and sign up to follow

@thebrainlair and @sarahockler

From 7pm until 11 pm EST, Sarah will be answering questions about the author, tweeting book trivia, and giving stuff away!! Yes, you can get stuff just for talking! So finish reading the book and get your tweet on!! Tweet you there!

In My Mailbox - June 1

This week's book's I've received, aka In My Mailbox, is brought to you courtesy of The Story Siren - check out her new blog design. Somehow this moved to Sunday night without me noticing...will take care of next week. Let's get right to books I bought, begged for, and books I'll tour.

Bought: I know I promised not buy so many books, but sometimes it's the only way to get what you want!

Looking for Alibrandri by Melina Marchetta
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger



Hero Type by Barry Lyga
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shafer
Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison




Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Lots of fun activities coming up with this title. Today was the official release day and I'll be posting about a Twitter Party and other activities later today - stay tuned! It will be a blast! We'll be featuring activities throughout the month of June to celebrate!

Begged For:

School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari
Knowing I couldn't go to BEA I was afraid I wouldn't get this book - but Little, Brown tweeted about it and sent it to me! It releases September 1st and I am psyched to read it. It has a different phobia listed before each chapter. Great formatting. It's also a middle-grades novel which I'm looking to add to our collection.

The Actor and The Housewife by Shannon Hale
I received this one from Bloomsbury. I've already read it and it was fantastic. Sometimes I laughed out-loud, in public places! I cried quite a few times. Shannon's writing made me feel like I was the housewife going through this. Look for my review later this week.


Blog Tours:

The Vanishing Sculptor by Danita K. Paul
The Vanishing Sculptor releases June 2, 2009. I'll be touring June 22 - June 26, please stop by to hear more about this new fantasy for middle grades. I'll be giving away two copies of this book!


Ghostgirl:Homecoming by Tanya Hurley
Ghostgirl: homecoming releases July 1, 2009 and I get to interview Tonya Hurley!! I have two copies of ghostgirl and two copies of ghostgirl:homecoming to give away! Love the coffin books!


Well, those are the books in my mailbox. I'm thinking of doing all blog tour books separately...I'm going to have to get my calendar together so I keep track of everything! Some fun reading coming up as soon as I'm completely done with work!

What's in your mailbox?