Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Various Authors

Publisher: Graphia
Pub.Date: May 5th 2008
Age Range: 12 and up
Pages: 240
Format: paperback
Source Of Copy: from publisher - Graphia

Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins, and Lynda Sandoval give us four tales about the end of first love. How does anyone survive? Read on and find out. Each story showcases the writer’s signature style: Niki Burnham keeps it smart and sassy; Terri Clark brings a touch of fantasy; Ellen Hopkins tells her story in verse; and no one does funny like Lynda Sandoval. For teens looking for something to get them through the pain, this is just the prescription!

Different stories, one subject: Break Up. Either one or all will reach out to your heart, specifically those who have experienced such bad falls of relationships. With four different main characters and four style of writing, this book will make sure you enjoy at least one fortunate and heartbreaking story.

Last Stand by Nikki Burnham - a quite different take on the sex issue. The story starts quite good but fails to impress at the end in my opinion. The perfect ending seems to spoil all the emotions built up throughout the story. Moreover, the main character is quite flat at some points I cannot come to like him like I wish to.

Don't Mind Me by Terri Clark- the interesting touch of fantasy is great although it's a bit typical. What I love about this story is that the depressing mood is nowhere to be found. The lead female, Dee, is also fun, especially with her revenge. My only complain? A too happy ending again.

Just Plain Lisa by Ellen Hopkins - this is my favorite story of the bunch. It's written in verse with a unique voice. The plot is well planned and the character development is great. The message is more than just getting over a usual breakup but also about loving yourself no matter what. You can't help but like Lisa.

Party Foul - a GLBG story with an additional message of not afraid to tell the world the truth about you. Mia is a cute character and others appear nice as well. There is also a happy ending for all, which, out of the three happy ones we have here, I can tolerate the most.

Rating: 3/5

In My Mailbox (50)

Idea taken from The Story Siren


Firstly, I'm back. Sorry for not posting any reviews for almost two weeks. I was busy preparing and enjoying Lunar New Year.

Anyway here are the two books I've got in the first week of Lunar 2010



Breaking Up Is Hard To Do by Various Authors.

Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins, and Lynda Sandoval give us four tales about the end of first love. How does anyone survive? Read on and find out. Each story showcases the writer’s signature style: Niki Burnham keeps it smart and sassy; Terri Clark brings a touch of fantasy; Ellen Hopkins tells her story in verse; and no one does funny like Lynda Sandoval. For teens looking for something to get them through the pain, this is just the prescription!




Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey.

The undead can really screw up your senior year ...

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.


I'm reading Breaking Up Is So Hard To Do right now and it seems good, ain't to depressing but sad enough for you to feel the pain/confusion. I didn't even have a chance to glance at Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side because my cousin stole it the moment the book reached me. And she said it was awesome too, so I'm really excited to read it ^^


Thanks Caroline from Houghton Mifflin for these two books ^^

Happy Chinese New Year

I know most of you guys don't celebrate it but I wish you a great year of the tiger ahead anyway : D



<3

Anatomy Of A Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pub.Date: September 23rd 2008
Age Range: 12 and up
Pages: 272
Format: Paperback
Source of copy: from author - Daria Snadowky

Before this all happened, the closest I'd ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it's not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone my body.

Then I met Wes, a track star senior from across town. Maybe it was his soulful blue eyes, or maybe my hormones just started raging. Either way, I was hooked. And after a while, he was too. I couldn't believe how intense my feelings became, or the fact that I was seeing—and touching—parts of the body I'd only read about in my Gray's Anatomy textbook. You could say Wes and I experienced a lot of firsts together that spring. It was scary. It was fun. It was love.

And then came the fall.


A different, super bold book about teenage relationship and one of the most important parts of it - sex. Anatomy Of A Boyfriend is the kind of story that some of readers enjoy while others find it too much to handle.

Personally I think the book is okay. It wasn't what I expected to see but it wasn't bad either. I thought the story had so much to do with anatomy like the title, but then it turned out to be another thing. The best thing about the book is that it's very straightforward, there's no hiding or pushing around the bush.

Like I said before, a major part of Anatomy Of A Boyfriend is about sex, so if you don't like this subject really much, just skip this book. I don't have much problems with this, I just kind of wish some details to be gone because they were a little embarrassing. Plus a deeper look into the non-physical side of the relationship should be nice too.

As for the characters, I have to say that I don't like them really much. Dom doesn't impress me much, even though at the end she gradually turns to be more independent and stronger. Wes is sweet at the beginning, but throughout the time he's with Dom I don't think he likes her that much or puts his heart into the bond like she does. Calvin is a nice character but I see very little of him in the book.

Overall, a book that might attract and satisfied a decent amount of readers. You know what it's about. Your choice to pick it up or not.

Rating: 3/5

Waiting On Wednesday (51)

Idea taken from Breaking The Spine


The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K Madigan

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach—walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves—the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman—with a silvery tail.

Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …


I love books that have anything to do with beaches, swimming and mermaids so I cannot pass this book. Besides, I've already read and loved L.K Madigan's debut book Flash Burnout thus picking up this one is a must. The synopsis makes me feel really curious, is Lena originally a mermaid? Hm...


Have a look into the mirror in Oct 2010 to find out the ultimate secret : )

In My Mailbox (49)

Idea taken from The Story Siren



Baby Proof by Emily Griffin.

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes....a baby carriage? Isnt that what all women want? Not so for Claudia Parr. And just as she gives up on finding a man who feels the same way, she meets warm, wonderful Ben. Things seem too good to be true when they fall in love and agree to buck tradition with a satisfying, child-free marriage. Then the unexpected occurs: one of them has a change of heart. One of them wants children after all.

This is the witty, heartfelt story about what happens to the perfect couple when they suddenly want different things. Its about feeling that your life is set and then realizing that nothing is as you thought it was- and that there is no possible compromise. Its about deciding what is most important in life, and taking chances to get it. But most of all, its about the things we will do- and wont do- for love.


Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick.

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.


Two books I've received in these weeks, both are from Australia. I've always had interested in Emily Griffin books especially Something Borrowed and Something Blue, and Baby Proof seems like a lovely read too. For Hush Hush, this is a final copy which has a different ending so I expect it to bring me something more exciting than the ARC.

Thanks Clair from S&S Aus and my cousin Ann for these books ^^

Have a great week reading new books everyone : )

THE BOOK REVIEW CLUB FEB 2010 - The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

Publisher: Penguin USA
Pub.Date: February 4th 2010
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Source Of Copy: from author - Suzanne Young

As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty! When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe? The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?


A refreshing, fun but meaningful story about everything that's involved in a teenage relationship. A book that'll make you laugh and frown along with the characters, then lose yourself in thoughts of you and your someone.

The Naughty List is fast-paced, making it real hard for readers to put it down even once. 272 pages go great together and you can't help wishing there was more to read. I love Suzanne's voice real much. It's fun, it's a little bit crazy and just like how she chose to name the book, a little naughty.

The subject of cheating investigation itself is enough to bring thrill to the audience, and with the author's brilliant way of portraying it, The Naughty List becomes more appealing then ever. I love how SOS is so professional and serious about their business. It also cracks me up when Tess carries on her task of sneaking into people's house to trace evidence of betrayal. Everything about it is enjoyable.

As for the characters, I love Tess and Aiden. They're officially one of my favorite fictional couples now. Tess seems like a perfect girl at first but as the story progresses, she reveals more of her insecurities, which makes her more loveable. She makes mistake but learns from it, she doesn't quit her job no matter what happens. And Aiden, I have to say that I don't really trust him at first. However, as the story nears the end, he's become greater and greater. Christian is also an interesting character but I won't say much because you have to find out about him yourself.

Over all this is a great story about love and trust. The hardcover edition comes out tomorrow so pick up a copy as soon as possible. I'm so so in love with it I can hardly wait for the sequel.

Rating: 4/5