Evernight, Stargazer, and Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Title(s): Evernight, Stargazer, and Hourglass

Author: Claudia Gray

Rating(s): 5 stars!!

Ages recommended to: 13 and up


Bianca is uprooted from her hometown and enrolled at the creepy Evernight school. Even the students are weird. She knows she'll never fit in.
Then she meets charming Lucas. He doesn't fit in well either- breaking the rules and standing up to the snobs.
Bianca and Lucas have a strong connection. But will both hers and his dark secrets tear them apart for good?

Again, this isn't my usual type of series, but these books were amazing!!!! Highly recommended!

Five Minutes More by Darlene Ryan

Title: Five Minutes More

Author: Darlene Ryan

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up


At first the police weren't sure- was the tragic death just an accident? D'Arcy wants more than anything for her father's passing to have been an accident.
But then she learns the truth. Why would her father commit suicide? What was so horrible and secretive? How didn't she or her mother notice the signs?

D'Arcy doesn't know how she can keep going. She meets Seth. A shoulder to cry on- and someone she can connect with. But when Seth attempts suicide, will the two of them make it, or not?

My Little Phony by Lisi Harrison

Title: My Little Phony

Author: Lisi Harrison

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


The 13th installment of the New York Times bestselling series, The Clique was amazing- as usual! Lisi Harrison has yet to write a book that hasn't received five stars from me!
As it is a series book, I don't want to give away what happens. But read these books, they rock!

The Summoning, The Awakening, and The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Title(s): The Summoning, The Awakening, and The Reckoning

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Rating(s): 5 stars!!

Ages recommended to: 13 and up


When puberty finally hits for Chloe Saunders, all hell breaks lose.
Her life is finally going in the right direction- She's attending art school and following her dreams. Until she starts seeing ghosts. After she has a panic attack and attacks a teacher in front of half of her school, her Aunt Lauren helps to find a recommended group home. The Lyle House.

At the Lyle House, Chloe finds out about her mental illness.
Or could it be something completely different?

This series has been absolutely amazing! Not something I would normally pick up, but I read all three straight in a row- couldn't put them down! Very, VERY highly recommended.

Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford

Title: Suicide Notes

Author: Michael Thomas Ford

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 14 and up!


On New Year's Day, 15-year-old Jeff wakes up to find himself in the hospital. The psych ward, to be more specific.
He is convinced that his suicide attempt is nothing serious compared to the other 'nutjobs' he's locked up with. He isn't crazy. His life was perfectly fine and nothing made him kill himself.

Read along as Jeff finds himself and recovers from his suicide attempt. Can he go on with his new life, or not?

New Posts Will Be Up Soon!!!!

Dear Readers,

So sorry for not posting for so long!! I'll get back into the swing of things soon.

Love,

Rachel

The Half Life of Planets by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Title: The Half Life of Planets

Author: Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Rating: 5 huge stars!

Ages recommended to: 14 and up!


After being called a slut at school, Liana makes a pact to not kiss any boys this summer. But then she meets Hank while visiting her father in the hospital, when Hank is visiting his older brother in the hospital. She hangs out with Hank every night, their dates starting out with having coffee. They become close, and then Hank reveals his secret. He has Aspergers syndrome. This makes it hard for him to have a normal social life.
Will the two be able to stay together, despite their differences? Or will their lives tear them apart....?

This book was SO GOOD!! I read it all in one sitting- I couldn't put it down. Very highly recommended!!

Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas bye Louise Rennison

Title: Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas

Author: Lousise Rennison

Rating: 3 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up


I enjoyed the first two books in this journal series much more than this one.
It was kind of boring, and didn't really make me keep wanting to read it.... I'm not sure if I'll continue with reading the series.

Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Deadly Little Lies

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up


I don't really know what to say about this book.... I aboslutely loved this one, and the previous one in the series, though, and I recommend them SO MUCH! They were extremely well written, extremely interesting, and just.... really, really good books!

"Romance and Suspence: a winning comination" ~ Kirkus Reviews

"Full of shocking surprises and revelations.... This is a must-read for fans of romance, suspence, and mystery." ~ teensreadtoo.com

"An engaging, eerie tale about the darker side of relationships- when it becomes a matter of life and death to know who your friends are." ~ KLIATT

How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation by Simone Elkeles

Title: How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


The third and final book in Simone Elkeles' "How to Ruin" series was probably my favorite book out of all of them.

Amy travels to Israel once again during her summer vacation. Except this time, she's volunteered for a military training camp with her friends. When she finds out her team leader is her boyfriend Avi, she's extremely excited. Until she finds out that he has to treat her like all the other military trainees....

How To Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles

Title: How to Ruin My Teenage Life

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


This is the second novel in Simone Elkeles' "How to Ruin" series.

Everything in Amy's life is going wrong. Her mom just married Marc 'with a C' and they're having a baby together, so Amy moves in with her dad.
Then Nathan moves in next door to her father's condo, making things even worse.
But, on the bright side, Amy has an amazing boyfriend. Who is more of a 'Non-boyfriend', considering he's stuck in the Israeli army for the next 3 years....

Simone Elkeles has yet to write a book that isn't amazing :)

Praise for "How to Ruin My Teenage Life"

"A fun read that also digs deeper into complex emotions." ~ Kliatt

"Amy's thoughtfulness and depth raise this book above most of the chick-lit genre." ~ VOYA

"....the choice for teens who seek realistic YA ficiton...." ~ School Library Journal

New Readers

Hello to all six of my fabulous viewers :)

Thank you all so much for following and reading my blog. I love writing the reviews and from the help of some of you, I've made this blog even better than ever.
I just wanted to ask you to invite some of your friends to view the blog as well. Send them the link- it would help me tons :)

<3Rachel<3

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Title: Deadly Little Secret

Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Rating: 5 STARS

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


I'm so happy with the books I've been finding lately, and I'm proud to say, this book has been added to my list of Ultra Amazing Books Read in 2010!!
It was SOOOOOO good, and of course, I except all of my friends to read it :D

A few months ago, Camelia should have died. But someone saved her- and she doesn't know who. He pushed her out of the way from the car that should have hit her, and comforted her.... And touched her stomach, giving her a strange feeling all over, before racing away, never to be seen again.

But then he returns, enrolling at her very own High School. Ben Challis. Rumors flow around, saying that he killed his girlfriend, and everyone instantly hates him. Except for Camelia of course, who tries to learn more about him and become his friend.... But is that a good thing? Or a dangerous one?

I wanna tell you guys more, try to hook you more to the book, but really, the more I write about it, the more likely I am to give the whole thing away ;)
It really was good though, and I read it all in one night- couldn't put it down!!


Praise for "Deadly Little Secret":

"CW-worthy dialogue, quirky secondary characters, romance and suspense: a winning combination." - Kirkus Reviews

Wanted by Sara Shepard

Title: Wanted

Author: Sara Shepard

Rating: 5 stars!

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!



This was the 8th and final installment of the beloved Pretty Little Liars series (now a TV show on ABC Family).
I don't want to talk much about it- I would totally give everything away if you're planning on reading the series, in the middle of it, or watching the show.
But keep going with these books, people! I was very pleased with the last book. Even though I'm super sad it's all over, it was the perfect end to one of my favorite series :)

Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

Title: Sing Me To Sleep

Author: Angela Morrison

Rating: 5 STARS!!

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


This book was SOOOOOOOO good! I read it in a day- I couldn't put it down, and was reading it every chance I got.
I don't want to give too much away, because I seriously want you guys to read this one.
Beth has always been called "The Beast". She's ugly- pimples and pimple scars covering her entire face, thick glasses, and awkward height. But when she's chosen to be her choir's soloist, she receives a makeover that will change her life forever.

When Beth's choir travels to Switzerland, she meets the mysterious and amazing Derek. She and Derek fall in love, even when they return home- Beth to Michigan, and Derek to Canada. They see each other whenever possible, but Derek often disappears, not calling or coming to visit Beth for days and weeks at a time.

Soon, Beth discovers Derek's secret- but is it too late?

AMAZING BOOK. GO READ IT.

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

Title: Dork Diaries: Tales form a Not-So Fabulous Life

Author: Rachel Renee Russell

Rating: 3.7 stars

Ages recommended to: 9 and up!


While babysitting today, I found and read this book. It was cute, and kind of actually good :)

It's the journal of Nikki J. Maxwell, who has just started at a new school with all new kids (who kind of hate her.....)
Soon, she finds two new friends and a new, cute crush.
The book was sort of similar to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, which I've glanced at before, but never really found interest in. This would be more for the girls who want a good illustrated diary book.

Fat Chance by Leslea Newman

Title: Fat Chance

Author: Leslea Newman

Rating: 4.5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


This book is the story of Jodi Liebowitz's first semester of 8th grade.
As you follow along in her journal, you really start to realize what kind of pressure girls have to be skinny and perfect nowadays.
As Jodi becomes anorexic, and then bulimic, and then forced to hold her sort-of-friend Nancy's bulimic secrets, even when she's in the hospital. On top of all the wanting to be skinny, and lying to her mother, Jodi struggles with having crushes on a few different boys.
It was pretty good, well written, and I flew through it in just a day :)

How To Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles

Title: How to Ruin a Summer Vacation

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating: 5 stars!!

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


When Amy's dad (a.k.a. the Sperm Donor) phones and announces that he's taking her to Israel for the summer, she is anything but excited.
Amy only sees her dad on her birthday, and for the past few years, she hasn't seen him at all. He's never tried to be a dad, so why should she be forced to spend the summer with him??

It's hot and sticky in Israel and Amy is even more upset when she finds out she'll be spending three months in a tiny house with no air conditioning and only one bathroom. And to make matters worse, her father's family doesn't even KNOW Amy exists.

Things start to get better, and Amy finds a love interest.... But can things work out after Amy leaves?

This book is by one of my faaaaaavorite authors ever, and the book was ah-mazing!! Definitely recommended!


Praise for "How to Ruin a Summer Vacation":

"A breezy read." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Fresh, fun and fabulous! Guaranteed NOT to ruin your summer vacation!” —Mari Mancusi, author of Boys that Bite

26 Fairmount Avenue and Here We All Are by Tomie De Paola

Book Titles: 26 Fairmount Avenue and Here We All Are

Author: Tomie De Paola

Ratings: 5 stars to both!

Ages recommended to: 7 and up!


Back in 3rd grade, we read these two books in class, and I saw them on the library shelves about a week ago and got all excited and knew I just HAD to read them again. I finished them both that night, and checked out the rest of the series the next day.
They were just as I remembered them, and just as good!
I'm so glad I found them.

These two books are the story of Tomie's life. Beginning kindergarten, moving into the new house, getting a new baby sister, starting dance classes and much more.
Definitely recommended!!

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: Elsewhere

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Rating: 5 stars!!!!

Ages recommended to: 12/13 and up!


Liz Hall is dead.
Kind of.
She's dead, but she's kind of still living.

At first she thinks it's a dream- it has to be, right? She's on a boat, with her roomate, Thandi. And she meets rock star Curtis Jest. You only meet rock stars in dreams.
But when her memories start coming back, she realizes she's dead. The boat she's on is bringing her to the land of Elsewhere, where everyone goes when they die. Except, you don't stay the same age, or get older in Elsewhere. You get younger as the days go by, until you're a baby again so you can be sent back to Earth to be reborn.
Liz is horrified when she finds out this is what her 'life' is now. She becomes depressed and wants only to go back home, where everything can be normal again. She was only 15! That's way too young to lose everything.
In time, Liz finds her place in Elsewhere and things get better for her.... Or do they?

This book was FANTASTIC- I'm amazed with Zevin's writing!! It is just.... like, really good!! Very very very very much recommended.

Praise for Elsewhere:

"Zevin offers a strikingly original answer to the eternal question: what happens when we die?.... The often wry, always absorbing narrative sensitively portrays Lizzie's grief and anger at the loss of her old life and her slow and painful acceptance of her existence in Elswehere. With an intriguing and well-developed promise, thoughtful characterization, and refreshing style, Zevin's poignant novel rewards readings with a view of death that celebrates the rich complexities of being alive." ~ The Horn Book

"A quiet book that provides much to think about and discuss." ~ School Library Journal

"This inventive novel slices right to the bone of human yearning, offering up an indelible vision of life and death as equally rich sides of the same coin." ~ Booklist

On the Bright Side, I'm now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison

Title: On the Bright Side, I'm now the Girlfriend of a Sex God

Author: Louise Rennison

Rating: 4 stars

Ages recommended for: 13 and up!

This is the second bok in the Georgia Nicolson series. Another one of her journals, going on about the usual- boys, friends, school, teachers, family, makeup, clothes, snogging..... You get the idea.
Took me a bit longer to read this one than the first, but I think I'm still going to continue to read the rest of the series. If you read the first book, I'd recommend you read this one as well, to see how everything turns out for Georgia.... for the time being :)


Praise for "On the Bright Side...."

"Seriously funny- so be careful about reading it in public." ~ Daily Telegraph

"Laugh-out-loud stuff for anyone worn down by adult life who needs reminding that being young isn't all good fun." ~ The Sunday Mirror

"Zips right along with never a dull moment!" ~ The Philadelphia Inquirer

Title: The Book of Luke

Author: Jenny O'Connell

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended for: 13 and up!


Emily Abbott, her mother, her brother (and NOT her father....) are moving from Chicago, back to their home town of Boston. On moving day, Emily's boyfriend Sean dumps her, out of the blue, and she decides she's through with being the 'nice girl'.
She reconnects with her best friends Josie and Lucy back in Boston, and she realizes she's not the only one who's been receiving some nasty guy- don'ts. So the trio decides to write a book of things guys shouldn't do to put in the Senior Time Capsule.
And to test their rules out, Emily starts dating Josie's ex-boyfriend Luke, who dumped her- by e-mail.....

Emily and her friends create a guide for guys..... But what Emily doesn't realize is that she's going to need the guide for falling in love.

The book was really good- fast moving, and interesting at all times. Good amounts of dialog when it was needed, and everything was just all good. I definitely recommend this book!!

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Title: Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


When Naomi picks tails on a coin toss and has to go back for the yearbook camera, she falls and hits her head on the steps. She wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. She doesn't remember anything other than her first 12 years of life. She doesn't remember her boyfriend, or her best friend, or her parent's divorce.

This novel was surprisingly amazing, and I enjoyed it VERY much. I haven't gotton into reading yet this summer, but this book definitely got me started! Even with the busy weekend, I finished it in two days. I'm excited to pick up Gabrielle Zevin's other books, as well!

Other books by this Author:
*Elsewhere
*Margarettown
*The Hole We're In

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Perfect You

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Rating: 4.5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


When I first started this book, I didn't think it would be very good, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.

It's about Kate Brown. Her father has recently quit his job to go sell Perfect You vitamins in the middle of the mall. Things are going terribly and he doesn't make any money. Kate's mom is working two jobs and they still can't keep up with anything.
Meanwhile, Kate has been seeing super popular, gorgeous Will- a guy totally out of her league. They're not dating.... So what are they doing?
And Kate's best friend Anna has ditched her after losing a ton of weight and dying her hair blonde, now part of the popular crowd.

Everything seems to be going wrong for Kate. She just needs to realize that everything can be okay again.... as long as she lets it.


Praise from Perfect You:

"I absolutely loved this book! It's funny, sad and wise, and will make your heart ache in the best way."
~ Melissa De La Cruz

"Warm and engaging, Perfect You holds on to your heart and won't let go."
~ Susane Colasanti

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison

Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson

Author: Louise Rennison

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!


I decided to read this book after seeing the movie "Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging", which is based on this series.
The book is the hilarious journal of Georgia Nicolson. I'm not sure what to say about it without giving the whole plot away. If you've seen the movie, the two are actually very similar, which I was pleased with.
Recommended for a quick, funny summer read!!

Praise for "Angus Thongs":

"A spectacular debut." ~ Publishers Weekly

"Hysterically funny. You might want to refrain from reading this one in public!" ~ Seventeen

Secrets of my Hollywood Life: Broadway Lights by Jen Calonita

Title: Secrets of my Hollywood Life: Broadway Lights

Author: Jen Calonita

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!

This is part of the amazing series, Secrets of My Hollywood Life.
Hollywood starlet Kaitlyn Burke hits Broadway in the 5th installment of the series.
Again, with it being at the end of a series, I won't give too much away if you've just started from the beginning.
As usual, the book was fabulous, kept me on the edge of my seat, had the perfect conflict and kept me excited at all times.
I love the characters- each one is expressed so perfectly.

This series is definitely recommended.

My 2010 Summer Reading List!!!!!!!!

Rachel's 2010 Summer Reading List (So far)


1. My Little Phony by Lisi Harrison

2. Wanted (Pretty Little Liars, #8) by

3. Kiss and Blog by Alyson Noel

4. Temped (House of Night by #6) P.C. Cast

5. Passing Strange (Generation Dead, #3) by Daniel Waters

6. Tweet Heart by Elizabeth Rudnick

7. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

8. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation (How to Ruin, #1) by Simone Elkeles

9. Dead is Just a Rumor (Dead is, #4) by Marlene Perez

10. Reality Check by Jen Calonita

11. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

12. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

13. On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison

14. My Invisible Boyfriend by Susie Day

15. The Boyfriend List: 15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and me, Ruby Olivery by E. Lockhart

16. Jason and Kyra by Dana Davidson

17. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

18. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

19. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

20. Tips on having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend by Carrie Jones

21. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

22. Something Like Fate by Susane Colisanti

23. Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn

24. Five More Minutes by Darlene Ryan

25. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

26. Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

27. Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

28. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Rating: 2 stars

Ages recommended for: 13 and up


I was really looking forward to this book after reading so many good reviews and seeing what it was about, but I truly did NOT like it, at all!!
It was really really boring and it took me nearly 2 weeks to get through the whole thing. Very boring.

It's about Mia, who was in a car accident with her family and is in a coma. The book is written telling about this one day she's in a coma, and gives flashbacks about her life and reasons why she should stay and wake up or not.
It was just SO boring, though!
I don't really recommend it at all.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Title: Wait Till Helen Comes

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

Rating: 4 stars

Ages recommended to: 10 and up!


This book was a really quick and easy read for me because it was mostly for younger kids. I found it in my 10 year old cousin's bedroom and borrowed it and read it in about an hour and a half.
But that doesn't mean it wasn't necessarily good!
It's about a new family: Molly and Michael's mom has just married Heather's dad. Heather is a monster of a child, always causing a commotion or blaming Molly or Michael on something they didn't do to cause friction between the parents. The bad part is that Heather's dad and Molly's mom always believe what Heather is telling them because she witnessed her mother's death a few years back.
When they move out in the country into an old church house with a freaky graveyard in the back, Heather discovers a new ghostly friend....

It's a really good book, so pick it up if you need a slightly scary book that'll keep you on the edge of your seat :)


Praise for Wait Till Helen Comes:

"Genuinely scary, complete with dark secrets from the past, unsettled graves, and a very real ghost." ---- The Bullitin of the Center for Children's books

"An unusually scary, well-crafted ghost fantasy." ---- Kirkus Reviews

"A first-rate thriller." ---- ALA Booklist, starred review

Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber

Title: Love Bites

Author: Ellen Schreiber

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 13 and up!!

This is the 7th installment of the Vampire Kisses series, one of my favorites. I can't say much, because I don't want to give away everything if you're reading the series and haven't gotten this far.
But, the series is FANTASTIC. They're very quick reads and they keep you wanting more. I really really recommend them!!


Praise for Vampire Kisses series:

"All in all, a good read for those who want a vampire love story without the gore." School Library Journal

"Readers will love this funny novel with a bite!" Wow Magazine

"A fun, fast read for vampire fans." School Library Journal

"A good choise for Goth lovers and fans of romantic vampire stores." School Library Journal

Far From You by Lisa Schroeder

Title: Far From You

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended for: 13 and up!


This book was another fantastic one by Lisa Schroeder, written in verse.
It's about Alice, who's mother passed away from cancer. Her dad is re-married and him and her stepmother, Victoria have just had a new baby girl named Ivy.

On the trip home from visiting Victoria's parents, the car gets stuck in a freezing cold, blocked in by snow ditch, preventing Victoria, Ivy and Alice from getting home for five whole days. No food or water and no warmth will put these three up to the test- some of them maybe not surviving.

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Title: Leaving Paradise

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating: 5 stars

Ages recommended to: 14 and up!


I'm a HUGE fan of this author, so I pushed myself to read this book, knowing I'd probably love it.
And of course, I did really enjoy it. It wasn't as good as the Perfect Chemistry books, but still really good. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the ending.

Caleb Becker left a party drunk, hitting his sister's best friend, Maggie Armstrong with his car. After months of physical therapy for Maggie and months of juvenile jail for Caleb, the two are finally getting back to their 'normal' schedules.

I can't say too much more or else I'll give way too much away.
The book was a bit slow in the beginning, but after I got started, I couldn't even put it down. I recommend this book a lot. The sequel to this is coming out in September, which I'm super excited to read!!

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Title: Chasing Brooklyn

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended for: 13 and up!


Much like the other Lisa Schroeder novel I recently read, "Chasing Brooklyn" is about a girl who's boyfriend has just died. But also added in, is the Point of View of the boy's older brother. This book is also written in verse.

Lucca, Brooklyn's dead boyfriend and Nico's dead brother died a year ago. Followed along by his best friend, Gabe, who commits suicide.
Gabe has been haunting Brooklyn, and Lucca has been haunting Nico. Lucca tries to get through to Nico to show him that Brooklyn needs help, while Gabe tries to remind Brooklyn of the promise she made to him shortly after Lucca's death- that she would keep going with life.

The book was REALLY hard to put down and I loved it :)
Very very good!! Probably going to buy this one when I meet Lisa next Saturday.


Praise for CHASING BROOKLYN:

"Sexy, sweet, suspenseful- I couldn't put it down!" -- Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of WAKE

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Title: Hold Still

Author: Nina LaCour

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended for: 14 and up!


This book is about Caitlyn, who's best friend, Ingrid has just committed suicide.

The book is about Caitlyn's healing, and how she goes from being completely depressed to being able to open up again and find new friends, even though she though Ingrid was the only true friend she could ever have.

The book was a bit slow at times, but I still really enjoyed it and found it really hard to put down.
Very very fantastic ending- completely loved it!!



Praise for Hold Still:


"Beautiful, Poetic, and honest, Hold Still breaks your heart and puts it back together again." -- Elizabeth Scott, author of LIVING DEAD GIRL and SOMETHING, MAYBE

"A beautifully written, gently moving account of a long good-bye that will resonate with anyone who has ever had to let go before they were ready." -- Sara Zarr, author of ONCE WAS LOST

"HOLD STILL may be the truest depiction of the aching, gaping hole left in the wake of a suicide that I've ever read. But it's anything but depressing and gloomy- it's also about the tender shoots of new relationships that grow unexpectedly out of tragedy. A haunting and hopeful book about loss, love, and redemption." -- Gayle Forman, author of IF I STAY

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended to: 13 and up!


This book was written a bit differently then most I've read, but I really enjoyed it. It made it a fast read, but still enjoyable.
This book also wasn't the genre I usually go to pick, but I still really enjoyed it.

All over, this book has made a huge difference to everyone who has read it. Personally, I didn't see that as much as I thought I was going to... Though it was good, and something I would recommend, it wasn't THAT good.

Speak is about a girl named Melinda, who at a party during the summer called the cops after she had been raped. Returning to school to join the 9th grade, absolutely EVERYONE hates her. She has no friends whatsoever, except for the new girl, who soon ditches her because of her bad reputation.

Melinda turns mute, hardly uttering two words a day. The book goes on to have her talk about how hard each day is and how everything is so different.


Praise for "Speak":

"An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, SPEAK will hold readers from first word to last." The Horn Book

"Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers." Booklist

"This extremely well-written book portrays a large suburban high school with a fresh and authentic eye- all the cliques are there, from the jocks, to the Goths, to the 'Marthas' (Martha Steward Wannabes).... This powerful story has an important lesson: never be afraid to speak up for yourself." VOYA

"A story told with acute insight, acid wit and affecting prose." Library Journal

"Gripping... hard for readers to forget." Kirus

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Title: Rules of Attraction

Author: Simone Elkeles

Rating: 5 HUGE stars!!

Ages recommended for: 14 and up!


This is the second book in the Perfect Chemistry trilogy. The first book was Perfect Chemistry (which I also LOVED) and I was equally happy with the second book!!
In Perfect Chemistry, Ms. Elkeles tells the story of Alex Fuentes and Brittany Ellis, who fall in love. The second book, Rules of Attraction tells the story of Alex's little brother, Carlos and Kiara Westford.

When Carlos gets sent to Colorado to stay with his older brother, leaving his mama and little brother, Luis back in Mexico, he is anything but happy.
After getting busted for having drugs in school, Alex arranges for Carlos to stay with Kiara's family as part of an arrangement so he isn't expelled from school.
While trying to prove that the drugs weren't actually his, Carlos gets mixed into a ton of unwanted trouble, but also grows closer with Kiara.
The two begin to 'fake date' each other, but the truth is, their both madly in love, each afraid to admit their feelings to one another.

This book was AMAZING, and if you haven't started the Perfect Chemistry trilogy, I HIGHLY recommend them!!! The third Perfect Chemistry book has yet to be released, but when it finally comes out, I will definitely be buying it!

New Reviews Soon

I know I haven't posted in ages- I actually haven't read anything since my last posted review :-o

I'm nearly finished with the book I'm reading now, so I promise more reviews will be coming soon!!


~Rachel <3

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Stealing Heaven

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Rating: 5 stars

Ages Recommended for: 12 and up!


Danielle's mom and dad have been stealing their way through life since before Danielle was even born. She's never had a steady home ever in her life because each month, they move into a different house, rob some innocent person's house, and then boom- they're out into another state and another house doing it again.

I can't really say much more because I would totally give everything away...

Oh, but for once, I really LOVED how this book ended!! It was really good and I was happy with it.

But this book was REALLY good, just like all of Elizabeth Scott's other books have been. I really recommend it, even if it's not what you would usually check out. It was also a really fast read for me (Or maybe that was just because I was up until 2 in the morning reading it......)


Praise for "Stealing Heaven" by Elizabeth Scott:

"Elizabeth Scott has written a gripping story about growing up, breaking free, and making some of life's most important choices. STEALING HEAVEN grabbed me on the first page and didn't let me go until the very last word." - Carolyn Mackler

"Scott tells a surprising story. Dani is a brave teen who can and does shape strong future for herself" - ALA Booklist

"An addictive book about a real world that feels like a fantasy." - Maureen Johnson

Cliquetionary: The Wit and Wisdom of The Clique by Lisi Harrison

Title: Cliquetionary: The Wit and Wisdom of The Clique

Author: Lisi Harrison

Rating: 4.5 stars

Recommended to: 12 and up!


This is the dictionary of all things Clique, from the #1 Bestselling series, The Clique. It includes quizzes like: Which Clique girl are you? and "Conversations with The Clique" with a page on each character, telling her secrets and her favorite things. Then there were a few pages of Clique Quotes, which I thought was cool.
My favorite sections were the Pretty Committee Master Packing list (sooo funny :D) and all of the famous Clique Comebacks.

Really cute book if you're a fan of The Clique!

50th POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm super excited- I've finally posted 50 times on Rachel's Reviews!!!!
Well, now it's technically 51, but same dif, right?

Thanks for reading, everyone! More book reviews soon to come!!


~Rachel <3

Twilight: The Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer

Title: Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1

Author: Stephenie Meyer (Art and Adaptation by Young Kim)

Rating: 2 stars

Ages Recommended to: 10 and up!


OK, this was completely corny!!!!!!!
Of course, I'm a Twilight fan, so I couldn't resist picking it up off the shelf at the library. I was really hoping it wouldn't be so stupid, but honestly, I didn't enjoy it!!
The pictures weren't too special, the writing wasn't all that great, and it was weird how it took you through only half of Twilight, leaving just after the meadow scene, the rest 'to be continued in volume 2'...
I read it extremely quick, in about half an hour.

I guess it was okay, though, and some people might enjoy it more than I did.