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 :)

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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