Tween Tuesday Review: Wig in the Window

 * Comes out June 18th *

Sophie and Grace host midnight spy missions to improve their spy skills. Grace has wanted to spy on Sophie's school counselor Dr. Agford for ages. Grace has always found her suspicious, but Sophie never wanted to get too close. Dr. A has a reputation at school and Sophie doesn't need her attention.

They decide to peek in her windows, a one time exception. They see blood everywhere - and immediately call emergency services claiming to have witnessed a murder.

The next day at school, Sophie's called to the principal's office where her parents, Dr. A, and a police officer gather to talk about the incident the night before and the proper punishment. Now more than ever Sophie distrusts Dr. A. Could she be hiding something significant? If so, can Sophie figure it out without getting into more trouble?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book: spies, potential murder, and the investigation made it hard to put down. I wanted to uncover the truth about Dr. A. The many twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. The relationship between Sophie and Grace added tension. With Sophie being a public school and Grace being home-schooled, they had various view points of both school and social interactions. They also had different groups of friends. I found Trista entertaining, especially her prank. I hope there are more Young and Yang myseries planned as this was fantastic!

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: Sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday

This week's topic is Top Ten Favorite Book Covers. I'm going to talk about my top ten summer romance covers. It's hard not to judge a cover, but I love the covers that make me wish I was there. - enjoying the sun, the waves, and the magic.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Picture Perfect

Sleepaway Girls

Boys Next Door

Drive Me Crazy

Along for the Ride

Five Summers

We'll Always Have Summer

My Life Next Door

All I Need

This is What Happy Looks Like

Review: Our Song

Olive died for a little less than three minutes following a car accident. When she awakes in a hospital - her world has drastically changed. Three weeks later, she's beginning to understand.

Her mother no longer trusts her. Her boyfriend never came to the hospital to check up on her. The only people standing by her are her best friend and her younger brother. People talk about her at school. She can't sleep.

Her mother believes she needs to talk to a professional. She decides to travel outside her area to attend a Near Death Society support group. It's weirder than she ever imagined, but that's where she meets Nick.

Nick makes her feel things. The more time she spends with him, the better she feels. She might be neglecting her best friend and making her parents unhappy, but she's trying to find herself. Should she try to fall back in line or make her own path?

My Thoughts: I loved this book - I loved unraveling Olive's story and the layers of relationships. I liked the relationship between Olive and Annie. I like how Annie supported Olive, but wasn't afraid to tell her the truth. I enjoyed the side story of Annie's photography and Olive learning to like taking pictures.  Nick and Olive's relationship is adventurous, soul-searching, and sweet. I like how Olive's parents and her understanding of them changed throughout her journey. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but doesn't match the book, which is darker.
Source: My Library

Similar Read: Forget You by Jennifer Echols

Mini Adult Review: Happily Ever After

At BEA two years ago, someone told me I should read the Bridgerton series. They were RIGHT, I devoured this series. I loved every book. Here's a new book of short stories sharing what happened after the books ended.

The Good: I love this family for their loyalty to each other, their quick wit, their banter, the strong female characters, and the humor. These stories made me laugh and made me sigh with happiness. If I had to pick, I think the pall mall story made me laugh the most. I love their competitive streak. All in all, it was perfection!

The Bad: There's nothing bad about this book, except it makes me want more!

If you haven't read this series, START THEM! The Duke and I is the first one.

* Even the puppy liked, he licked the book as it smells good! *

Tweets of the Week

Today on the HUB, is a round of tweets you might have missed this week.

Review: How Zoe Made her Dreams (Mostly) Come True

Zoe and her cousin become interns at Fairyland Kingdom.  Jess has her heart set on being a Princess, but Zoe's just amazed that she was accepted in the first place. It's been a rough couple of years, following the death of her mother. Jess has been with her every step of the way. Together, they imagine a summer filled with fun. 

Jess doesn't win the coveted Princess role, leaving her a very small chance of winning the $25,00 scholarship. Zoe isn't given a cast role, instead she's a Lady-in-Waiting for the Queen. She's the Queen's minion. 

She learns very early in the summer tips and tricks to make the Queen happy. She tries to obey at all times, even though she doesn't agree with the policies. It hardly makes her popular with the other interns. Still she tries hard to make everything run smoothly. If only she could figure out the identity of the boy who rescued her as he could be her Prince Charming. 

My Thoughts: Full Confession - I read this one day when I needed something happy and cheerful. It was just what I needed! I loved this book; I devoured it. I loved the "insiders" tips on the casts. I liked how the accommodations were different for the various cast levels. I like how the princes have access to an exclusive perfume. I liked learning all the rules the cast members have to obey. I liked watching Zoe try to figure out ways to thwart the rules while making sure the park runs smoothly. I also enjoyed her try to figure out the identity of her prince charming. I loved her interactions with Jess. All in all, a great fun read that made my heart happy. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Getting Ready for BEA: Part 3

Now that BEA is officially here, the excitement is starting to grow! I'm so excited to talk with everyone about books and to meet new and old friends! I'll be sharing my tips each week until the big event! 

Food: While the convention center has a cafeteria and there are usually food trucks outside, be sure to plan a time for meals. I'm usually terrible about lunch because there are so many authors that I want to meet that it's hard to take the time to just sit down and relax. Plus the lines are long and it's hard to grab a seat. 

* bring snacks or a quick lunch you can eat in line I keep some food in my suitcase - just in case.

* if you're a librarian, there's a librarian lounge sponsored by SLJ/LJ. They have snacks. I duck in there for a pick bite to eat.

Bags: While rolling bags are NOT permitted within the exhibit hall, check your bag at the coat check. Trust me, this will save your back! Carry a small bag with you and when it gets full, empty it into your suitcase. 

Other book signings* take place around the city during this time.

This is from Richelle Mead's website:

Thursday, May 30 - New York City - 7pmBarnes and Noble - Union Square

33 E 17th St.
New York, NY 10003
*Event includes a panel of bestselling authors answering questions: Marie Lu, Richelle Mead, Rick Yancey, Andrea Cremer, Sarah Dessen
*A normal signing will follow the panel. I will sign up to four books per person--one personalized and the others just autographed. We'll do pictures if time permits.
*This is a public event. No tickets required.

*I'm sure there are more - but this is the one that I know about. If anyone knows of more, I'm happy to post them.

Outside BEA: If you've made a list of all the things you want to do within BEA, it's time to start making a list of things to do in New York. Are there tourist places you want to go? Make a list of them. I'm hoping to hit Crumbs. 

Books I'm Dying to Read: July Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come July!

Awaken: Can't wait to finish the trilogy!

Midnight Frost: Love this series -can't wait to read what happens next between Logan and Gwen.

Famous Last Words: Summer interning at a newspaper with a possible romance on the horizon.

This is W.A.R.: Love the Roecker sisters - a murder brings four girls seeking revenge on one boy.

Home to Whiskey Creek: Love this series - small town - great romances.

Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop and Cafe: Debut of a woman trying to fulfill her grandmother's dying wish and finds herself in the process

Final Sentence: First in a new series where Jenna and her aunt open a cookbook bookstore and cafe. Their opening author ends up...dead.

Grace Takes Off: The 4th book in the Manor House mystery series

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: Lots of puzzles to solve at an overnight party at a library.

Flying Solo:  How Ruth Elder Soared into America's Heart. I confess I've never heard of Ruth Elder...but I'm interested.

Dirty Little Secret: Love Jennifer Echols - plus a country music twist!

Dangerous Girls: pen name for Abby McDonald - this one's a bit different. A thriller - one girl ends up murdered while on vacation and her best friend attempts to uncover the truth.

Since You Asked: Debut novel about a girl who gets a job for the school newspaper where she writes (rants) about her life and high school.

Corner of Bitter and Sweet: Annabelle must learn to deal with her uber-famous mother - especially as her career sinks.

Boy Nobody: Read this - Enjoyed it! Check out my review...

Tween Tuesday Review: Destiny Rewritten

Emily's mother often retells the story of her naming, how she was named after Emily Dickinson while looking in at a book in a bookstore, and how she knew her daughter would write poetry- just like her namesake.  Emily's kept that book close to her. Her mother wrote down all her life's progress besides fitting poems.

Emily doesn't like to write poetry. She's not interested in it. She's more interested in happy endings. When an accident causes her to misplace her book, she worries about finding it. Mostly Emily worries about her destiny. Is she in control of her own destiny?

What will happen to her future? After talking with her best friend, her cousin, and her mother, Emily decides to attempt to change the way she makes decisions. If she changes, will the book come back to her? And  can she change her future?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I really liked the concept behind it - can we change our Destiny. I like how Emily searches for her lost book -even though she wants to change her Destiny. I like how much the book means to her and what it could mean for her future. I love how Emily wishes and requires happy endings. I love that she write Danielle Steel letters. I love that she gets a response from these letters. I loved the ending of the book - powerful and obviously happy.

Cover Thoughts: Brilliant.
Source: My Library