A Forbidden Book Club

So a few of us (@TwilightsDance, @booksoverboys, @katiesbookblog, & @the_bookishtype) were talking on Twitter the other day, saying how we'd heard really good things about FORBIDDEN by Tabitha Suzuma, but we are all scared to read it.  The brother/sister love thing is.....well.....pretty gross, right?  But, in a way, maybe also a little fascinating?  I don't know if I can read this book alone, so we all decided we would go through it together.

If you'd like to join us, just make a blog post, announcing that you'll be participating, and add the link down below.  Encourage your followers to join us too!  The more the merrier!  If you don't have a blog, but would still like to participate, just add a link to any of your social media sites.  If you've already read Forbidden, but would like to join in on the fun, you're welcome to.....just make sure you don't get ahead of us and give anything away.

We'll start the book next Wednesday (12/7/2011), so this will give you time to buy/check out/borrow the book.  We'll read 5 chapters at a time, have a few days to get those chapters read, and then we'll come back and discuss what we thought about it.  I'll post a very brief recap of the five chapters, and we can talk about it in the comments.  (If anyone has a better idea about this, I'm open.)

If you get started reading, and just can't stop at 5 chapters, that's ok.  Just make sure you only talk about the chapters we're on, so you don't give anything away.  If you're having a hard time keeping up, let me know (Andye at Readingteen.net) and we may be able to slow down some.  If you'd like to write blog posts on your own blog about your progress, and your thoughts, that's great too!  You can leave a link to your posts.

If I've forgotten something, or you think something can be done better, don't hesitate to tell me!  This is my first "book club" so I'm open!

I'm excited!!  Hope you are too!
Buy the book
Get it on Kindle

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives--and the way they understand each other so completely--has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

Strong Girls in YA by Shelli Wells, Author of Untraceable

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Today we have author Shelli Well with us to talk about Strong Girls in YA.  I absolutely love what she has to say!  Her book, UNTRACEABLE, is out today (Nov. 29) and has gotten rave reviews by many, including Kimberly Derting, author of THE BODY FINDER!  We're really looking forward to reading this book ourselves.  Look for our review soon!

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Shelli Wells

Book:

• UNTRACEABLE - The Nature of Grace series, #1 Available November 29th, 2011

Blog |  Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

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Strong Girls in YA Fiction

When I started Untraceable, the first thing I set out to do was create a strong girl MC.  I really wanted to have a character in my book that could take care of herself, was tough yet real. The teen counterpart of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone character.

I think that was the hardest part of creating Grace. Making her tough and snarky yet normal enough where you wanted to be her friend and you rooted for her. A lot of tough girl MCs are so tough they seem unrelatable.

The second thing I wanted to do was keep the setting in a contemporary world. It was important to me to show that girls could be tough without living in a fantastical world or having special powers.

Lastly, I wanted to show a girl who wasn’t revolved around boys. Who has nice guys that like her. Though one is more mysterious. Both Wyn and Mo treat her with respect. I didn’t want “the typical bad guy”. The books where the girl falls in love the bad boy all the time have been done. And to be honest, I like my guys nice so you can choose which one you like most.

Looking back on being a teen, I wish I 1) chose crushes better 2) stood up for myself and what I believed in more and 3) did the tomboy things that I really wanted to do instead of making the cheerleading squad.

I gave Grace all those qualities I wanted as a teen. Yet I also gave her my flaws. I think I was exasperating to my parents because 1) I was very impulsive (I acted before thinking), 2) I thought I knew more about the world then they did, and 3) I had no concept of mortality. I think Grace carries all those qualities as well. She’s not perfect and at times you find yourself saying – why is she doing that!

So to me, Grace embodies independence, loyalty, and toughness that I think we should encourage in all girls. She is a real girl in a real world.

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Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: Coleman & Stott (November 23, 2011)
Language: EnglishBuy the book:  Kindle, Paperback

Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.
Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this butt-kicking heroine to save everything she loves.  

Christmasify Your Bookshelf Challenge!

 

Ok, it's not *technically* December yet, but I decided to go ahead and post this, so you have plenty of time to take the Challenge!

 

So, now it's your turn!  Make a video, or just take a picture and upload it to your blog, or wherever, and let us see how you Decked the Bookshelf!  

Have Fun and Merry Christmas!

Movie review: Hugo

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: John Logan (screenplay), Brian Selznick (book)
Stars: Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz and Christopher Lee

Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.

My thoughts:
This movie was absolutely beautiful. 
I lovedlovedloved it! 
I'm now itching to read the book.
Not only is the story of this movie incredible, but the music, the actors just ah, everything. 
Actually, let me give you a list of reasons why I loved it.

1. Johnny Depp produced it.
2. ALL of the actors in the movie did such a wonderful job! Especially Hugo and Isabelle. Those kids were incredible.
3. Even though I am not a Harry Potter fan, I still thought that it was pretty neat that there are three actors from Harry Potter! (Anna from ReadingTween pointed that out to me)
4. Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Jude Law, and Christopher Lee play in it.
5. Howard Shore composed the original music for it. 
6. And oh, it was just so perfectly amazing!

I think that definitely was enough reasons for everyone reading this to go see Hugo right now!

Book & Audio Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

 

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Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 9 hours and 12 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: November 15, 2011
Buy the audio: Audible 

Wow, wow, wow.  Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.   WOW!!!  I'm not quite sure that I've ever had SUCH an insane emotional response to an audiobook before.  This audio was intense!  If you've seen the book, you'll notice that while "Juliette" is telling this story, she will write down her initial thoughts, then cross them out and rewrite them.  I was worried about how this would translate on audio, but Harper Audio did an amazing job!  The reader performer, Kate Simses does a fantastic job portraying Juliette.  You can tell that she is really feeling what she's reading.  It was SO incredibly heartbreaking intense emotional!  Then when she would pour her heart out, you could hear her scratch out her thoughts, and replace them with others.  Kate's voice was perfect for a 17-year-old girl.  I'm so glad she doesn't sound like a 40-year-old woman.  She also does a fantastic job with the guys' voices.  Each voice she does is distinct, and recognizable.  I don't have a single complaint.  She really made me feel what Juliet was going through, and I'm so glad that I decided to read listen to this book.  I can't recommend it enough!

Not sure if you'll like it?

Check out a clip of the audio here!

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Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
Buy the Book:  Amazon 

I hadn't planned on reading Shatter Me.  Abigaile already reviewed it for the blog, and I don't read a lot of what we've already reviewed (for obvious reasons).  But after Abigaile's amazingly positive review  followed by the constant praise on Twitter and other blogs, I decided I needed to see what all the hype was about.  I was COMPLETELY blown away.

As in many other books, the story in Shatter Me is good.  The characters are interesting and loveable/hateable.  The mystery of what is actually going on, keeps you engaged and turning the pages, wondering what will happen next.  There are plot twists and turns, and many things you don't see coming.  I liked Juliette, though at times she was frustrating.  It's hard for me to read about a girl who can be....mousey at times.  But if you think about what her life has been like, you realize that she is absolutely what she should be.  Adam is just.....yes.  I've definitely added him to my list of top YA guys.  DEFINITELY!  I loved to hate Warner.  He's the perfect villain, filled with evil, but also a complexity that makes you question why he is the way he is.  I loved it all.

In the hands of any other author, this book would be great.  I would love it.  It would go on the list of all the other great books I've read this year, enjoyed, then put away.  But in the hands of Tahereh Mafi, this story transcends anything in it's genre.  I have never in my life been moved by the words of an author the way that Tahereh moved me with the beautifully crafted sentences that she created to tell this story.  This girl can write.  Her words are dripping with imagery and symbolism.  She takes a simple act, like riding in an elevator, or walking down the hall, or kissing a boy :) and turns it into something you feel with every fiber of your being.  The simple romance in Shatter Me is transformed into a tension that breaks your heart, catches your breath, and make your head spin.  It's simply intoxicating.

If you haven't had the chance to immerse yourself in the beautiful writing of Tahereh Mafi, you don't know what you're missing.

Make sure you check out our review with Tahereh here!
Wondering if you'll like the writing style?  Read the first chapter here!

Book Doppelgangers:  Wither by Lauren DeStephano, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Legend by Marie Lu

Content:

• Sexual Content:  Heavy sexual tension
• Profanity:  Heavy
• Violence:  Moderate

For more details, check out Shatter Me on Parental Book Reviews.

 

Book Review: The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (August 23, 2011)
Language: English
Buy the book on Amazon!
Visit the website!

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

My Review

I never read I Am Number Four. I heard from many friends that it wasn't worth the read, that it wasn't as good as the movie. Taking their word for it, I forgot about the book, enjoyed watching the movie, and went on with life. I now know that that was probably a mistake. Sorry many friends, but after reading The Power of Six, I know that the Lorien Legacies series is a great series. Or at least, the second book is great.

I am always cautious of a book that is coupled with a very popular movie. Like I said above, I very much liked the I Am Number Four movie. Action-packed, fast-paced, altogether it was a good movie. And, already knowing the basic story line, (Of course not knowing everything, the book probably being much more specific) I decided to give the sequel a try. I can now say that I am very glad I did. For any fans of urban fantasy, this is most definitely a book for you. And, since this book is sort of an urban fantasy meets sci-fi, this is very much my kind of book.

The point of view switches between the first-person views ofthe main character of the first book, John Smith, and a new character, Marina. Whenever there is a book like this, switching points of view every few chapters, it is always a love/hate relationship for me. There is always the POV I prefer, (In this case, it was John Smith) but there are always some authors that have the knack for cliff-hangers. It'll be a serious part, a scene where you really want to know what'll happen next when all of the sudden, the chapter ends and it switches to the other person's POV, the person who lives half way across the world and you have to read a few chapters before you can know what happens next. This is both insanely irritating and awesomely... awesome. That is really how a book gets me addicted to it's story. And that's exactly what The Power of Six does.

This is a really great book. So good, I think I'm gonna go read I Am Number Four now.

Read Andye's PBR of the book here!

Second Hand Saturday: A Book A Week Giveaway 11/26/11

Welcome to Second Hand Saturday!

In an attempt to clear our bookshelves, and pass on great used books to our stalkers followers, Amy, Kit, Abigaile, Austin and I have decided to hold weekly giveaways of some of the books on our bookshelves! Every Saturday, we will post the books available, and the following Saturday, we will announce the winner and our next challenge. The winner will get to choose a book from the list and we will ship it to that lucky person! Each week we will have a different challenge to complete.

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This Week's Challenge

Name a series that you think could have been a stand alone book/OR a series you wish was just a stand alone book! example: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

And this weeks winner is...

Isamar Hernandez... results powered by Random.org ... Congratulations!

Email me at Readingteen1(at)gmail.com with your book choice.  Please put "winner" in the subject line.  You have one week to claim your prize!

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Books Available:

Middle Grade

• Middle School Confidential Series 1-3 by Annie Fox*
• Eragon by Christopher Paolini (hardback)
• Eldest by Christopher Paolini (hardback)
• Eragon paperback*
• Eldest paperback*
• Monster High by Lisi Harrison*
• The Hobbit mass market paperback*
• Darke, Septimus Heap #6 by Angie Sage*
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone paperback*
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban paperback*
• How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston*
• Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
• Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (hardback no jacket)*
• Mattimeo by Brian Jacques
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle
• A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
• Summer Ball by Mike Lupica*
• Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer
• Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel by AVI
• Triss by Brian Jacques (Readwall, book 15)
• Clovermead by David Randall
• The O'Reilly Factor For Kids by Bill O'Reilly
• Nerds by Michael Buckley
• Zan Gah by Allan Richard Shickman
• The Carnival of Lost Souls by Laura Quimby
• Star Power book 1 Supernova by Catherine Hapka
• High School Musical: The Junior Novel Disney
• High School Musical: Stories from East High #6 Disney
• Animal Ark Pets books #12 - #16
• 25 (very small thin) books fromThe Babysitters Club (paperback)
• Madison Finn #1 Only the Lonely Boy, #2 Boy, OH Boy! #3 Play it Again ( whole set)
• Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
• The Top Ten Ways to Ruin the First Day of School by Ken Derby
• The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic ARC by Jennifer Trafton

YA books + (ARC=Advanced Reading Copy)

• Bitter End ARC by Jennifer Brown*
• Between by ARC Jessica Warman*
• After Obsession ARC by Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel*
• Circle Nine ARC by Ann Heltzel*
• Kiss Me Deadly ARC by various authors*
• A Need So Beautiful ARC by Suzanne Young*
• Fat Vampire ARC by Adam Rex*
• Hunger ARC by Jackie Morse Kessler*
• Pretty Bad Things ARC by C.J. Skuse
• The Fox Inheritance ARC (signed to Kirstyn) by Mary E. Pearson
• The Fox Inheritance ARC (signed to Andye) by Mary E. Pearson
• Undercurrent ARC (signed to Andye) by Tricia Rayburn
• The Julian Game ARC (signed to Andye) by Adele Griffin*
• Anxious Hearts ARC by Tucker Shaw*
• Wicked Lovely paperback (signed to Andye) by Melissa Marr*
• The Lucky Kind ARC byAlyssa B. Sheinmel*
• Flash Burnout (hardcover) by L.K. Madigan*
• Tighter by Adele Grifin signed*
• Dark Goddess ARC by Sarwat Chadda*
• Immortal Beloved ARC by Cate Tiernan*
• Blue Moon by Alyson Noel*
• Shadowland (hardcover) by Alyson Noel*
• Adversary by Kate Kaynak*
• Catching Fire (hardcover, no jacket) by Suzanne Collins*
• Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo (signed to Andye)*
• As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth (hardcover) by Lynne Rae Perkins*
• The Prisoner of Azkaban Audio CD (Library Copy)*
• I Am Legend Audio CD (Library Copy)*
• SLEEPLESS ARC by Cyn Balog*
• WHEN I WAS JOE by Keren David*
• HOLD ME CLOSER NECROMANCER ARC by Lish McBride*
• HUSH ARC by Eishes Chayil*
• END OF DAYS ARC (A Nightrunner Novel) by Max Turner*
• THE TREE SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER by Gillian Summer*
• YOU KILLED WESLEY PAYNE ARC by Sean Beaudoin
• THE PAINTED BOY ARC by Charles de Lint*
• THE 10 P.M. QUESTION ARC by Kate de Goldi*
• BRIGHID'S QUEST by P.C. Cast*
• ELPHAME'S CHOICE by P.C. Cast*
• THE ETERNAL ONES ARC by Kirsten Miller
• ROMEO & JULIET & VAMPIRES by Claudia Gabel (review)*
• SCARS by Cheryl Rainfeld (hardcover signed to Andye) (review)*
• I am J ARC by Cris Beam*
• Girl, 15, Charming But Insane by Sue Limb
• Signed copy Photo Snap Shot by Joanna Cambell Slan (Book 3)*
• Signed copy Cut, Crop and Die by Joanna Cambell Slan (Book 2)
• Signed Copy Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Cambell Slan (Book 1)
• *AUDIOBOOK Will Grayson, Will Grayson by Devid Levithan and John Green*
• Amigas Fifteen Candles ARC by Veronica Chambers (inspired by Jennifer Lopez)*
• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (hardcover) by Ann Brashares*
• The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Traveling Pants 2) (hardcover) by Ann Brashares*
• Girls in Pants (Traveling Pants 3) (hardcover w/out jacketflap) by Ann Brashares*
• Forever in Blue (Traveling Pants 4) (harcover) by Ann Brashares*
• Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar*
• You Know You Love Me (Gossip Girl 2) by Cecily Von Ziegesar*
• All I Want is Everything (Gossip Girl 3) by Cecily Von Ziegesar*
• Because I'm Worth It (Gossip Girl 4) by Cecily Von Ziegesar*
• The Gossip Girl Prequel (hardback) by Cecily Von Ziegesar*
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer*
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein*
• The Lost Girls by Laurie Fox
• The Riddle by Alison Croggon*
• The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
• Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal by Jack Canfield Mark Victor Hansen and Deborah Reber*
• Excessively Diverted (The Sequel to Pride & Prejudice) by Juliette Shapiro*
• Crunch Time by Mariah Fredericks*
• Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter*
• A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter*
• Pride and Predjudice (Paperback) by Jane Austen
• Lord of the Flies (paperback) by William Golding
• Life, The Universe and Everything: Hitchhickers Trilogy book 3 (hardback) by Douglas Adams
• So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish: Hitchhickers Trilogy book 4 (hardback) by Douglas Adams
• The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
• The World According to Narnia by Jonathan Rogers
• Monster Blood Tattoo Book One: Foundling by D.M.Cornish (hardback)
• Shadows of Doom Book Two: Iron Tower Trilogy by Dennis L. McKiernan
• Me, The Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine (hardback)
• *Signed Copy Rebel King Book One: Hammer of the Scots by Charles Randolph Bruce and Carolyn Hale Bruce
• Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Shapeshifter by Holly Bennett
• She Thief ARC by Daniel Finn
• Logic of Demons by H.A.Goodman (hardback)
• SteelTrapp 2 ARC by Ridley Pearson
• *Signed with bookmark A Girl Named Mister ARC by Nikki Grimes*
• The Tavernier Stones by Stephen Parrish
• Death at the Alma Mater by G.M.Malliet
• Livvie Owen Lived Here ARC by Sarah Dooley*
• Choppy Socky Blues by Ed Briant
• Indigo Blues by Danielle Joseph
• Smudges Mark ARC by Claudia Osmond
• Exley ARC by Brock ClarkADULT *18 and over
• Echo Park by Michael Connelly (hardback)
• The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman (hardback)
• Timeline by Michael Crichton (hardback)
• The Last Juror by John Grisham (hardback)
• It Only Takes a Moment by Mary Jane Clark (hardback)
• Foreign Body by Robin Cook (hardback)
• Green Rider by Kristen Britain (fantasy) (hardback)
• The DA Vinci Code by Dan Brown (hardback)
• The English American by Alison Larkin (hardback)
• Her Fearful Symmentry by Audrey Niffenegger (hardback)
• Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy (hardback)
• The Shack by William P. Young*
• Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes*
• Wicked by Gregory Macguire*
• Jane and the Damned ARC by Janet Mullany
• The Dutchess by Amanda Foreman
• Belinda by Anne Rice writing as Anne Rampling
• All Madden by John Madden with Dave Anderson
• The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlums (hardback)
• Robert Ludlums The Bourne Betrayal by Eric Van Lustbader
• Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy
• Age of Misrule: Worlds End by Mark Chadbourne Book1
• Age of Misrule: Darkest Hour by Mark Chadbourne Book2
• Age of Misrule: Always Forever by Mark Chadbourne Book3