In My Mailbox (12)

Library:

Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott

Get this, I'm supposed to be starting a journal about "my journey." Please. I can see it now: Dear Diary, As I'm set adrift on this crazy sea called "life" . . . I don't think so.

It's been seventy-five days. Amy's sick of her parents suddenly taking an interest in her.

And she's really sick of people asking her about Julia. Julia's gone now, and she doesn't want to talk about it. They wouldn't get it, anyway. They wouldn't understand what it feels like to have your best friend ripped away from you.

They wouldn't understand what it feels like to know it's your fault.

Amy's shrink thinks it would help to start a diary. Instead, Amy starts writing letters to Julia.

But as she writes letter after letter, she begins to realize that the past wasn't as perfect as she thought it was-and the present deserves a chance too.

Very excited to read this! Lauren just finished it, loved it, and reviewed it here.

Hottie by Jonathan Bernstein
Alison Cole's got it all: She's gorgeous, dating a steamy surfer boy, and has just been crowned Beverly Hills High Freshman Class President. Then during a special "symmetry" surgery, a lightning bolt zaps her, and Alison instantly transforms into Hottie--that is, a totally sizzling superhero with the power to shoot fire from her fingers!

Shunned as a Pyro-Freak, Alison must adopt dorky David Eels as her crime-fi ghting sidekick. Worse, she's falling for the one guy who wants to "extinguish" her forever, Junior Class President of Cuteness-- and wannabe firefighter--T. Hull. But she doesn't realize that a supervillain's lurking... .

Has Hottie met her match?

Sounds like a cute super hero novel!

Chasing Boys by Karen Tayleur
An insightful coming-of-age novel for girls with no interest in being "Pretty in Pink."

El Marini just isn't fitting into the new life she's been forced to create without her dad. Her mom and sister have accepted his absence and moved on, but El is convinced things will get back to normal if she just keeps her feelings of loss to herself and waits it out.

Life at her new public school would have been unbearable if weren't for Eric Callahan. As her crush grows to epic proportions, she'll do anything to be more like the popular girls he notices, even buying the first pink top she's ever owned. But then she meets Dylan, a quiet artistic-type who is both unnerving and annoying as he shines a light on El's misguided attempts to attract Eric. El's need for acceptance will hit home with teens as she finally sees that chasing boys has distracted her from making peace with the past and finding herself.

Lauren also got this from the library, finished it. Apparently, the names are Ariel and Eric. XD

Contests:

Wintergirls Audio by Laurie Halse Anderson

"Dead girl walking," the boys say in the halls.
"Tell us your secret," the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend's restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

Won from Kay at You 2.0! I've already read it and reviewed it here, ages ago. It was my second review ever on this blog! But this one's an audio, and I've never actually listened to a book before. I've started and so far I'm liking it. It helps that I know the story a little too. :)

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley
Sometimes a good-bye is just the beginninga]

When Emily Carsonas parents die in a plane crash, sheas left with nothing but her motheras last words scrawled in lipstick on a tray table: aEmily, please forgive me.a

Now itas fall and Emily moves to New York Citya where she attracts the attention of two very different boys: the cute, popular Owen, and her quirky chemistry partner, Anthony. With the help of some surprising new friends, Emily must choose between the boy who helps her forget and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately heal.

Debut author Jennifer Jabaley has written a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy with real emotional depth. Full of lovably wacky characters, "Lipstick Apology" is a heartwarming story about the true meaning of forgiveness.

Also won from Kay at You 2.0. It sounds really good! Thanks so much for both Kay!

The Comeback by Marlene Perez
Sophie Donnelly is one half of the most popular and powerful couple in school, until new girl Angie Vogel shows up and compromises everything. Angie steals Sophie?s starring role in the school play, and, worse, her super-popular boyfriend. Sophie has been quickly dispatched to social Siberia, but not for long?she?ll do anything it takes to make a triumphant comeback. From the author of the witty, romantic novel Love in the Corner Pocket comes a story about high school royalty and what it takes to stay on the throne.

Won from Jess at Lost in a Book. The Comeback looks really fun!

Second Skin by Jessica Wallman
Beauty is only skin deep. Popularity goes much deeper. . . .

Appearances can be deceiving. Sam Klein's found that out firsthand. All she wanted was to be popular. But sometimes what we want is the absolute worst thing for us.

Sam discovers that Kylie, It-girl of Woodlawn High, owes her popular status not to her expensive clothes, highlighted hair, and spot on the cheerleading squad but to a magical second skin. Nobody can actually see it-but they can feel it. And if you're wearing the skin, you feel incredible. Invincible. Popularity is yours.

So Sam stole the skin from Kylie. Now she's the most popular girl at school, while Kylie's social life takes a serious hit. Sam can barely recognize herself. Her old geek clique is history-but are her new friends really people she can count on? The skin is clinging tighter to her each day . . . can Sam get it off before it's too late?

Also won from Jess in Lost in a Book! I think it sounds really interesting. Looking forward to reading Second Skin. Thanks so much!

It's Not You, It's Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann
Funny and touching-this is a heartfelt breakup story.

Zoe loves Henry.

Henry dumps Zoe.

Zoe wants Henry back-at any cost.

Zoe's two best friends come up with a plan to help Zoe get what she thinks she wants. The plan: make Henry jealous.

But the plan takes a surprising turn. . . .

Spanning thirty-one days in the cycle of a breakup, Kerry Cohen Hoffmann's humorous and poignant novel depicts a girl whose single-minded focus on her ex-boyfriend has pulled her far from the person she most needs to win back-herself.

Won from Shalonda at Shalonda's Blog. I've read some mixed reviews about the book, so it'll be interesting to read and see what I think.

Gorgeous by Rachel Vail

She's looking good . . . but Allison Avery can't believe it. Growing up with beautiful, blond sisters, Allison has always been the dark-haired, "interesting-looking" Avery. So when the devil shows up and offers to make her gorgeous, Allison jumps at the chance to finally get noticed. But there's one tiny catch, and it's not her soul: The devil wants her cell phone.

Though her deal with the devil seems like a good idea at the time, Allison soon realizes that being gorgeous isn't as easy as it looks. Are her new friends and boyfriend for real, or do they just like her pretty face? Allison can't trust anyone anymore, and her possessed phone and her family's financial crisis aren't making things any easier. Plus, when she finds out that she might be America's next teen model, all hell breaks loose. Allison may be losing control, but how far is she willing to go to stay gorgeous forever?

Following the critically acclaimed Lucky, Rachel Vail continues her poignant sisterhood trilogy with the rebellious middle Avery sister, Allison. Fiery, sarcastic, and just plain fun, gorgeous captures the heartbreak and hilarity in one girl's attempt to have it all.

I might have to go hunt down the first in this trilogy, Lucky! Also won from Shalonda at Shalonda's Blog. Thanks so much Shalonda!

Lauren and I each got a Hollow T-shirt and Sleepy Hollows tales book from Lee Verday! Thanks Lee! If I can, I'll post a picture later. :]


And that was my week in books! How did you all fair? As usual, In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren who was influenced by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

- Alex