Recommended Books Number 6

A Pearl Among Princes
Written by: Colleen Paratore
Published by: Dial
Date Published: September 2009
Number of Pages: 208, Hardcover
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Summary: Welcome to the island where princes learn to be charming.
Gracepearl Coal is the cook's daughter on Miramore, the island all princes visit for their summer program in the Charming Arts. Each year, the princes-in-training arrive on gallant seacraft, guided by captains trained to navigate the island's treacherous waters. Passage on one of these boats is the only method to leave the island - thus betrothal to a royal is the only way for Pearl to find her far-off destiny, the one that's started haunting her dreams. Luckily, this year's crop of princes include some promising prospects, but how will Pearl leave behind her ailing father or - hardest of all - marry a boy other than her long-time beloved, Mackree . . . who now finds it too painful to even speak to her?
Review: I was impressed with this book. Although it is written for younger teens, I enjoyed reading it and didn't find the plot/story too "juvenile". There are some "potty jokes" but other than that it is perfectly clean and acceptable. The story itself seems to old for younger readers so I'd recommend this to girls ages 13 and up.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Recommended Books Number 5

Academy 7
Written by: Anne Osterlund
Published by: Speak
Date Published: 2009
Number of Pages: 272, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction,
Summary: With a past too terrible to speak of, and a bleak, lonely future ahead of her, Aerin Renning is shocked to find she has earned a place at the most exclusive school in the universe. Aerin excels at Academy 7 in all but debate, where Dane Madousin - son of one of the most powerful men in the Alliance - consistently outtalks her. Fortunately Aerin consistently outwits him at sparring. They are at the top of their class until Dane jeopardizes everything and Aerin is unintentionally dragged down with him. When the pair is given a joint punishment, an unexpected friendship - and romance - begins to form. But Dane and Aerin both harbor dangerous secrets, and the two are linked in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. . .
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect when I reserved this book at my library via the online website. When I picked it up, I was a little worried about the cover. Surprisingly though, it was one of my favorites this month.
Rating: 3 stars

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Aurelia
Written by: Anne Osterlund
Published by: Speak
Date Published: 2008
Number of Pages: 256, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction,
Summary: Princess Aurelia is next in line to rule the kingdom of Tyralt, but she would rather be one of the common folk, free to learn and roam and . . . not marry the next tyrannical prince that comes courting. Naturally, the king wants Aurelia to marry for political power. Aurelia wants to marry for love. And someone in the kingdom wants her . . . dead. Assigned to investigate and protect Aurelia is Robert, the son of the king's former royal spy and one of Aurelia's oldest friends. As Aurelia and Robert slowly uncover clues as to who is threatening her, their friendship turns to romance. With everything possible on the line - her life, her kingdom, her heart - Aurelia is forced to take matters into her own hands, no matter the cost.
Review:  I hope Anne Osterlund writes more books! I love the cover and the story was good.
Rating: 2 1/2 stars

Recommended Books Number 4

Just Listen

Written by: Sarah Dessen

Published by: Speak

Date Published: 2008

Number of Pages: 400, Paperback 

Genre: Young Adult Fiction,

Awards: A New York Times Bestseller, An ALA Best Book for Young Adults,  Summary: Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"--at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf 's Department Store.This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling.With Owen's help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

In this multi-layered, impossible-to-put-down book, Sarah Dessen tells the story of a year in the life of a family coming to terms with the imperfections beneath its perfect facade.

Review: This book dealt with some tough issues (abuse, eating disorder, anger) but it was well handled. The language is often pretty strong but other than that, I have no objections to it. Music was a big part of this book and I thought it was beautiful. Recommended for older teens.

Rating: 3 stars

February 2010 Book List

Into the Wilderness by Rosanne Bittner -288 pgs, ZERO stars
Rosie and Skate by Beth Ann Bauman -224 pgs, ZERO stars
Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill -304 pgs, 1/2 star
One Wish by Leigh Brescia -312 pgs, 1/2 star
Star In the Middle by Carol Larese Millward -304 pgs, 1/2 star
Fire by Kristin Cashore -480 pgs, 1 star
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen -432 pgs, 1 star
Once A Witch by Carolyn MacCullough -304 pgs, 1 star
A Girl Like Moi by Lisa Barham -272 pgs, 1 1/2 stars
Wish by Alexandra Bullen -336 pgs, 1 1/2 stars
The Maverick's Bride by Catherine Palmer -288 pgs, 2 stars
The Missing by Beverly Lewis -336 pgs, 2 stars
Threads of Silk by L. L. Chaikin -336 pgs, 2 stars
Walk by Faith by Rosanne Bittner -336 pgs, 2 stars
Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson -336 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman -352 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
The Princess by Lori Wick -300 pgs, 2 1/2 stars


Top 5 books of the Month:

Gingham Bride by Jillian Hart -288 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Where Heaven Begins by Rosanne Bittner -336 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Aurelia by Anne Osterlund -256 pgs, 2 1/2 stars
Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund -272 pgs, 3 stars
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen -400 pgs, 3 stars

(7092 pgs total)

Overall, not a very productive month of reading because I didn't like most of it. Hopefully I'll have better luck this March! (and more time to blog)

January 2010 Book List

Read My Lips by Teri Brown -256 pgs. 1 star
The Summer I Got A Life by Mark Fink -196 pgs. 1 1/2 stars
Daughter of Silk by L. L. Chaikin -315 pgs. 2 stars
Fortunes Bride by Jane Peart -272 pgs. 2 stars
Patience by Lori Copeland -336 pgs. 2 stars
Ransomed Bride by Jane Peart -176 pgs. 2 stars
Ruth by Lori Copeland -304 pgs. 2 stars
Written on Silk by L. L. Chaikin -352 pgs. 2 stars
A Bride Most Begrudging by Deanne Gist (Adult Fiction) -347 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (Young Adult Fiction)  -254 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini (Young Adult Fiction) -784 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury -208 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Gladys Aylward by Janet Benge -203 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Lady MacBeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein -304 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Pure by Terra Elan McVoy -336 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Totally Unfair by Nancy N. Rue -160 pgs. 2 1/2 stars
Divine Comedy: Paradise by Dante Alighieri  3 stars
Divine Comedy: Purgatory by Dante Alighieri  3 stars

Top 5 books of the Month:

Fault Lines by Nancy N. Rue -160 pgs. 3 stars
Josephine by Beverly Lewis -256 pgs. 3 stars
Impossible by Nancy Werlin - 384 pgs. 3 1/2 stars
Ophelia by Lisa Klein -352 pgs. 3 1/2 stars
False Friends and True Strangers by Nancy N. Rue 192 pgs. 4 stars

(6147 pgs total)

Recommended Books Number 3

Impossible
Written by: Nancy Werlin
Published by: Speak
Date Published: 2009
Number of Pages: 384, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction,
Summary: Lucy has nine months to break an ancient curse in order to save both herself and her unborn daughter.
Inspired by the ballad 'Scarborough Fair,'this riveting novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intensely page-turning and masterfully original tale.
Lucy is seventeen when she discovers that the women of her family have been cursed through the generations, forced to attempt three seemingly impossible tasks or to fall into madness upon their child's birth. But Lucy is the first girl who won't be alone as she tackles the list. She has her fiercely protective foster parents and her childhood friend Zach beside her. Do they have love and strength enough to overcome an age-old evil?
Review: This book was very intriguing. I couldn't put it down and stayed up late to finish it. Although it had some parts that I didn't agree with (abortion/medication and such things) I was very satisfied by the characters and the choices they made. I was in suspense the whole time I was reading but at the same time I didn't want it to end.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Recommended Books Number 2

Ophelia
Written by: Lisa Klein
Published by: Bloomsbury
Date Published: 2006, 2008
Number of Pages: 336, Hardback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction,
Summary: He is Hamlet, Prince of Denmark; she is simply Ophelia. If you think you know their story, think again.
      In this re-imagining of Shakespeare's famous tragedy, it is Ophelia who takes center stage. A rowdy, motherless girl, she grows up at Elsinore Castle to become the queen's most trusted lady-in-waiting.  Ambitious for knowledge and witty as well as beautiful, Ophelia learns the ways of power in a court where nothing is as it seems. When she catches the attention of the captivating, dark-haired Prince Hamlet, their love blossoms in secret. But bloody deeds soon turn Denmark into a place of madness, and Ophelia's happiness is shattered. Ultimately, she must choose between her love for Hamlet and her own life. In desperation, Ophelia devises a treacherous plan to escape from Elsinore forever . . . with one very dangerous secret.
Review: This book was fantastic. I'm not much of a Shakespeare fan but this makes me want to pick up Hamlet and read the real story. Very interesting! Not too long ago I read Two Girls of Gettysburg, also by Lisa Klein and also a great read!
Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Recommended Books Number 1

New Girl In Town

Written by: Nancy N. Rue

Published by: Zondervan

Date Published: February 2004
Number of Pages: 176, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Christian Chick-lit
Summary: Book one in a new StudentWare fiction series for mid-teens that deals with the challenges, problems, and excitement of becoming young women of faith. -When Laura Duffy’s family moves to Satellite Beach, Florida, she feels out of place as a junior at the high school where her good grades mark her as a nerd. Mrs. Isaacsen, a school counselor, invites Laura to join a weekly group for "conflicted" girls. There she gets to know Michelle (a sophisticated sophomore), Joy Beth (a super athlete), KJ (a freshman with an attitude), and Celeste (a junior who’s friends with every hunk in the school). The girls form a bond, and as various things happen in their busy lives, they learn to use Mrs. Isaacsen’s "secret keys" as a means for coping. (-from the back cover)
Review: I was really excited to find more Christian Chik-lit that is actually Christian! So many put that title on their books but they still get away with adding so much junk in their novels. While the events that happen in this book aren't like anything that has ever happened to me, I really enjoyed it.
Rating: 4 stars
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False Friends and True Stranger

Written by: Nancy N. Rue

Published by: Zondervan

Date Published: February 2004
Number of Pages: 192, Paperback
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Christian Chick-lit
Summary: In this second book of the ‘Nama Beach High series, Laura Duffy and her friends from the "conflicted" girls club discover a "secret" text hidden within John 16. Laura has a chance to experience the truth of this secret when she gets her driver’s license, starts a new job at the local Gap store, then observes kids from her school in the act of shoplifting, and even suffers the theft of her car. Worst of all, her friend Joy Beth, who seems to possess everything in life, develops diabetes. Together the girls realize that possessing things sometimes leads to being possessed by them.... (-from the back cover)
Review: I was able to relate to this book a little bit more than the first one. I couldn't wait to figure out what happened next and recommend this series to teen girls out there looking for fun, clean reads. I can't wait to see what books 3 and 4 bring!
Rating: 4 stars
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A Curse As Dark As Gold

Written by: Elizabeth C. Bunce

Published by: Arthur A. Levine Books

Date Published: March 2008

Number of Pages: 400, Hardcover

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy,
Summary: '"If you'll allow me to demonstrate, I do think I could be of some help to you here." I smiled tightly. "You'd have to be able to make gold appear from thin air to be much help to us now, I'm afraid."...'
After her father’s death, Charlotte and her younger sister, Rosie, take over the family business, a mill shadowed by a curse that goes back generations. Charlotte gives little credence to superstition, but when they can’t pay the mortgage on the mill, Rosie conjures up Jack Spinner, an odd little man who promises them that he will spin a roomful of straw into gold—for a price. Despite an uncle who apparently wants to help the girls and a suitor who will do anything he can for Charlotte, her secret agreement with Spinner creates a vortex that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear. Set in England during the early days of the Industrial Revolution, the novel combines elements of fantasy and historical fiction with a love story between two strong-minded individuals. (-from Fantasticfiction.com and Amazon.com)
Review: For fairytale lovers out there, this is an amazing retelling of Rumpelstilskin! It was a little creepy (the original story is very strange) and had some superstition in it but I really appreciated the whole book.
Rating: 4 stars
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Change in plans

I apologize that I haven't been blogging faithfully. My life has gotten much busier these past few months. And since it is just going to get busier, I will not be posting the weekly book lists with reviews and summaries for all the books I read. I will focus only on one or two good reads each time and my posts will be more random instead of every week.