Review for Fame, Glory and Other Things on my To Do List by Janette Rallison

Fame, Glory, and other things on my to do list
by Janette Rallison

Published:
September 17th 2005 by Walker Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 192 pages

Placement in Pile:
Borderline Reaching New Heights/Middle of the Stack

Summary:
A PC school principal turns West Side Story into a comedy of errors. Sixteen year-old Jessica dreams of Hollywood fame, and when Jordan moves into her small town, she dreams of him too. He’s a movie star’s son, and hey, he’s gorgeous to boot. Jordan has always wanted to get out from the shadow cast by his superstar father, but now that he and his mother have moved so far away from LA, how can he get his divorced parents back together? Jessica convinces Jordan the way to get his father to come for a long visit is to be a part of the school play. And if she’s “discovered” in the process, all the better. Things go wrong when she lets Jordan’s secret identity slip, and grow even more disastrous when the principal tries to change West Side Story into a gangfree, violence-free, politically correct production. In the same romantic and sharply witty spirit of Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Free Throws, Janette Rallison delivers another comic gem that teen readers are sure to love. (Goodreads)

REVIEW:
FAME is a light, funny read and one that anyone with an interest in drama will especially love. This one was a hard one for me to place in the "pile" - because if I'd read it as a teen, I think it would definitely be Reaching New Heights. However, as an adult reading it, it was borderline for me. It was hysterical (what Janette book isn't?) and very realistically "teen". I have to admit that I enjoyed MY FAIR GODMOTHER a little bit more, it was just more on a level that I enjoy in YA novels. So that's why this one isn't a full fledged Reaching New Heights.

I highly recommend FAME for girls in middle school or high school. My "rating" would be PG. I read this one a couple months back, when I got it from Janette at a BYU Writer's conference. (She was my instructor, and I absolutely loved her classes! She's even more funny in person than she is in her writing!) She is so talented, and I can't wait to read her next book!

Review: MY FAIR GODMOTHER by Janette Rallison

MY FAIR GODMOTHER
by Janette Rallison
Published January 6th 2009 by Walker Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 320 pages

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights

Summary:
Finding your one true love can be a Grimm experience!

After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah's gum-chewing, cell phone carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother. Showing why she's only Fair because she's not a very good fairy student, Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White.

Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah's class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight. Laughs abound in this clever fairy tale twist from a master of romantic comedy.

Review:

(This picture is Janette with the Chrissy doll that was our gift to her from the conference in June!)

In this off-beat modern fairy tale Janette creates a funny world where Chrissy, a Godmother in training -- only tested at a level "fair" -- repeatedly puts her character in bad fairy tale situations in order to fulfill her wishes. I found the writing true to a teenager's life and thoughts, the situation unbelievably adorable (meaning that I thought it was adorable even though it was pure fantasy).

The book will surprise you, with several narrators setting up the situation and world. I expected at first the story to not be Savannah's story but Jane, her sister's. When it switched at first I was mildly irriated because I related to Jane a lot. But as I got into Savannah's world and her situation I was in love with the characters, the story, and wholly engrossed.

This is a feel-good read that will also teach you that in the end it is on the inside not the outside that counts. If you love a good fairy tale and need a lighthearted read, this is the book for you!

1000 hits!

Hey guys! I just wanted to say thank you for supporting my blog and coming to visit! MPB reached 1000 original hits this morning!!! I am so excited about this blog and enjoying it so much. Thank you!

Introduction: Janette Rallison

Hi all!

So this week we are doing something fun! As I have mentioned in June I attended a writer's conference for children's lit. I was in the Chic Lit/Romance class and it was such a blast and so incredible. I met so many great authors, so many wonderful women who are writing and working on their craft, some really great editors and one amazing amazing agent (can I say I totally have an agent crush???). Perhaps the most important person I met was the author in charge of my morning classes -- Janette Rallison!

(Me and Janette at the conference)

Janette's books are funny, heartfelt, and romantic! She was the perfect author to lead our class. This week Sara and I are going to review several of her books and we have a fun interview with her to share with you as well (Thanks Janette!). So this week, sit back and enjoy everything that is the fabulous Janette Rallison!

Here are some of her books and awards:
"Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List" IRA Young Adults' Choices List 2007
"It's a Mall World After All" IRA Young Adults' Choices List 2008
"How to Take the Ex out of Ex Boyfriend" IRA Young Adults' Choices List 2009

For more info on Janette, her books, links to her blog etc. go to http://janetterallison.com/

**Off topic reminder, the contest for the ARC of THE MAZE RUNNER and the ARC of GIRL IN THE ARENA is still open for entries through tomorrow at midnight!!!

A Book Discovery

I know many of you heard of and even read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES by Seth Grahame-Smith and using text from Jane Austen's original. It is a New York Times best-seller!

Well I have to admit that even though I was supposed to read it for book club, and it sounds interesting to me and an entertaining book, I never got around to reading it. I heard it was humorous and maybe a bit disturbing in the zombie violence.

However, I was browsing a new book list the other day and discovered another book in the Jane Austen monster spin offs. SENSE AND SENSIBILITY AND SEA MONSTERS by Ben H. Winters and text from Jane Austen again.

Summary:
From the publisher of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies comes a new tale of romance, heartbreak, and tentacled mayhem.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters expands the original text of the beloved Jane Austen novel with all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents, and other biological monstrosities. As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon. Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? This masterful portrait of Regency England blends Jane Austen’s biting social commentary with ultraviolent depictions of sea monsters biting. It’s survival of the fittest—and only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!

With a new author I wonder how this one will be accepted and how it reads. If anyone has a chance to read it let me know! It is going to be on my TBR pile for now.

My Reading Pile

So, I am getting to the point where I simply cannot afford to buy all the books I want to anymore. Sad I know! I think I tend to stop buying myself stuff around this time of year in hopes that I will get it for Christmas if it is something that I really want. But there are still lots on my reading list. Here are the books I have on reserve at the library (I'm just waiting for that grand e-mail that says one of them is waiting for me!)

AS YOU WISH by Jackson Pearce (number one on the waiting list now!)
DREAMING ANASTASIA by Joy Preble (number 7)
GIVE UP THE GHOST by Megan Crewe (number 6)
ONCE A WITCH by Carolyn MacCullough (number 15! Oye!)

I love that I can reserve books online at my library and just go pick them up when I want to. Usually if I have something on hold it leads me to browsing the racks of CDs or DVDs and new releases as well. I love my library! It allows me to read so much more than I can afford to buy, and in the end if I read something I love, I go buy it eventually anyway!

Giveaway!

Okay folks, I have been hinting on other sites that I was going to do a major giveaway! Here it is!

This giveaway is for TWO ARCs! Both books are set in a futuristic world where the characters have to struggle to survive!

First on the list is none other than my ARC of THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner. This copy is signed. It doesn't have the cool cover, because I got it before it was finalized, but it's SIGNED!


ALSO, the winner will receive my ARC of GIRL IN THE ARENA by Lise Haines!


Here's how to enter!!!

1) Simply comment here and let us know you want to enter (easy peasy!)

2) Follow the blog publicly on the sidebar (current followers will receive two entries, new followers will receive one -- I know some of you may already follow via other readers, but publicly following on this page is the only way I can verify you follow) but you need to let me know you want to enter even if you are a follower.

3) Post about this contest with a link on your blog/facebook/myspace whatever and let me know that in the comment section with one of your other entries. - good for 3 extra entries!

This contest will be open until Tuesday September 29th at 11:59 EST. So hurry and get your entries in!

US mailing addresses only please.

Interview and Author Info : James Dashner

Hi all!

I am pleased to provide for you some fun questions I asked James Dashner! I was lucky enough to attend his mini-class at a writer's conference. He is hilarious and very talented. (If you ever have a chance to hear him speak, do it!)

Q:If you were a character in The Maze Runner who would you be and why?
JD:I would definitely be Thomas, because he's kind of based on me, which means I'm actually already him. Whoa. I just blew my mind.

Q:Your name pops up in a Janette Rallison book! How do you feel about that?
JD:I can't believe Janette had the gall to put my name in her book without paying me some kind of royalty. It also offends me on so many levels. Namely that I'm not the main character. Ha! Just kidding - I love Janette!

Q:What is your favorite thing to eat before or while you're writing?
JD:Hmm. My favorite thing to eat... I would have to say some kind of nuts, especially cashews. Or pizzeria flavored Combos. Yum!

Thanks James!

For more information on James, check out his website at www.jamesdashner.com . James is great at updating his blog. I don't know how he has time for it all! There are some great links on his publishing history, and answers to some FAQs from people wondering about how to get into the writing world.

Here I have embedded a great interview that makes me SO curious for the next books in the series of THE MAZE RUNNER world! Plus he answers a lot of the questions I would have asked had I done an interview with him anyway.


This is from the official The Maze Runner Website at http://themazerunner.com where you can also play an EVIL game where you can run through the Maze. Took me like 20 times to get past level 2!

I hope you enjoy this stuff as much as I did! Be sure to come back tomorrow! You won't want to miss it!

Review THE MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner

THE MAZE RUNNER
by James Dashner
To be Published October 6th 2009 by Random House (Delacorte Press)
(Two weeks from today!)
374 pages

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights inching towards Top Picks

Summary:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.

The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl springs up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.

And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind. (from Goodreads)

Review:
I was so excited when I read the premise of this book! It seemed like a great mystery along with a menacing new science fiction world -- and I was not disappointed! James Dashner has created a great world with great characters. I laughed, I was shocked, I was thoroughly entertained. Dashner writes with an expert hand and only gives you bits of the story at a time. As you read, your brain is racking for answers just like Thomas and the other Gladers.

The story is definitely one that is written for boys, but that is one of the things I love about this book. Although chick lit/romance are my favorite topics, I have always enjoyed adventure stories. I am one of those weirdos that actually liked reading Lord of the Flies. Other "boy" books I loved were The White Mountains, and Where the Red Fern Grows. I think boy books appeal to a wider audience range because girls will pick up a boyish book, but not as many guys will pick up a girly book like Twilight.

It is a long book for YA, but fantasy/sci-fi novels can get away with that because fantasy and sci-fi readers are used to long books. The only time I felt like the story was getting long was somewhere towards the end. I understood at the VERY end why the action and information I thought was not only a shock but kind of an info dump was there, but I racked my brain for a way to fix it. (I of course couldn't come up with one, but my brain kept telling me something could be altered here to keep the pace up.)

I highly recommend this book! I have had the privilege to meet James (at a writer's conference) and he is hilarious, talented and I am looking forward to seeing more in this series (yes folks, it's a 3 book series!) and more from James Dashner in the future.

Congrats James on a great novel!

Contest Winner!

The winner of the ARC of BREATHLESS by Jessica Warman is....

llehn!

Please e-mail me at aubreyavalon@gmail.com with your mailing information!

Thanks to everyone who entered, be sure to keep reading and commenting this week because we have some big things coming up!

Also, missy t, if you don't get back to me about the LIAR ARC giveaway this week, I will award the book to someone else who entered so get back to me!

Review GIRL IN THE ARENA by Lise Haines

REVIEW:
Girl in the Arena
by Lise Haines

Summary:
It’s a fight to the death—on live TV—when a gladiator’s daughter steps into the arena Lyn is a neo-gladiator’s daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules—and the GSA—can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn’s seventh father, he also captures Lyn’s dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines’ debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence—a modern world that’s disturbingly easy to imagine. (goodreads)

Placement on Shelf:
Reaching new heights

Review:
I was really quite surprised by how much I liked this book. It sounded interesting, but I was afraid it was just going to be gory and awful. But I ended up really liking it. It is quite a commentary on our society's obsession with violence, and where that could lead. It is set as though it is modern day, and that this "Glad sport" started during the Vietnam war and then just expanded. It is a haunting story, Lyn is a bold and tortured narrator, and the story kept taking me places I was shocked to have gone to. The writing was surprisingly beautiful.

Overall, I recommend this book to older teens (high school age or above) and adults.

I would almost have to go with R for violence (if it were made into a movie, or if you picture it in your head. But the writing is so beautiful that even though it's graphic it wasn't as disturbing as I expected it to be). I would still say it's okay for a mature teenage reader. It's not over the top, especially considering what the storyline is about - Gladiators that fight to the death. There is some language, disturbing scenes and violence (of course).

I also wonder if there are going to be any more books with these characters. It resolves to a degree, enough that I'm okay if there aren't. However, there are quite a few questions that are left unanswered.

A Rating System for Books

I have said for years that I wish there was some sort of rating system for books. Movies have them. Video Games have them. Almost all forms of entertainment do - except books.

Have any of you ever picked up a book that sounded really intriguing, and you were so excited to read it, only to have it be so crude you could hardly stand it? Or too violent? Or too sexually explicit? Or maybe the author found the so-called "f-word" to be an adjective, adverb, and noun? I have, and it is SO frustrating and upsetting to me. I always tell my husband, "why don't books have ratings on them so I know what I'm getting when I go to read it? There should be some sort of warning system so that I'm not so shocked when I'm reading a book and all of a sudden WABBAM! The 'f-word' or a sex scene or whatever."

Maybe they don't do it on purpose, so that people will still pick up the books and read them, not knowing what they're getting in to. Maybe they worry that if there were ratings, people would choose not to read books with a higher rating. Just how a G movie will almost ALWAYS outearn a rated R movie. (Or so my college professor told us many years ago) It's just bankable. So maybe the publishers worry that sales will drop on books that have more "inappropriate" content. But I say, if they're worried about it, then have take that stuff out. Or else deal with the consequences of having it.

But I say quit forcing this stuff on unsuspecting readers who think they're getting one thing, but get shocked to find out it's another.

Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. What do you think?

PS This is why I give "ratings" on my reviews, just in case anyone else out there feels the same way.

Giveaway!

Here's your chance to make your own decision about BREATHLESS by Jessica Warman!

Here's how you can get points to enter (this is an and/or thing):

1) Comment here with a High School story! Anything you want...it can be as simple as what HS was like for you in general.
2) Follow the blog (current followers will receive two entries, new followers will receive one) but you need to let me know you want to enter even if you are a follower
3) Post about this contest with a link on your blog/facebook/myspace whatever and let me know that in the comment section with one of your other entries. - good for 3 extra entries!

The contest will be open through 11:59 PM EST Saturday September 19th.

Review BREATHLESS by Jessica Warman

BREATHLESS
by Jessica Warman
Published August 18th 2009 by Walker Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 320 pages

PLACEMENT IN THE PILE: A Bit Buried

SUMMARY:
When Katie Kitrell is shipped off to boarding school by her distant father and overbearing mother, it doesn’t take her long to become part of the It Crowd. She’s smart, she’s cute, and she’s an Olympic-bound swimmer who has a first class ticket to any Ivy League school of her choice. But what her new friends, roommate, and boyfriend don’t know is that Katie is swimming away from her past, and from her schizophrenic older brother, Will, who won’t let her go. And when he does the unthinkable, it’s all Katie can do to keep her head above water.

REVIEW:
When I read the premise of this book it intrigued me. It is not something I would normally pick up, but I thought I would give it a try. Bloomsbury lists it as semi-autobiographical. And I was very interested to see how the story played out where the girl is dealing with her brother's mental illness.

What this novel is: A good read for an ADULT. It reminds us that sometimes teenagers deal with things they shouldn't need to deal with. I enjoyed reading the story. Katie's relationship with her roommate made me laugh out loud multiple times. Her parents infuriated me for not being there for her and I really felt for this character. It is written beautifully and there is some really good stuff in there.

What the novel isn't: a book I would let my teenager read. It definitely contains a lot of things that I don't want my young daughter to be exposed to. I cringed at parts that talks about teenage drug and alcohol abuse as "Normal teenage stuff". I thought this especially strange because Katie's brother's schizophrenia is drug induced. The way it is explained, he turned to drugs because he was bullied, and that killed off brain cells and induced his illness. The juxtaposition of Katie knowing this and then using drugs and alcohol herself made no sense to me. Not to mention the heavy cigarette smoking from a supposedly regional swimming champ.

Many parts were sexually charged (including the use of the term "blow job") and the novel will reiterate society's negative view of virgins. Since I wholly believe in abstinence, this is obviously not something I want to expose my child to (she'll get enough of that without reading novels that glorify teenage sexuality).

So, I was very torn because although there is a deep underlying story of trying to make it through very trying family issues and teenage years, there was just too much that wasn't for me to give it a better rating.

Winner!

The winner of our ARC giveaway of LIAR by Justine Larbalestier is....

missy t!!!

Please e-mail me at aubreyavalon at gmail dot com with your mailing info!

Thank you to all who entered. There will be another giveaway SOON!

Giveaway Reminder!

Today is the last day to enter to win an ARC of LIAR by Justine Larbalestier. Click on the sidebar link (the contest is listed after my review) and I will be announcing the winner on Monday!

Vampire Diaries on the CW

One thing I like to do is review things that originated as books.

Last night I caught the pilot of Vampire Diaries on the CW. I have to say I was loving it. As a die hard Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan I am excited to see another vampire show on TV that will most likely make it. (There have been some that have come and gone, and let me tell you I am always sad when they go.)

Now I have to admit, amongst my pile of books the Vampire Diaries sits in the mess. I have wanted to read them for a long time because I LOVE Vampires, I have just been too busy reading other review books to get to them. So I am not the best person to say whether or not the actors and things match the books, but they certainly made me want to pick up the books again. I think they are all beautiful and I am loving this traditional vampire legend so far.

One pet peeve. While watching the show, I was reminded of something that has been greatly bothering me in YA literature lately. Why do we as adults need to write in the glamorization of having teenagers drink alcohol at parties, do drugs and have sex? Even if it happens, it should not be glorified, normalized or talked about as though teens should behave that way. If it is in a book, show the negative consequences because honestly those are many and are an important thing to show teenagers who read literature. That is my opinion. I know that my opinion will not get rid of the glorification of these bad behaviors in literature, but I still don't have to like it.

So...for those of you who HAVE read the Vampire Diaries series, I wonder what you thought of the pilot if you caught it. If you didn't, you can watch it check it out on the CW next Thursday.

We Remember

REVIEW: Keturah and Lord Death

REVIEW:
Keturah and Lord Death

By Martine Leavitt

Details:
November 2006 by Front Street
Hardcover, 216 pages

SUMMARY: Martine Leavitt offers a spellbinding story, interweaving elements of classic fantasy and high romance. Keturah follows a legendary hart into the king's forest, where she becomes hopelessly lost. Her strength diminishes until, finally, she realizes that death is near. Little does she know that he is a young, handsome lord, melancholy and stern. Renowned for her storytelling, Keturah is able to charm Lord Death with a story and thereby gain a reprieve -- but only for twenty-four hours. She must find her one true love within that time, or all is lost. Keturah searches desperately while the village prepares for an unexpected visit from the king, and Keturah is thrust into a prominent role as mysterious happenings alarm her friends and neighbors. Lord Death's presence hovers over all until Keturah confronts him one last time in the harrowing climax.

PLACEMENT IN PILE: Reaching New Heights

REVIEW:
This book is very beautiful, and very poignant. It is borderline "reaching new heights" and "top picks". Martine's writing is gorgeous and lyrical as the story sweeps you along into the climax and Keturah's final acts and decisions. Parts of it were hard for me to read, because of my own trials, experiences, and fears (in my life). She is coming to know Lord Death after all, and death is not always timely, pretty, and rarely is it happy. It is a very well written book, and one I highly recommend. In fact, my friend and author of THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT Julie Berry, has said that this is one of the most influential books on her writing and one of her favorite reads. (That is paraphrasing obviously, so correct me if I got it wrong Julie! But I that was the basic gyst of what she said.) I had the opportunity to meet Martine in June, and she is as lovely and gentle as her writing style.

As for my "rating system" I'd go with PG, just because I think some of the descriptions and elements of the story are a little too mature for a really young audience (since it deals with death). But maybe it would go right over their heads, and not be sad for them at all. Part of why it was so sad for me are my fears as a mother, and some experiences I've had with death. So maybe an innocent pre-teen with no real experiences yet with death wouldn't find it so moving and emotional as I did. You'll have to read it yourself and let me know what you think!

As always, Happy Reading!

Publishing in Film

Not only do I love reading, but I love movies. One thing that I always find interesting is current trends in movies. Whether that be a setting, or a type of character (like a prince charming, or the dying girl that doesn't want you to fall in love with her because she's dying), or a general theme -- I like to look for these things.

Lately I have seen a few movies that have been so enjoyable to me partially because of their related thematic settings -- the publishing world.

If I go back, one of the first movies I remember seeing about the writing world was Finding Neverland. I thought it was an incredibly beautiful movie that took you into the world of the famous Peter Pan playwright. It was fascinating to me the way they showed his imagination and what it was that inspired him to write. I love his comment about writing. "All great writers begin with a good leather binding and a respectable title." It made me want to put my laptop aside and try writing in a leather notebook by hand.

Then there was The Proposal. Heavily set in the publishing world the main characters work in NYC as an editor and editor's assistant. It shows the busy life of an editor and the range of the things they do for the buisness. It shows that working in the publishing world is about passion, gusto and time. People do it because they love it.

And most recently I saw Post Grad. Alexis Bledel's character's fondest dream has been to graduate and work for a publishing company set in LA. When things don't work out the way she expected her life is thrown into chaos as she doesn't know how to deal with not acheiving her dream. One of my favorite parts was when she was scoping out a new apartment for her dream life. She stood against a large blank wall and asked her friend "What do you see here?" His response: "White paint". Her response: "No, my books. Bookshelves and bookshelves of my babies. Organized by author, no genre, maybe date of publication. Hmmm." (These quotes are from memory since I couldn't find the actual text online.) It showed once again that people who strive to be in the publishing world are people who just LOVE books.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite movie that involves the publishing world? Why do you think that it is an interesting setting for a movie?

Blog Award Nominations!

Many of you know that I started my book blogging career at MyFavoriteAuthor . Due to certain events MFA could no longer continue as it was, so I branched out and started my own blog because I would miss blogging too much.

My good friend Speed Reader who started MFA informed me that MFA was nominated for Best YA Review Blog for Book Blogger Appreciation Week over at the My Friend Amy blog! I am so so thrilled for MFA and thrilled that I could have been a part of what got it it's nomination!

There are tons of awards for lots of well-known blogs so go on over to the Nominee and voting list (click on the icon below) and vote! Polls close on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 11:59 EST. And congrats again to MFA!

The BIG TBR Pile

Just to give you an idea of how many books sound interesting to me compared to how many I can read and have read recently my Goodreads profile now tells me I have read and reviewed 133 books and I am currently reading 3 books and my to read folder has 201 books in it. If you're interested I am posting the widget for my Goodreads TBR list below. It is constantly changing, but this might give you an idea of how big "My Pile of Books" is!

Stacey's to-read book montage

Stacey's favorite books »