Si, se puede! Yes we can

How I did with my 2009 goals...

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:10:18 GMT

I went back and checked out my goals for this year. How did I do? Not bad considering I had some major changes in my life: the whole nightmare experience with son's school that lead me to join an advocacy group for parent's with ADD/ADHD children and also to enroll son in a charter school. Yes, it's been tougher with getting any writing done but it's also been so nice to actually deal with school personnel that listen and help(I have an educational specialist who's a former 3rd grade teacher).

Also my book didn't come out as it was first planned--May 2009. I admit, that was kind of a bummer but on the other hand I feel it's better taking a tad bit longer and not being rushed. Rushed=more typos which are embarrassing. **Ask my former writing mentor Lou about that!

Ok, here's my list and what I did do. On Dec. 30 or 31st I'll list my resolutions for the next year!

1. Finish revisions with STEP STONE AWAY and then after having a couple Beta readers read it over, send out into the scary world of agents. I'm crossing my fingers that the third time will be the charm.
**DID! I even pulled it again after I got a number of rejections to do yet another revision! January I hope to query again!

2. Get a book trailer put together for CROSSED OUT.
**DIDN'T DO. But I did have someone say they would do it but she never did. She said her computer crashed. I need to try to get ahold of her again or use another contact.

3. Get stuff together for a virtual book tour this summer.
**DIDN'T DO. Reason? There was some turnover at my new publisher and my book's release got pushed forward. I do know it needs to come out around May. Will keep you informed.

4. Start working on DYLAN'S TALE. Goal is to have the first draft done by this time next year.
**DID! I have 30K on the now tentative title: CROSS THE LINE. This book is still in Stephanie's POV and continues with more adventures and revelations.

5. Continue reviewing YA books for ENCHANTING REVIEWS.
**UH...No. Instead I'm reviewing for YA BOOKS CENTRAL which is so cool and exciting! Kimberly is a real doll and I've been excited to read more multicultural books plus books from a newer publisher, Egmont.

6. Write Monday through Saturday. Don't get too distracted.
**DOING.

7. Don't compare self to others that seem to be doing so much better than myself. Take pride in every little success.
**UH...still need to work on this. Big time.

8. Continue to exercise 4 times a week. Watch diet.
**DOING. Work in progress. The diet thing I really have to work on more.

9.**Ok, this is a big one--get my mammogram. I'm so bad but I can't keep putting it off.
**DIDN'T DO. But in January have my yearly and will be going over all of this.

10. Stay in touch with family up North.
**DID. Doing better. Was going to visit this month but my MIL was supposed to come down to visit. That didn't happen as there was a death in the family and she had to go to Arizona for the funeral. Plus her whole hip replacement. Hope to visit either this spring or summer.

Paris when it Sizzles...or how Audrey Hepburn helps William Holden come up with a story in two days!

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:29:03 GMT

Last night I watched PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES. A story of a screenwriter who has mega writer's block and uses a typist(Audrey Hepburn) to help him act out some ideas. Sure, some of the story is cheesy but hey, it was fun to see both characters act out storylines. Kind of like what happens when a writer starts writing a story at the beginning. I use a story paradigm but even then my characters sometimes decide to take the story in their own hands too.

Anyway, here's a clip of the movie.

Guilty treats of 2009

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:52:55 GMT

Like I mentioned before, there were some fab YA books this year. I already mentioned my top 10, now here's some of my guilty treats:

1. DEAD GIRL WALKING series by Linda J. Singleton

I'm a huge fan of Linda's and this series is great! Think QUANTUM LEAP meets YA. Really enjoyed all of the books and I'm looking forward to her new Thorn series!

**Books that have drama themes, which keep right with the whole GLEE craze of this year. I love GLEE too by the way!

2. THE COMEBACK by Marlene Perez

I love Marlene's books, which include her popular DEAD IS THE NEW BLACK series. THE COMEBACK is about one girl who is determined to get back to the top after her fall. This book has the usual Perez wit and humor, which I so love.

3. WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA by Christine Marciniak

A sweet tale that has THE SONG OF MUSIC in the background and of course that kiss!

TV treat:

Of course, VAMPIRE DIARIES. What can I say? I just loved this series of a girl and two very hot vampires. I loved this series so much I treated myself to the books.

New publisher that I love:

EGMONT books

http://www.egmontusa.com/

I've read some fab books from this new publisher! Can't wait to read more!

My Top 10 YA Reads for 2009

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:43:48 GMT

There's been a lot of great books this year! Great books motivate me to write better. I remember one rejection I received this year about how my own writing wasn't 'sparkling' enough. After I read some of the books I have listed, I found out what that person meant. Setting is very much a character too. Each of the books I have mentioned have more than sparkle. Heck, they glow with an intense light that sears through you, wanting you to read more! Now that's what I want my writing to be like!

Here's my top 10 picks of 2009.

1. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stol

Ohmigosh! This has it all: lush Southern background, boy who wants to get out of small town until he meets girl, who's different with a paranormal ability. Add rumors of ghosts and a final showdown that will keep you wanting more!

2. SHIVER by Maggie Steifvater

Another Ohmigosh book! The writing is so yummy, you'd think you were drinking a cup of hot cocoa topped with thick whip cream. Just like the cocoa, you don't want to rush through this bittersweet love story but savor every page. My favorite scene has to be the candy house. Steifvater uses all the senses to bring her story to life. Can't wait for the next book!

3. MAGIC UNDER GLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore

Loved this fantasy tale of a girl who falls in love with an automaton that's cursed. Another case of lush and vivid writing. You won't want to rush through this story either!
**Can you see what one thing really makes me 'fall in love' with a book?

4. BLEEDING VIOLET by Dia Reeves

This paranormal tale has a unique twist and doesn't follow the others in this market. The character suffers from mental illness but in this case that helps her when she goes to a small Texas town in search of the birthmother who left her.

5. ONCE WAS LOST by Sara Zarr

I admit, I almost put this book aside but after some urgings from another blogger I went back and was I glad I did! This has to be Zarr's best book. Her descriptions of a teen struggling with her faith in right on. The beauty of this book is it doesn't dwell on just the negative but ends with hope.

6. BLUE PLATE SPECIAL by Michelle Kwasney

This free verse tale goes over the lives of three generations that are interlinked. I really loved how the author was able to do this. I cared about each character.

7. THE CHOSEN ONE by Carol Lynch Williams

I really loved this tale of a thirteen-year-old who finds out she's suppose to become the eighth wife of her elderly cousin. Intense at times and very gripping. The author does a great job showing us a world that exists right here with a character who's courage to break free from the harsh rules expected of her will haunt you.

8. SILVER PHOENIX by Cindy Pon

I love multicultural tales and SILVER PHOENIX is no exception. This fantasy sweeps you along and refuses to let you go. The images are vivid. I love how Pon combined a fantasy world with Chinese mythology. Beautifully written.

9a. SAY THE WORD by Jeannine Garsee

I love how Garsee shows a teen struggling with emotions right after her gay mother dies. I remember reading this book either right before or during the whole Prop 8 thing in Ca that dealt with gay marriages. Garsee shows us a character we care for and the unfairness that happens after her mother's death to those she loved.

9b. THE FOREST OF HANDS AND FEET by Carrie Ryan

This isn't the usual zombie tale! I loved how Ryan created a futuristic world with a story that is both haunting and moving.

**10. How can I forget this book?

CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

I almost didn't pick up the first book HUNGER GAMES at last year's ALA but I'm glad I did. If you haven't read this futuristic Survivor meets LORD OF THE FLIES series yet, do. It's a real treat. I couldn't put either of these books down! And CATCHING FIRE is just as good!

What are some of your favorites?

Love this Christmas song!

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:36:53 GMT

I love this song.

Another song for CROSSED OUT

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:41:17 GMT

CROSSED OUT has both 80s and 90s tunes. This one by Pearl Jam haunts me:

Another Taylor Swift

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:16:33 GMT

Taylor Swift is totally the singer for GODDESSES. Here's another video. Skip to .30.

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:40:50 GMT

1. BORDER CROSSING by Jessica Lee Anderson

I really enjoyed this tale of a young Latino who not only is facing racism in his small Texan town but mental illness. I posted my review at YA Books Central:

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20330

2. ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS by Heather Brewer

I'm a big Vlad fan! Now Vlad is in eleventh grade and dealing with more serious problems like how to avoid a confrontation with a slayer who once was his friend.

3. THE PHOTOGRAPHER

This is a very intense and often gritty tale of some photographers who followed doctors without borders in 1986 war torn Afghanistan. The images are raw and sometimes very disturbing. I couldn't help but wonder if the country is any better now in the 21st century.

4. THE ROAD TO GOD KNOWS

Just got this graphic novel in the mail today and can't wait to read it! It's about a girl and her relationship with her mentally ill mother.

5. JUST BREEZE

Just got this book too! It looks like a fun read and the cover art is adorable!

Guilty pleasure:

I've been watching VAMPIRE DIARIES all week plus season three of Showtime's THE TUDORS:

At first I thought, bleh, but then I started to get into the whole palace intrigue and the betrayal of a group of people who only wanted an end of their churches being desecrated. Very intense and at times gruesome, including details of how the King Henry took care of those who didn't obey him. He tells Jane Seymour which in bed, "Remember what happened to the last queen?" (Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded) "I love you more than her. Don't spoil it."

Chilling.

THE DREAMER by Lora Innes

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:11:39 GMT

What's one way to take a subject that might be boring to a reluctant reader--history--and make it fun and interesting?

Why make a graphic novel using a teen from now who happens to 'visit' an important site of the Revoluntionary War during her dreams.

Or are they just dreams?

Seventeen-year-old Beatrice 'Bea' Whaley starts having vivid dreams of a brave and very hot soldier named Alan Warren--a member of an elite group known as Knowlton's Rangers that fought during the Revolutionary War. The feelings they share are intense and feel so real. Bea struggles with telling her friends and just wondering if maybe she's losing it. But as the dreams increase, she wonders if the dreams are in fact something more.

I really loved this tale! It's like reading the girl heroine's version of a superheroes book only in this case the hero happens to live in 1776. It has the excitement of a Diana Galbadon novel without the graphic details. After I finished, I wanted more! I want to know what happens to Bea. Will Alan survive the war? Will they end up together? What about Benjamin, the boy in her world?

A must read for those who love graphic novels.

THE DREAMER is a Cybils nominated book.

Friday Five

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:24:21 GMT

Ok, I'm starting to feel a tad bit overwhelmed. I have a meeting today with my educational specialist to go over the next two months of school. Thank goodness my niece is a third grade teacher and has been emailing me what she's teaching. I still need to get a full off to an agent. Oh, and I got a message on my answering machine asking if I'd like to teach creative writing.

Other than that, here's some of my five:

1. I think someone in my critique group is going to be sharing some pretty awesome news soon. Gotta to love that.

2. Right now reading FALLEN

Yes, this is another darker paranormal romance. So far I'm really enjoying this tale of a love affair that is not meant to be.

3. Got two nice messages about my story EARRINGS. I always love getting those!

4. Son is finally getting subtraction regrouping. It really helps doing drills and going over the concept.

5. Read some great graphic novels this past week. One favorite is AMULET. Another is PHOTOGRAPHER. This is a graphic/photo mix of a photographer's visit to war torn Afghanistan.

**Guilty treat:
I wanted to buy a ticket to see THE LOVELY BONES for tomorrow but it looks like my theater isn't showing it. Pout. If anything tomorrow is Saturday meaning I have a day off from teaching and can catch up on my revision--which is almost done!

Taylor Swift

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:18:32 GMT

I've been searching for music that would give everyone a feel for my upper MG fantasy GODDESSES. One of my critique buddies suggested Taylor Swift. Here's a song that I know Jordan would totally love:

What book would you memorize?

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:04:41 GMT

Yesterday I picked up a copy of the graphic novel adaptation of Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451 from my local library.

I have one word for this book:

WOW.

I can't understand why I never read it before. It's a haunting telling of a future where firemen instead of helping put out fires, burn books. And of a chance visit one fireman has with a girl who at first annoys him but later haunts him and has him question his whole purpose.

Anyone who knows me, knows how I hate censorship of any kind. It always bugs me when someone 'tells' me how I shouldn't read a certain book because it's offensive, blah, blah, blah. Most the time the person who relays that message NEVER FLIPPING READ THE BOOK. No, instead they just 'heard' it from someone else. This happens just a few years ago when someone emailed people a message about how to stay away from an anti-Christian movie that was dangerous. The movie? THE GOLDEN COMPASS.

One message of FAHRENHEIT 451 haunted me: What book would you memorize if you knew all books would be burned and labeled dangerous? What book means so much to you that you would memorize the words so you'd never forget it?

Very chilling tale that could very well be our own. A must read. The illustrations in this book are creepY and intense. The vivid red color just intensifies the message of the book, which is sure to stay with you.

A Cybil 2009 nominated book:

Friday Five

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:43:17 GMT

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We just stayed home this year. It's so nice not having to worry about what time to get on that I-15 in order to beat the traffic.

Also didn't do the whole Black Friday thing. Memories of a terrible experience I had in the Target parking lot still stay with me. What better way to kill the Christmas spirit then to have a man in his SUV try to run you over while screaming at the top of his lungs the f-bomb with his wife joining in.

No thank you. Oh, better yet his young son was in the car too. What a great example, huh?

Anyway, here's my five reads of the week. I'm still trying to get in 500 words a day on my sequel to CROSSED OUT. I'll be hitting another revision of GODDESSES sometime next week.

1. BEAUTIFUL

This is one intense story of thirteen-year-old Cassie and what she'll do in order to be noticed. Haunting, Cassie's tale is sure to stay with you.

2. NIGHTSCHOOL

When Alex's sister, Sarah, vanishes and all memory of her is erased, Alex sets out to find out what happened. She decides to enroll at the school where it all started: Nightschool. But Alex finds it's not so easy to sneak around at the school.

This Manga tale has flavors of Buffy sent to a mysterious school where not all is what it seems.

3. DORK DIARIES

Very cute story of Nikki and her journey to a new school. Told in diary form, her adventures and discoveries are sure to keep you turning the pages. One hilarious scene is when Nikki decides to mix together her own ingredients to help her barf. It works but then she finds a letter in the kitchen from her mother. Fearing she's so busted, she only finds her mother thanks her for a yummy breakfast!

4. EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF DEATH AND DEMENTIA

This graphic novel adaption of three of Edgar Allan Poe's tales is chilling. My favorite had to be The Tell-Tale Heart, a short tale of a man that believes his elderly charge has a demon eye. So he kills him and buries him under the planks of the house, little knowing that in death the man can still haunt him.

**Guilty pleasure of the week:

THE DARK DIVINE

Just when Grace Divine thinks she's over him, Daniel comes back into her life. So much is a mystery on why he disappeared. All she knows is that on the night of his disappearance she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood.

Now that Daniel is back she can't deny the attraction she feels even though her brother and family want nothing to do with him. But that doesn't stop Grace who vows to find out the truth.

This is another fab Egmont read.

Thankful...

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:25:38 GMT

1. I'm thankful for being able to review for YA Books Central! http://yabookscentral.blogspot.com/

2. I'm thankful for my health even though the doctor's office did call me yesterday to tell me that my cholesterol is high. I know I can beat this by changing my diet and being more careful.

3. I'm thankful for such shows as VAMPIRE DIARIES and even GOSSIP GIRLS. It's fun to watch shows that aren't all dramas and serious. VD is like addictive candy. Two vampire brothers and one girl who's attracted to both. What's not to love?

4. I'm thankful for the gorgeous cover to my upcoming YA paranormal CROSSED OUT.

5. I'm thankful for friends and family. These are people who keep me grounded whenever I might get a bit full of myself.

6. I'm thankful for such writer sites as The Writer's chatroom and Verla Kay's board:
www.verlakay.com

7. I'm thankful for those who believe in me and are there to encourage me even when I feel like saying to hell with it all.

And what's Thanksgiving without Charlie Brown? Here's a little something to enjoy!

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving!

Trailer of LIGHTNING THIEF

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:21:55 GMT

Thought I'd share the new trailer of LIGHTNING THIEF that I saw before NEW MOON.

Enjoy!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:53:04 GMT

Today going to 11am showing of NEW MOON. Husband thinks I'm crazy and doesn't see why the big fuss for a movie that has--his words--a bunch of guys who tear their shirts off!

Hehe!

Me? I blame it on research. Research on the teen market. Nevermind I'm old enough to be all of the Twilight character's mother.

Cringe. Did I just admit that?

Friday Five

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:27:54 GMT

1. BABYMOUSE THE MUSICAL

This is an adorable take on the whole musical craze told through babymouse's POV. I couldn't help but smile throughout this tale.

2. LUNCH LADY AND THE CYBORG SUBSTITUTE

3. LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS

As a former teacher I often wondered what really went on behind the scenes in the lunch area. I do know if you were nice, the head lunch lady would go out of her way to save a yummy treat. At my last school it was bread nut bread. At my school in South Whittier, it was yummy pan dulce.

What would happen if the lunch lady was really a secret agent? Looking out for the good of the kids at the school?

This is the premise behind these funny books. The first one has lunch lady checking out the substitute teacher. And in the next book, checking out what the real reason for the bookfair.

Hilarious. My son loved them too.

And number five is a guilty pleasure book. This story is getting tons of hype. And believe me, it's so worth it.

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES

The last book that made me feel this way was SHIVER. This book has it all. A southern town, a haunted plantation, a cursed girl and a boy who wants to know more about her regardless of what others in his small town tell him. Talk about vivid setting! Just love this book!

**Guilty pleasure today:

Every Friday I decided to 'treat' son if he does well. I figure when I was a teacher, I kind of did this with my own students. Since I'm homeschooling now, I'm doing the same thing.

Treat today? Lunch at In and Out Burger. Part of homeschooling is visiting the library which had a reading incentive. Of course son made it.

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:50:00 GMT

You all have to read fellow LJ Carrie Jones heartfelt post on depression.

http://carriejones.livejournal.com/233294.html

Friday Five

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:23:04 GMT

Books again! First I'll start with four Cybils nominated graphic novels:

1. COURTNEY CRUMRIN'S MONSTROUS HOLIDAY

Courtney and Uncle Aloysius go on a Romania holiday where they run into werewolves and vampires. Courtney has some mega 'tude as she tries to make sense of all of it.

2. CONSTANCE AND THE GREAT ESCAPE

This book's illustrations reminded me of a book I checked out when I was in first grade some thirty years ago! Constance and her cat Tiny are BFFs. But a plot is made to separate them by sending Constance to boarding school!

3. BINKY THE SPACE CAT

This is a very adorable tale of Binky the cat who swears aliens have invaded our world. It's up to Binky to save his masters by blasting off into outer space(outside), explode unknown places(backyard) and battle the aliens(bugs). I really enjoyed this tale and loved Binky's devotion to his family.

4. THE ELSEWHERE CHRONICLES #1 THE SHADOW DOOR

Interesting premise of kids going to a so-called haunted house and finding an old movie projector that opens a passageway to a world of monsters and creatures made out of shadows. I wanted to know more about this other world. I'm sure the next book goes into more details.

**Number five is a book I've been looking forward to read for a long time. Today the UPS guy dropped it off on my door step.

The book?

MAGIC UNDER GLASS

Tomorrow I'll post my review of LEGACY at YA Books Central.

Yes, I'm still here!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:32:57 GMT

Survived the first couple weeks of homeschooling. Getting in some writing has been challenging but still doable.

Also reading graphic novels for the Cybils this year. Some fun ones out there!

Plus, of course, reviewing for YA Books Central, will I totally LOVE! I'm thinking I might also post links to my reviews here for those who like to read them.

So far I've reviewed GOTH GIRL RISING

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20146

STAR IN THE MIDDLE

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20053

GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.viewBook&book_id=8590

DEAR BIG V

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20117

LEVIATHAN

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20114

THE INVISIBLE ORDER:

http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=20081

**Some future reviews: LEGACY, WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA, and more!

Secret Science Alliance

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:52:52 GMT

Julian is a science genius in training. He's also considered well, a nerd. He hopes that will change when he gets to attend a new Middle school.

He really tries to fit in. Then he gets a message that leads him to finding others kind of like him. Add a scientist who's full of himself and some other teens who love to invent.

This is a fun tale of kids that love to invent. The illustrations are bright and fun too. I really enjoyed this story. Julian's mind kind of reminded me of my own eight-year-old's. Asking questions about everything and also trying to make his own projects. The other friends he mets challenge his own stereotypes on what it means to be well, a scientist in training.

This is sure to be a hit with elementary age kids.

THE SECRET SCIENCE ALLIANCE AND THE COPYCAT CROOK by Eleanor Davis is a Cybil's nominated book.

A little Audrey for this morning

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:56:10 GMT

Audrey is a big part of my character Jordan's life. She loves this icon. I thought this video is fun and reflects the feeling behind my upper MG fantasy NO GODDESSES ALLOWED.

Feliz Dia de los Muertos

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:51:42 GMT

Today is a special day in Mexico. Dia de los Muertos--Day of the Dead. Most Mexican Americans also celebrate this holiday by having altars of their loved ones where they place foods and other things that that person loved next to it. Another tradition involves making sugar candy skulls with the names of loved on them.

Here's a little video on the holiday:

Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

SWALLOW ME WHOLE by Nate Powell

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:03:27 GMT

Enter the world of two siblings and their descent into schizophrenia. This graphic novel shows a very realistic portrayal of two children who watch their grandmother's madness and their own battles with the same illness.

What really hit me were the scenes with the principal and how he handles the one girl when she has 'issues'. Since he knows she suffers from mental illness he assumes the worse. I've seen this happen with my own son and his ADHD. It's wrong and I also know violates that child's rights. So the author nailed this right on the dot.

I also really liked how the text slowly morphs into a crazy surreal world, showing both siblings fall into madness. The sister has an obsession with collecting insects but not only that she believes she hears them. The brother swears a little wizard makes him draw pictures of a mission. Add kids at school trying to get them to 'sell' their meds. This novel addresses some very serious subjects.

The only thing I wished was that the text had been in color. But I think maybe that was done on purpose to convey the surreal world of both siblings. The ending is very symbolic of the cycle of mental illness. For that reason alone I'd recommend this book.

SWALLOW ME WHOLE is a Cybils nominated book.

Friday Five

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:17:36 GMT

1. Watch son. Doctor told us he can't go back to school until next week. Yes, he's being testing to see if he has the H1N1 virus but we won't get the results back for another couple days. In the meantime he has to stay home, rest, and get over this persistant fever that won't break. Doctor did say not to freak out if it comes back positive as it's only another flu strain. In the meantime he's on Tamiflu--a kid's version. Doctor said Taxiflu right now is becoming limited. We lucked out and was able to find some.

2. Try to finish review of WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA. Been hard to get anything done this week but I'll try.

3. Finished reading DEAR BIG V by Ellen W. Leroe

Loved the character's voice in this tale where values conflict with hormones. Fun story! Another one of WestSide Books.

4. Also finished reading LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld

I admit, I'm not a big fan of war stories but I do love Westerfeld. But this book, omgosh, is really fun and fascinating. Westerfeld has one wicked imagination. The illustrations are amazing. If you even wanted to read a steampunk book--a story where science fiction meets fantasy--this is the one. Highly recommended. And I just heard YA Books Central will be having a contest next month to win a copy! I'll keep you all updated!

5. Broke down and got this book by P.C. Cast:

I know, I know! Not another vampire story! But this one is an anthology of short stories by YA authors. And I admit, I do love a good vamp tale! My favorite show this season is VAMPIRE DIARIES.

**Guilty pleasure:

Right now I don't want to get this flu. It's nasty. Son hasn't been this sick in a while. So hubby and I are taking Airborne, vitamins, and trying to stay well. Stay well too!