When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster

When Autumn, the town of Avening's resident witch, gets news that she must move away from her beloved town because of a promotion to a higher coven, she must find a way replace herself as town witch. But who in Avening is in tune enough with her own personal magic to take over this huge responsibility?

Autumn has a list of likely candidates for the position, but she takes it upon herself to put an add in the paper seeking an apprentice. She has a year to find a high witch and the women who will be part of her coven - but how can she get them to open their eyes and believe in the magic in their lives?

This was actually surprisingly really good. I was a little thrown off when I realized that each chapter was a (loosely related) short story. As some of you might know, I am not a fan of short stories and after recently reading Olive Kitteridge, which sadly was a massive fail for me, I honestly thought this would fall in that same category. But, to my endless surprise, this was really good. I felt that I could relate to each story and each character in one way or another.

Throughout the book we encounter many of the town's gifted and unusual residents... but in the end who will she choose? Will it be Ellie the invisible researcher - who thanks to a magical pair of shoes becomes the life of the party? Ana - a married woman who falls in love with another woman's husband? Stella - a healer who needs change in her life and can only do that by capturing lightning in a bottle? The letters continue to arrive and, as each applicant's story entwines with Autumn's, the suspense begins to grow as to who her successor will be.

I was initially intrigued by the title and the (oh, so pretty) cover. But the tales in this book were all heart-warming, touching and, on more than one occasion, brought a tear to my eye. Although magic plays a big part in this novel, the subject matter was anything but light. These were real women, with real, everyday problems - none were perfect, but each was endearing in her own way.

As a woman, I felt that this book called to me. These women were brave, strong, and I saw aspects of myself as well as of my family and friends in some, if not all, of the characters. This is a heart-warming debut of coming to terms with the magical things we take for granted every day - our friends, our community, and, most of all, ourselves.

All in all, this is an exceptionally imaginative story riddled with vivid and quirky characters - making it a delightfully magical escape. It is a charming, cozy and very enjoyable book that I highly recommend.

The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

James Kier is a very powerful and wealthy real estate mogul. He has done everything possible to get to this status and has no qualms about the unscrupulous things he’s done to get there or who he’s crushed along the way to his rise to glory.

He's exactly where he wants to be in life - he has a young girlfriend, his business is doing well, he’s in the last stages of divorcing his wife - so what if he had her served with the divorce papers on her first day of chemo... or that his son won’t talk to him and basically hates him. More or less life is good - until he wakes up one morning and he finds that he is dead.

Well, that's what the paper says. Now Kier's first reaction is to sue the paper but he quickly decides to use his "death" to his advantage. As people he's known throughout his life talk about what a terrible person he was and how glad they are that he is dead, he begins to realize that his "perfect" life is not so wonderful after all. He makes a pact to try to change and embarks on a journey to apologize to the ones he's wronged - but he quickly realizes that's easier said than done.

The Christmas List is intentionally a lot like Charles Dickens' -A Christmas Carol. Kier had no cares for anyone or anything but himself, he made fun of people who were joyful that it was Christmas or who celebrated the holiday. He was mean and just downright despicable.... a regular old Scrooge. This is his story of forgiveness and redemption.

As with all Mr. Evans' books, this story is presented to you in a small little package - a pretty shiny cover and short chapters. And, same as his previous work, it was a page-turner - making it easy to just sit down for a good hour or so and just enjoy a good story, shed a tear or two, and in the end come out feeling that you want to be a better person. This is the third book I read by Mr. Evans and I can actually say they all keep getting better and better. I've also read Grace and The Christmas Box - which were outstanding as well.

This is an original twist on a timeless story - it is about love, loss, forgiveness, family, but mostly it is inspiring. A wonderful Christmas read.

Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

Melody Tarleton is driving home for Christmas when a man—clad in Revolutionary War-era costume—appears out of nowhere, right in the path of her car. Shaken, she takes in the injured stranger, listening with concern to Jake Mallory's fantastic claim that he's a Patriot soldier, sentenced to death by British authorities. The last thing he remembers is the tug of the noose.

Safe at her parents' house, Melody concocts a story to explain the handsome holiday guest with the courtly manners, strange clothes and nasty bump on the head. Mark, her close friend who wishes he were more, is skeptical and her family is fascinated—though not half so fascinated as Melody herself. Jake is passionate, charming and utterly unlike anyone she's ever met. Can he really be who he claims? And can a man from the distant past be the future she truly longs for?

With the aid of enchanted petals, ancient potions and the peculiar magic of the season, Melody and Jake embark on an unimaginable Christmas adventure—and discover a love that transcends time. [borrowed from GoodReads.com]

This was a light, Christmassy read - with great characters and an ending that leaves you feeling all warm and toasty inside. Exactly what a Christmas story should do.

All the characters were fun, witty and had their own distinct personalities that quickly wormed their way into your heart. Although Melody and Jake were the main characters, there were some supporting characters that were so fun. For one, Melody's parents and her brother were so funny. I loved her mother's love of the season and her open and inviting home (reminds me of my grandmother). Melody's brother was just a hoot. Although I did find Jake and Melody's relationship a bit on the lukewarm side, it was still a pleasure to read how it flourished. I also really liked how Ms. Graham acknowledged various Christmas beliefs - it was something she made mention of various times and I really enjoyed that.

This is the perfect book to read while snuggled under a blanket with a couple of hours on hand. It is a wonderful story that will definitely get you in that Christmassy mood.

Matchless: A Christmas Story by Gregory Maguire

Matchless is a “reillumination” of Hans Christian Andersen's story The Little Match Girl. This book was originally commissioned by NPR and read by Mr. Maguire on "All Things Considered" on Christmas day 2008.

The story is told in four parts. In it we meet Frederik. Frederik and his mother live in a fishing village. They are poor - have very little food and only one match to help keep them warm. His mother is the queen's seamstress and is constantly being called to rescue the queen from her "iron foot" (or so his mother calls it, since she constantly steps on the hems of her dresses).

Frederik has a vivid imagination and has found a way to entertain himself (while his mother is away) by making a small town out of cardboard boxes, broken bowls and even thread-less spools. This is his way of escaping the bleak reality of his life.

One night while prowling the town for more items for his little town, his path crosses that of the little match girl. If you've read Hans Christian Andersen's tale then you know how that part of the story ends, but Mr. Maguire leads Frederik and you, as the reader, down a path that will have you believing in miracles, the permanence of spirit, and the continuity that links the living and the dead.

Mr. Maguire did a fabulous job intertwining the story of The Little Match Girl (which he leaves mostly intact, except for some very minor details) and that of Frederik. The illustrations are all drawn by him - which alone were a treat. This very short (only 112 pages) story - brings the heartbreaking and desperate tale of The Little Match Girl and suffuses it with a bit of magic, yearning and warmth that will leave you feeling hopeful. This one should be read out loud and savored and, although a bit on the tragic side, it has a timeless feel to it.

I wouldn't say I recommend it to everyone, but for fans of Gregory Maguire, Hans Christian Andersen, or those who like fairytale remakes, this is one you should pick up.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

This is the story of a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. Now this rabbit is loved unconditionally by his owner Abilene... but he loves no one but himself. He is so pleased with his home on Egypt Street, his silk suits, his perfect manners, his lack of want or need, and is just so utterly pampered, that he hasn't a care for anyone, that is until the day that he is lost.

When Edward loses his way from Abilene he has no other choice but to wait. For Edward can't walk or talk... he is a china rabbit after all. But that's just the beginning of his journey, a journey where he will not only learn to accept his fate, but learn to love, to lose and, eventually (although reluctantly) to love again.

Along with Edward you are whisked away on the ocean tides, fished out of the ocean, dumped with the garbage, live life as a hobo, acting as a scarecrow, dancing for money and even the companion to a dying girl.

I absolutely fell in love with this tiny masterpiece. Edward's journey is heartbreaking and at the same time uplifting. The characters he meets along his journey are each very special in their own right. Whether it's the fisherman and his wife or living with the hobo and his companion dog... they all have real problems. Although this story is geared for young children, I think it might be better understood if read by a parent or teacher. There were several instances where I felt a young child would not fully grasp the meaning of the real-life problems some of these characters were dealing with.

I really commend Ms. DiCamillo for never faltering in forgetting that Edward was a porcelain doll. I really enjoyed that she never brought him to life. He had all these feelings and emotions, and even though most of his owners treated him as a real person, he was never nothing more than a toy.

Edward Tulane's tale is charming, beautifully written, amazingly illustrated and just a treasure to own. I highly recommend this to readers of all ages.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Aislinn might seem like an average teenager- but she is quite far from it. For Aislinn sees faeries. Faeries who are powerful and mischievous... who walk amongst humans, but remain unseen. She has learned to live with her sight and even has rules - for she must NEVER stare at invisible fairies; NEVER speak to invisible fairies; and, most importantly, NEVER attract their attention.

Luckily for Aislinn - she has found a "safe harbor" at her friend, Seth's, house. You see Seth lives in a train car - converted into comely living quarters. A train car made of steel and Faeries don't like steel - it pains and weakens them. But lately something is different.

For starters, two fairies (Keenan and Donia) have begun following her. And, since they have no idea that she can see or hear them, she notices that they are speaking of her. They have even initiated a conversation with her under the glamor of a human. As she tries to once again separate herself from the faeries torment and makes her way to the trainyard where Seth resides, she is caught unaware when they follow her and begin hanging out right outside his door.

Aislinn is already on edge, but when Keenan shows up at her school, acting as a fellow student with a crush on her, she quickly realizes that something is terribly wrong. It is now up to Aislinn to stand her ground or risk being forever changed - of having to choose between fairy life or the life she has lead avoiding faeries, but it will be even harder to choose now that her feelings for Seth have developed into more than just friendship.

I will have to be honest on this one, I had a hard time getting through this book. It started slow for me and there were a few times where I put it down and just took a break from it. Eventually, it did get better and I finished it. My favorite parts of the whole book were Aislinn and Seth's relationship. I loved reading the parts where they were beginning to understand their feelings for one another and how their friendship grew into something sooo big and beautiful. I felt myself falling in love with him right alongside Aislinn. I thought it was fantastic that Seth wasn't the standard golden boy from most YA novels - I liked that he was piereced and had tattoos, leather jacket, and all. I thought that was very refreshing. Out of all the characters, I would have to say my favorite was Donia. I had a soft spot for her from the start and even though at times I was conflicted with what her actions would be, I felt that she was the most honest and relateable character of them all.

In the end, I did enjoy this very different take on faeries. I thought Ms. Marr did a fantastic job in the blending of realism with the mythical fey. All in all, I can definitely recommend to teen and adult fans of slightly goth fantasy.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Before you start reading this review - DO NOT continue reading if you have not read The Hunger Games. Actually, stop what you’re doing this instant and go get yourself a copy and read it! =D

Catching Fire commences shortly after The Hunger Games ends. Katniss and Peeta are victorious in the Hunger Games and have now returned home. They should feel safe and warm in their post-Hunger Games lives, for now they have new homes, plenty of food, and are popular in all the Divisions - they are living lives that they could never even dream of. But not all is well in paradise. For Katniss’ little act of defiance in the arena has incurred the wrath of the capitol. President Snow believes that the Divisions are taking Katniss’ lead and are ready for an uprising.

Leaving them no other choice, or risk the lives of their family and friends, it is now up to Katniss and Peeta to help dissuade the rebellious districts by making them believe that her actions were not defiant, but that of a lovestruck girl. But as they set out on their victory tour, they immediately start seeing the changes throughout the Divisions of Panem. She also notices that her mockingjay pin has become the symbol of the resistance. With the 75th anniversary of the Hunger Games and a rebellion on the brink - the Capitol is angry and will stop at nothing short of revenge.

WOAH! I have never before read a book that I found amazing and then picked up the sequel and been blown away by its awesomeness again! That is what happened to me with Catching Fire.

Katniss and Peeta are back... with even more danger, more fear, more longing, more romance, yes, more everything. This book is a thrill ride - full of twists and turns that had me saying, "Oh, no she didn't!", more than once. Katniss continues being the rebellious, strong girl we have come to know and love. Peeta, as always, is back with his romantic notions and his willingness to give away everything, even his life, for Katniss. (Team Peeta!) In this one Gale, Katniss' BFF, is also back full force - and we do start noticing a love triangle in the works. But Katniss is not looking for a suitor or a husband - she just wants to survive and keep her loved one's safe.

A word of caution, it does start slow, but it quickly picks up and will not let you go 'till you are done with it. And when you are done, you won't be able to believe it, because yes, there is a cliffhanger. But have no fear, third and final book in the trilogy seems to be in the works and is rumored to be released September 2010. So we'll all have to sit tight until then.

The tension is thick - the action is packed - and I guarantee your heart will pound as you are once again thrown into Katniss' world. Highly recommended to young and old alike.

Willow by Julia Hoban

On a stormy night, Willow takes the wheel and her whole life is forever changed. Both her parents are killed in the accident and Willow has to move in with her older brother, his wife and their young daughter. She feels the weight of the world is on her shoulders - she's emotionally overwrought, heavily grieving and feels guilt towards her part in the accident. To top it off, she also feels that her brother secretly blames her for their parents’ death and no longer loves her.

She finds that the only way to relieve herself when her emotions just become too much is to "cut" herself with a razor. But she is eventually found out by a classmate named Guy. Although Guy promises not to tell on her - he also can't just walk away from her. Instead he tries to get closer to her to find out what leads a person to hurt themself in such a way and to try to help her out of the dark place she's in.

This is the first time that I read about "cutting" in such detail and although a bit on the descriptive side, it was not overdone or gory. On the other hand, Willow's pain is so real that you can actually understand why she would feel the urge to cut herself... even if you don't actually agree with it, you almost feel as if it is acceptable. It's as if her pain will consume her if she does not find an outlet to let it out. From the moment you start reading this book you become so emotionally attached to these characters (i.e. Willow; her brother, David; Guy) that you fly through the pages just to see what happens. If they can forgive each other? If they can forgive themselves?

The book is written in the third person, and I really commend Ms. Hoban for having written it this way. It somewhat gives you a detached feeling but at the same time you feel as if you are looking at Willow and Guy from above. Catching a glimpse into a painful part of a young woman's life.

This novel is not just about cutting - it is about love, hope and forgiveness. Although it touches on such a heavy subject, it is not overwhelming, instead it is told in a very unique and graceful voice.

Willow is a beautiful story, compellingly told and is by far one of the best YA novels I've read in quite some time. It is a very powerful piece that I highly recommend to older teens as well as adults.

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.

As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life–sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires. [borrowed from GoodReads]

As I'm sure some of you already know, I'm not too fond of short stories - although I did purchase this with the hopes of enjoying it since they seem to be loosely related stories with one particular character, the ubiquitous Olive Kitteridge. And as expected Olive does appear in every story in the book - sometimes just merely by name, other times it's a cameo appearance, but her presence is definitely felt throughout these vignettes into the lives of some of the residents of Crosby, Maine.

Now let me shed some light on the infamous Olive Kitteridge. Olive Kitteridge = a bit nasty, a little on the heavy side and definitely older. That description alone should give you a feel for exactly what we're dealing with here.

As you go from story to story you read about Olive, her friends, relatives and acquaintances scattered throughout Crosby, Maine. And I will confess that the stories in this book will have you thinking not just about the fictional characters Ms. Strout has created, but about your own life and that of your friends and family. These are very real life characters that you can easily associate with yourself.

With that said, sadly, I just never got around to "really" liking any of the characters. Don't take me wrong, Olive was a force like no other. When she came into a room (or a story) her presence was definitely made known. But I think it made me feel preoccupied... in the sense that I was looking forward to Olive. When was she going to enter the story? How did this person know Olive? Was she their teacher? Was she a neighbor that lived down the road? Olive, Olive, Olive. In the end, I found it to be distracting.

I honestly thought the premise was unique and clever. And, needless to say, Ms. Strout's writing is superb... but in the end it just never clicked for me. I'm not sure if that was because the stories were too short or I just had "too" high expectations for this, but sadly it just fell flat for me.

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Kyle Kingsbury is the ruler of his school. He's good looking, he's wealthy, has a celebrity father, lives in a posh apartment in New York City, has the hottest girl in school on his arm and hangs with coolest guys. But he's a total jerk - having no qualms with making sure the average person knows how "beneath" him they are.

But when his classmate Kendra humilitates him in front of his friends, he vows to make her pay for it. He leads her to believe that she will be his date for the school dance... although he already has plans with his "real" date, the said hot girl. Once Kyle plays his sinister trick on Kendra he definitely was not expecting her to show up in his bedroom later that night or, much less call him "beastly" and threaten him with "comeuppance".

That's right, Kendra wasn't your obvious girl, of course, Kendra is a witch that curses Kyle to look on the outside the way that he is on the inside... beastly. He's cursed to find true love - someone he loves and who loves him in return. Obviously, not something that is easy with his hairy body, clawed hands and sharp teeth. And keeping all that in mind, there is also the slight problem of having a limited time to do it... meaning if he doesn't find someone within the allotted time, he'll be a beast forever.

Modern day version of Beauty and the Beast you say?

Of course, I ran right out and got me a copy because as you must already know, any remake of one of my favorite fairy tale's is a must-have for my bookshelves... and Alex Flinn's tale of the beastly, Kyle Kingsbury does not disappoint.

I loved all the little details scattered throughout the story - Linda also known as Lindy (which means pretty/beautiful in Spanish); the doting maid (which reminded me of Ms. Potts in the Disney cartoon), the rose, his new castle-like residence far from his father and the people who know him, and, of course, the magical mirror. These were such a delight to read about throughout the story.

My favorite parts though... Kyle's IM conversations with the other mythical creatures in the chat room for changed beings. I mean, these were the highlights of the book for me. So funny and a treat.

Kyle was intense, emotional, he's someone you love to hate... but as the story progresses he slowly becomes putty and is molded into such a wonderful young man that, as the reader, you forget how beastly he actually does look and you can't help falling in love with him yourself.

I thought this was such a fun, fast-paced, modernized version - that I'm sure will have you forgetting about the Disney cartoon and loving this so much more.

As always, I was a sucker for a fairytale remake, but I thought this was a fresh and fantastic retelling of an unforgettable classic that any teen and/or adult can enjoy alike.

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley

Young Edgar loves visiting his eccentric, Great-Great Uncle Montague even if it means going though the spooky woods to get there. For Uncle Montague is a very talented storyteller and has a story to tell about all the creepy odds and ends he has lying around his study.

I loved the goosebumpy feeling I had the whole time I read this book. The fact that each tale’s main character was a child made it even more spooky for me. I loved the gothicy feel each tale had and although the stories were short they were definitely potent and got their message across. As always, my main complaint with short stories... that they are just too short and right when I'm finally getting into the story they end.

Needless to say, I thought Mr. Priestley delivered with this group of stories. The underlying story of Uncle Montague and Edgar was, I think, the creepiest by far... but I won't give anything away. I loved the wordplay used, I think Mr. Priestley has a talent for using simple words and descriptions that definitely enhance his stories and make them far more sinister. Although I felt some of the stories ended quite abruptly, in retrospect, I think, this was what made me think of them well after I was done reading them.

I recommend that younger readers take the warning on the back cover seriously, as this isn't a book to be read alone or late at night... especially those who are faint of heart. If they are brave enough, then I definitely recommend a quick glance in the closet and definitely take a peek under the bed.

As the not-so-young adult I am, I found these to be deliciously creepy, spine-tingling and definitely worth the read.

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Peter Augustus Duchene is a ten year old orphan who is undergoing training to become a soldier like his father before him. When his guardian, sends him out to buy some fish and bread at the Baltese market square, he sees a fortune teller tent and decides that answers to his questions are far more important than eating stale bread. Instead he pays the fortune teller to answer a most pressing question... is his sister alive, and if so, how can he find her. See Peter was told that his sister died at birth - but he’s always had this niggling suspicion. The fortune teller answers him with the response "follow the elephant". To Peter, this sounds preposterous and he just assumes the fortune teller is mad. But when a magician across town tries to conjure up a bouquet of flowers for an audience member and instead summons an elephant who crashes through the ceiling of the opera house, an unbelievable chain of events are set into motion.

I loved that throughout the story you get a little bit of each character as some of the chapters flip from one character’s viewpoint to the next. Although the story is about a boy in search of a sister, a magician who just wanted something “more” in life, and an elephant that although alters many a life, does it for the best, it is so much more about love, relationships, darkness and loneliness but also about hoping, dreaming and believing.

The book’s description says it is geared for grades 4 - 7, but I do not think a child can take in and savor Ms. DiCamillo’s writing. Her wordplay is something to behold - something to be spoken out loud. Not just is the story magical but reading it feels like a treasure. You just feel so good doing it. It is a quick read - the pages are small, the writing is simple, with few words on each page, but the message is so tremendous. Ms. Tanaka's illustrations although sparse (and I confess, I would have really liked there to be more of them) only added to the seduction and mystery of this tale.

All in all, I highly recommend this to children and adults of all ages. This would make a lovely Christmas gift and I can definitely envision it on the big screen.

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish - only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary “gifts.”

But as the students claw their way up - reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty - the side-effects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins.

At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption. [borrowed from Amazon.com]

I really tried to love this book. I read some stellar reviews and was super excited, headed out to my local bookstore and picked up a copy the day it came out - but sadly it fell flat for me.

I loved the idea of this book. The premise was fantastic - kids selling their souls to the devil in exchange for being beautiful, popular, intelligent, etc. But in the end, I just couldn’t relate to any of them. Don’t take me wrong, I once also dreamed of being the most beautiful girl in a room or excelling beyond my peers in academics, what kid hasn’t? But I just never warmed up to any of the characters.

I will admit though, that the story had a great ending and the last 100 or so pages were real page-turners. Another Faust is a dark, thought-provoking novel that requires the reader's full attention - but sadly, it just never caught mine.

GIVEAWAY: On that note, I feel I need to pay this one forward. I'm gladly giving away my gently read copy because I'm sure someone will like this. The reviews are mostly four or five stars - so obviously readers are enjoying it.

I'm opening this one to FOLLOWERS ONLY. You guys deserve an upper hand on some of these giveaways and this one is perfect for that.

As always, leave a comment for one entry. If you'd like extra entries just say so in your comment or separate comments (extra entries for Twitter, sidebars, Facebook, etc.) Make sure to leave an e-mail address, especially if you are leaving a comment under Anonymous.

Rules: This contest is open internationally. Winner will be drawn Saturday, October 31.

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman

Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek . . . and Ryan and Sarah are trying to get to the heart of it. But after an eerie accident leaves Ryan housebound and his parents forbid him from seeing Sarah, their investigation takes two tracks: Ryan records everything in his journal, while Sarah uses her camcorder to search things out. . . and then email the clips for Ryan to see.

What a unique and fantastically creepy book this was. Firstly, the book looks and is written in journal entries by Ryan. You know he and Sarah are trying to uncover the secrets of their town. Why the town is called Skeleton Creek? Why little by little its inhabitants are moving away - to where it's even resembling a ghost town. The strange skull and bones symbol they've uncovered. And even what happened at the dredge on the outskirts of town... why it closed down?

Of course, these kids are full of questions and on their quest to find answers they've uncovered a mystery that might be deadly in nature.

The coolest thing about this book - the neato passwords scattered throughout the story. That's right, after every couple of chapters, Ryan receives passwords from Sarah to her website (www.sarahfincher.com) and, guess what, you get to go along for the ride and see her videos. Which are quite creepy and made me jump a time or too. She is a bit reckless and doesn't put too much thought to things before she acts (if I were in her shoes, I'd be running for the hills) - but in the end, her antics are what keep you on the edge of your seat.

The actress who plays Sarah may be in need of some acting classes - but nonetheless, these videos really gave it a spooky feel. Ryan's entries are very detailed and, you, as the reader, are just as scared as he is while reading them. There were a few parts that were not very credible since Ryan writes them in the present tense and there is no way someone could write these things as they are happening. Especially some of the more tense situations.

All in all, this was a very spooky, thrilling, emotional roller-coaster story that has an ending that will leave you with your mouth hanging wide open and in NEED for the next book. This is great for young adults and even the young tweens who like a quick fright of a read. Very cool and highly recommended.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Mary leads a normal life in her small village in the forest. There are certain truths that she was brought up believing in - the Sisterhood always knows best; the Guardians will protect and serve and the Unconsecrated will never relent. But above all, you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future - between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

First off, there was no way of telling that this was a zombie book by just looking at that cover... with that said, this is a zombie book! I love zombies! And our story starts off with a bang - or more like a bite.

Mary’s life is turned upside down right from the first chapter. You can feel her desperation as well as her resignation to this life. They have been brought up believing that they are the last of the human race. They have to marry not out of love but to keep their race going. If you don’t find a suitable match then, as a female, you join the Sisterhood. For Mary, the short weeks she spends under the same walls as the Sisterhood is life altering. She is now even more determined to believe in a world outside of their fenced in village... but especially, she dreams of the ocean. Her mother has told her stories of what the world was like before the Unconsecrated and Mary has always hoped for something more then her simple life in the village.

The story has its ups and downs but at no point did I feel like it dragged or anything. On the contrary, I was intrigued by the dystopian world Mary was living in. I wanted to know more and more. And although some things were left unanswered - it felt real. Mary is living generations after the Unconsecrated - so the information that we get is from a young girl with the limited knowledge that has been handed down to her by relatives and townsfolk. I will admit to having chewed off a nail or two and at one point or another having to put the book down because... yes, I admit it, I was freaked out.

All in all, I thought the story flowed real smoothly. There was plenty of action and excitement and I thought it blended well with the parts that were more informational in nature. I loved that throughout it all there was a hint of romance and that alone made the bleak world a more (dare I say) hopeful place.

I really enjoyed and highly recommend this. Plus, I can't wait for the sequel, The Dead-Tossed Waves.

Tombstone Tea by Joanne Dahme

Jessie has recently moved to a new town and is going to a new school. In order to be accepted by the “in” girls at school - she has been dared to spend the night at the local cemetery with a list of names whose graves she has to find. Upon entering the cemetery, she meets Paul, a handsome boy who works as a caretaker at the cemetery. Paul explains to Jessie that this evening is the rehearsal for the Tombstone Tea: a fund-raising performance in which actors impersonate the people buried in the cemetery. But Jessie quickly discovers that they aren’t actors at all but the ghosts of men and women buried in the cemetery. When one of the ghostly inhabitants decides to adopt Jessie to replace her lost daughter, our heroine fears she may never escape the cemetery.

Once again, I was suckered in by the neat cover - but this was surprisingly really good. It was an exciting and interesting story. I loved reading about the cemetery’s ghosts and how they came to reside there as ghosts. Jessie was a great heroine, but all the quirky and zany ghosts were my favorite characters. They had such history and depth to them. Ms. Dahme’s lyrical prose was stunning at parts - you could almost feel the cold seeping into your bones and the ghostly apparitions chasing poor Jaime through the cemetery. Her details and descriptions made it very visual for me. Paul was this guiding light for Jaime and I was hoping more would come from their friendship. Although the story ends and leaves no loose ends, I got the feeling that there might be a continuation to it. Many of the ghosts were introduced in detail, but there were still so many more that you just catch a glimpse of. I can definitely see Jessie having more adventures in the cemetery and there’s also Paul to think about (love interest?). Overall it was a gripping and enjoyable read that I would recommend for readers of all ages who enjoy young adult fiction.

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Veronica 'Ronnie' Miller is not too happy when her mother decides that she and her younger brother, Jonah, will be spending the summer with their father in Wilmington, North Carolina. It has been three years since her parents divorced and Ronnie has never forgiven him for walking out of their lives. She has not talked to him since then and although her mother is forcing her to go (since she is a few months short of turning 18 - and making her own decisions) she is determined to continue ignoring him until he either gets tired and sends her back to New York or leaves her alone long enough to survive the summer.

Ronnie's father, Steve, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of his local church. He is scared but at the same elated that his children will be spending the summer with him... he just has to work on winning his daughter back.

On Ronnie’s first night in town she meets a local girl named Blaze who introduces her to some of her friends, including her boyfriend Marcus. But Ronnie can tell these guys are bad news and when Marcus makes a pass at her she is quickly caught in a rough spot. Luckily for her, she also meets Will Blakely, local heartthrob. Will befriends her and although she puts up quite a fight she knows that Will is the type of guy you want to bring home to papa - the one you also fall head over heels for. As the summer progresses, Ronnie has to face some tough decisions, she has to learn to forgive and forget but, most importantly, to let her guard down and love.

Our story is beautifully told through several different perspectives - Ronnie, Steve, Will and even Marcus. These characters were so well-written and fleshed out, some you liked - some you didn't. They each had their own emotional baggage and it was a treat to see their transformation over this one summer - a boy grows up, a young woman emerges, a love blossoms, and a girl finds her way back.

I will admit that it did take me a couple of chapters to actually get into it, but once Will came into the picture - well, I found it hard not to fall in love with him the story. This is a coming of age story about the love between parents and their children, first love, loss, forgiveness and even... sea turtles. As a Nicholas Sparks fan, I was a bit reluctant to buy this one as I was disappointed with his last book - but he totally made up for it with this one. Oh, and one last bit of advice, keep your tissues on hand - I was sobbing for a good hour towards the end of this novel.

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Meg is a wild and rebellious girl - she drives a motorcycle, has blue hair, indulges in casual sex, has a pot-head boyfriend and is counting down her last few months of high school. She has been looking forward to that moment her whole life - the moment when she can finally escape her parents, her job and the small town she’s always lived in. Somewhere different where she can be someone new - go to college, etc. And even more exciting than all that is her upcoming Spring Break trip to Mexico.... But one night’s stupid decision to hang with her friends and boyfriend on a train bridge (where some kids were killed a few years back) - lands her in jail and having to cancel her trip to spend quality time with the officer who arrests her.

Officer John After has the bright idea that Meg and her friends (sans boyfriend - whose dad is a hotshot attorney) should learn from their mistakes and thinks that each one should ride around with the emergency personnel called out to the bridge the night of their escapade. And guess who Meg has to drive around with for five nights? Yep, Officer After - who ends up being much younger (and cuter - okay, and hotter) then Meg originally thought.

Meg doesn’t understand why John would choose to stay in a small town - to help protect and serve and even talk dumb kids out of making wrong choices. She questions everything he learned at the police academy... but when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over.

I love character driven novels like this. Most of the book is just Meg and John - sitting in his cop car reminiscing and just opening up to each other little by little about their hopes, dreams, aspirations... life. When you first read about Meg - the way she looks and how she acts, you can picture and see her one way, but as she slowly unravels you find a person that you immediately side with, whose witty remarks have you laughing out loud or at the brink of tears. John comes off as the shy, quiet type with this underlying strength. But together they are perfect - they have such awesome chemistry that I was really saddened when this book was over. I wanted more of them. As their secrets are revealed you can't help but root for their love to overcome any obstacles.

I was sucked in from the first chapter and it was hard to put down (and I will confess I didn’t really do much of that). I sat down and read it and didn’t stop until I was done with it. I was surprised by how much I really liked it - I thought it would be a cute little romance without too much depth - but it was so much more than that. It was thoughtful, sexy and plainly unputdownable. I highly recommend this one.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Gemma, 16, has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. [taken from back cover of book]

Firstly, I want to say that I absolutely loved Ms. Bray’s descriptions of colonial India, Victorian England and The Realms - such very different places but so vividly detailed. Oh and Spence... {sighs} I love Victorian finishing schools. I liked Gemma - I thought Ms. Bray did a great job depicting her as a normal teen with all the emotional turmoil, teen angst, pettiness, selfishness, etc., that you would see in any teen. I liked that she wasn't perfect - that she had her flaws and in the end that was what won me over. My only complaint was that (on certain occasions) the way she talked and expressed herself was not very true to that of a Victorian young lady - I found it somewhat modern.

I liked the friendship that the girls sparked - I thought they were all so different (some likeable, some not so much) but in the end, they made it work. I also enjoyed how Kartik was woven into the story - especially in those dream sequences (wink wink). I wasn’t sure if to like him or not (somewhat the way Gemma feels about him) but I think there’s still hope for him yet. I really had to appreciate that Ms. Bray managed to tell an entertaining story, while trying to instill ideas of feminine power.

My only issue with this book is that they paint suicide in such an easy light. I really don’t want to spoil or give anything away, so I won’t be able to discuss this in as much detail as I’d like, but there is more than one suicide and the characters just seem “okay” with this.

All in all, I still thought that the story flowed really well and had plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. There were plenty of loose ends - but alas, there are two more books in this trilogy which I’m sure will remedy that. In the end, I found A Great and Terrible Beauty entertaining and definitely a page-turner. I would definitely recommend to lovers of historical fiction with a (slightly creepy) magical twist.

Fairest of All by Serena Valentino

Fairest of All is the Wicked Queen’s story... what drove her to become soooo wicked.

Firstly I want to say that the moment I saw this cover - I absolutely had to buy it. It really is spectacular. Secondly, the fact that it is a prequel to Snow White - obviously “had me at Hello”.

Ms. Valentino did a wonderful job blending what we already know of Snow White and the Wicked Queen with this new tale. In it we learn of how the Wicked Queen became the bitter and well, evil witch we’ve known for years. We are taken back to the days where she lived with her father, an artist in crafting mirrors. We also read of her marriage, her dreams, hopes and eventually her downfall. Although I did find her a wee bit whiny at times, I thought she was a very interesting character with lots of emotional turmoil. I really sympathized with her as her life was definitely not an easy one.

This is definitely a YA title - but I would recommend it more for older teens vs. the younger tweens. The content is a bit dark at times. Reading this was like getting inside information on one of my favorite Disney villains. And I really enjoyed the fact that it had a couple of twists thrown in that I didn't see coming. I recommend this to anyone who'd like a new twist to this classic fairytale.