Paranormalcy is Going to The Big Screen!

Ray Kay (I know, right? Awesome name) announced yesterday he will make his debut directorial on Paranormalcy! Yes, our Paranormalcy by Kiersten White! Gil Alder Production and Reverie Entertainment Partners optioned the book to become a movie a while ago and now it finally has a director. So excited! It should be interesting to see how this all plays out, and they better not mess it up! What does everyone else think? Who would be a good actress for Evie?

Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

Lacey Anne Byer is a perennial good girl and lifelong member of the House of Enlightenment, the Evangelical church in her small town. With her driver's license in hand and the chance to try out for a lead role in Hell House, her church's annual haunted house of sin, Lacey's junior year is looking promising. But when a cute new stranger comes to town, something begins to stir inside her. Ty Davis doesn't know the sweet, shy Lacey Anne Byer everyone else does. With Ty, Lacey could reinvent herself. As her feelings for Ty make Lacey test her boundaries, events surrounding Hell House make her question her religion.

Melissa Walker has crafted the perfect balance of engrossing, thought-provoking topics and relatable, likable characters. Set against the backdrop of extreme religion, Small Town Sinners is foremost a universal story of first love and finding yourself, and it will stay with readers long after the last page.

I have to admit, I was a little wary of this book after reading all the mixed reviews on it (due to the religious theme). But I'm pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I personally think it's interesting to hear about different religions (has anyone ever read Ally Condie's Being Sixteen? Yes, that Ally Condie). The way the author described Hell House really got under my skin, as it did Lacy's-- she wanted to believe it, but always there was this little nagging doubt in the back of her mind. Her doubts and confusion are easy to relate with-- what teen doesn't question their beliefs and values every once in a while? The simple, strong writing style conveyed the character emotions perfectly, and the romance was sweet and believable. Although it's not action-packed, this novel will have you tense and wondering at the next chapter.

Glamorous Ramblings!

I'm so sorry everyone! I've been neglecting my blogging duties-- but with good reason. I'm in France! As in Paris!! My parents and I are spending the summer down here! And it's gorgeous, let me say. I went to this old movie theater the other day and, being the book nerd that I am, thought of a novel I recently read, Anna and The French Kiss. Who doesn't love that book? Anyway, I don't know how often I'll be able to access a computer to blog, but know I'm trying! It's pretty early here right now-- like four in the morning-- but I couldn't sleep. Jet lag, ugh.

Have an awesome day in the US everyone:)    

Super Awseome Giveaway!!

Who loves winning free books? Amazing books? Well, who doesn't? Check out this awesome giveaway here at A Myraid of Books. It's pretty darn spectacular!

Waiting on Wednesday

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine and which I love participating in!! Here's my much anticipated book:

Wildefire by Karsten Knight 

Ashline Wilde never received an instruction manual on how to be a 16-year-old Polynesian volcano goddess. If she had, it might have contained helpful warnings such as:

• Dreaming about your (thankfully) mortal boyfriend may cause your bed to spontaneously combust
• Oven mitts should be worn at all times during heavy make-out sessions
 

Instead, Ash has to learn these life lessons the hard way as her dormant powers erupt at the most awkward times. In the wake of a hometown tragedy, Ash transfers to Blackwood Academy, a boarding school nestled in California’s redwoods, where a group of fellow gods-on-earth have mysteriously convened. As if sophomore year couldn’t get any worse, her storm goddess older sister, the wild and unpredictable Eve, resurfaces to haunt Ashline. With a war between the gods looming over Blackwood, Ash must master the fire smoldering within her before she clashes with her sister one final time, which leads us to life-lesson #3:

• When warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm. 

*Oh my goodness this book looks so amazing!! Fire has always interested me and Ashline sounds so tough and awesome!! And if the cover doesn't get you nothing will. It comes out July 26th-- hopefully I can wait that long:)

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading. Here's mine, from Ann Aguirre's amazing, incredible new dystopian novel, Enclave!

"You could miss someone, but it did no good to fixate on loss. I wished I had the ready words of a Breeder or the ability to comfort with a soft touch. I didn't. Instead I had daggers and determination.

That would have to do."

Yeah! You tell 'em, girl!
Happy Tuesday reading everyone!

What Happened To Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

It isn't easy being Mclean. Named after the famous Defriese basketball coach by her father, her life consisted mostly of screaming on the bleachers at countless Defriese games and hanging out at the small- but- charming restaurant their family owns. So when her namesake coach retires, Mclean and her father eagerly welcome his replacement, Peter Hamilton. That is, until her mother falls in love with him and leaves Mclean and her father for five-story houses and sleek new cars, as well as a set of twins that takes up almost all of her time. Ever since then, Mclean refuses to see her mother, instead traveling around with her father, whose job as a restaurant renovator keeps them moving from place to place constantly. Every new place is an opportunity to be someone else, drama queen or preppy rah-rah girl. But when Mclean moves into Lakeview, everything changes, from the quirky boy next door Dave, to Luna Blu, the unpredictable diner her dad is put in charge of. And maybe, just maybe, she'll find the real Mclean out here.

In her trademark captivating style, Sarah Dessen once again creates a completely engrossing story that will have readers burning through the pages as soon as they get their hands on it. The characters are hilarious and original, the plot is surprising and delightful-- how can you not like Sarah Dessen? Mclean's struggle with the aftermath of her parents divorce is easy to emphasize with, and her constant transformation between different personalities at every town successfully sheds light on her desperate need to be someone else, even if it's just a facade. In Lakeview, however, she starts using her real name, which allows her to really look at herself and who she truly is. Not the dramatic one, the popular one-- just herself. I liked that overall message of being yourself-- cliché, perhaps, but Sarah Dessen manages to put it in a whole new context that fits in easily with the novel. I don't know what it is about her books, but with every one I go away feeling as if I've learned something important, even while laughing my head off. The romance is, of course, sweet and heartfelt. I like how the author never focuses wholly on the romantic element of the novel, but the protagonist's problems as well, which makes it so much more diverse and interesting.

 Sarah Dessen's books give me a happy feeling, just because I always know it will turn out all right in the end. It's reassuring somehow, to be able to pick up one of her books and know there will be a happily-ever-after. What Happened To Goodbye is no exception-- it will leave you smiling and aching both at once. For all you Sarah Dessen fans out there, you won't be disappointed!

Favorite Quote: "I'd thought that I didn't have a home anymore. But right here, right then, I realized I'd been wrong. Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go."

** Comes out in stores May 10th!