The It Girl by: Cecily Von Ziegesar

Overview: Jenny Humphrey, formal Gossip Girl character has been kicked out of her private NYC high school Constance Billard for rumors Jenny isn't exactly denying. However, Jenny decides this is a time for a new Jenny; a fresh start. And what's a more glamorous start then at boarding school? Soon, she gets into Waverly Academy where everything seems a little more sophistacated, a little more pretty, and a little more cool. However, it seems like gossip is spreading around like wild fire; and they're all about Jenny's past. Soon, she finds herself in trouble with her secret crush Easy and new roomie Callie, and risks being expelled. Brett, their other roomie, is dating their new teacher. Plus, many students are getting ponied. While drama the drama unfolds, we get to watch. And we are loving it.

My Thoughts: The book had the feel of Gossip Girl but the essence of Private. I have a thing for boarding school books because the concept is so delicious! Also, I loooved the owl-net convos between Waverly students. I ate up all the romantic tension between Easy and Jenny, I wanted them to end up together so bad! But I guess that is why they make sequels:D So basically, this was one of the best novels I've read this summer, and you can see the list of them on the reviews page. It was perhaps THE best.

Four Stars: ****

Pretty Little Lairs by: Sara Shepard

Overview: Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna have one thing in common: their super cool best friend Alison. Their bond, as Alison had said, would be forever held by each others' secrets. But then, Alison goes missing, and the girls are left with an even bigger secret to hide.Spencer: An overachiever at everything she does, falls in love with her perfect sister's boyfriend.Aria: After moving back to Rosewood from Iceland, falls in love with her English teacher and battles the haunting thoughts of her father's infadelity.Emily: A swimmer that questions her sexuality after hanging out with her new lesbian neighbor, Maya. Hanna: A beautiful girl with an eating disorder, keeps getting herself in trouble with the police.These girls have secrets. And A knows them. And she's still watching.

My Thoughts: The book was definietly different from most I've read recently. It tackled almost every possible secret a teenage girl could have. I was stunned by Emily's urge to switch teams, and the way Spencer's family reacted when they found out she was with Wren. I loved every minute of it. And I was dying to find out who A is! This is soooo a series I am going to continue. It was beyond interesting, you should deff read it!

Four Stars: ****

Someone Like You by: Sarah Desson

Overview: Halley and Scarlet are best friends, and have been since they were eleven years old. Halley could always could count on Scar for anything; until Scarlet's boyfriend dies in a motorcycling accident, sending them both into shock. Now, Scarlet is the one who needs to lean on her best friend. When Halley gets a call from Scarlet at sisterhood camp, she knows this is serious. After getting back to Halley's home town to see Scarlet, the book takes off into an emotional rollercoaster.

My Thoughts: I found the book to be quite pleasing; Halley and Scarlet are wonderful characters and very hard not to like. I thought the book was very realistic and fasinating. The crazy home life Scarlet survived in and the odd relashionship between Halley and her mother was somewhat addictive. I loved it, and would suggest it to anyone who would read it.

Three stars: ***

The A-List by: Zoey Dean

Overview: Anna Percy is a twelfth grade honor student and all around good girl flying to L.A. to work at an internship her father had arranged for her. Things start great; she meets her dream guy, Ben, on the plane in and scores an invite to a superstar's wedding. Until they show up. Cammie, Sam, and Dee all show up, that is, and secretly have crushes on Ben. Throughout the book, they try to destroy his relashionship with Anna. And of course, when Anna isn't exactly making friends, Ben ditches her in the middle of the night on his father's boat, and she catches her father smoking pot in grungy clothes. What else could go wrong? Now, she decides she is ready to start a new life, new rules. And she doesn't need this.

My Thoughts: I finished the book in one night, I barely went to the bathroom until it was done. I would consider it to be 'literary crack'. I was hooked. Something about Anna made me want to read more - her suddel sophistication, it might have been, and her willingness to be bad. Also, I really liked hearing about Sam's life. It seems like Hollywood isn't as smooth as it looks like it is. Overall, I thought it was a really good book. I wished really hard for Ben to be a good guy, and I hope he is innocent. I guess I'll be reading the next in line!

Four Stars: ****

Vamped by: Lucienne Diver

Overview: Unlike any vampire novel I've read before, Gina Covello wakes up in her coffin, confused as to how she got there. Oh wait, yes, she died. However, before her death, gorgeous and stylish Gina was vamped. Now, when she wakes up, she finds herself in an intense world of secrets and lies. Melli, a vampiress on a quest for power, is building a empire to take over the council; and in order to do this, she has to kill - the teens of Gina's High School. Soon, Gina takes matters into her own hands; to set the vampires Melli is holding free and to get her boyfriend Bobby back from the council. If you like vampires & drama, it should definitely be on your list.

My Thoughts: I saw this book in a little book shop when I was on vacay and I wasn't exactly sure how it would turn out, so I didn't expect much. However, it gave me more than I hoped for, and I was satisified when I finished. I liked Gina; since she was a mix between Zoey from Marked and Massie from the clique, I had a sense that she was relatable and real - with lust for human blood, of course. It is two hundred thirty pages of interesting.

Three Stars: ***

We Just want to live here by: Amal Rifa'i and Odelia Ainbinder

Overview: This intriguing story is about two girls from the same country, same city, but know little about each others lives, cultures, and family life. This is due to the fact that Amal is a Palestinian and Odelia is an Israeli; and the outbreak of war that has been going on for over fifty years in the middle east. Throughout the book, you learn much about each side of the looking glass; political views, traditions, and dreams of both young women.

My Thoughts: I thought this book was very different from most of the books I've read lately, and I liked the contrast. I had little, or to be quite frank, no knowledge of the war in the middle east before it was assigned reading for history class. Now, I've formed my own opinions about the situation over there and I think once you read the book, you will too. I found that learning different customs about their people on both sides very interesting, and I found myself comparing my American life to theirs. It is a book that everyone should just look at, it taught me a lot. And, it's a plus that it was written by teens like us.

Two Stars: **

Private By: Kate Brian

Overview: Reed Brennan fantasied about attending the Easton Academy, an ultra exclusive and expensive private school in Connecticut. Suddenly, she is overjoyed when she is awarded a scholarship there for her academic and athletic ways. Hoping to leave her miserable home life behind, she packs up her things and leaves her town with a smile on her face. However, she soon realizes things are much different on campus then in the halls of Croton High. In this fabulous world of designer clothes and perfect hair, she sees the Billings Girls; poised and gorgeous with stellar grades and popularity like Reed has never seen before. However, the realization that the picture perfect walls of Billings may be hiding something ugly sets in; and Reed doesn't know whether she wants to become apart of it. Meanwhile, her boy toy Thomas Pearson seems like the ideal boyfriend; until she sees him dealing prescription pills to some of the upperclassmen. From there on, the lies one by one become exposed. But hey, things are looking up; she becomes a Billings girl.

My Thoughts: The book was clever and overall really good. I found it hard to put down. The romantic tension between Reed and Thomas was addicting; I was constantly prying to read about it. However, it really disappointed me when Kate tossed in all the crazy scenarios; like the party in the woods chapter where he had asked her to come to talk. Instead of talking, he went on a drunken rant. I felt sorry for her. He is an obvious schmoozer and all talk. I was somewhat relieved to know that he dissapeared at the end of the book. My thoughts on the Billings Girls are mixed. I know for a fact that you cannot trust them, but I wanted too so bad. I found myself saying, "If I was in that situation, which I'm glad I'm not, I wouldn't be able to handle it." Just when I thought Reed won them over, they were challenging her with something that was obviously against school codes. I was so happy, yet eerily worried when at the end of the book, Noelle and the other Billings Girls except her into their inner circle. I have a feeling the next novels will give this awesome book a run for it's money.(Are you a Private Fan, too? Go to http://www.privatenovels.com/ to watch exclusive online private shows & chat about the book!)

Four Stars: ****

L.A. Candy by: Lauren Conrad

Overview: Jane and Scarlet are polar opposite BFF's, moved from Santa Barbara to L.A. where they plan to start their lives; her as an intern at a prestegious event planning biz while Scarlet goes to U.S.C. While trying to have a good time in an awesome L.A. club, they are discovered by a reality producer and the book picks up from there - or should I say goes down. The girls meet their co-stars, Gabby & Madison, go to fabulous clubs, and live their lives on-screen. It seems too good too be true! However, you could believe that it was. Soon, the cameras are everywhere the girls DON'T want to be. It seems that everybody loves to love you - but, they love to hate you even more.

My Thoughts: It was a pretty good read, considering it was a quirky comedy with relatable characters. Out of all the characters, Scarlet was my favorite. She knows what she wants, doesn't take any crap from anyone, and was level-headed in any situation. Although, those are all nothing compared to the admiration I held for her when she was the only one who realized that her L.A. type A, blonde, air-headed co-stars Gabby & Madison were nothing but trouble. The very end of the book made me laugh, it seemed very clever of Lauren to end it this way. There is a plan for a two more L.A. Candy books, sequeling this unique tale. It was overall, a decent read.

Three Stars: ***

Gossip Girl By: Cecily Von Ziegesar

Overview: The book is about a group of wealthy, alcholic high school students living for fancy benifiets, parties, and of course - gossip. Blair Waldrof, GF of Hot wealthy High school student, Nate, battles insecurities about her wieght, her relashionship with Nate, & the return of her best friend - Serena. Serena, fresh out of boarding school returns to New York with full intentions of regaining her position on the top of the Constance; the high school her and Blair attend. However, when she arrives, it seems so bizzare- she doesn't understand why Blair is hating her, Nate is ignoring her, and all the crazy rumors being spread about her from the Gossip Girl website. She finds friendship in Vanessa, Jenny, & Dan. The book's main lesson is to teach you that gossip isn't always right.

Personal Thoughts: What can i say about gossip girl.... It's juicy, bitchy, and everything good gossip should be. I had some feelings on the read, myself. Well, Blair, throughout the book, is and remains a bitch. Also, Selena didn't really come to my fancy either. She seemed nice, and I even felt bad for her when her friends bailed on her, but once she made a move for Nate, I lost all sympathy for her. No friend or person for that matter, should go after someone elses' bf. Like wtf was in her head?! But anyway, I thought how it ended was pretty good. A suddel conclusion yet enough mystery to let you want more. It was good, but it didn't give me enough to love it.

Three Stars: ***

Alicia by: Lisi Harrison

Overview: When her and her enemy/cousin team up together, they put they're minds to destroy Alicia's twin cousins' dream of being in the music video for !i! Where, all along, the dream that Alicia wanted to come true, (meeting & shooting with the hawt spanish star) seemed vastly overrated when you discover @ the end, her annoying stalker LBR Nigel, is actually !i!, in which case she obviously admits she is crushing on him, too.

My Thoughts: Forgive me, Alicia is the only Clique book that seemed to slip my mind, but I just finished it & decided to write a review. I thought it was the ultimate truimph; to watch her cousins follow around some fat stand in for !i! as her, Nigel, & Nina watched. Ha. Take that, bitches!

Three Stars: ***

Overview: This truly original tale about Zoey Redbird's journey as a special vampyre, (not vampire) fledgling. After battling a harsh home life with a demanding step father and weak mother, she learns she is marked while at school and the book takes off into a fantasy land at the House of night; the vampyre school that Marked kids attend. While going through the dreaded vampyre 'change' Zoey hopes to make all her classes and try not to die. There is romance, an arch enemy, a human admirerer and new friendship.

My Thoughts: I could tell you that Marked was just another vampire book, but to be frank, I would be lying. It isn't a twilight repeat or Interview with a Vampire take off. Although the book was obviously fiction, Zoey seemed very relatable and releastic, as well as the other characters. I'd say it was my vote for best vampire novel I've read this year. It was a breath of fresh air from the Twilight craze.

Four Stars: ****

Marley and Me by: John Grogan

Overview: This book was about John Grogan, a man who decided to buy a puppy to buy him time before he was going to have a baby. However, the random decision leads them on a journey of happiness, tears, and laughs with Marley, an unorthodox, lovable lab with a fear of thunderstorms and love for people.

My Thoughts: Personally, I thought the book had the perfect amount of emotions: humor, sadness, joy; it was very relatable and a good dose of fun. I liked the book and found it hard to put down. The ending was heartrenching, considering I had grown very attached to Marley and the family. Overall, I found it very entertaining. Awesome read!

Three Stars: ***

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by: Betty Smith

Overview: The story about an early 19th century family growing up in the Brooklyn slums. It is a heart touching novel with all the twist and turns of life squeezed into five hundred pages. Francie, an impressionable little girl and her brother Neely are subject to poverty, sickness, a hard-working mother and an alchoholic father.

My Thoughts: Overall, reading 'A tree grows in brooklyn' wasn't a bad experience. If you don't think about the overdrawn story line and slow moments, you enjoy the humorous and some-what intriguing experiences Francie and the Nolan family endure. For A 500 page book about the life of a 19th century brookyln girl growing up in the slums from birth to college, this is as good as it gets. It was a cute and charming tale; it was life. Nothing other than pure realness. I tip my hat to Betty Smith because she did an awesome job. She made me fall in love with the modest characters of the story - Sissy imperticulary. I thought she had the most sad, yet positive outcome by the end of the book. I enjoyed reading about her the most. And of course, when Francie became older and started taking up dating and such. It was a decent summer read.

Three Stars: ***

Dangerous Minds by: LouAnne Johnson

Overview: Dangerous minds is a very inspirational story about a teacher teaching in an inner city high school with high hopes and aspirations for all her students. Between using tricky methods like writing 'good' notes for home & pulling off the image of a rough and tough Marine, she steals the hearts of many of the young kids in her classes.

My thoughts: I read this book in a period of three days, and it ripped my heart out to put it down. Although it was a hit movie, the book is a muchmuchmuch better. You fall in love with the twisted and complicated lives of her students and her methods of winning them over for them to become better kids. Don't let the cover fool you, this is a tale of joy and love as a teacher reaches out to save and make better the lives of her young high school students.I enjoyed it, and you should read it, too!(:

Three stars: ***

My Sister's Keeper by: Jodi Picoult

Overview: My Sister's Keeper is about Anna Fitzgerald, who, with the help of an attorney, Campbell Alexander, sues her parents for rights to her own body. Anna donated genetic material throughout her life, and the latest donation is for her to give a kidney to Kate. While her mother is very persistant that Anna will give the kidney, her father is much more mixed in thought. He believes that Anna has the ultimate decision.

My Thoughts: The drama is catchy and hard to put down. First of all, I thought that the idea of genetic mutation was such a unique topic that that was one of the main reasons I started reading it. To save her sister, she must be a genetic match. How interesting, huh? What I didn't like about the book is the fact that in some parts the novel is very slow, and the ending was totally not what I was expecting - and that wasn't exactly great, either. But overall, reading the book gave me a different perspective on cancer and sickness; it let me know first hand that a kid like you, or your little brother or sister could have it. It was a shocking revelation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Kate's short romantic love interest, Taylor, also a cancer patient. It made me feel happy for Kate. I didn't like reading about the deaths in the book. But they unfortunately, made the book.

four stars: ****

Lily B on the Brink of Cool by: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Overview: A long story about one summer of Lily B's boring life: Her abnormally unentertaining parents, absent best friend, & droning nieghborhood. Her life is one bored-fest. However, when @ attending a wedding, she meets her cool cousins: The LeBlancs. While Lily tries to break into their family circle, they use her for their latest con scheme; knowing how well Lily wishes to please them. While Lily documents her naivet'e ways, she realizes that maybe her parents may be boring but are very wise.

My thoughts: This book, if not being accounted as under it's age market, boring, and ultimatly a waste of three hours of my life, I thought that Elizabeth Cody Kimmel did a fair job of portraying the situations that occured, but it didn't interest me. I personally didn't like it. I thought her relashionship with her best friend was very odd, and I couldn't quite understand why she had no other friends; it didn't mention anyone else. I did appreciate the message it sent about always listening to your parents, but it didn't do a very good job. I'd only read this to pass time, not for enjoyment.

One Star: *