Oh My Goth - Gena Showalter

Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Form: Paperback Book

Jade Leigh is a nonconformist who values individuality above all else. She has a small group of like-minded Goth friends who wear black, dabble in the dark arts, and thrive outside the norm. They're considered the "freaks" of their high school. But when Jade's smart mouth lands her in trouble - again - her principal decides to teach her a lesson she'll never forget.

Taken to a remote location where she is strapped down and sedated, Jade wakes up in an alternate universe where she rules the school. But her best friends won't talk to her, and the people she used to hate are all Goth. Only Clarik, the mysterious new boy in town, operates outside all the cliques. And only Mercedes, the Barbie clone Jade loathes, believes that Jade's stuck in a virtual reality game - because she's stuck there, too, now living the life of a "freak." Together, they realize they might never get back to reality...and that even if they do, things might never be the same.

Source: Back of Book

A fun, imaginative book! Gena Showalter is really good about taking you to worlds you've never been too, and this book is no exception. Of course, it really does have "teen movie" written all over it - in fact, it would make a really good one I think.

Oh My Goth was an entertaining read, with a little lesson about how it's okay to be different (or the same). People have different lives and are they way they are for a reason. And as Jade says, "the hate needs to end!" Jade is only Goth in appearance in my opinion, she definitely is a sweet girl who truly wants to be unique, but also a part of it all. Mercedes really did seem like a snob who only cared about her popularity - but at the end had seemed to realize that despite their "freak" labels, Jade and her friends were fun and caring and really a lot like her and her friends, and did not deserve to be treated like 2nd class citizens. Clarik is a sexy young man, I pictured sort of emo, was sweet, understanding, and fierce at the same time.

Keeping the Moon - Sarah Dessen

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Form: Paperback Book

Fifteen-year-old Colie has never fit in. First, it was because she was fat. Then, after she lost the weight, it was because of a reputation that she didn't deserve. So when she's sent to stay with her eccentric aunt Mira for the summer, Colie doesn't expect too much. After all, why would anyone in Colby, North Carolina, want to bother with her when no one back home does? But Colby turns out to be a nice surprise for Colie. Almost without trying, she lands herself a job at the Last Chance Bar and Grill. There she meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel - two best friends who teach her what friendship is all about, and help her learn to appreciate who she really is.

Source: Back of Book

This is a fantastic book. Colie is a troubled teenager, going for goth but heart of gold. She's never been given a chance, and her self esteem is crazy gone. This book is about making amends with yourself. I loved it. As a teenager I had a pretty low self esteem. I never dealt with the issues that Colie did, name calling and such, but I do think it's very common for girls to lack self confidence. Some shrink into it, while others make themselves feel better by stomping all over others.

You now me, I'm all about the characters, and let me tell you - Sarah Dessen did a wonderful job! You love Colie from the start. You understand Mira, her crazy aunt. You either were Morgan and Isbel, or knew them at some point in your life. And then there is Norman. It's so wonderful how when the book starts out you're not so keen on him, just like Colie - but by end your opinion changes right along with her. Of course, the book is written from Colie's perspective, so that should happen.

I recommend this for youth and adults alike. It had some wonderful "love yourself" lessons. I think it's worth the read. Very light and easy, it won't take up too much of your precious time!

Tuesday Teaser

Hosted by The Boston Bibliophile...

The rules:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I'm reading Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen. I'm probably going to finish tonight, but I'm still going to do this, because I found a line that I just love. Yeah, I know it's not totally random, but it's too good not to share. This is from page 88:

"No one deserves to be kicked," I said.

"I disagree," she said flatly. "You do if you don't think you're worth any better. As soon as you saw that girl today you crumpled. You just opened the door up and let her stomp right in."

Movie Monday - Star Trek

I am SOOO not a Trekki! My step-dad would watch Star Trek and I would run for cover in my room. I wasn't having it. So when I saw the previews for the new movie I was surprised that I was even remotely interested in it. (Cute guys in the movie didn't hurt...) Anyway, hubby and I were talking about what we wanted to do, and I mentioned sort of light heartedly "Star Trek came out today..." And it only took about 5 minutes to determine that was what we were going to do.

Shocked and amazed. That's all I can say. This movie was wall to wall action - and not crazy weird alien and space man action, but real cool stuff! The story line was good, the actors/characters were great, funny even. I can't say too much about the movie, or if it lived up to expectations or anything of that nature - because as I indicated before, I have no prior information.

Sooo, if you are a non-Trek person and are pondering if you'd like to see this movie - I say "Go for it!" You may be as surprised as I was.

Lover Avenged - J.R. Ward

Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Hardback Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Caldwell, New York, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It's also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood.

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he's a symphath, his identity is a deadly secret - the revelation of which could result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. As plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll on Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world - Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him - and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

Source: Front flap of book

I finished this book probably 2 weeks ago...I've just been that behind!

Very exciting, action packed Brotherhood novel. I love Rehvenge for who he is. He is a deep dark protector. No matter of his sociopathic disability, he does everything he can to keep it and himself at bay, protect his family, his friends, his secret. It's taking it's toll on him. No matter - because it's all getting ready to be revealed. Ehlena is the perfect female for Rehvenge. I was shocked at how romantic Rehv is. Which was a wonderful change from Z's hard and powerful possessiveness, and V's....well, "fun and games." I think J.R. brought it out even further how different Rehv is when Ehlena showed up at V's place instead of Rehv's. Quite humorous in my opinion.

Ehlena was perfectly human, er well...normal. Her reactions to Rehv, especially when she finds out who he really is, was spot on. Hurt, betrayed...but then revelation. She figures it out all on her own. She's a very strong female, able to take care of herself...but she's very venerable at the same time. She needs the tenderness that Rehv provides.

Okay...more on the book itself. LOVE the subplots ones again, although they really weren't that secondary. The story seems to align much more nicely in this book than in books past. In the past we had the main story, then we had some side things going on. This time we had a book. Wrath and Beth played a much larger role, which was just wonderful in my opinion. I was sort of missing them. I can just imagine how difficult it would be to incorporate every one in all the books - but usually, that is what I want. I liked seeing Butch a little more too. But most of all, I absolutely ADORE the continuation - and the beginning - of John Matthew and Xhex's story.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say John Matthew is going to end up taking Zsadist's position in my heart as my favorite brother. I think it has something to do with how incredibly well we know John Matthew. There really won't be a need for too much of a back story on him, so I imagine we'll be getting to know Xhex more in Lover Mine (perfect name...I soo can't wait for this book!). We really get a nice start to their rocky relationship in Lover Avenged.

My one disappointment of the book? I was REALLY expecting Rehvenge started fighting with the Brotherhood. There is a much different alignment though - but I won't ruin that for you.

In my opinion...while all these books are great, this is the absolute best Black Dagger Brotherhood book yet. My expectation is that Lover Mine is going to meet and exceed this. I *think* this series has 3 books left, including Lover Mine, and she's definitely going to take it out with a bang.

I'm totally going to check out J.R. Ward's new Fae series as well.