Moving to a new location!

If you want to find me, go to http://www.girlinnyc.blogspot.com to read my book reviews, baking adventures and more! Hope to see you there!

Tris and Izzy by Mette Ivie Harrison

Author: Mette Ivie Harrison    


Series: N/A   


Pages: 272  


Imprint/Publisher: EgmontUSA   


Release Date: 10-11-11  


Ages and Grades: 11-13  


Provider: Netgalley  


Summary


A modern retelling of the German fairytale "Tristan and Isolde", Tris and Izzie is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until -- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane (Branna) and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school. 


Review


Tris is the new guy from a posh family. Izzy is blissfully happy with her supposed to be lifelong boyfriend, Mark, who is super uber popular and has his own posse. Izzy's best friend, Branna, refuses to tell Izzy who she likes-and while Izzy tries to find out, she messes everything up-resulting in her drinking a love potion-and falling in love with Tristan.  


My first thoughts when I received this book was that this would be like Cara Lynn Shultz's Spellbound, which I loved to death. Branna, Izzy's best friend (since kindergarten) is someone to empathize with. She loves someone she can't have-someone who is right under her nose. I felt that Branna lacked character and emotion. Even after she got what she wanted, she was still lacking what would make her the perfect character. 


The storyline was clear, although sometimes it seemed irrelevant. Although magic is a main part of the story, it wasn't clearly and realistically portrayed. Magic was just like an add on that jumped in between the pages. Most of the time magic will have a huge display when it arrives in books-especially when people don't know. 


The love triangle was quite interesting but overall very predictable. I didn't feel that suspense when I read about it-it was somewhat emotionless. Also, Tristan....he wasn't someone I envisioned as perfect, like Edward Cullen. Harrison envisioned someone strange and mysterious-so much like Edward-but somehow did not pull that triangle off. A lot of the plot is confusing and ungenuine. Tristan is supposed to be the perfect man-in theory, but he just can't measure up to it. Izzy is happy, the reader is not.


I did, however feel that the fights were properly animated, if not somewhat comical. I'm not an expert of German myths, but if you want to read the German myth that Tris and Izzy was based on, click here. I'm not quite sure if this is Irish (according to wikipedia) or if it is German, but I guess you'll have to determine that for yourself.


A big thank you to Netgalley for sending me this book.  


Rating


2 It was okay

And....I'm back!

I know that I've probably said that I'll be back a million times before, but now it's summer, and I have more time to complete my book blog posts without getting distracted from schoolwork. That's why I've decided that Bookablog is now officially a summer book blog only unless I decide to write some posts in the middle of the year. I will start fully posting every year from now on June 1-September 10. So look for my new posts-I'm glad to be back! 


And watch for a special post each Friday-I promise you won't be disappointed!

L.A Candy by Lauren Conrad

Author: Lauren Conrad

Series: L.A Candy (#1)   


Pages: 352  


Imprint: Harper Collins  


Published: 6-19-09  


Ages and Grades: 12-16  


Provider: Library  


Summary

Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . .everything. Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can't wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun.

When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please!

Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara—free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres—and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight.

In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it's not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.

L.A. Candy is a deliciously entertaining novel about what it's like to come of age in Hollywood while starring in a reality TV show, written by a girl who has experienced it all firsthand: Lauren Conrad

Review
Jane and Scarlett are the best of friends. They've always been close and almost always 
understand each other. Sure, there are times when there'll be misunderstandings-like 
Scarlett's dating problems. But they know they have each other. L.A is a new universe to them-where natural borne blondes are nearly extinct, replaced by fakes. Jane and Scarlett know they don't fit in-somewhat gladly, in fact. But that's exactly what attracted the eye of the TV producer Trevor Lord. 

His past TV shows just crashed. Now he's looking for four girls that will draw the eyes of Hollwood and bring the ratings of his new show up to the top. First is Jane as the classic "girl next door". Scarlett is the "gorgeous braniac". Gaby is the "loveable ditz", and....Madison is the "spoiled, rich heiress". That's not all Madison is, though. 

Scarlett immediately sees through Madison's fakely sweet appearance. Everybody in Hollywood and everywhere else knows that Jane is the real star, but Madison's ready to do anything to push herself to the top-it isn't just Jane's show, after all. Madison gets pictures at the perfect timing-pictures that will destroy Jane's life forever. 

Life can't always be sweet-even on the set of L.A Candy. 

I thought this book was amazing, but several parts didn't exactly add up. Lauren Conrad's book is very enjoyable, no doubt putting readers on the edge of their seats. It was very entertaining to read about, and I can't wait to read the second book that is now sitting on my bedroom dresser, just impatiently waiting for me to read it. I can't wait!!!


Rating


3 Stars (Liked it)

Aboutmeme-Question:What am I doing this summer?

Wow...summertime is nearly here already! I feel like school just started, but then again, so does everyone. So, what am I doing this summer?

First of all, I have two award ceremonies to attend that I have been accepted in called the Asian Heritage Society (category of literature) and a Chinese collectible stamp competition of impressive people. Not only that, but for the first time, I'm traveling out of the country-to China! (I'm sure that's pretty obvious considering the info above, but that's just pretend that was a complete and total surprise that you had no idea that was going to happen.)


After that, my friends and I are planning to attend the Harry Potter Part 2 Movie Night Premiere dressed up as our favorite characters. I'll probably be dressed up as Cho Chang (since everyone I meet who has read Harry Potter tells me that I look like her), my friend Fi will be dressed up as Ginny (most likely since she has flame red hair that looks really awesome), Tiff will be dressed up as the female version of Snape (a.k.a her idol), and Ji will be Hermione. It's going to be awesomely awesome!


What are you doing this summer? Let me know!



Picture courtesy of freedigitalpics

Charmed and Dangerous:The Rise of the Pretty Committee by Lisi Harrison

Author: Lisi Harrison


Series: The Clique (#1.5)


Pages: 160


Imprint: Poppy


Published: 10-27-09


Ages and Grades: 12-15 and 6-9th grade


Provider: Library


Summary (from goodreads)
Once upon a time, in Westchester and Orlando, there were four betas just waiting for their alpha. It took a miracle to bring the Pretty Committee together--or rather, a New Years Eve party. Because sometimes when you meet someone, it just cliques.

This special deluxe hardcover novella tells the outrageous story of how The Clique got together.


Review

Charmed and Dangerous:The Rise of the Pretty Committee by Lisi Harrison is the prequel to The Clique, the first book of The Clique series. 

We all know Massie Block as the alpha-and I'm sure we always thought she was. But...in fact, she was the beta at first. Massie's stuck in the Ahnabees as a beta even though she knows that she's meant to be an alpha. 

Alicia Rivera's ready for her turn in the spotlight while her alpha's away-but will she survive through a humiliating mess-up? Skye Hamilton's gone for winter vacation, and she's left to do what she's dreamed about all her life. Finally, Alicia's leading the BADS (Body Alive Dance Studio) dance troupe. 

Dylan Marvil loves being skinny-'cause she knows it. But when the ultimate betrayal is committed and Dylan finds out the absolute opposite of what she thought she was, she doesn't know if she'll ever recover from that humiliation again. Her sisters obsess over their weight 'cause they know that they're nawt skinny-but now it's Dylan who is taking their place in the spotlight of insecurity. 

Kristen Gregory-no words needed. Other than her needing to completely get a life other than being holed up and doing homework, there's nothing to say. 

Together these 4 will form a clique-one that will be unbreakable for all eternity. Friendship is tested, bonds break and form, and once more a new clique begins. Delightfully enjoyable and very quick to read, this book tells you every reason why everything and everyone acts the way that they do in the first book. 

Basically the only faults I found with this book is how wise and elderly they all seemed when they were only fourth graders-fourth graders! That was a real big shock to me, and I had to at least reread that line over several times. They seemed like they could be eighth graders at some points. Otherwise, this was a very wonderful book. Enjoy! 

Rating 
A+

XOXO,

B

The Royal Treatment by Lindsey Leavitt

Author: Lindsey Leavitt


Series: Princess for Hire (#2)


Pages: 272


Imprint: Disney Hyperion Books


Release Date: 5-3-11


Ages and Grades: 10 and up, 5 and up


Provider:Disney Hyperion


Summary (from goodreads)

Desi Bascomb's job as a princess substitute has gotten a whole lot more glamorous now that she's advanced to Level 2 within the Facade Agency. Magical make-up, roller-skating celebrities, and the chance to see Prince Karl again are just some of the major perks. Not to mention, she's landed the role of Fairy Queen in her school's production of Midsummer's Night Dream (opposite her best friend's crush. Which is a little weird, but at least he wears a donkey head during their kissing scene). Life should be perfect, but Desi can't seem to shake the feeling that there is more going on with the agency's magic than she's told. Like why is this mind-bending power exclusive to royals? Is it possible that there could be a bigger way to make an impact in both parts of her life?

Review


I had very high expectations for this book-and I was NOT disappointed. Starting off with the same girlie approach, Desi is in the high school music room that Kylee snuck her into so she could practice her violin since it's her "musical dream". The truth is nowhere near that. She's actually preparing her BEST (Betterment of Elite Sub Training- "These people loved their acronyms" ) for another princess as she rises up to level two. 


Once I opened this book (or rather, e-book) I just couldn't stop. I thought that the plot was much more thought out and polished than the first book. Normally I can't reread through books because of the sheer boredom unless I'm reading my favorite parts, but this....every single chapter is my favorite part! I did occasionally feel like some of the characters were more in 2d (no emotional depth) than in 3d, but mostly all the main characters were dimensional enough.


I really enjoyed how this book was targeted directly towards girls since that way we could get some type of girlish kick out of it that we don't normally get in others even with ones that have a girl as a main character. The royal treatment is the delightful sequel to Princess for Hire that just makes the series even better.


Rating


A (really liked it!)

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Author:Sarah Porter


Series: Lost Voices #1


Name of Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's


Release Date: July 4, 2011


Age group: 12-15


Number of Pages: 302


 Summary

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of her grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid.

A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce's own remarkable singing talent makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However, her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?

The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.    

Review

Thank you, Netgalley for sending me this book.

             Luce is a teenage girl who has been wronged in so many ways-especially by her uncle. Her mother left when she was younger, and her father died of a shipwreck onThe High and Mighty. But the night the final wrong comes down, Luce is left abandoned on a cliff where she had found a girl's cold dead body. She sits there, reminiscing her past of not fitting in and realizing that if she goes back to her Uncle, she'll live in fear every night of the same horrible thing happening to her again. Through her tears and turmoil, she comes to a final decision-not to go back. 

            But Luce is suddenly falling, and she eventually realizes that she's falling off the cliff. She thinks of how much alike the feeling of falling off is like experiencing the arms of death enclosing around her. She suddenly hears the lulling sound of music-beautiful, stunning, music. Moments later, Luce realizes the truth. Along with many other girls who have changed into mermaids because of what human beings did to them, she becomes close to the tribe's queen, Catarina. The tribe of mermaids sing with their beautiful voices and bring ships down as vengeance to their past. But Luce starts to think about how her father died on a shipwreck-possibly one caused by the mermaids?

            Living in the tribe isn't perfect-there's still rules. The timahk forbids that you have any human contact at all, hurt any other mermaid (including larvae), banish any mermaid unless they've broken the timahk first, and if you saw another mermaid in danger, you had to help her unless it was a situation where if you helped, you could be killed, too. Luce is fine with those rules until she finds out Catarina's stealthy secret-one that could get her kicked out of the tribe-permanently. 

            Newcomers eventually come to the tribe named Dana, Jenna, Rachel, Violet, Becka and Hilory are orphans who have been nearly killed by their orphanage keeper. Both Catarina and Luce, who are both amazing singers, do the hard task of changing a girl named Anais, who starts to bring out the worst in everyone. But when she and Samantha, a bitter mermaid who seems exactly like Anais's follower find out what Catarina's secret is-what will they do to her-and Luce?

            Intriguing and spellbinding, this book is for sure a sweet read. It's wonderfully descriptive and detailed, which lets you picture everything that's happening in the story. Every twist and turn of the story is intensive and secretive, which gives you the running thrill of suspense. If you read this book, you definitely won't regret it.  

Rating
A+ (amazing!)

Back again!

I haven't posted in a little while, mostly because of the shortage of time, what with other extracurricular activities. :) That's why I've decided that back with my re-entrance for about the billionth time, I am going to start bvlogs (book video blogs or Bethany's video blogs) I'm going to post my first one pretty soon on  Populazzi by Elise Allen. Watch for it!


Bethany Huang

Aboutmeme- What I like to do and more about me

So, more about me...I really like to shop with my friends at stores like Icing by Claire's, Forever 21 and Delia's. My favorite bookstore is obviously Barnes & Noble-what other main bookstores are there besides that and Borders? My favorite animals are wolves (Artic wolves, etc.), foxes, all felines except lions and little dwarf bunnies (they're so cute!). I think that "the true gems" are pretty, but I prefer tiger's eye and falcon's eye. Not exactly precious stones, but pretty all the same. I'd love to say what my favorite book is, but right now I'm not so sure. Maybe How to be Popular by Meg Cabot, which I am currently reading. 

I also like to read, write, swim, bike (except I somehow forget how during the winter), play flute, piano, hang out with friends, etc. I also love to design clothing-I hope I'll be a famous fashion designer someday. I also want to be able to look back on my bookshelf at the age of 35 and see a whole entire shelf full of books I've wrote. Well, that's all about me for now!

Gadgettes for girls-Nook by Barnes & Noble

I normally don't write reviews on Ereaders, but I thought that since I have a nook, it would be a good idea just to let all the people know out there who are planning on buying this. I'm also starting another new meme called Gadgettes for GIRLS where I will occasionally review a gadget.

I bought my nook last year, during the end of the summer when the nook just came out. It's amazing how everyone is so excited about Ereaders even if they don't like reading. I really liked my nook, until one day my nook just shut down when I was reading-and it was completely charged. Afterwards, I put my nook away for a while and didn't use it for months later.

The nook is very touch sensitive, and sometimes when you want to read a particular book, the nook ends up bringing you somewhere else. I can't say that I particularly like the nook, though.

The nook does have good design, however, and many people do like the nook even though it does have certain glitches from time to time. What do you like better? Kindle or nook?

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan

Name of Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books


Published: 4/1/11


Age group:10-13


Series:Twisted Tales


Number of Pages:320


 Summary
In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince--she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. 


Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next--but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!


Review
Special Thank You's to: Netgalley for sending me this book.


When I first saw the title of this book, I immediately wanted to read it, hoping for something different other than the normal retelling of Cinderella that I've read before. And I was not disappointed. 


What I thought made this book really stand out was the fact that it let you choose where the character would go. It was a really nice way to let the reader interact, since half of the time they don't get to do that. 


From what I chose to read in this book, I thought the plot was very well developed and thorough, as well as easy to understand. It wasn't more than skin deep, though-I felt as if I didn't know the character as well as I'd like to. 


Otherwise, this book was very delightful to read, and I enjoyed it very much-it was such a nice book that I finished it in a day straight! I would definitely recommend this to someone, and I'm hoping to read more books in the Twisted Tales series by Maureen McGowan sometime.


Rating
A-

Aboutmeme-The importance of family

If you're thinking right now, Wow, her family must be perfect if she actually wants to blog about them. (or something like that) then you're wrong. We're not perfect. Yes, both me and my brother will fight from time to time, and yes, we are like every other average family. 


But lately I've realized that family means more than it ever seems it does. My family helped me to write my debut novel, The Eiffel Tower's Daughter (which can be bought at Amazon.com & Barnesandnoble.com). In my book, I write about a family that has been destroyed and is completely discorded. But, eventually, they become one..together, and finally learn what the true meaning of family is.


Family means everything. We all fight with our parents one time or another, or our siblings, or whoever else. No one's perfect. But family means  your whole world. Think about it...without your siblings and parents, what would you be like. (and if you say, I'd love to lose my sibling, then the sibling part doesn't apply to you. :) )

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Name of Publisher: Harlequin TEEN 


Published: 4/26/11


Series: The Goddess Test #1

Age group:14-16


Number of Pages:297


 Summary




EVERY GIRL who has taken the test has DIED.


Now it's KATE'S TURN.


It’s always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate’s going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won’t live past the fall.


Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he’ll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.


Kate is sure he’s crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she’ll become Henry’s future bride, and a goddess.


If she fails...


Review

From the first page on, I couldn't seem to be able to stop reading. First, I just LOVED the cover. It was mysterious yet simple, but all the same, it looked amazing-like something I'd definitely pick up and buy at a bookstore. And after seeing such an amazing cover, I expected even more from the author. And this book did not disappoint me.

Spellbinding and intriguing, this book is full of unexpected twists and turns that even you won't be able to predict. Kate's mother is dying, and her last wish is to move back to Eden, her childhood home. But suddenly, mysterious things happen, and a girl nearly dies-but lives. Henry, who we later find out is Hades, saves her in exchange for a deal with Kate-that she will take part in a test that can either kill her-or save her and turn her into a goddess-and Henry's Queen.

But the problem is, all of the other girls have been poisoned-or killed. And no one knows who it is and can't identify the person. And beyond all that, will Kate ever compare to Persephone (Henry's deceased wife) in Henry's mind? Or will Henry never learn to love her...ever?

Rating
A+

In My Mailbox (7)

Monster High by Lisi Harrison

Name of Publisher:Poppy

Published:September 2010

Age group:12-14

Number of Pages: 255

Summary

From Lisi Harrison, the New York Times bestselling author of The Clique and Alphas, comes a new series with a fresh twist on high school, romance, and the horrors of trying to fit in.

They prefer to call themselves RAD (Regular Attribute Dodgers), but some call them monsters. So far, the "monster" community has kept a low profile in Salem, but this year two new girls enroll at Master High School, and the town will never be the same.

Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and cheerleading. But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters who might be stalking the halls, Frankie finds that life in the "normi" world can be rough for a chic freak like her.

She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver--but can a normi be trusted with her big secret?

Review

Of course Lisi Harrison astounds me again-but not quite as much. I love the way that she twists the basic classic of Frankenstein into a teenage drama. The only bit that I thought was a bit cliched was the characters, who were somewhat like mini-imitations of Massie and her Pretty Committee. Cleo was a little bit too much like Massie,etc.

Frankie Stein is a 15 day old girl who looks fifteen years old. She has lime-green skin and has to wear make-up concealer to hide it. But Frankie hates it and finally finds a way to fit in with a super tight clique of girls. Soon after, she finds out that they're monsters, too-or RADs. Everything's great...until certain things that could mean disaster happen.

Melody Carver is the "newbie" in the school, and becomes friends with Bekka, a girl who so strict on the rule "friend's first" that she even has Melody sign a contract. But before Melody knows it, she's caught up in a problem that she'll wish she'd never been in-one where her boyfriend's double personality is caught in between loyalty-and love.

Amazing and magical, this book is one to-read.

Rating

A-

My Book's Inspiration-Aboutmeme

So many people have asked me where I've gotten the inspiration for my debut novel, The Eiffel Tower's Daughter, that I've decided to write a aboutmeme post about it.

Everything started off when I began fourth grade with my teacher, Mr.Hill. Within that year, I realized that I loved to write-poetry, that is. I had attempted to write short stories, but with no avail. They all turned into stories about fairies with severe allergic reactions to micah, and lands that no one had ever heard of with supremely odd names. Eventually, I gave up and wrote poetry about every subject possible. I tried almost every single type of way to write poetry-limericks, free-verse, rhyming, etc. But Mr. Hill continued to suggest that I should try writing an actual short story. And I am somewhat embarassed to admit that I did not listen very well. :) I knew I was horrible at it, so I continued to write my poetry and ignore his suggestions.

But in the summer of '09, I decided to actually try my hand at short stories after my mother bought me a book called the most fascinating places on earth by Donna E. Hicks from Barnes & Noble. I immediately flipped through the places, spellbound. But the Eiffel Tower particularly entranced me. I grabbed an index card and began writing a simple plot idea. Before I knew it, I had a few pages filled on my notebook, and I was finally on my way to my first story...ever.

I'm sure you probably didn't imagine my story to be this way. Maybe you thought my ideas came from a dream, where most authors gest their ideas. But I'm glad to share my story of success with you-and I wish all of you the best.

Bethany Huang

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Name of Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Published: 2006

Series: Last Survivors (#1)

Age group: 12-14

Number of Pages: 337

Summary

Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.



Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda’s struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.

Review

First of all, I love the cover. It's entrancing and somewhat mysterious, which made me pick up this book and read it. At first, once you open the book, I thought this would just be a normal book about teenage troubles, and nearly put the book down-but I reached the conflict just in time and was shocked by the result.

I love how Miranda, the main character and her family start to realize how much family mean. They find so much happiness in little tiny gifts that they would never have appreciated so much before. So much had changed within a few months, and Miranda's family was surviving, and was better off than most families.

They were...until they started running out of food and Miranda's brothers and Mother all fell deathly ill. Suddenly Miranda's not sure if they're going to make it-and she's afraid she'll be the last one standing. Will Miranda be able to saver her family? Or will she be all alone...forever?

Rating

B+

Aboutmeme-My best trip ever

If anyone asked me directly on the spot to tell them what my best vacation was, I'd say, "Newport Mansions," without hesitation. Newport Mansions is an exquisite place in Rhode Island where you can see several amazing mansions-for example, The Breakers, Rosecliff, The Elms and The Marble House.

What makes Newport Mansions so amazing? At Newport Mansions, I got so much inspiration. It was like taking a look through the window of the past and finding every single little detail of it, then writing it. I just thought that everything there was so intricate and amazingly breathtaking.

What did I do there? My family and I visited several of the most important mansions and dined out at several places, including the exclusive on-ground cafes. We had so much fun touring around in Newport, and my family and I are hoping that, next year, we'll be able to go during Christmas and see Newport decorated in Christmas lights.

Luv,
Bethany Huang <3

Aboutmeme

I've decided to actually start my own meme called Aboutmeme. My meme will be about me, which is why I called it Aboutme with an added me at the end to make it about me and show that it's a meme, too! I hope you'll enjoy learning about a bit more about me. I'd love to know more about all of you, too! If you have anything to share, feel free to comment-I'll definitely reply!

Best Friends for Never by Lisi Harrison

Name of Publisher:Poppy

Published:2004

Age group:12-14

Number of Pages:197

Series: The Clique (Book #2)

Summary

The Clique is back ...

Massie Block - Still gorgeous. Still trendsetting. Still ruling the social scene at school… she hopes. To keep her spot at the top, Massie decides to throw the school’s first boy/girl Halloween party. But her parents are making her invite the entire grade AND share the party with Claire. She’s not sure which is scarier…


Dylan Marvil - Lost the weight. Kept the attitude. Plans to use her new look to snag a cute guy.


Kristen Gregory - Clothes are for sharing. Guys aren’t. Likes the same guy Dylan does. Will do whatever it takes to get him.


Alicia Rivera - With the Clique unravelling faster than last season’s Burberry sweater, is it time for Alicia to stage her takeover?


Claire Lyons: Still out. Wants in. Seriously needs to lose those Keds.

Review
As much as I love "The Clique" series, I have to say that this book was not one of the best. Once you pass the first chapter and go onto the second one, it makes you realize that the time passed by too quickly. It was like this wasn't the second book-more like the fifth.

In this book, I felt like we knew too little about Massie and her clique to feel any ties with them. Also, Lisi Harrison added in and said things that hadn't happened before, which added more confusion to this book. If only those mishaps were gone, this book would be ehma-amazing! (Massie-style)

The plot of this book is ah-mazing! Alicia overhears some girls doubting Massie's power of the Pretty Committee, and they decide to host the first Halloween party of the year. Massie is furious and decides to host her own boy/girl Halloween party...first. But while that happens, Massie makes a bet with Claire...that she can go at least a month without shopping.

But Massie is literally dying without buying new clothing every week. And in a desperate act, Massie and her group wear their dirty devils costume that they are going to wear to Massie's Halloween party that night. The only problem is that Claire tattles them out, and the Pretty Committee is suddenly walking around school in their less than dazzling t-shirts and stained pants. Pretty Committee? Not likely.

Massie's party is a hit until Alicia starts hanging out with Olivia, a LBR and a girl that is in Alicia's dance class- and when Alicia leaves the party early without saying anything. But that's not it. Because the PC violated the school's dress code, they decided to host a contest for the best school uniform, and Massie and the rest of the PC (and Claire) except Alicia, who is teamed up with Olivia, win the contest hands down.

And how do we know that? Because Massie painted her thimble purple and put it in their box. But somehow it ends up in Alicia's...and Massie knows they cheated. Will Massie and Alicia still be friends? Or will they be EFL? (Enemies for life)

Rating
B-

Luv,
Beth

The Clique By Lisi Harrison

Name of Publisher: Poppy

Published: 2004

Age group: 12-14

Number of Pages: 220

Series: The Clique (#1)


Summary

Meet The Clique…

Massie Block: With her glossy brunette bob and laser-whitened smile, Massie is the uncontested ruler of The Clique and the rest of the social scene at Octavian Country Day School, an exclusive private girls’ school in Westchester County, New York. Massie knows you’d give anything to be just like her.

Dylan Marvil: Massie's second in command who divides her time between sucking up to Massie and sucking down Atkins Diet shakes.

Alicia Rivera: As sneaky as she is beautiful, Alicia floats easily under adult radar because she seems so "sweet." Would love to take Massie's throne one day. Just might do it.

Kristen Gregory: She's smart, hardworking, and will insult you to tears faster than you can say "my haircut isn't ugly!"

Enter Claire Lyons, the new girl from Florida in Keds and two-year-old Gap overalls, who is clearly not Clique material. Unfortunately, for her, Claire's family is staying in the guesthouse on Massie's family's huge estate while they look for a new home. Claire's future looks worse than a bad Prada knockoff. But with a little luck and a lot of scheming, Claire might just come up smelling like Chanel No. 19....

The Clique... the only thing harder than getting in is staying in.

Review
I've heard alot about Lisi Harrison's #1 New York Bestselling series The Clique before. I've even seen some of my fellow classmates carrying the books and reading them. Every single girl who has read it has said that they loved it. And I am inclined to agree. First of all, the cover is somewhat vague, but it gives the book a mysterious touch. The small rectangular picture with plaid print surrounding it makes it sort of stylish, or Ah-dorable, as Massie would say.

But even better...is the book. The moment you open the cover, you're sucked out of time and space and into this book. Most reviews I've seen says that, quote, "Massie Block is a girl you'll love to hate," quote end quote. But honestly, I don't think any of us will hate her...I think we'll wish we're her...with her undivided Clique of exclusive girls. A new school year starts off, and Massie just can't wait to kick it off with a day of beauty with her BFFLS. But the only thing that can mess it up is one of her Dad's oldest friends, who is called Jay Lyons.

Massie's mother refuses to let her go because Massie has a duty...as her parent's daughter, she has to be there at the welcoming brunch. As much as Massie begs, she can't. Then Claire Lyons, Jay's daughter, meets Massie. Massie's furious when Claire starts following around and rumors start ciriclinga round Massie-that she's accepted someone new. Massie, Kristen, Alicia and Dylan scheme viciously to get Claire off their tail. And they almost do...until the bidding event that Massie hosts every single year on her family's massive estate.

But Claire and Massie have a truce for a temporary moment...where Massie finally admits the truth about her actions and they become semi-friends. The Clique...the only thing harder then getting in...is staying in. :)

Rating
A

Au revoir,
Bethany