Going Vintage

Goodreads Says:    When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

My Thoughts:

-    The first time I tried to read this, I quite. I wanted to give it another chance though because I love the author. I finished this time, but my feeling towards the book didn't change.

-    The characters were pretty lame. I wasn't a fan of any of them, especially Mallory. She was SO over dramatic, and her motives for things were really immature and stupid. Not only did Mallory cut herself off from technology, she cut herself off from people. She wasn't listening to her sister, friends, grandma, or parents. She was so self absorbed.

-    I was really hoping that Mallory was going to go full on 1960s, but her efforts were a sad attempt. I don't think her heart was really in it. She was just being a drama queen.

-    I wish there had been more about the grandma and her life in the 60s. Her life was WAY more interesting than Mallory's.

-    There was no point to this book. There was no lesson learned. What was Mallory trying to accomplish? Nothing! 

-    I was really disappointed with this one, but I really Lindsey's other books. 

Sean Griswold's Head

Goodreads Says:    According to her guidance counselor, fifteen-year-old Payton Gritas needs a focus object-an item to concentrate her emotions on. It's supposed to be something inanimate, but Payton decides to use the thing she stares at during class: Sean Griswold's head. They've been linked since third grade (Griswold-Gritas-it's an alphabetical order thing), but she's never really known him.

The focus object is intended to help Payton deal with her father's newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. And it's working. With the help of her boy-crazy best friend Jac, Payton starts stalking-er, focusing on-Sean Griswold . . . all of him! He's cute, he shares her Seinfeld obsession (nobody else gets it!) and he may have a secret or two of his own. 

In this sweet story of first love, Lindsey Leavitt seamlessly balances heartfelt family moments, spot-on sarcastic humor, and a budding young romance.

My Thoughts:

-    This book is SO cute and SO much fun! I usually don't read and enjoy books like this, but I really like this one! 

-    Among the charm, romance, and fun there are some touching and tender family and friend moments. I really love that this book has a lot more going on than a high school crush.

-    Payton is a girl I can really relate to. I love all the lists she makes!

-    Yes, I admit I enjoy the romance too. I love Sean. He is so sweet and awesome, and I like how Payton and Sean's relationship develops. I really love that he encourages her to do new things and helps her, and . . . I may have pictured Sean as a younger Jeremy Renner ;)

Just look at him! He fits Sean's description, and has a great head! *sigh*

-    I like all the Lindsey Leavitt books I've read, but this one is my favorite! It is that fun comfort read you just want to reach for when you need something nice that puts a smile on your face. 

The Pages Between Us

From Goodreads:    Told in letters, posters, blog posts, homework assignments, and more, The Pages Between Us is a totally fun, totally earnest snapshot of middle grade friendship—and what it truly means to be there for someone during the ups, downs, and everything in between.

Piper and Olivia have been best friends since…well, forever. But they're distressed to find that their new middle school schedules aren't giving them enough together-time. Luckily, an idea sparks when Piper finds a cute, sparkly notebook to disguise as her "French Class" homework. It's genius—now the two BFFs can stick together all the time. And document their adventures—you know, for anthropology's sake.

But as the two navigate the tricky new world of sixth grade, they realize that they may need to branch out more than they originally thought. Their notebook, once a life raft, begins to feel like a big responsibility. Can they grow up, without growing apart?

My Thoughts:

-    This is a really fun and cute book. It was a bit young for me, but I still enjoyed it.

-    I loved the opening. It made me laugh.

-    I really liked Piper and Olivia's voices and personalities. They were very believable tween girls. Robin and Lindsey did a great job capturing their younger selves.

-    The story is fun, but there really isn't any plot or conflict til the very end. The middle is a little slow.

-    The ending is really good. It is full of warm fuzzies and is all about compromising and being a true friend.

-    I loved how visual certain parts of the book are. The girls tape things into their "notebook" and it is fun to see that. It is like the reader is actually reading the notebook of these two girls. 

-    This will be a fun story for my daughter to read when she gets a little older. 

Lindsey Leavitt

On Wednesday, I went to see Lindsey Leavitt with my friends!

Here is Jayne, Tori, and Suey

Me and Jenny

Lindsey was at the Provo Library promoting her new book The Pages Between Us. She did a good job promoting it cause I wasn't going to buy a book that night, but I ended up buy it anyway. I also bought a copy of Sean Griswald's Head! I'm such a sucker!

Erica introduced the author.

Lindsey was really funny and energetic. She knows how to win over a crowd.

Since Lindsey co-wrote the book with Robin Mellom, Lindsey called up Robin and they did most of the presentation together. Lindsey held the mic to her phone so we could hear Robin. She was on a train to LA.

Some things Lindsey and Robin talked about:

-    The book is written notebook style. The two main characters write notes to each other in a notebook.

-    Lindsey and Robin emailed the story back and forth. They each wrote for one of the MCs, and they wrote back and forth like they were writing in the notebook.

-    The whole book took about 4 months to write.

-    The project was supposed to be a secret, but Robin let it slip to her agent.

-    The book got a lot of interest, so it went to auction. They chose to have it published by Harper because Harper was the one that would produce the book the way Lindsey and Robin wanted it.

-    The book is very visual with notes and lists and stuff. Lindsey and Robin are very pleased with how it turned out.

This is Lindsey signing her books with her daughter on her lap. Her daughter broke her arm, and she wasn't feeling good.

Here is our group picture with the author. The person who took our picture didn't zoom in. Grr!

Jayne and Jenny ditched us, but the rest of us kept tradition by going to JCWs for yummy food!

It was a fun night!

A Farewell To Charms

From Goodreads:    Desi Bascomb is a princess substitute prodigy--she's the fastest employee ever to advance to level three in the Facade Agency, and the youngest to ever be a full-time sub. But now with all eyes on Desi, the only thing she wants is a moment alone to talk to Reed, who's a Facade legacy and secretly a sub for princes As Desi trains for her new role, she spies more than a few cracks in Facade's perfect appearance. But uncovering the agency's dark past might require more than a princess sub can handle by herself. Desi is no damsel in distress, but sometimes a girl needs a knight in shining armor.

My Thoughts:

-    I don't really like how young Desi is.  I wish she was just a little bit older, like 16-17 instead of 13.  I think the story would be more suited for an older teen.  She has a lot of responsibility, and a girl's relationship at 13 doesn't last.  I'd like to think that Reed and Desi have a long lasting relationship.

-    I liked this one better than the second book, but not as much as the first.  It was still funny and charming, but I'm not huge into the Jr. High drama stuff. 

-    I liked how everything was resolved.  Desi and Meredith got really lucky, and I'm glad Genevieve wasn't a total snob like Lilith.  I like how Reed played a larger role, and we got to know more about him.  Everything about Kylee is awesome!!

-    I really love the characters in this series.  The story is good, but what really captivates me is the characters and their friendship.  I especially love Desi.  She is an amazing young woman.  I would like to be her friend. 

-    Overall, this was a really nice ending to fun trilogy.  I wish there was more.  I'd like to see how everyone settles into things.  

I got to meet Lindsey Leavitt at the Provo Library last night.  Sadly, I forgot my camera! 

My Thoughts on the Event: 

-    Lindsey is a really funny person.  She has a wonderful sense of humor.

-    I LOVE that these books were inspired by Roman Holiday!!  I love that movie!!

-    I got 4 books signed!!!  HOORAY!!

-    It is hilarious that Lindsey's only request for the cover of her first book was that it can't be pink.  I completely agree.  I usually am turned off by pink covered books, but luckily the synopsis got me to pick it up.

-    I love that she laminated her rejection letters.  

-    Lindsey brought a few of her "first published works" from when she was in grade school, and they were hilarious!  I loved the one she read to us about the monsters at the window.  

-    It was a really fun event, and my daughter loved the little grab bag I brought home for her. 

The Royal Treatment

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. 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 been told.

My Thoughts:

-    I cracked up during the very first scene!!  Hot Cross Buns is one of the first songs I learned too!  I love that Kylee is a fellow clarinet player! 

-    This one wasn't as fun as the 1st book.  I laughed, but not as much.  There was a lot more drama, like HS girl drama, and I wasn't into that.  I wanted to read about Desi subbing, and less about her actual life, even though her job is part of her life.

-    The ending was exciting!!!  I hope it means what I think it means!!

-    I LOVE the old movie references,  especially the Audrey Hepburn ones!  Hepburn is the greatest!!

-    I really like the relationship between Desi and Kylee.  Every girl needs a friend they can talk to.

-    I really want to Celeste to go suck an elf!  (koodos to whoever knows what that is from!)

-    Even though I didn't enjoy this one as much as the 1st book, I still really want to finish the series.

Princess for Hire

Goodreads Synopsis:   When Desi Bascomb gets discovered by the elite Facade Agency–royalty surrogates extraordinaire–her life goes from glamour-starved to spectacular in a blink. As her new agent, Meredith, explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula “Royal Rouge,” she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?

Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don’t know? Or when a princess’s conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off–and you know she would want you to change his mind?
In this hilarious series debut, one girl’s dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.

My Thoughts:

-    If they made a movie of my life, I'd hire Audrey Hepburn to play me too!

-    Old movies, Animal lover, Clarinet player, and Audrey Hepburn references...This book is awesome!!

-    The story was a really fun, light, and clean read!  Sometimes...you just gotta pick one of these up to break up the other stuff.  

-    I have to say that this book was a guilty pleasure.  Everything on the cover screams "Not For Me!!"  I don't know why I picked it up.  I'm glad I did though, I enjoyed it...more than I should have.

-    The whole Hayden thing was LAME!!  What a waste of time!  I knew the guy was a loser from the beginning!

-    There were a few things that were a little dramatic and meh.

-    I really love Desi.  I can relate to her on a lot of things.  I really love that she wanted to make an impact.  She helped girls achieve what they couldn't do for themselves.  That takes guts!  I don't know if I could have done that.  

-    I really enjoyed seeing Desi's character develop and become more.  

-    I liked that the author spelled Karl with a K.  My hubby's grandpa's name is spelled like that.  K's are better!  

-    I also really liked the fairy tale elements of the story.  It was fun!