Zig Zag by Ellen Wittlinger

Rating: 4.5

Genre: General teen fiction, road trips

Robin has her summer all planned out. Its her last summer with her boyfriend, Chris, before he goes off to college so they are going to hang around together. But then Chris's parents buy him a trip to Rome for the summer and Robin is angry. Really angry, since it is her last summer with him. Then Robin's Aunt Dory calls and asks her to come on a roadtrip across the Western United States with her and her two kids, Marshall and Iris. Reluctantly as Robin thinks that her cousins are snobs, Robin agrees. Robin's aunt and cousins just lost their father/husband and are going through a tough time. As the trip progresses Robin learns to deal with her family and she learns a few things about herself too.

Well, Zig Zag was a hard book to summarize. So much happens, yet in so little time, as the book only takes the time span of a few weeks. It was a hard book to put down once I started it. I think I might be a little biast, because I love books that are about roadtrips and this one was most definitely about a roadtrip. I think books about road trips are kind of refreshing and inspiring, because the characters always learn so much about themselves and they always leave you a satisfying ending.

This book was no exception. Although at the beginning, I found Robin to be a real winer and annoying because she kept moping about her boyfriend, within a few pages my mind was changed. Robin really changes throughout the story. Ellen Wittlinger's writing really etches the characters into your heart and you really start to care about them. Plus I absolutely adore the title of this book Zig Zag. I mean really, how cool!!

This book was a really great, and easy read. I really enjoyed Ellen Wittlinger's style of writing and if I have the chance I will pick up another one of her books. I recommend you put it on your summer reading list! Roadtrip stories are great. Anyone else agree?

Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Genre: ya fiction

Mara Valentine knows what she is doing in life. As a straight A senior student, she takes extra classes at the college so that she will be able to graduate early. She is a vegan (although she often craves cheese) and a virgin ( hence the title). But V, Mara's niece who is only one year younger than Mara is the complete opposite. And Mara can't stand her. V is slutty, smokes, and LOVES meat. So when Mara's parents invite V to come live with them when V's mom decides to move Mara is pretty annoyed. Especially since V manages to snag Mara's ex on her first day in school. Mara hates V. Then things start to change. And V and Mara eventually they realize they have more in common than they think and just maybe they might understand each other.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it was a very quick read, it was enjoyable. Carolyn Mackler manages to suprise you when you least expect it throughout the book. It was funny and quirky. I also liked that this book wasn't so over the top sappy with a happy ending. Sure things turn out well but realistic. The characters change a lot throughout the story. I don't want to spoil anything but I highly suggest this book for a quick read.

The Sweet Far Thing By Libba Bray (book review)

I'm feeling a bit lazy... and most people have probably heard of this book. If you haven't here is the product description I pasted here off Amazon (no copywrite infringement intended):

"IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHANGE since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for. "

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now for my (quick) thoughts:

Rating: errrr 3.75 stars

Genre: Historical fiction, ya lit

Okay so I absolutely loved A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels. Libba Bray did not dissapoint. She writes her magic into this book. I did find however, that it was extremely long, and I was relieved when I had finished it. There is no doubt it was a good book though. Fans of this trilogy best check it out asap!

Sorry for this quick review.

Frenemies by Alexa Young

Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: pre-teen, ya fiction

(this is the book I won over at WORDforTeens and it was signed too!--Thanks again!)


Avalon and Halley have been friends FOREVER. So now they are throwing a big friends forever bash. After all, they live next door to eachother and their families are friends too. BFFAE and thats never going to change, right?


So what happens when the summer apart leads them to make new seperate friends? They both give each other's new friends a big NO. So they decide to get rid of their friendship and hang with new people. Avalon and Halley battle eachother out over their school fashion column. But they still want that party!


Things get ugly--how could they not when your best friend knows all your secrets and will use them against you?
FRENEMIES it is.

Frenemies was hilarious. Alexa Young hooks you from the beginning with her characters. With fashion to creating new friends this book has all the potential to be the new Clique- type series.
And readers will love the cliffhanger at the end. I would suggest this book for the middle school age. Cute read! You can check out Alexa's blog here