review: how to be a hepburn in a hilton world by jordan christy

Jordan Christy is fed up with the “Stupid Girls.” She wants us to remember the time of Audrey Hepburn and “take some of those graceful, sophisticated, old-fashioned values and implement them in our everyday, modern-girl lives.” The first few chapters are pretty good and provide some funny anecdotal stories. But then Christy decides she can give makeup and fashion advice. Although some of this is still appropriate, Christy’s personal biases really start to come through on these subjects that she clearly has no professional background on. She’s very anti-plastic surgery and the clothing store Abercrombie. While I’m sure many will agree that plastic surgery can sometimes be excessive, it’s not always inappropriate as Christy makes it out to be. She also should step inside an Abercrombie store before condemning it as the company actually carries a number of pieces that would fall in line with styles Christy deems appropriate.
3/5

review: saved by the music by selene castrovilla

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When Saved By the Music opens, Willow acts both snobby and bratty about her new living situation. She most definitely does not want to spend her summer helping her aunt fix up a broken-down barge in a slummy town. At this point, I thought Willow was a spoiled brat, but it turns about I was completely wrong about her at-home situation which was a pleasant surprise (though Willow’s home life is anything but pleasant). Although still upset about the lack of some very basic amenities, Willow’s opinion about her summer in exile starts to change when she spots a neighbor who looks a lot like her idol, Jim Morrison. But Willow and Axel (the Morrison lookalike) are each dealing with some pretty heavy issues that manifest themselves in physical ways. These issues aren’t revealed until Willow makes a bad decision regarding Craig, who Willow’s aunt hired to help fix up the barge.

Since the subject matter is so heavy, it would've been nice if Selene Castrovilla had avoided the quick happy ending that comes on the last page; however, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. The characterization of Willow was well done, though some of the minor characters like Craig were a bit stereotypical.
4/5
ARC Review

review: the long wait for tomorrow by joaquín dorfman

The day after the football team tortures a friendless classmate, the star quarterback wakes up different. Patrick immediately notices the dramatic change in Kelly, but isn’t sure what’s going on. Then Kelly starts claiming he’s really his future self back in his teenage body. Although Kelly can’t remember what happens in the future, he has a sense he’s there to change something. Patrick and Jenna (Kelly’s girlfriend) try to help Kelly, but without knowing what event is supposed to change or even if Kelly’s story is to be believed, it proves to be a difficult task.

It took me a while to get into The Long Wait for Tomorrow. The threads of the story just weren’t connecting for me, but I pushed on in the hopes that it would come together if I continued. That proved true in some regards. There were still unanswered questions regarding Kelly’s story when the book concluded, but it also ended in such a way that I had a sense the questions were supposed to remain. I’m glad I kept with it as I did enjoy the book once I had some understanding as to what was going on. One thing I wish had been addressed earlier was the why of Kelly and Patrick’s (who is not a football player) friendship. There was a brief hint toward the beginning, but the full explanation comes so late that the unlikely friendship proved to be a distraction.
4/5

giveaway winners: my paper chase

Congratulations to Sue, Emma, and holdenj who have won My Paper Chase. Hope you enjoy!

review: the sugarless plum by zippora karz

The Sugarless Plum is the story of a ballerina who is diagnosed with diabetes just as her career is really taking off. During the introductory chapters, Zippora Karz's compelling writing conveys the urgency of her situation. The story slows after that to revisit her childhood and the start of her dancing career. Her story is told in an easy chronology with just enough detail. When Karz gets to the point of her first (mis)diagnosis, it's clear how ballet has consumed her and why she would take health risks in order to not appear too sick to dance. That Karz had such a successful career and now lives a healthy life managing diabetes makes the story all the more amazing.
5/5
Review copy provided by the publicist, FSB Associates.

review: how to be famous by heidi montag & spencer pratt

Hee! I kind of loved this book (alright, more than kind of). I’m so not a Speidi fan, but I totally appreciated that they have apparently recognized how completely ridiculous it is that they’re now famous. How To Be Famous is a hilarious guide to making yourself famous for being famous. They fully embrace using the paparazzi to accomplish this goal, which definitely makes sense to me. Why do so many celebrities complain about their popularity anyway? It’s what they signed up for! Heidi and Spencer are definitely not ones to complain about their extensive coverage, which is refreshing though I still don’t understand why magazines put them on the cover.

My favorite part of How To Be Famous is the In Case of Emergency conclusion. That 12 item list made me laugh; especially this one: “Be really unqualified. Get selected as presidential running mate.” Perfect.
5/5

giveaway winners: the heretic's daughter and white picket fences

Congratulations to all of the winners. Zia, Marjorie, tanya904, Tina, and GFDesignz will receive a copy of The Heretic's Daughter. SandyM204 is getting White Picket Fences.