The New Girl by Nancy Krulik

My review:
It's time for the school carnival! Jenny McAfee has several good ideas for a booth, however Addie, her former BFF now a Pop, makes fun of her ideas. Addie believes she will raise more money from her carnival booth. So much so, she challenges Jenny to a bet: whichever girl doesn't raise the most money will have to wear their pajamas to school!

Jenny's friends want to help Jenny win this bet. Jenny cannot lose to a Pop! They will NEVER stop teasing her about it. As the school carnival draws near, Addie and the Pops mock Jenny about the pajamas she will have to wear because after all, Addie's idea is better than Jenny's. There's just one thing that could jeopardize Addie's certain win: the new girl.

Samantha "Sam" recently moved from England. Soon Sam is befriended by the Pops. The girls imitate her style and begin using faux English accents. Addie is jealous with all the attention her friends are now showing Sam. Addie wonders if Sam will replace her as "Queen Bee". To make sure this doesn't happen, she has a plan. A plan that will ruin Sam's reputation and make sure Jenny doesn't win their bet.

Book details:
Series: How I Survived Middle School #4
ISBN-13: 978-0-545-01303-1
Pages: 100
Year Published: 2007
Genre: Children's Fiction (Series)
Source: Library
Date Finished: October 24

I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik

My review:
The Joyce Kilmer Middle School has added a new feature to its newspaper: a gossip column written by "Madame X". No student is safe from having his/her secrets disclosed to the entire school. Jenny McAfee and her friends find themselves at odds when a rumor is written about one of their friends. Soon Jenny doesn't know if she can trust anyone. To make matters worse, her former best friend Addy, now a "Pop" is being nice to her. Does Addy want to be Jenny's BFF again? Or has Madame X's exposure of the Pops' secrets driven a wall between Addy and her popular friends?

I Heard a Rumor is book three of "How I Survived Middle School" series. Join Jenny and her friends as they maneuver their way through 6th grade and deal with the day-to-day antics of the Pops.

Book details:
Series: How I Survived Middle School #3
ISBN-13: 978-0-439-02557-7
Pages: 106
Year Published: 2007
Genre: Children's Fiction (Series)
Source: Library
Date Finished: October 24

What's on Your Nightstand?

November 2009

Throughout the month of October, I randomly pulled books from my shelves that I would like to read in the next few months. These books are in stacks on my dresser and my nightstand. I have to warn you though...the list is long!

• Hounding the Pavement and Heir of the Dog by Judi McCoy
  
• Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter
  
• Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
  
• Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Laura Lipton
• Long Lost by Harlan Coben
  
• Bundle of Trouble by Diana Orgain
• Baggage Claim by Tanya Michna
• The Love of Her Life by Harriet Evans
• The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax
• The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Winn Scotch
• By the Time That You Read This by Lola Jaye
• Italians for Beginners by Kristin Harmel
• Hollywood is Like High School with Money by Zoey Dean
• Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay

I plan to read from this list for the next three months or so. I'll update my progress in future posts for "What's on Your Nightstand?".

3 Mini-Reviews

Well, once again I find myself behind in writing my book reviews. For the last week or so, I've been debating whether or not to write them or not write them. Decisions, decisions...

I finally decided to end my stress and post a mini-summary for each book. I hate getting behind on my reviews, but worse than that, I hate the stress that I feel when I get behind. I'm brainstorming ways to stay on top of reviews moving forward (especially in the new year). Hopefully I can find something that will work for me.


Title: After You
Author: Julie Buxbaum
Genre: Women's Fiction
Date Finished: September 16

Summary: When Ellie learns of her best friend’s, Lucy, tragic death, she puts her life on hold (including her own marital problems) to be with Lucy’s husband, Greg and daughter Sophie. As Ellie tries to cope with Lucy’s shortened life, she discovers Lucy’s hidden secrets that cause Ellie to question their friendship. After You is a book about personal healing after a loss. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, end of a relationship or the loss of innocence. After You explores the necessary steps to move forward and begin again where you are.


Title: The Neighbor
Author: Lisa Gardner
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: October 7

Summary: From a distance Jason and Sandra Jones appear to be the perfect couple. They have a beautiful daughter, a new house and are in the beginning stages of building a life together. Their perfect façade slowly begins to crumble with Sandra goes missing shortly after putting their daughter to bed. Jason immediately turns into the prime suspect when he’s aloof and uncooperative with the police. What exactly is he hiding? Does he want his wife to be found? If he didn't kill her, does he know who did? These questions are what Detective Sergeant D.D. Warren is determined to find out.


Title: Dying for Mercy
Author: Mary Jane Clark
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: October 17

Summary: Following the kidnapping of her daughter, Janie, Eliza Blake decides to rent a house in prestigious Tuxedo Park, New York. She’s invited to a party and before the night ends, the host commits suicide by stigmata. As Eliza and her colleagues, AKA the Sunshine Suspense Society, begin to investigate, they realize he left clues behind that will piece together a cover-up that happened years ago. Can Eliza and her friends find the killer’s identity before they become the next victims?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

I had a good reading week thanks to Saturday's Read-a-Thon.

Read last week:

• I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik
• The New Girl by Nancy Krulik
• Moving Day by Meg Cabot
• The New Girl by Meg Cabot
• Testimony by Anita Shreve
  

Started reading, but did not finish:

• Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell

Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish this one. I really liked it, however I couldn't renew it from the library so I just decided to turn it in. I'll have to check it out again at a later date.

Currently reading:

• Suspicion by Kate Brian
  

Later this week:

I have no idea what my next read will be. Maybe Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella because it's been on my nightstand for awhile. Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay has been there too, but I also have books I've recently purchased that I want to read soon. So, we'll see... I guess it will depend on my mood.

What are you reading this week?

Read-A-Thon Update #6

I managed to squeeze in more reading time since my last update. I had a great time participating! I want to give a special shout-out to all the cheerleaders and coordinators of the Read-A-Thon. You made it fun, easy and laid-back! THANK YOU!

My final stats:

Hours: 11pm-8am
Time spent reading: 90 minutes
Pages read: 80
Time spent blogging: 15 minutes
Mini-Challenges completed: 0
Currently reading: Testimony by Anita Shreve

_____________________________
Total time spent reading: 12 hours, 8 minutes
Total pages read: 775
Total books read: 4

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #3)
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #4)
3. Moving Day (Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #1) by Meg Cabot
4. The New Girl (Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #2) by Meg Cabot
   

Total Mini-Challenges completed: 2
Total time spent blogging: 2 hours

Read-A-Thon Update #5

I ended up taking a longer break than I originally planned. I started reading again at 10pm. I finished The New Girl and returned to reading Testimony.
This will probably be my last update for the night. I want to read a few more pages before going to bed. I'll write my wrap-up post tomorrow.

I do want to say I had a blast reading today. The Read-A-Thon came at a perfect time for me. It allowed me to push through my reading slump (one that I've been in for awhile) and I'm very pleased with all that I accomplished during the time I spent reading today.

Here's where I stand:

Hours: 8pm-11pm
Time spent reading: 56 minutes
Pages read: 70
Books completed: 1 (The New Girl by Meg Cabot)
Time spent blogging: 15 minutes
Mini-Challenges completed: 0
Currently reading: Testimony by Anita Shreve

_____________________________
Total time spent reading: 10 hours, 38 minutes
Total pages read: 695
Total books read: 4

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #3)
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #4)
3. Moving Day (Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #1) by Meg Cabot
4. The New Girl (Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #2) by Meg Cabot
   

Total Mini-Challenges completed: 2
Total time spent blogging: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Read-A-Thon Update #4

My reading has picked up again. Since my last update, I ate dinner and returned to reading on my couch. I stopped reading Testimony by Anita Shreve and started reading The New Girl - Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls #2 by Meg Cabot. I have approximately 40 pages left to read.

I decided to take a break between 8-9pm. I need some time to prepare for church tomorrow and finish cleaning my kitchen. Around 9pm or so, I plan to continue reading. I want to finish reading The New Girl, think about reading the fifth book in the "How I Survived Middle School" series or return to reading Testimony. My time left to participate is winding down, but I'm happy with my progress thus far.

Hours: 5pm-8pm
Time spent reading: 151 minutes
Pages read: 213
Books completed: 0
Time spent blogging: 15 minutes
Mini-Challenges completed: 0
Currently reading: The New Girl by Meg Cabot

_____________________________
Total time spent reading: 9 hours, 42 minutes
Total pages read: 625
Total books read: 3

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #3)
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #4)
3. Moving Day (Allie Finkle Rules for Girls #1) by Meg Cabot

Total Mini-Challenges completed: 2
Total time spent blogging: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Read-A-Thon Update #3

My reading has slowed somewhat. I spent most of my time blogging from 2-3; reading for only 15 minutes. Around 3:15pm, I decided to take a break which consisted of napping with my cats. Around 4pm, they pounced on me demanding an afternoon treat so I got up, fed them, stretched and went back to reading.

I'm currently reading Testimony by Anita Shreve. Although I'm enjoying the book, it's not really fitting in my "flow" for reading today. I plan to read it for another hour or so. After dinner, I will either start reading book two of "Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls" or book five of "How I Survived Middle School".

Here's where I stand right now:

Hours: 2pm-5pm
Time spent reading: 90 minutes
Pages read: 51
Books completed: 0
Time spent blogging: 45 minutes
Mini-Challenges completed: 1
Currently reading: Testimony by Anita Shreve

_____________________________
Total time spent reading: 7 hours, 11 minutes
Total pages read: 412
Total books read: 3

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #3)
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #4)
3. Moving Day (Allie Finkle Rules for Girls #1) by Meg Cabot

Total Mini-Challenges completed: 2
Total time spent blogging: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Read-A-Thon: Mini-Challenge

Beth Fish Reads is hosting the Eat to Read Mini-Challenge. Here what she says:

"How are you holding up?? You've been reading for 6 hours now, and I bet you're starting to look at your snack stash. I'm not talking meals at this hour. I'm talking about food that helps you keep reading along.

So this is what I want to know. What's in your snack pile? Healthy fruit, just-baked brownies? Hot tea, ice-cold cola? Are you craving crunchy? Chocolate? Savory? A gigantic bowl of popcorn? You tell me."

I went grocery shopping on the way home last night for this purpose: snacks for today. I bought my favorite cake, Tiger-Striped Chocolate, cheese curls, BBQ chips and to drink white grape juice. Needless to say, all I've had was a piece of cake after lunch (salad), which I did even finish! Other than OJ this morning, I had a small glass of white grape juice, but mostly I've been drinking water. I guess my "munchies" haven't kicked in yet. . .

Read-A-Thon Update #2

Is it me or is today going by really fast? I can't believe it after 2pm! So far, I'm still feeling pretty good. I noticed it is best for me to read about 50-55 minutes out of the hour and then during the next hour read for a shorter period of time and take short breaks (do some light cleaning, play with my cats, etc).

I just finished eating lunch and still sitting on my couch. We'll see how much longer that will last. I finished my third book and decided to try something different. I'm going to spend the next few hours reading Testimony by Anita Shreve and then return to reading children's fiction later this evening.

Here are my stats:

Hours: 11am-2pm
Time spent reading: 123 min
Pages read: 186
Books completed: 1
Time spent blogging: 30 minutes
Mini-Challenges completed: 1
Reading Next: Testimony by Anita Shreve

Books read:

1. Moving Day (Allie Finkle Rules for Girls #1) by Meg Cabot

_____________________________
Total time spent reading: 5 hours, 41 minutes
Total pages read: 362
Total books read: 3

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #3)
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #4)
3. Moving Day (Allie Finkle Rules for Girls #1) by Meg Cabot
   

Read-A-Thon Update #1

Well, it's a little after 11am and I'm happy with my reading so far. Before I get into that, I wanted to write a little bit about my morning.

I slept in until 7am (that's sleeping in for me!) and felt well-rested. I got up, baked cinnamon rolls, fed my cats and began focusing my attention on my reading area: my couch. I have Jim Brickman playing in the background and as soon as my clock said 8am, I was ready to start.

This is my first time participating in Dewey's Read-A-Thon, so I'm not sure what to expect. I really just want to spend time reading and relaxing today. I know I won't read the entire 24 hours as I plan to stop around 10 or 11pm tonight. I wake up early for church on Sunday mornings.

Ok, on to my stats:

Hours: 8am-11am
Time spent reading: 155 min
Pages read: 239
Books completed: 2
Currently reading: Moving Day - Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Book One by Meg Cabot

Books read:

1. I Heard a Rumor by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #3)
2. The New Girl by Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School #4)
   

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Ok, yes I know it has been awhile since I posted about my latest reads. Why you may ask? That's simple...I haven't been reading! Life has pulled me in all directions, therefore making it quite challenging to find "me" time. Unfortunately, the first thing I had to let go was reading.

And now, it's a new month, a fresh start. So, I'm moving forward and jumping back in. I do want to meet my goal of 100 books again this year...in fact I want to surpass it. Having said that, here is my plan for the week.

Read last week:

• Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
  

Currently reading:

• Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell
  

Later this week:

• Testimony by Anita Shreve
• Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
  

Outstanding reviews:

• After You by Julie Buxbaum
• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
• Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
  

What are you reading this week?

Sunday Salon

It's cold, damp and rainy here (day 4 of this weather). Perfect excuse to lounge on my couch reading and drinking hot chocolate.

My reading is starting to pick up again. I finished Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark yesterday and immediately began reading Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell. It's a fast read and it appears as though the main character is talking to me rather than me reading the story (books written as such I always seem to enjoy).

I'm getting excited for Dewey's Read-a-Thon next weekend. This will be my first time participating. I've decided to make it easy on myself. I will be reading Children's and YA fiction books. I'm terribly behind on the Young Reader's Challenge and the read-a-thon will help me catch up. Not to mention since my reading hasn't been up to par these last few weeks, I would like a feeling of accomplishment and a gentle push to help me get back to my monthly reading average.

Of course as the read-a-thon gets closer, I may use Plan B: spending time reading The Testimony by Anita Shreve for Barney's Online Book Club. This will depend on how much I read during the week.

Finally, there's Plan C: reading cozy mysteries. I recently purchased two cozy mysteries, Heir of the Dog by Judi McCoy and Bundle of Trouble by Diana Orgain, that I really want to read soon. Actually before I can read Heir of the Dog (book two), I must read Hounding the Pavement (book one).

So, three different plans and lots to choose from. I guess in the end, it doesn't really matter if I choose one plan or another or try to incorporate all three. What's important is that I will spend my day reading!

Happy Sunday everyone!

Mailbox Monday

Marcia, The Printed Page, hosts Mailbox Monday each week. She writes:

"Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

Here's what I received in the mail last week:

ARC from Caitlin Price of FSB Associates:

Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, united as much by their differences as by their similarities. Lilly, dramatic and confident, lives in the shadow of her beautiful, wayward mother and craves the attention of her distant, disapproving father. Val, shy and idealistic-and surprisingly ambitious-struggles with her desire to break free from her demanding housebound mother and a father whose dreams never seem to come true.

In childhood, "LillyPad" and "Valpal" vow to form an exclusive two-person club. Throughout the decades they write intimate letters in which they share hopes, fears, deepest secrets-and recipes, from Lilly's "Lovelorn Lasagna" to Valerie's "Forgiveness Tapenade." Readers can cook along as the girls travel through time, facing the challenges of independence; the joys and heartbreaks of first love; and the emotional complexities of family relationships, identity, mortality, and goals deferred.

But no matter what different paths they take or what misunderstandings threaten to break them apart, Lilly and Val always find their way back together through their Recipe Club . . . until the fateful day when an act of kindness becomes an unforgivable betrayal.

Now, decades later, while trying to recapture the trust they've lost, Lilly and Val reunite once more-only to uncover a shocking secret. Will it destroy their friendship, or bring them ever closer? (From Barnes & Noble)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event to share what we read last week, what we are currently reading and what books we plan to read this week.

Ok, yes I know it has been awhile since I posted about my latest reads. Why you may ask? That's simple...I haven't been reading! Life has pulled me in all directions, therefore making it quite challenging to find "me" time. Unfortunately, the first thing I had to let go was reading.

And now, it's a new month, a fresh start. So, I'm moving forward and jumping back in. I do want to meet my goal of 100 books again this year...in fact I want to surpass it. Having said that, here is my plan for the week.

Read last week:

• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
  

Currently reading:

• Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
  

Later this week:

• Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
  

Outstanding reviews:

• After You by Julie Buxbaum
• The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
  

What are you reading this week?