Giveaway: Perks Of Being a Wallflower & Movie Soundtrack

I am happy to have two Perks prize packs to offer today. The original motion picture soundtrack and the book (movie tie-in edition). Here is a little more info about the movie and sountrack.

RELEASE
Summit Entertainment
Exclusive Engagements Begin September 21

SYNOPSIS
Directed by STEPHEN CHBOSKY
Screenplay by STEPHEN CHBOSKY
Based on the Best-Selling Novel by STEPHEN CHBOSKY
Produced by LIANNE HALFON, RUSSELL SMITH, JOHN MALKOVICH, STEPHEN CHBOSKY
Starring LOGAN LERMAN, EMMA WATSON, EZRA MILLER, MAE WHITMAN, KATE WALSH, NINA DOBREV, DYLAN MCDERMOTT

A funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope—and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.

Review: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
March 1st, 2012 from Abrams

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia - cue extreme adolescent awkwardness - but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight.

How can a book about a dying girl be totally hilarious? Not sure, but ask Jesse Andrews because he sure knows how to write one! Greg is the King of Awkward. Wait, awkward isn't really the right word. His friend, Earl, is even more of a case. Together, they are a total mess and pretty much all on their own. Social rejects at its finest. Who wants to hang out with two dorks that make movies in their backyard? #raiseshand When Greg's mother forces him to spend time with Rachel, a dying girl he doesn't even know, Greg puts his humor-to-get-through-the-day skills to the test. All he has to do is cheer up Rachel and move on with his life. No easy task, but the kid does his best. Que sad violin music...

Banned Books Week Hop - Sign Ups

Announcing the 2nd Annual Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop! I am co-hosting with I Am A Reader, Not a Writer again this year. I think my blog title says just a little bit about how I feel about the freedom to read, but in case it wasn't quite clear...I Read Banned Books. And, I support others that do as well! Banned Books Week is a week to celebrate Intellectual Freedom, Don't get hung up on the term "banned," we haven't actually banned a book in years, but we do challenge a book for removal. No bueno.

September 28th to October 6th

Required: give away a challenged book or include information about Banned Book Week as part of your giveaway post.

The dates for the hop are September 28th to October 6th.

Review: Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Ten by Gretchen McNeil
September 18th, 2012 from Balzer + Bray

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

They blurb really says it all - Ten teens. Three days. One killer. This book reminds me of the movie Clue. Everyone is lured to the house under false pretenses and then people start dropping like flies. As soon as you think you have an idea of who the murder might be, they'd die. Several clues are dropped for the reader, but they aren't so easy to pick up on. The characters are smart, none of this "I'll go in the attic and look all by myself" business. There are even a few jokes that play off of bad horror movie cliches. All too often in horror movies and books there are serious holes in the plot. Why don't they walk next store and ask a neighbor for help? Why don't do this or that? McNeil pretty much covered everything and truly made these ten teens out of touch with the world.

Quick Audio Reviews: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter & Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

June 21st, 2012 from Disney Hyperion

I'm gearing up for the Austin Teen Book Festival and had to catch up with Carter's 2nd series - I'm a Gallagher Girls fan too! Even though I listened to Heist Society in 2010, it was easy to jump right back into the life of teen thief Katrina Bishop. This time around, she is a victim of a con (loved!), and vows to right the major wrong. Her eyes are set on the Cleopatra Emerald and that girl goes all over the world to steal the jewel. I loved the background of the Cleopatra Emerald - is that all fiction? - and her budding relationship with cutie-pie Hale really made the story fly by. I liked this one better than the first! Great series for a middle grader looking for a mystery and adventure....with smarts! 

Add to Goodreads

You can find Carter at her website

Carter will be at #ATBF12!