Hi all! This isn’t really book related, but as a Purex Insider and a mom, I thought some of my readers might be interested in their current campaign!

Purex recently launched their Let’s Be Honest campaign with Second City Comedian Molly Erdman. They’ve put up a bunch of funny (and short) videos showing honest moments that reflect the ironic truths of everyday Life, Laundry, and Whatever.” Haha. I like them because they’re funny, but I am seriously jealous of her washing machine! They’ll be adding new videos every few days on through July (plus the usual social network stuff that I stink at).

The best part of all is that every day (through July 24th) one person will win a year’s supply of Purex detergent. I could totally use that!

As a bonus, I’m giving away One Coupon for free Purex detergent! All you have to do is comment on this post. US only (sorry international folks!) Be sure to check out the videos and let me know what you think!

Welcome to the Showers of Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & One a Day YA. I know I haven’t been around much, but I have a very good reason! I have been sewing.. well mostly trying to. I discovered some pretty awesome and cute kids clothes to sew – so that’s what I have been doing. I’m telling you, fabrics and designs have come so far since I was a kid. So far (out of my finished and unfinished projects), my kids each love one item that I have made for them. One pair of shorts for my son, and one hideous (not exaggerating here!) dress for my daughter. At least shes happy! The upside to all this is that I am burning through audiobooks like crazy.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble about my hobbies. On to the GIVEAWAY! I am giving away an ARC copy of Grave Mercy and an ARC copy of Lost Girls.

Two books and two winners! Girl power! Sorry, this time around it’s US only. Giveaway officially starts on the 20th and ends on the 25th at midnight (EST). Make sure you check out the rest of the hop. There are seriously over 175 blogs in this hop. Do you know how many books that would be if you won EVERY SINGLE ONE!!?? Seriously, that’s like, a lot!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feature & Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. Make sure you check out their site, as well as the featured blogger (you get to meet someone new!)

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I really appreciate it. You can follow me any way you prefer.

Q: What would your prefer: reading your favorite book over and over again until you got sick of it OR reading 100s of mediocre books? And why?

This might surprise you, but I would definitely prefer to have 100′s of mediocre books! Think about it. After a while I would remember every single line of my favorite book. Then, it would no longer be fun. With my mediocre books, I would have a lot of things to complain about, things to laugh at, characters to mentally choke. I’d take what little good I can find in them, then combine them all to make a huge, mega awesome book! Id compile a list called, “The Best of the Mediocre…”. See? It’ll all work out.

Seriously, I don’t like to reread books. I don’t want to ruin a book like I did to some former favorite songs (listening to them over and over again.) Also, I like to read something new. I do want to reread books most of the time, but then I think, “Hey, that could be another new book you’re reading – and that potential new book might even be your new favorite!”. I know, it sounds silly, but I can’t help it!

The Synopsis:

Starting high school is never easy. Seniors take your lunch money. Girls you’ve known forever are suddenly beautiful and unattainable. And you can never get enough sleep. Could there be a worse time for Scott’s mother to announce she’s pregnant? Scott decides high school would be a lot less overwhelming if it came with a survival manual, so he begins to write down tips for his new sibling. Meanwhile, he’s trying his best to capture the attention of Julia, the freshman goddess. In the process, Scott manages to become involved in nearly everything the school has to offer. So while he tries to find his place in the confusing world of high school, win Julia’s heart, and keep his sanity, Scott will be recording all the details for his sibling’s- and your- enjoyment.

My Review:

I was surprised that I liked Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie so much. It was fun and enjoyable. I think when I listened to this, it was the first time I had listened to Full Cast Audio. It is an experience that should not be missed!

Scott is a good kid who tries to do what’s right. You don’t find too many books with kids like that. Well, at least books where the kid is still flawed and likable. That’s one of the reasons why I liked it so much. He wasn’t perfect but he was still a pretty good kid.

And I love his Tom Swifties. He could have did so many more and I wouldn’t have gotten tired of them! Every time one of Scott’s attempts to be around Abby failed, I cringed! Poor little dude! I guess it wasn’t so bad though. Seems like he got more involved than what he would have done on his own. It worked out for the good!

I thought it was pretty neat to see how his friendships changed and progressed. Wesley was fun. I don’t know why, but I liked him. Now that I think about, all the characters were well written. They all seemed very believable. You find that even when you think someone has a perfect life, they don’t.

I enjoyed the main narrator (Ryan MacConnell and Joshua Bostick). I thought he did an excellent job at bringing out Scott’s personality. I was never bored with the story, and I genuinely liked hearing what Scott had to say! Some of my favorite parts were the notes that he left for a character who (whom?) is not in the book. I liked the narrator for Mouth (Seth Jackson – he was also Razo in the audiobook version of Enna Burning). I thought he did a great job and making him come off as annoying.

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie is a very good audiobook. I’d recommend it to adults and kids/teens, especially boys! It’s an excellent audiobook to give to someone who is just started out. Or, to give to someone who enjoys laughing. I don’t know where you’re going to find someone like that though.

P.S. Check out his initial reaction to picking up his date and what he did to make his date comfortable! Priceless!

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar, 288 pages,  July 21st 2005 by Puffin

Audiobook Info: Narrated by Full Cast Audio, 6 hours and 55 minutes, Unabridged, Feb 2006 by Full Cast Audio

Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop.  The hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and is co-hosted by author Rachael Renee Anderson.

For this giveaway I am giving away your choice of two books! One of them I read as an ARC, and LOVED! The other one I have not had the chance to read yet, but I suspect it will be pretty popular! If you win, you get to pick. 

I read Wonder by RJ Palacio a few months ago and I LOVED it. See it over there in my sidebar? Yep, I can’t wait. It’s middle grade, not YA, but I don’t care. It quickly made it to my list of favorites (Bonus: It’s not a series!!). You can read my review of it here. Wonder doesn’t come out until February 14, but you’ll be in the clear since the contest ends on the 14th.

Wonder synopsis: I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

-or-

Insurgent by Veronica Roth does not come out until May 2012. I DO NOT have a copy. If you win this book, you will win a preorder of it. You should get the book the day it is released. If you are familiar with me on Goodreads (add me as friend!), you know that I read the first book and pretty much didn’t like it. I DID enjoy reading it, and writing the review – which I think is pretty funny. In fact, it’s my most popular review on Goodreads. Don’t know how that happened! You can check it out here. This is book two in a series.

Insurgent synopsis: One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

I’ve known it since last night:
It’s been too long to expect them to return.
Something’s happened.

May is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it’s hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May’s memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she’s determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose’s fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

My Review:

What an interesting story! I have to say that I was  not a fan of reading in verse. I freely admit that I usually do not get it. Is there a special way I should be reading them? I was a little ways from the beginning when I decided to put it aside for another book. After I was done with the other book, I came back to this one and I am sooo glad I did! I even feel bad that I put it hold for even a little bit. I couldn’t even remember why I had a problem with reading in verse in the first place. Really, it’s a great way to introduce people to this style of writing – mainly because May is awesome!

I loved May. She was likable and faced her problems head on. She struggles with a learning disability, (though it isn’t crucial to the story) but even so she still continues to try to read. I wanted to hug her and tell her I believed in her!

I did think she was a little mature for a twelve year old. I had to keep reminding myself that she wasn’t at least 15. I get that it’s historical and not of this day and age, so 12 is very likely pretty accurate for her age and behavior.

It was easy to imagine the dwelling surrounded by nothing but fields of the nothing and bleakness. You get a real sense of just how alone May is. Her “relationship” with her host family was well put together and very believable.

It’s a short read so I’d recommend it to historical fiction fans, as well as those looking to get their feet wet in the genre. Or, even those looking for a young and brave girl character. It’s also good for the younger kids.

May B. is an excellent choice for showing kids a main character who keeps trying no matter that all the cards are stacked against her. Girl power! (The book doesn’t have anything to do with girl power, I just like to randomly throw that out at times.)

P.S. I LOVE the cover! It reminds me of Laurie Halse Andersons’ covers.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

A summer of friendship, romance, and songs in major chords. . .

CHARLIE DUSKIN loves music, and she knows she’s good at it. But she only sings when she’s alone, on the moonlit porch or in the back room at Old Gus’s Secondhand Record and CD Store. Charlie’s mom and grandmother have both died, and this summer she’s visiting her grandpa in the country, surrounded by ghosts and grieving family, and serving burgers to the local kids at the milk bar. She’s got her iPod, her guitar, and all her recording equipment, but she wants more: A friend. A dad who notices her. The chance to show Dave Robbie that she’s not entirely unspectacular.

ROSE BUTLER lives next door to Charlie’s grandfather and spends her days watching cars pass on the freeway and hanging out with her troublemaker boyfriend. She loves Luke but can’t wait to leave their small country town. And she’s figured out a way: she’s won a scholarship to a science school in the city, and now she has to convince her parents to let her go. This is where Charlie comes in. Charlie, who lives in the city, and whom Rose has ignored for years. Charlie, who just might be Rose’s ticket out.

Told in alternating voices and filled with music, friendship, and romance, Charlie and Rose’s “little wanting song” is about the kind of longing that begins as a heavy ache but ultimately makes us feel hopeful and wonderfully alive.

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My Review:

So I’ve come to a decision, if anyone cares to hear it. Growing up in Australia can be so very hard – and that scares me. I think about how some kids grow up with tough lives and then I read a book with an Aussie character that’s struggling and man, it’s enough to make you cry for the rest of your life. Unless someone can prove otherwise, I think being a teen in Australia can be pretty pretty depressing. Beautiful and strong, yet depressing. Please tell me it’s not so! Makes me just want to hug one of them and tell them it gets so much better.

About the book, this was one of the few books where I liked all the characters. Charlie did come off as a little strange, what with her staring and not talking. Whenever she spoke up, it kind of reminded me of an alien learning our ways. Maybe because she put too much thought into it?? I’m sure it was the staring that threw me off. I don’t know if I would have been as inviting either. Maybe… oh I don’t know! I still liked her though. And it was nice to see her grow and become more sure of herself. Her shyness did remind me of myself at times. I did like when she stood up for herself.

Rose was so realistic as well. Her anger, her reasons, just all so believable. She pretty much hates being stuck in her town and the fact that she’ll likely stay in that town. That’s understandable. Especially when you feel like you don’t have anyone there that wants to see you succeed. She definitely came off as someone you’d rather has a friend, than an enemy.

I liked Dave and Luke. Dave was a sweetie pie and a good friend to have. I thought they all made good friends, even if some of them weren’t always the best influence. Terrible influence!

I did get annoyed at the one kid, the horrible influence, who convinced Charlie to do something for him. I returned the book, so I can’t remember his name. He is the one who hung out with Luke the one time. I was mad at him and I was mad at Charlie because peer pressure is lame. What’s the point of bowing to peer pressure when people are going to judge you any way?

I wanted to hug her dad…

My only beef is that I am what some people may call tone deaf. How they come up with that, I have no idea. Whenever there is poetry or songs in a book, I never get it. Ever. Unless it rhymes. Does that even have anything to do with being tone deaf? Because that’s what I’m claiming. Wait, maybe I’m not tone deaf but I can truthfully say I have no rhythm. That’s it! And for some reason I kept reading her “eff” song to the beat of the Red Cross CPR chest compression count. Is anyone familiar with that video?

I liked the end and would’ve liked a little more to it. I was invested in their story, I wanted to know what else would happen! I gave it four stars out of five, and found a new author to stalk.

——–
A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley

Synopsis:

Briar Moss been training four years as a plant mage, but he hasn’t put his past behind him. He meets a street girl, Evvy, using powerful magic to polish stones for a merchant, and resolves to find her a teacher. But Briar understands the city’s gangs as well as he understands Evvy. When gang warfare breaks out, he discovers that the fiercest gang is seeking a stone mage to lead them to hidden gems. Only Briar and his magic can offer Evvy protection. Swept up in a bloody conflict, Briar must decide if he’s ready to make the final step away from his former life as a “street rat”.

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My Review:

Wow! I don’t think I can fully express just how much I love Bruce Coville and the entire Full Cast Audio team. Those people know their stuff, and they know just how to make an audiobook a great listening experience! I found myself, days later, randomly yelling out, “Pahan Briar!” The way the narrator said just really stands out.  I loved the audio version of this book. I don’t know if I would have liked it as much if I had read it, but listening was very enjoyable!

Normally I wouldn’t be interested in any book about gangs, but this one was different and I liked it. Don’t get me wrong, there were gangs, so there was violence (some was pretty bad). I was surprised that it was so graphic especially since the book involved the younger teens. But they were in gangs and that’s how they lived. Keep in mind that wasn’t violent just because the author could write it, but to show what the kids in gangs went through.

I loved how Briar seemed to grow up in this book. This is my first Tamora book, I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I didn’t feel like I was lost at all. You could just see that he had matured. He recognized the necessity of gangs, but also knew the harm in them. I loved how Briar took Evvy under his wing, even though he wasn’t happy about it in the beginning. Evvy was a little sweetheart. I’m glad that Briar found her and became her teacher. I think her character could have easily been written as annoying, but she was far from it. She was actually pretty smart. Evvy and Briar have very good chemistry. Their friendship was very believable. Note to self: Do not make Briar mad!

The lady gang leader was very creepy. I thought the person that did her voice did a great job. Just the right amount of menace and sweetness to make you fear her. I know she scared me!

Overall I was very impressed. Because of the graphic violence in some parts, tweens might want to go over it with their parents (ha, not the other way around?!). The audiobook was especially good. The Full Cast team made all of the characters interesting and believable. This is the kind of audiobook you would give to people who are reluctant to try them. I’d definitely recommend it.

Street Magic is book 2 of a 4 book (completed) series.

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Street Magic (Circle Opens #2) by Tamora Pierce
Book Length: 264 pages
Release Date: April 1st 2002 by Scholastic Paperbacks(first published 2001)
ISBN: 0590396439 (ISBN13: 9780590396431)

Hi! Hey there! How are you? How’ve you been? Oh, you look SO nice today! Have you done something with your hair? It just looks so full and shiny today. I swear there is not a flyaway to be found! And your outfit just suits you so well! I don’t know how you do it, but you always just do! Go you!

Whew, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I’ve decided to tell you what’s been going on around here at Attack of the Book! If you’re one of those folks that enjoy reading the long story, here ya go: Well, it started back in the end of 2011. I had just blah blah blah blah blah blah. And then blah blah blah etc. Blah blah busy, blah blah so swamped. Blah blah blah blah blah blah holidays! Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah crazy weather… You get the point, don’t you?

If you’re one of those folks that prefer to get the short answer, here ya go: I was lazy! I don’t think you could possibly understand how easy it is to NOT post anything! It is incredibly easy. It’s sooo easy to just NOT write a review for a book once you’ve finished it. Seriously, I still have about 30-40 reviews to clean up or finish. I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to it. It was insanely easy to do it that way.

Because I have problems of the mental sort, I have to decide not to take the easy way, and not to be so lazy. I shall post on this site, starting today! I think I’m doing pretty well so far. Let’s see how February goes, why don’t we? My plans are to clean up the site, join a few challenges, update my pages, you know, the usual stuff. Wish me luck that I can be consistent. I think challenges will help that, don’t you?

Tomorrow I will begin posting reviews again. It’ll be like I never even stopped blogging. You’ll see…!