Waiting on Wednesday 30 (Supernatural Edition)

(Yes, I counted: This is my 30th WoW! And if I'm wrong, so be it.) Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Freak. That’s what they called seventeen year-old Donna Underwood in high school after a horrific fey attack that killed her father when she was just a child. Her injuries and rehabilitation resulted in magically enhanced strength, thanks to the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. As a child of the alchemists, she is both blessed and cursed with a magical heritage that doesn't leave much room for boys, parties and homework.

Now, after ten years of wishing for a normal life, she finally has to accept her role in the centuries-old war against the darkest outcasts of Faerie: the Dark Elves. Aided by a gorgeous half-fey dropout, Donna must race to save her best friend’s life - even if it means betraying one of the world’s greatest secrets and confronting the very thing that destroyed her family. RD: February 1st, 2011

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember. RD: February 15th, 2011

Two books that are practically sizzling and promising fantastic things and they both come out in February! Go figure o.O

Frannie Cavanaugh is a good Catholic girl with a bit of a wicked streak. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance—even her closest friends—and it seems her senior year will be more of the same...until Luc Cain enrolls in her class. No one knows where he came from, but Frannie can't seem to stay away from him. What she doesn't know is that Luc works in Acquisitions—for Hell—and she possesses a unique skill set that has the King of Hell tingling with anticipation. All Luc has to do is get her to sin, and he’s as tempting as they come. Frannie doesn’t stand a chance.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and the angel, Gabe, is going to do whatever it takes to make sure that Luc doesn’t get what he came for. And it isn't long before they find themselves fighting for more than just her soul. But if Luc fails, there will be Hell to pay…for all of them. RD: September 14th, 2010

Another read that sounds scorching ;) I'm so ready for these books! What are you waiting for?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Reading level: Young Adult
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Language: English

Synopsis: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

With its poetic prose and emotionally charged characters, Shiver took my breath away with how captivating it was. I didn't know I could  love a novel this much until I started reading Shiver. Told in alternating points of view, Grace and Sam show the reader all the ups and downs of their tender courtship. The transition between narratives moves smoothly without any interruption; the reader can admire Stiefvater's wonderful writing style while also enjoying the story at its light and leisurely pace. Neither Grace nor Sam's voice overpowered each other while telling their story which demonstrates Stiefvater's ability to balance to her two main characters perfectly. Grace and Sam's personalities were markedly different: Grace, the voice of the reason and the more rational one of the pair, contrasted nicely with Sam's more passionate, artistic nature. The relationship that Grace and Sam have showed all the signs of teenage love--fragile and unpredictable--and yet it also had a somber, mature touch to it. Needless to say, these two instantly won me over; as well as Stiefvater's writing--she made even the most mundane things in life (like making food or a trip to the bookstore for example) seem adventorous and every moment between Sam and Grace, from the silliest to the most intense, was absolutely magical.

Brilliant, beautiful and heartbreaking, Shiver is one of the loveliest novels I've ever read. I adored this book so much that when I can, I'm planning on buying it in Spanish. (and if you know me well, you know that means I'm in love!) It was an absolute delight reading this book--Maggie Stiefvater's voice is a gift among the other voices in literature, and like Sam's voice in his wolf pack, hers rises above all the others.

Rating: 5.0

In My Mailbox 30

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme where you get to show off all the cool books you receive! This meme was inspired by Alea and memefied by Kristi.

Erm, so I've been M.I.A. again. I'm sorry about that... I promise that I'll have a review up this weekend. *girl scout honor....even though I was never a girl scout. Oh, you get the point.* This IMM stash is from the last two (three?) weeks...

Borrowed from a friend:

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon.

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

“Thou art the Black Rider. Go thee out unto the world.” Lisabeth Lewis has a black steed, a set of scales, and a new job: she’s been appointed Famine. How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl from the suburbs fare as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

Traveling the world on her steed gives Lisa freedom from her troubles at home: her constant battle with hunger, and her struggle to hide it from the people who care about her. But being Famine forces her to go places where hunger is a painful part of everyday life, and to face the horrifying effects of her phenomenal power. Can Lisa find a way to harness that power — and the courage to battle her own inner demons.

A huge thanks to my friend and fellow blogger, Kari, for lending these out to me. I'll take good care of them, I promise! ♥

Given to me by another friend :)

Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a ReplacementÑleft in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when TateÕs baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

Edward Scissorhands meets The Catcher in the Rye in this wildly imaginative and frighteningly beautiful horror novel about an unusual boy and his search for a place to belong.

When I was at BEA, I met and befriended the lovely Emily from Red House Books. She remembered me mentioning that I wanted to read Brenna Yovanoff's The Replacement and got me an extra copy-squee! :)

Won from a contest:

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan’s band playing a crucial gig and Aura’s plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend’s life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan’s sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He’s gone. Well, sort of. Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and talk to ghosts. This mysterious ability had always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because Dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost. It doesn’t help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding — and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura’s relationship with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura’s heart . . . and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Mel from He Followed Me Home hosted a Shade-themed week over at her blog and I was the lucky winner of a brand new hardback of Shade. Thanks again, Mel! ♥

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Lucy Sexton is stunned when a disheveled woman appears at the door one day…a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lucy's own beautiful mother. It turns out the two women are identical twins, separated at birth, and raised in dramatically different circumstances. Lucy's mother quickly resolves to give her less fortunate sister the kind of life she has never known. And the transformation in Aunt Helen is indeed remarkable. But when Helen begins to imitate her sister in every way, even Lucy isn't sure at times which twin is which. Can Helen really be trusted, or does her sweet face mask a chilling agenda? Release Date: August 31st, 2010

I was going to mention this for next week's WoW but I couldn't resist-I wanted to talk about it now. :) When I was at BEA, (I also owe you guys a post about BEA....which will come soon enough.) the cover really caught my attention because I thought it seemed rather Jane Austen-ish. (or something similiar to that time period.) I chatted with a lady at the publisher's booth who showed me a display copy (there were no arcs for me to grab... I was a sad panda.) and it was really pretty to look at. I didn't even notice that the space between the two shadows formed a dagger until the lady mentioned it! I totally dig this cover-and it sounds like a good story.

The cat picture says it all....

I just want to apologize for being so MIA lately on the blog-I've been having terrible writer's block and because of it I just can't seem to generate any decently written reviews (and if you're like me, you AGONIZE over this kind of thing) But it seems that I'm starting to slowly inch out of my writing funk... I can't say when exactly I'll post a review (because I iz a moody writer) but... I'm hoping inspiration will hit me over the head with a mallet really soon. Like, really, really, soon. *wishes* 

Oh, and because I want to deflect the attention from me being a terrible blogger, I want to tell you all about this awesome person who's hosting an amazing contest. Thank goodness I stumbled upon it the other day:   

Visit her at tessagraton.com! (Tessa Graton is being amazingly generous by giving away a super special arc of Maggie Steifvater's Linger. I suggest you check her out-she's pretty epic-and no, I'm not just saying that because she happens to have a book that I'm dying for. She's got some impressive writing skillz. See for yourself :D)

Start Your Day With Serial: A Blog Tour Featuring Shannon Delany!

Welcome to Shannon Delany's Start Your Day with Serial Tour! Shannon's debut novel (and first in her YA paranormal series) 13 to Life started as a winning cell phone novel written in serial segments. During the tour you can read bits of the book in order. Miss a day? Hop to Shannon's blog http://13toLife.us/blog and check the link to the blog tour calendar in her sidebar.

There will also be a contest that will close at the end of the tour. Winners get a bunch of stuff. (Keep on reading!)

For those that aren’t familiar with your novel, could you tell them what it’s about?

Simply: Teenage love, loss and--oh, yeah--werewolves. ;-) It's definitely a humorous (in many ways) YA paranormal, but it deals with some heavy issues of personal loss and sacrifice and raises questions for readers about the real meaning of friendship and loyalty (ad Romeo and Juliet). But yes, there are werewolves. ;-) For folks following the Serial Tour, they're catching (at least) a good glimpse of the book's voice and beginning. They'll get through part of Chapter 4 by month's end if they continue along. <--Do. It. ;-)

The publication of 13 to Life came about in a very unique way; could you tell my readers about how it all started?

It all began as a bit of a fluke. There's a website called Textnovel.com that was running a writing competition for things written in the cell phone novel format (a sparse prose format that has taken Asia by storm and now makes up a huge percentage of the bestselling books--very hot with teen readers). I decided to give it a try and wrote 2 stories (both became finalists) in serial segments. Partway through the competition I started shifting my focus to 13 to Life because the characters were growing on me and I was less sure where the other story was really going. I won the competition, won some prize money, won an agent and was soon contacted by both a movie producer and a publishing house. My agent talked to a couple publishers, set aside the producer and we finally went with St. Martin's Press. They impressed me with their interest and communication skills.

What type of research did you have to do while writing 13 to Life?
I researched Cold War experiments (and rumors of research), as well as wolf behavior, often overlooked werewolf lore and the way Russians percieve themselves (as well as the way others tend to percieve them). Most of the research becomes fodder for building the world of Junction and Farthington and is only glimpsed from the corners of readers' eyes.

The werewolves in your novel are Russian and that in itself is very distinctive! Why did you decide to add this detail?

I have a serious love of Russian culture and Eastern European history. We are fortunate in this country to have many immigrants from many places worldwide, the Russians being a more recent (and often overlooked) addition that seems to have grown most significantly since the Iron Curtain's fall. I think they deserve more attention and, if getting readers curious about that culture and its history happens through my novels (and werewolfy goodness), I'll be quite happy.

It says in your bio that you went from being a teacher to becoming a farmer: have any experiences from either profession made their way into your book?

Yes. Both. I loved teaching and got to see angles of the profession people on the outside don't often glimpse. I have HUGE respect for teachers (even in light of the test score scandals that have just started popping up--the whole story there still isn't coming out) and have known great teachers, librarians, counselors and (as in any profession) a few less than great ones. I used bits of my experiences in the classroom and with my peers and greatly amplified certain aspects of personalities into far different characters. As far as farming--13 to Life is, in some ways, what I'd call "rural fantasy." Our narrator, Jess, lives on the outskirts of a small town on a farm. I'm very much in the same setting and feel it's also frequently overlooked (and misunderstood). People make unfortunate generalizations about farm communities. I'm allowing it to blend in with the setting so people who never leave the cities still get a taste of what to me is true Americana.

What was the most challenging/easiest aspect when it came to writing your novel?
Most challenging: Finishing the book and letting go. There's a point where you can't do anything else to it without risking overwriting the voice of the book and ruining the integrity of your characters. but the control freak in me hates turning anything over and losing complete control over a project.

Easiest: Writing the basic story. The characters started to emerge pretty early on and showed their true colors. All I needed to do was write what they showed Jessie.

13 to Life is the first in a series: how many books will there be altogether?
That's a question we never really know the answer to when we start a series. At this point I'm contract for three, but I have material for several more. It'll depend on the public's response and what project I feel I need to pursue, career-wise, next. There's always a fear of being pigeonholed as an author of only one type of book.

Is it too soon to ask if your novel will be translated into any other languages? Or if it’s being made into a movie? ;)

We have sold rights to Brazil and Hungary so far, so I know it'll appear in Hungarian and Portuguese. (That's wonderful! Congrats!) We've heard some interest expressed from other countries, but we sort of have to wait and see if deals can be made. Hmm. Movie. Well, we have had some definite interest from 3 different production companies but nothing's absolute. I think we'll see more interest in February of 2011 when the second book hits shelves and producers can really see how things are coming together. Frankly (because I think about this stuff) I don't think it needs to be multiple movies (at least for the first two books). A talented screenwriter and director could make it into one really action-packed movie that has enough romantic tension and excitement to bring a mixed crowd into theaters.

I know you went to BEA for the first time this year (I didn’t see you but I saw some people with some 13 to Life buttons!). How was it? :3
Sorry I missed you at BEA! (Yay to everyone wearing 13 to Life swag! <3) BEA. Was. Awesome. It was like running a marathon (and I went home with the blisters to prove it). We (the Class of 2k10) did video and podcast interviews, signings, giveaways, went out for meals (many of us had never met before), I hit the city with my brother (a 6' 3' guy who my editor referred to as my body guard ;-). Did a ghost tour (AWESOME) and met my editor, marketing gal and saw inside the Flatiron building (my publisher's headquarters). I took home 2 finished copies of the book (which my editor surprised me with), met my cover designer and the head of the art department. AWE-SOME. I didn't even make it into the BEA exhibit hall until Thursday.

What would be the ideal environment for you when it comes to writing?
I can (and do) write almost anywhere. Ideally? There's this smallish motel (The Mount Vernon Motel--24 rooms) in Cape May, NJ, not far from the beach where we used to go when my mother was still alive. It's nothing fancy or flashy (I don't need that sort of stuff) but something about it's just perfect, especially during the off-season. I could totally write there (and have often imagined doing so).

Would you ever consider writing adult novels in the future? Or working together with another author perhaps?
Yes. I have ideas for adult novels, straight fiction novels and children's books. And yes, I'd consider working with another author on a project, but our personalities would have to really click.

Are you working on any other projects currently?
Yes. I'm always working on something. ;-)

If you could live in any fictional book world, which would it be and why?
I'm cheating! I'd live in 13 to Life because I know what makes everyone and everything tick and yet, living there--in Junction--it would all be so amazing anyhow.
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I hope everyone's enjoyed the interview with Shannon. She works so hard and is overall amazing :) There's one more thing left and it's a treat, I promise!

Shannon's hosting several contests during the Start Your Day with Serial Tour. The big contest will award one lucky winner with a royal amber pendant, pietersite jeweled bookmark, stuffed wolf, 13 to Life mousepad, pen, tote, signed poster, personalized copy of 13 to Life and both of the 13 to Life pins. All you need to do is comment at 13 of the blogs hosting Shannon during her 30 day tour. Everyone who does so will be entered into a random drawing. Winner may be international.


As part of her tour, Shannon's also giving out sneak peeks throughout the month from her book:
For information on the previous section, visit Just Your Typical Book Blog!

13 to Life: Chapter 3, part K (used with the author’s permission)


He hadn't paused in his eating, but had nearly finished his meatloaf and was preparing to move on to a double helping of Salisbury steak. He glanced over my head. "Jess." He fixed his glinting eyes on me. "You are a thinker. You probably get good grades and may even be on the debate team and school newspaper staff, but you aren't that guy's type. He's a jock.” He chewed and swallowed. He glanced over my head again. “A popular jock from what I can tell. And they don't date your type without a reason." He looked at me, his eyes gleaming boldly. “So what do you think a guy like that wants?”

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Tessa goes from strawberry smoothie to suddenly single!

After her center-court split with Aiden, Tessa puts the SOS behind her. After all, cheaters never prosper! Now she’s busy working on her faux-relationship with Aiden and negotiating the unfamiliar waters of “technically single and pseudo-dating.”

Life can’t get any more dismal for a one-guy kind of girl until an imposter hijacks the SOS, and it’s up to Tessa to save her squad from slander. But with her best boy hot and cold, what’s a kitten to do? Even worse, Tessa doesn’t realize how much she’s up against—because this copykitten is far more naughty than nice. Release Date: June 10th, 2010

I admit that although I did enjoy The Naughty List, I wasn't particularly anxious about getting the sequel... until I read this:

"Incredibly strong writing with a bold, realistic voice, a mysterious and convoluted plot, and characters who’s view by the readers will be challenged tie together to make So Many Boys even more potent than The Naughty List...Young has most certainly shown her strengths as a writer, holding the ability to cover a range of character types and incorporate them all into one memorable story."

How awesome does THAT sound? Even more potent... Love that. If you're a fan of this series, you should check out the full review over at my friend Kari's site. Trust me, it's a fabulous review.

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past...and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves...and is nonetheless drawn to Cole. At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love--the light and the dark, the warm and the cold--in a way you will never forget. Release Date: July 20th, 2010

After falling in love with Shiver (the review will be up shortly!), I find myself constantly thinking about the sequel.... good thing July isn't too far away. I miss Sam and Grace. ♥

TENNYSON:
Don’t get me started on The Bruiser. He was voted “Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty” by the entire school. He’s the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, Brontë dating him? One of these days she’s going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it’s not going to end well.

BRONTË:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way – no right to threaten him. There’s a reason why Brewster can’t have friends – why he can’t care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can’t be explained. I know, because they’re happening to me.
BREWSTER:
Stealer of screams and thief of anguish, I am a criminal, but you can’t see it, blinded by your own relief as my body becomes a battlefield in war that can’t be won. Will I be the bullet that ends your pain, or will you end mine?

Award-winning author Neal Shusterman has crafted a chilling and unforgettable novel about the power of unconditional friendship, the complex gear work of a family, and the sacrifices we endure for the people we love. Release Date: June 29th, 2010

I didn't know what this one was about...but it sounds really good!

Teen Author Carnival-Day One of my bookish adventures

Now that my muscles have fully recovered, I can finally tell you guys about my adventures last week! I'll try to not ramble on and stay on subject: I'll start with the Teen Author Carnival. I can't even remember what time I woke up but that morning I jumped out of bed, showered, ate and called my two other friends, Maeghan and Cristina, (who are also fledgling bloggers. Hi guys! *waves*) to meet up at the train station to get to the city. Our plan was to all meet up at the same time, buy our tickets together and hop onto the train for the carnival... but the plan ended up changing a bit and we ended up heading to NYC later than planned. But that wasn't a big deal. We wandered around the city, ate and arrived just in time for the carnival. (Before we arrived, though, I spotted this lady walking up the steps of the library and I could've sworn I recognized her from somewhere...)

There were three panels happening: Love & Heartbreak, Real Life and Mystery/Fantasy. Anybody who reads my blog know that I'd be heading to the love panel first<3. I dragged Cristina with me since Maeghan's favorite authors were in the Real Life Panel. The Love Panel was on the third floor but the elevator was being wonky so we had a librarian get us there with a more secretive elevator. I felt like a spy. :D Anyways.The authors at the panel were: Alexandra Diaz, Elizabeth Scott, Gayle Forman, Heidi Kling, Holly Cupala, Kieran Scott, Kody Keplinger, Sarah Ockler, Simone Elkeles and Susane Colasanti.   I arrived a little late, sat in one of the back rows and right behind that mysterious lady from before... I was so sure it was who I thought it was and HOLY CRAP I was right. It was Jaclyn Dolamore, author of Magic Under Glass! I may have sat in my seat quietly but inside I was screaming OHMYGODDD. Then to make it even more squeal-worthy, while we were introducing ourselves (we had to go around the room), a redhead who was sitting in front of Jaclyn Dolamore introduced herself as Anastasia Hopcus. (!!!!!) The author of Magic Under Glass and Shadow Hills were right. in. front. of. me. Whoa.

Alright, back on track... each author from the panel were supposed to read an excerpt from their novels and Jaclyn volunteered to read Sea just so Heidi wouldn't have to. (Maeghan had snuck in at some point so me and my ladies were all accounted for.) Sadly there wasn't enough time for every author to read excerpt of their books but I did get to hear the beginning of Sea, a part of The Duff (which was read by Kody's agent who is a great outloud reader, I must say), beginning of Tell Me A Secret, and bits from Alexandra Diaz's, Elizabeth Scott's and Gayle Forman's books. :) After that panel ended, we went down to the second floor for the Real Life panel, listened to the authors talk about various things (Maeghan asked a great question and it generated a lot of response-way to go, Meggo!) Meggo got to talk to one of her fav authors, Ned Vizzini and even got an ARC of one of his books a finished copy of when his book FIRST came out(which he signed!). Yay! (Sorry for the mix-up, Meggo! Glad you caught it-WHICH MEANS YOU WERE READING THIS ♥!)

Then came the last panel on the first floor:  Mystery/Fantasy. The authors (Naming each one takes too long but if you're the curious type like me, here's the listing for each of the panels.) introduced themselves and talked about their books....but time ran out and barely any questions were asked. HOWEVER...there were six (or seven? I'm thinking seven.) prize packs up for grabs and anyone that wanted them had to run and form a line. In my usual fashion, I hesitate for a few seconds and THEN leap into action. I managed to make the line but some librarian-type lady kept jostling me out of line... (Um, no. Big mistake. When it comes to books, I become like a ninja. You can't beat ME.) but it's okay because I got the last prize pack! Squee!

After that was over, my friends and I walked out into the autographing area; since the crowd was so BIG, we sort of drifted away from each other. I milled about, trying to see what line I could get into since there were so many authors around! I did meet a few authors but the ones that really stood out to me were Michelle Zink (who has such a warm, welcoming air!) and Robyn Schneider, who was presenting herself as her alter ego, Violet Haberdasher. (how cool is that?) She was incredibly funny and incredibly cute :) I was thisclose to not going over and talking to her but Maeghan and Cristina sort of prodded me-which I'm thankful for. It's good to have friends that aren't shy-especially when you're a wallflower, lol.  After that was done, my friends and I had walked back to Penn Station and chatted on the way home, recapping every awesome moment: kind of what I'm doing right now with you guys!

So that was my day! Now, here's what I'm sure you wanted to see:

The prize pack consisted of:

A Ghostgirl bag containing:

A ghostgirl pillow case (which is covered by the books)

ARC of Trance by Linda Gerber

ARC of Lovesick by Tonya Hurley (signed)

Under My Skin by Judith Graves

Books I was lucky enough to get from the autographing area:

The Duff by Kody Keplinger (signed)

Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink (signed)

Swag/everything else:

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (this one I got from the Love Panel-there were books on every seat! I got this along with..)

A chapter preview of Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala

Two postcards for Maryrose Wood's books

*that White Cat chapter preview snuck in....it's actually part of my BEA stuff. Oops! xD

** the picture of the Jefferson Library was taken directly from The Teen Author Carnival site.