House of Dance-Beth Kephart

Rosie and her mother coexist in the same house as near strangers. Since Rosie's father abandoned them years ago, her mother has accomplished her own disappearing act, spending more time with her boss than with Rosie. Now faced with losing her grandfather too, Rosie begins to visit him every day, traveling across town to his house, where she helps him place the things that matter most to him "In Trust." As Rosie learns her grandfather's story, she discovers the role music and motion have played in it. But like colors, memories fade. When Rosie stumbles into the House of Dance, she finally finds a way to restore the source of her grandfather's greatest joy.

This book was a little hard to get into, and I was almost sure that I wasn't going to be able to finish it. This book is similar in the writing to her other book Undercover and I think that I might like that one a little better. But House of Dance had a lot of good messages and the story between Rosie and her grandfather is heartbreaking. Once you can get into this book, it is definitely worth it. I'm glad that I was able to finish it.

A Random Post

So it's been a few days, so I'd decided I'd just do a big random, about nothing in particular post. So here it goes...

First, I haven't read any good books lately. I have started a couple, but I haven't been able to get into any of them. So good recommendations would be appreciated. Or I think I'll just reread a book. That always works, especially if it's something amazing by Shannon...:)

Second, how sick is everyone getting of High School Musical....? My mother works with the guy that makes the trailers and promos for HSM 3, so I knew the trailer was coming out soon. Sadly I will probably end up seeing this movie eventually. Definitely not anywhere close to the first day though because I don't want to be ambushed by all the major, screaming fans.

Third, speaking of movies the second Twilight trailer is premiering tonight on Entertainment Tonight. I can't decide whether the HSM or the Twilight fans scare me more. Plus, have any of you been checking out the Breaking Dawn quotes of the day on Stephenie's website...? They're pretty cool, though not nearly as satisfying as I'd like them to be.

Fourth, I get to go to the Shakespeare festival this weekend! We're going to see two shows, one of which is The Taming of the Shrew. I played a townsperson in my school's production of it in elementry school. I'm excited to see it.

So that's probably it until this weekend. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

EDIT: The links just aren't working for me today on Blogger so I just took them off. *is frustrated.*

You're never too old for American Girl....

I saw Kit last night with my cousins and aunt. Now I probably wouldn't have seen this movie on my own, but my cousins are nine and eleven so they really wanted to see it. Now I loved American Girl when I was a kid! I used to love to read Kit's books. She was always my favorite. I never got one of the dolls though. They were always too expensive, sadly.

Anyway, considering we were the only ones in the theater, I guess the thrill was already fading a little. So that was nice and a lot better than my Wall-e experience (screaming little kids surrounding you on all sides.) And I really enjoyed it. It was historically accurate and a lot like how I remembered the books to be. I recognized most of the actors and spent the majority of the movie trying to figure out where I'd seen each of them (I was developing a crush on the actor who played Will.) What I liked most about though was it that it showed the real dramas and trials of what people really had to go through in that time period. I was a bit worried when I saw all the previews that they wouldn't have that. But it actually turned out to be quite a drama instead of the light children's comedy that it looked like. It turned out to be a lot better than I thought, so I recommend it.

Suite Scarlett-Maureen Johnson

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City. Her nineteen-year-old brother, Spencer, is an out of work actor facing a family deadline to get his career in order. Eighteen-year-old Lola has the delicate looks of a model, the practical nature of a nurse, and a wealthy society boyfriend. Eleven-year-old Marlene is the family terror with a tragic past.

When the Martins turn fifteen, they are each expected to take over the care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett’s fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn’t quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn.

With Mrs. Amberson calling the shots, Spencer’s career to save, Lola’s love life to navigate around, and Marlene’s prying eyes everywhere, things won’t be easy. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery, Broadway glamour, romantic missteps, and theatrical deception.

This book is definitely a must read. This is probably one of the best books that I've read all summer. It's by the same author that wrote 13 Little Blue Envelopes and I can't decide which one I like more because they're both fantastic. The book takes place in New York City and her writing style really helps draw you into the book. I'd say that I loved every single character in this book and they were each unique in their own way. I liked most of the secondary characters more than the main character herself. I enjoyed this book the whole way through and you should definitely consider this the next time you're looking for something to read. This is the best book I've read this summer so far, without a doubt. It will not disappoint.

Two Book Reviews

Wish You Were Here-Catherine Clark

Ariel Flack never thought she'd write a postcard saying "Wish you were here," especially to Dylan, the boy she's had a crush on forever and is finally (sort of) dating. She also didn't know she'd be sending that postcard from the family vacation from hell—a two-week geriatric bus tour with her crazy mom, annoying sister, embarrassing uncle, and frighteningly energetic grandparents.
As South Dakota rolls by at five miles an hour, Ariel begins to learn that sometimes life is just too complicated to fit on a postcard. Sometimes your parents let you down (and sometimes they don't). Sometimes you meet an unexpected fellow traveler. And sometimes you just have to go where the road takes you—even if the tour bus won't.

I enjoyed this book a lot and it is a really fast read (which I seem to be into lately.) It is funny and entertaining, and great if you're looking for something light to read. I recommend it as a good summer read.

The Loser's Guide to Life and Life-Ann Cannon

Ordinary, boring Ed works a loser summer job at Reel Life Movies, where he doesn't even have his own name tag. He's stuck with "Sergio." Ed's only consolations are his two best friends. Shelving DVDs isn't so mind-numbingly dull with Scout cracking jokes, and after hours Ed hangs out with the superbrain, Quark. Life starts to look up when the girl of his dreams saunters into Reel Life. Ed knows he doesn't stand a chance . . . but maybe, just maybe Sergio does. All he has to do is pretend to be a smoldering Brazilian stud for the rest of his life. Simple, right? But . . . Ed's new dream girl has her own secrets, Scout wants to be more than Ed's best friend, and his buddy Quark wants Scout for himself.

I really, really loved this book. It is so funny and I loved all of the characters especially the main character Ed, who is just hilarious. I highly recommend this book. It's great book that everyone will enjoy.

Happy Fourth of July!

Meeting Ann Cannon

I had the opportunity to go see Ann Cannon yesterday over at the King's English where Shannon Hale usually does her signings. She was signing and talking about her new book The Loser's Guide to Life and Love which is based on A Midsummer Night's Dream. I just started reading it last night, but it is fantastic so far and I highly recommend it. She is so funny and they did a little reader's theater after she spoke, so it was really fun. And the best part was that Shannon was there too! After we got our books signed we went over and talked to her and she was so nice and even remembered who I was, which was great. My cousins came with me and they're from California and huge Shannon Hale fans, so they were really excited to see her also. It was a great night!
And on another subject, I am so sick of the weather here in Utah right now. It's over 100 degrees and I'm feeling kind of sun sick. I'm going to a baseball game tomorrow too, so I'm not looking forward to sitting in the sun for that long.
Have a great Fourth of July weekend! In fact, I forget that it even was the Fourth of July tomorrow until I saw the date today. ;)

Leanna

Sweethearts-Sara Zarr

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another's only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she's lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she's popular, happy, and dating, everything "Jennifer" couldn't be---but she still can't shake the memory of her long-lost friend. When Cameron suddenly reappears, they are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.

I main reason that I wanted to read this book was because I found out it was by a local author. I had read good reviews and it sounded pretty good so I read it, and I'm really glad that I did. I read this book in just one afternoon, so it's fast and keeps your interest the entire story. This book will make you cry. The entire histoy between Jenna and Cameron is so sweet, and you find yourself feeling sympathy with them throughout the entire book. The ending was bittersweet and can't satisfy you enough. It is a very sweet and sad book about a lost friendship. So just go out and read it, because I can't recommend it enough.

P.S. My sis got a blog so go check it out. It's kind of quirky. :)

Seven Songs Meme

Tagged by Ani Isilee.

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.

1. Maybe-Secondhand Serenade
2. Realize-Colbie Caillat
3. Vulnerable-Secondhand Serenade
4. This is Home-Switchfoot
5. No Air-Jordin Sparks
6. Whatever It Takes-Lifehouse
7. The Call-Regina Spektor

I actually have way more than seven, but I couldn't list the entire Secondhand Serenade CD. ;)

I'll tag Fantasy, Hoho, and Ennagirl (I know it isn't seven.)