My Life in Pink and Green

Title: My Life in Pink and Green

Author: Lisa Greenwald

Pages: 267

Amulet Books, March 2009

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Recommended to: Girls, 11 and up

Rating: B+

   Twelve-year-old Lucy Desberg can solve nearly any problem, whether it's her best friend's crush, the homecoming queen's hair disaster, or fights between her mom and grandma. But when Lucy overhears that her family's pharmacy is in danger of closing, she knows she has to save it--but how? Then Lucy has an idea--why not use her skills in makeup (she wants to be the next Laura Mercier makeup mogul) to help benefit the pharmacy? Soon, Lucy has customers lining up out the door for all of the dances, parties, bat mitzvahs, weddings, and quinceañeras in Old Mill, but will it be enough to save the pharmacy? Lucy has a killer plan that won't only bring in more income for the family business, but it's also environmentally "green"--but how can she get her mom and grandma to understand that she's serious?

   First off, I loved Lucy. Even though she was just twelve, she had such great spunk and was totally savvy, a real businesswoman. She had a great head on her shoulders, and unlike other characters in middle-grade novels, she made a good point that didn't involve complaining and self-pity: instead of being whiny and obnoxious, I found her to be mature and understandable. 

   This book took me forever to read. The first few chapters were totally on-and-off for me, which I hate, due to buttloads of homework, school, and afterschool activities. Plus I don't really like slow beginnings. But once I actually had time to get into the book, I really started enjoying it: all of the great characters, flowing plot that lacked any bumps or confusion, and a unique storyline, which brings me to my next point.

   I loved how MLIPAG was so different from lots of books in the age group. I really liked how Ms. Greenwald incorporated going green into the story, but at the same time not making it boring or annoying. I liked how realistic the dialogue and narration was, and I was really satisfied with the ending. Hopefully there is a sequel in the future: I really want to find out what happens and how the *spoiler* eco-spa turns out! 

   Overall, brava to Ms. Greenwald for writing a creative, refreshing, fun, and light novel (with an adorable, awesome, fantabulous cover--don't you just adore it? The colors, the cucumbers with the recycling signs....)! Be sure to check out the Monday Muse author feature next week, which features Lisa: we'll be giving away a copy of My Life in Pink and Green, which you don't want to miss! 

March Madness: Violet in Private Contest!

Hi, everyone, and welcome to the first March Madness giveaway this month! Melissa Walker has generously donated a copy of her novel, Violet in Private, to our contest. If you would like to enter, please comment here, at the original interview (sorry I didn't post these contest details with that post, I was still just figuring out how MM would work!).

Remember,

+2 if you are already a follower

+1 if you are a new follower

Edit: +1 for linking on your website

You may enter up until (EDIT) April 6, when I will count the votes and announce the winners for all four weeks! Good luck!

March Madness: Awesome Authors & Great Giveaways!

Hi, everyone, hope you are enjoying the first week of March!

As you might have noticed, this week's Monday Muse interview featured Melissa Walker, the author of the Violet series. At the end of the post, I mentioned something called "March Madness" (no, not the men's basketball championship) that involves winning 4+ books....a month! So, I promised details...and here they (finally) are:

1) For every weekly author interview that I feature on my blog in the month of March, a copy of that author's book will be given away. There are four weeks in March, so that means four awesome giveaways, starting with Melissa Walker's Violet in Private!

2) You can enter the weekly contest by commenting on the interview with your email address, and you will earn 2 extra entries if you are already a Bookworm Readers follower, and +1 if you are a new follower. 

3) Winners for all four weeks will be drawn April 6, so you can enter up until then (midnight PST). 

4) If readers like this feature, it might just be staying....

Questions? Suggestions? Let me know! 

Here's the March lineup so far:

Melissa Walker, author of the Violet series (details for contest to come)

Lisa Greenwald, author of My Life In Pink and Green (Monday, 3/9/09)

Don't forget to check back every Monday for a chance to win some awesome books--March may be your lucky month! (:

Waiting on Wednesday Week 12!

Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Coming out March 5, 2009 (tomorrow!)

   Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it's all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery. 

   But Annika's plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curveball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?

This one sounds so creative and cute. It seems like Janette Rallison always comes up with the best, most unique ideas for stories! I definitely can't wait to pick this one up--it sounds fun and sweet!

The Monday Muse: Melissa Walker

Today's Muse: Melissa Walker

Author of: Violet on the Runway (review here), Violet by Design, and Violet in Private (reviews coming soon!)

Starring in: A mini-interview!

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Bookworm: Welcome, Melissa! So, tell us...What made you want to write a book revolving around the world of modeling?

Melissa: After working as a magazine editor and interviewing lots of models, I saw how glamorous--and also how dark--the fashion world could be. It was the perfect setting for a real girl to walk into and have life-changing experiences.

Bookworm: Are Violet or any of the other characters based off of any real-life people?

Melissa: Violet and I share a lot of likes and dislikes (I think most first-time authors put a bit of themselves into their narrators). Otherwise, some of the more colorful fashion characters are based lightly on people I've met, but no close friends. And I won't name names!

Bookworm: What was your favorite scene to write in Violet on the Runway?

Melissa: I loved writing the Roger-and-Violet scenes. I love them together.

Bookworm: Aside from the Violet trilogy and your upcoming summer romance, Lovestruck Summer, are you planning on writing any more books for teens?

Melissa: Yes! I'm working on a secret new book right now. I hope to take it out and see if any publishers want it this spring.

Bookworm: What are your hobbies outside of writing?

Melissa: Hmm....TV? Does that count? Okay, also: yoga, tiny cafes with good pastries, walking in the park near my apartment, Oprah, and I Heart Daily updates. Are any of those hobbies?

Bookworm: Yes, I would definitely say so. So...what's on your list of YA favorites?

Melissa: Too hard! I can't do it! The latest book that I LOVED was The Adoration of Jenna Fox, which happens to be the readergirlz.com pick for March, so people should come join the book discussion if they've read it. And if you haven't: Pick it up! So good!

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Many thanks to Melissa, and Happy March to everyone!

On the topic of Monday Muses and March, I'll be introducing a new feature called March Madness soon that involves a giveaway of a book for every author interview that I post....which means that I'll be giving away 4+ books monthly! Right now, it's still under wraps, but be ready for some awesome giveaways!  

Edit: Read the rules here, and then enter by commenting!

My TBR Pile...

My TBR pile is trying to take over the world.

I have 42 in my stack and it's still growing....

HELP!

...The paperbacks/ARCs

...And all of my hardbacks!

If you don't hear from me for a while, it's because my TBR stack ate me! :D

Publishers/Authors: I will get to your book ASAP and I'm sorry if the review's up late. School is totally overwhelming, and if it were up to me, I'd just skip it and read all day! (:

New Header!

  Thanks so much to the talented Sophie of Mrs. Magoo Reads for the lovely new header that she made for my blog--I absolutely love it: the coloring, design, font....

We are still waiting for approval on the images, but what do you think so far?