The Curse of Addy McMahon

Author: Katie Davis

Pages: 256

Published: Greenwillow Books, May 2008

Genre: Middle-grade contemporary fiction

Cover Score: A-

Overall Grade: B+

Summary: Addy McMahon is cursed. Her mother's g-ross boyfriend is moving in, and to make matters in her life worse, she was spotted by her arch nemesis shopping for a bra! Luckily, Addy has her autobiogra-stip to turn to: her graphic diary that she can write all of her secrets in. It's the first step in her dream of becoming a writer. But when her diary gets in the wrong hands, Addy's relationship with her best friend is in danger. Can Addy break the curse before their friendship is O-V-E-R?

My thoughts: The best part of The Curse of Addy McMahon was not the strong, spunky main character. It was not the humorous narration or the realistic dialogue. The best part of this book by far was the original comic strips that make up Addy's "autobiogra-strip", illustrated throughout the novel. Reflecting her life in a fun and creative way, the comic strips broke up the large amount of words and gave the storyline something fresh and unique.

The Curse of Addy McMahon is a fairly simple book. The plot is easy to understand, and Addy is a great, relatable narrator (although a bit whiny at times). Aimed at younger readers, this is just the type of book I would've loved to read in 4-6 grade. There was age-appropriate humor and lots of different situations that Addy goes through that other kids experience: friendship drama, big dreams, the loss of a parent, a remarriage, and setbacks.

However, the book was extremely slow at first, and I started getting bored. Luckily, after the whole Marsha/Jackie ordeal, the book picked up the pace until the end. Also, Addy was slightly annoying at times, as was her pushy mother, who wanted her kids to accept the fact that they needed to move on after their dad's death.

Cute and enjoyable, I would easily recommend The Curse of Addy McMahon to younger readers, and I might even request a copy for my public library, too.

Must-Read!! Check it Out Don't Bother

Celebrity Cover Lookalikes, Part 2

Do you sometimes see a book cover and think, That model looks just like (a certain celebrity)!? Welcome to Celebrity Cover Lookalikes, and meme that I host that alternates with my other book-cover meme, Cover Love.

Comment below with your opinion of the best lookalike between the two covers!

First up, we've got the upcoming Demon Princess: Reign Check by Michelle Rowen, whose cover model is a dead ringer for Kim Cattrall:

--->

...And the model for Meg Cabot's Airhead greatly resembles Kate Bosworth (thanks to Callie for pointing this one out!):

--->

Do you have a book cover in mind that features a celebrity-lookalike model? Comment below with your suggestion, and your cover-twin might end up above!

The Monday Muse: Interview with Libby Schmais

Today's muse (on a Tuesday): Libby Schmais

Author of: The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein (review here)

----------------------------------

Bookworm: Bienvenue, Libby (that's "welcome" to you non-French speakers)! Let's begin with the classic starter--what was the inspiration for The Pillow Book?

Libby: I had discovered The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, which is a Japanese diary book written over a thousand years ago, which has all these wonderful lists, like infuriating things or things that make you feel nostalgic. I thought it would be cool to have a young girl in Brooklyn write he own Pillow Book entries, as Lotus does for her English class. I was also inspired by a biography I had recently read about the relationship between Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, which was quite complicated, and I wondered how it would be to date an existentialist who believed in free love.

Bookworm: Have you ever been to France? What are your favorite memories there?

Libby: I actually spent a semester abroad when I was in college, in Brittany, on the coast of France. Some of my favorite memories from that time are definitely of food, because they make these delicious buckwheat crepes there, and these amazing butter cookies, and, of course, I remember falling in love.

Bookworm: Do you consider yourself to be an existentialist like Lotus?

Libby: I don't consider myself an existentialist but I do have my moment where everything does seem kind of meaningless. I think I'm probably too cynical to follow any one philosophy or religion. Which reminds me of one of my favorite quotes of Jean Paul Sartre which kind of sums up my belief system: "She believed in noting; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist."

Bookworm: How are you and Lotus alike, and how are you different?

Lotus: Lotus and I are both a little offbeat, and speak our minds, but she has much more confidence than I do. We both love food and fashion, although she wears much wilder outfits that I would ever dare to.

Bookworm: Do you keep a diary?

Lotus: I don't actually keep a diary at the moment, although I used to. I am always buying beautiful journals and notebooks and thinking I'm going to write in them and then I find all these sad unfinished books years later. I'll probably be buying another notebook any day now.

Bookworm: Do you like to travel? If so, what places have you visited?

Libby: I like being in a place, but I actually hate traveling. I hate packing and flying and worrying about getting somewhere, but once I'm in another country or city, I'm happy. I've been to Europe several time and I love Venice, which is a magical city, and Paris, bien sur. I've been to the Caribbean several times. I love islands--I also love Block Island, Tulum, Mexico, and Montreal. Right now, I'd love to get out of New York and go somewhere warm but I'm not sure it's going to happen.

Bookworm: Are you going to continue writing for the YA genre?

Libby: Well, just this week, I finished my second YA novel, which is about a teen obsessed with Tudor England, so as of now, I'm still writing YA. As far as what comes after this book, I honestly have no idea. It's kind of a scary feeling for a writer to be between projects, but also really exciting, because it could go in any number of different directions.

Sounds awesome--I can't wait to check it out! (:

--------

Thanks so much for stopping by, Libby! Visit Libby (and Lotus) online at their awesome website here

The Pillow Book of Lotus Lowenstein was released by Delacorte on December 8, 2009. It's available on Amazon here

Confessions of A Triple Shot Betty

Author: Jody Gehrman

Pages: 255

Published: Dial, 2008

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Cover Score: A (double points for scratch-and-sniff)

Overall Grade: A-

Summary: Geena can't wait to spend summer vacation with her two best girls: her friend Amber and her cousin Hero. All three are working at the Triple Shot Betty coffee shop together in Sonoma Valley, California, but the moment Amber and Hero meet, the claws come out. Geena's dreams of a girl-bonding summer with her two besties fly out the window, and then threaten to disappear completely when a few cute guys come along to woo the Bettys. But all is not what it seems, and in a story of mistaken identities, crazy summer highjinks, romance, and more, Geena and her friends learn that when the Bettys unite, they can take on the most powerful forces in their world: guys, friendship, revenge, and what may be possibly the best summer of their lives...

My thoughts: If you're bored on a summer day, go and pick up a copy of Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty. Jody Gehrman's first novel for young adults is bursting with flavors of summer love, jobs, best friends, and is infused with a strong shot of girl power. Delicious!

First, the characters in Confessions were realistic and lovable: down-to-earth Geena, good girl Hero, and rebellious Amber made a perfect trio of friends that set the stage for drama, fun, and humor.

The dialogue between the characters was spot-on for a group of 16 year olds: readers that are teenage girls themselves will feel right at home amongst the pages of Confessions. I was surprised to later learn that the book's plot was based on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which gave it a bit of a deeper meaning. Even though the plot is relatively light and breezy, the writing is impressive and fast-paced. However, Ms. Gehrman doesn't skimp on details, with the end result being a realistic storyline.

An engrossing, light, and hilarious read that is perfect for the poolside, Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty will inspire summer fun and will invoke laughter. (And who can resist that yummy coffee-scented scratch n' sniff cover?). I recommend Confessions to girls 14 and older, due to some strong language in the book. Take a sip and enjoy! (:

Must-Read!! Check it out! Don't Bother

In My Mailbox

Thanks to the Story Siren for creating this awesome meme! It was yet another awesome week, bookwise. Thanks so much to Random House and author Julie Bowe! (Sorry about the awkward sideways picture...)

Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn (January 12, 2010)

Dream Life by Lauren Mechling (January 12, 2010)

Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love by Pat Mora (January 12, 2010)

My Best Frenemy by Julie Bowe (May 13, 2010)

...Sorry for my lack of posts this week, it's been a busy one! Expect an author interview and some various reviews coming this next week! (:

Secrets of A Lab Rat Contest

The winners of the I So Don't Do Spooky contest are Lindsay's Photographys and Diana Dang. I have emailed you both, congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered!!

New contest alert! I am giving away a signed hardcover copy of Trudi Trueit's latest book for middle-grade readers, Secrets of A Lab Rat: No Girls Allowed (Dogs Okay). Just to spice it up a bit, Trudi's also throwing in a copy of the audio book! A library must-have, this is one contest you don't want to miss! (:

Here's how to enter:

- Leave a comment below with your email address so I can contact you if you win!

+1 follow Bookworm Readers

+1 follow Trudi's blog here

+2 Share a link via Facebook, Twitter, your blog....whatever! (leave the link)

This contest is open to US residents only. I will announce the winners on February 10, 2010. Good luck!

The Monday Muse: Interview with Lindsay Eland

Today's muse: Lindsay Eland

Author of: Scones and Sensibility (review here)

-----------------

Bookworm: Welcome, Lindsay! To start off, will you please tell us where the inspiration for Polly's story came from?

Lindsay: The inspiration came from my love of LM Montgomery, Jane Austen, and romance in general! I also wanted to create something different for the middle grade audience...something I hadn't seen done before.

Bookworm: Do you and Polly share any similarities?

Lindsay: Indeed we do! I'm overly romantic like her, I'd like a wardrobe filled with elegant dresses, and I love to bake!

Bookworm: Have you ever played matchmaker in real life?

Lindsay: Thankfully never! Though I wouldn't be opposed to matching for canines since they don't have very many requirements.

Bookworm: Are you a Jane Austen fan yourself?

Lindsay: Very much so! My favorite is Pride and Prejudice though I adore Persuasion as well!

Bookworm: What's your favorite pastry?

Lindsay: Ooo, this is a delicious question! I'd have to say chocolate éclairs and chocolate chip scones dusted with powdered sugar!

Bookworm: If you could go back in time, which era would you visit?

Lindsay: Why the Regency Era, of course! Though I'd have to bring alone some deodorant, good toothpaste, and some hand sanitizer cause I do NOT want to smell bad when I meet Mr. Darcy or Captain Wentworth (my dad's a dentist to I have obsessive dental habits, and I hate it when my hands are dirty or

sticky...is that weird?).

Bookworm: What's next for Polly, or, will there be a sequel?

Lindsay: I'm not sure what's next for Polly. She has definitely persuaded me into thinking that her story could continue, though I'm not quite sure if it will. There's no sequel planned yet, though I have lots of ideas if it should come up!

Bookworm: Are you going to continue writing for the MG/YA genres?

Lindsay: Yes, yes, yes!! I adore both MG and YA, so I don't see myself ever writing for another genre.

Bookworm: What is one question that I didn't ask you that you want to answer?

Lindsay: Yes, I do sometimes wish that I had a goat. (: Because if I did have one, I know I would always be laughing.

-----------------------

Thank you so much, Lindsay, for stopping by! Lindsay can be found online here, at her fab website!

Scones and Sensibility was released from Egmont USA on December 22, 2009, and is available from Amazon here.