Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone

Stephanie is used to fading into the shadows. At school, she has no friends, preferring the solace of books. At home, things aren’t any better, and Stephanie spends half her time hiding from her drunk and abusive mother. When her mom leaves and her father sends her to live with an old family friend across the country, Stephanie realizes she can no longer be invisible. Everything about her makes her stand out, and not in a good way. Her old clothes, her Bostonian accent, and her naturally darker complexion mark her as almost inferior in the world of wealthy LA blondes. Despite these stark differences, all Stephanie wants is to fit in, but this isn’t so easy for the girl who’s always been by herself. Desperate to find a place where she truly fits in, Stephanie starts to build a web of lies of a fake life. But it’s not until this false bubble bursts and a new girl, who’s more like Stephanie that she would’ve thought, moves to town that Stephanie can move forward just being herself.

Stone delivers an achingly heart wrenching and real coming of age story in her debut Invisible Girl. Readers will immediately connect to main character Stephanie because although not everyone has grown up with domestic abuse, many of Stephanie’s thoughts, fear, and emotions are easy to relate to. Invisible Girl is no doubt an emotionally charged novel because of this. This emotional connection between the reader and Stephanie makes her situation seem all the more heartbreaking, and in turn, the ending all the more uplifting. Stone does a fantastic job of developing Stephanie’s character and portraying her growth. It’s shockingly realistic. There’s just something about this novel that reaches out and grabs the reader’s heart. Even though there are plenty of other books dealing with feelings of inadequacy and being out of place in teens, Invisible Girl still manages to stand out. The fact that Stone is a debut author only makes this feat even greater.

I recommend Invisible Girl to readers who enjoyed Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee, Bounce by Natasha Friend, and Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill. I look forward to more from this promising debut author.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Penguin

My Double Life by Janette Rallison

Alexia Garcia has always been told she looks exactly like the celebrity Kari Kingsley. Not that this resemblance has made her popular or given her a better life. However, this all changes when Alexia is offered a job as Kari’s double. This offer is Alexia’s ticket to Hollywood, money, and her father. All that is too much for Alexia to resist, and so, despite her mother’s warnings, Alexia takes the job. Posing as Kari, Alexia can get almost anything she wants: nice clothes, adoring fans, maybe even rock star Grant Delray. But the more that Alexia gets into her role as Kari, the more she loses sight of herself. Alexia might be able to meet her father, but he’ll think she’s someone else. And that just might be the problem. How can Alexia be true to herself when everyone thinks she’s Kari Kingsley?

I have only read one other novel by Rallison, but that was enough to make me love how she combines humor, family, and fame into a meaningful and thoroughly enjoyable story. My Double Life shares many similar elements with Rallison’s Just One Wish, including most importantly strong familial relationships and celebrities. It’s always fun to read about famous people, whether real or fictional, because it makes all stories more glamorous. Rallison counters this sometimes false sparkle with something solid: family. This deepens what would ordinarily be a rather shallow story. There is just something so sweet and charming about My Double Life that makes the story stick with the reader.

My Double Life will be enjoyed by fans of Just One Wish, also by Janette Rallison, The Elite series by Jennifer Banash, Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee, and Love, Meg by C. Leigh Purtill. I look forward to reading more from Rallison.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Penguin

Tale of a book signing with Michael Grant

I got to meet Michael Grant, the author of the popular Gone series not too long ago on May 15. I was super excited to see him because we both used to write for Stupid Blog Name. And of course, I rarely pass up the opportunity to go to book signings (at least as of now). They're so fun!

After meeting some friends for lunch, I headed over to get a good spot at Barnes & Noble. Even though I was practically an hour early, the first two rows were already filled. Apparently, there are much bigger Gone and Michael Grant fans than me. I chatted with the other YA enthusiasts and learned about a couple of other upcoming book signings that I'm interested in.

(here's a copy of Michael Grant's latest book Lies)

When Michael arrived, he set up his Macbook on the table. Michael is into all things Mac.

(you can see him in the background with his laptop)

Finally the event started. Michael talked a little about his background. I managed to catch a good five or six minutes on my Flip camera. I would've uploaded it here, but Blogger refused to let me do so, all three times that I tried.

 Then some fun Q&A. I asked him what promped him to start writing. His answer: his wife made him.

And lastly, I got my newly purchased copy of Gone signed. I never actually owned any of the Gone series prior to that day. I reviewed a copy way back whenever that I borrowed from my friend.

(me and Michael Grant)

As I was getting my book signed, Michael and I chatted a bit about Stupid Blog Name and how both of us (and all the other contributors at that) just kinda...well, stopped contributing. But, hey, I did meet Michael Grant through it, so it was good for something while it lasted. And, that's all for now, folks!

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

It happens at the airport. Gemma and her parents are waiting to catch their connection to Vietnam when Gemma steps away for coffee. An intriguing young man pays for her drink—and drugs it. Drugged and unaware, Gemma is whisked off to the Australian outback by her kidnapper Ty. When Gemma finally regains lucidity, she finds herself surrounded by sand in all directions as far as the eye can see and stranded in the middle of nowhere with Ty. Torn between basic survival and the desire for escape, it’s all Gemma can do to just live day to day. Of course Gemma hates her captor. But as time passes and Gemma learns about Ty’s past, something changes. Something must have because Gemma feels different too, in a way she knows she shouldn’t. Ty expects Gemma to love him. Against all odds, will she?

Stolen is a fascinating look at the complexities involved in a kidnapping. The plot on its own is pretty basic; it details the actually kidnapping itself, various relevant events in both the kidnapper’s and the kidnapped’s pasts, and the ensuing drama. What really defines this novel is the psychology behind it. Throughout the entire book, protagonist Gemma struggles with her conflicting emotions. On one hand, she despises Ty for stealing her from her family and everything she knew and for lying to and hurting her. However, on the other, Gemma can understand how Ty’s background led to his obsession with her and why he felt moved to take such a drastic action as kidnapping. Christopher’s depiction of the development and effects of Stockholm syndrome through Gemma’s story is very realistic, almost scarily so. Though not always exciting, Stolen is still a great and meaningful read.

This debut novel from Christopher will be enjoyed by those who liked Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott and Break by Hannah Moskowitz.

Rating: 4.25

Review copy from publisher Scholastic

The Dead Girls’ Dance by Rachel Caine

Despite having gained the Founder of Morganville’s unofficial protection for herself and her friends, Claire Danvers know that the danger will never pass because the Founder’s protection came with a price—never leaving the borders of Morganville. And—surprise, surprise—danger has a way of seeking out the residents of the Glass House. It starts with the vampire hating motorcycle gang and rapidly progresses downhill from there. Time is running out and the stakes are even higher now that multiple lives are on the line—including one boy who Claire has realized she can’t live without. Claire may now be well versed in vampire lore, but nothing can prepare her for the unlikeliest human-vampire alliances—and their retributions.

Caine does not disappoint with this second installment in the Morganville Vampires series. The novelty of the mystery of Morganville has not quite worn off yet, but even better, new outside threats present themselves to make things more interesting. Caine proves herself a talented writer through the way everything in the story connects one way or another. Discovering all these surprising connections is part of what makes reading the story so much fun. I’ve already established that the exciting plot has only gotten better in the continuation of the Morganville Vampires series, and I’m glad to say that this was mirrored by character development as well. In The Dead Girls’ Dance, the reader learns much more about each of the main characters, particularly their pasts. This as well as several developing romances made the characters more likable and realistic. Though there isn’t a major cliffhanger at the end of the novel as there was in its prequel Glass Houses, I still can’t wait to read the rest of the Morganville Vampires series.

The Morganville Vampires series will be enjoyed by fans of Firespell by Chloe Neill, the City of Bones trilogy by Cassandra Clare, and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Penguin

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Hanna knows she’s crazy. She’s had the hallucinations, taken the pills, and gone through strange obsessive phases like the one that filled her closet with only purple clothes. But even if Hanna’s okay with being crazy, she’s not okay with other people looking at her differently because of it. So she decides to run away to Portero, Texas, where her estranged mother lives. Bizarre as it is, the town of Portero might be crazier than Hanna is. Strange creatures crawl all over in the daytime, attacking innocent people at their leisure. The death rate and quantity of missing people is Portero is abnormally high. None of this fazes Hanna, who is intent on staying now that she’s found her mom. But as new secrets emerge, crazy takes a turn for the worse, and Portero might be more than Hanna can handle.

Bleeding Violet is a strange story, to say the least. Reeves’s debut novel is a whirlwind of blood, guts, spirit possession, and all kinds of crazy. The effect is a bit disconcerting. While Hanna’s propensity for purple and talking to the ghost of her dead father does make her a unique protagonist, it also makes her a difficult character to relate to. In fact, the whole story was hard to get into partly because of the weird factor but also because the gory violence and sex was bothersome. I’m the type of reader who doesn’t enjoy excessive violence of any kind in novels; I can tolerate it when it serves a meaningful purpose, but in Bleeding Violet, I felt the violence was just an accessory to the rest of the craziness. This novel does have its interesting parts here and there, but overall, I’d say that Bleeding Violet is more for those with an appetite for crazy and the a strong enough stomach to hold it down.

This novel may be enjoyed by fans of Generation Dead by Daniel Waters, Need by Carrie Jones, and Peeps by Scott Westerfeld.

Rating: 3.25

Review copy from Amazon Vine

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

Sydelle Mirabel’s village has suffered from drought for years, so when the wizard Wayland North brings them rain, he’s promised anything as a reward. Strangely, he chooses Sydelle, the elder’s daughter and a skilled weaver. Sydelle has always wanted to travel, but not under these circumstances. Palmarta is on the brink of war with Saldorra and Auster now that the king is dead, enemy soldiers are starting to invade, and Sydelle is stuck with a boy wizard. The unlikely pair’s rush to the capital in an effort to stop the war is beset by troubles like terrible weather and rogue wizards. Along the way, they uncover a deadly plot and the possibility of Sydelle’s own mysterious power. In this new world where dark magic lingers around every corner, only one thing is certain: it’s going to be a very dangerous journey.

Brightly Woven is a spectacular fantasy from debut author Bracken. Her descriptions of the lands of Palmarta, Saldorra, and Auster make them vivid and realistic. In particular, the religious myth behind the historic feud between Palmarta and its neighbors Saldorra and Auster provides necessary background information as well as make the story seem more legitimate. Bracken creates a great backdrop for Sydelle and North’s cross country journey. There is just something about this novel that really sucks the reader in; I think it’s a combination of interesting and believable characters, magic, constant danger, and hint of romance. I was truly swept away with this enthralling read. The fast paced plot is sure to keep readers interested until the sweet end.

This fantastic read will be enjoyed by fans of Fire by Kristin Cashore, Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, and Trickster’s Choice and Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce. I look forward to more great writing from Bracken.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher EgmontUSA

Epitaph Road by David Patneaude

The year is 2097. Thirty years earlier, a mysterious disease called Elisha’s Bear wiped out 97% of males. Women took over to save the world from falling to ruin and gradually changed it for the better. Now there is no poverty, crime, or war. The environment is thriving and renewable energy is embraced. Women seem to have fixed every problem ever created by men. But where does that leave the men who survived, like fourteen-year-old Kellen Dent? He may not have been around for the first outbreak of the Bear, but he’s still living under its shadow, as well as in the shadow of the fairer sex. Kellen has accepted the female-dominated society he lives in with little complaint until he stumbles upon a shocking secret that changes everything. This secret prompts him to leave home to find his outcast father, but from there, Kellen only finds more deadly secrets. Kellen’s supposedly perfect world may not be a utopia after all.

Epitaph Road is a fascinating dystopian thriller. This futuristic novel has all a reader would expect from one like it and then some. The story is filled with secrets and danger in a not-so-perfect world as well as an underlying social question. The social issue presented in Epitaph Road is that of sexism. Historically and even present day, lamentably, male dominance over women has been the rule in many cases. However, Patneaude turns this concept entirely upside down. In his future world, the females have supreme dominance over men. Elimination of poverty and war aside, this isn’t as good a thing as the women of the story promise. Sexism persists in many forms against men, barring them from many jobs and leadership positions and even from having children. This discrimination is clearly wrong even if all the world’s problems are supposedly the fault of men (that was actually the only point of this book I didn’t buy into). As a whole, Epitaph Road is a satisfying read, both for its exciting and suspenseful plot and for its social relevance.

This novel will be enjoyed by fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Cherry Heaven by L.J. Adlington, Shift by Charlotte Agell, and Unwind by Neal Shusterman.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher EgmontUSA

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Grace Divine always knew that something horrible had happened the night that Daniel Kalbi disappeared and her brother Jude came home covered in blood—his own. The problem is that she doesn’t know what, and now that Daniel’s back, years later, she doesn’t know how to act or who to listen to. Jude makes her promise to stay away from Daniel because he’s convinced Daniel is some kind of monster. Grace can’t bring herself to believe that, though. How could her childhood crush be monstrous? But the closer she gets to Daniel, the more she realizes that there may be a grain of truth to Jude’s wild accusations. Daniel’s incredible strength and speed aren’t humanly possible—so what does that make him? As Grace starts to uncover the truth—about Daniel, her brother, and that night long ago—she’ll be forced to make the ultimate choice to save the ones she loves.

Finally! It’s been a long time since I read such an original paranormal novel that, despite having a central romance, wasn’t overwhelmingly romantic. That is precisely why The Dark Divine was such a fantastic read for me. I do like romances, but it gets a little dull reading about just a star-crossed love between a human and insert-supernatural-creature-here with some other danger thrown in for kicks. In this novel, the romance takes somewhat of a backseat to the paranormal. This makes the plot undoubtedly danger filled and exciting. To make this even better, the story is also well structured, with relevant flashbacks to Grace’s childhood interspaced with her present narration and a well explained and realistic paranormal angle. This perfectly sets the story up for this huge paranormal element, which I can’t reveal because it would give the story away. I just love how Despain manages to tie everything together so smoothly. The mostly realistic characters, enthralling plot, and supernatural elements ensure The Dark Divine will be a page turner. On top of that even, the connection between religion and the supernatural is utterly fascinating. I really can’t wait to see where the story is going next.

The Dark Divine will be enjoyed by fans of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey, Sea Change by Aimee Friedman, Days of Little Texas by R.A. Nelson, and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher EgmontUSA

Summer of the Geek by Piper Banks

Summer is looking good for Miranda Bloom. Not only does she have a gorgeous boyfriend Dex, but she’s also got a great job looking after a ten-year-old mini-genius, Amelia. Unfortunately, though, things aren’t turning out as well as Miranda hoped. Amelia practically hates Miranda the moment she sees her; this musical prodigy would rather spend hours practicing piano than bonding with her au pair. Dating Dex is wonderful, but Miranda can’t help but feel that he’s keeping something from her, something related perhaps to his fashion model of an ex-girlfriend. To top that off, Miranda’s driving test is fast approaching, and she’s sure she’s going to fail. Can Miranda fix all her summer troubles in time to just enjoy her vacation?

Though I have not read this novel’s prequel, Geek High and Geek Abroad, I was still able to enjoy Summer of the Geek. This is a primarily character driven novel that deals with the various pressures of being a teen, but outside of high school. Protagonist Miranda Bloom is a good pick to represent the female teen; she struggles with tons of insecurities regarding her appearance as compared to others’, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her success in taking care of Amelia. I’ll admit that this constant self doubt becomes very annoying to read about, but I can’t deny that it is realistic. Miranda and her friends’ various exploits were interesting enough and will keep the reader moderately entertained. Overall, Summer of the Geek is a light, humorous read and a decent story.

Summer of the Geek will be enjoyed by fans of Fringe Benefits by Valerie Frankel, The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Preble, and Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Penguin

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Claire Danvers has lived on campus in small college town Morganville, Texas for a while now, and so far, nothing has agreed with her. Being the youngest enrolled student hasn’t made her any friends, but making queen bee Monica look like a fool has definitely made her some powerful enemies. The danger extends beyond just the normal hazing rituals, and when Claire is shoved down several flights of stairs, she decides she’s tired of being terrorized by Monica. She moves off campus into the Glass House, thinking everything will be better now. Unfortunately, Claire has just entered an entire new world of danger. It turns out that there’s a lot about Morganville—and its inhabitants—that Claire never knew.

I put off reading this book for a while because I figured the whole vampire genre had already pretty much been used up. Boy, was I wrong! Glass Houses captured and maintained by interest from the very start. It really doesn’t matter that Caine’s interpretation of the vampire isn’t very original because everything else about her fictional town of Morganville is. Caine presents such an interesting scenario where vampires and humans coexist even if the humans are at the bottom of the food chain, outsiders on campus really don’t have a clue about their undead neighbors, and insiders who leave forget all about what makes Morganville so unique. The plot and action in this novel is without a doubt enthralling, and the characters are realistic enough within their situations. I don’t even mind the huge cliffhanger at the end because I can’t wait to read the continuation of the Morganville Vampires series.

The first installment in the Morganville Vampires series has definitely convinced me that it is a very worthy addition to the vampire genre. I recommend this novel to fans of Firespell by Chloe Neill, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, and the City of Bones trilogy by Cassandra Clare.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Penguin

Elphame’s Choice by PC Cast

Elphame has all but given up on fitting in. As most visibly half human, half centaur, she certainly does not look like anyone else in Partholon. But her strong connection to the goddess Epona ensures that she will always be revered, worshipped, and maybe even somewhat feared. Elphame realizes that she needs to strike out on her own, and so she travels to the other side of the country to begin a new project: restoring MacCallan Castle. But rebuilding these haunted ruins turns out to be completely different—and more dangerous—than Elphame expected. As the remnants of a past war reenter the present and Elphame’s pivotal role in an ancient curse is revealed, it will be up to her to save her country, her newfound lifemate, and herself.

There is no doubt that Cast has a wonderful imagination. This is definitely the first time I’ve read a novel with a majority of the most central characters that are obviously not entirely human in a surprising way. There aren’t any of the truly typical supernatural creatures in this novel, like vampires and werewolves, which is refreshing. I’ll admit that the hybrids took a while to get used to, but they certainly ensured that the story would be interesting. The plot was quick and engaging, the characters were realistic in their thoughts and fears, and the story as a whole was satisfying. At the same time, though, despite the original characters, this novel didn’t really stand out in any other way. In addition, though Elphame’s Choice is classified as young adult, given the at times explicit nature of its content, I feel it would be better labeled as adult.

Elphame’s Choice may be enjoyed by fans of Marked by Kristin Cast and PC Cast, Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier, and Ice by Sarah Beth Durst.

Rating: 3.75

Review copy from Amazon Vine

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Jill Jekel is a good girl. She does what she’s told. She obeys her parents. She concentrates on school instead of boys. But when her dad is murdered and her college savings disappear, Jill realizes that being good all the time might not get her anywhere. That’s when she decides to peek in the mysterious old box in her father’s office, the one she was told never to touch, the one containing transcripts of experiments that could help her win a chemistry scholarship. With the help of Tristen Hyde, Jill tries to recreate experiments connected to the classic novel containing their namesakes. This is a darker side of chemistry, though, with the power to contain and release a terrible evil. Both a poison and a cure, this formula will undoubtedly change both Jill’s and Tristen’s lives forever.

Jekel Loves Hyde is an interesting story that obviously draws its inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The effect is unique to say the least by at the same time certainly strange. The plot of this novel is like no other I’ve read, where monsters come and go with sip of a potion all in modern day high school. It’s so original that most readers will be kept satisfied with the constant danger, long buried secrets, chemistry experiments, and undercurrent of romance. The characters for the most part are believable in their situations, particularly Tristen. His fear of his darker nature and his determination to be good make him an irresistible hero/villain. On the other hand, I didn’t like Jill’s character as much. She was difficult to understand and relate to as well as a bit annoying at times. Overall, Jekel Loves Hyde is mostly enjoyable but the unique-to-the-point-of-strange story just didn’t stand out in other ways.

Jekel Loves Hyde may be enjoyed by fans of the classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson although I’m not entirely sure there’s a certain niche of readers that this novel really appeals to.

Rating: 3.75

Review copy from Amazon Vine

Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

After a year of boy craziness and subsequent heartbreak, Polly Martin swears off boys for the summer. Of course, that’s much easier said than done since the exes keep appearing everywhere. There’s Sawyer, ex number three, who just happens to be her supervisor at her summer job, then Jack, ex number two, who does to the same parties as her, and then there’s Xander, but he’s not an ex even if he keeps breaking Polly’s no-boys rule by always showing up where she works. Thank goodness Polly’s grandmother, better known as Miss Swoon, the classy love advice columnist, is moving in for the summer. That should make a boy-free life for Polly easier—right? But life rarely goes as planned, and Polly’s about to find out that maybe she shouldn’t give up on boys—and love—just yet.

I just loved Salter’s sweet and hilarious debut with My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters. Salter’s second young adult novel, Swoon at Your Own Risk is even better. This novel is so appealing in that it combines the serious and the more ridiculous sides of life into a meaningful bundle of fun. Readers will no doubt be entertained with heroine Polly’s quick wit and all the silly situations she finds herself in. this is the start of a strong bond between Polly and the reader which in turn allows the reader to better understand Polly’s emotional avoidance issues. Polly proves a fresh contrast to the belief that boys are the ones who can’t share their feelings, making her road to overcoming that fear all the more memorable. The outcome to Polly’s tale is definitely predictable but sweet nonetheless. Salter is incredibly successful at balancing humor with the more difficult parts of everyday life, creating a relevant and delectable read in Swoon at Your Own Risk.

This novel will be enjoyed by fans of Salter’s debut My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, Beauty Shop for Rent by Laura Bowers, Faking 19 by Alyson Noël, and For Keeps by Natasha Friend. I look forward to more fun reading from Salter.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from Amazon Vine

The Sight: Premonitions & Disappearance by Judy Blundell

The premonitions started after Gracie almost drowned, and no matter how much she wishes it, they won’t stop. They sneak up on her unawares, giving her flashes of insight into the past or the future. They’ve only ever caused trouble for Gracie until tragedy strikes close and the premonitions become the keys to solving the mystery. Gracie realizes that she can no longer cruise along in the backseat of her life—she has to take action. With the disappearance of her friend Emily, the reappearance of her estranged father, connections between past and present abductions and murders, and unknown threats, Gracie’s premonitions will become the only means to her survival.

The Sight contains two of Blundell’s earlier novels, Premonitions and Disappearance, published under the pseudonym Jude Watson. I really liked Blundell’s writing in What I Saw and How I Lied, but despite the commonality of a central mystery to both books, Blundell’s earlier writing wasn’t quite as good. Don’t get me wrong; Blundell is undoubtedly skilled at manipulating plot and making it suspenseful and exciting. However, she fell a little short with characterization and originality. Protagonist Gracie wasn’t always easy to connect with or understand and certainly was not what defined the story. In addition, I’ve read many novels with variations of this storyline of an unwilling psychic saving the day by solving the mystery. The Sight didn’t really stand out from among this group, and in fact, its tendency to sound like a soap opera made it a bit unrealistic.

The Sight will be enjoyed by fans of Sight by Adrienne Maria Vrettos, Death at Deacon Pond by E.M. Alexander, Dark Visions by L.J. Smith, and Numbers by Rachel Ward.

Rating: 4.0

Review copy from publisher Scholastic

The L.A. Times Festival of Books

I am (currently) an Orange County/Los Angeles based blogger, but I've never gone to the L.A. Times Festival of Books until this year. It's probably because it nearly always falls on my sister's birthday. But this time, I decided to go anyway. And it definitely was worth it.

(look how crowded it is!)

The first thing my friends and I did when we arrived at UCLA was make a beeline for the South signing area, because, due to my superb planning, we knew we could meet Meg Cabot and Robin Benway. Of course, I brought another one of my sister's many Meg Cabot books to get signed (a French one, this time), as well as my copy of Audrey, Wait! and my ARC of The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June. Can you believe Robin Benway has heard of The Book Muncher?!

(me and Meg Cabot)

(Robin Benway and me)

After that, we wandered around a little. We passed by the brand new YA Stage where LAYAPALOOZA was going on. We were also distracted by the Warner Bros. Pictures' booth where the stars of Flipped, a movie based on Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, were signing pictures. I didn't even know they were making a movie for Flipped. I really enjoyed that book when I was younger. For some reason, I didn't take a picture of them, except when I spotted Callan McAuliffe (who plays Bryce Loski) while walking up the steps and took a photo of his backside.

(he's the one in green)

Then a couple of my friends and I got sort of lost looking for Rachel Caine and the Mystery Bookstore booth. Luckily, we found it in time for me to get some of my Morganville Vampires books signed.

(Rachel Caine)

(Rachel Caine, my friend Celine, and me)

We went back around to the YA Stage where our other friend was watching Lisi Harrison, Amy Goldman Koss, and Robin Palmer at the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun panel. We found our friend in line to get Movers and Fakers signed by Lisi Harrison, and I popped in for a picture.

(Lisi Harrison)

(me and Lisi Harrison)

Lastly, I wanted to drop by the Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Book Shop booth. On the way there, we passed this really cool wall where you could write whatever you were reading at the moment. Too bad I just finished Epitaph Road and hadn't started anything new yet.

When we got to the booth, we saw both John Green and David Levithan. Unfortunately, I don't own any books by either of them anymore! And I don't know why I didn't buy their latest either.

(John Green and David Levithan)

And that was basically my time at the L.A. Times Festival of Books! I had lots and lots of fun. It's a shame I'll be moving this year and probably will not have the opportunity to visit again.