Black Heart

Black Heart

Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
Pages: 296
Series: Curse Workers, book three
Source: ARC from NCTE conference


The following may contain spoilers for books one and two!!


About the Book: Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy. 

But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.

My Thoughts:  I have all kinds of love for this series. Holly Black is one of my all time favorite authors. Her books are made of awesome. I love how involved I get in the worlds she creates.


Black Heart starts off with my two favorite Curse Worker brothers being awesome and just gets better from there. I mean, my book looked like this when I was done reading it:

That doesn't even take in to account the two pages of notes I wrote in my little review notebook and the ones I jotted down in the book. I honestly don't even know where to start! I don't want to give anything away and thus ruin your reading experience. I will say that this was one of the best "end of a trilogy" books I have ever read. My notes literally say, "The ending = PERFECTION!!!!" 


To avoid spoilers I'm going to focus on one "talking point" that I loved and then give you a list of random things that made the book awesome.

Talking Point:
Black Heart had me thinking about the things that we wish for simply because we believe we can never have them. Doesn't make sense? I'll try to explain. Cassel never would have been happy at Zacharov's right hand. He just isn't that guy. Still, he longed for that distinction. He never thought he'd actually have the chance and therefore need to turn it down. It's like getting everything that you think want and then realizing you can't have it because of who you are. Clear as water? Clear as mud? Either way that's as clear as I can make it. 


Random Things:
* Cassel. Barron. Cassel. Barron. Love these curse working brothers!
*Use of the word "nimbus"
*Red licorice ropes!
*Cassel's memory of Lila
*The gloves!! How could I have forgotten how much I adore them?!?!
*Sam. Basically everything about him
*The scene where Cassel borrows a couple bucks from Barron (you'll know what I mean when you read it!!!) 
*"...my sociopathic amnesiac jerk of an older brother."
*Cassel repeatedly slays me with one-liners that make my heart ache for him and his situation.


As I flip through the book and check out the places I tabbed I just want to share line after line. It's simply an amazing book. In the midst of heart-wrenching scenes Holly Black can still make me laugh. And then she continues to break my heart. Oh Holly!! 


If you've never read White Cat or Red Glove what are you waiting for?!?! This series is worth every second of doubt, every question, all the suspense and every single bit of heartbreak. You will not soon forget the characters or their world. 

Waiting on Wednesday (50)

Waiting on Wednesday

Such a Rush

by Jennifer Echols

Release Date: July 10, 2012

Published by: MTV Books

The wildly popular author of Going Too Far, Forget You, and Love Story returns with a sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers. High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever. But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly. Engrossing and intense, Such a Rush is a captivating story from an author with a rising star.

I am so excited for this book. I have loved every Jennifer Echols book I've read, especially her romantic dramas! July cannot come soon enough!

Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature run by the lovely crew at The Broke and The Bookish

Okay, so I'm kind of combining this topic with last weeks about books to read on spring break. The school I work at has spring break next week and I already have a list of about 40 books I want to read. Now, I will not get through all of them but still... I like to be prepared! So, the first two books are ones I do not have but would totally take a day off to read. The rest are books I have and hope to read over spring break.


1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth: At this point this may be my most anticipated release of 2012. I adored Divergent and need to know what comes next! 


2. The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima: This one is a very close second to (if not tied with) Insurgent fr most anticipated release. I cannot wait to read the final book in this series! Cinda Williams Chima is a master world builder.


3. Underworld by Meg Cabot: More Meg Cabot = more better! I love her re-imagining of the Hades and Persephone myth. I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes the story.


4. Destined by Aprilynne Pike: Tamini? David? Neither? Both? I have to know! This is one I will for sure be reading over break. My students will kill me if I don't!!


5. The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting: I cannot wait to spend some more time with Violet and Jay. I'm interested in seeing how the new developments from the end of Desires of the Dead begin to play out!


6. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols: I did a totally embarassing happy dance when this book arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Thankfully I was home with the blinds closed! I cannot wait to start this book!!!!


7. Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan: I don't care that it doesn't come out until this summer and I have other book I need to read first. Sarah Rees Brennan is one of the authors. I. am. sold.


8. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers: Everything about this book sounds like it was made for me! I cannot wait to start! 


9. Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa: LOVE her Iron Fey stories. I cannot wait to see how she tackles vampires!


10. Lexapros and Cons by Aaron Karo: I'm on the blog tour for this one in a couple weeks. I've already received the guest post for my scheduled posting date. If I hadn't been anxious to read the book before reading the post it would have changed that! As it was I couldn't wait so now I am extra excited to read it!


So, there you have it! The books I would spend the whole day on the couch for (and, in the case of 8 of them, will do so shortly!) 

In My Mailbox (53)

In My Mailbox

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs.

For Review:

Lexapros and Cons by Aaron Karo

Underworld by Meg Cabot

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

THANK YOU!!!

Purchased:

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter

Shade and Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

The Demon's Covenant and The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

Romantic Times Teen Day

Happy Hunger Games!

Happy Hunger Games

It's Hunger Games movie day!!! FINALLY!!! I have to wait until tomorrow to see it (poor, poor me!) But I am still super excited :)

I read the book when it came out which was before I was blogging so I've never reviewed it here. I considered doing that but I feel like I have nothing new to add. Obviously I love it. Instead I thought I'd point you to a few things online that cannot be missed :)

thecapitol.pn website is full of awesome. You can register using your twitter account, facebook account, or just by filling out a form. You will be placed in a district (I'm district 9!) You can then order your District Identification Pass for free!!! How cool is that?!?! There is a bunch of other cool stuff there too. 

Hunger Games: Girl on Fire iPhone app: I'm terrible at this game but addicted just the same. It's a free download and available for the iPad as well. Here's the description from iTunes:

In THE HUNGER GAMES: GIRL ON FIRE, you'll play as KATNISS EVERDEEN, the young heroine from District 12, whose sharp instincts are matched only by her even sharper bow-and-arrow shot.

With just weeks to go before the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss ventures past the fence and into the woods beyond District 12 to hunt for food for her starving family... only to run right into a swarm of Capitol-created TRACKER JACKER wasps!

Help Katniss find her way back home, while taking down the tracker jackers with your bow and arrow — but be careful once you get to District 12... The Capitol's hovercrafts may come looking for you!

The Official Hunger Games movie website: You can watch videos, view photos, and see the posters. There are brief biographies on the cast and crew as well as a link full of news articles. For you GetGlue users, there is a link to information about Hunger Games stickers as well. Lots of really cool things! It's a very well done site! 

The fabulous Novel Novice site has three separate posts with The Hunger Games movie desktop images. They are here, here, and here. Personally, I use one of the wallpapers they created back when Mockingjay came out. It's been my desktop image since August of 2010! They are lovely! 



 Hot Topic has tons tons of movie merchandise. It's the only place I know of to purchase The Hunger Games nail polishes! They created one for each district. I have District One (Luxe and Lush) and District Twelve (Smoke and Ashes.) 

 If you wish you could have been a tribute (what is wrong with you?!?!) you should check out The Hunger Names. Simply visit the site and you will be given a name, the district you were a tribute from, which annual game you competed in, and how you died. The first time I tried it I was killed by Lenny Kravitz! 

Passages from all three Hunger Games books are some of the most highlighted on the kindle. Check out what quotations people loved from The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. 


So there you have it! Some of my favorite The Hunger Games related sites! I hope you enjoy them as well. Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor! 

The Demon's Surrender

The Demon's Surrender

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: June 14, 2011
Pages: 387
Series: The Demon's Lexicon, book three
Source: Purchased

About the Book: The Goblin Market has always been the center of Sin’s world. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin’s place is in danger. Thrown out of the Market she loves, Sin is thrown together with brothers Nick and Alan—whom she’s always despised. 

Alan has been marked by a magician and is being tortured so that the magicians can get to Nick. As Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see him in a new light—but she and Mae are locked in a fierce rivalry over who will inherit the leadership of the Goblin Market, and a decisive battle with the Aventurine Circle is looming. Mae’s brother, Jamie, is holed up with the magicians, his loyalties in question. And Nick—well, who knows what a demon might do to save his brother? How far will Nick go to save Alan—and what will it cost them all?
My Thoughts: Let me just start off by saying that I am a total Sarah Rees Brennan fangirl. I adore everything of her's that I've read (this series, all her short stories, and her upcoming novel Unspoken!) Basically I'm going to have to try very hard to not turn this review into rambling sentences about how much I love her writing and how awesome this book is and how you have to read the series right now!!!! You might notice that I am reviewing it months after it was released. I have no idea why I didn't review it when I first read it. I've just finished reading it for the second time so I thought I would share some of the things I loved! 


Writing Style: I can't even begin to express how incredible I find Sarah's writing. I just love it. Her word choice and phrasing and just everything! It flows so beautifully and begs to be read aloud. I also adore her humor. If you've ever seen Sarah's running commentaries about TV shows on twitter you know what I mean. The woman is hilarious. It transfers to her characters so well. I particularly loved the interactions between Sin and Alan in this one. I was reading it while at the gym. I got many funny looks. "Who is the crazy girl laughing her head off while wheezing on the elliptical machine?!?! She is clearly unwell!"


The World: I adored the setting and world building in this book (well, in all three really!) I mean... modern day England + magic and all kinds of supernatural powers = AWESOME! I can honestly say that I think this may be the only book I've read with pipers (think the pied piper!) Also, I want "the market" to be a real place. I just loved learning about the history and how the different groups fit together. 


Tough Girls: Oh man.... Sin and Mae. SO MUCH AWESOME!!! These aren't just girls who are tough on the surface. They are deep down fierce. They are also loyal and loving and imperfectly wonderful. They stand up for themselves and protect those they love. There is a scene where Sin and Mae draw their weapons and stand protectively in front of the boys. I think I read it like ten times. It is one of my very favorite scenes... like, ever.


If you haven't read The Demon's Lexicon I highly recommend that you do ASAP! Sarah Rees Brennan is one of my very favorite authors. Her writing style, humor, and awesome characters make her books ones you don't want to miss! 

Waiting on Wednesday (49)

Waiting on Wednesday

Unspoken

by Sarah Rees Brennan

Release Date: September 11, 2012

Published by: Random House Books

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the- Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

Sarah Rees Brennan brings Gothic romance kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century with a funny, modern heroine who can take care of herself, an angry, beautiful boy who needs to be saved, and the mysterious forces that bring them together and tear them apart.

I'm cheating here because I've already read this one but OH MY STARS I need a finished copy on my shelf. I am so in love with this book. And just look at that gorgeous cover!!! You need to go to The Book Smugglers  and check out the cover reveal to see the whole thing. It is a thing of beauty. Also, if you comment on The Book Smugglers cover reveal post you are entered to win an ARC! You have until March 24th so hurry! You really, really want to read this one!

Awkward: Review

Awkward

Author: Marni Bates
Publisher: Kensington 
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Pages: 300
Source: Finished copy received for blog tour


About the Book: Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes, she even catches the eye of the most popular guy at school. And that's when life gets really interesting...


My Thoughts: This book was such a treat to read. It had me smiling and giggling throughout. Don't get me wrong, there were parts where I was cringing and wasn't sure I could read because I was so embarrassed for Mackenzie.  But even in the midst of that... it. was. awesome.


I loved the characters so much! They were fun and their relationships were well played out.  I want to be friends with Mackenzie and her crew. I also really loved Mackenzie's mom and brother. It was such an authentic family relationship. Mackenzie in general was just great. She was so fun to get to know. I love that she had a good head on her shoulders and had integrity. Sure, she made some mistakes. Still, she remained true to who she was. I like for teen girls to see characters like this.


An aspect of the book I didn't expect was some of the discussion brought up about assumptions we make about other and the use of words like "skank" and "slut." I was totally impressed with how it all worked in to the story. It wasn't preachy at all but the ideas were still explored. I know I'm being vague but I don't want to spoil the story line. 


The only drawbacks I noticed? A couple of the pop culture references. When I asked the teens I worked with none of them even looked at AOL... ever. Also, Teen People stopped being a magazine in 2006. Apparently it's still part of People's website but again, none of the teens I know would ever talk about it. That could of course be a regional thing. I still love, love, loved this book!


Awkward is a delightful read that is hard to put down! Mackenzie will work her way in to your heart and keep you laughing hours after you put the book down. If you're looking for a great contemporary read look no further! Awkward fits the bill!

Magic Under Glass

Magic Under Glass

Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: December 22, 2009
Pages: 225
Series: Magic Under, book one
Source: Checked out from my school LMC


About the Book: Nimira is a foreign music-hall girl forced to dance for mere pennies. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing with a piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new and better life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets are beginning to stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumors swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry's involvement with a league of sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. Then Nimira discovers the spirit of a fairy gentleman named Erris is trapped inside the clockwork automaton, waiting for someone to break his curse. The two fall into a love that seems hopeless, and breaking the curse becomes a race against time, as not just their love, but the fate of the entire magical world may be in peril.


My Thoughts: I ordered this book for my middle school LMC shortly after it was released. I could not wait to read it! As is often the case my reading pile was bigger than I had time to read. Since I didn't want to keep this book out of the hands of my students I reluctantly put it on the shelf. Fast forward to this school year. One of my students read Magic Under Glass and fell in love with it. She said I just had to read it! When my students are passionate about a book I make a point to check it out. I am so glad I did! 


Magic Under Glass combines many elements I love... historical setting, a world similar to ours (but not quite) fairies, magic, automaton, mystery, a creepy manor, and, as the description says, "a madwoman roaming the halls." Did you catch that? A madwoman roaming the halls. How are you not rushing off to read this now?!? 


I really enjoyed Nimira, Erris, Hollin, and the other characters. I didn't like them all but they were interesting and well written. I loved learning about the world the story is set in and especially Nimira's background. The book has a gothic feel that I just couldn't get enough of. 


Jaclyn Dolamore has written a lovely and intriguing story. The end will have you begging for the next book. Thankfully Magic Under Stone was recently released so you don't have to wait! 

In My Mailbox (52)

In My Mailbox

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs.

In which I am grateful, spend too much time waving bookmarks around, and let my Hunger Games geek show.

For my students:

The Selection bookmarks from Kiera Cass 

Jimmy Coates series and more from Joe Craig

Thank you both!!!!!

For Review:

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

Purchased:

Hunger Games District Identification Pass free from CafePress through http://thecapitol.pn/

The Hunger Games Nail Polish from Hot Topic

Entertainment Weekly Hunger Games Issue


Also, I always forget to include my netgalley books but this one is so super awesomely fabulous that I had to share. 

How beautiful is that cover? I want it on my wall! And guys, I couldn't wait! I've already read it and it is so, so, so, so good! Seriously! You just have to read it. The main character, Kami? She is the greatest. Like, I want her to be my friend. You will too. Trust me. 

Goddess Interrupted

Goddess Interuppted

Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Pages: 304
Series: Goddess Test, book two
Source: E-galley from NetGalley

***Spoilers for book one but NOT book two!***

About the Book: Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.
Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future... Henry's first wife, Persephone.


My Thoughts: As I stated in my review of The Goddess Test, I feel like books like this were made for me. I love the way Aimee Carter incorporates the Greek mythology in to modern day. I also love that this story is a continuation of the Greek myths, not just a retelling (don't get me wrong, I LOVE retellings too!) 


The Goddess Test ended with Kate leaving for her "time off" from the Underworld. Goddess Interrupted finds her back and about to be crowned queen. Kate is excited but also unsure. She and Henry have been apart for months. She loves him but how does he feel about her? Did he miss her? Is he still in love with Persephone?Can she handle this? She has no idea what he's thinking and she is plagued by doubts. As we know from book one Henry isn't the best at communication or figuring out what Kate is feeling. Through in Calliope (who is still crazy obsessed with Henry), a titan reawakened, and the return of Persephone and you can see why it's Goddess Interrupted!


I was just as captivated by this book as book one. It doesn't suffer from the middle book syndrom we so often see. There is a complete storyline and the reader is set up for what is to come. I love it when I finish a book and I am satisfied but also dying for the next one! Aimee Carter achieves that with Goddess Interrupted. Many of your questions will be answered but the ending will have you screaming for book three! 


NOTE: There is also a e-book novella that takes place between The Goddess Test and Goddess Interrupted  called The Goddess Hunt. You don't have to read it but I recommend it. It's wonderful and it gives you some insight to some of the characters. Also, there is a line in Goddess Interrupted when Kate alludes to The Goddess Hunt. It's much more fun if you've read it! 

Delirium

Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: Feb. 1, 2011
Pages: 441
Series: Delirium, book one
Source: E-galley from netgalley, purchased finished copy


About the Book: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. 

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.
My Thoughts: I know, I know. Where have I been that I haven't read this one yet?! While everyone else was reading Pandemonium I was finishing up Delirium. I have a confession... this is one of the first books I ever got access to on netgalley. I started reading it right away and was loving it. Then everyone started talking about the end and how they cried and how much they needed the next book and I just couldn't deal. So I stopped. It wasn't because I didn't like the book but because I did. This does not make sense to a lot of people but it worked for me. Now that Pandemonium is out I felt like I could go back and finish this one. I had Pandemonium on hand as a security blanket so to speak. 


The whole idea for this book captured my attention. I mean, love as a disease that a "treatment" can fix?!?! Romeo & Juliet as a cautionary tale?!?! Genius! I loved all the "medical" excerpts about the disease and learning more about the rationale behind the society. I was captivated. I just wanted to know more and more and more.


Lena and the other characters really appealed to me as well. They are regular teens living in this world. Being a teenager can be confusing enough. When you have the different influences that Lena has things get even messier. I hesitate to say too much more because I don't want to be spoilery. All I'll say is that I loved Alex and all the scenes with him!


Delirium is an absorbing book that will transport you to a society you won't forget. 


Sidenote: Remember that one time I met and interviewed Lauren Oliver? That was awesome! 

Waiting on Wednesday (48)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. It's a weekly meme to talk about what upcoming book we're most looking forward to reading

.

Waiting on Wednesday

Vessel

by Sarah Beth Durst

Release Date: September 11, 2012

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry

In a desert land where serpents made of unbreakable glass fly through the sky and wolves made of only sand hunt within storms, Liyana is destined to be a vessel, to sacrifice herself so that her clan’s goddess can inhabit her body... but her goddess never comes.

Ummm, all I have to say is, "Yes, please!" I mean, unbreakable glass serpents? Sand wolves? I. am. in. love. I love the cover. I love the blurb. I love that Tamora Pierce called it "Unique and breathtaking -- Sarah Beth Durst outdoes herself, again!" Tamora Pierce said that. I've read a couple of Sarah Beth Durst's other books and enjoyed them so I am super excited to read this one! 

"Awkward" Moments

Because I think Awkward by Marni Bates is so much fun I am on two blog tours for it! Yay for Awkward! 

Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes, she even catches the eye of the most popular guy at school. And that's when life gets really interesting...

For today's tour stop I emailed some of my lovely blogger friends and asked a very nosey question... what was your most awkward/embarrassing moment from middle or high school? The fact that so many of them replied with stories just proves how awesome they are! Obviously I couldn't ask something of them that I wouldn't do myself so here you go... my awkward story:


I was at the mall with some friends. Some how I ended up at a store with this boy who I thought was totally beautiful. We were standing in line waiting to pay and a song by U2 came on. Of course I have to comment, "I love U2!" He hears, "I love you, too!" and was like.... "Um, I didn't say anything." He had this panicked look on his face and was clearly thinking of not buying anything and just running from the store. Yeah, I wanted to die. I stammered out, "I meant, you know, the band. U2. Like, the letter and number?" The song was over by that time and I'm still not sure he believes I wasn't professing my undying love for him. Awkward Heidi is awkward. 


Now check out some awesome awkwardness from amazing bloggers:


Pam from Bookalicious:

I was in 7th grade and first chair clarinet player (still the highlight of my life- the day I beat the evil Anne Buckley in a duel for first chair). We had to go out of town for a district wide competition. The school we traveled to was huge, I was incredibly overwhelmed being from a very small town. We were put in a large auditorium with seating that you had to climb stairs to access. I saw the hottest trumpet player ever. Our eyes locked, I knew in that moment that I would marry him and have musical babies- until I fell. Down the steps in a skirt and showed my Monday panties to the whole auditorium. The worst part? It was Wednesday. The boy turned away and I never saw him again. 

Jacinda from The Reading Housewives of Indiana:

I was 18 and a senior in high school. I was at the mall shopping with my boyfriend’s sister Sarah. We are walking around the mall and out of nowhere I spot my ex-boyfriend Tim. Of course he decides he wants to talk to me which is awkward because he’s my ex and I broke-up with him and what made it worse was Sarah standing right next to me having to listen to it all. THAT IS NOT ALL! Sarah and I were walking outside back to our car after shopping. I see someone running towards us. GUESS WHO IT IS?! It’s Tim! He runs up to me with a bag in his hand. He gives me the bag and tells me it’s a gift for me and to open it once he left. I get in the car and open the bag and inside was a fairy figurine. To this day I have no idea why he would buy me that. I went home and gave it to my mom. 

Ange from Libby Blog:

Ok, this is the worst ever, ready? Are you sure you're ready? I danced my whole life. Tap, Jazz and Ballet...but in 8th grade I wasn't the thinnest thing that ever was like my classmates and dancemates around me. That later evened out in high school, but in 8th grade I was not a fan of my body and when we were at the big dress rehearsals in Madison at the Barrymore Theatre, the dressing rooms are tiny and shoving a bunch of girls together in them changing makes for no room at all. I danced multiple times and my friends didn't so they were forever waiting for me which was awkward on its own, but then on this day my pal forgot to lock the door and in walks the incredibly adorable son of the owner of the academy who was our age and I WAS NAKED from the waist down!!!! OMG! (To explain that I'm not weird, you do not wear undies with tights in dance!) His eyes got big, he ran away, I almost died and finished dressing, I was mortified for the rest of my time there at that academy! Awful!! 
How's that for an embarrassing moment!?  

Ginger from GReads!:

I was a junior in high school and had just walked out of my history class with two of my friends which happened to be on the second floor of our school.  As girls usually do, we were busy chattering about who knows what as we made our way to our next class.  As we descended down the stairs, I was busy talking and I totally missed the last step!  I remember attempting to catch myself, but my ankle rolled under me and I completely fell to the ground.  My friends that were with me immediately wanted to laugh, but I could tell they were concerned too because I wasn't getting up off the floor.  To make matters worse, I started to back up traffic on the stairwell because I really could NOT get up from off the floor!  Every time I tried to stand, my ankle would give out on me.  So my friends being the awesome people that they are, they each got on one side of me and tried to be makeshift crutches so that I could hobble out of the way & traffic could resume.  Realizing my "fall" was pretty bad, one of them left & went to get the nurse, who then returned with a wheel chair!!!!!  As I was trying to get myself together I realized my backpack must have busted open as I fell too because all my books and papers were every where.  Awesome.  I just remember thinking.. wheel me out of here, NOW!!  After a trip to the doctor I found out that I had torn the ligaments in my foot.  I was put in to a brace & on crutches for 6 weeks.  All because I was too busy talking and not watching where I was walking!  So embarrassing!!

Erica from The Book Cellar:

There was a girl I danced with for years, and I didn't really like her because she was really mean and snobby. She ended up in my class in 6th grade. One day, we were reading aloud popcorn style, where you raise your hand to read next and the person reading calls on the next person. She pointed at who I thought was me, so I started reading. She was actually pointing to the guy behind me and threw a huge fit about how she did not call on me. I was so embarrassed and wanted to hide. It was soooo awkward. 

Lynn from Bringing the Epic:

I was in love. Dead, in love, with Dylan Germick. I would have traded my life or my best friends, sorry Jen, for a shot at being with Dylan. He didn't know I was alive. Actually, he did. But he pretended he didn't. It would be hard not to notice a girl giggling out of control with her kinky red hair, no eyebrows and scrawny lanky body every time you walked by. I had perfected my "married" name in every single notebook, I just knew that one day he'd notice me and we'd be together forever! Lucky for me, my "friend" had a brother who was best friends with Dylan! Lucky me! So her big brother would say hi occasionally, he'd stop and talk to my cute friends and flirt with them; but I knew my place - I was the tag along. And I was ok with it. I'd make it someday! That day finally came as I was listening to music in my room. The phone rang and it was my "friends" brother! He wanted to know what I thought about Dylan. Well DUH I loved him! I tried to play it cool but I distinctly remember my voice cracking and an awkward laugh coming out here and there. Then he said, "Dylan actually really likes you and he wants to go on a date. Would you be cool with that?" UH - YES! I eagerly agreed and was getting the details to set it all up when I heard a third voice on the phone. Very faintly. And then laughing. And Friends-Brother says, "Hahaha, it was a joke. Dylan doesn't want to go on a date with you!" Dylan had been on three-way the whole time. And he knew it was a joke. He listened in the whole time and only spoke up when he was going to be forced to listen to the details of our "date."
Super funny joke. There were 90 people in my graduating class. About 350-400 in the school total. I saw my friends big brother and Dylan every freaking day. And I wasn't "cool" enough to say anything that would make a difference. MOR-TI-FIED. 

Lisa from Lisa is Busy Nerding: 

Let me be real here for a second. My entire Middle School experience was awkward. Like, on the daily. My best friend Whitney and I hung out almost exclusively with each other (which was awesome), but when one or the other of us was sick - we were left to fend for ourselves amongst the various aquaintences we had aquired. Still, we survived. In High School, my awkwardness was mostly contained and kept on the down low as much as possible. I was a closet gamer (would stay up into the wee hours playing Final Fantasy 7 and telling everyone else that I was totally studying for that biology test) but openly in band. I mean, you can't hide being in band. It is what it is. Given that I've had a plethora of awkward experiences in my life, allow me to share one that is awkward and cringeworthy and just a tad awesome. I had a crush on this boy. We shall call him Colin. Colin and I were good friends and joked around and flirted and all of the things. He was a year younger than me, so we didn't hang out in the same social circles at school. We would talk on the phone, hang out in groups on the weekend, and generally had fun together. And, as with most girls, I couldn't tell if he liked me. I mean, he ACTED like he liked me...but nothing ever came of it. This went on for YEARS. So finally, one day, I grew a pair and when we were on the phone one night I said "Colin, listen. I'm glad we're friends but I really like you. I'm not down with playing the mind games so just tell me straight up if you feel the same." "Uhhhh, no. Not really." Awkward? OH YES. Cringeworthy? I still shudder remembering it. The awesome element? That I was straightforward and JUST ASKED HIM instead of wondering forever. We remained friends after that as I was just happy to finally know the business.

Tara from Fiction Folio:

It was my first day of 7th grade, which in my town was a huge deal. I grew up in such a small town that we didn't have a middle school - kindergarten through 6th grade was in the elementary school and 7th through 12th grade was in the high school. So you can only imagine how the first day of 7th grade would go, sharing the hallways with juniors and seniors you completely idolized. I somehow made it through the first half of the day and was downstairs in the cafeteria eating lunch. Don't ask me why, but I was wearing khaki-colored pants and decided I really wanted a fruit punch out of the vending machine. As I sat down with my open can of fruit punch, it completely dumped into my lap in a not-so-great place. Think about it - a big red stain on the front of khaki pants. I had to walk around the rest of the day with my entire lap covered in red, which looked like something was massacred on my lap... or something else. While I wasn't completely ridiculed, I definitely got the "OMG" stare from those older idols I then never wanted to see again. Needless to say, I was mortified and didn't wear khaki-colored pants for years.

What good sports! I'm glad I'm not the only one with embarrassing moments! In appreciation of my blogging pals willingness to share their embarrassing moments and because this book is so great I am giving away two copies! Simply use the rafflecopter widget below to enter. 


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