Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Amazon Plot Review: "“What is the statute of limitations on feeling guilty for cheating on a ghost?” Anna writes in her journal, or rather, writes to Matt, her first true love and her best friend Frankie’s brother. More than a year has passed since Matt’s sudden death, and all that time Anna has kept her brief relationship with Matt a secret from Frankie. Matt had planned to tell his sister but died before he had the opportunity. Now, while on a beach vacation with Frankie’s family, Anna finds herself falling for cute, sensitive Sam against her will—if she can love someone else, does that mean she no longer loves Matt? Anna approaches this issue and other big questions with the insight and maturity that come when a young person loses someone he or she cares deeply about. Anna’s authentic voice and some lyrical writing will satisfy fans of Sarah Dessen, while the mix of romance, drama, and tragedy will be a draw for teen readers of Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult." Grades 9-11. --Heather Booth --

My Thoughts:
When I picked up the book to skim, I didn't even realize that I'd read the first 30 pages, until someone interrupted me. So yes, this book has a GREAT opening. This book is a heavy romance contemp, so if your like me, and go gah gah over good love stories, you'll like it. However, this novel is a sad romance, great, but sad.

I Kissed a Zombie, and I Liked It by Adam Selzer

Plot: "For 18-year-old Algonquin "Alley" Rhodes, living in an era in which vampires, werewolves, and zombies are the norm is not what it's cracked up to be. Unlike most human girls at her high school, dating, especially the undead variety, is the last thing on her mind. Alley just wants to leave Cornersville Trace, go to college, and make something of herself. But then, while critiquing a local band for the school newspaper, Alley the Ice Queen falls head over heels for the guest singer. Like Alley, Doug truly loves music, and she feels as if he is singing just for her. They begin dating, and Alley overlooks what is obvious to everyone else. Doug isn't just a Goth—he isn't even human—he's a zombie. As Alley's world is turned upside down, she must make decisions with major ramifications for her future. The story is original, funny, unpredictable, romantic, and tragic. Selzer explores some basic teen issues like love, friendship, acceptance, commitment, and loss in a way that is realistic and that will make readers question their own values. An excellent addition to libraries with an occult following."—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY


My Thoughts: The main character, Alley or Gonk (she'll answer to either), is sooooooooo snarky, and I have such a soft spot for snarky characters. I love the idea of post-humans, aka vamps, zombies, and werewolves, being out and about in public life--reminds me a little of Sookie Stackhouse world. While most of the time I think of zombies looking like this--

--totally not kissable--Adam does a great job making the love intrest, Doug, seem really hot, despite the whole dead guy thing. Over all great book, really short, and easy to read. If you like YA novels with supernatural elements, this one is for you!!


Watch the book trailer here! Really funny!

Where the Cool Kids Hang! Introducing GotYA

You guys remember Old People Writing for Teens, right? Well, we needed a facelift, and lets be honest, blogger is the best. Now, you guys can follow all of our nutty antics, because guess what...Blogger lets you have followers (Click here to visit GotYA)! Yippeeeee!! So we all figured, since we are movng blogging sites anyway, lets spruce up a bit and show you a little more about our personalitites.

Warning!!! The following promo video showcasing the crazy skills of the wacky girls of GotYA may cause uncontrolled laughter, so please don't watch it where you'll get busted, because we may not have enough bail money to go around!

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

"From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Sutter Keely, a high school senior, is determined to live in the moment. He eschews planning for the future, intent on letting the good times roll. Sutter's been downing six packs since seventh grade and is rarely without his flask of Seagram's. Despite the heavy drinking and some raunchy sex talk, he is initially a likable character with a fresh and funny voice, but his affability wanes quickly and that voice just doesn't ring true. He meets Aimee when he passes out on her front yard. Sutter isn't really interested at first and only dates her because he considers her a project, someone he can help become less of a social outcast. Along the way, he begins to come off as condescending and egotistical and his sarcasm isn't as comic. It's a well-written book told in first person, but the narration seems much too sophisticated to be believable. He uses phrases like, "I am…sore at heart" and utters phrases like, "the room brimmed with padded chairs." Some of the plot is also disconcerting. As the result of Sutter's drunk driving, Aimee is struck by a car on a highway and suffers only a broken arm. The story ends with Sutter drinking in a bar, assured he's a hero after dumping Aimee, and rejoicing about feeling nothing.—Patricia N. McClune, Conestoga Valley High School Library, Lancaster, PA  Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."
My Thoughts:

I love male MC narrated stories, there's just not enough of them IMO. Sutter is a party boy, and he practically leaps off the page. The story itself is a contemp, and it deals with some very real situation that teens deal with on a daily basis. It's almost like your involved in some juicy high school gossip. The author, Tim Tharp, has done an awesome job of getting inside the mind of a teenage guy. Any of my writing peeps looking for a well done male POV, check this one out.

Deadly Little Lies (Touch, Book 2) by Laurie Faria

Product Description by Amazon

"Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, the mysterious new boy at school who turned out to have a very mysterious gift--pyschometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry, and experiencing her own strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow rubbed off on her. Can the power of psychometry be transferred?

Even once Ben returns to school, Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Despite the romantic tension between them, Ben remains aloof, avoiding contact. Then when an unexpected kiss leads to a frightening argument, Camelia makes the painful decision to let Ben go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at work, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. Adam is easygoing, and seems to really care about her.

But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events upturns secrets from Ben's past--and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it’s up to Camelia to figure out who—before it’s too late." ---Amazon discription

My thoughts:

I looooved the first book. There is a similarty in the first book to another book I love dearly--a boy saving a girl in the parking lot from a speeding car that almost crushes her--the second book continues the twisted romance between Ben and Camelia. This is a great series with a touch of supernatural element and HAWT romance. I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well. The best friend is quirky, while the guy side kick blends well with the two girls. This is the kind of book you get sucked into, and don't even realize you've read 30 pages.

MUST READ, if you like paranormal romance. :D

<----Book One