GreenBeanTeenQueen

Happy Holidays to all my wonderful blog readers!! I hope everyone has a wonderful time-and of course has the chance to read a book! :)

Don't you love those epic scenes in books and movies when you're anticipating and waiting for a couple to kiss and they almost do and then...they don't! To celebrate that No-Kiss Moment, Frankie Diane Mallis is hosting the third annual No Kiss Blogfest! Sign up at Frankie's blog to join in the fun!  Here are the details from Frankie: 1) Sometime between now and Jan 2, 2012 write a post about the No Kiss Blogfest to let everyone know you are participating and that they should too. Why? Because it's awesome! 2) Sign up for the No Kiss Blogfest on Frankie's blog. 3)Tweet about No Kiss Blogfest, using the hash tag: #nokissblogfest because #hashtagsareawesome 4) After you've recovered from New Years Eve, write a blog sharing your Almost Kiss, No Kiss Blogfest entry (either one from your WIP, one you just wrote, one from a book, movie or tv show, or even a really hot almost-kiss picture)and post on January 2, 2012!!! Because reading your posts ...

Rating: 3/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Release Date: 12/8/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Cam is a teen who is living with cancer. Her recent doctor visit didn't turn out well and she doesn't have much hope. But her mom isn't about to give up and convinces Cam that they should spend the summer in Promise, Maine, a place where miracles happen. Cam is cynical and doesn't believe in miracles, but in a town where flamingos visit and sunsets last forever, Cam has a summer to believe in miracles. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Tough topics like teens dying can be hard to write well. Sometimes they can come off as too cheesy and corny and Nicholas Sparksy. Other times they don't feel real and you don't like the characters. Wendy Wunder manages to pull off a story that makes you care about the characters and feels real without veering into a cheese-fest. Cam is a cynical character and at first I had a hard time relating her. But she grew on me as the novel w...

Day in the Life posts are inspired by Abby the Librarian's Day in the Life series. Many people wonder what it is librarians do all day! (No, we don't get to read books on the desk all day!) Since I've taken my position as Youth Services Manager it seems like my days are even more filled with meetings and scheduling and trainings. Here's a Day in the Life of a Youth Services Manager. 8:30-Arrive at work, turn on computers, wipe down keyboards and headsets, check schedule to see what we have planned for the day 8:40-9:00-Straighten up department, pick up books, take leftover DVD and CD cases up front, clean up Early Literacy Station Toy Centers (My library has Early Literacy Stations that have 9 rotating toy bins with toys like puzzles, plush food, word flashcards, plush mailbox, etc. Each toy goes along with our new Early Literacy Skills. We also have a puppet stage.) 9:00-9:10-Put simple craft out since there are no December storytimes to ease the pain of no stor...

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun and add your link below. Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary  Release Date: 8/2/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: It's been 157 days since Mimi's Mammy died. Her father only serves overcooked pizza for dinner and is always sad, her brother plays drums loudly every day and Mimi knows that her sister has a terrible secret (thanks to the peeks she has in her diary). As her family struggles to pull themselves together after tragedy, they learn to come together rely on each other and help each heal. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Mimi is a sweet yet sad story about family and loss. Mimi is struggling to understand the tragedy of her mother's death and is feeling out of place as each of family members grieve in their own way. Her brother plays drums, her father is distant and her sister has a secret that she's afraid to tell others. Even though ...

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Genre: Paranormal Release Date: 12/20/2011 Books In Series: Hearts At Stake , Blood Feud , Out for Blood Add to Goodreads About the Book: As the Blood Moon is about to begin, vampires from all over the world are gathering near the Drake compound. But not everyone is happy with the invites and a mysterious new tribe that wasn't invited is looking for a seat on the council. Their plan is to kidnap Lucy, because she's close to the Drake family. Everything goes wrong when they wind up with Lucy's cousin, Christabel instead. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: The Drake Chronicles is my favorite guilty pleasure series. I love the snarky, witty banter, the very hot Drake brothers, and the vampire mythos that Alyxandra Harvey has created. Each entry into the series is an engaging and entertaining read. I think Bleeding Hearts though is tied with book number one for my favorite in the series. I loved that Lucy was back as one of the narrators. She continues...

In Style has a gallery of sketches from various fashion designers taking on Katniss's famous fire dress. I'm not a huge fan of to many-Christian Siriano's is pretty cool and I think it captures the original. And this one by Rachel Roy is an outfit I want to own because I'm crazy like that! I think I've been watching too much Project Runway because I was totally critiquing them like Heidi! Thanks to Leila for the link!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Genre: Mob/Crime Fiction/Dystopian/A bit of Mystery Release Date: 9/6/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Anya Balanchine lives in a future where chocolate and caffeine is illegal and paper is rationed. As the daughter of a chocolate "mob boss" Anya could work in the family business. Anya wants nothing to do with the chocolate business that killed her parents and injured her brother. She wants as normal of a life as possible for herself and her siblings. But life gets complicated when Anya is accused of poising her ex-boyfriend with an illegal chocolate bar. I have loved Gabrielle Zevin's two previous YA novels, so I went into this book with high expectations. Luckily I was not disappointed! I was sucked into the story and couldn't put this book down until I had finished. The book is set in a future where the government has more control, things have been rationed due to supplies running low, and some items, such as chocolate, have beco...

There have been some contests here on the blog and I'm happy to announce the winners! Liesl and Po Giveaway Winner: Jen This Is Teen: Guys Reads Giveaway Winner: Candice Congrats! I hope you enjoy your books!

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun and add your link below. Rating: 3/5 Stars Genre: Graphic Novel Release Date: 8/20/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book:  Cupcake has a pretty great life-his bakery is doing well, he's in a band, and he has a great friend in Eggplant. But lately he's been struggling to bake. When Eggplant suggests that Cupcake join him on his trip to Turkey. It turns out Eggplant is old family friends with Cupcake's hero, Turkish Delight and Cupcake is sure that Turkish Delight has the answer to his baking woes. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I really enjoy Sara Varon's books and her art style (even if Robot Dreams made me a bit sad!) I love her artwork because she really knows how to put emotion into her characters and it makes the story come to life. Sure, talking food isn't real, but I believe it with Sara Varon's art. Bake Sale is an adorably funny book...

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Art Release Date: 9/22/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: A collection of artwork based on missed connections ads. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Not my usual fare, I know, but I do read some adult titles once in awhile! This book has been on my radar since I got the Love at First Sight poster from ALA which features a missed connection in a bookstore. (Sadly, this print is not incldued in the book). I love Sophie Blackall's artwork, so I was very excited for this collection! We've all read missed connections, right? (Admit it, I'm not the only one!) It's a fascinating peek into another person's story and in some ways it gives us hope that love can be found. Some are funny, some are strange, and some are heartbreaking. The introduction to the book made me nod along as Sophie explained her fascination with missed connection ads. Who hasn't read one and wondered what happend? (Or secretly wished there was one about you?) ...

Rating: 4/5 Stars Genre: Short Stories Release Date: 9/27/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Seven lost stories from the masterful Dr. Seuss compiled and published together for the first time in a new collection. From cautionary, lesson tales, to humor and fantastical new creatures, this is a must have for Dr. Seuss fans young and old! GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I think this book is best enjoyed on audio with wonderful narrators!! I'm always a bit nervous about "lost" stories, but I enjoyed this collection for the most part, especially after hearing about how they were short works originally published in magazines and newspapers. I thought I'd share a breakdown of what I liked or disliked about each story: The Bippolo Seed narrated by Neil Patrick Harris-I loved this story and I really thought it was the strongest of the book. It had the classic Seuss feel to it of silliness and a lesson in the end. I also liked the rhymes and felt they all worked well in...

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun and add your link below. Rating: 3/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary/Novel in Verse Release Date: 9/13/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Joylin is finding herself at the crossroads of middle school. She's always been content the way she is, playing basketball and enjoying her friend's. But now her best girl friend is flirting with her best guy friend and basketball seems different. Then Joylin notices Santiago and suddenly her clothes aren't right, she wants Santiago to notice her, and Joylin is feeling a bit left out. Why does middle school have to be so confusing? GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Planet Middle School is a short and sweet novel in verse. I listened to this book on audio and while I could tell it was written in verse, it still worked well on audio. I really enjoyed the narrator and she really drew me into the story and made Jaylin come to life. ...

I've always loved reading picture books, but since I took on my new position as Youth Services Manager, I've been reading picture books a lot more. I'm hoping to start reviewing picture books more regularly on the blog-you're never too old for picture books!! Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet How many times have I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and just accepted those balloons without wondering how they were created? That's what I love about this book-it introduces readers into a little known history of the balloons in the parade. I watched this year's parade with much more interest. The text is accessible and the story is simple enough for younger readers. A great new treat to read over the holidays! Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner When it snows where do the animals go? Told through parallel verse, we see what happens above the snow and underneath. The narrator is skiing ...

I'm a big geek and I love Star Trek -and I'm not afraid to admit it! So of course my geeky self was very excited when I saw this: A Star Trek board book ! You know what I'm going to be buying for gifts this Christmas!!

Looking for some great guys reads to gift this holiday season? Scholastic's This Is Teen  has you covered with three exciting books perfect for guys (or girls) looking for something to read! About the Book: “ The Eleventh Plague hits disturbingly close to home…An excellent, taut debut novel.” – Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade for food and other items essential for survival. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues, a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny...

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted here at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun and add your post below. Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Release Date: First published in 1972 Add to Goodreads About the Book: What happens when the meanest kids around want to appear in the annual Christmas Pageant? They don't know the story and everyone is braced for the worst pageant yet. But the Herdman's are about to change the Christmas Pageant in a way no one will forget. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I can't believe I haven't read this book before. Every Christmas I tell myself I'm going to pick it up and I never get to it. This is I checked it out and read it in one sitting (it's a short little book). I can see why this is a favorite book of many readers. The Herdmans are memorable characters and their antics are pretty funny. I was expecting more humor and silly things to happen at the pageant, so I was a bit dissapointed there. Even  though...

I am so happy to announce that GreenBeanTeenQueen is one of the hosts for Lauren Oliver's Liesl & Po Holiday Giveaway! If you're like me, you love giving books at the Holidays! Here are the giveaway details from Lauren: "I am so happy to announce a massive SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON GIVEAWAY! The holidays, as we all know, are a time of sharing--and frantic, last-minute gift-buying. In order to do my part to celebrate, I will be giving one lucky reader one signed and gift-wrapped copy of Liesl & Po, perfect as a present for under the tree (or beneath the Menorah!). I am thrilled to announce that I will be co-hosting this contest along with ten other fabulous bloggers and avid fans of L & P, so be sure to enter early and enter often! A winner will be selected from EACH blog, meaning that ten copies of Liesl & Po will land in the hands of a lucky child this holiday season. Winners will be selected on 12/12! I'm so sorry to all my international...

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Dystopian/Superhero/Adventure/Science Fiction Release Date: 11/15/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Juliette is dangerous. Her touch can kill. The Reestablishment locked her up for murder and she's been in isolation and hasn't spoken to anyone for 264 days. Until The Reestablishment decides they want to use Juliette and her powers. She could be the ultimate weapon. But there are murmurings of war, of rebellion. Juliette must decide just where her loyalties lie-be a weapon or be a warrior. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Shatter Me is an exciting debut that will be a great book to booktalk to fans of romantic adventure stories. The book keeps getting compared to the X-Men and it's easy to see why-Juliette has special powers and she's viewed as a strange being (much like a mutant). While there is a dystopian setting, but the dystopian aspects are very light. There are lots of questions left unanswered about the dystopian world Juliette ...

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens! Join the fun and add your link below! Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Genre: Contemporary Release Date: 9/19/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book : Mattie and her mom have moved too many times for Mattie's liking. Mattie hoping that this time moving in with Uncle Potluck will last-no more being the new girl. Mattie has a week until school starts which means one week to convince Uncle Potluck to take her on as a custodial apprentice. If Mattie writes everything down in her notebook and can convince Uncle Potluck he needs her, she can work with him at recess-away from the other fifth-graders. But what will happen when Mattie's custodial wisdom doesn't work the way she plans? GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I've been a big fan of Linda Urban's since reading her debut, A Crooked Kind of Perfect . It's one of my go-to tween novels, so I was thrilled when I saw she had a new b...

To help get you geared up for the 2011 Holiday Reading Challenge  I thought I'd get together a list of Holiday themed books I've enjoyed and books I'm looking forward to reading this year. I'd love to hear your suggestions as well-I'm always looking for new Holiday themed books! Sarah's Suggestions: Thank You Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson -A great look at the story behind Thanksgiving. Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed -I discovered this book several years back and it's now a tradition that Mr. GreenBeanSexyMan and I read this book every year. Last year, we had friends over for Christmas and I held "storytime" and read this book aloud! I'll be taking it to my in-laws and sharing it this year. I love the magic of the story. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle -Christmas and romance goes together and this short story collection of three romances that intertwine is ...

Participating in the 2011 Holiday Reading Challenge? Post the links to your holiday reviews here! Don't forget to check out other participants reviews-sharing is part of the fun!!:)

It's that time of year!! The holidays are upon us and there is nothing I love more than reading holiday themed books! Every year I try to find some holiday books (I especially love holiday romances!) so I thought I would share the fun in challenge form. Here are the challenge rules: -Challenge will begin November 21 and end December 31 . -There are three levels to the challenge:         - Rudolph -Read 1-4 Holiday Themed Books         - Buddy the Elf -Read 5-9 Holiday Themed Books         - Santa Claus -Read 10+ Holiday Themed Books -Books read must be holiday themed-(Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc) and can be directly related to the holidays (i.e. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas ) or set around the holidays (i.e. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor ) -Books can be any format (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook, graphic novel/comic, etc) -Childrens, YA and Ad...

If you've read my blog, you know Mr. GreenBeanSexyman (aka Andy, my husband). He enjoys reading, yet he is the one person who can continually stump me when it comes to finding him something to read. You see, he loves epic fantasy and that's the one genre I don't really read (well, adult epic fantasy). Here are his rules: -Swords and Sorcery -Dragons a plus -No Guns (although I made him read an article from Brandon Sanderson about his new book with guns and I'm hoping that changes his mind ;) -Prefer male main characters, but open to some female main characters -Would like it to be a series that is still being written that has some following and reviews -Intelligible names-(if he has to look up a pronunciation, chances are he won't read it) -Complex characters and plot -No D&D World-he's read many of them See what I mean? He's enjoyed Harry Potter, Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson, Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Sword of Trut...

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great books for tweens. Join the fun and add your link below! Rating: 3/5 Stars Genre: Fantasy/Dystopian Release Date: 8/30/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: In the world of Quill, when you turn 13 you are either kept or sent to the Death Farm. Alex has always known that he was an Unwanted and that his twin brother, Aaron, was Wanted. When Alex arrives at the death farm expecting his end, he discovers a place called Artime. The leader, Mr. Today, explains that the Unwanteds are all creative children and will learn magic using music and art. But twins are dangerous to be seperated and Alex still feels a pull to his brother in Quill. A battle between Artime and Quill is brewing and both sides must learn to protect themselves, including brother fighting against brother. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I have seen many reviews and blurbs for this book describing it as The Hunger Games meets Har...

OK, I know you've probably seen this everywhere else today, but I wanted to make sure my previous posts for today got some love before I posted this one. All I can say is WOW! I am even more excited for the movie now and I think it's going to be amazing. It looks like they are staying true to the book and I love the casting! What do you think?

Photo credit: Kristin Hoebermann Eve on Facebook               Eve on Twitter Please welcome author Anna Carey to GreenBeanTeenQueen! Anna is the author of the recently released novel, Eve, the first in a new dystopian trilogy. Be sure to stay posted on all the series news at The Eve Trilogy Website  and stay in touch with Anna with her blog. Eve has been optioned as a TV show from the producers of The Vampire Diaries, so you'll want to keep an eye on this series! Don't worry-I'll help you out! One lucky winner will recieve a signed copy of Eve! Note: There are some spoilers in the interview, so if you want to be surprised with the book, you've been warned!! Welcome Anna and thanks for answering some questions at GreenBeanTeenQueen! As I started reading Eve, I was thinking that the dystopian stories that freak me out the most are stories that involve repopulation and girls who become "baby factories." That begi...

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars Genre: Dystopian Release Date: 10/4/2011 Add to Goodreads About the Book: In a not too far off future, a virus has swept through and wiped out most of the population. Eve is about to graduate and believes that she will now get a job and learn a new trade. Instead she discovers the horrible fate that really awaits her and the other girls at the school. Deciding she can't stay, Eve flees the school and tries to survive. After a life of learning about the evils of men and how boys will only hurt her, Eve isn't sure what to do when she encounters a group of boys. She begins to trust Caleb, but when Eve discovers she is being hunted, she must choose between love and life. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Eve starts out by putting the reading right into the action. We don't spend much time with Eve at school-instead we learn right away what Eve is fleeing from-and let me tell you, it's an intense scene that will grip you! It's just the right amoun...