New Crayons, Nominations & My Guest Post

Whew it's been a busy week! I still have a party to plan for one of my friends and to finish buying all my friends gifts (I know, I know, I'm awful for doing this after Christmas). I have been reading A TON. I have about 10 books waiting to be reviewed so hopefully I'll be able to get those reviews written and scheduled to run this upcoming week and the week leading up to finals.

New Crayons is when we share what books we got with a multicultural theme. Hosted by Color Online

This week I got exactly what I needed which is 'lighter' reads. I've been reading some intense books lately and I really need some good books with less complexity.


Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger

Release Date: January 10, 2011 (but it's already available to buy)

Jasbir, a.k.a. Jazz, has always been a stellar student and an obedient, albeit wise-cracking, daughter. Everything has gone along just fine--she has good friends in the "genius" program she's been in since kindergarten, her teachers and principal adore her, and her parents dote on her. But now, in her junior year of high school, her mother hears that Jazz was seen hugging a boy on the street and goes ballistic. Mom immediately implements the Guided Dating Plan, which includes setting up blind dates with "suitable," pre-screened Indian candidates. The boy her mother sets her up with, however, is not at all what anyone expects; and the new boy at school, the very UNsuitable hottie, is the one who sets Jazz's blood boiling. When Jazz makes a few out-of-the-ordinary decisions, everything explodes, and she realizes she'll need a lot more than her genius education to get out of the huge mess she's in. Can Jazz find a way to follow her own heart, and still stay in the good graces of her parents?

-Gobbled this one up already and it's wonderful :) We need more books about teenagers of color with us doing everyday things. And interracial romance! And same culture romance! This book has us well on our way. Funny and heartwarming. Review to come in the new year. Thank you Neesha!!


How Lamar's Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen

Release Date: February 22, 2011

Thirteen-year-old Lamar Washington is the maddest, baddest, most spectacular bowler ever at Striker's Bowling Paradise. But while Lamar's a whiz at rolling strikes, he always strikes out with girls. And Lamar's brother, Xavier the Basketball Savior, is no help. Xavier earns trophy after trophy on the basketball court and soaks up all of Dad's attention, leaving no room in the house for Lamar's problems.

So Lamar starts hustling at the local alley with bad boy Billy Jenks. When one of their schemes goes awry, Lamar ends up ruining his brother's shot at college and wreaking havoc on every relationship in his life. Can Lamar figure out how to mend his broken ties, no matter what the cost?

-I've been wanting this for forever! Well it feels like forever. And now I'm waiting to read it till Jan 1, 2011 so that it will count for the debut YA/MG author challenge. I could really use a hilarious and uplifting read so close to finals. Thank you Zetta!

Reading in Color News

I got a Sony touch Ereader for Christmas! Pretty crazy. I didn't ask for it or even hint at it. But I know that I'm going to be using it to download classics for sure. Is there anything I need to know about the Sony Touch Ereader? I haven't charged it yet or read the instructions but I will try and figure it out soon. I welcome all and any tips =) I also got Decoded by Jay-Z. I'm SO PSYCHED to read this. Not sure if I'll review it but it's got a positively luminous cover and ahhh it's written by Jay-Z!! Love him (well his music anyway). I got other gifts to but those are the book-related ones.

I did a guest post for Steph Su about my top ten 2010 favorite female protagonists. Stop by and tell me your favorites, do you agree or disagree with my choices?

Finally I've been nominated for best blog of 2010 (reader's choice)! Say whaaa?? The competition is beyond ferocious but (not to sound like a total cliche) I'm just thrilled to even be nominated. Voting ends on Dec. 31 so if you think I deserve to win, please vote for me. Or just vote in general because there are a lot of really really great blogs nominated.

If you celebrate Christmas, did you get any bookish-related goodies? Do tell! If you don't celebrate Christmas, please share what new books you got for the week.