Waiting on Wednesday: The Whole Story of Half A Girl

The Whole Story of Half A Girl by Veera Hirandani

Release Date: January 10, 2012

After her father loses his job, Sonia Nadhamuni, half Indian and half Jewish American, finds herself yanked out of private school and thrown into the unfamiliar world of public education. For the first time, Sonia's mixed heritage makes her classmates ask questions—questions Sonia doesn't always know how to answer—as she navigates between a group of popular girls who want her to try out for the cheerleading squad and other students who aren't part of the "in" crowd.

At the same time that Sonia is trying to make new friends, she's dealing with what it means to have an out-of-work parent—it's hard for her family to adjust to their changed circumstances. And then, one day, Sonia's father goes missing. Now Sonia wonders if she ever really knew him. As she begins to look for answers, she must decide what really matters and who her true friends are—and whether her two halves, no matter how different, can make her a whole


-Sounds like a very timely novel in these harsh economic times. This book sounds like it will thankfully be less about the struggle of being bicultural/biracial and more about the hardship of having an unemployed parent.

What are you waiting on this week? Do you know of other YA books that deal with unemployment in the present?

Waiting on Wednesday: Irises

Irises by Francisco X. Stork

Release Date: January 1, 2012

TWO SISTERS: Kate is bound for Stanford and an M.D. -- if her family will let her go. Mary wants only to stay home and paint. When their loving but repressive father dies, they must figure out how to support themselves and their mother, who is in a permanent vegetative state, and how to get along in all their uneasy sisterhood.

THREE YOUNG MEN: Then three men sway their lives: Kate's boyfriend Simon offers to marry her, providing much-needed stability. Mary is drawn to Marcos, though she fears his violent past. And Andy tempts Kate with more than romance, recognizing her ambition because it matches his own.

ONE AGONIZING CHOICE: Kate and Mary each find new possibilities and darknesses in their sudden freedom. But it's Mama's life that might divide them for good -- the question of *if* she lives, and what's worth living for.

-It's Francisco Stork! Hands down he' s one of my favorite authors so I'd read this even if it didn't sound like another phenomenal, provocative read. Fortunately it sounds extremely promising.

This meme was created and is hosted by Breaking the Spine

What are you waiting on this week? Are you a fan of Francisco Stork? If so which book of his is your favorite??

Waiting on Wednesday: The Probability of Miracles

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Release Date: December 8, 2011

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

This meme is hosted by Breaking the Spine (sidenote: I recently learned what meme means but I forgot. But I remember thinking it made sense with the context I read it used in on blogs). I'm not really waiting on this book because I have too many books to read as it is. But I did want to spotlight it since the main character is half-Samoan. I can't even accurately pinpoint Samoa on a map so that fact alone intrigues me about the book. And while some say it's a stereotype to be sarcastic and very sick, I haven't read many of those books so I'm always on the watch for books with sarcastic main characters who refuse pity.

What are you waiting on this week? Starting next week I will no longer have any 2011 releases to feature unless people have some suggestions?

Waiting on Wednesday: Wolf Mark

Wolf Mark by Joseph Bruchac

Release Date: September 15

Luke King knows a lot of things. Like four different ways to disarm an enemy before the attacker can take a breath. Like every detail of every book he’s ever read. And Luke knows enough—just enough—about what his father does as a black ops infiltrator to know which questions not to ask. Like why does his family move around so much?

Luke just hopes that this time his family is settled for a while. He’ll finally be able to have a normal life. He’ll be able to ask the girl he likes to take a ride with him on his motorcycle. He’ll hang out with his friends. He’ll be invisible—just as he wants.

But when his dad goes missing, Luke realizes that life will always be different for him. Suddenly he must avoid the kidnappers looking to use him as leverage against his father, while at the same time evading the attention of the school’s mysterious elite clique of Russian hipsters, who seem much too interested in Luke’s own personal secret. Faced with multiple challenges and his emerging paranormal identity, Luke must decide who to trust as he creates his own destiny.

-I'm currently reading this book and it starts off rather slow but I would definitely say hang in there because some crazy stuff is going down right now :) I've read a few other books by Joseph Bruchac and I've liked them so I'm glad that Wolf Mark so far continues that tradition. And I really needed a good mystery, even better that it's a spy novel.

What are you waiting on this week? By the 3rd week of October I'm going to 2012 releases because I can't find any more 2011 releases! I'm not sure if that's good or bad....

Waiting on Wednesday: Circus Galacticus

Circus Galacticus by Deva Fagan

Release Date: November 15, 2011

Trix can deal with being an orphan charity case at a snotty boarding school. She can hold her own when everyone else tells her not to dream big dreams. She can even fight back against the mysterious stranger in a silver mask who tries to steal the meteorite her parents trusted her to protect.

But her life is about to change forever. The Circus Galacticus has come to town, bringing acts to amaze, delight, and terrify. And now the dazzling but enigmatic young Ringmaster has offered Trix the chance to be a part of it.
Soon Trix discovers an entire universe full of deadly enemies and potential friends, not to mention space leeches, ancient alien artifacts, and exploding chocolate desserts. And she just might unravel the secrets of her own past—if she can survive long enough.

-I'm not certain if this is YA or MG. I can definitely feel myself pulling away from MG but regardless of age group this book sounds like it will be a wild ride! Plus I really really liked The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle so I'm happily anticipating picking up another book by Deva Fagan :)

I'm a hopeless blogger right now and will be until November 1. Anyone else struggling through senior classes/college apps? What book(s) are you waiting on this week? Enjoying the random fall weather (if you have it)?

Waiting on Wednesday: Fox & Phoenix

Fox and Phoenix (Long Ciy, #1) by Beth Bernobich

Release Date: October 13, 2011

The king of Lóng City is dying. For Kai Zōu, the news means more than it does for most former street rats in the small mountain stronghold, because he and the king's daughter are close friends. Then the majestic ruler of the ghost dragons orders Kai to travel across the country to the Phoenix Empire, where the princess is learning statecraft. In a court filled with intrigue, Kai and his best friend Yún must work together to help the princess escape and return to Lóng City. A refreshing mixture of magic, wit, and action, Fox and Phoenix is an auspicious debut.

-Asian-inspired fantasy yes please. And oh yeah, it's blurbed by Tamora Pierce. 'Nuff said.

What are you waiting on this week? Are you ready for fall, specifically fall books?

Waiting on Wednesday: Jefferson's Sons

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Release Date: September 15, 2011

Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston are Thomas Jefferson's children by one of his slaves, Sally Hemings, and while they do get special treatment - better work, better shoes, even violin lessons - they are still slaves, and are never to mention who their father is. The lighter-skinned children have been promised a chance to escape into white society, but what does this mean for the children who look more like their mother? As each child grows up, their questions about slavery and freedom become tougher, calling into question the real meaning of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Told in three parts from the points of view of three of Jefferson's slaves - Beverly, Madison, and a third boy close to the Hemings family - these engaging and poignant voices shed light on what life was like as one of Jefferson's invisible offspring.

-I wish the story was being told from Harriet's viewpoint as well. I read her story in Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi but there were reports of historical inaccuracy so I really want to read something else about her (though I did enjoy the story a lot). I'm always baffled at how Jefferson kept his children as slaves so I'm definitely intrigued to read about how the children feel. And I don't know much about slavery during the colonial period (a point in time I never much cared for but I should still learn about it). Plus I haven't read a GREAT historical fiction in quite some time and I really need a historical fiction fix.

Breaking the Spine hosts this meme

What are you waiting on this week? Are you familiar with the history of the Hemings/Jefferson children?

Waiting on Wednesday: What You Wish For

What You Wish For: A Book for Darfur by various authors and poets, BookWish Foundation

Release Date: September 15, 2011

A stellar collection from Newbery medalists and bestselling authors written to benefit Darfuri refugees

With contributions from some of the best talent writing for children today, What You Wish For is a compelling collection of affecting, inspiring, creepy, and oft-times funny short stories and poems all linked by the universal power of a wish - the abstract things we all wish for - home, family, safety and love.

From the exchange of letters between two girls who have never met but are both struggling with the unexpected curves of life, to the stunning sacrifice one dying girl makes for another, to the mermaid who trades her tail for legs, to the boy who unwittingly steals an imp's house, and to the chilling retelling of Cinderella, What You Wish For brings together a potent international roster of authors of note to remember and celebrate the Darfuri refugees and their incredible story of survival and hope.

-I didn't want to type out the names of all the authors included in this anthology but allow me to share the ones I'm most excited about (these being authors whose work I am somewhat familar with); FRANCISCO STORK (I will read anything anything anything by him), Alexander McCall Smith, Sofia Quintero and Nikki Giovanni. New authors I'm eager to read: Meg Cabot, John Green and Naomi Shihab Nye. Best of all? 100% of proceeds go the UN Refugee Angency to build libraries in refugee camps. I just found a new organization (BookWish) to support (as if I needed another one)! And if you pre-order the book (like moi-although I haven't done it YET) from Better World Books (another amazing business/organization), 100% of the proceeds will go to the Book Wish Foundation.

So why haven't you pre-ordered it yet?! We should all get on that :)

What are you waiting on this week?

PS I'm thinking of doing a spotlight on different literacy based non-profits every month (or at least a for-profit that donates proceeds to helping literacy, RED is an example except I'm not sure if they focus on literacy. They do phenomenal things though!). Anyone have any recommendations of some great non-profits I should research?

Waiting on Wednesday: Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. They had been best friends since they were six, spending hot Minneapolis summers and cold Minneapolis winters together, dreaming of Hogwarts and Oz, superheroes and baseball. Now that they were eleven, it was weird for a boy and a girl to be best friends. But they couldn't help it - Hazel and Jack fit, in that way you only read about in books. And they didn't fit anywhere else.

And then, one day, it was over. Jack just stopped talking to Hazel. And while her mom tried to tell her that this sometimes happens to boys and girls at this age, Hazel had read enough stories to know that it's never that simple. And it turns out, she was right. Jack's heart had been frozen, and he was taken into the woods by a woman dressed in white to live in a palace made of ice. Now, it's up to Hazel to venture into the woods after him. Hazel finds, however, that these woods are nothing like what she's read about, and the Jack that Hazel went in to save isn't the same Jack that will emerge. Or even the same Hazel.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

-I'm not familiar with the fairytale "The Snow Queen" (I thought it was going to be like Hanzel and Gretel at first) but I'm looking forward to learning about the original and seeing how it was reinterpreted. This seems like the perfect winter tale however so I wish I could wait till December to read it! But reviews call :) Perhaps a re-read will be in order...

I need more books to wait on! I have no more 2011 releases once I reach October (I pre-schedule all my WoW posts), any recommendations? What are you waiting on??

Waiting on Wednesday: My Own Worst Frenemy

My Own Worst Frenemy by Kimberly Reid

Release Date: August 30, 2011

Straight outta the Mile High City, Chanti Evans is an undercover cop's daughter and an exclusive private school's newest student. But Chanti is learning fast that when it comes to con games, the streets have nothing on Langdon Prep.

With barely a foot in the door, fifteen-year-old Chanti gets on the bad side of school queen bee Lissa and snobbish Headmistress Smythe. They've made it their mission to take Chanti down and she needs to find out why, especially when stuff begins disappearing around campus, making her the most wanted girl in school, and not in a good way. But the last straw comes when she and her Langdon crush, the seriously hot Marco Ruiz, are set up to take the heat for a series of home burglaries--and worse. . . .

-I've actually already read this book but I'm saving my review for around the release date. It was quite good! The 'villain' isn't obvious and it's a plausible mystery with realistic (at least to me) clues and situations. Chanti is down-to-earth, intelligent and a bit awkward, which was a lot of fun.

What are you waiting on this week? Do you read lots of mysteries?

Waiting on Wednesday: Possess

Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Release Date: August 23, 2011

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.

-I'm impressed by the cover, I think it's very cool. The cover is eerie and it reminds me of the woods which have always freaked me out. BTW it's being given away on Goodreads (I always enter these contests and never win). The idea of a teenage girl being an exorcist is extremely intriguing and I'll be salivating for this book to release!

This meme has been hosted for quite some time by Breaking the Spine

What are you waiting on this week? Does this book sound original to you or similar to other paranormal books? (I wouldn't really know).

Waiting on Wednesday: Ghetto Cowboy

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson

Release Date: August 9, 2011

From the 2011 Coretta Scott King Author Award winner comes a street-smart tale about a displaced teen who learns to defend what’s right— the Cowboy Way.

When Cole’s mom dumps him in mean streets of Philly to live with the dad he’s never met, the last thing Cole expects to see is a horse—let alone a stable full of them. He may not know much about cowboys, but what he knows for sure is that cowboys ain't black and they don’t live in the inner city! But on Chester Avenue, horses are a way of life, and soon Cole’s days of goofing off and skipping school in Detroit have been replaced by shoveling muck and trying not to get stomped on.

Crazy as it may seem, the lifestyle grows on Cole, and he starts to think that maybe life as a ghetto cowboy isn’t so bad. But when the City threatens to shut down the stables—and take away the horse that Cole has come to think of as his own—he knows that he has to fight back.
Inspired by the real-life inner-city horsemen of Philadelphia and Brooklyn, Ghetto Cowboy is an timeless urban western about learning to stand up for what’s right—the Cowboy Way.

-OH MY GOODNESS BLACK COWBOYS! MAYBE EVEN A BLACK COWGIRL OR TWO!! IN THE INNER CITY!!! I want this book so incredibly badly, thanks to the wonderful Tanita Davis for putting it on my radar (and she loved it). I blogged about my desire to read some diverse Westerns. Now here is my chance, I'm definitely not going to wait to read this book, I'm making a promise to myself to read it within a month (I'll review it too but who knows when that will go up? :) I am so looking forward to this story, I'm especially intrigued by the Black inner-city horsemen bit.

Thanks to Breaking the Spine for hosting this meme

Do you read Westerns, why or why not? What are you waiting on this week?

*I am in D.C. from June 18-June 24. I may have Internet access, not sure. I will respond to all emails and comments upon my return =)

Waiting on Wednesday: Vanished

Vanished by Sheela Chari

Release Date: August 9, 2011

Eleven-year-old Neela dreams of being a famous musician, performing for admiring crowds on her traditional Indian stringed instrument. Her particular instrument used to be her grandmother’s—made of warm, rich wood, and intricately carved with a mysterious-looking dragon. When this special family heirloom vanishes from a local church, Neela is devastated. As she searches for it, strange clues surface: a teakettle ornamented with a familiar-looking dragon, a threatening note, a connection to a famous dead musician, and even a legendary curse. The clues point all the way to India, where it seems that Neela's intrument has a long history of vanishing and reappearing. If she is able to track it down, will she be able to stop it from disappearing again?

-This meme was created and is hosted by Breaking the Spine. YES a MYSTERY with some color in it =D I really like watching mystery/legal/detective shows on TV so I think I'm really going to enjoy this debut. I was surprised by how charmed I am by the cover. It puzzles me (in a good way), I want to know where Neela is and who she's with? And how does an instrument have a history of disappearing and reappearing? Color me intrigued.

What are you waiting on this week? Share! (please)

Waiting on Wednesday: Island's End

Island's End by Padma Venkatraman

Release Date: August 4, 2011

From the acclaimed author of Climbing the Stairs comes a fascinating story set on a remote island untouched by time. Uido is ecstatic about becoming her tribe's spiritual leader, but her new position brings her older brother's jealousy and her best friend's mistrust. And looming above these troubles are the recent visits of strangers from the mainland who have little regard for nature or the spirits, and tempt the tribe members with gifts, making them curious about modern life. When Uido's little brother falls deathly ill, she must cross the ocean and seek their help. Having now seen so many new things, will Uido have the strength to believe in herself and the old ways? And will her people trust her to lead them to safety when a catastrophic tsunami threatens? Uido must overcome everyone's doubts, including her own, if she is to keep her people safe and preserve the spirituality that has defined them.

Drawing on firsthand experience from her travels to the Andaman Islands, Padma Venkatraman was inspired to write this story after meeting natives who survived the 2004 tsunami and have been able to preserve their unique way of life. Uido's transformation from a young girl to tribal leader will touch both your heart and mind.

Breaking the Spine is the host I sorta remember the tsunami of 2004. I was in fourth grade and I remember being badly shaken by the images, unable to watch the news because I felt helpless. The tsunami opened my eyes however because the next year when Katrina hit, I gathered three of my good friends and we had a bake sale. I did something. I'm now ready to learn more about the tsunami (I already have quite a bit of knowledge from Sea by Heidi R. Kling) and the Andaman Islands which I can't even locate on a map.

By the way Reading in Color turned 2 years old on Monday July 4. Yes I did almost forget my book blog bday but I did announce it on Twitter xD

What are you waiting on this week? I've seen lots of 2012 releases popping up, is it too early to be waiting on those?

Waiting on Wednesday: Stir it Up!

Stir it Up! by Ramin Ganesham

Release Date: August 1, 2011

A Trinidadian-American girl’s dream is challenged by her family

Thirteen-year-old Anjali's life is rich with the smell of curry from her parents' roti shop and an absolute passion for food. More than anything, Anjali wants to be a chef who competes on a kids' cooking reality TV show. But Anjali must keep her wish a secret from her family, who thinks Anjali's passions are beneath her. Thank goodness for Deema, Anjali's grandmother, whose insight and love can push past even the oldest family beliefs. Woven with recipes that cook up emotions and actual culinary recipes that make food, this novel is as delicious as it is satisfying.

-A MG debut novel about a girl with Caribbean heritage who loves to cook, sounds good. I don't know anything about Trinidad, I'm not even sure I could locate it on a map so I'm hoping I'll learn a little more about Trinidad. Just remember to have some food handy while reading :)

Breaking the Spine hosts this meme

Waiting on Wednesday: Shadows On the Moon

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

Release Date: July 7, 2011

"On my fourteenth birthday when the sakura was in full bloom, the men came to kill us. We saw them come, Aimi and me. We were excited, because we did not know how to be frightened. We had never seen soldiers before."

Suzume is a shadow-weaver. She can create mantles of darkness and light, walk unseen in the middle of the day, change her face. She can be anyone she wants to be. Except herself.

Suzume died officially the day the Prince's men accused her father of treason. Now even she is no longer sure of her true identity.

Is she the girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother’s new husband, Lord Terayama? A lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama’s kitchens? Or Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands?

Everyone knows Yue is destined to capture the heart of a prince. Only she knows that she is determined to use his power to destroy Terayama.

And nothing will stop her. Not even love.

-I don't even know what to make of this book except that it sounds phenomenal. Sort of Cinderella like but cooler because it's set in Feudal Japan.

This meme is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Waiting on Wednesday: Wildefire

Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Release Date: July 26, 2011

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

-While I'm not Polynesian but I can definitely relate to being 'the only' something (Black/Latina) somewhere so there's that bit to intrigue me. Plus it's PARANORMAL with a MAIN character of color. Can you say rarity? Ignoring that though I think it sounds like a fun read and I look forward to reading how the author incorporates Polynesian gods into the story. I know nothing about Polynesian gods (are they like Greek/Roman/Egyptian gods? Are all gods the same? Probably different?) and I love learning especially about other cultures so yay! My only fear with this book is that it sounds like the ending might be suspenseful and I HATE cliff-hanger endings :)

Meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Waiting on Wednesday: Dreams of Significant Girls

Dreams of Significant Girls by Cristina Garcia

Release Date: July 11, 2011

Brought together each summer at a boarding school in Switzerland, three girls learn a lot more than just French and European culture. Shirin, an Iranian princess; Ingrid, a German-Canadian eccentric; and Vivien, a Cuban-Jewish New Yorker culinary phenom, are thrown into each other's lives when they become roommates.

This is a story of 3 paths slowly beginning to cross and merge as they spend the year apart, but the summers together. Through navigating the social-cultural shoals of the school, developing their adolescence, and learning the confusing and conflicting legacies of their families' past, Shirin, Ingrid, and Vivien form an unbreakable bond.

This story takes readers on a journey into the lives of very different girls and the bonds that keep them friends.

-This meme is hosted by Breaking the Spine and this is the debut I want the most at the moment. I made the mistake of reading some rave reviews and now I want it so bad. Boarding school with teens of color. Set during the '70s in Europe, sounds divine!

Waiting on Wednesday: Sister Mischief

Sister Mischief by Laura Goode

Release Date: July 12, 2011

A gay suburban hip-hopper freaks out her Christian high school - and falls in love - in this righteously funny and totally tender YA debut, for real.

Listen up: You’re about to get rocked by the fiercest, baddest all-girl hip-hop crew in the Twin Cities - or at least in the wealthy, white, Bible-thumping suburb of Holyhill, Minnesota. Our heroine, Esme Rockett (aka MC Ferocious) is a Jewish lesbian lyricist. In her crew, Esme’s got her BFFs Marcy (aka DJ SheStorm, the butchest straight girl in town) and Tess (aka The ConTessa, the pretty, popular powerhouse of a vocalist). But Esme’s feelings for her co-MC, Rowie (MC Rohini), a beautiful, brilliant, beguiling desi chick, are bound to get complicated. And before they know it, the queer hip-hop revolution Esme and her girls have exploded in Holyhill is on the line. Exciting new talent Laura Goode lays down a snappy, provocative, and heartfelt novel about discovering the rhythm of your own truth.

-When I read the summary of this book I was ecstatic, it sounds so original and fun and I love hip-hop. Then I started to grow apprehensive about this book. Would I like reading original hip-hop lyrics? Are Christians going to be demonized? Um who actually uses the words fierce and bad in the same sentence? But I'm once again at a happy anticipation stage after reading a few reviews on Goodreads. Plus I really admire that these teens sound like such go-getters, I don't think I'd have the courage to be different if I was deemed to be outside the norm of my small town...yay rebels :)

Breaking the Spine is the creator and host of this meme

Waiting on Wednesday: Bestest Ramadan Ever

Bestest Ramadan Ever by Medeia Sharif

Release Date: July 8, 2011

During Ramadan, we're not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset, for a whole month. My family does this every year, even though I've been to a mosque exactly twice in my fifteen years. My exercise-obsessed mom—whose hotness skipped a generation, sadly—says I could stand to lose a few. But is torture really an acceptable method? I think not.

Things wouldn't be so bad if I had a boyfriend, but my oppressive parents forbid me to date. This is just cruel and wrong. Especially since Peter, a cute and crushable artist, might be my soul mate. Figures my bestest friend Lisa likes him, too.
To top it off, there's a new Muslim girl in school who struts around in super-short skirts, commanding every boy's attention—including Peter's. How can I get him to notice me? And will I ever feel like a typical American girl?

-Let's just get this out of the way: I don't like this cover. I do however adore the premise of the book. I'm looking forward to reading about how a fifteen-year old raised in America manages to fast for a whole month. That's intense. I'm supposed to do something similar for Lent but I don't have the willpower/faith to do so, kudos to all who do. Her mom sounds like a bit of a jerk to be frank, verbal abuse is tough to read about so I wonder if the mom will end up being verbally abusive or just a little 'harsh'? Interestingly enough (to me anyway) I've developed a fascination with the Middle East, the culture, the history, etc as well as the Muslim faith especially how it is acted on in the present. This sounds like a fun story overall.

Hosted by Breaking the Spine. What are you waiting on bookwise?

My thoughts and prayers are with all those being barraged by tornadoes right now especially the people of Joplin, Missouri. If you know of anyone who needs some help getting back on their feet who has been affected by the tornadoes, please let me know. I know nobody is thinking of books at a time like this but....