Today I have Kaylee, the love interest from Megan Bostic's Never Eighteen, for an interview of sorts! She is here courtesy of the Teen {Book} Scene blog tour. Today she's talking about my favorite topic - books - and which ones she calls favorites!

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I’m mostly into realistic stuff, with only a couple fantasy or sci-fi type books on my shelf.

Of course I love the classics, especially the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen. I also loved, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Handmaid’s Tale, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Princess Bride. I love a book with a strong female character. Maybe that’s because I’m such a wimp. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.

I have a bazillion books on my shelf. I never get rid of any. I have just about every book Judy Blume has ever written. Of course, the Harry Potter series. I also love Ellen Hopkins books, Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.

And I’m a sucker for Nicholas Sparks. I love a good weepie.

I’d keep going, but I don’t want to bore you to death. :)

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Thanks, Kaylee (and Megan) for stopping by bookmarked today! My love for Nick and Norah is no secret. That Kaylee is a girl after my own heart.

Today I have Harper, the main character from Hannah Harrington's Saving June, for an interview of sorts! She is here courtesy of the Teen {Book} Scene blog tour. I really enjoyed Harper's story and was super excited about getting to know her better.

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Summer/Winter – Because there’s no school!

Sweet/Salty – Harper has a weakness for potato chips.

Chocolate/Vanilla – Preferably vanilla with sprinkes. It’s okay if there aren’t, though; she’s a low-maintenance girl!

Noise/Silence – Harper’s not exactly a people person.

Light/Dark – She has a penchant for dark colors—wearing a lot of black hoodies and black nail polish.

Pancake/Waffle – Her dad used to make them every Sunday morning when she was a kid.

Early bird/Night owl – Harper is the kind of person who hits the snooze button ten times in the morning.

Truth/Lies – The truth can hurt, but she’ll always take it over what is easy.

Neat/Messy – Much to her mother’s ire! She missed out on the organizational gene.

Past/Future – Harper’s learned that it’s better to look to the future instead of holding on to the past.

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Thanks, Harper (and Hannah) for stopping by bookmarked today!

Never Eighteen by Megan Bostic

Never Eighteen
Megan Bostic
Publisher: Graphia
Released: January 17, 2012
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 204
Source: The Teen {Book} Scene

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.

Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.

But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

So I may be a bit biased when it comes to this story. Back in March, a friend of mine died from leukemia at the age of twenty-five. Now there were numerous people much closer to him who I'm sure felt his death as more of a blow than I did; however, Marshall's death really had a profound impact on me. As cliched as it is, we truly never know which day will be our last. But in honor of those already gone, we should live each day as if it were.

Austin may not know exactly how long he has left, but he knows it isn't long. And before he's gone, he feels like he has to make a difference - even if it's just a small one. He sets out to mend broken hearts and broken families, and he tries to experience a few more "firsts." He does all this over the course of one weekend with his best friend Kaylee by his side.

This book may have been a little predictable at times, and there were a few scenes with choppy dialogue that sort of took my out of the moment. But, this book is all about emotion, and let me just tell you: this book made me ugly cry. I'm talking get-up-and-blow-your-nose-mid-page-because-snot-is-dripping-down-your-face cry. The kind of wake-up-your-partner-in-the-middle-of-the-night-to-an-apparent-crisis cry. So regardless of a few technical issues, Megan Bostic evoked more emotion from me than an author has done in a very long time. And although I could do without the snot and the cranky fiancé, sometimes a girl needs to ugly cry.

Author Interview: Heather Davis of Wherever You Go

Today I have Heather Davis, author of Wherever You Go, on the blog for an interview!

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1. Twitter style: describe WHEREVER YOU GO in 140 characters or less.

Wherever You Go is a YA novel about the seen and unseen people in our lives. It’s about letting go of past hurt and embracing the future.

2. What are three things you must have for a productive writing day?

A cup of stovetop espresso with a touch of milk. My kitty cat Harper to distract me from time to time. Music -- I listen to everything from classic alternative to Dolly Parton’s country music if it helps the book.

3. I love WHEREVER YOU GO’s cover. Did you have any input and were you pleased with the final outcome?

My agent and I had liked the image of the girl when first shown it. There was another cover idea with flowers - but we felt that the girl had the same burdened look in her eyes that Holly should have. I love the colors, too. But the best part? The cover quote from Laini Taylor, an author I really admire.

4. Who are some of your writing inspirations?

My English teacher dad used to write stories. I used to find the beginnings of his stories in his study and dream up my own endings.

5. I understand WHEREVER YOU GO is told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob. Was there one character you enjoyed writing more?

I can’t say that there was a favorite -- but I came to love Rob so much by the end of the book. All of the characters are heading toward change, but his is the biggest of all. Seeing yourself and others clearly and loving you/them anyway is the biggest change you can make in your life.

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Thanks, Heather, for stopping by bookmarked today! Be sure to check out the other tour stops for more interviews, guest posts, and reviews!

Author Interview: Janet Gurtler of If I Tell

Today I have Janet Gurtler, author of I'm Not Her and If I Tell, on the blog for an interview! I really enjoyed IF I TELL and jumped at the chance to ask her a few questions.

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1. Twitter style: describe IF I TELL in 140 characters or less.

How can I tell her this now? How can I trust anyone? Why do people let me down? How do I make it out of this hole? Can I believe in Jackson?

2. What are three things you must have for a productive writing day?

Coffee, Sleep, Protein Bars

3. I love IF I TELL’s cover and the way it compliments that of I’M NOT HER. Did you have any input on either and were you pleased with the final outcome?

Thanks for the cover love! I didn’t have anything to do with the amazing covers and the way they do complement each other, but I was really pleased with them!!

4. Who are some of your writing inspirations?

JUDY BLUME, SE HINTON, JODY PICCOULT

5. Can you tell us anything about your next project?

YES! I am part of an anthology called THE FIRST TIME. And! I have a new book coming out with Sourcebooks Fire. Here’s the blurb, but the title will be changing!

Janet Gurtler's JUST BREATHE, in which a girl struggles with boy problems and serious regret after accidentally killing a boy she barely knows when she kisses him after consuming a peanut butter sandwich, not aware he has a deathly allergy to peanuts.

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Thanks, Janet, for stopping by bookmarked today! I love anthologies, so I'm really looking forward to The First Time. Be sure to check out the other tour stops for more interviews, guest posts, and reviews!

Character This or That: Eve from Eve (+ Giveaway!)

Today I have Eve, the main character from Anna Carey's Eve, for an interview of sorts! She is here courtesy of the Teen {Book} Scene blog tour. I LOVED Eve and was super excited about getting to know her better.

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Summer/Winter The summers at School were my favorite. We had shortened days, and in the evenings the Teachers would let us eat our dinners on the grass by the lake.

Sweet/Salty Sweet

Chocolate/Vanilla Vanilla

Noise/Silence It depends where I am. At School, it was nearly impossible to find quiet—that’s why I loved the library so much. In the wild, especially when I’m alone, I crave noise. Those first few days after I escaped I was so desperate to hear another person’s voice.

Light/Dark Light. The dark can be terrifying.

Pancake/Waffle I’ve never had a waffle! What am I missing? I guess I have to say pancake…

Early bird/Night owl Early bird. Without power, I usually go to sleep shortly after the sun goes down.

Truth/Lies Truth, truth, truth. I believe people can sense it always, just below the surface of things. You may not be able to put it into words, or understand it, but you will feel that something is off.

Neat/Messy Neat. I only have a few things that I love, and I’d hate to ever lose them.

Past/Future Can I say neither? I spent so much time planning my future, only to find out I was imagining something that could never be. Looking back at the past can be too painful. I try to take each day one by one.

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Thanks, Eve (and Anna) for stopping by bookmarked today!

Thanks to HarperTeen, I have a finished copy of Eve to give to a lucky reader! Fill out the form below for your chance to win. Entrants must be 13 years of age or older and a resident of the United States. Deadline to enter is Saturday, October 15, 11:59PM CST.

If I Tell by Janet Gurtler

If I Tell
Janet Gurtler
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Released: October 1, 2011
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 256
Source: Netgalley

Jasmine Evans knows one thing for sure... people make mistakes. After all, she is one. Jaz is the result of a onenight stand between a black football player and a blonde princess. Having a young mother who didn't raise her, a father who wants nothing to do with her and living in a small-minded town where she's never fit in hasn't been easy. But she's been surviving. Until she sees her mom's new boyfriend making out with her own best friend. When do you forgive people for being human or give up on them forever?

Janet Gurtler first made it onto my radar earlier this year around the time of her debut release, I'm Not Her. The cover caught my eye, but the synopsis had me hooked. And while I still haven't gotten the chance to read it, I jumped on the opportunity to read her second novel, If I Tell. Jaz has a rough time fitting in at school - being the only biracial teen in town sort of does that to a person. Jaz's closest friends are Lacey, an older wild-child, and Simon, her mother's boyfriend. Lacey is in no place to judge her, and Simon, being black, understands what it's like to be surrounded by racial prejudices. But Jaz's world comes crumbling down when she finds the two people she's always turned to making out at a party.

Jaz finds herself alienated from the only two people who really "get" her. While Jaz's secret is certainly a large part of this story, it is more importantly a journey of self-discovery - which the synopsis unfortunately doesn't imply. If I Tell is more about Jaz's struggle with being different, being alone, and feeling betrayed by those closest to her, and not just Lacey and Simon.

This is the first book I've read that deals with a biracial teen and the struggles she faces. I think it's a very important point of view for today's teens, and I hope to see more of them. I would recommend this for anyone with a similar ethnic background, although one doesn't need to be mixed or even a minority to relate to Jasmine. She is a very empathetic character who would appeal to most. Her personal journey is pretty incredible - the growth she shows is great yet realistic. I was impressed by this story's authenticity - something that is über important in contemporary lit.

Gurtler's writing is spot-on. She beautifully captures Jaz's self-loathing. I must admit this was laid on a little thick at times, but I just had to remind myself that teens are often dramatic and prone to pity parties. (I was.) I didn't love this story as much as I'd hoped, but it was an engaging read that brought light to some important issues. I'm still looking forward to reading I'm Not Her along with Janet's upcoming title, Just Breathe.