Review: Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Title: Fat Cat
Author: Robin Brande
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: 10/13/09
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Self-esteem, Weight, Love, Friendship, Health, Food, Science
Pages: 336
Plot (from GoodReads):
"You are what you eat. . . .

Cat smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.
As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice. . . ."

I loved FAT CAT! I received an audiobook of the novel from a Twitter contest hosted by the author, Robin Brande, and started listening to it on my 20 minute drive to work. It was so good though, that I started going out to my car on my breaks just to listen to it! I wanted to drive ALL THE TIME! I was so excited to make the 5 hour drive up to my family's for Thanksgiving because it meant 5 hours of FAT CAT!

When I first saw FAT CAT around on blogs, I wasn't particularly interested. The cover didn't really draw me in, but I thought the premise was promising. So when I saw that the author was giving away a couple audiobooks, I entered on a whim. I am so glad I won - otherwise I might have missed out on an awesome novel! And while I still don't love the cover, it has grown on me some!

The novel and Cat's experiment really made me think about my own eating habits and lifestyle. I found that not only were the results of Cat's experiment amazing, the lessons she learned about herself after losing weight were encouraging. The story reminded me that if you want to lose weight, or change yourself in anyway, you must do it for you, not anyone else.

Cat was a wonderful narrator; I felt like she was a friend by the end of the novel. I think that we are alike in many ways. I loved her no-nonsense attitude and her moments of weakness: she was loveable.

Cat's romantic mishaps and relationships were one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I loved the fact that Cat hadn't dated before, it made the story a bit different than the rest. I liked that Cat was independent and didn't need a boy, even though she wanted one. And I wanted her to have one... well, there's at least one boy I wanted her to have.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

Read FAT CAT! I loved this novel and even borrowed it to my mom. If you like audiobooks, I thought that the narrator did a great job. There is a bonus interview with the author at the end of the audio version as well that I really enjoyed.

Contest: Win a copy of Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen! CLOSED

I loved LITTLE BLACK LIES so much and want to share it with a lucky reader of The Hiding Spot!

A Quick Summary:
Sara Black is tiptoeing across a fraying tightrope.

As the new eleventh grader at Anton High–the most elite public school in the country–she sticks out like an old VW bus in a parking lot full of shiny BMWs. But being the new kid also brings a certain advantageous anonymity.
In Anton High’s world of privilege, intelligence, and wealth, Sara can escape her family’s tarnished past and become whomever she wants.
And what’s the harm in telling a few little black lies when it can lead to popularity? That is, until another it girl at Anton becomes jealous of Sara’s social climbing.
With her balance evaporating, one small push could bring Sara crashing down.

Contest Rules:
1. You must be a follower of The Hiding Spot! (Follower widget is in left sidebar!)
2. You must leave your email address or some type of contact info in the comments!
3. You must answer the following prompt:

Tell me about a time when you lied or were lied to. Can be something trivial or deeper...

For extra entries (optional):
+2 comment on my review of LITTLE BLACK LIES, here!
+2 for already being a follower (make sure to mention!)
+2 for linking (Twitter, Sidebar, Post, FB, etc) (Up to +8 in links)
+2 follow me on Twitter (@thehidingspot) (Icon in left sidebar to follow!)

PLEASE make sure that you fulfill the requirements/rules above! Thank you! :)

This contest is open internationally! One winner will receive (1) ARC of Little Black Lies!

 The contest will end Sunday, November 1st @ Midnight (my time). CLOSED!

Good luck!

Review: Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen

Title: Little Black Lies
Author: Tish Cohen
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pub. Date: 10/13/2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Popularity, Friends, Love, OCD, Divorce, Single Parents
Pages: 320
Plot (from back of ARC):
"Boston's most elite high school is a high-wire act and Sara Black is losing her balance.
Sara Black might as well be wearing a scarlet letter on her school uniform when she walks into Anton High for the first time. Anton is no ordinary public school - you can't even get in after freshman year (unless, like Sara, your dad is the janitor). But when nobody knows your past, you can become a whole new person.
For Sara, being new is the perfect escape from everything she's avoiding - like the fact that her mother has run off with her science teacher, and that her father's OCD is only barely under control. People even think she's from London, England, instead of Lundon, Massachusetts. But when one of the most popular girls at Anton starts looking into Sara's past, her little lies could come back to haunt her..."

I absolutely loved Little Black Lies! The main character, Sara, takes lying to a whole new level, and, while I don't think I could take it as far as she did, Tish Cohen mades it easy for me to understand Sara's actions.

I really appreciate that the author incorporated OCD into the plot. OCD is one of those conditions that everyone knows about, but many people haven't experienced first hand. I could imagine how debilitating it could be for the individual with OCD, but I never really considered the impact it could have on his or her family. Reading about Sara's father having OCD and the reactions of her high school classmates really made me think about how I would react in a similar situation as a onlooker or as a family member. It was actually really emotion and a lot more serious than I'd anticipated - I came very close to crying during a couple of passages.

While reading Little Black Lies, I was often frustrated with Sara. She seems to be a great girl with a lot going for her, but her low self-esteem and focus on what her peers think of her drive her to lie and do other horrible things. However, when Sara's past and her home life was revealed as I progressed through the book, I found myself sympathizing with her - even as she hurt the people that cared about her the most, and ultimately, herself. By the end of the book, I was proud of Sara's growth, she really came into her own!

Of course, I must mention the romance! There is a minor romantic plot line that I really enjoyed. It wasn't a main theme by any means, but it tied in well. I felt like the romance could have been explored a bit more, as the boy has a bit of a history that would have been nice to explore more. His story ended up being a lot less dramatic than I felt was originally implied.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 9
Writing: 10
Romance: 9
Originality: 10
Total: 48/50 (A)

I highly recommend Little Black Lies! I'm looking forward to seeing what Tish Cohen will release next and will definitely check out her already released titles.

Go here for a chance to win LITTLE BLACK LIES!

Review: Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein

Title: Lady Macbeth's Daughter
Author: Lisa Klein
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub. Date: Oct. 13, 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Retellings, Love, Family, Shakespeare's Macbeth
Pages: 304
Plot (from FantasticFiction):
The daughter Macbeth might have had, if Shakespeare had thought to create her.

Albia has grown up with no knowledge of her mother of her father, the powerful Macbeth. Instead she knows the dark lure of the Wychelm Wood and the moors, where she's been raised by three strange sisters. It's only when the ambitious Macbeth seeks out the sisters to foretell his fate that Albia's life becomes tangled with the man who leaves nothing but bloodshed in his wake. She even falls in love with Fleance, Macbeth's rival for the throne. Yet when Albia learns that she has the second sight, she must decide whether to ignore the terrible future she foresees - or to change it. Will she be able to save the man she loves from her murderous father? And can she forgive her parents their wrongs, or must she destroy them to save Scotland from tyranny?

Macbeth was never my favorite play by Shakespeare, but, after reading Lady Macbeth's Daughter, I have a newfound respect for the story. I really think that Albia made the story for me - Lisa Klein wrote Albia so perfectly that I can't believe Shakespeare left her out!

Albia was an amazing addition to Macbeth's original cast. Not only was is a resilient and strong female lead, she shows the perfect blend of characteristics one would expect her to have inherited through her birth parents and her adoptive family. I am astounded by how believable Albia's character is! It was interesting to see how Albia came to terms with learning that her birth father is the bloodthirsty and tyrannical Macbeth - a man that she has never personally met, nor has an desire to.

Lady Macbeth was must easier to understand and feel sympathy for in this version of the story. I like the idea that Lady Macbeth's insane behavior was motivated in part by her grief over the death of her infant daughter (Albia), rather than (only) greed and the need for power.

The romance between Albia and Fleance wasn't really a main part of the plot, but it was engaging and well-written. Most Shakespearean romances are doomed, but Klein's story had a twist and was surprisingly simple and without drama. It had some drama and complexity of course, but the love story didn't build you up and then rip out your heart - which is a good thing!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!!)

The idea of Macbeth and his lady having a secret daughter was a wonderfully imagined plot twist to Macbeth. I think Shakespeare would approve! I'm definitely going to read Lisa Klein's first book, Ophelia, and can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Review: Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines

Title: Girl in the Arena
Author: Lise Haines
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pub. Date: Oct. 13, 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Gladiators, Sub-Cultures, Mental Disability, Love, Family
Pages: 384
Plot (from back of ARC):

It's a fight to the death - on live TV - when a modern-day gladiator's daughter steps into the arena.

Lyn is a neo-gladiator's daughter through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family:

Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator.

Remind him constantly of his victories.
And most importantly:

Never leave the stadium when you father is dying.

The rules help the family survive, but rules - and the GSA - can also work against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn's seventh father, he also captures Lyn's dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him. To win her freedom, Lyn will enter the arena to face her father's murderer in mortal combat. And she'll do it even though she may be falling for him."

Girl in the Arena has been compared to Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games, and parallels can be drawn between the violent cultures in both books, but the story in each book is totally unique. The world of Girl in the Arena is one very much like today, but with a neo-gladiator sub-culture. This neo-gladiator world is violent and tightly controlled - a mix of reality television, war, and violence as entertainment taken to a terrifying new level.

The world of neo-gladiators was colorfully imagined. I could some people accepting and participating in a sport as violent and crazy as this. After all, wars are waged around the constantly. Kids play violent video games as entertainment. Those in media openly acknowledge that sex and violence sells. A sub-culture of neo-gladiators seems like a far stretch at first, but is it, really?

Lise Haines did a wondeful job of explaining the motives and behavior of her characters, which is no small feat, considering the fact that she had to convince readers that her characters would willing lead the neo-gladiator lifestyle. Lyn, the protagonist, was an interesting character. She was so torn between the lifestyle in which she had been raised and her little brother, but she also wanted to flee her life and leave her violent past behind. All of the characters were well formed - I felt like I knew them, even though they were all secondary to Lyn.

Personally, I could have used a little more emphasis on Lyn's romantic relationship. I felt like I only got to see the beginning of the relationship, then was abruptly cut off, leaving me wondering what would happen next. If there is another book planned, then I don't mind the ending, otherwise I'm curious!

Ratings (out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 9
Originality: 10
Total: 49/50 (A)

Though like The Hunger Games in some ways, Girl in the Arena really isn't like any other novel I've read. You want necessarily like Girl in the Arena if you liked the Hunger Games, but I think fans of Dystopian YA will find a new favorite in this novel!

Girl in the Arena also has a playlist, go here to check it out!

October Releases (AKA Books I Can't Wait to Get My Hands On!!)

October is finally here! For me it is a great time of year of two reasons:
1. I love autumn weather!
2. October happens to be a great month for YA releases!

Here is a list of a few that I'm excited about! Feel free to add any you're excited about or that I missed in the comments... :)


1st
Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater (Flux)
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford (Scholastic)
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (Little, Brown)

6th
Fire (Grace novel) by Kristin Cashore (Dial)
Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires 2) by Chloe Neill (NAL Trade)
Quatrain by Sharon Shinn (ACE)
Beautiful by Amy Reed (Simon Pulse)
The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Delacorte)

13th
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (Simon and Schuster)
Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen (Egmont)
Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines (Bloomsbury)
Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein (Bloomsbury)

15th
Gateway by Sharon Shinn (Viking Juvenile)

19th
Front and Center by Catherine Murdock (Houghton Mifflin Books)

27th
The Espressologist by Kristina Springer (Farrar Straus Giroux)

Review: How to Say Goodbye in Robot

Title: How to Say Goodbye in Robot

Author: Natalie Standiford

Publisher: Scholastic

Pub. Date: Today (10/1/09)

Genre: YA

Main Themes: Friendship, Love, Family, Social Situations

Pages: 288

Plot (from ARC):

"Icelandic hairdressers are the happiest people in the world.

Bea is not an icelandic hairdresser.

Neither is Jonah.

But together, they might find something approaching happiness.

New to town, Bea is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. You know the type: very cheery, very friendly, very average. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet observer who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. He's not a big gan of people in general.. but he's willing to make an exception for her. Maybe.

Bea and Jonah are not going to have friendship like other people have a friendship, where it's all based on gossip and parties and what everyone else thinks. Instead, their friendship comes from truth-bound conversations, shared secrets, daring stunts, and late-night phone calls to the same old-timer radio show. They help each other and hurt each other, push away and hold close. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. And it means more to them than either one can ever really know..."

How to Say Goodbye in Robot is definitely on my list of favorites for 2009... if fact, it makes my favorite books ever list! With the amount of books I read, that isn't an easy feat!

The story How to Say Goodbye in Robot is painfully realistic at some points, but that just makes it hauntingly beautiful. I loved the old-timer radio show that Bea and Jonah listen to - it made me want to turn on the AM radio and find my own quirky insomniacs to help guide me through tough times.

There was something about Bea that I found easy to relate to. Before she found that late night radio show, Bea fantasized about death  - not suicide - just the comfort and relaxation of being separate from life. I may not have been quite as instense as Bea, but I've often wondered about death as I lay awake an night too. Bea struggles with showing her emotions; she is afraid to grow attached to people and places because she often has to pack up and move as soon as she makes connections. I undestood Bea's confusion and her ability to accept the fact that, maybe, she is a robot: cold, unfeeling, and hard.

I loved Jonah. He was one of those characters that will draw a reader in like a moth to flame. He is so perfectly broken - I can see why Bea would be drawn to him in her own broken state.

How to Say Goodbye in Robot is not a love story, but it is terribly romantic. Jonah and Bea have so much chemistry and truly love one another, flaws and all. I found the sappy teenager in me yearning for them to be together as a couple. But Jonah and Bea are never a couple - they are so much more. To me, this novel emphasizes how important connections other than the physical are - and how those ties can run so much deeper.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10

Total: 50/50 (A!!)

I simply cannot write a review that will do this novel justice! It is one of my absolute favorites that I'll have on my go-to list for recommendations. How to Say Goodbye in Robot is a must read for 2009!

Want to read this book too? Go here to win a copy!

Where the Wild Things Are Movie Trailer

Okay, for all of you that haven't seen the trailer for the upcoming release of Where the Wild Things Are, based on the amazing book by the same name - you have to see it!

Here is a link, the embedding feature of the trailer has been disabled on YouTube, but the link takes you directly to it!

Every time I watch this trailer, I cry. I'm not even kidding! I don't know what it is about it - it simply looks amazing. Epic. I'll definitely be going to see this one when it come out in theaters October 16! Anyone else??

Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pub. Date: October 13, 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Angels, Love, Murder, Friendship
Pages: 355
Plot (from GoodReads):
"For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life."

I was so, so excited when I won this book from a contest over at Confessions of a Wandering Heart! I about had a heart attack when I saw that I won the contest. After all, I'd been thinking about how I would survive the wait until October - I'd been lusting after Hush, Hush since I had first seen the amazing cover art and read the plot summary. I'd decided right away that I would read this book whether it got good reviews or not - no one was going to rain on my parade. In the end, it didn't matter - this book has impressed! All I've read are rave reviews. Now I will proceed to give my rave review... :)

I read the first couple chapters of this book and didn't want to put it down It really did have me hooked that quickly. Becca Fitzpatrick has proven herself as an amazing storyteller - she is sure to be one of my all-time favorite authors. Hush, Hush is her debut novel and I don't see her skills lessening!

I loved that Becca Fitzpatrick wrote about fallen angels... It was a genius idea. Vampires are so last year (Just kidding, I still love vamps)! Honestly though, it was a really new and original idea. I was intrigued as I read about what happened to Patch and what his motives were.

My favorite aspect of Hush, Hush? Definitely Patch! I am a big fan of the bad guy who is actually a marshmallow on the inside - I think Patch is leaning pretty heavily towards being that kind of guy! Yes, he is definitely dangerous - but he is way more than he seems at first glance. Love has made him a bit fluffy on the inside. I'm really hoping the next novel will show more of that soft side, as we readers only see glimpses in Hush, Hush!

I really enjoyed the main character, Nora as well. She was smart, confident, and independent. I loathe when female leads are totally dependent on their love interests - Nora was a breath of fresh air! While she leaned on Patch at times and definitely swooned at times - she was still Nora. She and Patch did not, at any time, become a Bennifer or any other creepy one name combo.

Which brings me to Patch and Nora... as a leading duo. I love that there is a chase! Nora does not see Patch, fall madly in love, and swear her undying devotion for all of time. Neither does Patch. Their relationship is not without obstacles or issues... The reader prays to the Book Gods for Patch and Nora to find their way to one another! To me, that's exactly the way it should be!

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing Style: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

My one complaint... I want to know what happens next! I can't wait until the next book, Crescendo, is released in 2010!

I have an extra copy of Hush, Hush! If you are simply too impatient to wait until October 13th to read Hush, Hush make sure you keep an eye on The Hiding Spot for a chance to win a signed ARC...!(Thank you Simon & Schuster for the unexpected second copy!)