Contest! Enter to win The Summoning and The Awakening by Kelly Armstrong:

This is the first contest that B.A.M. Book Reviews is announcing, yay! Don't you just love firsts? Okay well I haven't read this book yet but if I win it then I'd be super happy to read and review it.

Click here to enter!

Good luck!

-B

Books Turned Into Film News:

For those of you who love The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, this news will probably excite you!

"Alan Nevins of Renaissance Literary & Talent has just closed film rights on Carrie Ryan's YA novel, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Nevins, who brokered the deal on behalf of Jim McCarthy at Dystel Literary, sold the book, which Delacorte Books for Young Readers published in March, to Seven Star Pictures (K-11, forthcoming). Nevins said the book, a zombie thriller set in colonial times about a girl who lives in a religious community in the woods and is equally worried about a zombie invasion and her planned marriage, is in line to "do for zombies what Twilight did for vampires." Supposedly Seven Star is developing the project for an-as-yet-unnamed A-list starlet, and fast-tracking the project with a first draft of the screenplay already in the works."

Read the rest here.





Also, for all of the Private fans out there ... there will be a "web series" made! I've never watched a web series or heard of it but it's better than nothing right? You can audition here. You can learn more about the web series here.

I haven't read either of these books yet but you can be sure that we'll be reviewing them.

**Thanks to The Book Reader for the news!**

-B

Speak

Laurie Halse Anderson
Published 1999
198 pages
Rating: A

Synopsis:
Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so her old friends won’t talk to her, and people she doesn’t know hate her from a distance. The safest place is to be alone, inside her own head. But even that’s not safe. Because there’s something she’s trying not to think about, something about the night of the part that, if she would let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth.
(taken from back of book)

(First I would just like to say it has been a year or so since I have actually read this book. But I am reviewing it still because it is one of my favorite books, although I can’t really explain why. And I think people need to read it. Sorry for the short rant.)

Melinda starts off high school on the wrong foot and it’s because of something that happened before school even started. Everything was going fine until that party. She knows why she called the cops but she isn’t telling anyone, not even her best friend, well now it’s her ex-best friend. After the party, her friends dump her and leave her to fend for herself at Merryweather High. She’s a freshman. And friendless.

Melinda doesn’t mind the stares and snickers all that much but it’s the rumors that she doesn’t like. They are wrong, all wrong. They don’t know anything about that night. Only Melinda knows what happened. Although no one would believe her if she did speak about it. There is someone else that knows, but they are keeping their mouth shut also. That’s a good thing.

Melinda dreads school everyday, although she has found comfort in her Art class taught by Mr. Freeman. He gives her the freedom to open up through art and at first she is skeptical and her emotions are non-existent. But as the year progresses something inside Melinda clicks, and art is the one thing she has to stay strong.

There is also this boy, David Petrakis, who is in her Biology class. He teaches her a little something about life and ends up being a good guy and a friend to Melinda.

Not only is this book a teenagers worst nightmare, but it is captivating and real. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. Anderson writes with such flavor, I feel like I am in the book and the story is happening to me.

Some people don’t like to read this book because of the “horrific, disgusting” plot and story behind Melinda. It is true her past isn’t one to think highly of, but her future is one to watch and learn from.

Although it’s a short read, it is one of those books that you look back on and smile. It’s a touching, shocking, page-turning, and absolutely must read. It teaches you about love, courage and most importantly, self-acceptance.

-A.

Wintergirls

Laurie Halse Anderson
Published 2009
278 Pages
Rating: B+

Synopsis:
Lia and Cassie were best friends. Wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps going this way - thin, thinner, thinnest - maybe she will disappear all together.
(from inside flap of book jacket)

Lia and Cassie had an oath to be the skinniest girls at their school. They became bulimic and sometimes resorted to never eating at all. After a car accident leaves Lia in a hospital and Cassie walks away with no injuries, things change. The doctors found Lia's body after the accident frail and small. They quickly admitted her to a special hospital for the "sick".

Lia and Cassie's friendship soon ended. Cassie had gotten better and wasnt "sick" anymore. Lia was still recovering from her eating disorder, but she wasnt any better. Then one night Cassie dies. And now Lia is haunted by her voice and presence.

Again, Lia is heading toward a downward spiral and losing weight fast. She sets goals for herself that she thinks will make her better, but they only make her worse and threaten her life everyday.

This book is a great example of the scary lives that young women everywhere face. Its a sad book but it teaches a great lesson. I hope that anyone battling an eating disorder will have the courage to get help and save their lives.

-A.

Two New Co-Reviewers & Allison getting voted off AI!

So, you may have noticed but there are two new reviewers now! They're two good friends of mine who also share a love in books and you can read a little about them if you scroll down to the left. This is where the name B.A.M. Book Reviews comes in. Briana, Arielle and Marisa. Just so you know, you'll be able to tell which one of us posted what by the letter signed at the bottom of each post.

This has nothing to do with books but I feel like I need to say it. Why America, Why?! I don't pay much attention to American Idol but I do adore Allison and am very upset to see her go. I was really rooting for her! I predict that Adam is going to win, he's talented of course but like I just said, I wish Allison would have won. What do you guys think? Leave your opinions in the comments and say hello to the new reviewers! :)

-B

Vampire Diaries Book 1&2 :The Awakening and The Struggle

L.G. Smith
Published 2007
512 Pages
Rating: A

The Vampire Diaries is one of the best series I have ever read. These are the first two books combined in to one book. There are cute male characters during the entire book. You will really fall in love with all the characters and you will not be able to put the book down.

It's very mysterious, action packed and suspenseful. The book is mostly about a love triangle between a popular, beautiful high school girl and two vampire brothers. Elena has always had every boy she wants but when dark, brooding and mysterious Stefan arrives at school, he seems to be the only one that can resist Elena. Realizing this, Elena will do anything to get Stefan. Meanwhile, Stefan's brother Damon is in town. The two brothers hate each other and Damon will do anything to posses Elena. In this book the two brothers fight for Elena, one to protect, one to posses and Elena must choose between Stefan and Damon. In some ways it is like Twilight but then again in other ways it is completely different.

You should really give this book series a try, since it is amazing! The series has been re-published with better covers than the old covers. The series was actually written a while ago so aspects in the book are a little old-fashioned but that's one of the things I love about it!

-M

Old Cover VS. New Cover: Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen.

Which do you like better? I personally think the new cover is a lot cuter than the old cover. The reason why I love all of the covers of Sarah Dessen's books is because they're so realistic and I feel like a friend of mine could've taken the picture. I think one of the reasons Sarah Dessen is so popular is because of her adorable book covers and when I saw the first cover of Lock and Key I was kind of turned off. I know, "Never judge a book by it's cover.", but having a cute cover definitely helps!

Leave a comment and tell me which one you like better and why :)!

-B

Twilight Movie News: MTV Movie Award Nominations.

The nominations for the MTV Movie Awards are in and Twilight received the most nominations; even more than The Dark Knight and Slumdog Millionaire!

This year, for the first time ever, we entrusted you with the task of selecting the MTV Movie Awards nominees, and like the pop-culture superfans we knew you were, you did not disappoint! Now, we’re pleased to reveal your list of who will vie for the coveted Golden Popcorn trophies on May 31.
“Twilight” took the lead with seven nominations, including nods for Best Movie, Best Female Performance (Kristen Stewart) and Breakthrough Performance Male (Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner). “Slumdog Millionaire” garnered six nominations, including Best Movie, Breakthrough Performance Female (Freida Pinto) and Breakthrough Performance Male (Dev Patel).
The Best Kiss category will see another showdown between “Twilight” (Stewart and Pattinson) and “Slumdog” (Pinto and Patel), with other lip-locking nominees including Franco and Sean Penn (”Milk”), and Paul Rudd and Thomas Lennon (”I Love You, Man”).

Read the article here !

-B

**Thanks to HisGoldenEyes.com for the news!**