The Contemps Challenge

Love to read contemporary fiction? Accept the Contemps Challenge and promise to read at least 18 of the 21 upcoming Contemps books between now and August 15, 2011. One lucky challenger will win the grand prize: ALL 21 of our books! That's like a whole bookshelf of books!

To enter:

• Participants must be at least 13 years old.
• Send an e-mail by November 15, 2010 with I ACCEPT THE CONTEMPS CHALLENGE in the subject line to: contempscontests(at)gmail(dot)com
• Start reading! Visit our Books page for the complete book list or add books to your "to read" list from our Goodreads page (books that release later in 2011 may not be available on Goodreads yet).

Want more info? Check out The Contemps website!!

My list 

(I'm being hopeful, and going for all 21)

Bold: own/borrowed and reviewed

Italics: Own/borrowed, to read and review

Normal: want to read and review (still need to obtain book)

1. Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

2. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

3. Girl, Stolen by April Henry

4. Freefall by Mindi Scott

5. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

6. Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

7. Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

8. Trapped by Michael Northrop

9. Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer

10. Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

11. Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

12. Family by Micol Ostow

13. Back When You Were Easier to Love by Emily Wing Smith

14. Pearl by Jo Knowles

15. Saving June by Hannah Harrington

16. The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

17. Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott

18. Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker

19. The third book in the Carter series by Brent Crawford

20. Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy

21. Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman

Progress: 5 read, 4 needing reviews posted

In My Mailbox 33

IMM is hosted by The Story Siren 

Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie

For Review:

Matched by Ally Condie

 (the ARC cover is so cool! Especially when you move it in the light)

Mieradome by Kate O' Hegarty

Romeo & Juliet & Vampires by Claudia Gabel

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

Thanks to Anna, Arianna, and Kate! :)

Make sure to check out all the contests I have going on in the top left sidebar! 

What did you guys get this week? =)

Review + Giveaway: Rae by Chelsea Rae Swiggett

Book: Rae

Author: Chelsea Swiggett 

Release: Out now

Source: TLC Book Tours

Summary:

Rae is beyond socially awkward...

Since she was a little girl, Rae Swiggett knew something was different about her. The sound of planes flying overhead could spark a panic attack. Being called on in class was enough to push her over the edge. She feared the unknown, life, death, people...even fear itself.

By the time she reached ninth grade, Rae was muddling through life in relative silence, convinced everyone was mocking her, judging her, picking her apart, bit by little bit. Rae knew she couldn't' keep going on this way. She knew something had to give.

Review: RAE is raw, real, and I'm truly grateful that Swiggett shared her story.

As one of the newest additions to the Louder Than Words series of memoirs, RAE is definitely memorable and worthwhile to read. Rae is quiet and introverted outside of her comfort zone at home. She gets tongue-tied whenever she has to speak in class, forgetting the right answers in only seconds. She worries that everyone's watching every move she makes. Even her weight becomes something she struggles with. She's the girl who just might be faking sick at home, or maybe even ducking her head when you pass her in the halls...and she's completely real. 

RAE is one of those memoirs that I'm sure a lot people can relate with at one point or another. I knew by the time I finished reading the first chapter that RAE was eerily close to how I remember my high school experience. All those times when you think everyone is mocking you and your heart won't stop pounding, or when all the wrong words come out in a jumbled mess whenever you try to speak around people you aren't comfortable with, the fear that grips you sometimes, even when you know everything is okay...it's real, it happens, and it's nice to know that those of us who experience some of these moments are not alone.

Highlights: I could relate with certain aspects of Swiggett's memoir. I remember those days in high school (I still can feel that way in class). I have to really praise Swiggett for taking a chance, being brave, and sharing her story. I know I really wish I had read something like RAE back when I was in high school. 

Lowlights: There were a few confusing moments. Yet, I couldn't stop reading until I finally finished the entire book. I couldn't tear myself away.

Rating:   

GIVEAWAY:

Four Winners! 

One gets a set of all three books in the Louder Than Words series (Alexis, Hannah, Rae),

One person gets Alexis,

One person gets Hannah,

And one person gets Rae. 

Open to US + Canada, no P.O. boxes. 

Ends: Friday, August 27th at midnight

ENTER HERE!!

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