Contest, Contest, Contest!

I have so many reasons to host a contest!

1. I reached 100 followers a while back and didn't have a contest to celebrate. So this is my 115 follower celebration contest, instead!
2. I got to go to the SCBWI National Conference in LA this summer. Definitely a reason to celebrate -- and it's where I bought the prizes (and had them signed by the authors, too).
3. School's starting, so we all need something to cheer us up. And what's a better pick-me-up than BOOKS?!
4. I want to say THANK YOU to the people who read my blog. You are amazing and I am so grateful.

To enter to win, all you have to do is:

1. BE A FOLLOWER. (Simple. Just click on the FOLLOW button and follow the directions. If you already are a follower -- thank you!)
2. LEAVE A COMMENT and tell me which book you'd like to win.

That's it! There will be two (2) winners selected at random, and I'll announce them one week from today: Monday, Sept. 6, 2010.

Deadline for entries is: Sunday, Sept. 5 @ MIDNIGHT Pacific time (bong! bong! bong!...)

And now for the prizes!!

First up:

Ellen Hopkins' IMPULSE. Ellen is a verse-novel master, so if you like edgy* YA and are interested in verse novels, this book's for you. The summary reads: Three teens who meet at Reno, Nevada's Aspen Springs mental hospital after each has attempted suicide connect with each other in a way they never have with their parents or anyone else in their lives. *Because it's "edgy" some of the themes may be mature. Just wanted to let those of you with more delicate sensibilities know in advance.

Next up:

Gail Carson Levine's FAIREST. Levine won a Newbery Honor for her famous novel Ella Enchanted; FAIREST is set in the same world. If you're a fantasy buff or prefer a more light-hearted (but still a page-turning) read, this book's for you. The summary reads: In Ayortha, singing and beauty are prized above all else. Aza, a commoner, can sing, and Queen Ivi is a beauty. The queen forces Aza to use her voice to deceive the entire court.

That's it, folks. Follow the blog and leave me your comment about which book you'd prefer to win. Best of luck to all!!