Today’s the last day to vote for the most romantic book. Let us know which book you picked and why, and you could win a copy of Twilight or The Time Traveler’s Wife!

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Fallen by Lauren Kate
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

VOTE here

Read the book summaries here

Don’t forget that if you tell us why the book you voted for is the most romantic, and you could win a copy of Twilight or The Time Traveler’s Wife!

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Fallen by Lauren Kate
The Host by Stephenie Meyer

VOTE here

Read the Book Summaries here

By Dave McNary at Variety: Nick Pustay hired to write ‘Shiver’

Former New Line toppers Michael Lynne and Bob Shaye are moving ahead on supernatural romance “Shiver,” hiring Nick Pustay (“Ramona and Beezus”) to adapt for their Unique Features shingle.

“Shiver,” penned by Maggie Stiefvater, centers on a bittersweet romance between a teen girl and a boy who becomes a wolf each winter. As the temperature drops, the race to keep him human begins. First installment was published by Scholastic Press in August and has been on the bestseller lists for 31 weeks. Sequel “Linger,” will be published in August.

“At the core is this heartbreaking love story, between two people who know that their time together is slipping away,” Pustay said.

Read More here

by Lindsay Soll at MTV News: The Uglies’ Book Series Is Being Fast Tracked Into A Movie By Screen Gems

On June 21, 2009 sci fi author Scott Westerfeld wrote a post on his blog titled, “Update on the Uglies Movie,” which amassed many, many reader comments. In it, he explained that while his series, “The Uglies,” had been optioned to be a movie, not much else had moved forward as far as a script, director or actors. But, he continued, “the producers did say that there’s lots of support for this project at their studio.”

Well, it may be almost eight months later, but it looks like Scott finally has good reason to update that post again. Industry sources have confirmed to MTV News exclusively that Screen Gems, in the wake of the success of its current release “Dear John,” is developing — and in fact, fast tracking (!) — a film version of “The Uglies” series.

Read More here

By Bob Minzesheimer, Jocelyn McClurg and Carol Memmott at USA TODAY: Book Buzz: ‘Mockingjay’ completes ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy

The title is out for the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy…
‘Game’ over: Since the September release of Catching Fire, the second in Suzanne Collins’ best-selling Hunger Games trilogy for teens, Internet speculation has focused on the title of the third book. The most common guess: The Victors. Not even close. Today, Scholastic reveals the title and cover of the last book in the series set in a dictatorship where teens are forced to fight to the death on TV. It’s Mockingjay, out Aug. 24. In the series, mockingjays are offspring of mockingbirds and jabberjays, a government-bred mutant designed to spy on rebels. Mockingjays become symbols of resistance. Collins is finishing her screenplay of The Hunger Games, the first book.

Read More here

By Charlie Jane Anders at io9: The Great Thing About YA Fiction Is, There Are No Genre Boundaries

Nowadays, “young-adult fiction” includes every type of story, including post-apocalyptic and fantasy, says Forest Of Hands And Teeth author Carrie Ryan. And then readers reach adulthood and we suddenly expect them to choose their genres.

Talking to Magical Words, Ryan says:

“One of the great things about YA is that all the books are shelved together (or split into “realistic books” and “SFF books”). There’s no distinct category for high fantasy or science fiction or romance or historical or contemporary issues. YA books can pull from anything they want so you can have a book that’s a post-zombie apocalypse romance that may or may not have a happily ever after or you can have a book about a school where cheerleaders are high tech spies thwarting an assassination or a book about killer unicorns and the virgin descendants of Alexander the Great who hunt them or one about a high school valedictorian who ends up pregnant and doesn’t know what to do.”

Read More here

I never noticed the flow that YA books have, but it’s kind of true. There’s some sectioning of the different types, but they are separated. Which gives teens the opportunity to explore all the genres. I read (and still read) a lot of different genres, and maybe that’s where it all started. And I’m so excited about the Shiver movie. I adore that book, and I can’t wait to see who’s cast.

What do you think of the Hunger Games 3 title and cover? Did you know about all of the upcoming movie adaptations?

It’s February, and that means Valentine’s Day; so this month’s face off is for the most romantic Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or Supernatural book! Let us know what you think!

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer: When Bella Swan moves from sunny Phoenix to Forks, Washington, a damp and dreary town known for the most rainfall in the United States, to live with her dad, she isnt expecting to like it. But the level of hostility displayed by her standoffish high school biology lab partner, Edward Cullen, surprises her. After several strange interactions, his preternatural beauty, strength, and speed have her intrigued. Edward is just as fascinated with Bella, and their attraction to one another grows. As Bella discovers more about Edwards nature and his family, she is thrown headlong into a dangerous adventure that has her making a desperate sacrifice to save her one true love.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater: Grace loves the peace and tranquility of the woods behind her home. It is here during the cold winter months that she gets to see her wolf—the one with the yellow eyes. Grace is sure that he saved her from an attack by other wolves when she was nine. Over the ensuing years he has returned each season, watching her with those haunting eyes as if longing for something to happen. When a teen is killed by wolves, a hunting party decides to retaliate. Grace races through the woods and discovers a wounded boy shivering on her back porch. One look at his yellow eyes and she knows that this is her wolf in human form. Fate has finally brought Sam and Grace together, and as their love grows and intensifies, so does the reality of what awaits them. It is only a matter of time before the winter cold changes him back into a wolf, and this time he might stay that way forever.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman: “Wait a minute, wait a minute….Is this a kissing book?” Much admired by academics, the “Classic Tale” nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: “Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles.”

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: On the surface, Henry and Clare Detamble are a normal couple living in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Henry works at the Newberry Library and Clare creates abstract paper art, but the cruel reality is that Henry is a prisoner of time. It sweeps him back and forth at its leisure, from the present to the past, with no regard for where he is or what he is doing. It drops him naked and vulnerable into another decade, wearing an age-appropriate face. In fact, it’s not unusual for Henry to run into the other Henry and help him out of a jam. Sound unusual? Imagine Clare Detamble’s astonishment at seeing Henry dropped stark naked into her parents’ meadow when she was only six. Though, of course, until she came of age, Henry was always the perfect gentleman and gave young Clare nothing but his friendship as he dropped in and out of her life

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: After two years on the run, best friends Rose, half-human/half-vampire, and Lissa, a mortal vampire princess, are caught and returned to St. Vladimir’s Academy. Up until then, Rose had kept Lissa safe from her enemies; school, however, brings both girls additional challenges and responsibilities. How they handle peer pressure, nasty gossip, new relationships, and anonymous threats may mean life or death. Likable narrator Rose hides doubts about her friend behind a tough exterior; orphan Lissa, while coping with difficult emotional issues such as depression and survivor’s guilt, uses her emerging gifts for good.

Evermore by Alyson Noel: Seventeen-year-old Ever survived the car crash that killed her parents, younger sister, and their dog. Now she lives with an aunt in Southern California, plagued not only by survivor guilt but also by a new ability to hear the thoughts of all around her. She tries to tune out all these distractions by keeping her hoodie up and her iPod cranked loud, until Damen, the cute new boy at school, convinces her to come out of her shell. Damen, however, is frighteningly clever—and has the strange ability to produce tulips from nowhere and disappear himself at critical moments.

Fallen by Lauren Kate: There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move. Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer: Planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a soul called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie’s brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda’s whole perspective on humanity changes.

VOTE here and tell us what you think!

Random Chalk Talk is having a Sing Me to Sleep Giveaway:

THE TRANSFORMATION
Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.
THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.
THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?
THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Contest will end on February 25, 2010. ENTER HERE

Stephanie’s Blog is giving away a signed copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, a Hush, Hush postcard, and a Hush, Hush bookmark.

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.

Contest ends February 8, 2010 at midnight CST. ENTER HERE.
The Book Junkies Bookshelf is having The Birthday Box o’ Books giveaway

Titles currently in the box:

Devil May Cry & Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Shiver by Maggie Steifvator

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Musical Chairs by Jen Knox

ENTER HERE

Steph Su Reads is having My Blogoversary Giveaway! You could win the following ARCs:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
Birthmarked by Caragh O’Brien
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (signed)
The Snowball Effect by Holly Hoxter

Giveaway ends Sunday, February 28, 2010. ENTER HERE

Did you enter any of these contests? Join us in the forum to discuss!!

This week’s poll is centered around this year’s NEW book releases. In the 2009, we have had some really exciting author debuts, sequels, and the start of a new exciting book series. So as the year comes to a close, OBS wants to know out of the novels listed below, which was your favorite read?

“Which was your favorite new book release of 2009″

• Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
• City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
• A Touch of Dead Charlaine Harris
• The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
• Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
• Evermore by Alyson Noel
• Evernight by Claudia Gray
• Hunted by P.C. & Kristin Cast

If you would like to discuss this more, and give your reasons why you choose who you did, please come join the fun debate on the OBS Forums.

You can VOTE right here on the News Blog, just look to your right >> and under “POLLS” is the question along with the answers, just click one and view the results!!

Also check back with OBS every Wednesday, and get to answer the “Poll of Week”!!

Want to view the results of our previous polls, like who was named the “Which is your favorite Mythical Character?” “ Who is your favorite Author?” or “Who is your favorite Vampire” ? You can check them out HERE