PAST WORLD by Ian Beck

Interesting YA thriller told from multiple perspectives. Set in middle 21st Century where there's a theme park of Victorian London. There are people who live there and people who pay a lot of money to visit (called Gawkers). The laws of the area and time are closely enforced and are extremely arcane. Going into Past World, the visitor must give up anything from the present that doesn't fit with the time. That means no cell phones, no electric tooth brushes, nothing from the present.

Eve is a beautiful 17 year old girl who's memory only goes back two years. She's been raised and closely watched by her guardian, Jack, who's slowly going blind. Eve also has no idea that she's living in a theme park. Bible J, a pickpocket and assistant to a man who runs seances from his home and takes part Bible J's haul in exchange for giving him a place to stay. Caleb, brought to Past World by his father who was one of the original imaginers but who is almost immediately kidnapped in front of Caleb, who is also being blamed for Jack's murder. Chief Inspector Catchpole spends his time between the two worlds and is finally on the trail of The Fantom as well as information that is bigger than anyone could have imagined.

When Eve decides to run away to join the circus and learn about the real world, she sets off a series of events that not only put her in danger, but everyone she cares for or will care for. She's a child in a woman's body, but there's something in her past that's coming after her and she can't deny it's power over her. She also discovers she has abilities that most humans don't. She's extremely agile, fast and has no fear.

Once in Past World, Eve, Caleb, Bible J and Catchpole's lives intersect to bring them to a thrilling conclusion.

This story reminded me of a combination of a few things, Logan's Run, The Truman Show and Jack the Ripper. I'm not usually someone who enjoys material told from many different points of view, but in this case it served the story well.

LIPS TOUCH by Laini Tayolr

Three short stories in one book. Paranormal in nature, and about our female protagonists first kiss and what that means for each one. I have to say my favorite of the three is the last one, HATCHLING. Immortals use humans as pets and bread them for amusement since the immortals have no emotions and physical needs. They use humans as hosts to experience what they feel, but it's not pleasurable for the humans at all. Mab has spent 14 years trying to protect her daughter from the immortals she ran away from. But when one of Esme's eyes turns from brown to steel blue and wolves howl, it signals a change that neither of them is prepared for.

I don't want to spoil the story, but it's well written, well rounded and told with mounting anticipation of what is happening.

This is my first time reading Laini Taylor and I would highly recommend it.

YOU WISH by Mandy Hubbard

Kayla is 16 and her mother throws her a Sweet 16 birthday party only to make a wish that causes havoc as the days go by. She has to figure out what she wished for, what she really wants and how not to hurt her best friend when she remembers that her last wish was to be kissed by Ben, her best friends boyfriend.

I don't want to say too much, because I really encourage teen girls to read this book. Like PRADA & PREJUDICE, Mandy's heroines are different from the popular girls, and have to learn how to be themselves. In YOU WISH, Kayla discovers that she's the one who's pushed everyone away by her behavior and the way she dresses. She's so determined to be different she doesn't let anyone in. Being closer to normal isn't so bad.

Great read, fun characters and lots of funny moments with Kayla trying to figure out what's going on.

SNAPPED by Pamela Klaffke

Sara B. is the 39 year old co-owner of the famed Canadian magazine Snapped, which is best known for it's DOs and DON'Ts section geared towards what's hot and what's not in the fashions of the people on the street.

Sara B is hard drinking, hard living and has sex with many men. She has an open relationship with her boyfriend and has no intentions on having children and moving to the suburbs like her business partner Ted and his wife Genevieve, also known as Gen Gen. A one hit wonder from the 90's, now wife and mother of a toddler.

Everything in Sara's world is great and she has no plans for things to change, that is until a young woman by the name of Eva B. becomes her assistant. Eva makes changes at the magazine, cause Sara to look bad and starts sleeping with Ted. Sara discovers she's pregnant by her younger boyfriend, Jack, only to lose the baby. She leaves Snapped when a friend dies and decides to make changes in her life, encouraging those whom she humiliated in the DON'Ts section of the magazine to critique her.

Think All About Eve for the 21st Century. A woman who thinks she has it all discovers she never really did until she takes a hard look at herself.

Day 1 - Exercise

First day of really going after getting back into shape. Can't stand the way my body feels. I'm tired all the time and I need to be able to feel better about myself. So, off to walk a couple of miles. Well, it's amazing how easily your body goes back to jello and how hard it is to get it back into shape. I could barely do a mile for my calves and my shins hurting. But if I have to do a mile a day until it feels better, that's what I'm going to do.

Need to buy more fruit and protein. I ate my last banana, which has potassium and helps fight the muscle strain. So I will go tomorrow to get it.

Miles 1.15
Steps 2829
Moderate steps 2240
kcal 103