The holiday season is fast arriving and that means it's time to give thanks for good friends, good family and good books. The weather is perfect to hunker down and read by the fire, or to grab a friend for a night at the movies (check out our Books into Movies feature to learn all about November's film adaptations of your favorite books). This month Teenreads.com is stuffed with new features and cool stuff --- all you need to fill yourself up, in case the pumpkin pie just isn't enough.

Along with our series feature on THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF ALFRED KROPP and an interview with author Rick Yancey, we also have interviews with Tamora Pierce, author of THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS, and Lola Douglas, author of TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET. All three authors are as different as the books they wrote, and all three interviews are equally fascinating. Rick Yancey talks about his aversion to 'cuteness,' Lola Douglas reveals tantalizing tidbits from the sequel to TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET, and Tamora Pierce explains how her fans influence her work.

In addition to our roundup of cool new books for November, we have all the details on two new series from two of your favorite authors. Gossip Girl creator Cecily von Ziegesar has written THE IT GIRL, the first book in her new series of the same name. And from the slightly twisted mind of Cirque Du Freak creator Darren Shan comes LORD LOSS, book one in his Demonata series. When The It Girl and Demonata are the series everyone is talking about, remember, you heard about them first on Teenreads.com.

Our poll is about school stress, which we hope isn't getting you down. If it is, just hang in there --- Thanksgiving break is almost here and winter vacation is just around the corner. Have you gotten all your holiday shopping done? Have you even started? Remember, if you're stumped as to what to give your best friend, your dad, your little sister, or anyone at all --- a great (and easy to wrap) present is always a good book. Very soon we'll be adding our What to Give/What to Get feature on Teenreads.com to get you shopping!

Thanks to all of you for reading. Last month more than 254,000 of you logged onto Teenreads.com, a number that will keep us warm on many a chilly fall night. Enjoy your turkey; bang those drumsticks.

Carol Fitzgerald for Teenreads.com (Carol@bookreporter.com)

Young adult novelist Tamora Pierce has penned a number of successful fantasy series such as The Song of the Lioness, Protector of the Small, and The Immortals. In this interview she talks with Teenreads.com reviewer Joy Held about THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS, which reunites the four mages from The Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens quartets. Pierce discusses the various influences that have shaped these characters and the direction in which they may be headed in future adventures. She also explains the impact that readers have had on her writing and details what an ordinary day is like in the life of Tamora Pierce. 

THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS by Tamora Pierce (Fantasy)
This new fantasy novel from Tamora Pierce marks the return of the four mages who appeared in The Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens quartets. Together, they will try to outsmart and outlast the Empress of Namron, who has set a cunning trap to keep them in her brutal empire forever. Reviewed by Joy Held.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS.

Teenreads.com contributing writer Carlie Webber interviewed Lola Douglas about her debut novel, TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET. Douglas reveals how the book's premise stemmed from her fascination with Drew Barrymore, an extensive knowledge of pop culture, and the experience of living in the Midwest for five months. She also discusses the influence of television and movies on her work, provides words of wisdom for aspiring writers, and offers a sneak peak at the sequel to STARLET.

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET by Lola Douglas (Fiction)
Following a near overdose outside Los Angeles's Viper Room, teen star Morgan Carter is sent away to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where she will have a chance to recover out of the spotlight. Her plan is to stage an eventual comeback, but will she be so quick to abandon her new life in Middle America? Reviewed by Carlie Webber.

This month you'll be giving thanks for the Cool New Books that have recently been released. As promised, Cecily von Ziegesar has created a brand new series called The It Girl, featuring popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey all on her own. Meg Cabot's latest addition to her Princess Diaries series arrives just in time for the upcoming holidays, and PRETTIES, the second book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy, poses a chilling question: What happens when perfection isn't good enough?

You'll be equally as grateful for November's stand-alone titles, which include THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS, a new fantasy novel from Tamora Pierce that marks the return of the four mages who appeared in The Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens quartets, and Chris Lynch's riveting tale INEXCUSABLE, a finalist for this year's National Book Award in the Young People's Literature category.

Check it out --- the two most exciting, most anticipated and most hyped movies to hit theaters in November are based on books you love! HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE by J.K. Rowling and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen could hardly be more different (except for that whole "English" thing), but the film adaptations of both promise to be equally satisfying.

The fourth Harry Potter movie plunges us back into Hogwarts Academy and Harry's fantastic world, where wizards run amok and scoundrels lurk in the shadows. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy may be a scoundrel of the romantic variety, or simply the perfect man in disguise. It's up to you to decide in the unabashedly romantic and delectable Pride & Prejudice, which features sumptuous costumes, elaborate sets, and everyone's favorite pirate --- Kiera Knightly.

So whether your literary tastes tend to be classical and romantic, or fantastical and imaginative, you'll be more than satisfied with the movies coming to the big screen this month.

BOOK SENSE BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS: 240 Favorites for All Ages Recommended by Independent Booksellers compiled by Book Sense (Reference)
With today's ever-growing publishing industry, the number of children's books on the market grows exponentially as each year passes. The dizzying volume of new titles on bookstore shelves can quickly transform the usually enjoyable task of finding the perfect book for your child into an overwhelming, at times even bewildering, ordeal. Book Sense, the trade organization and advocate of the independent bookseller that brought us the reading group resource favorite BOOK SENSE BEST BOOKS, lends another helping hand with BOOK SENSE BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

THE IT GIRL created by Cecily von Ziegesar (Fiction)
Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey has left Constance Billard to attend Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school. This is the perfect place for Jenny to start anew and become someone who doesn't make embarrassing mistakes or get into trouble. Well, that's the plan anyway! Reviewed by Amy Alessio.

LORD LOSS: The Demonata, Book I by Darren Shan (Horror/Supernatural)
When Grubbs Grady decides against joining his family on a weekend trip, everything appears to be normal. He never guesses that he is about to take a terrifying journey into darkness. Hungry demons and howling werewolves haunt his waking nightmares --- and threaten his life. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.

INEXCUSABLE by Chris Lynch (Fiction)
Keir Sarafian thinks he's a decent person. He believes himself to be a devoted son and brother, a loyal friend, and a reliable teammate. Chris Lynch explores what it means to be a "good guy" in this powerful novel, a surprising character study centered on the issue of date rape. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.


-Click here to read an excerpt from INEXCUSABLE.

THE HUMAN FLY AND OTHER STORIES by T. C. Boyle (Fiction/Short Stories)
One of the best ways to appreciate T. C. Boyle is through his richly imagined short fiction. Here is a collection of classic Boyle stories about teenagers (including the O. Henry Award-winning "The Love of My Life") that will speak directly to them, as well as to anyone who was once a teen. Reviewed by Alexis Burling.

CAPT. HOOK: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth by J. V. Hart (Action & Adventure)
James Matthew bears little resemblance to his peers at Eton. Nicknamed King Jas., he stops at nothing to become the most notorious underclassman in the prestigious school's history. But when he sets sail on a ship with a mysterious mission, his dream of discovering a magical island quickly turns into an unimaginable nightmare. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

M OR F? by Lisa Papademetriou and Chris Tebbetts (Fiction)
Frannie is desperate to get the attention of her crush, Jeffrey, but she's way too shy to make a move. Marcus, her gay best friend, insists that Frannie chat with Jeffrey online, though Frannie won't type a word without Marcus's help. The plan seems to be working --- but the more Marcus writes, the more he's convinced that Jeffrey is falling for him, not Frannie. Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

THE DREAM MERCHANT by Isabel Hoving (Fantasy)
This epic adventure quest --- winner of the Netherlands' most prestigious children's book award --- centers on "ordinary" boy Josh Cope, who is recruited by Gippart International to exploit their newest sales territory, umaya, a dream world through which Gippart hopes to unlock the secrets of time. Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood.

CRACKBACK by John Coy (Fiction)
When Miles Manning, a successful high school football player, discovers his teammates are using steroids --- and one of them is his best friend --- he's faced with a tough decision: Is he willing to do whatever it takes to win, regardless of the consequences? Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

UNDER A STAND STILL MOON by Ann Howard Creel (Historical Fiction)
This is the story of Echo, whose destiny changes when she is forced to marry Sun Watcher, the High Priest whose knowledge and magic govern the People. Echo comes of age through some terrifying times...but can the magic she learns from the High Priest help to save her people's lives? Reviewed by Ashley

For most of you the first marking period at school just ended, or is about to end. How are you keeping up?

I am right on top of everything.
I could use some better organization skills.
I am slightly lost.
I am hopelessly lost.
I am not sure where I stand.

Are you finding time for "free-time" reading?

Yes, I am keeping up with my personal reading.
I am reading some, but not as much as I would like.
There is no time for "free reading" right now.
I am not sure where I am on "free reading."

When you have time to read for pleasure, what's the first book you are going to read?

This contest period, one teen reader will be randomly chosen to win a copy of INEXCUSABLE by Chris Lynch. (Click on the link below for the official rules) To automatically enter to win, e-mail us your recommendations and book ratings.