Serendipity Reviews

In My Mailbox

2010-07-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Sorry this is a bit late (yeah I know- understatement), my cat just died (she had FIV, basically the cat version of AIDS, which she was apparently born with.) and I completely didn't feel up to posting. I promise there will be minimum moping in this post :P

Recieved for Review:

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard (TBR August 5th, 2010 from Razorbill Publishing) (finished already)

The Secrets of April, May and June by Robin Benway (TBR August 3rd, 2010 from Razorbill Publishing)

Thanks so much to Razorbill Publishing for giving me complementary copies of these two great books for review!

Library:

From 2 different libraries... I know it seems like a lot, but I returned all the other books I had out, soooo.... it evens out, right? *cough*

Kitchen Princess Vol. 1 (Manga)

The Heart is Not A Size by Beth Kephart

Me, the Missing and the Dead by Jenny Valentine (one of my favorite authors)

Margherita Dolce Vita by Stefano Benni (I'm in love with this imprint, Europa Editions!)

Solanin by Asano Inio (Manga I've been trying to get FOREVER)

The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti (I really haven't liked Caletti's work at all, but I'm giving her another chance)

The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin

A Good Day for Love Letters- George Asakura (not sure how I feel about the art)

Gentleman Prefer Blondes- Anita Loos

Cooking With Fernet Branca- James Patterson-Hamilton

Gourmet Rhapsody- Muriel Barbery

The Queen of the Tambourine- Jane Gardam

Kimmie66- Aaron Alexovich (I wish this imprint hadn't closed, Minx was so great!)

Emily the Strange: The Lost Days-Rob Reger (I have no idea what this is, it just looked cool. Is it a series?)

The Ghosts of Ashbury High- Jaclyn Moriarty (YAY! I love this series!)

The Evolution Man, or How I Ate My Father- Roy Lewis (Weird, I know :P)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close- Jonathan Foer

The Line- Teri Hall (I never got to finish it)

Sorry- Gail Jones

Gimme A Call- Sarah Mylnowski

Wonderland- Tommy Kovac and Sonny Leiw (Pretty.... *gape*)

JPod- Douglas Coupland (love it even more than I thought I would, considering I'm not a fan of the pessimistic, vaguely pretentious Generation X stuff)

*deep breath* Even more than I thought I'd checked out.

Bought:

All but 2 of these (the one on top and the one on the bottom) are from a used book store. I got them for only 50 cents each down in Mississippi! *dance* Oh, and I got the Great Gatsby too, but I forgot to dig it out from under my bed (books are everywhere under there in my room, as I just got a new bookshelf and have yet to stock it). It's scary under there.

Dr. Slump Vol. 1 by Akira Toriyama (my favorite manga ever! The art is so simple but genius. Toriyama is great.)

The Taker- J. M. Steele

A Farewell to Arms- Ernest Hemingway

Great Short Works of Mark Twain

The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Writings- Oscar Wilde

Pygmalion and 3 Other Plays- George Bernard Shaw

Pygmalion and My Fair Lady (in too horrible condition to show: my dog got a hold of it! Luckily I had finished it on the trip back from Texas :P)

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald (I like it much more than I expected to.)

***********888

Finally done with the list! I got a lot of great books this week, and didn't even spend that much money. A lot of these I've been trying to track down, and finally did, which is awesome :) Mostly mangas that weren't at B&N or either of my libraries. So, what was in you mailbox this week?

Interview With Yvonne Prinz, Author of the Vinyl Princess!

2010-07-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

(While we're on the subject of reviews, sorry for my lack thereof- that's going to change, I promise :))

Thanks so much to Yvonne Prinz, author of the fantastic book The Vinyl Princess (my review here), for this interview!

A short bio of Yvonne: Yvonne and her husband own the largest indie record store in the world, Ameoba Records, in California. The Vinyl Princess is her first YA novel, and she also has a middle grade series about a girl named Claire, who is always getting into trouble. She also has a new book coming out in December, "All You Get is Me," which Prinz describes as a modern-day "To Kill A Mocking Bird".

************

So, here's the interview:

1. Were you anything like Allie when you were growing up?
I was very much like Allie, I worked in a record store in Canada when I was sixteen and I absolutely lived for music.

2. Did you listen to a lot of music while you were writing? If so, what?
I did, actually. Usually I find it too distracting but I wanted the energy of the music to inform my writing. I listened to Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, really, all the music that appears in the book was sitting next to me as I wrote.

3. What inspired you to write The Vinyl Princess?
Owning a record store did. I felt like it's an unexplored culture for a lot of people, sad, because it's been so scaled back and wonderful because it brings out the most interesting people. I set out to re-create what I'd seen every day working at Amoeba in Berkeley.

4. Tell us about your amazing record store, Amoeba Records.
We started as a sort of mom and pop kind of place in Berkeley 1990 but it just sort of took off. Now we have a big store on Haight Street in SF and an even bigger store in LA on Sunset Blvd. We do free live shows all the time and we cater to the collectors as well as the people who didn't grow up with record stores. Each store has it's own personality.

5. How and when did you start collecting records, and how many do you own?
I was hooked when my Dad brought home Abby Road when I was a kid. I started collecting then but I left that collection when I moved from Canada to California so I had to start over. I've never actually counted my records but my collection has morphed with my husband's and we must have thousands.

6. What song best describes you?
That changes daily. Right now it's "The First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes.

7. In the book, Allie puts an Elvis Costello quote on her blog, about how the mp3 has "dismantled" the record. Is that how you feel about digital downloading, and what's your opinion on the future of vinyl and indie record stores?
Well, I think we all have to accept that downloading is here to stay. I'm excited to see that turntables are now readily available at your local Target store. I sure didn't predict that, and young kids are embracing vinyl! Man, that does my heart good. I think we can all agree that nothing compares to breaking the seal on a new vinyl record and spinning it for your friends to hear. The stores are fast disappearing but long live Amoeba!

8. Are you working on any other books right now?
I have a new book coming out in December called "All You Get Is Me". It's a sort of a "To Kill A Mockingbird" for these times with Mexican Migrant Farmworkers at it's center.

9. Will the be a sequel to The Vinyl Princess?
People seem to want one but who knows? Where would I take Allie next? If you can think of somewhere, let me know.

**************

Thanks again to Yvonne Prinz!

Her new book: All You Get is Me

The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz

2010-06-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Title: The Vinyl Princess

Author: Yvonne Prinz

Publisher/ Release Date: HarperTeen (December 22, 2009)

# of Pages (Hardcover): 320

MSRP (Hardcover): $16.99

Summary (courtesy of Amazon): Summer is here, and 16-year-old Allie, a self-professed music geek, is exactly where she wants to be: working full-time at Berkeley’s ultra-cool Bob and Bob Records. There, Allie can spend her days bantering with the street people, talking the talk with the staff, shepherding the uncool bridge-and-tunnel shoppers, all the while blissfully surrounded by music, music, music. It’s the perfect setup for her to develop her secret identity as The Vinyl Princess, author of both a brand-new zine and blog. From the safety of her favourite place on earth, Allie is poised to have it all: love, music and blogging. Her mother, though, is actually the one getting the dates, and business at Allie’s beloved record store is becoming dangerously slow—not to mention that there have been a string of robberies in the neighbourhood. At least her blog seems to be gaining interest, one vinyl junkie at a time….

**********

I know it's only about mid-year, but the Vinyl Princess is, hands-down, the best book I've read in 2010. I love everything about it: the characters, the setting, the countless musical references, and most importantly, the subject of vinyl and vinyl culture, and how it needs to be preserved. If we don't, we won't meet people like Allie, our protagonist, who knows everything you could ever want to know about music, looks like, according to her, "the child of Sid Vicious," and considers her thousands of LP's a modest collection- can we really afford to lose awesome people like this?

My favorite thing about this book was the characters. Heavy readers of YA chick-lit will recognize the character archetypes: the sharp, witty protagonist, the lovable (if, at times, ditzy) best friend, the guy who isn't what he seems, and the guy who has been there all along. But they aren't flat stereotypes- Prinz's characters are all painted wonderfully, with their own unique and engaging personalities. And side characters are cast aside and treated as plot devices, either, with each one carefully crafted- even the ones that don't do or say much speak volumes about Allie and her world.

I also loved the setting of Prinz's novel, Telegraph Avenue. Full of more hippies, "bridge-and-tunnel shoppers", and other unconventional populace than you've ever laid eyes on, Telegraph Avenue is a great reflection of the book overall: quirky, funny, and full of surprises.

But my very favorite thing about this book is the way music plays such a big part in it. Good music, too: Just flipping through this book, there's references to everyone from Bob Dylan to the Avett Brothers to the Beatles and Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen and... *takes a breath* Well, you get the point. Allie basically has the best taste in music ever. If you're an "audiophile", too, you might see references that remind you of an old favorite, and if you're don't know much about music, this book is practically a field guide to records.

Overall, in The Vinyl Princess, we find a funny, true voice that needs to be heard, one speaking out for indie record store culture and for the preservation of vinyl in general. Not only that, but it teaches our generation, living in the age of digital downloading, to love vinyl again. There book shows the beauty of the physical involvement in putting on a record, examining it breathlessly for scratches, and enjoying it like the girl on the cover: the waves of nostalgia, the familiarity of the crackling on a well-worn record. And there's something for everyone in this book: romance, music, fashion, drama, and a little bit of crime mystery, too. Read this book in your attic on an old bean bag chair with a stack of carefully selected records, and enjoy.

In My Mailbox

2010-05-23T18:53:00.001-07:00

(Hey, sorry I've become one of those blogging people who don't publish comments forEVER, and only post once every 10 days or so!)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme telling about books borrowed from friends, gotten from libraries, bought, review copies, anyway you obtain them, created by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I haven't been getting a lot of books lately (I'm on a drawing craze right now: actually, I'm racing to finish this post so I can do my Inu-Yasha and Kagome sketch... *blush* I'm a regular otaku now), but the ones I do get are turning out to be great- well, for the most part :P

For review:

None

Library:

Mercury by Hope Larson

Runaway by Meg Cabot

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

Even the Stars Look Lonesome by Maya Angelou

Old School by Tobias Wolff

The Waters and The Wild- Francesca Lia Block

Ivy by Julie Hearn

Bought:

None

I'm really excited about the library books I got, especially Runaway, the 3rd (and I think final? Can anyone confirm that?) book in the Airhead series, which I love. Being Nikki didn't live up to my expectations, but this one is showing promise. I got books from all different genres and subjects, and I can't wait to read them :) Mercury is wonderful: interesting story, but the art definitely isn't your conventional and beautiful. And David Sedaris' essays are hilarious :)

Happy reading all, I hope you had a great week in books!

It doesn't usually look like this, all blank and widget-less, I'm just redecorating.

2010-05-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

Pretty self-explanatory title.

Flower In A Storm 1 by Shigeyoshi Takagi

2010-05-09T19:28:00.000-07:00

Title: Flower In A Storm Vol. 1

Author: Shigeyoshi Takagi

Publisher: VIZ Media LLC

MSRP: $9.99 US

Pages: 200 (paperback)

Riko is a normal girl (as we are constantly and overly informed in each episode) with un-normal superstrength. Until the day when Ran Tachibana, rich heir of the famous Tachibana family, breaks into her classroom, claiming her as his bride. When Riko refuses, he gives her until 5 o'clock to to escape him and he'll let her go. While Ran has unlimited money and infinite favors, Riko has superhuman strength.

First of all, the characters. Riko is constantly reiterating that she's "just your ordinary, every-day high school girl" (often said as she's running insanely fast, saving balloons for children, and generally putting her superhuman abilities to use), and it's obvious she just wants to belong. However, it's constantly being repeated gets tired quickly, loses all its irony, and starts to feel like the author felt we wouldn't get it. Riko isn't a character I'm particularly attached to, but she is a very interesting character, and very realistic, because she's just like any other insecure teen, trying to hide what makes her special because it's what she's been taught she should do.

And then, there's Ran. Ran is also an interesting character, charming, creepy, odd, and lovable, all at the same time. It's obvious he really is in love with Riko, and his sincere adoration for her is something I definitely liked: but it doesn't change his stalking her, and being slightly insane. Overall, they're a cute, strong main pair.

But they're the only strong characters: supporting characters, like Riko's friends (the shaved-headed student council member was good for a laugh or two, but not much else), he assassin, etc. have no personality and are really flat and one-dimensional, which is disappointing. The side characters are basically just there for the sake of the plot, which isn't how it should be.

The dialogue was pretty weak, even at times between Riko and Ran, especially at the beginning. It seemed a little awkward and repetitive, weirdly worded: but once you got more familiar with the characters, the dialogue got better, and was redeemed by Ran's romantic gestures.

And then there's the plot. Ran chasing after Riko only lasts through the first episode or so, and after that, you'd think the- admittedly shallow- plot would sort of fizzle away. But I felt like the author did a great job with it from there: every chapter has crazy, often funny misadventures of Riko and Ran as Riko slowly starts coming around to Ran.

The art wasn't particularly special, just your traditional shojo style: big eyes, unnatural beauty, inordinate amounts of rose petals floating around. But, it's still very pretty, and nice to look at and try to draw.

There's also a bonus manga, called The Need For Artificial Respiration. It's a nice contrast to Flower, more serious and realistic, and its shortness leaves it feeling even more poignant. On the other hand, Flower in A Storm feels kind of rushed and unreal.

Overall, this manga definitely has its flaws: lacking side characters, a slightly shallow plot, and repetitive chapter beginnings, but if you're new to manga, it's definitely worth a try, and I still loved it anyways. I recommend picking it up at the library (or used on Amazon) if you see it.

(By the way, the 2nd and final volume is out August 3rd!)

In My Mailbox

2010-05-09T18:45:00.001-07:00

Hey, sorry I haven't posted in a bit, I've been reading things not pertaining to YA (I've been reading Hamlet- like I would dare review that :P), and some of the YA books I have been reading have turned out to be duds.

Anyways, I got 5 books this week- 2 library books I've been waiting for forEVER, and then one I randomly stumbled upon, then 2 plays my parents bought me (speaking of which, WHERE the heck does Barnes and Noble keep their drama books?!). Plus a new record. So, pretty good :)

Mail/Review Copy:

None

Library:

Flower In A Storm, Volume 1 by Shigeyoshi Takagi

My Invisible Boyfriend by Susie Day

(Sorry for the fuzziness on this picture!)

Vintage Veronica by Erica Perl

Bought:

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

And then, I got this record in the mail, I totally forgot I ordered it last week:

Little Joy by Little Joy

I listened to it all the way through just now, and I think I'm in love. Kind of folksy and sweet, reminiscent of The Strokes in some ways (by the way, Little Joy is the side project of the Strokes' drummer, it's not just some out-of-the-blue comparison), but definitely not an interpretation. My favorite track is Unattainable.)

Good week :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Where She Went

2010-04-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry, there's next to nothing available information-wise on this book!

All I know:

Published in 2011
The sequel to If I Stay
From Mia's boyfriend, Adam's, point of view three years later.

Sorry I can't really give much information, but I just thought you might like to know about the sequel! If I Stay was completely amazing and unforgettable, I absolutley can't wait.

Waiting On Wednesday: Razorbill Books Double-Feature!

2010-04-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

It was so hard for me to choose which book to feature this week- I had a good feeling 2010 would be a good book year, and I was right: My Amazon cart is filled with pre-orders!

I couldn't choose between these two TBP Razorbill Books works, and it seemed like they balance each other out: a cute chick-litesque book with an ADORABLE cover, and an awesomely creepy novel with an equally awesome terrifying cover. Enjoy :)

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Being published by Razorbill Books on August 5, 2010

Summary:

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteen sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. A boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of the same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride . . . but they MUST STOP. Because when she was fifteen? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her. And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend.

My thoughts: Personally, I don't celebrate birthdays, but this sounds like a great book. I have Hubbard's first book, Prada and Prejudice, in my To Be Read pile, and have read about 15 pages (I always do that before I stack them)- usually, I'm not a fan of Pride and Prejudice/Jane Austen spinoffs, but I like her writing style, fresh and funny.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

To be published by Razorbill Books on September 21, 2010

Summary: Mackie Doyle seems like everyone else in the perfect little town of Gentry, but he is living with a fatal secret - he is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago.

Now the creatures under the hill want him back, and Mackie must decide where he really belongs and what he really wants. A month ago, Mackie might have told them to buzz off. But now, with a budding relationship with tough, wounded, beautiful Tate, Mackie has too much to lose. Will love finally make him worthy of the human world?

My thoughts: I would buy this for the cover alone, really: how awesome is it!? (Sorry, I've been sleeping all day, causing me to be slightly over-peppy. Bear with me) I love the mobile of death. Wish I had something like that when I was a kid: yup, totally good for my psychological health. Why do I have to wait until September? *sigh* *heads off to mope/talley days on walls Shawshank style*

In My Mailbox

2010-04-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! So sorry it's been quite a while since my last IMM post- I've been super busy. We're remodeling my church and my family helped, piles of homework... etc., etc.

I got a decent haul this week- mostly library books, and I borrowed a book from a friend.

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme telling about books borrowed from friends, gotten from libraries, bought, review copies, anyway you obtain them, created by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Review copies/mail:

None

Library:

Blade: Playing Dead (Book 1) - Tim Bowler
Frozen Fire- Tim Bowler
The Cupcake Queen- Heather Hepler
Heist Society- Ally Carter
The Line- Teri Hall
Girl In the Arena- Lise Haines
Out of Africa- Isak Denisen

Borrowed:

Animal Academy, Volume 1- Hakobune Hakusho (Borrowed it from my friend Jacob, and I'm officially in love with manga! While we're on the subject, know any good manga series, sans paranormal themes?)

Bought:

None

So, it's been a pretty decent book week. I'm proud of myself for not spending any money on books, for once :S ; I discovered manga; and got some really great library books; and made a huge list of books coming out this year I need to read. What about you?

Book review: The Heroines by Eileen Favorite

2010-04-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

Title: The Heroines
Author: Eileen Favorite
Publisher: Scribner, December 11 2007
Pages (Hardcover): 256 pp
MSRP: $24.00
Rating: * * */ 5

Summary: Although a true lover of books, Anne-Marie Entwhistle prefers not to read to her spirited daughter, Penny, especially from the likes of Madame Bovary,Gone With the Wind, or The Scarlet Letter. These novels, devoted to the lives of the Heroines that make them so irresistible, have a way of hitting too close to home -- well, to the Homestead actually, where Anne-Marie runs the quaint family-owned bed and breakfast.In this enchanting debut novel, Penny and her mother encounter great women from classic works of literature who make the Homestead their destination of choice just as the plots of their tumultuous, unforgettable stories begin to unravel. They appear at all hours of the day and in all manners of distress. A lovesick Madame Bovary languishes in their hammock after Rodolphe has abandoned her, and Scarlett O'Hara's emotions are not easily tempered by tea and eiderdowns. These visitors long for comfort, consolation, and sometimes for more attention than the adolescent Penny wants her mother to give.Knowing that to interfere with their stories would cause mayhem in literature, Anne-Marie does her best to make each Heroine feel at home, with a roof over her head and a shoulder to cry on. But when Penny begins to feel overshadowed by her mother's indulgence of each and every Heroine, havoc ensues, and the thirteen-year-old embarks on her own memorable tale.
******************************************************************

In theory, this book sounds like a fantastic premise, and it is: a magical inn, absolutely drowning in Southern charm, and a mother and daughter who own it, where heroines of famous novels come to life? What could be better?

I had many problems with this book, but one of the main one was that I felt Favorite was trying to accomplish too much with her book. It seemed as though she was trying to blend teen angst of the most annoying manner, a female Holden Caulfield, satire on the huge amount of praise given to books just because they've endured the test of time (and not because the book itself is any good), a kind of "Girl, Interrupted" thing, AND magic into one book, and was spreading the characters, elements and plot too thin to try to accomplish it. As a result, inconsistencies abounded.

The most major inconsistency was of the heroines themselves: sometimes they were portrayed as modern individuals who had no problem with the modern lifestyle, working things fine and dressing/speaking normally; then, about halfway through the novel, they suddenly became old-fashioned, starting with Hester Prynne and Pearl from The Scarlet Letter.

Another thing is on the plot. Like I said, it's a really fantastic idea- but it wasn't delivered on. It wasn't as charming and magical as the premise called for, and it was very vague about the heroines: they stayed for too short a time, and we never really got to "re-meet" them again as promised, and if we did there was never enough description. I felt like this really took away from the believability of the book, and as a result the enjoyment.

Penny wasn't a character you'll like- she's self-centered, angsty, bratty, and stereotypical. She may have been planned this way, but she wasn't so much of an antihero as just a slightly crazy, foolish young girl.

Despite many discrepancies and follies, the book did have it's likable moments that, for some readers could be a sort of redeeming quality. I really wouldn't recommend buying it or going out of your way to get it, but if you see it on the library shelves pick it up and skim through, if you're still interested.

I've Been Tagged... and So Have You (Maybe)!

2010-03-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I just saw a comment from a few days ago from Lady Scribbles, saying she tagged me. So, I have to type 7 things you might not know about me (or maybe do- I blab about myself entirely too much on here :P) and then tag 7 people to do the same.

Ok, so here it goes:

1. I get my people/places/things/general proper nouns mixed up ALL the time. For example- Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, all the Johns (except for John Lennon, him I can keep straight :P)... so basically I'm like a senile old grandma who is constantly talking about things she thought happened but that no one EVER said.

2. I love to write, but I can never carry a story through. I just don't know where to go.

3. I LOVE vinyl records. I think I've said that before :P It's exciting to find a store that sells them, to discover a secret stash of records in your attic or basement, and besides that the feel, sound and stigma attached to them are infinitely better than any digital music.

4. I love coffee- but it doesn't make me hyper. If anything, it calms me down, even when I drink americanos (espresso with 2 shots of water). So, that's a good thing :)

5. I'm a total spaz in real-life. I fall and break things and generally make a fool of myself :P BUT that's what makes me loveable :)

6. I overuse emoticons :S See?!

7. I want to live in Portland and be a writer/freelance journalist when I grow up. Then, I want to travel around the world (because you can't go through it). Which may seem a bit cliched, but the good kind :)

So, now that you've been dazzled by my fascinating facts (yeah, right) I tag...

Jessica at Shut Up I'm Reading
Margaret at Blue Duck Book Reviews (formerly known as Bookworm Barista)
Allison at Read Into This!
Cate at Sparrow Review
Imogen at Write About What?
Everyone at B.A.M. Book Reviews
Sara L. from Dragonfly Reviews (formerly found here, in case you weren't aware of her move)

So, there it is:) Directions:

Copy the award into a blog post.
Thank the person who gave you the award.
Tell seven things about yourself that your readers didn't know.
Declare seven bloggers as the new recipients.
Notify the winners with comments on their blogs.

Gilmore Girls Reading Challenge 2010

2010-02-20T08:15:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about this challenge! Gilmore Girls was my favorite show and I still watch reruns all the time (when my dad messed my cable up the DVDs were all I had to watch :P), and I've always wanted to read what Rory read- which is a lot. She took a book with her everywhere- like I do :) (I even took one with me to lunch last year... that didn't work out so well :P)

General rules (copied from the official blog, found here... hope I'm not breaking any rules):

The challenge will officially run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. You can begin reading now and anything that you're not more than half way through right now can be counted.
Crossover books from other challenges are allowed. A lot of the books on the list have also been made into movies and those will count as well.

There are three levels of participation:

Emily: Read 5 books from at least two different categories.
Lorelai: Read 10 books from at least three different categories.
Rory: Read 20 books from at least four different categories.

Here is the very long list of books you can choose from:

Classics

Austen Jane Northanger Abbey
Austen Jane Emma
Austen Jane Pride & Prejudice
Bronte Emily Wuthering Heights
Bronte Charlotte Jane Eyre
Browning Elizabeth Barrett Sonnets From The Portuguese
Cervantes
Don Quixote
Chaucer Geoffrey Canterbury Tales, The
Dante
Inferno
Dante
Divine Comedy, The
Dickens Charles David Cooperfield
Dickens Charles Little Dorrit
Dickens Charles Great Expectations
Dickens Charles A Tale of Two Cities
Dickens Charles Our Mutual Friend
Dickens Charles A Christmas Carol
Dickens Charles Oliver Twist
Dickinson Emily New Poems of Emily Dickinson
Flaubert Gustave Madame Bovary
Heaney Seamus Beowulf: A New Verse Translation
Homer
Iliad, The
Hugo Victor Hunchback of Notre Dame, The
Lawrence D. H. Lady Chatterley's Lover
Melville Herman Moby Dick
Poe Edgar Allen Raven, The
Shakespeare William Othello
Shakespeare William Henry IV, Part 2
Shakespeare William Julius Caesar
Shakespeare William Romeo And Juliet
Shakespeare William Hamlet
Shakespeare William Henry V
Shakespeare William Merry Wives of Windsor, The
Shakespeare William A Comedy of Errors
Shakespeare William Richard III
Shakespeare William The Sonnets
Shakespeare William Macbeth
Shelley Mary Frankenstein
Stowe Harriet Beecher Uncle Tom's Cabin
Thoreau Henry David Walden
Tolstoy Leo War And Peace
Tolstoy Leo Anna Karenina
Twain Mark The Jumping Frog of Calavares County
Twain Mark Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Voltaire
Candide
Wharton Edith Roman Holiday
Whitman Walt Leaves of Grass

Childrens/Young Adult

Anderson Hans Christian Little Match Girl, The
Baum L. Frank Wizard of Oz, The
Baum L. Frank Scarecrow of Oz, The
Blume Judy Deenie
Brothers Grimm
Rapunzel
Carroll Lewis Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Chbosky Stephen Perks of Being A Wallflower, The
Collodi Carol Pinocchio
Granowsky Alvin Goldilocks & The Three Bears
Grimm Brothers
Snow White and Rose Red
Hinton S. E. Outsiders, The
Keene Carolyn The Nancy Drew Series
King-Smith Dick Babe
Lofting Hugh Doctor Doolittle
Rawlings Marjorie Kinnan Yearling, The
Rodgers Mary Freaky Friday
Rowling J. K. Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire
Rowling J. K. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone: Book 1
Salten Felix Walt Disney's Bambi (based on Original Story by Felix Salten)
Seuss Dr. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Sobol Donald Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective
Thompson Kay Eloise
White E. B. Stuart Little
White E. B. Charlotte's Web
Wiggin Kate Douglas Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Modern Classics

Albee Edward Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Beckett Samuel Waiting for Godot
Burgess Anthony A Clockwork Orange
Dostoevsky Fyodor Demons (translated by Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsky)
Du Maurier Daphne Rebecca
Faulkner William Sanctuary
Faulkner William As I Lay Dying
Faulkner William Sound and The Fury, The
Fitzgerald F. Scott Tender is the Night
Fitzgerald F. Scott Great Gatsby, The
Forster E. M. A Room With A View
Ginsburg Allen Howl
Heller Joseph Catch-22
Hellman Lillian Children's Hour, The
Hemingway Ernest Snows of Killimanjaro
Hemingway Ernest Sun Also Rises, The
Hemingway Ernest A Moveable Feast
Hemingway Ernest To Have And Have Not
James Henry Daisy Miller
James Henry Art of Fiction, The
Joyce James Finnegan's Wake
Joyce James Ulysses
Kafka Franz Trial, The
Kafka Franz Metamorphosis
Lawrence & Lee Jerome & Robert Edwin Inherit The Wind
Lee Harper To Kill A Mockingbird
Mailer Norman Naked & The Dead, The
Mencken H. R. Mencken's Chresthonomy
Mencken H. R. My Life As Author & Editor
Miller Henry Sexus
Miller Arthur Crucible, The
Mitchell Margaret Gone With The Wind
Nordhoff & Hall Charles & James Norman Mutiny On The Bounty
Orwell George Nineteen Eighty-four
Parker Dorothy Portable Dorothy Parker, The
Plath Sylvia Bell Jar, The
Proust Marcel Swann's Way
Rand Ayn Fountainhead, The
Salinger J. D. Franny And Zooey
Salinger J. D. Catcher In The Rye, The
Shaefer Jack Shane
Steinbeck John Grapes of Wrath, The
Tolkien J.R.R. The Fellowship of the Rings: Lord of the Ring Book 1
Tolkien J. R. R. The Return of The King: Lord of the Ring Book 3
Vonnegut Kurt Slaughterhouse Five
Welty Eudora Collected Stories of Eudora Welty, The
Williams Tennessee A Streetcar Named Desire
Woolf Virginia A Room of One's Own
Woolf Virginia Mrs. Dalloway

Non-fiction

Albaret Celeste Monsieur Proust
Albom Mitch Tuesdays With Morrie
Assorted Authors
Norton Anthology of Theory & Criticism
Binyon T. J. Pushkin: A Biography
Bolles Richard Nelson What Color Is Your Parachute? 2005
Bourdain Anthony Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
Bugliosi & Gentry Vincent & Curt Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
Butler Judith Gender Trouble
Capote Truman In Cold Blood
Clinton Hilary Rodham Living History
Clinton Hilary Rodham It Takes A Village
Collett Anne Swimming with Giants: My Encounters with Whales, Dolphins and Seals
Cook Blanche Wiesen Eleanor Roosevelt
De Beauvoir Simone Second Sex, The
De Beauvoir Simone Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter
Denison Isak Out of Africa
Des Barres Pamela I'm With The Band
Didion Joan Year of Magical Thinking, The
Eggers Dave A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Ehrenreich Barbara Nickel And Dimed
Faludi Susan Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women
Fodor Eugene Selected Hotels of Europe
Ford Ford Madox Good Soldier, The
Franken Al Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them
Friedman Milton A Monetary History of the United States
Gibbon Edward History of the Decline & Fall of The Roman Empire, The
Gibson William Miracle Worker, The
Harvard Joe Velvet Underground's The Velvet Underground & Nico (33 1/3 Series)
Hersh Seymour M. My Lai 4: A Report On The Massacre And Its Aftermath
Huffington Arianna Pigs At The Trough
Irvin Jim Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion, The
Johnson Spencer Who Moved My Cheese?
Kagan Donald Outbreak of the Peoponnesian War, The
Kagan Donald Peace of Nicias & The Sicilian Expedition, The
Kagan Donald Archidamian War
Kerouac Jack On The Road
Lee/Neil/Mars/Sixx
The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band
Lipton Lawrence Holy Barbarians, The
Macaulay David New Way Things Work, The
McCarthy Mary A Bolt From The Blue & Other Essays
McCarthy Mary Group, The
McNeill & McCain Legs and Gillian Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk
Meyers Phillip Vanishing Newspaper, The
Milford Nancy Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay
Moore Barrington Social Origins of Dictatorship & Democracy: Lord & Peasant in the Making of the Modern World
Moore Michael Fahrenheit 9/11
Nietzche Fredrich Portable Nietzche, The
Pagels Elaine Gnostic Gospels
Plath Sylvia Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath, The
Rubin M.D. Theodore Issac David and Lisa
Sherman Wiliam Tecumseh Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman
Sinker Daniel We Owe You Nothing - Punk Planet: The Collected Interviews (Edited)
Spinoza Baruch Ethics
Steves Rick Europe Through The Back Door, 2003
Suskind Ron The Price of Loyalty: George W Bush, the White House, and the Education of Paul O'Neill
Taylor Hobart Chatfield Moliere: A Biography
Thompson Hunter S. Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas
Thompson Hunter S. Fear & Loathing: On The Campaign Trail '72
Thurman Judith Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette
Tzu Sun Art of War, The
Vidal Gore The Last Empire: Essays 1992-2000
Waldo Myra Myra Waldo's Travel & Motoring Guide To Europe
Weisberg Jacob George W Bushisms: The Slate Book of the Accidental Wit & Wisdom of Our 43rd President
Woolf Thomas Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, The
Wurtzel Elizabeth Bitch In Praise of Difficult Women

Rough Guide To Europe, The 2003 Edition

Compact Oxford English Dictionary, The

several biographies of Winston Churchill

Other

Allende Isabel House of the Spirits, The
Allende Isabel Eva Luna
Bloom Judy Gospel According To Judy Bloom, The
Brown Dan DaVinci Code, The
Bukowski Charles Notes of a Dirty Old Man
Davies Robertson Manticore, The
Dubus III Andre House of Sand And Fog, The
Ellis Bret Easton Less Than Zero
Erdrich Louise Love Medicine
Eugenides Jeffrey Virgin Suicides, The
Faber Michel Crimson Petal and the White, The
Farrell Henry What Happened To Baby Jane?
Foer Jonathon Safran Everything Is Illuminated
Gogol Nikolai Vasilevich Dead Souls
Goldman William Marathon Man
Grafton Sue R is For Richocet
Grafton Sue S is For Silence
Hathaway Katharine Butler Little Locksmith, The
Hornsby Nick High Fidelity
Kaysen Susanna Girl, Interrupted
Kennedy William J. Ironweed
King Stephen Cujo
King Stephen Shining, The
King Stephen Carrie
King Stephen Christine
King Stephen Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption
Kohner Frederick Gidget
Lerner Alan Jay Brigadoon
Levin Ira Rosemary's Baby
Marquez Gabriel Garcia One Hundred Years of Solitude
McCourt Frank Angela's Ashes
McDonald Gregory Fletch
McEwan Ian Atonement
McMurtry Larry Terms of Endearment
Metalious Grace Peyton Place
Parker Dorothy Complete Stories
Powell Dawn Complete Novels/Novels 1930-1942
Powell Dawn Selected Letters of Dawn Powell
Pressfield Steven Legend of Bagger Vance, The
Puzo Mario Godfather: Book 1, The
Reger Roger Emily The Strange
Rilke Rainer Maria Letters to a Young Poet
Robert Henry Robert's Rules of Order
Segal Erich Love Story
Sexton Anne Complete Poems, The
Stein Joseph Fiddler On The Roof
Styron William Sophie's Choice
Susann Jacqueline Valley of the Dolls
Tan Amy Joy Luck Club, The
Toole John Kennedy A Confederacy of Dunces
Uhry Alfred Driving Miss Daisy
Webb Charles Graduate, The
Wells Rebecca Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, The
Welty Eudora Collected Short Stories, The

Bhagava Gita, The

**************

I'm doing the Lorelei challenge (10 books, 3 levels). My books:

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee
A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
Atonement by Ian McEwan
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
1984 by George Orwell
As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

I was going to read that book about The Velvet Underground, but I don't know what it is/can't find it :P But I LOVE VU! And I was also going to The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood- has anyone read it and liked it? I'm not sure, I might read it just for fun. Another that didn't make the cut was Swann's Way- I'm reading it, but no way would I EVER review it. There's a sure way to make me look like the biggest dork ever :P

Anyone else doing the challenge? It sounds really fun :)

Book review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2010-02-16T14:24:00.001-08:00

Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher/Release Date: Harper Collins (March 2, 2010)
Pages: 480
Rating: * * * * */5
Summary: What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

*************

I've put off my review of Before I Fall for a few days because I didn't have words to describe how much I loved it. Is it too early to declare this as my favorite book as 2010?

First off, the characters. They were horrible at first, and kind of hard toconnect with for me- I guess it's because I'm a geek and am nothing like people like the mean, pretty girl Sam and her friends were. But that quickly changed- I quickly felt more and more connected to them, despite how horrible they were, and kept hoping Sam could realize what terrible creatures he and her friends were, and could save herself, her friends- and Juliet. I liked Sam, not because she was a good person by any means, but because she told the truth, in a tone full of almost unsettling candidness. They were all very well-crafted, with plenty of detail- something you don't often see in a debut novel.

As to the plot, it was exciting, heart-racing and heart-breaking. It had something for everyone in it- romance, mystery, friendship and family, mystery, and teenage angst, all wrapped up in beautiful prose and tinged with fantasy and an almost supernatural element, with a satisfying, if heart-breaking, ending.

Speaking of the writing, it impressed me as well- unsettlingly and candidly, in a perfectly believable voice and tone, Sam reflected back in an almost wistful tone, with a slight sigh of regret to it, on her short life, her mistakes and regrets, on that final day- until, suddenly, we reach her death... and start all over the next morning. I loved seeing the choices Sam made each day she started over, seeing how the tiniest things, such as not being late- totally changed what was supposed to happen. Again, the writing was much more skilled that many debut novels.

"Before I Fall" is a haunting, heart-breaking, exciting and utterly worth reading new novel- buy it, I promise you won't regret it!

Many thanks to Lauren Oliver herself for giving me a complimentary review copy.

Hunger Games Book 3!

2010-02-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! So, you've probably already heard about this, but I haven't, and it's my blog, so I'm posting it and you're just gonna read it! *ahem* Sorry, another moment of power gone to the head.

Anyways, I just saw the new Hunger Games cover:

Huh. I was sure it was emerald green, for some reason. But I like the blue- very icy, and I like the title. I absolutely can't WAIT to see what happens in the end!

(Just for the record, I'm Team Katniss. Meant to put it on my sidebar :P)

(PS- does anyone know if I did a Catching Fire review? It's been a while... *cough*)

Teaser Tuesday: In A Heartbeat

2010-02-02T19:25:00.001-08:00

Note: This excerpt is from an uncorrected advance proof, and may not be the same as the corrected, complete version.

I started reading In A Heartbeat last night- I am in love, I couldn't put it down! The writing flows like poetry, and this teaser is what I think is a good example of it.

For those of you that don't know, Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme in which people share excerpts from books they're currently reading- NO SPOILERS!

This is from page 6 of In A Heartbeart, by Loretta Ellsworth:

I think I'm dead. Really dead, as in no longer on Earth. I feel removed from my body, like a balloon that someone let loose and is floating up into the ozone. I try to push through it, but it's like pushing through water- more fog fills the gap. If I'm dead, I hope I don't have to stay here forever- I hate gray. I'm more of a purple person, like Grandma.
"Help!" I shout. no one answers. I feel alone and it scares me. I don't want to be here. I want to be back at home finishing my performance. Or at home in my bed, having a bad dream. Or even in the hospital, drugged up and hurt, with a bad headache, but still alive. The only thing keeping me from screaming is that my life is playing out in bits and pieces in front of me. You know how when people on TV die, their lives flash before their eyes? That's kind of how it is for me. Fragments of my life are laid out in front of me like a photo album. All I have to do is remember a moment and there it all is. Every detail!
Of course, right now all I can do is focus on the negative. Some things don't change with death. I'm starting with the last meal I ate, my own personal Last Supper.

Sorry that was kidn of long- I wanted all that included :P

Anyone Else Upset About This???

2010-02-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

I know this is kind of odl news to some of you- I heard it months ago- but I just saw that HarperTeen confirmed that: a) Disney is directing it, and b) MILEY CIRUS is going to be the star.

Is there a person in the world approving of this? I love Wings, what I've read of it (the librarian saw it in my bag when it was way overdue and got all furious on me and said i had to give it back... eep!)- and as of late, I don't think Disney has been doing such a good job of their movies like this. And Miley Cirus? She can't act!
I'm sorry, but... NO.

What do you guys think? Pro, con, neutral? I jsut don't want to see this really excellent book not done justice to.

Book review:A Match Made In High School

2010-01-30T18:03:00.000-08:00

Title: A Match Made In High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Publisher/Release Date: Razorbill, February 4 2010
Pages (Paperback): 288
Rating: * * * */ 5
Summary from Goodreads:

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky male cheereader/jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

My thoughts: I am absolutely in love with this book! It has a refreshing, surprising plot filled with aborable characters, hilarious situations, excellent music and pure fun.

Characters: Fiona was an great main character- very well-developed. I loved that she was a geek, but fierce and strong at the same time, like a real person should be. She had a smarty, witty tone that I could completely relate to. And as for Johnny Mercer (cleverly named after Johnny Mercer, the musician)? My absolute favorite male character, possibly ever. He had fantastic taste in music (The Killers, Radiohead, Chairlift, even a little Velvet Underground & Niko), was big, tall and husky, AND completely sweet. If only every boy was like that! Todd was unfortunately
reminiscient of guys at my school, but got more likeable and funny as the book went on, and you could tell him and Fee were only pretending to hate each other to show they cared about each other. I wasn't sure what to think of Marcie, but from what I saw I didn't like her- which brings me to my only complaint character-wise: I felt like some characters didn't show up enough, like Johnny and Marcie, and also Fiona's neighbor, Sam- and adorable little 6-year-old Fee babysitted- for them to really develop, and that made me feel kind of cheated. I wanted more.

Plot: While slightly- ok more than slightly, but nothing wrong with that!- unbelievable, it was fresh and original, with plenty of unexpected twists. It was so fun and hilarious, with everything from pranks by Fee and Todd to mid-announcement assistant principal breakdowns to parents constantly chanting outside the school in protest of marriage ed- Fiona's mom being the leader of it!

Writing: A fun, strong tone on Fiona's part, believable and smart dialogue, and generally absorbing writing.

Overall/anything else?: A great new debut for the new year that deserves a spot in your TBR pile.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary review copy for fair reviewing!

Book review: The Catcher In the Rye

2010-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:00

Usually, my policy is that I ONLY review- bookwise, at least- "classic" novels- you know, the all time greats, the legends- but I'm making an exception for The Catcher in the Rye, bu J.D. Salinger because of his death a couple days ago, which you probably heard about :C (Superfrown!) Besides, The Catcher in the Rye is one of the best kinds of classics- easily read and easily related to.

Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J. D. Salinger
Publisher: (Paperback reprint) Back Bay Books, January 30th, 2001
Pages: 288 (Paperback Reprint)

What can I say about the Catcher In the Rye? I loved it and hated it when I read it about a year ago, and to this day I don't know what I think of it.

Characters: There are very few characters- really, only Holden and his little sister Phoebe immediately come to mind- but Holden was very well-developed. However, that doesn't mean he's a character you'll like at all- he's a true hypocrite, always calling people and things"phony" and "depressing", when that's exactly what he is, which his sister calls him on towards the end (I knew I liked that girl at the beginning of the book...). But I think that you weren't meant to like him- he shows the flaws of humanity, how judgemental and hypocritical we can be yet turn around and think we ourselves are flawless. I loved his little sister, though- she was such a good counterbalance to him, how she was so innocent, but so smart and had such interesting views to things.

Writing and plot: The plot is almost nonexistent, mainly consisting of Holden's rants, ramblings, whines, "observations', and various tangents. Being as that's the way I think and tend to write (of course I edit... 0_0) I didn't care too badly. However, most people will have a definite problem with that, as well as . If you like your books neat and organized, with a definite point, this probably isn't a book you'll like when your forced to read it in middle/high school, or college- if you haven't been already :P

Overall: While notfor everyone, it's definitely a YA novel deserving of praise, if only for how real Holden is, how closely linked his problems are to our own, and how his thoughs are so much like ours.

(I think it may be obvious why I don't review classics now- above my head :P)

Bad Blogger.

2010-01-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Hey all! Sorry I've been neglectful and a bad blogger *turns hand at extremely painful and awkward angle to tsk at myself*! Also, sorry if you're comments have been rejected- I don't mean to, I've been getting a LOT of spam *COUGH COUGH COUGH*.

BUT. I'm back for good, and can't wait to start book blogging again! I hate to admit it, but lately I've had zero interest in reading- it's all music and vinyl (I think I might start a music blog or w/e. Like I know anything about it :P) up there :P

I've finished a lot of my ARC's, so expect reviews tomorrow :) I'm also bringing back all the bookish meme- WoW, IMM, TT... yeppers.

Off to do stuff!

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson reivew

2009-12-14T19:34:00.000-08:00

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Edition: Paperback, 10th Anniversary Edition, 2009
Publisher: Speak
MSRP (Paperback): $11.99
Rating: * * * * */5

I have no words for "Speak". It was unlike anything I've ever read before, and I only wish I could read more like it.

The brilliance of "Speak" is how absolutely NOTHING happens until the end- but it manages to be so fascinating. Melinda has a voice unlike any other- so strong, so real, so startlingly familiar, like your own, a voice every one, of any gender, race- anyone will understand. It's a voice that sticks with you, a voice you'll always be haunted by- a voice you need to listen to in the book, and soon.

No words describe emotions I felt from this book- which, despite its shortness, is why I'm ending this review here!

(That and I'm so tired sheep are counting me.)

Liar by Justine Laralestier review

2009-12-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

Title: Liar
Author: Justine Larbalestier
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, September 29, 2009
MSRP (Hardback only): $16.99
Pages: 384
Rating: * * * */ 5

I was so excited when I found Liar in my mailbox 2 months ago- I had been waiting for it forever, and didn't even know I would recieve an ARC! But then I realized something, like many others may have- I don't know how to read Liar. I mean, I get the words being put into coherent (most of the time) sentences part down, obviously- but I was scared that I would get to the end of the novel, having been totally wrapped up in a story, only to have it all ripped away- Micah just saying, "Oops, it was all a lie! You people buy everything, don't you?" Could I trust this book at all? Even for fiction that was trying. But, because I had a job to do, I read it (it took a while, as you who check up regularly might know!).

I can't say much, but yes, to a certain extent, my expectations were met. Lies were sometimes admitted, another world was spun together as Micah went from "compulsive to pathological", in such detail- then taken away sharply. Even these "tiny white lies" of hers, these things she said were for fun or to protect people were taken away. But was I disappointed by it? Definitely NOT!

"Liar" was, above all, an unbeatable character study. Micah was so real- yet everything about her was not. Even though it was what I feared most, it was so exciting to go looking for clues that might prove she's lying- didn't she go somewhere else before? I thought she didn't know him or her? Liar is a book that will have you reading constantly and nervously.

But that's not to say it didn't have it's definite faults. There was a point in the book where some people might just give up, put down the book and sigh, "Really? You expect me to believe this?Please!". And Micah- as interesting a character to read about as she was- was an awful person sometimes. Frankly, she got on my nerves a little more than a few times.

If you're up to a challenge, give this new book a try. I definitely don't regret it!

Many thanks to the publishers at Bloomsbury USA for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book!

In My Maikbox

2009-12-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hey all! I haven't posted anything of substance in MONTHS, I know, and I'm afraid no reviews til tommorrow (BUT I have 7 to review as make up... *goes green in face*). I could shovel out some excuses- All-district and festival in band, algebra, my recent audiophileness (right word for person obsessed with music??? I truly am- I've spent hundreds of dollars on iTunes and CD's the past few months, and about as many hours eduating myself on the movements, decades, history, discographies... yup I'm making myself stop sorry!), vacation, sickness... but I shan't. (Word??? Oh well). So here is all the books aquired since my last post (no pics, too difficult)!

RECIEVED FOR REVIEW:

Split by Stefan Petrucha
In A Heartbeat by loretta ellsworth

BOUGHT:

Yeah, about that... I'm proud and shocked, but I bought nothing- no books at least. I spent it all on vinyl and a record player xD

Well, with my own money. My parents got me Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, as well as I Don't Want to Be Crazy by Samantha Schultz.

LIBRARY:

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler
Burn by Suzanne Phillips
An Off Year by Clair Zulkey
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
September Sisters by JIllian Cantor
Anna Karenina- Leo Tolstoy
Up All Night: An collection of short stories
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
(Some others I already returned and don't remember :P)

K, so good few weeks! I got some good classics and other great books. What'd everyone else get? I'm off to see... I have a smothering amount of new posts in my dashboard!

Vacation, Back Soon

2009-11-22T05:18:00.000-08:00

Hi, just wanted to say I'm on vacation be back soon!

As You Wish

2009-11-14T13:36:00.001-08:00

Title: As You Wish
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Harper Teen, September 2009
MSRP (Hardback only): $16.99
Pages: 304 pages
Rating: * * * * */5 (Yes, another fiver :P Wait, isn't it a good thing?)

The first thing I thought when I saw this book was, "Will it be like all these other sub-par fantasies on the shelves?" But I bought it anyways- because, finally! Something interesting I can read, and that's original. Something not about zombies, vampires, ghosts, faeries, fairies... all the other things populating the YA shelves today.

My first thought when I read the book was, "OMG I LUUURVE THIS BOOK!" Well, maybe a bit less peppy. But you get the point.

As You Wish was a gorgeous mix of most everthing good in YA- funny, believable dialogue, honest to life characters, an original plot, a sprinkling of magic, an amazing male lead who you can't help but fall in love with, fast paced writing, and romance that makes you swoon involuntarily.

I loved how the chapters alternated between Jinn and Viola's point of view- showing what they each thought of the events. I think it made both of them more developed and loveable than had only one of them been the narrator. And the writing was great- funny, quick moving, and the way I only wish I could write!

As You Wish is a fun, original, and wholesomely sweet creation that'll leave you wishing for more- pick up a copy as soon as possible!

2009-11-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Hey all, sorry I haven't writen a review in forever- all-district band has kept me so busy! I just got back from auditions- I failed epically but I still got in, though my 2 friends didn't *sniffle*

Reviews to expect soon:

Liar
A Match Made In High School
THe Sweet Life Of Stella Madison (NOT. Good folks.)
I Am A Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President
Going Bovine
An Abundance of Katherines
As You Wish

All of these I have about 20 pages each left to go. I took them to school with me and I stopped reading them so I wouldn't finish them at school, I HATE doing that... but yup. And As You Wish I'm on my way to do.

Thanks for clicking this post but it was more for my benifit than anything! :P

In My Mailbox

2009-11-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

Heylo loyal readers ;) I'm currently a) typing this up b) looking over my bookshelf to see what books I got since I forgot, c) eating cookies, all while managing to d) read Catching Fire- I can't stay away long :P Also drinking milk, and making my ears bleed in the most amazing way- this crazy Japanese band called Melt-Banana during the commercials on Annie Hall. Yes I am magical :P

Recieved for review:

A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker (February 2010)

I Am A Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President (October 2009)

Bought (I'm back to doing pictures for all books):

As You Wish by Jackson Pearson

Imaginary Enemy by Julie Gonzalez

(This cover angers me! I think it's the yellow :P)

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Library:

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

How to Buy A Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson

I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle

So, that's my haul for this week! I'm proud since I only bought one book- the others were a gift from my mom. I just discovered that there's this magical thing called borrowing where you can get your library to order certain books *awe* That's how I FINALLY got to read HtBaLoR and Hate List. Getting Going Bovine was just the universe being nice to me for once :) And my two ARC's are great so far. Oh yeah, what'd everyone else get?

They're BAAA-ACCCCK... sob

2009-10-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

Remember this lovely little number pulled by publishers on Wuthering Heights?

Oh yes. The Bella and Edward's favorite book- according to the sticker.

BEHOLD. Here is where I would make more snarky comments. But frankly I'm too bitter at the present moment in time. Feel free to do my job for me in the comments. Don't be shy.

*sigh* But that's not even the worst.

Notice the caption, "The original forbidden love..."

And, of course, I can't leave without another version of the Wuthering Heights.

How much do you want to be some 10 year old picked this up thinking it was Twilight and threw it away upon discovering it wasn't?

{Insert further snarky commentary}

Teaser Tuesday

2009-10-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm finally regularly doing the teaser now :P This week's teaser is from an ARC I just got in the mail a few hours ago, I Am A Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb. Which, for the record, is weird, crazy. insane and hilarious. Just so you know :)

Mmkay, TT rules:

1) Go to a random page of your current read.
2) Choose 2 teaser sentences from it (yes, I break this rule a lot *cough*)
3) Post it here so people can sample the awesomeness of it! Or as the case may be, lameness.
4) NO spoilers. EVER.

This is taken from page 91 of I Am A Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb:

"What is evil?" You ask.
To which I reply, "Who are you? Friedrich Nietzsche?"
To which you respond, "Duh... wha? Me no understand."
Then I put you back in your cage.

I freely admit I am evil. At least, I freely admit it when I'm alone and no one can hear me. That doesn't mean I torture kittens or plot the genocide of entire continents of people; that's insanity, not evil. And insanity is just what we call stupidit when it doesn't make sense.

___________________

Strange. But I like the book so far.

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher review

2009-10-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

Title: 13 Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Publisher: Razorbill (ctober 17, 2009)

MSRP (Hardback, USA): $16.99

Pages: 320

Summary: You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret... is to press play.

Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.

The Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes- and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town...

...and what he discovers will change his life forever.

********************************************

I was originally going to do this review as a list of 13 reasons why I loved Th1rteen R3easons Why... but once I tried I saw I loved too much about it to list.

Mainly what I loved so much was the writing- Hannah's voice, regularly flowing throughout the novel, was so sad and earnest. You could tell she had tried so hard- well, thought she had tried- to get help, and was giving up, defeated and beaten down. But even then, she was still sweet, funny and totally likeable. When I first started reading the book, that was something new to me, and basically up until the end my eyes were wet. Another thing about the writing I loved was how Hannah's recordings were constantly sprinkled throughout the story- for the record, the one in the italics. The most of a break you got was 2, and most of the time it was just a sentence or two from Clay. At first, that frustrated me- I'd get so into Hannah's story, wondering and waiting and listening along, that I'd entirely forget about what Clay was doing. Someone would speak to him, Hannah would continue a bit, Clay would respond to said person, I'd have no clue what he was talking about. But it's something I got used to fairly easily.

It was such a good idea on Asher's part to use cassette tapes, in my opinion- it seemed more mysterious and personal than had it been something like CD's.

Speaking of it's mystery, the book really wasn't predictable. I was wondering what every single person had done, what had driven Hannah to her breaking point. And I definitely didn't know what to expect from Clay.

Finally, the characters- even though very few characters made an appearance in the novel, you get to know all the people- Hannah ans her 12 other "reasons"- so much better just by seeing what effect they had on Hannah and what she thought of them, including Clay.

A true page turner- I got so mad whenever I had to be torn away from it. I accidentally missed my bus stop on my way home because I was reading it- it's something worthy of you TBR pile.

Waiting On Wednesday: Dirty Little Secrets

2009-10-21T19:55:00.000-07:00

Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omololu (it's like banana... spelling this authors name made me feel speshul ed :P)

Product Description/Summary (thanks to Amazon): Everyone has a secret. But Lucy’s is bigger and dirtier than most. It’s one she’s been hiding for years—that her mom’s out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She’s managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they’d be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable—and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right.
With details that are as fascinating as they are disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy’s desperate attempt at normalcy. Her fear and isolation are palpable as readers are pulled down a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen’s life will have readers completely hooked.

Why I Want to Read This SO Much: Um, did you read the summary? It sounds amazing if written in the right way which I'm sure it will be.

I'm off to hunt for change to make sure I actually have money for it when February comes around :)

Teaser Tuesday: An Abundance of Katherines

2009-10-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

(Wow, when's the last time I did this!?)

This week my teaser is from An Abundance of Katherines by John Green- which I LOVE. John Green is amazing! Yet another 5 star review coming soon- sorry it's a bit long. It has foot notes in the book explaining the French, but you're in your own using Google Translate- which is worth doing, this is the most hilarious part.

"Okay, they're coming," Said Hassan. "What's your name?"
"Pierre."
Okay, I'm Salinger, pronounced SalinZHAY."
"Y'all are here for the tour, are ya," Lindsey's boyfriend said.
"Yes. I am Salinzhay," Hassan said, his accent passable if not magnificient. "This is my cousin Pierre. We visit your country for first time, and we wish to see Archduke, who started our- how you say- first Earth war." Colin glanced at Lindsey Lee Wells, who surpressed a smile as she smacked her orange gum.
"I'm Colin," the boyfriend said, his hand extended. Hassan leaned over and Pierre/Colin and whispered, "His name is Other Colin." Hassan then said, "My cousin, he speak very little English. I am his man of translate." The Other Colin laughed, as did the other two boys, who introduced themselves ("We will call Chase, Jeans Are Too Tight, and Fulton shall be Short One Chewing Tobacco," Hassan whispered to Colin.
"Je m'appelle Pierre," Colin blurted out. "Quand je vais das le metro, je fais aussi de la musique de prouts."
"We get a lot of foreign tourists out here," said the only girl besides Lindsey [...]
"Amour aime aimer amour!" Colin announced quite loudly.
"Pierre," said Hassan. "He has the disease with the talking. The, uh, with the bad words. In France, we say it Toorettes. I do now know how you say in English."
"He has Tourette's?" Asked the girl, Katrina.
"MERDE!" shouted Colin.
"Yes, same word both language, like hemorrhoid. The one we learned yesterday because Pierre had the fire in his bottom. He has the Toorettes. And the hemmorhoid. But, is good boy."
"Ne dis pas que j'ai des hemorroides! Je n'ai pas d'hemorroide," Colin shouted, trying to continue the game and get Hassan on another topic.
Hassan looked at Colin, nodded knowingly,and then told Katrina, "He just said that your face, it is beatutiful like the hemorroid."

******************

:D

Hunger Games Paraphenalia For the Masses!

2009-10-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

I lovelovelove the Hunger Games, and I was surfing around the internet looking at blog when I found one called Galleysmith. And on it, Hunger Games buttons! She even made a Team Gale button, just out of kindness to that minority :) I'm Team Peeta myself. But if you want Katniss to just be friends with both of them there's a button for that!

Here they are, for you to proudly display on your sidebars/ print and cut out and glue to your forehead!

Review Policy Change and Change of Email Address!

2009-10-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I was thinking about things I could do to make SBR better today, and I started thinking about how publishers are- unfortunately, since I hardly got to enjoy its prime- starting to cut back on ARC's. One of my favorite parts of reviewing is review copies, it's so exciting! So I'm changing my review policy. Previously, I only accepted physical copies. Now, seeing as I have a laptop that is extremely portable, I'm accepting e-books. If any publishers or authors would like me to review their book- which I'd be more than happy to do!- but are unable to give me a physical copy, I will most likely accept an e-book.
BUT I still STRONGLY prefer physical copies.

Also, up until now my email has been meggymegmeg96@yahoo.com . I'm all paranoid that publishers see my email title and don't take it seriously, thinking it's just from an individual reader who was misinformed. So I'm changing it to serendipityreviews@yahoo.com. I don't have it up and running yet- my dad has to make it, he doesn't give me the password. He always has to log in for me [INSERT ANGRY RANT AT DAD]- so tomorrow. Also it might be google mail instead.

Mmkay, that's all, bye!

In My Mailbox

2009-10-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I had a fantastic book week, thanks to my library (-ies...). Both of them have gotten such good books in the teen section all of a sudden- esp. the one I can't get to as much and have a lot of overdue fines at. Obviously I'm the one supporting them majorly :P Anyways, my haul:

Mail:

Oh! I actually got one this week!

Six Steps to a Girl by Sophie McKenzie

I won this a little while ago from Sara at DBR- I forgot I had even won it until my dad gave it to me. I love getting books in the mail, and this was even better since it was won! The first thing I ever won :) And it's the UK version- with the different cover and different currency thing and all :) It's apparently the first book in the All About Eve trilogy- I just hope it stand alone well because I have no way of getting them :P

(I'm kind of running out of time right now, so no pictures sorry!)

Bought:

Blue Plate Special by Michelle Kwasney

Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe

Library:

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Skinny by Ibi Kaslik

Gorgeous by Rachel Vail

Looking for Alaska by John Green

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Crowned by Julie Linker

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Laura M. Zeises

Fever by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Long Wait for Tomorrow by Joaquin Dorfman

*****************

As you can see, extremely great book week! Oh yeah, what'd everyone else get?

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones review

2009-10-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

Title: What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

Author: Sonya Sones

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (June 5, 2007)

Pages (Hardcover edition): 304

MSRP (Hardback): $16.99

My Rating: * * * * */5

(Can I give 6 of five stars? I want to...)

I loved What My Mother Doesn't Know when I read it last week, and I just had to get this sequel as soon as possible- which I did around an hour ago.

This book was so absolutely amazing! I think I loved it even better than the first, if not as much. Robin is definitely my favorite character I've read about in a long while, male or female. His character, along with Sophie's, were both perfectly crafted- their dialogue was believable and cute, and you could tell they really loved each other. I only wish I could write like Sonya Sones.

Upon getting these 2 books at the library, I figured it would just be your average typical love story in poem form. It really wasn't. Yes, it was a love story, but it was more than that- it was about him breaking out of the stereotype worthless nerd people had formed him into, when he really wasn't- he was smart, funny (despite his love of puns :P), and completely loveable.

Another thing I love is how creative Sones is with her writing. It's not like most- it's clever, subtle, and totally true to life.

In short, readitreaditreadit, nownownow! And if you can buy it. I wish I had, because it's a book I'd love to be able to loan to my friends (or random strangers on the street. Hoboes need edjamacation too).

P.S. Though this is a sequel, it stands on its own just as well and strong as if it was a totally seperate thing. However, it helped me get more out of the book having read What My Mother Doesn't Know- it isn't totally nessecary to read it first, but it helps majorly :)

In My Mailbox

2009-10-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hi! I was busy yesterday (my 2 great aunts and my cousin Steven- who is the only other person I know who loves every band I love, and knows who bands like The Jam or Melt Banana even are- came. We went to every antique store known in a 3 hour radius... I got 4 books and records, the books are included on here.), so for once I'm excused.

Mail: None.

Library:

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (I loved the novel before it. This is the sequel from Robin- a.k.a. Murphy-'s point of view, starting in the final scene of WMMDK. I love this one even more... Murphy is my all time favorite guy character in a WHILE.)

Marcelo In the Real World by Francisco X. Stork (I love it's cover, and the storyline sounds interesting.)

Looking for Alaska by John Green (I finally got it! You know how much I loved Paper Towns. I hope this one lives up to it.)

Are U 4 Real? by Sara Kadefors (I almost bought it the day before I saw it on the shelves!)

Bought:

Cake Wrecks by Jen Yates (I love this blog! Check it out.)

Blue Plate Special by Michelle Kwasney (I lovelovelove this book so far!)

Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne (I had to venture into the children's section for it *gasp*. But it was WORTH IT!)

Then, these are bought from the Pedigo's antique store- the place we went to with the records and books:

I Couldn't Help Laughing by Ogden Nash (I love his poetry. It's an anthology of prose and poems, and my copy is this lovely Tiffany blue color and was printed in 1957 (I checked the front. I always do that, for whatever reason, where all the copyrights are!) The best part? It's signed by P.G. Wodehouse!)

Lucile by ??? (I couldn't find who it was by. Or what it's about for that matter :P It's kind of a playbook. That rhymes. Like a poetry novel but... not. *cough*)

The Many Worlds of Science Fiction (I usually don't like SF... but this has been great!)

So, that all! What'd you guys get?

My Favorite Couples and Guys in Literature: Part I

2009-10-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

I was looking around my favorite blogs a while ago, and on Kira's blog I found a list of her favorite couples in books she's read. Then Jessica rom Shut Up I'm Reading made a list of her favorite guys in literature, so I'm doing it too! (Long list... xD)

Couples (In no particcular order)

___________

1) Katsa and Po from Graceling (I haven't finished it yet... but I LOVE them as a couple)

2) Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games (I'm not sure if I can include them in this or not. For anyone who has read the Hunger Games, you know what I mean, right?)

3) Finn and Kate from Something. Maybe (I loved Finn, and the dialogue and events between them were adorable)

4) Kevin and Ginny from 13 Little Blue Envelopes (They traveled around the world together- what's not to love about that?)

5) Sophie and Katie in What My Mother Doesn't Know and its sequel, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (My favorite, hands down!)

And guys:

Brendon from Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (He's tall, slightly geeky, and hilarious. What more can you ask for? Not much, beyond askign for him to be real :) Also, his life is so awesome- he's destined to be an actore, and he lives in a hotel.)

Murphy from What My Mother Doesn't Know and its sequel, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (Like he and Sophie were my favorite couple, he's my favorite guy. If I went to school, I would go to him immediately, not caring if he WAS considered a loser. He loves music and knows EVERYthing about it, he's an artist, he's hilarious, and adorkable. Sones created the perfect imperfect boy.)

*************

Not much, I know. That's why this is only part one- I'll be back next week with another installment after looking over books I've read!

Theme Thursday: Fairy Tales Retold

2009-10-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Heylo! I know it's technically Wednesday still, but it's minutes to midnight (that's a song/band, right? *sigh* that's gonna bug me, my Google never wants to cooperate so I can find out...) (also, when this is published it might be past. Oh well, no need to be so technical!)so CLOSE ENOUGH.

Theme Thursday is a weekly showcase of books that all share similar somethings- themes and issues, covers, titles, characters, basically any kind of tie-in, created in August by Serendipity Reviews (this blog).

This week's theme is...

Fairy Tales Retold!

BOOKS FEATURED ON TODAY'S POST:

Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino (A retelling of Snow White)

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy (I can't WAIT for this to come out... I should go do my WoW post on it :P)

Ash by Malinda Lo (This have a marvelous cover that makes me want to cry a bit. According to the author it's a retelling of Cinderalla too, but beyond that I have no clue what it's about.)

Beastly by Alex Flinn (A retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I adore this cover as well!)

Geek Charming by Robin Palmer (The snooty, chick-lit version of Snow White that I bought forever ago and can't bring myself to read)

Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer (From the title you can tell it's a retelling of Cinderella!)

A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce (A retelling of... what's that one about the girl who spins gold and this freaky gnome thing helps her? That one. It'll come to me :P I've been wanting to read this forever, since early last year :P)

There was a myriad of other Cinderella remakes... one I've read, Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I'm not at all impressed with her books.

Showcase time!

That's all for this week, bye!

IMPORTANT: All book reviewers read this!

2009-10-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Donna from Lit Bites has just (well, I just got the email, it's from about 5 days ago most likely!) informed me that the FTC, starting December 1st, is passing a law making bloggers disclose that their review copies were for free. I don't really understand this so much, so I'm going to post the MSNBC article with all the facts and information:

"
By Deborah Yao and Emily Fredrix
updated 5:02 p.m. CT, Mon., Oct . 5, 2009
function UpdateTimeStamp(pdt) {
var n = document.getElementById("udtD");
if(pdt != '' && n && window.DateTime) {
var dt = new DateTime();
pdt = dt.T2D(pdt);
if(dt.GetTZ(pdt)) {n.innerHTML = dt.D2S(pdt,((''.toLowerCase()=='false')?false:true));}
}
}
UpdateTimeStamp('633903769717070000');

PHILADELPHIA - The Federal Trade Commission on Monday took steps to make product information and online reviews more accurate for consumers, regulating blogging for the first time and mandating that testimonials reflect typical results.
The FTC will require that writers on the Web clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products. The commission also said advertisers featuring testimonials that claim dramatic results cannot hide behind disclaimers that the results aren't typical.
The FTC said its commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the final guidelines, which had been expected. The guides are not binding law, but rather interpretations of law that hope to help advertisers comply with regulations. Violating the rules, which take effect Dec. 1, could result in various sanctions including a lawsuit."

END OF ARTICLE

*sigh* No comment. I'm too tired. Check out Lit Bites for more information!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins review

2009-10-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

I finally have my computer back! *sigh* She didn't even use it :P

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press, September 2008

MSRP (Hardback; US): $17.99

Pages: 384

Rating: * * * * */5

Extremely short review because I have NO critisicm for this book- only for myself for stalling on reading it! I always saw it on the shelf, picked it up, and then at the last minute put it back. I thought it would be gory and violent, which is something I'm not a fan of in books- but it wasn't!

I could go on and on about how much I loved it, but that would only delay you reading this amazing novel, and keep me from reading Catching Fire, the second book (they had it in!)!

Bidding Adieu for Now

2009-09-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

Like, a week! My mom's taking my netbook with her to Texas :P So I'll be devoid of all my accounts- blogger and email. But rest assured that when she's back, there'll be Hunger Games, Liar, and others all reviewed and ready to go.

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones review

2009-09-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

(Sorry about the "click to look inside" bit!)

Title: What My Mother Doesn't Know
Author: Sonya Sones
Publisher/Year: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing (2003)
Pages (Paperback reprint): 259
MSRP (Paperback reprint): $7.99
Rating: * * * * */5

I've always had a soft spot for novels in verse like these, which is good for me because there's been a lot published lately- but Sones was one of the first, and is still today one of the best! I absolutely loved Stop Pretending, her authobiographical debut (also in verse, as all her novels are). This one is just as wonderful and touching, if not nearly as sad.

Firstly, it was written beautifully. If it hadn't been written in this form, it wouldn't have had the brilliant effect it has when you finish it, in my opinion. Every time I read Ms. Sone's work, I'm amazed by how perfectly you can grasp the character's personality and emotions, their sorrow and guilt and happiness- better than many authors capture it.

As for the characters, they held up just as well. Sophie, the main character, was completely realistic and likeable. And Robin? Possibly the best male lead in a book ever. Even before the plot happened (I don't want to say what happened!) I liked him!

Speaking of plot, I loved this one's. Unlike more chick-litty novels, this one was unpredictable and original, but with all the charm of chick lit. Another must read!

P.S. Is it true that "What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know" is from the point of view of Murphy/Robin? If so I've got to go to the library NOW.

Waiting On Wednesday: Vintage Veronica

2009-09-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I finally remembered WoW!

Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl will be published in March 2010 by Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Summary: Veronica Walsh is 15, fashion-minded, fat, and friendless. Her summer job in the Consignment Corner section (Employees Only!) of a vintage clothing store is a dream come true. There Veronica can spend her days separating the one-of-a-kind gem garments from the Dollar-a-Pound duds, without having to deal with people. But when two outrageous yet charismatic salesgirls befriend her and urge her to spy on and follow the mysterious and awkward stock boy Veronica has nicknamed the Nail, Veronica’s summer takes a turn for the weird. Suddenly, what began as a prank turns into something else entirely. Which means Veronica may have to come out of hiding and follow something even riskier for the first time: her heart.

***************

I am in complete and utter love with this cover- *sigh* the pretty pretty polka dots...

Hardcover edition. WHY are all the best books so expensive!? I desperately hope I can afford it :P

The Film Club by David Gilmour

2009-09-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Title: The Film Club: A Memoir
Author: David Gilmour
Publisher: Twelve, 2008
MSRP (Hardback): $21.99 (Also available in paperback reprint)
Pages: 256
Rating: * * */5

Don't get me wrong, The Film Club has many good things about it, including an interesting enough, original plot, and it talked about some of my favorite movies- from Roman Holiday to Volcano with interesting trivia on them.

The main thing I had trouble with was the writing. I felt like it skipped around too much- things weren't delivered at the right time, chronologically or otherwise. Another thing that bugged me so much was he'd be writing about one thing, for example, in the middle of a conversation with his son Jesse, and all of a sudden, he'd start in on his second wife, Tina- how gorgeous she is, how he met her, all that. And I'd be sitting there, wherever I happen to be reading, confused and annoyed. He doesn't write like the veteran writer he is, but more like an amateur. At the very least someone without an editor!

Besides the writing quality, the topic of the writing was just as bad. It had this completely annoying sexist attitude about it, I don't know what it was! I also felt like I didn't really get to know Jesse, or really anyone besides David- it was wholly self-centered.

Overall, this isn't something I'd recommend, unless you can get past a multitude of text inadequacies.

Movies, Music and Mondays: Mockumentaries and More

2009-09-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm sick with something or other floating around out there, which made me, quite frankly, too lazy to come up with a plausible movie-books tie-in for MMM. So I'm doing this week's post on possibly the BEST genre ever made- mockumentaries/ actual documentaries! *woo...!*:

Some of the best- and, ok, worst, but in the sickly funny way- movies I've ever seen belong in this genre.

Movies featured today (thanks to Netflix people for additional entries!)

Drop Dead Gorgeous (Loved it- weird, but I liked it anyways!)

This Is Spinal Tap (Haven't seen it yet- I don't watch R rated movies- but it SOUNDS really great :P)

Super Size Me (I've always had issues with Mickey D's, for whatever reason- only proving further how right my scorn of it is!)

Sicko (It's a classic documentary- plus it's Michael Moore, so you know it must be good! I really wanted to see his latest movie coming out soon, but see note on Spinal Tap :P)

Chalk (Never seen this mockumentary, but I want to now)

To Kill A Mockumentary (Netflix'd... this one I can't really get the concept of!)

Superguy (Another found via Netflix)

And now for the gallery shot:

That's all for this week!

New look, again!

2009-09-28T18:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Excuse the mess coming soon- SBR is remodeling! I'm redoing it. The current layout I got because it looks exactly like the album cover to The Shin's debut album (I'm also changing the soundtrack, so be sure to look out for pretty much every song by them EVER scattered throughout), that and it's wintery and, er, pretty... :)

So, if you visit and everything on the siderbars is wiped out, it'll all be back soon. That's the unfortunate side effect of changing templates :_(

Destroy All Cars review

2009-09-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Title: Destroy All Cars
Author: Blake Nelson
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2009
Pages (numbered): 218
Rating: * */5

I tried hard to like this book. Really, I did.

Characters: I really disliked the characters. When the character, James, isn't whining about "the general lameness of all other people besides him"/being a hypocrite/being antisocial, he's obsessing over his ex-girlfriend, Sadie- who I wasn't particularly fond of, either. They all seemed flat, limited, and completely unreal- along with annoying the heck out of me.

Writing: The writing was pretty repetitive and kind of dull- it didn't hold my interest at all. What I did like, however, was how it included essays by James- which I'll admit were really funny at times.

Plot: A typical love story, repetitive, and didn't have much of an impact- nothing significant happened.

Start/ending: Right from the start, it annoyed me, with said whining. The ending wasn't very... I don't know how to describe it- it wasn't really enough. It felt like Nelson got tired of writing, or was too close to his deadline and wasn't finished or whatever. It wasn't really satisfying.

Overall: Not very remarkable or memorable, it is not a book I'd recommend.

(Sorry to start back with a bad review!)

In My Mailbox

2009-09-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Kind of a slow book week, I didn't buy anything (one book, I just remembered!). BUT I had an awesome library week, so at least that!

Recieved for review (a.k.a. the only things IN my mailbox):

None.

From the library:

Wings by Aprilyne Pike

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Catcher in the Rye (Surprisingly ok... I have to read it for required reading soon, and I figured why not now? Also got it for Banned Books Week) by J.D. Salinger

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne (I can't believe they had it! FINALLY. I even braved a journey into the kid's section)

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (More required reading- I'm going ahead and reading books that'll be forced upon me soon enough, for some reason- and also for Banned Books Week, which starts tomorrow!)

The Bought:

Cycler by Lauren Mclaughlin (I might not read it, though)

We Are Quiet, We Are Loud: The Best Young Writers in America, edited by David Levithan (I just remembered I got this one in St. Louis! I love it, and I have such a soft spot for anthologies like this anyways.)

*****

That's all the books for this week. BUT, though not related to books, records I got while in St. Louis (Euclid Records= heaven on earth):

Parallel Lines LP by Blondie

The Bitterest Pill LP by The Jam
Chutes Too Narrow LP by The Shins
Oh, Inverted World by The Shins

I would have bought more if I hadn't ran out of money! They had musical soundtracks, a huge rock section (though, ah, they put Barbara Streisand in the rock section. A little comfuzzled, are we?), and I didn't even get to check out the tiny records with a song on each side who's name escapes me... *deep breath* That was long.

Now that I'm back and school is getting easier, I'll be back to posting regular reviews, by the way. When's the last time I even posted one, a month?! I finished several that I'd rather not review- "classics" that I can't even pretend I understood!

Book Bloggers for Book Smarts Challenge!

2009-09-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

(Ack! I forgot! It's Banned Books Weeks until October 6th... guess I started Catcher in the Rye just in time, huh?)

Donna from Lit Bites is hosting a fantastic challenge celebrating Banned Books Month! Book reviewers or basically anyone with a blog can join- just get some knowledge about Banned and challenged books (wikipedia has great articles, and I think there's a website I'll post soon...), read some and post reviews.

Banned and challenged books are issues that've always interested me- have you ever looked at some official lists for challenged books? Here's some of my favorite examples that show exactly how ridiculous censorship is:

The Anastasia series by Lois Lowry, 8 year old me's favorite books EVER!, was challenged greatly in the 90's. Reason? Your guess is as good as mine. They were hilarious books! I don't remember a single thing wrong with them.

Several of Shel Silverstein's children's poetry books have been challenged. A Light in the Attic, for example. Why? Because on one page it showed a child smashing a plate. Remember the poem about the girl who wouldn't do her chores? That single illustration and poem is the solitary reason. As if Silverstein's books are going to spark a revolution among five year olds. (I can see them now: "Quick, Bobby! Get the diapers- we're gonna tear this place DOWN.")

And something really- in a twisted, sadistic kind of way- hilarious? Farenheit 451, which I'm reading now, is perennially challenged. This book is about censorship and those who ban books for fear of creating too much individualism and independent thought. It's required reading in many, many schools because it teaches about censorship, and the wrongness of it. I'll let the irony speak for itself.

Another one I just found, Alice On Her Way by Phyliss Reynolds Naylor, was challenged by parents because of "two cuss words". Um...

To Kill A Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee, a fantastic classic, is challenged frequently as well. In one town, a resident want the book banned from all schools and libraries because they "thought it would upset little black children". Once again, um...

Finally, in Wisconsin in early February, groups were trying to ban and PUBLICLY BURN a Weetzie Bat book! The third in Francesca Lia BLock's series, Baby Be-Bop.

Here's a bit from an article discussing the issue:
"At a June 3 public hearing, the library board received two petitions (700 signatures supporting the restriction, 1,000 opposed) on the issue and listened to dozens of statements.... Then it voted unanimously to leave the books where they are."
But a new group called the Christian Civil Liberties Union is still gunning for the book -- they actually want it burned in a public ceremony, not just removed from the shelves.

0_o is the expression on my face right now, because I just read about that.

******
I'll be posting reviews of books, particualarly modern classics, so look out for those! Also, I'd love it if ou head over to Lit Bites and check it out (read the comments too... there was a little skirmish, if you will, in them over the issue. I find it worthy of reading.)!

For more information, try these sites:

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/
http://www.banned-books.com/

What do you think about censorship? Time for your side!

Theme Thursday: Artificial Weatherdomes

2009-09-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

... also known as snowglobes. Yeah, because snowglobes as a title wasn't interesting :)

Anyways, for those of you who don't know, Theme Thursday is a weekly bookish feature created by Serendipity Reviews- this blog!- in which books with similarities are showcased- similar covers, titles, plots, themes and elements, basically anything you can make work with books (usually 4 or5 total books).

Books featured on today's post:

Are We There Yet by David Levithan

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall by Wendy Mass

I don't know what it is about covers like these, but whenever I see them they're the ones I'm most drawn to. All of these are fantastic books (I haven't read Are We There Yet- I didn't know it existed until today, I saw it on my school library shelf and went to get it, then a girl from my class starting yelling about how she LOVED that movie, the one with Ice Cube or whomever, and said she didn't know it was a book. Because I love David Levithan's books I died a little inside xD- but it's obviously got to be good!)

'Til next time (next week I'll actually DO the Jane Austen remakes theme, as promised last week)!

Waiting On Wednesday: Cashing In

2009-09-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

There are some problems even winning the lottery can’t fix.

With as many hours as Reggie Shaw puts in at the Cashmart, it’s no wonder that her grades and her friendships are slipping. Worst of all, Reggie’s mother’s inability to keep a job means that Reggie is pulling the weight of two people. Then, Reggie’s mom wins big in the lottery. Suddenly the money—and the popularity—comes pouring in. But when Reggie finds out that her mother has been borrowing more money than she actually won, she must face up to the fact that happiness can’t be bought—it only comes with hard work.

(I can't wait until this comes out, Dutton always has the best books!)

Cashing In, by Susan Colebank, will be released by Dutton on November 12 2009.

On Vacation

2009-09-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted any reviews/anything of substance in forever! I'm currently in St. Louis, just got back from Euclid Records and book stores. WHY can't I live here!? My dad had to practically drag me out of Euclid Records by force, and they right by it is several great little indie bookshops, as well as really nice lofts over the Kirkwood Public Library, which is huge. *sigh*

Anyways, I am ravenously reading The Hunger Games now- can't believe I almost took it back!!- and when I get home andhave more computer time expect many reviews.

Ciao,

Meggin

Theme... Friday?: Cinemagic and Celebutantes

2009-09-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, it's Theme, er, Friday (go along with it!) :D This week is themed to the tune of the silver screen- wannabe actors/actresses in film or on stage, or just about movie lovers.

Theme Thursday is a weekly book feature, created by me, which showcases books with similar traits- titles, covers, themes, etc.

Featured on this week's post (and my thoughts in parentheses, also in no particular order, just as they come to me):

Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita (I read this a while ago... not that big a fan of the series, I never finished the second one. But it so obviously deserved to be in this lineup!)

Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang ( Currerently on top of my TBR pile, paperback section- yes, it's big enough that I had to divide it into sections throughout my room! It looks great, but no comment as to whether it actually IS yet.)

The Fillm Club by David Gilmore (A memoir in movies? What's not to love?)

Geek Magnet by Keiran Scott

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Celebutantes (Never read it, or so much as heard of it until today.)

A Hollywood Ending ( I like the cover, and it takes place in Hollywood and all that... never heard of this author up until now.)

The Comeback by Marlene Perez ( I half-read it, and gave it away in my first giveaway last month... even though not strictly celebrities, I thought it should be involved in this lineup.)

L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad (Yes, this book again. I have no like for this book, well at least very little, but it obviously belongs here!)

Next week's theme: Pride, Prejudice and Books: Variants on the Classics We All Love

Movies Music and Mondays: The Perks of Being A Wallflower

2009-09-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

Most likely, you've heard of this negotiable classic, "epistolary" novel, from which the seed of teendom allegedly sprung. I've yet to read it, but I thought that a great idea for this week's Movies Music and Mondays would be to give a playlist of songs in the book, movies in the book, and books in the book. All of these are from a lovely Wikipedia article.

Books
In the novel Charlie's teacher, Bill, assigns him various books to read. Charlie describes them all as his favorites.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The book also references a book of poems by e. e. cummings, The Mayor of Castro Street by Randy Shilts, and it contains a poem by Osoanon Nimuss entitled "Absolutely Nothing".

Films
The novel references these films and television shows:
Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Graduate
Harold and Maude
My Life as a Dog
Dead Poets Society
The Unbelievable Truth
A Perfect Paradise
It's a Wonderful Life
Reds
The Producers
Hannah and Her Sisters
M*A*S*H
Saturday Night Live

Songs
The novel references these songs:
"Asleep" by The Smiths
"Vapour Trail" by Ride
"Scarborough Fair", a traditional folk song popularized by Simon and Garfunkel
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum
"Time of No Reply" by Nick Drake
"Dear Prudence" by The Beatles
"Gypsy" by Suzanne Vega
"Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues
"Daydream" by The Smashing Pumpkins
"Dusk" by Genesis
"MLK" by U2
"Blackbird" by The Beatles
"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
"Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II" by Pink Floyd
"Something" by The Beatles
"School's Out" by Alice Cooper
"Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister

Wow, maybe I should read this after all! The Fountainhead, the Beatles, the Smiths, Nirvana, The Graduate! It's challenged anyways, so I'll read it for Donna's challenge (oh, I should go post that!)

Movies, Music and Mondays Poll!

2009-09-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Just a side post on MM&Ms (I'll be doing a post on The Perks of Being A Wallflower in a moment). You'll notice the poll on the sidebar- asking if you want me to keep Movies Music and Mondays, or do away with it on this blog. Also another in a moment asking what you would like to see more of on Serendipity Reviews. Make sure to put your opinion in please! I'm trying to make sure I'm doing what you guys want to see.

P.S. I'm working on an official-type button for MMM. I'm thinking something involving one of the old film rolls...

In My Mailbox, September 13

2009-09-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Really awesome book week, best one in my history of, er, bookdom:) Here's what I got:

Recieved for Review:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Signed! With a little note :D)

Liar by Justine Larbalestier (I didn't know I was going to get this, which made it even better)

***********************************************************

From the Library:

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand (Political nut she may be, but no one writes a 40 page monologue like her!)

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (I love the last line- the reading of which before I start reading is a weird quirk of mine. Anyone else do that?- Jake and Lady Brett Ashley are in a taxi, and Lady Brett has just ended her latest romance. Lady Brett, who Jake is madly in love with but who she is only sort of in love with, says "Oh Jake, we could have had such a wonderful time together!" And Jake says, "Yes, isn't it pretty to think so?" I just love that.)

How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (I really want to read Big Brother by George Orwell- this is like a modern companion novel it)

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi

How They Met, and Other Stories by David Levithan

Tempo Change by Barbara Hall

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Life As We Knew It by Lisa Pfeffer
Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
****************************************************

And the bought:

The Blonde of the Joke by Bennett Madison

****************************************************

I'm very proud of myself for only buying one book this week! But that may be canceled out by my massive library fines, growing by the minute for my not returning The Hunger Games yet (I haven't even started though!) , as well as the impossible amount checked out from my 2 libraries. Also the library books I got on my mom's card after I ran out of room. Why does there have to be so many wonderful books?! And I'm soo excited about my two ARC's- Before I Fall is amazing so far, as for Liar... but I don't know if Liar is a book I could trust. I don't know how to read it- does that make any sense? Anyways, now you know what I got... what about you?

Serendipity Reviews 9/11 Giveaway: The Usual Rules

2009-09-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Heylo everyone! So, you (if you live in the US and haven't lived under a rock post-2001) probably know what tomorrow is- 9/11, the day when the Twin Towers fell.

Rearranging my TBR pile- something I do a LOT, being my anal retentive self- I found a book called "The Usual Rules". I actually finished it a while ago- I never got around to posting a review (I'll do that now, though). It's, in short, this gorgeously written novel about a girl named Wendy whose mother goes to work one day, a day like any other- September 11, 2001- and never comes back.

And then, when I was looking at it, I was thinking about what tomorrow (I usually forget), I thought that it's a perfect oppurtunity for someone else to enjoy this book- so I'm giving it away to one of you :)

Here's how to enter- leave your name, country and email, and you'll be entered!

1 entry- Become/be a follower (recommended, because that way you'll see the winner post)
2 entries- Post a link to this contest (sidebar is fine, or you could do a blog post)
3 entries- Put a joke in your post! (Plus one more if it makes me laugh!)

Some random tidbits and tiny morsels of knowledge about the giveaway:

1)It's international- whether you're in the US of A or waaaay over in Bangladesh, you can enter!
2) The final day you can be entered is October 1st- 20 days.

The lines are open!

CONTEST UPDATE: I'd really appreciate it if you enter with 1 comment! I love all the comments- but it affects my Randomizer program I'll use when I pick a winner. But if you forget something it's fine :)

Waiting On Wednesday: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

2009-09-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Release date: April 10, 2010
Description: One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

I can't say anything besides OMGOMGOMGYAYAYAYAY! right now... Is it even possible that such an awesome combination of authors could be brought together and, when their work is done, people's eyes NOT explode form the, er, AWESOMENESS (I told you, I'm at a loss for words)?????

I saw this post on Em's Bookshelf, and she just got a copy. Which, may I say, my eyes are green with jealousy. Desperately hoping I can afford it!

Also, guess what? As if we aren't spoiled enough with the fantabulous author combo and book itself, it's a paperback!!!! So it's affordable *I hope! My parent may forbid me getting more books :(*!

Theme Thursday: Cute Enough to Eat

2009-09-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Theme Thursday is a weekly meme created by Serendipity Reviews (this blog!), which groups books together based on something they have in common: usually themes of the book (things like coffee or candy- can you tell I just drank a "cravelatte" instead of lunch?- or with issues dealt with in the book- eating disorders, for example), as well as similar covers, similar titles, etc.

This weeks theme is "Cute Enough to Eat", being covers with adorable candy and food pictures

that are so cute and sweet they kinda make me hungry :)

Books Featured On Todays Post:

Artichoke's Heart, by Suzanne Suplee (Loved it!)

Girl Meets Cake, by Susie Day (I loved her other book... this hasn't been released yet in the US but I've been anticipating it since before I started this review site!)

The Cupcake Queen, by Heather Hepler (I love the 3 books she cowrote with Brad Barkley, and can't wait to see how she does on her own!)

LA Candy, by Lauren Conrad (Anyone read this? It's on my TBR pile, and I've read the first 50 pages or so... I'm sorry, but UGH. I can't think of how to describe it, but it's the kind where it's just boring drivel of nothingness... but hey, you gotta love the gorgey cover!)

Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies, by Erin Dionne (I'm dying to read this! Is it out yet? I can't find it anywhere, has anyone bought it? Anyways, I had to include this because of the Oreos, my weakness)

P.S. We now have a new participant in Theme Thursday- Allison from Read Into This! Thanks to her for adding some amendments to what TT entails- adding books with similar covers, books with similar titles, etc. Definitely makes it easier to make a Theme! Head over to her site to see what she's doing this week. (Too lazy too hyperlink... http://readintothis.blogspot.com)

Teaser Tuesday

2009-09-08T18:15:00.001-07:00

Um, NO, people, of COURSE I didn't forget it was Tuesday... *nervous laugh*

Here's the rules for Teaser Tuesday, in case this is your first encounter with it (unlikely, with as many blogs that do it)...

1) Grab your current read.
2) Flip to a random page.
3) Share a few sentences that you think are interesting/might make the readers of your meme want to read the book (so make sure it's good!)
4) NO SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today's Teaser is from page 194 of Tempo Change, by Barbara Hall (I went on a library run today- and almost got Candyland by Candy Spelling instead. Yes, REALLY!):

We only got to do one song for sound check so after that we went to get something to eat. I looked compulsively at my watch- I still had another hour before I was supposed to meet him. And I still hadn't told anyoen what was happening. I didn't knomw what I was going to do in the moment, if I was going to introduce him to people or keep him a secret. The whole thing was unimaginable. In fact, I was starting to believe I dreamed the whole scheme.

I'm not sure if this is a book I'll like or not... It sounds good, but something about it didn't click with me :P But it's worth a try! And I LOVE the cover.

Mmkay, off to schedule tommorrow's WoW (I always forget to do it on the actual day... er, I mean OF COURSE I DON'T!... *cough*)!

DBR B-Day Challenge Review: Carbon Diaries 2015, by Saci Lloyd Review

2009-09-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

Title: Carbon Diaries 2015

Author: Saci Lloyd

Publisher: Holiday House

MSRP (Hardback): $17.95

Pages (numbered): 330

Rating: * * */5 stars

Summary: The enviro's gone completely mad. After the Great Storm hit London, everyone was like, "It's 2015 already. Stop global warming now." So the gov volunteered Britain to be the stupid guinea pig freak and ration carbon while the rest of Europe flew to Ibiza on holiday.

At first it was weird- blackouts, looting, food shortages. But I still hads my lifeline- my band. the Dirty Angels. And the hope that Ravi would notice me. Eventually.

But then everything got bare twisted. All winter the country was a frozen tundra. Then after months of no rain, Europe literally caught fire, and the mayor had riot police shoot protesters with live bullets! I'll give him a carbon footprint- right up the arse.

Now, as I write this, the highest-category storm in history is headed straight for us. People have died all around me this year, and I'm dead scared. I just wish things would go back to normal, but I don't know what that means anymore.

MY REVIEW:

PLOT: The plot kind of skipped around, and I kept getting lost! I'd pick up where I'd left off and have no idea what the significance of what was happening was, or what had happened prior. BUT, when I knew what the heck was going on, it was exciting and a good theory on what will happen if we don't work to control global warming.

START/ENDING: Start (and most of the middle) I really didn't enjoy. Like I said, it was confusing and I kept getting lost. BUT (in most of these there will be a but) it had a fantastic ending and around page 200 I started really liking this book. However, 200 pages is too long to wait to like a book, in my opinion.

CHARACTERS: I didn't much like the characters. It's written in diary form, so it's not like there was much of an oppurtunity to get to know them, but what I did I didn't enjoy much. They were supposed to come off as quirky, original and real, as I guess was the intent, BUT (see?) they were just plain annoying, if you ask me. There was some good times though, where they were hilarious!

SETTING: The author did an excellent job with the setting of this book- it was thoroughly detailed, and wonderfully imagined, and totally true to the situation. More believable than most sci-fi books acheive.

WRITING: I wasn't much a fan of the writing- kind of blah, and she (Laura Brown, the main character writing the diary) used a lot of slang that I didn't know and even when I did got on my nerves majorly.

OVERALL/ ANYTHING ELSE?: Overall, I think it's something I'd recommend. Definitely not a favorite, but something that really makes you think. ANYTHING ELSE PART- I totally thought of the perfect theme song for this book!

Do The Panic, by Phantom Planet

I always want to do a little feature on my reviews with a theme song for each book, but few times can I get it right enough to do it. This one, though, I think I NAILED it *smug grin* :)

Ok, 3 books down, 5 to go...

Movies, Music and Mondays: The PHAAAANTOM OF THE OPERA IS HEEeeeEeRE...

2009-09-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

Heylo people! I am SO totally excited right now, wanna guess why? *sigh* so many reasons...

I just found this really awesome photography technique called "bokeh" (Japanese for fuzzy) and I went on Flickr and found awesome pics using it, look for the collage soon

I just watched Degrassi Goes Hollywood (erm, plz to be not mocking mmkay? My guilty pleasure, like CocoPerez is too! Oh NO, I'm such a typical teenager, what hope is there for me?! ;) Just kidding, all) and was vaguely dissapointed in Ellie but not enough to keep me from watching more Degrassi

AND... most importantly,

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA IS IN ST. LOUIS, AND I'M GONNA SEE IT!

*ahem* Oops, sorry, caps got stuck there. *pats down hair*

But anyways, have you SEEN/READ this fantabulous thing? Readthebookwatchthemovie(s)seetheplayNOW! Drama, romance, mystery, an extremely brooding and therefore hot
"phantom"... and, y'know, some extremely campy singing in between.

AND I'm going to a town in St. L, whose name I forget, where I shall...

Go to bookstores
Go on a hunt for the perfect cupcake/coffee combo
And, most importantly...
go to a vinyl record store and buy the place out!!!! Thank you to Googel for all the wonderful maps.
(Note that all of these will involve obscene amounts of allowance spending!)
As seen in my Paper Towns review, I have recently acquired a penchant for the 80's (well, I always had it, but now it's more than just the movies, but also the music! Esp. the vinyls), sans the fashion choices *insert shudder here*, and I can't wait to start a record collection. Ooh, and they have CD's too. AND, I just discovered, movies. Note that this little extra tidbit just doubled the obscene allowance spending.

Ok, happy Monday (my history teacher always says that... and I always want to yell at her "WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT IT?" or some other, er, "WITTY" comeback of mine (:P)... but that would break the perfect and utter silence I have during the school day. Also, I get funny stares if I yell ;D), and may your movies, music, and all other Monday-related things be great.

Assigned Reading...

2009-09-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

So really soon, in my English class (I have the same teacher as last year... *sob*), we are getting an assigned novel for assignment. ANOTHER thing to hate about that class. Last year, our two assigned reads were "The Great Gilly Hopkins", and "M.C. Higgins the Great", both of which were nothing but torture! I can only wonder what it is this year. I think Holes. I hope not! I'll just have to off my education if I will be forced through THAT torture!

Don't get me wrong, I love classics and all- but I resent the fact that just because it's a reeeeallly old book it's called a "classic" and thusly forced upon us until we claim to lovelovelove it. In truth, I think we should be able to read more contemporary teen fiction- something teens in these classes can relate to. A really great benifit of that is the fact that, by reading something we can relate to (let's be honest- Jane Austen is a lovely author, but can we really relate to the various social -isms and rules of conduct of the 1700's? Not me!)- say, maybe something by Sarah Dessen?- it might give students of today a love of reading, and maybe they won't resent it so much when they're older, having bad memories of The Bell Jar or Jane Eyre being forced upon them.

Do you have anything assigned to you to read? Do you like it so far? What would you rather have as an assignment, and how do you feel about required reading?

P.S. World, I think I just found my essay topic.

Movie Review: (500) Days of Summer

2009-09-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the movies, after watching (500) Days of Summer. And I'm absolutely floored! I didn't think they make movies as good as this now (actually, at least 2 besides this one comes to mind- Whip-it! and Paper Heart- ah, 'tis a geek luvluvluv story I plan to see and lurve!), but obviously I was wrong.
As soon as it was five minutes in and they had their little Sid and Nancy breakup conversation at the diner, I knew this was a movie I would love. And I was right.
I kind of didn't want to see it at first, because I thought it would be yet another one of those sappy, oh-so-predictable love stories. And it wasn't- it was unexpected, utterly original, and just a story of... well, love that goes to deep to even do anything about it, so complicated and messy that you just have to move on.
At first, once it was over, I was a little angry. It seemed a bit anticlimactic. But now that I've thought about it it fits better with the story.
So overall, it's definitely something you should go see before it's out of theaters!
P.S. Another thing I love about this movie? Their love of The Smiths.

In My Mailbox: September 6

2009-09-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Thanks to The Story Siren for this cool little meme!

THE RECIEVED: None!

FROM THE LIBRARY:

Along for the Ride, by Sarah Dessen. YAY!!!! I FINALLY GOT IT! I was about to buy it, I was so desperate. But then the library called, and I squealed a little. I'm not a person who usually squeals with joy :)

Animal Farm, by George Orwell. I've been wanting to read this for a while, and for the first time ever I checked something out from the school library- this. And ma I say that they actually have a decent selection of books? It's truly amazing, for being just another middle school in Kentucky.

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie, by David Lubar. Also from the school library. I don't know if I'll finish it, I read the first few pages and wasn't exactly enthralled... but maybe it'll pick up?

THE BOUGHT:

Cathy's Book (I don't see the author's name on it!) I read about this trilogy on a blog somewhere... don't remember which one. I bought it on a random whim and have no idea what it's about- can anyone tell me?

How to Steal A Car, by Pete Hautman. Yay! It was between this, and "The Blonde of the Joke", and also "Imaginary Enemy" was a contender. I can't wait to read it, it sounds really cool and I love the cover, a gorgeous blue with a squad of police cars chasing a red car. Better than it sounds :P

Overall, it was a pretty good week (bookwise, at least!). So what'd everyone else get?

Waiting on Wednesday

2009-09-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

Before I Fall, by Lauren Oliver, to be published by Harper Collins in March 2010

"What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing."

I DESPERATELY WANT THIS BOOK!!!! Every time I see books coming out soon, I get all sad- I know I won't have the money for them. As is the case with this one.

Bookalicious just ran a review for it (omgomgomg how did she get this book!?!?!), go check it out for her thoughts :)

P.S. A cool book just released today, that I was going to feature (too late now!) is An Off Year, by Claire Zulkey. Go look at it! :)

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott review

2009-09-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

Title: Something, Maybe

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Publisher/Date: Simon Pulse, March 2009

MSRP (Hardback Edition): $17.99

Pages (numbered): 224

Rating: * * * */5

Plot: While it's definitely been done before, it wasn't boring, as others along these lines tend to be-- Ms. Scott did a lot with it ot make it good, and it still had great twists and turns that kept me laughing and flipping pages throughout the book.

Characters: Awesome characters! They all had great personalities, were enormously flawed (in the way you want to see, in a real sense) like us, and Hannah could have been a friend from school, telling me her story, for how much like me she was. And Finn... sigh... Finn was definitely the best male lead in a book I've read in a while!

Start/ending: Not a remarkable start, but it was *mostly* uphill from there. Mostly, meaning there was some corny conversations in between. But it had a good, final ending.

Writing: It doesn't blow you away or anything, but it was really funny and interesting- like my best friend wrote it :)

Overall/anything else?: While not my favorite Elizabeth Scott book, and not something truly remarkable, it was still an enjoyable, funny, romantic read that I would recommend.

Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Allison Noel review

2009-08-30T19:19:00.001-07:00

Title: Art Geeks and Prom Queens

Author: Alyson Noel

Publisher/Release Date: St. Martin's Griffin (August 11, 2005)

MSRP (Paperback): $8.95

Pages: 240

Rating: * */5 stars

Summary: Being the new girl is tough- just ask sixteen-year-old Rio Jones. A New York transplant, Rio has no clue how she's going to fit in at her fancy new private school in Southern California. Plus, being late, over-dressed, and named after a Duran Duran song doesn't make the first day any better.

Then Rio meets Kristi. Beautiful, rich, and a cheerleader, Kristi is the queen bee of Newport Beach. And Kristi isn't friends with just anyone, so Rio is thrilled when she's invited to be part of their most exclusive, popular clique. Of course, like with any club, Kristi and her friends have rules: Always smile (even when you don't mean it), always dress cute (and never repeat an outfit) and always flirt (but only with jocks, preps, and rich college guys) .

At first Rio is havign a great time, but as she becomes more immersed in this jet-set crowd, she figures our there is one last rule that her new friends forgot to mention- don't cross Kristi...

My thoughts on the....

PLOT: Oh my, it's been done SO many times before. Totally and completely predictable every step of the way.

CHARACTERS: I didn't feel much of an attachment to any of the characters, including Rio- she actually whined about how hard it was for her to be beautiful and model-like. ALL the time. Something about her just didn't work for me. And the other characters? Didn't click either. I felt like something was missing from them, like they weren't really there (yes, I KNOW it's a book, do you get what I mean though?).

START/ENDING: Slow beginning, but I was pretty happy with the ending. At least she got over herself, and it was cute and sweet.

SETTING: Not much of a setting- this book was pretty bad about using the details that make a book interesting. Mainly, it was a big breakdown of what EVERYONE was wearing. At every second of the day. Not fun, my friends.

WRITING: The writing did have some plausibility- it was respectably funny. But (there's always a but with this book) it was really repetitive, and, as stated in the characters section, whiny. I kept getting distracted and bored, letting my eyes flit around.

OVERALL/ANYTHING ELSE?: I've always shied away from Allyson Noel's books on the shelves- now, I kind of see why. If you're curious and in a serious state of bookdrought, maybe pick up a copy at the library, but don't waste your time otherwise.

Paper Towns by John Green

2009-08-30T17:12:00.001-07:00

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (October 16, 2008
MSRP (Hardback, also available in paperback): $17.99
Pages: 320
Rating: * * * * */5, absolutely!

OMGOMGOMG readitreaditreadit,nownownow! Is what I really want to use for this review, but that's not what I'm paid (albeit in books) to do, so let's break it down into more sophisticated rant sentences, shall we?'

CHARACTERS: More than anything, I think it was the characters that made me fall in love with this book. Ridiculously cool dorks, each one unique, hilarious, and expertly flawed, as real and layered as if they were existing, they kept me laughing hysterically throughout the book. These are the kind of people you'd want to be friends with!

PLOT: Great plot. It was exciting, and kept you turning pages while at the same time wanting to make it last for a while, just so you can enjoy it's sheer awesomeness for longer. And the whole thing about paper towns, I thought was fascinating, and I loved the little clues Margo left for Quentin.

SETTING: No complaints about the setting. He pretty much nailed it, as he did with the rest of the book: Making you feel like you were there, right beside Quentin and the rest of them.

WRITING: Absolutely phenominal writing. Like I said in the setting section, you felt like you were there, and the sensory details were great. Quentin's voice showed through smashingly too (can you tell that I'm running out of a variety of words to use to describe this book?)- hilarious, honest, and you could tell how much he loved Margo, what he said about her- I loved it.

START/ENDING: Great, fast paced start, with Margo sneaking in and their night, and the ending, while not exactly what I wanted, worked out better than what I wanted (I can't tell you because it'll spoil the plot, sorry), more satisfying.

OVERALL/ANYTHING ELSE?: Overall, readitreaditREAD.IT! One of the best written books I've read in a long time (which is saying something, since I just read If I Stay and Wintergirls!), add it to the top of you're must read list. As to anything else, can I just say how much I want Margo's record collection!?! She had all these great records, practically every one from every band... *sigh* to have that would be to fulfill my life. As soon as I get a record player. Also, as part of anything else, I would like to say what an EXCELLENT movie this would make. Think about it.

UPDATE: I looked up a site in the book, called Omnictionary (check it out, if you're a fan of this book!)- it's an actual site created in '03... and GUESS WHAT I SAW?!?! PAPER TOWNS WILL BE A MOVIE IN 2010! YES! I AM VICTORIOUS! I CAN CONTROL THOSE WHO MAKE MOVIES TO MAKE THIS A MOVIE! I AM ALL POWERFUL! *ahem* Sorry. Caps got stuck.
*hums* I know what I'm featuring for Movie Monday tomorrow...

Breathless by Jessica Warman Review

2009-08-30T13:26:00.001-07:00

Title: Breathless
Author: Jessica Warman
Publisher/Release Date: Walker Books for Young Readers, August 18 2009
MSRP (Hardback): $16.99
Pages: 320
Rating: * * * */5

SUMMARY (from Amazon): When Katie Kitrell is shipped off to boarding school by her distant father and overbearing mother, it doesn’t take her long to become part of the It Crowd. She’s smart, she’s cute, and she’s an Olympic-bound swimmer who has a first class ticket to any Ivy League school of her choice. But what her new friends, roommate, and boyfriend don’t know is that Katie is swimming away from her past, and from her schizophrenic older brother, Will, who won’t let her go. And when he does the unthinkable, it’s all Katie can do to keep her head above water.

CHARACTERS: The characters were remarkable developed and layered for a first novel (for any novel, really!), and you got to know them on a really deep level- Warman did an excellent job of that, but still, I didn't really feel a connection with them. There really was only one character I truly liked, and that was Mazzie Moon- even though she was really awful sometimes, and mean, I loved the relationship she and Katie developed. It was something everyone wants in a best friend, and it was magnificiently real. All of the relationships were intricate, as well, which is also something to give her much credit for.

PLOT: To quote the accolade on the back from a fellow author of hers, it was predictable but totally unexpected. I know that makes no sense- I'll try to explain as best I can: It was full of surprises and turns, like real life is, but at the same time so true and relatable to our own lives, in the "predicable" sense.

SETTING: Her small town from where she just wants to escape was detailed greatly, and it was always believable, to the point that you felt you were reading a biography.

WRITING: The writing was really excellent for a debut, deep and thoughful, and with lots of details- but not to the point that it got boring.

START/ENDING: At first, I wasn't sure if this was going to be something I liked- this really awful thing with a cat being dropped almost made me throw up in math class- but then, once you get used to it all, and know the characters, it gets better with time.

OVERALL/ANYTHING ELSE?: Something I would recommend, very memorable, and true to life.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending this to me.

In My Mailbox, August 30

2009-08-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Slow week, bookwise. So slow, in fact, that I have NOTHING to show you for In My Mailbox *gasp*! Sorry, dudes. Can't wait to see what you got though :)

Now, I'm off to post 4 book reviews. Yes, 4. Those are the books I've finished TODAY. Marvel at... my ability to turn library books in on time??? :)

What Is It You Guys Want Me To DO Exactly?

2009-08-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

So, some of you left comments on a recent post about how you wish I didn't "approve..." something? I don't understand what you want me to do. Have I done something that made you upset? Do you mean the comment moderation? The only reason I do that is so I know when I have comments and can reply to them and read them. But if it's bothering you guys, I'll take it off right away!

Just tell me in the comments, ok? I'll go haunt the dashboartd now. :)

A Cool Meme I Found

2009-08-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hi! I was browsing the internet, my favorite hobby on weekends (I know I should go do my chores and read, but oh well :P), and I found this cool little summer reading questionairre! It was on The N, one of the articles... I thought the article was pretty funny too, so I'm copying and pasting (thank God for that little piece o' technology!). So please disreguard all "I"s and "me"s in it. The only thing mine is the answers to the questions, coz I'm lazy like that!

"Holy vampire-loving mobs! So, as I write this, there are approximately 3 twazillion crazed Twilighters camping outside our offices -- sitting on the filthy, pee-stained sidewalks of Times Square -- waiting to get into tonight's sold-out Breaking Dawn Concert Series (which, fear not, we will all be able to watch live and streaming on the Internets right here. In fact, I actually tripped over some such fangirl on my walk back from lunch, and (SMACK! Whoahohoa.) almost spilled burrito all over her DIY "Mrs. Edward Cullen" t-shirt. Not cool! But it's cool. My burrito and I and the young "Mrs. Cullen" survived the incident unscathed. And in the end I was just really really psyched to see so many people so passionate about... books.
So here. A questionnaire about 'em. Post your answers in the comments and compare, for the sake of fun." [End of article, now for the Q and A!]

My answers in bold:

1) Name a book you recently read, or are in the middle of reading. Breathless, by Jessica Warman
2) Who wrote it? Jessica Warman. Remember?
3) Explain the story in 15 words or less. Katie Kitrell's schizophrenic brother threatens to wipe away her new life at boarding school, with a boyfriend and as a member of the elite popular croud.
4) How many pages long? 311
5) Hardcover or paperback? Hardcover.
7) When was it written? August 2009, released the 25.
8) Describe the book's cover in 10 words or less. A gorgeous aquamarine with a girl swimming, showing just her face, hidden behind her hair. (oops, that was more wasn't it?!)
9) Rate the book on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = snoresville, 10 = geniustown) 6.5 or 7. Still deciding.
10) For fun or because you have to? For fun!
11) Bookmark, folded corners, or what? I grabbed the form letter the book came with from the publisher as a bookmark. Dogearing is a federal offense in my book!
12) Do you underline/highlight? Nooo...?
13) Name one word in the book that you don't understand. Look it up. And define it here. I'm pretty well versed in my vocab, thank you very much!
14) Stick your nose in the book and flip through it. Describe what you smell. Paper? ANd cinammon. Some cinammon fell in it... long story :P
15) Take the DAY of your birthday and flip to that page number. Take the MONTH of your birthday and go to that sentence number on the page. Copy down that sentence. Will doesn't say anything. (That's the sentence, not me telling you!)

K, bye all! Hope you like meh meme.

Theme Thursday: Coffee Coffee Coffee!

2009-08-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

Heylo chickadees! I've been racking my brain for ideas, and then I looked to my chai latte for inspiration (coz we all know coffee is always the answer), and then it came to me to do a coffee themed Thursday feature! *wipes sweat off forehead from the seriously draining thinking*

Items:

Confessions of A Triple Shot Betty, by Jody Gehrman

Death by Latte, by Linda Gerber

Coffeehouse Angel, by Suzanne Selfors

The Espressologist, by Kristina Springer

(Drop a comment if you have something you'd like to add- this is my favorite theme!)

My thoughts on the books:

CoaTSB: I just wrote a review a while ago- I wasn't a big fan of it. But it was still a decent book, and should be counted in!

Death by Latte: I've yet to read this series, and just so you know, this is the 2nd book. But I love the cover, and, of course, the coffee cup.

C0ffeehouse Angel: My very first ARC, and thatwasn't the only reason I loved it :) If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend it, although it did have some flaws, but then, what book doesn't?

The Espressologist: Personally, I liked the old cover of the book better... but this one is growing on me :P It's just that it's been done before so, so many times, and doesn't catch your attention as much as the other. BUT, the book itself sounds fantastic, I can't wait to read it!

Take A Chance Challenge!

2009-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! I saw this cool little challenge a while ago, and I've decided to do it. The rules are changed though, most likely, because... well, it's me improving it for myself :P Plus, I made a nifty little button on Picnik so it's ALL MINE! *ahem*\

What do you think of my button? I typed chance into that flickrCC thing, and it gave me dice. I sharpened it, and did the classic tone, then picked a scrawly text, colors, and whatnot. I was going to add those sweet lil' Tombots Margo's always using- but that's her thing (for now. Margo? I'm warning you in advance that I'm tearing those adorable little thingys from your Picnik account just as soon as I make me comment award I have in the works. K?!)

Anyways, here's the rules and stuff:

1) Remember the random word page we used last month for the "If I Were An Author" meme? Bookmark it, it'll be the central part of this challenge. (I have to get off soon so I'll come back tomorrow and superimpose it in again, sorry!)

2) Go to that site, and click refresh 9 times, so you'll have 10 words. Write them down so you don't forget!

3) Go to Amazon and type each word in seperately for searches.

4) Read the first book you see result you see that's appealing- just by the cover ( ooh, idea for another challenge... :D)!

5) Start you time of reading dangerously and pass the challenge on!

Good luck, post a comment with any questions, and good night :)

A Belated In My Mailbox

2009-08-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! Sorry I'm late. I forgot yesterday :P

The recieved:

Breathless by Jessica Warman

My second ARC... so happy, so happy :) The publisher offered it to me. I'm still kind of clueless in the way of these things *sigh* It comes out tomorrow officially, BTW.

LIBRARY:

Paper Towns by John Green

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Destroy All Cars

After

The Possibility of Sainthood

BOUGHT:

Secrets of Truth and Beauty by Megan Frazer

Dear Julia

So now you now what I got, what about you?

Zombie Chickens Shall Eat You All!

2009-08-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

*hums Thriller*

Coz the zombie chickens are here! At least, they are on this cool award Margo just gave me. Isn't it... cool? Ah, the wit :P

The description of the award, as ripped off shamelessly by me:

The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all...

Well. Nice to know I have some tao. I should go refocus my chi now (Yup, I'm watching too much Design Star. My parents made me- and guess what? That and Drop Dead Diva [is anyone watching that besides me!? I love it!] are some of his favorite tv shows. No comment from me!).

So, I'm going to nominate blogging friends that don't already have the award, since I only have 5 spaces (but I'm renominating you guys, 'k?):

1) Collegiate Bookworm
2) Cherry Banana Split
3) Bookalicious
4) Write About What?
5) Katie's Book Blog (you have this already...?)

Thanks guys!

I Am SUCH a Mooch Now.

2009-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

Book mooch, that is. I saw a post about this on Allison's cooleo blog a second ago, and I wanted to tell you guys about it :)

BookMooch is this fabulous little group you can join in which you give books to get books. The steps:

1) Join, of course.
2) Create a list of books you'd like to give away.
3) Create a wishlist of books you want.
4) Mail in your books for points.
5) Ask for books from others with your points.

BookMooch operates on a point system, as mentioned up there...kMooch

Add a book to your inventory- +1/10 of a point
Give away a book (in your own country)- +1 point
Give away a book (internationally)- +3 points
Mooch a book (in your own country)- -1 point
Mooch a book (internationally)- -2 points
Acknowledge recieving a book you mooched- +1/10 of a point

http://bookmooch.com/about/points- That's the link to the information about Book Mooch.

Here is the link to Book Mooch.

Enjoy!

Wintergirls Review

2009-08-22T19:55:00.001-07:00

Title: Wintergirls

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Publisher: Viking

MSRP (Hardback): $17.99
Pages (numbered): 278

Rating: * * * * */5

God, I can't even think of anything to say to do this book justice. I though Envy was a 5 of 5? It's totally irrelevant compared to this. I'll try to write a good review to the best of my ability, though.

SUMMARY: Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy sabing other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her stepmother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps going on like this- thin, thinner, thinnest- maybe she'll disappear altogether.
In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since Speak, Anderson explores one girl's chilling descent into anorexia.

I don't think I should use my usual format of critiquing for this review.)

This is definitely the hardest review I've had to write. I'm trying and trying... nothing comes to mind wrong with this book. I know it's my job to be an objective reader and point out good and bad things about the book, and never have a gush review because there's always something wrong with a book... but God, it's just amazing.

Sure, I've read books about eating disorders before, but NOTHING like this. The writing is like poetry, it flows like music, too. You really get the full sense and then some of Lia's experience, and you won't want to be sucked back out.

But I'm asking you seriously... don't let anyone younger than about 14 read it (yes, I read it and I'm 13. Trust me, it affects you... more in a second on that). I'm not saying censor it by any means- I despise that, and can't wait for October to celebrate Banned Books Week- but it's extremely strong. "Sickening" and "terrifying" has been used many a time by some reviewers, not how I'd term it, though. And if you suspect someone who wants to read it is easily susceptible to things like this, it could give them ideas and send them over the edge. It involves REALLY serious issues- cutting, anorexia, death, depression... and all of it graphic but not in an awful way. Does any of this make sense?

But it you think you can handle it, this book's required reading for you absolutely. My whole view on things like this has changed totally thanks to this book.

Envy Review

2009-08-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, I am officially OUTRAGED. I'll tell you why in a second, but first the facts of Envy, then opinions...:

Title: Envy

Author: Anna Godbersen

Publisher: HarperCollins

MSRP (Hardback; USA): $17.99

Pages (numbered): 405

Rating: * * * * */5!

By FAR the best Luxe book yet. I just finished it, and I slammed the book closed. Reason for infuriation, as previously mentioned? DRAMADRAMADRAMA!!!! My head is spinning. I feel all gushy about the book, but I'll remain a critic for your sake, 'k?

SYNOPSIS (COURTESY OF AMAZON):
Jealous whispers.
Old rivalries.
New betrayals.
Two months after Elizabeth Holland's dramatic homecoming, Manhattan eagerly awaits her return to the pinnacle of society. When Elizabeth refuses to rejoin her sister Diana's side, however, those watching New York's favorite family begin to suspect that all is not as it seems behind the stately doors of No. 17 Gramercy Park South.
Farther uptown, Henry and Penelope Schoonmaker are the city's most celebrated couple. But despite the glittering diamond ring on Penelope's finger, the newlyweds share little more than scorn for each other. And while the newspapers call Penelope's social-climbing best friend, Carolina Broad, an heiress, her fortune—and her fame—are anything but secure, especially now that one of society's darlings is slipping tales to the eager press.
In this next thrilling installment of Anna Godbersen's bestselling Luxe series, Manhattan's most envied residents appear to have everything they desire: Wealth. Beauty. Happiness. But sometimes the most practiced smiles hide the most scandalous secrets . . .

PLOT: Wonderful plot- perfectly planned, complicated, and twists your heart in just the right way. It just keeps throwing me for a six every chapter. (Australian term I ripped off from The Year of Secret Assignments... :P)

CHARACTERS: I love the characters. Even when I have sheer and utter hatred- like I do for Penelope, e.g.- they're awesome. And I love how the book is omnicent and takes turns focusing on the different characters so you really get a lot more out of it. My favorite character, I think, was at Lina- and towards the end of the book I favored Elizabeth more.

START/ENDING- Great, unique prologue- it's about a bird, soaring through New York, and it shows events happening at the end of the book through the bird's view- but you don't know who it is, or exactly what's happening, and the bird flies off to another character. The ending was a bit too abrupt- I turned the page and saw the acknowledgments, and that made me MAD. They're killing me until October. But I guess it's excusable since it's a series and that's how the roll... *sigh*

SETTING: You'd think this would be a bit boring, considering it's just high society, but I love the setting. It's not like a regency romance, and how boring they are- it has fantastic, enchanting details that draw you in, make you feel like you're there, like you're Lina out on the streets alone, Penelope taking desperate measures, and Elizabeth grieving.

WRITING: Great writing to- see Setting! However- and this is my ONLY complaint- It was a bit pretentious and dragged-out at times. And if I had to hear about the colors of someone's sage colored eyes or their bee stung lips again, or about every stitch of the dress the wore, I was going to scream. But that was rare and compared to the rest of the book, it's acceptable.

OVERALL: I think I've made it very clear that I loved it! Have you read this series yet? WHY NOT? Go, go now, go get it! Please :) You definitely won't be sorry.

Are You Serious!?!

2009-08-22T15:25:00.000-07:00

I reaaaaallly want to make a change, layout and background wise to Serendipity Reviews. I'm extremely fond of Tweety and all (the bird hanging out in the corner) but I'm not feeling the pink. I found this really great layout, but it'll erase ALL of my widgets! The pictures, info, notes, links, everything I've carefully tweaked, attended to, and revised... GONE. Unless I get another layout like the one I have now, that mainly changes the sides? But i can't find any I like that are like that.

Does anyone know how I can change the layout w/o losing the sidebar stuff? I'd really appreciate it :)

Comeback Winner!

2009-08-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Come check out the winner!

Thanks so much to all you guys who entered. I'm planning another soon (promise I'll be on time!), so good luck next time :)

So, the winner of The Comeback by Marlene Perez is...

Marisa, Brianna and Arielle from B.A.M. Book Reviews!

I'm sending an email to you guys, so make sure to get back to me with the shipping address (no P.O. boxes, if you can help it, thanks!) by Monday, ok? Thanks!

xoxo everyone, Meggin

Theme Thursday Ideas?

2009-08-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... I'm trying to write Theme Thursday but I can't think of any themes! Does anyone have any? I'd really appreciate it :)

Comeback Contest!

2009-08-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! The contest is officially over- I'll have the winner posted tommorrow (I got lazy and have a LOT of names to put in the bowl)! Thanks for entering everybody!

Awww Thanks Guys!

2009-08-20T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! I just got an email saying I got nominated for Best New Blog from the BBAW.

Thanks so much for nominating me everybody! I can't even remember what it was like not having you cool peeps around, and thanks for that.

Waiting On Wednesday: DupliKate by Cherry Cheva (plus a breif interlude of school sprit. Goody.)

2009-08-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

Title: Duplikate

Author: Cherry Cheva

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: September 2009

Summary: Kate Larson has wanted to get into Yale for years. She has been overworked, under-rested, and just stressed. One night, Kate thinks that she must be seeing double, when she comes face to face with Rina, her computer generated twin. Kate has no clue how she got here or how to put her back where she belongs. Either way, Kate doesn't have time to deal with this. Could this be her worst nightmare or a blessing?

Why I want to read it: I love science fictiony stuff like this, and it sounds hilarious.

UPDATE: Sorry it's Thursday now. I got distracted as usual.

BUT... now I get to regale you with tales of the football game I just went to! I ate pizza, walked around with friends, was scarred for life by the utter creepiness of the mascot... I'll never do it again, since football is BO-RING. But fun while it lasted :)

P.S. Sorry this one was kinda thin. I just got an email about being nominated for.. BBAW, I think it's called? So I have to work on it. I don't know what it is... :( SOmething cool I hope?

And Now For Something Completely Different... Music!

2009-08-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

...Well, not that different, since I post about music a LOT. But I just wanted to share with you guys some really great bands and songs I found via Pandora- has anyone used that site? I think I'm in love! I'm using it right now, listening to my Altie/Indie genre station I made. Go check it out, you'll ifnd some great bands!- and iTunes indie spotlight. Also, lol I looked up songs they played on Gilmore Girls :P But hey, it helped me find The Shins! And may I just say how did I love music before them? I love that voice :)

So here's some awesome songs running through my head for you to check out:

1) Jamie All Over- Mayday Parade
2) Say Anything (Else)- Cartel
3) Turn On Me- The Shins
4) So Says I- The Shins
5) All Apologies- Nirvana
6) Teddy Picker- Arctic Monkeys
7) The New Year- Death Cab for Cutie
8) No Sunlight- Death Cab for Cutie
9) Karma Police- Radiohead
10) Panic! At the Disco songs

And bunches of others. Yeah, some are a bit emoish, but still really cool.

And then I found songs by the trubadour of Stars Hollow, on Gilmore Girls- and found out I can get them on iTunes! I LOVE those songs. Yup I'm weird. :P

Okay, continue about your business!

xoxo,

Meggin

Teaser Tuesdays- August 18

2009-08-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody! Time for a teaser for the first time in... about a month? Yikes.

Anyways, todays teaser is brought to you by Laurie Halse Anderson's *Wintergirls*. And also the letter P. And viewers like you (did I quote PBS right?)

So the rules to this lovely Tuesday occasion are kind of like follows:

1.Grab your current read/ the book closest to you.

2.Flip to a random page.

3.Pick some interesting sentences that might make someone want to read that book desperately.

4.Make sure you don't include spoilers! Also, don't pick something BOR-ing. (That part is my little addendum to the official rules :D)

(Mine's kind of long... but if I cut it off it won't make sense.)
****************************
"Wait." Jennifer grab my arm. For the first time since they loaded me on the stretcher she looks me in the eye. "David doesn't want me to say this to you, but too bad. I love you, Lia. When I married your father, I swore to love you like you were my own. But you hurt my little girl."
She shakes with anger.
"You hurt her by starving yourself, you hurt her with your lies, and by fighting everybody who tries to help you. Emma can only sleep a couple of hours at night now. She's haunted by nightmares about monsters that eat our whole family. She says they eat us slowly, so we feel their sharp teeth."
"I'm-" I start.
"No."

*****************************

I'd just like to add that the review for this book will be the hardest I'll ever encounter. Have any of you read it? I'm going to be shocked if it doesn't win countless awards. I can't think of something to convey how wonderful it is.

Ciao Bella! -Meggin

Awards!

2009-08-18T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I am in a good mood because...

a) I just got my review copy of Breathless in the mail.

b) I'm almost done with Wintergirls, which is fantastic!

c) It's gloomy and rainy (weird but I'm only reallly happy when it's dark, grey and wet)

and most of all because I just got 2 awards!

The first is the Kreativ Blogger Award. I just got this from LylaStar10 for the 2nd time of getting the award from anyone (actually, I think 3rd) time of getting it :) Since I posted it for the first time already a few days ago, I'm renominating whoever I already nominated (wow, that was long windy and Outer Limitsy-like [I say that to give Twilight Zone a break]) :)

And then I got this lovely one from Amber!

Isn't it cute?

No limit is specified, so I'll just nominate 11, the number of dots:

1) Sara from Dragonfly Book Reviews

2) Sasha from The Sweet Bonjour

3) Collegiate Bookworm

4) Imogen from Write About What?

5) Allison from Read Into This!

6) Alex and Lauren from A Flight of Minds

7) B. A. and M. from BAM Book Reviews

8) Bookalicious

9) Katie from Katie's Book Blog

10) Jessica from Shut Up I'm Reading

11) Lolli from The Striped Sock Story Society

I'll try to comment on your sites, but some of them I'm having issues commenting on :(

Also, I give the award right back to Amber!

Book Soundtracks Rock.

2009-08-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Part 2 of Music Monday is something really cool I found last week. I was watching TV and on my laptop, and then I saw an ad for The N.com, I checked it out, and they have really cool articles and stuff on there. I'd recommend going if you have some free time, and searching through the nsider notes. I looked at their posts labeled books, and a LOT of stuff I'll be featuring soon, and I decided to use this one first. Here's the full link; I just picked some favorites of mine from it, and some I found surfing the internet. Plus I superimposed/removed songs :)

Paper Towns by John Green
She - Green Day
Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
We Intertwined - The Hush Sound
Lions Roar - The Hush Sound
The Mixed Tape - Jack's Mannequin
Calendar Girl - Stars

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
"Winner at a Losing Game"-Rascal Flatts
"Hero/Heroine"-Boys Like Girls
"When the Day Met the Night"-Panic at the Disco
"Bless the Broken Road"-Rascal Flatts
"Bat Country"-Avenged Sevenfold
"I'll Stand By You"-Carrie Underwood
"Could Not Ask For More"-Edwin McCain
"Listen"-Beyonce
"Bleeding Love"-Leona Lewis
"I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"-Aerosmith

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
1.Oasis-Wonderwall
2.Michelle Branch-Desperately
3.The Killers-Shadowplay
4.Manchester Orchestra-Wolves at Night
5.Panic at the Disco-Northern Downpour
6.Thriving Ivory-Angels on the Moon
7.Skye Sweetnam-Tangled Up In Me
8.Mandy Moore-Crush
9.Chiodos-The Words "Best Friend" Become Redefined
10.L.P.-Wasted

Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr

Satellite-Guster
Closer to You-Brandi Carlisle
Naked As We Came-Iron and Wine
Casimir Pulaski Day-Sufjan Stevens
Latter Days-Over the Rhine
You’re All I Have-Snow Patrol
Hands Open-Snow Patrol
Make This Go On Forever-Snow Patrol
Shut Your Eyes-Snow Patrol
Open Your Eyes-Snow Patrol
The Finish Line-Snow Patrol
Bizarre Love Triangle-New Order
Save Me-Aimee Mann
Chasing Cars-Snow Patrol
In addition to the tracks above Sara said the Snow Patrol Eyes Open album and Aimee Man’s Lost in Space album are representative of Sweethearts.

Wake, by Lisa McMann

Superman-Five for Fighting
Dream Police-Cheap Trick
Sleep-My Chemical Romance
Wake Me Up-Evanescence
Dirty Little Secret-All American Rejects
Dreams-The Cranberries
Sleeping Lessons-The Shins
Dream Weaver-Gary Wright
Crash Into Me-Dave Matthews Band
Don’t Dream It’s Over-Crowded House

*************

This is so much fun, I think it's really cool. Coz not only do you get book recommendations, you also get music ones too! Feel free to make a soundtrack to your own favorite book in the comments; I'll post it up here :) Or you could just suggest a song or two to add.

Now don't you have some music to listen to? I definitely do! And I really need to go to the library now and get some of these books- esp. Paper Towns.

Movies, Music and Mondays Part I: A Tribute to John Hughes

2009-08-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard, this country just lost someone who, in my opinion, was one of THE most talented people to grace said country- John Hughes. In case you don't know who that is- GASP!- John Hughes is the creator of The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, and- my personal favorite- Ferris Beuller's Day Off. (Watch them!)

He really, truly understood what it was like to be a teenager in the '80s- the unrequited love, insane crushes, awkward gawkiness, bad clothes, and embarrassing moments constantly populating life. To quote myself, he is the Judy Blume of cinematics.

I found this link to a girl's blog who was pen pals with him- check it out, you won't be sorry!

I'm really glad I made my essay about his work- I feel like I did something for someone important to me.

Some advice: Next time your crush blows you off, you get a huge zit, etc., watch one of his movies- it's worked for everyone else ;)

Excuse me while I mourn/write Part ll of MMM.

In My Mailbox- August 15th

2009-08-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, guess what?

I got 21 books this week. Yes, I see your jaws dropping over there ;)

So here's the breakdown for this week!

THE RECIEVED FOR REVIEW: None (at least, not THIS week... *rubs hands in a scheming manner*)

THE LIBRARY:

My thoughts:

Waves: Yay! I can't believe they had this at the library. I almost bought it just before I went to the library, but I decided against buying any more books and got this. It's a kind of mystery novel, and it sounds realllllly good, but sad. I love the cover.

Just Listen: I'm sorry to say I'm technically a Sarah Dessen... VIRGIN (the reason it's emphasised is for Sara L, You asked for a hint in the comments on the review of Triple Shot Betty? There it is!), and apparently you guys are nutso for the stuff, so I figured why not when they actually had it on the shelf.

Envy: I'm almost done with this one already! omgomgomg I can't put it down. SO much drama... I can't wait for Splendor (love that title)!

Triple Shot Bettys In Love: As you know, the first book wasn't that good to me, but I saw the sequel on the shelves and I couldn't resist. This one looks better :)

Teen Inc.: I've been looking everywhere for this! Shorty that I am I had to CLIMB the bookshelf in the library to get it. I got caught by the librarian xD So she brough me a stool and all is well.

Does My Head Look Big In This?: I shied away from this for some reason or other, but then I saw it when someone had put it on the shelf with the back cover, and I had to pick it up on account of the polka dots of adorableness! It looks awesome.

Wintergirls: I finally got it! Mom put a hold on it for me and I got it the next day. Fantastic- words can't convey the worthiness of this book. I sense a rave review in our future.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox: I love the cover of this, absolutely gorgey (sorry Sasha, I'm stealing your word!). And the book so far is even better.

Click: This sounds really good too- I haven't heard of any of the authors contributing but I have incentive to now :)

Aurelia: Another book I almost bought but decided against! Part of my historical fiction (I can't think of the exact genre of books like this... Ivy, Ophelia, Aurelia... anybody know? It'll be a big help when I go on a hunt for those!) kick.

The Film Club: For once I'm glad the people misshelved (they're AWFUL about that) at the library- it's teen non fiction but it got placed in the new shelves. I wouldn't have found it otherwise. It sounds completely my thing, and I'm getting movie recommendations along the way :)

Graceling- I'm reading this for Sara's challenge, as a substitute. I saw it on te shelves (serendipity is my best buddy lately, especially kind. Maybe because I named my review site after it? :D) and I grinned. I got some weird looks.

Ready or Not: An All American Girl novel- The sequel to All American Girl, which I read the other week. My sources (meaning you guys) tell me it's better than the first!

Isabelle's Boyfriend: Just popped into my hands off the shelf today. I saw a review on Em's Bookshelf a while ago, I just remembered- probably why it looked so familiar :)

THE BOUGHT:

Lipstick Apology: I read a review of this on Sunshine Edition (Rachel's blog- hey! :)) and I decided I had to have it. It's amazing, I love it- another rave review on your way ;)

Sisters in Sanity: I love the cover... pretty! The main thing that drew me to it was the fact that it's the author if the phenomenal book, If I Stay. If it's half as good as that, it'll be fantastic!

Exclusively Chloe: This is one of the Elusive 3 (Exclusively Chloe, Shrinking Violet and Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies- debuts connected in my mind- 2 down, but the last still is no where to be found!) and it sounds great. (Sorry that phrase is popping up too much in this post! Actuallyh I'm not, it means the books are good ;))

Shrinking Violet- Again, Elusive 3. I am almost exactly like Violet, and the book has a really fresh good plot.

Ophelia: Reading for Sara's challenge. Pretty good so far.

OTHER:

Other, in this case, meaning I stole it from my mom's room :) I just saw the movie, I definitely recommend it! I was going to review it for Movie Monday tomorrow, but I'm doing a John Hughes memorial tribute instead.

***************

So that's my enormous haul this week! What about you guys?

***************

Margo's Challenge

2009-08-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you're totally and completely in love with this button, and if you're REALLY like me you'll have named them too (Oh, you want to know their names? *sigh* I suppose... from left to right and down it's: Mr. Bubby, Kat E. Kit, and... MO. Expirimental names of course ;D)

So Margo's challenge is as follows: She found this list (I saw it on the N website a few weeks ago, kept meaning to post it!) by BBC of books, classics and the like, that they say most people have only read about 6 of out of the whole list. Margo's challenge is to read through all the books on the list below- I'm going to post it, and then put an x by ones I've read... Eep!- no time limit set, but her own personal one is a year.

And without further ado, the list!

The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books here. How do your reading habits stack up? Instructions: Copy this into your blog. Look at the list and put an (X) after those you have read. Pass it along to other book lovers...

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

Total: 0 (I've read the bible, but not like a book, and others I haven't finished yet)

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
Total: 0

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll - (x)
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
Total: 1

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini -
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden-
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
Total: 0 (but I have the Kite Runner checked out, per my friend Erin's instance that I read it)

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell -
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (x)
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
Total: 1

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons (x)
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - Mark Haddon (x)
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Total: 2

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
Total: 0

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett (x)
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Inferno – Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
Total: 1

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White (x)
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (x)
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
Total: 2

.91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas9
8 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl (x)
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
Total: 1
So, my overall total is...

6.

I'm having trouble looking myself in the mirror! Technically it's 5, because I don't *think* I finished Cold Comfort Farm. Not only is BBC totally right about me, they OVERestimated me!

So what do you guys think? How many have you read? Will you do the challenge?

UPDATE: Hey, me again! I forgot the final 90- 100 portion of the list, and thanks to Margo for pointing outI missed a point... so my total is actually 8 (maybe 7, see the Cold COmfort Farm incident :P)

Good luck everybody!

I Gotsa Awards!

2009-08-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

I got these a week ago from Margo and then again from Sara- thanks guys!- but I kept forgetting to post it :( So here it is, in all it's glory... the gorgey (omg I love this word, I stole it from Sasha- sorry, Sasha!) awards!

Isn't it pretty?

So, according to the rules, I have to list 7 of my fave things and 7 of my fave blogs (but how do I choose between you guys?!)

My favorite stuff:

1) iPod
2) The blogoverse!
3) Friends and family
4) This teeny tiny netbook laptop
5) Library
6) Compulsive book buying
7) Movies

Not in that particular order, obvs :)

Now I shall nominate (again, in no particular order of favoriteness!)...

1) Bookworm Barista
2) Dragonfly Book Reviews
3) Read Into This!
4) Collegiate Bookworm
5) B.A.M. Book Reviews
6) Bookalicious
7) The Striped Sock Story Society

***************************************

And now for the hearthfelt award!

I'm having trouble uploading the award, but picture an adorable widdle bunny in a pink tea cup peaking out of the tea cup and crouching back in. :)

So here it is, the rules blatantly copied from Margo (sorry, Margo!):

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when your relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Hearthfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.

Rules

Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

Here's my nominees...

1) everyone I just gave the Kreativ Blogger Award to!

2) The Sweet Bonjour

3) Write About What?

And that should cover all nominees possible :) Thanks for being awesome, guys!

Confessions of A Triple Shot Betty Review

2009-08-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

Title: Confessions of A Triple Shot Betty
Author: Jody Gehrman
Edition: Paperback Reprint
Publisher: Puffin (reprint)
MSRP: $7.99
Pages: 272
Rating: * * */ 5

SYNOPSIS: Geena, 16, plans to spend her summer working at the local coffee shop in her Sonoma Valley town with her cousin Hero and her friend Amber. She envisions grinding out espressos and supersize iced mochas during the day and spending sleepover nights painting toenails and confessing secrets. Within the first few hours of her arrival home from a Connecticut boarding school, Hero falls in love with an Italian boy working at her father's vineyard and it's clear that she and Amber are not going to be friends. As the story unfolds through Geena's diary entries, readers discover each girl's strengths, flaws, and personality.

PLOT: The plot was a little repetitive- I kept getting this feeling of deja vu when I was reading it- I was like, "Didn't this happen already?" It did, but in slightly different circumstances. I really would have like a fresher deal.

CHARACTERS: I didn't feel a connection to the characters at all, and that's really important to me! If anything, I was annoyed by them a bit. Geena was so crabby and whiny, I could barely take it. It gave me a headache.

SETTING: Even for it being a diary entry, it lacked details about the setting. So, not much to report besides that.

START/ENDING: Pretty slow beginning, but once you got into it and got the characters down, their personalities and whatnot, things picked up and got better. Great ending, though- by the end, I DID start to like Amber a little- well, I could tolerate her more than the others, anyways :)

OVERALL: We had some good times, and I might recommend it, but it's DEFINITELY not on the top of my list at all.

OTHER THOUGHTS: Anyone else think the cover is appallingly pink!? I'm not a big fan of pink. That probably should have been a warning sign that I wouldn't like the book much :(
Also, for some reason I KNEW Amber was a ****** (Spoiler, I'm protecting you)! I don't know how, maybe because that's how I would have done it if I wrote this, but it's supposed to be a shock, so that wasn't good. If you read it and knew tell me!

Apology!

2009-08-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Just writing to say sorry for what an awful blogger I've been. Neglected Theme Thursdays, abandoned Waiting on Wednesdays (what'll you wait for now?!), teased Teaser Tuesdays. Not to mention I have to enter lots more of you guys into the Bowl of (soon to be!) Winners! I've gotten more entries then I thought I would- thanks so much, by the way :)

I promise I will try to attempt to work to blog more features, kk guys?

xoxo,

Meggin

Now I'm off to write reviews for you xtremely cool peeps.

Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall Review; My Assignment Turnout

2009-08-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

Title: Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall

Author: Wendy Mass

Edition: Paperback Reprint

Publisher: Little, Brown

MSRP: $7.99

Pages (numbered): 251 pp

Rating: * * * */5

(So, I really like this new format. I cover more points and it's more organized. Agreed? TOO BAD if not coz it's my blog- MUAHAHAHAHA!! *ahem* Sorry ;))

Synopsis- When 16 year old Tessa suffers a shocking accident in gym class, she finds herself in heaven (or what she thinks is heaven), which happens to bear a striking resemblance to her hometown mall. In the tradition of "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol", Tessa starts reliving hrt life up until that moment. She sees some things she'd rather forget. learns some things about herself she'd rather not know, and ultimately must find the answer to one burning question-- if only she knew what that question was.

Written in sharp, witty verse, Wendy Mass crafts an extraordinary tale of a spunky heroine who hasn't always made the right choices, but who needs to discover what makes life worth living.

PLOT- I loved the way this book was plotted out: once you got into it, and she's given a bag with seemingly random items purchased by/for her throughout the years at the mall, and she tells the story behind each. I LOVED that! You really got to know Tessa, for better or worse, and all her imperfections. It was executed beautifully.

CHARACTERS- Seeing as it's a verse kind of thing (not rhymy, though. I couldn't take it if it was :{) there aren't neccessarily a lot of characters. Mainly Tessa, her family, and her 3 friends. But Tessa was really wonderfully written- expressed perfectly, and her faults are shown as well as the good times, which is important. She seems so real. My complaint about it, though, is Tessa is kinda a horrible person! She steals and lies shamelessly, and she was SO unbelievably self-centered. But looking back, I think that was the point- sure, she did some awful things in her life, things she tries to forget, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve to live. But, y'know what, it could have been done down a little. :(

SETTING- I loved the mall heaven thing! It was so different and fun.

START/ENDING- Start was pretty good. It definitely drew me in- I was standing in front of the shelve at B and N, and I read the whole first 20 pages just standing like that! Then my legs started cramping, and some really tall dude is guyliner, etc. pretty much knocked me over. So I just went and bought it :)

Overall: A quick yet deep book that won't leave you dissapointed, and will have you thinking enough as this summer comes to an end so as to remove some summer brain damage.

P.S. Here's my English journal, how it turned out ( I found my camera!):

Do ya like it? I was v. v. picky about the movies :P And the books on the back are a) my favorites or b) books that have meant something important to this blog. Also, any thoughts on my button for Serendipity Reviews? I used Picnik- ridiculously easy and fun, BTW- at midnight last night, so I'm not sure if I was fully under creative influence :P JK.

Also, for your viewing pleasure, here's some piccys of my puppy Maddi:

Enjoy! xD

English Assignment :P

2009-08-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

I have NO CLUE what to decorate my comp journal with!!!??? I'm thinking movies on the front cover. I'm covering all the basics- noir, classic Hepburn, '80s brat pack, the best chick lit, old thrillers like Hitchcock ones... Wow. I'm going to run out of space xD The only thing it's proving is how much of a geek I am. BUt awesome, right? (oops. But I'm not old!) ;)

And on the back...

You know how on a lot of book reviewing blogs, they have a button with their name? I'm trying to design one. Piknic should make it easy and fun to do, and I just have to get a background. Do you guys have any suggestions for it? Thx :)

Then, I'll print it out, and glue it in the middle of the back, and paste books around it.

Whaddaya think?

Think Your Voice Doesn't Count? Think Again!

2009-08-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

I just saw the post on Em's Bookshelf about the new cover of Liar! A few weeks ago, as you'll remember, the blogoverse was on fire about the cover of Liar, the new book by Justine Larbaliester, which showed a white girl with long hair, when in reality, the character was BLACK with SHORT hair. While publishers tried to cover up the discrimination, no one fell for it, and after many of you email the publisher to let them know what you think, they've decided to change it! Here's the new, PC cover:

I love this one. They kept the themes that draw you in in the first place, and honestly, this one isn't as scary as the other :)

I wasn't going to read this unless they changed the cover. They now have my good word, recommendation and business :) I really and desperately wanted to read it, but I couldn't do that. Now I can though, because... well, problem solved, right? What do you think? Will you buy it now? Aware of the discrimination, would you have bought it anyways with the old cover?

Also, thanks so much to everyone out there who followed us bloggers' lead, and did something about it- you guys are definitely keepers ;)

Serendipity Reviews

In My Mailbox

Interview With Yvonne Prinz, Author of the Vinyl Princess!

The Vinyl Princess by Yvonne Prinz

In My Mailbox

It doesn't usually look like this, all blank and widget-less, I'm just redecorating.

Flower In A Storm 1 by Shigeyoshi Takagi

In My Mailbox

Waiting On Wednesday: Where She Went

Waiting On Wednesday: Razorbill Books Double-Feature!

In My Mailbox

Book review: The Heroines by Eileen Favorite

I've Been Tagged... and So Have You (Maybe)!

Gilmore Girls Reading Challenge 2010

Book review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Hunger Games Book 3!

Teaser Tuesday: In A Heartbeat

Anyone Else Upset About This???

Book review:A Match Made In High School

Book review: The Catcher In the Rye

Bad Blogger.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson reivew

Liar by Justine Laralestier review

In My Maikbox

Vacation, Back Soon

As You Wish

In My Mailbox

They're BAAA-ACCCCK... *sob*

Teaser Tuesday

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher review

Waiting On Wednesday: Dirty Little Secrets

Teaser Tuesday: An Abundance of Katherines

Hunger Games Paraphenalia For the Masses!

Review Policy Change and Change of Email Address!

In My Mailbox

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones review

In My Mailbox

My Favorite Couples and Guys in Literature: Part I

Theme Thursday: Fairy Tales Retold

IMPORTANT: All book reviewers read this!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins review

Bidding Adieu for Now

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones review

Waiting On Wednesday: Vintage Veronica

The Film Club by David Gilmour

Movies, Music and Mondays: Mockumentaries and More

New look, again!

Destroy All Cars review

In My Mailbox

Book Bloggers for Book Smarts Challenge!

Theme Thursday: Artificial Weatherdomes

Waiting On Wednesday: Cashing In

On Vacation

Theme... Friday?: Cinemagic and Celebutantes

Movies Music and Mondays: The Perks of Being A Wallflower

Movies, Music and Mondays Poll!

In My Mailbox, September 13

Serendipity Reviews 9/11 Giveaway: The Usual Rules

Waiting On Wednesday: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Theme Thursday: Cute Enough to Eat

Teaser Tuesday

DBR B-Day Challenge Review: Carbon Diaries 2015, by Saci Lloyd Review

Movies, Music and Mondays: The PHAAAANTOM OF THE OPERA IS HEEeeeEeRE...

Assigned Reading...

Movie Review: (500) Days of Summer

In My Mailbox: September 6

Waiting on Wednesday

Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott review

Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Allison Noel review

Paper Towns by John Green

Breathless by Jessica Warman Review

In My Mailbox, August 30

What Is It You Guys Want Me To DO Exactly?

A Cool Meme I Found

Theme Thursday: Coffee Coffee Coffee!

Take A Chance Challenge!

A Belated In My Mailbox

Zombie Chickens Shall Eat You All!

I Am SUCH a Mooch Now.

Wintergirls Review

They're BAAA-ACCCCK... sob