Saturday, July 16, 2011

Date a girl who reads (article)



I was just looking around  because I'm being stubborn, and don't want to write reviews (which I need to, maybe later) I found this on Jillian's site Random Bookish Rambling and thought it was true.

                                                          DATE A GIRL WHO READS


                                                                 by Rosemarie Urquico


Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag.She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent.

Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilightseries.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.




Thursday, July 14, 2011

Book Review: Enclave

AUTHOR: Ann Agguire
PUBLISHER: Feiwel & Friends
PAGES: 259
STAND ALONE/SERIES: Series
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.


MY THOUGHTS:
Let me take a second to say OMG! I absolutely loved this book! If you read my blog, or know anything about me then you know I'm really not one for the dystopian type novels. Well I think I may have found the exception, and maybe it will change my mind. Whatever the reason this was an awesome book. I finished it in about a day in half.  It's divide into 2 parts the underground: Which is where the compound is and it's where most people live. (Although they live in different compounds) along with the Freaks (zombie like creatures). The second half of the book takes place above ground. Where other people live...like gangs.

The story starts off with "Brat or girl 15" having a ceremony because she has lived past the age of 15, and now has the right to a name which she learns is going to be Deuce. Along with the name she becomes one of 3 things, she chooses to become a huntress because that's what she's wanted her whole life to be able to fight outside. Now a huntress she's given the opportunity to fight against the "freaks" but she gets stuck with a partner who keeps to himself and plays by his own rules. At first she's not happy with it he likes the rules they're what's kept herself all this time. Now though she's beginning to question the authority, and by doing that she loses the only place and people she's ever known.

*SPOILER-Y*
When one thing leads to another Fade and Deuce get kicked to the upside. (They get pushed to the top, and that's not a good thing.) Living above ground means survival of the fittest. (If you're a girl it's even worse. You pretty much get treated like a slutty slave) Together Deuce and Fade must learn to trust and help each other. Fade came from the topside, and knows what it's like to live and what must be done to live. While above they run into problems gangs mainly.  
*END*

I honestly don't think I can put into words how much I loved and enjoyed this book. I think I've been trying to write this darn review for a few weeks now. :) Sometimes I feel like I'm just repeating myself over and over on each review. That's not what I want, but I can't help it. This book definitely has me looking for some other good dystopian novels now. (Note I read the hunger games wasn't a big fan. Trying to read the forest of hands and feet still can't get past 100 pages. Started Delirium I kinda liked it. As for others I don't know) Anyways, I think now whenever I read A dystopian it's going to be measured to this one. I shouldn't do that, but what can I say that's just me. I absolutely loved the world building in it. The idea of people living underground in sewer like systems was intriguing (yet kind of gross). Where else could you possibly go though if the world above lay in ruins. You can't live in the skies. Unless you had a really awesome ship that didn't need fuel of some sort. (Totally off topic I know)   I liked how they found that everyday things were fascinating. Things that maybe they've never seen before. (This is where notes would have come in handy for me)

As for the characters I loved Duece I thought she was a strong character, and held her own. Although she was a little naive at first thinking that her superiors (I forget what they call themselves) had everyones best intentions at hand. (When do they ever?) She soon learned that they didn't know much of anything and they weren't willing to listen to others that did. (Namely Fade). She cared alot for her friends, and for those she didn't know. Which we see more of when things got crazy on the topside. Her one flaw was that she forgave w-a-y to easily (and quick) especially with what almost happened. I do think she has room to grow. It will be interesting to see how. :) 
Fade, there's one of him in (almost) every book. The mysterious, not well known guy who happens to fall into place with the girl. I'm totally not complaining though I adore him maybe as much (if not more) then some of my other literary hotties. He's the one who defies the Elders (I looked it up that's what they're called), who knows what living above is like.He starts off being this guarded person not letting anyone in, but eventually he opens up. We get to see that he does have a good heart. Boy, what I would do for him. :) 
Then we have Tegan who we meet above. I definitely have a soft spot for her, and all the crap that she went through with the gangers, and the daily beatings. 
Stalker, who is one of the gangers. I wanted to like him, but after I thought about it awhile he treated girls like they were nothing. The gangs did alot worse. I can handle the fights, but the raping part was over the top. There could have been a better way to make him a bad guy.

I'm thinking maybe the only complaint I had was I would have liked a little more of the underground I think to see more of what the life was REALLY like before everything happened with Deuce and Fade. That part of the story went a little quick for me. We didn't get to see much of Deuces Friends. We didn't get to learn to much about the other two groups. (I know it's kind of self explanatory)

Wrapup: Awesome Characters
Storyline super (although I would of liked to learn more about underneath)

I have to stop because I'm bound to give more away then I want. I can't wait to read more of the journey. That is all. 

 If you haven't read this book yet (and you love dystopians) I HIGHLY recommend it. :)
QUOTES:
I'm not sure I have any, but I'll try and see if I wrote any.


MY VIDEO REVIEW:






BOOK VIDEO: If you haven't watched this. WATCH. I think this would make an awesome movie.



Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I would die to meet


This is Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish 
I do this whenever I like the list (and can come up with ten things) so for me it's kind of done sporadically. Not to mention I haven't done much on my site. (I am working on reviews though :\ ) I figure I can actually come up with 10 authors that I would die/love to meet. They are in no particular order either so yeah. Enjoy! Let me know who you pick. :)
This week top ten list is... Authors I'd die to meet.

1. Richelle Mead author of the vampire Academy. Ok, so technically I met her last December for the Last Sacrifice tour, but I didn't get to talk to her or anything. She just signed my books, and that was it. No picture or anything. Which kind of bummed me out. So yes, I would love to actually be able to meet and get a picture with her.

2. Leah Clifford author of A Touch Mortal because she always seems so sweet and cool when she does her Vlogs. (I totally fogot where she does them at)

3. Kiersten White author of Paranormalcy and Supernaturally because if she's as funny as she is on her blog it would be awesome to get to meet her.

4. Karsten Knight author of Wildefire okay so two words: His Vlogs.

5. Ally Carter author of The Gallagher Girls series

6. Alyson Noel author of The Immortal and Radiance series

7. Maggie S. author of the Shiver, Linger, and Forever

8. J.K Rowling author of Harry Potter. She wrote Harry Potter I mean come on

9. Victoria Schwab author of The Near Witch she's always so sweet on Twitter.

10.  Stephen King author of Tons of books. He's Stephen Freaking King for crying out loud.

I have SOOO many others I would pick to if I could, Lisa D, Andrea Cremer, Jackson Pearce, and so on.
So there is my list. DO we share any of the same authors?




Saturday, July 9, 2011

Covers Revealed: What YA covers aren't Pretty?

I'm mean seriously every (Okay almost every) YA cover is gorgeous. Yes, alot of them are similar in some way. I read someone's blog today about the covers, and for the life of me I can't remember whose blog is was. Sorry! I do know that I liked what she said about the covers. (Damn I wish I could remember)



A Million Suns: Sequel to Across the Universe by Beth Revis
I have to admit I haven't yet read AtU, but I do have it so it's coming up for me to read. I kind of like this cover more then AtU I like the blue-ish, purple-ish feel to it

Perception: Book 2 of the Clarity Series by Kim Harrington
I'm not really sure which cover I like out of this series. I like the coloring in the first, but I like how she has trees behind her in this one. I also like the way it looks like the sun is shining on her.

The Last Echo: Book 3 in The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting
I don't have alot to say about this one except I love how all the book covers kind of go together. :)

The Golden Lily: Book 2 in The Bloodline Series by Richelle Mead
OMG! The first book isn't even out yet, and already there is a cover for the second. I am totally dying for the first one to come out. I'm jealous of those that have it already. :(

Truth: Book 2 in The XVI series by Julie Karr
This may come as a shock, but I actually don't have the first book in this series yet. I know wow right. I do like this cover though. :)

So do tell...What are your thoughts on these awesome covers?

Monday, July 4, 2011

Book Review: Haven by Kristi Cook


 AUTHOR: Kristi Cook
PUBLISHER: Simon Pulse
PAGES: 416
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Series
SOURCE: Bought on Amazon
CHALLENGES:  DAC
OUTLINE: A month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

THOUGHTS:
Overview:
Violet is special, and she doesn't realize how she's special or why she's drawn to her new boarding school. When she gets there she notices things are different, not quite normal. Who defines what's normal though? She learns soon after her arrival from room-mates that all the students (and teachers) have special abilities, and maybe even more.


I was excited to read this book because I love anything to do with powers/special abilities/supernatural and even the whole boarding school set up. I read somewhere where they compared it to X-men. I love the xmen movies so I was ready. I was ready to get inside the school learn what it hid, learn about the students and just all around enjoy the book. Truth be told I was sadly let down. I don't know if it was to much hype around the book, or my expectations were to high I didn't love it like I had hoped.

The first half of the book kept my attention. It was definitely how I pictured it to be. Then it took that dreaded paranormal turn where alot of paranormals tend to go. (I know that may not have sounded right, but just stay with me here.) Don't get me wrong I LOVE paranormals, but I guess I was hoping this wouldn't be that type. (whatever that may be) I can't say much without giving away the twist (at least to me it was a twist) Although it didn't turn out like I had originally thought it would it really wasn't a bad read at all, and I'm going to stick with the series because I want to see what happens with the characters. I want to see them grow.

One thing I did like is that I don't remember there being a love triangle in the book. To me this is always a plus because in so many YA's that seems to be a major point in the book. It's nice not to have to see the girl character (usually) try and juggle two potential loves, and then have to see her complain about it, be whiny and all that. Let's face it choosing one side is sometimes hard on us (okay and maybe also the character) We want them to have that happy ending, and not one where someone is going to get hurt.

All in all for a debut author it was good, and I look forward to reading more from her to see where she takes the story.



QUOTES:

I'll add some quotes once I can find my notebook that has them in it. :)


MY VIDEO REVIEW AS WELL:




Sunday, July 3, 2011

In my mailbox (30)

This is In my mailbox hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren.


This is an older video from a few weeks ago. I'm kind of slacking in putting up my videos

I name quite a few E-books at the begining and I forget so bare with me on those.
Virtue
Wicked Cool
Tempest
a chance for charity
The reaping

My beating teenage heart by C.K kelly Martin

Everything I was by Corinne Demas
Drought by Pam Bachorz
The Devouring by Simon Holt (I have two copies so if someone wants the paperback let me know)
Trapped by Michael
Illegal by Bettina
My not so still life by Liz Gallagher
Kindred byTammar stein
Tighter by Adele Griffin
Other words for love by Lorine Rosenthal
Taking off by
Lies by Michael Grant (it's the third..my bad)
Trance by Linda
Newes from the dead by
Shaow of the moon by Rachel Hawthorne
Undead Much? by Stacey jay

Friday, July 1, 2011

Follow Friday (35) Blog Hop (34)




 ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.There's a lot of characters I like in books, but none are movies yet. So I went with the weasley brothers, Fred and George. They crack me up everytime.


This is just some exta I found on a site I can't remember.


HP books from Fred and Georges POV


1. Fred and George Weasley and the year our mother still couldn’t tell us apart
2. Fred and George Weasley and the year our sister almost died
3. Fred and George Weasley and the year we gave Harry a map
4. Fred and George Weasley and the year we grew unwanted facial hair
5. Fred and George Weasley and the year we became pyromaniacs
6. Fred and George Weasley and the year we sold love potions to underage girls
 7. Fred and George Weasley and the year everything sucks

PhotobucketI'm Holey Fred, Geddit?

Photobucket Hehe.


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