Archive for February 2008
Fire Study Party
Posted on: February 23, 2008
I just wanted to let you know that The Story Siren is hosting a week-long blog party in honor of the third book in the Fire Study series. Not only that, there’s a giveaway and the winner gets all THREE of the books. I suggest you get over there and check it out!
Nick’s life seems to be perfect. He drives everyone’s dream car and his father is rich. But that’s not really how it is. Nick’s father is abusive, both mentally and physically, and so is Nick. Like father like son, right? Except that unlike when Nick’s father hits him, Nick’s girlfriend doesn’t let Nick get away with hurting her. When he goes to far one day, he loses not only Caitlin, but his friends and the life he came to know.
Breathing Underwater starts out with Nick in the courtroom, denying that he ever put a hand on Caitlin, and being ordered to keep a journal, at least 500 words a week, and attending anger managment classes. As Nick’s story comes out, both in the anger classes and through his journal, I begin to loathe him, but also understand him.
Breathing Underwater is a brilliant story of a misunderstood but violent teen boy, who learns that sometimes, when you screw up, you just have to let go and move on.
Movies and Upcoming Books
Posted on: February 21, 2008
So the whole Cullen family for the Twilight movie has been cast. I’ve looked at the pictures over and over again and I STILL can’t picture any of the Cullens looking like that, except maybe Emmett. And the actor for Edward… He sucks. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE him in the Harry Potter movies but he is NOT Edward and does NOT in ANY way look like Edward. It’s very much irritating me. On the other hand, the actress they have for Bella ROCKS. I’d never heard of her until she was on Stephenie’s site but I think she’s going to be great, as long as she’s a good actress.
Hopefully they’ll change their looks big time for the movie and if they’re all good actors/actresses, I think the movie will rock.
Anyway, I went to go see the Spiderwick Chronicles on Sunday and surprisingly, it rocked. I’ve never read the books (to be honest, they seemed sorta stupid), so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a surprisingly good story, the graphics were great, and it’s definitely something I’d watch over again.
I know it’s been out a while, but I FINALLY got the chance to watch The Break-Up on Sunday with my mom. It was hilarious. I wish there would have been more of an ending though. That’s now up high on my list of favorite movies. (Harry Potter, Flicka, A Cinderella Story, Ella Enchanted, and Chasing Liberty)
On another note, I’m an official reviewer for Teens Read Too! I’ve got some books coming in the mail from there and…Eek. I can’t wait. I’m signed up for the First Look Teen thing but the only time I ever got books from there was the first month I ever tried, which was like last year so I gave up. Hopefully I’ll have more luck this time 🙂
Since I started this blog, I’ve found out about a lot of books that I wouldn’t have otherwise, including a whole bunch of upcoming books. If there’s any books that you love or upcoming books that you can’t wait for, leave a comment because I don’t want to miss out on any good books! So, anyway, here’s some of the books I’m loving forward to.
Banana Splitsville by Catherine Clark
Better Latte Than Never by Catherine Clark
Wish You Were Here by Catherine Clark
Band Geek Love by Josie Bloss
Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Perfect You – Elizabeth Scott
Undone by Brooke Taylor
La Petite Four by Regina Scott
I could go on all day. Literally. But I’ll stop there.
Anyway, I do have reviews that will be coming soon, along with a new feature for the blog next month.
Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Posted on: February 18, 2008
Regan’s brother, Liam, is one person by day and another by night. Literally. During the day, he is Liam but during the night, his inner-self comes out in the form of Luna, a girl. She spends the night in her sister’s bed room, trying on wigs and clothes.
Regan is the only one who knows about Liam’s true identity and she isn’t exactly sure how to deal with it. Besides dealing with Liam, she struggles with normal teen problems – boys, grades, and her job.
When I picked up this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect. For my local book club, we had to read a book about accepting people and another one of the girls suggested this book to me. I have absolutely no problem with the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issue but I wasn’t sure if I could handle reading about it in detail, especially not knowing what to expect. However, since I respect Julie Anne Peters as an author (Far From Xanadu is brilliant), I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t let down.
This book is great and you should definitely read it as long as transgender doesn’t bother you. It doesn’t go into too much detail, but explains the struggles of Regan dealing with her older brother whom is truly a girl inside. The characters are believable, the dialogue is great, and the plot is amazing. It’s definitely a book you won’t want to put down once you start. I read it in less than five hours with a few breaks. Even if you aren’t sure you’ll like it, give this book a chance!
I’ve seen so many reviews of this around that I’m not going to bother summarizing it because it would take me forever. Basically, it’s the story of a girl who’s boyfriend dies but doesn’t leave her.
That said, I am in LOVE with this book. It’s written in verse so I was hesitant to pick it up because I’ve never read a whole book in verse before. But I’d seen so many good review of it and the plot of it seemed so great, that I had to buy it. The minute it came in the mail, I started reading it. I was hooked from the first page and stayed up much later than I should have to finish it.
When I was reading this, I felt as if it was I who had just lost the boyfriend and it was the face of my boyfriend in the mirror. Ava’s emotions were easy to relate to and I could feel the pain she was going through, along with her confusion. The fact that it was written in verse was not a set back but more of an asset to the story as it kept the story from being bogged down by details and descriptions that would have slowed Ava’s story down.
I Heart You, You Haunt Me is an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone, especially if they aren’t a huge fan of reading. If you haven’t picked this book up yet, be sure to pick it up next time you see it!
Selling and Buying Books
Posted on: February 13, 2008
So I was just going through my books and realized that since I’m moving into a much smaller room, I need to get rid of some of them. A lot of them really. I refuse to get rid of my horse books (mainly Phantom Stallion and Heartland), along with any books that I’m reading now that are in series and I don’t have the rest of them or ones that I’m pretty sure I’ll read it again (Uglies, Principles of Love, Secrets of my Hollywood Life, etc). Aside from that, I’ve decided that any books I have but haven’t rid in a year or ones that I’ve read but I don’t feel the need to reread it, have to go. The thing is, I don’t want to just put them in a box for our yardsale because no one really looks at them and the library won’t take them because most aren’t hardcovers. So, my question is, what do you do with books you want to get rid of? I’d really like to get some money for them (not a lot, just some), so that I can buy more books but I’m not sure where/how. Any suggestions would be SO helpful.
Also, what about buying books? I obviously go to the book store once in a while but the only real bookstore is about an hour away so when I go, I usually spend over $100 which my dad doesn’t like. I have no problem with getting used books but I don’t want to spend the same amount for a used book as I would for a new book which is what a lot sites want.
Any suggestions for anything, would be awesome.
I’ve got some major things coming soon, that I’m pretty sure you guys will like.
Been Memed
Posted on: February 9, 2008
Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? Honestly?
Well, to be honest, I’d have to say Lord of the Rings, Eldest and the Warriors series, though I can’t say that all of those have only positive reviews. I’ve tried Eldest….Like 3 times but I can never get past chapter 3 or so because my one friend ruined it. Warriors…get to Chapter 2 of the first book.
If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
Hmm. This is hard…. I’d have to say Jacob from the Twilight series, Tonks from Harry Potter, and, um…. Jonathan from Heart of Fire by Victoria Holmes. I want to show Jacob that other girls besides Bella (who totally belongs w/ Edward) are in love with him, and I want to talk to Tonks because she’s awesome and Jonathan is just amazing.
(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
I’d have to say Lord of the Rings. Just ugh. Or MAYBE Eldest. Not sure.
Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?
I’m really not sure. I think I’ve hinted I’ve read Eldest but I’m not sure.
As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realize when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book?
Don’t think it’s ever happened.
You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalize the VIP.)
Hmm, Twilight is a definite must but also Harry Potter and The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.
A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?
I really don’t know. French maybe? Or Spanish…
A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
I love rereading books so it wouldn’t be that bad. I’d probably say Twilight or perhaps Just Listen?
I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art—anything)?
Hmm. Well, I’m pretty new to this but I’ve learned about a lot of new books, started reading faster, and found some awesome blogs.
That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leather bound? Is it full of first edition handovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favorite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead—let your imagination run free.
I’d want ever YA books I’d ever read, all signed. I’d want a computer in there where I could order books that would automatically be added. It’d be round with a spiral staircase and a bunch of different seating places – chairs, couches, etc. I’d want it painted dark blue and light blue….. This is sounding great. Too bad it’ll never happen. 🙂
Anyone who hasn’t done it yet, feel free to take it.
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On another note, I’ve recieved those books I ordered in the mail and read two of them already. I’ve got 3 author interviews planned, along with more book reviews coming ASAP.
Book Give Away
Posted on: February 5, 2008
Bookburger is a great site full of reviews and other great things is hosting a book giveaway where you can win five books from series including Gossip Girl, It Girl, The Clique and many others. I’d definitely check it out!
More Challenges
Posted on: February 2, 2008
I’ve decided to enter even more challenges. How I’m actually going to finish all of these, I’ve yet to figure out.
Anyway, the first is The 2k8 Challenge hosted at Teen Book Reviewer. Since I can pick any amount of new books to read by debut authors, I’m going to read 28 since that’s how many books are on the Class of 2k8. I’m really interested in most of them and I’ll substitute ones that I don’t want to read with others books not on the list.
The second is The Short Story Reading Challenge hosted at Kate’s Book Blog. I plan on reading between 6 and 10 short story collections during 2008. I don’t really have a list for this since I don’t usually read short stories so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
The third is Chunkster Challenge hosted at Think Pink. I have to read four books over 450 pages by December 20. I’m planning on reading Libba Bray’s greatest but I’m not sure what else is over 450 pages. The Golden Compass maybe? I’m not sure. I know the last few HP ones and New Moon are book I’ve read them all. I’ll construct a list later.
The last is the Triple 8 Challenge. I’d LIKE to join in on this one but I’m still unsure. I’m not sure of the categories nor the books I’d read. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions/whatever PLEASE let me know.
This makes like 6 or so challenges in my first year of book reviewing. I’m really not sure how this is going to work. Since I can overlap most of the books into more than one challenge, that may slim the list down a little. I guess it doesn’t matter though since I usually buy that many books a year anyway.
So if anyone comes across any REALLY good challenges, let me know. I’ll be keeping my eyes open too.
Harmony Book Reviews 