Oh my gosh. This series is right up there with The Hunger Games. No lie.
In future Chicago, there are 5 factions, each dedicated to a particular virtue. Candor (Honesty), Abnegation (Selflessness), Dauntless (Bravery), Amity (Peacefulness), and Erudite (Intelligence). Beatrice Prior, and her brother Caleb have grown up in Abnegation, and at age 16, are preparing to choose which faction they will spend the rest of their lives in. To aid in this decision, every 16-year-old must undergo an aptitude test to discover what factions they are eligible for. Most people only have one answer, but Beatrice is told she has aptitude for three different factions: Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. Her test administrator tells her to never mention this, as "Divergence" is an extremely dangerous. The day comes, and both Caleb and Beatrice abandon their family to join different factions. Caleb chooses Erudite, and Beatrice chooses Dauntless. As Beatrice begins a grueling initiation into Dauntless, she renames herself Tris and works harder than ever to join Dauntless as a full-fledged member. She and the other transfer initiates quickly sort themselves out, and among the enemy is Peter, a violent transfer from Candor, who will do anything, including stabbing a fellow initiate in the eye with a butter knife. As Tris proves herself worthy of membership in Dauntless, she catches the eye of the attractive trainer, Four. Four takes Tris through his fear landscape and she realizes that he is the son of Marcus, a leader of the Abnegation faction, and that his real name is Tobias. The two pursue a romantic relationship, and together discover that the Erudite representative has hatched a plot to destroy the Abnegation and take over the government of the factions. She uses simulation serum to control the minds of the Dauntless and kill the Abnegation, except for the fact that the simulation serum is ineffective on the Divergent. Tris and Tobias are captured and taken to Jeanine, the Erudite leader. Tobias is injected with a new serum that controls his divergent mind, and Tris is taken to a chamber that replicates one of her fears. She is to be executed, but at the last moment, her mother comes to her rescue and frees her. They travel to a safe house to get extra help from her father and brother, but her mother is killed trying to protect her. Tris, Caleb, their father, and Marcus go to Dauntless headquarters to destroy the simulation controller and to rescue Tobias when they meet Peter along the way. Tris shoots Peter in the shoulder to threaten him and then takes him along with them. When she gets to Dauntless headquarters, she discovers that Tobias has been controlled to believe that his friends are enemies. Because he is divergent, the serum does not have as great an effect on his mind, and Tris is able to wake him up. She witnesses her father being murdered on one of the monitors and has a renewed reason to destroy the simulation controller. Tris, Tobias, Caleb, Marcus, and Peter hop onto a train and make their way to a hiding place in a different faction's headquarters, prepared to reenter the war.
This is so good! Oh my goodness, I was so hooked. There's the romance between Tris and Tobias, which keeps you on your toes and totally gave me butterflies. And the action!!!! There's so much going on and so much to talk about (and fangirl over, if that's your thing) that you won't be able to put Divergent down!
As another addition to the new string of dystopian fantasy novels that have hit shelves this past year, you may be thinking that it's not worth picking up, it's just another bandwagon novel piggybacking on the fame of The Hunger Games. To an extent, Roth is riding that wave, but her writing is so authentic and amazing, that Divergent is in a class of it's own. Using a 1st Person Limited point of view is incredibly difficult, because you don't get that aspect of "this happened to me and now I'm telling the story" but it's very much like you're tracking with the characters thoughts at the moment. This is a common element in all the recent dystopian novels, and is a trademark characteristic that has made them so popular with both young adult readers, as well as those looking to analyze what makes these novels so popular. I truly do encourage you to pick this one up, because it is so good! It is part of a series, and I've also read it's sequel, which I will be posting about next. I really think you'll enjoy this debut novel from Veronica Roth.
Teaser Quote: “Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” -Tobias "Four" Eaton
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Pt. 2
Okay, here is the (maybe) long-awaited part 2 review. I also have 2 more coming at you this afternoon.
Scarlett O'Hara is now desperate to save Tara from being taken over by Yankee carpetbaggers, so she travels to Atlanta again to convince Rhett to marry her and give her money for upkeep and taxes on the plantation. She arrives in Atlanta, accompanied by Mammy, only to find Rhett in prison for murdering a free negro. He is set to be hanged, and Scarlett gives up and pursues Frank Kennedy, betrothed to her sister Suellen. Soon, Frank and Scarlett marry and Scarlett begins to delve into Frank's business practices. While reviewing the books on Frank's general store, Rhett Butler, newly liberated, comes in and loans Scarlett the money to purchase a lumber mill, which becomes wildly successful in restoration-era Atlanta. Scarlett soon becomes pregnant with her 2nd child. Very late in her pregnancy, Scarlett gets word from Will Benteen that Gerald has died. When she travels back to Tara, she finds that Suellen attempted to get Gerald to sign an oath of allegiance to the Union. Gerald momentarily came back to himself and rode away on a horse. While attempting to jump a high fence, Gerald's last words are "Ellen, watch me take this one!". Scarlett arranges the funeral details and learns that Carreen, her youngest sister, is leaving for a convent in Charleston and Suellen and Will Benteen are getting married. After the funeral, Scarlett learns that Ashley has accepted a banking job in the North, and as an attempt to get closer to him, offers him the foreman job in a second mill that she has purchased. Melanie forces him to accept and the three of them go back to Atlanta together. Shortly thereafter, Scarlett gives birth to a daughter, Ella Lorena. When she is back making her rounds, a Yankee scallawag and a free negro attack her on the side of the road, and upon hearing about it, Ashley and Frank, members of the Ku Klux Klan, go after the men. Ashley is injured in the raid and Frank is killed, with several other men almost getting jailed. As Rhett escorts Scarlett home from Melanie and Ashley's home, Rhett professes his love for Scarlett and asks her to marry him. Scarlett accepts and Rhett travels to Europe to purchase a ring and do business. They honeymoon in New Orleans and upon returning, realize that the only friends that approve of them are Yankee carpetbaggers, having lost the approval of all but Melanie and Ashley of the Old Guard. Scarlett continues to run the mills, but soon becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a daughter named Eugenie Victoria, nicknamed "Bonnie Blue" Butler. Bonnie is Rhett and Scarlett's one great tie in their deteriorating marriage. Rhett makes a great effort to get back in good social standings with the Old Guard for Wade, Ella, and Bonnie's sake. Scarlett and Rhett continue to fight all the time, and finally, Rhett takes Bonnie and travels to New Orleans. When he returns, Scarlett and Rhett fight which causes Scarlett to accidentally fall down the stairs and miscarry the baby she had just told Rhett about. Rhett is sick with worry and talks to Melanie about how much he loves Scarlett. She is fine, and they go back to their old fights. Bonnie learns to jump a horse, and in an attempt to jump a high fence, she dies with the last words "Mother, watch me take this one!". With the final tie between Rhett and Scarlett gone, they lose it, and Scarlett decides to take Wade and Ella back to Tara. She is soon called back to Atlanta by Rhett. Melanie has miscarried a child and is dying, and her parting demands of Scarlett are to take care of Ashley and Beau, and to be kind to Rhett, "as he loves you so...". Scarlett soon realizes that she does not love Ashley, and instead has fallen in love with Rhett. She tells him and he rejects her, saying that he has given up on her. Neither want a divorce, so Rhett enforces a seperation. Scarlett and the children travel back to Tara and she says that she will think about it all the next day because "tomorrow is another day".
Whew. That is a monster book. I do really encourage it because it contains so many characters that you love to love as well as love to hate. Scarlett, Rhett, Melanie, and Ashley grow so much and the climax of the book illustrates that growth, as well as how they all need each other to survive the monstrous things that happen to them in the second half of this book.
I actually had to read this book for my AP Lit class, and I'm not going to bore you with the excessive details that I had to put in my reduction assignment, but I really do encourage you to, when you read it, pay attention to the details, motifs, and patterns that occur, not only because it would make you a more intelligent and better reader, but because they're very interesting and they add greatly to the story as a whole.
If you're after a classic, Gone with the Wind will take you minimum 3 months. Maybe shorter, but seriously 1448 pages, and you're golden.
Teaser Quote: “I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken - and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived. ” -Rhett Butler
Scarlett O'Hara is now desperate to save Tara from being taken over by Yankee carpetbaggers, so she travels to Atlanta again to convince Rhett to marry her and give her money for upkeep and taxes on the plantation. She arrives in Atlanta, accompanied by Mammy, only to find Rhett in prison for murdering a free negro. He is set to be hanged, and Scarlett gives up and pursues Frank Kennedy, betrothed to her sister Suellen. Soon, Frank and Scarlett marry and Scarlett begins to delve into Frank's business practices. While reviewing the books on Frank's general store, Rhett Butler, newly liberated, comes in and loans Scarlett the money to purchase a lumber mill, which becomes wildly successful in restoration-era Atlanta. Scarlett soon becomes pregnant with her 2nd child. Very late in her pregnancy, Scarlett gets word from Will Benteen that Gerald has died. When she travels back to Tara, she finds that Suellen attempted to get Gerald to sign an oath of allegiance to the Union. Gerald momentarily came back to himself and rode away on a horse. While attempting to jump a high fence, Gerald's last words are "Ellen, watch me take this one!". Scarlett arranges the funeral details and learns that Carreen, her youngest sister, is leaving for a convent in Charleston and Suellen and Will Benteen are getting married. After the funeral, Scarlett learns that Ashley has accepted a banking job in the North, and as an attempt to get closer to him, offers him the foreman job in a second mill that she has purchased. Melanie forces him to accept and the three of them go back to Atlanta together. Shortly thereafter, Scarlett gives birth to a daughter, Ella Lorena. When she is back making her rounds, a Yankee scallawag and a free negro attack her on the side of the road, and upon hearing about it, Ashley and Frank, members of the Ku Klux Klan, go after the men. Ashley is injured in the raid and Frank is killed, with several other men almost getting jailed. As Rhett escorts Scarlett home from Melanie and Ashley's home, Rhett professes his love for Scarlett and asks her to marry him. Scarlett accepts and Rhett travels to Europe to purchase a ring and do business. They honeymoon in New Orleans and upon returning, realize that the only friends that approve of them are Yankee carpetbaggers, having lost the approval of all but Melanie and Ashley of the Old Guard. Scarlett continues to run the mills, but soon becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a daughter named Eugenie Victoria, nicknamed "Bonnie Blue" Butler. Bonnie is Rhett and Scarlett's one great tie in their deteriorating marriage. Rhett makes a great effort to get back in good social standings with the Old Guard for Wade, Ella, and Bonnie's sake. Scarlett and Rhett continue to fight all the time, and finally, Rhett takes Bonnie and travels to New Orleans. When he returns, Scarlett and Rhett fight which causes Scarlett to accidentally fall down the stairs and miscarry the baby she had just told Rhett about. Rhett is sick with worry and talks to Melanie about how much he loves Scarlett. She is fine, and they go back to their old fights. Bonnie learns to jump a horse, and in an attempt to jump a high fence, she dies with the last words "Mother, watch me take this one!". With the final tie between Rhett and Scarlett gone, they lose it, and Scarlett decides to take Wade and Ella back to Tara. She is soon called back to Atlanta by Rhett. Melanie has miscarried a child and is dying, and her parting demands of Scarlett are to take care of Ashley and Beau, and to be kind to Rhett, "as he loves you so...". Scarlett soon realizes that she does not love Ashley, and instead has fallen in love with Rhett. She tells him and he rejects her, saying that he has given up on her. Neither want a divorce, so Rhett enforces a seperation. Scarlett and the children travel back to Tara and she says that she will think about it all the next day because "tomorrow is another day".
Whew. That is a monster book. I do really encourage it because it contains so many characters that you love to love as well as love to hate. Scarlett, Rhett, Melanie, and Ashley grow so much and the climax of the book illustrates that growth, as well as how they all need each other to survive the monstrous things that happen to them in the second half of this book.
I actually had to read this book for my AP Lit class, and I'm not going to bore you with the excessive details that I had to put in my reduction assignment, but I really do encourage you to, when you read it, pay attention to the details, motifs, and patterns that occur, not only because it would make you a more intelligent and better reader, but because they're very interesting and they add greatly to the story as a whole.
If you're after a classic, Gone with the Wind will take you minimum 3 months. Maybe shorter, but seriously 1448 pages, and you're golden.
Teaser Quote: “I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken - and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived. ” -Rhett Butler
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Pt. 1
So, as promised, here is part one of the two part review on Gone with the Wind (GWTW)
Scarlett O'Hara is a gorgeous southern belle who has always gotten everything she's wanted. She has many admirers as evidenced by her interactions at the barbecue and ball of her good family friends, the Wilkes. She aims to get Ashley, the Wilkes' only son, away from Melanie Hamilton, his rumored betrothed. Scarlett confronts Ashley and fights with him over the direction of his life, eventually even slapping him. Unbeknownst to Scarlett, Rhett Butler has been eavesdropping on her conversation and, naturally, has a sarcastic remark to offer. Scarlett brushes him off in typical fashion and returns to the luxurious gardens to find Charles Hamilton, Melanie's brother, there waiting. He proposes marriage to her and she is quick to respond out of her previous rejection. They wed and Scarlett is soon pregnant. Charles enlists in the confederate army and dies shortly thereafter of pneumonia. Scarlett has the baby, a boy named Wade Hampton Hamilton after Charles' brave commander. Scarlett then travels, trying to appease the boredom of widowhood. She ends up in Atlanta, a bustling young city, living with her sister and aunt-in-law Melanie Hamilton Wilkes and Sarah "Pittypat" Hamilton. Scarlett volunteers in the hospital and then volunteers in a fundraiser where once again she comes into contact with Rhett Butler, who is eager to scandalize the entire city as he takes Scarlett out to dance with Charles barely a year in the ground. Scarlett sees Rhett on and off during the first years of the Civil War, and when General Sherman's army comes to burn Atlanta to the ground, it's Rhett she calls to come transport her, Melanie, Prissy, the house slave, and and Melanie's new baby, Beauregard to Tara, her family's plantation. However, halfway there, Rhett deserts them to go and fight in the Confederate army for the last campaign. When they arrive at Tara, they find Scarlett's sisters sick, her mother dead, and her father crazy with grief. Scarlett must fight against hunger, Yankee armies and sympathizers, and a lack of support to overcome her situation and return Tara to it's former glory. With the help of Will Benteen, an ex-Confederate that Scarlett and Melanie nurse back to health, Scarlett fights another day for Tara and "to never be hungry again".
While this is only the first half of GWTW, so much happens! It is a 1448 page book, after all. Anyway, Scarlett frustrates me a lot. The first half of the book is slow, and not much happens in the character development department, but she's just well...she's a "witch with a capital B." to quote the parent of a friend. I also admire her determination and gumption because it takes so much courage to face the situation that she faced, being ambushed on all sides. Margaret Mitchell does a phenomenal job of displaying the right amounts of fiction and history to make a vivid setting come to life and a rich culture display itself for every reader to come away with a deep knowledge of it. The fact that this is a book written in 1936 that actually holds some interest beyond it being "classic literature" is awesome. It's timeless and classic and elegant, as well as holding so much weight, both literally and figuratively, that you can't just speed through it. It takes time, but I'm sure if you pick it up, you'll not regret even trying to read it, because indeed, you will come away impacted, if not a little saddened that you're done.
Teaser Quote: "And you, my dear, are not a lady."-Rhett Butler
Stay tuned for Part 2 coming this week!!!!!
Scarlett O'Hara is a gorgeous southern belle who has always gotten everything she's wanted. She has many admirers as evidenced by her interactions at the barbecue and ball of her good family friends, the Wilkes. She aims to get Ashley, the Wilkes' only son, away from Melanie Hamilton, his rumored betrothed. Scarlett confronts Ashley and fights with him over the direction of his life, eventually even slapping him. Unbeknownst to Scarlett, Rhett Butler has been eavesdropping on her conversation and, naturally, has a sarcastic remark to offer. Scarlett brushes him off in typical fashion and returns to the luxurious gardens to find Charles Hamilton, Melanie's brother, there waiting. He proposes marriage to her and she is quick to respond out of her previous rejection. They wed and Scarlett is soon pregnant. Charles enlists in the confederate army and dies shortly thereafter of pneumonia. Scarlett has the baby, a boy named Wade Hampton Hamilton after Charles' brave commander. Scarlett then travels, trying to appease the boredom of widowhood. She ends up in Atlanta, a bustling young city, living with her sister and aunt-in-law Melanie Hamilton Wilkes and Sarah "Pittypat" Hamilton. Scarlett volunteers in the hospital and then volunteers in a fundraiser where once again she comes into contact with Rhett Butler, who is eager to scandalize the entire city as he takes Scarlett out to dance with Charles barely a year in the ground. Scarlett sees Rhett on and off during the first years of the Civil War, and when General Sherman's army comes to burn Atlanta to the ground, it's Rhett she calls to come transport her, Melanie, Prissy, the house slave, and and Melanie's new baby, Beauregard to Tara, her family's plantation. However, halfway there, Rhett deserts them to go and fight in the Confederate army for the last campaign. When they arrive at Tara, they find Scarlett's sisters sick, her mother dead, and her father crazy with grief. Scarlett must fight against hunger, Yankee armies and sympathizers, and a lack of support to overcome her situation and return Tara to it's former glory. With the help of Will Benteen, an ex-Confederate that Scarlett and Melanie nurse back to health, Scarlett fights another day for Tara and "to never be hungry again".
While this is only the first half of GWTW, so much happens! It is a 1448 page book, after all. Anyway, Scarlett frustrates me a lot. The first half of the book is slow, and not much happens in the character development department, but she's just well...she's a "witch with a capital B." to quote the parent of a friend. I also admire her determination and gumption because it takes so much courage to face the situation that she faced, being ambushed on all sides. Margaret Mitchell does a phenomenal job of displaying the right amounts of fiction and history to make a vivid setting come to life and a rich culture display itself for every reader to come away with a deep knowledge of it. The fact that this is a book written in 1936 that actually holds some interest beyond it being "classic literature" is awesome. It's timeless and classic and elegant, as well as holding so much weight, both literally and figuratively, that you can't just speed through it. It takes time, but I'm sure if you pick it up, you'll not regret even trying to read it, because indeed, you will come away impacted, if not a little saddened that you're done.
Teaser Quote: "And you, my dear, are not a lady."-Rhett Butler
Stay tuned for Part 2 coming this week!!!!!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Coming Soon!
Because of a recent development involving my school's website and the quality of this particular blog, there will be a feature length review coming next weekend!! I'm very excited about doing this review, because I hope it will get readers into some older literature. Thank you for being faithful readers! Love you all!
Love,
AjB
Love,
AjB
Friday, August 3, 2012
The Story of Us by Deb Caletti
I'm once again impressed by this award winner and the way she uses plot details to ask serious questions and talk about other issues that aren't romance.
Catherine "Cricket" has always been wary of words like "forever". They never seemed to work out as she watched her mom walk away from men time after time. Now that she's screwed up the only forever she's come close to, she begins to believe that it's not conceivable for either her or her mother, who's set to marry Dan Jax in only a week. As countless issues arise, from a pot-smoking inn owner to a future stepdaughter who goes to great lengths to make known how very not okay she is with everything her dad's new bride is doing, Cricket believes that her mom's definitely going to make a run for it. Enter Ash, who can put words to the insecurities Cricket is feeling about college and feels exactly how she feels about everything from her favorite weather (rainy) to summer flings (real relationships are a must). Now torn between what she could have with Ash and what she has possibly ended with Janssen, Cricket leans on her mother, her brother, Ben, and her lovable dog, Jupiter to get through the tough stuff. At every turn there is a choice between running away or facing the tough stuff. Will Cricket realize what she's giving up, or will reckless bravery push her into the arms of a new guy?
Caletti uses themes of family and commitment to ask two important questions: When families break, how are emotions affected? And how is sense of commitment affected? In Cricket's life, she sees her mom and brother being in her life forever, and also her dog, Jupiter, but it's hard for her to commit to anything further than that. College. Janssen. Cricket is scared of leaving her solid family behind because of the uncertainty she has faced in the past and definitely doesn't want to repeat in the future.
She struggles with emotional conflicts too. Cricket gets angry, hurt, frustrated, grumpy, and hateful towards here biological father in her flashbacks of the verbal and physical abuse that ultimately led to the demise of the marriage between him and her mother. This is where Cricket clings to Janssen, up until now, he's held all the pure and unadulterated hatred towards her father that she never could because he was just that: her father. Caletti has dealt with the issue of divorce in many of her previous novels, but never has she impressed me so wholeheartedly with her use of emotional confusion. The fact that Daisy, Cricket's mother, says in a conversation with Cricket, "I loved your dad. Sometimes it's not enough." holds significant weight. More and more nowadays, "love is not enough" is becoming cliche and overused as much as any other romantic, cheese-ball line. By adding it in when talking about a situation of abuse, it takes on a whole new meaning that emphasizes the person behind the abusive qualities. Ash is a child of divorce, dealing with some of the same questions that Cricket has, which is one of the things that draws her to him is their sheer similarity.
Needless to say, I liked it and really encourage you to pick it up!
Teaser Quote: “She would bring you some great book because she was a book matchmaker, because she loved books the way other girls loved clothes.” -Cricket describing her best friend, Natalie
Catherine "Cricket" has always been wary of words like "forever". They never seemed to work out as she watched her mom walk away from men time after time. Now that she's screwed up the only forever she's come close to, she begins to believe that it's not conceivable for either her or her mother, who's set to marry Dan Jax in only a week. As countless issues arise, from a pot-smoking inn owner to a future stepdaughter who goes to great lengths to make known how very not okay she is with everything her dad's new bride is doing, Cricket believes that her mom's definitely going to make a run for it. Enter Ash, who can put words to the insecurities Cricket is feeling about college and feels exactly how she feels about everything from her favorite weather (rainy) to summer flings (real relationships are a must). Now torn between what she could have with Ash and what she has possibly ended with Janssen, Cricket leans on her mother, her brother, Ben, and her lovable dog, Jupiter to get through the tough stuff. At every turn there is a choice between running away or facing the tough stuff. Will Cricket realize what she's giving up, or will reckless bravery push her into the arms of a new guy?
Caletti uses themes of family and commitment to ask two important questions: When families break, how are emotions affected? And how is sense of commitment affected? In Cricket's life, she sees her mom and brother being in her life forever, and also her dog, Jupiter, but it's hard for her to commit to anything further than that. College. Janssen. Cricket is scared of leaving her solid family behind because of the uncertainty she has faced in the past and definitely doesn't want to repeat in the future.
She struggles with emotional conflicts too. Cricket gets angry, hurt, frustrated, grumpy, and hateful towards here biological father in her flashbacks of the verbal and physical abuse that ultimately led to the demise of the marriage between him and her mother. This is where Cricket clings to Janssen, up until now, he's held all the pure and unadulterated hatred towards her father that she never could because he was just that: her father. Caletti has dealt with the issue of divorce in many of her previous novels, but never has she impressed me so wholeheartedly with her use of emotional confusion. The fact that Daisy, Cricket's mother, says in a conversation with Cricket, "I loved your dad. Sometimes it's not enough." holds significant weight. More and more nowadays, "love is not enough" is becoming cliche and overused as much as any other romantic, cheese-ball line. By adding it in when talking about a situation of abuse, it takes on a whole new meaning that emphasizes the person behind the abusive qualities. Ash is a child of divorce, dealing with some of the same questions that Cricket has, which is one of the things that draws her to him is their sheer similarity.
Needless to say, I liked it and really encourage you to pick it up!
Teaser Quote: “She would bring you some great book because she was a book matchmaker, because she loved books the way other girls loved clothes.” -Cricket describing her best friend, Natalie
Thursday, August 2, 2012
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
*Pittacus Lore is a pen name for authors James Frey and Jobie Hughes*
I also finished this book in a day, and it was also fantastic. So without further ado, I Am Number Four.
Number Four has moved 21 times all over to escape the Mogadorians who are hunting him and the other Lorien children who escaped their planet when the Mogadorians attacked. Before they left, a special charm was placed on these 9 children so that they could only be killed in order. When they are killed, a scar is burned on the right ankle of the others so that they know. One by one, the scars appeared on Four's ankle until there were three. Number Three is dead. The Mogadorians are now on the hunt for Four.
Four and his guardian move to Paradise, OH and changes his name to John Smith. On his first day of school, he gets into a disagreement with Mark James, a tough football player with an obsession over his ex, a girl named Sarah that John almost instantly falls in love with. Mark and John war over Sarah's affections, while John develops his "legacies", special abilities he has such as being heat and flame resistant and telekinesis. John fits in at school, having Sarah as a girlfriend, and Sam Goode as a best friend. The three embark on a journey to keep John and his protector Henri alive and safe from the Mogadorian's imminent attack.
I loved this book! I know I say that about all of them, but I really don't read books that I don't like...unless they're for a class. This book is sooooo much better than the movie that was made about it. It had equal parts action and adventure as well as romance and discussed some really important human issues by playing on the fact that Loriens can't play the field when it comes to romance. When they fall in love, it's forever, no questions asked. By highlighting Sarah and John's romance as an important part of John's life, Lore illustrates how hard it is to love when you are different and the strain of mobility on a teenager's emotions.
I loved this book and definitely encourage you to read it! Especially if you've seen the movie, because the book makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE. It's amazing.
Teaser Quote: “And even if we were hunting vampires, what the hell is the Silly Putty for?”-John Smith (Number Four)
I also finished this book in a day, and it was also fantastic. So without further ado, I Am Number Four.
Number Four has moved 21 times all over to escape the Mogadorians who are hunting him and the other Lorien children who escaped their planet when the Mogadorians attacked. Before they left, a special charm was placed on these 9 children so that they could only be killed in order. When they are killed, a scar is burned on the right ankle of the others so that they know. One by one, the scars appeared on Four's ankle until there were three. Number Three is dead. The Mogadorians are now on the hunt for Four.
Four and his guardian move to Paradise, OH and changes his name to John Smith. On his first day of school, he gets into a disagreement with Mark James, a tough football player with an obsession over his ex, a girl named Sarah that John almost instantly falls in love with. Mark and John war over Sarah's affections, while John develops his "legacies", special abilities he has such as being heat and flame resistant and telekinesis. John fits in at school, having Sarah as a girlfriend, and Sam Goode as a best friend. The three embark on a journey to keep John and his protector Henri alive and safe from the Mogadorian's imminent attack.
I loved this book! I know I say that about all of them, but I really don't read books that I don't like...unless they're for a class. This book is sooooo much better than the movie that was made about it. It had equal parts action and adventure as well as romance and discussed some really important human issues by playing on the fact that Loriens can't play the field when it comes to romance. When they fall in love, it's forever, no questions asked. By highlighting Sarah and John's romance as an important part of John's life, Lore illustrates how hard it is to love when you are different and the strain of mobility on a teenager's emotions.
I loved this book and definitely encourage you to read it! Especially if you've seen the movie, because the book makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE. It's amazing.
Teaser Quote: “And even if we were hunting vampires, what the hell is the Silly Putty for?”-John Smith (Number Four)
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Oh guys. I'm so excited to share this with you! I finished it in 3.5 hours and I am soooooooo in love with this series. Officially.
*Across the Universe Spoiler Alert*
It's been 3 months since Amy was unplugged from the cryogenic machine that kept her frozen until the ship, Godspeed, was to land on Centauri-Earth. In these 3 months, she's battled the stares and whispers of "freak" from the monoethnic residents of Godspeed and her integration into their way of life. Now that Elder has become Eldest, although he refuses to take the title, he is busier than ever, and Amy finds herself missing him when he's not around. Now that the water on the ship does not include the neutralizing chemical Phydus, Elder is on the cusp of dealing with rebellion and mutiny while he and Amy struggle to piece together the clues that Orion left them before he was frozen. The clues lead them to a truth that Orion pleads with them to deny. To do anything but what Godspeed was intended to do: Get them to the new planet. Someone has been messing with the clues. Someone has been killing Godspeed residents. Someone is coming in between Amy and Elder, prying them apart with secrets that are too big. Amy and Elder fight their budding romance and a silent killer in the intense sequel to Across the Universe.
Oh my goodness. This book was so good! While it's prequel took a while to get going, A Million Suns took right off! The prose is fantastic, and Revis does a really good job of switching between Elder and Amy's points of view and still making it readable and ,more importantly, understandable. While the plot of A Million Suns is different, the two books intertwine so well and so intricately that you don't really have a choice but to read all of them, which is one of my favorite things about this particular series.
The obvious romance between Amy and Elder takes my breath away. It's so exciting, but it's different from other YA novels because they don't just fall into bed and never ask questions. Amy has this amazing quote at the end of one of the beginning chapters: “Just that I don’t want to be with you just because there’s no one else.” But, as Amy and Elder find out during their adventures aboard the ship, sometimes there is no choice at all...sometimes, one person is meant to be yours forever.
*Across the Universe Spoiler Alert*
It's been 3 months since Amy was unplugged from the cryogenic machine that kept her frozen until the ship, Godspeed, was to land on Centauri-Earth. In these 3 months, she's battled the stares and whispers of "freak" from the monoethnic residents of Godspeed and her integration into their way of life. Now that Elder has become Eldest, although he refuses to take the title, he is busier than ever, and Amy finds herself missing him when he's not around. Now that the water on the ship does not include the neutralizing chemical Phydus, Elder is on the cusp of dealing with rebellion and mutiny while he and Amy struggle to piece together the clues that Orion left them before he was frozen. The clues lead them to a truth that Orion pleads with them to deny. To do anything but what Godspeed was intended to do: Get them to the new planet. Someone has been messing with the clues. Someone has been killing Godspeed residents. Someone is coming in between Amy and Elder, prying them apart with secrets that are too big. Amy and Elder fight their budding romance and a silent killer in the intense sequel to Across the Universe.
Oh my goodness. This book was so good! While it's prequel took a while to get going, A Million Suns took right off! The prose is fantastic, and Revis does a really good job of switching between Elder and Amy's points of view and still making it readable and ,more importantly, understandable. While the plot of A Million Suns is different, the two books intertwine so well and so intricately that you don't really have a choice but to read all of them, which is one of my favorite things about this particular series.
The obvious romance between Amy and Elder takes my breath away. It's so exciting, but it's different from other YA novels because they don't just fall into bed and never ask questions. Amy has this amazing quote at the end of one of the beginning chapters: “Just that I don’t want to be with you just because there’s no one else.” But, as Amy and Elder find out during their adventures aboard the ship, sometimes there is no choice at all...sometimes, one person is meant to be yours forever.
This book kept me hanging on until 3:30 in the morning, and it never once let me go. I'm so excited that I get to broadcast just how much I loved this book and it's prequel, and I'm also so excited to complete this 3-fold review in January of 2013!
Teaser Quote: “...that was before I'd started thinking about how life stuck on a ship wouldn't be so bad if Elder walked around pantless more.” -Amy (This one is really, really funny. I loved this part!!!!)
Friday, July 27, 2012
A Brand New Post
So. The fact that I've been doing this new story, and I'm so stoked about it. I'm really passionate about this one. I love the way the story is going. I have basically poured my heart and soul into it and everything I have been feeling is here in one way or another. Here's a sneak peek of a yet untitled new project:
Eliya's black dress breezed against her knees while she walked across the pasture. she held the urn carefully between her hands. Her heels sunk into the soft earth, so she kicked them off and kept walking.
The farm where her mother, Aunt Maggie, and Aunt Katy grew up wasn't there anymore. Now it was a retirement home with a wide open field behind it. After walking for 10 minutes, she stopped. She didn't really know what to say. she took the lid off the urn and began spreading her mother's ashes.
Eliya's mother, Heather, had passed away two days after Ellie's 18th birthday. She had cancer, really bad. Eliya's boyfriend, Ezra, had been with her when her mother passed away. It was beautiful, mostly because before her relapse, Heather Kevins was the prosecutor trying a Murder I case against his father.
Thanks for reading! I hope you love these characters as much as I do!!
Love,
AjB
Eliya's black dress breezed against her knees while she walked across the pasture. she held the urn carefully between her hands. Her heels sunk into the soft earth, so she kicked them off and kept walking.
The farm where her mother, Aunt Maggie, and Aunt Katy grew up wasn't there anymore. Now it was a retirement home with a wide open field behind it. After walking for 10 minutes, she stopped. She didn't really know what to say. she took the lid off the urn and began spreading her mother's ashes.
Eliya's mother, Heather, had passed away two days after Ellie's 18th birthday. She had cancer, really bad. Eliya's boyfriend, Ezra, had been with her when her mother passed away. It was beautiful, mostly because before her relapse, Heather Kevins was the prosecutor trying a Murder I case against his father.
Thanks for reading! I hope you love these characters as much as I do!!
Love,
AjB
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sequel?
Across the Universe by Beth Revis has a sequel! It's called A Million Suns and I'm geeked to read it! There's also a third book in the series set for release in 2013 called Shades of Earth. I'm so excited to follow Elder and Amy through the rest of the series!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
This was a really fantastic book, and not something I
usually read.
Elder, the heir to the ruler of the Godspeed, is your typical rebellious teen, albeit one of
status. He is learning about the inner
workings of the ship and what caused fighting and chaos on Sol-Earth. Slated to become the next leader of these
people who are to inhabit Centauri-Earth, this education is incredibly
important.
Amy has decided to follow her parents and become
cryogenically frozen, to be awakened in 300 years on Centauri-Earth. Her parents are essential to the
mission…Amy…not so much. When she is
violently awoken 50 years ahead of schedule, the current leader, Eldest, doesn’t
hesitate to threaten death on Amy, unnecessary, excess cargo who wouldn’t be
missed. Elder however, has taken a
liking to Amy because of her absolute difference.
Together, Elder and Amy try to figure out who is attempting
to murder the other cryo-frozens. At
their every step, it seems that Elder and Amy are running into more shady
business with Eldest and Doc, as well as the other people on Godspeed.
The story contained in Across the Universe is
unforgettable. It’s so twisty and
mysterious. The fact that the story is
so…scientifically founded, but also blended with glorious fiction and just
enough variables to make something of a mystery too, that I couldn’t put it
down! I was so enthralled with the
character and the adventure that it was actually hard to get my attention away
from it.
I highly encourage this read. It has a rich plot with many devices that
really added to its depth and its overall appeal to a reader like me. I hope that if you pick it up, you truly
enjoy it as much as I did!
Teaser Quote: “I want to take her into my arms and hold her tight. But at the same time, I know that is the exact opposite of what she wants. She wants to be free, and all I want is to hold her tight against me."-Elder
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
Great summer read. (our layover campsite gets WiFi, so you guys get to be graced with my online presence for a few more glorious hours.) It was about a road trip, fitting because I read it on a road trip.
Amy's dad has passed away unexpectedly and her mother feels that a fresh start is exactly what they need. After three months, her twin brother Charlie's partying has gotten out of control and he's sent to rehab in North Carolina, while Amy's mother packs up and moves to Connecticut. Amy spends the last month of school alone in her house in California and begins to feel lonely and invisible. When Amy finds out that her mother can't afford to fly both Amy and their car cross country, and Amy doesn't care to drive it, in comes Roger. A year older, just off his freshman year at college in Colorado, these two do take an EPIC detour to chase feelings that need to be reconciled for both of them. They get to know each other in unexpected ways and when Amy's mother finds out what they've been doing, they overcome some unexpected consequences to take a journey unmatched and quite unforgettable.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was hard to get into at first, but as Amy and Roger developed as characters, and met many more endearing characters along the way, the story drew me in and didn't let me go. As we watch Amy come out of her shell, we also see the pieces of her story and why she feels the way she feels about the whole issue of driving, rehab, her mother, and her brother, as well as the special relationship she had with her dad before he passed away.
The story is a little bit of mixed media, which adds a refreshing touch to the story in it's most serious entirety. I really liked the story, and it was perfect with just enough mystery to keep it interesting.
Teaser Quote: “Roger: "God, I've been wanting to do that for a long time."
Amy: "Really"
Roger: "Oh yes. Since Kansas. At least.”
Amy's dad has passed away unexpectedly and her mother feels that a fresh start is exactly what they need. After three months, her twin brother Charlie's partying has gotten out of control and he's sent to rehab in North Carolina, while Amy's mother packs up and moves to Connecticut. Amy spends the last month of school alone in her house in California and begins to feel lonely and invisible. When Amy finds out that her mother can't afford to fly both Amy and their car cross country, and Amy doesn't care to drive it, in comes Roger. A year older, just off his freshman year at college in Colorado, these two do take an EPIC detour to chase feelings that need to be reconciled for both of them. They get to know each other in unexpected ways and when Amy's mother finds out what they've been doing, they overcome some unexpected consequences to take a journey unmatched and quite unforgettable.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was hard to get into at first, but as Amy and Roger developed as characters, and met many more endearing characters along the way, the story drew me in and didn't let me go. As we watch Amy come out of her shell, we also see the pieces of her story and why she feels the way she feels about the whole issue of driving, rehab, her mother, and her brother, as well as the special relationship she had with her dad before he passed away.
The story is a little bit of mixed media, which adds a refreshing touch to the story in it's most serious entirety. I really liked the story, and it was perfect with just enough mystery to keep it interesting.
Teaser Quote: “Roger: "God, I've been wanting to do that for a long time."
Amy: "Really"
Roger: "Oh yes. Since Kansas. At least.”
Friday, June 22, 2012
Heat Rises by Richard Castle
Okay, I went ultimate fangirl here. Like for realsies.
Nikki Heat is on the case of a Catholic priest who was murdered in a BDSM dungeon. The investigation costs Nikki A LOT. Along the way, her now boyfriend, Jameson Rook is there for her and convinces her that trust is the most important tool in the whole investigation, especially when it leads all the way to the top administrators of the NYPD.
The plot plays out exactly like a Castle episode, which I looooove and I am so enchanted by the fact that they're shorter, so it's a good beach read, especially if you're sitting down with the intent to follow a plotline, because there is a seriously complicated plot.
Teaser Quote: “John Lennon said life was what happened while you made other plans. So was death.” -Jameson Rook
Okay, so i'm sorry this was sooo short, but it's already late, and I'm leaving for a week and a half on the beaches of Maine, so I probably won't do reviews until I'm home, unless I go supercray and have to escape for a while. However, I want to thank dedicated readers who are as enthusiastic about the books I read as I am. I love you all!
Love,
AjB
Nikki Heat is on the case of a Catholic priest who was murdered in a BDSM dungeon. The investigation costs Nikki A LOT. Along the way, her now boyfriend, Jameson Rook is there for her and convinces her that trust is the most important tool in the whole investigation, especially when it leads all the way to the top administrators of the NYPD.
The plot plays out exactly like a Castle episode, which I looooove and I am so enchanted by the fact that they're shorter, so it's a good beach read, especially if you're sitting down with the intent to follow a plotline, because there is a seriously complicated plot.
Teaser Quote: “John Lennon said life was what happened while you made other plans. So was death.” -Jameson Rook
Okay, so i'm sorry this was sooo short, but it's already late, and I'm leaving for a week and a half on the beaches of Maine, so I probably won't do reviews until I'm home, unless I go supercray and have to escape for a while. However, I want to thank dedicated readers who are as enthusiastic about the books I read as I am. I love you all!
Love,
AjB
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Once again, WOW!
Lola has an intense personality that is accentuated by her style. She pledges not to wear the same thing twice. She's dating a gorgeous punk-rocker and has pretty much everything going for her. She has a wonderful life, 2 loving parents, and new neighbors. Well...not so new. The Bells have moved back in after traveling around the country in search of the perfect figure skating coach for their daughter Calliope. Her fraternal twin brother, Cricket, and Lola have some shared history that didn't end so well. But now, Lola is happy, and convinced that being friends with Cricket is something she can do. Anna and St. Clair make a couple appearances as some of Lola's closest friends, who talk to her about falling for each other. Through the novel, it becomes harder for Lola and Cricket to maintain a normal friendship because of the old feelings that are still blatantly there between them. Lola's life slowly deteriorates when her former addict birth mother shows up and begins living with her family. Her and her boyfriend Max fight about Cricket, among other things, which ultimately leads to an extremely ugly break up. There's insane plot twists, and the CUTEST MOMENTS EVER. I love this.
Perkins goes 2 for 2 with this one. She brings an intense family dynamic with the homosexual fathers and the birth mother present as well. I cannot even describe how amazingly Perkins portrayed the rocker chic idea but ultimately underneath that, a good girl, a good daughter, who only wants to do right by herself and her personality.
Teaser Quote: “Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring."
I smile. "You don't think I'm perfect?"
"No. You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way.”-Lola and Cricket
Lola has an intense personality that is accentuated by her style. She pledges not to wear the same thing twice. She's dating a gorgeous punk-rocker and has pretty much everything going for her. She has a wonderful life, 2 loving parents, and new neighbors. Well...not so new. The Bells have moved back in after traveling around the country in search of the perfect figure skating coach for their daughter Calliope. Her fraternal twin brother, Cricket, and Lola have some shared history that didn't end so well. But now, Lola is happy, and convinced that being friends with Cricket is something she can do. Anna and St. Clair make a couple appearances as some of Lola's closest friends, who talk to her about falling for each other. Through the novel, it becomes harder for Lola and Cricket to maintain a normal friendship because of the old feelings that are still blatantly there between them. Lola's life slowly deteriorates when her former addict birth mother shows up and begins living with her family. Her and her boyfriend Max fight about Cricket, among other things, which ultimately leads to an extremely ugly break up. There's insane plot twists, and the CUTEST MOMENTS EVER. I love this.
Perkins goes 2 for 2 with this one. She brings an intense family dynamic with the homosexual fathers and the birth mother present as well. I cannot even describe how amazingly Perkins portrayed the rocker chic idea but ultimately underneath that, a good girl, a good daughter, who only wants to do right by herself and her personality.
Teaser Quote: “Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring."
I smile. "You don't think I'm perfect?"
"No. You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way.”-Lola and Cricket
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Wow. Wow, wow, wow. But before I get to that, allow me to give you a plot summary.
Anna's father writes romance novels. Think Nicholas Sparks, fraught with...cancer...and other terminal diseases. But when he tries to impress his other well-to-do friends with his money by sending her to a boarding school in Paris, Anna believes he's gone way too far. On the first night, she cries when her parents leave, only to meet a potential best friend in Meredith Chevalier. On her way out of Meredith's room, she meets resident ultra-hottie, Etienne St. Clair. He's confident, nice, gentle, and ultimately CAH-YUTE! Anna and St. Clair quickly become BFF's and everyone can see them quickly falling for each other. The only problem? St. Clair's girlfriend Ellie, who graduated from School of America in Paris (SOAP) the previous year. At Thanksgiving, things take a turn for the worst when St. Clair finds out that his beloved mother has stage 2B Cancer and is beginning treatment. What's worse is that his control freak father won't let him come home to California because his grades have been dropping. Being the only two on campus, Anna makes it her personal mission to cheer St. Clair up, which leads to them growing incredibly close. Through a series of twists and turns, both Anna and St. Clair develop into people they never realized they could be, both for themselves and for each other.
Okay, so this book blew me away. I had this stigma about a title like this, but I read a couple reviews who all said the book was fantastic. THEY WERE RIGHT! Oh my word. Anna has such depth for a heroine, especially in a novel like this. I can't even describe how much there is to Anna. And St. Clair! Even when he's barely talking, there's this...confidence that his persona exudes. It's incredible for a first novel. I am so excited to read more of Perkins for the amazing and exciting personality that her main characters have.
Teaser Quote: “I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”-Anna
Anna's father writes romance novels. Think Nicholas Sparks, fraught with...cancer...and other terminal diseases. But when he tries to impress his other well-to-do friends with his money by sending her to a boarding school in Paris, Anna believes he's gone way too far. On the first night, she cries when her parents leave, only to meet a potential best friend in Meredith Chevalier. On her way out of Meredith's room, she meets resident ultra-hottie, Etienne St. Clair. He's confident, nice, gentle, and ultimately CAH-YUTE! Anna and St. Clair quickly become BFF's and everyone can see them quickly falling for each other. The only problem? St. Clair's girlfriend Ellie, who graduated from School of America in Paris (SOAP) the previous year. At Thanksgiving, things take a turn for the worst when St. Clair finds out that his beloved mother has stage 2B Cancer and is beginning treatment. What's worse is that his control freak father won't let him come home to California because his grades have been dropping. Being the only two on campus, Anna makes it her personal mission to cheer St. Clair up, which leads to them growing incredibly close. Through a series of twists and turns, both Anna and St. Clair develop into people they never realized they could be, both for themselves and for each other.
Okay, so this book blew me away. I had this stigma about a title like this, but I read a couple reviews who all said the book was fantastic. THEY WERE RIGHT! Oh my word. Anna has such depth for a heroine, especially in a novel like this. I can't even describe how much there is to Anna. And St. Clair! Even when he's barely talking, there's this...confidence that his persona exudes. It's incredible for a first novel. I am so excited to read more of Perkins for the amazing and exciting personality that her main characters have.
Teaser Quote: “I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”-Anna
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
This is a really great summer read. Not the most substance, but it does deal with some issues that face girls today.
Anna, Francesca (Frankie), and Matt have been best friends forever. When Anna turns 15, the friendship between her and Matt shifts to something...more. They are ready to embark on a wild romantic relationship, and Matt promises to tell his sister Frankie when they vacation in Zanzibar Bay, California a month after he and Anna begin seeing each other, but on Frankie and Matt's last night at home, driving home from an impromptu ice cream, an unknown defect in Matt's heart causes his heart to stop and the teens to get in a car crash. Frankie and Anna survive, but Matt's heart had stopped before the accident even occurred. Because of the promise that Anna made to Matt, one year after his death, Frankie still doesn't know about Matt and Anna's mutual feelings. The girls, along with Frankie's parents Red and Jayne, travel to Zanzibar Bay and embark on the A.B.S.E., or Absolute Best Summer Ever. The goal? meet 20 boys on the trip. This quickly goes awry when Anna meets Sam. Gorgeous. Beach babe. A year older. Kind and gentle. Anna is finally starting to let go of her love for Matt after going out with Sam, but it scares her. Anna finally starts to open up to same, even ditches Anna's Albatross a.k.a her virginity, but after a sweet walk down the beach back with Sam, she finds Frankie with her journal in hand, furious...
You can read to find out the rest, but it is a very good story that deals with death, love, not love, sex, and friendship. These are things and choices that all teenagers are dealing with these days! Sarah Ockler does a really good job capturing the heartfelt emotions between Matt, Anna, Frankie, and Sam, as well as how the death of their only son effects Red and Jayne. It's a really good story that captures you from the first page.
I really encourage you to pick up this book if you're headed out to the beach for vacation (like me!) because it's a perfect summer story for when you're soaking up those rays like Anna and Frankie!
Teaser Quote: “He loved to read. He loved words, the way they string together into sentences and stories. He wanted to study them, to know and create them, to share them with the world. ”-Anna
Anna, Francesca (Frankie), and Matt have been best friends forever. When Anna turns 15, the friendship between her and Matt shifts to something...more. They are ready to embark on a wild romantic relationship, and Matt promises to tell his sister Frankie when they vacation in Zanzibar Bay, California a month after he and Anna begin seeing each other, but on Frankie and Matt's last night at home, driving home from an impromptu ice cream, an unknown defect in Matt's heart causes his heart to stop and the teens to get in a car crash. Frankie and Anna survive, but Matt's heart had stopped before the accident even occurred. Because of the promise that Anna made to Matt, one year after his death, Frankie still doesn't know about Matt and Anna's mutual feelings. The girls, along with Frankie's parents Red and Jayne, travel to Zanzibar Bay and embark on the A.B.S.E., or Absolute Best Summer Ever. The goal? meet 20 boys on the trip. This quickly goes awry when Anna meets Sam. Gorgeous. Beach babe. A year older. Kind and gentle. Anna is finally starting to let go of her love for Matt after going out with Sam, but it scares her. Anna finally starts to open up to same, even ditches Anna's Albatross a.k.a her virginity, but after a sweet walk down the beach back with Sam, she finds Frankie with her journal in hand, furious...
You can read to find out the rest, but it is a very good story that deals with death, love, not love, sex, and friendship. These are things and choices that all teenagers are dealing with these days! Sarah Ockler does a really good job capturing the heartfelt emotions between Matt, Anna, Frankie, and Sam, as well as how the death of their only son effects Red and Jayne. It's a really good story that captures you from the first page.
I really encourage you to pick up this book if you're headed out to the beach for vacation (like me!) because it's a perfect summer story for when you're soaking up those rays like Anna and Frankie!
Teaser Quote: “He loved to read. He loved words, the way they string together into sentences and stories. He wanted to study them, to know and create them, to share them with the world. ”-Anna
Monday, June 18, 2012
Surprise!
So, over the past few weeks, I've opened up Breaking Pieces and had this gut instinct that it's time to finish it. This does not mean the end of Eliya and Ezra, but I can't help feeling that there's room for a bigger story. I think it'll be written in 3rd person this time so I can focus on Annie and Kyle (characters you haven't met yet) and how they evolve, as well as developing the relationship between Ezra and Eliya.
I'm excited for this new project, and I love the support that I get from readers who like my stuff. Keep Reading!
Love,
AjB
I'm excited for this new project, and I love the support that I get from readers who like my stuff. Keep Reading!
Love,
AjB
Friday, June 8, 2012
A Looooong Excerpt from Breaking Pieces
So, it's been a really long time since I did anything with Breaking Pieces, so don't complain if it's super duper bad. It's been a while.
"So," my mother said as we cruised down the interstate, "You start school on Monday."
"Mhmm." I said, staring out the window at vast expanses of farmland.
"What, Eliya? What do you want from me? Tell me!"
The thing was, if she even had to ask, I could'nt tell her. She was way past me telling her that I didn't want to move again because she obviously didn't care what it did to me.
"Kevins, Eliya?" My Chemistry teach said with a bored tone that implied she couldn't care less.
"It's Ellie. Not Eliya."
"Fine." She said, marking it down, "Welcome."
Yeah, okay, I thought, taking my seat without saying anything.
In my observations of the classroom, I assumed my favorite type of seat. Back corner, out of the way. It was perfect. I could pull all the straight-A's I wanted, but I would never actually have to participate.
The bell rang just as a tall, dark boy walked through the door with a sour expression.
"I was in the doorway." He said in a deep voice.
"Just take a seat, Ezra." The teacher, I hadn't quite learned her name yet, said with an exasperated tone.
He looked at me. Correction, glared at me, then made his way back to the empty seat in front of me. I wanted so badly to scream, "WHAT?!?!?!?!", as if his entitlement issues gave him the right to be so rude. However, I didn't, mostly because as he sat down, his hair was eye level with me and I saw how silky and fine his medium-length black locks were.
This was my problem. In every place, every city, there was a particular boy who I was...smitten with. I would flirt around, but nothing more, and by the time he wanted more than batting eyelashes, it was time to move on. This boy, Ezra, was different though. He had a past, not necessarily a good one either. Imagine the headline--"Prosecutor's Daughter Hooks Up with Previously Prosecuted". My mother would have an aneurysm...how splendid. Then again, I was convinced my mother already hated me, why not push it?
"So, what? Is your name on this seat or something?" The words were out, I was leaning forward, whispering in his ear before my responsible superego could even control it.
"Whatever. Screw off, kay?"
"You know, you can have it back tomorrow if you want."
"Didn't mommy ever tell you not to talk to strangers? What's your problem?"
This was dangerous territory. What my mother did and didn't tell me was none of anybody's business. I'm not even sure if it's mine. Needless to say, I was shut and locked when it came to this boy, from now on. He probably thought he won, too. Essentially, he did. He found my deepest, darkest insecurities within two minutes.
I sat through the rest of Chemistry trying to pay attention to the notes, slowly appearing on the whiteboard. As the bell rang obnoxiously overhead, I was the first up and out, getting as far away from the situation as possible.
I looked blindly at the room number on my schedule next to AP English Lit. Suddenly, I was pushed and pulled and shoved against the wall as the majority of kids emptied out into the hallway. Coming unstuk from the hallway was an adventure. I was shoved back numerous times before I tripped, falling backwards, only to be caught and quickly righted. In the flurry of motion, I saw tanned, toned arm muscles underneath a plain white t-shirt. I looked up to thank whoever caught me when I realized it was him. he was looking down on me with a clinical amusement.
"Welcome to the shark tank."
"Yeah. By the way, you're bipolar behavior is not making me any warmer towards you."
"Oh come on...you're kind of...you look lost. Where are you going?"
"AP English Lit. Not that...you've...ever been there."
"Ouch." He said slapping a hand to his chest, "That cuts deep. It happens to be my next class."
"You're kidding." I say somewhat incredulously, really hoping he was.
"Nope. Follow me. Oh yeah, ad I'm sorry. I saw your reflection after I said that stuff."
"Yeah, well. Whatever." I said, only half meaning it.
We made our way to the English classroom silently and when we got there, I made it abundantly clear I didn't want anything to do with his sweet-'n'-sour attitude. I made with the new girl introductions as he took his seat. When I was done, I purposely turned my back to him, marching swiftly across the room. As the class wore on, I stole glances at Ezra across the room. Occasionally, I could feel him looking at me, but I never satisfied his searching glance. There was obviously something so, so different about him it was intriguing. I almost kissed him when he caught me in the hallway. It's definitely way too dangerous for me, and for him, for us to fall in love or even attempt to. I was sorry I even tried.
As sooon as the parting bell rang I bolted, fast enough that by the time anyone else was even close to the parking lot, I was hitting the gas on my '98 Chevy truck. Suddinly, I thought about my situation for a minute. Home, or my new house rather, was the last place I wanted to be. It was empty, quiet, and disturbingly suburban. Why shouldn't I go explore?
My columbus-esque ways led eventually to main street, where touristy vintage boutiques and expensive coffee shops stood side by side, dominating the local economic scene. For the hell of it, I parked and picked a random coffee shop and walked in, suddenly craving a warm jolt of my normal, hot chocolate, 1/2 coffee. As I grabbed it from the counter, snapping the lid securely in place, I could feel someone watching me. I was fully expecting it to be Ezra, but instead found a girl watching me. She was heavier set, dressed in a plain sweater and dark jeans, complete with face-flattering square-framed eyeglasses. She seemed familiar enough, so I nodded in her direction. hoping she would take it at face value. However, because I was having a shitty day already, she casually strolled to my side while businessmen stepped hungrily forward to take her abandoned place at the register.
"Hi! I'm Layton. You're Eliya, right?"
"It's Ellie." I mumbled back. She had succeeded getting on my nerves already.
"You're in my AP English class. You walked in with Ezra Kayne."
"Yeah, we weren't together."
"Okay, well, it was nice meeting you. I'm on the Student Aid Team, if you need anything, just let me know." She slipped a card across the counter to right next to my coffee.
"Thanks, I'll ummm.....be sure to do that."
By then, her coffee cup had arrived on the counter, so when she reached for mine, before it registered, she had already taken a sip.
"Yumm. they make it the best of anywhere."
"Did you...? That was mine."
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I have a cold, I'm sorry!"
"Well, umm..." I was overwhelmed, I mean, it's just a cup of coffee.
"Here, take mine," she said, "we ordered the same thing."
"Oh, okay, well, I have to go. Nice to meet you."
And as I took a sip and looked behind the counter, I knew the drink in my hand wasn't nearly as good as the drink next to Layton's textbook on the single table in the, mostly because smiling back at me from beside the espresso machine, was Ezra.
I hope you guys liked this one!!!! More reviews and excerpts to come this summer!!!!!!!!
"So," my mother said as we cruised down the interstate, "You start school on Monday."
"Mhmm." I said, staring out the window at vast expanses of farmland.
"What, Eliya? What do you want from me? Tell me!"
The thing was, if she even had to ask, I could'nt tell her. She was way past me telling her that I didn't want to move again because she obviously didn't care what it did to me.
"Kevins, Eliya?" My Chemistry teach said with a bored tone that implied she couldn't care less.
"It's Ellie. Not Eliya."
"Fine." She said, marking it down, "Welcome."
Yeah, okay, I thought, taking my seat without saying anything.
In my observations of the classroom, I assumed my favorite type of seat. Back corner, out of the way. It was perfect. I could pull all the straight-A's I wanted, but I would never actually have to participate.
The bell rang just as a tall, dark boy walked through the door with a sour expression.
"I was in the doorway." He said in a deep voice.
"Just take a seat, Ezra." The teacher, I hadn't quite learned her name yet, said with an exasperated tone.
He looked at me. Correction, glared at me, then made his way back to the empty seat in front of me. I wanted so badly to scream, "WHAT?!?!?!?!", as if his entitlement issues gave him the right to be so rude. However, I didn't, mostly because as he sat down, his hair was eye level with me and I saw how silky and fine his medium-length black locks were.
This was my problem. In every place, every city, there was a particular boy who I was...smitten with. I would flirt around, but nothing more, and by the time he wanted more than batting eyelashes, it was time to move on. This boy, Ezra, was different though. He had a past, not necessarily a good one either. Imagine the headline--"Prosecutor's Daughter Hooks Up with Previously Prosecuted". My mother would have an aneurysm...how splendid. Then again, I was convinced my mother already hated me, why not push it?
"So, what? Is your name on this seat or something?" The words were out, I was leaning forward, whispering in his ear before my responsible superego could even control it.
"Whatever. Screw off, kay?"
"You know, you can have it back tomorrow if you want."
"Didn't mommy ever tell you not to talk to strangers? What's your problem?"
This was dangerous territory. What my mother did and didn't tell me was none of anybody's business. I'm not even sure if it's mine. Needless to say, I was shut and locked when it came to this boy, from now on. He probably thought he won, too. Essentially, he did. He found my deepest, darkest insecurities within two minutes.
I sat through the rest of Chemistry trying to pay attention to the notes, slowly appearing on the whiteboard. As the bell rang obnoxiously overhead, I was the first up and out, getting as far away from the situation as possible.
I looked blindly at the room number on my schedule next to AP English Lit. Suddenly, I was pushed and pulled and shoved against the wall as the majority of kids emptied out into the hallway. Coming unstuk from the hallway was an adventure. I was shoved back numerous times before I tripped, falling backwards, only to be caught and quickly righted. In the flurry of motion, I saw tanned, toned arm muscles underneath a plain white t-shirt. I looked up to thank whoever caught me when I realized it was him. he was looking down on me with a clinical amusement.
"Welcome to the shark tank."
"Yeah. By the way, you're bipolar behavior is not making me any warmer towards you."
"Oh come on...you're kind of...you look lost. Where are you going?"
"AP English Lit. Not that...you've...ever been there."
"Ouch." He said slapping a hand to his chest, "That cuts deep. It happens to be my next class."
"You're kidding." I say somewhat incredulously, really hoping he was.
"Nope. Follow me. Oh yeah, ad I'm sorry. I saw your reflection after I said that stuff."
"Yeah, well. Whatever." I said, only half meaning it.
We made our way to the English classroom silently and when we got there, I made it abundantly clear I didn't want anything to do with his sweet-'n'-sour attitude. I made with the new girl introductions as he took his seat. When I was done, I purposely turned my back to him, marching swiftly across the room. As the class wore on, I stole glances at Ezra across the room. Occasionally, I could feel him looking at me, but I never satisfied his searching glance. There was obviously something so, so different about him it was intriguing. I almost kissed him when he caught me in the hallway. It's definitely way too dangerous for me, and for him, for us to fall in love or even attempt to. I was sorry I even tried.
As sooon as the parting bell rang I bolted, fast enough that by the time anyone else was even close to the parking lot, I was hitting the gas on my '98 Chevy truck. Suddinly, I thought about my situation for a minute. Home, or my new house rather, was the last place I wanted to be. It was empty, quiet, and disturbingly suburban. Why shouldn't I go explore?
My columbus-esque ways led eventually to main street, where touristy vintage boutiques and expensive coffee shops stood side by side, dominating the local economic scene. For the hell of it, I parked and picked a random coffee shop and walked in, suddenly craving a warm jolt of my normal, hot chocolate, 1/2 coffee. As I grabbed it from the counter, snapping the lid securely in place, I could feel someone watching me. I was fully expecting it to be Ezra, but instead found a girl watching me. She was heavier set, dressed in a plain sweater and dark jeans, complete with face-flattering square-framed eyeglasses. She seemed familiar enough, so I nodded in her direction. hoping she would take it at face value. However, because I was having a shitty day already, she casually strolled to my side while businessmen stepped hungrily forward to take her abandoned place at the register.
"Hi! I'm Layton. You're Eliya, right?"
"It's Ellie." I mumbled back. She had succeeded getting on my nerves already.
"You're in my AP English class. You walked in with Ezra Kayne."
"Yeah, we weren't together."
"Okay, well, it was nice meeting you. I'm on the Student Aid Team, if you need anything, just let me know." She slipped a card across the counter to right next to my coffee.
"Thanks, I'll ummm.....be sure to do that."
By then, her coffee cup had arrived on the counter, so when she reached for mine, before it registered, she had already taken a sip.
"Yumm. they make it the best of anywhere."
"Did you...? That was mine."
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I have a cold, I'm sorry!"
"Well, umm..." I was overwhelmed, I mean, it's just a cup of coffee.
"Here, take mine," she said, "we ordered the same thing."
"Oh, okay, well, I have to go. Nice to meet you."
And as I took a sip and looked behind the counter, I knew the drink in my hand wasn't nearly as good as the drink next to Layton's textbook on the single table in the, mostly because smiling back at me from beside the espresso machine, was Ezra.
I hope you guys liked this one!!!! More reviews and excerpts to come this summer!!!!!!!!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
13 Little Blue Envelopes is not usually the book I read...okay that's a lie. But let's be honest, and adventure through Europe at the direction of a deceased relative? I've seen that movie before (It's a good one by the way). Anyway, It's about Ginny, who has an...eclectic aunt who leaves her 13 letters. The journey takes her to a roommate of her aunt's who seems too normal, let's be honest. Anyway, the letters send her on a journey through Europe to places like Paris, Amsterdam, Denmark, and ultimately Rome. In each place she has a task to complete and with the help of a few even more eclectic people, she manages to complete each one with a little added adventure on the side.
The thing is Ginny ends up discovering a lot about her aunt as she died from a brain tumor. The story is endearing and at the risk of saying too much...okay i won't. Hahahahaha. Okay...I know this is intensely short, but I just did a long one, so that should satisfy you.
Teaser Quote: "'I'm Keith," he said, 'and you're . . . clearly mad, but what's your name?'"
The thing is Ginny ends up discovering a lot about her aunt as she died from a brain tumor. The story is endearing and at the risk of saying too much...okay i won't. Hahahahaha. Okay...I know this is intensely short, but I just did a long one, so that should satisfy you.
Teaser Quote: "'I'm Keith," he said, 'and you're . . . clearly mad, but what's your name?'"
Saving June by Hannah Harrington
Well. Here we are again, and yet again, I've finished another book. This one actually has a funny story attached: I didn't want to read it. I got it from the library like 3 months ago and have used up all my renewals avoiding bringing it back. I was cleaning my room the other day and stacked up all library books needing to go back and was like "huh, I wonder why I didn't give it a chance." So I started reading it and it was magnificent.
Harper (named after Harper Lee, a bonus for my {fellow} lit nerds!) has just lost her seemingly perfect older sister June, who committed suicide just one week before graduating. Harper is frustrated by the pity she receives when she is trying to figure out everything. As the rebellious teenage wild-child of the family, always being compared to June (even after she's gone), she has a hard time coping with all that being an only child comes with now that she hasn't had time to adjust to it. Her best friend Laney tries to help, but no one can really "help" Harper get over what has happened to her already broken family. Her parents plan on splitting up June's ashes, and Harper just can't stand that. With the help of Jake Tolan, a boy with a serious music obsession and an outdated black rape van named Joplin, Harper, Laney, and Jake travel to California, the one place June always wanted to go. Their adventure brings a lot of heartfelt moments and also some very exciting and heartbreaking moments too. The whole journey is a roller coaster and it is so endearing to stick with.
The interesting thing about the whole plot line of religious doubts interwoven with suicide and what it's like for the people left behind is a conversation I just had with a friend of mine who was dealing with a similar situation. It was interesting to see how the characters, especially Harper and then Jake dealt with the enormous loss and dealing with how someone could be so seemingly happy and then do something so...overwhelming. The way Harrington brings June's legacy to life, it makes the way Harper, Jake, and even Laney struggle to cope with the loss of such a pure and good person. It seems to make the loss even more painful when Harrington uses the song "Let it Be" as a vessel for the emotion that Harper is feeling. It's an iconic song, so you can hear it in your ears as Harper breaks down and allows her sadness to overwhelm her for a while. I've come to realize that The Beatles have a song for everything...and I mean EVERYTHING.
I'm really glad I put off returning this book to the library, because I would have lost out on the chance to read a remarkable tale of love, loss, family, and most importantly healing from something so enormous. I definitely suggest this for a summer read (it's less sad than you think it is). Leave a comment if you do read it!
Teaser Quote: "He took his pain and turned it into something beautiful. Into something that people connect to. And that's what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you." {About the song Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton--see below}
Harper (named after Harper Lee, a bonus for my {fellow} lit nerds!) has just lost her seemingly perfect older sister June, who committed suicide just one week before graduating. Harper is frustrated by the pity she receives when she is trying to figure out everything. As the rebellious teenage wild-child of the family, always being compared to June (even after she's gone), she has a hard time coping with all that being an only child comes with now that she hasn't had time to adjust to it. Her best friend Laney tries to help, but no one can really "help" Harper get over what has happened to her already broken family. Her parents plan on splitting up June's ashes, and Harper just can't stand that. With the help of Jake Tolan, a boy with a serious music obsession and an outdated black rape van named Joplin, Harper, Laney, and Jake travel to California, the one place June always wanted to go. Their adventure brings a lot of heartfelt moments and also some very exciting and heartbreaking moments too. The whole journey is a roller coaster and it is so endearing to stick with.
The interesting thing about the whole plot line of religious doubts interwoven with suicide and what it's like for the people left behind is a conversation I just had with a friend of mine who was dealing with a similar situation. It was interesting to see how the characters, especially Harper and then Jake dealt with the enormous loss and dealing with how someone could be so seemingly happy and then do something so...overwhelming. The way Harrington brings June's legacy to life, it makes the way Harper, Jake, and even Laney struggle to cope with the loss of such a pure and good person. It seems to make the loss even more painful when Harrington uses the song "Let it Be" as a vessel for the emotion that Harper is feeling. It's an iconic song, so you can hear it in your ears as Harper breaks down and allows her sadness to overwhelm her for a while. I've come to realize that The Beatles have a song for everything...and I mean EVERYTHING.
I'm really glad I put off returning this book to the library, because I would have lost out on the chance to read a remarkable tale of love, loss, family, and most importantly healing from something so enormous. I definitely suggest this for a summer read (it's less sad than you think it is). Leave a comment if you do read it!
Teaser Quote: "He took his pain and turned it into something beautiful. Into something that people connect to. And that's what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you." {About the song Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton--see below}
Monday, May 21, 2012
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Okay, so...I haven't done this in a while. Which is bad. Real bad. Anyway, without further adieu, I will be back online!!!!!! Love it.
City of Lost Souls is the fifth book in Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and is an incredible addition to a fantastic series. In this installment, Clary finds herself searching for Jace and Sebastian, now hopelessly linked by Lilith's ritual. As the Clave deprioritizes their search, Clary, Simon, Maia, Jordan, and the Lightwoods are forced to find their own means by which to find them. As Clary goes off on her own to solve the problems, romances bud and develop, including some adorable scenes between Alec and Magnus, Maia and Jordan, and Simon and Isabelle. Like always, Clare adds humor to the more serious scenes and develops the plot extremely well.
My favorite part of Clare's books is definitely the real wit she brings to characters. Even supporting characters have their 15 minutes when she's writing dialogue, and I really love that. The fact that the dialogue is real and raw is incredibly important because she's writing fantasy. The dialogue in this genre can get really dull and dry if the whole focus is on the mystery and magic of the plot and not that it's happening to real people. Cassandra Clare captures dialogue of 17/18-year-olds with finesse, which is what captures me time and time again and keeps me coming back again (that...and the sexiness that is Jace).
The budding romance between Maia and Jordan also kept me coming back, because I mean...he's a sexyyyy werewolf. Who doesn't want to see that happen? But at the same time, I wanted Maia to be strong and reject him because...you know...he was a bastard and Turned her. Either way, I was satisfied...mostly. I feel that the romance is ultimately going to fail because of the fact that all they've done up to this point is fight and make out...among other...more questionable things. This is obviously not how I would build a romance, so I'm waiting to see how that one's going to turn out.
Magnus and Alec. I've been a little wary about addressing this one on the blog. I'm totally pro-gay marriage. I don't think that homosexuality is the way the world was intended to be, but I also don't believe it's right to make it worse. That's all I have to say about the broader issue *steps off soapbox* Magnus and Alec. This is where the spoilers start...btw...about this couple anyway...I think I really warmed up to Alec during this book...you know until he was a total jerk and ruined it all by going to see Camille. But it was adorable to watch him get cute with Magnus...and I can totally picture that blue scarf...mmm mmm mmm delicious.
Simon and Isabelle? The only thing I really have to say about that one is that they are perfect for eachother. Simon has the inner strength to combat Izzy's fiery ways. He's also sweet and adorable, exactly what Izzy needs to settle her down while they get this whole thing with you know...her brother being abducted out of the way. Instead of getting drunk with Jordan...go make out with Simon...that's pretty much what I was saying the whole time. Thank you very much.
And finally, the icing on the cake...Jace and Clary. Once again...the boy is a sexy swagmonster (I was definitely put up to that one....) It broke my heart when he was all normal-but-not-normal. Clary was right though, he wasn't her Jace, which was yeah...heartbreaking. Then for like the 30 minutes he was normal, I cried. They didn't get to have their precious Jace/Clary moments that we've become so fond of...it was just like..."I'm going to turn myself in" "No you're not" "Yes I am" "No--" back to possessed. It was horrible!!! But then...THE EPILOGUE. I'm not done rereading it, so I'm thinking the epilogue is going to get it's own separate entry. It was that good.
So as you can see, it took me on a rollercoaster. But as I just told the bestest friend ever (yeah, that's you(;) rollercoasters are good, especially when they come in book form and only take you as high as the tree house in your backyard or your loft. I hope you found the review fantastic and the book even better:)
Happy Reading!
He reached up and took a curl of her hair between his fingers. He was close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body, smell his soap and skin and hair.
“Not enough,” he said, letting her hair slip through his fingers. “If I kiss you all day every day for the rest of my life, it won’t be enough.” -Clary and Jace<3
City of Lost Souls is the fifth book in Clare's Mortal Instruments series, and is an incredible addition to a fantastic series. In this installment, Clary finds herself searching for Jace and Sebastian, now hopelessly linked by Lilith's ritual. As the Clave deprioritizes their search, Clary, Simon, Maia, Jordan, and the Lightwoods are forced to find their own means by which to find them. As Clary goes off on her own to solve the problems, romances bud and develop, including some adorable scenes between Alec and Magnus, Maia and Jordan, and Simon and Isabelle. Like always, Clare adds humor to the more serious scenes and develops the plot extremely well.
My favorite part of Clare's books is definitely the real wit she brings to characters. Even supporting characters have their 15 minutes when she's writing dialogue, and I really love that. The fact that the dialogue is real and raw is incredibly important because she's writing fantasy. The dialogue in this genre can get really dull and dry if the whole focus is on the mystery and magic of the plot and not that it's happening to real people. Cassandra Clare captures dialogue of 17/18-year-olds with finesse, which is what captures me time and time again and keeps me coming back again (that...and the sexiness that is Jace).
The budding romance between Maia and Jordan also kept me coming back, because I mean...he's a sexyyyy werewolf. Who doesn't want to see that happen? But at the same time, I wanted Maia to be strong and reject him because...you know...he was a bastard and Turned her. Either way, I was satisfied...mostly. I feel that the romance is ultimately going to fail because of the fact that all they've done up to this point is fight and make out...among other...more questionable things. This is obviously not how I would build a romance, so I'm waiting to see how that one's going to turn out.
Magnus and Alec. I've been a little wary about addressing this one on the blog. I'm totally pro-gay marriage. I don't think that homosexuality is the way the world was intended to be, but I also don't believe it's right to make it worse. That's all I have to say about the broader issue *steps off soapbox* Magnus and Alec. This is where the spoilers start...btw...about this couple anyway...I think I really warmed up to Alec during this book...you know until he was a total jerk and ruined it all by going to see Camille. But it was adorable to watch him get cute with Magnus...and I can totally picture that blue scarf...mmm mmm mmm delicious.
Simon and Isabelle? The only thing I really have to say about that one is that they are perfect for eachother. Simon has the inner strength to combat Izzy's fiery ways. He's also sweet and adorable, exactly what Izzy needs to settle her down while they get this whole thing with you know...her brother being abducted out of the way. Instead of getting drunk with Jordan...go make out with Simon...that's pretty much what I was saying the whole time. Thank you very much.
And finally, the icing on the cake...Jace and Clary. Once again...the boy is a sexy swagmonster (I was definitely put up to that one....) It broke my heart when he was all normal-but-not-normal. Clary was right though, he wasn't her Jace, which was yeah...heartbreaking. Then for like the 30 minutes he was normal, I cried. They didn't get to have their precious Jace/Clary moments that we've become so fond of...it was just like..."I'm going to turn myself in" "No you're not" "Yes I am" "No--" back to possessed. It was horrible!!! But then...THE EPILOGUE. I'm not done rereading it, so I'm thinking the epilogue is going to get it's own separate entry. It was that good.
So as you can see, it took me on a rollercoaster. But as I just told the bestest friend ever (yeah, that's you(;) rollercoasters are good, especially when they come in book form and only take you as high as the tree house in your backyard or your loft. I hope you found the review fantastic and the book even better:)
Happy Reading!
Teaser Quote: "Do you remember,” he said, “when we first met and I told you I was ninety percent sure putting a rune on you wouldn't kill you—and you slapped me in the face and told me it was for the other ten percent?” Clary nodded.
“I always figured a demon would kill me,” he said. “A rogue Downworlder. A battle. But I realized then that I just might die if I didn’t get to kiss you, and soon.” Clary licked her dry lips. “Well, you did,” she said. “Kiss me, I mean.”He reached up and took a curl of her hair between his fingers. He was close enough that she could feel the warmth of his body, smell his soap and skin and hair.
“Not enough,” he said, letting her hair slip through his fingers. “If I kiss you all day every day for the rest of my life, it won’t be enough.” -Clary and Jace<3
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sorry!
okay, now i'm just making excuses, but i have a forensics (speech, not CSI) tournament this weekend that i'm currently sitting at, and the ACT, and a whole bunch of homework (I HATE COLLEGE PREP CLASSES!), so i probs won't have a review for you anytime soon, but know i love you!
Oh yeah...and I'm gettin a trophy just for my favorite fan...my family! I love you all, and I can't wait to see you at awards!
Love,
AjB
Oh yeah...and I'm gettin a trophy just for my favorite fan...my family! I love you all, and I can't wait to see you at awards!
Love,
AjB
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Random "I haven't gone missing" post
Kay, so I haven't gone missing...I haven't read anything of consequence lately, but I promise I'll be up to date soon! There's been some super tense, stressful, *insert negative word here* stuff going on in my life and it's been super hard to motivate myself to read anything new or good. so this is just yeah...yeah. I love you all, all my dedicated readers, and I hope that I find the time to read and review something worthwhile! (Speaking of, Nook owners? Get Nicky Charles's books. They're addicting!)
Love,
AjB
Love,
AjB
Friday, January 20, 2012
Another, longer excerpt
So, it's been awhile, and has not exactly been 10 reviews, but here it is, the next part of Breaking Pieces of a Real Heart!
We had moved seven times since my parents split when I was eight. My mother claimed it was for the job, but I think she was trying to run. Run away from anything and everything that reminded her of the elusive, the heartbreaker, Mr. Nick McLean. We've been everywhere from L.A. to New York and she seems to find something that reminds her of him in every place. You'd never notice the breaking pieces of a real heart underneath the cut-throat, hard-ass prosecutor mask, but they were there, I'd bet you anything.
This time, we were off to Woodbridge, Virginia, 20 miles outside D.C. and the future home of Heather and Eliya Kevins. Needless to say, I was pissed about the move, but I got over it. Or so my mother thought. It was always the same. "I promise we're here to stay." then 6-8 months later, our life is in boxes in the back of the suburban and we were on to the next "undiscovered adventure". These "adventures" were quickly becoming predictable if you asked me. Luckily, mym mom timed this one just right. Moving from South Carolina to Virginia presented an almost imperceptible change in temperature and scenery. The suburbs were still white picket fences and the grocery stores were still Kroger. The only thing that changed was the state name on our driver's licenses.
As always, thanks for you support of the blog, Love you all!
We had moved seven times since my parents split when I was eight. My mother claimed it was for the job, but I think she was trying to run. Run away from anything and everything that reminded her of the elusive, the heartbreaker, Mr. Nick McLean. We've been everywhere from L.A. to New York and she seems to find something that reminds her of him in every place. You'd never notice the breaking pieces of a real heart underneath the cut-throat, hard-ass prosecutor mask, but they were there, I'd bet you anything.
This time, we were off to Woodbridge, Virginia, 20 miles outside D.C. and the future home of Heather and Eliya Kevins. Needless to say, I was pissed about the move, but I got over it. Or so my mother thought. It was always the same. "I promise we're here to stay." then 6-8 months later, our life is in boxes in the back of the suburban and we were on to the next "undiscovered adventure". These "adventures" were quickly becoming predictable if you asked me. Luckily, mym mom timed this one just right. Moving from South Carolina to Virginia presented an almost imperceptible change in temperature and scenery. The suburbs were still white picket fences and the grocery stores were still Kroger. The only thing that changed was the state name on our driver's licenses.
As always, thanks for you support of the blog, Love you all!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
So, now that I've calmed down from that brag/buy session...here's a fresh review for you all!
Quinn's life is filled with women who've been hurt by men, and she herself has pledged to make "safe" and "smart" decisions. Just a short time previous, Quinn's wild-child, promiscuous dad came back into her life, bringing in his many shortcomings, as well as a half-sister to Quinn and her sister Charlotte. Together, Quinn, Charlotte, Frances Lee (the half-sister), a cute guitarist, and one giant Big Bob...statue? Something like that...They go on a karmic past, meeting the women of their father's past and discovering what lies ahead for them if they don't cross the line every now and again.
I've read this book before this moment, but every scene between Quinn and Jake still gives me butterflies. Quinn's relationship with Daniel, someone for whom she feels...on the fence...to say the least, is so...boring, that the contrast is stark and shocking. (Literary term being thrown at you) Jake and Daniel are clearly foils, and the way Caletti uses that is so wonderful.
This book deals with some issues that teen girls from broken homes deal with. Her portrayal of the back and forth, constant spying and lies, of a particularly nasty divorce, is really heartfelt and real. Weaving in stories from the women in Barry's life and the women in Quinn's life of love, loss, heartache, and big mistakes, Deb Caletti weaves a story of a karmic quest not soon to be forgotten. I promise you, pick this one up and you won't soon forget it either. Have fun!
Teaser Quote: "Let me hold you to sleep."~Jake to Quinn
Quinn's life is filled with women who've been hurt by men, and she herself has pledged to make "safe" and "smart" decisions. Just a short time previous, Quinn's wild-child, promiscuous dad came back into her life, bringing in his many shortcomings, as well as a half-sister to Quinn and her sister Charlotte. Together, Quinn, Charlotte, Frances Lee (the half-sister), a cute guitarist, and one giant Big Bob...statue? Something like that...They go on a karmic past, meeting the women of their father's past and discovering what lies ahead for them if they don't cross the line every now and again.
I've read this book before this moment, but every scene between Quinn and Jake still gives me butterflies. Quinn's relationship with Daniel, someone for whom she feels...on the fence...to say the least, is so...boring, that the contrast is stark and shocking. (Literary term being thrown at you) Jake and Daniel are clearly foils, and the way Caletti uses that is so wonderful.
This book deals with some issues that teen girls from broken homes deal with. Her portrayal of the back and forth, constant spying and lies, of a particularly nasty divorce, is really heartfelt and real. Weaving in stories from the women in Barry's life and the women in Quinn's life of love, loss, heartache, and big mistakes, Deb Caletti weaves a story of a karmic quest not soon to be forgotten. I promise you, pick this one up and you won't soon forget it either. Have fun!
Teaser Quote: "Let me hold you to sleep."~Jake to Quinn
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Heyheyhey!
Heyyoooooo! people of the blogosphere!!!!! yeah, i'm superduperhyper. you can tell. well, ya know, it's only because I'M GETTING A NOOK TODAY!!!!!!! wonderful stuff. #soexcited. and yes, i just used a hashtag on my blog. deal with it. I should stop it before I insult somebody. anyway, more reviews to come!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Wild Roses by Deb Caletti
Fair warning...this book was nothing like I expected it to be.
Cassie Morgan is the stepdaughter of the brilliant yet certifiably insane Dino Cavalli, a world-renowned violinist and composer. While at first Cassie was angry at him for being a self-centered, ego-centric bully, now she's only scared at what his depression might bring on her and her mother next. Then he decides to take on a student, the irresistable Ian Waters, an extremely talented violinist and a total hottie, who is extremely kind and wonderful. Basically the book tracks the ups and downs of Dino's growing depression, paranoia, and irritation, and the budding and forbidden romance between Cassie and Ian. It's a wonderful story.
This is a pretty typical teen romance, but some of the issues it deals with are really real. The psychology behind depression is fascinating, and the connection between the great artists and creators of the world and depression and insane behavior is really interesting (this is why I'm taking psychology next semester. I'm again, a nerd). It's a great story, and a really interesting look into the mind of a genious and how behavior affects a family (albeit a fictional one). Although I'm not exactly raving about this one, it's a good break from the monotony and if you want to pick up a book just for a good story, this is a good one!
Teaser Quote: “Sometimes you build up these walls, you build and you build and you build up these walls and you think they’re so strong, but then someone can come along and tip them over with only his fingers, or the weight of his breath.”~Cassie Morgan
Cassie Morgan is the stepdaughter of the brilliant yet certifiably insane Dino Cavalli, a world-renowned violinist and composer. While at first Cassie was angry at him for being a self-centered, ego-centric bully, now she's only scared at what his depression might bring on her and her mother next. Then he decides to take on a student, the irresistable Ian Waters, an extremely talented violinist and a total hottie, who is extremely kind and wonderful. Basically the book tracks the ups and downs of Dino's growing depression, paranoia, and irritation, and the budding and forbidden romance between Cassie and Ian. It's a wonderful story.
This is a pretty typical teen romance, but some of the issues it deals with are really real. The psychology behind depression is fascinating, and the connection between the great artists and creators of the world and depression and insane behavior is really interesting (this is why I'm taking psychology next semester. I'm again, a nerd). It's a great story, and a really interesting look into the mind of a genious and how behavior affects a family (albeit a fictional one). Although I'm not exactly raving about this one, it's a good break from the monotony and if you want to pick up a book just for a good story, this is a good one!
Teaser Quote: “Sometimes you build up these walls, you build and you build and you build up these walls and you think they’re so strong, but then someone can come along and tip them over with only his fingers, or the weight of his breath.”~Cassie Morgan
Tangled by Carolyn Mackler
Surprise! I kinda gave up on TMI for now, because I've read them wayyy too many times. But I took my sisters to the library yesterday (I'm one of those overbearing crusader types) and picked up three new books, and I've already finished two...testament to my nerdiness. So here's the first one I finished!
Tangled is about four teens, Skye, Jena, Dakota, and Owen, who journey to Paradise, an island in the Carribean (not Paradise, OH from I am Number Four...that's what I thought at first and was almost dissappointed.) for spring break. Skye and Jena meet Dakota, a player with a sad past, and yeah...some stuff happens. Dakota breaks Jena's heart by ditching her for Skye...interesting stuff. Anyway, Owen is Dakota's brother, but we only see him once on this vacay and don't really learn his name until Dakota's chapters, and don't really learn who he is until Owen's chapters. The story tracks these four teens through their daily lives, dealing with some deeply personal issues and finding their way in a cut-throat world.
The book is broken down into 4 parts, each told from one of the teen's point of view. We start with Jena, then Dakota, Skye, and finally Owen. As you read, you begin to put pieces together and figure out how they're all connected outside of Paradise.
Mackler deals with some pretty tough stuff in this book. Although from the outside it looked like a fun teen romance that would be a great break from semester finals, on the inside were some pretty real feelings that left you scared and sad, ecstatic and joyful, and also contemplative. I found myself in the little quirks and characteristics of each character as they told their story.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it all, but some parts got too real for me. Some of the language was terse, not something I expected to see, and sometimes something I struggled with (even more than Black vernacular in a Hurston novel). It was really hard for me to push through the book and finish, even though it ended happily, and without the commentary on sex or the male anatomy. As someone who prides myself on having values, it was really hard to push through this book, so even though the plot line was awesome, I had that strong and sinking feeling that if I owned the book, it would probably be marked beyond recognition so I could even feel comfortable reading it again.
As it was, I did enjoy the book beyond that minor detail. Owen and Jena (the main characters, basically) were enchanting and real, even if some of the things they did or thought weren't. The problems they faced were very...real is the only word I could use, and I found them reminding me of myself a lot more than I thought they would.
Teaser Quote: "As I closed my door, I wondered how it's possible that one person's entire world can change while the other person is still making watermelon soup."~Skye
Tangled is about four teens, Skye, Jena, Dakota, and Owen, who journey to Paradise, an island in the Carribean (not Paradise, OH from I am Number Four...that's what I thought at first and was almost dissappointed.) for spring break. Skye and Jena meet Dakota, a player with a sad past, and yeah...some stuff happens. Dakota breaks Jena's heart by ditching her for Skye...interesting stuff. Anyway, Owen is Dakota's brother, but we only see him once on this vacay and don't really learn his name until Dakota's chapters, and don't really learn who he is until Owen's chapters. The story tracks these four teens through their daily lives, dealing with some deeply personal issues and finding their way in a cut-throat world.
The book is broken down into 4 parts, each told from one of the teen's point of view. We start with Jena, then Dakota, Skye, and finally Owen. As you read, you begin to put pieces together and figure out how they're all connected outside of Paradise.
Mackler deals with some pretty tough stuff in this book. Although from the outside it looked like a fun teen romance that would be a great break from semester finals, on the inside were some pretty real feelings that left you scared and sad, ecstatic and joyful, and also contemplative. I found myself in the little quirks and characteristics of each character as they told their story.
I wish I could say I enjoyed it all, but some parts got too real for me. Some of the language was terse, not something I expected to see, and sometimes something I struggled with (even more than Black vernacular in a Hurston novel). It was really hard for me to push through the book and finish, even though it ended happily, and without the commentary on sex or the male anatomy. As someone who prides myself on having values, it was really hard to push through this book, so even though the plot line was awesome, I had that strong and sinking feeling that if I owned the book, it would probably be marked beyond recognition so I could even feel comfortable reading it again.
As it was, I did enjoy the book beyond that minor detail. Owen and Jena (the main characters, basically) were enchanting and real, even if some of the things they did or thought weren't. The problems they faced were very...real is the only word I could use, and I found them reminding me of myself a lot more than I thought they would.
Teaser Quote: "As I closed my door, I wondered how it's possible that one person's entire world can change while the other person is still making watermelon soup."~Skye
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