Thursday, November 20, 2008

Carpe Diem

So this book, is going up there with Scribbler of Dreams, Twilight, and This Lullaby. I L.O.V.E this book. Carpe Diem is about Vassar Spore, a very bright girl who goes to a private school and plans every single second of every single day. She knows what she wants to do with her life and her parents expect everything and more of her. But when an impromptu, surprise trip to Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia with her crazy grandmother is brought to light, Vassar has no choice but to take every single health precaution, and pack every new device and go take a leap of faith. I wish i could say more, but that would give away the entire story. This book is good light reading, but also has so many things going on you can't help but fantasize what the relics on the temples look like, and daydream about traveling to these places, without the inconvenience Vassar experiences with toilets. The story is amazingly well written and pans out to truly live up to it's title. Reccomended to everyone.
Carpe Diem! :)

The House of Night Series (Marked, Betrayed, Chosen)


Okay, so it's been a while since i have posted to this blog, and i have been reading like crazy. So, after i read the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, i picked up yet another vampire book. Marked was the first book in the House of Night Series, and i'm sorry my pictures are screwed up, but i absolutely fell in love with it. If you have read the Twilight series, i seriously reccomend this series. You will see some similarities, and some of the same concepts just twisted around a little, and it's highly interesting to compare the two series if you ask me. In a world where vampires have always existed, Zoey Redbird leads a normal teenage girl's life. She has a boyfriend, a best friend, and drives a lime green volkswagon bug. But when she is marked by one of the vampires from the House of Night, her world is turned completely upside down, and she is forced to go live at the House of Night, a bording school for vampires "in training". Her she finds a wonderful mentor, real friends, and a goddess who understands her and takes her under her metophorical wing when Zoey is confronted with a problem and an affinity for all 5 elements. (earth, fire, air, water, and spirit). But she also meets Aphrodite, another fledgeling who is bad to the bone, as the saying goes, or so we think.
In Betrayed, we see the first sightings of a mentor gone bad and loveable friend lost. I won't give away too much, but i will just say this, OMG.
As for the third book, Chosen, i have no words. You're just going to have to read it. And i know you will because you will be hooked on mark before the first chapter even ends.

As you may or not already know, the fourth book, Untamed has just come out, but i have not read it yet. So when i do, I will do a seperate review.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

the curious incident of the dog in the night-time

This amazing New York Times notable book by Mark Haddon is the heartwarming story of Christopher Boone and how his quest to find out who killed Wellington turns into more than just "doing detecting" to bring who killed the poodle, to justice. Soon Christopher's safe world of maths and computer games is turned upside down when he finds out almost everything his father has told him was a lie. I originally picked this book up at the volunteer party and after i finished Breaking Dawn, i picked it up and haven't put it down until 20 minutes ago when i finished. I loved and it doesn't take long for the reader to love Christopher because he tells it like it is with pure honesty, even when he knows he would be in trouble. The silly rituals and suspicions make the story and i reccomend it to everyone who loves unsuspected suprises, mystery and a happy ending. :)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Breaking Dawn

The fourth book in the amazing Twilight series, Breaking Dawn was released on August 2 at 12:02 am, and i was there! later that day, i started reading it and it just kept getting better and better. There are so many unexpected things happening in every chapter. And I thought it was great. Bella and Edward are get married. But when they go on their honeymoon is when the real trouble begins. I am actually at a loss for words that aren't horribly cliche for how great it is. A perfect ending to the series. Stephanie Meyer is a wonderful writer and made the story so exciting that it is hard to put any of the books down. Kudos to Stephanie and i can't wait to read her other book the Host. :)

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Eclipse

So, I just finished Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight Series. I had to read it fast because tomorrow the fourth book comes out, Breaking Dawn. It was amazing. Another chronicle of Bella and Edward's love while fighting against enemies. But also of Bella fighting her love for Jacob. It was fantastic and Stephenie Meyer is an amazing writer and does a great job of portraying all the feelings that come with being in love, even when you're in love with a vampire. There is:
1 day
3 hours
&
52 minutes

until Breaking Dawn is released at 12:01am on August 2!!!!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Crucible

I have to say, this is probably my favorite play of all time. This is a play by Arthur Miller, about the Salem witch trials. It's about John Proctor and an important trial. I absolutely love it. The play starts with Reverend Parris's daughter who has been supposedly bewitched by a few girls and her servant who were dancing and "brewing" in the forest. The play goes on to see that the judges and people in town accusing each other of being witches. It talks about love, life, religion, loyalty and so much more. the ending was the best and it actually made me tear up. I love it. :)

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The End of Forever

Another amazing book from Lurlene McDaniel. This volume, containing the first and second book of the story, follows the story of Erin and Amy. When Amy runs out for extra sodas for the cast party, she is in a tragic accident, and lies in Neuro-ICU, somewhere between life and death. This is two books in one. The first is Somewhere between Life and Death and Time to Let Go. They are both amazing books, but I wont tell you about Time to Let Go or it will ruin the story. It's amazing and i reccomend it to everyone who likes romance books.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Sahara Special

Sahara Special is the story of Sahara Jones and her journey through school, and the fifth grade. She is sent to special education, and her mother won't have it. She gets her taken out of special ed. and she has to repeat the fifth grade. But when a crazy new teacher with eggplant color lipstick comes to teach the class, Sahara finds herself and faces her problems. A very good book for young readers. :)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Inside Out: Portrait of an Eating Disorder

So, tonight, I thought i was supposed to work at the library, but i wasn't. My friend was, and i was her ride home. so i had to hang out, while i waited for her shift to end, i read the much praised Inside Out. Inside Out is the written and illustrated journey of Nadia Shivack as she battles bulimia, anorexia, and depression. As she was in recovery treatments, she illustrated her feelings, and is still recovering today. I think it is a wonderful chronicle of how people with eating disorders really feel and what they are thinking. It is very good and i reccomend it to everyone.

Castle Waiting

I absolutely love this book. Castle Waiting is the story of what happens to the castle and its inhabitants after sleeping beauty leaves with prince charming. Linda Medley has created the story of Jane who is escaping from her abusive husband and seeking refuge in Castle Waiting. When Jane arrives at the castle, she encounters many characters who become her fast friends as she births her abnormal baby and hides from her husband and her past. We discover the quirky happenings of the castle and the inhabitants. Told in cartoon form i absolutely love this book, it's the time era that i love and it's light reading which makes it fun. It would be just as good if it wasn't in cartoon form, (but it wouldn't be as fun;) ).
Enjoy!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Fifteen Love

Fifteen Love is the story of Mia Foley and Will Hollander. Mia is part of the "in" crowd, always with her two friends, Vanessa and Renata, unless she is practicing her viola or wondering about Will. Even though she does think that boys only think about cars and sports, and only think about sex once every 15 seconds. Will on the other hand, is a tennis star. He really wants to know what girls talk about, and has a major crush on Mia. "Fifteen love is the story of a boy, a girl, a viola, and a tennis racket. A story of family, friends, flirting, and true love". This was a very good book, and the way it is written keeps it interesting. I have heard that it is hard to read, because another character's life seems more interesting, but i had no trouble sticking with Will and Mia. I reccomend this book to anyone looking for a light read with little drama, comedy, and lots of love. :)

Thursday, May 29, 2008

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things is written by Carolyn Mackler, and is a great story of how to cope with your body. Virginia Shreeves has a larger-than-average body, scarfs junk food, and has a boy trying to get up her shirt. Not to mention next to perfect siblings, parents with high expectations, and popular girls. The Earth... is about Virginia dealing with her body and her peers. Her parents want her to slim down and her best friend has just moved to Walla Walla Washington. Ginny has to do this on her own, cold turkey. But when her brother is accussed of something horrible, her diet goes down the drain, and for Virginia, it's about being different in her family, standing out, and showing her independence. Soon, Ginny is running off to Seattle to visit her bff, getting an eyebrow peircing, taking up kickboxing, and dying her hair purple. But will happen to her and Froggy Welsh the Fourth(a.k.a. the guy trying to get up her shirt)? Amazingly well written and pretty much sums up the trials and tribulations that us larger-than-average girls go through. But also chronicles the importance of individuality and independence. :)

Cupidity

Cupidity is the masterful book written by Caroline Goode. It's Laura Sweeny's senior year in highschool, and she's looking for romance. She's a quiet "nerd" with glasses and lost in her Greco- Roman Mythology. When she asks Jupiter to send her a boyfriend, she never thought the gods would take her seriously. Now she's made a new friend, who is the hot new girl on the block, intent on finding Laura a boyfriend, who is actually Cupid in disguise. Soon Laura finds herself in a pickle, but in the end, turns out to be the next to perfect senior year. Very funny and the way Goode incorporates the greek gods into modern day is very admirable. Awesome book for someone who is looking for a little romance and some light reading. The really funny thing is when Cupid, a.k.a. Cupidity, shoots and matches up unlikely pairs. Nerds with queen bees and gangsters with nerds. :) LOVE IT!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Night


Oh my goodness. This is one of the best written accounts of Holocaust happenings, that i have ever read. the rawness and truth of it all is unbelievable. Written by Elie Wiesel, a survivor, it shows us what really happened in concentration camps such as Aushwitz. what really happened between the jewish prisoners, and the SS officers. The feelings and changes that happened to the prisoners as everyday they realized that the end was almost there, but not quite. As Eliezer was seperated from his mother the day they arrived at berkinau, he immediately attached to his father. The goal was to not get seperated. As the jewish are tourtured and made to suffer, Elie starts to get angry with his father and loses faith in god and the values of the jewish people. A very well written book, keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know what will happen next. A depressing yet truthful record of the holocaust, someone looking for a happy book, would not want to read this book. We had to read this for English, which i didn't mind at all. Infact i was done before anyone else.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Of Mice and Men


In English we are finishing up reading Of Mice and Men, but John Steinbeck, which is a very good book in my opinion. Of Mice and Men tells the story of George and Lennie who have just been run out of their recent place of work, Weed. George is small, smart, and quick. Lennie on the other hand is large, muscular, and child- like. The story depicts their move to Soledad, wherer they work on a ranch. But trouble soon starts to brew as we find out that a lot of things that Lennie touches, dies. I can't say much else without giving away the plot. This book is very well written, even though the ending leaves you unsatisfied, it is a good story. I reccomend it to everyone.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Blade Silver: Color me Scarred

Blade Silver is the seventh book int the True Colors series by Melody Carlson. Blade Silver is about Ruth Wallace who's life at home isn't so good. Her Mom's just had a breakdown when she tried to kill herself, her brother's run away, and she is cutting. All this because of her dad's harsh words to all that live in the house. At least Ruth has her art, and Glen, the new guy, and her crush. But Ruth has to keep her scarred up arms hidden, although she doesn't know how long she can last. Who DOES wear long sleeves in the summer time? Slowly her friends find out and Ruth has to make the toughest journey of her life. The journey that would take her through self realization, love, her dad's verbal abuse. A very good and well written book. This book makes us realize why people cut and why they can't stop.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

New Moon

This is the sequel to Twilight, the second book in the series. This book starts out as unbelievable. When Edward leaves, everything goes awry. She tries to make sense of her feelings for Jacob, who has now revealed a suprising secret, as she tries to mend her wounds. But then, in Bella's attempts to live on the edge, she has to go and save Edward from the biggest mistake of his life. Will she get there in time? Will they come together as one again? This book is as well written as the first, though many of my friends say it isn't as good because there is no Edward for the most part of the book. Which I agree with. Stephenie Meyer continues her fabulous writing as she chronicles the tale of vampire, human, love, and tough decisions. :)

Thursday, April 3, 2008

The Notebook Girls

This book is the true story of Sophie, Courtney, Lindsey, and Julia and their four years of High School. The notebook documents their feelings, their ups, their downs, their journey through drugs, alcohol, sex, and relationships. Their comedy through the notebook keeps the reading light while still telling their story. A very good story. :)

Twilight

This is a very thrilling, exciting, and gripping novel about Bella Swan who has just moved to the dreary town of Forks. Everything is gray and green from all of the rain they get. Bella makes friends quickly, but the mysterious Edward Cullen is the only one who "despises" her. This is the story of the love between human and vampire. But soon things go wrong. Stephenie Meyer does a phenomenal job of conveyeing the terrifying scenarios, the soaring feeling of their love, and the bond between friends. This is amazingly well written and keeps you turning the page. The Epilouge is a must to read at the end. :)

Much Ado About Nothing

This is another fantastic play by William Shakespeare. The story follows the story of Hero, Claudio, Beatrice, and Benedick. These are two pairs of lovers who meet at a party. But when a scam falsly accuses Hero of being unfaithful to her beloved Claudio, she is left at the alter. But in the end the truth that the prince's brother planned and executed the whole thing brings them together. And during all of this Beatrice and Benedick, two opposites, are led to believe that the other is in love with them, during everything they fall in actual love with each other. This is a very good story once you get over the old english. :)

Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Vegetarian Bible

Yesterday, I finished reading the Vegetarian Bible. I really want to go vegetarian, but i don't know where to start. I thought getting some recipes would be a good idea. The Vegetarian Bible was very interesting. The first part is a description of all of the different foods and substitutes. Then there's recipes. I copied a lot of them that sounded good to me, like pear compote with plums and apricots. Or lemon and almond rice pilaf. There's even a recipe for sushi! But it is a very good book for anyone looking for vegetarian recipes, I will put the recipes on my cookbook blog when i try them. :D Hope you check it out!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Lord of the Flies

So for english, we were required to read Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. And everyone was complaining because they hated the book so much. But personally? I liked it. Ever since i found out that my favorite t.v. show, Survivor, was based off of the movie, I was dying to read it. And it's not half bad as everyone in my school has been saying it is. When Ralph, Jack, Piggy and many other boys' plane goes down right over an island they are stranded and have to figure out ways to survive, get rescued, and "have fun". It is very well written and suprising. Every chapter ends in a cliff- hanger. It is very suprising how Golding reflects the ways people, especially young boys, can turn on each other so suddenly and how certain circumstances can turn even the best people into killers and savages. I'll tell you right now, I would not want to be stranded on an island with these boys. I reccomend this almost classic to any adventure reader.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

If I Have A Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?


This book is pretty interesting. If I Have a Wicked Stepmother....., by. Melissa Kantor is about a red headed, basketball fan, artist named lucy, who falls in love with the captain of the basketball team. Lucy has just moved accross the country, so she's not really expecting to fall in love, or become best friends with some popular girls. But when things take a turn at the prom, Lucy realizes love can not be what you expected. Even though this book is kind of predictable, it is suprising how Lucy's stepmother punishes her, how her dad is obivious, and how her stepsisters manage to always get her in trouble for something she didn't do. It's a very good book, and i reccomend it for anyone just looking for a good read. :)