Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme posted by The Broke and the Bookish. A new top ten question is posed every week. I encourage you to start your own Top Ten Tuesday list. This week:
Top Ten Authors That Deserve More Recognition
This is an easy one for me. You want to know my answer?
All of them!
As an aspiring author myself I don't feel like enough writers get the recognition they deserve. A big part of that is also a issue of genres.
Many of us YA bloggers know the effects of being "caught" reading YA in a group of people who deem us as incompetent or childish because of our book choice. Of course with an experience like that there is no doubt to why YA authors don't get the credit they deserve.
I've done a research paper on feminist criticism in writing and found that female authors still don't receive the respect they deserve because the world is still vastly male dominated whether we want to admit it or not. And yet, majority of readers seem to be females. So there is the under-appreciated chick-lit genre for you.
In general I think that genres and the authors within them need more respect, their appeal needs to be expressed, and what better way than book review blogs. It is the bloggers that gain more recognition for deserving authors and I hope that one day when I finally publish that all the bloggers out there will spread my name on their top ten lists.
Happy Tuesday everyone! I went more psychological than straight list this week, but it was something I was more passionate about ;)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson ☆☆☆☆So this book was another I read as a class assignment. Obviously, by the title, it takes place in 1793. It revolves around the Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia during 1793. I've never really come across historical fiction until these last two books for class and I have to say that both impressed me. I hadn't read anything about the 18th century except when I was in middle school and it was nice reading about Ben Franklin and George Washington like it just happened yesterday.
This book was exceptional at placing me in the time period letting me truly experience the fear and anxiety that overwhelmed all in the area. The characters were well-written, and the main character, Matilda, had one of the most amazing character developments I have ever seen. It was shown through metaphorical images as well as literal ones. Bravo Anderson!
As historical fiction this book does a much better job of teaching the subject than any text book ever could. It kept me intrigued and I couldn't put the book down (besides the fact that I didn't have time to put it down). I'd love to see what this author can do with modern characters. I think it would be more than worthwhile. The only thing that was awkward was the language barrier. I didn't figure out a "necessary" was an outhouse until I was most of the way through the book, which of course makes it historically accurate, but it was just a sticking point for me. Good review none the less :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick ☆☆☆☆☆As a homework assignment for class, I didn't give this book much hope, but as you can see it surpassed expectations with a glorious five star rating from me.
This book falls into the genre of graphic novel, but I have to admit I believe it's better than that. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE comics (yes, I'm that geeky), but in terms of academic graphic novels I haven't been impressed. I have read both Persepolis and Maus for classes and while they were good at getting the story across, I found it difficult to concentrate on every single image. I know, that's contradictory to why graphic novels are now being used in the classroom, kids are supposed to be able to follow it better because their train of thought isn't lost in lines and lines of words. What I love about this book is that it is a perfect balance between pages of literature and pages of images.
The illustrations in this book were captivating and it definitely pulled off the effect of a film. I recently heard this book was going to be made into a film and I think it would be easy since it's already set up that way. Besides the visual aspects of this book, my other favorite part of it is how the book deals with the notion of the unconventional family. The majority of children today are now part of an unconventional family (my son is no exception) and for a book to include this storyline it opens up a dialogue for children to express how they really feel. This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend to anyone and everyone.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme posted by The Broke and the Bookish. A new top ten question is posed every week. I encourage you to start your own Top Ten Tuesday list. This week:
Top Ten Bookish Pet Peeves
(all those things that annoy you in a story, with book covers, bookstores, etc)
Oh I can't express just how much I love this topic. As shown by my bio I definitely have a number 1 pet peeve and now I can think about others that really get to me.
1. Bookstore section titles (aka "Teen" rather than "Young Adult")
Look at the variety of book blogs on the internet and you'll discover that women between 20-40 LOVE young adult books. People of all ages really. And when I walk into an aisle labeled "Teen" I feel like I'm out of place and should be embarrassed. It has gotten to the point that I'll refuse to shop at places that label their young adult section as such.
2. Typos.
I don't mind a few. Sometimes it's just unavoidable. J.K. Rowling had her share. I loved that when reading Glass Houses by Rachel Caine I only found one typo in the entire book. Bravo! However, there is one book series that I couldn't forgive and I won't list. There were multiple glaring typos. And sentence structure? Hor-ri-ble! Example: "the glass's shattered surface," no thanks I hate pluralizing inanimate objects, let's try "the shattered surface of the glass" please.
3. Slow and unexciting first half.
There are two books I have read so far that I almost put down until I got to the middle. The first was because the writing was juvenile and hard to follow. An elementary student could have written it better. However, by the middle of the book I was hooked IN the story and stopped caring. The second, is Matched, in which I was stuck in not knowing what was going on until the middle of the book and the drama finally arrived and again I stopped caring about everything else. The whole point of a book is to catch the reader's attention as quickly as possible, that failed, and both are lucky that I have an inability to put down a book even if I have to force myself through it, and even luckier that they eventually won my heart.
4. Too many issues that don't get resolved.
I was in love with a series that I didn't want to put down. That is, until the third book. The first book was cut and dry--introduce drama, resolve it, leave opening for sequel, done. The second book same thing with a reasonable cliff hanger ending as well. Book three? Waiting for the cliff hanger drama to resolve and then another dramatic plot twist is introduce, still waiting for first twist to resolve, third major plot twist introduced, one chapter left in book and first twist is finally resolved, and then it ends. I'm sitting there going "WHAT?!" The fourth book comes out and at that point I didn't even want to read it, but I did. The two remaining plot twists were resolved near the end of that book and another introduced, and a linger of a twist from book two I might add. Book five came out last summer, it's still sitting on my shelf, any wonder why?
5. Picking up where we left off.
Doesn't sound like a bad thing, right? Then let me explain. Most books when you pick up a sequel and you're reading through it, the author reminds you of background info, details from the past books, etc. Now I used to hate this because I was reading a series all at once and didn't need the reminders. And then I came to a point in which a series I was reading didn't have a subsequent book until a year and a half later and I realized that those reminders were pretty awesome because I don't usually re-read something. Then one day I picked up a sequel book to one I had read a year or two before and it started right in the middle of the action where the other one left off. I have NO idea what was going on and realize I have to re-read the first one if I even want to know. Thanks for the waste of time, I have other books to read.
6. Cliff hanger chapters.
I don't necessarily mind cliff hanger endings because then I'm excited about the next book even though I'm impatient as well. However, cliff hangers at the end of chapters? Not so good. I read before bed, only a chapter or two at a time. And then there are books where I reach my two chapter limit and it's a freaking cliff hanger so I start reading the next chapter, and then it happens again and gah next thing I know three hours have passed and I have to get up in only a couple hours. Many times I've been forced to stop in the middle of a chapter, which I hate, just to avoid the cliff hanger and get to sleep.
7. Real people on book covers.
I can't imagine characters the way I want when that happens. And many times the person on the front of the book has absolutely nothing in common with the descriptions in the book. Example: Rachel Caine said that for one of the books from her Morganville series the cover was shown to her including a girl with pink hair, she couldn't argue so for it to make sense she added a scene at the end of the book where the main character wears a pink wig. I would rather have an artistic cover with filigree or such. My favorite cover: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I love the cover for their sequel too.
8. Photoshopped covers that look like an amateur did on the first try.
I totally judge a book by its cover. If the cover looks amateur I imagine the writing is too and I have no need to read it. Even if I see a review or recommendation for the book that is wonderful I will question its integrity.
9. A series that starts in paperback and then suddenly the next one is hardcover.
I like my books to match thank you very much. I began reading the Harry Potter series in paperback because they were cheap and once I was hooked I gave all my paperback copies to a young girl I knew and went out and invested in the hardcovers so that everything would match and look great on my shelf. I have one series in which the first three books were released in paperback, the next two in hardcover, now my shelf is uneven, but I don't feel like going out and buying the paperback versions when they come out almost a year later. Another has similar numbers. And I've seen others that have the first six to eight books in paperback and then suddenly a hardcover.
10. Uneven prices.
When a book comes out I can find it at Walmart for around $3 off the cover price. Yet Barnes & Noble sticks to the cover price like they're afraid of sale stickers. And then they wonder why they're losing business. Even Amazon has much cheaper prices and often even with the shipping they come out cheaper than B&N. Especially with their pre-orders when they refund you the difference if the price drops even more after you already pre-ordered. While I love sale prices, I wish that they'd be more even so I wouldn't have to troll the internet and Walmart for the books I want just so I don't have to sacrifice the extra money and gas for a trip to B&N.
Well I didn't think I'd make it to ten, but look at that I did. This industry is insane. And you know what, I want to add a.....
Runner-up: Kindle/e-books
The price isn't much different than the price for the book itself and you know what it's easier to read from a page than it is for me to read from a screen. I like having a bookshelf to look at everyday instead of a "playlist" of sorts.
Top Ten Bookish Pet Peeves
(all those things that annoy you in a story, with book covers, bookstores, etc)
Oh I can't express just how much I love this topic. As shown by my bio I definitely have a number 1 pet peeve and now I can think about others that really get to me.
1. Bookstore section titles (aka "Teen" rather than "Young Adult")
Look at the variety of book blogs on the internet and you'll discover that women between 20-40 LOVE young adult books. People of all ages really. And when I walk into an aisle labeled "Teen" I feel like I'm out of place and should be embarrassed. It has gotten to the point that I'll refuse to shop at places that label their young adult section as such.
2. Typos.
I don't mind a few. Sometimes it's just unavoidable. J.K. Rowling had her share. I loved that when reading Glass Houses by Rachel Caine I only found one typo in the entire book. Bravo! However, there is one book series that I couldn't forgive and I won't list. There were multiple glaring typos. And sentence structure? Hor-ri-ble! Example: "the glass's shattered surface," no thanks I hate pluralizing inanimate objects, let's try "the shattered surface of the glass" please.
3. Slow and unexciting first half.
There are two books I have read so far that I almost put down until I got to the middle. The first was because the writing was juvenile and hard to follow. An elementary student could have written it better. However, by the middle of the book I was hooked IN the story and stopped caring. The second, is Matched, in which I was stuck in not knowing what was going on until the middle of the book and the drama finally arrived and again I stopped caring about everything else. The whole point of a book is to catch the reader's attention as quickly as possible, that failed, and both are lucky that I have an inability to put down a book even if I have to force myself through it, and even luckier that they eventually won my heart.
4. Too many issues that don't get resolved.
I was in love with a series that I didn't want to put down. That is, until the third book. The first book was cut and dry--introduce drama, resolve it, leave opening for sequel, done. The second book same thing with a reasonable cliff hanger ending as well. Book three? Waiting for the cliff hanger drama to resolve and then another dramatic plot twist is introduce, still waiting for first twist to resolve, third major plot twist introduced, one chapter left in book and first twist is finally resolved, and then it ends. I'm sitting there going "WHAT?!" The fourth book comes out and at that point I didn't even want to read it, but I did. The two remaining plot twists were resolved near the end of that book and another introduced, and a linger of a twist from book two I might add. Book five came out last summer, it's still sitting on my shelf, any wonder why?
5. Picking up where we left off.
Doesn't sound like a bad thing, right? Then let me explain. Most books when you pick up a sequel and you're reading through it, the author reminds you of background info, details from the past books, etc. Now I used to hate this because I was reading a series all at once and didn't need the reminders. And then I came to a point in which a series I was reading didn't have a subsequent book until a year and a half later and I realized that those reminders were pretty awesome because I don't usually re-read something. Then one day I picked up a sequel book to one I had read a year or two before and it started right in the middle of the action where the other one left off. I have NO idea what was going on and realize I have to re-read the first one if I even want to know. Thanks for the waste of time, I have other books to read.
6. Cliff hanger chapters.
I don't necessarily mind cliff hanger endings because then I'm excited about the next book even though I'm impatient as well. However, cliff hangers at the end of chapters? Not so good. I read before bed, only a chapter or two at a time. And then there are books where I reach my two chapter limit and it's a freaking cliff hanger so I start reading the next chapter, and then it happens again and gah next thing I know three hours have passed and I have to get up in only a couple hours. Many times I've been forced to stop in the middle of a chapter, which I hate, just to avoid the cliff hanger and get to sleep.
7. Real people on book covers.
I can't imagine characters the way I want when that happens. And many times the person on the front of the book has absolutely nothing in common with the descriptions in the book. Example: Rachel Caine said that for one of the books from her Morganville series the cover was shown to her including a girl with pink hair, she couldn't argue so for it to make sense she added a scene at the end of the book where the main character wears a pink wig. I would rather have an artistic cover with filigree or such. My favorite cover: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I love the cover for their sequel too.
8. Photoshopped covers that look like an amateur did on the first try.
I totally judge a book by its cover. If the cover looks amateur I imagine the writing is too and I have no need to read it. Even if I see a review or recommendation for the book that is wonderful I will question its integrity.
9. A series that starts in paperback and then suddenly the next one is hardcover.
I like my books to match thank you very much. I began reading the Harry Potter series in paperback because they were cheap and once I was hooked I gave all my paperback copies to a young girl I knew and went out and invested in the hardcovers so that everything would match and look great on my shelf. I have one series in which the first three books were released in paperback, the next two in hardcover, now my shelf is uneven, but I don't feel like going out and buying the paperback versions when they come out almost a year later. Another has similar numbers. And I've seen others that have the first six to eight books in paperback and then suddenly a hardcover.
10. Uneven prices.
When a book comes out I can find it at Walmart for around $3 off the cover price. Yet Barnes & Noble sticks to the cover price like they're afraid of sale stickers. And then they wonder why they're losing business. Even Amazon has much cheaper prices and often even with the shipping they come out cheaper than B&N. Especially with their pre-orders when they refund you the difference if the price drops even more after you already pre-ordered. While I love sale prices, I wish that they'd be more even so I wouldn't have to troll the internet and Walmart for the books I want just so I don't have to sacrifice the extra money and gas for a trip to B&N.
Well I didn't think I'd make it to ten, but look at that I did. This industry is insane. And you know what, I want to add a.....
Runner-up: Kindle/e-books
The price isn't much different than the price for the book itself and you know what it's easier to read from a page than it is for me to read from a screen. I like having a bookshelf to look at everyday instead of a "playlist" of sorts.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Matched by Ally Condie
Matched by Ally Condie ☆☆☆☆This is going to be a complicated review. Mainly because I have to admit that I expected to give this book only two stars. It sat on my "currently reading" forever. Part of it was because of assignments at school. But I told myself that during spring break I would finish it. I did of course and that's why I'm writing this now. But it was more than school that kept me from reading it. Through spring break I was dragging through it too. And I realized in ranting to my mom just how much I was hating this book.
Why? Because nothing was explained. Sure I knew it was a dystopian society, but I wanted to know how it got that way. She says that a committee made a lot of the changes like narrowing it down to 100 poems and 100 songs and destroying the rest, etc. But what was the trigger? How did things get the names they now have? And especially what happened to the space bar? That doesn't make sense until you read it. There are plainclothes, greenspace, newroses, etc. You eventually learn that plainclothes are kinda like scrubs, but everyone wears them as the rule of conformity, greenspace is grass, newroses are a new hybrid rose, and so on. And yet I don't understand.
So this confusion and questioning goes on for over the first half of the book. So towards the end of spring break I finally hit just past the halfway point, in which I planned to only read two chapters and suddenly I couldn't stop. I got caught in the drama, couldn't catch my breath, and I wanted to be in their lives and not leave their story. I fell in love and instead of dreading the sequel I am now anticipating it. And thus, the story went from two stars to four.
In conclusion I want to share my favorite quote from the book:
"Every moment you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Book Giveaway
I'm currently reading Matched, but Across the Universe and Nightshade were also on my to-read-list so this is a great contest to enter.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme posted by The Broke and the Bookish. A new top ten question is posed every week. I encourage you to start your own Top Ten Tuesday list. This week:
Top Ten Book Characters I'd Want as Family Members
Great topic. An easier one would be what characters we wouldn't want as family members haha. There are so many that I would love to have in my life for real.
1. Holden from The Catcher in the Rye.
I wouldn't be the only crazy one in the family and that support might keep us both sane.
2. Rose from the Vampire Academy series.
Her strength is contagious. And a lot of the time her Rose-logic reminds me of my own.
3. Sally Jackson from The Lightning Thief.
Best Mom EVER. All the sacrifices she made for him were heartwarming.
4. Riley from The Immortals series (by Alyson Noel).
Ghost or not, she'd be an awesome little sister. The right amount of snark and sweetness.
5. Ky from Matched.
I want to be the one to support him and tell him everything will be alright. I think he'd be a great brother.
6. Shane from The Morganville Vampires series.
He proved to be an awesome big brother and protector. And I love how laidback he is. Besides, who doesn't want to try his famous chili? :)
7. Michael from The Morganville Vampires series.
Yes, I know, same book. Clare is lucky to have two awesome guys that have her back. And I have a thing for acoustic music, the guitar relaxes me so much.
8. The Weasleys from the Harry Potter series.
Oh yeah I want all of them as family. They represent the epic, loving, supportive family.
9. Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series.
Another book repeat, so sue me. He'd be the best crazy grandpa ever! With an affinity for candy!
10. The Cullens from the Twilight series.
Another solid family I'd want as my own. I love vampires and a family full of them would be awesome. They all have such amazing and vastly different personalities that would be interesting to get to know. And I've always loved Alice, she's sweet and spunky and fun for all.
Well now I'm a little sad. At the end of the list we realize they never could really be part of our families. The whole reason I read young adult fantasy is escape reality, and at the end of every book I feel a sense of loss of the people and the world I have come to love and feel a part of. It's okay though, there is always the next book to read and lose myself in, and I'm off to do that now.
Top Ten Book Characters I'd Want as Family Members
Great topic. An easier one would be what characters we wouldn't want as family members haha. There are so many that I would love to have in my life for real.
1. Holden from The Catcher in the Rye.
I wouldn't be the only crazy one in the family and that support might keep us both sane.
2. Rose from the Vampire Academy series.
Her strength is contagious. And a lot of the time her Rose-logic reminds me of my own.
3. Sally Jackson from The Lightning Thief.
Best Mom EVER. All the sacrifices she made for him were heartwarming.
4. Riley from The Immortals series (by Alyson Noel).
Ghost or not, she'd be an awesome little sister. The right amount of snark and sweetness.
5. Ky from Matched.
I want to be the one to support him and tell him everything will be alright. I think he'd be a great brother.
6. Shane from The Morganville Vampires series.
He proved to be an awesome big brother and protector. And I love how laidback he is. Besides, who doesn't want to try his famous chili? :)
7. Michael from The Morganville Vampires series.
Yes, I know, same book. Clare is lucky to have two awesome guys that have her back. And I have a thing for acoustic music, the guitar relaxes me so much.
8. The Weasleys from the Harry Potter series.
Oh yeah I want all of them as family. They represent the epic, loving, supportive family.
9. Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series.
Another book repeat, so sue me. He'd be the best crazy grandpa ever! With an affinity for candy!
10. The Cullens from the Twilight series.
Another solid family I'd want as my own. I love vampires and a family full of them would be awesome. They all have such amazing and vastly different personalities that would be interesting to get to know. And I've always loved Alice, she's sweet and spunky and fun for all.
Well now I'm a little sad. At the end of the list we realize they never could really be part of our families. The whole reason I read young adult fantasy is escape reality, and at the end of every book I feel a sense of loss of the people and the world I have come to love and feel a part of. It's okay though, there is always the next book to read and lose myself in, and I'm off to do that now.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Percy Jackson (books 1 & 2) by Rick Riordan
[and]
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson 2)
by Rick Riordan ☆☆☆☆
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson 2)
by Rick Riordan ☆☆☆☆
I read both of these books about a year ago or so, before I had this lovely blog. So why now? Because I'm taking Children's Literature and we had to read book 1 for an assignment on fantasy fiction. Re-reading it reminded me how much I loved these books and I hate that I never got the chance to read the rest.
First off let me express just how much I LOVE Greek mythology. When I was a kid I absolutely hated reading, like you wouldn't believe. However, there was one book I couldn't live without and checked it out from my elementary school library religiously: D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. I happily now own it. So when I pick up a young adult book using all aspects of Greek mythology there is no doubt how much I would love it. The best part of this book is that I learned a few new Greek myths that I wasn't aware of. Somehow I never learned about Charon or Chiron.
The Lightning Thief did a great job at introducing the story of Percy Jackson. It had the right mixture of drama and humor that can keep any kid interested and eager to keep reading. I loved how Ares was portrayed with the biker boots and red sunglasses. I loved the idea of Westernization and the Western world of power moving. I loved Percy's boldness with shipping Medusa's head to Olympus and that his mom used it to get rid of her abusive husband. And most especially I loved all of the chapter titles. I think they were my absolute favorite actually. It was a great one-liner to start each new challenge that Percy and the gang faced.
The Sea of Monsters was equally as humorous. A satyr in a wedding dress, how can you get more original than that? This book had more of a presence of Poseidon as well as Luke's father, Hermes, who was intent on saving him if it was possible. Way to go loving dad's, even if they did have to abandon their children. And while The Lightning Thief touched on the ideas of the abandoning father, the threatening step-parent, and spousal abuse, The Sea of Monsters went even further. It introduced the half-sibling that is unexpected, confusing, and potentially embarrassing. These books touch on a lot of subjects that most authors are afraid to touch on, but subjects that many children today face. These children want to know that not only are they not alone in what they're experiencing and what they're feeling, but also that there is always hope. That's what makes good Children's Literature of course, the idea of hope surpassing all challenges. And if anyone remembers their Greek mythology then they'll remember that this is what the story of Pandora's box was all about, that even after all the bad things came out of the box there was hope at the bottom.
I can't wait til I can get to the other books in the series so that I can see what other touchy topics that Rick Riordan can introduce next. And just how much more I can learn about Greek mythology that apparently missed my childhood or was forgotten in growing up. I also can't wait until my son is old enough to read these books and enjoy them the way I have.
First off let me express just how much I LOVE Greek mythology. When I was a kid I absolutely hated reading, like you wouldn't believe. However, there was one book I couldn't live without and checked it out from my elementary school library religiously: D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths. I happily now own it. So when I pick up a young adult book using all aspects of Greek mythology there is no doubt how much I would love it. The best part of this book is that I learned a few new Greek myths that I wasn't aware of. Somehow I never learned about Charon or Chiron.
The Lightning Thief did a great job at introducing the story of Percy Jackson. It had the right mixture of drama and humor that can keep any kid interested and eager to keep reading. I loved how Ares was portrayed with the biker boots and red sunglasses. I loved the idea of Westernization and the Western world of power moving. I loved Percy's boldness with shipping Medusa's head to Olympus and that his mom used it to get rid of her abusive husband. And most especially I loved all of the chapter titles. I think they were my absolute favorite actually. It was a great one-liner to start each new challenge that Percy and the gang faced.
The Sea of Monsters was equally as humorous. A satyr in a wedding dress, how can you get more original than that? This book had more of a presence of Poseidon as well as Luke's father, Hermes, who was intent on saving him if it was possible. Way to go loving dad's, even if they did have to abandon their children. And while The Lightning Thief touched on the ideas of the abandoning father, the threatening step-parent, and spousal abuse, The Sea of Monsters went even further. It introduced the half-sibling that is unexpected, confusing, and potentially embarrassing. These books touch on a lot of subjects that most authors are afraid to touch on, but subjects that many children today face. These children want to know that not only are they not alone in what they're experiencing and what they're feeling, but also that there is always hope. That's what makes good Children's Literature of course, the idea of hope surpassing all challenges. And if anyone remembers their Greek mythology then they'll remember that this is what the story of Pandora's box was all about, that even after all the bad things came out of the box there was hope at the bottom.
I can't wait til I can get to the other books in the series so that I can see what other touchy topics that Rick Riordan can introduce next. And just how much more I can learn about Greek mythology that apparently missed my childhood or was forgotten in growing up. I also can't wait until my son is old enough to read these books and enjoy them the way I have.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme posted by The Broke and the Bookish. A new top ten question is posed every week. I encourage you to start your own Top Ten Tuesday list. This week:
Top Ten Dynamic Duos (those bffs, partners in crimes, or powerful couples that you just can't forget about)
1. Rose and Dimitri -- The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
They remind me it's possible to find that true love, the perfect match that knows you instead and out, that anticipates your moves and words, that compliments you. I need my own Dimitri :)
2. Harry and Ron -- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Sure, Hermione had the brains that kept them in check, but it was the dedication in their friendship that really made it work, with or without her. Who else would suffer through the Yule Ball with you while the girls you really want are with others guys? Your best friend that's who.
3. Ennis and Jack -- Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
I think this duo speaks for itself. I still cry every single time I read the story and feel a deeper layer of their love each reading. I love these boys and I don't need to hide it with a fishing trip.
4. Stickboy and Matchgirl -- The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories by Tim Burton
Yes, that's right, Tim Burton. I discovered this book a decade ago and I have never been able to put it down. It is morbid and beautiful, and with its simple rhymes I read it to my son as nursery rhymes from the day he was born. Stickboy and Matchgirl were my favorite characters and their story is hot and destructive, like most seem to be.
5. Holden and Phoebe -- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
This book will forever be one of my favorites just as Holden will forever tug at my heart. Phoebe looks up to her big brother as a savior and in turn it is Phoebe that saves Holden. Love in its purest form.
6. Claire and Shane -- Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
His protection of her is fierce and her strength in his stupidity is hilarious. Their romance is so wrong and so right at the same time. It gives me the warm, gooey chills and keeps me rooting for them.
7. Percy and Annabeth -- The Last Olympians series by Rick Riordan
While the love-hate relationship thing might be cliche, it works for them and they compliment each other in so many ways. Just as Athena and Poseidon worked together to create horses, these two can achieve great things when they stop bickering and put their heads together.
8. Clare and Henry -- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I usually say the book is better than the movie, but this was only one exception as the movie was immensely better. It's hard to get emotion across during time travel without movie cut scenes and honestly the book felt like it was droning on at some points. HOWEVER, their love is a love for the ages and after all they went through together their love was strong, so strong she waited for him all her life to meet her in the future.
9. Ever and Damen -- The Immortal series by Alyson Noel
It's easier to name the challenges this couple doesn't face. Their lives seem to be eternally against them and nothing will stop to get out of the way. But despite the challenges, past lives continue to meet and connect hoping that this time will finally work out right...or will it?
10. Victor and his monster -- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Each is the driving force of the other. The monster is bent on destroying Victor's life for denying him love and Victor is bent on destroying the monster he created. Their lives are so intertwined that they almost can't live without the other. It's Victor's dedication to his mission that takes his life metaphorically and literally.
This was a good week. So many duos so little time. I can't wait to get to my next stack of books to discover more dynamic duos that'll warm me to the core! :)
Top Ten Dynamic Duos (those bffs, partners in crimes, or powerful couples that you just can't forget about)
1. Rose and Dimitri -- The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
They remind me it's possible to find that true love, the perfect match that knows you instead and out, that anticipates your moves and words, that compliments you. I need my own Dimitri :)
2. Harry and Ron -- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Sure, Hermione had the brains that kept them in check, but it was the dedication in their friendship that really made it work, with or without her. Who else would suffer through the Yule Ball with you while the girls you really want are with others guys? Your best friend that's who.
3. Ennis and Jack -- Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
I think this duo speaks for itself. I still cry every single time I read the story and feel a deeper layer of their love each reading. I love these boys and I don't need to hide it with a fishing trip.
4. Stickboy and Matchgirl -- The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories by Tim Burton
Yes, that's right, Tim Burton. I discovered this book a decade ago and I have never been able to put it down. It is morbid and beautiful, and with its simple rhymes I read it to my son as nursery rhymes from the day he was born. Stickboy and Matchgirl were my favorite characters and their story is hot and destructive, like most seem to be.
5. Holden and Phoebe -- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
This book will forever be one of my favorites just as Holden will forever tug at my heart. Phoebe looks up to her big brother as a savior and in turn it is Phoebe that saves Holden. Love in its purest form.
6. Claire and Shane -- Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
His protection of her is fierce and her strength in his stupidity is hilarious. Their romance is so wrong and so right at the same time. It gives me the warm, gooey chills and keeps me rooting for them.
7. Percy and Annabeth -- The Last Olympians series by Rick Riordan
While the love-hate relationship thing might be cliche, it works for them and they compliment each other in so many ways. Just as Athena and Poseidon worked together to create horses, these two can achieve great things when they stop bickering and put their heads together.
8. Clare and Henry -- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
I usually say the book is better than the movie, but this was only one exception as the movie was immensely better. It's hard to get emotion across during time travel without movie cut scenes and honestly the book felt like it was droning on at some points. HOWEVER, their love is a love for the ages and after all they went through together their love was strong, so strong she waited for him all her life to meet her in the future.
9. Ever and Damen -- The Immortal series by Alyson Noel
It's easier to name the challenges this couple doesn't face. Their lives seem to be eternally against them and nothing will stop to get out of the way. But despite the challenges, past lives continue to meet and connect hoping that this time will finally work out right...or will it?
10. Victor and his monster -- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Each is the driving force of the other. The monster is bent on destroying Victor's life for denying him love and Victor is bent on destroying the monster he created. Their lives are so intertwined that they almost can't live without the other. It's Victor's dedication to his mission that takes his life metaphorically and literally.
This was a good week. So many duos so little time. I can't wait to get to my next stack of books to discover more dynamic duos that'll warm me to the core! :)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary
Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary ☆☆For my children's literature class we were asked to do a book report on a selection of realistic fiction for middle-graders. Having just watched Ramona and Beezus not long ago with my son, and having been clueless on realistic fiction since I live in fantasy, I figured this was my way to go. I was disappointed. The story was great, the theme of coming-of-age was excellent and came across perfectly, but the language, oh dear the language. Even though this book was originally published in 1984 was no excuse. I'm a twenty-seven-year-old senior in college that is minoring in Literature and I was stumbling over the sentences from their poor structure and outdated language. In terms of story and theme this book would get five stars, but the language and sentence structure was beyond sub-par and barely deserves a one star, so my rating has been reduced to two stars sadly. One point to mention though, this book is the one book from the series that the movie is most modeled after, so if you liked the movie it might be worth checking out, but only if grammar doesn't make you want to pull your hair out. And to think I was told today to apply for a TA job this fall to start teaching composition classes, if I can't make it through a published author, what would I do with a classroom full of belligerent freshmen trying to get their basics done?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme posted by The Broke and the Bookish. A new top ten question is posed every week. I encourage you to start your own Top Ten Tuesday list. This week:
Top Ten Books I Just HAD to Buy...But Are Still Sitting on My Bookshelf
1. Prom Nights from Hell by Meyer, Harrison, Cabot, Myracle, and Jaffe
(impulse purchase at Sam'sClub)
2. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
3. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
4. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
5. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
6. Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast
7. Evernight by Claudia Gray
8. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
9. Old Magic by Marianne Curley
10. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
This list does not include all the classics I bought at B&N's buy 2 get 1 free sale: Austen, Tolstoy, Carroll...
Notable mentions are series' I'm in the middle of and haven't read the latest release, yet I had pre-ordered the copies a year in advance:
Radiance and Night Star by Alyson Noel
Beautiful Darkness by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia
Top Ten Books I Just HAD to Buy...But Are Still Sitting on My Bookshelf
1. Prom Nights from Hell by Meyer, Harrison, Cabot, Myracle, and Jaffe
(impulse purchase at Sam'sClub)
2. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
3. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
4. Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
5. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
6. Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast
7. Evernight by Claudia Gray
8. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
9. Old Magic by Marianne Curley
10. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
This list does not include all the classics I bought at B&N's buy 2 get 1 free sale: Austen, Tolstoy, Carroll...
Notable mentions are series' I'm in the middle of and haven't read the latest release, yet I had pre-ordered the copies a year in advance:
Radiance and Night Star by Alyson Noel
Beautiful Darkness by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia
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