Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday: 9/29/10

Trash
by Andy Mulligan
Release Date: October 12, 2010

Summary:
In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city.

One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong.

Andy Mulligan has written a powerful story about unthinkable poverty—and the kind of hope and determination that can transcend it. With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel.


Why?
I read this amazing review and it instantly made me intrigued. I did some more research on what it was about, and I am sooo interested in this book. It looks fantastic! [Also, I just searched for and read a few more reviews, and it looks like the response has been all-around positive for this book. Can't wait!!!]


Jane

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Forever Cover + Awesome Contest


Isn't it AMAZING?!

And just as a personal thought, is anyone else worried about reading a novel in red ink?? Blue and green are okay, almost like black... but red?? I don't know how much that will hurt my eyes, but I am willing to work it out just to read this book!

To preorder a !!signed!! copy, click here.

And to enter an AMAZING contest for some awesome prizes, visit Maggie Stiefvater's blog here.

This ends my little post. Now, off to English...

Jane

Monday, September 27, 2010

Vampire Diaries

This post is only somewhat book-related, seeing as how the TV show is way different from the books (at least, judging by what I've read of the books).

But I feel that it's necessary to let my feelings out.

Last night I stayed up super late so I could catch up on my episodes. I was four episodes behind, so I hadn't even seen the season 1 finale...

Oh. My. God. I was sooo surprised. My friend had already spoiled what happened, but the way it happened?! Total shocker. And I was totally upset, because I had to go to bed and couldn't watch any of the new episodes.

So now I am writing this blog, and after it's posted I will go catch up. :)

Jane
PS. anyone else super excited for the Britney Spears episode of Glee tomorrow?! Eek!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

In My Mailbox: 9/26/2010

Information about In My Mailbox can be found here on The Story Siren's blog!
Five books this week, all of which I got from Goodreads. These will probably be the last books I buy for awhile, considering how much debt I'm in. I may just have to go get a library card pretty soon... or just read the books gathering dust on my shelves!

Anyways, here they are...

1. Epic by Conor Kostick

Why?
It looks pretty good, and I've wanted to read it for awhile. Figured I might as well get it and give it a shot.






2. Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

Why?
I read Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie and loved it, so I thought I'd give another of Sonnenblick's novels a shot. It looks good anyways :)







3, 4, 5. Blue Bloods
Masquerade
Revelations
by Melissa de la Cruz

Why?
I read the first book a couple years ago. I didn't like it. Two of my friends read it and liked it, and continue to read the series. They swear it gets better. I decided to give them another shot, just to make my friends happy. And so here they are!

Also, another reason to get them: they were cheap. And that is always a huge bonus!

Jane

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday: 9/22/10

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Release Date: October 26, 2010

Summary:
“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.
Why?
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan write amazing books, both separately (faves: Gingerbread, Shrimp, Cupcake, The Realm of Possibility...) and together (Nick and Norah, Naomi and Ely) and so I'm sure another collaboration will be pure genius and amazingness. It's just a fact.
Jane

Monday, September 20, 2010

Going Too Far

I finished this book mere moments ago, and my first reaction is to write a complete fan-girl review.

However, I am forcing myself to remain calm.

This book was impossible to put down. Right at the beginning, I was instantly drawn to Meg... I don't necessarily agree with the way she thinks (I really didn't like her attitude towards sex, but I am willing to overlook that because it's part of her personality and I don't judge) but I was intrigued by the things she did... I was so curious to figure out why she acted the way she did.

And then, John was introduced. I'm sure I'm not the only one who was immediately attracted to John. The chemistry and attraction between Meg was undeniable, and it made the book steamy and interesting. The fact that he was also overcoming an issue made me sympathize with both main characters.

I'd like to point out, this book was very smutty. This is not necessarily a bad thing: after all, I couldn't put it down, nor could I keep myself from smiling dumbly when it got to the mushy parts. That's just the hopeless romantic in me. But I almost wish that the book placed a bit more emphasis on Meg and John's fears. These fears basically defined who they were, and it seemed like it was placed second to their relationship, which made it hard for me to take their problems that seriously.

The resolution also seemed a bit rushed to me. It's almost unbelievable that one week of knowing each other and they can miraculously cure each other of their phobias they've had since childhood. I almost wish the ending wasn't quite so cheery and optimistic. But that's just me.

Overall, this book is good for some fluff and an interesting story, but I wouldn't expect anything extremely mind-blowing. I'd definitely recommend it, though, for a fun read.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Mockingjay


Hmm, what can I say about Mockingjay? While I haven't gotten around to reading very many reviews of it, I'm sure that everything I think has been thought by someone else, somewhere.

The problem is, I can't decide what to think. I finished this book three weeks ago, and I still cannot come to a decision about whether I loved it, hated it, or if it was just okay.

So, let's break it down.

Characters: They just didn't seem right to me. They didn't feel like the characters that I was starting to get to know, and it's probably because that's what happens when everything changes. However, Katniss bothered me like she has never bothered me before.

Pacing: Okay, this book was paced perfectly. There wasn't a page that went by that I didn't HAVE to know what happened next. I was reading during lectures, in between classes, at one of my roommate's dance recital... I could not stop.

Plot: As far as what was happening, I'm not sure that I totally want to go with it. It made sense, but it just didn't sit right with me. There really is no good way for me to describe it, it's just an intuitive feeling I have.

Ending: This is the hardest part to analyze. And I don't want to. Let's just say... ehhhh.

Overall: I enjoyed the book. But in comparison with the first two, it could have been better. I plan on re-reading the whole series next summer, and perhaps I will come up with a definite opinion then.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Managing Time

August 23rd was a wonderful day: the day I started COLLEGE! Woohoo!

It also can mark the day that my time management skills went missing. It's so difficult for me to prioritize my time... between homework, classes, social events, and trying to get enough sleep, I can't seem to find any time to do things that I want to do.

So this is a question I'd like to ask readers who have the same problem as I do... how do you find time to balance all the things you do, and still keep up with your blogging??

Jane