Teaser Tuesday (1)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play!

Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading...

City of Lost Souls

Author: Cassandra Clare

The quote:

"Maybe because you ca't ask me about my past without picking a fight about how I'm going to live forever and you're not,"

-Page, 61

What's your Teaser Tuesday?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2)

 It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journey.  It's the chance to show what you've read the past week, what you're currently reading, and what you plan on reading next!

Hey guys!  So I actually have some books to post that I read!  Yippee!  So, for this week:

Read

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Currently Reading
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

TBR for the week
Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

What are you reading?

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga of Tynga's Reviews.  It is a chance for you to showcase what books you've gotten in the past week.

So as I said about 2 weeks ago or so, I'm trying to massively cut down on my spending, specifically where books are involved, because I seem to spend most of my money on them.  So I've been visiting the library, and I currently have 10 books checked out!  That I checked out in a matter of two days.

(I just need to go in, pick up what I have on hold and leave)

So, without further ado, here is my Stacking the Shelves books:

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Need by Carrie Jones

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

and, for $0.50 from the library, I bought:

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

So that's it!  What's your Stacking the Shelves?

Friday Fun!

Follow Friday (2)

The wonderfulness of Parajunkee @ Parajunkee's View and Alison @ Alison Can Read host this weekly soiree each week! They feature a specific blogger in the book blogger community and ask a question for you to answer! You get to discover a bunch of new blogs, and get a bunch of new followers!

 The rules are simple:

Create a post like this one.
Visit Parajunkee and Alison and follow them.
Leave your name and blog link on their blogs.
Visit the other people on the list.
Leave them a comment saying hi.
Follow them.
They follow you.
BAM!
More followers!
This week's question is:

Summer Reading: What was your favorite book that you were REQUIRED to read when you were in school?

My favorite had to be A Prayer For Owen Meany. I absolutely adored that book and is one of the only ones I actually read all the way through in my AP Literature class (I was too busy reading other books!) I actually reviewed as one of my first reviews on this blog!



 The Friday 56 (3)

 The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice.  The rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it.

Then hop over to her page and link up!

 This week's book is:

 City of Fallen Angels
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 424

The quote:

"Simon dropped his keys onto the table next to the door. 'Mom-'
'All you do is tell me lies.  I'm tired of it.'
'That's not true,' he said, but he felt sick, knowing it was. 'I just have a lot going on in my life right now.'
'I know you do.'  His mother got to her feet; she had always been a skinny woman, and she looked bony now, her dark hair, the same color as his, streaked with more gray than he had remembered where it fell around her face. 'Come with me, young man. Now."

TGIF (3)

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger @ GReads! Every week she asks a fun question to answer and you can recap what you've been up to the past week!



This week's question is:
 

Christmas in July: If Santa were to come down your chimney in the middle of summer, which books would you want him to leave for you under the tree?

There are so many books that I want but I would definitely ask for Cinder by Marissa Meyer. It just sounds like a wicked twist on Cinderella! Cyborgs! Also, I would ask for Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake because everyone is reading it and loving it!

Honestly, I can't believe I haven't blogged all week. My week since Friday pretty much went like this: Saturday: house-sitting with my boyfriend. Sunday: house-sitting with my boyfriend, baby-sitting my baby cousin, having family time, reading. Monday: work, library, reading. Tuesday: errands, library, reading, left for 2-day vacation. Wednesday: vacation, reading (well trying to), relaxing. Thursday: rain, reading, vacation, reading, more rain, driving home, reading. Today: work, reading, boyfriend. It's been a week full of no time for blogging. But I'll be better this week. I promise! :)

Until Next Time!

Keep♥Reading

Follow Friday!

 

Feature & Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee's Views and Alison of Alison Can Read.

The rules are simple:

Create a post like this one.

Visit Parajunkee and Alison and follow them.

Leave your name and blog link on their blogs.

Visit the other people on the list.

Leave them a comment saying hi.

Follow them.

They follow you.

BAM!

More followers!

There's also a question for you to answer!

This week's question is:

Q: Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

I would buy...

 

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (Because everyone says its amazing!)

&

Burned by Ellen Hopkins (I love her books so much! She has 2 new ones coming out this year!)

Join in the Follow Hop!

TGIF (2): Throwback!

TGIF is a weekly meme where Ginger at GReads asks a fun question to answer each weak!




This week's question is:



"Throwback TGIF: Pick a previous question you posted on your blog in the past & revisit your answer. Has it changed since then?"

Well, since I've only ever done one TGIF so far, and that answer definitely hasn't changed, I'm going to go through GReads site and pick out one that I would love to have answered!

So the question is:

"Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories?"

This question is right up my alley!

 Michael and Mia from The Princess Diaries Series.  

I always wanted them together from the beginning and I was so mad when they didn't end up together in the movie! (Though Chris Pine being the new love interest made up for it. *Swoon*)

 

 Elena and Damon from The Vampire Diaries Series.

I am totally Team Damon.  Even though they are never officially together, I like Damon SO much better than Stefan! Though I am a sucker for a good love triangle! (as long as it works out in the guy I like better's favor!)

Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games Series.

Oh Peeniss.  How I truly love them as a couple.  I was so sad through Mockingjay.  I just wanted Peeta back.  So much.  "Real or not real?"
I also really love Finnick and Annie's relationship in this series as well.

 Lena and Alex from The Delirium Series.

Why do I love them so much?  Because in this dystopia Love is frowned upon.  They see it as a disease, "the Delirium".  Your matches are made for you and you live loveless lives.  You get caught showing any kind of signs of the Delirium after your surgery - which basically makes you into a boring, walking, talking robot - (i.e. dancing, singing, laughing, being happy in general) you are shoved into a holding cell in a prison in the ground (almost like a catacomb) and left there to die.  Lena meets Alex and there's something about him.  He's old enough to have the surgery, and he has the mark from it, but she sees him laugh after a major incident happens that could only have been caused by the rebels and she becomes curiouser and curiouser.  Then they meet and she finds out what he really is, and BAM.  That was all she wrote.  In conclusion, girl lives in world where love is a big no-no.  Girl meets boy.  Boy shows girl that love is not bad.  Girl falls deep in love.  And then.  The ending of the book.  Not even going there right now.




This week at DRO:
I had some things to celebrate about!
Participated in my first "It's Monday! What are you reading?
Started up a new campaign "Stop Fighting Keep Reading"!
Got a new library card!
Waiting on Wednesday (2)
Booking Through Thursday (2)
FINALLY reviewed City of Bones
The Friday 56 (2) 

Yes, that's right.  I FINALLY finished City of Bones.  Oh man, what an ending.  I really need City of Ashes to come back to the library now.  I have a hold on the book and as soon as it comes in its mine!

I started Hush, Hush last night. You can follow my reading progress on Goodreads.


Until Next Time!


Keep♥Reading

 

The Friday 56 (2)

 

 The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda of Freda's Voice.  The rules are simple.  Grab a book (any book), turn to page 56, and write down a sentence or two that jumps out at you (but isn't too spoiler-y)!

My book this week is:

Hush, Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 391

The quote:

"The harder I tried to recall the crash, the more I couldn't.  Little blips of missing information cut across my memory.  The details were fading.  Was he tall?  Short? Thin? Bulky?  Had he said anything?

I couldn't remember.  That was the most frightening part."

What's your Friday 56?

City of Bones

City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: March 27, 2010
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: E-book
Pages: 353 (on Nook)
My Suggestion: I honestly don't know...
Buy here: Amazon Kindle or B&N NookA

Alright people, MASSIVE spoiler alert because I don't even feel like giving this a non-spoiler review.  It's just that...ugh.  I seriously don't even know.  Just don't read this if you don't want the book ruined for you.

 

Okay.  I don't even.  Ugh.  This is going to have a LOT of spoilers because I just can't hold back. 

First off, who has the nickname Clary?  I mean, Clarissa is a pretty name.  In fact I really like it.  I might even name my daughter Clarissa.  But I'm sure as hell not giving her the nickname of Clary.  She sounds like a fairy (the Disney kind not the bad-ass kind).  Why not give her the nickname Claire? Oh. Wait. That's your last name...

Okay that just annoyed me throughout the whole book.

Now, as you know, I'm a sucker for the mysterious, dark, brooding, hot, acts like a jerk and then turns into a hopeless romantic hero.  I don't know why.  I guess it's because I, myself, am a hopeless romantic.  I had mixed feelings about Jace.  At first I was all, Oh, Simon! He's cool.  He's totally in love with her, go for it Clary.  And then I'm all, Oh. Jace!  He's cool.  And hot.  Bone him Clary!  Then I though.  Oh, Isabelle is in love with him.  Love square, okay.  Then Alex came in the picture and I'm thinking, okay.  Clary and Alec, Isabelle and Jace?  Or Isabelle and Simon?  Yeah, that's cute.

And then Alec is gay.

Why the hell is Clary all "Is Alec gay? Cause I'm pretty sure he is. I could just tell."  How in the holy mother hell could you tell?  Cause I'm usually pretty good at that.  And there was no indication of this.  At least to me there wasn't.  So now it's all:  Simon loves Clary but she loves Jace, but Alec loves Jace so Alec hates Clary and Jace is all "I'm brooding." and then he kisses Clary and Simon gets pissed and tells Clary that she's stupid and. UGH even I'm getting confused.

Okay so then let's go to Hodge.  What a douche. 

At first I was like:

But then... I wanted to punch that son of a bitch in the face.

And then he says it was only fair since everyone else got off with basically a slap on the wrist...

Alright, alright.  Enough about them.  On to the most important part of the book.

"Jace's slim fingers tightened convulsively around the glass's stem.  Clary though for a moment that it might shatter.  'My mother is alive?'
'She is,' said Valentine.  'Alive, and asleep in one of the downstairs rooms at this very moment.  Yes,' he said, cutting off Jace before he could speak, 'Jocelyn is your mother, Johnathan.  and Clary - Clary is your sister."

Okay seriously. WTF?!!?!?  HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?!  No. no no no no no no no just NO!

THEY CANNOT BE BROTHER AND SISTER.  It's just.  WRONG.  They have feelings! FEELINGS!  You can't have FEELINGS for your brother!!!! GAH!

But I admit.  Cassandra Clare is one brilliant, sneaky woman.  I am desperate to get the next book as soon as possible so I can find out that they're not really brother and sister.  Because.  There is just no way.  No. Possible. Way. 

I would be extremely pissed.

Unless some other mysterious, dark, brooding, handsome guy comes along and sweeps Clary off her feet.  

And Clary, please for the love of God get a new nickname. Please, please, change your name.  I'm begging you.

Booking Through Thursday (2)

Booking Through Thursday is weekly meme hosted by the Booking Through Thursday site.  It's a fun meme that proposes a weekly question for you to ponder.
This week's question is:

Series or Stand-alone?

How can you honestly make me pick?! But in all seriousness, though a good stand-alone novel is perfectly fine on its own, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love me some series. Depending on how attached I get to the characters in a novel depends on how much I'm anticipating the next book, and how excited or disappointed I am for the last book to come out. For instance, Iron's Prophecy, With All My Soul, and Requiem are all series finales that are coming out between September of this year and April of next year. I'm so upset that they are the series finales. I LOVE all of these series, listed in order: The Iron Fey Series, The Soul Screamers Series, and The Delirium Series. Three of my all time favorite series. Ending. Though, there is going to be an Iron Fey spin-off series staring Ethan, Meghan's not so little anymore brother, called The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, #1). I really hope there will be some cameo's from some certain characters (Ash and Puck please!!!)

But, if I don't get too attached to the characters and all my questions are resolved at the end of a stand-alone then I'm happy with it. One of all-time favorite stand-alone is called Before I Fall by the wonderful Lauren Oliver. I didn't get too overly attached to the characters, the story-line was amazing, and there was a resolution that answered my burning questions.

One stand-alone I WISH had turned into a series was Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys. I got so overly attached to the character and the story-line was one I couldn't tear myself away from, and the end left me with more questions than I had in the middle of the book! This is one instance where I loathe stand-alone novels!

What about you? Are you one for a quick story or one that lasts throughout many books?

Don't forget to check out the Stop Fighting, Keep Reading tab and link up! Just click on "SF♥KR" at the top, or the link and read up!

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each week you talk about a book that you can't wait for.  You give the title, author, synopsis, and why you can't wait for it!
This week's WoW is:

Requim
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #3
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: Hardcover/E-book

Synopsis: (Warning: Synopsis for this book contains spoilers for both Delirium and Pandemonium)

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. Of Pandemonium, ALA Booklist noted that “like all successful second volumes, this expands the world and ups the stakes, setting us up for the big finale.”

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.


I cannot wait for this book to come out!  Lauren Oliver is pure genious.  I love this series!  Especially with the cliff hanger ending of Pandemonium.  I can't wait to see where Ms. Oliver goes with this story line!  I'm kind of nervous to see what's going to happen!

Until Next Time

Stop Fighting, Keep Reading

New Library Card!

I'm so excited. I got a new library card since I lost my old one. I had to cover up the name of my library. don't need everyone knowing where I live!

I realized today how much money I spend on books and its killing me financially. So, I got my library card back! Try to save myself some money.

Stop Fighting, Keep Reading

So, Lucy, one of the victims of the STGRB site, has written up a nice post about her side of everything in this going incident.  You can read it here.  She actually received a call at her home with a woman saying "We can find you, bitch" and then hanging up.

This is getting serious.  In my first blog post I admitted that the people showcased on these websites were bullies, but since then I have fully changed my mind.  The ONLY people in this situation who are bullies are the administrators behind the STGRB website, and THEY are the ones that need to be stopped.

In their latest post they show screencaps of what they believe to be "bully reviews".  Yes, they may say something just because of the author (which is apparently what constitutes a bully review to these people), but they continue on in the review to explain why they did not like the book.  One of the books they show multiple reviews of is City of Bones.  The reason a lot of people rate this as a low on goodreads is because Cassandra Clare took a Harry Potter fanfic she wrote and turned it into a best selling novel.  The people who have read the fanfic were disappointed when they discovered they were basically rereading the same thing all over again.  Most did not say that it was a terrible story or that the writing was terrible or that the reason they didn't like the book was because of the author.  It was simply the fact that they were disappointed to read the same story again, and they are allowed to have that opinion, and to voice it on a public forum such as goodreads without getting harassed about it.

So many people get bent out of shape when someone disagrees with their opinion, especially, it seems, when it comes to books.  Its the same way with sport teams, clothes, etc.  Everyone has an opinion and not everyone is going to like what you like, or like your opinion.  But being an adult is accepting others' opinions, even if you do not like them.  Why argue with someone else about their opinion of a book?  Just because you like it doesn't mean they do, and you don't have to harass them and freak out on them about it.  You like the book?  Good, write a review and give it 5 stars if you want to.  That's your opinion.  Don't try to shove it down other peoples' throats.

I just want to say one more thing.  These are books.  Yes, I love books to the end of the world and back and I don't know what I would do without reading.  And I understand that for some authors this is their life work and they are proud that they are published, and they very well should be, as it is an accomplishment to get published.  But they are just books.  There shouldn't be this much arguing over books!  Take a chill pill, relax, and go read!

I think the reading community should start a new campaign.  Forget "Stop the GoodReads Bullies".  How about "Stop Fighting, Keep Reading".  That's what I'm going with.  Everyone just needs to stop fighting about their opinions and enjoy reading!  That's what reading is about.  Being able to relax, and enjoy a good story.  Don't like the book?  That's okay.  Rate the book if you'd like, and move on to the next one.  The whole point is to Keep Reading and not get wrapped up in the petty arguments that go on!

I want to start this campaign.  Click on the "SF♥KR" page and link up!  Leave comments!  I'm going to keep the Link Up widget up for a year.  Let's see how many people we can get to join the campaign and just take part in enjoying reading!

Stop Fighting♥Keep Reading

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (1)

Teach Mentor Texts hosts this weekly meme (originally hosted by Book Journey) for kidlit bloggers (anywhere from picture books to YA novels).

I'm STILL trying to get through City of Bones.  It seems like this is one of those, you love it or you hate it type books and I'm starting to lean towards the hate it.  Maybe it gets better?  I don't know but I'm almost half way through now and I'm still not feeling it.  I've also heard that apparently this books is basically a Harry Potter fan-fic that Cassandra Clare wrote with the names of the characters changed?  I haven't read it and don't plan on reading it so I don't know.  But so far I'm not impressed and if it doesn't start getting better soon, I'm definitely not wasting my money buying the rest of the series.  If it gets mildly more interesting, I'll consider getting them from the library.  Maybe.




I bought The Ghost and The Goth from Barnes & Noble on Thursday.  In actual book form!  First time in awhile!  I've heard good things about this one, so I'm hoping for a good result!  I'm a sucker for a real good romance and this one looks like it will be fantastic.  I'm a really big sucker for romances between the most unlikely of pairs, as well.  Plus the guy on the cover?  He's really hot. Yummy!






I also bough Eve, a post-apocalyptic themed book.  I've heard good about this one too so we'll see!  I really love post-apocalypse stories.  Especially with "The End of The World" December 21, 2012 coming up!  Everyone has been talking about it so much and so many people believe the world is ending.  I love reading these kinds of books and watching the movies like this because it's one of those things that everyone has on the mind right now, trying to figure out what's going to happen when the world "ends" or there is some kind of World War that knocks out half the world, etc.  That's why I loved the Hunger Games so much, because it was one that was believable. 



And lastly, the one I'm MOST excited about, is Hush, Hush.  It was only $4.99 at B&N!  This is up next for me to read.  I've heard amazing things about this book and I know the series finale, Finale, is coming out soon so I'm excited to get into this series.  I like reading series that are fully out or almost fully out.  It saves me the trouble of having to wait for the next book!







Well that's it for this week.  What are YOU reading?  Leave comments below!

Woohoo!

So today is kind of exciting for me! Friday was tge first time my blog has been viewed over 100 times in one day, I reached 40 comments, AND I got 4 new followers this weekend! Very exciting!

I'm not even half way through City of Bones.  I have Hush, Hush I'm desperate to start, so I'm gonna buckle down soon and start reading so I can get City of Bones done. I really hope it gets better.

Until Next Time!

Keep Reading

TGIF (1): Swoon Worthy Quotes

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted at GReads.

This week's question is:

"Quotes That Make You Swoon: What are some of the most swoon-worthy quotes you've experienced in a book?"


 "You are my heart, my life, my entire existence"
-Ash, The Iron Queen

"Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?"
-Ash, The Iron King

"His breath hitched, and he regarded my hungrily. 'You're playing with fire, you know that?'"
-Ash, Winter's Passage

"I just want to spend every possibly minute of the rest of my life with you"
-Peeta, Catching Fire

"I won't let this be my good-bye. I've folded one thousand paper crane memories of me and Grace, and I've made my wish. I will find a cure. And then I will find Grace."
-Sam,  Linger

"'I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't 'steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask.'
'And if I don't?' Laurel said, her voice barley above a whisper.
'Then I guess I'll wait forever.'"
-Laurel and Tamani, Spells

“I closed my eyes," he repeated after a few shallow breaths, "and imagined she was you."
Tamani, Illusions


There are soooo many more, but I'll leave you with these.

This week on DRO:

The Friday 56 (1)
STRGB interview link
Booking Through Thursday (1)
Stop the GR Bullies!
Waiting on Wednesday (1)
Winter's Passage and The Iron Daughter Review
Young Readers Giveaway
Book v. Movie: Hunger Games

I'm still trying to get through City of Bones.  I have some free time this weekend so I'm hoping I'm going to finish it this weekend.  I bough 3 new books last night at B&N: Hush, Hush (It was only 4.99!).  The Ghost and The Goth.  And one other that I can't remember right this second.  I'll let you know when I remember!

Until Next Time!

Keep♥Reading

The Friday 56 (1)

 The Friday 56  is a book blogging meme hosted by Freeda's Voice.

The Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it. 




The book today is:

Fang
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 15, 2010
Reading Level: Children to Young Adult
Format: E-book
Pages: 263 (on Nook)





Page 56:
"'Over my dead body,' Fang said, and I flinched
'Not funny to use that phrase anymore, Fang,'"

"I collapsed sideways on my bed and pulled the blanket over me.  Fang sat at my side, holding my hand and rubbing my back between my wings."

STGRB interview

Kenya Wright did an interview with the people of the STGRB website.  You can find it here.

Make sure to leave your opinion on everything there, because the comments aren't moderated and your opinion can actually be seen, unlike on the actual website.  Just be sure to keep it classy and be mature about it, not rude or spiteful.  Use mature language and wording so that you don't come across looking like a lunatic.

You can see my comment on the post.

Until Next Time!

Keep♥Reading

Booking Through Thursday (1)

Alright so I'm taking a break from the whole STGRB drama and posting a first for a book blogging meme called Booking Through Thursday.

Basically a question is raised and you answer it!

So the question this week is:

What book(s) have you read that you’re secretly ashamed to admit?

Well.  There are a few.

But I'll have to go with.....

 Twilight of course.  Now don't get me wrong, Twilight really isn't all that bad. I've read worse.  It's just so taboo right now that I hate to even bring it up really.  But I do go see the movies at midnight or at least soon after they are released, I own all the books, including 2 copies of Breaking Dawn and a special edition copy of Twilight.  I have read all the books about 5x each, one of the only books I've actually re-read.  I got my mom, my gmaw and multiple other people hooked on these books.  I started reading them during a time in high school when I was feeling pretty depressed and nothing could really get me out of the mood except Twilight.  I listened to music by The Mitch Hansen Band constantly.  I wouldn't go hang out with my friends.  I didn't want to leave the house.  I didn't watch TV.  I hardly talked to my family.  I had a blog on Xanga at the time and literally all I talked about was Twilight.  I think I still know what the blog name is but I'm not going to give you the link because I want to save myself from further embarrassment.  It was a dark time in my life and I sincerely hope to never get that way again.  And I'm not talking about reading Twilight.  I'm talking about the depressed state I was in.  While I love to read, you have to do other things beside read.  Like eat, socialize, sleep, shower, work, study, etc.

So that's my Booking Through Thursday.  What about you guys?  Any books your ashamed you've read?

Stop the GR bullies!

UPDATE 7/18/12:
I want to start up a new campaign: Stop Fighting, Keep Reading. The link directs you to the blog post describing what it's about and an update on what happened to one of the victims of the STGRB website.
I have also posted a link to an interview with the administrators of the website here: STGRB interview.

Please continue reading for my original post on the STGRB website:



ORIGINAL POST:

No I'm not doing a campaign post to complain about people "bullying" reviewers on goodreads.

Yes bullying is bad. No you shouldn't do it.

What I really want to talk about is a terribly horrible blog that is currently out there right now.  One of my favorite authors of all time, Rachel Vincent, whose blog I follow by email and twitter I follow on both my accounts, wrote up a blog post about this horrible website.

The cruel people behind this website go out of their way to showcase some of these "bullies" on their blog.  They put up screenshots of conversations by these people and show how they are being bullies.  Okay. Fine. Whatever.
But where this blog goes completely overboard, is that they find out the real name of these people, where they live, their contact information, their FAMILY's information, pictures of them,where they work, where they hangout, even the times that they frequent certain restaurants, in case you want to go berate them in person while they eat dinner with their family.

No I don't condone bullying so don't start yelling at me that I do. But why is what they're doing not considered bullying? Are they not harassing the people they are showcasing and encouraging others to do the same thing?

Alright enough ranting. Its just really pissing me off.

I would just like to say that you should stay away from this website.

UPDATE 7/13/12:
Okay I've noticed a lot of people viewing this post.  For anyone that still believes that this website is "amazing", here's a few more points.

1. The website has a list of "recommended books" on the side of their page.  This list comes from a list on goodreads entitled "Author Temper Tantrums".  They simply went to goodreads, took this list, and put it on their website.  They do no know most of the incidents that occurred that put these books and authors on the list.  They are only attempting more "petty revenge" on these authors which they most likely know nothing about.

2. They personally moderate all the comments left on their page.  A direct quote from the website itself:

"For those who left all the, um, sweet *cough cough* comments and messages, we would like to welcome you to keep leaving them.  If you need an outlet for your anger, by all means, let it be us and not authors.  Will we listen?  No.  Will your comments get through?  No.  But you can still try.  Keep in mind that we retain all rights to the comments, messages, and electronic footprints you leave behind when you visit our site.  Just so you know."

  

I personally left a comment asking about whether or not the recommended books on the side were actual recommendations, or authors they claim to have "temper tantrums".  My comment was not published, even though multiple other supportive comments were published well after I had submitted mine.  No, I'm not mad that my comment didn't get published.  I'm glad my name is not associated with that website.  But I find it completely ridiculous (though not surprising) that they only post the comments that agree with them, and share their opinion, while blocking anyone who has a different opinion about their website.

Okay now they do reserve the right to comment moderation, I understand that and I don't have a problem at all with moderating comments to keep crass people out of the commenting area.  But moderating people out just because they don't have the same beliefs as you do?

3. In the post they discuss a "frequent bullier" that they label as "DEFCON 1, Maximum Alert".  They provide her real name, what her twitter account is, pictures of her, and where she lives.  But, not only do they talk about her bullying on goodreads (which I'll get to in a moment), they actually had the nerve to inform the entire world via internet that she is a bad mother!!

Now I have no idea who these people are.  They make it a point to keep their identity a secret, even though they have no trouble at all exposing other people's information on the internet.  I do not know their age, race, gender, religious beliefs, etc.  I know absolutely nothing about them.  But NO ONE should discuss ANYONE'S parenting abilities on a public website.  Yes, she is a bully and she is rude and crass and should not be allowed to continue doing what she does.  But there is NO reason, whatsoever, to bring her personal life, especially about her children, into a discussion about that.  At all.  I do not know if they have children or not, but I sincerely hope they do not, because anyone with children should know that there is never a reason to bring someone's parenting skills into a discussion on a public website that has NOTHING to do with what you're talking about!

The website ended the post about this person with this quote:

"But, good news!  She is going to be releasing a book!  This. Is. Fantastic!  Not sure about anyone else, but all of us here at STGRB will be eagerly awaiting the release of that one."

So, you're against bullying, but yet you can't wait for someone to release a book so that you can bully them?  I don't really understand your stance then, are you against bullying or for bullying?

This website is full of hypocrisy and downright rude people.  This website is a form of bullying and I believe it should be shut down.  I do believe everyone has a right to their own opinion, and that you should always take a mature stance to display those opinions, especially on a public forum such as goodreads or a blog or twitter, but they way they do it is not mature.  Stooping to their level is not the way to handle a bully.

If you yourself have a problem with bullying, contact the administrators of the website you are on.  Usually the administrator can handle it.  Bullying is a horrible thing.  I have been a victim of it myself.  And while I know it is hard to deal with, your best bet is to ignore it.  If you answer them or show any signs that they are getting to you, they will continue their attacks.  If you continue on like nothing is wrong, they will get bored and stop.  

If you find yourself being bullied on goodreads, leave the thread, gather the person you are being bullied by's screen name, and contact goodreads.  They have contact information and you can flag specific comments as inappropriate or rude.  Take the high road and do not stoop to their level.  It will only make things worse in the end.

I'd love to hear other people's opinions on this whole ordeal.  Have you been bullied on goodreads?  Are you one of the bullies that are being attacked on this website?  Do you disagree with me?  Do you agree with me?  Please let me know.  I only see the comments of people who agree with the website on there so I'd like to hear from the rest of the internet!

If you want to read more and hear from other people on this subject, here are some posts you should check out:

Food, Fun and Urban Fantasy
Rachel Vincent
Shattersnipe: Malcontent & Rainbows
(Shattersnipe actually shows the damages done already by this website and shows an incident with one of the "bullies" the website showcased)
Fangs For The Fancy
The Bawdy Book Blog
Parajunkee
Jennifer Armintrout
And a more *ahem* "adult" opinion about it (caution: adult language ahead!):
Jennifer Armintrout

Until Next Time.

Keep♥Reading

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Jill @ Breaking the Spine hosts the weekly "Waiting on Wednesday", where you share what book you are patiently (or not patiently) waiting to come out!

My book for the week is:

Iron's Prophecy
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey (book 4.5)
Publisher: HarelquinTEEN
Publication Date: September 1, 2012
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: E-Novella

From Goodreads: (do NOT read the synopsis if you have not read the series. it WILL ruin the series for you)

"Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…"





I am SO excited for this book!  I just recently finished up the Iron Fey series and I'm so excited to read this and have Meghan, Ash and Puck's story continue, for at least one more small Novella.  I know they're only characters in a book but I miss them like they're real friends.  That's when you know you have a good story, when you become so attached to the characters that they feel more like friends then characters you are reading about.

I really hope Grimalkin appears or I'm going to be so upset!

Until Next Time!

Keep♥Reading

Winter's Passage and The Iron Daughter

So I'm finally getting around to review Winter's Passage (Iron Fey 1.5) and The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey 2).  I'm currently reading, or at least trying, to read City of Bones (Mortal Instruments 1) but I can't get into it.  Granted I haven't even made it 1/3 of the way through the book yet, and it did take me awhile to get into The Iron Knight (Iron Fey 1) so I'm sticking with it.  And I also have sworn that I will finish every book that I start reading.  I give every book a fair chance from start to finish. I will push myself no matter how long it takes.

So, without further a due, my review for Winter's Passage and The Iron Daughter!

Winter's Passage

Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: E-novella (only available in electronic form)
Pages: 51 (on Nook)
My Suggestion: READ THIS BOOK!
Buy here: Amazon Kindle or B&N Nook


So I really like the cover!  The colors are gorgeous and the wolf eyes: PERFECT!  Okay that's really all I have to say on the cover without giving too much away, so onto the book itself!

This will be a short review because it was a short book but I love how this book tied together The Iron King and The Iron Daughter.  It was a bonus story that also helped out in The Iron Daughter as well!  And added a new character and showed Ash's "warm" side, if only for like, 20 pages.  It was nice to see what happened between the books though.

Well that's pretty much all I have to say because it's such a short book.  But if you'd like to know what happens between the two books this is a definite must read!

The Iron Daughter

Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: August 1, 2010
Reading Level: Young Adult
Format: E-book
Pages: 288 (on Nook)
My Suggestion: READ THIS BOOK!

Buy here: Amazon or Barnes & Noble

Alright this cover is gorgeous.  Goes along great with the first book, and the model they have for Meghan is really pretty.  The blue colors of the swirls goes well with the story line with Meghan being in Mab's ice court for a lot of the book.

Now you'll have to bear with me for a moment because, reading all the books back to back, I get my books a little mixed up.  But I'm pretty positive I'm clear and remember...yep! Just flipped back through the book and I'm set to review!

I gotta say this book was awesome.  I love Ash.  So much.  Even though he acted like a total jerk.  I guess it's just a me thing to always fall for the bad guys with the secret feelings in books (for instance Damon of The Vampire Diaries).  But he acted like a jerk for a good reason!  He was trying to protect her!  I'm such a sucker for romance.

I think the story flowed really well.  It had a good plot.  I really think that there is a character for everyone to connect to in this book.  There are such a diverse cast of characters that there's one for everyone to love!  Besides Ash, still gotta love Grimalkin.  I could read an entire book just about him.  He is my favorite besides Ash.  And Puck.

Alright it's SPOILER ALERT time!

I have to start out with the fact that I seriously almost cried when Ironhorse died.  Yes he tried to kill Ash and Puck, but he really did make his redemption in order to help Meghan.  He was there for her all the way through.  I was also very upset when the stupid Ash look alike iron knight killed Sage.  He might have been a total ass, but he was at least better than Rowan (obviously).  And poor Meghan.  I know a lot of people refer to her as the "Bella Swan" of the Fey, but look at what she has been through!  I mean, how would you react to your best friend turning out to be the famous Puck, you being the daughter of the Faerie King Oberon, and finding out your brother has been kidnapped by a secret iron kingdom that no one believes exists, even when you and the guy you've totally fallen for claims to it be true.  Then when you rescue said brother and take him home, you have to turn around and be taken straight to, basically the arms of your enemy, by said boy you've fallen for, even though he loves you.  He then acts like an ass in front of his family and pretty much calls you a shitty human that he would never touch.  Then you find out you have to go up against the iron fey that almost killed you and your beloved not that long ago, in order to bring peace back to the two courts of your new home land.  Oh, and everyone at this point hates you and when you finally bring back the magical stick and try to prove you weren't the one who stole it, your boyfriend's mom tells him that he has to swear never to see you again because you're from different courts and he has declared his love for you in front of everyone.  Then you both get banned to the human realm, and you have to leave this whole new world behind, including your best friend of, well, forever.  So.  You tell me what you would do.  Because I think I would have already been crying in the corner when my brother was replaced by some evil faerie thing.

SPOILER TIME OVER.

Alright enough ranting about Meghan and more about the book.  Well, really it's just that I loved the book, and that's pretty much it.  I could honestly go on and on about this book but I'm gonna go ahead and stop cause I don't want to make this review too incredibly long and I already wasted space ranting about people complaining about Meghan.  But basically, you should read this book because it's awesome.

Until Next Time!

Keep♥Reading

Young Readers Giveaway

So the wonderful blogger behind Young Readers is having a 500 follower give-away!

There are tons of books you can win so check it out!

Book v. Movie - Hunger Games!

 vs.

So my boyfriend and I went to the cheap theater to see the Hunger Games!  And he liked it!  WIN!  He soon discovered that what he believed to be a "chick-flick" is actually, in his own words "a teenage version of Rambo".  This cracked me up.  But anyway, moving on!

So I have to say this is, by far, one of THE best book adaptions of all time.  There was hardly anything that they missed.  Though there were a few things that I have to complain about, because it's me, and I'm a stickler for perfection when it comes to my books being turned into movies.  Especially this one because I've been anticipating it for a long time!

Okay so let's go through what I liked first.

I really appreciated the fact that there wasn't very much music playing throughout the movie.  It really pushed the seriousness of the movie, and made it seem more real.  I also loved the use of handheld cameras.  It also made it feel more real and like you were right there with the characters.

I loved the casting for the movie as well.  Jennifer Lawrence was amazing as Katniss Everdeen.  I get goosebumps ever time I hear her scream "I VOLUNTEER!"  Every time!  Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark was great too.  He's played the part of the sad, unrequited lover before (Little Manhattan).  Granted he was 12, but he played the character incredibly well!  He is an incredible actor and played the part very well. Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy was PERFECT!  He played the drunk bigot so well.  Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket.  What can I say?  I have never seen someone pull off purple lips, purple and blonde giant hair, and the creepy purple dress that she wore to the reaping.  She was hilarious! "That. Is. MAHOGANY!"  Stanley Tucci was awesome as Caesar Flickerman.  He has that goofy personality that is needed to play Caesar.  He is one of my favorite characters out of the series.  Liam Hemsworth is hot.  That's pretty much all that was needed to play Gale since he really wasn't in the story that much.  And of course Donald Sutherland as President Snow.  He was a small part in this movie, but I can't wait to see what he does in Catching Fire.

I also loved the two songs by Taylor Swift off the soundtrack.  "Eyes Open" could not be any more perfect for the movie.  They were playing a version of the song on the radio with audio from the movie within the song, and no matter how much I search, I cannot find that version of the song.  I even emailed my contact at the radio station that was playing the song to find out where they got it but he never got back to me about it :( Maybe one day I will find it, because it seriously gave me goosebumps every time I heard it.  If anyone finds it, please let me know!  "Safe & Sound" is also really good.  I've had it suck in my head all night, because I made my boyfriend listen to them to show him how amazingly they went with the movie (which he agreed with).

Overall I thought they movie was PRETTY much completely in sync with the book.  Yes I said pretty and will explain my grievances in a moment. 

Okay.  Complaining time.

1.  I thought they should have explained the Capitol a little more, as far as their fashion goes.  My boyfriend (who has not read the book) looked at my very confused when Effie walked up on stage.  The book does a very good job describing the fashion of the Capitol and why it's like that, while the movie leaves it kinda confusing to people that haven't read the book. 

2.  Where the hell was Madge?!  I was very upset that Madge was not in the movie!!  No, she's not a big part, but it helps tie things together.  Like, her being the one to give Katniss the mockingjay pin!  I know, it's really not that big of a deal.  But I'm a perfectionist darn it.

3.  Where was the avox girl?!  Again, no, not a major part, but the whole avox thing definitely is a huge part in Mockingjay.  So I was kinda pissed about that.  And like my friend that I went to the midnight premier said, they can't have everything in the movie.  But still!  EDIT: Okay.  Apparently she was in the movie?  She has a credited actress, but I never once remember seeing her and I've seen the movie twice now.  Anyone else notice her?

4.  I felt like the scene with Rue was too short.  It didn't bring the emotional response when she died that the book did.  I know, I know.  They only had so much time for the movie.  But the book made them connect so much more and the scene with her dying, I don't know, I just felt it was more emotional in the book.  Though I cried my eyes out anyway.

I know there is other things I have to complain about, but I don't remember them right now lol. 

I'll finish this up by saying that I LOVE this movie, and I thought it was an incredible adaption (besides my few complaints that I had).  I cannot wait for Catching Fire.  It's going to be so good!  I can't wait to see who they cast for Finnick.  And then Mockingjay.  Oh my god they better not mess up that one.  I'm going to be crying the entire movie.  I just know it.

I rate the movie overall as an A++, and as far as the closeness to the book I give it an A, because of my complaints!

Alright well I'm super tired, so I'm gonna go to bed.  

Adios!