Waiting on Wednesday (34)

   Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

 


 Title: Ruins

Author: Dan Wells
Realease Date:March 11,,2014
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray

Kira, Samm, and Marcus fight to prevent a final war between Partials and humans in the gripping final installment of the blockbuster Partials Sequence.

Our time is almost up.

As the clock ticks closer and closer to the final Partial expiration date, humans and Partials stand on the brink of war. Caught in the middle, thousands of miles apart, are Samm and Kira: Samm, who is trapped on the far side of the continent beyond the vast toxic wasteland of the American Midwest; and Kira, now in the hands of Dr. Morgan, who is hell-bent on saving what's left of the Partials, even if she has to destroy Kira to do it.

The only hope lies in the hands of the scattered people of both races who seek a way to prevent the rapidly escalating conflict. But in their midst appears a mysterious figure, neither human nor Partial, with solemn warnings of the new apocalypse-one that none of them may be able to avert.

  So that's what I'm waiting.So how about you? Leave a link and let me know. :)

Top Ten Books I Was "Forced" to Read (19)

Check out how Top Ten Tuesday works & the future schedule of topics HERE.The Top Ten Tuesday, is hosted by the ever-fabulous The Broke and the Bookish   This  meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

 Top Ten Books I Was "Forced" to Read

  (either by teachers, friends, other bloggers, book club) -- doesn't necessarily have to be a BAD thing. Could be required reading, yes, but also book club, or just super enthusiastic friends "making" you read something)

1)The Alchemist My senior year this was required for class and I ended up loving the book and The Alchemist lead me to other Palo Cohelo
2)Satan Says Is a weird poetry book that I was required to read after a few reread the book grew on me.
3)The Bloody Chamber Retelling of fairy-tales and adaptions I loved this book,it was required for a class.
4)Tiger Lily Me and a friend were browsing the book store and my friend decided on buying this book,after she read it she forced me to read it because she loved it.
5)Not A Drop To Drink I was never all that interested in this book but I kept seeing great reviews on it so I felt forced to check it out.I'm glad I did.
6) Under The Never Blue I saw a bunch of reviews and post about this book and eventually gave in and read it.I can't wait for the third book.

Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition

5th Annual YA Novel Discovery Contest

SerendipityLiterary Agency in conjunction with Sourcebooks Inc. is hosting their fifth annual Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition.

No query? No pitch? No problem!

 Get in Front of Top YA Editors and Agents with ONLY the First 250 Words of Your YA Novel.

Have a young adult novel—or a YA novel idea—tucked away for a rainy day? Are you putting off pitching your idea simply because you’re not sure how to pitch an agent? No problem! All you have to do is submit the first 250 words of your novel and you can win exposure to editors and a review of your manuscript from one of New York’s TOP young adult literary agents, Regina Brooks.

NOVEMBER IS NaNoWriMo 

In honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org)—an international event where aspiring novelists are encouraged to write an entire novel in 30 days—this contest is meant to encourage the aspiring YA author to get started on that novel by offering an incentive for completing the first 250 words.

Great Prizes

The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks AND receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop, plus a collection of gourmet teas from Possibiliteas.co!
The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions with editors from Scholastic, Feiwel and Friends, Random House, Little Brown, Kensington, Candlewick, Bloomsbury, Simon and Schuster, Penguin, and Sourcebooks. In addition, they will receive a year’s subscription to The Writer magazine! 

First 50 Entrants will receive a copy of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks.

*********************************

So if your wondering how it works it's easy:The rules of the contest are simple and entering is easy. Submit entries of ONLY the first 250 words of your manuscript and the title via the contest website at http://tinyurl.com/YAContest1

.One entry per person; anyone age 14+ can apply. Open to the U.S. & Canada (void where prohibited). Entries for the YA Novel Discovery Contest will be accepted from 12:01am (ET) November 1^st, 2013 until 11:59pm November 30^th, 2013 (ET)

YA literary agent Regina Brooks and her team will read all of the entries and determine the top 20 submissions. These submissions will then be read by:

 Deidre Jones Little Brown, Nicole Raymond Candlewick, Aubrey Poole Sourcebooks, Kendra Levin Viking Penguin, Mercedes Fernandez Kensington, Annie Nybo Simon and Schuster, Erica Finkel Abrams Books, Monica Jean Random House, Catherine Laudone Simon and Schuster, Stacey Friedberg Penguin Group, Paula Sadlet Random House, Laura Whitaker Bloomsbury, Anna Roberts Feiwel and Friends. 

These judges will whittle the top 20 down to five, and each of the five winners will be provided commentary on their submissions. PREVIOUS WINNERS: Previous winners are being published by major houses and many have received representation.

So if your interested in becoming an author go for it and ENTER NOW! http://tinyurl.com/YAContest13

Guitar Girl

 Title: Guitar Girl
Author: Sarra Manning
Published: April 21,2005
 
Seventeen-year-old Molly Montgomery never planned on becoming famous. Molly's band, The Hormones, was just supposed to be about mucking around with her best mates, Jane and Tara, and having fun. But when the deliciously dangerous Dean and his friend T join the band, things start happening fast.

 Soon The Hormones are front-page news, and their debut album is rocketing up the charts. Molly is the force behind the band, but the hazards of fame, first love, screaming fans, and sleazy managers are forcing the newly crowned teen queen of grrl angst close to the edge. Fame never comes for free, and Molly's about to find out what it costs.

***********************

Guitar Girl is the story of Molly, a girl who is inspired by rock queen Ruby X. Molly's intrigued by the idea of girl power and what it means for a rock band, so she grabs her two best friends and starts a band.It happened not because of the desire to become famous or for loads of cash.Molly started the band to just have some fun and become interesting.For this fact alone I love Molly's story

Then comes Dean and T they want the fortune and fame and help shape The Hormones become a legit rocking band.That's when the problems an angst starts.

The story is told in flash back and thought the story readers pick up clues that Molly and the rest of the bad just keep missing.Yes, our heroine is in over her head almost from the get-go.It's kinda why I kept reading,even though I wanted to put the book down I had to keep reading.I was rooting for Molly I wanted her to come out of everything okay and a bit wiser.She did but being famous came with a price.No one is famous for free and Guitar Girl is a story that makes that loud and clear. It's really the ending and the encounter with Ruby X that was sad but beautiful that makes this book touching.

I'm a sucker for books about bands and thoroughly enjoyed Guitar Girl.This book has a lot of drama, love and friendship.4/5

I heard a song but Taylor Swift called The Lucky Ones that reminded me about Ruby X and Molly.I feel like if things had been different for both of them then Molly could have sang Taylor's song to Ruby.

This Song Will Save Your Life

 Title: This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Publised: Sept 17,201


Elise Dembowski is not afraid of a little hard work. In fact, she embraces it. All her life, she’s taken on big, all-encompassing projects. When she was eight years old, she built her own dollhouse. When she was thirteen, she taught herself stop-motion animation. And when she’s fifteen, she embarks on the biggest, and most important, project of them all: becoming cool. Except she fails. Miserably. And everything falls to pieces.

Now, if possible, Elise’s social life is even worse than it was before. Until she stumbles into an underground dance club, and opens the door to a world she never knew existed. An inside-out world where, seemingly overnight, a previously uncool high school sophomore can become the hottest new DJ sensation. Elise finally has what she always wanted: acceptance, friendship, maybe even love. Until the real world threatens to steal it all away.

*************************************

I just finished This Song Will Save Your Life … Just finished. Normally I wait a bit, let the book feels and message soak in and then write a review, but I wanted to get these down now. I'm not going to lie Elise bothered me throughout the whole book.I'm not saying that I don't empathize with her I do.Being bullied is rough I know and I get that feeling like a outsider just wanting to belong feels like drowning but I just couldn't connect with the book.

Elise is a hard working quirky girl that just doesn't get people all she wants is to have friends,After a disastrous attempt at becoming popular and dealing with self harm in the beginning Elise is just living the life shes always known.Then on a late night walk she stumbles on to Start an underground dance club. Then she truly begins to come into her own.  This Song Will Save Your Life seems so real there's no love triangle or instalove, just young naive kinda awkward barley even love love. Elise could be a real teen somewhere trying to find her place living life.Sales's charecter are so well written that you want to just get to know them:Char,Pippa,Vicky,and the rest they all have there own story to tell and our a big part of  Elise's story.So while I didn't get lost in the book I can't deny that it was a pretty good book.

This Song Will Save Your Life is the type of book that I wanted to love I really did but it left me feeling Meh..

I've read so many reviews about it so maybe it's just me missing something because it seems like a good number of people are head over heel in love with This Song Will Save Your Life.I did enjoy it though just not all that much.Don't let my thoughts cloud yours judgement though Go grab a copy of This Song Will Save Your Life and form your own thoughts on the book. 3/5

Waiting on Wednesday(33)

            Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

 Title: Lady Theif
Author: A.C. Gaughen 
Realease Date:Feb 11,2014
Publisher:  Walker Childrens

Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of.

Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again 

 I can't wait I mean whats not to love about Robin Hood and a kick ass women Scarlet

  So that's what I'm waiting.So how about you? Leave a link and let me know. :)

Melina Marchetta

Melina Marchetta

Author Interview- J.D. Thompson

 J.D. Thompson is a photographer by day and closet writer by night. She views writing in much of the same manner in which she views art: it’s all about creation. J.D. has a love for words in general and is fascinated by the way a few simple sentences combined with one’s imagination can build a whole new universe on a single sheet of paper.

 In 2003 she attended the University of Moncton, where she majored in Visual Arts Studies and minored in English Literature. She is currently living a quaint rural town in the chilly northern peak of New-Brunswick, with her husband and young children. 


 The lovely author of the Blood lines series answered a few questions and to learn more about her and her books check out her website HERE



Where do you turn for instruction and inspiration?
I really haven’t had anyone to turn to for instruction seeing as I don’t have any inner connections to the publishing world however many women writers inspire me. Intelligent, kick-ass female novelists with a good voice and strong leading characters are my favorites. I just finished Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments and I loved the series.

There's a lot controversy about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, though self-publishing is becoming more widely accepted. Why did you choose to self-publish Silver and Stone?
I won’t lie, self-publishing isn’t exactly how I had planned on releasing my novel. Like most writers, I forwarded query upon query of my manuscript to agents hoping someone would take me under their literary wing. I had never written anything longer than an essay and the publishing world was much unknown to me. Although many agents showed interest, in the end I was left with a large pile of nos. So after nearly a year of shopping Silver and Stone around I lost patience and went at it alone. Self-publishing requires an enormous amount of work however it can also be extremely gratifying and you have the advantage of having full control over your work.  

How did you choose the genre you write in?
YA is the genre I enjoy the most reading, so I think it’s only natural that I write it as well. I’m basically an adult that refuses to grow up book-wise.

 If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be? Why?
Tough one. I'm tempted to say mermaid but I’m not the best swimmer and the ocean is too cold. I guess I would go with vampire (cliche, I know) because they are immortal, beautiful and in some recent cases, they sparkle.

 Would you rather be a villain or hero?
Villain, hands down. Villains always get a bad wrap but let's face it; it looks so much more fun to be bad.

Which way are you going with Bloodlines Novels? What can we expect from you after the series?

The last installment, Feathers and Lace, will conclude the trilogy. I am planning a spin off novel however the project is still very much in the developmental stages so we will see what comes of it!

Five Minute Friday(1)-Write

 Five Minute Friday. 

Hey there fellow people!

Here's the deal. Five Minute Friday. You go find the little prompt at the wonderful Lisa-Jo's blog, set the time and write for five minutes, and then just stop. Where you are, no edits, just publish raw words. 

START

 WRITE..

So five minutes to write.To write whatever comes to mind to just let go and type away...Is five minutes enough,
Enough time to just let go to just be free.The fact that people just time these beutiful, awkward,silly or moving posts is so sureal to me.

The fact that i decided to join in on this madness is insane but awesome.I start to type than stop so many thoughts I could share anytime but this feels differeent.I see mistakes and I might just leave them I wonder if others truly just write and leave there mistakes.

The red line daring me to change it.My five minutes coming to a close I had so much to say but it happens.Am I being silly.I wonder if I'll will do the FMF thing again.
Maybe.

STOP 

Leave your comments and thoughts I'll return the favor :)

Silver and Stone

Title: Silver and Stone: The Bloodlines Series
Author: J.D. Thompson
Publisher: Self
Publication Date: 2011
Source:Author (ebook)

 Welcome to high school high society hell, where last season’s slingbacks can warrant a lunch table demotion, the wrong date will knock you off the it-list and behind every pair of oversized Chanel sunglasses lies a secret people are dying to keep.

As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum.

A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life.

But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye.

The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured

******************************

So even after reading the synopsis I had my doubts about the book.I really had no clue id I'd like it. The main chareter Alexis is definitely in need of a break,in the beginning going from top of the class miss popular to a social pariah.She's a acussed killer,her sister has turned against her, and her father has abandoned her; choosing to practically live at the office avioding his family.To top it off she thinks she's going crazy..All in all her shallow but caring friends are there for her.Then insert a new  attractive-cliche- and mysterious new student Lucas. Alexis’s and Lucas’s relationship, I admit, started off  with a little too much insta-love quality but it's well done and seriously makes sense in retrospect when you're finished with the book.The cover is pretty gorgeous and eye catching and I think fits with the tone of the book.

I read a bit of every thing but for the most part I definitely enjoy a well written paranormal romance.Silver and Stone sucked me in right fro the get go but at the end of the story I had no idea what I just read.Now this isn't a bad thing it's just that the author leaves the paranormal aspect of the story lurking subtlety in the shadows and at the end I had to go back and see what I missed not that I knew what was coming.An awesome start to a new supernatural series by author JD Thompson. 3/5

The sequel Blood and Champaine just came out Oct 1,2013

 

Waiting on Wednesday (32)

  
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Better Off Friends

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Realease Date:Feb 25,2014
Publisher:  Point

 

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

Top Ten Book Turn-Offs(18)

Check out how Top Ten Tuesday works & the future schedule of topics HERE.The Top Ten Tuesday, is hosted by the ever-fabulous The Broke and the Bookish   This  meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

 Top Ten Book Turn-Offs

You know..you are reading and then SOMETHING happens to completely turn you off -- cheating, absent parents, multiple POVS etc.) 

1)  Smut-I'll read some new adult but if it's overly done then I'm out.

2) Overly religious undertones-Now i'm not against religion or anything but if a book feels heavly relious then I just cant get into it.Some books with slight religious undertone I really enjoy but if I start to feel like reliogn is being over done I just stop reading.

3)The time old love triangle -I feel like if you've seen one you've seen them all.If done right the love triangle can be salvage and enjoyed though.

4) Main charecters that are weak-.If a main character is weak and just talks  down one his/herself 24/7 then in some cases i'll just put the book down and maybe come back later.

5) Mass amounts of POVS- This is a hit or miss sometimes it makes reading a certain story more captivating other time I have a head ache trying to keep up.

6) A cliche plot-If I feel like a story is sometime that i've read a thousand times before.
7) Teacher and Student sexual relations Ugh the mention of a student hooking up with a student makes me cringe.
8) Possessive or clingy girls It's not attractive when a guy demands control in the book world or real life.Reading about an overly controlling guy just makes me mad.Or reading about a clingy possessive girl.

So that's my list I could only think of eight maybe if I can come more I'll update the list.

Book Response One : Five Flavors of Dumb

Title:Five Flavors of Dumb
Author:Antony John

The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.

The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.

The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?

Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb.

**********************

So the first book I had to do a book response for was  Five Flavors of Dumb. Out of the options my professor gave I chose to write Journal entries from on of the main characters.I chose to write journal entries from Finn's perspective. BTW I received a 85% not my best but it's alright. Also Btw Possible spoilers

Hope you all enjoy.

 

Book Response Five Flavors of Dumb

Diary/Journal entry’s from Finn

Hey Journal,

I don't know why I decided to started you. Maybe it's cause I'm just starting high school but here goes nothing. It's already been a month and I’ve met some pretty awesome people. During lunch at school me and some friends get together to play poker. Some times we play for cash other times we just hang out. If we get caught we'll probably get in trouble hopefully that doesn't happen though....

Dear Journal,

Piper saved me once again today at school. Me. Belson couldn't believe that I'm her brother,which would be insulting if I didn't think the same thing. Piper was pretty upset with me it's normal I should be used to it but she's my sister. I do care I even learned sign for her,not that she thanks me for it or appreciates it. Piper wasn't made for very long though the USS Immovable's engine was being sketchy and turned over and over with out starting. We both just laughed and laughed till we calmed down. It was a little predictable but there's nothing wrong with that.

Hey Journal,

So today instead of going straight to the USS Immovable to meet Piper I was Talking to the members of Dumb. I probably should have went straight to the car. I have no clue why but Piper snapped. I honestly didn't see her till she stood up to the group outside the principals office. She started signing in an over exaggerated way,then practically insulted Dumb after words she just walked away leaving me to deal with the aftermath. I quickly followed her eager to get away. I love my sister but I think she just did it just to embarrass me..I'm not embarrassed of her being deaf it's just hard some times. She some how became Dumb manager,I don’t know why Josh asked her or why she agreed but it should be interesting to see what happens.

Hey journal,

Piper is still the manager for Dumb which is pretty awesome but I feel like shes doing it for the wrong reasons. Dad wasn't to happy when he found out and I think mom worried but was indifferent. Mom even wrote out a contract since Piper asked. Dumb has already went to their first recording session based on what Piper said it didn't go well,even with the new drummer Ed.Ed is Pipers friend he seems alright. I'm still going to poker games at school thanks to dad teaching me an Piper when we where kids I'm pretty good. Maybe with the money I'm saving I can buy something awesome. I'm not sure what I want though.

Hey Journal,

Piper was pretty upset on the way to school today. She's usually alright or indifferent to me but lately she's kinda mean. She's way to preoccupied wit them getting money. They need to play better and work on some new stuff .Piper being deaf won't make her a bad manger not caring about the music will. How can she if she can't hear though,I want to help but I don't know how. Piper told me that were staying after school till five,I can tell the guys and we can play poker. I know what I know what I'm going to buy with my winnings a new guitar!!!

Hey Journal,

Today was a mess a complete mess. Piper can sign,read lips and she has hear hearing aid but I always become her translator. She just doesn't understand why I hate it when I have to translate. Today I just couldn't do it,especially when she wanted me to threaten suing Kallie. I just walked away. After Kallie and Piper went into the bathroom I tried to listen in on their conversation till Mr.Belson caught me. Me and Piper got into it and I don't know what happened. I'm so sick of her being mean sometimes so when she threw her keys at me I just left. Next thing I know the car was rolling back hitting the wall. Piper came quickly shoving me in the car as I tried to get out. Piper doesn't get that people assume I agree with her when I sign,she doesn't understand that she makes me feel awful when she treat me like a slave and threaten me when I refuse to sign. She acts like I'm embarrassed of her and signing I’m not but for just once I want my own identity not Pipers little brother who just need better work ethic or the deaf girl brother. I just people to see me as me.

Hey Journal,

Last night Piper took the blame for crashing the car and Grace said her first word. Guess which one my parents were happier about?That right Grace's first word till Piper confessed right after. Dad left the table in a mood and mom shortly after. I was between both sister and grabbed Grace then went over and hugged Piper. She bawled like a baby just like Grace.

I decided that I'm going to help Piper with being the band manager of Dumb. She just wont know it's me helping.

Hey Journal,

Today I had to skip out on the after school poker game to help teach Kallie guitar.I also helped Tash too. Piper made me sit between them so I could hear were both of them are at.I also think she put me there so they wouldn't murder each other. Sitting in the middle of two hot girls was more than okay. Missing the poker games suddenly wasn't that big a deal as the practice went on. Tash kept getting on Kallie's case but I subtle let her know that she could use extra help too, everyone needs improvement.

Hey Journal,

So Piper and Kallie actually went to Kurt Corbain house yesterday. I can't believe Piper went maybe theres hope for her as a band manager. When she got back to the house mom was mad she missed dinner.I think Piper thinks I like Kallie but I just think shes nice even if she is really attractive. Tash is pretty too though.

Hey Journal,

Today is Saturday and me,Piper,and dad went to the mechanic to fix the bumper,it's going to cost $400 to fix it. I'm not sure yet but I think i'm going to pay at least half of it with my poker winnings. After all I am the one who crashed it not Piper.

Journal,

On Monday during lunch me Tash,and Kallie met to practice their guitar playing. I've been playing guitar since I was 8 but at 13 me and my teacher had different views on guitar playing. Plus I don't think my parents could afford to pay for classes. I moved from classical guitar playing to rock. It was a bit surreal to have to 18 year old girls hanging onto my every word and playing guitar together.

Hey Journal,

It's been awhile it's now Friday and rehearsal went pretty well. Josh and his ego was late but other than that everything went smoothly. There's way to much unrequited love going on in the band. Josh wont stop hitting on Kallie which I get why shes hot but Kallie is not interested. Tash keeps staring at Will which I don't get she is a bit edgy but nice. Shes just as pretty as Kallie and fun to talk too.I sent Piper a message to visit Jimi Hendrix she wasn't going to go but everyone convinced her to go. Everyone from the band went except Josh and Will. After checking out the house Piper dropped of Ed and Kallie, Tash cam to our house. It was a blast shes great. Me and Piper got to connect with dad over Jimi just having a good time till mom came home. It was not a pretty sight mom freaked on the way Tash looked and the fact that we had the music blaring. Piper let go and told our parents how she really felt and later after mom and dad left. I just held her as she cried.

Journal,

Things have been rough with Dumb Piper gets that its about more than money but things have not been running smoothly for her. Starting with the live performance and interview on TV. I was at school but I looked it up online after school and it was crazy. Piper hasn't come home yet I hope she's okay as well as Tash and Kallie. The crap Josh was saying on TV was a dick move. When Piper came home Mom freaked. I was in the basement playing my guitar and writing in my journal. I'm glad I started this journal. I haven't been consistent but it's helped me.

YA Literature Novel List

 Fall 2013 ENG433 YA Literature Novel List-Dr. White

So in my ENG433 class we dicuss YA literature and how to teach it in a classroom setting.If you want to get technical the legit description of the class goes as follows: 

Survey of literature for secondary students grades 7-12. Emphasis on critical analysis, evaluation, and use of books in various genres.

This course is an introduction to the multiple genres of contemporary young adult literature. You will read a range of YA texts written by award-winning authors, which we will discuss from the perspectives of genre, theme, representations of adolescence and adulthood, and approaches to interpretation. English Education majors will consider pedagogical approaches while others will consider the texts from a literary or sociocultural perspective.

Throughout the semester the class has to do 12 book responses 6 books are chosen for us and 6 we get to chose from the lists in Book Crush and Literature for Today's Young Adults. Each response can be done in a variety of ways.I've decided to post up a review of each book or possibly just  my response to it that I turned in for a grade. 

Five Flavor of Dumb Anthony John
Ash Malinda Lo
Monster Walter Dean Myers 
I am the Messenger Markus Zusak

 Fever 1793 Laurie Halse Anderson

 American Born Chinese Gene Luen Yan

I have yet to pick the other 6 books that I''m going to do a responses on but when I do I will make a new post or possibly just add on the this post I haven't decided yet.  Comment if you read any of the above books and you thoughts so far I have read 3.

 

Waiting on Wednesday(31)

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Fiery Heart

Author: Richelle mead
Realesae Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe

 That cover,that synopsis,that book! November is just to far away*sigh*

So that's what I'm waiting on,How about all you lovely people? 

Top Ten Books On My Fall 2013 TBR List (17)

Check out how Top Ten Tuesday works & the future schedule of topics HERE.The Top Ten Tuesday, is hosted by the ever-fabulous The Broke and the Bookish   This  meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books On My Fall 2013 TBR List 

 (you could do top ten fall releases you plan on reading or just your planned reading list)

1)Taste of Darkness Marie V Snyder December 31st 2013  Third book in the series series I adore Snyder's books this one might end up as a Christmas gift to my self.

2)Thornhill  Kathleen Peacok September 10th 2013 So I'm not a huge fan of the first book but the second book sounds like it has potential.

3)Feuding in Flames Wedy Knight September 3rd 2013  I picked the first book on a whim and it was awesomly odd and different from what I usaully like.

4)Notable Marnie Bates  October 29th 2013 I just eat up anything by Marnie Bates.Check out a few of my reveiws for two of her books.

5) Beat of the Heart Katie Ashley October 17th 2013 Not really YA but i would recommend more like New adult? I think..

6) The Iron Traitor Julie Kawaga October 29th 2013  I can not wait for this book!! *High Pitch Squeal* I love all things related to the Iron fey.

7)The Fiery Heart Richelle Mead November 19th 2013 Ugh so close but so far.

8) Altered Gennifer Albin October 29th 2013 First book was intense I hope the sequel is just out as well.

9)Allegiant Veronica Roth October 22nd 2013 The second book ended with a huge cliff hanger Can't wait to read about what comes next for Tris.

The Summer I Became a Nerd

 Title: The Summer I became a Nerd
Author:  Leah Rae Mill
On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever

***********

When I fist heard about this book all I thought was OMG! A cheerleader who is a nerd? WTF!?! I’ve got to read this book!So while I did enjoy this book it wasn't what I expected.Yes the moral of the story is a good one.It's all about Being true to yourself, doing what makes you happy and to hell with people and their opinions. It's just that the main character bothered me from time to time.

 I really liked how the prologue gave us a little background on Maddie's history and how she came to be who she is.I admit she’s not easy to like at first but seeing her as she developed, learn her lessons and be the better girl that she is at the end makes me feel proud of her.The characters were honest and real and the development didn't feel forced or fake My favorite was by far Logan's best friend and Logan's mom.If you enjoy nerdy high-jinxes,larping and a pretty sweet story  check out The Summer I Became a Nerd.2/5

Armchair BEA! Day 4: Non-fiction

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun.
Today the topic for discussion is g non-fiction books.This includes things like autobiographies/biographies,books on history to travel books and other thing that I'm probably missing.So i'm not really big a huge fan of non-fictionbut on ocassion I do enjoy reading a good non-fic book.So I'm going to share the two of last  non-fiction books I've read and two that I want to read..Enjoy! :)

 

The Girl`Who Loved the Sswastika Maria Anne

You can read about Maria Anne Hirschmann's amazing life in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, her blind devotion to Hitler and the atheistic Nazi system. Her story will take you through the horror of World War II, her escape from the Communists, her chance at romance, and the reawakening of her love for Jesus Christ. See the United States with Maria's eyes when she immigrates to this country with her small family. Through it all, you will see the hand of God. This commemorative edition includes a new chapter updating Hansi's life as well as photos not included in the first editions. Go with her to Belarus as she finds a new calling from God.



I picked this book up and borrowed it from a friend on a whim and as soon as i started reading it I couldn't put it down.I have always found Nazi history interesting.I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

GI Jews Deborah dash Moore

Whether they came from Sioux Falls or the Bronx, over half a million Jews entered the U.S. armed forces during the Second World War. Uprooted from their working- and middle-class neighborhoods, they joined every branch of the military and saw action on all fronts. Deborah Dash Moore offers an unprecedented view of the struggles these GI Jews faced, having to battle not only the enemy but also the prejudices of their fellow soldiers.
Through memoirs, oral histories, and letters, Moore charts the lives of fifteen young Jewish men as they faced military service and tried to make sense of its demands. From confronting pork chops to enduring front-line combat, from the temporary solace of Jewish worship to harrowing encounters with death camp survivors, we come to understand how these soldiers wrestled with what it meant to be an American and a Jew.
This books was assigned for class and I didn't think I'd like it but I really enjoyed it and leaning about what Jewish soldiers went though at that time.

On The Road Jack Kerouac
On the Road chronicles Jack Kerouac's years traveling the North American continent with his friend Neal Cassady, "a sideburned hero of the snowy West." As "Sal Paradise" and "Dean Moriarty," the two roam the country in a quest for self-knowledge and experience. Kerouac's love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz combine to make On the Road an inspirational work of lasting importance.

So I have yet to read this book it's just hanging out on my book shelf and honestly I'm not really sure sure if this is non-fiction.Is it?Or not?

An eloquent memoir of a young man's life transformed by literature.

In A Jane Austen Education, Austen scholar William Deresiewicz turns to the author's novels to reveal the remarkable life lessons hidden within. With humor and candor, Deresiewicz employs his own experiences to demonstrate the enduring power of Austen's teachings. Progressing from his days as an immature student to a happily married man, Deresiewicz's A Jane Austen Education is the story of one man's discovery of the world outside himself.

If you have checked out my Classics post you know I have yet to read any thing by Austen so I think after I've read a few of her books this would be a great book to read.

Waiting on Wednesday(30)

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title:Invisble

Author: Marni Bates
Realease Date:August 1,2013
Publisher: K-Teen

Jane Smith has survived three years of high school without making a single enemy, all by keeping a low profile. Not even her three best friends, Kenzie, Corey and Isobel, can say the same. But with Corey dating the lead singer from ReadySet and Kenzie in a relationship too, being invisible tends to be lonely. 

But now she's written an article for her school newspaper that has accidentally snagged the attention of some celebrities. Turns out, people get really upset when their innermost secrets are splashed all over the front page. And new her well-ordered life is being blasted to hell, with results that are wildly unexpected

I adored Awkward and can't wait to get my hand on this book.

So that's what I'm waiting.How about you?  Leave a link and let me know. :) 

Armchair BEA Day 1 :Classics!

Armchair BEA is for those people who cannot visit Book Expo America but still want to join in the fun. I really wish I was in NYC with my fellow bloggers who are attending BEA (Book Expo America), but sadly I can't. It all good though I’m more than happy to be a part of Armchair BEA! Over the next few days I will be joining in with this event and their daily blog post topic suggestions.

 So as an English major you'd think that I've read a lot of classics and as a self proclaimed book nerd you'd come to the assumption that I've thoroughly enjoyed the classics I've read..Right? Well in a way you'd be slightly wrong.I've read the classics assigned for class and a few picked on my own but honestly it's not my thing.*Gasp* I know some may say blasphemy but it's true.Now I'm not trash talking the classics because I do enjoy the old school books on occasion  it's a once in a blue moon type of thing.

There are so many classic books that I think I would enjoy I just have yet to sit down and read them.I've seen so many Jane Austen adaptions but I have yet to read any thing by her.Tragic I know..Just like how I've seen many Jane Austan adaptions I've seen many adaptions about the character Sherlock and feel like the books/short stories would be an excellent read.

What are your favorite classics?
If  I had to pick a favorite it would be The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Is this even considered a classic? Also I'd say almost all things Shakespeare Hamlet is my favorite from him.
If you could give a list of classics to someone who claims to hate them to make them change their mind, what would be on it?
 If I could give a list of classics to some one who claims to hate them I'd include any thing by Shakespeare.The Great Gatsby,The Scarlet Letter.Les Miserables,The Alchemist,Tom Sawyer,
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.I could come up with a few more but  these are the ones i really liked.

How would you convince them to give classics a try?
I'd ask them why the didn't like it and after we discussed it I'd tell them the story of when i read Les Miserables for the first time.I read it in the 7th grade and since it was required reading I skimmed alot and half read the book pretty much just enough to pass.At that point I wasn't big on reading so called old school books.Fast forward to me in high school when I had to read it again and guess what I loved that book.After I gave it a fair shot I realized what a great book it was.

So basically the advice I'd give is just to keep your options open.Just because you read a classic in school and disliked it that doesnt mean you should give it another go.Yeah not all stories turn out like mine sometimes you'll read a book and just not like it.If you don't like one classic don't let it turn you away from all the othe options out there.