tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43711866935369275102024-03-19T07:36:21.571-05:00FictionistaA blog about BOOKS. Recommendations, reviews, ramblings, and random book fun! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-49046400411095488252014-08-23T22:26:00.002-05:002014-08-23T22:26:39.210-05:00If I Stay Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7f4HYULFd88?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>If I Stay: The Movie</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
After a long summer of waiting I finally got to see one of my absolute favorite books come to life on the big screen! I read If I Stay for the first time a couple years ago and it's stuck with me since. It's such a heartbreaking and beautiful story. After the great emotional adaptation that was The Fault In Our Stars, I went into this one with pretty high hopes.<br />
<br />
All the casting and the trailers were really well done. I didn't have any problems with anyone. Heck, I even teared up watching the trailer. What can I say? I'm a sap.<br />
<br />
So, it was........INCREDIBLE!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuxOZjy3Pf1_wXVrIqY4RNeEase5DSlVbRsDXF2hrEHd0lOzRZigMLXZrWu2XMmlcp3j0N9dDtYwAsS-POGjDjrd_08Nizz97SHOf1QgVbu2VbGJTkpGVE4jNIhDHesac3wSj_TO5sgM/s1600/clapping+hogwarts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuxOZjy3Pf1_wXVrIqY4RNeEase5DSlVbRsDXF2hrEHd0lOzRZigMLXZrWu2XMmlcp3j0N9dDtYwAsS-POGjDjrd_08Nizz97SHOf1QgVbu2VbGJTkpGVE4jNIhDHesac3wSj_TO5sgM/s1600/clapping+hogwarts.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We've got the main character, Mia Hall, a shy dedicated cello player. She has her parents, her younger brother Teddy, and her best friend Kim.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82LAfwn352DNCi14xKcwMq4SDJMbt8k7OXxoxRcmV-QvCoAUhmX9M_6dtOQtU66dGOLP1crULB9q10Lls9OoDTDlHIjfD6x0oEcXG4XrKzb6-ulGoTkBYIV045EeiCdOoHT3oB7wBCM0/s1600/mia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82LAfwn352DNCi14xKcwMq4SDJMbt8k7OXxoxRcmV-QvCoAUhmX9M_6dtOQtU66dGOLP1crULB9q10Lls9OoDTDlHIjfD6x0oEcXG4XrKzb6-ulGoTkBYIV045EeiCdOoHT3oB7wBCM0/s1600/mia.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then enter Adam.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5cFdAYHIYNoqDYbqL7cayfMHLRDKjzreTZOJcbKEti_hanKUwd06917BpTWu9Uy-q71Cfug6L6-SO5fEA5I_UIyCQpT282yBnwA9O5NRe48hQsFfTV9iLt0Oonzx8BvACYTcnKSztbs/s1600/adam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5cFdAYHIYNoqDYbqL7cayfMHLRDKjzreTZOJcbKEti_hanKUwd06917BpTWu9Uy-q71Cfug6L6-SO5fEA5I_UIyCQpT282yBnwA9O5NRe48hQsFfTV9iLt0Oonzx8BvACYTcnKSztbs/s1600/adam.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lead singer/guitarist of the band Willamette Stone (which was Shooting Star in the book but whatev) and wonderfully charming. The two hit it off due to their mutual love of music and start one epic romance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And they have some hiccups of course. You put a punk rock dude and a introverted girl together and they don't mesh perfectly at first. But it makes it so much more real.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskM4xkDFBPfAEbMlmQiIkSeiMavr5fKBE4EXU1X7_dET8U5zqMbN4zkJhiLXwhSoxVtzaqTHceu4RW6USqd9P9KkRtBH7cPtjYYBgx3MOw3KTdxBk_-Ul2x3xtR12A7oh3UJRTED4_v0/s1600/adam+and+mia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskM4xkDFBPfAEbMlmQiIkSeiMavr5fKBE4EXU1X7_dET8U5zqMbN4zkJhiLXwhSoxVtzaqTHceu4RW6USqd9P9KkRtBH7cPtjYYBgx3MOw3KTdxBk_-Ul2x3xtR12A7oh3UJRTED4_v0/s1600/adam+and+mia.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Things get really rocky once Adam's band really starts getting some recognition and Mia applies to Juilliard. Neither wants to hold the other back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then on a snow day in Portland, Mia and her family decide to go out for the day. They all hop in the car and argue over music and everything is normal. Until...it's not. It's never normal again. The ice on the road causes another car to swerve into them and BAM emotional whiplash.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKkPSzyW2bhNTgboyKFq-vKcRAY_viHzpR_7nUsFr7XuTP6tX30IhDujPOKBqirSyx-FNy6nEzAyYISmNIkDA101vHLkGdcUAarERXLA_63ONS56LgpnOVIXd_PqJnodBn5CB90ianAo/s1600/mia+teist.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKkPSzyW2bhNTgboyKFq-vKcRAY_viHzpR_7nUsFr7XuTP6tX30IhDujPOKBqirSyx-FNy6nEzAyYISmNIkDA101vHLkGdcUAarERXLA_63ONS56LgpnOVIXd_PqJnodBn5CB90ianAo/s1600/mia+teist.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Be aware that this is what you're signing up for. Don't go in blind. This movie is saaaaaad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the crash Mia wakes up to find she's standing next to her body. She calls for her family and searches. But the ambulance starts to take her real body away so she follows it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While in the hospital Mia asks everyone for answers but no one notices her. While in surgery a nurse whispers her the truth, whether she lives of dies, it's up to her. You think it's an easy choice. Who wouldn't want to live?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But not everybody makes it out of the crash.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With all the loss she'd be waking up to, it's not so easy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJaEj_q4rbOSqbpPRGMiDgt06lGACqwGfap8ibaxcYQikgV0_hFr4H89wPhtWcy66ng632eEfddeWtd1WxwJTnTF3o34ygL8-ZrMVplfyG486OiSs13QBpGvrHhjET9z-sUOXcSTUDiA/s1600/choice.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJaEj_q4rbOSqbpPRGMiDgt06lGACqwGfap8ibaxcYQikgV0_hFr4H89wPhtWcy66ng632eEfddeWtd1WxwJTnTF3o34ygL8-ZrMVplfyG486OiSs13QBpGvrHhjET9z-sUOXcSTUDiA/s1600/choice.gif" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The movie goes back and forth between flashbacks and the hospital. It gives you a chance to really see what the relationships and friendships were like and worked smoothly. I was a bit worried about how they were going to pull this off, but they did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While debating Mia gets a few key visitors that nudge her in different directions. Her grandpa's speech made me sob out loud in the theater.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53p0pmZIJoqiL5uMMpZb1N2FcTJ40oq_OLTr7bC1JW-XI7bG1nCLrrqqWm4nJ7OyRWBt7RnsI838fT0FN5ZIYKUdkrzZzhgEyU6MkOt0by7SQsuWDLxv_p_4W3R5Qv32K1RKmSsXwQgw/s1600/grandpa.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53p0pmZIJoqiL5uMMpZb1N2FcTJ40oq_OLTr7bC1JW-XI7bG1nCLrrqqWm4nJ7OyRWBt7RnsI838fT0FN5ZIYKUdkrzZzhgEyU6MkOt0by7SQsuWDLxv_p_4W3R5Qv32K1RKmSsXwQgw/s1600/grandpa.gif" height="151" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By a certain point I just cried the rest of the movie because even the happy parts hurt and non-crash related fights hurt and everything hurt okay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5haYy5ULoUIhMuAu_3UYABWTSU2d-tSlN1Z6J_TSvjSQWZao692dPyJmPSXUYlEcebNrY2o5yv7YTXjta2Gt7c6SAdTaIRIwvYyECGJH00a9hMBf7wXTNJuzy0fW8cWv1g_9DrIhPzQ/s1600/hurts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5haYy5ULoUIhMuAu_3UYABWTSU2d-tSlN1Z6J_TSvjSQWZao692dPyJmPSXUYlEcebNrY2o5yv7YTXjta2Gt7c6SAdTaIRIwvYyECGJH00a9hMBf7wXTNJuzy0fW8cWv1g_9DrIhPzQ/s1600/hurts.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Should have brought some tissues man.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we finally get down to the hour of truth where Adam makes the final plea for Mia to stay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq45eQiKQDPjOu82h7ERmpQjlCbhh8o1v4HAO-Kg7xJos92QbmZy-vEA45W88JYxpKAsoDBDK1BnOwuRKzrvnZLEB5SiSzM6Oe5wc1WIzs6GZ1bmgvd8tuB8yV94wurJ8sS85TOswWQcw/s1600/i'm%2Bstill%2Bhere.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq45eQiKQDPjOu82h7ERmpQjlCbhh8o1v4HAO-Kg7xJos92QbmZy-vEA45W88JYxpKAsoDBDK1BnOwuRKzrvnZLEB5SiSzM6Oe5wc1WIzs6GZ1bmgvd8tuB8yV94wurJ8sS85TOswWQcw/s1600/i'm%2Bstill%2Bhere.gif" height="178" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't want to give too much of this movie away because it's just so worthy of actually seeing. Who wants to go to a movie where they know exactly what happens??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So you want to know if she stays? Go see the movie. Bring a friend. Buy some popcorn. Or sneak in a tub of ice cream like I did. A few Kleenex should also be a must.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Overall: 5/5 Stars</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This movie did the book so much justice. All my favorite parts were perfect and it was just great. It really captured the feel of the book. The acting was brilliant and so was the pacing. It doesn't drag at all. At the beginning it felt a tiny bit cheesy and iffy but quickly grew out of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were some changes, but none that I wasn't okay with. Adam and Mia fought more and the grandpa was more involved (sobs over grandpa). I thought the changes actually made the movie better. As did the song at the end. Right in the feels.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>BONUS!!!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Excited about all the great music you heard in the movie? You should be. The movie band recorded all the music and it's actually the guy playing Adam singing (#swoon). It's a great movie soundtrack purchase that I am enjoying listening to on repeat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So if you're looking for a nice emotional movie or a good cry go buy a ticket. Of course I recommend reading the book first, but if you don't you <i>really</i> should go see it. It's a great movie on it's own.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fingers crossed for a Where She Went movie!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiEpIDG8_uE1uCELzb4rR_iEStnZo-Cl3yn_CMz8uCTKHtXwgahtG77ef3NW8JJa73KQAQs0Ne7h0oqzKMeHPImJtXSFtudzzCZ6GOdnZhXmovBb2rxGvuiGRrj4sSbsSwVy3UQdRDhc/s1600/fingers+crossed.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiEpIDG8_uE1uCELzb4rR_iEStnZo-Cl3yn_CMz8uCTKHtXwgahtG77ef3NW8JJa73KQAQs0Ne7h0oqzKMeHPImJtXSFtudzzCZ6GOdnZhXmovBb2rxGvuiGRrj4sSbsSwVy3UQdRDhc/s1600/fingers+crossed.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Quotes</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"But the you who you are tonight is the same you I was in love with yesterday, the same you I'll be in love with tomorrow."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Wanna bone? Come on, at least give me your bone number!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I'm not good about writing about things that make me happy."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Life is a big fat gigantic stinking mess."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*pretty much everything Adam says*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#liveforlove</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-81065390186469472222014-08-13T12:14:00.000-05:002014-08-13T12:14:26.171-05:00Top Ten Books I'd Give To Readers Who Have Never Read Contemporary YA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELcMj_U_ZH3KHjpMwBAAKWJZOCqTevsP_U0Adl-KZxSSEQiTZt2mSlF_Rv17g46Koauq4yY1wInhvKAYXb2YqWafhC1xtRhNArX7YiY8QFAQn7CYk2U-qQYItMSbQyAuabv3ubBoWUrg/s1600/TTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELcMj_U_ZH3KHjpMwBAAKWJZOCqTevsP_U0Adl-KZxSSEQiTZt2mSlF_Rv17g46Koauq4yY1wInhvKAYXb2YqWafhC1xtRhNArX7YiY8QFAQn7CYk2U-qQYItMSbQyAuabv3ubBoWUrg/s1600/TTT.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/" target="_blank">By the Book and the Bookish</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Top Ten Snoozeday. (Did you see what I did there? I'm hilarious.) Yes, late again...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As of now I've decided to do Top Ten Tuesday every <i>two </i>weeks. The decree has brought much joy to the queen. Once a week is pretty hard to do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Top Ten Books I'd Give to Readers Who Have Never Read Contemporary YA</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So you want to jump into the wonderful world of contemporary YA. Let me be your guide young Padawan. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What is a contemporary novel you ask? It is a work of fiction set in the real world with no elements of fantasy or unrealistic things. Contemporary YA? Real world books for young adults!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>10. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkUDh5pqSh3owTTlmLA9yVyth9eXOOy8eHcVcWkKCjOV3Go8X-aRvj6RZF7IAF1P58aJkIrpAJRGRHKk69FU-hcnk7HGxEaulWZQ7kazlCyfpdsvEYZxnNHoshDEHmW_xr1PCcLsNXdk/s1600/wwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkUDh5pqSh3owTTlmLA9yVyth9eXOOy8eHcVcWkKCjOV3Go8X-aRvj6RZF7IAF1P58aJkIrpAJRGRHKk69FU-hcnk7HGxEaulWZQ7kazlCyfpdsvEYZxnNHoshDEHmW_xr1PCcLsNXdk/s1600/wwl.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A recent YA book that is unique for its twists and mystery. It's on the list because A) it's actually a pretty fantastic book, B) it's not mushy like a lot of contemporaries C) I've never read another book quite like it. It's a good place to start.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>9. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOhlXHWnvwM7jtpNp8VTIhv7rg-ZulGm3sBLenWDfxXJ4RYeiNJCyu03xAV4W1RElB2HmNUSw5J9MroIH2yln4qYVsRaLyby5YZNUIdXekAwIG3-cwb5t4BzTWKokeb10poXv-a7weXU/s1600/the+last+song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOhlXHWnvwM7jtpNp8VTIhv7rg-ZulGm3sBLenWDfxXJ4RYeiNJCyu03xAV4W1RElB2HmNUSw5J9MroIH2yln4qYVsRaLyby5YZNUIdXekAwIG3-cwb5t4BzTWKokeb10poXv-a7weXU/s1600/the+last+song.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll be upfront with you right now. I don't like Nicholas Sparks books. I find them rather too similar to each other. Plus I don't connect well with books about adult romances at this point in my life. However The Last Song is the wonderful black sheep of the family. It's emotional and I loved it. Also has a pretty great movie with back in the day Miley.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>8. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbacOUllKt4nDaeE1AndqFlbtE_-GtDQsNNQTYJAmTKXfNKra7z_RZBro6xYX8pSlViOLGJw_Y9TO5V4TrGjzMFUJuQBD7eFaKBoShmRyQ4KWHJzH75n8jbbQ-ocBiwxPg9oGhsL9w-o/s1600/tfios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbacOUllKt4nDaeE1AndqFlbtE_-GtDQsNNQTYJAmTKXfNKra7z_RZBro6xYX8pSlViOLGJw_Y9TO5V4TrGjzMFUJuQBD7eFaKBoShmRyQ4KWHJzH75n8jbbQ-ocBiwxPg9oGhsL9w-o/s1600/tfios.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pretend for a second like you've never heard of The Fault in Our Stars.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay, you can stop now. It's just worth the hype.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuyVw9c0b0-cnZaPyQMtT16qF3l2ssrBlkU9SQnFflLgMojT1ekgJDMIngxtS0BRIYbAcVMyHuJabkcjvw0tO14TTdjZK3l8bxPWow5vWS5SKfE9GAbIOUURbq1s-Drmv__G3YAVOyDk/s1600/anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuyVw9c0b0-cnZaPyQMtT16qF3l2ssrBlkU9SQnFflLgMojT1ekgJDMIngxtS0BRIYbAcVMyHuJabkcjvw0tO14TTdjZK3l8bxPWow5vWS5SKfE9GAbIOUURbq1s-Drmv__G3YAVOyDk/s1600/anna.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best feel good teen romance out there in my opinion. Nobody is super angsty and it's in Paris for crying out loud.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>6. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW8qJuZsvBcvnO0vFDkmeot1dpq4Ezp250u13wtVmEyLPGt0d4BMac98BIDZ-n6bbUrpwz_TnMC6kcGryGJeDl2qQbPoPELVjkDPFJD2Wu2__-pVssJ_Jcuqw4-msPq50L6fc6s5W-Us/s1600/along+for.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW8qJuZsvBcvnO0vFDkmeot1dpq4Ezp250u13wtVmEyLPGt0d4BMac98BIDZ-n6bbUrpwz_TnMC6kcGryGJeDl2qQbPoPELVjkDPFJD2Wu2__-pVssJ_Jcuqw4-msPq50L6fc6s5W-Us/s1600/along+for.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sarah Dessen is without a doubt my favorite contemporary author. Nothing beats a good Sarah Dessen book. This one is one of the best ones. Auden is very serious and into her grades (hello self). Then she goes to her dad's for the summer and becomes a much cooler person, meets sweet friends, and falls in love. Super great.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>5. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDl7zpBv2CY7XTiXoSCMT24rGfuUPP3Wq4uz1sNqVgTgPIvwYLuIvoUt2vfwWc_vuGtoQahrCDzTHODNpIGFT_zHtHUCZ1SSeJGtF4lQgiB24QRN8onBxp7liL9OvhkGiAR383H6N0Rk/s1600/DUFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDl7zpBv2CY7XTiXoSCMT24rGfuUPP3Wq4uz1sNqVgTgPIvwYLuIvoUt2vfwWc_vuGtoQahrCDzTHODNpIGFT_zHtHUCZ1SSeJGtF4lQgiB24QRN8onBxp7liL9OvhkGiAR383H6N0Rk/s1600/DUFF.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. One of those books most girls can just really connect to. Bianca is a snappy girl who doesn't pretend to like you or hold back. It's horribly refreshing. Plus Wesley Rush.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>4. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHkLcShaODkNlFyuYmfwQGLjj04f5M9jdxRM_1Mr9QpEc-O-TyOMnmqcq4xZOCONx1KMHGQAPHLRZZX0EluZvy3NEZL3dXN0qB69c7d37uPxB3f1ZrdH89HOR8sfPdhU4kkKi35Ph64o/s1600/just+listen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHkLcShaODkNlFyuYmfwQGLjj04f5M9jdxRM_1Mr9QpEc-O-TyOMnmqcq4xZOCONx1KMHGQAPHLRZZX0EluZvy3NEZL3dXN0qB69c7d37uPxB3f1ZrdH89HOR8sfPdhU4kkKi35Ph64o/s1600/just+listen.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another from Ms. Dessen. This one deals with Annabel who after a fallout with a friend has been living a pretty passive life. Her sisters troubles are straining the whole family and she's basically alone. Enter Owen, a boy who never lies. This one is a bit darker and I loved it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisR6waAO2BGCZCDt3IinCDDOomFK_Gqs1Vee7wbnWv5gB0PxSQC7pIkxzX1Cuo_Sf6hxqUxR4SOM-tK5Ai5UBctfVgSIkqUBgYx2BLeLiajp6dj9rY6iQfWRe4-Ge5UDltG4qlgSc6EBU/s1600/fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisR6waAO2BGCZCDt3IinCDDOomFK_Gqs1Vee7wbnWv5gB0PxSQC7pIkxzX1Cuo_Sf6hxqUxR4SOM-tK5Ai5UBctfVgSIkqUBgYx2BLeLiajp6dj9rY6iQfWRe4-Ge5UDltG4qlgSc6EBU/s1600/fangirl.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cath is a socially awkward freshmen in college alone for the first time. I read this book last fall. When I was a socially awkward freshmen in college. It was kind of the best thing that ever happened to me at the time. It's adorable and heartwarming. Cath is the character I've related to the most in a book.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>2. If I Stay by Gayle Foreman</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SWAZig1j4EeF7Yat06Bq5iqDKV3riQI3ueTE4aiTBlCPVpsEqiUpLRV7_CR7HszwawtwYx4_afnMPbOOjjHOjPDr6NQYv7U0Y_ZS65lqJE6t88yUa9xj01iyQq7_8hXlcDEftRO5_ss/s1600/if+i+stay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SWAZig1j4EeF7Yat06Bq5iqDKV3riQI3ueTE4aiTBlCPVpsEqiUpLRV7_CR7HszwawtwYx4_afnMPbOOjjHOjPDr6NQYv7U0Y_ZS65lqJE6t88yUa9xj01iyQq7_8hXlcDEftRO5_ss/s1600/if+i+stay.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The book that wins the award for the hardest I've ever cried during a book. It just tears up your soul in a wonderful way. Plus there's gonna be a movie!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>1. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEkmyWsIlTHPBJadb2gG3QUTuXwEsWWqvuIofgGlH2aiH1Jewfy6PwsnVfXqB-yqpDNts-fHv0kwMMist9vdVe7O8d9_JyrHrg-lAly-Bin9_ZUOegwMOihfeYTOh39SxaeZfOyNIOhs/s1600/the+truth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEkmyWsIlTHPBJadb2gG3QUTuXwEsWWqvuIofgGlH2aiH1Jewfy6PwsnVfXqB-yqpDNts-fHv0kwMMist9vdVe7O8d9_JyrHrg-lAly-Bin9_ZUOegwMOihfeYTOh39SxaeZfOyNIOhs/s1600/the+truth.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></b></div>
<br />
The best YA contemporary book out there. Macy has been trying to be perfect ever since her dad died. Then one day she spontaneously takes a catering job and everything changes. She discovers that pretending isn't coping with her new friends.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-29376324651876822102014-08-03T11:41:00.002-05:002014-08-03T11:41:46.913-05:00Vacation Wrap-UpVacation all I ever wanted! Vacation have to get awaaaaay!<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to spend a weak in the Outer Banks in North Carolina with my family. So you know what that means....<br />
<br />
<b>I READ A LOT OF BOOKS!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Vacation totals: 9 days. 10 books. One smashing good time.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here we go now!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwnTAuM3iZoGcuaqD5x_01r77BylQXsNlkRchl-M3kE5sA6H8p6ccq5Ikxui_Qa7adCJreLkJ0O8e05zKThrMKVSy02hyb7nCOh4SwhoeK1idKJli3xCAA8hzFNxGpJZzpoBo9wcfLvo/s1600/jinky.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwnTAuM3iZoGcuaqD5x_01r77BylQXsNlkRchl-M3kE5sA6H8p6ccq5Ikxui_Qa7adCJreLkJ0O8e05zKThrMKVSy02hyb7nCOh4SwhoeK1idKJli3xCAA8hzFNxGpJZzpoBo9wcfLvo/s1600/jinky.gif" height="181" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7631105-the-scorch-trials?ac=1" target="_blank">The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner Series #2)</a> by James Dashner</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GOIcB3zzH81fkVI8qs4SDdD68r7reKei25AtCpf7_9Koy9lB6wl2uKXq1BDAanRsCYzOws9-fX1y6DnzK51JfTNDp-B9WutA0w9gwJfjjNcdWbTaJOdGLZ-Tm9aRPoHndl_YaxXJgRM/s1600/tst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GOIcB3zzH81fkVI8qs4SDdD68r7reKei25AtCpf7_9Koy9lB6wl2uKXq1BDAanRsCYzOws9-fX1y6DnzK51JfTNDp-B9WutA0w9gwJfjjNcdWbTaJOdGLZ-Tm9aRPoHndl_YaxXJgRM/s1600/tst.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>My personal favorite in the Maze Runner trilogy. Which is odd because I usually never like the second book that much. They suffer from second book syndrome. This beat the odds though. After the events of the first book Thomas and company are still suffering at the hands of WICKED. In order to escape they have to complete The Scorch Trials and reach the rescue point in two weeks. Cue action, horror, and betrayal. I liked Thomas a lot better in this one and the pacing just felt right.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Side Note: </b>New Maze Runner Trailer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwwbhhjQ9Xk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7864437-the-death-cure?ac=1" target="_blank">The Death Cure (The Maze Runner Series #3)</a> by James Dashner</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ4Pwy5bvBqPm4IKTQKDzqpS4lHXbX7g1OSFIa6OI2J1DfDI2nBj8jZWO4t1NSGvHvWpQjFnH9n7OS6vnJUNYyIL225te04UhXLk1U94tSByeWpZ4IhsWmXiWcsdb1MKmm3pn8Hvkvoc/s1600/tdc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ4Pwy5bvBqPm4IKTQKDzqpS4lHXbX7g1OSFIa6OI2J1DfDI2nBj8jZWO4t1NSGvHvWpQjFnH9n7OS6vnJUNYyIL225te04UhXLk1U94tSByeWpZ4IhsWmXiWcsdb1MKmm3pn8Hvkvoc/s1600/tdc.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b>Three and 3/4 out of Five Stars: </b>This one made me mad. Like really mad. Like I raged on a plane for like half an hour mad. This is not how you end a series! THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. COP OUT. COP OUT. COP OUT. Maybe I'm supposed to read the prequel to figure out what the heck was going on. Anyway, so not satisfied. Like the book was good, but I needed closure. Still get a little angry when I think about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g5kYnqPzwwohRfGcbD-LFdocG7KmC5Ivn5ZRDa7mVDjGLGDNdqVnKrkHjTvPi4PotLmzfl6L2byiA4Qj3sLuEWKVwH__upxNqkfSS_359e0RVupjumoIKioZMx_HT0OrV7MDJd1I_hs/s1600/hatred.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g5kYnqPzwwohRfGcbD-LFdocG7KmC5Ivn5ZRDa7mVDjGLGDNdqVnKrkHjTvPi4PotLmzfl6L2byiA4Qj3sLuEWKVwH__upxNqkfSS_359e0RVupjumoIKioZMx_HT0OrV7MDJd1I_hs/s1600/hatred.gif" height="134" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder?ac=1" target="_blank">Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1)</a> by Marissa Meyer</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbwrTp5VihVGlTSlHAIiDTz5ifqwhF5ph78H2-7FwpoWIVJtnZZJY3cvHe5FBqOzaxd873cvlRsPlQeUNT6JvwW8rO22WYumHlCK81ZiAFaUhv107lbGENrcP8P9zSlKckEui1ERfe5A/s1600/cinder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbwrTp5VihVGlTSlHAIiDTz5ifqwhF5ph78H2-7FwpoWIVJtnZZJY3cvHe5FBqOzaxd873cvlRsPlQeUNT6JvwW8rO22WYumHlCK81ZiAFaUhv107lbGENrcP8P9zSlKckEui1ERfe5A/s1600/cinder.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four and a Half out of Five Stars: </b>I loved Cinder! You think a retelling of cyborg Cinderella would be terrible. You would be very wrong. It's cute and quirky. The characters are so lovable and the story sucks you in. The Lunar Chronicles is an awesome series.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTaVMWR8St7ubczy6u7-KUQ-3CBLnocEE854Fddr7faUzda00J9LOXzAAoVpxP8eW5jA4F0DrodJS0N6P8YEtBxzRIiOLOiEOTNOTEwTwvFJthFOzGJAQsAu7nsMGx6FCrlxwMCyCo-Q/s1600/tangled+excited.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTaVMWR8St7ubczy6u7-KUQ-3CBLnocEE854Fddr7faUzda00J9LOXzAAoVpxP8eW5jA4F0DrodJS0N6P8YEtBxzRIiOLOiEOTNOTEwTwvFJthFOzGJAQsAu7nsMGx6FCrlxwMCyCo-Q/s1600/tangled+excited.gif" height="165" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet" target="_blank">Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)</a> by Marissa Meyer</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjz7_PWt8_PKrXR6sB_WYhPnFXIhswgnWYxP6qO8Wi_Kc4-XJnIIhqpfaRzcaU6MyWQvyAhpFZinnDbYinF_4URSBK1t_iHEEudiTUJhA211staMRuS2C8OAid8NhoQllzKhCI_5u4ww/s1600/scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjz7_PWt8_PKrXR6sB_WYhPnFXIhswgnWYxP6qO8Wi_Kc4-XJnIIhqpfaRzcaU6MyWQvyAhpFZinnDbYinF_4URSBK1t_iHEEudiTUJhA211staMRuS2C8OAid8NhoQllzKhCI_5u4ww/s1600/scarlet.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four and a Half out of Five Stars: </b>This was even better than Cinder! You've got all the great characters from the first one and new cool ones! Scarlet was a badass. I loved Wolf. This retelling of Little Red Riding Hood had great twists and I'm so excited for the rest of the series.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMw00RnTlCVmecibKc1U0zbjkZO8eNVc2Q9MDn5L5ismUuFgWk0f0zr8m0en_3CfLyo06zfkTx6kE694qnnM41oRkd2VgHhEZq7_vFsMF7HgrkK9CnyZMOFLB0OsWcwzK_0N6xIFTzeQ/s1600/HAPPY.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMw00RnTlCVmecibKc1U0zbjkZO8eNVc2Q9MDn5L5ismUuFgWk0f0zr8m0en_3CfLyo06zfkTx6kE694qnnM41oRkd2VgHhEZq7_vFsMF7HgrkK9CnyZMOFLB0OsWcwzK_0N6xIFTzeQ/s1600/HAPPY.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13576132-the-murder-complex?ac=1" target="_blank">The Murder Complex (The Murder Complex #1)</a> by Lindsay Cummings</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06TA13WW-3z-YKOtSVLoQhsqTUzmgGJvmper6ow-OPIdC47ucN0hlHdYyfYQfcMSkMXQFVbLsf3VVklRDLHm9gIWGqPC7I-LMFm6qU9yaalyHwrRsCZ_Uz0Ft8296aRGJDwVZ96x5tyo/s1600/tmc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06TA13WW-3z-YKOtSVLoQhsqTUzmgGJvmper6ow-OPIdC47ucN0hlHdYyfYQfcMSkMXQFVbLsf3VVklRDLHm9gIWGqPC7I-LMFm6qU9yaalyHwrRsCZ_Uz0Ft8296aRGJDwVZ96x5tyo/s1600/tmc.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>This book was <i>very </i>violent. I mean it has the word Murder in the title so I probably should have expected that. The author followed me on Twitter like a really long time ago, so this book has always been on my radar. It was a decent dystopia read with a little too much instalove for me. Not a bad first book in the series though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiLoUQpkZV8C9Q3UG1nBtz-z9ja7Xn0AQokZzQHWCy6v1jbdN1FTgB0lA_Ts6YUWox6RGhfQ43kZ8y32fHaS73KAWHQEYgt5EM5MLaL8-aSRayMtZS3fpBlI_TgtYUwdp4ISiHufX7zM/s1600/knife.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiLoUQpkZV8C9Q3UG1nBtz-z9ja7Xn0AQokZzQHWCy6v1jbdN1FTgB0lA_Ts6YUWox6RGhfQ43kZ8y32fHaS73KAWHQEYgt5EM5MLaL8-aSRayMtZS3fpBlI_TgtYUwdp4ISiHufX7zM/s1600/knife.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10194157-shadow-and-bone?from_search=true" target="_blank">Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)</a> by Leigh Bardugo</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbW-1ZHw5lKICziayX4GWdoxuRWDKX9U_VNEGV8CNZCVDpM0LZr4iwOQNbcgvXroD1OCR7U0YBrV4B5x8HCztUzZDgj6n2RKmyurfoaXBjWmtIRULsUU1F1O84UzeiFlmRGO5upN79C7g/s1600/sandb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbW-1ZHw5lKICziayX4GWdoxuRWDKX9U_VNEGV8CNZCVDpM0LZr4iwOQNbcgvXroD1OCR7U0YBrV4B5x8HCztUzZDgj6n2RKmyurfoaXBjWmtIRULsUU1F1O84UzeiFlmRGO5upN79C7g/s1600/sandb.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>The Grisha world is awesome and I love it. The characters and plot are harder for me to enjoy. I get tired of reluctant heroes with shallow problems. Alina has that in spades. I loved The Darkling and was disappointed when he turned out to be different than I thought. I didn't realize I was supposed to care about Mal. The Grisha academy was sweet and I wish we could have spent more time there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKSOXeNILcGHraYWhoAt1-slimTA2JSsRVA6GobPF83F6BwxQM4VFiEDOBhRULy5TNAIpMuOaydVoL5F17QMXpJ-_yhY-hqrq_Zv_MWo2uxCX5KOVNFhzITXhnaIyIixkxA_vHFZIgP4/s1600/okay.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKSOXeNILcGHraYWhoAt1-slimTA2JSsRVA6GobPF83F6BwxQM4VFiEDOBhRULy5TNAIpMuOaydVoL5F17QMXpJ-_yhY-hqrq_Zv_MWo2uxCX5KOVNFhzITXhnaIyIixkxA_vHFZIgP4/s1600/okay.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14061955-siege-and-storm" target="_blank">Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)</a> by Leigh Bardugo</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4v3-N9AwT0iGpuJHCEjsaMqxdGxsifrczcOcEshKqk9WiF3509jy08ATReAMuq3Gt7gb4Brf-1N-CV5YQX1ibTRyezyv2miUg0rCeZln4CvZZle0pM7qNE9m9ad1FbLLqi_X6aUMK54/s1600/sands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4v3-N9AwT0iGpuJHCEjsaMqxdGxsifrczcOcEshKqk9WiF3509jy08ATReAMuq3Gt7gb4Brf-1N-CV5YQX1ibTRyezyv2miUg0rCeZln4CvZZle0pM7qNE9m9ad1FbLLqi_X6aUMK54/s1600/sands.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>This series just has those little nagging problems that keep me from enjoying it. The romance is so dramatic and whiny. Alina needs to just put on her big girl pants and get ready to kick ass. The shining star of this book is definitely Nikolai. He is all I need in a sassy pirate/prince. The book would have been better if he was in all scenes. I don't like how they just trash the Darkling's character to shreds either.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxULb-gmrnmRb4Gc4qPl__EE9oncOAtDFosZIjcQ3FwHy3xOkS9z12kHVE5nMhDtXZyBsE9P1ejBK1H4f79ixMovdDWCLpzHNsVbYb5l4lzcl4DtxUOjFPZ8um8qp9A38OIp2e35vnsZ0/s1600/meh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxULb-gmrnmRb4Gc4qPl__EE9oncOAtDFosZIjcQ3FwHy3xOkS9z12kHVE5nMhDtXZyBsE9P1ejBK1H4f79ixMovdDWCLpzHNsVbYb5l4lzcl4DtxUOjFPZ8um8qp9A38OIp2e35vnsZ0/s1600/meh.gif" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14061957-ruin-and-rising?ac=1" target="_blank">Ruin and Rising (The Grisha #3)</a> by Leigh Bardugo</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-YquznmEP8muOTFUB7X75fzwGl7ouIaRFAwmovXoXx6xSnWDDij2Ra0lG0I6Q1o8qn-MDuVoICy902K7wdWb6YFOfH-ADFYcxywGyZ1bETQ5gihKI-INMLkraSa0k5EsCmLKtPII95I/s1600/randr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-YquznmEP8muOTFUB7X75fzwGl7ouIaRFAwmovXoXx6xSnWDDij2Ra0lG0I6Q1o8qn-MDuVoICy902K7wdWb6YFOfH-ADFYcxywGyZ1bETQ5gihKI-INMLkraSa0k5EsCmLKtPII95I/s1600/randr.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>The conclusion was well...dull. The buildup was exciting but the actual climax scene lacked real grit. There was an almost death cop out and more Mal and Alina drama than I needed. Nikolai and the Darkling saved the book for me. Along with Genya and David. The side characters were always much more fascinating than the real characters for me in this series. I really expected to love this series, but I was rather let down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA94mLnQcwTb_HIwdpW9neuugGPfbblhalU5NNNlRjTueIpzwki9rBvv1xOKqnXlbTLihdGTZ8BFqpppCHFWF81Fn6uMEHGnKZuMxCING03dvJ-PjZ_oSzBf1aGNVWbIkKhTllcvK0bs/s1600/disappointed!.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA94mLnQcwTb_HIwdpW9neuugGPfbblhalU5NNNlRjTueIpzwki9rBvv1xOKqnXlbTLihdGTZ8BFqpppCHFWF81Fn6uMEHGnKZuMxCING03dvJ-PjZ_oSzBf1aGNVWbIkKhTllcvK0bs/s1600/disappointed!.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4268157-perfect-chemistry?ac=1" target="_blank">Perfect Chemistry</a> by Simone Elkeles</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5se6ELz0pDUWXkjAB7yBzUXkeo_fnsfMDWrZIGOzAb8Ee9gQdhBnTGIx7EznjIV0JyyoY6nEfgNNdqPrk77ormDJ10At1Pv4Sg5NjVjiaqM0fBQC1CgxTllLgb139Sn0qFPPAONf95-k/s1600/pc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5se6ELz0pDUWXkjAB7yBzUXkeo_fnsfMDWrZIGOzAb8Ee9gQdhBnTGIx7EznjIV0JyyoY6nEfgNNdqPrk77ormDJ10At1Pv4Sg5NjVjiaqM0fBQC1CgxTllLgb139Sn0qFPPAONf95-k/s1600/pc.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Three and a Half out of Five Stars: </b>This book is so cliche it hurts. A bad guy from the rough side of town and the not so perfect rich girl. They take the snarky guy and turn him into a weenie. They couple have like no connection and already are in love. It's nice for a quick mindless contemporary. It has many issues in terms of sustenance. The best part was the girl's relationship with her sister in a wheelchair. It was heartwarming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Mv9mEh9wEiVxde0aE_zxXrj6MlIfLUkx4YXmRuwR_s3QmshkWx0almxFsH3MYd2eCwjf5A81NyxApLq_CKN7majB7JIZbAHmOOTJ1Pl7u-ze8QWRRC1slp1uaCH7xoVmG9DRd4KL9Cg/s1600/cliche.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Mv9mEh9wEiVxde0aE_zxXrj6MlIfLUkx4YXmRuwR_s3QmshkWx0almxFsH3MYd2eCwjf5A81NyxApLq_CKN7majB7JIZbAHmOOTJ1Pl7u-ze8QWRRC1slp1uaCH7xoVmG9DRd4KL9Cg/s1600/cliche.gif" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Aaaaand I read one more book that I'm throwing in:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Noggin by John Corey Whaley</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHJZVTELjeqi6u3R7MPKTVEHB1ze1wnRZ0OriVHuUEZrrK5nvlUGtRdgs40l4VlSAgVMh-_JBdbiNfDbBZUkpRWJHtru54KCIRTha3ALYyTKZrrtFdEirkrbEJyUxegrQ7N6in9uy6CU/s1600/noggin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHJZVTELjeqi6u3R7MPKTVEHB1ze1wnRZ0OriVHuUEZrrK5nvlUGtRdgs40l4VlSAgVMh-_JBdbiNfDbBZUkpRWJHtru54KCIRTha3ALYyTKZrrtFdEirkrbEJyUxegrQ7N6in9uy6CU/s1600/noggin.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Five out of Five Stars: </b>One of the best books I've read in a long time. The main character Travis has terminal cancer and signs up for an experiment that could bring him back one day. They chop off his head and five years later attach it to a new body. That sounds freaking weird. However the characters realize it's freaking weird and are not okay with it. The story is sad and hopeful and beautiful. All of Travis' friends and family have had five years to change while he was out. It's pretty difficult having to adjust. I highly highly highly recommend it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW2Xn522Q3LsYss4XzG89t4cnIhTDJDMySJgcWf0GWYPl3HTFl5pgeE_D5NOIo8VwfexjzlzjUmtflF5wSvr3-ZwuLGfNaEmqWenaiabBuY9i_VQQoEaJWqbRD_SA4QyFn2fzehB0vtE/s1600/Noggin!.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW2Xn522Q3LsYss4XzG89t4cnIhTDJDMySJgcWf0GWYPl3HTFl5pgeE_D5NOIo8VwfexjzlzjUmtflF5wSvr3-ZwuLGfNaEmqWenaiabBuY9i_VQQoEaJWqbRD_SA4QyFn2fzehB0vtE/s1600/Noggin!.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Side note</b>: My sister Christina wants the credit for picking this book because she never picks good books.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>And that's a wrap!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD2qXhot4q8CxDtO2WBE0ApMgjl5eqQGfMC7-R5VFlFz1zD45i7-ano-Ccsqj8gPhyphenhyphenWzZlESQy1Cmwjxi1_VHimmuNlUQ_YGg-gEhPmOxhvADvlf75yVFoxH3J4bDkCp23FdjnBKws5s/s1600/clapping+hogwarts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD2qXhot4q8CxDtO2WBE0ApMgjl5eqQGfMC7-R5VFlFz1zD45i7-ano-Ccsqj8gPhyphenhyphenWzZlESQy1Cmwjxi1_VHimmuNlUQ_YGg-gEhPmOxhvADvlf75yVFoxH3J4bDkCp23FdjnBKws5s/s1600/clapping+hogwarts.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-46465167662275914642014-07-29T14:37:00.000-05:002014-07-29T14:37:04.230-05:00Double The Top Ten Tuesday, Double the Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmrBC-aTr8f8b-DA2t1815c8u2IS2uurgg6Vt3Tk3MwsRv3_0mJlrBe6OYlvNmUTZgemvAw8Rw3EtBOKtOP8uFrNPUVvb3995fg6h0QDsU-RFQIcFln0tp_GotXxnuFZ8kf7yDYDN1s0/s1600/TTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmrBC-aTr8f8b-DA2t1815c8u2IS2uurgg6Vt3Tk3MwsRv3_0mJlrBe6OYlvNmUTZgemvAw8Rw3EtBOKtOP8uFrNPUVvb3995fg6h0QDsU-RFQIcFln0tp_GotXxnuFZ8kf7yDYDN1s0/s1600/TTT.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So yes, yes I missed Top Ten Tuesday last week. I was on vacation. Breaking my goal after one week, that's a new low. But now you get DOUBLE TOP TEN TUESDAY!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDK_WNuM_YW2CqLtYP5lCxWVpOB9X_2nO_uVI0jUqFG0O3hs-2_x2GG2pAeyNBKIghCUgU9GtZpFbQcGjkOK199r5Kny-DTIRcVhwVhT1ZqHxfL1_g0RgelkAWKQumkgwx3P9pFMEZjw/s1600/crazy-dance.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDK_WNuM_YW2CqLtYP5lCxWVpOB9X_2nO_uVI0jUqFG0O3hs-2_x2GG2pAeyNBKIghCUgU9GtZpFbQcGjkOK199r5Kny-DTIRcVhwVhT1ZqHxfL1_g0RgelkAWKQumkgwx3P9pFMEZjw/s1600/crazy-dance.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>TOP TEN CHARACTERS I WOULD WANT WITH ME ON A DESERTED ISLAND</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>10. Cath (Fangirl): </b>Because if I have to be stuck on an island for the rest of my life at least it'll be with someone cool I can bond with.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>9. Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings): </b>Maybe he can give his handy dandy eagles a call.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqotDlOdlOpUkSJ0brg51nYMpsUSyFwbHzDrs6wGBiGwV8PsY35TT6vei1uf-ouguDx1fIZ_zcfIo_OPZhN1Ftxx5DNpnEsAHPn2fTqn20MONRQ30GA_95-jQxiutcSndtHn01lfw8Og/s1600/gandalf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqotDlOdlOpUkSJ0brg51nYMpsUSyFwbHzDrs6wGBiGwV8PsY35TT6vei1uf-ouguDx1fIZ_zcfIo_OPZhN1Ftxx5DNpnEsAHPn2fTqn20MONRQ30GA_95-jQxiutcSndtHn01lfw8Og/s1600/gandalf.gif" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>8. Isaac Lahey (Teen Wolf): </b>I need a supernatural sidekick to make witty comments and threaten people with their claws. Isaac is the perfect fit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-QykEtDIPRvGXnVxzES2KfXciu5D5RPl9HLmPSCbWTvati3hWqdYVU-X9EQssyilnq5okFzTbvINAPQaiGbrx4qWlhvjxWYV_Pgs4fLB6XUcSwppN2OfoRXKYirMVAl2hUc-iBfdnlk/s1600/wereisaac.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-QykEtDIPRvGXnVxzES2KfXciu5D5RPl9HLmPSCbWTvati3hWqdYVU-X9EQssyilnq5okFzTbvINAPQaiGbrx4qWlhvjxWYV_Pgs4fLB6XUcSwppN2OfoRXKYirMVAl2hUc-iBfdnlk/s1600/wereisaac.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also he's pretty and has an accent soooo...</div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>7. Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean): </b>The guy has been trapped on a deserted island <i>twice. </i>That kind of experience could come in handy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdCqQGsxqEb8InDdaZK2nWjr32OALuqryakWkoKaHyM-PUcLK8GC6k6Ao6G35kydpH1e-FNz621dI-GkGYh82c7KK5m5ZgjIZ1SyAAPzbQ9HQ6aIkeL60uOwJIDKMSlPlfrcStwnPIlk/s1600/CJS.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOdCqQGsxqEb8InDdaZK2nWjr32OALuqryakWkoKaHyM-PUcLK8GC6k6Ao6G35kydpH1e-FNz621dI-GkGYh82c7KK5m5ZgjIZ1SyAAPzbQ9HQ6aIkeL60uOwJIDKMSlPlfrcStwnPIlk/s1600/CJS.gif" height="134" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>6. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)</b>: I need protection. This girl can handle anything that comes at us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae6OV3BVSlWRp1OoNv4dCV64nn3qMXTaeFmv5GtNP_Rnky8vq5N_HIxckTfSbM3j0PasKurxS2UzWy5JQZHZy18ewY0V-OfRVIhqoZFeQfVnYsm8YH4VV_OzHSZyDyTxDGcKFNKcEUz8/s1600/arrow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae6OV3BVSlWRp1OoNv4dCV64nn3qMXTaeFmv5GtNP_Rnky8vq5N_HIxckTfSbM3j0PasKurxS2UzWy5JQZHZy18ewY0V-OfRVIhqoZFeQfVnYsm8YH4VV_OzHSZyDyTxDGcKFNKcEUz8/s1600/arrow.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>5. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter): </b>Somebody has to think of a way to get us off the island. Otherwise we could get killed!..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GYtcY7h3iw9Z3Ww3yphbhqtn4qZxI5kx7_SwX8MiT3iVE6BOu7OE3fJsnFMFu-za1K3aU1021s_JGEbDpjt4S43SwhAJXtgAdQYd0Ww9Qpf9vlXDe3dtORD4hSsfzkB4xOcN7J0bhcs/s1600/expelled.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GYtcY7h3iw9Z3Ww3yphbhqtn4qZxI5kx7_SwX8MiT3iVE6BOu7OE3fJsnFMFu-za1K3aU1021s_JGEbDpjt4S43SwhAJXtgAdQYd0Ww9Qpf9vlXDe3dtORD4hSsfzkB4xOcN7J0bhcs/s1600/expelled.gif" height="166" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>4. Captain Hook (Once Upon A Time): </b>Because while Jack Sparrow is great, Captain Hook is my favorite swashbuckler. He also has escaped Neverland a couple times. And he's sarcastic. And easy on the eyes. We could share eyeliner too.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4qutgYguOgHApx6piXS2i_EUcPtxfCBS9ynVnz96ZKul7goipj_mytGBOZ3woASoszghjh3TiVAanE_NOj-dmRl5b5cTdWAn9aalJHKGDx45T3LDyGFe_vccJ9ArFvwLX8iK03iNoyU/s1600/hook.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4qutgYguOgHApx6piXS2i_EUcPtxfCBS9ynVnz96ZKul7goipj_mytGBOZ3woASoszghjh3TiVAanE_NOj-dmRl5b5cTdWAn9aalJHKGDx45T3LDyGFe_vccJ9ArFvwLX8iK03iNoyU/s1600/hook.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<b>3. Liam Stewart (The Darkest Minds): </b>Because if you get the chance to meet Liam Stewart, even on a deserted island, you take it.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Stiles (Teen Wolf): </b>Stiles is my all time favorite character ever. Plus he's used to dealing with trying to be killed and destroyed all the time. The kid is a genius. He could help.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTosM6HcyT2a_PgUtz7_g19BunRrT3x7cxfRVuLJ_0PE5QIXYAMzhcFn_VXxEmFN-JLFN1UE2ilZInVb7ICSzILIm1DxpfqtFt1vnrXgOqo6l4NkAEmsf71VcciI_iG4BAnulBWl4IFg/s1600/stiles+thumbs+up.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTosM6HcyT2a_PgUtz7_g19BunRrT3x7cxfRVuLJ_0PE5QIXYAMzhcFn_VXxEmFN-JLFN1UE2ilZInVb7ICSzILIm1DxpfqtFt1vnrXgOqo6l4NkAEmsf71VcciI_iG4BAnulBWl4IFg/s1600/stiles+thumbs+up.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>1. Percy Jackson: </b>When trapped on an island the son of the sea god with the ability to control water and has a lot of experience with bad situations is obviously the number one choice. Plus his sarcasm would help indefinitely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc6fz4x2hZN63aZzUq0txrHkQn904t4zjSOma_vz9jsZIpCDiMmR5dWFYiPbFiX3KeLXbmktzscUI1V24WARDvbezl1UcQSALiJAXOvChsAHTGYlN4sjc06e_PTDQc1BsDsUbZf10FfM/s1600/percy+water.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc6fz4x2hZN63aZzUq0txrHkQn904t4zjSOma_vz9jsZIpCDiMmR5dWFYiPbFiX3KeLXbmktzscUI1V24WARDvbezl1UcQSALiJAXOvChsAHTGYlN4sjc06e_PTDQc1BsDsUbZf10FfM/s1600/percy+water.gif" height="137" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLXlX3So1vsE6H0OY_dHDNoxWZJ31LVSmb54PYto_OBVyJa0ovg9cN6UE6a_eIYm611INGaVwOdf31fUnseRIbzitz_rMt_v9qup7ohOs-Nt_XISLEMbNp28YcclSa3lcgS6DYYUFL20/s1600/percy+shrug.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLXlX3So1vsE6H0OY_dHDNoxWZJ31LVSmb54PYto_OBVyJa0ovg9cN6UE6a_eIYm611INGaVwOdf31fUnseRIbzitz_rMt_v9qup7ohOs-Nt_XISLEMbNp28YcclSa3lcgS6DYYUFL20/s1600/percy+shrug.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He's not all that bad to look at either.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b>TEN AUTHORS I OWN THE MOST BOOKS FROM</b><br />
<i>as in real books in my possession: not past books or ebooks</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>10. J. R. R. Tolkien: 4 books</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJF9w4_TaTKQN0TF7ENGOsFOL2NkwLMFhC4OtCk1FST9Rra5HLYCk9hxI8MNpwQCtrCZyY1hOu5OHcQP3wiDiNh3DDJd7E0Ps0WfY8Xzy2LOsj4o-xySSRT279OODwolPEONlKkoCJ-A/s1600/hobbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJF9w4_TaTKQN0TF7ENGOsFOL2NkwLMFhC4OtCk1FST9Rra5HLYCk9hxI8MNpwQCtrCZyY1hOu5OHcQP3wiDiNh3DDJd7E0Ps0WfY8Xzy2LOsj4o-xySSRT279OODwolPEONlKkoCJ-A/s1600/hobbit.jpg" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s6U56DKyZ5tK7kV3v163ntL6TJsCecZY0g3IQGpLrrbujHR6eIJvhGd7vEWmAUNJnwoVhRicoTsRFpwbmtDOS4F1LqhEcQBKni_TyCXJpJl2VLJJ1ogfQVYO8VGnW3z_rew8gQtEEYk/s1600/lotr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s6U56DKyZ5tK7kV3v163ntL6TJsCecZY0g3IQGpLrrbujHR6eIJvhGd7vEWmAUNJnwoVhRicoTsRFpwbmtDOS4F1LqhEcQBKni_TyCXJpJl2VLJJ1ogfQVYO8VGnW3z_rew8gQtEEYk/s1600/lotr.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
Nothing beats a little Tolkien. Of course I have The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. And the five movies too!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>9. Veronica Roth: 4 books</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDtZ9U2wkPrx-YDGmdvhHoPvL04DrmcRDpKApNNPCeqmUgVe6OiBryzXq1Eih0iZKxJkUGhFlr3NSoHC6fLt4GqPfTT76w_5n63PrefY337k3FDKD28qmbZeNDFey-9U_Nq3v8T22uvs/s1600/divergents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDtZ9U2wkPrx-YDGmdvhHoPvL04DrmcRDpKApNNPCeqmUgVe6OiBryzXq1Eih0iZKxJkUGhFlr3NSoHC6fLt4GqPfTT76w_5n63PrefY337k3FDKD28qmbZeNDFey-9U_Nq3v8T22uvs/s1600/divergents.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The lovely Divergent Trilogy and the companion novel Four.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>8. Stephanie Meyer: 5 books</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAE8CWUg-BIKF8bGWIiIvVBd56-I8-2MyxgJ5BM-1vTEF2WQ5NWDGjEzdmcvr3fw0nCB_1jkc3rR4gvt4PhQ3MJuQ0IUT7rIGEyw6GCHZsprP82NMuIxyOR0qS0tEvjxhSgZJxS9qvoc/s1600/twi+saga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAE8CWUg-BIKF8bGWIiIvVBd56-I8-2MyxgJ5BM-1vTEF2WQ5NWDGjEzdmcvr3fw0nCB_1jkc3rR4gvt4PhQ3MJuQ0IUT7rIGEyw6GCHZsprP82NMuIxyOR0qS0tEvjxhSgZJxS9qvoc/s1600/twi+saga.jpg" height="309" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Twilight Saga. No judgement.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>7. John Green: 6 books</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOeUPXaSivKnaXQPr-tfuH15XIi0VNkTxFtPCVt3KI6TcuDAjsspeQJ9YoLBxMUQ4eOIfSabikLs8Lupy8Tx-_OwlABtPMNZEGoIClneFahI1N4yZInMQNJcabmGhgHMPbg9MqWo12b4/s1600/jg+col.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOeUPXaSivKnaXQPr-tfuH15XIi0VNkTxFtPCVt3KI6TcuDAjsspeQJ9YoLBxMUQ4eOIfSabikLs8Lupy8Tx-_OwlABtPMNZEGoIClneFahI1N4yZInMQNJcabmGhgHMPbg9MqWo12b4/s1600/jg+col.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gotta have my John Green. Most of them should come with tissues, for crying and laughing.</div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>6. Melissa De La Cruz: 7 books</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZTxBTMoKweF16TkyW0q4Xy-28OaebtaEp3v40fX11HvbYjkhVx1JUE3-gxDQdOzzRtG1rSyu-lcCVnRFb8WDwzzJBh-5hcY-vn1g4_GnIVUVR1s_sUQpNP65EPkjinwgTPKVRHhyLic/s1600/blue+bloods.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZTxBTMoKweF16TkyW0q4Xy-28OaebtaEp3v40fX11HvbYjkhVx1JUE3-gxDQdOzzRtG1rSyu-lcCVnRFb8WDwzzJBh-5hcY-vn1g4_GnIVUVR1s_sUQpNP65EPkjinwgTPKVRHhyLic/s1600/blue+bloods.png" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Blue Bloods series! Before writing about vampires made me sick, these were the best. The vamps were really dead angels and fought evil vampires. Also they didn't sparkle. The series did drag a bit though.</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>5. Ally Carter: 9 books</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet6qjQvvO5q81kZ6160A6T2VYX10obc0y-WBD7GRiMehwA_Qcw-6kTOUF7yi3kC-t8s8GLB6em4Cb7uiBdktsR6M960L70yauzm84UeRZit8UlZRUzt28iYi2Csay-CfEK6_cNjh3rpk/s1600/hs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet6qjQvvO5q81kZ6160A6T2VYX10obc0y-WBD7GRiMehwA_Qcw-6kTOUF7yi3kC-t8s8GLB6em4Cb7uiBdktsR6M960L70yauzm84UeRZit8UlZRUzt28iYi2Csay-CfEK6_cNjh3rpk/s1600/hs.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD2twMFQJTG2bwqxhNFmUBheUtZEu6Adj27dDQhxPHiMg4MfiH26swjv5zmLS2CLM4GpNdCcY4xXjlPjSrWYIw1BxypW44kKf0b3OixV25eC59U5MW_7qs600DeTuFBAxXOMzTjMUsDU/s1600/GalGirl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD2twMFQJTG2bwqxhNFmUBheUtZEu6Adj27dDQhxPHiMg4MfiH26swjv5zmLS2CLM4GpNdCcY4xXjlPjSrWYIw1BxypW44kKf0b3OixV25eC59U5MW_7qs600DeTuFBAxXOMzTjMUsDU/s1600/GalGirl.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Gallagher Girls and Heist Society books. Pretty darn good. Might have outgrown them a little by the end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<b>4. Sarah Dessen: 9 books</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTcXMv8xt1G_lHB7KpMD7SNDZ9O6c4XXEKN-gwXeytKYbXKj8ApYlV1KFlS8mDVUaH0u1XbpWkNsJIk5t1qyEAlSBljTuxfs4Qq8WkSFoZF4o-2wUI7wBQLPd6Cj248ruY0OEclDByxQ/s1600/Sarah+D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTcXMv8xt1G_lHB7KpMD7SNDZ9O6c4XXEKN-gwXeytKYbXKj8ApYlV1KFlS8mDVUaH0u1XbpWkNsJIk5t1qyEAlSBljTuxfs4Qq8WkSFoZF4o-2wUI7wBQLPd6Cj248ruY0OEclDByxQ/s1600/Sarah+D.png" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Except plot twist I don't have This Lullaby(because somebody STOLE IT) and I have The Moon and More and Someone Like You is missing. But gotta catch 'em all someday. They're the perfect contemporaries!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b>3. Rick Riordan: 9 books</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMu8-YKRfYrv6l29F0ZkpdLghgJN_SKyfcsyr2J1b7p0jFTmcXbvFjZDBKVpye-jayxzbFvVS-viSXxp8DhjSdiFXqz3uRp25lku_P0nTcPC8pXxCfQrYAIfsk5iuQSbSunYe4yV4uGg/s1600/pjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMu8-YKRfYrv6l29F0ZkpdLghgJN_SKyfcsyr2J1b7p0jFTmcXbvFjZDBKVpye-jayxzbFvVS-viSXxp8DhjSdiFXqz3uRp25lku_P0nTcPC8pXxCfQrYAIfsk5iuQSbSunYe4yV4uGg/s1600/pjo.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyM5RUC6pF9mYtyDZHp2Jv8cuGadbI3K-kxE75VwjnNX2yQW0lW-YpehnMzh4Gr2-ebftMFi6XeCUAsOkdECvJfPX9DV8AoZ_cAWGj4FucBB2CzmkRlE0Cpg0ZZRTduOlZUqaAnfQu64/s1600/HOO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyM5RUC6pF9mYtyDZHp2Jv8cuGadbI3K-kxE75VwjnNX2yQW0lW-YpehnMzh4Gr2-ebftMFi6XeCUAsOkdECvJfPX9DV8AoZ_cAWGj4FucBB2CzmkRlE0Cpg0ZZRTduOlZUqaAnfQu64/s1600/HOO.png" height="110" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Percy Jackson Series and the Heroes of Olympus Series. If you haven't read these, you're doing it wrong.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b>2. J.K. Rowling: 10 books</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY_F-FC32fW6YE7_oldHgR6lIHqsubFKC5JA2IegxIHYb4lnXzk8QyeatwpTnH-QUy0OXZ554vCSHbvJC6_BWi7Ryp2dw9tOrwkTiI4tK4faUSalGHtvqEf4q_wjZFnxCCtE_YHw9e-s/s1600/HP+all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY_F-FC32fW6YE7_oldHgR6lIHqsubFKC5JA2IegxIHYb4lnXzk8QyeatwpTnH-QUy0OXZ554vCSHbvJC6_BWi7Ryp2dw9tOrwkTiI4tK4faUSalGHtvqEf4q_wjZFnxCCtE_YHw9e-s/s1600/HP+all.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW9KKH96R5lzaqSdP_HhGJnDo73DfSV9zjFH7KEQ5vXXwbCD6UjO99EajiU_9k5X1_BYeFhFwBxM_EJB_NmmGoEf0yBImaxd3zavoNm5u_hclNq0jXe5R_IkKo28zRRihxkw0gPIRqvk/s1600/extra+hp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW9KKH96R5lzaqSdP_HhGJnDo73DfSV9zjFH7KEQ5vXXwbCD6UjO99EajiU_9k5X1_BYeFhFwBxM_EJB_NmmGoEf0yBImaxd3zavoNm5u_hclNq0jXe5R_IkKo28zRRihxkw0gPIRqvk/s1600/extra+hp.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Harry Potter. Duh. And three extra books that are absolutely unnecessary and boring.</div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>And rounding out the list we obviously have...</b><br />
<b>1. Cassandra Clare: 11 books</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3c91RuJDbZrLlchbA2oeg7h6TtJ6Gq0xh0_83Gn12GZKprz-iIFartkKUEppAoNsBhsmAUq4-hL21cXFw0G2z6ylVe7x6jue2SgYP3zjg_pt-wDnT6qHzLGM8udsJ9J3p0JZ3LfbhjE/s1600/codex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3c91RuJDbZrLlchbA2oeg7h6TtJ6Gq0xh0_83Gn12GZKprz-iIFartkKUEppAoNsBhsmAUq4-hL21cXFw0G2z6ylVe7x6jue2SgYP3zjg_pt-wDnT6qHzLGM8udsJ9J3p0JZ3LfbhjE/s1600/codex.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0reCeHdmJ0SSIHV3PBU5-H7ODrXt_6AaqJ_tI5pEeavobEOo7LT9hcWIRQV8mNFzGlTA4XOi2qJfoomavcpe_g1KNMVn4kvtxtdSuu6IcY2qsbSdxEw-b707pGAWFgpWFhzBWjcn92Q/s1600/cob+movie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0reCeHdmJ0SSIHV3PBU5-H7ODrXt_6AaqJ_tI5pEeavobEOo7LT9hcWIRQV8mNFzGlTA4XOi2qJfoomavcpe_g1KNMVn4kvtxtdSuu6IcY2qsbSdxEw-b707pGAWFgpWFhzBWjcn92Q/s1600/cob+movie.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwz_7-cjLc75pQcuWb3nx7TYaI3BOJ7GosM2r1HwB6OiaWKBJf4QUbBg5xfMusvX-2xW56EgnhZGoaxMRRBKLsZFLthv6aYLEd3N_yCm-7yj5xQ2ek3a5Y4xjrNR_kG-tkRT__BaiK9k/s1600/CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwz_7-cjLc75pQcuWb3nx7TYaI3BOJ7GosM2r1HwB6OiaWKBJf4QUbBg5xfMusvX-2xW56EgnhZGoaxMRRBKLsZFLthv6aYLEd3N_yCm-7yj5xQ2ek3a5Y4xjrNR_kG-tkRT__BaiK9k/s1600/CC.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Be jealous because my movie copy one is signed by the cast. Not to mention I have all ten Bane Chronicles on my Nook but basically I like Cassandra Clare a whole lot. The highest of high recommendations.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can't wait to get my hands on Lady Midnight.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-56950438802226762522014-07-16T12:15:00.000-05:002014-07-16T12:15:15.823-05:00Top Ten Favorite TV Shows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SUJ-Bz-FLOZwsbyFcpvb9yOrgZmKhro1IiT5Jf0wwSH4HRJkLXJSgeKS0l4sdIhpn9EUgbrZ0L2gK1szixHucruMZSCI0IfnVx55D1uRYyAhnFLtcmRHRnlE-NM9-n_5S0jZ38kSg40/s1600/TTT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SUJ-Bz-FLOZwsbyFcpvb9yOrgZmKhro1IiT5Jf0wwSH4HRJkLXJSgeKS0l4sdIhpn9EUgbrZ0L2gK1szixHucruMZSCI0IfnVx55D1uRYyAhnFLtcmRHRnlE-NM9-n_5S0jZ38kSg40/s1600/TTT.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've seen Top Ten Tuesday on many of the blogs that I like. So I've decided to start doing it too! So every Tuesday y'all will be getting a brand spanking new list from me on whatever topic is given. Man I <i>love</i> making lists.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Plus this one is excellent because TV is my second love right after books (movies is probably tied with TV too but this post isn't about that so I'll shut up). I have been binge watching a lot this year too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Top Ten Tuesday is brought to you by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
LET US BEGIN THE TELEVISION COUNTDOWN!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(<i>YES, </i>I realize it is Wednesday. I was going to finish this last night but then I decided to go be social.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>10. How I Met Your Mother</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla-3mezIs757vf1K6xlFb33-G58qIFJy_N3jXTvQxXSuMVoJVdaQwEGJnEUp5D1KUBZ3IxC-K5OJ6oYXP2bJN6SNXzST9VcqAFe8oeN9P25QKdAXflz-6ID2YL2uyY0QgF_VzkUgyfdU/s1600/barney+blog.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla-3mezIs757vf1K6xlFb33-G58qIFJy_N3jXTvQxXSuMVoJVdaQwEGJnEUp5D1KUBZ3IxC-K5OJ6oYXP2bJN6SNXzST9VcqAFe8oeN9P25QKdAXflz-6ID2YL2uyY0QgF_VzkUgyfdU/s1600/barney+blog.gif" height="147" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's funny because before the series finale this show probably would have made top five. But I still get enraged about that horrible painful hour of my life that ruined everything. Sorry if you liked it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, the first 207 episodes are awesome. It's the story of Ted Mosby,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcyfcacY3Mb3Ji9tkHvnfcZqpCBod8KLJusSEDx6s7Nyghn8JelevgHYf67AxXxCkSi6KkTb7-Pz2vhD0V9rIp048QZMa4LN5BIKvR34kPQqocSqAi6hOF0nU-9gLJALr3zq18IWMTPw/s1600/profesor.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcyfcacY3Mb3Ji9tkHvnfcZqpCBod8KLJusSEDx6s7Nyghn8JelevgHYf67AxXxCkSi6KkTb7-Pz2vhD0V9rIp048QZMa4LN5BIKvR34kPQqocSqAi6hOF0nU-9gLJALr3zq18IWMTPw/s1600/profesor.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
a hopeless romantic, telling his kids the story of how he met their mother. It quickly turns into a long (like nine seasons long) of hijinks between him, his past girlfriends, and his four best friends. The gang consists of Ted, his college roommate/golden sweetheart from Minnesota Marshall and his (slightly crazy) wife Lily,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJEXlD2zkETjjZ3DPRIQBpNyV3dU1bJkDWQFgGHC-4IVPH7zhYrgkNfN824WWvTCFJIMHjtothz5L_f9pIP1fMttKoykYSL5qLiM2hrN4wLh-cC4gAv5eaq46mC8S2ryBX-L80jktM8w/s1600/ghost+toast+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJEXlD2zkETjjZ3DPRIQBpNyV3dU1bJkDWQFgGHC-4IVPH7zhYrgkNfN824WWvTCFJIMHjtothz5L_f9pIP1fMttKoykYSL5qLiM2hrN4wLh-cC4gAv5eaq46mC8S2ryBX-L80jktM8w/s1600/ghost+toast+1.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr-RFsxqDrb12zNaj98aRD0XtymJLl-u3RbR1YwfdqEYd7pK38U4hSauGQiOJge-w9aQmZd7B_Tu8JPh3OSLzQRGQhIFvsrELLg3u5a-q1YmrAVC0eWMLD9UotRfq6WQqoA8rmvACA2Q/s1600/marshall-toast-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr-RFsxqDrb12zNaj98aRD0XtymJLl-u3RbR1YwfdqEYd7pK38U4hSauGQiOJge-w9aQmZd7B_Tu8JPh3OSLzQRGQhIFvsrELLg3u5a-q1YmrAVC0eWMLD9UotRfq6WQqoA8rmvACA2Q/s1600/marshall-toast-2.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALujjU9poVRl7wR8v1U6pA2vAvVl5WMF5cCCkgEnG1hLge2VOkgq__ZR_ccN6cFTSiVqMfZjfKXbq5NyD1jEkCSA6wdzs2WRaTY8hJKZdHOvI8k4AuFXzI-LpQ6w09xDcSbHNfwFyFLc/s1600/marshall-toast-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALujjU9poVRl7wR8v1U6pA2vAvVl5WMF5cCCkgEnG1hLge2VOkgq__ZR_ccN6cFTSiVqMfZjfKXbq5NyD1jEkCSA6wdzs2WRaTY8hJKZdHOvI8k4AuFXzI-LpQ6w09xDcSbHNfwFyFLc/s1600/marshall-toast-3.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ted's first love interest Robin,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVYvujNu_oEpze4GYF31krtqUFcZvIWMimoQYvnbw3VCUxz-xKzAP63vhyphenhyphenjVU2y8wNca870uUH43xqQCFjrfq20fhwsTjU-IKo4Nh3exyZne7vtOKUF2dc7duEBdf2cgaqfllTj3BR28/s1600/patrice.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVYvujNu_oEpze4GYF31krtqUFcZvIWMimoQYvnbw3VCUxz-xKzAP63vhyphenhyphenjVU2y8wNca870uUH43xqQCFjrfq20fhwsTjU-IKo4Nh3exyZne7vtOKUF2dc7duEBdf2cgaqfllTj3BR28/s1600/patrice.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
and Ted's eccentric "friend" Barney.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqNOv4ogNPqiJPLSa545WfDqL7TGphINmfFCBtCOGyfxnvX54NOZCi8XENmcETwATWLB8OyQ04tet29G3EQM3F1wgqIjTzCKcg7hVcCVp9YhLDWTwdf_lbzDY406zCRY-jBwH0pBW3Js/s1600/broda.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqNOv4ogNPqiJPLSa545WfDqL7TGphINmfFCBtCOGyfxnvX54NOZCi8XENmcETwATWLB8OyQ04tet29G3EQM3F1wgqIjTzCKcg7hVcCVp9YhLDWTwdf_lbzDY406zCRY-jBwH0pBW3Js/s1600/broda.gif" height="138" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This show is like the funniest thing ever and I love love love it. When it's not being funny it's deeply real and serious. The lessons are good and not too forced and cheesy. Well...most of the time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Barney is my favorite. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyUmKdxVOeXP16ex_aCq-RnpZEezUXeFkedjt9AAtcnC82EMId_mBfdi6EslRN3gLmLw_xR2Kwx7vZftNSplqNdMgz_gHx1EdpBTQI_p6Goe45qcxAPsFJWgSa0fjKwUWhpKechvxEvk/s1600/hard+to+be+awesome.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyUmKdxVOeXP16ex_aCq-RnpZEezUXeFkedjt9AAtcnC82EMId_mBfdi6EslRN3gLmLw_xR2Kwx7vZftNSplqNdMgz_gHx1EdpBTQI_p6Goe45qcxAPsFJWgSa0fjKwUWhpKechvxEvk/s1600/hard+to+be+awesome.gif" height="124" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>9. That 70's Show</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
HELLO WISCONSIN!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although the first four seasons are my true favorites, this show is fantastic. All the characters are so wonderfully stupid and teenagers. Even the parents are hilarious. The basement, man.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpD7QUHPN2HYpB0IqZaTtgEBpv6sCDMfMbUg-uRf5IjQTwF3yaLRbsBa0kEwVilKQMQWqpkaiNvF-ZoJiWm-AyxPLOHbW5bLMdREqd8CnjP3bTbrxHBxXgiHj_rfvBygPAVWH3gHZFD8/s1600/i+love+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpD7QUHPN2HYpB0IqZaTtgEBpv6sCDMfMbUg-uRf5IjQTwF3yaLRbsBa0kEwVilKQMQWqpkaiNvF-ZoJiWm-AyxPLOHbW5bLMdREqd8CnjP3bTbrxHBxXgiHj_rfvBygPAVWH3gHZFD8/s1600/i+love+cake.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>8. Hart of Dixie</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm just gonna warn you right now. I really like the CW. The CW is the television network of my dreams. They make the kind of sappy, intense shows that I love.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That being said Hart of Dixie is this cute little show about a doctor from New York who moves to Bluebell, Alabama to take a job there. She gets sucked into all the crazy town drama and romance. It's quirky and southern (two of my favorite things). It's a great destresser show.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZv3xRJ5GlfSt33SNIsS4iGGGrGmsb8awNJmJK0bjHKToztQSCOOv3m-vAsqnNqBaoeOncrQEssucK10fPVO1CRNoknEcLeikfGfGuJvFS6-Op5VEq0BybKhqsOn75MlHKulQJyNkkYQ/s1600/lavon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZv3xRJ5GlfSt33SNIsS4iGGGrGmsb8awNJmJK0bjHKToztQSCOOv3m-vAsqnNqBaoeOncrQEssucK10fPVO1CRNoknEcLeikfGfGuJvFS6-Op5VEq0BybKhqsOn75MlHKulQJyNkkYQ/s1600/lavon.gif" height="140" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>7. Friday Nights Lights</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What's better than an inspiration sports movie? Five seasons of an inspiration sports TV show.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday Night Lights is about football in the heart of Texas. The Dillon Panthers are the stars of the town and Friday is the most important night of the week. Coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tammy do their best to coach the team on and off the field.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pgxf3Q2-qJL1Eva7CStWb3RJ6Fc5UFJC4ZOb-bN36DnHwdmjvxlcPnPqsEFZk4_NrxGnZrZRUC1krqwozfJVctI-P_lJsKGz8n36zGTdVu0puzGqw9u0epfPXJWIsn8Rd-fBhtgFXjE/s1600/clear+eyes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pgxf3Q2-qJL1Eva7CStWb3RJ6Fc5UFJC4ZOb-bN36DnHwdmjvxlcPnPqsEFZk4_NrxGnZrZRUC1krqwozfJVctI-P_lJsKGz8n36zGTdVu0puzGqw9u0epfPXJWIsn8Rd-fBhtgFXjE/s1600/clear+eyes.gif" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not to mention the eye candy that is Tim Riggins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We don't talk about the tragedy that was season two. Ever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>6. One Tree Hill</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One Tree Hill is the show that I always look back at fondly at being so warm and fuzzy. That was on the CW also.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a drama that takes place in a small town in North Carolina where one man has two sons with different that are the same age. They rarely interact until their sophomore year when they both join the basketball team. Cue tons of family angst, friendship angst, romantic angst, and just some pure angst angst.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ftIS-zNdQLJbeJRYzhAQEcrHCX1shoZze6EB2_tisz3BrlHl-v2Srxb9RleCUMjYAnKSET3-Nzt-821CBIrHRfxsb5cwZ2c3y_LZ6RIqgm8OrRifqIB_l_Gr4uY4Fip81fQoYPv8-48/s1600/oth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ftIS-zNdQLJbeJRYzhAQEcrHCX1shoZze6EB2_tisz3BrlHl-v2Srxb9RleCUMjYAnKSET3-Nzt-821CBIrHRfxsb5cwZ2c3y_LZ6RIqgm8OrRifqIB_l_Gr4uY4Fip81fQoYPv8-48/s1600/oth.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Plus Brooke Davis is the best.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j0IoBHv4ArpShcWZ8_M37tkmdCtRey4puzl6HqRxNTBskciA-g1v211j5ss5-1WLdWUNCyV_gkN-6FQ3Js4Uy19cdX3rEnIgCQxJb3DmVcGWoJjIuOZ33C51AFZel3mODgupjDEH_UI/s1600/I+wanted+you+to+fight+for+me.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j0IoBHv4ArpShcWZ8_M37tkmdCtRey4puzl6HqRxNTBskciA-g1v211j5ss5-1WLdWUNCyV_gkN-6FQ3Js4Uy19cdX3rEnIgCQxJb3DmVcGWoJjIuOZ33C51AFZel3mODgupjDEH_UI/s1600/I+wanted+you+to+fight+for+me.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eternally team Brucas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>5. Gossip Girl</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gossip Girl is set in the Upper East Side of Manhattan and details the lives of some rich and snooty kids as they try to ruin each others lives and make theirs perfect. All the while the mysterious Gossip Girl puts out all their secrets to the whole world through anonymous texts and a blog. And it is wonderful. And on the CW.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It starts out during their junior year of high school when It Girl Serena returns from boarding school to find her best friend Blair isn't happy to see her again. This show is the best guilty pleasure out there. Season one and two are best because then they leave high school after that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGGLA_ncjIVigIqNv14JNBMtmQoAVCOZeOLMZVv_QFug_seLH8EweReLiUqUnoRdxI-Jjs-_FqliIM1DtIaM1S67o0D51xwan9nB5cZ8vfqbIIgGhcmtCseqrhIRdsjrMdb9phwBnNto/s1600/CB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGGLA_ncjIVigIqNv14JNBMtmQoAVCOZeOLMZVv_QFug_seLH8EweReLiUqUnoRdxI-Jjs-_FqliIM1DtIaM1S67o0D51xwan9nB5cZ8vfqbIIgGhcmtCseqrhIRdsjrMdb9phwBnNto/s1600/CB.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ha I love Blair.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>4. Once Upon A Time</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have very recently gotten super into Once Upon A Time. The first season was pretty meh. The middle of season two got going and my opinion changed drastically. May or may not be due to the appearance of Captain Hook.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eIliag1lKjKSMm0obHoaSVvSGx1fGMjKfvaw1bwL-Uny8X-qvk6r-giyQBpiAoYPlaCoAPXAVRjZoRPeFMO4wzYq1zvPFRj9EFWJiLjqyb9rpuZOqY26a3gkT7dWLjqungs55WlLDYA/s1600/hook.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eIliag1lKjKSMm0obHoaSVvSGx1fGMjKfvaw1bwL-Uny8X-qvk6r-giyQBpiAoYPlaCoAPXAVRjZoRPeFMO4wzYq1zvPFRj9EFWJiLjqyb9rpuZOqY26a3gkT7dWLjqungs55WlLDYA/s1600/hook.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once Upon A Time takes place in Storybrooke, Maine. Due to a curse placed by the Evil Queen, all the fairy tale characters are forced to live in this town with no memory of their past lives. No one can enter or exit the time. The only one who can break the curse is Emma Swan, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. But she is pretty skeptical to believe even though her song Henry tries to convince her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is no way to describe this show without it sounding odd.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdNviyVDfRijn35Eua2RTN1bqI1pVSBj5InS_n08HI_FEMh01nVAA9HKQQddRW_FZlZcoB_KIL62yJbMSt-8-MEn5zqVHfYFCbQ8Md5tqTKT2f8x_nabJ7O7jCyRImbEVG9uypTccbQE/s1600/OUAT.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdNviyVDfRijn35Eua2RTN1bqI1pVSBj5InS_n08HI_FEMh01nVAA9HKQQddRW_FZlZcoB_KIL62yJbMSt-8-MEn5zqVHfYFCbQ8Md5tqTKT2f8x_nabJ7O7jCyRImbEVG9uypTccbQE/s1600/OUAT.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGqbIykSmHydIRp0WC0PFVh_avYj8EcDzNqxWnXzO7ob0JQHqQLBL8yBgP6MaHVgmcuHbKZzcIecoPljTWfhLEGLWii_CpctGNgoUAxcQ7rm1QKjz9VQn1-Ci9R8O1ePda0Uw1Ip72kM/s1600/crazy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGqbIykSmHydIRp0WC0PFVh_avYj8EcDzNqxWnXzO7ob0JQHqQLBL8yBgP6MaHVgmcuHbKZzcIecoPljTWfhLEGLWii_CpctGNgoUAxcQ7rm1QKjz9VQn1-Ci9R8O1ePda0Uw1Ip72kM/s1600/crazy.gif" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every episode usually has a backstory plot line from the past that lines up with the current story line. It puts some interesting spins on some fairy tales and is pretty sweet. I'm not quite caught up yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>3. Sherlock</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every episode of Sherlock is 90 minutes of thrilling detective bad assery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZST_x8TSpmSGfygNvwgOcAsMyIHVHzq_2jQzTZNVsaVC_F6tfG8r4NvmyYGnXPC4L_c8SBRCL3ojL9TEsoI40sW4l1YrbO4MmnGuYVBodP5GCRDZN7CDobvrjsqOuME23YcLigT-k1UY/s1600/sherlock.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZST_x8TSpmSGfygNvwgOcAsMyIHVHzq_2jQzTZNVsaVC_F6tfG8r4NvmyYGnXPC4L_c8SBRCL3ojL9TEsoI40sW4l1YrbO4MmnGuYVBodP5GCRDZN7CDobvrjsqOuME23YcLigT-k1UY/s1600/sherlock.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a modern retelling of the classic detective in London. There's a new mystery every episode. It's intense and funny and sucks you in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XOCGXwoH4opd1JCPhyphenhyphen-3rCArOxHm66cQW26bxzkyjqy7S8sbMmCCUuPYQRVdP5bkdiUWbOg1ZGdUfPthAxrYq-xUcyUuO9Rt9nZKepDOTzc6YChAjyaGv2QApBy0xMmv_2XeIPOxJao/s1600/sherlock+fun.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XOCGXwoH4opd1JCPhyphenhyphen-3rCArOxHm66cQW26bxzkyjqy7S8sbMmCCUuPYQRVdP5bkdiUWbOg1ZGdUfPthAxrYq-xUcyUuO9Rt9nZKepDOTzc6YChAjyaGv2QApBy0xMmv_2XeIPOxJao/s1600/sherlock+fun.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>2. The Vampire Diaries</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I judged this show <i>harshly</i> before I ever saw it. I was like, <i>another </i>vampire show? <i>Another </i>love triangle? How is this original at all?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>IT IS.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbeqjmLXroPdVLYG19NvXUM67w0NbdCOs5xrX8AHLMQTDHPhQocQKlgucJjB3xfLGPipry1qiBOrBIrL9WxL_tj9dd5U0J_LneY9GXhhT3fOPo1gVOulDv2Na6lLYa0FNhzN4D1CXeCQ/s1600/tvd.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbeqjmLXroPdVLYG19NvXUM67w0NbdCOs5xrX8AHLMQTDHPhQocQKlgucJjB3xfLGPipry1qiBOrBIrL9WxL_tj9dd5U0J_LneY9GXhhT3fOPo1gVOulDv2Na6lLYa0FNhzN4D1CXeCQ/s1600/tvd.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This show is gritty and amazing. These vampires do not sparkle. These vampires are psychotic killing machines and dangerous. They do not lay in fields of flowers and talk about their feelings. They plan to murder their enemies and drink lots of bourbon. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although they do talk about their feelings quite a bit as well. It <i>is </i>a CW show.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovTPSWLkXfxz6F0MrIzmXKPUD81BzB3LLSh8dXuoS_8zcD_NpfJPpxD20RGweC0HeXsX81hMrd596ChzVD_8a3DpO0cVdj7c0cNE3pfwVnLO-V_XM-ggIWeVyconv-MaPwxF14vMBI28/s1600/rebekah.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovTPSWLkXfxz6F0MrIzmXKPUD81BzB3LLSh8dXuoS_8zcD_NpfJPpxD20RGweC0HeXsX81hMrd596ChzVD_8a3DpO0cVdj7c0cNE3pfwVnLO-V_XM-ggIWeVyconv-MaPwxF14vMBI28/s1600/rebekah.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>1. Teen Wolf</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFMODzvi8XfYDp0bWwi6TrfqlcTpZLoKl88leDnEbxwNFEuAnA_uD98KROvc-aKq2Sjk7SefrSO3QFREWvjshKtYopjr7efLO188NS1d0Vc33rVXpQ2pMOKj5rrHv0kAUa9kxbt2kwg/s1600/howl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFMODzvi8XfYDp0bWwi6TrfqlcTpZLoKl88leDnEbxwNFEuAnA_uD98KROvc-aKq2Sjk7SefrSO3QFREWvjshKtYopjr7efLO188NS1d0Vc33rVXpQ2pMOKj5rrHv0kAUa9kxbt2kwg/s1600/howl.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
AWOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (That was me howling, BTW) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Teen Wolf is <i><b><u>THE BEST SHOW EVER.</u></b></i></div>
<br />
I judged Teen Wolf even more than The Vampire Diaries back in the day. An MTV show about werewolves?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-1Ok5qEgrZ1xFmrV9v6Bc342ltOqnjovB5vchZH0j9lYwsNMZ21YJPHUhl9lyjruQqpF50wPZylIg21-YVvLMnj-PDFWmSZ9f5CrXZUWfTBzfGkVVQ9W-ZdaS317TpFxCLwBRn05sb4/s1600/scoff.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-1Ok5qEgrZ1xFmrV9v6Bc342ltOqnjovB5vchZH0j9lYwsNMZ21YJPHUhl9lyjruQqpF50wPZylIg21-YVvLMnj-PDFWmSZ9f5CrXZUWfTBzfGkVVQ9W-ZdaS317TpFxCLwBRn05sb4/s1600/scoff.gif" height="128" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But it's not like that at all. True, the first season is mostly like that. It has some pure cheese. But it also has some pure heart and horror.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRybMrCNhTfuFcP5NNhLF41beClub45hcG9UkLG3fHn58DvL7xIDZ6QYPerlUPuFJOq8DbKy3PnPFp4DhGtvYvl8U-nAfZwIAITGmbnX8YoPXq5YmCpwBue42arJbbHveSZKXc8Eimvk/s1600/gonna+die.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRybMrCNhTfuFcP5NNhLF41beClub45hcG9UkLG3fHn58DvL7xIDZ6QYPerlUPuFJOq8DbKy3PnPFp4DhGtvYvl8U-nAfZwIAITGmbnX8YoPXq5YmCpwBue42arJbbHveSZKXc8Eimvk/s1600/gonna+die.gif" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If I had to categorize Teen Wolf I would call it a horror show. It's actually gory and there's lots of death. There's also lots of other supernatural creatures besides werewolves. There's kanimas, kistunes, nogitsunes, werecoyotes, werejaguars, windigos, and banshees. Not to mention the differences between alphas, betas, and omegas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The main character Scott McCall is bitten one night in the woods while searching for a dead body with his best friend Stiles. His life is never the same.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A show with love, friendship, strangely acrobatic fighting, family, pain, loss, comedy, death and pretty much all the feelings you can think of. This show has it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b3UiU7AMGkemfurC4_YD0knt2LBMQN6W0Wx5z17lDwXWC4AggzGz7QFkE0PWtGpdmZ10G-Jn9gOs2YXFeGtUvA26pf-MvEYOlHJXIBCLZS9X_ofCRgS2TFIMXroAcbJ_cvkSwQ5_goI/s1600/allison.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b3UiU7AMGkemfurC4_YD0knt2LBMQN6W0Wx5z17lDwXWC4AggzGz7QFkE0PWtGpdmZ10G-Jn9gOs2YXFeGtUvA26pf-MvEYOlHJXIBCLZS9X_ofCRgS2TFIMXroAcbJ_cvkSwQ5_goI/s1600/allison.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu1-XWPm64Frz2TF7M2VEGLEdy93fE4dm-E3mERUw2I46OzqqrPBJsNuFCyK1FbzslA0q139dEye0NLz1ZjUuTLs8F9Vj-fv5ivXL5XbUnyI8QVcqmADUf5WgpyCTcw9kdjdgOhE9bsQ/s1600/juice.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu1-XWPm64Frz2TF7M2VEGLEdy93fE4dm-E3mERUw2I46OzqqrPBJsNuFCyK1FbzslA0q139dEye0NLz1ZjUuTLs8F9Vj-fv5ivXL5XbUnyI8QVcqmADUf5WgpyCTcw9kdjdgOhE9bsQ/s1600/juice.gif" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqhgEh_wum19O7thuGT-AFk753hrOCX4wVfKUUcf2ISwGKjfHx_yfkFhrE8ZVsC_hxKk8FceTrHcfWdwAZCUIaanG5tn4jgj4Y5AC0AxLxrWl-g88i_52O2sNmg0RdKfC5aJFpkicY6Y/s1600/banshee.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqhgEh_wum19O7thuGT-AFk753hrOCX4wVfKUUcf2ISwGKjfHx_yfkFhrE8ZVsC_hxKk8FceTrHcfWdwAZCUIaanG5tn4jgj4Y5AC0AxLxrWl-g88i_52O2sNmg0RdKfC5aJFpkicY6Y/s1600/banshee.gif" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkl8zjIjmVRBBuES7fe7nNjcMBU35_Xtk5csbfs7-bDiZ78HHrDPBn71DLF_NsiYWWeJIZJwRUiPo6VJxSMUk48MnbcNRf_ksFkrozUfKJf_fG061viBZlaVXCC6lHEITwTwzC1RIPaA/s1600/jackson+eye.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkl8zjIjmVRBBuES7fe7nNjcMBU35_Xtk5csbfs7-bDiZ78HHrDPBn71DLF_NsiYWWeJIZJwRUiPo6VJxSMUk48MnbcNRf_ksFkrozUfKJf_fG061viBZlaVXCC6lHEITwTwzC1RIPaA/s1600/jackson+eye.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__VzgwvygSSWTnNb2-Bd9H-i_kQnkc8vpoNUxI9MwN29PZg4T19sESuApL_CVvtqB-mnJVLt1onPiSmb6mp2-mp3ubJr6Gblnrqw_GiAM9e9sOewWL_I4sn1bFdWLr6efV9QeMvWisjk/s1600/stiles+puke.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__VzgwvygSSWTnNb2-Bd9H-i_kQnkc8vpoNUxI9MwN29PZg4T19sESuApL_CVvtqB-mnJVLt1onPiSmb6mp2-mp3ubJr6Gblnrqw_GiAM9e9sOewWL_I4sn1bFdWLr6efV9QeMvWisjk/s1600/stiles+puke.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ECHG3H0FFUTxpmmvq1DvAJOiEw_kx_N8kjgE26od5eg8pRc3jRr63_SfRDi6B7isaUnLdf8S3AE0Q82OsNfkzuVRJO6pH-dVftMu4CnxxWX8_yHQMB-i5h7tENb43J2Ccu3PtiZQkM/s1600/alpha.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ECHG3H0FFUTxpmmvq1DvAJOiEw_kx_N8kjgE26od5eg8pRc3jRr63_SfRDi6B7isaUnLdf8S3AE0Q82OsNfkzuVRJO6pH-dVftMu4CnxxWX8_yHQMB-i5h7tENb43J2Ccu3PtiZQkM/s1600/alpha.gif" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUm0SDQxtDlmoq8PTHv0ek6GzIpkse1-SaXmxPTFgQSJjwy5jLFPtN6jp9HXzscuua0LZjZniFK6XZNUctsTNIWG2CXuHKa-RviDk-sJMHK4IOH4zyMRpES3TM_xQm8yq_sdyVrvL0nQ/s1600/borhter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUm0SDQxtDlmoq8PTHv0ek6GzIpkse1-SaXmxPTFgQSJjwy5jLFPtN6jp9HXzscuua0LZjZniFK6XZNUctsTNIWG2CXuHKa-RviDk-sJMHK4IOH4zyMRpES3TM_xQm8yq_sdyVrvL0nQ/s1600/borhter.gif" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Moonday is the best day of the week.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-3221849695267588412014-06-30T23:33:00.001-05:002014-06-30T23:33:18.621-05:00To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han and June Wrap-up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqymdY6bsIJgko08OrUMb0Eax2KSxd5vH6QH3qRGdXhFXxuskplrdj8j8ZfBvcrPhNESRIJS123QaPSvcvNyKqUt1qjPUpQJRHkYxGGaF46XvURLuHVKney8-9t9-d3eZPDUg6lrQhwo/s1600/To+All....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqymdY6bsIJgko08OrUMb0Eax2KSxd5vH6QH3qRGdXhFXxuskplrdj8j8ZfBvcrPhNESRIJS123QaPSvcvNyKqUt1qjPUpQJRHkYxGGaF46XvURLuHVKney8-9t9-d3eZPDUg6lrQhwo/s1600/To+All....jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>AND June Wrap-up</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Official Synopsis</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Laura Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are the one's she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved-five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Laura Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Review: Four and a Quarter out of Five Stars</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I usually don't give quarters. I was just so conflicted on this one. Like it's more than four stars but not close to five. And thus, 4.25 stars. Rebellion.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was looking forward to this because I really loved The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. It was so fluffy and cute. I hoped this would be too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And it totes magotes was.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS0TR2NLYfJh1g8PqyVpbWH_gjMkEmHm9GUZNqhZdv3n7ENHQCkPbh_rPBWkqUjAduovGy04dZEnVoavHg12nAwQPi1sdEeCYM8lfk2hQzWDalNrFbHu1vAXtU_nCXfLwtluv_zDUsfc/s1600/totes+magoats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwS0TR2NLYfJh1g8PqyVpbWH_gjMkEmHm9GUZNqhZdv3n7ENHQCkPbh_rPBWkqUjAduovGy04dZEnVoavHg12nAwQPi1sdEeCYM8lfk2hQzWDalNrFbHu1vAXtU_nCXfLwtluv_zDUsfc/s1600/totes+magoats.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<u>World and Plot:</u> This book takes place in regular America, as most contemporary novels do. Our main character is Laura Jean, the middle child of the Song family. Sometimes two names flow together simply and beautifully. Laura Jean makes me think of someone going to swim in the creek and someone else with a rather twangy southern voice yelling out LAURA JEAN! DO NOT JUMP IN THAT CREEK.<br />
<br />
But yeah, odd combo. Laura Jean is unique because after she is done loving (which is kind of a loose term) a boy she writes him a letter. It's like a goodbye, you kind of suck letter. Then one day somehow all her letters get sent out and the boys read them. Cue the humiliation and the scrambling to not loose face.<br />
<br />
<u>Reoccurring Themes:</u> Family, Heritage, Love, Self-confidence, Images, Slut-shaming<br />
<br />
<u>Reaction:</u> First off, this book is girly. Like real girly. As in you probably will not find any enjoyment in it if you do not like girly books. Like I'd get off this blog post right now. Just go. Goodbye. (Except stick around for the June Wrapup at the end!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMO-3tLFzmUbTPzaUOlyk4CPWJsvlhXE3qNLl6hc04NTedFhdfvMRQ7mkI3B-Avu9_fDvw3xqcmVrzVNsx65hhz7uAlkhcYkn4lVm3_dAeFwMC8iRyBXGxaTpdYjOGLnpNmr8BEXfO4U/s1600/goodbye.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMO-3tLFzmUbTPzaUOlyk4CPWJsvlhXE3qNLl6hc04NTedFhdfvMRQ7mkI3B-Avu9_fDvw3xqcmVrzVNsx65hhz7uAlkhcYkn4lVm3_dAeFwMC8iRyBXGxaTpdYjOGLnpNmr8BEXfO4U/s1600/goodbye.gif" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'll be honest. From the get go I did not think I was going to enjoy this book. And that is for a simple reason. Laura Jean's older sister Margot (Also how the heck do you say that? Margo? Mar-got? IS THE T SILENT OR NO?). She is waaaay too controlling and close minded. But then she went to college and all was well.<br />
<br />
Laura's special thing to do when she wants to be over a boy is to write them a love letter. It is how she says goodbye and moves on with her life. She keeps them hidden in a hatbox her late mother gave to her.<br />
<br />
Laura starts off the book by talking about her family. They are very close and she doesn't really spend time with anyone else (ye gods, that sounds terrible.). She lives with her father, her older sister Margot, and her younger sister Katherine that everyone calls Kitty. Margot's boyfriend Josh who lives next door is also practically part of the family. Him and Laura were close friends before they started dating and continue to be.<br />
<br />
Margot breaks up with Josh before going to college in Scotland, which changes things. Laura reveals that she was in love with Josh at one point. They were the best of friends. She thought he felt the same way. Then he started to like her sister and she decided to let them be happy together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56gNHMZoD8baWe3wFiKRO3X3-KQGNp5KltWiGsxJk82xsnUIiGXO-nkosLRRv7_39vKutDLuZBx_oNCyNkrmK-3W_yTaE_ZEcVfpE0GyuF4ZiRw1xf0HUcYP-Jayez05ORS0hA9U5g3A/s1600/sad+tangled.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56gNHMZoD8baWe3wFiKRO3X3-KQGNp5KltWiGsxJk82xsnUIiGXO-nkosLRRv7_39vKutDLuZBx_oNCyNkrmK-3W_yTaE_ZEcVfpE0GyuF4ZiRw1xf0HUcYP-Jayez05ORS0hA9U5g3A/s1600/sad+tangled.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At this point I realized Laura Jean is quite the pushover. And my dislike for Margot was cemented. Like how could you not notice your sister was in love with him?!? Not cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laura Jean is terribly sad when Margot leaves and feels helpless. She gets a call from her oldest friend Chris to meet her at the mall. Chris is kind of a wild child and does as she pleases. Laura drives there but gets lost because she hates driving and always gets lost (Side note: Laura Jean's driving is basically me). She doesn't stop at a four-way stop because she doesn't see anyone and smashes into another car (Except I don't hit cars.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She doesn't know what to do and frantically calls Josh. While she sits there and waits for him a boy from school named Peter Kavinsky stops to ask if she's okay. Her and Peter used to be friends in middle school but now he's much too cool for her. They used to have a whole crew of kids they hung out with but they all split off. Peter offers to stay with her but she says no and thanks him. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Josh picks Laura up and brings her home. Josh tells her he was worried she wouldn't want to be friends anymore now that he and Margot broke up. She assures him this is not the case. He says he's relieved because he couldn't lose her too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIPRg4aq2DCSc11RPUoFJVDHumBdI4Rvqel6dHacj9hUy5XrR7zehwY8pM2epdSoq8rgMeWXBe6HAtYWS3C786666-0SimH0kLV355tzQfG22aBjTNZjtAYIErT2A8ssUvbBUqJUa9YA/s1600/raised+eyebrow.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIPRg4aq2DCSc11RPUoFJVDHumBdI4Rvqel6dHacj9hUy5XrR7zehwY8pM2epdSoq8rgMeWXBe6HAtYWS3C786666-0SimH0kLV355tzQfG22aBjTNZjtAYIErT2A8ssUvbBUqJUa9YA/s1600/raised+eyebrow.gif" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Toeing the line there between friend and interested there Joshy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They start to hang out again sometimes with Kitty or her dad and sometimes alone. They talk about their first crushes. Laura says hers was Peter Kavinsky. Josh says his was Laura when he first moved here. Then he tells her he doesn't know what he would've done if she hadn't been there after Margot dumped him and she's keeping him going.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At which point the line was crossed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laura realizes she's still in love with him and it crushes her. She thought she was over him. It makes her feel disloyal and wrong. She sits down to write him another letter and tucks it away in her diary. She distances herself from him to try and stop feeling this way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next is the first day of school. It's your typical first day until Peter Kavinsky comes up to her during gym and tells her angrily that he does not have STDs or always eat the last piece of pizza. To which Laura stares at him in plain horror. Because she said that in the letter she wrote to him. Which means he got the letter. Which means all her letters have been sent out including the one to Josh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiENRygRp43X71WFodDJSyXfqfqRuzEWMk9SbyiYfpIMOSZ3OHK9aZ8oGN0zWwtmc4DGCu7krijuvYVNNSJV9v3GoOqpGnemzIZhtIqKAr83qTCaZZin_oXL4MG6nQ5CZc-0HVru3VdEw/s1600/oh+shit.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiENRygRp43X71WFodDJSyXfqfqRuzEWMk9SbyiYfpIMOSZ3OHK9aZ8oGN0zWwtmc4DGCu7krijuvYVNNSJV9v3GoOqpGnemzIZhtIqKAr83qTCaZZin_oXL4MG6nQ5CZc-0HVru3VdEw/s1600/oh+shit.gif" height="117" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh shit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She makes some lame excuse to Peter, snatches up the letter, and runs away. Laura convinces the gym teacher she's sick and ditches school (gym was her last class. Do not be concerned about her attendance.). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day Laura Jean runs into Josh in the hallway at school and tries to scramble to come up with an excuse. She tells him that she wrote the letter a long time ago and has a new boyfriend. Right then Peter Kavinsky starts walking down the hall. Laura tells Josh he's her boyfriend and goes up and kisses him. After the kiss she says thank you and he says your welcome and they both go on as if nothing out of the ordinary happened.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She meets up with Peter and explains to him what happened. He laughs it off and tells her she's a funny girl. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That weekend Laura Jean gets back the first letter she ever wrote. It was to a boy from camp when she was younger. The letter got sent back in the mail and Kenny never got it. She isn't that concerned seeing as it didn't say much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She sees Josh in her neighborhood and tells him that her and Peter broke up. Josh looks confused and says that isn't what Peter was saying when he saw him today. Laura goes with it and says they're still together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laura Jean confronts Peter and he suggests they fake date for a while. That way Josh won't think anything is weird and he can make his exgirlfriend Gen jealous. Laura agrees and they make a contract.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixWMjMSEJirnLI4qrq-gC2yRpGROSixLy6YWONdHDyDtAfK6mRLy27D-5MCSKAI5xuVMhJtyqf3Pn3C1Au8Xw7XrkN34xyDtlU1VwAysCbGn9jmH1SNB0HXZSrda-XWrtOmtRIPGfdhc/s1600/ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixWMjMSEJirnLI4qrq-gC2yRpGROSixLy6YWONdHDyDtAfK6mRLy27D-5MCSKAI5xuVMhJtyqf3Pn3C1Au8Xw7XrkN34xyDtlU1VwAysCbGn9jmH1SNB0HXZSrda-XWrtOmtRIPGfdhc/s1600/ship.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And so beings one of the greatly used love stories of all time. People in a fake relationship fall for each other but neither can spit it out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laura Jean and Peter become closer as time goes on. He meets Laura's family and starts driving her and Kitty to school. Laura hangs out with him and his friends. They pass notes and go places and it's a world of cute.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-S6ZuBeqgVmQTsnOKa3H5NHgjPWprSdUQPcxjaqguAd1d2QfOrpeNSzrXDgx9notjVWNezKFIT1dWe_ziXWdPYX5KbzR2fUYlYUwoBSvk_YYGFncIEiTIcXad4qyiNavUJDklh1DlJ0/s1600/too+cute+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-S6ZuBeqgVmQTsnOKa3H5NHgjPWprSdUQPcxjaqguAd1d2QfOrpeNSzrXDgx9notjVWNezKFIT1dWe_ziXWdPYX5KbzR2fUYlYUwoBSvk_YYGFncIEiTIcXad4qyiNavUJDklh1DlJ0/s1600/too+cute+gif.gif" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lucas Krapf approaches Laura Jean one day at school and tells him he got her letter but didn't know what to say. He asks is she knew he was gay. Which she responds oh, totally (liar, liar, liar)! He says he was flattered and they part without awkwardness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
More cute stuff happens. Peter wins over Kitty. Josh tries to tell Laura that Peter is bad news and Peter ""gets jealous. Josh continues to be a jealous jerk. This continues on until a little before Christmas when Laura Jean and Josh get in an argument. Josh kisses her and she's stunned and pushes him away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They have a big talk and Laura Jean realizes she doesn't love him anymore, if she ever even did. She could have him right now and she doesn't want him. She wants someone else. Peter. She makes him swear not to tell Margot and he does.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She goes to Peter to break up their fake relationship. Peter protests and says they can be done after the school ski trip they signed up for. Laura reluctantly agrees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laura then decides to go see the last boy she wrote a letter to. John Ambrose McClaren. She liked him around the same time as Peter but then he moved. She sent the letter to his old house and he probably never got it. John recognizes her right away but she doesn't stop to chat. She just wanted to see how he turned out. She lies when Peter asks if she saw him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Margot comes home and starts being bratty as usual. She's short with her sisters and is controlling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laura Jean goes on the ski trip and Peter finally admits he likes her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xMR0HKbONd73qbQobFcppcE-eJAOAzD9GOZQzzv_lvxwRapVuRtr1ebzaYk0WWd54Y3I8QznUdCq1EssEpFYAl2NrjQwhGD7Tm0tQ_4w65INjLCN8K1TDeTiKJTfukmQGnJKexE9Fyc/s1600/Stiles+Victory+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xMR0HKbONd73qbQobFcppcE-eJAOAzD9GOZQzzv_lvxwRapVuRtr1ebzaYk0WWd54Y3I8QznUdCq1EssEpFYAl2NrjQwhGD7Tm0tQ_4w65INjLCN8K1TDeTiKJTfukmQGnJKexE9Fyc/s1600/Stiles+Victory+gif.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She initially doesn't believe him and they get in a huge argument. He says she'd rather love a fantasy than a real person. She says he's just mad someone didn't want the great Peter Kavinsky. They separate angrily.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later on she goes to him and admits she likes him too. They kiss and all is right again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then the next day Laura hears the rumor that they had sex on the trip. Peter's old girlfriend Gen tells her that now everyone thinks she's a slut and Peter will never love her as much as he loved Gen. Laura cries the whole way home and shuts out Peter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then at the family Christmas party Peter shows up because Kitty invited him. He tries to talk to Laura Jean but Josh interrupts to tell him off. He says Peter isn't good enough for her. Peter says he's just jealous and he knows that he tried to kiss her. Then Laura Jean hears a gasp and sees Margot listening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Margot storms away and Laura Jean cries in the bathroom the rest of the party. Her and Margot get in a huge fight and say some nasty things. Eventually Margot tells Laura that it was like they didn't even need her after they left. Laura tells her that's because she taught her everything. They make up and all is right with the family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On New Years Laura spends it with Kitty instead of going out. Kitty admits she was the one to send the letter and gives Laura all the notes she found from Peter in the trash. Laura Jean reads them all then starts to write another letter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It starts with: <i>Dear Peter,</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Aaaaaaaaand end of book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
At the time, I did not know there was going to be a sequel. So as you can imagine, I was filled with an all consuming rage. I threw the book down in frustration and started ranting about how that is not the way to end the book and who the heck does this Jenny Han think she is, Lauren Oliver? This is bullshit. I hate it. This ending has ruined all enjoyment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pHFTpwy5O9q5OfPI-kXCh3lOYH7BqqvpF8WGImoybMHHJWNXjq34t2e0MFL-bIHvaY34aqcVuAiFPa7pJD5866h5zRfeRz9kbe86ZoxiBq50M-EJ4O3td4wv2KCgkZ6soabkgNXGr-s/s1600/angry+leo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pHFTpwy5O9q5OfPI-kXCh3lOYH7BqqvpF8WGImoybMHHJWNXjq34t2e0MFL-bIHvaY34aqcVuAiFPa7pJD5866h5zRfeRz9kbe86ZoxiBq50M-EJ4O3td4wv2KCgkZ6soabkgNXGr-s/s1600/angry+leo.gif" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I went on Goodreads and discovered there was going to be a second book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DmdIZJbcOr4M2DtADP4THvmpJn6QAqEreRtQW6POPfJbbGVeWi7YGwPCgJ1BgbPEAI4-5h8-oKjPCiXcWZh0lPZGOq0YlwDGFvgxf9ESHcYO7LSSBuqxSwzkXIZFX2NdqJ2KfFLw7YM/s1600/embarassed-for-you.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DmdIZJbcOr4M2DtADP4THvmpJn6QAqEreRtQW6POPfJbbGVeWi7YGwPCgJ1BgbPEAI4-5h8-oKjPCiXcWZh0lPZGOq0YlwDGFvgxf9ESHcYO7LSSBuqxSwzkXIZFX2NdqJ2KfFLw7YM/s1600/embarassed-for-you.gif" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whoops. I take back all those rude things I thought about you Jenny Han. You rule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On that note I am quite excited for the next one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Quotes</span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"When someone's been gone a long time, at first you save up all the thing you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it's like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you're just clutching air and grit. That's why you can't save it up like that. Because by the time you finally see each other, you're catching up only on the big things, because it's too much bother to tell about the little things. But the little things are what make up life."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"If love is like a possession, maybe my letters are like my exorcisms."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sometimes questions can be more cruel than insults."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"You'd rather make up a fantasy version of somebody in your head than be with a real person."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"If you make Josh's dumb white-chocolate cranberry cookies and not my fruitcake ones, it's over."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"I didn't say homely! I said you like to be at home!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<u><b><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">JUNE WRAP-UP</span></i></b></u><br />
<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I read this book on like...June 1st. *Hangs head in shame and surrounds self with warm blanket* Like Michelle what have you been doing since then?? Why have you not finished this review??? What about all the other books you read in June tha</span>t you didn't review???? Why have you failed??????<br />
<br />
That was my mentality for quite some time this month. I want to review all the books I read. But when it starts to feel like work I just shut down. This is for fun and I can't do it if it stresses me out. So I've decided to insert my June wrap-up into this post as penance for my book blogger sins.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8755785-city-of-heavenly-fire" target="_blank">City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)</a> by <a href="http://cassandraclare.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Cassandra Clare</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqcCss7V2DuYAG1qXNuDNfUHHuY8WQiKf8s11WCGA1FGWZhcHntdaIUxBXNmtFP5HXq902a-vUueTBsBsHqUyDaELbJ1zz0nETywr30DwVil68OYdAMXtkKVg0shb0tXE1Mg_RAsCTeg/s1600/CoHF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqcCss7V2DuYAG1qXNuDNfUHHuY8WQiKf8s11WCGA1FGWZhcHntdaIUxBXNmtFP5HXq902a-vUueTBsBsHqUyDaELbJ1zz0nETywr30DwVil68OYdAMXtkKVg0shb0tXE1Mg_RAsCTeg/s1600/CoHF.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Five out of Five Stars: </b>The last book in The Mortal Instruments series. My most highly anticipated book of 2014. I have been raving and recommending this series with great vigor for a long time. It's an urban fantasy with action and emotion and great characters. So obviously I enjoyed this one. In the last installment the gang struggles with how they are going to defeat the evil Sebastian Morgenstern and his army of Endarkened Warriors. Sacrifices are made and loyalties put to the test. New and old allies join together to try and stop the end of the world.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also known as ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Emotions can be summer up with Sciles and this dancing bear.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC8iVpG7ud9tk6tqBkLasMuXhDj4ExmsKy741I5ROXxPTn2iRYcP0qHR028yezsjanUYHSQcbHMupniKV_JwsBd4GnhyRTti700kN29leHFWuNJBuK5iMhN4CSRXCrHH61dADuVwWGYc/s1600/sciles+dance.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC8iVpG7ud9tk6tqBkLasMuXhDj4ExmsKy741I5ROXxPTn2iRYcP0qHR028yezsjanUYHSQcbHMupniKV_JwsBd4GnhyRTti700kN29leHFWuNJBuK5iMhN4CSRXCrHH61dADuVwWGYc/s1600/sciles+dance.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGqPzqSN_Vrvwc7I_yP2TEy8Q0SKgNuVFdm2Subf0QcY2uwHBlz_mCFnRFMalRVeKjDvApc4JmlZ_H7JlEQeDo2tTvqbHzyw0BZh85_IlbjlpcsGWPwEc06Xlui0ABXnPynim76AYdio/s1600/hilarious+bear.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGqPzqSN_Vrvwc7I_yP2TEy8Q0SKgNuVFdm2Subf0QcY2uwHBlz_mCFnRFMalRVeKjDvApc4JmlZ_H7JlEQeDo2tTvqbHzyw0BZh85_IlbjlpcsGWPwEc06Xlui0ABXnPynim76AYdio/s1600/hilarious+bear.gif" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15844362-the-one" target="_blank">The One (The Selection Series #3) </a>by Kiera Cass</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtgaq7A6jGp18fjlOGXHXsH43sRtzwtuaDyv3g8VeAjzj95I_4fDP02KzsFCmkC8N-2IF_B8CC35A_1k1EHyY5ZtLILpyG_yDbI_rk7b2AVOnENw2_ROvs2CqrBzcIQ-0vsGjpOIZpY0/s1600/The+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtgaq7A6jGp18fjlOGXHXsH43sRtzwtuaDyv3g8VeAjzj95I_4fDP02KzsFCmkC8N-2IF_B8CC35A_1k1EHyY5ZtLILpyG_yDbI_rk7b2AVOnENw2_ROvs2CqrBzcIQ-0vsGjpOIZpY0/s1600/The+One.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Three out of Five Stars: </b>The last in the Selection series. I picked up these books last year because the covers were sooooo pretty. Unfortunately the inside was significantly less beautiful. It is an overly simplified tale of a terribly annoying <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MarySue" target="_blank">Mary Sue</a> named America who gets everything she wants. These books frustrate me to no end. I literally want to smack America more than I've ever wanted to smack anyone ever. She is the epitome of all the things I hate in a female protagonist. She is selfish and thinks herself to be lacking while everyone tells her how great she is. I am so pleased that this series is finally done. Why give it three stars then, you ask? I hardly find anything worthy of less than three. Those are reserved for the books I hate with fiery passion, not just a bad character.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0GbY8AVpJ1XlrG7J1BH7ypw2eKGYDrqY3x9XKpBJG1FBvfZtAg7QxyWV0ybZ1TSc8EfzvJefB6R-hjro06u4twYf76e9FMFJ83rDJhz92JvGwd6jv4ZFe4yUUiX9rDWa1y4QaWOpeyk/s1600/hatred.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0GbY8AVpJ1XlrG7J1BH7ypw2eKGYDrqY3x9XKpBJG1FBvfZtAg7QxyWV0ybZ1TSc8EfzvJefB6R-hjro06u4twYf76e9FMFJ83rDJhz92JvGwd6jv4ZFe4yUUiX9rDWa1y4QaWOpeyk/s1600/hatred.gif" height="134" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8475505-rebel-belle" target="_blank">Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle Series #1)</a> by Rachel Hawkins</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaSx1gslbMVacbxH9exzrUmb7kCVZyRrJE25SH-lDaCeqnM-AX1vIxlpNUp8U1y2jKYcXDzxwWdonIYrjA4tIxGKcna3PzLnYMNo-z6MKNbu-9H1FohQNazngLmNRgVZ8J8taWMMHeTw/s1600/RB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaSx1gslbMVacbxH9exzrUmb7kCVZyRrJE25SH-lDaCeqnM-AX1vIxlpNUp8U1y2jKYcXDzxwWdonIYrjA4tIxGKcna3PzLnYMNo-z6MKNbu-9H1FohQNazngLmNRgVZ8J8taWMMHeTw/s1600/RB.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> out of Five Stars: </span></b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first in a new series involving magic and Paladins. There is fighting and humor and love. And lots of quirk. I think this was mother case of the high expectations curse. This book had so much hype. I was expecting like the best book ever or something. Sadly it is not the best book ever. That's not to say it isn't a good book! I really liked it. I love books that take place in the south. Heck, I love anything that takes place in the south. Make me want to say y'all and drink sweet tea (except not really because sweet tea is pretty gross). And this was really cute and charming. I've just reached a point in my reading life where I no longer like to have girl protagonists make feeble claims about how they don't like the boy they obviously like and make observations about him and be like YE GODS I DID NOT MEAN THAT. Yes, you do. Shut up sweetheart. The world building was done really interestingly here. I'm not super into it but it has flair. Harper was a funny narrator most of the time. I'll probably pick up the rest of the series. It's a decent read. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaM2XDwTzzjOpuqSze9qKdxeRYtu6DHg-NbLgMWnycF1zZeNJz3vk7AD1HKbdY0rp03UTlWHbimHPjnAv7fpmJMqKxjdgdB1jyqQuZeiYHi1wF3ncR7H99RPXau_7OsvaNn6femStjsk/s1600/belle+life.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaM2XDwTzzjOpuqSze9qKdxeRYtu6DHg-NbLgMWnycF1zZeNJz3vk7AD1HKbdY0rp03UTlWHbimHPjnAv7fpmJMqKxjdgdB1jyqQuZeiYHi1wF3ncR7H99RPXau_7OsvaNn6femStjsk/s1600/belle+life.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
A little bit of pink and a whole lot of crazy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18048745-raging-star" target="_blank">Raging Star (Dustalands #3)</a> by Moira Young</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsowvip4sS-MhS-F2AM7lEIkfIPQg8iSjnoZW7FRqlu1lep1f669_wlUQYHXtS1DXYN8l9nZDvRVPDgOxRGW0hnzcy3CaC4HhrMaiZyVS7zjZiK6eL5qr8J_NQ-feNvNLKZbx7eS2Rv8/s1600/DL3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsowvip4sS-MhS-F2AM7lEIkfIPQg8iSjnoZW7FRqlu1lep1f669_wlUQYHXtS1DXYN8l9nZDvRVPDgOxRGW0hnzcy3CaC4HhrMaiZyVS7zjZiK6eL5qr8J_NQ-feNvNLKZbx7eS2Rv8/s1600/DL3.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>The last of the Dustlands Series. (Yes, I did read a lot of last books this month.) A dystopian series with a <i>very </i>unique writing style. Meaning there is no quotation marks and things are almost always spelt wrong. But give it a chance dude! The first book in this series, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9917938-blood-red-road" target="_blank">Blood Red Road</a>, is amazing. It's a thrilling adventure. The other two in the series are not close to as good, but still really enjoyable. The main character, Saba, is a little tough to handle at times. She has a habit of not telling people things that would make everything a lot simpler. The ending to the series was satisfying and a tad bittersweet. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286812-the-f--it-list" target="_blank">The F-It List</a> by Julie Halpern</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79DDEncn9NRTFkO3xDxnsI4iwYqFgTT-8tjU6sBQC0WEMgqbltTShlmXNL-RnOwCJXwO5-g36fsmPRvkeekBba36jNP2Wlc0WKl3snZ7m5eXWmyGl2ujQhP_XMzpEViCw9r0-tSMxHeQ/s1600/TFITLIST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79DDEncn9NRTFkO3xDxnsI4iwYqFgTT-8tjU6sBQC0WEMgqbltTShlmXNL-RnOwCJXwO5-g36fsmPRvkeekBba36jNP2Wlc0WKl3snZ7m5eXWmyGl2ujQhP_XMzpEViCw9r0-tSMxHeQ/s1600/TFITLIST.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars:</b> A standalone about a girl dealing with her best friend being diagnosed with cancer and all the other terrible things in her life. I once again had high expectations. They once again fell a little short. Curse you self. Why must you always do this? It was an excellent book though. It was dark and moving. My absolute favorite thing about the characters were how <i>real </i>they were. They acted, talked, and thought exactly like anybody else. This is a truly rare thing. The cancer and bucket list are less of a focus than I thought it would be. It's more of an emotional journey than anything. Alex, our lead, has a hard time letting people in. Side note: a lot more sex than I anticipated. This book doesn't shy away from anything, that's for sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5152478-wintergirls" target="_blank">Wintergirls</a> by Laurie Halse Anderson</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYafAlemJUlpMGeXyBGgYHtLo_XQwHySgvd3KnBMd-RSa17nNnmu9ZUgnumQ1TuI1BCc8qWQ37YzsXkA0SDEQAdgUKGYoUnWs6KwfziP636cT8B6AfYeZG-ZWZUHdQToqsZCMcKfUvuw/s1600/Wintergirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYafAlemJUlpMGeXyBGgYHtLo_XQwHySgvd3KnBMd-RSa17nNnmu9ZUgnumQ1TuI1BCc8qWQ37YzsXkA0SDEQAdgUKGYoUnWs6KwfziP636cT8B6AfYeZG-ZWZUHdQToqsZCMcKfUvuw/s1600/Wintergirls.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Five out of Five Stars: </b>And one of my favorite books ever. Cassia and Lia have been best friends since the third grade. As they grow up they make a pact, to always be skinny. Lia doesn't eat and doesn't eat and doesn't eat. Cassia eats and gets rid of it. Lia gets put in treatment a couple times and Cassia tries to cut her out of her life. But then Cassia's body is found in a motel room alone. Lia must deal with this while keeping her goal of being skinniest.<br />
<br />
This book is dark and highly poetic. Not for the casual reader. It's by the same author who wrote Speak if that tickled your fancy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsrEavfHsdKg9XHhr_RlW9blDMrxOTpVwjHw0JBcs4pOOmSCL3ir-b9Nq0vDOZbYZF8bmHOzCvwSZiODvDv5fHBhEERy1FILIGz3isdQ-V-k5LdKS_dZD4Iu_cQETPeOU4HueBgq23NI/s1600/I+swear+to+be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsrEavfHsdKg9XHhr_RlW9blDMrxOTpVwjHw0JBcs4pOOmSCL3ir-b9Nq0vDOZbYZF8bmHOzCvwSZiODvDv5fHBhEERy1FILIGz3isdQ-V-k5LdKS_dZD4Iu_cQETPeOU4HueBgq23NI/s1600/I+swear+to+be.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18189606-since-you-ve-been-gone?ac=1" target="_blank">Since You've Been Gone</a> by Morgan Matson</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvWxS9NJgtEuVwoHnuQhkkcNk7K_wKyCZzo3GPeoxiz1eZacn74t_sb5h9O_sON_H9ChI5bGnxcI2csYYEwj_7Xshae2eJeASbH4qONNCmcrUS629EmU8unwPSvdboG23ko6mhrtTfqA/s1600/SYBG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvWxS9NJgtEuVwoHnuQhkkcNk7K_wKyCZzo3GPeoxiz1eZacn74t_sb5h9O_sON_H9ChI5bGnxcI2csYYEwj_7Xshae2eJeASbH4qONNCmcrUS629EmU8unwPSvdboG23ko6mhrtTfqA/s1600/SYBG.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>This book is a perfect summer read. It's about a girl named Emily who finds a list of things to do her best friend Sloane left her. Sloane has gone missing and won't answer any of Emily's calls or texts. Emily and Sloane have done everything together the past two years and Emily is lost without her. She starts to do the things on the list thinking if she completes them all it'll lead her to Sloane somehow. Along the way she makes some friends, gains some confidence, has some hilarious adventures, and perhaps even falls in love. It's kind of adorable and really funny. One star gets knocked off for some unsatisfactory ending and falling action stuff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHIKtioRFdho_-ZHZ2owKv0AT57qrBj_mg9DkPf1AGdrRtucr3nE4drtJ66VyLr4s-8G0EAWNIpYz7U41ou_brPHq34flqfgbVnwhcMtWiRnQNtLsHyjiJyJhnqVeyd7qlsbqNTiwScE/s1600/since+you+been+gone+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHIKtioRFdho_-ZHZ2owKv0AT57qrBj_mg9DkPf1AGdrRtucr3nE4drtJ66VyLr4s-8G0EAWNIpYz7U41ou_brPHq34flqfgbVnwhcMtWiRnQNtLsHyjiJyJhnqVeyd7qlsbqNTiwScE/s1600/since+you+been+gone+gif.gif" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813630-the-coldest-girl-in-coldtown?ac=1" target="_blank">The Coldest Girl in Coldtown</a> by Holly Black</b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7mHlCOZGCPPV-m4MLnuQ9rLHid8GuLePG8VQtPL3DqEJ8wJdpfxJBmmtPHpB598F-F8WEnwlMzfZBujazRtW8Q8J_bYOVml5GNxGXpj7IUyWTTcMR7Y2RHOuZbTK1lQchg6NKxSoq7Q/s1600/Coldtwon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7mHlCOZGCPPV-m4MLnuQ9rLHid8GuLePG8VQtPL3DqEJ8wJdpfxJBmmtPHpB598F-F8WEnwlMzfZBujazRtW8Q8J_bYOVml5GNxGXpj7IUyWTTcMR7Y2RHOuZbTK1lQchg6NKxSoq7Q/s1600/Coldtwon.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Four out of Five Stars: </b>I was really looking forward to reading something by Holly Black. She's best friends with Cassandra Clare so I was expecting good things. My big problem is that this was a surprise vampire book for me. I didn't know it'd be about vampires. Nowhere in the description does it say VAMPIRE BOOK. So about a couple pages in when they name dropped our fanged friends I almost quit right then and there. I am <i>so </i>done with vampire books right now. I can just not do it. So that was a major factor making this less enjoyable. Also the love story is crazy and weird. I did not approve. Other than that it had great writing, a decent female protagonist, and an interesting plot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA2T-vO_2xaBZe-c0IQBGvWpRZVJgbQlm-Y-84rCUFQgusBSRMBsKHB8nDUXgjF9zsx5RKfvFiKZo9p-jMBNjnK5SIpwOVY_SefnESkZqXW0IRiR4LrWdF-BcszBCRzqA9u66F0zGmKQ/s1600/vamp+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA2T-vO_2xaBZe-c0IQBGvWpRZVJgbQlm-Y-84rCUFQgusBSRMBsKHB8nDUXgjF9zsx5RKfvFiKZo9p-jMBNjnK5SIpwOVY_SefnESkZqXW0IRiR4LrWdF-BcszBCRzqA9u66F0zGmKQ/s1600/vamp+gif.gif" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>I promise to try and do better in July.</b></div>
<b>
</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-69075417775124045392014-06-06T11:41:00.000-05:002014-06-06T11:41:37.317-05:00Liebster Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGsSnMhsaBm5CE2JP8dIelc79ebVBMw5rIpgWSNrnbVtMiSRJVDAmLHrbPO3Df_hpCfDfdyb07Rybd5c4mcwlbe5GDePODdiRUVXK1FykHJN7ZdEO5_hdZ2GIKR-DWzZTCHjB4lfkRvo/s1600/Liebster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGsSnMhsaBm5CE2JP8dIelc79ebVBMw5rIpgWSNrnbVtMiSRJVDAmLHrbPO3Df_hpCfDfdyb07Rybd5c4mcwlbe5GDePODdiRUVXK1FykHJN7ZdEO5_hdZ2GIKR-DWzZTCHjB4lfkRvo/s1600/Liebster.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So the other day I got a new email about a comment on my blog and I'm like YES I LOVE COMMENTS WOO HOO.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfyleYXbKRs9Pe7Kk3myx-42c4fxFSVk1A0PMF70kUfnQCpzV79MjLVSfpvlgu4_NXceljCCX62uk_7c4U7EkputTy2SRUfej7dqnkF30s64T8ShfdupFcKTM6LHkwPp5JA-7Jkq5A40/s1600/super+happy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfyleYXbKRs9Pe7Kk3myx-42c4fxFSVk1A0PMF70kUfnQCpzV79MjLVSfpvlgu4_NXceljCCX62uk_7c4U7EkputTy2SRUfej7dqnkF30s64T8ShfdupFcKTM6LHkwPp5JA-7Jkq5A40/s1600/super+happy.gif" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And Jazzie Kings of <a href="http://thebookdancer.blogspot.com/2014/06/liebster-award.html?showComment=1401721907863#c551005668255818695" target="_blank">The Book Dancer </a>blog nominated me for a Liebster Award.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I was like............what the heck is a Liebster Award?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Liebster</em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"> in German has several meanings including dearest, sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, welcome, and sweetheart (I stole that from Jazzie's post mwahaha).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">So the Liebster Award is a way for newer bloggers to connect and say hey dude I think your blog is cool and deserves some viewers. And for this Award there are rules!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">I'd like to thank Jazzie enormously. That was so incredibly sweet of you.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwVprExV5G-MMSNwmz2CFLTivC3UBfYuKVm5pRrejzlCN2ZaMNNHZzuAgvIeVdasnUZF1FSF82HGDYU3Zx77AfxfYR5mn89-KGuRkD3xOnu_Q7ZToRr_bcLRwKnYd04H0qNBZ2Ve2kVk/s1600/THANK+YOU.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwVprExV5G-MMSNwmz2CFLTivC3UBfYuKVm5pRrejzlCN2ZaMNNHZzuAgvIeVdasnUZF1FSF82HGDYU3Zx77AfxfYR5mn89-KGuRkD3xOnu_Q7ZToRr_bcLRwKnYd04H0qNBZ2Ve2kVk/s1600/THANK+YOU.gif" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The Rules</strong></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1. </b></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">List 11 facts about yourself. </span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>2.</b> Answer the 11 questions asked by whoever nominated you. </span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>3. </b>Nominate 9 bloggers with less than 300 followers and leave them a comment saying they've been nominated.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>4. </b></span><span style="font-size: 15px;">Ask 11 new questions for your chosen nominees.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>5.</b> You cannot re-nominate the blog that nominated you.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><i>Let's Get This Party Started</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><i></i></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a7hb6rmZb-LJiJ_RNfdyXH-IoQpcUaygt0V3IPUuHUYBSuy-EGCVScngn9ohzjpIFa4HmHy5U4kl3wXOth0-RDGrPJwlVRDrSzxnOREqgW3PHgLOusWbVvuXXj1zR3DCkwWqbDU3SkU/s1600/draco+and+ron+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a7hb6rmZb-LJiJ_RNfdyXH-IoQpcUaygt0V3IPUuHUYBSuy-EGCVScngn9ohzjpIFa4HmHy5U4kl3wXOth0-RDGrPJwlVRDrSzxnOREqgW3PHgLOusWbVvuXXj1zR3DCkwWqbDU3SkU/s1600/draco+and+ron+gif.gif" height="181" width="320" /></a></i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>Eleven Facts</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">1. </b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Right now I'm studying pre-pharmacy and aspire to one day be a pharmacist. Go science.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>2. </b>My favorite place to read is on my dock (I live on a lake) in the summer. It's perfection.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>3. </b>I have an older sister who is almost as obsessed with reading as I am. I often finish books and chuck them into her room and demand she read them right that second.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>4. </b>For as long as I can remember I always have The Mexican Hat Dance in the back of my mind. I tap it out on whatever surface is near me. I also have this problem with the Febreze jingle.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_8iEFzRKDTduh8jNMChE61k-dIXaoPafn8qj3tN4W0Oy2Y83BpyxzPZMBQ1ZRZGDQ4hffEFeFkuVcs15nYTHmtEzcplhx8yQssSK8GBRdPcoOWdblphnd6G3xPVj0ARDtjmOCmOtF9g/s1600/olay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_8iEFzRKDTduh8jNMChE61k-dIXaoPafn8qj3tN4W0Oy2Y83BpyxzPZMBQ1ZRZGDQ4hffEFeFkuVcs15nYTHmtEzcplhx8yQssSK8GBRdPcoOWdblphnd6G3xPVj0ARDtjmOCmOtF9g/s1600/olay.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>5. </b>When I get really stressed out on airplanes my trick is to sing Bingo (as in there was a farmer was had a dog...I even do the claps in my head). It's very </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">therapeutic. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">6. </b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I'm more of a cat person than a dog person. Although my dream dog is a Pomeranian.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>7. </b>I can </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">only watch TV when the volume is on a multiple of five.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">8. </b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">I like to obsess over things. It doesn't matter if it's books, movies, TV shows, or music. I will read,watch, or listen to it over and over and over again until I meet my next obsession.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>9. </b>I'm a Slytherin and maintain my green and silver pride. We're not all jerks yo.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>10. </b>I really love score music. I could listen to it for hours. </span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>11. </b>I can't whistle. Never have been able to, never will.</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Eleven Response to the Questions from </b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Jazzie</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What would your daemon be and why? (If you haven't read His Dark Materials, a daemon is like the physical manifestation of your soul/conscience. It's eternally linked to you emotionally and is always with you.)</b> </i>I did read this series a while back. I think my daemon would be a cat, which some might view as boring but I do not. Cats are wise and watchful. They know the correct moment to strike.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What would your boggart be? (If you haven't read Harry Potter or watched the movies at least, you need to get on that bandwagon - Siriusly! *cough* Sorry, bad joke.) Or if you prefer to be Divergent, what would your fear landscape include?</b> </i>What do I fear most? Heights I guess. Can you turn that into a boggart? Would it be a giant cliff??? My guess is no. So I'd probably say it'd be some sort of altered, twisted version of myself showing me my future as an incredible failure and terrible human being.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What's your earliest memory of reading?</b> </i>My mom always really loved to read this book called Dinner at the Panda Palace. It had a lot of counting and pictures. On my own my first real series read was Harry Potter in second grade.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What is your most anticipated book of 2014? (Sorry, Becky, I stole your question)</b></i> It <i>was </i>City of Heavenly Fire. But now I've already gotten and read it so now it's Into the Afterlight, the last book in The Darkest Minds Trilogy by Alexandra Bracken.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>Who is your favorite secondary character and why? </b></i>This is a total cop out, but I'm going to name more than one. Drawing the lines between main and secondary characters is a murky subject. Some of my favorites are Magnus Bane from the Shadowhunter Chronicles, Hassan from an Abundance of Katherines, and Chubs from The Darkest Minds.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What about your favorite villain? </b></i>The villain I love to hate the most is probably President Snow from the Hunger Games. Valentine Morgenstern from the Mortal Instruments is a close second.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What is something you enjoy besides reading?</b> </i>I love playing tennis and binge watching TV.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">What is your favorite place (other than your hometown, if you like your hometown) that you've been to? </i>I'm a total beach person. I'd say my favorite place I've been to was Playa del Carmen in Mexico or Holden Beach in North Carolina!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>What book do you feel guilty about not having read yet? </b></i>The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. I've heard nothing but good things about it and I've been putting it off for <i>years.</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i> <b>If you were stuck on a deserted island, what book would you want with you? The answer can't be "How to Build Boat/Raft out of Coconuts" though that would probably be the smartest choice. </b></i>I would take a dictionary. That's a weird answer. I mean, I'd probably get bored if I took a real book. I could learn a couple new words everyday until I knew everything. If I <i>had </i>to take a real book I'd probably go with Clockwork Princess because it's awesome and I could use a good cry.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i><b>Last question just because I need some suggestions: Do you read graphic novels? If you do, what are some good ones? If you don't, why not? </b></i>I have never read a graphic novel. I don't know if I ever will, but I'm not adverse to the idea. I've just never had the urge.</li>
</ol>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>My Questions for the Nominees</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>1. </b>What is your favorite feel-good book?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>2. </b>What book has made you cry the hardest?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>3. </b>If you could live in any book universe, which one would you pick?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>4. </b>What book that you were really looking forward to really let you down?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>5. </b>If you had to be a Downworlder (vampire,werewolf, warlock, or fairy) which one would you want to be?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>6. </b>What's your all time favorite stand alone?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>7. </b>If you could meet one author who would you pick?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>8. </b>Which book character do you want to be best friends with?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b>9. </b>If you had the opportunity to slap one book character who would you smack?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>10. </b>What's your favorite book-to-movie adaptation?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>11. </b>What book has had the most life-changing impact on your life?</span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px;"><b>And the Nominees are....</b></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com/" target="_blank">bookshelves of doom</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.thepagesage.com/" target="_blank">The Page Sage</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://whatchyareading.net/" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" target="_blank">whatchYAreading?</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> (I laughed out loud reading their Will vs Jem "discussion")</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://rebecca-books.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca-Books</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://ohfortheloveofbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh, For the Love of Books!</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.myreadingfrenzy.com/" target="_blank">My Reading Frenzy</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.reading-is-dreaming-with-open-eyes.blogspot.hu/" target="_blank">Reading is dreaming with eyes open</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.bookwormblogger9.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">bookwormblogger9</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://courtney-reads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtney Reads</a></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Side Note: If I screwed up and you have more than 300 followers, my apologies. I tried to figure it out the best I could. You could still do it and I still think your blog is pretty neat regardless.)</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; line-height: 20px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;">Thanks again to Jazzie for the nomination. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I'm pretty fresh to the whole blogging thing and this was a nice compliment to get.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30aSzqiiRjPo2R-MqabcitzjmC3iVcd4I7zGhAlMdvx7FIWYZChBcZIGnUpkdRre1G0ieTYcWrxTNvtpjUSgE26efvFpFPxizRQzIAFYkeal9gSGHxAmK1Z6hfOBIC7uF8rscJAWGjR0/s1600/gatsby.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30aSzqiiRjPo2R-MqabcitzjmC3iVcd4I7zGhAlMdvx7FIWYZChBcZIGnUpkdRre1G0ieTYcWrxTNvtpjUSgE26efvFpFPxizRQzIAFYkeal9gSGHxAmK1Z6hfOBIC7uF8rscJAWGjR0/s1600/gatsby.gif" height="170" width="400" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-75251990069830712782014-06-02T11:30:00.001-05:002014-06-02T11:30:36.496-05:00We Were Liars by E. Lockhart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTMI5TZ5IRxyXdPVfYL5kic7urwzv756Dhwl3uCpaC1rP4domAiq4tifEive05NnvhD5lwZJx0qehmgck_hcip5i9HNBQTbmGVdG-ofjRZLuUj4ohx4G-YD7EhWOaMKUlJTer0f88i00/s1600/WWL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTMI5TZ5IRxyXdPVfYL5kic7urwzv756Dhwl3uCpaC1rP4domAiq4tifEive05NnvhD5lwZJx0qehmgck_hcip5i9HNBQTbmGVdG-ofjRZLuUj4ohx4G-YD7EhWOaMKUlJTer0f88i00/s1600/WWL.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16143347-we-were-liars" target="_blank">We Were Liars</a> by <a href="http://www.emilylockhart.com/" target="_blank">E. Lockhart</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Official Synopsis</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A beautiful and distinguished family.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A private island</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A group of four friends- the Liars- whose friendship turns destructive.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>A revolution. An accident. A secret.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Lies upon lies.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>True love.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>The truth.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Read it.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Review:</u> Four and a Half out of Five Stars</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/173491.E_Lockhart" target="_blank">E. Lockhart's books</a>. They always have so much witty dialogue that's actually really deep beneath the surface. Also John Green (of TFIOS, Looking For Alaska, and hilarious best friend characters) and Alexandra Bracken (of The Darkest Minds trilogy and all the feels) were both raving about this book. So I went in with extremely high expectations.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
THEY WERE MET. HOO RAH!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6wdQSoYjj5-UGGOWGhAAK3S-iS1_UmzFIiCe6wmxmt80tsfZ8AzYk5ybRGKXT7usE_Sxav5lGRMY1JWWPJHyTUnWmHazPcTjDdVvPmp8ssM7aXTPZY68CMddw7KaHRsMr5ZAFNPeifE/s1600/crazy-dance.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6wdQSoYjj5-UGGOWGhAAK3S-iS1_UmzFIiCe6wmxmt80tsfZ8AzYk5ybRGKXT7usE_Sxav5lGRMY1JWWPJHyTUnWmHazPcTjDdVvPmp8ssM7aXTPZY68CMddw7KaHRsMr5ZAFNPeifE/s1600/crazy-dance.gif" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
LATELY I'VE BEEN SO LET DOWN BY HIGH EXPECTATIONS BUT THE CURSE IS BROKEN!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It does have a very unique writing style and an amnesiac, unreliable narrator. But I liked that and loved the book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>World and Plot:</u> This books takes place in good old regular America. Our main character is Cadence Sinclair Eastman, the first grandchild of a <i>very </i>wealthy family. The Sinclairs own a private island named Beechwood off the coast of Massachusetts where they spend every summer. The family includes the patriarch grandfather and his wife Tipper, their three daughters, their daughter's children, and one daughter's boyfriend's nephew. Cadence spends all her time with Mirren, Johnny, and Gat. They cause all sorts of trouble and call themselves the Liars. But then during summer fifteen a terrible accident changes everything. Cadence can't remember what happened and keeps notes above her bed trying to piece together the mystery.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reoccurring Themes:</u> Family, Wealth, Power, Tolerance, Guilt, Loss, Grief, Expectations</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reaction:</u> I read We Were Liars in one sitting. I was hooked. It isn't like my new favorite book or anything, but I truly enjoyed it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
E. Lockhart has a particular writing style that is pretty much hit or miss. I think it's just peachy. But others do not. It has a lot of short and one word sentences. It can be very broken writing. And sometimes </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just like.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But if that doesn't bother you then you're in for an awesome book y'all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You open up the book and, lo and behold, there is a <i>map.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVFU985eKo7Ys8Ky5ETALOhzzDwaEgec_jWowQlJY6v91Xzqu5SjtB_1zPLBmx8_WxIx5bRZRUUcTk5qemKH1HiUAbUoLWFs0D6ezc6MOBzTDGQvUuTEDwFWF5tDbVVSGqZIZdPmluOw/s1600/map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVFU985eKo7Ys8Ky5ETALOhzzDwaEgec_jWowQlJY6v91Xzqu5SjtB_1zPLBmx8_WxIx5bRZRUUcTk5qemKH1HiUAbUoLWFs0D6ezc6MOBzTDGQvUuTEDwFWF5tDbVVSGqZIZdPmluOw/s1600/map.gif" /></a></i></div>
<i> </i>I can't remember the last non-fantasy book I read that had a map. I like maps in books, always have. I continuously flip back to them until I can get a clear picture in my head. So I enjoyed the map.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once I got over the map there is also The Sinclair Family Tree to study. So there was prep for this book involved.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The book is split into five parts. Part One is titled Welcome. It opens up with our narrator Cadence talking about the accident that gives her terrible migraines and memory problems. Then she says her problems began before that, when her dad left and she learned that to be a Sinclair is to never be needy or a failure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cadence's mother (who she calls Mummy which is endearingly British and slightly annoying at the same time) is the youngest daughter and has two sister named Carrie and Bess. Each daughter has their own house on the private island. Windemere for Penny, Red Gate for Carrie, and Cuddledown for Bess.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cadence is the eldest grandchild and has many expectations to fill. Cady and the others started hanging out during summer eight when Gat joined the group. After Bess's divorce she got a new boyfriend named Ed. Ed's nephew Gat was brought along to play with Johnny for a couple weeks. Cadence, Mirren, Johnny, and Gat became inseparable. Gat ended up staying the whole summer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During summer fifteen Cadence and Gat fall in love. It is ridiculously sweet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDdU3hM2dTr7ccOh8UcL-GpGT2-fJGcno1-X1XE-P8FXbx_X4tLuVJQc54B0XWuwWOGvZqlsGi_qQmu6nTmJzTaWe8Xpcb8yB5sktW_EbQq-Is5dN0p6Zxkc3y2cQXx4z2Hl7yv6a6wY/s1600/rapunzel+sigh.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDdU3hM2dTr7ccOh8UcL-GpGT2-fJGcno1-X1XE-P8FXbx_X4tLuVJQc54B0XWuwWOGvZqlsGi_qQmu6nTmJzTaWe8Xpcb8yB5sktW_EbQq-Is5dN0p6Zxkc3y2cQXx4z2Hl7yv6a6wY/s1600/rapunzel+sigh.gif" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is writing words on the back of hands, boat rides at night, and saying one thing that means another. It is almost borderline cheesy, but does not cross into that realm.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the love story we start to get introduced to the inner politics of the family. The grandfather interrupts a moment between Cady and Gat and you get the feeling that something is not quite right.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We learn that his wife Tipper died shortly before summer fifteen. Once again Cadence is told by her mother to </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaGFEu2YVhi_SZ_uV0-mhkbvCPpmTgbnZ4_17cCU0I3opMo9zC5e9MF-N2UNc80MtIwR6POIe3rpD8pnyR7P10cBAX7h3JVjuqOioF7ksXsZwrhy-11GHKre19o1KanRk3LoodLMvaPc/s1600/conceal+don't+feel.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaGFEu2YVhi_SZ_uV0-mhkbvCPpmTgbnZ4_17cCU0I3opMo9zC5e9MF-N2UNc80MtIwR6POIe3rpD8pnyR7P10cBAX7h3JVjuqOioF7ksXsZwrhy-11GHKre19o1KanRk3LoodLMvaPc/s1600/conceal+don't+feel.gif" height="168" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everyone in the Sinclair family understand that this is how they do things. Gat does not. He brings up Tipper and Cadence's dad who left frequently. It makes him more of an outcast than he already is. Cady makes some remarks that allude to her cutting herself over this tragedies, but it's all very subtle so I'm not quite sure if she did or not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then the accident happens. For reasons she doesn't remember Cady went swimming one night by herself in her underwear. She smacked her head on a rock and sank to the bottom of the ocean. Later her mom found her on the sand still half underwater curled in a ball. And I'm just like</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbZQ4efE84BFqCQ5jAbumjqkaa10zeZXdkQQWxJ-LUzAVty_pL613Pn2oj4hNi9WdjKAsQGKr7cSTDAmjZ7TikEgk0q3UpDPn2CAxmGjCnUSkh22DiabA-gzjCuO0DNQGpMQzS2PYkCw/s1600/unpleasant.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbZQ4efE84BFqCQ5jAbumjqkaa10zeZXdkQQWxJ-LUzAVty_pL613Pn2oj4hNi9WdjKAsQGKr7cSTDAmjZ7TikEgk0q3UpDPn2CAxmGjCnUSkh22DiabA-gzjCuO0DNQGpMQzS2PYkCw/s1600/unpleasant.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You poor girl. That is utterly terrifying. Cady goes home to Vermont to recover. None of the Liars reach out to her, not even Gat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now Cady suffers from blackouts and migraines that make her throw up. Her condition is knows as post-traumatic headaches and she takes addictive prescriptions pills for the pain. Instead of going to Beechwood for summer sixteen she goes on a trip to Europe with her dad. Her mom tells her it's a good idea because they're redoing the main house Clairmont this summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While on the trip Cadence suffers from her accident and writes and calls the liars. No one answers her and after a while she stops calling because she doesn't want to look weak. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At this point I'm pretty upset with the Liars. Your girl Cadence is going through a rough time and needs you people. How selfish of you not to be there for her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Part two begins: Vermont. Cadence goes back to Vermont for the school year and barely attends school. When she does she falls down stairs and frightens the students with her crying. But because she is a Sinclair she maintains an air of mystery and is not teased. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cadence starts to give away all her belongings because she thinks it's making a difference. She gives away her decorations, her pillow, her photos. Nothing has value to her anymore. Obviously Cady is having some problems...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsU2kUwRCuaaN-BqGoPgTbr6LrE4dOb5KwWthpHrlwej8IGtUHU_RUP04rxXgKieyDilYTJN-T0ZzBmzdgMOZf-YyBzC94hLS4Qe16I8DERSYrjdxvVuGtoHE2jtlwX5UgG8UxSPMVaY/s1600/psychologically+disturbed.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsU2kUwRCuaaN-BqGoPgTbr6LrE4dOb5KwWthpHrlwej8IGtUHU_RUP04rxXgKieyDilYTJN-T0ZzBmzdgMOZf-YyBzC94hLS4Qe16I8DERSYrjdxvVuGtoHE2jtlwX5UgG8UxSPMVaY/s1600/psychologically+disturbed.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Almost everyday Cadence asks her mom what happened during her accident, but she can never remember what she says. Her mom eventually stops telling her and tells her it'll be better if she remembers on her own.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Her parents want her to go with her father to Australia for the summer, but Cadence isn't having it. She is on her best behavior and her grandfather convinces them to let her go to Beechwood. She can only go for four weeks though. Her aunts will be watching her the whole time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We come to Part Three: Summer Seventeen. Cadence meets all her family but the Liars at the docks. She sees the New Clairmont and it's completely different. Everything warm about the house has been changed to sleek and modern. Cadence starts to freak out but her mother yanks her out of it and tells her to knock it off and be normal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cadence heads to Cuddledown house and there are the Liars, waiting for her. She's excited and angry to see them. She tells them how she didn't graduate and has to do another year. Mirren talks about her boyfriend. They go the beach together and it's like old times again. Mirren, Johnny, and Gat decide they want to stay in Cuddledown for the summer and not go to meals at New Clairmont. Cady gets the feeling the decided this beforehand.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cady and Gat have a moment. He tells her he never thought he'd see her again, but Cady can't bring herself to ask him why he ignored her all this time. Cady goes back to her room at Windemere and starts going through things to give away. Her mom catches her and says she can do what she wants as long as she comes to dinner at Clairmont and behaves.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When Cadence is alone she takes a pad of paper and writes down everything she remembers about summer fifteen. Then she writes questions down that she needs to find out. Why did I go into the water alone at night? Did I really have a head injury from the swim, or did something else happen? And what happened between me and Gat?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later on Cady is too sick to go to dinner. She finds her aunt Carrie wondering around by herself in the dark. She offers her a flashlight but she says she likes the dark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next day Cadence meets up with Mirren. Mirren says she hates email and that's why she never answered. She lets Cady know her, Johhny, and Gat are living in Cuddledown for the summer. But Cadence's mom won't let her move in there with them because she's not well enough.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gat and Cady have a talk and Cady bitches him out for ditching her. Gat asks if they can start over and Cady agrees. I wasn't sure about how I felt about this. On the one hand I really like them together. On the other he ignored her for two years. So I was skeptically optimistic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cady starts to remember things that happened during summer fifteen. She recalls the aunts having a fight with her grandfather about who was going to get the Boston house. She had a fight with her grandfather about ivory statues. Gat gave her a book with the inscription <i>For Cady with everything, everything. Gat. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The summer goes on and Cady spends her time with the Liars. Mirren often gets sick and stays inside. Gat and Cady fight over things, but always stay together despite that. Johnny is reckless and does what he wants. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then Cady remembers how horrible the aunts were during summer fifteen. How they fought and fought and fought over Tipper's stuff and the estate and the money. How they tried to use their children to get ahead in the fight. How her grandfather never really approved of Gat or his uncle because of their color. How all the aunts never had money of their own and always relied on the grandfather and things getting nasty. And then she remembers something they did, the Liars. The thing that changed everything. And everything begins to fall together in a horrible sense of clarity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>THE TWIST</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh32-2XKzuyzjnWlBHwTaMe9j_oYsCCU4nVKOMpoIeQAMPVlwSWU3dom0CuVen_IP6Q5Pkb-WIqRJmSJiQ883HIpqA6-3wSzueVuXkBp0DoHcdD51Ge8uDFCkSqu0HtUucyu5PDb2o8c/s1600/spoilers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSh32-2XKzuyzjnWlBHwTaMe9j_oYsCCU4nVKOMpoIeQAMPVlwSWU3dom0CuVen_IP6Q5Pkb-WIqRJmSJiQ883HIpqA6-3wSzueVuXkBp0DoHcdD51Ge8uDFCkSqu0HtUucyu5PDb2o8c/s1600/spoilers.gif" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lol that's all I'm going to say about it. There is a twist and it should not be spoiled. Don't be like my dear sister and Wikipedia the plot when you get frustrated. If you know it's coming it won't feel the same. And boy did it make me feel something.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The twist is what makes this novel what it is and you <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">want</u> to not see it coming.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yeah, the TFiOS movie is coming. Yeah, I'm excited.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But back to We Were Liars. It's a fast read and totally worth it. I highly highly recommend it. It's a short and well... not sweet read. More of a bitter flavor actually. So go pick it up. GO. GO NOW. GO TO BARNES AND NOBLE. And take me with you dude.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG68EbqsHP3iVsnT3DuhjknBsiBGizZzsKHsA5WedC3HCTVDGf3j071FbYk1Tp7DDGF0nMr2EcYhrcKb8zdCnzGPxo7ld5BWZ8DJWoUkgXNo1BCSn9klml_8mCV69FjCA6rzeKuHoONNE/s1600/god+i+love+books.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG68EbqsHP3iVsnT3DuhjknBsiBGizZzsKHsA5WedC3HCTVDGf3j071FbYk1Tp7DDGF0nMr2EcYhrcKb8zdCnzGPxo7ld5BWZ8DJWoUkgXNo1BCSn9klml_8mCV69FjCA6rzeKuHoONNE/s1600/god+i+love+books.gif" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Quotes</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"There is not even a Scrabble word for how bad I feel."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I suffer migraines. I do not suffer fools."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"I'll be fine, they tell me. I won't die. It'll just hurt a lot."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Always do what you're afraid to do."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"No one like a waffler."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Never take a seat in the back of the room."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Never complain, never explain."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Don't take no for an answer."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Never eat anything bigger than your ass."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Do not accept an evil you can change."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Be a little kinder than you have to."</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-18656515629887814852014-05-06T23:20:00.000-05:002014-05-06T23:20:07.211-05:00The Corporeal Pull by Sara B. Gauldin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jAYOKDLJ1ri6O1m1lIKvLkRhjWiF_eWUNeaeXPny9XxJIoGjYdTNsgGXimf1PNZVlLumMu55HBsSuEE_Oo1Ed-R2KBprT2Ua1WGCDHXjCgZvzDk6AH9VEyqui4pOSw7jz-CE9mA-pTs/s1600/The+Corporeal+Pull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jAYOKDLJ1ri6O1m1lIKvLkRhjWiF_eWUNeaeXPny9XxJIoGjYdTNsgGXimf1PNZVlLumMu55HBsSuEE_Oo1Ed-R2KBprT2Ua1WGCDHXjCgZvzDk6AH9VEyqui4pOSw7jz-CE9mA-pTs/s1600/The+Corporeal+Pull.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19046365-the-corporeal-pull" target="_blank">The Corporeal Pull</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7088127.Sara_B_Gauldin" target="_blank">Sara B. Gauldin</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Official Synopsis</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>"The Corporeal Pull is a story of love that transcends both time and the mortal plane. Terra, a guiding spirit of the Tweens, was content to manage her corporeal charges on Earth and help them towards their divine purpose until she was faced with Liam. The strange attraction she feels towards this lone entity forces her to reexamine the narrow perspective she has held for centuries. Suddenly, the relevance of soul mates is thrust into the forefront of her thoughts, and she cannot deny their relevance. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />When Terra realizes that Liam’s intended path is one of incomprehensible suffering in the mortal world, it is already too late. She has let herself become entangled in his fate. Terra is faced with an impossible quandary; how can she knowingly send her love to a human lifetime where he is meant to be sacrificed to slow the flow of evil in the world? </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />She realizes that without Liam, her immortal existence will become one of never-ending pain. If Liam cannot continue his existence; than neither will she. Things do not go according to her plan! </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br />This epic tale of good versus evil seeks to answer the age-old question of “why me” that all earth-bound travelers must eventually ask about their own life experiences. This action-packed love story will invite you in and leave you breathless!"</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Review:</u> Three out of Five Stars</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was lucky enough to be given a copy by Sara B Gauldin to review her new book (my answer immediately was <b>YES. YES I WILL</b>). Thanks so much Sarah!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I honestly had no idea what to expect going into this. This is the first book I've read by this author. It is also very new and nobody else has talked about it to me. The synopsis sounded alright and I figured it would be a decent read.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>World and Plot:</u> The Corporeal Pull takes places in a universe where all entities are created by The One. All mortal and immortal beings are born into a place called the Tweens. The immortals stay in the Tweens forever and do whatever job are given. One of these jobs is being a guide to the mortals. Mortals will enter Earth through a portal and have to fulfill a certain purpose before they die to reenter the Tweens. Guides watch over them and try to point them in the right direction. Our main character Terra is a guide who falls for one of her charges and doesn't know what to do when she's asked to send him off to a terrible life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I didn't tag fantasy just for kicks. It's not your average world and it takes some getting used to. The world building is done slowly though and wasn't info-dumpy, which is always nice.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Reoccurring Themes:</u> Love, Soul Mates, Sacrifice, Destiny, Good vs. Evil, Life</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Reaction:</u> The Corporeal Pull was an interesting book. It really makes you think. I just don't think it was my type of book. I don't think this book is for the casual reader. It has very mature vocabulary and concepts. I would have hated it if I had read it when I was younger. I think that people who like books with deep philosophical meaning and heavy romance would enjoy it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The book begins with a prologue of a letter written from the main character Terra to her friend telling her about her choice to enter the mortal world without knowing if it will work or not. I really liked how it started like that because it was intriguing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We cut back to a couple months earlier when Terra is training new guides. The beginning of this book was pretty hard for me to get into. Terra is basically an altruistic robot at this point who only cares about her job as a guide. She also speaks in a very complicated intelligent way. She even tells her trainees she doesn't understand the point of emotional ties. Talk about an Ice Queen.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Terra isn't unlikeable, but I didn't really connect with her. She does become a bit more normal when she describes the time she doubted her guiding when she possibly encountered two soul mates.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Terra has one friend named Halle. Halle is a creator who makes art then sends it to Earth. Halle is much better at socializing and understanding connections than Terra and tries to help her.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Liam, our love interest is then created and meets Terra. The love story...it didn't work for me. I don't enjoy the concept of soul mates or one true love. But Liam and Terra fall instantly in love when they first meet. This <i>always</i> bothers me regardless of whether they're soul mates. I like a relationship to grow and develop. I like there to be buildup. There is a lot of telling and not showing. Liam is also made out to be a bit too perfect. Terra is as well. I liked the couple well enough but it wasn't anything special in my opinion.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Despite that hiccup the story moved along with us getting more familiar with the transition from being created to being born as a mortal. We also learn of an evil that's affecting the world, the Scourge.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R5qVMM__9uQSv2l25p5GbqtGUar_QoYsJoCDqosrzciD8GS3OjofE3S6zJ61m-j4wv-me5VCYhf4uX6OR2Mb6h0mq5Vwtk0z_jq0zDG-0hYuFmYXY8UbQ2SqCVheyfgvmGwxrXGfmIY/s1600/sauron's+eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R5qVMM__9uQSv2l25p5GbqtGUar_QoYsJoCDqosrzciD8GS3OjofE3S6zJ61m-j4wv-me5VCYhf4uX6OR2Mb6h0mq5Vwtk0z_jq0zDG-0hYuFmYXY8UbQ2SqCVheyfgvmGwxrXGfmIY/s1600/sauron's+eye.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yeah I always pictured the Eye of Sauron when they talked about it...It made it seem more menacing! It corrupts souls on Earth and makes them cruel and evil, much like The Dark Side. Terra explains to the guides she is training that it is there job to try and get their charges to not be swayed by darkness and complete their true purpose.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Terra and Liam are together and happy, but Terra sees in his future that he will have a troubling life on Earth in order to combat the Scourge in some way. She is very conflicted about sending him to his almost certain doom. She has two options: to have him born to a woman that wants to murder her child or a woman in a coma who will never wake up that was impregnated by rape. Obviously neither seem too swell.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Terra tries to convince the Council to spare Liam, but they won't change their minds. They say that they all must do the will of The One without questioning it. Terra tries to warn Liam of his fate. Liam doesn't want to hear it though and wants to go into his mortal life without knowing. He'd rather try to remain optimistic. Eventually Terra and Liam have a little spat about this because Terra thinks he needs to be prepared. They patch things up rather quickly though.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Next it's time for Liam to become a mortal. Terra goes with him. When the time comes to say goodbye she kisses him in front of everyone not caring about what others think. Then after he goes through the portal Terra follows him in.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Terra had sent Liam to the woman in the coma as his path. Since she jumped in after him she winds up with the other option, the woman wanting to kill her child. Terra is the first immortal to ever try crossing into the mortal world and is surprised at her success. Terra is born but is floating and able to speak.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPKitey6pFFVipkTqSjbDjCxrIvwznoz7Sz6oXP0eZLjehwhylKISdnbBQoD9DYosZ40BeDRTACK9PqykOqrv1ZXf2GKR_JJt1UPaE-OniaRTPyVstEQd7tmS6z213wlIjNaI1i_ePpo/s1600/EW!.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPKitey6pFFVipkTqSjbDjCxrIvwznoz7Sz6oXP0eZLjehwhylKISdnbBQoD9DYosZ40BeDRTACK9PqykOqrv1ZXf2GKR_JJt1UPaE-OniaRTPyVstEQd7tmS6z213wlIjNaI1i_ePpo/s1600/EW!.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I hate when they have newborn babies that can speak. It is so creepy. Terra's mother is so freaked out she decides to spare the child and sell it to someone. A widow named Portia adopts Terra and she has a normal happy childhood. She doesn't let on that she is centuries old and can speak to anyone else.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Whenever Terra sleeps she has a connection to her friend Halle back in the Tweens. Halle searches for Terra and keeps track of Liam too. Terra uses this as an opportunity to make sure Liam is safe every night and is very grateful. His childhood is full of shifting from foster home to foster home.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When Terra is young she starts doing as much physical activity as she can so she'll be strong enough to face the Scourge. When she's at the park one day she is surprised to meet a soul without a body named Korin. Korin explains that her body was taken over by one of the Scourge and she continues to survive by stealing energy from things like electricity. Terra finds out that as an immortal she is the only that can see these beings. Her and Korin agree to work together to try and find a way to combat the Scourge.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A couple years later Terra's teacher gives her a fake test on a unit they weren't studying to prove that Terra doesn't pay attention. Terra passes with a hundred percent and a meeting is called to talk about it with the principle. During the meeting Terra encounters her first Scourge entity. She stops him from possessing the principal and sends him away with a warning.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A couple weeks later Terra goes to a sleepover where they watch The Exorcist...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDB0nGF8zIEIDXIsLJKzYXCzEmsUXPedp_MvZfnRAt-_VD3medTfu212MX86L21nG7uyh4E7QirgQRt8SAA1Seoz4IiXwoThFTqh-mxOYwAuPS5zXwUOFN1hGUsSm58EisE0vivGMLNk/s1600/the+exorcist.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDB0nGF8zIEIDXIsLJKzYXCzEmsUXPedp_MvZfnRAt-_VD3medTfu212MX86L21nG7uyh4E7QirgQRt8SAA1Seoz4IiXwoThFTqh-mxOYwAuPS5zXwUOFN1hGUsSm58EisE0vivGMLNk/s1600/the+exorcist.gif" height="204" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Because what young girl doesn't want to watch that before going to bed? *shudders* But the movie gives her the idea that maybe she can find a way to "exorcise" the Scourge entities that have taken over other people's bodies.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When walking home from the sleepover Terra is suddenly attacked by three Scourge. They outnumber her and one of them takes over her body. Uh oh spagetthi-o's. After being ousted Terra goes after one of the remaining Scourge and tells him off for not completing his true purpose. When confronted with his goal in life the Scourge freezes and shatters.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Terra rushes back to her house to find Korin and explain what happened. They decide to try and get Terra's body back when it returns. Terra in the meantime goes to check on Liam now that she can teleport using her immortal form. While there she meets Liam's mother Carol, who is also an entity. Carol explains how she choose to leave her life as a vegetable to watch over Liam. She also tells Terra that Liam says her name in his sleep and hasn't forgotten her. Terra is overjoyed and leaves content.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Korin and Terra are able to overpower the Scourge that had taken over her body and Terra reenters it. There is then a time skip of a couple years. She could still see and try to fight off the Scourge, but she couldn't destroy them as a human. However as the only person who could try to fight them...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpr79kZYMG9Z4Gz2PyHbk3TXsX6bB4S3Lx4cN_dYsOnsNEt0PHKnIDZWoe8IuGBe_uqOITSD2j59EkHm2gtQrvixlUZGUeeihCciTMAFSxeVeG89iqf1r0gRRKR3QGSLmiaIyO9FfsD98/s1600/You're+my+only+hope+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpr79kZYMG9Z4Gz2PyHbk3TXsX6bB4S3Lx4cN_dYsOnsNEt0PHKnIDZWoe8IuGBe_uqOITSD2j59EkHm2gtQrvixlUZGUeeihCciTMAFSxeVeG89iqf1r0gRRKR3QGSLmiaIyO9FfsD98/s1600/You're+my+only+hope+cat.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She's the only hope of trying to fight them at the moment. One day when Terra checks in on Liam she can tell something is off. He's with a new family, but they're acting really strange. SHe has a feeling the Scourge is involved. So she has Korin take over her body for the time being and goes to see what's going on.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">She arrives and is instantly attacked. It turns out to be the soul of one of Liam's adoptive parents though. The Scourge took over her body and now she's standing guard over Liam and their son. Terra, the family, and Carol agree to work together to fight off the Scourge presence here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's a tough battle and Liam is expelled from his body during it. He and Terra can see each other for the first time in many years. They manage to fight off the Scourge and are left with a dilemma. Liam wants to remain with Terra, but Terra knows he has to return to his body to complete his true purpose. His greatest challenge has yet to pass. So with heavy hearts the couple shares a last moment.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>END OF BOOK ONE</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I didn't know it was a book one. I didn't know it was a series. I was getting to the end and I was like how are they going to wrap all this up so quickly?? But there's a sequel called <b>Aware</b> apparently.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Basically right now I feel like this:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx6h5y57DwSBao6wOj7lTo38UGvYQheo3rneuKmKZnKesOlK51rXFKcYDRROI0PDOwv9EPkh9BoLx1EeWElW4Wxyy39zM0maHo2iA2aM9c9XaBPRQKWf1fd6YreQ1gVhxEXdPnuNHZCs/s1600/Castle+Conflicted.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx6h5y57DwSBao6wOj7lTo38UGvYQheo3rneuKmKZnKesOlK51rXFKcYDRROI0PDOwv9EPkh9BoLx1EeWElW4Wxyy39zM0maHo2iA2aM9c9XaBPRQKWf1fd6YreQ1gVhxEXdPnuNHZCs/s1600/Castle+Conflicted.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The book was decent. The biggest lie it tells is that it's action-packed. If you read books with action in them, then you can clearly tell this is not an action book. It is a words and conversations book. There's nothing wrong with that. The fight scenes just weren't that gripping or suspenseful.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The book has a lot of good question about life and love. Would I recommend it?...not to readers like me. Like I said me and this book just weren't that compatible. I can see how others would really enjoy it though.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thanks again to Sara for the free copy! I really appreciate it!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yCaN7Y1fMKyjXxUk5XjiZSBz_owYLn80UoUqZwtovGcAnYpwnW63oSvTzGcZ3UM0t3Dk46D2oZ2JQiL8_66OT3mRFqPww9k1Jjenc9n9ySF31NC2MzsFMVmj6n41jBTsL_z9K0oVFsY/s1600/THANK+YOU.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yCaN7Y1fMKyjXxUk5XjiZSBz_owYLn80UoUqZwtovGcAnYpwnW63oSvTzGcZ3UM0t3Dk46D2oZ2JQiL8_66OT3mRFqPww9k1Jjenc9n9ySF31NC2MzsFMVmj6n41jBTsL_z9K0oVFsY/s1600/THANK+YOU.gif" height="224" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><u>Quotes:</u> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"It was her job to dispatch him. Terra wonder what that made her; a guide or an executioner."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"I am sorry that I wasn't strong enough to stay."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"There are times in a mortal life when the idea of continuing seems like more than one can bear."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Live your life and come back to me without being marred by pain from the world."</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-48044139883997888132014-04-30T23:15:00.001-05:002014-04-30T23:15:32.491-05:00Panic by Lauren Oliver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv90nIGlyuiP1Aa0j6TLD4HqpIYBbWXZ8Vhyphenhyphen_vR-obh3pHu_7_hU8ob3IxkSOIw9Bp8iohZ0sOzS0HXy3Sut-IcYUzhd00ac4OnkZcWUm1cuGHC-RqTGIEix7UnRSNU7OJCQr6N10BTQ/s1600/17565845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUv90nIGlyuiP1Aa0j6TLD4HqpIYBbWXZ8Vhyphenhyphen_vR-obh3pHu_7_hU8ob3IxkSOIw9Bp8iohZ0sOzS0HXy3Sut-IcYUzhd00ac4OnkZcWUm1cuGHC-RqTGIEix7UnRSNU7OJCQr6N10BTQ/s1600/17565845.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17565845-panic?ac=1" target="_blank">Panic</a> by <a href="http://lauren-oliver.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Oliver</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Official Synopsis:</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a poor town of twelve thousand people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She'd never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game; he's sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he's not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them-and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need to most.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Review:</u> Four out of Five Stars</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am a big fan of <a href="http://lauren-oliver.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Oliver</a>. I read and loved <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6482837-before-i-fall?ac=1" target="_blank">Before I Fall</a> and the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11614718-delirium?ac=1" target="_blank">Delirium</a> series (except for the end of Requiem,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LPUa0biJPZSE2_zlmKyXEZg7ZE13BwfSCnVkzOzep35MDDxL06gtZvgymzwFZWA-XWbacMeBcBXuBhYVljKmmiNIX09ZAtvycYsZFY1k1BunxR2qhjmFGJVaPIdXKBPMfEqOfNGlNP8/s1600/angry+sherlock+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LPUa0biJPZSE2_zlmKyXEZg7ZE13BwfSCnVkzOzep35MDDxL06gtZvgymzwFZWA-XWbacMeBcBXuBhYVljKmmiNIX09ZAtvycYsZFY1k1BunxR2qhjmFGJVaPIdXKBPMfEqOfNGlNP8/s1600/angry+sherlock+gif.gif" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
but that's a tale for another time). So I went into this with extremely high expectations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think the description of this book is very misleading. It would have you believe that it is an action packed thriller about a high stakes game. It's really more of a story about the characters and why they choose to play the game and its consequences. There are a couple of scenes that are suspenseful, but overall Panic did not make me panic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>World and Plot:</u> Panic takes place in a small town of about 12,000 people (12,000? Lol get on my level, Lauren.) in New York. Every day throughout the school year they make every kid donate one dollar to the pot for Panic (Every. Single. Day. For four years! And I thought my small town high school sucked). Then during the summer all graduating seniors have the opportunity to play for the money. Other than that it's your basic small town where everyone knows everyone and there's lots of drama.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The story follows one summer of Panic from the dual perspective of Heather Nill and Dodge Mason who are both participants. Throughout the game their courage, friendships, families, and lives are put on the line. The pot is 67,000 this year, enough money to change your life forever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reoccurring Themes:</u> Friendship, Family, Revenge, Bravery, Risk, Trust, Hope</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reaction:</u> I liked Panic. I liked it a lot. Is it one of my favorites? Nah. Maybe it's because I was expecting more excitement. Maybe it's because it's because Lauren Oliver was the author. This book just wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The book starts off interesting with Heather joining Panic after being dumped by her jerk of a boyfriend. Her best friend Natalie is startled and angry when Heather decides to enter. Nat is also playing Panic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are then introduced to our other narrator Dodge. Dodge doesn't really have friends. He and Heather are sort of friends but not really. Dodge isn't playing Panic for the money or for himself, he's playing for <b>REVENGE!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv1uCpS_S9Z2mBj0DzNiVnEvbjMl3KEux9SvB036jDbVs10cfdSoIwaxAlscF0VHiAgQloeduKBhegYrjpbt4K26EDo51ZeniqFAXKhJOeo_fkIN_teIymWYJlfhyphenhyphen2u2joJlmGLRHCFM/s1600/Barney-s-Evil-Laugh-barney-stinson-28536275-500-282.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXv1uCpS_S9Z2mBj0DzNiVnEvbjMl3KEux9SvB036jDbVs10cfdSoIwaxAlscF0VHiAgQloeduKBhegYrjpbt4K26EDo51ZeniqFAXKhJOeo_fkIN_teIymWYJlfhyphenhyphen2u2joJlmGLRHCFM/s1600/Barney-s-Evil-Laugh-barney-stinson-28536275-500-282.gif" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first challenge is pretty simple. One must jump off a high cliff into the water below and announce themselves as a player. This is a celebrated event and all of the young people in Carp come to watch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next challenge is where things start to get dangerous. The players have to walk across a plank between two water towers and are timed. This was a stressful section, but Heather pulled through and made it. The cops showed up and scattered everyone before the challenge could be completed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While running away Natalie sprains her ankle and Heather and Dodge help her limp away. Thus Nat is eternally grateful to Dodge and so begins their courtship.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKdzUfzhCydhFIl_J7xWb1Sy4vLz1rnMlJBkYnFZUt7hd6XU600g32GJYJiGp-Ievn7JgkgaaFUC2vSncNDHcytaFh9DL7oozo_7Y5TrRXW9TAM5NzQmX2gyEjp-Je3MqPnlV0trsju8/s1600/TS+Aliens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKdzUfzhCydhFIl_J7xWb1Sy4vLz1rnMlJBkYnFZUt7hd6XU600g32GJYJiGp-Ievn7JgkgaaFUC2vSncNDHcytaFh9DL7oozo_7Y5TrRXW9TAM5NzQmX2gyEjp-Je3MqPnlV0trsju8/s1600/TS+Aliens.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While waiting for the cops to leave Nat and Heather have a best friend moment and decide if they win they'll split the money. Warning bells went off in my head at this point. Nat is not a trustworthy girl.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The reveal of why Dodge wants revenge comes next when we see his sister Dayna. Dayna played Panic two years ago and lost the ability to use her legs in the final round. The cause of this injury was Luke Hanrahan, whose brother Ray is playing this year. Dodge figures a sibling for a sibling will make them even. At which point I realized Dodge is a tiny bit crazy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nat shows up and offers Dodge a deal where they split the money if they win (I was so right about her). Then she flirts with him and leads him on. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the water tower challenge Heather loses her job at Walmart after sleeping in and missing a shift. We are exposed to her life of living in Fresh Pines trailer park with her younger sister, her mother, and her stepfather. The parents (if we have to call them that) are frequent drug and alcohol users who don't take care of Heather or Lily, who's only twelve.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather luckily scores a job with a woman named Anne. Anne owns a barn out in the country and hires Heather to help out. Her other best friend Bishop gives her a ride there and we instantly get the feeling this is more than just friendship.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qOMPur1q8EsLggfG_Uq0Zr2r8KE_Mbd48Fv0oBrpRfhBhNfkudliKeX-vGXFQFiy5ZukIdMp4vVp_22ZyuIiWtxfuPeBdMAH1pirxAx-uKHrcYrYNpWu1dAoYAfYI4G-LL-f6Q9BDSM/s1600/ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qOMPur1q8EsLggfG_Uq0Zr2r8KE_Mbd48Fv0oBrpRfhBhNfkudliKeX-vGXFQFiy5ZukIdMp4vVp_22ZyuIiWtxfuPeBdMAH1pirxAx-uKHrcYrYNpWu1dAoYAfYI4G-LL-f6Q9BDSM/s1600/ship.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anne is a sweet lady. There's just one little odd thing that separates her into cuckoo territory. She has...tigers. Real live actual tigers. In a fence (AS IF THAT COULD STOP THEM) in her backyard. This is the one detail of the book that I do not accept. It is utterly ridiculous. Like nobody would notice you were keeping tigers in a town that small. The grapevine is real people. It is real, it is short, and it is fast. The second you brought those tigers into town everyone and their grandma would know about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alas, sometimes we must accept tigers in our books and move on with the story. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next challenge is to sneak into Trigger-Happy Jack the drunk's house and steal something. The man shoots at intruders and sends his watch dogs after them. Piece of cake. Dodge, Heather, and Nat work as a team through this challenge. Nat is kind of useless (what else is new?) because of her ankle and Heather and Dodge do most of the work to get what they need.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After this challenge the cops start threatening to shut Panic down but nobody thinks they can. If anyone tattles you can be assured people <i>will </i>find out it was you and they <i>will </i>make you regret it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our group of four spend some time together. We learn Nat wants to use the money to move to LA to be a model and is willing to go through sleezy guys to get there. Dodge and Nat also become an official sort of something.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next challenge is to stay overnight in the haunted Graybill house. Our team of Heather, Nat, and Dodge stake out a room of their own in a dingy closet. This is fine until somebody sets the house on fire and they're trapped inside. Nat is able to get out through the window but Heather and Dodge won't fit. They almost die from the smoke but are rescued just in time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather wakes up in the hospital to Bishop and Nat at her bedside. They inform her that the homeless guy in their town had been hiding out in the house that night and died in the fire. The police are now trying to shut down Panic and question everyone. The secret judges are ready to call it off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dodge isn't having this because then he won't get his revenge. He gets his enemy Ray to help him keep the game going by putting one of the players through a solo challenge by kidnapping him.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather decides to quit the game because it's too dangerous and feels guilty about the murder. But then she comes home to her sister sitting outside in the rain. Her mother made her stay outside while her and her friends did cocaine. Heather grabs all her stuff and takes her sister with her and decides to live in her mom's car. She now needs the money from Panic more than ever. Poor girl. Makes your heart ache a little.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_JXmSTcx_w9rJxdSiYGylchddSgOo7PSXMbeiYH7GmsUA3MXW7BFmf6v8cCVidbINeDxJkquef6WtqIjLBj0FgWX8e1guyAom_N5IR1aAP6KiBcmj8EO5X1nReIqhmyxBlQEe2Igso4/s1600/Sad+look+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_JXmSTcx_w9rJxdSiYGylchddSgOo7PSXMbeiYH7GmsUA3MXW7BFmf6v8cCVidbINeDxJkquef6WtqIjLBj0FgWX8e1guyAom_N5IR1aAP6KiBcmj8EO5X1nReIqhmyxBlQEe2Igso4/s1600/Sad+look+gif.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next challenge actually was terrifying. The few players remaining had to cross the highway blindfolded, judging whether to go based on if they could hear cars. It was an action packed sequence I enjoyed. Our two leads make it through, but Nat is cut.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next is Nat's birthday party. Nat is drunk and angry at everyone. Dodge tries to give her a present and she tells him she's using him and seeing someone else. They get in a big fight and Dodge leaves. Also at the party Heather kisses Bishop in a spur of the moment thing but he pushes her away. He says he needs to explain but Heather isn't having it and runs off. She finds Nat obsessively washing her hands in the bathroom, revealing her OCD. This made me a bit more sympathetic to her character...but I still don't like her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the players still in the game attacks the announcer and tries to get him to reveal the names of the elusive (not really, it's pretty dang obvious who they are) judges. This gets him disqualified and Nat back in. (Convenient, ay?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather has to return to Bishop's house where she left her phone and catches him hanging out with another girl. In a jealous rage she grabs her phone and storms out. The angst is real.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dodge suddenly gets a text telling him to meet his family at the hospital. He rushes over only to find that Dayna was able to move her toes. Dodge gets angry and says he thought something actually happened, hurting Dayna and his mom. They go out to celebrate, but Dodge isn't in the mood. He's mad Dayna doesn't want him to play Panic anymore and also storms off. Two angsty narrators, so little time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is when my dislike for Dodge became cemented. Your sister that you call your best friend hasn't been able to move her legs at all for two years. She finally has a breakthrough and is ecstatic about it. And you respond that it basically isn't a big deal. What a jackass. All he cares about is revenge and he's a jerk. Screw you, Dodge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather and Lily finally get caught with the car they stole from her mom and decide to stay with Anne. She welcomes them with open arms. Their mother tries to get them to come home but they refuse.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dodge figures out who the judges are (not a brilliant deduction man. All the signs were there.). He then threatens to reveal their identity if they don't let him skip the solo challenge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heather then has to do her solo challenge. When she was younger, her real father shot himself. It gave her a fear of guns. So for her challenge she has to play Russian Roulette with a loaded gun once and hope she doesn't get the one with the bullet. Dodge removes the bullet though while no one is looking at request of the judge. Heather goes through with it without knowing this and makes it to the finals.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nat then gets her solo challenge. She has to stand in the tiger pit at Anne's for ten seconds. She can't make it though (who could? REAL LIVE TIGERS. Still ridiculous.) and is disqualified. Again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the challenge Heather forgets to lock the tigers' gate though and they escape. (YOU HAD ONE JOB, HEATHER. ONE JOB.) She frantically searches for them, but they're gone. The judges identity is then revealed to her because they want to take the blame for it. Unfortunately the person who finds the first tiger does the sensible thing and shoots it because TIGERS ARE DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS NOT PETS.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anne is pretty ticked off when she discovers this, but understands it was an accident. She lets Heather and Lily keep staying with her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next it is time for the grand finale: JOUST. Two cars playing chicken. Three players left: Dodge, Heather, and Dodge's target Ray. Totally made me think of this the whole time...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pwGQDtC-h18?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are two rounds. First is Heather vs Ray. Then the winner goes up against Dodge. I won't spoil who wins, but this is the hands down best and most panicky part of the book. The climax is pretty awesome except the slightly odd thing at the end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The epilogue was a little bleak and fluffy for my tastes. It wrapped things up, but it wasn't what I was looking for. At least there was an ending (*cough* Requiem *cough*)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall this was just</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjg9rK43UTH63dy034uZAyUwVfLhKmHbvgpNHSR8i5yyS_5IA8jZay0usXb5y9CFm_GWciW5AEdueOqiAAXNe-s7Qq4pF_31LIqJdzYkzL4e_Wb_RXvCzsOKXK3jVgKgYcGb7lnSV5VM/s1600/shrug+gift.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjg9rK43UTH63dy034uZAyUwVfLhKmHbvgpNHSR8i5yyS_5IA8jZay0usXb5y9CFm_GWciW5AEdueOqiAAXNe-s7Qq4pF_31LIqJdzYkzL4e_Wb_RXvCzsOKXK3jVgKgYcGb7lnSV5VM/s1600/shrug+gift.gif" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I liked it! I did! It just wasn't the <i>bam wow pop</i> I was expecting. Maybe it's because I didn't actually particularly like any of the characters. Heather was oblivious too much and a bit of a downer. Dodge was a crazy jerk who only cared about revenge or Nat. I've already expressed my dislike for Nat. Bishop didn't know how to spit things out. I didn't really connect with anyone. I wanted Heather to win Panic to turn her life around, but she was really hard to put up with sometimes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Would I recommend this? Yeah, it's a nice quick standalone novel. If you're looking for something with a little more meat I'd avoid this one. It has it's high points. Lauren Oliver really knows how to turn a phrase. The writing is awesome, the characters and plot...less awesome. Also as I've mentioned the "mystery" parts of it were terribly obvious and over foreshadowed in my opinion.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not every book can be a winner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB3LUkJGZ1ofPyiwNT8VUFnsfCDpH8-TDCPFheyJm1wZpxgwow6d4sE7XsanR48fERXRk5ik7y3A1g3gv3-yX0aKwh2ThMojKo_6JQam6O7YobawO6Ra3RGKGj57S2Swl_JA2HF1mwrY/s1600/unhappy+tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhB3LUkJGZ1ofPyiwNT8VUFnsfCDpH8-TDCPFheyJm1wZpxgwow6d4sE7XsanR48fERXRk5ik7y3A1g3gv3-yX0aKwh2ThMojKo_6JQam6O7YobawO6Ra3RGKGj57S2Swl_JA2HF1mwrY/s1600/unhappy+tiger.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And remember: tigers are not pets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Quotes:</u> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“No one should be allowed to be happy when you were so miserable – especially not your best friends. It should be a law.”</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“This was what true fear was--that you could never know other people, not completely. That you were always just guessing blind.” </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“But maybe you carried your demons with you everywhere, the way you carried your shadow.”</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Side Note: </b>Yes, it has been a couple weeks since I posted. This is because...I started watching Sherlock. Yes, the British TV version that everyone else is obsessed with. IT IS WORTHY OF OBSESSION. It's on <a href="http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Sherlock/70202589?sod=search-autocomplete" target="_blank">Netflix</a> bro. I suggest you binge watch it ASAP.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYlVBhwfvL4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I'm back from hiatus now and ready to start reading up a storm y'all!</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-26662085674004163282014-04-10T18:40:00.001-05:002014-04-10T18:40:14.712-05:00Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDky-lOZ1VgQjEpChLU4hBa10DPqPoY0rBjuaE6O7EAjxLzfV-6c_p_5xENMjgCc4Ua9OgFxORulFeFSewI_bpKy-7FniFQUijpXIAsLV73TB1FdPBAYfX0zLTNgIg93HpnDXfApbpTs4/s1600/DMD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDky-lOZ1VgQjEpChLU4hBa10DPqPoY0rBjuaE6O7EAjxLzfV-6c_p_5xENMjgCc4Ua9OgFxORulFeFSewI_bpKy-7FniFQUijpXIAsLV73TB1FdPBAYfX0zLTNgIg93HpnDXfApbpTs4/s1600/DMD.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die Series Book One)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Official Synopsis</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>"I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>But when our whole life gets swept up by a tornado-taking you with it-you have no choice but to go along, you know?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still a yellow brick road-but even that's crumbling.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>What happened? Dorothy.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>My name is Amy Gumm-and I'm the other girl from Kansas.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>I've been trained to fight.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>And I have a mission."</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><u>Review:</u> Three and a Half out of Five Stars</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went into this with really high expectations. Probably because I usually love Wizard of Oz spinoffs so much...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmayIZPrl0pO8P-vX12bNE_jQY7oD8aFcUV-wq7UKXdmdT9InE9_EU8SCOpj-4YCjfRoOULiZcEHCWwF7XC9p_3sVaRtTUtlCdE7nIVNo4ar1vwNBjOxee_7U8-5UHz4Ta8WRECgZnMY/s1600/wicked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmayIZPrl0pO8P-vX12bNE_jQY7oD8aFcUV-wq7UKXdmdT9InE9_EU8SCOpj-4YCjfRoOULiZcEHCWwF7XC9p_3sVaRtTUtlCdE7nIVNo4ar1vwNBjOxee_7U8-5UHz4Ta8WRECgZnMY/s1600/wicked.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This book got so much hype from Epic Reads that I was sure it was going to be good. The summary and book made it look super exciting too. Then I got the actual book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I liked it. It wasn't <i>bad, </i>but I'm not going to go tell people to read it. It's a rather lackluster first book in a series. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>World and Plot:</u> Dorothy Must Die takes place in an AU of Oz where Dorothy has been made princess and her three friends are all ruling members as well. Dorothy and Glinda have been sucking the magic out of Oz for themselves, the Scarecrow sucks out people's brains to inject them into his own, the Tin Woodman (who is no longer just the Tin Man, I guess) is a bloodthirsty leader of the guards, and the Lion literally drinks people's fear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nobody is happy. Woe is Oz. There are those who wish to rebel and those who wish to just get by and go with the flow. Orphans and broken families are everywhere. But nothing is changing until our girl wonder shows up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reoccurring Themes:</u> Morality, Trust, Rebellion, Sorrow, Power</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Reaction:</u> Sigh. I hate when I get really excited for a book and then </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q6X8Sxp7WKG3hHL-6Bg8gqd23uspq_YPyhRCel2WgeaAVYwUaYQyoItUzpDspisQqP3lyR1DVNHQiP1bRhtRjcVxsFD4ZlecUE3FNNCftDGYFsG6b0Jzmu-hrnokNa_7vFKW5tPaHs0/s1600/DM+disappointed.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9q6X8Sxp7WKG3hHL-6Bg8gqd23uspq_YPyhRCel2WgeaAVYwUaYQyoItUzpDspisQqP3lyR1DVNHQiP1bRhtRjcVxsFD4ZlecUE3FNNCftDGYFsG6b0Jzmu-hrnokNa_7vFKW5tPaHs0/s1600/DM+disappointed.gif" height="131" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
DISAPPOINTED</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I feel like this was more of a good idea, bad execution kind of thing. It made the book <i>sound </i>super interesting. The actual story? Meh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy Gumm is introduced as a bullied teenager who lives in a trailer park in Kansas. She proceeds to talk about how much her life sucks. She talks about it so much. There's a lot of telling, not showing. I like my heroes to complain only a certain amount. She crosses the threshold.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A tornado sweeps up her doublewide into the sky and whisks her away to Oz. We land on the edge of a cliff and are saved by the mysterious Pete. He says a bunch of vague things and leaves. Amy stumbles around with her pet rat and meets Indigo. Indigo (the infodumper) lets us know how much Oz sucks. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next Amy and Indigo decide to join forces to find the Emerald City. They follow the yellow brick road while avoiding everyone. They come across a wingless monkey that tried to escape enslavement by cutting off his wings. Amy rescues him. This gets the group caught by the evil Tin Woodman (just typing it is awkward. HIS NAME IS THE TIN MAN) and his henchmen. The monkey escapes, Indigo dies, and Amy is taken prisoner. Indigo's death was not all that upsetting. Mostly because she had about a page of character development then was turned into goo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dorothy is furious about Amy being from Kansas and orders her to be killed. Before her trial Amy is rescued by a witch named Mombi. Mombi is the leader of the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, or just the Order for short (HMMMMMMM. I feel as though I've heard of something called the Order before. *cough* Phoenix *cough*).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy now has to join the order because when Mombi rescued her she bound her with a spell. The other members of the order include Gert, a wise yet sketchy old lady, Glamora, Glinda's twin (yup, never heard of her either), and Nox, the love interest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy goes through a training montage where she learns magic from Gert, how to fight from Nox, and how to be a lady from Glamora. This is all so she can infiltrate the palace and kill Dorothy. The Order doesn't really trust her fully, so they never tell her their plans. This is a reoccurring theme from everyone in the book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy and Nox have a hate but really poorly disguised romantic relationship. It was alright, but nothing over the top wow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Order decides to try and kill the Lion when he gets too close to their hideout but Gert gets killed instead. This kicks the plan into motion and Amy is stuck inside the body of one of Dorothy's handmaids, Astrid.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy as Astrid gets to watch Dorothy be awful to people, hang out with her rat, and talk to Pete once in a while. This goes on for only a little while before Amy runs into the monkey she rescued earlier. She decides saving this monkey's sister is more important than her cover. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the rescue the palace is looking for the betrayer and the head maid takes the blame because she was working for the Order. At the ball the next day the Order puts magic wards around the castle and has Amy attempt to murder Dorothy. Before she can the Tin Woodman intercedes and attacks. Amy pushes Dorothy and herself off the tower window in an attempted murder/suicide.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dorothy gets her magic shoes to save her though. Amy gets saved by her monkey friends. They bring her to the Wizard. He tells Amy that in order to kill Dorothy she must get the Tin Woodman's heart, the Scarecrow's brain, and the Lion's courage. Also it turns out Pete is actually Ozma, the true ruler of Oz.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
END OF BOOK ONE</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amy does a lot of moral debate in her head that gets old. She is conflicted over whether killing Dorothy is the right thing. She is conflicted about trusting anyone. Everyone also tells her not to trust anyone. It gets to be a bit irritating.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll probably pick up the next one just to see where the series goes from here. It wasn't my cup of tea. I struggled to like Amy a lot of the time, or anyone really.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's hard to talk about what's wrong with it without trashing it. It did have it's good moments. They were just few and far between. I never got a sense of direction of where the book was going. Everything was just jumbled together jumping from one thing to the next.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No quotes jumped out at me either, so sorry...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Would I recommend it? No, not really. Mostly because I've got so many other books I think are way better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-59384967253476612262014-04-08T22:23:00.001-05:002014-04-08T22:23:55.184-05:00Divergent Movie Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/336qJITnDi0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b>Divergent: The Movie</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I (FINALLY) went to see the Divergent movie two weekends ago! I read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent?ac=1" target="_blank">the book</a> a couple summers ago and I absolutely loved it. The entire series is one of my favorites. So I was a little nervous when they decided to turn it into a movie. I've been wronged by the YA movie industry before (looking at you <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDngEnB1rQs" target="_blank">PERCY JACKSON</a>). I've had movies I love totally flop (staring at you <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_mortal_instruments_city_of_bones/" target="_blank">THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS</a>). But then again I have book to movie adaptations I love (lovingly gazing at you HARRY POTTER, LORD OF THE RINGS, THE HUNGER GAMES). It's a game of chance we play, us YA movie people.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wasn't sure how to feel about the casting. I love Shailene Woodley...but she's so <i>nice. </i>Tris, as much as I love her, is not nice. Tris is strong, brave, and brilliant. But overall she's kind of a jerk. So I was slightly worried about Shailene. Theo James had me from the start. He's gorgeous and intimidating, like Four. I love Miles Teller and he seemed like a perfect Peter (Tris's nemesis). The weirdest casting for me was Ansel Elgort as Caleb (Tris's brother) because he's also playing Augustus (from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH5J6ss" target="_blank">TFIOS,</a> which if you haven't read get out of the hole you're living in and go pick it up and a box of tissues) . The whole time I watched the movie I was expecting him to start making out with Tris.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went into the movie with high expectations though because everyone I knew who had already seen it was pretty hunky dory about it. And....IT WAS AWESOME! They did a beautiful job. And the movie is actually doing good so SEQUELS. I LOVED IT.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The movie opens with a voiceover of Tris explaining the faction systems with the five groups each representing a different virtue they think is most important. Abnegation-selflessness, Candor-honesty, Amity-peace, Erudite-knowledge, and Dauntless-courage. I also learned I've been saying Erudite wrong my whole life. We get the world building done right away, which was nice. It was informational, but didn't feel like info-dump.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next we have Aptitude testing. The scene where the Dauntless come in on the train for the tests had me like:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pXqHAszvKReijyEil4UyAiNFOBjINP7NzImdn60BlSZ_8B9HcNLH0OIKyjBtKFJ4dwRj2rQV54g0EgpLqjrBi315Cvt__g7bw3ZrOjixl_c-8TMB_qa4LDdswi-niTe6Ndl-JH3vRcY/s1600/Tina+excitement+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pXqHAszvKReijyEil4UyAiNFOBjINP7NzImdn60BlSZ_8B9HcNLH0OIKyjBtKFJ4dwRj2rQV54g0EgpLqjrBi315Cvt__g7bw3ZrOjixl_c-8TMB_qa4LDdswi-niTe6Ndl-JH3vRcY/s1600/Tina+excitement+gif.gif" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Except I was sitting down so it was a lot more subdued. But internally, this is how I was. It was so cool and Dauntless.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Aptitude test wasn't exactly how I pictured it because of how it had so many mirror images, which got to be a little confusing. It still looked awesome and everything, but I would have liked it better if they hadn't done that. It was also shorter and less scary than I imagined it. Tori telling her she was Divergent was totally creepy and bone-chilling how I wanted it to be though!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then Tris goes home and spends time with her family. Her family in the movie is a lot more affectionate than her book family. I understood why they did that though because otherwise we wouldn't have connected to them at all because we don't get to hear Tris talk about them. The scene where they're eating in the dark really got me because I never thought about how they probably wouldn't use electricity unless they needed to. (Warning: to be Abnegation you must not be afraid of the dark.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The conversation with Jeanine before the Choosing ceremony was a good thing they added in. Kate Winslet is a fantastic Jeanine. She plays the cold, cool villain so well. She's almost in the movie too much though. Sometimes when they added her in I liked it, and sometimes I did not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Choosing ceremony was a highlight and suspenseful. I knew what was going to happen and I was still like PICK DAUNTLESS! PICK DAUNTLESS TRIS! She did choose Dauntless obviously. Then things really got going. She takes off out of there with the rest of the Dauntless and climbs up the support beam to the train tracks where they then have to jump onto a moving train. NBD.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif29XwcYkpigPrpxkjo-IX5Xn6MSCAWbkJ0LSlPsQCIOdWhtBzfJUzt6VFtsxVzJSVOEB9cK-PUDd9LM_AqDqNuqRsPJy0655yQR6gIPSWV9lEz90NlmVPQ9WbP4VhnjoUlAR0TZGyy8/s1600/tris+jumping+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif29XwcYkpigPrpxkjo-IX5Xn6MSCAWbkJ0LSlPsQCIOdWhtBzfJUzt6VFtsxVzJSVOEB9cK-PUDd9LM_AqDqNuqRsPJy0655yQR6gIPSWV9lEz90NlmVPQ9WbP4VhnjoUlAR0TZGyy8/s1600/tris+jumping+gif.gif" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We get the scene where SHE HAS TO JUMP OFF A MOVING TRAIN ONTO A BUILDING OVER A HUGE GAP. Man, it's sweet. Then Tris volunteers to be the first jumper and jumps off the high building into a hole in the ground. This was killing me because like Four heights terrify me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She lands in the net and then we are introduced to Four.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC9LwMx-rNVSZYJau4r_sj3IBEylQQ0XiOlTLZeREytL-sWsDahuEloMASResOBmHUjeu9UMzTDJtMnezMSLtDNGDuI5IkzpcZRYDS9mhsMcGEAdATFrgB66aieECiHwqfGvvYXMIbQY/s1600/Welcome+to+dauntless.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC9LwMx-rNVSZYJau4r_sj3IBEylQQ0XiOlTLZeREytL-sWsDahuEloMASResOBmHUjeu9UMzTDJtMnezMSLtDNGDuI5IkzpcZRYDS9mhsMcGEAdATFrgB66aieECiHwqfGvvYXMIbQY/s1600/Welcome+to+dauntless.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This kicks off initiation! We meet Will, Christina, and Al. We have less time to get to know them, which is sad. I did like how they were all portrayed. Christina and Tris's friendship was a lot more solid and had less fighting. The Dauntless compound is pretty much exactly how I pictured it being all dark and chilling. (Warning: to be Dauntless you must also not be afraid of the dark.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first stage of initiation: beating the crap out of each other. Tris being a slight girl from Abnegation doesn't do so well. But through a badass training montage we see her slowly improving with the help of her friends and her good looking instructor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We meet up with Tori again while getting tattoos to hear her explain that if people find out Tris is Divergent they WILL kill her. Tris is naturally a little freaked out by this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Scenes in first stage initiation I loved and felt very true to the book: Christina dangling from the chasm, the first meal where Tris tells Four he's approachable (laughed out loud at this one), the knife-throwing scene (ultra ultra awesome).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They changed the war games. Instead of paintball it was an actual gunshot simulation serum. This made it ten times cooler. This was definitely a highlight of the movie for me. The ferris wheel part was cut short but I didn't mind. The action packed fight more than made up for it. These changes made me like it more than I did in the book.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next was the zip-line scene............</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHNniYD0EE66g5kuvnz6NmTLBKFuIASvwhaYEvwNGeuHQoT5oiGbRrikVVm4NylKwMryBbRPrxNGAqxKoKMKQIniomiQy8FFUnXI2IACKwmMslMATNpe3VseDMf-Ufmn8CAANkDR-ju0/s1600/Brittany+crying.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHNniYD0EE66g5kuvnz6NmTLBKFuIASvwhaYEvwNGeuHQoT5oiGbRrikVVm4NylKwMryBbRPrxNGAqxKoKMKQIniomiQy8FFUnXI2IACKwmMslMATNpe3VseDMf-Ufmn8CAANkDR-ju0/s1600/Brittany+crying.gif" height="128" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
BECAUSE IF YOU KNOW THAN YOU KNOW. But yeah it looked cool. I wish Uriah could have been in this movie. He better be introduced well in Insurgent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then Tris makes the cut to stage two: fear landscapes. You are injected with a serum that makes you live through your worst fears without realizing they aren't real. You experience things such as being pecked to death by crows, being trapped in a glass box slowly filling with water, and other happy things like that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT5jGfp7RvpLT6ZwThmmggTGkTBDneK0nreZ_dA0GnqStewRIVAYULv9evvRSgJZ-b9WrjK-scTtu8ktAeQiZ4SedNHFMtDodb_FvEMDImf7kcntgmuYaMdDxl06Z6iD9WRO1bGofyhg/s1600/FL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVT5jGfp7RvpLT6ZwThmmggTGkTBDneK0nreZ_dA0GnqStewRIVAYULv9evvRSgJZ-b9WrjK-scTtu8ktAeQiZ4SedNHFMtDodb_FvEMDImf7kcntgmuYaMdDxl06Z6iD9WRO1bGofyhg/s1600/FL.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They were incredible and scary, as they should be. Tris can get through them easily because she's Divergent and simulations don't work on her like everyone else. She quickly moves up through the ranks while trying to keep her secret.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Due to jealousy three of the other initiates attack Tris one night while she's alone and almost toss her into the chasm. Luckily Four shows up and takes care of them. The romance is then developed and played out. I liked how they did everything. The best part was the tattoo scene of course.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Four takes Tris through his fear landscape to teach her how to do it like a Dauntless rather than a Divergent. I really liked this change! It made so much more sense. This whole sequence was awesome and we find out Four is called Four because he has only four fears. His real name is Tobias (unfortunate dude) and he transferred to escape his abusive father in Abnegation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We get to the final day of initiation with the final fear landscape. Tris makes it through and the celebration is supposed to begin. Then the leader announces everyone needs to get a tracker before it can. Once everyone does all of the Dauntless freeze. The tracker is a serum that lets them be controlled by someone else. Tris because of her divergence, is not affected by it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everyone else though grabs a gun and boards the train. She finds Four and is relieved to find he isn't affected either. The train stops at Abnegation where the under control Dauntless start rounding up the government officials and killing them. Tris wants to find her family and protect them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before she can her and Four are caught by Dauntless leaders. Jeanine orders them to take Four with them and kill Tris. Tris is saved narrowly by her mother. They make a get away, but Tris has to end up shooting her friend Will (hello future angst). On the way to the safe house where her father is her mother jumps in front of her and gets shot. She then dies in a heartbreaking scene.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tris has to keep going and meets up with her father, Caleb, and Tobias' father at the safe house. Tris delivers my favorite line of the movie after Peter says she won't shoot him. Tris gets them to go with her to the Dauntless compound to try and end the simulation. To make it to the computer room they have to get through the Dauntless guards and her father ends up getting shot (back to back parent death!). Tris keeps going though and enters the control room to find Four being controlled too and Jeanine instructing him to kill her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was also a highlight with Tris fighting to get Four to recognize her. When he eventually does and proceeds to beat everyone else in the control room it's awesome. Jeanine tries to keep the program running but Tris THROWS A KNIFE TO TRAP HER HAND ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN. It was <b>so cool</b>. She gets Jeanine to undo the simulation and escapes with Four, Caleb, and Four's father on a train. They take off into the distance as Tris gives another voiceover about how the future is uncertain with all the enemies they've made today. Roll credits.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Overall: 4.5/5 Stars</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The movie rocked and I think nonbook lovers would enjoy it as well. It was no Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the movie by which all other book-to-movie-adaptations should be judged). The pacing was good because they didn't rush anything, but the movie is LONG. Tris was still almost too nice for me. Jeanine was in the movie too much for me. It was very true to the book. It just didn't have the extra something for me to give it a five. I highly recommend that people go see it though. It is a cinematic experience worth having.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqL1ww8jMFqc7vINKD6dh0y6Ilg3kImbAh3DWKwbcU_-NcwGQyfZXwgnO88Qd06Q6s8XA87ZEGCNc3q-el7t6i0_sbdYNL3JiMPhOqmgPSzbvXkJ9jeupbjuaPJojLSOQckD33r94Y2c/s1600/simon+cowell+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqL1ww8jMFqc7vINKD6dh0y6Ilg3kImbAh3DWKwbcU_-NcwGQyfZXwgnO88Qd06Q6s8XA87ZEGCNc3q-el7t6i0_sbdYNL3JiMPhOqmgPSzbvXkJ9jeupbjuaPJojLSOQckD33r94Y2c/s1600/simon+cowell+gif.gif" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The soundtrack is pretty cool as well. Even though half of it is Ellie Goulding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that that drives one person to stand up for another."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Fear doesn't shut you down, it wakes you up."</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-25816646496574118292014-04-03T19:25:00.000-05:002014-04-03T19:25:48.572-05:00The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBChDwMwnpdL_-B8enuGhElqrH_WBw8xH-88fqcV5ugqF8tzu3icxpOqxyuc1NXzUVKgxvqNRTwZIQJ0B0vkupwAwGZ-nFtYsdwKGoBzSmop5I13EeOmOEXfnzBmB_W8olppgv5p7BCaI/s1600/TDM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBChDwMwnpdL_-B8enuGhElqrH_WBw8xH-88fqcV5ugqF8tzu3icxpOqxyuc1NXzUVKgxvqNRTwZIQJ0B0vkupwAwGZ-nFtYsdwKGoBzSmop5I13EeOmOEXfnzBmB_W8olppgv5p7BCaI/s1600/TDM.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds?ac=1" target="_blank">The Darkest Minds </a>by <a href="http://alexbracken.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Alexandra Bracken</a> (Book One of The Darkest Minds series)</b><br />
<br />
<u>Official Synopsis:</u><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America's children, but she and the other emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her- East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<u><b>Review:</b></u> <b>Five out of Five Stars</b><br />
<u><br /></u>
First off, this is my new favorite book/series. I loved it. It is unique and incredibly well written. I could gush about how awesome it is for days. But I will keep my gushing to a minimum.<br />
<br />
<u>World and Plot</u>: The Darkest Minds takes place in a future America where almost all of the children have died from Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration. Sounds creepy, right? It is. Kids drop dead without any warning.<br />
<br />
This is very disturbing, but then the kids who survive the disease start developing strange abilities. The government begins labeling these children as Psi. There are five different types of Psi: Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Greens are the least dangerous with high intelligence and photographic memories. Blues are telekinetic and can move objects with their minds. Yellows can create electricity and use this to blow things up. Reds have the power to create and control fire. But without a doubt the most dangerous type of Psi is an Orange, they have the ability to control other people's minds. They can make you do, think, or remember whatever they want you too. Naturally, people aren't a big fan of them.<br />
<br />
Our main character Ruby spends six years at a "rehabilitation" *cough* concentration *cough* camp in West Virginia. After she is broken out she has no idea what to do or who to trust. While getting away from the people who helped her escape she meets three other Psi kids who escaped their camp. After some rough spots at first they agree to work together to find East River, a safe heaven for Psi on the run.<br />
<br />
<u>Reoccurring Themes:</u> Fear, oppression, family, friendship, love, freedom, control, and trust.<br />
<br />
<u>Reaction:</u> I was hooked right from the beginning with this book. The world building is done really well. I was horrified and creeped out by Thurmond. This book was also a lot darker than I expected it to be. It doesn't skim over the gory details or grief. I felt so bad for all of those kids. I just want to give Ruby a big hug. Then after she breaks out it gets even better.<br />
<br />
Like Ruby you're really not sure who you can trust. There's so many groups trying to control everything. The people who broke her out are sketchy and so is the government. Then when Ruby meets up with Liam, Chubs, and Zu things really get going.<br />
<br />
The relationships between the characters grew normally and weren't forced. The friendships felt real. Liam is the nicest guy I've ever read about. You can't not love him. Chubs is a great guy when you get used to him. And Zu is so sweet and adorable. The romance was great because they actually took their time to fall in love. Liam Stewart though...#swoon.<br />
<br />
Ruby is also a very realistic narrator. She's good at reading people and situations. Even though she's been through a lot of tough stuff she keeps going. It's one of my favorite things about her. She has a lot of trust issues after what happened to her parents and her time in Thurmond. But she always tries to keep everyone else safe.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of action and the book never really drags. It's a roller coaster from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down (except to go to class which was a huge bummer). I've read a lot of dystopians and this one is my favorite. I <i>highly </i>recommend it.<br />
<br />
Although the ending did make me feel like this:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBy-fyGIQtFzoO_3rkDWPKUGkhiz2HebmhMCNlDOZ2l-sumB-SKKCVb_up0P-a8TBMs1ZeXFAKpDB2YdPhW14D7CgK6n82Ucox0b9qWcLl66wY6eGnEf_0C9Aim90dhZLEPf5KnQU-uc/s1600/BC+Book+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBy-fyGIQtFzoO_3rkDWPKUGkhiz2HebmhMCNlDOZ2l-sumB-SKKCVb_up0P-a8TBMs1ZeXFAKpDB2YdPhW14D7CgK6n82Ucox0b9qWcLl66wY6eGnEf_0C9Aim90dhZLEPf5KnQU-uc/s1600/BC+Book+gif.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
But my overall feelings for it can be summed up by these:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8bac6r4VPwsk9D0IDjLtZySlZIx9RXoes2HCGEKpR40B-z029SPYi1JP2Dji_9SJJbaIkyVhVsx53aarPgrTcvoIiQxiWZ3zwdlSEHxO664LPVGQLXjIWNqaERKSY2Aqi1Lt2HQHxcg/s1600/carlton.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8bac6r4VPwsk9D0IDjLtZySlZIx9RXoes2HCGEKpR40B-z029SPYi1JP2Dji_9SJJbaIkyVhVsx53aarPgrTcvoIiQxiWZ3zwdlSEHxO664LPVGQLXjIWNqaERKSY2Aqi1Lt2HQHxcg/s1600/carlton.gif" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWo3ry4McfMGMrD1qWvC8yzZ8-CfxciNX1YCdyad1YCE6SRZlCV4OC6YMAHMQN2VaK2DgEzT5Jyyt903_tKPXi36kXghTX6J7AbaYLagI7LaLhJW0HlIukYf0cT2Fvbzbis7yE-rBZJg/s1600/jonah+hill.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWo3ry4McfMGMrD1qWvC8yzZ8-CfxciNX1YCdyad1YCE6SRZlCV4OC6YMAHMQN2VaK2DgEzT5Jyyt903_tKPXi36kXghTX6J7AbaYLagI7LaLhJW0HlIukYf0cT2Fvbzbis7yE-rBZJg/s1600/jonah+hill.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU5PGAQvuJrBT2KNHUtgwlwRJZOFaOAnhyphenhypheno52QHA5Eigmrm180UwwypoQIVRuOOD-z39syJiyty4Ivcx4Gw5lYue2DZUp9ukxY6ULa0tawOytyyCvTZdZ52Oqe_eSFANDVNXoaL97i-A/s1600/raven.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU5PGAQvuJrBT2KNHUtgwlwRJZOFaOAnhyphenhypheno52QHA5Eigmrm180UwwypoQIVRuOOD-z39syJiyty4Ivcx4Gw5lYue2DZUp9ukxY6ULa0tawOytyyCvTZdZ52Oqe_eSFANDVNXoaL97i-A/s1600/raven.gif" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg-c4ian33xYY5HbWp3PWNtLuo7Msu1tAzpoIZ60c8FcY7IzfJiB6zXc71zwxUb9N5KATYpJ1v60Cg2LIqL4CyCfo8G1BMz50biQUkxeLyxdCVFsyG7QSc3U-8aM5ja5G2YKOjgDrYBw/s1600/clapping+hogwarts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg-c4ian33xYY5HbWp3PWNtLuo7Msu1tAzpoIZ60c8FcY7IzfJiB6zXc71zwxUb9N5KATYpJ1v60Cg2LIqL4CyCfo8G1BMz50biQUkxeLyxdCVFsyG7QSc3U-8aM5ja5G2YKOjgDrYBw/s1600/clapping+hogwarts.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<u>Quotes:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
"The darkest minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces." #titledrop<br />
<br />
"Let's carpe the hell out of this diem."<br />
<br />
"Don't be scared," she whispered. "Don't let them see."<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">Dreaming led to disappointment, and disappointment to a kind of depressed funk that wasn’t easy to shake.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"> Better</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> to stay in the gray than get eaten by the dark."</span></span><br />
<br />
"Maybe nothing will ever change for us, but don't you want to be around just in case it does?"<br />
<br />
"I'm a monster, you know. I'm one of the dangerous ones."<br />
<br />
"Rabbits need dignity and above all the will to accept their fate."<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">“I think maybe the most frustrating feeling in the world is to have something to say buy not know how to put it into words. To have lived through something but not be able to get it out of you before it festers.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; line-height: 18px;">Also <a href="http://www.thedarkestminds.com/goodies/" target="_blank">The Darkest Minds playlist</a> is totally awesome. I've had it on repeat for weeks!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371186693536927510.post-57403982197039755312014-03-31T11:40:00.000-05:002014-03-31T22:20:21.699-05:00Origin Story<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Origin Story: </b>How this Blog Came to Be</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Recently my cousin Gabby started a <a href="http://makeeverydayasassyday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">fashion blog</a> because fashion is one of her passions in life. When she told me about it I said, "You know what I would blog about?" and she immediately answered, "Books." Then my sister Chrissy, who has a <a href="http://shitchrissysays.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">motivational blog,</a> chimed in saying I should totally write one.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I thought <i>why not?</i> It is not as though the thought had never crossed my mind. I had contemplated writing a book blog for a long time. So what was holding me back? Fear, a reoccurring theme in my life. When I was growing up my friends never liked books like I liked books. And I had been taught at a very young age the mentality that to be different is to be alone.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started to love reading when I was eight years old. I was in the second grade. This was when I really started reading on my own and picking out my own books. It all started with <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFo2B-uBClg" target="_blank">Harry Potter</a></u>. I ripped through the first four books and wanted more. I started to read all the time. I read whatever I could find.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This continued on as I was in elementary school. I was always excited when we had to read books for class and got an insane amount of accelerated reader points. I read the <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33.The_Lord_of_the_Rings?ac=1" target="_blank">Lord of the Rings</a></u> trilogy when I was in the fourth grade. I got bored with the books at the elementary school library and started taking them from my sister. I still had not realized that this was not the norm. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then I entered junior high. I like to refer to this period of my life as The Dark Period. There was a lot of drama, self-hatred, and pretending. It was then that I noticed that not only did people not like books, but they thought people who read books were lame. I did not want to be lame. I wanted to be cool. I know that makes my life sound like a cheesy teen movie, but that's just how it was.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I stopped reading and traded in my books for liquid eyeliner and skinny jeans (which was NOT a good look on me). I started to think of myself as part of a group rather than an individual. Through events that have nothing to do with this story I started speaking a lot less out of fear that people would make fun of me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was your stereotypical, unoriginal sellout for a while. My plan to be cool did not involve a lot of time for reading. I still read to get enough points for school and got away with reading "acceptable" books like <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjKg5b55j4Q" target="_blank">Twilight</a></u>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I hit high school I ditched the heavy eyeliner and most of the self-hatred. I still read from time to time, but not as much as I used to. I never really talked about books or reading either.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then when I was in tenth grade I impulsively downloaded <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IRrv5ZBGmI" target="_blank">The Hunger Games</a></u> on my Nook. And I finished it in two days. And I was like:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2zcWzpy_t58AZU1aiya7OsSGplj29Df-25Wt-5os2iaKhNbyRORePuO-CEc7TQ3sVHrvqggK6AyEgQLbvHxIS9_iY5yscWJ8ldlntAOAwpVohyDQHfpnGE7eHoO1BaD9Rc2dqKOiLow/s1600/Bert+Gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2zcWzpy_t58AZU1aiya7OsSGplj29Df-25Wt-5os2iaKhNbyRORePuO-CEc7TQ3sVHrvqggK6AyEgQLbvHxIS9_iY5yscWJ8ldlntAOAwpVohyDQHfpnGE7eHoO1BaD9Rc2dqKOiLow/s1600/Bert+Gif.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I read the next one just as fast. I stayed up until four in the morning to finish the last one (I remember because the science MCAs were the next day and I thought <i>sorry Ms. Brown, but I need to know how </i><u><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7260188-mockingjay?ac=1" target="_blank">Mockingjay</a></i></u><i> ends). </i>And I wanted to keep reading. (Yeah, I read THG before it was super big. I'm such a reading hipster.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><br />
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Next it was the <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13335037-divergent?from_search=true" target="_blank">Divergent</a></u> series (which the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw7Eln_xuWc" target="_blank">movie</a> just came out!). Then it was <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28187.The_Lightning_Thief?ac=1" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Percy Jackson and the Olympians.</a> And the <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11614718-delirium?from_search=true" target="_blank">Delirium</a></u> series. And I started telling my sister to read these books. And she told her friends to read them. They started giving me recommendations too. I started reading like I was eight years old again and couldn't get enough. I made a <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11189750-elle-benson" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> account and stopped being ashamed of loving books.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then during my senior year I read <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256683.City_of_Bones?ac=1" target="_blank">City of Bones</a></u> and I was obsessed. I saw that they were making a movie for it and I was ecstatic. I was looking at movie stuff online when I stumbled upon a trailer talk video. This is when I discovered <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=booktube&sm=3" target="_blank">BookTube</a>. There were thousands of videos of reviews and recommendations. I started watching them for hours and made lists of books to read.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I started to <a href="https://twitter.com/Elle_Benson" target="_blank">tweet </a>about books and started following book accounts. They started following me back. I no longer tried to hide that fact that I read. I discovered that some of my friends did like to read and I would lend then books and we would discuss.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I realized I was wrong when I thought that people thought reading books was lame. I was just looking at the wrong people. For we all have our passions in life, and just because the people around you don't share them doesn't mean that nobody does.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now I'm nineteen years old and still read all the time. Books are still number one on my list of favorite things. So I'm excited to write this blog. Things you can expect from me include: reviews, recommendations, book-to-movie adaptation discussions, quotes, and some random book fun! Also some TV, not book movies, music, and real life stuff from time to time. I do other stuff besides read...occasionally.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Love, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Michelle</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"One must always be careful of books," said Tessa," and what is inside them, for words have to power to change us." -Cassandra Clare, <u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7171637-clockwork-angel?ac=1" target="_blank">Clockwork Angel</a></u></blockquote>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17935575448549877791noreply@blogger.com0