Bethany Cates is having weird dreams. Ones that play in her mind like a movie that she is the star of. Only in her dreams, she's not really herself. She's called Sarah and she's got some problems. Bethany has to find some answers, especially after the people from her dreams start showing up in real life. Those answers may be rooted in the history of Crest View, the new town she lives in, or even in the depths of herself.
I love it. I was captivated and couldn't put it down until the very end. It was short and sweet and to the point.It has all the elements of a full length novel in under one hundred pages. It brings a different creature to the table of paranormal and I'm excited for the sequel which is supposed to be released in 2012. Level of Romance: Directly, none. In a round-about kind of way, a minuscule amount. Rating: Favorite
Georgia Nicolson is a fourteen year old, British girl who's family is unwilling to recognize that she is on the brink of womanhood -- or at least, that's how she sees it. She's experiencing the transition into adulthood in all it's awkward glory with bras and pimples and insecurities. She chronicles all her escapades in her diary ( she makes entries a lot -- sometimes every five minutes!) and that is what this book is: Georgia's diary. Readers hear about her cat, Angus who is half domestic tabby, half Scottish wildcat, and all around crazy; her attempts to make her appearance perfect with cosmetics and other drastic means; and all her boy-stalking, boy-trapping, or generally boy-crazed moments. Covering the course of twelve months, readers will take on one wild year with Georgia Nicolson.
While at times I found Georgia hilarious, most of the time she seemed superficial and down-right offensive. For instance she makes several references to having to become a lesbian because she is so ugly and can't get a boyfriend. Who ever made the rule that lesbians have to be ugly and only turn to liking girls when they can't get a guy? So when Georgia isn't insulting the gay community, she's hinting at suicide. If things don't go her way or if something absolutely riveting isn't occurring in her life, she says things like, "there is no reason to live", and " I might as well kill myself". Such comments are not funny and are simply over dramatic. They are positively silly to say, considering she is a privileged teen girl from a relatively well-off family. But I will agree that she did have her witty and genuinely funny moments that managed to entice a laugh of of me. The plot moved along nicely. The conflicts seemed real ( and life shattering) to Georgia. My edition was great and had a glossary of British words and phrases so American readers, like myself, could understand Georgia a little better. Honestly, half the time I don't even think Georgia could understand herself. Overall, it is a quick read that s relatively light. Best for when you are feeling a little silly. Level of Romance: Kissing is talked about and done quite a bit( an estimated 75% of total content). And Georgia is chasing a boy (or maybe just the concept of a boyfriend). Rating: Okay
ISBN: 0064472272
Edition: Paperback with glossary of British phrases
Source: Public Library
Genre: Young Adult/ Teen
Sub-genre: Realistic/Contemporary/ Chick Lit
Pages: 234 Chapters: 12 chapters labeled as months
Publication Date: June 1st 1999
Publisher: HarperTempest (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
Series: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Book One
So I've decided to dump the number ratings. I don't really think they convey how I actually feel about the books I read. For instance, a 5 out of 5 rating could go to a book that I absolutely adore as well as to a book that I really enjoyed and has nothing really wrong with it. The new system is a bit easier to understand ( I think) because they are basically words describing how I felt. The complete list of ratings can be found in the right sidebar. I'll put them below as well. Just thought I'd explain it before i'd put it into action.
Happy Reading,
<3Marriah New Rating System:
Favorite - highest rating. I basically loved it.
Like- worth a read with no major flaws. I genuinely enjoyed it.
Okay- equivalent to 3 out of 5. Wasn't great but wasn't terrible.
Not for Me- I wasn't improved and I'm not sure it's worthy of a read.
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Mundahlia by R.J. Gonzales
Publication Date:August 2nd 2011
From Goodreads:
"When our era ends, theirs begins. Rini thought going to live with her cousins in the city of Austin, Texas while her parents rekindled their marriage on a four month long cruise, was a step in the right direction. When she makes a new quirky friend, and stumbles upon a handsome nude young man named Jett in the enveloping forest surrounding her cabin, she thought she was only moving forward. Well, she was wrong.
Jett and his clan appear human, just like anyone else. But take a closer look, and you will see that they are indeed Mundahlians. Legendary hybrid beings with both human and animal qualities that have been kept a heavily guarded secret throughout time—until now. They are taking refuge in our world, fleeing from their hidden homeland of Mundahlia and its aging power-hungry King, who has set up a game between his many children. Whoever can bring them back to their world so they can be tried and executed shall receive the crown once he passes.
Upon finding their hide out, Bane, one of the King's sons, and on a hunt to win the crown, sees an opportunity to shatter the blossoming relationship, lure the family back to Mundahlia, and frame Rini for the murder of a Mundahlian—thus, breaking the pact signed long ago with the humans, and reigniting an ancient war for the majority of land and control. A triple deed that will surely earn him the power he craves.
In the wake of his devious acts, which leaves Rini heart-broken and injured, Bane whisks her away to Mundahlia to be convicted of the crime he had forged. Jett, with help from his family and friends, sets out to stop the trial and rescue Rini before it is too late.
Will they make it in time?
Or will a new era begin.
A Mundahlian Era. "
Even though it is realeased next Tuesday, I am soooo excited for this book. I can not Wait to read it!
ISBN:1416908161
Edition: Paperback with Reading Group Guide
Source: Purchased from local bookstore @ $8.99 US
Pages: 198
Chapters: 31
Genre: Young Adult
Sub-Genre: Realistic/Contemporary
Release/Publication date:October 25th 2005
Publisher:Simon and Schuster for Young Readers
Series: N/A
After gettign beat up by the town bully, Jason Bock has a "religious experience". While lying on the ground recovering from getting punched hard in the face, he looks up to see the town's water tower, illuminated by the sun in a heavenly way. That gets him thinking "water is life" and Jason invents a new religion worshipping the water tower. He calls it the "Church if the Ten-legged God" (because the tower has ten legs) and it's followers are called "Chutengodians". Jason gathers a strange band of worshippers for the religion: there's his best friend, Shin who is a snail farming, overall nerdy guy; the attractive Magda Price whom Jason has a crush on; the violent, unpredictable bully named Henry Stagg (yup the same one who beat up Jason at the beginning of the book); and Daniel, the local pastor's son. As each member struggles to leave their mark on the religion, Jason realizes that it's a lot harder to control a religion than it looks. But he has to gain the reins fast before the first Chutengodian ceremony high atop the water tower goes horribly awry.
I loved every page of this book. The characters were all so vivid and unique but still meshed together naturally. The writing style is laid back and witty. Jason is the narrator and he is usually sarcastic and sometimes humorously awkward with people. This book shows the ways a religion can affect people in different ways and on a smaller scale how religions are changed by its followers. Shin gets an obsession while Jason struggles to keep the religion pure and as what he envisioned. Also it represents the hard times and ridicule a new religion goes through. I think Godless is an allegory of the struggles in the history of actual religions disguised as an amusing story. That said, I like (love really) that Jason feels like a teenager in voice and in actions. Being a teen I know that we are stubborn, especially whe it comes to adults tryign to change our minds. I feel that aspect in Jason instead of the usual teen-suddenly-becomes-reasonable-after-life changing-experience-crap. Huzzah for stubborn teenagers! Level of Romance: None really Rating: 5 out of 5
ISBN:0385736762
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Public Library
Pages: 318 Chapters: 26
Genre:Young Adult Sub-Genre:Realistic/Contemporary
Release/Publication Date:January 13th 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series:N/A
Ama is a brainiac shipped off to an outdoorsy camp, even though she only wants to be reasearching in an air-conditioned library. Jo is staying in her parents beach house for the summer with a job at a local restauant. She wasn't expecting har parents surprise, nor was she counting on meeting the super-cute boy. Polly is trying not to miss her friends this summer. Her solution: aim for the glamourous life and never look back...but is she cut out for it?
Honestly, I underestimated this book. I truly believed that this would be a crappy replica of the Sister fo the Traveling Pants. I won't lie. I'm happy to say I was very wrong. While the beginning was a little slow, it didn't take long for the pace to pick up. Just like the first sisterhood, the friends spend the summer away from each other, but unlike the first sisterhood it isn't really their first time apart. I find it fascinating that there are references to the first sisterhood, but at times it feels like too much effort was put in to make the new sisterhood seem different from the traveling pants girls. Readers don't need previous knowledge of the traveling pants and its sisterhood to follow the story. I'm surprised that such a relatively short story can cover heavier topics like divorce, body image, accepting what you can't control and so many more without seeming jam-packed and stuffed in an awkward, walking advertisement kind of way. This will sound a bit cliche, but this book was the first on this type to actually engage me until the end. I actually wasn't expecting it from this book. But the characters, their issues and their friendship all felt so real to me. It all reminded me of my own friendships.
I was sincerely impressed by this book and think with Ann Brashares other larger-than-life series( The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) casting a giant shadow over this one, it's not getting enough attention. I'd recommend it again and again. Level of Romance: In a shallow kind of first love way, I'd say a solid almost one third of the book has it. Rating: 5 out of 5
In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at the Stiry Siren: http://thestorysiren.com/
my GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2894544-marriah
Tell me what you got in your mailbox!!!
The last three days has been pretty great, and I'm sad that this amazing event had to end :( I've discovered a lot of amazing blogs that I'm now following and read some awesome books. Here are the books:
From Wicked Awesome Books :
This Mini-Challenge is all about matchmaking. You know how two characters in a book that could've saved themselves a lot of grief if they hadn't insisted on ending up together? Well this activity aims to "fix" this problem.
My picks are : Astrid Llewelyn from Rampant and Ascendant (both by Diana Peterfreund) because she has so many issues to deal with, she just needs a guy who will respect her and try not to make her life any harder than it already is, not to mention the fact that she needs support and encouragement to battle all those unicorns! ~matched with~ Morning McCobb from Suck it Up by Brian Meehl because he is an awkward vampire still looking for his place in the world and I think he'd be willing to help her deal with her issues as long as he didn't have to be the poster-boy for any international vampire coming out of the closet events. And also he's one of my favorite male protagonists because it's so hard not to love him.
From Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing :
The point of this mini-challenge was to recommend two books to this blogger: one from you all-time favorite books and the other from your read-a-thon pile.
1. From my all-time favorites I'm recommending The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge. It's one of the best books in general I've read in a long time...like since Harry Potter. It's got magic, it's got romance ( even a little hint of a love triangle), it's got crazy family issues, and it plays with your mind a bit. Aoife Grayson lives in the city of Lovecraft where Proctors rule what is Heretical: having to do with magic and thereby punishable by gruesome means. in Aoife's family, sixteen in the age when you go mad and the clock is ticking on Aoife's sanity. And when she gets a note from her older brother, she knows she has to save him and herself before she loses he mind...or gets caught. It's fast-paced, entrancing; basically a whole new adventure to dive into with such a tangible world, it might drive you a bit insane...that is, if the tantalizing love between Aoife and a silver-eyed Heretic named Dean Harrison. It'll keep you wondering what will happen next and if the end will make it all worth it to the very last word and you still won't ever guess the hectic conclusion.
2. From my Read-a-Thon pile, I'm recommending 3 Willow by Ann Brashares.
This will sound a bit cliche, but this book was the first on this type to actually engage me until the end. I actually wasn't expecting it from this book. But the characters, their issues and their friendship all felt so real to me. It all reminded me of my own friendships. Ama is a brainiac shipped off to an outdoorsy camp, even though she only wants to be reasearching in an air-conditioned library. Jo is staying in her parents beach house for the summer with a job at a local restauant. She wasn't expecting har parents surprise, nor was she counting on meeting the super-cute boy. Polly is trying not to miss her friends this summer. Her solution: aim for the glamourous life and never look back...but is she cut out for it?
I was sincerely impressed by this book and think with Ann Brashares other larger-than-life series( The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) casting a giant shadow over this one, it's not getting enough attention. I'd recommend it again and again.
Today is Monday 11 July 2011, the first day of the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon hosted by these lovely blogs: http://www.readingangel.com/ http://www.candacesbookblog.com/ http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/
Part of the Read-a-Thon is to participate in at least one mini-challenge. This morning two were released. The can be found at The Musings of Almybnenr . I already submitted my entry this morning and I must say, that was a fun and interesting challenge. But it was slightly difficult, making it all the more excitign.
The second challenge for the day was from IB Book Blogging . It involves answering a few questions, so here they are. Mini Challenge Question 1:What is your favorite type of myth (Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc)?
My favorite type of mythology is by far Egyptian. I think this lays its roots in the Mummy movies starring Brendan Fraser. My mom was in love with those movies and they were perpetually on repeat in my house as a child. Even to this day, i love those movies and anything that is about Egyptian mythology. But more recently i've become interested in Greek mythology due, for the most part, to the Percy Jackson Series.
Mini Challenge Question 2:What is your favorite book with some type of mythology in it?
I haven't read many books about or containing mythology, although it is a growing trend in Young Adult literature. But I suppose every fantasy or sci-fi or paranormal book has some element based on a myth or legend datign abck hundreds of years. But I'll go with a few books that I am in the process of reading: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott and Percy Jackson andthe Olypians: the Lightning Thief
This is what happens when my mother makes me clean...
I hope you enjoyed this. Here are the stats on this book:
Pages: 231
Chapters: 21
Edition featured in Video: Mass Market Paperback Rating: 4 out of 5
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I got a package today and wanted to share it with you. By the way, if you hear a voice in the background, it's my dad reading something to my mom.
Be on the lookout for a review soon!
<3 Marriah
So I've realized that the page where I had announced the challenges I was participating in has been deleted. So, here I will re-announce the two challenges and tell you about a new one.
Debut Author Challenge 2011
This is a challenge hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren where one reads twelve books from authors debuting this year. Update ( 8-10-11) : I have decided to drop out of this challenge. I just don't have the means of acquiring the right books. Maybe better luck next year.
Young Adult Historical Fiction Challenge
In this challenge one pledges to read so many historical fiction books in the YA genre. It is created and hosted by Sab at YAbliss
And now for the new challenge:
Once Upon a Time Read-a Thon
This is hosted at Pure Imagination and takes place from July 11 to July 13. The goal is to pledge to read so many books and aim to read that many in the three days.
I'm pledging to read 8 books in that three days. Wish me luck!
I'll keep you updated,
<3 Marriah
