Wicked Good Books

Away at a Thespian Conference!

2012-01-05T11:12:00.000-06:00

so, I will leave you with a song from the musical I stage managed last month! Gypsy is amazing.

Best high school show I ever did!

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-04T20:05:00.003-06:00

Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Release date: May 1, 2012 (HarperCollins)

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature

Why I Want This:

I read Divergent about two months ago and LOVED it. Oh my goodness! I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait five months!

Top Ten Books I Am Excited to Read in 2012!

2012-01-03T14:50:00.000-06:00

1. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - DIVERGENT WAS AMAZING!!! And if you can't tell from my review of it, I want my copy of this book NOW! I need to see what happens next!

2. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver - Although there is no review up yet, I read this book several months ago and LOVED it. I must reread it again! That cliffhanger just left me on the edge of my seat.

3. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins - I have only read Anna and although I didn't love it, like everyone else seemed to, I have no doubt that Lola was great and this one will be too.

4. Something Like Normal by Trish Doller - FINALLY! A YA book that is about a Marine. I come from a family of Marines and I just can not wait until this book comes out. I've seen fabulous reviews of this book and I need to read it NOW.

5. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I love John Green and so I'll read any of his books and when I listened to him read the first chapter of this book, I was in love. Luckily this one comes out soon!

6. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - I am so jealous of all the people who already have this book. All the reviews are glowing and I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

7. The List by Siobhan Vivian - I've only read one Vivian book (Not That Kind of Girl) and loved it. I'm sure this book will be just as great!

8. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - The synopsis! Man, I love books like this and it has been a very long time since I read a book like this.

9. Wonder by R. J. Palacio - I can't remember which author it was that wrote a wonderful review of this book but that review sold me on this book. I haven't read a MG book in so long but this one sounds way too amazing to pass up.

10. One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt - Another great sounding MG book! Looks like it will be very moving.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

2012-01-02T21:07:00.000-06:00

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Collins (2011), 489 pages

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

I am awfully glad I picked this book up! I really hadn't heard anything about this book but I was in my school's library and saw that this was one of the new books we had got in and picked it up on whim. I didn't really have any expectations but if I had, DIVERGENT blew all of my expectations out of the water.

Fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DELIRIUM will LOVE this book. Oh my God. This book is so good that I just completely went through it in a day. The wonderful thing about dystopian novels is the fact that there are so many new and unique plots in them and in Divergent there were several of them to love.

Veronica Roth characterization of Beatrice "Tris" Prior is simply wonderful. In the dystopian Chicago, Roth writes about, there are five different factions the people live in. Abnegation (The Selfless) where Tris is born into, Candor (The Brutally Honest), Amity (The Friendly), Erudite (The Intelligent), and Dauntless (The Brave). When a person reaches age of sixteen, they must choose the faction where they will spend the rest of their life. For the most part, no one dares to leave the faction they were born into but Tris does; she leaves Abnegation for the Dauntless.

Okay, so when I was reading this, I immediately imagined a person who was born into a New York Yankee family switching allegiances and becoming a Boston Red Sox fan. Now, everyone knows that the Sox are obviously the better team to root for and you just can not help but feel sympathy for that person who had to endure those year under the wing of Yankee fans.* And so, as I was reading about Tris' life in Abnegation, I couldn't help but think how much I would hate it. I mean, in theory, that faction sounds wonderful but c'mon! You got to have a little time for yourself, every now and then. I, too, would've changed factions the moment I could.

That's not too say that Dauntless was perfect. But it did have Four! Wow, the parts with Four and Tris were my favorite. And that ending! Jeez. Talk about cliffhanger!!!! I need to get my own copy of this book so I can read it again and so I can see the wonderful cover on my bookshelf everyday. I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I MUST GET MY HANDS ON INSURGENT NOW!!!!!!! MAY 28th IS TOO FAR AWAY!!

Yes that was necessary.

* Hey, as a diehard Red Sox fan, I just can't help but bring them up every chance I get. Especially if the chance allows for me to call the Yankees out…

Wicked Quote:

Peace is restrained: this is free.

5 stars out of 5

Cover: B+ I love that most dystopian books tend to be gender neutral and look really cool.
Favorite Character: Love Tris! Wonderful character, can't wait to find out more about her in the next book.
Put-Down-Ability: 1 I didn't put it down!

*Source: school library

New Year. New Content. New Beginning. AND A GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-01T02:12:00.000-06:00

If there was an award for "worst blogger" in the book blog atmosphere, I might receive it due to not having updated in so long. However, I truly have been thinking about this blog and still check other blogs daily. Hell, I even have started several book reviews but I suffer from anxiety and let me just say that senior year + anxiety doesn't exactly allow for things to run a planned.

But my anxiety should calm now a lot because my first semester classes are over and I'll be done with my college applications soon. Although, I guess waiting for the colleges admissions letter to come will be hell (please pray that I get accepted into the colleges!). Anyway, I promise people, I'm back for good.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT WICKED GOOD BOOKS
This year, I will be having a theme for just about every month with a month long giveaway. There isn't a particular theme for January because I feel that I just want to build my blog back up.

JANUARY'S GIVEAWAY

One winner will win $20 worth of books from The Book Depository.

Yes, it is international!

TO ENTER:

• Must be a follower of Wicked Good Books

• Fill out the form, which will give you one entry

You will have the chance to gain extra entries all month. All you need to do is comment on any of my blog posts and I will put in an extra entry for you. You can comment on any and all of my posts for extra entries. If you comment on this post and fill out the form, you already will have 2 entries.

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The form isn't letting me embed it, so just click the link.

CLICK HERE FOR FORM.

THE HUNGER GAMES TRAILER!

2011-11-14T22:10:00.001-06:00

Somehow can't embed youtube video but CLICK HERE.

I'm sure by now most of you have already seen the trailer but I couldn't resist posting it. GAHHHHHHHH. I can not wait until the movie. I have my doubts about it, especially since the actors who play Gale and Peeta haven't grown on me yet but I have high hopes.

I still need to review the trilogy. Will do that as soon as I reread them.

Can't wait for March!

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2011-11-13T20:09:00.000-06:00

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Dutton/2010/Young Adult/372 pages

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you've probably have seen lots and lots of raving reviews of Stephanie Perkins debut novel, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS. I know I certainly have. But before all of the reviews started coming in, I was intrigued by the fact that the book takes place in PARIS! As someone who will be in AP French this fall and had this huge obsession with being an exchange student in France not too long ago (sadly my mother ruined those plans), I just had to get my hands on this book.

First off, I have to say that the title of this book is the kind of title that I'm embarrassed to be seen with. I can't help it! But I did enjoy it. It seriously made me smile because like I said, I love the French culture. And I loved that that I could pronounce all of the French names and knew; My French teacher has taught me so well.

Anna--loved that she's a film junkie and that she wants to be a critic, I liked critiquing shows, too! The only thing about that I didn't like is that she kept going on about how her father didn't send her a lot of money like the other parents did but she went to a cinema like everyday and French movie theaters are hella expensive from what my French teacher and business week says. But that's not important, just me being nit-picky. St. Clair was great. I like this relationship. But also, I really enjoyed Anna's friendship with the other students at the school.

From all the reviews I saw, I expected this book to immediately go on my all times favorite list; however, I only just enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on LOLA, which I hopefully I'll like better!

4 stars out of 5

Cover: D. I hate this cover. I don't like how you can see Anna's face but not St. Clair's. But more than that I just think it's so unoriginal.
Favorite Character: St. Clair!
Put-Down-Ability: 4

*Source: public library

Review: Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

2011-10-11T21:20:00.001-05:00

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
Push/2010/Young Adult/322 pages

Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things.

But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you wants to sleep with yourself - but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out.

Slut or saint? Winner or loser? Natalie is getting tired of these forced choices - and is now going to find a way to live life in the sometimes messy, sometimes wonderful in-between.

NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL was amazing. This was my first time reading one of Siobhan Vivian's book and oh my gosh, I could not put this book down. This year has been the most stressful year and when I have the rare few hours that I can spending reading a book, the book had better be a good one for me to get through it.

First things first. I love anything feminism, it's just who I am. Natalie Sterling reminds me of myself.. I mean, both her and I have that feminist thing going on but wow I loved her even though I know for some people she might come off as whiny or too much of an overachiever. Vivian created a very realistic female character, and I'll even say that she is one of the most realistic characters I've seen in a long time. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. In the first chapter or two, I wasn't sure where it was going. A lot of times when I read–especially when reading young adult–my mind starts guessing on what's going to happen (probably because I've read so many clichés and all). When the first significant guy was introduced, I was worried that he was going to be the love interest and I just thought there was no possible way for me to enjoy that relationship. Luckily, when I found out who the love interest was, I was happy.

I loved Connor. He's on the football team, his family has a local business selling Christmas tress, and Natalie thinks of him as somewhat of a manwhore or at least, a promiscuous guy. Now, I'm wary of most high school football players, but Connor surprised me. I loved how the relationship played out. NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is wonderful. Can't wait to get my hands on more of Siobhan Viavian's books.

5 stars out of 5

Cover: C+/B- Definitely the type of cover that I'm embarrassed to be seen reading with and definitely the type of cover that I usually hate (guy/girl face to face or kissing) but that is close to what I imagined the characters to look like and yea.
Favorite Character: Natalie. As I'm sure you got from my review.
Put-Down-Ability: 1. The only time I put it down was during swim practice. In fact, I almost didn't go to practice because I stayed up until 2 in the morning reading this book (and that's how good this book is because my practice is at 7am. I had to wake up at 6:30 guys!). :D

*Source: public library

Ten Years Ago Today

2011-09-11T20:16:00.001-05:00

On September 11, 2001, I was in the 2nd grade. I vaguely remember being inn my speech therapy session and another adult came in to talk to my speech therapist and seeing a look of disbelief on her face. I can't remember exactly what followed but I imagine, I was told to go back to my class. I remember my best friend at the time, who lived next door, coming over and we were going to watch TV. I grew up watching ABC and a whole lot of daytime TV. Of course, on all of the news station is was full coverage of the attacks, what seems like, 24/7. My eyes were drawn to the television, because unlike so many other children, I loved watching "adult" TV programs. I didn't fully understand what was happening but I knew it was bad. I watched on the TV screen, people crying and had their hands over their mouths to keep all of the dust out. I had to change the channel because my friend went, "Bianca, I don't want to watch anymore. My mom won't even turn the TV on because all she does is cry."

The following year, the students were asked to bring any picture they had of their family members who were currently or were in the military. I brought a picture of my father in his Marines uniform that was taken over a decade ago. The whole third grade, put on a patriotic performance one night. We were all told to wear something patriotic. I remember that they showed a video of some troops and that we sung, "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.

It feels like just yesterday when the Twin Towers were hit. Every year, I find myself reliving that moment because I can't help but watch no less than a dozen programs on 9/11. And this year was especially hard for me to watch them.

On this day, I remember the thousands of people who lost their lives. Rest In Peace. I will never forget. I also salute the troops who our fighting for our country.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

2011-08-23T18:54:00.002-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

The Top Ten Books Bianca Read But Never Wrote A Review For

All of these books I plan on rereading and writing a review for later on. Also, these aren't all necessarily my TOP, top ten books....and no particular order.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin -- Elsewhere easily made the top three books I read in 2010. This book was beautiful and very, very thought-provoking. I also read Zevin's debut novel Memoir of an Amnesiac and enjoyed that, too. I'm so happy that I recieved an ARC of her upcoming book, All These Things I've Done.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins -- You can't be a book blogger without seeing a crazy ton of praising reviews of this trilogy. I had this book sitting on my shelf for months and when I finally did pick it up I devoured it. I also went to Chicago and saw Collins on tour. :)

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott -- This was the second Elizabeth Scott book I read, and I read it straight after finishing her debut, Bloom. Perfect You was a book that I ended up reading in one setting. I don't think think I even got up to use the bathroom. I didn't review this one because I hadn't started my book blog yet. Favorite book that I've read of Scott's.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver -- My cross country team last year had to hear me go on and on about how much I couldn't wait to receive and ARC of the book in the mail. And once I finally did get my hands on it, I loved it. My love for dystopian novels keeps growing.

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld -- I read Prep during my freshman year and loved it. It actually became one of my favorite books which I was not expecting. The cover is terrible. But I guess that's why you should never judge a book by it's cover!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky -- Also another all-time favorite. I read this one, straight through, during middle school. This book is so wonderful and the main character, Charlie, is easily one of my favorite literary characters.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen -- This Lullaby is easily my favorite Dessen book and the only book of hers that I've read multiple times. The main character, Remy, is different from all her other main characters. She's more edgier, cynical.. And it features one of my favorite couples in YA.

Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling -- I honestly don't know how I haven't reviewed these books yet. They are my favorite books EVER and I am quite obsessed. I've definitely have reread them since I started my blogs and have had long blog entries on related HP things. I guess, I hesitant to write reviews since I know whatever I have to say will never do the books justice.

Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume -- The fact that I don't have any review of a Judy Blume book is terrible. I love her books; I grew up on them! Again, mostly, it's because I haven't read them in a really long time and definitely before I started Wicked Good Books. I plan on rereading them all in the next several months though.

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian -- I read this book earlier this summer and just loved it. I love the feminism, the romance, the writing. It was wonderful. The review will probably be posted soon.

Review: The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

2011-08-14T23:34:00.001-05:00

The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Little Brown/2010/Young Adult/288

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

This was easily my most anticipated book of 2010. From the moment I first read the synopsis, I was intrigued. Not only because the main character and I share the same name but also because I ADORE plots like this. I seriously can not get enough of enemies turned lovers or whatever.

I know that the conservative parents will be shaking their heads at Keplinger's debut novel but if you are looking for an edgy, realistic portrayal of teenagers, you should pick up this book. I had never heard of the term the DUFF before which is: The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. And I'm sure most of us have felt like that at one point in our lives, I know I sure have.

Wesley (did I mention that I absolutely adore this name?) was great. I loved reading about how Bianca saw him at first and the progression between the two of them. Bianca's sarcasm and pessimistic personality was definitely a bonus to read about. She kind of reminded me of Sarah Dessen's character Remy from This Lullaby (which I love). By the end, I was rooting for them to have a relationship that was more than sex.

I can't wait to read Kody's next book!

4.8 stars out of 5

Cover: B-/C+ The cover definitely grew on me. When I first saw it, I thought, "Eh.." but now I feel its a good choice for the book. The girl has the over confident expression, which I think fits Bianca's personality.
Favorite Character: I'm going to go with Bianca. But I also like Wesley.
Put-down-ability: Could not put it down at all!! When I was finally able to check the book out from the library, I read this book in one setting. My goodness! I loved this book.

*Source: public library

GET EXCITED!!!! HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS!

2011-07-13T22:21:00.001-05:00

If you can't tell from the title of this post, I am super duper excited about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. Originally, I was only planning to see Part II but they sold out of all 2D tix and I don't want to see it in 3D so I ended up buying tix to see Part I & Part II. *SQUEEE*

#%@#$%^&*(&(&!!!!!!!%&()$!!!!

Not the official trailer but goodness! Snape is one of my favorite characters and I just can't wait to see how this is going to play out on the big screen!

I can't believe that this is the last movie. I just can't believe it. I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT. I have been to a lot of midnight releases/premieres for Harry Potter. It's hard to believe that this is the last one. :( I love HP. If you follow my twitter (@bianca1946) you'll know that I'm quite obsessed with it. I think JKR is a genius and HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD OF POTTERMORE.

I was up way early in the morning last week (or was it 2 weeks ago?) to hear her announcement of it and attempted to get my email in dozens of times and it finally went through after an hour or so. Although, it doesn't officially open up until October, 1 million lucky fans will have the chance to beta the site and get on it early. I HOPE I'M ONE OF THEM. I hear you have to do a challenge and um, does anyone remember the days when JKR would post riddles on her site for us to figure out. If they are anything like that, the challenge will be hard. I'm somewhat worried.

Oh, if you follow my twitter you might also notice that I talk ~~whine~~ about how much I wanted to go to LeakyCon. I SOOOOOO WANTED TO GO. And go to LitDay and Open at the Close and STARKID! Holy crap. Okay, I'm getting off.

HAVE A VERY HARRY POTTER WEEKEND GUYS! <3 I just got a Slytherin shirt today and can't wait to wear it tomorrow night at the premiere!

Review: Alice in Charge by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

2011-06-10T22:18:00.001-05:00

Alice in Charge by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (#22)
Atheneum/2010/Young Adult/314 pages

At last, it's Alice in Charge--of her life, of her future...but, is it too much?

What I love about the Alice series is that even when it is the 22nd book, you can always count on Phyllis Reynolds Naylor to write about something new; they are never monotonous. I have been reading this wonderful, poignant series since I was in the 5th grade. In the few hours that it takes for me to read these books, I am transplanted to Silver Springs, Maryland and get to know Alice, her family and friends. Naylor has talked about suicide, first loves, Leukemia, etc. I didn't know what she would throw at us next.

This book takes place during Alice's first semester of her senior year. Can I just say that this alone almost made me cry. It's hard to believe that Alice is about to graduate and that Naylor is only writing 3 more books after this. In this book, Alice is the feature editor for her school's newspaper and I just love that it is actually a kinda big thing at her school, I love reading about it. There is a new guy at the school from Sudan, which I really enjoyed. And in this book, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, also presented the readers with a group of students at Alice's school that were part of a Neo-Nazi group. Yes, you read that right.

Patrick and Alice. Ahh...One of my favorite couples in fiction. Patrick has certainly changed so much over the years but in a completely good way. I loved reading the scenes between them. They have a long-distance relationship, well, actually it's nothing official but gosh, they are so great together. He graduated early from High School and is studying at the University of Chicago (yay for intellectual people!) and when he went back home to visit Alice....Short, but very sweet scenes!

Overall this wasn't my favorite book in the series, I don't know exactly which one is (I plan on rereading them soon) but its always great to read about Alice's life. Actually, this is the first time, I didn't pick up the book within a month of its release (didn't have the money to buy it and wasn't able to get it from my library until now) but Incredibly Alice is out now, so hopefully I can get that soon!!

Also, I'm sure all of you have heard about Wall Street Journal's ignorant article, I would just like to say that the Alice books continue to be one of the most frequent banned YA books (I think its holds the #2 spot?) but I'll tell you something. These books have changed my life for the better. I think they are so often overlooked but they are wonderful. #yasaves

3.8 stars out of 5

Cover: B- The Alice books have seen many different cover makeovers. But I have to say that the cover really intrigued me. It's rather simple but in YA you don't really see too many people of color on covers, unfortunately, and this is a very nice change!
Favorite Character: Alice. Duh.
Put-Down-Ability: 4/10. Some moments tend to drag on a little bit but overall, I didn't put it down much at all.

*Source: public library

This Blog, Drama, and lots and lots of Anxiety.

2011-06-09T23:17:00.002-05:00

HOLY HEAVENS! I did not mean for this post to be this long. Sorryyyyyy.

*oh and this post is filled with grammar mistakes. oops. sorry again.

Okay. So it's taken me awhile to figure out how to go about this post. I actually started typing but it ended up being such a long post that I just decided to cut it and put it on my personal blog since since I doubted you guys wanted to hear me complain about school. But here goes…

I want to take the time to apologize to all the readers of Wicked Good Books. You guys are awesome. I'm not sure how many of you guys actually read this blog anymore (not that there have been updates) but if you are reading this, I thank you. It truly means a lot to me.

I had so many goals at the beginning of the year. So many challenges I was going to complete. I told myself that I would update every single day, read lots and lots of books and all of that good stuff. Unfortunately, junior year took me on a roller coaster ride. I know that its been said that junior year is the hardest year of them all but I thought I had it.

But then I got some teachers who didn't put in assignments that I knew I had done and turned in and which caused me to get a B+ instead of an A. I know I sound like such a freak but my GPA needed those A's! I got stuck in college algebra and college trigonometry, classes that I went to the principals, counselors, social worker to tell them that I wanted out. There was no reason for me to take these classes. I had all of my math credits. I should've been switched out; I did everything right. They didn't let me, my health begin to suffer. I've had asthma since I was 7 but it hasn't been really bad for years now; however, I also have anxiety disorders.

And lemme tell you, in the last 9 months, I have around 5 asthma and anxiety attacks. Two of which were during school, one of them, I actually even passed out. Out of the others, I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance and all of that good stuff. Most of these attacks were do to school related problems. But, you know, I would've definitely had suffer through all of those again for the month of May not to have happened. I should've known that with May 12 being my birthday, it was inevitable for May to be a terrible month.

I am in love with my theatre club at school. I've been in it since Freshman year, have worked on every single show (except the 2 small productions our new director wanted to do) and have wanted to be President since then. The seniors this year all wanted me to run because they felt that I would keep all of the traditions alive (which play a huge part in our club) and most importantly keep the group alive. They were telling me this stuff since September. But all of a sudden, this sophomore girl, who is probably the best actress in theatre and really popular decided to change from VP to Pres.

OKAY THE NEXT SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS ARE ABOUT THEATRE. LONG STORY SHORT: I didn't get president. I became depressed. But if you want to read about it, feel free. If not, just move on to the next bold part.

Next thing I know, she's begin to campaign. No one has ever campaigned for elections but she did, she bought sweets and passed out flyers; she was in 10th grade english honors right before I had my English class and wrote her name huge on the board pleading with students to vote for her; her boyfriend made them and their friends shirts writing a cool little slogan on it. I'm sorry, but I was too busy studying for the ACT and AP exams. Well, you probably guess what happened. It just so happened that all of her friends joined theatre this year and did the shows and they got to vote in the elections. I should've known I had no chance.

So, it shouldn't have been too much of a shock at the Renaissance themed banquet when they announce that the new President was not me. My closest of friends, knew how important this was to me. They heard me talk and complain, sick with worry that I wouldn't get it (I obsessed like no other, you wouldn't even believe) and once Her name was announced, they all looked at me. One even asked if she wanted me to take her home right then. I said no, since I was going to stick it out. But you have to understand something, the new officer list looked something like:

Pres - Her (will be junior)

VP - One of my best friends, who came to the school from a fancy private school this year, whose ONLY been in the club this year and has done only 3 shows with the club. But after Her went to run for Pres, she was the only one who was running. (will be senior)

Secretary - One of my friends. She said in her speech that she only was running because no one else was (will be senior)

Treasurer - Boy who will be junior next year. I feel bad that no one likes him and I know if he ran against anyone he probably wouldn't have got it.

Historian- Mostly only artists run for this but I don't get why, you're just making a scrapbook. Anyway, the girl who did win (BFF of President) did the very last show of the year, a very small, 3 week production. When the other people who ran, did ALL of the shows this year. Politics, I tell ya.

I know I sound bitter about this whole ordeal but I'm not. I just wished elections were fair. This is the first year that seniors have been allowed to vote (which by the way, they all changed their vote to Her) and there was no trickle-down-system (talk about traditions!)

Anyway, back to the story. So I opted to stay at the banquet, but then, the other girl that ran for president, a girl that has become one of my closest friends this year, texted me from across the room asking if I wanted to go get a drink or something. I said yes, since I knew she would understand. The second that they were done taking pictures (I can't tell you how hard it was for me to watch that and the officers being sworn in) I ran to my friend's moms room (she's a teacher at the school) and I can't ever remember crying that much, in front of a teacher and friend. Good God, I sobbed my heart out.

My friend drove me around and we talked (well she did and I cried) about it. She was dealing really well since the previous week she didn't get the position of drum major and she'd wanted that since 5th grade. My mom called and ordered me home. And it was just hella bad. I was depressed, no joke. The banquet was Tuesday. I didn't go to school for a week. The next day, Wednesday, my friend came over and brought me ice cream and stuff. She told how everyone in AP Gov't was worried. :( I missed going to graduation and seeing all of my friends graduate because I was in no shape to go out. My other awesome friend came over graduation night and his mom and him took me to a little restaurant. They definitely tried to get me to realize that it wasn't the end, I would have bigger and better things, "Bianca, please remember that all good things will come to you, if not today then tomorrow."

I actually wasn't planning to go back to school. I had a week left and at this point, the thought of going back just stressed me out. I had an anxiety overload. But then the damn social worker called. Yes, it was that bad. I'm lucky that I got to keep all of my credits. Due to all of my asthma/anxiety attacks, I missed a lot of days school 2nd semester. By a lot, I mean the attendance office had 10. Although, I swear, I feel like I missed at least 15....

I'm doing better. I'm still going to be apart of this theatre club, no matter what. I'm still going to try to do everything, I said I would do in the election. I'm going to do all the shows and also, I was willed down the Lead Critic for Cappies (this awesome cool international theatre program). Though, I'm doing better, I still find myself tearing up at the thought of not having apart in major decisions, etc. It hurts. I think the ONLY thing that would make up for this if I had the chance to go the International Thespian Festival in Nebraska (ONLY 3 HOURS AWAY FROM ME!!) and run/get elected Chairman or region II rep for International Thespian Officer. The only thing that's stopping me is $700 and it's probably too late to sign up.

I often feel that people don't understand how much I obsess about these type of things. I don't get like this very often. But I would've been so damn dedicated and would give up hours upon hours of sleep to make everything run smoothly. I have so many plans. But hey, that's life, I've learned.

OKAY I'M SORRY FOR THIS LONG RANT. I honestly, think she'll be a good president. I hope I didn't make her out to be a bitch, she isn't. She just did what she felt she needed to do. I'm going to live. This too shall pass.

OTHER NEWS: I took the SAT last Saturday and I pray that I got at least a 2000. I can't tell you how much I'm stressing out about not getting into my top school. I've wanted to go to Boston University since 5th grade. I had a really bad year and I wish I had a way of telling them, that my GPA does not equal how much potential I actually have.

I'm doing competitive swimming and it's going well. I just really need to start running. This is my last chance of going to State for cross country....Oh, and I have a job opportunity. I just came back from part 1 of training to be a lifeguard. I hope I get the job! This would be a wonderful experience ad my family and I could really use this money.

ABOUT WICKED GOOD BOOKS

So, not you pretty much know where I've been. What I've been up to. But I promise, Wicked Good Books isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. You're stuck with me. I will start posting reviews and stuff again this week! :-)

Biancaa

*Jeez. I can't believe that this was the condensed version. I posted the other version on my personal blog. I write too much. Always.

Spring Blog Carnival Giveaway!!!!!!

2011-05-01T00:35:00.022-05:00

I am participating in the awesome Spring Blog Carnival and giving away Rae by Chelsea Swiggett.

Since she was a little girl, Rae Swiggett knew something was different about her. The sound of planes flying overhead could spark a panic attack. Being called on in class was enough to push her over the edge. She feared the unknown, life, death, people . . . even fear itself.

By the time she reached ninth grade, Rae was muddling through life in relative silence, convinced everyone was mocking her, judging her, picking her apart, bit by little bit. Rae knew she couldn't keep going on this way. She knew something had to give.

Details:

– DO NOT have to be a follower

– Giveaway is only open to the U.S. So sorry international readers!

– Ends May 8th.

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May 1st-
Reading Angel: Haunted House
Reading Teen: Fortune Tellers Booth

May 2nd-
Candace’s Book Blog: Food Court
The Mod Podge Bookshelf: House of Mirrors

May 3rd-
The Book Swarm: Roller Coaster
Actin’ Up With Books: Karaoke Booth

May 4th-
Pure Imagination: Kissing Booth
Lovely Lit: Once Upon a Time Booth

May 5th-
Awesomesauce Books: Gaming Booth
Books R Us: Medieval Booth

May 6th-
Extreme Reader Book Reviews: Guessing Booth
Colloquium: Cotton Candy Booth

May 7th-
The Minding Spot: Teacups Booth
Miss Remmers Review: It’s a Bad World Booth

In My Mailbox (44) + Winner of Mini-Challenge

2011-04-17T23:17:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.

REVIEW:
– Gary Goldschneider's Everyday Astrology
– Spy's Guide: Office Espionage
– Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Thanks Quirk Books and Simon & Schuster!

WON:
– (signed copy) City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Thank you so much Tara!

---------------

The winner of my mini-challenge for Princess Bookie's mini challenge is:

GABRIELLE!

She has already been contacted and chose The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney.

My Mini-Challenge for Contest Craze

2011-03-21T22:33:00.000-05:00

Hello! Today I am hosting this mini-challenge for Princess Bookie's awesome Contest Craze! Thanks Cindy for allowing me to host!

THE MINI-CHALLENGE

Answer one (1) of the following questions about a character in the book you are currently reading or the last book you finished:

1) What person, dead or alive, would she/he want to eat lunch with? Why?

2) What song describes a situation the character has faced or is currently facing?

3) What book do you think this character would like to read?

PRIZES

One winner will get to choose one of the following books:

• (ARC) The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

• Rae: My True Story of Fear, Anxiety, and Social Phobia by Chelsea Swiggett

• (Signed) Titus and Atreus by Meridi Myers

RULES:

- US ONLY!!! I'm sorry to all my international readers.
- Must answer one of the questions.
- Please specify which book you would like to win.

- Please leave a way for me to get in contact with you.

Extra Entry:
+1 If you are a follower.
You do not have to be a follower to enter!

Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

2011-03-20T19:09:00.003-05:00

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Simon & Schuster/May 5, 2009/Young Adult/276 pages

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY is a wonderful book to read if you want to feel closer to summer again, like I do. I didn't actually want to read this book because, and I don't know why, but I assumed that it was one of those type of summer books where 1) Girl goes to the beach and then 2) meets hot, charming boy that she never thought she could have but they end up falling in love. It isn't.

Before I actually picked up this book, I had seen quite a few people reading it and seemed to be enjoying it. I finally got around to checking it out at the library and can see the appeal! The main character, Belly, has always to Cousins every summer since she was born. Belly's mother, Laurel, has been best friend with Susannah her whole life. Susannah has two kids, Jeremiah and Conrad. I knew from the start that she was going to have a relationship with one of them.

This book is amazing. Like I mentioned earlier, I enjoyed the fact that The Summer I Turned Pretty is a summer book that has unexpected depth to it. The scenes with Susannah were emotional…I really enjoyed her character. I liked that she would always do things for Belly, like buy her things when her mom wouldn't. I also enjoyed the flashback scenes. Reading Belly's memories of past summers were a wonderful edition to the book.

I think my favorite thing about this book was how everyone was so close with one another. I liked that Belly had a close relationship with everyone and I really love seeing this in books.

*I read this quite some time ago so I'm a little foggy on some things. Will try to reread it again before I read the last book.

3.6 stars out of 5

RATING
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Ending: 3.5/5
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Cover: C. The cover is pretty and every and definitely has that summer feel to it but its only okay.
Favorite Character: Belly...Susannah. Wonderful characters.
Put-down-ability: 3. Hard to put down!

*source: public library

In My Mailbox (43)

2011-03-20T15:20:00.002-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren!

Gah! I have not posted an IMM in such a long time! These aren't all the books that I have received since my last one but I kinda just decided to do an IMM five minutes ago and these were the books I quickly grabbed.

For Review
From Egmont:
- Carmen by Walter Dean Myers
- Will Work for Prom Dress by Aimee Ferris
- Bitter Melon by Cara Chow
- My Life, the Theatre, and Other Tragedies by Allen Zadoff
- Rich and Mad by William Nicholson (I got this some months ago...might've already showcased this)
- Never Sit Down in a Hoopskirt and Other Things I Learned in Southern Belle Hell by Crickett Rumley
- The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski
- Hourglass by Myra McEntire
- Family by Micol Owstow
Thanks Egmont!

From Simon & Schuster:
- Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
- Stay by Deb Caletti
I'm actually not sure if these were surprise review copies or if I won them anyway, thanks S&S!

From Houghton Mifflin:
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
Thanks Houghton Mifflin!

Won from Alea:
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Thanks Alea!

Bought from Half-Prize books:
- Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
- Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
- One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (not pictured)
For my English honors class we had to pick a 20th century novel from a list. I chose Catcher in the Rye but got the other books because I thought someone else would choose it but I also plan on reading them anyway.

Hope you all got some great books this week!

**I did not get all of these books this week.

Review: Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

2011-03-19T21:14:00.002-05:00

Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson

Hyperion Book CH/2009/Young Adult/336 pages

Using the skills you've learned so far in Introduction to Psychology, please write a brief self-assessment describing how things are going in your freshman year. Presenting Concerns: The Patient, Leigh Nolan (that would be me), has just started her first year at Stiles College. She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards, not Rorschach blots).

I really enjoyed the fact that PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is a Young Adult book where the main character is in college; there needs to be more YA books feature college aged characters. I read the Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty, which I found really enjoyable, last year (or was it 2009?) and the main character starts off in high school and in the other books she is in college, but technically I found out that they're considered "adult" and not YA. I definitely think that its a nice change from the usual YA book that takes place in a high school setting.

I picked up this book because the main character, Leigh Nolan, is a psychology major and that is something that I'm thinking about majoring in college myself. I loved how at the start of each chapter there is a little definition of psychology terms. The start of the book starts off with:

Psych Major Syndrome: A common affliction wherein a psychology major, overwhelmed by conditions, effects, and disorders, begins to overanalyze her own life

Alicia Thompson creates characters that are believable. Leigh goes to a small, liberal arts college. Her boyfriend also goes there. I didn't like him but I did really like Leigh and the other guy. I'm not going to use his name because I feel it would give it away, but once you're reading the book you'll know who it is right away.

This book did have it's downs. At parts it was a bit too slow for me but overall, this book was pretty good. I loved all the psychology references, like the Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank that Leigh had to fill in for one of her Psych classes. I liked that her parents studied tarot cards and all of that – that they named her Tuesday. I especially enjoyed when Leigh got assigned to go to a middle school and be a mentor for girls. Those scenes were great!

I hope Alicia Thompson comes out with a new book. I'd love to read something else by her.

3.3 out of 5 Stars.

RATING

Writing: 4/5

Originality: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Voice: 4/5

Ending: 3/5

------

Favorite character(s): Leigh.
Cover: D. I like the colors but the girl facial expression makes it looks like she has dazed off and whatnot...

Put-down-ability: 5. This was a pretty fast read!

*Source: public library.

Princess Bookie's Mini Challenge: Most Anticipated

2011-03-18T22:31:00.001-05:00

Princess Bookie's Mini Challenge is to post a blog entry on your most anticipated book!

I have a lot of books that I'm anticipating (really good books coming out this year!) But the book I picked to showcase is:

Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Release Date: April 26, 2011

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

I really enjoyed Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series ( you can read my reviews of Charmed Thirds, Fourth Comings, and Perfect Fifths) and I'm very curious to see how this book turns out. In the last year I've gotten extremely into dystopian novels. Bumped sounds intriguing – a world where teens have babies? And they're considered the most prized members. I can't wait to get my hands on this!!

Other books I'm anticipating:
Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
But I Love Him by Amanda Grace
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
The Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Mini-Challenge: Princess Bookie's Name Your Star

2011-03-13T22:59:00.000-05:00

This Mini Challenge Consists Of:

Date A Tv or Movie Star

-Close Your Eyes!

-Imagine You Just Won A Contest Consisting Of A Date (Dinner And A Movie)!

-FYI:Cartoon characters are exempt.

-Mission

-Write A Blog Post Telling Me Who You Would Choose

-Explain Why You Choose Them

-Be Creative In Your Post (maybe include a picture of said person or tell me what you would order for dinner)

LLOYD DOBLER (played by John Cusack)! Holy crap. If you have seen the movie Say Anything (one of my favorite movies and definitely my favorite romance movie) you will understand why I chose him.

I mean, of course I'm going to choose a guy that plays a boom box with "In Your Eyes" playing. And Lloyd is the sweetest thing ever. After our dinner, I hope it would be raining outside, so when we come to a puddle he'll take off his jacket and put it over it for me to walk over.

A girl can dream can't she?

As for dinner I'm sure we'd go to a down to earth restaurant, and not anything fancy-smancy. We'd have some type of Mexican or Italian food. And raspberry lemonade (even if it is juvenile).

***

Other runner up:

Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) from Criminal Minds

and some other people that I'm too lazy to name

Princess Bookie's Contest Craze!

2011-03-09T19:11:00.001-06:00

The wonderful Cindy at Princess Bookie has started her Contest Craze that will be running from March 9 to April 10! Make sure you head over to her blog and check out all the amazing prizes, contests, and mini challenges (one of which, I'm hosting)!

CSN Preferred Blogger!!

2011-02-17T23:41:00.001-06:00

The ever so wonderful CSN has named be one of their Preferred Bloggers and is giving me an opportunity to review another one of their products.

CSN has over 200 stores and you can get everything from a bookcase to Eames lounge chair.

Thanks CSN!

My Own Personal Reading Challenges: Judy Blume & Poetry

2011-01-02T14:35:00.003-06:00

I know I have just cluttered my blog up with many reading challenges today but this is the last of them! These are challenges that I haven't seen on other blogs and so I just created my own. Feel free to join in!

I LOVE Judy Blume. I plan on rereading all of Judy Blume's Fudge books (5), MG books (9), and YA books (4) before 2011 is up. There are only one or two of her books in these categories that I haven't read.

Goal: 18 books

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I've always loved poetry and now that I' have really been inspired to write my novel, poems and short stories and I have an even greater appreciation for them. I can't get enough!

How the challenge works: Read any kind of collection of poetry book. Or a book by a poet that might not necessarily be a collection of poems.

Charles Bukowski
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg
Love Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare
Ariel by Sylvia Plath

Goal: 10 Books

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POC Reading Challenge 2011

2011-01-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

I am definitely doing the the Persons of Color reading challenge again! You can sign up HERE.

Goal: Level 5 - Read 16-25 POC books

Possibilities:
Angela Johnson
Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

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BA Reading Challenges 2011

2011-01-02T13:19:00.003-06:00

Bookish Adour's Reading Challenges look awesome! She has five different challenges on her blog and I'm going to be participating in three of them. Hey! Don't look at me like that. I have no control over myself when it comes to challenges.

DYSTOPIA CHALLENGE

Goal: Contagion Level (15 books)
Possibilities:
1984 by George Orwell
~~Delirium by Lauren Oliver~~
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Feed by MT Anderson
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Giver by Lois Lowry
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Specials by Scott Westerfeld
Extras by Scott Westerfeld
1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
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THE COMIC CHALLENGE

Goal: Zoink! Level (15 comics)
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OFF THE SHELF!
Goal: Trying Level (15 books)
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The TwentyEleven Challenge

2011-01-02T12:34:00.002-06:00

I couldn't resist! This challenge looks like so much fun! The challenge is hosted by Bart's Bookshelf and pretty much there are 11 categories that you need to read at least 1 book from each category (and a max of 2) with a total of 20 books altogether. Meaning you can pick two categories where you only need to read one book and in the nine others, you'll read two.

I have listed the categories with possibilities of the books I want to read for them italicized. Bold is what I read for it.

1. To YA or not YA (since I read mainly YA, I have to read an adult fiction title or two)

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

2. …With a Twist (sub-genres)

Dystopian (that is a romance) -- Delirium by Lauren Oliver

3. Hot off the Presses (book published in 2011)

4. It Wasn't Me! aka Bad Bloggers (picked up solely on the recommendation of another blogger)

5. Show it Who is Boss! (book has to be already on your bookshelf as of 1/12/10)

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Inside The Mind of Gideon Rayburn by Sarah Miller

6. Bablefish (book has to be translated from a language that is not your own)

7. Will-Power? What Will-Power? (book that is bought new during 2011)

8. Mind the Gap (last book you need to complete to duology/trilogy/series)

9. Back in the Day (reread an old favorite)

10. Way Back When (read a book that was published before you were born...for me that is 1994)

11. Slim-Pickings (any book between 90-150 pages)

YA of the 80s & 90s Challenge 2011

2011-01-02T11:43:00.000-06:00

I just found out about this cool challenge that The Book Vixen is hosting and would love to participate! It's pretty simple, all you have to do is read YA books that orginally came out in the 80s or 90s. I feel really confident about this challenge since a lot of the books that I've been planning on rereading or reading for the first time are in these decades!

Goal: 15 books

Some books that I'll probably (re)read:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

Just As Long as We're Together by Judy Blume

Letters to Judy by Judy Blume

Movies Watched In 2011

2011-01-01T01:21:00.001-06:00

Decided to keep track of the movies I watch this year. Will probably keep it in one master list and write a short opinion about the movie next to the titles. We'll see.

Goal: 60 Movies

January:
1. (rewatch) The Parent Trap (1998)

I first saw this movie when I was a little kid. I have seen this movie probably at least 40 times. I think it is a wonderful family movie! 8/10

2. Lean On Me

GLBT Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T00:17:00.001-06:00

Signing up for the GLBT Challenge once again! This year there are no levels which is fine by me, since I think I'll do better like this, just at my own pace.

I don't have specific books that I'd like to read but here are some possibilities:
(reread) The Perks of Being a Wallflowers by Stephen Chbosky
Alex Sanchez
My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman
Ash by Malinda Lo
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green, David Levithan
other David Levithan books
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher
Torn by Amber Lehman
Julie Anne Peters
Empress of the World by Sara Ryan
Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger

Goal: Read 10 books

Best Books That I Read in 2010

2010-12-31T23:24:00.002-06:00

I didn't read a lot of books by any means, and hardly any debut novels, which is lame. But anyway, here are my favorites..

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - Wonderful book about being true to one self. Stargirl is a character that I aspire to be.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin (review to come) - Told from the view of a girl that is dead is always interesting. Definitely a book that makes you think about the afterlife, I know I did!

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick - I read this in one setting. Short but very amazing. I'm sad that I didn't get my hands on Strasnick 2010 book!

Viola In Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani - Boarding school at its best. Lots of film and theatre aspects! I can't wait to read the sequel!!

The Summer series by Jenny Han (reviews to come) - Great characters and even though it's a summer read it still has lots of depth. I can't wait to get my hands on the final book!

Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attractions by Simone Elkeles - HOT!! I can not wait for the third book!

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park - GLBT, BOSTON RED SOX, BROADWAY. Could this book get any better?!

The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (reviews to come) - You've seen all the wonderful reviews of this book; they are absolutely right! Because of this series (which I just ate up and even got to go to Chicago and see Collins) I now have a craving for dystopian novels! Thankfully, there will be a few of these coming out this year!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart - E. Lockhart is fabulous! This book features FEMINISM (I'm a feminist, obviously) and BOARDING SCHOOLs AND SERCET SOCIETY. I am in love. One of my favorite books ever.

Au Revoir, 2010! Bonjour, 2011! Goals for the New Year!

2010-12-31T16:38:00.004-06:00

I, for one, am just in awe at how fast 2010 has gone by, especially the last half of it! I can't believe that in just a year in a half, I'll have graduated high school and be getting ready to start college (hopefully in Boston).

Now, I know that I have neglected Wicked Good Books (as well as my other blogs and many other things) this year due to junior year and my procrastination. I am making it a New Years Resolution to not procrastinate. I must stay focus!

HAPPY 2011 EVERYONE! <3

2011 Reading/Wicked Good Book Goals:

* ~~Read 100 books.~~ Actually, scratch that, read 75 books. 2011 is going to be a chaotic year with college applications, etc..

* Have at least 12 author interviews! I need more!

* Review within 3 days of reading a book.

* More giveaways!

* Post EVERY DAY. Must schedule lots of posts!

* This is exactly a goal or anything...but I hope I can fix my blog up a lot and gain at least 100 more followers. So, 379 followers by 2012.

* Have more post about thoughts on books and authors and things related. More book talk!

* FINISH ALL BOOK CHALLENGES! I am horrible at doing these.

* Do not do so many readathons. Especially, since I am horrible at them, too. This should actually be: If doing a readathon, actually read!

* Keep Wicked Good Books organized.

*Have themed months or a something of the sort. I'm already planning some kind of event from late January - Mid February
*Read one book at a time! I have this major problem where I'll read one book and 50 pages in, I'll start another book and yeah, that is just horrible. So, I plan on finishing the books that I already started in 2010 and then still with one book at a time (excluding if I'm reading a book for school).

Okay, can't think of anymore.

School/Personal Goals:

* EXERCISE every single day (I already do sports but I'm talking about something I'll do at home..still need to create a schedule)

* For Cross Country/Running:

Run in at least 2 local running events. I know I'll do the Race for the Cure, like I do every year..
Run a 5k in 23 minutes.
Run 2 miles in under 15 minutes.
Run 1 mile in under 7 minutes.
Since it will be my senior year coming up, it will also be my last year of high school XC and my last chance to qualify for state. I want to qualify for State in cross country more than any other sport I am in because it is the sport I'm most passionate about. God, I need to be out there running and training yesterday. I need to get better to be able to run at least that 21 something to make it to state. But this goal is going to be extremely hard to accomplish.

*For Swimming:

Swim the 500 freestyle
Swim the 50 free in 35 seconds or less
Swim the 100 free in 1:25 or less
Swim the IM
Swim the 100 back 1:25 or less
Swim the 200 free
Get a medal in swimming

*For soccer: get a least 2 goals in a game.....play more than midfield, ask to play forward at least once?

*Practice piano. Try to find a piano teacher.

* Get down to 115 pounds and I want abs!!!

* Get my drivers license!!

* Get all A's for one semester. Hmm, So, I have this semester to choose from or first semester of senior year. Hopefully, I get both! Well, I think I should exclude math. That will always be my downfall.
* If I can't an A in math, I want to at least get an A on a test. That is, if I'm even still in a math class!

* Hold an office position for my theatre club. I would love to be President and I have a good shot at it but if I can't I would love to be vice president. Have a good senior directed one act!

* Go to camp. I've always wanted to go to camp but haven't due to financial reason. I'm looking at this creative writing/arts camps

* Get some kind of job!!! I need money for senior year and college. Lots of dues and stuff.

* Get healthier! Drink lots of more milk, take vitamins, etc

* ACT w/ writing goal: 33/SAT goal: at least 2,100/take SAT IIs/get at least 3 on AP tests. Preferably 4 or 5.

* Apply Early Decision to Boston University. It is my absolute dream school. But of course, I need pretty much a full ride or A LOT of financial aid.

* One of my main goals is to get most, if not all of my novel written now. I'm going to hopefully outline everything before March. I need to talk with rape survivors and counselors as this book deals with the sensitive subject of rape and I want everything to be right. I hope I can do that by May. I want to write at least 500 words a day.

Yeah, this is a hell of a lot of things to do and lots of hard goals to keep. I am determine. I think I'll print it off and cross them off as the year goes by!

Out With A Bang Readathon

2010-12-29T00:32:00.001-06:00

I definitely need to catch up on reading some books before the end of the year. And although I am terrible at these things, I am doing the Out With A Bang Read-A-Thon! It will run from now until the end of December, which goodness, I can't believe that the year is almost over!!!!

This list is not 100% definite or anything but here are some of the books that are on my list to read:

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan (to finish)

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma (to finish)

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Rae by Chelsea Swiggett

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Looks by Madeline George

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Of course, I have swimming practice tomorrow, Thursday, and maybe Friday and if I don't clean my room my mom will kill me. I also have some other things that I must do before I go back to school on the 5th (why so short of a break!!!) but I am going to try to make it a goal to read at 7-10 hours each day during this readathon...

Good luck to all those doing it!

Just A Little Note

2010-12-25T17:00:00.000-06:00

First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I hope everyone has had a great one so far! :)

Due to Winter Break, I have some extra time and will be getting my blog back running for the new year.

I have several book reviews I still need to do and I might decide to do some mini reviews since I actually can't remember a whole lot from some of the books I read but still want to review them.

I will be creating a few posts for challenges. But mostly there will be only one or two post(s) for 2011 challenges.

I will be putting up a list of goals for 2011.

Two contests will be going up. One for The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney and one for Rae by fellow blogger, Chelsea Swiggett. I'm planning on reading & reviewing these books before break is up and I will post the giveaway up sometime after I post the reviews.

Sorry in advance for all the blog entries that will be flooding my blog in the new few weeks or days....depending on how fast I work. :D

Books Read In 2011

2010-12-25T16:02:00.008-06:00

Bianca is ashamed at how many books she read for 2010. With winter break she believes she'll be able to read at least 10 more books (hopefully) but that's still only, like, 50 books all together. However, Bianca is going to get her life together and will stay on top of things because she has learned that, "Procrastination is the thief of time. " (Edward Young)

She will do all the things that she needs to do: homework, keeping room clean once she cleans it in the next couple of days, sports practices, preparing for SATs/ACTs/AP Tests, etc. Bianca is not sure why the hell she is typing in 3rd person or why she just wrote all of this but she is stopping now.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Books Read in 2010

GOAL: Read 75 books.

Books Started in 2010 but finished in 2011 (not officially counting toward 2011 challenge):
1. Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma
2.
3.
4.

January:
1. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2.
3.
4.
5.

Wicked Cool Giveaway from Chronicle Books

2010-12-10T22:14:00.000-06:00

The wonderful people at Chronicle Books are hosting this beyond fantastic giveaway. They are two very lucky winners (one person who makes a blog with the list of the books they would like to win and one person who comments on said blog entry). The best part is that its up to $500!

If I were to win I would love to get these books:

The Andy Warhol Pop Box: Fame, the Factory, and the Father of American Pop Art $24.95

The Andy Warhol Inspiration Box $16.95

Andy Warhol Fashion Mix and Match Stationery 8.95

Andy Warhol Idea Book $18.95

Horrorscopes: A Little Book of Misfortunes $12.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/products_id,8947/path,3-62/title,Horrorscopes/

Colorstrology: What Your Birthday Color Says About You $19.95
Colorstrology™: What Your Birthday Color Says About YouQuirk Books

Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable $15.95
Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable Quirk Books

Field Guide to Luck: How to Use and Interpret Charms, Signs, and Superstitions $15.95
Field Guide to Luck: How to Use and Interpret Charms, Signs, and Superstitions Quirk Books

The Running Log $12.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,3324/title,The-Running-Log/

The Writer’s Pack $29.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/products_id,7272/title,The-Writers-Pack/

No Plot? No Problem! Pack $29.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6329/title,No-Plot-No-Problem-Pack/

Love Letters, Lost $19.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,4703/title,Love-Letters-Lost/

Poetry Dog Tags $19.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/products_id,2356/title,Poetry-Dog-Tags/

The True and the Questions: A Journal $16.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,gifts/products_id,5204/title,The-True-and-the-Questions-A-Journal/

The Personal Organizing Workbook $24.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,5927/title,The-Personal-Organizing-Workbook/

The Space Between Trees $17.99
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,kids/products_id,8711/path,2-13-116/title,The-Space-Between-Trees/

Polaroid Notes 14.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,gifts/products_id,8309/title,Polaroid-Notes/

One Line a Day: A Five Year Memory Book $16.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8292/title,One-Line-a-Day-A-Five-Year-Memory-Book/

Mini Goal Notepad $9.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8960/title,Mini-Goals-Notepad/

You Know You’re a Writer When... $9.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,6742/path,1-10-68/title,You-Know-Youre-a-Writer-When-.-.-./

Back to Us $19.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8958/title,Back-to-Us/

Beauty Rules $24.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8867/path,1-7-34/title,Beauty-Rules/

Brain Boot Camp $29.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8661/path,1-7-34/title,Brain-Boot-Camp/

Curious Lists $12.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8171/path,1-7-34/title,Curious-Lists/

Beside Dream Journal $16.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8293/path,1-7-34/title,Bedside-Dream-Journal/

Gary Goldschneider’s Everyday Astrology $24.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8338/path,1-7-34/title,Gary-Goldschneiders-Everyday-Astrology/

Get High Now $14.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7900/path,1-7-34/title,Get-High-Now/

Ticket Stub Diary $14.95
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/products_id,6031/title,Ticket-Stub-Diary/

Fuck You and Your Blog Journal $9.95

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,gifts/products_id,8298/title,Fuck-You-and-Your-Blog-Journal/

I have to say: Chronicle Books has the cutest books ever! Seriously. I LOVE books like they have. If I got to spend $500 on their books, I might just die of happiness!

Waiting On Wednesday (38)

2010-11-24T00:01:00.001-06:00

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
June 1, 2011/Sourcebooks/Young Adult

I, Felton Reinstein, am Stupid Fast. Seriously. The upper classmen used to call me Squirrel Nut, because I was little and jumpy. Then, during sophomore year, I got tall and huge and so fast the gym teachers in their tight shorts fell all over themselves. During summer, three things happened all at once. First, the pee-smelling jocks in my grade got me to work out for football, even though I had no intention of playing. Second, on my paper route the most beautiful girl I have ever seen moved in and played piano at 6 a.m. Third, my mom, who never drinks, had some wine, slept in her car, stopped weeding the garden, then took my TV and put it in her room and decided she wouldn’t get out of bed.

Listen, I have not had much success in my life. But suddenly I’m riding around in a jock’s pick-up truck? Suddenly I’m invited to go on walks with beautiful girls? So, it’s understandable that when my little brother stopped playing piano and began to dress like a pirate I didn’t pay much attention. That I didn’t want to deal with my mom coming apart.

WHY I WANT IT:
While I was on goodreads looking for books to put on my '2011 Debut Authors' challenge, I came across this book and immediately LOVED the sound of it. I don't know, I love sports and the main character sounds awesome.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

CSN Preffered Blogger

2010-11-23T18:57:00.000-06:00

Awesome news! CSN has made me one of their preferred bloggers and I have the opportunity to review another one of their awesome products.

CSN has 50+ stores including anything from pens to a stool.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

2010-11-22T20:13:00.001-06:00

Kristi over at The Story Siren is once again hosting the fabulous Debut Author Challenge for 2011! Now, I am unbelievably terrible at these (don't even ask me how 2010 challenges are going...) but I'm going to stick to 12 for now and I WILL read/review them...

1. XVI/Julia Karr/Speak
2. Other Words for Love/Lorraine Zago Rosenthal/Delacorte
3. Where I Belong/Gwendolyn Heasley/HarperTeen
4. Ten Miles Past Normal/Frances O'Roark Dowell/Atheneum
5. I Am J/Cris Beam/Little, Brown
6. Saving June/Hannah Harrington/Harlequin Teen
7. Stupid Fast/Geoff Herbach/Sourcebooks Fire
8. The Pull of Gravity/Gae Polisner/Farrar, Straus and Giroux
9. Bumped/Megan McCafferty/HarperCollins
10. But I Love Him/Amanda Grace/Flux
11. The Liar Society/Lisa and Laura Roecker/Sourcebooks Fire
12. Bad Taste in Boys/Carrie Harris/Delacorte Press

Wish me luck!

This post is late but Happy Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 release!!

2010-11-21T15:55:00.004-06:00

(I wrote this on Thursday night, the night of the midnight premiere for Deathly Hallows but I guess I forgot to post it, so please excuse the confusing comments about "tonight"...) In honor of the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1 movie I decided to write a little blog post, and yes, I most definitely have a ticket and will be seeing it with some friends even though I know that tomorrow I have to go to school because I have to go to swim practice and lemme tell you something, swimming in the pool when you've only got 3 hours of sleep is never good. But since I have seasonal insomnia and its pretty much the usual for me, I guess it won't be too bad.

The Harry Potter series is incredibly hard to put into words. I can not even express how excited I am for tonight's midnight premiere!!! All week has been Harry Potter week for me. I've worn the T-shirts, wrote several status' on facebook about how I can't wait for Deathly Hallows part 1, bursted out into "I love Harry Potter" in my terrible singing voice many times, etc.

I'm a little uncertain on where I rank Deathly Hallows. It's definitely at least my 2nd favorite Harry Potter book but I think it may be tied with Half-Blood Prince for 1st. Although, I didn't get to finish rereading Deathly Hallows before I see the movie, I've been thinking back to the summer of 2007. The summer the final book was release.

Summer 2007 was the summer after 7th grade (and what a terrible year that was) and before 8th grade. I was 13 years old and it was when I really became addicted to the internet and I joined a bunch of forums that year. I became quite obsessed with Harry Potter fanfiction and mugglenet.com and I just breathed Harry Potter. I remember checking mugglenet.com, not once, but 2, 3, 10 times a day. I mean, I was OBSESSED. It would drive my mother crazy how I would stay up on the computer until 5 or 6 in the morning just reading all I could about Harry Potter after I had reread books 1-6 and was anxiously anticipating the release of Deathly Hallows.

I can still remember how one morning in July, I'm thinking it was between 10-15th, it had been one of those nights where I stayed up until 6 am. My mom had gone to McDonalds to get me a sausage mcgriddle (first time I'd ever had one of those) and I remember this morning because my mom had to go to the hospital for something and I offered to go with her. When we got back home, the computer had caught a virus or something due to my older sister and it just completely shut down. I was devastated. I mean how else was I supposed to keep up with my daily news feeds for Deathly Hallow things. But as the days passed, I figured it was for the best because I didn't want to read any spoilers or anything but I actually ended up reading the first page of Deathly Hallows before it was release but we all thought it was just some person doing it. DOES ANYONE ELSE REMEMBER THAT HAPPENING?

Anyway, July 21, 2007 is still one of my favorite days ever. Although, my parents do not understand my love for books or anything they took me to the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was so freakin' amazing! I got a keychain, some fake glasses, and a lot of other HP things. I met some fellow HP lovers and so many other things. I got my book at 12:16 am and quickly put a Harry Potter bookplate in the front as well as things like, "I TRUST SNAPE," because I just knew he was good. And of course, I cried.

Since, I posted this late and saw the movie on midnight I will tell you guys what I thought about it. If you haven't seen the movie don't read.

- RON IS SUPER ADORABLE. Holy cow. I'm not exactly a R/Hr shipper but, man, every time Ron looked at Hermione that face he made was just pure awesome.

- The animation scene!!! I already love The Tale of Three Brothers but that scene just made it 10x more awesome. I told my artistic friends that even if they aren't into HP that much they should go see it because of this scene and that they would love it.

- Bathilda Bagshot. o.0 OMG. Can you say creepy? I'm not even going to lie, I jumped out of my seat more than once and screamed.

- Hermione in Malfoy Manor. Oh goodness. SOOOOO FREAKIN' INTENSE. Teary eyes.

- DOBBY. Gahhhh. :(

- Fred and George! God, I love them.

- The short scene with Neville was great! Of course, I wished we got to see more of him and the others.

- The scenes with the Malfoy's and other death eaters were fantastic. I wished more emphasis had been placed on Draco, espically when Hermione was being tortured.

- The ending with Voldemort getting the Elder Wand out of Dumbledore's tomb. WOW. WOW. SO crazily intense.

I don't know how I'm going to get through these next couple of months until part 2!!

Blog Readers? Are you still there??

2010-11-12T18:19:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone who (still) reads this blog. I would like to take a moment and apologize for the fact that I have not been posting in a few months. And not only that, I haven't even been apart of the blogging atmosphere in quite a while either.

I don't know what has been happening with me. My life is chaotic. My seasonal insomnia is in full swing. Junior year is kinda difficult to explain. Although, I am in all honor/AP classes, they aren't that hard but I am such a procrastinator and lazy bum. And I start swim season next week after 2 weeks off after cross country season ended.

AHH. I don't know what else to say.

Will starting posting again. Really, really soon. You all have no idea how much I've missed the book blogging world.

In My Mailbox (42)

2010-10-10T16:17:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren.

I have been MIA this past month but I am back now!! Here are the books that I have received in the last month...

For Review:
Rae by Chelsea Rae Swiggett
Hannah by Hannah Westberg
Alexis by Alexis Papalia
(Thanks HCI Teens!)

Take Me With You
Where's My Stuff
97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School
(Thank you Zest Books!!)
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney (Thanks Little Brown!)

From Library:
Boy Girl Boy by Ron Koertge
Guyaholic by Caroyln Mackler
Once A Runner by John L. Parker
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
Ready to Run by Beverly Scudamore
Playing a Virginia Moon by Peter J. Neumann
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Burrowed From Friends:
Host Club, Volume 1 by Bisco Hatori
FLCL, Volume 1 by Yoji Enokido
FLCL, Volume 2 by Yoji Enokido
Hack, Volume 1 by Tastsuya Hamazaki, Rei Izumi

Thanks, Jay and Zoë!

Won From Contests:
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King (Thanks A.S. King!!)
The Highest Tide by Jim Lynch (I'm actually not sure if I won this or if this was for review..)
Diary of a Teenage Girl by Melody Carlson (Thanks The Bookologist!)

The Awesome drawing/signature by A. S. King!

So, I forgot what books I already took a picture of so some of the books are shown above, too. So, I'll just skip those. :D

For Review:
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (SQUEEE!!!! Thanks Harper Collins!)

From Library:
The Cupcake Queen by Heather Helper

Bought:
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (GOT THIS ONE SIGNED WHEN I WAS IN CHICAGO! Will talk more about it later!)
LDK, Volume 1 by (It's in Japanese!)

Signed, well actually stamped, by Suzanne Collins!

For Blog Tour:
I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

Books Not Pictured:
Dramacon, Volume 2 by Svetlana Chmakova
Dramacon, Volume 3 by Svetlana Chmakova
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Books are from school library and class and burrowed from a friend. I probably have 1 or 2 other books that I forgot about.

BBAW Interview with Fall In Love With Books

2010-09-14T00:04:00.001-05:00

The awesome Book Blogger Appreciation Week is going on right now and like last year, I signed up to do the BBAW interview swap. I was paired up with a wonderful book blogger. I have Kimm from Fall In Love With Books. You should all go visit her wonderful blog!

What is your favorite classic novel?

I'm flightly about this...favorites change depending on my mood. At this moment: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This book gives me chills!

Who is a character from a book that you admire?

Anne from Jane Austen's Persuasion. She's a woman who learns her own mind in the end and doesn't cave in to pressure. I think we are all searching for a little strength in our lives. She gives me inspiration.

Do you prefer stand alone books or book series?

I don't have a preference either way, although I just finished a series by Richelle Mead and am sitting here having an anxiety attack because the final book isn't going to be released until next year!

What is your favorite zoo animal?

I love Beluga whales the most. There is a zoo in Washington that has an underground viewing room to see their Beluga's. They come right up to you and stare into your eyes. It's a surreal experience! I Penguins are almost tied, just because they crack me up with their antics. Oh, I cannot forget one that's really unusual to me: an Okapi. So hard to explain that one!

Where is one place you would like to travel to?

Top on my wishlist is to take a cruise in the Mediterranean that will allow me to go to Turkey & Egypt. Seeing the Pyramids is a must!

What is your favorite place to read at?

I like to read in bed for the most part. There's something relaxing about getting bundled under the covers and losing myself in a great story.

Do you prefer Borders or Barnes & Noble?

I only have a little Borders store where I live (which is still called Waldenbooks for some reason)...so going to Barnes & Noble is a big treat for me. I guess that makes B&N my favorite. I'll probably break down and buy one of their Nooks before the year is over. :-)

What is your favorite historical fiction book?

For all time: Not sure. For this year: Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael or The Last Queen by CW Gortner. Both books are phenomenal!

Do you dog ear or use a bookmark?

Bookmarks only!! Cannot even contemplate mutilating my books!!

What is your favorite color?

Green...like an emerald

What is a subject you do a lot about?

As in read a lot? I read a lot of historical romances. I always fall back on them when I'm not sure what to read next. I love Regency Romances.

[Sorry! I butchered this question.]

How many books are in your 'to be read' pile right now?

Oooh....I'm going to say, 50 or 60? I lose track and unfortunately don't have them catalogued anywhere. I just know it won't stop growing as long as I keep buying books!!

What is the last young adult book you read?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. LOVED IT!!!

Stephen King or Nicholas Sparks?

I haven't read Sparks at all and the only King book I've read is The Stand. But, I guess I do like Sparks' movies better than Kings.

Okay, most importantly, snicker-doodle cookies or peanut butter cookies?

Yes, this is extremely important. lol Sugar Cookies still rule!!! I guess Snicker-doodles are close to that.

I want to go to Turkey and Egypt, too and emerald green is one of my favorite colors. And YUM! Sugar cookies are just awesome!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

2010-09-06T21:55:00.002-05:00

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
March 17, 2009/MTV Books/Young Adult/256 pages

Summary
All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over...

Review
I've heard so many wonderful things about this book and I really liked this book and all but I'm not giving it as high as a rating as some of the others are giving it.

So, I've been in a reading slump for so damn long and this book did actually help me break out of it! I liked the plot okay, I liked the characters, the writing was really great, but I don't know…It felt like something was missing.

My favorite character was John. I found his character to be quite intriguing in some ways. I liked reading about his obsession with the bridge. Meg and John's relationship was not over the top by any means but I thought it was still really good.

Overall: Jennifer Echols writing is amazing. I read through this book so fast! As soon as my reading pile goes down I will be getting Forget You (and her other books) because I've heard wonderful things about it!

3.5 out of 5 Stars.
RATING
Writing: 5/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Voice: 5/5
Ending: 5/5

Favorite character(s): John for reasons listed above. Cover: C. I don't really like it. I wish we could see that Meg's hair was blue as described in the book!
Put-down-ability: 3. I didn't put this book down much at all!

*Source: public library.

In My Mailbox (41)

2010-08-22T11:21:00.004-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

WON:

Gimme A Call by Sarah Mlynowski

Devi's life isn't turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn't join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.

Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!

Once Devi gets over the shock—and convinces her younger self that she isn't some wacko—she realizes that she's been given an awesome gift. She can tell herself all the right things to do . . . because she's already done all the wrong ones! Who better to take advice from than your future self?

Except . . .what if getting what you think you want changes everything?

Sister's Red by Jackson Pearce

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

In the "ideal" world into which Jonas was born, everybody has sensibly agreed that well-matched married couples will raise exactly two offspring, one boy and one girl. These children's adolescent sexual impulses will be stifled with specially prescribed drugs; at age 12 they will receive an appropriate career assignment, sensibly chosen by the community's Elders. This is a world in which the old live in group homes and are "released"--to great celebration--at the proper time; the few infants who do not develop according to schedule are also "released," but with no fanfare.

Waiting On Wednesday (37)

2010-08-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Knopf Books for Young Readers/January 11, 2011

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her.

Why I Want This: WOWZA. This summary sounds so great, very intense. I'm quite obsessed when it comes to running. I just love the sound of it and I think that it will be so great. Not to mention the fact that the person who wrote this, Wendelin Van Draanen , also wrote the YA/MG novel Flipped, which I've heard amazing things about!!

I think that if this book came out this fall I would so add this to the list of books I'll be reading during cross country season, on the way to and back from the meets, to help motivate me and whatnot. But it doesn't come out until next year! : (

10th Grade Required Reading List

2010-08-16T22:44:00.001-05:00

A week ago, I made my 9th Grade Required Reading List. Here is my 10th grade.

Kate Chopin

Short Stories Unit

In my 9th Grade Required Reading List, I mentioned I adore short stories, I especially loved the ones my English teacher had us read! We actually read a few dystopian type short stories (There Will Come Soft Rains, By the Waters of Babylon) and I think I should really read some dystopian YA books because the short stories were awesome!

I think my favorite short story we read was Desiree's Baby by Kate Chopin.

Night by Elie Wiesel

Short book, but so emotional and so very good! Here is my review of NIGHT.

The theme for this unit was tolerance and we also had to make a powerpoint

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

This wasn't actually a really serious unit. We read the play and took a test over it and then watched the movie.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

I'm really involved in theatre and have seen this play at a theatre convention (although I did fall asleep but it was a really good performance!) and I knew what it was about somewhat.

I really can't remember how I did on this book. I think I did okay. So yeah..

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

This is definitely one of those books that I would've never picked up on my own. In fact this is one of those books that I thought I was going to have to spark note because I wasn't going to finish in time (I'm horrible with required reading, I know) because it is also rather lengthy. Even though, I only caught up right before the test, I still finished it on time. I loved the ending to this book!

Here is my review. Oh, and I did fantastic on the major test! SCORE!

Poetry Unit

I didn't like the choices of the poems this time. Like last year, Mrs. C had us each read about 2 poems each that she had already chose and give the class information about the poet and stuff.

I chose to read Sonnet 18 from Shakespeare and The Waking by Theodore Roethke, both of which I really liked! Also, we had to right a couple of poems like last year but only 5 this year. I wrote about feminism, running, fear of mirrors and two others that I can't exactly remember. Our teacher picked the overall themes.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

I knew even before I picked this book up that I was going to have trouble with this one.

I mean, I liked the first page, and I actually did like the dialogue (once you start reading it it's not so bad and I did find it kind of funny) but I don't know. We read this in the middle of soccer season. And soccer just happens to have to really far away and long games. Not a good combination if I want to get reading done.

I don't know what is wrong with me. I didn't do so good on the test. I got a freakin' C! I will go back in read this book one day. I hear the ending really makes you think or something.

Oedipus the King by Sophocles

Then, we had our Greek Theatre lesson and read this book. I am really good with theatre, so I knew, pretty much, all of the terms and where to label the things on our stage map we had on our test. Now, the play itself isn't too long. Here's what happened. I was gone for about 4 days (which is pretty much the time we had to read the play) and my teacher told me that I would have no problem with what I had read over the weekend and I only needed to study a couple of other things.

I didn't do too horrible on the test but I definitely would've done better had a read the play. Ah, I think I'll finish it up one day and read Antigone, the next play in the trilogy.

OVERALL GRADE: B+ One thing that we also did that we didn't do freshman year was have weekly test over hard vocabulary words. But it was kinda easy for me. In some ways I feel that this year was easier than freshman year, except for Huck Finn! UGH!

Also, Sophomore year I was in APUSH– AP US History and we were required to read a book each quarter and to be honest, all of them for the most part were books that I would've never even thought about reading. Here's what I picked:

• 1776

• Uncle Tom's Cabin

• The Jungle

• On The Road

I am a terrible, terrible student, lemme tell you. I am just damn horrible. These history books were basically sparknoted. Although, I did like On The Road and will be buying it soon, so I can actually read the whole thing. The Jungle wasn't too bad (gross but not bad). Uncle Tom's Cabin was just okay and 1776...Well, I don't even know why I chose to read it.

I AM NOT READY FOR ENLIGH 11 HONORS THIS YEAR! Well, actually it's called composition/American literature. Books such as The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, Cold Mountain are on our reading list.

School starts tomorrow. YIKES!

I will be a better student this year. I will get all A's. *repeats mantra*

In My Mailbox (40)

2010-08-14T20:45:00.003-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

For Review:

The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike (ARC)

-I got this surprise review from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt! Thank you!

Won:

Feather by Abra Ebner

Knight Angels by Abra Ebner

-I won these last two books for participating The Once Upon a Readathon at Pure Imagination's blog. :)

Folly by Marthe Jocelyn

Sea by Heidi R. Kling (ARC)

The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (ARC)

-I won these last three books from a Got Books? giveaway.

I also won a Linger tank top. Unfortunately, I misjudged the size I thought I needed (small) so it definitely doesn't fit me. I should've asked for an extra large because of the way its made. XD

Waiting On Wednesday (36)

2010-08-11T00:11:00.002-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers
December 21, 2010/St. Martin's Griffin

I stare at the bonfire until I realize it’s fallen quiet and everyone is staring at me.
“Oh. It’s okay,” I say to Deacon. “It’s okay.”
“Sorry about your dad,” Deacon says. “That was supremely fucked up.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “It was.”
“Is it true your mom’s like, catatonic?”
“Deacon!” Jenna.
“What?” Deacon asks. “It’s not like we’re not all thinking it.”

A gritty story of one girl’s attempt to make sense of her father’s untimely death…

Why I Want This: UM. Courtney Summers is freakin' awesome. And I've only read Cracked Up To Be (I NEED SOME GIRLS ARE RIGHT NOW!). That paragraph sounds amazing and I just love the plot. Also, WHOA! Look at that stunning cover! Now, I'm sure that's not an official one but its still gorgeous and I think it's intriguing. Anyways, I guess December isn't too long of a wait, but still.

9th Grade Required Reading List

2010-08-09T22:13:00.004-05:00

Required reading is something that I'm really not to good at, especially during the school year. Since I'm in Honors English, I've had the same teacher -who is fantastic- my freshman, sophomore and will have her this year for my junior year. She's is, like, the smartest teacher at our school. Anyways, I want to share with you guys what we read my freshman year in her class (and maybe I'll post my sophomore reading list).

Every time we got a book, my teacher would give us a sheet for what page number or chapter she wanted us to be on the next day and there is something about having to read it on a schedule that makes it horrible for me to read. I don't know if that is the real reason, but I hardly kept up with my reading. Also, after we finished we always had a huge test over the book/unit....And often times a couple tests during.

Okay, on to the books and my opinions and such.

FRESHMAN YEAR

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This was the very first book I read for high school. Also, one of the few that I actually finished on time! It was really good and is one of those books where you just have to read once in your life!

At the end of the unit, we were assigned to write a future!fic about To Kill A Mockingbird. I was really proud of mine, but the others including my English teacher were worried about me. Apparently, it was too dark and depressing. I'll share it along with some of my other writings on here one day. If anyones interested.

Guy de Maupassant

After reading TKAMB, we moved onto short stories. I ADORE short stories and often times I found myself reading them just for fun.

The Top Number One Thing About Short Stories:

They are simple, yet so complex, and they almost always have a really awesome twist-filled ending!

We read around 20 short stories, my favorite being The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant. Although it is a favorite for many, my least favorite was The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell. Maybe it was because this was the only one we listened to on audio but it put me to sleep.

The test for this unit was part memorization (all the authors names for each story) and questions on the stories and poetry in general. Easiest test all year.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

My teacher was gone for most of December and we had a substitute teacher come in. Now, Shakespeare is hard to teach for most subs (along for many regular teachers) but luckily this sub was, like, a drama teacher/actor and a puppeteer. I love Shakespeare and like this unit.

Since our teachers made puppets for a living she had us make characters from Romeo & Juliet. Fun.

The Odyssey by Homer

Um. I'm just going to come out and say it. I can't remember a damn thing about this book. I mean, I had English 9 Honors 7th hour - the last class of the day. In the winter my insomnia is just at its worse (something to do with the light or whatever) and so, I fell asleep a lot during this. This was actually a book that we read most of it in class. The abridged version and it was still as long....I do remember there being a question on the test about Cyclops and doing miserably on it, though.

Maybe one day I'll check it out again and read it. It is a classic after all.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

It was mid February when we received this book. Also, this was the time when we had a student teacher come in (who is the most beautiful teacher to ever grace our school and he has since become the regular 10th grade english teacher this year. Too bad I don't have his class!) and teach us.

A week before we actually got the book we had a little history lesson on Stalin and saw a documentary. This book is definitely different from other books I have read. I can't remember reading a book where there are animals that are telling the story (besides children's picture books) and a satire. Overall, I did like it.

Poetry Unit

This was a pretty fun and great unit. I love poems! My teacher had each of us read 1-2 poems that she had assigned to read to the class. We had to find out information about the author and such. I chose to read Casey at the Bat, which is a favorite of mine. The major test for this unit was we had to write down the authors name for each of the poems (I love memorization!) and she had several other things on it.

Also, we all had to write 20 or so poems that fit Mrs. C's criteria. I'll share some of mine, on here one day. For the theme poems, I wrote about sports and I'm very fond of those.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Let me just tell you, I DON'T LIKE SCI-FI (except for the Back to the Future movies!). I don't read a lot of it at all so it was definitely a change for me. I would probably give this book a 3/5 for enjoyment. The story and writing were good but it really wasn't for me.

However, Ender's Game features one of my favorite scenes EVER from a book. There's a part in the beginning where Ender's brother, Peter (who is so viciously mean and vindictive) tells Valentine, their sister, that he will harm Ender one day she isn't around to protect him.

But there'll come a day when you aren't there with him, when you forget. And suddenly you'll remember, and you'll rush to him, and there he'll be, perfectly all right. And the next time you won't worry so much, and you won't come so fast. And every time, he'll be all right. And you'll think that I forgot. Even though you'll remember that I said this, you'll think that I forgot. And years will pass. And then there'll be a terrible accident, and I'll find his body, and I'll cry and cry over him, and you'll remember this conversation. Vally, but you'll be ashamed of yourself for remembering because you'll know that I changed, that it really was an accident, that it's cruel of you even to remember what I said in a childhood quarrel. Except that it'll be true.

0.o Holy! This absolutely blew my mind when I read it! Then again, I read and watch many documentaries about past serial killers and other insane people. (Okay. That sounds weird. I'll shut up.)

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Last but not least, we read this. I'll admit, when we first were handed this book, I couldn't believe how many pages there were. And that's reading the abridged version.

I didn't finish this one in time before the test (I blame those long and far away soccer games!) but it's one of those book where I asked my teacher if I could keep it until I finished it because it really is very intriguing and so good!

Edmond Dantes is a character that you don't want to mess with!!

OVERALL GRADE: B+ Darn! I should've finished some of those books. Also, we did a couple weeks of grammar, but thats every English class.

Well, high school was certainly a change for me. The only book I remember having to read in middle school on our own was Lord of the Flies by William Golding and I hated it. So boring. ZZZZZZZ

You know what's awesome?

2010-08-04T21:50:00.003-05:00

CSN has made me one of their Preferred Bloggers, in which I am so honored and greatly appreciate the opportunity to review some more of their wonderful items. CSN has 200+ stores and you can literally spend all day looking at products. You can buy anything from Wall Clocks to Bedroom Furniture Sets! Many of their products are inexpensive.

The North Face Women's Boreallis in Fissure Green

On account of school starting in less than 2 weeks (AHHHH!) I need a new backpack because my old one kind of ripped. I love the color and it looks like it can hold a lot of books. Hopefully this backpack won't be too bad on my back!

Waiting On Wednesday (35)

2010-08-04T02:59:00.003-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Inconvenient by Margie Gelbwasser
November 28, 2010/Flux

Summary
Welcome to Glenfair, New Jersey’s Little Moscow, where fifteen-year-old Alyssa Bondar lives with her Russian-born, Jewish parents. In their culture, drinking is as traditional as blinchiki and piroshkis. So when her mom starts having bad days, it seems like Alyssa’s the only one who notices-or cares.

Alyssa would love to focus on regular stuff like her first kiss with Keith, her cute track team partner-or simply come home without dread of what she might find. But someone has to clean up her mom’s mess. Her dad is steeped in work, the evening news, and denial. Her best friend Lana is busy-shamelessly vying for a place with the popular crowd who ridicule their Russian heritage.

It’s up to Alyssa to save her mom-and her family. But who will be there to catch Alyssa when her mom’s next fall off the wagon drags her down, too?

Why I Want This:
HOW AMAZING does this sound?! I love the fact that it features a Jewish main character where the culture plays apart in the book (I've read some books where the MC is Jewish but the religion and culture isn't necessarily talked about) . AND RUNNING IS INVOLVED! I love books that their is running. This summary mentions track team but another summary I read said cross country team -which is better ;)- but either way it sounds amazing!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

2010-08-03T18:45:00.011-05:00

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Hyperion/March 25, 2008/Young Adult/342 pages

Summary

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14:

Debate Club.Her father’s “bunny rabbit.”

A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school.

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15:
A knockout figure.
A sharp tongue.
A chip on her shoulder.
And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston.

Frankie Laundau-Banks.
No longer the kind of girl to take “no” for an answer.
Especially when “no” means she’s excluded from her boyfriend’s all-male secret society.
Not when her ex boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places.
Smarter than any of them.
When she knows Matthew’s lying to her.
And when there are so many, many pranks to be done.

Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16:
Possibly a criminal mastermind.

This is the story of how she got that way.

Review

Feminism, secret societies, and boarding schools are all things that I truly love and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau - Banks delivers all of this and so much more. I ADORED this book. It is going on my all time favorites list!

Frances "Frankie" Landau-Banks is a wicked good character. Often times, unfortunately, I find myself reading books where the main character (whose a girl) is dependent upon a guy, stays with some douche bag of a guy, and/or who is obsessed with looking the best, etc. Well, I don't know about you but I am damn tired of it. Imagine my surprised when Frankie turns out to be a girl that I would love to be friends with. She definitely reminded me of myself somewhat or at least someone who I would love to be like. There were times when I thought, 'whoa! that's what I would say!' and I've read some reviews of this book where some people hated it because it had a feminist mindset and well, maybe it's because I'm a feminist myself, but I loved that Frankie is this kind of person!

The characters! Oh goodness. I really enjoyed them. *

• Zada - Frankie's older sister who graduated from HS the previous year and although she is only appears a few times in the book, I definitely enjoyed reading about her.

• Matthew - His inner copy editor self is just awesome.

• Alessandro "Alpha" Tessorieri - I don't know what to say about this Alpha. I really enjoyed this character. I like how we first meet him and yeah..

• Porter - Jeez. I really can't figure out who this character reminds me of and it's driving me insane!

* I realize those was horrible descriptions.

I really liked the guys in this book. Their loyalty and personalities impressed me and yet they....I don't even know how to explain it. Just read the book.

Other little things I liked about TDHOFLB: The chapters were short. The way Frankie would make up words, kind of.

On to the secret society part. In order to not give anything away, I will do my best to keep this vague... Oh, how I love secrets and societies. Secret societies are awesome. I really enjoyed reading about all the secret meetings and everything and what Frankie does.

Had it not been 5 AM and had I not been so sleep deprived, I think I might've reread it. Something that I don't think I EVER done. In fact it's been a couple of weeks since I read it and I still keep looking at it and picking it up and rereading parts over because I loved it so much!

I'll admit there were one or two things that I didn't like about it. The ending was okay–good. I guess it's more of a personal thing for me..

/SPOILER/*****My heart ached for the guys after Frankie tells what she did and the book and all the society's history and pranks is discovered by the headmaster. Because I am in somewhat of a secret group thing (I'm not going to say society but it has been around since the 1960s) with my school's theatre club and if our secret or whatever it is that we do got out or something I would seriously cry. And yeah, I know a lot of people who think its stupid but to me it's has been one of the best experiences with high school. But yeah, that's pretty much that only thing that I didn't like. The book being exposed like that.******/END/

Also, the book is in 3rd person omniscient which, I have not read in an extremely long time and I definitely need to start reading more of.

Overall: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is an enthralling and addictive read that is so hard to put down. Everyone needs to read this book at least twice!

(This long space is annoying the hell out of me. I can't fix it. UGH!)

RATING

Writing: 5/5

Originality: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Ending: 3.5/5

Overall: 5 stars!!

Favorite character(s): Frankie, naturally. And you know, I'll have to say Alpha, too.

Cover: A! Love the colors, the fonts, and I love the fact that it goes with the story. The dog is awesome. I hate the paperback version!!

Put-down-ability: 1 - Very hard to put down! I read the first 30 pages in the car or somewhere but when I finally sat down and read it, I could not put it down at all! I was up until nearly 5 AM finishing this book!

*Source: public library. Must buy my own copy ASAP! And even though, I prefer paperback over hardcover, I need the cover on the HC!

In My Mailbox (39)

2010-07-31T22:23:00.003-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

A note from the author:

It's easy to forget that we spend our early teens afraid. We're afraid of fitting in, standing out, or being ignored. We worry that we'll never get a date, never get into college, and never amount to anything. Just like everyone predicts.

It's also easy to discount these fears. Looking back, it seems impossible that we would have stayed awake all night worrying about what someone else thought of our clothes or that we ever doubted our abilities, our potential. But that's only because we know how the story ends.

I wanted to write a book that started with these fears as givens, bottling them in tight and capping them off with that artificial indifference genetically required of all teens. Kyle Chase is not a bad kid. He's not a good kid, either. He's a typical kid. He's any kid. And, at one point in your life, he was you.

I got this book for review. Thanks HarperTeen!

Book Recommendations Wanted!: Books That Deal With France

2010-07-30T02:31:00.003-05:00

Okay. I need help with something. I am asking for Young Adult or Middle Grade books that either take place in France or are French oriented or books by French authors or books that deal with high school foreign exchanges. Only they have to be in English!

Here are some titles that I already have on my list:

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag
Wanderlust by Lucy Silag
Experienced by Lucy Silag
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

(I've only read The Count of Monte Cristo but I hear that the rest are really good! Anna and the French Kiss is actually one that is a deb2010 book and is on my wishlist!)

Also if you have any ideas French movie (with English Subtitles) please let me know! I already have Amélie, La Vie En Rose...

The reason I ask is because, if my mother agrees, I might get a once in a lifetime experience to study abroad in France for the 2011 Spring semester (late January - mid July). I'll be a junior and would love the opportunity to do this! I've been in French class since high school started and love the French culture and language!

Anyways, money is tight right now and I am planning on doing a lot of fundraising (and hopefully I get a scholarship/financial aid) and one thing that came to mind was to do a contest where one lucky winner would get a box of books and other little things that had a French theme. The only thing I'll be asking is for a donation of at least $1 through pay-pal to be entered. I'll also have another contest where the winner can win Anna and the French Kiss (if I can acquire an ARC of it or maybe I'll do a pre-order contest) or some other French theme book without having to donate any money.

Also, if you have any advice and tips on fundraising ideas or for me to raise money for France please go to the forms below!

Please fill out THIS FORM for book suggestions/fundraising suggestions.....

Please fill out THIS FORM if you want to donate something for this contest.

Thanks!

Fill free to leave the book suggestions and fundraising suggestions as a comment!

YA Books That Will Be Movies

2010-07-28T19:46:00.005-05:00

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life -- getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job -- Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy.

At his new school, Craig realizes that he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig stops eating and sleeping -- until, one night, he nearly kills himself.

Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.

I think I was in 7th grade when I read this book. I definitely will need to reread this because I can not remember much about it! And yay! for the Ida Maria song in the background.

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen Flipped is a romance told in two voices. The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. The first time Bryce saw Juli, he ran. That’s pretty much the pattern for these two neighbors until the eighth grade, when, just as Juli is realizing Bryce isn’t as wonderful as she thought, Bryce is starting to see that Juli is pretty amazing. How these two teens manage to see beyond the surface of things and come together makes for a comic and poignant romance.

How cute does this look??! I've seen the book around but have never picked it up. I will now!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling Rowling has prepped loyal readers for the end of her series by doling out increasingly dark and dangerous tales of magic and mystery, shot through with lessons about honor and contempt, love and loss, and right and wrong. Fear not, you will find no spoilers in our review--to tell the plot would ruin the journey, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an odyssey the likes of which Rowling's fans have not yet seen, and are not likely to forget. But we would be remiss if we did not offer one small suggestion before you embark on your final adventure with Harry--bring plenty of tissues.

AHHHH! DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1! I am so, so excited for this. Holy crap, I can't even begin to describe it. I'll be rereading all the books late October - the midnight premiere!

Waiting On Wednesday (34)

2010-07-28T03:31:00.003-05:00

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

February 8, 2011/Simon Pulse

The small town of Cryer's Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing - someone close to Kendall's heart - the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall¹s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing, calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality. But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school - messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there - Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions.

Something's not right in Cryer’s Cross - and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

I've read the Wake trilogy and really enjoyed all the books! I am so excited for this. It sounds very intriguing! Here are my reviews of WAKE, FADE, and GONE.

In My Mailbox (38)

2010-07-24T18:19:00.001-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren

For Review: Annexed by Sharon Dogar thanks Houghton Mifflin! Won: Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter (It's signed too!) contest was at The Hiding Spot. thanks! From Library: How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants by Louise Rennison Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan Other: Look Again by Lisa Scottoline