Monday, November 19, 2012

The Hobbit has burglared my heart

First of all, I want to give some of my background with JRR Tolkien. I'm definitely a fan, though not as religious of a fan as some others may be. I saw Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters and immediately was spellbound into the world of Middle Earth and thirsting for more. I got my hands on probably the biggest book in my collection save for an Encyclopedia of the world, which included all three parts of Lord of the Rings as well as the Appendixes. I do really like and appreciate the books and the whole world of Middle Earth, though I struggled with The Two Towers and sort of took a two year break in the middle of it. I'm sorry but I was getting pretty bored and sick to death of Aragorn and company boringly chasing after Merry and Pippin for so long. I also have all three movies on extended version DVDs (watch the special features! they are amazing!!!). I have also seen the very old 1977 TV animated movie of The Hobbit, which is actually kind of funny to be thinking about in the background of your mind as you read the book. With December 14th coming up fast, I knew I had to finally buckle down and read The Hobbit to hype myself up for the movie and prepare. Yes, I am also a big movie nerd as well as book nerd. And so, this brought me to read The Hobbit on my trip to Indiana.

The first thing that I noticed about The Hobbit? The writing style. I was absolutely surprised about how easy the reading style was in The Hobbit compared to Lord of the Rings. Now, it has been some years since I read Lord of the Rings, and perhaps I am more mature now and could read it better, but the writing style is much more laid back and in a teasing way in The Hobbit compared to Lord of the Rings. I almost feel like it is Gandalf that is the narrator in the way that they will mention that a certain character has other stories about them, but they are not important currently, or in the way that the narrator explains things that reader might not know, like how they describe hobbits at the beginning of the book. The writing style made me feel like I was interacting with the narrator and made getting into the book even easier.

The mood of the writing is also very interesting as you red. The book has a somewhat sarcastic tone to it. The specific line that sticks in my head that is repeated quite often is about how Bilbo keeps wishing that he was back in his hobbit hole, and it wouldn't be the last time that he wished that. You get a sense that things are also pretty bad and horrible in some parts of the world, and that things have gotten very bad in places that were once good. The heroes conquer still. In the end you are left with a sense of security when Bilbo goes back to his quiet, though very changed, peaceful life in Bag-End.

All in all it is the characters who really make the book. Especially Bilbo. Bilbo makes me think of the quote: "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." -William Shakespeare. Bilbo is all these things. He is born great, but does not know it. He achieves greatness, quite reluctantly. And he most certainly has greatness thrust upon him. Bilbo does not even want anything to do with adventures when Gandalf first shows up at his door, but Gandalf sees more in him than he can even see in himself. Bilbo beyond proves himself  by the end of this tale. I really feel like all of the characters, though important themselves in other ways, are really all there in this story to shape Bilbo into the hobbit he was meant to be. He is very much the focus. Each of the other characters are certainly interesting and important, especially Gandalf, who is very much an architect of many things going on, and Thorin, the other twelve dwarves, Bard Gollum, and many others that they meet along the way.

The Hobbit is a beautifully intricate story about the adventures of the reluctant adventurer, or burglar as he is referred, Bilbo Baggins. There are dangers, both magical and not, other-wordly creatures, treasure, dragons, revenge, magical rings, sure-death situations, and even some war action. A quiet and boring hobbit transforms into a worldly and traveled hobbit on the fringe of his own kind, that surprises everyone and especially himself.

All in all, I think that everyone should read this book. It is such a classic story that I feel anyone would enjoy and I highly recommend it.

Five Star Approved.

The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck - Books (Google Affiliate Ad)

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

School...Such a Book Reader's Enemy

WOW! I have been gone for such a long time! And I am soooo sorry about that. During school I really have almost no time to read, so really nothing to post on here :(

School is my enemy!! >.<

Seeing as I am lucky enough to have quite a bit of time on my hands in the next two weeks, I will be reading more! Yay! :) I would like to finish at least two books in the next two weeks and maybe a couple more within the next month.

December will be starting my Winter break and I will finally be back to reading a LOT! I have so many books that I would like to get back to and finish (especially the Pretty Little Liars series!) and I will have so much more time to actually read and post on here. I'm thinking 6 books in the month that I have no classes. Maybe I will be even more bored than I think and get even more done ;) we will just have to see!

This weekend: I will be reading The Hobbit. I have no idea why I have not read this yet. I know. I'm a horrible Tolkien fan for not having read this sooner, but I definitely want to have it read before the movie comes out!!

Next couple weeks: I am borrowing The Summer House by Marcia Willett and The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory from my school's library and have to return them within the month, so hopefully I will finish them around Thanksgiving weekend after lulling myself into a turkey-induced reading state :)

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Day 29 You don't know them??

Day 29 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks which author I personally wish was more well known.

I guess Daniel Quinn would be an author that I wish was more well known. I love his Ishmael books and I love the philosophical focus of his writing, but I feel like he is really not that well known. 

Everyone should read his books. You will actually learn something from reading his books, and that is the sign of a book worth the name.


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Day 28 First thing I remember....

Day 28 of the 30 Day book challenge is a throwback one. I have to try and think of the first book that I read on my own.

I actually have a pretty bad memory for these kinds of things.

If anything, it is more than likely a Berenstain Bears book that I finished on my own. I read a lot of these books growing up and I really liked them. I still think they are cute for new readers. :)


Monday, August 27, 2012

Day 27, The Day of the Genre

Day 27 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks the question that everyone else asks, what is your favorite genre of books?

Why do we have to put labels on things? Can't we all just call them books, and leave it at that? Why make me label what I have?

haha :) But seriously, my favorite genre is kind of specific...

It would be: Historically-based-Mystery-Conspiracy-Action

What....a mouth full. I know. But seriously, give me a book with that and written well, and I am in love. Which is why Steve Berry is my favorite author.

I just love when I get sucked into these books and they're using old clues that might possibly not be there anymore. It is just an awesome ride.

If you know any other good authors that write books like this, please let me know!

What is your favorite book genre?

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Day 26 Non-Fiction is Hilarious!!

Day 26 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about my favorite kind of non-fiction books.

Did not even have to think about my answer.

It would be memoirs written by comedians. Especially funny, female comedians. My favorites are those by Chelsea Handler!!

These are the ones that I have read and ABSOLUTELY love!

My Horizontal Life

Are You there Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea



Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (by Mindy Kaling)



Day 25 Nerd Time

Day 25 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks what the nerdiest book is that I have ever read.

Honestly, I have no idea.

I just really cannot think of something nerdy for some reason that I have read....

I guess maybe the Captain Underpants series that I read in Elementary School would have to be the nerdiest books that I have read. They are pretty funny comics. I guess that is kind of nerdy??

Here are two of the ones that I have read. They even LOOK funny haha :)



Where is Day 24?? My Favorite Series

I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in two days! I just moved back to my place in my college town, so things have been a little crazy!!

Day 24 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks what my favorite book series is.

I do really like to read book series, only sometimes I just can't keep up or I just do not really have the ability to get the new books in the series. It can be frustrating.

For this post, I picked the Body Movers Series by Stephanie Bond. I have read the first three and I own the fourth one, I just have not gotten around to finishing it just yet. I believe that there are six books out currently in the series. Even though I am not fully up to date on the series and caught up, these are seriously really good!!

Obviously, she does write romance books, so do not be surprised by some adult content, but there is also a mystery and comedy element to the books that make them really well rounded. I like how the books smoothly move into the next ones and you do not feel like there is a lull in the action of the plot.

They are really a good series that I definitely recommend to anyone! (age appropriate, of course :) )

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Day 23 Oh How I used to Hate you...

30 Day Book Challenge, you challenge me!! Haha :)

A book that I used to hate, but not any more...

I guess I kind of have to say Twilight. Only because I hated it before I read it. I know! I'm such a judger!!!

Once I did read the books, I did actually like them more than I thought I would have. The only reason I DON'T love them still is because of Bella. I'm pretty sure she is on my list of characters I hate. If I forgot her, I'm sorry, but she is like number 2.

I just cannot like her, but I do like the books. Mainly because of Edward. I love him. :)

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Day 22 I used to Love you

Day 22 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks what book did I used to love, but don't really love anymore.

I think the books that would probably fit this most would be the RL Stein Fear Street books. I used to read those a lot when I was younger, and I even owned quite a few myself.

I just don't really feel like the books would really interest me at all anymore. They are just not as mature as some of the other horror books that I have read. They are just a different level of reading and maturity than I am at right now.

Are there any books that you used to really like and just don't anymore?

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Day 21 That's Disturbing...

30 Day Book Challenge still going strong. Today is all about a book that I've read and found disturbing.

There was immediately one book that came to my mind.

The Lucifer Effect by Phillip Zombardo.

Now, I have yet to finish this book, but that is mainly because the book was kind of disturbing. If you do not know, this book is about how people are capable of doing horrible things like genocide.

The book includes details about the Abu Ghraib situation in the Middle East, genocide in Africa, as well as the Stanford Prison Experiment that Zombardo was in charge of in the 1970's.

This book delves into the fact that we are capable of horrible things, even if we are otherwise good people.

Have you read this book? What book was disturbing for you to read?

Pretty Little Liars: A Guide on How to be the Worst Parent Ever

So I happen to LOVE Pretty Little Liars! I love the television show. I am currently reading the books, and I love those too. There are obviously some differences between the books and the show, of which the main thing that I have noticed is between the parents on the show and the parents in the books.

Now I don't know if the show executives just realized that you cannot have parents that are ridiculously neglective, and just horrible. Here are the things I have noticed wrong with the parents of Pretty Little Liars in the books. Be aware, there may be spoilers and you may get mad at just how stupid these parents are.

Hanna's Parents:
-Mom: I actually don't really have anything wrong with her mom in the show or in the books. She does kind of kick Hanna out of the house, but only for a few moments so that Hanna can understand that it was not okay what she did. Yes, it is awkward that she dates the cop, but she does it for Hanna, which I feel is very motherly.
-Dad: Where to start with the Dad?? Umm.....I ABSOLUTELY HATE him. I don't particularly like him in the show, but he is not around nearly as much as he is in the books. Now I do not understand why any parent would think that two step-sisters have to love each other and actually consider themselves family. Now, if they were half-sisters, that is understandable. Then at least they would share a parent. Forcing two people who do NOT like each other to spend all of their time with each other is NOT going to make them like each other. It is going to make them HATE each other even more. DUHHH! Also, he absolutely does not recognize how hard Hanna is taking everything. She lost her best friend, who tried to KILL her, and then ended up dead herself, and Ali's body was found, AND someone (who she finds out is her best friend) is stalking her and sending her threatening notes. I just don't understand how he is do dumb about his own daughter.

Aria's Parents:
-Mom: Who in their freaking mind is going to blame their child for keeping a secret about their father having an affair. All a child wants is their parents to be happy and together. It also does not help that her father ASKED her to keep it a secret. That is not something that you blame your child for. That is something that you blame your creep of a husband for and burn all of his things. And when your daughter tells you about how she tried to defend your honor, you do NOT kick her out of the damn house!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, do not date creepy guys who are hitting on your daughter behind your back.
-Dad: Don't cheat on your wife and make your daughter cover it up for you. Also do not get your former student pregnant. That's about it.

Emily's Parents:
-Mom: ABSOLUTELY DO NOT SEND YOUR DAUGHTER AWAY IF SHE SAYS/YOU FIND OUT SHE IS GAY. Your child is your child. You should accept them no matter what. I do not care what you personally believe. Also do not put your daughter into a specific niche if they do say they are gay. They are still themselves, they just happen to like people of their own sex.
-Dad: Pretty much the same things. Seriously though, just because she is gay, does not automatically mean that she likes tea like every other lesbian or that she loves a show about gay women. Grow up people.

Spencer's Parents:
-Dad: Don't let your wife push you and your whole family around. Be a man for god's sake.
Now the mom...
-Mom: I can not say enough things about how much I hate this woman. I really can't. I HATE her. She absolutely shows favor to her older daughter. She disowns and ignores Spencer. They cut her off financially. They do not allow her any type of excuse or possibility of anything that would look bad on them. She blames Spencer for someone painting horrible words on their house. They ignore her when she is in the house. They do not invite her out to dinner with the rest of the family. They purposefully shut her out when her grandmother suddenly does not acknowledge Spencer in the will. When Spencer gets caught kissing Wren, they completely shun her and remove her from the barn. They TELL her to cheat to win the Golden Orchid Essay contest, and then when she tells the truth they pretend to be shocked and punish her quite severely. I can go on and on. Pretty much everything that this woman does is to put Spencer down and to honor Melissa. Which is just wrong.

So there you go. If you want to be the most horrible parent that you possibly can, then you should definitely do everything that these parents have done to their daughters who have had really hard times. What are some of your opinions on the Pretty Little Liars books vs the show??

Monday, August 20, 2012

Day 20: Where Do I Read??

Day 20 of the 30 Day Book Challenge, asks which environment do I like to read the most in.

I read pretty much everywhere. I think my favorite environment to read is a comfortable one. Blankets cuddled up around me. Pillows everywhere. A soft perch to plop down on. Enough light to read, but not too much to make it hurt my eyes.

Also, I prefer quiet. I have tried reading while listening to my iPod, but I end up finding out by the time I'm done reading that what I was listening to was done long before I even noticed. I block out sounds when I start to really get into a book that I am reading, but it is much preferable for me to just have it quiet anyways so that I do not have to worry about getting distracted.

What environment do you prefer to read in?

Day 19 Late again! and Underrated

Hello lovelies!

Day 19 of the 30 Day Book Challenge was about what book I think is really underrated.

One of the reasons I think I forgot to put this post up yesterday would be that I am absolutely at a loss about a book that I think is underrated!

I just really cannot think of anything that I have read and was like, "Wow. Why doesn't EVERYONE love and read this??"

The only book that I can possibly think of, would be The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.

I don't think that this is really a book that males will find interesting or useful or powerful, but I DO think that every woman should read this book. This book retells the mysteries of womanhood that have been lost to us since the past.

This book is definitely about the power that a woman, any woman really, has. A woman doesn't have to be a queen to be powerful in this book, and that is something that every woman should understand.

It is a beautiful, powerful, even painful book.

Is there a book that you think is painfully underrated??

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Day 18 Soooo Overrated!!!

Day 18 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks which book I think is completely overrated.

This is actually a book that I have never read. I'm sorry, but I have not read this book mainly because I feel like it is really over-hyped.

The Hunger Games.

Stop be mad and yelling!!

Seriously though, when was the last time you saw a book this hyped?? The answer is Twilight. And I actually really liked the Twilight books, it was the movies that were a complete disaster. I want to read about a love story of two people that should not be together and how Bella almost dies a few times. Her almost dying definitely made it better! (In my humble opinion) However, why would I want to read about a bunch of kids trying to kill each other? Give me a really good answer and maybe, just maybe, I might read the books and/or watch the movie.

Also! Have you seen your local Wal-Mart? Does yours have a HUGE display blocking part of the aisle for just freaking Hunger Games merchandise? Well mine does. Not appreciated. Not really appreciated at all.

Obviously, there seems to be an obsession with the dystopian society novels today. Clearly this says a lot about our own society, but that would be for another discussion and probably a lot of people's topics for English theses.

Eventually, I probably will read this series, but for now I am just going to sit back and watch the hype spiral.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Day 17. Why can't I just like this book??

Day 17 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about a book that I have read, and do not like, even though I want to like it.

Now, most people who know me and hear my nerd side come out a lot will probably be shocked by this answer, but the book that I just cannot bring myself to love nearly as much as the one before and after it is.....

The Two Towers by J R Tolkien. Gasps! Yes! I know!!! I'm horrible....

But I just cannot bring myself to like it nearly as much as the other two books. Don't get me wrong, there are some really good parts in the book! (The second half of the book anyways...)

But seriously, I took a two YEAR break in the middle of reading this book. Obviously, something was not going right here. I couldn't help it either!!! It was just soooo boring! I couldn't take another chapter about Aragorn and Gimli and Legolas running around trying to find Merry and Pippin. I just could not read any more about it.

I love the movie, but even the movie is slightly boring when they are doing that, but luckily the movie goes back and forth. The book does not.

As a Lord of the Rings fanatic, it is probably blasphemy for me to not like this book as much as the others, but I do still respect the book. I just cant love it as much as the others.

Is there a book that you want to love, but for some reason or other, you just can't??

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Day 16. I will never read you!!

Day 16 of the 30 Day Book Challenge wonders about which books you would never, ever read.

I actually had a hard time trying to think about which book I could say I will never read. I don't want to commit to never reading anything, because you never know. I just don't even think about books that I'm not interested in usually. Why think of them if I'm not going to read them??

I could only come up with one book that I never, ever plan on reading. (Though reading this book would help me out with the Tea Book Challenge!)

That book is War and Peace. Thank goodness that I never had a literature class that made me read this book!!! If you don't know, War and Peace just so happens to be 1392 pages. Yep. You read that right. Don't get me wrong, I can do it. I read all three Lord of the Rings books. Over 1400 pages. (I had the version with them all together). I just never want to read this book.

I have seen the movie. It had Audrey Hepburn in it, it was pretty much a no-brainer for me to watch. I'm kind of obsessed with her. No big. So I DO know what the book is about, and I would fall asleep after trying to read a page. Of this I am 100% sure. I'm sorry, but it is just not something that grabs my attention! I understand that this is a classic novel and people rave about it in the academic literary world, but it is just not my cup of tea.

Another good reason not to read it, Leo Tolstoy. He is the author, if you were not aware. I did not even like The Death of Ivan Ilych. I did not really like it, or get it. If I don't like your book that is only 88 pages, how on earth do you think I am going to like your 1392 page book?? I would probably go looking for a cliff to jump off of. (Just being a drama queen! I promise I won't jump off a cliff. I'm afraid of heights!)

So there it is. The book that will never be on my shelf to read. What book do you know that you will never read?

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Day 15 A Book on My TBR List? Seriously?

Day 15 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is kind of crazy. They want me to pick a book on my TBR (To Be Read) list. I have a list of about 800 books. Yea. This is asking a lot.

I don't even know where to start for picking just one off of my list.

I guess the next book that I am the most excited to read would be The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry. The only reason I'm really picking this book is because it is the next book of Steve Berry, one of my all-time favorite authors.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Day 14 All About Regrets

Day 14 of the 30 Day Book Challenge asks what book you regret not having read sooner than you did.

Usually, I don't really ever regret reading a book later than I originally planned. When I read it, I read it and that's fine with me. Just as long as I read it, it's all good.

If there is one book that I probably will regret not having finished sooner, it will probably be My Ishmael. I started reading this book after getting it soon after reading Ishmael. I own it and have it somewhere, I just haven't finished.

I'm sure the book will be amazing. The first one was. It blew my mind.


Monday, August 13, 2012

Day 13 My Favorite Book From Childhood

Day 13 has me almost stumped. My favorite book from childhood is kind of hard to pick. I have always loved reading, and I would read many different kinds of books and loved so many of them.

The one that I decided on was......wait for it.......







The Boxcar Children #1. I loved this series, and I especially loved the first one. I've read it quite a few times and I can still remember some of the details of the book. This series was one of the first mystery series that I ever read, and probably started my love for mystery. 




Late Post! Day 12 My Favorite Authors

Day 12 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about my favorite authors. These are the authors that I will read pretty much anything by, and more than likely love.

1. Jane Austen. I don't care how over-loved some people think Jane Austen might be. I love everything Jane Austen. The only problem is reading and watching all of it! You wouldn't believe how many Austen-based books there are! And then there are at least two different film adaptations for each of her books, and even film adaptations of some of the books based on Austen! It is an obsession for me.

2. Steve Berry. I just love every one of his books. I don't know how he comes up with all of the amazing quests that his main characters go on. And all of that historical information and all the different places that they visit throughout the world. I just can't get enough.

3. Stephanie Bond. I'll admit, I started reading her books because that would be my name if I was married to James Bond. Silly, I know, but I found a really good author from that bit of silliness. I love her romance novels :) Especially the ones that involve murder mystery.

These are my main favorite authors that I read all the time and even put forth the effort to own most books by each author!

What are your favorite authors? Are they ones that you just HAVE to own all of the books of??

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Day 11 Worst Film Adaptations!

Day 10 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about the worst film adaptations that I have ever seen. This is actually really hard because if you have seen any film adaptations of books, then you know that many of them are just terrible. Here are my three least favorite book adaptations to film.

1. Under the Tuscan Sun. If you have seen this movie, then you are probably wondering why it is on this list. Unless you have read the book too. I happen to LOVE this movie! I knew that it was based off of a book, but until recently, I had never read it. This book is NOTHING like the movie. Seriously. Where on earth did they get all that stuff from that book? About the only things that are the same are the Polish workers and the work on the house. Everything else is just a good film writer and not part of the book. The only thing that even made me like the book was the descriptions of the food and the recipes. But I still love the movie! It is just a terrible adaptation.

2. Pride and Prejudice (the one with Kiera Knightly). I know what you're thinking. Why is this on here when she had one version on her favorite list?? Because this is one of the worst versions of this classic book that I have seen. (the black and white one isn't really great either) They left SO much out! There is a reason for the good versions being mini-series. Because you HAVE TO to put everything in there! I do like the little bit they added at the very end with what he should call her because I think it is just adorable, but the movie just really disappointed me.

3. Ella Enchanted. I love Anne Hathaway, but I'm sorry, the movie was just not what it should have been. There are no giants in the movie. There is no plot to kill her prince. I just think that they made something about the strength that Ella gains for herself into a side show musical :( I read this book like 10 times when I was younger, and I was just disappointed in the movie.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Day 10 Five Absolutely Great Film Adaptations

Day 10 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about Great Film Adaptations. This is a very difficult subject for many book lovers. Movie adaptations are a very touchy subject for many book lovers, especially since MANY movie adaptations are horrible. To find 5, I thought I would have a problem, but actually I didn't :)

1. Pride and Prejudice (The BBC Version with Colin Firth) I had to be specific about the version of Pride and Prejudice because there are about 6 versions of Pride and Prejudice, and some of the other ones are NOT true to the book. There is barely a word changed or a sentence missing or added in this version. It is true to the book in the best possible way. Also, it has a handsome young Colin Firth in a wet shirt. Seriously, WATCH IT!

2. In Her Shoes. This one does have a few differences from the book, but it does not detract from the real meaning of the book. It focused on the sisters and their relationship, which is the heart of the book and I think that they did a wonderful job on the movie. I definitely recommend them both!

3. Lord of the Rings. I am putting all three together because otherwise they would be almost the whole list! Peter Jackson did a wonderful job at giving the Lord of the Rings the film adaptation that the epic deserved. The really are a different world and they are a beautiful world too.

4. Harry Potter. Now, obviously not ALL of the Harry Potter films are great adaptations. Just talk to any HP fan and you will quickly find that out. The two that stick out to me the most as the best adaptations are Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Oder of the Phoenix. These two really captured each of the books for me. I was just as excited as Harry at first going to Hogwarts and I was just as angry at the situations that happened in the Order of the Phoenix.

5. Bridget Jones's Diary. I actually think that the movie surpasses the book in this one. The book was funny and relatable, but the movie was even more so! They did a wonderful job picking the actors and I think they really got the neuroses of Bridget very well. :)

These are my favorite film adaptations. Are there movie adaptations that you were like, "Yes! They got it right!" about??

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Day 9 Favorite Quotes About Books

For a difference from Day 8, Day 9 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about my favorite quotes ABOUT books.

They are all pretty self-explanatory. They are about books. I love books. I think we can get 4 by adding two and two together. :)

“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” 
― Jorge Luis Borges


“Books are the ultimate Dumpees: put them down and they’ll wait for you forever; pay attention to them and they always love you back.” 
― John GreenAn Abundance of Katherines


“So many books, so little time.” 
― Frank Zappa


“If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” 
― Oscar Wilde


“Some things don't last forever, but some things do. Like a good song, or a good book, or a good memory you can take out and unfold in your darkest times, pressing down on the corners and peering in close, hoping you still recognize the person you see there.” 
― Sarah DessenThis Lullaby


“I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in life. And I am horribly limited.” 
― Sylvia Plath


“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.” 
― William StyronConversations with William Styron

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Day 8 Favorite Quotes from Books

Day 8 of the 30 Day Challenge is all about my favorite quotes from books that I have read! I love quotes, but I never had really thought too much about quotes from books as I read them. 

My ALL TIME favorite quote from a book is probably one that is a little bit over used and loved by many people but I cannot help it. 

“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. ” 
― J.R.R. TolkienThe Lord of the Rings
           -I love Lord of the Rings and this is pretty much my favorite sentence from the whole thing. It screams adventure to me, and really kind of tells the mood of the books too. It's dangerous, but it something that must be done some times. 


"If you alone found out what the lie was, then you're probably right—it would make no great difference. But if you ALL found out what the lie was, it might conceivably make a very great difference indeed." — Daniel Quinn
          -This is a quote from Ishmael, which is a book that I really loved. I think that the idea of making a difference in the world is something everyone should aspire to, and this book makes you feel like you can do it. If only we could get everyone to open their minds and listen, we could all find out the lie.

“One loses everything when one loses one's sense of humor.” 
― Ayn RandThe Fountainhead
         -Another beautiful book, The Fountainhead has many quotable parts in it. I think that this quote is just universal. I happen to love to laugh and I think that a sense of humor is one of the most important things someone can have to ensure a happier life.

These are some of my favorite quotes from books that I have read. Is there a quote from a book that you just love? Let me know your favorites!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Day 7 Least Fav Book Read in Last Year

For Day 7 of the 30 Day Book Challenge, it asks what was the least favorite book that I read in the past year.

For the book I picked there are a few things that you should know: I read it for a class, I never actually finished it.

Bone Black by bell hooks

The Goodreads Synopsis: Stitching together girlhood memories with the finest threads of innocence, feminist intellectual bell hooks presents a powerfully intimate account of growing up in the South. A memoir of ideas and perceptions,Bone Black shows the unfolding of female creativity and one strong-spirited child’s journey toward becoming a writer. She learns early on the roles women and men play in society, as well as the emotional vulnerability of children. She sheds new light on a society that beholds the joys of marriage for men and condemns anything more than silence for women. In this world, too, black is a woman’s color—worn when earned—daughters and daddies are strangers under the same roof, and crying children are often given something to cry about. hooks finds good company in solitude, good company in books. She also discovers, in the motionless body of misunderstanding, that writing is her most vital breath.

I just didn't get into it. Wasn't my cup of tea, but other people I know liked it.


Monday, August 6, 2012

Day 6 The Best Book I've Read this Past Year

For Day 6 of the 30 Day Book Challenge it asks what the best book is that I have read in the past year.

I actually have not read that many amazing books this past year, mainly because I had to read so many for school and I don't always finish them or like them.

I would have to say....

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran.


Now don't judge, I know it's not like a classic novel that everyone raves about, but I happen to really like it.

I have an obsession with Ancient Egypt and this has furthered by interest!

I loved the characters. The subject. The court intrigue worthy of the court of Henry VIII. I loved everything about the book and I cannot wait to read more from this author!!!

What is your favorite book that you have read in the past year??

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Day 5: 5 Books To Bring to a Desert Island

So for Day 5 of the 30 Day Book Challenge it asks which 5 books would be the ones that you would bring to a desert island and why?

1. SAS Survival Handbook: For Any Climate, In Any Situation. Obviously, I am going to need something to help me keep myself alive and so on. Especially since I would die within a few days because I would have absolutely no idea what I'm doing!



















2. The Complete Novels of Jane Austen. I own this book personally, and I am very sad that I still am only on the third novel. I know!! It's so bad of me! Obviously, I need to continue to live vicariously through the intricate love lives of the strong women of her novels. I don't know what I would do without being able to read about my Mr. Darcy!!


3. A Suitable Boy. This is a pretty big book that I have somewhere that I have yet to read. I got it from my high school novels class and I loved some of the other books that she gave/recommended for me and because it is longer, it would keep my attention longer and waste more time while I am bored alone.













4. The Complete Poems of Elizabeth Bishop. Elizabeth is one of my favorite poets. I love her poems and having her complete poems would be a very good option for me to ponder over and read.
















5. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I chose this book because it is another longer book that I own and have yet to read. I also chose it because of the philosophical leanings. My mind needs to be kept thinking and working, otherwise I'm afraid I would end up talking to a volleyball friend like Tom Hanks.





These books are the ones that I would bring with me to a desert island. I think that they are pretty different from each other. What books would you bring?? Ones that you've already read? Ones you haven't? Survival books?

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Day 4! My least favorite characters

For Day 4 of the 30 Day Book Challenge is all about what book characters you hate!

Now, I can be pretty judgmental on book characters, but trying to think of book characters that I hated was actually kind of hard. These are what I came up with!

1. Dolores Umbridge. There is a reason that this woman is numero uno on my list. She is THE BIGGEST BIOTCH that ever made me throw a book across the room. Seriously. I threw Harry Potter across the room. I know! It's sacrilegious!! Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix made me very angry and Umbridge was the main reason. Ugh I just hate her.

2. Romeo and Juliet. Yep. They are both here and together. Why? Because they are the dumbest couple that I have ever read about. "I love this girl. Oh. Nope. That one's prettier. I love her!" "I don't get any attention from boys until you, so I love you too." "I'm gonna pretend to be dead and NOT tell my secret husband because I'm a total idiot." "OMG you're dead! I'm gonna kill myself because I'm a complete idiot." "OMG why are you dead? I'm gonna kill myself for real now." You have now read the entire Romeo and Juliet play without all the annoying language. -_- They are just too dumb for me.

3. Bella Swan. Yes. I hated her before the movies and the horrible acting of a certain actress. Again, she is just really dumb and it really bothers me. She is awkward and I just can't help but hate her. I'm sorry, but the movies have just totally vindicated my hate of her even more.

You may not think that I have very good reasons, but I cannot help but read about these characters and just hate them. These are just MY opinions!

What are your least favorite characters??

Friday, August 3, 2012

A Love/Hate for American Gods

So, for one of my book clubs, I read the book American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

This book took me almost a month to read. A MONTH! Books never take me that long!! It was just so boring! I cared about what was going to happen and I did really like some of the characters, but I honestly didn't really get into the book until the last few chapters.

I really liked the theme of religion, especially the old religions, throughout the book. You quickly find out that a lot of the characters in the book are gods and goddesses of pagan religions. There is a big tension between the "gods" of today like television, money, etc, vs the old gods that have very few followers and believers in America.

There is a lot of talk about how people today view religion and god or gods. I found the book very thought provoking and philosophical. I happen to be a pagan, so for me it really made me think about religion a lot and what I believe in and re-evaluate.

I really loved the writing of the book. That is one of my favorite parts of this book. Neil writes very close-handed. By that, I mean that it is like someone at poker. You do not know any more than what the author wants, and he only releases certain details slowly and at the perfect times. You don't know exactly what is going on until the last chapter or two.

There were a couple of really weird things about the writing style though. There would be random parts that had absolutely nothing to do with the plot of the story. They were just other random parts where the story kind of had to with old gods and things, but it was just kind of weird and I think totally unneeded parts that could have been left out of the book.

Have you read this book?? What did you think of it?

Library Haulin from the School Library

So I am in my home away from home for the weekend. I go to college a couple hours away from home and since I am going to be moving back in a few weeks anyways, I figured why not see if they library is open and get some stuff! (Even though I have 5 more books ordered for the library at home...)

So here is what I got!!!

I was perusing the Browsing section, since it is a college library it is mainly for academic books, but they do get browsing books as well, and then I came across the non-fiction browsing. Now, I am not the most avid memoir/biography reader, though I have read a few, but these just totally stuck out to me!!



I LOVE books written by comedians, well I love the Chelsea Handler books anyways!! I saw the title, and just automatically grabbed. Who doesn't feel like this sometimes? 24 pages in...I think I might just have to look up her comedy and totally, like, stalk her. Because she's awesome!
For a Women's Studies class that I took last semester we had to read a lot of memoirs, especially ones about mother-daughter relationships stuck with me. I'm a momma's girl. Don't hate. And I just happen to love Diane Keaton, I think she is a gorgeously unique person, so I picked it up too :)








Then, I decided I needed the Criminal Minds Season 2. I only one season 1, so yea.









Have you gotten any good library finds lately??

Day 3 My Favorite Book Characters!

So for Day 3 of the 30 Day challenge, it asks what your favorite book characters are. This is going to be a little bit of an overlap with some of my favorite books, because one of the things that makes me love a book so much are the characters! I also don't really like picking the obvious characters that most people would automatically pick.

So here they are :)

1. Sam Gamgee from Lord of the Rings. I LOVE Sam! I just think he is so cute! I love how he is so loyal and, personally, I think he is just so strong of a character! I even think that he is stronger than Frodo (GASP! I know!!), but he has to be. He is just so pure and I really love that about him.

2. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. This is not the obvious character that everyone would automatically think of, but I just can't help but think she is totally awesome! She is just so weird and out there, but a totally good person. I just love her character, it's crazy - I know, just like her :)

3. Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars. Okay, just bear with me here. I am on a little bit of a Pretty Little Liars book binge....the first four in four days and I am about to order the next four from the library. But seriously, I love Spencer's character in the books. I love her in the show too, but just not as much as the books. In the books she's more of a badass, which I LOVE! Class, smarts, and a bit of a rebel streak? You go girl!

4. Poe from Secret Society Girl. In the first book, I hated him. In the second book, I thought that he had kind of redeemed himself. And by the third book, I loved him. The thing I love the most about this character, is the depth of the character himself. Every book you learn more about him, it is like peeling back layers, and yea he may have made some bad decisions. *cough* Almost ruining his, now girlfriend's life *cough* But he totally makes up for it in his devotion to her :) And I totally think he's dreamy. But I digress.

5. Christoper John Frances Boone from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. First off, if you haven't read this book...Go. Now. READ IT. Christopher is different from the other kids, he has asperger's. It is a mild form of autism, and because of it, he has no understanding of human emotions. Reading the book from his point of view, you get such a sense for the character and throughout the story you really feel for him. He's the kind of character that really sticks with you and teaches you something, and that is why he is one of my favorites.

These are just a few of my favorite characters, because I pretty much have a favorite character from every book!! Do you like, or even dislike, any of these characters? What are your favorite characters??

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Day 2 Five LEAST Favorite Books

This is actually kind of hard for me. I don't read books that I don't like. I will literally just stop reading if I don't like something, usually anyways...

Here are five books that I am really NOT a fan of:

1. Romeo and Juliet. I HATE Romeo and Juliet. I'm sorry if you are a fan, but I cannot stand this one. They are just so DUMB and I cannot help but just want to smack them both. I was forced to read this ridiculousness for high school.

2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I know that a lot of people like this book, but I just cannot make myself like it. It was torture to read for class. The part that I REALLY hated was the language. It was horrible. It took me forever to understand what on earth they were trying to say!!

3. From a Buick 8. I personally pretty much like Stephen King's books, but this one I could not read past chapter 1. Maybe it gets better...but I doubt it. It just was not the book for me. And so here it is on the list.

4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Why was this book ever recommended to me??? I just cannot understand how someone would think that I would like a book that, to me at least, is just SO dumb! It's pretty much on Romeo and Juliet-I'm gonna kill myself because you're dead level. I just can't.

5. The Odyssey. I don't hate this one nearly as much as these other books, I don't even really hate it. It's just not one of my favorite books and it was pretty boring to read. It is good though, so I do still recommend it, I just ran out of books that I didn't like.

So those are my least favorite books. These are just MY opinions! What are your least favorite books?

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Day 1 of 30 Day Challenge!

Day 1: Your 10 Favorite Books of All Time

This is definitely going to be a hard one! They are not in any specific order.

1. Harry Potter Series: I am just going to lump them all into one because I cannot choose between them all! I grew up, literally, on Harry Potter. They absolutely HAD to be on this list.

2. The Fellowship of the Ring: This is my favorite book of the Lord of the Rings series. I wouldn't put all of them together because I actually didn't really like The Two Towers- I was so bored with it I took a two year break in the middle of reading it!! The books are amazing though and I really love this one because it sets up the whole world and it's just a beautiful book.

3. Wide Sargasso Sea: This was a book that my Senior year Novels class teacher gave to me. It was a wonderful book! This is a book that tells you how the original Mrs. Rochester became the crazy locked up woman of Jane Eyre. You really feel for the character and I really like that it goes into how someone turns crazy.

4. A Series of Unfortunate Events Series: I love this series! It is so much fun, all of the things that they go through to find out what really happened and everything.

5. The Black Jewels Trilogy: I know that there are more books now, but when I read them there were only three. I love the world of these books and it is such a roller coaster ride as you go through her life.

6. The DaVinci Code: LOVE it! It's amazing and I just cannot help loving the quest that Langdon goes on and I think that it really can open your mind if you let it.

7. Old Magic: This is a book by an Australian author that I found and I have probably read it 5 times or more. I love it more every time. It is magic in the real world and then they end up going to the past to fight a powerful wizard. I can never get enough of it and I have been dying for them to make a movie of this.

8. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler: If you haven't read this, you should. It is sooo cute! Two kids decide to runaway from home and they do it be living inside of a museum! I want to live inside of a museum...Then they discover something and search for the truth on a possibly famous work of art.

9. The Alexandria Link: This is the second book in the Cotton Malone series. It is about searching for the lost Library of Alexandria (which happens to be an obsession of mine). It was my first Steve Berry book and I cannot help but have it be my absolute favorite!

10. The Fountainhead: This book may be epically long, but it is more than worth reading. If you haven't read any Ayn Rand, then read any of it. Her books are full of philosophical ideas and they really make you think, which I love!

There are some other books that are TOTALLY worth being on this list, but I am pretty happy with the ones that I have :)

What are your 10 favorite books of all time? Have you read any of these? Did you like them too?

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Spotlight Sunday!! Book Challenges

So every Sunday I would really like to do a Sunday Spotlight. It will be about whatever has really caught my attention and what I kind of want to shine a light on. It probably won't always be about book related things, but most of them will I'm sure. :)

This Sunday, what I really wanted to put a spotlight on would be the book challenges that I am a part of and going to do/try. I really like book challenges because they really push you to accomplish more in reading more books, reading different books, and even really looking at the impact books have made in your life.

There are a couple challenges that I am going to be doing:

1. Goodreads.com 2012 Reading Challenge

Even though I am starting the challenge half-way through the year, I have decided that I really want to try and finish reading 50 books by the end of the year! I go back to classes in September, so it's going to be interesting to see how many I can finish! If you have a goodreads account, I definitely recommend checking out this challenge and picking out how many books you want to read by the end of the year and you can choose any number you want! (And if you don't have an account, I TOTALLY recommend getting one! It is a HUGE book community :)  )



2. 30 Day Book Challenge


I found this challenge from http://heckyeahtumblrchallenges.tumblr.com/post/6376613719/30-day-book-and-literature-challenge . Every day for thirty days, you answer a certain question such as -favorite author, -favorite books, etc. I definitely want to try doing this challenge! It will definitely be a lot of work updating this everyday, but I like the challenge of doing that! I'm hoping to start this challenge on Wednesday, the 1st :)



3. Tea Books Reading Challenge


I found this challenge on a fellow blog, http://the-book-garden.blogspot.com/p/tea-books-reading-challenge.html This challenge is probably going to be the hardest actually. In this challenge you try to read as many books over 700 pages as you can and then you have different Tea labeled levels for how many you have read. My REAL challenge for this will be finding books large enough that I am actually interested in reading...we're going to have to see how this goes, but I love tea and books, so I thought it would be fun to try!




Are you a part of any book challenges? Have you tried any? Feel free to link any book challenges that you really liked!!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Book Clubs...Are They Worth It??

I will admit it. I used to think that book clubs were for stay at home moms or older adults who needed something else in their lives to occupy themselves. Which is exactly how they are portrayed in the media.

BUT...is that what they really are?

Today, there are SO many more options for book clubs. There are the social media outlets to connect everyone all at once. Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc. With the internet, there is no longer so much of a need to all get together at someone's house and make snacks and sit around a living room to talk about a book.

I am currently in two different book clubs on Goodreads.com. If you want to check them out they are Basically Books and Reading With Tequila. I actually really love my book clubs! I don't always like the books that the pick, but the thing that I love the most, is that I get to read books that I would never have otherwise picked out for myself and sometimes find some real gems!

I have always been a very big believer in widening your gaze and opening your mind to further options and possibilities. Everyone always has their favorite genre and author and books, but there is always room to expand your horizons. Maybe you won't like the book, then don't finish it if you don't want to. Put out on the discussion that you didn't like it. It's as easy as that.

You don't have to read all of the books. You don't have to finish them all. But you should at least try to try new things and see what else you might like.

You are never going to know if you like something else if you never try it!

Library Haulin' It!!!

So I just picked up a BUNCH of books from my local library, well kind of from there haha. I am really lucky in that my library is connected to all of the libraries in my county and two or three other surrounding counties. It is REALLY nice because even if I don't have a book available at the library in my town, it is more than likely available at one nearby. This also makes it so that there are more copies of popular books available!

I really think that people underestimate how helpful and convenient a library really is in this day and age!

I just go on to a website that is my connection to my library system and I order every book that I want on there and then I go and pick them up when my library calls me that they are ready. This is especially handy because I cannot seem to find ANYTHING when looking on the shelf at the library in my home town.

Here are the books that I have out from the library right now!

 

 
 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Book Fairy Challenge

So I came up with this challenge all by myself :)

I was thinking about the books that I really wanted to add to my collection and there are just sooo many! I wish I had a fairy Godmother to get me them all....unfortunately I don't.

Then I got an idea! I would make a challenge for myself to make a wish list for a "Book Fairy." But how to make it challenging? Hmmm....well first, I would have to limit how many books I would be able to get. Still wayyy too easy. I got it! Since I happen to want a lot of series, I would limit myself to only one book from an author. So here's my list that I would give to a Book Fairy..

1. The Emperor's Tomb by Steve Berry -My FAVORITE author. This is the next book of his that I do not own yet, an absolute must have for my collection.

2. Matched by Allie Condie -I have been eyeing this book and this trilogy since it came out, I just haven't gotten it yet! Definitely a series I want to read and I think I would love to have in my collection.

3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver -Another book trilogy series that I have been wanting to read. I saw a review from EllesGlitterGossip on youtube.com. The book sounds amazing and I really want to have it!!

4. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler -I LOVE Chelsea Handler. I have her first two books. Not only is she a good author, but she is HILARIOUS! I watch her show all the time too and I just can't get enough. This book is for sure a must have for me.

5. For the Love of Hades by Sasha Summers -This is a book that I just recently found out about. I am pretty obsessed with mythology, I even took a class last fall on it. Hades and Persephone are one of my favorite myths, and I am SO excited to read this book as well as the other ones in her series (this is the second one and hasn't come out yet).

So those are the 5 books that I REALLY want to add to my collection. What books would you have a Book Fairy give you if you could only have 5 and only 1 from an author?? Feel free to tag others and do this challenge yourself! Leave a comment with which books you would pick or a link to your own post of this challenge!!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Things I am Loving!!

So there are a few things that I've really been loving lately! There are some things that just make reading more enjoyable. These are just a few of the things that have been making reading easier and more fun even for me the past few weeks :)

(Sorry the picture is sideways, I don't know how to change it)
The NUMBER 1 thing that is making my reading so much easier and fun are my new bookmarks! Now I have been a LONG time reader and the number one problem that I seem to ever have is finding a GOOD bookmark. Seriously, how hard should it be to find a good bookmark? Usually, I just end up using whatever scrap paper to keep my space in my book, (I absolutely hate folding down corners on books, it bothers me and I feel like it ruins the pages). BUT my amazing mother found me these amazing bookmarks! They are just soooo cute, and they are pretty much the perfect bookmark for me. You can put them on the top of the page, on the side, wherever and they are thin enough that they do not put an indent in the pages either. Either way, I'm totally in love with these bookmarks, now if only I could find a set with penguins :)

The next thing that I am really loving, is my local library. My local library has a system where they are connected to a bunch of other libraries in our area. So even if my library does not have a book, more than likely, another library in my area will! As a broke college student, the library is my best friend. I unfortunately cannot afford to buy all of the books that I want to read and I obviously still want to read them, so the library has become my best friend. It is also very convenient, because my library has a website that you can do everything from. I don't even have to go to the library until my books are ready for me to pick them up.


The final thing that I am really loving right now, is one of the books I own. It is The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry. Steve Berry just so happens to be my FAVORITE author! He writes Mystery/Thrillers. The thing that really keeps me so interested in all of his books is the connection to historical people, places, and artifacts. This book is about the pursuit of a possible original culture, which involves information collected by the Nazis, a book found in the Roman emperor Charlemagne's tomb, and Antarctica. I love it. It has totally taken over reading my other books.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Pointless?


Title: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams
Time it took to read: 2 days
Rating 2 out of 5
So I am not the biggest Sci-fi fan. I read this book for one of my Goodread book clubs, and that’s why I read it. So many people say that this is such a classic read that everyone should read it, but honestly I don’t see why anyone should read this book. Just so you know, I have seen the movie before reading this book. All I even remember from the movie is some weird guy with three arms. The movie is not worth it at all. The book is barely worth it more than the movie.
Maybe it is just the writer’s style, but they sound like an idiot. The whole book is pretty much pointlessly about the Earth being destroyed and how one man got off the Earth before it was destroyed and his bungling adventures. I don’t know, maybe the book series gets better, but I just really didn’t like the book much. It was so easy to finish because it took fewer brain cells to read than to work facebook. 
If it’s your kind of thing, then fine, but it’s not mine.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Secret Society Girl Series

So this is a book series that I am in LOVE with! I have only read the first three books out of the four because my library system doesn't have the fourth one :(

Book 1: Secret Society Girl
Author: Diana Peterfreund
Time to read: within two days
Rating: 5 out of 5

From the back: In a fabulous blend of the bestselling traditions of Prep and The Devil Wears PradaSecret Society Girl takes us into the heart of the Ivy League’s ultraexclusive secret societies when a young woman is invited to join as one of their first female members. 

Elite Eli University junior Amy Haskel never expected to be tapped into Rose & Grave, the country’s most powerful—and notorious—secret society. She isn’t rich, politically connected, or…well, male. 

So when Amy receives the distinctive black-lined invitation with the Rose & Grave seal, she’s blown away. Could they really mean her? 

Whisked off into an initiation rite that’s a blend of Harry Potter and Alfred Hitchcock, Amy awakens the next day to a new reality and a whole new set of “friends”—from the gorgeous son of a conservative governor to an Afrocentric lesbian activist whose society name is Thorndike. And that’s when Amy starts to discover the truth about getting what you wish for. Because Rose & Grave is quickly taking her away from her familiar world of classes and keggers, fueling a feud, and undermining a very promising friendship with benefits. And that’s before Amy finds out that her first duty as a member of Rose & Grave is to take on a conspiracy of money and power that could, quite possibly, ruin her whole life.

A smart, sexy introduction to the life and times of a young woman in way over her head, Secret Society Girl is a charming and witty debut from a writer who knows her turf—and isn’t afraid to tell all....


That last sentence describes the whole series. You go along with Amy as she tries to find her place in her society and beat all the opposition that comes her way. Witty is probably the best way to describe the author's style. 

The writing is wonderful, but it is the characters that keep you interested. Sometimes you want to just smack the main character over the head, but you cannot help but love her and root for her every step of the way. In the second and third books, the part that really kept my attention and made me love the books soooo much, was the character development. If there is one thing I love in a book, it is character development where you learn more and begin to like the characters more as the story goes on. If every writer wrote characters like this author, I would have a really hard time finding a book that I didn't like!

Book 2: Under the Rose
-same author
-same amount of time to read
-and same rating :)

Book 2 follows Amy as one of her pledge members, unknown to the rest, tries to tell Rose & Grave's secrets to the world, one of her sisters disappears, and they uncover a more sinister plot that may destroy the whole society.

Book 3: Rites of Spring (Break)
-same author
-same amount of time to read
-and same rating :)

Book 3 follows Amy to a private secret society Spring Break where someone is trying to sabotage the girls of Rose & Grave and may even lead to more harm than intended.

A wonderful book series with intrigue and a little romance along the way ;) I would definitely recommend this series to anyone!