Friday, May 28, 2010

Friday's Finest (19)


Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.

Rules:

~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.


"The hardest thing in the world is believing someone can change. It's always easier to go along with the way things are than to admit that you might have been wrong in the first place."

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

I agree with this quote. I never liked admitting to what I have done wrong, for making mistakes. Instead, I tend to continue on, pretending as if I can ignore my mistakes without learning from them. It's always easier that way, isn't it?

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Justine's Thoughts: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Ahh! I forgot to schedule posts this weekend! I'm so terrible, I know. It was a long weekend so I was busy all the while. Lots of sun and heat! I love it! Anyway, here's a long review to make up for my lack of interesting posts. The next reviews will be deep reads as well. Just a heads up. ;)

Dear John
By Nicholas Sparks

Pages:

276

Book Description:

...When SavannahLynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets the girl of his dreams. Savannah Lynn Curtis is attending college in North Carolina, working for Habitat for Humanity, and totally unprepared for the passionate attraction she feels for John Tyree.

The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty, and John realizing that he’s ready to settle down with the young woman who has captured his heart.

Neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world and will force John to risk every hope and dream that he’s ever had.

Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. And like all those left behind, Savannah must decide to wait or move on. How do we choose wisely? How can we face loss - without giving up on love? Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover that loving Savannah will force him to make the hardest decision of his life.

A quote:

“I’m just trying to make it through the day with enough energy to face tomorrow.”

Any thoughts:

A beautiful, tragic love story. And it was exactly what I needed to read when I borrowed it from the library.

Like I did with The Lovely Bones, I watched the movie first (which I have sworn to myself that I will never do again.) Overall, it’s completely different from the book. There are way too many things that I could tell apart. One of them is the ending, and how more is added to it just to please the viewer. Well, it didn’t. It just left us to think whether or not there is more to it. That may be a good thing in some cases, but in this one, it doesn’t make sense. Still, I thought it was okay. The scenery was beautiful; I’ve always wanted to live near a beach as well as try surfing. There were also so many parts that made me tear up. I managed to hold it in (except for one tear that escaped...I couldn’t help it!) because I hate crying at the movie theatre. I would suggest watching this movie only if you’re looking for a heartbreaking romance that is sure to make you cry.

The actual book is what I would prefer over the movie (like most book-to-film adaptations). For one, John is an amazing protagonist. Sure, he has made mistakes in the past and he was known to be a rebel, but after meeting Savannah, his life changes for the better. That is where I really start to admire him, especially when it comes to the most important decision. Over time, he grows to become more mature as he serves to protect his country, leaving Savannah waiting for his return home.

To those who have yet to read Dear John, I would suggest reading it, but do so with caution. Nicholas Sparks creates a sense of realism, one that may either cheer you up to no end or break your hearts into tiny pieces. But it is always fascinating to enter a different world that can bring out your emotions, and that is what Sparks succeeds in doing.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (30)


Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)
by Kody Keplinger

Release Date:
September 7th, 2010

Description:
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 "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

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

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that 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.

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Yes! This sounds like my type of read. The cover looks appealing as well.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (16)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

The rules are:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS.
My teaser:
As they got closer, I cringed, thinking how obvious we looked sitting there on the bleachers. I might as well have yelled, "Hello, soccer team! Yes, I'm a creeper freshman waiting for this boy who barely knows me to see if I can come up with an excuse to talk to him. But it's cool. I don't mind. Laugh all you want."


~pg. 33-34 "Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials"
by Rosalind Wiseman

Haha, this is an awesome sneak peek. It gives you a bit about the narrator, who is so quirky, entertaining and delightful! And most of all, who could not relate to what she's going through?

Monday, May 17, 2010

Daily Dose (25)



This new meme is hosted by Holly from Good Golly Miss Holly, where inspirational pictures are posted to enlighten your day.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!
I usually don't like Mondays...but I sort of have a goal to be happy on Mondays. So here I am being happy on a Monday. And here's your fix of inspirational pictures... :)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

In My Mailbox (17)


In My Mailbox is held weekly by Kristi at The Story Siren. Click here for details on how to participate.


Justine:


Wish
by Alexandra Bullen

- ARC received by the awesome people at Teens Read and Write -

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.
With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again.
In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, Wish asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

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Finally! It's been too long since my last IMM and now I have a great one. :) Thanks to the guys at Teens Read and Write, I received an ARC of Wish from their huge contest! The cover is so lovely and it sounds amazing and I honestly can't wait to read it.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Friday's Finest (18)


Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.

Rules:

~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.


"When you don't fit in, you become superhuman. You can feel everyone else's eyes on you, stuck like Velcro. You can hear a whisper about you from a mile away. You can disappear, even when it looks like you're still standing right there. You can scream, and nobody hears a sound.
You become the mutant who fell into the vat of acid, the Joker who can't remove his mask, the bionic man who's missing all his limbs and none of his heart.
You are the thing that used to be normal, but that was so long ago, you can't even remember what it was like."

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult



Thursday, May 13, 2010

Justine's (Mini) Thoughts: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes
By Cassandra Clare

Pages:

453

Book Description:

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

A quote:

Desire is not always lessened by disgust. Nor can it be bestowed, like a favour, to those most deserving of it. And as my words bind my magic, so you can know the truth.

Any thoughts:

I read this in one weekend! I’m so proud, because lately I’ve been reading books for weeks. And that’s not good for a book blogger.

City of Ashes is definitely an amazing sequel. It’s as good as City of Bones...maybe even better. I just love reading into the world Cassandra Clare has created. I love reading the relationships between characters, especially Jace and Clary, and the new ones that are beginning to sprout. I love, love, love the scene with the Queen of Seelie Court - that was strange but beautiful. I love the action (!) in the end where epic battles occur. I love Valentine, who is probably one of my favourite villains of all time. And I love everything about this series.

Cassandra Clare, you continue to impress me! I’m looking forward for City of Glass, indeed.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (29)


Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

Matched
by Ally Condie

Release Date:
November 30th, 2010

Description:
In the novel, a 17-year-old girl, who has waited her entire life to be told by a group known as “the Society” who her soul mate is, has her world upended when she discovers she’s in love with someone other than the group’s pick. Don Weisberg, president of Penguin Young Readers Group, along with Lauri Hornik, president and publisher of Dutton Children’s Books, and Julie Strauss-Gabel, associate publisher of Dutton Children’s, all worked on the deal, which is for North American rights. Gabel, who will edit the book, said that it “will make readers crave the passion of uncertainty and cherish the power of the written word.” And Reamer, expectedly perhaps, drew the Meyer parallel, saying reading Matched reminded her of the first time she read Twilight. (Publishers Weekly)

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I love the sound of this. And the cover is so lovely!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Friday's Finest (17)


Friday's Finest is a new meme hosted by Steff & Justine from A Bookful of Thoughts.

Rules:

~Post a quote that really stuck to you after reading it in a book.
~Make sure it isn't a spoiler!
~If you'd like, expand on what you think it means and why you chose it.


"It was so damn hard to find love in this world, to locate someone who could make you feel that there was a reason you'd been put on this earth. A child, I imagined, was the purest form of that. A child was the love you didn't have to look for, didn't have to prove anything to, didn't have to worry about losing."

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.

Life, After
by Sarah Darer Littman

Release Date:
July 1st, 2010

Description:
Everything changes for Dani and her family when a truck loaded with explosives detonates outside the AMIA building in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing her beloved aunt and unborn cousin. Because of the ensuing political upheaval, economic hardship, and emotional toll, Dani's family moves to the U.S. It is a terrifying place--new school, new language, new hardships--and Dani's angry father is turning into a stranger, more so everyday. Just when Dani thinks she is about to lose it, she befriends Jessica, one of the girls who has been cruelly teasing her since she arrived.

It is the most unlikely of friendships. Jessica is wealthy, groomed, spoiled. But Jessica has a past that only Dani can understand. She lost her father in 9/11. It is a friendship that allows them both to heal in unexpected and surprising ways, and changes them and their families forever.

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A deep read about friendship....Sounds good to me.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Daily Dose (24)



This new meme is hosted by Holly from Good Golly Miss Holly, where inspirational pictures are posted to enlighten your day.



Saturday, May 1, 2010

Kiss and Tell (2)


Kiss and Tell is a new meme hosted at Fantasy 4 Eva.


Undiscovered Gyrl
by Allison Burnett

Only on the internet can you have so many friends and be so lonely.

Beautiful, wild, funny, and lost, Katie Kampenfelt is taking a year off before college to find her passion. Ambitious in her own way, Katie intends to do more than just smoke weed with her boyfriend, Rory, and work at the bookstore. She plans to seduce Dan, a thirty-two-year-old film professor.

Katie chronicles her adventures in an anonymous blog, telling strangers her innermost desires, shames, and thrills. But when Dan stops taking her calls, when her alcoholic father suffers a terrible fall, and when she finds herself drawn into a dangerous new relationship, Katie's fearless narrative begins to crack, and dark pieces of her past emerge.

Sexually frank, often heartbreaking, and bursting with devilish humor, Undiscovered Gyrl is an extraordinarily accomplished novel of identity, voyeurism, and deceit.

Thoughts
This has been on the top of my wishlist for a while now. I was hoping I'd either win it or borrow it from the library...but nope. No luck at all. It's not in my library (it doesn't sound quite popular, I'm thinking). And it's a bit tough to win something when no one is giving it away, yes? Argh, it makes me mad because I want to read this so badly. I could always buy it...but I don't do that. Hehe. Anyway. I just really, really like the sound of this. Novels about one's identity interest me.

Assumed Rating
8 Kiss And Tells

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Liar
by Justine Larbalestier

Micah freely admits that she's a compulsive liar. And that may be the one honest thing she'll ever tell you. Over the years she's duped her classmates, her teachers, and even her parents. But when her boyfriend, Zach, dies under brutal circumstances, the shock might be enough to set her straight. Or maybe not. Especially when lying comes as naturally to her as breathing. Was Micah dating Zach? Or was Sarah his real girlfriend? And are the stories Micah tells about inheriting a "family gene" real or are they something that only exists in her mind?

Breathtaking in its plotting, and narrated by one of the most psychologically complex young
women to emerge since Sybil, Liar is a roller-coaster that will have listeners grasping for the truth. Honestly.

Thoughts
It's still on my shelf. I've won this one a loooong time ago, but I keep putting it off! Darn those library books that somehow find their way up on my list of priorities. I've never read a book by Justine Larbalestier, but have always wanted to. This sounds like a good one to start with. You see? It's about identities too! :D

Assumed Rating
8 Kiss and Tells