Sunday, December 19, 2010

What? You havent done your CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!!

Written by Ari at 2:29 PM 0 Comments
Yeah Im looking at you. Your guilty of NOT completely your shopping for that one person. That one family  member that tells you whatever you get they will love, even though you know that is a lie and that they put it in their basement. FOREVER. So here is some help :)

1.Sea by Heidi R Kling
2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
3. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
4. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa
5. Return To Paradise by Simone Elkeles
6. Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margharet Stohl
7.Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Shes So Dead To Us by Kieran Scott
9. Forget You by Jennifer Echols
10.Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Now go buy Aunt Gertrude a YA novel that she will NOT PUT IN HER BASEMENT! (Yes I am referring to that scarf you gave hre last year that had her initials on it. Fail.)

Friday, December 3, 2010

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Pages: 336
Pub Date: March 16, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://kimberlyderting.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.


I really wish I could just say this and finish the review. This is the girl Susie Salmon needed 30 years ago. Granted, it took me a while to get into the book, because Im not the worlds biggest fan of third person, but I still loved the book. It had an incredible cliff hanger, that to be honest, I had to go back and reread to help figure out a lot of the ending. This was a great story, with a hidden mystery that no one expects. No one knows it is there. Granted, tehre are several parts that had me rolling my eyes at the obviousness, yet I forgave the book. Because well teh actual story line was soooo much better. The characters feel real, like they are sitting right next to you. Again, a captivating book taht I couldnt let out of my hands. Enjoy it, dont question it,  and just go with it :)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Pages: 290
Pub Date: June 1, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://sarahockler.com/blog/
Synopsis: According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.


I honestly think I was crying by chapter 2. Yes, it was that heart breaking. I couldnt help it. The book was just... I cant even describe it, yet I am trying to review it. Sarah Ockler basically ripped out my heart. She stuck it in a blender. And then she served it to me on a shiny white platter saying, "Just wait ten chapters, then youll feel like taking this back," with a bright smile on her face. I honestly, can not remember the last time an author did that to me. Twenty days, calculates somehow to twenty smiles, twenty tears, and twenty i told you so's. A few, extremely predictable parts, but then parts that just, drag you in and make you forget that some cliches may have occured. This book has a rocky, but beautiful start, it had me reading all night, yet, it almost had me in tears at the discovery that we do not learn all we want to learn by the end of  the book. But, that is also what a great book does, leave you wondering.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Care to give a hand?

Written by Ari at 9:03 PM 0 Comments
So I have discovered, that school is making it impossible for me to stay awake long enough to read enough books. So I was wondering if theres a kind soul out there who would like to help me out?? :)

If you could pretty please email me. You know ill appreciate it to the ends of the earth and ill find some gigantic way to tahkn you!

Ari

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween (Blogging shall return within the next week :P)

Written by Ari at 4:07 PM 0 Comments
Happy Halloween from your resident Lena!


Well be back sometime this week, because well I was dumb enough to sign up for the school musical ;)

So enjoy your free candy! (wee)

See you guys soon!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Sea by Heidi R Kling

Written by Ari at 9:59 AM 2 Comments
Sea by Heidi R Kling
Pages: 336
Pub Date: June 10, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://seaheidi.livejournal.com
Synopsis: Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met. She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers. And Sea’s real adventure begins

First off I would just like to warn all of you, that Heidi is an evil genius, and for some reason she WANTS TO MAKE US CRY! I will not tell you when or how I will just tell you that seems to be her GOAL! Okay now onto the flattering OH MY GODS! Loved this book. Just like I knew I would :) Granted it took me *thinks* 2 months to get past the first painful ten pages (sorry Heidi!) but after that I loooved it. I think its just because Im not the worlds biggest fan of Spider. Spider is one of those friends that used to be friends that the MC thinks she has a crush on and he totally loves her but hides it, people. So yeah he made it hard to read the book. Then the book got much better when Sienna arrives in Indonesia, however, events happen to make it well, not as amazing as it should be. No. This book is NOT about mermaids. No Heidi I do NOT love Damon. But aside from those facts I love Heidi and I think she should take up my idea for a sequel ;) (I gave her an AMAZING idea. I forgot what it was but she should do it!)

Saturday, October 9, 2010

One Is Not A Lonely Number by Evelyn Krieger

Written by Ari at 11:15 AM 0 Comments
One Is Not A Lonely Number by Evelyn Krieger
Pages: 456
Pub Date: June 9, 2010
Author Website/blog: http://www.oneisnotalonelynumber.com/
Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Talia Shumacher is the only child of a wealthy orthodox couple, known for their hospitality. As Talia becomes a teenager, her parents' open-door policy begins to irritate her. When Gabrielle Markus, an eccentric twenty-three-year old ballet dancer shows up one day, Talia's life is turned upside down. Convinced that Gabrielle is harboring a secret, Talia and her friends set out to uncover it. Along the way, Talia must deal with the loneliness she feels as an only child living in a religious community that celebrates large families. In discovering Gabrielle's secret, Talia discovers secrets about herself and her parents. Talia's gift for math and her unusual way of thinking about numbers is woven into the story along with themes of friendship, individuality, and acceptance.

I really enjoyed this book. ALthough I think the publisher was aiming for a YA genre I think its more middle grade based on the age of the main characters. So, I myself am a reform jew so I actually really enjoyed learning about how the more conservative families live. However, if your not into jewish lit it also does an amazing job of informing the world of problems that come from death, money, and even your family beliefs. Granted you need to order teh book from teh website or amazon I still really enjoyed it. It was hard to put it down. Its great if your a jew trying to find yourself, or your religion. Or even if you enjoy a good story. I love any good story that doesnt preach and this book did that. I hope you enjoy it also :)

Friday, October 1, 2010

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Written by Ari at 2:00 PM 1 Comments
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Pages: 512
Pub Date: October 12, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.beautifulcreaturesthebook.com 
Synopsis: Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. Sometimes life-ending. Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.

Beautiful Darkness was a huge step up from the first book, Beautiful Creatures. I really felt we get to connect with so many characters even more. We even got to meet some more characters, that may have only been mentioned in passing originally. This book opens a ton of new doors, that frankly should not be opened, but we as readers cheer the authors on in opening them. This book is a no put down, you simply can not start it, then come back to it a few months later. You cant even come back to it a few minutes later. This was a thrilling, heart pounding sequel, that simply leaves you wondering and hoping. This perhaps is even better than the first book. Beautiful Creatures left us on a ledge, Beautiful Darkness is the bridge, from that ledge to another. Another ledge, that simply leaves us hoping for more from Kami and Margie.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Written by Ari at 2:00 PM 0 Comments
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Pages: 374
Pub Date: April 6, 2006
Author Website/Blog: http://writergrl.livejournal.com
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Macy Queen is looking forward to a long, boring summer. Her boyfriend is going away. She's stuck with a dull-as-dishwater job at the library. And she'll spend all of her free time studying for the SATs or grieving silently with her mother over her father's recent unexpected death. But everything changes when Macy is corralled into helping out at one of her mother's open house events, and she meets the chaotic Wish Catering crew. Before long, Macy joins the Wish team. She loves everything about, the work and the people. But the best thing about Wish is Wes—artistic, insightful, and understanding Wes—who gets Macy to look at life in a whole new way, and really start living it

I started reading this one a few months ago, but with all the other things I had going on it got lost on my bookshelf. About a week ago I dug it up again and started to start from where I stopped. The book only got better. Granted I had to reconnect with a few characters, but that wasnt hard because I started to see them as new people :) This book really connected with me. I mean I know usually we tend to waver about books. Doesnt matter which ones. And it doesnt matter whether or not it has happened to you. It just matters if you feel like the characters are real people. And that you want to be a part of their world. This book did a brilliant job of doing that. I loved it.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (2010 Debut Book)

Written by Ari at 2:00 PM 2 Comments
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Pages: 454
Pub Date: January 5, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.diareeves.com/
Synopsis: Love can be a dangerous thing....
Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home. But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

Wow. This book was just incredible. A little more than halfway through I started thinking, 'You know this is kinda like a complete opposite of Beautiful Creatures' Yeah it was that good :)Instead of a town where no strange things occur, its a town where ONLY strange things occur. Instead of the girl having magical powers, its the boy. This book was WOW! Really, its a great book that you dont want to put down. I fell in love with Hanna, Rosalee, and Wyatt. Just a brilliant book. Granted there were parts were I went "eeew" but aside from ew moments the book was a winner. I am now DYING to read more by Dia Reeves!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Please Excuse The Mess.....

Written by Ari at 8:50 PM 0 Comments
Please Excuse The Mess.... I am currently doing some construction :) So if anything looks off its me screwing up :P I promise this will bring you much more gorgeous Teens Actually Read in the near future :)

Ari

Its Here *has been for a while* Are You Ready?? *dark music*

Written by Ari at 5:26 PM 0 Comments
Shadow hills E-Book that is :P

Granted I despise e-books, but who knows... with my new phone... and the fact I dont own the book itself.... *stares at links* *eek* *still debating.... book or EBOOK*

so um... ya... e books ARE evil. But if your one of them there people who loves them GO PURCHASE THIS!! *the kitten commands you too*

Okay?
Okay :)

Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt (2010 Debut Book)

Written by Ari at 2:00 PM 0 Comments
Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt
Pages: 240
Pub Date: March 16, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://lindsey-leavitt.livejournal.com/
Synopsis:When a flawlessly dressed woman steps out of an iridescent bubble and wants to know, like, now if you’d like to become a substitute princess, do you
a) run
b) faint
c) say Yes!
For Desi Bascomb, who’s been longing for a bit of glamour in her Idaho life, the choice is a definite C–that is, once she can stop pinching herself. As her new agent Meredith explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient Egyptian formula “Royal Rouge,” she can transform temporarily into the exact lookalike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right? Well, Desi soon discovers that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a heinous crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don’t know? Or when a princess’s conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off–and you know she would want you to change his mind?

So cute. In all honesty it ended way differently then I expected! But I wont tell you about that. :P Lol. It seemed a little more aimed towards the middle grade genre but you know what! There is nothing wrong with that!  I actually want a sequel :P It was to amazing to NOT have a sequel. You know what I mean? I actually was pining after this for a while. I was so happy when I finally got to sit down and read it and Ill tell you right now. The 4 hours I spent locked away with this book? Sooo worth it. Lindsey did a great job of weaving a cute modern day fairy tale!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Lifted by Wendy Toliver

Written by Ari at 2:00 PM 2 Comments
Lifted by Wendy Toliver

Pages: 272
Pub Date: June 8, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.wendytoliver.com/
Synopsis: It's not what you steal. It's getting away with it that's so much fun. Poppy Browne is none too thrilled to be the new girl in Pleasant Acres, Texas--especially after her mother enrolls her in a private Baptist school. But to her delight, Poppy is pulled into the cool clique on her first day at Calvary High, and her new friends, Mary Jane and Whitney, are as genuinely nice as they are gorgeous and rich. The catch? Her new pals have a nasty shoplifting habit, and before long Poppy is also a theft enthusiast. But when the girls' addictions get out of hand and friendships are threatened, it's up to Poppy to set things right ....


Addiction. Wow. This sheds the light on an often ignored addiction. Shop lifting. And to be honest, it seems to do a pretty good job of being informative about it and the consequences. However, one thing I loved was how it showed the consequences of pushing your child. It shows how they crack under pressure and how it doesnt help if you try to push the square into the circle even more. Books dont like to show this unless they are picturing the parent as satan. This book managed to show how a parent who means well can cause a few life changing issues. It also has a ton of other things that change lives but I cant tell you! It will spoil the book ;) (haha made  you guys curious! So go read it!)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Interview With Elizabeth Kolodziej

Written by Ari at 2:00 PM 0 Comments
Sooo I was lucky enough to get to interview Elizabeth Kolodziej about her and her book Vampyre Kisses. 
It was actually really cool because I got to sit there going  
"Hmm how can I think of a creative yet fun question?" 
SO! Shall we begin? I say we begin :)




This is a commonly asked question, but I need to know, a lot of authors tend to have regrets about what they could have brought up about the cover, whats your opinion on the cover?
Actually, my first idea for the cover was completely different. I wanted to have Faith’s face on the cover with two little bite marks on her wrist. But it just wouldn’t come out right. I couldn’t find an artist to do it right and I didn’t want to use a real person. I finally figured out that my image of Faith in my head was just not something I could have put out. So it took awhile but the picture of New York in black and white was great because that is where it takes place and the rose dripping blood symbolized the vampire. Everyone really seems to get a kick out of it. I ended up loving it!

Okay not really much of a question but its been poking at me, why is it Vampyre, is it something you or your publisher came up with?
Well, Vampire Kisses is the name of another book. I found that out when I wanted to publish it so it needed to be changed. But I just couldn’t think of another title that suited the story since the Vampire Kiss was such a big thing to me. So I thought it over and I decided to use the y in Vampyre as a tribute to how vampire was originally spelled for the first vampire story by John William Polidori.

You said that you were trying to write a paranormal story that hasnt been done before, but it really seemed like a medley of what has been done, is this the case, or was it just a spur of the moment?
I do not think this story is really similar to anything that has been written before. But I haven’t read every book ever written for the paranormal world. When you read this book you will find for one the rarity of the love between a witch and vampire along with the way that I blend mythology with my own ideas. This story is in my opinion original and from what the reviewers say it is very different from what people think it is going to be like.

How did you manage to maintain a good balance between so many supernatural creatures? It seems almost as if it would get confusing and difficult to write a story with more than 2 different kinds.
The way that I do this, and make it a great series, is that I try to focus on one of the supernatural beings for the book. In Vampyre Kisses, a lot of information is given about vampires and their history. Where as in the second book lots of information will be towards the werewolf history. It can get a little much for me at times with there being so many creatures in my stories but I keep lots of notes and graphs. It helps to be organized. Plus my mind is just all over the place so it really does end up working out.

And now for a true Ari question, that doesnt pertain to your book at all, just for fun ;) What is your opinion about global warming? (Do NOT be serious)
I find global warming to be a problem that might be fixed if people would just stop farting.

Where to buy the book:
Publisher’s Website: http://bit.ly/9aYtXo
Barns and Noble: http://bit.ly/dpJsLC
Facebook.com/kweenkitten
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ejkolodziej

Sunday, September 19, 2010

This Is INSANE

Written by Ari at 7:50 PM 0 Comments
So Im not going to do an insanely long post lecturing you guys. I dont have time for that.

But I will say this short message.

To everyone who enjoys banning books but has not read them: You are the Nazis of our generation. Congratulations, you have sunken so low as to burning books based on their covers. Enjoy your swastika covered clothing with your bonfire of amazing books. I hope you enjoy hell.

Love,

Ari

Saturday, September 18, 2010

A Thank You To Sarah Dessen.

Written by Ari at 8:46 AM 0 Comments
Most people call Sarah Dessen the queen of chick lit. I really feel like she is a good detox from all the supernatural/fantasy out there right now. Its refreshing. I feel like I go to my library and I see black covers with dark colors. Its all just...dark. But then I go to the bookstore and buy a Sarah Dessen and... I just... the bright covers and the uplifting story just brightens my world. Theres no angels falling from heaven, there are no 100 year old vampires falling in love with a 16 year old girl, there are no kids who discover tehy have abnormal powers, there are no werewolves. I mean granted I fell  in love with those things but after a while they become old. Its almost as if those things become stale. And then I spend a day or two in the REAL world of a Sarah Dessen novel and I look at all those books freshly. I just. I love Sarah Dessen. Shes amazing. Ive always loved chick lit. She helps keep me hooked on waht I have always loved.

I guess I shall finish this fairly easily.
Thank you Sarah Dessen. Youve helped me stay who I am. Not a crazed person walking around bitign people.
Thank you so much.
Ari

Friday, September 17, 2010

Tell Me A Secret by Holly Capula (2010 Debut Book)

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Tell Me A Secret by Holly Capula
Pages: 256
Pub Date: June 22, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.hollycupala.com/
Synopsis: Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one… In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own. Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

God I just loved this. It had a lot more skeletons behind closed doors then I thought it would. But really, thats what made this book incredible. I honestly, do not feel that I can put this book into physical words. It really put a great perspective on how one huge thing can affect someones whole life. Most books dont like to delve into the mind of someone who has suffered loss, and is suffering change at the same time. They usually choose one or the other. So this, was a huge thing to me. Tell Me A Secret was so much more real then most books about teen pregnancy. It had the family tension, it had the isolation, it had every little detail that we may see someone or we may experience during our teenage years. This book was just amazingly written and really touched my heart. I absolutely adored it.

Friday, September 10, 2010

9.11

Written by Ari at 11:39 PM 1 Comments
It is tradition for me, to post this short story I wrote a few years ago, on the anniversary of 9.11. I tend to tweak this story every year based on how my knowledge of the situation grows. Please remember, this date was important, it was the only time after Pearl Harbor that we were attacked on our own soil. This date is yet another date that shall live in infamy.
It is 9.11.

--

My eardrums are exploding from all the noise and screaming. I am covered in a thick coating of ash. We never thought anything like this would happen. I see mothers, wives, children, husbands, fathers, all receiving, news, good or bad. Or others anxiously awaiting news hoping it wont drastically change their lives. I grope around looking for people I can help. I try to remember what happened, something that happened so quickly, destroying so many peoples views on life. It was a plane. Nothing seemed wrong. We, as pedestrians continued to move along, in our daily routines that were part of the rush of the city. Then, before we realize it ash, fire, and debris hit us from behind. Suddenly, the rest of the world is a blur, people hear screams of pain, the crumbling of a building, and soon, we would hear the crash and burn of another plane into a building. We were simply pedestrians. Yet, a half hour after we walked out of our homes ready to start the day we are rushing around helping each other. Comforting the families in tears. Or the families hopelessly praying for their loved ones. I help the others up as we go around. We were too close to the world trade center. It sent us flying in the air as it dusted up. But we were also lucky, we werent the ones immediately killed as the plane slammed into the framework of the building. I go around, trying to help and comfort as many as possible, but for some it is simply too late. Our lives are forever changed. No one will ever be the same, and so many are killed. This is the date everyone will remember as 9.11.

--

A/N: I myself hold 9.11 close to my heart because every week my dad gets on a plane and flies to his job. The reality is the world is a scary place.
The even scarier and sadder reality? My dad is stopped in airports by security all the time just because of how he looks and his name.
He is isreali. 
However, this does not matter to 9.11. On 9.11 he was standing in the airport. The exact same airport that the terrorists left from.
He did not board any of the hijacked flights. His flight was delayed. And while waiting he discovered what had happened in New York.
He showed up at our home in Arizona in a rental car later.
I do not cry when I see the world trade center fall, because the sad reality is I was to young to remember what happened. 
But I do have a heart, and I feel for all the families who lost someone dear. 
Do not think of America today.
Think of the families of someone who died because of an act of hatred.

ARI

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Some Balance In My World

Written by Ari at 9:26 PM 0 Comments
Ive decided my small little world needs a little bit of balance. Ive just been so overwhelmed with school, and writing, and running this blog.
I also feel that if I find a way to balance all three worlds out, the "left in the dust" thing will slowly become less of an issue, because my life wont be centered around this blog.
Im sorry about doing this to you guys but I thought long and hard about it.

My new schedule for the week is currently as stated below (subject to change)

Monday-Review
Tuesday-Trying to promote the blog (if you want to help, PLEASE, I need all the help possible)
Wednesday- Me time. 
Thursday-Review
Friday-Me Time
Saturday-Short post and promotion
Sunday-Me Time


Thank you, you guys. You have all been so understanding and amazing so just... thank you for understanding this is something I need to do. Its just healthier for me. 


I just feel, I should be putting in as much effort that I am receiving from readers. If I have few readers, then I will put my best effort. If I had tons of readers, I would be putting forth a great step of excellence, such as 3 paragraph reviews (if you wanted them) or updating every other day.


Really though, thank you for being able to understand I am a human. I wish I could be superwoman. But Im not.


Ari

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

A Sadness That Fills My Soul....

Written by Ari at 9:25 PM 2 Comments
So...
Ya, back to the whole, "left in the dust" thing...

Its just... as you sit there and see all your friends going somewhere in the blogging world. And your sitting there. With your blog empty.

As they enjoy their success you paste on a plastic smile and tell them how happy you are for them.

You arent. Your filled with jealousy.

You want it to be you.

They talk with authors. They have requests for reviews thrown at them. They are asked to do everything.

And what are you doing?

Your sitting in your room alone.

Reading a book you got from the library.

Because whenever you try to reach out to a publisher.

They brush you off.

So you die a little more inside with each attempt.

Until you are writing a post like this.

For all my friends who are going somewhere with their blogs, Im sorry if this has made you feel guilty.

As for me. I guess Ill continue to be stuck reading library books.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 4 Comments
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Pages: 320
Pub Date: April 10, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://www.robinbenway.com/
Synopsis: California high school student Audrey Cuttler dumps self-involved Evan, the lead singer of a little band called The Do-Gooders. Evan writes, Audrey, Wait!, a break-up song thats so good it rockets up the billboard charts. And Audrey is suddenly famous!Now rabid fans are invading her school. Peopleis running articles about her arm-warmers. The lead singer of the Lolitas wants her as his muse. (And the Internet is documenting her every move!) Audrey cant hang out with her best friend or get with her new crush without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi.Take a wild ride with Audrey as she makes headlines, has outrageous amounts of fun, confronts her ex on MTV, and gets the chance to show the world who she really is.


AAAH! It was just amazing. I mean once again, I wanted to punch her best friend by the end of the story but still amazing!! Okay so granted Robins book "The Extraordinary Secrets Of April, May and June." doesnt look AMAZING! But I did love Audrey, Wait! I originally read it because I was in a small slump with my FF writing and this MAJORLY helped. And I fell in love with it :) Really, Audrey is such a dynamic character. You just fall in love with her and her crazy world. I just fell in love with how she reacts to fame, she takes it totally differently then most girls who know someone famous :) She doesnt try to ruin it for everyone. She just wants to be left alone. Really, its an amazing book about a girl who struggles to stay down to earth as paparazzi and her ex's fame start to peel apart her life.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Flash Burnout by LK Madigan

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Flash Burnout by LK Madigan
Pages: 320
Pub Date: October 19, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://lkmadigan.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Blake has a girlfriend and a friend who’s a girl. One of them loves him; the other one needs him. When he snapped a picture of a street person for his photography homework, Blake never dreamed that the woman in the photo was his friend Marissa’s long-lost meth addicted mom. Blake’s participation in the ensuing drama opens up a world of trouble, both for him and for Marissa. He spends the next few months trying to reconcile the conflicting roles of Boyfriend and Friend. His experiences range from the comic (surviving his dad’s birth control talk) to the tragic (a harrowing after-hours visit to the morgue). In a tangle of life and death, love and loyalty, Blake will emerge with a more sharply defined snapshot of himself


When I first read the synopsis for the book, I honestly didnt feel like reading it. But after reading all the books in the YA section of the library I recognized this book and wondered "what the heck..." So I am actually glad I picked it up. Okay, so I WAS a bit confused at parts, but oh well. It was still really good. I guess a novel like this becomes confusing with such an odd back story for a character like Marissa. Lets face it, not all of us see these things in our daily lives, which makes a book like this one we HAVE to read to understand what its like. I know a lot of people rather read about people who actually suffer from an addiction, but this story is like A Tension Of Opposites, its a really good story about how the side lines view the situation and how they deal with it. It really is a great novel,  and it really just shows us a lot about the issues addictions cause in peoples lives, even if its only through knowing someone.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

My TEAM

Written by Ari at 3:11 PM 0 Comments
So, before I end the series *sob* on saturday I would just like to let you all know what TEAM I am for the HUNGER GAMES SERIES!!!


Hell yeah ;)

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Looking For Alaska by John Green
Pages: 221
Pub Date: December 28, 2006
Author Website/Blog: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Synopsis: Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave "the Great Perhaps" even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then . . . After. Nothing is ever the same.


So blech, to the before chunk. I had no idea what was going on. It was just plain confusing, and to be honest, dull. I mean, the book itself was amazing. But for some reason  with books the beginning always bores me. And takes me a few days to get into. I mean, I heard amazing things about this book, and I absolutely adored Paper Towns, but blech. I probably should cut him some slack, it was his first novel. But blaah its hurting me just to write this review. Yes the first chunk of this book was that painful. I think I should just end my pain here with these words. Stick with comedy.

Edited Warning

Written by Ari at 6:39 AM 0 Comments
So I wont get my copy till this weekend.

So, heres an extended warning.

If you post a spoiler on twitter, I will HIDE your account until I complete the book.

You post a spoiler on your blog I temporarly unfollow you until I complete the book.

Good? Good.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Spells by Aprilynne Pike
Pages: 359
Pub Date: May 4, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://apparentlyaprilynne.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever.When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?


So um.... I dont remember what I said about Wings, I just remember I didnt think it was the GREATEST novel in the world. And this one well... Would it be appropriate to say that I had to murder far more than the first half of this novel??  Haha just like the last one the beginning wanted me to kill myself, the middle had me slitting my wrists, and the ending made me smile. Its an odd combination ;) Most of the action doesnt happen till the end. The beginning continues with the tradition of boring facts about education. Gag. Haha but of course once the trolls make an appearance everything is better :) Thank you trolls, for making the story somewhat interesting.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Warning

Written by Ari at 4:52 PM 6 Comments
Warning readers and other bloggers.

If you post ANY MOCKINGJAY SPOILERS BEFORE I READ TEH BOOK!!

Prepare to die *sets up Hunger Games Arena*

Yup, I will go that far. So this is your warning.

Dont do it.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner

Written by Ari at 12:38 PM 6 Comments
Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner
Pages: 291
Pub Date: May 26, 2009
Author Website/Blog: N/A
Synopsis: Did you know that in imperial China, eunuchs had their testicles, penis and scrotum removed? Olivia does. She's done the research--after walking in on her dad fooling around with one of his grad students. On her way to an arts summer camp at Yale University, she's decided to write a musial called Castration Celebration Max, on the other hand, is a big fan of the penis--intact. As an actor, he always has the right line, especially for the ladies. He's going to camp to hone his skills, both acting and otherwise. And when Olivia and Max meet...oh, the drama! Olivia and Max have their roles down pat. Before camp is over, they'll preform Olivia's musical onstage and in real life--though the ending may turn out different than either expects. Peppered with original songs like "Horny," "I'm in Love with Dick," and the titular, "Castration Celebration," Jake Wizner's a whole new level in a bawdy uproarious romp that's laugh-out-loud funny.


Oh my god this was just hilarious. It was so inappropriate, but so hilarious. Im pretty sure the day I read this I locked myself away and yelled at someone when I was interrupted. I just couldnt stop reading. I was DYING to know what punchy line, or what real life issues would infuse themselves together. I honestly dont see, how a book that is supposed to be serious, can also be funny. I guess this book is a new wonder of the world. It truly is perfect for a girl who just had a break up, for any girl that has been continuously scorned by boys, or any one with a vendetta against a man. Please though, do not do what the book does as a solution to those problems :)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What Makes A Novel A Classic (My opinion)

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 2 Comments
We all have at least one "classic" sitting on our bookshelves right now, left over from high school. It could be any  novel. The only real requirement, in our eyes as teenagers, is that it must be BORING. If a book is BORING then it is a classic. But adults turn around and claim, a classic is a novel that has been around for a certain set amount of time (that no one ever tells us) and creates an impact in society.

So does that mean in 100 years Twilight will be a classic?

I doubt it.

Now dictionary.com defines a classic as:
–noun
12.
an author or a literary work of the first rank, esp. one of demonstrably enduring quality.
13.
an author or literary work of ancient Greece or Rome.
14.
classics, the literature and languages of ancient Greece and Rome (often prec. by the ).
15.
an artist or artistic production considered a standard.
16.
a work that is honored as definitive in its field: His handbook on mushrooms is a classic.

Now, honestly, I feel we cant label any book as a classic. Because honestly, when Great Expectations was first sitting there waiting to be read, no one considered it a classic. They probably treated it how all novels are for the first chunk of their career.

They ignored it.

Also, I feel that in a 100 years, if Twilight is being called a classic, then the world will end.

I wouldn't want my (some number of greats) grandchildren to be sitting in a classroom their freshmen year being handed a paranormal romance that frankly, isnt all that well written.

I wouldnt want them to sit there as their teacher tells them that it is a long lived classic.

I do NOT want them watching the movies.

There are just some things in this world that we as humans try to dissect.

Defining a book as a classic is one of those.

In my opinion we should just stop calling books classics all together! We shouldnt make one book better than the other just because of one word. We should let the books live together in peace, and stop waiting on the side lines as some are put on the tables in bookstores and others sit hidden behind best selling novels on teh shelves.

That is a major FAIL on our parts as humans. And I am going to stop doing that.

I am going to stop calling novels classics, I am going to stop giving certain novels more attention, and DARN IT Im going to tell my english teacher this! Ill print this out for her if needed!

We are letting how we pick up a book and read be chosen by adults who label them for us.

If we keep the status of classic novels, then let US as TEENS decide also. We are the ones who become confused as to what is and what isnt, and WHAT makes it a classic.

Classics, BE GONE!

NOVELS, BE EQUAL! LOVE EACH OTHER!

And humanity, MAKE A CHOICE! AND ELIMINATE THE TERM "CLASSIC" BECAUSE IT DOESNT EXIST FOR NOVELS!

Ari

Monday, August 16, 2010

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Pages: 310
Pub Date: April 6, 2010
Synopsis:  One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

Haha I was expecting it to be some Will Grayson,  Will Grayson romance! I wasnt expecting it to be Will Grayson and Will Grayson's best GAY friend :P But hey obviously that tells you how often I read books like this :P But it was good! Way better than what I was expecting from these two. They honestly went above and beyond. It really focused on Tiny's play but that really caused all the drama. Haha but at least the drama wasnt about relationships that are completely and utterly fake when it comes to gays. If a relationship ended it was becuase of real issues such as, commitment, or the ability to trust. It wasnt like "I cant be gay anymore." So that really made the book even better. I know most of you have read it already, but for those of you considering it pick it up :)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter
Pages: 368
Pub Date: April 5, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://mybignose.blogspot.com
Synopsis: It’s the summer before senior year and Polly Martin has sworn off boys. Who needs the hurt and confusion? Five recent breakups have left her with an unnatural knowledge of NASCAR, the ultimate hiker’s outfit, a student council position, the sixth highest score on the Donkey Kong machine at the mall, and a summer job at Wild Waves with ex #2 Sawyer Holmes.
Success seems a sure thing when Polly’s grandmother, the syndicated advice columnist, Miss Swoon, moves in for the summer. Polly almost doesn’t mind sharing a room with her little sister, Grace. Think of all the great advice she’ll get! Everything is going according to plan except... Miss Swoon turns out to be a man-crazy septuagenarian! And then there’s Xander Cooper. If only he wouldn’t keep showing up at Wild Waves with his adorable cousins every afternoon — and what is he writing in that little notebook? No advice column in the world can prepare Polly for the lessons she learns when she goes on a group camping trip (with three too many ex-boyfriends). Polly is forced to see people for who they are — a blend of good and bad qualities that can’t be reduced to a list or a snappy answer in a Miss Swoon column.

I loved My Big Nose And Other Natural Disasters, so I HAD to check out this novel (i dont want to read Jungle Crossing, not my type) And Swoon At Your Own Risk is really, really good :P It was a cute novel, that is really a chick novel. So guys, you probably wont like it. Unless you enjoy pools, drama, and boys :P (this is not saying you wont enjoy FORGET YOU, thats a whole other story :P) It honestly, (in my opinion) was ranged for 12-15 year old girls. It had that cute fluffy drama they enjoy, it had the sweet obvious romance they all LIVE for. I mean other than those things, I enjoyed the book. :)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Split by Swati Avashti (2010 Debut Book)

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Split by Swati Avashti
Pages: 282
Pub Date: March 9, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.swatiavasthi.com/
Synopsis: Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret. He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split — how do you begin to live again?

This novel, truly horrified. I think I read it about 2 weeks ago, its still haunting me. Every time I read about something as simple as someone getting punched, my mind flashes back to Split. It's actually scary how much this novel teaches us about a world, most of us are sheltered from. We all tend to take our lives for granted. We forget about people like the characters of Split. This book, it sends a real, solid, scary message. It makes us wonder, why is it, before such a haunting novel, would I never have truly realized such a horrible home? This book opens our eyes to the true tragedies that haunt the world. You will never see the world the same way again.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Braken (2010 Debut Novel)

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Braken
Pages: 368
Pub Date: March 23, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://bracken.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him. In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers. Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry

Okay to be honest I wasn't going to read this book, but my librarian came up to me asking about it, and said "well it was written by Alex who used to go here, so Ive been trying to find it" So I decided to read it, you know be a good little mustang :) Honestly, the first time I heard about this book I smirked and went, "ew." So really quickly I would like to say ALEX! THANK YOU FOR GOING TO MY MIDDLE SCHOOL! I would NEVER have read this book if she didnt go there! And I am really glad I did! It is amazing. It really seemed like a weaving of different fairy tales we grew up on. Well at least to me. It had a great back story and it really held a great story about one of the main characters NORTH. The story doesn't really focus on him but if you look hard enough you find a whole story that revolves around him. This book was so gorgeous. It was hard NOT to fall in love with the characters, okay so I hated the people from the village, and was cheering on North but what does that matter?? I LOVED this book! It is amazing, beautifully written, and simply makes me want to hit the characters! But hey thats what makes it great :)

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 1 Comments
Rules Of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Pages: 324
Pub Date: April 27, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.simoneelkeles.net/index-web.html
Synopsis:When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

I absolutely LOVE this series, however I think I may have to stick with book number one. I couldnt really connect with these characters as well. Also the rich guy bailing Carlos out all the time started to annoy me, it wasnt like Perfect Chemistry where he had to figure everything out on his own. This one it was pointless really. It annoyed me to no end, Carlos was just a whiny little boy, and the only drama was when he gets beat up. Yup so much fun. It was a romance. And not even a good one to boot. Simone, I love you, but please dont make the third book play copy cat, and if it does at least make it do it correctly.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Dear Courtney, I love you :)

Written by Ari at 2:39 PM 6 Comments
I LOVE COURTNEY FOR A REASON! AND THAT REASON IS THIS!!!

(shiny)
SEE!! *points* ISNT IT PRETTY!! ITS MY FIRST ONE!! AND COURTNEY GAVE IT TO ME!! *squee*

But now I must do the following *groan* *work*

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award.

7 Things (That I hate about you :P JK Hate Miley!)

1. I have a strong prejuidice against E-Readers. If someone tries to convince me to purchase one I hit htem.
2. I dont truly have a favorite book, I know weird, I mean theres a book I LOVE but that doesnt mean I would wnat to be buried with it.
3. I hate the Jonas Brothers.
4. I prefer YA books in a boys POV, especially if they are trying to be a comedy.
5. I actually prefer a lot of things in a boys POV.
6. Im sorta gender neutral. Not into sports and stuff but not into dancing and skirts.
7. I prefer finding new, smaller blogs, I rather help someone get started in teh blogosphere :)

And now *drumroll please* THE 15 BLOGGERS WHO I PRESENT THIS GORGEOUS AWARD TO!!!!!!!

DforDarla's Definite Reads - She is so sweet, I mean she just started out so she has one or two reviews, but her stories from meeting authors are just adorable.

Live, Laugh, Love - She is so adorable! And she reminds me of my friend Kim, they are both OBSESSED with Jane Austen :)

Lost In A Book Reviews - These girls are HILARIOUS! They are just such great partners in crime I HAD to give them this award!

IB Book Blogging - So awesome :P And her blog is gorgeous. Oh and she kinda lives in AZ. For me thats a win ;)

Fictionally Yours - EEK! So her site is mostly fun arts and crafts that are YA related. Okay so they arent reviews, but theres no  rule that says it must be reviews!!!

Nyxen's Sidewalk Journey Through Life - Love her, shes so sweet, one of the nicest people you will ever meet and she does a great job :)

Sleep. Eat. Read - She is to sweet, and way to nice. Oh and her blog is gorgeous. Lets face it, another fun person ;)

A Teen Bookie - Met her through my contest, and I just love her blog. Shes been doing this since February, has a ton more posts than me, and she has like 35 followers. Something wrong there.

The Guide To Good Books - This girl is going somewhere, she has all the right ideas for a new blogger, good reviews with a sprinkle of shameless self promotion ;)

Its Just Life As I know It - Haha I love the rain background and her posts like "Can your brain really explode?" Shes unique, gotta lvoe that :)

WeFreadom - Her profile picture is a penguin. Enough said.

Beautifully Broken - Another person who randomly popped up, but will deserve it in years when she is ruling the universe ;)

Vision Quest Fail - Is it so wrong the main reason I did this was cuz hte title sounds funny?? I dont know why, it just makes me laugh :P

Loud Words & Sounds - Im beginning to run out of things to say #meltedbrain. So Ill say... Its so pretty! Oh and its one of those ones with more than one person running it ;)

I think ill just give the last one to Reading Or Breathing I mean she already got it, but shes my friend, and she writes essays for reviews :P

Okay! NOW I MUST CLEAN ROOM! ILL EMAIL THE PEOPLE AFTER THAT IS ACHIEVED!!

Ari :)

The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy (2010 Debut Book)

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 1 Comments
The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
Pages: 320
Pub Date: April 13, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.kaycassidy.com/blog/
Synopsis: When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother… Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of. … be careful what you wish for. Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.

What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?
It really got the message through, okay so when I had first read the synopsis I was sorta "ew" because most books about girl power are kind of dull. But this book. Totally proved me wrong. It actually made me say "There better be a sequel" And then when I got to the end and saw the sequel announcement I said "Good" This book was AMAZING. I couldnt put it down after I murdered the first few pages. As always the first few chapters were kinda eh, but once she got that silver pin in her locker, the book sped right up. Amazing idea an Im DYING to read the sequel

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omolulu (2010 Debut Book)

Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omolulu
Pages: 212
Pub Date: February 2, 2010
Author Website/Blog: http://www.cynjay.blogspot.com/
Synopsis: For sixteen years, Lucy has kept her mother's hoarding a secret. She's had to -- nobody would understand the stacks of newspapers and mounds of garbage so high they touch the ceiling and the rotting smell that she's always worried would follow her out the house. After years of keeping people at a distance, she finally has a best friend and maybe even a boyfriend if she can play it right. As long as she can make them think she's normal. When Lucy arrives home from a sleepover to find her mother dead under a stack of National Geographics, she starts to dial 911 in a panic, but pauses before she can connect. She barely notices the filth and trash anymore, but she knows the paramedics will. First the fire trucks, and then news cameras that will surely follow. No longer will they be remembered as the nice oncology nurse with the lovely children -- they'll turn into that garbage-hoarding freak family on Collier Avenue. With a normal life finally within reach, Lucy has only minutes to make a critical decision. How far will she go to keep the family secrets safe?

Dirty Little Secrets was one of those books where you are desperate to finish it. You just need to know how the main character fixes everything. Its a terribly story. There were moments that broke my heart, and there were moments were I couldnt help but softly smile to myself. It was just gorgeous. I fell in love with Lucy as she discovered information about her mother she wish she never knew. I kinda wish we could find out how her siblings react in the end of the story. Truth be told I was looking forward to that. But nonetheless an amazing story. Beautifully written. Read it and fall in love.

Monday, August 2, 2010

13 Predictions for MOCKINGJAY

Written by Ari at 10:28 PM 12 Comments
I honestly could have gone further, but I stopped at 13 for the irony of it :)
  • Haymitch will sacrifice himself for Katniss
  • Katniss will die
  • Her mother will die and she will feel guilt, as Prim misses her and is depressed, but she feels nothing.
  • GALE HOOKS UP WITH THE MAYORS DAUGHTER!
  • The capital falls
  • President Snow chokes on blood
  • It turns out President Snow puts all the tongues of those servant thigns in a blender and consumes them. That is why his breath smells like blood.
  • Katniss becomes a dictator of all humanity
  • she LITERALLY becomes the girl on fire
  • Cinna dies of gold poisoning
  • The red head kills President Snow as he tries to kill Katniss
  • It turns out its all a terrible dream, like inception
  • It turns out her father never died, that the capital has him locked somewhere, and they are re-united at the end.


ENJOY! :D

UPDATE: I realized that I forgot Peeta, and I thought of a few more ;)


Haha I realized I didnt mention Peeta in my predictions! So I CONTINUE!

  • He will be kidnapped, and kept as a slave in Kelsey Dickson's kitchen being forced to cook bread for her for the rest of time
  • He will marry Prim, because Katniss is to  good for him so he settles for second best
  • His leg magically regrows and he dies because his leg explodes, because he never takes the fake one off.
  • He becomes the spokesman for RACE FOR A CURE
  • He takes over the world and makes us all live off of bread.
  • He takes over the world and passes a law that says, just because you burn bread, doesnt mean your mother should slap you
  • He turns out to be a cyborg that trolls the earth for the rest of time tryign to find Katniss, even though she i dead.
  • He dies
  • He turns out to be gay and skips off with Gale
  • He falls in love with teh redhead
  • He shoves a knife down his throat committing suicide at teh loss of Katniss.
  • He ends up working in the mines for all eternity and ends up blowing up, just like Katniss' father, and because they are married she will be devastated, then run off to the imaginary district 13 and marry Gale.

The others:
  • Katniss ditches everyone, fakes her death, and runs off to district 13 to take over the world
  • Haymitch takes over the world, by starting with District 13.
  • They all end up dead in a ditch with their blood sucked out by President Snow
  • President Snow turns out to really be Edward Cullen and he gives Panem to Nessie as a gift, she then presumes to kill Katniss, just because she is a jealous **** who thinks she was shooting googly eyes at Jacob
  • They all commit suicide.
  • The whole series rewinds and makes it so Katniss didnt step in for Prim
  • Rue comes back from the dead and saves the world. Her superhero name is BIRD CALLER
Okay I think thats it :)

ENJOY AND SPREAD THE WORD <3
Ari

    Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

    Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 2 Comments
    Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
    Pages: 224
    Pub Date: October 13, 2009
    Author Website/Blog: http://www.sarazarr.com/
    Synopsis: As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy into the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reasons to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI, and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town goes missing, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

    Definitely my favorite out of the two Sara Zarr novels I read. This one was kinda like a mystery. But it also had a broken soul. It was a nice combination. Most people tried to ignore the egging thought of who kidnapped the sweet little girl. Sadly growing up on Nancy Drew novels I cant say the same. I was like "I think its him... NO HIM!" In the end it was one person I considered but didnt hang onto for long ;) Just keep that in mind. Anyway this was just amazing. Your heart really goes out to all the characters, but I guess thats what Sara Zarr does :) Make you want to help every single person you read about that she writes. I loved this book. It was amazing and I hope you give it a chance :)

    Saturday, July 31, 2010

    Rhymes With Witches by Lauren Myracle

    Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 0 Comments
    Rhymes With Witches by Lauren Myracle
    Pages: 272
    Pub Date: March 1, 2006
    Author Website/Blog: http://www.laurenmyracle.com/home_pg.html
    Synopsis: Jane dreams of being chosen as the freshman member a dominant school clique made up of one girl from each class. When her wish is granted, and she is offered a place in their group, Jane discovers the terrible price of their particular kind of popularity. There is a sinister secret to their power, one that will change Jane forever. Darkly humorous and dead on, this book will leave readers shivering in recognition.

    Mwhahaha, fits right in with her horror novel BLISS. Another book obsessed with cats :) One of the most memorable lines in the book for me was "looky looky whose got a cookie!" Haha I loved this story. I almost wish it had a sequel.... It also really showed extreme cliques in High School. Kinda glad High School really isnt like this and that Im a floater *nervous laughter* Lets face it, all of us are scared of something like this happening in our High School. Like stealing popularity? Or going to someones house and chanting "THE SKANK LOVES DICK THE STICK IS A DICK!" To someone while shaking around a stick. Yeah no one wants High School to be that :/ This book got really messed up at some points, meanwhile it could also be really good. Im kinda torn. So you guys choose for yourself.

    Friday, July 30, 2010

    Vote For The Prize!!

    Written by Ari at 11:50 AM 0 Comments
    So I am going to have a 100 followers contest coming up soon and I just cant decideon a prize!! So after some recomendations from twitter I set up a poll
    So VOTE so I can start my 100 followers contest!!

    Thursday, July 29, 2010

    Summer Intern by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman

    Written by Ari at 10:00 AM 7 Comments
    Summer Intern by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman
    Pages: 192
    Pub Date: April 19, 2007
    Author Website/Blog: http://web.mac.com/jillkargman/iWeb/jillkargman.com/welcome.html
    Synopsis: There's nothing run-of-the-mill about working at Skirt, the preeminent fashion magazine. I'm Kira Parker, total fashion junkie. I thought I had it made when I landed this job. Ha. I mean, don't get me wrong—working at Skirt is amazing. And spending the summer in New York City without my parents? Golden. But now I'm up against Daphne Hughes, daughter of the magazine's owner. What Daphne wants, she gets—all wrapped up in a cute Coach bag. She's already got the guy of my dreams and all the right connections. Now she thinks she'll get the plum position working for the editor in chief without even lifting a diamond-adorned pinky? This catwalk is primed for battle.

    Aw.. this was so cute. It really showed that working in fashion isnt as glamorous as we wish :) It had a obvious villain, a cute crush, oh and a mean girl :) This was really a great book. I also picked up a lot of things in this book that reminded me of myself :) Like the main character worked harder at her internship so she could try to get the internship with the editor in chief. She would stay after and do work she wasnt asked to do. It helped her in the long run. Of course a bitter sweet book had a great ending :) Almost like a fairytale ;) I mean granted I doubt most internships are like this but I still loved it. It reminded me of Ugly Betty :) Only teh main character isnt ugly.

    Do What You Want Cuz The Prizes Are Free, You Are A WINNER

    Written by Ari at 1:03 AM 2 Comments
    NOTE: I ENDED THE CONTEST EARLY DUE TO A VAST TIME PERIOD OF NO MORE ENTRIES. THANK YOU FOR BEING UNDERSTANDING.

    Have you ever gone to google and typed in Lol limewire then pressed Im Feeling Lucky?? Well go do it and youll understand the title of this blog post.

    However, the rest of it should be easy to understand....

    I HAVE WINNERS!!!!

    But first I would jsut like to say that I want to give everyone something but because of expenses, I chose three  freshman to receive care packages :)



    1ST PLACE!!!
    KELSEY DICKSON

    2ND PLACE!!!!
    BIANCA DUARTE 

    3RD PLACE!!!
    ERICA

    Freshman care packages going to....
    ANGELA Z
    HARMONY BEAUFORT
    LANA SCHOLTZ

    If you guys do NOT email me within 24 hours I WILL be forced to select new winners!!
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