Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Pages: 368
Pub Date: May 1, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/blog/
Synopsis: Scarlett Martin is the third of four children ina family that has a most unusual collectiveprofession. The Martins live in and manage anot-quite-posh-anymore hotel in New York Citythat dates from the 1920s. When Scarlett turnsfifteen, she is given charge of one of the hotelÂstwenty-seven rooms: the Empire Suite. Into thisroom moves Mrs. Amberson, an aging C-liststarlet who has returned to New York to writeher memoirs. Soon, Scarlett is taking dictation,running around town with Mrs. Amberson, andgetting caught up in her Auntie-Mame-meets-Bianca-Jagger adventures. In the midst of allthis, Scarlett falls in loveÂor so she thinksÂandit takes Mrs. Amberson to help her see the light.


So boring. Took me FOREVER to read it. There were to many plot details that were thrown in last  minute. Like, "Oh Im mentioning now 140 pages into the book that my sister has cancer!" Not cool! The first hundred pages were background information that as always with over abundance of background it was NOT needed. It should have gotten to the plot faster. I love Maureen Johnson, really but I am against this book. In my opinion not the best thing Ive ever read. Im planning on reading more from Maureen Johnson but if another one is like this I may just rip my hair out-and burn the book.

Gar

So I am currently BURIED beneath books that are read but must be reviewed.

Please forgive me.

Im going to try to catch up this weekend. Then Im gone the next weekend on a strings trip.

Hopefully by then Im caught up because I plan to read a ton of books on the drive up there and the drive back!

Sorry!
Ari

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph
Pages: 320
Publish Date: May 5, 2009
Author Website/Blog: http://daniellejoseph.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: For seventeen-year-old Teresa Adams, high school is an excruciating daily ordeal. Her debilitating shyness makes every conversation and every confrontation an agonizing event. But at home, in the security of her bedroom, she daydreams of a secret life as a DJ for Miami's hottest radio station, SLAM FM, which just so happens to be owned by her stepfather. Some day, she believes, she'll get her big break. And then it happens - her stepfather allows her to sit in as an intern. Before long, she's helping out on air under the guise of Sweet T, her confident radio persona. At school, Teresa has to do a group oral presentation. It doesn't help that she has a crush on Gavin, the boy in her group. Will her secret life as a DJ help her overcome the shyness of her daily life-and possibly propel her straight into the arms of her crush?


Im sorta iffy about my opinion on this book. It was really predictable-as in I knew how it was going to end by page 35 (this is a fact)-I mean it had a great message that I feel a lot of teens can relate to but still. I got very bored with the plot line. It was very dull, and honestly I think the author was trying just a bit to hard to make the book long enough to publish. Really if there had been a few less boring scenes, then maybe it would have been better. Or there were a lot of issues like the main character and her mother that never really got solved. To me that was a major turn off. The ending of a book is called a RESOLUTION. A resolution is when most of the characters problems are solved. In this story, one problem was solved. Honestly we could have learned a bit more about her issues with her mother. I really dont recommend this book. I know people raved about it, but to me it was not that good.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Pages: 400
Pub Date: February 28, 2008
Author Website/Blog: http://writergrl.livejournal.com/
Synopsis: When Annabel, the youngest of three beautiful sisters, has a bitter falling out with her best friend the popular and exciting Sophie she suddenly finds herself isolated and friendless. But then she meets Owen a loner, passionate about music and his weekly radio show, and always determined to tell the truth. And when they develop a friendship, Annabel is not only introduced to new music but is encouraged to listen to her own inner voice. With Owen's help, can Annabel find the courage to speak out about what exactly happened the night her friendship with Sophie came to a screeching halt?

This was most definitely my least favorite so far. The tie ins with her other novel "This Lullaby" were so obvious and annoying it hurt. It was like a really bad fanfiction. I just kept groaning through out the whole book. The beginning was slow and boring. It had way to much background information. The middle was ok... It was mostly just background information still, and it was really slow. A hundred pages=2 days (exaggeration) I was bored, it took me the longest ever to finish this book. It was definitely her worst work. I will never understand how people rave about this book. I hated it. I only liked a wee part of the story involving modeling. The ending was sweet, but it was still dull and over done. I am never reading this book again. Good by Just Listen.

It just makes me sick....

It just makes me sick that some people sink so LOW to get books!

In the past month I have read more blog posts about people in the blog-o-sphere doing things like PLAGIARISM! HARASING AUTHORS! *in a non playful way like me and Heidi R Kling. She knows I am not trying to be cruel or anything. She knows I am joking* CREATING CONFLICT WITH OTHER BLOGGERS!

Do you guys agree with me?!
These things are just wrong.

Kristi at the Story Siren just wrote a post about how someone has been plagiarizing off of 3 AMAZING bloggers! *I hadnt heard of them, but I went and looked and I really liked what they wrote.*

http://www.thestorysiren.com/2010/04/my-one-piece-of-advice.html

These three bloggers were....

http://www.persnicketysnark.com/

http://stephsureads.blogspot.com/ *only one I knew about before hand and I love her reviews*

http://www.thecompulsivereader.com/

These are all AMAZING bloggers! Why plagarize off of them?
The reason most likely *this from the thinking of a teenager* If these plagarizers were teens, they were most likely thinking, "Im just in this for the books. Who cares if its not something I write? I get away with it in school! I have better things to do, like sit in front of the TV and watch porn and bad disney sit-coms instead of putting energy into writing a 150-250 word review!"

Yeah, they were probably thinking that. But hey thats just me, a teenager, someone who sometimes thinks those things!

But guess what! I am a fourteen year old girl! Some days I just throw my book at the wall and scream, "Why the hell do I even review books!"

And then I remember. There are some people out there, even if it doesnt show, that are READING my stuff! They like it!

I would probably MURDER someone if they plagarized my work. Because lets be honest it would be pretty obvious with my nutty little comments planted here and there!

I remember I read a blog post (this blog post http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-bloggers-behaving-badly-are-you-on.html ) and I was just thinking to myself, "Bloggers are like that? But I havent done any of these things! Im just starting off! I only have relationships with authors through talking with them constantly!"

For example. When I started off blogging I had no idea what I was doing. The original name of this blog! Was  "BA-Bookaholics Anonymous" I was muttering off short nothings about books that I checked out from the library. But I slowly waded my way through the blog-o-sphere picking up little ideas here and there! But they were only ideas! Simple things like how to format a review! Even that I managed to personalize! Everyones is different. Or how I do giveaways! I was just blindly trying to figure that out until I found out bloggers use Google Docs! I wasnt doing anything wrong! I was just trying to figure out what I was doing!

Its simple. Getting basic info like formatting a review, or how to host a contest is an OKAY thing  to take from a bunch of other blogs, just put your own twist on it! However just summing up what they said without linking to it is WRONG! You dont DO it!

I follow the rules. So I am just angered at this.

If you are doing any of things I have ranted about or normal people have mentioned in one of the links posted above then STOP IT! Your hurting us! We get nothing out of this! I spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars buying books! *and bookshelves*

Realize that taking a good review and claiming it will not get a publisher to give you free ARCs!

You are going to lose. You will get caught, you will get in trouble, and it will NOT end pretty.

So just stop it.

You dont want to get caught. End it before it gets ugly.

Charitys O Charitys

So heres what Im gonna do...

Every comment on this post I will donate a dollar for a book related cause....

5-Buys books from library, books then go into a donation bin
10-Donates all this money to the phoenix childrens project for them to buy books for the kids
15-Donates 10 to the phoenix childrens project, buys books from library ands drops them into donation bin.
20-Buy 2 books for public library, 10 dollars for the phoenix childrens project, buys books from library and drops them into donation bin.

COMMENT!
*donation bin is a local box we have were you can donate books to go to a underprivileged school

Completed Books

Ill update this list everytime I finish one of my books for the read-a-thon :)

SUITE SCARLETT  by Maureen Johnson
KEEPING THE MOON by Sarah Dessen

Romancing Your Friendship

I would have to say...
Bloody Jack aka Jacky Faber and James (Jaimy) Fletcher

Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS "Dolphin" is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas.
There's only one problem: Jacky is a "girl." And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life--if only she doesn't get caught. . . .


I think they are the best friendship-romance couple because she was supposed to be a guy! She had Jaimy thinking, "God this is just nasty." But thats what made it so awesome! As they get older he begins to reject her as a friend because he is afraid of his feelings. He thinks what he feels is unnatural. He doesnt find out until she is sewing a dress and asks him to help her. Through out the rest of the series he stands by her. They struggle so much, but even as lovers they remain friends. *Mostly lovers though ;)*

Hour 12 Meme

1. What are you reading right now?

Keeping The Moon by Sarah Dessen

2. How many books have you read so far?

3 and a half *a lot of halfs*

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

avoiding sleep

4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day?

no

5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

my family, friends. I just talk. Try to read. You know *shrugs*

6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

It goes REALLY fast. And its exhausting

7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

Choose about 5 books max. set aside a few back up books. Drink a TON of caffeine *accidently took a nap*

8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year?

I would as a reader choose fewer, shorter books. And as a cheerleader I would set that mostly aside for around 3 o clock my time.

9. Are you getting tired yet?

Yes

10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered?

I found out that it really works out well if you take short breaks every hour. I think that it really helps your brain take a rest and it really helped me finish SUITE SCARLETT which took me forever. 

Food *mm*

SO I just finished Suite Scarlett and at the end they talked about Lasagna Of DOOM!! *my name for it*

SO here is my image of LASANGA OF DOOOM

*** lasagna of DOOM***

Panty Worthy Books (mini challenge)

What!
Okay so she said automatic win for a panyworthy pic.
I would do that but....
THAT COUNTS AS CHILD PORNOGRAPHY! lOl
Anyway....
Pantyworthy author number 1....
BECCA FITZPATRICK *I say this because I am currently also watching the cover unveil LOVE IT!*

Author nmber 2.....
KIMBERLEY PAULEY *She sends me a lot of swag :)

Finally...
Author number 3!!!
ME!
Okay I wish.
Im not published. *sadly*
But I do write!
See *points*
www.fanfiction.net/~shewhoshallwrite

YAY
Okay on to the next challenge *mwhahaha*

Hour 4 Meme

My books are going to be *mmm*

*pulls out bag*
*selects*
*presents*

Sucks To Be Me, Princess For Hire, Fairy Tale, and Stupid Cupid

"It Sucks To Be Me, because my Fairy Tale, involves a boring Princess For Hire advertisement, and some annoying Stupid Cupid's who just want to hook me up with prince charming."

XD

Hour 3 Meme

Update: Gah Im trying desperately to finish A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY *considering switching for the time being*
Update: Have switched. Now reading SUITE SCARLETT

Favorite Female Character in a book: PB in Summer Of My German Soldier
Favorite Male Character in a book: Anton in Summer Of My German Soldier
Favorite Side Kick in a book: None *I always want to hit them*
Favorite Couple in a Book: Jacky and Jaimy
Favorite Book Series: Bloody Jack Adventures
Favorite Author: Kimberley Pauley
Favorite Book Cover: Perchance To Dream
Favorite Book of 2009
Rapture Of The Deep by L.A Meyer

Hour 2 Meme

Ive got liters of root beer *huzzah!*
Ive got a 5 pound box of books *falls*
Ive got a giant stuffed cat! *huzzah*
Bucket of chocolate *more huzzah*

::)

Lol
:D

Hour 1 Meme

Gotta if I wanna win :)

Where are you reading from today?

EVERYTHING! *points you to the list posted last night*

3 facts about me …

I write fanfiction, taking a break from fanfiction for this, i hate disney.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

19 BOOKS!!!

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?

Nope. mostly just have a fun!

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?

Sorry this is my first year!

Let The Games Begin

Im starting a bit late because my computers wireless is acting up.

But anyway...
I have my box of books.
I have my liters of soda.
I have my candy.

And I am ready for the games to begin.

One.
Two.
THREE!
READ!

Read-A-Thon List

Here is my list for the Read-A-Thon

1.LOOKS by Madeline George*
2.GRACELING by Kristin Cashore^
3.FIRE by Kristin Cashore^
4.A DROWNED MAIDENS HAIR by Laura Amy Schlitz*
5.KEEPING THE MOON by Sarah Dessen*
6.SUITE SCARLETT by Maureen Johnson#
7.THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by Carrie Ryan^
8.THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER by Sarah Dessen*
9.THE LOVELY BONES by Alice Sebold*
10.A BEND IN THE ROAD by Nicholas Sparks*
11.WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte*
12.ASH by Malinda Lo*
13.A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Libba Bray#
14.REBEL ANGELS by Libba Bray#
15.THE SWEET FAR THING by Libba Bray#
16.THE GUARDIAN by Nicholas Sparks*
17.GOING TO FAR by Jennifer Echols*
18.FAIRY TALE by Cyn Balog*
19.BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl#

*Standalone book
^Companion piece to another book
#3+ Series

YAY
Wish me luck :)
Ari

Read-A-Thon

It starts tomorrow :)
Im going to be up at 5 am to start reading for 24 HOURS!
And Im also CHEERLEADING!
Im beginning to think I am not so reliable :)
Oh well
lol.

Anyway tonight Im posting a list of books I am reading and am going to check each one off as I go :)
Wish me luck!
Ari