a knock-off of a T.V. show. It all started with the Anthony Elementary Scholastic bookfair. Scholastic sent the school a promotional video to get the students excited for some of the books that were going to be sold at that book fair. One of the featured books was Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I couldn't locate the exact video from Scholastic but here is something similar from youtube:
So needless to say I was all jazzed up about reading the book. The book fair came and I purchased the book and read it in a night. I was hooked right away and found it really intense until I only had about 100 pages left. At that point I pretty much knew exactly what was going to happen and which T.V. show had almost that same exact plot going on!!!!!! The whole thing just struck me as really odd that she would take a page from a T.V. show...usually that sort of the thing is the other way around. I am not going to say which T.V. show I am referencing because that really would give the whole thing away. At the same time, I am not going to continue with the series for Found and I don't recommend it.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Breaking Dawn broke
my brain. Seriously...what was up with that book, Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer?! I know that there are MANY, MANY readers that feel that way so I'm not alone. The only word I can think of for that book is "overworked." The plot was completely overworked with too many twists, too much gore, and too much tension without a proper release. That stand off was lame-o and weak. Maybe I am being too harsh but I stayed up for many hours to get that book (Barnes and Noble midnight release party) and it just didn't live up to my expectations. In fact, I am not sure if I'll ever be able to read another Stephenie Meyer book again.
Fell off
the reading wagon. I love reading and I love books more than words can ever express. Yet, I haven't read a lot in the past few months. I make other stuff more of a priority and that hasn't made me too happy. So...it is back to hitting the books and here we go!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Host of Traveling
First, once again I have to apologize for the lack of posts. This summer I have done a host of traveling...and reading too but now I am barely posting.
At the beginning of June I read The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I was WAAAAYYYY to read another book by Meyer while waiting for her upcoming Breaking Dawn. Even though I was excited I was also nervous to read The Host because it is labeled as sci-fi and I have issues with sci-fi; but I pressed on. The first chapter of the book was hard to get into because it was confusing. I really didn’t know what was going on. After 1/4 into the book, I even went back to the first chapter to get a better grasp. Then once past the 1/4 mark, for me, the book really took off. I was hooked and read until the wee hours to get it finished. Then by the end, I felt sort of weird about the actual ending.
Sometimes it is a good idea to read books more than once and I waited a month, and picked up the book at the beginning of July. Upon second reading I really enjoyed and even the ending grew on me a bit as I fully came to accept the resolution. I was surprised to learn that Meyer is going to turn The Host into a series...it didn’t really strike me as a series book...but of course I will read them to see where she takes the characters next.
For a summary and bonus video on The Host, here is a weblink:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Host/Stephenie-Meyer/e/9780316068048/?itm=1
For those of you who have read, some questions:
1. What do you all think of the book overall?
2. Did you all find it to be “an adult” book as opposed to a book written for teenagers?
3. If so, what made it more adult than teenage?
At the beginning of June I read The Host by Stephenie Meyer. I was WAAAAYYYY to read another book by Meyer while waiting for her upcoming Breaking Dawn. Even though I was excited I was also nervous to read The Host because it is labeled as sci-fi and I have issues with sci-fi; but I pressed on. The first chapter of the book was hard to get into because it was confusing. I really didn’t know what was going on. After 1/4 into the book, I even went back to the first chapter to get a better grasp. Then once past the 1/4 mark, for me, the book really took off. I was hooked and read until the wee hours to get it finished. Then by the end, I felt sort of weird about the actual ending.
Sometimes it is a good idea to read books more than once and I waited a month, and picked up the book at the beginning of July. Upon second reading I really enjoyed and even the ending grew on me a bit as I fully came to accept the resolution. I was surprised to learn that Meyer is going to turn The Host into a series...it didn’t really strike me as a series book...but of course I will read them to see where she takes the characters next.
For a summary and bonus video on The Host, here is a weblink:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Host/Stephenie-Meyer/e/9780316068048/?itm=1
For those of you who have read, some questions:
1. What do you all think of the book overall?
2. Did you all find it to be “an adult” book as opposed to a book written for teenagers?
3. If so, what made it more adult than teenage?
Monday, May 26, 2008
you say it's your birthday
I finished Estrella's Quinceanera in a couple of days (and a couple of months ago)but am barely writing about it now. I liked the book as I read it but I can't say that it was the best book I've ever read or anything like that. It is about a girl of Mexican descent, Estrella and her family. Estrella is a smart girl who gets a scholarship to go to an upscale prep school so that changes the dynamics between herself and her family and old friends. Then Estrella is facing her 15th birthday which is celebrated in a big way in the Mexican culture with a rite of passage known as a "quinceanera" and Estrella doesn't want one.
It is the typical dilemma of a Mexican girl trying to fit into a "white" world without losing her Mexican side. Why does every book about Mexican girls have to deal with that (i.e. The Tequila Worm). Why can't there be a book with a strong Mexican girl that faces other issues besides that? Suggestions, thoughts, please. :)
It is the typical dilemma of a Mexican girl trying to fit into a "white" world without losing her Mexican side. Why does every book about Mexican girls have to deal with that (i.e. The Tequila Worm). Why can't there be a book with a strong Mexican girl that faces other issues besides that? Suggestions, thoughts, please. :)
Monday, May 19, 2008
School Year...Almost Done!
Well, it is the end of the school year and things have been crazy. The seniors at my school are now graduated!!! HOORAY THEM!!! Boo, for us still in the library! They helped us out a lot and we miss them tons. We are currently doing inventory which means that I can not check out any books...:( and I am currently too poor to buy any from a bookstore.
I know, you are thinking, "Why don't you just go to the public library?" Well, the answer is simple. I have a big fine and I am being bad and just not paying it yet.
FOR SHAME!!!!!!! I will pay it soon...scout's honor and get back to reading soon too.
What are you all reading?
I know, you are thinking, "Why don't you just go to the public library?" Well, the answer is simple. I have a big fine and I am being bad and just not paying it yet.
FOR SHAME!!!!!!! I will pay it soon...scout's honor and get back to reading soon too.
What are you all reading?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I know this isn't about reading books but I had a really cool student tell me about Voki. It is a way to create a character and then have it talk. Good times.
So here is my Voki! :) Enjoy!!! :)
Get a Voki now!
So here is my Voki! :) Enjoy!!! :)
Get a Voki now!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
A hairy situation
A few weeks ago I finished A Drowned Maiden’s Hair and I am barely writing about it now. I know; I know I am bad. Anyway, I didn’t think I would like the book because it is historical and I generally don’t go for historical fiction. It was a pretty good book though. It made me realize (again) that I should be willing to try different genres.
Well, to get to the book. It is about a girl, Maud who lives in an orphanage until she gets adopted by a pair of sisters. The sisters are really nice to her at first but something seems wrong. It turns out that the sisters are crooks (they perform séances and trick people) and they want Maud to be a part of the business. They convince Maud to help them and she finds herself in many “hairy” situations (i.e. wearing wigs and costumes) to make the séances more real. Everything goes well until one of the séances put Maud in real danger…
To find out if Maud makes it to safety, read the book. It is a quick read and worth checking out.
Well, to get to the book. It is about a girl, Maud who lives in an orphanage until she gets adopted by a pair of sisters. The sisters are really nice to her at first but something seems wrong. It turns out that the sisters are crooks (they perform séances and trick people) and they want Maud to be a part of the business. They convince Maud to help them and she finds herself in many “hairy” situations (i.e. wearing wigs and costumes) to make the séances more real. Everything goes well until one of the séances put Maud in real danger…
To find out if Maud makes it to safety, read the book. It is a quick read and worth checking out.
Friday, April 4, 2008
What is in a name; annoyance that is what.
I just finished Stardust by Neil Gaiman. It is a fantasy novel that takes place in England back in the day (1800s?). Here is the synopsis from Barnes and Noble:
“In the sleepy English countryside of decades past, there is a town that has stood on a jut of granite for six hundred years. And immediately to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here in the town of Wall, Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. One crisp October night, as they watch, a star falls from the sky, and Victoria promises to marry Tristran if he'll retrieve that star and bring it back for her. It is this promise that sends Tristran through the only gap in the wall, across the meadow, and into the most unforgettable adventure of his life.”
After reading it, I feel the book is just okay, bordering on bad. I like the descriptions and I think the plot is inventive. However, there are lots of things I do not like. One thing I do not like is the love scenes (not altogether graphic, and there are only two, but…ewww). Also, there is some bad language that really does not add to the book at all. I guess it is just there to try and appeal to some readers? Another thing I do not like is all of the violence. Lots and lots of violence in this book. I know, I know, it is fantasy…BUT STILL. Finally, a last thing I do not like the use of SO MANY NAMES! I am not a huge fan of fantasy and I think a lot of it comes down to the names. Why must all fantasy books use such crazy names? Why must there be so many characters, humans and otherwise? All those characters, all those names make it hard for me to stay with the plot and really get into the story.
Maybe I need to try a different fantasy book? I don’t know but this one really did not do much for me. I have heard from multiple people that the movie is actually better than the book in this case. I am going to check out the movie soon and blog about that too! :)
“In the sleepy English countryside of decades past, there is a town that has stood on a jut of granite for six hundred years. And immediately to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here in the town of Wall, Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. One crisp October night, as they watch, a star falls from the sky, and Victoria promises to marry Tristran if he'll retrieve that star and bring it back for her. It is this promise that sends Tristran through the only gap in the wall, across the meadow, and into the most unforgettable adventure of his life.”
After reading it, I feel the book is just okay, bordering on bad. I like the descriptions and I think the plot is inventive. However, there are lots of things I do not like. One thing I do not like is the love scenes (not altogether graphic, and there are only two, but…ewww). Also, there is some bad language that really does not add to the book at all. I guess it is just there to try and appeal to some readers? Another thing I do not like is all of the violence. Lots and lots of violence in this book. I know, I know, it is fantasy…BUT STILL. Finally, a last thing I do not like the use of SO MANY NAMES! I am not a huge fan of fantasy and I think a lot of it comes down to the names. Why must all fantasy books use such crazy names? Why must there be so many characters, humans and otherwise? All those characters, all those names make it hard for me to stay with the plot and really get into the story.
Maybe I need to try a different fantasy book? I don’t know but this one really did not do much for me. I have heard from multiple people that the movie is actually better than the book in this case. I am going to check out the movie soon and blog about that too! :)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Sick! A nollie ollie!
Okay, so a “nollie ollie” is not a real skateboarding trick. I made it up and it is impossible to do, as my students remind me every time I brag about doing one. Well, one of my students, Aaron suggested that I read The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself. I was expecting that I would hate all of the technical stuff and find it impossible to relate to…I WAS WRONG.
Rodney (the Mutt) Mullen opens up in this book in a way that most authors would not dare. He shares his deepest emotions and all the while telling the story of skateboarding. Since Rodney was a nerd, and I am nerd, the story was easy to relate to even without a skating background. He was a loner for so much of his life and anyone who has ever felt lonely could read this book and relate to it while also finding inspiration. Another thing that struck me throughout the book was Rodney’s spirituality and his humbleness. Before this book I was clueless and now I have so much respect and admiration for him.
Even though the book has plenty of pictures of Rodney doing tricks, I wanted to see him in action. I you-tubed him and found the video below. It gave me goosebumps and blew me away. Watch the video and read the book. You won’t regret it.
Rodney (the Mutt) Mullen opens up in this book in a way that most authors would not dare. He shares his deepest emotions and all the while telling the story of skateboarding. Since Rodney was a nerd, and I am nerd, the story was easy to relate to even without a skating background. He was a loner for so much of his life and anyone who has ever felt lonely could read this book and relate to it while also finding inspiration. Another thing that struck me throughout the book was Rodney’s spirituality and his humbleness. Before this book I was clueless and now I have so much respect and admiration for him.
Even though the book has plenty of pictures of Rodney doing tricks, I wanted to see him in action. I you-tubed him and found the video below. It gave me goosebumps and blew me away. Watch the video and read the book. You won’t regret it.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Laundry is cool!
I just finished Al Capone Does My Shirts and I absolutely loved it. While Capone plays a big part in the book (set in the 1930s), I really love it because the story is mostly about family. It is about the relationship between the main character Moose and his sister Natalie. Even though Natalie is older than Moose, her mental age is much younger and the relationship they have together is both difficult yet heartwarming.
In addition to the family aspect, the story has the unique setting of being on Alcatraz hence the connection to Al Capone who once served time there. I especially love the genuine picture of Alcatraz at the front of the book labeled with information that fits the characters of the book. Even though the ending of the book is somewhat predictable, it brings the story full circle so nicely. Lastly, I enjoyed that much of the circumstances in the story were based on factual occurrences, like the fact that Capone did do laundry while serving time on Alcatraz. Who knew laundry could be so cool?
The biggest problem (?) with the book is that it does sort of leave the reader really liking Al Capone!!! :0) If you read the author’s note at the end of the book it does explain Capone’s dual nature of bad and good but it just made me think…hmmm….I am still leaving this book liking a murderer.
Read the book and let me know if you think I am crazy or if you see where I am coming from.
In addition to the family aspect, the story has the unique setting of being on Alcatraz hence the connection to Al Capone who once served time there. I especially love the genuine picture of Alcatraz at the front of the book labeled with information that fits the characters of the book. Even though the ending of the book is somewhat predictable, it brings the story full circle so nicely. Lastly, I enjoyed that much of the circumstances in the story were based on factual occurrences, like the fact that Capone did do laundry while serving time on Alcatraz. Who knew laundry could be so cool?
The biggest problem (?) with the book is that it does sort of leave the reader really liking Al Capone!!! :0) If you read the author’s note at the end of the book it does explain Capone’s dual nature of bad and good but it just made me think…hmmm….I am still leaving this book liking a murderer.
Read the book and let me know if you think I am crazy or if you see where I am coming from.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Horrible Blogger
Okay, okay, I know I am a horrible blogger. It has taken me forever to put something new up. :0( I am truly sorry. Things with graduate school have really thrown me for a loop and I can't wait to be done so I can devote more time to this!
Well, I finally got my precious hands on Dream Factory. The story takes place at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The main characters at Disney World are on strike so Disney World hires recent high school graduates to work during the strike. It is neat to read about Disney World and things behind the scenes. That really was my favorite part of the book, learning secrets of Disney World. Otherwise, the plot is pretty typical. Girl likes boy, boy has girlfriend, will boy leave girlfriend for the girl? There are some other interesting characters in the mix (a Disney World employee who did not go on strike) and I am glad that I read it but it was not one of those books that I absolutely could not put down. I would say overall it was average but still enjoyable.
Well, I finally got my precious hands on Dream Factory. The story takes place at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The main characters at Disney World are on strike so Disney World hires recent high school graduates to work during the strike. It is neat to read about Disney World and things behind the scenes. That really was my favorite part of the book, learning secrets of Disney World. Otherwise, the plot is pretty typical. Girl likes boy, boy has girlfriend, will boy leave girlfriend for the girl? There are some other interesting characters in the mix (a Disney World employee who did not go on strike) and I am glad that I read it but it was not one of those books that I absolutely could not put down. I would say overall it was average but still enjoyable.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Waiting Patiently (or impatiently!)
I want to read Dream Factory next because it was suggested to me a long time ago. Also, someone from my college (the University of North Texas) helped write the book so I want to read it for that reason too. However, we do not have a copy of it at Gadsden High School so I had to request it from a different high school in our school district. I hope it comes in early next week.
Is it weird that I don't want to even start another book until I get my hands on Dream Factory? Does that happen to anyone else? You won't keep reading because you are waiting for a different book?
Or is it just me being weird? :)
Is it weird that I don't want to even start another book until I get my hands on Dream Factory? Does that happen to anyone else? You won't keep reading because you are waiting for a different book?
Or is it just me being weird? :)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
First & Second Born Kids RULE!
I finished reading the “Shadow Children” series books by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The series consists of:
1. Among the Hidden
2. Among the Imposters
3. Among the Betrayed
4. Among the Barons
5. Among the Brave
6. Among The Enemy
7. Among the Free
The age level assigned for these books are 9-12 year olds; HOWEVER I found them riveting! I am not sure how high school students will feel about reading them because the books lack teenage angst but they are still really action packed books. They are fast-paced and emotional.
Basically, there is a tremendous famine in the United States so the U.S. government decides to regulate the population. They demand that people only have two kids at the very most and they have Population Police to make sure people follow the law. So the main character of the first book is named Luke and he is the third born in his family and is therefore illegal. It seems like a crazy idea…but that is how it is in China (I know, I digress). Anyway, Luke begins to realize in the first book how limited his life really is (living in the shadows/having to hide his existence) but then he manages to meet other shadow children!
The whole series takes on the difficult lives of the shadow children (told from varying character perspectives depending on the book) and their struggles to not only win their freedom, but also their struggles just to stay alive.
1. Among the Hidden
2. Among the Imposters
3. Among the Betrayed
4. Among the Barons
5. Among the Brave
6. Among The Enemy
7. Among the Free
The age level assigned for these books are 9-12 year olds; HOWEVER I found them riveting! I am not sure how high school students will feel about reading them because the books lack teenage angst but they are still really action packed books. They are fast-paced and emotional.
Basically, there is a tremendous famine in the United States so the U.S. government decides to regulate the population. They demand that people only have two kids at the very most and they have Population Police to make sure people follow the law. So the main character of the first book is named Luke and he is the third born in his family and is therefore illegal. It seems like a crazy idea…but that is how it is in China (I know, I digress). Anyway, Luke begins to realize in the first book how limited his life really is (living in the shadows/having to hide his existence) but then he manages to meet other shadow children!
The whole series takes on the difficult lives of the shadow children (told from varying character perspectives depending on the book) and their struggles to not only win their freedom, but also their struggles just to stay alive.
It has been forever!
Okay, once again I have been slacking! I need to start reading again...but FIRST! A new poll. Since I have read so many vampire books, I want to know...which author of vampire books is your favorite?
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