Book Reviews from inside an Igloo

IMM March 4th 2012

2012-03-04T18:36:00.001-08:00

Hey guys heres my weekly IMM hope you enjoy! What did you buy this week?

All these things I've done- Gabrielle Zevin

Witchling- Yasmine Galenorn

The Knife of Never Letting Go- Patrick Ness

The Scorch Trials- James Dashner

Hunger Games New trailer

2012-02-03T17:51:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, The Hunger Games is my favourite series of books! I have ranted and raved about these books since the beginning. The very first day the book came out I bought it, and read it within the day. Every since that fated book I waited anxiously for the next year until the next one, and again until the third and finial book. Since I found out that the books were being made into a movie I was skeptical that they wouldn't do them justice, but when I look at this trailer I feel like this movie might actually be comparable to the books.
The new trailer came out yesterday, I can't wait for this movie!

Mutual Feelings: Love and Reading

2012-02-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

The other day I had an epiphany of sorts. I was sitting at home, having just finished a really great book and was feeling kinda down, the depression hit a little when I realized that I would never have that great feeling of reading that book for the first time again and be completely engrossed at what would happen.
Being a 22 year old female, I have had my fair share of heartbreak and dating experiences. I've learned that the feeling of one's heart breaking is a indescribable feeling that you can only understand if you too have gone through it. Anyways, it was during this day, having just finished this great book, that I realized something: the feeling of finishing a great book is comparable to the feeling of losing someone you care about or the feeling of suffering from a broken heart.
I suppose in retro-spect it makes sense, the experience of reading a book is so personal and hits everyone differently: we all picture the novel in our head and through each page we slowly fall in love with the characters, the setting, and the writing.
I remember the first time I finished the Hunger Games I was like a lost puppy, life had no meaning without Peeta and Katnis regularly in my life! I began to live vicariously through them and their romance in the novel and also they're lives in general. Similarly to falling out of love with someone, I would also dream of these newly finished books in my dreams, they occupied my daydreams and we're my favourite things to think about aimlessly.
This is the great things about books though, unlike an ex, I aways have my books to turn back to when the other has put me through the ringer. Boys just don't stick around like my Peeta does!

Shoot Out and Personal Twitter

2012-02-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! As I sit here procrastinating on latin studying, and I thought "Jeez, why don't I blog"! So thats what I'm doing I suppose... I have another blog that I had to write for my archaeological ethics class and I will add the link incase any of you guys want to see it. (http://manymindlessmusings.tumblr.com/)

On another note, I also have my personal twitter incase anyone would like to add me, warning: I tweet a lot of nonsense and tend to over share, follow at your own risk! My user name is @sVioletp

Just a taste of some of the pictures I tweet;

Waiting on Wednesday: Insurgent

2012-02-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

Who: Veronica Roth

When: Too Long (March 1^st2012)

Why:

Thisfollowing summer I was in a reading rut, nothing I put in my hands wasinteresting enough to keep me intrigued enough to get passed the 80^thpage. The reason I am so excited to finally read Insurgent is mostly because; Divergentwas the book that got me out of this rut! I loved Divergent, dystopiannovels have always been my favorite genre. YA dystopias usually have a strongfemale lead and Divergent is no different. Can’twait for this one!

New Year Resolutions and all that Jazz

2012-01-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

My name is Sarah, and it has been almost a year since I made my last blog post. But this will all change now that it is 2012!

Aside from the typical; loss weight, get straight A's, fall in love, resolutions made very year I am going to try to no longer abandon my beloved blog, whom I miss very very much. I am currently reading Beauty and the Werewolf, which will make for an interesting review so expect to see it soon.

Thank's guys, I'll be seeing you soon :)

HELLO STRANGERS!! And some creative writing

2011-05-24T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hello all my lovely bloggers. Summer has commenced, and while I wait all school year for this momentous occasion I find myself lonely and without meaning in the boondocks-- also called "Home Sweet Home". The past couple of days I have been missing my blog tremendously, so instead of going to bed at 8 I decided I would be a rebel and stay up a little longer to give a shout out! HEY THERE

I hope this will be the start to my regular blogging again- in fact I decided right this moment that it will be! Other than missing my blog, this past week has also reminded me of my love for writing. While browsing the documents on my Mac, I came across this creative writing assignment from a first year Uni class and it gave me a chuckle, you shall see if you keep reading. Disclaimer, I think I have become dull since I wrote this.

How to Talk Your Way Out of a Ticket

Every driver out there has experienced the “fear” of the speeding ticket. Next to getting into an accident, it is most drivers’ worst fear when traveling by car. While it is a pain in our “butts” and dangerous to our saving accounts, the hefty charge of the speeding ticket can be avoided. Next time you see the officer waddle towards your vehicle to ask if you know what you did wrong, try any one of the following steps;

This first step usually only works for girls, and some sexually confused men, and it will almost guarantee an exemption from any speeding ticket. This is done via the power of flirting. Well let’s be honest God’s gift to men are “boobs”, and if you got it –flaunt it! As the officer approaches your vehicle he will ask if you know what you have done. Looking up at him, eyelashes batting, answer calmly that you have no idea why you are being pulled over! Next it is important to try to avoid the matter of the ticket. Try to use your clothing as a distraction by pulling at your short skirt to show just enough leg, or bringing attention to your chest… ugh area. Try to continue the conversation for as long as possible. It also doesn’t hurt to give compliments such as giving him props for staying away from common stereotypes about cops and their donuts! If you have been successful, the officer will walk away minutes later completely swept off his feet, and in the process forgetting about the ticket.

This next tip should be followed out with a southern accent. This time when he asks you if you know why you have been pulled over, act surprised while saying things like “golly” and “oppsy-dazy”. It helps to make references to the good old days, while blaming the engineering of the car. Complain how these accidents never would have occurred in the world of the Flintstones. He will be too shocked at your innocence, and assume your speeding was a mistake. Either way he will believe you, or pity you for your stupidity.

When trying to get out of a ticket it never hurts to test the humanity in people. It may affect your afterlife, but lying about the death of a great-great-great-grandparent or beloved pet is sure to get you off-the-hook. Have a breakdown in front of the police officer. Try pulling off real tears; biting the inside of your mouth with great force will usually do the trick. As you tell him how you just got the news that your beloved goldfish “catnip” drowned, make sure to look vulnerable and destroyed. This approach takes a very heartless person to hand you a fine in your vulnerable mental condition.

The following are a number of approaches that are not 100% affective, but you can pull it off with enough gusto and personal touch! Tell the officer that it’s not your fault; you literally have been diagnosed with a lead foot, you momentarily suffered from highway hypnotism and envisioned you were on the Autobahn highway in Germany, or you were simply rushing home to finish your English project that was due the next day- hey it shouldn’t be your fault your such a dedicated student!

IMM November 22nd

2010-11-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

Hope it's not to quiet!!

Happy readings!

IMM: October 31st

2010-11-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Imm is a weekly blog that was created by the amazing Kristi at The Story Siren

This week I didn't buy that many books as I have been sick, and have spent a great deal of time sleeping! But the books I did get I am very excited for!

This week I had a Nicholas Spark's craving and bought two of his books

(the second one is being borrowed by my roommate and therefore

is not in this picture)

Cleopatra's Daughter

Ecstasy in Darkness- Read

Safe Haven

True Believer

Looks like some good reads eh? What did you guys get this week?
Happy readings!!

Waiting on wednesday: Entice

2010-10-27T09:11:00.001-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for!

This week I am anquiously awaiting the release of Entice by Carrie Jones;

Entice

Carrie Jones

December 7th 2010

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out.

For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?

And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned. She's Astley's queen

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If your like me and have read the two former books in the Need series, I'm sure you too are always waiting to find out about Nick and see how Zara can get out of this situation she has put herself in! I love how the paranormal world isn't just about Vampires and Werewolves now, pixies are an interesting twist and even better is their bad to the bone! Sounds like my kind of pixie! GIVE ME MORE CARRIE JONES!

Teaser Tuesday: Awaken Me Darkly

2010-10-26T15:31:00.001-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should be reading.

Here's how it works:- Grab the current book you're reading- Open up to a random page- share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page ***Make sure your section is spoiler free!

"Your sarcasm sucks". I flicked him a glance, but he kept his profile to me.

"Don't worry. I won't let her hurt you. If anyone gets your blood, it's mee".

"I suddenly fell warm and giddy inside." His tone was as dry as the air. "Are you

trying to make me fall in love with you?". I snorted. (177)

I've read quite a few of Gena's books and have always considered them a guilty pleasure. This is the first installment in the " Alien Hunters" series, I have read her other ones and absolutely loved them! Excited for this one!

IMM October 24th!!

2010-10-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! My IMM is a little late but since I have some amazing books this time I still wanted to add them!

Imm is a weekly blog that was created by the amazing Kristi at The Story Siren

This week was a great one for book releases, I have been trying to save my money so I could go crazy this week!! The following books I bought from my local Chapters

Crescendo- Read

Nightshade- Read

Wideacre- To be read

The Darkest Lie- Read

Awaken me Darkly- To be read

Low Red Moon- Read

I LOVE the books I bought this week!! I can't wait till I start posting reviews, these were some amazing books!!

What did you buy this week? Happy readings!!

Waiting on wednesday: This Side of the Grave

2010-09-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

My W.O.W is late this week, I mean't to post it last night but it slipped my mind! So today is pseudo-wednesday for me!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This Side of the Grave

Jeaniene Frost

February 22nd 2011

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So why can't I wait you may ask?

Any fan of urban fantasy has to be familiar with the Night Huntress series! They are easily up there among my all time favorite books and series! This book is the fifth book in the series, and it follows the story of Cat and Bones. Aside from maybe Peeta, Bones is probably my favorite male hero! He is so witty, and he has an odd past that not many writers are willing to write into the main heros past, as some may see it as a flaw (I won't give away what his past is because it was fun to discover ;)] . I really enjoy Jeaniene's writing style, I have even read her other companion books to the night huntresses series and liked them just as much as I did these books! I can not wait for this book and if you have not read the rest of the series I highly recommend them!!

Contest Winner !!

2010-09-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Ya'll incase you forgot who I am, since I am practically a stranger to blogger, but I promise "No More!" I am back... I hope! So I will now, finally, release who won my birthday/return/ and follower contest.

Drumroll pleaseeee.....

...And the winner of a any twenty dollar and less book from the book depository is

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Alessandra

Congratulations Alessandra!!! I am sending you an email now! Please get back to me and I will buy you your book! Thanks for everyone that entered!! Happy readings!

ATTENTION Unraveled contest Aug 30th-Sep 2nd!!! NOT TO BE MISSED!!

2010-08-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Today I got a very exciting email that I hope you all will be as thrilled with it as I am! The email in question came from one of Gena Showalter's literacy agents who represent her, if you are not already fimilar with her she has wrote the widely popular adult series Lords of the Otherworld, which I myself am a HUGE fan of. She is also the writer of the YA book; Interwind, the first book in her Interwind series, and to celebrate her second book in the series's, Unraveled's, release date on September 1st Gena and follow YA writers such as; Rachel Caine, PC Cast, Marley Gibson, Rosemary Clement-Moore and Tina Ferraro, are hosting a scavenger hunt event on their blogs. Three randomly selected entrants will each receive $100 Visa gift cards!!!! How cool is that!!!

And if you haven't seen the cover for Unraveled you can see it below...

I can't wait to buy it on Wednesday!!! Make sure you guys go to Gena's and Rachel Caine's blog's and get the puzzles for today!!!!!! I know I am!!

Happy readings!!

Review; MockingJay

2010-08-26T10:12:00.000-07:00

Author; Suzanne Colins

Release Date; August 24^th 2010

Review; 5/5

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year

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For those of you that have been followers of this blog from the beginning are well aware that my passion for reading is deeply rooted in books like The Hunger Games. Everything I believe should be in a book; a strong protagonist, a complex plot, a twist, this series has! I am in love with Katniss’s characters, although I do find myself cursing at her stubbornness something, but people in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks.

Mockingjay didn’t disappoint the Hunger Game’s addict in me, that addict was well sedated at the end of this trilogy. With every good book though, I was sad to see it end, I can still remember picking up the first book the week it came out and cursing the year intervals between installments. I will try to keep this as spoil free as possible, because although I know a lot of people, including myself, couldn’t wait to dig in, I know many of you are still in the dark. This book is full of grit and the love that the other two books delivered. But with any good series finale there is some parts that are hard to swallow. Some things seemed unnecessary, and I most definitely sat on the edge of hysteria a couple of times.

Mockingjay promises to wrap up the conflict with the Capital in a way that is most unexpected, and we also see what happens with district 13.

For you Peeta vs Gale routers, you will have your answer by the end of Mockingjay, and I will say that I was very happy with the result!

One thing I love about these books is that Katniss is such a loyal character; she lives for the people she loves, which is evident from the first book. In Mockingjay you will see this particular trait beat her up, and damage her core. It is her weakness. But in my opinion this is what makes her so relatable.

I have fallen in love with Suzanne’s writing style from the first book. She writes with short dramatic sentences that pack a punch, and leave you stunned at her brilliance. The Hunger Games Trilogy is a set of books that, in my opinion, do not compare to any other books I have read; the characters, history and writing style are so uniquely Suzanne that they are easily my favorite books, and my go to recommendation to anyone asking for a good read.

I leave you all with my favorite quote from Mockingjay, and will warn you that it may be a possible SPOILER;

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“ You love me. Real or not real?”

“Real”.

Waiting on wednesday: The Lost Saint

2010-08-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for!

So this week I am anxiously awaiting "The Lost Saint" by Bree Despain;

The Lost Saint

Bree Despain

December 2010

A family destroyed. A love threatened. An enemy returns.

Grace Divine made the ultimate sacrifice to cure Daniel Kalbi. She was infected with the werewolf curse while trying to save him, and lost her beloved brother in the process. When Grace receives a haunting phone call from Jude, she knows what she must do. She must become a Hound of Heaven.
Desperate to find Jude, Grace befriends Talbot—a newcomer to town who promises her that he can help her be a hero. But as the two grow closer, the wolf grows in Grace, and her relationship with Daniel is put in danger—in more ways than one.
Unaware of the dark path she is walking, Grace begins to give into the wolf inside of her—not realizing that an enemy has returned and a deadly trap is about to be sprung

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Sounds good doesn't it? I loved the first book in the series; The Dark Divine. I have a thing for werewolves and I liked this bittersweet story of love, and redemption. There is a little bit of religion in this tale, but I feel that it doesn't mock anyones beliefs, if anything it is purely there to add layers to the character. I recommend the first book, and I know I am going to try to wait patiently for december!!

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY CONTEST! THE LINK IS AT THE TOP BELOW THE HEADER!

Teaser Tuesday and Contest News!!

2010-08-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

Ciao Bellas!!! I'm still in Italy mode it appears... I am back again, but this time the lack of internet has keep me away!! Unfortunately since I live in the boon, when we lose internet connection the internet decides it will take its sweet patonia time coming out and remedying this problem. Because I have had no connect with my blog in a couple weeks of this I will be extending my contest deadline till AUGUST 31ST 2010!! I hope this doesn't upset anyone but I just haven't been able to do the PR, if you will, to get this contest well known and I want everyone to have a chance to enter!! So please send on the news :)

On to the next order of business, I just finished "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and throughly enjoyed it! CAUTION it is not for the faint at heart!! But a great read and a page turner about a missing girl, a backward romance, and a turn of events that will leave you shocked! Highly recommend it as your next read!

Also, I can't forget my teaser tuesday which is featuring "Devil May Cry" by Sherrilyn Kenyon, book 10 I believe from the Dark Hunters series which I am addicted to lately!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading.

Here's how it works:- Grab the current book you're reading- Open up to a random page- share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page ***Make sure your section is spoiler free!

"You are my daughter"

"Sure I am" She scoffed. "I can't imagine you ever being uncoordinated"

"Oh, I assure you I've nailed quite a few signs with my forehead. It's a wonder

"Exit" isn't permanently imprinted right between my eyes" (pg 156).

Oh I loved that scene, very special if you have read any of the books. Ok guys hppy readings and I will blog again tomorrow!! Please enter my contest and spread the news all around!!!

Oh to leave you with a smile, the lack of blogging has left me rusty. What's wrong with this picture?

Updates and News!

2010-07-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I really hate how I am abandoning my blogging responsibilities and my blogger friends!! I blame it on my internet which has been on the fritz for the last few days!! Anyways I am here, and am trying very hard to maintain my blogging responsibilities! Since I missed many daily meme's this week, I am going to include a picture below of just a few books I have bought lately, some are books I received on my birthday (I got the first 8 books in the "Dark Hunter" series, and I am in LOVE!)

I have bought more then this I'm sure, however I can't find them! EKKK. This post is more so just a reminder of MY CONTEST!! And to ask you guys to keep the news going around of it, as I am probably going to be unable to "advertise" with the status of my crummy internet right now.

Happy Readings!! And much love from Canada !

I'm Backkkk!!!!; Italy, birthday, CONTEST and more!!!

2010-07-15T09:10:00.002-07:00

Hey guys!!! It has been a very lonely two months without my lovely blog and my followers!! I missed you all soo much!! As you may remember I said I would be back around the first of July, and while I did return from Italy at that time I couldn't find anytime to blog!! Things have been hectic lately!

On July 3rd I turned a horrible 21!!! Jeez, I know I can't really say I'm old but it feels weird being "in" my twenties!!!! I had a quiet birthday, also a sad one as I said goodbye to my sister for two years as she went to Australia for school, so I don't feel that sorry for her.

Anyways I have decided that in leu of having amazing followers, and turning 21 AND returning from Italy I am going to have a CONTEST!!! YAY!! This contest will be international, and will end august 14. The winner will win a 20 dollar limit for a book on the book depository! Here are the rules;

Rules;

You MUST be a follower! And yes I will check (blogs that are built specifically for contests will be eliminated and give a swift mental kick)
You have to register before midnight on August 14th!
You can win extra entries for different tasks
You must fill out my form located here

Enjoy guys I love you all! And will be back to blogging with a vengeance !! Here are some Italy Pics!

Coliseum

Joking around at the Pantheon (my favorite building)

Walking to the beach in Via Equense

Playing around on ancient columns in Pompeii

I got a little burnt on site...

Greek temple at Paestum

Signing on the bus after a long day snorkeling

In Rome, this is the fountain from the movie "Angels and Demons"

Trying to jump in the air at the Coliseum

Last day in Italy...

Snorkel team numero una

Lost my arm to an ancient root cavity on site

Hope you guys enjoyed the pics!! Enter the contest and happy readings!!

In the Land of Carbs

2010-05-24T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!! I'm taking a short break from site seeing to bring you guys some more pictures and some chit-chat, hope I'm not being to boring and still have followers when I get back to Canada. Today I went to Sorrento, which was lovely, and then I went to a beach and took a bum load of pics. I also started reading Archangel's Kiss today, I read the first one on the plane and enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to it. Tomorrow were going to Pompeii and Hurculaneum to look at some ancient ruins. I'm going to end this post with some more pics. Hope you guys enjoy!

Just chilling on top of a castle, no biggy.

You can see Mt. Vesuvius in the background

beautiful Sorrento

I love this town!

Hope you guys enjoyed the pictures! Happy reading!

I'm a live and in Italy!

2010-05-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sorry I haven't blogged, I have been adjusting to the time change and jet leg, but I am now in beautiful Italy!!

It's 12:30 here so I am tired and suffering from a bad migrane so I am going to quickly add some pics. I also finished Angel Blood on the plane and started Spirit Bound to and so far I am loving it just not so happy I will have to wait another year for the next one!!!

View from my window!! Love!

View from the front view of the institute

Smurf Gelato!!

Thats all for now, internet access here is bad so I don't know if I will be posting all that often, heres hoping though!!

Ciao

Jackson Pearce Rocks!!

2010-05-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

The Great Jackson Pearce that wrote "As you wish" and "Sister's red" has a bunch of funny videos on youtube and as I was creeping youtube I found her latest and laughed so hard. Heres a hilarious parody of Kesha's "tick tock". Enjoy!

Things That Inspire Me

2010-05-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, as I sat in a local coffee shop sipping on my french vanilla, in a complete state of realization I was oddly inspired... this state of calm gave me a moment of clarification in a story I have been slowly working on. It was then that I realized that small coffee houses and simple pleasures like these stores, are one of the things that is my muse. In the spirit of my revealation, I decided this post would be dedicated to things that inspire me;

Smelly Books

I know I have talked ad nauseam about my fascination with book smells, but my favorite smell in the world is a great big, ripe, hardcover. Nothing beats the smell of an old library. I can't really explain why I am so transfixed with this, the only way I can explain it is that smells give my brain a physical reminder of a good book, making it more monumental in a sense because their is physical evidence of the written word. Does that make sense? I love smelly libraries for the same reason I love cememtries; the smell of the old books surrounding me makes me feel like I'm surrounded by other worlds and lifetimes, not that a cemetery has a smell (thank goodness) but it also makes me feel surrounded even though technically I am alone.

Coffee Shops

I'm victim to the movies and books that promote the idea that people that hang around expensive coffee and type on their laptops all day are those of the "creative" and "artsy" characteristics. When I think of coffee in big round cups, well I immediately think of old Friends episodes, but it mostly reminds me of people who are the essence of creativity and imagination. When I sit in one of these shops I always wish I had a laptop (so I can blend in) but also because I feel like I could write for hours among people who I imagine are doing the same thing on their laptops.

Antiques

I'm in the feild of antiques; old houses, old bones, old cultures, old religions, and old societies. Antique things have history, and if they could talk I bet their could entertain us for a lifetime. I like carrying an old ring, or a necklace passed down through the family, it helps to remind me where I'm from and all the experiences I have experienced not only through my own life but the experience I have gained from previous ancestors and the power of their stories. Old things make me want to write new things.

Pictures

I think the most important thing to remember when writing something is that you are an individual, you are your own person and because of this you have the means of greatness, no one wants to read the same book twice from two different authors. Pictures of things I love; my family, friends, places I will go to or have been to remind me that I have stories of my own that are completely different from what is already written. Someday I hope someone will tell me my stories are amazing because theres nothing else like them. What's a better compliment.

Music!!!

One thing my purse always has in it; a good book, and my Ipod! Music is creativity juice for the brain! Music is like a book, it has its own genre and to each's own. I like some popular music for when I am feeling in a more energetic mood and want some pop to rock out to, by my favorite genre is indie and rock/pop. Music soothes me an reminds me that these artists achieved their dreams and that means I can too!

A recent favorite is Jon Mclaughlin, he's voice and piano playing makes me swoon!

IMM Vlog!! May 16th

2010-05-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

Yay it saved!!!

IMM was started by Kristi at The Story Siren

It's Important to laugh at yourself every once in awhile

2010-05-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

I thought I would take a break from my recent posts on book reviews and do a fun post about things I do that make me wonder what hair color I was originally born with. I was recently reading FaeFever by Karen Marie Moning, a series I have become slightly obsessed with this week, and there was one scene in particular I like where the main character Mac made a hat full of lights to keep away the shades (evil fairies that lurk in the dark) and ends up having a grand time;

“Hope you are quite prepared to die!” I spun in a dazzling whirl of lights, landed a killer back-kick on a phantom Shade, and simultaneously punched the magazine rack” ‘Looks like were in for nasty weather!’ “I took a swan dive at a short imaginary shade, lunged up at a taller one—

--and froze

Barrons stood inside the front door, dripping cool old-world elegance.

I hadn’t heard him come in over the music. He was leaning, shoulder against the wall, arms folded, watching me.

“’One eye is taken for an eye…’” I trailed off, deflating. I didn’t need a mirror to know how stupid I looked. I regarded him sourly for a moment, then moved for the sound dock to turn it off. Then I heard a chocked sound. He wore his usual expression of arrogance and boredom. I resumed my path for the sound dock, and heard it again. This time when I turned back, the corners of his mouth were twitching. I stared at him until he stopped.

I’d reached the sound dock, and just turned it off when he exploded.’” (Moning, 156)

I loved this scene I may have chuckled a little myself. So in the spirit of laughing at yourself every once in a while the following are some of my more recent “blond moments” (no offense to those who that may offend, hehe)

Moments I laugh about now…

· Yesterday while I was waiting in line at the bank, I was the third person in the line before I realized I was the only person in the line with a red card. That was when I clued in that I was at the wrong bank

· For mothers day I always make my mom breakfast in bed. This mothers day I decided that after 20 years I should probably know how to make coffee. This was an epic fail. How was I supposed to know coffee makers needed a filter? I pride myself on not being domestic

· In the winter I mistook two parallel lines on the road, closer together than the rest of the car tracks, for those of a smart car. It wasn’t until the lines weaved into themselves that I realized this was an impossibility, ensuing my sister into a fit of laughter

· A few months ago I gave myself a black eye for walking into the side of a door, the part that’s an inch thick. I excel at the unlikely.

· Before my exams this year, I took one red bull, and 2 caffeine pills at 11 pm to pull an all-nighter. Not only did I get no sleep, but I got no studying done. It was that night that I discovered that that much caffeine to a petite body will only make you awake enough to play games on the computer.

· In high school while talking about movies and how they involved literary techniques (which for the life of me I cannot remember) I was talking about the popular movie about firefighters and the perils of that job “Ladder 69” it wasn’t until the class started hiccupping in laughter that I realized it’s called Ladder 49. I think I found a new porno name.

· I don’t fall down stairs, I fall going up them

· At least once a week I trip. On my own feet!! It’s embarrassing but I’ve learned to laugh it off J

What are some of your embarrassing moments?

Evidence of my cackle laugh

Oh p.s do you guys like personal posts? I know most of you only come here to read book related things but I know I love reading personal things about other bloggers; it makes me feel like I know them better, which I like. Let me know how you guys feel!

Review; The Iron Daughter

2010-05-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

Author; Julie Kagawa

Review; 5/5

Release Date; August 1^st 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron Fey, iron-bound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's alone in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Review;

If I had any doubts about the originality and “amazingness” of Julie Kagawa, the Iron Daughter has totally cured those feelings. I LOVED LOVED LOVED this second installment to the Iron fey series!!!!

When I read the Iron King, I was thrown by the similarities and borrowed characters from popular stories such as Peter Pan, Alice in the Wonderland, and various other stories, however after reading the second book I realized that I wouldn’t have loved this book as much if these characters weren’t so well known to me!

The Iron Daughter starts where the Iron King ends off. Megan is stuck in the winter court, as a prisoner to the Winter Queen, and Ash is ignoring her and acting like she means nothing to him anymore, so naturally she’s having a hard time. However as the story progresses and certain things occur Megan finds herself once again battling the Iron King’s army and someone else…

After reading this book I am 100% on Team Ash! I think there’s something genetically wrong with me falling for the rough-around the edges-guy (story of my life right?), however no matter how bad Ash can treat Megan all it takes is one loving gaze and secret “I love you” that has me swooning. However, Megan’s quick admittance of love to Ash seemed sudden and embarrassing at times since she doesn’t hid it and often is looked down upon due to it. However I guess this is a reality in its own, because when you’re a teenager you seem to fall faster and harder when you have no worries other than your crush.

This book ended on a cliffhanger, which drive me nuts!!! The Cliffhanger was unexpected and has me sitting on the end of my seat until I get The Iron Queen in my possession!! For those who love the Iron King will simply devour the Iron Daughter. This is one fantasy book not to miss!

ARC received from Netgalley

Review; Darkfever (fever series)

2010-05-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

Author; Karen Marie Moning

Review; 3.5/5

Release Date; October 31^st 2006

Product Description from Goodreads

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

Review;

My aunt introduced me to this series when she told me I reminded her a lot of the main character Mac, so naturally my curiosity got the best of me and I knew I had to find out if that was a bad thing or not. I’ll admit I was mildly insulted when I found out that Mac was pretty frivolous, materialistic, stubborn, and too innocent to function alone. However my aunt insisted that the Mac I reminded her of was a Mac that was totally different than Mac1.0, if you will. And she was right; Mac makes a major change in this book, and becomes a pretty kickass heroine, in my humble opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. This was my first adult series I had read that involved the Fae. When I was younger my cousin, sister and myself were pretty imaginative kids and we would always be running around dressed up and playing with our friends; the Fairies. However, the Fae from this series would probably even convince my cousin that fairies can have bad blood! There’s nothing soft and playful about these fairies!! Which I kind of loved.

I really fell for the characters. Mac, like I said above, really grew on me. Her stubborn way’s really annoyed me at times, but I guess people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. V’lane is a guilty pleasure through and through and I look forward to his naughtiness in future books. And Barrons? Oh Barrons, you just melt my cold heart; at times you can be abusive, mean and downright carnal but perhaps that’s why I love you.

The only thing that stopped me from giving this book a 5/5 and putting it on my favorites shelf was the romance, or lack thereof. This book can either be shelved under paranormal romance, or urban fantasy, and I would say this is definitely UF there is absolutely no romance in this book, which annoys me to no end because the tension between Mac and Barrons is palpable!!! Get over your shyness and kiss already!!!!!

I’ve heard that this series gets better with each book (there will be 5 books in total) and I’m already halfway through the second book and it is better, but the romance is VERY slow, however the action is good and entertaining. I hope this series lives up to its high ratings!!

Heres some proof of my "fairy days". In this pic my cousin, sister and I

are "pioneers" picking a flower tree? I don't think the

pioneers had white faux-leather purses.

Oh and p.s go over to Jillian's blog (random ramblings) and checkout her post

of bloggers and their favorites books. My little blog's even included!!

Waiting on Wednesday; Cresendo

2010-05-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for!

Release Date; November 16th 2010

Second book in Hush Hush series

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

-------------------------------

I can't wait to learn more about Nora's past and how her fathers death fits in with the story, you just know thats going to play a crucial part. I'm also looking forward to learning more about Patch's past and how his and Nora's romance will evolve. I don't want to wait till the fall!!

Teaser Tuesday; At graves end

2010-05-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

"Bones, I'm not some delicate flower. I wont be seeing anything I can't handle"

"yes you will" Bones replied. "If you go, you will be horrified because I am going to make damn sure

it's horrifying, else it doesn't serve it's purpose. No, Kitten. Your compassion

is one thing I love most about you, but in this case, It will drive us apart.

You're not going, and thats the end of it." (Frost, 72).

Ok maybe a little longer than 2 sentences but I could interrupt it, Bones is golden. Just love him. I like my alpha males with a side of sweet sauce.

The Reckoning Kelley Armstrong Book Trailer

2010-05-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, to go along with my Reckoning review (below), I found the book trailer online and just had to show you guys because I LOVE it!! They really pulled this one off with some cool graphics! Enjoy!

Review; The Reckoning

2010-05-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Review; 5/5

Release Date; April 6^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now, along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I’m on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We’re hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We’ll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we’d left behind and to take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.

Review;

Now I remember why I liked this series so much. It had been over a year since I had read this series and I was a little confused at what was happening since I kind of forgot a lot of the main characters and plot lines, so if you are in the same boat I was I recommend rereading the second book in the Darkest Power Trilogy.

I really liked this book! I though the previous books were a little dull, and while I really enjoy Kelley’s writing style I find she takes up a lot of time to describe scenes that go into great detail of fighting and scenes that lead up to more exciting occurrences. I kind of get bored with plot lines that talk about the science behind the experiments and such. To me the most exciting scenes were the ones when Chloe talked/raised the dead and the scenes between her and Derek since they always manage to rub each other the wrong way.

I feel like this had everything the previous two books didn’t have that I really wanted them to! I really like Chloe as a character; she has just the right amount of strength and vulnerability and seems wiser than her fifteen years. One of the things that held me back from reading this series was the protagonist was so young, I usually like YA novels that have the protagonist from 16 and up so I don’t feel so old in comparison (haha). Some parts of this series do show Chloe’s youth but when she is placed in such a mature situation I find she does some growing up.

This book was without a doubt my favorite one in the series! She ended up who I wanted her too, there was more action (finally some werewolf scenes!) and there was also some references from here adult series, which I appreciated. If you like the first two books in the series, this is a MUST read!

IMM May 9th failed Vlog Attempt

2010-05-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry Guys, this is a horrible vlog really showing nothing but I decided to put it up anyways. For some reason my computer lets me film the entire vlog and cuts off half of it when I'm all finished. So frustrating!!! Anyways the post below this one actually shows the books I got, so if you don't want to watch this minute of random ramblings you can just skip it.

Part II of Failed Vlog

2010-05-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

This is Part II of the above failed blog attempt. This is just a super quick vlog actually showing the books I got!

Book bought;
Fantasy Lover, Sherrilyn Kenyon

Borrowed;
TVD (The return: Shadow Souls), L.J Smith
The Reckoning, Kelley Armstrong

Adult Review; Pride Mates

2010-05-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Author; Lauren Ashley

Review; 4/5

Release Date; January 26^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

Twenty years ago shape shifters and announced themselves
to the world only to be shunted into
“Shiftertowns” and forced to wear collars that control
their hunting and fighting instincts (referred to as
“Taking the Collar”).
Liam Morrissey, big cat-Shifter, is currently liaison between the Shifters of Austin, TX, and the humans of the city. Kim
Fraser, attorney, finds herself in the unique position of
having to defend a Shifter on a murder charge.
Kim ventures to Shiftertown to seek Liam’s help and
stumbles across too many secrets that the Shifters want
kept secret. The unmated Liam is forced to protect Kim
against the wrath of his clan leader and his own father,
and to his surprise discovers a powerful attraction to
the sassy, sexy lady.

Review;

I really liked this original take on the shifter myth! In the Pride Mate world, shifters have been known for almost 20 years, such as the True Blood idea with vampires coming out of the closet. This book isn’t very big and took me a couple hours to get through but it was an enjoyable ride.

The plot wasn’t complicated, things progressed pretty expectantly but it was still an enjoyable read. I really like Liam, he oozed sex appeal! I just loved the Irish accent I could pretty much hear him purring through the book. Yummmm. I also like Kim . She did get on my nerves a little bit though, I found that she was really hard headed and stubborn, not that I should really talk since I have been told that I have a lot of those qualities, but I have realized that those qualities are annoying to read. I hated that she tried to push Liam away a lot in the book but everyone works out in the end, obviously.

I know a lot of readers had some problems with the how fast the romance progressed and how they feel in love so rapidly, but oddly this didn’t annoy me. I think a lot of romance books are programmed to progress fast, come-on that’s usually the perquisite for a romance novel.

I’m excited for this series! I do believe this is the first in the Shifters Unbound series and the next one stars Liam’s brother, Sean, so I’m excited for the one too! If you guys like shifters, action, and romance, I definitely recommend this one!

Adult Review; Lover Mine

2010-05-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Author; J. R Ward

Review; 4.5/5

Release Date; April 27^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. Long divided as a terrifying battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
John Matthew has come a long way since he was found living among humans, his vampire nature unknown to himself and to those around him. After he was taken in by the Brotherhood, no one could guess what his true history was- or his true identity. Indeed, the fallen Brother Darius has returned, but with a different face and a very different destiny. As a vicious personal vendetta takes John into the heart of the war, he will need to call up on both who he is now and who he once was in order to face off against evil incarnate.
Xhex, a symphath assassin, has long steeled herself against the attraction between her and John Matthew. Having already lost one lover to madness, she will not allow the male of worth to fall prey to the darkness of her twisted life. When fate intervenes, however, the two discover that love, like destiny, is inevitable between soul mates.

Review;

As an avid J.R Ward reader (since I devoured the first 7 books and insider guide in less than one week), I could not wait to get my hands on this book!!! Since the second book I have gradually fell in love with John Matthew (J.M) so I was ecstatic knowing that this book would be all about his search for Xhex and his H.E.A (happily ever after).

The only thing I was hesitant about this book was JM ending up with Xhex. I couldn’t understand this pairing! JM is so kind and devoted to Xhex, while Xhex has fought her feelings for JM since the first time they met. I hated how Xhex went above and beyond to hurt John, as far as I am concerned, and slander his feelings to a point where she “broke” him figuratively by the end of the 7^th book. When I picked up Lover Mine, my feelings were set in stone but I was willing to read it anyways, even though I know my stubborn feelings would not change. Boy was I wrong.

I am a huge XHEX FAN now!! She easily climbed from my most hated character in the BDB series, to my favorite female character! This story gives us a better look into Xhex’s past and helps us to understand the way she acted previously. In Lover Mine Xhex does a complete 360. I couldn’t believe the way she changed, however based on what she went through at the hand of Lash in the first part of the book, this character remodel didn’t seem false or forced to me.

I also loved the flashbacks to the days of Darius and a younger Thor. Usually in flashbacks in previous books I was bored, and would casually flip through them, this wasn’t the case in this book though. Another thing I absolutely loved was the interaction between V and Payne, and can’t wait to see more of them in the next book.

A couple things I could have done without, and which lead me to give Lover Mine a 4.5 instead of a 5, was the unnecessary sideline story, it bored me. I think in any book that if you have to flip forward to see when if things get better or switch to another narrative, then it’s not a 5/5 book. Another thing that confused me was the drastic change in Payne’s character. In previous books she has seemed cruel and heartless, however in this book she is a completely different character! It didn’t really make sense to me and it seemed like Ward made an impromptu switch so that the character fits it’s future role in books better. I wasn’t a fan of this.

All in all, this book is close to one of my favorite BDB books. At the end of the book, I was in love with the JM and Xhex pair up. I don’t want to wait another year for the next one!

Waiting on Wednesday; Crave

2010-05-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Author; J.R Ward

Release Date; October 5^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

The battle between good and evil has left the future of humanity in the hands of a reluctant saviour and his band of fallen angels. Seven deadly sins that must be righted. Seven souls that must be saved.
While his first task was success, Jim Heron is battling a demon that can take any form for the soul of someone he must identify on his own. If that weren't enough, his old boss Matthias wants Jim to assassinate an AWOL member of The Firm - Isaac, the man Jim is pretty sure he is supposed to save. Jim knows first hand that once you're in The Firm, there's no getting out. But when Jim finds Isaac to warn him, he has been picked up by the police for illegal street fighting, and it is clear that Isaac is falling for his gorgeous public defender. Is their love the redemption that will save Isaac's soul? Or has the demon Devina set an elaborate trap?

Why I can’t wait;

From the fabulous J.R Ward, who brought us the BDB books and The Covet (the book prior to Crave in this series), comes another book I do not want to wait for!!! I read the first book, The Covet, and LOVED IT! I absolutely love Wards sarcastic and witty writing, I’m even impartial to the slang she creates, anyone have a “what’s doing” or a possessive “mine” growled (as is the Brotherhoods way) for me?

This book looks like it will deliver the same action and romance/bromance I soo look forward to from this author. Hurry up October!!

Tips on writing book outlines?

2010-05-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of weeks I have been feeling extremely creative, and have pretty much created a world and named characters and already feel in love with a book idea. However, I have had this feeling before, but before I can put pen to paper, metaphorically speaking as I am a computer lover, I get an overwhelming sensation of "being over my head".
I don't know the first steps to go about writing a novel! Sure I have done my fair share of dabbling in poetry and writing short stories and tons and tons of essay and such, but I feel like this is in a totally different ball park.

Do I write an outline?
How do I write an outline?
Or do I just blindly write?

Do you guys have any advice?! I literally walked to my bookstore and looked up books on "how to write a book" I am that clueless haha!

Teaser Tuesday; One foot in the Grave

2010-05-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

"It would be better for everyone if you just stake yourself and die for good. If you really loved her you'd that.'

Bones gave her a jaded look then let it rip

'You know what your problem is, Justina? You're in desperate need

of a good shag'" (Frost, 140

Sigh, I love Bones, and can say I FREAKING LOVE this series!!! I started the first one yesterday and stayed up till 4 am reading it!!! And I'm about halfway through this one!! This series has it all; romance, love, frighting, strong characters and humor!!! READ THIS!!!

IMM May 2nd

2010-05-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys, I'm back!! Heres a embrassing vlog this week for you guys!

And books I forgot;

Fantasy lover, Sherrilyn Kenyon

Review- Pixie Dust, Henry Melton

Received(x4, possible contest)- Moments of Meditation, Albert Deconkey

I feel like I'm a broken record...

2010-04-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Once again my lack of blogging is due to, what else.... EXAMS!! I have one tonight, and two next week, then I'm done!!

Also, on a side note my friend Melissa has me guest "starring" on her Friday Fix meme. Go check it out here! I just love her blog! Thanks Melissa :)

Waiting on Wednesday; Alpha

2010-04-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

Author--> Rachel Vincent

Release Date--> October 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE FAYTHE...

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc, and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder, and treason. Yeah, we've been busy. But now it's time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother's death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It's not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I'm heading for a final showdown that can--that will--change everything forever. A showdown I'm not sure I'm ready for.
But life never waits until you're ready.

Why I can’t wait;

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS ONE!!! I had heard about the buzz about the shifter series, but it reminded me to much of Kelley Armstrong's "Women of the Otherworld" series. Sarah you were wrong. It's hard to have truly original supernatural reads anymore, however the Shifter series is in a class of its own. Some aspects of the book are a little more boring then others, but I LOVE the love triangle that has slowly accumulated in these books.I'm all for the underdog! TEAM JACE!!!

This is the last book in the series, I can't wait to see who she chooses, and the way the characters find their own peace.

Teaser Tuesday; Angels Blood

2010-04-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading.

Here's how it works:- Grab the current book you're reading- Open up to a random page- share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page ***Make sure your section is spoiler free!

And since right now I am currently reading for my exams and books related to them, and I don't want to bore you all, I am going to do a teaser from the next book I plan on reading when exams are done; Angels Blood, by Nalini Singh

"sensing that line of questioning would get her nowhere, she changed gears.

'Thats your plan- to go out and find an easy lay?'

'You're the morality police now?' (Singh, 104)

I guess this quote isn't exactly PG, but it made me laugh so I decided to put it up anyways.Anyone read this book? I'm excited to start it, I also bought "Archangels Kiss" the second book in the series. I've heard good things about them.

Things that make me happy

2010-04-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is a random post, but I love it when bloggers post pictures of things that inspire them, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Starbucks, I'm a junkie

Chapters. This ones in Toronto, and reinvented from an old theatre. Lovely

Old fashioned libraries, this one reminds me of the one from "Buffy"

Train Rides

Wasaga Beach, usually little busier than this...

Blogging; hehe...

Lazy days of summer

A good movie

What makes you happy?

IMM April 19th

2010-04-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

IMM is a weekly meme started by Kristi @ The Story Siren

Bought;

Angels' blood- Nalni Singh

Archangels Kiss- Nalni Singh

The Golden Ass- Apuleius (School book, surprised how much I enjoyed this one)

I also bought a butt load of books on amazon, and was contacted by a few authors last week to review books so those will also be coming in the future.

What's in you mailbox?

A Weekend in the Falls!

2010-04-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of blogging the last couple of days. I was in Niagara Falls, Ontario, with my family, as sort of a last hurray for my family (my dad got a promotion of sorts and is leaving the province next week for 2 years). I'm sure I will go visit him, but it's still a big change and my parents treated me and my sister to a little get-away, we even had a spa weekend!!!

On friday, after my exam from 7pm-10pm, it was hell reincarnated, we headed to the Hilton in Niagara. Our room was amazing! And it had the most incredible view!

On saturday, my dad left for the day when me and my sister and my mom went to the spa; we got massages, and pedi's!! We had a nice breakfast at IHOP'S and then went to a Coach outlet mall, this was a bad idea for my bank account. Later that day I booked my plane ticket to Italy!!! Wahoo leave May 19th!! That night we had a nice dinner at East Side Marios, me and my sister walked over to the Casino to "look around". There's a bit of a story here, in Canada when your 19 you can enter Casino's, well I am turning 21 in July and feel firmly against Casino's and really wanted to say on my death bed that I had never been in a Casino or gambled for that matter, I think its a awful addiction, no ones happy in there and there's very few people who actually make a profit. However my sister broke me down, claiming that its "interesting" to see the different reactions and interactions between people in there; we saw one guy that looked like he hadn't moved from his slot machine in hours, tons of empty cups and his eyes were virtually closing. Sad sight.

This morning, we woke up early, had breakfast and said goodbye to my dad, and now I'm procrastinating studying.
It was a fun weekend! I even bought a lot of books online, and some in stores (IMM will be up tomorrow).

Pedicure!

The Bathroom had a window into the master suite hmm....

THE view

sister, dad (he'd kill me if we saw this online, he doesn't "do" pictures, he made a nice double chin here, he's not overweight like he looks like it here haha), and me

My daddy, and Mehgan(sister)

we look like dufus's, Mommy and Me

About Me

2010-04-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Quick update, I just added the "pages" tab to my blog (top left corner under the header), so far I only have "home" and "About me", more to be added in time. I've added to the "About Me" section, I put up some pics and some tid bits about yours truly. Enjoy!

What's with the Name?

2010-04-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Have you guys ever wondered why "Book reviews from inside an Igloo"? Well I've decided that some people may not know this "inside joke" we Canadians are accustomed to.

I remember a couple years ago, a friend of mine moved to the United States. When she came back, she told us how her classmates would ask her why our president was so colorful on our money, and if we used sleigh dogs to get to our Igloos? Well first of all, we don't have Presidents; we have Prime Ministers, and secondly I don't know anyone that lives in an Igloo. Maybe some natives in Alaska, but hey thats an American state.

It constantly surprises me that so many people think Canada is this cold and isolated place. Its actually quite warm here. Today, its sunny and I am currently in a tank top and tights. Our summers even get warmer then most states in the US, but yes our winters are cold. And FYI (for your info), the beaver is not our mascot. Do any countries even have mascots? Come on this isn't high school.

Having all this is mind, when I finally decided to man up and start my blog I knew I wanted to incorporate my personal essence, and the fact that I love books and that this was going to be a book blog into the title. It took me a long time, but eventually I settled upon this name.

Why such the random post Sarah? Well I'll tell you why, jeez louse settle down people... The other day while I was at a meeting for my Italy trip (just ONE more month!!), they handed out booklets on traveling to another country and what to expect, and the joys of "culture shock". For those of you who don't know what culture shock is, I had no idea, it is when you experience a "shock" of new cultures and customs when you travel to a new country. In this handy little book I found this one page that made me laugh out loud in my meeting, it was embarrassing let me tell you;

See I knew I wasn't the only one who knew about this?! Did you guess understand my blog name before this? What are some "culture perceives" you deal with in your country?

Waiting on Wednesday: Sea

2010-04-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

Before I begin my "waiting wednesday" I have been thinking about doing more "adult" book reviews, as that seems to be all I am reading lately. I LOVE PNR books (Paranormal Romance). I know my title days I do YA reviews, but I know a lot of you readers, read more than just YA right? What do you guys think? Would you read reviews on more adult books?

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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Author; Heidi R. Kling

Release Date; June 10^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

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.

Why I can’t wait;

There has been quite the buzz on Twiter about this book. I hadn’t realized it had yet to be release the way people were talking about this one, I was quite shocked it had such a reputation months before its release! Definitely got my attention.

I like that the premise of this book is very originally. Although it seems the plot is quite hush hush, the author doesn’t really reveal much in the summery which makes me think theres a bit of a shocker. I love the cover, it makes me think of mermaids, and Ariel, and seashell earrings. I am intrigued. Sounds like a good read.

What are you guys waiting for?

teaser Tuesday; The Sea of Monsters

2010-04-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

"Shes touching me, George complained as he and Martha slithered around the pole

"She's always touching you: Hermes said. "your intertwined. And if you don't stop

that, you"ll get knotted again!" (Riordan, 103).

Ahh I can't wait ti start this one! This series is sooo fun!! What are you guys reading?

I'm back!!! And Cover News; Crescendo

2010-04-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Thanks for being so understanding with my lack of blogging, school has been kicking my butt lately!! But I'm back now and in full force!! so expect blogs this week!

some exciting news when I was away; I received a couple ARC's from netgalley including "The Iron Daughter" *GASPS!* which is so exciting that I don't have to wait till august (expect a review closer to the release date), I was also approached by an author last week asking me to review his ARC which is also very exciting and I'll give more info on that later, there was also some exciting cover news last week. I'm sure everyone has seen this already but heres the cover for the sequel to Hush Hush, Crescendo;

I like it, I liked "Hush Hush" cover much better, but this one is still beautiful with the feather and the rain and thunderstorm. I look forward to this read! I enjoyed the first book, some parts were a little iffy but still an enjoyable read.

A little Sabbatical..

2010-04-07T04:43:00.000-07:00

Due to homework and the mass amount of essays I have due to this week, I will be taking a short break from blogging and will return on sunday/monday. This saddens me because blogging is always a much needed escape from life, but you gotta do what you gotta do right?

See you all on the flip side!

Lack of blogging!

2010-04-05T19:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys for my disappearance, I swear I am still alive! Easter weekend was busy, I got to see my family and be home for the weekend and that was great, but didn't leave a lot of time for blogging.

I will be posting my IMM and teaser tuesday tomorrow, little late but it will still be there :)

A Pinch and A Punch for the Books of the Month (APRIL) & CONTEST WINNERS!!!

2010-04-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is a meme I started last month, and it will be posted at the first of every month.

So heres how its going to work, the first day of the month, post a list of the books you are most excited for in the new month (it doesn't have to be just books! It can be anything book related!)

My list is in no way an extensive one for all the great new reads coming up in March, these are just a list of the books I am MOST excited for! For more extensive lists go check out the new reads lists from these great bloggers, The Story Siren, and Princesses Bookie. They both rock!

So without further ado, here are my books of the month!;

#4- Lies, Michael Grant (Gone #3)

#6- Strange Fate, L.G Smith ( Nightworld #10) CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS ONE

#5- Swoon At Own Risk by Sydney Salter

#6- Will Grayson Will Grayson, John Green

#13- Tales of the Otherworld, Kelley Armstrong (not YA)

#27- Burned House Of Night, PC Cast

#27- The Reckoning, Kelley Armstrong

#27- Lover Mine, J R Ward (not YA)

This month is going to be sooo good!! To bad all my exams are this month :(

What are you guys most excited for?

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NOW for the big news!! My contest is officially over!!! And since you guys rock and I have over a 100 followers ( I gained 80 + followers in THREE WEEKS) there are two winners!!!

And the winners are.....

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Debasmita

AND

Jonita

Congrats to the winners!!! Thanks so much you all !!! You guys have 48 hours to respond to my email and then I'll pick a different winner!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Reckoning

2010-03-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Author; Kelley Armstrong

Release Date; April 6^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

Why I can’t wait;

Well it’s a supernatural read, and I have been waiting since last year to read this one. It’s the last in the series of the Darkest Powers trilogy, plus Kelley is a Canada and lives like an hour from me. Pretty cool. I’ve read her adult series; Women on the Otherworld, and they are fantastic. I’m excited for this one, just one more week!

Teaser Tuesday; Before I fall

2010-03-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry my teaser tuesday is up so late, I had a busy day running around! Without further ado;

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should be Reading.

Here's how it works:- Grab the current book you're reading- Open up to a random page- share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page ***Make sure your section is spoiler free!!

"is it a hallucination?" he says, setting down his briefcase, "could it be? Samantha Kingston?

home? on a friday? I roll my eyes. "I don't know. Did you do a lot

of acid in the sixities? Could be a flashback" (Oliver, 287)

AND on other news, I have reached over 100 FOLLOWERS !!!!

This means tomorrow I will be picking not one but TWO WINNERS!!

Thanks guys :)

Why I LOVE The Hunger Games

2010-03-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

Jillian from Random Ramblings is hosting a meme in a few weeks called "show and tell" in which some bloggers have to take a snapshot of themselfves with one of their favorite books and explain why they love it. I'm going to post mine a bit early in means of 1) advertising in advance for this cool meme and 2) because I have to shorten my blurb by quite a bit, and it saddens me to cut any out cause I kinda like the finished result.

So without further ado this is why I LOVE the book; The Hunger Games

oh p.s please dismiss the dorky picture

My Favorite book (well one of them); The Hunger Games
Is it really a shocker? I think the main reason this one resonates so well with me is primarily because; I’m a “daddies girl”. Now before you start labeling me as a materialistic, spoiled child let me explain why. All my life (up until a few years ago) I was a shy, awkward looking, skinny, short girl. Not to say I was an outcast, I had many friends but I was shy and much more comfortable with a good book then going to a raging kegger. Well in fourth grade, I did something totally out of character; I joined my elementary school’s wrestling team. At first I was awkward and... well shy and as soon as I got a girl down on the mat I would just sit on her, but eventually I got better and when I hit grade 7 I was already a national champion. Now before I digress to far let me explain why I joined wrestling. In grade four I was around 34 pounds and was tired of everyone telling me “good things come in small packages”, I didn’t want to be underestimated my whole life, I wanted to prove I could do what everyone thought I couldn’t. I can still remember the day I came home and told my dad I was going to wrestle, he looked at me with pride in his eyes and said “I think that’s a wonderful idea Sarah”. My dad will always be my hero for this, because he has always told me and my sister we can be classy and girly but ALWAYS be tough and don’t be afraid to conquer the path less traveled. And this is why I LOVE The Hunger Games. Katiniss is strong yet fragile, harsh yet loving, kickass (sorry for my French) character but most importantly she is willing to tackle any task no matter it’s size. We need more strong female characters like her in YA books. YOU GO GIRL.

Review; Bleeding Violet

2010-03-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

Attention, this ones a bit of a rambler. I appolize for all the "negative" reviews lately, but I'm going to continue speeking my mind because I know I like an honest review :)

Author; Dia Reeves

Review; 2/5

Release Date; January 5^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

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.

Review;

Wow. What an odd, odd, read.

Odd, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, sometimes it is refreshing to read “odd” books, in fact I would probably classify some of my favorite books as “odd”. However, Bleeding Violet, definitely was not my kind of book.

Once you get pass the oddity of the world Hanna lives in, and I’m not talking about her manic depression and hallucinations, but more of the mindset she lives in. Her mother is quite… different; she doesn’t want Hanna, and hits her and constantly tells her to leave, but in Hanna’s mind she just needs to be bashed over the head with a lamp (which she does by the way) and she’ll come around.

Another thing I didn’t like was the way this book would casually mention dark subjects and make them light, such as; drugs, ditching school, suicide, murder, prostitution, and the thing I was most shocked with in a YA book was the way the author portrayed the loose morals of Hanna towards sex. Now I am not generally opposed to sex in YA novels if it is tastefully done and not overly mentioned, but that is not the case in this book. Hanna, who readers learn lost her virginity when she was 14 to a stranger in a sauna, views sex as a way to get protection and become popular in her new town, and the most shocking thing is her “mother” not only condones it but also encourages it! I can understand this in a more “adult” book, after all we expect that in books geared at an older audience, but I don’t like seeing that in a book aimed for 13 year olds and up. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think sex should be taught so loosely to impressionable teens. Heck I think I’m still impressionable at 20 and it shocked me!!!

If I get passed the whole sex issue, I had no connections with the characters. I though Hanna was a little well…. Strange. And it wasn’t because of her mental state but more because of her morals and ideals, which I know, were probably a result of her sanity but still I couldn’t connect. I even hated the main guy, Wyatt. Usually authors writes most of the love interests to be totally absorbed in the main character and be an at times slightly misogynistic, tough-guys, Reeves wrote Wyatt as being a big demon hunter and while it seemed he truly liked Hanna, whenever his ex girlfriend was around he would make goo-goo eyes at her. WHAT THE HECK?! As my mother always said; “no one buys the cow, when they get the milk for free”.

I must admit, I couldn’t finish this book. I had about 100 pages left and decided I just couldn’t do it. This saddens me because I hate feeling regretful at buying a book, and even worse feeling like I wasted my time. However since I never finished maybe the book ends off with a bang making the beginning and middle worth it?

Random Ramblings; Gravestone carvings? IHS?

2010-03-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

This post is in no way book related, but I find it utterly fascinating plus it also has me quite spellbound. So, for one of my classes we have to do a project on gravestone's and various changes overtime made on them, which pretty much means I spend a lot of my time in my local cemetery walking around with a camera and a notebook. Yes, I have been whispered about; "what is that girl doing walking around with a camera?!?! *gasp*". But creep-speculating aside I have found that walking around a cemetery is both creepy and surprisingly comforting. I think it may be the whole; quiet but not alone thing.

Anywho, I have noticed something on many tombstone originating from the late 1800's and right up until modern times; carvings of three letters, usually found on gravestones with crosses or christian symbology; IHS.

And once I saw this on one gravestone I saw them everywhere!!!;

I have looked EVERYWHERE online, I'm going to have to phone around to some local historical societies, but I thought it might be worth it to ask my blogger friends;

does anyone know what I.H.S means on tombstones? Possibly catholic symbology?

IMM! March 28th

2010-03-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

IMM is a weekly meme started by Kristi @ The Story Siren

My Book Depository packages finally came this week!

Bought;

Bleeding Violet
Hourglass
The Iron King
Before I fall

I also bought some school books, I decided to include them because... well there books
-The Sixteen Satires, Juvenal
-The Aeneid, Virgil

What did you guys get this week?

Review; Hourglass

2010-03-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Author; Claudia Gray

Review; 3.5/5

Release Date; March 9^th 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

Bestselling author Claudia Gray’s Evernight series continues. In Hourglass, Bianca and Lucas have found a way to be together. But it means lying to the people who care about them the most.

After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, the elite group of vampire hunters led by Lucas’s stepfather. When Bianca’s close friend—the vampire Balthazar—is captured by Black Cross, Bianca knows she has to do whatever it takes to save him. But at what cost?

Hourglass, the third book in this gripping vampire series by the author of the New York Times bestseller Stargazer, has all the romance, suspense, and page-turning drama that have made Claudia Gray’s books runaway successes.

Review;

Even though I have read this entire series to date, and I read them as soon as they were released, and enjoyed them, I have always had a strong sense of “meh”. I know this sounds awful but if I had to sum the book up with one word I would say “good”. I don’t regret reading this serious but I don’t think I’ll ever reread them.

Having that been said, I must say that HOURGLASS was, in my opinion, the best book in the series. It was a little more explicit; sex was referenced several times (which is the first time for this series) but not overly detailed, and I think there was a couple “bad” words, no f-bombs or anything like that though.

This book threw me a couple times. Having read some reviews before picking this book up I knew there was a cliffhanger, however I was still surprised. I didn’t really see that coming, yet looking back on it now it seems pretty obvious.

I’ve never been a big fan of the characters. Lucas has always annoyed me, although I did come around a bit in this book for my feelings towards him. Bianca has always seemed a little pathetic and whiny to me, I mean if she really loved Lucas she would let him go, as she constantly complains about him leaving everyone he loves for her. Balthazar is probably the only character I have been consistent with in my liking of him, he’s very “classic”… if that makes any sense.

All in all it was an O-K read for me. I know some other bloggers have really liked this book, so don’t listen to me if you felt differently about the other books in this series.

Review; The Iron King

2010-03-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

Author; Julie Kagawa

Review; 4/5

Release Date; Febuary 1^st 2010

Product Description from Goodreads

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

Review;

First of all I would just like to state that I had pretty high expectations for this book due to all the rave reviews on goodreads and fellow bloggers blogs, this book wasn’t bad by any means but it did however disappoint me because of the pedestal I placed it on before reading it.

When I first started reading this book I was very annoyed with the main character Meghan. I thought “oh great here’s another plain girl, who loves the beautiful jock at school, and complains that he parents don’t respect her, and can’t even remember her birthday”, I was so not into reading a book based on one big giant pity party. However it got much better before it got much worse.

One thing that did annoy me however was that I found a lot of the main characters and storylines seemed borrowed. This book had a lot of elements from; Alice in wonderland, Peter Pan, Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Chronicles of Narnia and various other popular fantasy novels. One of the main characters, I’ll call him Grim because I can’t remember the full form, was pretty much the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

However, around the 100-page mark things got interesting. The plot was JAMPACKED, and I mean that in the most literal sense of the word. I have never read a book where the main character has so many bad turns of luck as Meghan has, at times it was like “… come on can’t this girl get a break?”. I loved the characters though; Puck is a hoot and a half he adds so much comical relief to this book its insane, Ash literally embodies the dark glooming prince, and I even liked the Sellie King.

Julie does an amazing job of painting this world out for readers. It only took me like 20 hours to read this book I was so immersed in the world. I’m eagerly awaiting august for the second book!!