Of Twilight and New Books [Harmony]

I have so, so, so many books to read. I have about twenty or more piled on my shelf from authors and TeensReadToo.com and I just got about 10 in the mail today from TRT. You could say I'm a bit overwhelmed. And I am. But I'm loving it just the same. Never before have I been able to say that I don't need to go to the bookstore or the library to get books.

Of course, that doesn't stop me from going those places! Just this past week I went to the Barnes and Nobles in Vestal, NY which is an hour away from me. It's also the closest bookstore. I bought A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, Crazy in Love by Dandi Daley Mackall, the third book in the Wild Horse Island series by Terri Farley and two other books I can't think of at the moment. Which is great because I love getting new books.

But the problem is, whenever I get a new book, I want to read that before I read any of the ones I have on my bookshelf when, really, I should be reading those first. Thank god most authors are understanding when I don't get to their book in a week or two.

So I've now devised a plan. Right now, I'm reading All About Vee and Shabang's Story for TRT. I'm also trying to get through New Moon and Eclipse before Friday. I'll finish All About Vee today and read most, if not all, of New Moon tonight. I'll finish what I have left of New Moon tomorrow, finish Shabang's Story, and read Eclipse. I'll finish what I have of Eclipse on Friday. Then I'm going to read the books that have been on my shelf forever and work my way through. After I read three books that I've had for a while, I'm going to allow myself to read one of the new ones.

Will this plan work? Probably not. I'm going to try, though.

Anyway, BREAKING DAWN COMES OUT IN THREE DAYS!!! *hypervenilates*

As you can see, I'm a Twilight Freak (or Nerd or whatever you want to call it). I can't help it. I just can't. I'll admit that the books are not perfect. As I was rereading Twilight last night, I noticed some things more than I had before. Some of Bella's dialogue made her seem older than she was, for instance. But I also ended up crying. I've never cried while reading Twilight. Eclipse, yes. Twilight, no. I can't say why it was. I guess it was partly because I was picturing the actors in the roles and partly because I knew what was going to happen to them.

The one thing I love and hate about the Twilight series is that it makes me emotional. Every.single.time. Seriously. I burst out laughing at some parts but then I'm holding my breath and then I'm feeling the heartbreak Bella and Edward feel. It's crazy. But I love it.

I can't wait for Breaking Dawn. I've been trying not to think about it much but I can't help it. Since Stephenie released a "spoiler", we know that Bella and Edward are getting married. But that doesn't really mean she's going to become a vampire. If she does, you know it's not going to happen easily. I'm pretty sure Tanya, Laurent, and, of course, the Volturi, are going to play VERY important parts. And Jacob too, I think.

I really hope Jacob finds someone to imprint on. But what if....What if he imprinted on Bella? And Bella didn't love him back because she was in love with Edward? Oh lord...

I guess I'm going to have to wait until I get Breaking Dawn in my hands. I'm not sure when that'll be, though. I MIGHT be going to a release party in Vestal, if my parents let me and I find a ride but if I don't, then I'll have to wait until I get back from Kingdom Bound and Band Camp, which will be August 9th, at the earliest.

So what are your plans for getting Breaking Dawn? Do you have any theories? Let's hear 'em in the comments!

-Harmony

P.S. I won't be posting next week because I'll be at Kingdom Bound! Oh yeah!

Hey Teen Tuesday! (Vanessa)

Hi guys.

I was wondering what the heck happened last week? No one posted? I was really lost.... and scared. But anyway. It's Tuesday! Yay. 

In the past two weeks I've read a whole lot! 

I've read 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Cindy Ella, The Outsiders, & How To Be Bad. All have been "blawsome" aka, not 5 stars. They range from 3-3.5 stars. I was really disappointed in some, I wish they could've been better. However, they still had good messages and were nice reads. I guess I've been wanting a super amazing read (one to add to my pitiful "Favorites" list in Shelfari that only contains 7 books) and haven't got any. I'm reading The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and am hoping that it is the super amazing read I've been waiting for.

There is only one four-star book I've read in the past two weeks and its Hot Mess: Summer in the City by Julie Kraut & Shallon Lester. It had enough drama, laughter, and friends forever for a summer read. This book is something you should read over the summer (obviously, hehe). It's easy to read, fast, and cute. I loved the main character, Emma Freeman, because she's like most of us on Teen Tuesday... has a journal, likes to write, makes good grades, has good friends. She's likable and although she's doesn't get the best summer ever she's still got great friends. 

I'm in Canada visiting my mom and she likes to spoil me with presents every time I see her. Of course whenever I go visit her or she visits me it means a STACK-FULL OF NEW BOOKS! I love how bookstores smell.. ahh. These are the books I bought with her: 

1. Audrey, Wait!
2. The Luxe
3. The Outsiders
4. The Truth About Forever
5. The Book of Luke
6. Saving Zoe
7. When It Happens
8. My Mother is a French Fry and Further Proof of my Fuzzed Up Life
9. The Mrs. Marriage Project

I can't wait to read these! Don't got much to say, other than that. If you want to read the full reviews of the books I've read head on over to my blog whatvanessareads.wordpress.com and if you haven't already go join Like OMG Teens Read (likeomgteensread.com), the coolest message board ever, where we just added a Manga section alongside everything it already has then go do that.

Have fun reading,

**Vanessa

Summer Dwindles [Megan]

I love books. What? You didn't know that. Hope it's nice and cool under that rock. So, yesterday I am sitting at my computer and i hear a knock at the door. Of course this scares the crap out of me because no one ever comes to my door. I slowly walk to the door, I open it a crack and peek out...No one is there. I open it wider, still see no one. What do I see? This beautiful, worn, orangey-yellow envelope. What was inside?

Admit it, you totally hate me now. Isn't that cover amazing? And I totally want to read it. Like, RIGHT NOW! But I can't, I have too many books I am in the middle of.


I still am working on The Looking Glass Wars. At first I was loving it and now a little bit less so. Frank Beddor was at Comic-Con this week and gave a great sounding presentation on the the trilogy and its inspiration and all the work he put into it. I was really sad to have missed it.

I love the concept of taking a new spin on Alice and her Wonderland, but I am honestly a bit let down by the writing. Yes, it is good storytelling, but not the type of writing that moves me. Has anyone checked out Alice's Adventures Underground?

I am also reading and loving The Book Thief. I have a goal to read all the Printz winner and honors and also have my own copies of each. There is so much to like about The Book Thief and it's unique writing style. I really feel it stretching my brain when I try to read it. I am reading this for the Dark and Stormy Book Club run in part by my plurk bud! (You may have seen her looming about my comments.) This is one of those books I am thrilled to know I will be sharing the experience with a few other people. There are two parts early on that I particularly loved.

The first is very early in the book. It says, "The question is, what color will everything be at the moment when I come for you? What will the sky be saying?" (4). These words send ideas popping through my mind, drifting and bursting in several different directions. Even outside the context of the book, I think these two questions would make an amazing writing prompt.

The second part that I really connected with has to do with the fact hat I have not been sleeping well. It has been hot and my mind has been racing through darkened hallways, looking for something in the murky darkness. And all I can hope is that when I drift off the world will become blank. But it doesn't. "At those times, in the enormous milage of sleep, she had never felt so completely alone" (39).

I finished up (my only book in the last 2 weeks!) Vampire Plagues: London. Now, I was concerned about this middle grade book's ability to keep my interest. But I found it very well written. I have never read a vampire book where the vampire(s) were pure villain with no seductive qualities and it was an interesting experience. I also really like how the book ended, sometimes series books can be so manipulative with the cliffhangers! I am happy to be reading the other two books in the series, which I just called and renewed yesterday.

I know everyone is thrilled about the release of Breaking Dawn. There is a big party here to celebrate. Is anyone going to a release party in their area?
And on that on that note too. Have you met any young adult authors? Who would you like to meet the most? (JOHN GREEN!!!!)

Summer is soon drawing to an end. I thought I was going to get a lot more reading done than I did. I managed to forget how hot it can get and how much that makes me not want to read. What books are you trying to read before summer is over?

After a Long Absence [Chelsie]

[[Advanced Warning: There's a lot of content in this blog, so feel free to skim read... I've bolded the titles of the books, so if there's one particular book that you see that catches your eye go ahead and read about that...]]


Well, it appears that last week there were no posts. Which is extremely sad. Was everyone busy?

Anyways, I have been gone on vacation, which is why I didn't post for the last two weeks. But I have a lot of different things I could talk about, from the books I've bought, to the books I've read.

Since I don't have the books I've bought in front of me, I'll talk about the books I've read. Now I'll admit, as of this day (I'm writing this extremely early, Thursday night, just so I can get it done) I don't have any of the reviews written, but that's because of computer problems at my house.

But hopefully by the time this posts, the reviews will be written and ready to post at various intervals throughout the week.

So, without further adieu, the books I've read:

1. The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Oh my God, this book was absolutely amazing. I had it checked out from the library, and I'd been reading it for a couple weeks, but as soon as I sat down and really focused on it, I couldn't put it down. The whole story was perfectly amazing, and so I bought my own copy so I can read it again.

2. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. I really liked this book much better than I thought I would. My favorite part, thought, was the ending. It was the type of ending that I love with books that are in a series, because it was a perfect happy ending... but there were certain aspects of the book that have yet to be resolved, which is what I assume will happen in the second book, Seeing Redd, which I fully intend on reading at some point in time.

3. Rumors by Anna Godberson. Wow, was this book good! I couldn't put it down, and I'm dying for Envy to come out! These books are definitely fun and light but they are extremely extremely addicting.

So, for ten days I suppose three books isn't bad, especially inbetween everything I had going on.

Now, I'm reading Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Which I'm not too far in, but I'm really looking forward to reading more.

---

Now, it's Monday. And, after a weekend of extensive reading, it's time to add a bit more.

I finished Chasing Windmills, and there is a review on the way sometime in the next week. All I have to say is, this is a book that I think everyone needs to read. It is truly one of the most amazing books I've read in awhile.

After Chasing Windmills, I read Queen of Babble Gets Hitched. I have been a huge fan of the Queen of Babble books (and Meg Cabot, for that matter) since the summer of '06, and so I was eagerly anticipating reading this. Especially after the miserable, heartbreaking end of the second book, Queen of Babble in the Big City.

So, after reading this book all in one night, I'd have to say I'm slightly disappointed. It didn't seem as unexpected and witty and funny as the other two. Still, it was worth the read.

Now, after I finished that, I knew I had to start reading an ARC of Play Me by Laura Ruby (which I got from FirstLook). I read this one in one night as well, and let me tell you, Play Me was such an amazing book. Judging by the summary and the cover, I thought it would be fun, light reading. Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't completely deep and intellectual and meaningful like, say, Sarah Dessen, but it definitely had something to it. Which was a pleasant surprise.

So, I loved it.

That brings me to the end of my strenuous reading weekend. Now, I have about seventeen other books I must read at some point, so I'm going to end this long post.

Tell me, did you skim read this post? (It's okay if you did =P)

Tree Killer (Chelsea)

Okay, so I didn't post this until 10pm on Tuesday, but at least it's posted on the right day! Saying I'm a procrastinator is an understatement akin to saying Hitler was Bad. The only thing I don't procrastinate on (generally) is reading. For fun. This week, I reaaaad...

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland AND Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I can't believe I hadn't read these before. I'd seen snippets of the Disney movie, sure, but when I realized I was 16 and still hadn't read them, I began to grow ashamed. For a reader like me, especially one who adores Children's and YA lit, it's embarrassing. But at least I'm not the only one! No matter how many times I read a classic and enjoy it (To Kill a Mockingbird, for instance and Catcher in the Rye, both of which I loved) I can't help but cringe at the word "classic". It goes, in my mind, with "required" and "work", and all those other nonfun adjectives. When something becomes work for me, I lose my enjoyment in it (which played a big part in my decision to quit reviewing, btw). Not that when I'm reading something for school, I won't enjoy it. It's just that...I have to FORCE myself to read it. Kicking and screaming. Because my free spirit doesn't go well with the word "required." I've seen a ton of posts about this on blogs recently, so maybe that's where this is all coming from. (Oh, and just to let you know, I really enjoyed Alice. It was so dreamlike and fun.)

Whew, anyway. I also read Hush by Donna Jo Napoli. It's the first book of hers I've read, and I hear she specializes in retellings? I haven't read many retellings, but I'd really like to. I enjoyed Hush quite a bit. Does anyone know any good ones?

Until next time, (and there WILL be a next time, because holycrap I have so many books)
Chelsea

(Oh, and check out my personal blog if -- for some odd reason -- you want to read about what I'm reading, watching, and living.)

Teen Tuesday- Kyle

The Past week I got to read some great books and I got to post an interview with an awesome author! First, lets talk genres, in the past week I started reading books from the genre Vampires which so far is a great genre and I am loving the books in it. I also read a middle grade novel by a 2k8 author which was great.

First I want talk about Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Before this month I really had no idea the book and series ever existed (I had seen it in stores though; I never really looked at what it was about). I finally took the time to find out what the book was about and I watched some clips from the movie. And after hearing great things about the book around the blogging world, I decided to read it. So I went to borders and bought the first two in the series, Twilight and New Moon. I wanted to get Eclipse but unfortunately the wallet was saying otherwise. So once I started reading Twilight, I was hooked. It was way better than any Harry Potter book. I couldn't wait to read New Moon.

But before I read Twilight I read The Emerald Tablet by P.J Hoover, which comes to stores October 21st. TET is a book made for older middle grade students but it was still wonderful. It was fast paced but that didn't phase me due to the wonderful twists in the book. I did not expect the ending at all, which is something I love in a book.

I also read yet another vampire book. This one is called Sucks To Be Me by Kimberly Pauley. It releases on August 26th. This wasn't one of those scary more serious vampire books. It was very humorous. It is about a girl who has to decide to become a vampire like her parents or to stay human. Which turns out to be a difficult choice due to what would happen if she chose not to and she absolutely hates the thought of drinking blood.

Lets talk interviews. This past week I got to post my interview with Brooke Taylor, author of Undone which will be released July 22nd. Brooke is a really nice person and I was very glad I got the time to interview her. I got to find out a lot about her, including that she has traveled the world! How cool is that?!?! This week I will be posting an interview with an author again but it will be split up into 2 days, part 1 will be posted on Wednesday and part 2 will be posted Thursday. And in the interview a rumor will be found false or true about this author's book that everyone has been wondering.
This coming up week I am planning on reading and reviewing Puddlejumpers and Eclipse.

Looking to the Future [Megan]

I was completely upset when I went to the library yesterday and found that the book I wanted to read for Genre of the Month had been checked out. Yeah, it sort of ruined my day.

It seems where I live, non Stephanie Myers vampire books are not very popular. I was unable to find a very intriguing alternative book and finally settled on the Vampire Plagues series. I actually am looking forward to them now. I am hoping they will be easy yet enjoyable reads.

I also took out The Book Thief to prepare for this book club.
They have come up with the great concept of doing a podcast discussing their book choice each month. I sort of had them because of it. The show is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd at 8pm central / 9pm eastern time. If you want to read this book or have already you definitely will need to check out the show. I got the book because it was actually at the library but I will not be reading it until a little bit closer to the show date. Though I do wonder why they had to pick such a fat book. Though I have been assured it is a quick read despite it's side. Which is good because I am extremely busy!


Why am I busy, you ask? Well I started The Looking Glass Wars way behind when I intended to for our jokingly titled No Name Book Club. And I want to tell you I am really enjoying this take on Alice in Wonderland. I was overjoyed to see reference to the original manuscript version of Alice's Adventures Underground which is the only version I have previously read. Beddor took a really creative approach to this classic story. Early in the novel Alyss even comments on the existing versions of the story; "He'd transformed her memories of a world alive with hope and possibility and danger into make-believe, the foolish stuff of children" (4). And if you saw my post yesterday you also know that he decided to treat his book like a movie and create a sound track for it, which I happen to love.

So, since Chelsie proclaimed us The No Name Book Club, I guess we need to change that. You read to help? Please leave your ideas in the comments even if you aren't part of it!

V Has Been Reading! (Second Post)

Wow! It's already been a week since my first post!

Well, hi guys. I've been reading lots (last week it seemed like I didn't have much to say). I finished The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart on Wednesday. The book got off on a slow start but by halfway I could not stop! I love Frankie, she's my new idol, haha. The review is here. I certify the book an AWESOME. :)

I also read 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. I bought it when it first came out in 2005 (and I was 12.. haha) and got halfway in and stopped reading. So I reread it completely and I mean, I thought it was good and all... but it's more of a 3-star. I just thought some things were really predictable and carbon copied on every book (for example, when Ginny is pushed to sing karaoke.... if you've read the book I think you know what I mean). I certify the book a BLAWSOME and the review is here, no podcast as of yet.

I have to say, flying to Canada was a lot more uncomfortable than  I thought. My head hurt a lot, my ears kept popping, and my tummy hurt a little. So I was all plastered on the seat with my brother (wooo, I flew as an Unaccompanied Minor!) rather than reading.

  It was hard to focus on my planned read... Cindy Ella. But I'm reading it now. Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer is okay so far. I think its very Cinderella-y (even though it's kinda of supposed to be) but yeah... I hope something happens with BklynBoy. 

My next book will be How To Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle (I can't believe I remember all their names). 

Keep checking out my blog for new reviews, etc here. And while you're at it check out Like OMG Teens Read, the message board I run (alongside some familiar faces on Teen Tuesday) which now has a domain at likeomgteensread.com. Join today to talk about everything reading and books.

Have good reads this week! 

*Vanessa.

Me? Put Off Reading a Book? Nah...

I live in a small college town where the only bookstores are textbook stores. There's the obligatory on campus expensive Barnes and Noble, where for a small fee you can special order regular books, and then the independent off campus bookstore that is big, a little messy, and sticks to list prices. I've always heard that they have a YA section, but that it wasn't very decent. And for that fact, I never really bothered to go in.

But then last week, driven partially by the fact that I still haven't gotten all of my books that I need to read for my classes (Yeah, totally not a smart idea to put it off until mid July, especially when one of those books is The Count of Monte Cristo), and mostly because an English teacher I had my sophomore year of high school now works there and I wanted to talk to her.

Well, when I walked in, I fell in love.

The whole atmosphere was just amazing. I want to live there. Even if the YA selection is limited to a few Meg Cabots, Twilight, The Book Thief, and about a million other 80's or 90's books, I can't help but feel drawn to the place. I am now going to haunt that place until a job opening comes up and then beg them to hire me.

Anyways, since I am now in a crunch to finish my required reading (I'm a horrid procrastinator, which is pretty relevant in the fact that I am writing this at 11 o'clock on a Tuesday morning), I've had to abandon reading Slam by Nick Hornby, which was very sad for me, because it was an AWESOME book so far...so go read it and think of me as I'm trekking through Waiting for the Barbarians. Oh well. Teachers were always telling me that I will suffer if I put off things until the very last minute...

Til next time,

TCR

Teen Tuesday: Hope: 7.15.08

I know I scammed out last week! Sorry! I was working out at the farm again, and when I got home, I just felt like reading, so I did. :D

Last week, I read a pathetic one book. Yes, only one. It's quite sad, actually. It was awesome though - Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I rated it five hearts! I think I'm one of the last people in the world to read this book, but if you haven't you should go get it! To see my review of Lock and Key, click here.

This week, I know I have to read at least one book. That is 1984 by George Orwell. My history class meets three times over the summer, and we have books we have to read and papers to write and everything. This book has to be read by Monday, so when I am in the three hour drive to the Cedar Point in Ohio, I will be taking only two things in the car with me: my iPod and a copy of 1984 by George Orwell. Should be a fun time! :p

I also hope to be able to read and finish Braless in Wonderland by Debbie Reed Fischer. I have to get this one read in a certain time span, because it's a library book. I've heard good things about it, so I hope I enjoy it. I've read about three pages, and that seemed good, so... we shall see.

I am also hoping to read Talent by Zoey Dean. I've heard very mixed reviews about this book. Some people say it's good, others think it's horrible. So I guess I'll just have to wait to see. I read the first book in the A-List series and liked it, so maybe I'll like this one?

This might be wishful thinking: I am also planning on finishing (or at least starting) La Petite Four by Regina Scott. It's another one I've heard wonderful things about. It's a Class of 2k8 book, and I've enjoyed all the other 2k8 books I've read. I hope this one won't be any different!

I'm also part of the Genre of the Month. I have not read ANY vampire books since I read the Twilight series a few months back. How sad is that? I love vampire books, and I've had one sitting on my shelf for a while now that I might crack open and read sometime soon. :D I've missed vampire books!

Don't forget to check out Hope's Bookshelf on YouTube! Click here to get to my channel, and let me know your thoughts!

What have you been reading this summer? Anything good? Any required reading? Have you read any books that you just didn't like at all and had to abandon?

hope.