happy monday!

This weekend was... a little crazy. A weird mashup of Young Justice, Legend of Korra, Big Time Rush premieres and Mother's day. Oh, and writing. Definitely writing.

On another note, I've sampled Blood of Eden: Immortal Secrets by Julie Kagawa. I thought it would be way too paranormal and have a horrible MC, but I was pleasantly surprised. Vampires don't just flat out dominate the entire story, even though they're definitely there. But I figured that the MC get's turned into a vampire before I even saw the trailer. I guess that's what the back of a book cover can do to you.
Once I get this one little Artemis Fowl back into the hands of the librarians, I can put it on hold, along with a few other books I want to read, like Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Two words: Looks. Awesome.

Have you noticed that way too many books and movies for us readers and cinema lovers to keep up with are coming and will come out this year? I mean, Avengers, the last Artemis Fowl book, the final Matched book, Mark of Athena, Brave, A Girl Named Digit and tons of other books and movies that look so cool, all coming out before Christmas? That's a liiiiiiitle crazy.

stay sane {or not},
the bookworm

PS} Get this song out of my head. It's way too catchy, even for Big Time Rush. And just look at James and Kendall. The-guy-who-sends-people-to-chocolate knows it's all their fault.

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Alright, I could easily post 'BEST. BOOK. EVAR. GO READ IT LIKE, NOW' and get the entire gist of this post, but that wouldn't be fair to my readers.

Note: the text of spoilers have been colored dark grey with a matching background--highlight at your own risk.

Overall: ****

This book is one of the best ones I've ever read. The first couple chapters, I'll admit I procrastinated, but it didn't take long for the roller coaster that is Matched to pick up. Cassia was a fully rounded, likable character who's head was an honor to be inside of. The inclusion of the famous Dylan Thomas poem Do not go gentle into that good night rounded out the story perfectly, and was a major and interesting plot point. The ending also leaves you hungry for more, which is good especially since there is more in the next installment, Crossed.
For those of you worried about the content of this book, there is next to no true violence and the closest thing you get to actual sexual content is reference to kissing or kissing- two, maybe three times. The scenes aren't overly detailed. That and how the Matching system is perfected so the couple can have healthy children. And seeing how this set in however many years in the future in a setting dedicated to purging just about every other sign of the past, I don't remember any cursing.

plot: ****

Every twist and turn was like a loop-de-loop. This might be an exaggeration to people who disliked or haven't read the book, but trust me, Cassia's every problem, ache, regret and tear was my own. I nearly cried when the Society took away everyone's artifacts {the equivalent of heirlooms, but more lowkey than say, a tiara}.


characters: ****

Well rounded, well-written all with pasts and secrets of their own that contributed to the plot? What book-lover could ask for more? For me, the only problem was Em{ily?}. While she advanced a lot of sizable, but not huge side-plots, the book could have easily gone without her, even though she was very likable. Xander was slightly sueish, but that was what made you enjoy him. 

worldbuilding: ***

This book has some of the best and deepest worldbuilding I've even seen, even compared to Harry Potter. Creepy government who monitors just about everything- even dream patterns? Check. Laws that could either make you roll your eyes or twitch in your seat? Check. Slow acts of defiance that began to grow into something more? Check. Officials that send tingles up your spine? Check. Perhaps one of the most interesting worlds since the Wizarding World, Republic City and  The Galaxy Far, Far Away all rolled into one? CHECK!

Conclusion?

mayday, mayday!

Wow, it's May already. Just one more month until summer.

...

Gah, I know this post is off to a booring start. But come on... it was this or a mega fangirling/rant Star Wars/Young Justice/Legend of Korra/Avengers post. 

Joking. Even though if I did post one, you'd probably have a phobia of animated/fantasy/sci-fi pictures and the acronym 'omg' for the rest of your natural life. I need to stop using text talk on here...

Anywayyyys:

 001} I'll be guest posting at An Autumn Day sometime this month.

 002} I'm reading Matched by Ally Condie. oh. my. goshbubbles. This thing is a triumph of the human spirit, from our darkest depths to our most heroic heights. And the worldbuilding is so deep and detailed it's almost like you live there yourself. If we did live in the Society, this would be high on the Hundred Novels list. 

 003} Read this blog. Don't die laughing. 

 004} Read this magazine. Fall in love. Get inspired. 

And please forgive the complete and utter vulgarity of the following image, but I think my writerly readers out there might relate:

http://www.jimchines.com/2011/04/comic-amusement/

But seriously- don't hire someone to shoot you if you don't finish that novel. Because that would be stupid. Really stupid. Besides, guns are dangerous. ;) 

keep on trucking,

your resident wordbender 

PS} Yes, wordbender. And did you notice how I used the '00*insert numeral under ten here*' up there? I totally sounded like a secret agent. ^_^ 

I can't believe this...

...I put the Hunger Games on hold at my library. I owe it to a temporary lapse in judgement, but someday soon Catching Fire and Mockingjay will be in my possession. I'm a hundred something in each queue, but it's only a two and three day wait apparently. I'll be reviewing them here; but be warned, it will not be one of those posts so easily defined by: Omg omg omg omg I luved<3 THG U shuld totally goes and read it bc itz so awezome!!1!1!!!1!1!1!!

I have no idea how this happened. I personally prefer books like Uglies by Scott Westerfield, Matched by Ally Condie and Divergent  by Veronica Roth when it comes to Dystopian and/or Sci-Fi. I'm all for creepy overbearing governments and a choice that could change everything... but I've sampled THG and I'm not so sure about the gazillion super short sentences. Then again, I've been spoiled by the poetic likes of L.M. Montgomery and other classic authors, so to each her own.

Also, I don't really think it's the next Harry Potter. One, because many of the people who hate Harry hypocritically love all the violence in THG. So it cancels out. Two, while this series has an interesting premise, it's not truly a 'different' idea. It is, but it isn't, if you catch my drift. And three, I can already tell this series will not have the exact same 'capture you heart' quality as Harry does. (That, and it isn't a book you want the five year old to grow up with.) In fact, I'm only reading it for three things and three things only: Rue (I fell in love with this character the moment I laid eyes on her movie poster), Katniss' fire dress and Cinna. Two of those aren't even in the two books I managed to barely get my hands on. 

....

For those of you who wonder how I love Star Wars and Artemis Fowl but dislike the violence the the Hunger Games, let me explain. I love action and adventure. Not gore or near-gore. I despise gore. Sci-Fi/Fantasy violence is fine by me, as long as they don't go too far. No straight up blood, no screams you can hear in your head ten years later. No creepy stuff that will make you curl up a month after being exposed to it or make you afraid to go down a slightly dark hallway. Nothing that will make you think that someone typing on the computer in the next room are your siblings--who are secretly hosts to aliens talking in their native tongue--coming to eat you. Or that someone simply moving around is really a serial killer breaking in through the window.

If you got chills with that last paragraph, that was my intent. If not, then I probably went too far with the alien siblings... because I have no idea where that came from myself. You can attribute the serial killer to my and a sibling's overactive imaginations, though. And that wasn't because of gore... it was because we assume too much from simple sounds when half asleep. :P

Books, Star Wars

Do you know what today is?
Do you?
Do you?
 I suppose I shall have to tell you. Today is... the Star Wars: the Clone Wars, season finale! Yep. And I have a bad feeling Obi-Wan is going to get owned.... by Darth Maul. Don't ask. Heheh. Heh. Heh...

Anyyyyyywayyyyyys...

The other day I went to the library and I found all sorts of awesome books! Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes (it's what they based the movie off of), four Artemis Fowls (plus a graphic novel), The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Shine by Lauren Myracle, Pretties by Scott Westerfield and Mediator: Twilight by Meg Cabot.
Wowza. That's a lot of books. And I got three more than expected because I found an extra one and two that were some of the exact same holds that hadn't come through. I can't wait to read them, all of them look so good. And the covers are so beautiful.

*dreamy voice* Did I mention I love books?

Also, I know I've been posting mostly picture oriented posts lately, and I'll try to-

Yoda: Do or do not. There is no try.

I mean, I will be cutting back on the picture oriented posts. Thanks Yoda. I'll be keeping it to Silver Lining Sundays, How Pinteresting (on Wednesdays) and I might do a tutorial every now and then- blogger buttons, anyone?. If there's something with a blog you want to learn how to do, like install a background on Minima, change Minima's size, make a header or download fonts, feel free to say so in a comment. I'll direct you to a tutorial or post one. 

Q&A with CinderScoria!

Hiya! Annika here. Today I'm going to interview a friend and and fellow nanoer of mine. I hope you enjoy this! 

*** 

Q: This probably isn’t a question, but how about you introduce your awesome self to our readers? XD

A: Oh! Sure, no prob! *waves cheekily* Whaddup, people? I’m Jasmine, AKA CinderScoria. Most people just call me Cinder though!

Q: You have an interesting take on the forever warring angels and demons in your novel, The Lucky One. But they’re not fighting by human standards of good and evil. They’re acting on their own merits, traditions and values. What made you decide to take on this view?

A: I had this scene pop into my head, where Lucky learns that Ava and Brock are a demon and an angel, respectively. But Lucky automatically assumes that Ava’s the angel, and she gets annoyed by it. It made me think that maybe demons aren’t perpetually evil, you know? Maybe angels just seized the humans’ good vs. evil perspective and painted them as the bad guys. And then that scene grew into a book and… well, you know the rest.

Q: What inspires you?

A: For writing? Music does. Other writers do. Contests especially, because I’m very competitive and I love prompts. I also have great friends who encourage me and my writing, so that’s another thing.

Q: Do you have any other hobbies or likes you’d like to share?

A: I sing and act. Majorly. If I could do all three—singing, writing, and acting—as a career, I would. I also play the piano and the guitar, and I am a bit of a linguist.

Q: If your book is published (and it will be ;D) do you ever think there is a chance some people will try to ban it? What do you think of that?

A: Oh gosh, yes. When I started writing it I didn’t realize how controversial it would get, but I am taking a lot of things from the Bible—which I have read and respect—that could anger some people. Gabriel, for instance, is a character in my book. So is God (or Adam, as I call him) and Lucifer. It takes the idea that they’re not good and evil, they’re just races in a misunderstanding that has lasted for… a very long time. It’s fiction, but at the same time it’s really cutting it close on the line.

Q: What is your favorite genre to write?

A: Mystery and action, actually. This is my first time writing fantasy. I love crime thrillers.

Q: Who is your favorite author?

A: Gah, I have to pick one? James Patterson is tied with Rick Riordan. And Gorman Korman.

Q: What is your favorite book or book series?

A: My all-time favorite book series is the Hardy Boys. I grew up with them. LOVE them. I also love the Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus series, and the Chronicles of Nick (Infinity and Invincible) series. My all-time favorite book is… Princess Academy. Probably. But there are so many of them, I just don’t know.

Q: Who, in your opinion, is the most awesomesauce character in literature?

A: Oh, I can’t choose one. There’re too many. Book literature, I’d have to say… Nick Gautier (Chronicles of Nick). I have died of laughter reading his snarky remarks. He is so awesome. Um, movies and television, it’s a serious tie between Riley Poole (National Treasure) and Carlos Garcia (Big Time Rush). DON’T LAUGH. They’re both amazingly epic, and I like Carlos because he’s one of the first genuinely happy-go-lucky guys I’ve seen. So there.

Q: What author do you aspire to be like?

A: Either Ally Carter or Rick Riordan. I love their plot styles and the way they incorporate danger and humor. It clicks so well with them!

Q: Do you plan out your novels or just wing it?

A: I plan them. Every single step. And even then it goes way off course. I’ve edited The Lucky One, like, nine times and it’s still in the editing stage.

Q: Do you have anything else you’d like to say?

A: Um, stay in school, kids, and stay true to your heart. Honestly, I’m youthful and I’m proud to say that I like the things I like and I don’t care what other people think. It doesn’t matter what they say—it’s your life and you can live it the way you want to.
Yeah, I’m not good at cheesy advice-giving sessions.
Thanks for interviewing me!

Oh Cinder, you are very, very welcome! Again, I hope you enjoyed this!  Be sure to check out her awesome novel, The Lucky One, on Wattpad!

Literary Heroine Blog Party!

Hiya! Annika here. Ashley over at Cheery-O  did one of these, and I thought it was really neat, so here we are! 


Introduce yourself!  Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

• 
  
• Likes? Writing, Blogging, RPing, learning new things. Not to mention... Star Wars and Artemis Fowl! And Harry Potter. And Anne of Green Gables. And Percy Jackson and the- you get the point ;) Dreams... hmnn... beign a bestselling author, definitely. 
• 
  
• What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 

• 
  
• One who is kind, well educated, resourceful, outspoken and just. And a major book worm.
• 
  
• Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.  

• 
  
• Anne Shirley, Marguerite St. Just and... Annabeth Chase.

• Five of your favorite historical novels?  

• Anne of Green Gabels, Rainbow Valley, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Anne of the Island and  Anne's House of Dreams  
• 
  
• Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? 

Anne. She is kind, resourceful and her antics are heartwarming.

• Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? 

• Gilbert Blythe or the Scarlet Pimpernel. They are both kind and heroic.

If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

• 
  
• Egypt! Or England... or Paris? I would write in Paris, explore England and find a lost tomb in Egypt!

• What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 
• 
  
• 
  
• Tudor England and Ancient Egypt!

• You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? 
• 
  
• Easy. I would read my book out loud, alternating the voices for each character!

• If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 
• 
  
• Elizabeth Benett or Anne of Green Gables, if we're going old school. For a book from now? Hermione Granger!

• What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 
• 
  
• Not completely crazy about it, but yes, I like it quite a bit.

• Favorite author(s)? 
• 
  
• Rick Riordan, Eoin Colfer, J.K. Rolwing, Lisi Harrison, Gail Carson Levine, L.M. Montgomery and E.D. Baker  

• Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land? 
• 
  
• Books. And a computer. 

• In which century were most of the books you read written? 
• The 21st! 

• In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…
• 
  
• It's a tie between Harry Potter and Percy Jackson!

• Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

• Big, cozy with a bigggg study and tons of inspiration and pink! Plus some Tudor touches and roses! And a perfect writing place...
•  

Sum up your fashion style in five words. 

• 
  
• Pink, chic, comfortable, action, fun!

• Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 
• 
  
• Actually... No!

• In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 
• 
  
• Lord Voldemort! Oh yes, his noseless villainy is delightful! 

• Three favorite Non-fiction books? 
• 
  
• 
  
• I don't read non-fiction much... but perhaps Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine,  most books on Egypt :)

• Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 
• 
  
• 
  
• Writing and reading outside... 

• 
  
• Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 
• 
  
• Hats?! Hmnn, not really my style, but a sparkly pink beret!

• Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 

• Winning nanowrimo and having my first finished novel.

• Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” - the Holy Bible, 

• 1 Corinthians 13:4–8

Artemis Fowl...

Okay, I will admit when I first heard about it, I thought it was just another crummy series with another anti-social anti-hero. But for the sake of it, I picked up Eternity Code and Opal Deception, the latter of which I'm reading now.   

They are just amazing! I mean, the villains are ingenious, the hero isn't too good, and his alienation and awkwardness among others around his age is relateable, in a twisted way. And the plots keep you on the edge of your seat right till the last page. 

Artemis is seriously the male personification of awesomeness (Ahsoka being the female one.)

One of the things I really like about this series is the blend of Fantasy and Sci-Fi. I love both genres and are constantly torn between them, so this is a fresh breath of air.

So with that, I only have one thing to tell you if you have a minute:

            Pick up a copy Artemis Fowl. You won't regret it.

P.S. I don't really like how they keep trying to show him as a short, playing-dress-up type of kid in a suit. In the graphic novel, he looks 7, not 13, in my opinion. I see him as a sharp, tall, pale boy with black hair and narrow eyes, not... a baby faced dude with red glasses.

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

Hiya! Annika here. Today we're going to talk about an ongoing debate in the world of writing: Fiction vs. Nonfiction. While I do admit that I side with fiction because it is overall much more enjoyable for me to read and write, I will admit nonfiction has a place. But you do have to draw a line. Haven't you noticed at most libraries entire encyclopedia volumes just sit there for years on end, unopened,while the computers nearby whirl like crazy to keep up with every command? I swear those World Books haven't moved since I was five...

Anyways, pretty much the only reason I haven't really read The Hunger Games by now (besides not wanting to spend 8 dollars on something I will only read once or twice) is because there are like 30+ holds on everything related to it, including the Spanish dubbed audio books. 

Now, that doesn't mean that fiction is in anyway better, just in higher demand. But this is in terms of books, not the internet. Nonfiction does have the internet in its real-life encrusted fist. But with the emergence of sites like Fanfiction.net, Fictionpress.com, Wattpad, Figment and even e-books, this might change. Only time will tell, but it does makes sense to some extent. 

Now, I ask you, readers: What do you think? 

Spotlight Author: Gail Carson Levine

Hello! Annika here. Today on Spotlight, we're going to talk about one of my favoritest authors ever: Gail Carson Levine.

I came upon this outstanding author by chance a couple years ago. I was milling around in the paperback section, thinking there weren't any more good books. Boy was I wrong. Ella Enchanted caught my eye. It looked like it would be a gook book, so I brought it home and started reading... it was AMAZING! 

The fantasy world seemed so real, the characters right next to you, the danger your own! And Ella was just a darling, like an old friend. I read it again sometime later. Still I was blown away! 

Now, I will admit I've only read a few of Gail's books. But the ones I have read were superb. After I was done with Ella, I discovered the Princess Tales, retellings of old fairy tales that usually featured a princess or a to be princess. The only downside was that they were a quick read, as I read them in about two hours, even with distractions. But they were still very entertaining, with good morals, plots and characters overall. 

Now, for something that kept me just as captivated as Ella: Fairest. 

Enter Ava, a chubby, frying-pan-black haired girl, an orphan that was adopted by innkeepers. But there is one thing about her that is more beautiful than any of the other characters: Her singing voice. In the language they speak in the book, Ava actually means 'lark'. Despite her looks, she is one of the best characters I've read in a book in a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes outstanding books and fantasy. 

And now, to a book I'm actually reading now: Writing Magic. I bought it because I kind of needed a writing book and I wanted to learn some of the master's fantasy writing secrets. It's really good and I'm about halfway through, but I can say it's improved my writing already and even induced a few new ideas!

Well, that's today's post. May the Force be with you!

Spotlight Author: Lisi Harrison

Hiya! Annika here. I have a brand new series: Spotlight Author. It's when I pick one of my favorite authors and spotlight him/her.

 This week's author is none other than... drumroll please... Lisi Harrison! Born Elyse E. Gottlieb, this Candian born author might have not even been able to shop at the GAP as a kid, but her glamorous YA books have taken America's tweens and teens by storm. She is the author of NYT Bestselling serieses The Clique,  Alphas and Monster High. All personal favorites for me. I have rarely tried to acquire all the books in a series, but I find myself eagerly devouring each one in each series. There's only a few Clique books I haven't read, one Alphas book and one Monster High Book.

But, there is a downside to reading such high quality books: other YA books that are similar in style and genre come off as cheesy, overdone and pale. There are few authors who match up with her, and those are to name another day.

Okay, truth be told I didn't much like the Clique at first, as at nine years old I thought the books were- I don't know... I was still reading the Ramona books then, mind you. Of course, the more I read them the more I realized how good they were.  I preferred Claire, who's sweet as the gummies she likes so much, even Massie, who made me want to tear my hair out sometimes, grew on me. Alicia, Dylan and Kristen did too. 

After Clique ended February 2011 (D8), I became more interested in Lisi's other series: Alphas. At first I wasn't sure. I mean, I can read a book overnight if I want to, but with Belle of the Brawl I just put it off. Finally, I finished it after a month. My library card didn't take kindly to that. I scooped up the first and last ones during the summer. I. Was. Hooked. I couldn't believe how Lisi blended glamour and sci-fi. One moment a super cute outfit was described, the next it was revealed it had climate adapting qualities! Alpha Island was just epic. And the ending was just epic. I would tell you, but I don't want to ruin that surprise. 

And last, but not least, I finally got to Monster High. At first I didn't have a high opinion of it. But then I read it. It was amazing! I loved Cleo de Nile (I started on the second book) because she reminded me of myself, in a way. Besides, she's an Egyptian Princess! I love Egypt. But the one who I really could relate to was Frankie Stein. Even if she was the daughter of Frankenstein, she was sweet as can be, green skin and all. After that I like Draculaura, then Clawdeen and Melody Carver. 

Well, that's all folks, Annika Elipton signing off! May the Force be with you!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lighting Thief Review

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief is no doubt one of those amazing books that goes on my 'Read It Again and Again' list. I picked it up while doing NaNoWriMo 2011, just to see how another author took on Greek Mythology, which was the topic of my novel. To put it lightly, I was blown away. To the farthest corner of the Universe. The very edge of the cosmos. The- well, you get it. One of the things I liked most was that the book never actually said there isn't a God in the Christian sense. In fact, is hinted that personified and unpersonified Gods coexist.

Moving on... This book was hilarious. I could barely read from laughing so hard at some points. I also loved how Riordan took Greek tales and myths and created scenarios suited to them. I was interested to find out that Medusa was once Poseidon's girlfriend and that Athena had actually 'created' the Gorgon sisters after finding Medusa and Poseidon in her temple. Her sisters were punished as well, since they helped her sneak in. 

I loved Camp Half-Blood, and found the fact that most of the Cabins were honorary was an obvious fact that you don't get at first. I liked that the characteristics of each cabin corresponded to their respective god, such as Zeus' having lightening bolts and Hera's having pomegranates.

I also liked the chapter with Procrustes. I found his maniacal determination to make people fit into his beds funny and 'like, seriously?' at the same time.

I found the Underworld interesting. The Fields of Punishment sickened me and the Fields of Asphodel filled me with dread. It actually made me really think about getting something done in this life. 

Now, let's talk about Percy. According to the Camp Half-Blood wiki he's a twelve year old boy diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia who has been expelled from every school he's ever attended. This is Percy in a nutshell. The ADHD is something that while it might not help him function in a classroom as well, his ever shifting attention will help him keep an eye on things in battle. The dyslexia is a side effect of a mind wired to read Ancient Greek. All the demigods have both of these conditions, so things are more interesting. Grover and Annabeth were two very outstanding secondary characters that helped develop Percy. You got to know him better though them as well.  

I really liked the ending, especially Gabe's fate. 

Well, thank you for reading this review! I tried to keep it as spoiler-free as possible, but that was a big fat, Greek God sized flop, if you may. 

May the Force be with you! Annika Elipton signing off!