Back on the Q&A With Bird, there was supposed to be one more question. I took it off though, because it would have been too long of an answer, and I didn't want to answer it either.
The question was: "What is something you struggle with everyday?"
I settled on writing a seperate blog post for this one instead of ignoring it, or sticking it with the Q&A.
I struggle with a lot of things. Anger, not being self accepting, pride, greed, laziness... really the list just goes on.
But there's only one that manages to come up every single day.
Jealousy.
It's actually considered one of the seven deadly sins.
There's also a Commandment in the Bible ("neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's.")
I have serious issue with envy.
Even bigger an issue, I hate that I have to fight it. All the time.
So not only do I have jealousy, then I have hatred. Every day.
I hate myself that I can't make it go away. That I have to fight it every single breathing moment of every single day on this earth.
I don't envy normal things, like houses or ipods.
I envy experiences with people. Experiences with people I can't have experiences with.
Events that would be impossible for me to go to.
People it would be impossible for me to see.
Knowing about it would be bad enough. But, social media spins it into so much more. Then the person can take pictures and post about it. Sharing inside jokes, or stories you don't have.
I have burst into tears more than once from seeing a post, automatically feeling envy, and then hatred for feeling envy.
Why? Why is this jealousy of people, and relationships implanted inside me?
"Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" - Proverbs 17:4
I found this verse tonight, and it immediately spoke to me.
I have got to keep fighting it. I can't give in. It will overtake me.
"A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned." Xun Zi
I will keep fighting.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Music
Even music that have words, (7x70 by Matt Maher and Haunted by Taylor Swift are my favorite songs with words right now) the music makes the words deeper. It tells the story behind the story. And if it's a good song, you can hear the inflection in the singer's voice and the sorrow or joy behind it.
You can hear the story.
What I love about songs is, you can adapt them to your situation. Any song I listen to, I find a way to look at it from the POV of my own life.
Music is what is saving me right now, in a time when I'm truly confused within myself. I'm a teenager, struggling with friends, and social outlets, and school. And when I feel like I need to scream within myself or at someone, I turn on my ipod or my radio.
I actually started falling asleep to music about a year ago. I found a Christian radio station and every night around 10:00 I turn it on. There is nothing greater than falling asleep to the sounds of music.
Music shows me who I am, where I am, and what I need to be. It shows me beauty, and sorrow, joy, and heartbreak.
It shows me, me.
New Book System
Okay, I'm setting up a new system for my book.
The one I'm on right now, which is the second in the trilogy (Callie's story), I'm in the middle of.
I've finished the first one, so if you would like to read it, you can email me at junebugdramaqueen@gmail.com or leave me a comment on this post with your email, and I can send it to you.
Also, I can send you what I have of the second book if you would like.
Just let me know!
~TrueBird
The one I'm on right now, which is the second in the trilogy (Callie's story), I'm in the middle of.
I've finished the first one, so if you would like to read it, you can email me at junebugdramaqueen@gmail.com or leave me a comment on this post with your email, and I can send it to you.
Also, I can send you what I have of the second book if you would like.
Just let me know!
~TrueBird
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Being Content
It is so hot in my house right now.
I mean, sweltering suffocating heat. All the time. (I actually took a freezing shower for thirty minutes earlier... only to get out and suffocate again.)
I have a tendency to wear sweaters and jeans. And I've been known to walk around with a blanket draped across my shoulders. It makes me feel safe.
In fact, I'm writing this while wearing jeans... I just don't like shorts...
Anyway.
This is why I don't like living somewhere so hot.
But, a midst my complaining, I realized something, and then felt really guilty.
I have a fan. I have warm clothes. I have water and ice to cool off.
Most people don't have what I do. And when I thought about complaining just because I'm sweating while doing nothing, I felt guilty.
Guilty that there are people out there, that are more content with less that I have.
Ouch.
One of the most beautiful quotes to me, is one said by Anne Frank, "Look at all the beauty left around you and be happy."
It might not be the perfect quote, but the message is still the same.
Perspective.
Anne Frank said that. Anne Frank.
Here I am, not hiding from Nazi soldiers that could kill me and my family, and I'm not being very content.
Talk about a guilt trip.
I'm going to try to quit complaining about the heat (and maybe put on some shorts...)
Because I have so much. And I want to be content. So I'm gonna try.
I mean, sweltering suffocating heat. All the time. (I actually took a freezing shower for thirty minutes earlier... only to get out and suffocate again.)
I have a tendency to wear sweaters and jeans. And I've been known to walk around with a blanket draped across my shoulders. It makes me feel safe.
In fact, I'm writing this while wearing jeans... I just don't like shorts...
Anyway.
This is why I don't like living somewhere so hot.
But, a midst my complaining, I realized something, and then felt really guilty.
I have a fan. I have warm clothes. I have water and ice to cool off.
Most people don't have what I do. And when I thought about complaining just because I'm sweating while doing nothing, I felt guilty.
Guilty that there are people out there, that are more content with less that I have.
Ouch.
One of the most beautiful quotes to me, is one said by Anne Frank, "Look at all the beauty left around you and be happy."
It might not be the perfect quote, but the message is still the same.
Perspective.
Anne Frank said that. Anne Frank.
Here I am, not hiding from Nazi soldiers that could kill me and my family, and I'm not being very content.
Talk about a guilt trip.
I'm going to try to quit complaining about the heat (and maybe put on some shorts...)
Because I have so much. And I want to be content. So I'm gonna try.
Book Review: Birthmarked
Birthmarked is written by Caragh M. O'Brien, and is the first in the trilogy.
.jpg)
(btw, there are two different covers for the book, this is the lesser seen one, but I like it better.)
Summary:
Gaia Stone works as midwife in the enclave. In the enclave, each midwife must take the first three children born per month inside the wall of the city. They grow up with a new family there. This is the way the people inside the walls keep prospering. She learns from her mother, and the first night she births a child unassisted, her parents disappear. She hears they have been taken inside the walls, where they are being held for treason. Gaia hears her parents kept a record of all the children that were taken inside the walls. And since there are only two midwives in Western Sector Three, that means all the kids in the sector were recorded. Along with their birthdates, which their biological parents would know by heart. Gaia knows her parents are in deep trouble, and she is too.
Profanity:
Bastard, and slut come up a few times.
Romance:
A kiss. Plus brief mention about a brothel.
Violence:
A few hangings. Gaia delivers a baby by blade delivery after the mother dies. She watches someone die.
Age Suggestion:
13+
My Opinion:
It was amazing. From the first page you are drawn into Gaia's story, and your interest never falters. I've always been interested in midwifery, but even if I hadn't I would have loved the book. The action, suspense, and the romance (which is on the side... can I get a "Whoohoo!!" I love that the romance took a backseat to the plot, but it was still there) was enough to keep me up really really late.
Anyway, this book was absolutely fantabulous... and the ending, of course, is a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the next one, Prized!! :)
(btw, there are two different covers for the book, this is the lesser seen one, but I like it better.)
Summary:
Gaia Stone works as midwife in the enclave. In the enclave, each midwife must take the first three children born per month inside the wall of the city. They grow up with a new family there. This is the way the people inside the walls keep prospering. She learns from her mother, and the first night she births a child unassisted, her parents disappear. She hears they have been taken inside the walls, where they are being held for treason. Gaia hears her parents kept a record of all the children that were taken inside the walls. And since there are only two midwives in Western Sector Three, that means all the kids in the sector were recorded. Along with their birthdates, which their biological parents would know by heart. Gaia knows her parents are in deep trouble, and she is too.
Profanity:
Bastard, and slut come up a few times.
Romance:
A kiss. Plus brief mention about a brothel.
Violence:
A few hangings. Gaia delivers a baby by blade delivery after the mother dies. She watches someone die.
Age Suggestion:
13+
My Opinion:
It was amazing. From the first page you are drawn into Gaia's story, and your interest never falters. I've always been interested in midwifery, but even if I hadn't I would have loved the book. The action, suspense, and the romance (which is on the side... can I get a "Whoohoo!!" I love that the romance took a backseat to the plot, but it was still there) was enough to keep me up really really late.
Anyway, this book was absolutely fantabulous... and the ending, of course, is a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the next one, Prized!! :)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Book Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is written by Carrie Ryan.
.jpg)
The Summary:
Mary lives in a village totally secluded from the Forest. The fences cannot always protect them from the Unconsecrated, however. When Mary's mom is bitten and turned over to the Unconsecrated, Mary is left to ponder what her life is to be. Her mother has told her stories of the ocean and what used to be, and Mary longs for something other than the village and the Forest. When the Unconsecrated burst through the gate, Mary has a decision to make. To stay behind and help the villagers, or follow the path into the Forest, risking everything, to see the ocean.
Profanity:
None.
Romance:
Kissing. Mary and the guy she loves have to live in a house together for awhile.
Violence:
Bloody gory deaths... they're zombies for heaven's sake. You're gonna get some blood.
Age Suggestion:
13+
My Opinion:
This book was lumped into the "If you loved THG" category, and I had heard amazing things from it, so I thought "This'll be great!"
Sigh.
It was bad.
I'm not a big zombie/vampire/werewolf girl. I'm just not. Not because it's gory and disgusting (at least zombies are), but because I truly believe this quote by Michael Grant, "The scariest apocalypse is the one that could really happen."
This, my friends, is the absolute opposite of what could happen.
But, I managed to put aside my whole, "Really... zombies?" prejudice and read the book.
Let me just tell you, the only reason I finished the book is to write this review.
I find fault with the way it's written. It's just so... old.
Which is weird, because it's a futuristic book. I don't know, something about the way it's written and the world she lives in (villages, nuns, arranged marriages) does not scream FUTURE!!!
Also, I don't think there should be nuns and zombies in the same book, but that's just my opinion.
I also had some serious issues relating to Mary. Maybe it was her really complicated love life, or the way her brain never seemed to work the way mine would have ("FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, GIVE UP THE OCEAN FOR THE HOT GUY, MARY!!" was my main thought through the book).
I just didn't feel it. I also didn't like the way it ended.
Basically, this was a no-go for me. But hey, maybe it's for you!
The Summary:
Mary lives in a village totally secluded from the Forest. The fences cannot always protect them from the Unconsecrated, however. When Mary's mom is bitten and turned over to the Unconsecrated, Mary is left to ponder what her life is to be. Her mother has told her stories of the ocean and what used to be, and Mary longs for something other than the village and the Forest. When the Unconsecrated burst through the gate, Mary has a decision to make. To stay behind and help the villagers, or follow the path into the Forest, risking everything, to see the ocean.
Profanity:
None.
Romance:
Kissing. Mary and the guy she loves have to live in a house together for awhile.
Violence:
Bloody gory deaths... they're zombies for heaven's sake. You're gonna get some blood.
Age Suggestion:
13+
My Opinion:
This book was lumped into the "If you loved THG" category, and I had heard amazing things from it, so I thought "This'll be great!"
Sigh.
It was bad.
I'm not a big zombie/vampire/werewolf girl. I'm just not. Not because it's gory and disgusting (at least zombies are), but because I truly believe this quote by Michael Grant, "The scariest apocalypse is the one that could really happen."
This, my friends, is the absolute opposite of what could happen.
But, I managed to put aside my whole, "Really... zombies?" prejudice and read the book.
Let me just tell you, the only reason I finished the book is to write this review.
I find fault with the way it's written. It's just so... old.
Which is weird, because it's a futuristic book. I don't know, something about the way it's written and the world she lives in (villages, nuns, arranged marriages) does not scream FUTURE!!!
Also, I don't think there should be nuns and zombies in the same book, but that's just my opinion.
I also had some serious issues relating to Mary. Maybe it was her really complicated love life, or the way her brain never seemed to work the way mine would have ("FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, GIVE UP THE OCEAN FOR THE HOT GUY, MARY!!" was my main thought through the book).
I just didn't feel it. I also didn't like the way it ended.
Basically, this was a no-go for me. But hey, maybe it's for you!
Book Review: Crossed
Crossed is the second in the Matched trilogy by Ally Condie.
.jpg)
Summary:
This book picks up a few months after Matched left off, with Cassia in a work camp, far from home, searching for her love, Ky, who is fighting to survive amid the violence in the Outer Provinces and plotting to escape in search of Cassia. Their paths eventually lead them first to parallel canyons and finally to each other, with traveling companions in tow. Amid a backdrop of violence and death, they piece together information about the Rising, the rumored rebellion against the Society. Cassia is eager to find the Rising, but it’s the one place Ky feels he can’t go. All the while, the absent Xander -- Cassia’s Society-chosen betrothed -- is revealed to have a surprising secret of his own. (summary taken from commonsense.org/)
Profanity:
None.
Romance:
Some kissing. Implication 2 people have sex, although nothing is said specifically, and the characters do not have names.
Violence:
Children are given death sentences, and die of thirst or attacks. Cassia runs upon some burned bodies on a plain. Nothing is dwelt upon though.
Age Suggestion:
12+
My Opinion:
It wasn't as good as the first, honestly. I still liked it a lot, and it was better than some of the second books of trilogies I've read. Most of the time in trilogies, the second book is the worst, because the first opens the series, and the last one closes it. Plus the beginning and end books hold the most secrets and surprises. The second book is normally the one to breach the gap between the two. It has to connect them, and that's sometimes very hard to do. Ally Condie did a good job, though. She did save some surprises which was really good.
I found myself really frustrated with Ky at points, but I can't say why without spoiling some stuff.
The book is a good one, and I can only hope Reached will be even better!
Summary:
This book picks up a few months after Matched left off, with Cassia in a work camp, far from home, searching for her love, Ky, who is fighting to survive amid the violence in the Outer Provinces and plotting to escape in search of Cassia. Their paths eventually lead them first to parallel canyons and finally to each other, with traveling companions in tow. Amid a backdrop of violence and death, they piece together information about the Rising, the rumored rebellion against the Society. Cassia is eager to find the Rising, but it’s the one place Ky feels he can’t go. All the while, the absent Xander -- Cassia’s Society-chosen betrothed -- is revealed to have a surprising secret of his own. (summary taken from commonsense.org/)
Profanity:
None.
Romance:
Some kissing. Implication 2 people have sex, although nothing is said specifically, and the characters do not have names.
Violence:
Children are given death sentences, and die of thirst or attacks. Cassia runs upon some burned bodies on a plain. Nothing is dwelt upon though.
Age Suggestion:
12+
My Opinion:
It wasn't as good as the first, honestly. I still liked it a lot, and it was better than some of the second books of trilogies I've read. Most of the time in trilogies, the second book is the worst, because the first opens the series, and the last one closes it. Plus the beginning and end books hold the most secrets and surprises. The second book is normally the one to breach the gap between the two. It has to connect them, and that's sometimes very hard to do. Ally Condie did a good job, though. She did save some surprises which was really good.
I found myself really frustrated with Ky at points, but I can't say why without spoiling some stuff.
The book is a good one, and I can only hope Reached will be even better!
The Pudding Kid
The kid I was best friends with in kindergarten,
The kid I was best friends with in 2nd grade.
The kids I was best friends with in 3rd grade.
I could tell you their first names. I cannot, however, tell you their last names.
You have to wonder what happened to those people. If they turned out like you always thought they would. If maybe you would still be best friends.
See, that's the weird thing about life. We're totally aware in 2nd grade that a person is our best friend, but then we lose contact with them.
And we're okay with that.
But, I started to think about some people I used to best friends with. Kids that were just like me. The one I probably regret losing contact with the most was Sean.
We were best friends in 2nd grade, and yeah, okay, I might've had a crush on him. But, that's beside the point.
The point is, we liked talking to each other. I cannot tell you how many times we got in trouble for talking in the "reading corner". "No talking in the reading corner"... whatever... that's just a suggestion...
We used to eat lunch at the same table (remember when I said I laughed when a kid said "pudding"? Yeah, that's him.)
I got all the girls at the table to laugh every time Sean said pudding, and when the other guys said it we just stared at them.
They were so frustrated.
Anyway, I wish I still knew him. He could have been one of my best friends now. It sucks that we don't think about this stuff when we're little.
"Oh, hey when I'm older I'm probably going to wonder what happened to them... maybe we should stay in touch..."
I wish I had.
(I'm still trying to dig up my old yearbook to find his last name... in case you were wondering).
The kid I was best friends with in 2nd grade.
The kids I was best friends with in 3rd grade.
I could tell you their first names. I cannot, however, tell you their last names.
You have to wonder what happened to those people. If they turned out like you always thought they would. If maybe you would still be best friends.
See, that's the weird thing about life. We're totally aware in 2nd grade that a person is our best friend, but then we lose contact with them.
And we're okay with that.
But, I started to think about some people I used to best friends with. Kids that were just like me. The one I probably regret losing contact with the most was Sean.
We were best friends in 2nd grade, and yeah, okay, I might've had a crush on him. But, that's beside the point.
The point is, we liked talking to each other. I cannot tell you how many times we got in trouble for talking in the "reading corner". "No talking in the reading corner"... whatever... that's just a suggestion...
We used to eat lunch at the same table (remember when I said I laughed when a kid said "pudding"? Yeah, that's him.)
I got all the girls at the table to laugh every time Sean said pudding, and when the other guys said it we just stared at them.
They were so frustrated.
Anyway, I wish I still knew him. He could have been one of my best friends now. It sucks that we don't think about this stuff when we're little.
"Oh, hey when I'm older I'm probably going to wonder what happened to them... maybe we should stay in touch..."
I wish I had.
(I'm still trying to dig up my old yearbook to find his last name... in case you were wondering).
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Emotion
I used to be immune to emotion. My parents thought my lack of humor was actually a birth defect. I'm not kidding, ask them.
I could sit through a depressing movie and not shed a tear. (Seriously, the first time I watched the Titanic, I don't think I cried.)
I'm not exactly sure when this changed.
But at some point, I gained a sense of humor (mine is much like my mom's: heavy sarcasm), and tear ducts.
I will now bust out laughing at things that aren't that funny, just to laugh. (Ask the kid in my third grade class. I laughed one day when he said "pudding". But we were best friends... so I don't think it scarred him that much.)
I cry during every movie I watch now. Whether or not it's sad.
I cried during Tangled. Tangled.
Don't even get me started on Finding Nemo. That movie is just depressing.
Anyway...
All this to say, I like emotion. Whether it's being funny or sad, I enjoy it.
I found this quote that I really love:
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. The must be felt by the heart." - Helen Keller.
I'm also a big fan of the quote on this picture of me laughing. "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
I could sit through a depressing movie and not shed a tear. (Seriously, the first time I watched the Titanic, I don't think I cried.)
I'm not exactly sure when this changed.
But at some point, I gained a sense of humor (mine is much like my mom's: heavy sarcasm), and tear ducts.
I will now bust out laughing at things that aren't that funny, just to laugh. (Ask the kid in my third grade class. I laughed one day when he said "pudding". But we were best friends... so I don't think it scarred him that much.)
I cry during every movie I watch now. Whether or not it's sad.
I cried during Tangled. Tangled.
Don't even get me started on Finding Nemo. That movie is just depressing.
Anyway...
All this to say, I like emotion. Whether it's being funny or sad, I enjoy it.
I found this quote that I really love:
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. The must be felt by the heart." - Helen Keller.
I'm also a big fan of the quote on this picture of me laughing. "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
Book Review: A Corner of the Universe
A Corner of My Universe is written by Ann M. Martin.
Summary:
It's 1960 and Hattie Owen is enjoying her summer, like she does every year. Quiet summers are a given in quiet Millerton.
And then, something happens and turns Hattie's world upside down.
Her uncle (who she didn't even know existed) is coming to stay with her grandparents who also live in Millerton. Adam (her uncle) is coming back from Chicago where the school he was staying at closed. Adam is 21, but he has a child's mind. He is an idiot-savant, with a very good memory, and a passion for I Love Lucy.
When Adam comes to quiet Millerton, he quickly becomes friends with 12 year old Hattie. He informs her at one point that she's, "one of the people who can lift the corners of our universe."
Profanity:
None, other than God's name being used in vain.
Romance:
A woman and man are caught "in the act" by the main character but that's basically all it says. There is no detail given.
Violence:
Someone dies, but it is only talked about, not seen.
Age Suggestion:
13+
My Opinion:
This book. Oh my word. This might have been what turned me into such an emotional person. This book is beautifully written, and full of heartbreak. I don't even know how to describe what I was feeling. I was right there with Adam as people laughed and gawked and made fun of him for something he couldn't change. I was right there with him, and I felt it. I was personally pained as I read this book. That's not something that happens to me a lot. I've just read so many books, it's hard for one specific book to make a huge impact on me and rock my world. This one did. To this day, one of my favorite quotes is said by Adam up above. It's a beautiful quote, because it says that even though there are awful people in this world, some people have the power to make things okay again. To right everything and lift the dark places to bring in light.
This book is one of the ones (much like The Secret Life of Bees) that teaches us something, and it is a wonderful book.
Summary:
It's 1960 and Hattie Owen is enjoying her summer, like she does every year. Quiet summers are a given in quiet Millerton.
And then, something happens and turns Hattie's world upside down.
Her uncle (who she didn't even know existed) is coming to stay with her grandparents who also live in Millerton. Adam (her uncle) is coming back from Chicago where the school he was staying at closed. Adam is 21, but he has a child's mind. He is an idiot-savant, with a very good memory, and a passion for I Love Lucy.
When Adam comes to quiet Millerton, he quickly becomes friends with 12 year old Hattie. He informs her at one point that she's, "one of the people who can lift the corners of our universe."
Profanity:
None, other than God's name being used in vain.
Romance:
A woman and man are caught "in the act" by the main character but that's basically all it says. There is no detail given.
Violence:
Someone dies, but it is only talked about, not seen.
Age Suggestion:
13+
My Opinion:
This book. Oh my word. This might have been what turned me into such an emotional person. This book is beautifully written, and full of heartbreak. I don't even know how to describe what I was feeling. I was right there with Adam as people laughed and gawked and made fun of him for something he couldn't change. I was right there with him, and I felt it. I was personally pained as I read this book. That's not something that happens to me a lot. I've just read so many books, it's hard for one specific book to make a huge impact on me and rock my world. This one did. To this day, one of my favorite quotes is said by Adam up above. It's a beautiful quote, because it says that even though there are awful people in this world, some people have the power to make things okay again. To right everything and lift the dark places to bring in light.
This book is one of the ones (much like The Secret Life of Bees) that teaches us something, and it is a wonderful book.
Book Review: The Secret Life of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees is written by Sue Monk Kidd and was suggested to me by my mom.
Summary:
Set in 1964 in the deeply racist town of Sylvan, South Carolina, The Secret Life of Bees is a story of grief and wanting to be loved. Lily Owens lived with her father on his peach farm. After years of living with a father who does not love her, she feels deeply unloved. When her black nanny insults three of the biggest racists in town, Lily finally runs away, Rosaleen, with her. Rosaleen and Lily go to the one place that Lily has always wanted to go: Tiburon. She only has three things of her mother's (who died when Lily was four) and written on the back of a picture of her mom's says, "Tiburon, South Carolina".
Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by a quirky trio of beekeeping sisters, August, May, and June.
The sisters help Lily uncover the grief over Lily's mom, who Lily accidentally killed when the gun she was holding went off without warning. They help her see that everyone can be, and deserves to be loved.
Profanity:
God's name taking in vain, D word, S word, and B word. (Profanity is heavy in the first few chapters, but it seriously dies down after Lily runs away).
Romance:
A kiss between two teens.
Violence:
Lily remembers her mother's death. Someone kills themselves by drowning. Some men hit a woman.
Age Suggestion:
14+
My Opinion:
This book had me crying. A lot. Which was really unfortunate because I was reading it at midnight in my bed... and I am not a quiet crier...
Anyway, this book has so many great messages. I have a theory, that there are two different types of books. The books that take you away from reality (fairy tales, dystopians) and then there are books that teach you something. Books that dig deeper into reality instead of taking you away from it, you could say. This is one of the ones that you wouldn't want to live in. One that teaches us something. Sometimes you just need one of those books, you know?
This is definitely one of my favorite books. You should give it a try! :)
Summary:
Set in 1964 in the deeply racist town of Sylvan, South Carolina, The Secret Life of Bees is a story of grief and wanting to be loved. Lily Owens lived with her father on his peach farm. After years of living with a father who does not love her, she feels deeply unloved. When her black nanny insults three of the biggest racists in town, Lily finally runs away, Rosaleen, with her. Rosaleen and Lily go to the one place that Lily has always wanted to go: Tiburon. She only has three things of her mother's (who died when Lily was four) and written on the back of a picture of her mom's says, "Tiburon, South Carolina".
Lily and Rosaleen are taken in by a quirky trio of beekeeping sisters, August, May, and June.
The sisters help Lily uncover the grief over Lily's mom, who Lily accidentally killed when the gun she was holding went off without warning. They help her see that everyone can be, and deserves to be loved.
Profanity:
God's name taking in vain, D word, S word, and B word. (Profanity is heavy in the first few chapters, but it seriously dies down after Lily runs away).
Romance:
A kiss between two teens.
Violence:
Lily remembers her mother's death. Someone kills themselves by drowning. Some men hit a woman.
Age Suggestion:
14+
My Opinion:
This book had me crying. A lot. Which was really unfortunate because I was reading it at midnight in my bed... and I am not a quiet crier...
Anyway, this book has so many great messages. I have a theory, that there are two different types of books. The books that take you away from reality (fairy tales, dystopians) and then there are books that teach you something. Books that dig deeper into reality instead of taking you away from it, you could say. This is one of the ones that you wouldn't want to live in. One that teaches us something. Sometimes you just need one of those books, you know?
This is definitely one of my favorite books. You should give it a try! :)
Book Review: The 39 Clues- One False Note
.jpg)
This is the second book in the 39 Clues series, picking up exactly where the first (The Maze of Bones) left off.
Each of the books in the series are written by different authors, this one written by Gordon Korman.
Summary:
Dan, Amy, and their au pair, Nellie, find themselves traveling all over the world in the search for the 39 clues. This book starts off with them having found a piece of music written by Mozart give to Ben Franklin. That piece of music guides them across many countries in search of the next clue.
Profanity:
God's name is taken in vain once (I believe, I could be wrong. I know they say, "Thank God!" but I don't remember if they say anything else.)
Romance:
None.
Violence:
There's less violence in this one then there was in the first. A girl holds a dart gun to another girl's neck, but says it will only knock her out. A boy almost strangles another boy.
Age Suggestion:
11+
My Opinion:
It bugged me that there are different authors for each book. I mean, what if one author wants to make Dan sappy all of a sudden, and Amy gutsy? Who gets the final say-so? But I digress.
This was a better read for me than the first book, because whereas the first book's theme was Ben Franklin, this one was Mozart. And I know way more about Mozart than I do about Ben Franklin, so it was easier to follow along with the clues and the places they visited.
I'm also loving Nellie. I know no one in their right mind would ever act like she does, taking kids halfway around the world in a deadly race for some pieces of paper, but I really like her.
I also like that they took the cat... it makes for some interesting pieces of the book.
All this to say, it was pretty awesome :)
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Book Review: Specials
The third installment in the Uglies series, directly following Pretties.
.jpg)
The Summary:
Tally has been taken, along with her boyfriend Zane, after an ill- fated escape attempt back to her city.
She is then forced to become a Special. The Specials keep the city under control, and the job of the Specials that Tally is a part of is to track down the New Smoke.
Tally wants to find the New Smoke, and take it down. The are beneath her, because she is Special, and they are not. (Brain lesions much?)
When she sends a bunch of non- Specials to track down the New Smoke, and she follows them, But the wild changes her like it has before, and she finds herself questioning everything. Maybe being Special isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Profanity:
One "hell".
Romance:
One kiss.
Violence:
People crashing into objects, grenades being thrown, people jumping off high buildings, one sad and slow death, and people cutting themselves.
Age Suggestion:
12+
My Opinion:
Well.
This series started SO well. And then things took a nose dive. I was left absolutely speechless at the end of this book. So much action, and then things just stopped. I think he needed another book. The ending of the trilogy was painfully abrupt. It was bad.
Not to mention the confusing aspects of the love triangle. Without giving anything away, the only thing I can say is, I was about to throw the book into the wall. Seriously.
Also, it got soo repetitive. She escapes, turns herself back in. Escapes, gets dragged back. Escapes, turns herself in. Escapes.
Please, a little versatility would have been lovely.
You can't use every version of an escape you want to. People get really really really bored. I had to force myself to finish the book. Which was really disappointing given how much I adored the first one.
It wasn't done justice. At all, in my opinion. But, I am glad I read them. The first one, at least.
The Summary:
Tally has been taken, along with her boyfriend Zane, after an ill- fated escape attempt back to her city.
She is then forced to become a Special. The Specials keep the city under control, and the job of the Specials that Tally is a part of is to track down the New Smoke.
Tally wants to find the New Smoke, and take it down. The are beneath her, because she is Special, and they are not. (Brain lesions much?)
When she sends a bunch of non- Specials to track down the New Smoke, and she follows them, But the wild changes her like it has before, and she finds herself questioning everything. Maybe being Special isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Profanity:
One "hell".
Romance:
One kiss.
Violence:
People crashing into objects, grenades being thrown, people jumping off high buildings, one sad and slow death, and people cutting themselves.
Age Suggestion:
12+
My Opinion:
Well.
This series started SO well. And then things took a nose dive. I was left absolutely speechless at the end of this book. So much action, and then things just stopped. I think he needed another book. The ending of the trilogy was painfully abrupt. It was bad.
Not to mention the confusing aspects of the love triangle. Without giving anything away, the only thing I can say is, I was about to throw the book into the wall. Seriously.
Also, it got soo repetitive. She escapes, turns herself back in. Escapes, gets dragged back. Escapes, turns herself in. Escapes.
Please, a little versatility would have been lovely.
You can't use every version of an escape you want to. People get really really really bored. I had to force myself to finish the book. Which was really disappointing given how much I adored the first one.
It wasn't done justice. At all, in my opinion. But, I am glad I read them. The first one, at least.
Book Review: Once Upon a Marigold
This book, written by Jean Ferris is a delightfully funny fairy tale... I loved it, and I'm a teenager. :)
.jpg)
The Summary:
Christian and Edric the Troll's paths cross one day when Christian runs away from his uptight family. Determined never to go back, Christian makes Edric and his two dogs, Beezlebub and Hecate, his family. They live a good life until Christian falls in love with Princess Marigold and decides that he should see more of the world -- the world around Marigold's castle. When Christian discovers a plot against Marigold and her father, he enlists his family to help break out of prison, prevent Marigold's arranged marriage, foil Queen Olympia's murderous plot, reunite several families, and reveal his true and forgotten identity. Oh, and learn about Princess Marigold's curse! (summary taken from commonsensemedia.org/)
Profanity:
None.
Romance:
There's a few weddings, and Christian is in love with Princess Marigold.
Violence:
People are taken to the dungeon, A woman tries to kill people either by poison or "accident".
Age Suggestion:
8+
My Opinion:
This book was so cute, and absolutely hysterical. The main character tends to blend together expressions, which is of course, fun because you have to stop and think about what the correct expression is.
I've always loved fairy tales, but after awhile they start to blend together.
Unless you REALLY know what you're doing.
The person who wrote this book knew what they were doing. I mean for heaven's sake, it says on the cover of the book "Part Comedy, Part Love Story, Part Everything- but-the-kitchen-sink."
It's funny from the time you pick up to the book to the time you close it... and it's just so darn CUTE! The perfect book for pre-teens... and teens :)
Annnndddd!!!! There's a sequel!! I just got it, and I'm about to start reading it! :)
The Summary:
Christian and Edric the Troll's paths cross one day when Christian runs away from his uptight family. Determined never to go back, Christian makes Edric and his two dogs, Beezlebub and Hecate, his family. They live a good life until Christian falls in love with Princess Marigold and decides that he should see more of the world -- the world around Marigold's castle. When Christian discovers a plot against Marigold and her father, he enlists his family to help break out of prison, prevent Marigold's arranged marriage, foil Queen Olympia's murderous plot, reunite several families, and reveal his true and forgotten identity. Oh, and learn about Princess Marigold's curse! (summary taken from commonsensemedia.org/)
Profanity:
None.
Romance:
There's a few weddings, and Christian is in love with Princess Marigold.
Violence:
People are taken to the dungeon, A woman tries to kill people either by poison or "accident".
Age Suggestion:
8+
My Opinion:
This book was so cute, and absolutely hysterical. The main character tends to blend together expressions, which is of course, fun because you have to stop and think about what the correct expression is.
I've always loved fairy tales, but after awhile they start to blend together.
Unless you REALLY know what you're doing.
The person who wrote this book knew what they were doing. I mean for heaven's sake, it says on the cover of the book "Part Comedy, Part Love Story, Part Everything- but-the-kitchen-sink."
It's funny from the time you pick up to the book to the time you close it... and it's just so darn CUTE! The perfect book for pre-teens... and teens :)
Annnndddd!!!! There's a sequel!! I just got it, and I'm about to start reading it! :)
Book Review: Pretties
This is the second installment in the Uglies series, written by Scott Westerfield.
.jpg)
The Summary:
After making an escape from the city, Tally has decided to give herself up to be "pretty". She does this because Maddy (David's mother) has made a cure for the lesions in your brain after you become pretty. The lesions cause you to be carefree, and peaceful. But they don't allow you to think for yourself. So, Tally volunteers to be made pretty, and take the cure to be sure it works.
She becomes pretty, and is enjoying her new life (the lesions remember?) until the Smokeys turn up again, and remind her why she became pretty in the first place. But now, she has to decide whether or not to take the pill, and remind herself that everything isn't as easy as it seems.
Profanity:
Hell and D*** are used a few times.
Romance:
Kissing.
Violence:
Some violent falls form buildings and into rivers. A few times it is mentioned that characters cut themselves so they can see clearly.
Age Suggestion:
12+
My Opinion:
I'm not sure where to start.
I was pleasantly surprised when Tally turned herself in at the end of the last book.
From there, my pleasantness slowed.
It bugged me that she forgot David, and got a new boyfriend. I know she shouldn't be expected to remember David with the lesions, but I really didn't want a complicated love triangle. But, that's what I got.
Anyway, it was okay. The plot was good, but for my own personal reasons, I had trouble relating to Tally. Maybe it's because she loves heights, and diving off things... and that's one of my biggest fears. I mean here she is vaulting off buildings into rivers, and I'm sitting here, perfectly safe, teeth clenched, hands in fists. I hate heights that much, But anyway. It was good. It wasn't as good as the first one, but it was okay. Again, I think it would have thrived better in first person. Much of the book is in her head, so it's weird for someone to be narrating it.
I think justice wasn't quite done here. I was expecting something much better for the second one, but just you wait until the third book. It will have you wanting to rip your fingernails off in utter frustration.
The Summary:
After making an escape from the city, Tally has decided to give herself up to be "pretty". She does this because Maddy (David's mother) has made a cure for the lesions in your brain after you become pretty. The lesions cause you to be carefree, and peaceful. But they don't allow you to think for yourself. So, Tally volunteers to be made pretty, and take the cure to be sure it works.
She becomes pretty, and is enjoying her new life (the lesions remember?) until the Smokeys turn up again, and remind her why she became pretty in the first place. But now, she has to decide whether or not to take the pill, and remind herself that everything isn't as easy as it seems.
Profanity:
Hell and D*** are used a few times.
Romance:
Kissing.
Violence:
Some violent falls form buildings and into rivers. A few times it is mentioned that characters cut themselves so they can see clearly.
Age Suggestion:
12+
My Opinion:
I'm not sure where to start.
I was pleasantly surprised when Tally turned herself in at the end of the last book.
From there, my pleasantness slowed.
It bugged me that she forgot David, and got a new boyfriend. I know she shouldn't be expected to remember David with the lesions, but I really didn't want a complicated love triangle. But, that's what I got.
Anyway, it was okay. The plot was good, but for my own personal reasons, I had trouble relating to Tally. Maybe it's because she loves heights, and diving off things... and that's one of my biggest fears. I mean here she is vaulting off buildings into rivers, and I'm sitting here, perfectly safe, teeth clenched, hands in fists. I hate heights that much, But anyway. It was good. It wasn't as good as the first one, but it was okay. Again, I think it would have thrived better in first person. Much of the book is in her head, so it's weird for someone to be narrating it.
I think justice wasn't quite done here. I was expecting something much better for the second one, but just you wait until the third book. It will have you wanting to rip your fingernails off in utter frustration.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Book Review: Uglies
Another dystopian... sorry guys. ;)
Okay, this book kept popping up everywhere. The whole, "If you loved The Hunger Games or Divergent you'll love this book!" yada yada yada. I looked it up, but it didn't appeal to me. Not even the summary.
"In a world of extreme beauty everyone normal is ugly," is on the cover of the book, for pete's sakes. Not my kind of book.
But then, I was browsing at the library and came across it, and thought, "What the heck... if nothing else it'll be a good book review on my blog."
Let me just tell you how much I fell in love with this book. I think the best books are the ones we anticipate hating, because we don't have high expectations for them AT ALL.
.jpg)
The Summary:
Uglies is the first in a trilogy (with an extra book afterward, that doesn't pertain to the main character) written by Scott Westerfield.
Tally Youngblood, our main character, lives in Uglyville at the beginning of the story. In the city, you are pronounced "ugly" until you reach the age of 16, when you undergo surgery to make you "pretty".
Tally's only friend, Peris, turns 16 before her and she is left to wait for her 16th birthday alone. Until she meets Shay, a young daredevil and rebel much like herself. Tally and Shay become friends and have a lot of fun, until Shay tells Tally about a new city where no one is pretty, and everyone is themselves. Shay also tells Tally that she is going to run away and go there. She invites Tally to come, but why would Tally want to go, when all she's ever wanted was to be pretty?
Shay leaves, and Tally prepares to become pretty. However, the law of the city (called Special Circumstances) knows Tally was friends with Shay and offers Tally a choice.
To go find Shay and turn her and the entire secret city over to Special Circumstances, or never become pretty herself.
Profanity:
None.
Violence:
A few deaths, nothing is described though. The operation to turn people "pretty" is described in detail.
Romance:
A few kisses.
Age Suggestion:
10+
My Opinion:
This book is probably going on my top twenty favorite books. And a book has to be really good to go on that list. Not only because of the spectacular plot, but because of the message it gives out. A bunch of times, the book refers to the people and the country before the whole "pretty" ordeal. It mentions that the reason everyone has to be "pretty" is because the country before had all kinds of wars and jealousy problems with appearances. People starving themselves to be skinnier, people wanting to look prettier than other people, and the controversy of skin color. Does this sound familiar to you guys? For heaven's sake, this is us...
This is our society! Look how shallow we are! I realize that being "ugly" and then "pretty" is pretty darn shallow, but look at us! This book really points out our flaws as humans and our need to be better, prettier, than anyone else.
Wake up call for me. Seriously.
Anyway, the book was great.
I did find some things I wasn't a fan of though. Such as it being told in third person. I normally read (and write) in first, so it's really, and I mean really, hard for me to adapt to third person quickly. I was still struggling with it halfway through the book, because as I saw, there was no real point to doing it in thirdt. In fact, it would have been better in first. But, I'm giving the guy props on writing this book from a girl's point of view. It's hard to write from the other gender's POV(trust me, I've tried. And failed.)
I also figured out the big huge secret/ climaxy thing way before it was unveiled. A little more discretion to the secret would have been really nice. And there were a few characters that really confused me (what's up with Shay halfway through the book? It's like someone flipped a switch and she morphed into a new person...)
But overall it was amazing, and I'm already halfway through the next book in the trilogy, "Pretties".
Okay, this book kept popping up everywhere. The whole, "If you loved The Hunger Games or Divergent you'll love this book!" yada yada yada. I looked it up, but it didn't appeal to me. Not even the summary.
"In a world of extreme beauty everyone normal is ugly," is on the cover of the book, for pete's sakes. Not my kind of book.
But then, I was browsing at the library and came across it, and thought, "What the heck... if nothing else it'll be a good book review on my blog."
Let me just tell you how much I fell in love with this book. I think the best books are the ones we anticipate hating, because we don't have high expectations for them AT ALL.
The Summary:
Uglies is the first in a trilogy (with an extra book afterward, that doesn't pertain to the main character) written by Scott Westerfield.
Tally Youngblood, our main character, lives in Uglyville at the beginning of the story. In the city, you are pronounced "ugly" until you reach the age of 16, when you undergo surgery to make you "pretty".
Tally's only friend, Peris, turns 16 before her and she is left to wait for her 16th birthday alone. Until she meets Shay, a young daredevil and rebel much like herself. Tally and Shay become friends and have a lot of fun, until Shay tells Tally about a new city where no one is pretty, and everyone is themselves. Shay also tells Tally that she is going to run away and go there. She invites Tally to come, but why would Tally want to go, when all she's ever wanted was to be pretty?
Shay leaves, and Tally prepares to become pretty. However, the law of the city (called Special Circumstances) knows Tally was friends with Shay and offers Tally a choice.
To go find Shay and turn her and the entire secret city over to Special Circumstances, or never become pretty herself.
Profanity:
None.
Violence:
A few deaths, nothing is described though. The operation to turn people "pretty" is described in detail.
Romance:
A few kisses.
Age Suggestion:
10+
My Opinion:
This book is probably going on my top twenty favorite books. And a book has to be really good to go on that list. Not only because of the spectacular plot, but because of the message it gives out. A bunch of times, the book refers to the people and the country before the whole "pretty" ordeal. It mentions that the reason everyone has to be "pretty" is because the country before had all kinds of wars and jealousy problems with appearances. People starving themselves to be skinnier, people wanting to look prettier than other people, and the controversy of skin color. Does this sound familiar to you guys? For heaven's sake, this is us...
This is our society! Look how shallow we are! I realize that being "ugly" and then "pretty" is pretty darn shallow, but look at us! This book really points out our flaws as humans and our need to be better, prettier, than anyone else.
Wake up call for me. Seriously.
Anyway, the book was great.
I did find some things I wasn't a fan of though. Such as it being told in third person. I normally read (and write) in first, so it's really, and I mean really, hard for me to adapt to third person quickly. I was still struggling with it halfway through the book, because as I saw, there was no real point to doing it in thirdt. In fact, it would have been better in first. But, I'm giving the guy props on writing this book from a girl's point of view. It's hard to write from the other gender's POV(trust me, I've tried. And failed.)
I also figured out the big huge secret/ climaxy thing way before it was unveiled. A little more discretion to the secret would have been really nice. And there were a few characters that really confused me (what's up with Shay halfway through the book? It's like someone flipped a switch and she morphed into a new person...)
But overall it was amazing, and I'm already halfway through the next book in the trilogy, "Pretties".
Book Review: Flipped
I took a little break from the dystopian kick I'm on to read Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen (quite a name...). I've heard there's a movie, although I haven't seen it.
.jpg)
The Summary:
Juli Baker has had a crush on Bryce Loski for 6 years, but he has wanted nothing to do with her. She has more than a crush, she's in love with Bryce. She's liked him since they were in second grade, after all. Everywhere he goes, it seems like Juli follows him. What guy would like her back?
Things start to change when Juli's favorite tree gets chopped down. She isn't herself anymore. She doesn't fawn all over Bryce, and she sort of fades into the background. That's when Bryce starts to really notice Juli, and the fact that there may be more to her than what meets the eye.
Profanity:
None.
Violence:
None.
Romance:
Other than the whole book being about liking someone, there's nothing. There's talk about kissing, but no actaul kissing.
Other:
Talk about girls fighting over a guy. Juli's uncle is retarded. Bryce talks about how Juli's family doesn't take care of their home, and metions that there's chicken poop covering the back yard.
Age Suggestion:
8+
My opinion:
It was good. I really liked it because it alternated chapters between Juli and Bryce telling the story, so you can see both sides of the story. I'm always a fan of that. It wasn't very long, I read it in an hour and a half. It was a sweet book, nothing that made a huge impact on my life or anything, but it was nice. It was nice to read something light hearted and cheerful after reading nothing but dystopians for a month.
I think it's a really good book for pre-teens, I think at a certain age you lose people's interest though. I certainly had to force myself to read the last few chapters because, well, there was a new dystopian on my shelves just itching to be read. But, I finish everything, whether I like it or not, and I am glad I did finish it. It had a very gratifying ending.
The Summary:
Juli Baker has had a crush on Bryce Loski for 6 years, but he has wanted nothing to do with her. She has more than a crush, she's in love with Bryce. She's liked him since they were in second grade, after all. Everywhere he goes, it seems like Juli follows him. What guy would like her back?
Things start to change when Juli's favorite tree gets chopped down. She isn't herself anymore. She doesn't fawn all over Bryce, and she sort of fades into the background. That's when Bryce starts to really notice Juli, and the fact that there may be more to her than what meets the eye.
Profanity:
None.
Violence:
None.
Romance:
Other than the whole book being about liking someone, there's nothing. There's talk about kissing, but no actaul kissing.
Other:
Talk about girls fighting over a guy. Juli's uncle is retarded. Bryce talks about how Juli's family doesn't take care of their home, and metions that there's chicken poop covering the back yard.
Age Suggestion:
8+
My opinion:
It was good. I really liked it because it alternated chapters between Juli and Bryce telling the story, so you can see both sides of the story. I'm always a fan of that. It wasn't very long, I read it in an hour and a half. It was a sweet book, nothing that made a huge impact on my life or anything, but it was nice. It was nice to read something light hearted and cheerful after reading nothing but dystopians for a month.
I think it's a really good book for pre-teens, I think at a certain age you lose people's interest though. I certainly had to force myself to read the last few chapters because, well, there was a new dystopian on my shelves just itching to be read. But, I finish everything, whether I like it or not, and I am glad I did finish it. It had a very gratifying ending.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Q&A with Bird
What inspired you to start writing?
Hm... I've always loved to write. Even when I was little. I guess I was inspired by the little things I used to write. Like essays and stuff. I noticed I loved it. That might not be a direct answer, but I've always written, so it's hard to remember a time when I didn't and when I first started writing.
Who is your favorite author?
This is a hard one. I love Jane Austen, but I'm also a fan of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth. Those are probably my top three favorite authors. I don't know that I could pick a specific one.
Do your your friends and family inspire characters in your books?
Actually, they do! My brother recently inspired a character (Lucas in the book I'm writing now), and Tess from Marigolds was inspired by my best friend. And, when I described Callie's mother in my most recent book, that was exactly like my mom.
What are your favorite colors?
Bright orange and white. It's the color scheme for my room,and of course, Go VOLS!
What are your favorite songs right now?
Haunted by Taylor Swift is my very favorite right this minute. I'm also in love with The Story of Us by Taylor Swift, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson and What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. Oh, and Good Girl by Carrie Underwood.
Annnd...Me Without You by Toby Mac.
I like music.
What is your favorite book genre?
Right now it's the whole YA dystopian, post- apocalyptic thing for me. But, I go through phases. About a year ago it was the Holocaust books. And a year before that was Titanic books.
What is your favorite movie?
Okay... I'm not a huge movie watcher, so this is hard.
I really love the 4th and 6th Star Wars. I also like all the old Disney movies. For example, The Lion King and Aladdin.
If you haven't noticed I have THE hardest time with favorites. I'm not sure why but I've always been this way.
What are your top five favorite books?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Legend by Marie Lu, Fever by Laurie Halse Anderson, and a toss up for the last one between When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin or the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis.
If you could go back in time and talk with one person who would it be and why?
Jackie Kennedy. She's always fascinated me. I did a research paper on her a couple years back. I found it interesting that everyone held her in such high standards and she was the fashion queen. I would love to know what it would be like to be the First Lady too.
What is your favorite food?
Can coffee count as food? Other than coffee... (I know it's a drink... leave me alone.) probably either peach ice cream or macaroni and cheese.
What are your pet peeves?
People interrupting me, people releasing series books with a year in between each one (I have a list a mile long of books that I'm waiting to get my hands on), being out of coffee, and getting the hiccups.
What do you want to do with your life?
I'm thinking double majoring in Technical Writing and Journalism and minoring in Photography.
What do you do when you're mad?
Take a nap.
What was the last movie you saw?
In the movie theater it was Snow White and the Huntsman. At home it was the 2nd Star Wars (last night as a matter of fact.)
What was the last book you read?
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. Finished it yesterday. Very good book, can't wait for the sequel.
What was the last song you listened to?
Summer Nights from the Grease! soundtrack.
Hm... I've always loved to write. Even when I was little. I guess I was inspired by the little things I used to write. Like essays and stuff. I noticed I loved it. That might not be a direct answer, but I've always written, so it's hard to remember a time when I didn't and when I first started writing.
Who is your favorite author?
This is a hard one. I love Jane Austen, but I'm also a fan of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth. Those are probably my top three favorite authors. I don't know that I could pick a specific one.
Do your your friends and family inspire characters in your books?
Actually, they do! My brother recently inspired a character (Lucas in the book I'm writing now), and Tess from Marigolds was inspired by my best friend. And, when I described Callie's mother in my most recent book, that was exactly like my mom.
What are your favorite colors?
Bright orange and white. It's the color scheme for my room,and of course, Go VOLS!
What are your favorite songs right now?
Haunted by Taylor Swift is my very favorite right this minute. I'm also in love with The Story of Us by Taylor Swift, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson and What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. Oh, and Good Girl by Carrie Underwood.
Annnd...Me Without You by Toby Mac.
I like music.
What is your favorite book genre?
Right now it's the whole YA dystopian, post- apocalyptic thing for me. But, I go through phases. About a year ago it was the Holocaust books. And a year before that was Titanic books.
What is your favorite movie?
Okay... I'm not a huge movie watcher, so this is hard.
I really love the 4th and 6th Star Wars. I also like all the old Disney movies. For example, The Lion King and Aladdin.
If you haven't noticed I have THE hardest time with favorites. I'm not sure why but I've always been this way.
What are your top five favorite books?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Legend by Marie Lu, Fever by Laurie Halse Anderson, and a toss up for the last one between When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin or the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis.
If you could go back in time and talk with one person who would it be and why?
Jackie Kennedy. She's always fascinated me. I did a research paper on her a couple years back. I found it interesting that everyone held her in such high standards and she was the fashion queen. I would love to know what it would be like to be the First Lady too.
What is your favorite food?
Can coffee count as food? Other than coffee... (I know it's a drink... leave me alone.) probably either peach ice cream or macaroni and cheese.
What are your pet peeves?
People interrupting me, people releasing series books with a year in between each one (I have a list a mile long of books that I'm waiting to get my hands on), being out of coffee, and getting the hiccups.
What do you want to do with your life?
I'm thinking double majoring in Technical Writing and Journalism and minoring in Photography.
What do you do when you're mad?
Take a nap.
What was the last movie you saw?
In the movie theater it was Snow White and the Huntsman. At home it was the 2nd Star Wars (last night as a matter of fact.)
What was the last book you read?
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. Finished it yesterday. Very good book, can't wait for the sequel.
What was the last song you listened to?
Summer Nights from the Grease! soundtrack.
Juliana and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Well.
I was jolted awake this a.m. out of my NIGHTMARE to my mother saying, "Everybody is late. You have fifteen minutes to be out of the door." I opened my eyes, and it was 7:45. No thanks.
I run downstairs, pull on some clothes, decide to change five minutes later, pull my hair in a ponytail, then fix it five minutes later, and brush my teeth. I don't eat breakfast, and I feel like a zombie.
Get in the car, on the way to the orthodontist, where they are going to put 2 wires and 2 brackets back on.
Halfway there: "Daddy, I don't feel good." comes from the backseat. "Holt, do you feel nauseous?" "Yes and I feel like I have a fever."
I don't know if y'all know this about me, but I can't stand being around someone throwing up, especially not in a closed car with them. So, I start counting down the minutes till we get to the ortho. Funny, how now I was looking forward to getting there.
He didn't end up sick, and we got there on time.
Then the real fun began. The lady put both brackets back on, and then started on the wires. Halfway through threading it through the top row of my teeth, she decides it isn't going to be long enough, so she yanks it out and starts over.
Halfway through threading it again, the bracket falls off. So she yanks the wire back out. Again. I considered biting her. Several times actually.
And then she dropped an instrument on my face... that was awesome.
So, then I'm thinking, "Okay, bad day's over! Ortho is done!"
And then she informs me I can't eat anything harder than mashed potatoes for 24 hours.
I'm a picky eater as it is. The only thing that's softer than mashed potatoes that I can think of is soup. And I don't like soup. So guess what I ate for lunch and will be eating for dinner? That's right, mashed potatoes.
And then I took a nap... nightmares... again. Actually it was weird, this time I had a nightmare, and when it ended it started over. How weird is that?
I thought it was pretty strange.
Anyway... I just needed to vent. I'm done now. (I'll post another chapter of my book soon, I promise! :))
Monday, July 16, 2012
Rabid Bunnies and Other Nightmares
Hey guys, sorry it's been so long.
My computer decided to spaz on me and not let me sign in on Blogger, (yes, it was utterly frustrating.)
And then, my brain decided to focus all it's energy and creativeness into this trilogy I'm writing. That coupled with the nightmares, makes for no blogging for the bird.
What about these nightmares, you say?
Well, about 6 months back I had nightmares every night for about two weeks. It was awful. But then, all of a sudden they stopped. So, I quit thinking about them.
They came back. They were not invited. They barged right in. Not very nice guests are they?
I've had them for about two weeks every night now (yes, I did look this up on google. FYI, that's a bad idea. Every answer to "Is having nightmares every night for weeks normal?" will turn up the answer "No, you need to seek professional help." Helpful.)
I've had everything from being chased by Nazi's, trapped in a house I could not get out of, being driven out of the country, shot at, and everything in between.
The other night I was being held at gunpoint in my dream, when all of a sudden everything rocked and tipped, the gun went off and I woke up. My rib cage felt like I really had been shot, and I was wide awake.
Turns out it was my brother who got up to turn the fan at 4 in the morning and flung himself back into bed, waking me up since I sleep right underneath him.
Fun.
I don't know why I'm sharing all this other than to apologize for taking a week off from blogging.
However!!! I finished the first book in my trilogy!! So, I was somewhat productive this week.
When I wasn't running from rabid bunnies and forced to piece together impossible puzzles in my mind, that is.
My computer decided to spaz on me and not let me sign in on Blogger, (yes, it was utterly frustrating.)
And then, my brain decided to focus all it's energy and creativeness into this trilogy I'm writing. That coupled with the nightmares, makes for no blogging for the bird.
What about these nightmares, you say?
Well, about 6 months back I had nightmares every night for about two weeks. It was awful. But then, all of a sudden they stopped. So, I quit thinking about them.
They came back. They were not invited. They barged right in. Not very nice guests are they?
I've had them for about two weeks every night now (yes, I did look this up on google. FYI, that's a bad idea. Every answer to "Is having nightmares every night for weeks normal?" will turn up the answer "No, you need to seek professional help." Helpful.)
I've had everything from being chased by Nazi's, trapped in a house I could not get out of, being driven out of the country, shot at, and everything in between.
The other night I was being held at gunpoint in my dream, when all of a sudden everything rocked and tipped, the gun went off and I woke up. My rib cage felt like I really had been shot, and I was wide awake.
Turns out it was my brother who got up to turn the fan at 4 in the morning and flung himself back into bed, waking me up since I sleep right underneath him.
Fun.
I don't know why I'm sharing all this other than to apologize for taking a week off from blogging.
However!!! I finished the first book in my trilogy!! So, I was somewhat productive this week.
When I wasn't running from rabid bunnies and forced to piece together impossible puzzles in my mind, that is.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Treasures
I told myself yesterday I was going to do a super clean in my room and throw all kinds of stuff away, and shove even more stuff in my closet. But then, I ended up taking a nap. On the floor. Because I took a nap while in the middle of cleaning, so I couldn't exactly get to my bed. So I slept on the floor.
Anyway...
So, I picked up cleaning it again today, which meant organizing papers, cleaning under my bed, and moving stuff around.
I had, at some point decided to shove all 374 and 1/2 (the 1/2 a purse is complicated... the short of the long is, fainting, doctor's office, strap breaking. Got it?) of my purses under my bed. Great idea at the time. Not so great when you want to move the bed, and you know that not all 374 and 1/2 of those purses will move with the bed.
So, I started pulling them out.
Which worked fine, until I had a huge pile and then had to decide what to do with them all. They were not under any circumstances going back under my bed.
So, somehow they wound up on the counter of my bathroom.
Anyway...
I have this horrible habit of leaving stuff in purses when I switch over ("Gosh, do I really need 14 chapsticks?" "My next purse is too small to carry my books in, I think..." etc...) and so the first step was to take all the junk out of my purses.
I stumbled upon this halfway through:
(Quit squinting your eyes and looking sideways at the computer screen, I'm gonna explain what it is.)
Okay, so this is just a random box, however it is not the box, but what is in the box that is important.
Not this either. This is just a little baggy. I like protective layers, OK?!
Here we go. This is basically any sweet note anyone has ever given me, all movie ticket stubs, and favorite Bible verses in one little package. I thought I had lost it forever. (Turns out I'm just really disorganized. Who knew?!) I had this overwhelming sense of happiness and joy when I opened that purse and it was sitting right there. So, of course, I abandoned cleaning(I know I have ADD, don't poke fun.) and went through everything in there. I even added some notes and movie stubs I've gotten recently. It was wonderful. :)
Anyway...
So, I picked up cleaning it again today, which meant organizing papers, cleaning under my bed, and moving stuff around.
I had, at some point decided to shove all 374 and 1/2 (the 1/2 a purse is complicated... the short of the long is, fainting, doctor's office, strap breaking. Got it?) of my purses under my bed. Great idea at the time. Not so great when you want to move the bed, and you know that not all 374 and 1/2 of those purses will move with the bed.
So, I started pulling them out.
Which worked fine, until I had a huge pile and then had to decide what to do with them all. They were not under any circumstances going back under my bed.
So, somehow they wound up on the counter of my bathroom.
Anyway...
I have this horrible habit of leaving stuff in purses when I switch over ("Gosh, do I really need 14 chapsticks?" "My next purse is too small to carry my books in, I think..." etc...) and so the first step was to take all the junk out of my purses.
I stumbled upon this halfway through:
Okay, so this is just a random box, however it is not the box, but what is in the box that is important.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
The Moment
There's this moment. The moment when you know, you just know, that you've written something spectacular. And you just step back, and reread everything surrounding that piece of art. You just drink in the words you just wove together.
That moment, is the reason why I write. I write for hours a day, I piece together sentences in the shower, I get ideas and experiences in my own life, I do this all for a reason.
To know I've written something to be proud of.
It doesn't come often, which is frustrating. But when it does happen, it makes me realize why I write. Why I love to write with all my heart.
Would you like some examples?
"As I’m running, I reach up and yank off the band that keeps my hair together. It flies out behind me, the red streaking the sky like fire. It flickers like flames behind me, never getting quite close enough to burn me. I grin. This, this feels like freedom."-Marigolds
That moment, is the reason why I write. I write for hours a day, I piece together sentences in the shower, I get ideas and experiences in my own life, I do this all for a reason.
To know I've written something to be proud of.
It doesn't come often, which is frustrating. But when it does happen, it makes me realize why I write. Why I love to write with all my heart.
Would you like some examples?
"As I’m running, I reach up and yank off the band that keeps my hair together. It flies out behind me, the red streaking the sky like fire. It flickers like flames behind me, never getting quite close enough to burn me. I grin. This, this feels like freedom."-Marigolds
"The eyes are what strikes me. Takes my breath away. Both his
eyes, and his sister’s. It’s like looking straight into a forest, the way the
colors blend and mix.
He looks at me staring at him. He cocks his head, studying
me. I look away from his gaze.
“I’m not going soft. But I’m not a cruel animal, either.” He
says quietly."- Found
"My
eyes just clear the window, so I can see. I see concrete. And guard’s boots.
And guns. Nothing pleasant. Nothing to take my mind off this place. I’m about
to go back to my cot when I notice one little thing. There’s a bird. It’s not
big, and it’s not particularly pretty, but to me it’s a breath of fresh air.
And for a minute I’m back at the creek, hauling up buckets of water, and
humming my song. She’s a homely little thing, brown and white, with a blue
beak. She takes off flying, and I gasp as she soars above the trees until she
becomes simply a dot. I smile in spite of my leg, my head, or Tess, Todd, or
Grant. I smile because that bird is free.
She will never have to worry about her children being taken away, or
getting a bad job. She will never have to marry someone she doesn’t love. She
can do what she wants. She can be who she is. And no one will care. I want that
freedom so bad it hurts down deep in my gut. I want to be that bird.
And
I make a promise to myself, to Todd, to Tess, to Grant, and all these people in
these cells right then and there.
I
don’t know how, or when. But I swear, I will get us out of here. We will all be
free like that bird. I bet my life on that."- Marigolds
This is why I write. These examples, all proved to me why I do what I do. They were confirmation that I can do what I love.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Fears and Fantasies
I have a love-hate relationship with the library.
I love libraries to death. I absolutely love walking in and thinking about all the stories that are waiting to open by my fingertips and suck me in. I love the smell of new books. The crackling of spines as I discover books no one else has in a while.
The problem is, I'm not alone.
Many of you will find this hard to believe since I'm such a hyper maniac around my friends, but I am painfully shy around people I don't know. Painfully shy.
The problem is, with the library, is it's a public place.
Rut roh. Danger, Danger Will Robinson!
And so, for the longest while, I have stayed in the children's section. I'm the oldest one there, and so it's not as hard for me. But today, I realized I have read just about everything there worth reading.
And so, I did the impossible. I ventured into the teen's section.
There were about seven people in there. I almost turned around and walked out. But I told myself I had as much right to be there as they did. So I kept walking. I didn't start at "A" because it was right next to the computers where five of the seven people were located.
No thanks.
I went into the middle of the alphabet and balanced the three books I already had on my hip while I browsed the books while trying to look like I belonged.
A lady and her two sons walked into the row I was in, and trust me, the row was not big enough to accommodate four people. So, I walked out and into the next row. Of course there were two teenage girls on that row... awesome.
So I walked back out and just sort of waited. The lady and her sons left, and soon enough so did those girls. I walked back into the rows and just kind of stood there. I crouched down and started flicking through books, glancing at titles. My sixth sense with books took over, and I found some hidden deep in stacks, even some that had been shoved behind some books. My stack grew to about ten books. I straightened, grabbed my stack and my purse and walked out with my head held high.
I overcame my fear.
Book Review: The 39 Clues-The Maze of Bones
The 39 Clues- The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
.jpg)
Dan and Amy decide to take the clue even though they have no
money. They think it’s what their grandmother would want them to do. The story
unfolds through a series of clues the seven teams find.
This is just the first book in the series.
Profanity:
God’s name is taken in vain once.
Romance:
None.
Violence:
Children are caught in an avalanche. They live but with
series injuries. A concussion bomb goes off, giving a family concussions. A
girl electrocutes two men(they don’t die). Cement is almost poured on top of
kids.
Suggested Age?:
Well, this one is weird. The writing style tells me it’s
written mainly for pre-teens. However, the content tells me otherwise. It’s a
very simple read, but it is a pretty violent book.
So 12+ probably.
My opinion?:
Okay, the book was awesome. Seriously, it was great. I’m a
huge sucker for books that are full of puzzles and clues. The problem is, if
you don’t know a lot about Ben Franklin or the cities they visit, the clues
they find won’t make much sense. Which is a downer. But, it was a great read. I’m
excited to get my hands on the next one!
Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society
.jpg)
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Reynie is a special kid. He is an orphan, but he’s always
been special. So when he sees an ad in the newspaper looking for gifted
children (which he thinks is silly; how many children read the newspaper?) he
jumps at it.
The book automatically starts giving puzzles and clues to
figure bits of the book out. He takes a series of tests where he meets three
other children in the process that are gifted. Not in the same way he is, but
gifted nonetheless. Kate, who is an orphan, Sticky who’s story will unfold
later, and Constance who is annoying and stubborn.
The kids find that the person who conducted the tests is now
asking them a very serious question. He says that there will be an Emergency
soon, and the only way it can be stopped is by retaining more information about
it. The evil man who is in charge of the Emergency has an institute for
children(where he uses the kids to control the population(don’t worry, they
explain it all in detail)) so the four kids go there to be spies. They report
back to the man they work for, Mr. Benedict, with what they find.
Profanity?:
None J
Romance:
None.
Violence?:
Some fights break out.
Age?:
8+
My opinion?:
This book was amazing. And the really great thing is, even
though I marked the age as 8+, I’m 14 and couldn’t put the book down. (I
actually stole it from my little brother while he was reading it). I love this
book a lot because it’s full of puzzles. I pride myself on being able to figure
out puzzles in books really easily, but even some of the ones in this book
stumped me. This book was amazing. I simply could not put it down. This is one
of those books that I’m glad has books to follow it. J
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Book Review: The Giver
The Giver is written by Lois Lowry (author of Gathering Blue and Number the Stars)
Summary:
Jonas lives in a perfect world, on the outside. He lives in a perfect family unit, (2 parents, 1 girl child 1 boy child), takes his medicine and does everything the Elders tell him to do.
Summary:
Jonas lives in a perfect world, on the outside. He lives in a perfect family unit, (2 parents, 1 girl child 1 boy child), takes his medicine and does everything the Elders tell him to do.
Every year, every child goes through a ceremony. There’s the
ceremony of 1, the ceremony of 2 and so on until you reach 12. Every ceremony
you get something new, like a bike. When you get to the twelfth ceremony, you
get your assignment. Your assignment can be anything from helping the elderly
to fish hatchery.
When Jonas receives his assignment however, his is different
from everyone else’s. In fact there have only been a few with the same job as
his. His assignment is to be the next Giver.
The Giver holds memories. Memories of pain, memories of happiness,
and oddest of all, colors. No one else in the community has them. Someone has
to have them, but they don’t want everyone to have them for fear of a revolt or
something. So, the Giver holds them in his mind. But the Giver is getting old,
and it’s time for a new one to learn the ways and become the next Giver.
That will be Jonas.
Profanity:
None.
Violence:
A baby is killed, but it is done by a needle and medicine to
it’s head. Nothing bloody or gory. Jonas sees nasty blood filled fights happen
before his eyes.
Romance:
There are things called “The Stirrings” and everyone in the
world takes medicine to make them go away. Jonas quits taking the pills for a
while, when he becomes the Giver. Nothing happens though really.
Suggested Age?:
10 or 11+
My opinion?:
The book is kind of strange, but Lois Lowry is known for
making her books weird (kind of like Madeline L'engle. A Wrinkle in Time has the same creepy factor. I think Lois Lowry and Madeline L'engle were seperated at birth.). It is very interesting though,
and it makes you think. This is a really great dystopian book for younger
readers, I read it when I was 9.The book does leave off with an immense
cliffhanger, but I have heard that there is a sequel. I can’t confirm that,
however because all I’ve heard is rumors. The book has some interesting
concepts, and it’s probably good to read it once. It’s not long at all, and it’s
pretty simple.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)