Palimpsest, and Other Funny English Words

Happy Summer!

You know, besides that fact that it's 95 degrees outside and the power is currently out.

This summer has been more busy than relaxing, and while I'm happy about that, I'm also aching for a rest. Which just isn't coming. I don't mind being holed up in the cool basement, but my family hates it, so we go out a lot. But I keep an open mind, and it works out because last night we took a ride up in the canyons and it was raining. Raining! I was so happy I thought I was going to cry.

Wikipedia

Have you ever heard the ridiculous word palimpsest? If you've studied English, perhaps, but it's weird. It sounds weird. It's not a word you'd insert into everyday conversation. But it's also a word that I love. If you look it up on Google, you'll get the following definition:

A manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.

The analogy of this type of writing surfaced during feminist studies, which simply meant that women used their own analogies to describe their thoughts, emotions, and circumstances because during the nineteenth century they couldn't come out with a basic truth and have it be acknowledged. In other words, they wrote fluff while the men wrote academics.

Goodreads

While I don't necessarily want to focus on feminism today, I do want to talk about the idea that palimpsest exists in most fiction I've read. For example, I recently finished Rogue by Julie Kagawa, a YA book where a dragon can shift into human form and is on the run from two organizations that want her dead (this is the second book in the series). The battle between dragons and humans? Not new. It's an analogy for other wars. That between countries, between blacks and whites, between Natives and non-Natives. It doesn't take a genius to connect this fictional story to an obvious truth; the need for humans to get along with each other and try to see from another's perspective. Kagawa, one of my favorite authors, has always had a way of doing this in her books. There is a constant struggle between two "classes" of humans (Fey and human, vampire and human, or dragon and human), and it is the protagonist's job to bring some kind of peace and cooperation between the two. (You can read my review of Rogue here on Goodreads)

Another word that makes no sense (which also starts with a p, coincidence?) is pathos. I'd heard this word before, but only because my husband wrote it down above a sketch for a sculpture he wanted to do. "What is pathos?" I asked him.

"Pathos is pity," he said. "Or maybe empathy." He wasn't saying the definition had changed, just the way he was thinking about it. So I googled that too:

A quality that evokes pity or sadness.

Interestingly enough, pathos plays an important part in palimpsest. Emotion is key to all artwork. If a book doesn't reach out and grab your heart, it hasn't done its job. If a painting or sculpture doesn't relate to you, or if a piece of music doesn't make you tear up, then there is something missing in that piece for you. I'm not saying everyone should like the same music. But if a piece of work is created and it touches no one, then what is the meaning of its existence? Writers use pathos to bring us into the story.

Goodreads

For example, in Homebody by Orson Scott Card, the protagonist Don Lark has already suffered the loss of his baby daughter. How can you not feel for him? Even though he's not a real person, you know it's a real possibility for someone to be in his position. So you feel for him. Experience pathos. Without it, the story would have been boring and pointless. (You can read my review of Homebody here on Goodreads)

The other word you often see associated with pathos is ethos. Okay, I know I'm getting boring, but ethos is a great word that I think should be injected into our vocabulary. Don't you love google? They say ethos is:

The characteristic spirit of culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. 

English students use this word a lot. They talk about the ethos of an essay or the ethos a piece of writing is trying to convey. Again, this is simply involving an emotion - or a spirit, to be more correct - into the writing that will make it interesting to readers, or to get them emotionally involved.

Den of Geek

Hmm...should we be done with trivial words for the day? Sounds good. What I wanted to do with these words is talk about the importance of putting real human feeling and emotion into writing. That can go for the movies and TV, for why your favorite TV show is your favorite TV show. I like to watch The Flash on the WB, and much of that has to do with how well they incorporated emotion into their first season. I know it's cheesy, but it holds my attention. I also went to see Spiderman: Homecoming last week, and was drawn in for the same reason. My new favorite Spiderman movie, and the reasons why are that the writing, the directing, and all the other work behind it weave together for an emotional ride that had me on the edge of my seat. I won't tell you where I almost cried, because that would be a spoiler, but trust me, it's good.

This is the kind of thing that makes me want to be a better person, that makes me want to show my love for my husband and kids every day so they know I love them no matter what. Understanding others is how peace comes, how I can put away my anger about something I didn't understand before. Being observant, and bringing those experiences I see to light is what changes people. And, hopefully, that writing, that artwork, is motivation enough for us to become better people, and to change the world, one small act at a time.

Marxism and (Kids) Movies

And no, I'm not a communist.

So...turns out you can't be an English major and not have movies ruined for you in some way. Seriously. Ask any of us. Especially at the point in time when we're studying Marxist criticism. What we do is study the way text and language is affected by Marxist theology (along with a hundred other criticisms, like psychoanalysis, deconstruction, and feminism). Language is everywhere, even in the movies.

wikia.com

Which means that while watching Ice Age over the beautiful sunny weekend, a light bulb clicked on while I watched the saber-toothed squirrel Scrat try to get that acorn. The acorn might represent the American Dream and the squirrel could represent any person (or thing) under the upper class (the one percent). Do you see where I'm going with this? What used to be just a hilarious movie is now a platform for Marxist criticism.

Wikipedia

One of my favorite movies, Anastasia, is riddled with this kind of stuff. The setting does start out in Red Russia, after all. You have Anastasia, who is unsatisfied with being a poor orphan and wants to find out if she can have a better life (beautiful girl means happily ever after). Demetri, who grew up a servant in the castle and has always been poor, sees his con of training girls to look and act like princesses an opportunity to get out of the lower class and "be happy." You see where I'm going with this. Things I like about this movie? One, Anastasia does not need to be saved by Demetri; they work together and it is Anastasia who ultimately defeats Rasputin. Two, that Demetri realizes that he doesn't need the money to be happy, but that it's Anastasia that he loves. Some might argue that he only wants Anastasia because of the status she holds, but 1) he starts to fall in in love with her before he realizes who she really is, and 2) he takes off with her, even though she decides not to stay with all the money either.

Wow. That was tiring.

Okay, so I did promise some book reviews. The latest book I read was Blackmoore, which also offers a good Marxist or feminist reading. This book is an entertaining visit to the past with a Jane Austen romantic feel. I gave it three stars (this isn't a bad review - I do recommend it, especially if you like romantic escapes). One reason I like it is because it shows how "imprisoned" females were in that era, and she is ready to break rules (like go to India with her aunt - no place for a lady) because of it.

Hope you enjoyed these short, sporadic thoughts for today.

Happy Reading!

Reinvented

Yes, it's true. I am reinvented. Sort of. It's not like I switched religions or anything. But after a recent discussion with my husband (you will also hear me refer to him as my boyfriend, Mr. Hottie, etc.), and a slew of events that were minimally life-changing, I am redefining my blog. I can't do YA anymore. Scratch that. I can do some of it, just not all of it. Because as the wise Dr. W once said, "Wasn't Narnia a whole different experience when you read it as an adult?"

(As Aslan roars in my face)

The answer is, "Of course it was." What I'm looking for is good literature. Good reads. Like the website. I'm kind of tired of over-the-top extremely handsome guys and out-of-this-world sparkling beautiful gals. I want substance. Besides sex, I mean. I don't need that from a book.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized I don't have that many years left. Even if I live to be 100, I will never get to read all I want to, nor will I get to experience everything I want to. I need to choose things that will benefit me somehow, not just give me instant and fleeting pleasure. It's not that I'm going to feel guilty about all the YA I have read. Nor about the time I've spent following boards on pinterest of things I'm never going to do. But now it's time to stop. To turn a new leaf.

http://justsomething.co/the-34-most-hilarious-pinterest-fails-ever/

This isn't going to be a book review blog alone, but will now include intellectual thoughts. I will try to maintain a theme, especially year-by-year, but I'm not promising I will be that organized. I do promise I won't post any cookie recipes. Or tell you about my awesome parenting skills (puh-lease). I might post a favorite piece of literature from the Gutenberg project. Or a favorite painting. You get the idea. And yes, I will still read. Because...guilty pleasure alert...I just got a digital copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Overdrive. Squeee!

Oh yeah, this is good stuff. Because we do need an escape. But Harry Potter can be deep, too. I think that's why I liked the series so much. All that "love" goo. Serious stuff. But also really fun. Don't mock me. I loved it a long time ago.

The two books whose covers are pictured above are books that I read for my Lit class. While I never would have picked these books up without a class assignment (or at least a strong recommendation from a friend), I am so glad I've read them. The first, The Inconvenient Indian, is a brief history of the Native Americans from the time of Colonialism down and is written from a Native perspective. Thomas King has a colorful, honest, and sardonic way of telling these stories without boring us with a textbook version. American Indian Stories is a collection of essays and stories by Zitkala-Sa, AKA Gertrude Bonnin, who has written down these things in beautiful language and includes the story of her childhood. Yes, both of these are politically driven, but they're also interesting and well-written.

Well, there it is. Reinvented. What do you think?

Great Summer Reads - Keeping the Moon

What I'm listening to right now: The cat begging me to let him in.
What mood I'm in today: Reading

It's a warm summer day here, and I know you all want a good book to read by the pool side or holed up in your cool basement. I thought I would throw out some great summer reads, and start with this one:

Keeping the Moon, by Sarah Dessen, is a light yet thought-provoking read about Colie's summer at her aunt's. You can read my review on Goodreads. I'm going to pick up another Sarah Dessen ASAP, and enjoy my summer by the pool - er, I mean, in the basement.
Happy Reading!

Bones of Faerie

What I'm listening to right now: Greensleeves
What mood I'm in today: Reading

It rained last night. And this morning when I went outside it smelled AWESOME (okay, so I could probably find some better words to describe it than that). Fall is finally showing its face. We've already raked up 8 bags of leaves. Only 37 more to go...
Fall is the perfect time to cuddle up with a mug of hot tea and a good book. This one made me the tiniest bit sad that the leaves didn't change color in the fall anymore...you'll have to read to figure out what I'm talking about.

 

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner is a dystopian faerie novel...so how could I resist? You can read my review on Goodreads.
As always, happy reading!

Skulduggery Is Afoot

What I'm Listening To: Linkin Park, What I've Done
What Mood I'm In Today: Editing

This is a copout, because I'm just copying and pasting my review from Goodreads, but really. I have to read all of Shakespeare's sonnets by Friday, so relax. Also, this is more of a kids book than a YA book. But I enjoyed.

 

I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars, so I just put 4, mostly because my kids absolutely LOVED this book. They're pretty excited now to read the rest of the series.
Skulduggery Pleasant is the name of a skeleton detective who works for the magical. Stephanie is actually the protagonist, and this is her story of how she got involved in a case and a chase for a key and a mythical scepter that not even the strangest creatures believed in. It's fast paced and really interesting.
That being said, it was a little harder to follow because there was so much going on. I felt like there was a lot of information scrunched into one book, and too many characters. After a few chapters I was thinking, "Who's Tanneth?" This could also be because we listened to the book while on a road trip, so I recommend sitting down and reading this one. It will probably make more sense.
Very fun though, and my oldest son especially enjoyed it and started drawing the characters while we were in the car. If you like fantasy books that are maybe similar to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, this is a really fun book.
Click for link to Goodreads site

Just So You Know

What I'm listening to right now: Celtic Violin Music
What mood I'm in today: Reading

I always try to review a book once a month, but I'm often a slacker. I haven't even really finished a book in the last two months, except for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, which I cheated with and listened to. And the truth is, I'm going back to school starting tomorrow and will be reading nothing but Shakespeare. Although I'm excited for it, it's hard to read and I doubt I will be able to fit in much else.

The first book in the series - Thanks to Google Books for image

As for my review of Percy Jackson, it'll be short. It was fun to listen to while I was doing dishes and cooking, I'll admit that. The book seemed to lose me in a few places, but the plot and overall feel of the book was just kind of fun and wholesome. It was the kind of book I needed, really. I thought Annabeth was a little more interesting in the movie than the book, and I admit that I liked the movie better, but maybe that's because I saw it first. The characters were more developed in the movie, and honestly I can't wait to see Sea Of Monsters, which just came to the movie theater.

IMDB

Honestly, I can't believe the Lightning Thief didn't get very good reviews. This is one of those movies we own and watch at least every three months. I guess when you read the book first, sometimes you don't like the movie much (enter Harry Potter), but I like this movie and the actors in it.

The one thing I did like about the book was *SPOILER ALERT* the fact that Luke went through a lot of people (Aries, for one) and made him look like the bad guy, when it was really Luke all along. I suspect, however, that as the series progresses that Luke won't be Bad Guy Number One (I could be wrong about that, who knows?) and that someone else is behind all of this messing with the gods.

Now that my schedule will be hectic, I'll probably be writing some things about Shakespeare. I'm hoping to finish The Eternity Cure before I have to take it back, but we'll see how it goes. Until then, I'm praying for more rain and that the deathly heat wave we've been experiencing is finally over. I can't wait to spend a day in the park with my back turned to the warm (not hot) sun, my nose buried in a book.

Crossed

What I’m listening to right now: Wide Awake, Katy Perry

What mood I’m in today: Reading

 

 

Crossed, by Ally Condie, is the second in the Matched series. I have to start by saying that I loved Matched, a great dystopian-futuristic-rebellion sort of story that revolves around Cassia Reyes. While many were disappointed by the second book, I really liked it. I love poetry and a struggle for love. Cut Condie some slack, because though many of us require a pumped up action filled middle-of-the-trilogy, that second book is the absolute hardest to write. It’s completely true. Most authors will tell you the middle of the story is the hardest.

What the book is about: (Caution! Spoilers if you’ve not read the first book!) Cassia has chosen to go to a camp where other Aberrations work (see first book for explanation of Aberrations). She leaves her family behind, sneaks on board an air ship with a girl named Indie, and flies to the Outer Provinces to find Ky. I love Ky, and I will tell you I’m partial because I’m married to an artist with a sensitive, darker side. Ky is dark and mysterious and can write and paint (important note: nobody in the society can write).

Before she leaves camp though, Xander makes a surprise visit, something he can do because he’s her Match, and because of another giant secret he has kept from her (note: Xander is Cassia’s best friend). In fact, everybody seems to be in on this giant secret except Cassia.

Half of the book is from Ky’s point of view. You learn right away that Cassia is just steps behind him most of the time. The Outer Provinces are under attack, and the only reason the Society sticks people there is to have them killed. Ky escapes with a couple friends in tow, and Cassia follows as soon as she reaches the Provinces. They are both going to something called the Carving, a place reminiscent of the amazing red-rock canyons and features in Southern Utah and Arizona. The farmers live(d) here, which is who they are trying to find. They have information about the Rising, an order formed to eventually overthrow the Society. (Just FYI, I think the Society is very communistic)

What I liked about this book: The little things that both of them do to help them remember who has died, who has sacrificed everything for their cause. I also like that Ky doesn’t necessarily want to join the Rising, that he has apprehensions about it because deep down inside he knows that Cassia will not be with him once they find it.  Ky’s doubt in the Rising is natural, and mirrors my own. They don’t know anything about it, except that it is run by people who once lived in the Society. Not real encouraging.

I also really liked the new characters: Indie, Vick, and Eli. Indie, because she’s just who she’s meant to be, Vick because he just wants to go home to his girl, and Eli because he reminds me of my son.

What I didn’t like about this book: It was a little long and slow. But I think I was in the mood for it. More literary than action packed. I liked hearing Ky’s POV, but it jumped too much in spots.

Overall I give it 4 out of 5. I think this book will be an important link between the first and third book, and once Reached hits shelves I believe this book will become more popular. I recommend it!

Link to Ally’s site: http://www.allysoncondie.com/

The Book of Three

What I'm listening to right now: For The First Time, The Script
What mood I'm in today: Listening

I'll start by pointing out that when I started reading this book I immediately thought my ten-year-old son would love it. You can find it in the children's and young adult's sections at the library, so I thought, why not? Especially after a friend recommended it.

Taran, our protagonist, is an eager hero wannabe and moves faster than his brain can think. Just a boy, he quickly finds out how difficult it is and how much is required of a hero. He is named Assistant Pig Keeper, but quicly loses her when she is scared away by the horned king, and goes on a journey to find her and bring her home.

Along the way he runs into Gwydion, a prince who was actually coming to see the oracle pig to find out what evil was stirring in Annuvin. They set out together to find Hen Wen (this is the pigs name) and are captured by the servants of Achren, an evil queen. Taran is thrown into a dungeon where he meets Eilonwy, a girl who can't stop talking but has a keen knack for digging tunnels in and out of the dungeon. Together they escape, but the castle falls behind them and Taran feels his friend Gwydion is lost forever. Now he has two missions; two rescue the pig and to tell Gwydion's people that Arawn is gathering evil forces and that the Horned King is at his doorway.

This story reeks of Lord of the Rings type stuff, but it really is a great story. I give it four out of five stars for several reasons. I love Taran's character, how brave he is and wants to be, and how he learns from his mistakes. He becomes more humble in his journey and more aware of life and what has to be sacrificed to overcome evil. I won't say much about the story here, only that it is the beginning of the Chronicles of Prydain, and the next book is The Black Cauldron, which I can't wait to read.

I don't know that there was much I didn't like about this book, except that it was very much from a guy's prespective. IIt's not like I hated that, I just felt slightly disconnected from it because of it. Maybe that was a good thing, not to get too emotionally involved, like I do with other books...

But I would definitely recomment this. Goodreads averages it 4 out of 5 stars, which you know must mean good things. And even though you will be fiercely reminded of LOTR, it really has its own story and its own characters that make it an entirely different story, one to be shared.

The Immortal Rules

What I’m listening to right now: My fan blowing hot air around
What mood I’m in today: I’m Not Sure

Eeeeeeeeeee! I know, it’s not a word, but it’s what I said when I found out about this book. Of course, there was a big part of me that sighed and went, “Another vampire book? Really?” So although I was super excited for the new novel from one of my favorite authors, I was hesitant to find myself in another vampire story.

Vampires Suck (parody movie)

What the book is about:

Allison Sekemoto lives in an altered futuristic universe (I guess you could take out “altered.” Who knows? Vampires may someday rule the world). She’s a survivor, mixed up with a gang of other teenagers who are also parentless because they’ve all been killed, either by vampires or rabids (a subspecies of vampire, as you’ll find out in this book).

While making a daring attempt to gather food one night, most of Allison’s gang is killed by rabids. Even she is ready to die when Kanin, a vampire master (or something like that), asks her if she wants to live. The bad news, she’ll be a vampire forever. Her survival instincts kick in, and she’ll take being a bloodsucker over death, so she agrees.

Kanin Turns her, then trains her on how to live as a vampire. He tells her that she can only survive on human blood, and that one day, she’ll kill another human being. He assures her that she’s a monster, just like him, but that she has a choice of what kind of monster she’ll become. Though she doesn’t know what this means at first, she begins to figure it out.

After Kanin is captured by vampires, Allison runs for it. She’s on her own until she runs into a band of humans making their way toward a place called Eden, which may or may not exist. She meets Jeb, a hardened man who will do anything to get to this place, and Zeke, a seventeen year old boy who takes an interest in her. What the rest of the band doesn’t know is that something is trying to kill them.

What I liked about this book:

Great story line! A fantastic break from lovesick vampires and general smushiness, this book was a little more gritty and true to life. People are selfish, rotten and unpredictable, but it’s the fight Allison makes to prove she’s better than a blood-thirsty vampire that makes the story. Aren’t we all fighting our own little (or big) demons? I want to be good! I hope to be good, and to fight the natural demons that want to get out of me.

I love the connection between Zeke and Allison. It’s realistic, and it gives people a sense of hope throughout the book. I read a review that said the middle of the story was slow, but I didn’t think so because the middle of the book is where Zeke and Allie become acquainted. Yes, much of it is a back story, but a needed back story, kind of like the first Harry Potter.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Again, it’s too much foul language for me. That being said, it’s not like there was a lot of it. I’ve read books with much more. And Kagawa refrains from using the “eff” word in most of her books. It does appear in the beginning of The Iron King, to show the seriousness of the situation I think.

It was also a little lengthy for me. Not that I’m complaining; it was like reading two books. But it did take me an extra-long time to finish. I’m not a fast reader, and I’m a mother of three and a part-time business woman, so it leaves me with not a lot of free time.

Worth it though? Definitely.

Until next time, grab a good spooky book on this fabulously cloudy day (if it’s cloudy where you are), maybe one about vampires.

The Immortal Rules Official Website 
Thanks to Goodreads for the Cover pic
Thanks to http://2or3thingsiknowaboutfilm.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html for the Vampires Suck pic
Thanks to http://kristina-worldofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/04/immortal-rules-review.html for the wicked pic of Allie and her Katana blade (where you will also find another review of this book :)

Holes

What I’m listening to right now: Hallelujah, Rufus Wainwright

What mood I’m in today: Reading 

I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book. I saw the movie first, and loved it. And I loved the book too. The movie hardly strays from the book at all, with two differences I noticed: Stanley Yelnats starts out overweight in the book, and there is one scene from the book (lady in slippers) that wasn’t in the movie.

The first thing I loved about this book is the main character, Stanley. His first name is just his last name spelled backward. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and getting mixed up in a crime he didn’t commit, was sent to Camp Greenlake, a juvenile detention center for boys.

Here we meet Armpit, Squid, X-Ray, and most importantly, Zero. Every day they have to dig holes, five feet wide and five feet tall, all to build character, or at least that’s what they’re told. It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize the warden is looking for something.

Louis Sachar does an excellent job with his flashbacks. They are timed right, and you begin to understand how all the stories are connected. It might take a couple of reads, and a little bit of movie watching, to really understand and get everything that’s going on. From the onions to the yellow-spotted lizards, the story keeps you intrigued to the end.

One of my favorite lines – from the book and the movie – is “I can fix that.” Sam is such a great character, and good man who falls in love with Katherine Barlow, the school teacher. This is a long time ago, of course. Back when Greenlake was actually a lake, and not a dessert. When Sam kisses Katherine, it’s such a beautiful moment, ruined by the peeking townspeople, who kill Sam for what he did. Why? Because he’s black, and Katherine’s white.

If you haven’t read this, or seen it, do it! It is a can’t miss opportunity to work your brain and enjoy at the same time. Clean and fun for the whole family. The “Aha!” moments never end, up until the very last lines.

Until next time! Enjoy your summer, and keep reading!

Shatter Me

What mood I'm in today: Writing
What I'm listening to right now: What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction (Yes, I'm a geek)

So I've been waiting to read Shatter Me for a while now, after hearing fantastic things about it. And I'm hear to tell you, they're all true.

First I'll get this out of the way: I'm not a big fan of lots of swearing (a few too many for me in this book) and it's a little violent in places, but the reason Tahereh Mafi gets away with this is the story is great!

From the get go, you have a mystery to figure out. Who is this girl in prison that can't touch people? And why can't she touch people? Well, it's because she can kill them. With her skin.

Juliette gets a roommate, someone she knows, who doesn't remember her. She is taken out of prison and sent to a place slightly worse: a big gray building owned by the Reestablishment and conducted by a nineteen-year-old psycho named Warner. (So many questions already, right? Who is the Reestablishment? Is this futuristic? Not telling.)

And Warner is seriously scary.

He wants Juliette in every way imaginable, but he wants her to torture people at his side. Not only this, but he resents having to force her to do it. He wants her to want to do it. He knows exactly what to say to get her mad and do what he wants her to do. He's cruel from the inside out, and he still has this weird thing about his mom that we have yet to discover.

Adam, gorgeous and protective lovely Adam, was the soldier assigned to her cell. He loves her, has since third grade, but she doesn't know this. He's super protective of her, tells her about the cameras in her room, and finally figures out he can touch her.

Adam can touch her, and it doesn't hurt him. How perfect is that?

Without giving away much more, I'll tell you what I love about this book. It was a challenge to read because of the writing style, (words crossed out, extremely poetic) but I loved it for this reason. It opened my brain up, and I could picture everything almost perfectly. I like the love story - it's a bit over-the-top for me, but a great story nonetheless. The end was fantastic and gives you a feeling of hope, even though it's not the end of the story. The book also keeps you interested. Great dialogue, not giving away too much at the beginning, and constant movement.

Can't wait for Unravel Me, out February 2013.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Supernaturally Complicated

What I’m listening to right now: I’m Glad You Came, The Wanted
What mood I’m in today: Writing

Okay, so when I first started reading this book – months ago – I couldn’t get into it for some reason. Maybe it was just the place I was in at the time. Mentally. But I picked it up again a few days ago, and oh my bleep! It was awesomeness that I couldn’t put down. By the way, I was in the store the other day and when confronted with a problem actually said, “Oh bleep!” out loud. I’m pretty sure I got some weird looks for that. Not to mention when I said that the pants with the bling on them were “Uber-sparkly.” (yes, overly sparkly so much so that it was a little disturbing)

Supernaturally starts out with Evie at school, trying to play a game of soccer, which she’s terrible at. She describes her new “normal” life briefly, before being Raquel unexplainably checks her out of school and she is snatched by a sylph and dragged up into the clouds. Unable to fight him any other way, she steals some of his soul and starts to half-fall, half-float to the ground.

So the whole point of the story is how she starts working with IPCA again because she wants just a hint of her other life back, how she lies to Lend, a new boy from IPCA named Jack that’s mischievous with a wicked grin to match, and what she finds out about her past. WARNING – SPOILER ALERT! She actually has a father, a drunk faerie who Reth introduces her too, and a mother who she knows nothing about, except that she was probably human and probably dead.

I absolutely loved this book, and I think it was because I could relate so completely to Evie right now. She struggles with feeling a part of nothing, the fact that she belongs to no race whatsoever; not quite human, not quite faerie, and nowhere in between. Figuring out exactly what you’re supposed to be or who you are is a grueling, sometimes earth-shattering experience. I so know how that feels. And sometimes you round another corner and “Oh bleep!” It starts all over again. Four stars, definitely, better than Paranormalcy even, and a fun but empathetic reading experience.

I love Kiertsen White, and I love how she uses “bleep” to get away with no vulgarity in her books. Love it! And it’s also a happy little reminder of Lish. Oh Lish, we miss you. Anyway, I’m also super excited because the third book in the series, Endlessly, comes out July 24. May I direct you to her blog? http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com/. Yep, so excited.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Firegirl

Mood I’m in today: Reading

What I’m Listening to: Mad World, Gary Jules

I’m late on my book review this month because I was trying to finish one in particular; a literary find by Tony Abbott called Firegirl. I loved the title, of course, because of my obsession with fire, but the book wasn’t what I expected it to be. Because Abbott also writes the Secrets of Droon series, which my boys love, I thought it would be fantasy. Not even close.  

That being said, I loved it.

Tom just started the seventh grade in a private catholic school. He talks about the other kids at school and the roles they play in his life. Jeff, his best friend who shares comic books with him and calls him Cobraman, Courtney, the beautiful and confident girl who he dreams about rescuing from impending dangers, and Jessica, the new girl.

The minute Jessica walks into class it changes everything. Her body is badly deformed; burnt in a fire. Tom is just as uncomfortable around her as the rest of her class, but is surprised to find that some people hate her for being there. When he finds out about the terrible accident that led to Jessica’s ill fate, he feels horrible inside, for himself – and for her.

I love the character development in this story, the way it addresses how we change depending upon our experiences, whether adolescent or adult. It is a sad yet wonderfully written, and encourages us all to be uncomfortable about the right things.

Happy Reading.

(Thanks to Goodreads for the image)

Of Creepy Towns and Other Things

What I'm listening to right now: Solitude Standing, Suzanne Vega
What mood I'm in today: Writing

Have you ever seen the X-Files episode Arcadia? If you haven't, I'll give a brief recap. Mulder and Scully move into a spotless neighborhood, undercover as a married couple. The houses all look pretty much the same, there are countless rules and regulations to follow, and if anyone ever breaks a rule they end up dead. This is why I've never moved to a structured development.

Candor by Pam Bachorz is somewhere along these lines. The title is actually the name of the town, although I still think it's meaning (The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.) has a sort of underlying, twisted implement as well.
We start out by meeting Oscar, the main character and voice. His dad runs Candor; charges insane amounts of money for people to live there. Everything is structure. No one breaks the rules. And the reason why is because he feeds them subliminal messages through music. Oscar, however, knows all about the Messages (I love that this is capitalized throughout the book). He creates his own messages to counter his father's. He helps kids escape Candor, as long as they pay him, right up until Nia moves in.
Nia's a little bit of a bad girl, and Oscar is afraid the town will turn her into something she's not. He likes her the way she is, and decides to feed her his own Messages and not tell her about leaving town or that it's even an option. He wants to keep her there.
After one of his client's escapes fails, things start to change. Someone knows about the Message, and his father will do anything to put a stop to it. When Nia finds out what's been going on, she accuses Oscar of making her like him and literally goes out on the town, vandilizing along the way. When she does get caught, Oscar's father takes her (and the fat kid who seems to ruin everything) into The Listening Room, a place where memories are wiped clean. Nia is changed into someone completely different, and Oscar finally realizes he has to help her escape in order to save her.
An interesting love story of sorts. My favorite part is what Oscar sacrifices for the girl he loves. Things don't go his way, but it's not necessarily the end for him either. I won't give a spoiler alert here; you'll have to read it for yourself!
Overall, I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. (By the way, I rarely give 5 out of 5). A new idea, this book, written in Collin's style (..I say, I sit down - present tense), is a great read for young adults and old alike.
As always, Happy Reading!

The Sky Is Everwhere

What I'm listening to right now: 21 Guns, Green Day
What mood I'm in today: Editing

Today I wanted to review a book that I've hesitated reviewing because of this tiny little thing about it that irritates me.  However, I've realized that as much as the tiny little thing bugs me, I loved this book. 

The Sky Is Everywhere tells us the story of Lennie, a high-school girl whose older sister dies very suddenly and unexpectedly.  Her life changes dramatically, and the most suprising for her is that boys are noticing her.  First Joe Fontaine, the new guy from France that plays music just like Lennie, only on forty different instruments.  Joe can make her laugh and smile, making her question if she should be laughing or smiling.  Didn't her sister just die? 
Second is Toby, her sister's boyfriend, who is as torn apart as Lennie.  They find temporary solace and comfort in each other, usually by making out in Lennie's bedroom or in her Gram's garden. 
The reason I love this story so much is it shows how Lennie finally overcomes her grief - without losing her sense of loss entirely.  She knows what she's doing with Toby is wrong; letting her emotions out this way isn't healthy, especially when she's falling for Joe, the one who makes her truly happy.  This little triangle can't go on for long without worlds colliding and falling apart again, and Lennie has to try to put everything right, learning and growing in the process. 
There is a side-story here between Lennie and her best friend Sarah that I adore.  Sarah, finally fed up with feeling ignored and like Lennie doesn't trust her anymore, confronts Lennie about it.  It leads to a friendship repair that helps Lennie get through this life upheaval that she's going through.  Loyal friends!  Love it! 
So now to spill it.  I'm a little hesitant to review it because I was a little hesitant to admit I read it.  Throughout the book, that little word (starts with an F) is sprinkled quite a bit.  Excessive swearing bugs me.  Yes, we make that word into a swearword and give it its negative meaning.  But that doesn't mean it doesn't bug me still.  So, with that little warning, I actually do recommend this book, especially to late bloomers like myself - awkward, shy girls who didn't really get noticed by guys until their junior year in high school.  Yep, that's me.  And no, I'm not ashamed to admit it.