Top Ten Tuesday Rewind: Top Ten Books in my Beach Bag

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic is a rewind...or pick and old topic topic. Since summer is just around the corner for people who spend their days in schools (I am a substitute teacher/ wishing I was a real teacher) I decided to pick the topic: Top Ten Books that Should be in your Beach Bag. During the summer I am a nanny to two lovely little brats (I mean that in a completely endearing way, I love them with all my heart the oldest will be 11 and I have been watching her since she was born) and I take them to the pool (and am forced to carry way to many bags) and I read...a lot. So here is my list:

 1. Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. I just finished this book about an hour ago and I was in love with it. I read it in a day and I feel like it is a great beach read. It was very entertaining to read and if you haven't heard of it/ read it yet, I think you should give it a shot (and let me know what you think of it as well)

2. Anything Sarah Dessen. She is an awesome young adult writer and I have found quite a few adults who enjoy her writing just as much as teenagers. 

3. the Au Pairs by Melissa de la Cruz...what can I say, it's about being a nanny during the summer






4. Anything Sophie Kinsella. She is a great chick lit writer. Her books are fun and easy reads. Very relaxing.

5. Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar (I feel like I always spell her name wrong) 








6. Any of the "Holiday Books" by Kate Cann. It's been a few years since I have read these but I remember them being great beach reads.

7. Georgia Nicolson books = amazingness. I cannot wait until Anna is old enough for me to pass these books down to her...or maybe buy her her own set because I don't think I will ever be able to part with them. If she is turning 11 how old do you think she should be when I buy her these? 




8. the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares. These are such summer books, how could I not put them on the list?

9. And since I love me some mysteries, the Abby Cooper Psychic Eye series by Victoria Laurie


And last but not least:
10. some Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris





So what books might make an appearance in your beach bag this summer?

Top Ten Blogs/Sites that aren't about Books

For any newcomers...Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme featured at the Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic is the Top Ten Blogs/Sites you read that aren't about books.

1. Never Seconds my sister just sent me the link to this blog today and I think I am in love. The blogger is a girl from the UK who writes about her school lunches. As a sub, I have had so many days in the cafe for lunch duty and I am always disgusted with the lunches (unless it's salad day, that actually looks edible). This girl, who calls herself VEG, is so funny. I can't wait to see what else she eats.
2. Lauren Conrad I loved LC on Laguna Beach, and then on the Hills, I enjoyed her books and I love this site. If I want to try something new to eat...I can go here. If I want to find cute outfit ideas/hair ideas...I can go here.
3. Elle and Blair...yes the Fowler sisters, I am a fan (you can call me a loser it's ok I've heard it before) This site is entertaining. If I am having a bad day and don't want to think, I can go here and well...not think.


these next 2 are gluten free blogs. I have been gluten free for 3 years now and it's nice to get some help with some ideas for holidays and parties and such.

4. Tartelette
5. Gluten Free Goddess

and now some just for fun (well there really all for fun aren't they?)

6.We Heart It this has some great things to look at I love it.
7. Pinterest who is't on pinterest now-a-days
8. Youtube...enough said

I could only come up with 8...but it was close. What's on your list this week?

Top Ten Books I Want to Reread

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted bythe Broke and the Bookish. This weeks topic was a little difficult, so luckily it was changed to a kind of whatever post, so I chose to do an old topic- Top Ten Books I Want to Reread. Most of these books are parts of a series, I don't know why, but I love to reread the books in a series before going on to the newest one. Especially if it has been awhile since I read the first one. So here is goes...

1. the whole Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison- these books just make me laugh and laugh, I feel like they are the perfect read for when you don't have a lot of time. I can put it down for a day or two and pick it back up and it won't matter, I just laugh.


2. Any Sarah Dessen book- I love all of her books, I love the way she writes, and I absolutely love any...and all...her novels.

3. Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella- I haven't read the last 2 yet, so before I do, I want to go back to the beginning. These books make it easy to forget a bad day, what's not to love about that? Plus I am kinda a shopaholic- only when it comes to books...and shoes...and makeup...


4. Wherever You Go by Heather Davis- I just finished this book the other day and I absolutely loved it. I feel like I learned a lot reading it, and I can't wait to read it again and learn more. It's like one of the movies where you watch it a second time and see more than you saw the first time- know what I mean?

5. the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- I still have only read the first one, but I will read it again before I read the second. I think this will be an all time favorite for me for years to come. I think it has everything a books needs...action, suspense, love. It has something for everyone, I have yet to meet someone who has read this book and not liked it.


6. Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar- I think I missed reading the last one...so of course off to the beginning I go, but I don't mind, I love the drama these books give. It makes me think life isn't so difficult after all.

7. Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan- I have 1 and a half books to read before I finish the series, and then I am lucky enough to have another kid who will be old enough to read them with me soon. Not that I need a kid to read them with, but I enjoy getting the kids I babysit to read, and to hear how much they enjoy these books, it makes everyday better.


8. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares- I really enjoyed these books, I feel like they are a good summer read. Hmm...maybe I should reread them this summer...

9. Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle- this is one of my favorite Christmas books, it has 3 stories but they all tie in together at some point.

10. And last but not least, the A-List by Zoey Dean- I don't know what I love about these books really, I guess the drama. And I have always wanted to visit California, where the whole series pretty much takes place, maybe that is it...who knows.



What would be on your reread list?

Top Ten Favorite Quotes From Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the Broke and the Bookish. This weeks meme is the Top Ten Favorite Quotes from Books.


I love quotes...almost as much as I love books, movies and tv shows. I have always kept huge lists of quotes that I have found in books or heard in movies/tv shows. Unfortunately for me, I have no idea where I put my usb thingy with my crazy long list on it. But I do have some...and here they are (ahh I am so excited)

1. “Gossip... I’ve been thinking about how ugly gossip is. How it victimizes people, but how as much as we say we hate it, we still feed on it like it was crack.”- Book: Naked Heat; Author: Richard Castle; Character:Nikki Heat
   
2. “I thought guys were complicated. Maybe they are. But maybe they’re easy and it’s really me who’s complicated.” - Book: Fat Cat; Author: Robin Brande; Character: Cat
   
3. “I’m not much of a drinker. I’d long ago decided it was best not to muddy the waters of my brain with serious booze. I had a hard enough time making sense when I was sober.”- Book: Three to Get Deadly; Author: Janet Evanovich; Character:
   Stephanie Plum
   
4. “I make a lot of mistakes. I try hard not to make the same mistake more than three or
   four times.” Book: Three to Get Deadly; Author: Janet Evanovich; Character:
   Stephanie Plum
   
5. “Not that the path was smooth and pothole free. But still, it was my path, and like me,
   it was bound to be unique.”- Book: Untamed; Authors: P.C & Kristen Cast;
   Character: Zoey
   
6. “You must remember that magic is real; Zoeybird...It is dangerous to forget that.”-
   Book: Untamed; Authors: P.C and Kristen Cast; Character: Grandma Redbird
   
7. “Isn’t it odd how much fatter a book gets when you’ve read it several times?” Mo had said...”As if something were left between the pages every time you read it. Feelings, thoughts, sounds, smells...and then, when you look at the book again many years later, you find yourself there, too, a slightly younger self, slightly different, as if the book had preserved you like a pressed flower...both strange and familiar.”- Book: Inkspell; Author: Cornelia Funke

8. “I have been taught that love is beautiful and kind, but it isn’t like that at all. It is beautiful, but it’s a terrible beauty, a ruthless one, and you fall-you fall, and the thing is- The thing is you want to. You don’t care what’s coming you just want who your heart beats for.”- Book: the Unwritten Rule; Author: Elizabeth Scott
   
9. “Oh no. I’ve just accidently paid a visit to the cakeshop of love. I haven’t put back my Italian cakey, but I have accidentally picked up a Dave the Tart.:- Book:Dancing in my Nuddy Pants; Author: Louise Rennison
   

10.“Shakespeare is just some bloke who keeps ranting “what light through yonder window breaks” its the moon for god sakes!”- Book: Dancing in my Nuddy Pants; Author: Louise Rennison 

Top Ten Books to be Made into Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is an original meme created by the Broke and the Bookish. I love lists, and absolutely could not resist joining in the fun.


This week was the Top Ten Books to Be Made into Movies. I really like this weeks topic, my 2 favorite things are books and movies and books that become movies, and since today is my birthday I felt like it was chosen for me, haha. So here goes my list:


1. Can I say the rest of the Percy Jackson books? I heard they were supposed to do a sequel, and I am trying to wait patiently, but unfortunately I am starting to get old (26, I know I am like crazy old) and they need to hurry up. Plus I really like the guy that plays Percy, I think he is adorable.


2. the Psychic Eye series by Victoria Laurie. They can make this into a TV series if a movie is too much, I wouldn't mind, I just really like Abby Cooper and I think it would be fun to be able to see her visions and stuff.


3. the Kid Table by Andrea Siegel. When I read this book, I fell in love with it. I think it would be equally as entertaining in movie form.


4. Graceling by Kristen Cashore. I would love to see what would happen if this was a movie. And of course they would have to do Fire and Bitterblue also (even though I haven't read Bitterblue yet, I don't even know if it's out yet). 


5. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner or any other book by Jennifer Weiner, I love her books and I think they did a pretty good job with In Her Shoes.


6. Devoured by Amanda Marrone. Its another Snow White type story, but it has a very interesting twist. 


7. Jingle Boy by Kieran Scott. I love Christmas movies and books and this one takes place in Bergen County NJ where I live, so I think it would be really fun. 


8. Huge by Sasha Paley. I know it was a TV show on ABC family, but they never actually had a real ending, it just ended and I need some closer.


9. The rest of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. I actually really liked the cast in One for the Money, I love Sheri Shepherd as Lula and would love to see her do more.


10. House of Night novels by P.C Cast and Kristen Cast. I know that I should be so over vampire stuff, but this series has me hooked.


So there is my list, with way more than 10 books if you count each book in the series. What's on your lists?

Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

Top Ten Tuesday is an original meme created by the Broke and the Bookish. I love lists, and absolutely could not resist joining in the fun.


This week was the Top Ten all time favorite characters in books. It was hard to choose, and hard to remember some, but I did it (YAY!)

1. Percy Jackson from the Lightning Thief and the rest of the series by Rick Riordan- He is so naive about being a Demi God, so it is like we are learning with him. But he is also very loyal to his friends, even people who aren’t his friends like Clarisse. 
2. Regan Reilly from all the Carol Higgins Clark books- her mom is a mystery writer, her dad owns a funeral home and she is a PI who tends to get stuck in a bunch of mysteries. I like that she doesn’t need anyones help, she can take care of herself, and a murderer or two.
3. Katniss Everdeen- I don’t know how anyone could not love her, she might be crazy serious and not very trusting, but considering how she has to live and losing her father and practically her mother, I don’t think I would be a happy go lucky person either. I look up to Katniss, she is a survivor and extremely brave.
4. Cinna from the Hunger Games- I have only read the first one so far, but I fell in love with him since he is so caring about Katniss, almost like a father figure. And he designs clothes, who doesn’t love a guy who designs clothes?
5. Georgia Nicholson from Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Lousie Rennison- she is just too funny and keeps me laughing. Reading her “journals” which are so dramatic help me realize that nothing in life is ever as bad as it seems to a teenager, or even a 25 year old.
6. Hilly Holbrook from the Help- it was hard to choose between her and Aibileen but the chocolate pie won it for Hilly.
7. Meggie from Inkheart- I think she is extremely brave during all 3 books and it’s hard not to love her.
8. Abby Cooper from the Psychic Eye Mysteries by Victoria Laurie- I just love that she is psychic and she solves mysteries using her gift. She also puts the people in trouble ahead of herself, even if she can get seriously hurt.
9. Stephanie Plum- I have only just started reading this series by Janet Evanovich but I love that she faces fears in every book she seems like she can be so real.
10. Peter Pan- he lives on an island in the sky and fights pirates while flying. He has been my favorite character for as long as I can remember.

After a major break....2012 Challenges

Ok, so I don't know what happened exactly, either I was really really lazy, or just way to into my books to even write reviews on them. So I have been gone for a whole year, wow I suck I know. I have decided that it is very hard keeping up with this blog while being a substitute teacher since my schedule is never the same. Although it will be even harder when I actually get a real job (cross your fingers for fall 2012, I need insurance!) But I am going to start up again and do my best to do all of my reviews. I know it's going to be tough because when I finish a book while in school I usually jump right into reading another one, and I end up getting so into my book that I don't want to put it down even for a second. 

But anyways, even though it is the end of April, I am signing up for some reading challenges. Better late than never, right? And here they are:

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge hosted by the Eclectic Bookshelf :

Goal: Level 4/ Read 37+ Library Books

Last year I read over 50 library books, so I figure I should be able to do just as well.

Mystery and Suspense Challenge hosted by Book Chick City:

Goal: Level 1/ read 12 Mystery and Suspense Novels

I love mystery books, especially when it's a series of them. I am a sucker for following a character around and trying to solve the mysteries with them (it's like I can really help them, like I am a character in the books, am I crazy?)

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge hosted by Bumps in the Road:

Goal: the "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge- read 20 YA novels.

If you go back and look at the books I read in my 2011 challenges, I think the majority of them are YA books. Yes I am 25, but I still act like a kid when I can. Plus now that the oldest kid I babysit is going to a be a tween we can have a book club! (We actually started with Percy Jackson...amazing)

Ok so there are only 3 challenges this year...which means I should be able to ace all of them right? Last year I had 7 and I didn't even start one of them (oy) For any of you doing challenges this year, good luck and hopefully this year I will actually keep up with posting (that is a challenge in itself)

Top Ten Tuesday on Wednesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. This week is the Top Ten Books I Just had to buy but are still sitting patiently on my shelf waiting for me to read it.

1. 3 Willows by Ann Brashares- Loved the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book and this keeps the sisterhood going. I had to to put it on my Christmas list one year and I had to have it, yet it is waiting for me patiently to read it.
2. Size 12 is NOT Fat by Meg Cabot- I bought this because I loved the title. At the time I was a size 12, I thought it would help me feel better about myself now I know that it is a mystery book, which I love and it should make me want to read it even more.
3. Skinny Dipping by Melissa de la Cruz- This is the sequel to the Au Pairs which I really enjoyed reading one summer. I wanted this book so bad that I had to get it in hard cover. Now I realize I could have waited to match the first book since I haven’t read it yet.
4. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen- My sister and I saw this book in Marshalls one day and I hadn’t brought my wallet with me so my sister bought it for me as an early birthday present. I am hoping to read it this year (key word=hoping)
5. Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella- I  keep putting this one off because I want to get reacquainted with the other books before I read it, but then I find more and more books to read...
6. the Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus- I read the Nanny Diaries back in college after my sister had bought this and I loved it (I am a nanny during the summer so it was a great fit) When I went to St. Martin this past summer I saw this book in a store (and it was $3 cheaper than the states) so I had to have it, but the store was closed and we were leaving the next day. Then I saw it in the airport and I bought it without a second thought. My sister read it, I just haven’t yet.
7. the first 3 books of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan- Saw the movie and had to go buy the books, I bought them as a set and they are still nicely wrapped.
8. first 3 books of Harry Potter by J.K Rowling- same as the Percy Jackson books, but I have plans to read it this summer with the kids I babysit =)
9. the Guy Not Taken by Jennifer Weiner- I loved all the other books I read by this author so when I saw this book I had to have it (like all the others)
10. Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham- Even though my sister’s friend owns this book I had to get it for myself since I love Sophie Kinsella.

I think I might have a problem, I have a bunch more books that I could have chosen, some of them are hiding in my closet afraid to be taken out and shown to family because I really do have a problem. Oh well, I’m not alone right?

"Never trust a shiny surface. They hide a multitude of flaws."

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

Synopsis:

Schuyler Van Alen wants an explanation for the mysterious deaths of young vampires. With her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler travels to Italy in the hope of finding the one man who can help- her grandfather. Meanwhile, back in New York, preparations are feverishly under way for the Four Hundred Ball, an exclusive gala hosted by the city’s wealthy, powerful, and unhuman- a true Blue Blood Affair.

But it’s at the after-party, a masquerade ball thrown by the cunning Mimi Force, that the real danger lurks. Hidden behind the masks is a revelation that will forever change the course of a young vampire’s destiny.

Rich with glamour, attitude, and vampire lore, this second installment in the Blue Bloods saga will leave readers thirsting for more.

Review:

I actually really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get back into the story. I think the beginning could have been a little better, but everything else I believe fell into place nicely. 

I really started getting into the book at the Masquerade Ball. I really enjoy reading about Schuyler and Bliss and I find myself getting angry when i read about Mimi. I just think she is such a spoiled brat and she needs to get taken off of the pedestal, badly. The problem is, Mimi Force is centuries old, so being taken off the pedestal is basically impossible. I think Melissa de la Cruz did a great job with her characters. I mean, Mimi Force is beautiful and popular, and she knows it. I hate that, I have always hated people like that, thinking they are better than everyone else. Melissa de la Cruz did a great job portraying the spoiled brat who knows she is great. 

The best part is the ending. It really does leave you wanting more. Unfortunately I have about 5 more books on my nightstand before I can go to the library and pick up the 3rd book. 

Cover: 10/10

Beginning:   3/5

Ending:        5/5

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Satisfaction: 10/10

Grade:      Publish Post   48/50 = A

Top Ten Tuesday:Top Ten Book to Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. This week is the Top Ten Books that became Movies. This was hard for me at first basically because I either watched the movie but never read the book or I read the book but haven’t seen the movie yet. So here is the list I was finally able to come up with.

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney- I read this book last summer when I was babysitting one day. It was so cute, I finished it in the few hours that I was there. On my way back from vacation a couple weeks later, I was able to see the movie and I was laughing so hard that people were staring at me. 
2. Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison- I think this book ends up on all of my lists, but I love it. When I heard about the movie on Nickelodeon, I taped it and I watched it over and over again (I may be 24 in reality but my mind is like 14) If I were to make the movie, I might have done a few things differently, but it was still good...and now I am wishing I still had it taped so I can watch it again.
3. Chronicles of Narnia the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis- I read this book when I was younger and it was one of my favorite series (Boxcar children was the other) I just love how when you read it you can’t help but let your imagination run wild. When the movie came out I was so excited, my mom and I went on a day that I was home from college and kids were in school, it was so much fun. I loved everything about the movie, I think they did such a great job with it. 
4. Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian & Voyage of the Dawn Treader- yes I am making these both number 4, I feel the same way about them as the first novel.
5. In her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner- This is the book that made me fall in love with Jennifer Weiner. I own both the book and the movie because I loved them both so much. I think the casting director did a great job with casting the movie. (I also think this book helped add my shoe addiction)
6. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson- I read this book for my Young Adult Lit class and ironically enough one day before class I saw the movie on Lifetime (had to tape the rest so I wouldn’t be late to class) I think the movie probably could have been better, but every time its on TV I watch it. 
7. Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer- I watched the first movie before I read the book and the movie was good enough to make me want to read the book. I think that the casting could have been better for both Bella and Edward, but that's just me. 
8. Ramona and Beezus by Beverly Cleary- It feels like I read this book forever ago, but I saw the movie this past summer with Anna (the 9 year old I babysit and my own personal Ramona) and I of course loved it. When I was younger I couldn’t help but think that I was Ramona and my older sister was Beezus. But now I have my “younger” sister Anna who is not blood related but the best little sister I could have asked for. Sometimes she drives me crazy like Ramona did to Beezus, but in the end I still love her to death. 
9. P.S. I Love You by Cecilia Ahern- Can I just say that I love Gerard Butler. My sister made me read this book and told me “don’t forget to have tissues around when you read it.” I scoffed, I mean I don’t cry while reading books. Well I was wrong, I swear this book ruined my life when it came to crying during books/movies. I still think that it was a great story, but I don’t know if I would ever read it again...I went through a lot of tissues.
10. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares- I have read this book multiple times, I bought the movie right when it came out on DVD. I watch it every time it is on TV. I enjoy the first movie better than the second but I enjoy all of the books. 

So what's on your list...

"If that was life, then it was twisted..."

     Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Grade:         48/50 = A

Synopsis:

Everybody told him to be a man.

Nobody told him how.

High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer working outdoors to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn’t believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father’s boss’s daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy-and Tyler’s secret crush. Soon his life is a roller coaster, with fantastic highs, devastating lows, and no seat belt to protect him. he has no choice. He’ll have to ride it out...

Review:

So the beginning started off slow for me. I didn’t feel like I couldn’t put it down, like I have with other books. I felt like it didn’t matter if I kept reading or not. But then I got really into the book and Tyler’s story. I mean his life is definitely twisted, like the title suggests. I really like Tyler, I think he is genuinely a good person who is just trying to find who he is. After years of abuse, whether physical or verbal, from his dad and his peers, he took a stand. Not a smart one, but a stand. After the incident, he got arrested and spent the summer working with the school janitors and working for a landscaping company. Over the summer, he changed from a dorky boy to a grown man. 

We meet Tyler at the end of summer and we follow him on this journey to finding himself. While we go on this journey with him, we see him playing a game called Tophet a lot. The moral of the game is to get to the last level of hell and Tyler has no idea what happens when he beats the game. 

I really like how this book was written. It was crazy, and like it says before you actually start reading “This book is not for children.” Laurie Halse Anderson did a great job describing her characters. I felt like I could have been in my own high school when she was talking about the popular kids. The popular girls in my school mostly played basketball and soccer instead of tennis though. I think she did a great job with Tyler’s sister as well. We see her in the beginning as this little frosh and even though she stays the kid sister, she definitely has times where she sounds like a grown up. And here I must give an example, because I love this quote and I wish I heard it back when i really needed to... “The popular kids aren’t really popular. They’re obnoxiously loud, good-looking, and rich. Nobody likes them, but they rule the place.”

Ok so I need to add that towards the middle of the book, I found myself starting to get angry at a lot of the other characters. I got really angry at Tyler’s dad who just seems like a complete ass. I just felt like a father should really try to see what his kid is actually going through instead of blaming him for everything. I feel like his dad thought he ruined his life, and I feel like if you aren’t going to try to be a good parent, then why bother having kids. 

I am really happy I finished the book. The ending was amazing, the last line was amazing. I was moved with this book, just like I was with Speak. But I guess I shouldn’t have though otherwise with a great author huh?

Cover: 10/10

Beginning: 4/5

Ending:         5/5

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Satisfaction: 10/10

Top Ten Favorite love Stories

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. This week is your Top Ten Favorite Love Stories.

1. Graceling by Kristin Cashore- I don't know if this would be considered as a love story, but it was for me. I love Katsa and Po together. I love that Po loves Katsa so much that he will let her be herself and will not force her into marriage. 

2. the Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison: So throughout the series Georgia goes between a couple of guys. But she keeps going back to Dave. I love the relationship between Georgia and Dave. I love their friendship and I loved how hard Georgia fought to fall for other guys. (I know that sounds really strange)

3. Inkheart, Inkspell, Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke: Other books that I don't know if they actually count as love stories. I feel like I can't even explain all I loved about Meggie and Farid. 

4. Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Ahern: It's really a story about best friends and how the time is never right for their love to blossom. It's just a beautiful story and it  makes me believe that some friendships really can last a lifetime.

5. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen: I don't remember all of this book, I read it quite a few years ago, but I remember feeling hopeful at the end of it. Hopeful that Remy and Dexter would stay together and that she could believe in love after all.

1. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella: The book version is much better than the movie. I love Rebecca and Luke. He loves her with all her faults, he deals with her shopping problems, it’s a perfect couple. At least in my eyes.

Ok so I could only come up with 6. I think I need help in remembering the books I read more. So what are your top ten?

"I've heard you have one eye green as the Middluns grasses, and the other eye blue as the sky."

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Synopsis:

In a world where people born with an extreme skill- called a Grace- are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him. 

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po’s friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace- or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

Review:

First and foremost...I loved this book. I think this story is better than Romeo and Juliet (which I have loved forever and it has now been passed over for Graceling.) I loved the adventure of this book, I loved the love story, I loved the fear that I felt when reading this. I have to say, I have probably experienced every emotion possible while reading this story. I laughed, I cried, I wished I was living in this world. I wondered what my Grace might be if I had one...then I decided I probably wouldn’t have had one. But how cool would it be to have two different colored eyes?

So back to the review. This book is a complete fairy tale, set in a different world with kingdoms and royalty and special abilities. It had the love story that all disney princesses get, but it had the adventure of a James Bond film. It was just a complete story that seemed very real. I read this book and kept thinking that if they made this into a movie, who would play who? Could a movie really portray the beauty of Lienid? I don’t think my imagination could even see all the beauty of this world, as much as I wanted too (maybe on the second read?) 

I loved the beginning of the book where we learn mostly about Katsa and her life as a killer. I loved the ending of the book, I think Kristin Cashore did an amazing job with a last sentence. Even though I really didn’t want the book to end, I just wanted to keep going and read more about Katsa and Po and where their lives would now take them. I really enjoyed how the story unraveled and I loved the thought process I put into trying to figure out what was really going on along with Katsa and Po. Kristin Cashore did an amazing job with her characters. She must have one crazy imagination that I wish I had as well. 

I feel as though Graceling would be a book that both boys and girls, adults and teenagers, would thoroughly enjoy. I think it had something for everyone and it was just very well rounded. I was so satisfied with this book that I feel I feel I must thank the author for writing something so brilliant and I cannot wait to pick up Fire (once I read the other 10 books on my nightstand.)

Cover: 10/10

Beginning: 5/5

Ending: 5/5

Plot: 10/10

Characters: 10/10

Satisfaction: 10/10

Grade: 50/50 = A+

Thursday's Top Ten: Top 10 Things You Love/Hate about V-day

Thursday's Top Ten is a weekly meme you can find here. This week is the Top 10 Things you Love/Hate about Valentine’s day.

Love:

1. Candy...I love sweets, this is the one good thing about Valentine’s day...but even better is the sale on the candy after Valentine’s day...
2. Colors...I love the color red, especially with black. They were my school colors for both my high school and college
3. Elementary school Valentine’s Day “mail” boxes made out of shoe boxes...I still find this adorable, and I think now, they make everyone give a card to everyone if they are giving cards (make sense?) So now no one feels bad for not getting a valentine from the “popular” kindergartner.
4. the movie, Valentine’s Day... I really liked this movie. I think parts of it are hysterical. 
5. The real Valentines... There was a priest named Valentine who was put in prison because of his teachings. He was beheaded on the 14th. Supposedly he performed a miracle for the jailer’s daughter. He cured her of her blindness and left her a note stating “From Your Valentine.” Now this would be a good tradition on V-day. Doing something nice for someone without needing credit for it. The other Valentine was an Italian bishop who was imprisoned for marring couples in secret. Now that is sweet. He believed in love and helped people who loved each other get married (let’s hope he wasn’t the one who marred Romeo and Juliet since we all know the ending of that story.”

Hate:

1. The actual day...Why should there be one day where you celebrate your love for someone? Why should there be just 1 day where you should buy your loved one a gift? There is no spontaneity in this. My dad used to randomly come home from work with a rose for my mom, sometimes for my sister and me as well. Now that is love.
2. the Candy...or should I say gaining weight from eating too much candy. I wish I had a fast metabolism, and I wish I enjoyed fruits and veggies, but my love belongs to things that include sugar as one of the first ingredients.
3. When people feel bad for you when you do not have a Valentine. Back when I was like 12, my best friend (who I am still friends with now) felt bad for me because she had a Valentine and I didn’t. Why on Earth would someone feel bad for me. I don’t need a Valentine, I am perfectly capable of going and buying myself whatever I please (well within my budget which back then was pretty small but still...) Maybe some people don’t want a Valentine...like me.
4. the expectations that some people have...Back in high school and college around this time my friends would talk about what they wanted to Valentine’s day, what they were going to do, and how great it was going to be. But guys don’t think this way (or do they?) I guess I just don’t understand why this day matters so much. (anyone want to give me a hint.)
5. How Cupid is a baby with a bow and arrow or a grown man in a diaper (depends where you look I guess.) Who came up with this symbol for this day? First of all, who would give a baby a bow and arrow? Babies can barely hold a fork by themselves and now you want them to help people find love? That’s what match.com is for. And if you go the grown man route, why is he in a diaper? What happened to pants and a nice shirt? (do you see about the expectations thing?)

So this is my insane list. I might have gone a little crazy, but I am not feeling so well and took a bunch of medicine in hopes that it would help. Ok maybe we can’t blame it all on the medicine. We can probably blame some of it on the students in my school who only care about what gifts that will be getting on Monday. Thank goodness I am taking off. Have a great day everyone!

In My Mailbox:

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by the Story Siren. I actually got a bunch of books this week (all from the library...yay free books) So here is what I got.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Envy by Robin Wasserman

Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz

  

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conra

Jemima J by Jane Green

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham

"You're okay for a bloodsucker..."

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis:

Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is on a streak of bad luck. First, her coworker is murdered and no one seems to care. Then, she’s face- to- face with a beastly creature that gives her a painful and poisonous lashing.  Enter the vampires, who graciously such the poison from her veins (like they didn’t enjoy it).

Point is, they saved her life. So when one of the blood-suckers asks for a favor, she complies. And soon, Sookie’s in Dallas using her telepathic skills to search for a missing vampire. She’s supposed to interview certain humans involved. There’s just one condition: The vampires must promise to behave- and let the humans go unharmed. Easier said than done. All it takes is one delicious blonde and one small mistake for things to turn deadly...

Review:

I am really enjoying this series. I like that Sookie Stackhouse isn’t portrayed as a normal main character that I read about. Basically, I like that she isn’t extremely skinny. She is voluptuous and pretty, and I found out in this book a size 8. As much as I enjoy books that include the stereotypical main female character that is a size 2 and gorgeous, I really really like when authors bring in average females into the mix.

Other than Sookie’s supposed looks, I like how she thinks. While I read this book, I was trying to decide if I would have made the same decisions as Sookie made. I like how Charlaine Harris makes you think. I like that in this book, there were 2 mysteries. Who killed Lafayette and who had taken Farrell. You get so involved with what happened to the missing vampire in the middle of the book, that you seem to forget about who killed the cook (sounds like clue doesn’t it?) Charlaine Harris makes you think a little. As much as I enjoy easy reads (which are great when I am actually teaching and my brain hurts to think so much), these are the books that I enjoy when my brain doesn’t hurt. These are the books that won’t turn my brain to mush when I read too many of them because they keep me thinking. 

So in my rating, I said the cover was a 10 out of 10. I think I should explain this. At first glance the cover is confusing. Sookie is on a coffin flying above a city. I didn’t understand until I read the book, and then I thought it was a genius idea. 

Cover: 10/10 Beginning: 5/5

Ending:          5/5         Plot: 10/10

Characters: 10/10 Satisfaction: 10/10

                                     Grade: 50/50 = A+