tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4285771815949679352024-03-13T05:07:05.016-07:00Shut Up! I'm Reading.Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.comBlogger745125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-22042887895879589142014-06-03T15:05:00.002-07:002014-06-03T15:05:39.945-07:00The Official End (And a New Beginning)Hello all!<br />
<br />
In case you haven't noticed, this blog is pretty much dead. I went through a crazy time in my life where I barely read, and this blog also got to be way too much stress for me. I also feel like I've grown out of the blogging voice I've established here and want to reinvent it.<br />
<br />
However! I've recently started a new blog where I'll be posting book reviews. I'm also going to post more things about my personal life, my writing, and whatever else I feel like talking about. <a href="http://thebillcosbysweater.wordpress.com/">Here's the link.</a> Hopefully a few of you will check it out.<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone that ever read this thing and left comments or read a book that I recommended. I'll be leaving this blog up. (And please ignore all of the dead pictures and stuff.)Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-86277789650426470142013-06-28T00:00:00.000-07:002013-06-29T00:03:15.306-07:00Memoirs Of A Teenage Amnesiac Review<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317793286l/317282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317793286l/317282.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"Above all, mine is a love story.<br /> "And, like most love
stories, it involves chance, gravity, and a dash of head trauma. <br /> "It begins with
a coin toss.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After
falling down a flight of stairs, high school junior Naomi Porter loses all of her memories after seventh grade. She can’t remember her parents’
divorce. She can’t remember her boyfriend Ace. She can’t remember why her best
friend Will calls her Chief. She can’t even remember why she likes Will, how
they met, or why they've put so much effort and care into becoming editors of
the school yearbook. She can’t remember James, the boy who rescued her from her
dive down the stairs and stayed with her all the way to the hospital. But,
that’s not actually out of the ordinary, since they've never met. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is
very much a book in three parts. Those parts are titled, “I was”, “I am”, and
“I will”, as Naomi figures out who she was with her memories, who she is now
without them, and who she will be once she’s resolved those two realities. This is a story about love, trust,
self-searching, angst, broken people, and the perfect school yearbook. It is a story about
the leap we all have to make, from seventh grade to adulthood. It is a story about the people we meet along the way, the ways we love them, and the ways we move on when we inevitably change.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Original but comforting, beautifully paced</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Loveable and well developed. Realistically flawed, in
that way that hurts a little bit.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Good. Clear and thoughtful, like Naomi.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> Perfect beyond words :)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content:</b> Teenaged drinking, mentions of sex and stuff related to
sex, but nothing explicit.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b> I wanna curl up on the sofa and snuggle with this book. I
love it so much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One last thing. One my favorite aspects of this book is the way the love
interests change. It’s not a love triangle! Instead, it shows a very realistic
evolution of several kinds of relationships. Rather
than being forced to choose between two guys with contrasting merits, Naomi is
presented with a different choice as each boy-man-creature enters the scope of
her life. Much truer to the real world, where, let’s face it, most of us will never be pursued by even one man with that particular combination of
smolder-y eyes, a dark past, and the torso of a Greek god, but all of us are going to have to live with our exes, and occasionally deal with the very real fallout of being close to damaged people. Gabrielle Zevin's writing and storytelling is thoughtful and profound, and I'm going to look for more of her books as soon as I get through the mountain of novels I already have.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~Cheers, and happy summer!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bftq-0PVEcw/Uc4TexX2ibI/AAAAAAAAANE/yfEJrPsBWLc/s152/Virginia_s+signature+for+Shut+Up+I_m+Reading.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bftq-0PVEcw/Uc4TexX2ibI/AAAAAAAAANE/yfEJrPsBWLc/s152/Virginia_s+signature+for+Shut+Up+I_m+Reading.png" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03647246573058205295noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-70654440274783055682013-05-31T16:23:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:34:20.381-08:00Break Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335747605l/5579776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335747605l/5579776.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">"It's been about six months since I've had something in a cast. Kids at school laugh and call me a klutz. This girl Charlotte carries my books. My parents are baffled. Will cries. Jesse keeps getting sick.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">You're broken, and you're fixed.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">And you're better."</span></span></i><br />
<br />
Break is Moskowitz's debut, but it's the third book I've of hers I've read, so I kept comparing this one to her more recent releases and I've decided this: the writing in this one is definitely not as gripping and shockingly unique as it now is, BUT this is also one of her better ones I think.<br />
<br />
All you really need to know about Break is that it revolves around a guy whose new found mission in life is to break every bone in his body. I can't tell you <i>why</i> because that would make me a bad person, but just know that main character, Jonah, does not really have the best home life. His parents are constantly distracted by their own petty fights, as well as Jonah's brother Jess's awful allergies, and his baby brother's constant screaming. So Jonah breaks his bones. Obviously.<br />
<br />
As you may be able to tell, Jonah has his share of issues that we learn more and more about with each passing page. The way he went about dealing with his emotions never felt over-dramatic or alarming, and to me that was almost scary.<br />
<br />
But as intense as Break can sometimes be, it's full of good side characters, a handful of good jokes, and an abundance of hope, all of which makes for a really good book.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Totally unique and dark.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Lovably screwed up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Awesome, as usual with this author.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> Fitting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content:</b> Some just general dark thoughts, as well as swearing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pretty dope.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hannah Moskowitz is basically a cult leader in the YA community, if you ask me. And I'm a proud cult member. (Also, this book totally fits with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tTOd282400">this song</a>.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jessica</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-78431125267788265182013-05-28T00:30:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:34:54.611-08:00Top Ten Books I Thought I Would Like More or LessToday's Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie and because I missed this topic a few weeks ago, I decided to do it today.<br />
<br />
<b>The five I thought I'd like less:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1346516563l/4880988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1346516563l/4880988.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/01/looking-for-alaska-review.html">Looking For Alaska</a>--I know that now this seems laughable, but I was not a big contemporary reader back in the dark ages. I picked this up on a random whim. And now.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2012/11/audrey-wait-review.html">Audrey, Wait!</a>--I thought this would just be a light read but LOVE.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2012/05/grave-mercy-review.html">Grave Mercy</a>--Me and historical fiction don't often mix well. But this. book.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/09/boyfriend-list-and-boy-book-review.html">The Ruby Oliver Series</a>--I didn't realize it while I was reading this series, but I learned so many lessons from this book that I use every single day and I because of that I love it more each time. Perhaps a reread is in order?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/10/anna-and-french-kiss-review.html">Anna and the French Kiss</a>--That (original) cover was such a huge turn-off. I'm so grateful for the bloggers that reviewed this and convinced me otherwise.<br />
<br />
<b>The five I thought I'd like more:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285975907l/8843789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285975907l/8843789.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a><a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/12/other-review.html">Other</a>--A homeschooled protagonist and an original world with a POC love interest? Should've been <br />
great, but fell flat.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-of-those-hideous-books-where-mother.html">One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies</a>--I love verse novels! But I could not connect to this one at all.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/09/ultraviolet-review.html">Ultraviolet</a>--I liked R.J. Anderson's Faery Rebels, and this one sounded really different and cool. But...it just got weird.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/08/like-mandarin-review.html">Like Mandarin</a>--Since my new stance on contemporary (meaning that I love it) I expect to love all of them. But this one just wasn't for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-girl-is-different-review.html">This Girl Is Different</a>--Another homeschooled protagonist! But this book just tried too hard. Why are there no cool books with homeschooled MCs?<br />
<br />
Jessica<br />
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-53441310638721658772013-05-23T01:00:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:35:35.685-08:00Just One Day Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348674290l/12842115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348674290l/12842115.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Gayle Forman's newest is vastly different from If I Stay and Where She Went, both some of my very favorite books. While I don't think this is "as good" as those, I still loved it and am still proud to call Forman one of my favorite authors.<br />
<br />
Alyson's story opens in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare and the last stop in her crappy European tour/graduation present. When she takes a chance and sees an independant Shakespeare company, the next 48 hours of her life take a shocking twist. And so does she, as she says yes to things that she never would've before, because of Willem.<br />
<br />
But what happens after?<br />
<br />
Just One Day is a novel of love, both in the classic loving-a-boy way and in the not so classic finding-the-you-that-you-love way. Both of these story-lines were equally successful.<br />
<br />
Alyson was a character that you found yourself rooting for no matter what, even when she was depressed and down on herself for stupid things. Dee-Dee was one of the funniest, most unique side characters I've found in a long while. And I found myself just as fascinated by Willem as she was.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> At first I thought it was going to basic, but it turned out to be more complicated and I really appreciated that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> <i>Dee-Dee is the greatest. </i>And so was everyone else.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> As great as it was in Where She Went.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> WHAT ENDING. AH. I NEED JUST ONE YEAR NOW.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Lovely.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gayle Forman is not just a one-trick pony, guys.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jessica</div>
</div>
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-92090969391460247962013-05-22T01:00:00.000-07:002013-05-22T01:00:11.466-07:00Waiting on Wednesday (5/22/13)<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355621380l/15927691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355621380l/15927691.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Sophie Sophia is obsessed with music from the late eighties. She also has an eccentric physicist father who sometimes vanishes for days and sees things other people don’t see. But when he disappears for good and Sophie’s mom moves them from Brooklyn, New York, to Havencrest, Illinois, for a fresh start, things take a turn for the weird. Sophie starts seeing things, like marching band pandas, just like her dad. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Guided by Walt, her shaman panda, and her new (human) friend named Finny, Sophie is determined to find her father and figure out her visions, once and for all. So she travels back to where it began—New York City and NYU’s physics department. As she discovers more about her dad’s research on M-theory and her father himself, Sophie opens her eyes to the world’s infinite possibilities—and her heart to love.</span></span></blockquote>
Coming out on July 11!Jessica Secrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033546445107761506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-53464311763053673802013-05-21T00:30:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:36:25.330-08:00My Ten Favorite CoversToday's Top Ten Tuesday is favorite covers of the books you've read. Here are mine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317793801l/9378297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317793801l/9378297.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347649705l/248704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347649705l/248704.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325l/19063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325l/19063.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365451509l/99561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365451509l/99561.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1295998961l/8849382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1295998961l/8849382.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330581469l/8563789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1330581469l/8563789.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348405700l/6647312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348405700l/6647312.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320391025l/6512140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320391025l/6512140.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327945149l/9672990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327945149l/9672990.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328812897l/6213802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328812897l/6213802.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a></div>
Jessica<br />
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-24699078109790580032013-05-17T01:00:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:36:42.484-08:00Crash Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338831965l/13146312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1338831965l/13146312.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
I've been a Lisa McMann fan for a fairly long time now. There hasn't been a YA book of hers I haven't really liked. Unfortunately I think Crash is the first.<br />
<br />
Jules keeps seeing a vision of a car crash play out on a billboard. Not just any crash--a plow crashing into her family's rival restaurant. So when she tries to tell Sawyer, the employee/son/Jules longtime love, he blows her off. But the visions just get more and more intense. Jules is beginning to think she's crazy, like her depressed hoarder dad, or her grandfather that committed suicide. But what if she's not?<br />
<br />
Frankly I just felt like McMann went around in circles throughout the book. The first half is just Jules going, "oh no, what does it mean, why me, am I crazy," and such. Yeah, I get it. Move along please.<br />
<br />
I would've much rather McMann focus more on the family element of this book. She created some nice characters in Trey and Rowan, and the line of depression in her family added an element of urgency to the story. I would've liked to have more of that than wondering what was going on for 150 pages and swooning over Sawyer, who didn't seem like he was <i>that</i> great.<br />
<br />
Anyway, there wasn't many fantastic things about Crash, and it was all very average in the end. However, I will say that I found myself very invested at the climax of the story. So I guess it did something right that I was unaware of.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Meh. Could've been great but was just a lot of filler for book 2.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> I loved her siblings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Not bad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> After the climax, everything got <i>very</i> over-dramatic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content:</b> Some swearing and mentions of sex.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Meh.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
People seem to be split 50/50 on this book. I am part of the 50 that was unimpressed.</div>
<br />
<i>I received my copy as a surprise from SimonTeen for review. Thanks!</i><br />
JessicaJessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-76433201595683567712013-05-16T01:00:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:37:35.833-08:00More Please: Quirky CharactersYA is full of diverse family lives: dead parents, alive parents, divorced parents, straight parents, gay parents, adopted parents, one sibling, dead sibling...you get the idea.<br />
<br />
But in my opinion what we need more of are crazy/quirky families that make me laugh and wonder why humans are actually so dull. Like the characters in Arrested Development.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/84f4347b6ef1990d9ff5ff7b19a00c07/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/84f4347b6ef1990d9ff5ff7b19a00c07/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo1_1280.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/db78edd05f0c14833d0f98d860905cdb/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo2_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/db78edd05f0c14833d0f98d860905cdb/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo2_1280.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/550fb90f1de040a0a884a005ee1f6d47/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo3_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/550fb90f1de040a0a884a005ee1f6d47/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo3_1280.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9e149d1db5ea9a0d080aaad61e3991ea/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo4_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9e149d1db5ea9a0d080aaad61e3991ea/tumblr_mjgvlmEQkF1qcm16uo4_1280.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Maybe not even quirky families. Why not just quirky friends? Yes, guys, I am ready for some more comedy in my books. It's almost exclusively what I watch these days and I love it. Mostly for these weird characters I keep talking about.<br />
<br />
Some books I can think of that have characters like these: The Raven Boys, Welcome Caller This Is Chloe, Past Perfect, Swim The Fly...and...well, that's all I can think of. <b>What are some of your favorite books with crazy fun characters? </b>Give me recommendations!<br />
<br />
Jessica<br />
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-48896136683972884452013-05-15T01:00:00.000-07:002013-05-15T01:00:14.320-07:00Waiting on Wednesday (5/15/13)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1343336417l/15771858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1343336417l/15771858.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Max would follow Sadie anywhere, so when Sadie decides to ditch her problems and escape to Nebraska for the summer, it’s only natural for Max to go along. She is Sadie’s confidante, her protector, and her best friend. This summer will be all about them. This summer will be perfect.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">But that’s before they meet Dylan.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Dylan is dangerous and intoxicating, and he awakens something in Max that she never knew existed. No matter how much she wants to, she can’t back away.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">But Sadie has her own intensity, and has never allowed Max to become close with anyone else. And Max doesn’t know who she is without Sadie.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">There are some problems you just can’t escape.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Coming out on June 4th!</span></span>Jessica Secrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033546445107761506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-63321465419238561542013-05-13T01:00:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:37:08.903-08:00Enclave Audiobook Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327877657l/7137327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327877657l/7137327.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">In Deuce's world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed 'brat' has trained into one of three groups-Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember. As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce's troubles are just beginning. Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn't like following orders. At first she thinks he's crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don't always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she's never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace. As Deuce's perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy... but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she's ever known.</span></span></blockquote>
OK, first let's get something out of the way. Deuce. Her name is Deuce. And it's pronounced the way a crude person may use when describing his fecal matter. I swear, every time someone said Deuce's name I chuckled.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/michael_scott/tumblr_lkbahxSELN1qglrwm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/michael_scott/tumblr_lkbahxSELN1qglrwm.gif" height="165" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I cannot decide if this is the best name ever thought up, or the worst. Anyways, onto the review.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">After hearing some mixed things about Enclave, I went into it cautious and not quite sure what to expect. Apparently I should've listened to my instincts in this case, because this book was just not for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">It is not that Enclave has giant horrendous flaws. It's not that I hated it. It's just that's so shockingly average that I didn't feel anything towards it. Enclave follows the basic formula of basic dystopian YA hitting the shelves today with some zombies thrown in to make up for the lackluster world that I never could picture clearly or really bought, despite some serious info-dumping.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">The characters can fight, I'll give them that. I'll also say that Aguirre's fight scenes seemed to be where her writing shone. But in the end I felt no connection to this story or these characters, and I don't think I'm interested in reading the sequel.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Emily Bauer narrated the audiobook, and she's okay. She's definitely not the worst narrator I've ever heard, but her voice does get kind of squeaky sometimes, and she has a tendency to shout whenever things get physically or mentally intense for Deuce. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Plot:</b> Average.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Characters: </b>Average.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Writing:</b> Average.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Ending:</b> Interesting, actually. I'm not sure how that will play out in book two.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Content:</b> A bit edgy, but nothing shocking.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Overall:</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><i>Not for me.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Plenty of people have loved this. But I just...didn't. Maybe it was the book, or the narrator, or maybe it was me. I guess I'll never know.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><i>I received this for review from the publicist. Thanks! And sorry this review took forever.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Jessica</span></span></div>
Jessica Secrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033546445107761506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-32495134505664683392013-05-09T00:30:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:38:11.566-08:00Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328320260l/12000020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328320260l/12000020.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>“I wanted to tell them that I'd never had a friend, not ever, not a real one. Until Dante. I wanted to tell them that I never knew that people like Dante existed in the world, people who looked at the stars, and knew the mysteries of water, and knew enough to know that birds belonged to the heavens and weren't meant to be shot down from their graceful flights by mean and stupid boys. I wanted to tell them that he had changed my life and that I would never be the same, not ever. And that somehow it felt like it was Dante who had saved my life and not the other way around. I wanted to tell them that he was the first human being aside from my mother who had ever made me want to talk about the things that scared me. I wanted to tell them so many things and yet I didn't have the words. So I just stupidly repeated myself. "Dante's my friend.”</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></blockquote>
When I first went into Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, I was hesitant. I ended up being very pleasantly surprised.<br />
<br />
It's the late 80's. Aristotle's brother is in prison, for reasons he doesn't know. He finds himself either angry or wallowing most of the time for reasons he doesn't feel like talking about. Enter Dante, his first real friend. Together, the boys brave dangerous accidents, misadventures with girls, first jobs, and discovering the answers to secrets that have haunted them for their entire lives.<br />
<br />
It sounds like a very simple premise, but when you're actually reading it, it feels much more complicated. Saenz's prose has way of captivating you during even the most mundane moments of these character's lives.<br />
<br />
And oh boy, these characters. They were so sad sometimes, and they were so realistic. I ached for Dante and Aristotle, and even their parents. Especially Ari's dad, whose live was haunted more than Ari's.<br />
<br />
There's not a lot you can really say about a book like this. It holds a certain magic and you don't really want to spoil it for anyone, you know? So I'll leave you with this: you should read this book.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> A bit slow at times, but it's mainly driven by the...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Ha! See what I did there! Anyway the characters were good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Gorgeous.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> At first I thought it was a cop-out, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. So yes, great ending.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content:</b> Drugs, drinking, some swearing, and mentions of sex.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A wonderful novel worthy of all the praise it's been getting. A much read for fans of Perks of Being a Wallflower, and other melancholy realistic YA.</div>
<br />
Jessica<br />
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-65091502268360875792013-05-07T15:51:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:38:23.508-08:00Will You Still See My Posts?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQd3TiLC70t5zgcWSDxjp5_ILSsSFipHtHW2EgybhNCv0Ueu7EYmg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQd3TiLC70t5zgcWSDxjp5_ILSsSFipHtHW2EgybhNCv0Ueu7EYmg" width="200" /></a></div>
Google Reader, if you haven't heard, is dying. According to the little thingy on the side of my blog, this is the way that most of you "follow" me. And I would love to keep you all as readers. So, what can you do to keep up with my blog?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2085896/?claim=7qwygq8ptvc">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ShutUpImReading">Follow me on Twitter</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shut-Up-Im-Reading/283033798391411?ref=hl">Follow my blog on Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://feedly.com/">Follow the blog through Feedly</a><br />
<br />
And there are links on my sidebar to subscribe via email, feedburner, <a href="http://www.linkyfollowers.com/">Linky Followers</a>, and NetworkedBlogs!<br />
<br />
I'm playing around with Bloglovin right now, and so far I really like it! But of course feel free to follow whatever way. Or, you know, not. It's your life. Though I would appreciate it.<br />
<br />
What are you planning to use now that Google Reader is extinct?<br />
<br />
Jessica<br />
Jessica Secrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033546445107761506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-79974449673785911622013-05-03T06:00:00.000-07:002014-02-21T21:39:20.401-08:00Books I Want to Read This YearYou know those books that you feel that you've wanted to read for just about forever? The ones you keep putting off for reasons you can't accurately identify? I have a long list of those. Recently I've knocked a few books off that list (more specifically, The Book Thief and The Princess Bride) and it's made me realize that I am tired of putting these books off. So in the hope that my blog readers will hold me accountable, I am posting a list here of books I want to read by the end of this year.<br />
<a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348272658l/6604794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348272658l/6604794.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5759.Fight_Club?ac=1">Fight Club</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5107.The_Catcher_in_the_Rye">The Catcher in the Rye</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/135479.Cat_s_Cradle">Cat's Cradle</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34268.Peter_Pan">Peter Pan</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5930447-ballads-of-suburbia?ac=1">Ballads of Suburbia</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1845.Into_the_Wild?ac=1">Into The Wild</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6604794-the-sky-is-everywhere">The Sky Is Everywhere</a><br />
<br />
Any others that you think should be bumped up?<br />
<br />
Jessica<br />
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-44920554826012912462013-05-02T15:32:00.000-07:002013-05-02T15:32:19.133-07:00The Book Thief Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325l/19063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1352395325l/19063.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
In Nazi Germany, a girl is brought to a foster home, for reasons she is only mildly sure of. Her brother was supposed to be with her, but instead she has a book that she stole from his burial. When she arrives to Himmel Street, she doesn't know what to expect. What she finds is a family in the face of global tragedy. Then a man by the name of Max shows up at her door one night, and things start to grow grim.<br />
<br />
Really that is all I can tell you about The Book Thief without spoilers, though the book itself does give you various spoilers throughout. This is because the narrator is Death, and Death has little time for building suspense and mystery.<br />
<br />
The unique narrator is just one of the things that makes this book memorable. Another would be the author's choice to set this book inside Germany during WWII. There's also the writing, and the fantastic characters Zusak brings to life.<br />
<br />
All of these things take a while to culminate together and make you truly care, but once you do, man, <i>you do.</i> Which is what makes the ending so gut-wrenching.<br />
<br />
In the end I just wanted to let you know that all of those things you've heard about The Book Thief over the years are 100% true. Yep, it'll make you laugh and cry (or sob). Yep, it'll have you pondering the frailty of life and the bonds we form. Yep, you should definitely ignore the thickness of it and just read it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Gorgeously woven and intense.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Fantastic. I felt like I was living on Himmel Street myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing: </b>See above.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> Writing Marcus Zusak some hate mail.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content warning:</b> There are, of course, mentions of the brutality of the period. However, there aren't as many as there could have been. There's some swearing, but it's mostly in German. This one is probably better suited for an older teen, though.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't you EVER interrupt me while I'm reading a book/crying.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Though I took my sweet time getting through The Book Thief, it still captured my heart fully. Days after reading it, I'm still thinking about it.</div>
<br />
<i>I received my copy for free from my library.</i><br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" />Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-34233118239904638052013-04-30T01:30:00.000-07:002013-04-30T01:30:03.874-07:00The Princess Bride Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327903636l/21787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327903636l/21787.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
The Princess Bride has been one of my favorite movies for my entire life. Seriously. One of my earliest memories is watching the moving, freaking out at the fire swamp scene and being terrified of that creepy old lady. Naturally, I was both excited and hesitant to read the novel. Excited because I knew I loved these characters and this story, and hesitant because I knew I wouldn't be able to separate the book from the movie. And...well...what if I didn't like it?<br />
<br />
Hahaha.<br />
<br />
In case you haven't seen the movie or heard of the story (WHAT) here's a brief synopsis: Buttercup falls in love with the farm boy, Wesley, just before he leaves. And when he dies, she vows to never love again. Which makes a marriage with Prince Humperdink perfect. Soon before the wedding, chaos erupts in the form of a kidnapping, and another kidnapping, and true love. Swords! Giants! Animal battling! GREAT THINGS!<br />
<br />
Reading this book was both a nostalgic experience as well as a new and exciting one. These characters and these jokes are ones that were already a part of me, but reading them changed them into something completely different.<br />
<br />
The movie did a spectacular job of keeping true to the book, but there were a few scenes that didn't make it in. Mostly backstory, and I love backstory a lot. There was also an epilogue-like chapter called Buttercup's Baby that was <i>sogoodyouguys. Ohmygod.</i><br />
<br />
Also, you know that whole story about how this is abridged and Goldman's father read this to him or whatever? All a lie. All a plot device. As is Goldman's occasional commentary. I just thought you guys should know that it is actually a part of the book, because I started to get pretty confused and was ready to skip over that stuff.<br />
<br />
Anyway. Yes. I fell in love with this book in the way I've always been in love with the movie. And if you've experienced only one, or neither, please change that.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Uh huh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Fast paced and fantastic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Sharp/witty/etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> Not enough closure. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content</b>: Minor swearing, violence, and mentions of sex.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma65lwXR5w1qk5rvm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma65lwXR5w1qk5rvm.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" />Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-13199361936078155822013-04-23T13:00:00.000-07:002013-04-22T20:37:53.888-07:00The Hunt Review<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344174064l/10913887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344174064l/10913887.jpg" width="252" /></a><br />
The Hunt, by Andrew Fukuda, is a breath of fresh air in the YA dystopian genre. To keep a genre vibrant and alive, new books have to challenge the boundaries and institutions of that genre. The Hunt most definitely does that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome to Earth. It has been taken over by vampires. Or rather, aliens. Bear with me, I know it sounds campy, but it gets better. The origins of this situation are vague, but earth has been taken over by aliens. The long-extinct humans are known not as humans, but as hepers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, of course, they haven’t. Meet Gene, our main character. Gene is a seventeen year old heper who has been masquerading as a normal member of alien society for his entire life. His mother and sister died when he was very young. He had his father for a while, but then he disappeared too, and now only Gene is left. He goes to school like everyone else, but his entire survival is based around an elaborate system of deceptions. He has to cover his human scent, he can’t laugh, smile, or change the pitch of his voice, and he wears fake fangs. If he is discovered, he will be killed in a very painful instant, so his life is a bit high in stress.<br />
<br />
The aliens are extremely similar in appearance to humans, but they have a number of behaviors and physical traits that are different. For instance, they melt when exposed to sunlight, so they are nocturnal and all their buildings are lightproof. They do not express emotion in their voices, they have fangs, and they can move extremely fast. As a race they are aloof and cocky. They invaded and took over Earth because they eat flesh. The aliens crave human flesh, and go in to a terrible bloodlust at even the slightest hint of a human presence. This is why the hepers/humans are extinct. They have all been eaten.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Now, the curveball. It is announced that there are, in fact, hepers still living in captivity, and there is to be a heper hunt. This causes uproar and madness among the people, for the hunter who succeeds in capturing the hepers will eat them. The hunters are to be picked by a lottery, and through some dumb luck, Gene is selected. He travels to the Heper Institute to be trained for the hunt, and, well, from there you’ll have to read the book yourself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Gene's situation is very interesting. He has lived his whole life in a society he can never really be a part of, being taught that what he secretly is (a heper, what we would call a human) is lesser and weak. He is completely dissociated from humanity, yet, when he has to make a string of hard choices at the end of the book, his own human nature is inescapable. I love stories like this, because through impossible circumstances, they show us what people really are.<br />
<br />
This book has a number of very well executed plot twists. I was able to predict a couple in the first half of the book, but the last few really got me, especially the very last one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Gene isn't that interesting on his own, but the situations he is placed in and the decisions he makes make him fascinating. The secondary characters are also good. I like how arrogant the aliens are. This isn't a character book, though. It's definitely a plot book. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Really, really well done. I am impressed. This book is extremely well paced. A pleasure to read. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: bold;">Ending: </b>Excellent! Fukuda gives a satisfying resolution to the events in this book, while still leaving loose threads to weave in to the sequel. And, he drops a huge bomb on the last page. Wow. No spoilers, go read it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> This book was definitely written by a dude. You can tell. It's very precise and intentional. Very readable. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: bold;">Mature Content:</b> Some seriously gross melting aliens, and some fairly gory people-getting-nommed scenes. Nothing ridiculously graphic, but it sticks in your head for a while. Eew. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: bold;">Overall:</b><b> </b>Shut your face hole! I, er, Gene, was just getting chased by aliens!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is an excellent book. Go read it now.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUiU_69T99Q/UVIUsBAl-cI/AAAAAAAAAMk/SBKuAtAsxbM/s1600/Virginia_s+signature+for+Shut+Up+I_m+Reading.png" /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03647246573058205295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-29202004190061945722013-04-17T07:30:00.000-07:002013-04-17T07:30:02.778-07:00Waiting On Wednesday (4/17/13)<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361985398l/15826648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361985398l/15826648.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">This week I'm waiting on:</span></span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.</span></span></blockquote>
I adored Trish Doller's debut, <a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2012/05/something-like-normal-review.html">Something Like Normal</a>, and I'm so excited to read this. I'm pretty bummed it doesn't come out until September 24.Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-20325153998089111002013-04-16T08:31:00.000-07:002013-04-16T14:40:33.551-07:0034 Pieces of You Review<div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1326135418l/13406403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1326135418l/13406403.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
Author: Carmen Rodrigues<br />
Release date: September 4, 2012<br />
Pages: 352<br />
Publisher: SimonPulse<br />
How I got it: For review from publisher<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Ellie always had a way of drawing people in to her dark, dangerous world. Especially her best friend Sarah. And one night, it got a little too dangerous. Sarah survived. Ellie didn't.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Ellie's brother, Jake, is racked with guilt. Sarah is full of confusion. And Sarah's sister Jess, well...she's feeling a lot of things.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 19px;">Now, each of them must come together to put the 34 scraps of paper they found shoved under Ellie's bed and their memories of her together to answer the questions they're left with. Who was Ellie? What made her so alarmingly broken? Was her overdose intentional?</span></span><br />
<br />
34 Pieces of You was a dark, engaging story surrounding a girl with a tricky past and other characters with a confusing present. The secrets surrounding everyone made this an un-put-downable book as you race to know more about each of them.<br />
<br />
I got to know Ellie with stories told from Jake, Sarah, and Jess. Along the way you pick up bits and pieces of each of their personalities as well, but mainly the story focuses on Ellie. I especially connected with Jess, and her story-line was by far my favorite too. It doesn't help that Sarah and Jake's circumstances made it very hard to see them as actual people that I could converse with.<br />
<br />
I was shocked that I was as interested in Ellie and her story as much as the characters. Normally I'm not quite as into a character when they're going down a path of self-destruction fueled by cigarettes and drugs--but in this case it felt realistic and drew me in. So, props to Rodrigues. Not only for that, but for her writing style that's poetic, powerful, and surprisingly easy to read too.<br />
<br />
I really liked 34 Pieces of You in the end. Despite a lack of connection with some of the characters (that I believe was intentional) this book proved to be a fast and engaging read. I'd recommend it to fans of Ellen Hopkins and other dark contemporary authors.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Kept me interested.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> The characters were hard to love but I keep thinking about them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Very good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> I kind of wanted more closure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mature content:</b> Use of drugs, alcohol, self-harm, swearing, and mentions of rape.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ummm there is a book in my hand. Excuse you sir.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
34 Pieces of You isn't a new favorite of mine, but it was a good book. Pick it up! It flies by.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>Jessica Secrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033546445107761506noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-36643288021744686392013-04-09T10:04:00.001-07:002013-04-16T07:54:33.145-07:00What I've Been Up ToIt's obvious that I haven't been blogging lately, and I haven't been reading either. So what have I been up to?<br />
<ul>
<li>I got a job! I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell you where. Not because I'm a spy or anything but because big companies like this one are weird I dunno. Anyway I'm a cashier, so that's been eating up a bit of my time. Especially because it's an hour away from my house, so I've been crashing at friends' and relative's houses a lot more.</li>
<li>I learned how to play the ukulele! And I really love it.</li>
<li>I watched too much TV! Like American Horror Story and Parks and Recreation. I love them both.</li>
<li>Writing! I've been writing some short stories on Figment lately. <a href="http://figment.com/books/534598-Diseased">Here's one</a>, if you want to take a look at it.</li>
<li>Visiting friends!</li>
<li><a href="http://shutupjessicasreading.tumblr.com/">Tumblring.</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
It's been great, but I've started to miss blogging, and I've <i>definitely</i> missed reading. I'm reading The Book Thief now and I'm only 30 pages in but I can already tell I'm going to love this book so much.<br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" /></div>
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-91986993112151607512013-03-29T00:30:00.000-07:002013-03-29T00:30:04.686-07:00The Disenchantments Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309200951l/11699055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309200951l/11699055.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
I crave more YA fiction like the Disenchantments that don't say "forever" and focus more on the realistic future. More that I find my growing-up-fears in. More books that focus on when teens are suddenly thrust into the world of adulthood.<br />
<br />
Because that's where Colby and Bev are. In a beloved van with Bev's band, planning for their European extravaganza that--after years of talking about it--is happening in only a few days.<br />
<br />
Well, that's what was supposed to be happening in the van. What happens instead is that Bev tells Colby she's going to college and can't go to Europe with him. Despite his hurt and confusion, somehow Colby gets trapped into staying in the van for the tour while he tries to figure out why Bev's plans changed, and why she's been acting so strange and distant.<br />
<br />
So, yeah, this book has pretty much everything you could want: post-graduation planning and stressing, a once relatively average girl turned manicpixiedreamgirl, a horrible girl band, great tattoos. All of that. And it's all tied together by fantastic writing and such longing for a million different things that will make your chest ache.<br />
<br />
In case you can't tell, I loved this book. A lot. Partially because it came at just the right time for me, I think, and partially because it's just plain <i>good</i>. The characters and the setting both leap off the page only the way a truly great book can.<br />
<br />
I will be rereading this book closer to my graduation. Maybe before, too, and maybe after. You get my point.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> A better-than-average road trip plot, AKA the perfect plot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> The kind that you remember.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> Awesome. Definitely need to pick up Hold Still.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> Perf.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mature content: </b>Sexytimes, some language, and drinking.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Shut up, I'm reading.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Definitely make time in your life to read this book.</div>
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" />Jessica Secrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02033546445107761506noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-83687242980106407242013-03-27T02:00:00.000-07:002013-04-16T07:57:30.847-07:00The Gathering Review<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1277820938l/7896345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1277820938l/7896345.jpg" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Version>12.00</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Strange things have been happening in
sixteen-year-old Maya's small, isolated, Vancouver Island community. Mountain
lions seem to be seeking her out, her best friend has a strange talent for
sensing danger, and her other best friend died a year ago in an accident that
just doesn't add up. There's also a sexy and secretive new student at her tiny,
tight-knit school, and there’s something about him that just doesn't make
sense. Add to that a couple more unexplained deaths, questions about Maya’s
birth parents, and a growing sense of
there-is-something-going-on-here-that-we-don’t-know-about, and Maya and her
friends are about to land in the middle of something that they’re probably
better prepared for than they realize. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
I have to say now, I am a sucker for stories involving werewolves, or any sort
of animal shapeshifter (tiny spoiler alert there, but you guys are smart
people, you would have figured it out. THERE ARE SHAPESHIFTERS OMG). I don’t
know why I love werewolves, I just do. Probably because I always root for the
underdog, and there are too many damn vampire books out there (come at me,
vampire fans! Actually, not really, please. Can’t we all get along?).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Anyway. This book reminded me quite a lot of Wildefire, by Karsten Knight
(that’s going to be one of my next reviews). Maya is a badass heroine with some
difficult to explain powers. She’s adopted, and her background is uncertain,
but affects her greatly. She goes to a slightly unusual school in the woods,
where everyone else seems to have similarly odd powers, and to be coming in to
some sort of ancient birthright. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
One thing I like about Maya is that she’s always making things happen. She
takes initiative, she searches for information, she thinks hard and tries to
put the pieces together. She is stubborn to a fault, but she can still accept
new information and change what she believes. Sometimes. I also love her
connection with animals and the forest. Having grown up in a forest myself, the
scenes in the woods made me really happy, and the animal characters are
wonderfully loveable. Even the large dangerous predators. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
The supporting characters in this book are also excellent. Daniel, the
protective best friend. Rafe, they mysterious new guy who is both oddly
appealing and not to be trusted. Fitz, Kenjii, and Marv, the animal protectors.
Sam, the punch-happy psycho chick who I still want to be friends with. Corey,
Nicole, Brendan, and Hayley, who might be average high school students, but
then again, maybe not. Maya’s parents, who might be hiding something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
All in all, this is a very interesting, engaging, and well written book. It is
funny, it is steamy, it is mysterious, and it balances plot and characters
well. However, it has one flaw that is still making me mad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
The ending. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
It is terrible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
I mean, I understand that this is the first in a series, but the end of the
book gives absolutely no satisfaction! The first 3/4 sets up all these
mysteries and questions and weird things that don’t make sense, and the ending
gives you no answers at all! Well, one answer, but I’d guessed that one by the
middle of the book. It feels like a pretty poor consolation prize when compared
to all the delicious secrets presented in the exposition and rising action.
However, I would still give this book a high overall rating, because it is
excellent in all other respects. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Plot: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Good pacing, lots of build up, plenty of
material for the next book. The only problem is the…</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ending:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> which, like I said, was extremely unsatisfying and makes me want
to rant from the rooftops. </span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Characters:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Terrific! Maya is complex and well written,
and the supporting characters have a lot of depth too.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Writing:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Very good. The descriptions are vivid and
lovely. I could almost smell the forest.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Content</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: Lotta making out, some gore and dead
people, underage drinking and a few non-graphic mentions of sex. No swearing
that I can remember.</span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Overall:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shut your face, I am reading this book and
it’s really awesome.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like I have
said… three times now, the ending. It angers me. However, the book is very
good, and after I’m done raging about imbalanced plot arcs, I’ll start looking
for information about the sequel. The Gathering is an excellent book. Go read
it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUiU_69T99Q/UVIUsBAl-cI/AAAAAAAAAMk/SBKuAtAsxbM/s1600/Virginia_s+signature+for+Shut+Up+I_m+Reading.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUiU_69T99Q/UVIUsBAl-cI/AAAAAAAAAMk/SBKuAtAsxbM/s1600/Virginia_s+signature+for+Shut+Up+I_m+Reading.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Note: We were given a copy of The Gathering to review long ago, and I got mine from the library. So thank you library and HarperTeen!<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03647246573058205295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-72799004491161371272013-03-26T12:58:00.001-07:002013-03-26T13:03:26.003-07:00Top Ten Books I Recommend The MostPeople are, naturally, always asking me for book recommendations. And after I find out what they've liked already, I consider myself to be pretty helpful.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327873996l/8306857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327873996l/8306857.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>To people that like The Hunger Games: </b></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Divergent by Veronica Roth</div>
<div>
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld</div>
<div>
Maximum Ride by James Patterson (Especially for younger readers.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>To people that like John Green:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta</div>
<div>
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini</div>
<div>
Pink by Lili Wilkinson</div>
<div>
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King</div>
<div>
Hannah Moskowitz's books</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>To people that are looking for "guy books":</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Swim the Fly by Don Calame</div>
<div>
The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell</div>
<div>
<br />
<b>I also recommend the following books quite a bit:</b><br />
<br />
The Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Maggie Stiefvater<br />
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers<br />
If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman<br />
<br />
There's more...but I need to stop.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
(Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.)</div>
<div>
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-28431296680072693342013-03-23T00:00:00.000-07:002013-03-23T00:00:11.903-07:00Meet My New Co-Blogger: Virginia!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Version>12.00</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--><i>Hi guys! So over the years it's been just me running this blog, and while I've loved every second of it, it's a lot to handle. And now that I got my first job, I decided I needed some help, and I'm so so excited Virginia is the person to help me! She's not only fun to be with, but I love her passion for books, and I know she's going to be a great addition to Shut Up! I'm Reading.</i><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hello blog readers! I’m so excited to meet all of you. My name is Virginia, and I’ll be writing here part time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/392974_401636979920680_86454059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/392974_401636979920680_86454059_n.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a friend of Jessica’s from the fabulous writing retreat we both went on late last year. I was totally wowed by her writing prowess, and her successful blog. This girl wrote a 40,000 word book in two weeks! She’s got mad dedication. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway, a few days ago, she put out a call for a co-blogger. As I understand it, she’s starting to get busier, and the books are starting to pile up. She just doesn’t have time to read and review all of them. I have school and homework and writing and stuff of my own, but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this, so I jumped in and said I would write with her. So, I will be posting here anywhere from twice a week to twice a month. Depends on my schedule, but I’m really excited to be here and I want to be a good blogger, so I’ll try to post around once a week. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A little about me. I’ve been homeschooled all my life. I’m sixteen years old. I like driving, dogs, knitting, cooking, the woods, science, making zines, long walks, caffeine, skype, indie/grunge/rock music, texting, existential crises, journaling, Shakespeare, hair dye, and staying up late. I also like writing and books, of course. I learned to read when I was four. The very first book I read was the Magic Treehouse Series #1, the one with the pterodactyl. Over the last twelve years, I’ve remained faithfully nerdy. I love the classics: Harry Potter, Narnia, etcetera. Never been able to read Tolkein, though he is on my list. I was pretty hardcore about Shakespeare in 8<sup>th</sup> grade. I was even in A Midsummer Night’s dream as Titania.<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had a long epic fantasy stage, including Stuart Hill’s Icemark Chronicles, Cinda Williams Chima’s Heir Trilogy, and all the things by Tamora Pierce. And the Inheritance Cycle. I still haven’t finished the last one, though, because it’s almost 900 freaking pages. Don’t tell Christopher Paolini. I’ve met him, and he’s a really nice guy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I love the recent trend in dystopian fiction. I’ve read the Hunger Games, Divergent, The Eleventh Plague, Myra Grant’s Newsflesh Trilogy, and many more. This is my current obsession, so you’ll probably see me talking about the decline of society and human nature and robots and stuff a lot. I feel like I don’t read as many classics as I should, but with so many new books coming out, I feel like I have to keep up with them too! I’m a pretty tough reviewer, but I try to be fair too. I can find a redeeming quality in almost any book, but I can’t stand a two dimensional character or a poorly paced plot. Or love triangles. I’m getting really, really tired of love triangles.<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My favorite author is a tossup between Barry Lyga and John Green. Lyga’s books can hit really hard. I Hunt Killers and Boy Toy were both brutal. I loved the characters. I love how tough and honest and real they are, but how caught up and twisted in their own minds they are. I am currently on a quest to get my hands on the ARC of Game, the sequel to I Hunt Killers. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/Perksofbeingwallflower1.jpg/200px-Perksofbeingwallflower1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/69/Perksofbeingwallflower1.jpg/200px-Perksofbeingwallflower1.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Green, though. He’s… just… amazing. How do I even say? His writing is beautiful, and profound, and, just, go read his books right now. John Green fandom is one of the first things Jessica and I bonded over. We were talking about his books, and she said she’d never read Will Grayson. I immediately started yabbering about how much I love that book and how she needed to read it, but she stopped me and said not to spoil it, because she was saving it for a rainy day when she really needed a new John Green book. I admire her willpower. <br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Only four books have made me cry. Looking for Alaska, by John Green; The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by our lord and savior J.K. Rowling; and The Perks Of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky. I may have also choked up at the end of the Perks movie. It was beautiful, and it really did justice to the book. <br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyway, I just finished reading The Hunt, by Andrew Fukuda, when I was on the bus yesterday. I liked it quite a lot. I’m going to write up a review and post it soon. Until then, cheers, and DFTBA. <br />
<br />
<i>To celebrate this new chapter for my blog, I've decided to host a giveaway! I've got an ARC of <a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2012/07/between-here-and-forever-review.html">Between Here and Forever</a>, and a hardcover of <a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2012/08/pushing-limits-reviewgiveaway.html">Pushing The Limits</a> to give to one lucky winner. US only, please. Ends on April 20.</i><br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ec2c6810/" id="rc-ec2c6810" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03647246573058205295noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428577181594967935.post-75076817231039357632013-03-19T13:51:00.001-07:002013-03-19T13:51:50.318-07:00Raw Blue Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340131407l/15711961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340131407l/15711961.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
After years of dying to get my grabby hands on Raw Blue and being unable to due to it's lack of Americanness, I was so so happy to get a copy for Christmas. So happy, in fact, that it was the next book I read. And (due to the craziness of the holiday season as well as my own <a href="http://shutupimreading.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-dreaded-reading-funk-that-refuses.html">reading funk</a>) it was also the first book I finished in 2013. Personally, I cannot think of kicking the new year off with a better book, because Raw Blue rocked it.<br />
<br />
Carly centers her life around the thing she loves most: surfing. It's not only a hobby for her, but a way to escape everything in her life that isn't so great, like her disapproving parents. But mostly she's looking to avoid a secret from her past that haunts her at every turn. Then she starts to do something unusual for her: opening up to people. And when she opens up to Ryan, things start to change.<br />
<br />
Carly is an easy character to relate to and feel for, but not always a character to like. She's prone to doing things like running away, being too hard on herself, and making people that care about her feel a little uneasy. Still, I was rooting for her the whole way through, and not out of sympathy, either. I think part of the reason for that was the way Kirsty Eager wrote her.<br />
<br />
That makes sense, because Kirsty Eager can <i>write</i>, whether it's a raw emotional scene, some light-hearted banter, a moment between scenes, or steamy scenes. Even when the book was a little slow, I knew there was no way I was going to be able to put it down. I was just too absorbed in her writing.<br />
<br />
And there <i>were</i> some slow moments. Dull, even. Mostly in the beginning. By about the 140th page in, though, I was hooked and the dull moments didn't matter. Made it better, even, because I had history with Carly now.<br />
<br />
OK, let's talk about Ryan. He was the dream guy and he was hot and sweet and if you don't love him WTF? Basically I just think he's wonderful and he was perfect for Carly. Their relationship, while definitely not as perfect as Ryan, was so great to read about.<br />
<br />
Raw Blue is a slow burn and you don't even realize you care as much about these characters until all the sudden you do. I only wish it was more available in the states, because I can't recommend it to anyone.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Plot:</b> Slow, but not the focus of the book, either.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Characters:</b> Great. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Writing:</b> <i>So </i>great.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ending:</b> Yeah girl! About time!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content</b>: There's swearing, smoking, mentions of rape, and sex.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Overall:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Please stop talking, I am reading and it's a very good book</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After waiting forever to read Raw Blue, it definitely didn't disappoint<i>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Raw Blue is available in Australia (Penguin publishers) and the UK (Catnip publishers). Bummer, right? <i>But</i>, luckily, you can do what my awesome grandma did and order from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Raw-Blue-Kirsty-Eagar/9781846471551">The Book Depository</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXgpJMpYI9I/TbzR4Sdu1zI/AAAAAAAAAvI/0Oe1FiZYMNQ/s1600/sig.png" /></a></div>
Jessica Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050376800900424519noreply@blogger.com2