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Anxiously Awaiting...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

“Waiting On” Wednesday #5

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This “Waiting on Wednesday” post is about the sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone:

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Release Date: November 6, 2012

Days of Blood and Starlight

Goodreads

Synopsis:

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a "must read" by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it "a breath-catching romantic fantasy."

Check out my review of Daughter of Smoke and Bone! (Be warned, I wrote a sonnet…).

So what about Days of Blood and Starlight?

I want and need this book. That is all. … Ok well no, that doesn’t suffice because I have more to say. I freakin love Daughter of Smoke and Bone! It was absolutely amazing. A truly wonderful work of fantasy. It is unique, wonderful, and exciting. Now, I sit and wait for the sequel. Seriously, I do a lot of waiting for books. I am investing my life savings on a time machine. It will probably be the best investment I ever make. My neighbor and self-proclaimed scientist seems to be making a lot of progress. After I gave him all my money he stopped all communication with me, he wont even open the door, this obviously means that he perfected time travel and is now off testing its effects on the space time continuum! Success! Any day know I will be able to time travel to any release day. No more waiting! But until I can use the time machine, I continue sitting and waiting.

Note that this book comes out November 6, the same day as Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Deity, which was my pick for last Wednesday! Needless to say, Nov. 6 will be an exciting day for me! Looks like Christmas is coming early! That day will involve a great deal of skipping and arm-flailing, I cannot wait! I know Days of Blood and Starlight will be amazing! The best part is that I have no idea where the story will take me next. Laini Taylor is just that good at creating fantasy. I look forward to all of the exciting twists and turns that I am sure will be in this book!

 

What book(s) make you want to invest your money in a time machine?

Please link your WoW, I want to see what you are waiting for!

If you leave a comment I will reply ASAP so check back!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumors tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

My Rating: 5 Stars Supernovas

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Read this book, read it! Run out and get it, now! Forget pants, just go as you are! I’ll wait…

How good is this book? As soon as I finished it, I reread it and was again surprised at how mind-blowingly good it is. Seriously, it is a masterpiece! Don’t believe me? Well I would like to share with you a scene that took place in my mind after I was finished reading The Fault in Our Stars:

My mind’s version of Jane Austen sits on a throne. Above her there is a huge banner that reads, “The author, living or dead, I would give anything—within reason, of course—to meet.” Miss Austen smiles contentedly as she reads aloud, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fort—” Suddenly, mental-projection me jumps out from behind the throne and pushes Miss Austen from her regal seat*. Once Miss Austen’s posterior is no longer in a relationship with the throne’s well-cushioned seat, mental-projection me takes out a life-sized cardboard cut-out of John Green and triumphantly places it on the throne. Mental-projection me then breaks out in a long interpretive dance called “An Offering of Pizza,” which ends with the an actual offering of pizza.

*Note: mental-version Jane Austen is fine…that’s how she always takes naps…face-down…on the floor…without moving…seriously, stop asking questions! She’s fine!

John Green is so good he dethroned Jane Austen! That definitely counts for something. TFIOS is the best book I read this year and one of the best books I have ever read. John Green is by far my new favorite author. I will admit I was a bit hesitant to read this book. I generally try to avoid sad books because I have dipped my toes in the depression pool—that’s right, when I was in middle school I listened to Simple Plan—and I do not like to invite thoughts of the despairing kind into my mind. However, I decided to go ahead and buy this book and boy am I glad I did!

Hazel’s story is certainly one that includes its fair share of tragedy, but that doesn’t mean her life deserves to be reduced to her misfortunes. There is so much more to Hazel than her sickness. The thing that most stuck out to me is the fact that Hazel deals with a reality we all try to ignore as we go through our daily lives. It is a challenge to live with the realization that we are not here to stay.  Whenever we face tragedy we try to find the silver lining, the greater purpose, and/or the overall meaning, but sometimes we just have to accept that life is a bitch and time is a slut—confused? read the book! Life can seriously suck ass, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be worthwhile.

This novel struck a deep chord with me. It is so much more than a story. It is a conversation. I can’t help but feel that in it I have have discovered something special and important. John Green’s writing is intelligent, humorous, touching, sharp, and just plain beautiful. This guy can turn a phrase as well as a penguin can slide on ice. Yes, he is that good! Furthermore, reading this book is like watching a penguin slide on its belly, it just makes you feel the warm fuzzies in your chest!  This book is though-provoking, insightful, honest, and beautiful. I feel as if no matter how much I compliment it I am not doing it justice. You must experience it for yourself and form your own opinion. If you find that you do not like it then let me know and I will kick myself in a buttock—you pick which cheek.

This book taught me two things about myself: I am a crier and apparently my emotions can easily mimic a ping-pong ball because the entire time I read this novel, I was alternating between bursts of tears and bursts of laughter. I didn’t think I was the type of person who could be extremely affected by a book, but when on the second page I started to get the feels and lose the reigns on my emotions, I knew that this book was going to reach into my heart and tango with it—I blame the fantastic writing. The characters are realistic. They are not the typical rise-above-adversity-with-an-unfailing-smile and-everlasting-hope. They are real teenagers struggling with the harshest reality. They make mistakes and they are certainly not perfect, but they are real. They are so realistic and likeable that their falls and rises, their pains and joys, and their smiles and tears felt like my own. As the novel progressed I lost it more and more and eventually I just set the feels free!

I have for you a parade of gifs that will demonstrate my reading experience with The Fault in Our Stars. Please keep in mind that it is difficult to describe this book. It is amazing, but you have to experience it for yourself. You might not cry, but you will be drawn into the story and the reality the characters are confronted with. Before we proceed to “A Summary of My Reactions While Reading The Fault in Our Stars in Gifs,” I would like to remind you, I am a crier so don’t let my emotion-overload deter you from reading this book. In The Fault in Our Stars there is sadness, but I would not say it is a sad book. Trust me, this book is special and you should definitely read it. Now, to the gifs!

“A Summary of My Reactions While Reading The Fault in Our Stars in Gifs”

I started reading and I was immediately hooked.

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Then at around the second page I started to get a bit emotional…

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From then on I was ping-pong-balling between burst of tears and bursts of laughter.

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It was an emotional rollercoaster that I found myself thoroughly enjoying.

Then at some point I just got angry—not with the book, but with life.friends gifs Pictures, Images and Photos

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By the time I approached the ending I was fully immersed in my feelings.

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Then the ending came…

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and it was just me and my feelings.

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When I finished reading, I was surprised to find that though my heart had been broken I did not feel incomplete because it had been worth it.

Then I turned to my copy of TFiOS and uttered seven heartfelt words:

I was not expecting to be so blown away by this book, but it’s by John Green, I should have known better. Allow me to take a moment to state the obvious: John Green is AWESOME!

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I suppose now is the time to ask the question I always seem to ask: do I have a new book boyfriend?

The thing about Augustus Waters is this, though I love him to pieces, he is taken. I cannot, even in  my imagination, come between Augustus and his love…I cannot say more, the feelings are here…

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In conclusion, reading The Fault in our Stars is more than a worthwhile experience. I am extremely glad I read this book…I will now go and re-read it…

Ps.

Did you know there is an awesome song inspired by The Fault in Our Stars?

It is by Meghan Tonjes and it is called “The Fault is in Our Stars”

Check it out here.

I bought it off the ITunes and I am listening to it right now!

It’s amazing!

I’m sorry, what was that? I didn’t hear you…

No!! I am not slow dancing with the book! …the book is slow dancing with me!

Don’t judge me! You know nothing!

 

Pps.

If you like(d) this book here are some suggestions.

The following are books that my copy of The Fault in Our Stars is hanging out with while settling in on my shelf:

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (This book reminds me of the helpless feeling of inevitability that Hazel’s illness and story forces us to confront).

and

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (This book reminds me of TFiOS’s overall hopeful tone).

Plus, like TFiOS, both are beautifully written and extremely thought-provoking.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Music to My Books: “Bookish Music Monday” Post #2

“Bookish Music Monday” is a new, fun, weekly meme hosted by Parafantasy. To join, find a song that has lyrics or a music video that reminds you of a book or just share music that you like to listen to while you read!

Today the Song is “Hardest of Hearts” by Florence and the Machine and the book is Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare.

Last week I chose “No Light, No Light” by Florence and the Machine as a song that reminded me of Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Today I turn to Florence and the Machine once again because not only are they awesome, their music also has the depth and emotion that makes them the perfect companion for the books in The Infernal Devices series. I believe “Hardest of Hearts” perfectly captures the many complicated feelings provoked by the developments in Clockwork Prince. Specifically, this song reminds me of Will and Tessa. Let us hope that once Clockwork Princess comes out and I have finished reading it I will be able to associate it with songs that are of a happier nature…please!, Please, PLEASE, just let it be a happy ending!

Lyrics from azlyrics:Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices Series #2)

"Hardest Of Hearts"

There is love in your body but you can't hold it in
It pours from your eyes and spills from your skin
Tenderest touch leaves the darkest of marks
And the kindest of kisses break the hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
There is love in your body but you can't get it out
It gets stuck in your head, won't come out of your mouth
Sticks to your tongue and shows on your face
That the sweetest of words have the bitterest taste
Darling heart, I loved you from the start
But you'll never know what a fool I've been
Darling heart, I loved you from the start
But that's no excuse for the state I'm in
The hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
There is love in our bodies and it holds us together
But pulls us apart when we're holding each other
We all want something to hold in the night
We don't care if it hurts or we're holding too tight
There is love in your body but you can't get it out
It gets stuck in your head, won't come out of your mouth

Have a listen! This song is great, wait that is redundant it’s Florence and the Machine so of course it’s great!

Sticks to your tongue and it shows on your face
That the sweetest of words have the bitterest taste
Darling heart, I loved you from the start
But you'll never know what a fool I've been
Darling heart, I loved you from the start
But that's no excuse for the state I'm in
The hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
The hardest of hearts
My heart swells like a water at work (?)
Can't stop myself before it's too late
Hold on to your heart
'Cause I'm coming to take it
Hold on to your heart
'Cause I'm coming to break it
Hold on hold on hold on hold on hold on
Hold on hold on hold on hold on hold on
The hardest of hearts (hold on, hold on)
The hardest of hearts (hold on, hold on)
The hardest of hearts (hold on)

I want to know what your bookish music is. Please share by leaving a comment and/or link!

If you leave a comment I will reply ASAP so check back!

ps. Today classes begin and my summer is officially over. Wish me luck!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

“What have I done!?:” A “Steamy Thursday” Post In Which A Lesson Is Learned

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“Steamy Thursday” has become my weekly tradition. I use it to express my passion for books—usually in a “creatively” strange and creepy manner. I have done Bookish-Porn photo shoots (yes, I show pictures of books without their dust jackets!) and I have included excerpts from my original work of fiction titled Fifty-One Hues of Mauve, which is bookish-erotica and contains scenes of book-launching. All in all, “Steamy Thursday” is basically do-what-you-want-to-express-your-passion-for-books. I like it because it is an opportunity to be creative and silly…and yes sometimes I just feel a need to be creepy.
 
Previous “Steamy Thursday” posts include:

A Discussion on Book-Boners!

An Excerpt from My Original Work of Fiction “Fifty-One Hues of Mauve”

A Description of my original work of fiction “Fifty-one Hues of Mauve”

Book Chicka Wow Wow: A Bookish Porn Adventure

Book Chicka Wow Wow: A Bookish Porn Adventure Part II

The degree of creepiness varies from post to post….
 
Now on to this week’s steaminess!
 
Today I am sharing an actuality—also known as a “slice of life.” Actually, I would consider it more of a bookish parable since there is an important lesson to be learned. The following is a conversation between me and a friend—a friend who wishes to be known only as Midnight Butterfly.
 
A Bookish Slice of Life
Midnight Butterfly:Hey! Guess what? I went to Barnes and Noble the other day and bought a new book!

Me: Oh gee Midnight Butterfly, that sure is swell! Is it The Hunger Games?! If so I wholly approve!

Midnight Butterfly: I already read that, loved it, and decided to buy something that looked just as good just more romantic!

Me: Ah! Is it Half-Blood?

Midnight Butterfly: Nope, though that’s on my list…

Me: Out with it!

Midnight Butterfly: Ok ok ready?

Me: O.o

Midnight Butterfly: 50 Shades of Grey by E.L James!! *holds fist to mouth in a proud and excited gesture*

Me: Wait, did you say just as good as The Hunger Games only more romantic? You are kidding, yes?

Midnight Butterfly: Well no. I heard it was good, you know great writing, fantastic storyline, believable characters, excellent use of metaphors, beautiful imagery, masterful manipulation of the English language, you know just an excellent and exemplary work of fiction! *Shakespeare hands*

Me:*snortles*

Midnight Butterfly: What?

Me: *face palm*

Midnight Butterfly: What!!??!!

Me: It’s FUCKING PORN!!!!!

Midnight Butterfly: Noooooooo! Really!?

Me: Do I ever lie about porn?

Midnight Butterfly: No, never, but…I didn’t know…this can’t be!
*takes out book, flips to a random page and starts reading out loud*
     "He reaches between my legs and pulls on the blue string...what! And...gently pulls my tampon out and tosses it into the nearby toilet. Holy fuck. Sweet mother of all… Jeez. And then he’s inside me—" 
*shocked stops reading* What the hell!?

Me: *knowing smile*

Midnight Butterfly: What have I done!?

Me: I believe we have established that you bought porn in book form…

Midnight Butterfly: That’s the devil’s work!

Me: Guffaw!! Hey, it might turn out to be your cup of tea! This sounds like the work of the Fates! You have to read it, it’s your destiny!

Midnight Butterfly: No, it’s accidental porn!


Me: It’s Destiny!

Midnight Butterfly: *Twitches*
 
THE END!
 

Note:For those of you wondering, “Shakespeare hands," in this context, are exaggerated and presumptuous hand gestures that are encountered when watching the overacting seen in some Shakespeare play adaptations or over-acting in general. They are usually used when referring to the arts in a bombastic manner. And yes I just made that up.

So what is the lesson of this story?
 
The lesson:
 
Everything happens for a reason?
 
Porn comes in all shapes and sizes…?
 
Don’t blindly follow fads…?
 
Be yourself?
 
Eat an apple a day?
 
…ummm
 
Don’t judge a book by its cover?
 
Judge a book by its cover?
 
Buy a mountain?
 
ehh…what else?…lessons, lessons…
 
Always read the synopsis and check the back of the book for an “Erotica” label?
 
The best porn is accidental?
 
The worst porn is accidental?
 
Ok, ok so I’m not sure what the lesson is, but I am pretty sure there is a lesson in there somewhere...

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

“Waiting On” Wednesday #4

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This “Waiting on Wednesday” post is about:

 

Deity: The Third Covenant Novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: November 6, 2012

Deity

Goodreads

Deity is the third book in the Covenant Series and I need it like the Sonny the Cuckoo Bird needs Cocoa Puffs …and therapy: desperately.

I IMMENSELY loved Half-Blood (see my review here) and I freaking LOVED, and I mean LOVED, Pure (my review still to come). Seriously, the Covenant Series makes me sing and dance around my room like an intoxicated, book-obsessed howler monkey—and yes I wave my arms over my head like there is no tomorrow because I feel that is how a monkey would do it.

The ending of Pure left me twitching and rolling on the floor. I need the next book! Oh boy, do I crave, desire, NEED Aiden…err I mean Deity...and Aiden. Jennifer L. Armentrout hit a home-run with the Covenant Series. I don’t know what to do to contain my over-eager anticipation for this book. Urggg! I can’t be normal…I think I will just go pace and wait for November 6 to get here…is it working? Am I normal? Is Aiden real now? Gah! I can’t contain my obsessive need for this book I just desperately needs me some Deity! 

What book do you have a desperate need for?

Please link your WoW, I want to see what you are waiting for!

If you leave a comment I will reply ASAP so check back!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Peek-a-Book: Onyx (book 2 of the Lux Series) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Onyx

Released: August 14, 2012

Goodreads.

Since this is a spoiler-free blog, I will not provide a synopsis. I would not want to spoil anything for those who haven’t read Obsidian (book 1 of the Lux Series); click here to read my review of Obsidian. No spoilers or excessive details also means that this will be a pretty short review—this is why I am calling today’s post a “peek-a-book” rather than a “review”.

My Rating: Holy Awesome Sequel, Batman!daemonizedgrunge_smaller-2

Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of those writers that I can count on to be consistently entertaining. If ever I need a fun read that will put me in a good mood, I pick up one of her books. They are fun, swoon-worthy, exciting, and just plain awesome.

I finished Onyx the day after I could get my greedy little hands on it. It was a fun and exciting read. Daemon is even more delicious in this one! Katy is still Katy, but she is slightly more annoying. Why? Because she doesn’t see what is right in front of her! Seriously, who can resist Daemon! Gosh, Katy, gosh! Seriously, Katy “resistance is futile.” *giggles*

There is more action in this one and the stakes have gotten higher. There are some developments that may inflict some major emotional strain—I am still in a bit of denial, but trust me, you can and will survive, I hope…description
Onyx is an awesome sequel. The characters stay true to who they were in Obsidian. We get to see a different even more scrumptious Daemon, but he is still that rare kind of awesomely-arrogant that makes us all swoon. Katy and Daemon’s relationship changes. There are some, umm, obstacles and seeing whether or not Daemon and Katy can work through them prevents you from putting down this book. Another thing that will keep you from putting this book down, the action. We get a deeper understanding of just how dangerous things have gotten for our friends. Things are serious. At the end of Obsidian, I failed to consider the possible dangers the characters could face. I was too focused on umm other things, abs…sweet, sweet Daemon! But now I know that things will not be easy. Yummy Daemon!5 stars These guys really face some challenges and sexy Daemon…er, I mean difficulties.

I really enjoyed Onyx, it is a fun and exciting read. There are a couple scenes that I cannot help but reread. They are just that awesome.

Trust me, if you loved Obsidian—and I did!—you will love Onyx—and I did!

 

As for the ending of Onyx,

There is a bit of a cliffhanger, oh boy. Things are really starting to get exciting now!

I need to know what happens next!

Opal, book 3 in the Lux Series comes out December 11, 2012!

I cannot wait to read it! Urrrgggg!

 

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Monday, August 20, 2012

Music to My Books: A “Bookish Music Monday” Post

“Bookish Music Monday” is a new, weekly meme hosted by Parafantasy. To join, find a song that has lyrics or a music video that reminds you of a book or that you like to listen to while you read.

Today the Song is “No Light, No Light” by Florence and the Machine and the book is Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

Why does “No Light, No Light” remind me of Clockwork Angel?

The lyrics. Especially the “bright blue eyes” part. Every time I hear this song I picture Will Herondale and his beautiful stormy blue eyes. Plus, I think the lyrics of this song capture the complicated relationship Tessa and Will develop throughout the CA.

Lyrics from azlyrics:

"No Light, No Light"

I have included the video, though it doesn’t particularly remind me of “Clockwork Angel.” I just thought you might like to have a listen!

You are the hole in my head
You are the space in my bed
You are the silence in between what I thought
And what I said
You are the night time fear
You are the morning when it's clear
When it's over you'll start
You're my head
You're my heart


No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violentClockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices Series #1)
A revelation in the light of day
You can't choose what stays and what fades away
And I'd do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say


Through the crowd, I was crying out
And in your place there were a thousand other faces
I was disappearing in plain sight
Heaven help me, I need to make it right


You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it's a conversation,
I just can't have tonight
You want a revelation
Some kind of resolution
You want a revelation


No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day,
You can't choose what stays and what fades away
And I'd do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say
Would you leave me,
If I told you what I've done?
And would you need me,
If I told you what I've become?
'cause it's so easy,
To say it to a crowd
But it's so hard, my love,
To say it to you out loud


No light, no light in your bright blue eyes
I never knew daylight could be so violent
A revelation in the light of day,
You can't choose what stays and what fades away
And I'd do anything to make you stay
No light, no light
No light
Tell me what you want me to say
You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it's a conversation,
I just can't have tonight
You want a revelation
Some kind of resolution
You want a revelation
You want a revelation,
You wanna get it right
But, it's a conversation,
I just can't have tonight
You want a revelation, some kind of resolution
Tell me what you want me to say.

I <3 Florence and the Machine

I <3 Clockwork Angel

Together they make the perfect combination!

I want to know what your bookish music is. Please share by leaving a comment and/or link!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Steamy Thursday: A Discussion on Book-Boners! or For The Love of Books!

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Hello there! Welcome to this “Steamy Thursday” post!

“Steamy Thursday” has become my weekly tradition. I use it to express my passion for books—usually in a very strange and creepy manner. I have done Bookish-Porn photo shoots (yes, I show pictures of books without their dust jackets!) and I have included excerpts from my original work of fiction titled Fifty-One Hues of Mauve, which is bookish-erotica and contains scenes of book launching. All in all, “Steamy Thursday” is a way of expressing passion for books and yes sometimes I just feel a need to be creepy.

Today’s “Steamy Thursday” post lacks my usual creepiness. It consists of an excerpt from an incredibly amazing, wonderful book. If you haven’t read it, read it! The book I am referring to is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Seriously, this book is outstanding. It has depth, humor, and art (by Ellen Forney). It is good on all levels. It is touching, funny, insightful, and beautiful.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

Oh and for the sake of clarity, this book is bookishly steamy, not, you know, Fifty-Shades erotically steamy. There is a huge difference. The former portrays a passion for books, reading, and knowledge, while the latter portrays, ummm, well a passion for humping and what not. Some have wrongly The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian of being too sexually explicit. As someone who has actually read this book—and loved it—I would like to make it clear that the sexuality represented in this book is in no way explicit or graphic or offensive.[Sherman Alexie responds to mistaken allegations that his book is sexually explicit.] If I had read this book when I was ten years old, I would have been just fine. No trauma or psychological scarring or anything like that because it isn’t THAT kind of book! I just felt I should make that clear. I wouldn’t want to perpetuate any misunderstandings.

Well without further ado, here is the excerpt from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (paperback, pg. 96-98) oh, and fyi, it does include references to boners—metaphorical ones—and it does contain the words ”penis” and “heck”…mega gasp, no?:

“You read a book for the story, for each of its words," Gordy said, "and you draw your cartoons for the story, for each of the words and images. And, yeah, you need to take that seriously, but you should also read and draw because really good books and cartoons give you a boner."

I was shocked:
Did you just say books should give me a boner?"

”Yes, I did."

”Are you serious?"

”Yeah... don't you get excited about books?"

”I don't think that you're supposed to get THAT excited about books."

”You should get a boner! You have to get a boner!" Gordy shouted. "Come on!"

We ran into the Reardan High School Library.

”Look at all these books," he said.

”There aren't that many," I said. It was a small library in a small high school in a small town.

”There are three thousand four hundred and twelve books here," Gordy said. "I know that because I counted them."

”Okay, now you're officially a freak," I said.

”Yes, it's a small library. It's a tiny one. But if you read one of these books a day, it would
still take you almost ten years to finish."

”What's your point?"

”The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don't know."

Wow. That was a huge idea.

Any town, even one as small as Reardan, was a place of mystery. And that meant Wellpinit, the smaller, Indian town, was also a place of mystery.

”Okay, so it's like each of these books is a mystery. Every book is a mystery. And if you read all of the books ever written, it's like you've read one giant mystery. And no matter how much you learn, you keep on learning so much more you need to learn."

”Yes, yes, yes, yes," Gordy said. "Now doesn't that give you a boner?"

”I am rock hard," I said.

Gordy blushed.

”Well, I don’t mean boner in the sexual sense,” Gordy said, “”I don’t think you should run through life with a real erect penis. But you should approach each book—you should approach life—with the real possibility that you might get a metaphorical boner at any point.”

The reason I shared this excerpt is because I feel that it beautifully and perfectly describes the passion we bookish people feel when it comes to reading; also, it’s funny!

There is nothing like stumbling on a book or author that just manages to write something that connects with you. When a book comes in, and it’s beautifully written and has awesome characters, you get sprung! Book-boners are the result of reading something that is just plain awesome. I get them all the time! In fact I had one while I was reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian! Life is about passion. If you don’t have passion, then you aren’t really living. That’s why I love to stalk blogs; that is why I started a blog. It is all about finding people who share your passion and connecting over the things you love!

“We read to know that we are not alone.”
- C. S. Lewis

Also, we read to explore the world. We read to expand our minds. We read to learn. We read to feel. We read to find and make connections.We read because we love it. We are here to find books and authors we love. Not everything we read is going to be boner-inducing, we all have different bookish-needs, but that’s the thing about being a part of a community founded on a shared passion: you get exposed to different opinions and discussions and you grow from them. Finding someone who disagrees with you can be fun if you focus on what you both share underneath the disagreements and that is passion!

And we can’t forget about authors…

To all those authors who write those boner-inducing books, who write for the love of writing and a love for their readers, thank you. It takes talent, courage, and perseverance to guide your stories from their birth place in your brain to the pages we book lovers read. We readers thank you for all your hard work. We thank you for the boners. Not everyone is going to love your work, but the people who do make it worth it, yes? Yes! We are all here for the very same reason: for the love of books. Besides, if everyone loved an author’s books, it would probably make the journey to success less, well, satisfactory.

In the end we must all remember the following: Respect book-boners, respect them!

Well, that is all I have to say about book-boners, for now.

Below I have included a video of Sherman Alexie. He is awesome! Plus, he reads the excerpt I shared with you today! Enjoy!

 

This is a video I found on Youtube. In it Sherman Alexie reads the excerpt that I have shared above.

Sherman Alexie:

A National Book Award-winning author, poet, and filmmaker, Sherman has been named one of Granta's Best Young American Novelists and has been lauded by The Boston Globe as "an important voice in American literature." He is one of the most well known and beloved literary writers of his generation, with works such as The Long Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and Resevoir Blues and has received numerous awards and citations, including the PEN/Malamud Award for Fiction and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Award.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

“Waiting On” Wednesday #3

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This “Waiting on Wednesday” post is about:

Alice in Zombieland (White Rabbit Chronicles #1) by Gena Showalter

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Alice in Zombieland

Synopsis from Goodreads:

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….

I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish

Why do I need this book? This book sounds badass! I am really excited to see how the whole Alice in Wonderland meets zombies thing plays out. I am sure it will be very exciting. Plus, zombies are awesome! I seriously cannot wait to read this one!

Please link your WoW, I want to see what you are waiting for!

If you leave a comment I will reply ASAP.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Book Review: Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica's Guide

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The undead can really screw up your senior year ...

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war—and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Publication date: 2/1/2009

Pages: 368

My Rating: (4.00)

In case the above four star rating doesn’t say it clearly, I really, really, really liked this book! Seriously I loved it.image I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I was excited to read a book focused on vampires—it had been a while. The tone is much darker than I expected, which works, vampires are creatures of darkness after all. And yes, vampires have fangs in this book, as they should! Everyone knows fangs are sexy and fun! Right?Right! I am a strong supporter of vampires with fangs: My name is K. Bo Baron, and I support fangs.

I liked the way the story progressed. The humor was witty and clever. It even managed to make me laugh out loud on multiple occasions. I really enjoyed the satire. I love me some satire! The plot progressed in an interesting and engrossing manner. The main characters grew and evolved in ways they needed to. This is a romance, but it is not one of those gushy-gushy romances where the characters circle around the other and then jump each other. No, these characters had to learn a thing or two about themselves before they could really focus on the romance. The writing is fun, compelling, and, well, good. Beth Fantaskey manages to create a paranormal romance that doesn’t feel overstuffed or overdone; it is just right. 

The main character, Jessica is normal in an un-annoying way. She had her insecurities, as well as some identity conflicts, and the book consists of her dealing with them. She is an interesting main character and I liked her as a narrator. At times she was a bit slow to get with the program, but overall she was likeable.

As for Lucius, well I really liked him. He won me over when he gave a little speech promoting a healthy self-image:

“American women. Why do you all want to be nearly invisible? Why not have a physical presence in the world? Women should have curves, not angles. ...One should never confuse fashionable with beautiful.”

Trust me, it wasn’t cheesy! It was awesome and kind of sexy. One of the best aspects of this book is the fact that we get to read the letters Lucius writes to his uncle. They are filled with his own brand of clever humor and wit. Plus they show that Lucius has a light side to his personality. Let’s face it we all like reading the guy’s point of view and it is awesome when the author manages to not only to capture his personality, but to do it in such a progressively-believable manner. With every letter we get to know and like him more and more until, bam! an attraction to a fictional boy blooms!

Ah, so once again we reach that crucial point in my review: Do I have a new book boyfriend?

Lucius Vladescu, I am pleased to inform you that you have been ACCEPTED to my Hall of Book Boyfriends! Congratulations.

image This is a most auspicious moment! Lucius Vladescu, you should be proud, you’ve earned it. You will find that you are in good company!Go ahead, shake hands with Daemon Black and the others!

If you have read my reviews, you have probably noticed that there are usually two questions I ask myself after reading a book:

1) Do I have a new book boyfriend?*

2) Is there a sequel and if so will I be reading it? *

* Why are these two questions important? Well if I embrace a character as my book boyfriend, it usually means I found the romance to be believable, you know since I myself fell for the dude…and whether or not I will read the sequel, well that is important for more obvious reasons. Giving up on a series is a big deal, so if I say no, I really did not care for the book.

So back to the questions! I already answered the first with a YES! As for the second, what do I have to say?

Well first, when you are finished with Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, Beth Fantaskey has provided a special treat on her website. You get some bonus chapters that explain what happened after the ending of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. These bonus chapters are important for the sequel, but don’t go snooping around Beth Fantaskey’s website if you don’t want the nature of the ending of the first book to be revealed…you’ve been warned!

So as I mentioned earlier, there is a second book in this series—it came out January 10 2012. What do I have to say?

SEQUEL HERE I COME!!!!!!

I already read the bonus chapters that Beth Fantaskey posted on her website—two thumbs up—so I am ready to read the sequel! And I am excited about it! I highly recommend picking up Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I found it to be an unexpected delight!

Here read some Free Samples (TEASERS) of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side:

“Where do you. come from?" Frank challenged, puffing his chest, a little bolder now that he could breathe. "Some of us are starting to wonder."
"I come from civilization," Lucius retorted. "You wouldn't be familiar with the territory. Now pick up the books.”

***

Lucius smirked at me, raising one eyebrow. "Really? No suitors? How shocking. I would have thought your pitchfork skills would be attractive to certain bachelors here in farm country.”

***

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.”

***

Lucius actually laughed. "Very funny. I didn't know you made jokes."
"I'm a funny person," I defended myself. "And by the way—I don't snore."

***

“As you know, I have always been curious about our immortality... how it feels to live on and on through time....I need speculate no longer, I have sampled eternity in Miss Campbell's fifth period "social studies" class. Three days on the concept of "manifest destiny," Vasile. THREE DAYS. I yearned to stand up, rip her lecture notes from her pallid hands, and scream, 'Yes, America expanded westward! Is that not logical, given that Europeans settled on the Eastern shore? What else were they to do? Advance vainly into the sea?”

***

"Yes. It's so much better to be stalked by a tall European than an American of average height.”