Book Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Goodreads Summary: Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed. With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers.

Rate(1-10): 8

Book Review: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Book Summary: For readers of Amy Tan's bestselling novel, The Valley of Amazement, revisit her classic tale of mothers and daughters

Four mothers, four daughters, four families whose histories shift with the four winds depending on who's "saying" the stories. In 1949 four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and talk. United in shared unspeakable loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club. Rather than sink into tragedy, they choose to gather to raise their spirits and money. "To despair was to wish back for something already lost. Or to prolong what was already unbearable." Forty years later the stories and history continue.

With wit and sensitivity, Amy Tan examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between mothers and daughters. As each woman reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined. Mothers boast or despair over daughters, and daughters roll their eyes even as they feel the inextricable tightening of their matriarchal ties. Tan is an astute storyteller, enticing readers to immerse themselves into these lives of complexity and mystery.

Liana's Summary: The Joy Luck Club is a story following the past and present of four mothers and daughters in a struggle to bridge the culture gap between Chinese people and American people.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

Book Review: Blythewood by Carol Goodman

Blythewood by Carol Goodman

Book Summary: Welcome to Blythewood.

At seventeen, Avaline Hall has already buried her mother, survived a horrific factory fire, and escaped from an insane asylum. Now she’s on her way to Blythewood Academy, the elite boarding school in New York’s mist-shrouded Hudson Valley that her mother attended—and was expelled from. Though she’s afraid her high society classmates won’t accept a factory girl in their midst, Ava is desperate to unravel her family’s murky past, discover the identity of the father she’s never known, and perhaps finally understand her mother’s abrupt suicide. She’s also on the hunt for the identity of the mysterious boy who rescued her from the fire. And she suspects the answers she seeks lie at Blythewood.   

But nothing could have prepared her for the dark secret of what Blythewood is, and what its students are being trained to do. Haunted by dreams of a winged boy and pursued by visions of a sinister man who breathes smoke, Ava isn’t sure if she’s losing her mind or getting closer to the truth. And the more rigorously Ava digs into the past, the more dangerous her present becomes.    

Vivid and atmospheric, full of mystery and magic, this romantic page-turner by bestselling author Carol Goodman tells the story of a world on the brink of change and the girl who is the catalyst for it all.

Liana's Summary: Avaline Hall is hears the bells in her head whenever she feels like she is in danger. She is a chime child. She is sent to Blythewood, determined to find out more about and understand her father and mother. The school teaches their students that supernatural creatures are all evil.. but when Ava meets a Darkling, she begs to differ.

Rate(1-10): 8

Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Illustrations by Hyekyung Baek (Manga!)

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Illustrations by Hyekyung Baek, Manga!
Book Summary: A manga-adaption to the prequel of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, The Infernal Devices is the story of Tessa Gray, a sixteen-year-old American girl traveling alone to Victorian London who runs afoul of the city's sordid supernatural underworld. Rescued by the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, Tessa quickly finds herself caught up in an intrigue that may very well destroy her new friends - including the two enigmatic young men, Jem and Will, who have taken her under their wing...

Liana's Summary: Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices, in manga form. Tessa goes to London to find her brother Nate, but she gets tangled in a mass of Shadowhunters and Downworlders.. And finds out something about herself, as well.

Rate(1-10): 10

This is my very first manga review. (The Infernal Devices will probably be the only mangas I will bother to review, or even read.. unless TMI becomes a manga series too!) Okay, usually, I don't read mangas. I don't. But I really had to read this. My favoriteseries, being turned into a manga? TOTES GONNA READ IT, OF COURSE.

I absolutely loved reading this. Almost all the characters were the perfect portrayal of my mental images (except for Magnus, though we can't deny he looks fabulous with his luscious locks). 

When I was reading this, I was just like, OH YES YES YES I REMEMBER THIS PART. I cannot wait for the Clockwork Prince manga to come out. omg. This was just amazing and brought the novel to a whole new level.

For those who are lazy to actually read the whole novel.. (Ugh, those people) please do read the whole novel prior to reading the manga, because the manga happens to be more enjoyable after you've read the book.

Book Review: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.
Book Summary: It's 1941 and fifteen-year-old artist Lina Vilkas is on Stalin's extermination list. Deported to a prison camp in Siberia, Lina fights for her life, fearless, risking everything to save her family. It's a long and harrowing journey and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?

Liana's Summary: Lina Vilkas is writing a letter to her cousin Joana when the NKVD breaks into her house and demand that they pack and go with them. She, with her younger brother, Jonas, and her mother are separated from Lina's father to find themselves in a labor camp in Siberia. Lina constantly attempts to send signs to her father, trying to get saved. Lina knows there is still hope. She must be strong. But will she survive?

Rate(1-10): 9

This was actually a very good book. It's been a while since I've read a historical fiction story, and I have to say that after reading this, I really miss the genre. This was a high recommendation, and now I know why!

The story just basically revolves around the life of Lina Vilkas and the horrific ugliness of a prison camp. (I seriously can't believe they did that to the Lithuanians..) Lina holds on to her hope, her love, and tries to stay strong. (What's even better, I think, learning about this whole thing with Stalin might help me with AP World History this fall.)

As Maggie Stiefvater said in her review, this is not a pretty book. Although it's actually very well-written, I couldn't help but grimace at some points of this novel. But then again, there's nothing pretty about a prison camp.. with starving and dying people.. who have diseases..

The beauty of historical fiction is that readers are given a chance to learn. And it's fiction, too. And the author can add romance whenever he/she wants. So, in other words. Yes, there was romance. It was just too cute. Even more cute, Lina was able to find romance in the midst of sadness and grief. It proves that she still had hope!

The ending was quite powerful. (Not to mention cute.) It was a wonderful 300-something page read.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone. Yep, anyone! Give it a try! If you don't like history, this book might let you view history in a different way. And if you do, hurrah!

Quotes

"Andrius stood above.."



Hmm is this where the romance starts



"Are you okay?"



YES YES YES



"Thanks,"



YOU'RE WELCOME JAL;DFJA



"Mrs. Book Lady? Will you tell us a story?"



MRS BOOK LADY AAHAHAHAHAH I WISH PEOPLE WOULD CALL ME THAT



"He was handsome when he smiled."



OMG OMG FANGIRLING



"No, you keep it,"



;LJFA;KLDJ THIS IS SO CUTE



"Boys, carry me," the bald man said to Andrius and Jonas. "You have to bathe me."



oh god



"Hey, there was blond hair under all that dirt,"



HAHAHA IS THAT FLIRTING I SMELL



"...took out a pocketknife and began scraping underneath his fingernails."




Why do they always do that




"I put my mittens on his cheeks. I pulled his face to mine and kissed him."



;KLFAJLDFKAJ FINALLY OMFG FINALLY



"He caught her by the waist."



oh



"Nikolai Kretzsky."



omg this is such a serverus snape story



"My husband,"



OMFG FAKJDAFDJAKLJ YES
THIS IS A HAPPY ENDING AFTER ALL
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Book Review: Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
Book Summary: William Golding's compelling story about a group of very ordinary small boys marooned on a coral island has become a modern classic. At first it seems as though it is all going to be great fun; but the fun before long becomes furious and life on the island turns into a nightmare of panic and death. As ordinary standards of behaviour collapse, the whole world the boys know collapses with them—the world of cricket and homework and adventure stories—and another world is revealed beneath, primitive and terrible. Lord of the Flies remains as provocative today as when it was first published in 1954, igniting passionate debate with its startling, brutal portrait of human nature. Though critically acclaimed, it was largely ignored upon its initial publication. Yet soon it became a cult favorite among both students and literary critics who compared it to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye in its influence on modern thought and literature.

Labeled a parable, an allegory, a myth, a morality tale, a parody, a political treatise, even a vision of the apocalypse, Lord of the Flies has established itself as a true classic.

Liana's Summary: When their plane crashes, a group of boys are stranded on an island, with no surviving adults. So the only thing to do is take care of themselves-- but first, who must be elected as leader? Ralph is beautiful, with an air of leadership, too. Plus, he gathered the very first meeting. Why not him? When the boys hear about a so-called 'beast,' everything goes downhill. Unnecessary worry is caused. Jack just wants to hunt, while Ralph is trying a bit too hard. The boys argue-- and that leads to further disaster..

Rate(1-10): 8

I've been wanting to read this book for quite a while. It's rare that I'd actually like to read a classic, but this one just appealed to me more than other classics. Plus, there were many positive reviews, and I think the thing I saw most often was 'I enjoyed reading this book in high school.' And that just leads me to the topic of assigned reading. Some people didn't, don't, and will/would not like this book if it was assigned to them in school. (It's ok. I hate it when the teacher stops on every single frickin' page just to analyze something and take note of something, too. It's darned annoying.) I'll just say that I'm glad this was a summer assignment, so I got to read at my own pace.

I'll admit that I used SparkNotes. It's not that I couldn't understand it (well maybe it is), but because the words were so small and I was so tired and there were so many things to take note of and so many questions to answer-- so yes, I used SparkNotes. But I actually did read the whole thing. I kind of gave up not using SparkNotes because someone spoiled for me one of the deaths-- and for your sake, if you haven't read it, I won't say who died. But someone died.. I'll just say that I wouldn't have understood much of the book if it weren't for the internet..

What I heard about this book before I read it was that it was about a bunch of boys on an island trying to survive. The first thought that came to my head was.. you guessed it (or maybe not) The Hunger Games. LOL. It's like the word survival is just linked to THG. That's what appealed to me. I just distinctly remember my SAT Essay teacher talking about using book references, and he used Lord of the Flies.. and I was just, Lord of the Flies? Da haaaaail. (Exactly what my dad said when he saw what I was reading..) I think that's part of what appealed to me, actually, despite my incredulity at the title. Classics usually have boring titles, like, well.. Pride and Prejudice. What I found even more interesting was that the title Lord of the Flies had a deeper meaning to it despite the actual, physical.. flies. And I'll leave that to you, reader who hasn't read this book yet, to decipher the meaning when you read it. For those who have read it, you know what I mean.

One day I'll probably look back at this and say, "I enjoyed reading that book in high school." Maybe. We shall see..

There was a study guide (since we'll have a test on this the first day of school, apparently), and it really helped. When I read To Kill a Mockingbird last summer, I was surprised that I actually knew what happened in the book, because, well, like I said, it's a classic. It was actually the study guide questions that helped me understand it.

Lord of the Flies isn't that hard to understand, really, and I think that I learned I really need to expand my vocabulary. All I remember from this book is ululation, which, just for the record, means screaming/tongue trilling/high-pitched weird noises/Tarzan scream.. sorta..

What I found most amazing in this book was how William Golding managed to show the deterioration of the boys' innocence. In the very beginning, the boys were still civilized and like, well, boys. But then they slowly turned into animals and Tarzans. I think Tarzan is even more civilized than they are. And he's a gorilla. Sort of.. There was a huge fight scene at the end, (I won't say between who) and I just thought back to the very beginning where everything was civilized and I was just like, whoa. This book really portrays Golding's views about the parliamentary system. He believed, apparently, that anarchism is terrible and there always needs to be democratic rule or a society will descend into chaos. He portrayed it really well..

Okay, I really don't like any of the characters. At all. They're all obnoxious little turds. Except for Simon... -chokes- um, at first, I thought that I only liked Simon because of his name and Simon Lewis from TMI but.. really, I actually liked Simon a lot. I felt like his role was all the boys' root to civilization, but then that all fell apart..

If I sound really educated and smart it's the SparkNotes and the study guide--which ended up being 6 pages front and back omg there were so many questions gah I really hate reading books with the class because we go too slow and the teacher stops too much like ok we get it

But yeah, I'd recommend this to whoever's interested.. Who hasn't read Lord of the Flies? (Says me, who'd just finished it yesterday.)

Book Review: The Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines.

A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines.
Book Summary: Set on a Louisiana sugarcane plantation in the 1970s, A Gathering of Old Men is a powerful depiction of racial tensions arising over the death of a Cajun farmer at the hands of a black man. 

Liana's Summary: It all started with the death of a Cajun farmer-- killed by a black man. Unheard of, and completely just wrong in the 1970s. But who exactly killed him? With everyone trying to take the blame, how can the sheriff be sure who exactly killed him? Gaines writes with a grace that powerfully displays the racism back then.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

I'll just say it now: If it wasn't an assignment, I wouldn't have picked up this book at all. But, oh, my gawd. Aren't I glad that I picked it up. It's actually a really good book-- probably the second best classic novel I've read, which really isn't much.. Usually, when I read classics, I find myself looking at SparkNotes for help. Like, every sentence. Or, like when I read Pride and Prejudice for the sake of reading it and skimmed everything and didn't really care or know what was happening.. maybe i'll have to reread that with SparkNotes

Before reading this book, I knew that there was a lot of racism back then. Before reading To Kill a Mockingbird, I was really clueless about the racial tensions. After reading A Gathering of Old Men, I think I've broadened my views.

Gaines wrote with modern, clear language that wasn't hard to keep up with. (Didn't even use SparkNotes bwahaha) I would definitely recommend this to anyone, even those who despise classics-- let's see if this changes their mind.

Book Review: Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood. (Born Wicked #2)

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood.

(Born Wicked #2)

Book Summary: With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

Liana's Summary: Cate is still guilty for leaving Finn, but she had to do what she had to do. With the whole who-will-become-the-witch-of-the-prophecy thing going on, Cate is as busy as ever. Cate cares about everyone that she loves, of course, and she'd do anything to herself to keep them safe. With everything being  a gigantic mess, it pulls Cate and her loved ones further apart-- whether she likes it or not.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

I received an ARC copy from Penguin Teen in return for an honest review. (This book comes out in 10 days!)

I was never a big fan of witches.

Even after reading Witches by Roald Dahl. Even after reading all of Alex Flinn's witchy books. Ermahgerd. I just can't.

BUT. Jessica Spotswood. Oh, my, God. She writes with real magic!

I think I only bothered to read Born Wicked because of Andrea Cremer. LOL. This one time, I went to her book signing, and up came the question of fictional hot guys. And then she started raving about Finn Belastra. Gardener, freckled, red headed, wears glasses, reads books. (That's hot. Sorta. LOL.)

After reading Born Wicked, to be honest, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to read Star Cursed much less finish the whole series. But, an opportunity to get an ARC came by, so I was just like, hey! Why not?!

That was a really good decision to get an ARC.

I fell head over heels in love with this book. I loved it. (This was the first book that I've ever bothered to annotate. (Annotating is fun. You guys should give it a try.)

Okay, so, a review is a review and I think I should talk about Cate. And Finn. And Maura. And Tess. And you know.

Cate was normal ol' Cate. Finn was normal ol' Finn. Maura was annoying ol' Maura and Tess was nice lil' Tess. One thing, out of everything, that annoyed me the most was the arguments that Cate and Maura had. I'll just say it, I dislike Maura with a burning passion. I mean, if she were in Cate's position as the narrator and main character, I would probably hate Cate (that rhymes) with a burning passion. Either way, I hate the arguments they have. But of course, I sympathize with Cate more since she's the main character. The thing is, they don't do well with each other mainly because Maura has a very rushy personality and Cate has a let's-slow-down-and-think-it-through personality. And plus, they're plenty jealous of each other.

This plot was completely ERMAHGERD. I can totes say that again. (ERMAHGERD.) That ending, though. I don't do well with books that make me angry..

I want the next book, now! That cliffhanger.. ugh..

Quotes

Note: This is an ARC copy. All quotes may not match those of the final print's.


"I hate the Sisterhood for separating us."


Well there's really no one to blame BUT THYSELF


"..forbids women from working outside the home."


WHAT?!


"..forbids that girls should be taught to read."


WHAT?!!!


"And the handwriting is Finn's."


And now the story starts


"Where we can look after each other,"


Awww.


"His lips work their way from my temple to my cheekbone."


This is too cute I can't


"Put your faith in me, and I'll see to it that we both get what we want."


I'm scared should I be scared


"He likes the pretty ones.."


Oh.. OH...


"I wonder what he looks like with nothing on at all."


Naked? Eheh.


"If I'd stayed in Chatham, refused the Sisters, would we be married by now and sharing a bed every night?"


YES DAMMIT


"Then the door slams open, and we spring apart."

WHAT A KILLJOY UGH


"It's not fair."


HELL YEAH IT IS


"..don't you know me at all?"


WELL DO YOU KNOW HER AT ALL


"I want to be your husband, Cate."


I can't omg omg


"I'm the strongest witch in this room, that's who."


That's right. You go, Cate!


"You just can't stand that I'm more popular than you!"


No. She just can't stand that you're so annoying. omg.


"I'm done playing nice."


That was playing nice?


"I believe in you, Cate Cahill, and in us together."


AWWW


"I love you, Cate Cahill. You are beautiful and brave and strong."


I'm crying LOL
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That's it. What do you think of this review?(:

Book Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers.

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers.
Book Summary: Sybella's duty as Death's assassin in 15th-century France forces her return home to the personal hell that she had finally escaped. Love and romance, history and magic, vengeance and salvation converge in this thrilling sequel to Grave Mercy.

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

Liana's Summary: Sybella finds herself back at home, the last place that she'd ever wanted to be, in order to serve Death as his assassin. When her task goes horrifically wrong, Sybella stumbles into the clutches of love, vengeance, and salvation.

Rate(1-10): 9

LaFevers writes with what only can be described as amazing grace. No it does not have anything to do with the song She writes very descriptively and a reader can just conjure images into his or her head.

At first, the plot was a bit slow and it didn't really help that the text was ridiculously small-- however, just a little later in the book, it started to get really interesting! So I'd definitely vote for the latter half of this story.

This is, I confirm for many curious readers, better than the first book. So if you've read Grave Mercy and are hesitant to read Dark Triumph, I'd say go for it. If you haven't read GM, then go read it!

One thing I liked about this book was the romance. In the first book, between Ismae and Duval, the romance was a little bit too slow for my comfort. I just can't. However, I can't really say who Sybella, whom this story is about, falls in love with because that would just be spoiling. 

Another thing that I adored was that the plot was VERY, VERY organized and it just connected very well with a lot of things. Like there were a bunch of scattered dots on a plane and LaFevers just took a pencil and connected all those dots for us to create a picture-- in this case, Sybella and Ismae's story.

I think I actually liked everything about this book except for the uncomfortably small text that made me sigh in laziness and the slow beginning! 

So, for those who haven't read Grave Mercy, once again, I highly recommend that you do!

I can't wait to read the third, and I think last, book of this series.

Quotes!

"You are mine."


Back off, incest boy

"A kiss," he begs, "to prove that you are not angry with me."


omg Julian you know what just stop

"..I hate being parted from you.."


I told you stop

"I've never met a lady who enjoys her work as much as I enjoy mine."



Is this where it all starts LOL
I hope this is a pickup line

"I knew that you would miss me."


This is why I love him

"The shriveled, withered bit of gristle that lives where my heart used to be has managed to fall in love with him."


-screech- akjfkjdakjldkafj eheeeeheheheheehe YAY SYBELLA

"..his lips find mine.."




"I want, more than anything, to keep that hand in mine and never let it go."




"You love me?"




"D'Albret discerns my intent just in time."



DIE ALREADY YOU MOTHERF--

"...for I was born with the birth cord wrapped twice around my neck and did not die."


omg my Bio teacher LOL.

"..and plunge it into his belly,.."


it's about time

"Seize her!"


oh my god why

"Do not let go,..."



AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT THOUGHT OF JACK EFFING DAWSON
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Book Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers.
Book Summary: Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Liana's Summary: Ismae finds herself in a sanctuary where she is trained to be an assassin, trained in the arts of wielding a weapon, making poisons, and seduction to trick an enemy. Next thing she knows, she's in the high court of Brittany, and is faced with a difficult decision-- to choose between her duty and her heart.

Rate(1-10): 8

Yeah, I'll admit it: I'd expected a lot from this book. Yes, it was good. It's kind of hard to type this review because I really don't know where to start. There's just so much to say..

The cover is gorgeous. The title. Oh, my gosh. How could a reader NOT be attracted? Sometimes, authors always write books in which the protagonist is a male, and the male has to save a damsel in distress. And I just absolutely LOVE it when the protagonist is a lady assassin. How fab is that?!

Ismae, the protagonist (who just so happens to be on the cover), is a strong person. She's wields her weapons like another arm. She's a bit insecure and I think the general idea of this book is heart against duty. And she can't do anything about it.

I just love this whole entire setting, except there are a few things that I didn't really like.

The history and the politics. I know this is historical fiction, and I absolutely ADORE historical fiction, knowing full well that this was a HF book before picking it up. But really? I think a little more than enough time was spent talking about politics-- instead of getting on with the story.

The slow romance. Some people LOVE slow romance, but since I'm me, I can't stand slow romance. I just cannot-- Well, my point is, do not read this book if you're a sucker for romance. Because you won't really be satisfied until the latter half of the book. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the romance that happened, how it happened, and all, but I just didn't really like the speed of it.. which just happened to be a speed of a turtle swimming in molasses.

Despite those aspects, LaFevers totally had me on the very first page, all the way to the last.

Quotes!

"..in your household for the next few weeks."

so is this when the romance starts

"...how warm his fingers are!..."

Ain't this somethin'?

"..stares as if he has never seen me before."

hehehe

"..brushes away a strand of hair.."

"It is Duval who sets my heart to racing, who addles my wits, who makes me short of breath. For even when he is angry, he is kind, and not the mere surface kindness of good manners, but a true caring."

"It does not take but three days for the duchess and Nemours to fall in love,.."

It's ok, it took Romeo and Juliet 5 minutes

"And then his lips are on mine.."

"..take his hands from my waist."

DAMMIT DON'T DO THAT

"Thank you."

"Is he dead?"

"Whenever you are ready, or if you never are, my heart is yours, until Death do us part."

-------------------------

That's it! What did you think of this review?(:

Book Review: Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
Book Summary: Life of Pi is a masterful and utterly original novel that is at once the story of a young castaway who faces immeasurable hardships on the high seas, and a meditation on religion, faith, art and life that is as witty as it is profound. Using the threads of all of our best stories, Yann Martel has woven a glorious spiritual adventure that makes us question what it means to be alive, and to believe.

Growing up in Pondicherry, India, Piscine Molitor Patel - known as Pi - has a rich life. Bookish by nature, young Pi acquires a broad knowledge of not only the great religious texts but of all literature, and has a great curiosity about how the world works. His family runs the local zoo, and he spends many of his days among goats, hippos, swans, and bears, developing his own theories about the nature of animals and how human nature conforms to it. Pi’s family life is quite happy, even though his brother picks on him and his parents aren’t quite sure how to accept his decision to simultaneously embrace and practise three religions - Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.

But despite the lush and nurturing variety of Pi’s world, there are broad political changes afoot in India, and when Pi is sixteen, his parents decide that the family needs to escape to a better life. Choosing to move to Canada, they close the zoo, pack their belongings, and board a Japanese cargo ship called the Tsimtsum. Travelling with them are many of their animals, bound for zoos in North America. However, they have only just begun their journey when the ship sinks, taking the dreams of the Patel family down with it. Only Pi survives, cast adrift in a lifeboat with the unlikeliest oftravelling companions: a zebra, an orang-utan, a hyena, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.

Thus begins Pi Patel’s epic, 227-day voyage across the Pacific, and the powerful story of faith and survival at the heart of Life of Pi. Worn and scared, oscillating between hope and despair, Pi is witness to the playing out of the food chain, quite aware of his new position within it. When only the tiger is left of the seafaring menagerie, Pi realizes that his survival depends on his ability to assert his own will, and sets upon a grand and ordered scheme to keep from being Richard Parker’s next meal.

As Yann Martel has said in one interview, “The theme of this novel can be summarized in three lines. Life is a story. You can choose your story. And a story with an imaginative overlay is the better story.” And for Martel, the greatest imaginative overlay is religion. “God is a shorthand for anything that is beyond the material - any greater pattern of meaning.” In Life of Pi, the question of stories, and of what stories to believe, is front and center from the beginning, when the author tells us how he was led to Pi Patel and to this novel: in an Indian coffee house, a gentleman told him, “I have a story that will make you believe in God.” And as this novel comes to its brilliant conclusion, Pi shows us that the story with the imaginative overlay is also the story that contains the most truth.

Liana's Summary: Piscine Patel finds himself stranded on a boat in the middle of a Pacific with a 460 pound Bengal tiger-- and of course, he's scared out of his wits. Soon, he realizes that he's glad that the tiger is alive. That way, he knows he's not alone. Forced to turn to the most desperate measures, Piscine knows that he has to do anything to stay alive, and wait for himself to be saved by someone.. if that someone comes at all.

Rate(1-10): 7

Most people open this book because they're curious and they want to know what it's about. Well, I'm one of those people.. People were raving about this, and I knew I had to give it a try. So-- my overall opinion? Was it good? Yes. Was it worth my 15 dollars? Not really. I liked it, but it isn't exactly the best book ever.

I liked:
-How this book teaches us a lot about the animal kingdom-- very interesting!
-The ending. If there's one reason to read this book, holy hell, it's the ending. well I would have enjoyed it that much more if my French teacher didn't spoil the ending for me gosh

I disliked:
-How the first 100 pages was Piscine talking about his life to give some background. Well, 2 or 3 pages are enough to give background. Get on with the plot already!
-The writing was very.. flat. Sort of. Piscine's not a very good narrator. He just says things very plainly. I don't really know how to explain this..
-Piscine..

There was the good and there was the bad. I'd say that Life of Pi would be quite enjoyable to some people and very boring to other people. To me, it was alright. Yann Martel wouldn't really keep me up all night reading his writing.

I'm eager to watch the movie! Just found the link.. I'll be watching it soon.

Book Review: Interrupted by Rachel Coker.

Interrupted by Rachel Coker.
Book Summary: Can love really heal all things? If Sam Carroll hadn't shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie's heart from hardening completely. But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved.

Liana's Summary: Allie always thinks-- if Sam Carroll hadn't come visit her, would her mother still be alive? Or, at least, would Allie have had a chance to hold her mother's hand, to whisper sweet things to her, as she slowly passed away? But it doesn't matter. Because her mother is dead. After the funeral, Allie is whisked away to Maine, where she once again reunites with Sam Carroll, four years later. He confesses to loving her. But does she love him? Can she love him? Even more, can she learn to love, and not deny?

Rate(1-10): 5

Honestly, I don't really know what I expected. Cindy, you said this was good, LOL 

Anyways, I've always liked Historical-fiction books, but INTERRUPTED really wasn't as good as I had thought it would be. 

But it was still good.

I liked the fact that this story had a message about loving people and the definition of family, and all. That's definitely something notable about this book.

And the romance was really cute. At some parts..

But the great things sort of end there-- actually, the main character was an ungrateful, annoying little shit and it got on my nerves. She was in denial the whole time, like, I HATE CHRISTIANS AND BEATRICE IS NOT MY MOTHER AND I HATE EVERYONE AND I DON'T LOVE SAM CARROLL

Who was she trying to convince? Herself. 

And she really has no one to blame but herself, but she's been blaming others for most of the book. Which, obviously, got on my nerves.

I liked how she finally sort of woke up at the end..

The main character really has nothing to do with the low rating, actually, since annoying main characters who change at the end are in some very, very good books.

The whole thing seemed surreal in a way. Maybe things were like that back then, but it set in just a little more than half a century ago.. Would someone just march in out of nowhere and say HIIII I'M YOUR BEST FRIEND AND WE'RE GONNA BE BFF'S FOREVER!? Or, did all the boys just chase after you and get into fights because of you? Things aren't supposed to be that easy and simple, although this story had things happen just because, I feel, the author wanted them to happen, without any building blocks.

Also because the author's writing didn't really captivate me at all and this whole story wasn't too enjoyable and well-organized-- the climax was nowhere to be seen, not really. This whole plot was just sort of dry and flat. It was mainly about a girl who refused to appear weak and truly accept things for what they were, and finally decided to give in at the very end.

Quotes.
Note: This is an ARC galley edition and the quotes might not match those of the final print's.

"You're awful pretty, Allie,"




"No, you don't."




"I mean to marry you, Allie,"




"..Samuel?"


OHMYGOD

"Especially not with strangers."


HE'S NOT A STRANGER DAMMIT

"How do you know Allie?"


lol go away Russell

"Russell's going to war?"


He gon' die

"Because I love you!"


So her heart is made of flesh. (': IT TOOK SO LONG BUT HERE IT IS
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That's that! What did you think of this review?(: