Tuesday, July 31, 2012

In My Mailbox (#1)






















He stole a kiss from the wrong girl…
Left without a soul, 17-year-old Dariana Sanders waited to die. There was nothing left to live for, nothing to feel besides the aching cold that never stopped. Her parent’s marriage was in shambles, and her brother, the only one who understood, the only one who knew how to make the cold go away, was gone forever. The only thing Dariana knew with absolute certainty was that nothing could possibly be right again. Enter Lewis Axel Nialls. Luckily for her, impossible is right up his alley. He can save her from the forces that wish to destroy her. Of course who’s going to save him, from her? 
 from goodreads

Clio Kaid may be 17 and just beginning the last summer before her senior year, but her life is anything but typical.
She's just discovered she was genetically altered before birth and is now headed to a top-secret Army campus to explore the surprising results of the experiment.

Follow Clio and the other teens as they develop fantastic super-abilities, forge new friendships, find love, and uncover a conspiracy along the way.
from amazon


Monday, July 30, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (#2)

It's Monday! What are you reading? meme started by bookjourney.

What I Read:

This past week I took a couple of days off of reading my to-do list and started reading a bunch of fanfiction. ;(


What I'm currently reading:

I started reading The Hobbit last week, and on and off again read it. Sadly I'm only on chapter three. I find it difficult to read the book quickly like I do with most books because of how much fillers are in it. 
















I was sent a request to read Solid by Shelley Workinger and I started reading it. I am only on the second chapter, but it seems promising. I hope to have a review of it later this week, or next.











What I hope to read in the future:



I started Matched months ago, and it has been in the back in my mind for a while. I am hoping to read it next week! :)

Friday, July 27, 2012

Interview: Claudia Carozza author of The Twenty


A few weeks ago I was introduced to a Claudia Carozza's debut novel The Twenty. I wrote a review of it here, and I love it so much. I can't wait 'till the next installment comes out! In the mean time I asked Claudia Carozza a few questions:


Tell us about yourself and what you like to do besides writing.
I’m 28, married and mother to a very lovable three year old. I have a B.A. in writing and am currently a graduate student. I love to travel and Italy is my favorite travel destination. Growing up, I spent many summers there and attended college in Rome for a while. I also love to bake, spend time with family and friends, and curl up with my kindle to read a great book.
 When did you start writing The Twenty?
I started writing the book about eight months ago. At first it was something I picked up every once in a while to work on. I became really attached to the story and the characters and I found myself wanting to write more and more. Towards the end, I was writing in twelve hour stretches.
 What was the most difficult part about writing The Twenty?
The most difficult part was finding the time to write. Between family and school, it can get a bit hectic.
 Was there something specific ei. idea, scene, character that started the novel?
Random ideas pop into my head all the time so I carry a notepad and pen in my purse with me. I try to write them down and then go back to them later. The idea for The Twenty stuck with me and it was the idea I kept going back to.
 Many authors write what they know and their experiences. What were your own experiences you added to the novel?
I think Hazel feels like she has so much responsibility on her shoulders that she finds it hard to find time for herself to figure out what she wants. I can relate to that feeling of being overwhelmed at times.
 Do you ever get paranoid about someday our world will be like Hazel's?
Not paranoid but there’s always that thought in the back of my head of what if? It’s always helpful to imagine what kind of world we would live in if these things actually happened. I think it adds to the realism of the story.
 If you were in Hazel's shoes, would you work at the Antioch Center or find other ways to make a living?
The job at the Antioch promised so much hope for Hazel so I know I would have done the same and taken the job. When you’re that desperate to take care of your loved ones being picking isn’t an option and Hazel understood that.
 What can you tell us about the second installment?
I’m very excited about it! There are going to be new characters introduced and we’ll see Hazel go through a big transformation. It’s going to be interesting to see how she handles the tug-of-war she’s found herself in and how far she'll push herself and the people around her. A few crazy secrets are uncovered that will reveal more about the characters and their lives before the Antioch.
 Do you have any advice for writers that are currently working on their novel?
Don’t give up! Some days, the words come pouring out while other days I stare at the computer screen and…nothing. Writing is a rollercoaster ride and I think the relationship between an author and a novel is love-hate. Read as much as you can, write as much as you can, and believe you can tell a good story.
Where can we find you online?
www.claudiacarozza.com
https://twitter.com/claudiacarozza
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudia-Carozza/109974752471235
http://www.goodreads.com/ccarozza

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Blog Tour: Determinant by A.M. Hargrove Review + Giveaway


A couple of weeks ago I read the first novel of The Guardians of Vesturon series. Survival was okay, the characters really stood out to me, but I didn't love the whole idea of the Guardians. Determinant is the third installment of the series, and I'd still say the same thing if I was telling someone about this series. I love all the detail and the weirdness of all the characters, but the whole E.T. like people just didn't make sense, for me anyways.

The beginning of the novel, like the first novel in the series starts out in a world where we see everything the main character has ever experiences and continues on to their college life. Then something drastic occurs, which turns the whole miserable story into a charming one, in my opinion.

I admire A.M. Hargrove for her creativity and gumption to have something in a novel  that is a pressing topic, which most would like to get rid of but don't want to talk about. If that made sense. I love how A.M. Hargrove makes her characters realistic and their own, one of a kind. The way she moves a story along really is something that I wish I could do. Then there are times when I'd think I should be crying, when I'm not in reality. It's just the reader in my head is bawling her eyes out and giving my heart out to these characters, especially January. Ugh! I can't start to believe how A.M. Hargrove wrote such a broken main character without breaking down from all of her hardships. I also love how she pushes the boundaries of the "aliens" in this novel. It's quite interesting how this is the third installment of a series, but can be read independently.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Don't Quote Me (#2)


These e-cards aren't really quotes, but I like sharing them with you guys. This one just made me laugh really hard. :)
So true, absolutely true. 
This quote makes me laugh and cry at the same time. 

Monday, July 23, 2012

It's Monday! What are you reading? (#1)

It's Monday! What are you reading? meme is started by bookjourney. 

What I read:

I started reading Determinant for a blog tour coming up, and the review will be up on Thursday with a really amazing giveaway!















What I am currently reading:


The Hobbit is a mandatory read for me this summer,and I've been procrastinating like always at reading it. Go send me a tweet @Clarareads every hour telling me to read it! That would mean a bunch!:)










What I hope to read in the future:

I got this book for my birthday in June. Started it and then put it down for another book. I'm really excited to get back into this world soon.:)

Friday, July 20, 2012

Playlist: Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

I had reviewed Faelorehn a couple of weeks ago, and thought that it would be pretty easy and fun to make a playlist for the novel. Well, boy was I wrong. I had so much trouble and unable to think or find any song that stood out to complement a scene or a character. I only have two songs that I'd like to share because it's better than not sharing at all. Please if you have any song that really stood out when you read Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson please leave a comment below. I will also link the review I wrote for the novel here

This is just an amazingly soft and sweet song that sets the mood of the novel.

"And I'm lost, broken down the middle of my heart"

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Review: The Descendant by Kelley Grealis



Novel: Goodreads
Author: Facebook Twitter Goodreads Website

The Descendant was not what I expected it to be, and I'm not sure how much I like it. There are many things that I love about the novel. For example, the whole back story of Cain and how everything started with Adam and Eve. Now, I'm not Catholic or religious at all, and I don't mind anyone's religion. So I felt that Kelley Grealis did a great job on that part because some authors can write too much religion for my taste because I don't believe in some of the things that I keep reading from a religious book, it can be hard to like the novel. Then there are somethings that I'm not sure if I like or dislike. For instance, the Drake family. The siblings are very fishy, except Marlo. I liked her from the beginning, but not all of them. I smell a traitor in the room. 

Kelley Grealis did an amazing job, to me, at pacing the story along. I never felt like there was a time that something was lacking. Of course, I didn't like having to know that Vincent took away Ali's memories from the car accident. It made me hate him for most of the book, and when Ali found out about it, I felt like it could have been a bigger ordeal, with higher stakes. I think Kelley Grealis wrote the story very well, mostly by describing the scenery and the vampiric elements.

Ali is a very likable character, in my opinion and her humor at times was great to break the ice. I loved how the main character, Ali, resisted and thought logically about the whole situation. I think having an older female protagonist helped with that. As for Caz I thought he was the more important antagonist. I liked Casper for how sneaky he is, and deceptive. I hope that in the future he plays a bigger role. Like I said in the beginning, the Drake family is still fishy to me. Vincent, as much pity I feel for him, I can't help but think that he did what he did for the better.

At the beginning of the story I felt like I knew everything. I'm not sure how much was supposed to be noticed to the reader, but a couple of chapters in it was like I new what everything was going to happen. Then again I didn't because of a whole back story which I was incredibly intrigued in.

During an action sequence, I wasn't on the edge of my seat. Nothing really made me worry about Ali. I feel like Kelley Grealis could have kick Ali in the gut, when she was already down, or even worse, because I wasn't empathetic to Ali as much as I wish.

In the end, the novel didn't leave me blown away or make me have a very strong emotion about anything, but the story itself intrigued me and the back story is what kept me reading and how Ali's symptoms were going to progress. I give Kelley Grealis' debut novel, a head nods, and thumbs up. (4 out of 5)

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Don't Quote Me (#1)

I find it that since we live in such a place where media is constantly blaring itself at us, there are many misquotations. I personally love quotes and I love to share them to people, and pull out a super spiffy quote at just the right moment. (Which doesn't happen often, I'm working on it) So I have decided to make a meme for quotes. Every Wednesday from now on, hopefully. All you have to do is share a quote or many quotes you have thought of, read, or heard of in that nature.

Don't Quote Me isn't going to judge others if they miss quote, because honestly we - if you are a human -  are always making mistakes. So I find myself always saying," Don't quote me on that." If you'd like to join me please do. If you have any questions please email me at Clarareads@gmail.com.



So I decided to have some pinterest fun and all of the sayings/quotes I got are from pintereset. :) If you haven't yet checked it out, go do yourself a favor because it's amazing. But I do have to warn you that it can be very time consuming. Please leave a link to your Don't Quote Me and/or leave a comment!!:)


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Review: The Twenty by Claudia Carozza



Novel: Amazon Goodreads
Author: Website Twitter Goodreads


The Twenty is an interesting book that I decided to read because it takes place in a dystopian world where there had an epidemic that wiped out all the humans. Then comes along a new government where you are ranked by which ward you reside in. The farthest ward you are from First City the less and less power the government has control of you and if they even care at all. The Twenty is about a group of twenty women who are pregnant during a time where it's very rare, and crying babies would stir a whole ward. So then comes along Hazel DeSales and she finds a job working for the government which she knows is corrupt, but when her drunken father's paychecks are coming in smaller and longer amounts of time she has to give somethings up to live. Hazel becomes a nurse for one of the Twenty and hears things she shouldn't when Hazel is in the shadows. 
I really liked this idea when I first read the summary because it was different from all the other dystopian books that are out there. Claudia Carozza's writing was very simple, but what I really loved about the novel is because she keeps a good pace and makes me be on the edge of my seat, constantly. I also love how she built up the world. Having certain things that seem mundane to us, feel like an alien to the people in this world. I think, unlike most dystopian novels there isn't much technology advancement in The Twenty. In my mind when I think of the wards that people live in other than 8, I think of a ghost town, or a very unkempt town. I still what to know what First City and ward 8 really look like. 



Hazel DeSales is the female protagonist and she has some boy problems amongst many others. I could just feel the love triangle as soon as Shane came into the novel. Btw I'm on team Shane, if there is a team. I personally don't like Luka. My first impression of him was, "He's going to betray them." That was a very harsh thing to assume, but honestly I haven't warmed up to him and from the looks of where things going I feel like he's going to be the one. There were some characters that I have a lot of faith in. For example, Elisa Montgomery one of the Twenty whom Hazel nurses throughout her pregnancy. Elisa to me is a very strong character and I think if she wasn't pregnant and she had another role in the novel she'd kick butt. The "bad guys" didn't scare me honestly. They didn't make me think, "Well, this is going to be very very bad," or something along those lines. Yes, there are somethings that are kind of spoilers that are sins, but I don't see why they are doing the things that they are. The government is very secretive and I really want to know what they are going to do with the babies of the Twenty because it seems like something big is going to occur.

The Twenty for me, was a very quick summer read and if I had time probably could finish in a day or some hours. The novel has a very fast pace, and the scenery isn't too advance that I'm constantly wondering and daydreaming about the wards and the buildings.

I feel like this sort of story could happen in some way. I don't know how and why, but there seems to be a truth in it. I really love how Claudia Carozza didn't particularly shy away from unpleasing things because that's how the world that Hazel lives in is. Where the police don't care, and the crack heads are everywhere.

I am defo going to read the second book in the trilogy when it comes out and I want to check out Claudia Carozza's upcoming new series coming later this year. I'm very excited about the next The Twenty novel because this one leaves off with a huge cliff hanger, which I really wanted to be resolved in this novel because we all saw it coming. So, in conclusion I give Claudia Carozza's debut dystopian novel a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5)


Saturday, July 14, 2012

Versatile Award


Hi guys! I was very excited when I found out that I was nominated for the Versatile Blog from D.L.T. from http://therandomranterer.blogspot.com/. So thank you very much to D.L.T. This means a lot to me!:)

To accept this award I have to do five things:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging. 
2. Let the nominated bloggers know that they have been nominated for this award.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself. 
4. Thank the blogger who has nominated you.
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your post. 

7 Facts About Me:
  1. I am a grandmother of seven baby fish. 
  2. I can play the ukulele, piano, and guitar.
  3. I love shopping. 
  4. I hate coffee. 
  5. I love tea. 
  6. I love photography. 
  7. I am allergic to people who hate everything. 

15 Nominated Bloggers:


Friday, July 13, 2012

Interview: Jonathan Marcantoni

Recently I was contacted by the wonderful Jonathan Marcantoni to review his novel Traveler's Rest. I was given the opportunity to also interview him and here are some Q&As about him and his newest novel.


When did you start writing Traveler's Rest?

Traveler's Rest was written between April 2005 and January 2006.

What kind of research did you have to do for the novel?

I did have to do some research on Hurricane Katrina for the hurricane sequence and aftermath. I actually wrote that section during the Katrina catastrophe, which made the research much easier. I also had to research some about Puerto Rican history (though most of it I already knew, it was more a matter of name checking), and the general layout of Denver. The research wasn't especially vital because the story takes place in a sort of alternate universe, so I could play around with facts and history. For instance, the Boriken movement and the terrorist group Dark Horse are completely made up, although they have some basis in real movements. Also, the deaths of General Miles and Jose Celso Barbosa are also fictionalized, although the biographies of those two men are historically accurate.

Did you always know that you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing when I was 8 years old, and always loved it, but I had been doing theatre since I was six and until my late teens I primarily wrote plays and skits. I thought I was going to be an actor until around the time I started writing Traveler's Rest that I decided that writing would be my main focus. But I was always writing, regardless of what type.

Is there any particular character that you relate with the most?

Tony, he is sort of my alter-ego. I wrote the book when I was 20 and 21, and he reflects a lot of the internal struggles I had at the time. I was never a heroin addict, but the bitterness and distance he feels toward his family and some of his unhealthy attitudes toward women I shared at the time. Reading the book now I sort of cringe at his behavior, because its a reflection of some of the worse aspects of myself.

What do you want your readers to get from reading Traveler's Rest?

I hope the book inspires empathy. One thing this country is lacking more and more is empathy for those who can't hide their suffering. We are a nation that shies away from suffering, from admitting weakness. We go out of our way to boost people up to hide pain and failure, and when they can't hide it, we shun them. Whether its depression, addiction, poverty, or even just circumstance. I remember living in Atlanta after Katrina, and half the refugees where there, and the things I'd hear from people about the refugees was terrible and unjust. People would call them free-loaders, or say they got what they deserved for being too stupid to get out of the city. These people had survived a true tragedy, and got nothing but flak in return. The poor in this country are often seen as lazy or welfare cheats, rather than struggling individuals who have made one mistake too many. The same with addicts, instead of being treated as human beings they are seen as burdens. The real problems is that many people don't want to accept that we all struggle, and the ones who struggle most need the most support. I hope my book makes these people appear real, relevant, and worthy of respect and human dignity.

What was the most difficult part of writing Traveler's Rest?

Facing my own fears of expression, particularly with the political material. When I first wrote it I wasn't confident about sharing my passion for Puerto Rican independence, particularly since my family aren't supporters. I talked around the subject a lot in early drafts, and sort of made a situation with the Boriken movement that didn't portray independentistas in the best light, just to make me seem ambivalent toward the movement. But as I got older and more confident in my beliefs, the drafts of the books started bringing out more of that Puerto Rican pride and the message that preserving our culture and taking pride in it is of utmost importance became clearer. With the book out there I'll see how people respond, so far it has been positive and I haven't gotten flak for the political material, but I still have some nervousness about it. The material on depression was also difficult because that has been a problem that has affected myself and my family for several years, and the subject is still rather painful to explore. Exposing my beliefs and my struggles to the extent that I do has given me a love/hate relationship with the book.

Where can we find you online?

My blog www.newerawriters.blogspot.com where you can find essays on Traveler's Rest and tips on writing, freelance editing, and the publishing industry.

You can check out www.aignospublishing.com, a new independent press specializing in experimental literature. I am Editor in Chief at Aignos and I am always looking for authors and editors.

You can also look up the Traveler's Rest group on Facebook.com which has updates and info on the book.

Traveler's Rest is available on amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Rest-Jonathan-Marcantoni/dp/0985250615/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341790020&sr=8-1&keywords=jonathan+marcantoni)

And from the publisher Savant Books and Publications (www.savantbooksandpublications.com)

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Review: Traveler's Rest by Jonathan Marcantoni


Reading the Traveler's Rest was a first on many levels. It was the first historical/political adult fiction I've ever read, and it's a first that I'm able to interview the author Jonathan Marcantoni about the book. I have to say that I was very skeptical about this novel. I usually never read adult fiction, but I was willing to try because you only live once, right?
I love the dialogue in the novel. That was just blissful to me, even though what they said wasn't particularly blissful. I love how he said it how it is. That was incredibly refreshing. I also love how everything connected all together. I was at first struggling with all the flash backs and point of views being switched around, but that made it beautiful to me. I love Jonathan Marcantoni's style of writing. He has a very natural way of telling a story so that was pleasant to read. 
Characters! Oh my lord, these characters were so life like I thought I was reading a biography. I loved all of the characters and good and bad, and they were just so interesting and their stories were beautifully told. I don't think I've ever felt more empathy for a fictional character in my life. I don't know how Jonathan Marcantoni did it, or maybe adult fiction just has better writers but I dearly take all of the character to heart. I think my favorite character is Gustavo because he just sees things differently to me. He's the old guy that you know has more than a lifetime of stories and you feel like a little kid listening to all the tales he tells.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part -Time Indian by Sherman AlexieReview


  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Collectors edition (December 9, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316068209
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316068208
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches

Summary
Arnold Spirit (Junior) is a Native American which you can tell from the title of the book. All his life he has lived with a brain disorder. Now as he comes into his freshman year of high school he decides to go to the white high school in the farm town over. This might not seem much, at today's standards but to his tribe leaving the tribe for another school is like cheating on you're own kind. Of course, this cause back lash from his family and friends at the reservation. But as he navigates his life between the reservation and the white farm town high school, he sees and believes things he could be, much bigger than the lives at the reservation where everyone is usually drunk. 

I've got mixed thoughts about this book. It is amazing at the detail and the entertainment factor, but there's something about it that you think," This means a lot more deeper than it appears." Not that I don't understand this book, but this novel is quite a deep book if you break it down and think about it. It wasn't bad per se, but let's say inapropriate at some parts, so much that I had to skip a few pages. But I also think that having that is a great part because it shows the absolute true part of the novel, and I think Sherman Alexie really nailed it. 

Sherman Alexie is an amazing author I have to confess. He writes many Native American novels for adults and this is his first young adult book, and I have to say he's done an amazing job. His style of writing is what really drawn me in and made me want to read. His comedic voice that he wrote from Arnold's point of view was ever refreshing and didn't seem scripted or awkward in the dialogue as some authors can make it be. Not sure if I want to check out any other novel's he written, but thoroughly enjoyed his writing skills/style. 

The illustrator of this novel is Ellen Forney and she did an amazing job as depicting and perfectly blending the novel with the drawings that Arnold creates in the book. Her sense of humor and I'm guessing that she also worked with Sherman Alexie is equal if not more than laugh out loud quality. Her style of drawing was a new way that I've ever seen and it was not at all polished in a way the seems like a professional drew it, or to dull a babying that it looked like a kinder-gardener drew. 

Some key points I have to go over is the realistic and fantasy like the novel gave off as I read along. There was a time when I felt like this story was absolutely true and there were times where I thought," Nope that did not happen. Can't be happening." So it was equal in a way. As many characters grew and mainly Arnold I felt like I was growing with them and it wasn't just an over night change of decisions because we all know that can't possibly happen. It's like saying I'm going to start going to the gym every day for an hour starting today. No way it can't happen and I'm glad it didn't happen in the novel. Also death, huge part in the novel, which is not a huge spoiler, but you have to understand death is an everyday thing that occurs all over the world and I didn't feel like it hit home hard. There was the omgness that I felt  when a character passed away, but you have a feeling that nothing in Arnold's life is normal. A favorite part of this novel was when Arnold states that he can't count how many funerals he's been, when the kids at Rearden(white kid school) can count on one hand. It really upset me and I can to an extent understand, but because I've never known anyone to die before it's extremely difficult to understand the sorrow and missingness you feel as that person leaves. 

Well I don't think that I need to drabble on anymore than I've already did, so I tip my hat to all of you that have read The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I would love to hear your comments and reactions to this book. Also any book recommendations please feel free and leave as a comment. 

May books be in the future!!

So May is coming around and there may be books in the future. Get it? Yeah cheesy huh? Well here are the books I plan to read and review this month:
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

As you may guess, if you follow my blog that I usually don't stick to this list only. I might add a book, or take out a book due to time or unlike-ability. I hope you understand and this is just a guideline for me and for you. What books are you going to read in May?

L'esprit de l'escalier

I recently found this on tumblr the other day and thought to myself how wonderful the French are with their language. I don't know about you, but for me I experience this everyday and it's that weird feeling when you leave a conversation wide open in you mind and you still have things to say. This happens more than none and I need to try to say what's on my mind more, I find myself over analyzing my thoughts that I want to say that I completely change the thought all together. If this feeling happens to you too please comment down below. I just wanted to share to you this French saying that the English dictionary should have. It's ridiculous that we don't and I believe that their should be something like it somewhere in the Oxford Dictionary.
Au Revoir

Quote Time!

For all of you writers-Vonnegut
This quote makes my heart fill up and selfishly bragging that I've done everything so and continue to. 

Mulitpe Quotes



I've decided that there should be a mulitple quote Wednesday? You agree? Good. Well I thought that maybe one quote doesn't particularly mean much to everyone so I've decided to combine all the quotes I've seen or thought up the past week in this weekly meme sort of thing. Any names for the meme? leave comments and suggestions below :)


There's not much to say about this, but go read the Hunger Games if you haven't already!
So TRUE. Inside and out.

Absolutely love this quote. Tell me in the comments what you think because I think this speaks for it's self in a way. :)



First, if you haven't listened to any Cara Salimando song you should. Second, how on Earth did I not notice that.  



























Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Review: Dragon Fire by Pedro L. Alvarez


I was very interested in a new world to explore the past week and I found this in an ARR program. Pedro L. Alvarez is a debut author that I think we should all keep an eye on. The story he lays out for the reader is amazingly detailed and well thought out. Dragon Fire is a mixture to me of a coming of age/romance/dystopian like world. 
If there is not enough reason that you should get a bow and arrow well here's another book. Lately that's been the trend I've found. For example, Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Jonhson, The Hunger Games Trilogy, and a few weeks ago I saw Brave form Pixar. Not that I don't have anything against bows and arrows but I wanted something different. Maybe something new and unheard of.

Pedro L. Alvarez has the most beautiful way of telling a story that amazed me while I was reading. Though his writing isn't filled with complications making me re-read constantly, it had an old timey feel. I felt very sucked into this world he created and the characters that joined in. I don't know how to say this because this is a very tricky review for me to write. I love his writing, but the story didn't make me want to read more. I really wanted to like this but I couldn't. It's not bad or anything, but I just could not go into another coming of age story. The genre is incredibly gigantic and I did not feel like anything was special.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Books I've Started and Haven't Finished, Yet


So I've been swamped with reading lately and all the books that I've bought in the past few months have been on the shelf and waiting to be picked up again:(. I just wanted to share with y'all the books and hopefully you can encourage me into reading them again or reminding me. Tweet me on twitter @Clarareads, email me Clarareads@gmail.com, or comment below!

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
pg. 58 out of 387 (15%)
The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
pg. 11 out of 310 (4%)


Matched (Matched, #1)
Matched by Ally Condie
pg. 76 out of 366 (21%)

Friday, July 6, 2012

Playlist: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

I was very impressed by Nevermore by Kelly Creagh and am dying to read the second installment, so I'd like to share with y'all some songs I thought fit the novel and the characters.

Check out the songs here:


Here's to Goodbye by Cara Salimando
Sad but sweet ending

Deciever by Cara Salimando
For the best night time song

Shadow Man by Lucy Schwartz
For Varen

Liebster Blog Award Continued?

Well I have been tagged numerous times for the Liebster Award and I haven't answered the eleven questions back for a while. To check out the first time I was tagged click here.


Tagged from Captivated Reading Questions:

1. What do you keep reading and going back to over and over again?
Embarassingly the whole Twilight series.
2. In school were/are you a Cliffnotes person, or did you ALWAYS read the required reading?
Sometimes cliffnotes if I don't have time.
3. What else do you love, besides books?
Music
4. What's your favorite book COVER?
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
5. What book would you love, more than anything, to be seen turned into a movie?
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, if they stay true to it.
6. How long have you been blogging?
A little more than half a year.:)
7. Do you like to write, as well as, read?
I love to write, anything, and everything.
8. What's the first novel that you can remember reading?

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Review: Traveling for the Hell of it by Nick Gerrard


Travelling for the Hell of itAs I read this I kind of knew what I was getting into. I thought I knew what this was all about. Just some random person writing about his travels and his witty and hilarious commentary in between. I got what I thought. I wouldn't say there was anything that really surprised me. I love to travel and sometimes you can't and you live through someone else. That was nice, but I think all travel books are like that. Then again, I shouldn't say that because this is the first of I hope many books about traveling.
I love how Nick Gerrard didn't just say his experiences and made that the main goal. It felt more like an old friend was telling you about his travels and conversing with you. It was easy going and nothing too serious and I think this book came just in time for me, when I was reading a lot of long and well thought out intricate plot twists and I just needed a quick summer read.

I can't say much without giving away a story that should be read from him and not badly explained from me. Though, I did love how he explained the people he met. It was refreshing. This is quite a short review because I don't know what else to say, but if you are looking for an easy read for the summer and you want to experience many places in a hilariously witty way then I think you should read Traveling for the Hell of it. That's why I give Nick Gerrard's travel book though not a guide book a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5)

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Review: Survival by A.M. Hargrove


 

Book: Goodreads Amazon Website
Author: Website Twitter Amazon Smashwords 

As you may know from the list of book reviews I have done that I love young adult/paranormal romance novels. This is exactly what I thought I wanted to get myself into after I finished Nevermore by Kelly Creagh because I just love the genre. I didn't know though that I'd come out in a faze and wondering is this really the future of young adult novels. I'm ashamed to say that I could not finish this book because it was just too unreal to me. It was like watching ice melt, you knew exactly what was going to happen.

A.M. Hargrove, I loved the effort in creating the Vesturon aliens and the background knowledge of everything. I love how the author didn't really shy away from issues that are in their world true to ours in a way and how she took the novel step by step at a time. Most of the time I was confused by the pacing of the book and how things went. I love the first part of the book, Maddie's story. Then later the novel fell short on the big things that I wanted to happen or thought I wanted to. The author's writing was very strange to me. The dialogue felt very stiff, I didn't flow like a normal conversation and maybe it's just because aliens were speaking English and that was intentional? I don't know. I do love how she incorporated the slang and differences from the humans and the Vesturon. I was very interested in their species and felt like she could have added more, though I love all the tech stuff the author added.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Poetry?

Summer Storm

They said I was smart
They said he was dumb
They said I am going to make it big
They said he's already failed life
They said I'm the next big thing
They said he's trouble
They said I have a long road waiting for me
They said his road stopped miles away
They said I gave people hope
They said he was the summer storm

I say he's smart
I say I'm the dumb one
I say he's going to make it big
I say I've already failed life
I say he's the next big thing
I say I'm trouble
I say he's got a long road waiting for him
I say my road stopped miles away
I say he gives people hope
I say I'm the summer storm