Don't Quote Me (#34)

I saw this image recently and felt the need to share it with you guys because I know many people in real life that are stuck in the same place in life, and don't do anything to change it-especially when it comes to the people they surround themselves with. Your friends are the family you choose, so you have to choose wisely and it's okay to change them as you change too. Think of your life as a house, and every couples months or years new people come in and out and live with you for awhile. They all teach you something, and are apart of you no matter what. So it's really important be reassess your relationships with your friends and making sure that they are complimenting your life, not causing trouble in it. I heard somewhere that the five people you surround yourself around the most, you inherently mimic them. So you want to mimic amazing people that embrace and help you through your life, as you want to help them.

I think this is extremely important for teenagers like myself to realize that the people you like last month, aren't always the people for you, and that's okay. You don't have to be negative and go out of the way to totally ignore them, but always allow new people in your life.

Scared of Comments?

There's no denying that cyber bullying goes around on the internet. Especially in a blogging community such as the book bloggers. Even though, I have barely seen any rude comments on others blogs, and everyone on here is extremely nice, and we all want to help out each other and become friends, there's always the voice in the back of my mind that brings out all the insecurities I have, and believes that email I get sent when someone leaves a comment says something about my insecurities.

I'm not so much as scared of a comment, as if it would haunt me, but what people think of me, and how they perceive me as a blogger. There's always a chance that there will be a troll, or someone that is just mean-or they are having a bad day and trying to make themselves feel better-and I always feel that rush of what if when I read comments.

Then there are the comments that I have only heard of from people in my school. The ones where because the majority of the teenage population don't know that their are stalkers, and they want to be popular, feel the need to get thousands of followers on instagram, facebook, and twitter. I have know right to call people out and say you are doing it wrong, but I think people should know better than to post photos of themselves everywhere they go of them, and their friends. It seems idiotic to me. The result of these people that put their entire selves on social media is that they create people to stalk them. I have proof that many people in my school have been stalked, and it just seals my point that there is a privacy matter that teenagers don't understand. Being stalked at thirteen is really sad. There is a part of me that thinks those things. The side that I might have put too much information that I should have.

So where am I going with this? I think that comments should be shared lovingly, and to critique. There's a difference from sharing your opinion and antagonizing people. How much you put yourself out there on the internet is on your shoulders, and sometimes we all need a reminder of that. My brief hesitation before reading comments may seem irrational to many, and I know that there are many people that get much worse comments online, but it doesn't stop me from reading comments. Feel free to leave a comment below, and tell me if you hesitate before commenting, or reading comments. Tell me/ask me whatever. 

App Review: Flipboard

Most of you that read my blog, are also bloggers, and that is amazing, but also a lot of work to stay connected with everything. I personally only have a twitter, and that's enough for me. (@Clarareads)

I found this app called Flipboard a week or two ago, and have fallen in love with it. I love the style it creates and the easy navigation of the app. Flipboard, is basically where you can read all your news, and social networks in one place. I find that because I use Flipboard now, that I don't need the twitter app. Of course, there are other programs/applications like this, for example Tweetdeck. Which I haven't used, but that's because I use my social networks more mobily, than on my computer, and stationary. If you're like me and you have a mobile device that can support apps, like Android or iPhone/iPad then I think this will definitely replace whatever your using now.

There are so many social networks that are optimized in this app. So many I can't name them all, but I'll try to name all of the ones that are most popular.

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

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)

Series Page: The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel: Review Playlist

Clockwork Prince: Review Playlist
Book: Website Amazon Goodreads B&N

Cassandra Clare: Website Flickr  Facebook Twiiter

*reviews and playlists will be linked when posted*

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare Review

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel Review Link

Clockwork Prince:  Website Amazon GoodReads B&N
Cassandra Clare: Website Flickr Facebook Twitter Tumblr

Its been a while since I read this book.(I read it in December and my memory is not the best it could), so I've decided to not have a summary on this review. You may go on goodreads or amazon, or any of the links above to understand the synopsis of the book. As most may know Clockwork Prince is the second installment of the Infernal Devices series.