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Sunday, January 17, 2010

*SLAMS HEAD DOWN VERY HARD ON DESK*


ARUGH!!!!


I am Fustrated to say the least with google and blogger and Gmail and Word and Note Pad and blogger Links and the ability to COPY & PASTE what I want to!


I don't see why I can't write a review in word doc, then come to this website right here and PASTE it into a new POST!?


And if it won't let me do that it won't let me COPY AND PASTE book summaries here either sooooo I have to go to bn.com (because it's the easiest to work) and copy the link into one of those hyperlink things. However, when i do that it looks all sloppy and stuff


SLOPPY! ugh!! someone has to help me. I'm BEGGING you! PLEASE!!!

how do you all do it! how do you get it to be nice and neat? how do u hide that BIG, LONG MESS underneath a few words?

Let me in on the secret and i will love you for LIFE!!!
thanks a bunch!
~Rory the fustrated
PS. the picture above isn't me but it added to my level of fustration. i couldn't find one and was just going to take mine out and take one myself when *that* one finally made itself known to me.

Review: Confessions of a First Daughter By Cassidy Calloway

Hi,
I'm a huge fan of things that deal with the White House, I guess that's a good way to describe it. But this only goes for literature and TV, I could care less about what happens in This White House, the one before it, or even the one that will come next.
Examples of White House-y things that I love are: The West Wing TV show as well as Meg Cabot's All-American Girl and it's sequel, Ready Or Not.
So this book looked like just my thing.

Title: Confessions of a First Daughter
Author: Cassidy Calloway

Imagine that you had to pretend to be your mom for a day at her work...Not so bad, I mean what could go wrong? Now imagine that the place you had to fill in for her was HERE...
That's right, The White House...the place where the PRESIDENT makes all those important, world changing decisions. Well? Are you a bit panicy now? Don't think you could handle all that pressure? This book is about Morgan Abbott and how she did just that.
My Review:
I would re-read this book a million times if I could! It was soo funny and cute. There was an equal about of seriousness and laughter. More than once I was laughing so hard, I started to cry, or I was 'AAWWWWW-ing', which isn't really what you should be doing during Advance Chemisty OR Precalc, but I just couldn't put it down for something as mundane as math. Its a feel good book, but also a Girl Power book because the president in THIS book is a woman-- Can you say WOOHOO!? Its a small, fast read. While I was reading it I tried to put myself in the main characters position... a girl who is just trying to find her niche, but its made hard because she's the Daughter of the Leader of the Free World which means Secret Service...ALL THE TIME. That alone would drive me crazy, but add in being a klutz and having every screw up on national TV? Well, I would just break down and hide in the Mural Room until my Mom's term was over. I admire how Morgan handled her situation and did all that she could to help her Mom. I recomend this book to any girl (or boy) who wants a good laugh. =)






Review: Ash- Malinda Lo

Hey,


My theory is...if Meg Cabot says Read it, I read it.
Meg Cabot (the author of the Princess Diaries series) blogged about this book a few months ago, since then I've been impatient to get this book
Here's the link to that blog...
http://www.megcabot.com/?s=ash+malinda+lo.
Title: Ash
Author: Malinda Lo
My Review:
I love it when the book matches the hype. This version of the classic Cinderella is as unlike the story it orginates from as can be and I think that's what drew me to it. Yes, the basic story was there but with a twist. The stepmother is still a 'witch with a capital B' I felt the need to give her a swift kick most of the time, but it was the stepsisters that kept me interested. In the Brothers Grimm story, the stepsisters are both as evil as the mother, they're spoiled brats. In Ash, I noticed that it took a while for the stepsisters to start acting mean and deserve a kick of their own. Even then only one stepsister the older one, Ana was truely annoying, that was because she was the spoiled one, her sister Clara was kind of ignored. Clara was Ash's only ally in Quinn house. While i was reading I took notes on this book one of them no joke said "Clara> Ana". Another note i had said "Ash? Why is her name Ash?" In the story, her nickname was Ash even before her father died. I guess it could be a nickname for Aisling, but i just don't see it. My only other complain about this book was the relationship between Ash and Sidhean, the fairy. It came and went quickly, in my opinion Lo should have added at least two more chapters devoted just to him, even if Ash didn't end up with him. Who Ash did end up with... well I won't spoil it for you. I'll just say that I found it genius and did a happy dance at the end.



Saturday, January 2, 2010

Blogoversary!


HEY!

Ok so I JUST realized that TODAY, January 2, 2010 marks the day I started this Blog!

I thought it was way later in the month...like almost in Febuary!
But alas NO! It was Today!

I don't know why I'm sooo excited for this.

One Year...WOW!

Alright, I'll Stop Babbling and let you all get back to the wonderful books your reading...








Review: Alyzon Whitestarr By Isobelle Carmody

Hello,

I just finished this about an hour ago...

Title: Alyzon Whitestarr
Author: Isobelle Carmody


My Review:
I have very mixed opinions on this book, partly because it took me so long to finish it. In my mind, the better the book the faster I read it. I started this book around December 16th give or take a few days. True this book is 501 pages, but for me that's nothing. The plot was at times extremely confusing, at school people asked me "Hey, what's that about?" (usually my friends just grab the book and read the summary on the back/front inside cover...but nope they wasn't a summary [except that one on the copyright page which is the one I usually read, but it failed to deliver] just a quote from the novel which was vague), even halfway through the book I could not answer that question. I'm actually still at a loss when it comes right down to it.

The plot changed direction several times very quickly while never fully summing up what it just left. More than once, a character was mentioned and I couldn't remember what they had done before in the plot or if they were even mentioned before. The plot when it was steady seemed to drag on a bit.
I followed the most major plot line to an extent...where Alyzon has extended senses..."OK...I get that, but why are you making such a huge deal about it...calm it down there." The other line with this whole sickness that she could smell...just no. It wasn't thought out. The author had it going in so many different directions at one time, the characters had 'finally understood the sickness/wrongness' about 3 times every other chapter, the theories getting more ridiculous and harder to understand by the chapter.

The only bright spots was Harrison and Da. They made me keep reading. Da because he was such a good father to his children...always worried when he needed to be and loved his kids above and beyond. Harrison was a funny, sweet, and kind character who looked out for Alyzon.
Overall I give this book two hearts because it wasn't Steller, but I didn't throw it at the wall which is saying a lot.

Review: Willow By Julia Hoban

HI!

I read this in December... and it stayed with me.

Title: Willow
Author: Julia Hoban


My Review:
This book stayed with me...I feel as if its a part of me now. I've become aware of myself dwelling on it, even though I finished it about a month ago. I couldn't put it down, I was compelled to read it. I was caught in several classes reading under the desk and in one instance told to never bring it back to class because it "was clearly an unwanted distraction". Unwanted Distraction? No, not to me. It was hard for me to understand this novel, not because of the writing, it was written beautifully. I just couldn't understand why Willow cut. It was hard to see her reasoning behind defiling herself, even if it helped her cope with the great loss she suffered. That's what compelled me to read it...I didn't understand. It's really hard for me to explain my views on this book, I know....thats the point of review, but I can't. I do, however, recomend this book to EVERYONE, especially teens going through things.




Friday, January 1, 2010

Review: Far from You- Lisa Schroeder

Well Hello There,


The first Review of 2010...


Title: Far From You
Author: Lisa Schroeder




Summary at http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Far-from-You/Lisa-Schroeder/e/9781416975069/?itm=4&USRI=lisa+Schroeder


My Review:
I usually do not like books written in verse... but this an exception. It was beautifully written and it sucked me in from page one. And yes, its a tear-jerker, but in a good way. I give props to Lisa Schroeder, I would lose my mind writting anything at such length in verse. *High five*. It's so easy to connect with main character Alice, even if you have nothing in common with her, like me. That for me is why its powerful, I was let in to Alice's world. A world where her mom died, and her dad remarried a woman who Alice hasn't connect with yet, who he's having a child with. I don't know that kind of pain, but feel as if I know a little more about it now that I've read this book. It's an emotional read that would help anyone and everyone cope with new and lost family members and re-connecting with the ones you love.

~Read More,

Talk Less,

Rory!

New Email & Resolution!

Hey,


First off, Happy New Year!! I hope you, yes YOU, have an amazing 2010.

Second, I have a new email address an actual Gmail one, opposed to the AOL one that I use to manage this blog.

I was going to change the management over to that address, was being the operative word. It's quite easy to change it...if i want to stop following everyone, which I really don't. I've been following most of you for about a year now and I like that amount of time. So, I'm just gonna suck it up and deal with having to sign in and out of the blog.

The new email address is..... fueledbybrendonuriesvoice@gmail.com. Yes, I know it is really long, but look at the name of this blog... I'm all for long :)

You can still email Littlewood10@aol.com if it's easier, just remember to write Bookworm Extraordinaire in the subject, so its not deleted because that would be tragic.

Third, this month marks the one year anniversary of this little blog. And sadly, I have neglected it for sometime now...but No More! My New Year's Resolution is to start up again. I'm going to start small...maybe a post a week. I am a Senior is High School, after all and it's that time of year where its all I think about, so be patient with me.


HAPPY 2010, EVERYONE!!

~Read More,
Talk Less,
Rory!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Review: Books 1-3 of Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Hi there,

Let me start off with two words: SCHOOL SUCKS. Let me add a few more: so does college applications and being sick all the time!!!!

Now that that's off my chest, I can explain that for a while my reviews are going to be rather straight forward and to the point because most have been read a while ago. So...on to the review.

Series: Fablehaven
Author: Brandon Mull

Fablehaven (Fablehaven Series Book #1)
Summary: (whoa how long has that no copy/paste thing been going on? ok no summary directly on the blog. I'll just post a link to the Barnes and Noble one (not that that's where you should buy it or anything that's just my favorite website...i don't even shop there [that much]))
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fablehaven/Brandon-Mull/e/9781416947202/?itm=1&USRI=fablehaven (yes i realize how long and awful that looks...I'll work on figuring out what to do about it.)


MY REVIEW: My friend Rachel turned me on to this series. I was immediately sucked into this story. I thought the characters balanced out each other in a way that made the story more enjoyable. I found myself eagerly turning the pages and a bit sad when the 368 page book ended.


MY REVIEW: I was really eager to start this book. I remember that I read it while I had the flu the first time this year. It helped me keep my mind off the fact that I was so sick. It's a perfectly easy read for days like that or bad days when you want to visit another place. While subconsciously sending out little life lessons the author makes sure you laugh every once in a while among even the most serious parts.

Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven Series Book #3)
Summary: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Grip-of-the-Shadow-Plague/Brandon-Mull/e/9781416986034/?itm=5&USRI=fablehaven

MY REVIEW: This was a great book, but compared to the other two it was slow in the plot and action area. It took me way too long in my mind to finish this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I finally finished it but I remember asking Rachel if I could perhaps just skip the rest of it and go on to book four. Needless to say that idea got shot down. It picked up a lot in the action department towards the end.

Overall Review: The characters that stuck out the most were Seth, and his friends, the satyrs Doren and Newel. Without their parts the story wouldn't have held the same for me. Its also impartant to note that these are the types of books that are read by all ages not just kids and teens. I recommend this to anyone who's looking for adventure!
~Read More,
Talk Less,
Rory!


Edit: I just realized I did not rate these books so...

I give the First Three Books of Fablehaven a collective

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Not According to Plan...

Hey,

So, my Big plan of catching up on my reviews didn't exactly go as planned...due to a little thing called facebook. =] Since that post i have developed an addiction to that evil website. I have read some more and I 'plan' on doing a bulk review of those books.


The bulk review will be up hopefully within the week, but don't bet on that. I still have my required summer reading for Advance Placement Literature (The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Awakening by Kate Chopin). Oh and my required reading for Social Studies, Animal Farm by George Orwell. I just finished it and let me tell you its a strange book, my friend. In addition, as part of the APL summer homework I have to go to 'Shakespeare in Delaware Park'. The plays this year were The Tempest and Julius Caesar. The Tempest was awesome and Julius Caesar could have been a tad better, but then again I read the play Sophomore year so i wasn't exactly suprised. Have any of you seen them? Did you like them? Do you like Shakespeare in general? Have you ever read anything by him?


Other than that my summer's been awesome. Very busy, but awesome none the less. I got a new camera for my 17th birthday so I've been taking tons of photos (I took the one of the sky up there =] )I've been to more concerts this summer altogether than I had my whole life (Nickleback/ Saving Abel/ Papa Roach/ Hinder, Creed/ Junction Five/ Like A Storm (i met them at their meet and greet, they are all so cute, funny and talented. they signed their cd and a poster for me), and next week Fall Out Boy/ Panic! at the Disco/ Blink- 182). Added to the excitement was the new Harry Potter movie. I was able to go to the July 13th premiere in Buffalo, then i went to a midnight showing with my family, then I saw it twice more just that week alone. I dyed some of my hair, which was not like me at all, i downloaded this music thing so I have loads of new bands to love. If you add the amazing youtube which has TAI TV and Cobra Cam (webisodes from two of my favorite bands, The Academy is... and Cobra Starship), Bandom Fan Fiction and completely random times with friends I'm surprised I haven't been hospitalized let alone have time to read so much as one book not to mention reviewing them.


Basically all that waffle above is my way of saying...Sorry for the Haitus but I'm back!!!





~Read More,
Talk Less,
Rory!