Wings

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Pages: 294
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: May 1st 2009
Age Group: Young Adult  (12-18)
Awards:

RT Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Novel (2009)

Books Source:
Challenge(s): To Be Read Challenge (2012)

     Laurel Sewell is off to Big Bad high school for the first time. All her life she has been a strange girl. Beautiful, mesmerizing even. She hasn't been through the abnormalities of puberty- such as zits and normal teenage stuff. She doesn't even remember the last time she went to a real doctor.
     Soon she meets David at her new school.  They are fast to become friends and bond almost instantly.
One morning Laurel wakes up to find a bump on her back. The first "normal" sign of puberty she has ever had.
      But days after it grows abnormally large and out sprouts abnormal feather like wings. Before Laurel knows it she is catapulted into a faerie world she unknowingly knew of all her life. She must discover her own strange secrets before they control her life.


     I picked up this novel thinking it would be your normal faerie/seelie-court/junk that I expect from all of the newer "Faerie" tales. I jumped into this book and found the beginning rather boring and dreary. It was a sorta- insta-lovey theme thing.

     I loved the uniqueness this book offered throughout- the writing truly intrigued me. Although the plot was contradictory and rather odd I just devoured the writing. It was definitely different. I can't even pin-point what kept me reading. The "Plant" thing was great. I would never have thought about that sort of thing. I don't quite understand how that made them magical faeries but still- it was a cool idea.

     I wish this author could have had JUST Faeries. But no- they have to bring it to that whole new level of complexity with trolls and crap. That was rather annoying... a ton of things was left unexplained and easily confusable. I mean why can faeries just be enough?! You don't have to include EVERY MYTHICAL/FANTASTICAL creature for people to enjoy your book. Sometimes just randomly throwing all those creatures in with your plot actually takes away from the plot. Then it just gets ridiculous.

     This book had such an abrupt ending too!! It was short and of course there is a sequel (Spells), And of  COURSE I have to read it. All these freaking cliffhangers are giving me heart attacks. Standalone novels- c'mon people; seriously. Aside from all the bad stuff- I loved the writing. If you are to read this; read it for the writing, not the content/concept.

Waiting on Wednesday (3)- Insurgent by Veronica Roth

One choice can transform you—

or it can destroy you. 

     
     But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. 

     Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. 

     New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

***

I have to wait until May 1st 2012 to read this fan-freaking-tastic dystopian sequel to DIVERGENT. Seriously- how do all of these publisher's expect us to wait this long without dying inside? I mean The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Daughter of Smoke and Bone- and now this!? You people are hurting my soul. Ugh you Harper Collins Publishing Company.

Top Ten Tuesday (3): Top Ten Books You'd Hand To Someone Who Says They Don't Like To Read

February 7: Top Ten Books You'd Hand To Someone Who Says They Don't Like To Read

This awesome Meme was created by the girls over at The Broke and the Bookish.

1.  The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) - the main reason is so that SOME people read the (AWESOME!) book(s) before the movie came out. Anyone who DOESN'T at least like or enjoy The Hunger Games is kinda crazy.

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) - this book is a fantastic. It may be a little older but it was a young adult book before young adult was even young adult. Do you know what I mean? 3.  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer(Mara Dyer, #1) - This book has all the twists and turns and fantastic "I hate you" romance. This book is great. 4.  Songs for a Teenage Nomad - This stand-alone novel is fantastic to read and fun. I love the simplicity and cuteness.  5.  Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - This book has everything you need in a novel and it will lure you into an all night-er of reading. 6.  Anna and the French Kiss - This book is for the hopeless romantic that we all know who doesn't read. This book is life. Truly: it is love lust and teenage girl hormone induced thoughts that are just real and relatable. 7. Thirteen Reasons Why - This book has many lessons and morals we should all live by in life- I would love to share this book with a Non-reader. 8.  Cut - This book gets inside the mind of a cutter and gives us a glimpse of a different perspective. 9.   Someone Like You - This book shoves its way into your brain and makes you treasure who you have while you have them. 10.  Across the Universe (Across the Universe, #1) - This book is definitely for your anti-reading nerdy friend who loves making up new words and quoting that space movie down to the comma's & pauses

In My Mailbox 11 - Janurary 29th- Feburary 5th 2012.

Compliments to The Story Siren

Jersey Angel by Beth Ann Bauman

See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles

Incarnate (Newsoul, #1) by Jodi Meadows

 Bzrk  by Michael Grant

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson

Falling Hard- 100 Love Poems by Teenagers

Author: Betsy Franco (Editor)

Pages: 144

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: December 9th 2010

Age Group: 14-18 (Young Adult)

Book Source: Library (must acquire!)

      From an acclaimed anthologist comes this unforgettable collection
of one hundred poems by teenagers, capturing the vertigo-inducing realm of romantic love.

"But what I'll really mean is
are you ready to dive in?
This is not falling,
this is landing."

— From "Gift" by Portia Carryer, age 16

     The poets are straight, gay, lesbian, bi, or transgender. They live next door or across an ocean; they are innocent or experienced; their lyric explorations range from new love to stale love, obsession to ennui, ecstasy to heartbreak, and every nuance in between. Whether the romantic escapades described are touching, comical, or tragic, whether the feelings expressed are tender and sweet or brutal and biting, readers will find the love these young poets openly share to be exquisitely, excruciatingly, endlessly fascinating. Here is a collection to turn to again and again, because life and love keep on changing.

***

     This anthology has been on my to read list for way to long- and to think I put it off for that long. I usually do not read a lot of poetry- I mainly write. But when a great anthology like this is out there- it makes me want to read more.

     These poems weren't just "love poems". They were poems of lust, hate, horomones, break-ups, make-ups, hook-ups, and just-a-friend-maybe-more's.  I'm sure everyone knows how at least one of those things is. All of these poems are raw and emotional- and at times funny.

     I love and hate reading poetry at times- because you cannot analyze the authors because in anthology's there is so many different authors and it is pretty unfair to pick apart an author and overanalyze a poem/author-craft over just one poem. I hate picking apart poems and asking like "what did the author mean when he said the snow fell to the ground- was he talking about letting his problems go- or blanket him in fears..." yada, yada, yada. I mean seriously- can't an author mean what they want to mean rather than have some underneath meaning. I realize some poems are just big metaphors but poems CAN be about snow literally falling to the ground. Gosh- guys; we all aren't William Shakespeare.

     This anthology is great to flip through on one of those nights where you aren't in the mood to read a book-book (tragic, I know). If you are a poetry reader, definitley worth picking up and reading. Several of the poems I enjoyed enough to pin on my wall so I could read them everyday.

***

I mentioned earlier I like to write poetry so here are some links to read some of my writing. I am considering combining this blog with writing to make it a multipurpose blog- what do you guys think? Leave your comments in the comment box.

Inkpop

Goodreads Writing

It's A Funny Kind of Story

 Author: Ned Vizzini
Pages: 448

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Publication: April 1st 2006 

Age Group: Young Adult (14-18)

Award(s): Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee (2009)

Book Source: Borrowed (but must acquire)

Challenge(s)-To Be Read Challenge (2012)

Craig. He doesn't think he is depressed. He knows he is.. It is a fact. Not only does he have not much of a reason to be depressed- he just is. It all started at the end of eighth grade year. Not only did he get into the most prestigious school in his area- his tentacles creeped in and the cycling began. Tentacles- they are just problems and nuisances that wrap their suction cups around him and squeeze,  squeeze until the cycling begins. The cycling is just a process that Craig's mind goes through. He starts thinking about all of his problems, and things he has to do- and he begins worrying and stressing about it until it is too late to even try to what he wanted to do in the first place. The only thing that can save him are his anchors- things that are the same, stay the same and are simple. Like peeing for instance.

But when one lonely night Craig finds himself anchorless and ready to jump off of the Brooklyn bridge- in series of rapid events he is checked into his local hospital- just a few blocks away. Checked in as a clinically depressed suicide patient. Not only is he alive but Craig checked himself in- by his own decision. He is required to stay in the adult department of the psychiatric ward in the hospital- his next five days could make or break the rest of his life. He soon realizes the what the real tentacles are- and who. Maybe it is time Craig rediscovers his true anchor.

First let me note that I just devoured this book. Ned Vizzini is a true realistic genius. The fact that he wrote this book in around a month right after being checked into a mental ward for five days- is undeniably incredible. The real rawness of this book just shoved itself into your face and didn't leave- even for days after reading this book.

This book helped me understand the big D word. Depression. When you see people or talk to people who threaten suicide, or being depressed you cannot just blow it off saying "how can you depressed? I mean c'mon your life is perfect"... That is just the thing- no ones life is perfect and there is nothing you can do to try to fix that. We can't all be heroes.  It also aided my understanding that depression can be a mental disease. Not just mental. The thing is- there is a big difference between people who think they are depressed, or suicidal- and depressed people. The first people who will admit they are depressed are the people who aren't.

Many authors who write novels about such touchy intense issues are in a sense posers- you can research all you want about a mental disease/illness or issue- but never understand. The real reason this book was so legit was Ned Vizzini. He went through it all- figuratively side by side with Craig. Ned IS Craig (in a way).  That simple fact is intensely mind blowing.

A big yet critically hidden aspect of this novel is the secrecy. Craig's parents knew- but didn't have any idea the severity of his fragile mental state... But even Craig's bet friend had no idea of what Craig was going through. He just wanted him to do drugs and "chill".  Craig struggled with his self confidence also... What an understatement that is!!! He thought he was never good enough- he worked his butt off and I the end he was never good enough- worthless. Not only worthless but hopeless too... He thought he had no future and was worthless- with no hope of ever improving.  Sure, every human has been in that state- once or twice in their lives- but all day,  everyday? Could you imagine how miserable that would be?

After reading this book I did a little research on mental illnesses, and people with them. They even have a vast Wikipedia list full of recognizable names with people who would be diagnosed today with ADHD, bipolar depression, manic depression, intense anxiety attacks, ADD, schizophrenia, OCD, intense fits of rage, and many others. People such as Florence Nightingale and Albert Einstein. I mean really? Many of the greats, and geniuses had a 'mental illness'. I wonder if they had been put on medication back then if they would have achieved  what they did- if they would have changed the world and thought differently if they were on medication. Everyone says the medication helps and solves all of our problems- right? Maybe medication is just suppressing us- not allowing us to reach our maximum potential, by encasing our brains in medication and changing the way we think. How many people do you know that are on medication for any minor or major mental illnesses? Did anyone ever think maybe we are meant to be like this- rather than changed and altered?

 “People are screwed up in this world. I'd rather be with someone screwed up 

and open about it than somebody perfect and ready to explode.”

― Ned Vizzini, It's Kind of a Funny Story

Getting Over Garrett Delaney

Getting Over Garrett Delaney

Author: Abbey McDonald
Pages: 336
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Expected Publication: January 24th 2012Age Group: Young Adult (14-18)
Book Source: Net Galley


Garrett: Moody, artistic, beautiful, lovely, enjoys serious swedish movies with underlying tones- and most of all- Just a Friend.


Sadie. Moody, artistic, just a girl, enjoys suffering through serious swedish movies with underlying tones with Garrett. 


Garrett Delaney. He has been the center of Sadie's universe for the past two years- and she had planned on him being the center of her summer- during an intensive writing camp. That is until he gets accepted and she isn't. Those weeks with Garrett were supposed to make him fall in love with Sadie and realize what exactly he has had all along. Without camp this will never happen.
Sadie's life (and summer) as she knows it- is over. Done. She will never live again. Yeah, right. She realizes she has weeks ahead of her with no plans. Soon with new friends from her job- she goes on an exciting adventure- discovering who she is without the center of her universe, best friend and love of her life. - Garrett Delaney. 


Garrett Delaney. I know that this book is about getting over a boy and really emphasizes being your own person- which I love. In many of the books we read: they love each other, they deny, they make-out, they deny, they admit love and walk into the sunset. the end. THAT ISN'T HOW REAL LIFE IS! I mean c'mon- really? It is about time for someone to write a novel that empowers women enough that they aren't helpless and just need a boy to exist.


This book is about finding yourself- a journey you must complete in order to truly be yourself. How would it be to die never knowing who you are- what you like- without other people?


As I have said- the independence is refreshing and it really focuses on friendships also. Have you read any books about friendship lately? I doubt it- it's all teen paranormal romance. Which is good too but you  need variation sometimes- it cannot all be the same.  And that is exactly what this book portrays. Not vampires, were-people, faeries, magical powers or even monsters- just REAL LIFE. Truth be told- thats why I loved this novel. The utter realness- of everything.

Hey Guys..

Hey Guys!
Just to let every one know- I am about of commission for the next 5 days- I am on a trip to Wyoming and I will  not have computer access- 
Thanks everybody for understanding 
Have a great weekend and keep on reading!

Waiting on Wednednesday (2) - Two Truths and A Lie

 Waiting On Wednesday- 

Two Truths and A Lie

Sutton Mercer watches from the afterlife as her long-lost twin, Emma Paxton, takes over her identity to solve her murder. But after ruling out her early leads, Emma still hasn’t found Sutton’s killer. A lot of people wanted her dead—but one name keeps popping up: Thayer Vega. When the gorgeous and mysterious Thayer returns to town, Emma has to move fast to figure out whether he’s back for revenge…or if he already got it.

Set in a town where friends can turn into dangerous enemies and everyone harbors dark secrets, The Lying Game is a juicy new series that fans of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series—and the hit ABC Family show—will love.

Did someone say Thayer Vega? THAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYERTHAYER
/hormone-induced-teenage-girl-giggle/scream/
...

oooooooooo. 

-Laura Newcombe

She definitely summed it up for me ;)