Friday, August 9, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday: Syllabus

Parajunkee Alison Can Read


FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back



Q: Back to school Create a list for the imaginary English Lit class you'll be teaching this semester.




The two high school teachers I've advised to use Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney in class tell me the kids love it. Plus they also get to watch the movie in class. 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Review: Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings


Transforming from girl to woman is a quite an experience -- but transforming from girl to mermaid is a miracle. Period. 

In this first novel of the Real Mermaids series, Hélène Boudreau introduces us to Jade. She isn't the most popular girl in school nor an outcast. Just a normal girl with a crush and a best friend trapped in the grips of her school nemesis. What really sets Jade apart  -- aside from the mermaid gene -- is that her mom drowned when she was young, and her dad is the only one who can advise her about boys and periods. How could her mermaid mother drown? Now that is what Jade is set on finding out.

Although the book is fun and innocently sweet, it tackles the serious issue of single parenting and how it can both affect the child and parent. Standing up to peer pressure is also a major theme in the book as Jade's friend Cori must chose between her or the in-crowd. Sadly, the ending felt a bit inconclusive to make way for book number two. 



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Revenge and Zombies

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish


BOOKS I WISHED HAD SEQUELS


                                             



 The Crucible

Can you imagine a diabolical book where all the mean girls get the plague and pay for all their devastating lies? I can O_O

Heck, I volunteer to write it.
 Harry Potter

How about a spin-off with his children? The last scene introduced us to so many offsprings that the idea isn't too far fetched.
 Shades of Earth

The book ended with such a bang (I wish I could tell you but I don't believe in spoilers.) I do, however, believe in spin-offs.

The Fault in Our Stars

Hazel finds a secret cure and brings back Augustus from the dead. Yup, zombie love story.






Review: Requiem


Requiem marks the finale of the Delirium series for Lauren Oliver, and for us, the ending of cliffhanger madness. 

Taking place right where we left off, Lena and Julian arrive at the resistance camp to find Alex waiting for her, both surprised and hurt that she'd taken a new lover. The wilds no longer mean freedom now that the government is after them and the trio will have no choice but to join forces and fight. In fact, Requiem is packed with so much violence, leaving little space for dialogue: Alex fighting with Julian, Alex fighting with Lena, Lena fighting with Alex's new girlfriend. By the time the government finds them we've grown accustomed to all the fights. People start dying left and right, and like a typical war, no one has time to mourn.  

Then there is Hana, who Oliver attempts to give a suspenseful Bluebeard retelling twist, but fails due to her dull cured mind. Hana takes too long to ask the right questions about her future government leader husband, and when she does figure out the answers her response is a nonchalant ''oh, that isn't okay.'' 

When the cards are badly set up, it's no wonder that it all comes tumbling down into a big unresolved mess. Does the rebellion triumph? Who owns Lena's heart? I'm still waiting for Oliver to say. Perhaps she is planning a spin off series.  



Sunday, August 4, 2013

Caught my arrow # 21

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.


I'm happy to say I finished my Goodreads Challenge of 85 books this year and am looking forward to reading many more.


Received for review
Shredded. Got some cool swag as well, thank you Karen Avivi.
Also received Mister Max from Netgalley.



Bought
Love me Tender by Audrey Couloumbis. A road trip book; this is what summer is all about. 


What are you reading this week?