Nick and Nora

I'm staying up late tonight working on the blog again (like my new layout?) and watching Saturday Night Live. That is between commercials, that is.I'm watching those, too, especially when previews like the one for Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist comes on. It's been so long I forgot all about this one but it's just too hilarious to not pass on. I still haven't read the book, yet, even though it's been out for a while (I think it came out a year or two ago) so I need to get my hands on that. {You can visit the book's homepage here}

I plan on seeing the movie. It's just too funny for words. How bout you? Looks good, hu?

No More Midnight Sun

It looks like some dumb as- er, jerk, uploaded and distributed a draft copy of Stephanie Meyer's MIDNIGHT SUN (the final book in her TWILIGHT series). Pissed off, as she has a right to be, Meyer has refused to publish the book and is instead offering the partial online free on her website. This is both really cool of her and a bummer for book fans as it looks like the book will no longer be published. Ever (though I'm sure with fans clambering for their own personal copy of the book, it will be published sooner or latter).

BREAKING DAWN was released this last August and concludes the story of Bella and Edward. MIDNIGHT SUN is the final book in the seires, re-telling the series through Edward's eyes.

And just so people know, this is a SERIES not a SAGA. A saga fallows a family through several stories mostly from historic times to present (grandmother, mother, daughter, etc). The TWILIGHT series follows Bella and Edward (for the most part) through high school. I wish people would get this one right...

What I'm Reading - The Redheaded Princess

I love letting people know what I'm reading. Heck, that's part of my job. I read and share my thoughts with you. Lately I've found that just posting an Amazon link on my twitter was just so... boring. So I have come up with a new idea. I'll post the book and cover blurb on the site for you to check out yourself. I know, that sounds like an offal lot of work, but I don't post enough as it is.

So here's today's book. This one is another YA (because I was in the mood) and a historical to boot!

The Redheaded Princess by Ann Rinaldi
Published by HarperCollins
ISBN: 978-0-06-073374-2
Genre: YA-Historical

A princess in exile...

Growing up, Elizabeth fears she can never be Queen. Although she is the King's daughter, no woman can ever hope to rule over men in England, especially when her mother has been executed for treason.

For all her royal blood, Elizabeth's life is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Sometimes she is welcome in the royal court; other times she is cast out into the countryside. With her position constantly changing, the Princess must navigate a sea of shifting loyalties and dangerous affections. At stake is her life—for beheading is not uncommon among the factions that war for the Crown.

With the vivid human touch that has made her one of the foremost writers of historical fiction, Ann Rinaldi brings to life the heart and soul of the young Elizabeth I. It's a portrait of a great leader as she may have been as she found her way to the glorious destiny that lay before her.

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Kindle - Amazon - Barns & Noble - Books-a-Million- Borders

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Sometimes life can be such a bitch

I took a dive into my YA TBR pile this last week, pulling out DAIRY QUEEN and THE OFF SEASON by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I saw PRINCESS BEN at my local Barns & Nobles and I really liked the look of it, so I figured "What the heck" and pulled down those two.

I'm really glad I did, too. They where just so... real. Both books are part of the 'Dairy Queen' series and is told by the hand of Darlene Joyce "D.J." Schwenk. I admit it was a bit odd at first; the story written like it was pulled from 16 year-old D.J.'s head with all her quirks. But Murdock pulled it off fantastically. So fantastically, in fact, that by the end your surprised it's written by a grown woman and not a 16 year-old.

In the first book, DAIRY QUEEN, you fallow D.J. as she runs her family's dairy farm--if somewhat reluctantly. The Schwenks, you see, are huge football fans. The father played in the army and hurt his hip, the two older brothers are away to college on football scollerships, and the younger brother is in junior ball--and winning--and allowed to slack off. That leaves D.J. with an above average knowledge of the game and a little resentment. When she's asked to teach the rival town's starting quarterback, Brian Nelson, work ethics (the Schwenks are very hard working) she never expected to find herself coaching him or wanting to try out for the high school football team!

THE OFF SEASON, the second book, starts just days after the first one ends (though I had to admit Murdock did a great job of making it possible of being a stand-alone). D.J. again tells her story, but this one is a bit more of an emotional roller coaster ride. D.J.'s feelings for Brian are growing leaving her wondering what will become of the hot-jock and not-so-hot, taller-than-average farm girl. Her brother is more quiet than usual (if such a thing is possible) and may have a couple secrets of his own. Then there's this thing with her oldest brother... well, I can't tell you without messing with your emotional roller coaster. Needless-to-say it isn't very good.

Murdock is planning a third book in the series. Thank goodness!

Gimmy A Hankie

I'm cold right now. And it's late, but after spending the past two and a half hours between falling asleep, crying, and attempting to finish the book I was reading, I didn't want to wait until morning to give my thoughts. If this post doesn't make much sense, please feel free to keep it to your self...

Someone Named Eva is a deeply moving accounting of a chapter of the Holocaust that is not widely known; the annihilation of Lidice, Czechoslovakia.

While food rations are low and war rages around them, Milada's small village of Lidice is otherwise untouched. Milada herself lives unaware of the death and destruction not to far away, calibrating her birthday with her family and friends and attending school as usual. That is until one night when a troupe of Nazi solders march in, dragging residents from their home, separating the women and children from the men, and forcing Milada and her friends, family, and neighbors into confinement in a school gymnasium. Here, scared for her very life, Milada is examined, measured, and separated from all she knows and sent to a re-education center. where she learns that she fits the Aryan ideal: blond hair, blue eyes, head and nose shape. Through harsh training and constant brainwashing, she is taught to become the perfect Germain citizen.

Many parts of the story seamed to be underplayed for the sake of the young reader, merely underlining the true horror of life during World War 2. We do not learn until the very end, indeed, until the author's own end note, the true story behind Milada's tale. Perhaps it was the authors first-person accounting that hindered the story in such a way--Milada is a young girl who only knows what's around her and she isn't very inquisitive.

On the jacket cover it states: Ages:10-14, Grades: 5-9. And while the book--with its simple structure, wording, and descriptions--attests to the age requirements of it's readers, the soul of the story is a definitely a read for people of all ages. Emotionally touching and historically informative, Joan M. Wolf has created an easy to read story that is well worth the time.

[Someone Named Eve - Joan M. Wolf - Clarion Books - 978-0618535798 - July 2007]

The author was also kind to include a link to the Lidice Memorial web site. Take a look, but don't forget to bring a hankie. [LINK]

Sunday Salon: Someone Named Eva

I know I haven't been doing to well this Sunday, but it's not my fault. Honestly! I was all prepared to read when my brother called to tell me he was coming up. I had everything all ready, too. Tea was poured, radio was playing, book was out (that's the most important part, isn't it?) *insert dramatic sigh here*

Anyways, I've decided to tackle the YA books first since they are the ones past due on reviews. I'm starting with Somebody Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf. It's the story of a young girl amidst the Holocaust. Milada lives with her family in Czechoslovakia when the Nazi invade her home town. Because of her blue eyes and bright blond hair Milada fits the Aryan ideal of a perfect German citizen and is quickly taken to Lebensborn camp where her name is changed to Eva.

I'm rather intrigued by this one. It is inspired by real events and sports a rather nice research history. Now, if only people (despite how much I love them) would leave...

The good, the bad, and the shorter

Got an ubber-exciting package from Tokyopop in the mail the other day. 5 books to review: Scrapped Princess #1-3, Kino No Tabi #1, and Alex Unlimited, The Vosarak Code. Squee! I love being a reviewer. Getting a package like this just makes all those bad ones bearable. Now don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of good books out there and just because I don’t like a couple of them doesn’t mean they are bad. But after reading a book that I gave a 2.5 (out of 5), these just make me feel so much better. The last Tokyopop books I received (The Twelve Kingdoms #1, Life #1, and 12 Days) all received great scores (er... save for THE ONE THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED!).

I’m having a little trouble with the web design, too. I don’t know what I want it to look like! I came up with 3 designs so far. I’ve become sick at looking at the first, the second one looks too much like a blog (but I love it) and the third one seams a little... clustered. Of course, some nifty finger work and the last could work. I’ll probably use it, as it’ll fit everything better than the other ones. Now I just need to figure out a way to incorporate advertising.

Er... how’s my writing going?

...

No comment. Nope, none. Please don’t force it out of me... OK! OK! I’ve done nothing! -cries- Nope, not a thing (ok, 1 thing. I put the layout I came up with on my PDA. Does that even count?) I’m hoping once TGP gets all settled down I can do some more work. Boy, do I hope.

Lastly, I cut my hair! Yep, a good 13 inches. The last time I cut it was... hum.. right before the 9th grade. My grandmother brought me to the salon to get it cut for high school. That was the last time I professionally got it done. I’ve had it trimmed about once a year, but only 2 inches or so. Boy, to think I’ve waited 10 years and only cut 13 inches! It’s still below my shoulder blades, so I might just cut it again at the end of summer. I also died it, a nice temporary burgundy. I like the color, though everybody says it’s too purple. Ha, what do they know? I like it. I might do it purple next time ^_^ we’ll see.

Happy writing, happy reading, happy life!
Amber