Finally

When I started this semester reading was something I could do non-stop. Every chance I had I picked up a book and totally got lost in the characters, the setting, even the cheesy romance of it all. I found myself engrossed in each book trying to put myself in the characters shoes and wondering exactly how the book was going to end. However, something always got in the way. I'm a senior this year and it is much to my advantage to be focusing on my schoolwork and often times that would take many many hours. On top of my homework I had band practice and I had dance class which left me almost no time to read. Towards the end of this semester I had a difficult time keeping up with reading. I did not like to blog about a book until I was completely finished so that way I could capture the entirety of the details an such. I did discover new genres that I took interest in this semester though. I found that I enjoyed reading murder mystery novels, a few science fiction novels, and I picked up more classic literature as well. The only genre I stuck with is paranormal romance. Which includes vampyres, werewolves, psychics, stuff like that. I know it is typical teen, but hey you are what you are. Now that band is finished I am getting back into a grove of reading more often. I can usually finish a 350 page book within two days. I hope to be able to continue that. Many of the books I have started reading now are ones that I will probably read in college. I have a college reading list and some are more difficult than others. I do enjoy the different styles of writing, though. Most of the time my mom and I share the books we have read with each other. I get many of the book titles from her. We are kind of like our own little book club and often times in our house it is complete silence because we are both reading. Whenever I sit down to read a book I usually listen to music. I cannot stand the silence! It just makes me feel paranoid and squeemish. Yuck! People always ask how I can read a book and listen to music at the same time. It is quite simple really, I usually end up tuning out the music without ever realizing it because I am so caught up in the plot. I do this really strange thing when I am reading though.When there is an intense moment and the characters are all heated and it is on the verge of complete chaos I stop reading. I have many of the same reactions the characters do which is why I think it is easy to get lost in the book. My mind allows me to become the character and experience the way things are in the book. It is hard not to get completely consumed by the story. I feel like I have benefited from all the reading and trying to reach out to different storylines.

Blood Dreams

To sum up the book in a modern way, Criminal Minds. I absolutely was absorbed in this book. Bizarre, suspenseful, and uniquely innocent. I loved the characters and the dilema. The ending leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what or should I say who exactly is controlling the situation? It is a major cliffhanger but works for the book. Kay Hooper is a marvelous writer. Her style is special. The way she phrases things and uses foreshadowing to her advantage just makes you crave what comes next. Her serial killer, with whom most people would find disturbing, only intrigued me more. That sounds pretty psycho considering the filthy creeps live in reality, but I will say my perspective changed in this book. It just fascinated me to read and in a sense watch his moves. Learning why he does what he does to these women. The change in his motives, his need I mean I definately recieved goosebumps from the unusualness of his character but man it was hard not to want to understand him. This book gave me the opportunity to glimpse at what the criminal justice system has to deal with in homicide. I mean it wouldn't surprise me to hear that these people have trouble sleeping at night. Just look at what kinds of weirdos they have to deal with! What made this book more my taste was that it was not just your ordinary police force at work, meet the Special Crimes Unit or it lesser program Haven. What exactly is so "special" about these people? They posses certain psychic connections and abilities. It was really cool because the entire story begins with Dani, she has prophetic dreams and in this particular dream won't leave her alone. For someone who is 30 something years old or supposed to be anyway she acted much like an adolescent. I liked that innocence and insecurity in her character. I think it made her realistic and a normal person. I have to admit though I would not want to be in her shoes. I mean dreaming about a death trap with different characters and new developments for days, weeks, even months on end would start to make me paranoid. I felt like by the end of the book she really came into her own though. I mean she became a strong person after her sister dies and ends up giving her powers to her. She had much more courage than I would facing the jerk many times before actually succeeding in saving a collegue. There is plenty of spine-chilling suspense and mystery, there is a little bit of romance in the mix. Nothing over the top like in so many paranormal romance novels but a love story nonetheless. The almost pure romance between Dani and Mark is quite adorable and it just makes you want to say a long exagerated AWWWWWWWW....it is fabulous. I definately think any mystery lover would love this book. I mean it is no Sherlock Holmes, but it is what I would call a modern day version or something close to it. I recommend this to anyone!

The Sketch Book

Most of you will probably not know any other stories by this fellow, Washington Irving, except the famous Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I have to admit that this collection of short stories was enjoyable. There were themes of journeys, romance, and haunting. The short tales really captured your attention and wanted you to jump into the pages. It was enticing and my favorite had to be the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I have to admit I had only heard a short summary of this masterpiece. Once I read it became my all-time favorite story to read. I can see why people find it facinating. I just felt kind of bad for Ichabod Crane in the end. He was what most of us nowadays would call a town gossip. He was just about whatever the town needed, a schoolmaster, choral teacher, handyman, and notorious storyteller. He loved to tell the ghost stories especially that of the Hessian soldier or the Headless Horseman. However, my least favorite character would have to be Katrina Van Tassel. She was awful for being a tease. Poor Ichabod fell for someone who would never love him. That just plain sucks. Well how could he compete with Brom Bones? He couldn't he didn't have anything on this guy except a tender heart and beautiful voice. Which by my standards is pretty good for a guy. Unfotunately Brom being the jealous type couldn't stand Crane. The thing that bugs me abou the story is that no one knows if it was the horseman or Brom Bones pretending to be the Horseman that made Ichabod disappear. It is kind of spooky thinking that this once schoolmaster and storyteller mysteriously disappears after a party at the Van Tassel with nothing but his borrowed horse left. Now I don't know about you but that is just freaky to me. I did not appreciate Katrina because she continued on with life without a question as to what happened to this Ichabod Crane. If you were to ask me I would say Brom Bones totally did it. No question. That was most definately my favorite story and it goes with the Halloween theme!

Practice Analysis

In the excerpt from The Mezzanine, Nicholson Baker writes with and elevated and business like diction that expresses a mood of intimidated amusement. The narrorator describes the escalators as "free-standing" and "radians of black luster" suggesting that the work day is dull and boring. On the other hand, Baker's precise and pleasing descriptions of the sun give the effect of playful distraction. "Needly are of shine," "adding long glassy highlights," and " Towering volumes of marble and glass." With dignified and straightforward figurative language, Baker gives off a mood of delight and gloom.

Close-Reading Bingo

1. "He says whatever comes to mind, saying that his parents "would have about two hemorrhages apiece if I told anything pretty personal about them," shows that he doesn't really care what he says, just wants to get his point across." http://maddie17-booklover.blogspot.com/

2. Baker describes as the escalator as "They were the free standing kind: a pair of integral signs swooping upward between the two floors they served without struts or piers to bear any intermediate weight" and  he tells us that "On sunny days like this one, a temporary, steeper escalator of daylight, formed by intersections of the lobby's towering volumes of marble and glass, met the real escalators just above their middle point, spreading into a needly area of shine where it fell against their brushed-steel side-pannels, and adding long glossy highlights to each of the black rubber handrails" http://theycallmefreshmoney.blogspot.com/

3.There is no rhythm to the first paragraphs - merely blunt statements that pull the reader in. http://beccaboola1013.blogspot.com/2011/10/observation-and-inference.html

4.Throughout the excerpt Barker used excellent verbs and description to explain all of the sentences. http://jess-jess1993.blogspot.com/2011/10/mezzanine-nicholson-baker.html

Best:   In the excerpt from the novel Catcher in the Rye, Salinger’s defiant and intensely irreverent diction infers the unruliness and juvenile attitude of Salinger. “I’m not going to tell you my whole goddam autobiography or anything” is an ideal example of the childish and disheartened diction of Salinger. The formality of this excerpt is low and the connotation is very literal and straight forward. The mood seems to be quite coarse. The irreverent diction and attitude from this excerpt emphasizes the low formality and tone of the novel. http://hogsmogblog1.blogspot.com/2011/10/practice-diction-analysis.html

Favorite Long Poem

Dream-Land

By: Edgar Allan Poe

By a route obscure and lonely,   

Haunted by ill angels only,

Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,   

On a black throne reigns upright,

I have reached these lands but newly   

From an ultimate dim Thule—

From a wild weird clime that lieth, sublime,

       Out of SPACE—Out of TIME.

Bottomless vales and boundless floods,   

And chasms, and caves, and Titan woods,   

With forms that no man can discover   

For the tears that drip all over;   

Mountains toppling evermore   

Into seas without a shore;   

Seas that restlessly aspire,   

Surging, unto skies of fire;   

Lakes that endlessly outspread   

Their lone waters—lone and dead,—   

Their still waters—still and chilly   

With the snows of the lolling lily.

By the lakes that thus outspread

Their lone waters, one and dead,—

Their sad waters, sad and chilly

With the snows of the lolling lily,—

By the mountains—near the river   

Murmuring lowly, murmuring ever,—   

By the grey woods,—by the swamp   

Where the toad and the newt encamp,—   

By the dismal tarns and pools

   Where dwell the Ghouls,—   

By each spot the most unholy—   

In each nook most melancholy,—   

There the traveller meets, aghast,   

Sheeted Memories of the Past—   

Shrouded forms that start and sigh   

As they pass the wanderer by—   

White-robed forms of friends long given,   

In agony, to the Earth—and Heaven.

For the heart whose woes are legion   

’T is a peaceful, soothing region—   

For the spirit that walks in shadow   

’T is—oh, ’t is an Eldorado!

But the traveller, travelling through it,   

May not—dare not openly view it;   

Never its mysteries are exposed   

To the weak human eye unclosed;   

So wills its King, who hath forbid   

The uplifting of the fring'd lid;   

And thus the sad Soul that here passes   

Beholds it but through darkened glasses.

By a route obscure and lonely,   

Haunted by ill angels only,

Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,

On a black throne reigns upright,   

I have wandered home but newly   

From this ultimate dim Thule.

Currently

Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Sketch Book by Washington Irving

Pages of the Week: 513
Last Week: 558
Total: 4,790

Style Mapping Favorites:
5. "Adair's passage is more of a in-your-face type of writing" -Twilight

4."The melodic feeling one infers from the town of Wall is merely a reaction to its physical beauty and awing presence." -The Blog of Epic Proportions

3."The common language doesn't detract from the poetic melody of the sergeants thoughts." -I Think Therefore I am.

2."In contrast, Cormac McCarthy's figurative-language-heavy introduction to Blood Meridian balances both an earthy grittiness and an elevated vocabulary as McCarthy describes the surroundings."- Zengerine goesacademic

1."There is nothing melodious to this excerpt it has a gritty tone to it and as you keep reading it, it seems more and more intriguing." -The Lurking Times

I like The Lurking Times and ZENGERINE goesacademic because they used the work gritty. Plus they both made the excerpts sound dark and that the style or tone is ominous. They use interesting adjectives to describe the tone.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde

Ok I'm going to be honest here, this was a dry and confusing story. I think I maybe made it through half of the book before I gave up. Most teens these days have only heard these names in popular fiction novels. For example, The City of Bones, The City of Glass, The City of Ashes, and The City of Fallen Angels. Honestly I was curious to know who they were talking about. Clearly they were not referencing any character in the book so who were the characters talking about? Who in the heck is Jekyll and Hyde? So I did my research and BOOM! I found this book. Granted it was interesting along the way and normally classic novels are not hard to read, but this one was just bizzare. I couldn't finish it because I already knew how it ended. I don't know it just didn't keep me interested enough to continue reading and complete the book.

The Wonder Spot

I absolutely adored this book. It is not my usual forte but the title definately got me curious. Since the book didn't have a summary I read the first couple pages and couldn't put it down. I got a little lost at times trying to keep up with all of Sophie's jobs and boyfriends. Yes plural boyfriends. I do not practice religion but what she does by skipping hebrew class all the time is just ridiculous. It may get her into trouble but this chick does not really care at all. I was able to relate to Sophie because our personalities are alike. She is a procrastinator and reluctant to try something she assumes she won't like. She is carefree and strives to figure out just exactly who she is. I'm not going to lie some of the stuff she does in the book I would never try even if I got older. I'm pretty sure she has had every alcoholic drink there is to comsume. Goodness it is scary how every time she meets with someone there is wine or beer or something stronger. What facinated me the most was the types of guys she dates and the people she befriends. I mean she doesn't really have a type of guy but if I had to make an assumption it would probably be a little something like this: lean, a smoker, somewhat authorative, funny to talk too, younger, and usually a mutual friend of someone she knows. She is what I would call a mercy giver to an extent. She seems to date guys with some sort of dilema. It is not that she tries to fix that more that she listens to the situation and that seems to be enough for her. I like this girl because she is involved in many careers journalist, advertiser, editorial assistant, etc. She likes to explore her options and keep an open mind. I like that her character is a variety compared to the rest of the family. She does, however, rely on her brothers and father for guidance. After she graduates and such she keeps in touch with her brothers and Jack is just as spontaneous as she is. He is spunky and wants to be "in love" when it is convient for hime. That is nice but at the same time it puts a strain on the kinds of relationships he has with his significant other, family, and his friends. Her younger brother is the sterotypical father. He marries Naomi and they have 3 kids. The strange part about his relationship is that he doesn't really have that head over heals, can't live without you love with his wife. He married her really out of custom. He is the firm believer in the Jewish beliefs and so is she. It almost drives me insane, her personality, because she is what I would call a stick in the mud. She does not like Sophie and she by my definition is socially awkward. I just felt that her character was just the opposite of Sophie's. I think her friends are the most interesting. She has an odd group of people she encounters and I think that adds to her character. When you read you notice miniscule changes in Soph's character and it has to do with her surroundings, who she meets, and what she learns from them. The book does a good job with life lessons like Hardwork gets you farther in life, Do not use excuses to cover up something you know you alone did wrong, Time management, and There is no perfect romance. It enjoyed every minute of this book and thought it was fabulous. I recommend it to anyone who is desperate to read.

Style Mapping

In the excerpt from Neil Gaiman's Stardust, the narrator's diction is literal, direct, and ordinary. In the style map, the excerpt would fall into the third quadrant. The speaker describes the houses of Wall with casual, blunt language such as "square" and "old." Also, the speaker repeats conventional adjectives. For instance, another wall built of "square lumps" is described as "old." Dissimilare to Stardust, Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian demonstrates a thorough understanding of classy, picturesque language. Expressive adjectives such as "pinewood," "endless," "gnashing," "bitter," "hobbled," and "oblique" create an ornate description and illustrate the dark mood of the passage. Therefore, the first quadrant is where the excerpt would fit. Lastly, the diction in Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is archaic, sophisticated, and imagistic. In the style map, the passage would fall in the third quadrant as well. Dramatic adjectives like "tranquillity," "implored," "peculiarly," "gambols," and "rustic" describe and exemplify the ominous mood the excerpt.

Currently

Enthralled
Lost in Time by Melissa De La Cruz
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank

Pages this week :558
Last week: 498
Total: 4,277
Sentences of the Week:
3. "'Begin from the beginning,' Allegra said. 'I only know my side.'" -Lost in Time

2."'Tell me what happened, my love,' she begged. 'Help me to come back to you.'" - Lost in Time

1."It scares me. But then I get this big feeling, simplebut exalted: He's like, me just with different details." - The Wonder Spot
I liked this line for one reason, most people these days who are in a relationship with someone do not realise that the person they are with have the same feelings as they do. Generally, I think most people get blinded by worry or blinded by the previous that they kind of forget that there is another person who may or may not feel exacly the same emotions as they do. I think they forget that any other person can have certain insecure feelings while being in a relationship. It is surprising when you see a character or even someone you know finally understand that the small details in any relationship whether it is with a friend, sibling, or significant other, really do matter and really do count. The small gestures or even little things really count and mean something special. In a way it is kind of bizzare how the simplest things are the ones that are remembered. I like that.

Quarterly

So far this year I really haven't changed all that much as far as how much reading I have done. The genre of reading I have done hasn't really changed too much either. I have started to read more classic literature which is surprising to me because normally I would hate to read those kind of books. Another thing that surprised me in my reading was that I have been reading more of the modern books based more on reality rather than fantasy. I liked these books probably because it was a "breath of fresh air" somehting new and unique from the norm. I did however continue to read more of the paranormal romance novels that intrigue me. I feel like certain people are attracted to a certain genre because it is something like an a escape to most people. Stories or novels are a means of escape where anything can happen and you could be any character you wanted. In my personal discovery I found that when I read the books that I had it was hard not to get lost in thought. It was difficult to not want to be a supernatural creature or the be melodramatic about a situation. I think that surprised me most. The most challenging books to read were definately the victorian novels. The language is so intricate and has an elegant flow that it can sometimes be hard to understand. Another thing that I stuggled with in those novels were the metaphors and references to events. Often I had to do a little research to figure out what was going on, but in that process I discovered I liked the challenge more than the easy books I enjoy. I have to say I read more in the afternoon and evening hours because that is when I feel my brain is most active. I like reading then because there is little disturbance and I can relax after homework or practice. I hope that I start to read some mystery novels I know that when I was younger I used to read Nancy Drew and I absolutely loved those books. I have read James Patterson's Alex Cross series which is a never ending suspense thriller that I can never seem to put down. I love James Patterson he is one of my favorite writers and authors. One thing that kind of surprised me was that I started to get intrigued by Stephen King. I haven't actually read any of his books yet but I think I'm going to start so that is one of my goals. Also I hope to get to at least 5,000 or more pages this year. I hope that I can finish a series to without discovering a new one in the process. That happens to me a lot of the time. I have definately broadened my horizons this quarter and I hope to continue.

Lost in Time

I could not wait for this book to be released! The novel is the sixth book in a seven book series called Blue Bloods. I absolutely adore these books! Yes, they are about vampyres, but the difference is they are realistic to the modern day. The vampires in thsi book are what most would call high society families that are the main supporters of any organization. I liked these books because of the religious background and the adventures the characters take. There are two main families, the Forces and the Van Alens. There are a lot of other characters in between, but the main ones in this book are Schuyler Van Alen, Jack Force, Madaleine Force, Kingsley Martin, Oliver Hazard-Perry, Allegra Van Alen, Stephen Bendix Chase, and Charles Force. I liked thsi book because you had three different plots to follow and one of the stories is a flashback. When you read the whole series up to this point there are many things you think you have figured out and this book just does a 180. Everything you thought you knew up to this point is wrong which makes you ask even more questions especially about Allegra and Charles. Before I continue you should know this, all of the vamps in this book are fallen angels because they have sinned and been condemned to earth. Each had a side you were either with Michael and Gabrielle (Allegra and Charles) or Lucifer and in the end they chose wrong. Now, Jack and Mimi are actually Abbadon and Azreal the twin angel of Destruction and Death. They at one point were the lead generals of Lucifers army and now in order to have the freedom they desire they must once again pledge alligence to the Dark Prince. I have to admit it was kind of confusing at first to read because you had three different main characters to keep track of and each chapter was in a seperate location, seperate time period, and different storylines. I think my favorite character in this book who I related to the most was Mimi. She has all this responsibility to the Coven and to herself she doesn't quite know how to handle it all. In the beginning she is a cold-hearted, selfish, bratty character that is almost impossible to like. In her journey to find her one true love she discovers what it feels like to be disappointed and feel the guilt of her actions. She does end up getting what she wants, but at the price of her own soul. I liked her journey that she takes she comes to discover her true self and what it means to truely sacrafice yourself.

Enthralled (Continued)

Scenic Route I liked for the characters and their integrity. It is kind of a funny story in a twisted "I am going to end up killing you anyway" kind of way. I realted most to Margie in this tale because she grows by learning to trust her judgement and be honest with herself. I admired her prtection of her sister and her defensiveness to every little thing. She really overcomes her struggle and learns respect herself. She is determined and just when you think she is going to do one thing, she does the opposite. I really liked that about her character. Her suspicion and softness made her easiest to picture and find common ground with. WHen she meets Calvin that is really when her change begins to happen. All the walls she puts up to guard her emotions and protect her sister are slowly let down and just when she trust Calvin most her betrays her. His character is kind of comical. First, he spies on the two girls for many days, enters the house on several occasions without their knowledge, and steals a guide book of West Virgina. I do not know many people who go through that much trouble to hide and find a safehaven. Another thing that is quite funny is that every night he stays with Margie and Sally, Margie ties his hands behind his back and makes him sleep outside of the cabin. I understand the precaution, but the fact that she has whimpy knots and he never tries to escape makes that situation all the more ridiculous. Even after several weeks of staying with them she still doesn't trust him and the very moment she does is the moment his betrayal becomes real. Turns out this little boy has secrets of his own and when they, his brothers, come to kill and take everything the girls own he himself changes. Instead of killing Margie he lets her go. The instance where you think she would rip him to shreads and just be so angry for his betrayal, she simply asks him to come along. I found the whole story comical witha  touch of tenderness. It is why the tale was one of three faavorites.

Enthralled

This collection surprised me. I like a certain genre of books for a specific reason and these short stories by some of my favorite authors really reminded me why I enjoy Paranormal stories. The tales all had one common theme, Journey. That word has many interpretations soem of which I relate most with such as journey of identity, a literal journey like a road trip or a new destination, a journey of honesty and trust, a journey of hope, and most of all a journey to fall in love. Of course that is many topics for such a term, but each of them has a special meaning. I feel like I have learned a valuable lesson from this book, I was reading a story in this book and realized that I wanted to be each character. I wanted to just jump right in and be the leading role, to take the risks, to discover pain, to have that special moment, to be the "perfect" person, I had never thought about it until I read this book. I have two favorite stories out of all nineteen in the book, Scenic Route, and Giovanni's Farewell. Each of them had a different journey for the main character and they are my favorite because they were the ones I most related too. In all three of the stories the main character has to discover trust, true identity within herself, and perseverance. The first story deals with supernatural powers and discovering to trust the people you love and being able to trust yourself. I related most to Ravenna because as much as things seem to be getting stranger with her brother, Cairo, she continually brushes it off. Another thing is that she tries with great effort to fit in with her peers, she is an intellegent girl who knows a good deal about history and languages, but puts it all aside to feel or pretend to be normal. There are days where I feel the exact way she does, where you have to act or talk a certain way to be able to be around friends or even people in general. In some ways I find it distasteful, petty, and annoying. She is the stereotypical teenage adolesent who wishes for the effortless love to come along and accept everything about her and it is pretty clear that isn't going to happen until we meet Giovanni. Only one problem he is dead and as a favor to complete his passage to the other world she kisses him. In her struggle to understand her ability Ravenna leans on her brother and they both try to understand what exactly is going on. After that moment with Giovanni she begins to accept all her qualities and who she truely is. In a way she grows up. I feel like that in order to mature or become fully aware of self-worth you have to accept every piece that makes you exactly the person you are and have always been. I liked that story because she realizes that and she realizes that when all else fails family always pulls through and has your back.

Currently

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Enthralled by Kelley Armstrong, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Caine, Ally Condie, Kimberly Derting, Kami Garcia, Claudia Gray, Melissa Marr, Jackson Pearce, Mary E. Pearson, Carrie Ryan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Margaret Stohl, Jessica Verday, and Rachel Vincent.

Pages this week: 498
Last Week: 216
Total: 3,719

Sentences of the Week:
3. "'No such luck.' My brother grinned at me over the rim of his paper coffee cup.'No matter how weird it gets from now on...we're in it together.'" -Enthralled

2. "Maybe the kiss worked. Maybe it broke the spell. But maybe the spell wasn't what I thought it was. I don't understand love, but I understand pain, I understand regret in a way I didn't only a few moment ago. And now I'm here, crying in front of a boy I barely know over the love that neither of us have. Our kinds are more alike than we think." -Enthralled

1."'So what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way no matter how hard your choice turns out to be, at least you can find comfort in knowing you're avoiding something even worse.'"- Starcrossed

I like thsi line becasue it makes a good point. I know sometimes we all have choices that can be really tough and neither option is any good. There are just some obstacles that can't be overcome easily and I have to say that choosing the lesser of the harder options will give you a comforting feeling. I think that by choosing what some might call the easy way your conscious is dealt with on a simpler more manageable level. Unfortunately, taking the easy way doesn't always give you the result you look for.

Starcrossed

I really enjoyed this book. Lately I have had an obsession with mythology and this fit the ticket. If you know your greek and roman mythology well then this story makes perfect sense. The main character Helen is pretty much the center of attention throughout the book. I thought it was cool how the author paralleled the abilities to a particular god or goddess. This book is kind of like Percy Jackson except it is more romance and there is a more complicated system. The characters of Helen and Lucas are what you might call the typical teenage couple. The only exception is that their lineage goes back thousands of years to Helen of Troy and the Trojan war. All of their world is controlled by the Furies or the three fates. There are 4 houses in total. House of Thebes which derives from Apollo, House of Atreus which are Aphrodite's daughters, House of Rome, and House of Athens. As we begin to get to know the relationship between the Delos family made up of Hector Jason and Ariadne the twins, Cassandra, the Oracle, Lucas, Castor, Noel, Pandora, and Pallas. The family is made up of cousins and brothers and sisters. I find it kind of humorous that all of the family has to move in order to discover Helen. Can't just send one messenger, have to send the whole clan. I thought that was funny. I think my favorite characters are Jason and Helen's best friend Claire. They are like the old married couple of the group. Non stop bickering anything that Claire does she is challenged by Jason at every cornor. We do not discover the true meaning behind this until close to the end, he has good intentions and that is to protect Claire from their kind, Demigods. So in a way it was expected, but it was adorable how they came together. I think there is that one person who gets on your nerves so bad that you kind of have to give in. I liked that part. Also, I thought it was neat that all of the characters names come from other stories in the ancestry. As the plot develops I kept asking myself, Who is Helen's mother? Where is she? What house is she from? Why does the Delos family recognize her face so well? What is the connection?? Well I found this aspect interesting and in my mind sort of hoped that is could be real. What would that be you ask? Well since the Furies control what goes on between the houses and controls history of each family, Faces of people past are portrayed in each generation. Another thing is that sometimes the children do not resemble their parents at all but rather the people they are supposed to role play as. Well I got the answers to all my question towards the end of the book. Turns out Helen's mother is Daphne Atreus. Head of the House of Atreus. She is one of the Daughters of Aphrodite. Each of the two where a necklace called a cestus which connects them. Turns out the romance I was hoping for between Lucas and Helen was doomed from the start. It only took an extremely long story of how Daphne dispised Ajax, Pandora's older brother and brother to Castor and Pallas, but after saving one another they fell in love. Turns out that was a problem for some of the family. Tantalus, the eldest of the family, did not approve of this and ultimately became and Outcast or a Kin-killer. Because of this he cannot make contact with the rest of the family without his sins being revealed to the rest of the family. Anyway Tantalus murdered Ajax and blamed Daphne for the death of his brother. So after thinking for many years that Jerry Hamilton had been her father turns out Ajax is her true father. Then things get even worse. The Delos family is split, There are the ones of whom we have met and know then there are the Hundered. They are what some might call a cult with only one desire, Immortality. They truely believed that they were the only house left and could finally achieve Atlantis and immortality. Boy, were they wrong. So there you have it back to square one. The story is extremely complicated and the ending kept you wondering what it is that Helen must do to end the Blood cycle, save the Rogues, and be able to accept herself as all one person. Cassandra, who belongs to the Furies, left this prophecy at the end,"'The Star-Crossed lovers are in warp and weft of the pattern, and my mothers are compelled to repeat it again and again. Symmetry must be maintained or the fabric of the universe will be ruined. All Four houses have been preserved this way.'" "'Four Houses and Three Heirs, the many voices continued to chant. 'The Star-Crossed lovershave preserved the bloodlines. And the Three shall raise Atlantis.'" "' The Desender must go down to those who cannot forgive and cannot forget. The Descender and her Shield will free the Three from their suffering as she will free the Houses from the cycle of blood for blood.'" Talk about erie and strange. It does keep you wondering and makes you crave more almost to the equivalent of chocolate! I cannot wait to read the next book!!!

Sentences of the Month/ Currently

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Pages this week: 216
Last Week: 958
Total: 3,221

Sentences of the Month:
5. "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."

4.."I am whatever I am."
3."Donny glared at me,'Never trust a sneetch, little girl.'"

2."The last cobwebs clearing from her eyes, she decided that if Lucas was gay then she was going to have to get a sex change operation. He would be so worth it."

1."' Impossible, yes.' He admitted, after a few seconds. 'But interesting. Like you. And eternity is a long time. So if you have to spend it with someone, I could see wanting to spend it with someone impossible...but interesting.'"

This sentence is still my favorite and sticks with me all the time. When I think about my friends and the people I know I am usually reffered to as the one who is impossible. I relate very much to this line in Abandon because like John I too can be completely impossible, but at the same time I can act adn say thing different from most people. I have a unique style and sense to the world I see much like John's character.

My Favorite Claims:
1. In Todrick Hall's "I Wanna Be On Glee," Hall's plea to Glee creator Ryan Murphy shows Hall's inventiveness and artistic talents through the music video's cleverly pariodistic lyrics, assertive instrumentals, and effervescent choreography.

2.The use of motivational and inspiring words with the combination of the brotherhood seen in the images of the football game help to infer a sense of dedication and commitment that can only truly be seen on the football field.

3.[During her routine, Shawn Johnson displays powerful tumbling, gracefully swift dance, intense expression, and representative attire; which sets forth a confidently energetic, yet cheerful routine.]

4. Leonid Afremov's vibrant use of color, flowing appearance, and realistic, silky texture illustrates a feeling of whimsical relaxation and majestic euphoria.

5.

Close Readings: Pride of Cincinnati Summer of Love

Observe:
Music: Agressive, Energetic, Lyrical, Vibrant, Chaotic,Powerful

Choreography: Crazy, Colorful, Swift, Modern, Complimentary
     Rifle: Experienced, Rapid, Alive
     Flag: Melodic, Wild, Bright, Ecstatic,
     Dance: Confident, Admiring, Intense,

Space:Inventive, Open, Immense,

Facial Expression: Animated, Excited, Explosive, Passionate, Real

Claim: In Pride of Cincinnati's Summer of Love, the guard's vibrant, chaotic sound, complimentary choreography, and explosive, passionate expression create a outburst of colorful eccentricity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjYDUmmZ9_w

Currently (September 16th 2011)

The Books I have read:
Kisses from Hell by Kristin Cast, Richelle Mead, Alyson Noel, Kelley Armstrong, and Francesca Lia Block
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney
Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Pages this Week: 958
Last week: 695
Total: 3,004

Sentences of the Week:
3. "'When you put it that way--not many.' She smiled. 'Especially not girls. Great and noble has usually been reserved for men.'" -Dark Mirror

2. "' And Gentlemen in England now abed / Shall think themselves accursed they were not here.'" -Dark Mirror

1. "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream." -Kisses from Hell

I liked this line because it really made you think about what is real to you. I guess you could say it made me realize that not everything is what is seems to be. I feel as though it is talking about desire though. How sometimes what we see is our dream finally coming to life or better yet coming true. Nothing is eveer as we imagine and I feel that this kind of appeals to everyone's life not just my own. I feel like it is talking about Innocence and how the very essence of reality is dreaming. I like this quote because it opens up tunnel vision and with the characters involved in this story it fits the mood created from the passion of Dani and Bram. It really expresses that noth everything is as it seems.

Dark Mirror

The best book I have read so far. The characters, the adventure, the mystery it was all just fantastic. The Book starts out in 1803 England with Lady Victoria Mansfield. All is going perfectly well she is set to be married to Edward Harford and live a life of complete bliss. That would have happened had her mother not discovered her floating above her bed after getting caught up in a dream. Turns out her mother's family had a wee bit of magic in the blood. At this time mages, commoners with magical abilities, were accepted only in the lower classes if you were an aristocrat it meant condemnation. Victoria continues to deny that there is anything wrong and in an act of desperation uses he magic to save her nephew. She is sent away to Lackland abbey where she discovers not all condemn magic but embrace it. She becomes one of the Irregulars and learns to control her powers. When the headquarters is raided she is swept away to WWII through Merlin's Mirror. I like the parallel the author uses in the book between Napoleon and Hitler. They both wanted to conquer the world and both failed to do so. I liked how she used Britian and  the "middle man" that stood in the way of success for both. That made it interesting. The story itself was really clever. I like how she used Dover Castle as the central idea for the story and how during Operation Dynamo there was perfect weather for evacuation which is where she claimed the idea for magic being responsible. That was really clever thinking. Also, I like how she parallels the Irregulars to the future government of England. Instead of it being divided by blood, gender, or family names they are all on an equal level. One in the same. Eventually that is what becomes of the English Government. I'm a history buff so this type of thing makes the story more interesting. Another thing that was different about this story was that the focus was on Tory as an individual and her struggles for identity. The story didn't focus on romance as much as it did self discovery and the journey of honesty. I liked that with each character something new was added to the group as a whole not just ability but the character development made it easier to relate too. I was surprised and cannot wait to read the sequel and find out what happens to Tory and her friends!!

Kisses from Hell

This book was really fun to read. You have so many characters to connect with and each tale has a different point to be made other that romance and vampires. HA! Each story is different. Different writing style, different place, different mood, different pretense all in one book. The one story I enjoyed the most was the second story titled Bring Me to Life written by Alyson Noel. The setting made me interested and craving more. This girl, Danika, starts out in a normal teenage hectic chaotic life and is swept away by her talent for art. When she arrives at the school all in not a seems. It is almost like a strange dream. She basically herself is thrown into a gothic romance. She is kind of the Rapunzel of all the stories. As she arrives, Danika, is locked in her room all the time only allowed to leave for dinner. Minus the fact that she does no have super long hair, she does share that in common with the princess. Another thing that was cool was she has a dream and each time she falls asleep new pieces are revealed. Because she is inspired and told to paint her dreams she does. Each time she picks up the brush she adds more to each picture. Later her destiny is revealed which is that she is the "savior" of the house and its masters. However she is torn between Lucian and Bram. We don't learn much about Lucian, he is kind of a mystery in short terms he basically wants Dani's soul to live forever. Bram on the other hand we know only what is given to us. In the short time we believe that he is another student of the art school and that is his mother is in a gothic band. No father, died. In the end though, we learn his brother is Lucian and that he is a vampire. Another thing we learn is that Danika is his lover,lily, from another time and in the end she becomes a vampire. "And they lived happily ever after" or so we think. Another short story told is titled "Above" by Kristin Cast. This one really makes you think. There are parts where you almost cannot distinguish between the two characters. They practically feed off of one another to survive. There are two "groups" Above and Below. If you have read the Ellen Hopkins books, this story is much like that style. When you read the story you get a creepy, skin-crawling, what the heck type vibe from the setting. The main character Rhena is not like the others Below. She does not live up to expectations nor does she look or act as her fellow people. She desperately wants to go Above She believes that if she goes there she will be wanted, loved, safe, and alive than in the hell-ish Below. While on the hunt, with the men, of the Others from Above she is taken captive. Discovered to be a woman Sol the man from Above, immediately falls in love with her. No surprise there. they each gain something neither has experienced before, emotion. In order to survive The people from Above must kill and devoure Below people. We do not discover they are vampires until this instance in the book where Sol is explaining the hunt to Rhena or Aurora. And in the end she is killed by a man from Below and Sol takes his vengence dying as well. In a way it is kind of like a vampyric Romeo and Juliet. Below is a hostile environment and Above seems to have a more peaceful enviornment with less focus on killing for survival. If I were to choose between the two I would definately rather live Above in the sunlight and music. Out of all 5 stories these were my favorites because they had an easy connection to me and were mysterious at the same time. These were less predictable and had contrasting imagery. Almost perfect.

Currently (September 9th 2011)

The book I have read:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Kisses from Hell by Kristin Cast, Richelle Mead, Alyson Noel, Kelley Armstrong, and Francesca Lia Block

Pages this week: 695
Last week: 337
Total Pages: 2,046

Sentences of the Week"
3. "When you've found someone good, you don't need to jump from person to person." -Kisses from Hell

2. "Her life, a puzzle. Pieces hidden. One found." -Kisses from Hell

1. "A house of mystery and history--filled with dark polished woods, antique rugs, large chandeliers, and bouquet after bouquet of those amazing red roses with long, thorny, stems--pretty much the opposite of what I'm used to." -Kisses from Hell

I really liked the description she gave of the house. I think we all have that desire to live in a different time period whether a decade ago or centuries ago and I felt this captured my tastes. I have had a facination with early periods in history like the 1500's to the 1900's. I am much like the character of this short story. I think in much imagination or even history you find the style intriguing. It almost like you feel a connection and I think that is what Danika is trying to describe. It gives you an artists feel toward this gothic castle. I love it. It is inticing.

Jane Eyre

Most of you by now have either heard of this book or had to read it at some point. Well I have completed this journey and to be quite honest I did  love this book. As first impressions go Jane and Edward do not exactly acquire the typical characteristics in novels. Jane is simple, plain, and in some ways a dry character. Mr. Rochester is forceful, troubled, and indecisive. The thing that makes me curious about these two is how well they seem to get along. My expectations were that of probably most people, Jane is not like many women of the time why is he intrigued by her? What makes her special? Well as peculiar as that is in a twisted way it makes sense. I think the fun part of the book was trying to figure out the french. That was a prject to translate. Adele is so adorable she is tentative and an avid learner but, she has that almost perfect innocence to her. I just like that about her character. You almost get the sense she will never grow up. Another thing that makes this book interesting is the dark imagery. In many of the places Jane encounters she describes the beauty of the land but, it is almost a sad description like there is longing. Almost like it is untouchable to her or anyone. It is interesting. You see a change in Jane when she grows fond of the "family" at Thornfield. You almost get the feeling she cares the most about Edward. Also, you get that feel that maybe she is disappointed even though he seems to be doing what is expected of hime. It is not until he returns from business when they are under the chesnut tree that all is revealed. It is interesteing to watch the development of the characters and their realtionship. It is sweet but at the same time completely expected. The thing I like about the entirety of the book is the fact that it is all supernatural based. It has theis mystery, suspense, and ghostly effect. I think is is cool. You do not exactly find that in many books today unless you specifically look for it. I think it is great when Jane just "happens" to find her family at the exact moment she is in most despair. It is almost too perfect a match. Jane has a much bigger role than can be described. Granted the book is about her but, she is almost a symbol herself and I think that anyone could relate to her a some point in her tale. I think when people read this book they give up too easily you have to really almost force yourself to read it to figure out what makes it a great book. I loved it. I thought it was brilliant. The bizarre romance adventure was beautifully written and is uncommon. It fit into my paranormal forte.

Currently

This week I have read:
Abandon by Meg Cabot
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Pages this week: 337
Last week: 689
Total Pages: 1,351

Sentences of the week:

3. "Did ever anybody see such a picture of passion!" - Jane Eyre

2. "' I care about everyone,' I retorted. 'You said so once yourself. I am a very caring person.'" -Abandon

1. "' Impossible, yes.' He admitted, after a few seconds. 'But interesting. Like you. And eternity is a long time. So if you have to spend it with someone, I could see wanting to spend it with someone impossible...but interesting.'" -Abandon

I love this description of the relationship between Pierce and John. Mr. Smith pegged them both on the head. I like it because he makes a good point. In a relationship, you might be stuck with someone who you fins is unbearable and completely misunderstanding or "hard to read" but under the fascade is a unique and remarkable human being. And in this case, I think Pierce is starting to realize that about John. I can't really explain any better, but I love it. It makes sense to me.

Abandon

I'll admit I didn't think I would like this book. I mean taking the greek myth of Hades and Persephone and making modern was iffy. Pierce the girl is what most would call an NDE (near death experience) in her time as being pronounced "dead" she is taken by John Hayden to be forced to live in the Underworld. Of course, though, that isn't the case. She ends up living and being haunted by John in every instance. The book was a confusing read at first because Meg Cabot, the author, just jumps right to the middle of the story. She had just moved with her mom back to her mother's hometown and her parents have gotten a divorce, I mean your more lost than a puppy. You keep asking questions who is Pierce? Who is Alex? Why is she in Isla Huesos? What is 'the incident'? Who is John? Why did her parents get a divorce? There are so many questions not answered you almost want o give up! Ha! However I didn't because I was interested I wanted to answer all those questions find out Pierce's story. Turns out before she "died" and came back, Pierce was the normal rich-girl type. Daddy is CEO of a major company, mother is an animal researcher, you get the idea. The family isn't everything its pegged up to be really. Mom and Dad though busy still care for the daughter enough to send her to the best Girls only High school in Conneticut. She has all the freedom a teen could ask for and a best friends Hannah. The whole Shebang. Anyway after her NDE and meeting with John in the Underworld where she gains a necklace and some knowledge of what happens to spirits when they die, she comes back. After coming back though bad things begin to happen to people she loves and knows. Which is why she ends up in Isla Huesos. After her first day at school she learns of the importance of the nicklace and why John keeps popping in and out of her life. Turns out she is in danger and this particular necklace she owns has had importance in history. Or as some put it much bloodshed. Including one Miss Marie Antionette. The island itself is named the Island of Bones because most of it is a cemetary. The cemetary secton Richard Smith basically calls it the entrance to the Underworld. That in itself is kind of creepy to me. But I guess in the end in order to accept that something so strange is possible you have to let yourself accept it. At the end I loved the book, it was impossible but interesting.

Currently

This week I completed these books...
Die for Me by Amy Plum
Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Pages this week: 689
Last Week: 325
Total: 1,014

Sentences of the Week:
3. "live Katya. Be Happy. Take Risks. Have fun."

2."What's better? I thought, to be safe and suffer alone or to risk pain and actually live?"

1."I am whatever I am."

I chose that as my favorite this week for a reason. I feel like as a teenager we are always searching for who or what we are supposed to be. I feel like we have a hard time accepting that we are exactly the person we want to be. When I saw this line from the main character in Born at Midnight, Kylie, who struggles with accepting that maybe she isn't human and that maybe it isn't quite so bad to be "special" or "different". I couldn't help but relate to her and her situation.

Born At Midnight

Loved, Loved, Loved this book!! What was different about this book from the others I have read already was that Kylie was the typical teenage girl except for the fact she sees ghosts!! I think that is uber awesome!! It gets better because her mother sends her to this camp where she goes on a journey for her identity. Like many of the kids that she is a supernatural or fantasy creature. The suspension of being told about who her real father is and what exactly she really is caught my attention. I can relate to her personality and I definately feel for her especially being the outcasts among outcasts. She had two romances and is caught in a love triangle which is kind of funny. I kind of feel bad for Derek because he is not obssessed, but extremely into her. She is blinded by her distrust in herself and the people she cared about most that she cannot see his tender heart. I relate to both of them where sometimes I wish certain traits were not given to me. It is just sad to read about how she cannot accept the obvious and how she treats the people who are most kind to her. It is a happy ending, so far. Her mother, the "Ice Queen", as she puts it, spills everything a child never wants to hear. That she was only married to her Step father because she got preganant to a man who died in combat. The ghost, Daniel, is Kylie's birth father. I liked that the reader wasn't revealed anything about Kylie or her past until right at the very end. It makes you want to read more. I enjoyed the cliff hanger. Another thing was of course she "ends up" with Derek. I'm a hopeless romantic and it was adorable envisioning the two act and react to each other. Very cute. I think the best part is when she finally accepts that she isn't normal, she will never be normal, and can discover what defines her. Kylie finally accepts that it is ok to be completely different and no one can take that from her. It is a powerful moment for herself and the reader. I like to think that is takes most teens my age longer to recognize their true identitiy and be comfortable enough to like it shine. I'm inspired by the genuine honesty and the story's ablitiy to make each moment different.

Die For Me

I have to admit this book was one that I could not put down. I loved how the writer held out on telling us Vincent's "big" secret which in this case was that he is a revenant. I thought it was different to have the story take place in France instead of the United States it added to the mystery of the characters. Kate was easy to relate to in the sense that she was trying to re-discover herself after her parents death. In midst of all the havoc of living with her grandparents and sister, adjusting to a new home, and coping with her parents death she still found the time to enjoy her surroundings and really capture the beauty of Paris. She is a quiet, confused, and open-minded which adds to her personality. She is quite intuitive and is always watching out for her older sister Georgia. When she meets Vincent for the first time she has that "sense" that she has met hime before she can't remember where or when, but somewhere. After that they continually meet up and "fall in love". I love how the writer, Amy Plum, keeps the reader intrigued about how this romance is supposed to work by slowly revealing his story and his character. It kept you guessing and then when it was revealed you kind of had that moment like "Oh!! Well Duh!" which I loved. Granted this book could be considered sterotypical to it genre, but I would disagree with anyone who said so. It is the perfect combination of mystery, romance, action, and humane qualities. I mean for a girl this story does kind of scream fairy tale, but who said you were too old for that? The fact that Vincent’s family each died at different times makes it puzzling to figure out how they live together. Another factor is that they are not all from France or were here when they died.  You have so much history put into one house it is hard not to want to be Kate. If I could I would become her character at any point if not for the handsome, tender- hearted Vincent, but for the feeling of being in the room with pieces of history. I just loved reading the stories and knowing exactly what they were talking about. It was cool to consider. I definitely feel like the author focused on the value of family, the value of identity, and love can conquer all. It became clear with each character how they were all interrelated and “fed” off each other. It was a wonderful book. I loved it.

Down Is Up, Remember??

First post of the year and I am already on a reading streak. I picked up Falling Under by Gwen Hayes and have finished all 343 pages of it. The story was quite intriguing because when you first meet the two main characters, Theia and Haden, you haven't a clue on whether Theia is dreaming about Haden or whether all of her experiences are real. As the stroy continues we discover a Romeo and Juliet type love. The two aren't meant to be together , but yet they fall anyway. It is interesting because Theia's mother died while she was born and her father is overprotective, strict, and proper british man who forces her into keeping her free spirit hidden. She is not like most typical female lesds where they have everything and can do whatever, she is secluded and chooses to be an outcast. Her best friends Donny and Amelia help her to release her inner teenager. What surprised me the most is how the author waited until the close to the end of the story to tell the reader that Haden is actually half demon and that his mother, Mara, is the "ruler" of fear. Also, I loved how there was a connection between Haden and Hades. Under, the realm in which Haden lives, is described much like the Underworld in which Hades controls. In the story Haden is the Prince and he must take a Human bride in which to produce and heir. The story kind of parallels to Persephone and Hades.As the story continues Theis and Haden eventually switch roles. I found that to be my favorite part, predictable, but still exciting for me. You finally understand what he would be like without his demon half. Granted he can't recall anything before hand, but that makes is more fun for me the reader. In the end, he discovers that to save is beloved Theia he must reclaim his demon heritage and  ultimately saves Theia. I feel like every girl wishes for a story like this. You dream of prince charming and then suddenly he appears and in the end becomes everyting you didn't expect. I think sometimes Down is up and you have to accept your disbeliefs in order to see the picture as a whole.
If there was one line I loved out of this book it would be this one, "Donny glared at me. Never trust a sneetch, little girl." They comes from a Dr. Seuss story in which the Star-Belly Sneetches, who were born with a green star on their bellies, thought they were better than those who had no green star. I love how they use these characters to describe the in-crowd at school, its funny.