2011: Goals & Changes

I know I've been an awful blogger these months: I've done a great deal of memes instead of reviews, I've been MIA too many times,I haven't been outgoing...
I plan in 2011 became a much better blogger:

• I have a few ideas for new feautures
• I plan on doing movie reviews as well
• I plan reading other genres outside YA, though 80% of this blog will be YA related
• I plan on writting 3 reviews per week
• I'm going to do less memes
• I plan on reading more (I want to read 100 books)

If you have any suggestion you would like to tell me comment or e-mail me.

Christmas and TOP 3 books (in no particular order)

Merry Christmas, or as Étienne (from Anna and the French Kiss) would say: Happy Christmas!
I've noticed that a few bloggers are doing list about their favorite books from 2010, in different categories. I'm not going to make one, I’m just going to mention the 3 books that I most love this year (in no particular order) :
                                    

Wildthorn by Jane   

                                                              

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

                                                        

             
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

                                                         

(after a painful waiting for this one, because my copy was delayed, I read it and LOVED it)

Little Women

                                                 


Title: Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Publisher: Signet Classics
Summary:

Little Women is the heartwarming story of the March family that has thrilled generations of readers. It is the story of four sisters--Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth-- and of the courage, humor and ingenuity they display to survive poverty and the absence of their father during the Civil War.

(details above from Goodreads)

Review:

Though this book is a classic, it's aimed at teenage girls, so I decided to review it here!

Little Women was a wonderful book to read. Though the book was published in 1868 teenage girls can still relate with the main character because, as most teenage girls: Jo, Beth, Amy and Meg, were trying to find themselves while dealing with family and romance problems.

My favorite character is Jo! She's courageous, creative, dreamy, strong, cheerful and a tom-boy!

Now, about the guy's... I loved them all; they were all perfect and very nice. But if I had to choose one, I would say that Laurie was my favorite. I loved his personality, his sense of humor and his charisma.

The plot is interesting: there are tears, laughs and a lot of romance.

What I most liked in this book was the strong bonds that united the four sisters. Of course they had a few quarrels but they also had a wonderful time together.

This book sends to the reader a strong message of feminism through the characters, that in a time where women didn't have many rights these four young women with the help of their mother and housekeeper, managed to survive and be happy!

A must read!

10/10

Triskellion by Will Peterson

                                         


Title: Triskellion
Author: Will Peterson
Release Date: February 4th 2008
Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
Summary: Rachel and Adam are sent to stay with their grandmother, following their parents' divorce. But the quiet English village is a sinister, unsettling place. Is there a dark heart beating beneath the thatched roofs of Triskellion? It is a place protected by an ancient, three-bladed artefact; a village where crops never fail and where the war memorial is blank; a community with much to protect. With the help of the mysterious Gabriel, Rachel and Adam begin to unearth centuries-old secrets and make a shocking revelation about their family's past - and their own future...

(details above from Goodreads)
Review:
Triskellion was a great book to read! The way that the authors (Will Peterson is a pen name, this book was actually written by two people) manage to combine archeological facts with the paranormal plot was spectacular!
The plot is full of action and mystery, and the ending is amazing, and it will let you impatiently waiting for the next book! The twins, Rachel and Adam, are very interesting character to read about, they're somewhat too juvenile for their ages, but at the same time, they stand up for themselves, and do some pretty risky things. The twins are very believable characters and teens can find a connection with them!
The setting is the thing that I most loved in the whole book! Who doesn't think that a small, isolated, village, in the middle of England is the best place to settle a story that has so many secrets?
I'm fascinated with archeology and history stuff so I really appreciated all the facts in the book. But, to all of you that don't share my love for History, I must say, that the book isn't overloaded with History stuff, and that all the facts that are there, only make the mystery bigger!
 So, if you're looking for a book full of mystery and unpredictable twists go and read Triskellion!
9/10

In my Maibox (7)

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme host by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.
I didn't do IMM in the past few weeks, because I decided to stop requesting and buying books books since my TBR pile was huge. Unfortunately I wasn't capable of not buying books.
As today this is the last IMM of the year, I decided to do it.  Note that not all books listed above were bought this week.



       

From Netgalley:
Here Lies Bridgite Paige Harbison - I had requested this before I decided to stop requesting books, but my request was only approved after the decision was made.

Bought:
Observations by Jane Harris - it's considered an adult book, but the protagonist is 15. It's an historical romance.

The White Queen by Philippa Gregory - again it's an adult book, but I loved The Other Boleyn Girl, so I'm really looking forward to read this.

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkein - I never read anything by him before,I've only seen the movies, so when I saw this at the store, I decided to buy it!

What have you got in your mailbox?

Christmas, books and traditions!

It's December, the weather is getting cold, and in some places there's snow. People start decorating their houses, when we turn on the radio there's Christmas songs. People rush into the stores to shop, and so on.... In conclusion, this time of the year brings many traditions, and I'm no exception.

Every year besides doing a few things listed above I always re-read one or two Harry Potter books in December. Maybe it's because when I think of Hogwarts, I always imagine the castle in the Winter when the floor is covered by snow, that drags me; or maybe it's the felling of union that's present in the books (just look at the Weaslys), but Harry Potter books, especially the third and the fifth, just make me think about Christmas.

I really enjoy, sitting near the fireplace, with a blanket, a hot chocolate reading a Harry Potter  book and listening to the rain. It's one of the things that I most appreciate in the holidays season! 

What about you? Is there any book you re-read every Christmas?

Waiting on Wednesday (6)

Wainting on Wednesday is a wekly meme hosted at Breaking the Spine.
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
                                          
Title: Once in a full moon
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Publish Date: 28th December 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary:
Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.
Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.
Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

My thoughts: I love werewolves and the plot seems great!
What are you waiting on?

Discussion for all aspiring writers, writers, and authors

This discussion post is actually about writing and not about books. I know that this is a bookblog, but I believe that writing and reading are intimately connected so I decided to do this post, with a question related writing.
Now that we have put the initial ramble aside...

Yesterday I found this information in Jeffrey A. Carver site:
"If you can stand the thought of not writing, don't attempt a career as a writer. It's difficult and often painful. Don't subject yourself to it unless you are driven by a passion for it. If you find this too discouraging, you probably shouldn't aim to be a professional writer. But nothing says you can't be a happy amateur. (Remember, the root of the word "amateur" is amare, to love.) ".


So... my question is to all  aspiring writers (the ones that have a great deal of ideas, but can't sit down and put them in paper) ,writers (the ones who sit down and actually write) and authors: if you can have only one of the following things what would you choose: the ability of putting letters together and forming words or your creativity?

As an aspiring writer (I write only a few things but I don't consider myself a writer), I couldn't imagine myself, without my creativity. I love when I imagine a world, where I can set the rules and decided what's right and what's wrong, I can get lost in those thoughts for hours... I do believe that I could live without the written word, if I have my imagination was with me.

What about you?

I'm alive!

This is just a short post to let you know that I'm alive.

In the past weeks I was caught up with school work and revising, so I wasn't able to post here, but I promise you that starting tomorrow I'll post here regularly!

So, a quick question: what would you like to see here?

Bye!