Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top 10 Books I want to Re-Read

1. The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer: With the final movies coming out I want to refresh my memory on the books.
2. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty: I recently read on the authors blog that they are coming out with a movie about it. I love this book and want to read it again before the movie.
3. Dreamland by Sarah Dessen: This was the second Sarah Dessen book I ever read. She is one of my favorite authors and I haven't read this book in a long time.
4. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown: I love this book. I recently got one that contains pictures of all the art work and stuff the book refers to so I really want to read it.
5. Holes by Louis Sachar: When I first read this book I stayed up pretty much all night reading it. Its been years since I have read it and I want to read it again.
6. Jemima J by Jane Green: This was the first Jane Green book I ever read and now she is one of my favorite authors. This is another book I haven't read in a long time.

I couldn't think of anymore. I am not big on re-reading books because I remember them pretty well and it isn't as fun for me to read when I already know what is going to happen. I do like to re-read books before they come out with a movie based on it, or if a new sequel is coming out, or if I haven't read it in a really long time. 

Favorite Book Friday

This week's book is:

Summary: "An ingenious code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe. An astonishing truth concealed for centuries . . . unveiled at last. While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is awakened by a phone call in the dead of the night. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, his body covered in baffling symbols. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci—clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter. Even more startling, the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci—and he guarded a breathtaking historical secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle—while avoiding the faceless adversary who shadows their every move—the explosive, ancient truth will be lost forever"


Why its one of my favorites:  Its one of those book I just couldn't put down. There were historical facts, suspense, mystery, and action. I know this book gets a lot of criticism from religous people. But I'm a pretty strong christian and I still love this book. Yes it makes the churches look kind of bad, but, and this is a big BUT, its FICTION, its not real. And if you read it with that in mind its a really good book. Its also interesting to read because there are people who actually believe some of the things portrayed in the book. Overall its an amazing book and i think everyone should read it.

I Want Wednesday

Its Wednesday again and that means I get to talk about the books I want =]

Summary: "Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush. 
Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life. When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned."

Why I want it: I'm starting to get sick of the vampires and werewolves. I am really feeling the mermaid books. I really hope more come out.

Summary: "A message. A key. A mirror. A secret world unlocked.

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach, walking the shore, breathing the salty air,swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves. As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows to learn to surf. Her father forbids it.

Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove. But something Lena can’t identify at first—an ancient, powerful magic—keeps drawing her to the water. One day, she finally catches sight of it: a beautiful woman, with a silvery tail. And what Lena sees in the mermaids mirror will change her life forever"

Why I want it: Again I am feeling the mermaid books

Summary: "I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell. 

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly"

Why I want it: I saw the movie and thought it was great. I want to read the book because I am sure its better. I also love modern spins on old fairy tales

Top Ten Tuesday

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top 10 Books I Feel As Though Everyone Has Read But Me:

1. Water For Elephants: I feel like since the movie came out more and more people are reading it, and I haven't gotten around to it yet.
2. The Hunger Games: I've heard so much about these books. I want to read them, but haven't had the time yet.
3. The Mortal Instruments series: These are on my list to read. A bunch of my friends have read them and are raving about them.
4. I am Number 4: Again since the movie came out I feel like everyone has read this.
5. Shiver: I've seen a lot of people reading this and have seen it on a lot of other book blogs. Not even really sure what its about. I'm sure I will read it someday
6. The Notebook: I know so many people who have read this. But I don't really want to read it because the movie was so sad, and I know the book will be worse.
7. The Gone Series: So many people have told me that I need to read these, but I haven't yet because I have so many other books I want to read first
8. The Kite Runner: I have heard that this was a really good book, but it doesn't really seem that interesting to me
9. The Help: Most of my family has read this book and tell me I need to read it
10. Pride and Prejudice: I've heard all about this book, how its a classic and everyone should read, but I just haven't read it, and I don't know if I want to

School Book Saturdays

This weeks book is:

Summary: "A national bestseller that has changed the way readers view the ecology of eating, this revolutionary book by award winner Michael Pollan asks the seemingly simple question: What should we have for dinner? Tracing from source to table each of the food chains that sustain us- whether industrial or organic, alternative or processed-he develops a portrait of the American way of eating. The result is a sweeping, surprising exploration of the hungers that have shaped our evolution, and of the profound implications our food choices have for the health of our species and the future of our planet"


My Thoughts: I barely made it through this book. I thought it was the most boring book I have ever read.  Its all about plants and animals. There is an entire chapter dedicated to breeding corn. I don't understand how this was a national best seller. Spare yourself. Don't read this!

Favorite Book Friday

Summary:"It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live. A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend. In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect"


I love Sarah Dessen's books. She has a way of making the characters likable, while at the same time making them frustrating. I find myself wanting to shake the main character and tell them how stupid they are being, while at the same time loving the way they are. This book was really good. I couldn't put it down. 

I Want Wednesday

Meme hosted by The Daily Meme


Books I want: 


Summary:"Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers."

I heard about this book from The Lost Book Reports. It sounds like an intense read, but those tend to be the ones with the best message.

Summary:"In a town where gossip thrives like the ivy that clings to its mansions, where mysteries lie behind manicured hedges and skeletons hide in every walk-in closet, four perfect-looking girls aren't nearly as perfect as they seem. 

Three years ago, Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hanna, and their best friend Alison were the girls at Rosewood Day School. They clicked through the halls in their Miu Miu flats, tanned in their matching Pucci bikinis, and laughed behind their freshly manicured fingernails. They were the girls everyone loved but secretly hated—especially Alison.

So when Alison mysteriously vanished one night, Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna's grief was tinged with . . . relief. And when Alison's body was later discovered in her own backyard, the girls were forced to unearth some ugly memories of their old friend, too. Could there be more to Alison's death than anyone realizes?

Now someone named A, someone who seems to know everything, is pointing the finger at one of them for Ali's murder. As their secrets get darker and their scandals turn deadly, A is poised to ruin their perfect little lives forever."

I read the first two before the tv show started. Now I am addicted to the show and I want to read the rest of the books so I can compare them.

Summary: "For years Helen Knightly has given her life to others: to her haunted mother, to her enigmatic father, to her husband and now grown children. When she finally crosses a terrible boundary, her life comes rushing in at her in a way she never could have imagined. Unfolding over the next twenty-four hours, this searing, fast-paced novel explores the complex ties between mothers and daughters, wives and lovers, the meaning of devotion, and the line between love and hate. It is a challenging, moving, gripping story, written with the fluidity and strength of voice that only Alice Sebold can bring to the page"


I've wanted to read this since I read The Lovely Bones a couple years ago. 

School Book Saturdays

We have all had to read books for school. Some really great books, and some... not so great books. Every Saturday I will dedicate a post to school books.

Summary: "Laura Esquivel’s bestselling first novel, Like Water for Chocolate is a mouth-watering tale of love, passion and food. Tita, the youngest of three daughters lives in constant fear of Mama Elena. Since her husband’s untimely death, Mama Elena has ruled with an iron fist. Tita is raised with the help of the loving cook Nacha and spends most of her time growing up in the kitchen. It is there that Tita can seek some refuge from the harsh Mama Elena. As Tita gets older, the strict rules of her mother seem impossible to live by, for Tita has fallen in love. When Pedro comes to ask for her hand in marriage, Tita’s mother refuses, saying that her youngest daughter must never marry and must care for her until she dies. In a naïve act of love, Pedro agrees to marry Tita’s older sister Rosaura just so that he can be near Tita, the love of his life, forever. It is when Tita is forced by her mother to make her sister’s wedding cake that Tita’s strange magic in the kitchen comes to light. Grieving and distraught, her tears fall into the batter and every guest who eats the wedding cake the following day is overcome with sickness and misery. Tita continues to spend her time in the kitchen, as the head chef, and her emotions are transferred into whatever dish she is creating. Whether it is lust, anger or love, Tita’s deep feelings go right into her food and then into whoever eats it. Set in turn of the century Mexico, Like Water for Chocolate is an exquisite novel that will leave you intrigued and hungry."


I read this book my sophomore in high school. It was in a list of books for a lit-circle we had to do. I wasn't too excited when my group first decided on this book. I didn't seem that interesting to me, but as I started reading it I got really into it and ended up finishing it way before it needed to be finished. Its a book of strange romance with an added bonus of recipes in it. It has some definite strange parts in it, but overall I really enjoyed it. If you ever have the option to read it for school I would definitely do it. Even if you don't read it for school I would suggest reading it.

Favorite Book Friday

I have decided to do a weekly post about my favorite books.

Summary: 
"Jessica Darling is a cynical sixteen year old girl trying to find her place in life. When her best friend Hope moves away Jessica is upset. She finds herself alone to deal with a family that doesn't understand her, friends who she doesn't like, and the attentions of the school "bad boy". To top it all off Jessica and her friends are now the subject of a celebrity tell all book! When she accidentally becomes editor for the school newspaper it just might be the perfect outlet to vent her frustrations, but how much does she believe in free speech? Jessica deals with each crisis using her trademark wit and sarcasm as she tries not to live up to her "Darling" of a name. "


I first read this book in middle school and I loved in. In the past couple years the rest of the series came out so I re-read it. I absolutely love it. It it written in diary style. Jessica is a cynical and sarcastic teenager stuck in a town with people she can't stand. The book is amazing and so are the sequels. They are some of the few books I have read more than once.

A stolen life

I know a lot of people were hesitant to read this book because of all the horrible things that happened to her. I was a little nervous when I started reading it as well, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.


Summary: Jaycee tells what happened to her over her 18 year captivity. She talks about how she made it through and kept hope. She also talks about how she is doing now.
Pros: Gives you hope that even though you have gone through something terrible, life goes on and you can still be happy. Exposed the flaws in the law enforcement  that had a huge hand in her being held captive for so long, and has caused changed in the system to be made.
Cons: The obvious con is what happened to her in general, but other than that there are a few parts where she goes into detail about what happened, which are difficult to read. A little scatter-brained at parts, but she talks about it being like that in the beginning.
Thoughts: Overall I enjoyed the book. Although there were some details that were difficult to read she stuck to talking about them in the beginning and after that she didn't talk about it that much. I would recommend reading it. I think its a story of hope and shows you that there is life after something horrific. 




Thank you to http://thelostbookreports.blogspot.com/ for helping inspire my blog as well as help give me an idea as to how to format it =]

Hello

Hello, my name is Michelle. I have been following a couple different book blogs for a while now and decided I would give one a shot myself. I am not much of a writer, but I love to read and read a lot. I don't read too many "serious" books. I like my girly novels, but I do occasionally read other types of books. I am not a super fast reader, I like to read it slowly so I can really see it in my head and enjoy it. It usually takes me a week or 2 to finish a book. I am not totally sure what I will be posting on here just yet. I will definitely put reviews up every couple of weeks when I finish my books. I will also probably use some ideas from other book blogs. Hopefully all goes well and I can get better as time goes on. We shall see! Thanks!