Uncommon Criminals

I loved this book!  Loved the first one, and this one was every bit as good.  Once again, I'm completely in love with the characters.  W.W. Hale is my new and latest love.  This series is turning out to be my favorite "feel good" series.  Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter is clean, entertaining, smart, and completely enjoyable.  It amazes me how she has created characters that are righting wrongs through their thievery.  She's made the books ethical by doing so.  The dialogue feels natural, the plot feels complete, and the the story is well written.  Read them and let me know what you think!

Kat has been doing jobs on her own.  Not because she's addicted to the heist, or because she needs the paintings, but because she can.  She thought she was out of the family business, but as luck would have it, she may never leave.  She's too good at what she does.  When she comes home she's greeted with unhappy faces. Her cousin thinks she's addicted to the adrenaline and her very attractive best friend thinks she's being too risky.  Soon after coming home, Kat and Hale meet up with a mysterious old woman who has a job for her.  This woman wants her to steal something for her to win back her family's honor.  It's dangerous, even more so than robbing the Henley.  Worse than the danger, the item is supposedly cursed and her uncle has forbidden anyone in the family to ever go after it.  Will that hold Kat back from helping the old woman?  Read and find out!

Bad Chocolate

"I feel terrible so the chocolate's terrible."  -Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory


Yes, this is how I have felt about my writing lately.  100 pages of bad.  That's what I've got.  Granted I was sick and overburdened but, really... it's bad.  I'm in high spirits though!  How, you ask?  The only thing I can figure is that my choir was excellent yesterday.  They all worked so hard to get the Christmas program together and it was beautiful.  Prayers were definitely answered.

A week or so ago I realized I write better under pressure.

So I said to my friend, "Pressure me!  It's the only way I'm going to get the first draft of my book finished."

So, like a good friend does, she pressured me.  She said, "I want 170 pages by the 24th!"

I gasped and panicked for a moment.  70 pages by Christmas Eve?  No way.  December is the absolute busiest month of the year for me.  "I wouldn't want to ruin your Christmas Eve," I responded, coyly.  I really wished she would have said January.

"Fine, by the 26th then." Not what I wanted to hear.

I finally realized it might be a good challenge for me, so I consented.  Then, on top of everything else I had going on, I got sick.  Great, I thought.

I had written five pages that I didn't love, but I was just trying to get the story down on paper.  Guess how many pages I've written in total for this little challenge?  5.  On a roll, huh?

(Insert deep, exasperated sigh)  If I'm being honest, I do need input on the story because it's going nowhere, 100 pages of nowhere to be more exact.  I'm pretty sure she's not going to get the total 170 pages, heck! she's going to be lucky to get any at all at this point.  He he...  (Insert devious grin)  Nevertheless, I feel a change in the wind.  This story may still continue to sit on the shelf for a while until I find the most suitable direction for it.

Cheers to you, writing rule books!  I'm throwing you out the window (figuratively) and saying, "So long for now."  It's time to unleash my mind and let my stories go the direction they want to go!  You've said your words, it's time to say mine!

The Death Cure

While I love to finish a trilogy it's still always bittersweet.  You (or at least I) wait a year for each book to hit the shelves, hoping it will be better than the last and, you read the books so fast because you're already attached to the characters and you devour it and forget to savor.  I ate this book up just like I did the previous two.

As it says on the back of this last book, "The time for lies is over."  After Thomas has endured the maze and the scorch he didn't know how much worse it could get.  Now he's out in the real world and he's not the only one who wants to bring WICKED down.  He and his fellow Gladers are through with the torture and the death these people have put them through and there has to be a way to stop them.  Will he find it?  Or will he have to endure yet another game?  I'll leave that up to you to find out.

This trilogy keeps you reading and not want to put the books down.  Filled with adventure and mystery and real-life emotion.  Let me know what you think of it.  Personally, I really liked this trilogy.  It didn't end quite how I hoped it would, but I'm not saying it was bad.  Just different than I expected.  This last book was also a bit sad.  With a story like this one there is bound to be a bit of sadness, but overall, it was really good.  I recommend The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner.  I hope you enjoy it too!

Happy Reading!

Christmas Jars

There's something about the upcoming holidays that brings out the very best in people.  Thanksgiving helps us realize how much we've been given and been blessed with.  With a heart so full of gratitude it's hard not to share.  And what happens during Christmastime?  A lot of sharing and giving.

For my book club this month our book is Christmas Jars.  I just finished reading it, and that's probably a good idea since our meeting is tonight.  (You could read it in one sitting. ;) It's one of those stories that lifts your heart and makes you want to give a "Christmas Jar" of your own.  This story shows that no small act of kindness goes unnoticed.  I don't want to say too much about it.  Just know that I sat here at work attempting to hold back tears and wasn't very successful.  If you are looking for a good Christmas book to get you into the spirit of giving, I recommend this one. 

I Finally Finished

That's right.  I finally finished my novel!  Okay, not my novel, but the novel I was reading.  It took me an unnecessarily long time to finish.  I guess that's what two busy jobs will do to you.  There was a time when I literally didn't understand how a person could "have no time to read".  I guess part of me understands a bit better now.  Mostly, I still think it's an excuse because most of those people still find time to watch TV...

Anyway, let's get to the point.  The First King of Shannara was a great book.  My brother has been begging me to read it for years and I always seemed to have an excuse.  High fantasy, as you all know, is not always my favorite genre to read.  Yes, The Hobbit was completely enjoyable, but that's about all I've ventured to read.  While I'm not ready to start writing stories about elves, dwarfs, and wizards, my eyes have been opened to explore fantasy a little more.

The First King of Shannara is about a group of people sought after by Bremen to join forces to bring down the Warlock Lord--a man who has let evil magic consume him beyond return.  The characters are well crafted and I couldn't help but care for them.  I wanted them to succeed and find peace after their quest.  Each character had something unique to offer and the mystery in some of them compelled me to keep reading.  There are beautiful images evoked in some of the scenes thanks to the way the story is told.

There were times when I felt everything used too many words, but I'm always looking for ways to squeeze as much meaning into a sentence as I can with as few words as possible.  Wordy language is also the nature of fantasy books.  People don't speak in contractions and they are often formal.  But, like I said earlier, the character still come through.  Despite these few things, I really liked this book and I would recommend it.

Happy Reading!

I'm Not Lost!

I don't really know what's happened to me lately.  I maybe only read a chapter a week, and writing?  Yeah, that hasn't been happening either.  My life is filled with two jobs, congested lungs, piles of laundry, and VERY strange dreams. 

Don't get me wrong, life right now is rather wonderful.  The family and I have been getting along better than we have in a while, one of my jobs may take me somewhere in the professional world, people are loving and buying the jewelry I'm making, and I think I've got some pretty good story ideas cooped up in my head.

However, I really miss reading right now.  Every time I pick up a book it takes stamina to keep my eyes open.  And, it's a great book!  My brother asked me what's wrong last night because I've been reading the same book for about a month now.  Previously, my pace was about a book a week.  (Sometimes more.)  I have a book shelf that is piling up with the books I want to read and sooner or later I will get to them.  I hope it will be sooner.

I guess this post is really just to say that I haven't forgotten about blogging.  And it's also a declaration, that Mallary is going to finish reading her book!  And, she's going to write at least one sentence a day.  Most likely I will end up writing more than that per day, but if not that still one sentence more than I had before!

Have any of you read anything wonderful lately?

13 Reasons Why

Recent events have reminded me of this book.  I read it about three years ago and sometimes I still find myself thinking about it.  It's one that I would recommend for many to read.  There's some tough stuff in it, but so much value.  You never know how you are going to affect someone's life for better or for worse.  This book actually made me want to be better and do better.

Clay returns home from school one day to find a mysterious box filled with cassette tapes.  They're from Hannah, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.  As he begins to listen he learns that each side of the tapes is a reason she did it and he is one of them.  Thirteen in total.

There's suspense from the very beginning because Clay has no idea why he would be a reason why she died.  All he did was like her.  Because of the premise of the book, you can see how there would be tough stuff.  Yet, somehow, the book ends with so much hope.  Personally, I think it it absolutely necessary for young adult novels to read books that end with hope.  They don't have to be happy, just end with the hope of a bright tomorrow.  And this book does just that.

Perfect

A'ight, so I've been thinking lately about how many great guys aren't asking great girls out.  In decades past this didn't seem to be such an issue.  I hear the story over and over again from a lot of people.  Guys seem to be afraid of girls.  Why?  Girls seem to be exceptionally picky as well.  I'm not saying that us girls shouldn't be selective and make good choices when it comes to guys, but many good ones are being looked over.  Once again, I ask, why?  It seems as though one tiny flaw becomes a deal-breaker.  I too am guilty of this, but not to the extent of many other young ladies out there.

I've come to a conclusion.  It's not one of those grand, philosophical, answer-all, conclusions, but I think it actually explains a lot.  Look at the books we're reading.  Especially the young adult books.  (Yes, the ones I read and post about.)  How many of the young men in those books are considered "perfect"?  From a young age girls are taught that even though they are average the perfect guy will someday appear and want her undivided attention.  Yes, there are many of us who fantasize about this, but that's just what it is: a fantasy.  There is no such thing as a "perfect" guy.  I fear that some girls out there are looking for him, and they will not find him.  He doesn't exist. 

This is a lot for the guys of today to compete with.  They can't be that perfect guy and quit trying.  My friend Cami said once, "They're afraid to ask out the girls who are worth it."  It could be because if they do one thing wrong or show their flaws, then the girl who is looking for the perfect guy will let him go.

Girls, there are also guys out there that look perfect, say what we want to hear, and dazzle us.  Not all of them are worth it.  Open your eyes to who he really is.  (That goes for the ones you aren't attracted to right away also.)  Stay true to yourself.  I'm pretty sure none of you think of yourselves as perfect, why should you expect that from the man you love?  And guys, the same goes for you.  She's not perfect, and she's never going to be.

I'm not saying we should stop reading these books, because many of them are really wonderful books.  Many are, in fact, some of my favorites.  I think we just need to put them into perspective.  Remember they're fiction and we have our own life story to write.  Books are meant to be read for entertainment and enjoyment and to escape from reality sometimes.  People and characters are often interesting because of their flaws. 

So Excited!

This has been the most exciting week!  I hope I don't jinx myself by saying this, but I've had the most successful writing week of my life!  This whole week my manager has been out of town and therefore I haven't had much to work on at work and ta da!  lots of time to write.

Okay, I know I've had oodles of time to write before and nothing comes to mind...ever!  Somehow this week is not that way!  Today, I was actually able to outline to the end of my book.  (don't quite have the end figured out yet, but close.)  Why is this so exciting you ask?  This is the book I put aside for months because nothing, absolutely nothing was happening with it.  The plot wasn't coming together, I've rewritten several times, put the original beginning towards the end, switched from 3rd person to 1st, and even toyed around with splitting the narrative.  Needless to say it's been a process.

After finally figuring out how this story is finally going to work I haven't been able to stop.  I feel like I'm finally getting to know my main character.  She's so complex, she didn't even want to let me, as the author into her head.  (I know, that's sounds really weird, but it's the truth.)  I just hopes she comes across as real, because she's finally starting to feel real to me.

I'm still squeezing in a chapter or two of reading in here and there too.  I hope you all have a fantastic day!

After all...

After all, writing is rewriting.  I'm sure everyone has heard this phrase before.  Writing is in fact, jotting down, stewing, clipping, trimming, deleting, cutting, pasting, rearranging, crying, yelling, forgetting, letting go, and breathing.  Sounds like a lot of work, right?  Yeah, it is, but there is a joy almost inexpressible when it comes together.  I'm not going to say much about it, but I have a story that has been sitting in the wrinkles of my brain waiting to connect with a traveling synaptic current.  It's still slow and there's a lot of work I need to do, but I'm excited for what's coming!

Hope you're all reading something wonderful!

Forever

Ah, I have finished yet another series and I loved it!  You've heard me talk about the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, I'm sure.  This conclusion did not disappoint.  It was so enjoyable that I actually forgot that it had to end at some point and I grew very sad.  I sat at work thoroughly enjoying my reading for the day when I remembered this was the last book.  No more werewolf love story.


Hold on!  Did she just say werewolf?  Yes, I did just say werewolf love story.  Now before that turns you off to the story I have to say this is not your average werewolf story.  Wait!  Did she just say it's another new spin on werewolves?  Ugh, another one?  Yes, I did just say it's another new twist on the mythical creatures we affectionately call werewolves, creatures of the moon.  This one is actually very good.  Maggie Steifvater is a very mature writer in young adult fiction.  The love feels real and the connection between the characters is so human.  The narrative switches between characters an in those switches somehow how grow to know more about these characters through the eyes of those around them.  She writes in a rather poetic way, thus, the imagery is lovely.

I don't want to give too much of the plot on this book because it would give away bits of the first two.  Because I like to explore new books along with the characters, I want you to do the same.  There is a time and a place for spoilers.  There are plenty of spoilers out there for any book you read, but I don't feel so inclined to give away the book and take that from all of you.  So, I will say a couple of things about it and encourage you to check it out!

When Grace was a little girl she wandered out into the woods behind her house and was attacked by wolves.  Ever since that day one wolf comes back every winter and watches her with his yellow eyes.  This wolf is different, it's the one that saved her after the attack.  One day a boy shows up on her back porch badly wounded.  She helps him inside and does what she can to take care of him when she realized he has the same yellow eyes as her wolf.  That is only the beginning.

I know, that's a ridiculously brief synopsis and it only mentions what happens in the very beginning.  In the first book Shiver.  Hope you enjoy it!  Happy reading!

Heist Society-A Pleasant Surprise

Heist Society by Ally Carter was such a pleasant surprise.  Naturally I don't buy a book that I'm not interested in and therefore thought this book would at least be decent.  However, I really liked it.  Ally Cater does a fantastic job of showing her characters and story.  She doesn't waste times explaining everything and lets you discover the story as her characters do.  You also come to know the characters through the things that they do, think, and speculate.  The characters in this book have distinct voices that you come to know through snappy, witty dialogue.  I was never confused about who was speaking.  (An art I feared may be lost from young adult fiction forever...)  The little love story involved is quite excellent as well.  This book is mostly centered around suspense, and therefore the love story is secondary, but worth reading.  These characters are fantastic because they feel so human!

Kat is a teenager who has left the family business to pursue a more honorable career in life and has been attending the prestigious Colgan Academy.  That is until one night the dean's prized car mysteriously appears at the top of a very large fountain on campus.  Kat knew she was being framed and instantly knew how she would have done the job differently.  What she didn't know was it was the start of the biggest job she'd ever have to take.  An impossible job that would save her father from a lifetime of prison.  If she succeeds.

Hope you enjoy it!  Happy reading!

Passion

While I did not get any writing done on this most recent camping trip, I did find lots of reading time.  Thusly, I finished Passion by Lauren Kate.

This is the story in the series I've been waiting to read from the very beginning.  If you have read any of the books in this series you know that Daniel and Luce have been cursed to never be together.  All the while Daniel remembers every life and every death Luce has endured.  And each time they come together their love grows stronger.  In this, the third book in the series, Luce has found a way to view many significant past lives with Daniel.  Each time she witnesses her past life she learns a little more about how deep their love is and learns to love Daniel even more.

I quite enjoyed this book.  After itching to find out more about their past lives together I finally got to read an entire book about it!  There was a time that I started to worry about the structure of the book because it seemed to just be about life after life and nothing else.  While I thoroughly enjoyed each story and life they shared together, I wondered if it would become too monotonous.  However, I felt Lauren Kate actually handled it pretty well.  There was plenty else involved in the story and all the while an underlying current of suspense that the reader just can't seem to pinpoint.  Not to mention, who doesn't love a collage of love stories all in one book?

If you are a fan of the Fallen series (as I know many of you are) this will be the book you've been waiting for!

The Young Princess and the Frog

A young princess sat on a rock pleasantly eating her cookies.  She pulled each one from a small princess lunch pale and delicately bit into each one before smiling as though she were being filmed for a commercial and they were the best cookies she’d ever tasted.  There is no reason to say they weren’t, they looked delicious. 

While this young princess in her pretty purple tutu sat eating her dainty cookies a small amphibian of sorts leapt upon her lunch pail.

The young girl’s mouth flew open as a scream escaped her lips.  As this happened, a cookie flew from her hand and landed in a nearby bush.  She immediately stood up without much grace or composure and began looking for the lost cookie.  They must have been the best she’d ever tasted to not let a single one of them go to waste.

She crawled on her hands and knees searching for the little lost morsel and when it was finally found she brushed it off and smiled as though nothing had happened.  The cookie seemed as good as new and she lifted it to take the first bite.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the frog croaked.  It was actually a rather distinguished croak.  As if this were an English frog instead of one residing in the marshes of Australia where the princess lived.

The princess paused, the cookie halfway there.  She looked back at the little green thing still perched on her pail.  “And why shouldn’t I?” she asked.

The frog blinked though she could hardly see it.  She though it looked so peculiar sitting there and staring at her.  It eyes bulging off the top of its head and almost gawking.

“That cookie has fallen into a bush.  It can no longer be eaten.”   The frog sounded absolutely insistent.

“But I like these cookies, and nothing seems to be wrong with this one,” she said gesturing toward the cookies that was still only inches from her mouth.

“Well you see,” the frog continued.  “I don’t much care for people who eat food off the ground.”

“Why should it matter to you?”  The princess was growing impatient.  This frog had disrupted her excellent afternoon and soiled one of her precious cookies.  Besides, nothing was wrong with it now.

“If you’re going to kiss me, I rather you didn’t eat food that has fallen on the ground.”  The frog continued to stare but now seemed to be growing a bit uncomfortable for some reason.

“I don’t see why it should matter if I kiss you after eating this cookie.  It’s clean now.  See?”  She held the cookie to the frog and all he did was look the other way.

“Curious.”  That was all the frog could say.

“What is?”

“Most princesses are severely startled when I mention the kiss.  Many of them run away screaming.”

“And what’s curious about that?”  The princess had contorted her face into a questioning annoyance.

“You my sweet, are not running.”

“It’s not very ladylike to run in a dress.”

“But are you not frightened because I’m green and amphibious?”  The frog glanced once again to the side, as though he were confused and uncomfortable again.

“Oh I was at first, but you seem so distinguished and proper.  I have no need to fear you.”  The princess was growing disinterested.  Conversations like these were so tiresome.

“You are not afraid of kissing me?”  The frog had almost grown hopeful.

“Oh of course not!”  She exclaimed with a sweet, musical laugh.

The frog let out a joyful ribbit.  “I have finally found my princess!”

“You have?” the princess asked.

In a few quick bouncing strides the frog was directly seated in front of the princess.  “Yes, my sweet, you may kiss me now.”

The princess let out another giggle.  “You are quite silly my frog.  I am much too young for kissing.  I am only ten.”

The frogs face fell, his last chance was flitting away before his eyes.  “In frog years I am ten as well,” he said in a moment of desperation.

“Perfect!  We must be friends now,” the princess gleefully responded.

The frog let out a deep sigh.  He was almost resigned to accept his fate forever.  “Princess?”

“Yes, my frog?”

“Why will you not kiss me?”

The princess laughed.  “Oh my sweet frog, I simply cannot kiss you yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because you will be too old for me when you become a prince and you will still have to wait for me to grow up before you can marry me.”

The frog tilted his head and blinked.  “Who said anything about marriage.”

“Oh, my frog your are so silly.  Didn’t you know that’s how it works?”

He looked at the young princess before him.  She smiled and waited for him to answer.  How could he have never realized it before?  Of course that’s the reason he had become a frog in the first place!  The other princesses were much to shallow to realize this. 

The frog looked into the eyes of this princess and saw a beautiful young girl who would soon turn into an even more beautiful woman.  It was obvious she adored him.  Her blue eyes gazed at his.

He took another bouncing stride onto the princess’s lap.   She laughed that beautiful laugh of hers.  He quietly whispered to himself, “Yes, I have found my princess.  I will wait for you.”

The princess held out her hand and the frog leapt on.  “Come my frog, we have cookies to share.”

Beauty Queens

As you all probably know, it took me forever to read this book.  Many of you are probably thinking that's rather uncharacteristic of me and I'd have to agree with you.  I usually read books much faster.  Let me first say that it wasn't because I hated the book and it was painful to get through it.  The writing is fantastic.  However, there were some parts that were difficult to get through.  I'll list everything for you.

Reasons I Liked the Book:
-It's very well written.  Libba Bray really is an incredible writer.
-There are many issues in this book that teenage girls face everyday and they need to know they can conquer their trials.
-It was funny and incredibly original.  The format of the book provided the lighthearted element.
-The characters were well thought out and had very distinct personalities.
-Excellent suspense (better toward the end of the book)
-Teenage girls are told by media, friends, relatives, etc that they're not beautiful enough and they need to be someone else's idea of perfect.  This book makes it clear that's not true.  Everyone is beautiful in their own way and that's how it should be.
-Pretty faces come with brains and feelings too.

Reasons I Didn't Like the Book:
-Lesbian and transgender issues (I realize these are current issues, but that doesn't mean I want to read about them.)
-Shocking heterosexual sex scene
-Frequent use of the "F" word where it wasn't necessary.

There really were some good morals and principles taught in this book.  I didn't always appreciate the way these morals were taught.  One thing this book does is make you take a step back and look at who you really are.  Do you like what you see?  Would you rather be someone different?  Look different?  Be true to yourself.  Become the best version of yourself.