Looking for Alaska by John Green

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Published: New york : Dutton Books, c2005

Sixteen-year-old Miles' first year at Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama includes good friends and great pranks, but is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash.

When I first got Looking for Alaska I knew there was quite a lot of people saying how good a book it was. I personally thought it was about a boy who goes on a road trip to Alaska. I now know that I was definitely wrong about the car trip part.

From the start of the book I found Looking for Alaska to be a really interesting book. I knew that something sad was going to happen but I didn't know what it was going to be.

I loved the way John Green developed the relationships between the characters. I think my favourite character would have to be Colonel. To me he seemed the most interesting and caring character. I have to admit there were times where I didn't like some of the characters and other times where I really liked the characters and felt sorry for them.

As I got closer and closer to the final day before, I found myself wondering what was going to happen. I had already guessed who it would happen to but when the event actually came I was quite surprised by how unexpected it was. It was just out of the blue.

Afterwards was pretty sad though. I felt sorry for Miles, the Colonel and especially Takumi who seemed to be shoved out of the picture for a while.

I think that my favourite part of the story was the ultimate prank, I had a huge grin on my face as I was reading that part.

Overall, John Green's Looking for Alaska is a really good book. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. It will definitely send you on an emotional roller-coaster ride. So next time you see this book and you haven't read it, be sure to pick it up because this is one book that you will surely enjoy.

Jennifer's Body by Audrey Nixon

Jennifer's Body by Audrey Nixon

Published: New York : HarperTeen, c2009

A newly possessed cheerleader turns into a killer who specializes in offing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?

Jennifer's Body is a really cool read. It's a horror spoof book which has a little bit of humour and a lot of gore. Which was something I found to be quite an interesting read.

Like a lot of spoof things, I thought this was going to be a badly written tale. It actually wasn't. It was written quite well and it kept me entertained the entire time I was reading it. I just kept wanting to know what was going to happen next.

I found Jennifer's Body to be predictable in some places but I felt that it didn't really matter about predictability because it was still highly entertaining.

If you're looking for a short, entertaining read pick up Jennifer's Body the next time you see it.

There is also a movie of this which comes out in theatres around the world quite soon so I will definitely be going to see that too.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Published: Orlando : Harcourt, 2008

In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

It took me a long time to read Graceling but I can tell you that it was definitely not time wasted. Graceling has got to be one of the best books I have read all year.

It is one of those books that have everything, action, drama, mystery, suspense, romance, and of course the biggest thing of all is the fantasy element.

I love fantasy and this book is definitely the perfect book for fantasy fans.

The characters were all really cool. I loved watching Katsa change throughout the book. I also loved Po, he is definitely one cool guy.

I loved the idea of some people having Graces. It's good to find out about the different people's Graces.

Overall, this book is completely perfect. The whole time I was reading Graceling I was thinking wow, Kristin Cashore is on the same page as Tamora Pierce when it comes to fantasy heroines.

With Graceling, I laughed, I got angry and there were times I felt like I wanted to cry. This book is definitely one you should read.

I recommend this to everybody, especially fans of fantasy. I guarantee that you will definitely love it.

In My Mailbox (21)

In My Mailbox (21)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren.

This week I went to the library three times. Basically I went three times because I was collecting all my holds because I'll be going away next week to my hometown to see my family etc. Because I have a two week holiday. So anyway, here are the books I got this week:

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves uncovering a lifetime of secrets. Secrets that could destroy everything.

Lia and Alice don't know who they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

I'm really excited to get this book. It sounds like a super awesome book and so I definitely cannot wait to read this one.

Blue Moon by Alyson Noël

Eager to learn everything she can about her new abilities as an Immortal, Ever turns to her beloved Damen to show her the way, but just as her powers are increasing, his are in decline, and as she searches for a way to save him, she finds herself with a wrenching choice to make.

I was super happy to get hold of this book. Yay! I've read Evermore and I really liked it. If you click on the word Evermore it will take you to my review of it. Anyway, I've heard really good things about this book and I cannot wait to read it.

Love you to Death by Meg Cabot

There's a hot guy in Susannah Simon's bedroom. Too bad he's a ghost.

Suze is a mediator-a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won't leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn't seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.

But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it's not that easy. There's a ghost with revenge on her mind.and Suze happens to be in the way.

This one is the first in the Mediator series and in the US it has the title Shadowland. I got this one out because it sounds like a really good book, it will help me with my Meg Cabot reading challenge and there is a little thing coming up soon to do with this book and a few others.

Jennifer's Body by Audrey Nixon

A newly possessed cheerleader turns into a killer who specializes in offing her male classmates. Can her best friend put an end to the horror?

The first thing that drew me to this book was actually a movie trailer on Apple Trailers. I wouldn't normally have looked at something like that but Jennifer's Body is also the name of a song by Hole which is a band I like and anyway, I watched the trailer and it looked really cool, like spoofy horror. So when I saw there was a book at the library I got it out. The book is actually based on the movie. I've started reading it and it's quite short so I should be finished it by the time you see this.

Umm just before I go I wanted to talk about my poll. It finished as you can see and I have put another one up. So the winner of my last poll as voted by you, the reader was Looking For Alaska by John Green. So as soon as I finish Jennifer's Body I will be moving on to Looking for Alaska.

Thats it from me, I cannot wait to see what everyone else got.

Dead is so Last Year by Marlene Perez

Dead is so Last Year by Marlene Perez

Published: Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, c2009

Series: Book 3, Dead is

In the beach town of Nightshade, California, home to both human and supernatural beings, the Giordano sisters find summer employment and uncover mysteries involving doppelgangers and oversized football players.

I have really enjoyed reading the whole Dead is series and Dead is so Last Year was definitely a good one.

I love mystery stories and I loved how this book had three mysteries. It was so cool. I found myself reading this one through my lectures so that I could finish it and find out what happens at the end.

I was very happy with the end, I had guessed a couple of things but there were actually quite a few surprises in there at the end.

I liked all he characters, Daisy is still my favourite character. It was also really good to get to know about the elusive Slim.

Overall, Marlene Perez did a great job on writing this book. This book is ideal for sitting down one afternoon and flicking through the book in no time at all.

Highly entertaining I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light mystery story with a paranormal twist.

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

Published: New York : Disney/Hyperion Books, c2009

Series: Book 2, Generation Dead

Adam's return from death has made Phoebe's love life even weirder. Now she has to choose between two zombie boys. She knows how Adam needs her, but she still has feelings for Tommy. Meanwhile, the zombie population of Oakville, Conn., continues to grow. As their numbers rise, the undead community is becoming increasingly divided.

I don't really judge books by their covers but I'm kind of disappointed with this cover. Basically, for Generation Dead I got the UK version of the cover which is plain and simple with just a flower on it. To me the cover above makes the book seem kind of silly, I don't know it just seems like this cover isn't really serious. I found the mood of the book to be quite a serious and sad one and there just seems to be something lacking from this cover. But however, this didn't affect my opinions of the story.

I really love reading Kiss of Life. It was quite sad at the same time though. I found myself feeling really sad at certain parts and I kind of had tears in my eyes a little in some places. Daniel Waters definitely captured emotions well in this book.

The direction that this book headed was definitely very sad and very sombre. I still liked it though.

I had my suspicions about some characters and bits and pieces from Generation Dead and I have to say that my suspicions were definitely confirmed in this book. Which was quite sad.

There were some humourous parts which I laughed at and thought were good because in a serious mood you need a few laughs.

The ending definitely left and opening for another book. At least I hope that there will be another book because I am dying to know what happens next as I did with Generation Dead. I would just like to say that Daniel Waters did an excellent job with this book. It was well-written, the beginning was perfect, it really set the mood for the rest of the book and the ending is definitely a good one.

Overall, I loved this book. I am really wishing that there is a sequel and that it comes out soon because I am dying to know what happens. Excuse the pun. I'd recommend this and the first book to everyone. A lot of people think that sequels are often not as great as the original but I have to say that Kiss of Life is definitely better than Generation Dead.

Now You See Her by Jaquelyn Mitchard

Now You See Her by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Published: New York : HarperTempest, c2007

Fifteen-year-old Hope describes events leading her to agree to her boyfriend's plan to stage her abduction, and the consequences for their relationship, her family life, and her budding career as an actress.

I really liked reading Now You See Her. I sat down and read it in an entire day. It's not very big either so it wasn't impossible. Anyhow, I really thought that Now You See Her was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

It definitely was not what I had expected. There were a couple of plot twists and turns that really surprised me as I would never have guessed them.

The characters were all really good and I really liked Hope, I felt sorry for and how she got sucked into the life she did.

The story line itself was great, once again I say it was nothing like I had expected. It was fantastic.

I think thats about all I can really say about it. You just have to grab a copy and read it for yourself it was that brilliant.

Overall, I think I liked this because it was not what I had expected at all. I'd recommend this to everyone. It's that good of a book.

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Published: New York : Point, 2008

Series: Book 1, Airhead

Sixteen-year-old Emerson Watts, an advanced placement student with a disdain for fashion, is the recipient of a "whole body transplant" and finds herself transformed into one of the world's most famous teen supermodels.

Lately I’ve been going through a reading slump and Airhead was a book that I could actually get into.

Airhead wasn’t really anything like I was expecting it to be. I thought it was going to be some light and fluffy book about a girl who switches bodies with another girl and they each live as each other. However, Airhead took on a much more science fiction viewpoint which was something that I really loved about it.

I loved most of the characters. I really liked Em a lot but I didn’t like how she went about some things.

Emotionally, Airhead was a really good book. I felt sad when I was supposed to feel sad and I felt happy when I was supposed to be happy.

The story line was brilliant.

Overall, I really loved Airhead. I want to know more about every aspect of the book now. The ending definitely left me wanting more. I’m happy to say that there is indeed a sequel out called Being Nikki and it is only a matter of time before I get my hands on it.

Meg Cabot did a brilliant job of writing Airhead. This is the very first book I’ve ever read of Meg Cabot’s and I loved it and I will definitely be reading more from her.

I recommend this one to anyone looking for a fun, interesting and highly entertaining read. This book is perfect when you’re after something that isn’t a heavy read. So next time you see this book. Go ahead and read it. You might just like it.

Queste by Angie Sage

Queste by Angie Sage

Published: London : Bloomsbury, 2008

Series: Book 4, Septimus Heap

Septimus faces a perilous quest to find Nicko and Snorri, who have been trapped back in time. Everyone at the Castle is slowly beginning to realise that Nicko and Snorri's chances of coming back are slim. Septimus, aided by ancient Alchemist Marcellus Pye, learns of a place where all time meets: the House of Foryxx. But how does he get there?

Queste is the fourth addition to the Septimus Heap series and it is a very good addition indeed.

I really liked Queste, it picks up where the third book finished. The story line is really good one, while in places it's slightly muddled it all patches itself up in the end and it makes for a really good read.

I like all of the characters, they're all individuals and I think Septimus is really cool. He's a great protagonist.

Overall, Queste is a highly entertaining read. I love the whole Septimus Heap series to be honest. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of witches, wizards and ghosts. While this is supposed to be for younger readers I feel that it serves as a good young adult novel as well.

If you are going to read this series I would suggest reading the previous three books, Magyk, Flyte and Physik as they are sequential and linked. I myself, cannot wait for the release of the fifth book called Syren which is due out in September.

The Future of Books

The Future of Books

I was reading through one of my computer science textbooks and read a really interesting passage. I thought I should share it. I found it in a section about ebooks.

"Ebooks today are mostly read on devices with rigid LCD screens — laptop computers, handheld computers and special purpose ebook readers that resemble tablets. But researchers may soon perfect a form of digital paper that will enable ebooks (as well as emagazines and enewspapers) to look and feel more like their paper counterparts. Electronic paper, or epaper, is a flexible, portable, paperlike material that can dynamically display black-and-white text and images on its surface. Unlike traditional paper, digital paper can erase itself and display new text and images as the reader 'turns' the page. A busy commuter might soon be able to carry a complete morning newspaper and several important business documents in a sheet of digital paper stuffed in his pocket!" ~ George Beekman and Michael J. Quinn, Tomorrow's Technology and You

In a way to me, this seems like science fiction. I'd find it really weird reading an entire book on just one piece of 'paper'. I've read ebooks before and I found them hard to read for long periods of time.
One thing I can find happening is if the screen of the digital paper is like a cellphone or computer screen it will be hard to read in the daytime because of the glare. I definitely think I would prefer to read a real book than one like this.


How about you? What do you think about this?

In My Mailbox (20)

In My Mailbox (20)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren.

This week I got two books and they both came from the library.

Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce

Having been promoted from "Puppy" to "Dog," Beka, now a full-fledged member of the Provost's Guard, and her former partner head to a neighboring port city to investigate a case of counterfeit coins.

I was so excited to finally get my hands on this book as I loved Terrier. Bloodhound is a massive book so it might take me a while to get through but I will definitely get through it.

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Does Jinx have bad luck - or special powers?

Misfortune has followed Jean Honeychurch all her life - which is how she earned the nickname Jinx. And now her parents have shipped her off to New York City to stay with relatives - including her sophisticated cousin Tory - until the trouble she's caused back home dies down.

Could she even be . . . a WITCH?

Tory is far too cool to bother with Jinx - until Jinx's chronic bad luck wreaks havoc in Tory's perfect life--including causing Tory's crush, Zack, to start paying way too much attention to her red-headed cousin from Iowa. Only then does Jinx discover that beneath Tory's big-city glamour lies a world of hatred and revenge. Now it seems that the jinx that's driven Jean crazy may just be the only thing that can save her life . . .

I've heard some really good things about this book and I recently read Airhead by Meg Cabot and really liked it so I'm hoping Jinx will be good too.

Thats it for this week, I can't wait to see what everyone else got.

Midnight Predator by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Midnight Predator by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Publisher: Laurel-Leaf, 2003

Series: Book 4, Den of Shadows

Turquoise Draka, a mercenary trained to fight vampires, witches, and shape-shifters, infiltrates a vampire stronghold, but ghosts from her past and new possibilities for her future threaten to distract her from the work at hand.

I quite enjoyed reading Midnight Predator even if it did take me a long time to finally finish it.

I thought the characters were all quite interesting. Especially Jaguar who I think I'd read about in a previous Den of Shadows book. There was also another character that I remember reading about but I'm not sure if it's the same person or which book it was in. I wish I was able to read the series closer together so I could've remembered properly.

The plot itself was an interesting one, my only problem was that it lacked something that made it kind of boring in places. It picked up about two-thirds of the way through and from there it was really good. But prior to that it just wasn't fantastic.

I felt the ending was a little too open and vague. I would've liked more closure than it gave. It did leave it open so that I wondered if there was going to be more later or if there was a connection to a previous book and the series is actually out of sequence time-wise.

However, I thought that Midnight Predator was an interesting book that failed to capture my undivided attention until the very last few pages. I would recommend this one to anyone interested in vampires.

Let the Snog Fest Begin by Louise Rennison

Let the Snog Fest Begin by Louise Rennison

Published: HarperCollins Children's Books, 2007

Extracts from Louise Rennison's series The confessions of Georgia Nicolson.

Let the Snog Fest Begin is a great way to relive some of the very brilliant and very funny highlights of Georgia's diaries.

I found myself laughing out loud at several parts of this book.

Basically, Let the snog fest begin was like reading over some of my favourite parts of the books. I have to say though it's probably a good idea to read the first six books in the series before this one because it contains spoilers out of the six books.

Overall, Let the Snog Fest Begin is a very funny book that gives some of the hilarious memories a reliving.

Georgia Nicolson's Book of Wisdomosity by Louise Rennison

Georgia Nicolson's Book of Wisdomosity by Louise Rennison

Published: London : HarperCollins Children's, 2008

Another trip into the fabbity-fab world of Georgia Nicolson -- use her powers of wisdomosity to find the answer to absolutely anything! Cast your mind upon a question, like glaciosity or boldnosity? What botty-huggers should I wear? Then open this little book of wisdomosity at any page and, hey presto! There you have it - the answer to all your wildest dilemmas! A wry take on the 'magic eight-ball' concept, with Georgia's unique voice of reason (or something like it) on hand with the answer to any question you can think of.

This book isn't really a book that you can read from page to page. Well actually you can but thats not the main purpose of this book.

The main purpose is to ask it a question, turn to a random page and there is your answer.

I thought this was actually pretty cool.

I read all of the little bits of wisdom and I must say that they are definitely done in the style of Georgia which is hilarious.

Seeing as how this isn't really a normal book I'll just say, pick it up for a bit of a laugh and a bit of fun.

Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane

Gothic Lolita by Dakota Lane

Publisher: New York : Athenium Books for Young Readers, 2008

Sixteen-year-olds Chelsea and Miya have a lot in common, from their love of blogging, loss of loved ones, and the Shonin rainbow warrior books, to nationalities, even though they are half-way across the world from each other.

Gothic Lolita was an interesting story. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't great either.

The photos in the book were quite interesting. They didn't make much sense to me however.

At first I found parts of the story to be slightly confusing and so I was coming up with all sorts of theories about how the book was going to end.

Eventually I got the feel of how things were going and the book wasn't too bad.

The story line was a little boring. It's a short read but it took me quite a while.

I have to say though, I learnt quite a lot of bits and pieces about Japanese culture which was quite interesting.

Overall, I thought Gothic Lolita was an interesting book and not at all what I was expecting. I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a different sort of read.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Published: London : Doubleday Children’s, 2009

"Just listen," Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel. I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen."Stay," he says. Everybody has to make choices. Some might break you. For seventeen-year-old Mia, surrounded by a wonderful family, friends and a gorgeous boyfriend decisions might seem tough, but they're all about a future full of music and love, a future that's brimming with hope. But life can change in an instant. A cold February morning ...a snowy road ...and suddenly all of Mia's choices are gone. Except one. As alone as she'll ever be, Mia must make the most difficult choice of all.

If I Stay was a really interesting and well-written story.

From the very first page I found myself drawn into Gayle Forman’s tale, wondering just how exactly an entire book can be written about a girl in a coma. I now know how she did it, and I must say If I Stay is a very fine piece of literature.

If I Stay is a very unique story and I loved every word of it.

The characters were all perfectly formed; there was nobody that I didn’t love.

I loved the storyline, I found myself devouring this novel in a day because it was that interesting. I was just dying to know what happened next.

Gayle Forman captured emotions well throughout the entire book.

Overall, I really loved If I Stay. It was unique, and the descriptions were fantastic. I’d recommend this book to everyone, especially those who love a good emotional, well-written story.

Switch by Carol Snow

Switch by Carol Snow

Published: New York : HarperTeen, 2008

Living in a small beach community with her mother, fifteen-year-old Claire, an accomplished swimmer, discovers that, like her long-dead but, still very much present, grandmother, she has the ability to inhabit other people's bodies while asleep.

I really enjoyed Switch. It reminded me a little of some of the books by Todd Strasser where the people get stuck inside other people's bodies. But this one was more grown up and sophisticated.

I really liked the characters Claire and Beanie. They were both genuinely themselves and didn't really care too much about what other people thought of them.

I really loved the idea of this book too. It's not everyday you read a book about a girl that can switch bodies with other people.

The ending was pretty predictable but that didn't really bother me.

Overall, I felt that Switch was an interesting and entertaining read. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a short, entertaining read.