Pride and Prejudice...and Apologies

Apologies for my late posting. I can see that the last time I posted was a while ago.  Life went by without me having proper time to go and update my blog.  But I certainly have been busy reading novels.  Here is a few=  I am in a Jane Austen Phase!  


Death by Pemberly
Pride and Prejudice 


And multiples of Kindle books I bought for free.  
  

Books! Books!

I just went to the library recently and snatched a few new books.. I was overjoyed when I got some great books... I got a few, the titles are .....

Turtle In Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
The Traitor King... Sorry, I can't recall the author's name... I am too lazy to get up and get it.
Firestar's Quest by Erin Hunter
The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby
Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Weeks go by without me posting something, and I do apologize for that. I have been busy reading books- Fahrenheit 451; a dystopian novel about a ban on books- and countless others. 


I have been anticipating for Inheritance to come out. four more days! I may preorder on Amazon and get it the day it comes out. Or I can wait and get it lower priced. I will announce the future book titles. I may add in a few movies as well. 

Kristin Cashore's newest book

Good News! Kristin Cashore's newest book, Bitterblue is coming out May 1, 2012. I devoured her last two books, loving the writing, plots, and the way she keeps readers hooked onto the series. I am going to add the book to my wishlist. I will be writing more about Graceling and Fire soon.

Amazing Covers of 2012

Amazing Covers of 2012:

'via Blog this'

I looked on Goodreads and I saw this list...do check it out! It has amazing books for fantasy and teens..

NEW!

I reset my blog for a different template etc etc. Let me know if it is too confusing. It would be appreciated. :) And don't forget to click on the titles of each post to read the whole thing as well

Dark Mirror

Soo... this is a book I typically read...and I was rushing in the library, snatching books off the shelves and I saw this book, Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney. The book is about lady Victoria Mansfield, the youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Fairmount. At that time, it is scandalous to have a family member in the nobility who have magic. And Tory happends to have magic. Her mother tried to keep it a secret for Tory, so she wouldn't get sent to the despised Lackland Abbey, a reform school for the rich. But one day she was discovered, because she was saving her nephew's life. Tory eventually learned to use her magic to help for the cause for the war against Napoleon. And...the World War II. Do find out how she helped during WWII period!

I enjoyed the book and polished it all in one sitting. Enjoy the book if you come across it!

I am very sorry I haven't been faithfully writing the blog.. Life was flashing by and I was very busy... Whew!

NEW BOOKS!!!

I went online and searched for new(future)  books to post:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver  (I read the summary and decided I want it on my wishlist.) : August 2, 2011
All You Desire (Eternal Ones) by Kirsten Miller: August 9, 2011 (A 2nd book to warn you)
Hades (Halo is the first book) by Alexandra Adornetto August 30, 2011
Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices) by Cassandra Clare December 6, 2011 (sorry about posting this title- making you wait wait wait for the book to come out)
Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus, the book two) by Rick Riordan October 4, 2011
Ineritance (the Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini November 8, 2011
Goliath (Leviathan) by Scott Westerfeld September 20, 2011
Crossed (Matched) by Ally Condie November 1, 2011
Prized (the Birthmarked Trilogy) by Caragh M. O'Brien November 8, 2011

I totally cannot wait for those books to come out! Better save your money! These books will easily be New York Times Bestellers! (Some series and authors are already NYT bestellers. Look on Amazon and write one of those titles and in the bottom will be related books and see what books are already out that has the same genre.

OUTLANDER

I was recommended to read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. So I headed over to the library and grabbed it off the shelves. Immediately, when I started to read the book, I was sucked right in! The book is about Claire Randall, a nurse in the 1945. She was with her husband for a second honeymoon in Scotland, when she was suddenly transported back to Ancient Scotland, in the year of 1743. She met Jamie Fraser, and her husband, Frank Randall's ancestor, Captain Randall. There was many recomendations from many magazines including Publishers Weekly.  I heartily recommend you to read it- I know I have said that in many posts- but I haven't went across a book I didn't like. Perhaps one or two, but that is  a different story. To warn you this book is so very long! Approximately 627 pages with miniscule words and letters!

THE IRISH PRINCESS

First of all, I am going to introduce Elizabeth Fitzgerald, known as Gera or Geraldine. A Princess of Ireland, she had a happy childhood teeming full of family and love. But Henry VIII of England, (to help you distiguish the old kings, he is the one  with six wives one of them known as Anne Boleyn) tore her family apart, accusing her father, the Earl of Kildare for not being loyal to the Crown and imprisons him. Gera has family in England and she went there with her mother and sister. Her cousin was Jane Grey, the nine day Queen. Being related to the powerful Greys had helped the women because they moved to one of the Greys' manors. Gera later moves to the court of Henry VIII, serving as Lady Mary's (The bloody Mary) lady in waiting. She meets Elizabeth and they got to known each other. This is a very good book for historical readers. I was sucked right in the book- refusing to lift my eyes from the words.

A Regency slash spy adventure!

THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION is the title. I recently read it when I was on a long car ride for vacation.
I was at the library to look for more books to borrow for vacation, and I passed by this book several times, contemplating if I should read it. Someone had recommended it to me, knowing I love reading books with Duchesses, ladies, earls and Dukes. I judged the book by its cover, (naughty me) and decided it wasn't my book. But once I read the summary on the back, I decided I would borrow it along with Lauren Willig's other two books- all of her books the library had. I did that because I hate waiting to read the next book, so I like to read straight through a series.

I thought the book was very very clever! A book in a book! Two main characters, Eloise Kelly in modern day London, and Amy Balcourt, Mlle de Balcourt, and her cousin, Jane . Eloise Kelly wanted to research on the notorious spy, The Pink Carnation and she sent a letter to all the surviving descendants of Sir Percy Blakeney and Lord Richard Selwick, seeing if they had access to the family archives. She finally got a response from Mrs. Arabella Selwick-Alderly. She finds a diary- well a journal and is drawn to the world of Amy and Jane.
Amy Balcourt wanted to find the famous and mysterious Purple Gentian, a spy who saved many french aristocrats from the turmoils and heart of the French Revolution. He was a notorious spy which Amy dreams would meet her. Amy gets caught in a web of a conspiracy by Napoleon the Emperor of France.

For readers who love a mix of Regency novels, adventure and romance, this book would be really good. Once I started to read the book, I couldn't stop turning the pages until I was on the last page.

SUMMER READING!!!

STUDENT: Teacher, ya gonna be kidding me, summer reading list?!?
TEACHER: Yes, the usual, you kids are going to read two books during the summer and write an essay.
STUDENT: NO, teacher. I would forget the assignment. I have sports and etc.
TEACHER: Well, you can read it at the beginnning of the summer but that is not advisable. you would foget the plot and guidelines of the story.
STUDENT: Ummmm I forget about any book. The book we read this year was so boring.
TEACHER: WEll, it's too bad for you. Try and like the books.
STUDENT: Ummmm ok. Teacher. I'll just skim it.
TEACHER: If you want to, but the teachers will ask specific questions and if you are not correct they would give you a failing grade and know you never read the books like you were supposed to.
STUDENT: *bemoan! Grumbles!* All right. I give up. I'll just read them and get it done.
TEACHER: Good Student! Now kids, we need to focus on finishing this book.......

This is the description of a typical class. Including my  classes. Yep, they were complaining about reading just two books- possibly only 400 pages put together. It might take only two weeks to read each one of them. It only takes about thirty minutes every day. I don't know why many kids hate reading, including most of my friends. Oh well.

The books on the summer reading had a lot of intresting books, and the books I would recommend to people. It meant it was a great summer reading list, but it won't do  anything to the kids, except it is a chore to them to complete it. Everything is changing. Before us people depended on books for entertainment, but now we depend on computers and electronics. Not some musty, dusty old books to keep us entertained. Humph!

The Lady Elizabeth

I went to the library last week (which I typically go once every week,) and searched meticously for a good book, since many of the books were read or unintresting. I found this book squeezed between two unintresting books. Honestly, the cover caught my attention, but don't judge the book by its cover. Well, this one is a fabulous book for people who love Phlippa Gregory's book.

My Summary: This is about Queen Elizabeth I before she was crowned Queen of England. It recounts her story in a vivid detail. She struggles to survive as she gets caught with politics. She had noticed that she was called The Lady Elizabeth not the Lady Princess Elizabeth when she was a mere child of four or so. No one would tell her exactly why, and it also tells about the times when Edward, her brother was King. It was a better time for her- except when she was at the Dowager Queen Catherine's Castle, where she struggles with avoiding Thomas Seymour, Baron of Sudeley, the Admirdal, husband of the Dowager Queen. He had asked Elizabeth to marry him, but she denied him and the Council too. The council told him that she was a political asset, that she would marry a King or prince of her social standing, even if she is an illegitimate (She was not, but her father the king named her illegitimate). But Elizabeth moves from the castle to protect her reputation. She then, struggles to remain devout to her protestant faith, during The Bloody Mary's reign. She was arrested a couple of times, because Mary thought she would start a rebellion.
It's a very vivid book, very well detailed and it follows accurately with the events of her life. Alison Weir did an outstanding job creating, painting the life of Elizabeth the first. I highly recommend you to read it. I couldn't put down the book and completed it in a short time despite the length of the book- 473 pages. I LOVE this book!

Angel On The Square

I got this book off a bookshelf recently. I was intrested when I saw the despcription. It's an absolutely well written book. Here is a summary in my words.

It's about Katya (Ekaterina) Ivanova, the daughter of a lady in waiting. She becomes a companion to the Tsar Nicholas of Russia's family. She takes her vacations and lives with the Tsar's daughters. At that time, there is a war (World War I) and rebellions, unrest settles in Russia. A revolution sets fire, and a country once ruled by the aristocrats dissolved. It became a communist country. But that is much later, in the companion book The Impossible Journey. 

The book explains very well in the point of view of an adolescent girl, who struggles with learning about the deep rift between the aristocrats and the poor. I highly recommend you to read it. It is a quick easy read for sure, but it's also a very good book.

Stephenie Meyer

I was perusing Forbes website online, looking at lists, (Most Famous celebrities et  cetera,). I saw Stephenie Meyer's name on it and it said she earned 21 Million dollars. 21 Million? Lucky lady. She hit the jackpot when she wrote the popular series, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. By now, every single person in the United States probably have heard and read the books thanks to the freakingly popular movies. I enjoyed her books too. It's great for all ages older than tween, and she also wrote an adult book, The Host, a scify. It's so good! I'll write about that in another post. :D

Upcoming book

I recently completed two books- series, Glimmerglass and Shadowspell (I posted one about Glimmerglass), and noticed on my Kindle, there will be a new book coming out July 5th, 2011 called Sirensong. I can't wait to get my hands on the book. There is already a description of the book- on www.jennablack.com. Good cover isn't it?

Gone With the Wind

Sooo. I've been trying to make up for my neglience to the blog. I just saw Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell on my bookshelf. Just thought to post one about it. That book is my absolute favorite! I would re read it and re read it million of times and never tire of it! It's a love story- well sort of, between Scarlett O'Hara (just remembered not to write Johansson, the actress, haha) and Rhett Butler. Both of them were revered as one of the most popular figures in Civil War books. Many books referred them as -- I named my dog after Scarlett O'Hara. I loved the flamoyancy of the lady and her cunning manipulative skills. I'm not sure where it was from, but it popped up in my head. I didn't actually name my dog after her, which would be tacky. I wouldn't want to name a dog after her. It would tarnish her name. No, I'm kidding. Sorry about the distraction. Right, Scarlett grew up on Tara, and was raised by Ellen Robillard O'Hara and Gerald O'Hara. Ellen, a midwife, was very strict but loving with her daughters. Scarlett has two sisters- whom one of them, she stole her beau and married him. Wicked of Scarlett right? But she wanted his store. Scarlett was ambitious. She married Wade Hampton first, when she was a fresh schoolgirl of around eighteen or so. Wade died just a month later in war. Scarlett has a son, whom she ignored and treated like he was a burden.She remarried again, and had a daughter, Ella. Then, her husband died from a Ku Klux Klan meeting accident. He was shot in the head. She at that time, was thinking about Rhett Butler. He was outlandish, incredibly wealthy and he gave Scarlett beautiful clothes. Scarlett and Rhett married, then they had a daughter, Bonnie Blue Butler. A tragedy struck. The Butler-O'Hara family broke apart. But I suggest you to read it if you love historical fiction and romance. This book also won a Pulitzer Prize and is one of the Great American Novel.

Glimmerglass

I recently reread Glimmerglass by Jenna Black. It was on my Amazon Kindle so I decided to pull it up. It's a great book for Young Adults who love fantasy and a Fantasyholic. The book is about Dana Hathaway Stuart (she refuses to acklowedge her father's last name for her surname) anyway, she has an alcoholic mother, and an enstraged father. Dana, a responsible girl who balanced checkbooks and paid bills for her mother, also moved around ten cities in her sixteen years. One day, she had enough of her mother after a singing recital. Her mother was drunk, and showed up to school. Poor humliated Dana decided she will go to England to see her father. Her mother would tell her things about him- when she was drunk. The sober  Ms. Hathaway would never tell her daughter about her father. But she told her his name, Seamus Stuart, and that he was some bigwig important fae in Avalon, which was located in England. Dana packs and leaves; flying across the ocean to see her father. She unknowingly stumbles in fae politics and becomes embroiled by them. Her aunt Grace wants Dana for her devices. Dana discovers she has power because of her heritage as half mortal and half fae.

I suggest you should read the book if you enjoy fantasy, with faeries and magic in them. There's even the Unseelie and Seelie faes in the book, Mab and Tatiana as the Faerie Queens. :) It is addicting and I refused to put it down last night so I sneaked a few mintues to finish the book :) I give the book three point five stars out of five. It's a generous rate, which I am stingy about giving such high rates unless it's an outstanding book. This book, which I wouldn't say Outstanding, but awesome! Here is a picture of the cover so you would know what it looks like and get it in the library or stores. :D This is, finally my first post for june!

Freebie!

Since I got a kindle, I have been scouring the Amazon website for free books- out of date books such as The Count of Monte Cristo and LIttle Women but also, for limited time free books. I was so proud I found an awesome book- Wings by Aprilynne Pike, for free! It's a new york times series, so if you have a kindle, check it out if you like fairies! Also, you can peruse for other free books by typing free books in the search log and click on the highlighted words, limited time free books or classic books... There, you'll find some free books, you may enjoy. But I'm warning you - you probably wont even look at some of the books. But it's worth it when you get an awesome book for free.

Spy Thriller!

Yes! I read Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz. His series are definitely addicting. But when I read the book, I was a little disappointed. It's very similiar to the other books in the series..... The same plotline, same injuries, rich criminal men, et cetera. Thus, I would rate the book 2.5 stars. I know, it's an insanely popular series and the author being a #1New York Times Bestelling author and everything, but being frank, the book is definitely not his best work. Sorry, no offense Mr Horowitz.
The book is about a fifteen year old boy who is a reluctant British spy. He tells the agency that he is done working for them. However shortly after he leaves, the agency comes across a  plan developed by an organized crime group. Alex is sent to Cairo by the agency in order to attend an academy  for the children of the rich and the powerful, mainly becuase they needed a person- rather- a kid to go in and watch for suspicious events. The agency thinks some of the organization's people are in the academy trying to kidnap the children. Alex stumbles across a plan he had overheard and he is racing to stop the plan from occuring.



The book!

But perhaps, try and read it and see for yourself if you like it. 

Wintergirls

I apologize for not posting recently... Been busy. Well I was busy reading novels. Haha. The current one I just completed was Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's about a severely anorexic girl, Lia. She struggled with anorexia and her best friend's death. Her mother, Dr. Marrigan and her father, a professor, both ply her with questions about if she was eating properly. Of course, Lia told them she has been. Her goal was to cut down her weight. Lia landed in the hospital because of the disorder before, but it never cured her mentally. She meets a guy Elijah who says he was looking for a Lia becuase he found her best friend dead in the motel room. Lia doesn't tell Elijah who she was. This book is very good and it really helped me know the anorexia girls' perspective. I suggest for you to read it. It really changes your perspection of people with anorexia or bulimia. I hereby award this book five stars. :) And it goes to my recommended list.

Future Books

When I was searching on Google, I pulled up some websites such as Amazon, and noticed many different New York Times bestelling series having a new installment soon. I was exicted about that and hastily wrote it down  on a piece of paper. I decided to share it with you, since, perhaps, you read the series, and are anticipating the newest book.
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare is scheduled to come out on April 5th, 2011.
Passion by Lauren Kate (of Fallen) is scheduled to come out on June 14th, 2011
Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz (Alex Rider series) is going to be released on March 22, 2011. Less than a month away!
The Warlock by Michael Scott, 5th installment in the Nicholas Flamel series,will be released on May 24, 2011.
The Throne of Fire, of The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan will be released on May 3, 2011.
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (a nightshade novel) is going will be released on July 26, 2011.
I targeted those books for teenage girls, mainly. I found these novels on my Amazon Kindle.. I'll keep up on future books, and search on author websites to keep up to date with them.

The Necromancer

I read the Necromancer by Michael Scott. I hereby give the book 5 out of 5 stars! I really enjoyed it and was addicted to his The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. This is the fourth installment in the series.
The book is about Sophie and Josh Newman, and they were the twins of a legend. Sophie has an aura of silver and Josh has an aura of gold, which is very rare. Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel had discovered Sophie and Josh in the first book. By then, so many things had changed. The twins lost track of Scatty, (Scathach), Joan and Saint- Germain. They were doggedly pursued by Dr. John Dee. Perenelle and Nicholas were also separated, the sorceress to Alcatraz and Nicholas with the twins. Everyone including John Dee were after the Codex, a powerful book that can destroy the world. Now, Dee wants a necromancer to raise the Mother of the Gods from the dead. I certainly hope there is no spoilers.

welcome

Welcome,
You will be reading book reviews and opinions. I will be posting about books I have read. This blog will be similiar to a book diary for me. haha Take care, and have fun reading my posts in the future.