End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/21/13

End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/21/13 Most Anticipate 2014 Releases

Dec 21 Most Anticipated 2014 Releases--post links
Hosted by Alex @ BookChick

January 7- Enders (Starters #2): Lissa Price. I loved "Starters" in 2012, and hope the sequel is just as good.

January 7-The Impossible Knife of Memory: Laurie Halse Anderson. It's Laurie Halse Anderson, anything will be a masterpiece.

February 4- Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3): Marissa Meyer. I think a majority of the YA blogging community wants the third book in the Lunar Chronicles.

March 11- Ruins (Partials Sequence #3): Dan Wells. I admit I haven't read the sequel to "Partials" yet, but I hope it will be as good.

April 29- The Taking (The Taking #1): Kimberly Derting. It's Kimberly Derting and the prospect of more spicy romance and paranormal occurences. Duh I want to read this.

May 6- The One (The Selection #3): Kiera Cass. I haven't read "The Elites" yet, but I'm crossing my fingers it will be as good as "The Selection"

May 13- Rebel (Reboot #2): Amy Tintera. My feelings were a bit iffy about Reboot, but the concept was so cool. I really want to see what Tentera can do.

May 31- The Guardian (Proxy #2): Alex London. I was freaking in love with "Proxy" and want to hear more about Syd.

Summer- Untitled (Unwind #4): Neal Shusterman. No cover yet. I really want to hear the conclusion to his fascinating quartet.
Fall- The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1): Marie Lu. No cover yet. I need to read more Marie Lu.

End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/18/13-12/20/13

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/18/13-12/20/13 Post a Review, Spine Poetry, Spell it out challenge

 
I am so sorry this post is for 3 days worth of challenges. As I explained in my last post, I have out-of-town visitors, and tests right before Winter Break, but this post is up now.

December 18 Post a Review Challenge--leave a link to any revew you posted for a book in 2013 Hosted by Munira @ In Vogue with Books 

This one is pretty easy, my review of  Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, otherwise known as the first review I have ever posted on this blog. I was in love with the book, and my review will tell you why. 

 



December 20 Spine Poetry--any books read in 2013, but must use titles that have 4 words or less 

I'm pretty bad at poetry, some examples from my tumblr are here. Fun Fact: I remember the first ever acrostic poem I wrote was in 1st grade in Mrs. Lopez's class about Abraham Lincoln. I changed this post a little because the line didn't have to be finished to go onto the next one.

Though everything happened so fast, I feel I have changed for the better because of it.
Hannah Baker was never just another girl to me
I know I was not just another guy to her because I was one of her
Reasons, number nine to be in fact. Does 
This sound bad? But I'm glad I wasn't a direct reason for her death
Even though everything happened to me, the rest of the world will never know her legacy
Eventually her name will be whispered by Freshman saying, "Did you hear Hannah Baker committed suicide?"
Nevermind who she really was, just a name, no face or human being to attach it to

Relativity of the entire situation escapes me
Even though I wasn't a direct reason, I
Am the one who is most responsible because I could have
Stopped her from doing what she did
Omens were there, no one cared enough to see them
Neglect from everyone, isolation.
Some people come out stronger the other end, the others don't make it at all

Why? Why did she leave me?
How could I have let her go so easily?
Y did it have to happen at all?

December 20 Spell it out challenge-Use the first letter in any book read in 2013 to spell out a word--can choose first name, initials, your birthday month, or zodiac sign. Post links. I cheated on O, #readingcram gods can kill me now, I just didn't read any books that started with 'O'

Speak
the kill Order
Fever 1793 
If I Stay
Article 5  

Legend
Insurgent 

 

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/17/13

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/17/13 Song Challenge

*I am so sorry for having this come up so late, but better late than never right? I have out-of-town visitors. The rest of the posts I'm behind on are coming in a group, but this one was long and needed to be by itself*

*I'm sorry the playlist isn't in order, I didn't know how to do it like that*

December 17 Song Challenge--pick any book read in 2013, and choose song(s) that best describe the book. You can even create a playlist if you want!--post links to songs (youtube, spotify, etc) Hosted by Tanya @ BookLovingHippo 

I was so freaking excited for this challenge, because besides reading books, listening to music is my ultimate passion. I have a playlist comprised 12 songs (the length of a normal album) from different artists that I believe would be a good soundtrack for the "Legend Trilogy" by Marie Lu. If you couldn't tell, I'm into country music. *There are spoilers to the series so skip ahead if you don't want to see them*

1. "Marching On" One Republic: This is the perfect opening track for this 'album'. It gets you in the mood of despair of the Republic and the Lake Sector which is where "Legend" starts. 

"There's so many wars we fought, There's so many things were not, But with what we have, I promise you that, We're marching on," 

"For all of the plans we've made, There isn't a flag I'd wave, Don't care if we bend, I'd sink us to swim,"

 "We'll have the days we break, And we'll have the scars to prove it, We'll have the bonds that we save, But we'll have the heart not to lose it."

"We put one foot in front of the other, We move like we ain't got no other, We go when we go,"

2."Silver Lining" Kacey Musgraves: To get away from the whole dismal theme started with the first song, there's this one. Do I even need to explain this? It's obvious Kacey wrote these lyrics as Day simply pointing out to June that everything would be good as long as she saw the silver lining in the cloudy day known as her life.

"If you're ever gonna find a silver lining. It's gotta be a cloudy day. If you wanna fill your bottle up with lightning. You're gonna have to stand in the rainIf you wanna find the honey. You can't be scared of the bees. And if you wanna see the forest. You're gonna have to look past trees."

 
3. "How You Learn to Live Alone" 'Avery Barkley' Jonathan Jackson Nashville Cast: At first when I heard this song I thought it would be fitting for June after she left Day, but then I realized this would be perfect for June when Metias died. Think of it as Metias looking down on June and singing this. The very beginning especially these lyrics because every revelation brought June closer to the truth. Then the uncharted hemispheres representing her feeling lost. The feels the book gave me are reflected perfectly in this song.

"Flap your arms, as you run. Every revelation brings you closer to the sun. You fall asleep in moetion. In uncharted hemispheres. And you wake up with the stars falling down around your ears. And when they hit the ground they're nothing but stones. That's how you learn to live along."

4. "Arwen's Vigil" The Piano Guys: There isn't much related to Legend since this instrumental, but I am in love with the way it starts off soft with the piano, then the cello gets added, and everything takes off from there. Even without words, this song tells a story, you just have to listen close to hear it.

5. "What You Gonna Do" Hunter Hayes & Ashley Monroe: I'm frankly not even sure who's POV this is sung by, but I don't care. I remember listening to this song for the first time without Ashley Monroe, but with it turns into something magical. The song is just about loss, something not uncommon in the series, and this song is not about the act of losing, but the person that gets left behind which is simply beautiful.

6."When the Right One Comes Along" 'Scarlett O'Connor & Gunnar Scott ' Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio Nashville Cast: These are all of June's feelings about Day at the very end of Legend when they are in the train, and she's thinking of how perfect he is, and how unexpected. There wasn't music and confetti, but she knew he was the one, the world was cold but he was warm and she was where she was supposed to be.

"There's no music, no confetti. Crowds don't cheer, and bells don't ring. But you'll know it, I can guarantee. When the right one comes along"

"In a cold world, it's a warm place. Where you know that you're supposed to be. A million moments full of sweet relief. When the right one comes along"

   7. "If I Lost Myself" (Cover) 'One Republic' Madilyn Bailey & Corey Gray: Frankly the way they sing this song is perfection. The rich blend of their voices together make it perfect. This song expresses June and Day's relationship in the beginning of " Prodigy" when Day says 'I love you' to June. After the initial shock of everything that happened, even though wary, he knows June will be there for him, and she will ground him if he begin to loses himself. This is especially prominent at the end of "Prodigy" when Day pledges his allegiance to the Republic because life as the Republic's figurehead isn't the best. 

"I stared up at the sun, Thought of all of the people, places and things I’ve loved. I stared up just to see. With all of the faces, you were the one next to me. You can feel the light start to tremble, Washing what you know out to sea. You can see your life out of the window tonight. If I lose myself tonight, It’ll be by your side."

8."Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" Secret Sisters: The feels this song gives you, the way it makes you picture this barren, gray field. Yet this song is hopeful, sort of like a more mature version of "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" from Annie. It can be told from either Day or June's POV as they both go through so much, but I on the other hand, think it could work for Anden. Right after is father dies, and he becomes the Elector.

 "Black clouds are behind me, I now can see ahead. Often I wonder why I try hoping for an end. Sorrow weighs my shoulders down. And trouble haunts my mind. But I know the present will not last. And tomorrow will be kinder"

9. "Let Her Go" (Cover) 'Passenger' Alexi Blue: I think everyone knows why this song is here. At the end of "Prodigy" when Day (the goddy idiot) thought it was best to let June go because of his impending death. The only difference is that he knew he loved her

"Well you only need the light when it's burning low. Only miss the sun when it starts to snow. Only know you love her when you let her go. Only know you've been high when you're feeling low. Only hate the road when you’re missin' home. Only know you love her when you let her go. And you let her go"

10. "Don't You Remember" Adele: This is actually a song choice that surprised myself because of how well it would work for Tess and Day. Everyone thinks about June's struggle and pain when Day left her, but we rarely think about Tess. It was briefly explained in "Champion" how she loved him as a caretaker, and someone who needed to be taken care of; the perfect relationship. I am not a Day+Tess shipper, but I do feel sympathy for her. Besides in my opinion being weak, and the only character I wasn't in love with, Tess as a story too, and this song explains it. 

 "When will I see you again? You left with no goodbye, Not a single word was said, No final kiss to seal any sins, I had no idea of the state we were in,"

"When was the last time you thought of me? Or have you completely erased me from your memory? I often think about where I went wrong, The more I do, the less I know,"

"Gave you the space so you could breathe,I kept my distance so you would be free, And hoped that you'd find the missing piece, To bring you back to me,"

11."God Gave Me You" Blake Shelton: I'm pretty sure Day doesn't believe in god, and he may not be a walking heartache, but I do know about his feelings for June. There are just too many lyrics describing things perfectly.

"But you stay here right beside me. And watch as the storm blows through. And I need you" June stayed, June stopped hi execution, she never left, except for when it was best.

"Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt. And for when I think I lost my way. There are no words here left to say, it's true." His love for her was so pure and true.

"That you, an angel lovely. Could somehow fall for me" He underestimates himself, and his worth, always thinking June is better, but she fell for him anyway.

"On my own I'm only. Half of what I could be. I can't do without you. We are stitched together. And what love has tethered" They do make a perfect pair that are better together.

12. "Wine After Whiskey" Carrie Underwood: This is a perfect ending song because of it's semi-darkness of her feelings at the end of "Champion". The whole alcohol thing doesn't really work for June and Day, but the first verse/45 seconds are simple amazing. It's more of the feel of the song that makes you get chills up your spine as Carrie sings almost in June's POV about how no one else will be as good as Day. This verse truly is the icing on the cake for their relationship.

"Looking back I guess it's really for the best, still you’re something that I crave. Even though I know it was right to let you go. You’re a habit hard to break. I got used to being high and nothing that I try seems good enough right now"

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/16/13: Movie Cast

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/16/13: Movie Cast 

 

Dec. 16 Movie cast challenge--pick any book read in 2013, and create a real life cast of characters--post links. Hosted by Alex @ BookChick

Can I just tell people how much I cheated on this challenge? I had to go to YouTube to figure out my thoughts, which is doubly bad because it's supposed to be my dream cast, which I suppose means my own, but I do admit that my dream could have been influenced by other peoples. Anyway onto my cast of the "Legend" movie by Marie Lu. Check out "Meeting Marvelous Marie Lu" to read about the current news for the upcoming actual "Legend" Movie.

June Iparis: I saw Hailee Steinfeld in "Ender's Game" and was immediately hooked with the idea of her being June. Her physical appearance is quite similar to June's and overall acting quality seems good. On the other hand I fell in love with Isabelle Furman when she was Clove in "The Hunger Games", and loved how she was small yet extremely tough, just as I imagine June to be. The shape and look of her face is also a lot like how I imagined it. Both actresses are around the correct age, and could pass for an adequate June Iparis. Wow, I'm talking about face shapes, I'm not weird at all. Weirdness aside, what do you think?  

'Day' Daniel Altan Wing: Everyone in the dream cast had older guys like Alex Pettyfer. So this is actually an original; Asa Butterfield. His eyes are to die for, and although I don't know what he would look like with long blonde hair, I think that his eyes and acting talent clearly shown in "Hugo" and "Ender's Game" state how he would be a good Day.

Anden Stavropolous: Marie Lu posted a picture of him on her Pinterest. I've never seen him in any movies and his acting could be a complete disaster but he's...just...Thomas Beaudoin.

Tess: I really don't know of any good actresses that are relatively young and look like Tess, so
G. Hannelius will just have to do.

Eden Bataar Wing: I have to admit I stole this idea, but once I saw it I was like "What the hec! He's perfect" Jared Gilmore, I watch him every single Sunday on Once Upon a Time. He's cute, sweet, little (enough) and plain perfect for Eden.

Commander Thomas Alexander Bryant: Don't we all love him and his very long title?
Joshua Bowman is handsome, but I'm pretty sure he could pull off slimy-little-over hairgreased-scumball-that-killed-his-best-friend-for-the-sake-of-obeying-the-state-of-California.

Kaede: I swear I'm crazy for having three choices for her, but they're all perfect in different ways. Abigail Breslin. Alexandra Daddario. Phoebe Tonkin. Abigail with dark hair and enough eye-liner looks totally (excuse my language) kick-ass. Alexandra Daddario has this aura around her exhibited when portraying Annabeth in "Percy Jackson" that makes her seem completely right for the part. Lastly Phoebe Tonkin has the ability to look so mysterious and a don't-mess-with-me attitude.

Captain Metias Iparis: Marie Lu has said so countless times before that she always pictured Ben Barnes as Metias in interviews and whatnot, and I could not agree more. Go Prince Caspian!

John: There's also another Narnian native I would like as a character in a "Legend" movie and that is William Mosely, otherwise known as 'Peter the Magnficent". He has the looks and hair, why not cast him?

Yesterday I was a slacker but today I fell in love with the book "Everlost" by Neal Shusterman, it is seriously one of the best plots I've read in a long time, the characters are a little lacking, but the storyline so far has been incredible.

Pages Read Today: 125
Cumulative Pages Read: 700 appx
Books Read: 2
Books Needed to Reach Goal: 5

End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/15/13: Twitter Synopsis

End of Year Read-a-Thon 12/15/13: Twitter Synopsis

Dec 15 Twitter Synopsis Challenge--pick any book read in 2013, and describe the book using only 166 characters.  May do on any social site, leave link Cindi @ Mommasez

This is my synopsis of the book 'Crank' by Ellen Hopkins: "Kristina tastes Crank when visiting her father. There she devlops an alter ego-Bree and then it's an almost unstoppable downward spiral."

Pages Read Today: 45
Cumulative Pages Read: 603
Total Books Read: 2
Books Needed to Finish Goal: 5

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/12-14/13: Spine Poetry, Book-to-MovieReleases, Seasonal Challenge

End of the Year Read-a-Thon 12/12-14/13: Spine Poetry, Book-to-MovieReleases, Seasonal Challenge

*I apologize for the insane highlighting in this post. I am having issues that I need to fix ASAP, but I still wanted to post this*
 

December 12, 2013: Spine Poetry--using any books you've read in 2013--leave a link of pic Hosted by Lori @ Writing My Own FairyTale 

I admit, my friend Celina (she's on instagram & tumblr) did help me on the spine poetry, which is I suppose sort of cheating. 

Anyway, here it is: 

 

Before I fall
Champions and Legends
Reckless Uprisings
of the Subtle Knife and the Golden Compass
fables of the Maze Runner's Prodigy
will turn to Cinder and dust.

December 13, 2013: Favorite Book-to-Movie Release in 2013--post on Twitter or Facebook, leave a link Hosted by Emily @ FallingForYA

I have to admit that I did not watch many of the popular Book-to-Movie releases of 2013 like 'Beautiful Creatures' and 'The Host'. So my answer is the same as about everyone else doing this challenge. Hunger Games:Catching Fire. 

December 14, 2013:  Seasonal Challenge (must be books read in 2013) post links

Recommend a book good for a snow day

Recommend a book good for a rainy day

Recommend a book good for a beach day

Recommend a book good for a spooky night
Hosted by Michelle @ Book Briefs

What better for a spooky night than a book about a society where it's acceptable to take apart teenagers bodies? Unwind: Neal Shusterman. 

What better for a rainy day than a story about a girl trying to find her lost love she only knew for one day? Just One Day: Gayle Forman. 

What better for a beach read than a story about a boy being trained to be a military commander against an alien race? Ender's Game: Orson Scott Card. 

What better for a snow day than a story about a girl and her process to begin thawing from her frozen state of sadness? Wintergirls: Laurie Halse Anderson

I have to admit, I have been a pretty big slacker this past week from the 11th on because the books I had were the dregs of my library haul which was why I'm still stuck with them. So, I am currently on page 91 of 'The Sky is Everywhere' by Jandy Nelson, it's not that good and isn't looking like it's going to get better (review coming when I finish is finally). I just today finished "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins after picking up from page 150 on 12-12-13/Thursday. I can't give you exact page numbers read today, but I can give you my stats from the 11th on.

Pages read since 12/11/13: 91 pages of "The Sky is Everywhere" 387 pages of "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins.

Cumulative Pages: 558 appx.

Books Finished: 2

Needed to Reach Goal: 5