2012 End of the Year Round-Up!

Ok this was a great year I read so many great books! 

Note: This will be a very long post but hopefully fun and interesting!

The Books I've Read:
(P.S. Many of these books don't have reviews on my blog because it was before I started my blog and some of the reviews are bad, but you can go see which ones I've reviewed under 'Bookworm Review Library')
Fruits Basket 5-23
Barajou no Kiss 1-6
Hiyokoi 1-6
Kitchen Princess 1-10
Shugo Chara 1-12
Divergent
Delirium
Hana
Pandemonium
Fairy Tail 1
Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25
The Chosen
Everlost
Bleach 1-2
Gentleman's Alliance Cross 1-11
To Kill a Mockingbird
Vampire Knight 1-12
Crescent Moon 1-3
The Red Pyramid
The Thrown of Fire
The Serpent's Shadow
Insurgent
Nevermore
Hana Kimi 1-4
Fahrenheit 451
Billy Budd, Sailor
The Lost Hero
The Son of Neptune
The Mark of Athena
The Giver
Bad Girls Don't Die
Halo
The Keeper's Calling
Princess Academy
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Sweet Venom
Palace of Stone
The Fault in Our Stars
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Gathering Blue
The Book Thief
I have read a total of 113 books this year
83 Manga (it's a bit sad I know 73% of my books are Manga)
30 Normal Books


Favourite Manga:
 Fruits Basket (Barajou no Kiss, Shugo Chara, and Kitchen Princess are all also wonderful)

Favourite Dystopia: 
Delirium (The Giver and Divergent were also great)

Favourite Fantasy: 
Palace of Stone (and any of the Rick Riordan books I read this year)

Favourite Stand-Alone: 
The Fault in Our Stars which was one of my all time favourite books of the year (but The Book Thief is oh so incredible)

Favourite Historical Fiction: 
The Book Thief

Favourite Classic: 
To Kill a Mocking Bird

Most Boring: 
Billy Budd, Sailor but I had had to read it for school so I couldn't drop it sadly

Most Disappointing: 
Halo I was really hoping it would be better 

Favourite New Authors: 
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief blew me away and John Green I seriously Loved the Fault in Our Stars

A Book That Met All my Expectations and More: 
The Book Thief, so incredibly amazing and it was written do beautifully

Book That Killed Me Emotionally: 
The Fault in Our Stars I cried so much and I died and The Book Thief oh the ending

Favourite Book by an Author Read Previously: 
Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale I loved it even more than princess academy

Longest and Shortest Book Read in 2012:
Longest: The Mark of Athena
Shortest: Hana

Favourite Book Covers:
      

Hope everyone has a wonderful New Years!!!
-Jane :D

Book Review: Gathering Blue

By: Lois Lowry

Pages: 215

Published: 2006

Summary: It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever.

Rating: 2

Review: This book was meh. It wasn't anything special. It is another book by Lois Lowry that depicts a different possibility for the future. It is very different from the Giver. In this book people have become less advanced. There is no technology and life is simply. There is a council that makes rules and makes decisions for trials. 

I really didn't enjoy it that much. maybe it is meant more for younger kids, I don't know. I was disappointed after I loved the Giver so much. I would definitely recommend The Giver and you can go read my review, but it is up to you weather you want to read this book.

Sorry the review is short but I don't have a ton to say.

I hope everyone has a Superb Day!

-Jane

Book Review: The Book Thief

By: Markus Zusak
Pages: 550
Published: March 14, 2006

Summary: It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.
But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.

Note: I gave this book to my friend for Christmas so she read it as well and is co-reviewing with me. The first review will be mine then her's.

Jane's Rating: 4.5

Jane's Review: This book is different from almost any other book I have ever read. It seems like a book I would read for school. It took me five or six days to read the whole book which is longer than it takes me for most books. I think it is a deeper book that needs to be thought about. It's not just a light book that people would read that would make people super happy and cheerful. This book is narrated by death. It adds character to the book and make it very unique. How many books do you know are narrated by death?

The character's are amazing! Each have there own personality and are all very different. Liesel Meminger is the main character and is the book thief. You follow Liesel as she learns to read and as she gets books. Rosa Hubermann seems mean like she doesn't care about Liesel. Over time you realize how much she did care, she just has an odd way of showing it. Hans Hubermann is her accordion playing foster father. He teaches Liesel to read and is always there for her. Rudy, I loved Rudy, in the begining of the book he is such a kid and you get to see him grow up a tiny bit. He was funny and always made everything fun.

The writing is superb. It is different than a lot of other books but it was perfect. I savoured the entire book. My only problem was the constant swearing but besides that it was perfect.

It was an instant favourite. I recommend this to anyone who will appreciate it.

Jo's Rating: 5

Jo's Review: Today, I discovered the power of words. In The Book Thief the power is prominent.

Set in Nazi Germany, at the start of World War II, Liesel rides a train, to a new future. With a cough, her brother dies; the train stops. Her Liesel and her mother step out; the next day, they bury him. This is when she steals her first book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook. Even though she cannot read, this book symbolizes the last time she sees her brother, as well as her mother. Liesel and her mother get onto another train and travel to the city of Munich, Germany. With her mother not being able to support her, Liesel is sent off with new foster parents, Rosa and Hans Hubermann. Life is difficult at first. Rosa is a woman who will insult you any chance she gets. Liesel has nightmares over the death of her brother.In this, she finds her first friend, Hans. Hans teaches her to read slowly, and Liesel learns of a world where the Jews are not tolerated, and hiding them in your basement is risky.

 I personally cried at the end, and I am one like Jane. I don’t cry over books. Jane gave me this book as a gift, and it will remain one of my most cherished gifts. I was hesitant at first, as I have lately been fond of only dystopias and fantasy. This book struck a chord in my heart, and I highly recommend it. It is a 5 star book, and I’d give it 6 if I could. A book to be read over and over again, The Book Thief is a wonderful addition to any readers library.

Merry Christmas!!!

Hey everyone!
I hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas and a great day! I am reading a ton today which is so fun since I have time, hehe :D
-Jane :D

Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By: Brian Selznick
Pages: 522
Published: 2007

Summary: Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks---like the gears of the clock he keeps---with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden massage from Hugo's dead father from the backbone of this intricate, tender, spell-binding mystery.

Rating: 4

Review: This book is intricate and brilliant. The drawings are so intricate that they are brilliant. This book has tons of pictures but it wasn't just some children's book, they were detailed and portrayed the story well. The drawing's are most of the book and instead of describing things in words the drawing shows you what everything looks like. The story is very interesting. It is about Hugo and and how he needs to get his notebook back. He meets Isabelle and she is wonderful she is adventurous and always wants to learn more and loves to read. 

I first heard about this book after the movie came and I like reading books that go with movie's. I wanted to know if the book or movie it better, and if the movie did a good job portraying the book. I personally like the movie a tad more, don't really know why. It might be because I saw the movie first. Well I recommend seeing the movie and reading the book, they are book great.


Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
-Jane

Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars

By: John Green 
Pages: 313
Published: January 10, 2012

Summary: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. 

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. 

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

Rating: 5

Review: I Love this Book! Seriously I actually cried during it, and I never cry during books I get really emotional but I don't cry. The simple fact that I cried says a lot. I read this entire book yesterday I was up until eleven o'clock finishing it and it was so wonderful. The entire first half I couldn't stop smiling and it seemed so perfect and happy and then two-thirds through it gets so sad I just cry. I won't spoil anything because ruin the wonderfulness of the book.

Hazel is surviving cancer and she stays at home and watches TV and re-reads the same book over and over again. The book is An Imperial Affliction and it plays an important role in the book. Hazel's mom makes her go to a cancer support group and while she is there she meets Augustus Water's. I don't know if I can say how much I feel in love with him. He is wonderful! I don't even know what to say without giving anything away.

The writing is wonderful. John Green really is amazing. The writing is lush and wonderful and I can't believe he can come up with characters this amazing. They seem so real. I realize this is contemporary fiction but even I feel like I can relate and get attached to the characters and I have never been seriously sick with anything.

I can't decide who I love more the characters or John Green for writing this. I think I'll go with both because without John Green this book would not have been written and without the characters being who they are I am not sure I would have loved this book so much.

I think Markus Zusak put it perfectly when he said, "A novel of life and death and the people caught in between, The Fault in Our Stars is John green at his best. You laugh, you cry, and then  you come back for more."

If you have not read this book I would really recommend it!


This is the first book I have read by John Green, but I really want to read more of his books now.
Well have a good weekend and a fabulous Friday!
-Jane (who has emotionally died over this book and doesn't know what to do with herself.)

End of 2012 Challenge!

Oh Wow 2012 is almost at an end! 
Ok so, so far I have read 99 books this year (most are manga but they're still books nonetheless). 
So starting tomorrow, the 21 December, I will try to read the most books I can to finish off the year! It will end at midnight on the 31st December and then on the 1st of January I will post a list of all the books I read this year and what my favourites were!

I would love it if anyone else would like to join me by finishing the year off with reading!

Well I better get reading! 
-Jane

Book Review: Palace of Stone

By: Shannon Hale
Pages: 323
Published: August 21, 2012

Summary: Coming down from the mountain to a new life in the city is a thrill to Miri. She and her princess academy friends have been brought to Asland to help the future princess Britta prepare for her wedding.There, Miri also has a chance to attend school-at the Queen's Castle. But as Miri befriends students who seem sophisticated and exciting she also learns that they have some frightening plans. Torn between loyalty to the princess and her new friends' ideas, between an old love and a new crush, and between her small mountain home and the bustling city, Miri looks to find her own way in this new place.

Rating: 5

Review: I think I loved this book even more than the first. I loved Miri, she was trying to find her way in the world. Shannon Hale is a master of fantasy and creating a different world. She makes everything seem real. The Writing was wonderful and lush. She wrote and describe many things but never to much. I never got board reading this. There were twists and turns and some thing surprised me but it was perfect. 

I hated Timon. He was... oh just read the book and you'll figure him out. I loved Peder, he was as perfect as the first book. The characters were all special and important and different in there own way. 

The Queen's castle was wonderful and I wish as a school I could go there and learn. There was so much depth to the story. The royal family had stories that Miri learned about past King's and Queen's. I guess even Timon had depth even as much as he annoyed me. I think he had good intentions but he is still hated by me. Miri is a wonderful heroin and girl and the type of person who makes you feel like you wnat to be a better person.

-Jane

As Life Goes On: I've Returned... Finally

Tra la la la, la la la la
Yippee!! I am finally on break!

Which means I have time to read and blog!! I feel awful I haven't bloged in almost two weeks...

Well I have finished Palace o Stone so I will post that review today. I started reading Shatter Me and I read the first 100 pages and really liked it but I let my friend borrow it over break because she has nothing else to read and I have tons. So I am reading the Fault in Our and I Love it it is so wonderful! 


Here is a Fault in Our Stars teaser quote:
 ~ "'Sometimes I dream that I'm writing a memoir. A memoir would be just the thing to keep me in the hearts and memories of my adoring people."'

There are many others but I don't want to spoil anything... :D
If I don't get interrupted, then I will probably have it finished by tomorrow :D


Well to everyone who is on break already, Have the most wonderful break ever and to people who start break tomorrow have the most wonderful break after school ends :D
-Jane

Book Review: Sweet Venom

By:  Tera Lynn Childs
Pages: 345
Published In: 2011

Summary: Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Rating: 2

Review: I actually dropped this book which is really rare for me. I got this book on my kindle because it was free for a special deal, otherwise I am not sure if I would have gotten it since I have so many other books to read.

This book wasn't bad and I don't think it deserves one star even if I didn't finish it. It was meh for me. I was looking forward to it because I really enjoy mythology. I think I dropped it number one I just couldn't connect with the character's and it was taking forever to read it wasn't a book that I felt this urge to finish, other than the fact that I wanted to read something other than this. 

Of the character's I did like Gretchen the best she was just cool but as the book progressed even she seemed to somehow seem less cool. I didn't mind Grace she was mostly normal for a teenage girl and she wasn't perfect at all but she was annoying at times. I only knew Greer for like three chapters because I stopped reading the book, but she was so stuck up. I mean I get that she is rich and has everything, but was almost more annoying than Grace.

I really liked the idea behind the story and it was not a bad book, it just didn't catch my attention. I hope I am not making this book sound too bad because it wasn't awful, it seems that a fair amount of people on goodreads like it a lot so this is just another opinion and review to add to the mix.


Well I hope everyone has a good weekend, because I know I will be so busy doing homework and studying for finals.
-Jane (who is afraid she will die of to much school work and will probably be overstressed with finals coming up, so don't freak out if she disappears)

I Apologize in Advance

Ok... I haven't posted in almost a week since I have been so busy *tear*. I also have had zero time to read. I have finals coming up for school which are huge tests which I need to spend tons of time studying for, so if I suddenly vanish don't freak out. I will try to post when I can but until finals are over it won't be often, and with no time to read I won't have much to post about. 

I hope you understand and I feel sad thinking that I can't read. Well hope everyone has a good end of the week.
-Jane :D

P.S. just thought I would tell you since I thought it was cool, this is my 50th post since starting this blog :D

Poetry Corner #6

Let me start off by saying Happy First day of December! 

 One Art
        By: Elizabeth Bishop

The art of losing isn't hard to master; 
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster,

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

- Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like a disaster. 

Have a fabulous weekend. If everything goes well I hope to finish Sweet Venom by tomorrow but I am really busy so we will see.
-Jane

The Most New Books in My History of Recreational Reading

Oh My Gosh I have Never EVER gotten this many books in a single week that are all for recreational reading!!! Yeah Go Book (Wow that seems like I am rooting for a team, Team Books!! haha). 
Ok now that you have seen some of my excitement I will move onto more important matters like telling you my new Books! Oh did you notice that I made a new book sign *points to the left*
Ok I got two books at target on Friday because I had a target gift card, I won a book from the author on Goodreads, I got ten books at Powell's on Saturday, and I bought a book on my Kindle. Wow SO many books!


Books I Got at Target

   

The Fault in Our Stars By: John Green

I am Number Four By: Pittacus Lore

They have both been on my TBR list for a while so I thought I should get them, obviously. Can I just say I love the cover art for The Fault in Our Stars, I don't know why I just love it. I read the first chapter of the Fault in Our Stars out of curiosity and I don't know what it was about the story or characters but it was so amazing and I could not put it down.

Books I Won

CornerStone By: Kelly Walker

I got this though the author from Goodreads contest, plus it sounds interesting. It is on my kindle.

Books I Got at Powell's

                           

Crescent Moon 5 By: Haruko Iida

Crescent Moon 6 By: Haruko Iida

Gathering Blue By: Lois Lowery

Beastly By: Alex Flinn

City of Bones By: Cassandra Clare

Palace of Stone By: Shannon Hale

The Invention of Hugo Cabret By: Brian Selznick

Shatter Me By: Tahereh Mafi

The Diviners  By: Libba Bray

Starters By: Lissa Price

Lots of hopefully epic books. I completely LOVE the covers for Shatter Me and The Diviners, gorgeous. Starters is signed by the author, apparently Powell's just has certain signed books it is pretty awesome.

Books I Got on My Kindle

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared By: Jonas Jonasson

It was on sale for kindle for black Friday and it was on $3.20 plus it is on my TBR list so I was like why not get it at this awesome price. 

Please tell me if any of these books are awesome or even not so good but no spoilers.

Well that was a super duper long post hope you didn't get bored. 

-Jane

Book Review: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By: Mark Twain
Pages: 224
Published In: 1994 (This Edition)

Summary: There really isn't one.

Rating: 1

Review: Ok so I had to read this book for school and it is one of the books that everyone should read in there lifetime (mainly if you live in America) because of the history, but that doesn't mean you will like it. I was so glad when it was over not because I hugely liked it but because I wanted it to be over because I didn't like it.

I couldn't connect with the characters at all, usually I can or sometimes I can but think they are annoying. Huck and Jim weren't annoying I just couldn't connect with them and some of the things the did were weird and kind of stupid. 

The other thing that drove me insane was how they spoke. It made them sound uneducated, which they were and that was how everyone talked, but I couldn't understand what they were saying half the time.

Sorry I if I am making this book sound awful, it wasn't I just personally didn't like it, but I am sure many people would disagree with me and say it was great. So this is my opinion thank you very much.

Have a great end of the weekend ;D
-Jane

Black Friday Randomness

Ok so did anyone else do Black Friday? 

Ok I know it can have dreaded lines and people who push and shove.

Well I for one did, I stood in line at target for an hour and a half and when I got in the store with my mom we got the stuff and we were out of the store by 9:15. In and out fast on Black Friday is always best. While we were there we got luggage (because ours is getting old and falling apart), I got a CD and two books as well. The CD I Got was Night Vision by Imagine Dragons, I love this CD. The song It's Time on the CD is in the Perks of Being a Wall Flower Trailer. The books I got will be a surprise until I after I go too Powell's and then I will write a Book Haul post because I will have a lot (most likely). 

After that I stood in line at Best Buy and that didn't open until midnight. The good part was I got hot chocolate from Starbucks...yum. My parents got a tablet and a blue-ray player. 

All this stuff happened either on Thursday or in the wee hours of the morning after midnight on Friday. I came back to our apartment and slept for four hours then my parents woke me up so we could go the JCPenny which was really fun I got some clothes. Then I went to Nordstrom Rack where I just relaxed because I was really tired from not sleeping a ton. 

So overall Black Friday was quite awesome!

I realize that I haven't done a booky post in a while *tear*. So I need to write a book review for Huck Finn but I didn't like the book so I don't really care about writing a review but I try to do it. I will go now because this post was total randomness.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

-Jane

Happy Thanksgiving and/or Terrific Thursday!

Ok I realize that not everyone lives in America and because I this I included not only Happy Thanksgiving but Terrific Thursday (see I am not leaving people in other countries out)! So tell me how is your Thursday, that may or may not included thanksgiving. 

Well so far my day is great I woke up at 4:15 AM (yeah super early) so I could get ready and got to the airport. So at the airport I got a chocolate smoothie (I don't drink coffee or tea) and a bagel... yum. Well now I am in Portland, Oregon! Which is an awesomely cold, beautiful green state with trees that change colour! Oh my gosh trees that turn orange and red wow! That made me so excited to see colour changing tree because trees don't change colour where I am from :(

Ok does anyone else love Charlie Brown! Ok I know I am 14 and it is kinda kidish but I watch the Charlie Brown shows on TV every holiday, I love them. They are so funny and cute. So here are some cute Thanksgiving things from Charlie Brown!

     

    

Hope everyone enjoyed this random Thanksgiving and Terrific Thursday post :D 

Have a great day!

-Jane

As Life Goes On #6

Ok so if I haven't told you guys already I get really busy with school, and sadly the dilemma with this is less time to read and buy new books. Well I really want to read the sequel to Princess Academy but I have so many other good books in my room that I want to read but haven't, any suggestions on what to do?

Ok so Palace of Stone is the sequel to Princess Academy, which I need to read. Now here is a list of some of the book I own and need to read.
The Book Thief
Sweet Venom
Eragon
Artemis Foul
and I am pretty sure I have even more than that I am just too lazy to go read all the titles and type them.

Oh I also have a to be read list that is very long that I need to follow but I don't own half that books, grr...

Well the good part is that I am going to Portland for thanksgiving which means (most likely) I get to go to Powell's!! It is the biggest and best book store ever. I wish I lived in Portland so I could go more often *tear* . Which means good deals on books, which means new books! Yeah!

Well please help me decide what to do it is a dilemma. Hope everyone had a good weekend.
-Jane 

Poetry Corner #5

Okay it has been ages since I did this last... 

Well I here is this weeks poem.

Hope is a Thing With Feathers

          By: Emily Dickinson

Hope is a thing with feathers --

That perches in the soul --

And sings the tune without the words --

And never stops -- at all --

And greatest -- in the gale -- is heard --

And sore must be the storm --

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm --

I've heard it in the chillest land --

And on the strangest sea --

Yet, never, in extremity

It asked a crumb -- of Me.

Well I love Emily Dickinson's poems :D
I hope everyone is superb
-Jane

Manga Review: Natsu Yasumi Zero Zero Nichime (one-shot)

By: Akizuki Sorata
Status: Completed
Anime: N/A






Oh My Cuteness, it was so adorable and it is better than some full manga series.  I hate it when that happens.

Natsu Yasumi Zero Zero Nichime (00 Day of Summer Holiday) tells a simple and very cute story of  to students right before summer break.

I love how it just captures the essence of young love and summer. It showed two students meeting right before break and it was just perfect. It is a nice short read only one chapter, but it was perfect. It is definitely a new favourite.

Hope everyone has a great weekend :D
-Jane

Book Review: Princess Academy

Ok for some stupid reason it is not letting me put the words next to the picture so I guess this will have to do. . .

By: Shannon Hale

Pages: 336

Published: 2005

Summary: High on the slopes of Mount Eskel, Miri's family has lived forever, pounding a meager living from the stone of the mountain itself. Miri dreams of working alongside the others in the quarry, but she has never been allowed to work there -- perhaps, she thinks, she is too small.

Then word comes from the lowlands: the king's priests have divined that the prince's-bride-to-be -- the next princess -- will come from mount Eskel. The prince himself will travel to the village to choose his bride, but first all eligible girls must attend a makeshift academy to prepare the girls for the royal lowlander himself.

At the school, Miri finds herself confronting both bitter competition among the girls and her own conflicted desires to be chosen. Yet when danger comes to the academy, it is Miri, named for a tiny mountain flower, who must find a way to save her classmates -- and the chance the chance for the future that each of them is eager to secure as there own.

Rating: 4

Review:

I originally read this book in 5th grade but just found out there is a sequel like a month ago so I wanted to re-read this book first.

The Storyline: It was cute and adorable and I totally loved it. I thought it was totally creative. Usually, in most books, it is the main character who would be chosen by the Prince. I am glad it wasn't Miri chosen because I really liked her with a Peder and it was obvious they liked each other.  It was a light refreshing story. 

The Writing Style: It is beautifully written and very lush. The author describes the little details that add character to the story. I also loved the short poems at the beginning of every chapter they all went along with the book in some way or another and they were really pretty.

The Girls: So most of the characters in this book are girls because they all go to the Princess Academy, so you don't hear much about the boys in the village. At first you believe what the others girls think of Britta, but after you read the whole thing if you haven't changed your mind about her something is seriously wrong. I ended up loving her, she became one of my favourite characters. Miri seems weak but she is smart and tough and brave.

The Boys: Well like I said before there really aren't very many boys. There is Peder, Miri's father, and Prince Steffan. I personally loved Peder, even though he wasn't the prince he was just a simple guy in the village, but he is so nice and sweet.

Pace of the Book: It described lots of details but not too many. It did not cover every day or every week, which I was grateful for because otherwise it would have been book. It was very well paced and coved everything important.

Other Stuff: This book didn't quite make it in my favourites so I gave it a four. I really enjoyed it and would defiantly recommend it. Well now I have to get the next book in the series, Palace of Stone. Hope to be able to get that and read it with soon, but I am just so busy with school.

Hope everyone had a good weekend, and for anyone who lives here in America enjoy Veterans day off *p.s. you are lucky if you don't have school because I for some reason do*
-Jane 

Two New Books!

Ok so I was at Costco Yesterday and I totally love that store because they have great prices on books. They usually have a small selection but good books and prices. So yeah now I have two new books :D

Life of Pi
By Yann Martel

Summary: After the Sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreak are a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a wounded zebra, an orangutan -- and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. The scene is set for on of the most extraordinary and beloved works in recent years.

Reason for Getting: Ok so I first heard of this book only a few weeks ago because the movie for it is coming out. I looked it up and it sounded amazing so when I was at the store I was like oh I have heard of this. So I really look foreword to reading this. I probably won't get to it for a while because I have a ton of other books on my To Be Read list before this one, but I will definitely read it eventually.


The Book Thief
By: Markus Zusak

Summary: It is 1939. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. 

By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world id opened up and closed down.

Reason for Getting: Ok so I have had this book on my To Be Read list for quite a while, so yea now I have it so I can read it. So everything I have heard about this book was good so I can't wait to read it, even if it might be a while. 


Hope everyone is having a superb weekend :D
-Jane

My Poetry #2

Ok so way way way back in August, wow that seems so long ago now, I posted a poem I wrote for my poetry class and I said I would post other poems I have written for the class. I sadly haven't done, so I thought I would post them over the course of the next two or three weeks (one poem a week). I will also hopefully be doing my poetry corner because I would love to share more poems :D

The Night Full of Stars

The glimmering stars

In the paintings’ sky,

Dance before the human eye.

The city beneath

The waiting stars,

Is full of wondrous eyes.

The stars will never

Change as they dance

Though the night full of flight.

The stars’ swirl and spiral,

Spin and twist around

Above the city on the ground

The night full of stars

Glimmers above the city

And it will forever be that way.

OK do this poem was an Ekphrasis (a poem written based on a piece of art) and I chose to do mine on Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. The poem might make more sense with the painting so here:

Well even if it was crappy I hope you enjoyed and please tell me what you think and be honest!

Hope everyone is enjoying there week. . . well maybe you are I am to busy with school

-Jane