A Game of Thrones: Eddard Stark

I am a decent way into A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, and it is FANTASTIC!  I've made a vow that I will not watch the HBO series until I am finished reading the book.  Of course, I didn't realize how long the books were.  To sit down with all four in the series is a serious commitment.  The first one is over 800 pages, and it's the shortest out of all four.  I certainly have my work cut out for me.

While I haven't seen the actual HBO series, I have seen a few images, and they certainly are striking.  The characters are almost exactly how I pictured them.  My favorite character, so far, is Eddard Stark the Lord of Winterfell.  The costumes within the new television series look incredible.

I honestly don't think they could have gotten any closer to Eddard Stark than Sean Bean.  He is a phenomenal actor (one of my personal favorites).  He is exactly as I pictured him in the novel.  I will post more soon, but it may take me a while to get through this one.  Will read and write soon!

The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter

TITLE:  The Feast of Love

AUTHOR:  Baxter, Charles

GENRE:  Fiction

MY RATING: ?/5

DATE FINISHED: TBD

So I don't really have the information to write a review on this book.  This is due to the fact that I haven't finished it yet (and I don't think I will for a while).  I've decided to let this book sit for bit before I restart it.

This book was a little too philosophical for me, with a lot of metaphors.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  But I didn't feel that I really connected to any of the characters.  A connection with at least one character, for me, is crucial in order for me to enjoy the book.  I got about halfway through, and I didn't want to force myself to finish it (bad book karma!).

Therefore, this book is going back onto the shelf, where it will sit until I'm ready to take another stab at it.

Off in search of another story!

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

TITLE:  Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls Series #1)

AUTHOR:  Stiefvater,Maggie

GENRE:  Fiction/Supernatural

MY RATING:  3.5/5

DATE FINISHED:  4/20/2011

I just finished Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.  I love the idea (the plot), a lot of the characters, and the cover of this book more than I can say.  However, there was something lacking for me.  I don't quite know what was missing, but sometimes books just don't hit you the right way.

The characters (and there are many of them) were very interesting.  The amount of romance was perfect.  Sam and Grace's story was lovely.  I could feel the emotion pouring off of the pages, and I kept waiting to see what happened for the couple.  However, due to the large amount of characters, it was a little challenging to concentrate at times.

Overall, I feel that the plot was well developed, and it was a sweet story.  It's definitely a quick, and fun read.

To the next book!

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City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

TITLE:  City of Fallen Angels

AUTHOR:  Clare, Cassandra

GENRE:  Fiction/Supernatural

MY RATING:  5/5

DATE FINISHED:  4/18/2011

I have finally finished the infamous book!  And I must say that I'm glad it took so long to finish.  It was wonderful!  Everything I had hoped for in the impending sequel.  I really love this book series.  This version even came with Jace's letter to Clary from the last book!

As usual, all of Clare's characters were great.  Jace has always been my favorite character (and still is!), but all of the other characters are fantastic.  Clary and Jace's story is heart-wrenching, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.  Cassandra Clare has a way with story telling that always keeps you wondering what will happen next.

I'll admit that I am completely biased and that I love all of the Mortal Instruments series (so far).  But this really is a great book to pick up.  If you haven't read the series yet, (you definitely should!) the books are wonderful for all ages.

Happy reading!

***Photo by B. Bumble***

Favorite Childhood Books

I am still in the process of reading City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, and I don't want to rush through it (I enjoy her books so much).  So, instead, I decided to blog about favorite books from a childhood perspective.  I have many favorites, but a few definitely stick out in my mind.  I want to share a few of them with you!

The first one being, The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.  I absolutely love this book.  My mom used to read it to me all the time.  And I still feel that the story is so beautiful.  For those of you who have seen the fantastic movie, Blind Side, with Sandra Bullock, this book is actually featured in the movie.  It sends a great message to children, and is definitely worth the read (even as an adult).

Another book that I will always remember is Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman.  The images from inside of this book were the most striking to me:  the art museum, the sculptures, and the security guard.  All of these collectively make up the sweetest story!

I am ending with one of the classics!  I am a Bunny by Richard Scarry.  Richard Scarry is a fantastic children's author, and these books will stick in your head for enternity!  "I am a bunny, my name is Nicholas, I live in a hollow tree..."  Visually this book is beautiful, memorable, and I still have it in my room at home, right near my bed.  All of Richard Scarry's books are wonderful, but this one strikes a particular note with me

So this post is for all of the books that have influenced us as children.  Do you remember your favorites?  Do you still pull them out and read them every once and a while?

Dead Like You by Peter James

TITLE:  Dead Like You

AUTHOR:  James, Peter

GENRE:  Fiction/Thriller

MY RATING:  4.5/5

DATE FINISHED:  4/10/2011

So, I have finally finished the infamous thriller.  Thrillers aren't usually my cup of tea, but I have to admit that this one was really good.  I actually had to read it with all of my apartment lights on...  The story line was really creepy.  It also tended to be a little graphic in the description of the killer's actions.

The characters are extremely detailed and wonderful to read about (except for the mean ones - even though the descriptions were still spot on!).  Most of them had great personalities.

As for the patented thriller twist, I kind of figured out who the killer was before the end.  But Peter James was quite a trickster!  There was a twist that was completely unexpected.  For those of you who believe thrillers are a dime-a-dozen, and that you can always predict whodunit, this book is definitely for you!

Hopefully on to something a little more my speed.  But this was a refreshing change in book choices!

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Dead Like You: Half-way There!

Officially half-way through a novel called Dead Like You by Peter James, and I have to admit it's bloody fantastic so far.  There is a lot of British slang, which I'm not used to... but overall it's awesome.

I'm one of those people that circle/underline words (in pencil, of course!) that I don't know while I'm reading, so that I can look them up later to see what they mean.  All with page numbers for reference.  A little nerdy... but I love learning new words.  Anyway, when I borrowed a friend's book a few months ago, and forgot to erase my circles, she was a little upset.  Therefore, I started a lovely little vocab journal that I carry around with me.

Inside it I write any words I learn during the day, words I don't understand in books that I'm reading, or overall quotes that I absolutely love.  I'll post some of them later on!  I definitely recommend doing this.  It's quite handy! 

Back to reading...

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

TITLE:  Firelight

AUTHOR:  Jordan, Sophie

CATEGORY:  Fiction/Fantasy

MY RATING:  5/5

DATE FINISHED:  4/6/2011

I just finished this book about 2 minutes ago, and it was fabulous!  I suppose I have to start at the end because it left me hanging.  There had better be a sequel!  The writing was fantastic and the mixture of fantasy and reality was perfect.  It was a light read and a page-turner.  I couldn't put it down once I started it.

Will and Jacinda's love story was to die for!  There was such passion and devotion in their relationship.  I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book (if there is one).  Their story is so romantic...

If you are looking for a diversion/half of your day to disappear with your nose in a book, this is the story for you.  Fast-paced, exciting, with a nice balance of romance, it's marvelous!

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The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

TITLE:  The Girl Who Chased the Moon

AUTHOR:  Allen, Sarah Addison
GENRE:  Fiction

MY RATING:  5/5

DATE FINISHED:  4/4/2011

I cannot believe this book only took me two days to finish... but at the same time, I totally can!  This book was absolutely spectacular.  Allen has done it again!  Hands down a 5/5.

I have always made friends with the characters from the books I am reading, and I miss them once the book is over.  I will, no doubt, be picking this book up again very soon to spend some quality time with Allen's characters.  Emily is lovely, as is Julia.  There are so many facets to the characters of this novel, and they are constantly changing like a well-cut gem in the light.

Anyone looking for a wonderful tale about figuring out where you belong (not to mention some fabulous cake recipes!!!) should definitely pick up The Girl Who Chased the Moon.  You will not be disappointed.

Off to read another!

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Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

TITLE:  Paranormalcy

AUTHOR:  White, Kiersten
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy
MY RATING:  4/5
BOOK FINISHED:  4/3/2011

I have finally finished reading Paranormalcy.  Overall, this book was very fun to read, which I guess is pretty obvious since I finished it within 4 days.  The writing was a little juvenile (i.e. constant nicknames, "Tasey", and everything was pink).  I see absolutely nothing wrong with this due to the fact that I found it within the teen section.  This book is a quite the guilty pleasure.

However, the overall story line was extremely intriguing and the characters are so entertaining!  I found myself getting tired of Evie sometimes, but that happens with even the best protagonists.  Lend and Reth were wonderful additions to her fantasy world.

This book begs for a sequel.  And if one exists, I will no doubt be picking it up in the near future.  :-)

On to the next one!

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