Speculating the Life

So you know what's weird? My whole high school career has been geared toward college. Take that AP course it will look good in college and you won't have to take it. Keep your grades high or you won't get into college. Take a language you hate for 5 years so you can get out of it in college and so it looks like you're dedicated. Join that club for community service, so you look well-rounded. Do a sport for an excessively long time, even though you're not that into it, so it helps make you well-rounded. These are things I've heard and lived by for the past 2-3 years of my high school career. Now March will be rolling around soon and I'm getting hordes of e-mails from colleges that I've never heard of. Ever. In places I've never heard of. Ever. Like, really Mercer University or Hoftsra University? I really never knew there were so many colleges. Also, I'll admit ok, it's nice to recieve this stuff even as Junior becuase I know what's out there. It shows that maybe all that work I'm doing now, all the stress, all the APs will actually pay off.

I've enjoyed looking at some of these colleges sites seeing what they offer and all that and it's a little bit exciting, along with scary. Anyways all this college stuff would be all fine and dandy if I knew what the hell I wanted to do with my life! Sadly, I don't. I have no idea what I want to major in or what I want to do with my life for a career. So as I look at these colleges and look at what they offer I don't know what to seriously look at because really I don't know what I want to do. So how will I know if that college will be right for me a year from now? That's the most stressful part of this.

My mom has been on me about choosing a major and deciding what I want to do all of my junior year so far. For the most part so far I've brushed her off. I was way too busy with school and swimming and the things going on in my life right now to worry about college in two years. Well...now it's 2009, one year till I graduate, I'm recieving college e-mails and things in the mail from them, and I still don't know what I'm going to do. So I'm a little worried, I know I shouldn't be ya know? Eventually I will figure it out; I will make a decision. Or I could go to college undecided a lot of people do that nowadays. However, I hate the idea of going to college undecided because it's a lot of money to go to college. Money I don't have, money my parents can barely afford. I don't want to waste any money if I'm still not going to know what I want to do in 4 years after all that work. *sigh* So do we see my problem? So I don't know. For now I'm focusing on getting through school and passing the SATs.

I can't believe it's all ready February only four more months of school. Four more months of my junior year. I can't believe it's passing so fast. Heh, okay. I feel better now that I let this all out. No one has to actually read this. It's just me working out my thoughts. Anyways, hopefully Inkdeath review will be up in like 2 weeks! (I'm only in the 200s out of 660). Heh so bye!
-She Who Reads A Lot

Freeing Keiko

Note: Okay so I had to read this book for AP English. She made us read a nonfiction book of our choice and we had to write a book review for it. So basically what I'm going to do is post the review I wrote for my English Assignment! Here it is: If you grew up in the 1990s you probably knew about the animal that would become the most famous whale in the world: Keiko. This lovable killer whale with his flopped over fin was treasured by children all over the world for his part in Free Willy. In Freeing Keiko the Journey of a Killer Whale from Free Willy to the Wild, Kenneth Brower shares the amazing journey of Keiko.

Brower demonstrates an extensive knowledge for all aspects of Keiko’s journey and leaves no room for questions. While he tells the tale of this brilliant whale, who loved “messing with the minds of his trainers”, Brower also recounts the tale of the battles fought to bring Keiko to freedom. Brower’s tone in this recounting can border on cynical and crude (he denounces the Free Willy movie as “nonsense”) but he finds the crucial balance between informative detail, humor, and irony that makes this book so compelling and powerful. The recounting of this unbelievable creature and the amazing people who worked with him is a life-changing read.

This is my little added part! Rating: 5/5 I really loved this book. It surprised me, I didn't expect it to be as interesting as it was!

Yeah anyways hopefully this can tide you over till I get through Inkdeath ^^;; heh. Happy reading!
~She Who Reads A Lot

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Summary: Frankie Landau-Banks is about to start her sophomore year at the prestigious Alabaster Academy. Something is different about her as she returns this year, though: her body suddenly decided to go through puberty. She’s a knock-out all of a sudden, over the summer. Along with this new figure comes a new attitude, especially when she captures the interest of the amazing Matthew Livingston. She has a sharp tongue and when she figures out that Matthew is apart of the male only loyal order of the Basset Hound, Frankie is a little more than miffed. She decides she doesn't like being ordered around. She decides she doesn't like being excluded. She decides to take matters into her own hands.

My Review: I wanted to like this book, really I did! I’ve heard just amazing things about it, but it was a serious struggle to finish it. I love the idea of girl power and I think that Frankie had some good ideas. However, I think that Frankie is a not a good role model for girls. She is as Alpha points out many times: a psychopath. I’m sorry for all you people who loved her and thought she was God, but all I could think when trying to read this book was “this girl has problems.” She has a serious craving to be the center of attention that is not flattering to the girl gender at all. She obviously has some sort of inferiority complex. That being said I have no doubt in my head that it’s people like Frankie Landau-Banks that make the biggest difference in this world. It’s girls like her who become top lawyers and political leaders, which scares me a bit.

I’m very torn in this book, especially reviewing it. Because part of me wants to be that childish girl and say I hated this book because I hated the character and I couldn’t get through it and give it a nasty review because of it. However, the somewhat serious critique in me recognizes a powerful piece of literature when she sees it. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is thought-provoking and unforgettable at its best. Mostly unforgettable because of Frankie the rest of the cast, aside from Alpha, fade into the background [even Frankie’s boyfriend] as completely flat. It’s thought provoking because it really does make you wonder about this male-run society and perhaps the line between the modern gender equal world we want, and the one that really exists. Frankie is, in bad light, jealous, conniving, sneaky, power-hungry, and has some self-esteem issues. Some people might choose to phrase this as brilliant, ambitious, confident, quirky, and witty. So really, this is hard for me to do. Let me put it this way: I hated the book very much. If you like powerful women you really might like this.

Rating: 3/5 I couldn’t stand the main character. I didn’t really believe her feelings much at all and the lackluster second characters were a turnoff.

Reviews from the pros:

*yawn* I’m too lazy to look it up for this one. Now I can finally start Inkdeath that has been taunting me from my bookshelf since I got it for Christmas! Muwaha! Hah see you all when I finish this 660 page book! (lol sometime next year probably)!
Happy Reading!

~She Who Reads A Lot

Happy 2009!

I know this is a few days late. I’ve been rather lazy to tell you the truth and trying to push myself through The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, by the way hopefully that book review will be up in about a week. I’m trying to get through that as quick as possible because I’m eager to start my goals for 2009. For my whole life I’ve listened to adults rant and rave about having goals for yourself and writing them down. Well this year I decided to listen and do that. My goals so far are: Read 100 or more books this year. Obtain my driver’s license. Maintain a 90 or higher average in school. Oh. Also don’t explode from stress (I’m in danger of that at times). I may think of more but right now at the beginning of 2009 those are my goals. I really want to try to read 100 or more books, I will blog about them all and if I can figure out how I will try to put a list up somewhere of the books I’ve read. I’m really going to have to work for that one heh because currently I average about 2 books per month, that won’t cut it if I want to make 100 books. I’m not sure if this will happen, but I can make the goal can’t I? and just see what happens, I suppose. Hee, so those are my New Years Resolutions! Well aside from wanting to be a better person and maybe relaxing a little (again I stress, a lot. I’m aware of that; my mom makes fun of my anxiety issues at times). I hope everyone had a great New Years! I also hope that 2009 is better than last year even if last year was great and amazing. So yeah Happy New Year everyone and I hope you made New Years Resolutions you want to stick to! I'll be back posting book reviews soon, I promise! Till later.
~She Who Reads A Lot

Update of My Life

Haha. That title makes it sound all intense, it's not. If you want something intense go somewhere else =P. So yeah, I haven't blogged in a while so I decided to blog. Heh my life right now? Is stressful and boring at the same time. Most of my free time is swimming and homework. But then the problem is after that stuff dies down for even a little bit I'm bored out of my mind with nothing to do. I've been kind of in a movie stage, so if anyone knows any good movies that came out on DVD or something, tell me! I'm always looking for something to watch.

What else? Hm, Christmas is in 11 days! Oh goodness! Isn't that exciting? I can't wait for the chilling from school and like that's it. I've got some of my shopping done. Having money sucks you are like obligated to buy stuff for other people. Wow okay now I sound like scrooge! I'm excited, really. I love christmas like any other person. It's fun and lots of eating!

Hm what am I reading? As you can see if you look at the About me thing I am currently reading Freeing Keiko: The Journey of a Killer Whale from Free Willy to the Wild by Kenneth Brower. Okay I know what you're all thinking: Dork much? Ha! I know, right? But we have to read a non fiction book for AP English and I am in love with Free Willy and all things Orca. I can't explain it, I couldn't tell you why I do. Especially since I've been to Sea World and Marine Land and been to the 'pet the Killer whales and dolphins!' And I haven't done it because I'm scared of them, they intimidate me so much. So I guess my sort of passion for whales is difficult to explain, I have a deep respect for these animals. They are the largest creatures on earth, and they're smart, playful, and social animals. I'll tell you one thing, I'm only half way through this book (barely!) and I am now more against animal exhibition and captivity for marine mammals then ever. It's horrible to make these beautiful intelligent creatures jump around and perform like clowns in a concrete tank. They are wonderful creatures used to the vast ocean with no boundraries whatsoever and you capture them and forcefully take them from their families and homes and then make them swim in a concrete tank with walls all around them and force them to perform for a handful of fish under the false pretense of education. Baloney. If you want to really learn about them you study them in the wild not in that concrete tank. [If you're interested in this more watch: Saving Lolita Special on Youtube here's the link to the first part--> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLM-BJzHDnU it will change your life]

^^; sorry. My rant is over, I hope no one takes offense to that. Anyways I'm also re-reading Inkspell by Cornelia Funke. Mostly because I asked for InkDeath for christmas and I'm uber excited for when the movie of Inkheart comes out! During my reading breaks I'm going to try to re-read my collection of books and review them for you. I'll see how that goes. I swear, I can't believe Inkspell is a child's book! Like it's in the children's section, I wouldn't want my child reading that! It would give them nightmares.

Anyways, I'm going to have to go to bed in like two minutes. I've got school tomorrow, whoo. Notice my enthusiam...only 7 more school days till break! ^^ Hee. Anyways. I'll try to update some more soon! Later all, keep reading!
~She Who Reads A Lot

Ink Exchange

Sequel To: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Summary: Leslie is desperate for a change in her depressing life before she suffocates. A tattoo is the perfect solution for it, she just knows it. Her body, her tattoo, her choice, her identity. A certain tattoo calls out to her at Rabbit’s shop and she knows it just has to be her’s. What she doesn’t realize is that when she gets the tattoo it will connect her to the Dark Court King, Irial. With peace between the Summer and Winter Court Irial and the dark fey are having trouble feeding. Leslie is Irial’s solution, only he doesn’t expect the conflicts that will meet him with the Summer King and new Summer Queen as his connection with Leslie is placed, especially since Leslie has attracted Irial’s old companion, Niall.

My Review: This was good. Not as good as Wicked Lovely, though. I got into this novel easier than I did with Wicked Lovely primarily because I liked the darker themes to it. The Dark Court fascinated me and this book was enlightening. I got to know the real face of Keenan and see Aislinn and others through someone else’s eyes. I think I enjoyed Aislinn’s view more, but it was fun to see Leslie try to deny the fact of what she was seeing. It really gave you a better perspective for what Aislinn was going through her entire life from someone who has never had the curse of The Sight.

This time around I feel like Marr believed her reader knew more than they did. I was left with questions unanswered that taunted me as I finished up the last page. I was unsatisfied that I didn’t get to know a concrete ending, but that’s just me.(*praying that the next book answers some of her questions*) Besides that it was awesome—enjoyable, thought-provoking, and exciting enough to keep your interest through the whole thing. So all in all: a good book with a totally awesome cover! ^^

Rating: 4/5

Reviews from the Pros:

Another highly addictive read...Compulsive enough to give the Twilight series a run for its money, and dizzyingly more sinister." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Newcomers and returning readers alike will devour this companion novel to Marr’s ragingly popular Wicked Lovely . . . . This dark fantasy about survival and transformation is as mesmerizing as its urban faery subjects." – Booklist

Readers will be drawn in by Marr’s darkly poetic imagery and language, her vivid portrayal of the art of tattooing, and her shadowy love triangle. This is indeed a delicious, smoky delight." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"This urban fairy tale...is impossible to put down." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

As you can tell it got a lot of praise and it was good-enjoyable and stimulating book! Pick it up!

-She Who Reads A Lot

Wicked Lovely

Summary: Rule #1: Don’t ever attract their attention. Well Aislinn has just broken her number one rule. She has hidden in the mortal world pretending never to notice all the faeries and fey she sees every day around her. Well now Aislinn has attracted the attention of a faery—a king faery to be exact. She tried so hard to avoid them and now that they’re here and have their eyes set on her there’s no way out. Aislinn is thrown into the world she was taught to fear she knows that everything is at risk: Her freedom, her life, Seth, everything.

My Review: This book I’ve heard great things about. Great things that were justly earned. It wraps you in right from the summary. The characters are appealing (Seth especially!) and likable. The plot was original, though the idea of faeries and Sight can be slightly overused. It was captivating. The love triangle was amusing and trying to weave in the real world and the faery world was believable. What I loved about this book is it was not only was it about Keenan and Aislinn but it was also about the faery and real world. IT was like although Aislinn and Keenan were main characters they aren’t the main focus Marr doesn’t lose sight of the world and the plot at all. I can’t wait to finish Ink Exchange.

All in all, a great book.

Rating: 4.7/5 good book but not quite up to that 5/5.

Reviews from the pros:
“Marr adds elegantly to the sub-genre of Urban Faery with this enticing fantasy.” –Annette Curtis Klause, The Washington Post

“Keeps you on the edge of your seat. This debut reads like the work of a seasoned pro.”—Charles De Lint, author of the Blue Girl

“A fully imagined faery world that even non-fantasy (or faerie) lovers will want to delve into.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Now I’m off to finish Ink Exchange! Enjoy!

~She Who Reads a Lot