tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408525129967449902024-03-12T21:37:50.437-07:00Librarykat's worldThe further confessions of a YA Librarian from Benton Harbor, Michigan.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-61273491616201000352019-11-20T08:21:00.003-08:002019-11-20T08:21:58.711-08:00Becoming a SoleMateSo, I signed up to be a SoleMate for Girls on the Run. I'm helping the organization raise money to better be able to serve young women as they work on their fitness and life skills. <br />
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I'm terrified. <br />
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I had to set a goal race to train for, and I picked a race I've done before. My normal self would be fine with this race, there wouldn't be any issue. But I'm not normal right now, right now I'm sick. I have a mass in my pelvis and I am waiting to get surgery. I hope, once the surgery is done, the pain I am in constantly will be gone and I can train again. But, what if it isn't? What if something goes wrong? What if I'm really sick. All of that makes me worry. I hope I'll actually be able to fulfill my goal by finishing the race, but I don't know if I'll be able to.<br />
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<br />Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-43667822721149982017-01-30T09:38:00.003-08:002017-01-30T09:38:45.617-08:00Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10F1c2fudzg/WI9pzGLawWI/AAAAAAAA4w4/O-fYNe00Tqg-FrFsoeZ5bi0xaqCnfyl5QCLcB/s1600/Grave%2BSecret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10F1c2fudzg/WI9pzGLawWI/AAAAAAAA4w4/O-fYNe00Tqg-FrFsoeZ5bi0xaqCnfyl5QCLcB/s320/Grave%2BSecret.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<u>Grave Secret</u> by Charlaine Harris<br />
<br />
This is the fourth book in the Harper Connelly series. I accidentally started reading this series with book 3, but it read well enough and the premise was good so I was hooked. After that book, I had to read about how Harper's story ended, so I checked this one out right away. Unfortunately, her story ends on kind of a boring note.<br />
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The premise of the series is this: Harper Connelly was struck by lightning when she was a teenager, and now she can find dead bodies and determine how the person died. Harper travels with her step-brother Tolliver making money off of her talent and helping people solve mysteries of lost loved ones. Harper is also hoping to solve her own mystery...the mystery of what happened to her older sister Cameron who went missing 8 years ago.<br />
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In this book Harper is called in by the wealthy Joyce family to help determine if their grandfather died of natural causes, or if something else was afoul. After going to the graveyard, Harper concludes that Rich Joyce (the grandfather) was scared to death by someone, and that his care-giver died due to complications of child birth rather than the general infection that the family thinks killed her. Then someone starts to look like they are targeting Harper. Her brother gets shot, and more people around her stop dying. Can Harper find the killer before she gets killed?<br />
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This is the final book in the series, and not only is there the main mystery, but the book also ties up the mystery of what happened to Harper's sister Cameron. This book felt a lot like the previous book I read from the series. There was a lot of time in the hospital, a lot of talk about Harper and Tolliver's childhood, and it just seemed so similar to the former book. Plus (SPOILER) Harper and Tolliver start dating in book 3, and in this 4th book she keeps referring to him as her brother. I know that they are only step-siblings, and they didn't become family until they were teenagers, but it is just creepy for her to keep calling the man she is sleeping with her brother. The resolution to Cameron's mystery seems rushed and anti-climatic. I was sorry to see the series end on such a down note,<br />
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I've read all of Harris's Sookie Stackhouse books, and now I've read through some of this series, I am hoping the next series I read from her has a better denouncement than this one.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-27556789181669760652016-06-13T13:28:00.001-07:002016-06-13T13:28:10.800-07:00Beauty-Full Volume a reviewI got a free product of the Beauty-Full Volume set from Tresemme through the Influenster Vox Box program. I was not paid in any way, shape, or form for this review.<br />
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I already do reverse washing with my hair. I put on my conditioner on the ends and leave that on, then shampoo the top later in the shower. I've been doing this for awhile, and it really works well for my hair, so I was happy to try the Tresseme products and the new system they have developed. The products smell lovely, and they made my hair super soft, but unfortunately they also left it very dull and lifeless. I conditioned with the conditioner like the instructions said, then I used the shampoo. I used it a couple of times, thinking it was just my hair freaking out, but it just didn't ever seem to do anything to add volume.<br />
<br />
I really wish the product worked better, but I appreciate being able to try it.<br />
<br />
http://www.tresemme.com/product/category/1085900/new-beauty-full-volumeLibrarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-71021962396285843012014-10-14T11:55:00.003-07:002014-10-14T11:55:56.372-07:00Suspicion by Alexandra Monir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At 10 years old Imogen Rockford lost her parents in a fire at their family home in England. She's spent the 7 years since then trying to put that terrible night out of her mind and get on with her life with her adoptive family in New York City. Then, information is brought forth that makes Imogen return to her family home, and to the memories she left behind there.<br />
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I guess this book is supposed to be somewhat of a mystery, and I can't describe it much more than I have without giving too much away. I liked the tone of the novel, and the idea behind it, but I think in the end I was left a little underwhelmed. Maybe I am getting old, maybe I am just sick of girls who can't hold themselves together around the boy who is obviously "the one". Who knows, but honestly, Imogen's obsession with her childhood friend Sebastian did start to get on my nerves. We spent more time with her mooning over him than on the mystery and history surrounding her family and the Rockford Manner (which would have been way more interesting).<br />
<br />Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-4091735222866013322014-09-02T06:45:00.003-07:002014-09-02T06:45:55.212-07:00The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jennifer Holm is a prolific author of the Babymouse series and multiple other books for middle graders. This is the first novel of hers that I've read, and I will say it was a bit different than I thought it would be.<br />
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This is eleven year old Ellie's coming of age story. Ellie's best friend and she are drifting apart, and to make matters even weirder her grandfather has found a fountain of youth and turned himself into a teenager. Now, Ellie's grandpa Melvin is living with her and her mom, she's having to make new friends, and (with prompting from her newly young grandfather) she's learning that she loves science.<br />
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That is not the best description of the book, but it was the best I could do. While this book does have a science theme, it is really a story about growing up and about loving your family. It's also a story about taking chances and changing your life in the ways that you want it changed. I read through the book quickly enough, and I enjoyed the characters, but it was a little bland for me. I finished the book a few days ago and I had to look Ellie's name up for this review because I'd forgotten it already. I think that fans of middle grade books, and those that already read Jennifer L. Holm's books will enjoy this thoughtful yet light novel.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-11414516580157718482014-08-27T10:46:00.002-07:002014-08-27T10:46:46.156-07:00Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Isla (pronounced Eye-La like Island) attends the School of America in Paris and has had a hopeless crush on Josh since their freshmen year. The two meet up one summer while home in NYC, and it is the start of a whirlwind romance that consumes them both during their senior year of school.<br />
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This is the final companion book in the set that includes <u>Anna & the French Kiss</u> and <u>Lola & the Boy Next Door</u>. Characters from both books make cameos in this book as well. Josh is a secondary character in <u>Anna & the French Kiss</u>, but here he gets a (sort of) starring role. I loved Anna and Lola; unfortunately I did not love Isla. In some ways she might be the character I relate to the most, but her complete and total obsession with Josh made the story seem kind of flat. At times this book almost felt like it was Fatal Attraction instead of the You've Got Mail vibe I've gotten from Perkin's other books. I missed the humor, I missed the secondary characters and the setting all playing a more important part of the story. Instead I was trapped in Isla's head where the only thing I could see or feel was her desperate obsession with Josh.<br />
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Eventually Isla did grow on me, once she and Josh physically had to be separated and she had to function on her own, and I did think her best friend (Kurt) was a sweet character, but all in all this wasn't my favorite of Perkin's novels. I hope she continues to write, and I look forward to seeing what else she will come up with, but I will miss the characters I've grown to love so much. Maybe one day down the road she will revisit them.<br />
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<br />Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-43474089100757822092014-08-08T07:32:00.003-07:002014-08-08T07:32:55.467-07:00Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now, if you are a follower of this blog you probably know already that I love all things spooky and horror-like. So, this book had me sold based on the cover alone. I mean who doesn't love a creepy carousel picture with horror writing over it? That cover...I just love it.<br />
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The book opens up with the story of Ivy, a girl whose name and life has been changed to protect her from the serial killer who killed her parents and will most likely one day come back for her. Ivy is one of the main characters of the story, but she is not the only focus. Instead, this is an ensemble book about teens who enter a Justin Blake's (a famous horror movie maker) contest to share their worst nightmare, and win a chance to meet Blake and see his newest movie. Each teen enters for a different reason...and once the winners are brought together things start to go horribly wrong.<br />
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This book is the current YA lit form of an 80's teen slasher flick. The characters are relatively inter-changeable (it took me about 2/3 of the book before I could really figure out who was narrating each chapter), and there isn't much gore, but there is lots of teen hormones and fun scares. The nightmares that each teen encounters are interesting, and the Nightmare Elf (the star of Justin Blake's horror movies) reminds me of a mix of characters from Puppet Master, Leprechaun, and Dolls. The chills are there, and I really had fun with the book...until the end. I was a bit disappointed with how the book closed, and I am confused because it seems like there is going to be a sequel since there was no real resolution. That said I think that the fun of the rest of the book more than makes up for the mediocre ending.<br />
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I reviewed a digital ARC copy of this book from Netgalley. I received no compensation for my review.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-24924936002313389572014-06-05T07:11:00.002-07:002014-06-05T07:11:13.947-07:00Accomplishments & TitlesGrowing up I thought I would be a teacher, an artist, or maybe an engineer like my father. I had friends who were writers, but I never figured that as a career for me. I love books, and have loved reading since I was a child, but I was never big on writing stories of my own.<br />
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At 34, I still don't think I will have a career as an author, but I do believe I have become a writer. I have been published in <a href="http://www.voyamagazine.com/">VOYA magazine</a> and in an academic journal. I am a featured writer on <a href="http://publiclibrariesonline.org/">Public Libraries Online</a>. And almost anytime I get a chance to write for something I jump at it. I love to write papers for class, and I guess I just really do enjoy writing. Hopefully I will continue to have opportunities to be published, and I can continue to write online as well. My husband knows for sure that I have a lot to say, so writing gives me a way to keep on saying it without talking his ear off lol.<br />
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Another title that I can claim, that I'd have never thought of when I was younger, is runner. I am not the fastest runner, nor the most consistent, but I am a runner. My New Year's resolution was to run a 5k this year (without stopping), and I already accomplished that back in April, now I am focusing on running faster. My next goal is to do a 5k at a pace of a 14 minute mile (which is really slow), but once I hit that goal I can move to another one. Every time I get down on myself for being slow, I remember that there was a time a few years ago when I couldn't have even run a mile outside, let alone 3+ miles. I just need to keep my head down and keep going.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-36072336570063131642014-06-03T08:44:00.000-07:002014-06-03T08:44:54.493-07:00My first giveaway & a quiz!<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> “Which Starlight Saga Character Would YOU Most
Likely Be?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Today bestselling author,
Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us! She will be publishing a
brand new upper YA / Sci-Fi romance series: the “Starlight Saga” </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">with scorching-hot character chemistry, exciting suspense, and epic
romance on June 26, 2014</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">To
help promote this </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">interstellar love story</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, “LOST IN
STARLIGHT” Sherry is doing this promo to share the news with fellow booklovers.
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This
giveaway is open internationally! So
let’s tell the blogging world!</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">T</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ake this quiz to see
which character in the Starlight Saga you’d most likely be similar to, and
score a $10 Amazon gift card!<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Answer this quiz, and
then post your results in the comments. Be sure to check the bottom of the post for the details regarding this
random giveaway. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We detest using labels,
but what would others call you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Amateur Fashionista<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Jock/ Cheerleader<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Goth or Emo inspired<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Preppy/ Student Counsel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Which of the following
best describes your personality?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Lighthearted, Diverse,
Honest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Stuck-up, Conceited, Cocky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Independent, Witty,
Strange<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Quiet, Temperamental, Clever<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Which genre do you
read most often?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Paranormal Romance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Urban Fantasy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Horror / Darker YA <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Science Fiction <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You are at school and witness a student bullying someone. What do you
do?</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Run in the opposite direction before they pick on you</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Laugh and join in on the fun</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Go tell a teacher what’s going on</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Stop and tell the bully to knock it off or else!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">What type of
pet would you like to have or do you own?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Snake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Cat <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l7 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hamster<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">How often do
you shop or hit the mall?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .55in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Once or twice a month <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .55in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Only on sale days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .55in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Every week—duh <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .55in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hardly ever <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Where would
you hang out on a free afternoon?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">a)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The library or bookstore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">b)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hit the clothing stores with friends <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">c)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Go to the movies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">d)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Play video games <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you answered...<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mostly a's:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You and Viola are a lot alike! You both love to read, prefer
to avoid confrontations, and you’re energetic and sassy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mostly b's:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Popular girls, Emma and Kaitlyn could be your new besties!
You each enjoy sports, hanging at the mall, and dogs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mostly c's:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You are a lot like the heroine, Sloane. You both love to
shop, hang at the movies, adore cats, and like the darker side of books and
films. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mostly d's:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Sounds like you and Hayden have a lot in common. You each love
to play video games, can’t stand bullies, and are into science fiction books,
comics, or movies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Random winner will be picked on June 27<sup>th</sup> 2014. Please check
back on that day to find out if you’re the lucky winner.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Your gift card will be delivered via email. All prizes will be
electronically delivered. Please review all terms & conditions before
entering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mandatory
g</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">iveaway
details:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/08e1e68/" id="rc-08e1e68" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></center>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script></span><br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
<o:p></o:p></span></center>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">That's it! Good luck!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAhehlT8ffY/U43Owgm_9xI/AAAAAAAAU7Q/XqP3XHsjcrg/s1600/BookCover_Lost_in_Starlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAhehlT8ffY/U43Owgm_9xI/AAAAAAAAU7Q/XqP3XHsjcrg/s1600/BookCover_Lost_in_Starlight.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Please mark your calendars to buy your copy of LOST IN STARLIGHT on June
26<sup>th</sup> 2014!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Read the first five chapters for free on wattpad: </span><a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/14214838-lost-in-starlight-syfy-romance"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">http://www.wattpad.com/story/14214838-lost-in-starlight-syfy-romance</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">VOLUME ONE:
Starlight Saga</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">High school reporter Sloane Masterson knows she has
one helluva story when she witnesses hottie Hayden Lancaster bending forks
with his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to
uncover the truth, even if it includes a little stalking. When the superhuman
feats start to pile up and the undeniable heat rises between them, Hayden has
no choice but to reveal his secret: he’s an alien hybrid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">They’re as different as night and day—she’s
a curvy, purple-haired, horror junkie and he’s a smoking hot, antisocial,
brainiac—yet the intense fascination between them refuses to go away. Even at
Hayden’s insistence that dating each other is “off limits” and crazy dangerous,
their fiery attraction threatens to go supernova. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Now
Sloane’s dealing with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials,
and a psycho alien ex-girlfriend out for revenge. After a crash course on the
rules of interstellar dating, Sloane must decide if their star-crossed romance
is worth risking her own life....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Places
you can cyberstalk Sherry Soule:</span></b><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Official Blog: </span><a href="http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "EMAPM D+ Times New Roman PSMT";">Twitter @SherrySoule: </span><a href="http://twitter.com/writersherry"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "EMAPM D+ Times New Roman PSMT";">http://twitter.com/SherrySoule</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Please add LOST IN STARLIGHT to your TBR on goodreads: </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20707942-lost-to-starlight"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20707942-lost-to-starlight
</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The awesome book cover was designed by the
talented, Kristen Thompson-Oh of KCT Designs at </span><a href="http://www.kctdesigns.com/"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">www.kctdesigns.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-3869623993639863772014-05-31T11:38:00.001-07:002014-05-31T11:38:08.995-07:00Band of BrothersI am a bit behind the times when it comes to watching the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers. I will admit, I was a little turned off by Saving Private Ryan, so when this mini-series came out I wasn't really interested. Recently, Amazon Prime acquired the rights to show many HBO shows and my husband and I decided to start watching this series on Memorial Day.<br />
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My husband had seen the series before, but not for over a decade. I went in knowing it was about WWII, but that was the extent of my knowledge on the series. Initially, I did think the first episode was a little slow, but by the end of episode two I was hooked. My husband and I watched all ten episodes of the series this past week. I am very proud to say that I didn't cry until the very last episode, although my husband thought I was going to crack much sooner. I caught him looking at me to see if I was tearing up or not. <br />
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I was seriously impressed by the series. I really invested in the characters and wanted to know what happened to them after the war. I wish I had watched the series earlier, because I want to be able to talk to my grandfather about it and about how it compares to what he went through in WWII, but he died back in 2011. I kind of wish I could go back and watch the series over again for the first time, but I know I won't ever be able to do that. This series really touched me and I think that, while it is a dramatization, it is important and that more people (who didn't see it the first time around) should watch it.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-1954939860352833702014-05-30T13:12:00.001-07:002014-05-30T13:12:11.111-07:00Prodigy by Marie Lu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I LOVED the book Legend, so I couldn't wait to read the second book in this trilogy starring Day and June. Ever have one of those times where you want to read a book/see a movie/watch a TV show but are scared because you think it might not be as good as you are hoping for? Unfortunately, that is what happened with me...<br />
<br />WARNING- Ahead there be spoilers concerning <u>Legend</u>.<br />
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<u>Prodigy</u> picks up right where <u>Legend</u> left off. Day and June are on the run from the Republic. They eventually need to ask the Patriots for help because Day is hurt and can't continue on without assistance. The Patriots require some services from Day and June in payment for helping them and healing Day. A plot is hatched to assassinate the newly appointed Elector, and Day and June both have to help out. But, as time goes by, June starts to realize that she and Day might have been set up for more than they bargained for.<br />
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The first half of this book was slow, so seriously slow. I felt like I'd lost part of the characters that I'd really enjoyed, and it read like the story was just going through the motions. I almost gave up. The end did start to get me more involved again, and the ending did pull at my heart strings. I will probably read the last book, if only to find out what happens to these characters. Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-36148586416299385832014-05-22T13:32:00.002-07:002014-05-22T13:32:20.337-07:00Fabelhaven by Brandon Mull<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBFzAj3wRgA/U35arNoVShI/AAAAAAAAU1Y/EjeidnYbm_w/s1600/Fablehaven-cover-of-book-1-fablehaven-19405246-387-576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MBFzAj3wRgA/U35arNoVShI/AAAAAAAAU1Y/EjeidnYbm_w/s1600/Fablehaven-cover-of-book-1-fablehaven-19405246-387-576.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
Kendra and Seth's parents are going on a cruise, and the kids are going to visit with their grandfather whom they barely know. When Kendra and Seth arrive their grandfather gives them a specific set of rules to live by, and tells them that certain parts of the property are completely off limits.<br />
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What Kendra and Seth do not know is that these rules are in place to protect them, and everyone else at Fablehaven, one of the last refuges for mythical creatures. The kids find this out quickly when they break the rules and put everyone in serious danger.<br />
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I've heard good things about this series and, after a slow start, I did enjoy the book. I will say that the younger brother was very annoying though and I kind of wanted to smack him one. I loved the different creatures throughout the book and would like to read more in the series. This book is great for older elementary and middle school readers who enjoy a fun fantasy story.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-76363915874626114892014-05-07T13:59:00.001-07:002014-05-22T06:27:43.731-07:00Doll Bones by Holly Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MkKnzH_8wg/U2qWWZ43i6I/AAAAAAAAUxc/QKw8Mi2djBg/s1600/Doll-Bones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2MkKnzH_8wg/U2qWWZ43i6I/AAAAAAAAUxc/QKw8Mi2djBg/s1600/Doll-Bones.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
Three childhood friends: Poppy, Zach, and Alice love spending time together building their magical worlds and leading their favorite characters on adventures. Then Zach's father ruins everything by throwing Zach's toys (including the action figure Zach uses to portray his main character) and declares that he is "too old for toys". Zach is hurt, made, and confused, and decides that he has to stop playing the game with Poppy and Alice.<br />
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Then, the girls come to Zach one night and tell him that the old china doll belonging to Poppy's mother is haunted by the ghost of a young girl whose bones were used to create the doll. This leads the friends on an adventure to bury the doll where the girl lived in hopes of letting her soul rest.<br />
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This book won a Newbery Honor and it was a good story about growing up, but it didn't really stick with me. I didn't find the doll to be scary, and I guess I was just hoping for something else or something more. I wanted to revisit the spooky stories I loved as a kid like Wait Till Helen Comes and some chapter book I can't remember about a girl going back in time to pilgrim days while on a vacation with her family. This book didn't give me that scary feeling though, so I was a little disappointed. This book is most likely plenty spooky for younger readers though, and I am sure that late elementary students will enjoy it.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-51804794871906950552014-05-01T11:42:00.001-07:002014-05-01T11:42:12.079-07:00The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTwObNV_vWM/U2KQoLIhMtI/AAAAAAAAUwk/iyaIwa-bk24/s1600/silerliningsplaybook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTwObNV_vWM/U2KQoLIhMtI/AAAAAAAAUwk/iyaIwa-bk24/s1600/silerliningsplaybook.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
Pat Peoples (where in the world the author came up with that name I will never know) has been away at "the bad place" for awhile. He is currently in "apart time" from his wife Nikki, but then his mom springs him from the joint and he is back on his way home and on his way to winning Nikki back and ending "apart time", or at least that is what he thinks.<br />
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As Pat spends time at home and reacquainting himself with his family, he starts to realize that he was in the "bad place" a lot longer than he thought, and that the life he returned to is much different than the one he left. Pat believes in Silver Linings and he believes that Nikki will come back to him, and he doesn't understand why all his wedding photos are gone and why no one will talk to him about Nikki. Pat meets Tiffany, who offers to help me communicate with Nikki in exchange for a few things (not watching Eagles football, helping Tiffany win the Dance Away Depression competition, and telling no one of their agreement), and he thinks this is his chance to achieve his Silver Lining.<br />
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I know of the book because of the movie (for which Jennifer Lawrence won her Oscar). The book was a Kindle Daily deal, or some other deal, so I purchased it and decided to give it a shot after my Children's Literature class ended. It was a fast read, and I enjoyed the author's voice, but I wasn't completely sold on the story. Pat was sympathetic, but I wanted more development in his relationship with Tiffany. I am interested to see the movie and see how these actors interpret the characters. I liked the book well enough while I was reading it, but since I finished it I kind of feel meh about it.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-29802277869413820832014-04-24T07:24:00.001-07:002014-04-24T07:24:58.621-07:00Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBeXpEc7Vzs/U1kbL-zafRI/AAAAAAAAUlU/M4SyNV1ox88/s1600/miss-peregrines-home-for-peculiar-children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBeXpEc7Vzs/U1kbL-zafRI/AAAAAAAAUlU/M4SyNV1ox88/s1600/miss-peregrines-home-for-peculiar-children.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
Jacob grew up believing the fascinating tales that his grandfather spun about his childhood and the unusual children he spent it with. Jacob finds a letter after witnessing his grandfather's death that sends him on a journey of exploration back to his grandfather's childhood home. When he gets to the island where his grandfather grew up he finds out that things are not as they seem, that the children his grandfather knew actually were (and still are) real and as depicted, and that Jacob might be a bit peculiar himself.<br />
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The cover of this book had me from the start, and the awesome photos scattered throughout are just great. Everyone I know that has read this book has really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I only thought it was OK. I love the concept, but I really didn't care for any of the characters. I ended up speed reading through the last bit of the book and am not sure I will read the next book in the series. I wish I liked it more, because this sounds just like my kind of book. I might have enjoyed the graphic novel version a bit more because I might have been more interested in the images. That might have helped me connect more with the characters and the story.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-22121995286892630062014-03-20T13:50:00.000-07:002014-03-20T13:50:47.873-07:00The Giver by Lois Lowry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0F3W08Rsf4k/UytK779hzCI/AAAAAAAAUkY/rc4b9dxdCWw/s1600/The-Giver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0F3W08Rsf4k/UytK779hzCI/AAAAAAAAUkY/rc4b9dxdCWw/s1600/The-Giver.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div>
I have to admit something kind of embarrassing here....until this year I'd never read <u>The Giver</u>. This book came out when I was 13, and by then I'd skipped what little YA there was and was onto adult novels like <u>Jurassic Park</u>. Since the movie is coming out, and because I needed to fill this gaping hole in my reading repertoire I decided that I would check <u>The Giver</u> out from the library and give it a go.<br />
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For those of you that don't know, <u>The Giver</u> takes place in what appears to be a utopic society. There is no war, no famine, no pain, and everyone is the same. At 12 everyone receives their position/job for the society. The main character of the novel, Jonas, is chosen as the next 'Reciever of Memory'. This is a special position which allows the person in it to live outside the rules of the regular society. This person is allowed to ask questions, and even allowed to lie (something that is forbidden to anyone else). The current 'Receiver of Memory' chooses instead to call himself 'The Giver' as he is slowly going to give Jonas all of his memories from before the time when everyone was the same.<br />
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Some of these memories are beautiful, some are terrible, but they awaken something in Jonas and he starts to question the society they are in, to rebel against 'sameness' and to want to be alive and to feel. Jonas must then make a decision for his whole community. Does he want to stay, and hold all the memories of before, or does he want to try to break free, and possibly break the entire community out of their same-ness stupor.<br />
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I am actually kind of surprised that this book won the Newbery Award. It is so vastly different than Lowry's previous winner, <u>Number the Stars</u>. I did really enjoy the book and I can see why it is used in classrooms and book groups because I can imagine that it would stir quite an interesting discussion. The ending is somewhat open ended, and while I'd love to believe that the happier interpretation of events is the truth, I am including to believe the more pessimistic take on what happens with Jonas.<br />
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P.S. don't forget to check out the trailer for the up-coming movie: http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/heres-the-first-official-trailer-for-the-giverLibrarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-61036148260698026622014-03-11T10:40:00.002-07:002014-03-11T10:40:53.614-07:00Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCr4FcAogkE/Ux9Gd_c66WI/AAAAAAAAUjQ/v8NncBqgvZ8/s1600/betweenshadesofgray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCr4FcAogkE/Ux9Gd_c66WI/AAAAAAAAUjQ/v8NncBqgvZ8/s1600/betweenshadesofgray.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
Set during WWII, Lina is a regular 15 year old Lithuanian girl, until the night Soviet soldiers come to her house and take her mother, brother, and her away. Lina is put onto a train with other Lithuanians then shipped off to live in harsh conditions at a Soviet work camp. She has been separated from her father, with only a hint of where he is. A talented artist, Lina attempts to send drawings to her father in hopes that he will know that she and her family are still alive, and that when this nightmare is all over he will be able to find them.<br />
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This novel is amazingly moving, and based on real events that very few people know about. The action starts very quickly, as the novel opens with Lina and her family being taken. You only get glimpses of her life before through Lina's flashbacks. The author took trips to Lithuania and met with survivors of the Soviet genocide. I tried looking up information on the setting so I could get a better handle on the book, but even at that I could not find much definitive information about the Soviet genocide. According to the author's afterward, those who survived the work camps had to make it through at least 10 years there. Once they were free they were under constant surveillance, and unable to talk about or relate their experiences to anyone for fear that they would be shipped back. <br />
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I am very glad that I read this book, I want to learn more about what happened to these people. The author said that Stalin may have killed 20 million people during this time period, but we rarely hear about it. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that I wanted more of an epilogue from the characters. We get a short note from Lina that someone finds later on, but I want to read at least a little bit about her life after the end of the novel because it feels a little rushed and unfinished.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-44148683325957263762014-02-25T13:43:00.002-08:002014-02-25T13:43:47.416-08:00The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5u4CwX0e8EQ/Uw0MhoN3aaI/AAAAAAAAUgM/Rc1cbZQTfao/s1600/The_Penderwicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5u4CwX0e8EQ/Uw0MhoN3aaI/AAAAAAAAUgM/Rc1cbZQTfao/s1600/The_Penderwicks.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
I am currently taking a Children's Literature course and in this course we have to read/review 100 items from different categories. Luckily, we can read "up and down" as we see fit, so I can continue to read from my YA department. But, I also have been reading a large amount of middle grade and younger books.<br />
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Our text book mentioned The Penderwicks as an old-fashioned feeling contemporary fiction book, and it is a book that my boss said has gotten great reviews, so I figured I would give it a shot and see what the fuss was about. Am I glad that I decided to read this book, ignoring its amazingly dated cover.<br />
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The story takes place over a summer vacation where four girls and their widowed father rent a cottage on the estate of Arundale from a miserly old woman. Mrs. Tifton (who owns Arundale) doesn't care for the sisters, and only wants her garden to win the summer garden competition, and for her son (Jeffrey) to grow up just like his grandfather. The sisters: Rosalind (12), Skye (11), Jane (10), and Batty (4) get into all sorts of mischievousness, and end up becoming best friends with Jeffrey. This story is a vignette of how the Penderwick sisters' change the Tiftons' and their own lives over their summer vacation.<br />
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This book had a warm and wonderful old fashioned feel. It made me think of being outdoors as a kid, and spending time at summer camp. The writing reminds me of my old favorites <u>Anne of Green Gables</u> or <u>The Secret Garden</u>. There is just something so delicious and romantic about this story and the writing. I liked all of the characters, and had a hard time deciding which sister I related to the most (either Rosalind or Skye I'd say). This book warmed my heart and I can't wait to read more of the Penderwicks' adventures.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-56579574513767252822013-12-27T14:04:00.000-08:002013-12-27T14:04:04.282-08:00Nadia Knows Best by Jill Mansell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nadia has been dating her childhood best friend (Laurie) for years, and even though things are a little rough (with Laurie's new modeling career taking off), Nadia doesn't let temptation in the form a night stranded in a snow storm with a stranger make her cheat on the love of her life...Too bad Nadia didn't know that Laurie was already planning on dumping her.<br />
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18 months later and Nadia has pulled her life back together. She's now working for the man she spent the snow storm with, and is even starting to consider dating again...then Laurie shows back up and declares his undying love for Nadia and explains his regret at dumping her. Now Nadia is torn between her new boss (Jay), and her old love. <br />
This story is also filled with characters in Nadia's family: her selfish artistic artist Clare, her adorable 13 year old half-sister Tilly, her father, and her captivating grandmother (all of whom she lives with), and her crazy whirling dervish of a mother. Each character gets his or her own story, and some of the stories are stronger than others. Nadia is a likable character, and the humor and heart in this book propel the narrative. I pretty much wanted to strangle Clare throughout the entire book, and Tilly's story broke my heart (in a good way). I look forward to reading more of Mansell's work.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-79609179415456772932013-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:002013-12-17T10:00:02.569-08:00Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Emma's mother reached for her toast, and fell down dead. Now, her body is being kept alive with machines so that Emma's half-brother (her mother was pregnant when she died) has a chance to finish growing inside of her and life. <br />
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Before, Emma was super focused on grades and had a happy family with her mother and step-father. Now, Emma is grieving and angry. Her mother is dead, she and her step-father are estranged, and the only person Emma still has is her best friend Olivia. Then Emma meets Caleb, the car stealing bad-boy of her high school. Caleb understands Emma in a way no one else can, because he lost a family member too. Can Caleb and Emma help each other learn how to go on living with those they love have died?<br />
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I really love Elizabeth Scott's writing. This story sounds like it could be very melodramatic, but Scott writes Emma so that she is amazingly sympathetic for as self-absorbed (by grief) that she is. Emma's mother (who is dead the entire book) is very well described and without ever being present is actually a fleshed out character. Emma's lamentations about ignoring her mother in favor of studying and pursuing her future are very touching. There are times when Emma seems to be a bit exaggerated, and Caleb's home life is very convenient to the story, but those are some minor issues. All in all, I think that Scott has written another touching book with a main character dealing with grief and redefining her life.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-68141072440758777152013-12-06T10:45:00.001-08:002013-12-06T10:46:16.663-08:00These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lilac and Tarver are passengers on a luxurious space ship called the <i>Icarus</i>. Lilac, the daughter of the richest man in the universe, and Tarver, a boy from a humble background who became famous for heroic deeds he performed as a soldier, meet one night in a salon within the ship. They are instantly attracted to one another, but Lilac must reject Tarver for fear of what may happen to him at the hands of her father.<br />
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Then, without warning, the ship drops out of hyperspace and it hits the fan. Lilac and Tarver end up in the same escape pod that crash lands on a seemly uninhabited planet. They are the only survivors of the crash of the <i>Icarus</i>, and they must learn to survive on the planet while they make their way to the site where the ship itself crashed in hopes of being rescued.<br />
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Disclosure, I have never sat through an entire viewing of the movie Titanic, and I've never seen the original movie of The Blue Lagoon, but this book reads like the YA novel love child of these two movies that has Twilight as its godparent. The book is told in alternating perspectives from Lilac and Tarver after they have obviously been rescued. They spend the first half of their time on the planet trying to be rescued, then the other half of their time there being all schmoopy and puppy-dog in love with each other. This book is really unrealistic in the fact that Lilac takes only days to acclimate to roughing it (Survivor level roughing it) on the planet, and within a couple weeks is willing to give up her old life and stay in this remote place just so she can be with Tarver. <br />
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I almost gave up on this book a few times, but the mystery surrounding the planet made me keep reading it. I'd kind of like to see what happens next, but I might be more likely to ask a friend who reads the next book to fill me instead of reading the whole book myself.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-42544480697653341522013-11-19T12:24:00.000-08:002013-11-19T12:24:08.266-08:00Unhinged by A. G. Howard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Alyssa Gardner has defeated the Red Queen, saved her beloved Jeb, and is now the reigning queen of Wonderland. All she has to do now is finish high school and convince her parents to let her move to London with Jeb. Unfortunately for Alyssa, that is not going to be so simple. Alyssa's art has changed. She no longer creates mosaics with dead bugs, and instead colors her artwork with her own blood. These mosaics show maniacal images from Wonderland that Alyssa would rather not try to decipher. Too bad she has to use these mosaics, and rely on Morpheus (her childhood Wonderland friend who is amazingly unreliable and manipulative) to help protect her kingdom. Alyssa is increasingly torn between the human world with Jeb and her parents, and her love for and commitment to Wonderland.<br />
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One of my favorite things about Splintered was all the descriptions of Wonderland. The world sounded so beautifully hideous. This book is set mostly in the human world, so there are not as many of these awesome Wonderlandeqsue images. Also, the characters are a little less likable for me in this novel. Jeb came across at times as wooden and kinda assy. Morpheus is always assy, but he still manages to be decent enough to just keep my sympathy...most of the time. Alyssa's conflicted desires to be in the human world and in Wonderland were understandable, but she did not handle the situation she was in very well at all and allowed some of her family and friends to suffer.<br />
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While Splintered is a book that could stand on it its own; Unhinged is obviously a book that needs a follow up. The main action didn't start until rather late in the book, and there was resolution, only an obvious start to a next chapter. I am glad I read this, and I am very much looking forward to reading the next book about Wonderland, but this one fell a little flat for me.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-77668126392545050022013-10-30T11:48:00.002-07:002013-10-30T11:48:46.727-07:00Divergent by Veronica Roth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Divergent is coming out as a movie in March and is pegged to be the "next Hunger Games" type series. With that, and the fact that so many people have raved about this book, I figured it was about time that I got around to reading it.<br />
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This book took me at most 3 days to read. And that is only because my husband and I got Battlefield 4 last night and spent time setting that up (I read this book during the set up) and then playing.<br />
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Divergent is a dystopic story set in a future Chicago. In it's world there are 5 factions, each follows a specific ideal. Beatrice is raised in Abnegnation where she is taught to be selfless above all else. The year she and her brother, Caleb, turn 16 they are allowed to choose which faction they want to continue their life with. Divergent's world is based on the idea of "faction before blood" so choosing a faction other than Abnegnation means separating themselves from their family forever. <br />
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When preparing to make her choice, Beatrice finds out information about herself that could potentially be dangerous to her and her family. Beatrice thinks the only thing she has to worry about is choosing a faction and surviving initiation, but there are much darker happenings going on.<br />
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Beatrice (aka Tris as she renames herself) drove me a little nuts with her selfishness, but I loved the world that Roth had built. I did fell that the end kind of was like a quote from Anchorman "well that escalated quickly", but other than that I really enjoyed the book. I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-35053423196832997872013-10-15T14:41:00.003-07:002013-10-15T14:41:47.496-07:00Numbed by David Lubar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Numbed by David Lubar is a book for late elementary/early middle school. The two main characters visit the math museum with their class and manage to insult a math loving robot who "numbs" them, meaning that Benedict and Logan are no longer able to do math. Too bad the boys are about to take a big math test at school, the results of which will determine if the class gets an awesome reward.<br />
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Benedict and Logan must return to the museum, and finish a bunch of math tests to regain their math ability or else they are going to let their whole class down.<br />
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This book is aimed at a different age group than the books I normally read. I did enjoy the characters, and the information about math, but the book seemed really short to me. I do think that it would be good in a school or public library for kids in 4 - 6 grade, and would recommend it to readers my library.<br />
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<br />Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40852512996744990.post-72174754046724994092013-09-03T11:25:00.001-07:002013-09-03T11:25:10.684-07:00Never Fade by Alexandra BrackenThis is the sequel to the book <u>The Darkest Minds</u> and it picks up shortly where that book left off. This review will contain spoilers to <u>The Darkest Minds</u>, so if you haven't read that book yet, GO and read it cause it's awesome. Then, come back and read this review.<br />
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<u>Never Fade</u> starts off shortly after the events that ended the first book. Ruby is now working with the Children's League and using her special powers to persuade enemies of the League to give the League information. She's heart broken from losing Liam and tries to use the League's resources to track him to make sure he is ok. Then, during an op, Ruby and her teammate help rescue a special prisoner, Liam's older brother Cole. Cole's rescue, and subsequent rifts in the League send Ruby on on a mission to find Liam, rescue information, and hopefully help save the lives of her old and new friends.<br />
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This book starts kind of slowly and Ruby kind of reminds me of Katniss during the opening of <u>Mockingjay</u>. But, once Ruby is off on her missions things really get going. I enjoyed revisiting the old characters, and I also liked the addition of new personalities. While the first book could have stood on its own; this book ends somewhat on a cliff hanger. I can not wait to see what happens next.<br />
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<br />Librarykathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07775219789257597696noreply@blogger.com0