Thursday, January 31, 2013

January Wrap-Up

I'm trying guys. Really I am. I know I was lame this month, but I'm finally getting back into the swing of balancing work and blogging. I've been pretty busy with my debate team stuff, but that is getting more manageable now that I don't have a role...Not like I'm bitter or anything... Anyway this has been an amazing month for me. I had many rocky tear-filled days, but recently my life has been a ball of sunshine. I am so thankful for my wonderful friend in my life. One in particular has really been amazing. So this post will be a mixture of things about this month.

TOP 5 SONGS OF THE MONTH
1. Feel Again by OneRepublic
2. Here's to Us (Glee Version)
3. Don't Dream It's Over (Glee Version)
4. Holy Ground by Taylor Swift
5. Fearless by Taylor Swift

TOP 5 MOMENTS OF THE MONTH
1. Being with my best friend
2. When my debate team won the competition
3. When I finished Burn for Burn
4. Getting 11 books for $27
5. Going to the mall with my mom

CURRENTLY READING
Eighth Grade Bites- 1/2 done
Looking for Alaska- Just started
Pretty Little Secrets- 1/4 done

In My Life: Well I've been working on some essays for a few contests and reading a lot lately. My month has been pretty terrific actually. I have had a few amazingly romantic moments that feel like they belong to a ya novel. I've been busy keeping up with my spotless grades and grueling extracurriculars. Thankfully I have a nice book and the bestest friend ever to kick back, relax, and have fun with. 

If you like my blog or just want some more contests and random quotes please please PLEASE follow my Twitter and Facebook! Not like I'm begging or anything, but come on! Show your support! 

Love you all, my fellow bookies!
- macy


Sunday, January 27, 2013

Switched at Birth by Kathryn Kennish

Switched at Birth by Kathryn Kennish

Released: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Page Amount: 144, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (Kathryn) 
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-16/20
Characters-15/20
Creativity-14/20
Writing-15/20
Pace-7/10
Ending-7/10
=74/100 C
/5







SUMMARY:
As seen on the hit ABC Family series Switched at Birth, Kathryn Kennish was delivered the shock of her life when she found out that the baby girl she brought home from the hospital 16 years ago isn't the one she gave birth to and that she has a biological daughter who she does not know. Now, for the first time, she tells her full, extraordinary, switched-at-birth story.
Kathryn Kennish seemed to have a charmed life as a stay-at-home mom in a wealthy Kansas suburb with her husband, John, a former professional baseball player, and their two teenage children. But Kathryn's world was turned upside down when she found out that Bay, the daughter she and John have raised since birth, is actually the biological daughter of a single mother named Regina. This news is followed by the equally mind-boggling fact that Kathryn's biological daughter, Daphne, who happens to be deaf, has been raised by Regina in a struggling neighborhood in Missouri. In her memoir, Kathryn reveals the surprising and intimate layers of her story—from the private details of the switched-at-birth revelation to all that occurs in its aftermath, including Regina and Daphne's move into the Kennish household. In the wake of this immense shift, secrets and previously unexamined issues from Kathryn's and her family's past surface as they are forced to reexamine everything they assumed about what makes a family a family.
As Kathryn's family searches for their own "normal," she grapples with, and rejoices in, all the complications that come along with being a part of, and loving, an “unconventional” family. Her story is for all of us with not-normal families and a vicarious treat for anyone who has ever wondered what would happen if a relative was switched at birth.
Goodreads.com

REViEW:
Okay so I absolutely love the show Switched at Birth. I watch it everytime its on and own all the DVD's. So of course I had to by the book that the mom has been been writing on the show. I was expected some extra scenes us tv watchers have never seen, but no, it was literally just a summary of the first season. This bored me and made me feel like this book had no purpose. I didn't get anything from it except one or two extra little scenes that didn't change much. Honestly, so much more could have been done with this book, but unfortunately it let me down. 

The characters were okay. They were just like in the show but even more two-dimensional. I wish they had some depth, some emotion to them. Especially Kathryn, the narrator and mother. Sure she had some little bits of emotion, but there could have been a ton more. I liked her commentary, I just wish there was more of it. Bay and Daphne weren't even that memorable or vivid in this book. I wish there was more about them.  

This ending was nothing special. I mean this entire book was a mediocre attempt to create buzz for the show. I don't think it lived up to its potential. I really would have loved to hear more things that I haven't already seen on the show. That would have made a much better book then completely retelling the first season. 


My Favorite Part: The few little scenes where you get to see Bay not so tough...

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Not really unless you absolutely love the show and want to relive it.

Thanks for reading!


It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Friday, January 25, 2013

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Released: May 20, 2008
Publisher: McElderry Books
Page Amount: 666, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-20/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-19/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-9/10
=98/100 A+
/5





SUMMARY:
Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide. Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade. Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills. And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself. In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place..Goodreads.com

REViEW:
This book... Oh my was it a crazy ride. The plot with the rehab clinic and the suicide attempts really opened my eyes. So many people think of suicide it's not even funny. I feel like at one point or another in all of our lives, we want to die. I really think this book should be read by everyone, but especially those with suicidal thoughts because it shows that you are not alone. Someone is thinking just like you. Don't let the size of this book stop you. Sure it's long, but honestly I read this book faster than most 300 pagers. It is that good and her writing is poetic so it flows beautifully. This book is graphic and realistic, but it exposes the truth of pain and depression and the psychology that goes behind every little thing we feel. This book has everything so please go out and read it.   

The characters were flawless. Every single one of them had their own backstories. Most of them weren't exposed until the very ending and let me ell you, I never saw them coming. Hopkins put so much thought into this book. Vanessa, Tony, and Connor all had their struggles and their pain, but all of that could be explained and solved. It was a very realistic journey with them. They resisted rehab and lied to some therapists, but they learned to open up. Reading all about their progression to happiness was heartachingly beautiful.  

This ending...Ohhh this ending...It makes me want to bang my head against a brick wall. Did I like it? No, I LOVED it. It was perfect, horribly, morbidly perfect. It evoked strong emotions within me, which I loved. I was so surprised by the ending and it was just epic. I feel horrible that that is the way it ended, but it worked. It made sense. Ahhh, you have no idea how many the feelings I have for this ending. I really wish this book didn't end. I was crying and screaming by the very last page. That last line, broke my heart, but was so amazing at the same time. Definitely give this book a try, you won't regret it.
My Favorite Part: The entire freaking book was fantastic. Go buy it, GO BUY IT NOW!

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Well, absolutely!!!

Thanks for reading!


It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Sunday, January 20, 2013

2013 Wishes and Plans

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
(20 Days Late)

I know, I know. I'm pathetic. School was crazy. My Christmas was epic. My debate team won a tournament, but to do that we had practice EVERY SINGLE DAY, which took away my time for blogging. Thankfully though, it's over. I'm finally free so from now on I should be able to post at least every other day. I really missed my blog. I plan to really do some cool things this year. Just you wait. This year instead of my 50 book challenge, I'm trying for 55. I read only one book so far this year because I've had so much work, but today I plan to finish two more. Anyway, I'm truly sorry for not posting for awhile, but expect that to change with the new year!


Books I'm Currently Working On:
1. Hamlet (FINISHED! Really enjoyed it, the movie was fatastic!)

2. Burn for Burn (1/2 done. I'm totally intrigued, I feel like it's going to be a favorite of mine!)
3. Midnight Alley (1/2 done. These books are really easy to read. I'm trying to get through this series.)
4. Pretty Little Secrets (1/8 done. This book is so boring because it adds nothing to the story because we're already way past this point in the series.)

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