"All stories interest me, and some haunt me until I end up writing them. Certain themes keep coming up: justice, loyalty, violence, death, political and social issues, freedom." - Isabel Allende
Okay, enough is enough. I know I just posted one like five minutes ago, but here is one now. My parents suggested it.
This one post is about the series of books, "The Spellman Files" by Lisa Lutz. I have read the first one and currently have the second in my To Read pile. They're about a girl named Izzy Spellman (funny huh?) She lives in a family of private eyes. It's really interesting and gave me a look into a world I didn't really know about. Izzy's kind of a rebel, but she's also really funny. The ending though surprised me. Did NOT see that coming. Good writing, Lisa. Recommended for boys and girls age 13 and up. 4/5.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
So, So, Sorry
AH! Readers, I am so so sorry that I haven't posted in like five months! I've been extremely busy and I just got accepted into a creative writing program! Yay! I've been reading an insane amount, not to mention the entire Odyssey and Mahabharata for school. I literally have a pile of books to blog about sitting in my room collecting dust. I don't know when I'll find time to write, but hopefully soon! Oh also I took a vow off the computer for like a month so that adds to it.
Thanks, and Keep Reading!
Thanks, and Keep Reading!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Hodgepodge
"It took people 10 years to figure out that while stuck in a morning commute, they could be listening to a book."- Paul Hilts
Hey readers! Well believe it or not, this is my first official post of the new year! Took me that long. Well I've got a few books to talk about and they don't really relate to each other. I read a few of these a while ago but I've had so much work lately. I know that's not an excuse, it's really because I'm just lazy. I mean I spend all day on my computer and I can't even write one post? Crazy, I know. But I'm actually really sorry for not writing. Cry cry, sniff sniff. *Puts awesome face back on*.
The first is called "Olive's Ocean" by Kevin Henkes. This book is probably one of the best and one of the worst books I've ever read. It's about a girl named Martha who is finding herself. She thought she was well to do until she gets some news. A girl she hardly knew, died. As you guessed, the girl was named Olive. Shortly after Martha hears this, she learns how much she actually had in common with each other. Martha then goes to spend the summer with her grandmother where her teen girl hormones take over and she gets her heart broken! The book jumps all over the place, making it hard to understand, but it's totally relate able. Also, Martha is only 12 but she seems 16! It's crazy. I don't think that a book from the point of view of a tween girl should be written by a grown man. Recommended for kids age 12-16.
The next book is called "The Breadwinner" by Deborah Ellis. It's about a girl growing up under the rule of the Taliban. She knows that it's not a proper way to live, but also knows she can't do anything about it. Then, one day her dad gets taken to jail. Her family is struck with shock and all of them start losing hope. In a family of four girls and a baby boy, there isn't much they can do. Since the main girl, Parvana, is only 11, she is still able to pass off for a boy. So she does just that. With the help of an old teacher, Parvana manages to make money selling goods, both legal and contraband. Overall the book has a happy ending. Their father comes back, the oldest sister gets engaged, and everyone seems fine. I just don't understand the very end. What happens to the rest of the characters? It just seems to trail off. I recommend this to EVERYONE, OF ALL AGES!
The next one is a sequel sequel sequel. Yes I said it 3 times. It's called "Thirteen Plus One" by Lauren Myracle. As many of you know, she is my favorite author so expect a lot of books by her. Its the fourth in the Winnie Series, but not my favorite. It takes place during Winnie's ninth grade year. She's still managing to keep her boyfriend, by barely. I especially liked the summer chapters. Her camp seems so much fun! There were some things I didn't understand though. I've known they live in Atlanta, but when did they get southern accents? I don't remember then saying y'all in the other ones! And another thing: what happened to each month being a chapter? I loved that! It didn't start and end in March, which made me sad. This is my least favorite in the series, but if you liked the others then most definitely read this one. 3/5 stars, for girls.
The last book is called "Dumped by Popular Demand" by P.G. Kain. It's about a girl, Dorie Dilts, and her adjustment to East Coast life. She moves from southern California to New Jersey. While there, she has a realization that no one at this new school knows her. She does some research and comes up with a whole new look. Her plan: to be popular. Dorie knows it will be hard, but with the right people at the right time, she just might get there. And she almost does! Until someone *Grant* messes her up. It's a touching book about growing up, moving, and family all at the same time! There is also a sequel but it isn't available in stores so it's going to take me a while to get it. 4/5 stars, for girls.
Ah I know this wasn't the best post possible but what are you gonna do? I currently have seven books on my "To Read" shelf, and am on the last chapter of another. I would say expect another post soon, but I don't trust myself anymore.
Keep reading!
Hey readers! Well believe it or not, this is my first official post of the new year! Took me that long. Well I've got a few books to talk about and they don't really relate to each other. I read a few of these a while ago but I've had so much work lately. I know that's not an excuse, it's really because I'm just lazy. I mean I spend all day on my computer and I can't even write one post? Crazy, I know. But I'm actually really sorry for not writing. Cry cry, sniff sniff. *Puts awesome face back on*.
The first is called "Olive's Ocean" by Kevin Henkes. This book is probably one of the best and one of the worst books I've ever read. It's about a girl named Martha who is finding herself. She thought she was well to do until she gets some news. A girl she hardly knew, died. As you guessed, the girl was named Olive. Shortly after Martha hears this, she learns how much she actually had in common with each other. Martha then goes to spend the summer with her grandmother where her teen girl hormones take over and she gets her heart broken! The book jumps all over the place, making it hard to understand, but it's totally relate able. Also, Martha is only 12 but she seems 16! It's crazy. I don't think that a book from the point of view of a tween girl should be written by a grown man. Recommended for kids age 12-16.
The next book is called "The Breadwinner" by Deborah Ellis. It's about a girl growing up under the rule of the Taliban. She knows that it's not a proper way to live, but also knows she can't do anything about it. Then, one day her dad gets taken to jail. Her family is struck with shock and all of them start losing hope. In a family of four girls and a baby boy, there isn't much they can do. Since the main girl, Parvana, is only 11, she is still able to pass off for a boy. So she does just that. With the help of an old teacher, Parvana manages to make money selling goods, both legal and contraband. Overall the book has a happy ending. Their father comes back, the oldest sister gets engaged, and everyone seems fine. I just don't understand the very end. What happens to the rest of the characters? It just seems to trail off. I recommend this to EVERYONE, OF ALL AGES!
The next one is a sequel sequel sequel. Yes I said it 3 times. It's called "Thirteen Plus One" by Lauren Myracle. As many of you know, she is my favorite author so expect a lot of books by her. Its the fourth in the Winnie Series, but not my favorite. It takes place during Winnie's ninth grade year. She's still managing to keep her boyfriend, by barely. I especially liked the summer chapters. Her camp seems so much fun! There were some things I didn't understand though. I've known they live in Atlanta, but when did they get southern accents? I don't remember then saying y'all in the other ones! And another thing: what happened to each month being a chapter? I loved that! It didn't start and end in March, which made me sad. This is my least favorite in the series, but if you liked the others then most definitely read this one. 3/5 stars, for girls.
The last book is called "Dumped by Popular Demand" by P.G. Kain. It's about a girl, Dorie Dilts, and her adjustment to East Coast life. She moves from southern California to New Jersey. While there, she has a realization that no one at this new school knows her. She does some research and comes up with a whole new look. Her plan: to be popular. Dorie knows it will be hard, but with the right people at the right time, she just might get there. And she almost does! Until someone *Grant* messes her up. It's a touching book about growing up, moving, and family all at the same time! There is also a sequel but it isn't available in stores so it's going to take me a while to get it. 4/5 stars, for girls.
Ah I know this wasn't the best post possible but what are you gonna do? I currently have seven books on my "To Read" shelf, and am on the last chapter of another. I would say expect another post soon, but I don't trust myself anymore.
Keep reading!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Oops, Sorry!
Readers,
I am deeply truly sorry about not writing another post. I've been so busy lately, what with school returning and a musical theater workshop, there just isn't any time! I really hope I will have time to write another post before the end of January, considering I just bought seven new books and have about four others I need to write about.
So sorry, keep reading!
I am deeply truly sorry about not writing another post. I've been so busy lately, what with school returning and a musical theater workshop, there just isn't any time! I really hope I will have time to write another post before the end of January, considering I just bought seven new books and have about four others I need to write about.
So sorry, keep reading!
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Archive
Hahaha readers I tricked you! I said I would post an archive tomorrow, but I'm thinking I'll do it now, and post something else tomorrow! Looking back at the books I reviewed, I realized I reviewed The Secret Series books a year apart. I've had this blog longer than I thought. So here is the 2010 archive. It might not look great, but at least the books are in order! Well at least I try to make them appear that way. They may or may not be in order (from bottom to top, sorry computers are stupid), and also sorry about the different sizes or pictures being really big :) But hey what are you gonna do?
I Have A Secret
"A secret is only a secret if no one knows you have one" - Anonymous
Oh my goodness, I did it again! I haven't written for more than a month. Well if you must know I have been incredibly busy, as you probably have too. First of all my computer has been broken (It still is but I am using someone else's to write this, and as my cousin said "How are you not dead?"), I have been battling final exams and of course the holidays. But now that the new year is upon us, I felt that it was about time I wrote a little. I have recently read hmmm about four books in one week (plus the last two Harry Potters before that) and I have just started another. So you will be getting a few more posts pretty soon. But for right now, Shhhh it's another secret post!
For the holidays I received books three and four of The Secret Series. They are still excellent books. Book two I really didn't like so much and I was a little worried, but three and four most definitely made up for that loss. (Sophomore slump possibly?) A new villain is introduced in "This Book Is Not Good For You" (book three). The book is all about chocolate, but it didn't really make me hungry like Pseudonymous said it would. In book four things get a lot more serious, and a lot more intriguing. It is the best book in my opinion by far. "This Isn't What It Looks Like" held my attention so much, I finished it in 4 hours! There were a few fuzzy parts in the beginning, but they cleared up in the end. But I must say this, PAY ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL! If you miss one, there are probably a few other things that won't make sense! I found myself re-reading pages. Some of the things in the book were so predictable, but others surprised me. I know I'm being annoying right now, but I can't give too much away if you're going to read them. Just read them okay? Go to a book store, buy all four and read them right now. Only 273 days until book five!!
In all of this secret glory, I forgot to mention the winner of the Wait For Marcy contest! It was ALW, author and illustrator of ALW Comics! He found links to the book on Amazon and Ebay! Wait to go I'm so happy someone found it (I was getting worried there). Well since it is almost the new year, it's time for a 2010 archive. You can expect one probably tomorrow. A new post will hopefully soon follow the archive if I don't forget again. Recommend this site to your friends, or even enemies. Oh yeah I almost forgot something again! There is now a Mixed Up Izzy page on Facebook! The link is posted below. You can follow that or my blog, whichever.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Mixed-Up-Files-of-Izzy-K/143397212375691
Keep reading into the new year!! MMXI awaits :)
Oh my goodness, I did it again! I haven't written for more than a month. Well if you must know I have been incredibly busy, as you probably have too. First of all my computer has been broken (It still is but I am using someone else's to write this, and as my cousin said "How are you not dead?"), I have been battling final exams and of course the holidays. But now that the new year is upon us, I felt that it was about time I wrote a little. I have recently read hmmm about four books in one week (plus the last two Harry Potters before that) and I have just started another. So you will be getting a few more posts pretty soon. But for right now, Shhhh it's another secret post!
For the holidays I received books three and four of The Secret Series. They are still excellent books. Book two I really didn't like so much and I was a little worried, but three and four most definitely made up for that loss. (Sophomore slump possibly?) A new villain is introduced in "This Book Is Not Good For You" (book three). The book is all about chocolate, but it didn't really make me hungry like Pseudonymous said it would. In book four things get a lot more serious, and a lot more intriguing. It is the best book in my opinion by far. "This Isn't What It Looks Like" held my attention so much, I finished it in 4 hours! There were a few fuzzy parts in the beginning, but they cleared up in the end. But I must say this, PAY ATTENTION TO EVERY DETAIL! If you miss one, there are probably a few other things that won't make sense! I found myself re-reading pages. Some of the things in the book were so predictable, but others surprised me. I know I'm being annoying right now, but I can't give too much away if you're going to read them. Just read them okay? Go to a book store, buy all four and read them right now. Only 273 days until book five!!
In all of this secret glory, I forgot to mention the winner of the Wait For Marcy contest! It was ALW, author and illustrator of ALW Comics! He found links to the book on Amazon and Ebay! Wait to go I'm so happy someone found it (I was getting worried there). Well since it is almost the new year, it's time for a 2010 archive. You can expect one probably tomorrow. A new post will hopefully soon follow the archive if I don't forget again. Recommend this site to your friends, or even enemies. Oh yeah I almost forgot something again! There is now a Mixed Up Izzy page on Facebook! The link is posted below. You can follow that or my blog, whichever.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Mixed-Up-Files-of-Izzy-K/143397212375691
Keep reading into the new year!! MMXI awaits :)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
CHALLENGE
Hey Readers!
Sorry, no quote today but here is a challenge for you. I recently read a book called "Wait for Marcy". It was originally published in 1932! Try and see if you can find it. It's about a teen named Marcy whose brother thinks that she is nothing but a kid. She keeps trying to prove him otherwise, and finally does so when her brother's best friend asks her out! It's a pretty good book, but I didn't understand some of the references. Recommended for girls age 10 and up. Whoever finds it gets a shout out in my blog! Comment here if you find it...it looks like this:
Sorry, no quote today but here is a challenge for you. I recently read a book called "Wait for Marcy". It was originally published in 1932! Try and see if you can find it. It's about a teen named Marcy whose brother thinks that she is nothing but a kid. She keeps trying to prove him otherwise, and finally does so when her brother's best friend asks her out! It's a pretty good book, but I didn't understand some of the references. Recommended for girls age 10 and up. Whoever finds it gets a shout out in my blog! Comment here if you find it...it looks like this:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)