Cold, Colder and Coldtown

Good morning readers! I'm starting off this post by telling you how absolutely wonderful my last book was! As you may know, I was reading the 2nd book in the Daughter of Smoke and Bones trilogy. The second book, titled Days of Blood and Starlight was absolutely a fantastic sequel to the first- filled with just as much emotion, surprise, and action as the first book (if not more!). Kaoru, one of our strong leading characters, showed true humanity the way she was written in this book- with tough choices and sacrifices, denial and love, really just all of it made her a fantastic multi-faceted character! All the description, other characters and perfect POV switched compelled me through the book and kept me going straight on till the end. I cannot wait to see what happens in the third book- I plan to find out when it comes out/where it is as soon as I'm done reading my new book!

Speaking of new books, upon finishing the above mentioned fabulous book, I have began a new book that definitely did not start out in a calm or happy way. Tana awoke in a bathtub, the morning after a roudy party with many of the kids and her friends from town. Much to her surprise, the house is quiet, but she soon dismisses it as that she was left there while everyone else went out to eat. She soon discovered this was incorrect as once she left the bathroom and really went to inspect the house... Massacre. Everyone that had attended- dead in the living room, some looking like they had tried to escape, other looking as if they could move and continue the part at any second. Well, almost everyone- the only survivor aside from her was her Ex-boyfriend Adian, who has been infected. Tara lives in a world where vampires infection spread, Coldtown’s went up to corral them and at this very moment, her life has spun out of control completely as she scurries to escape a house with vampires in the basement, memories, and the clock, slowly ticking away to her possible demise.

My book is called The Coldest Girl in Coldtown and it's by Holly Black. I'm so caught up in this book that I don't even really know what to do! It's keeping me on the edge of my seat, and all I want to do is pull it out and continue the mass page swipes on my kindle that have been going on since a few days ago. Will Adian try to hurt her in a crazed bloodlust? What about the seemingly unstable new traveling companion/escapee do with them? Where will they go now that they have to run? All these questions and more are running through my head as I await the chance to continue reading. It's so good! has anyone else found a book that's quite as exciting as mine to read recently?

Well readers, I hope I got you interested in my books, at least a little! How exciting right? Also, keep on the lookout for that special white stuff that floats around this time of year- wish it luck! Happy reading!

New Trimester, New Books, New Post!

Good morning readers! (That's going to be different to get used to- I have a morning english class now!) I hope your transitions have gone as decently as mine into the new trimester, and that you are settling back in well enough. I have gotten the second book in a trilogy I am reading, it (the book, not the trilogy) called The Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor. The first book was amazing, and I'm excited to see how Kaoru, our main character, deals with what happened in the last book. I can't really tell you too too much about what upset her or why she's struggling as it would give things away but I must say it is cool how the author wrote her- strong, but also very delicate, much like a large glass sculpture. It's strong in theory and in action-if you punched it it would probably really hurt and would give you a mean bruse but it can also break at the slightest chink in the glass, smallest fracture, tiniest scratch could be the beginning of it's destruction.

I can only predict that Kaoru and her love will meet again, but this time on very oppisite sides of the battlefield in heart and mind. How will this effect them I'm left to wonder- will it break their souls? The betrayal, the secrets, the memories that span lifetimes- all that poison and negativity that surrounds their conflicting actions due to misinformation and regret- could it drive one mad? I can ony hope it does not do one thing- turn them into a steriotypical teen novel couple dynamic with quick to forgive characteristics. That's just the worst, don't you agree? I don't think this will happen though- they seem to real for that, as strange as that is for me to say about characters in a COMPLETELY fantasy novel.

           You can find the first book in this series right here on goodreads- as well as the second! I do suggest them to anyone who wants a strong and interesting cast of characters that are not without fault or flaw but are also so realistic against the fantasy! I hope you have a good day readers, and don't forget to keep on reading!

The Blogging Experience: From Stumbles to Steps

I have greatly enjoyed blogging about my reading over the course of this trimester, and I feel it has really helped me to think about my reading material and writing skills personally all at the same time. The writing has definitely helped me improve at talking to an audience via text, thus making my more recent posts less robotic and more connectable. There was definitely an improvement in spelling along the way, along with a wider use of vocabulary used. The writing has allowed me to dig deeper into the books for sure and since I can only get better at it with time, improved my digging as I went on to more books. The later posts show this, as there are more in depth analysis of characters, scenery, and meaning behind things found in the text. Overall, the connection skills, the in depth analysis of things, and grammar are some of the biggest points of improvements I made as a writer using this blogging experience, and I can only hope to make more!

One of the things I can remember about blogging that was challenging for me was summarizing the books I burned through so quickly in a way that didn’t spoil them for future readers, but still pulled them into possibly get them to read the book. I know it got easier as I realized what was truly important to the plot in more and more books, as well as figuring out what details were better left unsaid by the other readers by not only writing more summaries, but by reading back through my posts using the mind of another (kind of, more like acting like I was another) and thinking, would this plot twist be better left unsaid? It really did help me improve over time. I was very good, I felt, at looking into characters when I wrote analytical posts about them.

I did not reach my reading goal, not yet anyway. I think this is mostly due to me pushing it back time and time again, until I reached a happy 27 books. I lie currently at 20 books out of 27 read, and I feel I could probably still make it if I tried. I used goodreads to connect to my friends to see not only what they were reading, but to allow their reviews on other books pull me in directions towards books i didn’t think I would read otherwise. The suggestions feature helped me out a bunch too! I feel I have improved as a reader over the trimester too, as I have broadened my spectrum of books to read, increased the speed of my reading yet again, and been able to spot importances in tiny details much easier now, making books not only more fulfilling, but also more interesting in general. Overall, in total this blogging experience has been a positive one I cannot wait to continue in the second trimester! (If we do that is!)

Dreams, Thoughts, and the Mind of a Boy Alone

  Hello readers! I come to you still from the depths of my book, Number9Dream. Eiji is an avid daydreamer, as I have stated before. Tody my post will be delving into the depths of this part of him, and what these daydreams may reveal about him as a person.
  The subtle transition between his daydreams are hard to spot. They seem just like coincidence at first, perfectly probable coincidence. A person steps out of a building, the rain begins, someone passes him a cigarette, and things like that are some of the starting points I have seen so far. The situations they evolve into however, are what keys you in. Eiji's mind has a bit of a adventureous streak- he seems to be the soul center of all the dreams, always saving the day and getting away with the plan, confronting the enemy and succeding or failing miserably on his own and being left to lay there dying. (I can say that even though this sounds quite morbid, my daydreams have lead me to this spot too occasionally.)
   This re-occuring  'hero' theme in his dreams leads me to believe that Eiji sees himself as normal and overly blank spot in this Tokyo canvas he has found himself in. You may disagree with me, but take a look at this way of thinking. He comes from a farming island, a place where there's not as much excitement at all. His roots however, from his parentage at least, lie in cities like Tokyo, where he is now. Being raised away from, then returning to your roots can make you feel quite out of place- plus when you had to rely on your own mind for excitement all the time as a child with your twin anyway, being put into a large environment like you much desired but still having that mind can lead to some pretty wishful thinking. Most of the times life dosen't live up to expectations anyway.
   This desperation for more, the feeling of being normal and plain is what I think will drive Eiji to do things that drastically alter the plot the more I read on. This imagination and curiosity covering this rather plain country boy just wanting more is going to change him- but for the better or worse I cannot yet tell.

   To get an example of what the transitions and daydreams of Eiji's are like (sort of), below is a short film clip called "Destino" done by Disney and Salvador Dali (A famos painter) from 2003. I feel that the clip shows how strange and roundabout these dreams really can be for someone who does not know what exactly the border between his reality and fantasy are.

 

Well, for now I bid all you wonderful readiers adieu! Happy reading!

Whoops I did it again...(But I'm starting a new book so it's ok right? No?)

   Good afternoon good readers, I have yet again missed a post day- but alas I cannot deliver several things in one post to you today like I really did before. So for today I shall fill you in on what I have begun to read for now and give you some summary to it!
  To those of you who had been following me for Through Glass, I am glad to inform you I ginished the book and am now in immense pain as I await a sequel- whydo books have to be like that? Alexis found others- and some things about herself from the others as well. Not everything is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. That's all I can say about it in the end, and now I must once again wait- January 2014 get here fast!
   I have begun to read a book (suggested and borrowed from by my dear friend Trang- go go read her blog, it's highly interesting and amusing!) called Number 9 Dream and it's by David Mitchell. God this book is confuising if you don't catch on quickly to what's going on. Our main character, Eiji Miyake, is one of the most interesting daydreamers I have ever had the pleasure (and at the same time displeasure- dangit Eiji.) to venture onto within a book. When I say venture I mean it- since the book is in first person, we litterally fall headfirst into his daydreams several times throughought the book. Considering there are only 8 chapters total in the book, you can imagine they are rather large chunks as the book is about 400-450 pages long.  I am currently in chapter 2 of the book and- even with Eiji's active imagination distracting us from the main course of time and story, enjoying the book immensely.
   Eiji is a boy who grew up without his father but knew he was out there- litterally he knew that he was exactly out there considering we start the book in a cafe in Tokyo, across the street from the building where the information upon his father's exact wherabouts can be found, but not easily taken, from a lawyer that goes by the name of Ms. Kato. This boy is on a hunt to find his father, no matter what it takes- and so far although I'm not too far in, it's not easy for him. Sisterless and far away from his little island off the coast of Japan, he is alone and I feel rather naive and this adventure- I can only hope he grows and begins to realize he's not as suave as he thinks.

A probably better summary of my book can be found here on goodreads, and for now I'm off to read again. (This book is hard to read in big chunks due to confusion- I gotta take it slow.) Farewel readers, and good reading to all of you that are getting the newest book in the Divergent series I heard came out today! (Or at least I think that's what series it was.. Either way happy reading!)

The Dual Post: aka Caitlin is Behind and so She is Going to Post About 2 Things Today!

  Good afternoon dear readers- I have failed to bring you the usual 2 posts a week this past weekend due to some personal things that have kept me busy to today I will be posting about 2 things- both my book and Romeo and Juliet, the play I'm sure we have all heard about due to it's many recreations in several forms of... Art I guess.

  First off, I will talk about my book. Oh dear gosh is this a good book. (Kind of on the graphic side though if your imagination is as actice and creative as mine is.) Through Glass is so fantastic- it has wonderful characterization so far, and there are so many suspense filed moments I just can't take it!      Our main character, Alexis, has finally decided and accomplished leaving her house. Within this accomplishment, the death toll has risen again-now to about 3 Ulama (otherwise known as tar) and 2 human. I can't reveal WHO has died, as that would ruin so much about her development- but boy has she developed. Alexis is no longer a submissive rule follower- she is busting out of the boundries she's been placed into by the Ulama, facing and beating death head on again and again, just to try to find others, find information, find anything! Her effort is inspiring honestly- it would make anyone root for this girl like I am. I can only wait and read on to see what she uncovers about the creatures that destroyed everything she ever loved and more in this thrilling book. And so I read on!

  Now for today's interesting bound into the characters in Romeo and Juliet! There are many things I could say about the people within this story- and how they affected our common character 'generes' that we have in most litterature today! (Thanks Shakespeare!) I will be focusing on the main 2 today though- Romeo and Juliet themselves.
  Romeo, oh Romeo, you are rather controlled by your emotions aren't you dear Romeo? I have discoverd this throughought the short amount of the play that we have covered in language arts class- and it has caused me to take a look into you for some reason as to why this is. Romeo has 'fallen in love;' about 2 times now since we stared this play. Though many may see this as not a good sign for a male character, I think it shows something a bit deeper about the boy. Romeo has a rather open heart- he loves easily and often, and from what we can see, when this love ends he is damaged by it too- meaning there is defanetly some true emotional connection to him when he proclaims his so called 'love' to others. I believe that this is a sign of a good person, and had he lived and not died from this love's unfortunate connections, I think in due time he would have managed to end the feud between the families. I'm not sure about how I feel about you messing around with Juliet yet boy, but I do think your heart is in the right place in the end.
  Darling baby Juliet, you're of the tender and very young age of almost 13. You seem so innocent to me- but also slightly aware of just what control your actions have upon others. With Romeo's influence, you will probably loose this control, and subsuquently suffer from it- but if you had survived, I feel it would have made you a beter person an thus this puts you in the light of good in my head when it comes to characters. Though Ifeel I don't know you quite as well as dear Romeo, I think I might just become attached to you in the end after all.
  And with those parting words, I bid thee farewell- and back to reading I go! See ya readers!

I'm Not Quite Sure About My Emotions

  Hello readers, I come to you from the beginning pages of my book to inform you that this post could also be titled I Really Don't Know What's Going On But It Hurts: Part of the Emotions By Book Series. I'm sure many of you know this feeling- when a book is SO good and/or SO emotionally capturing you become the character- suffering close to as much as they are.  I'm currently dealing with this feeling concerning my new book Through Glass. I feel so bad for poor Alexis- her life was picking up, she was about to graduate soon, her lifelong crush had just admitted he liked her back!  
  But then readers, oooh but then- BAM! Plot twist that I knew was coming from reading the book's description- but it hurts so much more than I thought it would. The  virtual apocalypse has happened- and everyone is quickly dying around Alexis, at speeds of thousands per second it seems. Her family? Most likely gone. Her? Almost dead. Her crush and forever friend? He's nowhere to be seen across the 15 foot gap between their houses windows- at least that's due to the never ending and deep permeating darkness that is now raging down upon their little town in Texas- litterally falling in oily black drops from the sky along with strange, horrifying bird and human like creatures with large claws that kill you in seconds.
  Humanity seems doomed and so does our baby Alexis (I know she's a senior in high school- but I like her and her firey red hair so much that I have deemed her a top character already- thus the attachment.) And so I can't wait to see what comes next! Will they survive? What has happened to her crush? What are these creatures, and why are they here? WHAT IS GOING ON EVERYWHERE ELSE? Sorry for the intensity, this book has just seriously thrown me for a loop- I'm only 20% in! Well dear readers, I'm off to continue the reading of this oh so interestingly tragic book- I'll keep you updated on it as I go! See you soon!