Library of Congress National Book Festival 2014

Hello, bookworms! 

    In case you were unaware, yesterday, August 30, was the date for the Fourteenth Annual National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.  It was my first time attending the event, and I absolutely loved it.  I failed to make it to any of the morning events or signings, but I still had a great time going to the ones in the afternoon and evening. 

    The first signing I attended was for Anne Ursu.  I made it right at the end of her session, so there was no line.  I was happy to get my copy of her novel, Breadcrumbs, signed.  I absolutely love her message, so I thought I'd share it with you guys:

 

      I went around to the tables for each state and U.S. territory present at the event, collecting stamps, stickers, bookmarks, and other fun handouts.  The Florida table was even giving out free copies of the junior novel companion for the movie Dolphin Tale 2.  I gave mine to my younger sister, who wasn't there, as a surprise gift.  I also found out that Virginia has its own book festival in March, as do quite a few other states.  You should check to see if yours has one, too.

      Unfortunately, I missed Kendare Blake's presentation, but I was able to attend her signing session and have a copy of her novel Antigoddess signed.  She was very nice, and I hope to read her books, Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares, and, of course, Antigoddess, really soon.

   

 

After a quick break to get something to eat, my mother and I hurried to find the room for the first ever Graphic Novels Super Session at the National Book Festival.  Raina Telgemeier, author of the popular graphic novels Smile, Drama, and Sisters, gave a wonderful presentation that my mom and I both really enjoyed.  She is just as funny in person as you might assume from reading her books.  After her presentation, I stood in line for probably forty minutes to get Smile and Sisters signed, but it was worth it.  (I've only read Smile about six times.)  There were so many people that by the time I got there, she was wearing a brace on her wrist and had to stop personalizing her signings.  But she kept going; round of applause for the amazing Raina Telgemeier!  

 

    Well, that concludes the tale of my time at The National Book Festival.  I really hope I can attend next year as well.  It was so much fun!

 

Until next post,

Regan

Series Review: Witch & Wizard

This image is not mine.  It was taken from here.

James Patterson's Witch & Wizard Series is definitely a series deserving of praise.  It includes four novels (Witch & Wizard, Witch & Wizard: The Gift, Witch & Wizard: The Fire, and Witch & Wizard: The Kiss) with the fifth and final installment, Witch & Wizard: The Lost coming out in December.  It also includes three volumes of manga (Witch & Wizard: The Manga, Vol. 1, Witch & Wizard: The Manga, Vol. 2, and Witch & Wizard: The Manga, Vol. 3) and two other graphic novels (Witch & Wizard: Battle for Shadowland and Witch & Wizard: Operation Zero).

The series of novels mostly follows Whit and Wisty Allgood in alternating first person perspective with a few other narrations throughout the series.  It is an excellent, fantasy/adventure, dystopian story filled with humor, action, magic, and romance.  The story is set in a world where magic, art, and independent thought are strictly prohibited, but there is a rebellion of children and teenagers fighting for their rights and freedom from The One Who Is The One, the world's evil dictator.  It is highly recommendable for fantasy and dystopian readers craving action.  

The manga series is just as good as it covers the storyline of the first three novels with only slight variation.  It is much quicker to read and the perfect way for people that don't typically enjoy reading to experience this series.  Only a few things are changed or left out, so it mostly sticks to the original plot.

The other two graphic novels involve events that are not part of the novel series.  (I haven't read them yet, so I cannot give a full review.)  From what I've seen, they are printed in full color and look relatively short.

I enjoyed this series enough to read it again, and I hope that anyone reading this will enjoy them too.

Until Next Post,
Rae

Book-to-Movie-Review: The Fault in Our Stars

Credit: http://strawburry17.com/the-fault-in-our-stars-has-a-movie-poster-2/

Firstly, John Green's The Fault in Our Stars is a simply amazing book.  It tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a teenager with lung cancer, who falls in love with the charming Augustus Waters.  Touching, funny, and sad, it is definitely a must-read for fans of YA romance and realistic fiction and even readers that don't tend to enjoy those genres.  It is beautifully written and incredibly entertaining.  It's a quick read that is well worth the little time it takes to be read.  However, this book is not for younger readers as it contains some cursing and adult content.

The movie for The Fault in Our Stars is very close to the book, and so beautiful that it will probably make viewers cry (much like how the book can bring tears to the reader's eyes).  However, a lot of Augustus's backstory wasn't shown, and some minor scenes were cut.  Of course, that is to be expected of movie adaptations.  Despite the changes, the movie is not at all a disappointment for readers that loved the book.

Both the book and movie are highly recommendable.

Until nest post,
Rae

P.S.- Sorry about my absence.  I've been sort of busy.  Hopefully, I'll have a new post up soon. :)  

Book Review: The Maze Runner

This image is not mine.  This is the link.

 Filled with action and packed with suspense, James Dashner's The Maze Runner is a fantastic read for any lover of science fiction. 

The story follows Thomas in his adventure in the Maze that surrounds his new home, the Glade, after he shows up with a limited memory of his life.  Everything starts to change after his arrival.  First, a girl shows up in the Glade for the first time.  Then, a Glader named Ben goes berserk, and that's only the beginning.  Thomas and the others have to race to solve the Maze before time runs out. 

Despite its slow beginning, this book was very entertaining and rather hard to put down.  It is very well written and easy to follow. 

With the upcoming movie, The Maze Runner is becoming even more popular, so hurry to read this aMAZEing novel. 

Until next post,
Regan

P.S.- A Book-to-Movie Review for The Fault in Our Stars is coming soon!

Book Review: The Last Lecture

Picture found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Lecture

    The Last Lecture is a book written by Randy Pausch with the help of Jeffrey Zaslow.  He filled the book with stories about his life and the lessons he learned after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  
    I had to read this book for school, and based on the description, I didn't think I would really like it.  However, I really, truly enjoyed reading it.  A lot of Pausch's stories are really entertaining and educational.  His lessons are phenomenal, and it is overall a beautiful book.
    I highly recommend this book.  It's a quick read, and it's worth the time. 
Until next post,
Regan

P.S.- Sorry that this is such a short review and that I haven't been posting very often.  I've been pretty busy.  I'll try to get more posts up soon. 

Currently reading: The Maze Runner by James Dashner (I'm not very far yet.  I have no time to read!)

Ann Brashares Book Signing

Hello, Bookworms!

On Friday, May 2 at 7:00, the novelist Ann Brashares, author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series and The Here and Now, was visiting a Books-a-Million in my area.  I went with a friend to meet her because I really loved the first two books of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  I got the third and fourth books signed, and it was really cool to finally meet an author with a book that I love.  I've met other authors before at school, but they were never authors that wrote books that I'd previously read.  I was really excited to meet Ann Brashares, and now, I have!  I strongly recommend reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series.  It's really funny, but there are serious and even sad scenes woven in.  They are very good.  I'm hoping to read the third and fourth books soon along with The Here and Now, which seems really good.  Below are pictures of the signed pages from bother books and me standing next to Ann Brashares.

Until next post,
Regan

Regan's Righteous Reads

Dear everyone,
    This is a nice little list of wonderful books for you all, listed by genre. :)

Fantasy

• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
• 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison
• Savvy by Ingrid Law
• Witch & Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
• The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney and Patrick Aerosmith
• This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

Science Fiction

• Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• SYLO by D.J. MacHale
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Horror

• The Ghost of Graylock  by Dan Poblocki
• Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw
• House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

Mystery

• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Realistic Fiction

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
• The Wedding Planner's Daughter by Coleen Murtagh

Historical Fiction

• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Happy Reading!
Until next post,
Regan

P.S.-This month's poll is open!

Book Review: Ketchup Clouds

 

Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11088150-ketchup-clouds

    Despite the unusual title, Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher is an amazing YA novel.  However, even though it has apparently won an award as a children's book, it is not actually appropriate for children.  It may be a very good book, but it contains some scattered but heavy swearing and some not-so-appropriate scenes between a few couples. 
   The entire book is written in “letters” rather than chapters.  The main character calls herself "Zoe," which isn't her real name, and is writing to a man named Stuart Harris on death row because she has a story to tell that explains why she feels so guilty.  She claims to have murdered a boy she was supposed to love much like how Stuart murdered his wife when he found out about her affair with his brother.  Zoe thinks that Stuart is the only one who can understand because they both feel the same guilt.
    In her story, Zoe has feelings for two boys, and they both have feelings for her.  However, these two boys happen to be brothers.  Throughout the story, readers can enjoy the humor and the drama in this book while trying to decide which brother she killed.
   Alongside Zoe's boy troubles are the family problems that are another major part of her life.  These add yet more drama and humor to this thrilling novel.
   Ketchup Clouds is a beautiful piece of literature.  It is written in a very creative and interesting style that really holds the attention of readers.
   Some readers have trouble getting through the beginning, (I'm not sure why.) but it really is worth finishing. 
   Thrilling, funny, and realistic, Ketchup Clouds is perfect for fans of realistic fiction and mystery.

Happy reading,
Rae

P.S.- The ending is really sad; I cried.
P.P.S.-  Yes, you do find out what Zoe's real name is in the end.
P.P.P.S.- If you liked this book, you may enjoy Chocker by Elizabeth Woods.
P.P.P.P.S.- I still don't know which book won for Virginia Reader's Choice.  Sorry.
P.P.P.P.P.S.- I won't be posting much this month because I'm writing for April's Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which is this cool program for writing an entire novel in thirty days.

Virginia Readers' Choice Selection

Today, I was able to vote in the Virginia Readers' Choice Selection! It was a really hard decision because there were so many great books to choose from! I narrowed it down to This Dark Endeavor and The Fault in Our Stars, which are both excellent books that I plan to post reviews for later.  I had a terribly hard time picking between the two, so I ended up flipping a coin! I will try to remember to post the final results as soon as I find out what they are!

Until Next Post,

Regan  

Book Review: The City of Bones

Credit: goodreads.com

The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare follows Clary Fray in her adventures in the world of shadowhunters, demons, and downworlders.  It is a story filled with action, drama, humor, and tragedy.

The first book in Cassandra Clare's best-selling The Mortal Instruments Series is beautifully written in third person, mostly following Clary's thoughts although it occasionally switches to that of other characters such as Jace Wayland.

This book is clearly written for young adult readers and not for young children.  Some of the concepts spread throughout the book would not be understood by younger readers. Furthermore, The City of Bones contains some cursing and some situations that are not exactly appropriate for children.

However, The City of Bones is a wonderful book, sure to have you craving the next installment of the series, The City of Ashes.  This book is perfect for fans of urban fantasy and adventure.

Happy reading,
Regan

Book-to-Movie Review: Divergent

As you probably know, Veronica Roth's Divergent has recently been turned into a film starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James. 

Firstly, the book is simply amazing, one of my favorites.  It tells the story of Beatrice Prior, who lives in a future version of Chicago where citizens are divided into factions based on their personalities.  This is done in order to keep peace but is doing a pretty terrible job.  On Beatrice's choosing day, she switches from her birth faction, Abnegation, to the faction for the brave, Dauntless, where she changes her name to Tris.  It's beautifully written and packed with action, humor, tragedy, and romance.

I believe that having read the book or having not read the book affects one's opinion of its corresponding movie.  Having not read the book, one could almost certainly have enjoyed the movie if they typically like dystopian plots.  However, it is a wonderful movie both for fans of the book and nonreaders. 

Admittedly, I was a little upset about the absence of "the butter knife scene."  Also, the aptitude test was drastically changed.  They added a really cool effect with some mirrors, but they cut the old man on the bus and changed the cheese to meat.  A few other details were changed, but another major one was the ending.  The way in which the simulation is shut down and who shuts it down are changed.

Despite the numerous changes, the Divergent movie was still good, but it is still inferior to the book.

Until next post,
Rae

P.S.- The above images are not mine.  I got them off of Google Images.

Divergent Movie

I'm really, really excited to see the movie for the book Divergent tomorrow!! I hope my plans to see it work out. I'm planning to post a book/movie comparison afterwards. 

Keep reading,

Regan

Book Review: Steelheart

 

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson follows David, an 18-year-old, whose father was killed by an Epic called Steelheart.  Epics have superhuman abilities and often abuse their power.  Steelheart rules over what was once Chicago, planting fear in the hearts of his subjects.  David wants to get his revenge by killing Steelheart, so he looks to join the Reckoners,  a group devoted to killing Epics.  The story is packed with action, humor, and drama.

 

Steelheart is a must-read for Sci-Fi, super hero, and action fans.  It is fast-pace, well written, and wonderfully thought out.  There are a few twists that Sanderson throws at readers sure to affect the upcoming sequel Firefight. 

 

Overall, this is a wonderful read for YA science fiction readers, recommendable to almost anyone.

 

Warning: There is a little bit of moderate language in this book.  It isn't much, but it is still there.  Other than that, there wasn't much that wouldn't be appropriate for younger readers.  There is a lot of violence and some ideas that might be hard for children to understand. 

 

Happy reading!

 

Until next post,

Regan



Before We Begin Babbling About Books...

Hello, Book Lovers!!

I'm Regan (or Rae if you prefer), and I am a mega bookworm.  So, I decided to make a book blog because, well, why not?  On this blog, I plan to review books, talk about upcoming books, compare books to their corresponding movies, etcetera. 

I guess it'd be nice for you to know just a little bit about me.  I am a fangirl, otaku, and a bookworm (like I said earlier).  In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, editing, drawing, and browsing the internet. If you'd like to check out some of my writing click here, and to look at some of my artwork click here.  I also love my cat and food.

Before we get started, I'd like to say that my favorite genres are Sci-Fi, fantasy, and dystopian.  Please, recommend books to me! I'd really like to know what you guys are into. 

So, I guess that takes care of things for now...

Until next post,
Regan