Lets Talk (nonexistent)Teenager Communication Skills

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Okay, this seriously has to end. I am tired of the zombies that have their eyes on their phones and not on the people in front of them. I am tired of the zombies who walk so slow in the hallways, because apparently a message from Rebecca about hooking up with Jake is more important than a traffic jam in a high school. Please  tell me all of you understand where I am coming from! Teenagers, teenagers, teenagers I seriously want to take the youth and literally slap them on the cheek until I see their flesh turning red. In this case, I will know they are still alive, because with the cellphones in their hands and the ear buds in their ears, they might as well be dead. Human face-to-face interaction STILL exists in our country. Please, if your a teenager like me and understands this concept, communicate with those in front, back, and the side. ANYWHERE, just not over a text. Thank you.

-Grace

Follow Friday: May 4th

Q:What is one thing you wish you could tell your favorite author?

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Who I look up to

A: I wish I could tell my favorite author, Sarah Dessen, that she should create a series out of her novels. It would be fantastic to continue reading the journey in The Truth About Forever or Just Listen. Her writing makes me mesmerized, dazzled. Not only is there young love, but also the common issues that teenagers go through. I feel a strong connection with her books, and if she could continue some novels in a series, it would make my whole year!

What do you think?

-Grace

Bonds of Fenris by S.J. Bell

• Title: Bonds of Fenris
• Author: S.J. Bell
• Release Date: May 7, 2012
• # Pages: 223
• Reading Time: 2 days
• Publisher: Smashwords
• Author's Website: http://wolfmanbell.blogspot.com
• Source: ARC
• Summary:

Talia Thornwood's life ended one year ago, when she became a werewolf. She survived the attack, and the horrifying transformation a month later, but the life she has now is barely worth living. She lurks about in a filthy, run-down house, with too many werewolves crammed into too small a space. Every day is a struggle against the stress of human contact, the romantic prodding of her obnoxious packmate Pierce, and the gnawing hunger for flesh in her soul.


She's all but resigned herself to a dreary existence on the margins of society when she meets Corwin. Corwin is a werewolf like none other. He walks among humans as if it was nothing, and can keep his wolf under control even when the moon is full. Talia's mind is suddenly opened to the possibilities before her, and the realization of how little she really knows about lycanthropy.


Corwin claims that he can teach her how to cope as he does, even how to transcend her affliction. But it will not be easy. It is a hard education that requires her to question everything her pack taught her, and confront exactly what she has become. And, more amazingly, what she never stopped being. (Goodreads)

My Review 

To begin this review, I must give a round of applause to S.J. Bell. His writing had captivated me to the point where I was feeling the feelings of the characters. It takes a true talent to be able to hold the interest of a reader, especially a reviewer. This novel has changed my view on a typical lycan novel. In most cases, there is a physical disturbance with werewolves. Most novels focus on that physicality, but S.J. Bell focused on the mental stretch and power of werewolves. If you have read any lycan novels like I have, most of the main characters argue with their inner wolves, only to cave in. In this case S.J. Bell has Talia and her three other roommates balance the inner wolf and the human. It was such an interesting journey I followed as the characters began to find themselves. But of course, there is always some type of disturbance.

In the beginning we have the frustrated, high-tempered, annoyed Talia. Life was not showing the sunshine, but instead back-handing her in the face. With a crappy part-time job, a college education that was going nowhere, and four roommates that slowly were driving her mad, Talia was at her limit. As I read I could understand where Talia was coming from, going to sleep as a normal, goal-thriving, American teenager, and waking up with an uncontrollable mind and a beastly curse. Her world literally flipped. 

Talia only had cracks in her life, that is until one of her pack members faced death. At that point, her life shattered, along with her pack. With out any faith, belief, and hope, Talia was desperate to control her inner wolf, the one thing that truly changed her life into a horror film. With fate, as I presumed, she was brought to a man who could not only help maintain her wolf, but also her life. Corwin, with his sentimental feelings and his motivational meanings, was my most favorable character in this novel. This man was the balance that the whole pack needed, and Talia, despite her instincts, knew that too. 

I don't want to elaborate more on how he did it, but I will say that there is a journey that this pack goes through. The steps that each of them took caused me to cheer and cry out loud, hoping that they made it to the finish line. If you are looking for an action-packed, masculine, chest-thumping novel, then this book is NOT for you. But, if your looking for a novel full of self-assurance, adventure, and romance, then strap in tight, because this book will take you on one heck of a ride.

My Rating:

-Grace

Follow Friday: April 27

Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then “broke up” with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

A: Yes, This has happen many times before. Most of these characters are men. The only steady man in my life is my 10-year-old chihuahua, other than that, there have been many break ups with my fictional boyfriends.  The most disappointing, and heart-aching, breakup I have ever had was with Finn in the Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hockings. In the beginning of the the trilogy, I thought of Finn as a sexy bodyguard. But, as the story progressed his actions started to annoy me and my feelings, along with Wendy's, slowly started to change. By the end of the series, I was through with Finn because of the lack of support Wendy needed. I'm still aching over the brake-up. 

What do you think?

-Grace

I Feel the Pain

I feel pain. Lots and lots of pain. It started at my brain, where it scraped against my scalp as I tried to concentrate on my lunch, but I couldn't. I ended up throwing my food and being alone in a bathroom stall, crying. The pain ran down my neck during U.S. History, like a snake coiling around my wind pipe. People stared at me, or gave me the one-glance-ever -minute while I tried to collect myself. My friends, dare I call them that, did not notice my displeasure, it wasn't there "job" to help me. It got worse during English, at that point the pain clenched my heart, I couldn't endure it. I struggled, pushed, forced the tears back from seeping over my lids. I refused to cry during my last, and most joyous class of the day. But, with all those confused looks and concerned voices, I broke. I felt like a dam that just shattered; water rushing, forces pushing, uncontrollable emotions seeping. Finally, the bell rang, the sound of that horn blasting in my hear never felt so good. I dodged my English teacher as he approached me with a concerned look, I dodged any one who looked or even glanced at me. The pain I felt inside was the pain I had endured for years now. I had too many cracks, and that day, I shattered. The pain I felt was utter betrayal and loneliness, the two mixed together was vital. I feel the pain today, but the dam is empty, and all is left is the depression of mud and dead fish. The after look of destruction. I feel the pain.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

• Title: Romeo and Juliet (No Fear Shakespeare)
• Author: William Shakespeare
• # Pages: 287
• Reading Time: 4 weeks (YIKES!)
• Publisher: Sterling
• Source: Bought

My Review

Have you ever read Romeo and Juliet? The original text, no translation? Talk about some deep metaphoric reading! For the past month I have been trying to understand the words of Shakespeare and his moral meanings behind the text. Even though Shakespeare was a play writer for comedy and tragedy, his plays are known historically around the world. Romeo and Juliet is by far the most tragic and comical play that I have ever read. I assure you it wasn't easy. By the end of the first act, my mind was muddled and squishy with Shakespeare's language. Thank you foot notes!

When I began reading this play, I was unsure about the time period and the way of life. I found that not only were the men still cocky, but also horny! What really shocked me was the role of the females. Juliet was, should I say, thirteen when she fell stupidly and deeply in love with Romeo. They were so eager to be wed and combined. But, I did do my research and found that women, around Juliet's age, were shipped off to be married and have babies! They were like items or cattle to be auctioned off! I can't imagine being only thirteen and having to lay next to a forty-year-old man, just because he was interested in me. I also discovered that religion was HUGE during that era. It made sense that Romeo used metaphors with religious meanings, and the government was under the church's grasp.

I knew right away who was the logical and the stupid. Juliet, with her ever so mesmerizing words, took time to think over her building passion. She did not rush, she did not push, and she savored. She was the logical and most persevered woman in the play. The fact that Shakespeare even made a woman like her makes me want to drop my hat towards him. Then there is the stupid like Romeo. It would be nice to have a man that would bow at your feet, and compare you to a shrine, but it is very unrealistic. Today if there were men like that there would be a lot of restraining orders and angry parents. Romeo was always in the moment, living life like it was going to end tomorrow, which is ironic. I was actually getting annoyed with that boy, I mean who wants a puppy to follow you around all the time? Juliet loved it though. She loved it so much, she was willing to get married secretly, take drugs, and kill herself. Harsh right? It's way more romantic in the play. But as I read I could understand why they were in such a rush to get married young, and to die next to each other. To live and die next to a man or woman you don't even know or love would be horrifying! The fact that these two people discovered love was a huge blessing, and to live everyday in that passion would be a gift from God himself.

Rating:

Follow Friday: April 06, 2012

Q: Have you ever bought a book BECAUSE of a bad review?

A: No, I have NEVER bought a book because of a bad review. In fact that's not how I decide to pick a book. I would never let one bad review cloud my mind, I have to do my research. But, if there were more than a couple, then yes, I would not read the book. I never count on one person's view, never.

What do you think?