The Best Reader [Search results for matched] 

Matched by Ally Condie Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (November 30th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 366 pages Series: Matched, book #1 Source: Won Rating: 4 of 5 stars Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate.. until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
Review: The world in Matched is one where the citizens have little to no control over each aspect of their lives. From their careers and children, to their spouses and death, each individual is at the power of the Society. People have learned over time that this is the best way to live and most never question what the Society decides. Cassia is at a turning point in her life; she's being matched. Her partner will be picked for her and she is excited to find out who is in her future. Once she discovers she is matched with her best friend Xander she is thrilled. Later, when she views her card at home, she sees another guy she knows, Ky, on the screen.
The idea behind this story is a fascinating one because it is a fear of most people. Many worry about not having control over certain aspects of their lives. The idea is to find out if you would fight the system or go along with what they decide. Going from the advice of her grandfather, Cassia begins questioning the intentions of the Society and the future of her and Xander.
Matched spends a lot of time explaining the way their world runs, which was needed, but I felt the story needed a little more action. Cassia is a great character but I would have liked to see a little more emotion from her. But I do understand that in this world emotions are not often seen. Ky and Xander were both great characters but I couldn't help but think that maybe Cassia was interested in Ky only because she was told he was to never be matched. Even with his quiet personality, it was obvious Ky cared for Cassia. On the other hand, Xander brought the life to the story for me. I enjoyed his playfulness and fun personality.

Ally Condie has a terrific writing style and her worldbuilding was amazing. Although Matched presented a completely altered world, it was easy to follow and understand how things worked. One of my favorite parts of the book involved Cassia's grandfather. Even though he isn't in much of the story, his personality carries a lot of significance in what Cassia feels throughout the book.

I'm excited to see what happens in the next book in this series. Matched leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions and I look forward to seeing how Cassia deals with the drama.

Overall- Matched will give readers an interesting take into a world controlled by others. Even with much of life having an order, love may break the ties and lead Cassia into a fight for her freedom.

Cover- I have to say that this is one of the best covers I have seen. The shimmer effect is beautiful and I love the simplicity and significance of it. Very nice! I hope the other covers in the series follow suit.

Find Ally Condie Ally Condie / Twitter / Goodreads

Purchase Matched Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Book Trailer

According to this article from the beginning of November, cursive is becoming a lost art form and I completely agree. When I write on the board in cursive I always have one of my students say "I can't read cursive." My friend Button (an elementary teacher) and I have had numerous discussions on the importance of cursive in the classroom and much of this discussion stemmed from reading "Matched" by Ally Condie. So I thought it was only fitting that the article be printed a week before "Crossed" released.

In "Matched" cursive writing was one of the first things "done away with" or "outlawed" because of the creativity (I assume, it's been a while since I read it). Printing very formalized and standard (unless you have some of the students I do) whereas cursive is very much an individual's creativity in letters. I remember as a child learning cursive experimenting with all of the different curves and hoops and to this day I experiment with my signature and new last name.

The article states that the controversy lies in where our time is better spent — teaching cursive (a creative art form) to students or on the more "important" core material. As an English teacher (albeit a high school teacher) I see a great importance in cursive writing. It allows students to write as an individual rather than as a human sized type writer. I think it gives the students time to think for themselves and create for themselves rather than memorize and trace what has been done for them — much like in the society of Matched.

What about art classes? If the almighty "they" think cursive is a waste of our instructional time and we are all aware that art classes have been in jeopardy for a while, what will "they" take away from us next? Art and cursive are ambiguous, creative, and completely subjective. Well, can't the same be said for poetry?

Is losing the creative art form that is cursive the first step toward a dystopian society where everything is formalized and the concept of art and poetry is lost? I don't know, it just scares me to see parts of a favorite dystopian novel coming true.

"Whenever I was going to put this book down to do something productive, I found the chapter that I was about put down too seductive to release indefinitely." — Miss Remmers

Release Date: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Challenges: Off the Shelf, 100+ Reading Challenge, Dystopia Challenge

"In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever."
It feels like this review has been a long time coming. As many of you know, last year at BEA 2011 this was the prize book that was stolen — the one book I was really upset about. I'm over it and have moved — but it was still bitter sweet opening this book again for the first time. You see, after receiving this book I went to stand in line somewhere else and I began to read it while in line. But when I realized I was behind a blogger I knew, I put it in my bag of books instead of my purse. That movement still haunts me — if only I had put the book in my purse (to be read later)! But anyway, the past is the past and I've finally completed this book.

Sorry for the poor quality — Blackberry photo

I couldn't contain my excitement!
Lately, "Matched" and "Crossed" have been on my mind for other reasons (you know, rather than their awesomeness). Last month I talked about Cursive: The Lost Art Form and how I connected the loss of creativity to a not-so distant dystopia. And now, as I've finished "Crossed," I have so many more thoughts and questions.

First of all, it took me a long time to get into this book but I think it's mostly because I didn't really remember what went on at the end of "Matched." I read "Matched" in September 2010, that's a long time to remember something. I trudged through the murky remembrance of details (on my part) and slowly the story came back to me. A few times I had to rely on the help of Twitter friends to sift through the details (such as: what did the three pills stand for?). This didn't completely put me off this book (as it was more my fault than fault of the book's) but I wish (unrealistically) I could have remembered more prior to starting "Crossed."

Once the details came back to me, I couldn't put this book down. I finished it in a day while my students had meetings with the counselors in regards to college preparation (talk about a great day!). I will mention that the last chapter of this book did completely baffle me — I'm assuming the ambiguity was purposeful. But I still felt like I was missing something and that it didn't necessary flow well with the rest of the novel.

As for the characters and plot, there were enough surprises and twists to keep each chapter exciting. Whenever I was going to put this book down to do something productive, I found the chapter that I was about put down too seductive to release indefinitely. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the final installment of this novel.

Also, anyone but me hoping the final novel cover will be red to continue the theme? But if it is, what can that mean!?!?!

-Visit Ally around the web here: Website | Goodreads | Twitter
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: Loved and Bought

"I don't know about you, but during the duration of reading this book I wrote entirely in cursive. What an inspiring concept!" — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

Why I read this: The cover and premise really intrigued me.

Plot: The plot was very similar to "The Hunger Games" in regards to the society and its' people. I love the whole idea of a Society that runs everything, it was different with "Matched" because the Society does such a great job of "taking care" of their citizens. It was so fun to follow the journey that Cassia was on as she discovered the truth about her Society. The Society was so intricately weaved, I was never bored.

Characters: I did struggle a bit with Cassia at first, simply because of the betrayal. But as the relationship between Ky and Cassia developed I found myself captivated. By the end of the novel, I was as upset and enraged as Cassia. When I turned that last page I felt as though friends were waiting for me and book #2 couldn't come any faster.

Cover: What an ABSOLUTELY beautiful cover.

Random Thoughts: I loved how important writing had become to those who don't write. I also loved that, like "The Hunger Games," it was set in a futuristic society where the government controlled the people. I have found that this is a theme that really draws readers in. The technology component was also extremely interesting; past generations had been so overwhelmed by all the technology at their every fingertip has now "de-whelmed" their people by only having the basic technologies available. They have also found that society is too materialistic, so they have rid themselves of all personal objects and purged through its histories and arts. It was absolutely FANTASTIC!

I know I keep mentioning "The Hunger Games," I don't want anyone to misinterpret this as "Matching" being a knock-off of "THG." But it's important to realize that "THG" is a story that every student in my class is talking about and I want them to know that because of the the societal similarities "Matched" and "THG" students will devour this book.

Final Thoughts: WOW! I can't stop talking about this books. On November 30th, I will be bringing a copy of this book into my classroom. I can't recommend it enough.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 99/100 A

To the FTC, with love: Review Book

This book will be released on November 30th, 2010

Hosted by Sheila — Thank you!

I finished "Need" last week and am currently almost through "Matched." It's been a crazy week and I haven't had a lot of time to devote to reading — but it's BBAW! Whoot!

Review Books: "Matched"

My Books/Recreational Read:

Class Books: "The Pedestrian," a short story by Ray Bradbury (I think).

Hosted by Sheila — Thank you!

I finished "Matched" and "The Ivy" last week and am currently picking up "The Dark Divine."

Review Books:

My Books/Recreational Read: "The Dark Divine"

Class Books: None — we're studying grammar

Night Hag A True Story By Daniel Waters

I have, in all seriousness and without hyperbole, had a life filled with paranormal activity. Some of the paranormal experiences I’ve had have been wonderful, some revelatory, some disconcerting, but the most terrifying one I’ve had occurred when I was almost exactly, to the day, half the age that I am right now.
My parents moved from the house I grew up in the year that I went away to college. I remember coming home on a break and helping them move; I remember sleeping on my mattress the last night in my old house, reading Stephen King’s It by the amber light of my table lamp in an otherwise empty room. Earlier this year, I moved my family from the house that my children have halfway grown up in, and I was reading Stephen King’s Under the Dome. I liked It more, but I like my new house better than all of the places that I’ve lived. These facts aren’t really germane to the event I’m about to relate, but they are the sort of coincidence that makes me feel that nothing in life is truly coincidental.
I mention this move because the house where I had my most horrifying paranormal experience was one that I never really considered to be my home. Maybe that fact is pertinent, maybe it isn’t. I lived there on school breaks, and although I had my own room there it always felt like someone else’s space, not mine. So I was very chagrinned and disappointed in the summer following my graduation, I moved back home, one of the classic Gen X boomerang kids. I was woefully unprepared for entering the real world, and the job market that I graduated into was one of the worst ever, especially for someone who majored in English, and whose only real ambition in live was to write novels. Not being able to find anything that matched my idea of a worthy career, I ended up taking two low paying but sort of intellectually stimulating jobs associated with fields I’d like to be in: bookseller and theater usher. Production and not Sales, at least I was still around the things I love.
My parents were wonderful to me, as they always have been, and didn’t seem to begrudge me my initial failure to launch. Although I was feeling a bit like a failure for not coming out of school with a string of publications under my belt, I was writing well (at least, if writing success was measured by quantity and not quality), and I was already making plans to marry the woman I loved. I was happy rather than bitter, so I have no idea why I had the horrific experience I did.
There’s a phenomenon called “Night Hag” or “Old Hag” that afflicted me for two days during the summer I returned home from school. You can Google the term for verification, but basically “Night Hag” is a form of sleep paralysis where a sleeper awakes but cannot move, and the sensation is akin to feeling as though a weight or many hands are pressing you down into your bend, rending you unable to move anything but your eyes. Picturing that alone is enough to make my flesh crawl, but when I recall the thing that visited me during my two day bout with Night Hag, the hair, what’s left of it, literally stands up on my head.
I awoke in my bed around eight o’clock in the morning on a very sunny day. I worked long, late hours at the theater so I liked to leave my window shades up and let the sun wake me, because if I kept the room darkened I’d easily sleep past noon. I opened my eyes, and I saw floating along the opposite wall a semi-spherical object that appeared to be composed of dark gray smoke floating along the wall. The smoke effect was heightened by the greasy grayish yellow contrail the thing left. I couldn’t move, but my eyes tracked its fluttering course around my room.
It turned towards me, and it had a face. Or teeth, at least. I remember teeth and a single eye in an ever-changing skull face, where the smoke hung and fell away like rapidly decaying skin.
I closed my eyes, and it disappeared.
But it was back the following morning, drifting around the room like a thick clot of resinous cigarette smoke. Again I couldn’t move. The previous day all I’d had to do was close my eyes and reopen them and it vanished; a few moments after its departure I was able to move again. So I tried the same strategy. It worked. It disappeared.
But I closed my eyes a second time, and upon reopening the hideous thing was hovering right above my navel. I looked at it and it seemed to pulse, the grayish smoke coalescing and then dissolving as I tried and failed to will my inert body to move.
Then it looked up at me.
I knew it had been watching me before, but this was the first time I actually made eye contact with the thing. Its one eye, a glassy black marble, undulated with a baleful, dead malevolence. I closed my eyes again. I was screaming inside but I couldn’t move a muscle. I fully intended to keep my eyes closed, but I had the sensation of tiny claws prying my eyelids open.
The thing had moved up my body and we were now nose-to-nose, although it didn’t have a nose, just a pair of ragged rents in its smoky, shifting face. It regarded me a moment, seeming to lean forward, and I could feel awful hot breath on my cheeks.
Then, in the space of a single heartbeat, it turned from me and sped towards the window, disappearing before it reached the glass.
I haven’t had a similar experience since.
Thank heavens.

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (June 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 386 pages Series: Generation Dead, book #3) Karen DeSonne always passed as a normal (if pale) teenager; with her friends, with her family, and at school. Passing cost her the love of her life. And now that Karen’s dead, she’s still passing—this time, as alive. Karen DeSonne just happens to be an extremely human-like zombie. Meanwhile, Karen’s dead friends have been fingered in a high-profile murder, causing a new round of antizombie regulations that have forced them into hiding. Karen soon learns that the “murder” that destroyed their non-life was a hoax, staged by Pete Martinsburg and his bioist zealots. Obtaining enough evidence to expose the fraud and prove her friends’ innocence means doing the unthinkable: becoming Pete’s girlfriend. Karen’s only hope is that the enemy never realizes who she really is—because the consequences would be worse than death.

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a signed copy of Passing Strange.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US ONLY and ends November 9th.
• Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

- Thanks Daniel for the wonderful story and book donation!
Find Daniel Waters Daniel Waters / Generation Dead / Tommy's Blog

Purchase Passing Strange Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

* Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post.

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

It's that time of year, Twitter and my GR is buzzing with the excitement of another year gone and another year here. With all the upcoming Reading Challenges and Goals for the new year, I can't help but feel motivated and ready (whether my classroom is or isn't is another question). Yesterday I looked at all the books I read and came up with my top ten favorites. Feeling a little extra motivated I even made a video — beware: it is my first video, and while I'm extremely proud of it, it isn't perfect.

Books mentioned:

10. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
7. Beastly by Alex Flinn
6. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5. Matched by Allie Condie
4. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
2. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Colli ns

After making that list I still felt like something was missing, like that list alone didn't sum up 2010. I continued to think about it this morning and then it hit me: it isn't always the books that mean the most, sometimes it's the authors. I read 65 books in 2010 and the above are my favorite reads, but what about my favorite authors? The authors who were crazy kind, excited to talk to me, and who were full enthusiasm?

Here are my top authors of 2010:

• Lauren Oliver — Besides being an awesome writer, you were so approachable at BEA and I was so impressed when you remembered my name when you say me randomly walking around!
• Shannon Delany — You single-handedly were the reason Sheila and I made it to the Author Event at BEA where I met so many great women! You were so friendly, understanding, and patient with my back and forth Twittering to find where you all were. I so appreciate everything you did and can't wait for your second book.
• Courtney Summers — Your books never cease to amaze me, but I'll never forget your Author Interview with my struggling readers (and they never will either). You really demonstrated to my students that authors are people too — no matter how famous! Thank you!
• Denise Jaden — Girl, "Losing Faith" rocked my socks off but you are just as outstanding (if not more!). You have such an outreach to readers and bloggers, I am so impressed!
• Violet Haberdasher — I loved "Knightley Academy" and the main reason I bought it at BEA was because of how approachable you are! You were so friendly and excited to be at the NYC library! I can't wait for book two!
• Simone Elkeles — I haven't even read one of your books (yet), although I do have all of them on my bookshelves and in my classroom. Your books are books that I don't have to pitch to students — they pick them up, love the cover, love the synopsis, and come to me later saying "I loved this novel! Give me another one like it!" At BEA you were so friendly and even joked about me actually being a teacher because of my size (true story, my students think the same thing!). You gave me two signed posters and they were the first posters up in my classroom. My students can't believe I met you! Thank you so much for giving a first year teacher some credibility!
• Shari Maurer — I still need to read your book (I know, I'm behind), but I love your enthusiasm for reading and for struggling readers! I will never forget at BEA how willing you were to talk to me about my students (and I hadn't even met them yet!). Thanks!
• Karen Essex — I read a review of "Dracula in Love" on a blog and commented that I really wanted to read your novel but had gone to BN and it was $25, within a half an hour later you had emailed me and asked if I'd like a copy for review. It was one of those moments that my students said, "That didn't just happen, did it?" And it did. Thank you for being so awesome!
• Simmone Howell — My first Australian author! I am so excited to read your books in the near future! Your enthusiasm for reading and for students means a lot to me!

Get Caught Reading is a new Sunday event at Miss Remmers' Review. For more information check out this post.

While not the most exciting photo, this is the perfect Sunday night for me. Dan and I are watching "Battlestar Gallactica" (which isn't nearly as nerdy as I thought it would be), he's checking his Fantasy Football scores, and I'm reading "Matched."

If you've been caught reading this week, please sign the Mr. Linky! I'm really excited to find out where everyone else gets caught. I plan on sharing these pictures with students to spur their excitement!

Where did you get caught reading this week?

Hosted by The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it in my blog. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. Won: For Review: From the library: Downloaded:

Purchased:

• "Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac" — $4.50
• "Gone" — $8
• "Matched" — $4
• "The Lying Game" — $8

Hosted by Sheila — Thank you!

This week I finished and accomplished nothing. Hopefully this week will be better!

Review Books:

My Books/Recreational Read: "Across the Universe" and "If I Stay"

Class Books:

Wow! The Spring Blog Carnival hosted by Candace’s Book Blog, Reading Angel, Pure Imagination, and The Book Swarm is almost at a close!

As I promised last week, today I am hosting the "It's a Bad World" Booth Challenge! We've all at least heard the somewhat annoying yet catchy "It's a Small World" tune that depicts the perfect world with everyone from all different races and backgrounds getting along famously well; where no matter the language, the tune and unity is still strong. In case you would like to walk down memory lane (or experience something all new) — here's a video of the "It's a Small World" ride.

However, lately it seems that life is not so "good." Yes, we've had the Royal Wedding, Osama has been found, and schools getting out (that last one is more for me than anyone else), but our world is still in turmoil. We aren't all singing together in unison and holding hands. We are partaking in polygamy and selling the prettiest girls off to the highest bidder in hopes of impregnating them, we are promoting teenage pregnancies by paying girls to "bump," and at the other of that spectrum we have society telling us that love is a disease and that any kind of emotion will make you crazy! We are sending people into space to fix our societal problems and as a result we have digressed into a social class hierarchy! It almost seems as if we are living in a Dystopian Society!!

dys·to·pi·a

1. Write a post explaining why you think Dystopian fiction is so addicting. Why is everyone reading it? What does it say about our society that we want to read about WORSE societies? Are there any implications dystopian fiction's popularity has on our own society? What say you!!
2. What is your favorite dystopian novel to date? Why did you like it? How does it stand apart from all the other countlessly recent dystopian novels? Why would you recommend it above all others in this genre?

Yes, this Challenge is therefore INTERNATIONAL.

Also, anyone have any guesses as to the four dystopian novels mentioned at the beginning of this post?

I am "stealing" this from The Story Siren. If you want to find out more about it in my blog. Anyway, these are books I got this week at the bookstore, library, and in the mail, of course. This week I hit the book friends book lottery! Two friends (Sheila from Book Journey and Barbara from Reading Group Choices) sent me some books that I am pretty darn excited about! Big thanks to these great women!
For Review:
Won:
From the library:

Purchased:

Received by Friends:

• "The Opposite of Me" SIGNED from Sheila at Book Journey
• "The Things A Brother Knows" ARC (Sept 2010) SIGNED from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Marcelo in the Real World" SIGNED from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Revolution" ARC (Oct 2010) from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "How to Say Goodbye in Robot" SIGNED from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Going Bovine" SIGNED from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Matched" ARC (Nov 2010) SIGNED from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Clockwork Angel"ARC (Aug 2010) from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Torment" ARC (Sept 2010) from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Linger" ARC (July 2010) from Barbara at Reading Group Choices
• "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" SIGNED from Barbara at Reading Group Choices

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

• I read the following books during the Fall of 2010 (August 13th, 2010 — December 31st, 2010):

• Knightley Academy
• The Deathday Letter
• Pretty Little Liars
• Finding Forrester
• Shade
• To Kill A Mockingbird
• Fall For Anything
• Intrinsical
• The Eternal Ones
• Dracula in Love
• Captivate
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
• The Dark Divine
• The Ivy
• Matched
• Need
• Mockingjay
• Losing Faith
• The DUFF
• 13 to Life

August 2010 Wrap Up

While I think six is a decent number of books read, the blog really went on hold this month. I began teaching, I was still moving in, Dan moved in, etc. I definitely struggled with keeping a balanced life in August.
Books Read:

• Linger
• I Am Number Four
• 13 to Life
• The Duff
• Losing Faith
• Mockingjay

September 2010 Wrap Up

Again, I struggled in September, only reading three books (someone slap my wrists and say "shame"). Books Read:

• Need
• Matched
• The Ivy

At least in October I read four books... right? I know, this post is beginning to sound like the post of excuses, but I did get engaged! Books Read:

• The Dark Divine
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
• Captivate
• Dracula in Love

There really is no excuse for November... world, I apologize. Books Read:

• The Eternal Ones
• Intrinsical
• Fall for Anything

Finally! Redemption! I read six books in December! WHOO! Books Read:

• Knightley Academy
• The Deathday Letter
• Pretty Little Liars
• Finding Forrester
• Shade
• To Kill A Mockingbird

Last year in what seemed like a span of weeks I read five fantastic novels that just happened to be the first of a series: "Across the Universe, " "Delirium, " "The Goddess Test, " "Wither, " and "Matched. " These five novels absolutely changed my reading life. With each of these books I was positively awe-struck.

"I read this book almost in its entirety in one day... but it feels like I've known these characters for months, years even! The journey I just got back from after reading "Wither" was an experience that every bibliophile looks forward to with every book they open. "Wither" may not fulfill this experience for everyone — but it sure did for me."

"I hurt with the emotion I felt, I hurt because I couldn't stop willing the plot on, my heart hurt out of love for the characters, and my adrenaline never slowed the last 100 pages. This book caused me physical pain I loved it so much."

"Fantastically timed writing along with perfectly developed characters and a seamlessly exciting plot makes "Delirium" an instant favorite and a story not likely forgotten anytime soon."

"'Across the Universe' was woven so intricately and beautifully that this plot driven novel is definitely on my 'OMG! I need the next book!' list."

"I don't know about you, but during the duration of reading this book I wrote entirely in cursive. What an inspiring concept!"
So you can only imagine how excited I am for their sequels to be released. "Crossed" (out last week) was in my fingertips at BEA and I had actually started reading while in line for other books but unfortunately it was not to be finished. I pre-ordered it through Amazon about a month ago (and I won't make that mistake again); it arrived on Friday and I am so excited to continue the story.

Today I received in the mail at school a copy of "A Million Suns" by Beth Revis (Jan 2012) from the publisher and am completely stoked! Last week I received a copy "Pandemonium" by Lauren Oliver (March 2012) from the publisher and am currently only about 100 pages in — but this four day weekend will completely change the game around.

Please ignore my yellow bookmark.
And to finish things off I just found out that "Goddess Interrupted" will be released on NetGalley a few months before the release (March 2012).
If you're getting the impression that I am on a book high — you'd be completely underestimating my excitement. My "in my mailbox" has never EVER been so exciting before! I'm a relatively small-town blogger and probably only receive one book a month from publishers (if that). But this post is not an "IMM" (expect a vlog!!), there is a reason these books in particular are crossing my doorstep.
At school I have put together a group of ten students, a very cool name is yet to be decided on, who meet, read, suggest, and promote YA books to my other students during Friday's Recreational Reading time. Basically we meet during lunch and talk books — much like a book club. Then we decided which books of the week are our absolute favorites and each student volunteers to book talk a book to my English classes on Friday before reading. It started out with "older" books and ironically my five favorites were all chosen to be book talked. Then my students started to talk about the sequels and how they were dying to get their hands on them (much like myself) and so I figured I'd attempt to receive one of these coveted ARCS and become the coolest and most awesome teacher ever. So I sent out a few emails to authors (as I have no legitimate "contacts") and low and behold (who ever thought of that term?) two books found their way to my doorstep.
I'll be presenting these books to my students on Monday when we meet and I can't WAIT to see their eyes light up. The idea that publishers would send ME (of all people — according to the students) books before they even came out is a completely foreign idea to these students and I'm just exploding with excitement. I sort of feel like a cave man bringing home fire (or a wheel) for the first time.

1. Knightley Academy — Bought
2. The Deathday Letter — Gift
3. Pretty Little Liars — Bought
4. Finding Forrester — School
5. Shade — BEA
6. To Kill A Mockingbird — School
7. Fall For Anything — Review Copy
8. Intrinsical — Review Copy
9. The Eternal Ones — Library
10. Dracula in Love — Review Copy
11. Captivate — Bought
12. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow — Audio via Gutenberg
13. The Dark Divine — BEA
14. The Ivy — BEA
15. Matched — Review Copy
16. Need — Bought
17. Mockingjay — Library
18. Losing Faith — Review Copy
19. The DUFF — BEA
20. 13 to Life — Bought

Plus, when I "empty" these shelves maybe I can get a Nook!:)
What about you? Have you noticed any reading trends?

"

I love being able to say I know the TRUE story of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'" — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"The chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the favorite specter of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, who had been heard several times of late, patrolling the country; and, it was said, tethered his horse nightly among the graves in the churchyard. The story was immediately matched by a thrice marvelous adventure of Brom Bones, who made light of the Galloping Hessian as an arrant jockey. He affirmed that on returning one night from the neighboring village of Sing Sing, he had been overtaken by this midnight trooper; that he had offered to race with him for a bowl of punch, and should have won it too, for Daredevil beat the goblin horse all hollow, but just as they came to the church bridge, the Hessian bolted, and vanished in a flash of fire. All these tales, told in that drowsy undertone with which men talk in the dark, the countenances of the listeners only now and then receiving a casual gleam from the glare of a pipe, sank deep in the mind of Ichabod... . "

Why I read this: Who doesn't love the story of "Sleepy Hollow" around Halloween! This has been on my TBR list for a long time; when I realized that Gutenberg had it I began listening to it every spare moment I had.

Plot: It was fascinating hearing/reading the plot as it was originally meant to be told; so many people assume they know the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman because of the countless retellings. There is nothing better than reading the original story and realizing how it has been distorted throughout the years via literature and movie renditions.

Characters: The characters really came to life in the original story of Sleepy Hollow. I really understood exactly how nerdy Ichabod was (and not in that Johnny Depp sort of way). I was also given a whole new perspective on Katrina and her coquettish ways.

Cover: If it weren't for my love of literature (or if I were a high school student), I would not pick up this book because of the cover. It just sort of screams dull and old. I definitely vote on a new cover to inspire more contemporary readers to pick this book up.

Random Thoughts: It was fantastic to read/ listen to this book in October when the haunting season has just begun. There were moments of the text that were very heavy because of the large amount of description so it was nice to be listening to it so that I could be multi-tasking. Towards the end when the Headless Horseman makes his appearance the narrator couldn't speak fast enough.

Final Thoughts: This was a fantastic read for October. I love being able to say I know the TRUE story of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." I think on October 29th (it's our Recreational Reading day), I'll have my students listen to this fantastic original.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 7/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 8/10
Overall: 95/100 A

To the FTC, with love: Listened to for free from Project Gutenberg

Where Is YA going?
It’s been a long time since Harry Potter. Even though we’re all storming movie theaters to see the first half of Deathly Hallows, from the books that are coming out now you’d think the whole series was ancient history. Judging by what is hitting the shelves, you’d think a YA book can’t be good unless it has a love-triangle or a death within the first ten pages, and then it has to drag us over hot coals as it resolves its torturous, dark conflicts, finally ending with a dreary whimper. Do you know what I’m talking about? How did we leave behind the exciting and the innocent to get here in just a few short years?
For me, the young-adult genre’s latest revolution is losing that essence that made me fall in love with it in the first place. I hate to see it go, and I’m desperate to find a way to bring it back to its roots.
I remember I was a counselor at a sports camp the day Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released. The post office had to send two trucks to deliver all of the pre-orders, and we had to suspend activities because everyone wanted to read. I’ll tell you what, you’ve never been around a happier group of people in your life. Even the counselors were reading it, and everyone was just smiling ear-to-ear, delighted and enthralled. We all gasped at how dark the story had become, but now it still seems so innocent and playful. Even finishing Dealthy Hallows, most people felt charged, ready to jump for joy. Right toppled wrong! Something had been accomplished!
Let’s compare that to Mockingjay. When you see people reading Mockingjay, don’t you have to start looking at them like they’re about to invade the Capital? “Good luck! I’m praying for you!” Your eyebrows scrunch up with concern, and they nod as if to say they’re willing to make a sacrifice for the greater good by reading this book. No matter how much you loved it, I don’t think there’s anyone out there who can describe the ending as “happy.” Instead, Collins leaves us with an ambiguous message about what it was all for, that being left alone is the best we can hope for. Where’s the feeling of triumph, of joy? I understand that life can be hard, but is a happy ending really too much to ask for?
YA has long been the playground of authors, allowing them to delve into issues that are too sticky for adult fiction. But instead of using the swings or the slide, they’ve chosen to start releasing the worst demons they can devise, and now the books they’re publishing are filled with pent-up traumas and emotional horrors beyond what most of us could ever expect to live through.
A quick look at recent and upcoming releases tells us exactly what we’re in for. Matched is about an oppressive regime dictating who people love. Wither is about an abducted girl who is stripped of her freedom and forced to marry someone. Torment… well I think the name says it all. I’m not saying any of these are bad books, but yikes, makes me glad to be living in the real world!
For those of you who can sympathize with me here, people who miss some of the youthful exuberance and sense of exciting discovery that constitutes their vision of YA, let me pose an alternative. If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, a little more innocent, you may find some refreshment in my Powerless series, which is just about to release its third book! The story is about a fifteen-year-old girl named Mira Ipswich who discovers she’s the only one in the world without a unique, magical power. Despite her limitation, she’s got to find a way to co-exist and make friends, and the larger arc of the series is her attempt to reunite her family. There are hardships, to be sure, but as long as they keep hope in their hearts, the possibility for a bright future remains.
I’d like to close with a heartfelt thank you to Jessica for graciously providing me with this space. I’m excited about holding a giveaway on “Confessions of a Bookaholic,” and I hope we all keep reading to our heart’s content!
Jason Letts is the author of the Powerless series. You can find out more at his website: www.powerlessbooks.com

Powerless: The Synthesis by Jason Letts Published: May 30th, 2010
Reading Level: Young Adult Series: Powerless, book #1 Mira Ipswich couldn't have ever known the startling difference that separates her from the rest of humanity. But when she discovers a strange anomaly in the midst of her seclusion, her parents are forced to reveal she exists in a world where everyone is imbued with a wondrous natural gift. Everyone except herself that is. Accompany Mira as her attempts to fit in among peers and understand her inconceivable condition embroil her with the dangerous forces threatening her homeland. Protected by nothing more than her imagination and ingenuity, you'll never find a superhero more like you.

The first book in the Powerless series is the tale of Mira’s turbulent and perilous entry into the world around her. And once she’s a part of it, nothing will ever be the same again.

The story is already raking in the awards. It's won the Webb Weaver 2010 Writer's Competition, the judges proclaiming they were"entranced by the writer's ability to bring together this unlikely group of kids," and that the book could"be a hit in the YA book world." The story is a roller coaster ride, filled with diverse characters, lots to discover in an ever-expanding world, and a story full of hopes and aspirations. If you like stories with plenty of dramatic twists and spirited intensity, it'll have you falling in love with a brand new series and begging for more!

Giveaway Prize:

• 3 winners will receive an ebook of Powerless: The Synthesis.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is International and ends December 5th.
• Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Find Jason Letts Jason Letts / Twitter / Goodreads / Blog

Purchase Powerless: The Synthesis Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Ebook version is available through Amazon for $0.99! USE GOOGLE to read chapter one for free.
For an extra entry into the contest answer this question in the comments below.
If you could choose, what individual superpower would you want?

Release Date: April 26th, 2011
Publisher: Harper Collins
Challenges: Dystopia Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, eBook Challenge

"When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.
Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job. Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common."
I was very excited for this new dystopian novel centered around the concept of teen pregnancy. I loved the insight and the satire that McCafferty expressed in "Bumped." This exaggerated society wasn't exactly inconceivable. While exaggerated and frightening, I can definitely see something like this happening in the distant (or not so distant) future.
I went into this novel with the synopsis and a bit of an expectation. To not sugar coat it — this book wasn't for me. I found the futuristic terminology confusing and never really understood what they were talking about and where the words were coming from (why add Mi to everything?). From what I gather other reviewers had the same problem but eventually understood what was going on so maybe I'm just a bit more dense or structured. Obviously I understood some of the terminology, but a lot of the technology was lost on me. The MiNet completely confused me; is this something in their heads or is it a device?
I found the characters to be a bit lacking in depth. The two protagonists (Melody and Harmony — talk about confusing) alternated perspectives by chapter. So many times I would forget whose perspective I was reading which would only add to my confusion. This tends to happen to me when I'm reading a novel with alternating perspectives. I also never really got to know either character very well and as a result my relationship with either character never really developed.
I did really enjoy the society that was built and the classifications of people (Amateurs versus Pros, Worms, etc) and felt that it accurately described much of how our world actually works today (without the societal stigmas that accompany it). To clarify, Zen (the best friend) is classified as a Worm because he is vertically challenged and therefore isn't "paid" to mate. While I think few of us today would admit, the truth of the matter is there is generally some judgement made on looks. Many females refuse to date or mate with someone younger or shorter than them — it's a societal expectation or norm that the male be taller and older. Now, of course this isn't written in stone but I think that we can all agree that's the norm. I found these classifications to be understandable and eye opening.
Jondoe — I'm not really sure how I feel about him. At the end there it was back and forth too much and I'm not really sure what the truth is and what the act is.
Overall, this book wasn't for me. It had a great premise but I was unable to connect to the characters or the plot. I'm not sure if I'll be reading the sequel. Again, this is just me and for the most part I've only read great reviews. For more opinions check out — The Compulsive Reader, Good Books and Good Wine, Pure Imagination, and Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books.
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 8/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 7/10
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 49/60 B

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To the FTC, with love: Review eGalley from NetGalley