Getting back into the swing of things

This post is not about books.

It has been over a year and a half since I have posted on this blog. I don't think anyone really missed it, but I'm going to ramble anyway.
I am a junior in high school now. I was a freshman when I last posted on here.
This summer, my best friend, Tosha, moved to Kentucky. My other best friend, Mack, moved with her. They're both going to the same college, and I am jealous.
This has probably been the most emotionally unstable two months of my life.

My one friend's older brother died in early September. The best friend, Mack, who moved to Kentucky, that is. Considering she's like my sister, and I was at her family's house a lot in the past year, I was pretty upset. Considering I have an irrational crush on her brother, I hated having to see him at calling hours... but I got at least I got a hug from him... and his girlfriend, and at least I got to see my friends, even if it was a sad occasion.

Now, as a Junior, I've seen a lot. I miss my friends. I only have about three true friends who live in Ohio. By "true," I mean someone who won't talk about me behind my back, who likes my company any time--not just at her convenience, who cares, and who won't take complete advantage of me.

In other news, last night was homecoming. I hate grinding. I don't care if you like it, but I don't see how it doesn't bother at least the girls. It's degrading, for one. It's giving the guy a "free ride" in the words of my AP Gov teacher. It just overall looks gross. I guarantee you can have just as much fun by not rubbing your butt against someone else's genitals. What's the worst is when the girl is bending over in front of the guy, and the teachers are doing nothing. They threaten them, but don't do anything. Sure, they left the lights on in the back half of the gym this year, and everyone complained, but it didn't stop the grinding. So, leave the lights off if you're not going to bother to enforce your threats. I'm just saying.
Speaking of which, check out my new blog, "I'm just saying."

I'll continue to post about books on here once I read some good ones, but this is more likely to only be active in the summer.

High Stakes

High Stakes is by an author from my home state! Erin McCarthy was at a book fair my dad took me too, and I'm like "Hey! Vampires!" and bought the book with an autograph and everything. Anyway, this books is not for the faint of heart. It's quite inappropriate in language, and also content.

Alexis lives in Las Vegas. Her sister, Brittany, is a Dentist and was asked by a very hot casino/hotel owner to clean the teeth of every employee in his hotel. What no one knows, is that a majority of them... are VAMPIRES!! (you knew it would come up eventually) Ethan, the hot business man owning the hotel is President of the entire Vamp Nation. His original plan was to seduce Brittany into being his girlfriend/wife, until he met Alexis.

There's something to be explained though... Brittany is an Impure. (think Renesmee) She is half-vampire, half-human. Alexis and Brittany are half sisters, by their mom. The purpose Ethan had of getting Brittany was getting the vote of the growing population of Impures in the vampire nation.

Alexis is extremely independent, so she's not about to let this egotistic entrepreneur take control. However, Ethan is hard to resist. The romance and drama of being a vampire president's leading lady is intense. The book captures your attention immediately.

There's a lot of content, so I suggest not doing as the characters. It's still a good read! The character and plot development is strong. The overall story is slightly cliched, but worth reading!

All Rivers Flow to the Sea

All Rivers Flow to the Sea is by Alison Mcghee. This story is sort of a 'Coming of Age' type book. It's from the point of view of high-schooler, Rose, who was in a car accident with her sister, Ivy. Rose is traumatized, because while she got away with few injuries, her sister went into a coma. Rose sits by her sister's side for a month, waiting for her to wake up. She swears she's going to be there when Ivy wakes up. After that month, everyone convinces her to go back to school, everyone misses her... right? 

Back at school, Rose is struggling with the rumors people are spreading about her sister. She's just a "vegetable," is what everyone is saying. Rose knows, though. Her sister had moved that one time, and that meant she wasn't just a vegetable. She still aches from the loss, though. Rose goes at it the wrong way, however. She invites Jimmy Wilson up to the Stern's Gorge. Things happen... and the rumors spread. Jimmy wasn't the one to relieve her of her pain. She tries with another boy. Then another. Her emotional aches and pains are not fixed.

Everyday after school, she rides the bus home, then goes to her neighbor, William T., to go see Ivy. Every single day, all she does is read to Ivy. William T. has always been there for Rose and her family. He's almost like the father she never had. Rose's mother hasn't gone to see Ivy since the accident. 

This book, while not incredibly long, is a good read for reluctant readers or people who have been through any kind of trauma. There is some strong language, but not a ton. The characters and situations are very realistic, and up to speed with the current times.

So what do you think...? Does Ivy wake up? Does Rose finally find closure and end up with a boy who actually cares for her? You'll just have to pick up the book and find out.

Stolen

Stolen, by Vivian Vande Veld (isn't that a fun name?!) is about a girl who all of a sudden comes to her senses. Just like that. There's nothing, and then her running. It's pretty bizarre at the beginning. The story goes on, that there was a girl, about six years ago, who was stolen by the old witch! Everyone seems to think that this girl was the one who was stolen six years ago.

A kind older couple takes the girl in, and try to figure out who she is. They ask her questions, develop theories and heal her from an attack from than man's hunting dogs. She still doesn't remember a thing.

Within a week, the whole town has heard of her. The family that lost their daughter, comes to find her. The mother is completely convinced that it's her. You see, the old witch who was said to have stolen the child, had been burned out of her house, and hopefully killed, just the day that the girl arrived. Why? For stealing the same family's third child- another baby girl. There's no way that was a coincidence. They continue trying to regain her memory. It seems that the oldest daughter does not believe that this stranger is her long-lost little sister.

As time goes by, she, Isabelle, still remembers nothing. However, she has this unexplained knowledge of plants and herbs. Hmm...very suspicious.

So who is Isabelle, this stolen girl, anyway? I guess you'll have to read the book and figure out the mystery!

Eragon

Eragon by Christopher Paolini, is a pretty good book for being written when the guy was 15! He's like 20 something now. Anyway, after being begged by numerous friends to read it, I did. It took a while to find time, but I finished!

Eragon starts out as just a farm boy who goes hunting. He lives with just his uncle and cousin, because his mom couldn't stay and care for him. Nothing is known of his dad. Eragon has no luck getting meat but then there is a CRACK! and a blue stone appears where the lightning or explosion seemed to have happened. Perhaps he could trade it for some meat? Again, no luck. The Butcher is a stupid, mean guy. Later, the stone hatches. Well, I guess it's an egg... A dragon emerges! 

There's a lot of filler here. The dragon is named Saphira, thanks to Brom, the storyteller. There's the Ra'zac, who kill Eragon's uncle. Brom discovers that Eragon has a dragon and decides to teach him how to care for her. They travel together to find the Ra'zac to avenge Eragon's uncle's death.

The adventure continues in their practically cross-country and beyond adventure. Urgals, which are creatures you better hope you never come across, attack them. There is a Shade, who is about as scary as he sounds, and a beautiful Elf, Arya, who helps Eragon. Saphira is a wise creature who communicates with Eragon through their minds. She cares for Eragon like a sister or a mother. 

It turns out that Eragon has to take sides as a Dragon Rider. Either the Varden or the Empire. There is a long story behind the rivalry. The Emperor is evil, but the Varden are radical. It's sad, funny, and intense all at the same time.  I'm just anticipating this "Epic Romance" mentioned... I love my romance! Perhaps it will be in Eldest. Much more happens, you'll just have to read to find out!

Twilight the Movie

It's about time I got around to this right? I know this is supposed to be reviewing books, but this is a book-turned-movie! 

First of all,  I have to say, my expectations were completely surpassed! Surprisingly, the Twilight movie went pretty well with the book. Now understand that I am a "Twi-hard" or "Twilighter" or "Fanpire" (whichever you prefer) and have been preparing for this movie for MONTHS! Those people who got hooked only so they could see the movie haven't been turning this over in their minds like many of us have. Robert Pattinson-is he right for Edward? Will Kristen Stewart bring just the right amount of klutzy-ness to Bella? It pretty much depends on your view. 

Personally, I loved Rob as Edward. Like Kristen said, he brought hard-core pain, which is what Edward really needed. Kristen had that 'naive lamb' thing going for her, exactly like Bella. The whole, not-as-much-make-out-scenes-as-the-book thing, really didn't bother me. I know, it's supposed to be romantic, but they portray it as something more than just physical.

The actors were well chosen. Angela could have been a bit shyer and Alice a bit...spunkier? I don't know exactly. I wish Jasper would have spoken more, because I really liked Jackson Rathbone, same with Kellan Lutz. The Lullaby was AMAZING! I constantly look it up on YouTube because I haven't gotten the CD yet. Personally, I like it without the orchestra (just piano)

You'll all just have to see the movie for yourself to get the right affect. The second time I went to see it, I could mouth the words almost the entire time. Oh, and don't forget to laugh! Charlie's was a great choice...just saying...

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Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."

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