Alex Flinn

I don't know if I've ever expressed my love for amazing author, Alex Flinn but I've got some bragging to do now!  I adore her!  I've read a couple of  her books, that you need to read!

Talia fell under a spell...Jack broke the curse.

I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic...

I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.

I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss.

I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.

Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!

Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels...The good news: My parents will freak!

Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

I am a beast.

A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright--a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever--ruined--unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

~Remedyleaf

Bright Young Things

Last night, I finished the first book in a new series by an author I love; Anna Godbersen.  (Author of The Luxe)

The book I read was Bright Young Things

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: Flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star....

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined — and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for...and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is ­Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

As you know, I enjoyed The Luxe series so much, that it joined the ranks of my favorites.  As you can guess, I was anxious to read Godbersen's new series.

Early on, however, I was generally disappointed.  The characters and plot were no where near as interesting as The Luxe.  I felt like Godbersen was just choosing over used characters and plot lines.  Characters, in their own special way, often resembled Mary Sues.  Which is disappointing from a published author, much less one that has previously been on my favorite author list.  As you may guess, although I loved The Luxe and it's series, Godbersen can no longer be allowed on my list, just for the underperformance here.

This may come as a surprising review.  I've heard only great things about this book, which made me anxiously want to read it even more.  Alas, I was not impressed.  Maybe I'm just a critic, but I would not recommend this series over The Luxe.

But maybe I'm comparing too much.  As a book alone, it was not that bad.  It just didn't sit with me well.  A lot more happened then imaginable in the two week time the book is set in.

I'll talk about Astrid now.
I was disappointed that she first showed up in the second half of the book.  I would have liked to have seen more of her.  Then there was the whole thing with her and Charlie at the end of the book.  *SPOILERS* I didn't understand that after she caught Charlie with another woman, that when he proposed to her she said yes.  I mean, they loved each other in all, but my trust would have been destroyed.  I guess people made mistakes that were easier to clean up back then.  Or, in Godbersen's fictional world at least.
Another thing about Astrid that I didn't understand, was her mother's reputation.  I didn't understand what that had to do with the book, especially her mother's affair, and then "pre" divorce.  (Assuming continuation of that in the 2nd book.)  Within all of that, Astrid's relationship with her step-sister Billie was confusing too.  That, and what the heck Billie had to do with the story.  She seemed like an unneeded character.  The only relationship involving Astrid that I understood was the one she shared with Cordelia.  That made perfect sense; they were young girls, matched up in a case of luck, that became fast friends.

Now for Charlie.
First off, I didn't really understand him.  Why would he *SPOILERS* cheat on Astrid?  Why did he hate Cordelia at first.  And his personality was so back and fourth.  It felt like he was bipolar.  He was not a very impressive male character.

3rdly, Cordelia
Cordelia's personality was fairly pleasing.  Although she took in all of her sudden wealth, was grateful for it, and acknowledged the time when she didn't have it.  But her reason to come to New York?  A little bit overused, if you ask me.  How many plot's have featured a long lost father/mother/sister/brother, ect.  I was disappointed that Godbersen couldn't come up with something more original. *SPOILERS* As for Cordelia's relationship with Thom, that was entirely unrealistic.  She knew him for less than 2 weeks.  They moved at a ridiculously, fictional pace to anything remotely close to real life relationships.  I was so surprised by this, because in (ok, I'm comparing now) Godbersen's previous works, all her relational development has been reasonable.  I can see, however, the purpose of her father's death;  all for the assumption that it was Thom, leading to a falling out.   I didn't understand her side of the friendship with Letty either.  Cordelia is stronger, and smarter than Letty.  I didn't get why she was friends with her.  (Now why Letty was friends with Cordelia, is easy to see...)  Lastly, I didn't understand Cordelia's last minute moment with the famous pilot that was crammed into the ending pages of the book.  I can only assume that it was set up for the sequel, and if not, it was just bad planning.

So lastly, Letty
Although Cordelia's overused dream (to find her father), I thought that Letty's dream was even more ridiculously over used.  Moving to New York to make it in Show Biz?  Really Godbersen?
In general, I just didn't like Letty at all.  She was such a Mary Sue.  It was crazy.   Her relationship with Grady was so understandable, however, as well as her desire for Amory's approval.  I didn't like her Cigarette Girl friends, but I didn't like the way Letty treated them even more.  *SPOILERS* Borrow their clothes, let your dog eat their stuff, drink their liquor, and stay for barely anything????  Considering these girls got you a job, and gave you advice, and loaned you clothes.  Ugghhhhh.  I can't stand that!  Lastly, I didn't like how she just picked right up with Cordelia, who basically left her with nothing.  (Although I was kind of on Cordelia's side.)

Anyway, I just didn't really like this.  Read

instead!

Bye,

~Remedyleaf

P.S.  If you're wondering what a "Mary Sue" is,  wikitionary says that A Mary Sue is "A fictional character, usually female and especially in fanfic, whose implausible talents and likeableness weaken the story." That's why I was surprised that a published author would use such a disgraceful character.

First Author Bio!

Hey!  So today, I'm going to post my first Author Bio!  I've been thinking about who I should do my first bio on, when it totally came to me!  Just now!!!

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield

Synopsis:


Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town--and Becca--into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life.

Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson's life are intercut with Becca's own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia's death.



Now about Kat...

Here is her bio from her site:

Kat Rosenfield is a freelance writer and YA author. She lives in New England, but that might change.

goodreads.com had some more information:

Kat Rosenfield was born and raised in Coxsackie, New York, and worked as a production assistant, publicist and copywriter in New York City before finding her niche in writing for teenagers. Her first novel, AMELIA ANNE IS DEAD AND GONE, was released by Dutton in July 2012.

When not writing fiction, she can be found contributing entertainment news and commentary to MTV's Hollywood Crush blog and lecturing on proper flirting techniques on Barnes & Noble's SparkLife.

The name of her hometown is not pronounced the way you think it is.

 Here is a picture of her:

I hope you enjoyed my first Author bio!

Bye,

~Remedyleaf

Romance

Hey!  So today is Friday, and so I'm going to post some of the hottest YA books in today's chosen Genre: Romance!

 ✗ Hush Hush by Becca Fizpatrick  (Haven't Read)

Synopsis:


Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

✔ The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen (Have Read)

     Synopsis:

That's what Macy has to look forward to while her boyfriend, Jason, is away at Brain Camp. Days will be spent at a boring job in the library, evenings will be filled with vocabulary drills for the SATs, and spare time will be passed with her mother, the two of them sharing a silent grief at the traumatic loss of Macy's father.

But sometimes unexpected things can happen—things such as the catering job at Wish, with its fun-loving, chaotic crew. Or her sister's project of renovating the neglected beach house, awakening long-buried memories. Things such as meeting Wes, a boy with a past, a taste for Truth-telling, and an amazing artistic talent, the kind of boy who could turn any girl's world upside down. As Macy ventures out of her shell, she begins to wonder, Is it really better to be safe than sorry?

 ✔City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Have Read)

Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Here is something I also want to share:

Here's a link to the tumblr blog: http://bookfessions.tumblr.com

Bye for now!

~Remedyleaf

P.S.  Info about hottest books from goodreads.com

Crazy Beautiful!

Hey!  I know that I posted already today, but I just finished,

Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and I thought I'd review!

Synopsis:


In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself. 

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don’t scare her. They don’t keep her away. In fact, they don’t make any difference at all to her. 

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering. 

Or maybe she’s just a girl who needs love just like he does.

Wow... So this book was short.  I read it just today.  The cover is very mysterious, eh?  Can't help but wonder what those hooks must look like?

This book had some interesting connections for me.  At my school, I'm very involved in the Musical Theater side of performing arts.  Just a couple weeks ago, we finished our production of Beauty and the Beast which is what Crazy Beautiful is a modern re-telling of.  So that's the first weird part, but then within the story, *SEMI SPOILER* the characters are putting on a production of Grease which my director just announced to be the second show we're doing this year.  Crazy ironic right?!?!?!

So the plot is fairly simple, and follows the typical Beauty and the Beast storyline.  Do I really have to go into detail.  Beast is hideous.  Beauty lives with her father.  They fall in love, except that there is some second guy, who is bad, that also loves the Beauty.  He turns Beauty against Beast, but eventually Beauty returns.  The are together forever, yada yada.

(Actually, there is another reference, at least to the Disney movie; Aurora's last name is Belle.)

Anyway, although Aurora was kind of a typical "Beauty" the fact that her mother's death was explored more by Logsted can be greatly admired.  The fact that we added a fourth person to the love triangle made it a complicated love square.  ;)

Here is my diagram to explain:

Basically, Lucius and Jessup hate each other, Lucius and Aurora love each other, Jessup Loves Aurora, but she only kind of likes him.  While Celia loves Jessup.  Celia and Lucius become friends, and Aurora and Celia are friends.

How are my drawings?  Adequate?

I haven't read a good love square in a long time so I was pleasantly surprised, and pleased!

Also, just the fact that we were able to dive into Lucius' mind so much, was so refreshing.  Although he still had this dark and mysterious outlook, we learned more about him as a character, and as a rough base on the traditional Beast.

My favorite character, had to be Nick the Security Guard.  Just that side plot of Lucius helping him get into the NFL again was so, oh, I don't know the word.  Not pleasing, but almost, amazing.   It was a softer side to Lucius that doesn't show up right away, and certainly doesn't show up with the traditional Beast.  As for Nick himself, he was so human.  *SPOILERS* Just his embarrassment of hassling Lucius about the metal detector.  the moment that was the best for me was when he decides he doesn't care about hooks.  That's he's just going to like Lucius for who he his.  Reflecting on that decision later, he shakes Lucius' hook, in a gesture that must have been agonizing awkward for Lucius in the past.

My favorite moment with Aurora was her curiosity about Lucius and his amputees.  That raw feeling of un-bearability and helplessness she feels when reading stories from other double amputees.

The underlying theme that I want to point out so much, is the desire for human touch.  Also expressed in the stories from other amputees, but mostly expressed from Lucius himself, we discovered this tantalizingly painful feeling for not being able to feel someone.  The scene when *SPOILERS* Aurora and Lucius kiss just in his mind he wants to touch her.  And she wants him to touch her.  Ahhhhhhhh, it was unbearable even for me!  I can't even begin to fathom what it would have been like for them.

The more I analyze this book, the more I like it!  4.5/5 stars!

~Remedyleaf

A Corner of White

Hello!  Today I'm going to talk about an Unreleased book, called

A Corner of White by none other than my favorite author, Jacyln Moriarty!!!!  (Release: April 2013)

Synopsis:

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie’s Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

A Corner of White is the first book in The Colors of Madeline trilogy.

Don't forget to read Moriarty's other series The Ashbury/Brookfield series, featuring one of my favorite books ever, The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie, which I'm currently re-reading!

Synopsis:

Bindy Mackenzie believes herself to be the smartest, kindest girl at Ashbury High. Unfortunately, she is alone in that belief.

To prove her likeability, Bindy decides to document her life in transcripts, essays, and e-mails. What this reveals is a girl who's funny, passionate, hilariously self-righteous...and in danger.

Someone wants to kill Bindy Mackenzie. The clues are in the documents. The detectives are the very students who hate her most. And time is running out.

Check out these links!

Jaclyn Moriarty's Website
My Original Review For The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie
Other Unreleased Books I'm Looking Forward To

~Remedyleaf

Nerdy!

As many of you know, I am a relatively nerdy person.  I mean, come on.  I seriously am nerdy!  Anyway, so I was thinking, is there any way I could become nerdier?  Is that even possible?

So I Googled it, and of course, Wikihow has a list of steps!
http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Nerd

Here is what it says: (Note that I'm skipping stuff)

✔ Be Unique:  I don't think I need to go over this one.  I don't wear what everyone wears.  I don't talk like everyone talks.  I don't blow off school, like some do.  The list goes on...
✔ Be willing to commit yourself to commit yourself intensely to an interest:   Lets see... Blogging, Young Adult Literature, School, Movies, Books, Fandom, Comics, Cartoons, Video Games, Drawing, Music, Jokes, Writing...ect. again
✔ Read Everything:  Now what is this blog called?  Hmm?  Remedyleaf's what, blog?  Book and writing blog?  And what do you do with those two things?  You read them! ;)
✔ Read More Serious Books:  Classics?  Did I not just pick up a copy of Jane Austen's Emma today?  I think I've got it covered.
✔ Be Persistent and Focused on the Positives:  I'm an optimistic person.  I'm leaving it at that!

So I think I hit all those points, eh?  I'll keep you posted on my trek to become an extreme nerd!

Now for the Special today:  Books To Read

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

Synopsis:


Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Now I know what you're thinking, How on earth has Remedyleaf not read this?!?!?! And to be honest, I have no excuse.  I just never got around to reading it.  So thought I'd start, and have recently requested it from the library.  So there.  I will be joining the fan-boat soon enough!!!!

Bye!

~Remedyleaf

Books To Be Re-Read

Here is a book I want to re-read.  I'm pretty sure the original review is on this blog somewhere! :D

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia And Margaret Stohl

Synopsis:

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Check out this link to the Beautiful Creatures movie! http://beautifulcreatures.warnerbros.com/
It is released on February 14, 2013!  Check it out!

Oh and Don't forget!

Boundless by Cynthia Hand was released today!

~Remedyleaf

Books From My Childhood

Today I'm starting a new feature on my Blog.  On Mondays, besides a regular post, I will discuss a book from my Childhood.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Synopsis:


"Unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not."

Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth's natural beauty.

About Dr. Seuss:

Dr. Seuss, pseudonym for Theodor Seuss Geisel, is world renowned for his inventiveness and wit. His stories are instantly recognizable by their use of fantastic words, clever rhymes, and unusual creatures-drawn in his distinctive style.

In My Childhood:  When I was a kid, my father would read this book over and over again to me.  He used funny voices for the characters, and at some point I knew the story by heart.  This is my favorite Dr. Seuss book, and defiantly my favorite picture book of all time.

Don't miss the Movie Version:  "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012)
I was personally surprised how much I liked it! 4/5 stars!

That's the Book from my Childhood that I wanted to Share today!

~Remedyleaf

Unearthly Book Two!

I'm SO stoked to be reviewing this book!  I only read it this morning, but have been mulling over this review all afternoon.  I'm ready!

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand (Sequel to Unearthly)

Blurb:


For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Review:


To start with, I was pretty hesitant to start this book.  I wanted it to live up to my high standards, set by Unearthly, and I didn't want it to be one of those sequels that just wasn't that good.

Hallowed was delicious in a different way than Unearthly was.  It wasn't satisfying in that way many sequels are, because Unearthly didn't leave that many questions unanswered.  Hallowed really was a continuation of the story.  But with a different kind of plot.

*SPOILERS* There were several things going on throughout the book.  First, Clara has a second vision, one in which someone she loves is dead.  Originally it was thought to have been Tucker that dies, but it is later discovered that it is actually Clara's mother.  Also, it is discovered that Clara's mom knows a group of Angel bloods that go camping in this meadow where they meet and converse.  It is also revealed that Clara's father is actually AN ANGEL!!!! Crazy shock!!!!  So that means, that Clara is more than a quarter angel, she's 3 quarters angel.  More angel than human.  Which also means that she's more angel than Angela, who is seen in a vulnerable moment when she gets jealous.  Then there is the whole Love Triangle thing, where she has to choose Christian over Tucker.  I enjoyed this element, because we learn a lot about Christian and where he was coming from through out the first book.  While Clara loves them both, it is her strong love for Tucker to let him go, and live a normal life.  You can't forget about the whole dark angel in love with Clara's mom thing.  The same one that Clara beat up the year before, that comes back to haunt them again.  That was a big part.  Lastly, there is the whole thing with Jeffery that turns out he started the fire, and that it was his purpose to save Tucker.  Which got messed up when Clara actually saved him, instead of Christian, because Christian didn't actually need saving.

The biggest mystery at the end of the book, besides how everything turns out, is that Jeffery is gone.  Well, that and the looming war against the falling angels that seems to be brewing.  I feel this ring of Twilight here, eh?  We'll have to see...

I will conclude that I enjoyed Hallowed a lot.  Everything was exciting and well written and surprising, and was probably the best sequel that I've ever read.  I am eagerly awaiting the release of the third and final book, Boundless, to be released later this week.  1/22/13 to be exact.

I hope you all enjoy these wonderful paranormal reads by Cynthia Hand!  Check her out at: http://www.cynthiahandbooks.com

~Remedyleaf

The Probability of Miracles

Hi!

Last night I finished The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Blurb: Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

Let me come about just giving two quotes from the book.  I scrambled around for a sticky note so I would remember the passages.  I marked them both for different reasons, and I want to discuss them before I fully discuss the book.

Quote one:  As Cam hugged her mother and walked back to her room, she realized she'd be spending the rest of her short life making other people feel better about the prospect of losing her.  Pg.31

Why I chose this one:  I though that this passage really showed a raw, low moment, and it was in the beginning of the book!  Everything is still being set up, and we are slowly getting to know how Cam really feels.  It is a depressing moment to realize that you are more okay with your own death than anyone else is.

Quote two:  The sky was eerily dark, like someone had spilled black ink over the stars... Pg. 177

Why I chose this one:  First off, there is more to that sentence, but this phrase fascinated me.  It was like poetry.  Glorious and smooth and simple and true and descriptive and someday, I hope that I can write like that.  I also hope that all of you out there can understand the greatness of those slim 14 words.  In the scheme of life, or even in the book, they are not of any relevance.  But within the fantastic world of literature, they are extraordinary.

Now for the book...

I'll start by saying that this book broke my heart.  Into pieces.  The raw emotions and feeling of lostness and losing faith is so apparent, that it was terribly saddening to finish.  *SPOILER* As long as there were more pages, you knew that Cam was going to live.

All the characters in this book were so human.  Lily, wanting to live happily for the little time she had left.  Alicia, not wanting to give up on her baby girl.  Nana, for refusing to let Cam think about death.  Perry, for being the child she was and sometimes feeling jealous and angry that she had to give so many things up for the obstacles in Cam's life.  And Cam herself.  For having already given up, barely letting hope take her again, before *SPOILER* death actually did.

To be honest, this entire book was wretchedly human.  The Flamingo list, for instance.  Such a true reflection of adolescent dreams, some of which are not even admitted to themselves.  Although they are there.  True, but hidden within the folds and crevices of the subconscious mind.

The plot was sort of abstract.  We start with meeting Cam, and coming to understand her situation with the Cancer, and life at Disney, and her dad's death.  Then move to the part in Maine, where at first Cam is incredibly guarded, but eventually she lets her guard down, that's when Asher comes in.  For a while, she keeps her guard down, until her sickness interrupts.  ( *SPOILER* Although I will admit, even before she really gets sick again, Asher disappoints her.  I think that affected her will power.  And it's not like that hadn't happened before.  Back when she hadn't fully let her guard down yet, she had tried to kill her self partly because of him.  Even if she wouldn't admit it.)

I refrain from saying that this book was flawless, because nothing ever is.  But this was as close as you could get.  I will be eagerly awaiting anything else Wendy Wunder has to offer, and in the mean time, will continue to speculate and wonder about this glorious novel.

5/5 stars.  Please read it.

~Remedyleaf

Forget-Her-Nots

Hi!  Today I'm going to review

Forget-Her-Nots

By Amy Brecount White

Blurb:

Something--some power--is blooming inside Laurel.  She can use flowers to do things.  Like bringing back lost memories.  Or helping her friends ace tests.  Or making people fall in love.

Laurel suspects her newfound ability has something to do with an ancient family secret, one that her mother meant to share with Laurel when the time was right.  But then time ran out.

Clues and signs and secret messages seem to be all around Laurel at Avondale School, where her mother had also boarded as a student.  Can Laurel piece everything together quickly enough to control her power, which is growing more potent everyday?  Or will she set the stage for the most lovestruck, infamous prom in the history of the school?


Review:  *SPOILERS*  This book was very interesting.  I was surprised by how much I wanted to keep reading while I was reading.  Overall the writing was nice, nothing spectacular.  The characters were so-so, but manageable.  The plot is hard to grasp at, was it the on going learning about Laurel's powers?  The tussle-mussie fiasco? Her distant crush on Justin throughout the book?  The antagonist throughout the book was differing too... Tara?  Laurel's father?  Kate?  Rose?  Or the fact that there was so much that Laurel didn't know about her power?  The only ting that I think I can pick out from the outline of the story that actually is obvious, besides that Laurel is the protagonist, is that Prom night was the climax.  And it was an exciting climax at that.  The ending though, eh.  It was so Happy... Laurel's grandmother came to see her, the orchid had a second bloom, she got over her fathers new lady interest, Tara didn't win, and Laurel got Justin.

But the book wasn't satisfying.  I wasn't duped  until the ending.  There was no mystery to it.  Everything that happened was very predictable, which made me sad.  I didn't go into the book with high hopes, and I didn't come out being surprised.

Above I illustrate how I was surprised how much I wanted to keep reading.  I was surprised because I didn't really like the book, but the idea of a whole language of flowers was entirely enticing and fascinating.  I am bound to continue research on this, and might post a bit about it now and again.
Over all I'll rank the book 3/5 stars.  It was okay.  Read it if you want to know more about this Flower Language concept, but not if you're look ing for quality writing.

Now I'm off to read some more, dink around some other blogs, fix up my blog a bit, and anything else that pleases me.

~Remedyleaf

P.s.
Here are some links to some websites about this Victorian Flower Language

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers
http://www.languageofflowers.com/
http://www.victorianbazaar.com/meanings.html

I recommend Google, if you're interested in more! ;)

Raina Telgemeier

I don't know if any of you have ever read any of Raina Telgemier 's graphic novels, but they are very good.  She also adapted and illustrated several of the BabySittersClub series...

You can Visit her at http://goraina.com

Anyway, today I read two of her Graphic Novels.  One of which was a New York Times bestseller.

(That one was Smile)

So I'll start by reviewing that one.

I don't remember the first time that I read Smile, before today.  I think that it was sometime in the last two years though, because I remembered it starkly and recommended it often.

Smile is a true story about growing up.  With friend, family, and school drama.  And something else a little more unusual.  Four and a half years of orthodontic treatment, some of which was made up along the way.  Mixed together it tells the story of a part of Raina Telgemier's adolescent life, all of which she provided illustrations for. :)

Today, when I read it, I was a little less impressed.  Maybe it was just because I knew the story well, or that I am older.  I guess after looking at it from a new perspective, I will say that Smile is geared for younger audience, one that I am no longer in. And that is sad.

On the bright side, I also read Raina Telgemier's newest graphic novel, called Drama.  (Published only this past September!!!!)

Drama is about a middle school girl named Callie, who is really involved with her schools musical productions.  But Callie is not in the spotlight, or performing on stage at all, she is part of the stage crew.  Specifically, she's the set designer.

Over the course of the book, Callie deals with drama from the musical, drama with her crush, drama with her stage crew friends, and drama with her two new friends, Jesse and Justin.  The drama with those two, however, tackles something not often sought about in Middle School age books.  Their drama involves being gay.

Needless to say, Callie solves her problems, helps people make some amazing personal discoveries, and  manages to solve problems to put on a fantastic show!

I much recommend this book, probably over Smile by a long shot.  The characters were developed and I don't think Raina felt as compelled to make things follow exactly as they did in her life, although a lot of the Musical and Stage  production element came from her own personal experiences.  She was able to let the characters stories flow out in a very pleasing way, and I am excitedly awaiting Raina's next work...

Au revior,

~Remedyleaf

New Year, New Post, New Blog

Okay, nothing about the blog is really going to change.  But it is a new year and a new post. ;)

I'm laying on the sofa typing this on my laptop; wearing my reading glasses with the chain so I can wear them around my neck.  It is a very nerdy, and kinda old lady look, but it works.  I misplace my reading glasses too often.

I want to just Conclude my favorite Book, Authors, Series, Love Stories, and Characters from 2012.

Favorite Books:

Guy2Girl by Terence Blacker
UltraViolet by R. J. Anderson 
The Twins Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Education of Bet by Lauren Baratz Logsted
The Girl With the Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossetti
Dark Mirror by M. J. Putney
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen 
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan 
Lost by Jacqueline Davies 

Favorite Authors:
R. J. Anderson
M. J. Putney
Anna Godbersen
Rinsai Rossetti
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Cynthia Hand
Jay Asher

Favorite Series:

The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen
The Dark Mirror Series by M. J. Putney

Favorite Characters:
William Keller from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (Will is so easy and this dreamy hardworking farm boy.  *SPOILER ALERT* Later in the series, when he died, that scene made my heart drop.  It was a twist I did NOT see coming...)
Aunt Hellen from Lauren Baratz-Logsted's The Twin's Daughter.  (I loved her from the beginning, and *SPOILER* it was terrible to find out that Lucy was fooled until the very end about who was the dead, and who was the evil, twin...)
Elizabeth Holland from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (I just loved how she preserved so much throughout the series, and how much she grew. *SPOILERS*  And she did go through her fair share of men; Henry Schoonmaker, but they broke off their engagement, William Keller, but he was killed, Snowden Cairns, but Elizabeth killed him after finding out the dark agenda, and then Teddy Cuttings, who in my mind, was perfect for her all along.  My favorite moment was when she pushed Snowden down the stairs.  It was bad that she killed him, but only kinda.  It was such a strong moment for her!)
Penelope Hayes from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series ( Even though Penelope comes across as the  antagonist throughout the series, I somehow just understood her.  We had this weird connection in the end of the series.  That last scene when *SPOILER* she and Henry are sitting together after both having lost their lovers, although they are supposed to be married, and she just seems in such a raw state that it was as if everything she'd done previous in the series was erased just because of this vulnerable moment...)
Teddy Cutting from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (Teddy was the loyal boy that every girl should dream for.  He reminded me of a sick puppy at times, but *SPOILER* when he joined the army you finally see the man that he really was.  He's adorable and swoon worthy!)
Diana Holland from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (Just her whole responsiblity and the fact that *SPOILER* she went with her heart the entire time, and in the end, even though she loved Henry, she decided to go to Paris because it was what she wanted, and she wasn't about to let anyone do anything to change that.
Nick from M. J. Putney's The Dark Mirror Series (I just loved his character.  A loyal son living in WWII so willing to help his friends and so open to his magical abilities!  He was wonderful!)
Vera's Father from A. S. King's Please Ignore Vera Dietz (To quote myself, I loved 'everything that he did, and the way he did it.  He also had a great influence on Vera'...)
Sirius Black from J. K Rowling's Harry Potter Series (I loved Sirius when we thought he was bad, when we thought he was good, and when we knew he was good.  I was blindsided by his death and it broke my heart.  I think that I cried.  My highlighted moments are when he's mentioned or returns.  He was my favorite character in the series.)
Remus Lupin from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series (In the beginning I liked him, but in the end, I REALLY liked him.  The thought though, of leaving his son to Harry, it's sad.  Not that he left his son to Harry, but that he HAD to leave his son to Harry.)
Severus Snape from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series (I loved how we all were fooled until the very end.  I thought that Severus was such a tender hurt soul that reflects very real people in the real world.  I thought that he was softhearted when it came to Lily Potter, and it was one of the most painful stories of unfulfilled love that I've ever read.  He comes as a close second favorite character.)

Love Stories that I Loved: *SPOILERS*
William Keller and Elizabeth Holland from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (They loved each other, and it was really brought out when Will dies...)
Elizabeth Holland and Teddy Cutting from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (In my opinion, I liked Teddy better than Will, as a mach for Elizabeth.  Especially after he comes back from the war and marries her even though she is pregnant with someone else's baby.)
Penelope Hayes and Henry Schoonmaker from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (I loved their love in the beginning, the not-really-love in the middle and the love that they have in the end after realizing who they are supposed to be with.  And that person is truly right for them.)
Henry Schoonmaker and Diana Holland from Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series (The lust of un fulfilled loved.  Getting it, then losing it, and throwing it away... It was a tough love story to read, but Diana's decision in the end is one that I support.)
Tory and Allarde  M. J. Putney's The Dark Mirror Series (They really got it in the end...)
Nick and Rebecca  M. J. Putney's The Dark Mirror Series (I admire that they pushed aside religion for the one that they love.  I just realized that I said that I admired a BOOK character...)
Cynthia and Jack  M. J. Putney's The Dark Mirror Series (Pushing aside social status.  It's great.  Tory and Allarde kinda had to do that, but not in the vastness that these two had to.)
Vera and Charlie from A. S. Kings Please Ignore Vera Dietz (Just the fact that Charlie is dead in the whole mix made the love story all the more appealing...)
Severus Snape and Lily Potter fromJ. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series (Although this story does not play out as much as I would have wished, it is one of the sweetest and tender stories that I've ever read.)
Harry Potter and Ginny Weasly from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series (I just liked Ginny's attitude towards their relationship.  And when Ron got mad.  THAT was funny...)
Ron Weasly and Hermonie Granger from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series (I waited the whole series for this story to come about and when it did it was worth it.  I loved every drop of it.  When Ron leaves for that bit in the last book, and just watching-imaginging-Hermonie crumble...it was all touching.

So that's all folks!  I'll post more when I finish a new book! ;)