My Mind,Books and Writing: 2012

6/22/12

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Hi guys,
I read "Amy & Roger's Epic Detour" and I did not expect what I got.

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

When I ordered this book I thought it will be the typical "Girl-hates- boy-who-hates-the-girl-and-eventually-they-end-up-together" and BOY was I WRONG!!!

Amy&Roger is a wonderful book about dealing (and no, not like in poker :P ). I know that when you look at the cover you expect it to be a romance book but it is not. IT IS SO MUCH MORE! In the beggining I felt that I was being cheated but once I finished the book I realized that I was not. This book has a totally different point. The process that both Roger and Amy go through was the point.
The book has pictures and post-cards and playlist in it, that adds so much to the book. It kind of made me feel like I was with them and a part of the story. The characters were easy to relate to and the plot was intresting and made me want to read whats next and where will the road take them to.

In every chapter I felt like I got to know the characters a little more until I was satisfied, which is not easy with me as a reader.
I have got to say that this book is a job well done and that Morgan Matson did a wonderful job with the descriptions. I felt like she had been in all of the places and knew exactly what she was talking about, and the back of the book just showed me I was right. She is ,what I call, a devoted writer.

I don't know why, but I am having a hard time rating this book by starts, so just go and read it and decide by yourself, you know you've got my recommendation.
Noa

5/29/12

Top Ten Books Written In The Past 10 Years That I Hope People Are Still Reading In 30 Years

Hi guys. I know I haven't done one in a while but it is time for Top Ten Tuesday.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This time it is dedicated to books that I hope will still be read in another 30 years.

My top choice is The Giving Tree

This is a wonderful for all ages that trult changed me. It made me see the world in a different view.

2. The Five People You meet In Heaven
Another wonderful book that gives a diffrent prespective on life.

3.The Hunger Games
A book that has critisim is always good to make the youth think, don't you think?

4. The Harry Potter series
Do I need to say more?

5.The Vampire Academy
I think it will be wonderful for teen to read in the future. I believe it will stay relevant.

Well guys I can't find 10 so I leave you with my Top 5 until I can finish my list.
Until next time,

Noa

5/28/12

Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Hi guys,
Over the last week I read the book Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson and I LOVED it.

(from Goodreads)

Summary (from Goodreads)17-year-old Lila has two secrets she’s prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she’s been in love with her brother’s best friend, Alex, since forever.

After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust—her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they’ve found them.

In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone—there are others out there just like her—people with special powers—and her mother’s killer is one of them…

Well let me start by saying that when my friend gave it to me she did not allow me to read the back of the book and when I asked her what it was about she didn't tell me but she never let me down yet and I must say that her good record is still clean :P

The story of Hunting Lila is both a love story (since she loves Alex) and a paranormal story.

The story line is great and never gives you a dull moment. The writing was one I could relate to. I connected to her and I believe that anybody who had a crush (or love) that they felt will never happen can connect to the love story line.

Since, as far as I know, nobody really has powers it was hard to connect on a personal level but I could understand how she felt during that story line as well.

I loved Alex and Jack, they had everything I love in my Male leading characters. Alex was kind and funny, a rough guy yet soft. Exactly my taste XD. Jack, Lila's brother, is alot like Alex but he is abit rash and more stubborn. I loved how he cared for Lila. There are only a few family scences that I love more than a protective brother scence.

Well guys, I read this book in three days eventhough I had alot of things on my plate over the last week. I enjoyed every moment in the book. It made me smile, it made me laugh, it got me pissed off and it got me to feel fuzzy inside.

This book definitely goes into my Favorites bookselfes. My friend lowned loaned me her book and I am sure I will buy myself my own copy and the next book when it comes out.
This book get 5 stars out of 5.

Noa :)

5/21/12

Cathcing Fire by Suzanne Collins

Hi guys, I know I have been absent for a long time but I have a really busy schedule, but now I'm here to review the second Hunger Games book, Catching Fire.

from (Google search)

Summary (from Goodreads)Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before... and surprising readers at every turn.

Well after reading the first book and watching the movie, which I must say I enjoyed, I thought what can happen next? Well this story took me by surprise. Katniss is fighting for her life and we are fighting with her. She believes that the Captiol will not stop until they remove Katniss from this world and her one goal is to keep everyone she knows safe.
This book was written in a great way. I felt I was a part of the story and just watching from above, kind of like being in the Game's control room. In every move someone made I started to think how does this effects our main characters.
Another thing that I loved in this book is (SPOILER HERE)

the love triangle that was starting to devolpe in the last book. If you read my last posts you can see I'm a romantic, so the Katniss-Peeta-Gale love triangle added a nice, different scene to the book. I have never been in a love triangle in my life, but I could actually understand what Katniss was feeling which I believe shows the great writting ability of Suzanne Collins.

So if you haven't read this book, go and read it I believe you won't regret it.
This book get 5 starts for the wonderfull story line, the surprises that don't stop comming, the love triangle and the wonderful writting of Suzanne Collins.

well guys, what about you? Did you read the book? If so did you enjoy it?

Can't wait to hear form you,
Noa

4/25/12

The Awekening by L.J Smith

Hi guys,
I am sorry that I didn't write this review sooner but as I wrote in the last post, my computer had a kind of a breakdown.
Earlier this month I read The Vampire Diaries by L.J Smith and I really DID NOT like this book.

( I read it in Hebrew and this is the Hebrew cover)

Summary (From Goodreads)Elena Gilbert is a pretty, popular teen who was orphaned when her parents were killed in an accident. Despite the tragedy, her life has always been normal and wholesome. Until the beginning of the school year, when two new vampire brothers show up to shake the peaceful universe at Robert E. Lee High.

Let me start by saying that I am a fan of the series. I read the book and for the most part I found it kind of annoying. Elena, the main character is a popular girl, that believes that she deserves EVERYTHING. I found Elena as a whiny , annoying girl, the stereotype of the popular girl.
Stefan, is so full of sadness but when he speaks instead of sounding sad he is whining about his life and how he is isn't happy with himself.

Bottom Line
This book was annoying and the charactes were whiny. It had some good written scenes.

This book get 2-2.5 stars

Noa

4/22/12

Message

Hi guys,
just wanted to let you know that I did not forget the Blog, I am having issues with my computer it will just take some time :)
Noa

4/8/12

In My Mailbox (2)

Hi guys!
It is time for another In My Mailbox!!! YAY!!!! :)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature housted by book bloger The Story Siren where book blogers share with their readers the new book the bought that week.

This past week I got two new books.

My friend, Rose (from Read, Write, Leave) read this book by the name "Hunting Lila". She says that while she read it she just knew I should read it. She is usually right about choosing books for me, I hope she is right about this book too.

The second book is the second Hunger Game book, "Catching Fire", I read the first book and then watched the movie. After I watched the movie had this feeling I just had to finish the series so I got the second book from the library.

I hopw I will enjoy these books.
How about you guys? Bought any new books lately? Feel free to share if you did :D.

Noa

4/3/12

3/30/12

In My Mailbox (1)

Well hello guys!
This is my first ever In My Mailbox and I am super excited about it :)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature housted by book bloger The Story Siren where book blogers share with their readers the new book the bought that week.

This week I bought 3 new books all translated from English :)

The first book on the left is a book written by Hugh Laurie (Ya, the guy that plays Doctor House) and it is called The Gun Seller. When I saw the book a few days ago I knew I must have it and finally I bought it. I have very high expectation from it and I really hope that it won't let me down.

The second book, as you can probably guess, is the first Vampire Diaries book by L.J. Smith. It is called The Awakening. I know it doesn't have wonderful rating but when I saw it I knew I had to give it chance. I am a fan of the series and I guess I just had to find out for myself .

The last book is called Think Of A Number by John Verdon. The store in which I bought the book had a sale and all the books in the sale were stocked up nicely on a stand. I circled the stand and everytime I passed the book it caught my eye. After the third time I just picked it up, it was like it was calling me or something : P .

I really hope to enjoy those book. How about you guys? Bought any new books lately? Feel free to share if you did :D.

Noa

3/29/12

Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Hi guys!
This past week I have read "Along For The Ride" by Sarah Dessen. This is one good book.

Summary (from Goodreads)

(From Goodreads)

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

I want to start by quoting from the book:
"From up above, in a plane passing over, you'd just see one little light in all this dark, with no idea of the lives that were being lived within it, and in the house besides, and beside that one."
This quote represents what I loved about the book, the writing. I think this book was written marvelously. I could actually feel the characters. The fact that most of the plot happens at night, my favorite time of day, made the book even better.
The character of Eli was soooo good. He was complicated and a little hard to read but I love characters that evolve through out a book. From being this loner he evolves into someone different (you have to read it to find out more : P )
Auden is very complicated. She starts out without any social life but she, like Eli, also get to evolve through out the summer.
The one thing that bothered me, it took a pretty long time for the romance to happen. It also took quite some time for things to become deep.

Bottom Line:
A great book with wonderful writing. The characters are complexe with different layers to them.
I really hope you will read it if you love YA contemprary books. Keep in mind that it took sometimes for the plot to evolve to where it should.
This book gets 4.5 because the writing the amazing.

Noa

3/7/12

Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught

Hi guys!
Sorry about the delay, I had a week full of major tests but now I'm back.
So in the past week I read Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught but I read it in Hebrew so you get to see the Hebrew cover (Yay!!)

Summary (from Goodreads)

(From Google )

High atop a snow-covered hill, the stately old Wyatt mansion is perched like a crown, its stone spires pointing upward, its stained glass windows glowing like colorful jewels. Such opulence means success and, surely, happiness. But on the eve of wealthy philanthropist Cecil Wyatt’s eightieth birthday, all the money in the world won’t bring back his missing grandson, William Wyatt. The only thing for certain: Foul play was involved.
The family, the police, the media–all have tried in vain to discover the young man’s fate. Now suspicion has turned shockingly toward William’s own half-brother, the rather distant and enigmatic Mitchell Wyatt.
Kate Donovan never dreamed that a chance romantic encounter on a tropical island paradise would tag her as a suspect in a high-society murder case. But after Kate tangles with the darkly charismatic Mitchell Wyatt, she finds herself cast in a shadow of guilt and mistrust. As the Chicago police tighten their net, it will take all of Kate’s ingenuity to clear her name. With her calm, cool wit, and the help of a man who may or may not be a dangerous catch, Kate vows to claim the life and love she desires.

Well this book is a romantic book. I enjoyed reading it and connected to Mitchell even though he is not like me at all but I do like guys who have different sides to them than what you expect. I enjoyed the first part of the book very much but I had a problem with the second part. The time changes all of a sudden without a warning. Another thing that I had an issue with is that the suspence wasn't that good, I felt it was a more "By the way" plot.
I don't know why, but I don't have alot to say about the book except it was romantic and had suspence in it.

Bottom Line:
A very romantic book with cute characters. I enjoyed reading it and I think you should read it if you love romance and if you get a chance to read it.
The time changes are unclear at first and the suspence isn't that thrilling.
This book gets 3.5 stars.

Hope to see you again,
Noa

2/18/12

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Summery (from Goodreads)

(Picture from the book's Goodreads page)

Alison, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer were best friends, until Alison disappeared. Three years later, the remaining girls, now juniors at Rosewood Day, are leading separate, but charmed lives.

After living in Iceland, Aria returns home sophisticated and worldly. Emily is a champion swimmer, Hanna is the most popular girl in school, and Spencer's accomplishments make the average type-A valedictorian look like a slacker. But in Rosewood, appearances are deceiving, and when the girls start receiving mysterious texts signed by someone named A, the past threatens to ruin their perfect present. A claims to know all of their secrets—but who is A? How much does A really know? And what can four pretty little liars do to protect themselves from the truth?

This is the 2nd book I got for my birthday (A review about the 1st in previous post). I've got to say that I wanted the book because of the TV series (which I love very much) and the book, like the show, did not disappoint me. I won't say that it was easy to addapt to the differences between the series and the book but after a few chapters you don't feel them.

My favorite character is Aria who is dealing with all kinds of different things. She was loveable, mature and fun at the same time.
Spencer, an intellegnt over-achiever deals with the feeling of needing to be better than her sister (nothing like a good sibling rivalry to push you to the max right? ;p). She was a character I had and easy connection to.
Hanna just wants to be popular but what will it take from her?
And last but not least Emily, a champion swimmer that starts to question all kind of things in her life.

I loved the book and enjoyed it very much but...
It was descriptive, which I can understand since it is a first book in a series but I felt the plot was a bit short. I could use more but for that I guess I have to read the other book (which I already ordered XD)

Bottom line:

I enjoyed the book, it was very fun to read but also discussed some common issues in normal teens life like popularity, who I am, how hard do we fight for love and more. Again, the plot was a bit short for my taste, which stops it from getting 5 stars.

This book gets 4 stars.

Noa

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

(from Google Pictures)

Well guys, this is my first post and I hope you will like it. If you do, you are more than welcomed to stay ;)

From the back of the book:
All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

I got this book for my birthday from my friends. They said they have gotten great recommendations and I can underdstand why. For me, this book talks about the things that keep us from experiencing life. I liked the character of Meg. She is a rebel but she also has a different side to her that we slowly got to know.
I LOVED Officer John After because of the fact that he wasn't perfect, I actually liked the fact that he smokes (which is something I usually hate). One problem I did have with the book is that I didn't really got to know the character until the end.

Bottom line:
A very good book, flirty in some parts deep in the others and the characters are loveable.
This book gets 4 stars because I felt it didn't go as deep as it could.

Noa