Somaya's Book of the Month: April 2014

I know, I know. I haven't posted in like 2 months. And I am really, truly sorry. I've just been drowned with school, and honestly I procrastinated. Here is some ice cream to show how truly sorry I am.

Anyways, this book of the month is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It's by Ransom Riggs. This book will give you goosebumps while reading it. It actually has stunning photos relating to the story. So let's start with the summary.

Summary: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

In my opinion, this book is good for adults, teens or anyone willing to go on an amazing adventure. It is a fantasy book. I've fell in love with this book a lot. In fact, there is a sequel! It actually came out recently. I will do a book review when I finish it. Now, I advise you to read this book. It is filled with mystery, love and miracles. What are you waiting for?  Go put this book on hold! XD

Ivy's Book Of The Month- February 2014

  I have read this book a while back, and it still sticks out to me because it's really different from all of those highly-named books that I read all of the time. 

This book makes you embrace fairytales all over again. But then we aren't really children anymore and that's why there's a dark plot twist, just waiting for you to indulge in.

Summary: A dark rendition of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast!

'As the gates clicked shut behind them, she heard the distant roar of a beast.'

She bears no name. Her silvery appearance is freakish to the numerous inhabitants of Sago, the cosmopolitan capital of Pevorocco in a fantasy realm. With her mother vanishing at the instance of her birth, she is sent to live with the cruel, rich Ma Dane, where she is punished daily for something, though she knows not what. Tauntingly named Beauty, she flees Sago in a violent uprising that sets out to massacre all Magics and journeys to the furthest point of the country.

But Beauty cannot hide in the grassy Hillands forever. Before long, the State officials find her and threaten to take her back to war-torn Sago where death surely awaits. In a midnight blizzard she escapes them, running into a deep, enchanted forest to a great and terrible beast who will bargain for her life.

But can Beauty accept Beast? Eternity is a long time.

Ivy's Book of the Month: December (Posted by Yeji)

Summary:
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own -- populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.

Taking readers on a vivid journey through the loss of innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.

This is my all-time favorite book apart from the Guardians of Childhood series. It may not be the type of book you'd read to a little kid before bedtime, but it leaves quite the impression. This isn't your typical "fairytale-gone-dark" stories, they're the original, GRIMM stories with equally dark twists. The Book of Lost Things is a memorable book that weaves beautifully ominous stories with changes in David's life and his coming into maturity.

Ivy's Book of the Month: November

Have you ever had those times when you just know something's going to come back...
but it seems like it never will?

My pick for this month is Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen.

For this cold month, I would suggest something like this summer book to keep with me. It's called keeping the moon for one reason and that's mentioned inside of the book, just once, but enough to be significant.

Summary: Colie expects the worst when she's sent to spend the summer with her eccentric aunt Mira while her mother, queen of the television infomercial, tours Europe. Always an outcast -- first for being fat and then for being "easy" -- Colie has no friends at home and doesn't expect to find any in Colby, North Carolina. But then she lands a job at the Last Chance Cafe and meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel, best friends with a loving yet volatile relationship. Wacky yet wise, Morgan and Isabel help Colie see herself in a new way and realize the potential that has been there all along.

This book like most of Dessen's others has a major theme of change. It can be that drastically optimistic or depressing. I think this book gets straight to your feelings even in the first few chapters.

I think this book focuses real well on some hard life for people. It's friendship that keeps many things in tack. Hold onto hope, is the message that this book screams to me.

If you decide to read the book, leave a comment on what you thought about it.

Somaya's Book of the Month: November 2013

So November's book of the month is going to be different. Instead of a book, I am going to do a series!!!!! Well, its two-thirds a series. Third book still didnt come out. The Selection series is outstanding. It is a romantic, tragic and an adventurous series. There are a lot of twists and turns. 

Summary for The Selection:  For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Summary for The Elite: Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

So overall, I think it is an outstanding series. You can choose which teams you are on, Maxon or Aspen. To be honest, I am totally Team Maxon. I would recommend this book to anyone. The third book is coming out in the beginning of May 2014. I can not wait. It is called The One and the book cover is also out. Enjoy! :D

Nick's Book of the Month – November 2013

Title: Proxy
Author: Alex London
Summary: (from Goodreads)
"Knox was born into one of the City’s wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death.

Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own.

Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid"

This book just came out over the summer, and it's kind of gotten lost among sooo many new YA dystopia books that are coming out recently. And it shouldn't be. I bought this on a hunch while I was browsing Barnes & Noble--and I never do that. I read it very quickly, and I'm glad that I bought it.

This book is quite different from most YA dystopians out recently. It does not have a carbon-copy-of-Katniss female lead, which is nice. It has two male leads, and one of them is gay. So no, not your average dystopian book.

Despite one of the boys being gay, there is no question of the two of them being together in a relationship. That's also different; 95% of the time in these books, the male lead and the female lead get together, unless they're brother and sister (leaving Cassandra Clare out of this equation--she's just a crazy lady). I will rant about that someday. Hmmm, should I put all of my rants into one post and show it to you guys? Nah, that would probably overload the entire internet. Whatever, back on topic.

This book had a lot of action in it too. It was fast-paced. It's great for anyone who is looking for a quick read that is not too deep.

Sorry for this guys, this BOTM definitely sucks, but I had to put it together real fast. I'm so far behind in reviews! Ugh, I'm drowning in stuff to do and I don't even have homework this weekend!

- Nick

Ivy's Book of the Month- October

I totally forgot about BotM. But anyways, I'm back and ready with a new book.

 Cinder the first book in Marissa Meyer's "The Lunar Chronicles" series. 

Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. 

The number of pages in this book are 387 for the hardcover. There is also a paperback version of the book. 

At the beginning of the book, it has already been announced that there will be three more books following this one: Scarlet, Cress, and Winter. The order is consecutive with a one-year spacing. Scarlet has already been released. 

Cinder is based upon Cinderella, as the cover shows the shoe is made of red glass. Lihn Cinder is a mechanic with her handy cyborg skills. She has a stepmother.

But before I get too in depth with the stepmother thing, she is a cyborg. They are humans who have gone through surgery to have more robotic like parts (which can also be seen on the cover). With an accident at the age of eleven, she is turned into a cyborg. 

Like humans they grow and all, but totally not the point. When her not-yet stepmother, Adri's husband goes to Europe, he adopts Cinder who was already an orphan due to the accident in which the surgery took place afterwards.

Adri has never liked Cinder and she has two daughters, the younger in which Cinder is a friend of. 

But enough about the family. Because she is a mechanic, Prince Kai goes to her to request that she fix up one of his androids -we are talking about robots, not phones- which in the futuristic world, people use. Yes, he is the "Prince Charming" of this story.

I should also mention that a plague has been going on. The lady that owns a bakery across from her mechanic shop has caught the plague and her sister does to. And she gets sent to laboratory testings to help scientists find antidotes for the plague. 

So after that much, what did you think of the book. So far, I'm doing good progress with the book. 

It might be a bit confusing in the beginning taking place in a futuristic "New Beijing" and having Meyer set up the scene, but it's quite alright after that.

When I brought the book in to school today, one of my classmates told me it was going to be a great read and so far, it really is. 

Give the book a try. It isn't a horror book as I once, thought it would be. The factors of a fairytale were sewn into the spine of this book, because it has the perfect elements for the person that has loved Disney movies with a darker twist. Even if you aren't one for those tales, you'll enjoy it because of the dystopian lifestyle of the characters shown throughout the book.

Signed,

Ivy

Somaya's Book of the Month: October 2013

I am reading this book. It is just indescribable. I love it as much as I love the book  The Last Princess. Okay, first let me start with the summary:

"Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

"Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

"Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but blood-lust is not easy to control.

"Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

"Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding supernatural mystery series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love."

This book is truly awesome. I read this book because it seemed so interesting. It is a science fiction/fantasy. So all sci-fi/fantasy fans, you must read this. It is a romantic tragedy. People keep on telling me it sounds like Twilight. It is a little, but Twilight is a flower in the solar system. This is so much better. Please, if you are reading this you HAVE TO READ IT. Tienes que leer Hemlock (Spanish: You have to read Hemlock).

– Somaya

Somaya's Book of the Month: September 2013

     So, I just finished reading this book. Yesterday, I was reading it nonstop. I stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish it. It was just so amazing to stop.

      This does not look like what it seems. You may think it is all princess stuff and girly, but it is not. There is nothing girly in this book. I think a boy would be interested in reading this. So again, don't judge a book by it's cover.

      The setting of this book was in England and Scotland. The time is not long ago because they had jeeps, phones and security cameras. A series of natural disasters had decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey.

      There is a sixteen year old princess named Elizabeth. People normally call her Eliza. She has an eighteen year old sister named Mary, and a brother named Jamie. She hasn't seen her father for about 6 month's because of the Seventeen Days. It is actually kind of hard to explain the Seventeen Days, you have to read it to understand it.

        Her mother was killed by a man named  Cornelius Hollister. He gave her a poisoned peach. I actually was happy it was a poisoned peach, rather than a usual apple. Anyways, her mother was pregnant with her brother Jamie. They had to do surgery to take her brother out. Some of the poison was already in Jamie, so the way he lives is by taking a rare and expensive medicine.

       A ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, Hollister makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only Eliza manages to escape.

       Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Princess Eliza joins the enemy forces to disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope and love once more. She must risk everything to ensure that she does not become The Last Princess.

        I advise everyone to read this book!!!!!! It is just so amazing. But beware, you will not be able to stop until you are done. I really hope there is a sequel to this alluring book. Before you buy it, you could read a couple chapters to see if you like it. Here is the page. Enjoy!!!!!! :D

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/sample/read/9780316185479

Nick's Book of the Month – September 2013

My Book of the Month for September 2013 is Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein.

This is the kind of book you can't write a summary for, or it'll just be spoiler after spoiler. So here's the blurb:

"Oct. 11th, 1943–A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel" in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other."

There is one word that adequately sums up this book: MIND-BLOWING.

It's just so awesome. It pulls you in and doesn't let you go. Plot twist after plot twist, it never gets old! I can't tell you more without spoilers, I just have to tell you to READ THIS BOOK!! READ IT LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has a companion book Rose Under Fire, which those lucky people in the UK got already in June. It comes out in the US on September 10 (8 days!!!) OMG I can't wait! :D

– Nick

Ivy's Book of the Month: September

I read this book about two weeks back. I haven't taken a flashlight and stayed up really late reading for a while. This book had made me do that.

I literally grabbed a flashlight and kept flipping pages until I was done with the book.

It's a light read with 272 pages.

The summary first, then I'll go onto why I chose this book.

Summary: Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

This was very dramatic when I got to Jo going to the retreat. There were so many rules that she was breaking as she took pictures. She was guilty about everything but the job was weighing so many things between her conscience and the money that was going to take her out of being a paparazzo.

She came across a secret later on that will shock her and the reader at the same time. 

This book was something I just pulled of the shelf at the library and I loved the cover. You kinda figured out at the same time that they were not talking about shooting stars in outer space, but your celebrities.

This almost-300-page book is cute in a way that it isn't overly mixed with too much girliness because paparazzi in L.A. sure is a tough job.