Rodrick Rules

Goodreads Synopsis:    The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling book! 

Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved. 

Whatever you do, don’t ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn’t want to talk about it. 

As Greg enters the new school year, he’s eager to put the past three months behind him . . . and one event in particular. 

Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of getting out . . . especially when a diary is involved. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg’s attempts to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe.

My Thoughts:

-    Another hilarious book about Greg and his life in middle school.

-    I was really curious about what happened to Greg over the summer that was so embarrassing, so I'm glad the book delivers at the end.

-    I thought Greg was a jerk, but it is probably because Rodrick is an even bigger jerk!

-    The Dungeons and Dragons knock off game made me laugh. I got a kick out of Greg's mom playing the game too.

-    I think it is ironic that Greg is so embarrassed by some things, but other stuff doesn't bother him. For instance, he thought it would be fun to join the old lady water aerobics class.

-    Again the illustrations were funny and fun! I love them! 

Previous Wimpy Kid Books

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

Fangirl

My Thoughts:

-    I really liked that the book was set in college with college aged people.

-    I laughed that Simon Snow is pretty much Harry Potter. The author really captured the craze and fandom. I love that Cath writes fanfiction! So awesome! I geeked out a little bit. 

-    Cather is a weird name. It kinda leads the mind to something else.

-    They say that a person who sees romantic relationships in everything has never had a true friendship. I can really see that in Cath. 

-    There was a lot of heavy language in the book, definitely for older teens or adults. 

-    I loved Levi! He was like a modern day Gilbert Blythe. I loved him. 

-    I really like how Cath and Levi's relationship grew. They started out as friends, and it somehow blossomed into something else. I loved that!

-    I also liked Cath's relationship with the other characters, and there were some complicated ones. Wren and the dad were supports for Cath, but they were also not stable. Reagan was my favorite! She was fun and hilarious.

-    I liked that Cath and Wren dealt with things in different ways, and it the book showed the consequences of their actions. Wren was on a path of destruction, and Cath needed to come out of her shell. 

-    Overall, this was a wonderful and fun book. I should have read this sooner. 

Fellowship of the Rings Read a Long Sign Up

My friend Jenni, and I will be hosting a Lord of the Rings Read-a-Long!

We'll be reading one book a month, and May's book is The Fellowship of the Ring! 

If you'd like to join us in this epic reading, please sign up below.

Schedule:

May 1
The reading begins!
May 15
Discussion Post about Book 1
May 31
Discussion Post about Book 2

We'll also be having Twitter Chats after these discussion posts. 
Those will be announced later.

We'll be using #LotRreadalong
I'll be tweeting thoughts, quotes, and other stuff.

Please join us, and tell your friends! This is going to be awesome!

Fan Art Friday

showcasing

I was surprised at how much I found for this book.

I like all the Evies.

I love the one with Evie and her mermaid friend. Good times!

Which is your favorite?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

From Goodreads:    Boys don’t keep diaries—or do they?

The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to

It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.

In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, “Just don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things.

Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.

My Thoughts:

-    Very funny and unique book. It isn't quite a graphic novel, but it isn't a regular book either. 

-    I really like how visual this book is. I like the fun font on lined paper, so it actually looks like Greg's journal. 

-    The whole cheese touch thing cracked me up. I was pretty grossed out about what happened to Rowley and the cheese. 

-    The illustrations really add to the story. They are funny yet simple. I can believe a 12 year old boy drew all those funny pictures. 

-    Greg is such a typical adolescent boy trying to look cool in school. I like his childlike logic. it is so simple and it makes sense, but I know it isn't right.

-    I love how Greg ruined the school play! So funny! 

-    Greg is a bit of jerk. He pulls all sorts of stuff on his friend Rowley and his little brother. His mean shenanigans are hilarious though. 

Rise of the Guardians

My Thoughts:

-    I've seen a lot of people cosplay as Jack Frost, and if it is big in the geek world, I gotta check it out!

-    I loved how the creators remade classic childhood icons. Santa is Russian, The Easter Bunny is Australian, and I loved the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy. Each character was so fun!

-    If the Lorax and a Wookie had children, they'd be Santa's yetis.

-    Jack Frost was a fun character. I figured out "his center" pretty quick, so I don't understand why it took him so long.

-    The villain was awesome! Jude Law did an amazing job with that character.

-    All the voice actors did great! My favorite was Hugh Jackman as the Easter Bunny. It was fun to hear his original accent. 

-    The homes of each guardian was amazing. They were so unique, different, and creative.

-    Some of the scenes were really beautiful. The CG was really well done.

-    This was a really cute movie, and it has something for everyone. 

Carol Lynch Williams Workshop

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Carol Lynch Williams. I went with my friends Suey and Jenni.

Suey snapped this shot of us.

I enjoyed the workshop. I learned stuff, and I realized that there isn't just one way to write, revise, and whatever. My way is a lot like Carol's. I have to revise as I go.

We talked about writing like a writer, and here are some questions Carol asked:

Why do you write?

What do you want to happen with your writing?

In your work schedule, where does your writing fall?

What are your daily writing goals?

How badly do you want to be a writer?

What are you willing to give up to be a writer?

How many beginnings of novels do you have?

How many are finished?

Where do you get ideas from?

What is your schedule for writing?

What do you want your schedule to be?

How are you going to make your schedule happen?

If you could change one thing about the way you write, what would it be?

How will you change that one thing?

I liked how she talked about finishing every book you start. You just have to do it! Push through!

Taste of Darkness

Goodreads Synopsis:    She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat: The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.

Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a good ending to the trilogy. Everything wraps up nice, and I'm not wondering about loose ends. 

-    I don't think Kerrick's POV was necessary when he and Avry are together. Again, it was weird how it changed from 1st person to 3rd person. 

-    I really liked Kerrick in the first book, but he got really needy in this book, and it was kind of annoying. I don't like it when tall, dark, and brooding turns into needy, jealous, and possessive.

-    I like that the whole gang was finally reunited. I really missed Belen.

-    The Skeleton King was a creepy and disturbing guy, and I love that in a villain. His form of torture just sent shivers up my spine. If Tohon was really smart, he would have hired The Skeleton King.

-    Prince Ryne bugged me. I know he had a big old plan, and he was trying to outsmart Tohon, but he was a jerk about it! I hate it when the main character is being used as bait, and they don't even know it! 

-    I really like how clever Avry is, and I like that she makes smart decisions despite her emotions. She knows how to hold her own against a bunch of men. I loved her strong personality.

Previous books in the Healer trilogy:

(covers are linked)

 

Happy Easter

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with candy, eggs, and hope!

Fan Art Friday

showcasing

This is probably my favorite from Shannon Hale. I hope you like what I found!

The last one is my favorite. I like how it is in panels, and it is well done!

I also love the 3rd to last with Miri and the guy whose name I can't remember right now.

Which is your favorite?

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Instead of a synopsis, I decided to give you a trailer!

Enjoy!

My Thoughts:

-    This book was full of surprises. It was not at all what I was expecting. I definitely didn't expect time travel.

-    The story kinda had the same feel as The Night Circus. It was weird yet cool.

-    It took a while to finally get to the good stuff. The story had an okay opening, a slow middle, and a great ending.

-    I loved the photographs throughout the book. They were hauntingly awesome. When I found out they were all authentic photographs, I was blown away, and it made the book even more awesome.

-    This is weird, but it took me about 20-25 pages before I realized the main character was a boy. I guess I've gotten into the habit of just assuming everything I read is from a girl's perspective. That is really sad.

-    I really liked the whole concept of the big old house and the loop. It was really clever, and so unexpected.

-    I thought this book was going to be a bit scary and creepy, but it wasn't. I'm kinda glad, but a little disappointed. 

-    I'm really excited to read about what happens to Jacob and his peculiar friends. I wonder if his family will believe what happened to him.


My Re-Read Thoughts:

-    I tried the audiobook, and it wasn't very good.

-    The narrator really botched the British accents. They were awful!! It was even a little painful to listen to.

-    The narrator also read SO slow!! It drove me nuts!

-    I still love the story, but you don't get the awesome photos from the audiobook. I would recommend reading the actual book. It is better. 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars Utah peeps!

Here are some fun events that are coming up!

Carol Lynch Williams Workshop

Wed, April 16

Orem Library @ 7 PM

Shannon Hale

Tues, April 22

Orem Barnes & Noble @ 7 PM

Orson Scott Card

Wed, April 23

Orem Barnes & Noble @ 5 PM

Aprilynne Pike

Wed, April 30

Provo Library @ 7 PM

Maggie Stiefvater

Tues, May 6

Provo Library @ 7 PM

I hope to see some of you at these events!

Scent of Magic

Goodreads Synopsis:    Hunted, Killed—Survived?

As the last Healer in the Fifteen Realms, Avry of Kazan is in a unique position: in the minds of her friends and foes alike, she no longer exists. Despite her need to prevent the megalomanical King Tohon from winning control of the Realms, Avry is also determined to find her sister and repair their estrangement. And she must do it alone, as Kerrick, her partner and sole confident, returns to Alga to summon his country into battle.

Though she should be in hiding, Avry will do whatever she can to support Tohon’s opponents. Including infiltrating a holy army, evading magic sniffers, teaching forest skills to soldiers and figuring out how to stop Tohon’s most horrible creations yet; an army of the walking dead—human and animal alike and nearly impossible to defeat.

War is coming and Avry is alone. Unless she figures out how to do the impossible ... again.

My Thoughts:

-    I liked and hated the two stories and perspectives. I didn't like how it changed from first person to 3rd person. There was already a lot going on with Avry and the war, and I don't think more trouble was needed. However, in the end, I kinda liked the new race of people introduced.

-    The guy on the cover is weird. I don't know why he is there, and it looks way out of place.

-    I wish Avry and Kerrick had more time together. I feel bad for them, and I think they can do so much more together. They make an unstoppable team!

-    I didn't like how much time the book spent on Avry teaching other soldiers to walk through the forest. I felt like a lot of the stuff in the middle was filler and it slowed down the story.

-    All the twists and surprises were awesome! I didn't see a few things coming.

-    I love the characters! Snyder has an amazing talent for creating wonderful and lovable characters.

-    Quain and Loren remind me of Ari and Janco a little bit.

-    Great story, but OH the ending! I can't wait to read the next book. 

First book in the Healer trilogy:

(cover is linked)

Flashback Friday

Fan art isn't the only thing that Friday is good for!

When I was younger, my sister and two nieces liked to put on plays for our family. We did Peter Pan, Robin Hood, The Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, and we had a Snow White one in the works.

We were pretty creative. We used the characters from the story and came up with our own ideas about how things happened. It was awesome! My favorite one we did was probably Robin Hood. It was our best. We had a lot of fun doing it, and the family got a kick out of it as well. We always tried to gather as many family members as possible to see our little productions, and they were merciful enough to sit and bear it.

My sister recorded our performances, and if she ever gives me a copy, I'll post one for you.

Did you ever put on plays with your siblings or cousins?

Kingdom Hearts

 

From Goodreads:

1:  After a terrible storm shatters the peace of his tropical island home, a young boy named Sora is set adrift from his world and his friends, Riku and Kairi. Meanwhile, Disney Castle is in an uproar when it is discovered that King Mickey has gone missing, leaving it up to Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy to find him! When Sora, in search of his friends, and Donald and Goofy, in search of their king, cross paths, their fateful encounter will change the destiny of the universe forever!

2:  Sora, a young boy who lives a peaceful life on his tropical island home, is set adrift when a horrible storm wrecks the world he loves and separates him from his friends, Riku and Kairi. In another world, the Disney castle is in chaos when King Mickey goes missing, and it's up to Donald, the court magician, and Goofy, the captain of the army, to find their king. When both Sora and the King's allies happen upon each other and learn that the ills that have befallen their worlds are the doing of dark beings without heartsknown as the Heartless, the three recent acquaintances take up arms together in an epic quest to travel to unknown worlds, set those worlds right, and findtheir friends!!

My Thoughts:

-    Why do these read from left to right? They should read the other way!

-    These follow the video game pretty well. There are a couple of worlds missing though, and I wish they had included everything.

-    I love seeing Final Fantasy characters mixed with Disney characters! So brilliant!!

-    The story is a bit confusing. I wish they explained things better.

-    I like how some of the panels overlap. Some of pages are crazy organized chaos.

-    Reading these makes me want to play the game again.

-    Seeing Goofy as a turtle will never get old.

-    I wish these were in color. I wonder why they decided to do them in black and white?

-    These were fun to read, but I probably wouldn't buy them. I'd rather play the video game.

Rewind to You Cover Reveal

Cover Reveal, About the Author, a Sneak Peek of REWIND TO YOU and Rafflecopter Giveaway

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author: Laura Johnston

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.

Genre: Clean Contemporary YA Romance

Release Date: September 15, 2014; Available for PREORDER now

One last summer before college
on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she?
This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before
the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left
behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the
night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the
guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who
scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up
to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past
and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…

About the Author:

Laura's Official Website * Facebook Page * Twitter * Goodreads

Laura
Johnston lives in sunny Arizona
with her husband and two children. Growing up in Orem, Utah with five siblings,
a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active
imagination and always loved a good story. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, dancing (deduced to dancing around the kitchen
while cooking dinner these days), traveling, writing, writing and more writing,
and above all, spending time with her husband and kids. REWIND TO YOU, her
debut novel, was inspired by the loss of her father as a teenager.

A Sneak Peek of REWIND TO YOU:

Giveaway: Signed Copy of REWIND TO YOU and $25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. The winner, chosen by Rafflecopter, will be announced here on April 29th as well as emailed. The winner will have 5 days to respond at which point a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.