- I've been hesitating to see this because I don't like how they stretch children's books into full length movies. Several people have told me this was good though, so I thought I'd give it a try.
- I have mixed feelings about this one.
- There were several scenes that just dragged on and on, and I thought they'd never end.
- I loved Tom Hanks as the conductor, Santa, and half the cast.
- The music is really good! I especially love Josh Groban's song during the credits.
- I think this movie captured the feel and essence of the book. It was charming and full of Christmas spirit, but I think it dragged. The movie could have been shortened. I wish this was a Christmas short, and not a full length movie.
- Can someone explain the hobo on the train? Who is he? Why is he there?
From Goodreads: They have always scared him in the past—the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice. What he doesn’t yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied. . . . My Thoughts: - It was fun to start one of my favorite series again. If you haven't read these, do! They are SO good! - This was my first review of the book before I started blogging: Fantastic! If you love fantasy and adventure, you'll love this book. It reminded me of Raymond E. Feist's books and Lloyd Alexander books, but it was it's own book still.
Plot: Reading about Will becoming a Ranger was very interesting, and I also liked the side story of Horace. I think Horace will play a bigger role in later books. The boar fight was exciting, and the ending was really suspenseful and thrilling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from page 1.
Characters: The characters were all really well done. I love Will and his relationship with the other characters, especially with Halt and Tug. I thought Halt's character is perfect for a mysterious mentor. I am eager to learn more about Halt and his past. The only problem I had with the book is why Horace let the older 3 boys treat him so badly for so long. At one point, I think someone like him would try to retaliate rather than just take it. Oh well, everything worked out in the end.
I'm really excited to read this series! - I don't feel like I need to add more. I feel the same about this book as I did the first time I read it.
- It is no secret that I adore Audrey Hepburn, so when I saw this at the library, I had to pick it up. I'm so glad I did! - I loved all of Audrey's quotes. She had such a beautiful perspective on life. Her love of nature inspires me. I love that her tips for beauty revolved around being happy and not how you look. - I also loved all the quotes about Audrey. Everyone who met her was inspired and in awe. She was so full of grace and kindness. I aspire to be like her. - I liked all the photos. I hadn't seen some of them.
From Goodreads: Sleeping Beauty, Victoria, Cleopatra, Snow White, Elizabeth, Pocahontas, Mia Thermopolis: all princesses Do YOU have what it takes to be a princess? princess mia will help you find out
Best-selling Princess Diaries author Meg Cabot and acclaimed fashion artist Chesley McLaren team up again to display this clever royal roster of princesses of the world. Big or small, old or new, fact or fiction, our favorite princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo (aka Mia) will point out why these princesses rule, and how any girl can too!
My Thoughts:
- This was a random book about real and fictional princesses.
- The illustrations are so simple yet fun!
- Why didn't this book make it into the YA Non-Fiction section? It is just like the other ones
- Mia and Lilly really compared Cleopatra to Britany Spears!?
- I love that Princess Leia and Princess Mononke made it into this book!!
- Why is this book considered part of the series? It could be a stand alone and companion novel. It doesn't have anything to do with the series.
Goodreads Synopsis: How many hours are in a day when you don't spend half of them watching television?
When is the last time any of us REALLY worked to get something we wanted?
How long has it been since any of us really NEEDED something that we WANTED?
The world we knew is gone.
The world of commerce and frivolous necessity has been replaced by a world of survival and responsibility.
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe causing the dead to rise and feed on the living.
In a matter of months society has crumbled. no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV.
In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start living.
My Thoughts:
- I was really hooked by the introduction. This series is really long! Is there in end in sight?
- There is crazy action and excitement from the start! Whoa!
- The illustrations are SO vivid, and I like how they made this series black and white. It adds to the scary.
- There is a lot language, so beware.
- The poor horse! You have to have a strong stomach to read this.
- Even though I don't know much about Rick yet, I still sympathize with him big time.
- Glenn reminds me of Short Round from Indiana Jones.
- If I had to sum this graphic novel up in one word, it would be CRAZY! The story is really messed up, and the ending is SO crazy! This whole book was just one big crazy mess! Wow! It was thrilling and disturbing all at the same time.
- If there was a rated R book out there, this is it!
- Tom Hanks has some pretty classic movies. There is Big, Castaway, Saving Private Ryan, all the ones with Meg Ryan, Splash, AND The Terminal. Great actor!
- I am so amazed at Tom's performance in this one. His speech, posture, and even the way he walks is so unique for his character. That would have been hard.
- I love Viktor. You can't help but cheer for him and sympathize with him. Great character!
- Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of the most beautiful actresses. I wish I looked like her, and had her voice. Her acting is great as well.
- This movie is so funny, heart warming, and all around great! I really enjoy watching every moment.
- The music is AWESOME!! I want to learn that clarinet part!
- All the sub characters are great as well. They give wonderful performances and they make me laugh.
- I don't like seeing Stanley Tucci as a bad guy, but he does a good job, like always.
- I love watching how Viktor uses his skills and resources to survive in the airport.
- This movie makes living in airport look a little fun. I wouldn't want to do it for a long time, but a couple weeks would be fun.
- If you haven't seen this yet, get ye hence and find it!
From Goodreads: It's full-fledged war as Briar, the rat creatures, and the Pawan army storm the city of Atheia. The Bone cousins, Thorn, and Gran'ma Ben are all there to defend the Valley and stop the return of the Lord of the Locusts. When Thorn goes inside a ghost circle, she hears a voice urging her to seek the Crown of Horns. What follows is another dangerous journey for Thorn and loyal Fone Bone as they race to the sacred grounds of the dragons, searching for the one thing that may save them all. This is the breathtaking conclusion to Jeff Smith's nine-book graphic novel series.
My Thoughts: - It's over! This series was long! I think it could have been cut down. - There is a battle going on and all Phoney can think about is money!? He is insane! - Thorn needs to cover up a little more while she is in the dungeon. - Since when can Thorn fly? - I thought this was a little anti-climactic. I was disappointed. - I was happy with Fone Bone's decision in the end though, and I cracked up at what happens to Phoney.
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.
Goodreads Synopsis:Anthony, also known as "Antsy," is fascinated by "The Schwa Effect"--the fact that no one ever sees Calvin Schwa. Even when acting weird and dressed like a total freak, The Schwa is only barely noticed. The two boys form a partnership and get away with all kinds of mischief, from conducting experiments at school to confounding opponents on the basketball court. When The Schwa senses that even Antsy is beginning to lose sight of him, he vows to do something that will make him so visible, no one will ever forget him. Any kid who's ever felt unnoticed will identify with Schwa and Antsy and their quest for notoriety. My Thoughts: - HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Awwwwww! - This book was freakin' hilarious, but it also had it's tender moments. After I started the book, and was laughing out loud, the tender moments surprised me. I just wasn't expecting that from this book. - I loved all the characters! Each one was so unique with different struggles to overcome. - Sometimes I felt bad for the Schwa, but other times I wanted to smack him! - Antsy is a good friend. He tries to do the right thing, and he often thinks of others. - When Antsy would get sidetracked, it cracked me up! I loved his comparisons and how he describes things. - I want to make "The Schwa Was Here" shirt, and I kinda want to start putting it in random places. - The writing was really great! It felt like Antsy was writing in a journal, but he wasn't. It was really well done! - This was a really cute and fun story! I highly recommend it to everyone!
- This was a really addictive and fun game, but it was too
short! It only took me an hour or two to beat. I wanted more! Since I became
addicted for a couple days, I replayed some levels over again, but it wasn’t
the same as more content.
My Thoughts on Gameplay:
- To be honest, I’m not sure what the storyline was. I skipped
the cut scenes with the weird square legoish people. From what I gather, the
King (who is kinda creepy and has a bulge), is making his son, the prince, roll
up a big Katamari ball so he can make a star out of it. He also makes
constellations and the moon out of big Katamaris.
- A Katamari is a little sticky ball that you roll around and
pick up stuff with. You start out picking up small things like thumb tacks, and
the Katamari slowly gains mass and gets bigger. When it gets bigger, you can
pick up larger objects. It is really fun to see your Katamari grow, and it is
fun to start picking up larger and larger things. Like I said, it is addictive.
- Making the little stars was sometimes frustrating because of
the time limit. I just wanted to play until I hit the goal target. I hated that
stupid time limit, and I hated the stupid siren that went off during the last
minute!
- Making the constellations was fun because you had to pick up
the sign for each constellation. For instance, for Tauras, you had to pick up
oxen or cows. One of them you picked up ladies, one of them was twins, one was
crabs, etc.
- The moon was the most fun to make. The Katamari started out
really small, but by the end, you’re picking up land masses, clouds, tornados,
and other giant things. It is awesome!
My Thoughts on Control:
- There is a long intro and control guide at the beginning of
the game. Not gonna lie, there is a big
learning curve to the controls! It took me a while to finally figure out how to
move the Katamari ball where I wanted it. The larger the Katamari, the more
difficult it was to move. I still don’t fully understand the turbo roll thingy.
The Katamari also got stuck a lot, and that was frustrating.
- My
biggest complaint was that I had no control over the camera, and the camera was
awful!
My Thoughts on Graphics:
- Everything is blocky and looks like toys, but I think they
did that on purpose. The color was really dull on everything. I thought some
things were funny, but overall, I think they could have done better!
My Thoughts on Sound:
- The music was the best part of the game! I loved all the
Japanese influenced songs! The whole game is very Japanese, but I loved the
music the best! Gnome loved dancing and
singing the songs! It was funny.
- I also
loved it when the people screamed when you picked them up or when you picked up
a building. I got a lot of pleasure out of scaring the crap out of people.
From Goodreads: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal...or his life? Love With two Kiras on the loose, L asks Light to join the taskforce and pose as the real Kira in order to catch the copycat. L still suspects Light, and figures that this is the perfect excuse to get closer to his quarry. Light agrees to the plan in order to have free access to the taskforce resources. But when Light manages to contact the new Kira, he discovers that his rival is anything but as expected. Will Light escape from love unscathed?
My Thoughts:
- The plot thickens!!
- As you can see from the cover, we get to find out more about the 2nd Kira in this volume. She reminds me of Harley Quinn.
- Light and L keep chasing each other around and around and around. Who will win? I don't see how this can go on another 9 volumes!
- I really liked the artwork and scenes in this one.
- Misa is a bit annoying! Why does there always have to be an annoying chick? I haven't seen 1 anime without at least 1 annoying chick! Why?
- My wish was granted, and there were less feet shots in this one.
- Light is getting really arrogant. It is going to cost him.
Series Info:
Love is the 4th Volume of the Death Note series. Click on the picture for my thoughts on the previous volumes.
Goodreads Bit: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal...or his life? Hard Run Light is chafing under L's extreme surveillance, but even 64 microphones and cameras hidden in his room aren't enough to stop Light. He steps up the game, but before the battle of wits can really begin, a family emergency distracts him. But even though Light isn't using the Death Note right now, someone else is! Who's the new "Kira" in town?
My Thoughts:
- There is another Kira killing off innocents now! They both need to be taken down!
- The feet shots of L are starting bug me. He has majorly long toes.
- L is closing in on Light, and it is getting suspenseful!!
- I think Light over thinks things sometimes. He is a bit paranoid.
- I'm SO curious to find out more about the 2nd Kira!!
- Naomi's name keeps coming up. Will they find her?
- The way L sits doesn't look too comfortable. I want to try it sometime. Maybe my deductive reasoning will improve.
Series Info:
Hard Run is the 3rd Volume of the Death Note series. Click on the pictures to see my review for the previous Volumes.
Goodreads Synopsis: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal...or his life? Confluence Light thinks he's put an end to his troubles with the FBI - by using the Death Note to kill off the FBI agents working the case in Japan! But one of the agents has a fiancee who used to work in the Bureau, and now she's uncovered information that could lead to Light's capture. To make matters worse, L has emerged from the shadows to work directly with the task force headed by Light's father. With people pursuing him from every direction, will Light get caught in the conflux?
My Thoughts:
- I just devoured the first 2 volumes in this series today!
- We finally get to meet L in this one, but I'm a little disappointed. I wanted him to look cooler and less...crazed.
- There are no bounds to Light's murders! At first it was just criminals, now he doesn't even think about it before he kills someone.
- We get to learn more about a new character in this one. I think she is going to be important!
- I like the way L thinks.
- *spoiler alert* Highlight to see (NAOMI IS ALIVE!! She has to be! There was no body, and I think she is still alive!!)
- L and his team are closing in on Light! What is he going to do? He has to mess up sometime!
- It is like following a good mystery, but you know whats going on. It is still gripping though.
Series Info:
Confluence is Volume 2 of the Death Note series. Click on the picture to read my review of the previous Volume.
From Goodreads: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal...or his life? Boredom Light tests the boundaries of the Death Note's powers as L and the police begin to close in. Luckily Light's father is the head of the Japanese National Police Agency and leaves vital information about the case lying around the house. With access to his father's files, Light can keep one step ahead of the authorities. But who is the strange man following him, and how can Light guard against enemies whose names he doesn't know?
My Thoughts:
- I've decided to branch out my reading to Manga! It is a genre I've always wanted to explore and never have! This was a good beginning!
- There are so many moral questions going on in this book!
- Light has NO right to decide who dies and who doesn't. What makes him think he is qualified to play God? You can't just play with people's lives like that!
- I like Ryuk. He is freaky looking, but he makes me laugh. I don't know why.
- I'm dying to find out who L is!!!
- The art is really well done! I especially love a few pictures of Ryuk.
- This was a pretty good start to the series, and I'm so excited to read more!!
- It's like watching an Anime, but I'm reading, and stuff makes sense!
Goodreads Synopsis:About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear…
My Thoughts:
- The story captured me from the very beginning, and it never slows down. Each chapter is full of awesomeness!! The plot is intense!!
- A lot of chapters ended with a little cliffhanger, so I kept telling myself "just one more chapter," but then I couldn't stop. I read this in 2 sittings.
- There is some sexual abuse in this book. Nothing extremely graphic, but it made me cringe a little inside. This book is probably more for adults.
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE the banter and bond with Ari and Janco!!! They crack me up! Yelena couldn't ask for better friends. Their loyalty is priceless. They remind me of how my older brothers protect me.
- Valek...*sigh*...he is my literature heart throb. The little flirtations between him and Yelena just make me swoon!! I haven't swooned this bad over a guy from a book since Gilbert Blythe.
- Every character is AMAZING! I really liked how complex some of the people were, like Rand. I also LOVED seeing Yelena grow so much from beginning to end. I really connected and fell in love with a lot of the characters, and I just want to read more about them!!
- Snyder's writing style is perfect. Everything flows so well, and I can picture everything so clearly and easily. She is one of my favorite authors.
- This book gives me such a thrill. The emotions I go through while reading are crazy! I feel sad, happy, hopeful, gushy, angry, suspicious, excited, etc. I love books that let me experience so many things!
- I just can't say enough about how great this book is. It is one of those books where you can't stop turning pages to see what happens, but you are sorry it is over cause you never want it to end.
Goodreads Synopsis: In May 1756 war is formally declared between the British and the French. During this highly dangerous time, Isabella Sevens is travelling with her father to the British stronghold Fort William Henry.
In the forest, Wusamequin, the young and handsome medicine man, looks to avenge the death of his wife and child at the hands of British soldiers. When Wusamequin spots Isabella and her father, he alerts his warriors to capture them. But Wusamequin is quite taken with how bravely Isabella battles. He orders the warriors to spare her and her father, and they are dragged back to their village. However, many members of the Mohican tribe still want them to be killed. In a desperate plea to Wusamequin, Isabella vows to stay as his hostage if he lets her father go.
My Thoughts:
- In the copy of the book I read, the font on every other page was terrible. The lines are fat and it makes it harder to read.
- The story isn't so much a Beauty and Beast re-telling as much as a Dances with Wolves story. To be honest...it is Dances with Wolves but the roles are switched. The man is an Indian and the woman is English. There wasn't even a beast...he was an Indian. I know the white people viewed them as beasts, but I prefer re-tellings of this story to have some sort of deformed/cursed person.
- I liked the little fairy people. They added some light fun to a more serious/somber story.
- Isabella is a really strong female protagonist. I really liked how she was a fighter as well as a lady.
- The story has been done SOOOOO much that I just don't appreciate it anymore. I understand the whole moral of the thing, but I'm getting tired of this particular plot. It isn't original.
- I thought the way the author used magic in the story was really well done. It was a little mysterious and had the Indian vibe, but it wasn't over the top.
