Echoes of Us

Goodreads Says:    To change the world, I may lose everything

All Eva ever wanted was the chance to be herself. But in the Americas, to be hybrid—to share your body with a second soul—is not tolerated past childhood. Now Eva and Addie, her sister soul, are constantly on the move, hiding from the officials who seek to capture them. But the tide is changing. A revolution is brewing, and people are starting to question the hybrids' mistreatment.

Then Marion, an ambitious reporter, offers Eva and Addie a daring proposal: If they go undercover and film the wretched conditions of a hybrid institution, she will not only rescue them, she'll find a way to free Jackson, the boy Addie loves. It's risky, and Eva will have to leave Ryan and her friends behind, but if she succeeds, it could also tip the scales forever and lead to hybrid freedom.

As Eva and Addie walk into danger, they cling to each other and the hope of a better future. But the price they might pay is higher than they ever could have imagined.

My Thoughts:

-    I really like the covers for these books. They are very clever and beautiful. I think they fit the books perfectly.

-    This was probably the best written book in the trilogy. It is fun to see author's improve their writing as their books progress.

-    There was a lot going on in the story, but it wasn't too confusing to follow. There was more tension in this book, and it was just when the story needed.

-    I like Addie and Eva's relationship. They are so true to one another. I love how they can coexist in one body. I think it is wonderful how supportive they are to each other. At the same time, I wish they would squabble more. It would seem more realistic to have disagreements with someone you are sharing a body with. They have an occasional fight, but it isn't very major and they get over it pretty fast.

-    I liked seeing another facility with hybrids. It was like being inside a prison, and I liked how the girl's did small things to keep sane.

-    I liked how the story wrapped up. Things were getting better for the hybrids, and it left me feeling hopeful for character's future. 

Previous books in The Hybrid Chronicles

(covers are linked)

 

Top Ten Tuesday: TBR Summer 2015

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Books On My TBR For Summer 2015

I feel bad the same books keep popping up for each season's list. Hopefully I actually read some of these for summer. You might see some of these again on my Fall TBR list, but I hope not!

 
 
 
 
 

Did you notice all the Utah Author books? August is Utah Book Month, and I'll be filling my month with Utah books!

Translated Books

Hey friends! Let's talk about books being translated from or into different languages.

First of all, I am all for books being translated! If they weren't, I would feel very left out. There are a lot of books out there in the world, and I want to experience stories that are being read and told in other countries. Can you imagine if Les Miserables was never translated? Oh the tragedy!!! 

One of my favorite things about books is that it brings people together. I recently read a book called The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain. It is a short and fun chick lit book that was translated from French. Despite it being a traditional chick flick kinda story, I enjoyed it. I loved the culture, the French references, and a lot of the language used in the book. I loved that I was able to read a foreign book in English. But the one thing I truly loved about the book was this epiphany I had. The story is very similar to the movie Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. It got me thinking that even though France is so far away across the Atlantic ocean, the people of France are enjoying the same types of stories that we enjoy here in The United States. People love stories, whether they are being told, read, or listened to, and no matter where we live or what language we speak, we enjoy the same types of stories and characters. It makes me feel a little more connected people across the globe.

On the flip side of loving translated books, as an American, I wish the books from the UK weren't translated into our form of English. I would love to have read Harry Potter in it's natural language. How awesome would that have been? I love reading classics like Austen and Dickens, and they are not translated. At least, I'm pretty sure they aren't. Do we really need to translate English books into other English speaking books? I vote no! British movies and TV shows aren't translated, so why do books have to be? 

*step off soap box*

Should some of my favorite books be translated into other languages. I would hope that the character's personalities aren't changed, and the general feel of the story isn't changed. If certain events are words need to be fixed, fine! My overall hope is that readers across the globe will fall in love with the same characters and have similar feelings I did when reading. 

What do you think?

How do you feel about book translations?

How do you feel about British books having translators?

This post idea was influenced by Smartling.

It is a company dedicated to connecting people by translating books, websites, etc. I think it is a worthy objective, and I hope they succeed. You can visit their website here.

Once We Were

From Goodreads:    In this riveting sequel to What's Left of Me, Eva and Addie struggle to share their body as they clash over romance and join the fight for hybrid freedom. With a powerful voice, an intense sibling relationship, and a sweet romance against the odds, this second novel in the Hybrid Chronicles is perfect for fans of Ally Condie, Lauren Oliver, and Scott Westerfeld.

Addie and Eva escaped imprisonment at a horrific psychiatric hospital. Now they should be safe, living among an underground hybrid movement. But safety is starting to feel constricting. Faced with the possibility of being in hiding forever, the girls are eager to help bring about change--now. The answer seems to lie within a splinter group willing to go to extremes for hybrid freedom, but as Addie and Eva fall ever deeper into their plans, what they thought was the solution to their problems just might be the thing that destroys everything--including their bond to each other.

My Thoughts:

-   This book had a little bit of 2nd book syndrome. Not a lot happened, but there was some development in the characters.

-    I liked meeting new characters, and I liked how they interacted with the characters I already knew. I liked that Addie had people to talk to and get to know. 

-    Addie and Eva are way nicer about sharing their body that I would be. They only argue about it once I think. I don't think I could handle sharing a body like they do.

-    I wish Hally and Liva did more. They are the same age as Addie and Eva, but I felt like everyone thought they were too young or incapable of doing anything. It bugged!

-    The ending was exciting, and I thought it wrapped up nicely. There are still unanswered questions, but I like how the book ended.

Previous book in The Hybrid Chronicles

(cover is linked)

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015

I'm not good at keeping track of upcoming releases unless it is part of a series I love. I already have trouble keeping up with books that have already been released.

 
 


And more Marvel Stars Wars and Darth Vader comics!

That's Entertainment

My Thoughts:

-    I used to be embarrassed that I loved musicals so much. In fact, I used to watch them late at night so my family didn't know what I was doing. Like they didn't know! ha! I used to secretly record them off the T.V. until I had a little collection of recorded musicals. It was my dirty little secret. Now I don't care! I embrace it proudly, and I can shout it from the rooftops! I LOVE MUSICALS!!!! They are my film of choice!

-    I LOVED watching this! Where has this been all my life? I loved seeing all the different musical numbers from several movies.

-    I loved the overture, and I could sing all the songs.

-    I adored the special appearances! It was neat to see some of my favorite stars in their older years. 

-    Part of the movie seemed like a bit of a memoriam for Judy Garland. She is one of my favorites, and I'm glad they kind of spotlighted her.

-    This made me want to watch ALL the MGM musicals. I have seen a lot of them, but not all, especially the older ones. 

-    I feel like I was born in the wrong era sometimes. I want to go to the theater and watch Gene Kelly dance and Judy Garland sing. They should bring this kind of quality entertainment back. We'll never see the likes of it again, and that is too tragic. 

-    So much talent in one documentary! It was a feast for the eyes and ears. 

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel

Goodreads Says:    Ransom Riggs's haunting fantasy bestseller adapted to a graphic novel! 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.





My Thoughts:

-    This was a great adaptation of the book, but I felt like it sped through a lot of the story. I wish this had been in done in several or a couple of volumes.

-    I loved how the different time periods were depicted between black and white sketches and color images. 

-    The story is strange, peculiar, and wonderful! I loved every moment!

-    I liked how the old photographs from the original book was used in the panels. They add so much to the story! I'm still blown away that they are real.

-    Seeing a visual version of the book helped me to understand certain aspects of the story better.

-    I can't wait for Hollow City! I especially can't wait for the third book in this series to come out!

Bree and Katherine

I always forget to blog about going to author events! I need to be better about that.

On May 9th, I went to Bree Despain's launch party for The Eternity Key.

She calls this series The Little Series That Could because there has been so much opposition, but the series WILL be finished! It has been quite a journey for Bree, and I admire her for her diligence and determination to get this series published. I also admire her for loving her books so much that she would have rather seen the series die than put crap into her reader's hands.

Although she doesn't like to do it, Bree did a reading for us.

Jenni, Tori, and Suey were there too!

Bree signing the book!

She also had these cool Cupid's Arrow rings. Each color meant different things. I chose black which was anti-love.

A blurry picture of all of us 

On May 15, Jenni and I went to the Provo Library to see Katherine Applegate.

Here is Gene introducing the author:

Katherine had a great presentation. She told us the story of the real Ivan, and I was trying not to cry. She also told us about the book and the journey it took to being published.

I loved this picture! This is Katherine in her bed, in her pjs, with a notebook, and a TON of crumpled up pieces of paper. She said this is what an author looks like. Writing is process and it can be hard at times.

I bought the non-fiction picture book of the real story of Ivan for my daughter. Here is Katherine signing it.

This is the author signing The One and Only Ivan.

Another blurry picture with an author.

My new goal for the future is to bring a notebook and take notes and stuff during author events, and then I'll have info for blog posts!! I also try to put these up shortly after the event.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Love to See as Movies

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Books I'd Love to See as Movies/TV Shows

Love this topic! I only want these adapted if they do them well! If not, forget it!

 
 
 
 
 

I'm going to sneak these in here too:

Dune

My Thoughts:

-    This movie is ridiculous! I had to watch it in 3 sittings.

-    The opening monologue gave me the giggles. It was so awful!

-    As far as staying true to the book. I thought the movie did a good job abridging the story and keeping the feel of the book.

-    Jessica is really pretty. Too bad she didn't do much except stand around.

-    The whole movie is pretty boring and cheesy.

-    The first scene with the Baron is disgusting! EW!!!

-    Why do people whisper to themselves in their head? It is like they are haunting themselves. I don't talk to myself like that. It was SO annoying.

-    What is the nasty fat worm in the glass train thingy? I'm so confused!

-    I didn't need to see the baby in the womb. It was gross.

-    The acting is awful. Why do they talk so monotone? Ugh!

-    I will never see Sting the same way again!

-    Terrible movie!