I am a slacker

So it's almost the end of March and I have not finished a single book. I am working on a historical book called Wild Rose by Ann Blackman. It's about Rose O'Neale Greenhow who was a Confederate spy during the Civil War. It's a very interesting book and may be a source for my senior research class.

It's almost the end of the semester for me so I have tests in a lot of my classes right now and it's hard finding the time to read. Also, I want to start on fiction books, but I know if I start on one I will ignore this book I'm roughly half way through. So I think for this month I will have no completed books and while I am a little upset by that I also know that things happen.

Enclave Review

I have been trying to get to this book and I finally got to it. Okay, I pushed some other books back to read it and someone asked me to read it next because they wanted to know how it was. I am not sure what it is about YA distopian novels that I love, but I do. Which is kind of weird for me since I use to get nightmares about the end of the world and hated when my boyfriend would watch Life After People and any of those kinds of shows. I couldn't even watch The Road, yet I love this genre.


Synopsis: In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember. 

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning. 

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace. 

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known. (Taken From Goodreads). 

Review: I was hoping that my lusting to read this book would not disappoint me. While I will admit there are a lot of Ya distopian books out there and I am sure that there are a lot of rip offs and copy cats out there, but luckily I have not run across any of those.  I was caught by the books synopsis and I knew I had to read it. I was blow away about how simple this book is, yet all the thoughtfulness the author put into this book. 

What I like about this book was that it focuses on those who lives underground. I never thought about people might go underground or in subway tunnels to live. I think it's a new idea, but I don't know if someone else done it as well. I see that this is suppose to be a series, so I cannot wait for the next book. 

I don't normally do this, but on this book I read the author's note. She explained some of her research in writing this book and where the inspiration came for the enclave. I loved reading all of that. It shows that she put in a lot of effort to make it realistic. 

I rated this book five stars. I loved the book, it was an easy read and kept me entertained. 

My Rating:

TBR Challenge February Wrap-Up

So for the month of February I did not better than January, but no worse. I read two books. Hopefully I can do better the rest of the year, but who know what will hinder me.

I read:
Black Mass
Fallen

I started Enclave and hoped to have finished it, but I am still working on it. I sort of started a new business and that got me busy.

Black Mass Review

I thought I had this review written and posted, but it must have been eaten by the internet. This book was a Christmas present from my boyfriend. I love anything Irish and since I study criminal justice it calls to me.

Synopsis: Story is about the notorious gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. He ran his own gang as well as memeber of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston, MA. The book is about the relationship between the FBI and Whitey Bulger and Steven Flemmi.

Review: I enjoyed this book. I remember reading the news about Whitey getting capture after being on the lam for about 20 years. I was interested to see what it is he did to be so hated by the people of Boston. Since I have no idea of what it was like growing up in an atmosphere like this.

The one issue I have with some true crime and history novels is it takes me twice a long to read a chapter because they are longer and they have a lot of details that you cannot just skim over. I also was not familiar with a lot of names so I had to reread parts to make sure I wasn't confusing two people.

I gave it only 3 stars because while I enjoyed the book, it wasn't my absolute favorite true crime. I liked it, but I am sure there are better true crime books out there.

My Rating:

Free Panam ID Card

So if you didn't know I love the Hunger Games series and excited to see it come out on the big screen. I haven't followed all that is going on, but I saw something on facebook I thought I would share. If you go to the website for the movie and become a citizen of Panem they will place you in a district.  Not sure how, but I got put in district 5 which is power. You can have your one little badge you could put up on facebook. Well now you can have an actual ID card. For free, well you have to pay for shipping which is under $2. They also show you items for your district and some you can have your name on it too!!. $32 for a women's fitted shirt with the district logo and your name on the back.  So here's the link for it www.becomeacitizen.pn

Blogger Book Tag

I saw this tag thing over at Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes and thought it would be pretty fun to do. Why not right? So here are my answers and to follow I will create my own ten questions for those I tag to answer. 

1. What genre do you find yourself reading most? The least?

I have been really getting into dystopian novels lately. I really haven't read any contemporary novels. Really not my thing. 

2. Where do you love to read the most?

I don't have a special reading spot, but usually I am sitting on my bed or a chair.

3. What book could you read over and over without getting tired of it?

Little Women. I loved this book growing up and I think I read it over and over again. I still could and still love it just as much.

4. What are your thoughts on graphic novels? Love 'em, don't love 'em?

I don't do graphic novels, but I see nothing wrong with them. 

5. If you could see any book turned into a film (directly from page to "stage") which book would it be?

The Maze Runner. I think the series would make an amazing movie. I think people would want to see if on the screen and could make people read it as well. 

6. What do you love most about blogging? (I know, Jennifer asked that, but I'd like to know, too!)

I get to give my opinion on books and inspire others to read books they might not have read originally. I know that is why I enjoy reading other book blogs.

7. Who helped encourage you to become the amazing reader you are today?

Probably my mom. We went to the library a lot when I was growing up and I think that had something to do with it. 

8. Has a book (non-cookbook) ever inspired you to bake or cook something?

Nope. Either I see it on the web or a cookbook.

9. If you could go anywhere, whether real or fictional, where would you go?

Easy. Ireland or Germany. I have already been to Ireland, but I would love to go back. I also have always wanted to go to Germany, but haven't as of yet. 

10. Say you are the heroine of a fantasy/adventure novel. What animal would you love/want to have as a companion?

Phoenix. I know it sounds odd, but there's something amazing about an animal that can be reborn. 

Rules:

1. You must post the rules.

2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create ten new questions to ask the people that you have tagged.

3. Tag eleven people and link to them on your post.

4. Let them know you’ve tagged them.

Questions:

1. What is the worst book you've ever read?

2. A book that seems everyone else has read, but you haven't and why?

3. If you were any character from any book, who would you be and why?

4. What is your favorite drink?

5. If you could write a best seller what would the book be about?

6. Favorite travel destination?

7. Favorite genre and why you like it?

8. What about blogging do you hate?

9. Hunger Games, Twilight or Fallen?

10. Cake, cupcake or pie?

Tagged:

So I tag anyone who reads this. Leave me a comment with the link to your answers. 

WWW Wednesday (2/22/12)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading: Black Mass by Dick Lehr and Gerard O' Neil. I've been reading this book since Christmas. I am almost done with it. Just a few chapters left.

Recently Finished: Fallen by Lauren Kate. I loved this book and want to read the rest of the series. 

Reading Next: I want to read Besty Ross and the Making of America, but I also want to read Enclave. Maybe I'll read both.