Year's end.

This project, as many do, trailed off into obscurity as my year progressed. I didn't achieve what I wished to. I have, frankly, been too overwhelmed to do much more than attempt to keep afloat.

This isn't meant as an excuse--I don't regret beginning this project, and have hope for the future. Maybe next year, friends!

Book #33: Dream Factory

Dream Factory did not impress me as much as Scrambled Eggs At Midnight. Nevertheless, it was a cute story and managed to explore difficult-to-handle themes against a quirky background. In this I commend the authors, as the book isn't too weighty but still makes a valid point. The ending was predictable (who's surprised?) and at times the plot felt altogether too cheesy, but I don't regret reading it.

I've become increasingly quote-happy of late. Here we go!

I shrug, putting the blade of grass into her open hand. "You asked me if I believed in magic, and I said yes, and that's how. You just step out out, start pulling your life of the air. You make friends, you find work you really like doing, you find places. You find diners and Laundromats. You find beaches. You find a junk car and drive it for a month, then leave it beside the road. You find someone to fall in love with you. You make it all up as you go. Or, you know, maybe it makes you up." (106)

It's funny how even when it's just you in your head, you pretend like nothing's wrong. Like everything is just fine, thanks for asking. It's not like I've never thought about Luke in that way-in the more-than-just-friends way. I mean, he's smart and funny, and the look in his eyes when he thinks he's just gotten one over on me makes me want to fall into them, but that's the thing that stops me--the desire for that falling and the knowledge that sometimes when you let yourself fall, you just end up splattered across the rocks. (116-117)

"I think it's easy to confuse intuition with wanting something." (150)

This time we both laugh, and underneath it all I can feel his fingers tighten around mine, trapping each one with his. He's inside the bubble, too, and we're both holding our breath. (203)

It's funny, really, all the ways we tell ourselves every day that things are going to be okay. That things are going to get better, or that things can't possibly get any worse. We all have these elaborate mechanisms to take care of our disappointments, our sadness, our pain. We build these walls around ourselves, placing bricks between us and everyone else, telling ourselves that we're just protecting ourselves, just staying safe. Sometimes the bricks are easy to see, hard things that you bump up against when you try to touch someone. Sometimes they're subtle. A slight turn of the head, a fast good-bye, a faraway look in the eyes. Sometimes I wonder why Disney never took to Repunzel, why they never tried to take that story and put it on lunchboxes and in video stores and on pink sweatshirts. Maybe it's that some fairy tales don't need to be computer animated. Maybe Randy Newman doesn't need their songs. Maybe some fairy tales don't even really need to be told, because they live inside us, scaring us with their witches and their evil spells, making us wonder if maybe this time the prince won't come in time, the princess won't wake up, and maybe for once there won't be any happily ever after. Maybe some fairy tales are just too scary to even think about. (238-239)

Book #32: The Secret Life of Prince Charming

This book. This book. It encapsulates so many themes in my life, so well. The thoughts within it left me scribbling down quotes from page one.

This book left me feeling whole and hopeful.

Love was also an easy word, used carelessly. Felons and creeps would offer it coated in sugar, and users could dangle it so enticingly that wouldn't notice it had things attached--heavy things, things like pity and need, that were as weighty as anchors and iron beams and just as impossible to get out from underneath. (1)

I was sort of the queen of good choices, ruled by niceness and doing the right thing. (2)

Or was I going to be someone who could only continue to stumble and flounder and search, which is what I really felt would happen, since Dad's words sounded as shiny and hollow as Christmas ornaments to me? (3)

I badly wished I could know my own truths and speak them, but they seemed out of reach, and it seemed better to be sure of yourself in secret. (3-4)

Maybe I just wanted to believe in love, even if I didn't all the way believe in me and Daniel Jarvis. (4)

There's something sort of sadistic and voyeuristic about teachers making you do family trees. Family trees should be private matters. No one would ask you to show your family's medical records or list of dirty secrets, and yet it's all there, divorces and marriages and babies, the most private stuff. Or maybe it only seems that way to those of us whose trees have broken branches and sawed-off limbs. (53)

I wanted to understand things, really understand them, in some way that was deep and solid, and yet my own niceness required that I keep skimming along the surface. (63)

I felt that sort of low, vague pissed-off that could turn global. You know, where you get a paper cut and curse not only the paper but the paper factories and the paper factory workers and pulp mills and trees. That's the thing about discontent--it's very flexible. It's perfectly content to invade wherever it happens to land. (72)

Years from then, after Barry, even, I finally learned that it was all right to say something wasn't working for me when it wasn't working. The world doesn't come crashing down when you speak the truth. (Olivia Thornton, 124)

We should not give away a moment to anyone who does not deserve it. (Elizabeth Bennett, 129)

"Trust should be used sparingly, like salt." (137)

We can be so large and then so small, and right then I felt like a tiny little figure sitting on that seat, with a whisper for a voice. (152-153)

The approach of the sea can do that to you, and so can the salty wetness of ocean air. That smell makes you feel that things are on the horizon, and I could feel the heaviness inside life, too, when I saw the glinty white water, sparkly with sun. The sea seemed patient and endless and wise. It was a visual sigh of relief. (161)

"There ought to be some Web site called 'Crap from My Ex dot com.' You could trade the Crock-Pot you got left with for someone else's eight-track player." (183)

Can you feel sentimental about something that never happened? Or that might happen but hasn't yet? Because that's what I felt then, riding in Frances Lee's truck. Jake's voice, soft and low, made everything seem important and full of meaning--EZ Storage places seemed full of meaning, and so did exit signs and flocks of crows and rest stops. Jake sang, and Sprout leaned her cheek against the window and Frances Lee drove with a smile and trick drivers honked and waved at Bob, and this was how we made our way to Elizabeth Bennett's house (mantel clock, hands stopped at 3:30), the second stop of our karmic quest. (184)

Sprout emerged from the bathroom. "The counter has gold glitter in it," she reported.

"Fancy," Frances Lee said. (209)

"I kept wondering what your kitchen looked like, and if you had a dog," Frances Lee said. "Where you went to school. He stopped coming over, but I didn't stop imagining." (213)

I thought about hands, all that they do in a lifetime--plant seeds in dirt, grasp hammers, hold babies, give pills to a loved one. I thought about Jake's own hands, what they'd already touched--beach sand, number 2 pencils, cool sheets, sudsy shampoo, steering wheels, and Christmas wrappings. And what they might one day touch. A hand, the curved space of a hip, smooth hair warmed by the sun. (226)

"A jar is just a jar except when it was in your kitchen growing up. An umbrella is an umbrella, except when the man you love stood under it during a hailstorm when he asked you to marry him," Olivia said, and sipped her tea. (231)

Can I just say one more thing? Ask for the best for yourself, ladies. (Joelle Giofranco, 247)

Long-kept objects were past moments where things felt sweet and right--a shell, curved and white, so full of hope still that it almost feels warm to the touch. (248)

Those questions you have? Whether he's the one, whether you feel about him the way you should, or whether the relationship is going okay?

When you're not sure whether you're in love with someone or not, the answer is not. (Heather Grove, 259)

"This doesn't have to be over," Jake whispered.

They were the best words I'd ever heard. (273)

And mom--I knew I would have to confess the this trip, but I still hoped we would hold this one piece away from her. I hoped Mom would never know we'd been here, in this neighborhood of fat elms and lilacs, suddenly familiar. Tidy brick Tudors with leaded windows and arched doorways. Cars parked along the street and lampposts--actual lampposts, with curved iron arms and round bulbs-- (279)

And when he sees you and he does not reach out, does not reach out but purposefully turns away, when he decides you are not good enough to love, when he does not see your goodness, your beauty, you will have a choice. To be devastated, or to let the truth it, finally, finally, all the way, all the way, all the way, until it fills you with its own strength, with its own knowledge--that love is light and not darkness, that love that is not good is not worthy of you, that love can only truly be given by those who are able, those with hearts of quality and with careful hands. (320)

Book #31: Frankenstein

I don't have excuses any longer. All I can tell you, dear internet of love and kindness, is that I am enamored of you. Would it help if I batted my eyelashes coquettishly?*

Frankenstein was required summer reading. I had to force myself through it; while the writing was often pretty, I couldn't get into it. It was engrossing in places but failed to capture me. Frankly, I found it rather boring. It went on and on without much action. In some ways this is preferable, as I would rather little action than constant turmoil, but in others it drove me up the wall. At one point it was all a bit "story... within a story... within a story... within a story.... what?!" But there you are. Required reading has never sat well with me in the first place.

To stop myself from killing something due to billions of pages still to go, I read this on my phone. Thus, while I have fantastical magical quotes for you, I am without page numbers. I will number them instead.

You may deem me romantic, my dear sister, but I bitterly feel the want of a friend. (1)

. . . their angelic countenances breathed smiles of consolation. (2)

Do not despair. To be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate, but the hearts of men, when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest, are full of brotherly love and charity. Rely, therefore, on your hopes; and if these friends are good and amiable, do not despair. (3)

Believe me, Frankenstein, I was benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity; but am I not alone, miserably alone? (4)

I fell at last in a state of utter exhaustion; a film covered my eyes, and my skin was parched with the heat of fever. (5)

*Yes, I just wanted to use the word "coquettishly." That was pretty much the object there.

Book #30: Scrambled Eggs at Midnight

I have excuses, many of which are valid, for getting so behind in my reading. This does not benefit you, however, and for that I apologize.

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight far exceeded my expectations. At first I was put off by the fact that the main characters were only fifteen, but this quickly changed. The book isn't overly heavy, yet it carries such weight. The themes explored really struck home with me, as clichéd as that may sound. What's more, the way the themes were handled impressed me; had they been written any differently I could definitely see myself disliking the book.

Ultimately, it easily could have ended badly. But it didn't. And sometimes you need that, I think. Sometimes you need a hopeful ending. I know I did. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book, despite my vagaries here.

But what do I know? I like saying that, because I can pretend not to know everything I know. (19)

You say things that the truth can fit around, and it feels OK. Except, really, it doesn't. Every time I do it, I feel like I'm inside something and only I know what it is, and I'm alone in there, like I've built this big empty room around myself and there's no door. (21)

"Phi's okay," Abel says, taking the tongs and offering me a clean paper towel in exchange. I squint at him and he smiles. "I mean, if you like self-centered, overly muscled alpha males." (127)

"What if they think I'm a heathen?"

I tighten my arms around her. "Are you?" (261)

Book #29: The Catcher In the Rye

Please feel free to leave me hate mail in the comments for not keeping up with this. This past month has been an explosion of stuff happening, and reading fell to the wayside. Which is not at all awesome, but I'm still motivated to do this... so here we are.

I read most of this over a month ago, but I only just finished it now. There were, I kid you not, only about five pages left for me to read. The fact that I do this so often annoys me, but I do. Even more incriminating is the fact that I just looked and I have eight such books awaiting completion. Oops?

In any event, I enjoyed Catcher in the Rye much more than I thought I would. Maybe this sounds odd, but I always figured I might hate it. Holden's way of speaking was really neat to me, and his observations apt, and lots of other nice things.

I'm quite illiterate, but I read a lot. (18)

As a matter of fact, my father was a Catholic once. He quit, though, when he married my mother. (112)

It always smelled like it was raining outside, even if it wasn't, and you were in the only nice, dry, cosy place in the world. (120)

Book #28: Bless Me, Ultima

I just realized I hadn't blogged about this book yet, despite the fact that it should have been book #23 or so. I could rearrange the order, but I'm not going to, so here goes. This book was assigned in the online English course I took, which was lovely and fun not really at all, which I took about eight or so months procrastinating on. Talk about hardcore subconscious awesomeness.

So I finally read it, which was rather like pulling teeth, but I did it and I don't want to talk about it anymore because ahhhh help I don't know. I just don't want to. It existed. I wrote an essay on it. Great fun, I assure you.

Book #27: Best Foot Forward

Let me tell you a story. When I was about eleven or twelve years old I visited my grandparents in their summer home in Colorado, which was very boring la la la awesome, and one day my grandma gave me a book she'd gotten at a garage sale. This book was Rules of the Road, which I read and loved et cetera.

Fast forward five or so years and I find that there is a sequel to the book I find a bit iconic of my childhood (in that I liked it and... things). No pressure or anything.

So I finally got around to reading the sequel, Best Foot Forward, and I have to say that while I liked it, I was a bit disappointed. Maybe this is typical of something like this, something with Expectations, but I suppose it is still a valid feeling. Much like book #26, I enjoyed many parts of it. I loved Mrs. Gladstone and Murray, but everyone else just confused me, including the main character. I think this may have something to do with my not having reread it in a while, but Jenna's obsession with [insert name of person who she knew for a week in previous book and had a big impact on her life] confused me. Also, the whole Tanner dynamic, then OH I LIKE THIS DUDE SORT OF, confused me.

This is all probably to do with the fact that I haven't reread the previous book in a long time, as well as it being more of a book for middle grade readers, and that I loved Rules of the Road so much when I was younger. But anyway. This may have been confusing, but that's how I felt when reading it. I didn't quite know what was going on.

Book #26: Lock and Key

Lock and Key felt very different to me in comparison to Dessen's other works. Maybe that's because it is rather different, though. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it caught me off guard a little.

Still, and maybe because of this, I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. I enjoyed pieces of it, I know, and I think the minor characters made the book for me. It was also very weird to read this book, almost a bit surreal, because I wear a key on a chain as well. Talk about deja vu.

I didn't not like it, if that counts for anything.

"Do you even realize how happy the average teenage girl would be in your shoes? I have a credit card. We're at the mall. I want to buy you things. It's like adolescent nirvana." (342)

Book #25: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is completely amazing. It. Just. Is. So. Much.

I understood so many pieces of the characters. From o.w.g.'s hurt regarding his friendship with Tiny Cooper to w.g. feeling as if everyone else has it easier than him, like no one can truly understand. Also, Tiny Cooper was just pretty awesome, despite his flaws. His character was beautiful.

In the case of o.w.g. and Jane I particularly related to the discussion/metaphorical actuality/whatever it was regarding Schroedinger's Cat. The idea was, if they opened the box with the cat in it (their relationship), would they (the physicists) find it to be dead? Should they risk opening the box, if it might be dead?

So, um, to explain this better: there's this boy. Yeah. So I was wondering the same thing at the time, but all is wonderful now.

i feel like my life is so scattered right now. like it's all these small pieces of paper and someone's turned on the fan. but talking to you makes me feel like the fan's been turned off for a little bit. like things could actually make sense. you completely unscatter me, and i appreciate that so much. (37)

Book #24: Anything Considered

I loved Anything Considered. It isn't something I would typically consider reading, but the style is just lovely, very light and funny and interesting. The settings, too, are interesting.

This book is just so well written that even when the situations become increasingly ridiculous and nearly impossible, it is still believable. Very fun read.

Also, the order of monks were hilarious. Oh dear.

Unattached Englishman -- Mid thirties, personable, fluent French, seeks interesting and unusual work, preferably in the AIX/Avignon Area. Anything considered except marriage. (20)

Book #23: Little Bee

I was drawn to this book, Little Bee, after reading a few pages and the inside flap. There were some beautiful parts, and the style felt very different and stark, and I liked it... mostly.

My problem may be that I lack an understanding of the conflict, but in theory this shouldn't be a problem, because I believe the author wrote it to raise awareness. But maybe so.

The ending was very, very perplexing. So I don't know.

Book #22: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, though I had heard it was good. I put it on hold at my school library twice before I got around to it, but when I did I was glad. The next few posts may be a little lame, as I've been putting off posting for a while, but I read them! Sorry about that.

The storyline of this novel was intriguing. The main character goes to a boarding school, but to me it seemed much more like a college campus (I think I was channeling Gilmore Girls, because I have experience in neither). In any event, it makes for plenty of interesting happenings.

I enjoyed the book in general, but I couldn't understand Matthew's group of friends. Alpha had a lot of funny lines, but I didn't understand him either, and I felt that at the end there was a bit of "Oh, Frankie is insane." She didn't seem insane to me, but who knows. What she did served them all right, I think.

Also, this book gets definite props for mentioning P.G. Wodehouse. Definite win.

Alpha finished eating and pushed his plate to the center of the table. "I would like to assert," he said solemnly, "that if Matthew were an animal he would be a seahorse." (164)

"Let's see, the prize is some sort of certificate of muffin enlightenment, and once you have eight of them you get a medal that proves you are Master of the Muffin. I'm serious. All the Yoga teachers can do six muffins. They do six muffins every morning as a matter of course." (226)

Book #21: Something Blue

I take back my former dislike for this series, because I quite enjoyed Something Blue. While I hated Darcy in the previous book, she definitely went through the process of changing in this installment, to the point that I was rooting for her to find happiness.

This is a big change, if you'll refer to my last post. I don't know how this happened, but hats off to Emily Giffin for managing it.

Despite this, though, I still don't understand the attraction between Darcy and Ethan. Ethan still seems too good for her. I guess I still hold a grudge against Darcy for her jerk-like tendencies, but I'll live. I still really enjoyed the book.

I don't own the next book in the series (I had the first two, which accounts for the fact that I read the second, even having been so frustrated by the first), but I may seek it out. Yay for the series being redeemed!

Book #20: Something Borrowed

20 of 100 completed! 1/5th of the way!

The plot of Something Borrowed, in my own terms: "My best friend is a jerk. Oh no, I accidentally slept with her fiance. But now I love him! We love each other! Awesome! What now? Let's just let the wedding date get closer and closer. So what if they're supposed to get married? LET'S JUST HAVE FUN BECAUSE I LOVE HIM YES AWESOME I DESERVE IT BECAUSE MY FRIEND IS A JERK FACE."

True enough, in some regards. The MC's best friend is a jerk. In fact, she has been a jerk for the 20-odd years that they have been best friends. I don't honestly care if she deserved it or not: the moment the realization that the MC and her best friend's fiance loved each other the wedding should have been called off. But NO. That would be too logical.

Possibly it's an okay book and the content just rubbed me the wrong way, because the writing itself wasn't horrible and I enjoyed it enough to keep reading. But... it all seemed so. freaking. stupid. I can't bring myself to read the next book in the series, which is narrated by the best friend. I have no idea why anyone talks to her at all, because she is such a big jerk. Well, besides the fact that she's stunningly beautiful.

My favorite character was Ethan. He seems to be the only one who isn't completely off his rocker.

"Yeah, it's funny the way the Brits don't celebrate our independence from them... But it's a holiday in my heart, Rachel." (128)

Book #19: The Glass Menagerie

While it may be a play, we read The Glass Menagerie in my English class and I felt like counting it. It was in book form. Therefore... I... um, counted it. We're now watching the film version of it, which I have a feeling I would dislike were it not for the fact that Katharine Hepburn plays Amanda. I love Katharine Hepburn.

I'm not sure how I feel about The Glass Menagerie. I didn't actively dislike it, but I didn't like it much either.

"Go on, I trust you with him! There now--you're holding him gently! Hold him over the light, he loves the light! You see how the light shines through him?" (83)

Book #18: The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday

Before I do anything else, let me say that Alexander McCall Smith is awesome. From this series to the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series to the 44 Scotland Street Series to anything else he's written, I love it all. Read something of his! Please! Also, though somewhat of a non-sequitur, my mom and I have been watching the HBO series based on the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series recently, and it is lovely.

Moving on. The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday is the fifth installment in the Isabel Dalhousie Mystery series, which I have to say has definitely grown on me since its inception. Isabel is an intelligent woman, and her insights are just that: insightful. And while this is proclaimed a mystery series, and there are indeed mysteries of sorts, Isabel cannot really be called a detective in the usual sense of the word. Isabel is an inquisitive, intelligent philosopher; she is merely unable not to look the other way when something out of the ordinary happens, and finds herself untangling problems.

She has also found true happiness, which is quite nice, considering so many things can be written around misery. Isabel is refreshing, the story interesting, and the descriptions of Edinburgh enough to make you want to live there yourself. Overall a great read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Book #17: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Vanessa, my awesomemajesticfantastical friend and sister at heart, wrote of this book in her blog. She is also reading one hundred books this year, and the fact that I can do this with such a dear friend makes the project so much more fun.

I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Books written in letters are generally awesome anyway (Daddy-Long Legs still remains dear to me), and the time period is so right and the characters so fun and... I really wish I was a letter writer now. I am pretty dreadful at email, even, but I wish I could write such gorgeous and interesting letters. They paint such a wonderful portrait of the time, of the people, and of the Society itself.

Also, I gave it to my mom to read. She's enjoying it so far. :)

Book #16: Wintergirls

Wintergirls. Wow. This is such a beautiful novel. Which sounds wrong considering the subject, and even the novel itself, but I found it to be beautiful. I became Lia as she spoke.

The way her words flow, the way she thinks, the pain and trials she suffers... it is all so horrible but beautiful in the almost lyrical way it is told. The whole story feels so real and true, and sad. I am enraptured by it.

I am shiny and pink inside, clean. Empty is good. Empty is strong. (7)

she called me thirty-three times. (31)

The blanket has finally heated up and I bury myself under it. My mouse tummy whimpers because she forced almost a thousand calories into me. (162)

Adrenaline kicks in when you're starving. That's what nobody understands. Except for being hungry and cold, most of the time I feel like I can do anything. (189)

Book #15: How to Ditch Your Fairy

I can't recall how long How to Ditch Your Fairy sat waiting for me to read it, but I'd venture... a year, maybe? A long time, anyway, but after the heft that was East of Eden, this was a good choice. It may not have changed my life, but it was definitely a fun book.

For one, I love the background of the story. I like the minor changes in language and slang, and I like the idea of New Avalon. And the fairies! It's a neat concept.

All in all, though, I think it could have been a little better. I didn't really understand what was so great about the love interest--he seemed one-dimensional to me somehow. What the heck did Stupid-Name's mother do at the end to fix things? Embarassingly, I can't remember any of the characters' names.

Which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy this book. I did, and I would recommend it to the imaginary friends that book review forms at school always refer to. The few qualms I have don't take away from the fact that this is a fun book. It just wasn't... breathtaking, I suppose. But not all books can be, or even should be, in my opinion. It was a light read, and better than many books out there. It was entertaining.

Book #14: East of Eden

I'm getting behind on posting these, but I assure you I'm still reading!

I purchased a used copy of East of Eden several months ago. At the time I had been looking for The Great Gatsby, which I blogged about here previously, to no prevail; I ended up having to purchase a new copy, which irked me, but I'm dithering now.

I had read one Steinbeck novel before this one, Of Mice and Men, but I can't say it enamored me with his work. This changed things. While I'm sure many allegorical elements went directly over my head, I enjoyed the story (and the allegory that didn't drift off into the clouds) immensely. Steinbeck's descriptions are are beautiful, for one. And the storyline! Dear me.

It may not have left me breathless, but I nevertheless loved it. Also, I want Lee for a grandfather or something. My favorite character.

Be sure to check out the YouTube video that put it into my head to read this, because it's excellent.

"I don't know, damn you. You've disturbed my pretty little universe. You've taken a contentious game and made an answer of it. Let me alone--let me think!" (311)

Book #13: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I've waited altogether too long to write this, but here goes. My school library recently added a bunch of new books and have had them on display. This was one of them, and as a friend of mine had recommended it to me, I picked it up (though with admittted glee, as I love shiny new books).

At first I thought the reviews on the back must be overdoing it, with phrases to the tune of "hauntingly sad but beautiful" everywhere, but upon reading the book I have found them to be accurate. It is a beautifully written book, set in a cruel time for women. Foot binding, arranged marriages, death, obeying one's mother in law, nu shu... so many things I had never thought over fully or learned.

While it may be a story difficult to come to terms with, it is nonetheless beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, as the reviews allude. The details have grown a little fuzzy in the relatively short time since I read this, but I truly was kept on the edge of my seat and found fascinating this portrayal of a time period I know nearly nothing of.

I'll tell you one thing: I'm kind of disgusted at the movie Mulan now. I know Disney is known for it, but sheesh! Way to turn a truly horrible time in history into a wholly impossible adventure. Mulan would have had her feet bound, possibly died from it, spent her life in the women's chamber and been married off to an abusive man and his insulting mother. Then she might have died of childbirth, but even if she didn't her worth would only be somewhat solidified if she bore sons. I could go on, but I suppose I've had enough of a tangent for now.

I guess you could say this book definitely affected me.

Book #12: His Lady Mistress

I had not planned on counting this book initially, having pegged it as Not Worthy, but in retrospect I have adjusted my opinion. While it may have been a free ebook from Harlequin, it exceeded expectations. Yes, it is chiefly categorized as a romance, but it had a definite plot, dynamic-ish characters and more than one plot thread. Also, it is a historical novel, a genre of which I especially enjoy. Which isn't to say there were not fluffy parts; rather that they were nor the majority.

So... that's that for now. I was pleasantly surprised at the complexity of this (free) romance novel. Also, I spent all yesterday reading it, so not counting it did not seem at all fair. It may not be great literature, but it was an entertaining way to spend a Saturday.

Book #11: Black and Blue

Black and Blue left me with a funny feeling. On one hand, I liked the book. The story felt real to me, and the way it progressed seemed hopeful for Fran/Beth, who is relocated to Florida with her son when she finally finds the courage to leave her abusive husband.

But then comes the end, which isn't quite a happy one. The tables are turned and Beth is left without the one thing that mattered to her through it all. And while she manges to keep going and find some contentment with the life she has, the story still ends on a sour note. Whether this is realistic or not, I was still dissapointed.

Book #10: Magic Study

This is shaping up to be a very good series. I enjoyed the first novel in the series, Poison Study, immensely and this addition did not disappoint me. The story has developed nicely, and I look forward to reading the last book, Fire Study, soon.

I am a sucker for this type of story--fantasy set in a time that seems long past but isn't necessarily. Along the lines of Gail Carson Levine, Kate Constable, Katherine Roberts... I realize these are all sort of middle grade-ish writers (or at least that's when I first read their work), but the type of setting still stands, and I did (and still do) love the authors mentioned. This series is definitely Young Adult, which I love, and the story really is shaping up to be very good.

Yelena is a true heroine, even if that means she's often brusque, and can stand her own ground. But she means well. She's nice at heart, which can be seen through her 'friendship' with the beggar children at the Citadel in this novel.

And... Valek. Her heartmate, as they say in the book. Don't get me wrong: I like Valek. I like the fact that she is with him, and I like their dynamic and so forth. The thing is this: when I first read Poison Study, I would have never guessed that she would fall for him (and he for her). It never crossed my mind. To me he was merely her captor, even when they became (in the loosest sense of the word) friends. In my mind, he was not in her age range and was just doing his job. I don't know if he is actually too old for her--as the age gap is never mentioned, I have no idea, but my guess would now be not. The point remains, though, that the fact that they are together continues to be weird to me. It came out of the blue and hit me in the head.

Besides that, though, I have very few qualms about this series and I would recommend it. It's a lot of fun to read and the story continues to be awesome. In terms of non-main characters, I continue to love Ari and Janco, and Kiki is turning into a favorite of mine as well.

Book #9: The Great Gatsby

I don't suppose it will come as much of a surprise that I was required to read this for my English class. While I have no major qualms with the novel, I didn't love it either. Possibly if I were to read it again, or have it explained to me in terms of its brilliance, I would like it better.

Generally I love the era it takes place in itself (or at least Jeeves & Wooster, which is basically very amazing), but... I suppose I'm try to say this: I don't have much of an opinion of it (there are a few things I liked about it, but not enough to mention at length). I read it. School taints books for me. Tis a very sad thing.

"They're such beautiful shirts," she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. "It makes me sad because I've never seen such--such beautiful shirts before."

Book #8: Perfect Fifths

Sigh. I'm sad to see this series end, but I'm so so so glad to have read it. I feel as if Jessica Darling were a real person with real faults and experiences and THINGS. Her voice is so unique and wonderful and I am so enamored with these books now.

In previous books we have only heard this story through the diaries of the main character. Perfect Fifths, however, is told in the third person which I find very cool. It's a nice change, and the fact that the story encompasses only a few hours is another neat aspect. And character development! Just ahh. I wasn't sure about this series when I read the first book in the series, or even the second, but the story and the characters woven together through years and hardships and LIFE, and I love it so dearly now.

While my Kindle has a nifty bookmark feature that is perfect for saving quotes, I managed to only save one. While it is out of context, I found it funny at the time.

Natty frowns, a gesture that takes a lot of effort from his freckled, prenaturally sunshiny face. "I wasn't kidding, dude. I've got a whole heart full of nonsexual man love for you," he says.

Book #7: Princess on the Brink

I admit it: It has been a very long time since I last read a Princess Diaries novel. I'm pretty sure I picked up where I last left off in the series, but WHO KNOWS really? Not me.

This was a very quick read, and I found it an entertaining way to pass time during school so my brain does not turn into complete mush, but.... there's a but. Or a few. This could be be because I haven't read this series in so long, but I have a few qualms. Here are a few. That I can think of. In this moment. In no particular order:

1. Mia is annoying. Not TOO annoying. I wasn't reduced to smashing my head against a desk or anything that dramatic. But she's annoying. There's a lot of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! going on, which I guess I can relate to, but still.

2. When the whole 'Precious Gift' situation was going on and Michael's secret had been revealed, and everyone but Mia thought it wasn't a big deal, I had to agree (I guess) with Mia. Everyone was like: "Well, he didn't lie to you. He just didn't mention it." Maybe this isn't so much a qualm as a tirade against Mia's friends and family. I don't know what I'm saying. Moving ON.

3. What's with Kenny and J.P.? They're weird. Who IS J.P., anyway? In fact, I'm vague on who both of them are. It's been a long time.

4. I think Lars is cool. Just saying.

I so fail at this blog. My apologies. In other news, I started Thwonk by Joan Bauer today, and so far I'm annoyed at it. This is unfortunate because I loved (and still love) Rules of the Road and do not want to taint that childhood memory. Not that it will. Maybe it gets better. The 'ZOMG I am a stalker of Random Dude, whom I love' bit is nauseating me.

Books #5 & 6: Charmed Thirds and Fourth Comings

The fifth and sixth books I have read this year are--dun dun dun DUN!--Charmed Thirds and Fourth Comings. I truly cannot express how amazing I find this series. I cannot. Just... ahhhhh. Please read them. Hopefully I can get my hands on Perfect Fifths soon.

I must be off to continue watching the amazing John Green live on Helping Haiti Heal. This is necessary because John is awesome and I must let my brain rest before tackling my evil homework.

[I'm at school 8 hours a day... and then there is homework. I break down regularly because my brain is so often turned into the consistency of melted ice cream. ANYWAY.]

Book #4: Second Helpings

For some unknown reason I started Second Helpings last summer and neglected to finish it. Floundering for a book to take to school with me this morning, I picked it up again, and am very glad of it. I'm really getting into the series now, and can't wait to start Charmed Thirds, which I--thankfully!--already own.

This is the place where I should say something profoundly amazing about the book. I have no idea. I really liked it?

I have about 100 pages to go on Little Women and Sushi for Beginners remains about half finished, so I really ought to stop procrastinating and complete them, but procrastinating is kind of what I do. It's a bit of an (unfortunate) unofficial job of mine.

Book #3: The Thirteenth Tale

I finished The Thirteenth Tale last night. There aren't really words to describe it. The characters, the STORY, wanted to completely absorb me all week, but being harried with school and whatever else swims through my head, I couldn't let it. I snuck surreptitious glances at it throughout the day, peeking in for a few pages at a time.

This book is beautifully written, the story unfolding so hauntingly but so (I hate myself) awesomely on the page. As I may or may not have complained at you enough times before, reviews (and even opinions) are not my strong point. But I loved this book. I can honestly say I have never read anything like it before. Even in tragedy, I loved (many of) the characters, from the Missus to John-the-Dig to Aurelius and even Mrs. Winter herself. This book touched me, and while I can't summarize it with awesomeness or even articulately express my own thoughts, I truly do recommend it.

The amazing Vanessa, who I am lucky enough to have as a friend and soul sister, recommended this book to me. Her birthday is tomorrow, so I think you should deluge her with awesomeness. Love you, sis!

Book #2: Little Stalker

I finished Little Stalker last night, on my Kindle (still major 'Eeeeeeee!' factor there). One of the reasons I chose it, to be honest, was that it was four dollars and some cents for Kindle. I admit it, I'm cheap, even if The Magnificent Kindle may be an Extravagant Awesomeness.

If I'm not mistaken (but let's be honest here, I often am), Meg Cabot (an author) mentioned Little Stalker on her blog. I can't recall what was said about it, but it must have been enough for me to have put it on my wishlist, because... well. It was on my wishlist. [edit: I searched my RSS reader and found it was actually Sarah Dessen. I told you so!]

Ultimately, I'm pretty disappointed in this book. While I didn't hate it, it left me unfulfilled. The plot/story never felt real to me. I didn't like the main character's boyfriend, or that the way she let things carry on with Arthur Weeman as they did without alerting someone. Her father was frustrating, and it seems to me he shouldn't be allowed to practice medicine if he can't remember anything. There were a lot of subplots spread to and fro about the novel, which just made it more confusing. The only thing I really liked about the book was Mrs. Williams.

So... I didn't like it much. I could sit here all day listing things I didn't understand or frustrated me, but I'm not. It was quirky, certainly, but... eh. That's all I have to say. I really don't want to go on.

Which isn't to say you wouldn't like it. I hate not liking things. I'd love to love it, but I didn't. I'm conflicted.

On a less confusing note, I started reading Little Women today. I've seen many movie versions of it (love the one with Katharine Hepburn! Ahh!) and read an abridged edition in fourth grade, but I've never read it in its entirety. Loving it so far.

[and tomorrow's my birthday. I feel I must say this as often as possible.]

Book #1: The Kite Runner

I completed The Kite Runner last night. See, this is where it gets difficult. Do I review my 100 books, as well? Just say 'I read them'? I'm thinking I may have to find a happy medium somewhere, because the latter seems too little and the former I'm really bad at.

Here are my thoughts. I was intrigued at first, drawn in by the storyline and unfamiliar setting. However, when it came to the 'tragedy' that the main character is haunted by throughout the rest of the novel, I just... It was difficult for me to go on. There was much complaining and angst, as I moped around the house and my mother made me set a goal to keep going.

When I managed to get through that part, though, it wasn't as bad. I was again drawn into the story as the main character, Amir, transitions and 'grows up', as it were. By that point I couldn't put it down, and finished it yesterday evening.

As I noted in my last post, this was required reading for my English class. So while I'm ultimately glad I read it, I'm still hesitant to recommend it. I'll tell you this in truth, though: of the books I have had to read in English this year, I liked it the most (though I'm not sure how much that is saying, considering the other contenders).

It was a dark, emotional book, so it really depends on how you stomach such things. One of the reasons I was frustrated to have to read is because of just that: if I'm going to (potentially) be turned inside out at any point in a novel, I want to do it on my own terms.

Basically, I have no idea. I told you I'd be no good at this.

January 1st

Today is January 1st. In case you aren't aware of this. Interestingly, this is the only resolution I've decided on so far. I've never been big on resolutions, so maybe this will be the only one. Who knows?

Last year I read 50 books. These books, specifically. I also track what I'm reading, etc, here. So if you're interested in that sort of stuff, have at it. And, of course, I'm always on Twitter complaining about one thing or another, so there's always that for entertainment.

To be honest, I have no clear plan as to how I am going to do this. I'm hoping it will magically fall into place, because I am not a very scientifical person. This could never fail!

So, the lineup so far is this: Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes, Little Stalker by Jennifer Belle and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Why, might you ask? Because I started them in December and have yet to finish them. I am going to count them for 2010... because I can.

The Kite Runner I have to finish by Monday, because I was supposed to read it during break for my English class. Bad Katherine!

The last piece of information I have for you before I sign off is this: I do have quite a few books lined up to read (not that I know the order, but they're sitting in various stacks around this room), but I -did- get a Kindle for Christmas, so if you have any suggestions, feel free! Rationing Amazon gift cards happens to be my specialty.

Happy New Year!