August Book Haul

This month our basement flooded and books were destroyed. (After weeping for them) Most of the books were my Mom's old architecture and art books that can't be replaced. We also went to see my godmother who happens to be an educational consultant. Since insurance decided to cover some of the cost of the books I got to go BOOK SHOPPING!

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Goodreads

Ransom Riggs did what none of us thought to do- vintage photos and sci-fi horror story. What I appreciate the most about the book is the formatting and design. The book echoes the Art Deco and Great Gasby fully and I adore that.

How Did It Begin? The Origins of Our Curious Customs and Superstitions by Dr. R. & L. Brasch Goodreads

The cover of this book reminds me of old almanacs. I've always liked the pictures and illustrations that remind you of the late 1800s. How Did It Begin? sates some of the curiosity caused by Dan Brown's character Robert Langdon the symbologist which caused me to want to know about the origins of everything.

A Dark History: The Kings & Queens of Europe by Brenda Ralph Lewis Goodreads

This book was a nod to my childhood obsession with European monarchy. I used to adore the Tudors and the fall of the Romanovs (check out Tsarina the book). This is just a chronicling of the most dramatic stories that one could read for short pleasure reading.

Cracking the SSAT & ISEE by The Princeton Review & Guide to Getting Financial Aid 2007 by CollegeBoard

Yes I am 13, but my godmother is an educational advisor and I wanted to throw you all a curve ball. I might read one chapter from the financial aid book becuase it is so outdated. I am applying to boarding schools this year becuade my Dad might be getting transferred and the SSAT are standardized tests for boarding schools.

That sums up some of the books I got in August.. Say hi to my antique desk!

Meet The Book Blogger

I was thinking of starting this as a new monthly feature. I don't really talk about myself on my blog and feel the I should connect with my readers more. I've also thought of doing for the longest time and felt it would be a place to put a bit more of me in. This month its a lit card about me. It is inspired by The Mile Long Bookshelf's About Me Page which I thought was the most original thing when I first saw it.

Summer Review The Book Thief

This post is part of a series where I review books that are a part of my summer reading list. I won't rate them or talk about their writing because my teacher didn't want that. It is mainly going to focus on  my relationship with the book. Hope you like it! Goodreads Amazon

Camp Books

I'm at camp so why not do a feature on the books here. I decided to collect a bunch of photos from my friends of their books and put it on the bedspreads, some of which are very cool. Most of the books YA but there's some classics thrown in and others too. 

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The Uglies Trilogy by Scott  Westerfield 

I simple found that trilogy simply captivating when I was reading it. I obsessed over Tally and her friends last year. It is probably one of the best sci fi series I've read.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 

I have a love hate relationship with The Mortal Instruments. The plot is well developed but I find that the writing is a bit blunt. It's however very addictive and you can't help but finish them.

The Glass Bead Game by Heraman Hesse

 I have never read a book by this man who is a German-Swiss poet. The girl who was reading seemed to be enthralled however and loved this vintage 1943 (original publication) book.

Hiroshima by John Hershey & Pride and Prejuidice by Jane Austen

Hiroshima is about six survivors of the atomic bombings of the city in Japan. I believe this book was summer reading and provided a good insight into the life of post World War II Japan. Pride and Prejuidice is simply a masterpiece of historical fiction and romance. 

What books have you seen people reading this summer? Tell me in the comments.

Summer Review: Bud, Not Buddy

This post is part of a series where I review books that are a part of my summer reading list. I won't rate them or talk about their writing because my teacher didn't want that. It is mainly going to focus on  my relationship with the book. Hope you like it!

I have to say that Christopher Paul Curtis wrote a decent book this time. I found that compared to The Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963 it was a much better book with an understandable point and plot. The feature of the rules about having a better life and becoming a better liar I found very irritable that they didn't have a complete list anywhere. The fact that it was placed in the Great Depression I felt added no extra benefit to the book and it's placement in time did not really educate me. The most memorable point was probably the jazz band as that was an original feature. I found the first description of hearing the band the most true line in the entire book. The way that Bud couldn't tell which instrument was his favorite till Miss Thomas started singing showed the true power of music. 

Summer Review: The Red Badge of Courage

This post is part of a series where I review books that are a part of my summer reading list. I won't rate them or talk about their writing because my teacher didn't want that. It is mainly going to focus on  my relationship with the book. Hope you like it!

The Red Badge of Courage is not a memorable book. To this day I still don't really know who the characters are. I found the metaphors during battle the only thing that got my attention. The book's metaphor referenced everything in life one could think of. I found the glory of gore (Lorde reference anyone) in the book quite detailed and accurate. The feeling of being arrogant and then falling down to have face reality is a familiar feeling. We all have had to face something we thought we could conquer but then failed. Arrogance is one of the many challenges people around the world face. The great moral question posed by The Red Badge of Courage is where the appropriate line of confidence and arrogance lie and when is it okay to have a little of either.