Book Report - City of Glass

Title: City of Glass
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 541 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: A+

What it's about: To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

The ending is the most important part: Yes!! Finally!! The ending was so perfect.

Last word: I know that there are more books, but this seems to be the perfect ending to an awesome trilogy.

Spoilers after the jump

Book Report - Extras

Title: Extras
Authour: Scott Westerfield
Length: 417 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: B+

What it's about: It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. "Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of "American Idol." Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn't care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for.

The ending is the most important part: I liked this ending much better than Specials. This story was complete and wrapped up nicely. I'm glad Scott Westerfeld wrote this one

Last word: The series have been redeemed somewhat. While this story can stand on its own, it's a much better ending to the Uglies series than Specials was.

Spoilers after the jump

Book Report - The Mortal Instruments City of Bones

Title: The Mortal Instruments City of Bones
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 485 pages
How long it took me to read: 2 days
Grade: A

What it's about: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air.

It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk.

Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

The ending is the most important part: The ending has a bit of a Star Wars twist (more in the spoilers) which I kind of saw coming, but in a good way.

Last word: I am so on board with reading every book in this series.

Spoilers after the jump

Song of the Day - "Treasure" Bruno Mars

Feel free to turn this up and just dance. Bruno Mars has such great soul. I just heard this song for the first time while I was in the shower and I actually danced right there in the shower. I couldn't help myself.

Then I choked because I got water in my mouth.

Song of the Day - "MMM Yeah" Austin Mahone ft. Pitbull

I know that you're thinking I've lost my mind, and wondering what is UP with all the poppy music, but COME ON. I dare you to not shake your whatever you desire when you hear this song.

I love this song, there is no denying it ever. I will always love it. Even with Pitbull, but the version without Pitbull is better.

Book Report - Allegiant

Title: Allegiant
Authour: Veronica Roth
Length: 526 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: A

What it's about: The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

The ending is the most important part: The ending made complete sense to me - I liked it.

Last word: Now I want to re-read this series back to back with no breaks. Where's a cave I can hide in for a week?

Spoilers after the jump (Major, major spoilers)

Song of the Day - "Fire Woman" The Cult

Back in 1988 I went to a Metallica concert just because The Cult was the opening act. It was fun to tell all the metal heads in my school that I was going to be at the Metallica concert and see the looks on their faces that this preppy/waver chick was going to see Metallica. None of them were clever enough to clue in that I was only there for the opening act.

(Full disclosure - I left that concert with an enormous appreciation for Metallica)

So this song is one of my "theme" songs. I am a bit of a pyromaniac, I'm a Sagittarius (fire sign), and have a fiery personality. I always thought I should have been a redhead because of it.

Anyway, this is one of MY songs.

Book Report - Pretties

Title: Pretties
Authour: Scott Westerfield
Length: 384 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: B

What it's about: Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.

The ending is the most important part: This series just keeps getting better.

Last word: I am definitely continuing with this series. I even got used to the terminology.

Spoilers after the jump

Song of the Day - "Wild Heart" The Vamps

Sorry for the bubblegum nature of this song but it's spring and everyone needs to feel happy every once and awhile.

Deep inside of me there is a bee bopping boy loving teenage girl that prevents me from having disdain for this type of music. The same girl that was obsessed with the likes of Duran Duran and Bros.

I'd call it a guilty pleasure if I was ashamed of it, but I'm not.

Admit it, you found it catchy and now you're humming along.

Song of the Day - "Ball of Confusion" Love and Rockets

Another time machine song. I am instantly transported to Grade Nine and my high school dance at The Zone. I loved that place. I loved this song and had it totally memorized.

Imagine my surprise to find out that this was a cover of a Temptations song. That version's good too.

Song of the Day - "Kiss Me on the Bus" Replacements

I included the video with the lyrics for this one so that you could know all the lyrics.

This is such a time machine song for me. It takes me back to when I was too young and also too poor to have a car, so riding public transportation was the only way to get around. I would take the bus to Vancouver to meet my friends, some of them boys, some of them not, but kissing on the bus was always the best.

Sometimes I just cringe so hard at the things I did in public when I was young and foolish.

Song of the Day - Airhead Thomas Dolby

This is the only Thomas Dolby song that I like. My sister won the twelve inch of this at a dance and played it all the time, so this is her song.

Weird, I remember this song rocking a lot more and being a lot more danceable - must have been the mix that Mrs. Bowie had.

Just listen to the words - they're the best.

Song of the Day - Not in Love Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith

Holy Cats! I am obsessed with this song!!!

It's a Platinum Blonde song that I loved in the eighties, sung by Robert Smith of the Cure, and has this excellent electronica groove. I love the sound of this song. So haunting, so danceable - it speaks to both sides of my personality.

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Book Report - The Secret Lives of Dresses

Title: The Secret Lives of Dresses
Authour: Erin McKean
Length: 290 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: Dora is in love with a man who barely notices her, has a job she doesn’t care about, and dresses entirely for comfort, not style. All a far cry from her vivid, eccentric childhood, growing up with her beloved grandmother Mimi.

However, when disaster strikes, Dora knows she has no choice but to return to her childhood home and take over running Mimi’s vintage clothing shop. And there she makes a surprising discovery – Mimi’s been writing stories to accompany every dress she sells. Romantic, heartbreaking tales about each one’s secret life before it got to her shop...

Dora starts to matchmake these lonely frocks with new owners, but will the stories help her as well? Trading her boring high street clothes for vintage glamour is one thing. What she needs to know is whether she can trade her safe old life – and love – for something better too?

The ending is the most important part: The ending was lovely - but I want more!! I wanted this book to go on forever. Sequel, please!

Last word: I recommend this book to everyone. It is a wonderful story full of all things lovely and beautiful. I want to live in this book.

Spoilers after the jump

Book Report - Buck up Little Buckaroo

Title: Buck-up Little Buckaroo!
Authour: Mary Ellen Edmunds
Length: 221 pages
How long it took me to read: 1 sitting

What it's about: It’s been a challenge to write a book about loneliness. I didn’t want to write one that would make someone who was lonely feel lonelier, or that would cause someone who seldom if ever feels lonely to say, “This isn’t my thing.” I have hoped to write a book that would help all of us—in our own loneliness, or in our desire to reach out to those who are lonely.

The ending is the most important part: I was very satisfied with this book.

Last word:  What a joy to read!! I recommend this book to every single human in the world. It will totally buck you up.

Spoilers after the jump

Song of the Day - O Children

I feel like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are one of those hidden gems that once you've found them, you just can't forget about them. I love, love, love, lurve Nick Cave. Just listen to that voice!! It's so unique and so soulful.

Yes, this is the song that Harry and Hermione dance to in the tent after Ron leaves in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I. This song really spoke to me then, and then my niece posted it on Facebook therefore cluing me in to the fact that it was Nick Cave, and I was all 'no wonder it spoke to me so deeply'.

Since I discovered the song thanks to Harry Potter, I thought I would post a Harry Potter video. Hope you like it.

Book Report - Insurgent

Title: Insurgent
Authour: Veronica Roth
Length: 525 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was just what it needed to be; a cliffhanger.

Last word:  I spent a good portion being mad at either Tris or Tobias as they acted really stupid in this book. Really interested to find out how this series ends.

Spoilers after the jump

Book Report - The Spectacular Now

Title: The Spectacular Now
Authour: Tim Tharp
Length: 294 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days

What it's about: SUTTER KEELY. HE’S the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town, and with the help of Dean Martin and Seagram’s V.O., life’s pretty fabuloso, actually.
Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life—or ruin it forever.

The ending is the most important part: I'm kind of put off that everyone got a good ending except for Sutter. This ending disappointed me and made me sad.

Last word:  Sutter Keely is to the new millennium that Holden Caufield was to the fifties. I loved this kid. Warts and all. He was definitely no phony. I recommend this book.

Spoilers after the jump

Song of the Day - Mirror

This song by Ellie Goulding is in Catching Fire so I thought I would include this video version.

It makes my skin all goose bumpy and shivery.

If you've seen the movie, or are familiar with The Hunger Games at all, watch the video. I love Ellie Goulding so much, I loved Catching Fire this is a brilliant marriage.

Song of the Day - Team

I feel like it's inappropriate how much I am enthralled by Lorde considering the difference in our ages.

I love her words. She is such a lovely poet. The words of this song are so great, but I also love the chanting at the beginning. It's so different from anything else I've ever heard. No wonder she's getting played all over the world right now.

I'm kinda over being told to throw my hands up in the air. So there.