Twilight

This book gets better, right? I'm about halfway through it now, and, honestly, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Edward is bi-polar. Bella needs hit with a cluestick. It isn't love...it's obession - at least from what I've heard so far. And the story is boring to me. *yawn* Edward ignores Bella. Bella gets pissed at Edward. Edward acts nicer to Bella. Edward is crypic with his answers to Bella's questions. Bella gets pissed at Edward. Bella moans about the weather/town/life in general. Repeat in various orders. *yawn*

It isn't the vampire thing. I like vampire stories.

I suppose I should hold on to hope that as the book continues on, I will really start to enjoy it. I'm tempted to start another audiobook, though, and to send this one back to the shelves.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I just started listening to this book today. OK. That's a lie. I started listening to it last winter or spring - long enough ago that I can't recall when. I didn't finish the first CD then, as I had many, many books that needed to be read/listened to at the time (in preparation for a presentation). So, it was placed on the back burner. Since then, I've heard so many people talk about the series. A high school student my husband worked with saw the CD in my car (when the hubster was driving it) and was very excited to think that he read the book. LOL That would be a no. It's definitely not his type of story.

So...I've started again. I've listened to about 1 and a half CDs so far. I'm not sure if it is the narrator or the story that I'm not liking. I guess we will see. I've heard people rave about the character Edward, but so far I want to smack him with What-the-Hell-is-your-problem stick. We'll see if my opinion changes as the story continues. I hope so! I do want to enjoy this book.

Meez.com

A fun site I recently heard about. You can create animated avatars for free, as well as play games. Playing some games will earn you coinz. These coinz can be used for various items that your avatar can wear, animations your avatar can do, or backgrounds your avatar can use. It's free to play the games, too. The pic by my profile? That's a headshot of one of my meez.com avatars.

If you want to sign up, let me know. I can send you an evite. Both of us will receive some coinz that way! :D

Right Behind You by Gail Giles

Another quick, easy read. I started this book Saturday and had it finished by last night. Granted, I was off yesterday, but I think even if I had worked, I would have finished it just as quickly.

The plot? When Kip was 9 he killed a boy. After spending 4 years in an asylum for the young criminally insane, Kip is released. His name is changed to Wade, and his family moves from Alaska to the Midwest US, where they live for the next 3 or so years. Kip - now Wade - must fight his inner demons, and overcome the guilt he feels for his past actions.

The book started out great. I was really enjoying it. The story seemed mostly believable. However, the last few chapters just didn't jive to me. For the topic of the story, everything wrapped up too prettily. Also, the time spent in the Midwest started out descriptive. It wasn't too long - just right. However, when the author decided to fly over a year or so in just a few pages, that's when I think the story started to go downhill. Seriously? Two or three pages and we go from the end of freshman year to junior or senior year of high school? I want more info...more detail.

That being said, I do love that Kip/Wade's father and stepmother stood by him through the thick and thin. They were strong, positive people in his life. Overall, though, I wasn't impressed with this book.

On to the next one...

Alabama Moon
Right Behind You

I've been a reading fool the past few days.

Well, not really, but it seems like it. I finished listening to Alabama Moon last night. Although I had been very much enjoying the book, I could have done without most of the last CD. Yes...it was a happy ending. However, so much of it felt forced. It was so pat and predictable. Granted, it's a book written for upper elementary-middle school students, and the main char (Moon) did deserve a happy ending, but, oh, I don't know. It just rubbed me the wrong way.

Yesterday, I also finished Right Behind You, which gets its own post...just because I want it to. :D

Derby Girl

I finished this book last night. It was great! I love me a happy ending. :D

Alabama Moon
I'm almost finished listening to this book. I'm really surprised by how much I am enjoying it. Moon's innocence about the "real" world and his expertise about living off the land are a great juxtaposition. He is surprisingly sociable for a child who grew up in such an isolated manner.

I admittedly know little about living in the wild; however, the author’s descriptions of what Moon does to survive ring true to me.


More info on the book here.

Derby Girl
I'm about halfway through this book, and man, am I loving it. It really calls to my inner punk. Shauna Cross' writing style is fresh and true. I can hear Bliss (the main char) as she narrates the book. I can't wait to read more! The chapters are short, so it is quick reading. The book itself is a small one - about 230 pages. This is a teen book. More info on the book.

FYI: Ohio has a roller derby league! Check them out here.

GoodReads.com

I'm addicted to this site. Love it! It's great for organizing my books - what I've read...what I want to read...what I am currently reading. I can organize all of the books onto many "bookshelves" however I feel the need - by genre, by age level, by format - however I want. I can even put a title on several "shelves". It's great.

Book Discussion Group

This past month I attended - for the first time - a teen literature book discussion group. The group is made up of mostly school librarians, with a couple of public librarians tossed in for good measure. I had wanted to attend the previous month, but there was so much going on with work, etc., that I needed to cut something from my schedule.
Some of the books I've read for the discussion group:

September

• Boot Camp by Todd Strasser - I thought this book was OK. The end was too quick, and I think that the author could have done a much better job with the topic.
• Wickedly Lovely by Melissa Marr - Overall, this book was decent. Love. Faeries. Parties. Magic. What more could you want? Not a fave, but not the worse book I've read.
• Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins - Loved this book. Thought it was funny, and the lesson wasn't pounded too much into the reader’s brain.

October

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexi - Loved this book. It was funny. It was sad.
• How It Happened in Peach Hill by Marthe Jocelyn - a nice story, but it not as good as I expected. I was bored thoughout most of the book.
• The Trap by John Smelcer - Ok. I admit it. I didn't read this one. I hear it is excellent. I just don't think it is my type of book.

November
(a.k.a. what I am suppose to be reading now)

• Derby Girl by Shauna Cross - I am reading this book and loving it so far. The main character - Bliss - calls to my inner punk. Ah...how I long for blue hair*. Think I can get away with that at work?
• Deadline by Chris Crutcher - I have this book, but haven't started it yet. I love CC's books...yet, I couldn't get into the last one I tried to read (Sledding Hill). Just could not read it. I think it is putting me off of this one.
• Right Behind You by Gail Giles - I'm still waiting for this book to arrive. Supposedly, it is in transit to me.

*I really want fire engine red hair. I had stripes like that once. I fear I am getting too old for it now. *sigh*