HMS Challenge

This Challenge is being hosted by Nicole over at WORD For Teens, and it didn't really sound like any challenge I had heard before. Go sign Mr. Linky at the link above if you're interested! Here's the fabuloso description:

Way back when, the ocean had yet to be explored. We knew nothing about it. Then, the HMS Challenger was sent out - its challenge? To scope the ocean and learn it's secrets.

With that in mind, readers, I challenge you to read (or reread) ten books between now and September 19th of 2010. But not just any ten books. These books must involve water - be it about pirates, mermaids, or the coast of California, fiction or nonfiction.

The question is - can you handle it?

My ten books are as follows:

1. Bloody Jack, by L.A. Meyer. {Firstly because I've heard many wonderful things and secondly because I just checked it out from the library}
2.Peter Pan, by J.M. Barrie. {Mermaids AND Pirates! AND Never-Never Land! Beat that!}
3.Piraticia by Tanith Lee {Nicole recommended this on her post. I trust her judgement. :)}
4.Mermaid Park by Beth Mayall {oooh. Title is intriguing, don't you think?}
5.Pirates! by Celia Rees {Title is self-explanatory}
6.Benjamin Manry and the Curse of the Blood Bones {I believe I won this book on a contest over at WORD For Teens...one less to search for!}
7.The Life of Pi {Supposed to be amazing- and it has a shipwreck!}
8. Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli {I've heard wonderful things about this author! Can't wait to dive in! Excuse the pun.}
9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain {Oooh.}
10. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway {Probably the hardest of the challenge. Because, well, it's Hemingway. But it's fairly short and supposed to be very good.}

So very excited!

<3 Cate

Forest Born by Shannon Hale Review

The fourth installment in the Books of Bayern, Forest Born, follows Rin (Razo's sister!) on the final journey of the series.

I thought that Shannon Hale took a little bit of a twist with this book; it was quite different from the rest of the Bayern series. Rin was a much more emotionally wearing character than Isi, Enna, or Razo. And although the books are usually written in close third person, I sometimes almost felt like I was reading in first person, just because of the focus on Rin's struggles. Rin isn't my favorite lead character, but she certainly was interesting to read about.

Forest Born has one major twist in it, one that I didn't expect AT ALL. After reading one line at the end of a chapter, I do believe my jaw dropped open (no exaggeration.) Major surprise element!

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. Not my favorite Hale book, but maybe after I've read it a second time I'll have a different opinion; I generally do. If you do decide to take on the Bayern Books, I would recommend starting with the Goose Girl, and not skipping books. It is possible to follow the series out of order, but that surprise element I was talking about earlier- will have a much greater effect if you read the previous books. :)

Rating: 8.5/10

Update

Hi Everyone! Sorry for my inactivity of late; hope to be back on track by the end of this week!

Today I learned that I've received the Honest Scrap award from Nina at J'adore Happy Endings- thanks so much, Nina! I've actually never seen this award before, but I think it's a great way to promote honesty and integrity in the blogging community.

This is the Honest Scrap Award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart.
The rules: Pass it along to seven other bloggers and then list ten honest things about yourself.

My Seven:

Will be up soon! (Homework has created some time restraints for this post)


My Ten:

1. Gilmore Girls, despite being off the air, remains my favorite t.v. show. I have seen every single episode (thanks to Blockbuster mail)

2. I found out that I have never really been challenged in school until this year. I'm not really sure that's settling well with me.

3. I love baking. Cookies, brownies, carrot cake- you name it!

4. I hate heights. Roller coasters are the only exception to this rule. Because, well, roller coasters are thrilling (and you're strapped in.)

5. Getting letters or packages in the mail makes me incredibly happy.

6. I am terrible at talking in front of people, and I haven't found a cure. I still shake, stammer, and cringe before I walk in front of the class.

7. As a kid I was obsessed with American Girl Dolls. Felicity especially. Any of you ever play with those?

8. Ingrid Michaelson is my favorite singer...anyone else like her?

9. Although I've always enjoyed reading, my real frenzy began in the fourth grade, and hasn't slowed much since.

10. If I could wear pajamas to school, I would.

<3 Cate

River Secrets by Shannon Hale Review

Razo has no idea why he was chosen to be a soldier. He can barely swing a sword, and his brothers are forever wrestling him to the ground. Razo is sure it's out of pity that his captain asks him to join an elite mission--escorting the ambassador into Tira, Bayern's great enemy.
But when the Bayern arrive in the strange southern country, Razo discovers the first dead body. He befriends both the high and low born, people who can perhaps provide them with vital information. And Razo is the one who must embrace his own talents in order to get the Bayern soldiers home again, alive. -Goodreads

Thanks for bearing with me through my Shannon Hale phase, everyone! One more to go, and then there'll be a little more diversity in reviews!

River Secrets has never been my favorite of the Bayern Books; I've always been more drawn to The Goose Girl and Enna Burning. This time around, however, my appreciation for Razo's story went up a few notches. I'm not all that sure what happened...but I felt like I could connect with Razo and found him to be such a humorous and lighthearted character.

I'm not going to get too fangirlish now, but if you know me, you know that I adore Shannon Hale's writing style. Each sentence is carefully crafted and incredibly fluid. I can never get over just how beautiful her writing is.

Although you can pick up any one of the books of the Bayern series and understand the plot, I would recommend you start from the first book. Happy Reading!

Rating: 9/10

Let's Be Friends Award

Thanks so much to Kathy over at Bookworm Nation for presenting me with this award! I'm delighted to pass it on to other bloggers! First, however, you must read this well-crafted description:

Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

I know that many of you bloggers have probably already received this award, but humor me! Know that one more person also finds you incredibly friendly and appreciates your kind efforts:

*Sandy at Pirate Penguin's Reads
*Melanie at Melanie's Musings
*Nicole at Word for Teens
*SuzyQ at From Eye to Eye
*Briana at The Book Pixie
*Rocs at A Beginning, Middle, and End
*Alley at Sarcastic Humour and Chewed Up Pen Caps

In My Mailbox (2)

This week I have and IMM post to share with you. Here are some books I picked up this week:

From a contest hosted by The Story Siren:







From the Library:





I'm excited to read all of these; each looks very interesting and all the covers are gorgeous!

<3 Cate