Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan Review

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

I finished this book with a smile. Literally, I just couldn't wipe it off my face. There is a magical quality about the whole story, the ending. I don't think I'll ever be able to put my finger on what exactly makes me adore John Green's writing so much, but I can definitely tell you why I love David Levithan's. He brings this rawness, this incredibly emotional rawness that I can't tear my eyes away from. Name an emotion, and you will find it in Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Anger, fear, joy, contentedness, nervousness, you name it. And these emotions all lead somewhere; they have a greater overall message, one that tugs on your heartstrings in the end.

Humor is a huge part of this novel as well. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud lines, some that will have you clutching your stomach, and others that only require a brief chuckle. Thankfully, there wasn't much crude humor (as often found in Green's other books,) but the profanity was a bit over the top for me. No doubt I hear each and every one of those words regularly at school, but I choose not to use them. It's exactly how the majority of teenagers speak, so I felt that, most of the time, this book rang true. Seeing it in writing sometimes feels more harsh than hearing it, however.

Rating: 8.5/10

I am obligated as a Nerdfighter (what's this? click here!) to point you over to John and Hank Green's Youtube Channel, Vlogbrothers, where you will never leave un-entertained.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by the lovely Kristi of The Story Siren.

From Traveling Arc Tours:

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world

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Won from contest at Pirate Penguin's Reads:

A collection of dark faerie tales inspired by folklore, myth and legend told in the haunting lyrical style of dark poet E.J. Stevens.

From the Library:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human ... until the cold makes him shift back again.

I'm so excited to get into all of these!! Have any of you read Shiver? Thoughts?

<3 Cate

Under the Lamplight: Sandy from Pirate Penguin's Reads

Under the Lamplight is a bi-weekly meme that I have created to get to know the blogging community! If you're interested in being interviewed, please email me.

The spunky and ever-funny Sandy from Pirate Penguin's Reads is joining us this week!!

Blog Link: www.piratepenguinreads.blogspot.com


Could you give a little blurb on your blog?
Pirate Penguin's Reads is my own little corner on the internet where I am always talking about books! Because I am a book geek! ;D I mostly focus on the YA genre but I don't limit myself to just that: sometimes I read an adult title or the occasional middle grade.


What got you hooked on reading- did you love it as a child, or was it something you grew into?
I loved it ever since I could understand written language, lol. I don't know where my love of books came from-my parents weren't exactly avid readers. My father's choice of reading material was the newspaper (boring.) and my mother barely reads. (a tragedy, in my opinion.) My crazy love for books must be recessive :)


How were you introduced into the blogging world?
I originally had no clue about the blogging world. I always used to go online to find out about the latest books, stalking author sites and clicking away link after link where I'd discover more books that needed to be read. Eventually (I remember this clearly) I stumbled onto The Story Siren's site. I'd occasionally read her reviews but since I didn't have a blogger acount back then, I never commented or anything. But the idea of a book blog stuck with me for a long time and then finally I just decided to try it out.



What’s been the most fun or exciting thing you’ve been able to do on your blog lately?
I have a lot of fun interviewing authors and participating in ARC tours. Those are great! Plus I love being able to connect with so many fantastic book bloggers (*coughCATEcough*)


*blushes* Right back at you!!
What’s your opinion of books made into movies? Love ‘em or Hate ‘em?
It depends. I try to not compare books to their movie counterparts because I KNOW that movies never perfectly match the book; to avoid frustration/anger, I just walk into a theater with an open mind. Most of the time the books are waaay better than the movies.


You can only afford to purchase one book at the bookstore today. What do you choose?
Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier. It's a great book. :)


What’s your favorite guilty-pleasure T.V. show? Or book?
Guilty pleasure T.V. show.... probably Vampire Diaries. As for books? Fluffy romance novels.


What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
Mmm... that I'm interested in bellydancing. I seem so serious and I know people wouldn't expect that of me. xD



If your life were being made into a movie, what would it be called, and who would you cast?
I wish my response could be as creative as this question! I think you may have stumped me, Cate. um... let's see.... I would title my life Whirlwind. Because a lot of things, whether they're weird, scary or wonderful, happen to me. As for an actress....honestly I'm not sure. BUT! Can I choose my romantic male lead? Can I have Hugh Dancy? Please?


Haha! Yes, you can have him...if you promise to share! ;P Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for the fun interview! ;)

Movie Review: How to Train Your Dragon

When I stepped into the movie theater, Coke Icee in hand, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much. A cute, cheesy little kids' movie. Boy, was I wrong.

HTTYD was, to begin with, was aesthetically gorgeous. The animation was spectacular; I can't even describe how detailed everything was. The artists left no stone unturned- it was clear that they spent as much time creating the sunsets as they did on the dragons themselves. I was completely blown away. I'm not really a fan of 3D movies, but I think this one would be really awesome, especially with all the flying scenes.

The storyline was SO. ADORABLE. First of all, Vikings? And not just any Vikings: dragon-slaying Vikings! It was original and had a sense of humor. I just completely fell in love with it. And there was a kick-butt girl, Astrid, who I just adored. Girl power!! I was so excited to learn that this was also a book. I've gotta get it now!!

So, if you're looking for something funny and sweet and obviously a labor of love, I'd go get your tickets now! This is a must-see. :D

Rating: 9.5/10

Top Ten Picks: Books You Have To Read At Least Once

This feature is being hosted over at Random Ramblings!!

The Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale

This is one of my favorite books. Ever. It's a retelling of (you guessed it!) The Goose Girl, from the Brothers Grimm. Hale uses the most beautiful, descriptive writing I've ever read. She's an amazing storyteller. I'll let you find out for yourself before I get too fan-girly on you. ;P


The Book Thief
By Markus Zusak














If you have not read this book, you have not lived. Markus Zusak is by far one of the most brilliant writers I have ever read. The Book Thief is one of the saddest, most gratifying books. It is an experience within itself.


The Truth About Forever
By Sarah Dessen














Oh, how I love this book. It's Sarah Dessen, so you know it's good. Wes is by far my favorite Dessen boy. Sa-wooooon. ;P


Hold Still
By Nina LaCour














Read my review from last week. It's wonderfullness is all explained there.


The Actor and the Housewife
By Shannon Hale














Hale's sense of humor really shines through in this book. It's SO FUNNY. And heart-breaking. And wonderfully satisfying. :)


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
By J.K. Rowling














No matter how much this book's explanation of Horcruxes confuses me, this is still one of my favorites to reread. I can't wait to see the film adaptation!!


The Joy Luck Club
by Amy Tan














I read this last year, and absolutely loved it. I remember that some of the names were a tad confusing, but the book itself was a work of art.


East
by Edith Pattou














This is one of my favorite retellings. It's lengthy but beautifully written and worth every page.



The Little Princess
By Frances Hodgson Burnett














This is one of my favorite classics. I used to read it all the time as a kid; I just love all of Burnett's writing. I remember for a project in elementary school we had to make a newspaper based on a book we read, and this is the book I chose. It was an awesome project; I just love that time period. I have to pick it up again soon!


Eyes Like Stars
By Lisa Mantchev














I just discovered this book in January, and immediately fell in love with the story. The characters made the story so enjoyable, and Mantchev has a sense of humor that any author would envy. ;)

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins Review

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

It took me about seventy pages to get into Hex Hall. Yeah. Seventy. It's not that the beginning wasn't interesting, or that it didn't lay a good foundation for the story. It just felt like there wasn't enough going on to keep me engaged. I was expecting more of a Sabrina-the-Teenage-Witch kind of plot, and it sort of was, but to the extreme. Also extremely slow. Thankfully, though, after that first chunks, the plot started to take off.

Hawkins makes Sophie an extremely relatable teenager, I think. She's like an actual person; she's flawed, and maybe even hides a darker side. I really love flawed characters, it makes them so much more interesting. That was one thing I loved...every character, no matter how screwed up, was completely three-dimensional. And Hawkins has an incredible sense of humor; there were dozens of laugh out loud moments. It's been a long time since I've laughed that hard reading. :)

Towards the end, Hex Hall was one of those I-don't-want-to-put-it-down reads. If you're looking for something light and a little bit cutesy, I'd pick it up! I'll probably be sticking around for the sequel; Hawkins leaves you at this incredible cliff hanger, haha!

Rating: 7.5/10

<3 Cate