The Hunger Games Movie

Guess what. Guess WHAT! My absolute favorite book, the HUNGER GAMES is going to be adapted to be a MOVIE! I am screaming right now, but you can't hear it. Lionsgate is going to produce the film. Tho there is no concrete info who are cast and director, it is said that Suzanne Collins has agreed to write the screenplay. I don't know when its supposed to come out, but hopefully not long.. My prediction is next year.! isn't this exciting!!!!!. 

a day of first

I had just came back from my first overnight soccer tournament. We won, and this is my first championship, along with my first medal. Also my first time going to John's incredible pizza experience, like a big chucky cheeses. 

Guess What...

Guess what book I just bought? Hunted. Yep, I know you'll are jealous. Just wait till I review it. So far in the book I am in love with Heath. He's my favorite. I am currently reading Black Rabbit Summer. Yep i was reading that one, and stopped to read hunted, but i will finish it soon. don't worry. 

Reading...

At the moment I am reading Crank. I know I know, I should have been done with it already, but I haven't. I am really busy, and am lucky that I already are halfway through the book. I have had volleyball/soccer tuesdays and thurdays, American Idol to watch, one more day of soccer a week, and add that with homework, you've got a busy as a bee schedule. Sorry. But I will update soon. 

Ellen Hopkins everybody!

I have been lucky enough to be granted an interview with the splendid Ellen Hopkins. She is the author of the favorite books Crank, Impulse, Burned, Indentical, and Glass. She is a poetic and deep writer, making her work one of another world. Thank you so much Ellen Hopkins. 

Q&A with Ellen Hopkins

Q: What was your inspiration for Impulse, Crank, and your other books?

Inspiration comes from many places. Friends, family, in the news. Readers' stories, even. With Impulse, it was because we lost two teens to suicide in one year, in the small valley where I live. With CRANK, it was a personal story (see below).

Q: Where do you get inspiration for your characters? Are they based off people you know, or made up entirely?

CRANK and GLASS are loosely based on my daughter's story of meth addiction. There are threads of real people in most of the other characters, too. I think all authors bring threads of real life into their writing.

 

Q: How do you start writing your books? Do you get an idea, and go from there, or research for the perfect topic?

Ideas come to me all the time. I have more ideas than time to right them. Once I know what I want to write about, however, I research meticulously.

 

Q: Are you a natural writer or have you taken classes to get to where you are today?

Writing with passion takes a certain intuitive talent, I think. I have taken many classes to learn how to write better, but the drive is inborn.

Q: When did you begin writing?

I've been writing pretty much since I learned how. Even when I wasn't writing to make a living, I was writing something. Poetry. Short stories. Later articles and nonfiction books, all before tackling novels.

Q: When you were young you were adopted. How was did that effect you? Did that have any influence on your own adoption?

I always felt wanted because I was adopted. Of course it stung a bit to think my biological parents didn't want me but I understood they were to young to raise me well. I suppose it influenced our decision to adopt Orion, because every child should feel wanted and loved.

 

Q: What are some of your favorite books and why?

I was a big Stephen King fan, and especially loved his earlier work--Thinner, Dead Zone, The Shining, Carrie. All are character-driven, which is important to me. A close second is Ken Kesey, who wrote One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and my favorite--Sometimes a Great Notion. Again, character-driven, and hard-hitting. Superb books.

Q: Many young teens are wishing to be the next Ellen Hopkins or Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games). What advice do you have for young writers. 

To read voraciously and write from the heart. Build multi-layered characters first, and let plot flow from character. Never try to force your characters into a plotline you conceive first. That's where you'll get into trouble.

Q: How were you and your books discovered?

I sat down at a writers conference with an editor at Simon and Schuster. She was critiquing manuscripts and I showed her a picture book, which she loved. However, she didn't edit picture books and asked if I had anything else. I had five pages of Crank written at the time. She liked it and asked to see it when I was finished. Two months later, I had 75 pp finished. I emailed her and asked if she'd like an exclusive first look. She said yes. Three weeks later, I had a contract.

Q: Why do your books tend to end in a sad tone? Do you do this for a certain reason? 

I tend to write about difficult subject matter. Rarely do these issues result in "happily ever after." I hope I leave readers feeling like I gave them honesty and at least a small sense of hope for my characters.

Thank you very much for this interview Ms. Hopkins. I really appreciate it. 

The Patron Saint Of Pigs

The Patron Saint of Pigs

Lauren Myracle

In this installment of "Let It Snow", Jeb's ex girlfriend is suffering severe separation issues. She didn't mean to cheat on him with Charlie, and she definitely should have died her hair pink. Now Abbie, is trying to survive the Christmas Season, without Jeb. 

I really like the ending part of this book. It has all the characters from all three of the books meet in Starbuck's. She see's happy Stuart with Jubilee. The Duke with Tobin... This was though one of my most unfavoritest of the threesome. It was kind of slow and confusing. She makes it like that woman depend on man to live a complete life. It should seem that way though. I would give this book a B.

A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle

Tobin, Duke (girl), and JP are in the ultimate race to get down to the Waffle House, first to see the 14 cheerleaders that are cooped up there. The catch, they have to be there first, with TWISTER, to be admitted, and their not the only ones looking for the prize, other are in it to win it, and ontop of that are feets of snow. Will they get there in time? Only reading this story as soon as you can can tell. =]

I like this story first off because John Green wrote it. Another factor is that it is a romance also. It was pretty good except for the fact that some of the acts were unreasonable. I mean to hike in the snow miles just to get to a waffle house, and then going back because you forgot your twister. Gracetown might be a small town, but much mischief occurs. 

I would give this book an A- to a B+

The Jubilee Express

The Jubilee Express

Maureen Johnson

This is the first story of the three part story "Let it Snow". I decide even though they are connected, that i would review them separately. 

Jubilee, after her parents go to jail after being caught in a squabble, is left on christmas eve to be sent to her grandparent's house to spend christmas. Away from her boyfriend, the perfect Noah. After her train get stuck in the snow, she treks to the nearest heated building, a waffle house. She meets Stuart, and learns alot about her relationship with Noah, while staying with his family for christmas. 

I love this book. Stuart is such a sweet character, and Jubilee in this book has a teen epiphany about her boyfriend. Noah, isn't a mean and horrible boyfriend, he is just a little bit too not concerned with her well being, and after being through a horrible day, he still is the same, and Stuart helps her realize that. I would give this short story an A. 

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

Kate Brian

After solving who killed Cheyenne and who was haunting her with her death, Reed is off to St. Barths with the Billing Girls for the Christmas Break to relax at last. But Reed is a "hurricane", bringing destruction where ever she goes. And even miles away for Easton, she gets into trouble. Trouble In Paradise?

I like this book, though the end is just like the previous book. Upton, the "single hottest male specimen to walk this earth", is a main character in this book, and is new. He is British, and all the girl covet him. Seriously, what do you think the 'Upton Games" are about. I think he's pretty cool for a playa. This is a good book, not the best I've read, not the best of the series, but definitely gets some props from me. I'd give it an A in the PaperMovieReportCard. 

Just to comment on the cover, I don't really like it. In the book they supposedly dress like super models all the time, but in this cover I just think that the are looking like dopes. Who wears all green? Also, why do all the models look older that 16 - 18 year olds? If your going to get models to promote the book, try to get models that match some of the characters in the book. The ones in the background aren't as bad, but the first one, eesh.... She looks mad and evil...... Like Medusa without the purple and snakes. 

Cycler

Cycler 

By Lauren McLaughlin

What would you do if you were forced to change sexes for 4 days every month? Jill has a disease that no one has heard of. Instead of having her period, she changes into "Jack", a man. She has been like this since she was fourteen. Her excuse is that she needs blood transfusions every few weeks. So when her "inner man" starts getting bored and escapes the jail of his/her room, and visits her best friend Ramie, who he's in love with, he makes life difficult for Jill. All she wants to do is go to the prom with Tommy Knutson, and Jack is interfering with her life. 

This is a very weird but interesting book. It's the first book that I have read about a sex changing woman. Mix that up with high school life, crazy parents, you've got CYCLER. This book isn't too bad, but is really kind of weird. How this idea came up, I don't know, but this is ...wow.... interesting. The plot would be kind of lame without the he/she problem. I would give this book a B, for keeping me interested, but scaring me off at the same time. Better than some books though... (Generation Dead).

Shopping

So i have just been shopping. I went to Borders and a five dollar or less bookstore. Here are the newbies. 

Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin

M and F? by Lisa Papademetriou and Chris Tebbetts

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

I Was A Non Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott

Paradise Lost by Kate Brian

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Looking for Alaska by John Green

I plan to read these along with other that have yet to be opened. Even though I has a disorder of buying too many books, give me recommendations, and you can consider them read. After all, my readers come first. 

And if you have read any of these, tell me how you feel about them, I would love to know. Although I have already read Looking for Alaska (I know own two copies - plan to give away as gift, don't worry) and Peeps. 

Please forgive me for lying, I am putting Crank on hold, and reading Cycler and Paradise Lost. I will read Crank, do not fear, these are just shorter. 

Impulse

Impulse

Ellen Hopkins

Vanessa, tried to cut herself to death. Tony, tried to overdose himself to death. Conner, tried to shoot himself to death. All have different stories. All have one thing in common. They all failed in their attempts of suicide, and all ended up in a rehab center. In their strict new way of life, they work through therapy, hurtful family relations, and friendships, to get out of rehab. 

This is a kind of depressing book. Teenagers trying to off themself, already living painful lives. It is a good book, but since this is the first book that I have read, I am going to give Hopkin's the benefit of the doubt, and I am starting to read Crank, another one of her poetic books. Another interesting aspect of her books, are that they are written poetically. She makes it hard, yet different to read. I would give this book a B though some would disagree with me. 

Tweak

Tweak

Nic Sheff

Born from a broken family, he has two fathers, two mothers, and two siblings. Having a good life is something he wasn't far from. But then he started drugs. Always wanting the best for his brother and sister, he was always there for them, until the drugs. He was good in school, until drugs. He had a good life, until drugs. In his autobiography, he describes his live in and out of rehab. His life with Zelda, a woman with a boyfriend, and almost twice his age. His short lived, only physical relationship with another. His nothing but supportive friend Spencer, and his family. He has done everything to be done. Meth, Heroin, Speed, Crack, Mushrooms, you name it. In this book you follow his journey from taking drugs, to being clean, to selling drugs, to being clean, to doing drugs......

This is a hard book to read. Not in the sense that it is literary difficult, but to have to comprehend that someone has gone through this. If you are curious about drugs and it's effects, this is the book to read, before you go out and try these substances. You can see the side affects and the addiction and the problems that come with drugs. I like this book alot. I can see that it took a lot of effort and strength to describe and share his experience to the world. If he doesn't know this, but he probably save many lives, just scaring kids away from the wrong lifestyle. 

P.S. I Loathe You

P.S. I Loathe You

Lisi Harrision

In this addition to the Clique series, the girls, Claire, Massie, Dylan, Alicia, and Kristen, are back and ready with the boyfast officially terminated. With Claire back with Cam, and Alicia together forever with Josh, all seems good right? Wrong, Dylan whose was a C-minus (crushless) becomes a C-plus, to taken, things get complicated. Kristen is torn between The Pretty Committee, The Witty Committee, and being herself, and when her two best friends use her to get the same guy, she has to choose, beauty or the nerd?

Okay, so this book is one of those series that are good when you start it, and then start get boring when you read on forever, but since your loyal, you read every new book anyway. So when this book came out, I wasn't expecting much, since the Summer series had me bored. Well i predicted true, and it was just ..... a book. In this one, Massie is a mean friend, Alicia is Alicia, Claire is caught up in Cam, Dylan is being sneaky, and Kristen is being torn. I am going to read the next book, because, i am an addicted reader, and don't give up(except for the A-List, that was a goner). I would give it a C , but if you are a Clique fanatic, you should still read it, since it didn't blow. 

New Releases

Tuesdays are great. You know why they're so great. Well let me explain. Not only does American Idol come on on Tuesday, but it is New Release day at bookstores. Here are some new libros out.

Paradise Lost by Kate Brian

P.S. I Loathe You by Lisi Harrison

Envy by Godbersen

Fade by Lisa McMann

and in two weeks, Hunted by the Cast come out. 

So there you go, the magic of tuesdays. 

Wake/Fade

Wake and Fade

by Lisa McMann

I love these books. I don't love the fact that they are really short, but i like the facts that they are so interesting. Fade follows wake. In both Janie, can see people's dreams, only with many side affects. Cabel, is a fellow high schooler who just happens to be worried about her. I would tell you more, but that would ruin the story, and i wouldn't do that to you, my faithful readers, only my best friends. But, no, i can't even do that. they put me on a "are you done with (enter book name here)" only restriction. This means i cannot talk about the book they are reading until they finish it, because i have a tendency to say, "have you gotten to the part where...." and they haven't, so i have been punished. Way off subject, tho i thought you should know. 

AHhh...

I just got back from a soccer practice! I know, it's just soccer, but it been like a month and it feels so good to be back again. Just wanted to let you know. 

Bass Ackwards and Belly Up

Elizabeth Craft

This is a sweet book. Out of all the characters, Harper, Becca, Sophie, and Kate, Becca is my favorite with Sophie behind as a close second. I also hate TREY and love Sam and Stuart. You'll get it soon enough if you read the book. I don't care for Magnus and Adam. Tho i love the name adam. (in third grade, i was named Adam in the yearbook, tho i didn't have an adam in my family at all?) There is a second book, and i have yet to read it, so look for that one soon. 

So when Harper lies to her friends and tells them that she decides to not go to NYU when she doesn't get accepted, and how she's going after her dreams to write the next Great American Novel, two of her other friends decide to take off college, she feel guilty, but still cannot tell the truth. Sophie, goes to LA to make a living as a actor, and Kate goes backpacking to find her dream. All the while Becca keeps her plans and goes to college, but breaks her own rules, when a Football player shows interest in her. 

A busy bee...

Sorry i haven't updated in a while, i just have been so busy. I just barely have time to write this note let alone read or review. Sorry. I will get  back on schedule as soon as i can.