Banned Books Challenge

For this challenge, all banned and challenged books you've ever read count. The point of it is to read 50 of them, not necessarily 50 new ones. But, of course, if you'd like to choose 50 new ones, then that is wonderful. This is a perpetual challenge and has no end date. If you'd like to join me in this particular challenge, just leave a comment saying you'd like to participate and then a link to where you will show your progress on the challenge. Book reviews are not required, but, of course, accepted. A few short lines on what the book was about and whether you found it worthy of reading in and of itself (as oppose to the singular fact it may be worthy of reading just because it is banned).

This challenge is put on by Lost in Books.  Head over there for more info and book suggestions!

Here is where I will keep track of my progress!

1.  The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown (banned in Lebanon and by the Catholic Church)
2.  Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
3.  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
4.  Carrie by Stephen King
5.  The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
6.   The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
7.  The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
8.  Lord of the Flies by William Golding
9.  Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
10.   To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
11.  A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
12.   Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Ironically a novel about book burning and censorship.)
13.  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
14.   Little House in the Big Woods (challenged for “fueling the fires of racism”)
15.  Little House on the Prairie (challenged due to derogatory remarks about Native Americans)
16.   Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
17.  A Time to Kill by John Grisham
18.  My Antonia by Willa Cather
19.  Cantebury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
20.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (In South Africa)
21.  Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (In South Africa)
22.  Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
23.  Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
24.  The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
25.  A Wrinkle in Time by Madelaine D'Engle
26.  James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
27.  The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney
28.  Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
29. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
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I will also keep track of my read on this shelf on Goodreads, and also try to write a few reviews, if I can remember all of these books!  I can't believe how many I've already read that are considered banned!  Crazy! Long Live Free Speech!

Half Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout

Goodreads

281 pages
YA Parannormal Romance
1st in the Covenants series

Synopsis:  The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

My 2 cents:  I really enjoyed this book!  The book started off with a big action scene, and just didn't let up!  There was plenty of action and forbidden romance in this book!

I loved Alex.  She talked so much smack, and acted totally bad ass to everyone who knew her, but underneath she was just like any other 17 year old girl.  The synopsis doesn't explain what her turmoil is really about--it starts out with her mother who was recently murdered by the daimons, and the decisions she made that now affect Alex.  Most of what goes on in this book is totally out of Alex's control, which she hates.

She slowly develops feelings for her trainer, Aiden.  It was pretty evident to me that Aiden was crushing on her long before she was crushing on him!  But anything between the two would be forbidden.  If that isn't enough for Alex to deal with, the most powerful Pure Blood has also developed some king of interest with her, and she can't stand the guy!

Other than Alex, there wasn't very much character development in this book.  I'm hoping we get more of that in the next book.  Most of the characters were pretty flat, with the exception of Alex, Aiden, and Alex's best friend, Caleb.  The plot was good, but another version of the same kind of plots we've already had (Vampire Academy, Fallen, Evermore) but this is a fresh take on it, especially everything going on with Alex's Mom.  Overall, I give it 4 stars!

Beautiful Creatures Movie Trailer

So I feel behind the times! I didn't even realize one of my favorite books was being made into a movie!  Figured it out when I saw the new cover on the book at my local bookstore!  I then had to find the movie trailer, and I have to say, I think this will be a good movie!  It will be in theaters on 2/13/13!

Here's the trailer for your enjoyment!

I have to say, not so impressed with Ethan, but very impressed with the actress they cast for Lena?  What do you think?

The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa

GoodReads

Paperback, 304 pages
Includes 3 short stories: Iron Fey #1.5, 3.5, 4.5, and a Guide to the Nevernever

Synopsis: .Winter's Passage

Never make a promise to a faery. They always come to collect. Now Meghan Chase must fulfill her promise to Prince Ash of the Winter Court and embark upon a dangerous journey into the heart of enemy territory—while being pursued by a relentless new foe and guarding her own foolish heart.

Summer's Crossing

What can turn enemies into reluctant allies? A call from the Exile Queen, Leanansidhe, ties legendary prankster Puck to his archenemy, Prince Ash, on a journey that may end in betrayal and will set them both on an irreversible path.

Iron's Prophecy

Before she ever knew what she might become, Iron Queen Meghan Chase was warned by the oracle that her firstborn child would bring nothing but grief. And even as Meghan and Ash celebrate their long-awaited union, the prophecy stirs.…

My 2 cents:  Overall, I was thrilled with this book!  I had Summer's Crossing and Winter's Passage as an ebook, but its nice to have all the short stories in one volume.  I'm seeing more and more of this in other series as well (the Lorien Legacies for one.) I went ahead and reread both short stories, as well as the new parts of the series!

Winter's Passage was my least favorite. Maybe its because it takes place so early in the series, but it didn't really thrill me.  Its mostly a lot of running around the Nevernever, with Meghan worried about her and Ash and the Winter Court.  Honestly, I felt this could have been included in the 2nd book, The Iron Daughter.  

I loved Summer's Crossing!  Its an adventure between Puck and Ash, and I've realized those are my favorite moments in the series!  Both Ash and Puck are very well developed characters. I wish Julie Kagawa would have developed Meghan as well as these too!  

Iron's Prophecy was my favorite of the short stories, because it sets the tone for the next series.  It's a spin off series involving Meghan's brother, Ethan (all grown up!), and Meghan and Ash's son.  Looks like there are going to be some dark times ahead in the Nevernever!  

I also loved the Guide to the Nevernever.  Julie Kagawa had me laughing out loud through most of it.  She gives us humans a survival guide, if we should feel so inclined to visit the fey!  Most of the advice is run, and expect to die! lol Very funny!

Overall I gave the entire book 4 stars.  If you are a fan of the series, you will want to read this!

My Reading Week Re-Cap

So after a couple of busy weeks of summer I've concluded that I don't really have much time for my blog!  I have read so many books this summer, and haven't really reviewed any of them!  I did rate them on Goodreads.  So I think I'm going to try to do just a weekly re-cap of my reading week.  If I'm able to have time to post more, then I will, but this atleast will motivate me to post at least once a week!  So here goes!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/162085.Pretty_Little_Liars

I haven't watch the TV show yet, and a few of my friends love this show!  So I thought I would read the books first, like I always do!  It was pretty good.  Very creepy in a lot of ways, which was a pleasant surprise!  I gave it 4 stars!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8635145-embrace

I LOVED this books!  I can't wait for its sequel!  The romance angst in this one was top notch!  I need to know what happens to Violet and Linc!  5 stars!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12384972-the-princesses-of-iowa

Since I'm from Iowa, I was really excited to read this one!  I always love reading books from Iowa.  This was no exception.  This book had a fabulous plot, characters, everything.  And great romance as well!  A great contemporary young adult book!  5 stars!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12432220-the-false-prince

This was a great fantasy read!  It is actually classified as a  children's book; I think because of the reading level.  But the story has lots violence, and is worth reading!  Reminded me a little of Cornelia Funke's novels, which I love!  Gave this one 4 stars

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10890463-immortal-hearts

Finally read the finale of the Vampire Kisses series.  I never really got hooked on this series.  It was just okay for me.  I did want to finish it though, just to find out what really happens to Raven and Alexander.  I won't give away any spoilers, but the ending satisfied me.  Almost kind of relieved this series is over!  Gave it 4 stars.

That wraps up my reading week!  I am currently reading:

which is very different, but good so far!  Hope your reading week went well, too!

In My Mailbox #9

I feel so behind on my blog!  Summer has hit with a bang, and I have been very busy!  I have had time to read,though, just no time to review anything! So I'm going to do a quick re-cap here!

Books I've Recently Read

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12908877-until-i-die

I gave it 5 stars!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387392-the-catastrophic-history-of-you-and-me

I gave this one 4 stars!  One quick note on it--if you haven't read our heard of this book and you love the 80s, you need to read this!  Full of 80s pop and references!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5391115-the-awakening

I gave this one 5 stars!


Okay, now onto what I received in my IMM this week!

All the books I received were from the library:

What did you receive this week?

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Synopsis: Once a century, One person is chosen for greatness.
 Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses.  The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can't see how she ever will.
Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king--a king whose country is in turmoil.  A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.
And he's not the only one who seeks her.  Savage enemies, seething with dark magic, are hunting her.  A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior, and he looks at her in a way no man has looked at her before.  Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.
Elisa could be everything to those who need her most.  If the prophecy is fulfilled.  If she finds the power deep within herself.  If she doesn't die young.
Most of the chosen do.



My 2 cents:  I absolutely loved this book!  It had everything--great characters, a great plot, lots of suspense!  I especially loved Elisa--the author made her seem so ordinary, so imperfect.  It was hard to imagine that this chubby girl who loved pastries was going to save their country from war!  It really was a hero's journey--Elisa had to learn a lot to become such a kick ass heroine by the end!

I also loved the world that the author created.  I love getting immersed into a new imaginative world, and Carson delivered on that one!    The fantasy element was also great in this.  I love how the Chosen one centered around God, and was chosen by a Godstone in the baby's navel when they were named, in a special ceremony.  It was a very different way in building this world.  I saw lots of comparisons to our own world--how the majority of the public scoffs God in everyday life, and many more misquote sacred texts to try to understand their religion.  Very clever!

All in all, a great read, and if you haven't read it, I hope you will!  5 stars!