2010 Debut Author Challenge

I just decided to join this challenge, hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren, because many of the books I'm reading have just been released or they will be, and after reading the challenge's guidelines, I noticed that I, being an International blogger, can list books released years before too. Which is great because I don't have the same access to those books published in this year as most of you do.

So, here's my list for the challenge. I reserve the right to change it any time.

1. The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa (2010)
2. The Iron Daughter, by Julie Kagawa (2010)
3. Manifest, by Artist Arthur (2010)
4. Moonlight, by Rachel Hawthorne (2009)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

I seriously hope I can finish this challenge!
Wish me luck!
Ella

Audio Book Reading Challenge

I've deciced to join this Challenge,
basically because listening to ABs (audiobooks) is the best way to procrastinate there is.
You can be doing anything, or just chillin' listening to an AB on your mp4.

I'm participating by listening to 3 ABs
(level 1: Curious)

It begins on January 1st and runs through December, 2010.
You can join anytime!

Want to know more?
Click here and go to the original post.

The Fury, by L. J. Smith

Summary (from Amazon):

Centuries ago, two brothers – Stefan and Damon – fell victims to the power of love, their legacy being to live through the ages as the undead – vampires.

And now Elena, her lifeless body discovered in a river, walks the earth once more, sharing their fate – and causing brother to fight brother in an inhuman contest for her love. But when a terrible darkness rises from the past, a raging hatred that threatens to destroy all those she loves, Elena knows she must bring Stefan and Damon together again – whatever the cost to herself…

My Opinion:

I'm loving this series. This is for those who hate the Twilight Saga, but still like to read a vampire story every once in a while.

The world L. J. has created is keeping me on the edge of my seat always wanting to know more. This is a really fast-paced book, and I assure you you won't be bored at any time.

Elena, Stefan and Damon, they all know what they want and they go for it. There's no whining from any of them (at least, not a whining we see), but just pure action.

I'm torn between these two brothers, loving them at the same time; not in a selfish way, like Katherine; more like Elena, in a realistic way.
Everyone who's read this book can agree with me in saying that they both love her in their own way. Stefan found his love returned, while Damon puts on a brave face and pretends he doesn't care, which to me, makes him even more lovable. I have a thing for bad boys.

What I liked about this book, is that Elena knows exactly what she can and can't do. Having died, and come back in an unnatural way, she knows she has to stay away from the places she used to go when living. She does make some exceptions, to check up on her family, but she doesn't show up at their door step, and pretend nothing's happened. What striked me as a selfish behaviour from her at the beginning of the series, has grown to become an altruistic personality in Elena, when the time came to protect her loved ones.

Never in a million years would I have guessed what came next.
The Power that drove Elena to the bridge in The Struggle makes a strong character in The Fury, and it's one you'd never have imagined.

Elena and her friends have to stick together to defeat the threat this Other Power represents. A Power who's stronger than Damon and Stefan put together.

Once more the cliffhanger is a painful itch in the chest. I've grown to like this characters, and I wouldn't want anything bad happening to any of them.
I'll have to read Dark Reunion to find out what happens next.

Read my Review for VD: The Awakening and VD: The Struggle.

-THIS IS PART OF (THE ONLY CHALLENGE I'M IN RIGHT NOW) THE VAMPIRE DIARIES CHALLENGE-

Buy it from Amazon

1st in Series Challenge

Guidelines for 1st in Series Challenge 2009

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.
3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.
4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009

I'll be updating my list of books for this challenge as I read them:

1. Marked, by PC and Kristin Cast
2. The Summoning, by Kelley Armstrong
3. Vampire Diaries: The Awakening, by L. J. Smith
4. Los Días Del Venado, by Liliana Bodoc
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Want to join? Go over to J. Kaye's blog and join now!

August Reading Challenge

Pizza's Book Discussion will be hosting the August Reading Challenge to see which blogger can read the most books in August. I know I won't but I'd like to participate to see how many books I can read. It'll be a cool challenge for me, and since I have time, I was thinking about getting some cool books to read.

I'll be posting this challenge's books here.

If you'd like to join, head over to Pizza's blog by following the August Challenge link above.

I finished my Reading Challenges!

YAY for me!
OK, not so much. I had set myself to read four books for the Spring Thing Challenge, and I ended up reading three. But, no harm done... so, on to my read books!

* El Pequeño Vampiro y el Paciente Misterioso, by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg.

Not one of the best Children's Books I've read. Read my review here.

-This book was in my list for:
* the Spring Thing
*and Read your Name Challenges (ELLA: A from Angela -author).



* Las Crónicas de Narnia: La Travesía del Viajero del Alba, by C. S. Lewis.

I loved this book! Here's my review.

This book was on my list for the following challenges:
*Spring Reading Thing,
*Read Your Name Challenge (ELLA: L from Las Crónicas...)
*and Once Upon a Time III Challenge.




* Let's All Kill Constance, by Ray Bradbury.

Another book I liked, not loved, just liked. Read my review here.

This book was on my list for the following challenges:
*Spring Reading Thing,
*Read Your Name Challenge (ELLA: L from Let's...).



I'm still reading Eva Luna (ELLA : E for Eva). The reading for that book is going somewhat slow. I'm more into Sarah Dressen and the Cast girls atm.

- write a post for my finished reading challenges, done! (Bloggiesta Update)-

xoxo,

Today's Book: The Little Vampire and The Mystery Patient by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg

The Little Vampire (original title: Der kleine Vampir) is a children's fantasy series by German author Angela Sommer-Bodenburg that follows the adventures of young Anton Bohnsack and the child vampire Rüdiger von Schlotterstein (Tony and Rudolph in the English Version).

In this particular book (there are 19 in total) Anton goes to the psychologist, Mr. Schwartenfeger, who tells him he has a pacient that could be a real vampire. Anton proves that no member of the Schlotterstein family is such patient, but it's a new character (Igno Rant), who indeed is pale and leaves a rather strong moldy scent around him.

My Opinion: I didn't like it very much. It was OK, but it left out too many things, left me with a lot of questions. And I thought it ended at the last page, but apparently, you have to read the entire collection to know everything about it, the ending was a bit off. No one told me this.

Monkeyshines:
*How long did it take Ella to read the book?
-Five days. Not in hours, though. Maybe, 20 some hs. In the course of 5 days. :P

*Did she like or relate to any of the characters?
No, the characters are too young, and she didn't relate to any one of them.

*What was her favourite line/part of the book?
There wasn't one.

*Was this a good read for Ella?
It was OK. She liked it, but the rather abrupt ending threw her off. Maybe she should read the next installment to find out what happens next...

Monkey Rating: 3 Monkeys.

*Authors' Website?
http://www.angelasommer-bodenburg.com/

*Statistics:

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Wayland (April 1992)
• ISBN-10: 0750011858
• ISBN-13: 978-0750011853

xo,

Today's Book: Las Crónicas de Narnia: La Travesía del Viajero Del Alba de C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader)

I know that there must be tons of reviews on this book out there, but this is a must for my Reading Challenges, so bare with me please :)

Yesterday I finished reading the fifth Narnia book, it only took me 5 days (cause it wasn't the only book I was reading).

"The Dawn Treader is the first ship Narnia has seen in centuries. King Caspian has built it for his first voyage to find the seven lords, good men whom his evil uncle Miraz banished when he usurped the throne. The journey takes Edmund, Lucy, their cousin Eustace, and Caspian to the Eastern Islands, beyond the Silver Sea, toward Aslan's country at the End of the World." narniafans.com

This book tells the story of Lucy and Edmund Pevensie going back to Narnia 1 year after having helped Caspian claim back his throne (three years have gone by in Narnia). The children have to go to their aunt and uncle's after their parents leave to America, only taking Susan with them (Peter is going to college). There they meet their cousin, Eustace, who is a really spoiled kid. At his house, the 3 children find a way to go back to Narnia, and once they're there, they must help Caspian find the Seven Lords who were friends with his father, and travel farther than anyone has dared to sail, to find Aslan's Country.

*I thought this book was: ;) GREAT!

This book was on my list for the following challenges:
*Spring Reading Thing,
*Read Your Name Challenge,
*and Once Upon a Time III Challenge.

Wanna read it? Buy it now on Amazon.

greetings from the dark road,

Sunday Edition #1

*Thanks to I Heart Monster for introducing me to this new book, Give up the Ghost by Megan Crewe. Check out an excerpt from Chapter One here.

*I thought this chapter was: ;) GREAT!

*Storyline: (from Megan's website)
Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over "breathers." Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody... and Cass loves dirt. She's on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.
But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass's whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim's life, she's surprised to realize he's not so bad--and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it's time to give the living another chance...

*Release date for this book's set for September 15th.
Preorder this book on Amazon.

*******

*Things are getting quite hectic for our SGP friends (if you haven't checked out their blog yet, follow this link). They keep up updated on their journey to create the coolest film production company the world has ever seen (and I'm not just saying). One Tree Hill's actress, Hilarie Burton; writer, Nick Gray; and producer Kelly Tenney, make us feel that we're part of their crew. SGP's Street Team (of which I'm a proud member) is a place where we share thoughts on how the Crew's doing, and with the upcoming website (that is supposedly going to be up this Wednesday!), we get the chance to put our little grain of sand by helping mighty Ali, help the Crew with some details for the new site. It makes me feel (and I think it's not just me) that they really want to know what their fans are saying. They are really down to earth people, and I just can't help to laugh out loud with their awesome vlogs!
So, to them, and all of those that are on this now getting-larger-little-engine-that-could, I say BRAVO!

p.s.: check out this cool video that KT shared with us yesterday, it's really nice, and like he said "it made me think of all our friends around the world helping SGP... Take 5 minutes and listen."

*******
Reading Challenges
*I've oficially given up on Hamlet. I just can't concentrate while reading it! I thought this book was :( COMPLETELY BORING!

*****

Random Section
Give Up the Ghost Character Quiz

You're most like Cass!

*Cass McKenna has had it pretty tough--first her best friend turned the whole school against her, then she started seeing ghosts everywhere she looked. It's no wonder she's isolated herself from everyone but the dead. But Cass has a strong sense of morality, stubbornness to spare, and plenty of compassion for those who deserve it. When the popular kids are taking advantage of their more clueless peers, Cass isn't afraid to fight back.

Right on! Now you take this quiz.

********

*I have oficially started writing my new story, and I'm loving how it's turning out! So, I thought I'd share a bit about it with you all.

It tells the story of Alma, young/old woman/lady (she doesn't quite know), after having been kicked out of Heaven (now, I'm not a believer, no offence to those who are, but the story line just came to me and I had to make the most of it, so I decided I wasn't going to change it) for stealing innocent people's souls. She's just a carefree (person?) who "took" the souls of those whom she thought didn't deserve to live. For instance, an unfaithful husband who cheeted on his wife. She took his soul, but without permission from her boss, who constantly told her "it wasn't (his) time to go".

And that's it for today, I don't want to ruin it!

*************

p.s.: I'm still waiting for Elise's copy of "The Pillowman" to arrive, I'll write a review as soon as I finish it.

Have a great Sunday night everyone!

greetings from the dark road,

Today's Book: Let's All Kill Constance

I just finished reading "Let's All Kill Constance" by Ray Bradbury, and let me tell you that I loved it. It's just the kind of book I like to read, mysterious, addictive, with a touch of black humour.

"Let's All Kill Constance" tells the story from the narrator's POV (RB himself?), in which one stormy night, aging-Hollywood actress Constance Rattigan, knocks on his door and hands him over two Death Lists, with the names of once-famous people, most of them dead, and others marked with a red circle and a cross signaling that Death is coming for them. After this, Constance mysteriously disappears, leaving this unnamed man alone to solve the riddle. He goes to his friend Elmo Crumley and asks him to help him.
The narrator and his friend begin the quest to find Constance, visiting the people from the Death Lists -who, shortly after their visit die under strange circumstances- and help her deafeat Death. Along the journey, they are joined by blind man Henry and film director, Fritz Wong.

Intriguing and disturbing, this mystery novel will make you want to read it in just one sitting.

I thought this book was :) NICE!


Click here to read my review of another of RB's books Dandelion Wine.
(This book was on my list for my Reading Challenges)

greetings from the dark road,

Reading Challenges

So, today I found some reading challenges that I liked, they are:


9 for 09: I'm joining in the "Used"(Eva Luna, just bought it at a used books store) and "Cover" (haven't found this one yet) categories.

Read Your Name:
E: Eva Luna, by Isabel Allende.
L: Let's all kill Constance, by Ray Bradbury.
L: Las Crónicas de Narnia: Las Travesías del Viajero del Alba (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), by C. S. Lewis.
A: Antes del Fin, by Ernesto Sabato.

Spring Reading Thing:I'm reading the ones above, plus, I need to finish Hamlet! (5 books).

Once Upon A Time III: I'm choosing to start by reading a Fairy Tale Book, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

So, overall, I've got 5 books to read by June 20th (some of them by then, others by whenever).
I will keep you updated on my Challenges, and if I have the time, since I have other books to read and I have to study -even if I don't want to-, I may join other Challenges that appeal to me.

Let the reading begin!
xo,