Review: Th1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker–his classmate and crush–who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

Thirteen Reasons Why was one of those books that you cannot put down.  I started it eighth period Monday and finished it at about 8:30 that night.Jay Asher’s characters are very real, and the emotions are expressed very well.  The only qualm I had with this book was that Clay’s reactions to Hannah’s stories sometimes got in the way.  Other than that, it was an amazing read that I would definitely recommend to teens.

Links: The book’s site, Jay Asher’s blog, Hannah’s Reasons, Becky’s Book Review, Teen Book Review, Boys Blooging Books Review and Interview

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s good to remember what you’re thankful for, which is, I guess, why we have a holiday dedicated to it.  So, I’m thankful for family, friends, my dogs, my health, my wonderful home, books, yarn, and…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pumpkin pie.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Knitting: My Favorite Scarf

I just finished the best. Scarf. Ever.  Now, you may have seen the Yarn Harlot’s posts about the Noro scarf; supposedly the most fascinating 1×1 rib ever.  I’ve never made a Noro scarf, but the satisfaction that came when I was finished with an easy, chunky, soft, warm scarf had to be better than any Noro scarf.  Picture it:  Size 17 needles.  Chunky red-orange-yellow-purple in a non-pukey combination, along with a sproingy fall yellow.  Softest acrylic you’ve ever seen.  A scarf that just grows from the needles.  That, is an amazing scarf.

 

Now it’s back to Abby, a more difficult but probably just as satisfying cowl.

Review: Blue Is For Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz

“Stacey’s junior year at boarding school isn’t easy. She’s not the most popular girl at school, or the smartest, or the prettiest. She’s got a crush on her best friend’s boyfriend, and an even darker secret that threatens to ruin her friendships for good. And now she’s having nightmares again. Not just any nightmares – these dreams are too real to ignore, like she did three years ago. The last time she ignored them, a little girl died. This time they’re about Drea, her best friend who’s become the target of one seriously psycho stalker. It started with weird e-mails and freaky phone calls. Now someone’s leaving Drea white lilies – the same death lilies that have been showing up in Stacey’s dreams. Everybody thinks it’s just a twisted game . . . until another girl at school is brutally murdered. There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust – the folk magic taught to her by her grandmother. Will Stacey’s magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true?”

 

Blue is for Nightmares is a mystery/fantasy/reality book that anyone can enjoy.  It’s very plot-based, without a lot of character development, which isn’t my favorite.  However, I still enjoyed this book.  I would recommend this book for teenage girls, specifically those interested in fast-paced mystery novels.

Other reviews: Who-dunnit, Tez Sez, The Book Muncher, Bookshelves of Doom

Blogroll

I have lots more people on my blogroll.

They will be posted sometime in the next month soon.

And I will write a real post soon, too. Probably tomorrow.

Way to say it, Obama!

I cannot believe I actually read this, but it’s funny so I’ll share it with you…

Agree? Disagree?  Comment!

~LML

P.S.  There has been knitting and reading going on, I promise.  And I will update later.

Knitting: Squee!

I am so so so so so so so HAPPY!  I finally got to go to my lovely LYS today, to buy amazing yarn for a fabulous pattern.  The complete awesomeness of this day was compacted when I logged on to the computer and saw that 1)my old blog is STILL getting comments.  I haven’t written on that one in months.  and 2) I’ve had a bunch of views on my brand new blog.  Mostly thanks to the my review of Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz(Scroll down for it).  I am so completely happy right now!

Anyway.  I’m going to quit gushing and tell you about the fabulous yarn I just bought (with a gift card!  I didn’t actually pay for it!).  It is RowanKidsilk Haze, in a funky blue-green color.  What’s it for?  Abby, a really cool looking cowl(rav it).  The only bad thing about this cowl?  It will cover up my newly dyed RED hair.  And I’m not talking ginger red.  It is fire-engine red.  Yowza!  It’s not my whole head, just the top.  But still.  It’s so cool.

I wish I could post pictures, but unfortunately the rechargeable batteries in my camera died.  Completely.  No more recharging.  So, until I get new batteries, the poor blog will be picture-less.  Oh well.

Off to knit!

~LML

To My (Upstream) Swap Partner

Dear USP,

Hi.  First, I want to say thank you.  Isn’t this swap thing so cool?  Then I want to say  I’m sorry.  I’m a very frustrating person to shop for.  I’m so vague about what I want.  But I really hope you don’t stress out over this.  It’s going to be really fun, and I’m sure I will love whatever you give me.  Because I’m a new knitter.  All I know is that Red Heart=bad, and cashmere=expensive.  So I assure you, I’ll love any yarn that comes into my possession.

Thanks again!

~Little Miss loopy

Review: Revelations by Melissa De La Cruz

Revelations is the third book in the Blue Bloods series, so I would reccommend that you read Blue Bloods and Masquerade before tackling this one.

That being said, Revelations is the continued tale of teen vampires living in New York City.  There’s Schuyler, a half-blood who’s mother is in a coma, Bliss, a tall red-head seeing apocalyptic visions, and Mimi and Jack Force, twins of the dark side.   This is mostly about the Schuyler-Jack-Mimi-Oliver love triangle, and some really confusing sort of plot movement…I think.  Something about evil Silver Bloods?  I kind of missed it as it sped by.

All in all, I though Revelations was a big rush to get to the ad for the next book at the end of this one.  The plot was confusing, the characters were flat, and the big “ah-ha” at the end was really a “where did they get that from?”  I enjoyed the first two books much more, and was disappointed in this one.  The publication date was changed from end of November/December to October, so maybe de la Cruz really was rushed.  I would not read this book if I were you.

Second Opinion: Super-fast Reader

Review: Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult is about Mariah White and her daughter, Faith.  After walking in on her husband with another woman, Mariah’s life is turned upside down, as is Faith’s.  But while Mariah slowly learns to come to terms with her divorce by herself, Faith has a little support, an imaginary friend she calls God.  As you can imagine, when a 7-year-old starts talking to God, it’s a little odd.  But what about when she starts bleeding from her hands?  What do you do, as a mother, then?  What about when her father asks for custody?  You can find out all this in the book-but not whether Faith is really talking to God.  That, you have to decide for yourself.  And the fact that you do is one of many reasons why Picoult is such a great author.

Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult was wonderful.  It’s very controversial, like all her books.  Is there a God?  Is s/he really talking to a non-practicing Jewish 7-year-old?  You decide.  But before you do, read the book.  It will definitely be worth your time.

 

~LML