tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85826063617989108832024-02-20T00:45:37.340-08:00The BookshelfAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-87715966724821970382012-03-24T18:10:00.001-07:002012-03-24T18:18:00.433-07:00The Hunger Games Movie: Thumbs Up or Down?Now that you've <i>finally</i> had a chance to see it, what did you think of The Hunger Games movie? Do you give it a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.ca/p/thumbs-up.html">Thumbs Up</a> or a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.ca/p/thumbs-down.html">Thumbs Down</a>? Please leave a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hunger-games-movie-thumbs-up-or-down.html#comment-form">comment</a> and tell us what you think!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hunger-games-movie-thumbs-up-or-down.html#comment-form"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZYvF1gsKG52Hfq8bDJdKuHjb_FucixeRws0D2UrYI12YgmIYOzw2R3bnlMBl-KDwjseIIwuELde9WfQZjfxJRwU_vlvTkij8V4NTdzAoMd1vrJ24scypoA0y_NXoA7EgqwmUjUL_VtQ/s200/thumbsdowngreen.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hunger-games-movie-thumbs-up-or-down.html#comment-form"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuiWKf6ykkxFib3Kqef7HrnEEWR4GyOovx2hY7Q0kmDFZeFyZgbqpQmdz84HgxR6eXzhNkcdNWsJllZbyHzfEun1Us8XtteUsmGT2lKB1gUS1ymuzxc4gl7dtTG7005zFnE5CsCgBr7M/s200/thumbsuppurple.png" width="200" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-49923836089469355282012-03-22T17:41:00.000-07:002012-03-22T17:41:07.117-07:00Meet The Hunger Games Cast<div style="text-align: center;">It's finally (almost) here! Tomorrow is the premiere of The Hunger Games! <br />
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Here's a recap of the main cast of The Hunger Games Movie that we will soon get to meet:</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsn9EGqdlas0aSHCi2rlXxo4lsEmz6MbkTsYWNzrTXt1RqofqX1-7CXJeN-SAQetsBxwRrGEuWqM4TsJlpLRLwEK21Lo6kKrvKym04kliElT3SnoOzD8fz9pSkNAVO11ZeRyyvEpn3-k/s1600/Amandla+Stenberg+As+Rue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsn9EGqdlas0aSHCi2rlXxo4lsEmz6MbkTsYWNzrTXt1RqofqX1-7CXJeN-SAQetsBxwRrGEuWqM4TsJlpLRLwEK21Lo6kKrvKym04kliElT3SnoOzD8fz9pSkNAVO11ZeRyyvEpn3-k/s320/Amandla+Stenberg+As+Rue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amandla Stenberg As Rue</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBn2inru2w-Fj4KluxXfiSTrmie8wbXLVN6Xyk1EmmAXfba0ZD1apIMUwDwY-pG9HLscjBQBgFY4OpA6JRiOYAYEftMSxCnUeaC-aDjf2fd-aNenq5h7ZCV7a5NdVq8H44vi9jfmwa84/s1600/Elizabeth+Banks+As+Effie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBn2inru2w-Fj4KluxXfiSTrmie8wbXLVN6Xyk1EmmAXfba0ZD1apIMUwDwY-pG9HLscjBQBgFY4OpA6JRiOYAYEftMSxCnUeaC-aDjf2fd-aNenq5h7ZCV7a5NdVq8H44vi9jfmwa84/s320/Elizabeth+Banks+As+Effie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Banks As Effie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg23vaHJ54SgySKutiCqfsCV4kxNs8EyZZKfCdVLsJKKWT9DCBjUzQPyQX3Cnr1qkrDiR80_hmZKLEuxBWn15znJHvf9yYECaTkaZgQv5a8X14-w2KWu8q2xyEgZobCoWuGHl0ebP2qmU/s1600/Josh+Hutcherson+As+Peeta+Mellark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg23vaHJ54SgySKutiCqfsCV4kxNs8EyZZKfCdVLsJKKWT9DCBjUzQPyQX3Cnr1qkrDiR80_hmZKLEuxBWn15znJHvf9yYECaTkaZgQv5a8X14-w2KWu8q2xyEgZobCoWuGHl0ebP2qmU/s320/Josh+Hutcherson+As+Peeta+Mellark.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Josh Hutcherson As Peeta Mellark</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4u3VDLwv_nyvvqdXgsEDsHyYEIajNDnjD-ASihuispXm2UFbZPLRKdPSjg-TaZSB8sEBWWpINJNUmsryQwLBOHiRrIayo8IBZP9t1_yjYnR2pcm_Vtj_POh_la2D4BW8Qk3z4M75HRY/s1600/Jennifer+Lawrence+As+Katniss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4u3VDLwv_nyvvqdXgsEDsHyYEIajNDnjD-ASihuispXm2UFbZPLRKdPSjg-TaZSB8sEBWWpINJNUmsryQwLBOHiRrIayo8IBZP9t1_yjYnR2pcm_Vtj_POh_la2D4BW8Qk3z4M75HRY/s320/Jennifer+Lawrence+As+Katniss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jennifer Lawrence As Katniss</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4t7qzbnN_f6RJnoSuRMLPbI80H0vbrcSuyiEeIa6LOigzdwMg115EHVkS0ml4tD9vwh1kg0u9mFsfDsRwTsD6l3EYS6HR3iRPLNwOe75ke9yewgs98yTD3nRoXE9AjfRCh4NihuFxsU/s1600/Lenny+Kravitz+As+Cinna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4t7qzbnN_f6RJnoSuRMLPbI80H0vbrcSuyiEeIa6LOigzdwMg115EHVkS0ml4tD9vwh1kg0u9mFsfDsRwTsD6l3EYS6HR3iRPLNwOe75ke9yewgs98yTD3nRoXE9AjfRCh4NihuFxsU/s1600/Lenny+Kravitz+As+Cinna.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lenny Kravitz As Cinna</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl8qG1NYaW3FClnjA2jUUfzm-lPPpBbDAgDCnL1R0uKR3x6_MZCtBwI7joadeZ0Ihtm-ryHN_vRcvabi2PQmzRL57zejMjDDqJ8tn433kRM65W-hD1AFP1KhdyCdxY6nYSQ4n3BC0nic/s1600/Liam+Hemsworth+As+Gale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl8qG1NYaW3FClnjA2jUUfzm-lPPpBbDAgDCnL1R0uKR3x6_MZCtBwI7joadeZ0Ihtm-ryHN_vRcvabi2PQmzRL57zejMjDDqJ8tn433kRM65W-hD1AFP1KhdyCdxY6nYSQ4n3BC0nic/s1600/Liam+Hemsworth+As+Gale.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Liam Hemsworth As Gale</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Create Your Own Cast!</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Which celebrities would you have picked as the main characters of The Hunger Games Movie?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-83941215207286211192012-03-11T16:48:00.000-07:002012-03-11T16:48:09.006-07:00Safe and Sound VideoThis video shows a touching montage from the movie to <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/03/hunger-games-soundtrack.html">Taylor Swift's Safe and Sound</a> song.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="294" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qBASTjUGKt8?rel=0" width="520"></iframe>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-14206512274534980442012-03-06T17:39:00.001-08:002012-03-06T18:09:50.864-08:00The Hunger Games Soundtrack<div style="text-align: center;">Here's a song from The Hunger Games soundtrack by Taylor Swift. Let me know what you think . . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="275" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YFEDTtKaFzU?rel=0" width="520"></iframe></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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This is a list of other tracks on The Hunger Games Movie Soundtrack:<br />
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1. Arcade Fire “Abraham’s Daughter”<br />
2. The Secret Sisters “Tomorrow Will Be Kinder”<br />
3. Neko Case “Nothing To Remember”<br />
4. Taylor Swift “Safe & Sound ft. The Civil Wars”<br />
5. Kid Cudi “The Ruler and The Killer”<br />
6. Punch Brothers “Dark Days”<br />
7. The Decemberists “One Engine”<br />
8. The Carolina Chocolate Drops “Daughter’s Lament”<br />
9. The Civil Wars “Kingdom Come”<br />
10. Glen Hansard “Take The Heartland”<br />
11. Maroon 5 ft. Rozzi Crane “Come Away To The Water”<br />
12. Miranda Lambert “Run Daddy Run ft. Pistol Annies”<br />
13. Jayme Dee “Rules”<br />
14. Taylor Swift “Eyes Open”<br />
15. The Low Anthem “Lover Is Childlike”<br />
16. Birdy “Just A Game”<br />
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</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-82254996586576078782012-03-01T12:42:00.007-08:002012-03-06T17:49:23.729-08:00The Hunger Games Movie Discussion<div style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's start off <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-is-hunger-games-movie-month-k-u-b.html">The Hunger Games Movie Month</a> by talking about it!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> We want to here how excited you are about the movie!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you like the cast?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you like the posters?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you think there will be too much violence or not enough?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will it be as good as the book?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anything else to add? </span></div></div><div style="color: black;"></div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post and join the conversation on Twitter at</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fplatform.twitter.com%2Fwidgets%2Ffollow_button.1330467312.html&region=follow&screen_name=AmandaBookshelf&source=followbutton&variant=2.0">@AmandaBookshelf. </a></span></div><div style="color: black;"></div><div style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO-6rm4hHIq8XX8KoWan9pXI6UkzLo9c7X2-jyH2IMAzGCDBNqdZy5S9Pl43rHMvUMHIcZNa9rREIIjon4W-p1XNyYWsi8TqU11IvONs0i8Uyurd5xbD5rzagd8EyeAS6H_kLb8BRXvk/s1600/hunger-games-movie-image-elizabeth-banks-jennifer-lawrence-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYO-6rm4hHIq8XX8KoWan9pXI6UkzLo9c7X2-jyH2IMAzGCDBNqdZy5S9Pl43rHMvUMHIcZNa9rREIIjon4W-p1XNyYWsi8TqU11IvONs0i8Uyurd5xbD5rzagd8EyeAS6H_kLb8BRXvk/s320/hunger-games-movie-image-elizabeth-banks-jennifer-lawrence-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: black;">Keep in touch (look to the right for options) and don't forget to<a href="http://www.google.com/friendconnect/signin/home?st=e%3DAOG8GaAdL03yE90FNJ%252BrJbBDa6q2kyf10iGKxy4pZuVTZO5mpKBw9DIUjUIewgLug3EWNy6OLgxQLXLeRcX7rJNq%252F2TkloUdbJr5doP8zUcmqcj%252BjJZ4JPOjMOSIakoOkWqMFWZ6tC%252Fw%252F4kxa4WkAdPmGQw4KMDtuaRNy8wTGIavRUvJZEzKq8Y7Rfo24r%252BRA1ryG4P3x9zMCRaP%252FlobNigdqLtGwOovE%252FjXcr8W2cnYsVo6W2MJf7g%253D%26c%3Dpeoplesense&psinvite=&subscribeOnSignin=1"> Join This Site</a>!</b></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-443252160101666572012-03-01T12:32:00.004-08:002012-03-06T17:49:00.528-08:00March Is The Hunger Games Movie Month<div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's almost here! <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Hunger%20Games">The Hunger Games</a> is playing in theaters this month. On March 23rd we will finally be able to see the most anticipated movie of the year! </span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This month, in preparation for this movie event, The Bookshelf is dedicating the month of March to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Hunger%20Games">The Hunger Games</a></span><span style="font-size: small;">. This hugely successful novel has won the hearts of every reader by combining lovable characters with a terrifying and suspenseful plot.</span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am extremely excited to see <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/07/2012-hunger-games-movie.html">The Hunger Games movie</a> (as I know a lot of The Bookshelf fans are too). I have heard a lot of you tell me how much you loved the book and <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/user?original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fplatform.twitter.com%2Fwidgets%2Ffollow_button.1330467312.html&region=follow&screen_name=AmandaBookshelf&source=followbutton&variant=2.0">@AmandaBookshelf</a> followers are in agreement. This is a GREAT novel and we can hardly wait to see it come to life on the big screen!!!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN486Vodu8SqTjsoj36EsaQq4o1yUGLLiQ46eN4oyb1du8nwGUOzyO8cgcGwhDKZywUi1jr5l6a8zgGeMa3TpLR6Ge8zsEtE_usIVkZJNpgNS9Htzy57jS_Qlw7uoWJVzE8GcwwKommVM/s1600/1327101273_hunger-games-poster_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN486Vodu8SqTjsoj36EsaQq4o1yUGLLiQ46eN4oyb1du8nwGUOzyO8cgcGwhDKZywUi1jr5l6a8zgGeMa3TpLR6Ge8zsEtE_usIVkZJNpgNS9Htzy57jS_Qlw7uoWJVzE8GcwwKommVM/s640/1327101273_hunger-games-poster_1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has been added to The Bookshelf <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Favourites">Favourites</a>.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-23499751971794742242012-02-29T11:34:00.000-08:002012-02-29T11:34:50.950-08:00Before I Go To Sleep By S.J. Watson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH1YLvQdQb1HHFfloYJAWNtCuxNvHMctUeKp6ph-R8EM1G-mdDI0XONxqERg6a1c2j-SsyeMxOKJ7HmFVkNxtOgdzkXMIlOhRyz5goTZH1-_QUHCAJrC9rokZWVTc46T5QAUARyk_Brg/s1600/Before+I+Go+To+Sleep+By+S.J.+Watson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH1YLvQdQb1HHFfloYJAWNtCuxNvHMctUeKp6ph-R8EM1G-mdDI0XONxqERg6a1c2j-SsyeMxOKJ7HmFVkNxtOgdzkXMIlOhRyz5goTZH1-_QUHCAJrC9rokZWVTc46T5QAUARyk_Brg/s1600/Before+I+Go+To+Sleep+By+S.J.+Watson.jpg" /></a></div>Before I Go To Sleep is they story of Christine who suffers from extreme memory loss. Each morning she awakens in a strange bed, beside a strange man. She has no memory of her life after her accident 20 years ago. Everyday Christine's husband, Ben, explains to her that she has lost her memory of the past and her ability to retain new memories. One day she receives a call from Dr. Nash who tells her about a journal she has been keeping secretly from her husband. While rereading her daily journal entries she notices Ben has not been retelling the same story. From here, Christine is set on a path to uncover Ben's lies and to discover the truth about her condition.<br />
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This novel is written by UK author S.J. Watson. The language differences do not hinder the readability of the book. It was thrilling to follow Christine through her discoveries because the reader's perspective is also restricted by her amnesia. There were many shocking twists and turns all leading to the explosive conclusion. This was a good read and I recommend it to anyone who likes a puzzling book with a great ending. I give it a Thumbs Up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsptpgTWdCEqn4iArkSAcnuhyphenhyphenKxtnwhyphenhyphenu4hgl8b-LSCGmyDvBG3XQ2utRUXRtG__BNDPp-nihq7hf2mUejvC41BsmZsJXHcJmXML1O66zWXecm9jqSDt70HrEzPorO1l4mgO_zMiRyMyY/s1600/thumbsuppurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsptpgTWdCEqn4iArkSAcnuhyphenhyphenKxtnwhyphenhyphenu4hgl8b-LSCGmyDvBG3XQ2utRUXRtG__BNDPp-nihq7hf2mUejvC41BsmZsJXHcJmXML1O66zWXecm9jqSDt70HrEzPorO1l4mgO_zMiRyMyY/s320/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO7w-4gmbKEghjDDfqxfYq-XIqXGOM-6ZxpMcGDLnh9XnD_qFsbJdtBF2ugDBYtXXm_Gw4VQAOdoI-CzanPznAWiXO7_qugCAXooOeDGjN4Kq00EhfuFEJqlex8NGBKz6vQEa3uPQTYE/s1600/SJ-Watson-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO7w-4gmbKEghjDDfqxfYq-XIqXGOM-6ZxpMcGDLnh9XnD_qFsbJdtBF2ugDBYtXXm_Gw4VQAOdoI-CzanPznAWiXO7_qugCAXooOeDGjN4Kq00EhfuFEJqlex8NGBKz6vQEa3uPQTYE/s320/SJ-Watson-007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author S.J. Watson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-21300259036278751422011-11-22T09:16:00.000-08:002011-11-22T09:16:42.574-08:00The Passage by Justin Cronin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-4s_BHSohMoHMnEFJoD8qgo9RibO15y14fwBtQu8egvWbAQrHyoXjQh7pS7m42oC-G7SSM_dfSyPNDtqox0X58_zKoxJ8Pw1cR-xIx1Bar84DEkKkSEphx2UuZSE1Q7JxUoI129v9Po/s1600/the+passage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-4s_BHSohMoHMnEFJoD8qgo9RibO15y14fwBtQu8egvWbAQrHyoXjQh7pS7m42oC-G7SSM_dfSyPNDtqox0X58_zKoxJ8Pw1cR-xIx1Bar84DEkKkSEphx2UuZSE1Q7JxUoI129v9Po/s400/the+passage.jpg" width="262" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><b>``</b><span class="readMoreText"><b><i>The</i> <i>Andromeda Strain</i></b> meets <i><b>The Stand</b></i> in this startling and stunning thriller that brings to life a unique vision of the apocalypse and plays brilliantly with vampire mythology, revealing what becomes of human society when a top-secret government experiment spins wildly out of control``</span></span></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passage-Novel-Justin-Cronin/dp/0345504976?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Passage by Justin Cronin</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0345504976" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0345504976" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />a U.S. army experiment has gone horribly wrong. Terror begins to take over the world in the form of mutated, vampire-like, humans. It was FBI agent Brad Wolgast`s job to bring convicts from death row to the research facility in Colorado for experimentation. These test subjects were infected with a virus that had the potential to cure all human illnesses and, thus, make a stronger human race. The last subject to be tested was a six-year old girl. But Wolgast could not ignore his impulse to do what he felt was right. He bravely kidnaps the girl, saving her from a gruesome future, and the two hide away in the mountains as destruction unravels below them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Strain">The Strain</a>, The Passage brings back the gruesome, apocalyptic spin on vampires. <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Twilight">Twilight</a> fans will not like this book (you can't cuddle up with these vampires). These ones are out for blood. They don't drive cars or wear clothes, they don't even have hair! They are the undead, bent on extinguishing the human race.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Passage is broken into parts. I really enjoyed the first part of the story when Cronin was building up to the outbreak. But then the story jumps into the future and that is where it lost me. I tried really hard to like this book but I just didn't like the total turnaround of the plot. It was like the book I was reading was really good and then it ended abruptly and a new story began with all new characters and I just found I could not get into it. I didn't even finish the book! And I ALWAYS finish my books. It left me feeling very disappointed. The transition, for me, was a complete fail. I give this book a sad Thumbs Down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Down"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="readMoreText"></span></span></b></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-50099368942673998552011-09-17T18:36:00.000-07:002011-09-17T18:42:10.293-07:00The Faces Behind The StoriesEver wonder what the author of a book you're reading looks like?<br />
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Here are a few faces from the books I've reviewed on this site: <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_411256353" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QN7CZJhPllka0l7mK7IjnENYKWQiGC0wbGIYIuOFF5d7Em_g8z_gtkF3fRfb8VEycs82f20WUTb-pCk9yfBKxaV0MguyGDaQtex6_TEFiEIsAgJSRYIvWedqhA1Ze9iZ8nTmOt1cQcs/s320/lisaseephoto_th.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Lisa%20See">Lisa See</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgnJiXi8F7B0IPGP5F8hMbo-TE8TVQoE_U4prv5-az_Ii6MMqfbF-Ok-ST4LNMz2y8JdPYRMmgS1lGowCvz5vHGVqX7E0f1uBNrXyBR0O3-6kwKsf6Z0BZjkLXDRr1KAMXorRsbd201E/s1600/yti_01bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgnJiXi8F7B0IPGP5F8hMbo-TE8TVQoE_U4prv5-az_Ii6MMqfbF-Ok-ST4LNMz2y8JdPYRMmgS1lGowCvz5vHGVqX7E0f1uBNrXyBR0O3-6kwKsf6Z0BZjkLXDRr1KAMXorRsbd201E/s1600/yti_01bw.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Taichi%20Yamada">Taichi Yamada</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo_4aerBOIfBK7aXWId4ICjqMGTZ-SHZk7t6LMerS0Mds1TXyiZwGmdmV8lXPzVURNyZiRxvcMRxMau5tG5dAQzdAZngCxtWNKMy1LkHjVPMNKRdAzKCX-mesJcM2krCGmJahoyOpthI/s1600/sparks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo_4aerBOIfBK7aXWId4ICjqMGTZ-SHZk7t6LMerS0Mds1TXyiZwGmdmV8lXPzVURNyZiRxvcMRxMau5tG5dAQzdAZngCxtWNKMy1LkHjVPMNKRdAzKCX-mesJcM2krCGmJahoyOpthI/s320/sparks.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Nicholas%20Sparks">Nicholas Sparks</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2012117721" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZPAXutDGw3BlPBQpKJdiUJ76vAN5sM7lkfhFLEkssS9yifMHdozu72kEIhugy22j0OUJVCqU7kbCWJcJ-JyEg4MMCWQBiV9fF3AkycpXmBpkMKe-u1gFvB9QFqcaSMvs0U_cg8gVjxI/s320/mcourtsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a dir="ltr" href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Frank%20McCourt">Frank McCourt</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2012117736" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mdE7wrzotHYtsbwZaUO9cW7Qbj-R5a9DF70Nis7Eq-KCWYvOHZCRKzzDgwIRCKhyz2ReeHXeQS8mxmJRxiKsRvlc0FSm4g69nThwdI1BA8_cf-3LpNToUL_MxQxuzbf67DXA_wpRe3U/s1600/Suzanne-Collins_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Suzanne%20Collins"><span dir="ltr">Suzanne Collins</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-21631153970302940532011-09-04T10:19:00.000-07:002011-09-04T10:19:48.066-07:00Dreams of Joy by Lisa See<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Joy-Novel-Lisa-See/dp/140006712X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Dreams of Joy: A Novel" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=140006712X&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Joy-Novel-Lisa-See/dp/140006712X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dreams of Joy by Lisa See</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140006712X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is the follow up to <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/10/shanghai-girls-by-lisa-see.html">Shanghai Girls</a> where sisters May and Pearl had fled from a war-torn China to find refuge in America. Together they raised a daughter, Joy. By the end of the novel Joy was a young university student. Here she learned about the communist movement beginning in China and the great changes it promised for its citizens. She became a political advocate and supporter of communism despite her parent's warnings. One day, Joy, over heard a conversation that exposed her family's dark secrets. Devastated by this revelation of lies about her own past she ran away to Shanghai to find her her biological father.<br />
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This is where <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Joy-Novel-Lisa-See/dp/140006712X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dreams of Joy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140006712X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> begins. Pearl empties her life savings to chase after her daughter. Even though being back in Shanghai after so many years brings back painful memories, Pearl presses on to find her daughter. She is able to find Joy rather quickly, however, Joy has no desire to go back to America. She has visited the country side and fell in love with a young peasant. She wishes to live her life here, where she feels most comfortable; although it is a vastly different lifestyle than she is used to back home. She must work hard to aid in the communist movement she so deeply believes in.<br />
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After awhile, Joy realizes that Chairman Mao's promises for a prosperous future are impossible to achieve. At first the citizens of Green Dragon Village are well fed and happy to put in long hours in the fields to participate in the Great Leap Forward. But the plans for China, to produce huge quantities of crops that will rival the USA's exports, demand that the peasant's work harder and harder with less and less food. One particular winter was the worst. Many people in Joy's village died of starvation. Meanwhile, Pearl is living in Shanghai and trying desperately to get a travel permit to see her daughter. Pearl and other city dwellers are having a rough time too but they are kept blind to the devastation in the countryside so as China will appear to be a successful country to other nations.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Joy-Novel-Lisa-See/dp/140006712X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dreams of Joy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140006712X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> has a largely political focus while still continuing <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">See</a>'s themes of familial bond, tragedy, and love. I found this story had a slow start but it was fascinating to learn about Mao's communist regime in China and the ridiculous promises he had made. Then, once the communist theories begin to break down in practice, the story becomes completely engrossing as Joy and her family fight for their lives. The love that a mother has for her child and the things she'll do to protect them are beautifully portrayed in <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Lisa%20See">See</a>'s characters. Fans of <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Lisa%20See">Lisa See</a>'s novels like <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2010/10/shanghai-girls-by-lisa-see.html">Shanghai Girls</a>, <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Snow%20Flower%20and%20the%20Secret%20Fan">Snow Flower and the Secret Fan</a>, and<a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Peony%20in%20Love"> Peony in Love</a>, will not be disappointed with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Joy-Novel-Lisa-See/dp/140006712X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dreams of Joy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140006712X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I give this book a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up">Thumbs Up</a>. And I truly hope that <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Lisa%20See">See</a> continues writing these enchanting, thought provoking, and tragic stories.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://a.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-40962368218839346512011-08-18T15:31:00.000-07:002011-08-18T15:31:06.237-07:00Breaking Dawn The MovieFans of the Twilight Saga are excited about the first installment of the Breaking Dawn films. I know I am! The movie is set to hit theatres on November 18th. For now, here are some teaser photos:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl-1i6LqaH0tS6VIz0PSfFXWNkwcewdbRuVAp1X9JsJOSoC04GPB2h0yE_u6H8Qsela9Xwj633hRulpKvQWqMirDWp4Nc-JLfPTV663FYAjgBt7KshggW98jr-VTViKPL6NUofChJ4I8/s1600/Breaking_Dawn_Still_5-525x475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl-1i6LqaH0tS6VIz0PSfFXWNkwcewdbRuVAp1X9JsJOSoC04GPB2h0yE_u6H8Qsela9Xwj633hRulpKvQWqMirDWp4Nc-JLfPTV663FYAjgBt7KshggW98jr-VTViKPL6NUofChJ4I8/s320/Breaking_Dawn_Still_5-525x475.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRxxjBEKQ7l2TA0Oa4D5EWmnBkYj2qWL3wl2rrlsbGnQYovyEsvoqeUfzm5zHqftr9Tf6Sq-EF3d51Z0HY8c55Z350DePbxMAa0zObvdgIKq6uKgh-w3q6hqtGpNSp0KQ8bczWBgpzxI/s1600/Breaking_Dawn_Still_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRxxjBEKQ7l2TA0Oa4D5EWmnBkYj2qWL3wl2rrlsbGnQYovyEsvoqeUfzm5zHqftr9Tf6Sq-EF3d51Z0HY8c55Z350DePbxMAa0zObvdgIKq6uKgh-w3q6hqtGpNSp0KQ8bczWBgpzxI/s320/Breaking_Dawn_Still_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw0S4JoCHlCRBDHypU-fkCddRN3CK5SUpU05i-DRu5NbDj2xh0ICbJxAdymzYdyMpSuoAADZMhZK3Ckgr4EWF8w8YGZ01tDAeYkPRuC6w4sAXr_nDoc-YTNLCcLXtdD1dLPafOPKgDkY/s1600/Twilight+Breaking+Dawn+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw0S4JoCHlCRBDHypU-fkCddRN3CK5SUpU05i-DRu5NbDj2xh0ICbJxAdymzYdyMpSuoAADZMhZK3Ckgr4EWF8w8YGZ01tDAeYkPRuC6w4sAXr_nDoc-YTNLCcLXtdD1dLPafOPKgDkY/s320/Twilight+Breaking+Dawn+Banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZcu8prcqMgJ3UP0KnTAQ1779McoWlpzorI5vFt8AESPzXwBDEc_rPSgbO6ZehDgSiJlBzYxU1TfrG4-BM35nwaAnLMVovpb-udZL_0uopyHHXxT2SZMk2HWg-oNKlO2dnR75OeB4Tts/s1600/Breaking_Dawn_Still_8-525x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZcu8prcqMgJ3UP0KnTAQ1779McoWlpzorI5vFt8AESPzXwBDEc_rPSgbO6ZehDgSiJlBzYxU1TfrG4-BM35nwaAnLMVovpb-udZL_0uopyHHXxT2SZMk2HWg-oNKlO2dnR75OeB4Tts/s320/Breaking_Dawn_Still_8-525x350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKvtWqcoyuoc4RDi9NxsNGMH4Yf6CGvstWG3Q5-yarfjH4e0Wlb8N-_rJ2XJOwHNqoHEq7btKwRmOTY5kQ8uWBDCyHGTd4LKTap0HURSw8cL8XlPmz9Mrks4OVBOgMNlwviS8Khv_5LM/s1600/bella-edward-outdoors-happy-breaking-dawn-official-560x839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKvtWqcoyuoc4RDi9NxsNGMH4Yf6CGvstWG3Q5-yarfjH4e0Wlb8N-_rJ2XJOwHNqoHEq7btKwRmOTY5kQ8uWBDCyHGTd4LKTap0HURSw8cL8XlPmz9Mrks4OVBOgMNlwviS8Khv_5LM/s320/bella-edward-outdoors-happy-breaking-dawn-official-560x839.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHs_0Me64CoRr4i0LhaK_w5Ag2ReLiRGD-4NQukTac005KLNMSfyA6q7S-rWwZZLBY_5z9HQDKwOrHJk3PAvEKUoV1BlMI_IjayYx84iTLiw-0qSphZy5kwQ7qOnPii0k4ZPIk3lRAeM/s1600/Breaking_Dawn_Still_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHs_0Me64CoRr4i0LhaK_w5Ag2ReLiRGD-4NQukTac005KLNMSfyA6q7S-rWwZZLBY_5z9HQDKwOrHJk3PAvEKUoV1BlMI_IjayYx84iTLiw-0qSphZy5kwQ7qOnPii0k4ZPIk3lRAeM/s320/Breaking_Dawn_Still_1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VBQe_JNPUJUKjzTN73B1MN5vT8jgNpP9MqjaA9U9N-QplX0j3YvN8nl36p_PKU1l4vhmLArLjPHLvhJXFSRnx6MPmgehaHzhKWLspj46a6AyK6iPv2DsXpqDPOPA7pSog8Oq5sdNKso/s1600/Breaking_Dawn_Still_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VBQe_JNPUJUKjzTN73B1MN5vT8jgNpP9MqjaA9U9N-QplX0j3YvN8nl36p_PKU1l4vhmLArLjPHLvhJXFSRnx6MPmgehaHzhKWLspj46a6AyK6iPv2DsXpqDPOPA7pSog8Oq5sdNKso/s320/Breaking_Dawn_Still_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-54347315207567520292011-08-08T17:46:00.000-07:002011-08-08T17:46:40.961-07:00Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Dawn-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/0316067938?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0316067938&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Dawn-Twilight-Saga-Book/dp/0316067938?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Breaking Dawn </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316067938" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is Stephanie Meyer's final book in the <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Twilight">Twilight</a> series. Bella must finally make the tough decisions about her future. Will she remain human or turn into the living dead? Will she choose the suave and charming vampire Edward? Or the down-to-earth and warm werewolf Jacob? Once she chooses, though, her problems do not come to an end. The Volturi visit the quiet town of Forks and puts everyone's (werewolves, vampires, and humans) lives in danger.</span><br />
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I was surprised and delighted by how much I enjoyed the conclusion to this series. The first book left me quite unimpressed. I thought it was mediocre and better left to teens (you can read that review/rant <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Twilight">HERE</a>).<br />
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Now, that attitude has changed. The plot was much more involved than the others, it was full of shocking twists, suspense, action, and I even liked the main characters better. I was glad the story continued after high school because it made things seem more significant (they were adults and not just hormonal teenagers).<br />
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I thought this book concluded the <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Twilight">Twilight</a> series perfectly and it answered all of my questions/curiousities that I hoped would be resolved. I give Breaking Dawn a big, happy, Thumbs Up and I'm adding it to my <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/p/top-10-favourites.html">Top 10</a>!<br />
<span class="caption"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="caption"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="314" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U4d_qIGAiCE" width="500"></iframe></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-16615850605708254332011-07-21T18:04:00.000-07:002011-07-21T18:06:19.771-07:002012: The Hunger Games Movie<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dMXkzirn39p1VGI6KDtIjLIheDeMIPF9zs9mzBDEtkKRaroDTOZiekVXDRP4j145SZbeLQJB-02Z9zTzpXdWPtME9NwSraaHoxc4SGXfDq7wHJvYHqfo6RlIEo9W43nNtJB8qqOUNjY/s1600/hunger+games+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dMXkzirn39p1VGI6KDtIjLIheDeMIPF9zs9mzBDEtkKRaroDTOZiekVXDRP4j145SZbeLQJB-02Z9zTzpXdWPtME9NwSraaHoxc4SGXfDq7wHJvYHqfo6RlIEo9W43nNtJB8qqOUNjY/s640/hunger+games+poster.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hunger Games Teaser Poster</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/06/hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins.html">The Hunger Games</a> movie is in the making and fans are buzzing with excitement as the first posters for the film are released! The movie will star Jennifer Lawrence (she played the young Mystique in X-Men: First Class) as Katniss. The movie is set debut in March 2012! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO3W7YM-inEgLtFayQwjBphVQwuPURGY5occWu7CsF4aCG9LMl20ChQnbjkCMivedSmWIJesUov8wMiL-IZinopt0HISgqtbjRsEbLFsUQ_lAiYLgkGXsAB8iuWM4jxchmjRP6AbXtWc/s1600/hunger+games+poster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO3W7YM-inEgLtFayQwjBphVQwuPURGY5occWu7CsF4aCG9LMl20ChQnbjkCMivedSmWIJesUov8wMiL-IZinopt0HISgqtbjRsEbLFsUQ_lAiYLgkGXsAB8iuWM4jxchmjRP6AbXtWc/s320/hunger+games+poster+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jennifer Lawrence will play Katniss Everdeen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/06/hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins.html">Read more about the book . . . </a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-64097563669403847692011-07-06T19:43:00.000-07:002011-07-06T19:43:02.116-07:00Peculiar Book Peaks Readers' Curiousity<div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<span class="readMoreText">A mysterious island.</span><br />
<span class="readMoreText"> </span><br />
<span class="readMoreText"> An abandoned orphanage.</span><br />
<span class="readMoreText"> </span><br />
<span class="readMoreText"> A strange collection of very curious photographs."</span></span></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqirE_8kwnjQXS6Uzg1ooQS7DtSQAftsJ1Ywunwk0IINqsmSdvQ5FR-xYZIXTkYtcf52yBzHDbzTBvzQx8zCDyANbQsr9hemtE0AqhnnpaM3iEdut3PiguM3WWcdKw7C1XqLCJ2HW8hk/s1600/miss+peregrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqirE_8kwnjQXS6Uzg1ooQS7DtSQAftsJ1Ywunwk0IINqsmSdvQ5FR-xYZIXTkYtcf52yBzHDbzTBvzQx8zCDyANbQsr9hemtE0AqhnnpaM3iEdut3PiguM3WWcdKw7C1XqLCJ2HW8hk/s1600/miss+peregrine.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;">A very odd new book is coming to stores tomorrow. It is called Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and is written by author Ransom Riggs. This story is told with both pictures and words. The children in this book have special characteristics. Two sisters communicate with each other without making a sound, another girl walks without touching the ground, and a boy cannot be seen but for his clothing. All is evidenced with very old photos.</div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;">Let me know what you think about this book in the comments or on Twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/AmandaBookshelf">@AmandaBookshelf</a>). I know I cannot wait to read it . . .</div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="readMoreText"><i style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">"A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, <em>Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children</em> will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.</span></i><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="readMoreText"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="314" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XWrNyVhSJUU" width="500"></iframe></span><a class="readLessLink" href=""> </a></span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-67492827673708705802011-06-29T14:43:00.000-07:002011-06-29T14:43:15.055-07:00Sail by James Patterson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sail-James-Patterson/dp/0446536105?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sail" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0446536105&tag=thebook0f-20" width="111" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sail-James-Patterson/dp/0446536105?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sail</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0446536105" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, byJames Patterson, Katherine Dunne takes her three children on a boating trip as a desperate attempt to bring peace to her family. After her husband passed away, the family dynamic took a turn for the worst. The children were hit the hardest and are having a difficult time coping with the death of their father. Katherine is having an even harder time trying to make her children happy. Her daughter is threatening to commit suicide, her eldest son is experimenting with drugs, and her 10-year old boy is deeply depressed. The trip is destined to be horrible. But the Dunne family couldn't begin to imagine just how horrifying their vacation could be. In an unlikely turn of events Katherine and her children are forced into a dangerous path that both threatens their lives and brings them closer together after all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> "With whiplash plot twists, speedboat pacing, and an eye for the evil that can lie behind even the most gorgeous setting, James Patterson delivers <i>Sail</i>–the wettest, most explosive ocean adventure since <i>Jaws."</i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the first book I have read by James Patterson but I can already see that he ". . . knows how to sell thrills and suspense in clear, unwavering prose." His writing style appears effortless and paves the road for smooth reading. Patterson makes it impossible to put this book down. The chapters are very short so it feels as though you are flying through the book. Speed readers could finish this book in a night. It is a great book to take to the cottage or on vacation. Just make sure you bring more than one book with you because this one won't last long. I give this book a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up">Thumbs Up</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-11573548273543749542011-06-16T13:26:00.002-07:002012-03-01T12:04:57.314-08:00The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Hunger Games" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0439023521&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0439023521" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0439023521" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is set in a time where a prosperous North America has vanished and left behind a poor and cruel nation known as Panem. Panem is separated by 12 districts surrounding the wealthy and powerful Capitol. Once a year the Capitol forces each district to sacrifice one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death. The entire grotesque event is broadcasted on live television as a spectator's sports. When <span class="readMoreText">Katniss Everdeen is sent to participate in the Hunger Games she is fearful for her family's survival without her. At first she thinks her life is over but she courageously decides to take her fate into her own hands and challenge the Gamemakers. </span><br />
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<span class="readMoreText">The main character is 16 year old Katniss. She appears to be cold and harsh. For example, she tried to drown a sick kitten because she saw it as just another mouth to feed. But then we immediately see that she has a tender side because she lets her sister, Primrose, keep the cat after all. Katniss is not cold-hearted. She cares so deeply for her mother and sister that she selflessly puts herself in danger to feed and protect them. I think Katniss' compassion, bravery, and self-sacrifice is what makes the character and book so loveable. These characteristics work perfectly with the plot to make an engaging and dynamic novel.</span><br />
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<span class="readMoreText"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Hunger Games</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0439023521" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is a teen novel but is also enjoyable for adults. It reads like a science fiction novel; reminiscent of classics like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-Anniversary-William-Golding/dp/0399529209?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lord of the Flies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0399529209" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CHRYSALIDS-SUE-EDITOR-JOHN-WYNDHAM/dp/0091245516?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Chrysalids</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0091245516" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. It was an excellent read and I recommend it to anyone thinking about picking it up. I give this book a Thumbs Up!</span><span class="readMoreText"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="readMoreText">People who like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023521?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Hunger Games</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0439023521" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> may also like the new Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Divergent-Trilogy-Veronica-Roth/dp/0062024027?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Click Here</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0062024027" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> for more details.</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-66958553140341657972011-05-29T18:34:00.000-07:002011-05-29T18:34:03.750-07:00Unbearable Lightness Portia de Rossi<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbearable-Lightness-Story-Loss-Gain/dp/B004Q7E0TA?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B004Q7E0TA&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><span class="caption"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004Q7E0TA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004Q7E0TA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> In </span><span class="caption"></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbearable-Lightness-Story-Loss-Gain/dp/B004Q7E0TA?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Unbearable Lightness</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004Q7E0TA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> Portia de Rossi chronicles her struggles along her way to stardom. Born and raised in Australia as Amanda Rogers, she started her career as a child model. This is where her obsession with weight begins. Portia believes, from a young age, that the only way she can be famous is to be as thin as possible and therefore beautiful. She moves to America to become an actress and shortly after her dieting reaches a new extreme. Over the years she suffers from anorexia, bulimia, food binging, excessive exercise and the fatal effects they have on her body and health. Portia faces her body image challenges alone as she is far away from family and unable to be in a relationship. She is terrified that the media would discover she is gay and it would ruin her career and her hard work.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbearable-Lightness-Story-Loss-Gain/dp/B004Q7E0TA?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Unbearable Lightness</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004Q7E0TA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> reminds us that celebrities and actors, at the end of the day, are just like us (aside from the mansions, cool parties, and millions of dollars). Portia shows us that acting is hard work. Maintaining a celebrity status in the media is no easy task and there is a lot of pressure especially about body image and weight. While body image is a main theme, she also reveals her struggles with health, divorce, family relationships and being gay. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbearable-Lightness-Story-Loss-Gain/dp/B004Q7E0TA?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Unbearable Lightness</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004Q7E0TA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is really about the insurmountable challenges of becoming a perfect celebrity with a perfect body and the fatal consequences it can have. <br />
<br />
The narrative transitions nearly flawlessly between her childhood in Australia and her new found celebrity in the hit show Ally McBeal. Portia de Rossi is a first time writer and it is obvious in her writing style. There are many repetitive words and thoughts and even mistakes in editing such as a missing word and a duplicate sentence. However, these issues are forgivable because the story is so enticing and interesting. I found Portia's story to be both fascinating and inspirational. It was difficult to put this book down. I give this book a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up">Thumbs Up</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-44614440797514925172011-05-14T11:53:00.000-07:002011-05-20T16:53:06.616-07:00Brida by Paulo Coelho<div style="text-align: center;">"But how will I know who my Soulmate is?"</div><div style="text-align: center;">"By taking risks," Wicca said to Brida. "By risking failure, disappointment, disillusion, but never ceasing in your search for Love. As long as you keep looking you will triumph in the end."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brida-ebook/dp/B0018QQQGM?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0018QQQGM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brida-Novela-Spanish-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061626376?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Brida: Novela (Spanish Edition)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0061626376&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061626376" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brida-Novel-P-S-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061578959?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Brida</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061578959" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Paulo Coelho is a novel of a young girl's search for knowledge and love. Her journey leads her on a deep spiritual path and introduces her to fascinating people full of wisdom and whimsy. She learns about an entirely new world, new experiences, and new perspectives. Along her search Brida begins to fulfill her destiny of becoming a witch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Paulo Coelho is the New York Times bestselling author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Alchemist</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061122416" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brida-Novel-P-S-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061578959?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Brida</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061578959" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> "incorporates themes that fans of Paulo Coelho will recognize and treasure - it is a tale of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller".</div><br />
I have never before read a book by Coelho and his books are not the genre I would typically read. But somehow this book intrigued me and I had to give it a chance. Unfortunately, you are taking a risk with every book you pick up. Will it be the most inspiring novel you've ever read? Or a horribly amateurish story that leaves you feeling as if you've wasted your time? The appreciation of a book (or lack of) depends on the reader's personality, perspectives, interests, and background. I did not connect with this book on a level that you might expect when you hear words like "love", "wisdom", and "spirituality". I did not relate to the characters, themes, or even the plot. While it was nicely written, I have to give this book a <a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Down">Thumbs Down</a> as it wasn't something I personally enjoyed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Down"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" width="320" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-57414964277511916112011-04-30T11:47:00.000-07:002011-04-30T11:50:09.406-07:00Need by Carrie Jones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Need-Carrie-Jones/dp/1599904535?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Need" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1599904535&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1599904535" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1599904535" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After witnessing her father die suddenly, Zara is stricken with grief. Struggling with a crushing depression she is sent to live with her grandmother. If coping with the loss of her father isn't enough she must now face living in a new place, going to a new school and meeting new people. But that's not all, Zara's life may be in danger. A mysterious man has been stalking her leaving a trail of gold dust. When a boy from school goes missing Zara learns that the quiet Maine town is not as it appears. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Need-Carrie-Jones/dp/1599904535?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Need by Carrie Jones</a> is a young adult novel. The main character is relatable to today's young readers. Zara has an obsession with phobias and frequently tells the reader names and meanings such as didaskaleinophobia the fear of going to school. At the beginning of the book she appears to be dark and moody. But soon we find that she is an anti-war activist who is involved with Amnesty International and is greatly concerned for the well-being of others.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the first teen book I have read since Twilight so I guess my expectations were too high. The plot was simple, the characters were two-dimensional, the love interest was lame, and Zara was obnoxious and pretentious. This book is better left to the teens, it doesn't translate well for adults as Twilight had. I give this book a Thumbs Down. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Down"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AuihvJ20baqEv-FOR1HQX7ZoNicExbh8uToHuuKwcGSoLh7sGef62XjEjG9MzCXaADdmeDCE_QKasyS6pYFhVRG18svXWKoDRBZu3OgJqm_OY95-5aWyToRqkUBFxXu3OCzRKMjuSTY/s1600/thumbs+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-41789675467504675512011-04-19T10:47:00.000-07:002011-04-19T10:47:29.399-07:00Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-ebook/dp/B0015DROBO?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0015DROBO&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a></div><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-ebook/dp/B0015DROBO?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0015DROBO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0015DROBO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is based on the mysterious disappearance of Harriet Vanger. In the 1960's young Harriet vanished without a trace from her family's island during a horrible fire that blocked the only bridge to the mainland. Harriet's disappearance still haunts her now elderly uncle, Henrik Vanger. Over the last 40 years, Henrik has used all of his power and wealth to try to find any clue of what happened that tragic day. If Henrik is certain of one thing, it is that Harriet was murdered. As one last attempt to solve the case, Henrik has hired Blomkvist, a journalist whom is under investigation himself, to end the case once and for all. Blomkvist reluctantly sets out to unravel the mystery with the help of </span><span class="readMoreText">Lisbeth Salander, an eccentric computer specialist. But they quickly find that there is more to the case then meets the eye. Blomkvist and Salander find themselves venturing further and further into the Vanger family history and discover the risks involved. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="caption"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-ebook/dp/B0015DROBO?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0015DROBO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0015DROBO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is currently one of the most wildly acclaimed and popular novels of the year. </span><span class="caption">In more than 800 pages, Steig has created a compelling and complex mystery with multi-dimensional characters. </span><span class="readLessText"><i>"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a striking novel. Just when I was thinking there wasn't anything new on the horizon, along comes Stieg Larsson with this wonderfully unique story. I was completely absorbed."</i> -Michael Connelly</span><span class="caption"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="caption">I agree that this novel was written with intelligence, that the characters were wonderfully developed, and the scope of the mystery was mind-boggling. However, I give this book a Thumbs Down for one important reason: it did not keep my attention. The first 150 pages were completely boring and unnecessary. A novel like this should begin with a bang not an essay about the Swedish economy. I felt like I was reading a business textbook. Then the book started picking up speed. But even then I found a lot of redundancies such as overdrawn descriptions and side stories of no real importance. I was disappointed by this book. I like authors to get to the point and to constantly peak my interest. I think this book would have deserved a Thumbs Up of it was half its length.</span><span class="caption"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="289" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RL8LI-h2WFc" title="YouTube video player" width="460"></iframe>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-23170515378768915972011-03-28T08:32:00.000-07:002011-03-28T08:32:50.972-07:00Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Eye-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385491026?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Cat's Eye" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0385491026&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><span class="caption"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Eye-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385491026?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385491026" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a fictional novel about a controversial Canadian painter, Elaine Risley. Elaine reluctantly returns to her home town for a restrospective of her life's work. While visiting Toronto, she is inevitably forced to "</span><span class="readMoreText">come to terms with her own identity as a daughter, a lover, an artist, and a woman". Before she can achieve this important step in self-fulfillment she must first reflect on the troublesome events of her childhood. Elaine has always struggled with her identity from religion to relationships and this art exhibit is her opportunity to face herself once and for all. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cats-Eye-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385491026?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Cat's Eye</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385491026" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> read like the memoirs of a troubled woman haunted by her past and conflicted with her sense of self. This novel explores Elaine's entire life as she attempts to discover her true self and come to terms with her past. From visions of the Virgin Mary to bullies at school Elaine Risley had endured many challenges growing up in the 1940's.<br />
<br />
Atwood writes with such vivid descriptions that you can clearly visualize Elaine's experiences. It was very moving to read because it dealt with the many roles that women play in life as well as the obstacles we face. In essence this book is a feminist statement, empowering women by encouraging them to not ignore their past but to gain control by accepting it and growing from it.<br />
<br />
Elaine's life experiences will linger with you long after you have finished the book.<br />
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<br />
I give this book a Thumbs Up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-89176196273355263902011-03-12T12:58:00.000-08:002011-04-19T10:51:40.330-07:00The Strain by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="readMoreText">They have always been here. Vampires. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come.<br />
<br />
In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In one month, the country.<br />
<br />
In two months-the world.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strain-Trilogy-Guillermo-Del-Toro/dp/0061558249?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="The Strain (The Strain Trilogy)" height="200" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0061558249&tag=thebook0f-20" width="107" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061558249" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<b><span class="readMoreText"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strain-Trilogy-Guillermo-Del-Toro/dp/0061558249?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Strain </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061558249" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />is the first novel in the the Strain Trilogy created by Pan's Labyrinth's director, Guillermo Del Toro and award-winning author, Chuck Hogan.</span> </span></b><span class="readMoreText"> </span><br />
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<span class="readMoreText">The story begins when a passenger airplane lands at the JFK airport but nobody gets off. The plane is still; all power is shut down and there is no communication with anyone on board. Dr. Eph Goodweather from the Centre for Disease control is called in to investigate. What his team finds is half as gruesome as what is about to come.</span><b><span class="readMoreText"> <br />
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</div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strain-Trilogy-Guillermo-Del-Toro/dp/0061558249?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Strain</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061558249" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> leaves you on the edge of your seat for all 624 pages. Each chapter builds suspense and is packed with action, mystery, and fear. Horror fans will love this book. The vampires are portrayed as primal monsters who's only desire is to kill and feed. Can Dr. Goodweather save the world? Or is it all ready too late?</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span class="readMoreText"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I give this book a Thumbs Up! </span></span></b><b><span class="readMoreText"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-87720257217357314782011-02-24T14:43:00.000-08:002011-02-24T14:43:09.642-08:00Mister B. Gone by Clive Barker<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mister-B-Gone-Clive-Barker/dp/0060182989?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Mister B. Gone" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0060182989&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060182989" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />"Burn this book. Go on. Quickly, while there's still time. Burn it. Don't look at another word. Did you hear me? No. One. More. Word."</b><br />
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This is how Clive Barker's novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mister-B-Gone-Clive-Barker/dp/0060182989?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Mister B. Gone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060182989" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, begins. Jakabok Botch pleads with the reader to burn the book and warns of terrible consequences if they keep reading. Jakabok is a demon trapped in the book. He was born in the 9th circle of Hell. He has scaly skin, two tails, and a burned, oozing face. He was caught by humans and pulled up through the circles of Hell. Once above he escaped and lived for many years in disguise. Jakabok and his friend, Quitoon, brought terror to all. He chronicles his life leading up to his entrapment in the book and ends with a battle between Heaven and Hell.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mister-B-Gone-Clive-Barker/dp/0060182989?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Mister B. Gone</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060182989" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a short novel written like a diary. Jakabok carries the reader through the novel by begging the reader to burn the book and then giving in and revealing some more of his story. The book continues like this until he has confessed his entire life. His pleading becomes increasingly more aggressive until he is graphically threatening the reader. The events of his long life are vile and disturbing including a bath of babies' blood. Uchh!<br />
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I found this book to be enjoyable at first. I liked how the demon was talking directly to me and thought his threats were entertaining. However, it seemed half of the book was threats. It actually got a little old. I felt like skipping these repetitive parts. The plot was overly simple. There were few characters and you did not get to know them with any depth. I was glad when the book was finished. I actually felt like burning this book, but for different reasons.<br />
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If you are a horror fanatic you should give this book a try. Otherwise, be considered warned. It left me feeling queasy and was disappointing in the end. I, unfortunately, have to give this book a Thumbs Down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5112/thumbsdowngreen.png" width="320" /></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vqaksa-WiJc" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-21330048091712207922011-02-11T14:20:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:23:20.782-08:00The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga<a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Tiger-Novel-Aravind-Adiga/dp/1416562605?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The White Tiger: A Novel" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1416562605&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Tiger-Novel-Aravind-Adiga/dp/1416562605?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The White Tiger</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1416562605" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a fictional novel about <span class="readMoreText">Balram Halwai. Born in the slums of India, Balram was destined to be a common servant. That was until he caught his lucky break. He became the driver for a wealthy landlord (a driver is similar to a servant but with a more desirable paycheck) and</span><span class="readMoreText">, against all odds, he later became a successful entrepreneur. But Balram is not just a businessman, he is also a murderer. Sitting beneath his chandelier, Balram unravels an astonishing tale in the form of a letter to the premier of China.</span><br />
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<span class="readMoreText"></span><span class="readMoreText">The White Tiger is Aravind Adiga's "blazingly savage and brilliant" debut novel. In less than 300 pages, Balram "The White Tiger" Halwai </span><span class="readMoreText">narrates his life's story "</span><span class="readMoreText">with a charisma as undeniable as it is unexpected". Despite being a murderer I could not help but feel sympathetic for Balram while at times he could seem arrogant and out-of-touch with his sanity. </span><br />
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<span class="readMoreText">There were a few areas in the book where the narrative jumped backwards to unspecified times but overall I felt this novel read smoothly. It is an entertaining, informative, and darkly humourous perspective of India, religion, and morals.</span><br />
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<span class="readMoreText">I give this book a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Thumbs Up</a>. Anyone who liked Slum Dog Millionaire should read this book.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s4tAPvWVorY" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8582606361798910883.post-87468561750690266052011-01-24T14:42:00.001-08:002012-02-27T18:59:10.963-08:00Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/068484267X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=068484267X&tag=thebook0f-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/068484267X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Angela's Ashes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=068484267X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=068484267X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a memoir that chronicles the life of Irish-American Frank McCourt. McCourt was born in 1930 in Brooklyn, New York but he spent most of his childhood in Ireland. Whether in the USA or in Ireland, his family lived in extreme poverty. They had little nutrition, lived in unsanitary conditions, had to struggle through the cold winters, and suffered from the tragic deaths of several of McCourt's siblings.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/068484267X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"> Angela's Ashes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=068484267X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> captures in the innocence of an impoverished boy as he learns about life and grows into a responsible young man headed back to the USA.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Angelas-Ashes-Memoir-Frank-McCourt/dp/068484267X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebook0f-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Angela's Ashes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebook0f-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=068484267X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> was a moving story about family, morals, and surviving through tough obstacles. Frank McCourt not only survived starvation, a drunken father, and heartbreak, but he was able to later live successfully as a teacher. He tells his story with touches of humour but his message is a serious one.<br />
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This was a very good read. I do not recommend it on your next vacation or at the beach. It is a sad story more suited for a quiet winter day. It's a story that should be shared, especially among those of us that are Irish descendants. It shows us one of the darkest sides of life in Ireland in the 1930' and 40's yet, at the same time, sheds light on that darkness.<br />
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I give this book a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Thumbs Up</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://amanda-bookshelf.blogspot.com/search/label/Thumbs%20Up"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7989/thumbsuppurple.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6zLpf1XDNko" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05913957404632673057noreply@blogger.com0