GINS Free Write Assignment (7)

Hello everyone! For this post we were assigned an exercise. This exercise was to free-write in the perspective of our main character from our novels for a set amount of time. We weren't to stop writing, or go back and change anything that we may want to (although I did sort of go back a couple of times... That's my OCD brain talking :P). Here is what I wrote:

     I wake up in my bedroom, the walls around me made of mud and rocks. Sunlight is streaming through the tiny window, reminding me that it's the crack of dawn. Yawning, I roll out of my bed – careful not to step on my siblings who are on the floor, wrapped in multiple dirty rags for warmth. I reach the kitchen. My mother is already cooking breakfast for the 6 of us. My father is at the door. Guarding. Waiting watching. My mother and I exchange a nod, and I help by preparing lunches for everyone. For ______ (sister), ______ (brother), ________ (sister). So, I guess not everyone, but pretty much. ________ (older brother) has been taken. Not that I would have to prepare him any food anyway, he's a couple years older than me, and out of school even longer than I. It still pains me now, though, to remember that instead of 3 siblings coming out of the bedroom in the morning, it will only be 4. Always three. It was painful. Terrifying. The soldiers are monsters. They don't care about anyone but themselves. Who are they to take away our culture and families? No, they don't have that right. But they do it anyway.

     Grandmama says it's getting worse. "War is coming on, Gabriella. It will only go downhill from here." For the sake of my family, the village, and myself, I sure to god hope that she's wrong.

She's not. When I reach the school at which I teach at, I don't even need to go inside. Manual is off to the side, along with the students. "Why don't we go learn outside today?" he says. So we do. We walk into the forest on the west for a couple miles until we reach a stream. Then Manual sits the children down on the rocks, and he begins to tell his stories, and teach. He doesn't get too far in his lesson. I am just sitting down myself when we hear gunshots. When I look to Manuel, he's crumbling. In a ragged voice, he lets out one word, "Run".

     I grab a couple of the kid's hands, the rest of them following suit. Then we are off, running upstream and away from the sound of guns. In the distance I hear a few groans, and cries. But then… they stop. Manual is dead.

     We continue to run through the forest, but I know that the students can't take it much longer, so a moment later we settle down and walk instead. Another gun fires. Another child dies. We run again, but by the time that we are free from any of the soldiers, only three of us remain. 12 are dead.

I hope you enjoyed! Happy reading!

Shatter Me Read-a-Long

Hey everyone! Happy with my new posting schedule? I sure am :)

So do you remember that post that I made last year all about Burn for Burn? Well guess what... That's what's going to be happening once again! Oh, and about those special joint-posts that we were supposed to do... Um, yeah... Sorry that didn't happen.

What will we be reading? As the title of this post suggests, Danika and I will be reading Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

Goodreads summary: Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

When will we be reading? Yay! Here comes all of the details about when we will be reading Shatter Me. Just a heads up... it's coming up very soon...

*All of these page numbers are pertaining to the HarperCollins Paperback edition.*

February 13th – Up to chapter 18; pg. 112
February 14th – Up to chapter 33; pg. 225
February 15th – Up to the last chapter; pg 338; it's a wrap!

I encourage you to look into joining us as we read, and be sure to look for a single joint-post that we will be doing at the end of the read-a-long. Thanks for stopping by, happy reading!

Danika's blog: http://loveliterature713.blogspot.ca

The Best Covers of 2013

After seeing Ariel Bissett's video on this, I had to do it because I read a lot of books this year that have amazing covers. So that's what I'm going to be showing you today. Pretty covers. 10 of 'em (and in order).

1. Angelfall by Susan Ee
2. Splintered by A. G. Howard
3. Crash by Lisa McMann
4. Taken by Erin Bowman
5. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
6. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Braken
7. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
8. Pivot Point by Kasie West
9. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
10. Fault Line by C. Desir

                     

Leave a comment with your favourite covers below, and happy reading!

Top 13 Of 2013

Um, so I'm really sorry... I am such a bad book blogger. I haven't posted all of my 2013/2014 "stuff" yet. Oh well, as they all say... Better late than never!

These books are in order from least-favourite to favourite, and I'm not including re-reads. And I recommended all of them. They were all so fantastic!

My 13th favourite book of 2013 was Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. I liked this book a lot better than Cinder, the first book in the series. It had such great characters, and the plot was amazing. I also really enjoyed the multiple perspectives that this book had to offer. And of course, it's a retelling of little red riding hood, what's not to love? Overall, awesome read!

At number 12 we have The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. This was my first Julie Kagawa book, and I'm so glad that I decided to pick it up! It was such an interesting take on vampires, and kept my interest the whole time reading. The plot was also so fast-paced! If you are looking for an interesting take on vampires with great characters and story, check this one out for sure!

Down at number 11 I have placed Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Although I read this over a year ago, I can remember reading this very vividly in my mind. It was one of those books that I read in one day, that I just couldn't put down. Unlike the first two on my list, it is a contemporary told from a dead-girl's voice on a recording tape. It really was a life-changing book, and if you are looking for something that will pull on your heart strings, this is defiantly something to look into. Full review can be seen by clicking here.

#10 on this list is Partials by Dan Wells. Originally, this would have been much farther up on my list, but after looking back on it the beginning of it took a while to get into, but after the first 20-50 or so pages, I couldn't stop reading, and I finished the majority of this book in one day as well, and this book isn't exactly what you would call small... No wonder I don't get my homework done! Again, it's a dystopian novel, but it takes on a much different angle than any other YA book that I've read before. Highly recommend, and if you don't like the first few pages, just keep pushing yourself!

And my 9th favourite of 2013 goes to Legend by Marie Lu. Again, I'm kind of surprising myself in this not being a 5th or 4th favourite, but if I had to be honest with myself I don't really remember what happened. And if I don't remember what happened... I just think other books are better, you know? What I do remember about this book, though, is that I loved it. Also, looking back at my goodreads review, I see that I cried, which gotta mean it's good, right?

The 8th book on my list was actually for-school (kinda) and that book is Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder and holy feels. The characters were absolutely amazing, the plot didn't fail me, and just... *sighs* Why does Valek have to be so old? Since I did read this for school, I do have a more... sophisticated review up. Up to re-reading it in 2014 as well. I need this amazing-ness in my life once again.

We're almost halfway with Truth or Dare (by Jacqueline Green) at number 7! So I haven't read Pretty Little Liars, which this book has been compared to, but wow... Now I really want to get to that series! I was in tears at the end, and the cliffhanger... Basically I need the second book, like, now. Click here to see my full review.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black has pulled into 6th place this year and, just... wow. I mentioned this in my December Wrap-Up, but I'm so glad Katytastic recommended this to her viewers. SO SO GOOD. And the ending... that can't be how it ends! And I need more Gavriel in my life.

Now in 5th place there is Pivot Point by Kasie West. I was so intensely engrossed in this story, and the choices that Addie had to make were just over the top FEELS. Again, I need the sequel right now. Unfortunately, that doesn't come out until February. Noooo! But seriously, you need to read this one (I mean, you need to read all of these but... Trevor <3 He's just so perfect)

I first started the Mortal Instruments series in 2013, so of course one of the books has to be on my "top" list. For me, it's City of Glass coming in 4th for my top of this past year. I also read this book in 24 hours, which is crazy. have you seen how big it is? 541 pages... not exactly small... I just couldn't put it down. There were so many crazy twists and turns and defiantly the best in the series so far. I wish it just ended with this great-ness, but oh well.

We're getting down the the nitty-gritty at my third favourite: Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson. This book was just so adorable and heart-warming. Amy was awesome, and Roger was just so perfect... *swoons* The road trip aspect was also super cool. I can't tell you enough... Read it! Click here to see my full review!

Now of course... The Darkest Minds, by Alexandra Bracken. Pretty much everyone has read this, and pretty much everyone has had this in their lists as well. For me, it's in spot #2. Liam is perfect, Chubs is just great, and, well, perfect. Ruby is so kick-butt and just... Everyone is so awesome, okay? I was bawling at the end. THE TEARS WOULDN'T STOP. Just... Just read it okay?

And last but not least, my #1 pick of 2013 goes to Altered by Jennifer Rush. I actually read this book twice in 2013, just because I love it so SO much. And now Erased is out and I have it and I just NEED IT RIGHT NOW. It's all about a girl and 4 great, genetically altered guys and their journey. Both times I read this, I read it in 24 hours. It's just that amazing. Haven't convinced you yet? Click here to see my review.

And this is where the fangirl-ing ends... for now. I hope that you enjoyed this post, even though it is a tad bit late. I still want to know what books you thought were amazing in 2013! Maybe we can get some book pushing, er, recommending done here. Happy reading everyone!

Epic Recs: February 2014

Okay... So this post is also a bit late... Please forgive me and my absence!

This month is a wonderful month of wonderful things. The first thing being the books that both Danika and I chose for each other to read this month. Danika recommended me Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo. I am super excited for the sequel to the fantastic Shadow and Bone that she recommended me last year in November.

I recommended Danika read two books this month, because one of them is a graphic novel and the other one is really short: Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach and Page by Paige by Laura Gulledge. She asked me to pick something that wasn't too heavy or crazy-insane this month, so I think that these books will be perfect for her.

Now onto the second awesome thing... I joined Epic Recs again! Starting next month (I hope, fingers crossed), I will be rec-ing with both Danika, as well as another girl named Jessica whom I was paired up with by Judith and Amber, the founders of Epic Recs). I am super excited to read some more books and expand my horizons that much more. I'm already thinking about the great books I can push on her. It's just going to be an awesome time.

Let me know what you are reading this month (recommended or not). But until next time... happy reading!

Amber's post: http://www.booksofamber.com/2014/02/epic-recs-february-2014.html
Judith's post: http://www.paperiot.com/2014/02/epic-recs-february/
Danika's post: http://loveliterature713.blogspot.ca/2014/02/january-wrap-up-and-february-tbr-epic.html

January and December Wrap-Up

I'm only 8 days late.... Plus a month...

I apologize for not posting these type of posts, or pretty much anything at all... THINGS WILL CHANGE!

December
The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins – This was a re-read and... *fangirls* SO FANTASTIC
The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black – Katytastic, thank-you for convincing me to read this book. GAVRIEL THOUGH. <3
Fault Line by C. Desir – This book had me to tears... So much to say, yet so much... not to say.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo – Why had I not read this book before? Review coming soon!
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black – I should have read this before The Coldest Girl... Black has grown so much!!
Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen – I was reading this for school, and it wasn't so great. Then I forgot that I was reading it for school, and I really liked it.
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers – Danika, WHY DO YOU PUT ME THROUGH THIS TORTURE? Book review coming soon as well.

And the book of the month was... *drumroll* The Coldest Girl in Coldtown! Now don't yell at me for not saying The Hunger Games. Re-reads don't count, okay? In the Coldest Girl in Coldtown, Black creates a scary world with wonderful characters and written with beautiful, lyrical language. I highly recommend it!

January
Unwind by Neal Shusterman – I will forever hold myself accountable for not making myself read this book sooner.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Saenz – DNF at pg. 158. I really wanted to like this book it just... didn't happen that way. More on this coming shortly.
Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian – The plot and story was awesome! And, you know, reading along with Danika was pretty great too.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell – Excuse me while I sort out my feelings and cry over this lovely piece of literature.
Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon – Had to DNF this one as well at pg. 164. The element aspect was super cool but... Ugh, I'll explain later in another post.
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne – Pooh is such an innocent character, as is all of the rest of them and just... *sighs in relief* This is what I needed after those two DNF's.

And for January, my book of the month was... Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne. Overall, it was really hard to choose only one book that stood out to me, but I chose A. A. Milne's work because I think it is completed under-rated, and it is just so heartwarming that everyone needs to read it.

And that was that... Stay tuned for an update on my blog and what's going on. Happy reading!

Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry

The first Top Ten Tuesday of 2014! Yay! *slow clap* It's been forever since I've done one of these, and this week's top ten is sort of a last-minute decision anyway. Oh well... It's back with the top ten books that will make me cry. Thankfully I have a lot to choose from.

Oh, and just a little disclaimer: I am a very emotional person.

Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry – Feb. 4th

                                     

Happy reading!