My favorite Harry Potter songs (from the original scores)

1. Statues (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II), composed by Alexandre Despalt

2. Lily's Theme (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II), composed by Alexandre Despalt

3. A Window to the Past (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), composed by John Williams

4. Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone), composed by John Williams

5. Dumbledore's Speech (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), composed by The Global Stage Orchestra

Pretty much all of them, because these scores are absolutely amazing. I do not understand why The Deathly Hallows part II wasn't Oscar nominated for best original score.

I'm just...

So, school started, obviously, and that hasn't been going well. I haven't cried during class yet, though, so it's better than I could hope for. Anyway, I haven't been reading much either, and am hoping that I'll finish a book before long, but long is relative. Random update over.

Favorite Quotes

I did a little bit of Harry Potter favorite quotes that I liked, but now I'm going to be more general.


These are ones I found all on my own, and am quite proud of finding:

"His scar burned, but he was the master of pain; he felt it, yet it was a part from it."
     -J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (pg. 478)

"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power, and of love, and of self-discipline."
    -2 Timothy 1:7

"We don't actually fear death, we fear that no one will notice our absence- that we will disappear without a trace."
    -"The Doctor in the Photo." Bones (I'm not doing an official citation, so I'm leaving the confusing stuff out)

"Silence is the ultimate weapon of power."
   -Charles de Gaulle


Ones that I acquired from Veronica Roth's brain:

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
     -Frank Herbert, Dune

"My will is mine, I shall not make it soft for you."
    -Agamemnon, Aeschylus 

"I will show you fear in a handful of dust."
      -T. S. Eliot

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."
     -Samuel Beckett

Most Anticipated Books (for me) Fall 2015

I want them now.

1. Beastly Bones by William Ritter

As you know, I loved Jackaby, and come one, I needed the next book. I'm slowly getting through The Map, but I picked that up right before I started Harry Potter, so it might still be a while.



2. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The cover glows in the dark, and I mean it sounds pretty awesome, but the cover. The cover. Also, I love anything British (almost).



3. Da Vinci's Tiger by L. M. Elliot

I just love the cover so much that I have to buy it. The cover changed, though, but I'm not going to allow that thought to penetrate my mind until it comes in the mail.




4. Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

The cover. Also, a western.



5. Dreamland by Robert L. Anderson

IT SOUNDS SO COOL!!!

Books You Really Want to Read

I've realized that people not in the bookish community might not be aware of this fact, but it is still present: you don't always read the book you've been dying to read first. This can be for a number of reasons.

1. You don't want to be disappointed- who does?
2. School, Work, Writing Harry Potter fanfiction, ect.- this is why most people never read.
3. There are other books you're currently reading- it'll ruin both books reading experiences (probably)
4. You just can't bring yourself to do it- this is probably why I don't do it most often. It's not that I don't want to read the book, or that I haven't been waiting for months to get it, it's just that I get myself to open the pages and glue my eyes to them. This sounds like i'm not a reader, but I think if you are one, you'll understand.

Random thoughts of the day, over. 

Harry Potter, Trilogies, and the Splitting of Final Books/Movies

I watched The Deathly Hallows Part 2, and I didn't cry though the whole thing, which actually made me a little upset, but I cried enough that I wasn't mad at myself for not doing so. I kept keep telling myself that I should've watched The Half-Blood Prince, though, because now I don't think I'll be able to watch any of them for a long time. The last movie is just too perfect.

Harry Potter is the exception to the rule of "don't split up the final movie", because it's one of the few times where it really needed to be split up to achieve the full effect. Unless the whole movie was like four hours long, I don't think they could've had the same power to them. For instance, The Order of the Phoenix was amazingly well adapted considering how long the book is, but that doesn't mean it was the best adaptation. They left out key things that I wanted to see- Quidditch, the full Department of Mysteries scene, Cho and Harry- which I understand why they did, but was still a little disappointing (though I still love the movie).

Divergent and The Hunger Games' final movies don't need to be split up into two parts like Harry Potter, in fact, I'm not sure they even need to be trilogies. I love Divergent, Delirium, and The Hunger Games, but I don't think they need to be three books, and all for the same reason: if there were only two books, the final book wouldn't have to be so bloody boring. My reactions to the books: Mockingjay- ew. Allegiant- get on with it..., Requiem- too many words. This is true for a lot of trilogies, and I realized this, and now series are just ruined for me.

That was a short rant, so now I'm going to show random Harry Potter quotes I googled tonight.



"Don't let the Muggles get you down." -The Prisoner of Azkaban





There are more, but I'll limit it tonight.

Reading Breaks vs. Reading Slumps

I saw this Ariel Bissett Video on "Reading Breaks" not being bad, which I fully agree with, except, I disagree on the point that they are the same thing as "Reading Slumps." 

I take reading breaks all the time, and I've noticed this with reading logs in school. One quarter, I'll read 22 books without a school break, and the next I'll read 13 with multiple school breaks, and this isn't a bad thing. 

What is a bad thing, however, is a reading slump, because those are so different from a reading break. A reading slump that I had at the beginning of summer was terrible, because I was so sick of words. I didn't want to read, I didn't want to write, I just didn't want to do anything. It was the worst, and not a reading break. 

This was a quick thought that I felt like sharing. 

Harry Potter Update and Character Death

I finished The Order of the Phoenix auf Deutsch on Monday, and then watched the movie (again) (of course). I have already told you this, but I am quite proud of it, so I'm saying it again.


Today, I finished re-reading The Half-Blood Prince, and seem to have forgotten everything about Snape, because I am just so confused about him right now. I'm not mad at him, and I wasn't the first time either, because Dumbledore dying didn't make me all that sad. What made me sad was actually only in the movie, when McGonagall raises her wand in the air, and everyone follows suit (I'll admit though, the second time I read Harry not wanting to leave Dumbledore, it made me much sadder than the first time).

Generally, when I cry in books, it isn't because a favorite character of mine died (that really only happens in movies, if it's well done). For example, the dedication in The Deathly Hallows made me cry, I am not entirely sure why, but it did, and it wasn't to do with character death (well...). If I Lie made me cry, because everything that happens to her is just so terrible. Where The Red Fern Grows made me cry, because the connection between the dogs and their owner was so powerful, and only when Jack dies is this point made as evident as ever. I honestly can't think of a character death that has made me cry.

Maybe I'm just the coldest person ever, but I think there are other elements that make me feel more emotion than something as simple death (this is not saying that death is simple, it's just that it's not as complex of a plot development (and I feel bad about saying death is a plot development, because it shouldn't be) than other things).I'll probably do something more on this later.


Yesterday, I watched The Sorcerers Stone while working (sort of...) and noticed that Hermoine has bangs, BANGS!!! Tonight, I am either going to watch The Half-Blood Prince, or The Deathly Hallows Part 2.

Non-Existent Parents in YA

I'm realizing this happens a lot in (mostly) Young Adult books, but I think there is a reason for it. I am not deep into my teenage years, but I have been immersed in this feeling for a while (I think).

I remember after reading 39 Clues, and thinking about writing on my own, how there weren't parents. Well, I wasn't really thinking about how there weren't parents, I was thinking about how to get rid of parents in the story. Until recently, I didn't see the flaw in this thought, and then I did, and thought how stupid it was, and then I realized my thought process.

Okay, so there weren't parents present in the books I had been reading at that time (which were Middle Grade). The most important stories in my life didn't involve parents- Harry Potter, The Series of Unfortunate Events, The White Giraffe series (I don't think that's the official name for it), and 39 Clues- didn't have parents as a large part of the stories. For Middle Grade, I think this should be in the minority, because at that age you are still very dependent on your family, and especially your parents. The characters in the books I was reading were put into extraordinary circumstances that furthered the plot by not having parents, and this was how I thought all books had to be.

I didn't realize it until just now actually, but some of my favorite books of all time have parents as a huge part of the story- The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, Inside Out and Back Again- because their parents are more or less controlling their lives. In The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Inside Out and Back Again would be a better example, I just know The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate so much better), she becomes very close with her aloof Grandfather because she has a driving passion to learn about Botany and Biology, but as it is set in 1899 Texas, her parents are not supportive of her dreams. They want her to learn how to play the piano, how to cook, how to sew and knit, and clean properly, and she stands up for herself as much as she can, but she is still forced into things that she would rather not do. That had something to do with the era, but it also had to do with the fact that she is very young, and that's how you are treated when you are young (this is MG, so it may not apply as much).

As you get older, though, you want to escape more. I realized this maybe a year of so ago, because I really wanted to get away from my family for a while. That is why I think so few Young Adult books have present parents- because it's not what you want to be thinking about when you're a teenager. You want to think about the things that are huge themes in YA literature- overcoming repressive powers (in normal circumstances, probably things such as parents and school), finding love and friendship, and finding yourself.

The Chocolate War, I think, is a good example. Jerry's mother died and his father was very distant, and I think he was depressed. He wanted to break the monotony that was his life. He wanted to disturb the universe. In the end, he realized he shouldn't have done that, and his parents helped him up. And that is what I think parents are more important for in teenage years- picking you up when you fall. When you are younger (MG), they are trying to steer you in the right direction so you don't fall as hard, but then need to let go sometime, and should be there when you need them.

For example- Harry Potter. His parents weren't a part of his life, but when he needed someone to talk to, especially in the later ones, he would go to his friends, which I think is more true for teenage years that MG ones. He had the Weasly's, Dumbledore, some of his teachers, and for a short while Siruis to talk to, and they took the role of helping him where his friends couldn't. This is clearly an extraordinary circumstance, but for most of The Deathly Hallows there aren't any adults around, only his friends, and that's what happens in real life. They needed someplace to go, so they went to Bill and Fluer's house, which isn't like going home, but it's still finding refuge in those who are wiser.

This has probably lost many people, and seeing as I am typing this up at 10:12 at night, and still need to do so many other things tonight, I am not going to edit, and instead try and conclude with one sentence that I think really exemplifies what I am trying to say.

Parents aren't as present in Young Adult books, because parents aren't as present in a teenagers life. They are Young Adults, and they want to be treated that way- I certainly do. For example, I got a ride with another High Schooler to Cross Country today, and then a ride home from her as well. Then, I showered and stuff, and made myself my own lunch. I dictated what I was going to do until my mom asked me to help her. Then I did so, and went back to the things I needed to do. My brother went and fixed his own problem, then went off with his friends, then didn't get back from work until eight o' clock, and which time he had dinner and went to sleep. My parents made him dinner, and did what they should do as parents, but they weren't telling him what he needed to be doing.

This is going on for much longer than I intended, and I am feeling as if I am losing the validity to my point, but I still think it is there. Parents are present in lives of teenagers, but not in the same was as they are at different parts of their life. 

Divergent, for example- Tris's mom made a huge impact on her, even though she was there for the bare minimum of the story. This didn't keep Tris from changing her life because of her mom, it encouraged her, and that is what I think parents in stories are there to do.

Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari

I was actually very surprised by this book, because when I read, I thought it was well planned out and everything, and it was informative, but I didn't really find it necessary, because I'm not in any relationships. However, when talking to my Dad about my friendships, I realized that the information applied there too, and that it was super helpful. I was able to cite a bunch of facts, and know that they are true, which made me very happy.

This is a sucky book review, but other than the book was good, I don't really have much to say.



That said, I also got Lord of the Rings on Kindle Unlimited, and plan on reading it soon.

So...

I had this really cool idea about some random Harry Potter thing last night (after I finished it auf Deutsch!), but I have forgotten, and it's super annoying, because it was sooooo cool!!! Hopefully I'll think of it later.

I think it had something to do with Snape, because I keep thinking about him and Hagrid, but I'm not sure. Also, Voldemort, but that may just be a constant.

Something A Friend Said To Me

Okay, so last week, I asked my friend if she would want to do a writing sprint with me, but instead of what I thought she would say (great idea!) she told me: "I'm just saying if you get into the habit of focusing solely [on] one thing, you'll do that and ignore everything and everyone else and then.... "
I strongly disagree with that. I got that text over a week ago, and am still so pissed off about it.

For one:
THEY SPEND YEARS IN SCHOOL TRYING TO GET YOU TO THE POINT AT WHICH YOU CAN READ FOR 45 MINUTES STRAIGHT!!! THIS IS A HUGE PART OF THE CURRICULUM!

For two:
FOCUS, THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING! FOCUSING! NO WONDER YOU'VE ONLY FINISHED ONE PROJECT! (I really shouldn't have written that, but I think I need to, so I'm leaving it. Sorry)

For three:
EVERYTHING THAT I JUST STATED ABOVE!!! IT'S PISSING ME OFF THAT SHE'S NOT GETTING IT!

For four:
Personal reasons between the two of us

There is more, but I've let it out with my dad, because I don't have anyone else to talk it out with except my parents. I need more friends.

Also, friend, if you ever read this to you, know that I am sorry, but not about thinking your specific opinion .

Weird Things Happen During Your Sleep (1.2)

I changed my mind- Voldemort's (I just realized that wasn't spelled with an R) Hispanic (it seemed right) daughter would not pass out every time Aveda Kendavra was used, but also that she could not be killed by it. I was also thinking, that since she was a "Harry" like horcurx, she would have to die, but Curcio could cause her enough pain to kill her (because of the spells pain and the pain of dark magic on her body).

I also decided that she would be the Minister of Magic at the 16 years later part, and possibly marry Dean Thomas (I haven't researched if he is married of not, but whatever).

She would obviously be in the graveyard scene, and I was thinking that she could apparate back to Hogwarts, but once she arrived everyone would think that suspicious (you know, because no one else can), so they would attack her (did I already think of this?). A dementor would go after her, and her wand would be many feet away, but I was thinking that she might not need a wand. What if she just could conjure her patronus (rhino?) with her mind? Or all magic with her mind.

Also, what if in 5, she is mad at Harry because...I don't know, but she's mad at Harry for something she did. If I haven't mentioned this before, Fred and George are her best friends (I know this makes no sense), and that muddles things up a bit.

What if she had the combined powers of Voldemort and Dumbledore, making her the most powerful witch of all time? She would be in Slytherin, if I didn't mention that.

Also, right after Dumbledore is killed by Snape, I was thinking she could chase after Snape and tell him not to leave, because he's like a parent to her, but Harry interprets this otherwise, and thinks she's evil (obviously not.)

This is written when I should be reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix auf Deutsch, so I'm rushing this a bit. I have more for later.

Harry Potter auf Deutsch!

So, I am currecntly reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in German (Harry Potter und der Orden des Phönix), and it's really hard. I don't speak German almost at all (finished German 1 in school!), so I am reading a chapter in English, followed by a chapter in German, so I can guess at what they're saying better .

I've been trying to read like 250 pages a day (which would actually be 500), but I end up only getting maybe two chapters in. I really need to get to work on this if I want to re-read the whole series before school starts (the 1st, NOOOO).





Also, I've been thinking that maybe I should read The Lord of the Rings. It's with Kindle unlimited, right? So I could totally do it. Maybe. I don't know. Decisions!

Weird Things Happen During Your Sleep (1.1)

Okay, so I was thinking on this whole Voldermort with a child thing...

1. What if that child was a girl (because we need a female chosen one) who wasn't white (because all heros in the world aren't all white people, like these books suggest)
2. What if every time dark magic was used by Voldemort or a Death Eater, she felt pain (like Harry), except all over her body (like Crucio), and every time Avada Kedavra was used, she either nearly goes unconscious, or does
3. What if she was in Slytherin, and that's why they never heard of her, until the day in Defense Against the Dark arts when Moody (obviously not actually him) uses the unforgivable curses, and she felt pain, but everyone thought she was making fun of Harry, so the Gryffindors hate her, but Slytherins love her
4. What if, she was in the graveyard in The Goblet of Fire, and everyone thought she was with Voldermort, but she wasn't (duh), and then the Ministry used that against Harry in The Order of the Pheonix
5. What if she was more powerful than Voldermort, and therefore the best witch in the world, and totally saved Harry in the graveyard, by keeping the Death Eaters at bay while he got the Triwizard cup (mix it up a bit), and then apparated onto Hogwarts ground (only possible for her), making the Ministry suspicious (rightfully so)
6. What if, after all the good people realized how good she was, they trusted her, and she became best friends with Fred and George (even though that would be difficult)
7. What if Tonks, Snape, and Lupin were her parental figures and when they all died, she was okay with...(below)
8. What if she became a horcrux and they had to kill her as well in the Deathly Hallows
9. What if... (I'm bound to think of more things for The Order of the Phoenix,  The Half-Blood Prince, The Deathly Hallows, and really all the books, but I'm too tired now. Hey, maybe I'll think of it tonight!)

How To Binge Read

1. Find a book, or book series, that you really want to read (ex. Harry Potter)
2. Either be able to handle distractions, or don't, and find the appropriate place
2.1. Find someplace, anywhere, that you can sit, lie down, or stand, or other if you can find another one...
2.2. Have acess to water
3. Open the book
4. Look at the words
5. READ
6. READ
7. READ
8. Watch the movie (if there is one, like Harry Potter)

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis

Grace Mae is already familiar with madness when family secrets and the bulge in her belly send her to an insane asylum—but it is in the darkness that she finds a new lease on life. When a visiting doctor interested in criminal psychology recognizes Grace's brilliant mind beneath her rage, he recruits her as his assistant. Continuing to operate under the cloak of madness at crime scenes allows her to gather clues from bystanders who believe her less than human. Now comfortable in an ethical asylum, Grace finds friends—and hope. But gruesome nights bring Grace and the doctor into the circle of a killer who will bring her shaky sanity and the demons in her past dangerously close to the surface.

Positives:
1. Reminded me of Sherlock Holmes
2. Asylums are cool
3. Very well spaced out information about what happened to Grace
4. Difficult topic handled with grace (I'm so funny, I know)
5. Dr. Thornhollow (I think I have a crush on him)
6. Victorian era
7. THAT COVER and THAT TITLE
8. Thornhollow has a heart
9. The way the story begins, woah. 

Negative:
1. I didn't understand a certain character death,.. (you'll see)

Intersetllar Key Parts (For Me) Movie Review

Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan

Screenplay:
It's a very long movie, but it needs to be that way. You spend the first 40 minutes of the movie on Earth, but those 40 minutes need to be there in order for it all to make sense. Overall, it's a good one, but very long.

Sountrack:
Perfect for the movie

Acting:
Anne Hathaway. What else should I say.

Film and Sound Editing:
*nods head*

Directing:
*nods head*

Diversity:
This one pisses me off so much. There is no reason the two main characters have to be white. I noticed this at one very specific scene, the tessaract scene. During the two times I've watched it, at that exact moment, I realize how stupid it is that they aren't diverse characters. If that had been different, I think this movie could have been so much better.

Overall:
I really liked this movie, although a little long, it was worth watching. Before I had watched it, I didn't really want to see it, but my brother really wanted us to, so I did, and really liked it (although he didn't.) I would recommend it.

10 Reasons Why I Love The Pigman by Paul Zindel

The Pigman by Paul Zindel (I didn't know this until a few seconds ago, but he won the Pulitzer Prize!!!)
In The Pigman, what begins as a teenage prank soon becomes a timeless examination of grief, acceptance, and the transformative power of friendship. High-school sophomores John and Lorraine had no idea what they were starting when they made a prank phone call to a stranger named Angelo Pignati. Virtually overnight, they befriended the old man. But now Mr. Pignati is dead. And for John and Lorraine, the only way to find peace is to write down their friend's story—the true story of the Pigman.


I read this book for the Book-Tube-A-Thon don't let go of a book challenge. I had been wanting to read it, because I saw it as a YA Classic, and it was perfect for this, because my super old edition was only 159 pages.

1. YA Classic (in my mind)
2. For when it was published, a lot of the stuff in this book would be considered controversial
3. The Zoo
4. Characters are just so great and complex
5. Dressing in Mr. Pignati's and his wife's clothes
6. Dual POV
7. Pretending to be for a charity..
8. How they know to meet up with each other
9. Short but powerful
10. When he comes home from the hospital, that whole part of the book made me upset. The friends are so annoying.

I could come up with so many more reasons why this book is great, but I'm in a hurry, so these are the ones that I thought of off the top of my head. Please read this book, it's so good and begging to be picked up.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
You can’t stop the future. 
You can’t rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. 
                
Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever. (via Amazon)

Positives:
1. Suicide is an important topic that needs to be discussed
2. Tapes are a very interesting way to have the story be told
3. Very powerful emotions towards the end (I did not cry)
4. Map's are helpful
5. Characters
6. How everything fits together

Negatives:
1. Up until Clay's tape, I felt that the emotion was being told rather than shown
2. Occasionally, I would completely space out pages, and then have to re-read them. This may be due to how I was reading it, but if it wasn't, this is a warning.
3. I was disappointing how Clay fit into it all, for me
4. It wasn't my favorite book that dealt with the topic of suicide, and I felt like it romanticized it just a little. I am an idiot about this, though, so if you think it was perfect, it was perfect. I do love My Heart and Other Black Holes so much more though (it's very different, enough not to be compared, but whatever). This is on the same lines as The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand is for me.

Childhood Favorites: Books

Technically, this is still my childhood, but I'm going to pretend like I'm an adult and call a few years ago my childhood.

I really liked books for most of Elementary School, although I didn't read that many books, but in sixth grade I barely read anything, so books are still kind of blossoming back to me. This is just a quick note, and probably doesn't matter to anyone else.


The Evolution of Calupurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly- this may be the book I've read the most. I read it at least once in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, but I know I've read it more than three times. I connected so much with the main character, because the first time I read it, I was hating piano lessons (which I did choose to take, but none the less), really was getting into science, especially botany (expect both my parents encouraged me, and this wasn't when women were only allowed to do housework), and felt a lot of the same things she felt. I just really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.
I remember the first time I read it thinking it was a huge book. It's 338 pages. Children's minds...
The sqeuel The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate came out in July, and it's blue!



Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai- I read this for Readers Choice at my school, and it honestly affected me so much when I was that age. When I started Readers Choice, I though the Unwanteds would be my favorite thing, but I ended up hating that and falling in love with this. It's written in verse, and it's so beautiful. I really should re-read it.
This also grappled with a more difficult topic than I was used to. Earlier that year I had read The Hunger Games, and I really enjoyed it, so I was expecting this book to be okay, but not amazing, because it wasn't action packed. Except, it was, just not in the way I thought it would be.
Also, it won the National Book Award, so it's pretty amazing.
I originally read this as a library book, but got a hardcover for free at a book exchange!
I haven't yet, but really want to read her next book Listen, Slowly.




A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (pen name)- these is some of the few middle grade books that I kept when I got rid of a bunch, and I am very happy that I did. I read most of them in the summer between 4th and 5th grade, and I remember writing (essentially) fanfiction about it, and being so devoted to all of the characters and being so pissed off that they didn't catch him again! My favorite is The Austere Academy.
Also, the movie adaptation sucked, so I am crossing my fingers that Netflix does a better job (the teaser trailer was epic!!!) Although, after I watched the movie I had a huge crush on Liam Aiken for such a long time.
 13 books! I can't believe I read that many.



39 Clues (various authors)- this is one of those things where I look back and am very disappointing in myself for liking them as much as I did. I rarely read books (I did more in 4th grade), but I reread all of the original series, and was literally non-stop talking about them.
I recently gave away all my copies, and honestly don't feel too bad about it.
Also, how many books are there going to be? I couldn't get through the first couple in the spin-off series. I just couldn't do it.




Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, illustrated by Brett Helquist- I'm not totally sure, but I think I listened to an audio book of this in 2nd grade when both my brother and I were sick, and I don't really remember much from that time, but then I think I read it on my own in 4th grade, and then the last two books in 5th grade. I love the illustrations in it (flipping though it I'm seeing them, and how huge the font is). This book was so intriguing to me, because at the time I was super into myserties (I think), and this was right there for me. I also remember loving all the thoughts, and I don't remember many specifics, but I know I loved it.
WHY ISN'T IT A MOVIE!!!

10 Reasons Why I Love Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby
When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all. 

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake. (via Goodreads)

(I read this at the end of May)

1. (Organ) Transplant hasn't occurred much in YA, and was cool to learn more about
2. The Writing was absolutely beautiful
3. The coffee shop
4. Kayaking
5. I got an ARC of it
6. Her relationship with her parents
7. The whole idea of it, and feeling
8. My heart was being ripped apart as I read it
9. The cover is pretty cool
10. Epigraphs add to each chapter and the book as a whole

The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game, directed by Morten Tyldum
This is the only movie I have ever pre-ordered on DVD, and it is my favorite movie.

I found out about this movie while at Mockingjay: Part 1 with my church youth group, and someone sighed and said, "Benedict Cumberbatch." This is what started it all. Later, on January 2, 2015 (I know this date because of events before hand), I watched it and could not stop thinking about it. AT ALL.

So, I watched Sherlock (all 9 episodes in 1 day, sort of), thinking that would get me over the hangover. It didn't, in fact, if anything it added fuel to the fire because I was now in love with Benedict Cumberbatch. It was just so good.

The next weekend, I watched it with my Dad again, and to be honest, I didn't like it quite as much. This may be due to the experience, or something else, but I lied to everyone and said it was better the second time around. I don't remember what was wrong with it, but it just wasn't all the way there.

I read the book Alan Turing: The Engima for my book report at school, and that was probably the hardest thing I ever did. I understood so little of the book, and it is so long, and I am not to that level of math, so it made no sense. I based my essay on the movie, for the most part. Although, I did learn a lot about the machine, and stuff like that.

While I wrote, I would listen to the score, and would always stop one song before the end, so it could take me back to my favorite movie.

My parents wouldn't allow me to see it in theaters a third time, so I had to wait until it came out on DVD, and let me tell you, that was very difficult. Every time I would hear someone talking about The Imitation Game, I would begin to listen to the conversation, like stalking. I also became obsessed with Benedict Cumberbatch, and he soon became my safe place on the internet. When I did finally get it on DVD, I worked extra had to get all my schoolwork done before it would be too late to watch it. For the third time, I watched it for the third time in my basement, shivering with excitement.

Later, I watched it with two of my friends (one of whom fell asleep at the beginning), and it was probably the best time I had watched it. The environment was perfect, and I hadn't seen it for awhile, which made it that much better.

A couple weeks ago, I watched it after having a huge fight with my parents, and that time I just needed to see it. I needed it in my life. It was the first time I ever cried while watching it, and that made it different. That was the most recent time I've watched it.

Now, to the actual movie, instead of how I watched the movie.

This is the story of Alan Turing, a mathematician, who broke the German enigma machine (no, this is not a spoiler). That is my one sentence synopsis, which I think is fairly accurate. The screenplay is amazingly well adapted, and the acting is phenomenal. The score has made me cry son multiple occasions, and I still listen to it today. The film and sound editing are good, although I still have no idea what that means. Costumes were perfect. It is just so perfect. Please watch this movie. Please.

Rarely do I rate things, but this would be 10 stars all the way, or whatever you're supposed to rate things with.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I have two weeks. You'll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

That's what you do to enemy agents. It's what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine - and I will do anything, anything to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I'm going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France - an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team. (via Goodreads)

(I read it in February sometime)

Positives:
1. World War II story
2. Dual POVs
3. The second half I couldn't put down
4. Powerful Women (in an era where they were more suppressed)
5. Printz Honor
6. Physical beauty (...is everything. Just kidding)
7. A very complex plot

Negatives:
1. It was very hard for me to get into, so it took me more than three weeks to complete
2. All of Verity's narrative I honestly didn't love (which is like half the book)
3. This is in part due to the fact that I was so slow at reading it, but I got so confused at some parts.

Thoughts on Writing

A couple weeks ago, one of my friends said that "If you're a writer, you were born a writer, and you shouldn't need prompts to help you start." I strongly disagree with that for two huge reasons.

One, what does born a writer even mean? You don't pop out of the womb and start penning novels, but you do learn to appreciate every word for what it's worth, and then being to want to create your own. I didn't start writing up until a couple years ago, but that doesn't mean I'm any less of a writer than someone who's been doing it since they could read, or someone who started yesterday. We are all equal.

Two, just because you do write a lot, doesn't mean you don't need prompts to help you. I am actually one of the worst writers for school, because I don't know what to write about without creating a whole new world in my head, a world that I can't fit into two double spaced pages. Prompts help me figure out what I should just begin to spill words out about, and hen bring me back to where it needs to be. Sometimes, I do hate the prompts, but I still appreciate them being there.

Overall, this statement is just so off-putting. It's saying that if you didn't start writing the moment you could hold a pencil, then you can never write, and that if you need help starting, you shouldn't write. I can understand why my friend said it, because she wanted to go along with the conversation, but I feel like it's similar to someone casually being racist or sexist or homophobic. This was a bit of a rant, but I needed to get it out of my system.

10 Reasons Why I Love Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At fifty years old, she’s a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a world-renowned expert in linguistics with a successful husband and three grown children. When she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a tragic diagnosis changes her life--and her relationship with her family and the world--forever.

At once beautiful and terrifying, Still Alice is a moving and vivid depiction of life with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease that is as compelling as A Beautiful Mind and as unforgettable as Judith Guest's Ordinary People. (via Goodreads)

This is one of the few adult books that I've read, so this is just a warning.

1. Beautiful writing
2. Harvard
3. It made me so sad (although, I did not cry at the book)
4. Julianne Moore stars in the movie. That just has to be here.
5. Forgetting how to lick ice cream (this one really stuck with me)
6. The checklist
7. Butterfly (this is almost the same thing as above, but it's so important that I'm repeating it)
8. The last scene with her youngest daughter
9. Passing it on to one of her children (is it a spoiler if I tell you which one?)
10. Her job, her life, her mind...

10 Reasons Why I Love Crash and Burn by Micheal Hassan

Crash and Burn by Micheal Hassan
On April 21, 2008, Steven "Crash" Crashinsky saved more than a thousand people when he stopped his classmate David Burnett from taking their high school hostage armed with assault weapons and high-powered explosives. You likely already know what came after for Crash: the nationwide notoriety, the college recruitment, and, of course, the book deal. What you might not know is what came before: a story of two teens whose lives have been inextricably linked since grade school, who were destined, some say, to meet that day in the teachers' lounge of Meadows High. And what you definitely don't know are the words that Burn whispered to Crash right as the siege was ending, a secret that Crash has never revealed.

Until now.

Michael Hassan's shattering novel is a tale of first love and first hate, the story of two high school seniors and the morning that changed their lives forever. It's a portrait of the modern American teenage male, in all his brash, disillusioned, oversexed, schizophrenic, drunk, nihilistic, hopeful, ADHD-diagnosed glory. And it's a powerful meditation on how normal it is to be screwed up, and how screwed up it is to be normal. (via Goodreads)

I read this over MLK weekend, mostly while in a bathtub at a Westin (they have great rooms!)

1. It take place over a very long time period
2. Past and present chapters (you'll see)
3. Messed up main character
4. Mental Health Matters
5. The relationship between Crash and Burn is just so interesting and complex
6. Those last thirty pages...
7. Very pleasant reading experience
8. Pretty long (keep you occupied for awhile) (532 pages)
9. The messed up family dynamic
10. As I've said before, I really enjoy a good being thrown into the spotlight story  (he is definitely thrown into the spotlight)

Whiplash Key Parts (For Me) Movie Review

Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle

Acting: (starring Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons) It won an Oscar for it's acting, the acting is just amazing. Miles Teller is also very good in it, and I honestly think he should've also been nominated for an Oscar because of it.

Soundtrack: Since this movie is all about music, the soundtrack to it wasn't as important to me, although when I did notice it, it was pretty good. I haven't listened to it individually, and might, but probably won't.

Screenplay: (by Damien Chazelle, adapted from the short Whiplash) It was a good story line that fit all the scenes together. I didn't have a problem with it.

Film and Sound Editing: (Tom Cross/ Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, Thomas Curley) I don't know exactly what this means, but it won the Oscar for it, so I'd assume it's good.

Directing: Haven't seen it in a while, but from what I can remember, I really liked it.

Diversity: So low. So low. The jazz scene historically has been dominated by African-Americans, yet the two main characters are white men. This didn't upset me the first time I watched it, but it's really upsetting to me now. Even the crew is made up of mostly men, and that is just sad.

Overall: I loved this movie. I watched it twice when I rented it over February break, and then once again when I watched it with a friend for her birthday, and it never got worse (I think). Honestly, I would love to own this movie, but I don't, and that's kind of sad... I highly recommend, and IMDB puts it at #40, so if that matters to you.,,

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
Five strangers. Countless adventures. One epic way to get lost. 

Four teens across the country have only one thing in common: a girl named Leila. She crashes into their lives in her absurdly red car at the moment they need someone the most. 

Hudson, Bree, Elliot and Sonia find a friend in Leila. And when Leila leaves them, their lives are forever changed. But it is during Leila's own 4,268-mile journey that she discovers the most important truth—sometimes, what you need most is right where you started. And maybe the only way to find what you're looking for is to get lost along the way. (via Amazon)

This book is split up into 5 parts, each centered around a different character, but with one constant one. I read a part every day, which I think was a very good way for me to read this book, because I had a harder time getting into it the first time I picked it up. It would be a harder book to make a list of things I thought about it, because of how it's written.

I found each of the stories very interesting and fun, and the character development for each of them is really great. The cover perfectly displays the book in this way. I was kind of unsure about how they all related to each other, but didn't mind, because I felt like I was reading novellas instead of a novel. They are very character driven stories, and sometimes I think they were dragged slightly long, but not enough to make an impact on the story as a whole.

As far as diversity goes, I'm actually not sure about this. Elliot was not white, but I read his section fast enough that I didn't catch what race he was. The others, I have no idea, and am not even sure it was described in the book.

I really enjoyed the road trips aspect of it, because usually books take place in the same city for the entire book, but this one went all the way across the US and into parts of Canada. There was a definite change in the feeling from the settings, which I found fun. It's also not weighed down by boring in between parts, because of the POV the stories are told from.

Overall I thought this was a very good book, and recommend it (especially to people who liked Paper Tows, but even if you didn't (like me) you'll probably enjoy this book). I don't like any rating system, so I'm not going to even try that.

All the Things Harry Potter: Cover Edition

I don't own any physical copies of Harry Potter to myself (my family lost 1-4, and 5 is beat up, and 6-7 lost their dust jackets), and I really want them. I am, however, having a difficult time figuring out which one to buy (not really, but still), because there are so many beautiful editions.

Also, did it occur to anyone else that there were never movie edition covers?

Favorites:

Bloomsbury UK Signature Edition: these are the ones I want, but to get them, the overall cost is nearly two hundred dollars, and it's kind of hard to convince your parents to buy you something that costs that much. These are just the best though. 

US Special Edition Box Set: I don't particularly like the covers, but I love the spine enough that it makes up for it all. Also, they're in paperback, and from the US, so it's all cheaper!

US Regular Editions: it's not the covers, but the font is what they used int he movies, and I really like it. Also, of all the pictures of Harry, these are my favorite. I liked the old spines a lot better than the new ones, but I probably won't buy these ones anyway. 

Swedish: I just want the Swedish edition to make me feel smart. The covers aren't too weird though. Wait, yes they are. 

Middle Ground:

New Bloomsbury UK Adult: it's not that these are the best covers ever, but I love the coloring on them (and it's a big step up from the old adult covers).

German: I mean, that face is terrible. Actually, it's not that bad, but I still don't like it. The backgrounds are pretty good though. 

French: I just don't like the drawing style. I like the backgrounds enough that it's okay, but...

Least Favorites: I don't totally hate them, but I would never buy them unless they were the last copies on earth. 

Old UK Adult: Really? Photographs? Bad photographs?

Finnish: The faces bother me too much. They did get the font correct though. 

German Adult: Germany, come on, do a better job. Photographs? Don't copy the British on their WORST cover. 

10 Reasons Why I Love Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
Sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the story of how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation. He's stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann. Ultimately, it's up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition. (via Goodreads)

I'm actually shocked that I haven't reviewed this yet, because I loved it so much.

1. Chapter Titles (I had a very specific one in mind, but couldn't find it. They're all awesome though)
2. Midwest! (Specifically, this was Iowa, but whatever)
3. Diverse Main Character (You'll figure it out)
4. It's just so weird.
5. The covers are amazing- there's no denying it.
6. The Chocolate War!!! (Also, Greta!)
7. All of his relationships were just so...realistic? Other words that I can't think of?
8. I read it in one day, but it wasn't hard (VERY good story)
9. The history thought out behind it
10. Ealing Mall

I could've come up with so many more things, but these are ten of them. This book is amazing.

Harry Potter Rambling...

Okay, so I was thinking about how a lot of people say they don't like J. K. Rowling's other works, and I'm not surprised by that. The thing about the Harry Potter books is that they weren't that great individually- the writing wasn't bad, for the most part it was fast paced, and they each had a great individual plot. Honestly, when people say Harry Potter book something was their favorite book, I am kind of astonished, because none of them are better, in my mind, than my favorite book The Chocolate War, but Harry Potter is still my favorite series. What makes Harry Potter great is the series as a whole and the world of it. Who wouldn't want there to be another world filled with magic? As a series, it also doesn't do what most series do by getting worse, or having a defining best book. What makes it great is that there is no best book, and it leaves up so much room for discussion. The world building is also incomprehensibly amazing, and how you discover bits and pieces of it is even better. This is why I can see why people don't love all of J. K. Rowling's published works, and you can disagree with me, but that is how I see it.

The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley

The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley
It's 1993, and Generation X pulses to the beat of Kurt Cobain and the grunge movement. Sixteen-year-old Maggie Lynch is uprooted from big-city Chicago to a windswept town on the Irish Sea. Surviving on care packages of Spin magazine and Twizzlers from her rocker uncle Kevin, she wonders if she'll ever find her place in this new world. When first love and sudden death simultaneously strike, a naive but determined Maggie embarks on a forbidden pilgrimage that will take her to a seedy part of Dublin and on to a life- altering night in Rome to fulfill a dying wish. Through it all, Maggie discovers an untapped inner strength to do the most difficult but rewarding thing of all, live. (via Goodreads)

I read this in one afternoon in spring, so be aware.

Positives:
1. Look at how many awards it's won- perfection
2. Chicago and Ireland
3. Music is a huge theme, but I don't like music all that much, and this book was great
4. Lots of troubled relationships
5. It's pretty short, so it's not hard to read in an afternoon (240 pages)
6. Jessie Ann Foley is great, and I have so many positive memories about reading this book
7. 1993
8. Three parts
9. Written in third person, which isn't as common as it used to be.

Negatives:
1. If you're not a reader, I don't think this book would appeal to you very much. For me, I don't think I would've liked it as much if I had read it a year or two ago.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Movie Review

I would've rewatched it, but I'm not emotionally ready yet.

Okay, so this is my least favorite adaption of the Harry Potter movies, but it is the best movie out of them all (in my opinion, and also IMDB's). Some of the others may have been less faithful to the books, but this one was the one that I noticed the most, and pissed me off the most. The reason this one is so annoying to me is because they took out all the things that made me so satisfied with the ending in the book- with the movie I was like What? That's it? That is where you leave me? NO!!! Also, Draco's character was so much weaker in the movie than in the book. In the book he wasn't that strong, but he wasn't THAT weak.

Another thing that upset me was that Daniel Radcliffe really couldn't pull of 17. There are people who can pull it off until they're like 30, but he isn't one of them. I know there are teenagers who look middle aged, but for the most part, teenagers look a lot younger(there was a huge physical appearance jump between the Goblet of Fire and the Order of the Phoenix, big years in developing). Don't hold me to that.

The end again, WHY DIDN'T HE FIX HIS WAND? YOU DON'T HAVE A WAND IF YOU BREAK THE ELDER WAND AND DON'T FIX YOUR OWN!!! YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY GOING TO USE MALFOY'S FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. There were just so many small things that made me upset about that ending.

When they didn't show Fred's death, I was okay with it at the time, but now I am pissed off that I didn't get to see one of my favorite characters through to the end. I needed him. Come back to me...

I really liked Snape's memories, and the shell shocked feeling of almost the entire movie. Also the score, which I will be talking about a lot more. Question: if Snape loved Lily so much as to have his patronus change, why didn't James' change? Did he not love Lily?

I didn't like the Chamber of Secrets scene with Ron and Hermoine, because I just don't ship them that much. I actually don't ship almost any of the characters, except maybe Harry and Ginny, only because of how they really got to get to know each other (#Voldermort). Otherwise, no, just no.

Neville killing Nagini and then Voldermort crumbling to the ground in front of only Harry pissed me off so much. THAT IS NOT HOW YOU DIE!!! UNTIL HARRY KILLS THE HORCRUX INSIDE OF YOU, YOU ARE STILL ALIVE! WHAT IS HAPPENING!!! This made me more upset than the wand, and that made me so mad. So mad. I can't even keep talking about this because it makes me so mad.

Lupin and Tonks holding hands when they died was just so sweet... (you can see my fanfiction about that here). I really miss them... Also, Tonks, why don't you go by your birth name- it's so awesome. Nymphadora. Nymphadora!!! And Lupin, you will always be the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (we never really met Moody). *sigh*

I can't believe that I had never seen the ending of this before, and I kind of wish that I had never been spoiled for Harry Potter. I mean, it's not that big of a deal to me, because I still loved the books, but I wish I could've gone into them knowing nothing. Well, I'll just have my kids do that and videotape it.

Also, I'm having trouble putting the release of this movie into context of my brain. Divergent was out before this was. How? That couldn't happen? How could've that happened? NO!

There are many more things, but I'll talk about that later!!!

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi

A fun, romantic read, perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti! What happens when Matt and Ella reunite one year after their breakup? Are second chances really possible?

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over her ex-boyfriend and graduate high school—simple as that. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying "yes" to every crazy, fun thing they could think of.

But then Matt leaves town, breaking Ella's heart. And when he shows up a year later—wanting to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn't sure whether Matt's worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.

Positives:
1. Positive Body Image (sort of, if you read it, you'll understand)
2. Awesome school rooftop
3. Not drinking and driving (they don't do that, right?)
4. Overall feeling was good

Negatives:
1. 60 pages came and went before something actually happened
2. Confusing whether it's Then or Now
3. Infodump about what happened to Matt
4. Way too many Heart-To-Heart moments
5. Minimal Diversity
6. Not much action and slow paced

Paper Towns Key Parts (For Me) Movie Review

Okay, so I saw Paper Towns yesterday, and I read the book last MLK weekend, and I wasn't a big fan, so this is coming from someone who thought the changes were okay. This may contain spoilers.


The acting was very well done in this movie (although, I'm not really an expert on that at all), and maybe only when they were little did I notice a difference.

The soundtrack also was very well done, and matched the scenes perfectly. (Anyone else watch the music video with Nat and Alex Wolff?)

The changes from the book to the movie I was okay with because I felt like the book dragged on a little more than it had to, which detracted from the overall goodness of the story. When they went and had to get back before Prom instead of before Margo left was fine, but only because of how much they chopped off from the book (which, again, I was okay with). The whole idea of the road trip was the same, and that was what I was going for. That was really only the huge change that affected a lot that I noticed (and remembered, because I forgot a lot from the book), so it wasn't that bad.

Diversity was low, but that was because the book had little diversity.

As a movie, I thought it was well put together, and overall good. Not my favorite, but good.

10 Reasons Why I Love The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Callie Vee, Travis, Granddaddy, and the whole Tate clan are back in this charming follow-up to Newbery Honor-winner The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
Travis keeps bringing home strays. And Callie has her hands full keeping the wild animals-her brother included-away from her mother's critical eye. Whether it's wrangling a rogue armadillo or stray dog, a guileless younger brother or standoffish cousin, the trials and tribulations of Callie Vee will have readers laughing and crying and cheering for this most endearing heroine. (via Goodreads)

1. It's the sequel to one of my all time favorite books, and it's actually good.
2. Calpurnia stands up for herself and sees the problems in her world!
3. All those wild animals
4. Travis is a bigger part of the story
5. Working
6. More animals than plants this time around (although, I liked the plants a lot)
7. References to how different it was a little over 100 years ago
8. Historical events being tied in
9. The library...
10. All the animals in her room

Weird Things Happen During Your Sleep (1)

I had the creepiest dream last night: what if Voldermort had a child, and then that child was a friend of Harry's! What if, the child felt pain every time dark magic was being used (like Harry), except it was all over her body? (Yes, is would be a girl.) What if, Voldermort also accidentily made her a horcrux, causing Harry to have to kill her as well? WHAT IF EVERYTHING!!! That is kind of random, but it sounds so cool! Right?

Movies Scores

This is kind of random, but these are a list of my favorite movie scores.

1. The Imitation Game


I love this movie (obviously), and this score was PERFECT for it. While watching the Oscars, I thought Alexandre Desplat won for The Imitation Game and not The Grand Budapest Hotel, and when I realized I was wrong, it upset me deeply. The music reminds me of the movie so perfectly, but I also can work without having my thoughts interrupted by Hedwigs Theme (see below). I've listened to this more times than is healthy.

2. Requiem For A Dream


I feel high listening to a lot of the songs in it, which I'm assuming is the point. I haven't actually seen the movie (I really want to), but I think they'll work beautifully together.

3. Harry Potter an the Deathly Hallows part 2


This is just so amazing because I couldn't stop thinking about Harry Potter and having so much nostalgia.




Also, here is the most beautiful picture.

• Phelps twins- check. 
• Emma Watson- check. 
• Matthew Lewis- check. 
• Butterbeer- check. 

The only thing that could improve this would be if Benedict Cumberbatch was photobombing them.

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma

This also may not be the most accurate review, because it took me I think three weeks to get 219 pages in, and then a couple hours to finish the book.

Positives:
1. This is kind of a cheap shot, but I love the physical copy of it. The cover is beautiful, and the binding is very different, and I really like it.
2. The Prison aspect was very interesting
3. Dual POV's
4. Magic Realism (although, as I said, it's kind of confusing)
5. How it all ties together is fantastic.

I Don't Know How I Feel About It:
1. There was a very violent scene. It is important to the story- it is the story- but I still was so freaked out by it. Almost too good of descriptions.

Negatives:
1. Nova Ren Suma's writing style is very poetic, but for me, it is kind of hard to get into. I also had this problem when I read Imaginary Girls.
2. It took me over 100 pages to really get into the story. Part of that may be because I was in a reading slump when I began it, but I also didn't feel the need to pick it up until now.
3. Because it's magic realism, it got confusing at time, especially for me.
4. The ending came very fast, so I lost part of it.

My Favorite Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

While sitting at my desk last night, I realized I hadn't done much with Sherlock Holmes, so, without further ado...

MY FAVORITE SHORT STORIES!!!

1. The Speckled Band- this also happened to be Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's favorite, so bonus points!

 (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

2. The Copper Beeches- while reading this, I didn't see how amazing it was, but once I had finished I was like WOW

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

3. The Final Problem- it wasn't as great as I was hoping it to be, but it was still pretty awesome

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes)

4. The Dying Detective- this actually made me laugh, and I don't know if it was supposed to, but I just loved how slightly random it was

(His Last Bow)

5. A Scandal in Bohemia- The Woman...

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

I think I read this book too fast to fully grasp it (like I do with many other books), so I don't know if this is an accurate representation.

Positives:
1. I loved the idea of it
2. The ending was very satisfying
3. Hatton reminded me of Tom Felton (a lot)
4. The relationships between the characters were great
5. I've always found the idea of being thrown into the spotlight interesting
6. Adjusting to the new body was a very interesting experience to read
7. Scarves and Ashes

Negatives (these aren't necessarily bad things, just things I noticed that I didn't love):
1. I think this is due to the reading pace of it, but I didn't connect on a very deep level with the characters. I knew I should be connecting while I read it, but I couldn't.
2. I could sort of guess what was happening, but that's because it's what would happen, so it's not very upsetting.
3. It was a bit repetitive, but I totally understood it. This is just something I noticed.

BookTubeATHon

I don't have a BookTube, or I would totally make the videos. However, I am going to read all the books that are part of it. I am going to do it this week, however, because I am on vacation when it actually happens, and it's not a beach vacation where I can read constantly.

Here are the books I am going to read:

Monday: Noggin by John Corey Whaley (Blue Cover)

Tuesday: The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma (Last Name Thing)

Wednesday: Animal Farm by George Orwell (Someone Elses Favorite)

Thursday: The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jaquline Kelly (Most Recent Buy)

Friday: The Pigman by Paul Zindel (Hold On for Entire Read)

Saturday: The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi (Really Want to Read)

Sunday: Let's Get Lost by Adi Alisaid (Other/ 7th book)

I could combine a couple of these challenges, and I might, but for now, it's how I'm doing it. Also, I may not do the challenges on the day I say I will, but whatever. I hope I can do this in time, and I will hopefully be updating.

How I Think Tonks and Lupin Died (AKA My Attempt At Fanfiction)

Okay, so this is the first time I've every written fanfiction (and I'm not counting the 85,000 word story in which I essentially re-wrote Divergent without realizing it). I was napping, and then had this great idea, so it's probably the most stupid thing that will ever be written on this blog (I hope, at least...). Also, I am going to take some liberties with what I think of how the curses and world works. Also, it'll be short, because I haven't written in such a long time. And, yes, I love fragments.
So, without further ado...


Tonks can't move, her body being held in place by the pain. Glorious Pain. Ripping into her heart and traveling through her veins until there is no unaffected pore. She cries out, but as far as she can tell, no one hears her though the screams coming from every direction. 

Her eyes are so blurred from crying that she can't see who is doing this to her. Not that she would want to. She doesn't want the last image in her mind to be of some disgusting Death Eater who is probably laughing at her contortions. She closes them so there is not a chance of that happening. 

Lupin sees what is happening from afar, and without thinking runs as fast as he thinks possible towards his wife. The Death Eater that is keeping her crumpled on the ground sees him, though, and before he can do anything but scream for Tonks, he too has fallen. Except he fell into a more permanent place. 

The Death Eater doesn't wait a moment before taking off. They know when Tonks grabs her wand they'll be as dead as Lupin unless they disappear. Except, Tonks doesn't go towards her wand, doesn't even think about revenge. She just crawls over to her love, trying her best to get there before her grief overcomes her. 

Her physical pain and emotional grief become too much for her, though, and the last thing she does is reach for Remus's hand and remember everything about him. That way, they will be forever together. 


I hope this isn't the stupidest thing I've ever done. 

10 Reasons Why I Didn't Love Liars, Inc by Paula Stokes

Again, I haven't read this since Spring, so I might not remember all the details, so it's more general.

1. The cover was glossy, and the binding was cheap (it put me off immediately)
2. I felt slight pressure to love it, because I had gotten bookplates and such from the author
3. The end just felt unnatural
4. You could feel how much fun the fight scenes were to write, but you couldn't feel the fighting
5. The fighting was so unrealistic
6. The attempted plot twist, wasn't really a good plot twist
7. I was expecting so much more out of the book
8. There wasn't much about Liars, Inc, only a few mentions
9. The character was interesting, but the diversity was minimal, and even Pavarti wasn't the best character
10. It didn't all start with one little lie.

10 Reasons Why I Love The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

I finished this a couple days ago, and even though it took me a while to read, I read the second half of it in one day, and it was fabulous.

1. He's whiny
2. It only takes place within the time frame of a day or so
3. New York, NY (even though I'm not in love with the city)
4. Late 1950's
5. That one hotel...
6. Mr. Antonio
7. Museum
8. It's short, so you won't forget details
9. If you forget details, he repeats information a lot
10. Leaving school

10 Reasons Why I Love None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio

None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio

1. Inter sex (I didn't even know this was a thing until I read this book)
2. Hurdler (This adds to the plot, but also, hurdler)
3. Volunteering (Just like it)
4. Relationship Troubles
5. Takes action in her life!
6. School...
7. That bakery
8. Morning Runs
9. Running Playlist
10. Powerful WOMAN

I haven't read this since Spring, so it may not be the most helpful, but it's great, and you should read it.

Most Anticipated Books (for me) August 2015

1. Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alisaid



2. The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle 



3. George by Alex Rino





I haven't actually pre-ordered any of these books, and this list is subject to change, but for now, this is how it is.

Harry Potter for the Rest of My Life

I think I'm going to be re-reading Harry Potter sometime soon, because the changes they made to the last move made me completely unsatisfied. Those changes really pissed me off.

I'm also thinking of buying the hardcover UK signature editions, because of the beautiful covers. I mean, look at that:


I also want the movies, and I think my parents are more willing to buy it because of free shipping.

ELCA Youth Gathering 2015

Sorry that I've been gone for awhile, I was just in Detroit with 30,000 other Lutherans...normal stuff...
IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! I met so many amazing people, and can't wait for Houston 2018 (although, I'm not a big fan of Texas).

Thank you so much to the volunteer organization for my Proclaim Justice day, I learned so much about what it is like to be living there, and for providing lunch and water for us while we were in need. Also, thanks to Alex for helping Grace and I in the woods, you were great to work with, and I am not bad at maps, I just though you said Iowa instead of Ohio. I wish I could remember the name of the organization, and I could google it, but I've only gotten six hours of sleep for the past week, so... Thank you to them!!!

Friday night's gathering was amazing, and literally everyone, whether you are Lutheran or not, whether you're christian or not, whether you're anything or not, you should see this. The speakers, music, and energy were all dynamite.

The poetry was the best poetry I've ever heard, and I hope everyone can experience some of her poetry.

Thank you to the city of Detroit, and all the people willing to handle all of our crazy.

I'm tired, so I'm going to sleep.

Harry Potter, Day 11 (aka, the final day)

I just watched both the Deathly Hallows movies.

This was my twitter reaction (very toned down) (probably only good for a few days)

When Fred died, I knew it was different from the book, but I began sobbing so much. It wasn't intense sobbing, more like intense crying, but it still felt as if my life was being torn apart. When they showed Lupin and Tonk's bodies with their arms outstretched to touch each other, I was shaking. Honestly, this whole movie had me in tears.
The score for it was magnificent, and I also love Alexandre Despalt's The Imitation Game score (favorite movie, I think)
Also, these movies also made me realize how important actors are to movies, and how they can make me cry or laugh or be so pissed off at their death... (Weasly Twins (James and Oliver Phelps)). At the end of movie six, I actually cried the second time I watched it, because I saw though their eyes what they were feeling. This probably sounds stupid, and like duh, how could've this not been obvious to you before, but it wasn't obvious before, because before I was just going for the Why and How, not the Who. Maybe the Who is the most important part.

It wasn't just the deaths that shook me, but the fact that it was final. I was born less than six months before the first movie was released, and I remember going to the library to pick up a new Harry Potter movie every day, watching it, returning it, and picking up the second one, and then back to the first.
I'm okay that I didn't read the books at that time, because I wouldn't have understood it as much as I do now. Honestly, I'm glad I waited (realizing that now). When I was originally obsessed, all I saw was the magic, and not the wizard, nor the power.

Anyway, I really do have to go to sleep. This post is almost definitely subject to change.
I am going to be taking a few days off to absorb all of it.

Harry Potter, Days 9 part two, 10, 11?

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at 4:59 am this morning. It was thunder-storming, and dark, and I had been up all night (except for falling asleep for an hour and a half at about 2:00 am), so I wasn't in the idea position to be reading about Voldemort killing a bunch of people.

Deaths:

Fred- I knew he died from the beginning, but it did not make me any less distraught. Fred and George were one of my favorite characters, well, everyone who died was one of my favorite characters, but Fred especially. They were just so happy, and then...then they weren't, and I do't decided a bout how I feel about that. Well, actually I can- I would've much rather had Ron die than Fred. I was honestly not that emotionally attached to any of the main characters (maybe Hermoine), so when he actually died I was just begging for it to not to be real, even though I knew it was, and I am so so so so mad about it. FRED COME BACK!!! It made me very angry that they just went on killing people after Fred was killed, and it just pissed me off, and I am going to be so...so...so everything when I watch the movies tonight. WHY COULDN'T HAVE YOU BEEN THERE TO SEE THE END!!! I NEEDED YOU! I NEED YOU!!!!!!

Lupin and Tonks- I didn't know they died, and when they were described, sitting next to Fred, sleeping under the stars, I thought they were actually sleeping. I did not want to admit that they were dead and that their son would be an orphan. They were also some of my favorite characters, and I was just...just no. They needed to be there. THEY NEEDED TO BE THERE! WHY WEREN'T THEY THERE!!!!

Snape- This one affected me the most. It came as a total shock to me that the died, and so when it happened, I couldn't...I just couldn't do it. Fred I knew about in advance, Lupin and Tonks I kind of guessed, but I thought Snape would live forever. And then those memories...I am emotionally scarred from his death. Again, he is one of my favorite characters, and so when Nagini bit him, the shock and sadness made me feel so many things.

Colin- It makes him out to be that weird first year that was obsessed with harry, but in reality he was only a year younger, and the way they reacted to his death didn't fit with me, so I wasn't really upset about him.

Moody- Again, I didn't feel as though they treated his death properly, so I wasn't that sad about his death. It did come as a shock to me, and I did really like him, but it just wasn't what it could've been.

Favorite Characters:

Fred and George because they brought so much happiness to me while I read it, and usually I don't love those characters, but I did in Harry Potter.

Snape and Malfoy (Draco) because they were so conflicted, and that is what I love to see in characters. I think the reason I didn't love the main characters was because their intentions were clear from the beginning, and they knew what they were going to do, and where they were going with it. Malfoy hesitated in Half-Blood Prince, and then tried being normal in the end, and this was how I feel, metaphorically. I don't know if I'm doing the right things, and I may be wrong when I do them, but it is learning. Snape was all over the place, and I didn't know how to feel about him, except for the fact that I did always trust him (granted, like I've said, I knew from the start he killed Dumbledore). I love that one scene in book 6 where Harry totally disses Snape, which may have been one of my favorite moments in the book. I am going to miss Snape...

Lupin because he was always there, and he was always good. It was just so real that he died with Tonks, and I couldn't handle that. When he was introduced in book 3 (which I think is my favorite), I instantly loved him. He helped Harry and the others so much, and his relationship with Harry's parents and Sirius was something I will cherish forever. (Anyone else pissed that Pettigrew lived?) So, yes, I loved Lupin, and again, I could feel him a lot. I knew that Luna was a (probably?) the character that was supposed to exemplify "being different", but I could feel it a lot more with Lupin.

Tonks because I love her full name, and Lupin.

(I was pressured to love Luna, but I found her book self to be much more underdeveloped that her movie self. Good casting.) (Same thing for Malfoy, except I think he wasn't as bad as Luna in the books. Tom Felton just did an amazing job in the Half-Blood Prince.)

Movies:

Goblet of Fire was the worst adaptation, barbecue I know in books 5 and 6 they completely leave out the Quidditch thing, but I could feel the differences much more dramatically in 4. That said, anyone else find it odd that the Order of the Phoenix was almost three times as long of a book, but a 30 minute shorter movie. I think this is the books fault, not saying that it was bad, but saying that I think there were a few unnecessary, and dragging elements to it.
The visual effects in the Order of the Phoenix were amazing, and I re watched the movie almost immediately after I finished it for the first time. I think the editing and directing was better for not-intense scenes in the earlier movies, but in the earlier movies, the intense scenes suffered. Also, you can see their acting skills improving with the movies, and when there is that two year long gap between 4 and 5 you can very clearly see the age difference with Harry.
I am yet to watched the Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2, so that may come later, but, for now...
I also was very fond of the changing in films while the movies were made.
The movies were great. Honestly, great.

Favorites:

I loved the Marauders Map, and obviously because it came from Fred and George, I loved it more, but as a piece in and of itself, I loved it.

My favorite scene so far is the battle between the Order and the Death Eaters in book 5. It was just so intense, and then the movie made it even better. I cannot stress enough about how much I loved that scene, and how I want to just watch it on repeat until my eyes burn out. Everything while they're in the Department of Mysteries was very amazing, in the book and movie. The movie did a better job with the dueling, but the book did a better job with the finding of the Prophecy.

The last part with Mrs Weasly. That was just the greatest.

I will have more later...

Dislikes:

J. K. Rowling wasn't great at writing dialogue and intense scenes. She got better at the intense scenes, but worse at the dialogue kept going. Also, when Harry dies for a moment, I really didn't like that. Also, how they dealt with a lot of Death (especially the ones that I held dear to my heart)

Ending:

I was completely satisfied with it, and I wasn't expecting to be. I was expecting the urge to need to re-read the series immediately, but I find that I don't think I'll want to do that for a while. I also expected a huge book hangover, and I am sort of in one, but I don't think I would completely crumble if I picked up The Catcher in the Rye (I want to read classics right now). The shipping that I had going was kind of disappointing, and not knowing where everyone went from the book also upsetting, but overall it was very good. The names of the children were eh with me, but that was probably because I am not okay with Snape's death. Also, Malfoy was not where I wanted him to be.

I will be sharing my feelings about this for a very long time.