Book Blogger Hop (10)

What’s the ONE super-hyped book you’ll NEVER read?

Never say never, and all that stuff, but I'd say Fifty Shades of Grey. I don't know... I read it back when it was a Twilight fanfiction, and if I remember correctly, it was dismal writing and just awkward. I don't do porn, anyway.

Hi everyone, and welcome to 'With Her Nose Stuck in a Book'. If you're a used book hoarder like myself, I'm selling a whole bunch right over here

Top Ten Tuesday (2)

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Seven Books for People who liked the Hunger Games

I chose the Hunger Games as the book to showcase this week because of the immense popularity the book has had for the past few months or so. In other words, The Hunger Games is the new Twilight, or pre-teen/teen girl phenomenon. Although I'm glad that so many people are enjoying the fantabulous books, it's somewhat annoying, and I'm one of those snobs who consider themselves a "Hunger Games hipster". So, as everyone read the books as the movies came out and to join in the current fad, I went on a dystopian rage, searching for books like The Hunger Games, but somewhat unknown. Here's what I found.

1. Matched by Ally Condie

I haven't read this book in a while, but it's at the top of my to-re-read list. I read it around the time that I read The Hunger Games, and was falling head over heels in love with dystopian novels.

2. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

OMG. For me personally, it was hard to get into this book, but when I finally got into it, I fell head over heels in love. The premises is so intriguing. A world where love is considered a curable disease? Yes please.

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

This is the current book I've been pushing on everyone. Like The Hunger Games? Read this book. Breathe? Read this book. It has one of my all-time favorite literary men (OMG) and alternate worlds. It also breaks your heart.

4. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

In all honesty, I really don't like this book. But I was running out of dystopian-type books. This is EXTREMELY sexual and not my cup of tea. However, I know plenty of people who loved both this book and the Hunger Games.

5. Uglies by Scott Westerfield

My first dystopian book. I fell in love with a type of world that our current world could become. I feel like this was the original YA Dystopian book.

6. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

I think Clary's the same type of strong, independent heroine as Katniss. Although they're different, I feel the writing is very similar.

7. The City of Ember  by Jeanne DuPrau

I can't remember if I read this or Uglies first... but I read them both at around the same time. It just occurred to me now how similar Uglies, The Hunger Games and this book are!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Title: The Name of the Star

Author: Maureen Johnson

Series? Shades of London

Acquired From: public library

Summary:  The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London, it's the start of a new life at a boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Cover Rating: 3/5

Comments on the Cover:  It's nothing really special. It shows an old-timey guy in a cool top hat and coat looking like a ghost. It fits the purpose, and does describe the book. It's just kinda... predictable. 
Character Comments: The characters were charismatic and lovely. There was a lot of depth to them, and they all made you smile. Some were quirky, some were serious. Some were serious, and others were silly. Maureen Johnson's strong point is definitely strong characters.
Favorite Characters: Jazza, Boo and Rory
Character Rating: 5/5

Plot line rating: 5/5

Plot Line Comments: One thing that hit me was how this book was so different from the others I've read by Maureen Johnson. I've read quite a few, and her writing style seems very... chick-lit-ish. This was different, and the whole story line was unique. Just when I thought I had it... there was a twist. I like a book that proves me wrong.

Likeliness to reread it? 3/5
Overall rating: 4/5
Books like this that I have reviewed: N/A

In My Mailbox (1)

Bought:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Borrowed from library:

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Dunlap

F&F and TGIF (1)

Q: What drove you to start book blogging in the first place?

I don't really know... I randomly found WORD for Teens when I started blogging for myself, and I kinda just decided I wanted to do it, too. So I started. And that was that.

What are some of the most swoon-worthy quotes you've experienced in a book?

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind." - A Midsummer Night's Dream

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment." - The Truth about Forever

"Love is needing someone. Love is putting up with someone's bad qualities because they somehow complete you." -  This Lullaby

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." - Pride and Prejudice

"Reader, I married him." - Jane Eyre

 

 

 

Book Blogger Hop (9)

How long does it take you to read a book?

The answer varies according to a bunch of circumstances, including (but not limited to):

1. If I'm reading more than one book

2. If I like the book

3. If the book is for school

4. If I'm busy with school

5. If there's really good TV on

But, I think I could read most books in about a day if I just sat down and read. But I don't have the time to just sit down and read anymore (And I'm told that in college, I won't have time at all. And that makes me sad.) so it takes about a week. 

Hiya Friends! Welcome to my blog! I'm selling a whole bunch of books over here so if you're looking for some great used books for a pretty reasonable price, check it out!

xox

Katie

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Title: The Shoemaker's Wife

Author: Adriana Trigiani

Series? none

Acquired From: local bookstore

Summary:  The majestic and haunting beauty of the Italian Alps is the setting of the first meeting of Enza, a practical beauty, and Ciro, a strapping mountain boy, who meet as teenagers, despite growing up in villages just a few miles apart. At the turn of the last century, when Ciro catches the local priest in a scandal, he is banished from his village and sent to hide in America as an apprentice to a shoemaker in Little Italy. Without explanation, he leaves a bereft Enza behind. Soon, Enza's family faces disaster and she, too, is forced to go to America with her father to secure their future.

Unbeknownst to one another, they both build fledgling lives in America, Ciro masters shoemaking and Enza takes a factory job in Hoboken until fate intervenes and reunites them. But it is too late: Ciro has volunteered to serve in World War I and Enza, determined to forge a life without him, begins her impressive career as a seamstress at the Metropolitan Opera House that will sweep her into the glamorous salons of Manhattan and into the life of the international singing sensation, Enrico Caruso. 

Cover Rating: 4/5

Comments on the Cover:  It's so... lovely. It seems so Italian, too. The only problem is that when I saw it, I expected the main character to be like the woman on the cover. Seems logical enough, right? No. Enza is NOTHING like that woman. It's beautiful and captivating, and maybe part of the reason I bought it, but it doesn't really fit the book. 
Character Comments: Okay. Enza was... perfect. Truly. I fell in love with her adorable maternal side that she had as a kid. And Ciro. Oh, Ciro. I could just imagine him as the most handsome man. He wasn't perfect, which was one of the reasons I loved him, but he tried. All of the characters had such depth to them. For me personally, I had feelings about all the characters. I hated the padre, I was angry at Ciro's mother, I loved Enza's whole family, I wept for Stella, and so much more. 
Favorite Characters: I loved loved loved Ciro and Enza
Character Rating: 5/5

Plot line rating: 5/5

Plot Line Comments: So, apparently Trigiani based this on a story of her ancestors. Breathtaking story, amazing that it's real. This makes me want to talk to everyone in my family so I can come up with a delicious story. 

Likeliness to reread it? 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5
Books like this that I have reviewed: N/A

Take My Books!!

So, I basically stole this idea from Reading or Breathing and The Book Cellar. I've been trying to find a place to sell all these books I'm trying to get rid of before I go off to college next month, and I realized... why not sell them here?

All I ask is that you pay the price listed for the book and also $5 for shipping and $0.50 for every book after the first's shipping.

(BOLDED ARE UNCLAIMED)

Hardcover ($3 each)
The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Twilight Director's Notebook by Catherine Hardwicke
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Fortune's Magic Farm by Suzanne Selfors


Paperback ($1 each)
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Marked by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
The Wish by Gail Carson Levine
Friendly Gables by Hilda van Stockum
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson
Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
Canadian Summer by Hilda van Stockum
The Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum
Love's Long Journey by Janette Oke
New Moon: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
The Girl who Invented Romance by Caroline B. Cooney


Paperback ($0.50 each)
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith
Alanna The First Adventure: Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles
Slept Away by Julie Kraut
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger


ARCs or in bad condition (Free. Just pay shipping)
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
The Amanda Project: Invisible I by Stella Lennon
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden


If you are interested, please email me at withadreamyfarofflook[at]gmail[dot]com

As I continue to get my room ready, I'll probably find more books I want to get rid of, so keep an eye on the list here

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Title: And then there were None

Author: Agatha Christie

Series? none

Aquired From: Own

Summary:  First, there were ten - a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal - and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. And only the dead are above suspicion 

Cover Rating: Since there are so many versions of the cover, I will not be commenting or rating it.

Comments on the Cover: N/A
Character Comments: Well, what is there to say about characters when they are all killers? This was a reread, but it's been at least 5-6 years since the first time I read it, so I didn't remember much about it except for the fact that everyone ended up dead. The most annoying thing to me was that I couldn't remember who dunnit! Christie is considered to be one of the best mystery writers, and truly, she is. I couldn't guess who the perp was! Bravo, Agatha. Bravo.
Favorite Characters: I felt a kinship with Vera. Which is creepy, since she killed a little kid for her boy toy. 
Character Rating: 5/5

Plot line rating: 5/5

Plot Line Comments: What is this sorcery?! A murderer on an island? That they can't find? Creeptastic. I think Harper's Island (which everyone hated, but I loved) was inspired by it. The plot has SO many layers, and you try to pick beneath each one. And when you think you've got it... they're dead. And then you get to the end and you're just like... WTF? There's not really another way to describe how I felt. 

Likeliness to reread it? 4/5
Overall rating: 4.67/5
Books like this that I have reviewed: N/A

Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Hosted by the Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books that should be Made into Movies 

(in no particular order)

1. The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

This book was picked randomly when I was at a local university bookstore. It had the praise of Kathryn Stockett (author of The Help) on the back and I was drawn to it. I sat down and began to read. And fell into a love affair with the beautiful story told. It is such a wonderful novel, and would make such a wonderful movie. 

                                           

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth

I picked up this one from my school library. I recognized the cover from various book bloggers, and although I had no idea what the plot was, I took it out. It took me a while (and my mom picking it up and raving about it) to actually begin reading it, but once I did, there was no stopping me. I fell in love with the characters (Especially Four. But I'll save that for another post.) and the world that Roth had woven. I also fell into a rabid fandom on tumblr. I literally tried to convince EVERYONE I know to read this book, because it's just that good. So, if you're reading this post, but haven't read Divergent, go read it. Now.

3. I'd Tell You that I Love You, but then I'd have to kill you  by Ally Carter

I read this one a while ago (it's on my reread shelf), and ever since the first time I read it, I've been waiting for a film to be released. So, movie world, put down that 50 shades of Grey Project you have all the mommys excited about and pick up ITYTILYBTIHTKY (I made an acronym). Before all the fans are old.

4. True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

Okay, this is seriously the best Nicholas Sparks book out there, and they're making all the crappy ones into movies. I didn't like Dear John or The Lucky One. Or The Notebook for that matter, but the movie's amazing, so I don't care. Why aren't you picking this one up? It's such an awesome love story and has stuff that's different from the rest of his books (let's count all the military guys, shall we?).

5. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Do I really need to explain? Hollywood, get. on. it. I need some more Alex Fuentes in my life.)

6. Matched by Ally Condie

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. PLEASE. Stop wasting your time on stupid movies (I just watched Grown Ups this weekend. I''ll never get that time back. Ever.) and make good books into good movies!

7. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

I have a love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult. She's predictable, and all her books seem the same. All though this was predictable and had a lot of the same elements (Court case anyone?), I love it. It's such an amazing story and really just took my breath away when I read it. It's the one book by her I didn't slam close with anger or frustration. 

8. The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

COME ON HOLLYWOOD! This is SUCH an amazing book series, and deserves the spotlight! I understand the whole mutant thing's been done, but this is James Patterson, anyway. Who doesn't love James Patterson?

9. Delirium by Lauren Oliver

afjdalkfjd. This book. It was... heartbreaking. A world where love is considered to be a curable illness? Such an awful place to live. But it was an amazing book. It was different from a lot of the dystopian YA books I've read lately. 

10. Uglies by Scott Westerfield

First dystopian book I read. Still pissed off it's so underrated. 

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Title: Wanderlove

Author: Kirsten Hubbard

Series? none

Aquired From: Own

Summary:   It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story 

Cover Rating: 5/5

Comments on the Cover: It makes me smile. It looks so whimsical... and I don't know... light. The girl looks just so carefree and it makes you want to be her. She looks like she's making a wish. I definitely fell in love with the cover.
Character Comments: I liked Bria and how you really GREW to like her. At first, I was like, "dude, are you a compulsive liar?" but I grew to love her. And don't get me started on Rowan. Or Starling. Both were such AWESOME characters. I really loved them both, and they made me want to go backpacking.
Favorite Characters: Rowan
Character Rating: 4/5

Plot line rating: 4/5

Plot Line Comments: I'm pretty sure this plot would make anyone want to go backpacking.

Likeliness to reread it? 2/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Books like this that I have reviewed: N/A

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare

Series? The Mortal Instruments

Aquired From: Own

Summary:  When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . . 

Cover Rating: 4/5

Comments on the Cover: It's pretty cool. I like how you can see the markings on Jace's chest ;)
Character Comments: Jace annoyed me. I know he's supposed to be all sexy and brooding, and yeah, he was, but he was annoying. Isabelle was shallow. Clary was stupid and Simon... well, Simon was Simon.
Favorite Characters: Magnus
Character Rating: 2/5

Plot line rating: 4/5

Plot Line Comments: The demon hunting is cool. It's different, at least for me. I didn't like the ending though. Cuz I was totally shipping Clary/Jace and then all of the sudden... THAT happened. Not okay.

Likeliness to reread it? 2/5
Overall rating: 3/5
Books like this that I have reviewed: N/A

Book Blogger Hop (8)

If you could be a character from any book, who would you be?

I don't know. This is probably cliche, but I'd LOVE to have the love and sacrifice that Katniss from The Hunger Games has. She's willing to basically face certain death so her little sister doesn't. I wish I had that bravery.

Hi Friends! :) This blog is just being resurrected, so bear with me.

I'm Back!

So, I've decided I'm going to start reviewing again. Why? Simple. I miss it. I miss sharing my views on a newly discovered treasure. So I'm going to start again.