Catch Up and Castle

Catching up on Castle, the sexual tension is unbelievable. And I still love it.

This is post is about nine hours late, but I am dedicated to finishing BEDA this year. Even if morning posts like this have to happen. I spent a fair amount of last night either 1) painting our family's bathroom 2) working on my giant paper or 3) reading. My spring break is so exciting.

AH CASTLE. This show abuses my emotions. Let's make a list of shows that like to abuse their viewer's emotions:

• Sherlock
• Doctor Who
• Castle
• Anything written by Joss Whedon

Time for breakfast. I'll be back soon :)

Currently Reading: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Currently Listening to: "47 Seconds" Castle, Season 4 Episode 19

Days till Paper is Due: 25

Book Haul!

Today was suppose to be a Hunger Games Book-Movie review/comparison/thing but, sadly, that will have to wait. Instead, we're gonna do a book haul, because I obtained new books!

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass is a collection of twelve poems published in 1855 and was Whitman's first book. Whitman wanted to create something that was "uniquely American". It includes "Song of Myself" which is very familiar if you have read Paper Towns by John Green, where he quotes this frequently. This book was bought at my library's rummage sale.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 

The prequel to the epic The Lord of the Rings series, this book tells the story of a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, who is sent on a quest to confront a giant dragon called Smaug. Sadly, I have never read or watched any of this series, excluding the first movie. I plan on finishing them all and reading this book before the movie (starring Martin Freeman!) comes out in December. This book was also bought at the library's rummage sale. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

This book, in short, is the classic Pride and Prejudice. With 30% more zombies. This gorgeous hardcover was bought at Books-A-Million for a third of it's original cost.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

As per usual in Dessen's books: girl from broken family meets a boy with his own, personal tragedy. They fall in love. But these easy reads can be fun too. This book was incredibly cheap and bought from Books-A-Million.

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

From what the back cover tells me, this book follows an awkward girl named Haven who is reminiscing about the summer her life seemed in control. But I'm sure a boy will come along for her to fall in love with. This books was even cheaper then the previous and was also bought at Books-A-Million. 

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys 

Fifteen year old Lina's normal life was brutally interrupted when her family is deported by Soviet police. They are sent to Serbia, where they must fight for their lives in a prison camp. Lina documents their experiences through writing and pictures. So far, I am really enjoying this book. It is currently on loan from the public library. 

Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

The sequel to The Looking Glass Wars, this book continues the story of Alyss of Wonderland, who has earned her queenship and attempting to keep her evil aunt Redd from taking control again. The first book was all right, so I'll give the sequel a try. Seeing Redd is on loan from my library. 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Aibileen and Minny are black maids in Mississippi, who are both sick of the treatment they receive from their employers. Along with Skeeter, socialist writer fresh out of college, the three write a book showing the truths of being a black maid in a white home. This book was recently made into a movie, which I will see after I finish this book. This book is also on loan from the library. 

Every You, Every Me by David Levithan

Evan has begun discovering a series of photographs, from who, he's not sure. Whoever the sender is is definitely not a friend. By brilliant Levithan, I am so excited to dive into another one of his novels. This book is on my kindle. 

Shades of Grey: A Novel by Jasper Fforde

In a world where social status is determined by color perception, this book follows the story of Eddie Russett, an average Red. I don't know much about this book other then that, but I have heard great reviews and am very excited. This book is also on my kindle. 

Along for the Ride  by Sarah Dessen

Auden is a girl who's life revolves around school and work, and she feels pretty out of her element when she visits her father and stepmother in their small beach town one summer. I'm halfway through this and it seems to be going the normal Sarah Dessen route. But it is a fun read, which is on my kindle. 

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

The Wicked Witch of the West, with her bitter attitude and bright green skin, was not always so wicked. She was a misunderstood girl named Elphaba, and this is her real story. This gorgeous book with its GREEN PAGES was purchased from Books-A-Million

WOW that took a long time. Oh well, this challenge was meant to push me. I hope you enjoyed this, I hope to talk about books more in the future. Time to go read some of these bad boys, I'll see you tomorrow. 

Currently Reading: Look up :)

Currently Listening to: That Green Gentlemen [Things Have Changed] - Panic at the Disco

Procrastination

I've never had a huge problem with procrastination. Unlike many of my classmates, I didn't wait to write my paper on the Prison Reforms of the 1800s up until it's midnight due date. Rarely do I do homework in homeroom or right before the beginning of class, unless I needed help. If I said I would do something, and than don't do it out of sere laziness, I feel guilty, as if I cheated myself. I can get distracted fairly easy but once I am come back from that, I get things done. I don't like that pressure of a deadline: I'd rather stay ahead.

In an attempt to help you (yes you!) avoid procrastination, here are some of my personal tips on staying focused and getting things done:

- Have all the materials you need to work near you before beginning to work. Try to keep from wandering around the house in search of a book or a distraction from working

- Clean up your work space. Sometimes, if your desk is messy, you start stressing about that, and your thoughts start jumbling together, and suddenly, your PreCalc homework is just sitting on your desk, begging to be completed, while you are on the floor reorganizing your books. It can happen...

- Always have a water bottle or a cup of coffee, whatever tickles your fancy, and some type of snack around. Working makes you hungry and having it right there keeps away other distractions, while satisfying that animal cracker craving. 

- Find a way to block websites that distract you from getting things done. Tumblr is fun, but it will there when you finish your rough draft. Wheezy Waiter can wait, and so can your Facebook friends. 

- Set goals for yourself. Having a calender or schedule of what needs to get done and by when motivates you to work, and meeting those goals feels pretty good.

That's for today. I am off to see The Hunger Games again, this time with my dad and brother. I'll take some notes and (hopefully!) do a Movie-Book comparison tomorrow. Until then, best wishes :)

Currently Reading: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Along for the Ride by Sarah Desson (Don't judge me)

Currently Listening to: Some Nights by Fun. 

Days till Paper is due: 29

BEDA? Yes, BEDA.

Well boys and girls, it's that time of year again. Another month that begins with A means another month of blogging every day! To be honest, I'm probably gonna regret starting this project in a few weeks, due to a massive research paper I am working on. But oh well. We'll have a good time, yeah?
Let's start this month off right! With, of course, a list. WOO.

Things happenings in April:
- Complete instructor driving
- Taking the ACT (Oh boy.)
- Death Cab for Cutie concert
- Jr/Sr Banquet (Also know as PROM)
- Turn in big-deal paper

Wow. Busy month ahead of me. And I get to share it with you!
Well, I am exhausted. I hope you all have a lovely day, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

-Emily

Currently Reading: Ender's Game by Orsen Scott Car, Wicked by Gregory Maguire, and rereading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Currently Listening to: One More Time With Feeling by Regina Spektor
Days till paper is due: 30 (It's due on the 30th)

Book Survey!

I had a serious drought of writing, so this is my warm up to writing again. Here is a survey about one my favorite things: books. 

1. Favorite childhood book?
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Jo Rowling and Junie B. Jones Series by Barbara Park
2. What are you reading right now?
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, and next I'm going to read The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?
None right now. Probably going to take some out soon for help on my research paper. I love libraries by I prefer to own the books.
4. Bad book habit?
Not finishing books or reading too many at once.
5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Nothing.
6. Do you have an e-reader?
I'm getting one for my birthday! I was quite against them, and while I still prefer books, I am excited to be able to carry a large amount of books with me without the extra weight.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
I prefer one or two at a time, but not many more then that.
8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I would say no. The amount I read depends more on my schedule and what's coming out.
9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
Pretties by Scott Westerfield. It was fine, but a disappointment from reading Uglies.
10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
Not very often, but I am trying to branch out to different genres.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?
YA mostly, also children's lit, adult lit, and the occasional play.
13. Can you read on the bus?
I don't take the bus often, but I usually don't have problems reading on them.
14. Favorite place to read?
My bed, my family room coach, in bookstores/cafes, and trains.
15. What is your policy on book lending?
I'm constantly letting people borrow books because I want to share things I love with other people.
16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
No. It hurts me when I see damaged books.
17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
Nope.
18. Not even with text books?
I underline sometimes, but my school lends us books instead of making us buy them, so I'll get fined for highlighting or writing in them.
19. What is your favorite language to read in?
English.
20. What makes you love a book?
A good, gripping plot that makes me not want to stop reading. I love getting sucked into a story. Also, the characters. Especially if they are interesting with unique opinions and thoughts.
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
If I enjoyed it, or if I think that particular person will enjoy it.
22. Favorite genre?
Young Adult fiction, though I am getting sick of romance and vampire stories that have been popular in the past few years.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
Biography/ autobiography and sci-fi.
24. Favorite biography?
I haven't read enough to say :(
25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
I don't believe so.
26. Favorite cookbook?
I've been using online recipes recently, but I enjoy some church/school ones my mom has.
27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. It was so sad and beautiful and original. I am Christian but some of their ideas about life and death really got me thinking about what I believe.
28. Favorite reading snack?
Popcorn or Oyster crackers. So good.
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
The hype of Twilight. I can not understand the appeal of these books at all. I tried, I really did, but it just wasn't good. Also, I didn't really like 13 Little Blue Envelopes. Not sure why, but I didn't care for it.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
I don't read critic reviews.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I try to be honest but also respectful when giving bad reviews.
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?
French because it's a beautiful language. I can read some Spanish but my knowledge of the language is limited.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Hamlet because I read it on my own when I was 15. I really enjoyed it but it was difficult to understand it all.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson. It's different from what I am use to, but I am determined to read it.
35. Favorite Poet?
Either Hemingway, Fitzgerald, or Poe. Brilliant writers.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Two or three. I check them out in spurts.
37. How often have you returned a book to the library unread?
Fairly often haha. Two weeks is a short time for a large amount of books!
38. Favorite fictional character?
Gah this is hard. I'll list some favorites:
     -Miles "Pudge" Halter, Looking for Alaska
     - John Milton, Spud
     - Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter Series
     - Augustus Waters/ Hazel Grace Lancaster, The Fault in Our Stars
      -Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
39. Favorite fictional villain?
Probably Voldemort. Another hard one.
40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?
Whatever I am currently reading, plus one I love, like Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Clovsky.
41. The longest you’ve gone without reading.
About three-five months. School would get in the way and time would be scarce for things other then sleeping.
42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
Twilight Series. I refused to read the rest.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
The internet or getting a text/call. Or thinking of other things I should be doing.
44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which I just saw last week. The story did not drag as much and some of Oskar's thoughts were pretty disjointed. Also, switching between two stories with completely different writing styles was difficult. I'm glad they were able to sort it out well.
45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Prisoner of Azkaban and I Am Number Four (that movie was SHIT)
46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Probably about $50 or so. I love books so much, it's hard for me to choose one. So I often choose several!
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
Never. I read the back cover and start the first chapter, then decide to buy/read it.
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
A really slow, boring plot.
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
By series, author, size, paperback/hardcover, whatever feels right at the moment haha. Currently I have two bookshelves, neither big enough for all of them, so the series/favorites are on the smaller, more visiable one, and the rest are by paperback/hardcover on a smaller shelf.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
Keep and lend.
51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
The Chronicles of Narnia Series and the City of ... Series. The second does not seem very interesting, but I just can't get myself started on the Chronicles books. I don't know why but I really can't find the desire to read them.
52. Name a book that made you angry.
The end of Mockingjay irritated me, but I understand why it was written that way. (Though I still don't think Katniss would have had children.)
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
None particularly come to mind.
54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
The Giver and To Kill a Mockingbird. Something about them bugged me. I don't enjoy reading books with classes, but I plan to read these two again.
55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
No specific books, but I love rereading old books I loved. It's refreshing and I remember why I enjoyed it so much :)

Thanks for reading, have a nice night!

~Emily

College advice

Hey there. You're looking nice since we last talked. I am sorry for being away so long, school has really been hard the last couple weeks. But I finally have a little time to sit down and write something, and it is wonderful. I miss writing for fun instead of for class.

I'm a junior in high school and I've started seriously looking into college. College is something I have thought about briefly but now the reality of you need to start looking and decide on something has finally hit. I've gone to a couple of college fairs and have complied a short list of criteria for schools.

• Location - Preferable near a large city or in suburban area with a short community to a nearby city. I really don't want to go to school in a corn field. 
• Size - No schools with less then 4,000 kids. That's the smallest I am willing to go. I have gone to small school my entire life and would really like to change that and try something new. 
• Study Abroad Program- It's gotta be good. I really want to travel and see the world. I need a school that will support me in my travels.
• I want to be taught by real professors who I can talk to and ask questions. Not a teacher's assistant. 
• Public vs. Private- Still undecided. I would prefer a public school but my parents want to me to stick with christian schools gahh it's difficult.
• Just curious, do you have a Quidditch team? Please let me know.

If anyone has any advice at all for looking at colleges please let me know in the comments. I look forward to hearing from you all. Have a good week :)

Currently Reading: World War Z by Max Brooks
(since my last post I finish Anna and the French Kiss and The Power of Six which were both AMAZING.)
Currently Listening to: When We First Met- hellogoodbye, Sail by Awolnation, and Elephant Love Medley from Moulin Rouge! And generally just listening to Pandora's Show tunes Station. Obviously, I'm cool.

For the Love of Reading: Part 1

(Note: My internet crashed on Tuesday the 30th and did not come back till late Wednesday evening, so I was unable to finish BEDA (SO CLOSE GAH). Though it has been requested, I am not going to finish BEDA; we'll have to wait till April for me to do that crazy thing again (maybe sooner, we'll see). Though it was quite fun as well, thanks for sticking through it with me ;D)


Time to talk books.



Books are something I've grown up with. It is odd to find me not carrying a novel around, whether in my hands or shoved in a bag. My room is littered with books, shoved into two small shelves or on top of a table. I developed a bad habit of buying too many books then I can read at a time. One vacation we had visited a huge mall, about 4 stories, and I came home with 10 books from a small bookstore in another part of town. I'm telling myself that it will turn into a Life's Library, just like Alaska Young. 


Some of my favorite authors are John Green, Libba Bray, David Levithan, Jonathon Safran Foer, Jo Rowling (of course), Suzanne Collins, William Shakespeare, and Markus Zusak. I know I'm forgetting some so I'll create a list on my listography when I have more time to sit and figure them all out. I mostly read Adult and Young Adult Fiction, but am starting to read more Non-Fiction and Historical books. 


If you have any suggestions for books, plllease leave them in the comments. I have an ever-growing list of books I want to read that I am always looking to add too. I'll continue this topic another time, ta-ta for now! 


Currently Reading: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan, rereading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. 
Current music obsession: Stay Young, Keeping Dancing by Death Cab for Cutie and Losing My Religion by R.E.M.