I know I havn't posted anything in a while. I'll try harder. But anyways, I wanted to give you the link to my new blog, "In the Key of G". It is a blog about classical music and it is off to a good start. So here's the website: http://www.musicinthekeyofg.blogspot.com/. It looks to be a very promising blog!

Bookworm

My First Award!

I am proud to announce that I have received my very first blog award! After receiving this award, you must do the following:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award

My nominees are as follows:

1. Iryna at A Garden of Books ( http://www.gardenofbooksa.blogspot.com/). Okay, so she's the one who gave me the award. But I think she deserves it right back.

2. Serena at Under The Hollywood Sun (site http://www.thehollywoodsun.blogspot.com/). She is VERY experienced in "the show biz" and is just the person to visit if you ever need to know the anniversary of the Titanic. Or the latest Hollywood gossip.

3. The Evil Ones at 3 Evil Cousins (http://www.3evilcousins.blogspot.com/). This site has a really cool layout, and great reviews. Go check it out.

4. Jen at 50 for Jen ( http://www.50forjen.blogspot.com/). Thank you for becoming my second follower!

Thank you again to Iryna at A Garden of Books for nominating me for this award!

Five Little Pigs Review

Five Little Pigs

Author: Agatha Christie

Genre: Murder Mystery

Number of Pages: 240

It was an open and shut case. All the evidence said Caroline Crale Poisoned her philandering husband, a brilliant painter. Now, sixteen years later, in a posthumous letter, Mrs. Crale has assured her grown daughter that she was innocent. To find out the truth, the Crale's daughter asks Hercule Poirot to reopen the case. His investigation takes him deep into the conflicting memories and motivations of the five other people who were with the Crales on the fatal day. With his keen understanding of human psychology, he manages to discover the surprising truth behind the artist's death.

I must say that this is definitely my favourite Agatha Christie book, and I've read at least 7 of her books. There was a lot of description and not very much action, but the way Agatha Christie wrote held my interest ( I'm not much of a description girl) and I could see it all happening in my mind. Though the plot was not nearly as complicated as other Agatha Christie books, this one was . . . well, I don't really know how to explain why this was my favourite book. Maybe it's because of the plot: the fact that all the evidence said that Amyas Crale was poisoned by his wife. Pretty simple, right? Then comes the complication: in a post-humous letter ( a letter sent after she died), Mrs. Crale assures her grown daughter that she was innocent. Hercule Poirot ( definitely my favourite Agatha Christie detective) is asked to re-open the case. But, if Caroline Crale didn't poison her husband, who did? After all, there were five other people at the Crale house on that fatal day . . .

I have a few favourite passages from the book that I would like to share with you.

" ' Well, come now, M. Poirot! Without prejudice. She threatens to kill him. She takes the stuff from the laboratory. The empty bottle is found in her room and nobody has handled it but her. ' "

" ' ***** has counted, no doubt, upon Caroline's being suspected and the coniine bottle being found in her room. But Caroline now plays into ***** hands completely. She brings down some iced beer and pours it out for her husband.

Amyas tosses it off, makes a face, and says, ' 'Everything tastes foul today' '.

Do you not see how significant that remark is? ' "

I put the stars in there because this is a passage from the end and if I put what was originally there it would somewhat tell you who the murderer is.

Also, I would never have realized who the murderer is! Each person gives their narrative with such an air of innocence that I did not know who it was until the very end. It was also interesting to see that everybody felt a little differently towards Caroline Crale. Some were so sure that she had done it, others positive that she was innocent . . . who's right? Read the book and find out.

If you are new to Agatha Christie books, this is the book that you should start with. The plot is not as complicated as others, so it is easier to understand, perfect for a first book. And if you're already an Agatha Christie fan and haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for? Go out and get it! I have no doubt that you will love it as much as I did . . . which is why I give this book a definite A+.

New Moon Review

New Moon

Author: Stephanie Meyer

Genre: Romance

Series number: 2

Number of pages: 563

After a disastrous 18th birthday party, Edward makes the decision to leave Bella, hoping that in doing this she will not be constantly on the edge of danger. After his leaving, Bella goes into a deep depression . . . until she meets Jacob Black, who happens to be a werewolf. Although not able to completely mend her, Jacob becomes Bella's "safe harbour". Things look up for Bella when she receives a surprise visit from Edward's sister Alice . . . until Rosalie tells Edward Bella killed herself and Edward goes to Italy- to die.

WARNING: Spoilers Ahead! Do NOT read if you do not want some parts to be spoiled.

I have to say, "New Moon" is probably my favourite book in this series, despite the heart wrenching pain I felt for Bella when Edward left. However, I must say I see why Stephanie Meyer requests that people read this book twice- I was so concerned about Edward leaving and wondering when he was going to come back that I actually skipped ahead, read the part where Edward comes back, and then went back and read the middle section. I did find that the middle section (Bella's depression) was a bit boring, and it didn't really hold my interest. I felt that really, the only exciting parts were when Edward was around ( I don't think that this has to do with the fact that I'm on Team Edward). I end up re-reading the ending part, when they are in Volterra and after they return. Many people ( myself included) feel "That jerk! I can't believe I ever liked him!" when Edward leaves. He did win back my love when he returns to the story, and I can somewhat see his point of view. It's like he says in the first book, "I care the most because if I can do it- if leaving is the right thing to do, then I'll hurt myself to keep from hurting you, to keep you safe."(However, we all know that it is IMPOSSIBLE for Bella to stay out of trouble). I do believe that his judgement was wrong, in the sense that he thinks that, by leaving, he is keeping Bella safe, when the opposite is true- he is putting Bella through the worse pain imaginable.

I also thought that the imprinting thing was kind of neat. The whole concept of the fact that you only exist for the person you imprinted on is pretty cool. Again, as a Team Edward fan, I am relieved that Jacob does not imprint on Bella. I mean, Edward is so much better! And, no offense to you "Team Jacob" people out there, but he can act like a real idiot. Okay, so Edward has some weak points too. . . but not as much as Jacob.

I also really liked the preface to "New Moon". For those who aren't sure, here it is:

"I felt like I was trapped in one of those terrifying nightmares, the one where you have to run, run till your lungs burst, but you can't make your body move fast enough. My legs seemed to move slower and slower as I fought my way through the callous crowd, but the hands on the huge clock tower didn't slow. With relentless, uncaring force, they turned inexorably toward the end- the end of everything.

But this was no dream, and, unlike the nightmare, I wasn't running for my life; I was racing to save something infinitely more precious. My own life meant little to me today.

Alice had said there was a good chance we would both die here. Perhaps the outcome would be different if she weren't trapped by the brilliant sun; only I was free to run across this bright, crowed square.

And I couldn't run fast enough.

So it didn't matter to me that we were surrounded by our extraordinarily dangerous enemies. As the clock began to toll out the hour, vibrating under the soles of my sluggish feet, I knew I was too late- and I was glad something bloodthirsty waited in the wings. For in failing at this, I forfeited any desire to live.

The clock tolled again, and the sun beat down from the exact centre point of the sky"

Even though I didn't understand the connection until the end, I thought it was a really good way to start the book. The preface in "Twilight" was, no offense, weak.

All in all, I would give this book an A+.

Twilight Book Review

Twilight



Author: Stephanie Meyer
Genre: Romance

Bella Swan has just moved to the dreary town of Forks, where she falls in love with a mysterious boy named Edward Cullen. The catch? Edward is . . . a vampire.

I have to say, when I first started reading this book back in December, I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, I don't really like these types of genres. Then why on earth would you continue reading it? Well, at first it was to prove my brother wrong- he was positive that I wouldn't like it. But then I got caught up in the story and was genuinely interested. I personally think it is really interesting: falling in love with a vampire, having to be ever so careful because one moment of lost control could kill Bella... I truly loved reading the series. I think Stephanie Meyer came up with one of the most interesting love tangles in literature history. I also liked how she doesn't portray the vampires as sleep-in-coffins, burned-by-the-sun type; she shows us that vampires actually can live among us. And yes, there is an alternative option to feeding off humans. I also liked how she gave the vampires extra "powers". All in all, using Iryna's method of rating (see gardenofbooksa.blogspot.com) I would give this book an A+. Great job, Stephanie!

Ready to Blog!

Saturday, March 14

Well, I've done it! Done what? I've created my own blog (which you obviously know if you are reading this right now).

I welcome any suggestions, comments, or questions, positive or negative.

I just wanted to remind everybody that my blog is not to be used as an IM board or a way to cyberbully. Of course you knew that already, but people do forget...

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please email me at
blogbookworm@gmail.com.

Happy reading!