My TBR Jar Video!

So today I am doing something different. I have started a YouTube channel dedicated to books.

The first video on my channel is about something called a TBR (To Be Read) Jar.

Here it is!


)

It was a lot of fun to make and involved a ton of editing!

I am still trying to work out some of the problems on my YouTube page but if you would like to check it out you can click here.

I will try to post another video soon!

So long!

-Hannah

Huge Library Haul + Camp NaNoWriMo

Hi, everyone! I just got back from my weekly library visit and I got a ton of books.

1. Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them by J. K. Rowling

2. Quidditch Through The Ages by J. K. Rowling

3. Animal Farm by George Orwell

4. One False Note (39 Clues book 2) by Gordon Korman

5. Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine

I got this book a couple of weeks ago and never read it. I decided to get it again today for my Camp NaNoWriMo research

6. Growing Up in World War II by Judith Pinkerton Josephson

This is another book for NaNo!

7. Horseradish: Bitter Truths that You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket

I read this book last year and absolutely loved it. It is absolutely hilarious!

8. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallgher Girls book 2) by Ally Carter 

I haven't read the first book in this series but I figured I might as well be ready when I do finish it!

9. My Secret War Diary by Flossie Albright

Yet another book for my NaNo research.

10. Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

This book is kind of like Downton Abbey and I can't wait to read it!

11. Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School book 2) by Gail Carriger

I'm still reading the first book in this series as well, but I'm prepared!

12. Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society book 3) by Ally Carter

It came in! I can't wait to read this book!

13. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

I just think this book looks interesting!

14. The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit

15. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

16. The Man Who Walked between The Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

I read this book at the library and returned it right after and that's why I included a picture. This was a very short picture book that I found on Goodreads and just had to read. I loved this book so much. It was a perfect reminder of the events on 9/11 for children.

So that's my library haul for this week!

Now for the Camp NaNoWriMo stuff!

National Novel Writing Month is a great program for people of all ages to write a novel in one month. It is traditionally in November.

However, in April they have a free writing month called Camp NaNoWriMo where you do not have to write a novel. You can write poems, scripts, or anything else you want!

You just have to set a word goal and work like you never have before all month.

I did NaNo in November back in 2012 and while I did meet my word goal I did not finish my book.

I am going to try this year for Camp NaNoWriMo.

My novel is a historical fiction book set during World War II.

The working title is Heart as Big as the Ocean.

I cannot wait to start on it!

Here is my first synopsis.

There will be another one much better closer to April.

Ana is a fourteen year old Jew living in Holland. Her parents were carried away from her when she was twelve and she has lived with her aunt, uncle, and cosigns since then. She doesn't feel wanted and Ana fears that one day she will be carried away just like her parents. Every night she prays for God to protect her and send people to stop the mistreatment of Jews. Every night she secretly writes a letter, puts it in a bottle, and throws it out into the sea. These letters contain every bit of Ana's journey and her struggle to survive. Little does she know that someone is finding these letters and that personage may be the key to her rescue.

I am setting my goal low just because I have a ton of Algebra 2 to get through. Not to mention, I'm taking the ACT this month!

My goal words is 10,000.

I know I am capable of much more than that because my previous novel currently has 18,089 words.

If I somehow write more than this, I will be thrilled.

I just don't want to put too much pressure on myself this month.

If I don't have time, I don't have time.

That's that.

Lune Lenore Violette is doing this with me.

To check out her novel click here.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

I do have a video for something special that I will hopefully post this week!

So long!

-Hannah

Book Review: The Help

     

Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who's 
always taken orders quietly, but lately she's unable to hold 
her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her 
tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her 
employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter 
just graduated college. She's full of ambition, but without a 
husband, she's considered a failure. Together, these 
seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all 
book about work as a black maid in the South, that could 
forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town...



Genre: Adult fiction, historical fiction

Overview: When I first started this book I knew it would be good. I mean, I love the setting and it was obviously good enough to make a movie out of it. I just didn't understand how much I would enjoy this book and learn from it. I loved every one of the characters. They were all developed very nicely and I loved how the point of view kept switching. It let you see into each of the three main characters' private lives and see their side of the story. There was so much irony in this book and I have a new found appreciation of it. 

Romance: Because this is an adult book you can expect there to be romance. Thankfully, there was less romance in this book than in most YA books. There was some kissing between Skeeter and her boyfriend. Skeeter is also suspected of being gay (she isn't!). Her boyfriend also asks her to come with him on a trip to the beach which she refuses pretty quickly. Around the middle of the book one of the characters has a miscarriage (I'll talk more about it in the violence section). A few men also make comments about how Celia looks. A naked man runs through Celia's yard and tries to kill (only kill, nothing else) Minny and Celia. He does say something a bit inappropriate. Even through all of these unnecessary romantic parts, you can always find something good. Skeeter's mom does tell her at one point not to let her boyfriend "cheapen" her. If he doesn't treat her right, get rid of him. The romance in this book is very light and couldn't even be considered as a secondary plot. It's more like the fourth plot...

Language: There definitely was some language in this book. Some of it was to be expected just because it is set during the Civil Rights movement, but a lot of it was just unnecessary. Minny and Skeeter cuss more than anyone. They don't say the worst of the worse, but there are quite a few words there to annoy you.

Violence: As to be expected during the Civil Rights movement, there are several beatings and shootings mentioned. They also discuss the assassination of Kennedy. A character has a miscarriage at her house which was, well, a bit disturbing. Minny is often abused by her husband. These scenes are barely described but we hear about how Minny has a bad cut on her face. The naked man mentioned above does hurt Minny pretty badly and does get beaten himself. 

Other: I felt like I had to mention the fact that everyone smokes all the time. Seriously. All the time. Skeeter does try to quit near the end but occasionally allows herself to smoke when she's facing a difficult situation. Characters get drunk quite often as well. 

I absolutely loved this book and I recommend it to anyone in high school!

So long!

-Hannah

Top 5 Friday: Movie Characters I Would Most Want to Play

This post has a rather wordy title but I couldn't really think of anything shorter. This was a fun post to do!

As usual, I will work from my fifth choice to my first choice.

5. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter

I've always liked Luna and she would be a fun character to play. She's so insightful and dreamy and unlike anyone else. 

4. Isabelle from Hugo

The thing I like most about Isabelle is her love for books. Except for her more adventurous side, Isabelle and I are similar in some ways. She would be a very fun character to play.

3. Skeeter Phelan from The Help

I haven't technically finished The Help (as of Tuesday when I'm writing this post) and I haven't seen the movie, but I love the character of Skeeter. She is rather naive in the beginning but really learns a lot about racism and kindness throughout the book. 

2. Hermione Granger from Harry Potter

Who wouldn't want to play Hermione? She's so cool and smart! Still, I don't want to kiss Harry or Ron. That aside, playing Hermione would be amazing.

1. Liesel Meminger from The Book Thief

Liesel is yet another lover of books. She is several years younger than me, but I love her character. I talked a bit about her when she won Best Female Protagonist in my Bookish Academy Awards. I just love Liesel. 

Honorable mentions: Sara Crew (The Little Princess), Matilda Wormwood (Matilda), Ginny Weasley (Harry Potter), Lucy Pevensie (Chronicles of Narnia)

I hope you enjoyed this Top 5 Friday!

What movie characters would you most want to play?

So long!

-Hannah

Library Haul

I decided to postpone my library till today just to finish off the Bookish Academy Awards. A lot of the books I wanted were at different libraries so I probably have 9 books on hold right now. I did manage to pick up a couple of new books though.

Here we go!

1. The Sword Thief (39 Clues series) by Peter Lerangis

I have not read the second book in the 39 Clues yet, but I figured that while I wait for it to come in, I go ahead and get the third book.

2. The Sisters Grimm: A Very Grimm Guide by Michael Buckley

I'm saving this book for after I finish The Council of Mirrors (the last Sisters Grimm book). I'm excited to find out a bit more about some of the more minor characters.

3. The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas

Ginger read this book last year or the year before and absolutely loved it. It is a middle grade book and I already know one spoiler in it, but I kind of want to try it! It looks really long but the font is really big. It shouldn't take me that long.

4. Murder of the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

I've read one Agatha Christie book (And Then There Were None) and loved it. I've heard really good things about this book and I can't wait to read it. By the way, Lune Lenore Violette did a post about Agatha Christie that you should read.

5. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

This sounds like a hopeless romance, but it really isn't. Just letting you know. I don't read those kinds of books! I can't wait to read another Ally Carter book and hopefully it will tide me over till I can get Perfect Scoundrels (3rd book in the Heist Society series). 

6. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

I've read this book before but now that I have such a love for sign language and deaf culture, I desperately need to read it again. 

I hope you have enjoyed this library haul. 

I will try to post book reviews!

So long!

-Hannah

Bookish Academy Awards Part 3

It's the last day of the Bookish Academy Awards and we're wrapping it up with the five best categories!

1. Best actor- male protagonist

2. Best actress- female protagonist

3. Best supporting actor- male side-kick

4. Best supporting actress- female side-kick

5. best visual effects- most action packed

I'm really excited about announcing these.

These are absolutely my favorite categories.

Are you ready?

Here we go!

1. Best Male Protagonist goes to...

Hugo Cabret (The Invention of Hugo Cabret)!

I was going to give this award to Sage from False Prince but then I remembered how annoying he got. Then I remembered Hugo. He definitely deserved this award.

2. Best Female Protagonist goes to...

Liesel Meminger (The Book Thief)!

Liesel was just an amazing character. She was the perfect mix of spunk and sweetness. I loved her so much!

3. Best Male Side-Kick goes to...

W. W. Hale the Fifth (Heist Society)!

This was obviously going to go to Hale. How could it not? He is the perfect side kick!

4. Best Female Side-Kick goes to...

Rue (Hunger Games)!

This one was really hard. I loved Rue as a character. I think every older sister saw her as their little sister (along with Prim).

5. Most Action Packed Book goes to...

Arch Nemesis!

You would not believe how much Lune fit into one book! There is so much action in this book. I can't remember exactly but I'm thinking there were three or four battles. The climax was amazingly perfect. 

I have really enjoyed these Bookish Academy Awards and I hope you have as well!

I am planning on doing this again next year around the time of the Oscars.

So long!

-Hannah

Bookish Academy Awards Part 2

Are you ready for part 2 of the Bookish Academy Awards?

A few of today's awards will feature book to movie adaptations.

Here is the list of awards given today.

1. Best adapted screenplay- book to movie adaptation

2. Best animated feature- a book that would make a good animated movie

3. Best musical score- book to movie adaptation music

4. Best short film- novella

5. Best documentary- nonfiction/historical

Are you ready?

Let's get started.

1. The Best Book to Movie Adaptation Award goes to...

Catching Fire!

The Catching Fire movie was absolutely amazing. It was almost exactly like the movie in every way! It could not have been better.

2. Best Book for Animation goes to....

The Invention of Hugo Cabret!

I know they already made this movie and I thought that it was very well done. I almost gave this award to a graphic novel I read, but I really think that The Invention of Hugo Cabret could have been a very good animated movie. Not in the cartoon since but as a black and white animated film. Kind of like the illustrations in the book.

3. Best Book to Movie Adaptation Music goes to....

Phantom of the Opera!

I really missed the music when I read this book at the beginning of 2013. It is just so good! 

4. Best Novella goes to....

Shadow of the Lights!

I don't read many novellas, but I just had to read this one. I loved it so much! The story was beautiful and I loved the characters.

5. Best Nonfiction/Historical goes to...

Listening With My Heart!

I read this book for my 4-H project on ASL. It is an autobiography of the first deaf Miss America. I enjoyed this book immensely and I think I learned a lot about being deaf, being Miss America, and hard work.

That is all for Part 2 of the Bookish Awards.

Tomorrow we will get to the big awards (best actor/actress, supporting actor/actress, and best action).

I hope you are enjoying the Bookish Awards!

So long!

-Hannah

Bookish Academy Awards Part 1

Greetings, all!

Are you ready for the first round of the Bookish Academy Awards?

I'm really excited about sharing the winners.

The categories that will be announced today are the following.

1. best cinematography- plot twist

2. best costume design- book cover

3. most original screenplay- most creative world or plot

4. best director- new favorite author

5. best picture- stand alone book

Ready?

1. Best plot twist goes to....

The False Prince!

I was so surprised by the ending of this book. I never suspected that! It was perfect.

2. Best cover design goes to...

School of Fear!

I love the cover of this book for some strange reason. It fits the story line perfectly.

3. Most creative world/plot goes to...

The Hunger Games!

This one was pretty easy. The Hunger Games world is cool and twisted.

4. New author favorite is....

Ally Carter!

I love Ally Carter's books. I love the strong characters that she writes and just the way her writing works.

5. Best stand alone book goes to....

The Invention of Hugo Cabret!

I technically read this book for the first time back in 2012 but I read it all the time just because I love the story. It was so perfect!

That is all for today's Bookish Academy Awards!

I will be posting Part 2 very soon.

So long!

-Hannah

Buying Books

I seem to be in the buying mood recently.

It sure doesn't help that I have a ton of Amazon gift cards from my birthday and Christmas.

Not to mention the fact that I have discovered the Target book section.

I absolutely love buying books. It just feels... satisfying!

I wouldn't say that this is a "book haul" type of post considering that I haven't really bought that many books. Yet.

I do however, want to show you what I have bought.

I was given a $10 gift card to Target from my band director as incentive to practice. I wandered all of Target searching for what to buy. I found it rather difficult. Then I found the book section. I was going to buy Cinder by Marissa Meyer but it was much cheaper to buy it on my Kindle and it was slightly damaged. That is how I wound up buying The Maze Runner. I'm starting to enjoy Dystopian novels and this looks like a great one. It is the first in a trilogy. They are making a movie out of it as well! Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about reading this book. 

Oh, and as a short trivia fact, this is the first actual "book" I've bought since I went Harry Potter book searching through yard sales.

I just had to buy it. I just HAD to. Why would I not buy a book that was only $3.56 on Kindle? I won't be able to get to it just yet, but I know that it is already waiting for me.

I have not officially bought this one yet. I have the money for it and it is currently only $3.99 on Kindle. I just haven't made up my mind to buy it yet. You see, I read the list of reasons that the movie was rated PG-13 and I'm still wondering whether or not I can read The Secret Life of Bees. I don't think it would be much worse than The Help, to be honest. I'm falling in love with this time period and I really want another book so that I can experience it again. If anyone has read this book, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW AND TELL ME ABOUT IT! 

I also just found out that this book is only $3.99! Amazon sometimes runs specials on books made into movies. I started this one sometime in the fall and stopped. I didn't like some of the words that they were using (not technically cuss words, but still...). I haven't bought this one either, but I'm considering it. 

This book is definitely more expensive than the books above at $9.17 for kindle. I really want to own this book, but I can't justify it yet. I don't see it going down in price and considering the size, it won't be cheap in stores.

If you've read any of these books I'd love to hear what you think. I'm going to try to start posting book reviews on here and these are some books that you are probably going to see eventually.

So long!

-Hannah

Bookish Academy Awards

Hi, guys!

I am really excited about this post.

Today I will be doing my first post for the BOOKISH ACADEMY AWARDS! 

You probably don't know what that is and I didn't either until I watched this YouTube video.

This is not the original Bookish Academy Awards Tag video. It is just the one that I discovered first.

Anyway...

For this post I will give you a brief explanation of how this will work.

So what I have done is I have a list of categories and I have picked an author, book, or book series to fit every one of them.

The book was required to be read by myself in 2013 or recent 2014.

I know that you saw the categories in the video above, but I will give them to you again.

1. Best actor- male protagonist

2. Best actress- female protagonist

3. Best Cinematography- best plot twist

4. Best costume design- best book cover

5. best supporting actor- best male side kick

6. best supporting actress- best female side kick

7. best original screen play- most creative world or plot

8. best adapted screenplay- book to movie adaption

9. best animated feature- book that would make a good animated movie

10. best director- new favorite author

11. best visual effects- action packed book

12. best musical score- book to movie adaptation

13. best short film- novella

14. best picture- best stand alone book

15. best documentary- nonfiction/historical

I did actually sit down and come up with multiple nominees for most of these.

Here are a couple of my nominees!

For best female protagonist I nominated....

-Liesel Meminger (The Book Thief)
-Katarina Bishop (Heist Society)
-Miri (The Princess Academy)
-Madeleine (School of Fear)
-Anae (Arch Nemesis)

For best plot twist I nominated...

-False Prince
-School of Fear
-Mockingjay
-The Book Thief
-The Everafter War

Lastly, for best male side kick I nominated...

-W. W. Hale (Heist Society)
-Max (The Book Thief)
-Shmuel (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas)
-Domingo Montoya (The Princess Bride)

I couldn't share all of my nominations because I wanted to allow some mystery.

I'm planning on announcing the winners in three separate posts.

I hope you enjoy the Bookish Academy Awards!

So long!

-Hannah