First Sentence Challenge

Lune Lenore Violette and I filmed a video this weekend and I had to share it with you!

May Book Haul

I went used book shopping with Lune Lenore Violette this past weekend ("What is a week-end?") and these are all the books I got. Enjoy!

Book Review: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

Artemis is at boarding school in Ireland when he 
suddenly receives an urgent video e-mail from Russia. In 
it is a plea from his father, who has been kidnapped by 
the Russian Mafiya. As Artemis rushes to his rescue, he is 
stopped by Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon fairy 
police. But this time, instead of battling the fairies, he is 
going to have to join forces with them if he wants to save 
one of the few people in the world he loves. 



I have been putting off starting this book for a long time. I didn't really enjoy the first book (which was featured in the first Throwback Thursday post) and I wasn't excited about starting this one. I read the first one back in 2012 and I didn't know how easy it would be to get into this series again. Last week though, I was in the mood for some fantasy. I felt that that could only be cured by a good dose of Artemis Fowl. I was not disappointed.

This book was so much better than the first book. I loved all the characters (especially Foaly!) and it seemed so fast paced. We really saw Artemis's weaknesses when he was dropped in the arctic without a computer. Butler was awesome as always and I now have a new found love for Root. I don't like Mulch in general. He was so annoying in the first book and wasn't much better in this one. I did, however, enjoy the story of him stealing Oscars. 

I think the biggest problem that I had with the first book was that they were focusing too much on Holly for a book entitled ARTEMIS FOWL! In this book, Holly and Artemis are together which I enjoyed quite a bit. They had a couple of cute moments, especially at the end. 

Opal was a great villain and I really like her. Cudgeon, on the other hand, is just annoying. I mean, why does he even have to be there?! I can't believe Opal put up with him. I can't wait to see what Opal is planning next!

The ending did seem a bit rushed, but that was okay. I was kind of looking for a quick read at the time and this was the perfect book. At the end we are given another sneak peek into Artemis's life at boarding school which is always funny. 

I give this book 5 stars and recommend it to anyone middle school and up!

Book Review: This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl and family

A collection of the journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of the late 

Esther Grace Earl, who passed away in 2010 at the age of 16. 

Photographs and essays by family and friends will help to tell 

Esther’s story along with an introduction by award-winning 

author John Green who dedicated his #1 bestselling novel The Fault 

in Our Stars to her.


Wow. I really don't know what I can say in this review but wow. This is a nonfiction book and I don't read a ton of those. I really enjoy memoir-style books and I loved how this one was just a collection of different things from different places. This included diary entries, blog posts by her and her parents, pictures that she drew, photos, and letters. I loved how so many people added things to this book. Esther and her parents wrote most of it  but Esther's online friends, sisters, brothers, John Green, and many other people contributed as well. 

I loved seeing the impact that Esther had on people. It reminded me so much of a girl I knew named Jenae' McNichols. She was just a beautiful person who made room in her heart for everyone. I went on YouTube and watched some of Esther's videos and she seems like an incredibly sweet person.

Esther was a Christian and that was something that I really liked about this book. If she hadn't been, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this book nearly as much. Instead I would have been crying the entire time because she wasn't in heaven. 

Even though Esther was a Christian, this was not a completely clean book. It was still a whole lot better than most YA novels are today. Esther did recount a time when she got drunk and how she really wants her first kiss. For that last part though, who could blame her? She was dying of cancer! There were a few innuendos here and there and a bit of language, but still a lot cleaner than most books.

The only thing that took away from my enjoyment of this book was that I'm not a John Green fan. I've never read one of his books. Esther was a huge John Green fan and nerd fighters are referenced quite a bit. I really want to read The Fault in Our Stars which John Green dedicated to Esther now! 

Esther was a huge Harry Potter fan as well and that was exciting. I loved hearing her fangirl about leakycon and Wizard Rock bands. I guess that was another thing I loved so much about Esther, she was a fangirl just like me.

All in all, I gave this book 5 stars and recommend it to anyone 12 and up. This is a story you won't forget.

Top 5 Friday: Favorite Books

I have a hard time choosing favorites when it comes to books. However, I thought I'd do it just this once.

5. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

I've read this book more than any other and I love it just as much every time. 

4. Animal Farm by George Orwell

I was really surprised in how much I enjoyed this book. It was just incredible.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I don't even know why I enjoyed this book so much, but I did. I read it in 7th grade (should have waited a year!) and didn't want to put it down.

2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This book made me really understand racism for the first time. This is definitely the most mature book I've ever read, but it was undeniably worth it!

You probably can guess what book comes next.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusack

From the first page, I knew I was going to love this book. It took me a while to finish, but it was so worth it. It was also the first book that made me cry for a decent reason (Mockingjay doesn't count!).

Honorable Mention: This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl and family

I am not even done with this book and it is already becoming a favorite. This is easily my favorite nonfiction book ever.

I hope you enjoyed this Top 5 Friday (I haven't done one in forever!)

What are your top 5 books?

So long!

-Hannah

Throwback Thursday: Book Edition (#1)

I thought I'd do this today so that I could talk about books that I read a while back. I'm kind of modeling this after The YA Bookworm Blogger's Memory Lane Mondays.

This week's book is...

Artemis Fowl!

Author: Eoin Colfer

series or standalone: the first in this series!

favorite character and why: Artemis Fowl, he's just so smart!

least favorite character and why: I don't like Mulch Diggums. Enough said.

What I thought about this book: I didn't really like this book. I just wasn't in the mood and I felt that this book just dragged on and on.

Will I read the second book?: I already did! I felt in the mood to read it recently and absolutely loved it! I will be posting a book review soon.

best quote: It's been a really long time (2012!) since I've read this book, so I had to look up quotes on GoodReads. This is my favorite quote that I could find.

"Captain Short's life is in danger, so push the button before I climb that tower and push it with your face!” 

So that was the first book edition of Throwback Thursday.

Tell me what you thought about it in the comments below!

So long!

-Hannah

Let's Talk Book Covers (#1)

We all judge books by their covers.

Face it.

We do.

I'd like to take this time and share with you some of my favorite covers.

I plan on making this a weekly thing.

I'll show you the cover,

tell you why I like the cover,

and tell you a little bit about the book!

Let's get started.

I have been in love with the cover of The Invention of Hugo Cabret ever since I first saw it.

It's just so beautiful!

I love artistic and intricate covers like these.

This book follows a twelve year old boy named Hugo who is trying to fix his father's automaton. 

He lives in the walls of the train station fixing the clocks.

The automaton creates this mystery which he solves with the help of his friend Isabelle and others they meet along the way.

This is probably my 5th favorite book ever and definitely my most read book.

I hope you enjoyed my first "Let's Talk Book Covers" post!

So long!

-Hannah

Library Haul (#4)

I realized that I haven't done one of these posts in a while, so here is my fourth library haul!

1. One False Note by Gordon Kormann

I checked this out a while back but never read it. I'm really interested in finishing this series.

2. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

When the librarian saw that I checked out Shadow Future she instead that I check out this book. I'm not sure if I will read it, but I may.

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

This is another book that I just haven't gotten to. I cannot wait to read this book!

4. Inside the Shadow City (Kiki Stike 1) by Kirsten Miller

Lune Lenore Violette really likes this series so I just had to get it.

5. Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale

This is definitely a girly middle grade novel. The cover and pages are rather nauseating but I am kind of interested in the story.

6. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I've heard so many good things about Patrick Ness and this looks like a really good book. Unfortunately, upon further research I probably won't read this one.

7. The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielson

This is the final book in the Ascendance Trilogy. I absolutely loved the first two books and I can't wait to read this one!

8. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

I just posted my review of The Giver by Lois Lowry and this is supposed to be the second book in the series. It is technically a companion novel which I am pretty upset about, but I really need to give it a try.

9. The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice 1) by John Flanagan

I have several friends who love this series so I thought I would give it a try.

10. This Star Won't Go Out

This is a nonfiction book about a girl named Esther who died in 2010 from thyroid cancer. I have already started this book and it is incredible! I am a third of the way through it and I already recommend it to everyone!

11. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

I started the first couple of pages and wasn't a huge fan of this book. I'm really hoping that it is going to get better because I just got sent The Julian Chapter by NetGalley and I need to read Wonder first.

12. Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

After reading Harry Potter years and years ago, I am still intrigued by this world of magic and that is why I picked up this book

13 and 14. The Hunger Games and Catching Fire movie guides

This is pretty much explanatory.

I hope you enjoyed this library haul.

I am planning on doing a NetGalley haul soon!

Leave a comment below telling me which book you think I should read first!

So long!

-Hannah 

Book Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war 

or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role 

in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to 

receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the 

memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for 

Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.


I've been wanting to read this book forever. The only problem was that I heard it was a banned book for some of its mature content. I've been debating for a while and eventually I just decided to read it. 

I'm sure glad I did!

I really want to get into more dystopian books and this was a really good one. I loved the innocence of all the characters and how they really do not realize the flaws in their society and how Jonas discovers them.

The plot was a bit vague at times. I wasn't quite sure why they would be doing different things. I did not realize this until I looked back on the book after finishing it. I was just so enthralled by the book, I just wanted to figure out what would happen next. The plot is not exactly resolved which I was perfectly okay with upon finishing the book. I mean, that's what the sequel is for! Wrong. There is no sequel. Gathering Blue is only a companion. That means that I will never get to figure out what happened to Jonas. FJDSKAL;SDFOI JFEWJIOPAOSDIFJ VFIJEA!

The descriptions were really good and I think that is what makes Lois Lowry such a good writer. She really puts you in the world of the characters. And that's another thing. I really like the characters. Honestly, Lily was my favorite even though she wasn't a huge part. She was just so cute and reminded me so much of Lia. Jonas was a well done character, but he didn't really have a huge personality. Jonas' friend, Asher, was cool as well. 

I think the only problem that I had with this book was the ending. It's just that... He needs to... Please... Ugh... I may do a spoiler book discussion on my YouTube channel so that I can rant about this book. I will say, the ending feels more like a drop-off than a conclusion of the plot.

I recommend this to anyone 7th grade and up! I kind of see this as one of the first dystopians along with Animal Farm and I recommend this to any dystopian lover. It's a really quick read that you will think about long after you finish it.

Book Review: Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

When Theodora Tenpenny spills a bottle of rubbing alcohol on her late grandfather’s painting, she discovers what seems to be an old Renaissance masterpiece underneath. That’s great news for Theo, who’s struggling to hang onto her family’s two-hundred-year-old townhouse and support her unstable mother on her grandfather’s legacy of $463. There’s just one problem: Theo’s grandfather was a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she worries the painting may be stolen.

With the help of some unusual new friends, Theo's search for answers takes her all around Manhattan, and introduces her to a side of the city—and her grandfather—that she never knew. To solve the mystery, she'll have to abandon her hard-won self-reliance and build a community, one serendipitous friendship at a time.


Under the Egg was released back in March and from the first time I saw it, I was intrigued. It is a middle grade novel that seemed like a Lemony Snicket version of Heist Society. When I saw it at the library, I just had to get it. If you have followed my last couple of posts you would know that I read this book during the Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. It was the perfect book to read during that time and was entertaining at the same time.

My favorite thing about this book had to be Theo and her lifestyle. I loved the simplicity of her life and reading about her chores and what she did for fun. It was so unique! Theo was a really good protagonist. She was smart, brave, and slightly flawed. Bodhi was really cool as well. She was the typical raised-in-Hollywood kid who wanted to be normal. I also really enjoyed all of the art history that was all throughout the book. I studied Rafael last year and it was great to learn even more. At the end we also got some World War II history which I am a huge fan of (seriously, my parents have to tell me all the time to stop reading books from that time period). 

As always, though, there are some aspects of this book that I didn't like. The first was that a whole lot of things happened way too easily. I mean, you don't usually run across some random vendor on the streets who knows all about the chemistry of oil paint. There were lots of instances of things like that happening. In one scene, all of these people with unnatural knowledge show up. In one scene. Can there be no struggle for information? Another thing was the lack of turmoil in Bodhi and Theo's friendship. They just met and all of a sudden they get along great. There was very little conflict in-between them. For some reason I felt like the story really needed that. It happens in the best friendships. Look at Harry and Ron! They spent half of Goblet of Fire mad at each other! And lastly, Theo was too smart. I appreciate intelligence in characters, but with Theo it just didn't seem quite natural. I think it needed to be toned down just a bit.

All in all, this was a cute middle grade mystery and gave me a break from The Darkest Minds which seems rather menacing. 

I give this book 3.75 stars and recommend it too anyone who needs a cute mystery.

Book Review: Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

The year is 1911. And at The Manor, nothing is as it seems . . .

Lady Charlotte Edmonds: Beautiful, wealthy, and sheltered, Charlotte feels suffocated by the strictures of upper-crust society. She longs to see the world beyond The Manor, to seek out high adventure. And most of all, romance. 

Janie Seward: Fiery, hardworking, and clever, Janie knows she can be more than just a kitchen maid. But she isn't sure she possesses the courage -- or the means -- to break free and follow her passions.

Both Charlotte and Janie are ready for change. As their paths overlap in the gilded hallways and dark corridors of The Manor, rules are broken and secrets are revealed. Secrets that will alter the course of their lives. . . forever.


When I first saw this cover I immediately thought Downton Abbey. In my opinion she looks just like Sybil Crawley. That's even the style of dress she wore!

I got even more excited when I read the inside flap. I absolutely love Downton Abbey and I thought another "upstairs, downstairs" drama sounded fun.

First, let's go over what I enjoyed about this book.

I adored the setting of this book. It took me right back to Downton Abbey. I could really imagine the world where Charlotte and Janie lived. I think all of the descriptions were pretty well done. I also liked how the author really tried to get across the differences in the life styles of those who were upstairs and downstairs. My favorite part of it all was that Charlotte was a writer. I thought that was very interesting. The ending was decent and did mark a turning point in the book as well. This was a very clean romance for which I was very, very thankful for. In that way it was refreshing.

Now, what I didn't like.

Where do I even begin?!

I felt that the whole romance thing was incredibly rushed and unnatural. One minute Charlotte doesn't even notice him and all of a sudden he is the love of her life! One of her love interests was rather confusing. You could never tell who he truly loved because he was flirting with everyone pretty seriously. Fran was a rather annoying friend. I didn't get why Charlotte hung around her in the first place if she couldn't stand her! Charlotte was a very aggravating character. She was over dramatic and didn't even try to be compliant. She didn't seem to care that she was endangering Janie's job every time she talked to her. All she seemed to care about was herself. Janie was way too serious, but still a better character than Charlotte. Charlotte's mother was unnecessarily strict and seemed to have all of these ridiculous rules just for the sake of creating more tension in the plot. The way she tried to keep Aunt Beatrice from Charlotte seemed more strange than mysterious. That leads us to another point. Aunt Beatrice. I feel like we saw so little of her we weren't intrigued by her enough. Instead we had to sit through Charlotte dreaming about Lawrence again. You know how I said that this book seemed similar to Downton Abbey? Well, this book was similar in the worst ways. There are a few annoying times in Downton Abbey where someone upstairs will fall in love with someone downstairs or vice versa. This book copied just that but did it very badly. They continued this in making Charlotte overly rebellious, having the servants dance, having some of the same settings, and forcing Charlotte to get married. I did say above that I thought the ending was decent. Yes, and that was a decent plot twist, but it was still too anti-climatic. It seemed a bit too unrealistic. Maybe I would have enjoyed the ending if the book would have focused on the mystery more. 

All in all, I give this book 3.25 stars. 

Unless you are a die-hard fan of romance novels and Downton Abbey, I would not recommend this book.