The Prefects' Bathroom

I'm sick. Like a lot of other people right now. Except unlike most of them (I'd imagine), I take baths when I'm sick. (Or if they do, they probably won't admit to it.) One thing I was thinking about while I was in my very small, doesn't-fit-me-properly bathtub was Harry Potter. More specifically, all the cool things they have in Harry Potter. As I was mulling over everything they have that we don't, I decided that if I could have three things from their world, I would go with a wand (of course), a broomstick (sadly, I cannot drive, so this would make life soooo much easier), and... the bathtub in prefects' bathroom. (For those of you who haven't read, don't remember it, or just want to read about it again, click here.)

You have no idea how appealing this looks.

I understand that that makes me super nerdy and I should have gone with the invisibility cloak or pumpkin juice or something else like that. I just love taking baths, and having an unendless supply of hot water, bubbles, and space sounds like heaven to me.

After all my thinking, I'm really curious as to what others' would pick. Let me know in the comments (or link me to it if you make your own post).

In My Mailbox (#2)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. (The IMM Page)


My camera is actually at my friend's house right now [I forgot it there last night because I'm really smart... (insert sarcasm here).], so I just have pictures of the covers, rather than an actual photograph of them. Ohwell. I'll have it back soon. Anyway....


I only got two books this week. I won them together in a contest by Sarah of Book Duck (go check her out!). And they are...

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Dream Girl by Lauren Mechling




I haven't started on either of them yet, but I'm beyond excited for them both!


What did you get in your mailbox this week?

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry
(Perfect Chemistry #1)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books for
Young Readers (Dec. 23, 2008)

Fairfield High School. A place where those from opposite sides of town don't mix. So when Alex Fuentes--Mexicano, gang member, south-sider, bad boy-- and Brittany Ellis--white as snow, head cheerleader, north-sider, seemingly perfect-- are paired up in chemistry, it's bound to turn into an experiment gone wrong.

---

I started this at school yesterday, and, like Taken by Storm, read for a nice chunk of time after school to finish it. And finish it, I did. 

Perfect Chemistry is narrated from two points of view: Brittany's and Alex's. As one person stops telling the story, the other starts, exactly where the first left off. Because of this, you get almost the entire story in mixed perspectives. I loved hearing what each person was thinking throughout the story, as opposed to just one point of view. Alex would mix random Spanish in with his dialogue and narrations, which annoyed me a little bit, just because I really wanted to know what he was saying, but I got over it because it is, after all, the way he would talk/think. 

As I said above, I finished it after school, but that entire night, I couldn't help but think about it. It didn't matter how well our basketball team was doing or how much fun I was having, Alex and Brittany were still first on my mind. 

And although I wouldn't say that this is one of the best books I've read, it was still really good. A little predictable, sure, but still sexy (just look at that cover), fun, and amazing at the same time. I definitely suggest you add it to your reading list. 

Booking Through Thursday (#2)

This week's Booking Through Thursday question:

What’s the largest, thickest, heaviest book you ever read? Was it because you had to? For pleasure? For school?

Ignoring text books, I'm almost positive that it was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (which is actually bigger than the Deathly Hallows). I read it "for pleasure" because I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. I can't think of anything I've read that was longer than this, but maybe I forgot about one....

How about you? What's your BTT answer? 

(Link me to it below, and I'll check it out!)

Taken By Storm by Angela Morrison

Title: Taken by Storm
Author: Angela Morrison
Publisher: Razorbill (Mar. 5, 2009)

Seventeen-year-old Leesie Hunt has rules: No making out. No sex. And definitely no falling for a non-Mormon. She pours all her passion into poetry, thoughts of escaping her tiny town and getting into her dream school, BYU.

Then Michael Walden arrives in Tekoa and everything changes. He is a free diver, which means he can hold his breath for minutes at a time. This is how he survived the storm that took his parents' lives, and the world as he knew it.

Leesie and Michael couldn't be more different: his dreams are tied to the depths of the ocean and hers to salvation above. Yet they are drawn to each other, even when jealousy, unbearable rules, and haunting memories threaten to tear them apart.

Every time Michael goes diving, Leesie is afraid he'll never come back up. he is drowning in tragedy and she knows it's up to her to save him. Somehow.

But when temptation becomes too strong to resist, who is going to save her?*

---

I started this book at school this morning, and I could tell from the start that it wasn't going to be good. I pushed myself to read the first couple chapters. The third was slightly better than those, the fourth a little better than the third. And on and on it went, each chapter getting a little better than the previous one... and then, it hit full blast, and I was hooked. After I got home, I sat for two and a half hours and read straight to the end. (Thank goodness I hadn't started reading any later or I would not have gotten much sleep.) 

The book is narrated in two perspectives: Leesie's and Michael's. Leesie's sections are all in poems (which I fell in love with) and Chatspot (IM) logs, while Michael's are Dive Logs (basically just him narrating). I found that the transitions were smooth, and because of the format, I always knew who was narrating (sometimes I get confused with books like this). 

Everything about this book (except for the first few chapters) was simply amazing. The plot (although not super original), the characters, the dialogue, the everything. 

Maybe I'm just a sucker for romance, but I fell hard for this. There's no doubt that I'll be buying this the next time I'm at a bookstore, and I recommend it fully. Turns out I was right: It wasn't good... It was incredible.**

*summary from inside jacket

**I really wanted to add this in, but couldn't figure out where to put it, so I just added it in down here.

"The world spins, the starts shift, and I can't see anything except his smoky gray eyes gazing into mine.

You scare me, whispers from my mouth across his. 

Good, he breathes into me. I need you to save me."

(from back cover of hardback)

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Title: The Boyfriend List

(Ruby Oliver #1)

Author: E. Lockhart

Publisher: Delacorte Books for

Young Readers (Sept. 26, 2006)

Fifteen-year-old Ruby Oliver has had a rough ten days. In the past ten days she:
 - lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list)
 - lost her best friend (Kim)
 - lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket)
 - did something suspicious with a boy (#10)
 - did something advanced with a boy (#15)
 - had an argument with a boy (#14)
 - had a panic attack (scary)
 - lost a lacrosse game (she's the goalie)
 - failed a math test (she'll make it up)
 - hurt Meghan's feelings (even though they aren't really friends)
 - became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)
 - had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom (who knows what was in the boys'!?!)
But don't worry--Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.*

---

The Boyfriend List is one of those books that I wanted to read and was going to read but then didn't. I kept thinking, oh, I'll get it the next time I come to the library. And then my sister bought it, and I thought, good. Now I'll actually read it... I didn't. Until a few days ago. I finally got around to it and am so I happy I did.

You know how you read some books and go, that would never happen in real life? I didn't think that once in this book. E. did an amazing job of keeping it realistic. I was never sure what would happen next, and I especially couldn't figure out how it was going to end. 

E. wrote (a lot of) footnotes into the book, which I loved. (I'm not exactly sure why. I just have a thing for footnotes in books.) It was a really clean way of adding in extra information without actually interrupting the story.

If you haven't read it (although I'm under the impression that I'm the only person in the world who hasn't), you should look for it. Don't say you'll get it and say you'll read it and never do it. Just go get it. I suggest leaving right now. Before you forget. Then again, if it's three in the morning, and your library and/or bookstore aren't open yet, you could probably wait until eight-ish.... or you could just steal it.... **

*Summary from back cover of paperback 

**I don't suggest doing this. It may not be worth getting arrested. It is an option though. 

"Waiting On" Wednesday (#1)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where I get to tell you what upcoming release I can't wait to get my hands on.

My very first WoW is...

City of Fallen Angels
(The Mortal Instruments #4)
by Cassandra Clare
April 5, 2011

[There is a summary below with spoilers, if you have not read books #1-3. Highlight with caution.]

“City of Fallen Angels takes place two months after the events of City of Glass. In it, a mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels.” *

Like most others right now, I absolutely cannot wait for City of Fallen Angels. I discovered the Mortal Instruments series in October of last year. After I finished City of Bones, I immediately got City of Ashes, and then City of Glass. Once I finished those, I figured out when CoFA was coming and marked it in my calendar. Only 68 days left!

*summary from Goodreads

2011 Anthology Challenge

Yesterday I joined the 2011 Debut Author Challenge, and today I discovered the 2011 Anthology Challenge hosted Tegan of Not Your Faerytale. I was super excited when I discovered it because I absolutely love anthologies, but, like our lovely host, I rarely read the whole thing, start to finish. But now, I shall. I've made my goal four (Novice), and I will keep track of my progress on the Challenge page.

Here's my starting list (which I'm sure will change):

1. Zombies vs. Unicorns 

2. Up All Night 

3. 21 Proms

4. Corsets and Clockwork (5/10/11) 

Are you taking the challenge? Link me to it, and I'll check it out!

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Today I decided to join the 2011 Debut Author Challenge, hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. I've made my goal to read and review twelve (yes, the minimum) debut YA books this year, and I'll keep track of my progress on the Challenge page

Here's the (tentative) list I'm starting with:
1. The Latte Rebellion by Sarah Jamila Stevenson (1/8/11)
2. Across the Universe by Beth Revis (1/11/11)
3. Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal (1/11/11)
4. Subway Girl by P.J. Converse (3/15/11)
5. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (3/22/11)
6. This Girl is Different by JJ Johnson (4/1/11)
7. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (4/19/11)
8. Saving June by Hannah Harrington (4/19/11)
9. Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (5/3/11)
10. Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor (5/12/11)
11. Flutter by Erin Moulton (5/12/11)
12. Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard (6/14/11)*


Are you taking the Challenge this year? Are there any books not in my list that I should read? Let me know!

* A couple others I'm thinking about...

13. Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik (8/2/11)

14. The Map of Me by Tami Lewis Brown (8/30/11)

In My Mailbox (#1)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. Instead of rambling on about it, I'll just link you here.

Bought

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld - I'll admit that I haven't read this, and I'm probably the only person left who hasn't, but I did finally get it, which means that it should happen soon.

Library

The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper - I don't have much to say about this other than I thought it looked interesting. 

Taken by Storm by Angela Morrison - I put this on request during summer, but I didn't get it until this week. Fingers crossed that that means it's good.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - Two of the girls I sit with at lunch are currently obsessed with Simone, so I thought I'd check her out.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney - Supposed to be one of the best books of 2010. I can't wait to finally read it. 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare - I actually already read this, but with all of Cassie's twitter Q&A's, I feel like I either missed a lot the first time through, or I just forgot it all. Either way, I figured I needed to read it again.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan - See the paper sticking out of this one? Yeah. That's my sister's bookmark. She stole it before I got the chance to start it.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - I'm in love with Peter Pan, but I've never actually read it, so I felt like I needed the real story. 

School

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (not pictured) - I also got Huck Finn this week because we're reading it in English, but it's at school because I've already read the section that we have to, and I'm pretty content enjoying my weekend without Huck, Tom, and Jim. 

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman (QR)

Title: Enthusiasm
Author: Polly Shulman
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (Feb. 16, 2006)

"There is little more likely to exasperate a person of sense than finding herself tied by affection and habit to an Enthusiast." Julie knows from bitter experience. Her best friend, Ashleigh, veers wildly from one obsession to the next, dragging Julie along on her crazy schemes. Ashleigh's current fancy is also Julie's own passion: Jane Austen's great love story Pride and Prejudice. Dressed in a vintage frock and dragging her feet, Julie finds herself sneaking into a dance at an all-boys' prep school with Ashleigh, in search of heroes. Unfortunately, they both fall for the same one: the handsome and gallant Grandison Parr. Will Julie have to choose between loyalty and love? Or will Ashleigh's embarrassing antics drive him away before Julie gets a chance?*

---

Enthusiasm... what to say, what to say. I first read this book about two years ago and immediately fell in love with it. I saw it on my shelf the other day and decided to read it again (for probably the fifth time). Turns out I still love it. (I haven't read it in at least a year.) I thought about it for a while after I finished it, trying to figure out why I love it so much. It's pretty typical, fairly predictable, rather average, and not amazingly excellent. All things that would make it a typical book, nothing to get excited about. But I think that's exactly why I enjoyed it so much. It's one of the few books like that that makes you want to be sucked in and take the place of a character. Not because they go off on daring adventures or cast spells or do cool stunts, but because, when it comes down to it, that's what you want. You want that typical life, where you know everything will be okay in the end. And I think that's what really made me fall for it.

I think it's worth checking out if you get the chance. Maybe it is average. Maybe it is typical. Maybe it isn't actually that great. But I still think it's worth it. 

*summary from back cover (paperback edition)

Booking Through Thursday (#1)

To get in the spirit of blogging, I decided to start doing some memes. The first one (as it's Thursday) is Booking Through Thursday. 

This week's question is...
Even I read things other than books from time to time … like, Magazines! What magazines/journals do you read?


I don't really read journals, and I can't say I read magazines much, but when I do, it's usually Seventeen, Scientific America, or Newsweek (yeah, I know I'm lame).

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Title: Suite Scarlett
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Point (May 1, 2008)

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family owns the Hopewell, a small hotel in the heart of New York City.

When the Martins turn fifteen, they are each expected to take care of a suite in the once elegant, now shabby Art Deco hotel. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite, and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet, world traveler, and aspiring autobiographer who wants to take over her life. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes an unexpected turn.* 

---

The first thing in this book that drew me in was the hotel setting.  I mean, what kid hasn't dreamed about living in a hotel? And here it was. But what really got me was that the Hopewell isn't your nice Hilton or your average Comfort Inn. Oh, no. The Hopewell is a family owned and run, fairly empty, not-quite-first-class hotel. And Scarlett gets to live in it. This is really what hooked me at first; I wanted to hear about life in a hotel. 

Second was Maureen Johnson's style. I can't think of much to say about her style other than I love it. The way everything flows and how everything is phrased is simply amazing. Johnson also kept the book moving along. I can't remember a dry section because there was always more being tossed in.

The only things I didn't really like were some of the characters. I won't tell you which ones, but at some points, I just could feel myself getting annoyed with them. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to like one of them, but he still just got on my nerves. 

Really, the only way I can think to sum up the book is with six words: it's funny, it's clever, it's excellent. If you can get your hands on it, I suggest you do.


*summary is a partial from inside jacket

Try, Try Again

Once upon a time, I had a blog. Two, actually. I started the first in October of 2009, after meeting Michelle Houts and being introduced to the world of book blogging. It fell apart after about one month and six posts. I just kind of... stopped. Toward the beginning of 2010 (I think April), a friend and I started a new one, which I thought would be a lot better. It was... for two or three months. It fell apart too. I then gave up on keeping my own and just faithfully read others' blogs. (Which I had already been doing. My point is more on the first part than the second.) But I kept wanting to write about books I had read and things that bloggers had posted. So, when 2011 came about, I decided to try again. A new identity (I was formally silverlining), a new blog (hopefully a better one), and a new list of books to be read (a good two pages). And so, I present to you, Innocently Dreaming, a (probably odd, hopefully good, and likely crazy) young adult book blog.