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Monday, August 30, 2010

Check Out Some More Blogs!

Hello everyone! Hope everything is going okay with you :).

I would like to ask you to check out two new blogs. One is Tales of the Mockingjay, started by my BFF Leanne. It is her very own book blog, but she would like to have more followers. She would really appreciate it if you would look at it! And the other is Another Day In Our 8th Grade Paradise, which Leanne and I started to share our 8th grade school year happenings with anyone that follows along. We would love for you to check it out! If we have a lot of action this year, we may do it for 9th grade as well. :D

Thanks a bunch,

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Sunday, August 29, 2010

30 + Change #1 (August 2010)

My first ever 30+ Change post is finally here! For August, I went a few dollars over, but because Mom let me get another book for school :). Take a look!

1.) Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars, #4) by Sara Shepard. Cost: $7.99

2.) The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson. Cost: $7.14. Why: This book has been the #1 book bought on my Kindle for quite a while. It looked interesting, so I just had to try it out!

3.) Wicked (Pretty Little Liars, #5) by Sara Shepard. Cost: $7.99

4.) The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Cost: $6.99. I was recommended this book by one of my friends on GoodReads. She said that it was a great book, and I thought it was pretty interesting. Had to buy it!

5.) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Cost: $5.59. We were talking about Maya Angelou and reading a selection from this book in class. I wanted to be able to get the full effect, read the entire book. So I asked my mom, and she said that I could get this one -- but only this one, since I'd already spent all my money.

Total Spent: $35.70

August was pretty hectick, with school starting up again, and having to get used to that schedule again. I was always tired, and never had any time to really read. But I definitely bought!

September 1st will start my next list, and I'm already excited! Happy reading!

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Reading Status (28 August, 2010)

A Short Reading Status!

~Finished: nothing :(.

~Currently Reading: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; To Kill A Mockingbird; and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5)
By Richelle Mead
Publisher: the Penguin Group, 2010
489 pages, Hardcover
Date Finished: 8/20/2010
Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

First Line of Book: "There's a big difference between death threats and love letters -- even if the person writing the death threats still claims to actually love you."

Review: First of all, I can't wait till Last Sacrifice, the sixth and final book in the Vampire Academy series, comes out (release date Dec. 14th)!! On to the review... This book was amazing. It had much more romance, all of it being with Adrian, but oh well. And then, Rose both prevails and fails in her life as anew guardian. She and Lissa get the help of Victor, and spirit-using brother Robert, to help them figure something out -- something that could possibly help them save Dimitri... A lot more action, of course; there is alsi more adventure and hardships for basically all of the characters, but especially for Rose & Lissa. This book really amazed me, and I am definitely going to ask my mom to get Last Sacrifice for me this Christmas. Recommended yo all humans -- and extraterrestrials (aliens), if possible -- that have become spirit bound with Richelle Mead's best-selling series. :D

Rating:
Colorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and Photos

Quotes from the Book:

"We came to a stop before a high, barbwire fence with an enormous 'Private Property -- No Unauthorized Personnel Allowed' sign on it. The lettering was red, apparently to emphasize how serious they were. Personally, I would have added a skull and crossbones to really drive the message home."

"My hope was that he'd spread the story to Court officials when our disappearance was noticed. We'd still get in trouble, but a wild weekend was better than a prison break. And honestly, how could things get worse for me?"

"Since this fantasy would have taken place after we'd slept together, there was a strong possibility that he would have helped me take off that blindfold -- among other things."

" 'Are you saying you knew this hearing was a lost cause from the beginning?' It was what Mikhail had said, too. How nice to have such faith from everyone."




--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Unbelievable by Sara Shepard

Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars, #4)
By Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books, 2008
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Date Finished: 8/11/2010
Genres: Chick Literature, Young Adult, Mystery, Action, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age

First Line of Book: "Ever whish you could go back in time and undo your mistakes?"

Review: The fourth Pretty Little Liars novel was spectacular! There was barely any romance in Unbelievable, which actually was probably the only thing that disappointed me. Anyhoo, in this addition to the PLL series, you finally figure out who "A" is! You'll be totally floored when you find out who "A" has been all this time. But then ... something not-so-good happens to "A." Not exactly what the girls wanted. More action, more mixed feelings, and Hanna can't remember who she was last accusing right before her accident in Perfect. Could that be the key to what helped them find "A" even faster? You'll just have to read to read to see! Recommended to all :).

Rating: Colorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and Photos

Quotes from the Book:

"Allen drove at least fifteen miles under the speed limit -- even a frail old woman squinting over her steering wheel passed them."

"Once, Ali had tried to teach her field hockey, but she'd sopped the lesson about five minutes in because she said Aria ran like a pregnant gorilla."

"Of course if she told anyone about A, A would make sure that Emily really didn't exist."

"Her head hit the ground with a crack ... and her eyes fluttered shut."




--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (TFOHAT, #1)
By Carrie Ryan
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2009
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Date Finished: 7/22/2010
Genres: Fantasy, Futuristic, Young Adult, Action

First Line of Book: "My mother used to tell me about the ocean."

Review: I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning. One, because I was reading at least 2 other books, and two, because it took a while for the main character to get to an exciting point in her life. Anyway, The Forest of Hands and Teeth was an amazing book to read, filled with action, adventure, romance, and the infamous Unconsecrated -- what futuristic America calls what are basically zombies. This is a book that I would definitely recommend, and will probably be rereading again by next summer.

Rating: Colorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and Photos

Quotes from the Book:

"For now, he is my brother and both our parents are gone and we are all we have left."



--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Guest Review #1 - Elyssa

This is our first ever Guest Review Wednesday post! "Yay!!" To give us our first guest review, here is my good buddy Elyssa with her review of Beautiful Dead: Jonas.

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly
______________________________________


Beautiful Dead: Jonas

By: Eden Maguire
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Pages: 288
Rating: 5
Book Cover Rating: 5
Read: 7/3/2010
Genre: Urban Dark Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

The cover art for this book is what drew me in. It just has this look that had me loving it. I found and requested this book through the GoodReads swap. My skin was jumping off of me when Beautiful Dead finally hit my doorstep. I rushed through the book I was reading and then dove right into this book and finished the next day.

Beautiful Dead: Jonas is the first in a series. The story line is dark and left me oddly on edge. The premise is unique. At least I can say that I have never read anything this odd and uncanny book.

Darina, is our protagonist, who is a teen trying to deal with the death of four fellow students: Jonas, Arizona, Summer, and Phoenix. Alas, one of them was her boyfriend, Phoenix. She falls into depression and starts to see him in places that remind her of him. She soon finds out that her psychotic sightseeing is a bit more real then one would think.

The Beautiful Dead are selected people who have died and come back to figure out the events that unfold leading to their deaths so they can understand what had happened. The first book focuses on Jonas death, his time is running out. Jonas died in a motorcycle crash that also severely injured his girlfriend, Zoey. What really happened?

Darina finds herself no longer coping with death but tangled in a web of trying to spend time with half dead Phoenix, making it past all of the Beautiful Dead's powerful tricks to keep their kind a secret (showing their darker side), and the mystery she is determined to help solve surrounding Jonas's death. Surprisingly, Phoenix is a very caring and loving half dead. Who would of thought? The romance was cute. She struggled to fix her friendship with Zoey, who was indeed a very interesting character herself. Should Maguire toss in another obstacle for Darina? Logan was it. Her best friend, was now showing interest in her. He wanted more, a relationship that Darina could not even fathom now that she sort of had Pheonix back. Creepy.

Maguire spun a new twisted tale around a new idea of Zombies and created a book that I really enjoyed. The death and loss was sad and pulled on those heart strings but Darina's orginial personailty flows through the book to keep it light and flowing. This book has Paranormal Romance, Zombies with super powers, mystery, all wrapped up in a debut novel.


Rating: 5
Colorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and Photos


Quotes:

"You're crazier than a gut-shot possum. That's what my old man would say."

"I didn't wreck it," I protested, defying the Neanderthals on the porch to say one bad word about female drivers. "I just rearranged the front fender, that's all."

"What are you suddenly, some kind of ghost buster?"

"Can you imagine what it's like, this PTSD? It's like knitting when you drop a stitch and everything unravels. You end up with a stupid hole that just keeps on getting bigger."

"I sank to the floor and wept until I was exhausted. Then I thought it trough and tried to deal with the shock of realizing that I was one crazy girl driven out of her head by the loss of the person in the world who had meant everything to her."

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (24 August, 2010)

Hi again! :D


Hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading, anoyone can participate in Teaser Tuesdays, even if they don't have a blog! (In this case, you can leave a comment.)

*Grab your current read.

*Open to a random page.

*Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page.

*Share the title and author as well, so that Teaser participants may add it to their TBR list if they enjoy your teasers!*

Since I've already used both of my currently readings, I will use one of my recommendations, Rebel Angels by Libba Bray:

" 'You're quite right. Evil does exist.' My heart skips a beat. Is this it?"

" 'Do you think it's possible . . . that some people aren't quite right, in soke way? That there is some evil in them that makes others . . .' "



(Source: Rebel Angels, page 278.)


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Monday, August 23, 2010

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle trilogy, #2)
By Libba Bray
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2005
548 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 7/19/2010
Genres: Fantasy, Coming of Age, Young Adult, Historical Fiction

First Line of Book: "Herein lies the faithful and true account of my last sixty days, by Kartik, brother of Amar, loyal son of the Rakshana, and of the strange visitation I received that has left me wary on this cold English night."

Review: Rebel Angels was an awesome book! It had a bit more romance than A Great and Terrible Beauty, which added a new male character into play. The novel also included more problems and tough situations, action, adventure, and a startling realization as to who the infamous Circe really is. We even get to "see" more of Kartik. I absolutely loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone :D.

Rating:


Quotes from the Book:

" 'I am quite able to look after myself,' I say. I turn smartly on my heel and smack directly into the wall, raising a bump on my forehead that will probably remain forever."

" 'Gemma, does Tom find girls who wear scent too bold?'
'He is attracted to the smell of manure,' Felicity says. 'You might walloe in the stables to bring out the full flower of his love.'
'You are in quite a mood,' Ann grumbles."


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Saturday, August 21, 2010

30 + Change Introduction

Hello everyone! So this is a new monthly meme that Elyssa started on her blog. Her's is called 29 + Change, but since my parents give me $30 to spend on my Kindle every month, I changed the number to 30.


30 + Change will allow me to share with my followers what I buy every month on my Kindle. The goal of the meme, is to not go too far over your budget, but we still have room for taxes and such, hence "+ change."

Every month, I will post a summary of the month's buys. I will include the book title & author, the individual cost, the total cost, and occasionally why I bought the book/s.

If you want to participate, feel free to leave comments on my monthly posts with what you bought, the cost, your budget, and the total :). Or even post it to your own blog!

*Be on the look out for my first post!*

Can I stick to my budget and find great books to read?


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Reading Status (21 August, 2010)

Another week brings us some more updates. Be sure to comment on yours, too :)!

Finished This Week:
  • Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, #5) by Richelle Mead. Finished on 8/20/10. 5 Wings! The best book in the series. Can Last Sacrifice (release date Dec. 14th) possibly make it to 6? :D

Currently Reading:

  • Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. On page 410. Just started back reading this book today. Will try to finish one today or tomorrow.
  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. On page 102. I will finish this one after I'm done with Breaking Dawn. Further explanation from last week: Cassie has just been humiliated in public by a white girl and her (the white girl's) father. :(

To Be Read Very Soon:

  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) by JK Rowling
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson

See 'ya next week!


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (17 August, 2010)

Yes, I know. I'm a day late, but to be perfectly honest, I was super busy and just plain forgot. Sorry, guys! So I figured that you all should still be able to have a few teasing moments of entertainment. Enjoy!


Again, this being hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To participate, all you have do is...

*Grab your current read.

*Open to a random page.

*Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page.

*Share the title and author as well, so that Teaser Tuesday participants may add to their TBR list if they enjoy your teasers!*

This week's teasers are being taken from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor:

" 'Now that is what Harlan Granger absolutely will not permit.' "

"Mr. Jamison picked up his briefcase, ran his fingers through his graying hair,, and met Papa's eyes. 'The sad thing is, you know in the end you can't beat him or the Wallaces.' "

(Source: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, page 164.)




That's all for this week, but meet me here next week for some more tesing teasers! Happy Wednesday!


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Perfect by Sara Shepard

Perfect (Pretty Little Liars, #3)
By Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books, 2008
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Date Finished: 7/16/2010
Genres: Chick Literature, Coming of Age, Romance, Young Adult, Mystery, Realistic Fiction

First Line of Book: "Have you ever had a friend turn on you?"

Review: Perfect was shorter than Flawless, but had so much more drama and romance. The characters were getting into even more trouble, being careless about some things, and careful about others. As you can guess, they werea lways careful aboutt he stuff that didn't matter. We actually get even closer to figuring out who "A" is! You won't believe who they're blaming now! And the mysterious suspect actually fits the clues :). Here's a non-spoiler summary of what went on:

~Spencer: She's going even farther in her quest to win the Golden Orchid. But will "A" ruin her chances of winning by revealing her secret to her sister Melissa?

~Aria: Her relationship with Ezra is even deeper, but will "A" succeed in ruining everything she cares about in life, including her family?

~Hanna: She's quitting V Club, and is finally over Sean. "A" is still watching her every move, though, threatening to reveal her secrets from before she was popular.

~Emily: Her parents aren't happy with her new friend. Then she is unwillingly forced to go public with the biggest secret of all. Can her life get any more terrible?

"A" is still out there, and they're determined to ruin these four girls' lives forever. Will they ever stop? If they do, it won't be anytime soon; that's for sure. . . .

Rating:
Colorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and PhotosColorful Animated Butterfly Pictures, Images and Photos

Quotes from the Book:

"Allen drove at least fifteen miles under the speed limit -- even a frail old woman squinting over her steering wheel passed them."

"Once, Ali had tried to teach her field hockey, but she'd stopped the lesson five minutes in because she said Aria ran like a pregnant gorilla."

"Of course if she told anyone about A, A would make sure that Emily really didn't exist."

"Her head hit the ground with a crack...and her eyes fluttered shut."


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Reading Status (14 August, 2010)

Here's where I am currently in my reading:

Finished This Week:
  • Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars, #4) by Sara Shepard. Finished on 8/11/10. 4 Wings! Another great addition in this series!

Currently Reading:

  • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. On page 102. Cassie, the main character, has jsut witnessed John Henry Berry and what he looks like after he was burned.
  • Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. On page 409. Same spot basically. Edward and Bella have just jumped out the window to go hunt.
  • Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead. On page 133. Still in the exact same spot. Haven't really been into this one. Think I will go read some of it now. :).

To Be Read Very Soon:

  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson
  • Catching Fire (the Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins
  • Suddenly Supernatural: School Spirit by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Until next week's updates,

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Guest Review Wednesdays

Hello, book bloggers!

I am starting a weekly "meme" for my blog called Guest Review Wednesday. Every Wed., I will introduce someone who I think can bring an awesome review to the table for our enjoyment!

My first guest will be my good friend Elyssa, who is tweaking one of her latest reviews for us right this instant! We will try to have the review up on the 25th of this month, but we're not entirely sure how that will work out.

As always, I'll be sure to keep you updated on stuff going on here at my blog. If any of you readers would like to Guest Review, let me know! Just leave a comment on this post. :).

Until my next review,

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday Memes (13 August, 2010)

Today's another Friday the 13th!! OMG! You know what would be really spooky? If we didn't celebrate traditional Friday memes! :)

Book Blogger Hop
Thanks to Crazy Jennifer @ Crazy-for-Books for once again hosting the fantabulous Hop!

This week's question comes from Michelle over at Michelle's Book Blog and it is:

How many books do you have on your 'to be read shelf'?

My answer:

I actually don't really know. On my bookshelf in my room (whcich holds all my books, no category in particular), I have about 5 or 6 books that still have to be read, plus the three on my Kindle. Other than that, I just have a virtual one on Goodreads, about 800-900 of which I don't even own. :)

So how many books 'ya got on your TBR shelf?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Friday 56 Gracias to Tonya @ Storytime With Tonya and Friends for spreading the ah-mazing Friday 56 to bloggers all over the world.

*Grab the closest book.

*Turn to page 56. Find the 5th sentence.

*Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog -- or if you don't have your own blog -- in the comments section of this blog.

*Post a link to your sentence/s back on Tonya's blog.

**Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest or most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.**

This week's snippets come from Angels & Demons by Dan Brown:

" 'He called the field New Physics.' Kohler pulled a book from the shelf and handed it to Langdon."


"Langdon felt disconcerted. And the power of God shall unite us all."





Come back next week for more fun Friday Memes! :D


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Teaser Tuesday (10 August, 2010)

You've got a present! :The famous Teaser Tuesdays is still fabulously being hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. Wanna participate?

*Grab your current read.

*Open to a random page.

*Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page.

**BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!!! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much information. You don't want to ruin the book for others!)**

*Share the author and title as well, so that Teaser participants may add it to their TBR list is they enjoy your teasers!*

This week's teasers are from Unbelievable by Sara Shepard, the fourth book in the Pretty Little Liars series:

"Aria pressed her hands to her face. 'I am so, so sorry.' "

"Aria kissed Ezra's bare neck, and Ezra circled his arms around her waist. But when they heard a police car siren whoop, they shot apart, startled."








You're probably wondering, "Who the sam-heck is Ezra??" Well, you're just going to have to pick up Pretty Little Liars, Flawless, Perfect, and Unbelievable to find out! For more Teaser Tuesdays, check my archives, the Weekly Memes label, or other blogs! See ya next Tues.!


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Another Blog Award...Times 3!

I recently received the Versatile Blog Award three times! Once from Elyssa @ Broken Day Dreams & A Literary Odyssey, another from Jen @ In the Closet With a Bibliophile, and lastly from Paperdoll @ Books Are Like People. I got the first one about two weeks ago, so I consider myself a little behind in posting this. Anyway, thanks soo much to Elyssa, Jen and Paperdoll for awarding me with this!!

How this award works:

~ Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.
~ Share seven things about yourself.
~ Pass this award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason! (In no particular order...)
~ Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Seven things I want you to know about me!

1. My first name, Zakiya, means "smart or intelligent," and my middle name, Johari, means "jewel." (They're Swahili.)
2. I love to be challenged!
3. I sometimes pull out a book in the middle of class and read :).
4. I like listening to classical music and opera while I read.
5. I spend about 5-8 hours a day on the computer. (only on weekends, though, because of school)
6. My favorite school subject is Algebra -- or any type of math, but that's what I'm taking this year.
7. My favorite food is pasta. All kinds are fine, but I think I enjoy fettucine alfredo and penne w/chicken the most.

The fifteen ah-mazing bloggers I'm passing this award on to!

1. BookQuoter @ a thousand Books with Quotes
2. Alison @ Alison Can Read
3. Rachel @ And the plot thickens...
4. Ashley @ Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing
5. Diva @ DIVA'S BOOKCASE
6. Lindsay @ Just Another Book Addict
7. Michelle @ Michelle's Book Blog
8. Jada @ Moonlight Reviews
9. Anne @ Potter, Percy, And I
10. Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
11. Alex @ Tales of a Teenage Book Lover
12. Tara @ The Bodacious Pen
13. Various bloggers @ 5-Squared
14. Badass Bookie @ Badass Bookie
15. Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Reading Status (7 August, 2010)

This week's reading status isn't much, but it's something to where I think you all should be notified! :D

Finished This Week:

  • Still nothing. Working on it :).
Currently Reading:

  • Unbelievable by Sara Shepard, chpt 10 (30% done). I started this book on either Wednesday or Thursday, and it's awesome so far! Right now, we're just switching between character perspectives, making questions faster than we're answering them. Still a great sequel to Perfect, though.
  • Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, page 400. This book just gets better and better! But since school started last Monday, I haven't been able to read as much, so I've only read 11 pages in one week :(. ~~Currently, Bella and Edward are about to go hunting, Bella for her first time since becoming a vampire.~~
  • Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead, page 133. I'm trying to get this book done, and it really surprised me the other day when I realized I'm only on chpt 7. I am determined to have this book done soon. ~~Presently, Rose and Lissa have just rescued their greatest enemy. They are heading for the exit of the prison.~~
To Be Read Very Soon:
  • The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson
  • Wicked (Pretty Little Liars, #5) by Sara Shepard
  • Catching Fire (the Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins

Other News:

  • Guess where I was the last week of July?? Disney World!!! It was so much fun! The parks are really giant and stuff, so I didn't even have to worry about coming home overweight because of all the walking we did. I will try to get some pictures for y'all on here soon to help "animate" my experience!
  • I have found a great monthly meme that one of my blogging buddies started. I think you will like it. More info on that will be given at the end of the month, when I make my first post for it. Talk to you super-soon,

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Friday, August 6, 2010

Friday Memes (6 August, 2010)

I know that I haven't really been on in the last week, but I have a legit excuse: Disney World! But, another topic for another post. This week's ah-mazing memes:


Book Blogger Hop
*hop! hop!* Hey everybody! Once again, the weekly Book Blogger Hop is being hosted by the fabulous Crazy Jennifer from Crazy-for-Books.

This week's question comes from Chelle @ The Prairie Library:

Do you listen to music when you read? If so, what are your favorite reading tunes?

My answer:

Yes, if I have the oppurtunity to play some music while I read, I will. I really don't have a certain thing I listen to while reading, though. Hip Hop/R&B, Classical, Country, Opera (sometimes on the weekends), Rock, Pop; it just all depends on what I think I can block out the best at that moment. However, I am picky about how loud the music is. I can't have it up too loud, or I start singing along to the beat. Not good in books that start slow. :).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Friday 5654... 55... Yep, I was thinking of 56! This week's Friday 56 is once again being broadcasted by the awesome Tonya @ Storytime With Tonya and Friends. Participation Rules:

*Grab the closest book.

*Turn to page 56. Find the 5th sentence.

*Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog -- or if you don't have your own blog -- in the comments section of this blog.

*Post a link to your sentence/s back on Tonya's blog.

**Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest or most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.**

This week's snippets can be found in The Summons by John Grisham:

"A long pull on the bourbon, another long puff on the cigar. 'What about that hosebag who who ditched you? What's her name?' "

"Ray flinched slightly and his heart stopped, but Forrest was gazing at the front lawn and didn't notice."







Even I found these snip.'s to be very interesting! I might read this in my high school years, as I see a little profanity in it. Visit next week for more hopping and snipping, though. Happy Reading! :D.


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Flawless by Sara Shepard

Flawless (Pretty Little Liars, #2)
By Sara Shepard
Publisher: HarperCollins e-books, 2008
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Date Finished: 7/11/2010
Genres: Young Adult, Chick Literature, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Coming of Age

First Line of Book: "You know that boy who lives a few doors down from you who's just the creepiest person alive?"

Review: Flawless was even better than the series debut, Pretty Little Liars. Even more thrills, more romance and friend prob's, and mystery after mystery. Who is "A"? Could they alwys be right around the corner? Is their anyway to solve the girls' personal problems??

This book ... wow. That's basically the rest of that sentence. If you loved PLL, you're really going to kiss Flawless all over (Caution: if, like myself, you are reading an eBook, this might be a little difficult; please -- don't injure yourself).

I have to say, this took me a little less time to read than the first book, probably because there was always something that I wanted solved. Then: WAM! I finished the book. I immediately bought and started the next book.

Like I said before, Flawless gives readers more thrills that I think are the best I've ever read; a little more teen romance that keeps the ball of "hate" rolling; the constant gaining/losing friends cycle; and more mysteries that might lead directly to "A." You're always trying to figure out who knows what, if that means what you thin that means, why she's acting like a baby. Believe me, if you love drama, you gotta get into this series before it's too late!

Rating:
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Quotes from the Book:

"One of Melissa's nerdy friends, Liana, had a crush on him, and once made Spencer deliver a secret admirer note to him at the espresso bar where he worked. Spencer recalled thinking that Darren had biceps the size of Chunky Soup cans."

"Sean had tucked her in. She'd blown snot on his shoulder. She'd wailed like an insane person. What better way to lose the guy you like than slobber all over him?"

"Back inside the tent, some of the boys were having a break-dancing contest. Noel Kahn was trying to do a kickworm, and Mason Byers was doing some sort of butt-spin. Wasn't this supposed to be a civilized function?"

"He swung into his car and put the siren on. If the neighbors didn't know he'd been there before, they sure did know."

"And then, ... she'd woken up here, in her bed. Someone must have carried her in, and Aria, who slept like the dead, hadn't noticed a thing."


--Zakiya, the walking butterfly