Less than a year until the world ends!

Not really. Unless you believe in all that the-world-is-going-to-end-in-2012 stuff. Personally, I just think the Mayans got tired of making their calendar and decided to stop. But that's just me. Either way, the world better not end in 2012, because that would mean never finding out how the Gone series by Michael Grant ends, which would be AWFUL! Seriously, think of all the things we wouldn't get to experience if the world ended in 2012.......scary.

Anyways, I hope you all had a great Christmas/whatever-holiday-you-celebrate! I got a NOOK Tablet, which is AWESOME! If any of you are looking into getting a NOOK, get the tablet!!!! You won't regret it!!!!

Only a few more days until New Year's Day..... where did the time go??? Next year I promise that I will do a lot more posting and reviewing on this blog. PROMISE!!!!! ;) I already have a stack of books just waiting to be read in 2012.

If I don't post again until after Sunday, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! :D

Hugs,
Aceba

Only a week left!!!

Hello everyone! There is only one week left until Christmas, and I am extremely excited!!!! Of course, if you don't celebrate Christmas, I would like to wish you a happy Whatever-Holiday-You-Celebrate!

Anyways, what did you all ask for for Christmas? I asked for a Nook Tablet, because they are just way too cool! Has it snowed yet where you guys live? We don't have any snow here, but it's really cold. It doesn't really feel like Christmas time, but I guess that's okay.

Look at this awesome picture I found on the internet the other day:

Isn't that great? I especially like the last one. :0)

I know that this has kind of been a really random post, but I'm tired and don't know what else to talk about.

Hugs,

Aceba

Book Review: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Author: Harper Lee
Number of Pages: 323
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Release Date: 1960

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior - to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.
                                                                                                        - Goodreads.com

I read this book with my English class at school and I have to say, I was impressed. The first part of this book sort of dragged on a bit, but as soon as the trial section kicked in I was turning page after page, eager to see what the verdict would be. My favorite part of this novel was the ending- the little twist with Boo Radley really pulled it all together, in my opinion. I now see why this book is an American classic- it was really good!

My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) 4 out of 4 smileys. I'm giving this a 4 out of 4 because the ending was sort of slow and not that interesting, in my opinion, anyways. However, the rest of the book was excellent and I really enjoyed it!

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Absolutely. Don't be hesitant to pick up this novel and start reading- once you get into it, it is really good!

Hugs,
Aceba

Book Review: THE TRANSALL SAGA

Author: Gary Paulsen
Number of Pages: 256
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Release Date: May 11, 1998

Mark's solo camping trip in the desert turns into a terrifying and thrilling odyssey when a mysterious beam of light transports him to another time on what appears to be another planet. As Mark searches for a pathway back to his own time on Earth, he must make a new life in a new world. His encounters with primitive tribes bring the joy of human bonds, but violence and war as well--and, finally, a contest in which he discovers his own startling powers.
                                                                        - Goodreads.com

I was really surprised by this novel. When I read the description of it I thought it might be a little too cheesy and not that realistic. But I actually found it to be a pretty enjoyable read. The epilogue was really good, too- I thought it tied it all off very well. The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it started off really slow and took a little bit to get into. Other than that, this was a really good book!

My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) 4 out of 5 smileys.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Yes, but only if they don't mind reading science fiction/fantasy novels. It's a great book but it's a little out there, and I know some people don't enjoy that type of stuff.

Hugs,
Aceba

Book Review: IT'S NOT LIKE I PLANNED IT THIS WAY

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Number of Pages: 816
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: October 5, 2010

The ups and downs of high school life continue in the second and third bind-ups in the Alice series. In It’s Not Like I Planned It This Way, Alice’s sophomore year is chock full of change, from a new living arrangement, to a possible new relationship, to the newfound freedom that comes with driving. And in Please Don’t Be True, the adventure of growing up continues in Alice’s junior year, when she and her friends deal with issues like a pregnancy scare and a heartbreaking good-bye. But no matter what changes, Alice is as relatable as ever.
                                                                 - Goodreads.com

I really liked this book. I liked how it was really realistic- Alice goes through what a lot of girls go through their sophomore year of high school. There were a few things that I didn't like about it, though. First, Alice and her friends are totally boy-crazy. Since I'm not like this, I'm finding it harder and harder to relate to Alice, since, as you know, I am more of a nerd. Also, I thought that the ending was sort of abrupt. Since the book is so long, you would think there would be plenty of time to build up an ending- well, that didn't really happen. Overall, it was a good read.

My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) 4 out of 4 smileys.

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Yes, one that has read I Like Him, He Likes Her.

Yours,
Aceba

Book Review: PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (1-4)

Author: Sara Shepard
Pages:
Pretty Little Liars  ~ 286 pages
Flawless ~ 330 pages
Perfect ~ 298 pages
Unbelievable ~ 352 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Dates:
Pretty Little Liars ~ October 1, 2006
Flawless ~ March 15, 2007
Perfect ~ September 1, 2007
Unbelievable ~ June 1, 2008

"Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series."
                                                        - Excerpt from Goodreads.com
These books are awesome! I have to say, I wasn't sure about reading them at first. I'm usually not one for the Gossip Girl-esque books filled with drama and stuff, but this one has me hooked! It's not so much the drama that I find interesting, but the whole murder plot back story thing with Alison. I love how everything is weaved together, and how there are so many teeny tiny details that have to fit perfectly into place. I give Sara Shepard a lot of credit!
I love the idea of a stalker sending anonymous messages. Not that I would want it happening to me, but I think it's a unique concept that is different from a lot of other books. However, if this series did not have the mystery of Alison's murder included in it, I probably wouldn't read them. The writing is good, but again, I'm just not one to fall in love with the drama.

As much as I love these books, I really don't think that the series should continue on past these four books. What, is it just going to drag on forever? I mean, I'm definitely going to read the rest of the series, but you don't necessarily have to. I think these four books are perfectly fine on their own.

My Rating:
Pretty Little Liars ~ :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.
Flawless ~ :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.
Perfect ~ :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.
Unbelievable ~ :0) :0) :0) :0) :0) 5 out of 5 smileys.
I give the series an overall 5 out of 5 smileys. These are some really awesome books!

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Yes, but only if they a.) are a girl b.) don't mind a bit of drama and c.) like mysteries. I don't think guys would find this book enjoyable to read AT ALL. I mean, I could be wrong, but I don't think they would like it. There's a lot of drama in it as I explained before, so they would have to be okay with that. Lastly, it's more of a mystery series than anything else, so if you don't like mystery, you might not like these books. But yes, I would absolutely recommend this series to a friend.

And just in case you guys are wondering...

NO, I do not watch the TV show.

Personally, I don't think that books should be made into TV shows, because ultimately it will end up running out the material because the books will end, and then it will turn into something that the books were totally not, and it just doesn't end well. Movies from books are completely okay, but TV shows just aren't. That's just how I feel about it though.

Yours,
Aceba