Tuesday 28 September 2010

Sooo...it's Banned Book Week!!

To be honest, I haven't had much time to read any banned books this week.
Although this past weekend I did squeeze in the time to read Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler, which I borrowed from my local branch of the Edmonton Public Library. :)



     The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Click the picture of each book to go to their page on Goodreads.

Now, I just had to read Speak, especially after hearing about the whole Dr.Scroggins thing. Personally, I didn't consider any of the scenes in the book to be inappropriate, they were real. They weren't graphic, they were fragmented because Melinda had a hard time accepting what happened. I felt like it was an empowering story, the main character, Melinda, spent the better part of the book being quiet and not speaking up. It's a story that many people could relate to, even if you haven't been raped yourself, you could be, and if you have, it let's you know you're not alone. I'm sure that this book has inspired people to speak up about their own experiences, that it's given the courage and the strength that they'd been searching for.

Before putting Speak on my hold list from the library I decided to do some searching for other books that have been banned in the past. The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things is one of the ones that I found, and I thought it looked like an interesting story. Virginia, the main character, is a bigger girl, and throughout the book she struggles with her body image. This whole book just screamed 'BODY IMAGE.' To me, I think it's an inspiring book for people who have problems with the way that they look. Virginia's family all appear to be perfect and she feels like she doesn't belong, it doesn't help that her family constantly makes comments pertaining to her weight. Once Virginia becomes comfortable in her own body she soars. She goes from being almost friendless to finding her niche. I thought this book was great, and I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you're in the mood for some laughs, Virginia's one funny character.

Right now, I'm reading Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler


Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler


So far, I'm really liking it, unfortunately it might take me a while to get through it, since I'm also reading the Odyssey for my Comparative Literature class. Fingers crossed that I get some time for some recreational reading soon.

Anyways, which books are YOU reading for Banned Book Week?? Or are you like me, and unfortunately are a little lax on time this week?

Happy Reading & Do Svidanya!

Ambur

Monday 27 September 2010

Woo-Hoo!!!! FOREVER, THE LAST BOOK IN THE SHIVER TRILOGY, PRE-ORDER A SIGNED COPY HERE!

Here's the amazing cover for Forever by Maggie Stiefvater!!! It's just as beautiful as the others...and I'm loving the wolf and boy on the cover. I'm pretty sure we all have the same suspicions about who they are. ;)




Maggie's having an awesome contest over on her blog, and if you click on the picture of Forever's cover it should link you right to it ;)


So...back to the details on pre-ordering! The link is right here: http://www.fountainbookstore.com/autograph-maggie.

If you pre-order the book from this indie bookstore before the book's released your's will be signed by Maggie!!! Come on who doesn't wanna get in on that!!! :D

Happy Reading!

Ambur

Sunday 12 September 2010

Back to school once again....random entry, nothing too important

Okay, so it's now Saturday, almost Sunday to be honest, and I've already finished the first half week of school, you could hardly call it a week, since we started on Wednesday. I'm not sure how I feel about being back. It's nice to have something to do, and I do like learning, the tests and assignments though, not so much.

The atmosphere on campus is so intense in September, everyone seems to be on overdrive. You walk faster. You talk faster. You probably even breathe faster. That being said. The lines are not so much fun and neither is waking up early, but thankfully, my classes all start late enough that you can barely call my wakeup time early, it's not sleeping in, but it's still pretty nice.

This year, I'm talking Russian, and I'm loving it. It's sooooo different from English, even the alphabets aren't the same. I'm hoping that I'll continue to like it, and if it keeps going like this I'm sure I will. I'm eager to learn the language...it's the remembering part about it that I'm worried about.

For anyone who's curious, this is the Russian Alphabet or as the Russian's would say, "Russkiy Alfavit."

The biggest downside to being back to school is that it's so hard to read things for personal pleasure, especially since most of the classes I'm taking this semester involve reading. Right now, I'm reading Jane Eyre, I'm getting soooo close to the end and I'm getting anxious. I want to know how it ends so bad...I've got my fingers crossed for Jane and Mr.Rochester. Hopefully it all works out, if not I've always got tissues at hand.
I'm in a picture sharing mood, can you tell? :)

Another downside (of September at least)...it's freaking freezing lately!!! Last September we had a heat wave, this year it feels like it's going to start snowing any second. That's one of the hazards of living in Alberta I guess though, the weather is completely unpredictable.


 Do Svidanya, and happy reading as always!! :)

Monday 6 September 2010

Reading Teen's HUGE Giveaway with BOOKS & SWAG for Prizes!!!!




First, I'm going to say that this giveaway is international, so everybody can enter!!!! Definitely the best kinds of giveaways because no one is left out.

Next, I'm going to tell you about all the amazing prizes in this giveaway!!!! :D
1st Place --- Signed ARC Beautiful Darkness, Swag & 2 Signed Posters!
2nd Place --- Swag & Signed Poster!
3rd Place --- Swag & Signed Poster!

The winners will be announced on October 12, 2010, so your entry must be in by 11:00pm (EST) on October 11 in order for you to qualify.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment, of course, there are also possible ways for you to get extra entries, such as making a blog post, like I am right now.

So...you know the place, the prizes and all the deets...get yourself over to Reading Teen and ENTER the contest!!!!

 
Good Luck and Happy Reading!!! :)


Wednesday 1 September 2010

Some good 'ol cleaning of the book shelves!! Fabulous Mega Giveaway at Valerie Kemp's Blog!!!! :D

http://valeriekwrites.blogspot.com/2010/09/clearing-out-my-shelves-mega-giveaway.html

You have the chance to win several book bag's if you're from the US or Canada, as well as the chance to win a couple of books that will be purchased from the Book Depository (and because of that, anyone who lives in a country where the Book Depository delievers may enter to win those ones).

Anywho...it's amazingly generous and a fabulous opportunity, so why not take a chance and enter....who knows you might just win! ;)

The contest ends at 11:59pm EST September 30th, 2010...so get your booty in gear and enter anytime before that!!!

Good luck and happy reading!