I Will Never Grow Tired of These Books/Films... :)

I think I have done a blogpost similar to this in the past, but I think I'll just do another one, anyways. :) 

It's fun to read. Sometimes. :)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The book is absolutely divine. Some may disagree based on the dryness and monotonous mood, but the study of relationships is intriguing. The movie with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley is fantastic, full of romance and humour. It is my absolute favourite. 

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Would you like to read about pirates, romance, sword fighting, and vengeful characters? It has everything packed within its pages...or script. Both the book and the movie are quite amiable, as extremely different as they are from each other, but I would consider the latter to be more satisfying. The movie is a little more dramatic and the plot is quite different from the book. The former may be a lengthy read, but it is definitely worth it.

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker//The Princess and the Frog

I first discovered this book in middle school and therefore had the pleasure of reading such a delightful fairytale before the movie came out. Surprisingly, both are quite alike, as I remember, which is rare. Either way, read it, watch it. You will not be disappointed. It is enchanting. 

and of course...

 

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I liked the books a lot more than the movies, only because there was so many events and certain happenings not included in the films, as is always the truth with any book that is made into a movie, unfortunately. Plus, the movies just seemed to get darker as it went along. There was always a happy tune written within some of the chapters of all the books, and for that I quite enjoyed reading them. 

J.K. Rowling is an excellent writer, considering the details and wording were superb. Her style made it fun and easy to read. I sped through these. :)

The Hunger Games

I know I've been on quite a rabbit-trail, not blogging about justice topics and such, but permit me to rage for a moment's time.

I read the Hunger Games in a period of about two weeks.

*SPOILER ALERT*

This trilogy is disgusting. I expected the ending to be completely satisfactory, but knew that (due to Essentially B's "disappointing" warnings) there would be something wrong about it.

There was much disappointment. By the time I reached the last page of the last book I was balling my eyes out because Prim died, and Prim was the only reason the whole entire trilogy was even possible. The fact that we know nothing about Gale after the last bombing is weird. I mean, if Collins wanted to end the relationship between him and Katniss so dramatically, I am sure she could have killed him off or something. just like all the other great characters (sarcasm: merely pointing out that everyone died).
I love that Peeta and Katniss end up living happily ever after though. That is exactly what I wanted to happen.
Ugh. It just was not a satisfying ending. Collins could have done a better job working out the relationships and I am sure the read could have been a little more desirable.
In fact, she should have made Peeta and Katniss live happily ever after in the Hunger Games, and cut Gale out then, considering he was ignored and off in his own little world by the end of Mockingjay.
SO DISAPPOINTING.

Just Because.

Here's a post... just because.

Not because I have to... or need to...

but... just because.

I have finally inserted some time for myself: to read. Not just all that junk we are forced to read in English class; it is for the sake of those books left to collect dust both on my own as well as the library's shelves.

Ode to:

The Cosmic Trilogy by C. S. Lewis.

It's absolutely genius. It's taken me a while to read it, but at least I've picked it up. It's lyrical... magical... quite like a metamorphosis about life in general, if you read between the lines.

I recommend it... x10.

Another thing:

You must listen to David Crowder* Band's new album: Give Us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys])

Fresh. New. Exciting. Invigorating. Real.

I 

LOVE

IT.

The End.

Something I Support

In reference to my visit to the library, 

I came across this picture (and yes, I know that it is quite old): 

:) But it was definitely quite lovely to see once again (:

Oh Summer, Why Do You Tease Me So?

You know, each June I feel the long hard school year pass away, and take a credible amount of joy in the coming months of summer...but as September peaks his head around the corner, I realize that it is not possible for these breezy, beautiful, care-free months to stay forever.
Having said that, it feels like our Grad Year is right around the corner, guys!!

Okay. I don't want to talk about that anymore. Too many mixed emotions. So Stoked, and So Sad at the Same Time.

Enooooough of that.

As per ritual, Summer usually permits me to go through old storage boxes in the garage, and having done so last week, I came across a favourite book series I used to be addicted to in the middle school years.

The Mandie Series. 

These books are super short but utterly delighting. I remember when it used to take me a week to read these books, and I still found them to be mysteriously engrossing. I picked one up yesterday and finished it in a couple of hours. Silly me. :p

I'm planning on finishing this series, but I'll have to buy some of them....I only have books 1-17 or something...and there's like....a billion. 

I remember as an elementary kid I used to read the "little mandie" books....based on when she was much younger; then as I turned 12, I found a much more mature series, and yet, as I turned 14 or 15 I gave up because I realized this series was unending. The excellent author, Lois Gladys Leppard, not only wrote on Mandy's younger days and teenage days, but also on her college years!

I'm sure I can finish them.

I just have to try.

Next on my great hunt, I found a book called "Authentic Beauty" by Leslie Ludy. It's a great advice giving, devotional, girlie book that my wonderful Mumsie gave me last year. 

I started reading it, and it's super great! It's about moving past the secular message about romance, and not listening to what the worldly culture tells us; rather to walk with God and find romance in Him.

I haven't exactly finished this, but it's a great book where Leslie Ludy describes her teenage life, and shares how she prepared her heart for God, and for her husband.

That's what I'm reading at the moment, but I'll let you know of any other great finds!! :)

Jazzelz.

Blogger's Challenge Day 13

I'm going to make an illegal move...and give you 10 of my favourite books. Not five.

I am a bookworm. I love too many books. Just as I love music, photography, and art, I could go on and on listing all my favourites about this particular subject matter.

10. "Double Identity" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
      This book was definitely haunting and mesmerizing. Not scary. Just a real mystery that's not answered until the absolute last chapter. I can't say much more than that, or I'll give away the ending.

9. "Granny Torelli Makes Soup" by Sharon Creech

    I read this book about 10 times during grade 7&8. So terrific...if I had enough time and wasn't in the middle of two other series, I would totally pick it up again. Just a great book about the friendship, regrets, and love stories shared between an Italian grandmother and her sassy granddaughter. 

8. "Ghost Boy" by Iain Lawrence
      Ah...I loved this book sooo much. It's about an Albino boy named Harold Kline, and how he finds himself, pushing past all the rejection life offers him.

7. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling!!!!
    Is there really a need for me to explain the awesomeness of this series? It's a good series! Nuff said.

6. "The Wanderer" by Sharon Creech
    Sharon Creech has definitely been one of my favourite authors. "The Wanderer" is just another book full of mysteries, building relationships, and life. I like the format of this one, because it uses two cousins, Cody and Sophie, who write journals about their trip made across the Atlantic Ocean from Connecticut to Ireland. I love the use of seeing through different eyes, different perspectives. I have read this book over ten times. It's soo good.

5. "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque
   Oh my goodness. This book was almost the biggest eye opener of my life. It exposes the horrors, the truth, the disgust, and the treachery of war. So impacting.

4. "Once Upon a Marigold" by Jean Ferris

 I know I've said this for like, all these book recommendations, but I absolutely love this book too!!!! A love story that's so different from the rest.... ♥

3. "The Princess" by Lori Wick

This book is based on the relationship between two people who's marriage depends on God, and  their faith in Him. I can't explain this book. You'll just have to read it for yourself. Definitely a great read. You won't be disappointed.   

2. The Wheel of Times Series by Robert Jordan

I have just started reading these books, and as such, I am only on Book One, but I still love them!! They're one of the first fantasy series that I've actually fallen in love with! So amazing. I haven't even finished the first book and it's already #2 on my Must Read list. :O :) That says something ;)





And Finally Number One.
Here's the deal.
I don't have a number one.

I can't pick a favourite book.

I can, however, tell you name the book that has kept me on this earth. The book written by my hero. My King.
Don't take this in a cheesy way.
See. This book...it inspires me. It shares a written fraction of God's love for His creation. For us all.
I have not read all of it. I do not know every single spurring note, thought, poem, story, or miracle.
But those that I have read...
Well.
It helps me keep my faith.
It's a book of wisdom.
It has a lot of truth...and sometimes it's hard to take.
But, it keeps me on a marked path. It keeps me at a constant peace.
I'm not perfect, and this book has told me that God knows I'm not perfect.
And He's okay with that.
He wrote this book to tell me (and to tell you) that nobody on this Earth is perfect. That He'll always be here for me. That His love is everlasting. That He can use every body...because He loves every single soul on this Earth.

And to me....that's life changing.

The Bible. 

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you as a child
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been
day 6- favourite super hero and why

day 7- a picture of someone/something that has had the biggest impact on you
day 8- short term goals for this month and why

day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days 

day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

day 11- write a bucket list of things you want to do before you die

day 12- write a poem to someone you love

day 13- your 5 favourite books and why

day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
day 16- a picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- write about a sweet memory from your past
day 20- write a letter to someone
day 21-a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- something you crave a lot
day 24- post your favourite quote or verse of scripture and why
day 25- what I would find in your bag
day 26- list 10 things that you are thankful for
day 27- my day job verses my passion
day 28- cruise a thesaurus and pick out 10 words you like the sound of
day 29 - favourite tv shows and why you like them
day 30 - movies you can watch again and again.