Summer has Arrived

Hello! The school year is over once again. I had my last final yesterday.

The Tuscarora Review is the art magazine I was co-editor of this semester

I feel awful guilty for abandoning my blog and blogger friends for the past year. I have had an amazing year. School has been so much fun, my grades have been great, I got into Phi Theta Kappa national honors society, I got into the honors college at my school, I was the president of film club, I have been nominated for the Slater Award for the best honors research paper on campus, I was co-editor of the art magazine, I had a short story in the art magazine, I am making a website to publish honors projects for my college this summer as an honors independent study, and I fell in love. Unfortunately, the man I fell in love with broke up with me this week. Yes, it was during finals. He was my first serious boyfriend, and I'm having a very hard time dealing with this breakup. I still only have sweet things to say about him.

For the first time, I was forced to read classics. I typically only read new YA books as they come out, but I took American Literature this semester. It was fantastic! I now love classics as well as modern books. I read The Great Gatsby for the first time just in time for the release of the movie. 

Tomorrow I intend on attending the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Maggie Stiefvater, Adele Griffin, and Jessica Spotswood will all be there! I haven't been to a book event since BEA.

Speaking of BEA, I am really upset that I will not be making it to that incredible week in New York City this year. I receive the emails from BEA. They are taunting me. I would be able to go, but I do not think that it's fair. I haven't been blogging AT ALL this year. BEA was probably the best experience of my life thus far, but I would feel like I was cheating if I attended. I would be cheating. I haven't been a blogger this year. Someday I'll go again. I might stick to blogging and go next year, or I might attend it for business next time. I know that blogging is business for a lot of people, but it was just fun for me. The most satisfying fun. I will attend it again and many more book events. After all, I do intend on going into the publication of books. 

I have decided on a four-year college that I wish to attend once I get my associates degree at my community college. St. Mary's College of Maryland. It is an all honors college on the coast of Maryland. The more I look into St. Mary's, the more I want to go there. The more I look into any other college, the less I want to attend them. 

I'm not sure what to do with myself now that school is over and summer is here. I was excited to spend the summer with my boyfriend, but now I don't know what to do. I applied for a job at Barnes and Noble. I want a job with books, but I also applied for receptionist jobs. I DO NOT want to work in retail or at a restaurant. I feel very lost right now. It hasn't even been a week. I'm not sure how to get over him. I'm trying to figure out how to be okay again.

I'm hoping this post will kick me back into shape! I want to be an enthusiastic blogger! I want to post frequently! You can yell at me if I don't post anything within the next couple days.

"Waiting on" Wednesday: The Indigo Spell

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here is my pick of the week!

Title: The Indigo Spell

Author: Richelle Mead

Release Date: 12 Feb. 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 432

Synopsis from Goodreads



In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.


Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood

What's your pick of the week? Leave a link and I'll check it out!

Review: Catching Jordan

Title: Catching Jordan
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Release Date: 1 Dec. 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 284
Rated: Lovable

Synopsis from Goodreads

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

My Thoughts

I know hardly anything about football, but Catching Jordan sucked me into the game without boring me with mere details of football tactics like I was frightened it would while reading the beginning. Honestly, it made me want to watch the high school games in my neighborhood. I'm actually disappointed that it's not yet football season. That's a very strange thing for me to say. I love finding a book that will pull you into something you don't normally care about so fully that you wish to continue learning about it once the book is finished. That's what this book did.

Jordan is so uniquely proud and strong. Her love for the sport comes through in every page as she fights to keep her reputation and to be recognized by her star football playing father. She's so engrossed in her battle that she hardly allows herself a crush in fear that people won't take her seriously. Jordan struggles to find a place for boyfriends and crushes in her life devoted to her sport.

The loyalty on Jordan's team warms my heart. The guys trust her, defend her, support her. Their tight knit team is exactly the way every team should be. I felt as though I was surrounded by this amazing team of powerful individuals. By the end of the book, you could predict their responses and actions because their personalities had so clearly shown out throughout the book that you really got to know them.

I felt quite invested in the romances that played out, but the love for the sport and closeness between the teammates is what made me love this book. It's an absolutely fantastic read that I'd suggest to anyone. Even if you don't know football, you'll still love this book.

Almost time for BEA!

Heh, I'm so completely excited for BookExpo America! It's almost here! I'm leaving for NYC to stay with my cousin and her husband tomorrow afternoon. I'll be there from Saturday to Saturday. I'm intending on visiting The Strand, attending Teen Author Carnival, Blogger Conference, the Children and Young Adult Author Breakfast on Wednesday, and all the rest of BEA amazingness.

I'm beginning to feel pretty prepared for my first time at BEA. I got new shoes that are very comfortable, I got a new small bag for just the essentials, and I made business cards. However, I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should take an empty suitcase with me to hold my books in while I'm running around BEA. What do you think? Empty suitcase or not? It would be such a hassle to throw everything out of my bag for the day, and it would be possibly even more of a hassle to take an entire nother suitcase. What to do!

I'm going all by myself, and I'm hoping to make tons and tons of friends while there. Let me know if you're attending. I'd love to meet you! Comment on here, email me, or twitter me. I have chin length brown hair, and I'm 5'5. Here's some pictures of me, so come say hi if you see me around!

Goodbye School, Hello BEA

I know I've been MIA for quite a while now, but school is over now! I'm back!
I had a full load this semester and there's a very good chance I got all As. I'm waiting for my grade to be submitted for my last class. Creative Writing. Ahh, it was definitely my favorite class this semester. I had so much fun writing and critiquing with a fantastic group of students. I also had Psychology, Social Problems, and Health Education.

Now that school is over, my mind is completely devoted to BEA! I didn't have time to join everyone tweeting and blogging about it for weeks like I'm sure most people have been. I'm leaving in a week already! I scheduled my bus up there. I'm staying with my cousin and her husband for the week. I'm looking up everything I need to take with me. I'm planning out my days there.
This is my first time attending, and I've been practically jumping up and down in my chair with giddiness for this exciting event. Do you have any suggestions for me? I feel so unprepared!

I also really want to check out Teen Author Carnival. I heard about it a year or two ago and really wanted to make it. I guess I'll probably be able to this year! Anyone else going?

Review: Moonglass

Title: Moonglass
Author: Jessi Kirby
Release Date: 3 May 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 232
Rated: Close to Love

Synopsis from Goodreads

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.
Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love- a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing- not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death- stays buried forever.

My Thoughts

I was really excited to read Moonglass by Jessi Kirby after reading positive reviews of it. The book got me excited for my trips to the beach coming up this summer! It highlighted beautiful parts of the beach while still noting the dangers of it. But, I was able to easily forget the bothersome aspects of the beach (my fear of fish and annoyance with sand) and I was able to instead imagine the most glorious views from the descriptions of thing like the "water that sparkled gold as the sun mad it's way toward the horizon."

I initially connected with Anna through her unwillingness to ask the questions that run through her mind about her mother or the run down cottage. It's something I've found myself doing with my own mother. If I've been irritated with her, I'll avoid saying anything to her, even if it's a perfectly decent subject she would love to talk about. I do it because I'd rather not talk to her at the moment, and I'll choose to stay quiet.

While I was able to connect with Anna this way, I found myself losing my connection with her the farther I got in the book. Events, thoughts, inklings, and everything else became too perfectly interconnected. The ideas seemed to stretch too far and incorporate too much. The material became heavier in meanings and emotions, and now... I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it anymore.

The romance wasn't the main focus of Moonglass. Anna's coming to terms with her mother's death is the center topic. When the romance did pop up, it failed to bring forth a spark strong enough to catch my attention. I can imagine the appeal of the attractive lifeguard that's reluctant to fall for the girl at first, but I never became attached to Tyler. I was waiting to fall for him.

Moonglass is a quick read and the writing is pleasant. I enjoyed Anna's narrative and the wonderful scenery. But, the book fell flat for me in a few areas. I did like it, but perhaps I was expecting too much out of it.

Review: Stealing Heaven

Title: Stealing Heaven
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Release Date: 27 May 2008
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 307
Rate: Lovable

Synopsis from Goodreads

My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.

Dani has been trained as a thief by the best--her mother. Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver. They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends--a real life

In the beach town of Heaven, though, everything changes. For the first time, Dani starts to feel at home. She's making friends and has even met a guy. But these people can never know the real Dani--because of who she is. When it turns out that her new friend lives in the house they've targeted for their next job and the cute guy is a cop, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known--or the one she's always wanted.

My Thoughts

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott is happy making book. Today I was completely overwhelmed by my school work. I felt so much anxiety that I looked at my books and couldn't open them. I turned to this book and read 5 pages, laughed, and felt 8 times better. It gave me the shot of contentedness that I needed.

Dani goes along with anything her mother tells her. It frustrated me. Her mother raised her to obey. I wanted Dani to have a mind of her own. When around Greg, she had no problems making her own decisions, but she would barely allow herself to enjoy him or anything else. She never went to school, made friends, or dated. Her life was devoted to to her mother. Her mother was devoted to stealing. She didn't want to steal, though. She wanted to own her own home, furniture. She had to make her own decisions. To realize she had a choice.

It's definitely a page-turner. Greg and Dani picked at each other and made me giggle. Burdens rest on Dani's shoulders, but the story is rich with humor and sweetness enough to leave me content with a smile on my face. Greg brought in the humor and sweetness. He was instantly attached to Dani and determined to to get to know her. He was charming in a young boyish way that did not remind me of a cop, but there was no way to forget that he was a cop. Dani was constantly noting his uniform and reminding herself to watch what she says around him. He was still able to easily captivate her and me.

Finding time to read Stealing Heaven brought some much needed joy to my day. If you haven't read it, I suggest you bring the same happiness into your day, too. I'm excited to pick up more books by Elizabeth Scott.