Ramblings About the Trip

Hello! I am here to tell you about how busy I am. That I don't have the time to write blogs posts, which I am unhappy about because I only just started blogging! Now I will ramble about my busy trip.

I came to Erie, Pennsylvania about two and a half weeks ago, the end of May. I will not be coming home to Maryland until the 4th of July weekend. I have a lot of family up here, and my pregnant aunt is a kindergarten teacher (actually, I have two aunts who work in the kindergarten wing of the school... Plus, many friends there.), so I am helping her close her classroom since she will be taking the next two years off to be with her children. When she had the first kid, Ruby, I came to stay for a month each visit every six months or so. Sometimes I stay longer. I love it up here! I have cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents. I get passed around and enjoy everyone's company. I babysit, I go to the Amish auction with Nana, I take kids on bike rides. But, mostly, I stay with my aunt Amy and cousin Ruby.
Here's a some stuff I've been up to.

Kildaer nest

There's a kildaer nest at the farm (where my grandparents live), and kildaer are birds. They lay eggs in gravel or dirt. The mothers run away from the nest and ruffle their wings and act as though they're hurt to distract you from the nest. Don't let this fool you, they are very stupid. We have some hatched kildaer at Amy's house and they will be chased down the very long driveway and into the road before they will go into the grass. I have a picture of the nest!

Weirdly enough, a deer was walking around the house on a Saturday afternoon. It appeared confused. Wasn't eating, just walking around. A couple hours later, still too early for it to be out, the deer was back!

The oddest animal came the next morning when we looked outside at 10am and saw a coyote! My uncle Michael got excited and opened the door, and then he ran upstairs to grab his gun, but he had already scared it off. We explained to the 3 year-old cousin that they are not dogs, and coyotes are mean, STAY AWAY. That evening I was in the graveyard with Amy and Ruby where my friend Caleb picked me up (Caleb is my only friend around here my age. I hang with his Mom, too.) We came back to the house, and then got a call from Amy saying the coyote was in the yard staring at her. She ran up a neighbors driveway (really long driveways) and we went outside. Michael had his gun. He took a shot at it! Though, he missed. It was very exciting!

Also, there was a raccoon on the deck, again, in the afternoon. Ruby calls them catroons. What's with these animals being out in the middle of the day?! Enough about the animals.

Lake Erie



Ruby in Lake Erie



I've been going to the lake. It's freezing! That doesn't stop the little kids, or me. I also go hunting for sea glass, surprisingly, there is quite a bit to be found.

The first week of being here I completely packed Amy's classroom. She was still teaching, and the kids were already familiar with me since I come and help at the school when I can, so they were hanging all over me while I packed.

All I want to do is help when I'm here. If anyone is going anywhere I always volunteer to join them. Not usually the case at home. When I do spend time reading or on the computer I feel that I should be spending time with someone. I end up with little time to write blogs and such.

And then, on Monday, I got sick. Headache, stomachache, stuffy nose, sore throat, too tired to do anything but lay in bed watching TV and sleeping. Miserable for a couple days in which I rarely left my bed. I missed Waiting on Wednesday, too. Thankfully, I'm feeling better now!

Today I went to the Amish auction! I love going there. My Nana and I get to spend time together and they have fresh donuts! Everything is better Amish made. Nice people over there. The guy sounds like he's yodeling as he auctions off plants and veggies and fruits and flowers. It's a neat experience.

Anyhoot, I believe I am done rambling. I should go play with my cousins, Emmy and Brother, since they're over here to play. I think we'll go drive the mule around! By the way, the mule is similar to a mini jeep, not an animal. Though, there are horses here.

How is everyone? What's new?

TGIF (1)

TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads! Check it out and post your link!

This weeks TGIF question is "YA Saves: How do you feel about the "dark" books filling the YA shelves today?"

I will assume you have read the article by The Well Street Journal that has the book world all riled up. If you haven't read it here's the link. Oh dear, oh dear. I've been thinking about that article all week. It was actually fun being a part of that epic night protesting the article. I'm nearly glad that they posted it because it gave people a reason to show their love for YA books. Honestly, I bet more people were convinced to read YA book than not.

Back to the question!

The "dark" books are some of the most compelling and fascinating books I've read. It opened my eyes to problems I would never have thought about if it hadn't been for the books. The information in these books needs to be out there. People need to know they're not alone, or just the possibilities of the situations in the "dark" books. The most efficiant way I can think of a parent doing a good job of parenting would be to read the books as well and talk to their kid about the contents to make them comprehend what they are reading.

But really, kids are smarts, they can, and ARE, reading and understanding these books. Do you think authors are trying to corrupt children? They are trying to inform people, give them a friend, be an entertainment, or just write because they enjoy it and it turns out people like it! They are not sitting there cackling and saying "People will be so messed up after reading this book!" No. These authors are thinking about their readers, their fans. They are the ones reaching out to us and we are responding because we want to. Why do you think the books are so popular?

Did you notice the article consists of skeptical adults dissing YA books? Why don't they ask a teen who has actually read the books. You know what, I'd say as many adults read them as teens. They are LOVED. These dark books are inspiring, thought provoking and enjoyable. My favorite book The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen D. Randle is considered "dark". It's about a boy who has been hurt and how he recovers. It shows HOPE. Is hope dark? What happened to him is "dark", but it doesn't end there. What happened to him has stuck with me, but that's because I also think of the way he pulled through. THAT is what I concentrate on in the books. Bad things make the good much more important.

In all, I love the "dark" YA books. I never want them to end. I will continue to devour them for as long as I possibly can. I could talk about them for hours, and I do!

What are your thoughts? Give me a link and I'll check it out, too!

Review: The Name of the Star

Title: The Name of the Star
Author: Maureen Johnson
Release Date: 29 Sep. 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 384

My Summary

When Rory moves from a small town in Louisiana to a boarding school in London the city is going wild over a murder similar to Jack the Ripper's first murder. It soon becomes clear Jack the Ripper's attacks are happening all over again. Rory is getting used to boarding school life with a roommate and a cute boy when she becomes the only witness to have possibly seen the murderer. But is there a reason she is the only witness? He was right there and her roommate never noticed him. Was it only her imagination? Before she knows it, Rory's world has been drastically changed and her life is at risk.

My Thoughts

This book is crazy! It's intense with a great mystery that's scary, and there's even romance! I had never read anything on Jack the Ripper before, but now I feel quite farmilar with his story. Really, I don't know much on the topic, but I think Maureen did a great job researching! I actually had a grusome dream because of the book. The amount of action through the scenes in the book worked great. All I wanted to do was read this book until I finished it. 

Rory was great! The main character of a book will get on my nerves, but she felt real in a not annoying way. Her reactions to everything saw she and found out was perfect, especially since I can imagine how hard her reactions would be to write. I enjoyed all of the characters. Jerome was okay, I didn't dislike him, but I would rather her be with Stephen. I really like Stephen! But I also have a thing for cops. The balance between the characters felt right, I mean, no one was only appealing or only annoying. They all had well developed personalities. And, of course, Ripper was creepy!

Maureen is a writer I am always entertained by. I always want to read more by her, whether it's books or Tweets. She is funny and has crazy ideas. My curiosity to hear what will happen to her characters next continues. I am dying to read the next book!

Waiting on Wednesday (1)

Title: Audition

Author: Stasia Ward Kehoe

Release Date: 13 Oct. 2011

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Pages: 464








When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more? This debut novel in verse is as intense and romantic as it is eloquent. (from Amazon.com)

The cover is what caught my eye, and then I read the summary and found it just as intriguing as the cover. Plus, I have a soft spot for books in verse. I know people who devote their lives to dancing (not as intense as, I'm sure, the characters in this book do) and I can't wait to read how she strays to a new passion, and how the Remington will react! She's even living with a host family. I've always wanted to be a foreighn exchange student, or something similar to it. I'm excited for this one.

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Review: Where I Belong

Title: Where I Belong

Author: Gwendolyn Heasley

Date Published: 8 Feb. 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 304

My Summary

Corrinne lives in luxury in New York City, spending money without a care, going to classy parties, and attending a private school. Corrinne and her best friend will soon be leaving to Kent - a boarding school - when her father gets laid off in the recession. Corrinne's life is turned around when she is forced to move to Broken Spoke, Texas, join a public school, and get a job shoveling manure. She resents her parents for forcing her into the situation and plots her escape from small town life. But when her friend from New York comes to visit, she finds she has changed since she arrived at Broken Spoke. Maybe her Grandparents aren't so bad, and she is even making friends, plus, there are some irresistible hotties.

My Thoughts

This book sounds better than it is. I was genuinely looking forward to reading this book because I was looking for a YA western romance and because I read a good review on it. However,  I expected too much from it. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an awful book. The main character started out annoying and I thought she would evolve into a more appealing person, but by the end I still didn't particularly like her. The romance did not go as I had hoped it would. I didn't read it for the romance, but I did think it would have more substance. The book seemed to end abruptly without resolving all the kinks. It could have easily continued into another chapter to round it off.

There was a substantial amount of information on each character to know them decently. I knew them, but I didn't like them! I want to like the characters I read about. Some of them were sweet and fun, and all of the characters were realistic. Kitsy was cute, the brother made me go "Awwe!", and I want the Grandma to cook for me! The food sounded delicious... Her Mom was annoying.

Heasely's writing? Well she kept me reading. I read it in a day and ignored my company because I wanted to see how everything would turn out. Most of the conversations in the book were believable. There were a couple ridiculous parts, like when Corrinne said "But yeah, I'll go to the dance with Bubby because you two are my only friends in Broken Spoke, so I want to be with you guys."  She is a proud person and would not let any insecurities of that magnitude show, much less spell them out in those words. She is not a character to appear pitiful.

I am picking apart this book, but it wasn't a bad read. I enjoyed sitting down and reading it on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. This is Gwendolyn's YA debut, and I look forward to reading more by her in the future. Congratulations on it, Gwendolyn!

Gripped into Books 500 Followers Giveaway

Yes, I am being one of those people who post blogs trying to win a giveaway. But I'm quite happy to do this! Congratulations on 500 followers, Gripped into Books! That must feel really great!
So check it out here!

Review: The Truth About Forever

Title: The Truth About Forever

Author: Sarah Dessen

Date Published: 11 May 2004

Publisher: Viking Juvenile


My Summary

Macy strives to be perfect. Perfect grades, a perfect job at the library, and Jason, the perfect boyfriend. After her father died in front of her she has aimed to be in control, control of her emotions and her life. But when her boyfriend goes away for the summer, her sister starts fixing up the beach house, and she starts a choatic job catering emotions she buried come to the surface. Macy's new friends at the catering job are far from perfect, but they teach her that it isn't a bad thing. Along with their help, and especially from the help of Wes, an artistic boy with a troubled past of his own, she learns to live in the moment.

My Thoughts

Sarah Dessen, Sarah Dessen, how happy you make me.

I usually don't want to read books that have heartaches from deaths, I prefer the romance in stories. Sarah Dessen is changing that. Macy's Dad's death is sad, but it isn't the only focus, there is a romance, there is family trouble, there are evolving friendships and Macy's personal changes. The book is well balanced in a way that kept me hooked until I finished it. Sarah Dessen leaves mysteries through the whole book. I'll note a mystery in the beginning and middle and know that I'll have to wait a while to get the answer and it leaves me thrilled to hear the conclusion because they are PERFECT build ups to emotional events.

Macy is a wonderful character. Her fears, thoughts and reactions are all realistic. I found myself relating to her opinions. The book heavily relied on character development, and it was well done. The changes in Macy's family were sad and happy and made me leak some tears for them. Wes, ah, Wes... Bit of bad boy and sweet older brother and great, great guy. He does have the whole troubled artist thing going for him. All of the characters were substantial with their own ways of reacting and speaking and problems they struggled through. But through all the character intensity it felt smooth and easy, rather than leaving me overwhelmed.

Every time I read a book by Sarah Dessen I am in awe by her style and smooth writing and the way her characters are so REAL. No one writes like her. I'm picky with dialogue, and her dialogue is the ideal dialogue any writer aims for.