Saturday, April 26, 2014

What I Learned as an English Major (so far)

My first year as a college student is almost over so I thought I would share a few things that I learned this year with you....

1. Your non-English major friends like to pick on you whenever you make any grammar mistake.


2. Other English majors like to judge the books you read. They seem to forget that reading can just be for enjoyment, and not to over analyze.



3. Yet, you also start to over analyze EVERYTHING, even your favorite TV show




4.  Coffee is essential for life

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Catching Fire Movie Review

I know this review is a little late but I reviewed this movie for class recently and thought I would share it.

Having read the Hunger Games series I have been interested in watching the movies but did not get around to seeing Catching Fire until Spring Break. Watching a movie after reading a book is a weird experience because you know what is going to happen. It is usually less suspenseful and almost boring at times, however I did not have that problem with Catching Fire. Even though I knew what was going to happen I still found myself jumping in my seat in suspenseful moments. I also knew the movie was going to end with an intense cliff hanger yet I still found myself being surprised by it.  I think the director did a phenomenal job of making Catching Fire into an exciting movie, even for someone who read the book. The movie was also about two hours and thirty minutes long yet it did not feel like it. They also did a great job keeping the pace of the movie and keeping the audience’s attention.

As a whole, the character of Katniss is fascinating. She is viewed as a face of a rebellion even though she does not want to be. She just wants to live out her life with her mom, sister, and Gale in peace and not bothered by the government. Yet, she has these unintentional brave moments. For example, she does not hesitate to jump in front of a government official whipping Gale. Also, it is easy to see the difference in Katniss from The Hunger Games to Catching Fire. She is hurt and traumatize from the Hunger Games that she had to compete in. I’m glad that was shown in the movie. The traumatic events do not get glossed over.

Each character also has emotionally changed from the first movie to the second. Effie, one of my favorite characters, goes from a cheerful and optimistic person to physically run down from the effects of sending Peeta and Katniss back into the games. This seems to be the consensus for most characters. Clearly being able to see that they are fed up with the government and what they are forcing the citizens to do.

One particular scene that stands out is the citizens of the capital forcing themselves to throw up when they are full just to be able to eat more. Which is something that can be seen as a parallel to today’s society. People over eating, or throwing out good food when there are people starving in our country and others. Movies like this can make you think about how you live, and pay more attention to the news and government. While the series is ‘young adult’ based I think it is an interesting topic that is deals with. A corrupt government making kid’s fight to the death, and it takes 75 years before a rebellion is finally sparked by a teenage girl. Even though I know what happens in the last book, I’m eagerly awaiting the next two movies.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Morganville Vampire Series THE TV SHOW

I just found out today that on of my favorite series is becoming a TV SHOW! What series is that?

THE MORGANVILLE VAMPIRES by Rachel Caine.


 While I have not read the latest books in the series, I'm really excited to see these characters played out. This all started from a Kickstarter last summer. Kickstarter is an amazing invention that has funded from great stuff, such as the Lizzie Bennet Diaries and the Veronica Mars Movie. NOW, it has funded the creation of the Morganville Vampires TV show. 


Find out more here:
http://www.morganvilletheseries.com/

Monday, March 31, 2014

Ignite Me Review


The Shatter Me series has been one of my favorites since the first novel came out. I remember hearing a ton of positive buzz for the book, and being beyond excited to read Shatter Me. That positive buzz was truly deserve. Looking back to the first two books, I never would have imagined that Ignite Me would end the series the way that it did. Juliette has a fantastic character development, she starts out as a scared little teenager and by the end of the third novel she has taken charge of her life.
 

Juliette isn’t the only one who has an intense character development, Warner does too. Going into Ignite Me I had not read the prequels, and didn’t really know Warner the last book. I would actually suggest doing that, I liked learning as Juliette did. It made the novel has more surprises and turns then I expected. Mafi took me completely by surprised but she created this pathway that guides the reader into her plan.  Everything made much more sense after Ignite Me.

Mafi also has an amazing writing style. Throughout Shatter Me words and repeated and crossed out in most of the novel. It’s like you are really inside Juliette’s head, which is a really crazy place. Then as the series progresses the writing gets more complicated and more fluid. It shows how Juliette has grown. Over-all Mafi has a beautiful and poetic writing style that I really enjoyed throughout all three books. Especially how it changed.

One last thing, I loved how Mafi took the romantic relationship. She shows that as a teenager the first person you date is not always going to be the one you end up with for the rest of your life. As a character grows, they don’t always need the same kind of romantic relationship or the same person. I salute Mafi for doing this in her series.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack Giveaway!

18505845Hey guys! I'm apart of the Street Team for Cora's new series! I just finished the novel and it is fantastic! I think it's my new favorite from her. It's full of football and romance, and it's just a fun novel to read.

I just wanted to let you know that goodreads is giving away a ARC of All Lined Up! Go enter and win this awesome book!!!

Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/85845-all-lined-up

Good Luck!

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