Waiting on Wednesday–Glitch

Title: Glitch
Author: Heather Anastasiu
Release Date: August 7, 2012

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

This sounds like a great new technology-based dystopian series! Also the cover is gorgeous. I love the sound of the superpowers and having to hide who they are. However, I’m not a fan of the assumed love-triangle…..

Review: First Date

Title: First Date
Author: Krista McGee
Published: 2011 by Thomas Nelson
Version: Paperback
Obtained: Booksneeze.com

The last thing Addy Davidson wants is to be on a reality TV show where the prize is a prom date with the President's son.

She's focused on her schoolwork so she can get a scholarship to an Ivy League college, uncomfortable in the spotlight, never been on a date, and didn't even audition for it.

But she got selected anyway.

So she does her best to get eliminated on the very first show. Right before she realizes that the President's son is possibly the most attractive guy she has ever seen in person, surprisingly nice, and seemingly unimpressed by the 99 other girls who are throwing themselves at him.

Addy's totally out of her comfort zone but that may be right where God can show her all that she was meant to be.

First Sentence:
“‘You’re going to be on television, Addy,’ Mr. Lawrence said, as if it were a good thing.”

---

This novel is a modern retelling of the story of Esther, from the Bible, and I think the story would have been better if it wasn’t.

If this had just been a cute, cheesy, Christian, realty show story, it would have been way better. But with needing to keep to the story of Esther, the plot became terrible. In the real tale of Esther, death is present. But in this fuzzy-feelings retelling, there is no scary almosts, no threat of death, and so the entire plot seems kind of foolish and silly. Also, in real life, King Xerxes was a bit of a creep, so it’s weird having him translated into a cute President’s son.

All the characters were a fraction of who they could have been, the plot was predictable, the resolution was way too simple, and the “deep” moments just weren’t deep. I think it comes down to the writing. Krista McGee is not a good writer. Maybe with time she could get better, but as it is, her dialogue is unrealistic and her plotlines are terrible.

I did enjoy some of the dramatic personalities of the girls on the show. I loved Kara, Addy’s best friend on the show, a very dramatic actress-type. I also enjoyed seeing the “behind-the-scenes” of the realty show.

If you’re looking for a quick, cheesy read with Christian messages, than this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a great retelling of Esther or a great contemporary romance, this is totally not it.

---

Content Warnings: Nothing objectionable.

Rating:

List: Favorite Books of my Younger Self

Since I am about to turn 18, I thought I should reminisce a little about my younger years. Even as a kid I was a very voracious reader and these are some of my favorites of my middle school/preteen years or younger.

I still LOVE all of these. :)

(Listed in no particular order)

Book of Bayern by Shannon Hale

These were my absolute favorites as a preteen. I love that Shannon Hale crafts such unique characters that you become genuinely attached to, and that her villains are actually very scary.

 

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted is still my favorite book. I absolutely ADORE Char. I love Ella for being so amazingly spunky (My nine-year-old self always wanted to be just like her). This book is simply amazing. The movie was plain old crap compared to this genius of a book.

 

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

It’s safe to say that Gail Carson Levine was my favorite author. I completely LOVED this book of sisterhood, magical items, romance, dragons, and finding courage.

 

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Another winner by Shannon Hale. This was actually my first Shannon Hale book I read, and I LOVE IT. Still. I loved the character transformations  and I love Peder.
There is now going to be a sequel, and I’m so excited!!!

 

Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene

Oh my. It was a childhood dream of mine to be able to proudly say that I had read all the yellow hardcover Nancy Drew books. Sadly, I am still around 4 short of that goal, and I can’t remember which ones are left. But I am a faithful Nancy Drew supporter and I am proud that I never read those Trixie Belden books my mother always pushed at me. She thought I would like reading about a girl closer to my age, but what I really wanted was to read about Nancy, the 18 year-old detective, and desperately wish to be as mature and cool as she.

 

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Huge fan. I am still saddened over the lack of scenes with my favorite character, Quigley, and over the ending. But I will forever cherish these books for their uniqueness. Each book had a sort of theme, a vastly different location than the last, extraordinarily diverse cast of characters, and the constant genius of the Baudelaires.
Side Note: I was never scared of Count Olaf. Is that normal? Or is it because I watched the movie first and had Jim Carrey in my mind?

 

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

These books were my first introduction into the modern fairy world. I actually started reading these because I saw some kid reading them and laughing. I figured if it made him laugh, they’re probably great books! The Spiderwick Movie was pretty great too, except it took out my favorite book, the fourth one with the dwarves.

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Although I wasn’t allowed to read these until I turned 13, they quickly became very important to me. I will forever adore this series for just everything about them. The magic, the friendship, the romance, the adventure, the comedy, the tears, the battle against evil, the battle against self, and the tragic loss of life involved in battle. These books exemplify everything that is good about children/middle-grade books. While they are enjoyable adventures, there are also great lessons learned from the characters’ decisions.

 

Review: The Body at the Tower

Title: The Body at the Tower
Author: Y.S. Lee
Series: The Agency #2
Published: 2010 by Candlewick Press
Version: Hardcover
Obtained: Library

Now nearly a full-fledged member of the Agency, the all-female detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls, Mary Quinn is back for another action-packed adventure. Disguised as a poor apprentice builder and a boy, she must brave the grimy underbelly of Victorian London – as well as childhood memories of fear, hunger, and constant want – to unmask the identity of a murderer. Assigned to monitor a building site on the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, Mary earns the confidence of the work crew, inching ever nearer her suspect. But if an irresistible desire to help the city’s needy doesn’t distract her and jeopardize her cover, unexpectedly meeting with an old friend – or flame – just might.

First Sentence:
“The freedoms of being a boy, reflected Mary, were many.”

---

Another fantastically amazing adventure/mystery solved by the marvelous Mary Quinn!

The plot of this book was darker and more grim than the last one, but that made it more compelling. I love how Y.S. Lee refuses to hold back on the realistic details. She doesn’t romanticize historical London AT ALL. She makes it out to be the worst, dirtiest sounding city, which is pretty accurate for the time.

I am now completely obsessed with mysteries and James Easton.

The third book in the series has already come out, and I’m DYING to read it. :)

If you haven’t discovered this series yet, you must read them.

---

Content Warnings: Mild profanity and kissing

Rating:

I just love these books, so very, very much.