Books just wanna be free. And book crossing does just that. Over the years, I have found two of these wandering books. One was an Agatha Christie novel when I was on exchange in Norway. The other I found just the other day at my college campus. The book is Star Bright A Christmas Story by Andrew M. Creeley.
Book crossing is an organization in which one takes a book, and just set it somewhere for anyone else to pick up. Inside each book is a code, and you go online put in the code, and you can find where the book as travelled. Then you read the book, and set it out in the world again.
You can track the books journey through this link and you can even see what other books people are "catching." It's such a great concept, and I feel really lucky to have caught two books through this program.
To register a book is totally free. All you have to do is register for a code, download the label, and set the book out. This is entirely free. There are different ways to send out the book, either by giving it to someone directly, leaving it somewhere totally random like at a cafe, or at official "book crossing zones".
The "book crossing zone" is just a specific location where a group of people continually drop books for one another. This kind of dropping usually has some organizing behind it. Regardless of how you find the book, finding one is always kinda special. Or at least to me it feels special.
When I finish this book, I will of course be dropping it somewhere for someone else to find. And I think this book may have slipped onto the bottom of this months TBR. I still haven't decided if I am going to review this book, but when I do decide I will let you know.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Ender's Game: Review.
Ender's Game is the first book in a trilogy by Orson Scott Card. The book is about 9 year old Ender and his journey through Battle School. But, like with so many governments, there are conspiracies, and things kept in the shadows.
As well, recently they made a movie based on the book too with Asa Butterfield, and Harrison Ford. I do want to do a book to movie comparison, so keep an eye out for that.
In this world, there is a race of creatures who have attacked the Earth. In their second invasion, many of them were killed. This event was humanities fight back against these creatures. But time is running out. The Battle School recruits the brightest, and cleverest children to be a part of their program. And all of these kids are competing for a chance to be in Command School and lead the human race to victory. Ender is one of these kids, but he doesn't know that he is humanities only hope to end the war.
I fell in love with most of the characters, however there were a few I didn't care for. Namely: Ender's older brother Peter. And I don't think you were supposed to care for them. Ender himself is so fascinating to read about. He is very clever, but at the same time you do see the child inside of him. At least in the beginning of the book. In Battle School, all of the children are forced to grow up in a matter of months. Seeing Ender's transformation from pinprick, to star student is just amazing to see.
The way the teachers of the school turned Ender into this leader however, is scary. And reading it, you feel so much sympathy for Ender. You really understand how alone he feels in this school. And it's no fault of his, but planned by the General Graff.
Even Ender's siblings on Earth take incredible transformations, and their plans are just as interesting as what is going on up in space with Ender. Valentine and Peter were both contenders to be in Battle School, but were rejected for different reasons. And both plots converge together really well. However out of the two of them I am personally more scared of Valentine, but Peter definitely has his moments.
I do kinda wish we got to see how the other kids from the battle school changed a little bit more as well. I feel like towards the end of the book, we lose a bit of their personalities. Especially those Ender was allowed to get close with. I did love exploring Ender's relationship with them as the book went on.
The world is a little bit hard to understand at times because of the technical jargon. But when you get a handle on it, the world is full and complex. However it does make it a little too easy for the characters to do controversial things, but it speaks for the desperation of their society as well. So there are good and bad points to it.
I personally felt like a lot of the battle sequences were a little hard to follow. And it did switch perspective and point of view at random times with very little indication of why. However the more you get into the book, the clearer the other point of view is and the better you learn how to read it.
The plot is so intriguing, and there is so much going on. The twists though are a little bit obvious are still really well done, just because how they were written, and how the plot played out. I really wish we got a little more back story on the buggers, but perhaps in the other books in the series will explain the buggers a little bit more. As well as how the world changes at the end.
If you really like science fiction books, child prodigies, or just books that make you think, then Ender's Game is perfect for you. I feel like this book can teach young people about compassion and how the adults don't always know everything. As well, I loved reading about the adults treatment of Ender, but that could be just because I'm weird.
So would I read this again? Yes in a heart beat. Would I recommend it? Yes I totally would. Would I finish the trilogy? Of course, I am on the hunt for the next book now.
As well, recently they made a movie based on the book too with Asa Butterfield, and Harrison Ford. I do want to do a book to movie comparison, so keep an eye out for that.
In this world, there is a race of creatures who have attacked the Earth. In their second invasion, many of them were killed. This event was humanities fight back against these creatures. But time is running out. The Battle School recruits the brightest, and cleverest children to be a part of their program. And all of these kids are competing for a chance to be in Command School and lead the human race to victory. Ender is one of these kids, but he doesn't know that he is humanities only hope to end the war.
I fell in love with most of the characters, however there were a few I didn't care for. Namely: Ender's older brother Peter. And I don't think you were supposed to care for them. Ender himself is so fascinating to read about. He is very clever, but at the same time you do see the child inside of him. At least in the beginning of the book. In Battle School, all of the children are forced to grow up in a matter of months. Seeing Ender's transformation from pinprick, to star student is just amazing to see.
The way the teachers of the school turned Ender into this leader however, is scary. And reading it, you feel so much sympathy for Ender. You really understand how alone he feels in this school. And it's no fault of his, but planned by the General Graff.
Even Ender's siblings on Earth take incredible transformations, and their plans are just as interesting as what is going on up in space with Ender. Valentine and Peter were both contenders to be in Battle School, but were rejected for different reasons. And both plots converge together really well. However out of the two of them I am personally more scared of Valentine, but Peter definitely has his moments.
I do kinda wish we got to see how the other kids from the battle school changed a little bit more as well. I feel like towards the end of the book, we lose a bit of their personalities. Especially those Ender was allowed to get close with. I did love exploring Ender's relationship with them as the book went on.
The world is a little bit hard to understand at times because of the technical jargon. But when you get a handle on it, the world is full and complex. However it does make it a little too easy for the characters to do controversial things, but it speaks for the desperation of their society as well. So there are good and bad points to it.
I personally felt like a lot of the battle sequences were a little hard to follow. And it did switch perspective and point of view at random times with very little indication of why. However the more you get into the book, the clearer the other point of view is and the better you learn how to read it.
The plot is so intriguing, and there is so much going on. The twists though are a little bit obvious are still really well done, just because how they were written, and how the plot played out. I really wish we got a little more back story on the buggers, but perhaps in the other books in the series will explain the buggers a little bit more. As well as how the world changes at the end.
If you really like science fiction books, child prodigies, or just books that make you think, then Ender's Game is perfect for you. I feel like this book can teach young people about compassion and how the adults don't always know everything. As well, I loved reading about the adults treatment of Ender, but that could be just because I'm weird.
So would I read this again? Yes in a heart beat. Would I recommend it? Yes I totally would. Would I finish the trilogy? Of course, I am on the hunt for the next book now.
Thursday, 1 October 2015
October TBR.
Happy first of October! I am really beginning to feel winters icy chill, and I am not at all ready for that. But here are the books that I will be reading through the month of October.
The first is Enders Game by Orson Scott Card. I'm already half way through, but during the month of October I will be finishing it. You can also be on the look out for a review of this book when I do finish it.
The next book I will be reading is Thunderwoman by Nancy Wood. I picked this book up at a used book store close to my school. I honestly know nothing about it, and I cannot wait to start reading it, and see what this book has in store for me. I will also be reviewing this book as well.
Those are the only two books that I want to get finished this month. Things are getting pretty busy with school, and I don't want to over work myself. As well as when I moved here, I was only able to bring four books with me, and one that I bought here. So my book collection is very small.
Of course when I have more time and more books, you can for sure be looking forward to more reviews, and more book related content. I hope you all have a wonderful day.
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
September Favourites.
So, the first month of school has just flown by. And like most people, there are things that I have fallen in love with. So without further adieu, my first favourites list. I have no idea if I'll be doing these every month, but we'll see. And I will not be listing everything, but enough to have a decent list of things I love.
Alright, so I've been going back to some of my old interests. One of those being anime, and I have been watching a lot of anime this month. Actually over the last few months, but regardless, here are the shows I have fallen in love with.
Madoka Magica: This show is so cute, and so sweet, and ripped my heart out. The animation style is stunning, the story line is interesting, and it's just so amazing in so many different ways. There are three movies as well to go along with the series, however two of the movies are a compilation of the entire anime series. But the other movie is just heart breaking as well.
Attack on Titan: Now, when I first started it, I am not going to lie, I didn't like it that much. However, I continued watching episode after episode. It's safe to say the series has grown on me. The animation is again so beautiful to watch, and the story line is interesting and heart breaking. The one big drawback besides the gore is the series ended on a huge cliff hanger, and it won't be back for a while.
Devil is a Part Timer: I watched this after I finished Madoka Magica, and Attack on Titan, I needed something light and funny. This fit the bill perfectly. It's goofy, cute, has a bit of a dirty sense of humour, and the characters are so likeable. If you are looking for something silly, a little childish, but still fun I highly recommend The Devil is a Part Timer.
I figured I would add cartoons to this list, because there are two cartoons that I need to mention.
One is Gravity Falls. Gravity Falls is about twins Dipper and Mabel and their summer with their Great Uncle Stan in the sleepy town of Gravity Falls. This show is so intricate, and there are mysteries within the mysteries. The characters are funny, and relatable, the villains are surprisingly scary for a kids cartoon.
The second cartoon is a super short series called Over the Garden Wall. Now, I have watched bits of it before, but I could never find where to watch it. That was until now. I finished the whole series in the course of an evening. And I am so glad I did. The series is a little weird, but one has to expect that from Cartoon Network. But the story telling in this is beautiful, and is riddled with symbolism and so many deeper meanings. The Beast, the main villain of the story is terrifying. He is one of the most serious, scary villains I have seen in a show meant for kids.
For me, this wouldn't be a favourites list if I didn't include books. Now, I haven't been reading a lot, but that's because after I moved, I don't own many books now. But one that I did finish not that long ago was Steven Kings the Shining. This book was scary, and intriguing, and I had such a hard time putting it down. There is a reason this book is so iconic.
The final favourite I want to squeeze in here is the laptop case I bought at some anime store here in the city. It is a little small, but it's super durable, and I find myself taking it everywhere. Plus the Attack on Titan wings of freedom are nice touch.
Those are most of my favourites for this month, hopefully next month, I'll have more interesting things to write about. Tell me, what sort of things do you want me to blog about?
Alright, so I've been going back to some of my old interests. One of those being anime, and I have been watching a lot of anime this month. Actually over the last few months, but regardless, here are the shows I have fallen in love with.
Madoka Magica: This show is so cute, and so sweet, and ripped my heart out. The animation style is stunning, the story line is interesting, and it's just so amazing in so many different ways. There are three movies as well to go along with the series, however two of the movies are a compilation of the entire anime series. But the other movie is just heart breaking as well.
Attack on Titan: Now, when I first started it, I am not going to lie, I didn't like it that much. However, I continued watching episode after episode. It's safe to say the series has grown on me. The animation is again so beautiful to watch, and the story line is interesting and heart breaking. The one big drawback besides the gore is the series ended on a huge cliff hanger, and it won't be back for a while.
Devil is a Part Timer: I watched this after I finished Madoka Magica, and Attack on Titan, I needed something light and funny. This fit the bill perfectly. It's goofy, cute, has a bit of a dirty sense of humour, and the characters are so likeable. If you are looking for something silly, a little childish, but still fun I highly recommend The Devil is a Part Timer.
I figured I would add cartoons to this list, because there are two cartoons that I need to mention.
One is Gravity Falls. Gravity Falls is about twins Dipper and Mabel and their summer with their Great Uncle Stan in the sleepy town of Gravity Falls. This show is so intricate, and there are mysteries within the mysteries. The characters are funny, and relatable, the villains are surprisingly scary for a kids cartoon.
The second cartoon is a super short series called Over the Garden Wall. Now, I have watched bits of it before, but I could never find where to watch it. That was until now. I finished the whole series in the course of an evening. And I am so glad I did. The series is a little weird, but one has to expect that from Cartoon Network. But the story telling in this is beautiful, and is riddled with symbolism and so many deeper meanings. The Beast, the main villain of the story is terrifying. He is one of the most serious, scary villains I have seen in a show meant for kids.
For me, this wouldn't be a favourites list if I didn't include books. Now, I haven't been reading a lot, but that's because after I moved, I don't own many books now. But one that I did finish not that long ago was Steven Kings the Shining. This book was scary, and intriguing, and I had such a hard time putting it down. There is a reason this book is so iconic.
The final favourite I want to squeeze in here is the laptop case I bought at some anime store here in the city. It is a little small, but it's super durable, and I find myself taking it everywhere. Plus the Attack on Titan wings of freedom are nice touch.
Those are most of my favourites for this month, hopefully next month, I'll have more interesting things to write about. Tell me, what sort of things do you want me to blog about?
Tuesday, 8 September 2015
Super late September Tbr.
Now, my rules for my tbr is: if I don't finish them, they go to next month, this way I don't have a huge pile of books to be read, and never getting to them.
I will be reviewing Ender's Game (the bottom one) and I might do a discussion, literary thing on The Catcher in the Rye. But I promise nothing. I don't feel like I need to do a review on The Shining, because it is so iconic, and everything I have to say will just be repeats of what every other person who has read this books says.
I hope you all have a good night, and I'm going to try and get some sleep.
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