I just finished reading The Second Summer of the Sisterhood. While it did take me longer to finish it in comparison to the first novel, it wasn’t because it sucked so bad. In my own personal opinion, I’d say the suck levels of this book is at a low. With that being said, I don't really have much to say about The Second Summer. I mean, it’s not because little happened, it’s just something that you have to experience on your own. As it’s the second book in the Sisterhood series, there is an assumption that you’ll know the characters. However, if you haven't read the previous book, I'm sure you'll manage just fine. I was actually surprised to see it was a companion novel, not actually a legitimate self-fledged sequel.
Looking back on that though, it makes sense. In other books that are part of a series, the author will summarize what happened previously, usually the first few chapters. This doesn’t happen in The Second Summer. There's actually not specific chapters for each girl, either. Sure there are "chapter"-esque things, always separated by a quote, but it isn't something that's so defined. One moment Lena will be dealing with an issue, and hen Carmen's story will pick up right after in the next paragraph. But sometimes be graced with a letter between the sisters.
Fun fact: Each girl has her own unique “handwriting”.
The book starts off with Lena introducing the story of the pants, with the switch between Carmen noticeable. This isn’t because the change is bad, but because Lena’s personality is shining through. Each girl has own unique voice, and it’s nice to see that. I’d say that Lena is more mature, with a mothering-esque instinct going on. You’re probably thinking wow, you get all that from the first few pages?! BUT even though Lena is mature, that doesn’t mean she’s no fun.
Confession: This book is my favorite in the series, hands down. This could be surprising to some, because compared to the first it doesn't have the same "light" air to it. Actually, to be completely honest, each girl has some serious issues going on. I know, that isn't even a good thing to like, but it made me feel like I could relate to them more. No more did I see Bridget as glamorous and out of reach, but as a human being. No more is Lena just dealing with some passionate love affair, but something tragic as well. Carmen has some personal issues she must deal with and Tibby... Well, Tibby has to find herself. I could identify with each girl and sometimes it wasn't in a pretty light. There were moments when I just stopped reading and said "oh" to myself. I would pinpoint them out exactly right now, but I don't want to get too spoiler-ish.
With all that being said, this book wasn't just about the bad stuff. There was hope. I, as a reader, felt hope. And it wasn't even just for the girls either, but for myself. Ann Brashares did a wonderful job writing a novel that didn't just tell a story, but spoke to the reader as well.
What made the reading experience just that much better was the supporting characters. I feel like I'm reviewing a movie when I call anyone who isn't a sister a supporting character, but it's just what I feel is right to call them. They're there with the characters, not only making the reader laugh when times get tough, but supporting the girls, too. I know I mentioned they were well developed, but this time around, they became even more real. And I know, to create an interesting story, you generally need more characters. This book didn't disappoint, either. Not only were you introduced to a new love interest for Carmen, but one for her mother, as well. (I don't consider this to be a spoiler, because it's on the back of the book.) Tibby's friend Brian was still around, and against all odds, so was Bailey. Bridget had her grandmother and childhood friends, while Lena had her mother's ex-fiance. Each character, even if they were just mentioned by name, you could picture perfectly in your head.
Note: Effie, Lena's sister, she's well liked in my book for this book.
If each book had to be rated, I'd give The Second Summer a 9.5/10. Even the first time around, I liked it more than the first. When I first read it, I liked Lena's story the most, but this time, it was Carmen's. I know I took a strong liking to Tibby during the first adventure, but from what it seems, each girl has her shining moment. I'm pretty sure Bridget's is next, with Girls in Pants. I’m actually getting pretty excited to start reading it, as I’m still feeling capricious that was brought with The Second Summer of the Sisterhood.
Happy Reading,
Julia
Books to read:
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood
Forever Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
REREADING the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants!
As I write this, I have a book with a purple cover on the desk next to me. The green cover book is nowhere in sight because I finished it. Yeah, it's now retired to the floor in my bedroom waiting to be put back in the shelf. (My system is efficient, you can't deny that... maybe.) Anyway, it is now time to talk about what I just read.
I thought it would be awesome to reread one of my favorite books from my elementary school days. Especially since I got the yearning to reread The Second Summer as I toiled away at The Virginity Club, a book that, shall I say, isn't even that exciting for virgins everywhere. Whatever the case, I thought I was familiar with the trials of Bridget (yeah, I spelled her name wrong), Lena, Carmen and Tibby. I thought I knew what I was going to like, and what I was going to hate. But the thing is, when you reread a book that you haven't read in years, well, things change. Sure the words are still the same, but the way you take them in is different. (I was well aware of that as I reread Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen.) It's something that I should've expected, but I was (pleasantly) surprised.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the well worn copy of The Sisterhood was the fact that I loved the font. It was fun, it was flirty, and it was summer. While I'm more of a Garamond or shall I even say Times New Roman kind of kid, I liked it. It reminded me of SweeTARTS, something I'm not even sure I ate a lot while reading these books the first time around.
But as I worked my way through the book, I was struck with two thoughts: 1) This wasn't as exciting as I thought it'd be and 2) I kept on comparing it to the movie. Before I discuss my thoughts on the movie, I'll explain number one. Here's the deal: The Sisterhood is not a boring book. I just found it to be a bit tedious to read about the girl's adventures as I already knew what was going to happen. Or you know, I thought I knew. There was this scene I thought was going to happen in regards to Bridget, but it was just something I saw in the movie. HOWEVER, as the story unfolded for each girl, I was drawn to what was happening.
I'm not going to be super spoiler here as I review this read, because I know for a fact my partner in crime Leah hasn't experienced it.
When I first read The Sisterhood, at the age of twelve, I thought Bridget was just so glamourous and fantabulous. To be honest, I still thought the same thing rereading the novel. Sure she has problems in regards to her mother being gone, but she still does everything that I wish I could do. I mean, being kick ass at soccer? Being able to run seven minute miles? If only. However, reading The Sisterhood this time around, I was aware of the concerns her friends had for her. She was pushing herself far beyond her limit, and it wasn't actually a good thing. Her friends, even from a distance could see that.
(I'm watching Gossip Girls as I write this. One might say I'm really imaging Blake Lively as Bridget.)
To get the transition just right, I'm going to talk about Lena now. Like Bridget, I thought Lena was tied for first in my favorite girl contest. And sure, Lena had an awesome story this time around. But how I'm being, I'm just going to be honest: I found her story to be just a tad boring, especially at the beginning. A common theme in this review thing, but perhaps it was just because I already knew what was going to happen. I'll actually have to continue reading the rest of the series to know for sure. I mean, I was REALLY happy when Kostos and Lena finally kissed at the end of the novel, so I know I don't dislike her, so I'm not that worried. Maybe it was just her talking about Greece and its beauty. Apparently I can't appreciate beauty when it's described to me in a novel.
Note: Lena is a painter, and was worried at one point in the novel about not being able to capture the beauty that was the sunset. Perhaps it's just my personal preference, but I thought she could've just took a picture.
Next up is Carmen. Her storyline involved visiting her dad and dealing with the issues that were happening in North Carolina. (Or was it South?) Not being that important, I thought this would be the most boring, due to the story in the movie not being so exciting. I mean, I still like it, but it doesn't have the firework kiss that Kostos and Lena produced. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it. While I knew what was happening and how she had to deal with being mad at her dad, I still was riveted to what was happening. Sure there were moments when it got a little boring, but I'd give her storyline an 8/10. And it wasn't even that jampacked with action! Unless rocks are a new thing...
Note: I had to message Leah at one point to ask her what a cottonmouth is, as Carmen wished she would see one. It was nice to have my friend there "with me" when I didn't know what something meant.
However, what surprised me the most about reading The Sisterhood was how much I liked Tibby's story. The first time around, I can just imagine how captivated I was at Bridget and Lena's narrations and bored with TIbby's, but this time around I was all about The Tibby. Not once was I a little bored at her story, even though by all accounts it should've been the most boring. After all, she was the only one staying home that summer. But it surprised me, because I absolutely loved it. Sure I had to stop at a few points to put off what was eventually going to happen in terms of tragedy, but it was because sad times are sad times. In terms of looking at it from the movie's point of view, I totally forgot about the guy Tucker Tibby had a crush on. (As he didn't exist in the movie.)
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed this book, even if the beginning was a bit meh in terms of getting started. While the action did start right from the beginning with Carmen's narration, it wasn't until each girl was underway in her own adventure did the story take off.
A note on the narration: It starts (and finishes) off with Carmen's thoughts. I liked the way the story explained the existence of the pants, but also explained each of the girls. Of course, it was a biased view. Since Carmen was narrating, she couldn't explain what the other girl's saw in her. Sure she was able to explain Bridget, Lena and Tibby, but she wasn't able to do so herself. So what I REALLY liked was when the other girls would interact with each other, you'd see the other girls from a different perspective. And yeah, you definitely saw them from a different perspective. I can just imagine it's very difficult to weave FOUR different characters into one story without making them all seem like they're the same, but this didn't happen in the book. Each girl was unique in her own way, and if it came down to it, each one could support a book on their own.
Some random thoughts:
Happy Reading,
Julia
Books to read:
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood
Forever Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
I thought it would be awesome to reread one of my favorite books from my elementary school days. Especially since I got the yearning to reread The Second Summer as I toiled away at The Virginity Club, a book that, shall I say, isn't even that exciting for virgins everywhere. Whatever the case, I thought I was familiar with the trials of Bridget (yeah, I spelled her name wrong), Lena, Carmen and Tibby. I thought I knew what I was going to like, and what I was going to hate. But the thing is, when you reread a book that you haven't read in years, well, things change. Sure the words are still the same, but the way you take them in is different. (I was well aware of that as I reread Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen.) It's something that I should've expected, but I was (pleasantly) surprised.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the well worn copy of The Sisterhood was the fact that I loved the font. It was fun, it was flirty, and it was summer. While I'm more of a Garamond or shall I even say Times New Roman kind of kid, I liked it. It reminded me of SweeTARTS, something I'm not even sure I ate a lot while reading these books the first time around.
But as I worked my way through the book, I was struck with two thoughts: 1) This wasn't as exciting as I thought it'd be and 2) I kept on comparing it to the movie. Before I discuss my thoughts on the movie, I'll explain number one. Here's the deal: The Sisterhood is not a boring book. I just found it to be a bit tedious to read about the girl's adventures as I already knew what was going to happen. Or you know, I thought I knew. There was this scene I thought was going to happen in regards to Bridget, but it was just something I saw in the movie. HOWEVER, as the story unfolded for each girl, I was drawn to what was happening.
I'm not going to be super spoiler here as I review this read, because I know for a fact my partner in crime Leah hasn't experienced it.
When I first read The Sisterhood, at the age of twelve, I thought Bridget was just so glamourous and fantabulous. To be honest, I still thought the same thing rereading the novel. Sure she has problems in regards to her mother being gone, but she still does everything that I wish I could do. I mean, being kick ass at soccer? Being able to run seven minute miles? If only. However, reading The Sisterhood this time around, I was aware of the concerns her friends had for her. She was pushing herself far beyond her limit, and it wasn't actually a good thing. Her friends, even from a distance could see that.
(I'm watching Gossip Girls as I write this. One might say I'm really imaging Blake Lively as Bridget.)
To get the transition just right, I'm going to talk about Lena now. Like Bridget, I thought Lena was tied for first in my favorite girl contest. And sure, Lena had an awesome story this time around. But how I'm being, I'm just going to be honest: I found her story to be just a tad boring, especially at the beginning. A common theme in this review thing, but perhaps it was just because I already knew what was going to happen. I'll actually have to continue reading the rest of the series to know for sure. I mean, I was REALLY happy when Kostos and Lena finally kissed at the end of the novel, so I know I don't dislike her, so I'm not that worried. Maybe it was just her talking about Greece and its beauty. Apparently I can't appreciate beauty when it's described to me in a novel.
Note: Lena is a painter, and was worried at one point in the novel about not being able to capture the beauty that was the sunset. Perhaps it's just my personal preference, but I thought she could've just took a picture.
Next up is Carmen. Her storyline involved visiting her dad and dealing with the issues that were happening in North Carolina. (Or was it South?) Not being that important, I thought this would be the most boring, due to the story in the movie not being so exciting. I mean, I still like it, but it doesn't have the firework kiss that Kostos and Lena produced. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it. While I knew what was happening and how she had to deal with being mad at her dad, I still was riveted to what was happening. Sure there were moments when it got a little boring, but I'd give her storyline an 8/10. And it wasn't even that jampacked with action! Unless rocks are a new thing...
Note: I had to message Leah at one point to ask her what a cottonmouth is, as Carmen wished she would see one. It was nice to have my friend there "with me" when I didn't know what something meant.
However, what surprised me the most about reading The Sisterhood was how much I liked Tibby's story. The first time around, I can just imagine how captivated I was at Bridget and Lena's narrations and bored with TIbby's, but this time around I was all about The Tibby. Not once was I a little bored at her story, even though by all accounts it should've been the most boring. After all, she was the only one staying home that summer. But it surprised me, because I absolutely loved it. Sure I had to stop at a few points to put off what was eventually going to happen in terms of tragedy, but it was because sad times are sad times. In terms of looking at it from the movie's point of view, I totally forgot about the guy Tucker Tibby had a crush on. (As he didn't exist in the movie.)
Overall, I'd say I enjoyed this book, even if the beginning was a bit meh in terms of getting started. While the action did start right from the beginning with Carmen's narration, it wasn't until each girl was underway in her own adventure did the story take off.
A note on the narration: It starts (and finishes) off with Carmen's thoughts. I liked the way the story explained the existence of the pants, but also explained each of the girls. Of course, it was a biased view. Since Carmen was narrating, she couldn't explain what the other girl's saw in her. Sure she was able to explain Bridget, Lena and Tibby, but she wasn't able to do so herself. So what I REALLY liked was when the other girls would interact with each other, you'd see the other girls from a different perspective. And yeah, you definitely saw them from a different perspective. I can just imagine it's very difficult to weave FOUR different characters into one story without making them all seem like they're the same, but this didn't happen in the book. Each girl was unique in her own way, and if it came down to it, each one could support a book on their own.
Some random thoughts:
- Tibby's underwear was the only one talked about
- Tibby cut her smock to see how thick 2-ply polyester was, which made me think for awhile how thick it actually was (I remember thinking of this the first time around, as well)
- I don't know HOW I could be confused at what Bridget was doing with Eric. I blame it on being so naive
- The supporting characters were just as developed as the girls
- I'd recommend this book
Happy Reading,
Julia
Books to read:
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood
Forever Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Lets go, green, purple, orange and yellow book covers! LET US GO.
The first time I was introduced to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares was when my sister returned from a trip she took to the maritime provinces. As my family and I crowded around all the stuff she brought home, I was drawn to the book with the green cover. At this point in my life, I was already a Book Nerd. I had a library card, and I knew how to use it. My sister on the other hand, wasn't what one might call a book reader. To be honest, there was speculation to if she even read the magazines my mother continuously bought her month after month. (I know I read them.)
Time went on... I wore my red dirt shirt from the island of P.E.I. and continued to think of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I mean, a book in my house that I couldn't read? What was this? I learned my sister bought it in an airport, looking for something to read on the long flight home. However, what I really wanted to know was if she was actually touching it. I mean, she wouldn't even let me start on it because she was reading it, but I never actually saw her do so. But I'm a younger sister, and what do younger sisters do? Yeah, that's right, I didn't obey her orders: I started to read the book. To be completely honest, I think I was too young to understand what exactly was happening between Bridgette and Eric, but I did get the general gist of the novel and liked it.
I enjoyed The Sisterhood so much I anticipated the release of the movie that was coming out the following year. (I actually can't remember if it's the following year, but I'm reasoning that the book was in an airport because it was coming to the big screen soon enough.) I remember I even went to go see it on opening night--Wednesday--with my friend and sister. Stupid alert, but I remember pointing out the actors weren't wearing the same pair of pants, like they do in the book. Of course not.
Anyway, the first summer was a good read! I liked it so much I was quite happy to find out there was a second novel. Not only that, but a third and fourth. Of course, these books were released later on (and without me actually knowing about it), but it was nice just the same to continue to visit my friends Bridgette, Lena, Libby and Carmen.
By the time the second movie came out, I had the understanding it was combining the rest of the books for its basis. I didn't mind too much, because I didn't particular ENJOY what every girl went through in every book. (To be honest, I had a favorite girl for each individual book; it kept on jumping around.) I was under the impression they'd show the best of each girl. So there I was, finding refuge from the sun in the movie theatre in the middle of August. It was a cute movie with a good soundtrack: I actually liked one song so much I went on a hunt for it. I'd tell you the title, but I can't even remember right now. It was just a song that you could sing in front of your mirror to. Overall, the movies went okay. Usually I don't enjoy books-turned-movies, but really, that's just another topic for another time.
Here's a little Julia antidote: In elementary school, I won a contest. The contest? Who could read the most books! To be honest, I didn't think I had a chance, because there was rumor this girl was reading a LOT. But I continued to rally, rereading A Series of Unfortunate Events and even attempting some books that were WAY above my reading level. In short: I won. To explain why: It was happening over March Break. I read like a FIEND over March Break. Anyway. The winner got a certificate, some recoginition at a school assembly and a gift certificate to Indigo Inc. The book I bought? Girls in Pants! (The third book in the Sisterhood series.) My mom bought me the second book, since I didn't own it at that point, just having borrowed it from the library. It was a worthy purchase and deal.
By the time I read the fourth book in the series, I was in high school. I read the first three books when I was in grade eight. I can't actually recall a time when I read all four Sisterhood books in order at the same time. To make a confession, I don't even own the fourth book. So here's what I'm going to do: I, Julia, am going to read all four Sisterhood books in order. This is going to require some work on my part to get my hands on the fourth book, but I'm sure that will be easy as pi(e). For now, I glance at the green book sitting on my desk, with the phone I use to keep in contact with my own sisterhood sitting on top of it.
Happy Reading,
Julia.
Books to be read:
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
Time went on... I wore my red dirt shirt from the island of P.E.I. and continued to think of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I mean, a book in my house that I couldn't read? What was this? I learned my sister bought it in an airport, looking for something to read on the long flight home. However, what I really wanted to know was if she was actually touching it. I mean, she wouldn't even let me start on it because she was reading it, but I never actually saw her do so. But I'm a younger sister, and what do younger sisters do? Yeah, that's right, I didn't obey her orders: I started to read the book. To be completely honest, I think I was too young to understand what exactly was happening between Bridgette and Eric, but I did get the general gist of the novel and liked it.
I enjoyed The Sisterhood so much I anticipated the release of the movie that was coming out the following year. (I actually can't remember if it's the following year, but I'm reasoning that the book was in an airport because it was coming to the big screen soon enough.) I remember I even went to go see it on opening night--Wednesday--with my friend and sister. Stupid alert, but I remember pointing out the actors weren't wearing the same pair of pants, like they do in the book. Of course not.
Anyway, the first summer was a good read! I liked it so much I was quite happy to find out there was a second novel. Not only that, but a third and fourth. Of course, these books were released later on (and without me actually knowing about it), but it was nice just the same to continue to visit my friends Bridgette, Lena, Libby and Carmen.
By the time the second movie came out, I had the understanding it was combining the rest of the books for its basis. I didn't mind too much, because I didn't particular ENJOY what every girl went through in every book. (To be honest, I had a favorite girl for each individual book; it kept on jumping around.) I was under the impression they'd show the best of each girl. So there I was, finding refuge from the sun in the movie theatre in the middle of August. It was a cute movie with a good soundtrack: I actually liked one song so much I went on a hunt for it. I'd tell you the title, but I can't even remember right now. It was just a song that you could sing in front of your mirror to. Overall, the movies went okay. Usually I don't enjoy books-turned-movies, but really, that's just another topic for another time.
Here's a little Julia antidote: In elementary school, I won a contest. The contest? Who could read the most books! To be honest, I didn't think I had a chance, because there was rumor this girl was reading a LOT. But I continued to rally, rereading A Series of Unfortunate Events and even attempting some books that were WAY above my reading level. In short: I won. To explain why: It was happening over March Break. I read like a FIEND over March Break. Anyway. The winner got a certificate, some recoginition at a school assembly and a gift certificate to Indigo Inc. The book I bought? Girls in Pants! (The third book in the Sisterhood series.) My mom bought me the second book, since I didn't own it at that point, just having borrowed it from the library. It was a worthy purchase and deal.
By the time I read the fourth book in the series, I was in high school. I read the first three books when I was in grade eight. I can't actually recall a time when I read all four Sisterhood books in order at the same time. To make a confession, I don't even own the fourth book. So here's what I'm going to do: I, Julia, am going to read all four Sisterhood books in order. This is going to require some work on my part to get my hands on the fourth book, but I'm sure that will be easy as pi(e). For now, I glance at the green book sitting on my desk, with the phone I use to keep in contact with my own sisterhood sitting on top of it.
Happy Reading,
Julia.
Books to be read:
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood
Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood
Monday, February 1, 2010
CHARACTER DUEL!
Hey! Leah, here! I am posting what we like to call a CHARACTER DUEL. In it, Julia and I debate about the merits of characters in books. It’s all fun and such. We’re going to TRY to post a debate every Monday, I think. Also, please note that the opinions expressed within the debate do not NECESSARILY represent the debaters actual opinions. Oh, and the duel is between Neville and Bellatrix (from Harry Potter, obviously) with Julia defending Neville and me defending Bellatrix.
Julia:
Neville Longbottom, a man of wit and awesome, is usually seen as the underdog. But one has to be insanely stupid to see this, because Neville Longbottom, friend of the famous trio, could be a trio all on his own.
Leah:
Correction. Neville Longbottom is seen as the underdog because he is LAME and WEAK. He is seen as the underdog because he IS the underdog, and he always will be. There is a reason the trio is not the Famous Four. Bellatrix Lestrange is the closest confidant of the Dark Lord, the most powerful wizard EVER.
Julia:
So you're calling the Dark Lord the most powerful wizard EVER? Who survived to be in the epilogue? I didn't see any "powerful wizard EVER" talking about HIS kids. All I saw reading the epilogue was about a certain teacher. WHO WAS NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM. Married to Hannah. You see, Neville doesn't need to be apart of the trio, as he can survive on his own. Did Neville marry his best friend's sister? NO. He married a girl in his SCHOOL.
Leah:
They say those who can't do, teach. And Hannah Abbot was clearly the only girl who would have them. A Hufflepuff, of course. Bellatrix Lestrange DID things in her life. She KILLED Sirius Black, one of the most powerful wizards of the generation.
Julia:
A Hufflepuff is a mix of the three other houses, with a lot of loyalty mixed in. To suggest that the house of Helga Hufflepuff is below others, is simply blasphemy. Another thing that is blasphemy? Suggesting that Bellatrix Lestrange, did things. What Bellatrix Lestrange did, is just wrong. One shouldn't even be suggesting that they're amazing. Because they're not. Yes, she killed Sirius Black, but is that right? Should one even be applauding her "skill" at doing this? No.
Julia Lefrancois: One however, should applaud what Neville Longbottom did. He did things that even Albus Dumbledore applauded. I don't see any stamp of approval of Bellatrix from Dumbledore.
Leah:
And Dumbledore is the man from whom we're meant to get our moral guidelines? The friend of Grindelwald, the man who raise Harry Potter like a pig for the slaughter? I say nay. And what did Neville Longbottom do? Everytime he went up against Bellatrix Lestrange, he failed miserably. He is simply not powerful, whereas Bellatrix has a great deal of power. She had enough power to send Neville's parents to St. Mungo's.
Julia:
Ah but see this, Bellatrix never actually tortured Neville's parents. She just threatened to kill their son and they laughed themselves into insanity. TRUE STORY! However, Bellatrix, as you said, has a "great deal of power". Are you not aware of what Lord Voldemort said about Neville? A boy who is "simply not powerful", was told by the Dark Lord himself that he could make a very valuable Death Eater. He also said that they need more of his kind--which is showing spirit, being brave and noble. Why would he say this? Because he was tired of dealing with the current Death Eaters, like Bellatrix. She was the one that was always disappointing him. Is that cool? No. Even with this offer, Neville was brave enough to deny him and show his alliance to Dumbledore's Army. This shows exactly what he is. He is BRAVE enough to stick up to Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord. Did Bellatrix ever do this? NO. She is a suck up.
Leah:
I would argue that Neville is STUPID not to join the side who, at the time, appeared to be sure to win. Stubbornly staying on the losing side is idiotic, not brave. He simply had no will to live because he knew that he had no reason to do so because he is a stupid boy whose parents couldn't even remember him because of BELLATRIX. Additionally, the only reason that Voldemort said that Neville would make a good Death Eater is because Neville is a pure blood, and he did not want pure blood to be spilled. And if it is a question of loyaly, Bellatrix's loyalty to the Dark Lord NEVER WAVERED.
Julia:
Are you saying that loyalty is not a redeeming quality, but switching to the "winning" side is? Also, his will to live did not waiver, even when he had "no reason to do so". What kind of reasoning is that? Throughout Neville's life, he hated Voldemort, and most importantly Bellatrix. He would not go down without a fight without making sure his parents were avenged. Also, to use your wonderful reasoning, Bellatrix's loyalty to Voldemort would be considered stupid, because moments before she died, it was a losing battle. A LOSING BATTLE. Is that a situation a winner would be in? No. Why was there a losing battle with Bellatrix on that side? Because Neville Longbottom, an awesome guy, killed Nagini. Nagini, who was the final horcrux.
Leah:
While Bellatrix was alive, it was never a losing battle. It became a losing battle after she died because the Death Eaters and Voldemort could not win the fight without her. She was integral to their fight, and her death was the most dramatic blow. Neville's slaying of Nagini did not make Bellatrix's side the losing one. It was Bellatrix's death that made her side the losing one.
Julia:
The fact that she died, and Neville survived, is something. Why did she die? Because she got too cocky for her own good. She overestimated her powers. A thing that Neville ever did.
Leah:
Bellatrix did not overestimate her powers. She underestimated Molly Weasley's, which was an understandable mistake seeing as how EVERYONE thought that Molly Weasley was simply a mother (a good one, but not a POWERFUL one). Neville did not die because someone was always protecting him. If you'll remember, Neville WOULD have died after the famous snake-decapitation if Harry wouldn't have cast a shield charm between Neville and Voldemort. So if you say Bellatrix made a miscalculation that resulted in his death, you must also admit that Neville made a miscalculation that SHOULD have resulted in his death.
Julia:
If Harry didn't put up the shield, yes, Neville would have died. But Neville would have died doing something great for EVERYONE. What did Bellatrix die for? Directly, it was because she was attempting to kill another child in the Weasley bunch, but indirectly, it was because she was a horrible woman.
Leah:
Who is your judge of a "horrible" person. By whose standards do you judge Bellatrix to be so terrible? And Bellatrix died because she was protecting her leader, the man to whom she'd pledged her loyalty. Is that horrible? I think not. Neville would have died because of a vague comment made by Harry about killing a snake.
Julia:
Society has a standard that judges people at being "horrible" or "honorable". Using the society that I live in, Bellatrix would be considered a terrible person. Not just terrible, but HORRIBLE. Also, she was protecting her leader? A leader who has the equivalence of Adolf Hitler, a HORRIBLE and TERRIBLE LEADER. Are you forgetting who Bellatrix was representing? A man so horrible, people couldn't even say his name! While Harry, who made the comment to Neville, is considered to be a hero, the chosen one. SPEAKING OF THE CHOSEN ONE, it could've been Neville himself.
Leah:
Could it have been? Would Neville's mother die for him? We'll never know because Voldemort did NOT choose him because HE DID NOT SEE HIM AS A THREAT. Neville is not a threat to anyone, except a snake whose fangs could not reach him. Neville could not touch anyone who had a wand. Because he is not powerful. Bellatrix, on the other hand, was victorious over almost anyone who stood against her.
Julia:
Except Molly Weasley. Neville, may not have been seen as a threat, but he was. He's the ultimate weapon because of this. Nobody expects him to stand up for himself, even though he does it time and time again.
Leah:
By your logic, Molly Weasley is also a secret weapon. Bellatrix couldn't have seen her coming. But I would argue that Neville is not such a secret weapon. To be secret weapon, you have to be able to do damage consistently. He may have LUCKED into killing the snake, but he never did anything else of merit. Some weapon. Bellatrix was not a secret weapon. Power like hers could not be hidden.
Julia:
Who says to be a secret weapon, you must do damage consistently? When playing in a sport, a secret weapon is a player that does ONE THING that the opponent is not familar with. Neville, fits this standard with his ONE THING of standing up for what is right.And throughout the series, he has PROVEN that he can do this. TO CALL NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM A ONE HIT WONDER KIND OF GUY IS LIKE CALLING STEPHENIE MEYER AN AMAZING AUTHOR. It is simply NOT true. Bellatrix on the other hand, is just a "weapon" of Voldemort, who found her useful in the sense of her lack of humanity.
Leah:
A weapon should absolutely be able to perform more than once. Would you want a sword that shattered after one cut? Would you want a knife that would disintegrate after one stab? Would you want a gun with only one bullet? These things would not be very useful in a fight, just as Neville is not useful in a fight. Bellatrix's lack of humanity is her greatest asset. It makes her ruthless. It makes her focused. It makes her determined to achieve her goals. It makes her the PERFECT weapon. Humanity, or lack thereof, is not the question. The question is magical ability. Bellatrix wins against Neville, hands down.
Julia:
Comparing Neville to a sword that shattered after one cut is simply wrong. Neville is a sword that cut many times without shattering. Shattering is just not in the vocabulary of Neville. Yes, Neville does not have the same magical ability of Bellatrix, but that is because Bellatrix has more experience with the amount of killing she does! Not just killing, but torturing. When one does this kind of stuff, they are not being awarded for this behavior. Why should she be right now? Neville has amazing potential in his magical ability that did not require his use of unforgettable curses. Yet, even with his lack of "ability" he was able to do so much. Neville just wins. Bellatrix does not.
Leah:
Neville is a sword that shattered after one strike. He did not do anything noteworthy other than killing the snake. Bellatrix proved again and again that she was a forced to be reckoned with. She had the STRENGTH OF WILL required to perform unforgivable curses. Neville did not possess that strength of will.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS:
Leah:
In closing, Bellatrix is an powerful witch. She has the strength of will and ruthlessness to do what,in her eyes, is required. She is loyal and determined. She dies defending her leader. Her motives may not have been the what society would consider to be good, but her power was simply awesome. Neville, on the other hand, was a powerless wimp. Some may consider him loyal, but really he is just stupid. He blindly does what he is told to do. He lucks into killing Nagini, but that is his only action that is noteworthy.
Julia:
Neville being called a "sword that shattered after one strike" is WRONG. Is one just simply ignoring anything before the events that lead up to the Battle of Hogwarts? Yes, Neville killed a snake that was the ultimate end to Voldemort, an act that Harry Potter himself was having trouble doing, but that is just the tip of what makes Neville amazing. In the years that Neville studied at Hogwarts, he did amazing things. And later on, Neville even teaches there. Bellatrix on the other hand, is a cruel woman who performs unforgivable curses like they're nothing. This is not true. Bellatrix is not a powerful witch, but a pathetic one. Neville is simply not a powerless wimp, but a powerful wizard. Not just loyal, Neville is brave. From fighting along Harry Potter, to his own actions, Neville does what is right to society. Even when put to the option of going on the "winning" side of a battle, Neville stood his ground. Neville shows throughout many moments in history that he is loyal and has great magical ability. Neville is amazing. Bellatrix is not. Neville lived to get married. Bellatrix got married, but in the end, she loved another man. Neville, not just loyal in battle, but loyal in marriage. That is truly an amazing thing. NEVILLE WINS!
AND THAT CONCLUDES THE CHARACTER DUEL! Feel free (that’s code for PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE) to leave comments about the debate. You can tell us who you thought won the debate, what you like about characters, what we need to work on…WHATEVER!
Julia:
Neville Longbottom, a man of wit and awesome, is usually seen as the underdog. But one has to be insanely stupid to see this, because Neville Longbottom, friend of the famous trio, could be a trio all on his own.
Leah:
Correction. Neville Longbottom is seen as the underdog because he is LAME and WEAK. He is seen as the underdog because he IS the underdog, and he always will be. There is a reason the trio is not the Famous Four. Bellatrix Lestrange is the closest confidant of the Dark Lord, the most powerful wizard EVER.
Julia:
So you're calling the Dark Lord the most powerful wizard EVER? Who survived to be in the epilogue? I didn't see any "powerful wizard EVER" talking about HIS kids. All I saw reading the epilogue was about a certain teacher. WHO WAS NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM. Married to Hannah. You see, Neville doesn't need to be apart of the trio, as he can survive on his own. Did Neville marry his best friend's sister? NO. He married a girl in his SCHOOL.
Leah:
They say those who can't do, teach. And Hannah Abbot was clearly the only girl who would have them. A Hufflepuff, of course. Bellatrix Lestrange DID things in her life. She KILLED Sirius Black, one of the most powerful wizards of the generation.
Julia:
A Hufflepuff is a mix of the three other houses, with a lot of loyalty mixed in. To suggest that the house of Helga Hufflepuff is below others, is simply blasphemy. Another thing that is blasphemy? Suggesting that Bellatrix Lestrange, did things. What Bellatrix Lestrange did, is just wrong. One shouldn't even be suggesting that they're amazing. Because they're not. Yes, she killed Sirius Black, but is that right? Should one even be applauding her "skill" at doing this? No.
Julia Lefrancois: One however, should applaud what Neville Longbottom did. He did things that even Albus Dumbledore applauded. I don't see any stamp of approval of Bellatrix from Dumbledore.
Leah:
And Dumbledore is the man from whom we're meant to get our moral guidelines? The friend of Grindelwald, the man who raise Harry Potter like a pig for the slaughter? I say nay. And what did Neville Longbottom do? Everytime he went up against Bellatrix Lestrange, he failed miserably. He is simply not powerful, whereas Bellatrix has a great deal of power. She had enough power to send Neville's parents to St. Mungo's.
Julia:
Ah but see this, Bellatrix never actually tortured Neville's parents. She just threatened to kill their son and they laughed themselves into insanity. TRUE STORY! However, Bellatrix, as you said, has a "great deal of power". Are you not aware of what Lord Voldemort said about Neville? A boy who is "simply not powerful", was told by the Dark Lord himself that he could make a very valuable Death Eater. He also said that they need more of his kind--which is showing spirit, being brave and noble. Why would he say this? Because he was tired of dealing with the current Death Eaters, like Bellatrix. She was the one that was always disappointing him. Is that cool? No. Even with this offer, Neville was brave enough to deny him and show his alliance to Dumbledore's Army. This shows exactly what he is. He is BRAVE enough to stick up to Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord. Did Bellatrix ever do this? NO. She is a suck up.
Leah:
I would argue that Neville is STUPID not to join the side who, at the time, appeared to be sure to win. Stubbornly staying on the losing side is idiotic, not brave. He simply had no will to live because he knew that he had no reason to do so because he is a stupid boy whose parents couldn't even remember him because of BELLATRIX. Additionally, the only reason that Voldemort said that Neville would make a good Death Eater is because Neville is a pure blood, and he did not want pure blood to be spilled. And if it is a question of loyaly, Bellatrix's loyalty to the Dark Lord NEVER WAVERED.
Julia:
Are you saying that loyalty is not a redeeming quality, but switching to the "winning" side is? Also, his will to live did not waiver, even when he had "no reason to do so". What kind of reasoning is that? Throughout Neville's life, he hated Voldemort, and most importantly Bellatrix. He would not go down without a fight without making sure his parents were avenged. Also, to use your wonderful reasoning, Bellatrix's loyalty to Voldemort would be considered stupid, because moments before she died, it was a losing battle. A LOSING BATTLE. Is that a situation a winner would be in? No. Why was there a losing battle with Bellatrix on that side? Because Neville Longbottom, an awesome guy, killed Nagini. Nagini, who was the final horcrux.
Leah:
While Bellatrix was alive, it was never a losing battle. It became a losing battle after she died because the Death Eaters and Voldemort could not win the fight without her. She was integral to their fight, and her death was the most dramatic blow. Neville's slaying of Nagini did not make Bellatrix's side the losing one. It was Bellatrix's death that made her side the losing one.
Julia:
The fact that she died, and Neville survived, is something. Why did she die? Because she got too cocky for her own good. She overestimated her powers. A thing that Neville ever did.
Leah:
Bellatrix did not overestimate her powers. She underestimated Molly Weasley's, which was an understandable mistake seeing as how EVERYONE thought that Molly Weasley was simply a mother (a good one, but not a POWERFUL one). Neville did not die because someone was always protecting him. If you'll remember, Neville WOULD have died after the famous snake-decapitation if Harry wouldn't have cast a shield charm between Neville and Voldemort. So if you say Bellatrix made a miscalculation that resulted in his death, you must also admit that Neville made a miscalculation that SHOULD have resulted in his death.
Julia:
If Harry didn't put up the shield, yes, Neville would have died. But Neville would have died doing something great for EVERYONE. What did Bellatrix die for? Directly, it was because she was attempting to kill another child in the Weasley bunch, but indirectly, it was because she was a horrible woman.
Leah:
Who is your judge of a "horrible" person. By whose standards do you judge Bellatrix to be so terrible? And Bellatrix died because she was protecting her leader, the man to whom she'd pledged her loyalty. Is that horrible? I think not. Neville would have died because of a vague comment made by Harry about killing a snake.
Julia:
Society has a standard that judges people at being "horrible" or "honorable". Using the society that I live in, Bellatrix would be considered a terrible person. Not just terrible, but HORRIBLE. Also, she was protecting her leader? A leader who has the equivalence of Adolf Hitler, a HORRIBLE and TERRIBLE LEADER. Are you forgetting who Bellatrix was representing? A man so horrible, people couldn't even say his name! While Harry, who made the comment to Neville, is considered to be a hero, the chosen one. SPEAKING OF THE CHOSEN ONE, it could've been Neville himself.
Leah:
Could it have been? Would Neville's mother die for him? We'll never know because Voldemort did NOT choose him because HE DID NOT SEE HIM AS A THREAT. Neville is not a threat to anyone, except a snake whose fangs could not reach him. Neville could not touch anyone who had a wand. Because he is not powerful. Bellatrix, on the other hand, was victorious over almost anyone who stood against her.
Julia:
Except Molly Weasley. Neville, may not have been seen as a threat, but he was. He's the ultimate weapon because of this. Nobody expects him to stand up for himself, even though he does it time and time again.
Leah:
By your logic, Molly Weasley is also a secret weapon. Bellatrix couldn't have seen her coming. But I would argue that Neville is not such a secret weapon. To be secret weapon, you have to be able to do damage consistently. He may have LUCKED into killing the snake, but he never did anything else of merit. Some weapon. Bellatrix was not a secret weapon. Power like hers could not be hidden.
Julia:
Who says to be a secret weapon, you must do damage consistently? When playing in a sport, a secret weapon is a player that does ONE THING that the opponent is not familar with. Neville, fits this standard with his ONE THING of standing up for what is right.And throughout the series, he has PROVEN that he can do this. TO CALL NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM A ONE HIT WONDER KIND OF GUY IS LIKE CALLING STEPHENIE MEYER AN AMAZING AUTHOR. It is simply NOT true. Bellatrix on the other hand, is just a "weapon" of Voldemort, who found her useful in the sense of her lack of humanity.
Leah:
A weapon should absolutely be able to perform more than once. Would you want a sword that shattered after one cut? Would you want a knife that would disintegrate after one stab? Would you want a gun with only one bullet? These things would not be very useful in a fight, just as Neville is not useful in a fight. Bellatrix's lack of humanity is her greatest asset. It makes her ruthless. It makes her focused. It makes her determined to achieve her goals. It makes her the PERFECT weapon. Humanity, or lack thereof, is not the question. The question is magical ability. Bellatrix wins against Neville, hands down.
Julia:
Comparing Neville to a sword that shattered after one cut is simply wrong. Neville is a sword that cut many times without shattering. Shattering is just not in the vocabulary of Neville. Yes, Neville does not have the same magical ability of Bellatrix, but that is because Bellatrix has more experience with the amount of killing she does! Not just killing, but torturing. When one does this kind of stuff, they are not being awarded for this behavior. Why should she be right now? Neville has amazing potential in his magical ability that did not require his use of unforgettable curses. Yet, even with his lack of "ability" he was able to do so much. Neville just wins. Bellatrix does not.
Leah:
Neville is a sword that shattered after one strike. He did not do anything noteworthy other than killing the snake. Bellatrix proved again and again that she was a forced to be reckoned with. She had the STRENGTH OF WILL required to perform unforgivable curses. Neville did not possess that strength of will.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS:
Leah:
In closing, Bellatrix is an powerful witch. She has the strength of will and ruthlessness to do what,in her eyes, is required. She is loyal and determined. She dies defending her leader. Her motives may not have been the what society would consider to be good, but her power was simply awesome. Neville, on the other hand, was a powerless wimp. Some may consider him loyal, but really he is just stupid. He blindly does what he is told to do. He lucks into killing Nagini, but that is his only action that is noteworthy.
Julia:
Neville being called a "sword that shattered after one strike" is WRONG. Is one just simply ignoring anything before the events that lead up to the Battle of Hogwarts? Yes, Neville killed a snake that was the ultimate end to Voldemort, an act that Harry Potter himself was having trouble doing, but that is just the tip of what makes Neville amazing. In the years that Neville studied at Hogwarts, he did amazing things. And later on, Neville even teaches there. Bellatrix on the other hand, is a cruel woman who performs unforgivable curses like they're nothing. This is not true. Bellatrix is not a powerful witch, but a pathetic one. Neville is simply not a powerless wimp, but a powerful wizard. Not just loyal, Neville is brave. From fighting along Harry Potter, to his own actions, Neville does what is right to society. Even when put to the option of going on the "winning" side of a battle, Neville stood his ground. Neville shows throughout many moments in history that he is loyal and has great magical ability. Neville is amazing. Bellatrix is not. Neville lived to get married. Bellatrix got married, but in the end, she loved another man. Neville, not just loyal in battle, but loyal in marriage. That is truly an amazing thing. NEVILLE WINS!
AND THAT CONCLUDES THE CHARACTER DUEL! Feel free (that’s code for PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE) to leave comments about the debate. You can tell us who you thought won the debate, what you like about characters, what we need to work on…WHATEVER!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
It's a survey from Julia (an awesome possum)
Hello! My name is Julia, and I love to read books. I also love to read fanfiction from said books, and information on author's websites. It's all very fun, cool activites. I'm in grade twelve at a high school in Northwestern Ontario. (Ontario being, of course, in Canada.) I've only currently read two books this year so far (an epic fail on the epic fail scale) but I've got goals. And resolutions. It'll change.
But here I have a reading survey for you to read. ENJOY.
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Wow, this is a tricky question. Because of the sheer magnitude of the awesome powers of Meg Cabot, I’m going to have to assume she’s the author whose books I own the most of. It’s sad however, that I don’t even have all of them.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
The amount of copies of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot I own is seriously creeping up on me. I don’t really see this as a problem per say.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it did not bother me. Why would it, seriously? Is it a common problem that bothers people?
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
It aint no secret anymore, but it IS Michael Moscovitz. Oh hai, yummy man!
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
It’s sad to admit its Twilight. But I want to say this was before I came to my senses.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
A book in The Baby-Sitter’s Club series, I think. I don’t really have a specific book that pops out, though.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I don’t know! I can’t really think of any particular bad books I’ve read in 2009. This question does apply to 2009, right? I’m gonna assume this. But yeah, as I said, I don’t know what book.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
This question is ALSO tricky! There are so many books I’ve enjoyed. I guess Forever Princess by Meg Cabot because I was waiting so long for the book, and when it finally came, it just seriously made my life.
But honestly, there are a LOT more. You’ll get to read about them soon enough!
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Hm… I think awesome people should read Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty.
I’m kind of weird with books in the sense that I don’t want EVERYONE to read a book I enjoy, because it just kind of makes it less special. Am I alone in this?
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
I don’t know. Who are the previous winners? Because it seems not many young adult authors would win y’know? BUT! I don’t know. I really don’t. Meg Cabot? Yeah. She’s like a Renaissance man.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
NOTHING.
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
I once did an introduction thing where I had to state something I liked, disliked and what I was most looking forward to. As my dislike, I said I didn’t like my favorite books being made into movies. I stand by this answer, and I say “no movies”.
So everything that is cool in my eyes.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I was actually able to work with Ron and Hermione in helping Buffy (the SLAYER) from these anarchist clowns. That was seriously a weird dream.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
I’ve only been an adult for so many months. As in, if I commit a crime, the LAW will smack me like an adult. But no book comes to mind! I don't know why. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
(Maybe because I read such awesome books.)
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
As Tolstoy is really only my encounter with the Russian authors, I’m going to have to say that I prefer… Neither, as of the moment. I don’t have an opinion (or knowledge) on the French to answer this question fairly.
17) Roth or Updike?
Who? I don’t know these people!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
DITTO! I don’t know who David Sedaris or Dave Eggers is! I mean, David’s got a nice name, and Eggers’ is an amusing last name, but still.
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Shakespeare `cause he wrote Hamlet. Also because I don’t know what Milton or Chaucer wrote. They sound familiar of course, but could I name a piece of work by them if I had a gun to my head? Probably not.
(Let’s all hope this situation NEVER arises.)
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
Jane Austen! While I may have never actually read what she wrote as of yet, I am planning on it. Plus I am familiar with her works, as I’ve watched movies based on them. Yes.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I haven’t really read too much beyond the ‘young adult’ category. Even within that category, I haven’t really gone into the fantasy genre. Damn you, coming of age stories! *shakes fist in rage*
22) What is your favorite novel?
There are too many to name. After all, I AM a reader. I will however, give you a list of novels I’ve enjoyed that come to memory as of this moment: Forever Princess by Meg Cabot, Paper Towns by John Green, Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty, Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner, All-American Girl by Meg Cabot, and Tomorrow, When The War Began by John Marsden.
23) Play?
Hamlet by Shakespeare. As I actually really enjoyed reading this play the second time around.
24) Short story?
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare. It appeared in the anthology Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd.
25) Work of nonfiction?
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I read this this past summer, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I’ve got too many! But authors include Meg Cabot, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Dessen, J.K. Rowling, John Marsden, L.J. Smith, Holly Black, Lauren Mechling, Scott Westerfeld and many more that I’m apparently forgetting. I’m sorry, authors that I adore.
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Stephenie Meyer, no doubt.
28) What is your desert island book?
Hm. Tricky! I guess I’d really enjoy having this MASSIVE book that has yet to be published of the complete works by Meg Cabot. That’d be a book full of fantastic times.
29) What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m in between books. I know, it’s a scandalous situation. But I did just pick up and read the first page of Remember Me by Christopher Pike, so yeah. That’s the book I’m currently reading!
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you?
Before I what? Incomplete sentence! I’m going to assume dead, and what would it be. As it seems the most likely. I guess I’d just re-read an old favorite. I’d want to have it fresh in my mind as I … died.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
O.O I love this situation! The answers are endless, though. >.< I guess I’d really enjoy being Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. I’d choose Hermione because she’s my favorite character from the books, AND because I’d be able to do magic, like super well! Because I assume I’ve got her talents, as well. Plus I’d be able to give Harry and Ron a hug. And see all the stuff I love from the Harry Potter universe.
Or on another route, be Bella Swan and jump off a cliff. But make sure there are no supernatural creatures near to save me. As I would die. Good times!
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
The last book I read was Life of Pi by Yann Martel for my English class. I would suggest it to a friend (which I did already) because it’s an amazing book. There are just so many possibilities to this story, it’s pretty cool. Plus if you don’t know where it’s leading, it’ll kind of blow your mind a little bit.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Mia Thermopolis, Jessica Darling and Hermione Granger. Oh my god! That’d be the perfect birthday party EVER.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
So many quotes! But the quote that I enjoy for this moment is when Mia says “give me anime, or give me death” in her speech for president (of student council). But don’t worry; I’ve got a load more I can talk about!
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
Garh, you! So many tricky questions to answer. I really enjoyed reading Ready or Not by Meg Cabot, Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares.
*This answer changes from above, but whatever.
35) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
I would love to meet Megan McCafferty. I would ask her questions that weren’t listed on her FAQ thing of her website (ha). I don’t know what I would ask her, but I know I would seriously love to meet her.
--
Ha, reading that survey, I seem rather obsessed with Meg Cabot. But you know what? I SORT OF AM. But that’s all for now, but later on there will be some reviews of the books mentioned, and MUCH MORE. Like character duels. Win!
- Julia
But here I have a reading survey for you to read. ENJOY.
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Wow, this is a tricky question. Because of the sheer magnitude of the awesome powers of Meg Cabot, I’m going to have to assume she’s the author whose books I own the most of. It’s sad however, that I don’t even have all of them.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
The amount of copies of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot I own is seriously creeping up on me. I don’t really see this as a problem per say.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it did not bother me. Why would it, seriously? Is it a common problem that bothers people?
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
It aint no secret anymore, but it IS Michael Moscovitz. Oh hai, yummy man!
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
It’s sad to admit its Twilight. But I want to say this was before I came to my senses.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
A book in The Baby-Sitter’s Club series, I think. I don’t really have a specific book that pops out, though.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I don’t know! I can’t really think of any particular bad books I’ve read in 2009. This question does apply to 2009, right? I’m gonna assume this. But yeah, as I said, I don’t know what book.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
This question is ALSO tricky! There are so many books I’ve enjoyed. I guess Forever Princess by Meg Cabot because I was waiting so long for the book, and when it finally came, it just seriously made my life.
But honestly, there are a LOT more. You’ll get to read about them soon enough!
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
Hm… I think awesome people should read Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty.
I’m kind of weird with books in the sense that I don’t want EVERYONE to read a book I enjoy, because it just kind of makes it less special. Am I alone in this?
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
I don’t know. Who are the previous winners? Because it seems not many young adult authors would win y’know? BUT! I don’t know. I really don’t. Meg Cabot? Yeah. She’s like a Renaissance man.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
NOTHING.
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
I once did an introduction thing where I had to state something I liked, disliked and what I was most looking forward to. As my dislike, I said I didn’t like my favorite books being made into movies. I stand by this answer, and I say “no movies”.
So everything that is cool in my eyes.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
I was actually able to work with Ron and Hermione in helping Buffy (the SLAYER) from these anarchist clowns. That was seriously a weird dream.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
I’ve only been an adult for so many months. As in, if I commit a crime, the LAW will smack me like an adult. But no book comes to mind! I don't know why. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
(Maybe because I read such awesome books.)
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
As Tolstoy is really only my encounter with the Russian authors, I’m going to have to say that I prefer… Neither, as of the moment. I don’t have an opinion (or knowledge) on the French to answer this question fairly.
17) Roth or Updike?
Who? I don’t know these people!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
DITTO! I don’t know who David Sedaris or Dave Eggers is! I mean, David’s got a nice name, and Eggers’ is an amusing last name, but still.
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Shakespeare `cause he wrote Hamlet. Also because I don’t know what Milton or Chaucer wrote. They sound familiar of course, but could I name a piece of work by them if I had a gun to my head? Probably not.
(Let’s all hope this situation NEVER arises.)
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
Jane Austen! While I may have never actually read what she wrote as of yet, I am planning on it. Plus I am familiar with her works, as I’ve watched movies based on them. Yes.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I haven’t really read too much beyond the ‘young adult’ category. Even within that category, I haven’t really gone into the fantasy genre. Damn you, coming of age stories! *shakes fist in rage*
22) What is your favorite novel?
There are too many to name. After all, I AM a reader. I will however, give you a list of novels I’ve enjoyed that come to memory as of this moment: Forever Princess by Meg Cabot, Paper Towns by John Green, Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty, Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner, All-American Girl by Meg Cabot, and Tomorrow, When The War Began by John Marsden.
23) Play?
Hamlet by Shakespeare. As I actually really enjoyed reading this play the second time around.
24) Short story?
“I Never” by Cassandra Clare. It appeared in the anthology Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd.
25) Work of nonfiction?
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I read this this past summer, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I’ve got too many! But authors include Meg Cabot, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Dessen, J.K. Rowling, John Marsden, L.J. Smith, Holly Black, Lauren Mechling, Scott Westerfeld and many more that I’m apparently forgetting. I’m sorry, authors that I adore.
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Stephenie Meyer, no doubt.
28) What is your desert island book?
Hm. Tricky! I guess I’d really enjoy having this MASSIVE book that has yet to be published of the complete works by Meg Cabot. That’d be a book full of fantastic times.
29) What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m in between books. I know, it’s a scandalous situation. But I did just pick up and read the first page of Remember Me by Christopher Pike, so yeah. That’s the book I’m currently reading!
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you?
Before I what? Incomplete sentence! I’m going to assume dead, and what would it be. As it seems the most likely. I guess I’d just re-read an old favorite. I’d want to have it fresh in my mind as I … died.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
O.O I love this situation! The answers are endless, though. >.< I guess I’d really enjoy being Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. I’d choose Hermione because she’s my favorite character from the books, AND because I’d be able to do magic, like super well! Because I assume I’ve got her talents, as well. Plus I’d be able to give Harry and Ron a hug. And see all the stuff I love from the Harry Potter universe.
Or on another route, be Bella Swan and jump off a cliff. But make sure there are no supernatural creatures near to save me. As I would die. Good times!
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
The last book I read was Life of Pi by Yann Martel for my English class. I would suggest it to a friend (which I did already) because it’s an amazing book. There are just so many possibilities to this story, it’s pretty cool. Plus if you don’t know where it’s leading, it’ll kind of blow your mind a little bit.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Mia Thermopolis, Jessica Darling and Hermione Granger. Oh my god! That’d be the perfect birthday party EVER.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
So many quotes! But the quote that I enjoy for this moment is when Mia says “give me anime, or give me death” in her speech for president (of student council). But don’t worry; I’ve got a load more I can talk about!
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
Garh, you! So many tricky questions to answer. I really enjoyed reading Ready or Not by Meg Cabot, Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares.
*This answer changes from above, but whatever.
35) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
I would love to meet Megan McCafferty. I would ask her questions that weren’t listed on her FAQ thing of her website (ha). I don’t know what I would ask her, but I know I would seriously love to meet her.
--
Ha, reading that survey, I seem rather obsessed with Meg Cabot. But you know what? I SORT OF AM. But that’s all for now, but later on there will be some reviews of the books mentioned, and MUCH MORE. Like character duels. Win!
- Julia
Hello! It's a book survey!
Hey! My name’s Leah, and I love reading (obviously). I’m a first year college student in the Southeastern United States. I don’t have loads of time to read, but I make time where I can. And now…let the book survey begin!
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Probably Iris Johansen. Or possibly Meg Cabot.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
One of the Harry Potter books. Possibly the fifth one?
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it’s ok. I forgive you.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
I don’t know that I’m SECRETLY in love with one, but I am in love with several. There’s Michael Moscovitz, Harry Potter, Lionello Andreas, Jack Reacher, Jean Marc Andreas, David, Neal, Lee, Homer, and maybe some more. I fall in love with way too many fictional characters.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I think.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Umm…there were these books. About mice or rats or something. Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nymm. And Harry Potter, but I’m not sure what age I actually read that one.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
Hmm…I don’t actually read too many bad books. Or not bad to me, I guess. I think I’ll go with Breaking Dawn.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
Oh, this one’s REALLY hard! Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden…only I’ve read it before this year. Does it still count?
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
I think I’m going to have to answer Tomorrow, When the War Began. That book is SO GOOD, but no one knows about it! Sorry for not being original.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
Umm…I’ve never put that much thought into this. J.K. Rowling. Yeah, her.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Tomorrow, When the War Began OR one of the Jack Reacher series (by Lee Child)
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Umm…The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen. I want to keep it inside my head. It’s nice there.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
Just one? Ok, well I have recurring Jo dreams, in which I meet J.K. Rowling. In the latest one, she showed up at my cousins’ birthday party and sat down across from me. And she looked straight into my eyes and said, “I will answer any questions that you have about Harry Potter,” in her nice British accent. And I COMPLETELY BLANKED! I spent the rest of the dream TRYING to think of a question to ask her, even though I REALLY have approximately one million questions to ask her.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
Well, I haven’t been an adult for THAT LONG. Just a year and a half. I can’t think of one. Sorry. FAIL!
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Like, difficult to understand? Or difficult to get through? Or difficult ideas? VAGUE QUESTION! Difficult to get through would be Great Expectations because it was FREAKING BORING. Difficult to understand…no idea. If I can’t understand it, then I don’t read it. I don’t really push my limits that much as a reader. I should, but I don’t. And I can’t think of any ideas that I couldn’t wrap my head around.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Uhh…Russians? Yeah, I’ll go with that because I know some Russians. OH, are you talking about French or Russian AUTHORS?? Well, you should have SAID so! I’ll go with French on this one because I’m pretty sure I’ve never actually read and Russian books.
17) Roth or Updike?
Why do you keep asking these things that I can’t answer?! You’re making me feel very illiterate right now, and I don’t appreciate it!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Again…are you just trying to make yourself feel smart? HOW RUDE!
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Ok, here’s ONE I’ve read! So Shakespeare wins by default.
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
HEY. HEY. I did my term paper on a Jane Austen book senior year! So I suppose she wins, even though I can’t read that book anymore. There’s only so much writing I can do on a book and still want to read it.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
The classics. You probably should have GATHERED that by now.
22) What is your favorite novel?
Oh…umm…SO MANY. WHY do you have to ask the HARD QUESTIONS?! I shall go with Counterfeit Son, mostly because it’s a stand alone book instead of a series…because answering a whole series would be cheating.
23) Play?
I don’t usually like plays much. They’re frustrating to read. I’ve only read the ones that I’ve HAD TO for school. Oh, how about Trifles by…Susan Glaspell? I don’t know if that’s who wrote it. But SOMEONE wrote it, and it wasn’t bad.
24) Short story?
I don’t usually like short stories either. But there was this one that we read…The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe. Yeah, that was CREEPY!
25) Work of nonfiction?
Umm…memoirs count, right? If so, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. If not…I don’t know.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I REFUSE to choose just one! REFUSE! I shall give you a list of them. John Marsden, JK Rowling, Tamora Pierce, Lee Child, Meg Cabot, Iris Johansen, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Betty Smith, Dodie Smith…
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Oh, Stephenie Myer for sure!
28) What is your desert island book?
I’ve never thought much about this. But probably Tomorrow, When the War Began. There are a lot of survival-type tips in it, AND it’s really good!
29) What are you reading right now?
The Dead of Night by John Marsden
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you ?
Before I what?? Die? Before I…eat lunch? Before I…take a shower? If I was about to die, then I would read the Bible. If I was about to eat lunch, then something short because it’s almost lunch time and I’m getting hungry. And before a shower…ehh…whatever looks good at the time.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
I would switch places with Ginny Weasley. For Harry and for magic.
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
Letters to Julia, and I already have! Because her name is Julia.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Alright. Robyn Mathers, Harry Potter, and Mia Thermopolis.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
I have lots of favorite quotes! I love quotes! But here’s one: “It’s good to keep changing your mind. It shows you’re thinking. I’ll only stop changing my mind when I’m dead. And maybe not even then.” –Ellie from Darkness be My Friend. I think I like this one because I’m really indecisive.
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
As in, you want details? Or you just want to know what they are? Ok number one is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It’s the end of Harry Potter, and it’s brilliant. Number two is Tomorrow When the War Began. It’s the beginning of the story of Ellie and her friends. And number three is First Test because it is all about little Kel!
36) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
WOAH…SUPER HARD QUESTION! Seriously! I guess I would have to say Jo because of all of my dreams about meeting her. And I would ask her 1) What is she writing next???, 2) Are you happy?, and 3) Are Harry and Ginny and everyone happy and will we ever hear from them again? See how I snuck multiple questions in that last one?
And that concludes the book survey! Soon Julia and I will begin our REGULAR PROGRAMMING, which will include reviewing books and dueling characters and things like that!
Keep reading and being awesome!
Leah
1) What author do you own the most books by?
Probably Iris Johansen. Or possibly Meg Cabot.
2) What book do you own the most copies of?
One of the Harry Potter books. Possibly the fifth one?
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions?
No, it’s ok. I forgive you.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
I don’t know that I’m SECRETLY in love with one, but I am in love with several. There’s Michael Moscovitz, Harry Potter, Lionello Andreas, Jack Reacher, Jean Marc Andreas, David, Neal, Lee, Homer, and maybe some more. I fall in love with way too many fictional characters.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, I think.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
Umm…there were these books. About mice or rats or something. Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nymm. And Harry Potter, but I’m not sure what age I actually read that one.
7) What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
Hmm…I don’t actually read too many bad books. Or not bad to me, I guess. I think I’ll go with Breaking Dawn.
8) What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
Oh, this one’s REALLY hard! Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden…only I’ve read it before this year. Does it still count?
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
I think I’m going to have to answer Tomorrow, When the War Began. That book is SO GOOD, but no one knows about it! Sorry for not being original.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature?
Umm…I’ve never put that much thought into this. J.K. Rowling. Yeah, her.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie?
Tomorrow, When the War Began OR one of the Jack Reacher series (by Lee Child)
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie?
Umm…The Wind Dancer by Iris Johansen. I want to keep it inside my head. It’s nice there.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character.
Just one? Ok, well I have recurring Jo dreams, in which I meet J.K. Rowling. In the latest one, she showed up at my cousins’ birthday party and sat down across from me. And she looked straight into my eyes and said, “I will answer any questions that you have about Harry Potter,” in her nice British accent. And I COMPLETELY BLANKED! I spent the rest of the dream TRYING to think of a question to ask her, even though I REALLY have approximately one million questions to ask her.
14) What is the most disappointing book you’ve read as an adult?
Well, I haven’t been an adult for THAT LONG. Just a year and a half. I can’t think of one. Sorry. FAIL!
15) What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
Like, difficult to understand? Or difficult to get through? Or difficult ideas? VAGUE QUESTION! Difficult to get through would be Great Expectations because it was FREAKING BORING. Difficult to understand…no idea. If I can’t understand it, then I don’t read it. I don’t really push my limits that much as a reader. I should, but I don’t. And I can’t think of any ideas that I couldn’t wrap my head around.
16) Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
Uhh…Russians? Yeah, I’ll go with that because I know some Russians. OH, are you talking about French or Russian AUTHORS?? Well, you should have SAID so! I’ll go with French on this one because I’m pretty sure I’ve never actually read and Russian books.
17) Roth or Updike?
Why do you keep asking these things that I can’t answer?! You’re making me feel very illiterate right now, and I don’t appreciate it!
18) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers?
Again…are you just trying to make yourself feel smart? HOW RUDE!
19) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer?
Ok, here’s ONE I’ve read! So Shakespeare wins by default.
20) J Austen or G Eliot?
HEY. HEY. I did my term paper on a Jane Austen book senior year! So I suppose she wins, even though I can’t read that book anymore. There’s only so much writing I can do on a book and still want to read it.
21) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
The classics. You probably should have GATHERED that by now.
22) What is your favorite novel?
Oh…umm…SO MANY. WHY do you have to ask the HARD QUESTIONS?! I shall go with Counterfeit Son, mostly because it’s a stand alone book instead of a series…because answering a whole series would be cheating.
23) Play?
I don’t usually like plays much. They’re frustrating to read. I’ve only read the ones that I’ve HAD TO for school. Oh, how about Trifles by…Susan Glaspell? I don’t know if that’s who wrote it. But SOMEONE wrote it, and it wasn’t bad.
24) Short story?
I don’t usually like short stories either. But there was this one that we read…The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe. Yeah, that was CREEPY!
25) Work of nonfiction?
Umm…memoirs count, right? If so, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. If not…I don’t know.
26) Who is your favorite writer?
I REFUSE to choose just one! REFUSE! I shall give you a list of them. John Marsden, JK Rowling, Tamora Pierce, Lee Child, Meg Cabot, Iris Johansen, Megan McCafferty, John Green, Maureen Johnson, Betty Smith, Dodie Smith…
27) Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Oh, Stephenie Myer for sure!
28) What is your desert island book?
I’ve never thought much about this. But probably Tomorrow, When the War Began. There are a lot of survival-type tips in it, AND it’s really good!
29) What are you reading right now?
The Dead of Night by John Marsden
30) If you knew you would have the chance to read just one more book/play before you ?
Before I what?? Die? Before I…eat lunch? Before I…take a shower? If I was about to die, then I would read the Bible. If I was about to eat lunch, then something short because it’s almost lunch time and I’m getting hungry. And before a shower…ehh…whatever looks good at the time.
31) If you could trade places with any character from a book for a day, who would you be and why?
I would switch places with Ginny Weasley. For Harry and for magic.
32) What is the last book you read? Would you suggest it to a friend? Why or why not?
Letters to Julia, and I already have! Because her name is Julia.
33) Name three characters from a book that you'd like to invite to your birthday party.
Alright. Robyn Mathers, Harry Potter, and Mia Thermopolis.
34) Do you have a favorite quote from a book? If so, what is it?
I have lots of favorite quotes! I love quotes! But here’s one: “It’s good to keep changing your mind. It shows you’re thinking. I’ll only stop changing my mind when I’m dead. And maybe not even then.” –Ellie from Darkness be My Friend. I think I like this one because I’m really indecisive.
35) Tell us about your top three favorite books of all time.
As in, you want details? Or you just want to know what they are? Ok number one is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It’s the end of Harry Potter, and it’s brilliant. Number two is Tomorrow When the War Began. It’s the beginning of the story of Ellie and her friends. And number three is First Test because it is all about little Kel!
36) If you had the opportunity to meet any author (dead or alive), who would you choose to meet, and what three questions would you ask him/her?
WOAH…SUPER HARD QUESTION! Seriously! I guess I would have to say Jo because of all of my dreams about meeting her. And I would ask her 1) What is she writing next???, 2) Are you happy?, and 3) Are Harry and Ginny and everyone happy and will we ever hear from them again? See how I snuck multiple questions in that last one?
And that concludes the book survey! Soon Julia and I will begin our REGULAR PROGRAMMING, which will include reviewing books and dueling characters and things like that!
Keep reading and being awesome!
Leah
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