Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

More details here: 

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-birthday-jane-austen.html

My Ideal Bookshelf

Here's my Ideal Bookshelf: 

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-ideal-bookshelf.html

What's yours?

The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida

I recommend this book to anyone, and here's why. You may know someone with Autism, or you may see Autistic people day to day, and then you may make assumptions based on what you know. Depending on your experiences, the way you view people is important, but it isn't always right.
Naoki Higashida breaks the barrier between people, autistic and not autistic. He answers questions, and explains the process that autistic people have. The frustration with not being able to communicate. The difficulty of expecting things to go a certain way. But deep down, despite how they act or what they do, many people don't realize that Autistic people want what anyone in the world wants: to be accepted. They don't like being alone, ignored, constantly yelled at and being told that they are a problem. I hope this isn't a surprise to you, but before I go any further in this review, I have to explain something. My brother has Autism. He has high functioning Autism, and we have dealt with many rude glares, constant ridicule and even isolation from several people. This breaks my heart, but it is the truth.
This boy, at age thirteen was able to answer the questions I can't ask my brother. Questions that not even the countless therapists, doctors and counselors dared to talk to me about. The sad thing is, now that Autism is more common, it is being paid attention to. But it's been there for a long time.
I'm not going to lie. I yell at my brother all the time. I'm his sister, and yes I have told him that he is a problem. I have told him that it is a struggle to be around him.
At that time, with those words, I was only thinking about myself. I regret those words. And I am ashamed that only now have I realized the effect of them. But I'm not going to say them anymore. Because I know how powerful words are.

The most powerful quote from this book is this:

"What's the worst thing about having Autism?

You never notice. Really, you have no idea how miserable we are. The people who are looking after us may say 'Minding these kids is really hard work you know!' but for us- who are always causing the problems and are useless at pretty much everything we do- you can't begin to imagine how miserable and sad we get.
Whenever we've done something wrong, we get told off or laughed at, without even being able to apologize, and we end end up hating ourselves and despairing about our lives again and again and again. It's impossible not to wonder why we were born into this world as human beings at all.
But I ask you, those of you who are with us all day, not to stress yourselves out because of us. When you do this, it feels as if you're denying any value at all that our lives may have- and that saps the spirit we need to soldier on. The hardest ordeal for us is the idea that we are causing grief for other people. We can put up with our hardships okay, but the thought that our lives are the source of other people's unhappiness, that's plain unbearable."

This book means a lot to me, because it made sense of the constant chaos that my family lives in. The constant struggle that my brother has. So read this book. Please! Don't judge a person with Autism, Aspergers, Down Syndrome, and never tell them that they are a problem. We are all alone in this world, and we don't need other people to make us feel this way.

Books I would recommend to anyone no matter what

I made a list of books at my other blog.
I'm asked for recommendations at work all the time, so I thought I would come up with a list of reccomendations on my own :)

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/10/books-that-i-would-recommend-to-anyone.html

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

This book was a recommendation from a friend at work, so I picked it up and couldn't put it down.

The country of Ravka is torn by the Shadow Fold, an army of monsters made of darkness. As the growing army deterioates the great nation, the people are desperate to find a way to save Ravka. Alina and Mal, two orphans raised under the indifferent eye of a wealthy duke are observed by the Grisha, an order of magical people. Once they come of age, Alina discovers that she has a unique power, and both Alina and Mal are thrown into the conflict of Ravka and the Shadow Fold. As the Darkling offers Alina a world of magic and luxury, Alina must decide how to use the power she was born with. Could she be the key to the Shadow Fold's undoing? Who and what can she believe in?

This book was literally a captivating read. I admired the author's ability to build a world, and explore the myths and legends around it. Alina is a powerful, but unsure character, her decisions effect her future and the hope of Ravka. The Darkling himself is a mysterious and confusing character with a story of his own. Mal is the spirited and loyal friend with weaknesses of his own. Each character is fascinating and, in a way, relatable. The world was wonderfully detailed, and combined symbolism with myth and lore. 

This is not your typical fantasy story, and it's not the stereotypical fantasy world. Ravka brings elements of its own into the tale, and shrouds the plot in mystery. Through the little history that Alina knows of Ravka, her dicoveries are the key points to the tale. 

I can't wait to find out what happens next, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the elements of magic, mystery, adventure, romance and even horror. Shadow and Bone is a unique and exciting read!

Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale

Ever After High: The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale

What would you do if you were forced to live a specific destiny? Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen in the fairy tale Snow White, doesn't want to be the villian of a fairy tale. Unlike her mother, Raven has more good character traits, which may have come from her father, the Good King. 

Raven's tale begins at Ever After High, a highschool for the sons and daughters of the original fairytales. This year, Raven's task is to attend the ceremony of Legacy Day, where her story will be presented to her, and she will vow to follow this story to retell the original. But Raven wants to write her own story and choose her destiny for herself. 

On the other hand Apple White, daughter of Snow White is perfectly happy reliving her mother's tale, and she believes that she rightly deserves her happily ever after. 

Milton Grimm, the head master of the school keeps a close eye on both Apple White and Raven Queen to make sure they don't wander off the path of their story. 

With everyone expecting Raven to be evil and cruel, Raven has a lot of choices to make when it comes to her role in the fairy tale world. Will she find a better destiny? Or will she cease to exist, as Master Grimm warned, if she doesn't vow to continue her mother's evil plans? 

This book was a very fun read. I love all the modern day refrences disguised in fairytale jargon. The characters are interesting, and while some relate to their parents, others seem very different. The idea of freedom and choice is a constant theme in this book, which makes the story and characters relatable to anyone. 

In some cases we want to belive in fate and destiny, but in others we want the freedom to choose what to do and who to be. Raven Queen and Apple White are two different characters that make very big decisions. While Apple wants to be the perfect princess and one day queen, Raven wants to be a good person and not a villian. Their choices define their future and reveal imporatnt aspects of their characters. 

Another fun element in this book was how it played with the idea of the narrator and their communication to both the reader and the characters. The story plays with the fourth wall without breaking it, and one character can even hear the narrator, which influences their actions. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves fairy tales, and who loves to play with the sterotypes and the elements of stories.

House of Hades by Rick Riordan

House of Hades by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is back! After a year. 

As a fan of Percy Jackson and mythology in general,  I love the combination of humor and the accuracy of the myths and legends of Greece and Rome. 

Like most Demigod supporters, I was very angry about the cliff hanger in the Mark of Athena. Annabeth had to face the ultimate enemy of Athena, and then we were left hanging as the heroes disapeared into the abyss of the underworld. 

This book never has a dull moment. With Percy and Annabeth struggling in the underworld and facing many past enemies that were sent to Tarturus, this is an intense journey that threatens both Percy and Annabeth's belief in themselves and each other. But they aren't the only demigods with a difficult task ahead of them. Piper, Frank, Hazel, Jason, Leo and Nico must find a way to reach the gate of the underworld, and pray that Percy and Annabeth will survive the depths of Tarturus. 

With the prophecy hanging over their heads, and challenge after challenge that Gaea forces them to face, the demigods have much to accomplish in a short and limited time.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wasn't satisfied with Mark of Athena's cliffhanger. I also recommend this and the Percy Jackson series to anyone who loves adventure, myth, satire and epics!

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

This book intrigued me when it first came out in hard cover, but I only just got around to reading it now. First of all, I love that it's a mother daughter novel. It's always neat when family writes together and can create a story. The story itself is very fun, and I could even picture this as a movie. The idea of a world within a book was first introduced to me in Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. This story focuses on a book worm who falls in love with a character, and doesn't want to deal with the awkwardness and trauma of High school bullies and a mother concerned about her social life. I could easily relate to Delilah, the main character and I also empathized with Oliver, a character trapped in a story who wants to see the world. The book is told in three ways:  third person fairytale narrative, first person in Delilah's voice and first person in Oliver's voice. This made the book a little confusing, but it was still fun and a book lover's dream come true. I recommend this book to fairy tale fans and YA fans. The snarky voice of Delilah and the clever voice of Oliver make this story an interesting novel. 

More than a provincial day: A Disney Designer experience

Because this blog is called ModernDayBelle, I thought I'd share my Belle and Beast Designer Doll experience. 

More details here: http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/10/more-than-provincial-day.html

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

This book was a recommended to me by my managers and supervisors at the bookstore. I enjoyed the narrative style, the time period and the mystery surounding Manderly. I found it interesting that the main character and narrator never reveals her name, but she mentions Rebecca, the former lady of Manderly, and constantly feels compared to and judged by the people of Manderly. The heroine tries to discover what happened to Rebecca, and why the people at Manderly tell her she can never compare to her. This novel was similar to Jane Eyre, but I found it much more creepy and sinister. It was the perfect read for a rainy week, and a wonderfuly told narrative that captures your attention from the first famous sentence. I don't want to reveal too much of the story, because it would spoil the people who haven't read it, but I will say that the story expertly twists and turns. Characters surprise you and the truth behind the mystery of Manderly is revealed. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, gothic novels and eighteenth century literature (and especially fans of Downton Abbey).

Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Distant Hours by Kate Morton

This book was a wonderful tribute to gothic novels, and is written in a way to draw you in from the first page. If I could have read this book in one sitting, I would have. Edie's voice through out the story is easily relatable, and reminds me of Jane Eyre's narrative. Jane Eyre, Frankenstien and Wuthering Heights are mentioned throughout the book, and the clues are expertly trailed to keep the reader guessing until the final part of the story. Milderhurst has many secrets, and it's up to Edie to discover them. With her mother unwilling to face the past, and the history of Raymond Blythe's Mud Man calling to be discovered, Edie goes to London. She meets the Blythe sisters, Juniper, Persephone and Seraphina. During her visit, Edie becomes determined to set history straight, and solve the mystery haunting her mother's past.

I recommend this novel to fans of Bronte, Shelley and Austen. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This novel was fun and creative. I enjoyed the snippets of Simon Snow novels and Cath's fanfiction. Cath's writing and the way she lives her life are tied in the fandom of Simon Snow, and the fanfiction that she posts online every week. She takes her writing very seriously, she doesn't like parties and she is the complete opposite of her outgoing and at times impulsive twin, Wren. So when Cath and Wren start their first semester at college, Cath is surprised that her sister doesn't want to room with her. Thrown into the unfamiliar and uncomfortable, Cath becomes roommates with Regan, an intimidating and high strung upper class-man with a boyfriend/friend Levi who always hangs around her. With nothing familiar and everything overwhelming, Cath tries to retreat to her familar circle of internet friends and avoid contact with people whenever possible. Levi, intrigued by Cath from the beginning, is constantly inviting her to parties, and asks her more questions than Cath is comfortable answering. Once she realizes he will always be around, Cath decides to befriend him, and allows him to get to know her, even her bizarre obsession with Simon Snow. The results of this risk are quite surprising and Cath begins to understand how to create comfort in the uncomfortable.

I enjoyed this book, especially since I was in college not too long ago. It brought me back to the craziness of campus, the routine of classes, and the social situations of roommates. Aside from a fanfiction obsession, I could relate to Cath and her desire to be comfortable, on time and in a routine. maybe if I had taken a risk like she did, my story would be similar, but this book was a wonderful slice of life and a fun, cute romance. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves YA lit, and especially those who have a hard time getting out of their shell. You might be surprised what happens when you decide to take a risk. 

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This book was made for book lovers! It has a little bit of everything, from mystery to history, to fantasy at times. Daniel is a wonderful narrator, and his job as a bookseller in Barcelona is more than it seems. As a preserver of stories, Daniel goes through the right of passage: to pick a book that seems to have been waiting for him to read it. The book he chooses is The Shadow of the Wind, written by Julian Carax. With his fascination of the story, Daniel decides to discover the truth behind the author's mysterious disapperance, and the person who buys Carax's books only to burn them. As Daniel learns pieces of Julian Carax's story, he lives a story of his own, with many twists and turns in what he believes to be his path to destiny. His story and the story of Julian Carax blend together in the novel and are told beautifully. The language in this novel is amazing. It is the storyteller tone that pulls you in and makes you feel as if you're there, sitting across from the narrator in this amazing bookshop listening to his story, and the story of Julian Carax. A powerful example of good first person writing and a beautifully woven mystery. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those that love books, book shops, mysteries and reading a well told tale. 

Book Challenge Day 14: A Book from your favorite writer

Heart's Blood by Julliet Marillier
http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-14-book-from-your.html

Book Challenge Day 13: Favorite Writer

Juliet Marillier

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-13-favorite-writer.html

Book Challenge Day 12: A book you loved but don't anymore

Eragon or The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini
http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-12-book-you-used-to.html

Book Challenge Day 11: A book you hated

Pamela or Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-11-book-you-hated.html

In honor of Read a Book Day

I'm sharing my pinterest board Book Love ^_^

http://www.pinterest.com/sarahbelle624/book-love/

Book Challenge Day 10: Favorite classic book

1001 Arabian Nights

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-10-favorite-classic.html

Book Challenge Day 9: A book you didn't think you'd like but ended up loving

Snow-walker by Catherine Fisher

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-9-book-you-thought.html

Book Challenge Day 8: Most overrated book

The Notebook by Nicolas Sparks

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/09/book-challenge-day-8-most-overrated-book.html

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

I can describe this YA novel in three words: real, unique and powerful. I decided to read it because it sounded interesting, and it had a recommendation from John Green. 

I found it a little strange that the book was told in third person but went back and forth between Park and Eleanor's thoughts. Now that I've finished the novel, I've realized that the story wouldn't work in any other format. The reader needs both sides of this story to get the full understanding of Park and Eleanor's fears, thoughts and emotions. This is actually a very difficult book review to write. I liked the story, and the characters, but I was confused with the ending. But at the same time, I can understand why people say it ended perfectly. 

This story is about High School, adversity, people and life. It's powerful and real with intelligent and mature characters who are just trying to get by in the complicated and sometimes cruel world called life. 

It's a good read, and yes I recommend it, especially to fans of John Green. 

Book Challenge Day 7: Most underrated book

Mara Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Javis McGraw

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-7-most-underrated.html

Book Challenge Day 6: A book that makes you sad

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-6-book-that-makes.html

Book Challenge Day 5: A book that makes you happy

Penelope by Marilyn Kaye

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-5-book-that-makes.html

Book Challenge Day 4: Favorite Book of your favorite series

Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-4-favorite-book-of.html

Book Challenge Day 3: Your favorite series

The Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson.

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-3-your-favorite.html

Book Challenge Day 2: A book that you've read more than 3 times

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-2-book-that-you-read.html

Luka and The Fire of Life by Salman Rushdie

Adventures can change your life forever. No one knows this more than Luka, son of a story teller, and his father's only hope. As Luka helplessly watches his father become ill, he can only wonder why it hasn't been his turn for an adventure. But when his Antifather or Nobodaddy appears, telling him that the only way he can save his father is to journey into the World of Magic, Luka decides to take up the challenge, and together with Bear the dog and Dog the bear, he follows Nobodaddy to the World of Magic and begins his task to steal the fire of life. With numerous foes before him, including the deadliest villians and most viscious deities from his father's stories, Luka the twelve year old journeys through a familar yet strange world and discovers a power he never knew he had. But will he reach his father in time, or is Nobodaddy lying about his motive to pass the time?

This book was an amazing journey, with more cameos from mythology around the world to name. From the creative characters to the powerful folklore, this novel honors the story and what can be created from it. Luka himself is a clever tweleve year old, brave and caring. His love of his father and  every story his father told him is a strong theme in the story, and helps Luka grow to stand alongside his favorite heroes. 

At first glance, this may look like a children's tale, and through the format and the playful tone, I believe it can pass as one. On second glance, this is a philosophical musing of the power stories have over us, and the power that we unknowingly carrry ourselves. With familiar friends and foes from beloved stories around the world, and orignal, new friends from Luka's father's stories, this book is a true escape into the imagination and an enjoyable read. 

I recommend this book to anyone who love stories, mythology, folklore and the imagination. 

"

Book Challenge Day 1: The Best Book you read this year

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-challenge-day-1-best-book-you-read.html

I found a book challenge

Posting on both blogs starting tomorrow. Feel free to add your own favorites :)

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/i-found-book-challenge.html

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

In a word, this book was creepy. With society dumbed down by television and the law, human inteligence is not what it once was. Books are illegal, and reading them is a crime. Montag is a fireman, but instead of saving people from fires, he starts fires and can kill people. His job is to burn houses, and the books inside them. But once he begins to question the world and his purpose in it, he decides to follow his curiousity and do what is forbidden: read. 

The creepy part of this book is how eeriely similar the world of Montaq is to everyday society. The ads, the focus on television, gossip and politics. This world is familiar and alien all at once. Even the language between the characters is strange, and reveals how little they know and understand. With no purpose, people begin to do crazy things and become brainwashed that they are having fun. 

As creepy and strange as this book is, I recommend it to any book worm, and any person who believes that reading is a waste of time. The loss of knowledge damages history and humans have a habit of learning from mistakes. 

Austenland by Shannon Hale

What do you do when fantasy eclipses your reality? Jane Hayes has wondered just that, as she goes from failed relationship to failed relationship. Her problem? No one can compare to the dashing Mr. Darcy, and Jane often spends weekends with ice cream and the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, wondering why her life was not written by Jane Austen herself.

Jane tries to keep the obsession hidden, but her great aunt discovers her infatuation, and bequeaths a paid in full vacation to an Austenland resort, where actors bring the world of Jane Austen to life. Embarassed, afraid and unsure what to do, Jane goes on the vacation, as a service to her great aunt, and as therapy for herself. By the end of the trip she vows that she will be over Darcy for good. 

During her stay, she meets many characters, and she is never quite sure when they are acting or being themselves. But can she find herself in a fantasy land? Or is Mr. Darcy a myth that she only thought she wanted?

This book was an enjoyable read. Especially for Austen fans. Jane's obsession is more extreme than I expected, but she learns a valuable lesson from her experience. In the Austen world, the fantasy is comforting to her, and she allows herself to be the Jane that she knew she could be. 

Not the usual customer, Jane stirs up the fascade of Austen's England and discovers that her great aunt may have given her the best gift she ever recieved. 

I highly recommend this novel to Jane Austen fans, and anyone who feels left out of the world for clinging to a fantasy. The fantasy may give you the freedom you need to be yourself, and you may learn that you are capable of so much more than you believe in the real world. 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

The Infernal Devices trilogy has come to a close, and I find that I am strangely satisfied with the outcome. There are many unexpected twists and turns that drive an action based plot to it's epic conclusion. Tessa's past is revealed, and secrets are finally brought into the light. The characters grow and change to the point where their choice echoes the hero they wish to be. The love triangle is resolved, in a very interesting way, and the world of the Clave is restored to order. 

This book was focused on both the external and internal conflicts of the characters. Jem, Will and Tessa have extremely difficult choices to make, and a life hangs in the balance. While Charlotte and Henry do what they can to protect their family, the Magister is determined to bring his plan to its gruesome finale. 

What I enjoyed most about this book was the emotional ties that the reader has to the characters. Each character reaches a turning point, and you can't help but to have your heart go out to them. I can't say much more without spoiling the story, but I recommend both this book, and the trilogy as a whole to anyone who loves action, adventure, steam punk, paranormal stories and religious themes. The romance in this series is on an entirely differnet level than any paranormal teen novel I have read, and it does not follow the tropes, stereotypes and the general expectations of the situations. 

All in all a great read and a satisfying tale. 

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

As Tessa struggles between the truth of her birth, and the choice of her heart, the Magister continues his foul plan. From the epic history of the Clave to the subtle politics of the Downworlders, the story of The Infernal Devices continues. While the first book introduces the characters and leads up to the showdown between Tessa and the Magister, this book focuses more on the internal conflicts within the Clave and goes into more detail about the Shadow Hunters. Will is digging up his past. Tessa is confused about her future, and Jem is counting his days. Charlotte struggles with the constant disapproval of the Counsil, and Sophie is tested with her own beliefs. Even the Lightwood's, Gabriel and Gideon are challenged by the politics between their father and the leaders of the Institute. Amid all of this drama is the ever threatening presence of the Magister.

This book was another enjoyable read. The characters are complex, and nothing is as simple as good and evil in this scenario. Tessa herself is divided between who she loves most, the witty, dangerous Will or the kind, caring Jem. 

Much like the first book, this book had great dialogue and clever quotes. Some of my favorite quotes were Jem's. With his wisdom, kindness and bravery Jem has easily become my favorite character. Will is also put to the test, and shows another side that reveals much of the reason for his behavior in the first book. But Tessa's past is still a mystery, with her only hint being harsh words from her brother and the cryptic information from the Magister. With her identity in question, Tessa stands at a crossroads between who she believes she is and who she wishes to be. She must make extremely difficult moral decisons that reflect her view on goodness, honor and loyalty. 

I recommend this book to anyone that read the first book. It's another crazy adventure with moments of comedy, action and romance. On to the next book! The epic conclusion to the series!

Persuasion by Jane Austen

I first read Persuasion as a bitter seventeen year old. By then, my heart had been broken, and a dull echo of hope barely existed when I thought of romance. It's funny now, as I look back on it, but in many ways I owe my restored faith in true love to this novel. Anne was my spirit animal, living with a similar regret and despair, along with a loneliness based on something she felt she shouldn't have done. Her regret binds her to address the issue, that she is still in love with Fredrick Wentworth, some eight years after she refused him. The boring pattern of her life is interrupted when he returns quite suddenly back into her life, and she is forced to confront her feelings and reflect on them. 

In many ways, this is my favorite of Jane Austen's novels. While Pride and Prejudice is funny and charming, Persuasion is a deep and psychological tale of regret, chances and the random happenings in life. 

Anne herself is an observer, reflecter, thinker and a young woman with a warm heart. As she befriends Captain Benwick, she sees life in a new perspective and discovers that the past can't be changed, but there is always an opportunity to change the future. 

I recommend this book, especially to the heart broken. The story concerns what love really is, and whether it can last over a long absence. This book taught me that my silly Highschool crush was not meant to be, but living in regret doesn't help you change the present. 

Does Anne reconcile with Captain Wentworth? Does he still care for her? How does Anne cope with his sudden presence in her life? All these questions are answered, with human reflections on heartbreak, destiny and true love. 

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

I have come across the Shadow Hunters before this book, following Clary's Adventures in The Mortal Instruments books. The plot of the story was interesting, but the teen angst become boring and annoying very quickly. ( And I couldn't stand Jace.) I didn't pick up this series until my friend recommended The Infernal Devices, assuring me that it was a really great read. 

I must admit that this series is a pleasant surprise! Not only is the main character sensible, but the main cast is charming, all with their own unique flaws and quirks. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter are significant and clever add ons. There's fun dialogue and well thought out story lines.  Another plus is the love triangle, which is not ridiculous so far, and I actually like both Jem and Will. (Jem is my favorite character.) The plot itself is very interesting, with unpredictable twists and turns and a history that ties in with the previous series. 

The world of the Clave, the Downworlders and the Mundanes is not an easy task to manage, but Clare writes great explanations, and Tessa asks a lot of questions. 

I have already bought the second book in the series, and I recommend it to anyone that enjoys action, suspense, history, religion and of course romance. The book is very balanced in fleshing out the characters, adding interesting plot points and introducing the reader to the world of a Shadow Hunter. 

With a setting in London and a steampunk flair, Clockwork Angel is an entertaining read and a mix of paranormal worlds , mystery and adventure. Of course, it probably helps that the main character is a book worm. Still, this adventure is an exciting one!

Ink by Amanda Sun

Ink was one amazing ride through the world of Japan and the mythology of the Kami. Katie's voice, both in the english narrative, and her responses in Japanese show her struggle from being in a world she's always known and having no choice but to adapt to a world she has never known. She starts off the novel as a typical teenager and rebels the world around her in any way she can, but she can't help being drawn to Tomohiro Yuu, a tsundre in true fashion, and the strange events that occur when she is around ink. From a pen exploding to drawings moving on the page, she handles as much as she can without thinking she's crazy. But there is more than the loss of her mother triggering these events. Katie is tied to the ink by a destiny and curse that she can barely begin to understand. And as she begins to blend in to her new enviornment, a bigger threat awaits her as she becomes more interested in Tomohiro. 

This book was a nonstop read. I couldn't put it down, and I really enjoyed the descriptions of Japan's Sakura and Tanabata festivals. Katie is also an entertaining narrator, always throwing her two sense in the middle of an important scene. The references to both Japanese culture and mythology were a nice element to the story, and helped me see Japan through eyes that were not similar to my own. 

I recommend this story to anyone who loves Japan, and to anyone who doesn't know anything about Japan. I came to this novel knowing many things that were already explained, but I felt that the explanations added to the depth of the story's atmosphere and taught you a new perspective. I give this book five out of five cherry blossoms, and I can't wait for the next book!

Honolulu by Alan Brennert

Born with the name Regret, the protagonist of this story deals with both external and internal struggles to discover who she is and how she will find where she belongs. Regret's story begins in Korea, where her secret love of reading and her passion for writing must be concealed from her rigid father and passive mother. Once Regret discovers that she will not get her father's approval to pursue an education, she takes matters in her own hands and finds herself in Hawaii with an entire journey through many obstacles right in front of her. Regret's story, from her poetic narrative to her powerful ambition is a memorable tale that weaves many different cultures together, creating a new environment and home for Regret, and she discovers opportunities that she could only dream of. The road to Hawaii may not have been paved in gold, but Regret's ambition and perseverance offers a great lesson in growing up and finding who you are. 

I recommend this novel to Historical Fiction lovers, people who love Korean culture, Hawaiian culture and Japanese culture. By creating her own chogak po, Regret blooms where she is planted and never gives up on creating a home that is all her own.     

Jane by April Linder

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is one of my favorite literary stories. It's not very often that you come across a great modern day adaption of a tale you already know and love. I found Jane a year ago, right before I graduated college, and it quickly became a favorite on my book shelf. 

In this adaption, Rochester is a recovering rock star, and Jane is a nanny on the road to self discovery and the freedom to do what she believes she can. The novel is told in Jane's point of view as she is hired to work for Nico Rathburn, a rock star that even Jane has heard of, due to her brother's love of rock music. With the many rumors and countless People articles about Nico's road to success, mysterious fall out and his upcoming album, Jane must find who the real person is behind the mask. As she adjusts to the new enviornment, and meets Maddy, Nico's daughter, she expects to barely see the celebrity, even on his own grounds, but he has other plans, and Jane soon finds herself in a completely different world than she has ever lived in. To find who she is, and even the true Nico Rathburn, Jane goes on a journey, both intellectual and spiritual to find where she belongs and how much she should listen to her own heart.

I recommend this novel to anyone who loves Jane Eyre, Rock Stars and Star Crossed Romance. Jane's voice is refreshing yet it stays true to the original and Nico Rathburn is an enigmatic character. 

Dreams and Wishes

Wallflower in Bloom by Claire Cook

What do you do when you've lived your life for everyone else? Deidre Griffin has done just that and more. She is in charge of her famous brother's schedule, right down to the tee. With her whole life wrapped around her family's PR for the new age guru Tag, Deidre tends to fall in the background and watch her brother shine. But what she has always wanted to do is dance and live her life for herself. Dragged down by everyone's expectations, and going insane from the fact she seems to be nothing but a scheduler in her family's eyes, Deidre decides to risk it all, and use her brother's massive fan club to gain her own fifteen seconds of fame in the spotlight. As one thing leads to another, from the endless supprt Tag's fans give her to the actual offer on Dancing with the Stars, Deidre learns that in order to be herself, she must follow her heart and trust that she will land on her own two feet.

I enjoyed this novel. It was told in a voice that I found extremely familair and amusing. Deidre's family is not your usual group of people, from their quirks to goofy obsessions, you learn to see them as Deidre does, and you see Deidre as a person whose only obstacle is herself. Once she gets past the most difficult hurdle, Deidre learns more about life than she would have if she was still stuck in a job she only stayed with for fear of her family's disapproval. I recommend this book to anyone who feels like they have not bloomed themselves. It's important to recognize what the real obstacle is when you look at your life and your dreams. A fun and enlightening read.

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

First, I would like to say that I recommend this book to everybody. Whether you like Winnie the Pooh or Taoism. It's interesting just how relative the principles in this book are, to some of the other books I have read about worry, stress and life drama. If you think of Pooh, and the way he views life. The way he goes through life, he has a lot of wisdom and allows things to be, and he just IS! The book will describe this better of course, but there's a song from this book that kind of sums it up:

"How can you get very far,

If you don't know Who You Are?

How can you do what you ought,

If you don't know What You've Got?

And if you don't know Which To Do

Of all the things in front of you,

Then what you'll have when you are through

Is just a mess without a clue

Of all the best that can come true

If you know What and Which and Who." - Winnie the Pooh

Not only is this book charming and light hearted, it presents deep wisdom in the guise of the fable of Winnie the Pooh. The stories and characters are an allegory representing different types of people in the world. How they think. What they do. How they view the world. But the wisest and most relative of all is P'u.

Many Waters by Madeleine L'engle

I enjoyed this imaginative take on Noah's ark, and the twins were finally given an adventure of the their own, to show how clever and brave they are. Their personalities added a comical balance to the series events of Noah's task, and the people who will do anything to stop him. The seraphim and nephilim have their own conflict, while Noah's family, and his neighbors deal with the harsh environment of the desert and the cruel actions of Tiglah and her family, who want Noah's land fro their own. With the twins thrown, literally, in the middle of the conflict, they must learn why they were sent before Noah's Ark is complete, and how they will stay true to the original story. Yalith, Noah's daughter and the closest person to the stars, must decide how she can maintain the balance between seraphim and nephilim, as well as the family conflicts that threaten her way of life, and the power struggle of Tiglah's family versus Noah's task. 

This story was a philosophical adventure told in a familiar medium. The twins, who never have experienced anything strange, and never gone on an adventure before are put to the test in more ways than one, and must decide when and how they will get back home without changing history and the future of their world. 

I recommend this book to fans of the first three books, and history fans. Although the facts are not completely straight, the book delves into important questions about the origin of Noah's story and what life could have been like at the time of the story. 

A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'engle

"In this fateful hour

I place all Heaven with its power

And the sun with its brightness,

And the snow with its whiteness

And the fire with all the strength it hath,

And the lightning with its rapid wrath,

And the winds with their swiftness along their path,

And the sea with its deepness,

And the rocks with their steepness,

And the earth with its starkness,

All these I place

By God's almighty help and grace,

Between myself and the powers of darkness!"

- Patrick's Rune

As Meg's mother in law, Mrs. O' Keefe uses this rune one cold Thanksgiving night, the powers of darkness surround the Murry family. There is a threat of nuclear war by the dangerous Madog Branzillo, and Mrs. O'Keefe tells fifteen year old Charles Wallace that he must find a way to stop Branzillo by using the rune. Charles takes her very seriously, even though she calls him Chuck, and begins a journey through space and time, using this rune as a guide to find the Might Have Been that created the threat of nuclear war. Although he goes alone, his older sister Meg, goes with him by kything, being with Charles in spirit, helping him if she can and watching over his dangerous task, to change and restore balance in time. Charle's companion is the unicorn Gaudior who can ride the wind to different times in the same place. He guides Charles to learn through time by kything or becoming different people over the course of history, until he can find the answer to the past and change the future. But they are not alone, the evil Echthroi are trying to prevent them from changing history, and they will stop at nothing to destroy Charles Wallace and Gaudior as they question human nature and discover the event that caused Madog Branzillo to be. 

This was my favorite book out of the trilogy when I was a kid. Charles Wallace is an amazing character, and his purpose in the story is always great. It was fascinating to watch Charles and Gaudior slip in and out of time, and learn how humans evolved throughout the years, and how the rune was passed from generation to generation. I recommend this book to anyone that loves A Wrinkle in Time, and epic adventures that can change the course of the future. 

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'engle

This book was very philosophical, and it was a different type of adventure than A Wrinkle in Time. Instead of a physical adventure, Meg Murry, Calvin O Keefe, and Mr. Jenkins go on a spiritual journey to save Charles Wallace's life. One of their companions is a cherubim, a creature made of  many wings and eyes, named Proginoskes. Their other companion is the stubborn, naive and indifferent farandole named Sporos. As Meg learns to cooperate with Mr. Jenkins, a teacher who doesn't enjoy her or Charles Wallace's company, she learns about the connection of the world, and with the guidance of Teacher Blajeny, she must pass three test in order to save Charles Wallace and prevent a terrible evil from throwing the world out of balance.

This story went deeper into the theories of science and spirituality. It uses the idea that every living being is important and connected no matter how near or far. This is an interesting way to view the world and how it works. Meg, always worried and questioning everything, has a hard time adapting to the sudden changes in Charles Wallace, and the trials that she must face. But each step is important, and each being is important, so Meg must once again face the dangers of evil and save the world, her wold from being thrown off balance into chaos. 

When I was a kid, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I loved A Wrinkle in Time, but now that I've grown, I understand the story and the journey the Meg goes through to adapt and change her surroundings. THe power of connection, communication and acknowledgment goes a long way when one is faced with adversity, no matter what kind of adversity. I recommend this book to children, teens, and philosophical adults. Like A Wrinkle in Time, this story is layered.