The Bluest Eye by: Toni Morrison

Synopsis:

Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl, prays every day for beauty. Mocked by other children for the dark skin, curly hair, and brown eyes that set her apart, she yearns for normalcy, for the blond hair and blue eyes that she believes will allow her to finally fit in.Yet as her dream grows more fervent, her life slowly starts to disintegrate in the face of adversity and strife.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I picked The Bluest Eye and Beloved by Toni Morrison up a while ago, not only because I'd heard she's an amazing writer, but because the synopsis of each story really drew me in.

I decided to read The Bluest Eye first, and I'm glad I did. Morrison's writing isn't just prose, it's a poetic sort of prose that leaves you breathless with some of the descriptions. But, at the same time, it isn't just the dreamy sort of poetic prose, it's the sort that makes everyday things sound beautiful but realistic. Morrison has a way of drawing the reader in, not with her characters, but with her beautiful writing style. That can be detrimental to the characters, though, because while they sound good they can seem a bit two-dimensional. I think that may be because she jumps from character to character without really finishing up the life she's giving each individual character.

My favorite character was probably Piccola. But that could be because I just felt so bad for her. She was the sort of character the reader roots for, and hopes that something good will happen.

The story is real, though, and very heartwrenching. It's definitely not a happy story, but it is a real story. Something that many others may have gone through.

In the end, I think this is a very good novel and one that should be read by anyone who enjoys a story about real people.

My rating: 8/10

Avatar--Film Review

Avatar
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Joel Moore

Let me start off by saying I'm going to sound like a complete fangirl. I loved this movie. Adored every minute of it, even the sort of tedious beginning. The moment Sully became his Avatar, I was completely enthralled.
I saw it in 3D, which I highly recommend. It definitely added to the experience. But without it, the movie still would've been great.

The graphics in Avatar are gorgeous. Seriously. They're like another character. Beautiful imagery, I loved the different sort of creatures there were, I loved how at night everything glowed...it was amazing. The graphics in this film are probably the reason to see it.

The acting was really well done. Sam Worthington (aside from being gorgeous) was spot on. I loved his portrayal of the character and feel he did a great job. Sigourney was awesome, I liked his character. I loved Neytiri, I think Zoë did a wonderful job with the mannerisms and such of the character. And Stephen Lang played a great asshole. I really wanted to shoot him by the end of the film. So, kudos, Lang (:

Another thing I liked about the movie was the different layers it had. There's, of course, a religious layer and a layer that focuses on how humans tend to just take whatever they want with not thought to who they may be hurting. I've heard people call it "Anti-War" and I think even "Anti-American", but I don't think that's what Cameron was trying to portray.

Now, the storyline wasn't some complex entanglement. It was simple. But that's okay, because I think it had enough to carry it throughout the whole movie. I thought it was a well written script, and while cliché at times, a great plot. I really felt for the characters and the Na'vi (who else adored their language, by the way?). Ugh, the scenes near the end, like the one with Neytiri and her father...amazingly well done.

There are some things left to be desired, such as why this rock the Americans want is so sought after (aside from it making them lots of money). Although, I have seen some people question why Sully could walk in his Avatar state, when I think the answer is pretty obvious. First of all, it's not his body. It's a clone, basically, of his brother as a Na'vi. And all they did was connect the brains, which wouldn't affect the Avatar's legs. Sully's paralysis was on his body, not the Avatar's, in other words. Hope that makes sense XD

All in all, amazing movie. One I'm definitely going to buy and watch over and over again (:

My rating: 9/10

Soulless by: Gail Carriger

Synopsis:

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire — and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

This review is way behind, I just now finished the novel because of schoolwork and such. It was intended for review at Blog With Bite. Obviously that didn't happen. Now, onto the novel.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, the way it was written kind of annoyed me, but I came to love it by the end of the novel. It was hilarious, the tone of voice that Carriger gave Alexia was, in my opinion, great. It really worked for her character, and made me laugh.

The supporting characters I really enjoyed were Lord Akledama and Lord Maccon. Both were equally interesting. I liked the flamboyantness of Akeldama's character and I liked how Maccon was basically an ass, but a Mr. Darcy sort of ass. In other words, oh so attractive. I haven't come to a decision about Ivy Hisselpenny yet, so hopefully she's in the second book.

I really liked the relationship between Maccon and Alexia. It was pretty realistic, and they complimented each other in ways that worked for the novel.

The action in the novel was interesting, the vampires and werewolves had their own little twist. I probably enjoyed it as much as I did because of the historical backdrop.

Cover: I don't really like the cover. And the cover for the one coming out in March probably won't tickle my fancy. They don't, however, take away from the story.

My rating: 9/10

MegaGiveaway Number Two

There's an awesome contest happening over at Teens Read and Write and can be found here.

There's an awesome list that's being added to as followers are added. Here's what they've said about it:

First Place Winner - First Choice of 4 Books

Second Place Winner - Second Choice of 3 Books
Third Place Winner - Third Choice of 2 Books

Fourth Place Winner - Fourth Choice of 2 Books

The best part is that WE'LL ADD MORE WINNERS!

As we

get more followers we will add more winners and books. We have 500 followers as of now but...
- When we hit 525 followers, we'll add more books and 2 more winners (who can choose 1 book each)- Then for every additional 25 followers that are added after that, we'll add more books and 2 more winners.For instance - at 525 Followers, we'll have First, Second, Third, and Fourth place plus 2 winners of one book each.
- at 550 Followers, well have First, Second, Third, and Fourth place, plus 4 winners of one book each
- at 575 Followers, we'll have First, Second, Third and Fourth place, plus 6 winners of one book each.

As you can see, there's a lot of winners, and a lot of books to be won!

Here's the initial list:

1) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
2) The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
3) Fallen by Lauren Kate
4) Darklight by Lesley Livingston
5) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
6) City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
7) Wish by Alexandra Bullen
8) Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
9) Sceptor of the Ancients by Derek Landy
10) Candor by Pam Bachorz
11) Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley
12) The EverAfter by Amy Huntley
13) Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser
14) Invisible Lines by Mary Amato

There are some great titles on there, so be sure to enter now!!!

Inglourious Basterds: Movie Review

Inglourious Basterds
Directed by: Quenten Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, and Diane Kruger

Synopsis:

A group of hardened Nazi killers stalk their prey in Nazi-occupied France as a Jewish cinema owner plots to take down top-ranking SS officers during the official premiere of a high-profile German propaganda film. As far as Lt. Aldo Raine (aka Aldo the Apache", Brad Pitt) -- is concerned, the only good Nazi is a dead Nazi. Raine's mission is to strike fear into the heart of Adolf Hitler by brutally murdering as many goose-steppers as possible, or die trying. In order to accomplish that goal, Lt. Raine recruits a ruthless team of cold-blooded killers known as "The Basterds" which includes baseball-bat-wielding Bostonian Sgt. Donnie Donowitz (aka "The Bear Jew," Eli Roth) and steely psychopath Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz (Til Schweiger), among others. When the Basterds' secret rendezvous with turncoat German actress Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) goes awry, they learn that the Nazis will be staging the French premiere of "The Nation's Pride," a rousing propaganda film based on the exploits of German hero Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl), at a modest theater owned by Jewish cinephile Shoshanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), posing as a Gentile after the brutal murder of her family by the ruthless Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). As the Basterds hatch an explosive plan to take out as many Nazis as possible at the premiere, they remain completely oblivious to the fact that Shoshanna, too, longs to bring the Third Reich to its knees, and that she's willing to sacrifice her beloved theater in the process.
--Jason Buchanan

This movie was awesome. I loved it. The scenary and detail that Tarantino put into this film were really good. He showed the smallest details, which I adored.

Now, this movie isn't for everyone, and it's not supposed to be historically accurate, so don't watch it thinking it's going to be like your regular WWII movies, because it's far from it.

Brad Pitt's character made me laugh, but I think the two that really stole the show for me were Laurent and Waltz. They were fabulous. They delivered their dialouge perfectly, their postures and physical timing was great. Without these two actors, I don't know how the show would've been. They were both just perfect for their characters.

This movie is pretty long, running at two hours and about thirty minutes, but it doesn't feel that long. Tarantino is great at keeping the audience entertained and wanting more. I'm definitely going to be buying this movie, and highly recommend it. It's not even the plot that sold me, it was how he filmed it. The end product is just...dazzling, almost. A great movie I'm definitely going to be buying.

My rating: 8/10

New Contest From Book Bound!

That's right, there's another awesome contest going on, and it's happening over at Book Bound. You can find all the information here, like how to enter. Here are the list of prizes so far:

1. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. Fallen by Lauren Kate
4. The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
6. Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
7. The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger
8. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
9. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
10. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
11. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
12. Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins
13. The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong
14. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
15. City of Glass (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare

And this is how it works:

1st Prize: Five (5) books of choice
2nd Prize: Four (4) books of choice
3rd Prize: Three (3) books of choice
4th Prize: Two (2) books of choice
5th Prize: One (1) book of choice

Go check it out as soon as possible and be sure to follow, because it's a great blog (:

--Faith

Frenchy Contest

I've found an adorable new blog to follow called The Book On The Hill.

There is an awesome contest going on, with great prizes. See for yourself!

Prizes:

- 2 books (1 stack)

- Bonus Book : My Life in France by Julia Child (see below for information)

- 1 bookmark (Editions de Mai – French artist Anne Laval)

- 1 badge (La Marelle en Papier – French designer Miss Clara)

- 1 notebook “Le Chocolat élimine tous mes tracas” (French artist Anne Laval)

- 2 magnets (Le Chat Noir and Moulin Rouge)

To enter, simply go here and fill in all the necessary blanks! And while you're there, be sure to click the follow button (;

--Faith