The little moments when being Brazilian is cool.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
tag : Reading & Book Buying Habits
Reading & Book Buying Habits
WHAT
What genre do you read?
Fantasy, Science fiction, mystery, trillers and classics mostly :)
What type of book (hardcover, e-book, audio) do you buy?
I like hardcovers. Don't like paperbacks because I cant stand broken spines, ebooks because I like having the actual books(you know, in case of a zombi apocalypse), and audio because I space out way to easily.
WHEN
When do you read? How much time do you spend reading?
At night, I usually read from 11 o'clock until I'm too sleepy, about 3 o'clock?
When do you buy?
Whenever I feel like it, usually a couple times a month.
WHERE
Where do you read?
Usually in bed.
Where do you buy?
I try to buy cheap as much as I can, so library stores, thrift stores, independent bookstores.
Comic are the only thing I only buy in one place, Nuclear Comics in O.C.
WHY
Why do you read?
If I have to blame someone, that would be my mom, she had the bug and gave it to me.
Why do you buy?
Uh.. because I love reading?
WHO
Who do you read around?
My husband, also known as my darlin' boyfriend is always snoring by my side.
Who buys you books? Who do you buy books for?
My family and friends try to, but they usually just give me the gift cards.:P
I gift books to my mom, sister, some of my friends that like reading..
HOW
How do you read? (other reading habits & rituals)
At night, in bed, no eating or drinking.. that is pretty much it.
How much money do you spend on books? How many books do you have?
Any where around $20 to $100 dollars a month. Depends on sales and stuff.
I don't know exactly, 350 here in California and the bulk of it is in Brazil, I would say 450 to 500? Haven't figured out a way to bring them here yet, I'll have to bring them slowly :)
re·view : Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Bloodlines (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead
5 Stars.
5 Stars.
syn·op·sis
Blood doesn't lie...
Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...
Sydney has to prove that she is a good alchemist, so she hijacks het sisters first mission to go to California and protect Jill.
I am guessing that people that just read the VA series would think this has a slow start. But since its been years since I finished those books, I don't mind to be introduced to Meads vampire world all over again. You see, you don't need VA series to understand what is going on here, Bloodlines stands on its on.
I liked Sydney before, but Meads introduces her readers to a whole new side of the characters. I love Sydney now, one of my favorite things about her is how desperately scared she is of the Moroi.
Because if I had to be around vampires and my obligations included weekly visits so they could feed, I would fucking scared of them, ok?
Like looking at them coming and running with all I have in the other direction. Thing is, Sydney can't, so we get to go in her head and see what she is thinking and how repulsed she feels.
But let ler explane:
“Is it really so terrible being around us?"
I blushed. "No," I said. "But . . . it's complicated. I've been taught certain things my entire life. Those are hard to shake."
"The greatest changes in history have come because people were able to shake off what others told them to do.”
Adrian is as amazing, witty and tortured as ever. In his words:
“Takes a lot of tries before you hit perfection." He paused to reconsider that. "Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try."
“Can't you... I don't. Find a hobby or something?"
"Being charming is my hobby.”
Ok, I'll stop.
And after those samples I don't need to say how good the writing is do I?
The plot is engaging and the ending twist was amazing, other than that, pacing was also pretty good, had to read it one sitting.
Sydney is an alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives. When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she's still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir - the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir - is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill's guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the last place anyone would think to look for vampire royalty - a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. But instead of finding safety at Amberwood Prep, Sydney discovers the drama is only just beginning...
re·view
Adrian is baaaaack!
All I have for this is looove. I want to live inside Richelle Meads brain, please? She can do no wrong by me.
I read all vampire academy series and now I'm working my way through Georgina Kinkaid.
But lets talk about Bloodlines shall we?
I am guessing that people that just read the VA series would think this has a slow start. But since its been years since I finished those books, I don't mind to be introduced to Meads vampire world all over again. You see, you don't need VA series to understand what is going on here, Bloodlines stands on its on.
I liked Sydney before, but Meads introduces her readers to a whole new side of the characters. I love Sydney now, one of my favorite things about her is how desperately scared she is of the Moroi.
Because if I had to be around vampires and my obligations included weekly visits so they could feed, I would fucking scared of them, ok?
Like looking at them coming and running with all I have in the other direction. Thing is, Sydney can't, so we get to go in her head and see what she is thinking and how repulsed she feels.
But let ler explane:
“Is it really so terrible being around us?"
I blushed. "No," I said. "But . . . it's complicated. I've been taught certain things my entire life. Those are hard to shake."
"The greatest changes in history have come because people were able to shake off what others told them to do.”
Adrian is as amazing, witty and tortured as ever. In his words:
“Takes a lot of tries before you hit perfection." He paused to reconsider that. "Well, except for my parents. They got it on the first try."
“Can't you... I don't. Find a hobby or something?"
"Being charming is my hobby.”
Ok, I'll stop.
And after those samples I don't need to say how good the writing is do I?
The plot is engaging and the ending twist was amazing, other than that, pacing was also pretty good, had to read it one sitting.
Monday, May 20, 2013
re·view : Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
The infernal Devices Trilogy
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
3 Stars.
syn·op·sis Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.
Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.
** spoiler alert **
OK, I'm really not sure about this.
There will be spoilers by the way, so if you don't want them, get out now.
Byeee.
I love the shadowhunter world. I think is awesome and I wish I thought about it myself.
I'm ok with the fact that Clare recycled the structure of the first series to write this one with the excuse that it is all because they were related. Didn't you see the fine print?
However what I'm not ok with is the fact that when I start a new series, I expect it to be nicely raped up in the end. I don't want the author to give me the answers to the universe, just the ones for the questions presented on the book.
Like how the hell did Mortmain disappear from the institute when Tess pretends to be dead? Did he have magic or not? Some of them keep saying that he can't - and yet..
Whats is the connection with Will's family and Shanghai? I don't care how he planned everything, there is no way he would know about Tess and Will three years in advance.
Also, why does will can see ghosts? Just so Clare could revive another character that should stayed dead?
What also pissed me off is the build up for a battle, and then.. argh.
Seems like she didn't want a battle because she didn't want to kill characters.
Where I think that for a novel to be epic, it needs its battle. It's ok to kill a character or two. She prepared the readers for James death, he should have stayed dead. Even if she had killed Henry or one of the Lightwoods.
Oh, another thing that bothers me, what was Cecily doing on this book? Just so everyone could end up getting married? And she could pass on the ruby necklace? Really?
It could be just me, but it felt like dead weight.
Most of this book felt like the love interest were more important. The love interest and the fact that Clare didn't want conflict with the fan base.
Because really? That ending was just a cop-out.
The whole trilogy she insinuates that Tess really loves Will and they are perfect for each other. Then in the last minute she decides that no, they were the same, she loves them equally and both of them is ok with that. WHAT?
Don't even get me started on that sex scene, it was just like she just needed it on the book and it seemed like a good place as any. Really? houwers after Jem is dead? I don't care what the excuse was. Not. cool.
Oh, that epilogue..
First thing is that Clare did not need for Tess to be immortal, she could have said that Angel blood is stronger - witch she does, by the way - and kept Tessa mortal, with will and happy.
But she has to make team Jem happy, so she abandons all her family. Again, WHAT?
And them she goes in to the sunset with the perspective of burring Jem in the future. *sigh*
Is it just me or all Clare wanted was to show us how clever she thinks she is?
How she can tie up both series while making a lll the fandoms happy?
.not
There will be spoilers by the way, so if you don't want them, get out now.
Byeee.
I love the shadowhunter world. I think is awesome and I wish I thought about it myself.
I'm ok with the fact that Clare recycled the structure of the first series to write this one with the excuse that it is all because they were related. Didn't you see the fine print?
However what I'm not ok with is the fact that when I start a new series, I expect it to be nicely raped up in the end. I don't want the author to give me the answers to the universe, just the ones for the questions presented on the book.
Like how the hell did Mortmain disappear from the institute when Tess pretends to be dead? Did he have magic or not? Some of them keep saying that he can't - and yet..
Whats is the connection with Will's family and Shanghai? I don't care how he planned everything, there is no way he would know about Tess and Will three years in advance.
Also, why does will can see ghosts? Just so Clare could revive another character that should stayed dead?
What also pissed me off is the build up for a battle, and then.. argh.
Seems like she didn't want a battle because she didn't want to kill characters.
Where I think that for a novel to be epic, it needs its battle. It's ok to kill a character or two. She prepared the readers for James death, he should have stayed dead. Even if she had killed Henry or one of the Lightwoods.
Oh, another thing that bothers me, what was Cecily doing on this book? Just so everyone could end up getting married? And she could pass on the ruby necklace? Really?
It could be just me, but it felt like dead weight.
Most of this book felt like the love interest were more important. The love interest and the fact that Clare didn't want conflict with the fan base.
Because really? That ending was just a cop-out.
The whole trilogy she insinuates that Tess really loves Will and they are perfect for each other. Then in the last minute she decides that no, they were the same, she loves them equally and both of them is ok with that. WHAT?
Don't even get me started on that sex scene, it was just like she just needed it on the book and it seemed like a good place as any. Really? houwers after Jem is dead? I don't care what the excuse was. Not. cool.
Oh, that epilogue..
First thing is that Clare did not need for Tess to be immortal, she could have said that Angel blood is stronger - witch she does, by the way - and kept Tessa mortal, with will and happy.
But she has to make team Jem happy, so she abandons all her family. Again, WHAT?
And them she goes in to the sunset with the perspective of burring Jem in the future. *sigh*
Is it just me or all Clare wanted was to show us how clever she thinks she is?
How she can tie up both series while making a lll the fandoms happy?
.not
re·view : Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
The infernal Devices Trilogy
Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
4 Stars.
syn·op·sis
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.
Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?
As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.
re·view
Review for Clockwork Angel HERE.
I didn't know if I should write this one, but still felt weird to post the review for Clockwork princess without posting something here.
If you liked Clockwork Angel, you will fly though this book and RUN to #3, that is what I did.
The pacing is decent, I'll have to admit that it takes awhile to pick up, but when it does, I could not stop reading it.
There is not too much happening in the Shadowhunter world, some developments, but nothing too extensive. I would say it was mostly preparation for whatever is going to happen in book 3.
Where this book shines, at least in my opinion, is on character development. Clare makes us go in a emotional roller-coaster with the characters.
I don't want to go too much in to it in case I spoil something. But no worries, I'm going all out with the next one.
Review for Clockwork Angel HERE.
I didn't know if I should write this one, but still felt weird to post the review for Clockwork princess without posting something here.
If you liked Clockwork Angel, you will fly though this book and RUN to #3, that is what I did.
The pacing is decent, I'll have to admit that it takes awhile to pick up, but when it does, I could not stop reading it.
There is not too much happening in the Shadowhunter world, some developments, but nothing too extensive. I would say it was mostly preparation for whatever is going to happen in book 3.
Where this book shines, at least in my opinion, is on character development. Clare makes us go in a emotional roller-coaster with the characters.
I don't want to go too much in to it in case I spoil something. But no worries, I'm going all out with the next one.
series that I NEED the next book
*spoilers ahead*
June 4th 2013
The Grisha Series
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
After that ending, when everything went to hell and they
Also, romance..
It is so close to the release date!!!
July 9th 2013
Charley Davidson Series
Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones 5
“That took balls."
"Please," I said with a snort, "that took ovaries. Of which I have two.”
I NEED MORE OF THAT.
October 22nd 2013
Divergent Series
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
There is not much I can say other than :
NEED IT NOW.
November 5th 2013
Legend Series
Champion by Marie Lu
" He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion? "
Did you see that? Did you read it?
This is bound to kick all the asses.
Do I need to say this again? Need it. Give it to me.
November 19th 2013
Bloodlines Series
The Fiery Hart by Richelle Mead
More Adrian.
Gimmi. Gimmi. Gimmi.
Teaser:
“Relax, having kids is years away. But can you imagine? Your brains, my charm, our collective good looks…Then add in the usual physical abilities dhampirs get. It’s really not even fair to everyone else.”
AAAAAH!
February 4th 2014
Lunar Chronicles Series
Cress by Marissa Meyer
All I now and need to know about this is Rapunzel.
Are you serious?
I ask no questions. Give it to me and no one gets hurt.
Also, I'm dying to see the cover!
re·view : The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb
The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb
syn·op·sis
From award-winning novelist Wendy Webb comes a spine-tingling mystery about family secrets set in a big, old haunted house on Lake Superior.
Grace Alban has spent twenty years away from her childhood home, the stately Alban House, for reasons she would rather forget. But when her mother's unexpected death brings Grace and her teen-age daughter home, she finds more haunting the halls and passageways of Alban House than her own personal demons.
Long-buried family secrets, a packet of old love letters and a lost manuscript plunge Grace into a decades-old mystery about a scandalous party at Alban House, when a world-famous author took his own life and Grace's aunt disappeared without a trace. The night has been shrouded in secrecy by the powerful Alban family for all of these years, and Grace realizes her family secrets tangle and twist as darkly as the secret passages of Alban House. Her mother was intending to tell the truth about that night to a reporter on the very day she died - could it have been murder? Or was she a victim of the supposed Alban curse? With the help of the disarmingly kind--and attractive—Reverend Matthew Parker, Grace must uncover the truth about her home and its curse before she and her daughter become the next victims.
Grace Alban has spent twenty years away from her childhood home, the stately Alban House, for reasons she would rather forget. But when her mother's unexpected death brings Grace and her teen-age daughter home, she finds more haunting the halls and passageways of Alban House than her own personal demons.
Long-buried family secrets, a packet of old love letters and a lost manuscript plunge Grace into a decades-old mystery about a scandalous party at Alban House, when a world-famous author took his own life and Grace's aunt disappeared without a trace. The night has been shrouded in secrecy by the powerful Alban family for all of these years, and Grace realizes her family secrets tangle and twist as darkly as the secret passages of Alban House. Her mother was intending to tell the truth about that night to a reporter on the very day she died - could it have been murder? Or was she a victim of the supposed Alban curse? With the help of the disarmingly kind--and attractive—Reverend Matthew Parker, Grace must uncover the truth about her home and its curse before she and her daughter become the next victims.
re·view
So, I am a chicken, in a big, BIG way.
That said, I would never pick this book up in a book store, just because of the whole ghost story thing..
That's why I'm so thankful to Goodreads giveaways.
I just loved it, it's very creepy, but not being too much..
Pacing starts picking up after introductions are made, but I could not put this down. Read it in a couple of days and that was only because I had no time to read in one sitting.
The romance is not very good, but since is not the main story line, it works as a nice touch to the story..
I loved the writing style, as soon as the story starts to get too crazy, Webb grounds everything with a touch of reality.
Really don't have, waiting to see what the author comes up with next.
So, I am a chicken, in a big, BIG way.
That said, I would never pick this book up in a book store, just because of the whole ghost story thing..
That's why I'm so thankful to Goodreads giveaways.
I just loved it, it's very creepy, but not being too much..
Pacing starts picking up after introductions are made, but I could not put this down. Read it in a couple of days and that was only because I had no time to read in one sitting.
The romance is not very good, but since is not the main story line, it works as a nice touch to the story..
I loved the writing style, as soon as the story starts to get too crazy, Webb grounds everything with a touch of reality.
Really don't have, waiting to see what the author comes up with next.
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