A Long-Awaited Meal

I'm sorry! See?

I've a sad face and everything!

Anyway...

Black-Eyed Blinker

So, in case you haven't heard, Super Saver won the Derby, say, a week ago. Talk about procrastination.Oh, well. Life goes on. Presently, my own personal brand of Derby Madness deems to take its annual U-Turn. A detour that brings us face-to-face with the historic hilltops and Susan-strewn turf of Pimlico Park, waspishly blotched with the distinct catch of pure Pennsylvanian charm. 

Of course, Borel's probably even more enthused than me. Which isn't an easy feat, mind you. Apparently, he thinks he's gonna snag the ever elusive Triple Smacker this time around on Saver. I don't mean to be a party pooper...I hate those, just as much as everyone else...but, somehow, I doubt it.

Ah, well. Jockeys need some quality time with good old dreamland, too. Right?

It's Necromania!

She sees dead people - and they see her.

Chloe Saunders used to have a pretty normal life. But that changed on the day she met her first ghost. Locked up in Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens, she finds out that there's more to the home's teen residents than meets the eye. Will Chloe be able to uncover the dangerous secrets of Lyle House...or will its skeletons come back to haunt her?

This thrilling first volume in the supernaturally charged Darkest Powers series by international bestselling author Kelley Armstrong will keep readers awake well into the darkest time of night.

I know. Cheesy, right? But, suprisingly enough, it's actually much better than it sounds. Which isn't saying a lot, really, but still.

So, in case you couldn't tell, I have a bit of an odd taste in books. Not exactly scary, but not entirely sane. But, whatever. Moving on...

So when it first starts out, Chloe's just kind of, well, there. She's really not that interesting. Except for the fact that she's fifteen - and she still has to get her period. That may not seem all that interesting to most people, but it is to me, all right? See, I was an early bloomer.  A major early bloomer. I got my . when I was ten. Fun times.

Nevertheless, as the pages progress, the plot gets pretty, um, intricate. For lack of a better word. Well, let's just say her dad basically thinks she's gone wacky, so he sends her to an asylum. Yeah, when your kid starts freaking you out, send her to some obscure place you've never heard of to be with other crazy people. That makes a lot of sense. Oh, well. I'm not a parent. Yet. I'm kidding!

Okay, I really wanna talk to my friend right now. Hate to leave you hanging, but if you really want to know what happens, read the freaking book. That's all I've got to say. Read the book. That is all. Farewell.

Updated --- 9.25.2010

Could Someone Pass The Tissues, Please?

Well, today my dad had to work, so my mom and I decided to have a Girls' Night Out. Okay, so it was more of a Girls' Day Out, but I'm not complaining. I had fun - as you shall soon see.

To start off our feminine express, we went over to the mall. Not necessarily my favorite place in the world, but I got to go to Borders, so all was well with the world. Especially since I got a new book! Okay, laugh. But I've been on Book Withdrawal for the last few days, and, believe me, it's not exactly my idea of high living. 

Anyways, we had to rush out early, but, surprisingly enough, it was all worth it. We hopped in the car, and then we were off. Off to the theater.Upon entry, we purchased our tickets and hurried off to Opening 7, Coke in hand, popcorn in mouth. Guess which one we went to see?

Wow! How'd ya know?

But anywho, here's the book...

 

Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them.

Honestly, I wasn't exactly thrilled when we first walked in. Nicholas Sparks usually isn't my style. It's not that he isn't a good writer. Most of the time, he can spin a pretty good yarn.It's just that, customarily, I don't really get into his stuff all that much. Maybe it's because most of his characters are so much older than me, so I can't really relate to them as well. Either that, or it's gotten to the point where I know what's going to happen next. Every single time. It's like some sort of unspoken rule. Or, more fittingly, some closemouthed curse. Nevertheless, this particular movie actually managed to hold my attention. What a concept! Sorry. I guess I have to start acting at least somewhat normal now - that way you won't turn tail and run.

Well, in case you were wondering, the general jest of the story consists of the following: girl steals from store, girl gets in trouble at store, girl gets sent to estranged father for the summer, Little Brother tags along, while Mom plans her fairy tale wedding to Prince Charming and eagerly anticipates her brand-new, fluffy bow-shrouded life. Problems ensue. Said girl - a.k.a. Ronnie - meets the Official Dreamboat of the South.  As romance simmers in the sweltering Georgia heat, Ronnie and Dreamboat Willy bond over their mutual love of Tolstoy, mud fights, and innocent, unsuspecting sea turtle eggs. Oh, and their prejudice against bandit-faced raccoons.

In short, it was actually pretty good. It was really sad, though. So, like I said, be generous with the tissues.

This Week's Litique - Pure Bookvana

Now fans of Stephenie Meyer, P. C. Cast, and Melissa Marr have a new author to devour...

Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipstick. No wonder, since life's been pretty rough so far. Her father left a long time ago, her stepfather just passed away, and her mother's pretty much checked out. Now Zara's living with her grandmother in a cold, sleepy Maine town where the most exciting thing locals can count on is the occasional heat wave. Of course, Zara doesn't think she's in any real danger. She just thinks her mom can't deal.

That is, until she starts noticing someone out of the corner of her eye. Someone following her...at home...at school...everywhere. And, wherever she turns, she finds his trail  run amuck with neat, orderly piles of gold-kissed glitter. She knows he isn't a figment of her imagination. Even she couldn't dream up something this strange. But what is he? And why is he following her? 

Apparently, he's a pixie - and not the cute, lovable kind with wings. He's the kind that  has dreadful, uncontrollable needs.The kind that wants Zara to somehow, some way, fulfill his deepest, darkest desires - whatever the cost.


Oozing with suspense, romance, and intrigue, this exciting breakout novel has all the undertones of the wildest of fairy tales - all the ones the Grimm Brothers got dead wrong.

So basically,  Zara is Bella with a backbone. And, so far, that's good enough for me.

P. S. - Here's a trailer for it from YouTube. Enjoy!


Disclaimers:  Need was first published in December of 2008 by Bloomsbury.

Updated --- 9.25.2010