Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today I ran the Turkey Trot 5k, which I didn't exactly trained for. I ran 2.5 miles on Tuesday, but that doesn't count as training. That was just a test to see if I would die trying to run this thing. Thankfully, I didn't (I actually ran about 4 minutes faster than I thought I would). Speaking of thankfulness, today I am going to compile a list of things I am thankful for, you know, because this is a holiday specifically for giving thanks (and not gluttony, as some would believe).

I am thankful for:

• My family...they really are the best. I love 'em to death and I am so thankful that I have a good relationship with all of them, parents included.
• My wonderful friends. You guys know who you are. I wouldn't be the person I am without weirdos like you to be there every step of the way. 
• My dog. She's getting up there in years and I am going to be very sad the day she passes. I've grown up with her. 
• My job. I am so thankful to have a job that I actually like to go to. I never think 'oh man, I have to go to work again. I just went yesterday!' It's actually for school that I think that. 
• My legs. Even if I don't run that often, I still actually kind of like to do it. I'm thankful that my legs are strong enough to run a 5k without training. (I must say, I'm pretty lucky)
• My fingers. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play piano. Whenever I'm stressed, I go to the piano...when I'm sad, I play piano. If I'm really happy, I play piano. Basically, if I feel anything, I play my piano. If I could take it everywhere I went, I would.
• Being able to grow up with Harry Potter. I know it's kind of lame, but I am thankful for it. They're great books to read regardless of when you read them, but I'm thankful that I got to be a part of the Potter generation.
• The delicious strawberry salad that my grandma makes every year for Thanksgiving. Oh my word, I could eat it all day.
• The seasons. As much as I complain about Michigan winters, I'm glad we have them. Christmas wouldn't be the same without snow, just as football season wouldn't be the same without the changing leaves (not that I'm really a fan of football anyway, but I do like the wings that come with it!)
• My childhood. I had a wonderful childhood, which is more than can be said for most people. My childhood was filled with playing outside, neighborhood capture the flag (usually played with shoes rather than flags), lemonade stands, catching crayfish, and creek parties (campfire with the whole neighborhood at our creek, plenty of food to go around!)
• Where I live. My neighborhood is pretty much the ideal neighborhood. We lived in the country, but our houses weren't a mile apart and we only lived a mile from town (easy biking distance). There were plenty of kids to play with when I was younger and plenty of space to run. Our road is pretty useless unless you live on it, so there was minimal traffic. A creek ran behind all of our houses, which was also fun to play in. I just have a great neighborhood and I'm thankful for that.
• For my most faithful reader. I love you, Franco Fan. Thanks for reading. It's nice to know at least someone cares what I write. If I ever get a book published, your name is going to be the first one listed in the Author's Note at the end (and it's going to actually be your name too, not just 'Franco Fan')
• For all my other readers (if you're out there). I don't know if anyone else reads what I write. But if you do, thank you. And I hope you enjoy reading it.

I am thankful for quite a bit more, but this is all I'm going to put on my list. In other news, I am currently reading East of Eden. It's a bigger book than any of the others I've made reviews for and it's a slower read. So, I'm not really sure when you'll get your next review. I hope to finish it before December 16 though (I've got to set a deadline!) I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. Until next time!

“The poor man shuddered, overflowed with an angelic joy; he declared in his transport that this would last through life; he said to himself that he really had not suffered enough to deserve such radiant happiness, and he thanked God, in the depths of his soul, for having permitted that he, a miserable man, should be so loved by this innocent being.” -Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

         As promised, here is my latest book review! I bet you're wondering why I am reading so much. (I'm putting up these reviews as I finish the books). I have a lot of spare time at work. A LOT of spare time. So, I do my homework...but I only have so much homework to do. Which means I have a significant amount of time to read...which is awesome! I haven't had this much time to read in quite awhile. Anyway, onto the review:

*Possible Spoilers*

A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini

Read: November 17, 2014
Published: November 25, 2008
Genre: Fiction/Historical Fiction
Series: NA

          Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

          Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them-in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul-they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival.

          A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.  (Amazon.com)

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Why did you read this book?
I read The Kite Runner over a year ago. And, while I loved it, I never had any intention of reading Hosseini's other novels. This isn't exactly my genre. But then, my brother read it for his AP English class and he said it was very good (so good, that it's one of his favorites). My brother is not an avid reader, so when he says a book is good, it usually is. He told me that I should read it, but I dismissed the idea, because it wasn't 'my genre'. A week or two later, I saw a copy of it at a used book sale in pristine condition. It's not very often that you find a new book at a used book sale. So I bought it, thinking 'Fine! Fine. I'll just read the book'. And what a great decision that was.

What didn't you like about this book?
This is a tough one. I guess, my biggest problem with it was the language. I found myself just skipping over the foreign words that I didn't know and then being confused later on because I wasn't sure what was going on and I'd have to go back and figure out what it meant (context clues!) However, that is no fault of the author, but rather, mine. I guess I didn't really like the very beginning (it was kind of slow), but the beginning is essential to the rest of the book. It's just so hard to find something I didn't like!

What did you like about this book?
I loved the strong protagonists. What they went through is beyond my capability of imagining and they are far stronger than I'll ever be. I particularly loved how everything started coming together towards the end. You could make connections and think 'Oh! So that's why that was important in the first chapters!' There was one particular death that was so well written, with a quiet dignity, that I loved. I was sad, of course, when said character died, but the way they went was beautiful. I liked almost everything about this novel. It was beautifully written and the characters were so lifelike. Great job, Khaled Hosseini. Great job.

Three Unexpected Things: Titanic, the shovel, Aziza

Three Things This Book Does Not Feature: Love triangles, happy endings for everyone, in-depth politics

Would you recommend this book to a friend?
Yes. I would recommend it to all of my friends (although, I'm sure a few of them have already read it). I would, however, put an age limit on this. There are a few disturbing scenes that I wouldn't want my 13 year old sister to read. So, be warned.

Bottom Line: This book was fantastic and engaging. I read it in one sitting! And it's not a short book either. It's a hard book to start, but once you do, it's hard to stop. It keeps you on your toes and I, personally, really felt for the characters. This book almost made me cry. It was so close. And any book that makes me cry, is a good one. In my opinion anyway...But what are doing? Stop reading this and go read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Trust me, it's a good one.


"Of all the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting." -A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The One by Kiera Cass

Okay guys, I have officially finished the Selection Series (or rather, the ones that are out right now. From my understanding, there will be a completely unnecessary 4th book). And, now that I've read them, I have decided to do another book review, this time on the last book. I also decided not to do a review on the 2nd one because it was basically the same thing as the first. So, let's get started, shall we?

*Spoilers!*

The One
by Kiera Cass
Read: November 12-13, 2014
Published: May 6, 2014
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Series: The Selection Series

          The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

          Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series! 



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What didn't you like about this book?

My answer here is pretty much the same as it was for the first one. The characters in this novel are so immature and shallow, it was hard to read. There is a family drama between Kota and their father that is only mentioned a few times, but never really goes anywhere. It created a few scenes that were completely nonessential to the plot. Also, the northern rebels. For rebels who are apparently so supportive of Maxon, they seemed terribly secretive and a pain in the butt until they finally decided to let him know they supported him. And they were too cheerful for rebels. It didn't seem like they had a cause. They told us they did, but I didn't feel it. (Which is how this book works. We're told things, but we never feel it)

What did you like about this book?

This book was easily the best out of the series. America finally, finally, chose a guy (the one I predicted, of course). I was so happy when she decided who she loved, if only because I didn't have to read about her whining any more. And while I said the characters are immature and shallow, I still mean it, but they are less so than in the first two books. But my favorite part about this book? The ending. It was a very satisfying ending. It was happy, but not too much so that it's unrealistic. There was a bitter sweetness to the ending that I enjoyed. There was sadness and joy, which I really like in an ending. So, congratulations Kiera Cass, on giving me such a satisfying end that I can't even regret reading these anymore.

Three Unexpected Things:  Death, alliances, bad guy turned good

Three Things this Book Does not Feature: Complete happily ever after, traditional wedding, realistic rebels

Would you recommend this book to anyone?

See, I have mixed feelings about this one. I would recommend this book to a friend. I would not, however, recommend the first two. Which leaves us in a bit of a dilemma, doesn't it?

Bottom Line: This book was unexpectedly good. Had it not been for the first two in the series, I might even say that I actually enjoyed it. The end was so exciting that I started to speed read just so I could find out what happened. If the first two books had been the first 4 chapters or so of this book, it could have worked. As it is, the only good part of this series was the last book. Also, I think the love triangle was completely unnecessary to this series (even thought that's all it was about). It was glaringly obvious who she was going to choose throughout the novels. Now, if you ignored my warning above about spoilers, you better stop reading now. I am going to reveal some major spoilers right now. So stop reading unless you have read the book or have no intention of reading the book. Here I go, spoiling things: I am so happy that this author had the guts to kill off characters (some that we really could have loved had there been some character development...there was only one death I was truly sorry about), but not the audacity to kill of the voice of the series. (Yes, America lives.) However, I found the death of the king to be rather too convenient. I would have like to see Maxon actually stand up to him and win. I also found the romance between Aspen and Lucy to be too convenient, however, I was happy that Aspen and America could still be like family to each other. So I guess I have mixed feelings about that too. If you do decide to read the series, good luck. And in light of this fluffy Hunger Games series, 'May the odds be ever in your favor.'

"The best people all have some kind of scar." -The One by Kiera Cass

The Selection by Kiera Cass

So, The Selection by Kiera Cass was on one of my reading lists. I read it on Saturday and I just finished the second book (The Elite). I'm going to try to do a book review on it. I'm also going to be stealing a review format that I found on www.loveisnotatriangle.com, which is great. She did a review on The Bone Season and I absolutely loved it, so you should definitely check it out. Here it goes!

*Possible Spoilers*

The Selection
by Kiera Cass 
Read: November 8, 2014
Published: April 24, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Series: The Selection Series

          For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

          But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

          Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. (From Amazon)

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I read this book because my sister read it and she has been begging me to read it so we can talk about it. Well, mostly because it's on one of my book lists and I wanted to be able to cross it off. But also because my sister wouldn't stop bothering me about it. Anyway, I finally picked the book up on Saturday and finished it the same day.

Was the book really that good?

No. I don't think it was. I finished it in a day because I am a fast reader and the book isn't very large. Also, I had nothing else to do that day. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent book. Maybe I'm just sick of dystopian novels. Or maybe I've been reading too many classics. Whatever it is, this book fell flat for me. It seemed very shallow without any real purpose. 

What didn't you like about the book?

The characters, particularly America. It's hard to read a book when you dislike the main character. There is little to no character development in any of the characters, except perhaps Maxon. The whole book (the second one as well) is centered on whether America will choose Maxon or Aspen. I'm afraid this series will be one big, mess of a love triangle. Even when the rebels attack, America is so preoccupied with which suitor she will choose. She is thinking this through DURING the attack. Which brings me to the next question:

What do you like about the book?

The Rebels. We know very little about them because two books were wasted focusing on America's inability to decide who she's in love with, but they fascinate me. We know that the northerners are less violent and hostile than the southerners and we know that they want the Selection to stop. But that's about it. I'm really hoping that the third novel will focus more on the rebels and what they are about and less on our protagonist's hormones.

Three unexpected things in The Selection: I can't even really think of any. This book was painfully predictable.

Three things this book does not feature: Magic (no werewolves or vampires), originality, plot

Would you recommend this book to anyone?

I would, but only if they wanted a beach read. If they were looking for a great book that left them preoccupied for days (which is what I've been looking for) I would suggest The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon.

Bottom line is, I didn't really like the book. I tried to put my negative feelings towards it into words and I think I was partially successful. However, someone else put it into much better words than I did. Thank you, Christina A. Marley for your review on amazon, because it completely summed up everything I didn't like about this novel. I also chose to use a quote from the novel as my quote for today.

"No, I'm not choosing him or you. I'm choosing me." -The Selection by Kiera Cass  

Books, again

          I know, I know...it's been about two weeks since I've been on here. If it makes you feel any better, I have thought about writing a lot. I just haven't actually gotten around to writing. But I'm doing now, so you can be happy now! Hooray!
           Who cares, you're thinking. We just want to read the last writing challenge. Well, I gave it some thought...and I'm not going to do the last writing challenge. At least not yet. I'm not ready for the challenge to be over and I'm not ready to write the last challenge (it's a tough one, okay?) So, don't worry, you will get the last one eventually, just not today. Probably not any time in this month either. But, I am doing something else exciting. I found another list (surprise) of 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime. As I read the books I'll keep you updated and maybe put on book reviews as I finish them. In the meantime, here's a list of books that are on the list that I've already read:

1. A Serious of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
2. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
3. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (duh)
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
6. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
8. The Giver by Lois Lowry
9. The Great Gatsby by J.D. Salinger
10. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
11. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
12. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein
13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
14. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Fourteen of them done, not bad. Also, I'd like to apologize that this is super short, I just don't really have a topic to write about at the moment. I promise, cross my heart, that'll I'll have something at least a little more interesting next time. (Also, about the quotes at the bottom...sometimes I might do quotes about books, instead of from books. Just so you don't get confused.)

"The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared." -The Giver by Lois Lowry