Those of you who have studied stars may recognize Mirach from suggestions on how to locate the North Star - Finding Mirach (or Mirak), then Dubhe - the "pointer stars" and then using the distance between Mirak/Dubhe (prounounced doobie) to point to the North Star... counting "doobie, doobie, doo..." The North Star lies two and a half more lengths away from the pointer stars ;) Diagram here! (diagram not to scale, I just liked the way it lets you hover over to see the constellation lines vs what the sky looks like)
Anyway... as I continue to read more and more dystopian books, this seems to be my preferred genre... my north star metaphorically.
A friend recommended Matched last week, and after reading one or two things about it, I immediately got it, even though it's still in hardback. I took it to the lake last weekend, along with The Truth About Forever. After the weekend, both books were read, and by Tuesday, The Truth About Forever had been sold to a used bookstore, and Matched has been added to my "WHY IS THE SEQUEL NOT OUT YET?!?!" list.
FAN. TAS. TIC.
I want more. Now.
I was a little turned off by a quote on the back of the book - "It's A Brave New World for the Twilight generation" but I think that has a lot to do with my disdain for Stephanie Myers and her series... bleh... sparkle sparkle barf... ;)
BUT. I did not let it stop me, and once I started reading it, I was hooked all over again - VERY reminiscent of my favorites such as The Giver and 1984. The characters in "the society" find out who their mate will be at a certain age because "that is the most effective age to find out" and they get married at age 25 because "statistics show that is the most optimal time to get married," etc etc etc - kids, death, it's all planned out by the society, for the good of the society... Each member of society has three colored pills that they can take under different circumstances (though one ONLY if an "official" tells you to take it...) etc etc... For those of you who have seen books like this, I'm sure it's all familiar to you.
Why is it always girls? Is it that we had a generation of girls grow up "in a box" who felt trapped by America's society? Are they now writing about how to break free from it? Are today's girls feeling trapped? Maze Runner is one of the few that involves a strong male lead... or maybe I'm just picking out the ones with female characters for my own reading....
In side news, I purchased for myself today a Mockingjay shirt from HotTopic, mostly because I wanted to get in on the trend before it truly became a trend - i.e. before the movie. It is a shirt that follows my rules - it only has a small mockingjay pin on it, no explanation (though in very small letters because of the copyright it does say the book) but you definitely have to *know* the reference to understand the shirt :)
I also finished The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordian this past week... it was kind of unfulfilling... I have been reading it for about 6 months now, on and off in my car as I wait for people various places... and maybe I just don't like Egyptian lore as much as Greek myths, but I just didn't find it NEARLY as interesting... I have the 2nd book in the series, The Throne of Fire from February... but I just am uninterested in picking it up...
For this weekend, as I head off, my books for the lake include Love Wins (a Christian book with some controversy), Life As We Knew It because I saw it at Barnes and Noble under "required middle school reading" and was intrigued since Ms. R had mentioned it before, Ender's Game because it has been a while since I read it, and one of my kids is reading it this summer, and City of Ember because while I don't know much about it, that book keeps showing up whenever I search for dystopian stuff, so I figure I ought to know what it is about...
Friday, June 17, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Rutilicus - Hercules
Hercules was a fighter. The book I started to read was about war... I think... maybe... possibly... I've been told... so it's a stretch!
So I went to the library on Friday after school, and picked up several books from the Young Adult section. I got excited because I was able to find several books that my friends had suggested for me to read.
I like the instant-gratification of getting books from Barnes and Noble, and am often frustrated by the library system in my county because it is a huge county, and even with multiple facilities, books are often not in, or not at the location where I go. So I took a risk and went to the library! I even had to get a new card because I had (go figure) lost my old card! Now I can even request books again! haha!
I picked up a LOT of books, and at least when I pick them up at the library, I can feel not guilty when I give up on it and quit reading halfway through. I don't often start reading with the thought of "this stinks" because I don't pick up bad books - since I'm not in high school anymore, I don't HAVE to read books that I don't like, so I CAN just quit reading part way through
So. This happened. Twice.
I started reading True... sort of by Katherine Hannigan, the same one who wrote Ida B. I honestly have never read Ida B. either, but have heard it's a great book, so I was kind of excited. I did NOT like it. It's a story about a girl named Delly (real name Delaware - I don't do well with kids named after states either...) who makes up words - like "mysteriousity" and other silly words. It's like she is old enough to know better, but still makes up silly little words - so many in fact that the book comes with its own dictionary in the back of "Dellyisms." I couldn't put up with it past like 6 short chapters, so I stopped. It wasn't really going anywhere... I think it might be about a new kid coming, and Delly making friends with the new kid.... but Delly is not likeable character from the start...
So I started in on how i live now which was recommended to me (No, Ms. R, I don't hold it against you!). I had a large print copy, so I'm not sure if part of the trouble I had with the formatting was because it was a large print version... There were no quotation marks, which made it a little hard to follow at times. I also had trouble with something leftover from Junie B. Jones days... which is when a character wants to emphasize something by over capitalization. For instance, here's a sample sentence -
"And for a minute I was so glad I was fifteen and from New York City because even though I haven't actually Seen It All, I have seen more than plenty, and I have one of the best Oh Yeah, This Is So Much What I Usually Do kind of faces of anyone in my crowd."
I spend most of my writing days trying to get kids to AVOID that type of writing, and it was downright painful to try and understand what was actually being said... and once I did figure out sort of the plot of what was going on, I was uninterested. Don't get me wrong. I read Flowers in the Attic, but I didn't realize this was gonna be kissing relatives also... So I gave up. Right after Chapter 5 or so... literally, slammed the book and announced "well, i'm done with THAT!"
I am really excited about several of the other books I picked up, including Forge by Laurie Anderson (the second book after Chains, The Monster's Ring and Juliet Dove, Queen of Love both by Bruce Coville, and both in the same series as Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and Jennifer Murdley's Toad which I LOVED as a child. Apparently there is a 5th book - The Skull of Truth which I have not acquired yet... emphasis on yet! My arms were only so big!
On the "fourth grade appropriate" side, I picked up Havoc but have since realized that I grabbed the sequel... and need to first read Malice - both books look phenomenol - about kids who are trying to escape a comic book world, and so the reader is literally forced into a 4-6 page graphic novel sequence at the end of each (long) chapter. It looks fantastic and I'm excited - though I should wait to read the first one first...
I also grabbed The Forest of Hands and Teeth and am excited that it's a series - though the Zombie idea kind of creeps me out...
Other books that I picked up on a whim - Criss-Cross, No Talking (Andrew Clements, who wrote Frindle), and Small Steps which is the sequel to Holes.
So I guess I'll be pretty busy - but if you have more ideas, PLEASE suggest them! :)
So I went to the library on Friday after school, and picked up several books from the Young Adult section. I got excited because I was able to find several books that my friends had suggested for me to read.
I like the instant-gratification of getting books from Barnes and Noble, and am often frustrated by the library system in my county because it is a huge county, and even with multiple facilities, books are often not in, or not at the location where I go. So I took a risk and went to the library! I even had to get a new card because I had (go figure) lost my old card! Now I can even request books again! haha!
I picked up a LOT of books, and at least when I pick them up at the library, I can feel not guilty when I give up on it and quit reading halfway through. I don't often start reading with the thought of "this stinks" because I don't pick up bad books - since I'm not in high school anymore, I don't HAVE to read books that I don't like, so I CAN just quit reading part way through
So. This happened. Twice.
I started reading True... sort of by Katherine Hannigan, the same one who wrote Ida B. I honestly have never read Ida B. either, but have heard it's a great book, so I was kind of excited. I did NOT like it. It's a story about a girl named Delly (real name Delaware - I don't do well with kids named after states either...) who makes up words - like "mysteriousity" and other silly words. It's like she is old enough to know better, but still makes up silly little words - so many in fact that the book comes with its own dictionary in the back of "Dellyisms." I couldn't put up with it past like 6 short chapters, so I stopped. It wasn't really going anywhere... I think it might be about a new kid coming, and Delly making friends with the new kid.... but Delly is not likeable character from the start...
So I started in on how i live now which was recommended to me (No, Ms. R, I don't hold it against you!). I had a large print copy, so I'm not sure if part of the trouble I had with the formatting was because it was a large print version... There were no quotation marks, which made it a little hard to follow at times. I also had trouble with something leftover from Junie B. Jones days... which is when a character wants to emphasize something by over capitalization. For instance, here's a sample sentence -
"And for a minute I was so glad I was fifteen and from New York City because even though I haven't actually Seen It All, I have seen more than plenty, and I have one of the best Oh Yeah, This Is So Much What I Usually Do kind of faces of anyone in my crowd."
I spend most of my writing days trying to get kids to AVOID that type of writing, and it was downright painful to try and understand what was actually being said... and once I did figure out sort of the plot of what was going on, I was uninterested. Don't get me wrong. I read Flowers in the Attic, but I didn't realize this was gonna be kissing relatives also... So I gave up. Right after Chapter 5 or so... literally, slammed the book and announced "well, i'm done with THAT!"
I am really excited about several of the other books I picked up, including Forge by Laurie Anderson (the second book after Chains, The Monster's Ring and Juliet Dove, Queen of Love both by Bruce Coville, and both in the same series as Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and Jennifer Murdley's Toad which I LOVED as a child. Apparently there is a 5th book - The Skull of Truth which I have not acquired yet... emphasis on yet! My arms were only so big!
On the "fourth grade appropriate" side, I picked up Havoc but have since realized that I grabbed the sequel... and need to first read Malice - both books look phenomenol - about kids who are trying to escape a comic book world, and so the reader is literally forced into a 4-6 page graphic novel sequence at the end of each (long) chapter. It looks fantastic and I'm excited - though I should wait to read the first one first...
I also grabbed The Forest of Hands and Teeth and am excited that it's a series - though the Zombie idea kind of creeps me out...
Other books that I picked up on a whim - Criss-Cross, No Talking (Andrew Clements, who wrote Frindle), and Small Steps which is the sequel to Holes.
So I guess I'll be pretty busy - but if you have more ideas, PLEASE suggest them! :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Mintaka - from Orion, the Hunter
A hunter has to run a lot... right? sure... we'll go with that
I failed to post when I completed The Maze Runner - I wasn't really sure about it. I had a lot of issues with the book as it neared completion... and I can't wait for more of my friends to read it so they can also talk to me about it. ;)
I'm not sure if it is more disturbing to read as an adult, understanding that the book is written mainly for young adult readers - sort of like Lord of the Flies style writing... I also wasn't sure going into the book how I was going to enjoy a male protagonist. I'm not a huge fan of books with male protagonists, and I'm not entirely sure why. But at the same time, I need a strong female, not a wimpy female... Either way, within the first chapter of the Maze Runner, I had been introduced to a boy who only knows that his name is "Thomas" - no surname that he can recall, and his companions immediately begin referring to him as "Greenbean." So i figured the book couldn't be ALL bad.
I. Tore. Through. It.
I think I completed The Maze Runner within 3-4 days... staying up late to read until I fell asleep after playing games online, reading it in the car, squeezing in a chapter during planning... It was very compelling, though very disturbing. The chapters are short, and the author does an annoyingly good job of cliff-hanger chapter endings - similar to The Hunger Games. And there was even a pleasant surprise of a girl being added to the characters!
I would NOT recommend The Maze Runner to my mother. In fact, I have already explicitly said that she would NOT enjoy it, while I do think she would enjoy The Hunger Games. It even scared me at times, and certainly some of the chapters that I tore through at 2 am were because I couldn't take the stress and tension of what was going on. Being trapped in a maze with half beast, half mechanical monsters is SCARY... Knowing that people are watching you the entire time while you suffer is sick... It got at me multiple ways... like the movie "Se7en" (which i love, ps)
When I finished it... I just wasn't sure. The book has an epilogue, and I knew, from reading other similar books, that if I read the epilogue, it was going to leave me hanging and immediately wanting more... so I hesitated... and then knew I couldn't handle not knowing. I read ahead, and included in my copy were the first few chapters of The Scorch Trials. And even, reading those... I didn't know how to feel about getting the next book... Maybe this time, I could just not read the whole series... Maybe this time...
By the way, The Death Cure comes out on the SAME day as The Son of Neptune which is Rick Riodan's book 2 of the Heroes series (Percy Jackson, part two, this time from a different perspective) OCTOBER 11 IF ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW :D :D
So I guess that answers the question of "did I keep reading The Maze Runner series"... if I already know when book 3 comes out... eh?
I'm almost done with The Scorch Trials now, though I do admit that I had a hard time wanting to get it... I consoled myself by getting it through Amazon, since it is only available in hardcover right now...
Now that I'm this far through - would I read it again? Would I recommend it?
I'm not sure. I am convinced that SOMEWHERE at the end of it all, there is a happy ending. And I really hope that there is. Things look bleak, things look rough... post-apocalyptic settings are tough for me to read in general - they play into my "invisible airborne illnesses are going to kill us all one day" fears
So I hope that for Thomas, the no-longer "Greenbean," there is a happy ending.
And I selfishly hope that book 3 answers my questions that are flying around right now. Though I fear that instead, the author will actually create a parallel series to answer those questions. Yep. You heard me. Just like The Lost Hero (Rick Riodan) did. I'm seeing the same trend here.
Talk to me when you get there!! :D
This weekend, off to a wedding. Lots of car travel time. I'm going to be finishing The Scorch Trials and then am taking The Red Pyramid and I Like Him, He Likes Her. (total. drivel. I've tried to get through it before... it's baaaaaaaad dippy)
I failed to post when I completed The Maze Runner - I wasn't really sure about it. I had a lot of issues with the book as it neared completion... and I can't wait for more of my friends to read it so they can also talk to me about it. ;)
I'm not sure if it is more disturbing to read as an adult, understanding that the book is written mainly for young adult readers - sort of like Lord of the Flies style writing... I also wasn't sure going into the book how I was going to enjoy a male protagonist. I'm not a huge fan of books with male protagonists, and I'm not entirely sure why. But at the same time, I need a strong female, not a wimpy female... Either way, within the first chapter of the Maze Runner, I had been introduced to a boy who only knows that his name is "Thomas" - no surname that he can recall, and his companions immediately begin referring to him as "Greenbean." So i figured the book couldn't be ALL bad.
I. Tore. Through. It.
I think I completed The Maze Runner within 3-4 days... staying up late to read until I fell asleep after playing games online, reading it in the car, squeezing in a chapter during planning... It was very compelling, though very disturbing. The chapters are short, and the author does an annoyingly good job of cliff-hanger chapter endings - similar to The Hunger Games. And there was even a pleasant surprise of a girl being added to the characters!
I would NOT recommend The Maze Runner to my mother. In fact, I have already explicitly said that she would NOT enjoy it, while I do think she would enjoy The Hunger Games. It even scared me at times, and certainly some of the chapters that I tore through at 2 am were because I couldn't take the stress and tension of what was going on. Being trapped in a maze with half beast, half mechanical monsters is SCARY... Knowing that people are watching you the entire time while you suffer is sick... It got at me multiple ways... like the movie "Se7en" (which i love, ps)
When I finished it... I just wasn't sure. The book has an epilogue, and I knew, from reading other similar books, that if I read the epilogue, it was going to leave me hanging and immediately wanting more... so I hesitated... and then knew I couldn't handle not knowing. I read ahead, and included in my copy were the first few chapters of The Scorch Trials. And even, reading those... I didn't know how to feel about getting the next book... Maybe this time, I could just not read the whole series... Maybe this time...
By the way, The Death Cure comes out on the SAME day as The Son of Neptune which is Rick Riodan's book 2 of the Heroes series (Percy Jackson, part two, this time from a different perspective) OCTOBER 11 IF ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW :D :D
So I guess that answers the question of "did I keep reading The Maze Runner series"... if I already know when book 3 comes out... eh?
I'm almost done with The Scorch Trials now, though I do admit that I had a hard time wanting to get it... I consoled myself by getting it through Amazon, since it is only available in hardcover right now...
Now that I'm this far through - would I read it again? Would I recommend it?
I'm not sure. I am convinced that SOMEWHERE at the end of it all, there is a happy ending. And I really hope that there is. Things look bleak, things look rough... post-apocalyptic settings are tough for me to read in general - they play into my "invisible airborne illnesses are going to kill us all one day" fears
So I hope that for Thomas, the no-longer "Greenbean," there is a happy ending.
And I selfishly hope that book 3 answers my questions that are flying around right now. Though I fear that instead, the author will actually create a parallel series to answer those questions. Yep. You heard me. Just like The Lost Hero (Rick Riodan) did. I'm seeing the same trend here.
Talk to me when you get there!! :D
This weekend, off to a wedding. Lots of car travel time. I'm going to be finishing The Scorch Trials and then am taking The Red Pyramid and I Like Him, He Likes Her. (total. drivel. I've tried to get through it before... it's baaaaaaaad dippy)
Monday, February 21, 2011
Naos - from the constellation Puppis
I'm going to be honest... I picked the constellation mostly based on what I read when I clicked on it and discovered that Puppis comes from the Latin for "poop deck"
;)
Naos is the "ship" itself, and the constellation has roots back in Jason's time... that guy, with the argonauts
I felt it appropriate to my journey through a SEA of books bwhaha
Borders bookstores are going out of business, so I picked up a few books there today - 20% off -
Ender's Game - I read it a few years ago, but SOME people I know can't stop talking about how good it is - and honestly I can't remember half of it... so I guess it's back at it!
Ender's Shadow - I remember liking Ender, and I remember liking Bean, and I think this is the only sequel I'm interested in
Wrinkle in Time - One of my kids is currently reading it, and I read it back in the day - as one of my favorites - worth picking up at 20% and rereading
Golden Compass - Since Ms. R tells me this is a more "safe" book to read than previously considered, I figured I may as well grab this - but leave the sequels to later...
Maze Runner - Yeah I'm excited! But bummed that the 3rd book isn't out yet... I have a hard time being patient and waiting... This is why I've put off reading Red Pyramid also...
;)
Naos is the "ship" itself, and the constellation has roots back in Jason's time... that guy, with the argonauts
I felt it appropriate to my journey through a SEA of books bwhaha
Borders bookstores are going out of business, so I picked up a few books there today - 20% off -
Ender's Game - I read it a few years ago, but SOME people I know can't stop talking about how good it is - and honestly I can't remember half of it... so I guess it's back at it!
Ender's Shadow - I remember liking Ender, and I remember liking Bean, and I think this is the only sequel I'm interested in
Wrinkle in Time - One of my kids is currently reading it, and I read it back in the day - as one of my favorites - worth picking up at 20% and rereading
Golden Compass - Since Ms. R tells me this is a more "safe" book to read than previously considered, I figured I may as well grab this - but leave the sequels to later...
Maze Runner - Yeah I'm excited! But bummed that the 3rd book isn't out yet... I have a hard time being patient and waiting... This is why I've put off reading Red Pyramid also...
Adhil - from the constellation Andromeda
Andromeda's a strong lady, right? I'd categorize her as such at least...
Last weekend, the boy and I took a road trip to Charlotte to visit some friends who are getting married soon. I had Savvy in the car to read, and have LOVED looking at the cover for some time! It's GORGEOUS!
It has some award of some kind... Newberry? Something... It also ended up on the North Carolina book awards... is that because the author is from NC? I have no idea...
In the book, the main character (Mississippi, who gains the unforunate nick name of "missy pissy" which is why i can only assume the book gets a lexile of 1070... it is NOT HARD) is 2 days away from turning 13. Upon turning 13, the people in her family discover what their "savvy" is. Now, if you can get through the book without hearing Johnny Depp saying "savvvvy" every 5 seconds, good for you!
The cover was the best part. I think kids would enjoy it - my fourth graders have... I was kind of bummed about Mississippi's "savvy" and would like to hear about one of the boys instead - the girls' savvies are kind of lame, like "always does stuff perfectly" and "can grab radio waves out of the air" while the boys have cool talents like "when angry, causes storms and rain" and "catches things on electrical fire"
Maybe this is what has inspired my latest book purchase... but that's for a slightly different entry ;)
Last weekend, the boy and I took a road trip to Charlotte to visit some friends who are getting married soon. I had Savvy in the car to read, and have LOVED looking at the cover for some time! It's GORGEOUS!
It has some award of some kind... Newberry? Something... It also ended up on the North Carolina book awards... is that because the author is from NC? I have no idea...
In the book, the main character (Mississippi, who gains the unforunate nick name of "missy pissy" which is why i can only assume the book gets a lexile of 1070... it is NOT HARD) is 2 days away from turning 13. Upon turning 13, the people in her family discover what their "savvy" is. Now, if you can get through the book without hearing Johnny Depp saying "savvvvy" every 5 seconds, good for you!
The cover was the best part. I think kids would enjoy it - my fourth graders have... I was kind of bummed about Mississippi's "savvy" and would like to hear about one of the boys instead - the girls' savvies are kind of lame, like "always does stuff perfectly" and "can grab radio waves out of the air" while the boys have cool talents like "when angry, causes storms and rain" and "catches things on electrical fire"
Maybe this is what has inspired my latest book purchase... but that's for a slightly different entry ;)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Vega - brightest star in Lyra
Vega, the female in the Chinese legend, the one separated from her lover by the giant river (the milky way), the third star in the Summer Triangle - this is what goes to discuss Katniss and the final pages of Mockingjay.
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.
That being AFTER I had to skip ahead and read to make sure some people's fate a night ago - because I couldn't SLEEP without finding out what happened, and couldn't possibly make it through the book.
I'll tell you now - all I want to do is find the next book of a similar nature and dive right back in, total bookworm style... Did I used to do things other than devour books? Unfortunately, I think I want to hit up Maze Runner next, and my library is OUT of those, all copies checked OUT
This book is INTENSE - Mrs. R totally hits it on the head when she said it was like reading a nightmare chase sequence - definitely the sort of book you feel like you need a drink beside you to read
Katniss is such a strong character, developed well through three books - overall it really feels like one complete story, because of the way the author chose to put the breaks in the books and the different parts to each book.
Next up? Maybe something lighter while I wait for Maze Runner...
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.
That being AFTER I had to skip ahead and read to make sure some people's fate a night ago - because I couldn't SLEEP without finding out what happened, and couldn't possibly make it through the book.
I'll tell you now - all I want to do is find the next book of a similar nature and dive right back in, total bookworm style... Did I used to do things other than devour books? Unfortunately, I think I want to hit up Maze Runner next, and my library is OUT of those, all copies checked OUT
This book is INTENSE - Mrs. R totally hits it on the head when she said it was like reading a nightmare chase sequence - definitely the sort of book you feel like you need a drink beside you to read
Katniss is such a strong character, developed well through three books - overall it really feels like one complete story, because of the way the author chose to put the breaks in the books and the different parts to each book.
Next up? Maybe something lighter while I wait for Maze Runner...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sheliak - from Lyra
Lyra, the harp, holds the final star to the summer triangle, though it sure itn's Sheliak ;)
So I have to admit, last night when I realized there was NO way I could pour through the entire book before passing out and STILL make it to school sometime, I flipped through to the end, scanning for character names of particular people in Mockingjay to see their fate because I could not SLEEP until I knew...
It's at THAT point that I know I'm hooked. A total nerd. And I'm okay with it ;)
I'm about 2/3 through the book - the folks are scheming on how to "crack the nut" for those of you who know
I plan to whip through it later today, with rave reviews! I have been recommending this book to everyone I see - while trying not to give anything away. I can't get enough of this dystopian type stuff...
Mrs. R - YOU have a list of books posted much earlier in your blog... is the maze runner along these same lines? Are there others you have found? You've been my guide ot the Uglies, and now Hunger Games, so I trust your judgement...
So I have to admit, last night when I realized there was NO way I could pour through the entire book before passing out and STILL make it to school sometime, I flipped through to the end, scanning for character names of particular people in Mockingjay to see their fate because I could not SLEEP until I knew...
It's at THAT point that I know I'm hooked. A total nerd. And I'm okay with it ;)
I'm about 2/3 through the book - the folks are scheming on how to "crack the nut" for those of you who know
I plan to whip through it later today, with rave reviews! I have been recommending this book to everyone I see - while trying not to give anything away. I can't get enough of this dystopian type stuff...
Mrs. R - YOU have a list of books posted much earlier in your blog... is the maze runner along these same lines? Are there others you have found? You've been my guide ot the Uglies, and now Hunger Games, so I trust your judgement...
Monday, January 31, 2011
Altair as Peeta
Altair, the second of the summer triangle that I'll be mentioning. Altair comes into a Chinese story about a lowly cowherd being in love with a weaver princess - unfortunately a huge river (the milky way) separates the two lovers and except for one day, they aren't allowed to meet. Altair comes from the constellation Aquilla - the eagle... so another appropriate bird reference...
So, because of naming it Altair, this is my Peeta post. It is interesting to me - this is the first "dystopian" book that I have read that has a compelling male character, other than The Giver, of course. Peeta is a character who I would love to meet in real life - and Collins again makes the reader actually CARE about the characters... What will happen with Gale?
Catching Fire finished, now only the final book remains. I flew through both the first two books! I am teaching about suspense in writing these days, and I wish my students were old enough that I could share the hooks that come at the end of each chapter. You need to have a lot of time ready when you start up this series
Having heard that there is a movie coming out... I'm not really sure what to think. With the idea of the games being televised all over the country, it seems weird to be watching a movie about a "movie" more or less... it's like a movie version of Survivor - with more death and kids. The people who I have seen posting lists of "ideal casts" include actors and actresses I've rarely heard of, and I'm always picky about seeing characters in movies after getting to know them through books.
My first character on "that online game" was named Altaire - as I refused to play a dude character, so I added the e... again, one of the easiest asterisms for me to pick out.
Is it really only Monday?
So, because of naming it Altair, this is my Peeta post. It is interesting to me - this is the first "dystopian" book that I have read that has a compelling male character, other than The Giver, of course. Peeta is a character who I would love to meet in real life - and Collins again makes the reader actually CARE about the characters... What will happen with Gale?
Catching Fire finished, now only the final book remains. I flew through both the first two books! I am teaching about suspense in writing these days, and I wish my students were old enough that I could share the hooks that come at the end of each chapter. You need to have a lot of time ready when you start up this series
Having heard that there is a movie coming out... I'm not really sure what to think. With the idea of the games being televised all over the country, it seems weird to be watching a movie about a "movie" more or less... it's like a movie version of Survivor - with more death and kids. The people who I have seen posting lists of "ideal casts" include actors and actresses I've rarely heard of, and I'm always picky about seeing characters in movies after getting to know them through books.
My first character on "that online game" was named Altaire - as I refused to play a dude character, so I added the e... again, one of the easiest asterisms for me to pick out.
Is it really only Monday?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sgr (Ascella) - Sagittarius
Ah... the archer... Sagittarius, for all its well-knowness, has no actual named stars. I don't count "Sgr" (Ascella) as a name, as it lacks vowels, even pretend ones like "w." Of the 20 or so main stars that make it up, most have planets surrounding them... and have numbers or Greek letters to tell them apart from the other Sgr stars...
So... I am about midway through Catching Fire and have just discovered the new twist to the games for this year. There is some relief, as I was afraid I was going to have to write my whole review of book 2 about star-crossed lovers, and how much it made me want to vomit.
And at the same time, I am looking for ways I can have more independent reading time with my kids... because you know, students need for teachers to model everything that is expected of them in the classroom. :)
So... I am about midway through Catching Fire and have just discovered the new twist to the games for this year. There is some relief, as I was afraid I was going to have to write my whole review of book 2 about star-crossed lovers, and how much it made me want to vomit.
And at the same time, I am looking for ways I can have more independent reading time with my kids... because you know, students need for teachers to model everything that is expected of them in the classroom. :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Algol - The Demon Star
From the constellation Perseus (who we will get to later FOR SURE) - representing for years the Gorgon Medusa's head.
Is anyone else reminded of Potentate Nicolae Carpathia from the Left Behind series when President Snow shows up in Catching Fire?
just wonderin'
Is anyone else reminded of Potentate Nicolae Carpathia from the Left Behind series when President Snow shows up in Catching Fire?
just wonderin'
Deneb: One down, two to go
Deneb is one of my personal favorite stars. No, really. Deneb is one of the few I can actually pick out. It's in the constellation Cygnus, the swan, and is easiest seen in the summer, as it makes up one of the three stars in the asterism "The Summer Triangle." Appropriate then, in many ways, as my first post to be on the first book in the trilogy: The Hunger Games.
Yes. I just bought it yesterday. Yes. I'm already done with it. No, I pretty much haven't done anything but read it since I got it. I nearly fell asleep playing on my computer, then picked it up and managed to read until 1:15 this morning, then picked up again after work today, even after sneaking a few chapters during lunch and planning at work.
To those of you who have read Hunger Games, the bird tie-in should be obvious. Thank you, Sagan, stars really are a part of everything. ;) To those of you who haven't read Hunger Games - book three is called Mockingjay. Nuff said.
HIGHLY recommend this book! It falls under the category of books I enjoy all under the "dystopian society" theme. Also, be prepared to have all three of the trilogy in hand, as book one will leave you hanging.
Written in three parts, Hunger Games takes on a society where, because of some historical rebellion, the country is divided into 12 districts. Every year, each district must send a boy and a girl "tribute" to participate in the "hunger games." The last one living wins. Rules are highly involved about how your name gets submitted via lottery per district, and the whole shibang is broadcast like some awful version of Survivor across the country on huge screens. The winner receives a life of luxury, and plenty of food for their district.
But then consider that it is "young adult" and you can't have young adult without some romance action... Thanks a lot, Twilight... so enter into the chaos of fighting to the death that you have some young lovers
To lovers of The Giver, you will recognize themes and enjoy these characters. Suzanne Collins does a much more in depth job of character development, causing the reader to become emotionally attached, rooting for a winner.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have the biggest urge to locate some berries and start in on Catching Fire.
Yes. I just bought it yesterday. Yes. I'm already done with it. No, I pretty much haven't done anything but read it since I got it. I nearly fell asleep playing on my computer, then picked it up and managed to read until 1:15 this morning, then picked up again after work today, even after sneaking a few chapters during lunch and planning at work.
To those of you who have read Hunger Games, the bird tie-in should be obvious. Thank you, Sagan, stars really are a part of everything. ;) To those of you who haven't read Hunger Games - book three is called Mockingjay. Nuff said.
HIGHLY recommend this book! It falls under the category of books I enjoy all under the "dystopian society" theme. Also, be prepared to have all three of the trilogy in hand, as book one will leave you hanging.
Written in three parts, Hunger Games takes on a society where, because of some historical rebellion, the country is divided into 12 districts. Every year, each district must send a boy and a girl "tribute" to participate in the "hunger games." The last one living wins. Rules are highly involved about how your name gets submitted via lottery per district, and the whole shibang is broadcast like some awful version of Survivor across the country on huge screens. The winner receives a life of luxury, and plenty of food for their district.
But then consider that it is "young adult" and you can't have young adult without some romance action... Thanks a lot, Twilight... so enter into the chaos of fighting to the death that you have some young lovers
To lovers of The Giver, you will recognize themes and enjoy these characters. Suzanne Collins does a much more in depth job of character development, causing the reader to become emotionally attached, rooting for a winner.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have the biggest urge to locate some berries and start in on Catching Fire.
Polaris: The beginning
Seems like Polaris is an appropriate intro, as it's usually what we tell children to find first in the sky... whether or not it's ACTUALLY the easiest to find... debatable. Confession? Even while working at the Planetarium I couldn't locate Polaris in the night sky without someone pointing it out to me.
Carl Sagan, astronomer, is famous for many things. Among his work is a quote that has stuck with me since hearing it - "we are star stuff." The idea that we are made of the same chemical material as the stars was fascinating to me, and still is.
I started this blog because I wanted a place to post my ideas about books that I've been reading, books that I see, books that get recommended to me... I really do LIKE reading, even if I don't always have time for it.
As a fourth grade teacher, I often get into books that would be more appropriate for young adults than adults, because they're more interesting and more often I can relate them to the children I'm teaching. Though, of late, I find that the books I'm more and more interested in are for middle school kids... is this an indication of a career change? ;)
So through each post, I will attempt to relate a book that I am reading to a star - and discuss my thoughts on it. I promise to try and keep spoilers out.
Let's see how long this can go!
Carl Sagan, astronomer, is famous for many things. Among his work is a quote that has stuck with me since hearing it - "we are star stuff." The idea that we are made of the same chemical material as the stars was fascinating to me, and still is.
I started this blog because I wanted a place to post my ideas about books that I've been reading, books that I see, books that get recommended to me... I really do LIKE reading, even if I don't always have time for it.
As a fourth grade teacher, I often get into books that would be more appropriate for young adults than adults, because they're more interesting and more often I can relate them to the children I'm teaching. Though, of late, I find that the books I'm more and more interested in are for middle school kids... is this an indication of a career change? ;)
So through each post, I will attempt to relate a book that I am reading to a star - and discuss my thoughts on it. I promise to try and keep spoilers out.
Let's see how long this can go!
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