The Sunday Salon

I am new to The Sunday Salon, but I am really looking forward to it!

Megan does the whole Sunday Salon thing, and it kind of interested me, so I joined and now here I am, at 1:35 on a Sunday afternoon, posting about it.

Anyways, currently I am reading the New York Times Bestseller Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich.

I had never heard of this book before, until not too long ago when I went to see the movie, starring this very talented actor, who also starred in the very popular musical Across the Universe.

I fell in love with the movie from the very beginning, because it was unique and interesting and had me on the edge of my seat... and that is not an exaggeration! I was literally dying to know what would happen next. Which is something that hasn't happened to me while watching a movie in a long long time.

When I found out that it was a book, I knew I had to read it... And so now I am.

To be honest, I'm not that far in the book... only page 54. But I am already entranced by the strange world that the main character is entering. I can also tell that the book and movie aren't going to be the same, which gives me some incentive to keep reading and find out what happens next.

Another thing that gives me a reason to keep reading is the fact that the book was recommended to me... by someone who hates reading. If someone who hates to read can sit down and read it without getting bored, then I'm pretty sure that I can too. =D

So now I'm off to read!

-Chelsie-

Making Me Miserable

Today was a test, I think... a test of how attached I am to my blog.

The answer is, I am very attached to my blog. A fact that I just learned as I was trying to change the template to something more unique and interesting, and all of the stuff on my sidebar disappeared. All of it.

That happened about an hour ago, and I've managed to get it back to how it was... unless I forgot a blog that used to be under my favorite blogs. If I have, then just tell me and I'll add it again.

I want to say that I will never try to change my template again, but I doubt it.

So I have questions for anyone who knows anything about blog templates.

1. Naturally, my first question is going to be: How do you change your template without affecting the sidebar/widgets?

2. Is there a way to back up the lists and text on the sidebar? (I know there's a way to copy the HTML for the widgets, but is there a way to save my list of blogs and contests?)

Or if anyone has any suggestions, please please please let me know. Because I've seen so many nice templates I want, but I don't want to go through all this again... Even though I'll probably end up doing it again in a couple minutes anyways.

I just thought I'd give everyone a forewarning, in case you look at my blog and see that everything's disappeared.

-Chelsie-

Congratulations!

So, I have this friend:
We'll call her Justinne. Just for the sake of my story. (She hates this picture, but I like it so it's going on here)

I also have this hat:

(Go Bears!)

So last night was the official end of my very first contest (I know, so sad) and so I put all the entries into this lovely Bears hat. And that I had my lovely friend Justinne pick one out.

And then the winner of my contest was determined!

And the winner is....

Megan!

Congrats, Megan!

And thank you all for your participation! Keep your eyes peeled for any contests I might have in the future!

-Chelsie-

Book Report

So, everyone, I sit here on a beautiful Friday morning, 3rd hour English 10, and I ask a favor of you all.

I need to do a book report. Not just any book report... but a good book report. Something that would be fun and interesting and not something typical.

So, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to try to do it on one of the books I've already read, so if you have any ideas for a specific book that would work real well, let me know!!

Thank you in advance,
Chelsie

Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Title: Becoming Chloe


Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde


Summary:

Meet Jordy. He’s on his own in New York City. Nobody to depend on; nobody depending on him. And it’s been working fine.


Until this girl comes along. She’s 18 and blond and pretty–her world should be perfect. But she’s seen things no one should ever see in their whole life–the kind of things that break a person. She doesn’t seem broken, though. She seems . . . innocent. Like she doesn’t know a whole lot. Only sometimes she does.


The one thing she knows for sure is that the world is an ugly place. Now her life may depend on Jordy proving her wrong. So they hit the road to discover the truth–and there’s no going back from what they find out.


This deeply felt, redemptive novel reveals both the dark corners and hidden joys of life’s journey–and the remarkable resilience of the human soul.

Rating: 4/5


Good:

Once again, Catherine Ryan Hyde brought a book that was intriguing from the very first page. Starting off with two young people, living alone in a cellar, I found myself drawn in by Chloe's character. In a way, she reminded me of Stargirl from Jerry Spinelli's amazing book. I'm not even quite sure why.


Throughout Chloe and Jordy's travels, I found myself wishing that I were there seeing the things they were seeing, talking to the people they were talking to... I wanted to step into the book and become Chloe, or some version of her, and I thought it was great that I could connect to the book on that kind of level.

Bad:

I can't really pinpoint exactly why this book didn't amaze me as much as The Day I Killed James. The story line was just as unique, the characters were just as well developed... I think it has to do with the unbelievability, at least from my pessimistic point of view. I can relate to Chloe in the beginning because I, like her, have a hard time believing that the world is really all that beautiful... so I also have a hard time imagining all the nice people, all the beautiful views, and just the good things that happened. This isn't really a flaw with the book, but more a character flaw of mine that kept me from enjoying it as much as I should have.

The Day I Killed James by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Title: The Day I Killed James


Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde


Summary:

IT WASN’T SUPPOSED to end up like this. But it did.


When Theresa brings James to a party as her date, it’s just for the night . . . and he knows that. But when everything goes horribly wrong, James drives his motorcycle off a cliff—and Theresa knows she’s responsible for his death.


Theresa tries to run away from the pain, becoming a new young woman with a whole new life. She meets people, of course, but she never really makes connections—she’s too scared she’ll hurt them, too. But what Theresa discovers is that you can try to run away from the pain—but you can never really run away from yourself. The only way out is through.


This compelling tale of love and loss is about broken hearts—and how to begin to repair your own.

Rating: 5/5


Good:

From the cover, to the first page, all the way to the end, this book completely captivated me. The idea was fresh and new and it brings forth an interesting idea of how much blame to put on yourself when something happens to someone close to you. The main character is deep and emotional, and while she tries to push people away she really wants someone to push through the wall she's built. I love Theresa, she's a character I can relate to very easily, and she's also likable in her own way.

Bad:

I'm having a difficult time coming up with something bad about this book... It was truly amazing and wonderful, the type of book I could read again and never get tired of.

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I'll be posting a review of Becoming Chloe in just a couple minutes...

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Before I begin, I'm going to say something... I'm attempting to try a new review style. I'll try a couple reviews like this, so let me know what you think, or give me some advice.



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Title- Lock and Key


Author- Sarah Dessen


Summary- (all summaries will come from Amazon unless otherwise stated)

“Ruby, where is your mother?”


Ruby knows that the game is up.


For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house,
managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.


That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in
ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes
it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web
site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe,
the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is
Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate,
the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept
the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl
dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

Rating- 4/5


Good-

I've been waiting forever for this book. I am a huge fan of Sarah Dessen, have been for many years. When I got it, I could not wait to read it... Now, onto the book. This was a very very deep book. The characters had many layers that made them unique and interesting. None of the major characters fit any typical stereotypes. Lock and Key had a very different plot line that intrigued me from the very first moment I read about it.

Bad-

I find myself running out of good things to say... That doesn't make it a bad book though. It's just that I don't think I'd be able to honestly say that the book wowed me. I wasn't amazed, I didn't feel the need to stay up late in the night to finish it. There's nothing truly awful about the book... but I didn't feel the same connection with it like I did with This Lullaby or Dreamland, my two favorites of hers.

Why I've Been Negligent

I haven't been doing much on the computer lately. And I am about to explain why.

At my dad's house, we're going through a moving period. The internet is up and running, but we don't have the high-speed hooked up. And I'm sure ya'll know what dial-up is like. It took me four hours to get a five minute video loaded. And about an hour to check my email and MySpace.

Slow computers are the most annoying thing. Now that I'm on a fast computer, I am cherishing it... because I have to go back to my dad's tomorrow and I'll be without computer for another day. I'm going back to Mom's Monday, though, so it won't be so bad then.

I've been trying to catch up on my reading lately, but I've been so terrible... I read Lock and Key (expect a review up asap) and am in the middle of The Day I Killed James by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which I hope to finish by tomorrow.

I also have about 12 or 13 books in my TBR pile... and I keep on getting more, so I will try to get a lot of reviews up soon.

Another problem I've been having, though, is that the end of the school year is rapidly approaching (16 more days!) so the teachers feel like the only way to keep us focused is to pile on the homework.

As soon as school is over, I will have all the time in the world to read. And review.

So. Be patient!

And in the meantime, check out this song. It's extremely addictive!

Te amo,
Chelsie

it's a beautiful day for a contest!

Hello, everyone!



I am very excited to announce my very first contest!


It has recently come to my attention that my fellow blogger friend Harmony has an awful young adult section in her library. And she’s looking for people to donate a book or two to help the cause.




So, here’s my dilemma. I have a couple books here that I picked off of my shelf, but I’m not sure which one to donate.



This is where you come in.



I need someone to choose a book for me to donate to Harmony’s library. And then, after you’re done picking a book to donate, then you also get to pick one for yourself. How’s that for a sweet deal? Not only are you getting a book for yourself, but you are helping out a friend and a library.




So, before I reveal which books are up for grabs, I am going to explain the details (which sounds much less threatening than ‘rules’)



Detail #1: This contest will be open until Friday, May 23rd, Midnight Central Time.



Detail #2: To enter, please leave me a comment or send me an email at bookluverreviews@hotmail.com. Please include some way for me to contact you in case you win.



Detail #3: If you advertise my contest on your blog or someplace similar, please include a link so I can be sure to give you two extra entries!



So, the following should be included in your entry:



1. A book for the library.
2. A book for you.
3. Contact details
4. A link (if you advertised.)



And now, without further adieu, I shall give you the list of books!

1. Sweet 16 by Kate Brian
2. Waves by Sharon Dogar
3. In the Cards: Love by Mariah Fredericks

4. The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
5. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
6. Faking 19 by Alyson Noel
7. The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

(There would have been a picture of In the Cards: Love but it wouldn't work right)


Those are your books to choose from! Have fun!

Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker

Violet on the Runway

by Melissa Walker

When Violet is spotted by a bigshot modeling agent, her life will never be the same again. In a search for excitement and a place to fit in, she's sucked into the modeling world faster than you can say Jimmy Choo. Not too long after she starts, she moves to New York to live in a house with other models, including Veronica Trask, a witch with a capital b, and her companion Sam. She gets a boyfriend and things are going great, because she finally feels like she can fit in. Even though she left her two best friends behind when she left North Carolina.

This novel was intriguing from the very beginning, because I've never really read any books about modeling before. The idea was fresh and interesting, and it was kind of like an insiders look at the world of modeling. I loved how, while it didn't make modeling seem perfect, the book didn't make fun of models... it just focused on how modeling wasn't exactly perfect for Violet. And the mix of fun and seriousness was perfect for the mood of the book, and so it's a perfect book to read on a rainy day.