The End of 2011

I'm probably the last blogger to do a post for the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. Well, in Israel, midnight is going to be in 2 hours and 43 minutes (from now) so I think it's the perfect time to do this post.
Technically, I don't celebrate New Year. We have the our dates, with Rosh-Hashana at September, by the Jewish tradition. Since we follow the calender of the world, it means something when a year pass and another begin.
In 2011, things happened:
* I got a driving license.
* I celebrated my 17th birthday.
* I opened a blog.
* I wrote some reviews.
* I got to know some new friends both in real life and twitter.
* I read so many great books.
* I completed my first story.
* I started writing a new one.
* I failed.
* I started writing a new story.
* I stopped writing. I still hasn't written since then.
* I took a course for university's requirement.
* I experienced some family issues in a short time.
* I have grown up.

In 2012, I'm going to:
* Celebrate my 18th birthday.
* Graduate.
* Join the Israli armi.
* Read some great books.

In 2012, I hope I'm going to:
* Read some more great books.
* Keep up with my challenges. (See them here)
* Keep up with blogging and reviewing.
* Write. A lot.
* Have fun with my friends.
* Meet some great people.
* Grow up.

And some of the amazing books I've read in 2011: 


I have read 70 books- 25,103 pages this year. And of course I have my favorite books.


Historical Fiction:



Paranormal:

Fantasy:

Dystopia:



Science Fiction:



Contemporary:



I hope 2012 will be a better year than 2011 for all of us! Happy New Year.

Rose

P. S. Right now 2 hours and 5 minutes left! Lol. 

The 2012 TBR Pile Challenge

There are some books I've been wishing to read for a long time. However, every time I want to order a book, there are some pre-orders with great prices or a new one I want. 2012 here and I decided to read them along the new releases. 

Thank to Adam from the Roof Bean Reader, I'm going to join this challenge and try to do my best to keep up with it! The goal is to read 12 books from TBR list.

The books I'm going to read as part of the challenge: 

1. Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

2. The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

3. North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

4. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

5. Levitathan by Scott Westerfeld

6. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

8. The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott 

9. A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks

10. Stray by Rachel Vincent

11. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

12. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

Two more: 

13. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

14. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Rose

Standalone Reading Challenge

I know, it's my forth challenge and I'm going to have hard timr to keep with all of them- I just can't resist it! I'll have to push myself harder, even though it's going to be a tough year. (Hopefully, better too)

So, in this challenge: 

15 YA standlone books that are released between during 2012. 

For more details, you can check I like these books or IceyBooks, thank for Britta & Hafsah for hosting this challenge! 

The list of the books I'm planning to read for the challenge: (it may change)

1. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen
2. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith 
3. Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
4. If I Lie by Corrine Jackson 
5. Isla and Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins 
6. Revived by Cat Patrick

7.  Fracture by Miranda Megan

8. Where It Began by Anne Redisch Stampler
9. Don't Breath a Word by Holly Cupala

10. Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg
11. Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry
12. Dead To You by Lisa McMann
13. Dark Companion by Marta Acosta
14. Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
15. First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

Rose

Review: Inside Dark by Jeyn Roberts

While reading the first pages of the book, I was curious to figure out what it's about. I have read the synopsis, reviews for and against. Then, all left to do was actually reading.

The book starts with Mason, right into his life, and the huge event he has to deal with.

I kept reading and surprised to find out there are four points of view. I drove me crazy. I wasn't going to read the book in one sitting and moving from one point to another while every one of narrator is in another place, wasn't a thing I really welcomed. In addition, I felt like whenever the book moved to another point of view, some things were told all over again.

The plot started good, had some downsides (a few were about the points of view I mentioned above) but it improved as long as the story continues. In the beginning, I had a hard time to keep track of everything that happened. It got better until the end. And I can tell, I liked the events that came later. 

The character confused me. I mean it, I couldn't concentrate whose every life story was, what's going on with any of the families and their personalities were kind of similar. Aries was my favorite one; she is strong and smart, she is a leader. Michael was weird; I felt like he acted differently every time, like his personality wasn't built well. The other character were fine, but I couldn't relate to them most the time. (Besides Jack, whom I liked.) 

The writing was good, the descriptions were excellent. I'd have liked it more if I could relate to most the characters. Every once and then, there are some sentences that were so familiar. I mean, when a character tries to motivate people. I felt like those could have been done better. 

Overall, although I focused in the downsides of the book, I think Inside Dark is a good one. I enjoyed it and I think the book gets improved until the end, which I really liked. I believe the series has great potential and I'm definitely going to read the next boo in the series.

Rose

Wrappin Up Readathon- First Post

I just heard about this awesome readathon at Jessie's Remarkable Reads. I need to read 5 books to complete my goodreads challenge and I'm not sure I can do it. I need a readathon to push me forward! Besides, I love them(:
So, if you want to join, enter Jessie's blog and sign up. You can read all the details there.
Good luck to everybody who participates!

The books I'm planning to read:

 

Updates:     

First day- 22/12

I read 135 pages of "Dark Inside". (Started from page 112 today)

I hope I can finish this book tomorrow.

Number of Pages: 135. 

Goal: 0/5 books.

Second day- 23/12

I read last 82 pages of "Dark Inside"- finished.
I read the- 200 first pages of "Across the Universe".

Number of Pages: 282.
Goal: 1/5

Third day- 24/12
I read 198 pages of "Across the Universe"- finished.
I read 190 pages of "Heroic Measures"- planning to finish this one today.

Number of Pages: 378.
Goal: 3/5

Fourth day- 25/12
I didn't read today. Anyway, I'm going to complete this challenge! :D

Number of Pages: 0.
Goal: 3/5

Fifth day- 26/12

I read 50 pages today. I know it's not a lot, I'll do better in the weekend. 

Number of Pages: 50.

Goal: 3/5

Sixth day- 27/12
I read 208 pages of "Meant to be". I hoped to finish this one today but I midnight came.. only 39 pages to read!

Number of Pages: 208.
Goal: 3/5

Seventh day- 28/12
Last day of Hanukkah- what means party is over! I read the last 39 pages of "Meant to be" but I don't think I'll get more reading today (or tomorrow, since it's 1am) since I have homework to do for Thursday.

Number of Pages: 39
Goal:  4/5

Eight day- 29/12
No reading today.


Number of Pages: 0
Goal:  4/5


Ninth day- 30/12
I don't remember exact number, but I have read something like 200 pages of "Someone Knows My Name".

Number of Pages: 200
Goal: 4/5

Tenth day- 31/12
Finished with "Someone Knows My Name".

Number of Pages: 240
Goal: 5/5

Completed my goal! 

Rose

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Some books are meant to be loved by me. This book is one of them. 

I've read about Catching Jordan at WOW post a few months ago. This was the first time I heard about this book, but this was enough. It moved to my higher wishlist and was pre-ordered. 

Jordan feels like one of the guys. She never cared about "girl stuffs" and she loves football. I mean, she's the quarterback on the school team. Jordan is great character. She acts like she is fearless, she can do anything. Actually, she is afraid that the guys won't take her seriously, that she'll not get the future she wishes for and from a lot of other things. 

I loved the teammates' characters; the way the group was described together and especially their relationship with Jordan. Every character was special, has its own personality. I loved Henry and JJ, whom were fantastic characters! 

The writing was great; I felt Jordan's emotions and understood them. I could relate to her, to get her confusion, fear and weakness. The writing was the ideal tool to help me with that; Jordan's situation was unfamiliar to me. However, Miranda's writing created the connection between both Jordan and me. 

I have read Catching Jordan a few weeks ago. For a long time (including now), I couldn't write a review. I really don't have a lot to say about the book besides the fact that I loved it. I felt being inside it and I wished to. 

Jordan's story taught me a lot about not giving up on your dreams, about having surprises in life when you don't see them and mostly about paying attention to the wonderful people around you. Jordan's story is one I'm going to recommend all of you to read. 

Rose

Re-reading Challenge 2012

Finally, after a few weeks, I found this challenge. Thanks to Sandy for hosting the challenge! I was hoping to do one since I want so badly to re-read some of my favorites books.
Do you know what they say? If you can't read a book more than once, it can't be one you love. I truly believe in it.

1. Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. At least some of them.
I love this series. Some of the books I've read only for once, that something I'll have to change!
And I really have to buy Blood Promise soon :S It's the only one missing!

2. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen.
One of the books that I'm sure will make me laugh, cry and feel for the third time.

3. White Cat by Holly Black. 

I actually listened to this one a couple of months ago and absolutely loved it. My review is here. Anyway, it comes out in Hebrew sometime this year and I want to write a Hebrew review so I'll listen\read it again. 

4. Forgotten by Cat Patrick. 

Wow, this book was so good. I just checked and found I have NO review about this one. How can it be? I hope to read this again and this time to write a review.

    

5. Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. 

I gave my copy to a friend yesterday, telling her: "You have to read it!". Since she loved the last book I offered her (Catching Jordan), I think she believes me it's good. 

I hope to re-read it anything soon! 

6. The Host by Stephanie Meyer. 

I honestly can't understand people who disliked this book. I fell in love with it as soon as the plot starts (A little late, I'm going to admit.) and I can officially say that it is one of the best stories I've ever heard. Not sure about the rumors about two more books, but this one is truly amazing.

7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

I have read the series only once, so I need to do that again! Oh, that means that I have to find the three book (Every one was borrowed by someone else lol) 

                                                

I love re-reading and I hope I'll manage to read at least of the books I've mentioned above. I may re-read other books so they'll be count in the challenge.
I am going for the Smoking level, 7-12 books. Wish me luck! :D

***

The books I re-read: 

1. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
2. Matched by Ally Condie
3. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
4. Forgotten by Cat Patrick
5. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
6. The Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
7. Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Rose.

Review: Hurricane by Jenna-Lynne Duncan

Reading the first chapters, I believed I have read too many books with the same plot: A new guy comes into school (or two guys, like in here), a girl doesn't fall in love with him unlike the rest of the girls and then weird things start happen. Does it sound familiar? If not, you probably haven't read enough books.

Hurricane is nothing like them. I am going to admit I was disappointed at first but soon I've been proved to be wrong. Along with the unique aspect of the story- the hurricane, the plot finds its own way. You think you've figured it out, you think you can't be surprised anymore. Well, not true! I am impressed.

Adriana is not going to be described as my new favorite character. Honestly, I thought she was weak and afraid. She didn't stand up against people and usually let them do whatever they want without asking her. However, I loved the fact she tried to fight everything, especially in what she believed, mostly alone. For instanse: her reactions when the hurricane was announced were different than other people's. Adriana was human, after all, and it was wonderful to see her grows up and gets straightened during the book.

The other characters were well- described. Her father, her friends and the new characters she meets along the way. Her feelings are quite clear any moment and you can understand the reasons for her actions even though you don't agree with them. Overall, the writing is good. It leaves you a door into the story and lets you feel like a part of it.

I love history and New Orleans' is a great one. It's amazing to see how the author merged the city's history and culture as a huge part of the story. The hurricane's story was so unique, special and excited. It felt like I can really relate to this disaster, that somehow I actually can feel a bit of the pain of what these people are going through. Duncan has done an excellent job.

In the last pages, when I was waiting for everything to work out, I found out there is second book in Hurricane series. It hope I'll get the chance to read it when it comes out.

Hurricane is a special and great paranormal story about family, love and dealing with horrible events, like a hurricane. Adriana's story shows us her dealing with pain and loss. I believe it is exceptional story. I loved it and recommend it!

*A portion of the proceeds will go to a New Orleans charity. (Habitat for Humanity)

Writing Discussion #1

Hey guys, how is your week? I hope you're all well.
For me, tomorrow is the last day before my Hanukkah holiday (though Hanukkah is officially starting next Tuesday). I hope I'm going to have some fun in this holiday before I need to continue my last year of high school, which it is going to be tough.

Well, you're probably wondering what this post is all about, then I should get started. This post, I'm going to ask for advices from YOU.

I used to have a friend whose received from me every chapter I have written for my story. She told me her opinion, fixed some stuffs and advised me. Now, I am having a little problem with this kind of stuff. I can send her chapters, but I figured she doesn't give me "Full and Professional" review about my story. She mostly enjoys it. I can't really blame her for that, but I want to improve my writing.

I used to feel confident when I knew someone had read the chapter and liked it, it helped me to keep writing the next chapter. I felt my story is fine and my direction is good.
However, now I'm starting to feel that you have to show the real "product" to your critique and not a work in the progress. I'm not sure what I should do.

Who are you taking advices from regarding your writing? And more important- Do you ask for a critique in the middle of your novel (or anything else) or that do you write all of it and then ask for a critique?

I am really asking for your opinion, it'd help me a lot with my writing! So, it doesn't if you don't write "professionally" or don't consider yourself experts.  I truly need your help and I'd love to hear anything you'd like to say.

Rose

My Writing, Me and Everything Else

I have been writing for a few years. I can't say when I exactly started doing it, but it's been a hobby for long. It has been serious some other times.
My first story was completed in June, this year. It is not the first thing I've written, but it's the first story I have finished. (besides a short story) Since then, I had struggled a lot with writing. At first, I had a problem with the story I started writing later. I tried to write something different, something I haven't done before, but I have found out later that it wasn't for me. I wasn't ready then, and I'm not ready yet. I needed a new story.
On October, when I had a free time after some busy months, I tried to write again, something new. I wrote 5k words and then.. family issues. I couldn't write for a long time. Then, I couldn't because of me.
Last week, I came home and opened the file. I read these 5k and then kept writing. I wrote 706 words! Can you believe it? I remember days I couldn't make it to 100.
I've written today 1,210 words. I have more than 2k since I started all over again.

The story I'm talking about has been planned in my mind and my notebooks since 2008. I started writing it then and stopped writing for a reason I don't remember. In the years that pass until October, I kept thinking about this story, wrote a few parts that should happen in "the future" and believed someday I'd write it. I am doing it now.

This story has a lot of versions. Most of them exist only in my mind. I am writing and finding a new version. I'm no longer sure who's character everyone is, what everyone should do, and how the story continues. I love it.
I am writing without planning, knowing only the main paths and hoping I'm not going to regret it later.

For me, the writing finds me everytime. It doesn't matter if I try to give up or to convince myself it's not good. I just can't do anything else when all I want is to open a new file and get my words to hear.

I'd love to hear about your struggles with writing, to take any advices if you want to share or just to read your thoughts.
Thanks for reading.

Rose

In My Mailbox (7)

Hey! I'm here. I'm writing. I'm reading. 

Anyway, for all who isn't familiar with IMM, it's a post where bloggers are showing the stuffs they got in the last week. (You may want to visit The Siren Story, if you're interested in more details)  If you have read here before, you probably know I've been in Tel Aviv this Sunday and got back with amazing book to find two more packages waiting for me! 

dscx

I was so excited! The sad thing about it is that I'm no longer waiting for any books from the Book Depository. I love getting them so much! 

So, these what were waiting in the packages:

Bought:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Taylor Laini

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Won

Heroic Measures by Jill Ciment

I got this book from an Israeli publisher. I won this one. It sounds really good so I expected it to be like that. Well, it'll help with my Hebrew blog, I guess. 

So, have you read any of these book? What do you think about them? 

I'll be happy to hear that & to visit your IMM posts! 

Have a great week. 

Rose.

Review: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

I wrote the review yesterday, an hour after I finished reading it:

I hadn't planned to read this book. Actually, I haven't heard about it nearly anything and I never read the synopsis. Coming early from school today since I wasn't feeling good, made me open my Pulse It account. I saw this book there, I started reading without thinking.

It's been a while since I have read a book in a day (if we don't count the weekend). I have read a lot of good books in the last months but I simply didn't have the time to spend the whole day reading. 'Virtuosity' was the perfect book for this day.

Virtuosity is about competition, it's about turning your life's meaning into a part of a race. It's about when you simply forget the real meaning of your goals and your dreams.

Carmen is lost. She thinks she is doing the best for her, doing what she wants. Actually, she does what other people want. She has already planned her life, or as it seems, her life has already been planned for her. When she starts to control them and get into some problem, she gets scared. Carmen's voice is unique and special. She's so different from me but I couldn't help loving her and cheer for her to fight back.

The characters were amazing. I loved the description of every one of them, including those who didn't get to appear much. They were described perfectly; I could hear their words and believe it. They are loyal to the personality they represent.

The plot is interesting. The twists were believable, surprising and special. Although some parts were quite predictable, they couldn't harm the whole plot. The reader has a right to guess a bit correctly.

Lastly, I loved the writing. It was simple and good. The characters can be seen right away, the story was clear. The writing helped me a lot to get into Carmen's head even though I have absolutely no idea about playing music. Sometimes, I could even hear it. I kept a few quotes from the book, what I haven't been doing so long.

Virtuosity is a beautiful story. It was a lot more than I expected, it's a lot than what it seems. For me, it's unforgettable story; it's been amazing to draw into this world for one day.  

305 pages, 

Simon Pulse. 

Source: Pulse it. 

Rose

A Surprise In The Middle of Tel Aviv

So, I always keep complaining about not finding any book I actually want to buy. If you visit here sometimes, you may know I found a great bookstore in Tel Aviv (Israel), that I really really like!!

I have taken some pics to show you the cool stuff I found yesterday!

You probably can't understand how much I am excited for finding those, because you can find them in any bookstore. Well, here it's nothing like that! I needed to take two buses only to get to this bookstore. A closer look:

These books' prices is like double the price for a book in the Book Depository so it isn't the best option for me. However, I love the feeling of getting out of a store with a book in my hand. I want to buy from them so they keep getting these amazing books. I hope that way more people will read them!
I found some more great books there but haven't taken more pictures (I really regret that now) so I'll have to do that in the next time. (hopefully next week!)

And of course I couldn't get out of such amazing bookstore without a book. Say hi to my new friend!

LOOK! I have 3 books in the picture, right?!
I came back home to find two packages waiting for me. However, these belong to the new IMM post :P

So, last thing, I'd like you to recommend me one book from the pictures above that I may purchase in my next visit! (Note: I already have City of Bones.)

Rose

In My Mailbox (6)

Hey guys! I know I'm not blogging a lot lately, I've been too much busy! I also spent some time on reading and working on my Hebrew reviewing blog. I already wrote reviews for Vampire Academy (book 1) and The Knife of Never Letting Go, which both I absolutely LOVED. 

So, IMM post.. I don't get a lot of books lately. I need to read the books I have already got in the last weeks and it takes some time. This week, I got a book that I waited for so long. I read some amazing reviews about it and I can't wait to read it for myself. Here it is, my beautiful copy of- 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi! 

Tomorrow I'm going with a friend to Tel Aviv. I found an amazing bookstore there with some of the latest releases! I hope I'll get something worthy there. 

Have a great week! 

Don't forget to leave a comment with a link to your IMM post. 

Rose.