quotes Elisquared likes


"Saying 'I notice you're a nerd' is like saying, 'Hey, I notice that you'd rather be intelligent than be stupid, that you'd rather be thoughtful than be vapid, that you believe that there are things that matter more than the arrest record of Lindsay Lohan. Why is that?' In fact, it seems to me that most contemporary insults are pretty lame. Even 'lame' is kind of lame. Saying 'You're lame' is like saying 'You walk with a limp.' Yeah, whatever, so does 50 Cent, and he's done all right for himself."— John Green

2.28.2011

Manic Monday (02)



Here's another Manic Monday for you!

This time I'm featuring an AWESOME song by the Wizard Rock group Ministry of Magic!!

A little history of WROCK if you don't know what it is:
Wizard rock is rock music  that evolved after the famous Harry Potter books, with the movement starting in 2002. The genre is known for bands performing songs about Harry Potter series, focusing on the characters and world in the books . Wizard rock (also known as Wrock) was conceived and cultivated in Massachusetts by a group named  “HARRY AND THE POTTERS”.  The band caught on and now is emulated world wide.  Wizard rock embraces a self-directed ethic; most bands self-produce their music and use social networks channels for distribution.  There are a ton of Wrock bands, fitting everyone's musical tastes.

My favorite song is from MoM's new album, Magic is Might.  It is called House Song and it's AWESOME x 10!!!  Check out the music video below!  Link to their YouTube: Ministry of Magic Check them out!  So good!


2.27.2011

Poetry Sunday (05)


This is a fabulous new blog feature here at Eli to the nth!  Thanks to Genna from Reading, Writing, and the World of Words, who created this awesome feature and gave me the permission to host it here, as well as, use her cute graphic!  Poetry is one of my passions, but I have yet to share it here.  So this feature gives me the perfect opportunity to do so!

This week, I've decided to share one of my own poems.  Now I don't consider myself much of a poet, I much rather write fiction.  However, we had to do an exercise in my YA Literature class using a form poem titled: I AM FROM (you can find it if you Google it) and this is the result, with a little bit of tweaking.  I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think! 

I AM FROM
I am from blankets made out of long worn clothes,
from televisions, CCD classes and home-cooked meals.
I am from the suburbs, (but every house has character),
From ice cream trucks and the neighborhood watch,
And the three oaks standing tall in the front yard,
growing as my sister grows, as I grow, as my brother grows.

I’m from the blessing of the baskets and midnight mass.
From Michele and David, Blanche and Raymond.
I’m from kisses on the mouth and constant teasing.
From enveloping hugs and spanks on the butt.
From Melissa’s shadow, from the middle of three.
I’m from “Don’t talk to strangers!” and “You're so sensitive.",
"Kocham Cię." and "Malutka.", and “Our Fathers”
followed by “Hail Marys”.

I’m from Poland, not by blood but family;
the home my dziadkowie speak of so often.
From Gołąbki, Kiełbasa, and Placki ziemniaczane
(with the occasional pot roast and pizza.)
I'm from the struggle of indentured servants
trying to earn their freedom, but never reaching it.
Keeping their traditions alive through
a hand-written recipe book, a cast-iron mold,
and a gilt-edged Bible.
- Elisquared
 

 

In My Mailbox (07)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by one of her friends, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.

2.26.2011

On the Screen (03)


On the Screen covers everything on both the big and small screens.  I will feature anything from a trailer to a synopsis of a movie/episode, or a simple gushing over a hot character/actor.  Pretty much whatever I damn well feel like that has to do with television or movies.
This week I have a movie trailer to share.  The Hangover was one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time so The Hangover II will hopefully be as awesome!!!!!

2.25.2011

Friday Covers (06)


Friday Covers is a weekly meme inspired by Cover Crazy, which is hosted by Tawni at The Book Worms.  The point of this meme is to admire the art and beauty of a book’s design.  In my interpretation, I'm not only admiring covers, but criticizing them as well.

This week I'm just showing off some covers.

First up are the Bulgarian covers of Shiver and Linger
(The Wolves of Mercy Falls series) by Maggie Stiefvater

 Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous!  I really love love love these and kinda wish they were the ones we had in the U.S.  I do like that they kept the color schemes to each book, and I'm looking forward to seeing Forever in this edition.

------
Next is the U.K. edition of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.


While I really love the starkness of the U.S. edition, there is just something so awesome about this cover.  I think because it looks like a letter or a note that Charlie wrote.  Just great!

------

Finally, this is the Serbian (this is a huge guess based on a translator)
of Looking for Alaska by John Green:

I love the bright use of color.  yellow is such an eye-catching shade.  Also, I really like that it is a picture of sneakers because that demonstrates the journey within the book.

Let me know what covers have been on your mind and if you agree with my opinions here.

DFTBA!!

Follow Friday (06)



Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View.  It is an awesome opportunity to network other book blogs.  Here's a blurb about it from her site!
Hi, welcome to Follow Friday! Let me tell you what is going on today. First PJV will be featuring one blogger from this great community each Friday along with having the Follow My Book Blog feature. Each week one blogger will be selected as a feature, so sign up for the Follow Feature. Future features are picked randomly.
This week's question is:

Share your current fav. television show! Tell us a bit about it...

 

I answered this just a couple posts ago and I'll link it here:
Community for the WIN!


It is an awesome comedy on NBC starring Joel Mchale from The Soup and Chevy Chase from everything (lol), plus some other outstanding comedians including Ken Jeong, that's right, the naked Asian man from The Hangover!  CHECK IT OUT!!!

2.24.2011

The Lost Hero (Review)

Title: The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1)
Edition: Hardcover,  553 pages
Author(s): Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: October 12th 2010
Source: Barnes & Noble






  





  
  The Summary
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools
. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.
e truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.
 My Opinion
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FANTASTIC!  Seriously, I don’t say that lightly, but this book warrants it.  As I mentioned in my The Red Pyramid review (also by Riordan, in case you missed it), I love the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series that he writes.  The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1) is a continuation of that series, and it adds so much to the world Riordan has created.

First of all, it is huge, topping out at 553 pages, when the biggest any of the Percy Jackson books get is 381 pages.  Of course it is also jammed packed full of adventure, so no wonder it’s bigger. Secondly, it introduces three awesome new characters: Jason, Piper, and Leo, all of whom are kickass!  Thirdly, (is that a word?) it has a flying metal dragon, a deadly mall, and a sinister plot to destroy the world as we know it.  Intrigued, yet?

Riordan is adding a lot to the world in the form of a secret!  And I can’t allude to it anymore than that or it gives it ALL away.  The mystery keeps the story going, and it was one of the best parts because I constantly found hints to the big secret as I read. But believe me, once you get even halfway through you’ll know what’s going on (not completely, but I’m sure you’ll have an inkling) and how awesome the next couple books are going to be.  

I think my favorite part of the book is the dialogue and the characterization.  As usual the characters are three-dimensional, something I always appreciate in a good story, and something some YA novels tend to lack.  I felt that there were conflicts and flaws as well as reconciliations and strengths for each Jason, Piper, and Leo.  They are all super powerful in their own right and also super funny.  I love when teenagers are portrayed as teenagers, or at least the ones I use to hang out with.  By that I mean, snarky and sarcastic, with a heart of gold.  The dialogue is also quippy and smart with a real soul to it.  I’m always a sucker for good dialogue (that’s why I like Hemingway so much).  Yes, the plot is great, epic even, but it was the dialogue that kept me hooked in.

Overall, FANTASTIC (Oh I said that already didn't I?).  Seriously pick up The Lost Hero and while your at it add the entire Percy Jackson and the Olympians series to that order as well.
 Final Rating
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 3.5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 9/10 
Overall: 43.5/50 - B+

Project 17 Trailer

Project 17 by Laurie Stolarz

2.23.2011

The Red Pyramid (Review)

Title: The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1)
Edition: Hardcover,  516 pages
Author(s): Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: May 4th, 2010
Source: Barnes & Noble






  






 
 
  The Summary
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.


Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

 My Opinion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a great addition to Riordan's repertoire.  As with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) revolve around extraordinary kids and their destinies.  In this case, Carter and Sadie Kane.  Carter and Sadie are descendants from a powerful line of Egyptian magicians on both their father and mother's side.  needless to say, when things start happening Carter and Sadie are put in some precarious situations.

This book had all the same great things that we're use to seeing from Riordan: snappy, funny dialogue; young heroes and heroines; crazy danger of a supernatural origin; thoroughly researched facts.  But what I think really made the book for me was the fact that it is about Egyptian magic. 

As a Westerner, I am very familiar with Greek mythology.  Those stories are the basis for most classical literature and we see hints/tributes/inclusions of Greek mythology still in contemporary literature.  But other types of mythology are still very obscure to us (as Westerners).  I think Riordan picked one of the most interesting mythologies he could when he picked the Egyptian gods.

So being about the Egyptian gods isn't the only thing that sets this book apart, but the fact that it is mostly about magic.  Yes, while in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, there are special powers, those books mostly rely on combat, and the powers aren't "magic" in the same sense as the magic within The Red Pyramid.  Sadie and Carter use ancient spells and the ancient Egyptian language to fight the monsters that hunt them.  The mystic element of magic fills the book with this underlying sinister tone that really sets the whole mood.

That mood was really the turning point for me.  While I love the Percy Jackson books to death (one of my favorite series), they have always felt middle grade, which is the audience they're intended for.  I do love middle grade books, but I don't feel The Red Pyramid is one at all.  The dark echos of Egypt's history give this book a more serious and foreboding tone which makes the book read much older than the audience it is intended for.

Bottom line: if you liked Percy Jackson, I guarantee you'll like The Red Pyramid.  The next book in The Kane Chronicles: The Throne of Fire is being released on May 3, 2011 and I can't wait; after you read Book 1 neither will you.

 Final Rating
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book Cover: 3.5/5
Book Title: 3/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 8/10 
Overall: 41.5/50 - B

Waiting On Wednesday (07)


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

-------
In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.
-------

I loved Shiver and I'm loving Linger, so I'm assuming I'll love Forever.  I can't wait to find out!

Bookshelf Tour: YA Books

The other day, I decided to give a little tour of my YA bookshelf in my room.  The video is long, but I have a lot of books and I hate passing any up.  So I' posting it here for anyone who wants to check out my collection.  I'm also in the process of cataloguing all my books on Goodreads and hopefully will be posting a list soon!

2.22.2011

Teaser Tuesday (05)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be ReadingAnyone can play along! Just do the following!
  • Grab your current read.
  • Open to a random page.
  • Share a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)
  • Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The Iron King by Julia Kagawa

     I licked my lips and whispered, "Is this where you say you'll kill me?"
     One cornor of his lip curled. "If you like," he murmured, a flicker of amusment finally crossing his face. "Though it's gotten far too interesting for that."
(page. 239)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My heart be still.  This boy is hot, and Meghan Chase is sure in trouble!  I just finished this book, and I'm rushing out to my local bookstore to get the next one.  If you haven't read The Iron King, what are you waiting for?  RUN! GO! BUY IT!

2.20.2011

Poetry Sunday (04)

This is a fabulous new blog feature here at Eli to the nth!  Thanks to Genna from Reading, Writing, and the World of Words, who created this awesome feature and gave me the permission to host it here, as well as, use her cute graphic!  Poetry is one of my passions, but I have yet to share it here.  So this feature gives me the perfect opportunity to do so!

This Sunday I'm happy to share an awesome book of poetry I bought last year.  I was simply shopping on the shelves and the cover popped out at me.  Intrigued, I opened to find some of the funniest and insightful poems I've read.  Made out of newspapers.

I'm talking about Austin Kleon's Newspaper Blackout.

     "Poet and cartoonist Austin Kleon has discovered a new way to read between the lines. Armed with a daily newspaper and a permanent marker, he constructs through deconstruction—eliminating the words he doesn't need to create a new art form: Newspaper Blackout poetry.

      Highly original, Kleon's verse ranges from provocative to lighthearted, and from moving to hysterically funny, and undoubtedly entertaining. The latest creations in a long history of "found art," Newspaper Blackout will challenge you to find new meaning in the familiar and inspiration from the mundane.

      Newspaper Blackout contains original poems by Austin Kleon, as well as submissions from readers of Kleon's popular online blog and a handy appendix on how to create your own blackout poetry."


It is a really, really cool book.  I've done this on several occasions when I've been stuck for inspiration.  I've also seen people do his with magazines and books.  The point is to create something new, and that's why I love them.

Here are some awesome examples:

 
I hope you guys have enjoyed this sample, and you can 
check out more at Austin's blog:  AustinKleon.com

In My Mailbox (06)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by one of her friends, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.

On the Screen (02)


On the Screen covers everything on both the big and small screens.  I will feature anything from a trailer to a synopsis of a movie/episode, or a simple gushing over a hot character/actor.  Pretty much whatever I damn well feel like that has to do with television or movies.

This week I'm talking about the NBC show Community.



"The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. The ensemble cast centers on Jeff, Britta, Troy, Abed, Pierce, Annie, and Shirley, members of a Spanish-class study group:  Jeff Winger (Joel McHale), a suspended lawyer who was forced back into school after his college degree is deemed invalid by the state bar association because his degree is from Colombia, not Columbia University, Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi), a film student; Shirley Bennett (Yvette Nicole Brown), a recently divorced mother attending college for the first time; former high school quarterback Troy Barnes (Donald Glover); and straight-laced nerd Annie Edison (Alison Brie), who has had an unrequited crush on Troy since high school, Britta Perry (Gillian Jacobs), a student trying to get her life back on track, and Pierce Hawthorne (Chevy Chase), an elderly, bigoted moist-towelette tycoon who has been married seven times. Also recurring are unbalanced former Spanish instructor Señor Ben Chang (Ken Jeong), psychology professor Ian Duncan (John Oliver), whom Jeff once represented for a DUI, and the overwhelmed Dean Pelton (Jim Rash), who desperately wants his school to be more like a real university and goes to strenuous and excessive lengths to seem politically correct."

It is amazing.  Heartwarming.  Ridiculous.  Pee in your pants hilarious!  Seriously, I have never laughed as much at a TV show as I do in the 30-minutes watching Community.  The series starts out focusing mostly on McHale's character Jeff, but as it has progressed it has become a solid ensemble giving focus to each character both individually and within the group.  A really awesome thing about Community is the writing.  It is quick and funny, throwing jokes left and right.  Much of the plot is made up of meta-humor and pop culture references.  Also, they often parody film and TV clichés.  You might be skeptical and think that would get old, but it really really doesn't.

While I love all the characters, even the periphery ones, my favorites are Troy (Donald Glover) and Abed (Danny Pudi).  The chemistry these two have is great.  good comedic timing and they are seriously BFF for life!  Below is evidence to their awesome.



In addition, there are tons of hidden awesome things throughout the episodes.  Sometimes they're funny sub-plots, like the one in season 2, episode 3: "The Psychology of Letting Go", where Abed helps deliver a baby, to a re-worked poster of Amy Poehler as a candystriper in season 2, episode 16: "Intermediate Documentary Filmmaking".  The soundtrack is also amazing, each music entranced used to enhance, not distract from the episode.  I especially like the theme song.

Okay so I've talked enough, and now I' going to allow Community to speak for itself.  I'm going to leave you guys with some more funny footage and screencaps from the series to try and entice you to tune in.  Don't worry that you haven't started from the very beginning, you'll catch on quick!








2.17.2011

A Lover's Dictionary Trailer

A Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

2.16.2011


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

 Here's my pick for the week, that I seriously can't wait for:

 Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Can't resist the large cover image.  Just gorgeous!
"On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.

Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up. Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her dreams?"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
When I read Forgive My Fins, the first book in this series, I fell in love with Lily.  Meaning I didn't think she was a perfect character; she has her flaws, but also some great attributes.  What I fell in love with were those contradictions within her personality because I felt she swam right off the page (hahaha, oh I'm so witty).  So I am anxiously awaiting to see what is in store for Lily in Fins Are Forever.

2.15.2011

Teaser Tuesday (04)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be ReadingAnyone can play along! Just do the following!
  • Grab your current read.
  • Open to a random page.
  • Share a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)
  • Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XVI by Julia Karr

     "You know Media's version. The GC controls the Media, and shapes people's perception of what goes on.  They've been doing it for at least two centuries.  Your father spoke out against their manipulation and GC's interference."
     "But...but things are good," I said, more out of anger than true belief.  I thought back to my conversation with Gran.  "Life used to be awful–wars, incurable diseases, hunger, homelessess.  now everything is the way it should be."
     Sal stared at me, his eyes opened wide. "You believe that?"
(pg. 140)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XVI is such  good book, I am devouring it and I hope this has whet your appetite for more!  Keep checking for a review coming soon!

2.14.2011

Will Grayson, Will Grayson (Review)



Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Edition: Hardcover,  310 pages
Author(s): John Green and David Levithan
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: April 6th, 2010
Source: Barnes & Noble






  



The Summary
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans.

 My Opinion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am in love.  I am in utter, inescapable love with this book.  It is one of the best contemporary books I've read in a long time.  It is funny, heartfelt, and captures the voices and experiences of teenagers perfectly.  John Green and David Levithan really out did themselves.

If you're not familiar with the premise, there are two boys named Will grayson in this book.  Now I didn't make a mistake when I wrote that, for you see one is designated by Capitals: Will Grayson, and the other is designated by lower-case: will grayson.  Capital Will is written by John Green and lower-case will is written by David Levithan.  The reason they use the typeface this way is so the readers can easily differentiate between the two.  However, I feel like it adds a layer to the psyche of each Will.

Will Grayson is straight, is best friends with the biggest rainbow loving guy anyone has ever met, and doesn't open his mouth in the face of feelings.  This leads to people speaking for him.

will grayson is gay, meets the biggest rainbow loving guy anyone has ever met, and doesn't open his heart in the face of feelings.  This leads to people never getting close to him.

If you've been paying attention you'll see the common thread: the biggest rainbow loving guy anyone has ever met, also known as Tiny Cooper.  And one fateful night they all collide in what has to be the most hilarious first meeting ever.  Let's just say it involves Spanish porn.

For me Tiny Cooper makes the book.  Yes I adore Will and will, but how can you not, they're the protagonists.  However, sometimes you really have to work to like Tiny.  Tiny is anything but tiny, and as a result often overlooks others feelings.  But the way Green and Levithan write him into the story, you would feel like a Tiny sized hole was missing if he wasn't there (that was a lot of Tinys).

The only problem I had with this book was the ending.  I wanted more more more!  Sometimes I feel books don't give me a definite ending, which I understand is on purpose usually so you can imagine what happens, but I really wanted to see beyond the end of the book.  I suppose this is more a boon than a bane as that means I didn't want it to end.

Anyway, if you haven't read Will Grayson, Will Grayson or any of John Green's or David Levithan's books (which are all really great) I suggest you run out and find a copy asap!

 Final Rating
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 4/5
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9.5/10 
Overall: 47.5/50: A

Manic Monday (01)


Manic Monday is a feature I had on my blog before I changed focus to books, but yesterday I thought, "Why shouldn't I have music?  I like music.  It makes me happy."  So I'm bringing it back.  Manic Monday is so titled because that is my favorite workout and 80s song.  It is also usually how I feel when I listen to music.  I get really worked up and have to dance or sing or scream.  

Please enjoy my choice for Manic Monday, and feel free to do this on your blog, 
as long as you credit me back!

Saskia Hamilton by Ben Folds and Nick Hornby.  Music video by the awesome Charlieissocoollike

2.13.2011

Poetry Sunday (03)


This is a fabulous new blog feature here at Eli to the nth!  Thanks to Genna from Reading, Writing, and the World of Words, who created this awesome feature and gave me the permission to host it here, as well as, use her cute graphic!  Poetry is one of my passions, but I have yet to share it here.  So this feature gives me the perfect opportunity to do so!
I subscribe to a Youtube channel which features spoken word from the Bowery Poetry Club around NYC: SpeakEasyNYC.  I really love spoken word.  I feel you get so much more when you hear the poet reading/speaking/performing their poem.

In recognition of Valentine's Day, this poem is about love and how it resembles owning a dog.

"Why Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog" performed by Taylor Mali Mali who is the author of What Learning Leaves and the Last Time as We Are (Write Bloody Publishing). Mali has been on seven National Poetry Slam teams; six appeared on the finals stage and four won the competition. He has appeared in the documentaries "SlamNation" (1997) and "Slam Planet" (2006) and also in the HBO production, "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry. Mali has recorded four CDs.

In My Mailbox (05)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and inspired by one of her friends, Alea of Pop Culture Junkie where we get to post about the books we receive each week through publishers/authors, our own purchases, contests won, and libraries.


P.S.: I also downloaded John Green's Zombicorn novella which he wrote for the Project for Awesome.

You can get it here: http://bit.ly/ejri93





2.12.2011




While I love books, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all the book talking that goes on in my blog and all the other blogs I read.  So to remedy this, at least for my self, I am starting a new feature on Eli to the nth called On the Screen.  Please hold the applause.

What this feature will cover will be both big and small screen items (meaning TV and Film).  It could be anything from a trailer to a synopsis of a movie/episode, or a simple gushing over a hot character/actor.  Pretty much whatever I damn well feel that has to do with television or movies.

This week I'm just posting a trailer for a movie I'm super excited about.  Now don't judge but it is a comic book movie (I blame my older sister for this).  It is a prequel and something I've wanted to see brought to life for a while.

Without further ado I present X-Men: First Class



Let me know in the comments what you think and any movies you're excited to see!

2.11.2011

Friday Covers (05)


Friday Covers is a weekly meme inspired by Cover Crazy, which is hosted by Tawni at The Book Worms.  The point of this meme is to admire the art and beauty of a book’s design.  In my interpretation, I'm not only admiring covers, but criticizing them as well. 

Today is all about comparison.

     US Version                                            UK Version

These two covers are fantastic.  I really like them both.  It is interesting, however, to see the differences.  Looking at both of these covers each gives a different feeling of the story.

Let's look at the US version first.  The typeface is great.  I love the bold lines and the small caps of the letters.  Also the fact that the words overlap intrigues the eye.  I immediately wonder "Who is Will Grayson?"  In addition the color scheme is very appealing.  Each shade is eye-catching, especially the red.  And I don't know if this is just me but I see a heart in the pink.  This adds a layer of romance to this unknown Will Grayson.  The only problem I have with this cover is that it really doesn't tell me anything beyond the fact that the book is most likely about someone named Will Grayson. 

Okay, on to the UK version.  Again, great typeface.  There are two separate types differentiating each Will.  I love how one is capitalized and one is not, that one is in cursive and one is not.  This immediately helps me realize there are two Will Graysons.  Of course the drawing of two silhouettes is the biggest hint.  Both are slightly different and are a great representation of the two Wills.  Also the colors are just as eye-catching; red and blue are complimentary and work very well together.  The only problem I have is that they added a quote on the front.  I really dislike when publishers do this, I feel it detracts from the merit of the book.

But I defintely lovelovelove both of these covers, and I want to buy the UK version to oogle along with the US version.

Let me know what you think in the comments!


Follow Friday (05)



Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View.  It is an awesome opportunity to network other book blogs.  Here's a blurb about it from her site!
Hi, welcome to Follow Friday! Let me tell you what is going on today. First PJV will be featuring one blogger from this great community each Friday along with having the Follow My Book Blog feature. Each week one blogger will be selected as a feature, so sign up for the Follow Feature. Future features are picked randomly.
This week's question is:
What is your favorite romance hero-type? Stereotype wise.
Do you like the strong silent type or the brute macho man?

I'd have  to say that I'm attracted to the reformed bad boy.  You know, the ones with a gruff rough exterior, but yet they're all gooey inside?  Some which come to mind: Patch from Hush, Hush, Patrick Verona from 10 Things I Hate About You, and Quince Fletcher from Forgive My Fins.  Each of these boys put up a tough act, and they are tough; definitely able to take care of themselves.  BUT, when they find that one girl they become sensitive and loving and awesome!  A good mix of both is important!  Of course I do appreciate the occasional "All-American" types.  I just really like boys!!  : )

 


TRUTH or DARE?


Parajunkee is hosting an awesome event TRUTH or DARE!  With each TRUTH or DARE she's giving away a $20 Books-A-Million giftcard (at BAM! that can go a long way; they have tons of clearance).

This Thursday (I'm a little behind) was a DARE: 
Post about your favorite Book Boyfriend or Girlfriend. Who would you love to see step out of a book and into your living room? (Has to be from a paranormal since this is Paranormal Truth or Dare)

Okay I'm loving this!  Now I'm not a HUGE reader of Paranormal books, however I do read Laurel K. Hamilton; her Merry Gentry series is my favorite.  And within this series are Sidhe (faeries) both Seelie ("good") and Unseelie ("bad").  This books focus on Meredith Gentry, Princess of the Unseelie Court, and her many many men.  And when I say many I mean like 10 (maybe more, I lose count sometimes).

ANYWAY, the reason I'm brining this all up, is in order to answer the question. 
I want Doyle from the Meredith Gentry books to please step out of the pages and just take me...ahem.
He is gorgeous, loyal, strong, and just very much a man.  On top of that he is Fae and full of magic! Yeah, definitely my dream man.  Here's some history about Doyle:
Captain of the Queen's Ravens. Often referred to as the Queen's Darkness (or simply as my Darkness by the Queen.) He was the Queens "right hand" for nearly 1050 years, during much of that time he was deeply in love with the Queen and server her out of loyalty and love, but she refused to ever bed him because she believed that if she were to bore his child his would be a true king, and she refused to share power with any. When Merry was named heir apparent, he became Merry's Darkness, as well as her Lover & future King to her Queen. Hes as black as the night and can transform into a black mastiff, a massive eagle, and a black stallion.

Yep, be still my heart.  What about you?


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