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

3.31.2012

Something Cool is Happening....

....over at
Ruby is creating a book debate feature at her blog and she wants YOU to participate!

Here's the premise:
  1. A topic will be chosen.
  2. Two (or more, depending) bloggers will choose a side to defend. 
  3. Each debate will have four volleys (or more, depending): Side A will start the argument, Side B will rebut, then Side A will go again...you get the picture. (This format is open to changes, if both arguing sides agree.)
  4. These volleys will occur over email, and be posted on my blog on the second Thursday of every month. If--and this is a very big if--there are a lot of bloggers interested in debating lots of issues, two debates will be posted a month--on the second and fourth Thursdays.
I've signed up, and I'm really excited!! Some of the topics already listed are great, and I can't wait to either participate in or read the debate!

If you want to be a part of this super cool feature than click the banner below!

Ruby's Reads

3.29.2012

Trailer Thursday


For this installment I'm highlighting some already published books...


Lovetorn
by Kavita Daswani
Release Date: 01/17/2012





The Miseducation of Cameron Post
by Emily M. Danforth

Release Date: 02/07/2012





...And one coming out soon!

Lies Beneath
by Anne Greenwood Brown
Release Date: 06/12/2012

3.28.2012

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs (Review)

TitleShakespeare Makes the Playoffs
Author(s): Ron Koertge
Edition: Hardcover, 176 pages
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: March 9, 2010
Source: New Tampa Library














The Summary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fielding his social life is a bigger challenge for Kevin than hitting a fastball in Ron Koertge’s funny, insightful sequel to SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP.

Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland has a passion for playing baseball, a knack for writing poetry — and a cute girlfriend named Mira who’s not much interested in either. But then, Kevin doesn’t exactly share Mira’s newfound fervor for all things green. So when Kevin signs up for open mike night at Bungalow Books and meets Amy, a girl who knows a sonnet from a sestina and can match his emails verse for verse, things start to get sticky. Should he stay with Mira? Or risk spoiling his friendship with Amy by asking her out? Ron Koertge, master of snappy dialogue and a deft poet, offers a fast-paced, sympathetic story that interweaves two narrative voices with humor and warmth.
My Opinion
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs was another book I picked up for my LIS class this semester.  I didn't realize it at the time, but it is a sequel to one of Ron Koertge's earlier books, Shakespeare Bats Cleanup.  But, luckily, it isn't necessary to read one before the other as Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs reads very fluidly as a stand-alone book.

The first thing you need to know is that the story is written in verse, meaning it's all in poetry.  While that's not a problem for me, some people might be turned away.  However, to that I say nay!  Koertge writes beautifully realistic poetry, allowing both pros and newbies to poetry be able to understand and follow the plot.  What's even better is the different styles of poetry he uses!  There is free verse and sonnet and a bunch of others.  This is great for kids who may be struggling with poetry in school as the poetry forms are explained very clearly.

The fact that Kevin, or better known as Shakespeare (he is dubbed that in the first book by his team mates), plays baseball and writes poetry.  This is such a great thing, as it shows boys that it's okay to like writing and poetry, but still play sports.  The juxtaposition of ball play and word play is perfect within the book, and helps bring emotions across.

The predicament Kevin finds himself in is one I'm sure many teens, boys and girls alike, find themselves in: liking two people at the same time.  Who do you choose: the girl who is in love with you, or the girl who is in love with your poetry?  Kevin has to figure that out, and the journey is definitely difficult.  On top of that, he has to deal with his Dad starting to date again after the passing of Kevin's Mom.  All of this is funneled into Kevin's poetry.

Overall, Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs is a fun, quick, coming-of-age story which would appeal to middle school students and younger teenagers, both male and female alike.

Extras
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interview with Ron Koertge


Final Rating
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 4/5
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Writing: 9/10
Ending: 9.5/10
Overall: 43.5/50: B+

Waiting on Wednesday (32)


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:


Publication Date: May 22, 3012

WHAT IS OLDEST WILL BE NEW, WHAT IS LOST SHALL BE FOUND. 

The ozone is ravaged, ocean levels have risen, and the sun is a daily enemy. But global climate change is not something new in the Earth’s history.

No one will know this better than less-than-ordinary Owen Parker, who is about to discover that he is the descendant of a highly advanced ancient race—a race that took their technology too far and almost destroyed the Earth in the process.

Now it is Owen’s turn to make right in his world what went wrong thousands of years ago. If Owen can unlock the lost code in his very genes, he may rediscover the forgotten knowledge of his ancestry…and that less-than-ordinary can evolve into extraordinary.
-------------------------------------------------
A dystopian mixed with mythology?  Yes please!  I love myths and stories about Atlantis, and this seems like a really fresh take on it.  I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this!

3.27.2012

The Hunger Games: In Review


I really loved the movie, and these are just some of my opinions on the actors, the costumes, and the scenes.  BUT THERE ARE SPOILERS SO BEWARE!!

Also, if you liked the song playing, then check out the awesome music video for it!
It's Arena by The Tributes, which is a great new Hunger Games band made up of Luke Conard, Joey Graceffa, and Meghan Camarena   You can also purchase the album on iTunes!






FTC Disclaimer:
None of the studios/owners of the movies/books mentioned are paying me for this video or even know their things may be discussed.  All opinions are my own and this is a 100% non-sponsored video.

Teaser Tuesday (33)


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!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruby Red 
by Kerstin Gier
Publication Date: May 10, 2011

         My heart was thumping like crazy.  There must be something wrong with me.  Without being on an actual carnival ride, you couldn't possibly feel dizzy this often without something being terribly wrong.
         Unless . . . oh, nonsense!  I was probably just growing too fast.  Or I had . . .I had a brain tumor?  Or maybe, I thought, brushing that nasty notion aside, it was only that I was hungry.
(Page 24)






-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruby Red is the first book in an amazing trilogy by Kerstin Gier!  First published in Germany, it was (finally) picked up by Henry Holt and published in America.  I'm so glad they did because it is such a great book!  Really funny, and intriguing!  Can't wait until Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green are printed in the US to complete the trilogy!

Top Ten Tuesday (12)



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.
The topic this week is: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With!


When I think of playing hooky I think of the traveling, the beach, and lazy days of sunshine.  If you live in Florida, those days of sunshine just pull at you to skip out on responsibilities! Nothing quite beats a bright blue sky, the windows down, and music blasting while you run away with your best friends!


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Who wouldn't want to travel to Paris for school?  I'd consider that play hooky if I got to date a guy like Etienne St. Clair!  And it's PARIS!  City of Lights! Perfect!
While the story contains some sad bits, there is also an epic roadtrip across the country!  Plus some crushin'!  Love it.
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
Traveling to a Greek isle to attend a secret school for demigods?  Sign me up!  I've always wanted to travel to Greece, and the descriptions in the book make me want to even more!
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Being sent on a mysterious adventure thru Europe, and getting to meet cute boys, and see historic places is such a dream of mine.  The family connection within the book, and the "no-technology" rule, also makes this a great story.
Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings by Hélène Boudreau
This is the cutest mermaid book!  First crushes and first transformations all in one is a good time!  Also, you can't really live in Florida without loving the ocean, and mermaids go hand in hand with that.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Friends, travel, and magic pants?  Why wouldn't you play hooky with this book?  Greece, Mexico, South Carolina, and Maryland are all places I've never been, and I loved the little glimpses of each place in the book.
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Set in Florida and the characters help to save little burrowing owls?  LOVE!  Two of my favorites things are in the book in fact.  I think it's a shame there aren't more books set in Florida because it's a pretty nice place.
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
The premise of this book is just too fun!  Could you imagine your very own fairy?  I'm not even sure what kind of fairy I'd like.  NOT a Parking Fairy; now that I'm out of undergraduate I am rarely on campus.  Maybe a Book Fairy, who buys me all the books I want.  THAT would be awesome!
Love, Football, and Other Contact Sports by Alden R. Carter
There's just something so great about football, and the way Carter writes makes it even better.  I want to play hooky and go to this high school where everyone has each other's back.
Heart and Salsa by Suzanne Nelson
I love the Students Across the Seven Seas series because through these books I can live the vicarious life of a foreign exchange student!  I would love to go to Mexico and help build a school while learning about the rich Mexican culture!

3.25.2012

In My Mailbox (37)



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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------



IMM: 3/19/12 - 3/25/12

Books Mentioned:
Matched by Ally Condie
Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins

GIVEAWAYS!
Starters by Lissa Price
Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield

SPECIAL DEAL (that I forgot to mention)
GoneReading is offering 25% off of their awesome bookish products to all my followers!  Check out my post to get the code and learn more!

Giveaway of Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield



Hunted by Cheryl Rainfield is one great book!  I had the chance to read it as part of a book tour through A Novel Reading, and I couldn't put it down.  
And as part of the tour, I want to share it with my followers!  
What better way than to give away a finished copy?

Here's the dealio, fill out the rafflecopter below.
The giveaway ends on March 31st at midnight.
The winner will be emailed, and have 48 hours to respond.
This is INTERNATIONAL, so that's fun.
I'm using The Book Depository, so they must deliver to your country.

Please check out the book tour and my stop on March 31st!!

HAPPY READING!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3.24.2012

Hey Guys, I've "Gone Reading"

I don't know if you've heard about this awesome site, but I just love it!  GoneReading is an amazing company that has great gifts for book lovers. They have bookends, t-shirts, journals, and everything in between.  There's great things for young book lovers as well!

If you buy their merchandise, not only do you get some great gifts from the site, but you're helping to make a difference in the world!  GoneReading donates 100% of their after-tax profits to provide new funding for libraries and reading-centered non-profits!  How amazing is that?

I've been browsing the site, and collected some of my favorite things!
There's other awesome things on the site, and they keep adding items all the time!  And as a gift to my readers, GoneReading was kind enough to give my readers 25% off on their purchases!

Just enter the code ELISQUARED25 at check out and you'll get 25% off of everything except book ends!  The code is good until April 23!

I hope you all check out GoneReading and enjoy anything you buy!  Remember you're not only getting awesome bookish gifts for yourselves but you're helping to keep libraries and reading centers alive!

Nook Bargains (11)



I have a nook color, which I love!  But whenever I see e-books on sale, they're always for the Kindle. 
So I thought I might start my own round-up of sales on e-books that are for the nook to help my fellow nookers (yes I've just made that word up).
The catch is that some of these books are on-sale for a limited time, so get 'em while they're hot!
All of these books are pretty awesome and cheap, but some are only on-sale for a limited time, so you better hurry and get them before it's to late:


Free:
Glimpse by Stacey Wallace Benefiel - FREE










Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa - FREE









Tortured by Caragh M. O'Brien - FREE









Fallen from Grace by M. J. Putney - FREE










$0.99:
Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill - $0.99









Oppression by Jessica Therrien - $0.99










Remembrance by Michelle Madow - $0.99










Vengeance by Michelle Madow - $0.99











$1.29 - $2.99:
The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter - $1.29
Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent - $1.31










Boyfriend from Hell by E. Van Lowe - $1.99










Gone by Michael Grant - $2.99










Girl Parts by John M. Cusick - $2.99










Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelle - $2.99










White Cat by Holly Black - $2.99










The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris - $2.99










Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren - $2.99











$3.59 - $5.03:
Need by Carrie Jones - $3.59
Finnick of the Rock by Melina Marchetta - $3.99










The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa - $4.50
Glimmer by Stacey Wallace Benefiel - $4.95










Glow by Stacey Wallace Benefiel - $4.95










The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - $4.99

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough - $4.99








The Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines - $5.03










Skinny by Ibi Kaslik - $5.03

3.22.2012

Trailer Thursday


by Veronica Rossi 
Release Date: 01/03/2012


Thoughts from an Acute Triangle: Book to Movie Adaptations


Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

Let me know what adaptations, or just movies, you're looking forward to!

Where I got my shirt - http://teeraiders.com/
Unfortunately it was one of those limited time/limited printing deals, but they are always having awesome shirts up, so I'd still check it out!

CHECK OUT MY GIVEAWAY OF STARTERS BY LISSA PRICE - http://bit.ly/GzFZX9
---------------------
Movies Listed:
The Hunger Games
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFjIdT
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFiwHu

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GJnb4A
IMDB - http://imdb.to/GJnfRO

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFlls0
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFl4Fq

Mirror, Mirror
Goodreads - http://bit.ly/GJmxE5
IMDB - http://imdb.to/GJmJTY

Snow White and the Huntsman
Goodreads - http://bit.ly/GJmxE5
IMDB - http://imdb.to/GJmSqt

The Great Gatsby
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFkBD7
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFkMOK

On the Road
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFkXcU
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFkWFX

The Hobbit
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFlqvN
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFm2Br

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFmLTj
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFmOyq

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFn1BL
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFmWy2

Ender's Game
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFmksa
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFmzmY

3.21.2012

Waiting on Wednesday (31)



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:


Publication Date: March 13, 3012
Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?
------------------------------------------------- 

I love the premise of the book, a modern-day Robin Hood mixed with Gossip Girl, helping out the ostracized victims at her school.  This sounds like such a fun book, and it's already out!  Excellent; now I only have to wait for payday!  I do love a good flirt, and the cover looks super fun.  Let me know if you've read it, and what you thought!

3.20.2012

Top Ten Tuesday (11)


Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!
Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.
The topic this week is: Top Ten Books On My Spring To-Be-Read List


Books Mentioned:

Shatter Me
Dust & Decay
Revived
The Last Princess
Purity
Dearly, Departed
Clockwork Prince
Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse
Fever
Pandemonium

CHECK OUT MY GIVEAWAY OF STARTERS BY LISSA PRICE -http://bit.ly/GzFZX9

(Also I am red because I have a sunburn...awesome.)

Teaser Tuesday (32)

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!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hunted

by Cheryl Rainfield
Publication Date: December 15, 2011

         "Well what didja come here for?"
         . . . Gotcha now. Nobody comes here for a good time. They come to repent, or to visit their love ones in Parajail, or to find others who wanna bring back the lynchings . . . but nobody ever comes here for a holiday–'cept for the Para Cleansing, but that's days away . . . "You here for Para Cleansing Day?"
(Page 23)

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I'm part of the book tour for Hunted through A Novel Outing, and it is a really interesting dystopic paranormal novel.  It is also a departure from her first book Scars, which is realistic fiction about self-harm.  Both are fantastic, but what's interesting is that Hunted, while being paranormal also has a real world situation in it involving ritual abuse.  This detail that Cheryl included comes from experiences in her own life, and I think that adds so much to the book. 
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