Welcome to my blog where I give my honest opinion of Young Adult Fiction.
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Friday, May 30, 2014

What's On My Bookshelf? Part 3

Shelf Three
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Harry Potter Companion Books, #3) Harry Potter Boxset (Harry Potter, #1-7) Sketchy (Bea Catcher Chronicles, #1) Between Shades of Gray

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Sketchy (Bea Catcher Chronicles #1) by Olivia Samms
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Hamlet The Bro Code Treasure Island Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The Bro Code by Barney Stinson
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Crusade (Crusade, #1) All These Things I've Done (Birthright, #1) The Book Thief

Crusade by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

-Shawnee Smith

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman


Where She Went (If I Stay, #2)

Publisher: 2011 by Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 264
Series: If I Stay #2



"It's been three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life.

And three years he's spent wondering why.

When their paths cross again in New York City, Adam and Mia are brought back together for one life-changing night.

Adam finally has the opportunity to ask Mia the questions that have been haunting him. But will a few hours in this magical city be enough to lay their past to rest, for good - or can you really have a second chance at first love?"


First off, LOVED THIS BOOK! I liked that it was told from Adam's point of view this time instead of Mia's. It gave the book its own separate tone from that of the first one and it worked. There were so many genius one lines that had me laughing my butt off! Then there were moments ten pages later that had me wanting to break out into tears. It was just that good.

I liked that Adam had kinda gone down a dark path. Not like killing people or anything like that, but drugs, cigarettes, random women. To me it felt as it was all because he was lost without Mia. Now, you can disagree but that it just how I felt. There was also a mystery to what happened with the band. Adam is on the outs with them and you have to slowly unravel what is going on with all that. It gives the book more dimensions than just old flames reuniting, which is a really good thing.

One aspect that made this book believable was that it was hard for Adam and Mia to find anything to talk about at first. It was a struggle for them, people who used to be able to talk about anything, to even hold a simple conversation about the weather. Slowly over time you see that although these two have grown so much apart, they still fit together perfectly. Though the whole novel I was rooting for Adam and Mia to make it work again.

All in all, this was a great novel on its own. Added with what If I Stay was, this series is just absolutely amazing. I don't think I have ever come across anything near what this series it, and its a good thing. I don't think a lot of writers would have been able to write two heart-wrenching novels one in the POV of a girl and the second in the POV of a male. Forman did it perfectly though. I give the whole series 5 stars, 10/10, two thumbs up, however you want to rate it. :)

-Shawnee Smith

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Sad, Sad Day

It's a sad day in the world of literature today.

World renowned poet, civil rights activist, and author Maya Angelou has passed away at 86 years old. 


Maya Angelou has written several works of note, and contributed many inspirational quotes to the world. But what many don't know what that she was actually a dancer, actress, and the worlds FIRST female black director. 


She is a three time (YES! 3 TIME!) Grammy winner and has been nominated for a Pulitzer, Tony, AND an Emmy. 


She has published more than 30 best selling novels. Including....

Letter to My Daughter Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now Mom & Me & Mom


If you want to know more about Maya Angelou, you can read her autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

-Shawnee Smith

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Giver in Black & White?

We all know that The Giver is being made into a movie starring Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, and Brenton Thwaites and it is set to hit theaters on August 15th.


Recently, fans of the book have been voicing their concerns about the movie being in color, since a main plot of the book is the sensory deprivation of the citizens of the colony. The fans believe that the movie should be in Black & White until Jonas receives the ability to see color. 

However, several new character portraits have been released, featuring a Black & White scale with a sliver of color. 

giverposter4 
giverposter5 poster2 poster1

This begs to question whether the movie will be in Black & White as well. 

After further digging, I have found a featurette (linked here) that shows a small tidbit of film in the Black & White scale.

I believe that this is great news for fans of Lois Lowry's novel. It looks as though the film makers are keeping the Black & White plot in the movie. 

Make sure you see The Giver when it comes out in theaters on August 15th! 

-Shawnee Smith

Saturday, May 24, 2014

What I'm Reading Right Now

I just picked up Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green at the library the other day.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

What It's About: "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 of them legions of faithful fans."

What I Think So Far: I have only read one chapter, but I think its great so far! I love both authors SO MUCH so its no stretch to be able to enjoy Will Grayson, Will Grayson. I can't wait to get even farther into the story! I will definitely be reviewing this one after I finish it! 

-Shawnee Smith

Friday, May 23, 2014

What's On My Bookshelf? Part 2

Shelf Two

 Looking for Alaska The Fault in Our Stars Redwall (Redwall, #1) 13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)

Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Redwall (Redwall #1) by Brian Jacques
13 Little Blue Envelops by Maureen Johnson

The Giver (The Giver #1) Legend (Legend, #1) Prodigy (Legend, #2) Champion (Legend, #3)

The Giver (The Giver #1) by Lois Lowry
Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu
Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu (Advanced Readers Copy)
Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu

Belligerent Gone (Dream Catcher, #3) The False Prince (The Ascendance Trilogy, #1) The Runaway King (The Ascendance Trilogy, #2)

Belligerent (Vicara #1) by B. N. Mauldin
Gone (Dream Catcher #3) by Lisa McMann
The False Prince (Ascendance #1) by Jennifer A. Nielsen 
The Runaway King (Ascendance #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy, #3) 1984 Virals (Virals, #1) Dark Eyes (Dark Eyes, #1)

The Shadow Throne (Ascendance #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen
1984 by George Orwell
Virals (Virals #1) by Kathy Reichs
Dark Eyes (Dark Eyes #1) by William Richter

Divergent (Divergent, #1) Insurgent (Divergent, #2) Allegiant (Divergent, #3)

Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth
Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

-Shawnee Smith