The Scorch Trials

Hello Brandi, today is May 19th, and I'm taking my post back.

I had a really intelligent blog post idea earlier today, but I did not write it down, and I forgot it. So maybe I'll rant about algebra for a little bit. Because well. Math sucks. I guess I could talk about my new book, but I haven't even started it. Oh well.

The next book on my list is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. I have heard nothing but fantastic things about this book, and I can't wait to start it. Whoot whoot.

Some of you may be wondering "Oh, I thought he was going to read the Maze Runner trilogy..?" (Please, at least act like you are thinking that, for my sake, okay?) Well I'm going to tell you all a thing. In my personal opinion, James Dashner isn't the best author. I barely made it to chapter seven of The Scorch Trials. That's right. Only 40 pages. I broke the 50 page rule. Whoops.

Sorry for the short post, but it's 11:30 and I need to go use the sleep, so I'm gonna go.

Remember, play nice, share your toys, buckle your seat belts, don't drink and drive, don't drive with anyone who has been drinking, and don't do anything too illegal.

~Josh

Allegiant

Dear Josh,

Today is Monday, May 19, and I am going interrupt your blogging day by substituting a post of my own. You can having back when I'm through.

Why am I doing this, you ask?

Well, today I am going to post my first book review!! Huzzah!

Why am I posting this so early, you might ask again? (Jeez, you guys are nosey.) The answer, my darling readers (and Josh) is that I am sick at home. Not-so-much huzzah...

Anyways, as I mentioned yesterday I finally finished Allegiant. I managed to get most of it done before I graduation-open-house hopped with friends (and Josh). Then we went to see Captain America: The Winter Soldier (which I may post a review of on my other blog Live. Laugh. NERD!), and I got home around 10:30. Throughout this whole time, I was battling a sore throat which made my day not as fun as I would have liked it to have been. Finally, I managed to pick up the book again at 11:42 and finish it at 11:52...ish. Which isn't too bad, all things considered.

Now that the circumstances of me finishing the book are out of the way, time for the review.

I wouldn't say that this is the strongest book in the series. I was about halfway through when I put it down, and it was really hard for me to pick it back up again, and I (by some miracle) wasn't exposed to any other spoiler besides the fact that the ending would make me cry.

And that's the only spoiler I'm really going to expose you to, and I'm not going to write a synapsis because y'all need to read the first two books for this to make some sense.

When you first start reading, you find out that the book is written in alternating POV between Tris and Four, which is something I really liked about the novel. It was nice getting to see things from Four's perspective, and it's not too often you see something like that.

When I did manage to pick it up again, I don't think I was as into it as I was when I first started. And the hardest part for me as I was trying to finish it were the fact that Tris and Four were kind of making me mad, and by kind of I mean very much so. I think that was the most difficult thing to get past for me; the fact that the characters are really pretty bad at using their words.

It really started to pick up again at the ending, however, and I had almost cried when I read the part where *CENSORED FOR THE SPOILER*.

Almost.

So yeah, it wasn't the strongest in the trilogy, since it didn't really didn't keep my attention. However, at the same time, I think it was one of the strongest in the trilogy in the sense that it's unlike anything I've seen before. The alternating point of view and the way the book ended was something that you really don't see in a lot of book series nowadays, and it was actually fun to read...all things considered.

I think I would give it a 8.5/10 would recommend.

I think that's all I have to say on the matter without spoiling anything.

Friend Josh, I hope you don't mind me posting on your day. You can have it back now.

As always, my lovely readers (and Josh),



Live Long and Prosper, and DFTBA.

Graduation/ Maze Runner

Hello Brandi, today is Saturday, May 17th, and today was a pretty awesome day.

Let's start with yesterday. Friend Megan let me borrow her knives, so now I have some real throwing knives. Well. Temporarily. They throw fairly well, I started throwing this morning. I like them. She might not be getting them back >:D

Built a fence for the calves today, now they have a pasture. Calves were happy. Much excite. Such wow.
The fence building was extremely simple, but took too much time. Then I was home alone. Threw some more knives. Watched some NCIS. Ate some ramen. Spaced walking the fences. Ran the fences. Got back inside. Showered. Was half dressed when the Lovely Brandi showed up at my house, for today was graduation reception day. Put pants on. Ran out the door. The Lovely Brandi has a kickass mother. Just saying. Ate some food at graduation things. Brandi almost got shanked when I volunteered her for a hug. Not kidding.








Now. Time for an update. Bout of Books 10. Page count 375. I accomplished one book this week, basically because I had to power through this one. Yes. Some of you may understand my pain.

That's right. James Dashner's The Maze Runner. This book took me the whole week. It was hard to power through this. It was just so confusing, and a bit complex. The ending was kinda awesome, which gives most people the sense that the whole book was awesome, but you have to hang in there. I have to read the rest of the series, because I read the first book. *sighs*

I would give this book a 6/10. Some things were just a bit too complex where they didn't need to be, and I found the storyline a bit boring. That might just be me though. 3/10 would not recommend.

Well guys, I gotta go to bed. Today has been a pretty good day. Until Monday my darlings.




Remember, play nice, share your toys, buckle your seat belts, don't drink and drive, don't drive with anyone who has been drinking, and don't do anything too illegal.

~Josh

Eleanor and Park

Hello Brandi, today is May 8th, and I am having extreme emotions.

I know you already updated today and we were going to alternate and such whatnot, but I couldn't resist as to blog this because my heart hurts and I just can't. (Also, surprise!! 2 blogs in one day. From 2 people. I hope your little hearts can handle this craziness.)

Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell. This book. Let me tell you. I fell in love with all the characters, this was fantastically written. No character was portrayed as a "perfect" person. Each and every one had flaws, and that's what made this book amazing. This is not an everyday YA Romance book. I want everyone to read this.

The year is 1986. Walkmans and comic books were still cool. Not that they ever stopped. Or at least, I don't think so. Sex Pistols, The Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen. The cool stuffs. Yeah. Park is just your average everyday high schooler, when one day some silly ginger shows up. Silly ginger. Thinking she can sit anywhere on a public school bus. God, what a weirdo. Who the hell does she think she is?

Park, being the good human he is, allows her to sit with him, while he just ignores her and goes back to reading his comics. This becomes a daily routine. Suddenly, Park is letting Eleanor borrow his comics and he is making her mix tapes, this book was just too damn cute. The adorabubbles were intoxicating. And it kept getting worse. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good read. It's only 325 pages, so it's not too much to tackle. If I can do it, you can too! But in all seriousness. Get out your lists, and put this on there. 10/10 would definitely reread.

But yeah. That was my day. Now it's time to actually read The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trails because those are on my TBR, and they've been on my list for long enough. I'll get started on that tonight, maybe tomorrow. I haven't really slept because books. Books. Consuming my life.... Well, not like I really had one anyways. Today's been a pretty good day, I just can't wait to start my next books. I bought three more online, Trapped by Michael Northrop, and The Shadows of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and Eon by Alison Goodman. Impatiently waiting, even thought I just ordered them. But yeah. This was fun.

Remember, play nice, share your toys, buckle your seat belts, don't drink and drive, don't drive with anyone who has been drinking, and don't do anything too illegal.

Stay awesome.

~Josh

The Book Thief

Hello Brandi, today is Wednesday, May seventh, and I done a thing.

I just recently finished Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, and let me tell you a thing. This man. Is amazing. This is one of my favorite books, it was ridiculously well written. I'm still trying to find time to watch the movie, but from what I hear it doesn't stray afar from the book.

The year is (roughly) 1939. Liesel Meminger is on a train. Where to you may ask? A train going to Molching, Germany. She has traveled across the country with only her mother and brother, just for Liesel to arrive at her new home with Hans and Rosa Hubberman. She makes few friends throughout her life, all in which have a somewhat similar interest.

Books.

10/10 would read again. I absolutely loved this book, if you ever get the opportunity, take some of your time and pick it up, because it is absolutely brilliant. I now have all of Zusak's books on my TBR list, I can't wait to read them. But first I need to get caught up on my list, I have priorities, I promise. 

The next read on my list is Eleanor And Park by Rainbow Rowell. I'll update as soon as I finish it, internet connection permitting. I have heard nothing but good things about this book, I just started it last night. Page 109 of 325. I'll probably finish it tonight. Maybe. Tonight or tomorrow night. Whatever.

Anyways, today was Wednesday. This is what I like to call hell. We're past the beginning of the week, but the end is just too far away. I can't wait for the weekend, I'll be in Kansas City for the Worlds Of Fun International Band Competition, come check us out. We're the South Hardin High School Band, not sure if anyone in that area actually reads this blog, but if you do, be there.

I've been putting off this week's readathon, I sincerely apologize. I'll try to get caught up on my TBR on the bus ride there, but I most likely won't read until the last hour of the ride. I'm attempting to earn my membership in the procrastiNATION. Next week, I have another readathon, and during that week I'll have a 24 hour readathon on Saturday. Busy busy busy. I'll try to keep updated this weekend, but The Lovely Brandi may be taking over for me, depending on what she is up to.

Well, that's it for today. 

Remember, play nice, share your toys, buckle your seat belts, don't drink and drive, don't drive with anyone who has been drinking, and don't do anything too illegal.

Until next time!

~Josh