Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes

 

Title:13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)

Author: Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date:  August 23rd, 2005

Format: Paperback (Bought) 

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

Note: There are spoilers in this review!

13 Little Blue Envelopes had always stuck me as that cheesy book that could be made into a chick flick movie at any minute. I never picked it up to actually read it because of that. However, I finally read the back of the book and it actually sounded interesting. After finishing it, I still can say it seems like a cheesy chick flick type book, but that it was pretty enjoyable.

Ultimately, this book is a good summer read. Nothing too serious, not too boring, and not too much unneeded fluff. 13 Little Blue Envelopes was a great combination of everything. However, it just never seemed to reach that climax of the story until the very end. When Ginny is robbed of everything and she's left wondering what to do did it finally reach that climax. Sure, she has a bunch of mysterious letters but as the reader, you already know that it's going to tell her to go travel somewhere. Nothing exciting. The ending, though, it was where all the meat is.

Maureen Johnson's writing style is simple and enjoyable. I found no flaws and it flowed so nicely. It really helped me focus on just the story and that's really nice to encounter every now and then. As a whole, the book was interesting, but not great. However, it did make me want to read the sequel! So thumbs up to that, 13 Little Blue Envelopes!

I gave it FOUR out of FIVE sporks!

YA Interrobang

On August 18th, a new website debuted by the name of YA Interrobang. YA Interrobang is a hub for news pertaining authors, tours, events, releases, contests and more within the young-adult book realm.

Nicole Brinkley,
 Founder  ofYA Interrobang

Why am I talking about this? Well, for one, it's founded by a super amazing and good friend of mine, Nicole Brinkley. You may know her as the founder of the former WORD for Teens. WORD closed down on August 1st but Nicole marched loudly and proudly back into the spotlight as Editor in Chief of the unique YA Interrobang.

I love the website. I think it's a fantastic idea. So much happens in the publishing world, and it happens fast. With weekly newsletters put out every Sunday, YA Interrobang highlights recent and upcoming things of note. 

Also, the website design is super pretty. I like shiny and pretty things. 

I am incredibly happy for Nicole, because she is going so many places. I wanted to promo YA Interrobang not only because it's an amazing project, but because it's founded by someone equally as amazing. So ya'll should visit it and check in on it every Sunday.

Oh, and your's truly is part-time writer over there. I don't write tons, but it's fun to do things with your friends, as you all may know. 

To keep updated with what's happening in the YA world, be sure to visit Nicole's website weekly!

Love & Sporks,

A Revamped Harry Potter?

As of late, I've been noticing dates on a lot of things. For instance, the years that certain movies came out, or the years of certain video games. Yet, there is one thing I hadn't looked at in awhile and that is the Harry Potter series. Apparently we have lived long enough to see the day that the Harry Potter books need a complete re-design.

Now that may stop you in your tracks like it did me, but never fear! The covers really are nice! Though for us 80s and 90s kids, I'm sure we'll still keep our original sets.

But lets take a look at this new design. Scholastic recently announced - on the birthday Harry Potter and J.K Rowling - the cover redesign and told us that the hard covered books will remain the same. 

But how 'bout those covers?

Scholastic also released the photos for each spine. When the books are together, the image on each spine lines up to reveal the Hogwarts castle.

As of yet we have not been shown the back covers, but it's supposed to be a grand deal! What do you guys think of the new artwork? Do you like it better or do you not care? Leave your opinions in the comments! 

Love & Sporks,

To Be Read List

 

My TBR list is still long and never getting smaller. However, I do have a couple books high up on that list that I hope to read soon. Ya know, the ones with the pretty covers or the amazing characters you're already hooked on? Those ones.

Here's a few of the TBR books at the top of my list. Maybe they'll make their way to the top of yours next.

Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Speak
About: "It's 1941 and fifteen-year-old artist Lina Vilkas is on Stalin's extermination list. Deported to a prison camp in Siberia, Lina fights for her life, fearless, risking everything to save her family. It's a long and harrowing journey and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?"'




Title: The Dragon Reborn (Wheel of Time, #3)
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
About: "The Dragon Reborn—the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him—is on the run from his destiny.

Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how—for no man has done it in three thousand years—Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how?

Winter has stopped the war—almost—yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he?

Perrin Aybara is in pursuit with Moiraine Sedai, her Warder Lan, and Loial the Ogier. Bedeviled by dreams, Perrin is grappling with another deadly problem—how is he to escape the loss of his own humanity?

Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are approaching Tar Valon, where Mat will be healed—if he lives until they arrive. But who will tell the Amyrlin their news—that the Black Ajah, long thought only a hideous rumor, is all too real? They cannot know that in Tar Valon far worse awaits...

Ahead, for all of them, in the Heart of the Stone, lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn...."

Title: And the Mountains Echoed*

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Publisher: Riverhead

About: "In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. 

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page."

Title: Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6)

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

About: "I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life…."

Love & Sporks,

*Indicates a non-YA book.

Life + New

 

Anyone who has checked in on this blog has no doubt seen that the last post was quite some time ago. While long absences are horrid and inexcusable, it happened.

I left for college in fall of last year and it was much busier than I reckoned. Though summers are usually calm, mine has been a little different. Now that I have some time on my hands I will be using it to slowly update things.

For TWotSM, that means updates! Though I will not be able to have daily updates or anything of the sort, I hope to publish every now and then. I'll have reviews and discussion posts mostly. Giveaways may crop up now and then too since moving all the time tends to lend itself to lightening one's load.

If ya'll have any questions or comments or even new ideas(!), comment or send me an email! I love to hear from you guys.

Love & Sporks,