Merry Christmas 2016!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Christmas has come again and soon 2017 will begin. The Creative Corner will see you once more in the next year to come. I wish you and yours a great night and a greater future to come!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 24

Hi everybody around the world! It's Christmas Eve! And today we must look at what we always do on Christmas Eve; the google Santa Tracker. CLICK HERE to see the tracker in live mode. Have a great rest of the night!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 23

It's almost Christmas, and you know what that means; scrambling to get presents because you were lazy and kept putting it off! Luckily, this website has you covered. CLICK HERE to view the top 125 gifts of the season and shop before it's too late!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 22

Have a jolly minecraft Christmas, it's the best time of the year. 
That's right.
Today features a minecraft Christmas video I was forced to watch, because why not.

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 21

Hey everybody! Today's (belated) post is about cake. Watch in amazement as a Christmas confection comes to life.

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 20

Here's another Studio C video on what happens when carolers go nuts. Take a look!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 19

Today for the countdown, I am listing off classic holiday films. Looking for good Christmas movies? Search no further than this list.

1. The Santa Clause


When a divorced father looks after his young son for Christmas, he certainly didn't expect Santa to fall of their roof, let alone become the next Santa. Scott Calvin is in for one heck of a ride as he learns about being Santa and must endure all that comes with the job; including trying to be a good dad.


2. Elf


Buddy was a baby who snuck into Santa's bag and ended up raised at the North Pole by elves. After finding out that he's human, Buddy travels to New York to find his father and meet the family he never had; but his dad might not be what this unofficial elf was expecting.


3. The Polar Express


One Christmas Eve, a boy who doesn't believe in Santa anymore gets to board The Polar Express, a magical train that transports children to the North Pole. While skiing down train cars, sitting in runaway cabooses, falling into a present chute, and even just handing someone a ticket, this boy learns the true meaning of Christmas and what believing really is.


4. It's A Wonderful Life


Not really in the Christmas spirit, George Bailey feels like he's wasted his life. But when an angel visits him and reviews what made his life worth living and the consequences of not existing, George discovers that he might have meant more than anyone could have guessed.


5. Arthur Christmas


Arthur, the son of the current Santa Claus, is constantly upbeat and in the Christmas mood; even if everybody else just wants him out of the way. However, when he discovers a child named Gwen had been missed, he embarks on a worldwide trek with a wrapping elf and his grandfather in order to save Christmas for her, despite the apprehension from his family.

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 18

So, for the 18th post of the countdown, I am going to say something about Gravity Falls (legion of Gravity fans start cheering). Anyways, I LOVE that show with a passion and would kill to see it grow, so today I take it upon myself to make more viewers aware of the marvel that is Gravity Falls.
Today, you can CLICK HERE to see my overview of the series I wrote when I was bored. Also, beneath you is a video that summarizes (yet mocks) the show. It's hilarious, despite its insults. Enjoy, and see you tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 17

Heyyyyy everybody. Today marks the rise of the Christmas headcanons! Check out these short stories from popular book series centering around the holidays.

1. Harry Potter


2. Percy Jackson


3. The Mortal Instruments

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 16

It's day 16 of 2016. I feel paradoxical. That's why I'm posting the link to a site that specializes in logic puzzles. CLICK HERE to visit a whole page listed with Christmas teasers. See you tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 15

For day 15 of the countdown, I am here to talk about food; specifically Food Network. Like every year, they have a page dedicated only to Christmas recipes. Every year I look at the pictures and wish I was any good at making things.

Anyways, here is the link so you can check out some of their holiday ideas: http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/christmas-recipes.html

Have fun with that. Try not to get too hungry.

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 14

Heyyyyy! I'm back! I've been busy the last few days (and yesterday I was too tired to write stuff) but now I am finishing up this post. I realized I haven't yet shared with you the majesty that is 'Seagulls: Stop It Now!', which is a song sung by Yoda that was created by Bad Lip Reading. Seriously, this is gold. Check it out below!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 13

I really love the acapella group Pentatonix. Here are 3 of my favorite Christmas songs by them. I hope you like this! 

1. White Winter Hymnal 

2. Carol of the Bells 

3. Mary Did You Know 

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 12

Sorry I was busy with other stuff, but today this is fixed! I've only ever written one review on a Christmas book in the 3 years I've had this blog, so now, I am sending you the link to the review. That post was interesting to write considering I knew the author. I've read it 3 times and really liked it, so I assure you, it is a good book all things considered.

Here is the link: http://amathecreativecorner.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-christmas-of-miracles-five-stars.html

Be sure to check it out!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 11

Today's post is on fashion. If you haven't heard about it before, Polyvore is a website like amazon, but where users can create groupings of items the website sells. It's kinda like making window displays in a Khols or something; you are free to pick out items that go well together and combine them into a set. I am posting a link to the selection of Christmas sets on Polyvore so you guys can check out the site as well.

To go to Polyvore: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/search.setsquery=christmas+sets&.search

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 10

Today marks the attack of the Santa memes. Prepare yourselves.










And a random Star Wars picture because why not.



I will see everyone tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 9

And here is the post for today; a 12 Days of Christmas remix by the acapella mens group Straight No Chaser.

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 8

Sorry this is late, I had a concert last night. Anyways, here's yesterday's stuff; a Jim Gaffigan video on holiday traditions!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 7

Here are the answers to yesterday's stuff:

1. Snow (it's flakes are actual jagged and pointed when examined closely, but it falls apart easily and falls anywhere depending on the weather and climate)
2. Present (this one's pretty obvious)
3. Star (you see the stars at night and the sun in the daylight, all of them billions of miles away, but we place a version of a star on top of Christmas trees)

For today, here is a video of what happens when Elf on the Shelf goes too far. Enjoy, and see you tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 6

Here are a couple random holiday riddles; all of them I take credit for, since I wrote them. Have a great day; the answers of my riddles will be posted on day 7. See you guys then!

1. I'm pointed and jagged yet soft and breakable. Sometimes I disappear within instants, but in other places I stay all year round. What am I?

2. I'm between yesterday and tomorrow, but can be found anywhere, depending on what people see. What am I?

3. You see at least one of me every 24 hours, but in some places I am easier to perceive. Day and night, I always see you, seeming close, but in actuality my kind are always far away. You place a version of me in your home every Christmas as a final topping. What am I?

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 5

For day 5, I would like to share a link to the north pole, an interactive Christmas website. If you need to start prepping on crafts, trivia, etc, this site is the place to go for all things holiday. See you guys tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 4

Today is the 4th of December, and so, as promised, here is a new post! Apparently no holiday is complete without Charlie Brown, so here is today's countdown topic; the 1965 Charlie Brown Christmas special. Hope everyone likes this video!

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 3

Onto day 3! So today I have a group of Christmas inspired how-to's on dessert. You're welcome. Enjoy!

1. Christmas Log Cake

2. Sugar Cookies

3. Christmas Tree Meringues 

4. Cranberry Pound Cake 

5. Mini Christmas Trifles 

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 2

So the second Christmas post I've composed is a list of series to read. Are you at a loss for what to get your friends/family? Well look no further than this great list of books for further inspiration.

1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
2. Etiquette and Espionage: The Finishing School Series Book 1 by Gail Carriger
3. The Emerald Atlas: The Books of Beginning Book 1 by John Stephens
4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
5. Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
6. The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
7. The School For Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
8. Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin
9. So You Want to Be A Wizard by Diane Duane
10. Of Giants and Ice by Shelby Bach
11. The Quantum Prophecy: The Awakening  by Michael Carroll
12. The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner
13. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
14. The Ability by M.M. Vaughan
15. Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
16. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente
17. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle
18. Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer
19. Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
20. The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
And a bonus: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

All of these titles link to Amazon. Please note that these books are not in order of personal preference (except for the first one; I shall forever be a Percy Jackson fan). If this isn't enough, check out my BOOK GUIDE to see more selections.

Countdown to Christmas 2016: Day 1

Here is day one for the countdown, as promised. No Christmas is complete without Star Wars, especially with Rogue One coming out soon. So here's a trailer!

And here are some Star Wars memes, naturally.













So this is the first post! Hope you liked it.

Countdown to Christmas 2016

Hey, guys! I've been so incredibly busy lately I've been neglecting my blog. But now it's Christmas and I need to commence the annual blog countdown! Yay! And so today I will be posting 3 posts for the Christmas clock to compensate for the last couple days. Keep a lookout!

Sorry I Am Lazy

I'm so sorry I have been busy. And lazy. I have been very lazy, too. Anyways, expect another review in the next week. I am trying to pick up the slack!

Here is a cat video. May it fill the hole in your soul that my lack of updates has caused.

I Apologize, Okay?

I've been super busy lately and haven't had any time to post anything on the blog. The holiday season didn't exactly help, either. So anyways, I'm sorry to keep all the readers of my blog waiting. I apologize for the long break. Hopefully I will get more diligent.

Unfortunate Bugs

I had the weirdest bug on my computer when writing my last post. Seriously, every single time I would try to publish something, it deleted all of my progress. So. Darn. ANNOYING! So I'm sorry I didn't post for a while, but I had that to worry about. I apologize for the delay, readers!

The Girl In The Steel Corset

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: not even going to bother; you name it, this book has it

Finley Jane has a dark side. Not a, "I stole your candy bar and ate it right in front of you slowly," type of dark side, but a, "I have almost supernatural abilities when I lose control and am capable of destroying my enemies with a flick of my hand," type of affliction. Needless to say, staying afloat is rather hard; especially when one can't remember what happened while their other side took over. But Finley's life is turned around when she meets Griffin King. The young duke and his group of friends are . . . different, much like Finley, with their own set of skills. Small but fiery Emily can talk to and control machines, Sam is super strong and heals scarily fast (and is kind-of an accidental cyborg), and Griffin himself can manipulate and enter the aether, a mysterious layer of our world where ghosts and other beings dwell. At Griffin's manor, Finley may have finally found a home. But with a recent series of seemingly disjointed crime sprees, an evil mastermind called the Mechanist, a strange murder, and some evil automatons, danger is clearly at large. Add in Finley's conflicted feelings over both criminal Jack Dandy and Griffin King, Finley's dual sides, and Sam's cold shoulder, and a full blown mess is created. Will Finley and her new friends be able to find the real villain, or will they be too late to save their city from the full blown storm of chaos in its midst?
Kady Cross had created a delightful steampunk world filled with both whimsy and intrigue. If you like Gail Carriger's Etiquette & Espionage you will love this incredible story.

The Conclusion

So here is the conclusion video to my set of six. Enjoy!

Next Video

So here is the next video. Hope you like it!

Video for Today

Here's today's superhero short, centering around Thor's movie. Have fun watching it!

Promises

So I made a promise on google plus to post a How It Should Have Ended superhero video every day until Friday. Well yesterday I didn't, sorry, so today I will post 2. Enjoy!

Guardians of the Galaxy refers to . . . waste, in the beginning, so for those of you who don't need the thought implanted in your brains, although nothing is shown, don't watch the start. 

Huh. Wierd . . .

My latest post, The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates: Magic Marks the Spot somehow ended up labeled under July instead of August. Anyways, if you see it on the page, just know that it's new and that I didn't skip today. Thanks!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Skip! (It's a Harry Potter book; we all know it's a continuation of that adventure and has the same genre)

Albus Severus Potter is named after two famous wizards, his dad is the renown Harry Potter, and he is expected to be the cream of the crop in Hogwarts. Instead, he befriends Scorpious Malfoy, the son of Death-Eater Draco Malfoy and the butt of many a rumor, enters Slytherin, is terrible at quidditch, and is wildly unpopular. What use is being the son of a prodigy if you don't fit in? Meanwhile, Hermione, now the Minister of Magic, has confiscated an illegal time turner that can travel way back; years, even. After hearing how Cedric was killed in the Triwizard Tournament, Albus pulls Scorpius into stealing the time turner from the ministry and using it to save Cedric's life, a feat not even his famous father had accomplished. But even the smallest actions can affect the future, and with a new, hidden evil rising behind everyone's noses, they may have just put their world at risk. Will these two misfits be able to set everything right, or will darkness reign again?
I love love love the way J.K. Rowling (and Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, of course) wove components of all 7 of the previous books into this last outstanding story continuation. It's a real nod to the originals that is much appreciated and welcomed by the fan community. Complete with alternate realities, a great cast of characters (pun intended), and a wonderful, whimsical adventure that only Rowling could have thought up, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a phenominal conclusion to the series, even if it is written in script format.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!

I'm so sorry I haven't been keeping to my promise to post a review each day. I've been busy reading the new Harry Potter book! It. Was. AWESOME. I don't think it fits as well into the story as the rest of the books do, but it was still a very interesting and great novel created in the signature Harry Potter world that we love. Today I will be writing a review on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Hang in there, and again, I apologize.

It's The End!!!

Summer is finally wrapping up; BOOOOOO! This means that I am on a (rather late) vacation. However, even though it is the end of the season and I am away, I will still be posting stuff. Starting tomorrow (August the 1st) I will be blogging about a book each day for the whole week. Be on the lookout for new material sometime in the very near future!

Just A Heads Up

For people who are new to my blog, just wanted to let you know that if a post has blue words at the top (like this one), it's an update, note, etc. Not a book review. However, if it only has the name of the book underlined and without any blue writing over the top, it's a review. Not that you couldn't figure that out, but I didn't want there to be any confusion. If you are still at a loss, this is an example of a post, and THIS is an example of a review. Just wanted to clear that up.

A Hero at the End of the World

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Danger, Suspense, Fantasy, Humor, (and some) Romance

In this stunning and magical alternate version of England, a young man named Ewan Mao is the subject of a prophecy. It was foretold that he would be the slayer of an evil tyrant and restore peace. However, when the time came to fulfill it, his best friend, Oliver Abrams, does away with the villain himself. Crushed by the failure and angry that his popular and talented friend also got the credit for the kill, Ewan lives out several years of his life shamed and working in a coffee shop. Meanwhile, Oliver has done well for himself. He has risen through the ranks of his government job, is beloved by the city, and may or may not like his partner. And now, he is investigating the antics of a cult that draw magic from the world around them. Ewan, blinded by his need to be the hero again, is enlisted by that same cult. The leader's son, Archibald, enrolls him, sweeping him up in a plot that could very possibly end the world, intentionally or not. Who is the real villain? Will these two former best friends ever come together again? And is being a hero worth it if nobody realizes it?
Filled with mystery, alternate dimensions, a great cast of characters, coffee shops, and powerful magic, A Hero at the End of the World is a great book for anyone.

The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates: Magic Marks the Spot

* * * * */ Five Stars 

Genre: Humor, Action, Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy

Hilary Westfield is a teenager who dreams of being a pirate in the magical land of Augustus. Unfortunately, proper young ladies simply don't sail the seas; they go to Miss Primm's Finnishing School and learn how to intigrate into modern society. Especially those who are the daughter of a very important admiral. In an effort to escape such a coddled life, she and her friend the Gargoyle run away and join the crew of Jasper Fletcher, diving into a quest to find the lost Enchantress' treasure trove. But recently, magic has been going missing all over the land. Could the pirates of the league Hilary always wanted to join be the culprits, or was it someone far more sinister and mysterious? Where is the Enchantress and her spoils? Who else is after Hilary and the loot, and how far will they go to get it? One thing's for certain; this crew is setting sail on the adventure of a lifetime.
Incredibly funny and filled with charm, this book by Caroline Carson is a great read for anyone.

New Releases!

Here are the release dates for some new and popular books that are coming out in the next couple months.


'Harry Potter and The Cursed Child' by JK Rowling
Release Date: July 30, 2016



'Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor' by Rick Riordan
Release Date: October 4, 2016



'Embassy Row Book 3: Take the Key and Lock Her Up' by Ally Carter
Release Date: January 2017 (but you can order it online and get it on December 26, 2016)



'Dragonwatch' by Brandon Mull (the sequel series to 'Fablehaven')
Release Date: March 7, 2017

The Orphan Queen

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy, Danger, (some) Romance

Princess Wilhelmina and other nobles' children were forced out of their homes by a great war between their kingdom and the Indigo Kingdom. With no family left, they taught themselves how to survive in a broken new world and named themselves the Ospreys. Now the group is much older, and Wilhelmina and the others are out to take back their land. With her best friend, Wil invades the castle to gather information. But the Indigo Kingdom isn't their only threat. The wraith, a white fog that mutates living creatures into monsters that attack the public, is spreading into all of the lands at an alarming rate. Wil steps in to help defend the people in secret during the night, and by chance, she meets a cunning (and possibly heroic) vigilante named 'The Black Knife'. What secrets lie beyond the mask concealing his identity? Between spying for the Ospreys, concealing herself from the royals with a false identity, and being an accomplice for a sudo criminal, Wilhelmina certainly has her hands full. Will she ever be able to take back her throne and drive out her enemies for good?
I love all of Jodi Meadow's books. She is a fantastic author, in my opinion, who has crafted a world within The Orphan Queen that combines both whimsy and reality beautifully. I recommend this book to anyone, especially those with a flair for the unusual and extraordinary.

Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry

I'm sorry for delaying my posts. I've been so busy doing things this summer (like sleeping and reading) that I have been neglecting my blog. Anyways, that will change. I've amended to write a post at least once a week, from now on until hopefully forever (you know, if I can remember to). So if I don't, everyone can hold me to that. I will take full responsibility.
I am counting this as my official post of the week; not that I can't add more later, but in case I forget, here it is. Since this isn't a book review, I am leaving links to two other posts that are designed to help people find good books to read (and one that is just my awesome short story). Enjoy!

Links:
- My Book Guide
- Top 25 Must Read Book Series
- Lights in the Attic: A Short Story (yes, I wrote this; I claim full credit)

Under The Never Sky

* * * */ Four Stars (almost five)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Futuristic, Intellect, Romance, (some) Humor, Mystery, Fiction

In a broken world ravaged by terrible storms called the aether, the privileged few in humanity were selected to lived in special pods meant to shield people from the weather. Aria is one of the fortunate members of a pod, living contently inside its walls and abiding by the rules; that is, until she met him. Perry and his entire tribe have lived on the outside, surviving the aether day by day. In a strange series of events, he saves Aria’s life, and then is forced to take care of her when she is thrown out of her pod for something she didn’t do. Perry is trying to rescue his nephew, who was mysteriously kidnapped by pod dwellers. Aria is attempting to find her mom again in another pod. Forced together by their circumstances, will the two be able to secure their families again before they are killed by the treacherous outside lands?
I really enjoyed this inventive book by Veronica Rossi. Brimming with both action and suspense, this book is a great addition to any shelf.

200 Posts

This is my 201st post. My last post was (finally) my 200th one, so yayyyyyyy! It has been over 2 years since I started this blog, and I've enjoyed posting on it for all this time. I hope to make it to 300 posts next year. Thanks, my readers, for making this fun.

Fanfiction Problems

I am mad. Mad because a lot of great book series have little or no good fanfictions. Come on, really? The fanfiction archive for 'The Emerald Atlas' (an awesome book in the Books of Beginning trilogy) has about 5 fics - none of them very good or detailed. 'Enchanted' by Alethea Kontis, the book I just posted? Nonexistent. There are tons more, but seriously people! Please please please write something good; I want to fantasize!



CLICK HERE to go to Fanfiction.net and solve my problems. Go and write decent fanfictions!

10 Second Post

I am posting this to prove to someone in my class that yes, I can get a pageview for a post within 10 seconds of posting it. Beat that, unbelieving educational system!

Enchanted

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Humor, Mystery, Danger, Suspense, Fantasy

All of the Woodcutter sisters have magic powers, strange destinies, and were named for the different days of the week. Monday was extraordinarily beautiful and ended up marrying a king whose cabin she stumbled in on, Tuesday was a fabulous dancer and (literally) danced herself to death in cursed shoes, Wednesday seems to radiate sadness and shadow, Thursday had a knack for the sword and ran away with a Pirate King, and so on. Sunday is the youngest among the seven and her other siblings. Overlooked due to a famous brother and her adventurous sisters, she is used to being nothing special. That is, until she meets an enchanted frog in the woods and befriends him. Soon she has her first real friend, one who doesn't mind that what she writes down in her notebook and talks about has a strange way of coming true. But he, after being cursed, is really a prince waiting to return home. When Sunday accidentally breaks the curse and allows him to return to castle life, she doesn't realize that she has set a series of events in motion that will change the face of her kingdom forever. What's to come will involve 3 (annoying) balls, an evil fairy, a devious shadow-stealing king, people turning into swans, and a whole heap of magic. There's only one question left; who's up for an adventure?
I loved this inventive novel by Alethea Kontis. These aren't your run-of-the-mill fairy tale characters; these girls are incredibly strong and interesting leads who have such varied personalities but all share an overarching good spirit. I guarantee that everyone who reads this series not only fall in love with the story but will also get swept up in the antics of the Woodcutters just like me. It's truly the type of fantasy book that only comes around every so often, so make sure to get a copy soon!

Possession

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Suspense, Romance, Futuristic, Danger, Fantasy

Vi lives in a future world where all of controlled humanity, those who live in a society ruled by the illusive thinkers who carefully monitor their personnel, tries to keep their heads down and lead a normal existence amongst one of four cities. A member of the City of Water, Vi is all about breaking the rules that the thinkers have set in place, especially those that restrict interaction between her and her match, Zenn. After a recent infraction - one that jeopardizes her entire future with Zenn because it is the last in a long line of mistakes - Vi is locked away in a cell with Jag. He is cocky, dangerous, rebellious, and from outside the cities in the regions of humanity that aren't ruled by the thinkers; Jag is essentially everything that Zenn isn't. And although he is beyond annoying, definitely untrustworthy, and far too full of himself, Vi can't help but be intrigued by him and what he stands for. As the two escape the cell and run off into the free sector with few plans and fewer supplies, their adventure is kicked into high speed. Should she go back to her predicable life and salvage relations with Zenn, or take the plunge and explore this new world? Is her sister really dead, or is her missing father the person she should have been mourning? And are Bads (uncontrolled humans) really as bad as they are made out to be? One thing is for certain; Vi has a lot of dangerous choices to make, and with a new target on her back, she'll have to decide quickly which life she wants to lead.
I liked this novel by Elana Johnson. Witty, strong Vi is a great character with a lot of heart that will inspire every reader with a wish to be extraordinary to break from the mold with her.

It's Bananas!

Me and my family discovered the horrors that is the amazon banana slicer review page. We couldn't stop laughing as we read what people had to say about this. Here are some (real) reviews from the page:

"I tried the banana slicer and found it unacceptable. As shown in the picture, the slicer is curved from left to right. All of my bananas are bent the other way."

"For decades I have been trying to come up with an ideal way to slice a banana. "Use a knife!" they say. Well...my parole officer won't allow me to be around knives. "Shoot it with a gun!" Background check...HELLO! I had to resort to carefully attempt to slice those bananas with my bare hands. 99.9% of the time, I would get so frustrated that I just ended up squishing the fruit in my hands and throwing it against the wall in anger. Then, after a fit of banana-induced rage, my parole officer introduced me to this kitchen marvel and my life was changed. No longer consumed by seething anger and animosity towards thick-skinned yellow fruit, I was able to concentrate on my love of theater and am writing a musical play about two lovers from rival gangs that just try to make it in the world. I think I'll call it South Side Story. Banana slicer...thanks to you, I see greatness on the horizon."

"Once I figured out I had to peel the banana before using - it works much better. Ordering one for my nephew who's in the air force in California. He's been using an old slinky to slice his banana's. He should really enjoy this product!"

"No more throwing bananas at the ceiling fan for me! This product has saved me the work of peeling the banana slices off the wall after the fan slices them. Thanks, banana slicer!"

"I would rate this product as just okay. It's kind of cheaply made. But it works better than the hammer I've been using to slice my bananas."

Thought that was funny? Wanna read more? Check out the customer review section at amazon by clicking HERE.

New Novels Tomorrow!

For those of you who haven't checked my Google+ Account recently, on May 3rd (tomorrow), Rick Riordan's new series 'The Trials of Apollo' comes out - and so does 'The Crown', the latest book from Kiera Cass' popular Selection series. Race to the nearest Barnes and Noble tomorrow and get them before anyone else does!

Huh . . . Didn't know that . . .

I really like the way the author Catherine Fisher writes. A blend between Madeline L'Engle, J.K. Rowling, and Cornelia Funke, her style is incredible. I was looking up the release date for my favorite series of hers - the Chronoptika series - and I found out that the 4th book in the quartet had already been published. It is called 'The Speed of Darkness', and it is the conclusion to the group. The first book is called 'Obsidian Mirror', and it is AMAZING. Please look into the novels; they're a great read.

Here is the cover of 'The Speed of Darkness'.


Here are all of the other covers in the series; be on the lookout for them!
 





The books were originally published like this, with 'The Box of Red Brocade' being republished as 'The Slanted Worlds' later on.





Here is a picture of the original cover for 'The Slanted Worlds':

The Map to Everywhere

* * * * */ Five Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Suspense, Mystery, Danger, Fiction

Marrill was walking her cat when a stream sprouted out in the middle of Arizona and brought a pirate ship to Earth. She climbs aboard and meets a wizard and his crew of sailors who are trying to put together the legendary Map to Everywhere, a magical map that can take the user anywhere and bring out anything. The ship is sailing the Pirate Stream, an endless river made of magical water that connects to every world in existence, in hopes of finding the rest of the map before other not-so-pure-intentioned people complete it. As the Stream floats the ship away from Earth before Marrill can get off, she finds herself joining the quest to recover the map. Meanwhile, in another place called Khaznot Quay, lives orphaned Fin. He has a terrible affliction; he is forgettable. Not 'didn't see you there' forgettable, but 'I forgot you existed' forgettable. Whenever Fin leaves someone's range of sight, they forget he ever existed. However, when the wizard's ship makes port in Khaznot and Fin saves Marrill's life, she remembers him even after he is out of her direct eyesight. This leads him to tag along on their adventure as well. But these aren't the only turns in events. A man called the Oracle is hoping to use the map to destroy the entire fabric of the universe and the Stream, and if he gets it, every world will be at his mercy. Which party will rebuild the map first? Who is the Oracle? Why is Fin so forgettable? And, most importantly, will Marrill ever get home?
I absolutely loved this book by Carrie Ryan and John P. Davis. Humorous, clever, and brimming with danger, 'The Map to Everywhere' is a novel that belongs in every household.

Gravity Falls: Because Why Not

     Back in February, I wrote a post telling everyone to watch Wierdmageddon Part 3, the conclusion to an amazing TV series called Gravity Falls. What is Gravity Falls? you may ask. Allow me to explain the entire show in the following paragraph . . .
     Gravity Falls is a TV series aired on Disney XD. It was created by Alex Hirsch and has 2 seasons, the second season ending with Wierdmageddon Parts 1-3. Although the show doesn't reveal this at the beginning, the story itself starts several decades ago when two almost identical twin boys were born. They were named Stanley and Stanford Pines. Stanley was a normal boy who wasn't very book-smart, but was clever in other ways and was fiercely loyal to his twin. Stanford was incredibly intelligent and very scholarly, but was born with a genetic mutation that caused his hands to have one additional finger each. This made him the target of harassment at a young age, but since Stanley always stood up for him, he never felt entirely alone. When the two were still rather young, they stumbled across an old rowboat-like ship, and they made a pact to sail around the world and live lives of adventure together when they were older. However, as they grew up, it became obvious that genius Stanford was going to be moving on to bigger and better things than his twin. He was offered a scholarship, provided he could impress some officials with a project he had made. Stanley, devastated that his twin might be leaving him behind, tried to sabotage his brother's project, thus forth ruining his chances of getting into his dream college. When their father found out about it, he threw Stanley out of the house, separating him from his parents, his twin, and his little sister. Stanley spent years and years of his life trying to make something of himself, but his attempts at being a famous businessman all ended in failure. Meanwhile, Stanford graduated from a different school with several PhDs and decided to investigate anomalies, like his six fingers. He moved to a small town in Oregon called Gravity Falls, where anomalies were strangely abundant. He built himself a house and lab and recorded his many findings in a series of journals. Stanford deduced that the strange creatures and weird occurrences were all trickling in from rifts in another dimension, a place where these unnatural things originated from. With the help of a college friend, he built a portal that led to it. Before he left, however, he hid two of his three journals that held his research and called up Stanley. Stanford entrusted the last journal to his brother and left our dimension. Stanley spent years trying to locate the other journals and figure out how to bring his twin back, but with little progress. He converted his brother's house into the Mystery Shack, a tourist attraction, to pay the bills and to buy supplies with which to rebuild the portal. Now, as an old man, Stanley takes in his great niece and nephew, the grandchildren of his little sister, for the summer. This is where the first episode of season 1 begins. Dipper and Mabel Pines, 12 year old twins, are being forced to stay in Gravity Falls with their 'Gruncle' (great-uncle) Stan. But when Dipper comes across one of Stanford's journals in the woods and Mabel meets a group of dwarves, the summer proves to become anything but ordinary. The two have been drawn into the weirdness that their Great Uncle spent most of his life researching, and it turns their stay in Gravity Falls into a chronicle of danger, mystery, and adventure that spans over the episodes. Whether freezing evil shape-shifters, returning mermaids to the ocean, encountering time-travelers, defeating zombies, or stealing unicorn hair, the Pines twins are there to uncover the mysteries of Gravity Falls and to save the day.
     So, to wrap this all up, Gravity Falls is a very interesting and inventive series with a great story. Although it has its silly and childish moments, its overarching plot is intriguing, funny, clever, and entirely satisfying. Gravity Falls is an adventure that you don't want to miss out on.
     Although I usually review books exclusively, some people (hey, mom) thought that the premise was stupid and don't like the show. I disagree, and I hope I proved some of those individuals wrong right now. Anyways, go watch Gravity Falls; you'll be glad you did.

Spring Break

Sorry I haven't been posting any book reviews lately. It's Spring Break vacation, and I've been making the most of my time off. Which is to say that I have been eating a bunch of chocolate and other assorted junk foods, sleeping in almost 3 hours late, reading (A LOT), watching way too much TV than I probably should have watched in a month (let alone a couple of days), and generally being lazy. The lack of work is making me far too unproductive. I don't know how I am ever going to be able to wake up at 6:30 in the morning again after this. Spring Break is a curse in disguise, I swear . . . Anyways, I just wanted to apologize for that and to tell you that I will be back to blogging regularly again by next week. Sorry for the delay!

2 Announcements

I have 2 important announcements; the first is that I've decided to stop posting my stuff for 'Starting a Novel'. It's just too easy for someone to steal my story like that. My other note is that you may have noticed that I haven't been writing reviews and summaries about book sequels. This is because, if you are new to my blog and haven't read the first book and read the synopsis for the second one first, it spoils a bit of the plot line for the original. I don't want to ruin any series reveals. Anyways, I just felt like officially informing everyone of those 2 things; don't worry, there was a method behind my madness!

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

* * * */Four Stars (almost five, but not quite)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Humor, Fantasy, Suspense, Danger, Romance, Fiction

Elisa isn't beautiful, good at fighting, or cut out to rule a kingdom even though she is a princess. However, Elisa has been chosen for a remarkable destiny by God himself when she was given the Godstone in her navel at her christening. This makes her a valuable chess piece in a political game; but not necessarily threatening. This is why it's so ironic that, when she is wed off by her father and her older sister to a foreign king in a business agreement, she will become the queen of a nation twice the size of her family's. As she travels away from the only home she has ever known to a strange new land with only a few possessions and her servant and friend Ximena, she begins to realize that her sheltered life has kept her from important truths about bearers of the Godstone and that her new acquaintances in the castle are not all that they seem. In an new world where everyone has their own agenda and she doesn't know who she can trust, can Elisa rise above it all and succeed in her magnificent destiny?
I really enjoyed this captivating and somewhat amusing book by Rae Carson. Brimming with adventure, conspiracies, plots, and magic, 'The Girl of Fire and Thorns' is a story that you won't soon forget.

'The Book Thief' Epilogue

I have always loved the quote from Mark Zusak's novel, 'The Book Thief' that goes something like this: 'In my line of work, I am always seeing humans at their best and worst, witnessing their beauty and their ugliness, and I wonder how those same things can be both.' (This isn't exactly what the book says, just what I can vaguely remember.) So, in my search for the quote, I found the entire epilogue of the book on a random website (CLICK HERE to go there). I have provided a copy without the notes in between the words here:

It has been many years since all of that, but there is still plenty of work to do. I can promise you that the world is a factory. The sun stirs it, the humans rule it. And I remain. I carry them away.

Liesel Meminger lived to a very old age, far away from Molching and the demise of Himmel Street. She died in a suburb of Sydney. The house number was forty-five–the same as the Fielders’ shelter–and the sky was the best blue of afternoon. Like her papa, her soul was sitting up.

In her final visions, she saw her three children, her grandchildren, her husband, and the long list of lives that merged with hers. Among them, lit like lanterns, were Hans and Rosa Hubermann, her brother, and the boy whose hair remained the color of lemons forever.

It took three hours in the police station for the mayor and a fluffy-haired woman to show their faces. “Everyone says there’s a girl,” the lady said, “who survived on Himmel Street.” A policeman pointed.

The girl left her hold her hand on top of the accordion case, which sat between them. For four days, she carried around the remains of Himmel Street on the carpets and floorboards of 8 Grande Strasse. She slept a lot and didn’t dream, and on most occasions she was sorry to wake up. Everything disappeared when she was asleep.

There was also a rumor that later in the day, she walked fully clothed into the Amper River and said something very strange.

Something about a kiss.

Something about a Saumensch.

How many times did she have to say goodbye?

One morning, in a renewed state of shock, she even walked back down to Himmel Street to find them, but nothing was left. There was no recovery from what happened. That would take decades; it would take a long life.

There were two ceremonies for the Steiner family. The first was immediately upon their burial. The second was as soon as Alex Steiner made it home, when he was given leave after the bombing. That day, on the steps, Alex Steiner was sawn apart.

Liesel told him that she had kissed Rudy’s lips. It embarrassed her, but she thought he might have liked to know. There were wooden teardrops and an oaky smile. In Liesel’s vision, the sky I saw was gray and glossy. A silver afternoon.

Finally, in October 1945, a man with swampy eyes, feathers of hair, and a clean-shaven face walked into the shop. He approached the counter. “Is there someone here by the name of Liesel Meminger?”

“Yeah, she’s in the back,” said Alex. He was hopeful, but he wanted to be sure. “May I ask who is calling on her?”

Liesel came out. They hugged and cried and fell to the floor.

When I traveled to Sydney and took Liesel away, I was finally able to do something I’d been waiting on for a long time. I put her down and we walked along Anzac avenue, near the soccer field, and I pulled a dusty black book from my pocket.

The old woman was astonished. She took it in her hand and said, “Is this really it?” I nodded.

I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race–that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.

All I was able to do was turn to Liesel Meminger and tell her the only truth I truly know. I said it to the book thief and I say it now to you.

* * * A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR * * *

I am haunted by humans.

Isn't that so beautiful and sad? This kind of reminds me of the last bit of the book 'The Emerald Atlas' by John Stephens, in which Emma, one of the 3 main characters, talks to her siblings about the meaning of life and how the best thing you can hope for in your existence is to love someone and to give what you can to keep on moving forwards. (Sorry about this epilogue. It has been shortened a little bit for the writer on the other pages' purposes, and there's nothing I can do about that. However, there is still enough there to give you a good idea of the entire epilogue.)

Unjournal 33

This is the last unjournal that I will be posting. My class is over, but I had a lot of fun sharing these with you guys! I wish that this was more exciting . . . 

Prompt: Write a sentence with every single word beginning with either a or t.

Response: Amy’s tryouts took about 30min.

Unjournal 27

I'm so sorry that I forgot to post Unjournal 27 earlier. Sorry! Here it is now . . .

Prompt: Create a sentence with words that begin with the letters in sentence, in order. In other words, the first word in the sentence should begin with s, the second with, e, the third with n, etc.

Response: “Sheesh, enough now!” Tamira engaged. “Nina, Cari, Elisa, act your age. This is my wedding, and you are my bridesmaids. Pull yourselves together. I am about to walk down the aisle in 10 minutes, and I need you all to be my composed, assuring moral support. And I can’t have that if you all are fussing over your dresses like toddlers!”