Twitter Account Launch

Okay, so I'm really slow with picking up on things, but it was suggested to me lately that twitter would be an interesting addition to this blog and so bam, there we have it. I had opened an account before and never had much use for it, but now it can be devoted to this blog :)
Follow me @sweetgirlsidny 

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

A Thank You!

So this may not be what you expected, but to bad so sad. I'm writing this post to thank Goodreads for an awesome give away. A while ago I entered a few giveaways and ended up winning Until It Hurts To Stop by Jennifer R. Hubbard (ps. the next book on the reading list). 
So thanks once again :)




Hope to have a review out soon.
Love,
Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Title: Rapture

Author: Lauren Kate

Series: FALLEN (Book #4)

Pages: 259

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2012

First Line: “First there was silence-“

“The sky is dark with wings . . . .
Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.
Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.
For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.
In the fight for Luce, who will win?
The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.”

My Rating: 3.5/5

I know there are a lot of FALLEN fans and I don’t want to offend anyone, but this book just didn’t do it for me. Interesting thing was that I guessed in the first book what the plot twist was etc. So why did I even bother reading the other books? Because what if I was wrong and Lauren Kate was playing on my emotions, guess what? She wasn’t. I was really disappointed and had trouble working my way through this book in the first place.

I can say some good things about this book, and so I will. I really loved that we got to experience different sides of Luce, her experiences in book #3 certainly reshaped her character and I liked that. I also liked seeing some of the other characters having a bigger role. And finally the ending was what made me change my ending from a 2.5 to a 3.5. I liked it. It was how this series needed to end.

THANK YOU LAUREN KATE FOR AN EPIC LOVE WITHOUT ANY BOUNDARIES!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Okay so surprise surprise, I didn’t like this book very much. I really try not to be hard on books, but honesty is the best policy? Right? So here we go.

I think that this was a badly written book series. There are so many things that Lauren Kate could have done and bam there was just nothing. I suspected from the beginning that Luce was an angel (spoiler, duh, unless you’ve already guessed in which case *gives a cyber high five). Seriously, where is there a plot twist? Oh right at the end? Just when I’m about to rate this book a 2.5 you put in something I liked, awesome.

As well I think that while Luce has developed, I found myself wanting to slap her, a lot! Almost to the point where I was thinking, hmmm wonder how she remembers to breath. Wow that was mean, sorry guys, but if you’re in the same boat you get my drift.

I won’t lie, I liked the end, but nothing Lauren Kate did turned my review around on a dime. It just wasn’t a good one. But seriously, the end, the best part.

Main reason why this book upset me, I read five books to confirm what I already guessed halfway through book #1.

♥Characters♥:

♥ Luce: I was happy that Luce developed so much, but I was getting so frustrated with her. It seemed so obvious to me that she was an angel, and even when it got to the point where she had her wings, her just asking if she was bleeding made me madder. Smarten up Luce! I was surprised that she had been in love with Lucifer before, but the ending for me was the best part, the idea that they got a chance to live as mortals on earth and try a normal life was touching. Thank god something was. Ps. Killing people for rituals, not cool Dee.

♥Daniel: I still love him, but… I don’t understand his thing for Luce, in the end yes, but the rest of the time he must be so frustrating.

♥Cam: I still love Cam, he’s a demon so now I’m  questioning his involvement in everything, and where was he at the end? I wanted to hear his sarcastically dark comments. Come back to me Cam. (And I’ve lost it)

♥Dee:  Kinda crazy, but in a good way. I wasn’t really surprised that she was the desired thing, and I was disappointed that she had to die, why couldn’t they just drain her blood and let her be happy. Although she was probably in a world where she could dream of her love. What do you guys think? Okay with or sad about her death?

♥Lucifer: It was interesting to see him betrayed as someone with more emotion than just rage. Seeing that he had truly loved and lost was interesting, but since he just shows up and spys on Luce all the sadness is lost and it turns creepy. But you know what they say, the heart wants what the heart can’t have. That is what they say right?

♥Gabbe: This part really hit me when she died. Especially when she was the holiest of the fallen. I did think Molly’s death was sad as well, but we didn’t know her as well.

♥Miles and Shelby:  I hate that they were rewarded for going through all those Announcers by the angels basically saying, “Okay kiddies back to school with you two.” But at the end, *sigh* real romance. Happy we got to say goodbye to them as readers.

♥The Outcasts:  Just YAY! That is all.

♥Moments to remember♥

♥Pg.  30

“’Time is faltering in preparation for the rewriting itself.’

 ‘Like the way your computer freezes up more and more frequently before the hard drive crashed and erases your twenty-page term paper?’ Miles said. Everyone looked at him in befuddlement. ‘What?’ he said. ‘Angels and demons don’t do homework?’”

♥Pg. 24

“’You try falling for nine days through multiple dimensions and trillions of miles, landing on your face, breaking your wings, rolling around concussed for who knows how long, wandering the desert for decades looking for any clue as to who or what or where you are- and then talk to me about the old memorizer.’”

♥Pg. 123

“’You mean she’s not Miss Sophia?’

 ‘Sophia Bliss?’ The woman looked as if she’d just bitten into something sour. ‘That bitch is still around? I was sure someone would have put her out of her misery by now.’”

♥Pg.  250

“’Have you met the crazy coin-toss guy in the laundry room?’

‘Luce.’ Nora squinted. ‘When I run out of underwear, I buy new underwear. I am hopping to make it to Thanksgiving without having to do laundry. Are you ready? Soccer boys are waiting, hoping to score. We are their goal, but we must remind them they can’t use their hands.’”

♥Final Line: “Then the angels, the demon, and the Nephilim flew off to distant corners of the sky, leaving a moment’s brilliant flash of light behind them, as below, Luce and Daniel fell in love for the first- and the last- time.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Title: Eragon

Author: Christopher Paolini

Series: Inheritance (Book #1)

Pages: 730

Publisher: Laurel-Leaf

Year Published: 2002

First Line: ‘Wind howled through the night, carry a scent that would change the world.”

“What was once your life is now your legend.

 When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Overnight he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.”

My Rating: 4/5

It’s been so long since I’ve posted a Book Review and a Spoiler. So I’m happy to finally be able to give you one on this tremendous first novel in the Inheritance series. I had read this book a few years ago, way before I started the blog, and now it’s time to give it a review. I really loved the way that Christopher Paolini wrote a fantasy story for young adults and uses such an interesting main character. I feel like when I usually pick up a fantasy book, I can’t relate to the main character, but this book is the opposite. As well, the ideas that he mixes with mythology are really interesting and well executed. I loved that so many personalities were able to develop. It gave the story a lot of depth.

The only reason I couldn’t make this book a five is because sometimes it just got overwhelmingly wordy. To many long explanations that at times were hard to get through. But all in all, I would suggest this book to lovers of fantasy and those who are open to interpretations of mythical creatures.

THANK YOU CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI FOR MAKING ME WANT TO LEARN HOW TO SWORD FIGHT!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Let’s start this off right. Hi, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to post a honest to God Spoiler in forever, but in my defense 730 pages is a lot to read while going to work at the same time, all the same thanks for your patience.

Now into what’s important, the book! I really loved this book. I feel like Christopher Paolini did a tremendous job of taking a fantasy book to the next level by incorporating dragons, elves, dwarves,  Shades and so many other mythical creatures. I was interested by the Urgals and Ra’zac the most though because those are two things that you don’t hear everywhere (ok, I’ve never heard anything about them in any other book, every). They make fighting evil so much more interesting, because you don’t really know what they are or what they’re capable.

I also really enjoyed the fact that we, as readers, are like Eragon. We learn things as he does.

Mainly I love the idea of how they fight in fantasy books, swords and magic are pretty cool and then throw in a bow and arrow, jaw dropping.

♥Characters:♥

♥Eragon: Might as well start with who this book is named after. Eragon starts off as a poor farm and turns into part of a legend. I loved that in the beginning he is so naïve about the world around him, the government included. And then through his adventures with Brom he begins to realize that there are so many things he didn’t know back home. I was devastated with Eragon lost Brom. I think Brom had become a father figure to him and had helped him to develop so much. At least he was given a proper burial. That was really important.

I was also shocked when he got captured by the Empire, but I guess this gives time for the author to introduce the good to the evil. I thought it was a good way for us to learn more about the Shade and how much power he has in the government itself. The fact that he knows hardly anything about his parents will probably have a big role in the rest of the series.

Lastly, I loved how the Varden accepted him (except the Twins) and that he didn’t share Murtagh’s secret. He was a hero to them and I can only imagine that this will continue now that he has killed Durza. I wonder how his feelings for Arya will develop as well. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

♥Saphira: She is an awesome character in this book. Not animal like at all. She really has a wise humanish personality about her and I loved that. That she could communicate and give advice made her and Eragon seem like a better team. They are an awesome duo and I hope that she has a chance to save her brethren from Galbatorix.

♥Brom: I loved this guy. He was hard on Eragon at times, but only when necessary. The picture I get in my head of them sparring is quite humorous and it makes so much more sense when we learn that Brom was a Rider. The fact that he knows so much about them also makes sense after this discovery. I cried when he died, I won’t lie to you. It was heartbreaking.

♥Murtagh: It is pretty interesting that he finds them the way he does. And then that he just goes with Eragon without a doubt. I was really suspicious of this first, but then I realized that he had his reasons for not going to Varden. But they seem to have accepted him a lot more by the end.  I do think he has something else hidden though. Hopefully he’s not a mole.

♥Durza: He’s just an interesting character. The idea that the only way to kill him is through the heart is also fascinating. Hopefully there aren’t to many more of them for the empire to team up with.

♥Angella: She’s an interesting character. I wonder how she is powerful enough to just be let into the Varden. Perhaps another rider that escaped Galbatorix? Guess we’ll learn and see.

♥ The Twins: I think we all know that these guys aren’t with the Varden for a good reason. Maybe they’re not even with them at all, just spying. Because if they have as much power as it would appear, why are they with the losing side? They don’t even seem like good people, what would they earn with the fall of the Empire anyways? These are the questions I ponder at night (sometimes).

♥Arya:  I think that Eragon has a crush on this lurvely lady. But would that even be accepted within the elf community. Hope to see in the next book.

THERE ARE OTHER IMPORTANT CHARACTERS, BUT I WASN’T SURE WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THEM, AND IF I INCLUDED ONE THEY WOULD HAVE ALL NEEDED TO BE LISTED.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 79

“’All the Riders were stronger of body, keener of mind, and truer of sight than normal men. Along with this,  a human Rider would slowly acquire pointed ears, though they were never as prominent as an elf’s.’

 Eragon had to stop his hand from reaching up to feel the tips of his ears.”

♥Pg. 217

“’This is your training.’

 Eragon looked back at him, confused. ‘I don’t understand.’

 ‘Of course you don’t,’ Brom said impatiently. ‘That’s why I’m teaching you and not the other way around.’”

♥Pg. 228

“’Think about it: you can communicate with any sentient being, though the contact may not be very clear. You could spend the entire day listening to a birds thoughts or understanding how an earthworm feels during a rainstorm. But I’ve never found birds very interesting. I suggest cats; they have unusual personalities.”

♥Pg. 280

“’You’ll enjoy it. There is much you can learn from books and scrolls,’ said Jeod. He gestured at the walls. These books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.’”

♥Pg. 424

“’Since I don’t know your friend, I have to ask: Will he tell anyone?’

 Murtagh gave a strained laugh. ‘If you had met him, that wouldn’t need answering. His mouth is loosely hinged and hangs open all the time, vomiting whatever happens to be in his mind. The question isn’t whether he will tell people, but whom he will tell.’”

♥Pg. 674

“Engaged in a fiery dance, their bodies were linked and separated by the flashing blades. At times they nearly touched, taut skin only a hair’s breadth away, but then momentum would whirl them apart, and they would withdraw for a second, only to join again. Their sinuous forms wove together like twisting ropes of windblown smoke.”

♥Final line: “I will come.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

The Book Thief Movie Trailer

About Markus Zusak

Markus Zusak was born in 1975 and is the author of five books, including the international bestseller, The Book Thief , which is translated into more than forty languages. First released in 2005, The Book Thief has spent a total of 375 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and still remains there eight years after it first came out. 

So originally this post was supposed to be an author interview, but it was a live goodreads event and my blogger page didn't want to help me. Anywho so now it's about the up and coming film The Book Thief. 

Here's one of the official trailers that I found and loved.

I would also like to mention that this video doesn't belong to me, it's from youtube. I do not own the rights. 

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Sadly Over Ambitious

I know in my last couple of posts I mentioned having a classical book of the month, but I'm afraid at this stage in my life that just isn't possible, someday I hope it will be but until then I'm afraid it will be a thought in the back of my mind. I'm so sorry if this is disappointing you, but it has to be done. I'd rather do it now then have a mental break down in the long run.
So sorry,
Love,
Sidny xoxo

What's New on Books My Quiet Friends

So, I've been doing a ton of updates lately and I'm sure someone is getting freaking impatient. Can't say I blame you. But I'm trying to make it so I have at least 3 posts a week. It's pretty tricky, but will be worth it. So what is this one about? This is to tell you all the work that is going into this blog at the moment. On the side you will see that there are a couple new books up. One under the title of Classic Novel of the Month and another under Currently Rereading. If you're looking for an explanation on the Classic Novel, see the post below. And now to explain the currently rereading photo. 

The point of this is to tell you that I am not only reading the currently reading book, but I'm trying to reread some past books so maybe I can finish a series or read a sequel. Most of the time when I finish posting a review/spoiler the idea of what happened in that book wipes clean and I become engaged with the next one on the list. This causes a bit of an issue when I realize that this book is maybe first in a series or that the author is writing more. And so, in order to finish a series I'm going to have to start rereading some of the books I've already read. At this time, that means the book Eve by Anna Carey. 

Thanks for your patience. 

As well you can now find Books, My Quiet Friends on Youtube. Only two videos have been posted, but I'm hoping to purchase a mic soon so that the audio is better. 

And have a fantastic Tuesday!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Ten Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great Monday (or is that an oxymoron?). 
So this morning I had an idea about a getting to know you session. I thought since most of you only know anything about me from book reviews/spoilers it would be fun for you to realize that I'm real. And for those who are ticked off that this isn't a book review, I apologize but swear that I am still reading. More than ever!

1. I live in a rural town in Manitoba, Canada. I'm well aware that many people have an idea what Canadian citizens are all about, but no I don't ride a polar bear anywhere, nor have I ever seen one. Sorry for the disappointment. 

2. I work in a grocery store part time. Maybe this isn't an interested fact about my life, but it's a good reason for anyone to realize why I can't read a book in 2 days. Damn this need for money. What department do I work in you ask? The produce department. (Ps. I know no one actual asked, but ha word vomit).

3. I sang in a Performing Arts Class band for 3 years. Was I good? Probably not. Was it fun? YOU BET! I love music, almost as much as books (who am I joking?) and think that it helps us connect with who we really are.

4. I repel technology.  I'm not even joking. I've had to take my laptop in 3 times in the past 6 months. Mainly because I had no idea what it was doing. Not to mention that I broke my first cell phone within a year of having it. I don't mean send it away to get fixed broken, I mean busted beyond repair.

5. I am obsessed with writing letters. I know that writing emails and texting are way quicker, but I love the idea of getting a handwritten something in the mail. Yes, I'm into snail mail.

6. I'm planning to go to college next year for Early Childhood Education. I love working with kids, and this seemed like a great career for me so after a lot of deliberation  I decided on a school and have sent away my application and other necessities. Wish me luck!

7. I am fashionably clueless. I am not the girl who does her hair or spends hours deciding what to wear. Fortunately for me, my sister knows the ins and outs of fashion and is always there to offer her opinion. 

8. Reading is a family thing. It's been linked that parents who read often to their children are often to have children who like to read. Makes sense right? And that's how I was raised. My whole family reads. My mom reads adult fiction and quite often will pass me a book if she loved it. My dad is that guy who reads old paperback westerns. And my little sister? She's the Kate from Kate's Chioce and lately she's been moving into the young adult section right beside me. 

9. My new obsession is Netflix. I found it and now I'm stuck. Anyone else out there who just can't get enough. (This is not a product endorsement, pinkyswear). 

10. I adore classic literature. I love all the old books and while they are different to read and are sometimes a bit tricky to read, the words just seem to flow in such a beautiful way. And so a new feature on Books, My Quiet Friends. The Classic Book of the month. Octobers is Poems of Edgar Allan Poe selected by Dwight Macdonald. I thought the gruesomeness of Edgar Allan Poe would definitely fit Halloween. So there ya go.

Tell me something about you or just send me a random message at sweetgirlsid@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny xoxo