Hi readers! So one book that has recently made it's way onto my reading list is Scat by Carl Hiaasen. I have read his two other young adult novels, Hoot and Flush, so I decided to give Scat a try. But I also wanted to find out more about Carl Hiaasen, who all I know about is that he grew up in Florida (which makes sense seeing as how all three of the previously mentioned novels are set in Florida). I read his biography on his website, and Carl Hiaasen has been writing solo since 1986 (25 years). He not only has written novels, but he has written magazine articles and has also been a columnist. Hiaasen has had eight national bestsellers. He has a huge range of work, from articles to books for young adults.
I think Hiassen is a good person to look to if you like to write a little bit of everything. I personally like the short story and fan fiction realm, but I am taking a journalism class next year, so maybe I may get into the non-fiction world. Obviously I also enjoy writing commentary and narrative non-fiction (this blog!). But I've always liked to dip my toes in all realms of the writing world. I think that it's a great way to practice writing, and it's a good way to see what I need to work on as a writer.
Another thing I like about Hiaasen is that he writes stories set in his home state of Florida. Nicholas Sparks is another author who also writes stories only set in North Carolina (which is where he lives). I think that the setting of a story is so important, and when done well, multiple books written in the same place give me a better idea of the place itself. Hiaasen and Sparks are both examples of authors who have learned the art of imagery and giving the reader a clear picture of the setting.
So, check out Hiaasen's young adult novels (I read he has another one set to come out in early 2012), and...
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Quotes
Hi bloggers/readers! If you are an avid reader, you have probably picked up some favorite quotes, either from favorite authors or books, or maybe even from just doing a little digging on the internet. This past school year for first semester, my English class had a semester long assignment. The assignment was that each week, we would turn in a response to a quote, and a couple of people each week would read their quotes and responses. This inspired my obsession with quotes.
I have found some of my favorite quotes of all time this year, and I even have a special journal that I want to fill with the most special of quotes. Here are some of my favorites:
"If you're not willing to risk it all, then you don't it want it bad enough."
Unknown
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
John Lennon
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Eleanor Roosevelt
"Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone. And do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."
Ida Scott Taylor
So there's a good mixture of quotes from a menagerie of people. Quotes sometimes help me with writing, and sometimes, they just make me feel like everything is going to be okay, even when I feel they aren't. I recommend that all of you keep a quote journal to look at every now and then. Not only can quotes be inspirational, but they can be fun to read too!
Read on!
I have found some of my favorite quotes of all time this year, and I even have a special journal that I want to fill with the most special of quotes. Here are some of my favorites:
"If you're not willing to risk it all, then you don't it want it bad enough."
Unknown
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
John Lennon
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Eleanor Roosevelt
"Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone. And do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."
Ida Scott Taylor
So there's a good mixture of quotes from a menagerie of people. Quotes sometimes help me with writing, and sometimes, they just make me feel like everything is going to be okay, even when I feel they aren't. I recommend that all of you keep a quote journal to look at every now and then. Not only can quotes be inspirational, but they can be fun to read too!
Read on!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Overachievers and Other Book Dabbles
Hi bloggers/readers! So, this past year I have gotten into reading social commentary books, and one that has recently made it's way onto my bookshelf is Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids. It follows the journey of some overachievers and discusses various topics involving the students. I haven't finished it yet, but it's a promising read so far.
I just wanted to share some of my thoughts about it so far. I think more so a couple of years ago I was able to easily call myself an overachiever. I did everything: soccer, basketball, track, Student Council, Girl Scouts, choir, and the list went on. But now I only do a few of those activities. As I read this book, I find out more about the intensity of the East Coast elite. These students who are only a few years older than me are pressured by their parents and teachers to take so many AP classes, and to get A's, to be captain of the soccer team, to be student council president, and so on. Another alarming thing I read was that some parents pay up to $30,000 for a college counselor. Isn't that what guidance counselors are for?!?! I don't know if it's just me, but it seems a little ridiculous. Then my heart aches for AP Frank, whose mother forced him to take 8 AP classes in a 7 period day, forcing him to give up his lunch period. He attends Harvard, and his mom still expects him to get a 4.0! It has let me see that I have it really lucky, and that maybe, my parents aren't that bad.
It's a good read so far, and it gives you a good insight into the lives of overachievers and their behind-the scenes lives.
Read On!
I just wanted to share some of my thoughts about it so far. I think more so a couple of years ago I was able to easily call myself an overachiever. I did everything: soccer, basketball, track, Student Council, Girl Scouts, choir, and the list went on. But now I only do a few of those activities. As I read this book, I find out more about the intensity of the East Coast elite. These students who are only a few years older than me are pressured by their parents and teachers to take so many AP classes, and to get A's, to be captain of the soccer team, to be student council president, and so on. Another alarming thing I read was that some parents pay up to $30,000 for a college counselor. Isn't that what guidance counselors are for?!?! I don't know if it's just me, but it seems a little ridiculous. Then my heart aches for AP Frank, whose mother forced him to take 8 AP classes in a 7 period day, forcing him to give up his lunch period. He attends Harvard, and his mom still expects him to get a 4.0! It has let me see that I have it really lucky, and that maybe, my parents aren't that bad.
It's a good read so far, and it gives you a good insight into the lives of overachievers and their behind-the scenes lives.
Read On!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
A Little More About Me
Hi readers! So, if you already read the About Me part of the blog, you know that I love to read! But I just want to say a little bit more about myself to you fellow readers.
I am in high school, and when you love reading as much as I do, you find time to read. I have loved reading all of my life, and I have my grandpa to thank for that! One of my reading accomplishments includes reading all 7 Harry Potters in less than a year. I love reading most genres, but my favorite is teen chicklit. I also tend to read more than one book at a time (right now I believe I'm reading 5 or 6 books).
I get some of my recommendations from word of mouth (my friends are all big readers, too), browsing Barnes and Noble, or from my new favorite book podcast, Books on the Nightstand. I use goodreads.com to keep track of my books, so check that website out too!
I also love love love to write! I'm experiencing a little bit of a writer's block right now, but I always have ideas running through my head. I also try to journal a lot, because any writing beats no writing at all!
Come back next week, and Read On!
I am in high school, and when you love reading as much as I do, you find time to read. I have loved reading all of my life, and I have my grandpa to thank for that! One of my reading accomplishments includes reading all 7 Harry Potters in less than a year. I love reading most genres, but my favorite is teen chicklit. I also tend to read more than one book at a time (right now I believe I'm reading 5 or 6 books).
I get some of my recommendations from word of mouth (my friends are all big readers, too), browsing Barnes and Noble, or from my new favorite book podcast, Books on the Nightstand. I use goodreads.com to keep track of my books, so check that website out too!
I also love love love to write! I'm experiencing a little bit of a writer's block right now, but I always have ideas running through my head. I also try to journal a lot, because any writing beats no writing at all!
Come back next week, and Read On!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Welcome to my Blog!
Hi readers! Welcome to my book blog, where I will talk about books! So, soon I will post about books that I am reading, what I will eventually read, and anything else about books! Read on!
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