2011 New Years' Resolutions

I'm so excited to bring on the new year, because come June 14th 2011 my blog will be turning one! I wonder if by then I'll have become a better blogger. There's always a little room for improvement. I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and hope that you've got somewhere to be; relax; enjoy the night; stay up late; party; do whatever you want--heck, even sitting down and reading a book will suffice. Make sure you're with those you love, and I'll be back in a few days with some reviews. :)

Blogger / Reader Resolutions

1. Let some of the blogs that I've been following go so that I may finally comment more on the blogs I actually like to visit, and whose entries I actually read. I also vow not to follow another blog solely for a super awesome contest. At least, not without checking the place out first.

2. Read more! I'm very proud of myself for 2010. I have never read so much before in my life (58), and I hope to read even more in 2011!

3. Keep on top of my reviews and posts. I'm apparently better than some other bloggers on this, but not by much.

4. Continue to be honest in my reviews. Also, not to take review copy requests if the book does not appeal to me initially.

5. Reply to comments and emails without delay.

6. Send out prizes I still haven't yet been able to send. Generally, be better with contests.

7. Spend less time on the computer so that I can get to 100 books!

8. Read a couple classics, as well as books that aren't in my comfort zone.

Personal Resolutions

1. Make friends in university (maybe ones that will actually go out at nighttime. :/), while keeping on top of all my work. Keep in touch with old friends.

For those wondering, I have decided on nursing and my mum has already gone and ordered several textbooks (10>) to guide me to RegisteredNurse-dom. For some reason, I'm excited to be starting university!

2. Be healthier. Not be as picky with my food. Exercise more. Actually sign up for a gym, which I so wanted to do once I graduated high school.

3. Get my Ps by the end of the year! I'm almost at 50 hours, baby! (*sigh* only 70 hours more)

4. Keep my room tidy, opened parcels and mail in the trash/recycling bin, organise my clothes, etc. My room is still in a horrendous state, especially after Christmas, and all blogger freaks and some of my friends would be repelled to even pass the doorframe leading up to my room.

5. Do something to better the community. Maybe volunteer work, or even just dropping "wish coins" everywhere, heads-up, of course (Dash & Lily-style).

6. Get a job. It's going to happen!

7. Help out more around the house.

 

FIVE Challenge: Great YA Bloggers

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!

Today's 5 is for...

Great YA Bloggers

I've met so many awesome bloggers, and there are so, so many more out there that I'd like to mention, but here's a few people. You'll see me bending the rules again. ;)

Sorry for not editing my post! I always schedule my posts before finishing them. :/

Aussie Bloggers

Nomes
inkcrush
She's so hardworking, and I love that she loves YA the way she does. An amazing person. :)

Holly
Good Golly Miss Holly
Yeah, Holly's pretty awesome. I love her blog tours, unique take to blogging, and that she takes forever to read books, too!

Tina
Book Couture
Such a cute blog layout!


Romy
Lost in stories
I've been in blog-awe since I first discovered her blog. I loved the title, the layout, the reviewing style--everything about it, and everything about Romy!

Lisa

Badass Bookie


International Bloggers
(anywhere else)

Kristi
The Story Siren
Like many others, Kristi is just a phenomenon. I don't know how she does it all, but she's superwoman. :D

Mavie
The Bookologist
I don't know. I've always just been such a fan of her blog. It's so . . . solid. Yeah. This girl's got it all worked out.

Jessica & Stacy
Chapter Chicks
These two chicks are so quirky, and I love their sister dynamic. They may not be the quickest reviewers, but they're just so memorable!

Lauren

365 Days of Reading

Just about the only blog that I follow that is on Tumblr. Lauren is a sweetie, and I'm crazy about her blog and vlogs.

Rachel

In the Library of Lady Violet

My favourite UK blogger. I watch every one of her blogs. I love her accent too. ;)

Honourable Mentions

Steph - My Girl Friday (Aussie)
Polyvore Profiles! Steph's blog is original and has such a homely feel to it.

Jeremy - Novel Thoughts
Awesome guy. Has great taste in books, too. ;)

Alea - Pop Culture Junkie
So very original. I love her comparison posts as well as her "This week in books" segments.

Cindy - Princess Bookie
Very friendly and a blogger I really look up to.

Alex - Electrifying Reviews
Alex is the "typical teenager" to me, and I respect his opinions as a fellow blogger.

Brent - Naughty Book Kitties
I love his personality and eccentric take to blogging. All those haters can just shove it!

The Schedule

December 21 - 5 Great Debuts
December 22 - 5 Great Covers
December 23 - 5 Great Series
December 24 - 5 Great Re-Reads *facepalm* it seems I've deleted this post...
December 25 - 5 Most Anticipated
December 26 - 5 Hopes for YA in 2011
December 27 - 5 Great YA Movie Deals
December 28 - 5 Great Author Moments *will have to stick this one out--living in Australia has its severe downfalls*
December 29 - 5 Great YA Bloggers
December 30 - 5 Great Miracles that Occurred to Get Me Reading More ______ (choose your genre)
December 31 - 5 Best Titles for 2010 (which I double because 5 was too hard).

FIVE Challenge: Great YA Movie Deals

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!

Today's 5 is for...

Great YA Movie Deals

I'm not that well clued into the book-to-movies department, so I'm certain I will have missed more than a few. In no particular order.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Summit Studios / 2011

I have such high hopes for this one. I don't need to say it again, but I loved the book that I'm so anticipating the release of the movie, as well as news of further developments. If the movie is a success, I'm sure they'll do a movie adaptation for Where She Went too! :)

IMDB link

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Wonderland Sound & Vision / 2013

I'm really not sure how I'm going to feel about seeing the story in a movie theatre. Maybe I'd be more comfortable watching it on my computer screen. I'm sure there'll be many cringe-worthy moments, considering the book's content. Still, I'm very interested to see how this one goes.

IMDB link

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Fox 2000 / 2012

As long as the producers do it right: make Sam & friends a bit more likeable, not make the days too repetitive, keep important plot points--I think this could be a real hit. *crosses fingers*

IMDB link

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Dreamworks Studios

I actually really liked the book. I'm sure this movie is going to be successful, and I can't wait to see the action unfurl on the big screen!

IMDB link

The Dead of the Night (#2, Tomorrow) by John Marsden

Screen Australia / 2012

Unfortunately I have not yet read the books by Marsden, but I watched the movie and found it to be beyond amazing. I was even more astonished to discover that this was Aussie lit! Yeah, but after seeing the first movie, I am more than cnvinced that reading the books will be well-worth my time. :)

IMDB link

Honourable Mentions:

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
2012

Haven't read the book yet, but I have no doubt that this is going to be one that I'll enjoy.

Matched by Ally Condie (IMDB link?)

I believe that the movie of Matched will be popular, and it's possible I may enjoy it more than the book.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Will be a great holiday movie! :)

The Schedule

December 21 - 5 Great Debuts
December 22 - 5 Great Covers
December 23 - 5 Great Series
December 24 - 5 Great Re-Reads *facepalm* it seems I've deleted this post...
December 25 - 5 Most Anticipated
December 26 - 5 Hopes for YA in 2011
December 27 - 5 Great YA Movie Deals
December 28 - 5 Great Author (in the flesh) Moments
December 29 - 5 Great YA Bloggers
December 30 - 5 Great Miracles that Occurred to Get Me Reading More ______ (choose your genre)
December 31 - 5 Best Titles for 2010 (which I double because 5 was too hard).

FIVE Challenge: Hopes for YA

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge? Hope you're a part of this challenge too! If you are, go ahead--comment and link to your blog so I can check out what great reads you picked up in 2010!

Today's 5 is for...

Hopes for YA

Hmm...this one should be easy. We'll see. And this post will be short, since I'm going out soon.

1. Less series. I want more books that are finished in one go! Luckily, there are not as many series with contemporary novels. :)

2. More contemporary. I can never get enough of it!!

3. More characters with flaws! Ones that we can relate to.

4. More independent female protagonists!! Strong, bold, unafraid. I hate Mary Sues and weak, useless, frail girls. Please authors, hear my pleas! Also girls who are able to carry on and be strong, even if "her guy" walks out on her.

5. Hmm...books that teach lessons. That remind us of things that we might otherwise forget, but are just so important. Yeah. But don't preach.

The Schedule

December 21 - 5 Great Debuts
December 22 - 5 Great Covers
December 23 - 5 Great Series
December 24 - 5 Great Re-Reads *facepalm* it seems I've deleted this post...
December 25 - 5 Most Anticipated
December 26 - 5 Hopes for YA in 2011
December 27 - 5 Great YA Movie Deals
December 28 - 5 Great Author (in the flesh) Moments
December 29 - 5 Great YA Bloggers
December 30 - 5 Great Miracles that Occurred to Get Me Reading More ______ (choose your genre)
December 31 - 5 Best Titles for 2010 (which I double because 5 was too hard).

FIVE Challenge: Great Covers

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge?

I'm not sure if this is meant to be the best covers, or the best covers of those I've read. I've gone with the first option, which makes this difficult. Remember, only 2010 releases. I wanted to go for covers that wouldn't be that obviously, except for Halo.

Wildwing by Emily Whitman // Love the photo frame, girl in serene chaos, lightning, writing.

Pegasus by Robin McKinley // Placing of girl & pegasus. Colours are beautiful. Writing.
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce // I love those dual-face covers! Bold and powerful.
Halo by Alexandra Adornetto // Bliss.
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson // I've always loved that assymetrical heart.

FIVE Challenge: Great Debuts

I've been wanting to do some sort of a wrap-up post with 2010, with regards to reading books and blogging. What better way to get started than through Persnickety Snark's challenge?

These are in no particular order. All of these scored 5 stars, naturally. And I've limited this to 2010 debuts, since debut in the open-ended way just boggles my mind!

1. Tell Me A Secret by Holly Cupala {review}

Deeply complex and thought-provoking, Cupala's debut novel took great presence in my bookshelf. TMAS is so much more than a pregnancy novel; it takes providence with dealing with grief, overcoming familial strife, being alone but finding out that there is hope, that things that will be, will be. Not to mention that Ms Cupala is a total sweetie-pie, and the novel and its journey personally correlates to her past.

2. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver {review}

Before I Fall was the first debut 2010 novel that I tackled, and despite reading this one on computer, I sped through it. I love novels that are larger than life and teach without preaching the lesson: that every action has its own reaction. Sam is a total drama queen with a charmed life, which naturally provoked me to hate her. But then she grew as a person! ... *sigh*

3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins {review}

Come on. What a breath of fresh air Anna was! So, so swoon-worthy with characters that felt real in a world that is real. Both light and heavy, Anna addresses so many different things, but not in an overwhelming kind of way. It was just beautiful, romantic...the romance between Anna and the Etienne was insane.

4. Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber {review}

This book is so, so, so ridiculously underrated. Crossing the Tracks is inspiring and very well thought out. The characters are written extremely well--I remember feigning deep disdain for Iris' father and loving Mrs. Nesbitt and dreamboat Leroy. This book would be perfect for a book discussion.

5. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger {review}

Characters well fleshed out. Bianca is sassy and sees the world for what it is: a giant crap bucket. She's not pessimistic; she's realistic. Keplinger's debut tells a great lesson, that you can't run from your problems forever. Feelings develop, spells are broken, and that-repulsive-guy-you-hate-with-benefits becomes something real. Love that the characters all have their own demons, and that no one character was perfect.

Honourable mentions:

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson {review}

Stork by Wendy Delsol {review}

The Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs {review}

I'm very disappointed in myself. I didn't get to reading so many debut 2010 novels. Such as Harmonic Feedback, which I've been dying to read since I started blogging (I finally scored  myself a copy!) So, for some of the top fives I'll be doing "Honourable Mentions", as well as "What Could Have Been" (which will have 5 titles).

What Could Have Been:

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe
Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
Sea by Heidi R. Kling