Waiting on Wednesday 29

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at BreakingTheSpine which highlights the books we are eagerly waiting to be released. Here is what I am waiting for this week :)

Title: Tokyo Heist

Author: Diana Renn

Release Day: June 14th, 2012

Summary: (goodreads) Sixteen-year-old Violet loves reading manga and wearing scarves made from kimono fabric, so she’s thrilled that her father’s new painting commission means a summer trip to Japan. But what starts as an exotic vacation quickly turns into a dangerous treasure hunt.

Her father’s client, the wealthy Yamada family, is the victim of a high-profile art robbery. Someone has stolen van Gogh sketches from the Yamadas’ Seattle mansion, and is holding them hostage until the Yamadas can produce the corresponding van Gogh painting.

The problem is that nobody knows where this painting is hidden, and until they find it, all of their lives are in danger. Violet’s search for the missing van Gogh takes her from the Seattle Art Museum, to the yakuza-infested streets of Tokyo, to a secluded inn in Kyoto. As the mystery deepens, Violet’s not sure whom she can trust.

But she knows one thing: she has to find the painting and the criminals—before it’s too late.

My Thoughts: I love manga too! And kimono fabric scarves? Oh yes please! Books that take place in different parts of the world really interest me and the Japanese culture is something I am curious in learning about through a good mystery book. History is probably my favorite subject and I enjoy stories of thievary and suspense. This sounds like just the book for me :)

What are you waiting for?

P.S: I know I haven't been blogging much. Unfortunately, it may stay that way for another week or so, while midterms are going on and I find time to get ahead on my projects and homework. Math especially is consuming my time and finding free time for reading....isn't looking good.

On the bright side, I think next term I'm going to clump my classes into three days a week instead of five in the hopes of having bigger chunks of time than just my commute to pick up a book. Have fun reading fellow book bloggers!

Song: Blue

Artist: Big Bang

Language: Korean

Genre: Kpop...but BigBang is special!

About: Officially fan-girling right now. I absolutely love Big Bang and they have finally returned as a group to the music scene. Today they released the first song of their upcoming album "Alive". And "Blue" is a fabulously done song.

Their individual voices complement each other so well while creating an airy, heavenly effect with the chorus. Even TOP's normally deep and raspy voice is toned down a to better fit the feel of song. I had very high expectations for their comeback and with this first track, Big Bang has not disappointed me. Love!!!

MV:



Did you like it? Did you? Tell me you did! :D My day has been made.

Waiting on Wednesday 28

This weekly meme is hosted by Jill over at BreakingTheSpine. Waiting on Wednesday is meant to highlight a book off your wishlist that you are eagerly awaiting the release of! Here's what I am waiting or this week:

Title: For Darkness Shows The Stars

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Release Day: June 12th, 2012

Summary: (goodreads) Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong-the Reduction-decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four year ago, Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him.

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—-one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

My Thoughts: The title sounds so poetic and the cover also give off a futuristic, dreamy vibe that I feel I will enjoy. I've read Peterfreund's Rampant and Ascendant, both books that I really liked, so I am confidently looking forward to a remarkable story. This is technically YA, right? Doesn't matter. Still can't wait to get my hands on it!

Some Girls Are

Author: Courtney Summers

Source: Library

Summary: (back of book) Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students of Hallowell High...that is, until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend started going around. Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden,a misfit with a fragile past whom she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these one time enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend...if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march forward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

Review: Although the concept behind this book may sound fairly common, Some Girls Are, really struck a chord with me. I think (or maybe it is just me), we can all relate to Regina's position. There seems to be always that one person making you feel inferior, telling you to do their dirty work, using you to elevate themselves, all while calling themselves your friend. Anna was that person to Regina. The fall from grace isn't a new story, but Regina's character gives her particular tale power.

It took having to take what she was commanded to dish out for Regina to realize how wrongly she had been living and that "A whole world exists outside of that (Hallowell High School) hellhole." (pg 246). This book was all sharp angles and harsh words which portrayed Regina's character and emotion effectively. I enjoyed her cynical point of view and how she didn't give in to her emotions. Regina's sharpness was contrasted by the fact that she was aware of the wrong she had done. This awareness made her realistic and true. Her unique personality offered me as a reader something new on this kind of story.

The raw emotions pent up and then released really fit the characters involved. Liz who had been bullied by Regina (for reasons really confusing that I still don't fully understand what happened) wasn't easy and accepting, but she also wasn't evil and laughing at Regina's misfortune to get trashed by Anna. Liz acted like I believe most people would. She didn't acknowledge Regina or what had happened for a really long time and she was distrustful. Michael was obviously broken and my heart ached for the pain he was going through. He also managed to go through the process of grieving properly.

The normalcy of every character is what also made them unique. The story was more believable and it made it that much more powerful. The constant tension and push-pull of the situation builds and builds keeping you anchored to Regina's life. The way in which we find resolution is filled with hope ending the book nicely. I loved it! Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating: 1 2 3 4 4.5 5 (the part with Liz confused me)