Discount Warehouse Book Haul!

I don't know about you guys but sometimes I just have the urge to buy a book or five (haha). So this evening I went to Ollie's Discount Store and picked up these; it was on my way to Walmart and I have found some bargains in the past. What I was most excited about this trip was their Stephen King buy out. Which consisted of Dolores Claribourne (which I own), From Buick 8, one of the Dark Tower books, Revival, and Pet Cementry. All of the above were 2.99$ and of course I could not pass up some of these. I also found Mr. Mercedes as well, in paperback for 3.99$. I was also able to find a paperback copy of Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree for 1.99$ (which came highly recommended by another shopper and my roomate); as well as The Red Queen (The cousin's war # 2) by Philippa Gregory which was 3.99$. In total I spent less than 17$ on books today. I was also able to find a DVD copy of A&E's Pride and Prejudice for 4.99$. If you have a discount warehouse in your town/city make sure to stop in and spend a few minutes browsing their shelves. They may have new releases and parts of series you have been waiting to complete. 

#BooksNotBullets....Happy 18th Malala!

#BooksNotBullets 

I Support books not bullets because reading and education opens the mind to all the infinite possibilities of the universe. When we choose books we are choosing a life that allows us to become better communicators and problem solvers. Through reading we become more empathic and diverse. By reading; no matter the topic, we are actively learning. Our imaginations are working and we are evolving into better people. Bullets simply can not make us better people...in honor of Malala Yousafzai's 18th birthday I am choosing to highlight some of my all time favorite books and explaining why these books are not only inspiring, entertaining but so much better than bullets.

The Books I choose:

The Color Purple by Alice Walker; because Celie is a young woman who does not let diversity stop her. Though she is beaten, and raped by her stepfather and then married off at a young age, and separated from her sister she still strives to better herself. She wants the best for not only herself but the ones she loves as well. Celie embodies well all that it means to fight back and regain your power.

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling; Whats not to love about this series. The trio; Harry, Ron and Hermonie best reflect what true and lasting friendship looks like. Though they have their rough patches they stand up together to battle Lord Voldermort. 

Night by Elie Wiesel; this book is a favorite of mine because like Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl it is about a young person that is forced to face one of the darkest hours of world history. In this short volume we witness the horrors of the concentration camps Auschwitz and Buchenwald as seen through the eyes of a young Elie Wiesel. At the heart of this book is the simple truth that sometimes even at the darkest times you will still be able to survive. 

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; this book has stayed with me since reading it my senior year of college. This book is all about a world so close to our own today. People use drugs to keep themselves happy and "even", and they are obsessed with watching "screens". All knowledge and learning is suppressed and instead of fireman putting out fires they are lighting them; to burn books. Bradbury was ahead of his time when he wrote this book; its almost like he knew where our world might be heading and he wanted to warn us ahead of time.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan; which is a book about mothers and daughters and how they battle to overcome the obstacles that keep them from understanding one another. This book is sad, funny, haunting and beautiful. 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas; Celaena is an unlikely any other female character I have seen written in sometime. She is an orphan who was taken in by an assassin and taught to kill. She has a lot to prove if she wants to keep her freedom. What I love about Celaena is that she is a book lover. She reads to escape just like we do. I also love that  she fights to overcome her past and to regain her freedom. 

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments Series) by Cassandra Clare; what is not to love about  a story such a this. In the Mortal Instruments series we come upon a world that stands parallel into with our own and the only way to stop the war that is going on within the Shadow world from spilling into ours is for Shadowhunters to protect us. 

Mockingjay (Hunger Games Book 3) by Suzanne Collins. I choose Mockinjay because it is a book about a revolution. In this book we have a reluctant heroine in Katniss; a young woman that just wants to live out her life in piece and like a puppet she is pulled along by strings until she changes the game. Katniss represents what a true hero really should be; unpredictable, ballsy, and thoughtful. 

If you need anymore information on any of these books it can be found on thereadingroom.com or goodreads.com. They are also available for purchase on amazon.com as well as other fine retailers. Feel free to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com for more reviews and book related editorials and news.   

An Era of Civility: My re-reading of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

A few months ago Story Wonk (www.storywonk.com) announced that it would be running a seminar called "In Want of A Wife"; which examines Jane Austen's most popular novel, Pride and Prejudice. I thought that a great time to re-read the story and dive head first into the book for the second time. I read Pride and Prejudice the first time during my freshman year of college and fell head over heels in love with not only Darcy and Elizabeth but also regency England. Why did I love this time period you may ask; honestly simply because it was a era of good manners, a simple life and civility. Yes things are formal and a bit stuffy but in that world all that is good and proper is praised. Something that seems to be messing from the times we live in today. Not to mention that the prose written during that period is absolutely beautiful. What I also love about Jane Austen's take on family life during this time period is that she is so willing to poke fun at all the silly things that go on within a family; this is perhaps what makes Pride and Prejudice so engaging.

Pride and Prejudice is (in my mind) one of the most romantic books I have ever read because of the way Darcy and Elizabeth are thrown together. She thinks him proud and rude; very mean spirited and willing to control the lives of others simply because he can. Elizabeth is primarily judged , by Darcy, based on the actions of her family. She could be viewed as wild, loud and impertinent as her sisters Lydia and Kitty. As bookish as Mary, as sweet and impersonal as Jane. As well as, as much a gossip and phony as her mother. However Elizabeth, though headstrong, is only guilty of allowing her first impression and acquaintances to shape her opinions and views of those she comes into contact with. Elizabeth is also extremely observant but only when it come to the relationships of others. She seemed to be completely blindsided by Darcy's regard for her. Darcy once rejected by Elizabeth does his best to change her opinion of him. He takes inventory of his behavior and tries to right his wrongs. Its not until his Aunt, Lady Catherine (in one of the best chapters of the book ...56) confronts Elizabeth about her ties to Darcy that he has hope that she loves him back.

Through it all, we all get to see the feelings of Darcy and Elizabeth shift in a very natural and beautiful way. They grow from despising one another,  to civility bordering on indifference to a slow, burning, joyous love for each other. Most often relationships that happen this way in books (and sometimes in life) are the most memorable. 

 While re-reading the book my feelings about Jane changed. When I first read the book I liked her, but upon finishing it this time I no longer do. I found her to be weak and a tad selfish. For the life of me I can not understand how she so was so easily duped by Bingley's sister. Sadly, I like her better in the movie than I do in the book. Another character I found myself wanting to scream at was Lydia. I literally kept thinking of how badly I would have loved to be able to slap her. I did not remember her being as annoying as she was. Overall, I enjoyed my re-reading of the novel very much. In fact, I found myself kissing my book goodnight as I sled it back into its place of honor on my shelf.

Quotes I loved: 

"If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged but one word from you would silence me on the subject forever."

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is to long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

For more reviews be sure to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com

Direct from District 13: The Faces of the Revolution Propaganda!

Are you ready for the final battle to make things right across the nation?! Let us know how you feel about the new Propaganda. 

I hope you all had a happy, healthy and Safe Fourth of July!

Have Books Will Travel.....

So back in February my family started planning our summer vacation. We went back and forth on where we wanted to go, some choose Flordia...maybe a cruise and finally (and rather quickly) we all settled on California. This was my first trip to California and their second. I, of course, was interested in the California weather and the laid back lifestyle. Not to mention there is a lot of history here in California; especially with the studios etc. So during our trip we visited several hot spots that I will highlight here. Chief among them, Universal Studios (and their tour) and Warner Brothers Studios. We also went to Madame Tussards (wax museum) in Hollywood. What I loved about the places that we visited is that some very "bookish" things come about during these tours. Also, I think it is important to mention that it is very difficult for me to decide on what books to take during vacation. Especially since I knew that I would need to be active and could not do my usual "antisocial" bookish behavior and just escape to a corner with my book. So I downloaded an audio copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I also physically brought along A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (which I finished), Grey by E.L. James and an annoted copy of Pride and Prejudice. We will not even get into the books that I have downloaded to my Scribd account and that are stored to my iPad. I know that fellow bookworms will feel my pain in the dilema of what books to pack. I digress, but I really really just needed to put that little tid bit in there. So here comes the photos...

Day one of our trip: Warner Brothers Studios; which seemed to be unlikely to have anything bookish until I remembered that the Harry Potter films were produced by Warner. During the tour the WB has a small museum that features some of the artifacts from the movies and original illustrations from the books. 

 

 

As soon as I walked into the exhibit this was the first thing I saw. I gasped and instantly wanted to snatch one of the letters so that I could take it home with me.

This is me with the Privet Drive sign. I also got re-sorted into Slytherin...which I was very happy with. In fact, I purchased a Slytherin wool scarf (mind you it was 90 degrees on the day we went to the WB).

I was so happy to see these costumes. When I saw the HP exhibit in NYC at Discovery Times Square the final movie had not be released. These three costumes where featured in part two of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Also, Daniel is damn short lol.

Costumes worn by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's

And they had Quidditch gear

Also the costume for the Dark Lord was present. I really wish that something of Bellatrix would have been featured. 

 Harry and Ron's wizard chest set

I must say that I really love Luna's Style

Remember when Hermonie was petrified in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets? Well here is the dummy/wax figure that was used in the movie. I will admit that this thing is freaky and creepy looking, and it looks as creepy as it did in the movie.

 My favorite little Elf, Dobby. 

 

Why so Sirius? Ok, I had to do it. Especially since the other exhibit in the building involved Batman.

 

Every Robert Pattinson Fan should recongize this? Its the costume he wore in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire.

So we all know that as soon as I saw this I could think was "Umbridge...a vial toad of a woman"

Day Four: Madame Tussards of Hollywood; most folks have been to one of these.

The most bookish thing was a figure of Katniss Everdeen as played by Jennifer Lawrence. I was very shocked to see this. But, it just goes to show how popular the books/movies are. Can I also mention that I have been looking for her scarf for months. (I have found them on Etsy, but they are so expensive).

And finally here is another photo of me being positively dorky. So everyone go forth and be geekishly prosperous. If I happen upon any fanastic book shops I will be sure to share photos ;)

Sexy High Fae...Oh my! The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

My final book for review for June is Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses. I really don't know why I waited almost two months to read it after its release date. Especially since I knew that I would not be disappointed. This book had me tweeting her for information on the next book's release date. There is so much to love about this book. But what really stands out is that we meet a very different female lead than that of her previous series; Throne of Glass. In Feyre, we find a vulnerability that is often missing from the heroines in most YA novels. She is both tough and soft hearted. She wants nothing more but than to be able to support her family. When the book opens we find Feyre in a snow blanketed forest as she hunts for food. She is battling internally with being both mother and father to her family. (Even though her dad is alive.) She has to take on some very important tasks that most younger siblings would not have to; especially since her family has so recently fallen on hard times. While in the forest Feyre kills what appears to be a wolf and this set into motion something even Feyre would never expect. As the story progresses we meet some very interesting Fae characters. Chief among them being Rhysand, Tamlin and Lucien. In these three we really find all the characteristics that we hope to find in Maas' male characters. Tamlin is frustrating but gallant, hilarious, and sexy as all hell. Lucien is a bit of a jerk at first; then he grows on you like a fungus. By the end of the book you have a deeper appreciation of him as a character. Another character that I came away loving was Rhysand. Though I have a funny feeling that his court scheming and his help in the downfall of their "queen" well come back to bite Feyre and Tamlin in the behind. What I loved most about this book is that its a take on Beauty and the Beast; however, Maas took it in a very interesting and highly entertaining direction. I can not wait to see what happens in this series of books.

I would recommend this book to any fan of Throne of Glass, Game of Thrones and YA fantasies. 

  

Quotes I loved:

“Do you ever stop being so serious and dull?"
"Do you ever stop being such a prick?" I snapped back.
Dead—really, truly, I should have been dead for that.
But Lucien grinned at me. "Much better.” 
 

“I love you,’ he whispered, and kissed my brow. ‘Thorns and all.” 

“I love you," I said, and stabbed him.” 

For more reviews feel free to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com