Thursday, April 16, 2015
Book-(ish) Creations: The Prettiest Bookshops in the World (Part 1)
The Livraria Lello (The Lello Bookstore)
Designed in Portugal by Fransisco Esteves in 1906, art noveau masterpiece features one large, red staircase that splits into two, then rejoins itself at the bottom. This alone is unbelievably ingenious, but the Lello houses many other wonders. Built on neo-Gothic panelling, and fronted with a sculpted white facade, the bookstore is not only a place to delight in literature, but an marvel of architecture. All of this is filled to the brim with books, and topped with a brilliant stained glass ceiling.
For more information and photos of the Lello, check this link here.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Cool Quotes: Vellichor
This is a beautiful word I didn't know existed, but which from now on will probably stay in my everyday vocabulary.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Book Trailer: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
I just read this book and loved it! It's pretty hard to summarize without giving things away, but this trailer does a pretty good job.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Review: Legend
Title: Legend, The Legend Trilogy
Author(s): Marie Lu
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Rating: 4/5
Summary:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic of America, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies.
Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Legend was thoroughly engrossing. Fast-paced and full of action, crazy risks, and personal trials, the story keeps the reader on their toes and entertained while also adding in the right amount of sweet moments and awkward scenes. Legend was well-planned and left plenty of room for a sequel, which I will definitely be reading. While sometimes not thought through, I loved the little details the author added in, as well as her style and descriptions (though these were sometimes inaccurate!). The characters were well rounded, multi-cultural, lovable, flawed, and distinct, with nice character relationships. Day was charming and fierce, nicely offset by tough-as-steel (yet somehow vulnerable) June. The story voice was convincing and well done, chapters are narrated by both Day and June, which helps you get to know their character voices and backgrounds well.
There were also some things I didn't like about the story. During June's point of view she can begin to get slightly annoying and too overconfident with herself, her opinions, and her intelligence. When characters annoy you the book can be a pain to read, but Day and the other characters make up for June and eventually she begins to grow on you. Another problem is some of the writing is also inaccurate and defies reality, (e.g. Jumping off multi-story building with a stab wound, not feeling pain of serrated knife cut, shirt as parachute...) but I find that can be fun in this type of book.
Overall, I enjoyed Legend and would recommend it. While it may annoy some older or more analytical readers, I loved most of it and couldn't put it down. Legend is available at most local bookstores or here at Amazon.com.
Author(s): Marie Lu
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Rating: 4/5
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic of America, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies.
Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Legend was thoroughly engrossing. Fast-paced and full of action, crazy risks, and personal trials, the story keeps the reader on their toes and entertained while also adding in the right amount of sweet moments and awkward scenes. Legend was well-planned and left plenty of room for a sequel, which I will definitely be reading. While sometimes not thought through, I loved the little details the author added in, as well as her style and descriptions (though these were sometimes inaccurate!). The characters were well rounded, multi-cultural, lovable, flawed, and distinct, with nice character relationships. Day was charming and fierce, nicely offset by tough-as-steel (yet somehow vulnerable) June. The story voice was convincing and well done, chapters are narrated by both Day and June, which helps you get to know their character voices and backgrounds well.
There were also some things I didn't like about the story. During June's point of view she can begin to get slightly annoying and too overconfident with herself, her opinions, and her intelligence. When characters annoy you the book can be a pain to read, but Day and the other characters make up for June and eventually she begins to grow on you. Another problem is some of the writing is also inaccurate and defies reality, (e.g. Jumping off multi-story building with a stab wound, not feeling pain of serrated knife cut, shirt as parachute...) but I find that can be fun in this type of book.
Overall, I enjoyed Legend and would recommend it. While it may annoy some older or more analytical readers, I loved most of it and couldn't put it down. Legend is available at most local bookstores or here at Amazon.com.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Review: Cinder
Title: Cinder, The Lunar Chronicles
Author(s): Marissa Meyer
Genre: YA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Rating: 5/5
Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Author(s): Marissa Meyer
Genre: YA, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Rating: 5/5
Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Okay, I kept on seeing this in libraries or in bookstores. It looked pretty cool, but something about it made me cautious to buy it. That was a huge mistake. I don't know why I hesitated for so long to read it. Cinder is easily one of my favorite books. Based off of the classic fairy-tale, Cinderella, this book captures the beauty and enchantment of the original tale, while also adding its own unique futuristic twist. The book had a wonderful pacing and an stunning narrator. I'm pretty sure I didn't put the book down, even to sleep. Cinder's voice was funny and realistic, and paints vividly beautiful pictures in your mind. Cinder also contains very diverse plot details, with bits of action, laughs, romance, and even a few more awkward moments you can relate to.
Honestly, I have very few complaints about the book, except for the next one, Winter, needs to come out sooner. You can find a copy of Cinder and the rest of the series at a local bookstore, or here at Amazon.com.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Bibliophile Quote: Place Between Sleep and Awake
I love Peter Pan so much. This is probably one of my favorite quotes from the book.
Hope you like it!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Book Humor: Stories
Okay, so this isn't really book humor, but I saw this and loved it and there was no way I wasn't posting this, so I'm just calling it book humor so I have something to file it under.
Okay? Okay. (There's your book humor!) I loved this.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Book-(ish) Creations: Book Machine
I have no words to describe it Here's the actual description:
A new vending machine has been released which can print any book within minutes.
The Espresso Book Machine has access to 500,000 different books - the same as 23.6 miles of shelf
space - and can even churn out a fresh copy of Crime and Punishment in just nine minutes.
Pages are printed at a rate of over 100 per minute and are then pressed, glued and cut to produce a
pristine book.
Users simply pick the book they would like on a screen and wait for it to be printed … it certainly is
a novel way of getting a new book.
Video Here
A new vending machine has been released which can print any book within minutes.
The Espresso Book Machine has access to 500,000 different books - the same as 23.6 miles of shelf
space - and can even churn out a fresh copy of Crime and Punishment in just nine minutes.
Pages are printed at a rate of over 100 per minute and are then pressed, glued and cut to produce a
pristine book.
Users simply pick the book they would like on a screen and wait for it to be printed … it certainly is
a novel way of getting a new book.
Video Here
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Book Humor: Patronus
Funny. Dementor patronuses would be cool. Would they work, or would they strike up a conversation with the dementor? How horrible would you have to be to have that patronus? Sorry. I read into this too much.
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