Ok Go Concert

Last Wednesday (August 25th) I went to the most amazing concert EVER! Ok Go was performing at this kick off concert for this music video festival which is held at Oulu, Finland on every August. The music video festival is at the same time with the Air Guitar World Championship, which is also held at Oulu.

I have been a fan of Ok Go for a couple of years now. I love their lyrics, their melodies and their creativity, when it comes to music videos. So when I heard that they are coming to town I was jumping up and down. Oulu is like the 6th largest city in Finland, but we never get any good bands to perform here. Mostly it is just Finnish bands, or some really crappy heavy metal bands. I would never have even dreamed of seeing a band like Ok Go here in Oulu.

If I would have to describe the concert with only one word, that word would be AMAZING! They played all the good songs, both from their new and old albums. The singer, Damian Kulash, was looking ridiciouly HOT and I was standing at the front row with my friend. 

After the concert I was bruised and I had no voice, but it was totally worth it. I even got to hold hands with Damian for like 2 minutes while we was singing "This All Shall Pass". So, if you ever get a change to go to see Ok Go, DO IT! You won't regret it!

In My Mailbox (#25)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi@The Story Siren.

For Review:

Trade Winds by Christina Courtenay
Description (from Goodreads):
Marriage of convenience or a love for life? It's 1732 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and strong-willed Jess van Sandt knows only too well that it s a man's world. She believes she's being swindled out of her inheritance by her stepfather and she's determined to stop it. When help appears in the unlikely form of handsome Scotsman Killian Kinross, himself disinherited by his grandfather, Jess finds herself both intrigued and infuriated by him. In an attempt to recover her fortune, she proposes a marriage of convenience. Then Killian is offered the chance of a lifetime with the Swedish East India Company's Expedition and he's determined that nothing will stand in his way, not even his new bride. He sets sail on a daring voyage to the Far East, believing he's put his feelings and past behind him. But the journey doesn't quite work out as he expects... 


Bought:


The Tempest by William Shakespeare (No Fear Shakespeare)
Description (from Goodreads):
No Fear Shakespeare gives you the complete text of The Tempest on the left-hand page, side-by-side with an easy-to-understand translation on the right.
Each No Fear Shakespeare contains
The complete text of the original playA line-by-line translationthat puts Shakespeare into everyday languageA complete list ofcharacters with descriptionsPlenty of helpful commentary


How to complete Your UCAS Application, 2011 Entry: The Insider Guide to Making a Winning UCAS Application by Trotman
Description (from Goodreads):
With competition higher than ever for places at university how can you make sure your UCAS application makes a fantastic impact on admissions tutors at universities? How to Complete Your UCAS Application 2011 entry takes you through every step of filling your application form in so that you can make sure your application impresses admissions tutors. It includes vital information on submission dates for all sorts of applications (medical schools, Oxford and Cambridge, veterinary science, art and design courses) so that you can prepare your application in plenty of time. Not only does this book go through the mechanics of the UCAS application itself, it also gives you helpful information about how to initially choose your course, the academic requirements expected of you, narrowing down your list of universities to apply to, handling interviews and what to do on results day if you don't get your expected grades. With all of this fundamental information in one accessible place you can organise and complete a winning UCAS application form and be confident that you have given yourself the best chance of getting on to the university or college course of your choice.

So what did you get this week?

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Description (from Goodreads):
When the new managers of the Paris Opera House ignore their predecessors' warnings about the hideous 'Opera ghost' stalking the theatre, it is a fatal mistake. Tortured by unrequited love for the beautiful young singer Christine Daae, the mysterious figure living in the depths beneath them has been awaiting his chance to strike. And when Christine suddenly disappears after a triumphant singing performance, it becomes clear that the phantom's time has come. Filled with colour and theatrical spectacle, this thrilling gothic tale has enthralled readers with its mystery, eerie suspense and tragic story of love turned into deadly obsession.

My thoughts:
I was on 8th grade when we watched clips of the 21st century movie version of The Phantom of the Opera at my music class. I right away fell in love with the music, the wonderful costumes and the love story, and I knew that I would have to see the movie as a whole.

My mother bought me the special edition of the movie with 3 DVDs. I cannot even remember how many times I've watched the movie. When I saw this book in the library, I knew that I have to read it. I've read this book twice now, once in Finnish years ago, and now recently in English. I am so happy I bought my own copy of it since this is definitely one of those books I want to go back to. 

I read some reviews of this novel from Goodreads and many of them say that the movie is far better than the novel. I must disagree with this. The novel is a lot more complex with captivating scenes and full of suspense. 

The novel tells a story of 'opera ghost' who roamed under the Opera House at Paris during the 1800s. The ghost, Erik, falls in love with one of the girls from the opera, Christine Daae. Christine is in love with Raoul de Chagny. Erik, Christine and Raoul form a love triangle, which in this novel works out very well.


In the movie version Raoul is portrayed as very heroic character. The novel by Leroux is mostly told from the point of view of Raoul, who is a total "weenie". He cries a lot and time to time it feels like he is a character from a soap opera. At some parts, you just feel embarassed for him. The Phantom, on the other hand, is very interesting character. He is very intelligent and probably because of that catched my attention. While reading this novel I right away picked the Ghost to be my favorite character. While watching the movie I really like Raoul, but in this novel he is one of the most annoying things in the novel as a whole. 


The epilogue of this novel is very interesting since it tells about the history of the phantom. Even though it is pretty long, it is definitely read worthy. Especially the last third of the novel is filled with suspense and the end made me cry. For the fans of the musical this is a great read since it opens up the history of the characters by telling how Christine came to the opera, how Phantom constructed his underground living etc. 


The Phantom of the Opera is a great suspense story filled with love and passion. I really recommend it to everyone, especially to the fans of the musical.

Socrerers of the Nightwing: Book 1: The Ravenscliff Series by Geoffrey Huntington

I remember reading this book for the first time when I was on 6th grade. One of my friends recommended it to me and I picked it up from the library. When I saw the picture in the cover I knew I would love this book. It is so beautiful and at the same time really disturbing. 

When Devon is 14 years old, he is sent to Ravenscliff. At there he learns a reason for his talents. Devon has been able to move objects with his mind, disappeat at will and summon incredible strenght. He has been concious about this weird powers, but he has not know a reason for them. At Ravenscliff he gets to know that he is a socrerer of the Order of Nightwing. The information about this changes the life of young Devon. Devon's new family get worried about the powers Devon might have and they forbit him from discovering his powers anymore. 

Ravenscliff location causes problems for Devon. It is built over one of the largest Hellholes in the world. The most fearful demon, Madman, wants to gain his power back by unleashing the creatures of the hellhole. With the help of his new friends from Misery Point High, Devon has to fight off the demons. These friends include beautiful Cecily Crandall, who might hold some secrets herself. 

This book is a total pageturner. It is full of suspense and action. When I read it as a 12 year old six grader I was totally scared for the most of the time. Can Devon and his friends prevent the plans of the Madman or will he and his horrid creatures take over?

This is a first part of a series. The second novel in the series is called Demon Witch.

Giveaway Scout

I was contacted by Josh from Giveaway Scout via a blog comment. I did not even know a page like this existed. I was browsing it through, and since I love giveaways, I decided to add my blog to the search engine even though I do not have giveaways very often.

Check out Giveaway Scout from here and find some awesome giveaways! 

ps. I have been MIA for a couple of days, and that will probably continue for a couple of weeks. I have some back-up posts I will publish, but I haven't got a very much of time to read. Thanks for understanding. Remember to check out my giveaway from the sidebar!

In My Mailbox (#24)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi@The Story Siren.

FOR REVIEW:


Purge by Sofi Oksanen
Description (from Goodreads):
Soon to be published in twenty-five languages, Sofi Oksanen’s award-winning novel Purge is a breathtakingly suspenseful tale of two women dogged by their own shameful pasts and the dark, unspoken history that binds them.

When Aliide Truu, an older woman living alone in the Estonian countryside, finds a disheveled girl huddled in her front yard, she suppresses her misgivings and offers her shelter. Zara is a young sex-trafficking victim on the run from her captors, but a photo she carries with her soon makes it clear that her arrival at Aliide’s home is no coincidence. Survivors both, Aliide and Zara engage in a complex arithmetic of suspicion and revelation to distill each other’s motives; gradually, their stories emerge, the culmination of a tragic family drama of rivalry, lust, and loss that played out during the worst years of Estonia’s Soviet occupation.

Sofi Oksanen establishes herself as one the most important voices of her generation with this intricately woven tale, whose stakes are almost unbearably high from the first page to the last. Purge is a fiercely compelling and damning novel about the corrosive effects of shame, and of life in a time and place where to survive is to be implicated.


I also got this poetry collection of V.A. Koskenniemi from my mother. I was not able to find it from Goodreads, so I won't post more about it. 


So, what did you get this week?

L.A. Candy (L.A. Candy, #1) by Lauren Conrad

"Veronica knew that only thing America loved more that watching their stars rise was watching them fall." (pg.174)

Published: June 1st 2009 by HarperCollins
Description (from Goodreads):

Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . . everything. Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can't wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun.

When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please!

Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara—free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres—and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight.

In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it's not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.

L.A. Candy is a deliciously entertaining novel about what it's like to come of age in Hollywood while starring in a reality TV show, written by a girl who has experienced it all firsthand: Lauren Conrad.

My thoughts:

Jane Roberts is a girl next door type of sweet California girl. She has lived her whole life in comfort and she has been always taken care of. Her parents are caring and she has a close relationship to her sisters. She has been friends with Scarlett for years. Scarlett is stunningly beautiful, but also intelligent. She and Jane are like sisters, and they share everything together.

When Jane gets an internship at the office of one of the most famous party planners of L.A and Scarlett decides to attend university there, they more together to the big city. Everything is new for them, and they try to browse the city to find cool places to hang around. At one night, they meet up with Braden, a hot aspiring actor. There is a definite chemistry between Jane and him.

The life of the girls change when they meet Trevor, a Hollywood producer, who asks them to star in a new reality show. After auditions, Jane and Scarlett cannot believe that they are picked to the role, to be tv-stars. The camera's are following them to their job and school, and also film them at clubs, the city and even their home. They are introduced to Madison, a socialite who enjoys spending money and wants to be the number one star of the show,  and Gaby, a sweet girl who gets mocked for being the 'stupid' one, who are also starring at the show. But is being a tv star as wonderful as they though it to be?

Jane is struggling with guys. She has a definite crush on Braden, but after a party at Braden's house, she realizes that she might have some feelings for Braden's best friend Jesse. Jesse is notorious for his short relationship with models etc. Is Jesse really a changed man, or is Jane's friends right about him. Can Jane trust Jesse? And a more important question is, can Jane trust her friends? 

Honestly, I really did not have really high expectations towards this novel. I had wanted to read it for a such a long time, and finally I got a change to do so. What comes to the expectations, I think that the fact that Lauren Conrad is a reality star, affected them a little. Last year, I read the book written by Nicole Richie; it was one of the crappiest books I've read. But this one was a bit surprise for me. I think that the characters were built up well, and the plot moves smoothly. I really liked how different the characters are, but they still have a connection.

Lauren Conrad is famous for starring at the MTV reality show 'The Hills'. I used to watch it when I lived at States, and it has also been shown at the Finnish TV. I am not familiar with all the things that has happened, but I know that Lauren Conrad and Triple D Heidi Montag used to be BFF's. Then that scumbag Spencer Pratt somehow made Heidi to fall in love with him, and they spread a sex tape of Lauren Conrad to the media. (Or something like that, correct me if I am right). So they are not friends anymore. I kept waiting for a same type of story line from this novel, and in a way, it was there, but with a twist. Since the novel is a work of fiction, Conrad probably did not want to include everything as it really went. 

I have always liked Lauren Conrad. And I really admire her for the fact that she herself wanted to get out of the show. I know that lunatics like Spencer and Heidi would be happy to do the Hills to the moment they die. But as you know, nothing lasts forever. And I think that Lauren Conrad understood that. I know that after the Hills she has been working on fashion industry and she has also got the time to write two sequels to L.A. Candy. She is amazingly beautiful woman and I love her style. And I am surprised to say, that I really like her writing as well. 

To the fans of the Hills, this is a must read. But I also think that this is nice novel oor fans of Young Adult fiction. It is a story about growth, friendship, love and trust. I can't wait to read the second novel in the series and I just noticed from goodreads that the third one will be published later this year. 

Waiting on Wednesday (#9)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted byJill@Breaking the Spine. It allows us to introduce some upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.


Haven by Kristi Cook
Published: 2011 by Simon Pulse
Description (from Goodreads):


One month into her junior year, sixteen-year-old Violet McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley, inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta behind, she’s looking forward to a fresh start--a new school, and new classmates who will not know her deepest, darkest secret, the one she’s tried to hide all her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has secrets of its own, secrets that run far deeper than Violet’s. Everyone there--every student, every teacher--has psychic abilities, 'gifts and talents,' they like to call them. Once the initial shock of discovery wears off, Violet realizes that the school is a safe haven for people like her. Soon, Violet has a new circle of friends, a new life, and maybe even a boyfriend--Aidan Gray, perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to Aidan than meets the eye--much, much more. And once she learns the horrible truth, there’s no turning back from her destiny. Their destiny. Together, Violet and Aidan must face a common enemy--if only they can do so without destroying each other first.

Turning The Tide by Christine Stovell

Published: June 30th, 2010 by Choc Lit
Description (from Goodreads):
All's fair in love and war? Depends on who's making the rules. Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father's boat yard afloat, despite its dying clientele. Now all she wants to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of her sleepy backwater. So when property developer Matthew Corrigan wants to turn the boat yard into an upmarket housing complex for his exotic new restaurant, it's like declaring war. And the odds seem to be stacked in Matthew's favour. He's got the colourful locals on board, his hard-to-please girlfriend is warming to the idea and he has the means to force Harry's hand. Meanwhile, Harry has to fight not just his plans but also her feelings for the man himself. Then a family secret from the past creates heartbreak for Harry, and neither of them is prepared for what happens next...


My thoughts:
Harriet (Harry Watling has done everything to keep her dear father's boat yard running. The clients are turning away and Harry has to struggle with money. But with help of George, a man who was Harry's father's best friend, she has been able to keep the yard running. Everything changes when Matthew Corrigan, a property developer comes into the picture.


Matthew has bought an old clubhouse next to Harry's boat yard. He is confident that he will be able to persuade Harry Watling to sell him part of the boat yard which he wants to turn into a housing complex for his new restaurant. But Harry Watling turns out to be something really different he expected; firstly, a woman. Secondly, a woman with her own opinions and determination. 


Harry cannot stand Matthew. She cannot understand why someone like him arrives to a place like Little Spitmarsh and tries to ruin everything. Even though she feels hatred towards Matthew, at the same time she has to fight with feelings she feels around him. But what she does not know, is that Matthew has weird thoughts about Harry as well, thoughts he never expected to have about a woman like Harry.


When Matthew discovers a secret about the boat yard, he knows that he will be able to destroy the yard and Harry along with it. Harry is ready to fight for her father's inheritance, but can she fight against Matthew? And does Harry know everything about his dear father's past.


Secrets are revealed, confessions are made, and surprises are discovered. 


I throughly enjoyed 'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell. I must admit that at first, it was really hard for me to get into this book. The plot moves really slowly, and at first, I did not like Harry at all as a character. I just keep thinking why she has to be so stubborn, why she does not take the money and be happy about that? But as the plot revolves, I got to know why Harry acts like she does. She loved her father dearly, and after the death of him, her mother left and she was left alone to cherish her father's memory. When Matthew arrives, she feels that the last reminder of her father is going to be taken away. 


Matthew, as a character, is also really interesting. He is rich, handsome and used to life in luxury. But despite all that, he eventually realizes that he is a bit unhappy. His relationship isn't working, and he does not know is the anything he can do to make it work. When he meet Harry, he feels that he is drawn into her; to a woman he would never expected to have feelings for.


'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell is a story about secrets from the past, forgiveness, and love. It has interesting characters, beautiful setting and a plot, which paces slowly, but interestingly. 


I want to thank Choc Lit publishing for sending me a review copy of this novel.


Remember to check out my giveaway for 'Turning the Tide' from here!!!!!

In My Mailbox (#23)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi@The Story Siren.

From Library:


To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Description (from Goodreads):

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel—a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice—but the weight of history will only tolerate so much.

One of the best-loved classics of all time, To Kill a Mockingbirdhas earned many dis-tinctions since its original publication in 1960. It has won the Pulitzer Prize, been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie. It was also named the best novel of the twentieth century by librarians across the country (Library Journal). 

The Cardturner: A novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker by Louis Sachar

Description (from Goodreads):

When Alton's ageing, blind uncle asks him to attend bridge games with him, he agrees. After all, it's better than a crappy summer job in the local shopping mall, and Alton's mother thinks it might secure their way to a good inheritance sometime in the future. But, like all apparently casual choices in any of Louis Sachar's wonderful books, this choice soon turns out to be a lot more complex than Alton could ever have imagined. As his relationship with his uncle develops, and he meets the very attractive Toni, deeply buried secrets are uncovered and a romance that spans decades is finally brought to a conclusion. Alton's mother is in for a surprise!

So what did you get this week? 

Fictional Lover of the Week: Michael Scofield

It is time to introduce the next Fictional Lover of the Week. The next couple of Fictional Lover posts will be about Michael Scofield, the "hero" of Prison Break. 

-Son of Aldo Burrows and Christina Rose Scofield, brother of Lincoln Burrows

-Took his mother's maiden name, Scofield, because believed that his father was an alcoholic (he really wasn't one)

-After the death of his mother (she was later found alive), Lincoln became the guardian of Michael

-Michael traveled from foster home to another when he was young, Lincoln was on a criminal path and because of that wasn't able to take care of Michael

-Michael graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science  in Civil Engineering from Loyola University Chicago

-After graduation Michael became a structural engineer at the firm of Middleton, Maxwell & Schaum in downtown Chicago

-When Michael learns that his brother, Lincoln, has got a death sentence, he commits a crime to get to the same prison with his brother

-Michael gets a tattoo to his upper body which hides the map of Fox River Prison into it

-When Michael gets to Fox River, he feigns type 1 diabetes, giving him daily access to infirmary (exit point from the prison.) During his visits Michael forms a relationship with the prison doctor Sarah Tancredi, and they eventually fall in love

-Michael gets Lincoln out of Fox River, but their problems does not end to that (I do not want to ruin someone's watching experience, so I won't go on with explaining what happens to the brothers)

-Extremely empathetic and altruistic toward's other people's emotions; more concerned with other people than himself

-Has very strong moral sense and is cool and reasonable

-Very smart and creative; creative genius

I remember when Prison Break first started on TV. I was so excited about it, mostly because of the hot actor portraying the lead character. I was sucked in to the story, but I must admit that as the story went on (from prison to the next prison), it got so confusing... And I was not able to watch all the episodes because I always had something on the night the show came, I eventually stopped following the series. But I still love Michael Scofield; he is honest, smart, good looking and ready to go to prison in order to save his brother. Who wouldn't want a guy like that?

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Published: 1606

Description (from Goodreads):

One of the great Shakespearean tragedies, Macbeth is a dark and bloody drama of ambition, murder, guilt and revenge. Prompted by the prophecies of three mysterious witches and goaded by his ambitious wife, the Scottish thane Macbeth murders Duncan, King of Scotland, in order to succeed him on the throne. This foul deed soon entangles the conscience-stricken nobleman in a web of treachery, deceit and more murders that ultimately spells his doom.

My thoughts:

I bet I am not the only one who thinks that picking up a Shakespeare play and starting to read it a bit of a challenge. It may even feel scary. You might feel like you are not intelligent enough to read Shakespeare. At least that is what I thought before. When I heard that 'Macbeth' is going to be the final book we read for my English class, I decided to pick it up earlier and before familiar with it.

Macbeth, as a play, was familiar to me. I was lucky enough to see Macbeth as a play at Shakespeare's Globe at London on April 2010. It was the most amazing theater performance I've ever seen. Everything was on place on it; actors, staging, sounds, lighting etc. And I got to see Elliot Cowan as Macbeth, which was an amazing experience. 

Macbeth is a story about Scottish thane called Macbeth. According to prophecies by three witches he is the one who should be the king of Scotland. With the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth, a woman with her own problems, Macbeth kills the Duncan, the king of Scotland to get the throne to himself. Duncas's sons flee the country after the murder and Macbeth gets the throne. But through the gaining of power comes fear. He commits more and more murders to prevent the loss of his power. Eventually Macbeth and his wife both get mad and lost, they do not know what is the reality and what is the truth. 

I really liked Macbeth. It is dark, twisted and full of blood and drama. While reading the play I constantly went back to the play at Globe, remembering some parts really well. Macbeth is pushed by her wife, she wants power and fame. After committing the first murder Macbeth cannot forgot what he did, and the people he murdered keep haunting him. 

I am happy that next Spring I will be reading Macbeth again for my English class. I can't wait the discussions we will have about the book, it will be really interesting. I recommend Macbeth to everyone, it is a great play which has stayed popular for decades. William Shakespeare truly is the master of English literature.

(look at Elliot Cowan, he is so dreamy...)

Waiting on Wednesday (#8)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted byJill@Breaking the Spine. It allows us to introduce some upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.


Winter Longing by Tricia Mills
Published: August 19th, 2010 by Razorbill
Description (from Goodreads):
A plane crash in Alaska takes
Winter’s first love away forever . . .

When Winter's boyfriend is killed in a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, she's robbed of the future she'd only just allowed herself to believe might be hers. Winter and Spencer had been destined for one another. And after his death, Spencer's presence continues to haunt her.

But when her next-door neighbor becomes an unlikely friend, Winter begins to accept all that she can't change. Can she open herself to a new future . . . and a possible new love?

Best Reads of Summer Holiday 2010

The beginning of school tomorrow means the end for my 2 and half months holiday. It has been very relaxing just to be at home, sleep long, watch movies and TV and read books. But in a way, I am waiting for the school year to start; I know I will be extremely busy and stressed, but I just can't wait for next year when I graduate and finally finish with high school. To celebrate the last day of my holiday, I decided to post something about the best books I've read during the summer 2010. Hopefully you are able to find some great books to read from my list. (: By clicking the name of the title you will be taken to my review. 


A Season of Eden by J.M Warwick 
-Couple of years ago I fell in love with 'Teach Me' by R.A. Nelson. Teach Me is a story about a girl who falls in love with her high school teacher. When I saw 'A Season of Eden' reviewed at one of the blogs I follow, I knew that it would be a title I would probably love. I was fortunate enough to get a review copy of the title sent to me. I loved the story, the characters, and writing style of J.M. Warwick. The fact that the book tells about a relationship, which in practice, is wrong, but still, you can feel the sparks between the main characters, is very interesting to read. Do you know any titles which tell about a relationship between teacher and a student?


Evermore (The Immortals #1) by Alyson Noel
- I had this book for such a long time in my TBR pile. I had read good reviews for it, but also some really bad reviews. I really trust the other book bloggers and their reviews and some had really well explained why they did not like this one. After 4 months of waiting, I started to read this book and I fell in love with it. I instantly started to like Ever as a character; she is strong, independent but still very lost. And Damen, he is just dreamy. I can't wait to read the second book in the series, but I haven't yet been fortunate enough to find it from anywhere. :(


Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead 
- I had read so many good reviews of this book and several people had hyped for me for months. When I ordered some school related books from Book Depository I saw that they had a box for the first 3 books in the series and I decided to order it at the same time. From page one, I knew that this would be a series I would fall in love with. I have now read Vampire Academy and Frostbite, and I will read Shadow Kiss as soon as possible. I really want to thank the ones who kept recommending the series for me, especially Juli. (the review is not up yet)


Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
-Like Evermore, this is one of those books I had read good reviews about. The local library had only Finnish copy of this book, and I think that the fact that I had to read a translation ruined my reading experience a bit. But I still loved it, and I can't wait to get an English copy into my hands. I have Linger waiting for me in my shelf, I pre-ordered it right after reading Shiver. Now I really understand all the hype this book got when it was published.


Puhdistus (Purge) by Sofi Oksanen
-Sofi Oksanen won the most respected book prize in Finland with Purge. I was extremely prejudiced about this book; I thought that it would be really artistic, even a little bit too artistic. I am so happy I looked over my prejudices and loaned this book from library. The story is great and heart breaking. Stories of two very different aged women are told from two different time periods. By reading this book you get a great glimpse to the Estonian history, and the life of women during two different times. There is an English translation of this book, and I really recommend it for EVERYONE.


All that Mullarkey by Sue Moorcroft
-A story about revenge, love, and second changes. I never wait much from chick lit titles, don't know why is that. This book totally sucked me in, and I just had to keep reading and reading. Can't wait to read what Moorcroft writes next. 


So, what has been the best titles you have read during the summer 2010? 

The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams

Published: June 16th 2010 by Chronicle Books
Description (from Goodreads):
Not your everyday coming-of-age novel 

This story was supposed to be about Evie how she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herself but it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth "Zabet" McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changes and Evie's life is never the same again.


My thoughts:
The Space Between Trees is Katie Williams debut novel. I think that congratulations are what she deserves. The Space Between Trees is a powerful, dark and different young adult novel.


Evie is a bit of a loner. She hasn't made any friends in high school, and she spends her time at home watching TV and doing homework. Every Sunday, she works as a delivery girl at a neighborhood near Hokepe Woods. Seeing Jonah, a college drop-out she has a crush on, is the the high light of her Sundays, of her weeks. But one Sunday, which began as a regular Sunday for Evie, everything changes. Jonah finds a body from the woods. Body of Zabet McCabe. Body of Evie's childhood best friend.


Evie and Zabet used to be friends when they were younger. When Zabet met Hadley, everything changed. Evie and Zabet's friendship ended and eventually they acted like they did not even know each other. When Zabet's body is discovered from the woods, Evie tells a lie which starts a chain of events. She befriends Hadley and together they start to investigate the murder of Zabet. Can they trust each other? Is Evie telling Hadley everything she knows? And does Hadley know something she hasn't told Evie about?


Lies are told, mysteries are solved, and lives are put on danger. Can Evie and Hadley find the murderer, and are they both going to be victims of the same mystery man? 


I really enjoyed 'The Space Between Trees'. At the beginning of the novel Evie is a very awkward characters; some of your actions make cring. When the novel proceeds, the time Evie spends with Hadley changes her, and eventually she is not able to recognize herself. Hadley is one of those "bad girls" you try to prevent interfering with, especially at high school. These two totally different girls form a friendship through the death of a girl who has been a friend of them both. I really liked the vivid and descriptive writing style of Williams and I would definitely be interested to read something else by her as well. I will waiting for the second novel.


The cover of the book does not get any credit from the picture. It is the most beautiful book cover I've EVER seen. And I have seen a lot of book covers. I bet everyone who has seen this cover understands me. Great job from the cover designer. 


I want to thank Chronicle books for sending me a review copy of this novel.  

+100 followers giveaway

It is finally time for a giveaway. I reached 100 followers at the beginning of the summer, and now I have 131. I want to thank the old followers and welcome the new ones by a giveaway, which, by the way, is the first one EVER in my blog. 

So, there will be a one lucky winner who will get brand new copy of 'Turning the Tide' by Christine Stovell.

I am currently reading and enjoying it a lot. 

So this is how it goes:

Leave me a comment telling what was the best/coolest/most amazing thing you did during this summer! (Compulsory) 


You need to be a follower in order to win! 
+5 for being a old follower
+3 for becoming a follower

Extra Entries: (please include all the entries in to the same comment)

+4 for taking my blog button from the sidebar and adding it to your blog/website

+2 linking the contest to your sidebar

+6 blog post about the contest 
+3 for being/becoming a fan of my Read.Read.Read's facebook page (you can find a link from the sidebar)


The maximum total you are able to get is 23 points! Please count the points for me to the bottom of your comment. 

AND REMEMBER TO LEAVE ME YOUR E-MAIL SO I CAN CONTACT YOU IN CASE YOU WIN!

The giveaway will be open until Friday, September 17th. 

In My Mailbox (#22)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi@The Story Siren.

I didn't have much to show this week, I only bought four books and that is all I have this week. (those are not the exact covers I have since I was not able to find the right cover pictures)


Bought:

King Lear by William Shakespeare
Description (from Goodreads):
King Lear stands alongside Hamlet as one of the most profound expressions of tragic drama in literature. Written between 1604 and 1605, it represents Shakespeare at the height of his dramatic power. Drawing on ancient British history, Shakespeare constructs a plot that reads like a fable in its clear-sighted but terrifying simplicity. The ageing King Lear calls his daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia to witness that he wishes "to shake all cares and business from our age" and divide his kingdom between his three children. When Cordelia refuses to flatter her father with sycophantic words of love, her banishment leads to chaos and civil war as Lear's disastrous "division of the kingdom" gives free reign to the greed and ambition of his two remaining daughters.

As Lear sinks into rage and madness he is deserted by everyone except his "bitter" Fool, the loyal Kent and the exiled Cordelia. The play descends into a nighmarish theatre of cruelty and absurdity as Lear realises he has "ta'en / Too little care" of the poverty and corruption of his kingdom, and his loyal but foolish friend Gloucester has his eyes gouged out. Metaphors of monstrosity and perversions of nature structure the dramatic action, and the play's ending remains one of the most harrowing in all of Shakespeare. 

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Description (from Goodreads):

One of Shakespeare's finest comedies, Twelfth Night, was written at the same time as Hamlet and Troilus and Cressida, and while it shares their fascination with sex, death and confused identities, its exuberant comedy and linguistic inventiveness rises above the introspection of these plays. Viola and her twin brother Sebastian are separated in a storm that washes them both up at different points on the shores of Illyria. Believing each other to be dead, both attempt to survive by using their wits. Viola cross-dresses and enters the service of the lovesick Orsino, in love with Olivia, an heiress in mourning for the loss of her brother. Orsino's saucy young page Cesario (Viola) soon falls in love with "his" master, who tells "him", "all is semblative a woman's part". Unfortunately, while Viola falls in love with Orsino, Olivia falls in love with her alter ego, Cesario, while also being pursued at the same time by her pompous servant Malvolio. Olivia's house is also turned upside down by the antics of her drunker uncle, Sir Toby Belch, and the whole crazy situation reaches boiling point when Sebastian reappears.

Despite the madcap plot, Twelfth Night remains one of Shakespeare's most complex and inventive comedies, fascinated with questions of cross-dressing, gender confusion, language and inversion, as well as retaining a darker edge to some of its laughter. 

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

Description (from Goodreads):

Antony and Cleopatra is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607. It was first printed in the First Folio of 1623. The plot is based on Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's Life of Marcus Antonius and follows the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony from the time of the Parthian War to Cleopatra's suicide. The major antagonist is Octavius Caesar, one of Antony's fellow triumviri and the future first emperor of Rome. The tragedy is a Roman play characterized by swift, panoramic shifts in geographical locations and in registers, alternating between sensual, imaginative Alexandria and the more pragmatic, austere Rome.

Many consider the role of Cleopatra in this play one of the most complex female roles in Shakespeare's work.[1] She is frequently vain and histrionic, provoking an audience almost to scorn; at the same time, Shakespeare's efforts invest both her and Antony with tragic grandeur. These contradictory features have led to famously divided critical responses. 

Villette by Charlotte Brontë

Description (from Goodreads):

"Villette! Villette! Have you read it?" exclaimed George Eliot when Charlotte Brontë's final novel appeared in 1853. "It is a still more wonderful book than Jane Eyre. There is something almost preternatural in its power."

Arguably Brontë's most refined and deeply felt work, Villettedraws on her profound loneliness following the deaths of her three siblings. Lucy Snowe, the narrator of Villette, flees from an unhappy past in England to begin a new life as a teacher at a French boarding school in the great cosmopolitan capital ofVillette. Soon Lucy's struggle for independence is overshadowed by both her friendship with a worldly English doctor and her feelings for an autocratic schoolmaster. Brontë's strikingly modern heroine must decide if there is any man in her society with whom she can live and still be free.

"Villette is an amazing book," observed novelist Susan Fromberg Schaeffer. "Written before psychoanalysis came into being, Villette is nevertheless a psychoanalytic work—a psycho-sexual study of its heroine, Lucy Snowe. Written before the philosophy of existentialism was formulated, the novel's view of the world can only be described as existential. Today it is read and discussed more intensely than Charlotte Brontë's other novels, and many critics now believe it to be a true master-piece, a work of genius that more than fulfilled the promise of Jane Eyre." Indeed, Virginia Woolf judgedVillette to be Brontë's "finest novel."

So what did you get this week?

Picture of the Week (#6)

Today, I want to ask you about movies, since I love those almost as much as I love books. 

What is the best movie you have EVER seen?

-Well, okay, it is a miniseries, but since I always watch it like a movie (if I start to watch it,  have to watch all the episodes in a row), I can say that it is my favorite movie ever. I probably don't have to tell why I love this one so much; everyone who has seen it will understand me. Everyone HAS to love this one. 

What is the best movie you have seen during 2010?

-I love Leonardo DiCaprio. I have loved him since Titanic. Some of his recent movies haven't really been my cup of tea, but Shutter Island was definitely a surprise for me. I have seen it two times already, and during the second time I saw it I definitely found new things about it. I really recommend this movie for everyone, it is so goood!

What is the movie you are anticipating the most?

-The movie I am anticipating the most is definitely the last Harry Potter movie (part one&part two). I have loved Harry Potter for years and I have seen all the movies during their premiere nights. I can't wait that the part 1 comes out!

Please comment and tell me your answers for the questions above. 

Have a nice weekend and remember to Read.Read.Read.

About An Ideal Husband

Some of you might have read previously from my blog that I will be directing a play this fall. The ones that haven't read/heard about it yet, will learn something about it right now.

I am a student at a local high school which offers IB diploma education for chosen students. I've been studying for the IB Diploma for a year now (the first year we had to do this pre dp year). Some of you might be familiar with the IB system, some not. I am not going to explain it any further. If you want to know about it more, you are welcome to ask. :)

As one of my IB subjects I have theater arts. Every year, in my school, the senior students who study theater choose a play and take a responsibility of making the play alive. Before the school ended on spring, we voted about the director, and I was lucky enough to be chosen. There was other girl who also wanted to be a director, but for some reason, the others voted for me, of which I am really happy about. 

I got so excited when we started to talk about the play for this year. When one of the students mentioned 'An Ideal Husband' by Oscar Wilde, I instantly knew that it would be a cool play to work with. I am interested about history of England, particularly Victorian Era, and I had previously knowledge of it. Now, during the summer break, I've been reading the play over and over again, analyzing the characters and making plans for the production. I have a vision in my mind of how I want it to look, and I am eager to start working with the play.

I know that some of you are interested about theater and that is why I decided to post something about this. I will keep you updated and probably post some pictures etc. when the rehearsals start.

Have you been part of a high school/other theater production? Have you directed a play? I would be so happy to share some thoughts! Please leave a comment of e-mail to milkareads[at]yahoo[dot]com. 

Ps. Has any of you seen the movie? I've tried to get it from several online stores, but apparently no one has it anymore. :( I am especially interested about the BBC miniseries version. 

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June by Robin Benway (REPOST)

Published: August 3rd 2010 by Razorbill
Description (from Goodreads):
Three sisters, three extraordinary, life-changing powers! 

I hugged my sisters and they fit against my sides like two jigsaw pieces that would never fit anywhere else. I couldn’t imagine ever letting them go again, like releasing them would be to surrender the best parts of myself. 

Three sisters share a magical, unshakeable bond in this witty high-concept novel from the critically acclaimed author of Audrey, Wait! Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose? 

April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other. 

Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.


My thoughts: Since April, May and June were little, they have possessed unique and special talents. April, May and June have forgotten these skills until they re-emerge after their parents' divorce and problems at a new high school. April, the eldest, can see the future. May, the middle child, can disappear, literally. June, the youngest, can read thoughts. At first these talents seem cool since what is better than disappearing during a boring lesson or listening to what someone thinks about your outfit? But after a while these talents start to become a burden which almost brakes the strong bond between the girls. When April sees a future disaster which would change everything,  the girls have to unite so the disaster won't occur and change their lives for good. 

I loved Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway so I had a lot of expectations towards this book. The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May,& June was a lot different than Audrey, Wait!. But I must say that my expectations were filled since I really enjoyed this book. This book is about sisterhood and the magical powers are just thrown in there to add some twist. The story is told through the three sisters, so every of them tells their own view of situations etc. 

April, May and June were really funny as characters. They all were really different but still the same. I was able to identify some way with all of them, but mostly with April. Like Audrey, Wait! this book also includes romance and high school drama, which made it througly enjoyable. 

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June will charm the fans of Audrey, Wait! with its wit, funny characters and magic.The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June hits the bookstores at TODAY! Go and get it ASAP!

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Description (from Goodreads):
In the course of the year recorded in Bridget Jones's Diary, Bridget confides her hopes, her dreams, and her monstrously fluctuating poundage, not to mention her consumption of 5277 cigarettes and "Fat units 3457 (approx.) (hideous in every way)." In 365 days, she gains 74 pounds. On the other hand, she loses 72! There is also the unspoken New Year's resolution--the quest for the right man. Alas, here Bridget goes severely off course when she has an affair with her charming cad of a boss. But who would be without their e-mail flirtation focused on a short black skirt? The boss even contends that it is so short as to be nonexistent.

At the beginning of Helen Fielding's exceptionally funny second novel, the thirtyish publishing puffette is suffering from postholiday stress syndrome but determined to find Inner Peace and poise. Bridget will, for instance, "get up straight away when wake up in mornings." Now if only she can survive the party her mother has tricked her into--a suburban fest full of "Smug Marrieds" professing concern for her and her fellow "Singletons"--she'll have made a good start. As far as she's concerned, "We wouldn't rush up to them and roar, 'How's your marriage going? Still having sex?'"

This is only the first of many disgraces Bridget will suffer in her year of performance anxiety (at work and at play, though less often in bed) and living through other people's "emotional fuckwittage." Her twin-set-wearing suburban mother, for instance, suddenly becomes a chat-show hostess and unrepentant adulteress, while our heroine herself spends half the time overdosing on Chardonnay and feeling like "a tragic freak." Bridget Jones's Diary began as a column in the London Independent and struck a chord with readers of all sexes and sizes. In strokes simultaneously broad and subtle, Helen Fielding reveals the lighter side of despair, self-doubt, and obsession, and also satirizes everything from self-help books (they don't sound half as sensible to Bridget when she's sober) to feng shui, Cosmopolitan-style. She is the Nancy Mitford of the 1990s, and it's impossible not to root for her endearing heroine. On the other hand, one can only hope that Bridget will continue to screw up and tell us all about it for years and books to come. --Kerry Fried


My thoughts:
Bridget Jones is probably familiar to all of us. We have heard about her somewhere, seen the movies. Some of us might not even know that those movies were based on books, which are a lot better than the movies. Is that even possible? someone might ask, since the movies are super hilarious. But yes, it is.

In Bridget Jones's Diary we are introduced to Bridget, a thirtysomething woman from London. She is disappointed with her job, disappointed with her body image. She is pretty much disappointed with her whole life. She is single and miserable. As a new years resolution, she decides to start dieting, to stop drinking and smoking without any control and to find a nice, honest single man to her side. 

But as we all probably can figure out, her plans do not really work, at least not a first. She falls for Daniel Cleaver, her boss. Eventually she finds out that Daniel definitely is not the nice, honest single man she was looking for. The relationship with Daniel works so badly that it ends with Bridget changing her place of work.

Mark Darcy. A famous barister from London. Bridget used to run around naked in his paddling pool. Now, years later they meet again, and right away Bridget decides that Mark is the most arrogant and boring man she has ever met. Natasha, Mark's college, seems like the perfect woman for the uptight Mark. Bridget's hatered towards Mark goes skyhigh when she hears Daniel's false accusations about Mark. As the time goes by, Bridget starts to notice other sides of Mark, and she even starts to like him, when she hears that Mark likes her, just as she is. But there are many obstacles on Bridget's way; Daniel Cleaver is trying to get Bridget back, she does not know the truth about what happened between Mark and Daniel, and then there is Natasha, who seems like she has glued herself to Mark. Can Bridged find the happiness, or is she going to be a singleton for the rest of her life?

This book is so hilarious. Bridget herself is so hilarious. I was lauhging out loud when I read this. I love the characters; the handsome but devilish Daniel, extremely handsome and honest Mark, Bridget's hilarious mother, the group of Singleton's Bridget hangs out with... All of them. 

The Bridget Jones's Diary can be called a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice since it has some similar elements with it. There is the complex hero, Bridget (Elizabeth Bennet) and two men in her life, Daniel and Mark (Wickham and Darcy). She hears a false story about the other one and that way makes accusations (Wickham's story about Darcy), but eventually gets to know the truth. Since Pride and Prejudice is my favorite novel, I knew I would love this one. Who could resist the dreamy Mark Darcy? NO ONE! :)