Hey Blogger Buds,
I have a lot of muy importante things to tell you guys, so PLEASE listen. (Cherry on top? Or not if you don't like them, I'm cool with that.)
I'm going on hiatus. I'll be back by June 23rd, or the following Sunday. Yes, I know it's a month away, but it's the end-of-the-year hiatus I'm sure you guys are seeing a lot of blogs doing, and may even be doing yourself.
BEA is this week . Which means that there's a lot of very awesome book events here in NY. I missed TAC today, and I'm not attending BEA at all (darn you, class!) BUT I'll definitely be at Scholastic's This Is Teen event on Thursday. It's featuring Maggie Stiefvater (Forever), Libba Bray (Beauty Queens) and Meg Cabot (Abandon). I'm so excited. If you go, I'll probably either be in uniform, or wearing this. (Sorry, but I don't do pictures.) I'd love to meet you if you're there! I may break hiatus for a post about it, maybe not. Info HERE.
All 4 Alabama. Probably the most important news. You've probably heard of All 4 Alabama, which is a tornado relief book-related auction website for charity. Me and Lindsey decided to donate a critique! It's going to be awesome, so please bid! There's only 1 bid :( It's RIGHT HERE.
And last but not least, some contests...
Brittany, a Blogger Bud of mine, is having her first giveaway! Yay! Go here!
Alice Marvels, an awesome e-newsletter, is having a contest too here! (If you sign up for the newsletter, make sure to put my email address down as your referral!)
Peace,
Riv!
PS: Sorry for the absence last week. And sorry for being here on Monday.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thanks for the Great Blogoversary Gift, Blogger (New TAP Winner)
Hey Blogger Buds,
First off: Happy Friday the 13th!
Now:
Wednesday was a special day for us here at Riv Reads. And Google knew this, so they gave me a special gift:
Blogger went bust.
I was going to post about unicorns and butterflies, but that didn't quite work out.
Wednesday was the 11th.
Wednesday was also...
My Blogoversary!
So I was very happy. As of Wednesday...
170 posts
279 comments
29 reviews
3862 page views (as if writing this)
91 Followers
Bunches of new friends
And waaaaaay too many jokes
Thanks for sticking it out with me. And I guess, contrary to popular personal belief, this blog didn't crash and burn.
In other news, I have a new bio! If you glance at the right sidebar, you'll see it, but here it is for your viewing pleasure...
Riv Re has been blogging about books for over a year, but she's been cracking lame jokes for a lifetime, which, if you ask anyone who's ever met her, is a lifetime too long. She enjoys avoiding her mounds of homework by writing and daydreaming about werewolves and faeries, and pretending she's a real New Yorker with a Newsies accent. She passes her free time napping, looking at pictures of Pomeranian puppies, and researching ancient weaponry. Riv tries to be angsty, but she's just an eccentric younger teen.
Riv Re has been blogging about books for over a year, but she's been cracking lame jokes for a lifetime, which, if you ask anyone who's ever met her, is a lifetime too long. She enjoys avoiding her mounds of homework by writing and daydreaming about werewolves and faeries, and pretending she's a real New Yorker with a Newsies accent. She passes her free time napping, looking at pictures of Pomeranian puppies, and researching ancient weaponry. Riv tries to be angsty, but she's just an eccentric younger teen.
In even more other news, one of the winners didn't respond to my TAP contest, so I chose a new winner!
Congrats LunaMoth, a tigress! Sending you an email now!
Peace and b-days,
Riv
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Jane Eyre Review
Hey Blogger Buds,
So I recently read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte for class, and, as I haven't read anything else besides for it, I'm here to review it (as you can see)!
Blurby: (from Goodreads, blurb for book cover to right.)
With her 1847 novel, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë created one of the most unforgettable heroines of all time. Jane Eyre is an orphan, penniless and plain, but full of courage and spirit. She has endured incredible hardship to secure her humble status as the governess in the household of her brooding employer, Mr. Rochester. Jane's sharp wit and defiant nature meet with Rochester's sardonic temperament. The two become enmeshed in a deep, intense bond. But Rochester has a terrible secret- a remnant from his past that could threaten any hope of happiness with his only love.
An unconventional love story that revolutionized the scope of romantic fiction, Jane Eyre is ultimately the tale of one woman's fight to claim her independence and self-respect in a society that has no place for her.
[Tidbit about introduction, and Erica Jong.]
Review:
I came in expecting to hate the book. (Come on, it's for school!) Creep romances, tiny print, and words like "unclose". It was very annoying.
My copy was around 450 pages long. The book had probably the slowest plot advancing in history. It took 100 pages just to introduce Jane and get her to Rochester's estate. And then almost another 50 to introduce you to Rochester, but I'll get to him soon.
Jane wasn't so bad. She's feisty, determined, and bold. But she's got a handle on her emotions. My main problem with Jane is her supreme idiocy. It has depths like the oceans--if you get anywhere near the bottom, the pressure will kill you. Painfully. Multiple times during the book, I wanted to pull a YA-emphatic-reader and throw the book across the room, because Jane is so stupid. *rant over* (sorta) She had her ups and downs, and the end left me not hating Jane as much, but she annoyed me plenty. More than she should have.
I have to say though, I like Mr. Rochester. He's intelligent, sharp, and, just like in modern YA, he's closed off and has a dark past. But he's not "ruggedly handsome" and the smell of his sweat doesn't make Jane swoon. It's a perfectly healthy relationship.
Well, sorta. Let me give you a bit of an idea of how old these characters are: Mr. Rochester could be Jane's father, as is mentioned repeatedly. Jane is around 18. Or dear Mr. Edward Rochester on the other hand is 38.
On to some more Weird Factors...
St. John--he comes in a bit later. Jane meets St. John, a devout Christian with plans to become a missionary. And, after you learn more about him, he has a proposal for Jane. The creep factor skyrocketed. I was grossed out by St. John after all was said and done, and emotionally scarred for life.
Rudeness: zOMG!! They're all, like, so, incredibly rude! *squeal of disgust* *quits acting* All of these characters are really rude. They all say things like "you're really ugly" "why would anyone marry you?" "you're not at all handsome" and I want to smack them all. Yeah, different society, I get it, but hullo?
And last but not least:
Adela=cuteness
Rating: 3stars-mediocre book, not compelling but interesting.
Linkage: Goodreads Amazon
BookDepo
So I recently read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte for class, and, as I haven't read anything else besides for it, I'm here to review it (as you can see)!
With her 1847 novel, Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë created one of the most unforgettable heroines of all time. Jane Eyre is an orphan, penniless and plain, but full of courage and spirit. She has endured incredible hardship to secure her humble status as the governess in the household of her brooding employer, Mr. Rochester. Jane's sharp wit and defiant nature meet with Rochester's sardonic temperament. The two become enmeshed in a deep, intense bond. But Rochester has a terrible secret- a remnant from his past that could threaten any hope of happiness with his only love.
An unconventional love story that revolutionized the scope of romantic fiction, Jane Eyre is ultimately the tale of one woman's fight to claim her independence and self-respect in a society that has no place for her.
[Tidbit about introduction, and Erica Jong.]
Review:
I came in expecting to hate the book. (Come on, it's for school!) Creep romances, tiny print, and words like "unclose". It was very annoying.
My copy was around 450 pages long. The book had probably the slowest plot advancing in history. It took 100 pages just to introduce Jane and get her to Rochester's estate. And then almost another 50 to introduce you to Rochester, but I'll get to him soon.
Jane wasn't so bad. She's feisty, determined, and bold. But she's got a handle on her emotions. My main problem with Jane is her supreme idiocy. It has depths like the oceans--if you get anywhere near the bottom, the pressure will kill you. Painfully. Multiple times during the book, I wanted to pull a YA-emphatic-reader and throw the book across the room, because Jane is so stupid. *rant over* (sorta) She had her ups and downs, and the end left me not hating Jane as much, but she annoyed me plenty. More than she should have.
I have to say though, I like Mr. Rochester. He's intelligent, sharp, and, just like in modern YA, he's closed off and has a dark past. But he's not "ruggedly handsome" and the smell of his sweat doesn't make Jane swoon. It's a perfectly healthy relationship.
Well, sorta. Let me give you a bit of an idea of how old these characters are: Mr. Rochester could be Jane's father, as is mentioned repeatedly. Jane is around 18. Or dear Mr. Edward Rochester on the other hand is 38.
On to some more Weird Factors...
St. John--he comes in a bit later. Jane meets St. John, a devout Christian with plans to become a missionary. And, after you learn more about him, he has a proposal for Jane. The creep factor skyrocketed. I was grossed out by St. John after all was said and done, and emotionally scarred for life.
Rudeness: zOMG!! They're all, like, so, incredibly rude! *squeal of disgust* *quits acting* All of these characters are really rude. They all say things like "you're really ugly" "why would anyone marry you?" "you're not at all handsome" and I want to smack them all. Yeah, different society, I get it, but hullo?
And last but not least:
Adela=cuteness
Rating: 3stars-mediocre book, not compelling but interesting.
Linkage: Goodreads Amazon
BookDepo
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Trailer Day!
Hey Blogger Buds,
Today, I'm posting some fantastic trailers I've seen around recently!
If you watch every single one of them posted here, you'll take around ten minutes. (Which is less time than I spent putting this all together, to be sure!) Some of them you've probably seen already, and some are sequels to books you may not have read.
Enjoy!
First up, Drought by Pam Bachorz. My review is HERE. There's a Ruby trailer and a Ford trailer. I like Ford's better. Ruby's is here
It's a bit bloody, but isn't that the point?
Next, Enclave, which I was dying for. The graphics are a bit unrealistic, but Deuce is portrayed as a really strong character.
Blood Magic, by Tessa Gratton. (Contesty over here.)
It's funny in a dark way, and makes me really excited!
Forever by by Maggie Stiefvater. If you've scrolled down to the bottom of the page, you've seen my latest section thingy, Book Showcase, in which I periodically showcase a random book trailer/widget/whatever.
You've most probably seen Divergent's trailer, but oh well.
Illusions by Aprilynne Pike just released! I'm so excited. The trailer is spoilery from the first two books. Beware. It's really funny. :)
Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston is old news, but I just saw the trailer and I think I'm more goo than human right now.
Cloaked is also an old one which I just saw. Alex Flinn For The Win! (Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't even realize!)
Okay, that's all! Thanks for tuning in! (What am I? Some sort of radio talk show host? "Tuning in"? *facepalm*)
Peace and trailers,
Riv
Today, I'm posting some fantastic trailers I've seen around recently!
If you watch every single one of them posted here, you'll take around ten minutes. (Which is less time than I spent putting this all together, to be sure!) Some of them you've probably seen already, and some are sequels to books you may not have read.
Enjoy!
First up, Drought by Pam Bachorz. My review is HERE. There's a Ruby trailer and a Ford trailer. I like Ford's better. Ruby's is here
It's a bit bloody, but isn't that the point?
Next, Enclave, which I was dying for. The graphics are a bit unrealistic, but Deuce is portrayed as a really strong character.
Blood Magic, by Tessa Gratton. (Contesty over here.)
It's funny in a dark way, and makes me really excited!
Forever by by Maggie Stiefvater. If you've scrolled down to the bottom of the page, you've seen my latest section thingy, Book Showcase, in which I periodically showcase a random book trailer/widget/whatever.
You've most probably seen Divergent's trailer, but oh well.
Illusions by Aprilynne Pike just released! I'm so excited. The trailer is spoilery from the first two books. Beware. It's really funny. :)
Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston is old news, but I just saw the trailer and I think I'm more goo than human right now.
Cloaked is also an old one which I just saw. Alex Flinn For The Win! (Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't even realize!)
Okay, that's all! Thanks for tuning in! (What am I? Some sort of radio talk show host? "Tuning in"? *facepalm*)
Peace and trailers,
Riv
So, what awesome trailers have YOU seen recently?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Cookies Are My Excuse
Hey Blogger Buds,
So I sat down at my computer yesterday to write a review about Jane Eyre. But then I was side-tracked.
By cookies.
But not just any cookies...
Chocolate chip cookies!
But not just any chocolate chip cookies...
 |
| Maggie Stiefvater |
Chocolate Chip Cookies THE SIZE OF YOUR HEAD!
 |
| Me* |
I got the recipe from Maggie Stiefvater. You can see it on her blog here.
Am I forgiven now for not posting a review yesterday?
Peace and cookies,
Riv
*The cookie wasn't held right in front of my face. It wasn't quite big enough, so it's a few inches away, if you couldn't tell by the massive hands.
PS: Sorry about the weird picture placement. Blogger's acting wonky.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
What Are Your Characters Missing? Post-Its
Hey Blogger Buds,
So I'm sitting here writing, and I have a character (several actually) with a messy desk. He seems to be looking through all of the papers for some specific information. Now, it's not just him. I have another character like this. And I realized there's one modern invention I feel bad that they're missing out on. I mean, all of my characters really need it, but it's too modern. Poor folks, didn't have the things we all know and love until the mid-1900's. What is it that my characters probably need more that I do? What is this thing that could record important information for them? This thing that I use for writing homework assignments, passing notes during class, and scribbling random good lines to use in writing?
Have you ever fully appreciated those little squares of genius? They're so awesome and useful and...
Wait. The point of this post is not to freak out over slips of paper, so I'll get it all out now.
So I'm sitting here writing, and I have a character (several actually) with a messy desk. He seems to be looking through all of the papers for some specific information. Now, it's not just him. I have another character like this. And I realized there's one modern invention I feel bad that they're missing out on. I mean, all of my characters really need it, but it's too modern. Poor folks, didn't have the things we all know and love until the mid-1900's. What is it that my characters probably need more that I do? What is this thing that could record important information for them? This thing that I use for writing homework assignments, passing notes during class, and scribbling random good lines to use in writing?
Post-Its.
Have you ever fully appreciated those little squares of genius? They're so awesome and useful and...
Wait. The point of this post is not to freak out over slips of paper, so I'll get it all out now.
POST-ITS!!!!
POST-IT
Look at this awesome:
Okay, I'm good now. *breathes*
The real point of this post(-it) is to talk about writing. So here's a [writing] challenge. Let's see how well you know the world your characters live in. Think:
What modern invention do your characters in your other-worldly fantasy need?
What would really help them?
PS: What my characters could really use are some machine guns. Why organize your war plans on sticky little paper when you can wipe out the enemy in one move?
PPS: They could also really use some Coke, and not the soda. Maybe it would get them off their high horses--yes, they really are on high horses.
PPPS: "So main antagonist, is your nose getting cold up there in the thinning atmosphere?"
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