I'll Be Back Soon!


Just popping in to say I am incredibly sorry for not posting  recently, but I will be on a super short break until May 3rd or so due to a super busy schedule, and, also, April is nearly over, which means Camp NaNoWriMo is nearly over.

Just yesterday, I think it was, I hit my word goal of 50k, but the story itself isn't finished, so I'd really like to see how much I can get done of it before the end of this month. So wish me luck?

And, to hold you over until I'm back, just know that I have some really truly exciting things going on to make Defying Impossible bigger and better and branching out in multiple different ways, but I will talk more on this--you guessed it--when I'm back in May!

But one of the many things headed your awesome direction is a Book Haul Post where I will be talking about all of the beautiful books I got for my birthday this April. Look forward to it!

For now, don't forget to follow me on ALL OF THE PLACES to keep up to date with what I'm obsessing over and what's new around the Book and Writing community, where I always Share/Reblog/Retweet/ect all useful information on new releases and such that I find.

I'll leave the links down below, and feel free to stalk me there!

What have you all been up to? Get any writing done lately?


Top Three Thursday: Gifts for Writers!


An honor of my Birthday that just passed on April 22nd, I've decided this weeks Top Three Thursday will be about Gifts for Writers!


Now, everyone loves presents, topped with bows and heaps of love (Unless you're one of those people that give gifts out of obligation. Then it's heaped with hatred or poison, but it's just as well.).

 Those who know you better, such as best friends or family, will know you inside and out and will instinctively get you the most perfect gift ever.

But what about those who don't know you as well?

They know you're a writer.

But still--what do you buy a writer?

We are sad, strange little beings with entire worlds in our heads. Do you get them a mental help? Do you get them a Unicorn?  (The answer to that last one is yes. Yes. Get them a Unicorn.)

I'll list my personal Top Three suggestions down below on MY ideal gift!

            1. Books!

It's pretty obvious, isn't it? Writers read, so getting them a book is a pretty safe area.

But what kind of book?

You might check out their To-Read Goodreads page to see what books they have and don't have, want desperately or will-get-to-it-someday. You might ask people they're close to to stalk their shelves to see if it's there.

And, worse case, if you can't figure out what book to get them, just get them a helpful Book-On-Writing. Some of my favorites are listed over HERE, so that may be a good place to start!

         2. Writing Tools!

Get them a cool pencil, a notebook with kittens on it, a sketchbook to create timelines on!

I know that I can never have too many pencils/pens/ect, and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

Or get them some Writing themed gifts, such as a T-Shirt or picture! One of the best places for Writerly gifts can be found HERE!

       3. Something Fluffy!

And by this, I don't mean you have to go out and buy them a pet cat (Thought that would be appreciated).

I mean get them a stuffed animal--a cat, a bunny, a teddy bear. Writers are very lonely people, spending hours at a time locked away in their bedroom in front of a blank page, and it's always helpful to have a fuzzy little friend to hug when we're getting stressed out, to tell all of our plot lines to, or, on occasion, to throw across the room when we see a horrible plot hole.

I know that I like to write surrounded by little fluffy friends and, again, I'm sure I'm not the only one!

...Right?

So there are my Top Three suggestions on Gifts for Writers! 

Now go out and share some love with the Writer in your life, and go out and buy some of these things for yourself! You deserve it!

What do you think is a good gift for a writer? Do you agree with any of these?

Thanks for reading!

Eleanor and Park Book Review!


Get to it, shall we?

Eleanor and Park is written by Rainbow Rowell.

How have you not heard of this book? Fine!:

"Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try."

(Blurb taken from GoodReads)

Okay, so this review probably won't be very fun to write because, honestly, there are only like four books in the entire world that I don't love.

And.

This was one of them.

I know you're going to hate me for that...













But let me explain why, okay?

I really do like this book--I think it's realistic and rough and adorable at many points, but overall it was just and 'Eh', read. And that never happens to me.

As a reader, I find at least one way to love everything I read and, being a writer and looking at a book from all different viewpoints, it makes it easier for me.

So I can see why most people love this book--I'm sure most people can relate to it, and think it was perfectly enjoyable and perfect, so don't let my sour feelings against it discourage you from picking it up. 

But I do have many problems with this book, so you might read my opinions and see if this is the book for you.

First we have Eleanor, and she was my favorite. Basically, she was the reason I read this book. She was cute and funny and easy to relate to, and had my sympathy from the very beginning. She's perfectly precious and I loved every minute of her.

And Park? Well, I didn't enjoy his character as much. He just seemed a bit flat to me for some reason. He was adorable at many points. But you know. Other points he just aggravated me to death.

There were just many parts that I didn't really care. I didn't really care what happened to them and what they did and how they acted. And this is a very sad thing to me.

Another key point that got incredibly on my nerves was all of the language. I understand what the Author was going for: She wanted a real, believable public school experience without sugar coating anything.

And this is fine and all, but when it comes to the content in a book, it's extremely annoying to have the F word every other sentence while they're on a Bus or something.

I mean--really?













I understand her motive, but, still, you just don't do that in a book. It's not good dialogue to read, realistic or not. I actually tried reading this book a month or so ago and had to put it down because I got so ticked at it. It was overall unnecessary and impossible to ignore. 

Also, the feel of this story seemed off. I didn't know if it was supposed to be a cute, feel-good book, or a sad, torturous read. And, even after I've finished it, I still don't know what she was going for.

The ending was supposed to be upsetting, I think, but I wasn't upset at all. The scenes missed their mark, and where I should have cared in the end, I simply didn't.

And I've heard that there's a chance this will be a movie? 

I'm not entirely certain on how I feel about that--if I'll go see it? I have no idea. Probably not.

But, remember, I'm originally not a very big fan of more Modern-Day settings. They're just not very exciting to me, and this book didn't prove me wrong. 

The romance was sweet but nothing more, the characters were fun but not extremely double sided or interesting, and the plot failed to give me a clear picture on exactly what kind of book this is.

Have you read Eleanor and Park? How do you feel about it? I honestly would appreciate your opinions!

Thanks for reading, and go give the book a try! Maybe you'll like it more than I did!

Top Three Thursday: Upcoming Book to Movie Adaptations!


Yes you read the title right:

This Thursday we're going to talk about the soon-to-be Book to Movie adaptations that, personally, I am most excited for!

So--something really great is that a lot of my FAVORITE books have been bought for Film, and, though most of the time nothing much comes out of that, a lot of them are LEGIT going to the big screen, and I am so incredibly excited!

I'm so proud, I guess the word is, for all of these books that I've discovered months or years ago to find out that the awesomeness will be spread over the world. 

I'm not one of those people who are all caught up on "I read the books first so I'm a better fan than you!"

...These people annoy me. Legit.

Like--good for you! You read a book before the film rights were purchased. Congratulations. You win absolutely nothing. Have a nice life.

I think that Book to Movie adaptations are great--they open up the great book for people who might normally never hear about it.

If you want to read a book because you saw an awesome Trailer?

Great. I have total respect for you.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to read a book because there's a movie coming out soon. Sure, those who read the book before the promise of a film came along will get something bigger and better out of it, but I still think the love for a certain story can be equal, whether you read it because you saw it on a shelf years ago, or because you saw your favorite actor was starring in it last month.

Really. It's okay.

I think readers really get their thoughts twisted about this. Reading is for everyone, no matter HOW you heard of the book, and no matter HOW long ago you read it. We all love the story and the characters, and that's what matters, so just calm down, okay?

There are a TON of YA books with a big/not so big chance of becoming an actual movie, so here goes!:

           1. Unremembered, by Jessica Brody!

YES. THIS. YES.

I have been a huge Brody fan ever since I read Unremembered, and that only increased with the second book, Unforgotten. I got to meet her during one of the Fierce Reads Tour stops, and I simply adored her!

She is absolutely brilliant in all ways and I am just so proud of her and this story!

All that's happened with this, that I know of, is that it was acquired by two Producers, but they're currently building up a bunch of hype for the movie, so make sure to check them out at the links below and spread the Unremembered love!

Find Unremembered the Movie on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr!

          2. Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo!

AGH AGAIN YES THIS.

Shadow and Bone is one of my favorites (But what isn't?), and, again, I got to meet miss Bardugo at a Fierce Reads event.

This one was sold to DreamWorks, and the producer of Harry potter is involved in it?

Uhm... Yes???

           3. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs!

I sadly have no gotten the second book, but it is most CERTAINLY on my list of books that I desperately need.

I have, however, finished book one and loved it to death. It was beautiful and real and came with a huge impact.

Literally all I know about this becoming a movie is that it's supposed to be directed by Tim Burton.

Oh-my to the freaking sweet-goodness.

When I heard this was supposed to be a movie, I was very skeptical, because part of the story in this book is the old photographs in it, so I thought that whoever was creating this film had to be extremely creative to make it awesome.

And then I found out it was Tim Burton.

And all bets were off.

I danced around the house.

SO those re my Top Three, but there are still plenty more I'm excited about, such as:

  • The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater (I'm not sure where the progress is on this one, but last I heard they're looking for a screenwriter.)
  • Shatter Me, by Tahereh Mafi (Optioned for film by 20th Century Fox. I read that there's still a ton of work to be done before this can actually be made into a movie, but STILL!)
  • The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor (I will be reading this book extremely soon because I've heard so many great things about it, and all I know about the film is that it has a director.)
  • The Maze Runner, by James Dashner (Again, I have NOT read this book, but I'll be reading it as soon as I can find a copy of it because it's awesome. This movie will be in theaters September 19th of this year!
Bonus: Dylan O'Brian stars in it. I'm watching it.)
  • If I Stay, by Gayle Forman (I've read Just One Day by Forman, but this week I'm stopping by the library to marathon read all of her books. The movie will be in theaters August 22nd 2014.
Bonus: Have you SEEN the Trailer? OH. MY. Click HERE to go watch it, because holy flaming sweet potatoes, Batman.)
  • Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead (I literally just reading this book two nights ago, and I'll be finishing up the second and third one within the next few days. I didn't go see the movie in Theaters because I hadn't read the book then, so I'm impatiently waiting for it to release on DVD May 20th!)
  • The School for Good and Evil, by Soman Chainani (Universal Pictures acquired the rights to this one, and Chainani himself is in the process of working on a screenplay! SO excited for this one.) 

So this is just my measly little list, and, again, most of these movies may or may not actual get to the big screen.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I am DYING for all of these to get through all of the trials of actually making a film, but a lot of things don't work out. So all of us Fangirls and Fanboys will just have to keep our fingers crossed and sit and wait, won't we?

What Book to Movie adaptations are YOU excited for? Share in the comments!

Thanks for joining me for this weeks Top Three Thursday, and make sure to check back this Saturday for a Review of Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell!


The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Book Review!


Before I start this Review, just wanted to announce that I have a new GIF buddy who will be helping me to properly describe my emotions.

Thank God for Stiles Stilinski.

03/28page 227
48.0%"Oh sweet goodness this book will be the death of me."

(Progress Update taken from My GoodReads)

Yes. That's all I had time to stop and Update during my adventure with this book. I was too busy not being able to stop reading it to update any more.

My family probably thought I was crazy or something--I physically could not set this book down. I read it when I had to walk down streets, ride in the car, eat food--literally, people, it was a little ridiculous.

But something was always happening. And, even when nothing huge was happening, the story itself was so indescribably captivating I just couldn't stop!

Never heard of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer? COME ON, SON!:

"Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.

She’s wrong."

(Blurb taken from GoodReads)

Yes sir, it is the vaguest Blurb on the face of the planet.

When I bought this book, I had absolutely no idea what the heck I was walking into. I'd heard from a few Blogger friends that it was good so I thought "Alright then. I'll give it a try."

And so I gave it a try, and didn't realize I was signing away my soul in order to begin this epic book.

Let's try to break it down, shall we?

The characters are simply irresistible. Each one is well rounded and realistic and interesting.

Mara, the main character (obviously), is something else. She's not typical or average or predictable in any sense.

She's a bit mental, you see--or so she thinks she is. And this was ridiculously fascinating to read because half the time you don't know what is real or what's a hallucination or what's a dream.

One of the few things I can think of to actually put into words about Mara Dyer is that I have total respect for her as a YA Heroine. There were so many parts I rolled my eyes and expected her to do what every other YA girl does--throw herself at the jerk, cry all the time, and just basically yet again portray girls as weak and fragile. But Mara never did that. She was shocking and bold and lovely, and I just.

Respect to Mara Dyer.

Next we have Noah Shaw.

Can I just say.

It started out. He's a jerk. It ended. He was still a bit of a jerk. But.

He was the most freaking lovable jerk I've ever read about ever.

He's precious and adorable and proud and brave and smart and obviously there's still something to him that we don't really know.

But I just.

Animal crackers.












I also have to mention Mara's brother, Daniel. He is someone that I really absolutely love.

I loved their whole brotherly/sisterly thing they had going on because, really, we don't see that in a lot of YA books. I was glad it was there, and it made me incredibly happy. Having an older brother myself, I could relate to Mara and their relationship.

The plot? It was wickedly confusing, and that's the only way I can accurately sum it up.

It was dark but also fun and I laughed and cried and my mind was blown many, many times.

While reading this book, I kept getting headaches because it all just got so twisted and big and just WOW.

But I've never been so happy to suffer through a headache--this book was worth it. Worth everything.

It's an epic story about so many different things, led by a great cast of new and exciting characters, written like liquid gold was used in the ink.

I couldn't stop reading, and I'm currently dying to read the next books.

I can't handle this level of epic.

















Have you read the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer? What did you think? Which character is your favorite?

Thanks for reading--now go buy the book and come back and we can ASDFGHJK!

Top Three Thursday: Motivational Quotes!


Kay, kay, kay, here on time to deliver the newest Top Three Thursday!

Here we go...

Favorite Motivational Quotes for writing guys!

           1. Favorite Writing Quote Number One: 
                  "If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word." - Margaret Atwood

I really love this quote, and live by it daily. Everyone says writing is hard--they say they can't do it right, they say they they can't find the right words, they say no one would understand it or it's not good enough and not interesting enough.

They say writing is a difficult challenge that they could never accomplish.

But writing is only hard if you are waiting for perfection. 

If you're trying to get these perfect, magical words to flow out of you the first time you sit down at a blank page?

It won't happen. You won't write a single word.

Only you are putting pressure on yourself to be perfect--first drafts don't need to be perfect, just written.

So get the sloppy, lame words down that don't hold any logic at all, and save the rest for editing. Just write it and have fun!

           2. Favorite Writing Quote Number Two:
                     "I wrote my first novel because I wanted to read it." - Toni Morrison

Another quote I really really love.

When you're writing a novel?

You don't have to know everything!

All you have to do is use your own two hands to write down words. Yes--look for inspiration, plot it out, plan, brainstorm. Have fun with it and go on new adventures. Jot down ideas and create plot twists.

But if your characters don't surprise you at least once, you're not doing it right. If something, SOMEWHERE in the story doesn't shock you, if something unexpected down't happen, then you're putting too much pressure on yourself.

In a way, you're just another reader. You're telling the story, but you're also simply going along with your characters to distant lands.

So sit back sometimes and clear your mind--watch what happens!

         3. Favorite Writing Quote Number Two:
                 "Keep your head in the clouds and your hands on the keyboard." - Marissa Meyer

This last on is from one of my favorite authors, Marissa Meyer!

I absolutely love this one, because I think it accurately captures the way a writer thinks. It's so perfect.

Because I can never just stick with the top three, below I'll list a few of my other favorites!


  • "Three paragraphs a day, keeps the writer's block away." - Unknown



  • "Whether or not you write well, write bravely." - Bill Stout



  • "Don't tell me the moon is shining; Show me the glint on the broken glass." - Anton Chekhov



  • "Write the book you want to read." - Unknown



  • "A writer never has a vacation. For a writer a life consists of either writing or think about writing." - Augene Ionesco
(I'm not like entirely certain if these are the proper names these quotes are by, and where they are marked unknown that is just because I couldn't find who originally said them. So don't kill me if one of these are wrong!)


Do you have any favorite quotes? Which do you try to live by?


Thanks for reading!

The Raven Boys Book Review!


Oh Gosh.

Here we go.

Three Words.

"My Raven Boys."













OMG YES IS RIGHT MORIARTY.

I used those three little infinitely important words because that is exactly all I could think by the time I finished this quirky but epic little book.

In a weird sort of way, the reader sort of turns into their own version of Blue--honored to be taken along on these boys adventure, steadily growing to know them all and their unique qualities and their deep flaws and their brave strengths.

I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? Here's a bit about the book:

"“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”


It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before."

(Blurb taken from GoodReads.)

This is the first book in the series--I think there are supposed to be four books?--written by the delightful Maggie Stiefvater. The second book is, I believe, already out. Anyone know for certain? Share in the comments because I'm new to this particular series and really behind on my Raven Boys information!

Whatever the case may be, this book is beautifully done, and let's I can sorta-kinda-maybe touch on that.

03/23page 230
55.0%"Wow this book is blowing me away. I love Adam so much. My precious."
03/25page 361
86.0%"The unimaginable plot twist. Whoa. And I love Adam like a ton. He's my precious now holy cow."

Those are my Updates during the time I was currently reading this book. A lot about Adam. I know.

You want me to start with him okay fine if you insist

Adam is like an adorable little pet puppy--like the kind with the big sad eyes, that cower if you're too loud, that are incredibly sweet and caring and kind. And, specifically over this character, I got ticked at his lifestyle. I'm trying to keep this review spoiler free, but, well--read the book, send me a message, and let's rant about our poor little Adam.

And at that one point--you know when I'm talking about if you've read the book--I was so freakishly proud of him and I just died a little on the inside. Oh gosh I just.

Next up is Gansey, who has to be my second favorite.
Yes the book is just that pretty so I turned it
into a spur-of-the-moment photo shoot.


Gansey is like Gansey. He's epic and has so many sides and is overall just a wonderfully crafted character. He's well done and interesting and fascinating. I love Gansey. The end.

Noah comes next in my list of descriptions, and lemme just say that Noah is... More than he seems.

Like really this book is so hard not to spoil. I can't say anything. But I love Noah and he always pets Blue's head and that's just the cutest.

Ronan is one of those characters I admire--I could never write someone like him, though I've tried. He's tough but soft and sharp but kind and it's like a little bundle of complicated messes wrapped into one character with a witty humor.

Blue is our quirky little character in this book that is sort of a balance--she belongs right in the middle of these boys, and I couldn't imagine her anywhere else.

The plot is quick and, especially near the end, I couldn't stop reading due to all of the unbelievable plot-twists but, that's the great part--even before that point, the book was still so exciting.

This is one of those books that, legit honestly, the characters could be sitting at a table, talking, and it would be the most interesting and exciting and bestest thing ever. The characters are just THAT good.

The world is a strange little mix of sorta Modern-Day-But-Not and an element of Magic. It was easier to wrap my mind around and even easier to enjoy the setting.

So--what's to say that's bad about this book?

Nothing.















The characters are full and great, the mood and theme of the story is pin-pointed and interesting, the plot is shocking and gasp-worth and squeal-worthy and the writing is just the icing on the cake.

The freakishly, ridiculously pretty icing, but still.

Stiefvater's writing includes quick, funny/cute dialogue, but can also create breath-taking imagery that made me swoon and stare a bit. I could image everything perfectly, and the genius of this Novel just is pouring all over me.

Have you read the Raven Boys? What did you think? Who's your favorite character?

Thanks for reading!


Top Three Thursday: Favorite TV Shows!

Uhm, okay, geez, this post is quite a bit behind because I got home incredibly late.

But like we found a lost puppy, so that's like the best excuse ever, right?

Anyway:

Looking for some awesome new TV Shows to get addicted to?

This is the post for you!

I'm going to list my Top Three favorite obsessions that show on the Television, 1st being my absolute favorite.

Let's get to it!:

            1.Favorite TV Show Number One: Teen Wolf
           
               Yes yes yes I know don't hate me!

Some people absolutely hate this show or absolutely love it and I, obviously, am one of the latter.

This is my own little show that I consider a bit of a guilty pleasure--it makes me laugh and makes me cry and I adore the characters like nobodies business. I just finished Part One of Season Three, and I'm dying for Part Two! 

I highly recommend this show if you like cute, funny TV Shows. Once you get past the first few episodes, you won't be able to stop. I couldn't, anyway, though I didn't want to.

           2.Favorite TV Show Number Two: Sherlock

              Of course!

Sherlock is just almost even with Teen Wolf, because I love it with that much of a burning passion.

I adore Sherlock Holmes, and this show is like a dream come true for me. I love absolutely everything about it, basically.

GO WATCH IT NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T.

          3.Favorite TV Show Number Three: Supernatural
 
            This was a really hard one.

I have so many other's but Supernatural just has to take the spot of Number Three.

I'm not a big fan of creepy stuff--like AT ALL--but with the support of my mom and my sister, and watching the super creepy ones in the daytime, I fell swiftly in love with the characters and the idea of the stories in each season. I find my similarities to Dean a little ridiculous, but I'm proud of it, okay?

And so there are my top three.

Already seen these, or they don't sound interesting?

Fine, I shall make a list below of my other obsessions, because I have a TON:


  • Doctor Who (Like who isn't?)
  • Psych (This is a really hilarious show that I lovez!)
  • Merlin (Ah, Merlin! I miss this show.)
  • SmallVille (Haven't finished all of the Seasons, but I love it!)
  • My Little Pony (Don't judge okay it's rude.)
  • Shugo Chara (Some epic Anime Show you've probably never ever heard of.)
  • Clannad (Another one of those Anime Show's you've never heard of. Fetch the tissues, for this one.)
  • Robin Hood (Gah, I loved this show!)
  • Once Upon a Time (I've recently fallen behind, but I hope to catch back up soon!)


And I know there must be more, but this is all I can think of at the moment!

Have you watched any of these shows? Oh my gosh let's totally jump up and down in the Comments!

Quick Camp NaNoWriMo Update!: I've decided what I'm going to write a day late, but still plenty of time, right?

I'm so excited to dive in deep with this book!

How are you doing so far?

Thanks for reading, and have a great Thursday!





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