Spotlight: The 2013 Oscars

A feature where I shine a figurative Spotlight on anything I can possibly talk about. Books, authors, shows, movies, you name it and I will offer my opinion on it.

Last night was the Oscars and I'm sure all of you woke up this morning with tidbits from last night's show screaming at you. For those who don't really care for the Oscars, you can rejoice! Oscar predictions will no longer fill up all that space in the Entertainment section. And for the film fanatics, there's always next year! But what about those that watch but aren't "fanatics"? I find there's always a middle ground, a gray area and I'm sure many who watched last night would consider themselves as part of this category. Because, let's be honest, you're really only rooting for the movies you've watched and don't tell me now that you've watched all of them. 

Out of all of the movies nominated, I watched one. And no, it was not Les Miserables, or Silver Linings Playbook, or Skyfall. Or really anything that got more than one nomination. It was Paranorman, people! Paranorman! And I KNEW that that Oscar was going to go to Brave. Knew it. Having not seen any of the other movies, I can't say that I particularly cared for last night. "Oooh, Jennifer Lawrence tripped while getting her Oscar? Really? Eh." Ohmigod, this is totally abnormal! This is news that Annie would call Breaking News, and all it gets is an eh? I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy last night's show. Everything was pretty much predicted pre-Oscar-night so no surprise there. Everyone knew Seth MacFarlane would be bad, everyone knew Argo would win for Best Picture, and I totally knew that Brave would win! Totally! 

Perhaps I should just stick with playing the role of Joan Rivers from "Fashion Police", but I can't even do that! Last night's fashion was terribly dull. No stand-outs and no complete duds. However, Naomi Watts did look absolutely gorgeous in her metallic dress. Brava for making the E! Red Carpet so much more interesting to watch. So all in all, the Oscars last night wasn't particularly exciting...or good. The "All That Jazz" number was a refresher because I totally didn't expect it. Though I did feel a bit awkward watching Catherine Zeta-Jones doing a burlesque scene. The Les Miserables number was quite good too but I was yearning for more Anne! Anne because I totally missed out on the movie!

Most of the wins were quite obvious, and Seth MacFarlane was quite bad. Not TERRIBLE, but bad enough to result in me pitying him. Oh well. If you would like details on just HOW bad, here are some articles I found quite endearing. And helpful. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ryan/seth-macfarlane-oscars-review_b_2756950.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/24/seth-macfarlane-quotes-women-2013-oscars_n_2756480.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/24/seth-macfarlane-opening-oscars-_n_2756372.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Seeing Double: I'll Be There

Seeing Double is a new feature here at Random Reads. Two covers. One book. One opinion. Feel free to join the discussion! :)

I looovvve my features! On my review of I'll Be There, I told you guys about a little something called "Seeing Double" and today, I am premièring my very first Seeing Double post! 

Cover changes are the focus in Seeing Double and today, I'll be talking about a cover change I so wished didn't happen. I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan. 

(The one on the left is the original cover). One of the main reasons why I was drawn to I'll Be There was because of its cover. Stare at the two, and if you don't agree that the first one is beautiful, then...pbbbbbfffft. It is GORGEOUS. And now that I have read the book, I know how much it relates to the story. When you read this book with that cover, you connect. Because every time you read it, you see Sam and Riddle on that cliff. That cliff that changed their entire life. You see hope, you see love, and you feel for them. If only I had the chance to read I'll Be There with that cover, I can bet you that I would've felt a whole lot more. 

On the other hand, the second cover, is something I would like to call a train wreck. Don't get me wrong, it's not ugly, it's just...wrong. What do boots have to do with the book? Or a butterfly??? I certainly do not recall reading about any of those items in the book. Perhaps I'm being too literal or perhaps I'm interpreting it too simply but it doesn't make sense. I don't get it. I don't feel anything towards it. What is the significance of that, I don't understand! Comparing it to the original cover, I really wish the artists would have really thought the second cover through. It's terrible because I don't feel it does the book justice. The font is nice, though. 

Definitely prefer the original cover, though the second cover was the one I read the book with, so I can't flat out hate it. I still wish they hadn't changed the cover, even though this happens all the time. I really miss seeing the original in bookstores and libraries. C'est la vie.

My Book Blog/Love-a-Thon Reflection

Sooo...It has been a long day and I haven't even stayed up for the entire Love-a-Thon. I just feel like I've done so much! Never in the life of my book blog have I posted so many times in a day! It feels amazing and I am so happy I participated. And even though, I didn't stay up for the entire thing, I caught up on all the Mini Challenges and I was able to comment and discover some awesome blogs. 

This is why the Book Blogger Love-a-Thon is officially at the top of my "Best Blogging Moments". I've met so many new people and I've found blogs I wouldn't have discovered had it not been for this Love-a-Thon. Thank you, Alexa and Kate, for making this event so much fun to participate in! I really wish I were able to stay up for the entire 24 hours, but I am so tired. I'm not even sure if what I'm writing now makes sense.

I'm pretty new at the blogging game and I can't think of many exciting moments during the six months I've been here. I remember being excited when I released my first post, my first meme, my first discussion, my first feature. I remember being so happy when two wonderful people decided to follow me and when I got teamed up with a blogger I have admired for a very long time for the Love-a-Thon. I've read some pretty awesome blogs and am still finding more. I am so grateful for the chance to be here and to be able to blog. I truly expected it to be harder to settle down, but it wasn't at all. This is why I love book blogging. Because of the people (well, yeah, and the books). The people are so amazingly nice and wonderful and hilarious and so kind. Without them, book blogging would be a bore. So thank you! Thank you for making my experience so wonderful. 

Love, Annie

:)

Dear Future Annie, Present Annie Has Some Suggestions For You

Dear Future Annie,

You might be surprised to receive this letter but Present Annie has participated in something called "Book Blogger Love-a-Thon" where you love book bloggers and their blogs. Mini Challenge #4 was to write a letter to yourself, and since I thought it'd be more fun to write a letter to you, instead of Past Annie, here I am typing this all out.

I'm sure you'll be an intelligent, wiser teenager a year from now and I'm sure you'll use that to your benefit when improving your blog. For example, perhaps you could learn how to HTML? So you can make your own awesome blog background? And also, maybe you should rethink the names of some of your features and make some graphics for them as well? While you're making things, why don't I just add BLOG BUTTON to that list? It would be nice and handy to have.

You could refine your reviews a bit. I think Present Annie uses "definitely", "awesome", and "amazing" too often. Think outside of the box, and be more creative! Fun! And write more. At least, thrice a week. Maybe think of starting a blogging schedule? So you can juggle memes and discussions and reviews? Also, perhaps you should link up twitter with your blog? And go back to Pinterest, it's better for you. Ditch Wanelo, you're not going to have money to buy anything on there anyway.

Comment more. Comments are what make the blog-o-sphere go round! Without it, everyone would just be a sad mess. Face it, that's the truth. I love comments, and I bet you do too. Never commit to something you can't do. For instance, 150 books in a year. Do I not have a life? Yes, I love books but not THAT much. You shouldn't make reading your first priority. Social life, school, family, and a healthy lifestyle always come first.

Be happy, meditate and be considerate. Be considerate of your words, of your life, of your body, of the world, of the people around you. Stay true to yourself and don't hide who you truly are. It'll do you good in the long run. And stop bugging people about books they'll never read. A habit you have to break.

Anyway, you are AWESOME and I am excited to see how things go for you.

Love, Present Annie xxx

Annie's Infinite Playlist

I love music. I sing and listen to my many awesome playlists every day. However, I suck at creating a good mixtape. I've never tried but I know. I suck. I don't know what's good together, and until a how-to manual is written on this, don't expect one from me. Mixtapes and playlists, I find, go hand in hand. Which means I'm no good at playlists either. I just curate a bunch of my favourite songs and throw them together. Not much thought goes into it. My point is, that these playlists are most likely going to suck. Really. But I can guarantee you (unless you don't like the same music I do) that the songs are great. Well, most of them.

Having said that, I introduce to you my infinite playlist. (The title is taken from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, in case anyone is looking to sue me, here's creds). Some of them are playlists for genres, moods, some for certain books. Enjoy!

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I'll Be There - Jackson 5 

Coming Home - John Legend

Need You Now - Lady Antebellum

I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

The House That Built Me - Miranda Lambert

Come Back...Be Here - Taylor Swift

You Found Me - The Fray

How To Save A Life - The Fray

If I Die Young - The Band Perry

Blowing In The Wind - Bob Dylan

Books That Are Ridiculously Hilarious

i.e. Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, any Sophia Kinsella book, Magic in Manhattan series

Up - Shania Twain

Everybody Talks - Neon Trees

Gonna Get Over You - Sara Bareilles

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Hey Stephen - Taylor Swift 

Ready Or Not - Bridgit Mendler

22 - Taylor Swift

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

Yellow Submarine - The Beatles

Brighter Than The Sun - Colbie Caillat

I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston

You and I - Ingrid Michaelson

Animal - Neon Trees

Gangnam Style - PSY

I Want It That Way - The Backstreet Boys

Everything At Once - Lenka

Video Killed The Radio Star - The Buggles

Dystopia Books

Because they usually include a fight

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

I'll Make A Man Out Of You - Mulan

Don't Dream It's Over - Crowded House

Change - Taylor Swift

Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine

Sing - My Chemical Romance

It's Time - Imagine Dragons

The Lonely - Christina Perri

Bulletproof - La Roux

Eyes Open - Taylor Swift

Stop And Stare - OneRepublic

And some other songs I love:

Can't Say No - Conor Maynard*

Lisztomania - Phoenix

Little Talks - Of Monsters And Men

Anna Sun - Walk The Moon

If I Lose Myself - OneRepublic

'81 - Joanna Newsom

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

Pure Imagination - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Reflection - Mulan 

I Won't Say I'm In Love - Hercules

I Wanna Be Like You - The Jungle Book

The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide - Panic! At The Disco

Miss Murder - AFI

You Know I'm No Good - Amy Winehouse

Rehab - Amy Winehouse

She's So High - Tal Bachman

Stars - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

She's Alright - Stereophonics

Ho Hey - The Lumineers

Bright Lights, Big City - Cee Lo Green

That's All - Genesis

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Sorry guys! I totally didn't anticipate this would be so long! Argh, this is the problem with me! I just start listing songs that I love instead of doing the activity at hand. Anyway, I hope this is okay...

* As a girl, I am terribly disappointed by this song...and most of his other songs. I find the lyrics insulting but I can't help but sing along to this song whenever it comes on. It's so catchy. 

Book Spine Poetry

It's time for Mini Challenge #2! For this challenge, we were asked to make poems out of book titles. I don't own many books that would work well for this challenge, so instead I used the titles of books I had read previously. Enjoy and feel free to comment me your own poems! I've seen some great ones already!

Just Listen 

If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late 

Beneath The Glitter 

Things Fall Apart 

Dear John 

When You Reach Me 

I’ll Be There

The Books Used:

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Stay tuned for Mini Challenge #3!

The Best Of The Book Blogs

Since I did not do this at the slotted time, I will be doing this now. As part of the Book Blogger Love-a-Thon, we were given the option to do Mini Challenges. The first Mini Challenge was to construct a short(ish) list of three to five book bloggers that fit well in four different "Best..." themes.

Here are my picks!

Best Reviews: 

Frenetic Reader 

I love Khy's reviews because they're detailed and specific. And clear! After reading her reviews, I have an idea on if I should read ___ book. When I'm in reading trouble, I can always look to Khy for help!

The Perpetual Page-Turner 

The reason why I love Jamie's reviews so much is the layout! I love the way she groups her reviews and I can choose whether or not I want to read the whole thing, or just the Review On A Post-It, which is, by the way, a great idea! Especially for me, someone who doesn't like reading the entire review all the time.

Hello Chelly

Hello Chelly is a blog I have only found recently but have fell in love with. Rachel, like Jamie, also groups her reviews, though in a different way. The plus side of this is always that I can choose what to read. The reviews are simple and sweet. 

Best Discussion Posts: 

Perpetual Page Turner 

I think we can all agree that Jamie has awesome discussion posts. I love her wacky topics, like, remember that time she talked about her butt? But I totally understand her and I look forward to when she posts a discussion.

The Broke and the Bookish 

Well, The Broke and the Bookish do not do discussion posts often. However, I loved their A Cocktail and a Conversation feature and I wish they did more of them! They were so much fun to read through! 

Makeshift Bookmark 

Anything that is not a review counts as a discussion and boy, does Makeshift Bookmark have some good discussions! Jen and Carla make me actually LOL time and time again. I love them!

Best Layout: 

The Story Siren

I love the greys and blues and the layout is so easy to use! I can find exactly what I am looking for in a matter of seconds! And I love the mermaid!

Hello Chelly 

The color theme is gorgeous. I mean, turquoise and pink? LOVE. I love the way it looks against a white background. The fact that I know that everything is on the right makes for easy sailing on my part.

Rather Be Reading 

Since their makeover, Estelle and Magan's whole blog is a gorgeous, green wonderland. (I want Alex to redo my blog, too!)  It's so organized and I cannot remember a time where I was at a lost of where to find anything.

Best Theme: 

Clear Eyes, Full Shelves 

Friday Night Lights. And even though I have no idea what Friday Night Lights is about nor have I ever watched a single episode (was John Travolta in it?), this blog makes me want to, just so I can get in on all the  jokes and fun!

Novel Sounds 

Music. If ever I'm searching for new music to listen to, or music to listen to while reading a certain book, I know I can look to Elena for help. Her blog is also absolutely gorgeous.

Rather Be Reading

 Well, their blog doesn't really have a theme, but their background...Oh! The tree, the green, the stripes! Everything is gorgeous! I love it!

Lisa Is Busy Nerding 

Board games and TV shows are a staple at Lisa Is Busy Nerding. I love the way she is able to juggle so many themes and I admire her for it.

Interview: Lisa from Lisa Is Busy Nerding

I am so excited to introduce to you, Lisa from Lisa Is Busy Nerding! One of my favourite book bloggers, I love the way she incorporates books, games, and TV into one awesome blog! I had the great honor to be paired with her for an interview as part of the Book Blogger Love-a-thon which stretches all day and night tomorrow, so check out Alexa's blog or Kate's blog to check out some of the participating blogs and the fun mini-challenges! 

Due to exhaustion from an overload of schoolwork, I will be posting this now because there is no way I will be up at 12:00. Expect an absence of Annie until 8:00AM the next morning. If you would like to see the interview Lisa conducted with me, please visit her blog, Lisa Is Busy Nerding. And without further ado, here is Lisa!

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If you could make a movie out of any book, what would it be?

This one is REALLY HARD for me because I often feel like books to movies don't turn out nearly as awesome as I expect them to. So I'd have to say I would remake the Percy Jackson movie into something that is worthy of the awesomeness of Percy instead of the disaster I heard it was. That's right - I haven't even seen it because I don't want it ruined for me! Yeah, I'm particular.

Do you prefer buying books or borrowing books?

Oh for sure buying books is what I prefer - but don't tell my husband! :P I feel like when I buy then I can read them on my own time. When I borrow, I feel an obligation to read them RIGHT NOW and that's not always easy for me. I'm trying to read what I want, when I want, and when I borrow books that's a little more complicated.

Where's your favourite place to read?

My favorite place to read is anywhere that's quiet and without people. People distract me as I am a huge people watcher (read: CREEPER) and can't stay focused reading in coffee shops or places of the like.

If you had a chance to meet any fictional character of your choosing, who would it be?

Oh my stars, what an awesome question. I'm choosing two because I can't pick just one! My first choice would be Lizzy Bennet from Pride and Prejudice because she is the business and I'd love to just chat with her and giggle about things and it would be so wonderful (as long as I kept my Darcy envy in check). The second choice would be Todd Hewitt from the Chaos Walking trilogy. Although I'd probably just ramble incoherently about how amazing his journey was and what a moral inspiration he is to me and end up sobbing and making a fool out of myself. 

Which board game do you never tire of playing?
BOARD GAMES! There are two, actually, I could play for the rest of my days happily. One is Castles of Burgandy (which is a worker placement game where you have your own player board) and the other is Shadows over Camelot which is a cooperative game with an Arthurian legend theme and at least 1 (or more!) peeps is a secret traitor. It's so cool. 

Which movie adaptation of a book do you enjoy the most?
My favorite movie adaptation of a book (since I've already revealed myself to be a huge snob!) is the 2005 Pride & Prejudice remake with Keira Knightly and Matthew McFayden. They cut out some things (like the letters from Charlotte etc) but I thought they captured the Bennet family SO WELL and of course Keira and Matthew were amazing as Lizzie and Darcy. And the music and the scenery and Dame Judy Dench! SO MANY THINGS! <3
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Thank you so much Lisa for being so awesome to talk to! Check out her blog for her interview with me and for more interviews, either Alexa or Kate's blog!

Happy reading!

PS If you are participating in the Love-a-thon, I wish you all the luck! It'll be hard not falling asleep! :) See you in the morning!

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I'll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; May 17, 2011
Paperback, 392 pages
Borrowed from library

Emily Bell believes in destiny. To her, being forced to sing a solo in the church choir--despite her average voice--is fate: because it's while she's singing that she first sees Sam. At first sight, they are connected.

Sam Border wishes he could escape, but there's nowhere for him to run. He and his little brother, Riddle, have spent their entire lives constantly uprooted by their unstable father. That is, until Sam sees Emily. That's when everything changes.

As Sam and Riddle are welcomed into the Bells' lives, they witness the warmth and protection of a family for the first time. But when tragedy strikes, they're left fighting for survival in the desolate wilderness, and wondering if they'll ever find a place where they can belong. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a gripping story that explores the complexities of teenage passions, friendships, and loyalties.

- Description from Goodreads.com

I'll Be There is a book that I've been wanting to read for a while now and I'm so glad I got to it! It was amazing! I have never read a book so intricate and so movie-like! Every second spent reading this book went by gorgeously because the description that went into this book was brilliant! 

The thing about I'll Be There is that it's written from a third-person perspective which allows the author to travel between characters, which is quite useful, considering that one of the themes of this book is that we are all connected. Holly shows the connection between each character wonderfully and the way she writes little, mundane details into their lives makes it so realistic. However, the third-person perspective also distances us from the characters which can make it hard for me to connect to what the characters are feeling at times, for example, when Riddle and Sam were stuck in the woods. 

I actually really loved this book and I still have no idea why I gave it a three on Goodreads. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I took so long to read this - not because I was bored, but because of an overload of school work. That might have sucked the emotion out of me when I read this, but truthfully, if I were REALLY connected to this book, I don't think the connection would have been lost so easily. It would've reconnected as soon as I picked up the book again, or at least, that's what I think would happen. 

Although I do have some mixed feelings on this and am still trying to screw my head on correctly, I'll Be There is a wonderful book you have to read. It will change your life and I promise you, the fact that it's written to play like a mini movie in your head is not a bad thing. 

Plus, you have your own little theme song to listen to when you read this. I'll Be There by Jackson 5. I'm listening to it as I type this, and I can tell you that it fits perfectly with this book. Sweet, slow, reassuring.

PS A Seeing Double feature will be made for this book. Stay tuned to find out what it is! Told you I loved features, haha. :)

Theme Song Thursday (1): Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Hiya!

Welcome to Theme Song Thursday where I choose a theme song for a book of my choice on Thursday! This is a sporadic post which will only be updated when I have material.

I am so excited to reveal Theme Song Thursday! This isn't a feature I've been working very long on - in fact, I only just thought of it. Like ten minutes ago!

Before I start, I would like to address the fact that today's Friday. Yes, I am fully aware of this and it definitely wasn't just an accident. I was just so excited to do this that when I had the original name, Theme Song Thursday, I nearly forgot it wasn't Thursday...but then I was like, screw it, I can break my rules once in a while. 

As you see above, today's book is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist which I have finished recently. This is a book that spans over ONE night. Over the course of this one night, Nick and Norah get to know each other and the inevitable occurs (ie. they fall in love). 

The song I picked perfectly captures the emotion of that night they spent together. I mean, just take a look at the lyrics!

Exhibit A

And when the daylight comes I'll have to go

But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close

Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own

But tonight I need to hold you so close

Exhibit B

This is way too hard, cause I know

When the sun comes up, I will leave

This is my last glance that will soon be memory

Unlike the song though where the pair is spending their last night together, the book ends on a hopeful note for Nick and Norah. Their connection that night was so strong that it's hard to doubt that they wouldn't ever see each other again!

I think y'all can guess which song I picked. Especially with that enormous picture of the album cover.

Maroon 5's Daylight

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Published by Viking Juvenile; April 6, 2006
Paperback, 371 pages
Borrowed from library

Annabel Greene is the girl who has everything. At least, that's what she portrays in her modelling shoots. But Annabel's life is far from perfect. Her friendship with Sophie ended bitterly, and her older sister's eating disorder is weighing down the entire family. Isolated and ostracized at school and at home, Annabel retreats into silent acceptance  Then she meets Owen - intense, music-obsessed, and determined to always tell the truth. And with his guidance, Annabel learns to just listen to herself and gains the courage to speak honestly. But will she be able to tell everyone what really happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends?

- Description from Goodreads.com

This is the first book for the first month of the Sarah Dessen Challenge hosted by I Eat Words and what a great way to start it! I feel like I need a list to organize my thoughts so here are the:

The Things I Liked

- The way Sarah merges flashbacks with the narration so seamlessly. It really helped me understand the main character, Annabel and the story being told.

- Whitney's eating disorder. An eating disorder is something many teens go through and so I was very happy to see it taken seriously. And yet, although it was taken seriously, it wasn't hard to relate to what Whitney was going through or what Annabel was feeling while Whitney was in treatment. 

- The Will Cash situation. Realistic. 

- The friendship with Sophie. Realistic. 

- I liked Owen, or rather Annabel's relationship with Owen. It didn't move fast at all which made it feel very natural, not like "He's the only guy that I'm close to so I'm going to hook up with him".

- The cute Anger Management terms Owen shared with Annabel and technically, us. It made me feel like I was part of this huge inside joke.

There really isn't much I didn't like. I kept on trying to be more critical and ended up with some valid dislikes. Afterwards, though, I felt that was a bit nit-picky and so I didn't include them. After all, if I didn't recognize them during reading, surely they're not important?

Highly recommended. You will cry.

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Published by HarperTeen; March 9, 2010
Paperback, 422
Borrowed from library

At age eleven, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At age fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor's the reluctant leader of her school's underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can't avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters, worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared  But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also changer her future.

- Description from Goodreads.com

Jellicoe Road. Possibly one of the best books I have read in my lifetime. 

Funny. Sweet. Heartwarming. Annoying. Frustrating. Confusing. Sad. Marvelous.

These are all words I would use to describe this book. 

This was an amazing book. It was amazingly written! I loved Melina; she's amazing at writing vibrant settings and crafting brilliant characters. The premise of this book is unlike anything I've ever read. It was a breath of fresh air. There was a little bit of everything: some mystery, humor, fantasy, romance, and adventure. 

Having said all that, I thought Jellicoe Road was very confusing. Melina puts a lot of detail in her story - too much that I simply cannot recall all of the facts. This closely relates to the fact that I was put off by the altering narrations: one by Taylor and the other one which is bits and pieces of Hannah's story. It's only until around three quarters into this book that we actually find out how the story relates to Taylor. It's also around this time when Taylor actually starts "piecing together" her past. So yes, the story starts very slow and is very confusing in the beginning. To be honest, I'm still a bit confused and I'm pretty sure I need to reread this book to do it justice.

Another thing that bugged me was Jonah and Taylor. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved them together but their falling in love seemed rather fast to me...I mean, considering the fact that they both have a lot of baggage from their past, it would have just occurred to me that their inevitable attraction would have been stretched over a longer amount of time? pages? so I could understand exactly how their relationship was formed. To me, it just seemed like "collarbone-touching and then BAM". 

However, it still is an amazing book. I will admit that this was a very ambitious story to write, what with the whole alternating narrations. Extensive planning must have gone into this book and I'm happy to say that it paid off. The end result is a book so wonderfully woven that you can ALMOST forget all your confusion. Almost. Worth reading but one word of advice: ride it out even when it gets super confusing. You won't regret it. :)