5/4/14: Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Two Boys Kissing

Cover: A perfect representation of what to expect in the book. 

Author: David Levithan

Genre: Romance, Realism, LGBT

Goodreads Blurb: New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. 

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

Published/ing: August 27th 2013 Knopf Books for Young Readers

Rating: 5/5

Review:

This is the first LGBT book I've read in a while, and I have decided that I need more.

So I was a bit lazy at first in getting into David Levithan. I had a lot of other things on my plate (like finally reading the Kane Chronicles) but I still decided to start it. And I am really glad I did.

This book gives you a whole new outlook on the LGBT society and how you can help. It shows different sides of the story. It shows the abstract of their relationships. It shows how they suffer.

What I really enjoyed about this story is how realistic it was. You have all these characters with only a single thing in common, but leading different lives. In the end they all crossed over, but wow. It was so raw. At points I wanted to cry. At points I wanted these characters to come alive so I could just give them all hugs. Especially Cooper, because I believe he struggles the most in this book.

Cooper's character illustrates what it's like to be alone. To have no where to go and no point to life. He shows what it is like to not have someone to lean on; to not have parents, friends, or authoritative figures to go to. I love his bit of redemption in the end though, when he is saved. 

Harry and Craig show the more public view. They were inspiring to do what they did in the book (and the real boys who actually did break the record). Their experience also showed the cruelty in humanity, and I believe that was an important aspect to highlight.

Peter and Neil were the bystanders. They show what its like to live a completely normal life and to be totally in love with your significant other. And then they are there to watch Harry and Craig to break their record. They witnessed the story.

And then Avery and Ryan's relationship is probably my favorite because it shows all these aspects, but how they slowly reveal themselves to each other. They have the same problems of the other characters, but they don't have the same extremities as the others. And they were really cute and quirky and that was great (I loved the blue haired boy and the pink haired boy descriptions).

Overall, this book is extremely inspirational. It is told from the point of view of the Greek Chorus of gay men who died of AIDS, and I didn't know that while reading it, but now that I do know that, this book means so much more to me. I feel like it is something everyone should read just so they know. They get an idea of the LGBT community before they act, whether that be a good action or bad one.

It was amazing. Go read it now. 

Future News:
David Levithan is currently writing a sequel to his book Every Day called Rhiannon. 

5/4/14: Fandom Update: Bloodlines

What Happened this Week?

Supernatural Crossovers 

       So just this past Tuesday the episode that sparks the Supernatural crossover series was released. Bloodlines will be a spin off of the hit series Supernatural based in Chicago following the five big monster families that run Chicago's underbelly. This'll be quite interesting. After nine years of the show being on air, it is going to be awesome to get a spin off. 

       Or not? The fandom itself is on the fence on the spin-off. How will we ever be able to love anyone besides our beloved brothers? Another problem is that there has been complete silence about future news. Misha Collins, Castiel on Supernatural, is quite vocal when it comes to news about the show itself and filming, along with the other cast members, but so far no much has been said about the new series. 

       Going back on the fandom, many are saying that Supernatural is not what it used to be. And that is one hundred percent true. There is a lot of different aspects of the show nowadays rather than back in season one. Many wonder what the plan is from here and whether or not the writers will start listening to the fans again and what they demand; destiel and salt hula hoops in particular. It is certainly sad to see a fandom so annoyed with its show writers (*cough* Doctor Who *cough*). 

       Another thing in major debate (and I think it is taking away from the fame of Bloodlines a bit) is whether or not Castiel, our favorite angel, will be coming back next season. There have been many a rumor floating around and according to an interview with Zap2it, Misha neither confirmed or denied the return of the angel. 

       Looks like us fans will just have to wait it out till we get more information on the situations at hand. Hopefully soon. 

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Looking Forward to Next Week:

Monday:

Tuesday:

• The One by Kiera Cass 
• New episode of Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Ragtag @ 7pm CT
• New episode of Supernatural: The King of the Damned @ 8pm CT

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

• New episode of Hannibal: Ko No Mono @ 9pm CT

Saturday:

Sunday:

4/27/14: Fandom Update: Influences and Doctor Who

What Happened This Week?

      

John Green, Benedict Cumberbatch, and others for Top 100 Most Influential People

      Let's start with Benedict Cumberbatch, cause yeah, if anyone has swept away awards and the hearts of young girls this year, it's him. Benedict starred in many blockbuster hits like Star Trek into the Darkness as an alien criminal who wants to save his people, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as a fire breathing dragon, and in the hit BBC series Sherlock that aired for 3 movie length episodes. Throughout the year, he devoted his time, not only to these great movies and shows, but to helping others in every way he could. Just recently, he backed up teenager Stephen Sutton, who is a 19 year old boy blogging about his terminal illness. Through his blogs about his bucketlist, he has raised 2.8 million dollars for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Benedict also earlier in the year during the filming of Sherlock season 3 advocated for the paparazzi to photograph more important things like the crisis in Egypt. Benedict continues to be an influential actor and a role model to all.

      Another that made the list, is John Green, a New York Times Best Selling Author and a role model to teenagers who want to change the world. John continues to lead his fan community along side his brother Hank, while taking on his new found fame from his book, and soon to be movie The Fault in Our Stars. Personally, John Green has influenced the way I live. He teaches you to observe detail, love life, and be who you are. He continues to make videos to update people on growing conflicts around the world and just talk about his favorite things. 

       Other large names that made the list were Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, writers of the hit "Let it Go." The song fit perfectly into the newest Disney film Frozen as it showed Elsa's end to her internal battle with her powers. It has also become an anthem for teenagers who struggle with their own anxieties. Robert and Kristen told the audience at the Grammys that they are up and open for Frozen 2.

      Many other names made the list, but these were the three people that I thought were most important to mention. To read more about the other 97 most influential people this year, reference the link below. 

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Doctor Where, Doctor What, Doctor Who!
       As summer rounds the corner, many of us are trying to take guesses at what the new Doctor will have in

store this coming autumn. We do have a sneak peak at a few things though! The series will include twelve episodes, which includes this years Christmas Special (which will air the same day as season 4 of BBC's Sherlock). Steven Moffat will continue to lead the show, along with writers like the beloved Mark Gatiss, and a guest writing from Neil Gaiman, who hopes to introduce a nightmare filled episode with a new monster. Another quest that will help with the show is Peter Jackson, the famed director of the Lord of the Rings series, who said that he will direct an episode, if he gets a dalek. Steven Moffat better give him a dalek. Of course, Peter Capaldi will step into the long worn shoes of the Doctor for the next season, along side his companion Jenna Coleman, and a new character Danny Pink, who will be played by Samuel Anderson. He has played many small parts in other TV series, but this will be the largest part yet. The first episode will kick off with the eleventh doctor's original gang: Madame Vastra, Jenny, and Strax. To read more about other quotes and rumors going about the series, read here. 
       On top of all that exciting news, the most prized companion herself, Billie Piper, is up for a Doctor Who spin off series featuring Rose and meta-crisis Doctor. Not much is known about another return by the beloved character Rose for Doctor Who, but we do know that Billie Piper would love to be back! So cross your fingers for a spin off from our favorite dymanic, and for a great new season. 
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Looking Forward To Next Week

Monday:

Tuesday:

• New Episode of Supernatural on CW: Bloodlines @ 8pm CNT

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

4/21/14: Fandom Update: It's a metaphor

What Happened this Week?

It's a metaphor.

      With the release of the new TFIOS clip, containing the "It's a metaphor" dialogue, came a whirlwind of popularity. "It's a metaphor" has now become a popular meme on many social media sites such as tumblr.

      On top of everything being a metaphor, the songs that will be on the soundtrack for the movie was released, and there are some serious fan favorites on there. The soundtrack features songs from Ed Sheeran, a notable tear-jerker, and other small indie stars. 

      

       

      The contest for which states will be featured in the the TFIOS tour is still going on at Demand Our Stars leading with Florida, California, and Illinois. Keep reblogging and liking the gif for your state for a chance to get John and Hank Green, Shailene Woodley, Ansel Egort, and Nat Wolff to come to your state. 

       Now, let us wait patiently (ha) for the movie coming out June 6th. I know I plan on rereading the book before then, but what about you? How are you planning? Buying a custom tissue box? 

Looking Forward to in The Next Week

Monday:

Tuesday:

• New Episode of Supernatural on CW: Alex Annie Alexis Ann @ 8pm CNT

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

• New Episode of Hannibal: Shiizakana @ 9pm CNT.

Saturday:

Sunday:

4/21/14: Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Frozen

Cover: It is an interesting cover, but it doesn't really hint at too much in the book. It is a bit lacking.

Author: Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Genre: Fantasy, Dystopian, Romance, Adventure

Goodreads Blurb: From New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston comes this remarkable first book in a spellbinding new series about the dawn of a new kind of magic.

Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

Published/ing: September 17th, 2013 Putnam Juvenile

Rating: 4.5/5

Review:

So I went into this book not expecting much. But I was extremely wrong by the assumption. 

The way the book starts out, diving straight into the character of Nat and her life and past life. I loved how immediately I knew what was going on. It took the perfect amount of time to explain why she was a fugitive, why the world was Frozen, and why she needed to leave. And gods it caught my attention like that. I was so anxious to learn more and learn why. 

Starting with the setting, I enjoyed it, but it could've been better. The whole idea of the world falling frozen rather than burning up like most dystopian books assume is definitely a new way to look at things. I wish that there was a bit more politics in it and it talked more about the world, but since it was in the point of views of characters with their own problems, I understood why that really couldn't be laced in. 

Another thing that might've enhanced it a bit, would be a map. They talked a lot about new lands and new societies of course, but it also talked about New Pangea, and it made me wonder if the land had shifted. So yeah- map. 

Otherwise, the world itself was so new and interesting and unlike anything I had read before, which excited me. 

So the story itself was 3rd POV, but it was told from the point of two people (like Percy Jackson if you need an example). At some points, it was sort of hard to tell the voices apart, but above all it was a good way to tell the story. It showed the two experiences and the two lives lived in the crushed world. 

Natasha, who I would say is the main character, was an interesting person. A character that you usually don't come across in these things. She isn't trying to save the world or any crap. She just wants to get away and find this mystical land where the Earth is green and the water is clean and it doesn't burn every time she takes a breath. 

And then we have Wes, who is a personal favorite of mind. He is just like "what the hell" on most things, but not in a stupid, idiotic way, but in a "why should I have to care so much about this" way. Like at a point in the book when something important is revealed about Nat's character, he's like "I don't care. You aren't hurting me so why should I care?" 

I just wish there were more humans like him. He also is a great hero for the story, but not the type that saves the girl. The type that saves the people. A loyal, honest, and working man. 

I really fell in love with the characters in this book, if you can't tell. 

Another aspect of this book that I loved a lot was FANTASY. There were elves and dwarves and drakon and yes. Drakon. Not to sound like a ten year old boy, but it was so cool.  

In the end it was bit busy and kind of hard to keep up and a bit cheesy, but overall it was just so cool. That fantasy aspect just blew the book away. 

Overall, it was an awesome book. It was bit shaky at some parts and could have been improved at other parts, but it exceeded my expectations and blew my mind; that, in my book, is a good novel. 

Future News:
The second book in this soon to be trilogy is set to be released November of 2014.