Book to Screen: The Fault In Our Stars Teaser Trailer!

Apparently the full length FIOS movie trailer aired this morning on the Today Show!!! While I haven't been able to get my hands on the full version I did want to share this little 12 second teaser trailer I found because it got me SO EXCITED for the movie!

We've been seeing movie stills and pictures from the set for so long it didn't feel real until I finally saw this trailer =D

Also a few new movie stills. . .

(Picture from hypable.com)

(Picture from hypable.com)

Quote of the Week: Unravel Me (1)

Quote of the Week is a new segment where I will be sharing some of my favorite quotes, whether they be from books or just something I find inspiring.

"… stop walking around like the world crapped on your only roll of toilet paper."

-Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ohh how I love Kenji =) He had so many great lines in this book, but this one was by far my favorite! 

I literally busted out laughing. I'm sure you'll be seeing more Kenji quotes in the weeks to come.

MG Review: The Dark Lady (Sherlock, Lupin & Me #1)

Title: The Dark Lady (Sherlock, Lupin & Me #1)

Author: Irene Adler

# of Pages: 240

Publisher: Capstone Young Readers

Publication Date: February 1st 2014

Source: NetGalley

Level: Middle Grade

Rating: 2 Hearts

Synopsis

While on summer vacation, little Irene Adler meets a young William Sherlock Holmes. The two share stories of pirates and have battles of wit while running wild on the sunny streets and rooftops. When Sherlock’s friend, Lupin, joins in on the fun, they all become fast friends. But the good times end abruptly when a dead body floats ashore on the nearby beach. The young detective trio will have to put all three of their heads together to solve this mystery.

My Verdict

I stumbled across this book when searching through NetGalley's available titles looking for something quite different. I've recently become obsessed with the BBC drama Sherlock and was very interested in this middle-grade mystery about a young Sherlock Holmes.

While this book is just being released in the US this February, it was originally an Italian title and part of a series that already has four books. The book is told from Irene Adler's point of view as she looks back at her childhood and the time her and Sherlock first met, one summer in the beach-side town of Saint-Malo. Unfortunately, the book lost my interest very early on. The "big" mystery was very slow paced which took away any potential suspense.

I wasn't impressed by the writing, it felt narrated rather than seen through the eyes of our protagonist, Irene. There was also an extreme over use of exclamation marks. It was as if everything that came out of Irene's mouth was super important! I began imaging that she didn't just speak, but rather yelled everything.

For a book about Sherlock Holmes I felt we hardly got to know him at all. He was quiet and mysterious, which I know are some of his famous character traits. I just wish he wasn't such a stranger to the reader.

Hopefully the target audience enjoys this book better than I did. As for me, I won't be carrying on with the series. 

Quote of the Week : Formerly Shark Girl

Quote of the Week is a new segment where I will be sharing some of my favorite quotes, whether they be from books or just something I find inspiring.

"Life should come with such a statement.
No Promises.
Just lots of hope."

- Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

Kindle Book Deals

Just wanted to share a few kindle book deals I found tonight. Not sure how long these sale prices are running so don't delay!

$1.99

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows 

$1.99

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

$2.99

Starters by Lissa Price 

$2.99

Tempest by Julie Cross 

2014 Challenges

Last year I joined about 8 or  9 different reading challenges, and while I technically reached most of them (read/reviewed the books) it was just too many to keep up with. I didn't link up those reviews at the hosting blog or take part in any reading/commenting on other participant reviews. This year I've decided to join only two challenges so that I can keep up with them and actually participate. 

The Prequel & Sequel Challenge hosted by Novel Heartbeat and Writer Grrl Reads

I have SOOO many series started with their beautiful sequels sitting on my shelf collecting dust. My main reading goal this year is to dust 'em off and finish those series! Below is the list of series I hope to finish as part of the challenge. In no particular order:

- Delirium Trilogy (Books 2 & 3)

- Unearthly Trilogy (Book 3)

- I Am Number Four (Books 3 & 4)

- Shatter Me (Book 3)

- Hush, Hush Saga (Book 4)

- Under the Never Sky Trilogy (Book 3)

- Gallagher Girl Series (Books 5 & 6)

- The Selection Trilogy (Book 3)

- Eve Trilogy (Book 3)

- Defiance Series (Book 2)

- Shadowlands Series (Book 2 & 3)

- Divergent Trilogy (Books 2 & 3)

- Hourglass Series (Book 2 & 3)

- Legend Trilogy (Books 2 & 3)
- The Pledge Trilogy (Books 2 & 3)
- The Inheritance Cycle (Books 3 & 4)

Phew! I knew I was behind on my series but I didn't realize I was THAT behind. 

Next is the Audiobook Challenge hosted by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens

I've listened to very few audiobooks in my day but it's something I would like to do more of. I'm going to aim for the Newbie level of 1-5 audiobooks. I've already started my first one.  Someday, Someday Maybe written and narrated by Lauren Graham (Lorelai from Gilmore Girls)

Breathtaking Book Cover: The Island

Todays Breathtaking Book Cover is . . . 

The Island

by

Teri Hall

In The Island, the compelling conclusion of The Line trilogy, Rachel and Pathik continue their adventure. Will Indigo’s firetales about the mysterious island called Salishan prove to be true? Are there inhabitants, and if so, are they friends or enemies? With no way back to where they came from, what price will Rachel and her loved ones have to pay in order to survive where they’ve landed? Are the risks they've taken, and the people they've lost forever, worth what they find on the island?