books roundup

The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle 

The Hallowed Ones is a pretty unique book, in the sense that it tries to connect vampires and Amish customs and traditions. I'm quite unfamiliar with the latter but it was an interesting take on this combination.

In a few short sentences, The Hallowed Ones is about a vampire epidemic that breaks out and wipes out a huge population of the world. The book deals with a young Amish girl, Katie, who saves an "Outsider" and faces the repercussions of her actions.

It was a decent book, but that's about it. I was quite confused by the portrayal of the vampires: were they unthinking, unfeeling monsters or creatures who were able to talk and communicate? I was left feeling a little incomplete.

The story pacing was a little slow, especially at the beginning. It seemed to take a long time for the action to build up. I also think that the fact that these people were stuck to one piece of land seemed to work against the favour of the story. It got rather boring. The characters- especially the villains- seemed rather one-dimensional. 

What I did like was the protagonist's journey into taking her own future into her hands, and her conflict between the religion she'd grown up with as well as gradual acceptance of others' beliefs. 

All in all, a decent book but nothing much to write home about.

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson 

I'm really glad I gave If I Lie a chance. It's easy enough to figure out what the main character (Sophie or Quinn, whatever you prefer) is protecting right from the blurb but that shouldn't stop anyone from going ahead and reading it. It's deliciously angsty and heartbreaking and it reduced me to tiny tears in some places. You really feel for the characters- all of them. I've been quite disappointed with YA in general simply due to the lack of depth and layers of characters but If I Lie proved to be a nice change. A book usually wins me over if a) feel something for the characters or b) I generate tears during the reading process. This book succeeded on both counts. 

Be warned though: If I Lie is seriously full of angst. If sad stories aren't your thing, I'd recommend proceeding with caution.






Severed by Scott Snyder 

I haven't read too many comics/graphic novels but this one worked for me. Suitably creepy and weird. The ending was A+.










Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block

I adore Francesca Lia Block's writing but don't really think much of the strength of her stories. Wasteland was a pleasant exception. Romantic and magical with just the right amount of surrealism. This is probably my favourite book by FLB.

pretending to work

It’s funny, because I took this blog so seriously in August. I updated practically everyday but then, like every other thing in my life, I got bored and spent time browsing reddit and watching TV shows instead.

It’s been awhile. I survived my first term of college, so a hearty pat on the back for me. Really, it seems like no time at all. College sucked in the beginning. I felt (and still do, actually) cheated because I wasn’t having a “real college experience” mainly because I was in the same city. And while everybody else seemed to be really living it up, I just came home and felt sad and all of the other moody, angsty crap which I’m trying very hard to get over. I honestly do not think I can do five years of the same college but I’m too uninspired (read: lazy) to actually study hard for CLAT so whatever, life is pointless.

Speaking of moody, angsty crap, I’m convinced that this world is full of energy packets and while you’re walking or sitting or whatever, your body is continuously in contact with these packets. So you’ve got high packets and low packets and when you go through a high packet, it’s good for you because your body reacts accordingly: you are energized enough to live with gusto and all that jazz. But when you go through a low packet (or is it when the low packet goes through you? I obviously haven’t thought this out), you’re in trouble! You’re low and sad and de-energized and stuff and thus you just stay in bed and ~not feel~.

I think it’s a great theory.

I also went for my first proper vacation after almost two years. It was Goa, with my family. Good fun, yes, but I’ve come to realize that vacations (and roadtrips) with family should occur in small doses and should not be a week-long adventure. This does not mean I love my family any less or anything. It’s just that “I need space” kind of packet.

On the TV front, I’m stuck on season three of Battlestar Galactica and I can’t proceed, for some reason. At least Apollo is thin again (I’m quite deep like that). Season two of American Horror Story is screwed up, as usual. I’m hoping it builds up a little more. To watch shows include Breaking Bad and Boston Legal.

I’m just going to post my goodreads blurbs here a little later. Now back to pretending to work. 

Important albums: Is This It

I feel ~youth~ coursing through me when I listen to Is This It, the Strokes' debut album. It's looks at every (okay, many) aspects of ~youth~ (yes, the little squigglys are essential to highlight the point of the word), be it angst and love and going back to her apartment or just chilling with your ~bros~. Julian Casablancas' voice makes you ~feel~. Best song on the album, in my important opinion, is Someday, because it really makes me ~feel~. Reading about this album makes me nostalgic for a time when the Strokes were going to save rock 'n' roll and they were just a bunch of five attractive dudes out their to jam to good music. They were so effortlessly cool and stylish. This album is cool. You will feel cool when you listen to this album. It's for heartbreak and parties and being by yourself and not being deep enough and trying your best and still fucking up and everything relevant.