Create- A- Cover

Activity #10 for the Summer Break Reading Challenge is to create a fake cover and write a short synopsis. I think is is my favorite activity to date! I've seen this done before on Karin's blog but this is the first time I've participated. For directions for this activity go here.

Modify by Wand J. Martin 

In a sport dominated by men, Cassie knows she has what it takes to be a world class motocross racer. So why is she dressed up as a Rockstar Girl passing out trophies to the likes of arrogant Shep Barnes, three time motocross national champion?

When Travis Pastrana comes to town a chance meeting sets the wheels in motion for Cassie to realize her dreams. But can they pull it off?

Everyone at the local dirt track will be in shock and awe when a mysterious new racer shows up out of the blue one day. None more so than Shep who, up until now, was the track's sensation. He makes it his personal mission to discover who the stranger is hiding behind the dark helmet.

Find out what happens when Cassie starts shifting gears and kicking rears!

For fun I'm posting the cover before my edits!

before edits

My Book in Pictures: Going Bovine by Libba Bray

For the Summer Break Reading Challenge activity #9 our task was to create a blog post using pictures to tell the story we are currently reading or have recently read. I knew I had to use Going Bovine as I just finished listening to it on an audio book. This was by far my favorite book to listen to. I actually started out reading it and then downloaded the free audio version from my library's web site. I know I won't be able to do this book justice (you should read this book), but here goes...

Sixteen year old Cameron Smith is kind of a Slacker. His motto is "No expectations equals no failed expectations equals no hurt feelings. Everything's cool." Everything changes when he learns he has Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the human form of Mad Cow Disease. 

Cameron is visited in the hospital by a punk angel named Dulcie. She tells him there's a cure for his disease but he has to find Dr. X...oh and he has to save the universe too.

Cameron sets off on a wild road trip with his sidekick Gonzo to find Dr. X. Along the way he they must battle the forces of evil.

"Who's your Caddy"
A side note here- this book is filled with "udder" teenage mayhem and hilarious laugh out loud quotes. Every parent of a teenage boy (and every teenage boy) should read this book!

Enter Balder, the Viking god (yard gnome). He's had a rough go of it...being toted around and humiliated by some frat boys. He joins up with Gonzo and Cameron and offers his great Norse wisdom too.

Cameron's adventures are actually the result of his diseased brain however his trip (no pun intended) is significant in finding out who he really is. The message spoke loud and clear to me that it's never too late to become the person you were meant to be...


Going Bovine was the 2010 Printz award winner.

Apocalyptic Read A-likes

"It's the end of the world as we know it"-REM

For the Summer Break Reading Challenge activity #8 we were to make a Read A-Like list. Ever since reading Stephen King's The Stand I've been captivated by tales of the apocalypse. Currently I'm reading Justin Cronin's The Passage which is fast becoming my second favorite.

From Goodreads, The Passage by Justin Cronin:

"It happened fast. Thirty-two minutes for one world to die, another to be born."

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he’s done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. He is determined to protect her from the horror set loose by her captors. But for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey—spanning miles and decades—towards the time and place where she must finish what should never have begun.

With The Passage, award-winning author Justin Cronin has written both a relentlessly suspenseful adventure and an epic chronicle of human endurance in the face of unprecedented catastrophe and unimaginable danger. Its inventive storytelling, masterful prose, and depth of human insight mark it as a crucial and transcendent work of modern fiction.
From the Publisher (Random House)

From Goodreads, Swan Song by Robert McCammon:

Swan Song is rich with such characters as an ex-wrestler named Black Frankenstein, a New York City bag lady who feels power coursing from a weird glass ring, a boy who claws his way out of a destroyed survivalist compound. They gather their followers and travel toward each other, all bent on saving a blonde girl named Swan from the Man of Many Faces. Swan Song is often compared to Stephen King's The Stand, and for the most part, readers who enjoy one of the two novels, will enjoy the other. Like The Stand, it's an end-of-the-world novel, with epic sweep, apocalyptic drama, and a cast of vividly realized characters. But the tone is somewhat different: The good is sweeter, the evil is more sadistic, and the setting is harsher, because it's the world after a nuclear holocaust. Swan Song won a 1988 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel. It's a monster of a horror book, brimming over with stories and violence and terrific imagery--God and the Devil, the whole works.

From Goodreads, Into the Forest by Jean Hegland:

Set in the near-future, Into the Forest is a powerfully imagined novel that focuses on the relationship between two teenage sisters living alone in their Northern California forest home.

Over 30 miles from the nearest town, and several miles away from their nearest neighbor, Nell and Eva struggle to survive as society begins to decay and collapse around them. No single event precedes society's fall. There is talk of a war overseas and upheaval in Congress, but it still comes as a shock when the electricity runs out and gas is nowhere to be found. The sisters consume the resources left in the house, waiting for the power to return. Their arrival into adulthood, however, forces them to reexamine their place in the world and their relationship to the land and each other.

Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale, Into the Forest is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking novel of hope and despair set in a frighteningly plausible near-future America.

From Goodreads, The Things That Keep us Here by Carla Buckley:

How far would you go to protect your family?

Ann Brooks never thought she’d have to answer that question. Then she found her limits tested by a crisis no one could prevent. Now, as her neighborhood descends into panic, she must make tough choices to protect everyone she loves from a threat she cannot even see. In this chillingly urgent novel, Carla Buckley confronts us with the terrifying decisions we are forced to make when ordinary life changes overnight.

A year ago, Ann and Peter Brooks were just another unhappily married couple trying–and failing–to keep their relationship together while they raised two young daughters. Now the world around them is about to be shaken as Peter, a university researcher, comes to a startling realization: A virulent pandemic has made the terrible leap across the ocean to America’s heartland.

And it is killing fifty out of every hundred people it touches.

As their town goes into lockdown, Peter is forced to return home–with his beautiful graduate assistant. But the Brookses’ safe suburban world is no longer the refuge it once was. Food grows scarce, and neighbor turns against neighbor in grocery stores and at gas pumps. And then a winter storm strikes, and the community is left huddling in the dark.

Trapped inside the house she once called home, Ann Brooks must make life-or-death decisions in an environment where opening a door to a neighbor could threaten all the things she holds dear.

Carla Buckley’s poignant debut raises important questions to which there are no easy answers, in an emotionally riveting tale of one family facing unimaginable stress.

From Goodreads, The Stand by Stephen King:

This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.

And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides -- or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abigail -- and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.

From Goodreads, Life as We Knew it by Beth Pfeffer:

It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon, it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.

Summer Break Reading Challenge #7

This challenge is to give a "reading update" on our progress so far.

I've been a slow reader due to a busy summer. Here's what I got so far...
-I'm currently reading The Passage by Justin Cronin...love it
-I'm currently listening to on audio book Going Bovine by Libba Bray
-Next I am planning on reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins for the Dystopian Challenge
-So far I've read the following books

1. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
2. House Rules by Rachael Sontag
3.Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
4.The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

-I'm eagerly awaiting Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Romance (July 25)

Summer Break Reading Challenge # 6

Heart Throbs!

Activity # 6 for the Summer Break Reading challenge is to write about our literary heart throbs.

Stu Redman (East Texas)- Stu is a simple unassuming man in Stephen Kings's The Stand. He's the kind of guy you want on your side when a deadly plague hits your town. What impressed me most about his character was how gentle and loving he was to Frannie. I can almost hear that wonderful southern drawl....

Sam Roth from Shiver- What I liked about Sam was his sweet caring disposition. He wasn't controlling or overly "macho". He recognized Grace for the strong female character she was. Who couldn't fall in love with those gorgeous, intense eyes?!?!?



Peeta from The Hunger Games- A guy who can cook...enough said:-)

Now post about your literary heart throbs and add your link to Mr. Linky!

Summer Break Reading Challenge Activity #4

Activity #4 is to explore the internet and find things on other blogs. This has been my favorite activity so far. I've discovered 2 blogs I like and am adding to my Google Reader and learned Stephen has a new book coming out-yay!


1. A blog that is new to you that focuses on the same type of literature you do (ex: I read YA so the blog would need to focus on YA).

YA Bliss
I love the header for her blog!

2. A book that is new to you that another blogger reviewed.
A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler- Book Review (Book Smugglers)

3. A book set in Africa (in your preferred age category, if possible).
Little Bee by Chris Cleave: Book Review

4. A book about a human/animal bond (in your preferred age category, if
possible).
Listen by Stephanie Tolan

5. A book trailer for a book you want to read.
Saving CeeCee Honeycut

6. A book with a color in the title (in your preferred age category, if possible).
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

7. A blog that is new to you that is dedicated to a certain genre (ex: only books about vampires, only historical fiction, only urban fantasy, etc.)

The League of Extraordinary Writers- Dystopian

8. A book blog maintained by a librarian.
Carrie's YA Bookshelf

9. A book blog maintained by a teacher.
DeRaps Reads

10. The title of an upcoming book by an author you like (provide details - title, release date, synopsis).
Full Dark No Stars (short story collection) by Stephen King, November 9, 2010 From the Stephen King web site:

1922
The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

Big Driver
Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

Fair Extension
Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

A Good Marriage
Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of over twenty years than she would have liked to know when she stumbles literally upon a box under a worktable in their garage.

Book Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
(web site)
Genre: Women's fiction
Publisher: Random House
269 pages

From Goodreads:

In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men. As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their deep friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.

I discovered this book on another book blog and knew I had to read it when I learned it depicted the tradition of foot binding. My previous concept of foot binding didn't even come close to the actual process....it is brutal. As you delve deeper into the story, you learn how critical this tradition is to the young girl's chances for a proper marriage. Marriage was for practical reasons and rarely resulted in emotional satisfaction. A laotong match would provide deep-heart love, something that would be lacking in Lily and Snow Flower's other relationships. This was a fascinating read about Chinese culture. It's very difficult to wrap your head around sometimes. If you've ever read an Amy Tan novel and enjoyed it I think you would like this one too. Due to the adult themes I wouldn't recommend this book for a middle schooler but think it would be appropriate for high school age. If you are interested in learning more about foot binding (as I was) I found a book blog with a review of this book in addition to photos of foot binding. Beware...the images may be disturbing to some so view at your own discretion. Lisa See has another book of interest to me, Shanghai Girls, that I'm adding to my TBR pile.

Summer Break Reading Challenge Activity #2

This was a really fun activity. The directions were to make a Wordle from your favorite book or series -full directions can be found here. I chose the series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan...my favorite! I used the color palette from The-Dead Tossed Waves cover.


If you're into zombie gore with a little romance on the side, this is the series for you. Carrie's third book The Dark and Hollow Places will be released in the spring of 2011.

Summer Break Reading Challenge Activity #1

Karin's first activity is to post about your summer reading goals.

My first goal is to finish up the Audio Book Reading Challenge. I only have three books left and I will have reached my goal. I just downloaded Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I've been wanting to read this book for awhile.







My next goal is to read for the Dystopian Challenge. Since it ends soon I don't think I will reach my goal however I still want to participate since this is my favorite genre. The books I've chosen so far are Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and The Passage by Justin Cronin. The Passage is a whopping 766 pages so that one will take me awhile:-)





And finally...I joined the Read, Remember, and Recommend Teen Challenge . After purchasing the reading journal I've chosen a few books to read. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas. I've always planned to Read To Kill a Mockingbird so this is a must this summer and Because I am Furniture was recommended as a Child Called It read-alike in the reading journal.

Of course I have more books to read than the above titles but these are my "must reads".

The prize for this challenge is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver


Be sure to add your post to Mr. Linky!