New Layout

I decided to change up my layout a bit. I was getting bored with that old one and wanted to try a premade one. Do you like it? I was a little annoyed that the layout doesn't let me put a header with the title of the blog. Anyone know how to do that? It would be greatly appreciated if you could tell me. There are a couple other layouts I want to try, so I think I'll test this one out for a few months and see if I like it. What do you think?

Secret Santa

So this year I decided to take part in a secret Santa that was hosted by Kate at The Neverending Shelf. Since her website is mostly about books, everyone was sending out various books to an assigned partner in their country. I was very pleased with the ones I got, which were Aurelia, which I've been meaning to get for a while, and a book I hadn't heard of called The Stepsister Scheme. That one seems to have a fairy-tale theme to it, which i'm sure I'll love. I'll post the reviews of those books soon. I won't mention what I got my partner, just in case she hasn't gotten her package yet.
And on a side note, I'm almost done exams! Yay! First term is almost over. And I watched Mulan last night too. In an all guys house, where I was the only girl in the room. Who knew they liked Disney that much? Well it was fun, but I've got to go study now.
Happy reading!
-Clairedelune

An actual new book review

Yay, I started reading again! I went home for Christmas a few days ago, and it's great. So of course I had to take a trip to the library in between frantic shopping and baking of cookies. And I picked up Alex Finn's new book A Kiss in Time. Her last book was Beastly, which I also reviewed. Oh, and look! It was my first book reviewed too. I think that was quite a while ago, maybe two years? Anyway, about the new book:
Although I didn't like the title of the book because it made it look like one of my mother's romance novels, I did like the story. Alex Finn has again chose to base her story off of a fairy tale, and this time it's Sleeping Beauty. I really enjoyed this book. At first I thought the boy in it would be like in Beastly: a jerk turned into a good guy. But Jack was already a nice guy. The story line was interesting, and I liked that there were actual underlying reasons for the "bad" character's actions. All in all, a quite entertaining read. If you liked Beastly, you'll like this. 4 stars.
I'll be back for a few more books this winter break.

Quick Update

Just a quick update. I don't have a new book to review, since this week I have 3 essays to write, but up next week will be a review of Anne Michaels' stunning book Fugitive Pieces. University life is awesome as always, and I've made a few new friends! Make sure to enter Enna Isilee's contest for Cleopatra's Daughter!
Clairedelune

The Maze Runner

Just look at that cover. Looks creepy, right? Well, it is.
This book is full of mystery and suspense. Almost every chapter ended with a cliffhanger! So it didn't take me very long to read it.
Here's the summary.
You'll notice it says this book is part of a trilogy. What? I didn't realize that until I finished and it said "End of Book One". I really enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to learning more about this crazy horrible world they live in. But I also think this book can be a stand alone. I didn't think it needed another one, until I hit the epilogue, which throws something new at you. I thought this book was original, and creepy in a Lord of the Flies kind of way. It was perfect for a late birthday present to myself. (hehe) It was incredibly gripping, and interesting, and therefore deserves 4 stars. You go James Dashner!

Hmm. You may notice in the next week or so a certain lack of posts. I'm sorry! I already don't post that often, but I have a midterm and 3 term papers to write. I'll tell you all about it when I'm done.
Oh and something cool is you like musicals: my residence does a musical every year, and I'm going to audition this year. And a possible musical is Beauty and the Beast! I want to be Belle so bad. I am her, in almost every way. I really hope I get the part if we do it. I'll keep you guys updated on that as well.
Cheers,
Clairedelune

Ice

...So I haven't vanished from the face of the earth. I'm just in university. And I went to the bookstore yesterday! Yay me! So I picked up Ice by Sarah Beth Durst, and The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Planning on reading the latter after I've finished my English term paper on Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. I'm actually excited about this paper. Shocked? Here's why:
One of the topics centers on how the play is kind of like a dramatic fairy tale. What? I get to discuss fairy tales... for my term paper? Sign me up!
So basically I'm quite excited for that paper, especially since in our lecture today, the prof talked about elements of a fairy tale, and I got a new book that I need to read. It's called When Dreams Came True: Classical Fairy Tales and their Tradition.
And now on to the book on my left. Yes, that one with the pretty cover.
Ice is based off of the classic fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. I know, I've already read (and possibly reviewed) a few of these books. Like Belle of Beauty and the Beast, "it's my favourite!" Sorry, had to put in a reference there. Anyway. Ice is set in modern times, and involves a very practical heroine. Her mother was promised to the Polar Bear King, but things got complicated. Sarah Beth Durst gives a refreshing take on this story. It's completely different from any of the other retelling I've read, and I loved that. This story was compelling and interesting. I did predict in a way the ending, but I didn't mind that. I think the fact that I finished in one day shows how good a book this was. 4.5 stars!

I think I'm going to add something new to my blog in an attempt to have something to actually write about. After all, my lack of posts doesn't stem from a lack of ideas but from a lack of books to read. (and time to read them) So in the future there will be a new style of post. I'm hoping those of you who read my blog before haven't abandoned me. Come back, please! I'd love to hear your comments on this book, or, if you've read it, The Winter's Tale.

-Your time-management challenged friend,
Clairedelune

The Cellist of Sarajevo

This was such an incredible book. It is set during the siege of Sarajevo, an event that occurred from April 5, 1992, to February 29, 1996. The story revolves around the people of the city, who simply try to survive as they watch their city die around them. One day, while waiting to buy bread, 22 people are killed by a mortar attack. This causes the cellist to decide to play his cello every day at 4 for 22 days, for every person killed. This actually happened. The book is an eloquent portrayal of 3 residents of Sarajevo. It is shocking, moving, and strangely beautiful. I highly recommend this book.

...And I got to meet the author! He came to my university since he lives in the area and he gave a lecture on the book. It was so interesting and was really cool to meet the author. And he signed my book. That made my day.

Ah, university life. Stressful, fun, exciting, new! I have a quiz tomorrow and a midterm Monday for math, and an in-class essay for English. I haven't even been here for a month and I love it. I've had so much fun so far, and I've met some really cool people. And it's exciting living away from home. And my birthday is in 10 days! I really recommend that you read The Cellist of Sarajevo. It is a great piece of Canadian writing, and I loved it.