New Year, New Blog

Alright, so, I understand that I have made a post like this before.  This blog, however, is undergoing a little makeover.  New name, probably a new design, and best of all, new content.  I plan on going to library school in the fall, so I will be preparing to make that happen, and will be adding to my blogging "resume" in the meantime.

So, to make things clear:
- This blog, until today, 1/19/13, was named "Pandorka's Box of Books," formerly pandorkasbox.blogspot, with my sign-off/username being Pandorka.  I couldn't really get a working theme going, to match the name (which really bothered me), so I decided to dump it in favor of a different name.
- MaejorlyBookish is still run by me, just under this new username/title.  All previous posts were created by me, based on my readings and experiences.
- I will most likely stick to YA/MG lit, but there will be sprinklings of other genres.  Who knows?

Ta-daaa!

I hope everyone is having a great year so far.

Book posts coming soon!
- Mae

Recent Reads Recap

In an effort to fill the little hole in my heart since leaving Paris in June, I've been doing a lot of reading at home.  I did a good amount of that abroad, of course, but being home for the summer gives me time to catch up on my "fun" reading.  I got a bunch of books from a friend shortly after I got back, visited the library a few times (speaking of, I really need to go again soon... withdrawals?), had my birthday (more books from the aforementioned friend), visited Borders after their closing announcement, and going through my bookshelf as well as previous piles of books donated by my very generous friend (Sandy; have I told you lately how much I adore you?!).

...  I would try to get more, because that's just how I am, but with everything I've gotten recently, there really is no immediate need.

So, if I've been doing all this reading, then...  Where are the reviews? xD

Apparently, me reviewing is like me running.  Once I get into the habit, I'm good to go.  Last summer I ran five (sometimes six) days a week, and it was lovely.  I'm not even much of a runner (that's my brother).  Still, it was enjoyable and once I made it into a regular thing, I wanted to do it all the time!

...  Then I went on vacation.  What a derailer!

Anyway, now that I'm getting back into running (and planning on keeping it up throughout the semester), it's time to really get back into reviewing.  I picked it up for a reason, didn't I?

So, for the sake of commencement, here is what I've read over the past few weeks:
- Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
- Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler
- An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
- Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
- Wither by Lauren Destefano
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
... and surely some others.

I attempted to read Matched by Ally Condie, but I didn't get very far, as I'm feeling very "dystopianed-out" right now.  Then I tried switching over to The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg, but wasn't feeling it at the time.  Those are both titles I've been meaning to read and will eventually get back to.

As for Harry Potter...  Well, I just like rereading the series.  I'm nearly done with the second book right now.  Now that I'm much older, I love reading the earlier books: it's like starting over.  There are so many little details that have just been lost in my mind for the past several years.  I've read the fifth, sixth, and seventh books much more recently (since I was still in high school when they were published), but I was so young when I started at the beginning.  It's been nice revisiting Harry's world, especially since the final movie was released.

I plan on referring back to this list in the future so that I can finally review the books I did finish.  I really do like recording my thoughts; I just wish I could devote more time to doing so.

Thanks for reading!

Return to Blogging

Hello to the few of you that read my review blog!  I apologize for not updating in months.  I'm sure you weren't on the edge of your seats waiting for my next post, so I expect you'll forgive me... but I moved to Paris in late January to study abroad for the semester, so I was understandably busy.  European university work was a lot more challenging than I expected.

During my time abroad, I acquired many books... and I even managed to go to a book convention (free tickets for students FTW).  My reason for being here, though, was first and foremost for school, so I decided to take a break from my (already very lax) updating schedule.  Now that I am home for the summer, I'm going to do my best to use this blog...  I mean, I did start it for a reason.

Thanks for your patience, if you plan on reading more of my posts!