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!

Book Blogger Hop, 11/12/10-11/15/10

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"


I figured I'd try another meme to pass the time. This is my first time participating in the Book Blogger Hop, brought to you by Crazy-for-Books.com. :)

Well, to answer the question... While I'd much rather start a series from the beginning, I have been guilty of reading books out of order. When I was younger, for example, I participated in a program called Battle of the Books hosted by my library. This program consisted of kids from grades 6-8 (or was it 9? 5-9?). Their goal: to read a certain amount of books selected for the program and compete in a trivia tournament at the end of the summer. Occasionally one of the books for the program was part of a series, but it wasn't always obvious.

One year, I picked up a book called Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. I'd never heard of it before and it was the first book that I'd ever read by that author. I read it, loved it, and studied it. Long after I finished that book, I learned that it was part of a series. I was disappointed because I didn't know beforehand, but I wasn't lost at all while reading! So what was the big deal?

Anyway, I ended up reading Lois Lowry's little dystopian series out of order. Gathering Blue was the second. After that I was able to get copies of The Giver and Messenger. I read the series from second-first-third and had no problems (although I do think that reading the third book last made the most sense, so I'm glad I did)!

Sometimes reading out of order isn't a big deal. Sometimes it is. While I've had okay experiences in doing so, I still prefer to read the first book first. :) It really depends on what kind of series it is, I guess.

What about you?


*EDIT: I hate misspelling names. T_T Errors have been fixed!

...

I didn't fall off the face of the earth! I've just had exams. :/

Review #2 is in progress!




Now I'd like to take the time to wish my good friend Sandy a very happy birthday. <3

Have a great weekend! :)

The Blogger Herself

Hello, Blogosphere! ;D

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Maeghan, otherwise known as Pandorka. I am a college student double-majoring in French and sociology. It's an unusual combination, but I am a bit of an unusual person. :) I've had a passion for languages since middle school and that passion continued to grow once I got into the university. There, I've learned to take everything in stride.

I also work part-time at a book store--I'm frequently in the children's department, which is appropriate for me because I'd like to be a children's librarian. I'm generally not too picky with what I read, but my favorite genre is, without a doubt, fantasy (although you could kinda lump that together with some science fiction and especially dystopian fiction). Anything that's a little different from real life is basically what I enjoy.

Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favorite authors, and we even share a birthday! I am also a big fan of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling and Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan. I'm really just a big kid! By blogging here I hope to turn you (the readers and possible parents of young readers) onto some of the best stuff out there.

Random facts about me that may amuse you:
- I collect rubber ducks
- English is my mother tongue, but I also know French, as well as some Spanish and American Sign Language. I would like to learn German, Latin, Greek, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese... (I think you see where I'm going with this)
- I have four cats
- I love cooking and baking and frequently visit blogs that feature pictures of pretty food (and the odd stuff, too!)

I'll leave it at that for now; enjoy the blog!

Time to just... START!

Hello all!

Well... Hello to the dear few that have stumbled upon this little corner of the Internet. :) Just popping in to talk about how I really should just jump into the whole blogging thing. I'm really great at READING other people's blogs (I frequently visit my close personal friend and blogging inspiration Pirate Penguin...) but not so great at updating my own.

This is something that I really want to do. I just wish that I were more organized! Perhaps that part will have to come later. I have a little more time for myself than I usually do (I'm a college student with a double-major and I also work part-time... hehe), so this may be one of my only opportunities!

I'll use another post to sort of introduce myself, but then I want to get right into it--my first book review will be for Violet Haberdasher's Knightley Academy!

See you soon!