Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey:
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

I'm dedicating most of December to catching up on my reading list (save for studying for finals, lol, kind of important). Here are the books that I'm currently reading this week:

Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

He tossed her into the air as if she were weightless, and just for a moment she seemed suspended there, defying gravity. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I knew what she was feeling. It was in every movement of every limb.

Here was a power I had never seen before, a kind of haunting loveliness I had never imagined. Seeing it made me long for something, I didn't know what . . .

Ditty was born to dance, but she was also born Jewish. When her strictly religious parents won't let her take ballet lessons, Ditty starts to dance in secret. But for how long can she keep her two worlds apart? And at what cost?

A dramatic and moving story about a girl who follows her dream, and finds herself questioning everything she believes in.

River's Recruit by Charlotte Abel
Sanctuary series, Book #1

Jonathan McKnight lost everything in Afghanistan. His left hand, his identical twin and his self-respect. He searches for redemption during a solo backpacking trip into the remote Sawatch Mountains of Colorado and discovers a secret tribe of shifters.

River, the beautiful young shifter that rescues Jonathan from certain death, wants to recruit him. He is equally determined to rescue her from her cult-like society — even if he has to kidnap her.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders: A Mortal Instruments Reader by Cassandra Clare (Editor)

Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, epic urban fantasy set in a richly imagined world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and more, has captured the imaginations and loyalty of hundreds of thousands of YA readers. Originally a trilogy (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass), the series has extended to six titles, plus a prequel trilogy, the Infernal Devices, and a planned sequel series, the Dark Artifices. A feature film is planned for 2013.

Shadowhunters and Downworlders, edited by Clare (who provides an introduction to the book and to each piece), is a collection of YA authors writing about the series and its world.

Authors Who Contributed:
Holly Black / Kendare Blake / Gwenda Bond / Sarah Rees Brennan / Rachel Caine / Sarah Cross / Kami Garcia / Michelle Hodkin / Kelly Link / Kate Milford / Diana Peterfreund / Sara Ryan / Scott Tracey / Robin Wasserman

Have an amazing week, everyone!

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey:
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Here are the books that I'm currently reading this week (yes, I'm still currently on The Mark of Athena, as it's been quite busy with school and being sick the last week):

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
The Heroes of Olympus series, Book #3

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?

The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery. . . .

With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
Medusa Girl series, Book #1

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

Order of the Dimensions by Irene Helenowski

When Jane Kremowski first began her graduate studies in physics at Madison State University in Wisconsin, little did she know where her work would take her. Now, she is embroiled in a multitude of dimensions all leading to different outcomes. She and her colleagues therefore must act wisely in order to take and keep away the Order of Dimension from falling into the wrong hands for the sake of her loved ones.

Hosted by Marie at Ramblings of a Daydream:
Talk about anything music related you want -spotlight a band or singer, a specific song, album, video, soundtrack, a concert you went to, old music, new music, obscure music, whatever you want. Tell us what song is inspiring you this week, or what you've listened to while reading or writing. Make a soundtrack for a favourite book, or tell us a song you associate with a certain character.

So yesterday, I was looking through my old CD's -- remember them? I can't be the only one who still buys CD's -- and I found one that one of my old high school friends burned for me. I remember it pretty clearly, we were sitting in Graphics class, I think I was in the 10th grade so this would've been around 2004-2005, and we were just talking about our favourite musicians at the time. Turned out we had similar tastes and were both big into indie music, and she suggested I listed to this band's new album because she thought I'd like their sound. Now, I'd heard of them (as well as Babyshambles) before, but I'd never really listened to a full album by them. She gave it to me next class and I listened to it non-stop at home that night. Amazing. It became one of my favourite albums of that year: The Libertines (self-titled album), their second and last album, which was released in 2004. I've been listening to it again since yesterday. Thought I'd share the track listing and my favourite song from it.

Album: The Libertines
Artist: The Libertines
Released: August 30, 2004
Genre: Garage rock revival, indie rock
Length: 42:04
Label: Rough Trade

Track listing:

1. Can't Stand Me Now
2. Last Post on the Bugle
3. Don't Be Shy
4. The Man Who Would Be King
5. Music When the Lights Go Out
6. Narcissist
7. The Ha Ha Wall
8. Arbeit Macht Frei
9. Campaign of Hate
10. What Katie Did
11. Tomblands
12. The Saga
13. Road to Ruin
14. What Became of the Likely Lads / France

Can't Stand Me Now, the first track of the album, is definitely my favourite. Now, though that song is my favourite off the album, it's not my favourite Libertines song. That would be: Don't Look Back Into the Sun, which was released as a single.


Hope everyone has an amazing week!

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey:
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Here are the books that I'm currently reading this week:

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
The Heroes of Olympus series, Book #3

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?

The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery. . . .

With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Mortal Instruments series, Book #1

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade.

Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills.

And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

City of Bones and Impulse are re-reads, and happen to be two of my favourite books that I've read in the last year. I'm so stoked that The Mark of Athena finally came out. Loving it so far! What are you reading this week?

Hosted by Marie at Ramblings of a Daydream:
Talk about anything music related you want -spotlight a band or singer, a specific song, album, video, soundtrack, a concert you went to, old music, new music, obscure music, whatever you want. Tell us what song is inspiring you this week, or what you've listened to while reading or writing. Make a soundtrack for a favourite book, or tell us a song you associate with a certain character.

Starting off this meme by sharing my current playlist:

• No Problem by Chase & Status
• Blind Faith by Chase & Status
• R U Mine? by Arctic Monkeys
• Red Lights Indicate Doors Are Secured by Arctic Monkeys
• Heartkiller by Kat Graham
• Creepin' Up the Backstairs by The Fratellis
• Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
• Primadonna by Marina and the Diamonds
• Teen Idle by Marina and the Diamonds
• Bubblegum Bitch by Marina and the Diamonds
• Mowgli's Road by Marina and the Diamonds
• I Am Not A Robot by Marina and the Diamonds

As you can tell, I'm on a big Marina and the Diamonds kick right now. Check it out:


Today is Thanksgiving here in Canada, so Happy Turkey Day, my fellow Canadians! I hope you all have an amazing day however you may be spending it.

Hosted Sheila at Book Journey:
This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Just a quick thank you to all those who have followed, liked, and commented in the last 2 days! Such a warm welcome into the book blogging community already; I can tell I'm going to love being a part of it. Virtual chocolate chip cookies for all. :)

In between studying for a film class and an art class (with a little bit of math *insert obligatory groan of disdain here*), here are the books that I'm currently reading this week:

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
The Heroes of Olympus series, Book #2

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King
Eighteen-year-old Vera's spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she's kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, or even the police. But will she emerge and clear his name? Does she even want to?

I've actually started The Son of Neptune over the summer right after I finished the first book, but unfortunately work and other summer activities made me put it on hold for a while. Plus, I kind of wanted to drag out the reading process for it because I know when I finish, I'll want to delve right into The Mark of Athena, and that's not out for another week -- finally. Not too long of a wait anymore!

What are you reading this week?