A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly: A Review

Overview:
   The year is 1906 and Mattie is just discovering that there is so much more to life than caring for her sisters and depressed father. She wants to write and go to college in New York. That's rare for a girl from the North Woods. When she takes up a job at the Glenmore, a hotel on Big Moose Lake, she finds that life is not like the pages in her books. Mattie finds herself in possession of a murdered girl's stash of letter that prove that baby-daddy is the killer. What will Mattie do with the letters and will she stay in her small hick town forever? Or will she board a train that takes her to New York and her future?

Review:
    I really enjoyed this book. Sure, it was slow moving, but it was a great look at Southern life. I found myself screaming at the book at how stupid Mattie could be. I mean, come on. Weaver is so much better than Royal. Weaver can actually read! I know, I get too invested in books. But, anyway...I liked the way Ms. Donnelly went back and forth from Mattie's time at the Glenmore and her time on her farm. It gave you a perspective of what was going on. It also tied everything together in the end when both evens sort of met in the middle. Also, most of the chapters started with a word from the dictionary. Mattie was obsessed with words and I learned new ones. My favorite was fractious-easily irritated. :) The only thing I didn't like was how the book ended. It left me with a lot more questions than answers. If that had been cleared up, I think I would have given the book a higher rating.

Overall rating out of 5: 4.4

Characters:
Mattie-unable to find her voice, a writer, has big dreams
Weaver-only African American in the school, gets accepted into Columbia University, as smart as Mattie
Beth-Mattie's younger sister
Lou-Mattie's younger sister, foul-mouthed
Ms. Wilcox-the school teacher with a secret
Pa-Mattie's father, ill-tempered, depressed after his wife's death
Royal Loomis- Mattie beau, only intent on farming

Memorable Quotes:

"In a pot, you jackass! In a pot! You can't heat cans; they explode! What kind of god-forsaken ass-backward caveman country do you come from?" p. 255

My Favorites About Harry Potter (questions from Tumblr)

 1: Your fave book.
      Goblet of Fire, because it's where we really see the relationships evolve. Everyone is maturing in this book and the real goal of finishing the series has been introduced-defeat Voldemort. Also, there is a ball. I love balls. ;)
 2: Your fave movie.
      Deathly Hallows Part 2, because of course, it was the conclusion. Also, because it had the most battle scenes and was not boring at any part like some of the other films.
 3: Is there any of the films adaptations that have made you angry because they’ve ignored important parts of the book.
       HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF -BLOOD PRINCE! God! They just ignored so much! Where was the love between Harry and Ginny? Weasly is our King? Awesomeness? Detention with Snape?! IT'S ALL GONE!
4: Least fave female character and why.
    Lavender because she just gets in the way of Hermione and Ron love.
5: Fave male character and why.
     Draco, because...he's...Draco.
 6: What house would you want to be in.
      Hufflepuff, der. They are the best.
  7: Fave female character and why.
      Hermione, because she is not afraid to show people how smart she is.
  8: What do you think would be your fave lesson.
      Charms! I mean, how cool would it be to learn all of those spells?!
  9: Least fave male character.
       Wormtail, because he ruined everything.
  10: Horcruxes or Hallows.
        Hallows...Do I seem like a killer?
  11: What character would you say you are most like.
         Hermione, because I only try to do my best in everything and even when I fail, I get back up and try again.
  12: Fave ship.
        HermioneXHarry. I've shipped them since Philosopher's stone...they are adorable together!
  13: Least fave movie.
         Half-Blood Prince
  14: Team Voldermort or Team Harry.
         Ok, don't hate me. I love Harry, but come on! TEAM VOLDEMORT!!
  15: Who would be your best friends at Hogwarts. (three only)
         Neville, Luna, and Ginny
  16: Fave professor
        Flitwick. He's awesome!!
  17: Did you love the final movie?
        YES! OH MY GOD! I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO SAY HOW MUCH I DID!!
  18: Least fave book.
        Philosopher's Stone. It was boring for me. The series didn't really pick up until the third book.
  19: Do you prefer the books or films.
         Books, definitely. They hold so much more than the movies ever did. Plus, I reread the books every summer.
  20: If you had to meet one member of the cast, who would it be.
        Tom Felton, he would be fun to hang out with.
  21: Out of all the characters that died, if you could bring one back, who would it be.
         Fred, because poor George...
  22: Harry Potter or Twilight
         HARRY POTTER! WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THIS!?
  23: Any part of the books/movies that makes you cry.
         Whenever there is a touching scene where Harry says 'thank you' or when someone dies.
  24: Any particular scene you wished would have been put in the movie but it wasn’t.
        Where Harry and Ginny are lying by the Black Lake. Or when Collin fell into the Black Lake.
  25: Nineteen years later. Are you happy how it turned out, or do you wish something was different, ie Neville married Luna.
        LOOOVED IT!
  26: If you could be able to work one spell without a wand what would it be.
         STUPEFY!
  27: Would you rather own The Invisibility Cloak, The Resurrection Stone or The Elder Wand.
          Invisibility Cloak. No one would find me!!
  28: Do you listen to Wizard Wrock, what do you think about it.
         HAHAH OH MY GOD!!! LOVE IT!
  29: Did you enjoy A Very Potter Musical.
         IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!! I recommend it to any Potterhead.
  30: What affect has Harry Potter made on your life and how much does it mean to you?
         I've always grown up with Harry Potter. It was one of my first ever chapter books. I can't imagine a life without it. Harry Potter taught me how to believe in myself and think deeply. It showed me that friends will always be there and that Home {HOGWARTS IS MY HOME!!} is some place to always come back to. Harry Potter means the world to me. I will tell my kids about Harry and make them read them. Plus, since I can do a British accent, I read them aloud in a British accent :)

Maximum Ride: Nevermore| The Final Installment {by James Patterson}

Who has ever heard of the Maximum Ride Series? *Looks around...raises hand* Okay! No one? Well, let me fix that.

The Maximum Ride series is about this group of genetically altered teenagers who can fly. They are 98% human and 2% bird. Cool, huh? The group includes the leader, Max; her lieutenant and sorta-kinda boyfriend, Fang; the blind awesome dude, Iggy; and the twins: Gassy (the farter) and Angel (the evil-bitch-who-is-the-most-special-and-I-want-her-to-die.) Throughout the novels, [1.The Angel Experiment 2. Schools Out Forever 3. Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports 4. The Final Warning 5. Max 6. Fang 7. Angel 8. (soon to be released) Nevermore] Mr. Patterson has hinted at the demise of the world, someone dying, and Max making her ultimate choice between the one she has always loved and the newcomer. I think she should choose the one she always has loved (FANG!! I LOVE YOU! YOU'RE THE BEST! PLEASE CHOOSE HIM, MAX! PLEASE! I WON'T HATE YOU ANYMORE IF YOU DO!) because he knows how she works and they are excellent fighters together. If it really came down to who would you chose, I'd like to think that she would chose the one she has always loved . But we don't know yet. The book is to be released August 6, 2012 to much awaiting fans.

The Mortal Instruments Movie Information: Chris Riggi

YAY! GOOD NEWS! THE CASTING DIRECTORS FOR TMI DIDN'T FUCK THIS ONE UP! THEY CHOSE SOMEONE GOOD FINALLY! AHHH! GOLD STAR FOR YOU!!!!!

So, yeah. Alec Lightwood will be played by Chris Riggi!

Now, Chris was in Vampires Suck and was the delectable Jacob Black.
He totally looks the part and hmm is he mighty fine. I cannot wait for him to show us the deeper layers to Alec Lightwood.

I think he can do. He's hot enough. ;)