Books into Movies

Many popular books, especially young adult books, are turning into movies. Some turn out to be EPIC, however some let people down after reading the book. Below are some amazing books which turned or will turn into movies.

1) The Host by Stephenie Meyer 
The book is best-selling, and rated very high. However, the movie turned out to be a let-down by most people. It was cheesy and had an awkward script. 

2) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is an international best-seller, being well-known to every SINGLE human being on earth. (I am clearly a fan.) Moreover, the movie was realistically acted and filled with great suspense by Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. 

3) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. 
Ender's Game is filled with science fiction and a few emotional themes. I posted the trailer some days back, and be sure to watch the movie coming out in theaters on November 1st. 

4) Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire is filled with many things going on, and it has an unique story line. Jennifer Lawrence will return once again with her brilliant acting on November 22nd. 

5) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare 
City of Bones offers fantasy and other magical elements. As it is a very good book in a series, the movie will be coming out on August 21st in the U.S.A. 

Here are some movie posters of the movies that I mentioned above.

City of Bones: 


Catching Fire:


Are there any other movies that were books that you personally like?

Image Citations (Movie Posters):
Mortalinstruments,org. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2013. <http://mortalinstruments.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/122.jpg>.

Http://hungergamesdwtc.net/. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2013. <http://hungergamesdwtc.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Catching-Fire-Poster.jpg>. 

BART is on Strike!

Bart staff workers and train engineers gave notice on Thursday night that they were going on strike when their contracts would expire on late Sunday, midnight. They gave this notice so that the BART passengers would be prepared and use a different transportation system for work to mainly San Francisco. Many officials warned the employees that this strike would foster huge crowds of cars and buses on roads and highways. However, other agencies like San Francisco ferries and would help increase transportation. Union officials would meet on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to come up with a new labor agreement. The last BART strike happened in September 1997, which lasted for six days. This happened to be successful because finally a decision was made. Clearly, BART currently continues to be on strike, and we will see what happens on Sunday. BART officials and employees want to have a higher pay and salary, and hopefully they will get a fair chance. If they strike for even longer, who knows what would happen to this public transportation system that allows workers, students, and other people to transport to other areas in mainly the Bay Area.  

Read more at: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BART-unions-give-notice-of-strike-4630423.php



Citation for Image: "The Daily Clog » Strike." The Daily Clog RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 June 2013.

Novels and Books Changing YOU

Around the world, books have changed people's way of thinking about both small and important things. For example, if a good book involves a lot of emotional themes, a person would eventually become a more generous person.

Now, here is a discussion topic: What book that you have read changed your personality as a person, and how did it change you? It can be anything from being more kind, to becoming interested in a hobby which was unknown to you before.

Please respond to this question in the comments below.

Ebooks VS Real Books

The debate of ebooks and books has started ever since reading devices such as the Nook and Kindle came out. It is very important, as it decides your own style of reading. Now, here are some thoughts over them.

Ebooks
Ebooks are ecological because they save trees. They also save a lot of space, and it is perfect for a traveler to take on journeys and far-off places. Moreover, ebooks are cheaper and they save you to a long trip to a bookstore. An advantage is that you can see dictionary definitions right there on your ebook. This way you can completely understand your book with no unnecessary difficulties. However, ebooks certainly lack the idea of a book right in your hands. You don't feel the special weight which makes a book a book. Nevertheless, they are very light and comfortable to hold.

Real Books
Even though real books are more expensive and take up space, they give you a classic feeling. With vivid illustrations and the ability to share it with your friends, I prefer a printed book over an ebook. If you are creative, you can make decorative bookmarks for your book. And if you are social, you can share it with people you care for a lot. Additionally, you have the ability to turn your book pages freshly and enjoy the scent of a new book. On the other hand, they are not very ecologically friendly and they do take up a lot of space.

Although I prefer books over ebooks, ebooks are perfect if you travel very often. However, keep in mind that there is nothing better than reading a real book while sipping a cup of warm hot chocolate. 
=D

Citations (For images):

Producer. "Broadway Books." Http://www.theproducersperspective.com/. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2013.

Http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/. Amazon, n.d. Web. 25 June 2013.

Songs and Books

Whenever we read, we need special songs to set the mood. I personally do not like hearing music while I read, but most people like listening to relaxing non-lyrical music while reading. Here are some songs and books that I think go great together.

1. Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games involves suspense, and at the same time soft and sad moments.
Song: Crystallize by Lindsey Stirling
Crystallize starts soft and magical in the beginning, and towards the middle suspense and high notes start picking up.

2. Book: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Skulduggery Pleasant is full of great action and slight violence.
Song: Radioactive by Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix (Cover)
Radioactive is a song with lyrics, but most of it involves violin music. It is done rough, and at the same time, addicting and action-packed.

3. Book: Beautiful Creatures
Beautiful Creatures has a lot of plots and twists growing in the book, so a simple yet soothing song suits this book.
Song: Fireflies by Owl City
Fireflies is very simple with small beats here and there. However, it has the perfect tune with a little pinch of curiosity.

4. Book: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent involves a ton of rebellion in every page.
Song: Halo Theme Song by Lindsey Stirling and William Joseph
Filled with strong music which builds up in every single second.

5. Book: In a heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
Full of emotional messages about courage and relationships.
Song: Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Full of strong, inspiring lyrics.

                              Now, here are some of the songs I mentioned above. Hope you enjoy them.

My Summer Jam

Here is a lyric video of my summer jam, Summer Forever, an original song by Megan Nicole. This song makes me happy and I get this rare feeling that summer will never be over. Hope you guys enjoy it. :)

I witnessed a fire!!

    Firefighters immediately came to the rescue near the grassy area of jack in the box. Smoke and blazes of fire spewed out, and at that time, I was waiting for our car to be washed in a car wash. Even from far away, my family and I inhaled the dirty air filled with deadly gases. 

     

    Here shown is a police car. I quickly took these photos from the car window :D

A firefighter/police headquarters in near where we live, so while we were going home, and we saw them missing, we were certainly not in shock.. This fire was starting to build up. 

Since the fire came from a grassy area, I suspect that this fire came from someone smoking a 

cigarette. That person must have learned a lesson that even from a thing so small, bad consequences can come out later on. I learned an important lesson too. 

Ender's Game Trailer

The Ender's Game Trailer! The Ender's Game book is about a boy, Ender, who goes to Battle School and trains to become a hero to fight the Buggers. He later realizes that the Buggers never attacked us humans, and that Ender actually changed his personality by becoming a killer. Read this book, and watch the movie which is coming out on November 1st, 2013.

Beautiful View

This is a beautiful view I took a picture of while I visited Alcatraz Island, the federal 

prison in San Francisco. The heart of the city is linking together with the Bay Bridge.

This small photo tells me that even from a place so horrible, beauty can be seen from within. 

House of Hades Cover!!!!

I know that I am late to post this, but a few weeks ago, the new House of Hades cover came out! It is so beautiful, and it makes me want to read it very badly. Percy and Annabeth are in Tartarus and it is obvious that they are going to face troubles and monsters along the way. Based on the cover, I am also wondering a LOT about Nico.. I hope that he is mentioned more frequently in this book.

So beautiful!!! The colors are breathtaking!!

Citation for image: (book cover):

Riordan, Rick. "The House of Hades." Rickriordan.blogspot.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013.

Me and Book Covers

A book obviously has a cover, unique and special in its own way. In my opinion, simple book covers give the best touch in what glows in a book. Here are some beautiful book covers I like a LOT and I hope that you will enjoy.

Beautiful Creatures: 

Beautiful Creature's calligraphy and swirls

on the book design make you wonder. What

is going on in this book?

Ruined:

Ruined's spooky yet mysterious book cover

brings chills running down your back. However,

the brilliant use of color transforms this book cover

into a masterpiece. 

Torn:

This book cover has so many pretty 

shades of blue and snow white. It reminds

me of the winter time, and it is perfect to read

on a chilly night.

Son of Neptune: 

For some apparent reason, I love blue!

Icy book covers also give me a warm 

and I-want-to-read-that-book feeling.

Even though I hate book covers with people on them, I love all of Rick Riordan's book covers. There is not so much detail in the characters and the colors are amazing. The Son of Neptune is one cover, and The Mark of Athena (shown below) is another.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed those covers as much as I did and also devoured. (smacks lips)

Citations for Images (Book Covers):

Rickriordan.blogspot.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

Http://www.rickriordan.com/. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013. <http://www.rickriordan.com/Files/Images/SoNcover.jpg>.

Web log post. Http://2.bp.blogspot.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCshiZHz5kDZOJHK7vF3HXR3bPPhQrR5DeI_xhsNVeZnfboGkKtR0gjvJ_W5V6sdq5tGUwxILU1c__bkQBeGUbJPh-1lw8mgYvN0J-4fnsn4YUXbLgCA_C6Wh9iwSuGEYd0tHBbvhzdxg/s1600/Hocking%252C+Amanda+-+Torn.jpg>.

Http://4.bp.blogspot.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhj_ZBIWDBwYKZy4d_F27w2UykvBr2wYE1h6GGX319fHUw_8qDUECXDxK6gnF_OdGaWxd_Dai5TLwRWKyNEw03Zm4Dl4kXBH0y6pi-TehgpVTQv9Qg8yY1cfNTt7fh12vuAb2MIqoEFCgf/s1600/Ruined_Cover-650x982.jpg>.

Bookpage.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2013.

Books Recommended for SUMMER!

Obviously, summer is a season to enjoy and play freely outdoors. However, on some nights, I need a good book to cozily cuddle up with.
Here are some short summaries of amazing books recommended by me.
Hope you guys all go to the library and check them out. :)

1) Alicia: My Story, by Alicia Appleman-Jurman

 This story is about young girl Alicia who overcomes the Nazi people who killed her family. This is more of a mature story for teens, so it is a bit sad and violent. However, it is a very touching book.

2) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This amazing book is the first in a suspenseful trilogy. The main character, Katniss, is in a place set in the future where one boy and girl from each district fight to death. Katniss and her companion Peeta set an example that you have the right and will to stand up to your society.

3) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Set in a small southern town in South Carolina, Beautiful Creatures is an amazing book involving fantasy and magical elements. The main characters, Ethan and Lena, try their best to stop dark magic turning Lena into a dark castor on her 16th birthday.

4) Percy Jackson series and heroes of olympus series by Rick Riordan

These series are incredible, mixed with Greek mythology in a modern era. I can't say much because it is so amazing; read it yourself. It is a must-read.

5) Ruined by Paula Morris

A horror story set in modern era. Ruined involves ghosts; however, it is at the same time, realistic and certainly believable. 

6) Uglies by Scott Westerfield 

A thought provoking book filled with questions. "Is it that important to be pretty on the outside, or does the inside count more?" The main character, Tally discovers a different kind of beauty which resides in the heart.

7) Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Discover magic with Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they discover secrets in Hogwarts.

8) Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper

If you can't talk, how do you express your feelings? Discover how people suffer and enjoy life with no words. It will surely make a difference in even your lives.

Hunger Games Poems

Hi, these are sets of poems relating to the Hunger Games. Different character views are included, and I hope you all enjoy them.

Katniss

As I look into the dark, red blood in the arena,

I want to cry with raging tears,

but I remember to stay strong and brave,

because that is how a warrior is made.

Rue’s dark, bright eyes stare into mine,

and I look right back into them pride,

I know she died,

but with hope I will overcome my cries.

I look back from the days at the Hob,

back at when I was young,

the evil from the outside,

but some pride deep, deep inside.

It is obvious I loathe the Capitol,

the confusion it gives its people,

from the outside full with smiles,

but the inside full of liars.

Gale

I have a really good friend,

and Katniss was her name,

one day she soared with her wings,

she left me alone in the wild, and I couldn’t stop waving.

When she won the games,

I felt pride,

but when she went again,

I was weak enough to cry.

I saw Peeta, and to tell the truth, I felt a pang of jealousy,

he look at me full of solemnity,

light eyes, blonde hair, and strength no opponent can bear,

I realized only one thing: To face the games, Katniss needs one such man.

Katniss and I went hunting one day,

we had enjoyment, and like children we played,

I never knew that she had to leave,

I held onto her like leaves on a tree.

Peeta

Hey, I saw this girl,

and for long moments I felt something special,

however I never knew that we would end up in a place, a place so miserable.

She looked at me with her bold, dark eyes,

and oh, did I feel so scared,

Will the games ruin our friendship?

A friendship so rare?

But later we were equal,

I saved her first,

she saved me second,

we had a strong bond of forgiveness,

the only bond that was there.

All these days I was wrong,

Katniss doesn’t have hatred for me,

she is just perplexed,

and confused on who values to her the most.