Zombies and a little bit more

While browsing through the winners of Goodreads Choice Awards 2011, I came across this book, Feed by Mira Grant, which happened to be the Best Science Fiction Book for 2010. Despite the lackluster title (which is also a title of a book I know), the cover really caught my eye:

Since I've just started reading it, I can't give out too much of the plot (you can always check out the goodreads link given above), but it's about what everyone secretly loves - a zombie apocalypse. But here's the part that I love more (because, let's face it, if I want a zombie apocalypse scenario, I'd just watch Zombieland) - it's also about blogging and it's role in society in case an outbreak really happens.

I have to admit I've never heard of Mira Grant before, but whoever she is, I give her the thumbs up for her imagination and her patience. Her characters were also well-molded. They feel real. Whenever I read, I can't help but imagine actors playing the characters in my head. Feed is not an exception. Behold, here's how I imagine the characters in Feed would look like.

Jessica Stroup (90210, Prom Night) as Georgia Mason

Georgia Mason - Even before Georgia was described in the book, I immediately thought of Jessica Stroup. I was like, "she is so Jessica". So there. But when it was mentioned that Georgia has short, messy dark brown hair, I knew I got this one spot on.

Stephen Lunsford (Private Practice, Bratz) as Shaun Mason

Then there was the trickier one, Shaun Mason. Shaun is Georgia's adoptive brother, and their ages are close to one another, Shaun being approximately three weeks younger. He's described as adventurous and thrill-seeking. I actually just thought of this now, after I watched this video.

Alison Pill (Scott Pilgrim vs The World) as Buffy

And last but obviously not least to complete this blogging-zombie butt-kicking trio is Buffy (birthname Georgette, but Buffy's waaay better), the cute, heads-in-the-clouds Fictional (which is basically a fiction blogger). I didn't think of Alison at first, because I knew her as a ginger from Scott Pilgrim vs The World. But when I saw a picture of her as a blonde, she's definitely a shoe in.

So there. That's all I have for now. I gotta finish schoolwork before I can continue reading. I recommend Feed to everyone. It's a must have on your Zombie literature collection (because we readers all have one, don't we?).

Notes from the Midnight Driver: A Review

If the cover wouldn't make you read the book, the story will.

Here is a book filled with humor all throughout. Not the usual slapstick comedy routine, but the kind that is dripping with sarcasm. The humor comes from the narrator, 16-year old Alex, who will wait for two more years before he can get his driver's license. Why is that? One fateful Friday night, he just took his mom's car while she was on a date determined to pay his estranged father a not-so-friendly visit. That didn't sound so bad, but the fact that he drank Vodka from what was left of his father's liquor cabinet didn't make things better. In fact, I'm pretty sure that made everything worse.

The narration and the character itself reminded me of Cameron from Going Bovine by Libba Bray, sans profanity. I think Jordan Sonnenblick writing children's books accounts for the lack of profanity in this book. Too bad. In many ways, Alex is like Cameron: mediocre, loveless, and a loser. In the end, they both realized they are, in fact, not. But the end is not what is important and worthy of reading, but their entire journey through redemption.

As for Alex, his punishment is serving in a nursing home, specifically an old Jewish guy named Solomon Lewis. Sol is a very nasty, very smart, and wistful guy who's very good at counter-sarcasm. He and Alex make a very formidable diabolical duo, that is, if only the older guy wouldn't make Alex's life miserable enough. I find their whole relationship very endearing, sort of reminiscent of Tuesdays with Morrie. There are times when they make me laugh out loud, and there are times when they made me cry.

Jordan Sonnenblick is very good at taking serious matters and coating it with just the right amount of funny - kind of like hiding vegetables in kids' food - for people of all ages to enjoy and get the lesson at the same time. I am looking forward to reading his other books.

All in all, a very satisfying and wonderful read. Sonnenblick just earned an honorary spot in my favorite YA authors list. I absolutely recommend it. It was short enough to be read in just one sitting (I read it for give or take four hours) but not too short to leave you wanting more.

Young Adult Novel Authors to Stuff in Your Shelves

First of, I prefer "Young Adult" over "Teen" and I don't even know if there's a difference but yeah...For the record though, "Young-adult books are books marketed to adolescents, roughly between the ages of 12 and 17, and usually feature main characters in that age range". Moving on, here's a list of my favorite YA authors in different genres. Note that all authors are still alive and you can even follow their blogs and/or twitter accounts (click on the link to visit their Twitter page).

Sarah Dessen - If you're a YA romance reader, Sarah Dessen's books are for you. Sure, they may be a bit repetitive story-wise (girl has problems, most probably family and relationship problems, girl meets boy, boy helps girl overcome problem, girl fall for boy or vice versa) but she makes up for interesting characters who you'll love or love to hate, awesome storytelling, and bits of wisdom you get as a growing young adult. Her stories are mostly, if not all, narrated by the main female protagonist.
Recommended Read/s: This Lullaby, Someone Like You, The Truth About Forever

Cassandra Clare - Ahh Cassie. Here's my favorite YA Fantasy author. She's the creator of the Shadowhunting world through her Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series. Both are set in the same universe yet different time frame. I personally love both, and the fact that both series are still ongoing makes the whole experience better. I will most probably die for anticipation for her next books. Her narrations are in the third person with shifting perspectives.
Recommended Read/s: What the heck, read them all! City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glasses, City Fallen Angels, Clockwork Angel

Libba Bray - Okay, I'll be honest and say that I haven't read this author's claim-to-fame piece, The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, yet. But Going Bovine (her modern take on magical realism) automatically places her in my favorite authors list. Going Bovine was funny, heartfelt and full of relevance at the same time. It's easily one of my all-time favorite books. It was narrated by the main male protagonist.
Recommended Read/s: Going Bovine [I will recommend it until you all read it]

John Green - Here is a real YA author if ever there is one. He's a legit boy perspective writer. I know YA enthusiasts like myself is fond of reading YA in the guy point of view. If you're looking for that kind of read, John Green's the guy for you. What makes him even more endearing is his nerdiness which can be clearly seen in most, if not all, his writings. Works are written in first person narrative.
Recommended Read/s: Looking for Alaska, Will Grayson Will Grayson [w/ David Levithan]

David Levithan - Sadly, this amazing guy has no Twitter (or none that can be found by my internet ninja skills). He's the guy for LGBT YA stories and he's really good at what he does. Needless to say he was gay, which was probably why his works are so legit. I haven't read his claim to fame Boy Meets Boy and other solo works yet [because they're so darn hard to find] but I've read quite a number of his works, all collabs (with Rachel Cohn and John Green). I love his style - very casual and intimate, no holding back.
Recommended Read/s: Nick and Norah's Ultimate Playlist, Naomi and Eli's No Kiss List, Dash and Lily's Book of Dares [all written w/ Rachel Cohn]

Also (these following authors are so legit there's no need expounding on their greatness):
J.K. Rowling
Lemony Snicket
Rick Riordan

What about you? Who's your favorite YA author and what's your favorite work of them? Leave a comment below.

'Sup? Also, In Which I Share My Recent Book Reads

Uhm hi Blogger, Blogspot, whatever-the-heck-you-want-to-call-yourself. I haven't posted in a while. Actually, scratch that, I haven't posted for a long time. And that's abso-fucking-lutely inexcusable. But can you really blame me? Me, who has a very boring life living in a boring country with really boring parents and sibs and really boring point of view? Eew, I just used a word four times in the same sentence. My high school English teacher will be ashamed of me.

Anyway, I don't know what to write anymore. I think it comes to all writers, the time when you just can't think of anything to write even if you want to or something like that. Although I'm pretty expecting it to come later in life, when I'm like a withering old cat lady, you know, like menopause. I never expected it to hit so early!

Nevertheless. I've been busy reading. Here's what I've read so far this month:

The Pact - If you've been stalking following me for a while now (which is presumptuous of me, I beg your pardon) or if you really know me, then you must also know that I'm a real Picoult reader. I've read six of her many books (most of which with unique circumstances and awesome courtroom scenes). If you're new to Jodi Picoult, I suggest you read The Pact or My Sisters Keeper first because those works define Picoult as an author.

City of Fallen Angels - Words will not describe my love for Cassandra Clare and her Shadowhunting world. I will slowly and painfully die of anticipation for the next installment of The Mortal Instrument series, City of Lost Souls. Oh Miss Clare, the things you do to me!

Anna and the French Kiss - It's the usual YA romance. The story's so so. The good part is that it's set in Paris.

Practice Makes Perfect - It's a cat-dog romance where two young lawyers fight and fall for each other at the same time. I was disappointed because there wasn't any courtroom drama scene (well there was but I'm not satisfied, 'kay?).

Looking for Alaska - John Green is in my list of favorite YA authors and this one's definitely for keeps. Not bad for a debut novel, right? I will reread it sometime again in the future and will treasure it forever. No kidding.

Cracked Up To Be - Courtney Summers is a new author for me (she's Canadian, I think) but her book's really satisfying and I feel like I've been reading her for ages. I love her characters and the language (fun fact: I love profanity in YA; it makes the story entertaining to read and at the same time relatable/believable).

Take Me There - Not as satisfying as the other YA books in this list (which is like, 90% of it) but yeah, if you're looking for a light read, this one's for you. Good luck. Don't overanalyze much. Shit that was redundant. Or was it? Fuck.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green and David Levithan, bitches! Seriously, what more can you ask for? I'm sure you have nothing else to do. Go read it. Now.

I'll stop the list here for now. For more book listings, you can either go to Goodreads Listopia or to this awesome site I just discovered. Or you can ask some recommendations from me through formspring (I love it when people do that; makes me feel so loved lol).

So yeah. That'll be all. Ciao.

Oh wait, one more thing, if you haven't watched The Hangover yet, go watch it. NOW.