Dani's Book Collection

A place for me to keep track of the things I've read. A place for you to discover new books! Possibly will put some of my own writing up as well. (Header and Avatar Images courtesy of Google Images.)

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Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Genre: Children’s, Young Adult, Fiction

Rating: 10 out of 10

Summary: Stanley Yelnets’ whole family is cursed thanks to his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather. When a pair of famous shoes fall from the sky, Stanley winds up in court room accused of stealing. He is sentenced to time at Camp Green Lake where he serves his punishment in the dessert digging holes. It doesn’t take long for Stanley to realize that there is something they are digging for. Stanley’s trials and tribulations at Camp Green Lake help him unravel an ancient mysterious love story and his own family curse.

Favorite Quote/Part: “If only if only the woodpecker sighs, the bark on the tree was as soft as the sky.” - Sung by many different characters in the book, this song helps the reader understand the long pain and struggle of want. 

Favorite Character: Zero, Armpit, Kissin’ Kate Barlow

How the Book Effected Me: I read this book in fourth grade, eighth grade, and as an adult and each time I discover something new and profound. I think the writing and characterization is well developed and I love all the little quirks and comments the characters make.

End Thought: The movie is okay, but definitely read the book. It makes it more adventurous reading the mystery and discovering it on your own.

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August: Osage County

Author: Tracy Letts

Genre: Play Script, Adult, Realistic Fiction

Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary: When her husband goes missing, drug addicted Violet must rekindle her relationship with her three daughters. In a family where mild traumas include abuse, addiction, incest, and secretive divorces, the family is less than willing to to come together. However, when the they learn her husband actually killed himself the daughters must put off fighting with each other and try to rehabilitate their dying mother. Violet takes her violence and anger out on her broken-down family and housekeeper. 

Favorite Quote/Part: “Lot of fish in the sea. Surely you can rule out the one single man in the world you’re related to.” - Barbra

“EAT THE FISH!” -Barbra

Favorite Character: Barbra and Johnna

How the Book Effected Me: If you need to feel better about your life, you should read this book. There has never been a more dysfunctional family in the world then this one. Suicides, incest, and addiction all in the first act is enough to keep anyone’s attention. It definitely holds on to you attention with some quick wit and dark humor. It leaves you in tears and makes you want to hold your family a little closer by the end.

End Thought: The movie is very dead accurate to the play if you aren’t much into reading scripts. I personally prefer reading scripts because I like to imagine a cast for it. 

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My 2016 Reading Challenge

Ok as the first day of 2016 draws to a close it’s time to make my official 2016 reading challenge. The goal is to read a book that covers each of the categories below before the year is up... ten books, one year, should be cake right? It can be, but sometimes finding a book that fits the category is hard. Not to mention all those other books out there that you really really want to read but you just can’t make it fit into any of the categories! Or the books that you’ve already read and want to read again, but that’s kind of cheating because if you don’t finish it you still know the ending... so it kind of counts... but not really. Anyway in simple terms reading lists are hard, which is why one of my many resolutions is to finish this challenging book challenge. I challenge you to do the same of course, and comment or message me when you have completed a category. Hopefully by 2017 we will have this reading challenge wrapped up and done! Here are the categories:

1. Read A Book That Scares You

2. Read A Book Recommended By A Relative

3. Read A Book By An Author Whose First Or Last Name Is The Same As Yours

4. Read A Book That Was Turned Into A Movie

5. Read The First Book You See When You Walk Into The Library

6. Read A Book By A Local Author

7. Read A Poetry Book

8. Read A Book By A Celebrity

9. Read A Book You Read As A Kid

10. Read A Sequel or Series You Haven’t Read Before

Ready, Set, READ! 

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My Completed 2015 Book Resolution

In 2015 I made a New Year’s Resolution to finish the following book list, and I did! Along with many other awesome books!

A Book I’ve Read Before: Holes by Louis Sachar

A Book About Something I Love: Birnbaum’s Guide to Walt Disney World 2016

A Book That I Can Finish In A Day: A Night Without Armor by Jewel

A Play Script: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts

A Screenplay: Toy Story Original Manuscript 

A Book Set In My City/Town: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

A Classic Book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A Book With A Different Take On A Classic Story: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

A Book That Inspires Me: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

A Book I Always Wanted to Read But Never Did: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Most of these books will get write ups and reviews eventually! My next post will be my 2016 Book List Reading Goal! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

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Charlotte’s Web

Author: E.B. White

Genre: Children’s, Fantasy

Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary: When Fern sees her father going out to the barn with an ax to slaughter a runt piglet, she stops him immediately saying she will take care of him. She names the pig Wilbur and treats him as if he were a baby. When Wilbur grows to be bigger he is sent to live on Fern’s Uncle’s farm, Fern visits everyday, but still Wilbur is lonely. He hears a soft voice telling him that she will be his friend, only to discover the voice is coming from a lovely spider named Charlotte. Charlotte and Wilbur become fast friends and all is well in Wilbur’s life, that is until Wilbur learns he is to be slaughter when he is big enough to make a decent meal. Wilbur panics, but sly Charlotte knows exactly what to do, she spins the words “Some Pig” into her web and Wilbur becomes an instant celebrity, but with Fern growing up and Charlotte growing ill, Wilbur worries what will happen if his friends aren’t around to save his back.

Favorite Quote/Part: “You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing.” - Charlotte

“It is quite possible that an animal has spoken to me and that I didn’t catch the remark because I wasn’t paying attention.” - The Doctor

“I can fool a bug... I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs.” - Charlotte

Favorite Character: Charlotte and Wilbur

How the Book Effected Me: I had to read this book for a college children’s literature course, but growing up I really liked the movie. I love the book, but Fern’s character arch really upset me, mostly because it was a true arch. *SPOILER ALERT* Fern grows up... which is awful, because when kids grow up they lose their imagination and innocence. Obviously I know all kids grow up, but this book depicted it in such a way that it actually breaks your heart. Fern is in love with this pig the whole book and her mom is freaking out because she thinks that it’s not normal for a child to talk to animals. Then all of a sudden, Fern doesn’t care about Wilbur anymore. Here Wilbur is winning this medal and Fern is like “can I just go ride this Ferris wheel with this boy?” It’s very sad, once you’re old enough to realize that children grow up.

End Thought: The movie(s) sticks pretty true to the book, but the book is definitely more descriptive of the “circle of life” than the PG rated movies are. 

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A Wrinkle In Time

Author: Madeleine L’Engle

Genre: Children’s, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rating: 7 out of 10

Summary: Meg and her younger brother Charles Wallace are outcasts in school and in their own family. Their father disappeared a long time ago while working on a science experiment and their twin brothers think they are weird, all they have is their mother who is still hopeful for their father’s return. When an odd woman fumbles into their house one night, Charles Wallace gets a feeling that they should go with her. Meg and Charles Wallace follow the strange woman and tesser (traveling through space and time) to a different dimension where their father is trapped. In exchange for their father, Charles Wallace is captured and brainwashed. Meg is the only one who can save him, but she has no idea how. With the help of Aunt Beast, her friend Calvin, and her father Meg discovers that getting Charles Wallace back will involve patience, perseverance and love.

Favorite Quote/Part: “You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.” - Mrs. Whatsit “When know what things are like. It must be a very limiting thing, this seeing.” - Aunt Beast

Favorite Character: Aunt Beast

How the Book Effected Me: I had to read this book for a college children’s literature course. At first I contemplated just skipping it and not reading it, but in the end I decided I would give it a try and actually really liked it. It opens your eyes to more than just what we know, but what could be. It also helps teach of compassion and patience as virtues and how patience is not something you should do to be rewarded but something you should do to help reward others.

End Thought: It’s a little long and a bit confusing, but it does open your mind and some of the dimensions are really interesting!

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The Hunger Games Series

Author: Suzanne Collins

Genre: YA/Teen, Sci-Fi, Dystopian Fiction

Ratings: The Hunger Games- 9 out of 10 Catching Fire- 10 out of 10 Mockingjay- 8 out of 10

Summary: Katniss Everdeen lives in the poorest District of her country of Panem. Every year in Panem, President Snow has a Reeping where twelve boys and twelve girls (ages 12 to 17) compete to the death as a way to keep order and a reminder of a failed rebellion. When Katniss’ little sister Primrose is drawn to take part in the violent games, Katniss volunteers herself insteas, soo being taken with Peeta to the Capital where they must grovel, present themselves and fight for a chance to live. In the second book, Katniss and Peeta have survived and think they are safe when they are called into the arena again being forced to fight to the death... this time there can only be one winner. In a turn of events Katniss is rescued and Peeta is left in the hands of the spiteful President Snow. Katniss is made a martyr and symbol fora rebellion she never wanted while Peeta is held captive. In the end Katniss loses something she loves the most at a shot for peace and hope in her country.

Favorite Quote/Part: “Remember, we’re madly in love, so it’s all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” - Peeta “Happy Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor!” -Effie Trinket “I’m more then just a piece in their games.” - Peeta

Favorite Characters: Finnick Odair and Haymitch Abrnathy

How the Book Effected Me: I started this book to jump on the fad train like everyone else, but they ended up amazing me. Being completely honest, I chucked the first book across the room when I finished it because I was so involved with the characters. I think I ended up throwing all the books at some point... but it was simply because I fell in love with the characters in such a way that I never wanted anything bad to happen to them, and something bad always happened.

End Thought: The movies are good, but the books are 10x better! Read the books and then make everyone you know read them too!

Picture from Google Images

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Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass

Author: Lewis Carroll

Genre: Children’s, Fantasy, Classic

Ratings: Alice in Wonderland: 10 out of 10 Alice Through the Looking Glass: 7 out of 10 

Summary: Young Alice is a very curious girl with a lot of daydreams in her head. In the first story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice follows the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole and ends up in the magical world of Wonderland, where she meets a Mad Hatter, a disappearing Cheshire Cat, and is almost beheaded by the ill-tempered Queen of Hearts. Finally she returns home declaring that she’ll write of this place one day. In Alice Through the Looking Glass, Alice enters a mirror world six months after returning from Wonderland. She becomes a part of a living Chess match, she meets the Tweedles and the White Queen, discovers the Jabberwocky and goes up against the Red Queen. 

Favorite Quote/Part: “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” - Alice “If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, and everything would be what it isn’t.” - Alice “’The time has come,’ the Walrus said, ‘to talk of many things: Of shoes and ships - and sealing wax - of cabbages and kings.” - The Tweedles Telling of The Walrus and the Carpenter

Favorite Characters: Alice, The Queen of Hearts, The Tweedles.

How the Book Effected Me: Alice in Wonderland is my all time favorite book, I don’t care for Through the Looking Glass as much, but the magic of Wonderland always takes me to a happy place. While so much of it is confusing, I like it because as a kid I liked to dream the impossible and these books helped me to realize imagination is unlimited if we just let it keep wandering on its own.

End Thought: Disney combined the two books together, so don’t be surprised if you read them for the first time and some of your favorite characters make more minor or later appearances. (example - the Tweedles are in Through the Looking Glass, not Wonderland.)

Photo from Google Images

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A Night Without Armor

Author: Jewel

Genre: Poetry, Free Verse, Adult

Ratings: 9 out of 10

Summary: Singer/Songwriter Jewel starts the forward of this poem by explaining that not all words lend itself to music, some words just belong in poems. She poetically tells of her life and the people around her, along with observances and her home, Alaska.

Favorite Quote/Part: “I look at young girls now/ in their crushed velour/ skin tight sky blue/ hip huggers with baby doll/ tank tops/ and I think/ I’ve been there/ God, Have I been there.” From I Look At Young Girls Now

Favorite Poems: I Look At Young Girls Now, Saved From Myself, and Sauna

How the Book Effected Me: The poems in the book all relate to the twenty- something crowd. There are many profound thoughts that have you feeling occasionally melancholic, but also leave you with a bit of hope. The free verse makes it easy to connect with and really inspired a spark for me to start writing my own poetry, which ended up being some of my favorite college classes. I have read this book at least twelve times now and every time I find something I love even more.

End Thought: This book is hard to grasp at first, it definitely takes a couple reads.

Photo from Google Images

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The Funny Thing Is...

Author: Ellen DeGeneres

Genre: Auto-Biography, Humor, Adult

Ratings: 8 out of 10

Summary: Ellen DeGeneres tells her life story about growing up, going into entertainment and coming out. She expresses her thoughts through humorous tales and exciting morals. She creates phrases for every day life in a book that is meant to (kind of) educate and guarantees some laughs.

Favorite Quote/Part:  “Start thinking positively. You will notice a difference. Instead of ‘I am a loser,’ try ‘ I’m definitely a loser.” - Narration

“Life is short. If you doubt me, ask a butterfly. Their average life span is a mere five to fourteen days.” - Narration

Favorite Characters: N/A

How the Book Effected Me: I love Ellen. I think she’s an extremely funny lady. This book really promotes positive self-image. I read this book during my first semester of college and it really inspired me and helped me look on the brighter side of things.

End Thought: This book is laugh out loud funny, and is even better on audio-book because Ellen reads it herself.

Photo from Google Images

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The Harry Potter Series

Author: JK Rowling

Genre: Children’s, YA/Teen, Fantasy

Ratings: Sorcerer’s Stone: 8 out of 10 Chamber of Secrets: 9 out of 10 Prisoner’s of Azkaban: 8 out of 10 Goblet of Fire: 10 out of 10 Order of the Phoenix: 7 out of 10 Half-Blood Prince: 10 out of 10 Deathly Hallows: 8 out of 10

Summary: When Harry Potter turns eleven he learns that he is a Wizard. Not just any Wizard, but a famous Wizard. The only Wizard to live after a curse of death was cast upon him by the Evil Dark Lord, Voldemort. It is not long into his first school year (and every year to follow) that Harry realizes being the “Chosen One” carries quite a heavy load of enemies... including Lord Voldemort himself. With the help of his dedicated professors, devoted friends and all others who believe in him, young Harry takes a stand against Voldemort and plans to avenge his parents’ deaths. With best friends Ron and Hermione standing beside him at every turn, Harry takes on dark curses, horrible villains and the pain of being an orphan to bring down the Wizard that killed his family.

Favorite Quote/Part: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - Albus Dumbledore

“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.” - Narration

Favorite Characters: Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, and Nevill Longbottom

How the Book Effected Me: These books were the reason I wanted to be come a writer. I read my first Harry Potter book in sixth grade after my aunt took me to see the movie. I loved every word that was written. I usually ahd only ready realistic fiction growing up, but Harry Potter made me feel as if the Wizarding world was truly real. JK Rowling had a magical way of writing that inspired me to begin my path of becoming a writer myself.

End Thought: While these book were turned into amazing movies, don’t just settle for the movies! Read the amazing words that started it all!

photo from Google Images

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Little Women

Author: Louisa May Alcott

Genre: Classic, Realistic Fiction, All Ages

Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary: Four vastly different, independently thinking, young sisters struggle with growing up in the 1800′s while their father is away at war. Jo, a hot-headed, eager tomboy tells the tale of her sisters. Ladylike Meg is the eldest, followed by Jo. Third in age is quiet and steady Beth, ending with Amy, the selfish but sweet child. With only their mother to depend on the girls must survive poverty, illness, boys, and society. They turn to each other for support, but not everything comes easily or naturally when society is telling you what is right and what is wrong.

Favorite Quote/Part: “I am angry nearly every day of my life.” - Marmee

I love a lot of quotes in this book, but that one sums up everything. You can be angry and sad all you want, but you have to wake up every day anyway. 

I also really love the name “Jo,” there are many books and movies and shows that use that name, but I always connect the name with Little Women.

Favorite Character: Jo 

How the Book Effected Me: I started reading this book because my boyfriend’s grandmother told me it was her favorite two years ago. It took me a long time to read it, and eventually stopped reading it at one point. His grandmother passed away last April and I decided I needed to finish it. The book really made me appreciate life and the fact that I grew up with a father who never had to go to war and a decent financial status. It also makes you realize that no matter what year, decade, or century it is, kids think very similar and have the same stubbornness to them.

End Thought: This book is very long, but a well-worth it read. I suggest this book to those who have some extra time on their hands, because it is very hard to put down at times.

Photo from Google Images

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Dreamland

Author: Sarah Dessen

Genre: Teen/YA, Realistic Fiction, Drama

Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary: The morning of Caitlin’s sixteenth birthday she wakes up to a note from her sister who has runaway from home. Trying to fill the void her sister has left her with, she begins to date Rogerson, who seems to be the perfect boyfriend. However, Rogerson turns out to be abusive and Caitlin becomes stuck in a secretive and terrifying relationship. She uses a new love of photography to escape her fear, but Rogerson always finds his way back until Caitlin can find a way to escape perminately.

Favorite Quote/Part: “Behind the camera I was invincible. When I lifted it up to my eye it was like I crawled into the lens, losing myself there and everything else fell away.” - Caitlin

Favorite Character: Caitlin

How the Book Effected Me: Photography was a big part of my life in High School and College. I rarely found a book that captured how photography can bring a positive impact in your life. This book summed it all up nicely. While it has some heavy themes in it, it reminds the readers that there is always an escape to take your mind off your hardest problems. It also sheds light to a very serious issue happening in the World today and that is teen domestic and relationship violence.

End Thought: If you don’t mind a tearjerker and love heavy drama, this book is for you!

Photo from Google Images

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Because of Winn-Dixie

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Children’s, Realistic Fiction

Rating: 9 out of 10

Summary: Opal, a spunky, but lonely 10-year-old girl, is sent to the stoe with a very small grocery list,  she comes home with dog. Her father, a reclusive Preacher reluctantly agrees to let her keep the dog which she names Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie and Opal begin their adventures which soon help her find a way to make friends of all different ages in her small town. Together the group of misfits help fill Opal’s loneliness and longing for her estranged mother.

Favorite Quote/Part: “There ain’t no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love it while you got it.” - Gloria Dump

“You can’t always judge people by the things they done, you gotta judge them by what they’re doing now.” - Gloria Dump

Favorite Character: Opal and Winn-Dixie

How the Book Effected Me: To start with, I’m a sucker for anything dog related. I liked this book because there was a melancholy to it, but every time the painful parts started to make it too heavy, there would be something positive to happen right after. Even at the most climactic scene ended with you feeling a sense a relief. Kids books, in my opinion, should have a light essence to them, because kids are still discovering the joys of world. Plus I read this in a day with my dog laying right next to me, it’s hard to hate a book when you spend your day reading it like that.

End Thought: This is a feel good book for any dog lover out there, young or old! (And the dog does NOT die in the end... which is the most important part of any dog related book!)

Photo from google images

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A List Of My Favorites

Here are some of my favorite books, just to help you get to know my taste a little more!

Favorite Kids Book: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Favorite YA Book: Dreamland by Sara Dessen

Favorite Classic Book: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Favorite Book Series: Harry Potter by JK Rowling

Favorite Non-Fiction: The Funny Thing Is... by Ellen Degeneres

Favorite Poetry Book: A Night Without Armor by Jewel

Favorite Book Overall: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol

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A Little Bit About Me

What makes me qualified to rate and critique books?

My pure love for reading and writing! My name is Dani. I am a 23 year old Preschool Teacher residing in Upstate New York. I graduated college in May 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing focusing in YA Fiction. I also studied heavily in Screenwriting and Poetry. I love to read almost as much as I love Disney World, my dog, my boyfriend and my family. I have a Vlog with my boyfriend I started a few months back focusing on our love for Walt Disney World and all things Disney related, but I wanted something else for just me, thus the Blog of Books!

I am always open to book suggestions and might even throw a poem or two on here once in a while. My current baby is a novel I have been working on for almost 2 years now! EEK! But I won’t ever leak spoilers of that.

Alright, are you ready? Let’s go find your next favorite book!

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Why I Am Starting This Blog

There are two things you have to do in order to declare yourself a “writer.” First, and most importantly you have to READ, second you write. No one can be a writer without being a reader first. This blog is a place for me to remember what I have read so I can refer to it as I continue in my writing career. It will help me remember what I liked and didn’t like about certain books. What about you though? The person who is reading this blog for the first time, what will it do for you? That’s simple, it will help you find your next favorite book, and help you avoid the fad ridden stinkers that everyone is talking about. This blog  will have a set format and every time I finish a book, I’ll post about it, whether I liked it or not. Ok, that’s all for intros. Ready, set, read!