Sheltered Childhood or Misinterpreted Youth

I don't know about you, but, lately, the YA books I'm reading are filled with several things that make me wonder if I had a sheltered childhood or if YA books are just misinterpreting teenagers.

First, Underage drinking as if it's normal and accepted by parents. You don't need to spout statistics at me, I know teens and even preteens are drinking, sad as that is, but is it really accepted by parents? Do parents actually expect their teens to go to parties and knock back a few and come home wasted? Seriously? I'm sure it happens and so parents preach about not driving drunk but is that the best they can manage? I'm not a parent so I don't want to claim I know anything but my childhood wasn't like that and if I'd ever come home drunk...oh boy, my parents would have freaked and put a stop to that! 

Second, cliques and bullying. Now, I was home schooled so my high school experience was totally different but I had friends who went to high school and I never heard about this sort of "extreme" bullying going on, or cliques so cliquey that they actually had names and wouldn't let anyone else into their group. Oh, sure there were groups of people who hung out together on a regular basis but it wasn't like a secret club with codes and rules. And Bullying? I know this does happen but I don't think it's quite as prominent as these YA books make it seem. Plus if anyone tried to bully me when I did go to school I fought back...and the bullying stopped happening fast.

Third, meeting your first one true wuuuv in high school. Once again, I had a pretty different childhood so romance just wasn't like it is in these YA books. Yeah, I had crushes, I had major crushes. I'm sure I even thought I was in love a couple of times but guy teenagers, in my day, were so incredibly immature and, well, young.  I never dated exclusively, heck I still haven't, but even if I had I seriously doubt I would have felt like I was going to be with this young, immature, BO smelling, punk forever and ever. *eye roll* Plus aren't teenage girls today a little more determined to go to college and get a career? Do they really think that young kid they met is the love of their life and a reason to give up everything for him? K, I'm shutting up now, I'm starting to feel cynical.  Oh, and don't even get me started on underage sex. ;)

I could go on but I'm feeling I'm coming off a little bitter. But that's just it, am I? Was my life so sheltered? Is this stuff really going on? And if it isn't then why are YA authors making teenagers think it is and that's it's perfectly normal? Oh well, at least most people reading all these YA books aren't teenagers anymore. ;) 

Character Connection Astley From The Need Series

Character Connection is hosted by Jen of The Introverted Reader every Thursday. It's a great meme to gush about the characters we love. Head on over and join up.

Today I'd like to gush about Astley from the Need series. Now, I know these books aren't very well loved...well, in my circle of friends, any way, and I'm not a huge drooling fan myself, but I definitely love Astley and here's why.

We don't meet Astley until book two, Captivate, and that's a good thing because after the first book and the control freak that was Nick, we're all ready for a much better guy to come along.

Astley is pixie king which I admit makes hims sound kinda wimpy and, hey, maybe he is because he doesn't try to control Zara. Beause he isn't all possessive and manipulative like Nick. Nevertheless, he kicks butt if he needs to and is ready to fight along side Zara. He believes in destiny and calmly waits for Zara to realize she belongs with him...and she certainly better decide that!!! ;) He comes from one messed up family, his mom is a lying unloving...ahem (I won't say what) who tricked him into getting his fiance killed so he has that whole sympathy thing going for him. He loves his people and wants to serve them and he wants Zara to think he's perfect even though he knows he's not. But what I love most is his belief in Zara's ability to fight her own battles...even though, he's right there to rescue her if she ends up needing him after all. 

So, yeah, in comparison to all those other control freak guys out there Astley is in a league of his own. BTW, I don't usually picture movie or TV stars as book characters and I didn't picture anyone in particular as Astley but I could see Alex Pettyfer playing him. Anyone else?

Yeah, I'm that out of post ideas

For some reason I'm having absolutely no post ideas so I'm going to bore you with the TV shows I'm checking out this fall season.  Yeah, boring, I know. Well, here we go.

The new...

I can't decide if this is going to suck or not but I'll give it a shot.  (premiers Oct. 23rd)

This one has potential...I think. (premiers Sep. 26th)

I don't usually get into sitcoms but I like Zooey Deschanel and this one looks fun. (premiers Sep 20th)

This one premiered last night and I'm intrigued. (premiered Sep. 13th)

I'm skeptical but I have this weird fondness for Thomas Dekker so....(premiers Sep. 15th)

This one looks better than Once Upon a Time but we'll see. (premiers Oct. 21st)

And the return of the old...

I'm losing interest in this one. (premiers Oct 3rd)

I'm glad this one is coming back, it's rather amusing. (premiers Sep 21st)

Yeah, I'm addicted to this ridiculous show. (premiers Sep. 14th)

Agenda pushing aside, I'll always be a fan. (premiers Sep 21st)

Is this Damon's year? ;) (premiers Sep. 15th)

 After that cliffhanger ending last season I'm on pins and needles! (premiers Sep. 22nd)

Can't wait!!! (premiers Sep. 23rd)

Hmmm, do I watch too much TV? Don't answer that. So, you checking any of these new ones out?

Yay For Book Club!

This week, after a summer break, the book club I attend is starting up again. Whoohoo! There's something so fun about getting together with other book lovers and actually talking about books because I know there are book clubs that aren't really discussing books and  are just using it as an escape. Not that there's anything wrong with that but our book club is an escape, but it's a book escape, and I consider myself very lucky to belong to it.  Thanks, Suey, of It's All About Books for organizing and hosting and making it great!

This is why I'm really excited, check out the books we'll be reading.

September: Middlemarch by George Eliot
October: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
November: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
December: The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
January: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
February: Atonement by Ian McEwan
March: The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
April: Watership Down by Richard Adams
May: Precious Bane by Mary Webb


Of all these books I've only read The Wednesday Wars and Middlemarch. I'm so excited for all of these books...well, except for Atonement, but that's just cause I hated the movie. Anywho, thanks for listening to me gush! I'm off to count down the days. ;)

Review: City of Bones

Title City of Bones (Mortal Instruments 1)
By Cassandra Clare
For Fun
Source I own it

First Sentence "You've got to be kidding me," the bouncer said, folding his arms across his massive chest.

Synopsis
Um, do I really need to tell you guys what this was about...really? Well, if you're the last person on the planet who hasn't read this series yet, don't feel too bad; I'm just getting started myself. Out with her best friend, one night, Clary witnesses two demon hunters kill a demon. If that isn't strange enough, Clary learns she shouldn't have been able to see them at all. Then Clary's mom is kidnapped and Clary must learn all about these demon (shadow) hunters to save her mom.

General thoughts
I'm sure there are a lot of you out there who probably think I'll tear these books to itty bitty pieces just because they're popular. Well, the truth is, besides the fact that I went in with incredibly low expectations, and already knowing the big "twist" at the end because I probably am the last person to read these books, I liked it. Are you shocked? So am I. I think this one had a whole Harry Potter vibe going for it. Now before you read that sentence again, let me explain. Girl isn't what she thought she was. Learns about a whole world she didn't know existed...you see where I'm going with this? Anyways, there was also something about the adverb heavy writing style that reminded me of HP too and, needless to say, I like those HP books, so it wasn't that far of a reach for me to like this one too.  I was warned the beginning was a little slow and I totally disagree; I was engaged the entire time. I liked the back story, I liked the adventure, I loved the snarky dialogue, and I think there was only one mention of how a guy smelled. ;) But that's a different post entirely. ;)

Characters
Clary: I really liked her She actually acts like a 15 year old. I liked her loyalty and I liked how she wasn't suddenly an awesome fighter just because she was a shadow hunter.
Jace: Meh, he had some good lines but I wasn't impressed with his golden halo hair and eyes. *eye roll* My opinion might have been tainted since I knew going in about the "twist".
Simon: Sorry, I haven't the faintest idea where these books will go, but I liked Simon better as a love interest. I always like the "good" guy....mostly ;)
Alec and Isabelle: I pair them together because I didn't feel like we really got to know them quite yet. I liked Alec but Isabelle is kind of a snob but I think that's her thing so...
Luke: Loved him!!!! There aren't even words.
Valentine: Perfect villain! You just can't help but hate him; even before you meet him.

Would I recommend it? 
Um, to whom? I think everyone else has read it by now. But if you haven't, then, yeah, I would.