Arty Fowl: Why Reading About A Boy Genius is Fun

Artemis Fowl: kid genius... need I say more? Ok so, I was inspired to blog about Arty because of 1) this kid in my class reading the book 2) That accursed ERomo, stuffing ideas into my head (well not really...)

So you basically get the idea, in each book of the series, Arty outsmarts his supernatural enemies (as in goblins, fairies, and pixies... quite the abnormality...) and pulls off crazy stunts that I recommend you do not try at home (after all, you're no kid genius... if you were, you'd be a fake one because people like Artemis Fowl do not read blogs like mine). But let's get a little technical here: think witty, humorous, and suspenseful in one book. Add that to fictional characters and maybe a dab of heroism and OP butlers... and boom! Masterpiece... or as Big Bang would say, "Fantastic Baby!" (Ok, if any of you didn't get that, please... I suggest you become a Big Bang fanatic...)

And you might ask, why exactly is this series so "Fantastic Baby?!" Well, it's quite simple: we human beings like adventures that we know never could happen... and so when we read books like these, well, let's just say we have pretty dreams at night.

Characters (Really, I don't like listing people that much... it's so boring... but a few characters are better than about 30 like the Game of Thrones... and don't watch that show if you're not of age...):

Artemis (yes, it's primarily a girl's name...) Fowl: reclusive boy genius, socially awkward.

 Accomplishments: masterful forging, skilled burglarizing, the list goes on.... and they're all about the same type of thing....

Things he still needs to work on: Getting over the fact that no one has yet succeeded in controlling puberty, working on his manners, going to the gym a little more often, that kind of stuff..... really, even a boy genius has problems


(First Name: Unknown) Butler: Actually, his first name is known, but I wouldn't write it down on this blog, primarily because I'm a superstitious person and I still have an inkling of doubt that Butler does exist and he will track me down if I reveal such classified information (that everyone already knows...) What I can tell you though, is that he's big, muscular, and reportedly the third most skilled man in the martial arts on Earth (which, of course, mind you, is said in a NOVEL)

Holly Short: She's an elf. Did that blow your mind? Yes? No? If it did, then you're lying because you'd be dead. If it didn't... darn it. Not that kind of elf though, she doesn't help out in Santa's workshop (I mean, seriously though, those elves are so underpaid). She's an elf officer... and I'm sure that totally cleared it up for you.

The rest of the characters, though some pretty significant (like Juliet, who at this point, you don't know about), I'm not going to bother including, that would just be a chore for me and more information for you..... in other words, I'm lazy. However, if I had to give this series a rating: it'd be 4 sparkles out of 5 (mind you, only books like Eragon earn my full five sparkles). And why am I cutting so quickly to the conclusion? Didn't I already say I was lazy? But no, seriously, that's all I can say without completely being a big meany book spoiler. So are you hooked? Please say you are, or I just wasted 10 minutes of my life writing this. Keep on SPARKLING!

Big Bang (The Band... Please... Not Theory)

Ok so I figured I might as well get started on the random part of my blog, KPop... which you may groan and moan at but is my love and joy, so bear with me... please. And I really detest it when people say Big Bang Theory the moment Big Bang pops out of my mouth... so no Big Bang Theory here ok? Let's say it's banned from this blog? Good? Okay? Since there was no answer, I'll assume that's a yes. Now onward into Big Bang (THE BAND).

If you've never heard of them, I wouldn't be too surprised, maybe just slightly (take or give) since they are, after all, disputably the most successful boy band in Korean pop music nowadays. If not most successful, then at least 2nd most successful (that accursed Super Junior... jk... no offense). Overall, many KPop fans really lean towards the Big Bang fandom because of its unique image in the world of Korean pop. Most boy bands have the signature flower boy look (like SHINee)... you know the type, skinny jeans and neon shirts, lanky arms and crazy hair (kind of looks like 1D... except, well, not really, and please, I mean no offense, 1D is not a bad band). But Big Bang gives off the more manly vibe, mixed with a little over-the-top fashion that's not too over-the-top. I can only name one instance when it really was over-the-top and it's none other than Big Bang's leader, G-Dragon's hair (but I mean, cut him some slack. obviously over-the-top was his destiny since he was born. what kind of person's name is G-Dragon?)



Okay, so obvious over-the-top overload. But other than that, everything has been pretty tame (as in, crazy tame, or about as tame as Big Bang can get), and if you wish to argue about their fashion choice, the group name says it all. What isn't "big bang" about some long neon orange hair? If you want to get technical with me and call Big Bang a scientific hypothesis, then please leave this blog, because if you did say that, it would have to do with that annoying television show all over again and remember? The Big Bang Theory is banned. Period.

Members (because that's so important):

G-Dragon: Yeap, the dude with the neon orange hair. Everything about him screams creatively insane and talented. Which makes him all the more hot.

Daesung: Resident cute eye smile person, whose great at being dumb. Yes, his name was Dumber and Dumbest in partnership with his stupid partner-in-dumb on a reality show. But overall, he's quite the cute Korean!

Seungri: My ultimate bias. No words said. Just. Plain. Hot. If you don't believe me, just Google his new music video on YouTube and see for yourself.

T.O.P: So shy and reserved, it makes me want to scream!!! But I suppose that just makes T.O.P.... well... T.O.P. And maybe its because of his handsome rich guy persona (which is actually true) because all the girls go gaga for him... **sighs**

Taeyang: Yes, he's last but (this is going to sound corny) definitely not the least. Imagine a good dancer, singer, and hot guy all in one package. Nailed it!

So, those are the diverse members of this group, and yes, my favorite KPop group of all time, no contest. Was this random enough for you readers? I do so hope, and yes, in case you're wondering where are the book reviews, they'll be coming right up. I just needed to take a little break and do something versatile! Keep on sparkling!

Introduction to Kpop

Didn't I say in the sub-heading of this blog that it would be filled with random stuff? Well, I finally decided to make a post to introduce none other than... Kpop! As you can tell from my blog address... I'm quite the hardcore Kpop fan... obsessive and addicted, the perfect mixture! My idea of the perfect introduction would be going into full detail about the hundreds of Kpop groups, but for the sake of those who can't stand a dictionary's worth essay, I'll make it brief. Korean+Pop= Kpop! Easy enough? My ranking of best Kpop groups though:

1) Big Bang
2) Girls' Generation
3) f(x)
4) 2PM
5) 4Minute
6) T-ara (tiara) or KARA
7) Apink
8)...

Well you probably don't know anything about these groups so instead, over the span of my numerous book review posts, I'll add a tidbit blog post about Kpop groups! Hopefully, I'll be able to cover my favorite groups by this month (jk!)... but anyhow, hope you enjoy my "random stuff!" Keep On Sparkling!

Camping Pictures

Like I promised, pictures from my camping trip! It was quite the experience, and it left me unbearably sore *sighs*... and half blind for a few days after (my glasses don't quite make up for contacts). But enough talk, here they are!

Mostly the pictures are scenery... but above there are also pictures of the tent, my morning jog XD, Sunday sermon, and of course, what camping trip would be complete without a campfire? Add a few friends to the fun and you've got yourself the perfect Labor Day retreat! What do you think? Did I manage well trying to get away from the dirt? Or was I hopelessly unable to escape the "wild"?

Going Camping! (Would Love Advice)

I've never been much of an outdoorsy person, and to be truthful, I really do not like getting dirty. Camping=dirty. I mean, who'd want to sleep on the ground outside when you could have a nice soft mattress any day? Maybe it's just me... I mean, it probably is. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Why am I going? Of course, Labor Day Weekend is coming up and what better way to spend the week than sleeping in? No I'm joking, in case you don't understand my sense of humor, and so camping it is! Any tips on how to stay neat during my trek in the wild? Please let me know, I'll be stressing over my hair every minute of the day.

However, take it from a worldly person, here are my tips:

1) Dress comfortable and extremely neat.
2) Tie your hair up.
3) Don't sweat.

Okay, so I really need tips if anything right? I'll be absent (no wifi T-T) but I'll clue you in on my beloved "camping" trip. It's going to be so much fun! XD

Eragon: Why It's The Best Book Ever

Okay, so I figured I needed to do a tribute to Eragon, my one and beloved. Eragon, nothing holds any contest to you! I must admit though, I've definitely considered different books to be second to Eragon, but never first. Nope, none are up-to-par with my dearest novel. I could mention quite a few that really came close but just fell short:

The Harry Potter Series, oh yes, I had a major addiction to this series that I've read maybe ten times over, but I felt it just wasn't as... how do you say it... practical as Eragon. I'm not saying that dragons and Gallbatorix (BTW, that's the evil antagonist in case you couldn't already tell by his devilishly hot name) are practical, if anything, they're the opposite. But what I am saying is, the plots that lie under the main story are so epic, they build into the book very nicely and comfortably. Whereas in Harry Potter, most of the book is told from Harry's point of view, Eragon likes to also mash a few different scenes and perspectives up (from Roran, to Saphira, to even Nasuada)*.

The Lord of the Rings Series: To be truthful, this series probably shouldn't even be listed here but since there are so many Frodo fans out there, I figured I had to say something. Take it from someone who's done a Lord of the Rings marathon (the EXTENDED version okay?!) and tried reading the books. Maybe it's just me, but I was seriously falling asleep halfway through. There is just SO much dialogue and elvish songs that I don't even bother to sing... much less read. To be fair to all the staunch Hobbit supporters out there, Eragon has plenty of dialogue too... and the first time I read it, it struck me as a little draggy too. Fair enough? Good.

The Percy Jackson Series: could very well be second place if not for one thing. The reading level is just so....... elementary. I'm sorry, it's true. Other than that, everything is packed up very nicely: the humor, the serious parts. Oh my gosh, I just want to die when Annabeth and Percy share their first kiss!!! But seriously, too elementary, if anything.

Hope I wasn't too harsh to any fanatic fans of the books I mentioned. However, remember, this is coming from an Eragon bias! More on Eragon soon... but I think my next review might be about something nice, gory, and so suspenseful!

The Secret Series: Book 1 (The Name of This Book Is Secret)

And just like the title of this blog post, yes it is.... well not really. Seriously, the Secret Series aren't a series that supposed to be kept secret because 1) It's a published book by a published author. 2) I'm blogging about it. I think that's a fair enough explanation, right? Onward, to the review! (forgive my Eragon speech, it rubs off on you after reading the book too many times to count)

The Characters (who, by the way, the author claims are not their real names, as its is "SECRET"):

Cassandra: the main heroine, who I'm not going to go into because she's much too complicated

Max-Ernest: one of Cass's sidekicks, who I'm also not going into because he's very much too complicated

Yo-Yoji: another one of Cass's friends, who...


WELL... you can kind of get where I'm going. So scratch that... or as I would say "pony-scratch" that and lets look at the basics. What kind of boring blog would this be if I just listed the characters and gave the book a grade?!? Not a good review at all... I mean, talk about boorrinnggg. So lets redo this and I'll break it down step by step...

Why You Should Care

I know, I know, another book that no one's ever heard of. Well, actually that's not true but regardless. For those avid readers who like a bit of fun and exciting, mixed with humor so funny that you don't laugh out loud but instead, smile at inside, then this is the right book for you. Ok, so I'm sure you've heard of let's say, A Series of Unfortunate Events (which, believe me, I liked at the beginning but felt it got so boring at the end). Okay, so that's a pretty popular series, and if you liked those books, then you just have to like the Secret Series. Just take a look at the author's name: Pseudonymous Bosch. Oh what a name! (Believe it or not, I actually thought that was his real name until I did some Googling). And then I realized, of course, it's a pseudonym... I mean, serious brain fart right?


The Plot: So Dangerous It's a SECRET

Oh sure, I'm going to do a review on a book that's secret. Silly me. Well, enter the world of... well... yourself. In the beginning of the book, Mr. Bosch downright tells you that he can't say anything that might indicate/imply the characters, in fact, he can't even tell you what their real names are, where they live, what friends they have, etc etc. And so, you pretend they live in your neighborhood. Yippee, you get to be not-really part of a book! And then Mr. Bosch decides to create a Chapter One-And-A-Half, full of x's that make it impossible to know what the real writing says. Oh great, now you've got an entire book full of pony scratch. But believe me, it gets better. I can't say more without completely ruining the story (which is good since it's "a secret") but full of snark, wit, and sarcasm, it's perfect for a bored-out-of-your-mind tween!


Characters: This Time, For Real

Very sorry for that previous hold-back on the characters, but I simply had to make a point. That characters don't just deserve to be listed, they deserve to be described to the fullest, with a plaque for their names, and.... who am I kidding! Absolutely not, that would be a waste of time so I'm about to do the exact same thing I just said I wasn't going to do... list the characters.

Cassandra (Cass): a survivalist who's convinced some kind of disaster is going to happen every second, typical crazy heroine, but level-headed enough to keep a secret (which is of utmost importance in this book... I mean, duh, it's called the Secret Series)

Max-Ernest (nickname: none): Parents couldn't decide which name to give him, so they settled on the who-knows-what name of Max-Ernest and got divorced (lovely family, no?)

The Midnight Sun: is nothing you need to know about... it's not important at all!

The Terces Society: Oh please, forget this name, erase it, scratch it out. Nope, not of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE!


Rating:

4.5 out of 5 sparkles... I admit, I was rather hopelessly attracted to reading this book (while I ate breakfast, painted my nails, etc etc.) There really is nothing else for me to say about this first book except that... it's good. And I hope you get that because if you don't, please stop reading this blog... Got it? Good! Hope you enjoyed that, if you didn't, sucks for you! Keep on SPARKLING!