2009 - My Last Year

I'm posting this to announce that as of 31st of December I will stop posting on Pizza's Book Discussion and eventually will delete it. I have been considering this decision as I haven't the time to blog recently and it has been getting in the way of my personal life. I will post two more reviews and a farewell post and then I will be leaving, I will still keep my Blogger account and will occassionally comment on others' blogs.

My email address (pryan.pizza@gmail.com) will still be open if anyone wants to contact me in the future after I have left, I really don't mind even if you just say 'hi, how have you been?'

I hope you all understand, the life of a 14 year old is much harder than it looks.

Thanks,

Pizza

Friends Seasons 1-10

I just finished watching the last season of this show and just had to review it. It's a very popular show here in Australia even though we sadly had to admit it was over :'( just like what happened to Harry Potter. Friends is set in New York including six very different yet beliveable people, all of the 10 seasons are based around comedy and a lil' bit of drama in the last few episodes nearly causing me to cry. So there is Ross (smart), Rachel (err, hot), Phoebe (weird, in a good way), Joey (weird, childish and unintelligent), Chandler (sarcastic) and Monica (control freak). The story line practically never changes always including two of them (Rachel and Ross) getting together and breaking up and jealousy which turns out to be hilarious and entertaining.

IT ENDED SO SADLY! I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO GO!!!

But I'm seriously not being melodramatic, I grew up with Friends for a bit (as in the show, but yeh, people friends too) and I loved them, if you haven't watched it then please go out and watch all the seasons and you will LOVE it if you are into sarcasim (woah! I forgot how to spell it) and humour.

5 stars (need not say no more)

Such an unprofessional review considering all the brackets I had including my thoughts (Rachel is hot, okay) I never usually do film or television reviews but I had to just this once.

Pizza

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Credit goes to J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog (http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com)

I am still actually reading the Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien so nothing new there, I've got two public holidays to read and write so hopefully I'll finish writing the third chapter of my book and finish read the Hobbit. I'd love to hear what you are all reading in the comment section.

Also I went to the city for the last two days so now I can say Happy Halloween and now the Halloween Challenge has commenced with no one participating, if you are interested please follow the link: http://pizzasbookdiscussion.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-challenge.html

NaNoWriMo Challenge

Hey all and thanks to J. Kaye (http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com) I found an awesome writing challenge called National Novel Writing Month hence the nickname NaNoWriMo. This challenge was created to attract everyday people to write their own story in just one month starting in November, it's pretty clever and I think roughly 90 000 people have signed up.

I am not actually signed up for it nor will I be, I am kind of being an unofficial participant particially because the word goal is only 50 000 words. Also I am kind of editing it to be flexible for my school work etc. so I don't plan on finishing mine in a month because I'm taking mine slow and steady in order to make my 1st draft acceptable.

You can find out about the challenge at http://nanowrimo.org I urge people who want to write to have a go. Oh and importantly I showed you this to also let you know I'm slowing all reading and blogging to work on my novel for November, I will post some old reviews which I read a while back mostly Enid Blyton and kid-ish stuff.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

This is a weekly event hosted by J. Kaye over at J. Kaye's Book Blog (http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com). I am currently reading the Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien which is surprisingly addictive, at least compared to the book I was reading for a while (The Gift) which I got bored of.

Plus I'm extremely tired after going to an annual event for teens in town where bands play and also music in another room (this is on Friday night), also on Saturday I went to a cousin's 21st birthday which was fun until my back started to ache after playing soccer (still does), then on Sunday I went to the school fete which was alright until I got kicked of the jumping slide (you know, big inflatible slide thing) for JUMPING! which I was annoyed about. Maths tessalation project due tomorrow which was pretty hard.

Good news! I finished the second chapter, I know it doesn't sound like much but it was soooo hard. Only like 28 more to go! I've printed it off in a book sized booklet (that must have sounded odd) which contains the first + second chapter each going for roughly 10-15 pages.

Writing, Soccer, Reading, Homework= Busy!

Hey guys, I know this may strike you as odd but I'm not reading as much next month. Summer soccer starts next week so I need to start practising, my writings getting better and better and I finally finished the second chapter (is 20 book pages worth enough?), I wanna finish the third soon and homework is getting more intense in quantity.

I will still read a little but only at night before bed for half an hour, because of all these things there might only be a couple posts next month and maybe a review (lol, I refuse to give anyone a sample yet of my writing, not even Zakk).

Hope you all understand.
Pizza

P.S- I'm entering several poems, short stories and 55 word stories in a local show. Last year I only entered a 55 word story and came first so hopefully I'll do well this year.

*Another* Another Faust Competition! (Guest post)

Daniel Nayeri, author (with his sister Dina) of Another Faust wrote this guest post for a competition:

Hi everyone. Dina and I are about to kick off a month-long tour for our book, Another Faust, and we want to do it by announcing a contest! We are looking for the most promising writers out there (that’s YOU). And then we want to showcase their work, so that all of the Internet can bask in their awesome writing might (and, you know, give them prizes).

HERE’S HOW IT GOES.

We want you to write your own short story, re-imagining of the Faustian Bargain. (For inspiration, check out Bedazzled, Simpsons “Tree House of Horrors IV,” and The Little Mermaid). It can be about anything you like (but let’s keep it PG-13, and under 3,000 words), and it’s open to everyone.

All you have to do is send your entry to dviergutz@gmail.com before January 31.

Rules and details can be found here:
http://www.danielanddina.com/site/2009/10/writing-contest-create-another-another-faust/
Make sure to read them so you don’t get DQed


And the winner gets all kinds of sweetness:
A signed copy of Another Faust

A handwritten deleted scene

A featured article & interview on our site

An author’s galley of the sequel Another Pan

Though we’ll feature the top five on our site for comments, the judging WON’T happen by popular vote (so basically, we don't care which contestant has the most friends). Dina and I will personally read them.

So, spread the word! Tweet, retweet, forward, thread, spread, embed this post.

Good luck!
D&D

Pizza says: This is the first contest I have posted, I'm not running it, more announcing, if you are interested in making a contest or giveaway of an item you have tell me about it at pryan.pizza@gmail.com

Halloween Challenge

In Australia we actually don't celebrate Halloween but I always watch a scary movie and used to dress up and run around the house. I doubt I'm the first to come up with this but I thought of a Halloween Challenge.
Rules:
-To enter you must create a post and place the link on your sidebar of the challenge
-The idea is to read as many horror or scary books as you can for the month
-Starts on 31st of October Halloween and ends on December 1st
-Just for fun, no prizes etc.
-In the widget bellow place the link to your blog post
-Your entry will be deleted if you post the link to your blog
-If you don't have a blog please feel free to participate by emailing me
-Queries send to: pryan.pizza@gmail.com

Also, people have a different idea of what horror books are. If you read a book and consider it frightening then add it to your list.

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson Review

I bought this book for two reasons, firstly; the cover looked awesome, secondly because I had heard several great reviews about it. But plot first, review second.

It begins with some kids who were raised by scientists after being created using 98% human DNA and 2% bird hence, they are pretty much angels. The leader of the gang of angels is called "Maximum" and helps them to escape from the cruel experiments these scientists do to them. The 6 children (Max, Fang, Iggy, Gasman, Nudge and Angel) are in hiding from these scientists for years until one day they are found and they kidnap the youngest, Angel who is just 6 years old. Half the book is about finding and rescuing Angel and the other, I can't tell you.

I enjoyed the plot of the story, it could be a very good book if it was written better. Firstly, the names were terrible or strange apart from Max who I actually thought was a boy until page 50. Also, it seemed to be very repetitive. If I had a nickel for every time the bad guys came and they got away then I would be seriously rich. I usually don't care how many chapters or how long they are but this 450 page book had nearly or more 150 chapters!

It was sort of ridiculous how the author divided the chapters, most of them continued SECONDS after the last one. I was really excited about this book because I loved the cover and heard cool reviews of it, I decided to break the score down to give you an idea:

Plot- 4/5

Addictivness- 3/5

Written- 2/5

Characters- 2/5

Overall: 2.75 stars out of 5.

(I really don't like to give bad reviews but I try to be honest, apologies to James Patterson fans. The plot was good enough to consider reading the next one in the series but it was badly written.)

Competition Policy

Hey, I've had a few people ask whether I am going to do contests. Yes I will, but...

The thing is, I am not able to send things myself. But if you are an author, publisher or literary agent and wish to promote your book with a giveaway then send me an email at pryan.pizza@gmail.com but please understand that I will not be able to send the package for you. You will have to be responsible for the items in the giveaway I am just simply hosting the contest. I will email you back the winners and their adresses for you to send the prizes to.

If you have a query please email me.

Lamplighter, writting review + vlog review

Review: Rossamund is back in the 2nd edition of the Monster-Blood Tattoo series. So are Europe, Freckle and Sebastipole his old friends. The book simply begins where the first book "Foundling" left off, Rossamund is at Winstermill ready to become a prentice of the Lamplighters. Most of this book is spent while he is training to become a Lamplighter with a few mysterys, the next part goes straight into action.

It is a really, really good book, better than the first. Published by Scholastic and usually listed in the children's section it is to say, not a children's book. Complex but imaginative, children can read it and adults can too, pretty much for anyone, young old etc.

The thing is, it was interesting how Rossamund sort of grew out of his usual character in this book when he befriends a girl his age, a fellow Lamplighter prentice. It's kind of like a Harry Potter book, similar layout; trouble with girls, school, girls, school and mystery and action-packed near the end. At the moment Zakk is probably groaning at what I am saying because he doesn't enjoy Harry Potter but loved Lamplighter. D.M Cornish did great job. 5 stars. I feel like I'm being too nice, I really need a book where I can complain about something! Suggestions? Lol kidding. Am I?

Vlog: Apologies for repeating words and being very vivid about the plot on this vlog, but it was fun.

In my mail box (2)

TWO NEW BUDGIES THAT IS!

I'm pleased to inform you that yesterday I bought two new budgies and they are so awesome and tweet alot. They are both male because I really don't want to breed them; well, mum doesn't :( If I got a female one anyway they bite like crazy and I'm not being sexist, it's true. Because of babies don't have same characteristics as adults they judge their gender by how hard they bite! Strange... Anyway they are so awesome, they will star in my recent vlog posts so visit http://www.youtube.com/user/PizzaReadsBooks

Check it out

So I made a proper vlog of a review I did months ago of Lirael and Abhorsen and I had a decent-ish camera ("borrowed" from my sister) and since it wasn't on a phone I could edit it with titles etc. and I sound much less crackly because of the good quality camera. You can see the text reviews somewhere on my blog. Oh, by the way; I'M GETTING TWO NEW BUDGIES! I accepted that it was time to move on and tomorrow I will be going to pet store to buy TWO new budgies. Thinking of calling them Rossamund and Lirael, any other suggestions please comment!

Author of the Month!

Pizza's Book Discussion Author of the Month is to Eoin Colfer, the genius behind the Artemis Fowl series and the Supernaturalist. A clever and funny children's author he deserves to be noticed.

In the mail box (5)

So I'm back from camping with a few new books and a review and maybe another one a few days later. I decided to create a compromise and do both vlog and text for each post and review, the text will go into much further detail but I enjoy doing the videos and wish to expand to YouTube. This will apply to all reviews and sometimes ordinary posts, please remember that if you do prefer text, it will still be there.

In My Mailbox-
I have had no idea why everyone uses this title considering most are bought from the store, now I can relate. As well as my usual urge to visit bookstores and spend like mad, I actually ordered one online and I feel strangely proud but I know I prefer just browsing in a store.

Bookstore:
The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
Sasha by Joel Sheperd
The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
The Wind Singer by William Nicholson

Booktopia Ordered:
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

Vlog Review- The Sea-Wrecked Stranger by Anna MacKenzie

So this is my first vlog review and I'm quite anxious of what you all think because my voice is all crackly and croaky at the moment and a bit squeaky. Also the phone accounts for some of this because it's not the best quality camera because I used my brother's because mine is broken. So I'm going camping in a day and really look forward to it because I haven't visited the campsite in years and it has several fun activities. Anyway, have a laugh watching:

Check out The Last Bookshelf, the blog host (Zakk) lent me Lamplighter: http://zakkip.blogspot.com

School Holidays Trip

Well, because I happen to be a 14 year old male, it also means I'm very messy so mum banned my computer until my room is clean which is why I haven't posted any reviews or commented or made contact with any one for a while. Soon I'm going away out of state for about 1 week or more and I PROMISE I will come back with a few more reviews and I'll post some photos of the trip. We are basically staying at a caravan park where we usually go yearly but haven't been since 2005 so we decided to go back.

Cya, I'll be back in a week.

P.S- Mum's going senile because I still haven't packed, not even supposed to be using her computer. Oh and the next review I have decided will actually be a vlog post so I'm really nervous. Miss you guys, cya.

Book Review Blog Carnival #26

Hello, I'm Pizza and I'm obviously hosting the 26th Book Review Blog Carnival where you can submit your reviews for the next carnival hosted every other Sunday, so in two weeks. if you wish to host a Book Review Blog Carnival then please go to the website link above where you can contact Clark Bjorke who maintains this carnival.

Books

Suzane Smith presents Is The Truth Really Out There? posted at Computer Forensics Training.

Jason Ward presents Halting State by Charles Stross posted at The Word of Ward

Jason Ward presents Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev posted at The Word of Ward.

Anthony Kuo presents The top 3 home automation books you can?t afford to miss posted at Smart Home Automation Guide, saying, "The Smart Home Automation Guide is the best source of information on the internet, and we’re working every day to make it even better. But I can’t make that claim against all home automation resources in the offline world…yet. Each of these three books is excellent, and will help build your understanding of what home automation is, how it works, and most importantly, how you can bring it into your home. You can read them straight through to get a big-picture view, or you can use them as references and skip around looking for specific things. Either way, they’re highly helpful, and highly recommended."

Alyce presents The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist - Review posted at At Home With Books

Shamelle presents Who’s Pulling Your Strings? (How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation ...) posted at Enhance Life.

Jim Murdoch presents The Last Day of a Condemned Man by Victor Hugo posted at The Truth About Lies, saying, "This book does what it says on the tin. But just because you know what's going to happen this doesn't mean you shouldn't read it. Hugo very wisely uses a guilty man as his protagonist and there is no question as to his guilt so what he is asking us to look at is the effect both on the man and on society. This was written at a time when men, women and children clamoured around the guillotine to watch executions. Hugo also questions the root causes of the crimes that people were being executed for – was society to blame? An interesting and important historical novel."

Amanda CMJ presents Book review: The Dirt on The Dirt on Clean posted at Yield to Pedestrian.

Kara Jones aka Mother Henna presents This Is Not A Review of This Is Not A Book... posted at Mother Henna, saying, "Keri Smith's new creative wonder "This Is Not A Book" is officially released today, and MotherHenna.com is doing a filmic adventure as a review just for you! Come play! Get inspired, and then go make art -- coz that's what it's all about it!"

KerrieS presents Review: THE VICTORIA VANISHES, Christopher Fowler posted at MYSTERIES in PARADISE, saying, "British crime fiction of the highest order. Someone is murdering women in London pubs. Old fashioned detecting by the Peculiar Crimes Unit identifies the murderer, but where to find him? And why did he do it?"

Steven Bush presents The Way Home posted at Book Dads: Fathers That Read!, saying, "The Way Home: part crime novel, part story of an estranged father and son finding their way back to each other."

Ken Robert presents Book Review – Stuck: Why We Can’t (or Won’t) Move On by Anneli Rufus posted at Mildly Creative.

Bart's Bookshelf presents Review: The New Policeman by Kate Thompson posted at Bart's Bookshelf.

SVB presents Work At Home Mom Shares Tips On Saving Money posted at The Digerati Life, saying, "Thanks! Interview with the author."

Jim Murdoch presents 98 Reasons for Being posted at The Truth About Lies, saying, "Psychotherapy has come a long way. Not until you have read a book like this will you appreciate quite how difficult that journey has been. Set in an asylum in 19th century Frankfurt we find Dr Hoffman, a doctor who can see that the old days of ice baths, blood-letting and purging are coming to an end. When he meets a young woman described as a nymphomaniac he realises he has a perfect candidate for a radical new kind of therapy, a moral treatment. A fascinating and carefully researched book full of details, compelling personalities and more than one heartbreaking story."

Carolyn Friedman presents 100 Free Tips, Tools, and Tutorials to Become a Speed Reader posted at Accredited Online Universities.

Woman Tribune presents Book Review: Tribes by Seth Godin posted at Woman Tribune.

John presents Review: Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia posted at A DC Birding Blog, saying, "Review of a new book about shorebirds of the northern hemisphere"

BWL presents The 7 Great Prayers Book Review posted at Christian Personal Finance, saying, "This is a review of Paul McManus' "The 7 Great Prayers""

jim presents Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover Review posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity.

children's books

Tyler Tervooren presents Lessons From Children?s Tales: The Giving Tree posted at Frugally Green, saying, "Adults can find a lot to learn from the lessons of children's books. See how I interpreted the lessons from The Giving Tree to improve my relationships with others and the environment.."

DNLee presents Book Review: Puzzle of the Platypus posted at Urban Science Adventures! ©, saying, "This is a collection of science news stories for children. I write a science/nature blog and I also share book recommendations for children on these subjects."

NathanKP presents “Inventing Elliot,” by Graham Gardner posted at Books For Sale?, saying, "“Inventing Elliot,” by Graham Gardner is a chilling story about a boy who ends up trapped in his school’s sickening cycle of bullying."

Tom DeRosa presents A Dangerous Book for Your Classroom Library posted at I Want to Teach Forever, saying, "A great book for any classroom or home library, and for any child or nostalgic grown-up."

Joana presents Aurora of the Northern Lights by Holly Hardin posted at The Symposium.

fiction

Keira presents 10 Reasons Zombies Make Bad Romance Heroes posted at Love Romance Passion, saying, "brains... brains... brains...."

KerrieS presents Review: BLACK ICE, Leah Giarratano posted at MYSTERIES in PARADISE, saying, "The 3rd novel by an outstanding Australian crime fiction female writer."

KerrieS presents Review: A TEST OF WILLS, Charles Todd posted at MYSTERIES in PARADISE, saying, "#1 in a fine crime fiction series. If you like British police procedurals, then you'll love these."

Jeanne presents Shelf Monkey posted at Necromancy Never Pays, saying, "This is a book about people who work in bookstores, known as "shelf monkeys.""

non fiction

Thursday Bram presents Review: The Little Budget Travel Book posted at Working Your Way Around The World.

kristakz presents Book Review - Quilting Illusions posted at Quilts and More - Home Made Creations.

Piotr Stepien presents ‘The Fabric of the Cosmos’ by Brian Greene – book review posted at we overstep, saying, "modern physics"

Arj presents Alex, Wesley... and Love posted at ** Science On Tap **, saying, "Reviews of two NY Times best-selling volumes from 2008, about very special bird companions and their long-time keepers: "Alex and Me" by Dr. Irene Pepperberg and
"Wesley the Owl" by Stacey O'Brien ...must-reading for all bird/animal-lovers!"

Joana presents NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman posted at The Symposium, saying, "I also have a giveaway going on open to residents of the US and Canada to enter to win 1 of 3 copies of the book in audio or hardback (winner's choice)."

novel

Clark Bjorke presents I'll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book!: Oh, Johnny posted at I'll Never Forget the Day I Read a Book!, saying, "News Hour host, Jim Lehrer's nineteenth novel is a story of World War II, baseball, love and disappointment. Life is good considering the alternative."
KerrieS presents Review: INSPECTOR SINGH INVESTIGATES: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder, Shamini Flint posted at MYSTERIES in PARADISE.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
book review blog carnival using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page

The Seven Weeks of Harry Potter- The Deathly Hallows

At the release of the seventh Harry Potter book, I was in a bookstore in one of the northern states of Australia, Queensland. I had the pleasure of actually opening the book filled with the seventh copy of the Harry Potter book. It was really exciting and I started reading it soon after on the plane.

So Harry, Ron and Hermione choose not to go back to Hogwarts to do their seventh year because they promised to help Harry look for the Horcruxes. Voldemort soon takes over the ministry and tries to steal Harry from Bill and Fleur's wedding, and the three of them eventually become fugitives. They are steal four Horcruxes down and the book is spent running and hiding away from the ministry and planning how to get to the each Horcrux and destroy them with no idea how.

This book has probably got the most romance. The book consists of arguments, betrayal and death. There are at least 50 deaths with roughly 10 of them actually listed, it is a very sad book but J.K Rowling did a great job. 4 out of 5 stars!

Two New Awards!

I received this award from Eleni from La Femme Readers because I am one of her 10 top commentors. Thanks Eleni, you rock!

The Humane Award was given to me by Witch Baby from Witch Baby's Journey. Basically, you pass this award on to people who leave kind comments reguarly. Thanks Witch Baby!

I nominate just one person because I'm sure nearly everyone else has this award:

Margo/Margeret from Bookworm Barista