Foreign Friday: Kind of

So, this is totally cheating because I technically already did Twilight -- what? Oh.
-waits patiently for Twilight bashing to occur-
Okay, moving on --
I realize these are just for marketing. I realize they are totally dumb. I realize that the UK, land of pretty boys and accents (my apologies to any UK people I may be offending), is also a marketing genius for selling these.
And yet I love them.
Lots.

Seriously. I think these are SO pretty. The better pictures are here.
Ahem.
Sorry for the cop out;  I was having issues finding stuff this week. Normally, I'd do what I was reading, but this week that consisted of Dante's Inferno, Frankenstein, and a book on the fall of the Spanish Armada.
And yes.
It is EXACTLY as interesting as it sounds.
(Though, on the upside, I'm at 17k on my new shiny story, which is fun. Hoping for 25k by the end of the weekend.)
More later.

Foreign Friday: I'm not telling you who

A couple of years ago, I turned in a book report. It was a book that no one had really of head of up until then; when people asked me what I'd done, I laughed uncomfortably and tried to find a way not to answer. Instead of a poster or some such, I'd written journal entries from the point of view from a character no one had heard of. It worked out well. I still have the entries, with a pretty 100% drawn in blue ink. Also there? I'll have to check this out.

That character? His name was Edward.
And that book? Twilight.

I liked it. It was prettily written and had a concept no one had heard of before. This was before we thought the quiet girl called Bella was a push over

Germany

and before Stephanie Meyer's popularity had clouded people's view of the lovers that captivated the world.

Korea

We still thought the Lion and the Lamb line was romantic. That sparkly was still cool.

Norway

 That falling asleep in a vamp's arms, right after he'd told you that in another life, you totally would have been heroin was gooey and lovely.

Thailand

This book inspired at least four girls I know to read. One of them is probably reading this entry right now. (-waves- You know who you are. Hi!)
This book isn't full of perfect characters, because we aren't perfect. And maybe you don't like it. But do you not like it because you honestly have an issue with it? I can think of someone who has articulated fair arguments against it. That's fine. But people who just want to call it 'stupid'?
Come on.
Bashing popularity just because it's popular is just as annoying as being infatuated with something because everyone else is. The literary community tends to be built of strong willed, very intelligent people. But we are also, often, cynical. We don't want to be part of the masses, because, hello, the masses kind of suck sometimes.
Sometimes, they get it wrong.

Like Russia. Um. Her eyes aren't really blue.

Maybe it isn't perfect. Certainly, the movies aren't. (Taylor Lautner tries. He does. But...the first two? Not so good.)

He is remarkably cute.

Lately, there's been a lot of Twilight hate. I get it. I do. We like to hate the popular. I've made some snide  comments about the phenom as well. I've laughed at the commercials for Vampires Suck. And yeah, there are some things about Twilight that can be bashed. (Two movies? Really? Truly? Not needed.) If someone asked me now if I liked Stephanie Meyers work, I probably wouldn't want to admit it. What if they thought I was obsessed?
Look. I'm sure some of you are going to flame me.  Normally, I wouldn't even go there, but with all the Mockingjay comparisons I've seen this week, all the snide comments about Twilight, a facebook group dedicated to hating Bella -- but, dude, they know her birthday, so obviously they've read them relatively closely -- I'm starting to get annoyed. A lot of us liked those books. A lot of us still do, but won't admit it. I would be hard pressed to.
But there's a book report and a grade in bright blue ink that tells me I wasn't always so cynical. Stephanie Meyer smashed open the doors to YA, even as they started to close after Harry Potter. Paranormal will never be the same. Even if you hate the books, it's hard to hate that.
More later

Foreign Friday: City of Bones

Why City of Bones? Other than the fact that it's beautiful and awesome and has OMG JACE in it?
Well . . .

Because I -- yes, ME -- I get to go see Cassandra Clare tonight.

Yes.

I am squealing. (On the inside. Actually aloud would be awkward at this exact moment. There are people around.)

BUT.

I am SO excited. I'll have pictures this weekend. For now, here are the foreign covers!

German

Czech

Wow, this post is messy. Sorry. I have to go fast. I'll try and make it prettier tomorrow, but I'm on a time limit. Why?
Because I am off to see Cassandra Clare!
Ciao!

Polish

Foreign Friday: Hunger Games!

Thank you, Sarah, for the link to the first few covers!
Okay. So Mockingjay came out this week. Did you read it? Did you love it? Hate it? I leaned towards dislike, and then when I talked to Sarah, kind of my opinion skewed.
(I'm young. I'm impressionable. Don't judge me.)
Basically, I just wanted more kissing. It pretty much comes down to that.
-coughs uncomfortably-
Anywaaaay. I love these books. I was at Walmart at 6:30 to go buy a copy. (They didn't have them stocked yet. They told me to come back later. Walmart, you have lost the minimal respect I had for you.)
And now, celebration of the series of a lifetime, I decided to dedicate this week to the covers. Because I'm ninja like that.
The cover on the top left, way up there, is the American cover. Isn't it pretty? I'm pretty sure this cover is one of my favorites of all time; it's simple and clean and I love it.
Plus, inside, there's a really cute boy. And I might just love him.
Scratch that.
Totally love him.
Anyway.
Here's Denmark.
That one is one of my favorites, just because it really captures the feeling. Cept for the outfit. -frowns- But hey, not everything can be fantabulously flawless.
As always, Germany has done an impeccable job.

Blood! Eyes! 

There is BLOOD. Look! BLOOD. It's on the leaves, and on her mouth. Her mouth!! How creeeeepppy!!!
-claps- I approve. Though, it does actually look like a lot of others.
And then there is this. This is Greece. Not only did the Greeks come up with democracy (or so they tell us in American Government) they came up with a twist on this cover that is kind of cool. In fact, very cool.

Lookie! It's all marbly! HOW PRETTY!

And here, to match, is the Catching Fire cover in Greece.

-pets-

I think that might be one of my favorites. 

But my favorite favorite favorite?

The one that makes me squee with love?

Russia. I love you. I don't care if that is Gale or Peeta; he is pretty. And I LOVE IT. I don't care that it doesn't particularly match. I'm totally in love.

Okay, that's all I'm putting up. For the Swedish and UK and several other covers, you can look here.

You should comment and tell me your favorites. And possibly pet Russia.

Tomorrow, I'll post an author interview! (-cough- you should come back- -cough-)

Foreign Friday: The Replacement, by Brenna Yovanoff

(I realize I probably should, um, explain Foreign Friday for those who are new.)

Foreign Friday is something I started, showing the --omg, you'll never believe it-- foreign covers for books. It will normally contain a small review. And, in case you aren't from the United States, I'll show the American cover. 

It will usually be a book that's been out for a while, but since 

However, since Brenna Yovanoff was so amazing earlier this week I decided to put up the UK cover of The Replacement. (Even though it isn't out yet.) (I don't care, though. Because she is now one of my favorite people.)

(Shut up. I know I'm weird. GO AWAY.)

 (Here is the U.S. cover.) 

-happy sigh- What a creepy, awesome cover.

And now...The UK cover!

-blinks-

How did she get so lucky? There's a cute boy on her cover. How awesome is it to have written a book with a cute boy on the cover? I mean, Harry Potter (shut up again. Harry Potter 1 came out when I was in first grade. I thought Harry was pretty fine) and Jace from City of Bones are two of the best characters ever, and they are on the cover.

So obviously, The Replacement is bound to join those ranks. 

Okay, I'm done for today. I'll have more pictures next week.

Cheers!

Foreign Friday: Forest Of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan

(Hush. I know I already posted my thoughts on the Forest of Hands And Teeth a while ago. So I'll just post the pretty pictures. I know that's the most important part.)

To me, that looks more like the zombie than the MC. Yowza.

Though, admittable enough, that is not my favorite of the covers. 

However, I will say this. I didn't love this book. I did, however, love the sequel. The sequel hasn't been out long enough for foreign covers, though, so we're going with the first.

The American version. It really is a creepy cover. It was the first of its kind, too -- I remember thinking how creepy and disturbing it was. Now, a ton of other books seem to have copied it.

However, the Brazilian cover? Yeah, I think it wins the points for creepy.

Below is the cover for France. Is it just me, or do you kinda get the Little Red Riding Hood vibe?

Below is the cover from Greece.

Now, before you look at it, I would like to tell you this. Yeah, the name of the publishing company?

Platypus.

I classify that as a WIN.

And then there is Germany. -pets Germany- -glares at all the German folk-

You guys? Yeah, why do you all have such awesome covers?

GEESH. I want that cover. I like that cover, and I have decided that someday, that is what my hair is going to look like.

-glances at hair-

...Or not.

More later.

Foreign Friday: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (And kinda Shiver)

So you guys liked the idea of Foreign Friday! YAY! -does happy dance-

What's that? Are you accusing me of just liking the idea of an easy post?
...I am ASHAMED that you would think that. -huffs-
-shifty eyes-
Anyway. You have no idea how enthralled I am by other countries versions of The Dark Evil Website (AKA Amazon) and how many hours I've spent fluttering through the pages. (Well. Hour. My internet only came back to life an hour ago.)
Anyway again.
Today I am showing you the many faces of LINGER! By the fabulous Maggie Stiefvater!

I have a soft spot for Maggie Stiefvater. She did a Skype chat at my library and I've kind of been in author love with her ever since. She's seriously hilarious and aggravatingly adorable. And Linger? Um, okay. Here's my review.

OMGTHISBOOKISDABOMB

SERIOUSLYDUDEGOREADIT.

(I realize capitol letters are extreme. That's okay. Because this book is SO WORTH IT.)

Don't get me wrong. I liked Shiver.

I loved Linger.

It's told in four voices and I loved every single one. I liked Grace and I felt that she had perhaps the most realistic parents that I'd seen. (For her particular depiction, I mean.) I kinda think Sam is amazing, though it disturbs me that we share the same name. I loved Cole. And Isabel is just kick butt.
I cried, even though I saw the end coming.
I sat and marveled at how beautiful the writing is, and then marveled at how it could still be so pretty and yet move so fluidly.

But before I show you all the Linger covers, I'm going to cheat and show you a Shiver cover. And it's my blog. So don't judge me for cheating. This cover? Yeah, the German cover for Shiver. And HOLY CRAP.

     

-stares with extreme jealousy- -debates moving to Germany-

Oh, wait. I don't speak German. 

Well. That stinks. I guess I'll just have to move on. 

Onto Linger, the book I actually meant to do. Yay!

This is the Italian cover of Linger. It's pretty and pink and very different than the others. But I'm weirdly fond of it. It does make it look as if told from one of the girl's point of view purely though.

This is the United Kingdom version of Linger. Actually, I'm really fond of that one too. It kind of conveys 

the dark side of the novel, and there's something . . . like, edgy about it.

Also, I am now aware that Shiver was voted Best Book To Curl Up With by Glamour Magazine. 

-ponders-

See, I would agree. But now I've read Linger.

However, since it is so new, those are the only covers I could find. Sorry, sorry! I promise, next week I'll try and find a book with more covers. For now, I'm gonna be lame and post a few of Shiver's. I wouldn't, but there really are some beautiful covers.
(But I wanted to tell you how much I love Linger. Don't judge me. Please.)

This is French. And obviously, French people rock. Not just in the Stephanie Perkins upcoming book. But in this cover as well. Behind the German cover, this is my favorite.

-now debating becoming French-

(I've heard the boys are cute. Plus, the food is supposed to be good. Ooh, and I've always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.)

Wait. I'm taking Spanish. Crap.

So I need to learn German. And French. Oh, and Bulgarian.

Bulgarian, you say? Why, Sam, why would you need to learn that?

Why, because of that cover!

And now I've spent half the post on Shiver.

-winces-

Sorry. I didn't mean to. But they're all so pretty!

And I promise, if you haven't read Linger yet, you should.

Because seriously? It is as amazing as that French cover and German cover combined.

What about you? What's your favorite? Have you read Linger? 

Wasn't it AWESOME?