' "You've got the killer instincts of a houseplant," he groaned, covering his face. '

That is a quote from a book I have just added to my To Get As Soon As Possible/To Be Read/To Be Obsessed Over Until I Get My Hands On Them Book List. It's called Starcrossed, and it's by Josephine Angelini. And I seriously cannot wait to read it.

There are currently 35 titles on the list-

Scratch that, 36.

And those are only the ones I've been able to think of. Needless to say I will probably sit bolt upright at two o'clock in the morning and whisper/shout the name of some book that alludes my highly confused/busy/meandering mind at this moment. And then I will proceed to knock over a series of books, half-empty glasses, technological devices, and various other junk that continually obstructs my way to pen and paper...I always leave some on the shelf, but are both ever there at the same time when I need them? Nope.

Among the treasures on the list are Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison (it's supposed to be a huge tearjerker...I can't remember the last time I actually cried at a book. I don't know if that's a bad thing or a good thing...), the Angelfire books by Courtney Allison Moulton, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (I have heard brilliant things about this book!) Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (this is one subject that my dear sister and I disagree on. She hated Shiver, but I really, really liked it. I haven't read it in a while so I couldn't comment on whether I love it any more, but once upon a time I did. I hope I still do. But anyway, I've been waiting FOREVER to get the sequels - you like what I did there, Stiefvater fans? - and I think I am probably going to have to fork out and buy them, because I'm just getting too impatient...), Losing Faith by Denise Jaden (again, probably going to be a tearjerker at times...but the other elements of the story might balance it out, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting my teeth into it), and so many other YA fiction novels...if I order all of them at the library, the YA section is going to be considerably larger by the time they all come in.

I am resisting the urge to put a smiley face at the end of that paragraph....the best way to do that would probably be to either finish or write some more; I think I'm going to indulge and do another few, teeny-tiny sentences.

So, I'm going to keep digging for more insanely good books to read. Mostly I've been getting them from other blogs (I promise we will start doing some memes and links to our favourite blogs, soon!) and from book-ish spirits like myself...if this blog ever becomes like some of the ones I read (i.e hugely successful; a book blogger's Bible; some place where I'm getting so many books mailed to me to review that I can do an In My Mailbox post; or just a place where people go to and look forward to reading new posts....and seeing tidbits from stories Tora and I are writing...HA. YEAH RIGHT.) I hope we will be able to advise people looking for books like I am now...

Anyway. I should probably get going, and stop rambling about blogging dreams and ambitions. I genuinely enjoy writing the blog even if no one's reading it...but it would be nioce to get the occasional comment...*batters attention-seeking self*

Allie

We're putting you under arrest for murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and I don't know, possibly littering.

*Cough*

Let's just say, before I launch into a speech full of reasons (Read: Excuses) for not posting ... that you were not forgotten!

*Launches into speech*

Firstly, I had exams. Results are starting to trickle through, but though I did well, next years needs a little more effort. Secondly, mother started a new regime on keeping a lid on the computer, especially internet acess. (Which reminds me. I have to finish this Tech before I do anything else) Thirdly, on top of that, I'm swamped with ideas, more books, yet another novel me and sister dear are starting ...

And I feel ill.

On the upside, I had another bagel ...

I'd hate to hear me yadda about my own poor life here, so I'll cut it now.

*Hugs*

Tora.

P.S Allie- Ohhhhhh.... you are so getting it for that.

Long Time No Update, We Know....

Blah. Sorry to anyone who reads the blog and has kept returning to find no new posts (if you do exists, readers, comments would be appreciated!). It's mainly because we just can't find time, or because I can't actually think of anything to write about. I've been thinking about doing some book reviews or more memes that I've seen on other blogs, but I have a couple of things to get out of the way before I start doing regular stuff like that.

Again, apologies, dear friends of the blogosphere...

Allie

More About The Festival...(You Deserve To Know All The Details!)

(I know, I know, you're dying for a post from my more articulate, interesting, creative, more talented and less obsessive sister...she'll post soon. Limited access to the internet sucks. Usually there's only one of us online at the same time, because the other's busy and stuff...sorry, non existent readers! You'll have to make do with me for today.)

Yesterday:

I went to two workshops. There's a load going on, exhibitions and promoting the arts, and appearances by both adults' and childrens' authors, but we can't get to everything...sadly...

Anyway. In the morning, it was Joe Craig. Needless to say he had everyone laughing and relaxed from the first moment. I was strangely thrilled that he remembered me! Spontaneity was a huge part, about coming up with ideas and stories on the spot, and about how to get kids thinking about reading and writing - if he's coming to somewhere near you, go! Definitely worth it. Even if you're not actually in the age range of his books (like me).

Next up was Sarah Webb. She's written scores of books, but yesterday was mainly about her series for preteens and teenagers, Amy Green: Teen Agony Queen (or as it is being rebranded, Ask Amy Green). Yes, the books are exactly how they sound - very orientated around Amy's family life, her peers, teenage things. Think Cathy Cassidy, only the heavy topics that are touched on are more spread out, you could say. Oh, and very Irish. Even though there is a different setting in every book - from Dublin to West Cork to Miami to Paris and beyond, and then back again - most of the characters are Irish, and you get a real sense of what Irish life is like, mixed in there with everything else that Amy Green faces, just like millions of other kids her age around the world. You'll definitely find out what a 'hot press' is, to say the least.

But let's move on to the actual workshop. We were supposed to meet her in an old building - we turned the corner, and there she was sitting outside - but in the end ended up in the shade of the trees, in the gorgeous sun...she spoke about her early life, what got her into reading and writing, about her first book, and then the Amy Green books. And then, something I couldn't wait for - her actual process of writing. She's a meticulous planner, detailing everything scene by scene on yellow legal notepads - apparently a form of writer's OCD... oh yeah, been there! - and even showed us some of them. Of course, she couldn't give away much about Amy Green Book 4, which is the next in line to be published, though she had the manuscript with her! It was great to hear her particular experience of being an author, and we all got something signed...lovely person, would love to meet her again!

I met Ali Sparkes this morning, but I don't have enough time, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow!

Allie

Meeting Joe Craig

I'm spreading the news like a deliberate wildfire - I met Joe Craig!  

The cover of one of Joe's books, Jimmy Coates: Revenge

For those of you who haven't heard of Joe (Shock! Horror!), he writes a series called Jimmy Coates. The title character is a genetically engineered assassin. But he doesn't know it yet. Until men in suits (the epitome of ominous...ness...) turn up of the doorstep; Jimmy's parents seem to recognize them, especially when they say, "We're here for the boy." Jimmy's mother tells him to run. He does - and thus begins the adventure...The first book, Killer, (or 'Assassin?' in America) was published in 2005 and there have been six books since. The two last ones, Blackout and Genesis, are yet to be published. I've been reading this series for so long...I'm very loyal to it!

Joe's event took place in a circus big top! Like all my inner kid's dreams come true.

It was hilarious...German accents ("Do you like my moustache? YOU VILL LIKE MY MOUSTACHE!") Bob the Australian herder/deliverer (No, he actually herds/delivers Australians to people. So that other people can come to their house and the Australian will say, "G'day mate, mind if put something on the barbie?" and "Stone the flamin' crows!" etc etc. No offence meant in the stereotype.), dinosaur slaves who turn on Bob, evil grandmas ("Kiss my fist, Bobby!"), and the inevitable involvement of the army and a mad scientist.


However, I mer other authors, too. My first meeting with Joe happened on Friday, and I saw him again on Saturday at a workshop. I'm going to mention everyone else in another post, because this one will become waaaaay too long.


Allie

Jetting Off To A Book Festival!

Really looking forward to it. A whole weekend of bookish-ness...and it has been promised that the literary events take priority throughout the trip, since the entire family is going...pessimist that I am, however, I can't help but think- Oh, what's the point? No one's reading this anyway...

Nonetheless, I'm about to go to the library, so I'm going to add that to my positive things list. See you whenever I can, dear (non existent) readers!

(Tora and I probably won't post much for the next few days; that's why I'm posting this.)

Allie

Perfecting My Crab Impression

Artist?

Scientist?

The two sides of me clash so much. One moment I'm so caught in music, and art that flows and ebbs through scrict routines that school work and timetables are always left behind for the impulses.

The next, I'll be alphabetically ordering my school books and doing my homework on time. But so recently, now, WITH MY EXAMS coming up, art has decided to show herself again, and capture me again.

Bother.

Yeah.

That.

*stretches arms*

Anyone read True Grit? Read it. Watch it. And then realize how much better the Rook Sister's films are gonna be. The world awaits us.

In my dreams.

Which are all set to become reality.

Thank you, and goodnight,

Tora.

P.S Crabs. Gotta love 'em. Not tasty though. Have my first bit of crab meat last Tuesday...

It's America In My Kitchen

I just ate my first ever bagel.

Now, you see, I'm not the kind of person who believes in stereotypes, so I'd actually like to know: Do You New Yorkers Actually Eat Bagels?

I must say, if you do, you have amazing food taste. I love your bagels. They are delicious. And mine had bananas and nut butter inside.

Pure brilliance.

Thank you and goodnight.

Tora.

Allie's Music Meme...

This is where you put your iPod/music playing apparatus on shuffle, and for every question, you answer with the song that's playing. Twinsis introduced me to it...As you know I'm a music maniac, so I'm just glad I didn't have to choose...one thing I'm kinda annoyed about is that no Adele songs came up, even though she's one of my favourite artists, and I listen to her albums almost more than any of the others...but alas, that is the way of doing things randomly...

Opening Credits: Drive My Car, The Beatles

Waking Up: Puncture Repair, Elbow

First Day at School: Dog Days Are Over, Florence and The Machine

Falling in Love: Hard Headed Woman, Elvis Presley

Fight Song: Moondance, Van Morrison

Breaking Up: Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, Eurythmics

Prom: Black Horse And The Cherry Tree, KT Tunstall

Life's OK: Jigsaw, Ryan Sheridan

Mental Breakdown: Uprising, Muse

Flashback: Last Leaf, The Cake Sale (it's a charity album)

Getting Back Together: Homebird, Foy Vance

Wedding: Girl With One Eye, Florence And The Machine

Birth of Child: An Audience With The Pope, Elbow

Final Battle: This Love (Will Be Your Downfall), Ellie Goulding

Death Scene: Travelin' Soldier, Dixie Chicks

Funeral Song: Marchin' On, OneRepublic

End Credits: Bedshaped, Keane

After Credits Twist: SING, My Chemical Romance

Verdict (Your view of what all this means): Errr....That I have excellent musical taste?

No, really, I think it means:

The start is pretty happy, sort of carefree, but with underlying tones of emptiness...then school starts and it's all hope, but when it came to love life sort of laughed at me for a while. I had friends, but I was a dreamer, and I fell easily for façades. I broke up with my boyfriend because I wanted to be independent and even though I thought I was in love, really in love, there was too much going on and I needed a break. I celebrated being tough and single, and I was upbeat and happy for a while. But then everything started to get to me, being alone without anyone to really depend on wasn't working. I got paranoid and was on the verge of becoming an anarchist when I thought about what I used to have and how I wanted it back. I wanted to go home, and boyfriend took me back; he'd been in love with me the whole time. Our wedding was a bit of a shambles because neither of us wanted a huge-fluffy-princess-and-prince event, and we just wanted to snub society by saying, 'Look, we're young and madly in love, and we're going to do this our way, OK?' by choosing the most inappropriate first dance songs we could think of. And then we had kids and we were totally devoted to them, but we wanted them to grow up happy but with values and everything, but still knowing we'd drop everything for them if they needed us. Love was ultimately the downfall of things...there was a death out in CountryAndWesternLand, but we knew at the funeral that we had to keep marching on, keep living. So I decided I'd start doing good deeds for people, and fighting because even though I knew I'd probably lose, I might be able to save people. And stuff.

First Lapse in Posts...

Either this means the novelty has worn off, we have nothing to say, or the workload is starting to get to us (it's definitely getting to me.) I have a funny feeling it's all three...

Anyway. Now you know the explanation(s) for the lack of postage, I should probably get back to work.

Yeah.

Going...

In a minute...

Blah. Studying's getting on my nerves...But I better go. (I can hardly blame the blog readers for abysmal results, since they don't exist.)

Allie

Need...More...Books...

I'm in an even more book-ish mood than usual today...if that's humanly possible. I just don't seem to have enough time to read with my exams going on...but I'm going to start the summer by stocking up on all things literary. I think I'll deserve it...

Anyway. I've been looking round the interweb for new books to get...Better give the Wondrous Reads blog a plug here - if you like reading even remotely, go there. If you are as obsessed as I am and haven't looked at it yet - GO THERE NOW!

And I remembered that I haven't blogged today. Well, I have sort of, through Tora posting our scene....(you'll get used to our shorthand for these things. Trust me, there are scenes way longer than that...wait 'til you see some of our short stories. Well, mine. I can never write enough. I don't even realize how long the stories go on for.) But I thought I better post something myself.

So, to coincide with my mood, I'm going to post a list of what I'm reading, at them moment (I know I mentioned three of them yesterday, but I've finished two of them now) all of which are library books. (The last one I bought was Scorpia Rising, the new - and last - Alex Rider book by Anthony Horowtiz. If you haven't heard of it.)


Crossing The Line - Gillian Philip (YA fiction)
Just finished this about two days ago. The cover made it really stand out, but to be honest the blurb doesn't do it justice. You need to read it to really get the depth of everything it's about. I just had to keep reading once I started. Definitely worth a read!

The Search For WondLa - Tony DiTerlizzi (Kids)
This is by the guy who wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles (with Holly Black) but it wasn't that that made me pick it up...again, excellent example of how important the cover is. Haven't started it yet, but it looks good. The illustrations throughout (which manage not to look to childish, judging by what I've seen from flicking through) are a bonus.

Annan Water - Kate Thompson (YA fiction)
Literally about a page into this one! Kate Thompson is a brilliant writer - I've read so many of her books! - and can't wait to really see what this one's like.

Wintercraft - Janna Burtenshaw (YA fiction)
Gothic, supernatural, magical, dark. Can't wait to get stuck into it. Need I say more?

The Death Defying Pepper Roux - Geraldine McCaughrean (YA fiction)
This is one that's just been waiting for me to pick it up. Not started it yet, but its supposed to be excellent.

The Thing With Finn - Tom Kelly (Kids)
Not something I'd usually go for, but I've heard of it and thought I might as well try it. I've read a couple of chapters (I don't like stopping in the middle of books much, but what can you do?) already, don't know when I'll get time to finish it....

Speaking of time and not having enough of it, I'd better go. Hope you enjoyed this post, non-existent readers, and weren't too bored....

Allie

Sway With Me

OK, readers, belt up for your first taste of twinsisterly collaborative writing- this is a short scene inspired by Michael Buble's Sway, (or Mr Bubbles, as I prefer to call him).

When marimba rhythms start to play,

Dance with me, make me sway

The thin, drifting scent of the honeysuckle blossoms wrapped itself around the beach, snaking through the senses and stirring within the imaginations of the humans milling in the last gold-dust rays of the sun. The young man and woman wandered easily across the sand barefooted, turning their heads as a new tango rhythm opened up, played by the quadruplet of native musicians on the decking. Couples, a few at the most, were already twirling on the covered dance floor.

Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore,

Hold me close, sway me more.

The boy tucked a flower behind her ear and cocked his head. “Shall we?”

The young woman paused. Her newlywed husband seemed so at home here: she felt out of place, the foreigner. But his eyes saw only her.

Like a flower bending in the breeze,

Bend with me, sway with ease.

The imprints on the damp, foam licked sand changed from two sets of meandering footprints to one single track as he pulled her into his arms.

Other dancers may be on the floor,

Dear but my eyes will see only you,

Her cream cotton dress flared as he twirled her, and then pulled her close. Breathlessly, she let him lead, for once. Usually she was the most independent, most stubborn, but the ease, the trust of the dance relaxed her. He was watching her, as always, despite the beauty of the setting, her husband saw only her. And she, only him.

I can hear the sound of violins,

Long before, it begins

The beat of the dance was the only thing that didn't begin to fade. The slight hum of distant creatures, the few people around them, the lap of the waves at the edge of the beach all drifted away. He held her so surely, spun her so quickly, her dark hair fanning out, their gazes never moving from the other's - they were in their own world, and no-one else's.

The music flowed through her, all rhythms familiar, even out here, and he would have just watched her like that, had his arms not been irresistibly drawn around her. They were unaware of how much time had passed; the song was almost ending, the floor emptying. Unconsciously they slowed, nearly closer than it was possible to be.

"So perfect," he murmured. His words could not be heard by anyone else, and he seemed unaware he had spoken.

She could not return anything to him, just kissed him lightly. Words were not always necessary.

They danced a little more, for maybe two or three songs - it was not the music or the dance that mattered, it was the fact they were both there, both had the only thing they had ever wanted; the other. After everything they had been put through, everything they had left far behind as soon as they could. Leading to times like this.

She glanced up, noticing darkness settling in - the only part of the sun left was warm orange on the horizon, the sky streaked magnificent purples, dark blues, pinks, even, like some strange god had taken a paintbrush to the heavens and coloured it in uneven strokes, stretching further than any eye could see. She loosed slightly from her husband, didn't let go of his hand, and led him from the dancefloor.

The beach was scattered with smooth rocks. He held her again, sitting down, pulling her into his arms, almost cradling her. Like he had done the first time they'd met. She stared out to sea for a while, but she could not keep him out of her sight for long.

There were so many things she might have said. None of them enough; nothing could ever describe all the things she felt. "Trist- thank you. For everything." She kissed him longer this time, as if they would never let each other go.

When they finally broke from each other, he brushed the hair the soft breeze had blown into her eyes. Traced her cheek as he did so, searched her eyes, her face. He leaned in so their foreheads touched ever so slightly. "You, me. One and the same. Seren, I love you. Forever. I would never have it any other way."

Virtual hugs~~

Tora, (and Allie).