Life's a Witch--Chapter Two now AVAILABLE!

by Brittany Geragotelis

Hey guys!

If you haven't already checked it out, I've been posting chapters of my latest book, Life's a Witch, on this cool, community writing site, wattpad. Well, every Saturday I'm uploading a new chapter and I just put up chapter two! So far the response has been AMAZING and people really seem to like it (over 2400 people have already read it!)! Please help support me and gain more fans by passing this link on to your friends and encouraging them to check it out. I promise, you won't be disappointed! Oh, and don't forget to let me know what you think by leaving a comment of your own!

5x5,
B.

When do you call it quits?

by Brittany Geragotelis

I'm about 80 pages into a book right now that's being published in February by one of the top houses out there—and I just can't get into it. It was described to me as a detective book that's sort of like "Veronica Mars," so of course I had high hopes for it.

Well, let me tell you...this book is NOTHING like "VM." In fact the ONLY thing about this book that's similar to one of my favorite shows of all time is the fact that the main character is a teen detective. But that's where the similarities end. It's not that it's horribly written or that the storyline isn't interesting, it's just that the way the characters speak is so...well, for lack of a better word, weird. In a fictional world where kids say "shite" to curse, call each other "cool characters" and say phrases like "Those Pinkertons are too nice for their own good," I simply can't identify and find the language in the book distracting.

So why am I still reading it then?

Well, to be honest, part of me hopes that it'll get better. But is this just a waste of valuable reading time that I could be spending devouring a book that I actually really enjoy? I've spent thousands of hours reading hundreds of books in my lifetime and have learned that I rarely start off disliking a book and change my mind by the end of it. In fact, I'm almost always disappointed when I force myself to keep reading until the end. So why do so many of us insist on sticking with a book that we're obviously not that into?

I think it's because that's what teachers and adults have conditioned us to do. We've been taught that you can't judge a book until you've read it. That certain books are worth reading, even if you dislike them, simply because a group of people deemed them important enough and worthy of literary study. We're encouraged from a young age, not to give up on things halfway through, that quitting or giving up on something makes us weak or bad in some way. And maybe quitting isn't the answer for some things...but books?

I had an English teacher in college who absolutely blew my mind one day when he said, "If you don't like the book you're reading, you're allowed to stop reading it. There are too many great books out there to waste your time with ones you dislike." I was floored by this revelation. I was also slightly worried that the university would revoke his "teacher's card" for giving his students permission to think for themselves and make up their own minds about what they were reading. I loved that he had the balls to say that, because he's totally right. There are plenty of books out there that remind me of why I fell in love with reading in the first place. So why am I feeling guilty about putting down this book before finishing it?

What do you guys think I should do? Give the book another 50 pages and see if it gets better? Close the pages for good and start another book? Tell me what you think and I'll go with whatever the majority says.

5x5,
B.

Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

by Brittany Geragotelis

I know what you're thinking: She's only just NOW reading that book? But there are seriously so many books and so little time. Yes, that's my excuse.

photo credit: Vintage

After two of my good friends read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and both suggested I check it out, I knew the time had come. So, a few weeks ago, I picked it up and allowed myself to get sucked into the story.

Harriet Vanger, scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

The book itself was very well written--which is good, since the first 250 pages were a bit slow. But once the story kicked into high gear, it was truly enjoyable, yet slightly predictable. I really enjoyed the main characters, Mikael and Lisbeth, who both had very distinct personalities and quirks. Both are flawed and damaged, but together, they make a good team.

My only note is that those who are easily upset by violence toward women (in fiction; I can't imagine any normal person wouldn't be upset by violence toward women in real life) might not want to read this book. But besides the violence (and there's plenty of it), I thought the book was entertaining. Not anything that changed my life, but definitely worth reading (all 644 pages of it!).

Did any of you read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? What did you think?

5x5,
B.

Beach Boogie Boogaloo

by Brittany Geragotelis

Tonight after work, I'm leaving NYC behind and heading to Ocean City, MD for a week+ of fun in the sun. And to be honest, this getaway couldn't have come at a better time...I am in serious need of a week off to refresh, reboot...and get my tan on!

I'm already making a mental list of everything I plan on doing on my vacation. Here it is (in no particular order.):

1. Work on my tan—After the longest winter known to man (okay, so maybe just known to me), I am desperately needing to exchange my pasty white skin for a hue a few shades darker. With that sun-kissed look that only a week on the beach can bring, I can look forward to clearer skin, a leaner look and not having to wear much makeup. Oh, and the feeling of heat on my skin? Is there anything better?

courtesy of SELF Magazine

2. Read my magazines—I have no less than 15 magazines that I've managed to let pile up over the past couple of months and they're all currently sitting in the bottom of one of my bags. Actually, all that bag holds is magazines. It's my plan to sit on the beach, day after day, hour after hour and catch up on everything I've missed. Can't wait!

3. Stuff my face—For the last three weeks, I've been on a healthy-eating diet. It's consisted mostly of chicken, brown rice and vegetables and I've even given up deserts and junk food, too, so that I'll look like Giselle in my swimsuit (or at least feel like I look like her). So, in Ocean City, I will be eating Boardwalk fries, ice cream, sandwiches, waffles, bagles, cookies, etc. And if I come back 5 pounds heavier? Well, at least I'll come back happy...

4. Relax—I'm hoping that the above things will help me to do this. We don't have any concrete plans set for while we're down there, so we'll be able to really achieve relaxation. I'll get lots of sleep, lazy around in the sun and take mid-afternoon cat naps. And most importantly, leave the stress of the real world behind.

5. Walk on the beach—In the morning. Maybe in the afternoon. Even nighttime is a fine time for a walk on the beach. Whether I'm quietly reflecting, hand-in-hand with Matt or gabbing with Matt's mom or cousin, I'll be happy and barefoot.

So, that's what I'll be doing. What will you all be doing this next week?

5x5,

B.

Review of The Rise of Renegade X

by Brittany Geragotelis

I'm always up for a good superhero story. I mean, who isn't? Superpowers, the battle between good and evil, suspense and thrilling fights...What more could you want, right?

I just finished reading the book, The Rise of Renegade X, the debut book by Chelsea M. Campbell. The premise of the book sucked me in from the start:

Golden City Publishing

Damien Locke knows his destiny—attending the university for supervillains and becoming Golden City's next professional evil genius. But when Damien discovers he's the product of his supervillain mother's one-night stand with—of all people—a superhero, his best-laid plans are ruined as he's forced to live with his superhero family

Going to extreme lengths (and heights), The Rise of Renegade X chronicles one boy's struggles with the villainous and heroic pitfalls of growing up.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was told from the perspective of a teen boy, and that had me feeling a little left out at times. The book is much more geared toward male teenagers and girls might not connect quite as much to the protagonist because of it. I also felt that the edginess of the novel didn't ring 100% true. It was as if the author threw random shocking sentences throughout in an attempt to get that edge-factor, but it felt a bit out of place compared to the overall tone of the book.

But still, the story itself was fun, light and a quick read. It's easy for the reader to sympathize with the angsty teen situations that Damien finds himself in and you want to root for him even when he's trying to be evil. I especially fell in love with the character, Sarah, the young girl who becomes Damien's sidekick, Cosine. She's nerdy, but felt like the most real character in the book. She's also the only one who doesn't have superpowers and instead has to rely upon her intelligence to beat the bad guys. And FYI, she may just be the most powerful of them all!

In the end, The Rise of Renegade X was a fun read. I'd recommend it to any teen (or adult) boy with a soft spot for caped crusaders.

5x5,
B.