A page dedicated to those select books I'll never forget. They need no introduction, I recommend these to anyone and everyone regardless of age and gender. They do not include any of the 'classics' (well, actually I list my fav classics at the bottom) - though, in my opinion, they might as well be.

Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult
        - My Rating: 5 stars
        -I honestly could find no wrong with this book. In my opinion, the rest of her books (except for My Sister's Keeper) pale in comparison. Hence, why it is my selection for December 2008.  ^_^

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray - Chris Wooding
        - My Rating: 4 1/2 stars
        - A thrilling horror, gothic, psychological novel set in futuristic (well, not really, but I can't find another word to describe the setting) England in a time when devious, nightmarish creatures force all people indoors...all those except those that hunt them that is... A book that is horrifying without trying too hard to be so - It effortlessly sends chills down the reader's spine. A delicious read.

Stranger Inside - Steve Krane
        -My Rating: 4 stars
        -The ONLY sci-fi book I have ever read. Heavy on the language in the beginning, but the twist will have your jaw hanging open - It's really one of those books that you say "Whoa, didn't see that coming,"  and genuinely mean it. lol

Burned - Ellen Hopkins
          -My Rating: 4 1/2 stars
          - My only complaint about this book is the main character's depth of naivety as to one  subject in particular, although it is expected considering her upbringing. However, this is corrected effectively. lol. The ending truly makes you wonder..."hmm, did she really do it? Or didn't she?'

The Killer's Cousin - Nancy Werlin
         My Rating: 5 stars
         This is the book that got me into Nancy Werlin as a writer - she's relatively new, and unknown, but one of the best young adult writers. It begins with one David and the aftermath of his trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend. Takes place in Massachusetts where he moves in with his aunt, uncle and youngest cousin - but this isn't David's story - it's his cousin's through his eyes...in the aftermath of her sister's suicide.

After - Francine Prose
         My Rating: 4 1/2 stars
         The subject matter is the same as Nineteen Minutes, except the tragedy takes place at a neighboring area. This is about how that tragedy affects another area AFTER. lol.  The most bizarre, twisted AFTER (lol) I have ever read. The ending also, like Burned, makes you wonder what happened AFTER the AFTER. (omg, lmfao, that was fun to write, lemme tell you. lol)

Dreamland - Sarah Dessen
          My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          THE teen book, in my opinion, especially for a young girl. It was my second choice for December 2008. ^_^ You can ask Shabana how long I debated the Novel of the Month between this and Nineteen Minutes. Hmm...lol.

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
           My Rating: 4 3/4 stars (lol)
           It's about the Holocaust...and narratored by Death; what else is there to say? How many books has anyone ever read that has Death as the main POV? So, good; the only downside is that it's mad long. Seriously, took me almost 3 months to read, but then again, maybe that's due to so many distraction/interruptions...lol. Oh well, point is...definitely a book to read. Unforgettable. It's a book for ALL ages; for anyone who rants a real history lesson.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiatic - Gabrielle Zevin
          My Rating: 5 stars
          Kinda ironic how this is one of my unforgettables if you pay attention to the title but anyway, onward! The introduction in the flap of the cover was what intrigued me about the book, in addition to the title, of course. lol. A teenage girl, loved by many, sure about career path - hell, every aspect of her life - has an unfortunate accident that she describes as being like a flip of a coin...that she scored heads on and became amnesiatic. An interesting analogy to it in my opinions. Zevin really does make you wonder what would be if, she had gotten tails, so to speak. lol (or is it heads, either way, the meaning is the same...lol)

Just Listen - Sarah Dessen
         My Rating: 4 1/2 stars
         For the first time in my history of reading books, I related to the main character, Annabel, so much that it was almost like looking in a mirror. O.o Save for the situational aspects of course. Not to mention, Owen, the male lead was just...dude, just fell for him the moment he appeared. ^_^. It's not as good as Dreamland, but an inspirational novel all the same. I took off half a star simply because what was wrong with her was pretty obvious, and throughout it I kept picturing another book similiar to it. All in all: a good read.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime - Mark Haddon
        My Rating: 5 stars
        A view the world through the eyes of an autistic - Asperberg's Syndrome specifically - young man is what this novel provides. There are no words to describe this book other than fantastic! A must-read for sure.

Unwind - Neal Shusterman
        My Rating: 5 stars
        What would the world be like if a war had been fought about the pro-life/pro-choice debate and ended with the solution to 'unwind' your children between the ages of 13 and 18? That is the premise of this newest YA novel of Shusterman. A dystopic, futuristic novel centering around the lives of Unwinds Connor, Risa and Lev, it delivers a chilling account on the what ifs, the consequences, and the workings of humanity. This novel is thought-provoking and forces you to question your beliefs about life and what it truly means be living - a must read for everyone. A total gem.

Misery - Stephen King
      My Rating: 5 1/2 stars 
      This was my first endeavour into the works of Stephen King, and, my goodness, it is without a doubt one of favorite novels ever. The horror, the stylistic approach, the three-dimensional-ness of the characters, the literary references...it's the best horror/suspense novel I've ever read. It made me sick to my stomach and yet unwilling to put it down. Annie Wilkins is the craziest bitch! This novel is a masterpiece - what I strive to aspire too in my writing. *bows down*

Th1rteen R3asons Why - Jay Asher
       My Rating: 5 stars
       I have never read any book like this one. From its plot to its characters to its stylistic execution. It's phenomenal. The very idea of tapes being used as the medium between a girl who's just committed suicide to a boy who is on her list of 'reasons why' is...just...wow. Unheard of. I had to collect myself several times just to ensure that I continued to read on. I honestly can't believe that this is Jay Asher's first novel - what a debut into the publishing world! Unforgettable, indeed.

My all-time favorite series (since I've read so many of them)

- J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter (favorite: [Book 5] The Order of the Phoenix)
- Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak (favorite:[Book 5] Trials of Death)

Aye, my two great loves. I simply can't choose between them, so it's an even tie. Nothing has or will ever top them. At ten, Harry Potter introduced me to extracurricular/fun reading and creative writing (my lifeblood); at thirteen, Cirque du Freak introduced me to the world of vampire mythology (my guilty pleasure). I always come back to them. The fact that my favorite book within each is the fifth one, is completely coincidental. Honest.

My all-time favorite classics

- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey
- To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
- The Iliad - Homer
- Wuthering Heights - Charlotte Bronte

I'm 100% positive that as I continue to find/read more, this list will undoubtably grow in size. We'll just have to wait and see, ne?

My all-time favorite manga/graphic novels:

-The Watchmen - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
- Maus I and II - Art Spiegelman
- Red River - Chie Shinohara
- Dragon Ball - Akira Toriyama
- Kazan - Gaku Miyao
- Fruits Basket - Natsuki Takaya
- Meru Puri - Matsuri Hino
- Punch - Rie Takada
- Dogs: Bullets and Carnage - Shirow Miwa
- MPD - Psycho - Sho-u Tajima and Eiji Otsuka
- Death Note - Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
- Alice 19th - Yuu Watase

This are the titles that are, hands down, the most memorable for me, for one reason or another. Most likely for emotional impact and/or giving me new associations for familiar things. Or just because it's so kickass (if it's shounen-oriented) They're seriously like poetry for me.

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Okay, so I decided, after taking a pretty good film class, to include my favorite, unforgettable movies.

AI: Artifical Intelligence
    Rating: 4 1/2 stars out of 5
    I'm sorry but I felt the urge to put this up here. The general consensus of this movie is: everyone absolutely hates this film, and, for the life of me, I don't understand why. "It's one of the worst films ever made. What was Spielberg thinking?" Seriously? I could understand if you don't like it...but hate it? Why? And why does everyone feel the need to rag on it whenever it's mentioned? I personally love this film, have watched it countless times and will continue to watch it. That is all.

Schindler's List
     Rating: 5 stars
     So, my mom bought this for me and urged me to watch it. On one hand, I glad that I did, but then regret that I did, because I know that as great as it is, I will never watch it again. It'll probably be the only film that I love but will not put into my DVD player again. I had to pause this movie many times to contain myself and get a hold of my emotions again. It is truly unforgettable.

Emperor's New Groove
     Rating: 5 stars!
     I've had this movie memorized since the fifth grade. Enough said.

She's the Man
     Rating: 3 1/2 stars
     The first time I saw this movie it was in Spanish. For class, ya know? It's corny, as cheesy as they come, but it's an awesome comedy. Probably one of the few I can watch over and over again and still laugh as hard as I did the first time.

8 Mile
    Rating: 4 stars
    One word: Eminem.

Erin Brockovich
    Rating: 4 stars
    This is probably the only Julia Roberts film I've seen more than once. Even being a fan. This was her best role, besides Pretty Woman of course, and I enjoyed the storyline as well.

House of Flying Daggers
    Rating: 3 stars
    Honestly the scenes in this martial arts film weren't all that - nowhere near as good as Hero or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - but I still prefer watching this one to those. *shrugs* Dunno why, but I do.

How To Train Your Dragon
   Rating: 5 stars
   I am absolutely in love with this film. It's definitely on my Top 10 list of animation films! I can't thank my cousin enough for renting it, as I'm sure he knows by the five times I watched it in the 48 hours he had it. Hiccup is hilarious, and I want me a Toothless! Honestly in comparison to the other animation films I saw during 2010 (Toy Story 3, Despicable Me), which is admittedly not a lot but still, it beats them by a mile. Yes, even Toy Story 3! Love love love this movie, and am very much looking forward to the day I own it.

Nobody Knows
    Rating: 5 stars
    This quasi-documentary style feature film never fails to make me cry. I didn't feel like I was watching a film, I felt like I was watching all of this happen...and was powerless to stop it. It really tugs at your heartstrings. Yuya Yagira's performance as Akira Fukushima is probably the most heartbreaking I've seen from a child actor.

Jurassic Park
    Rating: 5 stars
    Words can't describe how much I love this film. Its concept is unprecedented. Definitely one of those few movies that keeps me on the edge of my seat no matter how many times I've seen it - such an exciting film!

Just Friends
    Rating: 4.98 stars - yes, I can do that
    Holy shit, this movie had me rolling. It is without a doubt THE funniest movie I've ever seen - no exaggeration at all. It had me in tears and dying to catch my breath the entire time. I did not expect to love it so much. lol. I took off .02 stars because of the ending, it didnt really feel like an ending, and I wanted...reciprocation - clear reciprocation - dammit.

The Hangover
   Rating: 5 stars
   It's taken me almost two years to get my hands on this movie, and by God, I'm so glad that I finally got to see it. It very much deserves the hype that it was surrounded by. It is one of the few comedies that is continuously funny, minute-by-minute.

Moon Child
     Rating: 4 stars
     I'll admit it: I'm a HUGE Gackt fan, which probably impacts my response to this vampire-gangster-romance film. Most people describe it as not very good, but at the very least it's entertaining. *shrugs* If my dad can watch it with me more than once, it's good in my opinion.

Titanic
    Rating: 5 stars
    Really...are words needed for this one?

Enough
   Rating: 5 stars
   Now, Jennifer Lopez isn't exactly my favorite actress or the best one out there for that matter, but this movie was very, very good. Critics bash it; I love it. *shrugs* I've watched it dozens of times, literally. I mean really...the ending. I love the entire sequence when she's getting ready for the showdown with her husband...very nice. ^.^

Letters From Iwo Jima
   Rating: 5 1/2 stars
   My favorite war film, hands down. I came across it when I was trying to find a film for my final group project for my English 1C: War and the Individual class. (FYI, By the time this class ended, I was positively sick of talking about war, because, frankly, there's only so much you can say about it. But! It did introduce me to several films I wouldn't've picked up on my volition) What drew me to it? 1. Clint Eastwood directed it and 2. It provided the Japanese perspective of World War II. This is an unprecedented film in every sense. Besides, anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that if the Japanese is in any involved in whatever it is I come across, I will check it out. But, anyway, this is a very, very moving work of cinematic excellence; one that I highly recommend.

Stop-Loss
   Rating: 5 stars
   Wow. What a war film. It truly is for this generation. I had no idea that this policy existed, which adds to the impact that the film left within me. It was in your face about this sad, shocking truth of modern war, but that's the entire point, I think. It had an amazing cast, no doubt about it, and the writers...wow, I really applaud them, some of the best dialogue I've heard recently. Unforgettable for sure. Even after revisiting it, learning of its inaccuracies, I still love it.

A Walk to Remember
    Rating: 5 stars
    I wouldn't be a romantic if I didn't love this one.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
    Rating: 5 stars
    Jack Sparrow. Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy?

Mulholland Drive
    Rating: 5 1/2 stars
    Yes, it surpassed the 1-5 star scale, why? Cause it holds the honor of being the only movie to confuse the shit out of me, drive my mind bonkers at its bizarreness, make my eyes pop at some of its scenes, and...still leave me entertained. Confused. Even after it was explained to me. A true what-the-fuck movie. The only downside? I will never watch it again.
  
Paranormal Activity
     Rating: 4 1/2 stars
     The buildup is slow as hell, but once it hits that hour mark...whoa! It's the first scary film I've gone to see in theaters, and perhaps the most impacting so far. Left me motionless in my seat, and afraid to leave my door open for nights after. It got a little too much into my head. But...that's what makes it worth it.

Boondock Saints
     Rating: 5 stars
     What is this, you ask? Only the most epic film you've never seen. Seriously, though if you really haven't seen this you need to get up, head to Target and pick up the DVD. It holds the honor of being the only movie I relish listening to my family complain about the language. ^.^ And it's sequel is just as kick-ass. Literally.

Spirited Away
     Rating: 5 stars
     Hayao Miyazaki blew me away with this film. If you have not seen it, shame on you. Go and get it! In all honestly, it's probably my most favorite anime film of all time.

The Departed
     Rating: 4 1/2 stars
     Two words: the twist. O.O

Batman: The Dark Knight
     Rating: 5 stars!
     As far as I'm concerned...Heath Ledger is The Joker. I will accept no one else as The Joker. Period. I love my villans tortured, sadistic, yet human, thank you very much. Watching this film did not feel like I was watching Heath Ledger act...I was watching The Joker in action.

Twelve Angry Men
     Rating: 4 stars
     One of my favorite black and white films. I could spent all day watching this. Henry Fonda! ^.^

In the Heat of the Night
     Rating: 5 stars
     Five words: "They call me Mr. Tibbs."

Coraline
     Rating: 4 1/2 stars
     This just proves that stop-motion animation is not dead. This movie gave me the creeps...in a good way.

High School Musical 1 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year
     Rating: 4 stars
     Laugh all you wish, make jokes all you want, but I'm not ashamed to admit that, at well-past the intended target audience age, I am in love with this trilogy! It has the power to cheer me up no matter what mood I'm in. It's corny and started an, admittedly, sad Disney trend of musicals, but I still enjoy it. Have nothing bad to say about. The 3rd one is at a tie for favorite, I could relate a little too much to it. But it's cute. So I like it. More than Grease. Shocking, I know.

Peter Pan 
      Rating: 4 stars
      While the Disney version is cute, I love the live action version with Jeremy Sumpter ten times more. It was truer to the original story, and Jason Isaacs as Hook was positively devious, though I watch it more for Jeremy than for Jason. lol.

The Bodyguard
      Rating: 5 stars
      One of my family's favorite movies collectively. I watched this countless times as a kid. How could I not add it?

The First Wives Club
     Rating: 4 1/2 stars
     The only reason why it's not being awarded the full five stars is because I wanted them to do some much more to their husbands.

Waiting to Exhale
     Rating: 5 stars
     I wasn't allowed to watch this movie until I turned 16 - my mother's idea, which is ironic considering I'd been watching movies unsuitable for my age (aka Rated R) since I was seven. But anyway, the sole reason why I love this is simply because of Angela Bassett's performance as Bernadine. The trashing of her husband's clothes, anyone?:D

Free Willy: The Trilogy
     Rating: 5 stars
     What 90s kid doesn't love this movie? This movie was the epitome of cool for me growing up! Made me want to be a killer whale expert!

Inuyasha 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler
     Rating: 5 stars
     Without a doubt the BEST Inuyasha film to date! I don't know how anyone could possibly hate the animation for it - it was so much more improved to the first two films and the series as a whole. I dunno about you, but Sesshomaru and Inuyasha fighting with each other is better than all the times they fight Naraku - though, their arguing during those times is unbeatable. lol.

Disney Films (They get special recognition in simply because I was raised on them): Aladdin, Tangled, The Lion King, Mulan, The Aristocats, The Little Mermaid, The Great Mouse Detective, A Goofy Movie, The Fox and the Hound, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tarzan fundamentally. With Pixar: Toy Story 1, 2 and 3 (though I still prefer 1 over them all), A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and Monster's Inc.

Other animated films that knock my socks off: The Swan Princess, Antz,  James and the Giant Peach, Little Nemo: Adventures in Sumberland, The Quest for Camelot, Pokemon the First Movie (if you hate this one, there has to be something wrong with you, the others I could understand, but this one. No!), Shrek 1, Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest, The Prince of Egypt, The Iron Giant (Who hasn't seen this one? Every year there's a 24 hour marathon on Cartoon Network. I always tune in ), Anastasia, Shark Tale, All Dogs Go To Heaven, the Ice Age trilogy, Samurai Jack: The Movie, Space Jam (k, so it wasn't fully animated, but w.e.) We're Back! (throwback to the '90s. Can I get a whoop, whoop?)