e-reader

I just had to post this picture! Hee Hee. I love it! I KEEP IT REAL!

Book Review: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen 
Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything"—at least that’s the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf ’s Department Store.This year, she’s the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling.With Owen’s help,maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

I must say I have a new favorite. Not necessarily this book, but this author. I love her writing style. This is the first Sarah Dessen novel that I've read even though I know she has published a ton of books. I will be seeking out her novels from now on. Her writing style is so fresh and she keeps you interested from beginning to end. There wasn't a moment where I put this book to the side and believe me I do that alot!

Anyways, Annabel, the main character. I really did feel for that girl. I know what's its like to be the youngest child in the family and Sarah captured that perfectly. Her story was full, this isn't just a fluffy girl novel about pretty girls with boy problems, there are some serious issues in this book like eating disorders and sexual assaults. Most of the time though, I read begging Annabel to open up and any book that has me frustrated with a character wanting them to do something I want them to do is a GOOD book.

I liked Owen, I just found him a little too good to be true. I know he is reformed bad boy but some of the things that would come out of his mouth, I'm like, no teenage boy would ever say that. I think there was more of the author in him then a geniune character. However, I was rooting for him and his place with Annabel throughout the novel.

Overall, this was a very good book. I enjoyed every minute of it and like I said before I'm on in hunt for more of her novels based on this book. Check it out, I promise you will enjoy it too!

Follow Friday and TGIF

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read  This weeks featured blog is Hesperia Loves Books and the weekly question is:

Q: Have you ever looked at book’s cover and thought, This is going to horrible? But, was instead pleasantly surprised? Show us the cover and tell us about the book.


I would have to say

Well, I didn't think this is going to be horrible but I wasn't really feeling the cover. I didn't quite get the girl on the ground with the lightning coming out of her finger and the big cloud. It looked kind of like a children's book. I didn't like the cover at all (Sorry JJ).Of course I began to understand the lightning bolt as I read the book however, the book was awesome. I loved it! See my review here. The main character was a breath of fresh air, the mom too cool and the book itself was just enjoyable to read. See you shouldn't judge a book by it cover. I must say though, I've been more disappointed the other way around. I'll see the awesome beautiful amazing covers then I will start reading the book and its like eh, no good.



TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by GReads!  This week's question is:



Promote An Author: Is there a particular author you wish got more recognition? 
Pick one author & tell us why we should read their work.








My choice:

Ms. Mayandree Michel. She is the author of Betrayal (The Descendants #1) which I really liked. This book was so well written and detailed. It was set in the victoriam era but filled with greek mythology. It was totally awesome and I thought she would have received a lot more recognition. The second book, Sacrifice is coming out in June. Check out the beautiful cover. Anyways, if you haven't read Betrayal, you need to. I can't wait to read Sacrifice! See interview with Ms. Michel here and the review of Betrayal here.

Teaser Tuesday (22), Tune-in Tuesday (23) and Top Ten (13)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith

"Stefan laughed. It was a bitter sound. "Who am I to judge?" There was more emotion in his voice than Elena had heard before, even when he had spoken to Mr. Tanner. And that emotion was raw unhappiness." (page 42)

Tune in Tuesday is hosted by Ginger at GReads. Hop on over there and join in the fun!

Beyonce, Beyonce, Beyonce. Yeah, I've been on a Beyonce kick lately. I just love the past few songs she has put released lately. I'm sure everyone has heard them all but I'll share them here anyways. 

Beyonce - Who Runs The World? 

My husband hates this song. Or maybe he just hates the fact that I get so hype when it comes on. Beyonce is good for the girl power anthems but we do run the world. 

Beyonce - Countdown

This video is just fun and colorful! I love it. 

Beyonce - Love on Top

Love Love <3 <3

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's topic: Top Ten Covers of 2012

I have a bad problem of judging a book by its cover. I have found though that an awesome cover does not an awesome book make. However, there are some real great covers coming out this year, I don't know about the books but the covers are great. 

These are my favorite two right now. I almost bought Lone Wolf the other day just because of the cover. 

Beautiful flowy gowns make great covers. I especially love the Everneath cover.

Aside from the great cover I actually can't wait to read Born Wicked. 

Just Beautiful. 

 I just want this dress, gloves and necklace. Plus the title intrigue me as well.

That is only 9 but close enough.

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read  This weeks featured blog is Mercurial Musings and the weekly question is:

Q: What book would you love to see made into a movie or television show and do you have actors/actresses in mind to play the main characters?

Secretly, I would like to see the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series made into a TV series but it would have to be on Showtime or HBO Late Night. I think it would make a good TV series though. However, I would have to say that I would like to see Nevermore made into a movie. It was a very good book and I could see a mind like Tim Burton doing a great job creating the supernatural mental world that they get lost in. As far as the actors, I think Tyler Blackburn from Pretty Little Liars would make a great Varen. I just think he is so cute and I'd like to see him in other stuff. I would choose Britt Robertson from The Secret Circle as Isobel.

Britt Robertson as Isobel

Tyler Blackburn as Varen

Drool-worthy Bookstores

Check out these awesome bookstores from around the world.

Amsterdam

Australia

Brazil

Denver, CO (Tattered Cover, in my hometown. This bookstore is awesome!)

UK (love this! called the Honesty Bookstore, I would be afraid the books would get wet though).

London

NYC

Scotland

Toronto

UK

Ah, I just love bookstores. Just thought I'd share some eye candy with my fellow readers! 

(Source: Readers’ Choice: 20 More Beautiful Bookstores from Around the World)

Waiting on Wednesday (20): Black City by Elizabeth Richards

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I just found out about this book today. It looks very good!
Black City (Black City Chronicles #1) by Elizabeth Richards (TBR: Nov 13, 2012

A dark and tender postapocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection, that causes Ash’s long dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

November is a long way away but I still can't wait to read this book.


Visit Xspresso Reads to read the first chapter and enter a giveaway for a copy of this book! 

Teaser Tuesday (21) and Tune-In Tuesday (22)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

"As I felt my feet under me, I reached for the wall, trying to get my bearings, my fingers only barely raking some solid surface before he grabbed the waistband of my jeans and turned my around to face him. Instinctively I put my hands out in front of me, shielding myself, but he pushed them aside, roughly, and then I was down." (page 264)

Tune in Tuesday is hosted by Ginger at GReads. Hop on over there and join in the fun!

I've been on a Kelly Clarkson kick lately. I love her new song but it's made me want to listen to a few of the older ones I loved too! 

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

LOVE LOVE this song!

Kelly Clarkson - Addicted

This song is on my writing soundtrack for this book I have been working on FOREVER.

Kelly Clarkson - Hear Me

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie and hosted by TheStorySiren. 

I got these books from the thrift store. I mean I maybe paid like $5 total for all six of these books. Isn't that awesome? I never thought about buying books at a thrift store but this one had a huge book section. So I'm happy. I've been wanting the Vampire Diaries Series for so long and now I have the first four books. We know how obsessed I am about the show and its not coming back until the end of March :O. I hate these mid-season breaks. What's up with that? Anyways moving on.  I have yet to read the first two books in the House of Night Series (which I bought a long time ago), now I have the 3rd and 4th books plus Tempted. Lastly, I got Drawing Down the Moon about the real witches in the world. 

I have a lot of reading to do. Can't wait!! 

Friday Feature and Follow & TGIF

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read  This weeks featured blog is Oh! For the Love of Books and the weekly question is:

Q: Activity!!! Take a picture or describe where you love to read the most…

Most of the time, I read in my bed. It is never usually this neat though and there is usually a big fluffy kitty cat curled up sleeping in there somewhere too!

When the weather is nice I sit on my patio and read. I've lost track of many hours sitting out there reading.

Really, I look forward to our planned Spring/Early Summer trip to the cabins where I can do some reading the peace and quiet of the forest while the boys go fishing. I can't wait!

DID YOU FOLLOW? 

tgif is a weekly meme hosted by GReads!  This week's question is:

Required Reading: Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

I remember having to read and dissect Lord of the Flies and Beowulf. I mean we had questions on each chapter and essays and everything. I felt like I knew everything it was to know about those two books. The teacher that assigned The Great Gatsby wasn't as anal. We read it in class then got to watch the movie with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. I really enjoyed that book and movie. 

I think the kids should still have to read the "classics" like we did. I don't want to get away from that language and style. However if I had to chose, I would say 13 Reasons Why and Hunger Games.