Waiting on Wednesday (008)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. This isn't something that I will try to do every week especially if there's a book I really want to let people know about. I try to have books that are coming out within the next couple months, but this one comes out March of 2011!

Like Mandarin by Kristen Hubbard
It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.
When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands town.
Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.

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This is a 2011 debut novel, so be sure to add it to your list (which I need to start on soon)! Check out the growing list here.
This sounds like a unique book that focuses on friendship, instead of romance. (Even though Grace seems a little infatuated). But it also sounds like it may have some darkness thrown in there as well.

Can't wait to pick this one up. Depending on the reviews, I may get this from the library instead of buying. (If I don't win it in a contest.)

Tune Tuesday (007)

This is Tune Tuesday, a lot like Music Monday created by…someone!
Each week I give you a playlist topic and you give me a list of songs that fit that topic. Between 10 and 20 songs. You can post a youtube or download link to the song as well if you’d like, just in case someone hasn’t heard that song before.
This week your topic is:

"Top Five(5) Artists!"

Go through your iPod/iTunes and pick out five of your favorite artists (singer, bands, etc) and then find two or three songs from each artist and post them in a blog kind of like I did below! (You'll have between 10 and 15 songs.) It can be an artist you just learned about or one you've loved forever & it could be a new song or just and old favorite. There is no genre specific person. Just your all time favorite FIVE artists (or bands)!! 


Here's my playlist:
Panic! At the Disco, JoJo, Paramore, Blue October & John Mayer.

1. "There's a Good Reason these Tables are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought of it Yet" by Panic! At the Disco - link
2. "Northern Downpour" by Panic! At the Disco - link
3. "But it's Better if You Do" by Panic! At the Disco - link
4. "Too Little Too Late" by JoJo - link
5. "Coming For You" by JoJo - link
6. "Safe With Me" by JoJo - link
7. "Brick by Boring Brick" by Paramore - link
8. "Decode" by Paramore - link
9. "Looking Up" by Paramore - link
10. "X-Amount of Words" by Blue October - link
11. "Should Be Loved" by Blue October - link
12. "She's My Ride Home" by Blue October - link
13. "City Love" by John Mayer - link
14. "Neon" by John Mayer - link
15. "Comfortable" by John Mayer - link

Click here for 8 more bonus songs!!

I want to see your playlist, so leave a comment with your link so others can check it out too!!


(All "links" go to a youtube video of the official music video or a live performance of the song)

Meet Me on Monday (009)

Meet Me on Monday is hosted by Never Growing Old and it's a meme for bloggers to get to know each other one Monday at a time.



This week's questions:
1. How many TV’s do you have in your home?
Technically about 6...but only four are hooked up to be watched.

2. What is on your bedside table (nightstand)?

Oh boy....a clock, an old Kum & Go cup(half full), my mom's crackers(shh), a cup, toilet paper(for the runny nose), lotion, Tylenol, hand sanitizer, IcyHot, a fake rose that had earrings inside, more lotion, a candle, pens & a pencil, hair pomade, hair tie, candle, remote control, a Q-Tip, Hush, Hush, my journal, cell phone charger, a notepad, an application for TJ Maxx, a notebook (and don't get me started with what's in the drawer!!)
*If you want to see it for yourself...just click to enlarge the picture. I haven't cleaned it off in forever!! Eep. (picture may not work...)

3. How many pair of shoes do you own?
I am not even going to count, but I know I have about 50+ flip flops...no I don't wear them all, my black, grey and brown ones get worn the most. I need to wear the others. I know I have two pairs of heels and a few pairs of tennis shoes. Can't quite guess!

4. Can you change a flat tire?
Hahahahahahahahahaha. No.
But I don't have a car...so it's not too bizarre!

5. Do you prefer sweet treats or salty treats?
A mixture of both!! But I'd rather not have salty just not sweet....if that makes any sense?!

Leave comments & I'll comment back!! :)

Follow Friday & Blog Hop! (004)

Hey new followers!! So glad you've come to my page! :)
I'm not too new, but I haven't been able to work on my blog too much, but now I'm completely dedicated and focused! Expect more reviews, memes/features and eventually giveaways!


And please please follow my music & movie review blog called Twisted Symphony!!! I already have a review and a WoW post on there to look at! :)

Leave a comment and I'll follow you back!

When you write reviews, do you write them as you are reading or wait until you have read the entire book?

- A little of both! Sometimes I'll jot down notes about the book that I liked or didn't like to help with the review. I'll even write down a lot of quotes that I loved & try to narrow those down to 1 or 2.
 If a book is really good I don't think too much about anything else and I just read read read!
I've learned that I'm a very fast reader if I'm comfortable, sitting up, and the book is very well written.

Review: "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Released: August 31st, 2010
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age: Young Adult
Pages: 352
Overall:
Acquired: Won from Pure Imagination
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author | The Story Siren

Review: If you read many of the blogs that do book reviews there's a 99.9% chance you've heard the buzz about this book! I know I have. Which is why I was slightly nervous going into the book...that it wouldn't live up to it's hype.

Paranormalcy is about Evie, a girl who lives in the IPCA (International Paranormal Containment Agency)  headquarters after living in the foster system until she had her encounter with a vampire. When she tells them how the vampire really looked...under his glamour...IPCA takes her in and uses her to catch paranormals of every kind!
Growing up in such an isolated space with no contact with the outside world and having your best friend as a mermaid--it's obvious why Evie obsesses over anything...normal.

When a mysterious water boy shows up to the Center, everyone is on edge making sure he's contained until they figure out why he's snuck in and what he is. Evie begins visiting Lend and learning more about him. But never enough.

When paranormals start dying everywhere around her and her crazy ex-boyfriend keeps trying to kidnap her, Evie begins thirsting for more time with Lend, a shapeshifter--someone who's been the closest thing to normal in her life.

Evie is absoultely adorable and I loved her. Her and her side kick Tasey (her blinged out pink taser). Basically she was the best bleeping :) part of the book. Maybe second. I did love Lend as well.

I've read some reviews where people think Evie is annoying because of her over excitement for the most normal of things...like lockers...but hello she's lived in this confined place for most of her life. I loved Evie and only loved her excitement even more.

Judging the cover, this was not how I expected the book...I thought it would be darker but I liked how light it was yet still held depth! And by the way that is not at all how I imagine Evie. That is a small scene in the book--hair and dress--but I imagined Evie to be a lot prettier. And if it were to become a movie, I could see Taylor Swift playing her however...I didn't see Taylor while reading the book.


Author: Website | Twitter

Memorable quote: "It was slightly dull and utterly normal. It rocked." (Evie)
"Oh, relax." I waved my hand dismissively. "If he wanted to kill me, he already would have. I brought him all these sharp pencils, ideal for stabbing and he's been a perfect gentlemen." (Evie)

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Booking Through Thursday (002)

What are you reading right now? What made you choose it? Are you enjoying it? Would you recommend it? (And, by all means, discuss everything, if you’re reading more than one thing!)

I currently have Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick in my "Currently Reading" section....but the truth is, I've only read the prologue! I haven't been in much of a reading mood lately & I've just recently gotten into the show Supernatural(yeah, season one...!)
I won this book and after the bestie told me how much she loved it, I knew that it'd be the next book that I would read. She just received Crescendo in the mail, so I know I need to read this book so I can move on to that one.
I am in love with that cover, so that was pretty much reason enough!! :)

I will be starting Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl.(won from the same person.)

I don't really know when I'll be starting this book, but I do know that it will be soon. Most likely Friday night & read through the weekend! :)

Review: "Sea" by Heidi R. Kling

Sea by Heidi R. Kling

Released: June 10th, 2010
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Age: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Overall:
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author | The Story Siren
Acquired: Library

Review: First of all, how serene is that cover? I love it!

I don't think I anticipated this book too much in the Debut Author Challenge--not because be the summary wasn't appealing, but because after looking at all the other Debut Authors, this one didn't stand out.
But it was by far one of the best books I've read this year! And definitely in my top five for the Debut Challenge thus far.

Sienna has lost her mother to the Indian Ocean and though it's been nearly five years--it's still extremely hard for her. Never stepping back into the sea, and deathly afraid of flying; the last present she expected or wanted was a trip to Indonesia to join her father in helping the victims of the 2004 Tsunami. Leaving her best friends from home--one she may (unknowingly) be developing feelings for just doesn't add up to be the best birthday!

After a horrendous flight consisting of nightmares(that never seem to cease), frightening turbulence and of course vomiting on her orange Converse...the children's orphanage should've been the cherry on the spoiled ice cream sundae.
And it looks that way
Until she meets Deni.
The gorgeous guy with striking eyes, a small limp, heavy accent who just so happens to speak fluent English...a perfect recipe for disaster. But the good kind of disaster!

I loved and adored Deni from beginning to end! And one of the orphans--Elli.
From excited sneak-outs on the motor, trying new foods and being comfortable with someone you've just met, the connection between Sienna and Deni is palpable.

I read this book in about a day, so the budding relationship seemed a little quick, but I never stopped rooting for them.

But Spider--friend from home--was always in the back of my mind. I liked him. Though he wasn't in the book enough to really get to know him, he had potential and my heart was torn...can't imagine how Sienna felt (we never really got much about him while in Indonesia). He just screamed "possibility".

I haven't read a book this quickly in a long time, so that's a sign that I thouroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. And surprisingly loved the ending. I would absolutely love a sequel to this book, but it isn't necessary.
If you haven't already, read this book! I cannot wait for more from Heidi R. Kling!!

Author: Twitter |  Website

Memorable quote: "Dawn is not for a while," he said, "and no one can see us in the dark."


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