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A Written Rhapsody: July 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Book Notes: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall"What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?


Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing."

After a number of great reviews on this book, I ordered this book right away when I saw it as an e-book at my library. Did it disappoint? No. Samantha was a really annoying character who did a lot to dislike her. Oliver did well to make me hate her. The only aspects that made me like her was her relationship with her baby sister. I felt that was the only time she was truly herself.  

Though I know she was supposed to redeem herself by the end, it was too late for me. Maybe I'm mean, but years of being annoying doesn't get erased by a few days of good deeds. I don't really feel like her actions were selfless. Sure, it's pretty impossible to do a completely selfless deed, but in the end I don't think she ended up helping the other characters. 

Without being spoilerific, I don't think her friends would change their ways and in a way, it makes me dislike Samantha a bit more. 

By no means am I saying this is a bad book. It was a great read and Oliver's writing is so beautiful, I found myself stopping during passages to reread such thought provoking words. However, if you're looking for a happy read with likable characters, go another way. 




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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays: Intertwined by Gena Showalter








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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:




  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Intertwined (Harlequin Teen)"Those eyes were feral, wild, and she'd felt that undeniable shock that had ended as quickly as it had begun, for one second seeming to hook her to a generator, jolting her, unnerving her. Even hurting her.


And here he was again..."

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Follower Fridays





Q. Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?


A: 
Judy Blume-She was the author of one of the first real books I read as a kid(I wasn't much of a reader until middle school) and I think it would just be interesting to meet her. 

Edgar Allen Poe- This didn't say they had to be alive, so I pick him just because he's so demented. I'd like to see where his head is at.

Cara Lynn Shultz- She's one of the only authors I follow on twitter right now and she just seems like such a chill person and fun to hang out with. She continuously makes me laugh with her pop culture references. 

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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays: My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent


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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:




  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
I'm doing three lines because I'm a rebel like that! 


My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers Book 1)


"I would have given anything to be able to speak in that moment, not just to warn Emma- because that was evidently a moot point- but to ask Nash what the hell was going on. Could he see what I saw? More important, could they see us?"

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Monday, July 18, 2011

Book Notes: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Legacy (Harlequin Teen)"Now, as seventeen-year-old Princess Alera of Hytanica is besieged from all sides by suitors vying for the Throne, a teenage Cokyrian boy, Narian, is encountered within the walls of her Kingdom, a boy who will show Alera a world where women serve a purpose and not just a husband. As Narian helps Alera find her voice, she struggles against an arranged marriage that will shatter the life she has scarcely begun to live. And when Narian’s shocking past is uncovered, and war with Cokyri looms once more, he must fight to defy a fate ordained at his birth."


When I got my hands on a copy of this book, I immediately wanted to read it. I love that old English type of feel and just love the way they talk. The prologue was grabbing, however I felt like it took a while for the book to connect the story. Though the storyline was interesting, the book was slowly paced making it feel much longer than it was. For a first novel, I feel like there could've been more said about the kingdom where she lived. Other than a few celebrations, I didn't get a good feel for what the kingdom was like. With these minor issues, I will say Kluver did a great job in characterization. She was able to balance personalities in a way to show the positive and negative sides to a character. There wasn't a time where I absolutely loved a character or hated them. Though someone did something bad, as a reader, I was able to understand their reasoning behind it. The one thing I did wish she did was to write more about London. He was such an intriguing character for the storyline and the relationship between him and Alera seemed so close, I wanted to understand why they acted the way they did. 


If you're a reader who enjoys a lot of detail, this would be a great book for you. I personally found it a bit annoying to have pages devoted to what the characters were wearing everyday, that I would just start skimming when I saw a long descriptions. The book overall started strong but fizzled out towards the end, leaving me disappointed to wait for the next book to really see where the story goes. I probably will read the next book just to see what happens, but if the pacing continues like this book, I doubt I'll get through the series. 

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Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Once Upon a Read-a-thon Mini Challenge & Wrap Up

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon


Over at Wicked Awesome Books they're playing matchmaker and asking us to put two characters together and explain why they'd be good for each other.

My choice? Jacob from Twilight with Juliet Sykes from Before I Fall. Why? They both deserve someone and I think Jacob is the protective type, while Juliet is strong enough to handle him yet emo enough to need the protector type.

Who do you think would make a good pair?

I didn't get as much reading done as I wanted to because of work getting in the way, but I did read and make a little dent in my list of books. Books weren't holding my interest, so I ended up starting two. Overall though, I had a good time.


Title Count:
Playing Dirty-Finished
Collide-Half Completed
Tris & Izzy-Half Completed

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Music Notes: Roses by Meg & Dia



Funny how I came across this pair. I was sitting at work listening to my iPod and this song by The Summer Set came on. There was a woman's voice that really caught my attention as I found the song to be so pretty. I was like, "I need to look this up now!" I found the name Dia Frampton and thought the name sounded really familiar but couldn't place it. Then thanks to wikipedia I realized, "Hey! It's the chick from The Voice!"Now I've only seen a few of the first episodes of the show and always liked her, but my TV viewing is pretty limited as I always forget when shows are on. As I found this band, I've been trying to find their CD's to purchase with little success, so my listens have resorted to multiple YouTube plays. I can't explain what captivates me about their voices, it just sort of pulls me in though. Their songs also have a nice range from a rock flair to fun little pop songs to emotional ballads. I'm really curious to get their albums to see how each progresses.

Find out more about Meg & Dia

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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Once Upon a Read-a-thon Mini Challenge

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon

Hello my lovelies! Book reading has slowed down drastically as I had to work today. I didn't get as far as I was hoping to, but that's alright I guess. I wish my boss would take "I need to read" as a legitimate excuse but I'm assuming it wouldn't go over well. Maybe I'll try some other time, haha.

Sabrina over at YA Bliss is hosting a mini challenge that I wanted to participate in. She's asking what are peoples favorite love triangles!

I thought about this for a while as anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love my book men. This is what I came down to.

The Host: A NovelJared Howe vs. Ian O'Shea







I want Ian O'Shea to bring me Cheetos.

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood)Bill Compton vs. Eric Northman






Okay I've just barely started reading this, but am a big fan of the show so I'm saying it counts. I'll be honest, Eric Northman makes me want to do bad things.

The Hunger GamesGale Hawthorne vs. Peeta Mellark






I love Peeta...However, I also like Gale. I haven't really chosen a favorite in this series.

Which are your favorites? I'd love to hear from you guys!

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Teaser Tuesdays: Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
I'm looking pretty forward to reading this as I loved the original story. I've been hearing mixed reviews. Here's hoping!!

Tris and Izzie"When my mom gave me the healing potion after my dad died, I had a smoky, sooty taste in my mouth for days. I also had terrible dreams about a forty-foot-tall serpent with red and gold sparkling scales saying my name."

Monday, July 11, 2011

Once Upon a Read-a-thon Bloggy Post

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon


Hola all you other read-a-thon/blogger/book lovers! Agh! It's started and I'm all sick and stuff but I'm trying my best here. I'm not entirely sure what I'm reading yet, but I'm going through my Net Galley list of books. Here are a few I'm debating!

Playing Dirty (Hqn)Tris and IzzieThe SleepwalkersOne Day (Vintage Contemporaries Original) 1st (first) edition Text Only

Who knows how many books I'll get to. Yay for less sleepy and more reading! Sleeping is way overrated, right? Exactly! Join in on the fun on Twitter with #OUreadathon. Hope you all have fun reading!

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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Music Notes: Coin Laundry by Lisa Mitchell



I came across this artist a few weeks ago and I'm just totally in love. Her voice is just so innocent sounding, while her look is so quirky. Her songs have a way of making me sing along to it like I'm listening to my childhood jam. Am I the only one who wants to skip around in a field of flowers under the sun after listening to her? No not like this, but close. Well, maybe like the smallest kid.

Though I'm a lyrics lover in music, her light-hearted words and sound really work for me when I'm looking for that fun happy day type of music. Also, I really want a cool washing machine to hang out in like her, so that doesn't hurt.

If you're looking for music that makes you think of a world of beautiful summer mornings and fairytales, I'd definitely check out Lisa Mitchell's album, Wonder. It hasn't ceased to bring a smile to my face.


More of Lisa Mitchell

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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Before I Fall



"And then everything goes silent. I'm afraid to open my eyes."

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Monday, July 4, 2011

Book Notes: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz

Spellbound (Harlequin Teen)
"Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else."

I loved this book so hard. Like really, no joke. I've been wanting to read this for a while and was so ecstatic when I got my approved request from Netgalley that I did a little happy dance. There were so many characters in this that I would want to befriend. Emma, our main character, was such a strong and sarcastic character that you had to love her. I loved her reactions where she'd always had a great snarky comeback to insults. She was a personality I related to a lot because things she'd say in a joking manner are things I would say. So big shout out to Shultz for making me feel like less of a loser when laughing at "You're a..." jokes. Ashley was so cute and somewhat childlike that I understood why Emma would be so protective of her within their relationship. Angelique, the best friend, made me love her little quirks and humor. I loved her as the person who did her own thing no matter what anyone thought. Cisco, who is the other friend, made me wish there was more of him as I found him to be refreshing in a school of a lot of snooty kids. Of course I can't forget about Brendan. I seriously fell in love with him. I even chose to totally ignore the fact he was seventeen just so I could swoon over him as I read, haha. There were so many times as I read where Shultz would describe him or where he'd say something and I'd have a dorky smile on my face and get all fangirl-y. I think his lean could give McDreamy a run for his money. I don't know how Shultz's did it, but everything about him was yummy. I don't think there are a lot of books out there that can make a simple kiss sigh worthy for the reader, but this book did it multiple times. Seriously,  if I could build a machine and bring a book boy to life, it'd be Brendan.(Someone really needs to get on building this, please?)

Another aspect that worked real well for the book was the way Shultz was able to describe New York. I felt like she was able to capture what life is like in New York and it made me want to visit it even more as I read.

I also enjoyed the magical aspect and how it somewhat surrounded the story at all times, but it wasn't a main theme. Sure, there could've been a touch more to the magical aspects but I think leaving it out worked for this book.

Overall, this book was a great read and I really enjoyed it. With all of her lovable characters and creative storylines, I can't wait to see what Shultz comes out with next as she's definitely made a fan out of me.

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