playing catch up

Ok we have a lot of ground to cover. Let's get started, shall we? Last time I posted, which was back in August, I was just starting The Secret Ingredient by Stewart Lewis, which I quit about three chapters into it because I couldn't stand it any longer. I guess Stewart Lewis and I will never get along :) I can't remember all the failed attempt books that I've had since September, but there have been a few that clearly don't need to be mentioned here. Soon after getting disappointed by The Secret Ingredient, I made a trip to the library and asked a friendly YA librarian (who has helped me out with suggestions in the past) if she knew of any books with a snarky and smart main character. She told me about Beauty Queens by Libba Bray and A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley. Beauty Queens was just excruciating to read. I didn't even finish it because it was filled with vapid characters and ideals that I personally don't support, so I didn't make it very far into that one before reaching for another book. However, my librarian really hit the spot with A Little Wanting Song. First of all, it is written by Cath Crowley, who also wrote Graffiti Moon, which is one of my favorites. I wasn't aware that she had written anything else, so this was a very welcome surprise. The book drew me in quickly because I could really relate with the main characters from their social habits and patterns of speech to their love of music. It was truly the perfect book for me at the time. Also, it was written in alternating POVs, which, if you've ever read this blog before, you'll know is my favorite thing to discover in a novel. It therefore, earns a spot on the List of 55 (number 35). As soon as I finished it, I texted K and begged her to find it at the library and read it as soon as possible. I believe she even posted about it in October, so if you need more convincing, check there. In October I read An Abundance of Katherines by John Green and High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. An Abundance of Katherines was just so cute. That's really the only word I have for it. The main character, Colin, is just so nerdy and brilliant that he is soon very endearing. I loved the basic plot and Hassan's humor and Colin's little quirks and just everything. I was expecting not to enjoy it because of how much I hated The Fault in Our Stars, which was my first John Green book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe I'll have to check out some of his other books sometimes and give him more shots at redemption after the disappointment and depression that was The Fault in Our Stars. Anyway, this book got itself on the List of 55 as well (number 36). Onward! I read High Fidelity by Nick Hornby because I watched the movie first (a crime, I know) and really enjoyed it (I mean John Cusak is just amazing and so is Jack Black, who just epitomized the character, as I discovered after reading the book), so I thought I'd give it a shot. Although it was a bit slow at parts, it was a great book about love, loss, music (always a plus), and friendship. It was the first book I've read in which the characters were more obsessive about music than I am (with the exception of my musical inspiration, Owen). I mean, it seemed like Rob and Dick and Barry had the ideal jobs, working and owning a record store. It brought me back to the film Empire Records with the "cool kids" working at the record store and bickering about music all day. It seems perfect. *sighs* If only, if only. Anyway, it was a great book and great movie and I would definitely recommend them both. In November I discovered Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life by Steve Almond. It was an autobiographical look at his musical past. Most of it was witty remarks and entertaining tangents and musical references that made me happy inside. It was my version of a "fluff book." I believe I finished it in a few days, which was truly miraculous given the fact that I've been bogged down with homework the past semester and haven't had much time for reading. It was just the sort of book that would make me want to become a music critic or meet Steve Almond and hang out with him for a while. Who knows, maybe I'll do both someday. Also, I had an extensive fangirl moment during the chapter in which he talks about meeting Dave Grohl, who is my musical idol. One of these days (props go to anyone who got my Foo Fighters reference) I WILL meet Dave Grohl too and we'll become the best of friends. After all, he's my hero....he's ordinary. Ok I swear I'm done with my Foo Fighters references...I think. Bottom line, it is the essential book for any music lover out there and was a delight to read. Therefore, it earned a spot on the List of 55 (number 37). Next was Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance, which I finished in just one day. I was on a reader's high after finishing Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life and I just latched onto this book. It was very cliche and predictable and yadayadayada. However, I really enjoyed it. It was a modern version of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which some of you may know is my all-time favorite book. It is definitely worth the read if you're looking for a light-hearted, fun chick lit book. It just wasn't good enough to warrant a placing on The List. Next was Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell. My mom actually picked this book for me when we were at the library together one time. She told me she thought it would be the type of book I would enjoy because it was about coffee and books. I was willing to give it a try, and while it was hard to relate to the main character (a 30 something year old women with a kid), it was a good book. Some of the characters made me want to simply throw something and at times the main character needed a good talking to for her terrible decisions, but all in all a nice light book. I then tried to reread Pride and Prejudice for the six or seventh time (don't judge), but that was perhaps a mistake since it was near finals and the end of the semester and it got a little neglected as I hardly had time to look at it, let alone read it. So I kind of gave up on it and picked up (Not That You Asked) by Steve Almond because of how much I loved the other book I read that he wrote. I'm about 50 or so pages into it, and enjoying it, but set it aside to finish later because I wanted to start Divergent by Veronica Roth. A friend of mine has been bothering me for years to read it and I'm just now caving to the pressure. Shoutout to my favorite librarian Hope for lending me her copy of it since all the copies at the library were checked out. I really appreciate it :) Also, I figured I'd get it read before the movie comes out next year. I literally could not put it down, even while I was spending time with my family on Christmas Eve. It was a little embarrassing, but it was just pulling me in, as only a great book does. I finished it in about 3 days because my family needed me to pay attention to other things than my book, sadly, seeing as how it was the holiday season. Anyway, I wish there were words and time with which to write them that could explain how wonderful this book was, but there aren't. It reminded me a lot of The Host by Stephanie Meyer, which I really loved as well. And honestly, there's not a good way for me to describe this book without getting into every single little detail, but just go out and get a copy of it. It made number 38 on the List of 55. It's just amazing. So amazing, in fact, that I drove over to my friend's house (the one that's been bothering me to read it) to get books 2 and 3 because the library's copies were checked out. I am now going to read Insurgent and Allegiant and then hopefully get around to reading City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, as K has been wanting me to do practically since I met her four years ago. Anyway, I have a pretty big stack of books that need to be read during this winter break, so I best be going now. However, K and I are trying to find some time to get together and make another joint post like we've done in the past, so look out for that soon!
Happy Holidays,
M

M is amazing

Hi guys!
I know I said expect a lengthy post, but I don't really have much time, but I had to publicly thank M for recommending a book to me. It's called "A Little Wanting Song" by Cath Crowley and it was perfection at its finest. It had music, friendship, romance, family and even more music <3 I haven't had much time to read this school year, but I'm glad I took a little time out to read this. It was just amazing and I have to take a little time before reading something else. I'm still absorbing every detail from it. I sometimes forget how much I love reading, and I'm just like "eh, why bother?" Then a book like this falls into my hands and I'm reminded why. I had was having a debate with a guy at work on how books can provoke an emotion, and he just didn't understand. It's not really something you can explain; you just have to feel it. You have to let it in, and feel it with every part of your being. When the writing is good you'll feel it, and boy did I feel it with this one. So, needless to say "A Little Wanting Song" is added to my list of 55. I now have 8 out 55 ^_^  Making progress!
Okaie doks that's all for now. Tata for now!

P.S- they got rid of the shade of purple I always type in :o I'm a little disappointed with this new found information...

Hi guys *insert my sheepish grin here*

Hi, it's K. Don't throw vegetables at me please! I'm sorry I haven't been on since dinosaurs roamed the earth, but life has been hectic beyond belief. I just wanted to type a quick post and let you guys know that I will be posting more soon. I went to the book store today for the first time in forever; and I felt like I was home...annnnnnddddd I got two new books ^_^
I've also checked out a few from the library so within a few weeks expect a lengthy post from me. Until then I will be getting caught up on reading what M has posted, and studying for school (oh the joy- can you sense the sarcasm?)
Anyway, thanks for hanging in there with us (if there's anyone even reading this post, but I would like to think there is), and I'll write soon. Until next time!

-K

a little bit of catching up...

All right, this is going to be super quick and therefore pretty concise. First, I think I should admit that I didn't finish the Harry Potter series this time through. I hit the figurative brick wall in the middle of Goblet of Fire and couldn't finish and felt like I was wasting my last remaining days of summer on something that my heart wasn't really in, which didn't seem right to me. (Currently listening to: "Stay Together for the Kids"- Blink-182) So, I went to the library and browsed the new book shelf as I normally do and came up with Love, Inc. by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout, the same two ladies that wrote Girl vs. Boy and the Vivien Leigh Reid series (both of which I've read). It was a story of Zahra, Kali, and Syd, three unlikely friends that met in group therapy following the divorces of each of their parents. They soon realize that they've all been dating the same guy at the same time without realizing it and arrange for some good, old-fashioned revenge. After which, they realize they can help others get revenge and thus begins Love, Inc., a company dedicated to love in all its forms: revenge, matchmaking, mediation, and break-ups. I really liked the individual personalities of the girls and the general plot. Although it dragged a tad in the middle/end, I still think it was deserving of a spot on The List. Moving on. ("Happy Fun Song"- Straight Outta Junior High) Next, I picked up My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, which K had recommended to me over a year ago and I had forgotten about until I was volunteering at the library and shelving books and the title jumped out at me. Samantha Reed, daughter of a senator, spends her childhood watching her next door neighbors, the Garretts, from her balcony with a sense of awe. They are the exact opposite of her clean, precise, classy family: messy, crowded, loud, and unorganized.("Juke Box Hero"- Foreigner) Enter Samantha's seventeenth summer and a relationship that blossoms with Jase, one of the Garrett kids. Sam learns about love, family, and the consequences of the truth. Although there were thoroughly irritating characters (Mrs. Reed, Clay, Nan), there were also some true gems (Sam, Jase, Tim, George, Alice) that really made the book that much more special. I loved the humor, narrative voice, and idea of a summer whirlwind romance. However, the ending caught me off guard and wasn't all that clear or fulfilling. Also, after finishing, I walked around in a daze for several hours, the effects of the book still not wearing off. However, despite its negatives, I gave it four stars and a spot on The List. Next up was Whip It by Shauna Cross. After watching the movie for the first time this summer, I thought it would be a great book to check out and boy was I right. I love the sarcastic, witty, educated humor that Bliss maintains throughout the entire book. It reminded me of my own internal dialogue and I loved it. She was such a relatable character for me and plus roller derby is just so badass that how could you not be intrigued? Also, there were all kinds of musical references that I got, loved, and really appreciated--especially when Bliss was saying that Weezer's Pinkerton is the best makeout album-- I mean it's Weezer's best album, in my opinion and I just loved that she incorporated that. It was honestly the funniest book I've read in a long, long time and I've been kind of disappointed by the lack of quick, intellectual, snarky humor in everything I've read since. Loved the movie, loved the book. Verdict: Five stars and a spot on The List of 55. I recently reread Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and was struck once again by how utterly amazing Owen is and how much I really need to find his twin brother at my school or something :) Still just as great as ever and, of course, parts that I went back and reread just for my own emotional reading pleasure (for example, the scene when Owen takes Annabel's picture and shows her what she means to him--my favorite scene). Oddly enough, I was talking to K in the hallway the other day and she was saying that she's rereading it right now too. Great minds think alike I guess. A couple days ago I finished All I Need by Susane Colasanti, which I was super skeptical of from the beginning because I haven't really been a fan of Colasanti in the past, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was a decent love story of serendipity and taking chances and summer romance, but there were parts that I just didn't like. For example, the excessive teenage girl drama between Skye's friends and the awful ex-girlfriend and the weird passage of time. I really enjoyed the alternating POV, as I've always loved. Also, Seth was such a gentleman and I really enjoyed reading his chapters because he just seems like the sort of guy I would fall for. *sigh* Now, I'm ready to start The Secret Ingredient by Stewart Lewis, the author of You Have Seven Messages, which I didn't particularly like. However, I'm willing to give the author another shot. Also, it was on the New Book Shelf and sounded interesting and the cover is really beautiful. Well, I will post when/if I have time in the future because with sports and activities and school and a social life it's going to be pretty difficult to get around to posting anything for a while. Hang in there, though. I'll be back soon enough.
Happy Reading!
-M

the music post

As you all know by now, K and I are very passionate about music of mostly all sorts. Therefore, I thought I should share what I've been listening to....list style (because lists make everything better). Before I begin, though, I'd like to dedicate this list to Owen, quite possibly the greatest character ever developed by an author and a true freak for music just like us :)

CD's I've Checked Out From the Library Recently:
-¡Uno! by Green Day
-¡Dos! by Green Day
-¡Tré! by Green Day
-21st Century Breakdown by Green Day (notice a pattern yet?)
-Dookie by Green Day
-Sky Full of Holes by Fountains of Wayne
-Codes and Keys by Death Cab for Cutie
-Lonely Avenue by Ben Folds
-B.R.M.C. by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
-There Is Nothing Left to Lose by Foo Fighters
-One by One by Foo Fighters
-Wasting Light by Foo Fighters (Great album....seriously there was only one song that I didn't particularly care for, the rest were amazing. Arlandria is the best in my opinion)
-Subterranean Jungle by Ramones
-Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
-Take Off Your Pants and Jacket by Blink-182
-Enema of the State by Blink-182
-Suck it and See by Arctic Monkeys
-Humbug by Arctic Monkeys
-Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes
-Icky Thump by The White Stripes
-The White Stripes by The White Stripes (bet you didn't guess who this album was by)
-X&Y by Coldplay
-Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay
-The Clash by The Clash (gee they're really original with their titles aren't they?)
-Daisy by Brand New
-Holy Smoke by Gin Wigmore
*As you can see, I'm kind of all over the place musically, but stick in the vein of rock for the most part.

Twenty-Odd Songs That I've Come Across Elsewhere and Really Enjoy:

1. Surfer Girl--Home Grown
2. Definitely Maybe--FM Static
3. Sheena Is a Punk Rocker--Ramones
4. If It Kills Me--Jason Mraz
5. Shiver--Coldplay
6. To Be With You--Mr. Big
7. Layla--Eric Clapton
8. Calypso--Spiderbait (which reminds me of "Hate Spinnerbait" from Ms. Dessen's novels)
9. Fight For Your Right--Beastie Boys
10. Summertime--Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (I actually love this song...and all versions thereof but this is my favorite cover)
11. These Roses--Gin Wigmore
12. Holding On To You--Twenty One Pilots
13. Jude Law and a Semester Abroad--Brand New
14. Mix Tape--Brand New
15. The Sky is Crying--Albert King (also a great cover of a great song)
16. Play Crack the Sky--Brand New
    
17. Happy Together--Filter
18. Kissing You Goodbye--The Used
19. I'll Be Seeing You--Billie Holiday
20. Master Celebrator--No Fun At All
21. Goodnight Moon--Go Radio
22. Drive Away My Heart--Ida Maria
23. Shark in the Water (Blame Remix)--VV Brown
24. New Born--Muse
25. Crave You (Adventure Club Dubstep Remix)--Flight Facilities
26. La Vie en Rose--Louis Armstrong (He truly has the richest voice I've ever heard)
27. Just Like Heaven--The Cure
28. Leona--Millen Colin
29. Flavor of the Weak--American Hi-Fi

So, I realize this post was essentially just lists, but I thought I'd give you guys some suggested music to listen to this summer :)
-M

numbers 30 & 31

alright guys it's been one of those days when a lightbulb pops on and it can't be stifled by any force, be it the realization of being in the real world or the realization that life isn't like a chick lit book. so, to keep the light burning i thought i'd share with you guys. today i went into my brother's room to use his cd player to listen to some music. while i was in there i found a library book that i'd picked up a couple weeks ago offhandedly because i got pulled in by the cover due to my fondness for Converse and had since forgotten. i thought to myself "well i might as well read the first 3 or 4 pages and see what it's like." several hours and 432 pages later i reentered the real world with a huge smile on my face and a sense of peace in my heart that only comes from a great book. this book, Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay, was just so perfect and unique and full of drama that it sucked me in quickly and i couldn't put it down until it was finished. short summary: Marcie's dad cheats on her mom with a guy. Marcie and her mom move to New Hampshire. Marcie is upset about leaving behind all her friends and amazing boyfriend in Idaho. Marcie meets a new East Coast guy and things get complicated as she doesn't know whom to break up with or if she should even be interested in this new guy with her boyfriend still in the picture.

As i said, short summary. and i realize that it sounds ridiculous, but i love that it was written as a bunch of poems and Marcie was such a relatable character that you really feel like you're her best friend getting sucked into her problems, however shallow they may seem. also, may i point out that i was already halfway through the third Harry Potter book in my annual summertime quest to read the whole series in a timely manner. and i am NOT the type of person to read more than one book at a time or just forget about a book i'm in the middle of, so the fact that i "cheated" on Harry Potter with this book should tell you something (it's also quite ironic seeing as how the book is about the main character cheating on her boyfriend). anyway, it definitely deserves a spot (31) on The List of 55.
now, i have to backtrack and explain number 30 on the list. the book with the honor of holding the spot is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. i loved how it was so realistic. i really felt connected to Esther and all of her reasoning was solid throughout which scared me as she continued to spiral into depression and landed herself in a mental facility. it scared me because i could agree and sympathize with her and therefore questioned my own sanity and happiness. the book really screwed with my mind, but i absolutely loved it despite it's dark tone and depressing topics. thus, as i read it earlier than Love & Leftovers, it's number 30. i simply had to rant a little about L&L first because it was on my mind.
so, from here i will continue reading Harry Potter and hope that nothing else steals my attentions away.
happy reading and enjoy the sunshine :)
-M

summer reading

Hello all! I realize that I haven't posted anything since the 24 Hour Readathon, so I should probably get you guys up to date. On April 27 I participated in a readathon and I completed four books: One Night by Marsha Qualey, Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen, Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber, and Perry's Killer Playlist by Joe Schreiber. I didn't particularly care for One Night because I felt like I couldn't relate to the characters and I didn't really like the premise of the book. However, a friend recommended it, so I figured I'd give it a try. As for Someone Like You, I've read it before and didn't really care for it then. However, it's Sarah Dessen so I decided to give it another shot. Nope. Still didn't like it. The  guy (Macon) was kind of an ass and the family (HER MOM) was so irritating and I almost couldn't keep reading because they were getting on my nerves. Also, Noah is a whiny little boy who needs to move on with  his life. Sorry, I'm getting worked up about this and it's been about a month and a half since I finished it, but it's Dessen and I (and K) hold her to a higher standard. Let's just say that this book didn't cut it. Also, recently I re-read That Summer (also by Dessen), which is another one that I didn't like the first time I read it. The second time it didn't get much better. I thought the main character was kind of immature and I didn't like her incredibly bratty sister who I'm not sure I would be able to stand living with for more one or two days before slapping her upside the head. She has no consideration for anyone but herself and leaves behind a wake of broken hearts/feelings. That was another second read-through strike-out for Ms. Dessen. Back to the readathon wrap-up: I loved reading Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick, a book that was recommended by a librarian-friend of mine. The fast pace and interesting plot line kept me engaged at whatever outrageous hour I was reading it. It was so full of action that it really pulled me in until the end and earned a spot on The List of 55 (number 28). I then proceeded to pick up the sequel (Perry's Killer Playlist) and start in on that, but not before I could go to Grooveshark (in my opinion, the best internet music website) and compile a playlist of the songs that were used as chapter titles in the book so that during each chapter I could listen to the appropriate song. I think this also helped keep me awake and really enhanced the story. I suggest doing this and getting it all set up ahead of time before starting the book and then being prepared to hit replay on some songs so it gets you through the whole chapter before moving on to the next song. Also, it definitely helped that Joe Schreiber apparently has a similar taste in music as me. I would recommend both of these books although the sequel didn't make "The List." After the readathon, during the last month of school, I didn't have much time for reading, but somehow managed to sneak in Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti, Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz, and the aforementioned That Summer by Sarah Dessen. Honey, Baby, Sweetheart was one of those books that I was not very pleased with and I'm pretty sure I had a nice couple of rant sessions while I was reading it. However, much as I wanted to quit reading it, I couldn't because I just had to know what happened. While the general idea of the bad boy really appealed to me, I thought it was poorly executed and a tad cliché. Definitely didn't live up to the ultimate standard of "bad boy", John Bender. Also, I wasn't really happy with the ending. Next up was Blue Bloods, which I thought was very interesting and well-written. It definitely held my attention and was a nice introduction into the whole vampire genre for me. Then I read the sequel, which was slightly less captivating, but still ok. I'm sure eventually I'll get around to reading the rest of the series, but not now. Then, this summer so far in the past week I've read Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler, Supernaturally by Kiersten White, and Being Henry David by Cal Armistead. Bittersweet was good, predictable plot, but good. Not exactly appropriate seeing as how it takes place in the dead of winter and  I read it the first week of summer, but good nonetheless. Supernaturally is the sequel that I've been getting excited about ever since I read and loved Paranormalcy several months ago. It was good and kept me intrigued, but not as good as the first and I felt like there was still unresolved conflict that was bothering me. Also, the ending felt very very rushed and kind of just felt unfinished. Then, today I read and finished Being Henry David, which reminded me a little of Paper Covers Rock, so of course I loved it and it's going on The List (number 29). A boy wakes up in a train station and can't remember who he is, why he's there, or anything about his past. All he knows is that there is a ten dollar bill in his pocket and a copy of Henry David Thoreau's Walden at his side. It's a book of adventure, but also one in which the main character finds himself. It was a very enjoyable read and I loved everything, except for the ending, which was left a bit open-ended, perhaps for readers to fill in the blanks for themselves. Very well done, especially since it was Ms. Armistead's first book. I look forward to reading more of her books as they come. Another great New Book Shelf find that I took a chance on and ended up loving. With this book, I completed the Summer Reading Program at my library, which requires 1000 pages to complete. Now, I'm working towards the extra incentive of another free book by going for 5000 pages by August 6. Every year I've done the Young Adult program, I've made it to 5000, so I don't plan on stopping anytime soon :) I am now about to start Me, Him, Them, and It by Caela Carter, which I know very little about, as it was also a New Book Shelf find. Enjoy the summer sunshine and, more importantly, rain showers. Happy Reading!

-M