Sunday, August 31, 2014

Top 5 Sundays - Favorite Book Couples {Part III}

This feature was thought up by the awesome Larissa & Friends’ Bookish Life
Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3 - Feel free to use the Features image
4 - After you've finished your post, add your link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5 – If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)    

Top 5 Sundays - Favorite Book Couples {Part III} 

I love all of these couples because they all work so well together and as separate characters too.

Jaenelle and Daemon just have so many epic moments together and their chemistry is crazy.


Eleanor and Park have such an interesting relationship and you will root for them throughout this book.


Gray and Cassidy are perfect for each other. I loved seeing their relationship progress. It was great to see the lighter jewels and see this area of the world more.


Etienne and Anna are my favorite couple that Perkins has written. They just have a swoony kind of chemistry.

Annabeth and Percy have not had an easy road and I'm just crossing all my fingers and toes hoping that they don't die in the last book.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Question of the Day - What's the most WTF book you've read lately?

This, this book was not what I was expecting and for everything except pretty much the very end I was like WTF did I just read and WTF is going on...

Friday, August 29, 2014

Weekend Read - Landline

I adore Rowell’s YA books so can’t wait to try this book and see if I love it too. It has a great premise and I'm interested in seeing where it goes.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Newest Bookish Obsession - Outlander

This show is my newest obsession, it’s just so good. I’ve always been reluctant to read the books because they are so huge and have been going on for so long. Once I saw the first episode though I knew I had to read the book. Now I plan to read along as far as the episodes go. I’ve been surprised so far by how close they stick to the book in parts like taking complete lines and using them on the show.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets

Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space Edited by David Thomas Moore

* Provided by NetGalley for Review

“In the silence, I could dimly hear the car’s radio playing Heartbreak Hotel.”


“Holmes liked new buildings. Fresh spaces. All the spirit his own.”


“IT SEEMED TRITE, but he understood the genius loci of the place now.”


“People notice very little,” Holmes said. “And they too easily believe that which they wish to.”


“Bored? We were never bored.”


“Not married, not divorced, not a sweet young thing, not looking, not interested, in you, your brother, or your sister.”


“So sensitive. I’ll remember that.”


“Invading your privacy, one day at a time.”

“I always get my man.”

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Review - Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets

Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space Edited by David Thomas Moore

* Provided by NetGalley for Review

5 out of 5 gnomes There were no duds in this awesome collection of a myriad of stories about Sherlock Holmes. This book looks at Sherlock Holmes in just about every way imaginable. Most of these will have you wanting a whole book about the characters you’ve just read. If you’re anything like me you’ll be adding these authors to your TBR (To Be Read) List as you make your way through these stories. The Adventure of the Speckled Bandana was one of those stories that really surprised me with its resolution. I adore the lore that was mixed together to make up this story. The Lantern Men is one truly creepy Holmes story. It’s awesome but like I said before pretty darn creepy. The solution to the mystery lets you see the horrible and long history of a town. A Woman’s Place was such a great look at how important Mrs. Hudson is. I love everything about this story and it’s surprising yet awesome twist on Sherlock. The Small World of 221 B was so interesting and I don’t want to give anything away about it except to say that it really reminded me of an episode of The Twilight Zone. All the Single Ladies is a fantastic look at a woman Sherlock Holmes. I liked the mix of humor, character, and the mystery of who the real killer was. This story also had some of my favorite quotes/lines. With such a wide array of stories about Holmes in this anthology there truly is something for everyone. If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes then I highly recommend that you check out this anthology ASAP.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Sentence Sneak Peek - Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets

Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets: An Anthology of Holmesian Tales Across Time and Space Edited by David Thomas Moore



The first sentence from each chapter of Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.


* Provided by NetGalley for Review


“SHERLOCK HOLMES OWES a lot to the revisionists.”


“THE CANVAS TENT held in heat like an Alabama kitchen, though it didn’t smell nearly so pleasant.”


“SHERLOCK HOLMES DID not care to leave London under most circumstances.”


“IN MY MANY years as the intimate companion of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, we inevitably were called upon to investigate confidential matters.”


“SHERLOCK HOLMES WAS on the verge of a relapse and needed a distraction.”


“THE PEPPERTREE WAS a puzzle to be solved, but that was his fame.”


“MRS. HUDSON ARRANGED concentric circles, taking the sandwiches on the plate in care that none of the corners overlapped and that the gaps between them were even.”


“I SOMETIMES WONDER if I’m built from old videotape.”


“IT IS STRANGE how quickly things can change.”


“YOU WILL HAVE heard, of course, of those events in the Year of the Yellow Cat that almost plunged us all into a disastrous war.”


“WATSON,” SAID SHERLOCK Holmes as we took breakfast in our rooms at 221B Baker Street, “we are about to receive a visitor—and, one hopes, an interesting case to solve.”


“THE WORLD KNOWS Sherlock Holmes through these pages as a calculating machine, seeking justice with cold logic, but I know another side of him.”


“I’M SORRY,” MRS. Hudson said, sticking her head into my office.”


“FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES, these matters were immaterial.”

SUDDENLY, IT ALL made sense to John Watson.”

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Top 5 Sundays - Movies/TV Shows that make you LOL! {Part II}

This feature was thought up by the awesome Larissa & Friends’ Bookish Life
Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3 - Feel free to use the Features image
4 - After you've finished your post, add your link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5 – If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)    


Top 5 Sundays - Movies/TV Shows that make you LOL! {Part II}

This is my new favorite Marvel movie. I love everything about it but especially the humor and the music. I knew I was going to love it from the very beginning when Peter Quill starts dancing and that ending. :)

This is one of the first movies I remember watching and loving. It’s an awesome mix of scary and funny.


This movie is creepy yet funny and since it was released when I was in third grade it’s probably one of the reasons why I have such a dark sense of humor.


 This show goes from hilarious to oh my what the heck just happened at the drop of a hat. I’m just glad the whole season is released at once too so I can watch everything ASAP.


I never thought that this duo could be so funny but oh they really really are. I liked the ending of this one which showed you possible future movies.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

NetGalley Book of the Week - Party Games

I remember reading so many of the Fear Street books, they were the go to books that I had to check out from the library. I can’t wait to see what this new book in the series has to offer.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Weekend Read - Sacrifice

* ARC read via NetGalley

The final book in a series that I really don't want to be over. Started reading and AHHHHHH so much tension and craziness going on. I love finally getting to read things from Michael's point of view. Also crossing all my fingers and toes hoping that nobody dies.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

PRR (Pre Review Ravings) - Isla and the Happily Ever After

- Ah that beginning was so awesome/hilarious.

- This has to be one of the best first/second chapters that I’ve read in quite a while.

- Glad we find out how to pronounce Isla’s name early in the book.

- I thought Isla’s name was a bit weird but when I found out why that was her name it made more sense and made me feel sorry for her sisters too.

- Josh is one complicated dude but he and Isla really do seem to make a great couple.

- I don’t know why but this book felt a bit more rushed/forced than the others did.

- They fall in love a tad too fast.

- Once again though I adore the characters and the writing of the story that just pull you right in.

- Liked getting to see the characters from the other books again especially Anna and St. Clair and their epic moment.

- Kind of wish there had been more time with all of the characters.

- Kurt's a great addition, I just wanted to know more about him.

- Her little sister was really annoying.

- Isla's confidence seems to come and go and you'll wish she wasn't struggling so much.

- It's great seeing Josh actually care about something.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - It Girl

It Girl by Nic Tatano

* Provided by NetGalley for Review

“Damn.” “Or as we say in the south,” said Savannah, “day-umm.”

“I want to surprise him.” Yeah. With a kick to the groin.”

“Dear God, the woman speaks porn.”

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Review - It Girl

It Girl by Nic Tatano

* Provided by NetGalley for Review

3 gnomes out of 5 gnomes

This book is a lot of fun if you’re in the mood for a romantic comedy type of story. The cover of the book isn’t all that pretty but the story inside is good. You pretty much know what’s going to happen but it’s a lot of fun along the way.

Veronica is a tough no nonsense reporter who has a clear goal she wants to accomplish. To meet this goal though she has to host a Good Morning America-like program called The Morning Show.

She finds out though that it’s not going to be as easy to do this as she thought. That’s when the real fun starts as she lets her snarkiness out on live television. Her interactions with the guests are really funny (I wish there would have been more of The Morning Show shown.) She is popular without trying to be and is in for an even bigger surprise when the network gives her an interesting assignment.

I loved her friends especially Savannah with all her Southern wisdom and sayings. Her meeting with her friends are always insightful and fun.

Veronica's love life is at first non-existent and then gets very interesting. The guys in this book are all a little different and Dexter is just a little too perfect at times.

Overall a fun quick read that will make you smile.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Sentence Sneak Peek - It Girl

It Girl by Nic Tatano


The first sentence from each chapter of It Girl, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.


* Provided by NetGalley for Review

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)

“My network’s twenty-million-dollar-a-year morning anchor just got arrested for soliciting a prostitute.”


“Scott Winter is known as “America’s boy next door.”


“As an Emmy Award winning reporter, you’d think I’d be able to investigate my own life.”


“My grandfather owned an old fashioned hardware store, and it ticked him off to no end that I enjoyed playing there as a little girl.”


“Here’s the thing about my new shift.”


“Hal’s prophecy, such as it was, would apparently be put to the test very soon.”


“Upon further review, maybe I can’t do this after all.”


“I followed Gavin, head down, pretending to be the student headed to the principal’s office.”


“My first surprise of the morning came when Charlie opened the door to the limo.”


CRANKY MORNING ANCHOR IS NO APRIL FOOL
By Jonas Fender


Viewers of The Morning Show on Monday came away with a new experience: being greeted by a crack of dawn host who hates getting up as much as the rest of us.”


“Coming up this hour,” said Scott, “we’ll visit with an expert on snakes who will tell you how to identify which ones are poisonous and which ones are not.”


“I’ve never had an argument with a boss at three in the morning, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.”


“Shit lists.”

“In television news, the tease is king.”

"We're clear!"

"The term "orientation" often conjures up images of that first day at a new job during which you have to sit through lectures, out-of-date Powerpoint presentations and often laughable videos about why it's a bad idea to have relationships in the workplace."

"This couldn't wait till Sunday brunch."

"We're investigating."

"I thought I'd had an easy day of interviews when Gavin met me as I headed off the set."

"So, after four years of broadcasting school, countless award-winning stories, and a reputation that would be the envy of most reporters, my career has come to this moment of truth."

"Dexter wimped out last night, bolting out the studio back door right after the show."

"Yeah, it was fun all right."

"In the game of "tit for tat" between me and Dexter (I'll let you guess who has what) I thought he'd successfully ended the game with my little comment about his perfect face and body."

"The lambada went so well in episode two (gee, I wonder why) that we got good scores from the judges and escaped the dreaded elimination vote."

"Well, Operation Margaux the French maid (yes, I gave my alter ego a name) was on hold since there was a much more important event that I absolutely could not postpone." 

"As far as waking up after you've passed out goes, I'll take the lobster bisque in my hair any day compared to the massive hangover that greeted me at the crack of noon."

"Friday was a big day."

"My heart slammed against my chest."

"With Savannah off on a political mission I was free to take care of problem number two: patching things up with Bradley."

"So after a stop at a seriously decadent deli, dropping a hundred bucks on all sorts of exotic treats, and trying unsuccessfully to talk to Savannah into being the delivery girl, I was headed up to Dexter's apartment."

"I have one of those talking smart phones."

"Were it not eight in the morning, this would call for popcorn, chips, guacamole and a barbecue."

"VERONICA SUMMER: CROSSING THE LINE OR SIMPLY ASKING THE OBVIOUS?"

"An hour later I was trying my best not to look like I was walking on air when Hal's voice cut through the sounds of the city."

"ONE MONTH LATER

We all have days that can significantly change our lives."

"Good morning, everyone, I'm Scott Winter in New York."

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Story Time

* Please add a line to the story and determine where it goes.

Rules

1.) Only write 1 to 2 sentences
2.) Keep it clean
3.) Have fun and spread the word so the story grows

Here's the story that has formed so far:

Awesome people who have authored the story by adding lines so far: Sullivan McPig, Julie@My5monkeys, Susan Jane Bigelow, barmybex, Tiny Reverse Vampire, Man of la Book

Once upon a time in a time not that long ago there was a disturbance.

The cause of the disturbance was something that was well...truly disturbing.  In fact it was so disturbing that at first it was quite unclear what this disturbance was, because anyone who saw it was too disturbed to talk about it.

There came a noisy unruly girl who demanded that all must obey her. She was the girl of the mayor and weird things did happen around her. Pigeons tap danced when she blinked her eyes and cockroaches would mimic her words when she spoke.  Lights would go off and babies would cry when she passed.

This girl stood in the center of town, pigeons dancing, roaches waiting, lights flickering and babies crying all around.  She struck her umbrella on the cobblestones.  A hush fell over the town as purple sparks shot out of the tip of the umbrella and even the pigeons stopped their dancing and seemed to hold their breath.

As the astounded masses watched a massive hole slowly appeared in the middle of the street. As the dust settled it was revealed...a giant staircase leading down to complete darkness and then a faint music started to radiate from its depths.

There was such a ruckus in the town and trying to make sure that all the citizens were fine. The music coming out of the hole had a mesmerizing sound that attracted all the citizens.  It was almost like children's music.

The girl grinned mischievously and whistled along with the music while she slowly descended down the hole.

The further down she went the louder the music echoed. A strange shift filled the air and a cold wind howled past causing her hair to flutter round her face, but it didn't distract her. As she confidently walked on some of the pigeons and cockroaches followed her, cautiously and trembling with fear and a sense of foreboding.

"Wait," a high, piping voice said, "there are dangers below!" One of the pigeons had spoken. This was not a terrific surprise to the girl, who did not pause in her descent." Stay above ground if you don't have the courage to follow me," she stated calmly." But I must go on. The faith of the town depends on this."

As she kept traveling downward the tone of the music seemed to change and become more insistent.  Then in the distance a faint shimmering light appeared.

It glowed a dull purple at first, but then changed to a harsh, angry blue that pulsated like a frantic heartbeat that got more aggressive the closer the girl got to it.

The light was actually calling to her, and only her. She was different from everyone else in the town. It was her duty.

She edged closer with her arm out in front of her. The blue light grew in intensity until she had to close her eyes against the glare, a warmth surrounded her arm from the light and she pulled in a satisfied breath and grinned.

As more of the light enveloped her, she felt the heat spread and her body began to hum with a sense of power.

Then in her mind she began to hear a whispering chant almost as if the power knew who she was and what she had to do.

The words and the music started to sync together and then she began to speak the chant, as she spoke the discordant words the light solidified into a wooden door which slowly began to open.

The light around the door frame was still so bright it cast shadows into the room, making it impossible to see what was in there.

She slowly peeked into the room and felt so cold that there must be something not of this world in there. She slowly found the bed and sat down on it.

Then out of nowhere a dapper looking man appeared.  He looked like a perfect gentleman; he even had a strange purple top hat on.  Though when you looked in his eyes there was no warmth to be found and his presence seemed to suck the warmth from the room.

The man seemed to be staring straight at her but there was no recognition in his eyes, just blackness. Then he opened his mouth to speak and she felt shivers shoot up and down her spine.

His voice seemed to freeze the very air and stop all sound when he said, "I know what you're here for."

Thinking this was her job and her job alone, she wondered if he was friend or foe.

She steadied herself because she knew that if she showed any fear that he might pounce and his true form would be revealed.  Her bag of tricks was pretty full though and she had the spark of an idea.

She remembered his particular fondness for word puzzles and taking a deep breath began reciting an odd sounding riddle.

In the middle of the chant he began chanting along with her, their voices rose and the atmosphere in the room grew even more tense.

The girl could have sworn she felt the very walls vibrating and the floor shaking, but she knew she couldn't stop now. If this was some sort of test she was determined to succeed.

When she finished the chant he stopped at the same time, then with a deep rumbling the floor fell away beneath them.

The pair tumbled down into the darkness, but for some reason neither one of them was scared.

They seem to fall forever, almost floating in the air. The girl held the man's hand, or was he holding hers?

The man was still chanting, while the pigeons were flying in circles around them. That is when the girl notices something that sent cold chills to her spine: the cockroaches mimicked him!

She thought everything was under control but those darn cockroaches really fouled things up.

The farther they fell the more weightless she felt and the air seemed to thicken and become colder.

The chanting continued, she glanced down and saw that they were falling quickly toward a rather large clearing that was surrounded by snow and something shadowy she couldn't quite make out.

Bracing herself for a rough landing the girl blew out a deep breath and got ready for impact. At least the snow would offer some sort of comfort, or so she thought.

The closer they got the more the view changed.  The snowflakes now seemed to be separating, darkening, and slowly but surely rising to meet them.

The girl closed her eyes in the hope she was imagining it, but when she opened them again the shadowy snow was still coming towards them and now it looked like a dark outstretched hand just waiting to snatch them both out of the air.

As the hand wrapped around them, they could feel the very breath being squeezed from their lungs. It wasn't really a hand, they had fallen into a canyon with ridges that looked like fingers. It got narrower the further down they were drawn, then they could feel something on their toes.

"what is that?" the girl asked, trying to wriggle herself away from whatever it was, scrunching her nose in disgust. Her breath caught as she slipped again and fell further into the thing below.

"Why me?" she cried.

Then his voice boomed from right behind her, "You know why, it always had to be you."

She stared shocked while he continued, “I never forgot about you and I wasn’t just going to let you go.”

"You thought that you could just walk out and I wouldn't notice?"

the girl took a deep breath, realising she knew just who was behind her and knowing things were about to get a lot worse. "oh boy!" she sighed to herself.

Before she could turn around the temperature plummeted and then he was there, the man she thought she could get away from.  Well he wasn't exactly all human as she had found out before fleeing.

Taking two steps back she yelled at him, "I've learned a lot since our last meeting."

"She fumbled for the umbrella which lay a few feet away, broken and wet.”

“A life line, the umbrella, if only she could reach it.”