Rock This! Thursday with Read This Book

Hi kids! It's time for another Rock This! Thursday musical interview.  This week I have Kate from Read This Book hanging out with us.

What song do you think would make a great book?

Katy Perry's Thinking Of You. A girl with a boyfriend but she thinks about her ex boyfriend when she's with her current boyfriend. If you watch the music video for the song, it is actually quite sad. =( 

You're walking down the street, what song is following you? 

Glee - Taking Chances. Don't ask-- I just find it suitable. :P 

 

We're always up for new music. Tell us five songs we should definitely be listening to:

Emily Osment - All The Way Up (loving this one)

Orianthi - According to You (so catchy!)

Taylor Swift - Jump Then Fall (This is from FEARLESS Platinum edition and it rocks)

Taylor Swift - Untouchable (This is from FEARLESS Platinum edition too, it's just amazing)

Demi Lovato - Remember December (LOVE it)

What was the first tape or CD you bought?

I think it was a CD of Disney songs. That's rather embarrassing eh?

If you could hang out with one musician - living or dead - who would it be and why?

TAYLOR SWIFT! No doubt about that.

Who's your favorite band/singer? Why are they your favorite?

Taylor Swift, because she writes songs that all girls can relate to. She's so talented and she is only 19. Is that AMAZING or what?!

Tell us about the first concert you attended?

The first concert I attended was Rihanna's. Not very impressive, just showcased her lip syncing and parading about the stage. And from where I was, she looked really really tiny. BOO. 

Lastly, what is one thing you love most about music?

I love songs with lyrics that mean something to me. I listen to songs I can relate to and it makes me feel instantly better!

**If you're an author or blogger who would like to be featured for Rock This! Thursday feel free to contact us! 

Email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com

Waiting on Wednesday

Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala


Release Date: June 2010

It’s tough, living in the shadow of a dead girl.

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

---

And another great read for 2010! (At least I think it will be.) It sounds all sorts of mysterious and has me wondering about the older sister and what transformation Miranda is going to go through throughout the novel.

♥amber

Review - Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers


Release Date: January 5th, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Source: Won in giveaway


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.

Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first. 

---

I've never been so nervous reading a book before.  I think people who love suspense novels probably feel like this when reading. For that, I solute them. The beginning of this book had me flashing back to school when I got the cold shoulder from some of my friends over a petty argument. I remember that feeling in the pit of my stomach thinking the whole world was against me. In Regina's case, this is nothing petty or light that happened to her. Nor is anything else that goes on during this novel. I wasn't able to put this thing down, and halfway through it I wanted to take a xanax.

Courtney Summers has a very unique writing style. She's somehow able to cut to the chase of things and get you inside the characters head from the get go. I can't even think of an author to compare her work to. Her voice is so realistic it's as if Regina and everything that happened to her was a true story. The sad part is, this could actually be a true story. People are bullies. People ruin others lives. And sometimes it takes a rude awakening to show those people the error of their way and some never figure it out.

While I didn't want to feel sorry for Regina, there was no stopping it. The more I learned about her life, how she really felt, and her relationship with Michael made her a person I ended up really liking. I loved that while some very cruel things happened to her, Regina didn't take a lot of it lying down. She was a very strong character even when she didn't see it herself.

Needless to say, this book was amazing. There's no doubt that Courtney Summers has some writing balls. She doesn't hold back and writes characters that you can't ignore even if you tried. A plot that moves so quickly and intense that you don't dare put down. She has brought one hell of a voice to the young adult genre, and I think she'll keep surprising us with future novels.

♥amber

Review - Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Darklight by Lesley Livingston

Released: December 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult - Fae Series
Pages: 320
Source: Around the World Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥



Faerie can't lie . . . or can they?


Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt. Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.


When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power. Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

---

Darklight quickly takes off where Wondrous Strange left off, and once again I was pulled right into this magical world that Lesley Livingston has created. There were so many secondary characters from the first book that were brought to life more in the second one. I loved reading more on Tyff. She's such a fun character and I love the friendship between Kelley and her. And Fennyrs? Sweet Lord, where has this boy been hiding?!  Halfway through the book I was going Sonny who? 


The second book in a series can be tricky. It still has to hold the reader, but still build up tons of questions for the next installment. While reading, I felt like there was something missing from this story. I can't place my finger on it, either. Yet it wasn't enough to make me not love it because trust me, I did. I think I loved the plot line more than I did in the first one.

The Otherworld was such a fantastic place to read about. I cannot get over how Lesley Livingston writes. She has a wonderful magical way of telling a story that it was hard for me to put this book down. And that ending? Talk about a kick butt battle scene! But yet at the end, my heart was also dropping. There was a lot of things revealed in this one about each of Kelley and Sonny's past, but yet left me with so many questions. I'm dying to know what's going to happen in the next installment! (And of course read more about Fenn.)

♥amber

Top 10 Reads for 2009

My plan was to write up two reviews today, but I have this horrible cold and I cannot concentrate. Instead I decided to jump on the wagon with everyone else showing my favorite reads of 2009. Not all these books and series came out this year, I just chose ones that I read this year that I loved.  (I also didn't put them in order because that would require thinking and I'm too doped up to think.)

Okay then - here we go!

10. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

9. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

8.Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

7. The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare

(And I still think Garrett Hedlund would make the perfect Jace - hint hint movie people.)

6. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

5. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

4. Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert

3. Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine

2. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

1. Hate List by Jennifer Brown

In My Mailbox

So...I haven't done one of these posts in for about ever, but I had an excellent book week that I had to share! In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren.


For Review:

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu


Everyone has a secret. But Lucy's is bigger and dirtier than most. It's one she's been hiding for years - that her mom's out of control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. She's managed to keep her home life hidden from her best friend and her crush, knowing they'd be disgusted by the truth. So, when her mom dies suddenly in their home, Lucy hesitates to call 911 because revealing their way of life would make her future unbearable - and she begins her two-day plan to set her life right. 

Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey

On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family.

Luckily she has her own secret weapon—her human best friend Lucy—who is willing to defend Solange’s right to a normal life, whether she’s being smothered by her well-intentioned brothers or abducted by a power-hungry queen. Two unlikely alliances are formed in a race to save Solange’s eternal life—Lucy and Solange’s brother Nicholas, and Solange and Kieran Black—in a dual romance that is guaranteed to jump start any romance-lover’s heart.

The Mark by Jen Nadol

Cassandra Renfield has always seen the mark—a glow around certain people reminiscent of candlelight. But the one time she mentioned it, it was dismissed as a trick of the light. Until the day she watches a man awash in the mark die. After searching her memories, Cassie realizes she can see a person’s imminent death. Not how or where, only when: today.

Armed with a vague understanding of the light, Cassie begins to explore her “gift,” seeking those marked for death and probing the line between decision and destiny. Though she’s careful to hide her secret—even from her new philosophy-obsessed boyfriend—with each impending death comes the temptation to test fate. But so many questions remain. How does the mark work? Why is she the only one who sees it? And finally, the most important of all: If you know today is someone’s last, should you tell them?

Captivate by Carrie Jones

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.

A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.





On Monday, I walked onto my front porch and about tripped over a package. I have no clue why I got this, but I am NOT complaining!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Catlin is haunted by dreams of beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.





From Giveaways:

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers


(SQUEE!!!! I finished reading this in one sitting last night - sooooo good. Review will be posted later in the week.)


Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder.  Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.  

Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge.  If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day.  She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully.  Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.


That's it for me! What did you get?

♥amber

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

Released: November 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 248
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Around the World Tours

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Natalie Hargrove dreams of becoming Palmetto Princess. The catch? Her boyfriend, Mike King, is in serious risk of losing the honor of Palmetto Prince to Natalie's nemesis, Justin Balmer. And let's just say Natalie and Justin share a history so shady it could cause flowers to wither. 


So Natalie convinces Mike to help her play a naughty little prank on Justin...one that goes terribly, terribly wrong. Blackmail and buried desire, dark secrets, and even darker deeds cause Natalie to unravel. She never should have messed with fate. Because, it turns out, fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove.

---

When I cracked open this book and read the first chapter, I didn't know if I'd even get around to finishing the thing. I couldn't stand Natalie from the start. She was selfish, self-absorbed, and way too hootey-tootey for me. The fact she kept going on and on about Palmetto Princess to the point where I wanted to reach into the book and strangle her. There wasn't much side characters besides Justin who you don't really get to know much about and then Natalie's boyfriend, Mike, who is so whipped, it's sad.

Mike and Natalie's relationship was very realistic though. The back wasn't lying when it mentions the word 'steamy'. There were some moments in this book between Mike and Natalie that I almost felt like a peeping tom while reading. (Though it never gets graphic for those of you who might be wondering.)

But even though I thought I'd put the book down - I didn't. There is something about Lauren Kate's writing that kept me glued to it. It's almost like this love to hate thing watching as Natalie manipulated everyone around her. I wouldn't say I ever really agreed with her actions, but sometimes, she almost made a valid point.

I like how the author weaved in Natalie's past. It never made me feel sorry for her because even at the end, I still didn't like her. But it gave me a better understanding of how she became this person. Basically, this book took me by complete surprise! I love when a book does that. It has some twists I never saw coming. And the ending - wow! At first I had some mixed feelings, but over all it was shocking and perfect. I would recommed this book if you were looking for something a little more on the twisted side and if you are up for some complete surprises.

♥amber

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone is able to stuff their bellies tomorrow (or today, depending on where you live) and spend the day with the people who matter the most to them. For some reason you're not with loved ones - I hope your day is well spent! I know the holidays make people want to pull their hair out, but let's all remember what this season is really about!

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(No, this video isn't exactly what I meant by what the season was all about, but c'mon, like I could really do a non-book post without my boys stopping by for a visit.)

Review - Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Released: December 2008
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Faerie
Pages: 336
Source: My book shelf aka I bought it


Rating: ♥♥♥♥



Seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow always thought faeries were just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery. He's a changeling - a mortal taken as an infant and raised among Faerie - and within short order he's turned Kelley's heart inside out and her life upside down.


For Kelley's beloved Central Park isn't just a park - it's a gateway between her ordinary city and the Faerie's dangerous, bewitching Otherworld. Now Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her, but to the heritage that awaits her ... a destiny both wondrous and strange.

---

Faerie type books are not one of my favorites to read. Don't me get me wrong, I love the idea of them. I really do, but I have trouble getting into a book with so many odd names, this Court vs. that Court, etc. I had heard such great things about Wondrous Strange, that I decided to just go ahead and get a copy. And plus, that cover cannot be ignored - it's too eye catchy.

I'm very surprised this is Lesley Livingston's debut novel. She is such a talented writer and has a way with weaving in words. I cannot praise her writing enough - it's fantastic! I've been trying hard to think of ways I can describe this book and one thing that comes to mind is this: It's simply beautiful.

The romance between Kelley and Sonny had my heart doing a pitter patter. I loved every scene the two of them were together in. Sonny is the perfect knight in shining armor who deserves the swoon worthy award. What I really liked about their relationship is the classic feel it had. I haven't really came across many young adult books that had this type of feel. Maybe it had to do something with all the Shakespeare.

But this book isn't just about the lovey dovey-ness (though it was my favorite part). It's about Kelley, who is a wonderful character, finding out where she came from. While some parts were kind of predictable, there were other parts I didn't even question that surprised me! Towards the middle I did get a little anxious in wanting things to pick up. When it got close to the end, it was so packed full of action, I couldn't put it down! It leaves you with wanting to know much more (which is why I've already started on Darklight). All in all, this is one read I think everyone should pick up even if they're not a big fan of the paranormal/faerie type of tale. Trust me, you'll love it!

♥amber

Pixies and Vampires - Oh My!

I got an email today from Bloomsbury, and I have to share these two great trailers with you guys.


First is the trailer for Captivate - the sequel to Need.









The second one is a book that I hadn't heard of, but now I'm adding it to my wish list! It's called Hearts at Stake and is the first book in the series of The Drake Chronicles:










♥amber

Waiting on Wednesday

One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt


Release Date: July 2010


Note: After searching google forever, I finally found a synopsis for this book on Serenehours's blog. (Thao also featured this book for her WOW pick at one point.) 


Four dares


Two secrets


One night 


Eliza is in a full-blown panic. Her notebook has been stolen—the one that lists everything she wants but is afraid to go after. And the absolute worst person in the world has it: her ex-boyfriend, Cooper. Like it’s not enough Cooper was lying to Eliza for their entire relationship, now he and his friends are blackmailing her. They’re giving her just one night to complete the most humiliating tasks on her list or they’ll post her secrets online—including the ones that aren’t just about her. Eliza’s sure of only one thing: she isn’t going down without a fight. Cooper may have what’s left of her dignity, but she’s not the only one with something to hide.... 

---

Lauren Barnholdt became one of my favorite authors when I read Two-Way Street. It was one of the most comical books I'd ever read - I could not stop laughing! I also enjoyed Reality Chick (which will be under the title Watch Me this summer). I've been looking forward for another of her older YA books to come out. I cannot wait to see what's in store for these characters. Plus look at the cover - it looks scandalous! 

♥amber

A Hush, Hush Christmas - Speical Message From Patch

My comment: Love the pool stick ;)


♥amber

Been There, Done That by Carol Snow

Been There, Done That by Carol Snow

Publisher: Berkley Trade
Released: August 2006
Pages: 336
Genre: Women's Fiction

Rating: ♥♥♥

Plenty of thirtysomething women would be thrilled to look like a teenager. But journalist Kathy Hopkins wishes she could be taken a little more seriously-or, at the very least, order a glass of wine without producing ID. Now her youthful appearance is forcing her into an undercover assignment she could do without: posing as a freshman at a small liberal arts college where, rumor has it, a secret prostitution ring is flourishing.



It could mean a career-making exposé. But right now, pretending to be eighteen means dealing with a Clay Aiken--obsessed roommate, late-night parties that test her aging body--and most embarrassing of all, a massive crush on a guy who's just turned legal. Suddenly, Kathy's got the chance to do it all over again, hopefully better this time. Fortunately she's a quick learner.

---

The beginning of this book came across a little slow for me. Once Kathy was unleashed into her new college life things started to pick up and get very interesting.

I thought I had Kathy pegged from the start. She was a smart and funny type of gal who was still pining over he ex (though I could tell he was a troll right from the beginning), and just trying to boost her own career. When her life turned into a crazy twist of suddenly becoming eighteen again, her true personality came out. I loved she had so many layers. Give this character some booze and force to tell lies and there is no telling what she'll say or do!

The pace of the book was pretty steady. It did a good job of weaving in Kathy's past with her ex-boyfriend, Tim, and how that affected the present. The people she meets during her college stay were a nice add espeically one guy in paticular - Jeremy. I'd love for him to get my RA if ya know, I went to college. The spin of what she was there to report and what was going on always kept me wondering how the end was going to turn out.

My only big complaint is that in a lot of the present scenes the author would sum things up instead of leaving the reader right there with the characters in the scene. This also happened a lot towards the end where I felt some information could have been left out and parts didn't need to be summed up.

All in all I thought it was a great read. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys women's fiction with a mix of humor and smart characters.


♥amber

Rock This! Thursday with The Page Flipper

Rock This! Thursday is a weekly feature where we focus on books that are about or centered around one thing we cannot live without (besides books): music! Once in a while we'll even throw in a concert story, music you should hear or have an author stop by to hang out with us. If you are an author or blogger that would like to praticipate in Rock This! Thursday, shoot us an email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com

This week I got to interview Chelsea from The Page Flipper. Her answers were super fun, and don't forget to swing by her blog if you haven't already.
 
You're walking down the street, what song is following you?

Geesh, I have a creepy stalker song? I think it'd be Turn Around, Look at Me by The Vogues. "There is someone walking behind you", "There is someone watching your footsteps". Yeah, very stalkerish.


What's your favorite book that is about or centered around music?

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. It's great. I also really liked I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert. Very different from each other, but equally awesome in separate ways.


Who's your favorite band/singer? Why are they you're favorite?

The Beatles. Because they're The Beatles!


You've been given two free tickets to a concert you've been dying to go to. The only catch is you have to take an author with you. Who's it going to be?

Hmm. I actually think Stephanie Kuehnert would be a lot of fun, since she's a music fan. She probably wouldn't hesitate to crowd surf with me. Or Elizabeth Eulberg - I'm reading her book, The Lonely Hearts Club, right now and loving it. She's a fellow Beatles fan, so I'm sure we'd both have fun at the same concert.


Tell us a song you think would make a great book.

"Where is My Mind?" by The Pixies. Actually, I think I'm writing that one.

If you could meet one musician - dead or alive - who would it be? Why?

John Lennon. He seemed like a cool dude, and, you know. He's Lennon.


What was the first CD/tape you bought?

Oh, man, what an embarassing question. I think it was something by Christina Aguilara? Yeah, shut up.


We're always up for new music. Tell us five songs we should be listening to:

Gladly!

"Above and Below" by The Bravery

"Wake Up" by Arcade Fire

"Mad World" by Gary Jules

"Honey and the Moon" by Joseph Arthur

"You Only Live Once" by The Strokes


Lastly, what is one thing you love most about music?

Excapism would probably be my first answer, but that's not exactly correct. I listen to music when I want to get my mind off of things, sure, but I love how it just...calms you. Turns off everything else and lets you just ride with the lyrics and sound. Part of that's escape, and part of that's just pure feeling.

Waiting on Wednesday

Rules Of Attraction By: Simone Elkeles

Pub date: April 27th, 2010

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado.

Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

---

 

I know I say I'm so pumped to read a lot of books, but this one is one of the top books I cannot wait to come out next year.  LOOK AT THAT COVER! How awesome is that? I cannot get over it. Perfect Chemistry is one of my favorite reads, and this one sounds so good!

Rock This! Thursday with YA Bliss

Rock This! Thursday is a weekly feature where we discuss books that are about or centered around another thing we love: music! Once in a while, we'll throw in a concert story, interview an author or blogger, or just tell you about a band/singer you should be listening too. If you would like to participate, shoot me an email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com

Since I started blogging, I've gotten to talk to a lot of awesome people. One of those awesome people is Sab who runs Crystal Reviews. Today she's hanging out to discuss some music. If you haven't checked out her blog, you must! I always trust her reviews and she also has a fun featured called:  News 4 Yabookaholics!

You're walking down the street, what song is following you?

There’s this song by Santana that has my favorite lyrics of all time and it’s called Satellite. That one or either Affirmation by Savage Garden or Iris by Goo Goo Dolls. They probably don’t “describe” me but I bet every single one of my friends think about me when they hear them. That’s the best way a song can describe you!


What song do you think would make a great book?

Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down

We're always up for new music. Tell us five songs we should definitely be listening to:

I’m behind on music so this may not be the most recent songs but they rock!

- Daniel by Bat for Lashes (That’s my hubby’s name so I love it)
- Uprising by Muse
- Ever Fallen in Love by Nouvelle Vague
- Paparazzi by Lady Gaga
- Fireflies by Owl City

Do you have a favorite book that is about or centered around music?

Yes, Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert! Another one I love is Just Listen by Sarah Dessen.


Who's your favorite band/singer? Why are they your favorite?

Tricky question. I don’t think I have ONE, I have thousands! Some I love are Matchbox 20, Sublime, 3 Doors Down, Bob Marley is one of my music gods along with Johnny Cash and MJ and I LOVED Savage Garden back in the day! I also love James Blunt, Alanis Morissette, Blue October, DJ Tiesto, Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne… Yeah, way too many.

What was the first tape or CD you bought?

The first one I remember (a tape) was Keep the Faith album by Bon Jovi, but I clearly remember having a New Kids on the Block shoes so I guess I had that tape before Bon Jovi’s.

(Amber: Can I just say, I am very jealous that you were walking around in NKOTB shoes. I just had a couple shirts a rain coat.)

Tell us about the first concert you attended?

I think the first one was Shakira when she wasn’t very famous yet, she only had Spanish songs (I’m venenzuelan and it was back in my country) But the first American band that I liked and actually went to my country was the Backstreet boys!! Back when they did Quit Playin’ Games (with my Heart) – God I’m old!

If you could hang out with one musician - living or dead - who would it be and why?

Kurt Cobain, duh! Because he’s THE dark/sexy bad-boy of music and left too many unanswered questions behind.


Lastly, what is one thing you love most about music?

I LOVE lyrics as much as I love writing, reading and any type of words thrown together. Plus, It has an amazing magical ability to take you back to any moment of your life in half a second!

**Sab's photo was taken by: DH photographer

Writers Wednesday - NaNoWriMo Style

I didn't think I would really be able to do it. I kept pumping myself up to write like crazy, but in the back of my head I just knew I'd never really get it done. Then on Saturday, I realized I was getting really close to hitting 50K. After a couple hours of writing on Sunday, I hit that little button on my WORD doc, and almost fell out of my chair.

I wrote over 50K!

I’ve never been so close to finishing any original story of mine, but now I’m doing it. This is CRAZY!

One thing I learned during the process of NaNo is that it's okay to have sucky days where you write pointless scenes that you have no clue where they’re going. I’m not saying all 50K of my novel is crap – though some people could disagree with me here. But I know I would have never written so many scenes if I just didn’t go for it. Before I would just get too frustrated with my characters or where things were going and just toss it aside. (This is also why I have 30 something stories floating around that only have a beginning.)

While I’m still all pumped that I’m so close to finishing, I've taken a break to do some re-writes. This is usually where I get myself in trouble, but I have to weave out the crap. I know what needs to change so the story flows nicely. And ya know what? I like re-writes. It’s all there just waiting for me to either add, take out, or re-do.

So sure, my novel might be a bit of a hot mess right now, but it’s an almost finished hot mess. I owe it all to NaNoWriMo and everyone else who read my snid bits. You've all given me the swift kick in the butt I needed. Thank you!

If anyone is interested in reading more about what's going to be happening to my novel I've made a blog just for that. You can follow me by clicking here.

♥amber

Winner!

Random.org worked it's little magic, and the winner of the 300 Followers Giveaway is....

suzie townsend!!

Congrats Suzie! Just shoot me an email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com with your name and mailing address by Thursday and it's all yours!!

Thanks again to all who entered!

YA Book Shopping Guide

Don't know what to buy someone for Christmas? Can't figure out what you want on your own list? How about a book? We all know books make a great present! Over at Michelle's Minions, she's posted a fantastic YA book shopping guide that covers all genres. Click here to check it out!

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Candor by Pam Bachorz

Released: September 2009
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Publisher: Egmont
From: 1 ARC Tour

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

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This is the first time I've read anything that had a Sci-Fi vibe to it. It's also been a while since I've read a book that had an all male point of view to it. I'm glad I stepped out of my little comfort zone of reading because this book was great!

You get a very creepy vibe while reading what's going on in Candor. While being around people that are very perky and polite might sound ideal - it's actually quite freaky. Plus the fact that everyone wear pastels makes me think Easter threw up on the place.

I really liked Oscar and his daily fight against the Messages. When bad girl Nia showed up, I instantly liked her. At first I thought the relationship between the two of them was rushed. But the more I read, the more I realized that Nia was the only thing close to Oscar's type of normal. She also carries that head strong trait that Oscar had, and I was rooting for both of them throughout the book. Pam did a wonderful job building both these characters up, and even the side characters like Mandi and Sherman. I never found them to be background noise like some novels I've read.

By the time I reached the last couple of chapters, my eyes weren't able to read fast enough. The plot was fantastic, but in the back of my head I just knew I had this book pegged on what would happen. When I reached the end, I was completely surprised! Candor is definitely a book you need to pick up.

♥amber

Rock This! Thursday with The Ultimate Dumpees

I've been a horrible to Rock This! Thursday. It's been two months since I've posted anything! If you're new to the blog, Rock This! Thursday is a weekly feature where I discuss books that are about or centered around another thing I love: music! I also throw in some interviews with authors and bloggers, share some concert stories, and might even just mention a band that I think you should hear. If you would like to participate in Rock This! Thursday, shoot me an email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com


This week I am interviewing a fellow blogger and a good friend of mine, Brittany who runs The Ultimate Dumpees. Britt just started her blog not too long ago so after this interview you should all head over to her blog and show some love.

You're walking down the street, what song is following you?

If You Only Knew by Shinedown. That so follows me right now, lol. Lyrics fit perfectly with my life right now.


We're always up for new music. Tell us five songs we should definitely be listening to:

Breakeven by Script
Angels on the Moon by Thriving Ivory
Candles by Hey Monday
Second Chance by Shinedown
Bad Romance by Lady GaGa


What song do you think would make a great book?

Oh, hard! Humm, maybe So What by Pink. Lol, that would be a great, fun book to read.

Do you have a favorite book that is about or centered around music?

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. Thanks to you, I read the book and loved it! I've read it like twice since then, and it never gets old.


What was the first tape or CD you bought?

OMG, so embarrassing. NSYNC and Gloria Estefan. That duet they did forever ago, lol.

If you could hang out with one musician - living or dead - who would it be and why?

Wow. Ummm, John Mayer. He's just, like, a God. Lol! I love his music. His songs are touching and so personal. So relatable.

Tell us about the first concert you attended.

Also, embarrassing. A free Aaron Carter concert. I went with my friend, who was obsessed with him. We got to meet him and he signed our Pooh Bear school notebooks, lol. Luckily, he was our age, which was like 10 or 11, so he didn't think it was odd.

Who's your favorite band/singer? Why are they your favorite?

That's hard. Right now my favorite band in Thriving Ivory. They are such a good band, with good music and amazing lyrics. I can really relate to a few of their songs and it's good writing and reading music.


Lastly, what is one thing you love most about music?

I love how it calms me. I can always find a song that fits my mood and that it great for me. I'll sing it out loud and I'll feel so much better after that. It's like therapy.

2010 Debut Author Challenge

The 2010 Debut Author Challenge is being hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

The objective is to read a set number of YA (Young Adult) or MG (Middle Grade) novels from debut authors published this year. I'm going to challenge everyone to read at least 12 debut novels! Click here to read all the details.

Here is my list of books (in no special order) that I'm super pumped to read for the challenge:


1. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard
2. The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
3. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
4. Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus
5. Dirty Little Secrets by Cynthia Jaynes Omololu
6. Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton
7. Forget Her Nots by Amy Brecount White
8. All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
9. Bleeding Violets by Dia Reeves
10. The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride
11. Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly
12. Sea by Heidi R. Kling
13. A Love Story: Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
14. The Mark by Jen Nadol
15. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
16. Whisper by Phoebe Kitanidis
17. The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell




As the year goes on, I will contuine to put books up that I've read. But don't be shy. If there is a book you're thinking I should be super excited about - leave me a comment! If you're an author, feel free to pimp out your book on this page!
 
♥amber

Waiting on Wednesday

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Release Date: August 2010

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteenth sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do.



Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. And a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride… but they MUST STOP. Because when she was 15? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her.


And Ben is her best friend’s boyfriend.

I really enjoyed Mandy's debut novel, Prada & Predudice, and already marked her as an author to look out for. This book sounds like it's going to be very cute and funny! If I woke up and a life sized My Little Pony was standing outside my window, I'd freak!
 
♥amber

300 Followers Giveaway!

When Cheryl and I first started the blog, I thought if we got 50 people we'd be doing good.  But now we have over 300 stalkers followers?!  That is insanely AWESOME! Even Dean agrees with me!








To celebrate we're having a little giveaway to thank you guys!  I was debating on what book should be the prize then I thought, ya know what? Let the winner choose!  Here are all the details:


- You MUST already be a follower to enter this giveaway. Anyone who started following after 11/16/09 cannot enter. And yes, I will be checking.

- There will only be ONE winner.

- Please list up to 5 books - each being under $15 - that you would like to own. If you are chosen, I will pick one book out of your list to send to you. Depending on the price range, you might even get two. Basically it's a SURPRISE!!

- Here's the catch. I will be purchasing the winner's book(s) from The Book Depository. Please check out the site first before listing your books.

- The giveaway will end November 30th at 12:00pm central time. Giveaway is over - thanks to all who entered!  Due to the recent privacy issues, please do not leave your email address here. The winner will be announced on December 1st here on the blog and will have 48 hours to contact me with their mailing address. If I'm not contacted by then I will choose a new winner.

- GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO EVERYONE BECAUSE I ♥ YOU ALL!!

And the Winner is....

A big thanks to Nancy Holder for donating five of her books for this contest, and for also making it an international one!  To be able to enter, you had to take a stab at the following question:

What is the name of Lindsay's roommate's stuffed unicorn?

The correct answer was Caspian or Caspi  Everyone who left a comment had me cracking up! Princess, Uni, Star/Starry, and Rainbow were some popular ones too. 

Here are a few of my random favorites:

Mike
Madonna
Corny
Cornhead
Mr. Pointy
Vonda Lou
Jace *sighs*
Auntie Em
Hokey Pokey
Supercalifragilesticexpialidocious
Charlie (as in Charlie, Candy Mountain)

Then there were two in a row that made me go o_O! then bust out in laughter:

Horny and Horny the Unicorny

All together I had a total of 61 valid entries and headed over to random.org to pick the winner.  And that lucky winner would be....

Kate!

Congrats Kate! I'm going to be sending an email to you shortly. Thanks to everyone who entered!

It has also come to my attention I have over 300 followers! Can we say holy crap?! Back when I 200 followers I was going to do a giveway, but then got side tracked.  While 200 followers is a big deal, 300 followers is just plain freakin' AWESOME! So by the end of this month I will be having a speical contest just for you awesome people who have been stalking me :)

Waiting on Wednesday

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, and June by Robin Benway

Release Date: August 2010

Three sisters, three extraordinary, life-changing powers!

I hugged my sisters and they fit against my sides like two jigsaw pieces that would never fit anywhere else. I couldn’t imagine ever letting them go again, like releasing them would be to surrender the best parts of myself.

Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose?

April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other.

Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.

Robin Benway immediately became one of my favorite authors with her debut novel, Audrey, Wait!  (If you haven't read it, you're on crack. Go pick up a copy - it's awesome!) So to say I'm beyond a doubt extremely excited to read this book would be the understatement of the year!  August just seems like a million and ten years away, but I know it will be well worth the wait!

♥amber

Review - Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

Demon Princess: Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen

Released: September 2009
Publisher: Walker Books
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal
Pages: 274

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

As if trying to fit in at a new school isn't stressful enough, sixteen-year-old Nikki Donovan just found out that her long-lost father is, in fact, the demon king of the Shadowlands—the world that separates and protects us from the Underworld. When she is brought there by the mysterious—and surprisingly cute—messenger Michael, she learns that her father is dying, and he wants her to assume the throne. To complicate matters, a war is brewing between the Shadowlands and the Underworld, her half-demon qualities are manifesting, and her gowing feelings for Michael are completely forbidden. Ruling a kingdom, navigating a secret crush, and still making it home by curfew—what's a teenage demon princess to do?

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When I started reading this book I thought it would be more on the serious and dark side, but it wasn’t at all. But ya know what? I was pleasantly surprised with it. Who knew a book about demons could be so fun and sassy!

Lately I’ve been kind of a stickler when reading. It seems like I can’t find the right balance of a story with characters and a plot. This book takes place over just a week’s time so at first I wasn’t for sure how I’d like how everything was just thrown at me…but (and excuse the fan girl here) I LOVED it!

The characters are so fantastic! Nikki has the sassy and quick witted attitude that had me cracking up. And Michael? Um, hi, I heart you like no other right now. The attraction and chemistry between the two is perfect. I love it when he calls her Princess. The side characters including her dad, her aunt, and even her best friend brought a great mix of things to the story. Little things were dropped here and there, and I’m beyond curious of what will be happening to her best friend in the next book. Also Rhys, I need to know much more about him!

The plot flowed nicely and kept me completely glued. I ended up reading this book in one day! I’m becoming a major fan of paranormal books, and I love how this series is focused on demons in a more light hearted way.   I made the mistake of reading the teaser chapter for the next book, and I already want to read more! So basically if you’re in the mood for a mixture of sass, fun, and the paranormal then you need to pick this one up!

♥amber