13 Reasons Why Trailer

I'm kind of a Youtube junkie. I go in spells where I'll get sucked into watching all these fan made videos. (Especially if they're Supernatural or Garrett Hedlund videos.)

One person I subscribed to fadingspark posted a fanvid for the book 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I thought it was awesome so I had to share it with you:










♥amber

Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

Prada & Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
Released: June 2009
Genre: Young Adult - Historical Fiction - Romance
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 270

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Callie is tired of being a clumsy geek-girl. So during a school trip to London she buys her ticket to popularity: a pair of real Prada pumps. But then she wobbles on the cobblestones, trips in her too-high heels, and conks her head. When she comes to, it's the year 1815!

Luckily, she meets kindhearted Emily, who mistakes Callie for a long-lost friend. Sparks soon ignite - of the nice and no-so-nice variety - between Callie and Alex, the handsome but totally arrogant Duke of Harksbury. Too bad Alex seems to have something sinister up his ruffled sleeve...


Can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, win a kiss from Alex, and prove to herself that she's more than just a loud-mouth klutz before her time in the past is up?

---

I’ve never read a Jane Austen novel, and I’m not really big on any historical fiction. But a while back I stumbled across Mandy Hubbard's blog and decided to give her book a try.  I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed her debut novel. Callie was a delightful character who had a genuine heart. Halfway through the novel, I kept wondering why she even cared what the popular girls thought of her in the first place. She was awesome just being herself.

Reading how Callie was semi-adjusting to the 18th century was pretty entertaining. She definitely had no problems holding back what she thought about situations especially those that involved her new friend, Emily. When it came to Alex, she really didn't hold back. I wished there would have been a little more scenes between those two because I loved them together. All in all Prada & Prejudice had the right mix of humor and quirky situations to make it a very fun and quick read. Those that do not like language in books will be pleased to know this is a very clean novel too.


♥amber

Rock This! Thursday with Blogger: Handle Like Hendrix

Every Thursday we feature books that are about or centered around another thing we love: 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.

Today we have book blogger, Callie, who runs Handle Like Hendrix (love the blog name!) answering a few music questions for us.





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

I read alot of music biographies and autobiographies and I really loved Slash's memoir, Slash. And the autobiography of Aerosmith, Walk This Way. And the Nirvana biography by Everett True. As for fiction, Junk AKA Smack by Melvin Burgess takes place just after the punk movement in the UK so it has some elements of punk rock.

-Is there a song or certain lyrics that describe you?

Probably 'You talk about things that nobody cares/you're wearin' out the things that nobody wears' from Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith. Because what I wear is very different, often one of a kind stuff and alot of the time I can go on and on about music and you know, some people aren't into that.


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

There are SO many but here are some:

-Hangman Jury by Aerosmith

-Ophelia by the Band

-Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young

-Life on Mars? by David Bowie

-All Day and All of the Night by the Kinks

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

Aerosmith. I love Steven Tyler's voice and I love blues and their songs are just great. They are like so rock n' roll and they were one of the first big American rock bands. I really like how Joe Perry's guitar solos aren't too long and over the top and I even like their newer stuff too.



-Do you have any guilty pleasure bands/singers on your iPod, MP3 player, etc?

I recently switched over from iPod to a simple walkmen after itunes kept deleting my music. Well it's not usually the kind of music I like but the Season 1 Gossip Girl soundtrack I really like.

-What was the first tape or CD you bought?

I'm guessing it was something like Jump 5. I wouldn't reccomend listening to them. But I used to because sadly I was not always into classic rock.

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

Kurt Cobain. I think we'd really get along. And I hope so because I always say I would rather know someone famous I admire as a friend and not a fan.




-What was the first concert you attended?

Oh gosh haha, Hilary Duff. I don't even know if I'd consider that a concert though. It is something that I really regret.


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

I love how it makes me feel. When I am singing with a microphone to the music I love wheather it's Guns n' Roses or Bob Dylan, or playing guitar in my room, I feel at ease. And it's so great.


*If you are an author or blogger that would like to be featured for Rock This! Thursday, just shoot us an email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com

New Winner!

I never heard back from Shadowofwonder47. So the new winner of the James Patterson Prize Pack is.....

Valorie!!

Congrats! I'm sending an email your way right now. Please get back to me within 48 hours so I can turn over your information.  Thanks!


♥amber

BBAW Meme

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Yes, but I don't have a favorite.  Just whatever will fit in my mouth.  This also might explain why I've gained so much weight over the past two years.


Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?

It doesn't horrify me, but I don't do it. If there is a quote or a passage that sticks out, I just jot down the page number on a post-it note.  Post-its rock.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?

Bookmark, bill, envelope, book light, or whatever is laying around.

Laying the book flat open?

Nope.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?

Fiction of course! I find facts extremely boring. I'd rather dive into someone's imagination.

Hard copy or audiobooks?

Hard copy. I'd like to listen to audiobooks, but my car only has a radio. At home I'd rather listen to music.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?

I like to get to the end of the chapter, but if I'm in a hurry, I'll put the book down just where ever.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

No, I just keep reading.

What are you currently reading?

Meet the Annas by Robert Dunn and Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen.

What is the last book you bought?

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell.  I saw the movie last Sunday, and had to go grab a copy.

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?

I'm always reading more than one book.

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

Not really.  Just whenever I can squeeze in some time.  But I do try to read at least a chapter before bed.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

I like both. If a series is done right, they are more enjoyable just because you get so much more out of the characters.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?

Yep. That would be Sarah Dessen. She rocks.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
 
Mostly by genre.
 

♥amber

Waiting on Wednesday

Family Affair by Caprice Crane

Release Date: September 29, 2009

When Layla Brennan married her high school sweetheart, Brett Foster, she finally got the big, loving family she’d always wanted: his. Now she’s closer to Brett’s parents than he is, partners with his sister in a successful pet-photography business, and confidant to his younger brother. She couldn’t be more of a Foster if she’d been born one. There’s just one problem: Brett wants a divorce. Stunned and heartbroken, Layla turns to the Fosters for comfort, only to realize that losing Brett means losing them as well. What else can she do but sue him for the most valuable thing he’s got–namely, his family. Breaking up may be hard to do, but for Layla and Brett it’s even harder to undo.

---

I cannot wait until this book will be in my hands. Caprice Crane won me over with her first book, Stupid & Contagious, and still had me loving her work with her second novel, Forget About It. She has the best characters who get put into the craziest situations.  Her writing makes me laugh so hard I almost pee my pants. If you haven't read anything by her yet, I suggest you go pick up one of her books asap!


♥amber

Review - Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release Date: September 2009
Pages: 416

Grade: A+

It started off as a way to vent. Just a list of people and things that high school student, Valerie Leftman, hated. What Valerie didn’t know was what her boyfriend, Nick, was planning to do with it. On May 2, 2008, Nick pulled out a gun and opened fire on his classmates. In the mix of the chaos, Valerie threw herself in front of another student, inadvertently saving their life, and getting herself shot in the process.


Five months have passed since the shooting at Garvin High. While the newspaper say one thing, tensions and emotions are still running high for the students and faculty. Valerie hasn’t seen or spoken to any of her classmates. But now she's back. Whether she wants to or not, has to face what happened.

Is there forgiveness when this kind of tragedy happens? And who do you blame? Nick? Valerie? The students who bulled them both? Or should you blame their parents? Possibly even the group of friends they hung around? Shouldn’t someone have noticed something wasn’t right?

The Hate List is one of the best examples of how words and actions affect others. From the kids at school and how even Valerie and her parents are living with what happened – nothing in this book was sugar coated. The author never tried to make me sympathize for anyone. Instead she gave a wide look at who each of the students were and what events had taken place to lead up to that May morning. Basically the story is what it is. Because Jennifer Brown's writing about this horrific tragedy is so realistic, it made the book absolutely chilling.

While this was more character driven than plot driver, I still wasn't able to put it down. It literally brought me to tears and stuck with me for days. It feels odd saying it was wonderful and is now one of my new favorite reads due to the context, but it is. I recommend it to everyone.



♥amber

Winners of the James Patterson Prize Pack!

We had a total of 30 entries for the James Patterson Prize Pack.  I went to random.org to pick the winners, and because I'm odd, I had found this kind of funny. The winning numbers were:

30 and 1! 

Those belong to.......

*drum roll*

Juju from Tales of Whimsy

and

Shadowofwonder47

EDIT: Juju already won this prize pack (talk about luck!!) so she offered it up to someone else (talk about being awesome!!) The new winner to take her place is:

Neas Nuttiness!!

Congrats guys!  I'm sending you an email right now. Please get back to me within 48 hours. 

♥amber

BBAW Interview with Monniblog

One of the events for BBAW was to get paried up with a fellow book blogger to do an interview. This is the first time I interviewed another blogger, and it was pretty neat to do.  Plus I love stumbling upon new blogs that I enjoy, and Monica from Monniblog has a really interesting one!  Not only does she feature books, but also knitting and other life events. 

Your blog has a lot more to offer than just reviews. What made you decide to do a mixture of things such as knitting, books, and life in general?

I started blogging in 2001 to keep in touch with friends online. As my website grew, my blog changed and adapted. With some versions of my website it was just a place to update changes to the rest of the site. In September 2006, I moved everything to Wordpress.com and started blogging about knitting and school. I had graduated from high school in the Spring and was enrolled in a Publishing course. Over the past couple years, as my interests changed, so did my blog; I went self-hosted in 2007 and haven't looked back!

What are some favorite reads you’ve found this year?

That's definitely a difficult questions! Philippa Gregory is one of my favourite authors and I've read several more of her Boleyn series. I really enjoy those. I also really loved The Book of Negroes which was CBC Radio's pick for Canada Reads.

You read a pretty wide range of books. Do you have a favorite genre of all?

Fiction, hands down. If I had to pick, probably historical fiction. I like to learn a bit while I'm reading. Although I really enjoy fantasy and adventures. I think it just depends on what I'm in the mood for next.

What’s your favorite thing about blogging? And the least?

My favourite part of blogging is sharing and making friends and connections. My least favourite thing is technical screw-ups. As much as I love coding and working with design, it's quite annoying when something breaks and you can't figure out why.

Do you find it hard to write bad reviews?

Usually I try to find the "silver lining": why I didn't like the book, and why others might enjoy it more than I did. If I didn't like something about a book, or the entire story, I'll try to explain why. Often I try to close with a positive spin, like "if you like books with a lot of blank and blank, you'll probably enjoy this more than I did."

Who are some authors that you think are overlooked?

There are tons! However, with the career choice I've made, I've been learning a lot about local authors here in British Columbia. There is so much talent right within my own province, and it makes me proud to read them and support their stories. Some books I've really enjoyed are Conceit by Mary Novik, The Cellist of Sarajevo by Stephen Galloway, and The Old Brown Suitcase by Lillian Boraks.


We would like to thank Monica for answering our questions and encourage everyone to swing by her blog! 

Also if you would like to read our interview on her blog click here.

Waiting on Wednesday

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Release Date: Janurary 2010

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. And just like the other members of this all girl clique, she was both feared and revered by the students of Hallowell High… that is until vicious rumors about her and her best friend’s boyfriend start going around. Now she’s been “frozen out” and her ex-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.

Out of desperation, she takes solace in the companionship of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship–and eventually romance – doesn’t come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina makes amends for her past, a bond begins to form, while threats from the Fearsome Foursome are poised to break them both.

---

When I saw Courtney had posted the cover of her new book on her blog, I had to make sure I did a WOW post with it. It just looks awesome!  I absolutely loved (and highly recommend everyone go read) her first novel, Cracked Up To Be. I've been anxious to see what kind of story line, and characters were up her sleeve next. While I was stalking Courtney's blog some more, I saw a quote from What Claudia Wore saying, "Some Girls Are make Cracked Up To Be look like My Little Pony." o_O!! I'm sold. I need it to be January like yesterday so I can devour this book.

 
♥amber

Review: Vampire Dairies by L.J. Smith

The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith

Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Romance
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Pages: 512

Grade: D

When I watched this preview for the show, I was all set on reading the series. Overall though, I wasn't too impressed.  Maybe if I would have read it during my Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine days, I might have have liked it.

Head's Up: This review is only for Book One: The Awakening and it contains spoilers!

I had some problems with Elena. She’s this beautiful popular girl everyone envies. It’s mentioned in the beginning she’s an ice queen. So I was prepared to read about a mean girl. I have no problem with a mean girls. Sometimes they give a nice spin on things, but Elena wasn’t one. She really didn’t have a personality besides being whiny, annoying, and selfish.

When she spots new boy, Stefan, she decides she has to have him. Stefan wants no part of her since she looks just like the love his life, Catherine, who’s been dead for a long time. Because he ignores Elena (in front of everyone) it’s the end of the world to her. I didn’t understand it because they never talked.  The only thing she likes about him is his looks. Since she's got it in her head he must be her boyfriend, she tries a bunch of times to make him jealous, but he still isn’t giving her the time of day. When she gets attacked in a graveyard suddenly he’s there saving her.

After that night, they're a couple. Their whole relationship was too rushed for me, and by the end of the book, I still didn't see any chemistry between them.  But anyhoo, Elena runs into another mystery guy who turns out to be Stefan’s brother, Damon. He's the bad guy to the story. (My sister couldn’t help but roll her eyes and yell out a, “You would!” when I said I liked him.) With him back in the picture, it makes things tricky with Stefan especially when he starts messing with Elena. 

After Stefan’s past is revealed (the only part I found half way interesting), and a bunch of murders happen – the plot kicks in from there.  It does make for a fast read which some people might like, but I couldn't get past how flat the characters were to contiune it. I think I’ll just stick to the TV show, and see what happens with it.

♥amber

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi over at The Story Siren. 

For review from Bloomsbury:

Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Past World by Ian Beck
Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall
Lady Macbeths' Daughter by Lisa Klein
The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

Bought:

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown - Read this one in one sitting and it was amazing. Review will be up soon.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Bookmooch:

Welcome to My Planet Where English Is Sometimes Spoken by Shannon Olson
Gods in Alabama by Joshlyn Jackson

Undead and Unwed (Book One in the Undead Series- which is awesome by the way) by MaryJanice Davidson

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

♥amber

Rock This! Thursday Guest Blog: Rhythm In Words

Every Thursday we feature books that are about or centered around one thing we love the most: 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.

Today we have Inda Lauryn, author of In Time, to talk about her writing and her love of music.

---

Music moves me in a way no other medium can. I may keep a memory of a movie or book long after I have finished it, but my music has to be with me everywhere I go. Rarely if ever will anyone see me walking down the street without a pair of headphones attached to my ears.

My love of music eventually led me to my studies of black women in the entertainment industry and my first book Dream Factory Deferred: Black Womanhood, History and Music Video. I examined the origins of music video in 1930s-40s Hollywood; the black female sex symbol in the persons of Josephine Baker, Tina Turner and Lil Kim; and the evolving representations of black women of the neo-soul movement who are still pushed to the margins in favor of more recognizable stereotypical portrayals of black women. I plan to continue my explorations of black women who eschew the boundaries placed on them by the music industry. I would love to write about Minnie Riperton, Rebekah Jordan, Imani Coppola, Lizz Wright and Lamya among others who thumb their noses at genre and convention.

In the meantime, I pay homage to them in fiction. The protagonist of my novel In Time, Amrita, must pick up the pieces of her shattered life after years of trauma. Part of her salvation comes in the form of an outspoken friend EunJung who creates a playlist, Chillax, for Amrita. In her self-reflections, Chillax becomes ever more important in Amrita’s rediscovery of her life and body. She begins to become comfortable with her identity as well as her place in the world.

In my short stories and other currently in-progress works, music triggers a memory or provides inspiration for other forms of art. Characters lose themselves by listening to John Coltrane or Cassandra Wilson while their world of problems continues to revolve around them. Music is release. Music is escape. Music is salvation.

Music plays an important part in the lives of practically all my protagonists. Although they are always black women, their tastes run the gamut from soul to rock to classical. Sly and the Family Stone exists next to Bob Dylan. Evanescence is on an equal plane as The Roots. Both Maxwell and Exile are taken to the bedroom. Red Hot Chili Peppers are just as an important part of childhood to them as Shirley Murdock. Of course this eclectic mix reflects my own tastes. I devote much time and effort to black female music artists, but like most people, I do not exclusively listen to them. Music is so much larger than that. Still, I will continue to champion black women who make distinctive marks on the music world. In the meantime, the likes of Keane, Coldplay and Mars Volta also keep me company.

Music will continue to play a crucial role in everything I write. I cannot imagine my life without it. I cannot imagine my characters without it.

---

Don't forget to swing by and check out Inda's website.

**If you're an author who would like to be featured in Rock This! Thursday, send us an email: justyourtypicalbookblog@hotmail.com.  Your book doesn't have to be about music either to participate.

Review: Smart Mouth by Erin McCarthy

Smart Mouth by Erin McCarthy
Genre: Adult - Romance - Comedy
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 356
Release Date: April 2004

Rating: B

FBI agent Derek Knight's world is just about to be turned upside down when crucial evidence for an ongoing investigation is placed in the wrong car. This wouldn't be such a huge deal except reporter, Reece Hampton, just so happens to be renting that car. Instead of believing that Derek might just be in fact an FBI agent, she runs.

When Reese thinks the coast is clear, she sees no harm in taking a peek inside the envelope. Once her eyes see what is laid out in front of her, she realizes this is her big ticket out of her small crappy reporting career and a straight shot to the big leagues…if only it could be that easy.

Now that Derek knows who she is and what she plans to do; he's stuck with her. But it does help the situation that they’re both instantly attracted to one another. So why not mix business with some pleasure?

Derek and Reese were sharpy, enjoyable, and laugh out loud characters.  They were such opposites, but their chemistry worked well togehter. But I couldn't help but feel like a gigantic perv while reading this. If these two weren't doing it - they were thinking about all the ways they could do it. Normally I wouldn’t have finished a book that had so much sex in it, but the characters and plot were so fast paced, I had to know the ending! So if you like adult books with a fair share of steamy sex scenes mixed in with humor, this one is right up your alley!

♥amber

Heads Up: I will be doing a mixture of both Adult and Young Adult books on this blog for now on. Also I changed my way of rating books by using the grading system instead of 5 stars.

All Is Revealed...

(A day late...sorry!)

For those of you who were awesome and watched my first vlog - this is what I was talking about.  (But I'm sure a lot of you probably already guessed what it was.)

The Hollow by Jessica Verday, a novel I have been anticipating on reading, is finally out for everyone to buy! If you want a chance to win one of those snazzy Are You Haunted? t-shirts, swing by her blog to enter.