Tuesday, June 30, 2015

P.R.R.(Pre Review Ravings) - The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

These are my P.R.R.(Pre Review Ravings) aka what I think before I write my review.

The Vampire's Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter


* Awesome concept, I love the whole Halloween all year that Nocturne Falls does.

* Hope to find out more about the town in the next one.

* I like how Delaney finds her way to town.

* Love how the secrets aren’t kept too long.

* That ending was awesome.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Happy Birthday

Beatrice the Book Bat   My Photo
Happy Birthday to Tiny Reverse Vampire aka Brandy :)

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Weekend Read - The Vampire's Mail Order Bride

This book drew me in with it’s awesome cartoony/cheesy cover. Plus with a title like this I knew I wanted to read it ASAP. It’s a really interesting/funny read so far.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Mini Review - From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess

3.5 out of 5 gnomes

I love The Princess Diaries so knew I wanted to read this one. Read this one if you’re a fan of the other characters that show up. The book kind of skews pretty young too, I’m not sure sixth graders would talk like this. It’s not very long at all, I really wanted to know more about Olivia. Everything feels very rushed, I just wish everything had been more fleshed out. Olivia herself though should be interesting if the series continues on.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Happy Birthday to Me


I turn 30 today :) Hard to believe because I definitely don’t feel that old. 

To celebrate lets have fun with a brand new 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


First Sentence:

She just knew that this might not end well but she had to try.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Review - Nowhere But Here

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

* Read via NetGalley

4 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes

So much drama, I love it all I really do. McGarry’s writing style and characters are like a really good TV show, you just get sucked right into the story. This book will draw you in right from the first page.

The dual point of view is on point like usual. It really makes the story zip along too as you go back and forth between these two.

Oz and Emily are two very surprising characters. They both had very interesting childhoods. Emily has some severe phobias and doesn’t like talking about her biological father/letting people know who he is. Oz grew up in the whole motorcycle club culture so he doesn’t really want to be anywhere else.

Behind the scenes of a motor cycle club is a great setting. There are plenty of surprises in how things are run with the whole legit club versus gang clubs and all the misconceptions out there.

It’s also awesome how involved yet crazy all the parents are. I like how it shows many kinds of families.

Once again I can’t wait for the next book because these books make you care about all the characters. I’m really curious to read Razor’s story next.

I like how you never know what’s going to happen next and how your expectations get subverted. I for one did not foresee the major surprises in this book. The ending is ultimately sad but hopeful.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - Nowhere But Here

* Read via NetGalley

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry
“I like simple. I like predictable and I hate surprises.”

“It’s a bit rough, but not sandpaper. It’s a hand that leads, not a hand that follows, and I really shouldn’t be thinking too much about this anymore.”

“Besides, you’re a McKinley. We have fine asses. Be proud of your body, honey, it sags with time.”

“We might have to prohibit ass conversations.”

“You are totally underestimating the power of a meatball.”

“I’d tell you that it’s not your choice and that you aren’t the center of the universe.”

“Technically, by blood, I’m more gangster than you.”

“Your parents are probably concerned I’m going to taint your pure soul.”

“Never at any time were you not loved.”

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

P.R.R.(Pre Review Ravings) - Nowhere But Here

These are my P.R.R.(Pre Review Ravings) aka what I think before I write my review.

* Read via NetGalley

Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

I love Emily and Oz.

Two such very different but awesome people.

Drama drama drama, did I say drama?

Olivia is one complicated character too but I really like her.

The whole motorcycle club dynamic is really interesting.

I adore McGarry's ability to make you care about every character.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Movie Review - Jurassic World

The original Jurassic Park was released when I was in third grade so boy do I remember the hype of the original movies. This movie/series is one of the reasons I love dinosaurs so much.

This movie was so much fun and really stays true to the spirit of the original movie. It’s still pretty awe inspiring to see all the dinosaurs. I really liked Chris Pratt’s character and the kids in the movie were funny too. That last dino fight was epic and the last shot was great. I’m hoping there’s more sequels now. In short, if you loved the first one be sure to go see Jurassic World.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Review - Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story

4 out of 5 gnomes

This is a hilarious look at the full play that is performed in the book Will Grayson, Will Grayson. It reads like an actual play and has some of Tiny’s notes included for how the play is supposed to go. It'll help if you've read the book that it goes along with but I think it could stand alone too.

It’s great because it lets you really go in depth into Tiny’s character and how he sees the world. You will definitely find yourself laughing out loud and humming along to the songs.

The format and notes throughout really help the book shine. This is an awesome companion book and this book could be used to put on a heck of an interesting play. Definitely make sure to check out this big beautiful book.


Here are my favorite quotes from the book so you can see some of what the book is like:

Especially for those of us who ordinarily feel ignored, a spotlight is a circle of magic, with the strength to draw us from the darkness of our everyday lives.

“(makes baby disco sounds, sort of like a gay dance club has opened on Sesame Street)

“Hello, dear Big Gay Baby,you might have to run before you can walk.”

“Tiny’s parents don’t know it and will never understand it, but they’re his role models.”

“You are not a half, and you should never treat someone else like a half.”

“The goodness is just a part of who Phil is. He doesn’t even realize it.”

“We’re not gay. We’re eight.”

“Welcome, Tiny—ignore the haters. They’re just inexpert mastubators!”

“When people say love is blind, they act like that’s a good thing. But some people find their way around in the darkness a little better than others.”

“It’s gonna hurt because it matters.”

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Sentence Sneak Peek - Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story


The first sentence from each chapter of Hold Me Closer: The Tiny Cooper Story, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

Hold Me Closer is meant to be true.”

It’s a dark stage, and at first all you hear are murmurs, a heartbeat, and heavy breathing.

Now Tiny is four.

The chorus members leave the stage, with Tiny remaining on the bench, still flanked by his parents.

The batboy comes out and gives Tiny a new button, which reads AGE: 14.

The lights go out.

Tiny’s father takes center stage.

Tiny comes downstage again, to allow for the scenery to change.

Tiny comes downstage again, as the Pride parade is turned into a locker room.

A dark stage.

Just in case you think, heading into Act II, that this is going to be one of those boy-meets-boy, boy-loses-boy, boy-gets-boy-back stories . . .

All the ex-boyfriends leave the stage.

Lynda the babysitter enters, followed by The Ghost of Oscar Wilde.

While Tiny changes costumes very quickly, Phil Wrayson comes onto the stage.

Tiny strides out in summer wear.

When Tiny returns to the stage, he’s back in school clothes.

(looking offstage, then turning to the audience):
We can only wish them the best.

Tiny remains in bed.

Tiny emerges wearing something casual—a T-shirt and jeans, perhaps.

Tiny is very, very excited about Will.

A few more weeks pass.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

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


First Sentence:

She knew that this might not end well but she had to try.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Armchair BEA Giveaway Winner

The winner of $20 to The Book Depository is Ashfa who wrote my favorite line of Story Time:

“Scrunching her eyes shut, she raced on, not daring to open her eyes because if she saw what was coming after her, then there was no hope left. She knew the key was the small object she had pocketed before. That was what held the answer to this madness…”


Congrats to Ashfa. If I don’t hear back from her within a week I’ll pick a new winner.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Upcoming Reviews



I loved these books and am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Question of the Week - What book can you not wait to read this week?

I loved the earlier Princess Diary books and cannot wait to read this one. The characters, setting, pretty much everything about it has me very happy that the author continued this series.

Monday, June 1, 2015

Circus Fun

Had a blast at the circus this weekend. Me and my sister decided to go because the last time we went was with my Grandma when we were both pretty little still. I’m glad we went because it was so much fun with the crazy souvenirs and the whole etremeness of the event.


Scary animal robots from the lobby :)






Tightrope Walkers


Camels


Human Cannonball


 Very cool aerialists



Tiger-tastic
 



                                ELEPHANTS (aka my favorite part of the circus)  :)
  
 
 
 
 


 I love those dogs, they were both funny and awesome.


Finale