Friday, August 1, 2014

Book Report - Sharp Objects

Title: Sharp Objects
Authour: Gillian Flynn
Length: 535 pages
How long it took me to read: 2 days
Grade: B+

What it's about: WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.

NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg.

Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle.

As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

The ending is the most important part: At first, I thought the ending was predictable, but at the last minute there was a bit of a twist.

Last word: I'm glad that I was able to read this book quickly so that I didn't have to have this story in my head for a longer period of time.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, July 25, 2014

Book Report - The Time Traveler's Wife

Title: The Time Traveler's Wife
Authour: Audrey Niffenegger
Length: 528 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: A

What it's about: A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant.

The ending is the most important part: The ending is sad, and a little Notebookish, but still okay.

Last word: I wasn't intending to finish this book as quickly as I did, but I just couldn't stop reading! A well-written, lovely read.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, July 4, 2014

Book Report - City of Lost Souls

Title: City of Lost Souls
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 535 pages
How long it took me to read: 5 days
Grade: B+

What it's about: What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil. The Clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try to save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own. The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

The ending is the most important part: I can't wait to read City of Heavenly Fire!

Last word: I love that Clary is learning from her mistakes, and that Sebastian is one, sick mofo.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, June 27, 2014

Book Report - City of Fallen Angels

Title: City of Glass
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 424 pages
How long it took me to read: 5 days
Grade: B+

What it's about: The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was fine.

Last word: I think that this should have been a new series that focused more on Simon and Maia, less on Clary, there are so many characters now. I still like the series, though

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, June 20, 2014

Book Report - City of Glass

Title: City of Glass
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 541 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: A+

What it's about: To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

The ending is the most important part: Yes!! Finally!! The ending was so perfect.

Last word: I know that there are more books, but this seems to be the perfect ending to an awesome trilogy.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, June 13, 2014

Book Report - City of Ashes

Title: City of Ashes
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 453 pages
How long it took me to read: 5 days
Grade: B

What it's about: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

The ending is the most important part: Nope. Nothing resolved. More information = good. Clary and Jace brother and sister = bad.

Last word: I have no idea where this story is going, but I'm along for the ride.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, June 6, 2014

Book Report - If I Stay

Title: If I Stay
Authour: Gayle Forman
Length: 201 pages
How long it took me to read: 2 days
Grade: B+

What it's about: Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was perfect; it ended exactly how I wanted it to. There was crying.

Last word: What a lovely, heartbreaking story.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, May 30, 2014

Book Report - Extras

Title: Extras
Authour: Scott Westerfield
Length: 417 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: B+

What it's about: It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. "Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of "American Idol." Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. But Aya doesn't care; she just wants to lie low with her drone, Moggle. And maybe kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for.

The ending is the most important part: I liked this ending much better than Specials. This story was complete and wrapped up nicely. I'm glad Scott Westerfeld wrote this one

Last word: The series have been redeemed somewhat. While this story can stand on its own, it's a much better ending to the Uglies series than Specials was.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, May 23, 2014

Book Report - Specials

Title: Specials
Authour: Scott Westerfield
Length: 384 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: C

What it's about: "Special Circumstances": The words have sent chills down Tally's spine since her days as a repellent, rebellious ugly. Back then Specials were a sinister rumor -- frighteningly beautiful, dangerously strong, breathtakingly fast. Ordinary pretties might live their whole lives without meeting a Special. But Tally's never been ordinary.

And now she's been turned into one of them: a superamped fighting machine, engineered to keep the uglies down and the pretties stupid.

The strength, the speed, and the clarity and focus of her thinking feel better than anything Tally can remember. Most of the time. One tiny corner of her heart still remembers something more.

Still, it's easy to tune that out -- until Tally's offered a chance to stamp out the rebels of the New Smoke permanently. It all comes down to one last choice: listen to that tiny, faint heartbeat, or carry out the mission she's programmed to complete. Either way, Tally's world will never be the same.

The ending is the most important part: This did not feel like the ending of the trilogy. It's like the story just stopped

Last word: I had so much hope for this series. Sadly, I really don't like Tally as a Special.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, May 16, 2014

Book Report - The Fault in Our Stars

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Authour: John Green
Length: 318 pages
How long it took me to read: 2 days
Grade: A

What it's about: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

The ending is the most important part: The ending is sad, and the ending has hope. The ending is good.

Last word: I was afraid to read this book because I am the mother of a cancer survivor, and I was worried it would be emotional, but it is so well written, the characters so loveable and true, the dialogue so excellent, that I absolutely loved it.

Spoilers after the jump

Friday, May 9, 2014

Book Report - The Mortal Instruments City of Bones

Title: The Mortal Instruments City of Bones
Authour: Cassandra Clare
Length: 485 pages
How long it took me to read: 2 days
Grade: A

What it's about: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air.

It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk.

Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

The ending is the most important part: The ending has a bit of a Star Wars twist (more in the spoilers) which I kind of saw coming, but in a good way.

Last word: I am so on board with reading every book in this series.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Song of the Day - "Treasure" Bruno Mars


Feel free to turn this up and just dance. Bruno Mars has such great soul. I just heard this song for the first time while I was in the shower and I actually danced right there in the shower. I couldn't help myself.

Then I choked because I got water in my mouth.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Book Report - Gossip Girl

Title: Gossip Girl
Authour: Cecily Von Ziegesar
Length: 201 pages
How long it took me to read: 1 day
Grade: B

What it's about: Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, go to school, play, and sleep--sometimes with each other.

S is back from boarding school, and if we aren't careful, she's going to win over our teachers, wear that dress we couldn't fit into, steal our boyfriends' hearts, and basically ruin our lives in a major way. I'll be watching closely...

You know you love me,
gossip girl

The ending is the most important part: This is a series of fifteen books, so while this story ended, you know that there's more. That being said, the ending is still satisfying and doesn't leave you hanging - which is a good thing.

Last word: This was the perfect book for my Spring Break read by the pool. I would read the series if I had more time and less books on my TBR list. I'm just going to stick with watching the series on Netflix for now.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Song of the Day - "MMM Yeah" Austin Mahone ft. Pitbull


I know that you're thinking I've lost my mind, and wondering what is UP with all the poppy music, but COME ON. I dare you to not shake your whatever you desire when you hear this song.

I love this song, there is no denying it ever. I will always love it. Even with Pitbull, but the version without Pitbull is better.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Book Report - Allegiant

Title: Allegiant
Authour: Veronica Roth
Length: 526 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: A

What it's about: The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

The ending is the most important part: The ending made complete sense to me - I liked it.

Last word: Now I want to re-read this series back to back with no breaks. Where's a cave I can hide in for a week?

Spoilers after the jump (Major, major spoilers)

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Song of the Day - "Fire Woman" The Cult


Back in 1988 I went to a Metallica concert just because The Cult was the opening act. It was fun to tell all the metal heads in my school that I was going to be at the Metallica concert and see the looks on their faces that this preppy/waver chick was going to see Metallica. None of them were clever enough to clue in that I was only there for the opening act.

(Full disclosure - I left that concert with an enormous appreciation for Metallica)

So this song is one of my "theme" songs. I am a bit of a pyromaniac, I'm a Sagittarius (fire sign), and have a fiery personality. I always thought I should have been a redhead because of it.

Anyway, this is one of MY songs.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Book Report - Pretties

Title: Pretties
Authour: Scott Westerfield
Length: 384 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: B

What it's about: Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive.

The ending is the most important part: This series just keeps getting better.

Last word: I am definitely continuing with this series. I even got used to the terminology.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Song of the Day - "Wild Heart" The Vamps


Sorry for the bubblegum nature of this song but it's spring and everyone needs to feel happy every once and awhile.

Deep inside of me there is a bee bopping boy loving teenage girl that prevents me from having disdain for this type of music. The same girl that was obsessed with the likes of Duran Duran and Bros.

I'd call it a guilty pleasure if I was ashamed of it, but I'm not.

Admit it, you found it catchy and now you're humming along.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Book Report - The Maze Runner

Title: The Maze Runner
Authour: James Dashner
Length: 374 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: C+

What it's about: "If you ain't scared, you ain't human."
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers--boys whose memories are also gone.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It's the only way out--and no one's ever made it through alive.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was good, but this book was frustrating to read, so the ending was not satisfying.

Last word: This book is like The Lord of the Flies except with less violence, and a maze. It is very confusing, and the author does not give anything up. The reader is as confused as the characters. I didn't like this. I am unsure as to whether or not I will continue with the series.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Song of the Day - "Ball of Confusion" Love and Rockets


Another time machine song. I am instantly transported to Grade Nine and my high school dance at The Zone. I loved that place. I loved this song and had it totally memorized.

Imagine my surprise to find out that this was a cover of a Temptations song. That version's good too.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Book Report - The Giver

Title: The Giver
Authour: Lois Lowry
Length: 179 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days
Grade: C

What it's about: Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.


The ending is the most important part: While the ending was satisfying, I am not invested enough in the characters to continue reading the series.

Last word: I was so meh on this book.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Song of the Day - "Kiss Me on the Bus" Replacements


I included the video with the lyrics for this one so that you could know all the lyrics.

This is such a time machine song for me. It takes me back to when I was too young and also too poor to have a car, so riding public transportation was the only way to get around. I would take the bus to Vancouver to meet my friends, some of them boys, some of them not, but kissing on the bus was always the best.

Sometimes I just cringe so hard at the things I did in public when I was young and foolish.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Book Report - Orange is the New Black

Title: Orange is the New Black
Authour: Piper Kerman
Length: 298 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: B

What it's about: With a career, a boyfriend, and a loving family, Piper Kerman barely resembles the reckless young woman who delivered a suitcase of drug money ten years before. But that past has caught up with her. Convicted and sentenced to fifteen months at the infamous federal correctional facility in Danbury, Connecticut, the well-heeled Smith College alumna is now inmate #11187–424—one of the millions of people who disappear “down the rabbit hole” of the American penal system. From her first strip search to her final release, Kerman learns to navigate this strange world with its strictly enforced codes of behavior and arbitrary rules. She meets women from all walks of life, who surprise her with small tokens of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. Heartbreaking, hilarious, and at times enraging, Kerman’s story offers a rare look into the lives of women in prison—why it is we lock so many away and what happens to them when they’re there

The ending is the most important part: The ending was wonderful and made me smile so much.

Last word: I was so surprised at how positive this book was. I really enjoyed this.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Song of the Day - Airhead Thomas Dolby


This is the only Thomas Dolby song that I like. My sister won the twelve inch of this at a dance and played it all the time, so this is her song.

Weird, I remember this song rocking a lot more and being a lot more danceable - must have been the mix that Mrs. Bowie had.

Just listen to the words - they're the best.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Book Report - Vampire Academy

Title: Vampire Academy
Authour: Richelle Mead
Length: 332 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: C-

What it's about: St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

The ending is the most important part: Considering this is a series, this book can actually stand alone. There is no compulsion to read the next book in order to finish the story.

Last word: Not interesting, not compelling, not reading the rest of the series.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Song of the Day - Not in Love Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith


Holy Cats! I am obsessed with this song!!!

It's a Platinum Blonde song that I loved in the eighties, sung by Robert Smith of the Cure, and has this excellent electronica groove. I love the sound of this song. So haunting, so danceable - it speaks to both sides of my personality.

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Book Report - Uglies

Title: Uglies
Authour: Scott Westerfeld
Length: 448 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days
Grade: B

What it's about: Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license - for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was predictable with just enough curiosity to read the next one.

Last word: I like the messages in the book, but I hate the terminology.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Song of the Day - Flashdance (What a Feeling)


Flashdance came out when I was still dreaming of becoming a professional dancer. Coming from a very working class background and knowing that I was going to have to be one of these people who make their own dreams come true - no one was going to help me, no fairy godmother, this movie really spoke to me.

Plus, Irene Cara. What pipes!! Feel free to sing this song out loud. Really loud.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Book Report - The Secret Lives of Dresses

Title: The Secret Lives of Dresses
Authour: Erin McKean
Length: 290 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: Dora is in love with a man who barely notices her, has a job she doesn’t care about, and dresses entirely for comfort, not style. All a far cry from her vivid, eccentric childhood, growing up with her beloved grandmother Mimi.

However, when disaster strikes, Dora knows she has no choice but to return to her childhood home and take over running Mimi’s vintage clothing shop. And there she makes a surprising discovery – Mimi’s been writing stories to accompany every dress she sells. Romantic, heartbreaking tales about each one’s secret life before it got to her shop...

Dora starts to matchmake these lonely frocks with new owners, but will the stories help her as well? Trading her boring high street clothes for vintage glamour is one thing. What she needs to know is whether she can trade her safe old life – and love – for something better too?

The ending is the most important part: The ending was lovely - but I want more!! I wanted this book to go on forever. Sequel, please!

Last word: I recommend this book to everyone. It is a wonderful story full of all things lovely and beautiful. I want to live in this book.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Song of the Day - Close to the Edit


I love The Art of Noise, but my sister loves them more. This was one of those bands that I introduced to someone else and they ended up loving them even more than I.

This is the first Art of Noise song that I heard and it blew my mind. If you're hearing this for the first time, you're welcome. If you're hearing this as a blast from the past, you're welcome.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Book Report - The Princess Bride

Title: The Princess Bride
Authour: S. Morgenstern/William Goldman
Length: 398 pages
How long it took me to read: 1 month, 1 week

What it's about: What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams?
As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears.

Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere.

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex.

In short, it's about everything.

The ending is the most important part: I liked the end of the movie, the ending of the book was less than that.

Last word:  UGH. I love this movie, why was it so hard for me to read this book? The best parts were the back story parts of Fezzik and Inigo. I think this would be more enjoyable if you (unlike me) didn't have this movie memorized.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Song of the Day - I Woke Up in Love this Morning


Alright, I know I post a lot of older videos, but this one's from DEEP in the archives.

David Cassidy and Davy Jones were easily my first crushes. All my friends were crushing on Shaun, but it was all David for me. That hair, the pucca shells....

Sigh, just watch.


Friday, February 21, 2014

Book Report - Buck up Little Buckaroo

Title: Buck-up Little Buckaroo!
Authour: Mary Ellen Edmunds
Length: 221 pages
How long it took me to read: 1 sitting

What it's about: It’s been a challenge to write a book about loneliness. I didn’t want to write one that would make someone who was lonely feel lonelier, or that would cause someone who seldom if ever feels lonely to say, “This isn’t my thing.” I have hoped to write a book that would help all of us—in our own loneliness, or in our desire to reach out to those who are lonely.

The ending is the most important part: I was very satisfied with this book.

Last word:  What a joy to read!! I recommend this book to every single human in the world. It will totally buck you up.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Song of the Day - In a Big Country


Ahh, my people. I always loved Big Country, one reason being that they're Scottish and so am I. Sadly, I have never seen the Old Country - the home of my ancestors, but being from Canada, I am from a "big country".

This song is so great for so many reasons, but the bagpipes is what does it the most for me.


Friday, February 14, 2014

Book Report - Mary Poppins

Title: Mary Poppins
Authour: P.L. Travers
Length: 224 pages
How long it took me to read: 2 weeks

What it's about: It all starts when Mary Poppins is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house. She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins. Who else but Mary Poppins can slide upbanisters, pull an entire armchair out of an empty carpetbag, and make a dose of medicine taste like delicious lime-juice cordial? A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!

The ending is the most important part: The ending was just that, the end of a series of stories. I didn't get very much satisfaction out of the end of this book.

Last word:  There is fun in this book, and it would be a lovely read for someone who is not already familiar with Mary Poppins.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Song of the Day - O Children


I feel like Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are one of those hidden gems that once you've found them, you just can't forget about them. I love, love, love, lurve Nick Cave. Just listen to that voice!! It's so unique and so soulful.

Yes, this is the song that Harry and Hermione dance to in the tent after Ron leaves in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I. This song really spoke to me then, and then my niece posted it on Facebook therefore cluing me in to the fact that it was Nick Cave, and I was all 'no wonder it spoke to me so deeply'.

Since I discovered the song thanks to Harry Potter, I thought I would post a Harry Potter video. Hope you like it.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Book Report - Insurgent

Title: Insurgent
Authour: Veronica Roth
Length: 525 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

The ending is the most important part: The ending was just what it needed to be; a cliffhanger.

Last word:  I spent a good portion being mad at either Tris or Tobias as they acted really stupid in this book. Really interested to find out how this series ends.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Song of the Day - The Sun Always Shines on TV

A-ha is one of those "lost bands of the 80's" here in America, but did you know that they still record and perform? I think that's pretty awesome.

This is my favorite song from the Hunting High and Low album, which I owned on cassette and listened to over and over and over.

Enjoy.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Book Report - The Spectacular Now

Title: The Spectacular Now
Authour: Tim Tharp
Length: 294 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days

What it's about: SUTTER KEELY. HE’S the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town, and with the help of Dean Martin and Seagram’s V.O., life’s pretty fabuloso, actually.
Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life—or ruin it forever.

The ending is the most important part: I'm kind of put off that everyone got a good ending except for Sutter. This ending disappointed me and made me sad.

Last word:  Sutter Keely is to the new millennium that Holden Caufield was to the fifties. I loved this kid. Warts and all. He was definitely no phony. I recommend this book.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Song of the Day - Mirror


This song by Ellie Goulding is in Catching Fire so I thought I would include this video version.

It makes my skin all goose bumpy and shivery.

If you've seen the movie, or are familiar with The Hunger Games at all, watch the video. I love Ellie Goulding so much, I loved Catching Fire this is a brilliant marriage.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Book Report - Anna and the French Kiss

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Authour: Stephanie Perkins
Length: 372 pages
How long it took me to read: 3 days

What it's about: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

The ending is the most important part: The ending was a little too neat and tidy for my taste.

Last word:  This is a YA book written for YA audiences, and YA readers will really like this book. I am a little too old for this one. The story is cute and nice, though. I still recommend it.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Song of the Day - Team


I feel like it's inappropriate how much I am enthralled by Lorde considering the difference in our ages.

I love her words. She is such a lovely poet. The words of this song are so great, but I also love the chanting at the beginning. It's so different from anything else I've ever heard. No wonder she's getting played all over the world right now.

I'm kinda over being told to throw my hands up in the air. So there.

Monday, January 20, 2014

So this happened...

After last year's Salt Lake Comic Con fiasco of waiting in line only to find out it's all sold out, I took matters into my hands and bought tickets online this year.

Actually, Salt Lake is having a FaneXperience Comic Con in April in addition to the regular Comic Con in September. Anyway, I bought mine and Huey's tickets already.

This week in Utah we are having the Sundance Film Festival, and I have wanted to participate in that for years. George Takei is in town for Sundance, and contacted the FanX people to tell them he would do a signing/photo-op thing while he was in town.

O. My.

You guys, I have never done anything like this before.

Ticket holders got to stand in the line behind the VIP folks, but in front of the General Admission people for a chance to have their picture taken with Sulu. It was like pictures with Santa, but with nerds.

A couple of things;

  1. I forget that certain Star Trek fans are social pariahs and don't have the best social skills. Nor have any concept of personal space. Or of social cues - as in, I'm standing in line with my nose buried in a 500 page book, I am not up for a conversation; and, stop touching me with your jacket!!
  2. O, the people watching - I cannot wait until FanX
  3. Some women are in major need of Shapewear
  4. I am such a former mean girl, if the nerds knew this, I would be so banished.
  5. I really hate it when my inner high school mean girl comes out. She is such a beeotch to my inner nerd.
  6. Sulu is so cute, you guys! Look how cute he is!! OMYGOSHILOVEHIMSOMUCH!!
  7. George Takei has a unisex cologne that you can buy. It's called 'Eau My'.
  8. There is a lot of waiting in line with these things; wait in line to get in, wait in line to pay $30.00 cash only, wait for the VIP line to empty, wait in line for your picture... I'm glad I did this, and I'm glad I wore the right shoes.
  9. I can't imagine how draining doing something like this would be for me. Major kudos to George for sacrificing his time like that!
  10. I am really disappointed in my friends - I posted this picture on Facebook and not ONE person commented with an "Oh my".


I was so giddy once my turn came. I couldn't believe I was meeting Sulu!!! I loved him when I would watch Star Trek with my dad. It was such an emotional thing for me to meet him, and to feel his aura, and to have the memories of my dad in my brain. I was flying when I left. That was so fun. It was really well organized and went really smoothly too. I was there for an hour and a half, but the time really flew by because the lines did move quite well.

I'm so glad Sulu was my first fan experience. I will totally do something like this again.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Book Report - Gone Girl

Title: Gone Girl
Authour: Gillian Flynn
Length: 395 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about:On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

The ending is the most important part: Wait, what? That was the end? What a sick and twisted ending.

Last word:  Wow, what a good book. Ugh, what a terrible, twisted ending. I loved and hated this book. Not since East of Eden's Cathy Ames have I hated a character as much as I hate Amy Elliot Dunne.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Song of the Day - Black Out Days


I am currently obsessed a little with Phantogram.

This song rocks, it's haunting, and it's different. I love it. Enjoy.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Book Report - Why We Broke Up

Title: Why We Broke Up
Authour: Daniel Handler
Length: 354 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: I'm telling you why we broke up, Ed. I'm writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped

The ending is the most important part: Whoa, I just barely saw that coming!

Last word:  I found myself hoping for Min and Ed throughout the book. I found myself thinking that they could just work things out and that they should totally have got back together. Until the end. This is a great book, full of googly, squishy, high school love feelings. It's honest, the illustrations are terrific, and I loved how true it was.

Spoilers after the jump

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Song of the Day - Love Missile F1-11


Here's one from the archives. O my gosh how I loved to dance to this one. I was having a particularly difficult day and the radio gods blessed me with this.

It made my day, so I thought I would make yours.

Sorry that there's no real video. Have fun wasting the rest of your day on YouTube looking at these dudes. Sigue Sigue Sputnik are so awesome.

Shoot it up!!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Book Report - The Virgin Suicides

Title: The Virgin Suicided
Authour: Jeffrey Eugenides
Length: 249 pages
How long it took me to read: A week and a half

What it's about: The haunting, humorous and tender story of the brief lives of the five entrancing Lisbon sisters, The Virgin Suicides, now a major film, is Jeffrey Eugenides' classic debut novel.

The shocking thing about the girls was how nearly normal they seemed when their mother let them out for the one and only date of their lives. Twenty years on, their enigmatic personalities are embalmed in the memories of the boys who worshipped them and who now recall their shared adolescence: the brassiere draped over a crucifix belonging to the promiscuous Lux; the sisters' breathtaking appearance on the night of the dance; and the sultry, sleepy street across which they watched a family disintegrate and fragile lives disappear

The ending is the most important part: The best thing about this book was that there was an ending.

Last word:  This was really hard to read, however poetic, and I don't recommend this book.

Spoilers after the jump