Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Heroes of Olympus

I finally bought the first book of HOO. It was on sale at Target, therefore it was an impulse buy.... but when are Target purchases not?! I also got 'The Mark of Athena', 'Beautiful Disaster', 'Walking Disaster', and 'Ripped'. I should feel bad but I don't. (I have already read both the 'Disaster' books on my kindle).
Good Reading.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

November Wrap-Up


These are the NEW books that I read in November. I read 57 give or take a few novellas (which I normally count but this month I figured that if they were shorter than 100 pages they shouldn't even be counted in this total since that is all of 30-60 minutes out of my life). I would love suggestions to read in December. (*****/5)

November 30
Wrecking Beauty: Devil’s Reapers MC (Vegas Titans #3)  Celia Loren  ***

Destroying Beauty: Hell Hounds MC (Vegas Titans #1)  Celia Loren  ****

Satan’s Revenge  Celia Loren  ****

Ignite (Devil Chaser’s MC #3) L. Wilder  ****

Smolder (Devil Chaser’s MC #2)  L. Wilder  ****

Inferno (Devil Chaser’s MC #1)  L. Wilder ****

Closer to the Edge (Playing with Fire #4)  T.E. Sivec  ***

Worn Me Down (Playing with Fire #3)  T.E. Sivec  ****

Because of You (Playing with Fire #2)  T.E. Sivec  ****

A Beautiful Lie (Playing with Fire #1)  T.E. Sivec  ****

Tiva Boon: A Royal Guardian  Jenn Nixon  ***

Perfect Lie  Teresa Mummert  ***

Wicked Innocence  Missy Johnson  ***

Not Yet  Laura Ward  ****

That Girl  H.J. Bellus  *****

Kiss a Stranger  R.J Lewis  ****

Love Scars: Bad Boy’s Bride  Nicole Snow  **

Discovering Sophie  Cindy Roland Anderson  ***

Getting Lucky (The Marilyns #2) Katie Graykowski  ***

Place Your Betts (The Marilyns #1) Katie Graykowski  ****

Changing Lanes (The Lone Star’s #3) Katie Graykowski  ****

Saving Grace (The Lone Star’s #2) Katie Graykowski  ****

Perfect Summer (The Lone Star’s #1) Katie Graykowski  ***

The Duet  R.S. Grey  ****

Uncovered  Emily Snow  ***

Pierced (Lucian & Lia #1)  Sydney Landon  ****

Assumption (Underground Kings #1)  Aurora Rose Reynolds ****

Trashy (Take it Off #10)  Cambria Herbert  ****

Blyss (The Bylss Trilogy #1)  J.C. Cliff ***

A Hockey Tutor  Mary Smith  ***

Blocked  Jennifer Lane  ****

#Nerd (The Hashtag Series #1)  Cambria Herbert  ****

Elias (West Bend Saints #1)  Sabrina Paige ****

Break Away  Ellie Grace  ***

Breakdown  Ellie Grace  ***

Game On  Collette West  ****

Night games  Collette West ***

Hers (Hers #1)  Dawn Robertson  ****

Black Moon Draw  Lizzy Ford  ****

Alex (Cold Fury Hockey #1)  Sawyer Bennett  *****

Doms of Dark Haven (Multi-Series 1.5)  Sierra Cartwright  ****

Feudlings in Smoke (Fate on Fire 1.5)  Wendy Knight  **

A Fistful of Evil: An Urban Fantasy Novel  Rebecca Chastain ***

Pack of Lies (The Twenty-Sided Sorceress #3)  Annie Bellet  ***

Murder of Crows (The Twenty-Sided Sorceress #2)  Annie Bellet  ***

Justice Calling (The Twenty-Sided Sorceress #1)  Annie Bellet  ***

The Egg (Return of the Ancients #4)  Madison Adler  ***

The Brotherhood of the Snake (Return of the Ancients #3)  Madison Adler  ***

The Inner Circle (Return of the Ancients #2)  Madison Adler  ***

The Glass Wall (Return of the Ancients #1)  Madison Adler  ***

Monster (A Cassidy Edwards Novel #1)  Carmen Caine  ****

Alpha Divided (Alpha Girl #3)  Aileen Erin  ****

Riot (Predators MC #1)  Jamie Begley  ****

Anguish (Jokers’ Wrath MC #3)  Bella Jewel  ****

Melancholy (Jokers’ Wrath MC #2)  Bella Jewel ***

Precarious (Jokers’ Wrath MC #1)  Bella Jewel ***

Stepbrother Dearest  Penelope Ward  ****
November 1

Monday, December 8, 2014

Book Club: The Adventure of The Twisted Fork.



For the first time in my life, I am joining a book club. I never knew how I would feel about being TOLD to read a book, usually that makes me want to do anything BUT read that book. Tonight was the first meeting that I have gone to for this club… and let’s just say these women are a bit unorthodox when it comes to book clubs. The first question they asked was “Did you read the book?” Most of the women hadn’t—including myself but I blame that on the fact that I had about three days’ notice before this meeting.

            Let me tell you how I actually got started with the book club:
I told you in my last post that the night of Mockingjay P1 I was alone; while that is true I wasn’t alone for long. A nice couple came and sat by me. I was, of course, reading on tablet; Sara then started chatting me up about how I liked the previous movies and what books I liked. As their party grew, I began talking to the other women in the group (there were only two but still). Turns out they were all in the same book club and since they kinda liked my bubbly personality they invited me. I was actually happy, I’m not necessarily the person who always makes the best first impression—meaning I usually try to stick to my own comfort zone, I guess books are my comfort zone though.

Back to tonight, we went to a cute little restaurant called The Twisted Fork.  (Off topic but the food there is sublime. I got their special which was a type of fish that name has escaped me, with a saffron infused rice and brocolini, all topped off with a jalapeno salsa. YUM-OLA!)  The actual book discussion was done by the two women who actually read the book, and it was them complaining about how long it was (700 pages). That lasted for about two minutes, the rest of the night was just socializing with friends and I am pleased to say that these women are a hoot! I may be the youngest in this group by 10+ years but it was still a great evening. I cannot wait for the next one a month from now.
Next month’s book is by Nora Ephron called I Feel Bad about My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman. Should be entertaining even though it it geared toward a different age group, or so I have been told.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Sed lex Dura Lex

Well this is the second time I have posted this, since I accidentally deleted the draft on my mobile app. Anyhoo, in the past few weeks both Mockingjay Part one and the Bane Chronicles were release. I have yet to read The Bane Chronicles but I own my copy. my post title is a quote from City of Bones, "Sed lex dura lex," said Jace automatically. "'The Law is hard but it is the Law'." It seemed quite fitting since both Katniss and Jace are living in worlds with a strict set of laws (i.e. President Snow and The Clave)  When it comes to Mockingjay, I was one of the people who saw it at 8:30 on Thursday night. I was also alone. I usually wouldn't care about going to the movies alone but it meant that I didn't have many people to talk about it to.

                My personal opinion is that it is by far the best; they have eliminated most of the shaky camera and close up shots of faces. The story was changed just a little so there would be flow for the end of the books. It wasn’t something that I really minded but most people pointed out that Gale is more aggressive and agitated than in the books. I fully believe that the make-up/CGI that was used on Peeta was on point. It truly showed how malnourished he was becoming. That was something that I was lacking in the other movies. (It’s called the HUNGER Games for a reason!) I brought that point up to my sister and she disagreed. So I pulled out logic and references, so she conceded a little.


            So, The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Rees, Cassandra Jean (Author and Illustrator) were originally released individually as e-shorts but all ten of the stories are combined in to a book released November 11.  These stories are about the enigmatic, flamboyant and AMAZING Magnus Bane. I believe that it is widely accepted if not canon, that these stories are the stories that Magnus wrote down for Alec. While we are on the subject of Magnus and Alec, I believe that they might be one of my favorite couples of time.  I haven’t read these stories yet, I wanted to read The Infernal Devices first, but I have yet to read those either. 

Throughout the TMI series Magnus Bane was always there to help but his character was very complex, as in we never knew much about him. I believe that Alec was one of the few reason he really opened up. I might just be saying this because I ship Malec hardcore.

These the nails that I made for The Bane Cronicles. I added the symbol for the Clave because as I just said I ship Malec. Also, to the right are my nails that I did for Mockingjay. The left hand which is pictured said "The Girl On Fire" and my right hand said "Burn With Us.". I wish
I had taken a picture of that hand but I forgot.


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Getting Psikid???

I was trying to figure out a play on words with psyched and psikid (they sound the same...almost). But I just wasn't sure if it would translate.

Anyhoo,  my nails for the first half of this month were in honor of 'In the Afterlight' by Alexandra Bracken.  My ring and middle fingers were first painted with a brown color. Then I took balled up cellophane and dipped it in blue nail polish. Holding it with tweezers I dabbed on the color. I repeated with yellow and orange polish. On my ring finger I drew on the Psi symbol in black.

[If we're being picky technically it's the symbol for the PSF's, but we all know the east river kids took it up as their banner.]

Now one might ask why the colors I chose. The brown was just a neutral color that wasn't too dark or light. Blue, yellow and orange are Liam, Chubs, Zu and Ruby's colors. I did the psi symbol in black because it would show up best...and because the whole "our color is black" thing. Hope you enjoy.

Monday, November 10, 2014

October Wrap-Up

So I believe these are all of the NEW books I read in October. I am horrendous when it comes to re-reads. Meaning I love to re-read books. Most of the 5 star (*****) books from this month I have already read more than once. My favorite books I have read upwards of ten times. So those won't be included in my wrap ups. I think this month I read 61 give or take a few I may have forgotten or hated.

October 29, 2014
It Had to be you (Chicago Stars #1)  Susan Elizabeth Phillips ****
Binding Arbitration (Binding Arbitration #1)  Elizabeth Marks ****
In the Afterlight (the Darkest Minds #3)  Alexandra Bracken *****
Say the Word  Julie Johnson ****
Fragment  Ellie Wade ****
Because of You  J. Lea ***
Come (The Fight Club Book 1)  Becca Jameson ***
King of Me (King Trilogy #3)  Mimi Jean Pamfiloff ****
King for a Day (The King Trilogy #2)  Mimi Jean Pamfiloff ***
King’s (The King Trilogy #1)  Mimi Jean Pamfiloff ***
Cree (My Way #1)  H.J. Bellus ****
In Time (The Darkest Minds #1.5)  Alexandra Bracken ****
Spin (Songs of Corruption #1)  C.D. Reiss **
Darkest Before Dawn (Guardian’s Diary #1)  Amelia Hutchins **
Sparks Rise (The Darkest Minds #2.5)  Alexandra Bracken *****
Mud Vein  Tarryn Fisher *****
Someday Girl (The Someday Series Book 1)  Melanie Shawn ***
Little Memphis (Little Memphis MC #1)  Bijou Hunter ***
Dethroning Crown  Lila Felix ***
Lights to my Siren(The Heroes of the Dixie Wardens MC1)LaniLynn Vale****
Zoey Avenger  Lizzy Ford ****
Love, In English (LIE #1)  Katrina Hale ****
Hard Knox (The Outsider Chronicles #1)  Nicole Williams ****
Falling Down (Rockstar Series #1)  Anne Mercier ***
Where We Belong  K.L. Grayson ****
Enticed By You  Amy Muscat ****
Crazy Beautiful  (Crazy #1)  Penny Dee***
Filthy Beautiful Love (Filthy Beautiful Lies #2)  Kendall Ryan ****
Filthy Beautiful Lies (Filthy Beautiful Lies #1)  Kendall Ryan ****
Charred Hope (Heart of Fire #3)  Lizzy Ford ****
Charred Tears (Heart of Fire #2)  Lizzy Ford ****
Charred Heart (Heart of Fire #1)  Lizzy Ford ****
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians 5) Rick Riordan*****
The Battle of the Labyrinth(PercyJackson&theOlympians4)Rick Riordan*****
The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson & the Olympians 3) Rick Riordan****
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson & the Olympians 2) Rick Riordan****
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians 1) Rick Riordan****
In Kelly’s Corner (Fighting Connollys #1)  Roxie Rivera ***
Shelter Me (Shelter Me #1)  Kathy Coopmans ***
Needing You (Needing You #1)  T. Renee Fike***
This is Falling (Falling #1)  Ginger Scott ****
Bite & Release  Cory Cyr ***
The Summer I Fell (The Six #1)  Sonya Loveday ***
Burn (Ignite #2)  R.J. Lewis ****
Ignite (Ignite #1)  R.J. Lewis ****
Searching for Someday (Someday #1)  Jennifer Probst ***
Dare You To (Pushing the Limits #2)  Katie McGarry *****
Down and Out (Knockout Love #1)  Kelly R. Martin ***
Draw (Gentry Boys #1)  Cora Brent ****
Be My December  Rachel Brookes ****
Reed’s Reckoning  Ahren Sanders *****
Breaking Away (Assassins #5)  Toni Aleo *****
Blue Line (Assassins #4)  Toni Aleo *****
Falling for the Backup (Assassins #3.5)  Toni Aleo ****
Empty Net (Assassins #3)  Toni Aleo *****
Trying to Score (Assassins #2)  Toni Aleo *****
Taking Shots (Assassins #1)  Toni Aleo ****
Boarded By Love (Bellevue Bullies #1)  Toni Aleo *****
Going Down in Flames  Chris Cannon ****
Bang Bang  Rachel van Dyken *
Alpha Billionaire  Helen Cooper**
October 2, 2014