The Sunday Salon - The Best

from What I Wore tumblr

I found this tumblr What I Wore and fell in love with it! I checked out Jessica Quirk's book, What I Wore: Four Seasons, One Closet, Endless Recipes for Personal Style from the library and decided I needed to own it.

See, I just buy stuff. And most of it looks the same.  This year, as part of taking better care of myself, I want to look my best too!

The book is divided into sections: Getting Started and then one section for each season.  I'm in the Getting Started phase.  I took EVERYTHING out of my closet and drawers and went through it! The first round was divide into keep, maybe, toss.  I sent 3 garbage bags of clothes to goodwill! Some I'd never even worn and wasn't sure why I bought it! Then I went through the maybes and divided them again - another bag gone.  I was down to a big pile of clothes that Quirk directed me to try on. So I did! Each and every piece. It was at turns, exciting, fun, and depressing.  I divided these clothes into yes, maybe, repair, no.  I put the maybes in a drawer - these were clothes I thought I might be able to fit into later this year. If they were wintry - I put them away.  Then I took the clothes and I hung them all in my closet - by color.

I pretty much just owned gray, black, tan and blue clothes! So sad! Now I need to pick a core color - black, charcoal, or brown. I chose gray cause I like it best of the three. Now I need to build a core collection - just like in the library! I need: blazer, cardigan, camisole,trousers, skirt plus white button-up, lbd, dark jeans and tights.  Can you believe I don't own a white button-up? Not even an off-white one! How could I not??? So I'll be heading out to pick up some things plus decide on my secondary palette  to add some color!  Another thing I like about this book are the sketches - these are real clothes Quirk owns! Makes it seem more doable.

from What I Wore tumblr

Although it's weird to barely have enough clothes to fill a closet - I know I wasn't wearing the rest of it anyway! This past week back to school, I've gotten compliments on what I wore! So, I'm really jazzed to work farther into this book! I also hope to start taking pics of what I'm doing but think I will post those over on tumblr! 

Are you making any fashion resolutions? Check out BlogHer - Year-Round Fashion Resolutions for tips! Leave a comment and then go  Enter to Win a Kindle Fire by sharing other things you are doing to make this year your best yet!




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Me@you.com by KE Payne - Review

RELEASE DATE FOR ME@YOU.COM IS JANUARY 17TH.

Synopsis:
Is it ever impossible to fall in love with someone you've never even met? Immy Summers think so... because it happened to her.

Immy is 18 years old living a normal life, has a very normal family... and a somewhat normal boyfriend, but she quickly starts falling in love with a girl on a message board. Her name is Fickle.

As her relationship grows stronger with Fickle, Immy finds another friend on the board, named Joey. And with another person in the picture things are bound to get complicated.

My Review--

For me this was a hard read, yet any teen could probably relate to this, if they were going through the exact situation. I found the parts where you don't tell your parents, family members, and anyone around you anything, realistic. It is what most teens would do in this situation.

In some ways I saw that Payne might have been trying to ease the fear that some teens may have about any of these situations. However, I did notice that some parts were for the most part... Unrealistic. The fact that her friends would immediately accept it. In reality it would more than likely need it's time. Not in the snap of a finger it would be fine.

As mentioned before I think this would be good for anyone struggling with this kind of confusion, and friends that may have a friend going through this.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for getting to read this book.

Loving to Read one Step at a Time




KRWLucy
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Tempest by Julie Cross - Book Trailer

Tempest: A Novel (Tempest - Trilogy). Cross, Julie. St. Martin's Griffin. 352p. $17.99. 978-0312568894.

If that cover doesn't suck you in -  I don't know what will! Oh, maybe this awesome trailer!





The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps– it’s just harmless fun.




That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.




But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.


Still need more? Check out The First Four Chapters here!!

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Ivy and the Meanstalk by Dawn Lairamore - Review

Ivy and the Meanstalk. Lairamore, Dawn. Holiday House. 227p. 978-0823423927.

Courtney Says:

The book Ivy and the Meanstalk was a delightful new tale woven in with some old classics. Being a 14 year old girl, I rarely find myself picking up books in the children's section of Barnes & Nobles, but for this book it was different, I found the idea intriguing. The thing I liked most was the way the author, Dawn Lairamore, took a different outlook on the old tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. It was a whole new story but with references to a tale everyone knows and loves.

The thing I hate most in a book is when the beginning is slow and it takes forever to get into. But with this book that was not the case. It got into the main part of the story within the first 30 pages. And even better it practically never slowed down. From the beginning to the very end I found that it was always making me want to read the next page.

And let me just put this out there. The ending made me want her to write another book in the series so bad. I found myself asking my sister, Sydney, "There is going to be another book right? Because if there isn't I don't know what I'll do".

Although it was written for the 9-10 year old, I thought it was written just as well, if not better, then lots of the books I find myself reading these days. Personally though I think the rating is just right, because I don't imagine myself recommending this book to a kid my age, but would surely suggest this to my 7 year old sister or anyone around her age.

So in the end I enjoyed reading this book and the one before it, Ivy's Ever After, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone but most likely the younger kids, as in tweens.

Sydney's Says

The book Ivy and the Meanstalk was a great new twist on a classic tale that gets to its point fast. I have read many books, some crawl by and I have to force myself to continue to read them, but with this book though I did not need to.

This book may be written for 9 to 10 year olds but it was written very well or better than some novels I've read. It was intriguingly fast, with many twists and turns. It never slowed down, with some books they start really slow , but then get faster this book it was fast from the start.

This book was different from other fairytales because it was not a story about classic princesses and glass slippers, no this was a story about a rebellious princess, harp, and a golden egg-laying chicken. Some stories have cute little birdies, while this book had a talking goat.

I might not recommend this to nonreaders, but I might too a "super" reader. And I would definitely recommend it to a 3rd or 4th grader.

I enjoyed how this book was different from others, but I definitely think that this book would be a hit for a younger audience.

Thanks to Holiday House and Blue Slip Media for the books!
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In My Mailbox (1)

Hello everybody, this is Aneeqah here! I'm going to be doing a few memes, and hopefully be keeping up with them throughout the year.

Anyways, In My Mailbox [IMM, for short!] is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, where you basically talk about books you've received. So let's get on with it!

For Review [e-copy]:

GoodReads Synopsis:
Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

GoodReads Synopsis:
For seventeen years, Eloise Hart had no idea the world of Faery even existed. Now she has been abducted and trapped in the Rath of Lord Strahan, King of Faery. Strahan was only meant to rule for seven years, as Faery tradition dictates, and then give up his crown to another. But he won't comply, and now chaos threatens both worlds.


The only one who can break his stranglehold on the Faery court is his wife. . . Eloise's aunt Antonia. Using Eloise to lure Antonia, Strahan captures his wife, desperate to end the only threat to his reign. Now Eloise must become the rescuer. Together with her best friends Jo and Devin, she must forge alliances with other Fae, including a gorgeous protector named Lucas, and Strahan's mysterious son, Eldric-who may or may not betray them.

From Library:

GoodReads Synopsis:
To 17-year-old Leslie, the tattoo is a thing of indescribable beauty, a captivating mark that she must make her own. But this subtle web of eyes and wings brings with it a transformation that no sweet young girl would ever imagine or welcome. Like its predecessor, this stand-alone sequel to Wicked Lovely plunges its youthful heroine into a faery world of almost constant peril. A tantalizing urban fantasy that won't let go.

GoodReads Synopsis:
Tessa doesn't believe in magic. Or Fate. But there's something weird about the dusty unicorn tapestry she discovers in a box of old books. She finds the creature woven within it compelling and frightening. After the tapestry comes into her possession, Tessa experiences dreams of the past and scenes from a brutal hunt that she herself participated in. When she accidentally pulls a thread from the tapestry, Tessa releases a terrible centuries old secret. She also meets William de Chaucy, an irresistible 16th-century nobleman. His fate is as inextricably tied to the tapestry as Tessa's own. Together, they must correct the wrongs of the past. But then the Fates step in, making a tangled mess of Tessa's life. Now everyone she loves will be destroyed unless Tessa does their bidding and defeats a cruel and crafty ancient enemy.

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Saving June by Hannah Harrington - Review

Synopsis:
Harper's sister, June took her life one week before High School Graduation. No one can understand why, and it leaves Harper in complete distraught. Her divorced parents decide to split the ashes, and at her mothers house the ashes are in an urn in the house. Harper then steals the urn and makes a cross- country road trip with her best friend Laney, to California.


Then add in the mixture a boy named Jake Tolan. A bad boy, who has a passion for music... and someone who had a connection with June. Jake is keeping a secret, from Harper... One that could turn her life upside down in a heart beat.

My Review--

I have to say I did like this book, however the first part of the book was not nearly exciting for me. I was bored out of my mind, and was dying to stop reading it. But people kept telling me they really liked it, so I persevered and kept reading it and I really liked it.

There are three main characters, but I want you to read for yourself to see who the third is. I mentioned him up there... but I won't say anything.

The main character is Harper. She is a sassy girl who has a mind of her own. She likes to get things her way, and quite frankly she's pretty good at it.

Laney is Harper's best friend who sticks by her when June dies. Laney doesn't have any rules, and doesn't want to listen to any rules. She likes to go out there and have fun!

Things are really well described in this book which I love. I loved the music take. I hadn't realized that Eric Clapton's song, Tears In Heaven was written after his son's death. The amount of knowledge I gained after reading this book is amazing.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Harlequin for letting me read this book.

Loving to Read one Step at a Time







KRWLucy

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The Sunday Salon - Printz of the Past Challenge

A few days ago I came up with my own personal challenge: I was going to read all the American Library Association Michael J. Printz Award and Honor books. That I haven't already read.  @LeaKelley mentioned that she wanted to do an #nerdprintz challenge and I told her what I committed to, bada bing bada bam - this post was born!

We were inspired by @MrSchuReads and @Colbysharp who have committed to read all the Newbery Award Winners from 1922 - present!

Since this is personal - I get to make up the rules! And so do you! Just wanna read the award winners? Do it! Just wanna read the honor books? Do it! Want to read from present to past? Do it! Take two years, 3 years, 4 YEARS??? DO IT!

Make this challenge one you can live with! We'll be tweeting about the challenge using the hashtag #nerdprintz and I'll be posting my thoughts as I read each book - wondering why THIS book won and award or honor and can I predict the next winner????

If you are interested in joining - please sign up below!!

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Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi- Review

Reviewed by: Aneeqah's Not So Real Life
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Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Genres: Dystopia/Post Apocalyptic
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
My Review:

In this book, we have two main characters: Aria and Perry. Aria has never been outside the place she lives in, called the Pods. She basically lives in the Realms, virtual places where you can do anything, be anything, and imagine anything. You don't feel pain or anxiety or anything like that. It's an easy, comfortable life. Perry, however, is an Outsider. He lives out in the open, in a tribe. He doesn't know a comfortable life. He must hunt for food, take care of his little nephew, and try to deal with his brother.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for giving me an ARC of this book!

First off, lets talk about the cover, since I love judging books by their covers. I love this cover! It really does the book justice, plus, it actually makes sense. It's not some random cover, like a random girl in a random dress [there seem to be a lot of those types of covers out there!]. It hints a little bit at what the story will be about. Overall, the cover is gorgeous!

OK, with that out of the way, lets talk about all the reasons I loved this book...:

-The setting. I really loved the world Rossi has created. Everything was generally easy to understand for me, but it wasn't plain and simple either. It was really great, and well-done.

-The writing. I loved, loved, loved the wording Rossi used, especially the ending. That ending was just amazing. Just the last paragraph. I don't even know why I loved it so much, but I just did. I loved how everything was so vague, but you knew what was happening anyways. It's kind of hard to explain, but nonetheless, I loved it. I also liked Rossi's wording throughout the story. She doesn't come out and say everything directly, but almost dances around it. It's something I liked.

-The characters. The characters were simply amazing. The main characters weren't perfect, they had their flaws, but that made them even better. I also loved how they learned for their mistakes. Learned from each other. Characterization happened! We watched the character grow, and frankly, I don't see that in very many books these days. Plus, they weren't brain-dead or stupid. They used their wits, and weren't frustrating at all. And I love how the side-characters also had great personalities. I personally loved Roar. He was a funny type guy that I immediately liked. And even Cinder had his good qualities. Overall, we have a great crew of characters in this book!

-The romance. This was probably the main winner in the story for me. Usually, I'm not a fan of romance in books. Actually, almost 99% of the time, I'm not a big fan of romance in stories. And I especially despise insta-love. Especially insta-love. *shudder* We can talk about my hate for insta-love later, but let it be known that I really, really, don't like insta-love. But this story, for once, didn't have insta-love! A big shock, yes, I know. The romance in this book was slow, sweet, and it developed over the course of the story. It wasn't like:
Girl: "Hi there!"
Boy: "Hey!"
*20 seconds later*
Girl: "I love you!"
Boy: "I love you sooo much!* and all that other mushy stuff I hate. We could see the slight changes of feelings throughout the book. Definitely one of my favorite things about the book!

So why didn't I give this book a full 5 stars? There's two reasons...:

-The Aether. I really don't understand what the Aether actually is. Rossi really didn't give us explanation about it. Is it like a layer of the sky? Or is it the actual sky? It's something that really confuses me, and I think it will play a very big role in the next book, so I think we need to know more about the Aether.

-The last few pages. I know I said I loved the ending above, but that's basically the last paragraph. The last few pages of the book, lots of time flies by. Thing is, we don't know how much time went by, or what happened to the characters during this time. I know at least a few months have gone by, and during this book, that's a fairly long time, since some major events happen before this all this time flies by. So I would really like some extra details on what exactly happened. Hopefully, what happened during this mysterious amount of time will be explained in the next book [which, by the way, I'm absolutely dying to read].

Wow, have you ever heard people say how hard it is to talk about a book you love? I never believed them, but let me tell you, after writing this review, it's really hard to describe exactly why I loved this book so much. My advice though? Go read this book. You won't regret it.





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Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Book Trailer

Happy book birthday to Cinder by Marissa Meyer! Cinder was released Tuesday, January 3, 2012!

You're Invited!

Twitter Party

January 9, 2012

7pm EST

Trailer

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, 1)

Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon a Time…. Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

Marissa Meyer Tour Schedule - get your book signed!

Cinder Blog Tour Schedule - sign up for all kinds of goodies!

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The Sunday Salon - Happy New Year - 2012

I hope 2011 was good to you. Maybe not every aspect but overall good!

Have you read Neil Gaiman's wish for 2012? If you haven't, please do.  His past wishes for us to find someone to love and to receive love from and to spread more kindness and wisdom is only slightly eclipsed for his wish that we make mistakes. Showing that we are taking risks, and living and growing.  I second his wish.

In preparing for this awesome year ahead, I want to take a look back at some of my favorite reads of the past year.
January - Split by Swati Avasthi











February - Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt












March - Paranormalcy by Kierstin White












April - Bruiser by Neal Shusterman












May - Dark Water by Laura McNeil











June - Sidekicks by Jack Ferraiolo and Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

July - This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

August - The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall











September - Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima and Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor











October - The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson











November - Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder












December - Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby











Best Book of 2011 - Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby - I cannot begin to explain the tension that Kirby builds up as we try to figure out who the traitor is in this secluded stronghold. Then, when you know, you wonder how they will get away alive! Icefall will move you to tears! The landscape is vivid and Solveig's emotions and thoughts are yours. A Must Read!


I'm an Amazon Associate and all book links will go directly to their site.
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