Friday, April 29, 2011

YA Review: Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

In One Sentence: That's it, I'm buying everything this woman has ever written!

Here's the description from R. J. Anderson's website:


Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.
This is not her story.
Unless you count the part where I killed her.
 

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

T&M Review: Midway Monkey Madness (DC Super-Pets!)

In One Sentence: So darn cute!

Amazon Description: When the carnival comes to METROPOLIS, BEPPO THE SUPER-MONKEY isn't far behind. This CHIMP OF STEEL can't wait to chow down on chocolate-covered bananas and other fair foods. Unfortunately, the world's evilest ape, GORILLA GRODD, has other plans. He wants to turn this festival of fun into a day of destruction. With a little help from the WONDER TWINS and their space chimp, GLEEK, BEPPO must somehow stop GRODD'S midway monkey madness.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

YA Review: Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish


In One Sentence: It's different from anything I've ever read.

Savannah Grey by Cliff McNish is about (go ahead, make a guess...) Savannah Grey! Here's the description from Mr. McNish's page:


A monster's out there... Only one girl can stop it. But will love get in the way?


It's a difficult time for fifteen-year-old Savannah Grey - she's settled into her latest foster placement, but her body is acting oddly. Then other strange things begin to happen. Birds behave erratically; gusts of wind blow leaves so fiercely they seem to lure people away. And Savannah discovers she has supernatural powers.

Only new boy Reece Gandolfo thinks Savannah's powers are a special gift. No wonder she's attracted to him. But there's another force that wants to lure Savannah from safety into danger...

Paperback Dolls Blog-o-versary!!!

I love the Paperback Dolls and, now, I love them even more because they're doing an awesome contest for their ONE YEAR BLOG-O-VERSARY! Go here to enter to win lots of books and even a *dun, dun, duuuunnnn* KINDLE!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Day 122: Fantasies and Playlists

Ya know, before I got really into this writing thing, my daydreams were completely different. There was the one about winning the lottery. What I would do for the people close to me. What businesses I would start. What gadgets I'd immediately go out and buy. What scholarship fund I would start (one for mothers that would pay for child care). Then, there was the one where I inserted myself into whatever great book I'd just read or great movie I'd just watched. They were normal daydreams.

But now, my fantasies are about getting that call from one of my dream agents. Selling my book and doing a signing. Being able to tell people what I've written and at what store they can find my books. They're about being able to do this for the rest of my life and helping support my family in the process. When people ask my kids, "What does your Mom do?", they'll be able to say, "She's an author." I guess I don't really have a point to this whole ramble. Do you guys have these daydreams, too?

Anyway, on to another subject. I see a lot of writers putting up the soundtracks to their books and I thought it would be fun to do the same. So, here it is :)



Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones

Friday, April 15, 2011

Fangirl Friday!

First off: Happy Birthday to Emma Watson, Seth Rogen, and Emma Thompson!!!

Oh, please. You know what I'm going to talk about today. Today is the DVD release of *trumpet fanfair* HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1!!! *cymbal crash*


I plan on not doing a darn thing other than sitting in front of the TV, perusing the bonus features. Mmmm, deleted scenes *drool*, behind the scenes interviews *double drool*, and, if I'm lucky, a sneak peek at Part 2 *catatonic drool*. I loved this movie! I did have one problem with it: the Dobby burial scene. I felt they left out one big aspect that made the whole scene. The part about everyone giving him pieces of clothing. Makes me ball every time. 

Oh, and there's this:


Our little wizard is growing up *tear*. But, doesn't this look goooood?!


Also, have ya'll seen this trailer?


I think it looks slightly campy, in a good way. Brandon Routh, as you all know, played Superman in Superman Returns... Don't get me started on that one. Anyway, I did like him as Superman, and in Scott Pilgrim, and in Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and, well, in pretty much everything he's done. This movie also has someone I've talked about before here on Fangirl Friday: Sam Huntington.

Another huge thing, HBO will be adapting American Gods by Neil Gaiman into a series!!!..... I just plotzed.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Day 110: Fangirl Friday!

Have ya'll seen this!?!?!?


Looks sooo good!

Also, someone is about to film the Ender's Game movie! I haven't read the books, but I intend to. The DH and B-Rye both love the books and have been bugging me to read them for years.

That's it. What are ya'll looking forward to?

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Day 109: A Day in the Life of a Writer...

What's a writer supposed to do when they start reading a book and it seems like every other aspect of that book is incredibly similar to the book said writer is writing?

1. Freak the f*** out!
2. Keep reading said book because it is awesome.
3. Berate self for being a crap writer because this book is so well written, it is ridiculous, and there is no way self can do better.
4. Set awesome book down because it is now a ticking time bomb.
5. Call DH to whine about your predicament.
6. Throw manuscript in trash.
7. Write a rambling email to critique partner about how you're thinking of changing the whole vibe and voice of your book.
8. Read critique partner's amazingly inspiring response email that begins with "Deep breaths. Deep breaths."
9. Take said deep breaths.
10. Man up and finish reading time bomb.
11. Realize that critique partner is right. You shouldn't completely change your book just to be different from this other book. Just because there are some similarities does not mean you have to give up. 
12. More deep breaths.
13. Pull your manuscript out of the trash, dust off coffee grinds, and get back to making it sparkle. Because you've worked way too hard to get to this point and not finish.
 

Living the Dream Copyright © 2012 Design by Rachel Silberman to fit Leah Rae Miller