Month: March 2013

Bookish News: eReaders Allowed During Take-Off Next Year!

Posted March 27, 2013 by Jana in Bookish News, Discussion / 12 Comments

So, I fly a lot. And I LOVE reading on flights. And up until I got a Kindle, I was allowed to read any time I wanted on a plane. But then… I got my beloved Kindle and was told to turn it off for 20 minutes while the plane took off, and then for 20-30 minutes while the plane prepared to land. That’s almost an hour of sitting in my uncomfortable seat, staring at the people with their tangible books, who were still reading happily. Who here understands this frustration? I’m sure I’m not the only one.

So, guess what? It turns out there is no scientific proof that these devices cause any problems at all! I mean, iPads are used in the cockpit during take-off, and we have all lived to tell the tale of our flight! You know what this means for us? Rules are changing. And we might get an extra hour of reading time while flying. That sounds pretty cool to me!

Want to read more about this exiting news? Visit this article.

Discussion: So, tell me! What does this mean for you? Are you excited? Do you not really care? Did you never follow the rules anyway? Haha. Do you like reading on planes? Any good recommendations for plane reading? With summer coming up, I know we all need some good books to read while traveling!


Top Ten Books I Recommend to People the Most

Posted March 26, 2013 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 9 Comments

 

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at the other blog I write for, The Broke and the Bookish.

I think sometimes I go a little crazy passionate about the books I love the most. I get a little fangirly, and keep my ears peeled for conversations around me that have the sentence, “Read anything good lately?” I’m not obnoxious or anything, but I am certainly willing to share my opinions with those who are interested. The following books are the ones I recommend to people the most. Click the titles to find my review.

Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard
I think I’ve told a million people that this book literally changed my life.

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves
This book ended up being a 40-year-old man’s favorite novel ever! And my mom finally loved a book I recommended! This book has a little in it for everyone, and everyone loves it

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison
I kid you not. This is one of the best dystopian novels I’ve read. It’s absolutely beautiful, and I love the story! It’s self-published, so I think people underestimate it. Read it, people! I can’t stress this enough.

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
I LOVE this book! It’s all about cruising the Mediterranean! And it’s Maureen Johnson. Need I say more?

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
This book is SO funny. A girl loses her phone just before her wedding, find someone else’s in the garbage, and figured finders keepers! It’s hilarious and romantic.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Oh man. This book is everything I want from a book. You should read it if you haven’t. Now would be good.

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
If you want all the Christmas happiness possible, read this.

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
I cried because of this book’s beauty, and I did not care. If you know me at all, you know this is a big deal because I HATE crying.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
This book. OH MAN. The writing is just beautiful, and the story had me all aerhgbse,rghbserg!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
This is kind of a given. I loved it so much that I could not review it. You know how that happens, right?

So, do you feel the same about these? Or do you have other books you feel this way about? Tell me ALL your favorites. I need more books I’ll love!


Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway (Book Review)

Posted March 20, 2013 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 11 Comments

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway (Book Review)Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Published by Razorbill on April 10, 2008
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
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California high school student Audrey Cuttler dumps self-involved Evan, the lead singer of a little band called The Do-Gooders. Evan writes, “Audrey, Wait!” a break-up song that’s so good it rockets up the billboard charts. And Audrey is suddenly famous!

Now rabid fans are invading her school. People is running articles about her arm-warmers. The lead singer of the Lolitas wants her as his muse. (And the Internet is documenting her every move!) Audrey can't hang out with her best friend or get with her new crush without being mobbed by fans and paparazzi.

Take a wild ride with Audrey as she makes headlines, has outrageous amounts of fun, confronts her ex on MTV, and gets the chance to show the world who she really is.

Audrey, Wait! is one of those hidden gems that hardly anyone seems to know about. I know I have heard very little about lately, what with all the buzz for new releases lately. This story is hilarious and so much fun, and I am so glad I read it!

1. The idea behind the story is magical. We’ve all dumped someone, but I’m pretty sure not all of us became a band’s muse because of it. I’m also confident in saying that not all of us have a hit song written about us. This is Audrey’s life, and her story is so funny.

2. I love how the entire book is Audrey talking to the reader. She wants us to hear her side of the story, since we obviously read all about it in People magazine and saw it on the news. As she is telling us her story, she adds additional parenthetical thoughts like “(I’m sure you’ve heard The Song by now.)” I really liked the fact that we were included. I felt like I was hearing about this over junk food at a sleepover.

3. Audrey is someone I would have been friends with in high school. She is down to earth, funny, a little eccentric, a music lover, and she marches to the beat of her own drum. And honestly, she handled this overnight fame like a pro. All she did was dump her boyfriend! That’s it! And all of a sudden she’s being asked for autographs, hit on by celebrities, stalked by the paparazzi, and ripped a part by teeny boppers on online message boards. I loved, loved, LOVED her voice. She is just so funny! This is my favorite quote, and sums her up in as few words as I can think:

“Oh Jesus, they had heard the song. They had heard the song and listened to the lyrics and then got totally paranoid and hacked into my email account and figured out that Evan and I had slept together, and now I was going to have to sit through some intervention where my parents talked about sperm and condoms and responsibility and teenage pregnancy statistics. And then they’d probably ship me off to one of those wilderness camps where they give you a name like Little Running Bear and make you scavenge for food to build up your self esteem until you swear to be abstinent for the rest of your natural life.

I’ll tell you this right now: me and nature? Not so much.”

Perfect, huh? I read this quote two or three times, and laughed each time. 

4. Really, I loved all the characters, except for snotty Sharon. Evan is the typical boy band boy, but we get to see him grow up and change with his fame. It was refreshing to discover that I liked him more after he became a famous musician than before. Usually that goes the other way. Victoria is Audrey’s best friend, and the kind of person I need in my life to push me into adventures. She’s spunky and a lot of fun. She’s in total contrast to Audrey, and it was so much fun to read about their friendship. I also love Audrey’s new love interest, James. He’s a nerd and he’s shy and sweet, and he says some of the most swoonworthy things. I love how he adores Audrey. I just want him all to myself!

5. Bendomolena, Audrey’s fat cat, is definitely one of my favorite characters in the book. And seriously what is with that name? I would love to hear the story behind that name. Anyway, Bendy is amazing. Even though she does not get to say anything, she says enough with her mannerisms. I am a major cat lover, and I think this is the first book I’ve read with a cat as a character. She made me smile.

6. My main complaint is all the swear words. I can not tell you how many f-words there were in this book. This young adult novel had more swear words in it than most adult novels I have read, and I started to get really annoyed. I also did not love the characters as much as I could have. I really dislike profanity in books.

Overall, this book was an adorable romp through the life of a teenage girl whose claim to fame did not get the best of her. When she finally got to confront the World she did it with style and panache that I could not help but cheer for. I loved it!


Top Ten Books I HAD TO BUY but Still Have Not Read

Posted March 19, 2013 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 18 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at the other blog I write for, The Broke and the Bookish.
I think we’re probably all guilty of impulse book buys or the good ‘ole “I must have this book because I hear it is exciting/swoonworthy/romantic/full of all the feels/amazing/the best book ever” syndrome. I know many of you, my fellow bloggers and readers, have been the reason FOR these purchases of mine (I love you for it, you know.). Please don’t hate me when you find out how much I HAVEN’T read.I won’t even comment on these, because pretty much all I could say is, “I KNOW GUYS, I’m sorry. Forgive me. I will read it. I will read it now.” I hope to get to all of these this summer. :)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Meant to Be by Lauren Morill
Crossed and Reached by Allie Condie
Every Day by David Levithan
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Paper Towns by John Green
So, can anyone make me feel better?
Which of these are still in your TBR pile?

Bronte & Frank Go to Beverly Hills | Children’s Book Review

Posted March 13, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 1 Comment

Title: Bronte & Frank Go to Beverly Hills (Children’s Traveltivity Guides)
Author: Megan Worthy
Design and Characters: Danielle Forrest
Illustrator: Nicole Moon
Series: Yes!
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Publisher: Worthy Hen Productions
Format: Finished hardcover (signed by Bronte!)
Source: The author (thanks!)
Add It: Goodreads
Buy it here

BRONTE & FRANK GO TO BEVERLY HILLS – takes you on a fun-filled adventure around the city of Beverly Hills in California. The heartwarming story of a little girl and her teddy bear is a hardcover picture book, featuring stunning illustrations, is packed with educational activities, stickers, postcard, 3D map, insider recommendations and a bonus CD – Ages 3+.

SYNOPSIS – Bronte & Frank arrive in Beverly Hills in spring and although Frank is not fond of busy cities, he agrees to head outdoors with Bronte to explore some famous landmarks – during their adventure to Greystone Mansion, Frank must face one of his most secret fears…

I am Bronte and Frank’s biggest fan, and wrote a review for their trip to Moscow last year. I was positively delighted when Megan wrote to me and asked if I would review this one for her.

This book is just as adorable as the first one, and I think what I love most is all the little extras that come with it. It’s not only cute and funny, it’s educational and entertaining. It is perfect for a little one who is interested in traveling or learning about new places, and particularly for families heading to Beverly Hills themselves. The book provides Beverly Hills information websites, a map, packing list, jet lag tips, news, emergency numbers, medical information, activity pages, and Spanish words to practice. It even comes with a post card to send to your friend, and a CD with sounds of Beverly Hills. Bronte sings a very passionate rendition of The Star Spangled Banner for us on this CD, and it’s too cute for words. Also included on this CD is Bronte reading her book to you, with her cute little expressive voice and musical sound effects. Give your child the book, some crayons, and a CD player and headphones, and they will be entertained for quite a while, singing along and giggling.

The story is so sweet. Bronte is the adventurous traveler, and scaredy-cat Frank is there to be reluctantly dragged through all the excitement. Readers will join them as they explore Rodeo Drive, Roxbury Drive, creepy Greystone Mansion, the Beverly Hills Children’s Library, learn some Spanish, take a Trolley Tour, scope out the celebrities, and Julie Andrews’s home (and Bronte sings Doe, a Deer from The Sound of Music for us). All the while, Frank is too scared, too bad a singer, and too shy. I think it’s so cute how Bronte is always getting Frank to go out of his comfort zone. And I also love that no matter how much they love going on vacation, they are always happy to return home again.

Honestly, this book is going into my pile of favorites, and I hope Megan continues writing more installments in this series. I just know children will love going on all these fun trips with Bronte and her little bear, Frank.

And, I will leave you with an adorable page from the book. This image, and more, can be found at bronteandfrank.com.

Posy Traveltivity Book Bags (Black) Oh, and Megan has also started making special bags for kiddos to take their traveltivity guides everywhere! They are adorable! This one here is my favorite. You can choose from a number of different fabrics here.

Homemade with love in Beverly Hills by Megan Worthy (author of the global adventure series – Bronte & Frank), designed particularly for little people to tote their TRAVELTIVITY GUIDES around town.  With reinforced straps, these fully reversible bags are made from 100% cotton and utilize locally manufactured fabrics.