Novel Sounds

(wind beneath my wings) review: let the sky fall by shannon messenger

Elena — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:28 +0000

Release Date: March 5th 2013
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 6 (Okay. Recommended with reservations)
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon, Indiebound

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

I read Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger because of two reasons: the cover and the fact that it mentions In-N-Out. For me, the brief scene with In-N-Out is the most exciting part of the book. Now, if you know me, I am 100% serious about this. Unfortunately, it’s not like much else happens in Let the Sky Fall.

The summary already tells you Zane’s story: ordinary boy turned into the chosen one. The chapters are split between Audra and Zane’s narrations. Audra is the super serious mentor to Zane. I didn’t really connect with them because there really isn’t much going on there. I mean, they are not unlikable but I wasn’t invested in them. There is a ~*reason*~ why they Cannot Be but spoiler alert: they fall in love. The mythology behind Let the Sky Fall is interesting because I like the idea of slyphs. Anything with an element as a source of power reminds me of Avatar: the Last Airbender. There is info dumping about the world and their powers but I’ll excuse that here because it’s the first book. ¹

My main problem with Let the Sky Fall is that nothing really happens. 90% of the book is spent on Audra training Zane and that’s about it. There is a battle scene towards the end but by then, it’s not that exciting. The motivations for a particular character in the end also didn’t really make sense to me. Let the Sky Fall isn’t a particularly bad book but it’s also not a particularly memorable one. It’s very much First Book In A Series. I feel like the sequel would be better though with the info dumping and training out of the way.

Sound: Editors – No Sound But The Wind
We can never go home
We no longer have one
I’ll help you carry the load
I’ll carry you in my arms
The kiss of the snow
The crescent moon above us
Our blood is cold
And we’re alone
But I’m alone with you

I know, you probably thought of Adele’s “Let the Sky Fall” while reading the title but I RESISTED. I am a rebel! I go for the unexpected…from the Twilight soundtrack (p.s. the Twilight soundtracks do get legit artists even though I know they’re only doing it for money). I figured this is a romantic enough tone in what the book aspires to be.

Slightly off topic but how DO you avoid info dumping? I’m not a writer so if I were to write, I’d probably info dump too. I admire people who can convey information in an organic and nuanced way. It’s hard. ↩

arts and crafts: throne of glass by sarah j. maas wallpaper

Elena — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:18:44 +0000

This wallpaper for Throne of Glass, one of my top books of 2012. I’m obsessed with it and I cannot wait for Crown of Midnight. Sarah J. Maas is one of the authors I gush about the most here. Feel free to put in your request for wallpapers.

sarah j. maas – throne of glass

1280×800 • 1440×900 • 1680×1050 • 1920×1200 • 2560×1400 • iPhone • iPhone 5 • iPad

(wish upon a star) review: how zoe made her dreams (mostly) come true by sarah strohmeyer

Elena — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:00:50 +0000

Release Date: April 23rd 2013
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 7 (Cute! Recommended with minor reservations)
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon, Indiebound

When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they’ve hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?

Once Zoe arrives, however, she’s assigned to serve “The Queen”-Fairyland’s boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.

Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe’s job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?

I was pleasantly surprised by Sarah Strohmeyer’s book, Smart Girls Get What They Want, so I was eager to pick up How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True. It combines two things I love a lot: fairytales + fluff. This book is sooo cute. I’ve always LOVED the idea of a fairytale theme park. I remember begging my parents to visit a fairytale theme park in Wisconsin (which is now closed) but they didn’t go for it. I’m glad I’m living vicariously through this book now.

Zoe and her cousin Jess are excited to go to the Fairyland Kingdom because it means they have a chance to win a grant that would solve their problems. Zoe is a super likeable character. Even though the grant would really help her, she’s determined for her cousin to win. As someone with a LOT of cousins, it’s nice to see Zoe’s strong relationship to Jess. Zoe works as an assistant to the Queen, who rules over Fairyland. The Queen confused me at first because I thought she was a teenager (the whole park is staffed with teenagers. unrealistic but just go with it) but then I realised she was an adult. She’s a fun character to read about because she makes outlandish demands but she’s not malicious. It’s clear the Queen really loves the park. Little details such as the references to “The Mouse” add character to Fairyland Kingdom.

How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True is a sweet book that won’t give you a toothache. If you need a quick pick me up or are in the mood for something light, this is a solid choice.

Sound: Bombay Bicycle Club – Fairyland Lullaby
If you want ride a rainbow come with me
I will take you in a magic purple
Maybe we will find a thousand sugar fish
And when you eat them they will grant your every wish

And if you want your friends to come then bring them all along

This sounds like a a song that might play throughout the park. I’m not sure exactly what it’s about but I’m going to pretend it’s innocent.

top ten tuesday: books dealing with tough subjects

Elena — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:04 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where we list our top tens! This week’s topic is “top books dealing with tough subjects”.

oh! a mystery of mono no aware by todd shimoda

This is a physically beautiful book about a not so beautiful thing: suicide clubs. It’s a philosophical book seriously worth checking out for its design.

the yellow wallpaper by charlotte perkins gilman

Powerful, creepy, and haunting.

norwegian wood by haruki murakami

Murakami’s most accessible work. A simple, moving story about grief and suicide.

it’s kind of a funny story by ned vizzini

I read this when I felt like I needed meaning. I could relate to his thought process v well.

the bell jar by sylvia plath

I really need to re-read this! I remember it really affecting me the first time.

hold still by nina lacour

This book feels really personal and the writing is beautiful.

the lake by banana yoshimoto

I did not realise this book would be about cults, particularly Aum, the cult that carried out the Sarin gas attack in Tokyo. I am morbidly fascinated by cults because of the sheer amount of power they wield. So freaking creepy.

eleanor & park by rainbow rowell

Oh, Eleanor. She goes through a LOT in this book. There are body image issues, economic issues, bullying issues, etc. It may sound bleak but Rainbow Rowell writes it all in her effortless way.

skinny by ibi kaslik

I first knew of Ibi Kaslik because of Stars, a band I used to be OBSESSED over. She’s where their album Set Yourself On Fire gets its name. Anyway, this is a v intense story with interesting writing.

confessions of a mask by yukio mishima

Yukio Mishima is a GENIUS in prose. Too bad I don’t know how to read Japanese so I’ll have to make due with English translations. This deals with subjects Yukio Mishima is known for struggling with in real life: (body) identity issues with a penchant for violent imagery. The main character of this struggles with his homosexuality. Yukio Mishima committed suicide by seppuku (a VERY painful way to die) after a failed coup d’état.

the sweetest note: butterbeer cupcakes for harry potter

Elena — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:15 +0000

As you may or may not know, I have a massive sweet tooth. This feature was born out of a conversation with Magan and Estelle. We were talking about desserts and Magan suggested dessert Mondays! The credit for the feature’s title also goes to her. Puns + sweets! So every Monday (more likely I’ll TRY every Monday), I will pair a dessert with a book or feature a dessert in some way. I mean, I’ve already paired ice cream with books before so it seems like a natural progression.

For the very first installment, I thought I would go with an old standby! HARRY POTTER. They recently announced that they are expanding the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando to which I say YES!!!! I’ve been waiting for an expansion because even though the park is so magical, it is also very tiny. My annual pass expires in the next month or so but I will totally renew it for the expanded park! If you’re curious about what the post looks like now, I made a very unofficial and informal guide. Here is a glimpse of the post & what I’m pairing Harry Potter with:

Butterbeer is a staple in Harry Potter’s world and with good reason. It’s delicious!! Although the theme park version is served cold, it still gives me warm fuzzy feelings. When I saw this recipe for butterbeer cupcakes, I knew I had to try it.

These definitely taste like the butterbeer in the theme park! You can find the recipe for butterbeer cupcakes over at Amy Bites. I had to make these twice because the first one turned out more like vanilla cupcakes. The buttercream frosting didn’t quite work out for me so I used pre-made instead. Still good though! Make these and wow your guests at your next Harry Potter party! Because I totally know you throw them.

bout of books 7.0

Elena — Mon, 13 May 2013 00:59:36 +0000

Hi! I decided to join Bout of Books 7.0 today hence the late post. In case you didn’t know what Bout of Books is, here is the official description:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

I haven’t been really reading lately so I thought this would be a fun way to kick things back into gear!

GOALS

Read at least five books
Discover new blogs!

BOOKS I INTEND TO READ

UPDATES

Monday
Number of pages I’ve read today: 19
Total number of books I’ve read: 0
Books: Two Boys Kissing

Tuesday
Number of pages I’ve read today: N/A
Total number of books I’ve read: N/A
Books: N/A

Wednesday
Number of pages I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

Thursday
Number of pages I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

Friday
Number of pages I’ve read today:
Total number of books I’ve read:
Books:

Saturday
Number of pages I’ve read today:
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Sunday
Number of pages I’ve read today:
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soundtrack to your life: robin benway

Elena — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:00:30 +0000

“Soundtrack to Your Life” is a feature that will have authors list 5 songs/artists/albums that ______ (changed their life, made them cry, make them want to be a rockstar, anything the author picks!) I have Robin Benway, author of Audrey, Wait! and Also Known As on the blog today.

ROBIN BENWAY

Believe it or not, I went through a phase over the past year or so where I just wasn’t that into music. ME. NOT INTO MUSIC. They were dark times, my friends. Basically all I listened to were Ellie Goulding, One Direction, and Leonard Cohen, which is, to put it mildly, an interesting playlist. I’m happy to say, though, that I’ve turned a corner and my iPod is no longer gathering dust at the bottom of a drawer. It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and I’m feeling good.

MY CURRENT FIVE FAVORITE SONGS THAT MAKE ME EXCITED ABOUT MUSIC

1. Iggy Azalea, “Work”

This is the song* that I put on when I have to psyche myself up for something. Even if it’s just giving my dog a bath (I almost lost an eye last time), it’s a good little motivator.

*If this song had a rating, it would be R. JUST SAYING.

2. Mulatu Astatke, “Tezeta”

I’ve been spending the past two years writing about spies for my “ALSO KNOWN AS” book series (side note: TWO YEARS??!!! Where does the time go?), which means that I’ve probably made thirty or so different soundtracks for all my characters/scenes/possible scenarios. When I was writing “AKA 2,” I listened to this whenever I need to write about Angelo. I could totally see him listening to this song after a mission. Although who knows? Angelo’s pretty unpredictable.

3. Lord Huron, “Time to Run”

My new favorite band. They’re sort of a spacey country folk band that sound ethereal and jangly and melodious, all at the same time. Why do I even bother trying to describe music? I can never do it justice. Just listen.

4. Jackie Wilson, “To Be Loved”

His voice on this song just kills me. Kills me. I think he is my favorite.

5. Taylor Swift, “All Too Well”

I’m not a huge Taylor Swift fan, but one night I was cooking dinner, this song came on, and ten minutes later I was staging an epic singalong to the lyric “and you call me up again JUST TO BREAK ME LIKE A PROMISE!” Good times. For me, I mean, not for Taylor.

I’m such a fan of Robin Benway’s books and her music taste! I loved Audrey, Wait! and found Also Known As delightful. Check her out if you like JOY.

arts and crafts: this lullaby by sarah dessen

Elena — Thu, 09 May 2013 04:02:02 +0000

Something very simple this time for one of my favourite books, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. Perhaps I’ll revisit this on a later date. You can leave suggestions for wallpapers if you want.

sarah dessen – this lullaby

1280×800 • 1440×900 • 1680×1050 • 1920×1200 • 2560×1400 • iPhone • iPhone 5 • iPad

(step right up) review: that time i joined the circus by j.j. howard

Elena — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Release Date: April 1st 2013
Source: ARC (Thank you, Scholastic!)
Rating: 6 (Above average. Recommended with reservations)
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon, Indiebound

Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.

A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake–and facing a terrible tragedy–Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi’s mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.

When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn’t there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus’s fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.

But then Lexi’s ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it’s Lexi’s own future that’s thrown into question.

Mini review!

PROS

The setting! A circus isn’t your typical YA setting. It’s fun living out the childhood dream of running away and joining the circus.
Lexi is a character I could relate to a lot at times. Her dad just died at the beginning of That Time I Joined the Circus so it’s understandable that she’s lonely and frustrated. She’s a capable character though.
Each chapter begins with a song in the title which is a nice touch.
The writing is easy to read and I flew through the book pretty quickly.

CONS

The romance. I find it flimsy because I can’t really care for them. It’s not bad but it isn’t a very crucial part to the book for me. It makes me more confused than anything.
The secondary characters didn’t make much of an impact on me. I like them but I don’t really remember them now. I think this book can go more in depth but it treads lightly on details.

Overall, That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard is a quick read with an interesting setting but didn’t really resonate with me.

Sound: Pixies – Where Is My Mind
With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Try this trick and spin it, yeah
Your head will collapse
But there’s nothing in it
And you’ll ask yourself

This feels like a song Lexi would be into. It’s not the 90s but it is the Pixies.

my bookish wishlist + amazon gift card giveaway!

Elena — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:08:28 +0000

Hello, thanks to Appliance Online UK I have an awesome giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card. Here are some books I would probably pick up!

fairytales from the brothers grimm by philip pullman

Yay for fairytales and Philip Pullman! I read this the end of last year and liked his notes the best.

life after life by kate atkinson

Love the end of the blurb for Life After Life: Wildly inventive, darkly comic, startlingly poignant — this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best, playing with time and history, telling a story that is breathtaking for both its audacity and its endless satisfactions.

Novel Sounds

(wind beneath my wings) review: let the sky fall by shannon messenger

arts and crafts: throne of glass by sarah j. maas wallpaper

sarah j. maas – throne of glass

(wish upon a star) review: how zoe made her dreams (mostly) come true by sarah strohmeyer

top ten tuesday: books dealing with tough subjects

oh! a mystery of mono no aware by todd shimoda

the yellow wallpaper by charlotte perkins gilman

norwegian wood by haruki murakami

it’s kind of a funny story by ned vizzini

the bell jar by sylvia plath

hold still by nina lacour

the lake by banana yoshimoto

eleanor & park by rainbow rowell

skinny by ibi kaslik

confessions of a mask by yukio mishima

the sweetest note: butterbeer cupcakes for harry potter

bout of books 7.0

GOALS

BOOKS I INTEND TO READ

UPDATES

soundtrack to your life: robin benway

ROBIN BENWAY

arts and crafts: this lullaby by sarah dessen

sarah dessen – this lullaby

(step right up) review: that time i joined the circus by j.j. howard

my bookish wishlist + amazon gift card giveaway!

fairytales from the brothers grimm by philip pullman

life after life by kate atkinson

eleanor & park by rainbow rowell (my review)

matilda by roald dahl

tell the wolves i’m home (my review)

mr. penumbra’s 24 hour bookstore (my review)

the snow child by eowyn ivey (my review)

second chance summer by morgan matson (my review)

siege and storm by leigh bardugo

his dark materials by philip pullman

poems of the sea

tequila mockingbird by tim federle

Novel Sounds

(wind beneath my wings) review: let the sky fall by shannon messenger

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arts and crafts: throne of glass by sarah j. maas wallpaper

sarah j. maas – throne of glass

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(wish upon a star) review: how zoe made her dreams (mostly) come true by sarah strohmeyer

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top ten tuesday: books dealing with tough subjects

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the sweetest note: butterbeer cupcakes for harry potter

bout of books 7.0

GOALS

BOOKS I INTEND TO READ

UPDATES

soundtrack to your life: robin benway

ROBIN BENWAY

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arts and crafts: this lullaby by sarah dessen

sarah dessen – this lullaby

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(step right up) review: that time i joined the circus by j.j. howard

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