Movie Review: Not Just a Girl

This one is on Netflix and it was great!

I found Shania Twain through my sister. After she went to college, she'd come home and play music. We would dance like maniacs. Any Man of Mine was the first song.

I hadn't listened to country before but I was sure I didn't like it. 

When I heard about this documentary, I was really excited about it. I had forgotten some of my favorite Shania Twain songs. How can you really pick a favorite? There are so many good ones! Some other favorites: Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under, Don't Be Stupid, That Don't Impress Me Much (a college favorite), Honey I'm Home, Love Gets Me Every Time, Up!, and Man I Feel Like a Woman. Do you have a favorite Shania Song?

I did see her in concert, and it was amazing! 

I didn't know much about her and her life, so this was eye opening. I admire her ambition and her persistence.  

I loved learning about her life growing up. 

Can you imagine singing in bars as a child?

I didn't know she wrote her own songs with her then husband. 

I didn't know about her illness and why she stopped singing.

Now I want to know more - more stories about song writing and her life. 

On Your Radar (17)

Title:  You'd Be Mine

Author:  Erin Hahn

Publisher: Wednesday Books 

Publication Date: April 2, 2019

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

* Country Music
* Song Lyrics
* Romance
* Friendship
* Family
* Fame
* Music Label
* Family Legends
* Living Your Dream
* Dual Perspectives
* Drugs and Alcohol
* Grief


Perfect for the Taylor Swift fan who dreams of singing in front of thousands of people.

Mini Review: This is Our Story

It's been 10 years since Taylor Swift had her first song debut on the radio. She's only grown since then.

The Good:
* I learned a lot about Taylor Swift
* I couldn't put the book down
* Great pictures
* Reading this made me want to go back and listen to her songs - ALL of them

The Bad:
* No photo captions
* Some of the interviews were too similar

Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book and I think fans will love it.

I remember the first time I heard Taylor Swift - I was driving home from work when I still worked in Rhode Island (I had an hour drive). I heard Tim McGraw and instantly fell in love. I knew the girl signing that song was going to be huge. What I adore about her songs is that they tell a story.

I've been trying to think of my Top Ten Favorite Songs of Taylor Swifts and it's really hard.
Long Live
Enchanted
Begin Again
All Too Well
22 
Fifteen
Shake it Off
Last Kiss
Back to December
Red
Out of the Woods
Starlight

See it's just impossible. Too many great stories in these songs.

Are you a Taylor Swift fan? Which song is your favorite?

Mini Review: Way Back Home

 * Book 3 in the Wildflower Trilogy *

Bird's rocking the road tour, giving it her all every night with her brother and her best friend helping her out. Life on the road is mostly great, but there's a moment when Bird just wants to be herself for the night, and of course it backfires. Chaos ensues. 

The Good:
The bus tour
Life on the road
No parents
Drama
The romance
Advice
All the pressure
That reporter!

The Bad:
It's over. I loved reading about Bird and her world. I'm sad the trilogy ended, but it was a great read.

Overall: A really fun series for anyone who loves country music, books about rock stars, and Taylor Swift

Top Ten Tuesday: Songs

This week's topic is all about audio, so I'm choosing awesome country songs that still make me want to sing and/or dance along whenever I hear them. They also take me back to college years where I fell in love with country music.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

She's in Love with the Boy

Goodbye Earl

Mississippi Girl

There's More to Me Than You

This One's For the Girls

She Drew a Broken Heart

Suds in the Bucket

Get Over Yourself

Any Man of Mine

Bye Bye

Review: Road to You

 * Book 2 in the Wildflower trilogy * 

Bird's heading out on tour where she hopes to take the world by storm. While on tour, she's supposed to write songs for her next album, but nothing speaks to her. Plus Bird met a boy and now all she wants to do is spend time with him. He works on the tour and they talk about everything. She's falling hard for him.

When the tour closes, Bird must decide her future. Should she establish herself in L.A. as her team suggests? Should she acquire a real manager (not her father) as her team suggests? Should she try to write more mainstream songs like her team suggests?

Bird has to figure out her career and her love life under the spotlight. 

My Thoughts: I loved this second book in the trilogy. I loved watching Bird navigate through the waters and seeing more of the business side. I wasn't crazy about some of her choices in this novel - but of course they made her grow into herself. I liked watching Bird try to write her songs, struggling a little and then having the song click. I liked watching Bird grow up and take a little more control over her career. I really liked the ending of the book and I can't wait to see what happens in the final book. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
If You Like:

Final Thoughts: If you like books about music, friendship, and romance - this trilogy is a must read!

Review: Falling Stars

Lily Black was one of the biggest names in country music five years ago. She had one huge song that catapulted her to the top. Then her sophomore album went no where. The radio (one DJ in particular) refused to play it. And just like that, she was yesterday's news.

Now at seventeen, Lilah Carson is ready to make a comeback. She's graduated high school and ready to take back her stage name Lily Black. Lilah and her BFF move to Nashville directly after graduation.

Lilah returns to work with her former manager. She's ready to kick butt and take names. She's older, wiser, and more mature than before. But when everything in her life crumbles, she's not sure where to turn. Should she give up on her biggest dream?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. 

I'm a fan of country music and I felt like I was backseat at a concert getting all the details. I loved the dual perspective of Lily/Lilah's singing career. I really liked how Lilah pushed herself the second time around. I loved the moments she tried writing songs. I liked how Lilah realized her dream and how she wanted to do things differently the second time around. I loved seeing Nashville through the eyes of a musician: both the city and the music business. 

I couldn't believe some of the people in her life - they were horrible. But I really liked Lilah's strength and how her troubles made her stronger. 

I liked the moments with her family, especially the letters from her mother. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Sent for Review
Placement: New Adult
Companion Novel: I'm curious to read this book and how Ashlyne can make the MC likable in Broken Pieces.

Top Ten Tuesday: If You Like Hart of Dixie

This week's topic is If You Like a TV show. I just finished reading Rebel Belle and loved it. Harper Price reminds me a little bit of Lemon. I'm a huge fan of the show. I love the drama, but also the small town charm and the country acts. Plus the cast of characters is amazing and quirky. 

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

For Matchmaking:

For Boarding School:

Country Music:

Belles: