Displays in the library

I've been slacking about posting these but here they are

Banned Book Week:

College:

Mysterious Saturday Review: Wicked Appetite

Lizzy's life is looking pretty good right now. She's got her own house. Yes, it needs a complete overhaul, but she's working on it. She has a job that she loves - making cupcakes at a local bakery. Lizzy is content.

Then Diesel enters her life. He's there to protect her from Wulf. Apparently, Lizzie is one of two people who can identify the power from the stones. Both Diesel and Wulf are after the stones. There are seven stones - each for one of the deadly sins. Only one of them wants the stone to stop evil.

Right now, Wulf and Diesel each have a lead on Gluttony. As they race to find the stone, Lizzy's life ends up in danger and very crazy. She can't wait until things go back to normal.

My Thoughts: I like Janet Evanovich is hands down the funniest author. I laugh like crazy reading her books and I'm not the only one. At times, I'm crying from laughing so hard. At times, I need to pull my eyes away from the book so I can breathe because I'm laughing too hard. What made me laugh so much? It's hard to say for sure, but Carl the monkey always makes me laugh along with the quips between Diesel and Lizzy. I loved Glo and her spells. Honestly, I can't think of one aspect of the book that I didn't like. I can't wait for the next installment.

Cover Thoughts: A little boring.

Source: Inter-Library Loaned

Ten Things: Holiday Movies

Just like Holiday books, I'm a sucker for Holiday movies and these I tend to watch at least once a year. Sometimes I watch them during the summer too! Most of them aren't your typical holiday movies.

White Christmas: A family holiday tradition movie. I Love all the dancing and the songs. I love the connection between the sisters and the youngest one's meddling.



You've Got Mail: I know this isn't technically a holiday movie, but it feels like it is to me. It's one of my favorite RoComs - funny, sweet, and charming.

Love Actually - adore this movie! I can't even pick a favorite character or scene because they're all awesome. Although I lent this out to someone and it's been lost. Hoping that Santa brings me another copy for Christmas. Even my husband loves this one!

Santa Claus: I really enjoyed this movie and try to catch it when it comes on each year. It's funny and full of magic.

Die Hard: One of my favorite action movies - which takes place at an office Christmas party. Great action and funny lines.

Little Women: One of my favorite childhood movies - still haven't gotten over the fact that Louisa May Alcott (Jo March) never married in real life. I love the beginning scenes dealing with Christmas and the snow.

When Harry Met Sally: I love this movie - it's just hilarious. And perfect for this time of year as it ends on New Year's Eve.

Bourne Trilogy: Love watching these movies - mostly in a row. There's nothing in these movies to connect with Christmas, but I still watch them.

Chronicles of Narnia: Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: I really love this movie - especially Lucy and Mr. Tumnus's scene together.

Bridget Jones: For the reindeer jumper alone!

What are some of your favorite holiday movies or movie traditions?

Review: Anna and the French Kiss

Anna doesn't want to go to school in Paris. She doesn't want to leave her BFF or her potential boyfriend. Her father's making her spend her senior year at an American high school in France.

Her first night there, she's crying her eyes out at her situation when the girl next door invites her over for hot chocolate. Meredith introduces her to her friends and takes Anna under her wing. There's Josh, Rashmi, and St. Claire.

St. Claire's English accent makes Anna want to swoon, not to mention his dreamy good looks. Half the girls in the school are in love with him. Anna's determined not to fall under his spell, but the more they hang out, the more she feels drawn to him.

He's seriously off limits as he has a girlfriend. That doesn't stop her from being friends. Soon, he's her best friend - they go to the cinema together and explore other parts of Paris. It isn't long before Anna's questioning everything he says for double meanings. Paris is the city of love after all, could she find love with her best friend?

My Thoughts: I've been hearing about this book for MONTHS and everyone raved about it. I ran out and bought it and devoured it. It didn't disappoint - it's romantic, dreamy, full of tension, and almost perfect. I wouldn't have minded more scenes exploring Paris. I loved Anna. She was smart, had great dreams, and found herself in Paris. I liked how she analyzed everything. I loved St. Claire - he's dreamy and funny. I loved how he and Anna really understood each other and how they goofed around so much. What a smashing debut novel!!!!! I can't wait for Lola and the Boy Next Door

Cover Thoughts: PERFECT!

Source: Bought

Fun Fact: Stephanie tweeted a picture of her with the book that I thought would make the perfect READ poster, so I stole it :)

Review: Spirit Bound

*Read ONLY if you've read the previous books in the series, as there are SPOILERS*

After Rose's graduation test, she joins the real world. While she awaits her assignment, she heads for the royal court with Lissa. While they're there, Rose plans an adventure neither of them will ever forget.

If they're ever going to save Dimitri, it's going to be now. After some research and with a plan in mind, they travel to Alaska - home to Victor Dashkov. He alone has the information Rose needs to save Dimitri. Unfortunately, he's under severe lock and key.

Once they break him out and uncover the truth, it's only a matter of time before Dimitri tracks down Rose. While she's determined to save him, he's determined to kill her so they can be forever joined. When they finally do meet, who will win the battle of wills and emotions?

My Thoughts: I waited to read this one - I have an issue with finishing series book when I know that they are ending soon. Last Sacrifice is almost upon us, so I needed to get my butt in hear. Plus I just read today that there's a spin-off series in the works for next year. I Loved this book -as I have the previous books. They're filled with raw emotion: love, betrayal, disbelief, understand, jealousy, and horror.

Cover Thoughts: I like it

Source: BEA (SIGNED!) - also reviewed for www.teensreadtoo.com

Fun Fact: Spin-off series starting will Bloodlines will be available in August 2011!

Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Barbie

Tanya Lee Stone delves into the doll's history including the creation of Mattel and why Ruth Handler felt the need for a doll for older girls. After they finally made the doll, they needed to figure out how to market her. Barbie's clothes became a hot topic as they were luxurious items and mostly purchased in addition to the doll.

Stone collected stories of Barbie: how girls played with them, what their mothers thought of the doll, and how the girls felt about the doll. With such a controversial figure, Barbie made a splash into many childhoods.

My Thoughts: I devoured this book. I loved reading about how Mattel was born and Ruth's ideas. I loved reading about the fashion of Barbie. I loved reading the reactions of people to the doll; she was either loved or hated. I loved how the author handled the controversy of the doll. I loved the layout of the book - tons of photos of the different dolls and shoes on the bottom on the pages next to the page numbers. It was such an interesting read.

*I do have to say that I might not have read this book if it wasn't do the author. I LOVED her previous book Almost Astronauts.*

Cover Thoughts: I love the cover! It's absolutely perfect.

Source: Inter-Library Loaned

My Barbie Story: As I was reading this book, I remembered the stages of interaction with Barbie. At first it was to play house/school/dating. My sister and I shared some items. I think she had a horse and a blow up pool. We had a locker that turned into an apartment - dorm room style. Later we turned Barbie into a fashion piece and once we found the right outfit, we stopped playing. I don't remember mutilating Barbie, but I do remember cutting one doll's hair. Both my grandmothers would make clothes for our dolls. There are a few favorite outfits that I still remember.

Do you have a Barbie story?

If you like...

Amy & Roger's Epic Tour,

View other book, movie, and music suggestions here