Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read When I Need Something Light and Fun

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

Okay, That Is More Than 10.. BUT I Had To Include Them ALL!

The GREAT, Great Gatsby Post

So on May 10th. Warner Brothers Finally Releases The HIGHLY Anticipated Great Gatsby Movie! In General, The Great Gatsby is already a pretty popular book, being deemed a Classic and written F.Scott Fitzgerald. However, with this movie coming out I imagine The Great Gatsby is going to gain even more popularity, especially with the younger crowd. So, this post is my attempt at a one stop shop for EVERYTHING Gatsby!

First Off Is The Book Itself. I personally enjoyed it and find it to be timeless and well worth earning the title of  A Classic and with ANY Book, there will be some people who do not like the book either. So, Here is some reviews from fellow bloggers. Both good and bad.

My Review

Belle's Bookshelf

An Unexpected Book Blog

Kimberly's Novel Thoughts 
 (Let Me Know If You Have Reviews, You'd Like Me To Add)

There are A LOT of cool things about The Great Gatsby but one of my favorites is John Green's Crash Course explanation of the books. I am not an overly critical reader, so when I watched Crash Course it really gave me an even better perspective of the book.

The Movie Trailer


 
and If You Want To See The 1926 Movie Trailer Click Here.

When the casting was first announced for The Great Gatsby. I was personally elated, mainly because everyone they cast (minus Tom Buchanan) was who I had imagined in the roles while reading them. Since seeing more of Joel Edgerton's work (he is currently a favorite actor of mine) and seeing him act in the trailers, I can now say he is a great choice. I am imagine someone like Ben Affleck or the guy who played the bad guy in Titanic in the role. Regardless, I am excited.

The Great Gatsby has been around for 88 years and in those eighty-eight years has gone through many different covers.

Photo From http://idesweb.bc.edu

With The Movie Coming Out Even Tiffany's Is Getting In On The Action with Some Art Deco, Inspired Jewelry!

Side Note: This Is My Actual Wedding Ring, and I Got So Excited That It Was Even In This Collection That I Had To Share It.

Literally A Diamond Headband!

 

And, it isn't just Tiffany's that is inspired by Fitzgerald's work. A lot of people are and their work is a little more affordable. Click on The Photos To Link To Their Sites.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Words and Topics That Get Me To Read A Book

Hosted By The Broke and The Bookish

This is kind of a interesting topic for me, because I usually pick my books based on 3 things. Cover,Title and Recommendations. However, I do know their are Genres and Areas that draw me to books too.

1. Historical Anything, Really

1920's and 1600's mainly, but I am a HUGE history lover. So historical fiction with a great cover. Done.

2. Fairytales or Retellings

I live and breath Disney and one of my all time favorite miniseries is The 10th Kingdom. So I love all aspects of fairytales.

3. Spies/Cons/Thieves

I love the riskiness and cleverness it takes. Makes me feel like I am getting away with something.

 

4. Time Travel

This kind of goes back to #1 but I LOVE it!

5. Past Lives

Reincarnation, I love this concept and again kind ties into #1

6. Travel

Traveling to a new country, such as London or Paris and I want to read it. I want to pretend I am there going on the crazy adventures with the characters.

7. Certain Authors

John Green,Meg Cabot,Richelle Mead... this list could go on. But that means their books are automatic reads. No matter what.

 

8. Mysteries

I don't read enough with the right combo of things ,I will read it.

 

9. Privileged Lifestyles

Royalty, New York Elite, Old Money. Must Read.

10. Summer Love

This just makes me happy.

LA Times Festival of Books (Year 2) Part 2

If You Saw Part 1 of this, then you know a couple weeks ago, I attended The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and here is where I pick up on Part 2 of My Day at the festival...


Last year, I was suppose to see Maureen Johnson, Maggie Stiefvater and Melissa DeLaCruz in a panel, but I was sick and couldn't see them. Luckily in the past year, Maggie Stiefvater and Melissa DeLaCruz did other appearances and I got to meet them, but Maureen Johnson eluded me! So, I was really excited for this panel. This Panel had Melissa De La Cruz, Maureen Johnson, Katherine Marsh and Lisa McMann and Narrated By Ransom Riggs.

Sorry, for the poor photo quality.  The panel was very funny. They each talked about their newest books, Gates of Paradise, The Madness Underneath, Jepp Who Defied The Stars and Crash. Melissa DeLaCruz's excerpt surprised me, because it kinda gives away a huge plot line in the series. But it was cool too, also it was funny hearing that she forgot actually how her book originally ended and had to go back through her notes to remember.  Maureen Johnson's excerpt was funny (of course) Having to do with Rory and Alistair. During this time one of the signs on the posters behind them fell and they joked that is was Alistair and he wasn't amused. Katherine Marsh began with describing how her book came to be, which was REALLY interesting and I look forward to reading it because it is definitely not a common concept. Lisa McMann's reading also set  the plot of the book, and I am excited to read Crash as well.

A lot of ?'s were asked and it was interesting to hear the author different and same answers.  They talked about the themes of their books. 

Melissa De La Cruz: saying that hers is in the names of her titles

 Katherine Marsh: Fate  

Lisa McMann: She really didn't know. That was my favorite answer because, it is totally me. She just writes, if you see a theme great, but she doesn't write with one in mind. 

Maureen Johnson:discussed how she didn't like when students emailed her, asking for the theme of her book. Mainly, cause they are usually doing it was a school project and are just being lazy. So in response she sends them bogus responses like the theme being about artisan cheese making and such.

They discussed their writing process.. 

Melissa DeLaCruz: Outlines. She writes everything down that she needs to know.

Maureen Johnson: Likes to Leroy Jenkins It. This Got A Few Laughs. If you Don't Know what that is, youtube it.. It is HILARIOUS.

Katherine Marsh and Lisa McMann: Both said they don't outline. 

 

Someone asked the difference Between Young Adult and Adult and all the authors pretty much said the same thing. They don't feel there is a difference, except that the characters are younger. 

Towards the end, things got interesting when a girl asked If there were any original plot lines left?" They way see worded it was pretty insulting, almost like she was saying the the authors books weren't original. To be fair, I don't think she meant it in that way. But it obviously, bothered the authors. You could tell, cause the tone in their voices changed. Their answers were pretty clear too. Yes, there are still original plot lines left.

That concluded the Q&A portion and then it became.. BOOK SIGNING Time!

I usually get extremely nervous around Authors but it was pretty easy to talk to Maureen Johnson. She complimented my shirt "I'm Not A Player I Just Blog A Lot" and she said she hoped I liked her book and If I didn't I could just lie. Which we discussed that, that is the best way to form a relationship and then we took a picture together. I really think this may be my favorite author picture thus far. 

And Here Is My Signed Books, Books I bought and Bookmarks I got from my day at LATFOB

And I CANNOT Wait For Next Year!

Princess on the Brink ( The Princess Diaries #8)

SUMMARY:

"At last, Mia is a junior. An upperclassperson. Free of her responsibilities as student body president. So why is it that everything is going so terribly wrong? What is she doing in Intro to Creative Writing? When she has made it through Algebra and Geometry, why must she be faced with Precalculus? And for the love of all that is Genovian, why has Lilly nominated her for school prez again? All this is nothing compared to the news Michael springs on her, however. On top of all the mathematical strife, her beloved boyfriend is leaving for Japan for a year. Precalc has nothing on preparing for the worst separation ever

Turns out there is one way she might convince Michael to stay. But will she? Or won't she? No matter what, Mia seems headed for disaster."

Plot: In general I kind of wish there were a few sub plots, but Princess on the Brink was pretty straight forward about focusing on Mia and Michael's relationship. Even getting rid of Princess Lessons and pretty much any other character in Mia's life that could add another plot line to the story. Like I said I only kind of wish there was, because I do hate when I am getting into a certain plot, especially characters relationships when the subject changes to another plot and I have to wait 50 pages for it to pick up again. Which is probably why this was my favorite book in the series so far.. I didn't HAVE to really wait for things to happen.

Characters: I think I love Mia more than ever in this book. She really has grown as a person, but still has those teenage girl qualities. Although, they are a little less immature and whiny. Lily drove me crazy as usual! I really hate her, but I like that you could truly understand Mia and Lily's relationship here. I adored, Tina and even Boris since their characters have also really settled into their roles in the series. BUT JP is by far my favorite addition. He is just so normal and sweet and I cannot wait to see more of him. And then there is Michael. I have a mini crush on him, but man did he drive me crazy in this book. He had moments where you were like "yep. Him and Lily are related.."

Pros: Really Engaging, A lot of Growing Up and Realistic Aspects of Teenage Relationships.

Cons: None, really.. Like I said Sub Plots would of been nice just to make the books plot stronger, but I didn't miss them either.

Final Thoughts: I related to Mia the most in this book. Espescially, to her out look on sex and her reaction to Michael's lie. Mine would have been the exact same and I could see why it would bug her, that it appeared NO ONE else felt the same way. Maybe, she took it a little too far.. but Michael was NOT helping the situation. I mean my heart truly broke for Mia. I even cried a little. For being the 8th book in the series, I was impressed. I was actually mad at myself for not checking out the next book in the series, like I usually do!

Bloody Valentine (Blue Bloods #5.5)

Summary:

"The Blue Bloods have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shape-shift, and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even those immortal vampires, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, part of the best-selling Blue Bloods series, author Melissa de la Cruz offers three tantalizing stories that delve deep into the love lives of the all-powerful vamps (and their Red Blood friends) from New York's Upper East Side. Might a witchy new girl help cure Oliver's broken heart? How did Allegra fall in love with a human? Will Schuyler and Jack finally be bonded?

Romantic and sensual, Bloody Valentine reveals the undying love, the hope and devastation, and the lust and longing that have defined the Blue Bloods throughout history. Prepare to be swept off your feet."

Reading this Novella is not a must to the series. In fact the 6th book quickly brushes up on these events. However... for fans of the series it is nice. We learn how Oliver copes with Schuyler's departure and we meet Freya, which is nice.. and I think I even enjoyed this more. Since I already know Freya's character from Witches of East End. Understanding Allegra and Charlie's relationship and how it feel apart is maybe the coolest of the stories. Since at this point of the series we do not know a lot about Allegra/Gabrielle. However my favorite story is Schuyler and Jack's wedding. Especially, with the drawings. So, like I said this book is an absolute treat to fans of the series but you are not missing anything too important.