Top Ten Tuesday (#2)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because The Broke and the Bookish folks are fans of creating list!. 

Each week  a new Top Ten list  that one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. 

this Week#
Books Kiwi has on her TBR list this fall..

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger
 a book I have been dying to read for ages!! I refuse to watch the movie until I have devoured a copy of this book, however battered the condition!


Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
I read the reviews, I read an excerpt and I was hopping around with anxiety! I WANT THIS BOOK SO BADLY!


The Unbecoming of Mara Dyers by Michelle Hodkins 
Again, read the reviews, was part of the hype creating scene, waiting it for eagerly to release and apparently after all that crazy hype (Who is Mara Dyers?) the book is not a disappointment so they say! I want I want! 

Last Sacrifice (The Last of VA) by Richelle Mead
 I know this came out a while back, but haven't been able to buy myself a copy! Need to read it soon and put an end to VA, but at the same time I don't because I will miss the series terribly! *sniff*


Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
 I've been wanting to read a Courtney Summers and Cracked Up to be is among her early works and sounds like a brilliant read! So this one first...


Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Never noticed it until I typed it now but um heyy! My friend's mum's name is Lucy Christopher, and I am dead sure she hasn't written this one....I hope..because then I want to say "How come I didn't get a copy?" * whiny voice*


Because I Loved You First by Reena Jacobs 
I saw the Blog Tour for this happening and looked it up on Goodreads and it sounded like a really interesting read!


Perfect Fudge by Hazel M Larsen 
I read Booksessed's amazing review on this one and its most definitely on my TBR!


The Perks of Being a Wallflower by by Stephen Chbosky
 I read Lynossa's review and decided I HAVE to read this one, soon! Especially since the movie's coming out sometime soon.


Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachael Cohn
 I watched the movie aggeees ago and read about a book existing and went OMG! How did I miss that! I read Nina's review at Brush Up On You Reading and in a matter or a few click it was on my TBR!

What Flavor Tea Are You? *points finger at you* (yes you there!)

What I got?

"You are funky and creative. You like to turn the world upside down just for fun. You believe that some of the best things in life are undiscovered. You are very attracted towards the offbeat. You're the type of person who likes music, movies and places no one has heard of. You're not weird...you're just attracted to the quirkier side of life. So much in this world is underrated!"

A little something I found in Ann's Reading Corner! :D
Its so cool (like literally), I love what it says about me, so true!
What Flavor are YOU?

Read-a-thon Wrap Up Post

                    

I didn't quite type a specific list of books...I just set a goal of 5, which i sadly failed to accomplish..but to be fair to myself I fared better than my previous read-a-thon attempt! I finish 4 out of 5 books..4.5 actually..I am half way through book 5!

What I read..

1. Stillwatch by Mary Higgins Clark (302 pages)

2.The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald (140 pages)

3.Brighter Than the Sun by Julia Quinn (384 pages)

4.Sweet Valley University (Living Together) by Francine Pascal (230 pages)

5. Half of Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer (150 pages)

 (reviews for the books above coming soon...)

Total page numbers= 1206 ( I beat my last times page count of 1046 [1 book+ 0.5)...about 160 page difference)

I had loads of fun participating in the event, giveaways and of course reading at a super pace of 1 book a day! 

Thank you so much Amanda at Bout of Books for hosting!!! :)

Twin Shot Tuesdays

Do you make lists of random things in your head? I do. At a small age we are all taught to recognize patterns and learn to group them. So often involuntarily to remember thing better the brain begins to make its own archive of all information it collects over time about certain objects. This also includes matching things like colors, titles, names, meanings etc. This helps recall better in future.

That was intellectual ramble which was meant to be a prologue to my meme! :D

If you followed my train of thought then you probably aren't wildly headbanging against the computer in distress. If you are then...

Presenting Twin Shot Tuesdays

Two shots of music with the same title but different artist and tune.

Title- Dance(ing) in the Dark

Shot 1#Lady Gaga

Shot 2 # Dev

Similarities:

Black leather in both videos

Lots of boobage

Both of em selling sex like crazy

Funky haircuts and attire

Dancing in the Dark

Just for fun try this out..

Mute the volume for one video and watch the video for the other. They sorta go pretty well with each others music. Messing around with different scenes to improve connections makes it a lot more fun! Hehe..Juvenile I know..but so funny! *chuckles*

How to make The Book of Luke by Jennifer O'Connell

                                                 

Ingredients: 

a HUGE handful of

 Luke Preston (Du-h!) 

the hero of the whole drama

an entire pot of

 Emily Abbott 

daughter of Patricia Abbot-etiquette columnist. So she is well bred with all the rules and is generally suppose to be nice! Oh, she is the heroine!

a pinch of

Jackie and Lauren

 Em's best friends from Chicago

a tablespoon of

Josie and Lucy

 Em's best friends from Boston

a teaspoon of

Sean

Lucy's ex-boyfriend, from Chicago

a pinch of

Owen

Lucy's ex-boyfriends from Boston

Method:

Chop up a handful of Lucy's overlapping relationships, add in a cup of John Tucker Must Die and stir in a few drops of teenage rebellion. Then add a tablespoon of messed up family.Also add a spoonful of (each of)Em's best friends. Mix thoroughly and heat on the stove. Let it boil, reduce flame let it simmer and then pour it onto a plate and let it set.

Ta-da and there you have it The Book Of Luke! 

Oo for decoration you can do you own handmade icing cover for the books! :)

Commentary:

Its tasted good. Crunchy humor, soft plot, hot male protagonist. In fact really sweet protagonist..a female heroine which results in semi-goop in the Book of Luke platter.Overall the recipe was very plain and not very orignal. Just like the many other cakes, it was version with a little bit of tweaking here and there with a smarter and cooler hero. A variation of flavor by giving fresh background on the characters and their inside stories- for example- Patricia Abbott (Em's mum) fairly unique profession.

I would give it a

 

If you have trouble finding the ingredients, leave me a comment and I will do my best to help you find it! If you have tried out this recipe, tell me what you thought of you. Tell you what, leave me your commentary on the final product in the comments below! Would love to read them! 

Presenting a Read-a-thon brought to you by Amanda! *drumroll*

                

Ooo another Read-a-thon! Remember the last one? Where I only managed to read one (HUGE) book!
Well I will strive for more this time..Since its almost a week or reading..
Amanda over at On a BookBender (like the Air Bender!haha..so cool!) is hosting one from the 22nd August to the 28th of August!
I wont get to ambitious..I will target for 5..but it may go down a little and become a smaller figure..because
a) I have school to attend to
b) I have school work to attend to
c) I am School President, so I have extra work to attend to
d) did i mention school work already?
Soo..I may be a little slow for this one..But since its a Read-a-thon maybe I shall try to squeeze out more time for reading than usual! :D
Thank you so much for hosting Amanda! Do stop by her blog sometime..its pretty cool! :D


_____________________________________________________
(20th August 2011)
Reporting live from the 
Starting line...
I am just going to do all my updates in one post..with the exception of a wrap up post..It keeps thing simple and less apart! :)


Here is the schedule...

8/22 — My Book Boyfriend Matchmaker Challenge and Giveaway, The Unread Reader
…………..Giveaway, Not Now…I’m Reading!

8/23 — BDB 1 and 2 by J.R. Ward Giveaway, Stacey Says and Cyndi Sews (Stacey)
…………..Surprise Giveaway, Tina’s Book Reviews

8/24 — Pick-a-Series Giveaway, Smitten with Reading

8/25 — Pick It Up, then Pile It Up Challenge and Giveaway, Actin’ Up with Books

8/26 — The Book of Lost Souls Giveaway, On a Book Bender
…………..Tea Giveaway and Challenge, 25 Hour Books

8/27 — 1 book from the BD (up to $15) Giveaway, Rain Maiden Jen (On a Book Bender)

8/28 — E-book of Sleepers by Megg Jensen, Creative Deeds

2 more days for the Read-a-thon to kick off..Will think up a tentative list by then...

________________________________________________________________________________

22nd August 2011
Day 1
The actual read-a-thon flip off (haha..get it? :P)


I read 

I hoped to finish it by the end of today! I probably will by tomorrow morning! :)


Today's events were:
 a Challenge hosted by Missie over at the Unread Reader- which was really hard, so i didn't participate! :( 
a Giveaway hosted by  Jen D over at Not now..I'm Reading!- the books were not my cup of tea..so no sign ups there either! double :(


How was you Day 1? 
___________________________________________________________________________

23rd August 2011

Day 2

Flipping pages continues..Some of us are probably closing a novel and moving onto a new beginning....

I finished Stillwatch! :D *happy jig*

And I am targeting to finish the Great Gatsby by tomorrow! I was already reading this one from before the read-a-thon and decided to put it on my list and finish it up once and for all! 

So 1 down 4 to go from my target of 5

Today's events:

2 Giveaways 

1 by Stacey Says and Cindi Sews

"Now down to business, I was lucky enough to win the first 2 Black Dagger Brotherhood books by JR Ward from Tara @ 25 Hour Books and now I’ve enjoyed and want to share with you!  Winning is simple answer one question,..."

2 by Tina's Book Reviews

"Well my little read-a-thon lovelies today Im offering one lucky winner an array of choices to grace your reading shelves. The goods= four choices from a bundle of books. The rules: You only need to be participating in the Bout of Books Read-a-thon and you have to leave a comment. Giveaway ends at 11:59 tonight and the winner will be able to pick from these prizes."

Okay now here is a little thing I've thought of for Day 4..It isn't part of the schedule, but just to get interacting..I would like to include little quotes from each of you all for my Day 4 post! Sooo It would be cool if you guys emailed (id is on the Story of Us page (top, right hand corner) me a couple of lines on your progress and read-a-thon progress! Basically anything read-a-thon related, even a quick shout out would be cool! 

I know its quicker to leave me a comment but the whole purpose of doing it specifically for Day 4 would be lost. So you have a day to get in touch with me!

Looking forward to your emails! :D


_________________________________________________________
24th August 2011
Day 3 
*stretch out a bit* Refill coffee mug..get comfortable again..Pick up next novel...



I finished The Great Gatsby!! WOW! 
I am so proud of myself, I haven't read this fast in a long time! 
Hehe!
2 down 5 to go!


Today's event:
Pick a Series Giveaway hosted by Christi Snow at Smitten With Reading



I finished the today's book in one sitting (at least the last half) waiting for my appointment with the school director..! *grin*


How was your Day 3? 


_______________________________________________________


25th August 2011
*close novel 3 with deep sigh* rubs eyes..catch a quick nap..resume reading book 4...





I finished Brighter Than the Sun..ahh so I do have it in me to finish a book in half a day!
3 down 2 go! Target 5
Status: Lazy day..curled up in bed and read the whole day instead of writing essays that are due soon..hehe


Today's event:


Actin' Up with Books is hosting Pick it Up, Then Pile it Up Challenge Giveaway
The fun-est giveaway ever! Since its require picture taking I will delay my entry by a day perhaps, because I need to stack up my pile and do a photoshoot..hehe! You HAVE to stop by her blog! :D




"Many of us joined the Bout of Books Read-a-thon because our To Be Read piles are Out Of Control. We see books we want, we pick them up, then we pile them up to be read one day -- some day."


I am saddened to inform you that nobody got in touch with me..So no quotes..*deep sigh*
How was your Day 4?


____________________________________________________


26th August 2011
Day 5 


*yawns*....sips coffee...*falls asleep with exhaustion*...wakes up..Still on book 4


Yess..today I didn't manage to finish a book, not even SVU..
I know I know..Had a super busy day...celebrating friend's B'day, no time to read. But I am on schedule..If I finish SVU...which I probably will by tomorrow, then I am 1 book away from target with a day to spare for Book 5.. :D


My day was long, fun and now I am tired. Didn't manage to much reading, just quick snatches during meal times. hehe


Status: 3 books down 2 to go.


What is the scene with you Read-a-thon pile? O.o

Day 15- Your favorite male character

Day 15- Favorite male character! 

OMG! This is one made me do cartwheels of joy across the universe (in my head).

the answer is very obvious, I am practically married to the guy!-(Kiwi Ivashkov nee Fruit).

I bet most of you have figured it out..for those of you who have not..

Here is 

Hint#1

Hint# 2

and to emphasize my point and a Hint#3..

You got it (by now you should have!)

Its is 

*drumroll*

Adrian Ivashkov 
from the Vampire Academy series

Why him?

He has stylishly messy brown hair

Emerald Green eyes

High Cheek bone 

Height- 6'2-'4 (I <3 tall guys!)

He is a spirit user ( a technical term from the series) and he has the ability to "walk into dreams"!!!

and he gets even hotter..

"I totally ruled high school. I was worshipped and adored- not that that should come as a shock"

- Adrian (Blood Promise)

“I’m like a fine wine. I get better with age. The best is yet to come.”
- Adrian Ivashkov (Blood Promise)

Adrian: “And, I can visit people in their dreams.”
Christian: “Stop. I can feel there’s a comment coming on about how women already dream about you. I just ate, you know."
- Adrian Ivashkov & Christian Ozera (Blood Promise)

Day 14- A favorite book of your favorite author

*sigh* I know I know, so sorry been behind schedule for several days and I am trying super hard not to make a habit out of it. But the silly internet keeps conking and then when it does come back I don't have time to type a post (not even a quick one! :/)

So after quite a gap presenting...

Day 14- A Favorite Book of Your Favorite Author

Each one of his works are unique. The only things that binds them is their unique nature! So this was a super tough decision... 

Its a stand alone and it funny! 

Sirius Black! (need i say more..)

Adrian Ivashkov ( I repeat need I say more..?)

 the first I read of her works and it was an instant hit! :D

The rest- Sonya Hartnett and Tolkein, I have read only one of their many books. So I will not make this judgement on them until I have! 

Where is your list?

I feel awfully sad that there are no other answers to this questions. 14 days down and not a single participant, not even a one day meme post..*sigh* 

Did someone say Edible Books?

I know that is a HUGE image! But look at it- Food (chocolate)+ Books= the ultimate combo!

Beth over at Hungry Happenings, concocted a beautiful set of edible books!

The picture on BookNoise lead me to Hungry Happenings, where Beth has provided a recipe for this beauty! Ha! Its not even a trade secret and neither is it a photoshop-ed dream "come true". *chuckles*

The recipe for edible books seems fairly foolproof, she has tutorials on melting the chocolate in the right way and troubleshooting if you own version becomes a mess (isn't she a darling!). So her recipe is (almost) foolproof too!! I think I am going to attempt to make it once I am through ogling and praising Amazing Beth (P.S. Ogling the edible books I mean!)! If you have made it or are planning to make it..do not forget to leave me a link to the result of your attempt! Or even just shoot me an email, i would love to know how it turned out for you. I mean it! :)

Day 13- Your Favorite Author(s)

Day 13- Your Favorite Author(s)

Ahhh! I have a a list for this one..

Sonya Hartnett for her amazing skills in Surrender

Frank Cottrell Boyce for humorous and absurdly engaging story line

Julia Quinn- for her 18th century romance

Holly Schindler for her poetic stories

Richelle Mead for the Vampire Academy! (what more can one say..*sigh*)

J.K. Rowling (for the most imaginative work of fantasy series) 

and my new favorite

*drumroll*

wait for it..

J.R.R Tolkein!!!!

(I just finished The Hobbit and I loved it so much..will tell you more in my (upcoming) review)

Day 12- A book you fell Out of love from or is it with?..

Day 12- A book you used to love but don't love anymore

This question is an awful hard one, it like talking about past boyfriends or friends you "loved before and don't anymore"

The question made me sad, because I love the books i read (not neccesarily for they stories but just for being books I love them all).

At some point I LOVED the Shopaholic Series and found it brilliantly hilarious. I got back to the series (several) months later...possibly a year now and its not so brilliantly hilarious...just hilarious.

Here is the book I fell out of love from...:(

Day 11- A Book you Hated!

Day 11 – A book you hated

"Hate" is a strong word as many adults would say! LOL...but i do believe in that strong word theory..I avoid using it seriously..so same for books..I can't hate a book..I just can't..

Pity evokes in my even if a try..How is that for strange? 

After some thought, I decided to choose Meg Cabot's All American Girl for a book I "hated"

The book had a terrible story line, which hardly had any point to it. The only thing that soothed the sores (after reading) were the mildly like-able characters( as opposed to the plot).

From the start to finish I winced throughout the book. And this is apparently the second in a series..(Imagine the horror in the first and next?)

Ok nuf thrashing.. It was a book I "hated".(period.)

Quick review Equations

   

 Sex+ Drugs+Rock n Roll =the 60's

This is a memoir written by Jenny Diski, who was a young carefree youth enjoying the Swinging Sixties. I've always had a fascination for that era! I don't usually read "serious" books like Biographies, Autobiographies or memoirs of any sort but this was an exception. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would totally recommend this if your into History and the Swinging sixties.

 

For

Humor- 1  Engaging read-2 Fascinating information-1

    

Mama Ramotswe+ the Kalhari+ bizzare cases+ white van+ inherited money= The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency

This was a recommended to me by my friend's mum! It was a fun read written in fairly simple diction, it almost seemed patronizing.It had a lot of hidden parable type messages with most of the cases based on moral (subtly). I took a long time to finish it because it was a slow read, nothing gripping about..it was like a leisure walk. Read it of your into African fiction and are looking for a breezy read, one with minimal exertions.

For

Interesting characters- 1 and breezy storyline - 1

Captain Holly Short (fairy elf)+ Artemis Fowl (12 year old criminal master mind)+ Butler (huge bodyguard)+ Cunning evil pixie = The Opal Deception

This middle grade novel is such a cute read! I find Artemis Fowl a very exciting read which never fails to engage me. I would recommed this if your into middle grade fantasy novels and 12 year old masterminds! :)

For

Being Artemis Fowl-2 intelligent and exciting-1 super plot-1

Mates (best buds)+ Dates (cute boys)+ Inflatable bras(for the poorly boobed)+ tween crisis on self-esteem and image= Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras

This too was a cute read. I thought it was a YA at first but it turned out to be middle grade. It was hilarious and had an engaging story.

For 

Super title (very attention grabbing)- 2 Fun story- 1

  

Artemis Fowl+ Holly Short+ Butler+ time unravelling and shooting out demons+ warlocks+ female mastermind (winks)= The Lost colony

Artemis Fowl again. A series I keep up with regularly! This one also had an engaging plot which kept me hooked! 

For

Being Artemis Fowl-2 intelligent and exciting-1 super plot-1 (AGAIN! thats how good it is!)

  

Al Queda operation to foil+ intelligence agencies+ super clever spies+ danger,guns, bombs and other nasties= The Afghan

This recommended to me by my Blogger buddy- Halinor. It was an okay read with an okay plot and an okay setting. It had the typical thriller and i-am-smarter-than-you-suspicious air to it! The story was good enough to engage me! A recommendation if your into the Al Queda and undercover missions!

For 

being okay-1 engaging enough to finish it-1 

Mysterious plague+4 scientist encaged in an underground facility+ scientific jargon+ suspicious and secretive government activity= the Andromeda Strain

I like science related fiction. I find it quite fascinating with all the explanations. I don't love it by I like reading them occasionally. I always make it a point to read a Crichton once in a while. This was thrilling and actually quite exciting. The discovery and plot development was slow but had suspense and thrilled me! 

For

Being a Crichton-1 science explanation-1 Suspense and Thrill-1

Sequel to P&P+ free thinking Mary Bennet+ "revolutionary" Mr Angus+ Highway men+Mr Darcy= The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet.

The fact that it was a sequel (and always sat in the same place on the library shelf every time I went) made me pick this one up! It was a sore disappointment. It totally thrashed Pride and Prejudice and all its characters and all that trouble Jane Austen put into it! The idea that Mary gets a life is all very well but there was no need to thrash Mr Darcy and the rest of the Bennet family. The book made me detest P&P for a while and  made me cross. The story had an irrelevant addition of "adventure" which made the book so much more sillier!

I am not to sure of whether I would recommend it all, but after this review if your curious to judge for yourself then go ahead!

(no fingers for being a disappointment)

but the digit for

Being a sequel and giving Mary a lover- 1