April 28, 2011

Review of Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman


My Second book from my library spree was a very short, sort of tween novel. But I loved it. It's about a girl who obsesses over different interests, and one of these is Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". But it's not really about that girl. It's about her friend, and her emotional struggle with the teenage drama that comes up. And her desire to be loyal to her good friend, but also to be happy. It was a quick, easy, and relate-able read. I love anything Jane Austen, and I love that it didn't dwell so much on the book, but on the characters of Shulman's own story. It was a very sweet teen romance. And I'd recommend it for anyone who likes Jane.

April 24, 2011

Music My Love....

Yes, you don't see me for months, and I post twice in the same day! Shocking...

But I have a lot of time, and a lot of interesting things to share. Namely music. I love music so much. And I'm going through an odd stage. More of a European music stage. I truly love it. So unique and different from American junk.

The first of these artists is English Ellie Goulding. She's a 24 year old singer-songwriter. I love her sound, some really catchy songs, and some really beautiful lyrics.

"Under The Sheets"

"The End"


The Foals are an English band from Oxford. They play some hauntingly beautiful music. And I love the sound of his voice in contrast with the music playing. I love bands like them that get together and make creative and unusual music.

"Spanish Sahara"

"Blue Blood"


Amy MacDonald is another singer songwriter, but she is from Scotland. I love listening to people with accents sing. It's so strange and foreign, and yet so similar. It's amazing how sometimes you can't tell, and sometimes it's so evident. It fascinates me, and makes me wish I had an accent. Hers is especially strong when she talks, but not always in her songs. I love her, and the way she does her eyeliner is incredible.

"Run"

"Don't Tell Me That It's Over"


The Veronicas have long been a favorite of mine. They are two twins from Australia who make amazingly catchy and relatable music. I don't know what it is about musicians from across the pond, but they truly feel things strongly and express them amazingly.

"Revenge Is Sweeter(Than You Ever Were)"

"All I Have"


The Script is from Ireland and I love love love "for the first time" it moves me...

"For The First Time"


Adele is another English singer-songwriter. She has an incredible voice. And through it she makes you feel emotions. She sings songs that hit so close to home, and bring up old memories and feelings. Her lyrics are beautiful and so spectacular.

"Rolling In The Deep"

"Don't You Remember"

Review of Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry


Recently I realized what a hole I've had in my life these past few months. So, I dug up my old library card and a few blogs I used to check constantly for updates of things to read. One of the books on this list was Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry.

It was a fast, easy read, set in a fictional land. The characters were likeable, the romance just enough, but it was nothing spectacular. The plot was a little slow, and predictable, open for a sequel. Typical. There was nothing particularly wrong with the book. It was just the same as any other sort of fairytale-type book, only less creative. The "magic" was not really magic and the myths were underdeveloped. The scene where she walks down the isle as the Princess's bridesmaid is strange, because she details the depiction of Moses, Adam and Eve, and other Biblical characters. Kind of strange in the middle of a mythical kingdom.

All and all it was a decent book. I now have one down, and four to go!