Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

14 March 2013

Familiar, Yet Better







Title: On an Edge of Glass
Author: Autumn Doughton
Published: March 9, 2013
Source: Amazon
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Review: 


You can’t plan for everything…

That’s what Ellie Glass realizes after she has a chance encounter with a young musician. Long-haired, a bit scruffy, and undeniably sexy, he’s the exact opposite of her “type,” but now Ellie can’t stop thinking about him. When fate intervenes and the two are thrown together, Ellie gets more than she bargained for. Pretty soon she finds herself feeling and doing things that she never thought were possible. 
This is the captivating story of an undeniable attraction, the choices that we make, and ultimately, the unexpected power of love





The best things in life are free.


Indeed, I got On an Edge of Glass for FREE at Amazon.

Oh yes, Ms. Autumn Doughton did it again!

And as I have expected - it was awesome. Okay, a little bit cliche, with a plot that I have read a couple of times out of a YA cover, but Ms. Doughton can spin magic out of it. She writes in a way as if  readers can find it familiar but somehow, better and a little bit different than usual.


Why pursuing anything with Ben is a bad idea? -Ellie
1. He's not my type. He's scruffy, whereas I'm put together. I wear cardigans for God's sake. I think that effectively blocks me from being allowed to date musicians
2. Ben is my roommate
3. I made a pact with Payton and Ainsley. I made the two of them promise that they wouldn't go after Ben, regardless of how tempting he turned out to be. That has to stand for something

Character Profile


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Name: Elizabeth Jane Glass or Ellie 
Qualities: Intelligent, talented photographer, type-A personality (obsessed with plans), a very good friend, not-so-good communication skills.
Current Activities: Reviewing for LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
Future Plans: Ace LSAT, go to NY for summer internship, go to Columbia for law (like her parents), and join her parent's practice as a corporate lawyer - whew! big plans!!
Roomies: Payton and Ainsley
What I love/hate about her: she's a dear, a great friend, someone who loves to plan things ahead,like I do but she can also be a pain in the a**, especially when she runs away from something without confronting it, she could be intelligent but when it comes to the matters of the heart - she's going to fail without a doubt.


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Name: Benjamin Hamilton or Ben Profile: tall, dark, handsome, lankyCurrent Activities: he's proficient on three instruments, plays cello at the university, bassist for a local indie bandFuture plans: going for auditioning for several orchestra placementsCurrent Address: apparently, he's Ellie's new roomie!What I love/hate about him: I'd say he's a total boyfriend material: he's sweet, doesn't do drugs, doesn't have dirty secrets, no big family drama, isn't a womanizer (although anyone can fall at his feet, esp groupies). I find him cute especially when he turns shy, he's witty, has a heart that's ready to love and honest with his feelings (at first), but of course what more can you take when the girl you wanted the most won't give you a chance to explain?Favorite Scenes1.) On the doorstep: Ellie and Mark were talking about they boy she met on a coffee shop, and here was the boy coming on their way.
Ben
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Ellie: 
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Mark: 
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2) The Lunch with Dad - it was so funny, it's like watching Ellie shrinking into her sit with all those funny stories her dad was sharing with Ben from her youth. I was glad that her dad instantly liked Ben as well. Even though her father only appeared a couple of times in this book - he projected a kind, and understanding father who's willing to support her daughter whatever her decisions are. (The way Ellie was trying so hard with the exams- I thought her parents were very strict and wanted nothing but excellence for their daughter - but it was the exact opposite!)

Favorite Characters
How can I not adore Mark he's the gay best friend who's uber-loyal to Ellie but won't take any sh*t coming from her. He's her number 1 fan and critic, he's honest with her and points out what exactly he sees and best of all, he's there when he's needed. He's super fun and I couldn't help but laugh when he comes in the picture.

Asher - just a little bit of him on a chapter and I totally want to get to know Ben's younger brother more. Unlike Ben who seems to be shy and simple, his younger brother is cocky, and plays lacrosse and baseball. Oh yes, he could be a great main character in the making, wouldn’t you say so, Ms. Autumn? :)

Roomies: Payton and Ainsley, besides Mark, they were Ellie's best friend. They wanted Ellie to have fun instead of burying herself in piles of LSAT reviewers, they encourage her to go out, have fun and date. They were very, very understanding when the truth finally revealed itself.

Final Words: I had a grand time reading this novel, it was short with just enough angst, drama and comedy to complete my day. Yes, our dear Ellie frustrates me, and I would have strangled her if she were a true human being, and I would have love to read what was going on inside Ben's mind. Going to recommend it to friends who love a feel-good, not-so-emotionally-draining, amazing book. And yes, I will patiently wait for the next Autumn Doughton novel.

Let me give you that hug again:
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THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH!

“Happiness isn't something that you plan for. It comes knocking unexpectedly, just like opportunity. And it's up to you to answer the door and invite it inside.” 

“I love you back - in a big and epic way.” 

“Insecurity is like a net, and I let it catch me.” 

“I'm being fair, it was the best kiss of my life- a kiss that finds all your seams and pulls them apart, stitch by detail stitch.” 

“I can assure you that a kiss under the influence does not equal long-lasting romance.” 

“Crushes are for fourteen year olds. Ellie, I would describe what's happening to you as falling.” 

“This is no shy, just-between-friends kiss. This is a kiss unlike any that I've ever had. It's the kiss of a hundred thumping kick drums, a raging earthquake.” 

“But, here's a sad fact: perfect isn't meant to be. When you aim for perfect, you just wind up ruined.” 

“Sometimes things don't work out like we plan. Like, maybe life has other things in mind.” 

“Here's what I think: it's one thing to know that rejection is coming, and it's an entirely different thing when it arrives.” 

“He looks at you like you're the only person in the room. Like he's trapped underwater and you're an oxygen tank. Like he's in anaphylactic shock and you're an EpiPen.” 

“Life is unpredictable and it doesn't follow a map.” 

“Look, haven't you ever heard that musicians play from the heart? Well, I can't be expected to play in California when my heart's over two thousand miles away.” 

“I guess, sometimes the most inexplicable things end up being the ones that work the best.” 


Photo grabbed from Amazon
Autumn Doughton

 My first love is reading. My second love is pizza.

Currently, I live in Gainesville, Florida and I write books. Fun books for you, and your sister, and your best friend, and your hair dresser, etc. I think of writing as a sort of therapy, and the results tend to be feel-good odes to my lost youth, which is exactly how I like it.

When I'm not working or chasing after my two daughters, two dogs, two cats, three ducks and one lovely husband, I can be found skulking around the movie theater or local bookseller. Generally with chocolate somewhere on my person because I never leave home without a treat.

follow her: goodreads



♥.♥.♥




23 December 2012

Book Review: My Only

by N.K. Smith

Review: 4/5

Adam and Aaron are twins - but like any other twins, they are so different from each other. Aaron is the jock of the two. He's an athlete, a sociable person and everybody likes him - especially girls. On the other hand, Adam, oh Adam. He's the geek in the pair, he's a member of the band where he excels as one of the rhythm drummers. He's silent, and has little friends. These two are way to different from each other, but they have a bond. They were close and they truly love each other. Their mother died giving birth to them, and it was only their father who served as both mom and dad.

Then Olivia came along - she's sweet, and pretty hot. She has this aura of a girl who lives her life each day at a time, looking at the positivity of life rather than the negativity of it. Who wouldn't be attracted to her, right? Adam saw her first - dancing on her window from across his room.

“Well maybe if you’d had the balls to actually ask her out, none of this would have happened!”

My sentiments exactly.

Aaron already gave him the chance to be the one to ask her first but...

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All you have to do is ask her Adam! Just ASK HER! But he's too shy.

Olivia was just too good to be true, and like the old adage runs: (view spoiler) :) Nevertheless, this was a great story of friendship, brotherhood, living life, finding and losing love and lastly, moving on. It teaches us that yes, we need to grab every opportunity we get because it may never knock on our doors again, or if we delay accepting it - we may not have enough time in the world to enjoy it.

After I read the book, this is what I told myself:

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But still, My Only was...
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Oh it is. I'd recommend it to friends who likes:
1) A boy's POV.
2) Twins with different personalities
3) Free-spirited girl who's torn between two boys
4) Cry ( I admit, I didn't, but was just close to...)

Favorite Quotes:

  • “Passion was something pure and indescribable - something one could see without being told.”
  • “Listen, life’s too short to let sadness overpower you for long periods of time. Like you said, ‘Everyone dies.’ I felt my emotions, cried my tears, and then came to peace about it. You don’t ever ‘get over’ something like that,” she said, adding air quotes. “Al you can do is embrace the experience and do your best to go on.” 

Follow me :
Twitter : @nursechucha
or be my friend on GoodReads


    

29 February 2012

Book Review: Amplified

Amplified

Book Details
Author: Tara Kelly
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (October 25, 2011)

Summary:
When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . 

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

Review:
Rating: 4/5

Amplified tells a story about a 17-year old girl, Jasmine Kiss (that’s the name) who needs a break from school so opted to defer her studies (in Stanford) to pursue a musical career. Since her father could not fathom the logic of her decision, he dad kicked her out of the house.

After being sheltered all her life, Jasmine found herself with her car (already broken), homeless, no job and a small amount of her savings. When she stumbled on a perfect ad for a house, she dives for it. Once she got there, Jasmine needs to prove herself first that she could really play and if she’s willing to share a house with three other guys who are in a band.

The guys are part of the band who called themselves C-Side. There’s the leader of the band who also plays the drums, Bryn. Felix whose hair is blue, he plays the keyboards and lastly Veta, the lead singer of the group and became closest to Jasmine. Lastly there’s Clover aka Sam, who plays the bass.

Primarily Sean and Jasmine didn’t get along. I like Sean, and I think he’s almost tangible and existent. There is only one thing wrong with this guy – HE IS SO NOT OVER HIS EX! This makes the love angle of this story quite interesting, especially when this EX is bitchy and wants to get back with him.

Aside from the EX, I really didn’t like her father and I wish there was a conclusion to their fight. Yes, he was an ass for letting go of Jasmine and not supporting her decisions. He doesn’t even call her when she doesn’t initiate. I wish there was an enlightening in their relationship before the story concluded.

I love her best friend, Jason, he may be far away but at least he kept the communication going and asks about her well-being. He is really sweet, although he rarely pops out of the story, and everything through phone. It would’ve been really nice if he showed up.

I like that Amplified is gay-sensitive/friendly. Jason and Veta are gay and it was pointed out nonchalantly like its just normal – which is definitely reality. It’s just amazing!

The ending – okay, I didn’t expect it. There are things I wanted answers and conclusions, but nevertheless, it was satisfactory. It was almost open-ended with a glimmer of hope. Over all, I love reading Amplified and I would recommend this to friends who (a) loves music (b) wants to pursue their dreams (c) cannot move on from their relationships.

Favorite Quotes
"I really wanted something, giving myself permission to screw up wasn't an option"

"He'd probably spent as much time practicing scales as he had jacking off."

"First loves can fuck you up."
ChuCha

04 February 2012

Book Review: Shrinking Violet



Book Details

Author: Danielle Joseph
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 314 KB
Publisher: MTV Books; Original edition (May 5, 2009)

Book Summary

High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. 
But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out - doing mock broadcasts for Miami's hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T - and to everyone's shock, she's a hit! 
Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ's awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest -- and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize - Sweet T's dream could turn into Tere's worst nightmare...

Book Review

Rating: 4/5

ShrinkingViolet had me just looking at the book cover – as the old adage goes: do not judge the book by its cover. But trust me, the story is just as good as its façade.

Why?

There are the characters. Teresa Adams or Tere is painfully shy. Of course, we have encountered such people in high school (or even in the universities). Her shyness is almost weird and people in her class or in school would just assume that either she’s mute or won’t speak at all. The only time she’s practicing her speech skills is inside the comforts of her room – alone, playing-DJ to the music in her Ipod playlist. She has the knack and passion for music. She’s one of those characters who deserved a happy ending.

Her mother – is really overbearing. I really hated her in the beginning because: aren’t moms supposed to love their child despite of anything? I wanted her to support whatever Tere wanted, but she doesn’t seem to believe in Tere’s capability. However, in the end, she redeemed herself (although people really can’t change 180 in a blink of an eye) – which makes her mom seems to be more real.

Her stepdad, whom I adore. Although I really didn’t appreciate the entire PDA in the midst of children (anyone below 18). Nevertheless, he believed in Tere compared to her mom and gave her the opportunity to finally make her dreams come true. He owns the radio station where he let Tere worked as a DJ.

There’s Gavin who’s also an interesting character with his Goth look and penchant for music.         

The Plot. I love how the characters developed, especially Tere. How her character actually bloomed and changed all throughout the book. Her change didn’t happen in a day, which I really appreciated. It was a step-by-step process which finally culminated on prom night. Although the plot was predictable (which is why I have given it a 4 instead of 5), still it the story was still pretty amazing. Tere and Gavin’s relationship was nicely written – it ended as what I have expected but it didn’t really matter because their story was not rushed, and gradually fell in to place.        

For a first novel, Danielle Joseph made an amazing sweet and short read. Shrinking Violet may have a predictable plot – but the words, the scenes, the characters will keep you on the hook. The author makes sure that everything is flawlessly real and the readers can very much relate to. The gradual transformation of Tere from someone who’s really shy to a lady with confidence is really heartwarming. 

Favorite Quotes

“Cake is for the weak,” Mom always says. Funny, I thought it was for birthdays.

ChuCha