My life in pictures and a few words |

Quick Review: The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone

// March 3rd, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

I read about this on the Pop Candy blog on the USA Today website. It sounded fun and similar to books I liked when I was a kid. Here is the synopsis from the author’s website:

Almost everybody who has grown up in Chicago knows about the Thorne Rooms. Housed deep within the Art Institute of Chicago, they are a collection of sixty-eight exquisite – almost eerily realistic miniature rooms. Each of the rooms is designed in the style of a different time and place, and every detail is perfect, from the knobs on the doors to the candles in the candlesticks. Some might even say the rooms are magical.

Imagine… what if, on a field trip, you discovered a key that allowed you to shrink so that you were small enough to sneak inside and explore the rooms’ secrets? What if you discovered that others had done so before you? And that someone had left something important behind?

Ruthie Stewart and Jack Tucker are best friends in sixth grade. Ruthie has the feeling that nothing exciting ever happens in her life, while Jack experiences every day as an adventure. The Sixty-Eight Rooms is the story of an adventure they have together. It starts with a field trip and ends with…well, Ruthie will never say “nothing exciting ever happens” again!

If you love fantasy and adventure and magic, with a little mystery-solving thrown in, The Sixty-Eight Rooms will be a book you can’t put down.

Overall, I thought this was a cute book. From the Pop Candy blog post I thought it would be a YA story, but it’s a kid book (Ruthie and Jack are in 6th grade). Some of the writing was a bit awkward (especially some of the dialogue between Ruthie and Jack). It took awhile for the story to get to the part where they shrink and go into the rooms. It would have been nice to explore more than 4 or 5 rooms with Ruthie and Jack. Prior to this book I hadn’t heard of the Thorne Rooms. Now, I can’t wait to research more about them. If I ever get to Chicago I’ll have to check them out.

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Quick Review: Shopaholic & Baby

// February 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

Last night I finished the final (or at least I think it’s the final) book in the Shopaholic series, Shopaholic & Baby. Here is the synopsis from the author’s website:

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is pregnant! She couldn’t be more overjoyed–especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery . . . to the latest, coolest pram . . . to the celebrity, must-have obstetrician.

But when the celebrity obstetrician turns out to be her husband Luke’s glamorous, intellectual ex-girlfriend, Becky’s perfect world starts to crumble. She’s shopping for two . . . but are there three in her marriage?

This final book is a fun, easy read that wraps up the series nicely. Becky gets into all of the trouble you would expect. If you’ve never read any of the books and have seen the movie I say forget you saw the movie and pick up the books. Becky Bloomwood is a fantastic character. She is a little obsessed, fanatical, and spontaneous, but always well intentioned. I think my mind works a bit like hers. So if you want to some insight to how I think… get to know her. ;)

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Quick Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

// February 23rd, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Books

I recently read Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (it is the February pick for the With A Good Book book club). Here is synopsis from the author’s website:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

I really enjoyed Shiver. The chapters alternate telling the story from both Grace and Sam’s point of view. I liked this style of storytelling because it allowed me to get to know both of them well. Since this story involves teenagers and werewolves I couldn’t help but think of Twilight while I was reading it. Bella always made me want to punch her in the face… Grace never made me feel that way. How can you not give it a try?

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2010 Reading Challenge

// February 9th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Books

Since I have a goal of 50 books to read this year I knew I would to do second challenge to go along with the YA Challenge I’m already participating in. I want to expand the types of books I read and I think this challenge will do just that. The challenge is being hosted by Bart’s Bookshelf. I’ll add the books as I read them. If you have any suggestions please let me know in the comments.

TwentyTen Reading Challenge

The aim is to read a total 20 books, over ten categories, in 2010. (Was this challenge based solely around the name? I’ll let you decide!)

Rules:

Read 2 books from each category, making a requirement of 20 books total.
The categories are intended to be loose guidelines only, if you decide it fits, then it fits. (Apart from those marked **)
Categories marked with ** have tighter rules, and these must be followed.
Each book can only qualify for one category.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
Books read from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2010 are eligible.

So, on with the categories:

Young Adult: Any book classified as young adult or featuring a teenage protagonist counts for this category.
1. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Feb 21)
2.

T.B.R.: ** Intended to help reduce the old T.B.R. pile. Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/11/09.
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2.

Shiny & New: Bought a book NEW during 2010 from a bookstore, online, or a supermarket? Then it counts for this category. Second-hand books do not count for this one, but, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts or won in a giveaway also count!
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Bad Blogger’s: ** Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book ago).
**Bad Bloggers: Is hosted by Chris of Stuff as Dreams are Made on.
1. The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone (Mar 2)
2.

Charity: Support your local charity shops with this category, by picking up books from one of their shops. Again, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts also count, as long as they were bought from a charity shop.
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New in 2010: This category is for those books newly published in 2010 (whether it be the first time it is has been released, or you had to wait for it to be published in your country, it counts for this one!)
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Older Than You: Read two books that were published before you were born, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior!
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Win! Win!: Have a couple of books you need to read for another challenge? Then this is the category to use, as long that is, you don’t break the rules of the other challenge by doing so!
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Who Are You Again?: This one isn’t just for authors you’ve never read before, this is for those authors you have never even heard of before!
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Up to You!: The requirements for this category are up to you! Want to challenge yourself to read some graphic novels? A genre outside your comfort zone? Something completely wild and wacky? Then this is the category to you. The only requirement is that you state it in your sign-up post.
- I’m going along with the first example of graphic novels since I’ve never fully read one. (I started Watchmen, but didn’t finish it.)
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2010 Read List

// February 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Books

I think I read more books than I realize in 2009 so I decided to keep track this year. I set a goal of 50 books for the year. I’m curious to see how close I can get to that goal. The list is in the order that I read the books. If I wrote a quick review of the book the title is linked to it. Wish me luck!

10. Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot (Mar 8)
9. The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone (Mar 2)
8. Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella (Feb 23)
7. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Feb 21)
6. The Straight Road to Kylie by Nico Medina (Feb 11)
5. Shopaholic & Sister by Sophie Kinsella (Feb 6)
4. Specials by Scott Westerfeld (Feb 3)
3. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (Jan 31)
2. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Jan 19)
1. Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison (Jan 8)

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2010 YA Reading Challenge

// February 3rd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Books

I’ve decided to participate in my first reading challenge. I found out about this from Jody at With A Good Book. The challenge is being hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog. The rules are pretty simple:

1. Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate.
2. There are four levels:
–The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
–Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.
–Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.
–Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.
3. Audio, eBooks, re-reads all count.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

I’m going to do the Mini YA Challenge. Some titles are linked to a quick review of the book.

1. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Jan 19)
2. Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (Jan 31)
3. Specials by Scott Westerfeld (Feb 3)
4. The Straight Road to Kylie by Nico Medina (Feb 11)
5. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Feb 21)
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Mickey’s Halloween Treat

// November 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

A few years ago Disney started holding a Halloween event at DCA (Disney’s California Adventure for those of you not familiar with the lingo). The park closes early and re-opens for a special event, Mickey’s Halloween Treat. It’s a chance for kids to dress up in their Halloween costumes and go trick or treating in a fun, safe, Disney environment. I attended the event for the first time this year. I met up with some of my friends (past Disney co-workers) and did a little trick or treating myself! I thought only kids dressed up, but as you can see adults got into the fun too. I thought this costume was really neat, but they wouldn’t stand still enough for me to get a good picture.
DCA Halloween

If I go again I will dress up for sure.

Here are some shots of DCA decorated for Halloween.
Tower of Terror
The Tower of Terror

Hyperion Theatre
A cobweb infested Hyperion Theatre

Paradise Pier

The two cuties who inspired the trip:
Woody
Woody

Little Bo Peep

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Happy Halloween

// October 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

I saw this video on Tumblr and thought it was the perfect Halloween video. I hope you have ghoulish plans for the evening. I’ll be getting dressed up and roaming the streets of West Hollywood looking at some great costumes.

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Glee Single Ladies Clip

// September 24th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Uncategorized

Last night’s episode of Glee was awesome. I loved this opening clip so much I decided to post it here so I, and you, can watch it over and over again.