Saturday, February 26, 2011

My Most Read Authors



I've seen some other blogs do this post and I was curious, so I looked up my most read authors on Goodreads and decided to share it with you all!!

14 books
11 books
11 books
10 books

8 books

Song Stuck In My Head Saturday (13)




Love this song!! And my real name is Kisha(key-shuh) and that's one of my nicknames at school-besides Keyshia Cole- so I usually don't like Ke$ha but I do love this song.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

So I Kinda Messed Up My Post Scheduling Yesterday



My Discussion Wednesday was supposed to go up yesterday but it didn't :-( And I don't want to post it now because it's Thursday. It'd be a little weird to me. So I thought I'd just have a discussion.......

So I reviewed Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison and loved it! It was such a great, well-written book. I wanted to talk about some review I've read of this book. Some people say the love triangle between Beth, Derek, and Scott is too convenient and that Derek is an Edward and Beth is a Bella. No way. I love Twilight, but Bella was a little bit...manipulated by Edward. But Beth is not that girl. She's strong, espically because she's survived being teased and humiliated because of her looks. I don't know how anyone can say she's a girly, teenage heroine. And Derek does seem, justa little bit toward the middle-end of the book, controlling but once you learnt he truth of his illness you see why he acted that way. I have complete support for both of them!

Scott. Oh, Scottie. I loved him also, but I did have a few problems with him. First, he supposedly loves Beth. Okay. But he doesn't tell her until she comes back and I know he was probably humilated because she turned him down like it was nothing so many times but really. I think if I wasn't biased, because I'm having teenage-boy troubles, I would've like Scott a little bit more but he was only acting that way because he was jealous. I did think highly of him though for stcking with Beth through her "Beast" phase but I don't understand why he was so upset when she started to change. Because she was unhappy? He was afraid he'd lose her? I don't know...

Lastly, the neding. So so so sad. I loved Beth and Derek together and I was so sad and upset when she ended up with Scott and said they could be together because of him....It just seemed twisted and wrong somehow.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Quick Interview with the Reigning Queen of YA Romance: Simone Elkeles!!!



Let me just say, I LOVE Simone Elkeles. The first book I read by her was How To Ruin A Summer Vacation and I've been hooked on her ever since. Everyone of her books are romantic and real but also have their own story. Without further ado.......the interview:

So, pretend we're in school and have to do one of those annoying ice-breakers, what are a few things you'd tell us to get to know you better?
I was never that fond of those ice-breakers, but it wasn't because I was shy. "Shy" is one word that definitely does NOT describe me! I am a mom of 2 incredible kids and I love watching their hockey games! I live in the Chicago area (and have lived there for most of my life) which is why most of my novels are set in Chicago. Speaking of books, I am the author of 7 young adult novels (Perfect Chemistry, Rules of Attraction, Leaving Paradise, Return to Paradise, and the How to Ruin Series). Two of the most exciting moments in my life were when I found out that Rules of Attraction and Return to Paradise had hit the New York Times Bestseller list!


I hate those ice-breakers too!! But mostly because I am a little shy. Are you a full-time writer or do you have another job?
I am a full-time writer, but I am also a full-time stay at home mom. This pretty much means that I am really busy all the time and feel like I am constantly behind in one thing or another.

Do you have a comfort book? You know, one of those books you pick up when you need to feel better? If not, what do you do for a pick me up?
I rarely ever get time to read anymore. When I was a teen, there was only one book I actually liked and that was Forever by Judy Blume. So, I guess you could say it's a comfort book for me. If I'm in need of a quick pick me up, I really go for a guilty and unhealthy pleasure. . . red velvet cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory!!!

I love red velvet and cheesecake, so I'll have to try that!! As an aspiring author and reader, I've always wondered if authors are inspired by their favorite authors?
Definitely! I don't get to read much, but whenever I read a book that just takes hold of my emotions and makes me think about my own life, I get inspired to write a book like that. I love it when my fans tell me that they felt like they were inside the story or that my characters inspired them to change their lives for the better. It's a surreal and amazing feeling!


As the reigning Queen of YA Romance, in my opinion, how do you come up with your stories?
You are so sweet! I don't know if I've ever been referred to as the "reigning Queen" before. I wish I knew how to answer this question because I get asked all the time! Really, I just get an idea, write "Chapter 1" and the words start flowing. It's weird, I know.

Just a few quickies:

Favorite Movie: The Cutting Edge

Favorite Book: Forever by Judy Blume

Favorite Band: The Fray

Favorite TV Show: Survivor

I saw this question on the 30 Days of Insight posts I particpated in and loved it. A memory that never fails to make you laugh: I have so many, but this one just happened today. I was listening to the radio with my teenage daughter and I said "How can you feel so fly like a cheese stick?" and my daughter said, "Mom, it's 'feel so fly like a G6', NOT 'cheese stick'!" oops!

I love that story!!!! Thanks Simone for finding the time to do this interview with me :-)
If you want to talk more about Simone's books or about other things with Simone's fans you should join The Official Fan Group !! I'm a member and it's a lot of fun, but I wish I had more time to go on these days.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison Review



From Goodreads: THE TRANSFORMATION
Beth has always been “The Beast”—that's what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth's only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she's selected to be her choir's soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.


THE LOVE AFFAIR
When Beth's choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek's untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek's eyes? She's not The Beast, she's The Beauty.


THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?


THE HEARTBREAK
The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek's been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

Rating: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Ending: 4/5

Beautiful. Magical. Windsweeping. Funny. Entertaining. All these words describe this book and how it made me feel. I'm a big fan of makeover shows like Extreme Makeover and What Not To Wear, so I loved that "The Beast" was transformed and turned into a beautiful girl. I didn't feel like the book was promoting perfection, which I thought it might. Beth was just a shy girl who didn't have the confidence or need to make herself better. I'm not all about looks, but I do think they matter when a person just doesn't try and they have the potential.

There's also a component of music in this book. I'm a big music person, although I have no talent in the area besides playing clarinet, and I swear I could hear all the singing that went on this book. It was acyually really exciting to follow Beth and her group on their journey. I was so excited reading this book because I knew form the back cover what was going to happen, so I could enjoy what was going on with Beth.

But then there was the love triangle. It was very subtle and not complicated, which was refreshing considering all the deep ones in other YA non-contemporary books. I'm going to start picking up my Discussion Wednesdays again so tomorrow I'm going to be talking about the end of the book. So check back in tomorrow!!