Tune in Tuesdays is hosted by Ginger at GReads to help spread the love of music! I hope you enjoy and perhaps it will take you back.
The first group up on my Tune in Tuesday list was pretty dang popular. The got their big break in the late 80s but Step by Step was released in the early 90s. They were my first concert in 1989. My big brother took me for my birthday. Personally, I was all about Jon. Who was your favorite "New Kid"?
Step by Step - New Kids on the Block
Let's change it up a little bit. How about some Weezer?
Buddy Holly - Weezer
This Tuesday blog is extremely short because I am trying to catch up on my reading and attempting to stay on goal for the Read-A-Thon! Hope you enjoyed these blasts from the past!
I just signed up to participate in the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon. If you are planning on reading at all during the next week, you should join me by heading over to On a Book Bender and sign up today!
Don't forget to do some updates to let everyone know how you're progressing :) Just follow the instructions on the read-a-thon main page. Check out events and giveaways here.
My reading goals for this week:
Complete Between by Cyndi Tefft
Complete The Forest of Adventures by Katie M. John
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Crossover by Mireille Chester
Meant to Be by Tiffany King
Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
Every Last Kiss by Courtney Cole
Fated by Courtney Cole
8/22:Today's goal: Finish "The Forest of Adventures"
Accomplished: Goal accomplished! Moving on to Between
Thoughts about reading material: I am heartbroken but OH so glad that Immortal Beloved is being released this week!
8/23:Today's goal: Bloodlines
Accomplished: Ended the day at 52% through.
Thoughts about reading material: I had forgotten this was being released today! Jumped right on it. About to read some more.
8/24:Today's goal: Finish Bloodlines, Complete Between
Accomplished: Bloodlines completed
Thoughts about reading material: I. Am. Speechless.
8/25:Today's goal: Complete Between
Accomplished: another 20% read
Thoughts about reading material: Aiden is growing on me.
8/26:Today's goal: Between
Accomplished: 20% to left!
Thoughts about reading material: Nooo!! Aiden!
8/27:Today's goal:
Accomplished: Finshed Between. Started Waterfall in the wee early morning hours of the 28th.
I had a social day with some friends and then a date night with my hubby
Thoughts about reading material: I usually read all the time and the week I sign up for a read-a- thon, my time is all screwy. Curse you Murphy and your Law.
8/28: Today's goal: Read more of Waterfall
Thoughts about reading material: I am completely in love with this series already! Time travel back in time to ancient Italy? Boy in armor? Yes, please!
On your mark. Get set. READ!
Wrap-up:
This week it was incredibly unusual for my reading time to be so reduced. I am not sure whether it was in result of the goals I set for myself or whether I have had a reading burn out. I'm guessing it wasn't the right time for a read-a-thon for myself but I enjoyed what I did get to read. Most likely won't be writing a review on everything I finished reading but that's alright as well. Next time, I will try to set more realistic goals to accomplish.
Many of my new Twitter buddies and I have been talking about teams and which literary crushes we have been favoring and well...crushing on. #TeamKilt banded together to support Zachary Moore over at The YA Sisterhood during their Crush Tournament and fought hard against #TeamJace (Wayland). That #TeamKilt camaraderie is still going strong!
Everyone has their favorites, am I right? The special guys that make you swoon, make your breath catch, and the ones you might even dream about at night. We feel strongly about these guys, clearly. Otherwise, the competition this past month would not have been so epic!
Well, I wanted to take some time to show off some of my own personal favorites. Some of these guys are well known and loved by many. Others on my list might seem a tad bit obscure but they all have my heart in some way. 20 fictional crushes? I'm crazy, right? Well, my mom said I always fancied the guys even when I was little so I guess it's no surprise that I'm having trouble picking a top 10 so you'll get my top 20 in two parts. (in no particular order)
Known to his close friends as Danric, he is tall, gray-eyed with pale blonde hair. Not my usual type but he is mysterious while not brooding, intelligent, and handy with a sword. Danric can ride a horse like he was born in the saddle thanks to his military school training (in A Stranger to Command). He keeps to himself and it is hard to know his mind... but his romance with Meliara swept me off my feet. Vidanric has been groomed to do great things and he proves that he is THE MAN for the job. He is a true epic hero.
The man behind #TeamKilt is of majority in his homeland of Scotland. We first see him as the Scottish exchange student in Shade and from the first gentle roll of his brogue -- he had me at hello. What I love about Zach is that he almost wears his heart on his sleeve. He is so up front with Aura and tells her like it is. Zach is my science geek pick of the lot. Gorgeous, smart, great taste in music, and romantic beyond your wildest dreams. Oh, and I hear he looks fabulous in a kilt!
Oh Miach where do I begin? First man on the list that is not from a YA book. Miach is all man. He may be the Archmage of Neroche but he learns to defend himself (and his lady) without the use of his magic. Poor Miach carries the weight of protecting the kingdom of Neroche from magical attacks. He is fierce in love, battle and magic. When he calls Morgan "gel" it makes me melt. If you need looking after, Miach will be the one to do so gladly.
Paul is the second of my list that is not from a YA novel. In the Fionavar Tapestry series, Paul and four friends are whisked away from Toronto, Canada to a land full of magic and various species of creatures where they meet many foes and make several alliances to fight against the evil brewing once again in Fionavar.
A dark, brooding and mysterious boy, we learn little by little about Paul and what tortures his soul. Paul feels deeply, is a voice of reason, and is willing to sacrifice himself for what he feels is right.
Shoulder length dark hair and piercing sapphire blue eyes grace Valek's face. He is graceful and as lithe as a snowcat, ready to pounce on his enemies but he doesn't need to touch you to disarm you or take you out. Valek is the adviser to the Commander of Ixia and also serves as head of intelligence and is a master spy and assassin. Not to mention he's a master of poisons. Valek is a force to be reckoned with and is untouchable in battle (he can take out at least 3 men single-handed). Something about Valek is irresistible. Maybe because he's deadly. Oh and I love a man in uniform, especially official dress!
Ben Barnes is a popular choice of
fangirls for our favorite Russian
Another foreign hottie, this one hailing from Siberia, Russia. Dimitri is a Dhampir guardian and trainer at Saint Vladimir's Academy. Long brown hair, massively tall, and built like a god, Dimitri is a powerhouse and all around BAMF. He likes 80s music (me too!), Western cowboy novels (a guy needs his quirks), and constantly sports a long, ankle-length cowboy duster. When whispering sweet nothings to Rose, he frequently resorts to his native Russian tongue. Dimka is steadfast, honorable, courageous, strong, and guards his feelings. What is not to love?
7. Ash The Iron Fey series Julie Kagawa
The Ice Prince of the Unseelie court...fangirl sigh. Another dark haired, blue-eyed guy (do you see a pattern here?) that is deadly with a sword. Ash has been around a long time, has suffered the cruelties of his mother's court of faeries, and has both loved and lost in his lifetime. To me, Ash is conscientious, courtly, chivalrous, caring, romantic, and above all, loyal. He knows what he wants and he will sacrifice all he has ever known for love. What could be more romantic? Ash faces hardships and perils that are almost insurmountable. His story isn't over yet! I can't wait to see what Julie has in store for Ash in his novel The Iron Knight.
Christopher...Chris...where to start?! When you first meet Christopher you're not sure whether you can trust him or not. He is portrayed as a scoundrel and the female protagonist, Wynter, immediately dislikes him. However, Chris proves his worth a hundred times over by the end of the series. Falling in love with him sneaks up on you. Another long & dark haired lad, he is quick with his wit, tongue, and is steadfast loyal to his prince and his lass. He may seem untamed and reckless at first, but he will have you sighing in love. Christopher has a secret but it's not mine to tell. You'll just have to read the books to find out for yourself.
Will is quite something else; dark brown hair and piercing green eyes, another lad adept in the ways of the blade and fighting with weapons. He also plays a mean guitar (Ellie catches him playing Journey's "Wheel in the Sky"). Will's love knows no bounds. What he has had to endure since taking up his role in Ellie's life..there are no words. It's just heartbreaking. Charm, intelligence, bravery, courage, and deep intense love like none you have ever seen before.
Okay another non-YA young man, we first meet Jamie as a senior at Eli University as a member of Rose & Grave. (I'm not revealing his Digger name b/c you need to discover who he is through reading the book so neener neener). I am not going to lie. At first I thought Jamie was a down right jerk. He's rude, pricklier than a thorn bush, argumentative, and just down right impossible to get along with. BUT (and this is a huge but) Jamie grows and changes so much over the course of the series by book #3 you are cheering him on. He may not have fashion sense, but he is a vegetarian, is down right loyal, smart in a big way (hello mr.-Eli-Law-grad student), and dedicated. A true Digger through and through. Jamie also happens to be dark haired and gray eyed.
Have you noticed a pattern?! Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this first installment of Literary crushes. Check back on Thursday when I let you in on my next ten crushes.
In the mean time, who are some of your top crushes?
Yes, I know I have yet to write a review and that is in the works. However today I have a matter to discuss with you all - or more some guidance to seek.
While I have read many great books this year, I haven't read many that have male point of views. There are so many books on my TBR (To be read) list but I really don't think I have many that are from this perspective. Secretly I like to do a bit of creative writing on the side purely as a hobby (I'm pretty sure I'll never look to be published), and the one thing I have trouble doing is getting inside the guys' heads. Would really love to do some reading for research. Also, I would really just like a fresh viewpoint. I enjoyed the snippet Stephenie Meyer released of "Midnight Sun" and enjoyed several other books recently that swapped back and forth between the male and female characters. I think the guys needs some more representation, at least on my reading shelf.
Do you have any suggestions, dear follower friends, for male PoV books?
They don't have to be YA and the genre doesn't have to be specific either. I'm open to contemporary, paranormal, dystopian, etc. I look forward to seeing your suggestions!
**EDIT: As an aside, I had no idea the NYT did an article today about Boys and Reading. o.0 Odd coincidence! I was just wondering if anyone had anything to suggest other than Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, or I Am Number Four (as I've read all those).
If you could write yourself a part in a book, what book would it be and what role would you play in that book?
After some consideration, I think I would write myself into a YA contemporary or paranormal series, possibly dystopian (although my luck I'd be the first in the series to get killed off) but NOT as the leading character. Every one should want to be the leading lady, right? Not me. I am far happier in the backseat making snarky and sarcastic comments. I would much prefer to be the comedic best friend that pops up at all the right times and knows exactly what to say.
If I had to pick one book/series I would have to go with The Demon Trappers series by Jana Oliver.* Riley Blackthorn is surrounded by entirely too much testosterone. She needs a gal-pal to help her navigate some of her choices and to make her laugh. How can you talk to boys about your main squeeze? Awkward! Any who, that is who I would like to play.
Are you the funny best friend, awesome lead character, fearless guide, or the voice of reason? Let me hear from you!
Take My Breath Away Thursday is a new meme the folks at Page Turners Blog have started - the idea came from their reviewer Sophie. Each Thursday we will be prompted to post a quote/scene that simply - takes our breath away.
My first Take My Breath Away Thursday moment was chosen from Shiftby Jeri Smith-Ready. This particular passage is told through the main character, Aura's, point of view. While reading both Shade & Shift, I had many weepy moments and this was one of them.
Words have the power to move us. Tell me one of you favorite breathless moments and don't forget to visit Page Turners and let them know as well!
Everyone's favorite sword-wielding California girl returns-from the author of Coronets and Steel.
With the man she loves set to marry a look-alike princess, Kim Murray returns to California from the magical country of Dobrenica to heal her broken heart. But family politics soon have her leaving for London, where she is forced into a duel with a Dobrenican nobleman. He reveals that her great sacrifice, leaving Alec, was a disaster. To fix her mistake, Kim returns to Dobrenica, but what she finds there is far more shocking and dangerous than she ever imagined. Not just politics and personalities but ghosts and magic, murder and mystery, await her as she struggles to understand the many faces of love. Once again Kim has to take sword in hand as she tries to make peace and learn the truth. Only, whose truth? -Amazon.com
This book is one that I have been waiting on for approximately six months. I simply adore Sherwood Smith's work and have never been disappointed with anything I have read that she has penned. Give me a take-charge-butt-kicking heroine, castles, magic, battles, intrigue, mystery, and the complex heroes that almost seem broody. The throw in a spattering of romance and I'm sold. Sherwood's books just deliver! Coronets and Steel was so amazing that I could not put it down. I expect no less from Blood Spirits.
September looks to be a huge month in new releases but I can tell you where I'll be on the 6th; curled up on my comfy couch digging into one of my most waited for books this year.
