Currently...

This Week I Am...

Reading... The Maze Runner by James Dashner.  The movie is coming out really soon and I can't wait to see it.  The book was a little slow to start but I am now engrossed with it and i don't want to put it down.  I'm about half way through with it and hope to finish it soon.  I need to start reading faster since I am so far behind in my Goodreads challenge.  

Watching... Botched on E! channel.  This reality show stars Dr Dubrow from the Real Housewives of Orange County as he and his partners fix bad plastic surgery.  Each episode has crazier stories than the episode before it.  

Listening... Lie under you by Keke Wyatt is a beautiful song.  If you watch R&B Divas Atlanta than you know Keke and this song.  If you don't watch than you should and you should download this song.  This is a great wedding song.  Also I have been listening to Jhene Aiko.  She blends R&B and hip hop in a real smooth way.  

Dreading...  All of the housework I need to do that I have been putting off. 

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

Haunting but sad and beautiful all at once. Laurel receives an education in music love and loss. You'll need tissues when you read this.  One of the best books I've read in awhile.  Highly recommended.  

What are you reading right now?

Stacking the Shelves

I love Tynga's Reviews Stacking the Shelves  so I borrowed it for my blog.  I hit up my favorite used bookstores recently and hit the jackpot.  I was able to get four books from my wishlist.  First I picked up Chocolate-Covered-Murder by Leslie Meier.  I love this mystery series and have been reading it for awhile.  I really need to catch up.  I also was able to get Fallen-Masters by John Edward.  Yes that John Edward the TV psychic.  I usually don't read much science fiction but this intrigued me.  Next I picked up Waltz-Time by Eugenia Riley and If-Only-Dreams by Wendy Markham aka Wendy Corsi Staub.  These two are both time travel romances which are a favorite genre of mine.  I'll let you know how they are.  

Book Survey

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? 
Both of my parents are huge readers so I am sure it came from them.  My earliest memories are of reading the Little house series and falling in love with them.  I also really loved the Trixie Belden mysteries. 

Where do you usually read? 

I love to read in the bath or cuddled up in my bed. 

Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once? 

Lately it seems I have a few books going at once since I read some for school and some for pleasure. 

What is your favorite genre? 

I don’t know if I have a favorite. I love thrillers like John Grisham and cozy mysteries such as Leslie Meier.  In the last few years I have found a love for YA, especially dystopian themed books.  I also love biographies and chick lit.

Is there a genre you will not read? 

I am a big chicken so I probably won’t read anything in the horror genre.

Do you have a favorite book? 
Picking one would be hard but I really love A Time to Kill by John Grisham. 

What is your least favorite book?
Recently I tried to read the book thief and just couldn’t finish it.

What is the longest book you have ever read? 

Maybe a biography on Tsar Nicholas II

What was the last book you bought?
A time travel romance, a guilty pleasure genre of mine.

Do you prefer library books or buying books? 

I prefer buying books. I am always afraid that I’ll borrow a book, love it, and want to keep it. 

What are you currently reading?
The Killer Angels by Shaara for school and the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.  I am also reading Demi Lovato’s new book.  

Book Review: Beneath The Glitter by Elle & Blair Fowler

After their make-up and fashion videos went viral on YouTube, sisters Sophia and Ava London are thrust into the exclusive life of the Los Angeles elite.  Here fabulous parties, air kisses, paparazzi and hot guys all come with the scene. Sophia finds herself torn between a gorgeous bartender and a millionaire playboy, and Ava starts dating an A-list actor.  But as they’re about to discover, the life they’ve always dreamed of comes with a cost.

Beneath the glitter of the Hollywood social scene lies a world of ruthless ambition, vicious gossip…and betrayal.  Someone close to them, someone they trust, is working in the shadows to bring the London sisters falling down. And once the betrayal is complete, Sophia and Ava find themselves knee-deep in a scandal that could take away everything they care about, including the one thing that matters most—each other.

Fashion and beauty bloggers Elle and Blair Fowler have a hit.  They cover everything from beauty and fashion, boys, celebrities and murder. I can't wait to ready the next book in the series.

Book Review: Is Everybody Hanging Out Without me? by Mindy Kaling

Mindy hands out advice to young girls that is not only useful but what a cool older sister should be telling them.  I laughed all the way through this book.  Mindy's sense of humor is hysterical and will keep you glued to the book.  It will be over before you are ready for it to be.  In addition there are some great tales about Hollywood and her life on the way to Hollywood and staring on the Office.  

Book Review: Facing the Music and Living to Talk about It by Nick Carter

Nick Carter lets you in on his life and journey to recovery.  He gives great advice that he has learned along his journey through a rough childhood and a problem with addiction as an adult. Even if you don't have an addiction problem these lessons are useful.  Nick also lets us into the behind the scenes of the Backstreet Boys and his relationship with Paris Hilton.

Book Review: The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

This book wasn't anything like what I thought it would be.  It was better.  This is a love story and beautifully tragic one. As we read we get to know the love between a mother and her son and how they cope with saying goodbye.  This is also the love story of a mother and son and books.  And lastly it's the story of a remarkable woman who the world could use more of. I highly recommend this book to anyone.  It's all about the little things that bond us together.

What's new

It's been busy lately with school and everything. I did manage to do a little shopping and will share with you what I got very soon.  I have been reading a lot lately as well. Right now i'm reading Nick Carter's autobiography, 11/22/63  by Stephen King and The end of your life book club.  I am really enjoying all three of them.  I am so glad that the new TV season has started but I am already behind.. The DVR is full lol. I am in love with the new show Reign as well as my old favorites 2 broke girls, Law and Order SVU, criminal minds and about a million others.  What are some of your favorites? There are a lot of new movies out in theaters right now.  I might go see Gravity in 3D.  I heard it was great.  I also am so excited about catching fire.  I already bought my tickets.  I have really gotten back into twitter (@cindymadrid08) and instagram (cindymadrid08) again.  I can't get enough.  What can't you get enough of lately?

Book Review: Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters

If your love a great love story this book is for you.  With beautiful settings from Italy to Scotland to Hollywood to the Pacific Northwest you'll feel like your passport is being wore out by the time you finish. This book has it all a love story, a mystery and incredible behind the scenes old Hollywood gossip.  

Welcome to October

What are your favorite spooky Halloween reads? One of my fav's is Witch Hunt by Wendy Corsi Staub

Book Review: Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

A modern and more realistic version of sex and the city set against the backdrop of a billion weddings.  I loved the characters and felt like I was a part of the group.  This is a great book by a new author.  I highly recommend this book.

Book Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Sam and her friends rule the school and they aren't nice about it either.  They define the term mean girls.  One Friday night while driving home drunk from a party something terrible happens and Sam dies.  The weird thing is Sam wakes up the next morning and it is Friday all over again.  For seven days Sam relives her last day over and over again.  Each time with surprising differences.  Sam has to die in order to be able to really get to know herself.  Very unique plot twist with the main character dying and reliving her day over. I gave it four out of five stars.  The author has a trilogy called Delirium that is soon being made into a tv show that I look forward to reading.  I'll keep you updated.   

Book Review: Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

CeeCee Honeycutt has had a hard life and for twelve years she has held on.  On one tragic day everything comes tumbling down and CeeCee's world falls apart.  Since she is only twelve decisions are made for her and she doesn't like them.  As the summer rolls on CeeCee begins to realize that what she thought was wrong for her was what she needed all along.  A five star read there ever was one. Usually a book offers up one character that you fall in love with but this one has half a dozen. One of my favorite books.  I'll definitely be encouraging everyone to read it. I can't wait to see what the author writes next.   

"It's how we survive the hurts in life that bring us strength and give us our beauty"

Book Review: Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

The subtitle "A life, a witch, and a wardrobe, or the wonder years before the condescending, egomanical, self centered smart-ass phase." One of the funniest memoir I have ever read.  Jen takes you from her early fashion decisions and disasters at age eight to her blunders and discoveries at age forty.  As a lover of fashion and someone with my own fashion disaster stories I laughed all the way through this book.

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Wow where do I begin? I loved this book! Tris must choose which faction she wants to join and that one choice will change her whole life.  Soon to be a major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley from the TV show The Secret Life of an American Teenager and the Fault in our Stars movie. One of the best and most Popular Dystopian books out there.  Did I mention Four?  You will love him.  This book will definitely go on my favorites shelf.  

Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Freshman year of high school can be tough.  But if you're one of the lucky ones who meets some great friends it can be a blast.  Charlie is one of the lucky ones. Written as series of letter you get to know Charlie and his friends and family.  I personally loved the concept of the letters as opposed to regular chapters.  It was fun and different.  I totally didn't see the surprise twist at the end but looking back am not surprised.  I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing he movie.

Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

The author has managed to write a love story on par with the notebook. But this isn’t your typical love story. This isn’t a story full of romance. This is a story of heartbreak, theirs and yours. This is a story of two kids who live everyday to not what society would deem the fullest but what they decide is the fullest. It shouldn’t be any other way. This book lives up to all the hype and I highly recommend it.

Mystery Fanfare: Valentine's Day Mysteries

Mystery Fanfare: Valentine's Day Mysteries: Valentine's Day Crime Fiction list . Be sure and check out my other blog: DyingforChocolate for Valentine's Chocolate Reviews, Recipes,...