Friday, July 31, 2009

What Legends Are Made Of By: Heather Beck

Title: What Legends Are Made Of
Author: Heather beck
E-BOOK
Amount of Pages: 140
Publisher: Romance Divine
Publishing Year: 2008
Extra Info: Also available in paperback!




Summary: [From Author Website] Travel to Sir Tristen's Estate, where ghosts roam freeely and enter into your dreams at night. Step aboard to Blue Oceana, a ship that will lead you to the World's last merman. Get a ticket to Frank's Freak Show to discover the truly disturbing main attraction. Finally, enter the doors of Kary and Max Shield's costume and Magic Shop. It's a shop whose merchandise is a bit too real.
These tales will leave you spellbound and yearning for more. Are you ready to find out what real legends are made of?
Wdebo's Review: This was the very first ebook I read [Not counting the Midnight Sun ebook copy b/c it was only 4 pages and I got bored after that] and I just figured out how much a hate reading on the computer, but apart from that this book was just WONDERFUL.
It totally tickles your scary/paranormal story itch. I really like short stories, there is something new and fresh and everyone. The stories were interesting, and well developed, for a story that only had around 30 to 40 pages to, well, develop. I loved all her ideas, they were so great to read!
The only thing that I didn't like was in the first one, it was a good story, and the ending was a surprise, but the writing felt awkward and the dialogue, too added in, sometimes it just didn't flow, but after that all the other stories were really great!
The story I couldn't wait to read was Freaky Frank, I always wanted to go to a Freak Show, but I was always too chicken to. It was really great and didn't disapoint.
When I was reading, I just couldn't help but wonder, does Heather's dream man have blue eyes, because that was the color eyes in at least one guy of each story. But, I guess my dream guy has blue eyes too, so I can't say anything :)
All in all, an awesome story for readers of the supernatural kind, or anyone else who just craves a good short story.
Grade: A-
Wdebo :)

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Socrates In Love By: Kazumi Kazui

Title: Socrates In Love
Author: Kazumi Kazui
PAPERBACK
Publisher: Shojo Beat
Amount of Volumes in Series: 1
Amount of Pages: approx 200
Geared Towards: Older Teens
Extra Info: This manga was adapted from the story by Kyoichi Katayama.

"In a world without Aki...
I was truely alone"




Summary: Sakutaro Matsumoto and Aki Hirose had been friends everysince they were paired up as Class Reps in middle school. Aki is a very shy girl, but when she is around Sakutaro, who she lovingly calls Saku-Chan, she becomes very outgoing.

After Aki's favorite teacher dies, and she opens up herself to Saku-Chan, Saku finds that his feelings for Aki aren't friendship but more towards love.

They spend many memorable times together, but without warning, Aki falls ill with lukemia, and this sweetly/funny manga turns to bittersweet. Saku wants them to have just one more moment; a moment in Australia.

Wdebo's Review: I first heard about this manga from Diana's review of it. This manga was bittersweet, but amazing at the same time.

This manga, just twisted my feelings all over the place. The first part of the manga was all happy and silly, showing the friendship blosom between Saku and Aki. Then it gets sweet, when Saku finds out how much he loved Aki, and confesses. Finally, it makes you super melancholy after Aki is diagnosed with lukemia.

I knew exactly what was going to happen in the end, she dies, since it said it in the very first page of the manga, yet, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Well, I actually did, because I was riding the train, so I think I might have scared the riders around me if I started bawling, but I did get teary eyed, so I had to set the book down, from time to time to make sure I didn't cry.

I loved all of the characters, well mostly just Saku and Aki, cuz all the other characters aren't all that developed. Saku is so awkward and shy and sweet to Aki, and Aki is just adorable. So, I guess that's why it hurt so much when she died, you see her go from this upbeat girl then all of a sudden you see her on her deadbed, and Saku's tears just made me teary-eyed.

The storyline totally made me think about A Walk to Remember, guy falls in love with girl, girl dies, guy is heart broken. Except what's diffrent is *Spoiler Alert* Saku gets married to another girl, which is diffrent from A Walk to Remember, cuz he never gets married, since he's already married to Jamie. I wonder what it would be like to be the girl Saku gets married to. What would I do if I knew that my husband who I love deeply is in love with a dead girl, he might love me, but most of his heart is given to the dead girl. I think it's sweet how she understands so well, and still loves him so whole heartedly. That my friends, is true love. *Spoiler Ended*

In the manga, there was an excerpt for the english translated version of the novel. I read it, and it was yucky, the writing felt more like it was geared towards elementry school students, yet you know it isn't cuz what happens in the story. I seriously wish I could read Japanese, because this story is a bestseller in Japan, so it much be a lot better then the english version. A lot of times, the translated version just isn't as good as the original one.

All in all, an amazing manga, for those who don't mind heartbreak, in the midst of happiness. Even though I am a total comedy/romance manga lover, I immensly enjoyed this manga, and I hope you will too!!

Grade: A

Wdebo :)

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Waiting On Wednesday : 2

Welcome to another week of W.O.W

This was brought to you by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

So this week's book is....

Secret Society By: Tom Dolby

Summary (From HarperCollins):

Secrets, secrets are no fun. Secrets, secrets hurt someone. . . .

An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York's wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.

They didn't ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything—even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they're forced to get on the nape of their necks. Once they're part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It's all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

Tom Dolby makes his teen fiction debut with this riveting novel about a dangerous society so secret that once you get in, you can never get out.

Why I Want to Read This: These old socialite stories seem to be the next hot YA book topic. And this book is totally The Luxe. And I really need to read something that is very Luxe like before it comes out, or else I will explode! [I want to read the last one so badly!]

Also, I think the cover is really pretty, and I think it's cool that a guy is writing on a book type like this.

Release Date: September 29, 2009

What books are you waiting for?

Wdebo :)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Cool Contest-Power to the five year old!!!

Haha...so Jennifer Jabaley author of Lipstick Apology has a cool little contest going on HERE. She has two book trailers, and you just pick one and you'll be entered in to win either....

$40 itunes giftcard, $40 B&N giftcard

or

The Get Pink'd Pink Lip Deluxe Sampler from Sephora (an $80 value)

Doesn't that sound awesome??!!!

So here's my fav trailer...it's by the awesome...The Compulsive Reader!!


Now, go my little buddies and join this contest!!

Oh yeah about the title...she's letting her five year old pick!!! Coolio huh?

Wdebo :)

Pure By: Terra Elan McVoy

Title: Pure
Author: Terra Elan McVoy
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 331
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publishing Year: 2009
Geared Towards: Teens/PPL who want to read about religion [mainly Christianity]

"I'm glad you have your principals. But I'm not sure we believe the same things anymore. I'm not sure you'll like, if we really talk, what I have to say"

Wdebo's Review (From Front Flap):
Promise. Betrayal. Confession. Revenge.

Tabitha and her four best friends all wear purity rings, symbols of the virginity-until-marriage pledge they made years ago. Now Tab is fifteen, and her ring has come to mean so much more. It's a symbol of who she is and of what she believes-a reminder of her promises to herself and her bond to her friends.

But when Tab meets a boy whose kisses make her knees go weak, everything suddenly seems a lot more complicated. Tab's best friend, Morgan, is far from supportive, and for the first time, Tabitha is force to keep secrets from the one person with whom she's always shared everything. When one of those secrets breaks to the surface, Tab finds herself at the center of an unthinkable betrayal that splits her friends apart. As Tab's entire world comes crashing down around her, she's forced to re-examine her friends, her faith, and what exactly it means to be pure.


Wdebo's Review: Hm, this was a pretty cute book and flows pretty well, though it was a nice read, I would just give/consider this book with an averege rating.

The whole story's idea is mainly centered around religion and what we really believe/questioning what we believe. Mainly on the idea of purity rings. This story idea was a good one, very original, but I personally don't believe in purity rings. I think if you believe in something, you don't need something materialistic to show you believe in something...having your belief is enough.

I was not very happy with Tabitha, she and her friends were very materialistic and melodramatic. She went home just because her friend was having problems that she made personal, even though it had nothing to do with her!!! :O It finally took her 242 pages to find out just how melodramtic she was during this whole book. (I never thought I would be so proud of a character).

Her BFF, Morgan, was a total self-centered B during the beginning of the story, she tunes it down just a scrunch at the very end, but not a lot. I thought all the other girls were ok, just annoying sometimes.

The cover is cute, the cherry and hand on the pink background is very elegant yet simple, quite eyecatching. But, is it just me, or does the hand model's hand look very old? That was annoying me for a while.

Also, I totally have to talk about Jake, Jake is WAY too perfect, it's scary. He's cute and he's a lacrosse player and he is cool with purity rings and he helps solve girl problems. Seriously, too perfect ppl are way scary...

All in all, a cutesy read, perfect for those who are steeped in the Christian religion and want to understand more about this certain aspect of their religion or just for normal, nonreligious ppl (like me!) who need an easy/light read.

Grade: B

Wdebo :)

Copy Won From PulseIt~

Monday, July 27, 2009

Cafe Chit Chat: Simone Elkeles

Simone Elkeles is the awesome author of the How to Ruin a Summer Vacation [Review HERE], How to Ruin My Teenage Life [Review HERE] and her new book of the series, How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation which is hitting stands in October.

She is also known for her other books, Leaving Paradise and Perfect Chemistry [Review HERE]. She is just such a great author and her sequel to Perfect Chemistry is coming out in 2010 *total squeal*
So now, onto the interview...

************************

Wdebo: What is your favorite color?

Simone Elkeles: I love the color turquoise. It’s not blue, it’s not green…it’s somewhere in the middle. I love that! It’s bright, it’s happy, it’s colorful. Who wouldn’t like it?

W: Turqoise is just so pretty! Do you have an author that you really admire?

S: I admire a lot of authors. I like Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely (she’s also a nice person, which is cool). I like John Green’s books. I know this totally sounds cliché, but I love Judy Blume. She created this genre where you can write real books for real teens. She’s a total inspiration!

W: Yeah, go Judy Blume!! And John Green is such a great author also, love his books!!! Do you enjoy watching movies if so, do you have a movie you absolutely cannot stop watching?
S: I’m a total dork when it comes to movies. I still love the 80’s movie Sixteen Candles. But I also cannot stop watching some newer teen movies like She’s the Man and Superbad. I love funny or romantic teen movies the best! The more ridiculous, the better!
W: Aw, She's the Man was just such a cute movie, Amanda Bynes is so awesome! And I really need to watch Sixteen Candles, seeing as how my birthday is coming up soon. :) Where did you get the idea of Perfect Chemistry?
S: I very loosely base Perfect Chemistry/Fairfield High School off of Highland Park High School in Illinois. HPHS was the rival school of my own high school. The different cultures at the school just made me think of a guy and girl from two different sides of town falling for each other. I did love West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet…although admittedly I hated the endings. So I made up my own contemporary story…and made a better ending!

W: Haha I do love the ending a lot more! How has your own cultural identity, as the daughter and wife of an Israeli immigrant to the US inspire you to write about clashes in culture and how teens deal with these differences?
S: US inspire you to write about clashes in culture and how teens deal with these differences?
I’ve always lived with someone who was born and raised in another country. People had pre-conceived notions about who I was because I had an Israeli father. Even in my adult life, I had my neighbors say they didn’t invite me over for the first year because they were afraid we were too different – now we’re all friends and laugh about it. I had to deal with culture clashes my entire life (and still do!). I’m fascinated with different cultures and how they mesh, especially when it comes to romances.

W: I know, that's so true. Which character, that you have written about, can you relate the most to?
S: I love all of my characters, and they all have a piece of me in them. But the character who is most like me is Amy from the How to Ruin a Summer Vacation series. She’s funny and quirky, just like me. And she does stupid things, just like me. (I did the stupidest things as a teen to get a boy to like me.) And most of the ridiculous thoughts she has are actually MY ridiculous thoughts. So as much as it’s embarrassing to admit, Amy is the character I can relate to the most.

W: Amy is one of my fav characters, she is so quirky, real, and just plain funny. Do you base your characters on anyone in your real life?
S: A lot of my characters are caricatures of people that I know in my life. Or they’re a mixture of a lot of people in my life. My male characters (the main ones) are a sprinkling of guys I dated as a teen…all mixed up to make the perfect boy!

W: Haha that's so cool! Do you have any future book projects?
S: Yes! I’m so excited to announce that right now I’m writing a sequel to Perfect Chemistry – it will feature Carlos (Alex’s brother) and a new heroine readers haven’t met yet. It will be out in 2010. Also out in 2010 will be the sequel to Leaving Paradise. I’m excited for those two books, although I don’t have final titles for either of them.
Thanks for the interview Simone!!
You can check out Simone's super cute/cool website HERE
Wdebo :)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Morgue and Me By: John C. Ford

Title: The Morgue and Me
Author: John C. Ford
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 313
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publishing Year: 2009
Geared Towards: Mystery Lovers


"There were three stacks of bills bound in coarse brwon paper bands.
They were all hundreds."



Summary [From Front Flap]: Christopher didn't plan to work in the morgue this summer. And discovering a murder cover-up-along with a high stakes blackmail ring-wasn't mentioned in the job description.

But that's exactly what happend, and now Christopher has to decide what to do. Normally he'd call the cops-he's smart enough to know he's in over his head. Except the sheriff is Christopher's prime suspect. And they've already had one unfortunate run-in with each other. Instead, he joins forces with a young newspaper reporter who becomes the sidekick to Christopher's private eye. But solving a crime is almost impossible, especially when your overprotective parents are breathing down your neck, your best friend is acting even more suspicous than usual, and your little brother has disappeared.


Wdebo's Review: I read on a few websites that said this book was a YA, but I seriously took this book as an adult book, it just felt more adult-y then YA-y.


However it did not diminish my liking for this book.


The prologue was really well done, it started with this mystery that makes you go, wait WHY did he shot someone and why is he so calm about it? The writing, tho on a serious topic, was written in a humorously sarcastic manner, so it was pretty enjoyable to read. Actually, the whole book was written like that, there was always a way to make even the most serious, and heart pounding moments, funny in some way.


I liked Chris, he was a good character, he was headstrong and knew exactly what he wanted and how he was going to get it.


There were a lot of twists and turns, so there would be one gasp moment then it would go down that road and once you begin to get bored walking down it, another gasp moment comes and then it keeps going until it gets boring, then etc etc. I love guessing endings for mysteries, and I'm usually right, but this ending was a total surprise to me, totally didn't see it, good job!!


The cover, hm, I can do without, though it does show wat the story is about, but I try to stay away from bloody handprints as much as I can.

All in all, a great mystery for murder mystery lovers and regular mystery lovers alike and for everyone in between.

Grade: A-

Wdebo :)


Thanks to John Ford for hosting the contest that I won/signing my copy!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Be With You- Akon ft. Wilber Pan

Akon was the first one who sang this song then he and Wilber sang it together!

I think it sounds really good check it out!!

Eng SUBBED!!



Here is a clip from Yu Le Bai Fen Bai...Where Akon and Wilber are in Japan recording their song...the beginning is in Chinese, cuz they're describing it, then Will and Akon talk to each other in eng, and Akon has a little bit of an obsession with the Chinese Puppet lol.



Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!

Wdebo :)

Friday, July 24, 2009

Contest: Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd

-CLOSED-

Hey everyone!! Yeah, I have another contest for you all!!! I am so excited to read this book, cuz, come on, it has like EVERYONE!! Holly Black, Libba Bray, Lisa Yee, etc. And, also, who doesn't love geeks? :) This looks like such a good book!

You can win one of five copies!!




Summary (From Amazon): Acclaimed authors Holly Black (Ironside)and Cecil Castellucci (Boy Proof) have united in geekdom to edit short stories from some of the best selling and most promising geeks in young adult literature: M.T. Anderson, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Tracy Lynn, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Barry Lyga, Wendy Mass, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfield, Lisa Yee, and Sara Zarr.





With illustrated interstitials from comic book artists Hope Larson and Bryan Lee O'Malley, Geektastic covers all things geeky, from Klingons and Jedi Knights to fan fiction, theater geeks, and cosplayers. Whether you're a former, current, or future geek, or if you just want to get in touch with your inner geek, Geektastic will help you get your geek on!


Now for the rules...


This contest ends... August 14th [My birthday~It'll be like my bday present to u!]



Instead of asking a question, to join all you have to do a comment, or if you want to spice it up, you can tell me how summer is going for you so far.



Isn't that just peachy? (love that word!)



For extra entriees just do this... (please use seperate comments and leave a CONTACT INFORMATION)



+1 Becoming follower (or already a follower)

+1 Adding this contest to your sidebar/blogging about it/facebooking it..etc. etc. anything publicity related just send me the link :D-You can have one for each thing you do just send the link

+1 Adding me to your blogroll (Or if you already have b4 that's ok too!)

+2 Get creative!! Make a button, or anything artisy/creative for this book and/or contest! Then send me the link~I want to see! :D



This contest is open to US and Canda only! [Srry International Readers!!] Also plz no P.O.
Boxes :)

Good Luck!!



Wdebo :)



Thanks to Little,Brown for hosting this contest!~

Cafe Chit Chat: Heather Beck

Heather is a superb twenty-three-year-old Canadian Author. She had her first book, The Paradise Chronicles, published when she was just 19 and she has also written many other books after that including, What Legends Are Made Of. She is also a director of many short films. Now the interview...

********************
W: Can you describe a typical day?
H: A typical day actually varies a lot for me. Some constants are school, writing and just hanging out. There’s always a ton of business-related work to be done, such as working with producers, publishers, and doing interviews, promotions, etc. I also love attending all types of special events. However, my main love is hiking and being outdoors. My cottage is definitely my first love.

W: How do you come up with the ideas for your books? Are you a big fan of stories/fables/etc?

H: I’m a huge fan of stories. I would be in the wrong business if I wasn’t! I especially love folklore and the weird creatures that constantly appear in them. My favorite fabled characters would have to be gnomes and trolls.

Regarding the inspiration behind my writing, essentially, I create every piece that I do because I have to. While the craft of writing can always be improved upon, I believe that being a true writer is innate. I can’t be certain as to why I have all these stories to tell, but I think perception and experience play a major role in their formation. If I had to define the single external element which inspires me, I’d resolutely give that credit to nature. There is an undeniable contemplation and admiration in the seemingly simplest aspects of nature.

W: Are any of your characters based on someone you know?

H: All my work is at some level my autobiography masquerading as fiction. Although I will constantly rewrite events which happened to me, I don’t include people I know. It seems unfair and invasive. For example, two years ago when I was pitching one of my screenplays to a production company, they read my biography and wanted to do a reality piece on me. I started writing Fighting for Glory but stopped half-way through. To tell a good story I’d have to reveal so much about myself and others around me and I just wasn’t ready to do that.

W: What is your favorite thing to do (apart from writing)?

H: I’m completely addicted to the outdoors. I need the sun and water, and consider them to be God’s greatest gifts. Hiking, fishing, swimming, and being at the beach are the most important things to me.

W: What's your favorite color?

H: Purple is definitely my favorite color because it’s rich and mysterious. I also love that clear blue color of a beautiful ocean.

W: If you were stranded on an island and could only bring five things what would they be?

H:

1. A fully functional airplane and pilot (does that count as two things?)
2. An island survival almanac
3. My bf
4. An unlimited amount of pens and paper so I can record the stories which are inspired by the island and my experiences there
5. A phone with unbelievable range so I can keep in touch with family, friends, producers, publishers, and my manager.

W: Who are some authors you look up to?

H: I really look up to JD Salinger and Tennessee Williams because their works are so insightful yet compassionate when it comes to depicting the human condition. I also love Jack London because his multilayered descriptions of the universal man vs. nature theme are practically flawless.

W: Do you have a new project you are working on? And if so, can you tell us a bit about it?

H: There are many projects which I’m working on. It’s a long list but here’s a sneak preview!

My short film Young Eyes will be on DVD shortly. [For a full cast/crew list and pictures, please see HERE ]

I’m doing final edits on my coming-of-age teen drama Vocations which will be available in September from Class Act Books. The screenplay adaptation is in development so it’s a crucial time for both mediums of Vocations.

Red Rose Publishing has picked up my paranormal romance anthology, Whispers in the Shadows and it’s currently in the hands of an editor. I love this publisher!

I have five more books of scary stories for kids. They are the spin-offs of the best-selling Ten Journeys Through The Unknown and include: Haunted, The Sands Of Time, Supernatural Stories To Make You Shiver, Twisted Tales Of Terror, and When Darkness Falls. Two of the five forthcoming anthologies have been edited and I plan to have the other three completely edited by the end of summer.

My literary coming-of-age anthology, Assorted Candies is also forthcoming. I’m pretty excited about this book because I believe it contains my best writing as of yet.

Coming from Spirit Rider Productions in Australia is the trailer for my teen vampire feature, Rarity. I’ve been heavily involved in the casting and have learned so much. My producer is absolutely amazing!

I have two other TV shows in development but due to my contracts, I can’t share too much information about them. What I can say, however, is that one is a unique coming-of-age teen drama and the other is based upon my scary stories for kids.

I have started writing three more books, two are paranormal teen dramas and the other, Last Werewolf Standing, is a paranormal romance. I’ve got notebooks filled with ideas which I’m craving to write. Whether on the page, big screen, or small screen, I’m confident there’ll be a lot more of my work to look forward to.

W: I heard you got your first novel published at just 19!! Could you share your experience with young aspiring authors and share us some tips?

H: I would never recommend that one try to write fiction as a career. I write only because I have to and, during the tough times, occasionally think it would be best to ignore my urge to put pen to paper.

My road to publication goes something like this: I began writing a manuscript I believe in while researching the business of publishing. It was on my third query that I got a request for the full manuscript and then a contract. What really stands out in my mind was the pride I felt and the first time seeing my beautiful cover art.

Through interviews and letters I’ve given a lot of practical advice but the truth is, the love, need, and desire to write is the biggest motivator and most important aspect. If you have that, an industry connection is a blessing but, if not, it’ll mean enough to you to start from the ground up.

An author must find the equilibrium between the thin line of being unrealistic and rational. When it comes to contracts and conducting yourself with industry professionals, a level-head is needed. When it comes to creating stories and having enough faith in them to make it big, it’s all about being unrealistic.

W: Since you are still a student at University, how do you balance school and writing? Is it really stressful?

H: I just graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honors Bachelor of Arts. I specialized in English but took many different disciplines including film, management, new media, history, sociology, psychology, women’s studies, and geography. In a couple of months I will begin studying for my book and magazine graduate certification. I’m really excited about this since I’d love to work in acquisitions or subsidiary rights at a major publishing house.

As with everything I do, I took university very seriously and gave it my best effort. Education is so important and I would encourage anyone to get as much of it as they can. I loved the learning experiences that university provided. Meeting new students and professors, taking a vast array of courses, and the associated events were all great. University was something I wanted to do, rather than it being forced upon me. Nonetheless, my time there was hectic. I initially went to university to study new media design. Since it was a small, highly-competitive program, the entrance into it was difficult and included an extensive supplementary application, portfolio, and exam. I got accepted only to change disciplines a year later! Luckily, I knew from the start that I wanted to study English so this didn’t delay my graduation plans. So, as you may see, university has stresses which don’t even include the workload.

I know I’m repeating myself here but, the main reason I was able to balance school and writing was because they’re both things that I love doing. Technically, though, it was my time management skills and responsibility which helped me to succeed. I’m someone who starts an assignment right away and would never submit anything late.

W: What is your FAVORITE book in the world, the one that you think everyone should read before they die?

H: That’s a hard question but my final answer is John Milton’s Paradise Lost. Writing the screenplay adaptation of that book, with a huge budget attached, would be a dream come true. I’d also recommend any of Tennessee William’s plays, Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, and anything by Jack London.

W: Finally, do you have anything else that you would like to say?

H: I would like readers to know that I started in this business with nothing but passion and a dedicated work ethic. I strive to improve upon my craft with every word I write so the best is yet to come. I’d like to thank everyone who has read my books and offered me supportive feedback. I hope I can bestow inspiration and a reminder that it is possible to live a dream.

Thanks so much for the interview Heather!!

Come check out her site HERE!

Wdebo :)

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Random Entertainment Clips : 7

-Eng Sub-

This is so funny Xiao Zhu and Xiao Gui are undercover GTV security. They are so funny/sad. In the beginning they want to be like prank shows so they try to scare the ppl coming off the elevator, and...well...they are quite embarassed [Remember this is a live show].
Then they search their guest's bags and find...what?
After that they take off their costumes and go to their changing rooms and a sneak peak all over!

Part 1



Part 2

Part 3


Hope you enjoy! And please comment!
Wdebo :)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Waiting on Wednesday : 1


Woohoo my very first W.O.W, haha, I so need to get cracking on these posts :P

So, the awesome WOW is brought to you by Jill at Breaking the Spine...Check it out!!

So without further ado, here is the book that is honored to be my very first WOW... *drumroll*

Splendor By: Anna Godbersen
Summary: GRR, I can't find one!!! [But I do know there is one on the back of Envy]
Why I Chose This Book: Come on, this is the latest [Isn't this the last?] book to The Luxe series, I need this book like so badly, it ended on a cliffhanger... *sad face*. I want to know what happens to all the characters. And the cover/dress is gorgeous [except not the best], and can someone please explain to me why the title is covering the model's face, that is going to annoy me so badly! But I guess since the empty part of the curve of the S is on her face, it's not that bad, but still!!!

Release Date: October 27, 2009 [Hm, I also read that that it was November 1, is it the October one or the November one?]

Also for the drama I'm waiting for...


Down With Love


Starring: Ella Chen [From S.H.E] and Jerry Yan

Synopsis [From WikiDrama]: Jerry Yan will play a lawyer who is good at divorce and inheritance lawsuits, who is very cool, smart, sharp tongued, and cold. Ella Chen plays the role of a nanny of two children.

Why I Want to Watch this: Ok, the synopsis says like NOTHING but it's JERRY AND Ella, how can I NOT want to watch??!! Jerry is like super serious, but Ella's so over the top, so it will just be funny to see how it plays out.

So, what are you waiting for?

Wdebo :)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Alex Nese Ni (倪子岡)

So, if you have watched Hot Shots before then you have prob heard the awesome songs Superman and U Got Me, which have been sung by Nese.

So, I can't find any info on him, other then he is an ABC [I believe]. And I can't post his pic up either!!

Well, here's his songs...

Superman





U Got Me (English Version)



Hope you guys enjoy and please comment!!

Wdebo :)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Check it out! Random Funny Commercial

So, this is a 7 11 commercial from TAIWAN feat. S.H.E and Fahrenheit!!

Jiro is just ADORABLE!!

It talks about 7-eleven is having a beach concert and blah blah blah :D





Hm, so I think I'll have more random commercials floating around, just come check back often!!

Please comment and tell me what you think!!

Wdebo :)

Sunday, July 19, 2009

In My Mailbox 十一 (11)

Yeah!! I've been absent from IMM for so long! But I've been busy and lazy :D

Thanks to The Story Siren for starting IMM. [Want to join in? Just click on the link!!]

So, this week was slow, but here we go...

The Recieved:
The Morgue and Me By: John Ford

Summary (From Booklist): Senior year is history and college is still a few months off. What better way to kill the summer than by working as a janitor in a morgue? True, it’s Christopher’s interest in being a spy that draws him to the job, but it’s his first encounter with a corpse that really snares his attention. Mitch Blaylock is the dead man’s name, and he’s listed as a suicide. Those multiple bullet wounds, however, don’t look self-inflicted. What was the sheriff doing whispering over the body? And what gives with all that cash hidden in the medical examiner’s desk? The questions, suspects, and dangers keep accumulating, and soon Christopher pairs up with an “insanely hot” wannabe muckraker from the local newspaper. Too much serendipity plays into the hands of this crime-fighting duo (and not enough is made of the character traits that would drive someone to work at a morgue), but Ford’s unpredictable curveballs and switcheroos never relent. A satisfyingly grim departure from the usual squeaky-clean teen sleuthing. Grades 9-12.

[I am currently reading this book, it is actually really good!! I really like it!]

The Borrowed:
The September Sisters By: Jillian Cantor

Summary (From Booklist): In this debut novel’s dramatic opening, Abigail is called out of her tenth-grade class to hear the words that she’s been waiting for since her sister, Becky, went missing two years ago: “They’ve found her.” Who took Becky? Where is the body? Was she murdered? The police consider Abigail’s depressed mother a prime suspect. Is she cheating on her husband? The story goes on too long, but what will hold readers, along with the suspense of the whodunit, is the honesty of the sibling story. Abigail remembers her quarrels with her sister and their rivalry for their parents’ attention, and her first-person narrative tells the truth about the breakup of a family; her grief, anger and long-time jealousy; and even her complicated feelings after she makes out with the boy next door. The dialogue, clipped and intense, leaves room for readers to recognize their own experiences in the words. And, always, there is the suspense: Where is Becky? Is “missing” worse than dead?

[I'm starting it, it's pretty good also]
That's all for this week, so what books did you recieve?
Wdebo :)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

You Belong With Me-Taylor Swift

I am a total sucker for a good love story.

This song and MV are totally cute!! (Though FILLED with steryotypes and cliches but whateve).

Hope you guys enjoy!!



Please comment!!

Wdebo :)

Friday, July 17, 2009

YEAH! I got more awards :)

I'm so happy! I got these from three diffrent bloggers thanks so much guys!! (Most of these are from Liyana) I have been putting off posting since for a long time, cuz I've been busy!

So here we go...


Thanks to Arya!!

This blog invests and believes in the Proximity - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award. (I'm too lazy..if you want it, it's yours ;) )

Let's Be Friends AwardThanks to Ella Press and Liyana for this one.

Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

So my nominees are (In random order)...

1) Ella at The Clock Monkey (I send this one back to you!)
2) Arya at A Sea of Pages
3) Marie at The Cupcake Witch
4) Bri at What Bri Reads
5) Diana at Stop, Drop & Read
6) TBB at The Book Brat
7) Addicted Reader at Reviewabook123

One Lovely Blog AwardI got this one before, but this one came from Liyana.


So now for the rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Since I already got this award I'm just saying, "If you've never gotten this award before...Here you go!"
#1 Blogger Award

I got this one from Liyana.

Blogs that received the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

Since this award is mostly like the "Let's Be Friends Award" my nominees are the same...

1) Ella at The Clock Monkey
2) Arya at A Sea of Pages
3) Marie at The Cupcake Witch
4) Bri at What Bri Reads
5) Diana at Stop, Drop & Read
6) TBB at The Book Brat7) Addicted Reader at Reviewabook123
8) Kayla at Midnight Twilight's Book Blog



Flower Bear Tagging AwardI got this one from Liyana.

1. Mention the person who nominated you. (Done :) )

2. List six unimportant things that make you happy

My dog-Shiao Hwa
Taiwanese Dramas
Comedies
Cupcakes
Sun
Taiwan

3. Tag six blogs, state the rules & notify them with a teeny comment on their blog.

1) Isa at Mixtures: Books...+
2) Letter Garden
3) Laina at Laina Has Too Much Spare Time
4) Lauren at Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
5) Linna at Live Through Pages
6) Bookworm

You Don't Say! AwardThanks to Liyana!


Splash! Award

Thanks to Liyana and Geneviere!


Now for the rules:


1. Post the logo on your blog/post

2. Nominate up to 9 blogs that allure, amuse, bewitch, impress, or inspire you!
3. Be sure to link your nominees in your post, and let them know they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.

4. Remember to link the person from whom you received the Splash award from!

Here are my nominees...

1) Kristi at The Story Siren
2) Steph at Reviewer X
I'm really lazy, so here you are if you want it!!

True Fairy Tale AwardThis award is from Debbie from Wrighty's Reads!


The award is for the hopes that one day all your dreams will come true!! Because we all are still Cinderella's at heart!


Here are my nominees...

Again, too lazy, if you want it, here you go!


Hope you guys all enjoy your awards, and sorry if I totally forgot anyone!!!


Wdebo :)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Random Entertainment Clips : 6

Here are two clips about Xiao Zhu and Gui Hun [XG's Song]

Gui Hun By: Xiao Gui [He NGs the first time by singing the "Thai Version" of the song-then sings again-then gives tips for XG to sing, then takes away the mic, saying he was taking his girls, XG says something, then XZ says, these are all my girls, we even got married!! [It was a promotion thingy]]



Here is him making fun of XG's nasally sound when he sings. [But that is XG's unique sound]



Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!

Wdebo :)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

If the Witness Lied By: Caroline B. Cooney

Title: If the Witness Lied
Author: Caroline B. Cooney
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 244
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Release Date: May 12, 2009
Geared Towards: Teens +




Summary (From School Library Journal): Three orphaned teenage siblings, separated by the tragic supposed patricide of their father by their two-year-old brother, reunite a year later to save this same brother from the clutches of their evil aunt, who wants to sell them out on a tell-all television show. The plot involves a lot of aimless meandering around their small Connecticut town, the characters are unremarkable, and the title, of course, gives away the mystery, but, as with all of Cooney's novels, the joy is in readers being more clued in than the hapless characters. Thus every chapter, narrated alternately by each sibling, ends with a successful degree of suspense. Contemporary technology—texting, cell phone videos, digital photography, online bank accounts—plays a weighty role; initially the reliance upon them aids each character's unhealthy distance from one another, but by the conclusion, it has become the link between them, creating laughably miraculous resolutions at every turn. A Christian theme pervades as well, as the siblings each question their relationship with God as well as with one another, and inevitably resolve both issues simultaneously.

Wdebo's Review: I think the only Caroline B. Cooney book's I've read are The Face on the Milk Carton series. But I am just in love with them *heart*!

I set high expectations for this book, because I know that Caroline is a phenominal author, but I was disappointed that the book didn't reach my expectations. Don't get me wrong, this was a wonderful, book filled with thrillers (at the end, mostly). The beginning was boring and kind of confusing (Or maybe that was because I was distracted and in no mood to read...but that's beside the point :P ) I think she built up the setting too much, and should have dived into plot sooner.

When the action FINALLY started to happen, it was amazing, it was so great, it was can't-put-down-this-book-Until-I'm-Done awesome, but then...*boom* it was gone just like that. I expected the story to be longer then it was, seeing as how it took so long to get to the problems in the first place, but nope, the solution came faster then I ever believed it could come and then it ended. Sorta sad-making.

The characters were well developed, the most interesting person to read about was their "Aunt" and that was only because she was evil and you wanted to know what horrible things she would do next.

Um the cover seems to do this book no justice [I know the author doesn't pick the cover but the covers are the selling point of the book, and I have to comment on it] the yellow and the black are yucky and all in all, if I wasn't looking forward to reading this book, um, the cover would not sell me on reading it. (C+)

All in all, for die-hard Caroline B. Cooney fans you will love this story, others, um, it depends!

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Winners!! : Suite Scarlett

Yeah! It is now the closing of my second contest. The turn out was small, but that's good for the participents huh? LOL

So, without futher ado, here is the winners, drumroll please!! *drumroll*

Diana
Brittany
Llehn
Liz
dramatistwriter

Thank you all for joining!! And hopefully I will have more contests for you all!!

TTYL

Wdebo :)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty By: Jody Gehrman

Title: Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty
Author: Jody Gehrman
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 255
Publisher: Speak [Part of Penguin Group]
Publishing Year: 2008
Geared Towards: Teens
Extra Info: The sequal is called Triple Shot Bettys In Love
"We were supposed to spend lazy afternoons lounging in bikins in Hero's deck, and long, giggly nights painting our toenails in sorbet hues. But what are we doing instead? Enduring awkward pauses and thinly veiled snarkiness."
Summary (From B.O.B):
There's nothing Better
than being a Betty.
Geena can't wait to spend summer vacation with her favorite people: her best friend, Amber, and her cousin Hero. They'll all be working at the Triple Shot Betty coffee shop, and Geena's sure it'll be great. But the moment Amber and Hero meet, the claws come out. They hate each other on sight. Geena's dreams of a girl-bonding summer fly out the window, and then threaten to vanish entirely when a few cute (okay, drop dead gorgeous) guys enter the picture. But all is not what it seems; and in a story of mistaken identities, crazy summer high jinks, and enough romance to make Shakespeare proud, Geena and her friends learn that when Bettys unite, they can take on the most pwoerful force in their world: a hot guy.
Wdebo's Review: I heard so many good reviews about this book! So I was totally excited to read this book. And the reviews don't lie, this was such an adorably, cute book!! It was such a great, fun, summer read.
The story was the classic love story, but it was awesome. Geena has such a great voice, and just made you want to finish the book, to see what happens at the end to her and her friends.
Geena is awesome, come on, one skater girl protagonists beat superficial material girls ANY DAY!! Though quite dumb at some time, she is interesting to read about. All the characters have their good and bad, Amber is the "trailer trash" character, but is hurt inside, while Hero is the rich daughter, who is nice, but stuck up. You just can't help but love these characters and cheer that their love lives work!!
I love the cover (mainly because it's pink and eye-catching) but it's simple and just adorable.
All in all, a great read, for those looking for a light fun book, your search will stop with Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty!
Grade: B+/A- [Somewhere in the middle]
Wdebo :)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

開天窗 (Open Sky Window)-Mayday

This is such a cute song!!

It features Open 將 Taiwan's 7-11's Mascot, muy Kawaii.

Ah Shing is amazing as per usual! I just love this song and mv, it's so cute it makes me get cavitites. (Pearl Pink!)




Let's meet Open 將, here's just two commercials...





Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!

Wdebo :)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Living Dead Girl By: Elizabeth Scott

Title: Living Dead Girl
Author: Elizabeth Scott
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 170
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publishing Year: 2008
Geared Towards: Older Teens

"Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.
Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.
Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was."

Summary (From Front Flap): WHEN ALICE WAS TEN, RAY TOOK HER away from her family, her friends-her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

Wdebo's Review: AMAZING, WONDERFUL, SPLENDOUS and whatever synonms for absolutely jaw dropping there is!

The story was absolutely mesmorizing and skin-crawlingly scary/haunting/disturbing, but amazing, one of those total can't put down books. The story felt so short, maybe because I read the whole thing in one sitting, but I just feel in love with Alice, and pained for her, and cheered her on, hoping she couldn't get everything together and run away or something drastic. I still don't understand why she believed what Ray said about killing her fam, it's kinda obvious its impossible, but I guess since she's young she doesn't understand.

The story alternates between when she gets abducted, life before that, life now and I think that really helped when it first opened with that picture of the scene and how it digs right into the meat of the story.

The cover is amazing also, haha, it totally shows this symbolism in the story.
All in all, a total must read before you die book, I loved it and wish everyone else can read it. It's short but the story stays with you long after you close the last page.

Grade: A +

Wdebo :)

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Other Book(s) You May Enjoy:


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Songs Listened to While Writing This Review:

Blessing of the lucky clover By: Honey & Clover Cast

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wondrous Strange By: Lesley Livingston

Title: Wondrous Strange
Author: Lesley Livingston
HARBACK
Amount of Pages: 327
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publishing Year: 2009
Geared Towards: Teens/ Fantasy lovers

"Sonny...you've found the Faerie King's daughter"



Summary (From Front Flap): For seventeen-year-old actress Kelley Winslow, faeries are just something from childhood stories. Then she meets Sonny Flannery, whose steel-gray eyes mask an equally steely determination to protect her.
Sonny guards the Samhain Gate, which connects the mortal realm with the Faerie's enchanted, dangerous Otherwood. Usually kept shut by order of icy King Auberon, the Gate stands open but once a year.

This year, as the time approaches when the Samhain Gate will swing wide and nighmarish Fae will fight their way into an unsuspecting human world, something different is happening...something wondrous and strange. And Kelley's eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her but to the heritage that awaits her.

Now Kelley must navigate deadly Faerie treachery-and her growing feelings for Sonny-in this dazzling pageturner filled with luminous romance.

Wdebo's Review: I confess, the reason I picked up this book was because of the cover. (I am a compulsive Judge-The-Book-By-The-Cover girl. ) But, I mean, seriously can you blame me? The cover is absolutely gorgeous. Everything is dark, but her dark red hair/lipstick and white dress stand out in the corner. Bravo to the cover designer!!!

Anyways, now to the actual book reviewing...The book was ok, pretty good, but there was this uncanny resembalance to the book Tithe. With the Faerie, Fae, Un/Seelie Court, etc. Is this something from mythology that I don't know about?

Apart from that, the writing was pretty good, it wasn't as dark as Tithe, but there was this hint of darkness. It was mysterious and magical.

All in all, it was a pretty good fantasy book for fantasy lovers.

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

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Other Book(s) You May Enjoy:

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Songs Listened To While Writing Post:
Le She Che By: Mayday
錯錯錯 By: Mayday
Superwoman By: Gary Cao
Recently By: Sam Lee
First Time By: Guang Liang
So Lonely By: Guang Ling ft. Fan Fan - Has the world's cutest dog!!!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Ding Dang (丁噹)

When Ding Dang was 18 she left home in search of oppurtunities to sing. She found that oppurtunity in Beijing's Rolling Stone Record, it only took them 8 seconds to sign her in! But because Rolling Stones was reconstructing, so it took her several years to release an album.

Ding Dang named herself this name because she has a love for Doraemon [An AWESOME kid's animae about a robotic braniac cat, who's chinese name is Xiao Ding Dang].

Her info:
Real Name: 吳嫻 (Wu Xian)
English Name(s): Ring/Della
Birthday: April 17, 1983
Birthplace: Zhejiang Province (In the Jiashan County), China

Here are some songs by her....

可以不可以 (Can Cannot )..This is one of my fav songs by her and I think it Genie has a version too.

The mv is sad...The girl is really rich and she loves the guy (Monster from Mayday). Then her dad, says that since he loves her, he has to send her out of the country to study, and gives him money as "compensation," and tells Monster if they are fated they will meet again. The girl comes and looks for him they are in his room and then she goes away. When she comes back, she calls him, he's on his motorcycle, then he suddenly gets hit by a car and dies. Why did it have to end so suddenly??!!!





猜不透 (Can't figure it out)- It has 瑪莎 from Mayday

The MV is sad also, but I have zilch idea what it is saying.





走火入魔 (It means something like Going Crazy and like not being able to figure out reality from fantasy, but as Google Translate likes to call it and I quote "Getting Possessed By the Devil" )

This is a duet with Ah Shin from Mayday [Yes, as you prob figured out now D.D. is Mayday's "Shi Mei" - In eng litteraly means"song little sis"]-And may I say Ah Shin looks absolutely cute in it!! This is such a sweet song/MV





Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!! As usual, please suggest ppl, I'm running out of idols to put up!!


Wdebo :)