Book Review: Someday, Someday, Maybe

I was first drawn to this book because Lauren Graham (aka Lorlelai Gilmore) is the author. I loved me some Gilmore Girls back in the day (still do). The second reason I was drawn to it was the plot: A struggling actress in the 90s has only 6 months left to the deadline she has set for her self. Growing up in the 90s I dreamed of becoming an actress. 

For me the beginning was a bit slow going, but not anywhere near were I wanted to abandon reading the book. I also thought the story/characters were a bit predicable at times. 
I did still enjoy this book though. There were some funny lines/situations that would make me chuckle out loud. I liked the inside look into trying to break into acting and that it was set in the 90s before things like cell phones and social media. 

Would I recommend? Yes, especially if like me the 90s have a special place in your heart and you hoped you would be a star someday (someday, maybe). 

~amber~

Book Review: If I Stay

Hey everyone, this post was supposed to go up last Friday. I thought I had scheduled it to go up but I didn't. Sorry about that. So you get a new post today and tomorrow. :) 

After seeing the trailer I decided I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie. Just the trailer makes me weepy, so I know I am going to need lots of tissues when I see the movie (which I have yet to see).

 If I Stay by Gayle Forman is narrated by 17 year old Mia. Mia and her family all have a unexpected day off and decide to venture out and visit family friends. On the way they get into a terrible accident and everything is forever changed.

This is a very touching story. Mia has a choice to make, a very difficult one. The actual present day story takes place in about a day. But we also flash back to different times in the past, and we are able to learn more about Mia and her family and friends. 

I think this book was very well written. It drew me in from the very beginning and kept me hooked till the end. 

I am currently reading the follow up to this book called Where She Went. 


~amber~

Book & Movie Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

I saw the movie a few years ago. Then recently for what ever reason I decided I wanted to read the book, so I asked for it for the holidays. My mom got it for me (thanks mom!) and I pretty much read it in a week or so (I did not want to put it down) even though it is a long book, over 500  pages.

The story is told from two perspectives, Henry who time travels and his wife Clare who does not.  The story centers on Henry and Clare and their lives. However, there are still many other characters who even though their roles are smaller they are just as important in the story. 

99% of the time in my opinion the book is always better than the movie. That doesn't mean the movie is bad (although sometimes it is) it just can't compare to the book. In the book there are all these details that you can't fit into the standard time of a movie. This is true for The Time Traveler's Wife.

So how does the movie compare to the book? In my opinion the book is better but the movie is good if you see it separately from the book. There are some changes made in the story in the movie and some things they leave out from the book. If you watch the extras on the DVD they explain why they choose to do this. 

Would I recommend the book? Yes definitely. The movie? Yes, but don't expect it to be just like the book. 

This is only book number three in my challenge. Even though I haven't read as many books as I had hoped to by now, I have been good and I have not bought any books so far this year. 

Till next time,

~amber~

Book Review: The Age Of Miracles

To sum up the synopsis on the dusk jacket of the book: 

What would happen if the rotation of the earth has suddenly slowed? If the days and nights grow longer and longer? If gravity was affected and the environment is thrown into disarray?

If your 11 year old Julia you keep on living and growing up. The world is changing everyday and nothing is as it was but Julia still has to deal with the normal things kids growing up deal with. Her family, friends, bullies, crushes, etc.

One of the reason I liked this book so much was not only did the author tell us the story of what happens when our normal everyday lives are changed by things we have no control over. But how even though things are so different in the world Julia is still just a kid growing up and dealing with that.

This is such a good book. Very well written.  I definitely recommend it.  I don't want to say anymore because I don't  I want to give anything away.

Till next time,
amber

January Favorites!

I haven't done a favorites in so long!  So here we go........

Beauty

 1) Bath & Body Works, Triple Moisture Cream in Frosted Snowberry.

 I picked this up half off at the semi annul sale back in December. Since we are in the middle of winter I wanted something that would be extra moisturizing. I have been using this all month after my showers (you can tell by the picture I don't have much left). This smells so good. The smell reminds me of fruity pebbles. Is that weird?  Unfortunately this is holiday scent so you can't get it in the stores anymore (as of when I am posting this, they do have the regular lotion and body wash on their website 50% off).

2) Bath & Body Works, Secret Wonderland Shower Gel.

  This is one of my favorite scents for the winter. I would have gotten the triple moisture cream in this scent but I didn't want to pay full price. I just love this scent and have been using the body wash since December.

3) Stila, Lip Glaze in Sugar Plum.

 My bf  got me the All Is Bright Stila lip glaze set for my birthday in December.  Out of that set the one I have been using the most all month and the one I have been keeping in my purse is Sugar Plum (18). This lip gloss gives a bit of color and shimmer too. For me this is a great color for when I want a hint of color and shine for my lips.

4) Physicians Formula, Conceal RX in Fair Light.

 I needed a new concealer because my last on started to discolor. So while grocery shopping back in December I decided to take a chance and picked this one up. I have to say that I ended up liking it. It has pretty good coverage.  I haven't been wearing much makeup in January but my skin has been freaking out and I have been having many breakouts. So often before going out I will use at least this concealer.

Non Beauty

5) Lipton Black Tea.

 For whatever reason I have been drinking a ton of just plain black tea this month. I have all these different flavors but this is the one I have been reaching for the most this month. With honey its just so good!

6) TV Show: The Carrie Diaries. I am loving this show. First off, I loved Sex And The City the show and the first movie (the second movie not so much). Second because its set in the 80s and its fun to remember how things were (the music,the fashion,the hair,etc).

7) Book: The Age Of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker.

I finished reading this book this past weekend. It is the first book that I have read for my challenge. I am going to do a review, look for it in the next couple of weeks. Check out my page Amber's Bookshelf, to find out about my challenge, to see the books I have read, and the reviews I have done.

8) App on Phone: The Game Subway Surfers. I have been playing this since before Christmas but I have playing it like crazy this month. Its very simple, you run and collect coins and try to get the high score (you can play against friends if you link your facebook). You also complete missions and daily challenges for bonuses. I'm addicted and so is my bf ( he is the one who got me hooked). Its free for android (not sure about iphone) so check it out.

Till next time,
amber

Book Review: The Future of Us

 I finished reading the book I had started last year, so I am excited to be able to start reading books for my challenge. But first a review of the book I just finished. The book is called The Future of Us and it is by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler.

When I first heard the plot for this book I knew I wanted to read it. It takes place in 1996. I was a 90s kid. When Emma gets her very own computer her friend Josh gives her a America Online CD-Rom, (remember those?).  Somehow when they log in using the CD-Rom they are able to access their Facebook profiles fifteen years in the future.

This is a YA book even though its 356 pages long once I actually had the time to read it I was able to get through it pretty fast. 

I loved that the book took place in the 90s. I grew up in the 90s so I am always going to think of that time as being awesome. It is amazing how much has changed since then! There are a ton of 90s references including the Discman, beepers, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and YM magazine. I think you will probably have to be in your 20s to fully appreciate all the references. For those younger it will give you a glimpse into what growing up in the 1990s was like. 

Then there is the whole knowing your future and how that then affects your present. The two characters in the book quickly realize that knowing their futures affect how they act in the present which then in turn keeps changing their futures. I have always found the concept of the butterfly effect very interesting. One small change now can result in a big change(s) later on. 

I definitely recommend this book. If anyone has read this book let me know what you thought of it. 

Till next time,

Amber

Happy 2013!

Hello everyone! I know its been awhile but as I expected December was crazy with work. Now that it is January I am going to have a lot more time to blog. I am hoping to (some weeks may be more and some may be less) post twice a week. Most likely Mondays and Thursdays.

I want to mention a new Page I am going to have on this blog. It is called Amber's Bookshelf. I will explain about the challenge I have set for myself on the page. But basically I am going to keep track of all the books I read (start to finish) in 2013. I also will then link any of them that I do reviews for.

I am also excited to have joined ipsy (MyGlam) for the this year. A birthday present from my mom (thanks mom!). I can't wait to do what's in my ______ glam bag and review posts. Speaking of my birthday, look for a post all about how I celebrated and what I wore for my birthday dinner with my bf in the next week or so.

 Happy New Year everyone!!

Till next time,
 Amber