Thursday, July 26, 2012

Summer Time Reading

Hello lovelies, 
So today is the last day of my crazy work schedule and let me tell you, I'm SUPER excited! Mainly, I'm excited because this means I'll be getting back to writerly things. Goodness, I miss writing! I miss it like Arizona misses rain! Seriously people, it's sad. 
But anyway, I'll be back to writing and reading like a normal person and that makes me super happy. While I was basking in the happiness that will be my life (as soon as I pass this last final *freaks out*) I decided to share some "Summertime" reading ideas with you (Yes, I know its almost August and the end of Summer, but people, thats a whole MONTH of reading. Get on it).
Just because, you know, I'm all about reading. :-)


So here we go:








Honestly, this was such a cute read. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but by the end I wanted the next book! The characters were fun to read about and I loved all the Italian aspects of the story. This was my first Lauren Henderson book and I'm looking forward to reading more of her stuff!












This one is so adorable I don't even know where to start. I've only read book one so far, but I have the others and I can't wait to get to them. Casey and Nate are wonderful characters and I thought the story was fun and interesting. I loved the different aspects of the story. I made my best friend read this one and she loved it too! 








You knew this one was coming right? Seriously, I'm pretty much obsessed with this book right now! I want to go out on August 7th and buy every copy! If you're not convinced this book is EPIC you really should be. I mean, come on, how much do I need to babble about these awesomesauce characters before you believe me? By the way, full review can be found HERE (click it. You know you want to). Book two, why aren't you here yet??? *sobs*






Guys, this book is seriously adorable. I read it pretty much in one sitting because the writing was just so fun and fresh. I love sweet love stories and this one didn't disappoint. It was also full on funny and the characters were beyond engaging. I can't wait to read more by Robin. This one's a winner! 
Also, here's a FULL review if you'd like. :)








Ok, this is another book you really should've been expecting. If I'm not talking about Throne of Glass I'm definitely talking about Shadow and Bone. Guys, Leigh is Amazing! No, really, I'm totally jealous of her awesomeness. This book is unlike anything I've read! I love how complex and crazy this book is, but I also love the fact that I can totally follow what's going on. I love the characters to pieces, and yes, even the Darkling. Really, if you haven't read this, you need to! 
Oh and FULL review can be found here (and its awesome because its full of gifs). :)








Well darlings, this is all for now! I tried to find books that would be fun and interesting to read.
What are some of the books you'd recommend? 
Leave us comments! 
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Happy reading!


Much love, 
Valia 






Friday, July 20, 2012

On Book Trailers

Hello lovelies,
So lately I've been seeing more and more book trailers hitting the interwebs. It's a little crazy because even a year ago you say "book trailer" and everyone would go "So they're making a movie out of the book?" It's interesting how the industry continues to grow and flourish, bringing new and exciting things our way. Honestly, I've seen some quite impressive ones and some not so impressive. For me, the trailer doesn't have to have a lot of actors and look like a movie for it to be impressive. It just needs to speak of the book. I like the whole idea behind a book trailer and I hope one day my book will have a pretty sweet one as well. :)
Here are some of my recent favorites:

This book is seriously fabulous!!! I was the first person to receive an ARC of it and I can't wait to finally share the review with you! I LOVE this trailer! This trailer is amazing! Seriously, I thought this was a movie at first! I have this book but haven't read it yet. Bought it because of the trailer!  
I like this trailer because it portrays the book so well. You can feel the darkness and the madness of the world Julie created!  
I haven't read any of these books but now I feel like I must. This is one of those "talking" trailer with actors and I think its great!  
I adore this trailer to pieces! I haven't read the book yet although its high on my list! I love how intense it is! This is probably one of my favorite books of last year! I LOVED the book to pieces and I think the trailer does a fabulous job with it! 
So here are some of my favorites! 
What are yours? Do you prefer actors or words? 
Let me know!!! 


Have a great day! 
Valia

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Imagination

Last night I was terrified. In the house we live right now, there are these weird bugs with crazy long and a crazy amount of legs called house Centipedes. I was told that they eat other bugs and not to worry about them. 

Freaky right? 


In the later evening there was a giant one on the ceiling of my bedroom. I am not one to kill bugs, other than nasty spiders, so I left him alone and went back in the living room. When I was ready for bed, I checked around and he was gone. I wasn't all that worried about him until I turned the lights out. The second it went pitch black I kept picturing him crawling from the wall and onto my pillow. I swear I could feel him by my ears and then my legs. Each tiny little leg tap, tapping on my freaked out skin. I batted and swatted; even turned on the light to see if he was there. When the light flicked on bright, blinding my sleepy eyes, the only thing in bed with me was my imagination. It is weird how our minds can play tricks on us and make us think or even feel like something is there. 

When you are younger they tell you to "get out of your head" or "Earth to Nova" but honestly I love being in my head where there are always places to visit, people to see, and adventures to have. I think you really need that time. Everyone does. I guess it is very Peter Pan of me but I feel like the day we loose that in ourselves, is the day we give up on life. If a child gives you a talking doll, you better talk back. You never know if that child can one day use that imagination to create the next Harry Potter. Let them teach you not to be so jaded in your adult life. 

Friday, July 13, 2012

Never Alone! (the important stuff post)

Hello lovelies,
So today, I have another video for your viewing pleasures. Denise Jaden, the author of Never Enough, has put together a video for the release of her book. I think this video can be an encouragement for young and old and I wanted to share it with you!  
Inspiring isn't it? To know you're never alone, and that you are worth something more than what your "bad days self" tells you you do.
Maybe you've seen this post before but I'm going to share it anyway. 

I think, sometimes, we all need that reminder. 
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend! 
Much love, 
Valia 

P.S. If you want to find out more about Denise or her book visit http://denisejaden.blogspot.ca/ 

Friday, July 6, 2012

My Smash Book Flip Through #1

Hello Darlings! 
So remember how I showed you that video about the new Smash Books? And how I told you I wanted to make one? Well, I did! ;-) 
This is my summer journal project and I love it to pieces! It's a little slow moving since its only July but I thought I'd share the progress with you! So what do you think?
What are some of your non-writing summer projects? 
I'd love to see! 
Hugs! 
Valia