MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

To All Our Readers,

Have an amazing Christmas!!!

XOXO,

Lexi & Ash

Books to Read for the Winter!!!!! (a Christmas Eve post by Lexi)

Our "loverly" readers,

Gotta love Eloise!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!! We hope that your day is amazing, and that you get to open a present a day early, lol! I thought I'd share a few great winter books that are must-reads!!!

Eloise at Christmastime by Kay Thompson

This book is so much fun! I'm a huge fan of Eloise, and have been since I saw the movie version of this! I love her spunk, and how rambunctious she is. (My mom calls me "Eloise" at times, lol.) This book is more of a kid book for adults, if that makes sense, and is actually written to be just that! You'll love it!

My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins

These are short stories (that aren't related), and they're great! It only took the first story for me to fall in love with this book. These are not only for Christmas, but also hit on New Year's and such. Cover up with your favorite blanket, grab some tea, and snuggle a pet or stuffed animal, and just enjoy these stories!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

You know I had to add this to the list; it's a classic! If you've never read it, why not now? Skip the movies of it (yes, that means the illustrated one as well), and actually read the book!

Starry, Starry Night: Three Holiday Stories by Lurlene McDaniel

These stories, also unrelated to each other, are heartwarming and may bring a tear to your eye. I read this pretty much every winter, and it doesn't get old. Read them in any order you want, but just be sure to read them!

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Of course I had to add this one! Again, another classic that should be read to satisfy the kid in you. This is especially if you're in a state where it's not going to be enjoying any snow any time soon (like us here in Texas)!


I know I'm missing other books that people read in winter every year, so if you have a suggestion, post it in the comments! We'd love to hear from you guys!
Till next time!!!


XOXO,

Lexi

A Few YA Book Quotes (A Sunday Post)

Hey, y'all!

We have five great YA book quotes for you today!!! (They're some of my favorites!) Hope you enjoy them!!!



"For the girls with messy hair and thirsty hearts"
                                                              - Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

"She is eight -- and she has told me that her dearest friends are characters in books."
                                                               - Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

"That boy never cried again, and he never forgot what he's learned: that to love is to destroy and that to be loved is to be the one destroyed."
                                                               - Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

"In the storybooks, a beautiful princess would revive him with a kiss, and the pair would live happily ever after -- but I was not a beautiful princess. I was a girl from Hampshire who liked to play in the dirt."
                                                               - Jackaby by William Ritter

" 'Don't be smart with me.'
'I'm smart with everybody. I am smart. I can't be smart with some and not others.' "
                                                               - Locked by Eva Morgan


Add some of your faves in the comment section!!!


XOXO,

Lexi

"Illusions of Fate" (a crowing review by Lexi)

Our Awesome Readers,

Today's novel took my breath away and also took my imagination on a rollercoaster of creativity!!! The amazing novel is Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White.

Summary: "Downton Abbey meets Cassandra Clare in this lush, romantic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him."


You will adore a bird. Yep, you read that correctly. You will adore and want to befriend a bird. One bird in particular, actually.

Anyways, this book was amazing. The imagery took my breath away, and the story had me guessing until the very end! I loved the chemistry and storyline so very much that I zipped through the novel as fast as I could while still savoring every bit of it! I truly loved this book.

The main character, Jessamin, felt like me; I could relate to her in certain ways, and in others, I wanted to be able to. I loved the fact that she was an outcast. As for Finn, I adored him. I loved his awkwardness and his magic. I love the back story as well, and the details in this novel!!! I recommend this novel to everybody and anybody that wants to read something worthwhile.

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Curl up with this novel on a cold day and read till your heart's content. Warning - You'll probably try to read this all in one night, and that's okay.

Rating:

5/5 crows


Till next time!!!


XOXO,

Alexis/Lexi

"Lost In Translation" (a wordy review by Lexi)

Awesome Readers,

Today's review is on a cool, entertaining, cute book that's not a novel or anything, but instead all about words... It's Lost in Translation by Ella Frances Sanders. (Hang in there with me till my review, okay? Trust me on this one.)

IGNORE THE BORING-NESS OF THIS COVER.

Summary: "An artistic collection of more than 50 drawings featuring unique, funny, and poignant foreign words that have no direct translation into English. 

Did you know that the Japanese language has a word to express the way sunlight filters through the leaves of trees? Or that there’s a Finnish word for the distance a reindeer can travel before needing to rest? 

Lost in Translation brings to life more than fifty words that don’t have direct English translations with charming illustrations of their tender, poignant, and humorous definitions. Often these words provide insight into the cultures they come from, such as the Brazilian Portuguese word for running your fingers through a lover’s hair, the Italian word for being moved to tears by a story, or the Swedish word for a third cup of coffee.In this clever and beautifully rendered exploration of the subtleties of communication, you’ll find new ways to express yourself while getting lost in the artistry of imperfect translation." (Thank you, Blogging for Books)

Okay, so the cover and summary kinda suck, but this book is very entertaining for anybody who likes words, to sound smart, etc. Or if you want to be entertained for a day. The book is a compilation of words from other languages that we have no words for... and totally should. There are illustrations with every one, as well as an origin. I love this book, but I totally wish there was a different cover because this one is so blah, and it doesn't reflect the inside at all. It just looks like a boring coffee table book on nothing fun.

Anyways, some of the words are funny, others beautiful, and all will leave you wanting more foreign words, more definitions, and more cute pictures to go with. Check out the author's blog where this all began, and fall in love with (even more) words all over again!

In Conclusion & Suggestions: BUY THIS BOOK IN ITS PHYSICAL FORM AND READ AWAY. Read whenever, really. And be sure to share it with friends!

Rating:

5/5 words


Till next time!!!


XOXO,

Lexi

Sunday, Sunday (a funny video Sunday post by Lexi)

Dear Readers,

Take a break from reading for a moment and watch these hilarious videos.

Hope y'all laughed!


XOXO,
Lexi

"Psyched" (a freaky review by Lexi)

Dearest Readers,

I'm so excited to be sharing the next few books with you!!! They've all been great, and I'm in the process of reading yet another wonderful one!!! So get ready to read about some awesome novels!!! Today's is Psyched by Juli Caldwell!

Creepy looking cover, huh?

Summary: "Aisi Turay has it all under control. At least, she thinks she does. Forget that the most popular girl in school hates her guts and will stop at nothing to embarrass her. Forget that her little brother is tormented by the ghosts and demons she sees all the time. Forget that her mom is a con artist who pretends to be psychic to make some cash. Forget that her dad is hiding a secret than can destroy everything she knows about herself. Nope, she's got this one...until that one awful day when she nearly loses it all. With ghost-hunting hottie Vance, a guy who stumbled into her life at the worst possible moment, Aisi must search for the messages hidden in visions and memories to protect her family. Maybe, just maybe, they can reclaim what she thought was lost forever." (Thank you, Goodreads!)

The novel started out with action and did not disappoint from there on! This novel has an interesting background inside, and I'd have never thought of such a fabulous back story! I love how deep the abilities and story goes, and the paranormal ideas inside of it all!

The main character, Aisi, can see spirits, as can her little brother. Seeing what she sees can be terrifying, and her gift can be more of a curse at times. When she thinks she's all alone in this fight, it turns out that she's not, even though her family is broken, and she doesn't have many friends (okay, just the one). This novel had me from the first page, and I know that it'll grab you as well! The paranormal aspects may be fake, but you'll never think that as you're reading. The story and everything is so realistic and creepy! I think y'all will love it as much as me!

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Read it if you want a fast-paced novel that's action-filled but not too scary!

Rating:

4/5 ghosts (only because the novels I read following had me immersed in them more)


Till next time!


XOXO,

Lexi

Book Geek GIFs -- the arty and the funny!!!!! (a randomness post by Lexi)

To the awesome readers, new & old,

Regulars: So I know it's not Sunday, but I thought I'd do a fun mini-post just for these!!! (The first one was my inspiration!!!)

Newbies: If you're new to this blog, please venture out to our other Sunday posts for fun, random things, and to our book reviews for your next book with some humor and Disney and just our general flair added with it!

Everybody: By the way, I've been reading a lot. and I'm now building up my awesome laptop again (had to start from scratch), so just wait and you'll be getting reviews for books like Jackaby, Illusions of Fate, and more!!!!!

ONTO THE GIFs...

(also known as our bedrooms... and any room we go into, lol)

Just beautiful, honestly. Whoever made this, thank you!!!

... which is how she achieved both in her mind.

("The Craft")

Twirl for books!

So cool...

I like big books and I can't deny...

stacks and stacks and stacks...

So neat!

so cool

Loverly

ka-boom!

When the book just kills you and nobody understands it like you...

Cliffhanger

Yes.

WAIT. WHAT???

or maybe five...

DON'T TOUCH MY BABY!

Best dog...

Made me dream of a sliding ladder...

Inhale deeply, my friend, and sigh with love...

Hope y'all loved these!!! Leave us some links or such with your favorite gifs!!!

Till next time!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

"Girl Talk" (a gut-busting Lexi review)

Our Awesome Readers,

Hello again! I have a little access to my laptop, so I decided to go ahead and blog! Today's novel is freaking awesome and hilarious! It's Girl Talk by Christie Young.

Summary: "Breaking from the tradition of buttoned-up guides for girls, Girl Talk is an illustrated collection of hysterically funny and necessary reflections on life, love, and making it in the modern world.

Combining etiquette tips with true stories from her own not always quite together life, Christie Young proves herself to be adept around managing life’s vicissitudes. Whether you seek advice on handling running out of booze during the holidays or running into your ex on the subway, Girl Talk offers the keys to coping in a world bereft of rhyme or reason.

Let’s talk about:

   • Realizing you look exactly like your boyfriend’s sister
   • Overthinking text messages and analyzing emoticons
   • Looking calm in a bar alone (without the help an iPhone)
   • Accidentally stealing something from the farmer’s market
   • Choosing between getting to work on time or showering
   • Responding to a sexy text your uncle meant to send to his girlfriend
   • Organizing your wardrobe, from crop tops to bolo ties
   • Handling a roommate who rents out your living room to strangers
   • Kicking your Netflix sci-fi marathon habit

And much, much more." (Thank you, Barnes & Noble!!!)

So this novel is an unconventional advice book that actually is helpful, but will have you giggling on page one! You'll learn how to deal with being out on your own, where to find your own life, friends, and best spots for music and life in general. You'll learn how to throw a great party as well. It teaches while you're laughing! This is awesome because I've read TONS of books with advice for young women, from things like this to those with manners, but NEVER have I ever read something this hilarious and with actually things I wanted to know. So I'll take this book's advice, smiling through life.

Rating:

6+/5 smiles


Till next time!!!

XOXO,
Lexi

Hackers Are Not Fun -- Tips (a post by Lexi)

Dearest Readers,

We are working on this issue as much as possible. (Well, actually, my dad's friend is, as he was the one who got hacked and then it spread from him to my house and his job and such.) Anywho, it should be cleared up in the next few days, and hopefully our network will never be hacked again.

Just a few tips if you get deeply hacked:

• Cover your camera on your computer when it's on. Even if the light isn't blinking or lit up, they can still see you.
• Don't say anything around your computer when it's on. The stereo may not look like it's on but they can still hear you.
• Go into recovery mode and back everything up onto an external hard drive. In fact, do this weekly so if you do get hacked or anything happens to your computer, you can just wipe it and start again. I recommend one that has large storage capabilities. Mine's 3 TB, which means I'll probably never fill it, but hey, better safe than sorry.
• Don't solve the problem yourself. Go to a professional or an awesome computer/IT person, especially one that you know and trust.
• Be careful with the info you save in documents on your computer. It's safer to have them on paper hidden in your house than to save every password or a credit card number or anything on your computer.
• And, last, but not least, don't download anything that you don't know is completely safe, or this can happen to you.

That's all. Don't want to make you paranoid, just want to ensure y'all are safe from this. This has been a deep hack (from laptops to iPads to even our phones!!!), and it's been frustrating and terrifying. So be safe out there, you guys!!!

We'll be posting soon!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

"The Secret of Isobel Key" (a Scottish Lexi review)

Our Awesome Readers,

Hello again!

Ever had one of those novels that takes you into them, those ones that you absorb yourself into? This was one of them for me. It was the perfect combination of the past, the present, and some spooky coincidences. It's The Secret of Isobel Key by Jen McConnel.

Summary: "Lou is in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. Fresh out of college, she’s unemployed and unsure of herself. But when she gets the chance to escape to Scotland with her best friend, it could be the answer to her quest for self-discovery. The trip is not at all what she expected, especially when her tour guide turns out to be the dreamy historian Brian, and together they embark on a hunt for information about Isobel Key, a woman accused of witchcraft in the seventeenth century.

They set out to learn the truth of the condemned witch, but Lou isn’t prepared for the knowledge that awaits her. She must face her own demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.
Flashing between seventeenth century Scotland and a contemporary romance, THE SECRET OF ISOBEL KEY is a mystery that will please readers of all ages." (All thanks to Goodreads for this summary!)

So Lou was easy to relate to. See, she was in a quarter-life crisis after graduating college, which is a big, normal phenomenon these days. When you're confused on what to do next in your life, when you know you have a purpose and that something big is about to happen, but you just don't know what either is. This is what Lou experiences when she quits what was supposed to be a temporary job that turned into a full-time one (we've all been there, huh, twenty-somethings?). Then she's surprised with a trip to Scotland, which she tries to embrace fully. While being immersed into the mysteries and past injustices of Scotland, it doesn't hurt that there's a hott Scottish guy that walks into the picture.

I was hooked immediately. This novel was soooooo good, and made me want to travel to Scotland myself, ASAP. (Okay, some actors I love are Scottish, so this book just amped up my need. I love those accents!) Anyways, this novel seriously had me reading it as much as I could, which hadn't happened in this manner in a long time! It's such a marvelous book!

In Conclusion: READ THIS NOVEL. This is especially if you're in your teens, twenties, or even early thirties!

Suggestions: If you have some wanderlust, but are not sure how to get to it, or just questioning yourself, go for this book. If you want to learn something, read this novel. If you want an AMAZING and developed story with characters who are more than worth it, read this novel. In other words, read this whenever you want, wherever you can. Stormy days are always great though!

Rating:

5/5 Scottish Pounds

Till next time!


XOXO,
Lexi

"Perfected" (a dolly review by Lexi)

Dearest Readers,

Hi! Thanks for joining us today! I promise you won't regret it!

Today's novel makes a person think about no only the future, but the present. It's Perfected by Kate Jarvik Birch.

Summary: "Perfection comes at a price.

As soon as the government passed legislation allowing humans to be genetically engineered and sold as pets, the rich and powerful rushed to own beautiful girls like Ella. Trained from birth to be graceful, demure, and above all, perfect, these “family companions” enter their masters’ homes prepared to live a life of idle luxury.

Ella is happy with her new role as playmate for a congressman’s bubbly young daughter, but she doesn’t expect Penn, the congressman’s handsome and rebellious son. He’s the only person who sees beyond the perfect exterior to the girl within. Falling for him goes against every rule she knows…and the freedom she finds with him is intoxicating.
But when Ella is kidnapped and thrust into the dark underworld lurking beneath her pampered life, she’s faced with an unthinkable choice. Because the only thing more dangerous than staying with Penn’s family is leaving…and if she’s unsuccessful, she’ll face a fate far worse than death." (Yay, Goodreads!!!)

This novel seriously had me contemplating whether this will ever happen or not. Will we see/breed humans as pets one day? Will it have the same effect as it does in this novel? It was seriously a great thing to consider the meaning of it all.

The characters were good. I liked Ella, the main character, and how I got to experience everything new all over again. She could be tedious at times, but maybe that was just the book itself. Some of it I felt was unnecessary. Anywho, Penn was adorable, as was Ruby, his little sister. I think that we can relate to Ella, as a female, and in some of the things that she's feeling and going through. I think that makes the novel an easy read.

In Conclusion & Suggestions: Read it on your own time, and stick with it because the ending is actually pretty good.

Rating:

3/5 gowns


Till next time!

XOXO,
Lexi

Comic Strips... (Reason and Fun Sunday post by Lexi)

Hello, Readers,

Since the very first comic strip was printed in an American newspaper on September 11th, 1875, I'm going to be putting some on here today...

Till next time!!!!!

XOXO,

Lexi

"Faces of the Dead" (a ghastly Lexi review)

Dear Readers,

I was worried I wouldn't really get into today's book because it's a historical fiction novel, but I was wrong! It's Faces of the Dead by Suzanne Weyn. (She's seriously an awesome author...)

Summary: "When Marie-Therese, daughter of Marie Antoinette, slips into the streets of Paris at the height of the French Revolution, she finds a world much darker than what she's ever known.

When Marie-Thérèse Charlotte of France learns of the powerful rebellion sweeping her country, the sheltered princess is determined to see the revolution for herself. Switching places with a chambermaid, the princess sneaks out of the safety of the royal palace and into the heart of a city in strife.
Soon the princess is brushing shoulders with revolutionaries and activists. One boy in particular, Henri, befriends her and has her questioning the only life she's known. When the princess returns to the palace one night to find an angry mob storming its walls, she's forced into hiding in Paris. Henri brings her to the workshop of one Mademoiselle Grosholtz, whose wax figures seem to bring the famous back from the dead, and who looks at Marie-Thérèse as if she can see all of her secrets. There, the princess quickly discovers there's much more to the outside world - and to the mysterious woman's wax figures - than meets the eye." (Thank you, Goodreads!)

Okay, so the book was a bit slow in a couple of places (at least to me, but I know others may argue with me about this). This novel taught me a lot about Marie Antoinette and the rest of her family, and the revolution/uprising. I also loved the spooky parts, and think that the beginnings of some of the most well-known people in history that were suggested in here were just great! The characters were well-developed and fun. The main character was daring for a princess, and was strong, so I truly respected her. Her story was just fun and intriguing, and I loved it. Her love interest was a great one, and working with who would eventually be Madame Tussaud was fun! I hope y'all like it as much as I did!

In Conclusion and Suggestions: Read this novel. It's a great one, so stick with it. Read it when you want something a bit spooky, but also sweet and daring.


Rating:

4/5 wax figures (hard to rate)


Till next time!


XOXO,
Lexi

"Before I Die" (a long-term review by Lexi)

Dear Loverly Readers,

(If you got the "loverly" reference, awesome! lol)

I'm currently watching "Torchwood" for the first/second time, and am loving it. This has nothing at all to do with this novel I'm about to review, but it's an awesome show, so go watch it on BBC America.

Anywho, today's novel scared me at first. I knew what it was about before I read it, and I was terrified that it would put me into a depression, or make me cry. It was a difficult read because I was waiting for the show to drop and for me to bawl for a few days, but thankfully, it didn't! It's Before I Die by Jenny Downham.

Summary: "Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against hospital visits, endless tests, drugs with excruciating side-effects, Tessa compiles a list. It's her To Do Before I Die list. And number one is Sex. Released from the constraints of normal life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up. Tessa's feelings, her relationships with her father and brother, her estranged mother, her best friend, and her new boyfriend, all are painfully crystallised in the precious weeks before Tessa's time finally runs out." (A huge thank you to Goodreads!!!)

This novel is very inspiring. As a girl with not much more time to live, Tessa experiences very realistic emotions, wanting to live as much as she can before she withers away. She's a hero in a novel full of hardships, and she's so inspirational. This novel shows that we should live out our dreams and wants with no one stopping us while we still can! The story is sweet and great and full of emotion, and I loved it a lot. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm going to stop here and let you guys read this and figure it out. (By the way, it is so great, and you won't go into a depression because of it; I promise.)

In Conclusion & Suggestions: This novel is a great one, so go for it! It'll inspire you! I say read it whenever you want; there's no bad time to read it.

Rating:

5/5 syringes


Till next time!

XOXO,
Lexi

Quotes for Book Lovers (a Sunday post by Lexi)

Hello, Readers!!!

Today's post consists of quotes that us book lovers understand and love! So here we go...

Hope you liked these!!!!!

Till next time!!!

XOXO,

Lexi