Top Ten Tuesday: La Di Da! Theme Songs!

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week The Broke and The Bookish posts a topic and lists their Top Ten things that fall under that category. Top Ten Tuesday is a great way to learn more about your favorite bloggers and discover new blogs and books as well! To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday and see the topics, click here.

And this week's topic is (la la la la)....

Top Ten Books I'd Give A Theme Song To....

1. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall: I frequently mention this cute middle grade novel about 4 sisters and their adventures throughout the summer. The theme song I would place with this novel is "Our Last Summer" by ABBA. This sweet, and adorable song describes an adventurous summer which is just like this book that I adore. 

This is the Mamma Mia version of "Our Last Summer"

2. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: For some strange reason 42 by Coldplay reminds me of the Harry Potter Series (especially the calm part of the song). Every book has a certain vibe and this song gives me the same feeling that I got when I read Harry Potter. 

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett: The song I chose for this particular book is Ready To Run by the Dixie Chicks. This song has a strong Southern feel to it just like the Help. The to the song's story is similar to Skeeter's story (Skeeter is a main character.)

    Sorry for the poor quality!

4. Paper Towns by John Green: Although the song I am choosing doesn't necessarily fit the vibe of this book, the lyrics relate to it. I chose Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield for this book. A lyric  in this song is:  I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined

I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window....

Credit to http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/natashabedingfield/unwritten.html for the lyrics. 

This line practically defines one of the main characters, Margo Roth Spiegleman. 

5. My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody:  This books is about a girl who just wants to have fun, but her innocent choices end up leading to a bad outcome. Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cindy Lauper is such a carefree and light song, so it is perfect for this outgoing, contemporary novel. 

Warning- you may have to stop reading this post in order to take part in some serious dancing.

1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- We cannot not have french music to accompany Anna et le Bisou Français! I'm a big fan of french music. I find it simply magnifique and very elegant. Plus, a lot of French Albums have intermission songs! Isn't that like the coolest thing in the world!? (Ok, I may be a little bias considering I take French) I think that the artist, Couer de Pirate really fits the whole mood of Anna. Especially Berceuse which is "Lullaby" in English. 

2. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green- This is a difficult one, because there are so many different moods in this book. I think this book is sort of a love story. Ok, yes, it is a love story, among many other things. And one of my favorite movies is also a love story among many other things. And that movie is Juno! The song I chose is "Anyone Else But You," from Juno! It's a very monotone song, and they aren't really good singers or anything, but I think that's sort of the point of the song. 

3. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins- I'm finding this really difficult- to pinpoint just one song for an entire book. For Lola and the Boy Next Door, focusing mainly on the Cricket-Lola romantic awesomeness, I chose (mainly the beginning of) Can't Help Falling In Love by Ingrid Michaelson because I think it's a cute song and the lyrics sort of match the book. ;)

4. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer- Well, this book is filled with so much emotion, it was difficult to find just one song. And, I thought that this song, Leave the Light On by Priscilla Ahn, sort of reminded me of Oskar's relationship with his mom. How he sort of thinks he doesn't need her, and is mean to her, but he actually needs her and loves her. Plus, I think that the lyrics really fit really well.

5. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han- I think, even though this one has some sad themes, overall, it's a pretty warm, good feeling sort of book. I chose 1-2-3-4 by Feist because a) I think it's a pretty great (and warm) song  b) I think it really represents being in love and being a teen, c) I think the chorus ties in nicely with the overall theme of the book.

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Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin

Title: Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters | Goodreads
Author: Meredith Zeitlin
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Release Date: March 1st, 2012
Challenge: 2012 Debut Authors Challenge


Synopsis (from Goodreads)-


Kelsey Finkelstein is fourteen and FRUSTRATED. Every time she tries to live up to her awesome potential, her plans are foiled – by her impossible parents, her annoying little sister, and life in general. But with her first day of high school coming up, Kelsey is positive that things are going to change. Enlisting the help of her three best friends — sweet and quiet Em, theatrical Cass, and wild JoJo — Kelsey gets ready to rebrand herself and make the kind of mark she knows is her destiny.

Things start out great - her arch-nemesis has moved across the country, giving Kelsey the perfect opportunity to stand out on the soccer team and finally catch the eye of her long-time crush. But soon enough, an evil junior’s thirst for revenge, a mysterious photographer, and a series of other catastrophes make it clear that just because KELSEY has a plan for greatness… it doesn’t mean the rest of the world is in on it.

Kelsey’s hilarious commentary throughout her disastrous freshman year will have you laughing out loud—while being thankful that you’re not in her shoes, of course…




My Thoughts


     I had been looking forward to this one for a while. (debut author named Meredith, cute contemp- score!) And I was sick the other day and got around to reading this one (thank you Putnam for sending it!) I was in the mood for something fluffy and picked this one up expecting a cute contemporary. And oh my goodness- it exceeded my expectations. I was drawn in from page one (I love it when that happens!) and loved it so much I stayed up wee into the hours finishing it. Kelsey's humor and awesomeness, the hilarious plot line, the other character (Kelsey's family and friends), the New York setting that made me envious: it all tugged me further and further, deeper into this book.

     Kelsey made this book. She is one of (if not the) best teenage girl characters I've read all year. She was so sarcastic, hilarious, adorable, solid and such a realistic character. She could have been annoying, but I think Meredith Zeitlin wrote her perfectly! Without Kelsey, this book would have been ok, but Kelsey completely makes it! Kelsey's friends are great characters as well, and I couldn't help but compare myself to them. (I think I'm a mix between Kelsey and Em) My one thing with them- I got them the tinsiest bit confused the first couple chapters. Although, that's probably just me. ;)


     The Finklestein's were also hilarious. Kelsey's younger sister really reminded me of my younger sister and her parents cracked me up. Especially Kelsey's relationship with her mom. Kelsey referring to her mother as "born in 1901" and "back when mom was a kid, 397 years ago," made me laugh every time. The humor in this book was brilliant and realistic. The whole theatre situation was so funny I had to put the book down for a moment because I was laughing so hard.

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    The New York setting definitely made me envious and also reminded me a lot of my mom. (who grew up in Brooklyn and went to school in Manhattan just like Kelsey) Kelsey kept going places and I would always be like "how is she getting there alone? She can't drive" and then I would remember the subway! I mean, usually I enjoy light, fluffy reads, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters. Something that I think really sets this apart from other books- the unnatural disasters. They were like these little themes and stories within a main plot and overall theme, which really keeps the reader interested and entertained throughout the whole book. There is not a single dull moment which is something that teens seem to love!


    Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin is a great book for anyone looking for a fun read. You will fall in love with Kelsey Finklestein and the hilarious disasters known as her life. And I look forward to more of the impressive, Meredith Zeitlin! (who happens to have the best first name on this planet) To learn more about Kelsey Finklestein or Meredith Zietlin, and see the book trailer, go to kelseyfinklestein.com.

In My Mailbox (er... In My Nook) (42)

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly feature hosted by the super fabulous, Kristi at The Story Siren. "IMM" is a way to share thoughts on the books you've received throughout the week with readers. To read more about "In My Malbox," click here.




     I've been experimenting around with NetGalley (aka- ARC's in e-book format for book reviewers from publishers). It's a bit confusing for me right now and is certainly not nearly as satisfying as receiving an actual book in the mail. But it'll be alright. ;)

 1. Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard (ARC)- I enjoyed Kirsten Hubbard's debut, Like Mandarin and I was so happy when I saw this one on NetGalley! I started reading it yesterday (I just couldn't resist) and so far I AM IN LOVE! I love the setting (Guatemala), and the characters, and the plot line! I hope this one continues to be just as fabulous as I keep reading.

 2. Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (ARC) - Ok, so this one may have a slight TFiOS aspect to it, but I didn't even know that when I requested it. I've heard that it's very good, hilarious, but also extremely sad (the girl has leukemia) Excited to read it!






     That's all I received In My Mailbox (err... in my Nook) this week! Feel free to link to your In My Mailbox posts in zee comments section of this post. 

Feb Book of the Month: How To Rock Braces & Glasses

     Welcome to Mint Tea & A Good Book's February Book of the Month! This month's book was the recently adapted to television, How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston.

Title: How to Rock Braces and Glasses
Author: Meg Haston
Publisher: Poppy (Little, Brown)
Release Date: October 24th, 2011













Synopsis (from Goodreads)-

In the story, an eighth-grade Queen Bee, after finding herself dropped into Loserland, realizes that it’s time to reap the bad karma she’s sown. 
Gorgeous, uber-harsh, and uber-stylish, Kacey Simon is the undisputed social dictator of Marquette Middle School. That is, until an eye infection and a visit to the dentist leave her with coke-bottle glasses, a mouth full of metal, and... a littttthsp! Dissed and dismissed by her popular friends, Kacey is forced to hang out with a boy who wears skinny jeans and jams in his own band. But as she adjusts to life as a loser, she's surprised to find that Skinny Jeans is kind of hot and his band is pretty cool. Suddenly, hitting rock-bottom feels oddly uplifting. Could rocking braces and glasses be the best thing to ever happen to her? 

In this hilarious reversal of the cool crowd versus the nerd herd, a popular girl finds herself in Loserville and realizes it's about time she paid back all the bad karma she built up as Queen Bee.




My Thoughts


If you're looking for a nice, fluffy, mindless read, I highly recommend How To Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston. Definitely is not one of those high stress, tear bomb explosion (cough, cough, The Fault in Our Stars) sorts of books.


The plotline of How to Rock is in it's own realm. Usually it's "nerd girl wants to be popular, but once she's popular she realizes she doesn't like it, blah, blah, blah." In this one, it's the uber popular girl falls off the top of the popularity latter all the way down to the sweaty nerd pit.


The main character, Kacey Simon, is mean. I could not stand her for the first half of the book. But somehow, Meg Haston is a good enough writer to sort of make the reader hate Kacey, but still not completely annoyed with her to the point where the book was completely obnoxious. Well done there, Meg Haston!


I don't really think How to Rock Braces and Glasses was written to be realistic (I do not mean that in a bad way). I mean lets face it, if the super prep queen bee got braces and glasses, and ok, maybe got a lisp, she wouldn't become completely "socially unacceptable." But also, keep in mind, this is a fluffy one and despite the name "realistic fiction," contemps are not always absolutely realistic.


A novel, I think I would dub "middle grade," How to Rock Braces and Glasses is a light read that I think will really appeal to lots of middle school girls, whether they be "nerdy" or "popular." Kacey's story is one of Karma (being mean will return to stab you in the back) and friendship.

TGIF (28)- Required Reading

     TGIF is a feature hosted by the ever fab Ginger over at GReads! Ginger asks a fun question every week and bloggers post their answers. TGIF is a great way to learn about some of your favorite bloggers, and have fun posting too!


This week's question is...

Required Reading: Which book from your school days do you remember reading & enjoying? Is there a book published now that you'd like to see in today's curriculum for kids?

Well, ahem, seeing as I am a teen, my adventure in required reading is a journey that is not ending anytime soon. I think a lot of people think required reading? bleck. But I've read some great books in school. We'll start with some of the fabulous books I've read in school.

 1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd- I read this one in between 7th and 8th grade and it really surprised me how much I enjoyed it! There were unexpected plot twists, and I thought the characters were very solid and well written. Summer Reading Win!


2. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee- Technically, 8th grade was not the first time I read this one (it was the 3rd!) but it was required that we read it in 8th grade. Normally I dislike re-reading a book (other than Anna and the French Kiss) but I was pleasantly surprised by this re-read. There was so much more I got out of it the 3rd time.


3. The Giver by Lois Lowry- Our teacher read this aloud to us in 5th grade and we were supposed to follow along. However, little Meredith decided that she was going to read ahead while the teacher read it outloud and finished the book two weeks early. Woops! I remember really enjoying this one.


     What would I like to see in required reading curriculum? Well, first of all- I think it's so cool that Looking for Alaska is so widely read in schools these days. I realize that teacher try to appeal to lots of people with required reading. However, I think a lot of required reading doesn't appeal to those "non-readers"


     As a teen going to school everyday, I really see what teens are reading. I must be really annoying by always walking up to random people at school saying "I love that book! It's so good, right?!" and obnoxious things of the sort. However, I also see a lot of non-readers. These are teens who proclaim to hate reading and read Spark Notes instead of the required reading. These are also the teens who only read when required to.

   Last year, I was sitting in English class (where we're always required to have a book with us) and one girl who had said she hated reading didn't have a book. I was reading Divergent at the time but happened to have Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott in my backpack (its a cute contemp). I lent it to the girl who had forgotten a book and "hated reading." She started reading it and at the end of class she told me that she didn't know books like that even existed! She ended up taking the book home with her and finishing it and loving it. One of the things I love is being able to recommend teen books to other teens.


     What my point is here, is that I think sometimes required reading seems to often be very focused on books with strong morals and also classics (although, my english teachers do a good job of incorporating more modern books) and while I think that's good, I think they're should also be more of a blend. Ok, now onto books I think would be great required reading.

 1. All John Green Books, especially The Fault In Our Stars- Number One on New York Times for a while now- it's clear that teens love this book. However, most teens are not exposed to the world of YA as much as I am so I think this would be such a great one for required reading. One of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.


2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys- My English teacher from last year actually LOVED this one! (yay!!) And as a teen who doesn't always love Historical Fiction, I think this would be a great one if you have a historical unit or something of the sort. It's such a phenomenal book!


3. Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley- I'm sure there are already teachers adding this one as required reading. (especially since it just won the Prtinz Award) No matter who you are or what your interests are- I think this book appeals to everyone. I also think teens can really connect with the main character, Cullen Witter.


     Lastly, a shout out to all of the english teachers I've had, who are great at choosing books for required reading. 

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Release Date: October 18th, 2011













Synopsis (from Goodreads)-

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. 

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. 

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.


My Thoughts


The Scorpio Races was my first Maggie Stiefvater book and I decided to read it instead of Shiver because it was a standalone! (yay standalones!) I really did not want to commit to a series right now but I did want to read a Maggie Stiefvater novel, so I picked up The Scorpio Races! :)


The plotline was very interesting. Sort of "Hunger Games-esque," but it did take me a while to get into it. Maggie Stiefvater is certainly a phenomenal writing. Like, I would be reading and have to stop just to take in the awesomeness of the writing. The problems were a) there was A LOT of detail, and I like some detail, but at some parts in this book there was too much detail which got boring.


This book took me a while to get into, like I said before. The first half is a bit dull. The beginning sort of drags out for a while, and then after the first 200 pages (yeah, it's a long book) I thought it was incredible. I just think the beginning should have been slightly shortened. The second half was great. Maggie Stiefvater's writing was thought provoking and lyrical and completely fantastic. During the second half of the book I could not stop reading! And the ending! The ending was phenomenal. Another aspect of this book I enjoyed was the family relationships and the romance. Very well done on Maggie's part there.


The whole "Water Horse" is really neat but also extremely creepy. Sort of like something out of a nightmare. And the setting was eery, but really fit in with the mood of the book. This book is not really paranormal, it's sort of fantasy, but I'd say more than anything it's mythology. So if mythology is something that intrigues you, then you should definitely check this one out.


 Onto the cover. Lately, I've read a few books where cover will only include one of the two or three main characters which bothers me. I feel like you should have all the characters or none of them on the cover. The Scorpio Races also has another cover (see right.) and that cover does not have either of the main characters (the book is told from two points of view), but I'm still not in love with either of the covers. 


Was The Scorpio Races worth the 200 pages of slowness? I think it was. This is definitely a great one for people who like mythology and/or horses and will likely appeal to a multitude of ages.


Other Reviews of The Scorpio Races


Books from Bleh To Basically Amazing (negative review)
GalleySmith (positive review)
Heise Reads and Recommends (neutral review- but slightly more positive)

Top Ten Tuesday- Apocalypse! Quick, Grab the Books!

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week The Broke and The Bookish posts a topic and lists their Top Ten things that fall under that category. Top Ten Tuesday is a great way to learn more about your favorite bloggers and discover new blogs and books as well! To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday and see the topics, click here.


This Week's Topic Is...

Top Ten Books I'd Quickly Save If... (insert disaster here)

     We, of course, chose the apocalypse because we need to plan what books we are going to bring to Planet Goldilocks when the zombies attack. Or when the sun explodes. Anyway, you get what we mean. Also, I'm going to exclude the obvious stuff like dictionary and history textbook. We'll assume that they've already been teleported to the Goldilocks planet.

1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee- Pour-quoi? It represents our society, being an adult, being a child, morals, what not to do, what to do, and good sorts of things like that. Plus, it's a really good book and I wouldn't mind being stuck with it for a while.

 2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- Ok the zombies are about to eat me and I scream "GET THE FAULT IN OUR STARS!!" Yep, that's what is going to happen. And really, this book is filled with so much good stuff, and sad stuff, and funny stuff, and wow-I'm-so-thankful-for-myself stuff, and love stuff, yeah, it's a really great book. And it's signed, so I CANNOT lose it.


3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins- First of all, I am guilty of not letting anyone touch my copy of this book (it's signed). I love it so so so much and it certainly leaves me with this bubbly, feel-good feeling every time I read it.


4. Harry Potter by JK Rowling- The zombies will NOT be eating Hogwarts and it's staff and students. This book is such a huge part of our lives. I mean, I can hardly imagine life without it just because I think it totally opened up the world of YA literature.


 5. Extremely Loud and Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer- It's so good! The zombies ARE NOT allowed to eat this book. Because there's so much we can learn from Oskar and his story, and also, it's just a really fantabulous book.







1. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray: Humans would thrive on the Planet Goldilocks' sister planet, Planet Baby-Bear, if Beauty Queens was brought. Not only is Beauty Queens an all around awesome (and incredibly balanced) book, it has some key survival tips that may be necessary on a new planet. 


2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:  Even zombies might be frightened of Katniss, and not touch the Hunger Games, however I want the human race to be able to enjoy the Hunger Games for as long as possible!


3. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta: I. Love. Jellicoe. Road. If I were to read this book 800 times I would probably find something new and interesting in the book each time I read it. If zombies were to lay a finger on Jellicoe Road I would behead them (although I guess that wouldn't really help...)


4. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green: What a coincidence, Meredith and I both have TFiOS on our lists again. If I could marry this book I would. I would love it if the whole world read TFiOS. This book is inexplicably wonderful, everyone should read it, I don't care if I die trying to get this book on the rocket flying to Planet Baby-Bear it is going to Planet Baby-Bear!


5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: I am making my way through the Book Thief now and it is absolutely beautiful and wonderful. While this book describes the World War II era, it tells the story in a very interesting point of view, and makes the story reasonably bearable (not so depressing you might faint while reading). Of course, I am only halfway done with the Book Thief, so things could go down hill with great speed.  

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Meme Buttons on the Runway

     Today we have for you, five brand new, hot off the griddle, meme images designed and created by Miss Mint Tea (Meredith). And we'll tell you now- these buttons are quite spiffy! We'll introduce them to you one by one.

First off, we have elegant Book of the Month (or BOM) button! Wow, look how delightfully charming (and tasty!) she looks. And that chalk pink!? Absolutely Enchanting!

     Second, we have the lovely In My Mailbox Image! I think I see a tea theme in this collection! Don't you agree. The tea cup certainly is chic, but also very different from the one we saw on Book of the Month. And the perilous balance of the tea cup on the book- that takes some serious balance.

     Next up, is the sophisticated Leading Literary Lives. Take a look at all of that lovely purple! The lavender dot is quite a stunning embellishment. What a visually pleasing design! And the execution... pure brilliance!

Fourth, we have the amusing- TGIF image! She certainly is the most carefree and bubbly of the collection, which is certainly fitting to the whole idea of the meme. What a lighthearted little deary! Don't you agree?

   Last, but surely not least, we have the adorable Top Ten Tuesday! She's a bit of a different shape then the others-taller, but here at Mint Tea and A Good Book, we celebrate diversity. The black circle is a divine contrast to the color of the buttons and certainly is dashing, giving the button a more polished affect.

    Now lets give a round of applause to these debonair buttons! They're sure to sparkle in the posts of our everyday lives! What do you think of the buttons? Which one is your favorite? Let us know!

In My Mailbox (41) The Not A Book Edition

 "In My Mailbox" is a weekly feature hosted by the super fabulous, Kristi at The Story Siren. "IMM" is a way to share thoughts on the books you've received throughout the week with readers. To read more about "In My Malbox," click here.




     Ok, well nothing came into the ol' mailbox last week. But, something did come from Barnes and Nobles. Dun, duh, duh, dun...

A NOOK

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     And I named her Nola the Nook. She actually has a lovely blue case, so more or less she looks like this (minus the goldfish colored science experiment)

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     And if you've been considering getting a nook (or are just interested), this is the "Nook Simple Touch," and it's been great so far. (crosses fingers that the greatness will continue)


     What do I think of e-readers? I will likely answer that in a future post because I do get that question from time to time. This nook will likely mainly be for travel, classics (because classics are either really cheap or FREE on the nook), and probably some e-ARC's since those are cheaper for publishers to make and distribute than a normal ARC.


     Yesterday I did download a few free books (like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights) but was more of a test than anything. So nothing in the ol' mailbox this week except for the delightful, Nola the Nook. What did you get in your mailbox?