The Clouds Above by Jordan Crane // Book Review

Rating: 4/5; enjoable. re-readable.

Release Date: April 2008

Synopsis:
The Clouds Above is a rip-roaring adventure about a kid named Simon, who skips school one day with his cat, Jack. They climb a magic staircase leading skyward, encounter a sad cloud named Perch and get mixed up in a conflict involving him, some nasty storm clouds and an irritable flock of birds. Will they make back home safely in time for school tomorrow?

Thoughts:
Really cute! Very similar to Calvin and Hobbs which I adore. Quite fun, but sadly much too short. I also felt as if the story ended abruptly. I felt as if there would be more to the story. It would have been okay that the book was so short if the content was amazing, but it was not. Simon and Jack's relationship is not as fully developed as I hoped, but it still managed to be a bit heartwarming, at least enough so to keep me interested. The illustrations were cute and fun. Reminded me of the wacky, but irresistibly fun (not for kids so beware) animation in Adventure Time (Adult Swim T.V show). While I was reading it, I couldn't help but smile. Good sign, eh?
This graphic novel is a keeper that I will share with the kiddies and keep in my collection, even though I did not fully adore it.

Live. Love Literature. :)
~~Lisette~~

New to My Playlist + Free Song

This is a feature where I share the new music that I have come across recently. Pretty much everyday I'm finding new songs through pandora, blogs, t.v shows, movies, the radio, commercials, etc. I just LOVE sharing the music I find because I just feel like it's so awesome I can't just be selfish and keep it to myself ;)

I'm calling this feature "New to My Playlist" because whenever I download a song, I immediately add it to a playlist and listen to those songs over and over and over. It's nuts. I should seek help. If the songs are available for free, I shall provide a link. 

"Money" by Ringside. I love this band so much. 


Found: I got their new album around the time it came out (I waited YEARS!!).
Download: For free at their site.

"No One's Gonna Love You" (Band of Horses cover) by Cee Lo Green. Love it!!!! Cee Lo Green is badass and I can't help but prefer his version more than the BOH. 




Found: Pandora.

"Where is My Mind" (Pixies cover) by Yoav and Emily Browning. So in love with this!!




Found: Sucker Punch soundtrack.

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (Eurythmics cover) by Emily Browning. Ahh, great!



Found: Sucker Punch soundtrack. 


"Through the Dark" by Alexi Murdoch. I love him!



Found: His new EP that I bought a few weeks ago - Towards the Sun. 


"I Will Be Waiting" by Daphne Willis. Cute.





Found: Amazon free download.
Resembles: "Like You Do" by Angel Taylor


Feel free to share any songs you've recently "found."

That's all for now.
~~Lisette~~

Love It: I Want

In "Love It: I Want," I list goodies I want and you will want. Some things are affordable...some are not, but all are lovely. If you buy them please let me know so I can be jealous! ;)

Pictures will take you directly to the item. s/h not included. I'm sorry if items are sold out by the time you get to them.

$55. Jacket. IrisinBloom etsy. so cute and nerdy. i'd totally wear this 'cause that's how i roll :D

$22. Vintage Dress. Pony Vintage etsy. So effing adorable! I want it so badly!! But I never spend that much on dresses bc I'm too cheap. Totally hearting their shop. 

$69. Dress. Urban Outfitters. Cute!

$128. Dress. Free People. Man, this is so cute!

Love it!
~~Lisette~~

In My Mailbox: "kiss me ki ki kiss me"

ack! I can't get Katy Perry's "E.T" out of my head! The lyrics are "uh...okay" and it the beat is just like t.A.T.u's "All the Things She Said," yet I find I. Can't. Stop. Listening.

Anywho.

Here's what I've received lately:

Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale Ramona Wray. RD (paperback): 1.29.11


Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out — and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they’ve met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.


Pink by Lili Wilkinson. RD: 2.1.11. Won this at Katie's Book Blog. Thanks again! So curious!!

Ava has a secret. She is tired of her ultracool attitude, ultra-radical politics, and ultrablack clothing. She's ready to try something new—she's even ready to be someone new. Someone who fits in, someone with a gorgeous boyfriend, someone who wears pink.

Transferring to Billy Hughes School for Academic Excellence is the perfect chance to try on a new identity. But just in case things don't work out, Ava is hiding her new interests from her parents, and especially from her old girlfriend.

Secrets have a way of being hard to keep, though, and Ava finds that changing herself is more complicated than changing her wardrobe. Even getting involved in the school musical raises issues she never imagined. As she faces surprising choices and unforeseen consequences, Ava wonders if she will ever figure out who she really wants to be.

Humor, heart, and the joys of drama—on- and offstage—combine in Ava's delight-fully colorful journey of self-discovery.

The Clouds Above by Jordan Crane. RD. 4.17.08. Saw it at a comic book store and HAD to have it because it reminded me of my beloved Calvin and Hobbes. Was sadly not as great as I hoped. Review coming soon. 

The Clouds Above is a rip-roaring adventure about a kid named Simon, who skips school one day with his cat, Jack. They climb a magic staircase leading skyward, encounter a sad cloud named Perch and get mixed up in a conflict involving him, some nasty storm clouds and an irritable flock of birds. Will they make back home safely in time for school tomorrow?

This brilliant, full-color graphic novel doubles as a wondrous children's book, recalling such classics as Where the Wild Things Are, The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with its depiction of a fantastic world that lurks just around the corner from reality and that only children know exists. Two-color throughout.

Things and Things                                                                                                                                                            

• Be sure to enter to win a fun family movie Are We There Yet? Click me. 
• Enter to win the YA book by Sean Beaudoin, Going Nowhere Faster. Click me. 
• Read my mind about the movie Sucker Punch. Click me. 
• Go congratulate Presenting Lenore on her YA book deal!!!
• Check out No One's Gonna Love You (Band of Horses cover) by Cee Lo Green (this guy's so awesome). 
• Look at what Conan O'Brien tweeted:
• My plan is to buy a ticket for “The Lincoln Lawyer” and then sneak into “Sucker Punch.”

As always, please let me know if you've read and liked any of these or are curious about them. :) Feel free to link to your IMM!

Thanks to The Story Siren and Pop Culture Junkie for IMM! Go to TSS to see the rest IMM's!
~~Lisette~~

Guest Post & Book Giveaway: Sean Beaudoin (Going Nowhere Faster)

Winner: Linda K.

Folks, please welcome, Sean Beaudoin, author of Fade to Blue (read my mind), Going Nowhere Faster (enter to win it below!), and the most recent You Killed Wesley Payne. Here is his guest post...

Hey. I’m Kurt Tarot. Pretty much the bad dude character in the new book You Killed Wesley Payne. You can call me Mr. Tarot. Actually, you don’t really have to call me that. I like you. I’m just so used to doing the tough guy routine, I forget to take off the mask sometimes, you know? Hey, have you checked out my band, Pinker Casket? We rock. Have you heard There’s a Shocker in My Locker? Totally has single written all over it. What I don’t get is why everyone thinks I’m such a bad guy. I mean, sure, I have to stomp someone every once in a while. And, there’s the whole leather cloak and leather pants and leather boots thing. But that’s just a look! Hey, you got to work it hard to get anywhere in the music word. I guess my metal teeth don’t help any. And that whole rumor about me drinking blood. Totally false! That was only Diet Coke! Man, this vampire nonsense has everyone losing their shite. Grow up, already! There’s no such thing! Anyway, you seem like a cool dude. You want a backstage pass? I’ll get you in free. What do you mean, no? What do you mean you’re not coming to our next show down at The Morgue? Why not? What, are you a baby? Hey, where are you going? You don’t need to run. Hey, you! Hey, come here. I swear, if I get my hands on…..huff…puff…puff.

Man, I got to quit smoking.

Wow, I really feel like punching someone now.

Or writing a song

Or writing a song about punching someone.

Hey, that’s it!

           The Three (3) Pinker Casket Albums You Can’t Live Without:

1. The Groupie Bus Is Full, So Take a Cab.

2. Dainty Ain’t My Middle Name.

3. Meatway to Heaven, Stairway to Your Airway.

4. Playing Makeup and Wearing Guitars.

5. Katy Perry’s Just A Flotation Device, We Are Rock And Roll.

You Killed Wesley Payne is a murder mystery. Who killed Wesley Payne? You did. Probably. Either way, It wasn’t me. And, I swear, if you tell anyone it was, there will so totally be a Tarot-sized shadow looming up on your doorstep soon.

Now give me a cigarette.

You’re My P.A.L.

-Kurt “dead Elvis” Tarot

:)

Check out:

Author / You Killed Wesley Payne Book Site (with goodies) / Going Nowhere Faster Site

If you want a free excerpt then tweet or facebook it! Just click below.

What people are saying:

“Beaudoin plays a Chandler hand with a Tarantino smirk in this ultra-clever high-school noir, hitching you to a propulsive mystery with enough doublecrosses and blindsiding reveals to give you vertigo. Moreover, the opening “Clique Chart” might just be the funniest four pages you’ll read all year.”

Booklist starred review

“Beaudoin’s razor-sharp rhetorical wit plays smartly with the generic conventions of the hard-boiled detective novel, but the story is shaded throughout with typical adolescent male anxieties, making this parody more engaging and complex than the exemplars it plays off of.”

BCCB Starred Review

“You Killed Wesley Payne is a spectacular noir mystery filled with knife-sharp writing and clever turns. I loved it!”

Holly Black
Bestselling Author of The Curse Worksers & 

“Fresh, funny, dark, and able to outsnark the snarkiest: You Killed Wesley Payne was a wonderful way to pass a hot summer day.”

Dr. Teri Lesesne

GIVEAWAY

You should probably get your hands on that book, but in the meantime, would you like to enter to win Sean Beaudoin's signed first book, Going Nowhere Faster?



Stan Smith has the world's dullest name, and the world's dullest life to go with it. At 17, the former junior chess champion turned "Town's Laziest Register Monkey at the Town's Only Video Store" has no car, no college, and, of course, no girl. If that weren't pathetic enough, he's got an organic-food-freak vegan mother, an eccentric inventor father, a dead-end job, a dog with a flatulence problem, and a former classmate threatening to kill him. With a 165 IQ, Stan was expected to Be Something and Go Somewhere. But when all he has is a beat-up old bike that keeps getting vandalized, he's going nowhere, faster.

You will surely get a taste of the author's writing. By the way, it has gotten five stars by 7 folks on Amazon, and has an average rating of 4 stars on Goodreads with quite a lot of positive comments you should read for yourself.

Rules:
1 winner

US Only

Fill out form or comment

Deadline: April 10, 2010

~~Lisette~~

Movie Review: Sucker Punch

Rating: 4/5; Fun, entertaining, worth re-watching. Possibly add-to-your-collection worthy.

Release Date: March 25, 2011.


Thoughts:
Oh what fun! This movie is not incredible. I'm not sure if I would be adding it to my movie collection, but it was fun to watch. What made me not absolutely go gaga over the movie was that I did not find myself caring that much for the characters. Some of them had a backstory and some of them alluded to one we never really got. It's hard to care or root for someone one hardly knows. It doesn't help that at the end of the movie you end up thinking, "WTFrack? Interesting, but I don't really care." I was also hoping to find out more about Babydoll's (Emily Browning) psychological state because that fascinates me, but that did not happen as well as I hoped.
What I did like was the fantasy world created. That was visually pleasing and because there so much action and awesome fight scenes, the movie was something I don't regret watching. Extremely reminiscent of a video game (and I love video games!), which made it all the more fun. The fact that the music (some sang by the main lead) in each action scene fits almost perfectly made this movie worth it for me.
I would recommend at least one watch because audiences won't be able to help but have fun watching it, just don't expect to get attached to the characters.


Soundtrack:
1. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” - Emily Browning

2. “Army of Me (Sucker Punch Remix)” - Björk featuring Skunk Anansie

3. “White Rabbit” - Emiliana Torrini  I LOVE Emiliana Torrini! 

4. “I Want It All”/“We Will Rock You” Mash-Up - Queen w/ Armageddon a.k.a Geddy

5. “Search and Destroy” - Skunk Anansie

6. “Tomorrow Never Knows” - Alison Mosshart and Carla Azar

7. “Where is My Mind?” - Yoav featuring Emily Browning

8. “Asleep” - Emily Browning My favorite Smiths song covered by the main lead is not bad at all. 

9. “Love is the Drug” - Carla Gugino and Oscar Isaac
Trailer:


Resembles:
Inception 
Shutter Island



Have fun escaping reality!

Love It: Smile Worthy

Smile worthy things!

Have ya'll ever been to My Life Is Average? It's so fun! Similar to Fmylife.com and many, many others. MLIA is basically about quirky people posting quirky things. I don't think that constitutes as average, but I still love the site.
Here are a few smile worthy entries:
Yesterday there was a massive traffic jam on the freeway. I was in a huge hurry to get home so that i could have dinner since i skipped lunch at work. 5 minutes later i realise the woman in the car in front of me roll down her window and hand a piece of pizza to the guy in the car next to her. Turns out i wasnt the only hungry one and a box of pizza started to travel between cars. thank you mystery person who decided to share her pizza's with about other 15 people in rush hour traffic. MLIA


Today I was at my friends house, his brother owns a small convenience store and they were unboxing what seemed to be a roll of scratch cards, he saw me looking at them and he told me to take one for free. I proceeded to take the ticket and scratch it with a penny. When I scratched it off, I was told I had won the grand prize of a million dollars and a trip to the bahamas. I turned the card around and it said: WINNERS: Please send this card in a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 123 Magic Cloud Circle East Fairy Land, Suite C1 In your dreams, 12345 MLIA

Today, I was playing Happy Aquarium on Facebook, and just for kicks I named one of my fish "your soul." When it had matured for sale, the game asked me, "Do you want to sell your soul?" I chickened out at the last second and pressed "no." Just in case. MLIA.

"Her Morning Elegance" by Oren Lavie

~~Lisette~~

Giveaway: Are We There Yet? DVD - CLOSED

So who likes Are We There Yet? And I mean the movies and tv show. I've seen both movies (my cousins love those movies) and thought they were really cute and fun. I wish there were more funny pranks pulled on the step dad though. I love pranks! Anyway about the T.V show. It's been renewed for a new season so...





If you like family comedies, you should see what you think. I think the show's kinda funny but would probably like it more if it were more like the movies. Like I said, I LOVE pranks! My favorite part in the movie by the way was when the little boy (with the adorable eye lashes I'm jealous of) had to pee. The old lady with the bag? Priceless!!

Well, do you want to win a DVD of Are We There Yet?

Here's your chance! TWO winners will get one Are We There Yet? DVD.

Fill out the form or comment answering:

What is your favorite family movie?




My favorite family movie right now is Despicable Me because it's SO darn cute! It makes me laugh, it makes me want to cry, and always makes my heart warm!

Deadline: March 27. U.S Only.


Optional: re-tweet with #arewethereyet

Here's a trailer:


Obviously it's not coming soon haha

By the way, Ice Cube was on Conan (I love Coco!!!):



Enter enter!
~~Lisette~~

Movie Review: Mars Needs Moms

Rating: 4/5; Entertaining. Re-watchable.

Release Date: 3.11.11

Synopsis:
Movie about a boy who's mom is kidnapped by martians. Based on Berkeley Breathed's book of the same name. 

Thoughts:
Sadly, this movie was apparently a box office bomb. I don't know why! I thought it was cute, fun, funny, and worth watching in theaters. I don't think it was worth the 3D ticket though, but that could be me since I'm very cheap when it comes to that.
At first look, this movie seemed kind of lame especially compared to recent animated movies like Despicable Me or Toy Story 3 that were simply put, incredibly unforgettable. I've come to expect so much from movies because I know that it's possible to blow people's minds away and create something that's so heartwarming. For that reason, I was hesitant about Mars Needs Moms, but I'm still glad I saw it. I think it's worth watching because it's a movie about appreciating your mom. She is not just that person in your life that does your laundry. She is that person in your life that takes care of you, hugs you, and loves you so much. It was a fun movie that makes you possibly re-think your relationship with your mother especially if you're like Milo and disobey her or say mean things to her (even if it may have been one time). Not only is this movie heartwarming and at moments can capture so much emotion, but it's fun! My favorite scenes included the colorful place Milo and his (semi-mentally ill) friend Gribble went to. I loved the characters, but my favorite was Ki. She was HILARIOUS! I loved how she was a hippie. I was hoping very badly for her to say "groovy" though. :)
I must warn you guys that there was a scene that made me cry. My sister also saw this movie so apparently I'm not the only baby. No spoilers, but there was a scene packed with enough emotion that made me cry. That is what really made the movie worth watching for me.
Some mothers are sadly just not meant to parent, but if you love your mom (or wish you did), you should check this movie out. At the very least, rent it. This one is for all the momma's boys/girls out there. 
By the way, I love my mom. I'm going to go hug her now (well, when I see her). This movie should come with a warning saying: Caution! Mars Needs Moms may lead to crazy need for a mom hug.

Be sure to stay a bit after the movie is over because they show you a few amusing scenes of how the movie was created.

Trailer:


Have fun!
~~Lisette~~

Sale: Alexi Murdoch's Towards the Sun

Sale sale sale!

Hurry up, according to Amazon, you only have a few hours left to buy Alexi Murdoch's new album (released today) for $2.99! I just bought it ;)

Get it!

If you buy it with the above link, I earn a low fee. If you're against that, that's cool, just type in "Alexi Murdoch" and you should find it in a jiffy! Enjoy!

~~Lisette~~

Movie Review: Take Me Home Tonight

Rating: 4/5; Really fun and entertaining. Re-watchable.
Release Date: Friday, March 4, 2011 (yes, tomorrow)

Thoughts:
This movie is for the guys (at times has very, very crude jokes) and for the gals (how can you say "no" to a love story?). It's very enjoyable and funny. You cannot help but like the two best buds and the twin sister who sadly all have problems. The best friend (Barry/Dan Fogler) starts off having a crap day because he gets fired and feels like a loser because he didn't even go to college. The sister (Wendy/Anna Faris) wants to start a Master's program in England, but is not sure what to tell her boyfriend (Kyle/Chris Pratt who is her husband in real life btw. He looks so different than in Parks and Recreation). The protagonist, who did graduate from college, is feeling down in the dumps (Matthew/Topher Grace who I adore) because he has no idea what the frack to do with his life. Basically, these guys could use a night of crazy fun. Matthew sees his high school crush and he must get her number (hahaha).
Real good fun. Watch it. If you (like me) have no idea what you want to do with your life, this is a movie you will relate to (in some ways anyway) and have fun watching. It's not the greatest movie, but like I said, fun.

Soundtrack:
If you're an 80's music fan (like a friend of mine), you will have tons of fun with the music!

Video Killed the Radio Star – The Buggles
The Fredricking – Matt & Tori
Hungry like the Wolf – Duran Duran
Situation – Yaz
That’s What I’m Talking About! – Kyle
Kickstart my Heart – Mötley Crue
Barry’s Advice – Matt & Barry
Straight Outta Compton – NWA
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
Meeting Trish Anderson – Barry
The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
Rocket Surgeon – Wendy & Kyle
Come On Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
Oh Sherrie – That Loser that always shows up at the party with a guitar
Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung
Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townshend
Can I Call You? – Matt & Tori
Live is Life – Opus
Don’t you Want Me? – Atomic Tom
Trailer:
 


Resembles:
The Hangover - The "guys just having fun" bit is similar. (Can't wait for The Hangover 2!!)
The Green Hornet (2011) - Ditto. Plus, the two-white-guys-rapping scene is also similar.

Hope you enjoy,
~~Lisette~~

Music: Tardes Negras by Tiziano Ferro (Spanish)

A semi-old song. Still love it.

~~Lisette~~