Sunday Book Soundtrack #15: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Sunday Book Soundtrack is a weekly feature at Ruby's Books, where I share some of my bookish soundtracks. Since I discovered my passion for reading years ago, I've discovered that more and more of the songs I loved remind me of certain books. So I thought I'd share my playlists with you. If you want to listen to the songs, I'll post a link to a Youtube videos for each and every title. No copyright infringement intended! I'll try to find the official videos for each song. There's no set number for each playlist, sometimes I might have 10, sometimes 5, sometimes if I'm one of my moods I'll have 15. If you want to read more about this feature, click the "show more" button below. 

I read with music. If there's no music, I can't read. And not just read, but almost anything, like studying of cooking or doing chores around the house. The only time I don't have music is when I sleep. And during exams, but that's a different story.

Sometimes it happens that a certain song and a book or a scene from the book I'm reading sort of... click. It's like they were made for each other. At least for me. And so I will almost always think of that particular book when hearing that song. I thought I'd share my book soundtracks with you.

Keep in mind that I have a very... weird taste in music. You'll find mostly rock music, country or the 80s-early 90s music in these lists. I might use some "contemporary" songs from now and then, but don't bet on it being something other than those particular genres. Also, not always the songs will be in English. If I have a link to a translation for the lyrics, I'll post it. If you like a song I'm using, that's fine. If not, that's fine too, just don't say I didn't warn you.

The songs aren't always on a book's playlist for their lyrics. Sometimes they're there for an instrument or for a feeling I get when hearing them. Also, I won't always mention what scene I used them for. If it's not a spoiler, I'll share the scene, if it is a spoiler, I'll let you guess.

Anyway, I hope you like my playlists :)

This week's book soundtrack is Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

I read this book back in January and I absolutely adored it. I have to write my review for it, but before I do, I'll share my playlist for the book.

1. Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds
2. The Pretty Reckless - Heaven Knows
3. The Fratellis - She's Not Gone Yet But She's Leaving
4. Imagine Dragons - Demons
5. George Thorogood - Bad To The Bone - this one is for the prequel of this book, titled Daimon

Wednesday Chatter #7: Why you shouldn't be ashamed by what you read

Wednesday Chatter is a weekly feature at Ruby's Books where we'll be talking about anything and everything related to books and reading. Click here if you want to see what we talked about in the previous weeks


WARNING: Some bad words might be used in the following post. Don't say I didn't warn you!

 

The idea for this post came to me while I was filling in the Fairytale Survey that Mel did on her blog. There was this question on if you've ever lied about what you were reading or if you've ever felt ashamed by the books you were reading.

I know there are a lot of people who might feel ashamed by what they read and I know there are many, many people that are acting like assholes and make you want to fell ashamed of what you read. My answer to those snobs is a big "Fuck you!" And I have a few explanations on why that answer is valid.

First of all, literature is a form of art. Now, I know you probably already know that (DUH!). But what you might have forgotten is that art is subjective. What I like and love isn't necessarily liked or loved by someone else and vice versa. So I'm pretty sure I can give the title "art" to anything I want to give it to. And that's true for music, it's true for sculpture, painting, cinema, theater and so on. I don't remember it being illegal to like something someone else doesn't.

Second of all, I'd like to invite those who try to tell me I'm reading crappy books to put it all on the table. You want to analyse what I enjoy? Fine, let's do that, I won't mind it. But let's do the same with your tastes in literature. I'll bet you most of those people will tell you that Lolita is a wonderful piece of literature and that it's 100% better than the erotic romance I'm reading. So basically a book about an older man and an underage girl is better than two consenting adults. That has me confuddled.

Now, you might argue that I just simplified the meaning of Nabokov's book and I did. I know that. But don't you do the same with me when you say I should be ashamed of the books I enjoy reading? Don't you simplify and belittle something that you haven't even read (just like I haven't read Lolita) just because you think "modern" literature is crap? Isn't that the same thing? 

Another thing that you should think about while some people try to make you feel bad for what you read. Over the last few years there have been a lot of studies that prove the benefits of reading. I won't get into them, because then this post would never end, but basically reading is good for you. I've read some of those studies (not all, just a few) and I have yet to encounter one that says the positive long-term effects apply to certain genres or authors. Reading in general is good for you, no matter what it is that you read. So there's another reason why books and shame don't really belong together in the same sentence.

I could probably spend hours talking about this subject, but the point is this: if it makes you happy, read WHAT YOU WANT and tell everyone that judges you to fuck off. Yes, people might give you strange looks if the book you're holding has a bare-chested hunky guy on the cover, but so what? You're doing something fun that is harmful to no one. Wait, I take that back, it might be harmful to yourself, in case the book is too sexy and you start getting all tingly inside.

How is reading something you enjoy any different than listening to your favorite band in your car and singing along at the top of your lungs? It's not. My BFF, whom I've known since we were kids, doesn't always like the same bands or songs or books or even movies that I do. Doesn't mean I think she's a bad human. I accept and completely understand that she has her own tastes, just like I have mine. Hell, I'd be freaked out if everyone liked the same things I did. Just remember, don't judge them for not having the same tastes as you do. And when they judge you, just form a fist and extend the middle finger and shove it in their faces. It only matters what you feel and as long as you're happy, that should be enough.

Early Book Review: My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling

Author: Tellulah Darling
Series: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #3
Publisher: Te Da Media
Release Date: March 20th 2014
My Rating: 5 cups
Source: Netgalley
Blurb (from Goodreads):

To say that Sophie Bloom is at the top of her game with one only week until spring equinox and the final showdown with Zeus and Hades would be, well, lying. The Goddess of Spring feels more like the Goddess of Bzz Thanks For Playing than the savior of humanity. And could her relationships be any more messed up?

Good times.

Sophie is convinced that things can’t get any worse than crawling back to her mother Demeter and begging for help. But she’s about to find out how very wrong she is.

It’s a race against time for Sophie to implement the big battle strategy in the YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology finale My Life From Hell. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book three of this teen fantasy romance series. Save herself; save the world. Humanity may be screwed.

It's always bittersweet to read the last installment of a series, especially when it's of a series that I loved as much as I loved The Blooming Goddess trilogy. I remember the first thing that struck me and that made me want to keep reading this series was the fact that it used mythology as a starting point, but it made it in such a great way that it didn't feel like a caricature, like something I couldn't believe in. Reading about Kai and Festos and all others, I really believed they were gods and that's something that to me seems a bit difficult.

Sophie grows a lot in this book. I think by the end of it we see her being a mature young woman, one that has accepted her past and her role and her obligations, as well as her needs. She's come to terms with what it means to be a goddess, but also with herself as a person. There was such a great scene towards the end where she accepts certain things about herself and it's like she becomes a better version of herself in an instant. It's one of my favorite scenes, even though it was a little bit sad.

I liked that there were a lot of questions from the previous books that got their answers. It was a great thing, seeing all the things I've wondered about get answers. There were also some aspects of the story I never even thought of, some interesting facts I never expected to get.

There were a lot of emotional scenes in this book, some of them downright painful and most of them were completely unexpected. I loved the ending and I thought it was the perfect way to end Sophie's story. I can't imagine a better way to say goodbye to her and to her friends *sniff*sniff*

Book Review: Reaver by Larissa Ione

Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Lords of Deliverance #5
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: December 17th 2013
My Rating: 5 cups
Source: Netgalley
Blurb (from Goodreads):

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before...to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood...

I've been waiting for this book for what seems like forever. I was a very happy nerd when I heard Reaver was getting his own story and that Harvester was going to be his lady. I had my fingers crossed for this pairing for a long, long time. I might've happy danced when I heard the news. And maybe I squealed a little bit.

I think it's safe to say that Reaver is my favorite angel, fallen or otherwise. He's such a fantastic character. I love his sarcasm, his wits, his "don't fuck with me" aura. I also like that he's always following his instincts. But more than that (and his hotness) I love that there's always something more about him, there's always another layer to his personality and to who he really is. There were some mind-blowing things that he uncovers about himself and his past. Did I mention he's really, really hot?

Harvester... What can I say about her? I really liked her, even in the beginning, when she was on the bad side of things and she was acting like a bitch. There was just something about her. Her story was heartbreaking to me. It was surprising to see how much good there was in her, even though she's spent so much time in Hell. I think I loved her more with each new detail and with each new story of her past.

The biggest surprise of this book was Revenant. I did a double take when I realized there were not one, but two awesome angels. Talk about fantasies right there! But this is one of the reasons I love this series and Ione's work. Just when you think you know what's happening, you get a huge surprise like this one. I actually did not expect Revenant to be who he turned out to be. And no, the name didn't clue me in. I was completely shocked. But also very happy, because it means there's more stories to come. *rubs hands*

There were a lot of twists and turns, a lot of sad moments, a lot of happy moments and some very sexy scenes. I loved uncovering the truth about Harvester and Reaver and I loved the fact that just because a creature is an angel, doesn't mean he/she is on the side of Good and the same you can say about demons/fallen angels. I'm curious what will happen in the world in the future and I can't wait to find out more about Revenant.

Cover Reveal: Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It's Time!! The STONE COLD TOUCH cover is here!

We cannot wait to share the cover for Jennifer L. Armentrout's STONE COLD TOUCH with you all! STONE COLD TOUCH is a young adult paranormal romance by Jennifer L. Armentrout and is the second full-length novel in The Dark Elements Series being published by Harlequin Teen. You'll want to add this to your TBR pile ASAP. Check out this amazing cover!

    

Isn't it awesome?! You can Pre-order it right now!

**Amazon** **Barnes & Noble** **iTunes** **Kobo**

STONE COLD TOUCH Synopsis:

Every touch has its price

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…

"Constantly entertaining...the narrative sizzles with as much tension as romance." —Kirkus Reviews on White Hot Kiss

And...Don't forget to check out the first book in The Dark Elements Series,

WHITE HOT KISS!

ABOUT WHITE HOT KISS:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

**Amazon** **Barnes and Noble** **BAM** **iBooks** **IndieBound** **Kobo** **Walmart**

 

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

The Dark Elements Series Website

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Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads

STONE COLD TOUCH Goodreads

WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads

Fairytale Survey

Hey guys! Yesterday I was lurking on some of my favorite blogs and I stumbled on this very fun survey. It was made by Mel at The Daily Prophecy and I thought it was really cool and I decided to do it as well. If you want, go check out her answers and maybe even fill out the surveys yourselves and leave your link in the comments :D

 PART 1. CLASSIC PRINCESSES.

Pinocchio – The boy whose nose grows when he lies.
Is there are book you lie about, because you feel ashamed for liking it?

I've never been ashamed about any of the books I read. I don't really understand why you'd be ashamed by something you enjoy reading, to be completely honest.
Beauty and the beast – The girl who fell in love with personality.
Which book do you love that has a hideous cover?

Ummm... I don't think I've ever encountered a truly hideous cover. By my standards at least. Oh wait, do school books count?


Snow white – Hunted down for her beauty.
Do you ever buy a book based on the cover alone and if so, what is the last one?

The last book I bought based solely on the cover was The Portrait Of A Killer by Patricia Cornwell. It's currently waiting patiently on my nightstand for some free time for me to read it. It's about Jack the Ripper.
Sleeping beauty – Cursed to sleep, awakened by true loves kiss.
What is your favorite book couple?

I don't have just one favorite couple. However, I'm going to say Lena/Ethan from Beautiful Creatures, because it's the book I'm reading right now.

Little Mermaid – Gave up on her old life for love.
Do you ever branch out to new genres or do you like to stick with the ones you know and love? If you try new things out, what is the latest book?

I love trying out new things, new genres. The latest one was an adult book. It's called Reaper's Property by Joanna Wylde and I absolutely enjoyed that book.

Cinderella – Who lost her shoe after midnight.
What is the last book that made you stay up all night?

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rapunzel – locked up in a tower.
What is the worst books you’ve read last month?

None. Like I've said many many times, if I don't enjoy a book I just DNF it. *taps chin* Unless we're talking about school books, which I can't DNF because they're for exams. Okay, do those books count? Because in that case I have a huge list lol

PART 2. MIX-MATCH.

Aladdin – The poor boy who found a genie.
What is the latest book treasure/gem you found?

The one book that surprised the hell out of me was The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting.

Alice in Wonderland – The girl who fell through a rabbit’s hole.
Which book made you really feel like you landed in another world?

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Born of Night. I'm not used to reading SciFi, so it was a new thing for me. It was a pleasant surprise and I'm so happy there are more books to come in this series.

East of the sun and west of the moon – where a girl embarks on a journey to save her love.
Who is one of your favorite kick-ass heroines?

So, so many. The one that stands out at this very moment is Elena from Women Of The Otherworld.

The Frog Prince – where an enchanted prince becomes human again.
What is a book you thought you would hate, but end up loving?

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton. I've been disappointed by a few books dealing with ancient mythology, so I really wasn't expecting to find a book as good as this one. 

Hansel and Gretel – left alone in the woods and captured by a witch.
Which duo (sister/sister, brother/sister) is your favorite and why?

Styxx and Acheron. After reading Styxx, I realized how much the two brothers were alike and I love both of them. I do believe they'll make an amazing team in the future stories.

Little Red Riding Hood – almost eaten by a wolf dressed as her grandmother.
What book disappointed you after falling in love with the cover and blurb?

This will bring me some hate mail, I'm sure. But I was really disappointed by Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I caught the Cinderella reference from the cover (I'm not that empty-headed) but there was something that let me down a bit about that book *sad face*

Rumpelstilskin – nobody knows his name.
Which book do you love that doesn’t get enough attention?

Ummm...I actually have no idea. Considering I usually read books AFTER the attention has been focused on something else, I can't say with certainty which book has been ignored or not. 

Obsessed With Covers #13: They All Fall Down, The Edge of Falling & The Museum of Extraordinary Things

Y'all know how much I love a pretty cover. I think about...40% of the books that end up on my shelves (be they physical or digital) do so because of the covers. Call me shallow but you have to admit that a pretty, shiny cover will catch your eye faster than a dull, boring one. Two, simple rules that I'll follow:

• 1, 2 or 3 (no more than 3, though) covers per week;
• books should be new-ish; no more than 2 years old.

Oh, before I share the covers that made me drool or want to stare at them for hours and hours, I have to say something. This is a semi-original idea. Why semi? Because almost every book blogger has something similar. The only thing I came up with was the title. If by any chance there's another blogger with a similar feature with the same title, I assure you I'm not stealing your idea. I'm just THAT bad with titles. Believe me, I'd love to be smarter and have a witty name for this feature, but I don't. So, no copyright infringement/theft/steal or anything of the sort was desired. All I can say is sorry :P

First of all, who watched the Oscars last night? I didn't get to see the whole thing unfortunately, because it was very, very late in Italy (the whole thing started at 2 am in my neck of the woods and I fell asleep *pout*). I did get to see about half of it and can I just say that Jared Leto's speech and Pink's version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow where my favorite moments of the entire thing.

Anyway, here are some of the covers that I've seen recently that I believe are amazing:

This is an incredibly creepy cover. Between the dead/unconscious women with their faces shoved in red plates that look more like pools of blood and the creepy mummy that looks more like a living plant, this is one scary cover art. Oh, and the way the women hold hands, like they did some magic ritual before makes the thing even scarier.










They All Fall Down - Roxanne St. Claire

I'm deathly afraid of heights. The only thing that tops my fear of heights is my fear of falling from heights (therefore I will never do skydiving in my life) and of spiders. This cover has two of my fears in it and, while it takes me a few seconds to remind myself that it's a photograph and it's not real, I have to admit that it is gorgeous. And the red shoes. I love those shoes. They remind me of Dorothy's shoes for some reason. I have this book on my TBR list, mainly because I really want to know if the girl will fall or not, or if she's going home. Or maybe the falling part is just a metaphor? Anyway, great cover.

The Edge of Falling - Rebecca Serle

This isn't a creepy cover, I know, but it is stunning. There's just something about it that catches my eye every time I look at it. Maybe it's the lights or the stars... I really don't know, but I look at it and it seems like such a...peaceful scene. I haven't read the book, so I don't know if the story is peaceful or not, but the cover looks like that to me.










The Museum of Extraordinary Things - Alice Hoffman



What covers did you see recently that you loved?