I Cast the Bright Young Things

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the roaring twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey have escaped their small Midwestern town to chase their big city dreams. In New York, they meet Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have everything she could ever want.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls’ fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart.

I loved this novel!! It captured the spirit of the era, the characters were enchanting and super interesting, plus the plot is never what you would expect! All in all a great read; it met my expectations and beyond. But then again, it's Anna Godbersen, with her novels you always get your money's worth. Have you read her The Luxe series? Best ever! Read it whenever you have a chance.

Anyways, I'm here today because when I read the novel I kind of got how Cordelia's character would look in my imaginary movie pretty quickly, so after her I started looking for Letty and Astrid, and this is what I came up with:

Cordelia Grey

Actress's name: Willa Holland

Best Known For: The OC as Kaitlin Cooper and Gossip Girl as Agnes Andrews.

My Comment: She is perfect for Cordelia, just perfect. Oh and she doesn't have brown eyes,

but this is the 21st century and contacts are in.

Description of Cordelia Grey:

"John Field swept the veil from Cordelia Grey's pretty face to kiss his new bride, but he knew in his heart, she would never truly be his. Cordelia is too full of life and ambition for Union, Ohio—or a small-town boy like John. That's why the long-legged beauty snuck away with her best friend Letty later that night to board a train to Manhattan.

Her translucent brown eyes are wide open to all the glorious possibilities."

She also has high, fine cheekbones, and honey-and-bark colored hair.

 Letty Larkspur

 

 

Actress name: Taylor Swift

Best Known For: She sings, ever heard You Belong With Me, and Mine? 

Also she acted on Valentine, and other films.

My Comment: My reasoning for this pick is this, she sings, she can act (I think, if not she can learn), and she has the flapper look (have you seen her eyes?). I think she can be Letty. Also she is a blonde but as you can see in the last pick she looks gorgeous with dark hair and as you can see in the other picks she looks fantastic with her hair up which is just one step above short hair.

Description of Letty Larkspur:

"Lots of girls in Union, Ohio think they're special, but from the start, Letty Haubstadt was too special for Union. The way she moves, the quality of her voice, the striking way her bright blue eyes play against the pitch black hue of her hair—she has an attention-drawing quality that her mother always referred to as her magic.

Secretly reading Photoplay magazine, and hearing Fanny Brice sing "My Man" on a receiver radio in town only strengthened her resolve. Letty's best friend, Cordelia Grey, insisted they would leave Union one day to pursue Letty's singing career in New York City. That day has finally come. Cordelia's courage helped Letty find her way to Manhattan—the rest is up to her."

Astrid Donal

 

 

Actress name: Ashley Benson

Best Known For: Pretty Little Liars as Hannah Marin

My Comment: Astrid was by far the most difficult to cast. I went through so many options before I finally landed on this actress. I thought of Blake Lively, Candice Acola, Keira Knightley, and even Alexis Bledel, but they all seems either too old/experienced, too a gossip girl icon, or just not perfect for the part. I choose this girl not for her role in Pretty Little Liars (never seen it) but because when I see the cover of the Bright Young Things book and see her picture they look alike and when I imagine her portraying emotion I think she can pull it off as Astrid.

Description of Astrid Donal:

"Most days, it's well past noon when the lovely Astrid Donal lifts her sleepy blond head to face the day. Perhaps she fell asleep star-gazing, nestled against a mink coat on the pristine lawn of the Marsh estate. Or she may find herself wrapped in buttery silk sheets on the sumptuous bed in her suite. Wherever Astrid wakes, she greets the morning with memories of the night—dancing 'til dawn at decadent parties, sipping champagne with other frivolously fun girls."

I love my cast! It took me a little time to put it together, but they are each perfect for the part in my eyes. What actresses would you have picked?  Oh and if you click on the names of the characters it leads you to their respective page for more information.

News: Vampire Academy Going Comic Style

 

Whats with YA going going comic? It is, apparently, the new thing to do. James Patterson did it with his Maximum Ride series, even Stephenie Meyer with the Twilight series, and now Richelle Mead will join the parade with her Vampire Academy series.

You know what? I can't wait for it really. I bet those fight scenes will look awesome in comic mode, and if they make Rose a little less scarier (have you seen the cover above?)  I could live with her comic self. Also, I'm not really sure about Dimitri, he doesn't look like my imaginary Dimitri, which looks a little like this:

Not too shabby uh? This anime character's name is Amon and he's from Witch Hunter Robin (anime series- one of my favorites). Ive used Amon in my mind when thinking of Dimitri cause they are both kick ass, silent, mysterious, wise, and hot as hell.

This is what Richelle Mead has to say:

"Pretty awesome, huh? That's the cover, and the full book will be out August 2011. For now, I'm just really excited to be able to share this with you and can't wait to see other artwork come in. I've seen a few samples of other pages, and everything they've done is really amazing."

From Richelle Mead's Blog. 

August 2011!! I can't wait for the comic, would have bought it anyways if only to add it to my Vampire Academy collection, but truth is I'm genially interested in what the outcome might be.

Amazon's 'End of the Year' SALE!! ENDS DEC.31st!!!

I just thought to let you ALL know about amazon's end of year sale. It's amazing, and I would have been very disappointed if I didn't know of this sale, so I'm telling you guys!

I dived into the T.V.Show sale. A lot of big time tv shows are $15!! What I got:

 

 $14.49 - $14.99

 

$10.99 - $26.98

 

 $19.99 - $9.99

 

 $14.99 - $14.99

 

$14.99 - $9.99 

 $14.99

Keep in mind that all these series are super expensive when not on sale. Love end of the year sale!!!! Hurry up before it ends!

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Title: Bright Young Things

Author: Anna Godbersen

Series: Bright Young Things

Book #: 1

Pages: 389

Reading Level: YA

Published Date: October 12, 2010.

Publisher: Harpercollins

Book Rating: 

Cover Rating: .5

New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties. 

Welcome to 1929.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star… 

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will. 

The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets. 

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age.

Taschima's POV:

This book is about three girls who live in 1929, In New York City. Letty is the small girl with the big city dreams (with the pipes to back them up- she sings), Cordelia is an orphan who is looking for the place where she belongs, and Astrid is the "rich" girl with issues. They all go on this kind of adventure called life that changes them and their circumstances forever. In some ways it's like The Luxe series, the girls have very different personalities, every single one has their unique problems, and it's written in a past time. And like The Luxe series you shouldn't let this puppy go away without reading it darling. It's to die for!

One of the attributes of this novel is the writing. Anna Godbersen has the rare ability to transfer you to whatever time she wishes! Her writing is exquisite, and though she likes to describe a little too much I think it's necessary in order to get you in the mood of the soaring 20s. She specifically likes to describe fashion tidbits, and I'm glad because now I know what I'm going to be wearing for Halloween this year... *wink*

Another part of this book is that you never know what is going to happen in the future. Anna Godbersen isn't afraid to give you a twist. You might expect something to happen, but then she pulls the rug from under you. It's very realistic really, even a minuscule detail in life can change your future forever. Her books are like faerie tales gone wrong, but in a good way. At first everything is perfect, but by the middle/end of it you will be like "Wtf?! Why did this happen?!" I love it.

I absolutely loved every part of this book, even though it was just a tiny bit hard to get into at first, but just a tiny bit. I loved the feel of the time; the parties and the language... It's like every page of the book has it's own tune, and you can't help but sing along.

PS; Read the The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen, it's just as awesome with gorgeous covers.

Celebrating Christmas With Style: Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

Title: Tempestuous

Author: Lesley Livingston

Series: Wondrous Strange

Book #: 3

Pages: 368

Reading Level: YA

Published Date: December 21, 2010

Publisher: Harper TEEN

Book Rating: .7

Cover Rating: 

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous strange and Darklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy.

Taschima's POV:

In this conclusion to the Wondrous Strange trilogy Miss.Livingston delivered with a plot full of action, secrets and a kick ass heroine.

We start off right were we left off on the second book, so it goes pretty fast after that. It's like the book is full of adrenaline it needs to consume. Kelley just lied to Sonny, telling him she doesn't love him. Sonny is crushed, Kelley is crushed, heck even the theater is crushed. So Sonny and Kelley part ways, Kelley need to learn the secrets that lie inside the Faerie world in order to protect Sonny, and she also need to learn how to use her magic. Sonny on the other hand has nowhere to go, and so without direction he takes a train that will open his eyes to a world he always knew existed, but never thought he'd experience. Put this two stories together and then add Faerie lies, plots and secrets and you got yourself a great ending for a great series.

I loved how Lesley executed this ending! It was just right. I needed a book to read because I was taking the Greyhound from my mother's house to my current apartment, so I decided to give Tempestuous a go. I read it and didn't stop for a minute. Pretty much devoured it. I think Wondrous Strange fans will love this book. It's my favorite out of the series!

It's my favorite because of the plot line, and because of how the characters grow and adapt. Sonny had to learn to adapt to a new environment, a whole new world where he wasn't the King's trusty knight nor Kelley's lover. And Kelley needs to learn how to control her mother's power. Plus she has to find out who's behind everything, and she needs to act in the Tempest play. A lot of work! Plus the battle scenes were pretty kick ass. You also get to see more of Kelley's mother and father, plus her "aunt" and Sonny's father!

It was just a great, rounded, would read again kind of book. A fantastic balance of everything that works. Plus we get to see Kelley kick some actual butt, who doesn't want to see that!?

Merry Christmas!

Winners, Winners...

The winners of my last two contests are...

Jessy!

Nikki @Wicked Awesome Books!

I will be emailing you shortly, Merry Christmas!

Vote For The Next Cover of THE IRON KNIGHT by Julie Kagawa

All you have to do is have a Facebook and click on this link. It will take you to The Iron Fey Facebook Page where you will have the chance to vote.

The choices are: there are 3 poses for the Ash cover and 3 poses for the Puck cover. If you are team Ash, then vote for Ash, however if you are team Puck vote for Puck! And if you are team Switzerland you can actually vote for both ;)

Decisions, decisions, I voted for Ash, I love him. But it's a pretty close race, so start voting now!

Voting ends on Jan 3rd, 2011.