Wish List Wednesday: The House of Hades

This isn't available until October 8th, now the waiting begins.

Book: The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan

Description:

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

Man of Steel scene with Perry White and Lois Lane

This scene with Perry White just might make me want to see this film. He is the star of this scene (sorry Lois).I really hope Amy Adams does a great job as Lois Lane but she doesn't seem to bring anything to this scene. It doesn't feel like Lois. I know this is just a small scene, I just hope this is not how Lois will be portrayed throughout the whole movie.

Please, do a good job Amy Adams, I really don't want to see another crappy Lois Lane again (sorry Kate Bosworth).

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Redesigned Cover

I love this, don't you? I really don't need another set of Harry Potter books but so far I am really loving the covers.

Back in February, it was announced that there would be new covers for the series and with each preview, they just keep getting better.

Nesting: Design Secrets for Penny's apartment from The Big Bang Theory

I love The Big Bang Theory and I love Penny's colorful apartment. As a waitress/struggling actress, Penny doesn't have a lot of money so her apartment sort of looks like a college dorm but with a bit more sophistication. Below is a mini article from the CBS Watch magazine (minus the photos) that focused on design secrets for Penny's apartment:

(Picture source: thelovelyside.com)

Awesome Accents
The Big Bang Theory 

(Article source: http://www.cbs.com/shows/watch_magazine)

On the set: When decorator Ann Shea took on Penny’s (Kaley Cuoco) apartment, she was faced with the same challenges that Penny herself faces. “She’s a renter, so she can’t paint or remodel,” Shea notes, “and neither could I.” To bring the originally neutral set to life, Shea went the route of colorful furniture and accessories, starting with choosing a fresh-looking palette. Turquoise, orange, purple and lime quickly became the apartment’s pivotal hues, and they’re reflected in everything from rugs and lampshades to pillows, drapes and the living room couch. “Penny is very girlie,” says Shea, who drove that thought home with a bedroom infusion of bubblegum pink, as well as a funky blending of floral patterns.

Upgrade with extras: Pull your space together by including at least one item that incorporates all the colors you plan to use. In Penny’s bedroom the multihued comforter anchors the rest of the room’s mix, explains Shea, who favors Anthropologie’s vintage-looking textiles. And when you can’t change your architecture, let your accessories create drama and movement. Bubble lights immediately alter the feel of a room, as does the simple swap of a lampshade. To create a sense of height where there isn’t any, employ a vibrant drape as a wall hanging, as Shea did with the Pier 1 version alongside Penny’s bed. 

(Picture source: setdecorators.org)

Book of Interest: Her Royal Spyness

This seems interesting, an heiress (who's broke) that solves crimes. I will be adding this to my wish list.

Book: Her Royal Spyness (A Royal Spyness Mystery #1) by Rhys Bowen

Description:

The Agatha Award winner debuts a 1930s London mystery series, featuring a penniless twenty-something member of the extended royal family.

Her ridiculously long name is Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, daughter to the Duke of Atholt and Rannoch. And she is flat broke. As the thirty-fourth in line for the throne, she has been taught only a few things, among them, the perfect curtsey. But when her brother cuts off her allowance, she leaves Scotland, and her fiancé Fish-Face, for London, where she has:

a) worked behind a cosmetics counter-and gotten sacked after five hours
b) started to fall for a quite unsuitable minor royal
c) made some money housekeeping (incognita, of course), and
d) been summoned by the Queen to spy on her playboy son.

Then an arrogant Frenchman, who wants her family's 800-year-old estate for himself, winds up dead in her bathtub. Now her most important job is to clear her very long family name.

Picture: Myrna Loy

(Photo source: mirrorfilm.org)

Myrna Loy, an amazing actress who could tackle comedy and drama with ease. I love watching those old Hollywood films, because the actresses could really act.

Book Girl Thoughts: Book Snobs

I really don't understand why book snobs feel the need to pass judgment on what others are reading.

A person should read what they enjoy. I enjoy reading a variety of things from classics to comic books. I have a friend who mainly reads romance books and I don't feel the need to tell her she should read other things or look down my nose at what she's reading because those are the books she enjoys reading.

Like any other type of snobbery, they put others down to make themselves look/feel better.  It's such a waste of energy.

Fashion Meets Comics: Tam Fox and Stephanie Brown

I found it interesting that both Tam and Steph were always shown wearing purple. Although it was never shown or talked about but I believed they also attended the same college as well.

I thought Tam's fashion was a little conservative but fun (she was a sorority girl). Unlike most college students Tam didn't have to worry about her finances. While I found Steph's style to be mostly casual chic. As a typical college student, she didn't have a lot of money. Despite having different styles, I think they were both shown wearing really cute clothes. They should have been nicknamed "The Purple Girls".

Below are two items I picked out that I think both of them would love.

Scarf: Technicolor Leopard Scarf    $16.80    Forever21

Top:  Soprano Woven Crop Cami   $24.00   Nordstrom

Sunday Summary: June 2nd

I can't believe it's June already, time is just flying by. How is everyone's weekend? 

I'm nearly finished with my read-a-thon, but I have run into quite a lot of bad books. It's been a long time since I have read this many bad books. My friend said it was bound to happen sooner or later with as many books as I read. I guess my library picks haven't been so great. I'm just really glad I checked out these books from the library instead of wasting my money buying those awful books. I have two books left for my read-a-thon and here's hoping they are worth reading. I will be starting Star Wars The Clone Wars: Wild Space by Karen Miller sometime later today.

Yesterday, I bought two new books: Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Search part 1 and Jubilee. Avatar: The Search has been on my wish list for quite a while. I can't wait to read it but I still have to read Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise.

If I get the chance I'm going to try to get to the comic book store today. I want to see if I can find an old issue of Superman and maybe pick up a few more.

Well, I'm off for a little lunch.

Bye for now

~ Book Girl

Currently Reading: Star Wars The Clone Wars: Wild Space

I'm hoping this will be a good read for my sixth read-a-thon book. It's a different author from the other Star Wars The Clone Wars book, so hopefully that will make a huge difference.

Book: Star Wars The Clone Wars: Wild Space by Karen Miller

Source: Library

Description:

The Clone Wars have exploded across the galaxy as Republic forces and Separatists struggle to gain the upper hand. But while the Jedi generals work tirelessly to defeat Count Dooku and his rebels, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine is hatching his own dark plans.

The Separatists have launched a sneak attack on Coruscant. Obi-Wan Kenobi, wounded in battle, insists that Anakin Skywalker and his rookie Padawan Ahsoka leave on a risky mission against General Grievous. But when Senator Bail Organa reveals explosive intelligence that could turn the tide of war in the Republic’s favor, the Jedi Master agrees to accompany him to an obscure planet on the Outer Rim to verify the facts. What Obi-Wan and Bail don’t realize is that they’re walking into a deadly trap concocted by Palpatine . . . and that escape may not be an option.

Inspired by the full-length animated feature film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the brand-new TV series, this thrilling adventure is filled with provocative, never-before-revealed insights into the characters of Obi-Wan, Anakin, Padme, Yoda, Count Dooku, and many other Star Wars favorites.

Illustration of the Day: Conner and Martha Kent and Krypto

Illustration: Adventure Comics issue #2

This scene shows Conner getting ready for his date with Cassie (Wonder Girl) as well as continuing to go over his list to see who he is more like: Clark or Lex. Poor guy, he's so worried about transforming into Lex that he thinks he's going bald.

Book Review for Book Girl Read-a-thon: Holly Would Dream

Book: Holly Would Dream by Karen Quinn

Source: Library

Rating: 1 stars (Did Not Finish)

Review:

Despite the good reviews I have seen for "Holly Would Dream", I didn't enjoy it and could not bring myself to finish it. I read up until page 168 and couldn't take reading anymore of this.

When I picked this up I thought I would get a fun light-hearted read but instead I found both the story and the main character Holly Ross to be rather dreadful. The plot was unbelievable and the characters were insipid.

I was looking forward to reading this because I thought Holly had found inspiration from Audrey Hepburn and the characters in her movies. Holly was so annoying. She works as an assistant at a fashion museum and was looking forward to her upcoming wedding. But that all looks good on paper, her job was a dead end especially after being passed up for a promotion and her fiancé really doesn't seem to care about her. Holly constantly talks about wanting a better life but instead of doing anything about it, she would rather settle for the crappy life she has.

There were so many scenes that made Holly look pathetic, for instance her fiancé had been arrested for soliciting a minor and not only does she bail him out of jail, she also ends up having sex with him when she didn't really want to. The main thought going through her mind was she didn't want to lose him.

There were many scenes of her not standing up for herself or speaking up when she was at work. She was treated like a doormat and even went along with trying to help her boss and the new curator cheat during a fashion event.

Again this is another book where the main character is in her early 30s and she acts like a child. Holly never really took anything serious and continued to do stupid stuff.

This book held none of the style and grace that Audrey Hepburn held. I'm disappointed that she was even included in this lack luster book. This was a total waste of time.

Art of the Day: Harry Potter: Ron and Hermione (Deathly Hallows pt 1)

Artwork: Oh Ron by BehindtheVeil

I love this scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, Ron was finally starting to be honest with himself about how he felt about Hermione. Okay, who didn't think Hermione's red dress was really pretty.