"What do you want to be?" "Happy," she says with a smile. - Colleen Hoover

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

The "Slumps are for Chumps" Book Tag

It's happened to me again guys, I'm in a book slump. I haven't read anything in over a month and it's driving me crazy. I didn't know what I should post for you all so I went to Google and typed in book slump and this tag game up. You all know how I feel about doing tags and since I'm in a slump I figured hey this sounds like a fantastic idea. Check out the blog I saw this tag on by clicking HERE
Enjoy!!

1. Which book, most recently, did you not finish?

I started Fallen by Lauren Kate a while back and never finished it. I also picked up Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and got like 4 pages into it before I put it down.

2. Which book is your guilty pleasure?

I feel weird choosing Fifty Shades of Grey because this question has the word pleasure in it which makes me all kinds of uncomfortable but it's true, this book is a guilty read. I love it, don't judge me.

3. Which book do you love to hate?

Hmm, I don't know if there is any book that I love to hate.

4. Which book would you throw in the sea?

Haha, this question makes me giggle. There have been some books that I really really didn't like, but I love books and I would never throw one into the water. That would hurt it and I don't believe in hurting books.

5. Which book have you read the most?

Twilight.

6. Which book would you hate to receive as a present?

I wouldn't really want Isla & The Happily Ever After but I would love it if someone bought me Lola & The Boy Next Door.

7. Which book could you not live without?

I don't want to say the book I'm thinking of because I have to use it later on in this tag...and I don't want to be predictable...or use a book to many times in a tag. I can't not do it...TFIOS. I just don't know what I'd do without that book guys, I'm sorry.

8. Which book made you the angriest?

Allegiant.

9. Which book made you cry the most?

The Fault in Our Stars, see I told you I had to use it later on in the tag. But I also cried a lot in The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks.

10. Which book cover do you hate the most?

I read My Favorite Mistake by Chelsea M. Cameron a loooong time ago and I loved the book and I thought the cover was kind of cute. Then last year or so I saw a different cover for it and it made me so mad because it was cheesy and so not good for the book underneath. Soooo I'm going to have to go with that one.



Thursday, July 21, 2016

300!!

This post is my 300th post and I'm not going to lie, that's crazy to me!! I have had this blog for 3 years now and it's one of my favorite things in the world.
When I started A Book Lovers Playlist it was because I wanted to share my thoughts with the world. I wanted to be able to tell people about my favorite books and to review the books I was reading. I also wanted a place where I could fangirl and discuss all things bookish with people who love reading as much as I do.
I think we all have a place in this world and someday we find it. As you all know I'm a mom and I truly believe that is what I was put on this earth to do. I also believe I was meant to do this. Maybe that's cheesy or you're thinking to yourself, "All you do is write about books, it's not like you actually wrote a book." And if you are thinking that then you're right, but it still means the world to me.
I can't begin to find the words to thank you all for subscribing to this blog and for following my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I love reading your comments and I try and do my best to respond to them because I want you all to know just how special you are to me.
I have been incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunities I have because of this blog. I never thought I'd be able to say that I've interviewed some of my favorite writers or that publishing companies would be sending me books to review. Every single time I talk to an author I can't believe it. Every time I get a book sent to me I jump up and down. To be honest I don't think that will ever change.
I don't want to get carried away so I'm going to stop here but I just want to say thank you all. Thank you for making A Book Lovers Playlist one of my favorite things. Thank you for your kind words and for giving me a chance.
I've never done this before but since I'm celebrating I wanted to do my very first giveaway. Please leave a comment below or on twitter using the #ABookLoversPlaylist telling me why you read this blog and something that you're grateful for. If you comment on here please leave an e-mail address for me to get a hold of you with. I'll close the giveaway on July 29th.
What is the giveaway for you ask? Well my friends I'd like to giveaway one of my favorite books. I'm going to write 5 books below and you can choose from that list. This giveaway is only for the United States only because I can't afford international shipping. Thank you all for being so wonderful!!

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Like you didn't know that would be on here)
2. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
3. Rule by Jay Crownover
4. Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines
5. November 9th by Colleen Hoover

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Book Makeup Tag


As I was pondering the YouTubes I found this tag done by Heather at Bookables and it seemed fun. Before she answered the bookish bits she named the makeup she uses so I thought I would too. Enjoy!!


1. PRIMER:
Pick a book that left a lasting impression Haha, yeah I don't prime. As far as my book answer well guys we're starting it off early, The Fault in Our Stars.

2. FOUNDATION:
Pick your favorite first book in a series
As far as makeup goes I use Tarte Amazonian Clay but the powder not the liquid. And as far as a book I'm going to go with my beloved Twilight.

3. CONCEALER:
Pick a character you wish you could get rid of Well before I read Up In Flames I probably would've said Nan but now that I don't hate her I'll go with Jane from Twilight...mostly because that's all I can think of.

4. POWDER:
Pick your favorite last book in a seriesNo powder aside from foundation so right onto the book and that's probably...hmm...let's go with City of Heavenly Fire.

5. EYEBROWS:
A book that you think everyone should readI do not fill in my brows It's au naturel over her my friends. Since I've already said TFIOS I'll go with The Outsiders.


6. EYESHADOW:
Pick a book that has your favorite colors on the coverI don't usually use eyeshadow but lately when I do I use my Lorac Pro palette and for a book I'm going to go with The Selection because that is the color i'm obsessed with atm.

7. EYELINER:
Pick a dark & mysterious bookI've been using Stila liquid eyeliner in black and I'm going to pick...wow...I don't know. I can't really think of a dark AND mysterious book. Oh wait no no I got it, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

8. MASCARA:
Pick a loooooong bookI use Benefit Roller Lash and i'm going to go with the last couple Harry Potter books because those guys are HUGE.

9. BLUSH:
Pick a book that had some cringe-worthy romance
I don't really use blush anymore so I don't have an up to date fav but a cringe worthy romance I'll say A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers.

10. HIGHLIGHTER:
Pick a book that brightened your dayWow, do I wear any makeup? Anything I've ever read by Sophie Kinsella has brightened my day especially her Shopaholic books.

11. LIPSTICK:
Your favorite book kiss
I love Turkish Delight by Nars but it's a lipgloss not lipstick, am I disqualified now? The first book that comes to mind is Rule because the first kiss that him and Shaw have is so freaking hot. 

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: July 12, 2016...Posted on Wednesday...Oops


Ten Facts About Me:

I think I did something like this a few months back or maybe last year but I love reading posts like this so I thought I'd do it again...plus I can't remember if I in fact did do this before so it's like doing it the first time ;)

10. I have a slight addiction to tennis shoes
9. My current favorite song is Let It Go by James Bay
8. I like watching hockey and have been to see 3 NHL games
7. My favorite colors are raspberry pink and mint green
6. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and The Beast
5. I almost lost my eye sight when I was 8
4. I love everything shabby chic
3. I have a dog named Cooper Cohen who was named after Marissa Cooper and Seth Cohen from the OC
2. I can quote almost every line from Friends
1. I'm a mommy and believe me it's the absolute best :)

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Leslie Welch Interview


Today I'm going to share an interview that I did with the lovely Leslie Welch.
I recently reviewed her book The Goodbyes and if you've read my review then you know that I really liked it.
I'm so grateful for the chance to interview Leslie so huge thank you's go out to her and her team!!
Enjoy!!

 
 

1. What is the first story you remember writing?
Like most writers, I started writing as soon as I could string letters into simple words. My early stories were about my pets. But the first thing I wrote that met the “academic requirements” of a narrative was about my little brother climbing through a portal in our shed and saving our neighborhood from a terrifying monster. Twenty-three years later, it’s still one of his favorites.

2. Are there any authors that you would enjoy co-writing with?
This is a tricky one! Exploring a story with another writer is so much fun, but having different expectations for the direction can add a lot of time to a project. I co-wrote my first novel with my best friend. It took us seven years to finish the first draft. We’re still revising (but thankfully almost done).
I think I work best as a solitary writer because I take off on crazy tangents. I can spend a week rewriting chapters to make a new idea work, then decide not to pursue it. I’d hate to subject another writer to that. As for my BFF, she’s learned to deal with it. 
 

3. Which authors do you look up to?
I’m a huge Vonnegut fan. Sirens of Titan will always be on my list of favorite books. He taught me how to escape the expectations of a traditional novel while adhering to the conventions of good storytelling.
As for contemporary authors, Rainbow Rowell is a huge inspiration. I love the emotional spectrum she creates for her characters. When it comes to language, Lauren Groff’s prose stuns me. I’d love to be able to write with her intensity.

4. In The Goodbyes Webb wants to be a musician when he's in high school and then later his dreams come true. What was your dream job in high school?
I wanted to be so many things: an actress, a singer, an astronaut. When I was eighteen, I won an acting contest sponsored by Entertainment Weekly. First prize was a trip to Ft. Worth to see the world premiere of 8 Seconds. I thought for sure I was headed to Hollywood, but it never happened.
In college, I chased my dream of being a musician and independently recorded seven albums. I’m still waiting for a chance to be an astronaut. Maybe I’ll be the first author on Mars (hint, hint, Elon). 
 
5. Bree has a lot of drama surrounding her, have you ever known anyone like her?
I feel like we’ve all known someone like Bree. That friend who doesn’t realize how their words or actions affect people. The person who doesn’t realize they’re in a world full of people.
From a psychological perspective, Bree has legitimate reasons for acting the way she does. But, from a human perspective, she leaves a path of destruction without a glance in the rearview mirror.

6. Webb is in love with Bree even though she isn't the best for him, have you ever 
been in his shoes?

So. Many. Times. I’ve also been the girl who didn’t handle other people’s hearts with care. I had a very skewed perception about love when I was younger. I grew up not knowing my father. I carried this rejection into my teen years and constantly searched for validation through relationships.
It took a lot of work to leave my baggage on the conveyor belt and decide to travel light into love. Now, as an adult (who has been happily married for fifteen years), I’m absolutely grateful for the puffy, white scars these experiences left behind. They gave me a lifetime of feelings to tap into. And those guys? It’s safe to say I dodged some major disasters.
 
7. Music is an important part of my blog and your book, what music inspires you?
I love music that builds a world around me. I’m a huge Snow Patrol fan. The Lightning Strike is the perfect example of a song that triggers my imagination. Every time I hear it, I see a story. In fact, my next book was inspired by the lyrics.
I’m also a big fan of The XX, Band of Horses, Metric, and Imagine Dragons. They’re all on my writing playlist.

8. Who was the hardest character to write?
It was challenging to write Bree. In early drafts, she was pretty one-dimensional. Originally, this was an intentional choice because that’s how we perceive people in high school. We lack the emotional experience to pick up on nuances. It’s easy to believe that popular kids have a magical life, or that our crushes are perfect. But we all have secrets.

I had to work really hard to find a balance between revealing enough to let the reader “fill in the blanks” while letting Webb continue to see her as an enigma. He might not fully understand what’s happening, but the reader can guess. This might be frustrating for some readers, but it’s the same thing as the top spinning at the end of Inception. Did it fall over? We’ll never really know--just like we will never truly understand any other person beside ourselves.
 
9. Who was your favorite character to write?
I love Charlotte. If I knew her, she’d be one of my best friends. She doesn’t apologize for who she is, but is still empathetic. I’ve thought about writing the story from her perspective. It would be interesting to see what her journey was like.

10. If The Goodbyes had a theme song what would it be?
The first song that comes to mind is Fix You by Coldplay. I mean, if you really read the lyrics, it’s almost perfect.

Follow Leslie on Social Media:
 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The Goodbyes by Leslie Welch

It's no secret that I get scared sometimes when I receive a review copy of a book. I've told you all time and time again how I get nervous sometimes because I'm scared I won't like the book - which has happened. Well it didn't happen with The Goodbyes.I really enjoyed this book!!
First of all I have to tell you that the writing to me is like reading poetry, that's how beautiful it is.
The story is about Web Turner and his great love for a girl named Bree.
Web is a really sweet guy from a small town who lives near the girl of his dreams.
Bree is wild and exciting which is basically everything Web is not.
Throughout the story we go back and forth in time. In some chapters we are in present day and Web is in a rush to get to a hospital that is treating Bree. In the other chapters we find ourselves back when the two are teenagers and Web is trying to win her heart.
The gist of the story reminds me of Paper Towns by John Green but while the story is similar the comparison ends there. The thing is this story demands to be told because it happens all the time. Everyone has fallen for the wrong person. You can't help it.
While I was reading this book I felt myself wanting to hug Web and kind of shake him a little bit too. I understand why he loves this crazy girl but my 26 year old heart was saying no no Web you deserve better than that.
Another thing I feel like I have to say is that this isn't your typical contemporary. It's not corny and it isn't predictable.
The only thing I didn't like was Bree. She dealt with some pretty bad things so you end up realizing why she is the way she is but I can't help but not like her. You can't help but love Web so you grow protective over him the more you read but in return you begin to really dislike Bree. It can't be helped.
Anyway like I said earlier I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book that will make you get all those feels everyone is always talking about.

The Goodbyes will be released July 12, 2016Buy The Goodbyes Here:
Amazon