I acquired some gift cards for Christmas. Some may say gift cards are gauche but I say au contraire. They are the perfect gift, at least for me. Do you dig gift cards?Moving on.
I am very indecisive with what to do/get with 2 of the cards. I need to pick your brain and get some suggestions. So...give me some book and music suggestions please.
The books can be fiction, non, adult, teen or children. I love books and will some day have a massive library of books where I can sit all day and read.
As for the tunes...I know I'm for sure getting the new Vampire Weekend album. I just can't enough of their sound. Other than that album I just can't narrow my choices down. So...give me an artist, a title, an oldie, a new artist or whatever. Just enlighten me in the tunes that are out there.
p.s. of course a reward must be given if you share some suggestions. You'll have the chance to win a mix of the tunes I end up getting...it's the least I can do for the brain picking on my part.
**Post edit:
I'm loving all the suggestions!! There are a few new books that I haven't heard of and excited to read.
I have read The Hunger Games series and loved it. A lot of the other books mentioned I've already read as well...I'm a book worm (3-4 books a month) so I knew it'd be hard to find some new ones so I'm sooo excited you guys came through.
As for the music I'm excited that a lot of us share the same taste in music. In fact I've only not recognized 3 artists named thus far. Keep them coming it's been fun seeing our similar tastes and also remembering songs I have that I can add to my mix.**
40 people are bringing SEXY back:
If you're looking for books for you... I'll have to think about it. If you want a good children's author... we're in love with Amy Rosenthal and Karma Wilson.
As for tunes... I love Carrie Underwoods new cd "Play On"... or Five for Fightings new one "Slice".
Can't wait to hear what you purchased!
For music I would say that I really can't be sad when I listen to Eric Hutchinson's Rock and roll.
For books I would recommend "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, if you haven't read it yet. Or "All the Broken Pieces" by Ann Burg. This year I also really loved "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead. Oh! And "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli is an all-time favorite but you're a reader so I'm sure you've read that.
Please do share what you get with your gift cards. I love love love gift cards. But sadly the only one I got this year was 5 bucks to McDonalds...
Oh! And my heavens if you haven't read "THE HUNGER GAMES" you have to read it this very minute. This is serious.
My musical taste is ever evolving...you know I like most of everything, my new love...indie folk, a band Lance turned me on to..Bon Iver. It's an acquired taste, try it, you may like it!
you also might like to try never using a complete sentence, it's an acquired taste!
You should have known that I would recommend at least one book for cooks...a must have is "My Last Supper". I love that 50 great chefs talk about what their final meal would be and who with. Also, you cannot pass it up because Anthony Bourdain's picture in the book is worth it! And if you are going to buy regular books, go with additions to your classic library...those are really the ones that you read over and over! A good way to begin your library is with either the Senior AP Lit Test exam list or the Harvard Classics List.
Music? I really shouldn't recommend music because let's just say that some of the types I listen to would shock, yes shock, you. Let's leave it at that!
I just read The Luxe series. It is 4 books and I read them all within like 4 days. Set in 1899 very upper class New York. Good ones.
Totally agree with the Carrie Underwood CD "Play On" it's fab from beginning to end!
Tell me you have The Killers Day and Age. I also just discovered Muse a year a go. If you haven't heard them, Starlight is my favorite of their songs.
I've heard raves for the Hunger Games, and bought it in September. Still have not read it.
Also, there's this book series called Twilight that everyone is going off about.
Ha. Just kidding.
Seriously, try Muse.
Magnificent and I'll Go Crazy are good from the new U2 album
This may sound crazy, but hear me out. 'They Might Be Giants' has a children's album called 'Here Comes Science.' My kids (ages 8 & 5) got their own Nano's for Christmas and this was one of the albums Santa had preloaded for them. Not only are the songs fun to listen to, but we are learning at the same time. Oh, and the album comes with a video version of each song. Ever since Christmas, my kids have been going around singing about photosynthesis, the planets, how elements are used, and all sorts of stuff I didn't learn about until high school. We also like their album called No!. They are fun kids' albums, but so much fun to listen to while traveling in the car (we do a lot of that).
The last book I read that I loved and couldn't put down was 'These Is My Words' by Nancy Turner. If you are a Barnes & Noble member and order it online (you get free shipping) the book is just over $10. For some reason it's cheaper to buy it online.
Domino-The book of Decorating: a Room by Room Guide to creating a Home that Makes You Happy--since you love to decorate, I would highly recommend getting it.
Also, my most favorite book from last year is A Journal for Jordan by Dana Canedy. Here is what Publisher's Weekly has to say about it:
"Inspired by a journal her fiancé wrote to their infant son while stationed as a sergeant in Iraq, New York Times editor Canedy tenderly recreates the couple's love story and decision to have a baby before he died. Canedy, an army brat herself, vowed to stay away from military men, but at 33, she was attracted to the shy, newly divorced artist and first sergeant Charles Monroe King, whom she met in the home of her parents in Radcliff, Ky., even if not quite like the intellectual men she typically dated back in New York. Over several years, their relationship developed despite their busy, separate lives, and when Charles was ordered to duty in Iraq in 2005, they discussed marriage and decided to conceive a child. Charles could not get back for baby Jordan's delivery, and the sergeant spent only two weeks with his baby son before returning to duty—he was killed in 2006. Canedy's account of Charles's last visit with his wife and child is heartbreaking. Unflinching and thorough, Canedy offers a sense of shared grief with other families whose loved ones have died in the war."
As for music: I love the song "Hey Soul Sister" by Train. It is catchy and wonderful.
I love gift cards- You can never go wrong, I say.
Ooh, the book thief is a really good one. I just finished The Graveyard Book by the guy who wrote Coraline, so if you like dark, quirky young adult novels it's a good read. I also recently read Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure, about the road trip he and his wife took after his presidency. It's a very interesting look into him, what was happening around the US during that time, and about some of the landmarks he visited on his trip.
My latest purchases off iTunes are:
*Make Her Say - Kid Cudi
*Symphonies - Dan Black *Bulletproof - La Roux
*Forever - Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
*Sun to me - Faithless
*Feel It - Three 6 Mafia
They're all very awesome.
i LOVE gift cards, totally prefer them sometimes.
the road, the glass castle, eat pray love, or The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance {i laughed my butt off with that one!!!}
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525951350/ref=ox_ya_oh_product#noop
the authors video is cute.
Hey Erica, Thanks for your comment on my blog, also thanks for inspiring me! Love your blog and read it often! I love finding someone with great taste and interests and you have both! I'm trying to blog better so maybe one day you'll find my blog equally as interesting or at worst amusing. You can always just have a good laugh! :)
Anyways, as far as the good reads and tunes go, I actually am in need for suggestions as well. The best I can do is give props to the new Carrie Underwood album. She always makes for great singing at the top of your lungs while driving in the car songs. Do you like the show Glee? I downloaded their season 1 & 2 songs and they are so great! Owl City has some fun tunes as well. As for good reads, I'll stay tuned cause I got nothing! Thanks!
I liked the Hunger games a lot also! I think you already read the Lost Symbol but if not that is a good read too! As for music I agree with Carrie Underwood and I have also heard some good things about Rihannas new cd, haven't listened to it though. I also love the songs from Glee, they are hard not to sing along with! Good luck on your choices!
I love love love the book "The only alien on the planet," by Kristen Randall. I know that you would love it also. It reminds me somewhat of Twilight, though is came out years earlier (and the author is a Mormon).
Also, I am LOVING the artist Lenka. Her music is perfect for anytime. It has a different sound to it, but a sound that the whole family has grown fond of.
Good luck! Miss you!
-Kim
Have you read "The Hunger Games" or the sequel "Catching Fire"? I couldn't put these books down. Seriously, I read the first one in a matter of hours forgoing sleep. Even if you don't buy them (which I did) check them out at the library. They're totally worth the read.
ahhh like the pp I loved The Hunger Games and am reading the sequal right now (almost finished) - so so good!!!!!!
as for music I really like the album by Zee Avi right now.
Ok, you have to read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett if you haven't already! Totally loved it. I just finished "The Secret Life of Bees" loved that one too. "The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society" is also excellent!
Amen to the new Carrie Underwood album, and I think my next download is going to be Kris Allen!
agh my reader is acting up. so much great posting!
have you read goose girl? so cute and fun. what about all the pretty horses for a good read? i'm loving that i'm on break and can actually pick up a book. e and i are reading catching fire together. we are enjoying it!
ok so music. anything mat kearney, matt natheson, irgrid michaelson, the new john mayer is excellent, carolina liar, regina spektor, all american rejects and I can't help it but I love me a little taylor swift.
As for books. I love em. A few that I have lined up that you might also like. the latest Dan Brown, "The Lost Symbol". I wasn't a huge fan of "Angel and Demons" but maybe this one will be better. also lined up, "Agent Bishop" by Mike McPheters, "The Mormon Scientist" by Henry J. Eyring. I have been trying to read less fiction and venture out more but of course if you want a fiction series that's easy to get through and fun the Haper Connelly novels by Charline Harris are easy and fun reads. And just for fun one that I have been working on and read a little hear and there, "1001Things it Means to be A Mom" by Harry H. Harrison Jr.
good luck. happy listening and reading. I hope you find what your after!!!
I thought of a couple more. I'm sure you've heard of all of em but they are some of my favs.
A Fine Frenzy, Iron and Wine, Priscilla Ahn, Band of Horses, Brett Dennen. oh I could go an but will stop. :)
haha-we stopped listening to the a few songs on the "here comes science" cd when my oldest asked if Grandma and Grandpa used to be Monkeys. (it comes with a dvd that shows a cartoon evolution of the ape in the song "my brother the ape". The "science is real from Evolution to DNA didn't go over real well with us, either.
The Roy G BIV song is good, though.
um, I don't stalk your comments, btw.
I just thought of a hippe group called Frente that I thought you might like, and came back to post.
Book: These Is My Words (Oh I Loved This)
Number the Stars-Lois Lowry (read this in the 4th grade & it is my ALL time FAVORITE book)
Music: Muse (great pump you up work out music or just fun around the house)
Warning: This is a religious comment...
Music: Vocal Point: Hims and Hims II (acapella LDS Hymns)
Books: The Continuous Atonement (Brad Wilcox)
The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes
(James L. Ferrell)
The Holy Secret (James L. Ferrell)
Believing Christ: the Parable of the Bicycle and Other Good News
(Stephen E. Robinson)
Following Christ: The Parable of the Divers and More Good News
(Stephen E. Robinson)
The most recent book I read that I loved is 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett. So well written! Loved it. I also highly, highly recommend 'Left to Tell' by Immaculee Ilibagiza. AMAZING. It's an absolutely inspiring biography of a woman's survival through the Rwandan Holocaust. I would never normally pick up a book like that, but one of my friends made me read it and I can't believe how beautiful it was. I also think it's so important to be aware of what's going on other places, even when it's hard to be.
I have been loving the Glee soundtrack, I have it playing at home all the time. Have you heard Joshua Radin? I bet you'd like him. I'm also loving Carrie Underwood's new album and as always, Taylor Swift. As Anna told me, we're her biggest fans :)
check out this chicks blog. She has tons of music ideas! www.emilyframe.blogspot.com. Hope that helps some. But for me, i am really into radio head right now and Grizzly bear:)
Book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is the best book I have ever read.
Music: She and Him Volume One
Hmmm, books, I loved Three Cups of Tea, I am going to be reading Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. On my list is On the Corner of the Hotel Bitter and Sweet, and the Alchemist.
Music, I am loving the new David Gray album, the new All American Rejects, the new Switchfoot album, and the song Watcha Say by Jason Derulo.
"the Golden Compass" series by phillip pullman
The House of Night series of books is really good if you haven't read those. The first book is titled, "Marked". Also, the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. I have them, but haven't read them yet, but hear rave reviews. Also, I'm reading the Sookie Stackhouse series at the moment. I'm a True Blood fan and wanted to read the books it was based on, plus the author, Charlaine Harris, is from Magnolia, Arkansas which isn't far from here! :)
How come I've never heard of the Hunger games? Here are some of my favorite books:
The Chosen, Potok
The Prince and the Pauper, Twain
Joan of Arc, Twain
David Copperfield, Dickens
The Song of the Lioness quartet, I can't think of the author even though I've read a lot of her books!
There's a few. Hope it helps!
Right now I am reading Gregor the Underlander, the other Susan Collins series. Its good. As for music. Rosi Golan. Love it.
I meant Overlander, not underlander!
Dana Lee - that book is good ...bret and I just finished it and turned it into the library a few weeks back. I'm sad that the library doesn't have the whole series (there are 7 books) I'm very tempted to buy the series I found at Barnes and Noble for a decent price....or maybe I'll just give the library a suggestion to get all the books in the series (The Underland Chronicles).
You've probably read this, but I loved "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close". Also, "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay". Those are about the only "adult" books I've read lately. But I graduated in Elementary Education so I've read and loved lots of young adult books. I liked: "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman (he wrote Coraline). It won the Newberry this past year. I also liked some other Newberry winners like "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" and "The Westing Game". I liked "The Candy Shop War" by Brandon Moll too. Okay, I won't even get into music right now because I've already written way too much!
Oh, i forgot, check out Of Montreal. Their music is fun:)
Funny, I got about 2 hundos worth of iTunes cards (thanks in-laws) that I need to use and was going to ask the same thing on my blog, but I'll just look at yours. :)
I just bought "Quiet Little Voices" by We Were Promised Jetpacks on iTunes. I love it. I also like "It's Thunder and It's Lightning" and "Moving Clocks Run Slow" by them. But I didn't like the rest of the album so much.
Good luck!
two favorites right now are...
Nickel Creek
Regina Spektor
oh and one more Ingrid Michaelson.
[not sure if I spelled all the names correctly].
Love to read too!
If you like Harry Potter you might like Fabelhaven [its a series by Brandon Mull].
Life's that way [a touching memoir by Jim Beaver
The Cradle : A Novel [by Patrick Somerville]
Love all the shopaholic books and I also enjoy Nicholas Sparks. If you like "comfort" mysteries, email me because I have a long list of favorite authors.
Curious, how is the mysterious benedict society. I have seen it but never picked it up.
Oh and I just wanted to say hi and thanks for visiting My Favorite Things. you have a lovely blog!
I think this is my first comment also!
The Red Tent by Anita Diamont
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg
As for tunes: Adele, Fleet Foxes, Lykke Li, Bishop Allen
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