This Week In Books

Grim by Anna Waggener

Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips

 

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you might have heard, I'm obsessed with the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips.

 

I've always wanted to try these salon effects nail strips. I even bought some about a year and a half ago but have never opened them. I was afraid I would have so much trouble putting them on that I would ruin them and there would go $10 down the drain.

 

I finally gave them a whirl last week and I am obsessed. I applied the leopard print Sunday evening and about a week later on Monday I took them off. I really only had chipping on one nail out of 5 (I didn't apply them to all my nails.) I just put on another set (pink polka dots) last night and for some reason this set has a little more chipping, I think it might be user error in this case with how I filed them this time.

 

 

 In the past week I've compiled a nice little collection of these and I can't wait to keep using them. I like that each set comes split into two packs, so if you are like me and only want to do half of your nails with the strips and the rest with polish the other half of the strips won't dry out and you can get two manicures out of them. I really can't get enough of these!

 

 

 I've been enjoying seeing people's reactions to my manicures and think I have convinced a few people to also try them out to see how they like them! Have you used these? How did you like them?

Received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes from Influenster

Hardcover vs Paperback 151

Amazon.com:

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be contained or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby. But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has deeply hidden away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

 

Let me start by saying I haven't read this book (I have it but haven't read it). I'll admit that one of the reasons I bought this book was because of the hardcover, I love the way it hints at a mystery instead of what in my opinion looks like giving away plot points with the paperback. Honestly I'm kind of turned off by the paperback cover. It looks like a giant head floating in the ocean. And why is the girl's hair so clumpy on the right side? It's like a wall of hair.

 

Thanks to Marta who suggested this H vs P!

 

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Lookalikes 165

I really like this layout, especially in the case of How to Be Single, great lighting and color.

 

Thanks to Kelsey who suggested this lookalike! 

 

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Hardcover vs Paperback 150

Amazon.com:

At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, READY PLAYER ONE is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.

It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.  

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?

Paperback is winning for me, the hardcover reminds me a lot of generic classic reprint covers. Sounds like an interesting story!

Thanks to Gail who suggested this H vs P!

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This Week in Books

1. Amelia Anne Is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield

2. A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

Lookalikes 164

These both are kind of creepy, on Flawless where is her nose? And on Dangerous Angels, those eyes must be exaggerated!

Thanks to Jordyn who suggested this lookalike! 

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Hardcover vs Paperback 149

Amazon.com:

Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer's Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind.

But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico.

Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.... 

These covers just kind of rub me the wrong way. I just don't like the perspective of the image on the hardcover, it's just a weird angle to use. And the paperback, that girl has always looked dead to me, her pose is so still. Definitely very different covers.

Thanks to Gail who suggested this H vs P!

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This Week In Books

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead (Review)

Lookalikes 163

Definitely The Vespertine in this case. Dark Angel is very very VERY washed out, we can't have that!

 

Thanks to Kelsey who suggested this lookalike! 

 

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Harcover vs Paperback 148

Amazon.com:

What if you could see how your life would unfold--just by clicking a button?

It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and an America Online CD-ROM. Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future. Everybody wonders what their destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

This is one of those books I've been excited to read ever since I first heard about it. But neither of these covers really do much for me, I feel there has to be a more clever way to show this great concept.

*Can't say for sure if this is the final final paperback, but Amazon seems to think so, considering the form it took on Amazon with trim marks and all I'm not 100% sure. 

Thanks to Marta who suggested this H vs P!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

 

Currently Enjoying: The Shops at Target Edition

1. Square Lollipop from The Candy Shop- These were too cute not to buy one! 2. Taffy from The Candy Shop- Really, really tasty taffy in Vanilla, Pear and Cotton Candy. 3. Nautical Print Cap Toe Flat from The Webster- Pink and Stripes, what's not to love? 4. Cap Toe Flat from The Webster- These were just a really pretty color! 5. Gold Necklace with Castings from The Webster- All these sand dollar jewelery pieces remind me of going to the beach when I was little, love it! 6. Gold Leaves Drops Earrings from The Webster- These are beachy without being cheesy. 7. Silver Chandelier Earrings from The Webster- Who can't use some statement earrings? 8. Gold Sand Dollar Earrings from The Webster- Again with the sand dollars! 9. Copper Nail Polish from Cos Bar- I'm a sucker for nail polish. 10. Bronze Nail Polish from Cos Bar- Again, why not get just another bottle? 11. Cucumber Melon Hand and Body Wash from Cos Bar- I'm kind of obsessed with body wash. 12. Cucumber Melon Body Butter from Cos Bar- I've been wanting to get some body butter. 13. Cucumber Melon Body Scrub from Cos Bar- Love body scrub!

This Week In Books

1. The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison (Review)

2. The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson (Amazon)

3. Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James (Amazon)

4. The Selection by Kiera Cass (Amazon)

5. Sweet Shawlettes by Jean Moss (Amazon)

Lookalikes 162

Do you think that's the same girl on both covers? The same picture even? After studying them for awhile I think, yes they are the same, but Sink or Swim got a heavy HEAVY photoshop job. Now, speaking to the covers themselves, neither stands out for me as spectacular but Harbinger wins for its simplicity, Sink or Swim has way too much going on. I really don't even know what I'm looking at, I think the summary would have to give some more explanation for it to make sense.

 

Thanks to Jess who suggested this lookalike! 

 

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Press Play: March + April

MARCH

I Am Number 4

The Hunger Games (favorite)

APRIL

Chandani, The Daughter of the Elephant Whisperer (int'l film festival)

A Brief Trip Around The World: International Short Narratives (int'l film festival)

Weekly Dose of Crafts: Yarncation

No actual projects this week but I had something special I wanted to talk about! Two weekend ago I traveled to Hood River, Oregon for the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival. My friend Tami of Candy Skein and Tami's Amis had a booth there selling her hand dyed yarn. So I used the opportunity to take a vacation or rather a yarncation (I realized I hadn't really had one in a year) and meet up with Tami and a few of her friends from her knitting group who were very very nice and welcoming! 

I was good for the first few days but the last few days I went a little crazy and this is what I came home with:

One of the booths I fell in love at the festival was one called Alpha B, I just loved the saturated brightly colored yarn. First I bought the teal colored one and then the last day of the show I went back for the rest, realizing I would regret it if they didn't come home with me!

Another booth I visited was Abstract Fibers, after hearing about their Silk Hankies I had to investigate. After learning how to work with them I bought enough to make myself a cowl. I love things that are just slightly out of the ordinary and these definitely qualify!

And obviously I had to go home with some of Tami's Candy Skein yarn. I just have to say how excited and proud I am for Tami and her business. It was so fun to see it all in person finally! Go Tami!!! I plotted in my head and eventually started looking into my raverly queue to find some projects to pick yarn for. This is what I ended up with, a rainbow of color! Weee!

I had to point out one of my favorites that I bought from Candy Skein. Tami does a Sock Club of the month where she makes a new colorway that is only around for that month and this month's is called Butter Mints, look how pretty it is! So tasty!

The morning before I left we also went to a few yarn stores including one called Twisted, everyone at the festival said we must go there, and I bought a few things (you can see them pictured in that first image)! So that's a quick recap of my yarn-cation (ha!), have you gotten any beautiful or special yarn lately? What's new?

Hardcover vs Paperback 147

Amazon.com:

Four friends
One sisterhood
Ten years later, the story continues

On the cusp of turning thirty, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget are now living separate lives, out on their own. Yet despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness. Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

This is an unusual case. The four original books in this series all look the same and have a very young adult, pretty much tween look to them. And then this book comes along, a fast forward into the future, is it for adults? Or the teens that read these books? I really don't know. It's sure trying to fit into the adult market though. My vote is going to go to the paperback, it just feels more like how I remember the original books in the series. The hardcover looks like it's trying to be literary fiction, but I haven't read this book yet so who knows what it really is. The only thing that bugs me about the paperback is that there are only 3 girls on the cover, someone is missing!

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Currently Enjoying...

1. Lucky Charms Necklace from Jewelmint- I saw this a few months ago and then it was sold out. Luckily it recently came back in stock and I grabbed it! Too cute!  2. Summer Eye Summetime Sexy Shadow Collection from Too Faced- Basically with this you can turn yourself into a mermaid. It has some beautiful pinks, corals and greens! 3. Shimmer Fizz Body Mousse from Bath and Body Works- I'm obsessed with this stuff, it's like if pop rocks was a lotion. When you press your hands together with this it sounds like you are cooking an egg! 4. Whimsey Box Craft Supplies Subscription- This is a new subscription box I have been trying, you get like 4 to 5 different craft supplies a month, love the idea! 5. Travel Nail Polish Set from Kate Spade- When I saw Kate Spade was coming out with a nail polish set I freaked! The staying power of this is pretty good, I'm wearing the pink right now! 6. Xhilaration Yellow Cross Body Bag from Target- I love this purse, it's a great size and I love the crossbody style. I definitely get a lot of compliments when I use it too, especially paired with my neon yellow shoes! 7. Diet Sun Drop- This is my new favorite soda, it tastes to me like a cross between 7Up and Mountain Dew. 8. Teenz Flats from Dollhouse- At $20 these are a major steal. They are comfortable and very colorful. WIN.

Review: Twisted: A Pretty Little Liars Novel by Sara Shepard

I'll be honest. After the series had ended with the last book, and it was supposed to be finished I was kind of sad but understood. And then all of a sudden, the series was back from the grave, probably at least in part because of the success of the tv show. I was definitely skeptical, really could it come back and keep going after everything that had happened? Well I'm here to tell you it's TOTALLY BACK and just as great as it was before!

I'm going to try and keep this spoiler free.

So with the last book a lot of the questions were answered (it was supposed to be the last book after all). There was one possibility that was left open and this new book totally takes that and runs with it, it runs so far I still have no idea what's going on! But this book was awesome, it starts a whole new set of mysteries and the risks and possibilities for trouble are so much bigger that before.

As always, each of the girls have their own story lines, I always forget one of the big differences from the books to the tv show is that in the books the girls aren't actually friends that much of the time whereas on the tv show they are. So not surprisingly the girls aren't really on good terms for much of this book, but that's because they are keeping such a huge secret that they can't stand to look one another in the eye. Luckily by the end we know as much as they do regarding the secret (I think) so it's definitely satisfying in that way.

If you are a lover of PLL the books or the tv show I'd say read this. If you haven't read or watched PLL what are you watching for, it's so juicy and fun and scary and awesome! Get in on it! But seriously, if you are new to this series, start from the beginning, it wouldn't be much fun starting in the middle!

Twisted was released on July 5th 2011
Genre: Young Adult
4/5 Stars
Purchased

Amazon.com:

It’s been a year since the torturous notes from A stopped and the mystery of Alison DiLaurentis’s disappearance was finally put to rest. Now seniors in high school, Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily are older, but they’re not any wiser. The pretty little liars have more secrets than ever—twisted secrets that could destroy the perfect lives they’ve worked so hard to rebuild. 

Aria’s jealous of her boyfriend’s new exchange student. Spencer’s getting a little too cozy with her soon-to-be-stepbrother. Hanna’s one scandalous photo away from ruining her dad’s Senate campaign. And Emily will do anything to get a swim scholarship. 

Worst of all: Last spring break in Jamaica, they did something unforgivable. The girls are desperate to forget that fateful night, but they should know better than anyone that all secrets wash ashore . . . eventually.

This Week In Books

1. The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life by Tara Altebrando (Review)

2. Losers in Space by John Barnes (Review)

3. Troubletwisters: The Monster by Garth Nix and Sean Williams (Review)

4. The Sister's Grimm: The Council of Mirrors by Michael Buckley (Review)

5. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones (Review)

6. I Spy DIY by Jenni Radosevich (Amazon)

7. Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins (Amazon)

Lookalikes 161

Usually I love compositions that are cropped in a little bit but in this case I'm enjoying Imaginary Girls because of all the movement in the image.

Thanks to Rachelia who suggested this lookalike! 

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Hardcover vs Paperback 146

Amazon.com:

Briony has a secret. It is a secret that killed her stepmother, ruined her sister's mind, and will end her life, if anyone were to know. She has powers. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and a great mane of tawny hair. He is as natural as the sun, and he treats her as if she is extraordinary. And everything starts to change . . . Chime is a haunting, brilliantly written novel that will stay with you--its magic, its romance, its world like none other.

Based on the covers this girl much be some kind of fairy or elf, look at how pale she is! To me the coloring of the hardcover is rather off-putting and really flattens to whole cover. On the paperback the girl's hair is just not working for me it doesn't look very real. Not really feeling either of these.

Thanks to Gail who suggested this H vs P!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Lookalikes 160

 Both of these covers are perfectly pretty. Image treatment-wise I think I like Intangible a bit more because of the purple gradient going over the image, but the sparkle in Glimpse really blends into the image really nice and doesn't look artificial.

Thanks to Margie who suggested this lookalike! 

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Hardcover vs Paperback 145

Amazon.com:

Sixteen–year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what’s happening, their car is being stolen. Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, but once his dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare? Because she’s not only sick with pneumonia—she’s also blind.

Wow, this sounds like an intense book. And I think the hardcover really captures what I felt from reading the summary, especially the fact that the girl's eyes are covered and even the gritty coloring of the photograph.

Thanks to Gail who suggested this H vs P!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Lookalikes 159

It's umbrella time! I definitely prefer Dearly, Departed. Love the color variation while still remaining pretty much two-toned. Also love the composition, basically both covers are using the same set of tools (color, image, feel) and one just does it better in my opinion.

Thanks to Laura who suggested this lookalike! 

 

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Hardcover vs Paperback 144

Amazon.com:

Maybe I'll decide I have a life story, too, and I'll reveal some of it. 

The good girl, the jock, the beautiful one, and the geek. Tangle them together, and the unexpected happens. 

Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all in Paradise. When they meet, they have no idea how they will all connect—or that their chance encounters will transform each of their lives. 

The secrets we keep, the risks we take, and the things we do for love: Four months after it all begins in Paradise, none of them will ever be the same. 

This summary doesn't say much about the story but I'll say the happy, smiling faces on the paperback makes me instantly like it. It just looks like a book you want to read, you want to get in on the secret!

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Currently Enjoying...

1. Nips-I've been addicted to these lately, love the soft candy center. 2. People Style Watch-Love this magazine and how its formatted. 3. Coconut Milk by Organix-This smells so good! 4. Hilser Flats from Aldo-These are so bright! I have them in pink too. 5. Degrassi-I love how long this show has been on the air and how kids graduate and new students join the cast. 6. MyGlam Bag Subscription-Has the subscription box craze gotten to you yet? This is a new makeup bag monthly subscription bag that is $10 a month and has high and low end beauty products. 7. Classic Leather Ballet Flats from J Crew-These are a dream (have them in purple too.) The color is so saturated. 8. Spotify-So much better than bringing a pile of cds to work. 9. Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs-Time to whip out the spring and summer scents. 10. Fashion Star-Love the spin on the fashion designer competition show.

This Week In Books

About That Night by Julie James (Amazon)

Lookalikes 158

Here's a straight forward lookalike, pretty much the same cover created using the same layout and photo. When images of people go into the cool hues (like in Forgotten) the person starts to look dead (especially in the lips) based on the summary it doesn't seem like this book is about death (but who knows).

 

Thanks to Ingrid who suggested this lookalike! 

 

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Hardcover vs Paperback 143

Amazon.com:

It’s been one year since the brutal murder of her older sister, Zoë, and fifteen-year-old Echo is still reeling from the aftermath. Her parents are numb, her friends are moving on, and the awkward start to her freshman year proves she’ll never live up to her sister’s memory. Until Zoë’s former boyfriend Marc shows up with Zoë’s diary.

At first Echo’s not interested, doubting there’s anything in there she doesn’t already know. But when curiosity prevails, she starts reading, becoming so immersed in her sister’s secret world, their lives begin to blur, forcing Echo to uncover the truth behind Zoë’s life so that she can start to rebuild her own.

Prepare to laugh your heart out and cry your eyes out in this highly addictive tale as Alyson Noël tackles the complicated relationship between two sisters and shows how the bond can endure long after one of them is gone.

I think the cover that expresses the seriousness of the summary the most is Keeping Secrets (the 2 in 1 book combo).  It also has the most vivid photography and color I think too.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week In Books

1. The Wonderful World of Fifi Lapin (Amazon)

2. The Alexppo Codex Matti Friedman (Review)