2012

So since everyone else is blogging about 2012, I decided to join in on the fun. 
When I started this, I made a lot random facts about this year, but I really didn't like it. I know, me, who really likes to talk about herself. So here's an in depth look into my year. 

I learned how to love myself. Before this year, I thought I was the ugliest person alive. But thanks to a few new friends and yes, my boyfriend, I've learned to ignore what others have to say. They don't have to live with me for the rest of their lives, I do. 

Over the summer, I dyed the tips of my hair blonde. While it did turn out a little orange-y, I loved it. One big memory is when I had just come home from class, and my brother's friend Brad came by to pick something up and to check on me. He came in and it took about 10 or 15 minutes for him to notice. I remember how he asked first if I liked it. When he saw how happy I was, he said it looked really good. That's just how Brad is, he never had a thing to say against anyone if he knew how happy they were. 

In October, Brad died in a car accident. It was unexpected, to say the least, and although he was my brother's best friend, I still considered Brad like another brother. I miss him still everyday. 

I started college over the summer. My county offers the dual enrollment program. I take classes out at the local community college and they count towards both college and high school credit. 

My boyfriend and I celebrated our one year anniversary. ♥ He's my best friend and someone I want to keep in my life. He's just absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to spend even more years with him. (:

I took the plunge and started a blog. It was an idea I toyed around with for a few months. Yet, finally, I decided there was no harm and started From Bows to Books. I absolutely without a doubt have no regrets in starting this blog. I love it, I get to do something I love and create awesome relationships with my viewers and the authors who ask me to take a gander at their book. 

I discovered Rita Ora, Macklemore, and Lana del Ray. I feel like a lot of their music is made for my age group and I can connect with it. While I love my new music, I do still listen to my bby's, Pierce the Veil and Sleeping With Sirens♥

I've made three great friendships with new people. 

I started working to get healthier. I now try to do light cardio at least once a week and not eat as much junk. 

Finally, after 6 years of knitting, I have finished a project! My first scarf! 

Honestly, I just feel like I've grown a lot more. I like to think I'm not as self-centered and I've matured. 2012 was a hard year, which I had no idea when it started. But every single thing this year has happened for a reason. I've grown and I'm still growing. This year was a year I'll never forget. Thank you to all the people in my life, the people I have yet to meet, and the ones who have walked out. Everything happens for a reason. This year is just a testament to it. 

Now, here's to making 2013 even better. I love you all, thank you so much for following me on here and also for giving me the opportunity to write about, well, everything.
Ali.

P.S. keep tabs on the blog! Many new plans and opportunities are going on in the Winter, Spring, and Summer of 2013! Also, an Etsy shop may be opening in the Summer of 2012... I'll keep all of you posted! Just contact me on Goodreads. c;

Swoon Thursday (1):

Disclaimer: All scenes written below are copyrighted to their author. I am in no way, shape, or form trying to take or manipulate these scenes into my own writing. All rights go to © Jean Haus

How it Works: 

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering. 

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog. We want to know!

ALI: Swooning over In the Band by Jean Haus!  Pg. 227

         "You love your family enough to turn down a percussion scholarship. You place the drums like a demon. You're this wild mix of cute and sexy and beautiful....It's not too hard to hold someone who's already caught." -Romeo in response to Riley's insecurity. 

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

Read in: December, 2012

Format: eBook

Source: Bought

Star Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis: (from Goodreads.com)

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter. 

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother. 

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

Prosecution: 

March of 2013 is WAY too far away. Y U do this to me??

Defense: 

I'm still crying as I type this. This novel/obsession/emotional train wreck has probably left me worse off than my last break up. My heart hurts, my head is pounding, and I feel so awake I could run five miles. Blair was well rounded and by the end of the novel, you could tell she was..different. No longer innocent. Honestly, she reminded me so much of a sixteen year old at the beginning, as though she hadn't grown since her mother became ill. By the end of the novel, she was older than her years and much more mature (which was a nice change). I would've been happy with the sweet little love story, which did ring a tune in sync with that of the Sea Breeze series. But that added bit of mystery and suspense was just the right clincher. Now everything was suspenseful, the ending was more heartbreaking (if a bit confusing). Could I just say, WHAT was up with the ending? DON'T LET HIM GO. ARE YOU CRAY? I am disappoint. 

BUTTTTT, there's another book after this.. (in like 3 months, cough, eternity) so maybe this little dilemma will situate itself and they'll have cute little rock star babies. I mean c'mon, I could see where that little unprotected incident could turn into a pregnancy. Please, Abbi, please?? 

Verdict: 

On par with Beautiful Disaster. I said it, ITS ON THE SAME LEVEL. On the same level with the best book I've read in, well, ever. Solid 5 stars and a new #2 favorite (Toodles, My Life Next Door, you're now a #3!!) Now excuse me while I go find my tissues, an Audrey Hepburn movie to calm me down, and some tea. 

WWW Wednesday! #1

Hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading 


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions....     
* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you'll read next?

What are you currently reading? 

   Baby Bonanza by Maureen Child
              Downloaded for Free on Amazon and surprisingly, I love it! There are hardly any grammatical errors and I hope to finish it tonight. c:

What did you recently finish reading?
 In the Band by Jean Haus
            Currently a brand new favorite. I loved the music aspect (I listed to only A Day to Remember while reading it!) and the whole Riley is a brand new kind of heroine. She's punk a classy way and I thoroughly enjoyed this little novel. c: I reviewed (raved) it here.

What do you think you'll read next? 
 Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines
             This may just be my newest obsession (at least, I'm hoping!). With the end of this post, I'll be shutting down my computer, making myself a cup of tea, and snuggling up with my Snuggie & Kindle to get started on this baby. I've only heard good reviews, so I've got some high expectations!


Please leave a comment with the link to your own  W...W...W... Wednesday down below! Or just answer the questions in the comment box down below, I love hearing about what YOU'RE reading!!!

In the Band by Jean Haus

Read in: December, 2012

Format: eBook

Source: Borrowed

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

When Riley's parents got a divorce, everything changed. Riley had to step up and take care of a house, her little sister, and most of all, give up a great drum line scholarship. Angry and resentful, she takes classes at the local university and agrees to try out for the local band, Luminescent Juliet. But with the guitar player Romeo's crap attitude, the lead singers man whoring ways, and her own mothers spiral into depression, which will be the one thing to lead to her breaking point? 

Prosecution:
There were more grammatical errors towards the end which I really couldn't ignore like the few in the beginning. The story does tend to drag on for a bit where nothing really happens and you're suspended in lala land waiting for some action. (oh, did I say action? I meant freaking amazing scenes full of ROMEO.♥♥♥)

Defense:
Uhm, whoaaa?? Well, between Romeo being added to my short list of book boyfriends (sorry Travis, a lá Beautiful Disaster) and Riley's freak outs, this book has sky rocketed to my favorites list. Yes, that's right, the FAVORITES list. I mean, hello, somehow this novel is only 99 cents, but I'm sure I cried about 3 times. Her dad is a major stick up his butt and only seems to care about himself (no, the whole "love is blind" with the new girlfriend did not redeem him!) and Jaime was not nearly as lovable as the author tried to portray, but Riley and Romeo are a couple with a ton of chemistry. And Ali loves chemistry. 

BTDubs, I want a real life Chloe for a best friend. c:

Verdict: 
A brand new favorite for the New Adult shelf! There were no awkward hiccups in the story line, the characters were engaging and charming. Riley was awesome and fearless and Romeo was the perfect piece to her. The ending with the POV of Romeo during her audition was a perfection addition! 

Tuesday: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly! #1

About the Meme: Hosted by: Lectus !

 This is a Monday Meme to show case 3 books on your shelf that you are going to read and talk about this week.

The Good: it could be a book that you just started reading and it is sooo damn good! Or, a book you've been waiting for and finally got.

The Bad: it could be a book that you are going to read because of its hype, it was recommended to you or any other reason BUT you are not sure you are going to like it because it's not your usual type of book/story/genre/thing.

The Ugly: it could be any book and for any reason. It's up to you!

 

The Good:

I was just recently (recently being ohhhh... a week?) approved to read this novel on Netgalley.com and it's my christmas/end of finals present to me. I'm SUPER excited to read it now that I've discovered a new found love for  novels set in England.  

The Bad: 

I am a little nervous to read City of Bones since the farthest I've dared to read about angels would be James Patterson's Maximum Ride series. However, I've heard great reviews and is being put on my TBR Soon pile!

The Ugly: 

Beauty queens on a deserted island who fight for survival, need I say more? I believe its going to be a lipstick enhanced version of Lord of the Flies, but we shall have to see!

That's all for this week, Darlings, check back next Tuesday for another weekly dose of.. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!♥

Ali.

Just For Now by Abbi Glines (Sea Breeze #4)

Read in: December, 2012

Format: eBook

Source: Borrowed

Star Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis: 

Preston+Amanda= ?

Amanda Hardy, Marcus Hardy's little sister, has always wanted Preston Drake. He's her older brother's hot, untamed, talented, and...unattainable best friend. While she's been pining since she was sixteen, Preston has been running around with every willing skank he can get his hands on. But when she and Preston have one memorable night in an, um, storage unit, is there hope for them yet, even with the cougars, her mother's snobbery, her brother's protectiveness, and Preston's own hidden personal baggage? 

Prosecution: 

Honestly? I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped to. Maybe it was the impossibly high bar from the previous books, but I was a little let down. Now, I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, but it's not on my favorite's list.

Defense: 

That spark is still there. The emotions run high in yet another one of Mrs. Glines's romances. I couldn't help but get sucked into the drama and chaos that was Preston and Amanda's relationship. There wasn't as much chaos as with the other relationships, but I enjoyed the spark of new love and the confession of feelings. 

Verdict: 

Solid 4. It's not my newest favorite (obession) like the other novels, but still a solid addition to a well beloved series. c: