Song: Hildegard

Artist: Frittenbude

Language: German

About: This German band is described as ElectroPunk  by Wiki. That was the only word that looked English in the article. I don't know German...but I have a couple songs that I've just fallen in love with by them. And this is a new one! My chosen obsession.

I hope you guys enjoy the beginning beat almost reminiscent of Doctor Who? and get as addicted as I did. German is an interesting language to listen to with the throaty sounds adding something to how I hear it. I'm not attempting to pass this off as a song review....because I don't review songs, but I do love sharing music with others! Take a listen!

Audio:

K-Movie: Spy Girl

About: Another Korean movie that I really enjoyed! From the summary, the story seems more serious than it actually is. The poster also makes it seem like it will be an adult story, but it isn't. It is college aged students figuring out life. It is a comedy, but what really makes this story beautiful is the chemistry between Go Bong and Gye Soon. The sweetness of their relationship overflows and both characters are lighthearted, sincere and dorky at times.


Lots of action is packed in this movie, but the lack of seriousness in the spy is surprising. There is a sense of an ironic mood to the acting, which I surprisingly find to be a relief since it fluffs up the plot.


Although I was a tiny bit disappointed by the lack of actual spy scenes, this turned out to be a great rom-com. Highly recommended for fans of the actor Gong Yoo,  who was the male lead in Coffee Prince, and in the currently airing drama, Big. Light, cute and great leads!


Summary: (MySoju) Go-bong has a huge crush on Gye-soon who works at a fast food restaurant. He puts her photo on their internet and she becomes the hottest girl in town. But she is frustrated because she is a spy from North Korea to catch a betrayer...

Rating: 4 outta 5


I also recommend My Mighty Princess if you enjoy this. Both have fairly fluffy plots and amazingly sweet characterization.

K-Movie: My Mighty Princess

About: I've been on a Korean movie watching...run. Because I am currently watching I do, I do and also Big, but I'm caught up with the episodes and didn't want to start a new drama. K-movies have been holding me over. This movie has the actress, Shin Min Ah, who played Gu Mi Ho in My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox. I absolutely loved her in that drama and she plays a similarly cute character in My Mighty Princess.


At first, the ridiculous special effects give a not so good first impression. The exaggerations do give way to a more layered story. Although this is a comedy, there were moments where I cried. The plot line flowed fantastically well. And So Hwi's childhood friend, Il Young, possesses a unique personality. This is a really cute movie and the final scenes are impressively done.


Other than the effects at the beginning, it is hard to believe the slight love triangle created. There wasn't enough of the other guy for him to even matter to this movie. The plot mostly relied on the evil villain to move forward, so I felt like the other side story was unnecessary. Also, the end was happy, but I really would have loved a better resolution. Still, the light and dark aspects of the story along with the martial arts, combined with the adorable Shin Min Ah, makes this movie one of my favorites.

Summary: (MySoju.com) KANG So-hwi, a beautiful martial arts prodigy, is about to embark on a journey into adulthood. But her journey is like no other. Her super-human strength and martial arts prowess scares away her fellow undergrads and even the boy she has fallen for. Devastated, So-hwi decides to give up martial arts and takes a different path. Her father, a martial artist himself, is afraid of losing an heiress to the family’s martial artistry, and missions So-hwi’s old buddy Ilyoung to persuade her to stay in the field. Meanwhile, the evil Heuk-bong provokes a war to conquer the martial arts world with the legendary Fine Blade he stole in the past, killing every swordsman one after another. So-hwi’s father comes to a showdown with Heuk-bong, but the battle leaves him fatally injured. On the brink of her father’s death, So-hwi picks up a sword again with a burning desire for revenge.


Rating: 4 outta 5

Top Ten Tuesday Freebie

Hello! First time participating in this feature, but I am also a list addict. Love reading these posts on other blogs and hope that I will become a regular participant. This weekly meme was created and is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Click on their link to find out more and see upcoming topics for the following weeks.

Since this is a freebie post, I want to share my Top Ten List of Re-Read Books. These are novels I don't think I could ever get tired of reading over and over again.

Title: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

This historical novel is an emotional read with so many well-developed characters and Death as the narrator. It is Liesel's story, but the narrative point of view is amazing. Looking forward to re-reading this again soon!

Goodreads



Title: Flipped

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen

I've read this twice...about five years ago. But I remember loving it so much. Although I think this was a case of book-cover-love-translates-into-book-love. But I will soon read it again to make sure that I love it for being awesome. I remember switching perspectives. Little Girl tries to kiss Little Boy who then runs away? And something about egg cartons.
Goodreads

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Probably the first book I read dealing with such heavy issues. The main character is very withdrawn and ostracized by all her former friends because she called the cops. Had a good reason. But no one will listen until she...speaks. Dark and realistic. I teared up along with her whenever she tried to comfort herself or keep moving ahead. Her inner pain was palpable.
Goodreads

 Title: Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Absolutely my most favorite author of  my childhood. I'm only 19, (today is my birthday!), but I loved all of her books. Why? Fairytales! This was the first book I read written by her and I cannot get enough of it. The movie was great too. Super story. A lovely prince. Good times. Good, good times. Read four or five times and will read it at least another five.
Goodreads

Title: Chasing Redbird
Author: Sharon Creech

Read at least four times. I think it may be the writing that has me experiencing the book like the first time because it is always refreshing and heavy with the feel of a lazy summer. Maybe the details and imagery keep it new since it does not really matter that I know what is going to happen, but Zinny's emotional growth and the adorably cute Jake Boone are characters worth seeing again and again.

Goodreads



Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling

As the first book in the series, this sets up the fantastical world of Harry Potter. We get the English setting. We find out what kind of kid Harry is. We start strongly disliking his aunt and uncle and the evil bully kid. I personally think it is the best in the entire series because it is how it all begins. The contrast between his two lives is never more apparent than in this novel. Think I've read it three or four times and will re-read it again soon!
Goodreads

Title: Esperanza Rising

Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan

A case in where the setting is spectacular. I loved the descriptions and colors and time period and Esperanza's story. I'm Mexican-American, so I had heard some stories about this time from my parents and grandparents. It was fun to read about. Didn't like the main character at all in the beginning, but she grew on me. Slowly. Recommend for those reluctant younger readers. I know I will re-read this one for the third time in the near future.

Goodreads

I know there isn't ten, but my brain is fried. The nostalgia at looking back for these is great. Motivates me to go to the library or something. I hope you enjoy this post and I hope I see you here again next Tuesday!

Dreamless

Author: Josephine Angelini

Source: PortlandBookReview copy for review...(I need a better little blurb for this).

Favorite Character: Orion. He is funny and uses humor to smooth out awkwardness. Easily brushes off failure and is very friendly.

Summary: (Goodreads) Can true love be forgotten?

As the only scion who can descend into the Underworld, Helen Hamilton has been given a nearly impossible task. By night she wanders through Hades, trying to stop the endless cycle of revenge that has cursed her family. By day she struggles to overcome the fatigue that is rapidly eroding her sanity. Without Lucas by her side, Helen is not sure she has the strength to go on.

Just as Helen is pushed to her breaking point, a mysterious new Scion comes to her rescue. Funny and brave, Orion shields her from the dangers of the Underworld. But time is running out--a ruthless foe plots against them, and the Furies' cry for blood is growing louder.

As the ancient Greek world collides with the mortal one, Helen's sheltered life on Nantucket descends into chaos. But the hardest task of all will be forgetting Lucas Delos.


Review: While the first book in the series was very plot driven, this one slows down just enough to really make it better. For those who couldn't get past the 2-dimensional characters in Starcrossed, Dreamless won't disappoint on that front. Helen is more characterized. More real. And although there is still some odd connection between her and Lucas, Helen  interacts perfectly with the other characters. Her strength is tested and this book is an emotional roller-coaster. Almost psychological, if you will. I  loved this aspect of the novel as it brought the story to life.

I felt slightly overwhelmed by all the things that happened in the first book, so I did have to re-read the ending of Starcrossed to orient myself. Good thing too because it really got me invested in this one. The secrets and web of lies start to make more and more sense in this one and new characters are introduced that are multi-layered and complex. The magic is exquisite and of course the descriptions are vivid. The strength is really great writing!

I still need more chemistry between Helen and Lucas and I cannot wait to find out what will happen to them later on. This book to sum it up was the battle, but the next promises to be the war. It is really exciting and I am glad that I got more characterization from this story. Cannot wait to pick up the third book!

Rating 1 2 3 4 5

Waiting on Wednesday: Drain You

Another Wednesday is upon us! WoW is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from BreakingTheSpine used to spotlight books we are eagerly awaiting the release of. Here is what I am waiting for today:

Author: M. Beth Bloom

Release Day: July 24th, 2012

Summary: (Goodreads) Every night I'd lie there in bed and look out at the hills behind our house, listening. I knew there'd be consequences.

Actions meant reactions. Sunrises meant sunsets. My fear was too permanent, lasting longer than eyeliner, something I wore every day and didn't wash off.

Quinlan Lacey's life is a red carpet of weird fashions, hip bands, random parties, and chilling by the pool with her on-and-off BFF Libby. There's also her boring job (minimum wage), a crushed-out coworker (way too interested), her summer plans (nada), and her parents (totally clueless). Then one night she meets gorgeous James, and Quinn's whole world turns crazy, Technicolor, 3-D, fireworks, whatever.

But with good comes bad and unfortunately, Quinn's new romance brings with it some majorly evil baggage. Now, to make things right, she has to do a lot of things wrong (breaking and entering, kidnapping, lying, you name it).

There's normal, and then there's paranormal, and neither are Quinlan's cup of Diet Coke. Staying sane, cool, in love, and alive isn't so easy breezy.


My Thoughts: From the synopsis, it sounds like it is going to be sort of psychological thriller with paranormal elements. These two seem like very different aspects and I am curious to see if this is a sort of abusive relationship type of story or if the guy just has "evil" secrets. Either way, love this cover!