Red Reviews: August

10. Love the color scheme, but what's with that awkward pose? Not only does the upper half of her look odd, but her legs are cut off right below the knee! 

9. This is very "Oh! You caught me!" The softness is beautiful, but I can't stand that pose. 

8. I love the softness of this cover and the way her blonde hair almost melts into the words, but the staring at me pose is more jarring than striking. Beautiful eyes, though! 

7. I think I'd like this better if it was just from the waist up. I'm not sure if it's because of the mom jeans or just that I want it to be more of a close up. But the pop (get it?) or red with the white/gray is so good.

6. Is her top crocheted or chainmail? Because, if chainmail, this shoots to #1 because I am ob-sessed with that stuff! 

5. AMY SCHUMER IS AWESOME! I like her hair a lot on this cover,but I'm not so sure about the color of the dress. I'm just always going to be a fan of darker colors. 

4. Such a relaxed, "Oh it's August and I'm on vacation and not stressed at all" cover. Great colors and such a natural-looking (if not actually naturally) pose.

3. I love how saucy this is. It's very tip-your-hat "G'day!" I'm also a fan of natural frames like what her arm is doing. The shadow behind her body is also exceptional.

2. There is something about this type of pose that I really love. It's the exposed back and inability to really tell what someone's figure is. I can't explain, I just love it. I also like the dress Nicole Kidman is wearing.

1. I've always loved Kristen Stewart. I love her look, her 'tude, her acting, and her modeling. The top in this shot is really pretty and it matches her eyes so well. It's also a nice touch that the Marie Claire matches her lip color. It's interesting that there were so many front-facing poses on August's covers, but this one is my favorite.

Book Boos: July

Cheating just a tad with July's books because I technically finished one today (2 August), but it's being released this week and I really want you to read it!

So, let's see...

8. The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith (Audio). It's slim pickings at my library's site for electronic audio titles. I chose this because I love the show, and while I knew it would be different, I didn't think it would be that different. This reminds me of those popular YA books that came out before YA was a huge thing and it was a bit more competitive for what would get published. It just seemed very rushed, which is surprising since it's a series. 

7. Shadow of a Doubt by Carolyn Keene. Don't get me wrong, I love Nancy Drew, but she does have a ton of luck when it comes to solving her cases..especially in this one. I did enjoy how many times her father told her to not research the case and she kept ignoring him. Also, she totals her car because she gets run off the road and no one ever mentions it again.

6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (Audio). I know, I know, it's blasphemy to not put this as number one, but this is my least favorite of the HP books, mostly because it's the youngest feeling one. (I so love how the series gets more complex as the reader ages-genius.) 

5. Consent by Nancy Ohlin (ARC). I picked this up because it involved a musician getting involved with her hot music teacher. Now, I definitely don't want a taboo relationship, but I'd be up for dating a hot music teacher now that I'm an adult. I did really like this story and I think the author was very daring (mostly in the ending), but I selfishly wanted more of the hot music teacher:)

4. Somebody I Used to Know by David Bell (ARC). Loved this premise of a man who runs into a woman who looks just like his dead ex girlfriend...and then she is found dead herself, with his name and address found in her pocket! Good mystery.

3. Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly (ARC) This book is like going on a roller coaster that takes place in Veronica Mars' world. It's so much fun and is filled with smart dialogue and awesome references. 

2. Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid (ARC). I'm sure John Green comparisons can get old, but I also think it cant hurt to be compared to who is probably the most popular YA writer out there right now. This book is right on par with John Green books. I loved it! The dialogue was some of the best I've read in a YA book and it flowed so effortlessly and like how I speak to my own witty friends. Highly recommend. 

1. The Martian by Andy Weir (technically an ARC even though it's been out for awhile.) I saw the trailer for the movie of this book and it kind of freaked me out. Space travel is so scary and I knew that I'd never enjoy the movie unless I knew what happens in the story, so I picked up this book...and I am so glad I did! It's incredible. Super math and science heavy at times and I had many flashbacks to college organic chem and botany, but it was fascinating when I wasn't shuddering from the bad memories. So so so so so so so so so good. I am obsessed.