Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick is an amazing story about a fallen angel named Patch and a girl named Nora. Nora isn’t really the average high school girl; she is focused on her studies and is pretty much anti-boy (at least in my opinion). Nora ecounters Patch as her Biology partner while studying sexual reproduction in human beings and is immediately drawn to and repelled by Patch. Patch isn’t your average high school senior, he’s confident, mysterious, and hints a bit to the side of danger. Nora isn’t sure what it is about Patch that attracts her to him, but as the book progresses she finds it harder and harder to be away from him. In developing a relationship with Patch, Nora finds out things that she never knew existed in the seemingly ‘normal’ world of Coldwater, Maine that she thought she knew.  Because of Patch, Nora also finds out things about herself that she never knew and even why her father was murdered? Who knew talking to Patch would be the best and worst thing Nora ever did? She didn’t.

Sound interesting? Patch sound like the ideal bad boy? Nora sound like a different type of heroine? Give it a read, you won’t regret it. I know I didn’t, I’m thoroughly excited to see what the next book, Crescendo (September 30, 2010) holds for Patch and Nora. Things can only go up from here . . . er, well in Patch’s case anyway.

Let me know what you think, should you decide to embark on this read.

Follow Becca Fitzpatrick on Twitter @BecFitzpatrick.

I am aware that it is NOT Monday. LOL .

I know, I know this CD has been out for awhile now and I believe I got it the week of it`s release. So onto my feelings regarding this CD.

 It’s not often now days that I feel compelled to tell someone that they have to buy an album, but you MUST MUST MUST buy this one. Don’t download it! This is one of the only CDs I own that I like EVERY single track on it. Now, I’ve been a John Mayer fan since I was eleven (since 2001, for those who aren’t math savy); yes Mr. Mayer you are that old since I’m about to graduate college now.

This album encompasses a true passion for music that isn’t often encountered with other artists. I personally have never wanted to dance, sing, & cry to an album, but every track on there is relatable. Everyone has felt the emotions that he is describing in “All We Ever Do Is Say Goodbye” or “Heartbreak Warfare.”

Mayer’s upbeat duet with Taylor Swift “Half of My Heart” is one of my personal favs. The beat accompanied with the lyrics, makes this a song that anyone that favors any other genre of music, likeable.

The other tracks on this CD, such as “Assassin,” originally took time to grow on me, but eventually after paying greater attention to the lyrics I found that it was impossible not to like it.

Overall, not exclucding the other amazing tracks on this album, John Mayer has really outdone himself. This album takes me back to the very beginning when I fell in love with John Mayer’s voice and amazing lyrical ability.

If you haven’t purchased this album and are intrested in purchasing it, DO SO; I swear (which I rarely do) you won’t regret it.

Not following John Mayer on Twitter? What are you waiting for follow him @johncmayer

This Book Review Saturday I’m going to tell you about an awesome book by Maggie Stiefvare called ‘Shiver.’

Now I’m sure everyone is done with the hype over Twilight and vampires, but this book is almost the opposite. ‘Shiver’ is about a young girl named Grace who basically watches after herself. Grace, as well as her friends have an obsession with the wolves that live in the woods behind Grace’s home, one wolf in particular holds her heart. What she discovers about her yellow eyed wolf leads her into a world she never thought existed.

Now that I’ve given you a summary from my perspective; my thoughts on this book are that it is an extraordinary read. I love the idea of shape shifters, obviously I discovered that from reading the Twilight Saga. Sam is the ideal boy/wolf in this story, he is caring, sweet, and mysterious; he’s what any girl would love in a book’s leading male character. Grace is a strong willed girl, that is independent and sure of what she wants  and that includes Sam.

I was glad to discover that this book is apart of a series and the second installment of the book, Linger, is due out on July 20, 2010 .

I’m looking forward to continuing Sam and Grace’s story, so until next time on Book Review Saturday, happy reading.

P.S. – Reading ‘Shiver’? Anticipating ‘Linger’? Follow Maggie Stiefvater on twitter @MStiefvater .

I feel the need to explain myself a smidge, I normally am not a person that listens to pop, but Miley Cyrus’  “Party In The U.S.A” has stolen my ear. Every time I hear it I have sing along and dance to it; I think it takes me back to high school, a happier more care free time. So I am proud of myself for broadening my musical horizon, even if it is only one of her songs. If you’ve NEVER heard it, give a listen below.

What do you think? Think you’ll pass on it? Disagree with me? Or think it’s surprisingly awesome? Let me know in a comment.

But let’s start with a newly discovered group; well at least to me they’re new. Parachute is an awesome group that has a lead singer whose vocals remind you of a mixture of Rob Thomas and Adam Levine of Maroon 5; not to mention that he has hair and gestures that are reminiscent of Tyson Ritter of the All-American Rejects. Their music has a variety of instruments incorporated into each song, from the saxophone & keyboard played by Kit, the leader singer plays the tambourine and keyboard, Nate plays the guitar, Alex is the bassist, and Johnny is their out of this world drummer. Their music is upbeat and very catchy, even though I had never heard of them I found myself nodding to their music and saying “Oh I really need to download their CD, pronto.”

Here’s a little more about Parachute:

Mixing full–throttle rock with dollops of blue–eyed soul, vintage R&B and melodic pop radio anthems in–the–making, Parachute has arrived.

The band’s debut Mercury/Island Def Jam Music Group album takes off from the individual members’ shared histories, from “She Is Love,” the ballad torch song and first single, with its Van Morrison–like scatting by lead singer/songwriter/guitarist and piano player Will Anderson, to Nate McFarland’s chiming, The Edge–styled chunks of guitar laced through “Back Again,” “Under Control,” “Ghost,” “Words Meet Heartbeats” and “All That I Am.”

Will has been playing with drummer Johnny Stubblefield, bassist Alex Hargrave and saxophone/keyboardist Kit French since they were high school classmates in Charlottesville almost five years ago. Will met Nate while attending University of Virginia together, and the guitarist joined the band two years ago.

After their set, The Script came out and performed EVERY last song from their album and  a bonus song called “Heroes” ( a David Bowe cover). Although, I had never heard “Heroes” before I believe it should’ve been on the album, the song is awesome and definitely suits their style.

Take a look at what you might`ve missed:

This video isn’t from that day, but you get the gist of it.

The concert experience was awesome, moreso because we were up front, my friends and I got sweated on,  got to talk to The Script’s drummer Glen since he was in front of us and overall just experienced a day full of AMAZING music.

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

~ Alexander Graham Bell

So if a situation ever arises and you feel this way, hopefully this quote will come to mind and maybe you’ll react the opposite way. Things may change for the better if you do so.

Pure talent, at its best. We don’t see it often anymore.

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”

~ Unknown

 

Just remember that although things seem rocky and uncomfortable now . . eventually comfort is going to come. Nothing worth having is ever easy to aquire.

Hope you have an awesome rest of the day!

You’ve got to love DMB . . . what do you think of this song?