Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
When I’m Not Reading talks about things that we do when we’re not bent over a book. Us, booknerds, we’re a dedicated bunch. We live and breath books. But we also have lives outside books and it’s fun to talk about it from time to time, in between our bookish discussions. If you want to be featured, email or tweet me!

For this edition of When I’m Not Reading, Joy of Joyousreads dropped by to share what she does when she’s not occupied with a book.

Joy and I met in person in March when she visited her family in the Philippines.She's just as awesome as she is online and I'm truly honored to be one of her blogger friends. :) (Sorry for the orange-y photo!)



Make sure to drop by her blog (totally worth your time, I tell you) or follow her on Instagram!




I had to laugh when I got an email from Joy. I mean, the concept seems preposterous, to be honest. I was thinking, what do you mean, “when I’m not reading”? I had to sit and contemplate on what else I do besides being buried in a book. I’ve mentioned this before that I’m not the most interesting person in the universe. Because I have an obsessive personality, I tend to stick to what I know, enjoy, and love. And I give my tenacious fervor in whatever endeavor I’m currently obsessing about. Sometimes, it works out in my favor; and sometimes, I sit there and think, wow. How boring am I?

Besides reading, I love decorating. Because I suck at painting or anything that requires manual labor, for that matter, I find people to do those things for me (a.k.a. friends and relatives). Last fall, I tackled my living room (I victimized my youngest brother. The poor sod.).  It wasn’t that big of a job, mind you. But since it involved my library, I spent a lot of time unshelving and shelving my books.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="430"]Living Room: Before and After Living Room: Before and After[/caption]

If you’ve been a visitor of the blog, you will note that I love photography. Now besides taking pictures of my kids and books, I have this obsession with sunrise and sunsets.

sunrise
sunset
I write poetry. Handwritten ones, typewritten ones, and black out poetry. If you follow me on Instagram, you would also notice that I haven’t posted any in the last little while. Unfortunately, inspiration has long since dried up. But I’ve amassed quite a few (like, a couple of hundreds at least).

poetry
typewriter
We travel a lot, but we’re not world travelers. Mostly, we stick to the United States of America. Every year, we go on pilgrimage to San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. We also go see the Kings of Leon once a year. It doesn’t matter where they play. San Diego, because we’re huge football fans and we’re avid Chargers followers. Las Vegas, not because we’re gamblers, but because husband and I has this thing to work our way through all the hotels on the strip. Needless to say, we are collectors of hotel room keys, concerts and sporting event tickets.

hotel key cards, ticket stubs
I’ve recently become a wannabe hipster. Vinyl is coming back in full force. When I saw the $50 player on Amazon (that lasted about 2.5 days), I had to have it. The thing broke. So my husband bought me a decent one. I’ve slowly been collecting records. I must admit that the best part about collecting is the hunting itself. As much as buying them new is the more convenient way to go, I like going to flea markets and thrift stores to find them. I don’t have much, but it’s growing.

Vinyl of Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Hoziervinyl
So there you have it, a bit of an insight to my life outside of reading. I don’t have any other significant interests, unfortunately. But I’m happy to share, anyway.

Thanks for having me, Joy!




First off, that living room is LOVELY. Don't you agree, folks? And I love sunrise and sunsets, too. It's just so hard to wake up early to catch the sunrise but I try. And Ed, Tay-Tay and Hozier in vinyl? I'm so jealous!

What do you think of Joy's various collections? And what do you do when you're not reading?

After a busy week at work, I'm back on holiday mode. :)

Laila, who you probably remember from my countless mentions and our Isla and the Happily Ever After playlist, is back to help me bring holiday cheer to your playlists. So, without further ado, here's our playlist for the awesome YA holiday anthology, My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories. Enjoy!

My True Love Gave to Me Holiday Playlist

1. Midnights by Rainbow Rowell
All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
I swear I was playing this song on repeat the entire time I was reading this book. I think this song is very upbeat and catchy and the lyrics really speaks about a person’s longing for someone on a holiday, someone your heart desires. And truly these short stories tell about a heart’s desire -  whether it's having your best friend return your feelings at last or finding a place you can call home, or being able to spend Christmas with your family… there is always this hopefulness during this special time of the year. But I picked this one for Rainbow Rowell’s Midnights because we know that deep down, Mags and Noel just want each other for Christmas and New Year's. - Laila

2. The Lady & The Fox by Kelly Link
Every Year, Every Christmas by Luther Vangross
I return every year, every Christmas
I come here every year, every Christmas...
Though this chapter did not really click with me and Laila, it's easy to think of a fitting song for it. Miranda and Fenny only see each other during Christmas... and only when it snows. How cruel is that? After listening to Luther Vangross' Every Year, Every Christmas, I did feel a little more tolerance towards this story. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. - Joy

3. Angels in the Snow by Matt Dela Pena
Let It Snow by Lady Antebellum
It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Shy and Haley’s accidental meeting was actually because of a snowstorm. They couldn’t go outside because of it and had to spend Christmas “alone together”. It seemed tragic in the beginning but it turned out to be a good thing because it gave Shy and Haley a chance to get to know each other. I loved how the romance in this story was not hurried and forced but you can tell that eventually, Shy and Haley will be good friends and maybe more. So yeah, let it snow some more! - Joy

4. Polaris is Where You'll Find Me by Jenny Han
Cold December Night by Michael Buble
So please just fall in love with me this Christmas
There's nothing else that I will need this Christmas
Won't be wrapped under a tree
I want something that lasts forever
So kiss me on this cold December night…
Jenny Han’s chapter has sad undertones despite the fact that it’s set in Santa’s home. The ending will either make you hopeful or brokenhearted. Cold December Night by Michael Buble is perfect for Natty. After years of living with Santa and his elves, Natty has only one wish. I don’t wanna spoil you though, so you’ll just have to read it to find out what that wish is and whether she’ll get it. ;) - Joy

5. It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins
Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson
And this year I will fall
With no worries at all
'Cause you are near and everything's clear
You're all I need
Underneath the tree...
This song has a very catchy melody that I really like and I think it also captures the funny romantic moments that were developing between Marigold and North in Stephanie Perkins’ It’s a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown. As they spent time together rearranging  Marigold’s place to find space for her Christmas tree at the end of the day something has changed between them and found that they are falling for each other. :D They are both such great and engaging characters. Marigold sought out North for a different reason in the beginning, only to gain something more wonderful  in the end. - Laila

6. Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan
Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande
Santa, tell me if you're really there
Don't make me fall in love again if he won't be here
Next year…
Your Temporary Santa is a bittersweet story that starts off in a happy note and ends with a not-so-happy one. Like Polaris is Where You’ll Find Me, it’s one that makes you feel hopeful but also scared of the future. I wanted a song that will capture that, while also making me feel the holiday spirit and Ariana Grande’s new song is a good one I hope. - Joy

7. Krampuslauf by Holly Black
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve by Katharine McPhee
Wonder whose arms will hold you good and tight
When its exactly twelve oclock that night
Welcoming in the New Year
New Years Eve...
Oh, Krampus! I loved this chapter so much because despite the myth behind Krampus (how he’s the evil counterpart of Santa Claus who punishes naughty kids), it still captures the holiday spirit. When Hanna invited this man dressed as Krampus to a New Year’s party, she didn’t exactly foresee how her long-forgotten wish will suddenly come true. I generally have a better time during Christmas than New Year’s but I like the idea of a trailer New Year party, just like the one Hanna organized. - Joy

8. What The Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth? by Gayle Forman
Love is Christmas by Sara Bareilles
I don’t care if the gifts are wrapped,
Or there’s nothing here to open.
Love is not a toy, and no paper will conceal it.
Love is simply joy that I’m home…
Sophie and Russell are both outsiders -- big city people in a small town college. But who said home is a place? Gayle Forman’s story reminds us that you can be “at home” anywhere as long as you’re with the people who matter to you. And Christmas is not about the tree, the gifts, and the food… it’s about love and the people you share it with. Sara Bareilles’ Love is Christmas is perfect for this. :) - Joy

9. Beer Buckets & Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire
Winter Dreams by Kelly Clarkson
If this is love please let me be
Swept completely off my feet
This snow globe scene is turning me
This Christmas Eve, "I" became "we"
Don't wake me please from this winter dream...
I love stories about Christmas miracles and Myra McEntire’s chapter is a special one because the miracle is in the main protagonist. Vaughn is a mischievous kid who never runs out of pranks but when his latest practical joke turns into a disaster, he didn’t expect it to be his chance to finally show people who he really is. Winter Dreams is a good song that reminded me of how Vaughn found himself in an unexpected place, and ended up spending Christmas with the girl he likes. - Joy

10. Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White
Shake Up Christmas by Train
And let me meet a girl one day that
Wants to spread some love this way
We can let our souls run free and
She can open some happiness with me...
This song describes best the holiday attitude of Ben in Welcome to Christmas,CA by Kiersten White. This mysterious new chef has been cooking up a storm that is slowly affecting the diner where Maria works. His delicious menu is giving the residents of Christmas, CA exactly what they need to smile something about the holiday season and about life in general. Ben’s cheerful attitude spreads happiness, and he simply wants to make their customers happy because he has the instinct for it. - Laila

11. Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter
Where Are You Christmas by The Piano Guys & Sarah Schmidt
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too
Where are you Christmas...
I love this song from the movie The Grinch. I feel that this song also fits Liddy Chambers situation in Ally Carter’s Star of Bethlehem. This young girl chose to run away on Christmas time, to escape her unhappy ,superficial life…and little did she know that her runaway tactic will led her to this little town called Bethlehem and rediscover the joy of celebrating Christmas with strangers who welcome her into their arms with no hesitation, despite hiding the truth about herself. Liddy used to know what Christmas was like but then tragedy strikes , the joy of Christmas was taken away from her too and along the way so is the meaning of Christmas for her. Then Ethan and his wonderful family came into her life and she found it again. - Laila
*Note: Laila originally wanted Elizabeth South’s version but I couldn’t find that one on Spotify so we’re using the one by The Piano Guys & Sarah Schmidt. Both versions are beautiful. :)

12. The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson
This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong, cause you’re not where you belong;
Inside my arms.
This is my winter song to you.
The storm is coming soon, it rolls in from the sea.
My love a beacon in the night, my words will be your light
To carry you to me...
I absolutely love Sara Bareilles and this song in particular reminded me of Laini Taylor’s The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer. The lyrics of the song speaks of someone’s love and promises that will serve as the  light and hope to  guide his/her love into their arms during dark times. That there is no need to feel lonely and afraid for someone  is there for you to carry you through the hard times. And this is what the ancient god is promising to Neve as he courted her, and I want to share this particular quote from that story:
“I will free you, and I will lift you. I will learn a thousand ways to make you laugh. Your smile will be the honey in my mead, your enchantment my delight.”
A fantastic and magical way to end the anthology and Laini Taylor delivers ;) - Laila

https://play.spotify.com/user/12137182201/playlist/3HVXF6MRZA15hn94YxEVye

So that’s our playlist! Definitely a bit more challenging than our previous collab but this was fun! It’s hard not to be excited about Christmas when you’re listening to holiday tunes like this. Thanks again, Laila, for joining me! :)

Have you read My True Love Gave to Me? Do you think we made the right song choices? What would you add if you were to make your own Christmas playlist? Let me know in the Comments!
If you've read my review of Isla and the Happily Ever After, then you know how CRAZY I am about that book. It's insane how much I love it. It's the I-want-to-hold-you-in-my-arms kind of love. Alas, I only have the ebook copy.

If you still haven't read the book (WHY?! There is no valid excuse!) and you're unconvinced by my review and Michelle's review and Larissa's review, let me try again.

This time, I invited (or she invited me first, I'm not sure) my fellow Perkins fangirl, Laila, to make an Isla playlist with me. The book was just begging it. It's so beautiful that you can't help thinking of tunes while reading it. And we are pretty sure that when you listen to this playlist, you'll be itching to read or re-read Isla.

First, meet Laila.

P1140923Hi! I'm Laila from Cebu, Philippines. I'm a nocturnal bookworm who loves strong heroines in YAs, a hopeless romantic, and I often secretly fangirls (with screaming and jumping) in my room. I am part of a Cebu-based book club community called OTSP - On The Same Page and I also volunteer as a moderator over at Read Philippines, an online Filipino book lovers forum (where Joy and I met). I am into a lot of fandoms like Divergent, The Maze Runner, Stephanie Perkins PH group, Cebu Institute for Shadowhunters in Cebu, Rainbowsessed - A Rainbow Rowell PH group, and many more. Seriously, I love connecting with other fangirls/boys online who share the same passion as I have for books. When I'm not reading, I go online (or outside to see the sun shining) or tend to our family properties.







Now, sing along!


Isla and the Happily Ever After from purplejoys on 8tracks Radio.


1. Jump Then Fall - Taylor Swift
"I like the way I can't keep my focus
I watch you talk, you didn't notice
I hear the words but all I can think is
We should be together..."
I chose this song as it reminded me of how Isla secretly longed for Josh from afar. After one wonderful moment with her "happy pill," she wondered if their encounter at Kismet actually happened. - Laila

2. Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
"Kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me..."
I think this was a perfect companion to Josh and Isla's first date. And let’s face we were all waiting for that perfect first kiss -- except it wasn’t exactly perfect! - Laila

3. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
"Well, I'm not sure what this is gonna be,
But with my eyes closed all I see
Is the skyline, through the window,
The moon above you and the streets below.
Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run, just kiss me slowly..."
One of my go-to songs whether I'm feeling down or happy. It's just so sweet and from the first time Laila and I decided to make a playlist, I knew that this song had to be in it. Kiss Me (above) is more for Isla but Kiss Me Slowly is for Josh, but I think it's more fitting for the time Josh was painting a mural. - Joy

4. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
"I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving
I take it in but don’t look down..."
If you've read Anna and Lola, you know that Perkins has the talent for making you feel like you're in the same place as the characters, whether it's in Paris, or in San Francisco. With Isla, we get to be not only in Paris and Manhattan, but also in Barcelona! This song is a great background song for Josh & Isla's Barcelona adventure. - Joy

5. Treacherous - Taylor Swift
"I can’t decide if it’s a choice
Getting swept away
I hear the sound of my own voice
Asking you to stay
All we are is skin and bone
Trained to get along
Forever going with the flow
But you’re friction..."
Another one from Taylor Swift. She has knack for capturing feelings of young love with her music. The lyrics reminded me of how Isla adored Josh so much. Even when other people around her kept warning her that Josh will not be good for her because they perceived him to be just another slacker student and will only be bringing her down, she refused to give in to it and have faith that there is more to Josh than meets the eye. I won't spoil you with the details but I can tell you that Isla's involvement with Josh drives her to do some reckless things. I think Isla has waited all her life for someone like Josh to light her up inside, that very friction to spark her up! - Laila

6. Wait For You - Elliott Yamin
"Girl you could have stayed but you wouldn't give me a chance
With you not around it's a little bit more than I can stand..."
Although this book is from Isla’s POV, I need to give a voice for Josh, too. Again, because I don't want to spoil you, I won't tell what happened but yes, Josh also went through a painful time (a lot of times, actually). - Laila

7. Mirror, Mirror - M2M
"Why don’t I like the girl I see?
The one that’s standing right in front of me
Why don’t I think before I speak?
I should have listen to that voice inside me..."
This song definitely reminded me of how Isla was after she made a big decision which made her miserable. - Laila

8. Brave - Sara Bareilles
"You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up..."
Isla was a shy, quiet, insecure girl who likes to play it safe. But she had a turning point, and finally took a risk. This song is a great reminder of that moment. - Joy

9. I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
"Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you..."
This book reunites Anna, Etienne and their friends. That part of the book was one of my favorites because it shows that Perkins not only creates romance, she also creates friendships that are meant to last for a very, very long time. And sorry, but there is no better song about friendship than this one. There's a reason why it's the theme song of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., you know. - Joy

10. Ever, Ever After - Carrie Underwood
"Storybook endings, fairy tales coming true
Deep down inside we want to believe they still do
In our secret heart, it's our favourite part of the story..."
I was totally blasting this song when I finished reading Isla! I think this is totally fitting for Isla and Josh's love story. - Laila

And there you have it. Feel free to listen to these songs while you read and fall in love with Isla and the Happily Ever After. Happy listening/reading! :)