Saturday, January 31, 2009

Brown Sugar Macchiato

Do you ever feel so bored that you feel like you could just faint from boredom and for some reason you just can't get into the book you really want to read? (Haha I sound like someone advertising for something...:D) Then watch...Brown Sugar Macchiato! One of the sweetest and funniest Taiwanese Dramas ever! (Well, not EVER, there are others but you get my point right?)

Here is a small part of the beginning episode... (The title for this vid is Brown Sugar Macchiato - Ep. 1 (1/7) ) P.S. I seriously hate the beginning with that girl talking...yuck, but I do love the beginning song! :D





Brown Sugar Macchiato is about how one day, six boys with six totally different personalities find out that their dad is a total player and had six sons at around the same time with six diffrent women who gave birth to six diffrent sons (them.) They also find out he is a multi millionaire, and they will be inharitents to this giant money stash. There is just one catch however, they will have to live together for a year and go to the same school.

When the get to school the find it harder to be "loving brothers" because of nine very mean girls in their class, but slowly the start getting a long and some even start falling in love. (Of course, its a Taiwanese Drama thats what ALWAYS happens lol) But will this hurt the brother's ability to live together happily and get the inheratence?

When I first watched this show (about that girl at the beginning-I don't know why but I HATE her-and she's not even in the actual drama, eh) I had no idea who Lollipop or Hei Se Hui Mei Mei were, but after a while I learned and really started to love their music. Lollipop (the guys) is a boy band filled with 6 guys and Hei Se Hui Mei Mei is a girl's group from the TV Show "I Love Blackie (Who is the host)" it is a talent portion and they all well basically won. Anyways, they are all really cute together.

I really enjoyed the whole show, except the beginning, eh. But it gets really funny and sweet after, and have I mentioned how much I LOVE the beginning song, IDK why its just so cute! :D

This is another one of my fav songs from the show called Da Zhu Tou (Big Pig Head) and its English subbed!




Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

Friday, January 30, 2009

Privilege By: Kate Brian


Title: Privilege
Author: Kate Brian
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 291
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Year: 2008
Geared Towards: Teens (14+)
Extra Info: Kate Brian's other series includes the Private Series





Summary (Credits to back of the book-I'll just say BOB from now on "Credits to BOB "the builder"")

Most girls would die for a life of privilege...
Some would even kill for it

Ariana Osgood ruled exclusice Easton Academy-until she was arrested for murdering Thomas Pearson. She's spent the past two years at the Brenda T. Trumbull Correctional Facility for Women plotting her escape and is determined to get a second change at the glamorous life she left behind. And Ariana will do anything to get her way...

Wdebo's Review: I have never actually read any books like this, like the "Clique" or "The Private" series. So when I first I got it I was kinda aprehensive about reading it, but I had to cuz it was my PulseIt book. But when I actually began to read it, I couldn't put it down until I finished it!

Pro: It was very well written, the story was very interesting and characters were well developed it sucked my right in at the beginning.

Con: The reason I never really wanted to read these kinds of books was because of the characters, they were always so in your face and well just mean. That was how it was in this book. Also, Ariana did annoy me somewhat in the middle, she was just so fickle one second its this, then that, then this, she was suppose to be stronger then that!!

All in all, I really can't wait for the next book Beautiful Disaster which comes out on July 2009!! I think all of you should read Privilege RIGHT NOW!

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tuesday's Taiwanese Superstar!! Xiao Gui!!

OK, since I did Xiao Zhu last week, I have to do his partner in crime, Xiao Gui!!


Since I didn't do this for Xiao Zhu, I think i should start for Xiao Gui (Means little ghost)!
Here is some info on Xiao Gui...


Real name: Huang Hong Sheng
Also Goes By: Xiao Gui (duh) and Alien
Chinese Zodiac: Pig (Ironic, bcause his co host is Little Pig lol)
Some TV Shows he's in: Corner With Love (Which stars Xiao Zhu) and Summer X Summer (My review for that is coming out, wait for it!)

He's also a singer and used to be in the band Cosmo.

Here is him singing his song Gui Hun (The girl that sings it again is Fen Fen)





Translation:

XZ: After watching it record it and put it on the internet (thats what hapened lol) This song what is it called?
Audience plus Cai Yi Zhen (From Summer X Summer): Gui Hun
XZ: Welcome, the World's asian men idol's best guy Huang Hong Seng (AKA Xiao Gui)
*Xiao Gui begins to sing-dont u love the little cartoon ghost next to his name so cute! He looks so nervous! I love the random rars! Lol, and the golden words near the end says "The Tempo is a little weird" cuz he was off tempo was he was singing the Hey!*
*Screen blacks out*
*Then Fan Fan begins to sing-I love her voice! :D*
*after..*
XG: Ai o! You sang it so well!
FanFan: Really?
XG: Yep!
XZ: This was the first time I heard someone singing better then the original.
FanFan: Of course not! Of course not! *hugs XG*
*thought bubble* Wants to Cry

Oh my god, I just love that song!!

Here is him and Genie (Another amazing singer) singing Melody of Love-eng subbed! (Best song ever, tho the beginning kinda scares me :P)





Finally, here is him and Xiao Zhu getting scared of a Tickle-Me-Elmo (The guy who gets tickled is the "big version of elmo", and they are scared b/c Elmo suddenly stands up by himself, and they are wondering if he will kill ppl like "Chuckie"-And they wonder if they take out the batteries and if it will still move)

Then at the end the have Rock Paper Scissors to see who has to take off their hats, because both of them don't have their hair gelled.

Is anyone even reading these posts? If you are please comment and tell me if you think I should add anything! :D

Wdebo :)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Weekend Pick is BACK! :D

Yeah! I finally found time to do another weekend pick! (It's been what...like two months now...whoops!) Anyways, hope all of you are having an awesome weekend!

Book: Vampire Academy By: Richelle Mead

Author: Ann Godbersen (Author of Luxe tril, ah I can't wait for ENVY!!)

Movie: Hai Jiao Qi Hao (海角七號)- Ok, I know I already did it before but its such an amazing movie I think I'll just do it again!! This is the song from it...



Song: Bet On It-(No not the Zac Effron version) By: Xiao Zhu!! Disney chose Xiao Zhu to sing it, because he is the "Asian Dance King" (trust me he has amazing moves, and he cheoreographed the whole thing!!) and they wanted to bring in more AZN viewers. I honestly can't see him calming down to do this MV





Taiwanese Actor/Actress (New Feature!-I think I'll just take it from my Tuesday's Taiwanese Superstar, just for ppl who missed it): Xiao Zhu!!

Television Show: Yu Le Bai Fen Bai (Link to random clips of the show) (Entertainment 100%), Has Xiao Zhu and Xiao Gui! Like the title says this shows is FILLED with Entertainment, XZ and XG are amazingly funny and just wonderful, so hillarious and sure to make your sides hurt laughing! :D

Quote: "Today I asked Eric to be my boyfriend. I know it's suppose to be the other way around, but he's shy and it would probobly take a hundred years otherwise and by then I might change my mind." ~Grace, By: Richard Paul Evans.




What do you think of my Weekend Pick should I have anyother categories?



Wdebo :)



Haha its like Link Mania, theres a bunch of random link on this week's Weekend Pick, lol.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Finally a Review! The Redheaded Princess By: Ann Rindali


Title: The Redheaded Princess
Author: Ann Rindali
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 208
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publishing Year: 2008
Geared Towards: Younger Readers (10+)
Summary (Credits to front flap):
A Princess in exile...
Growing up, Elizabeth fears she can never be Queen. Although she is the King's daughter, no woman can ever hope to rule over men in England, especially when her mother has been executed for treason.
For all her royal blood, Elizabeth's life is fraught with danger and uncertainty. Sometimes she is welcome in the royal court; other times she is cast out in the courtryside. With her position constantly changing, the Princess must navigate a sea of shifting loyalties and dangerous affections. At stake is her life-for beheading is not uncommon among the factions that war for the Crown.
Wdebo's Review: When I first picked up this book, I thought it would be more geared towards OLDER READERS seeing as it was in the YA section of the library. Later after reading the front flap where it says (Grades 3-7) I figured that I was wrong... But it was a pretty good book, I love any book about Henry VI, he is just such an "interesting" figure in history, right?
Pro: It was intersting, it kind of sucks you in, like all books about that time frame. Elizabeth's story is a very powerful story and Ann Rinaldi wrote amazingly to weave this great book.
Con: What I have on lots of my other cons, the beginning was a bit boring, but like I said before getting that perfect beginning is hard and books rarely have that amazing beginning. Also, the book gets kind of confusing about the time. Like one second she's nine and all of sudden she's fourteen and *a spoiler alert* kissing this forty year guy *End of spoiler*. Also, the character of Elizabeth kind of annoyed me, even though I knew I was suppose to be feeling bad for her, but she was pretty spoiled in some of the parts, spoiled people anger me.
All in all, this was a nice easy read, especially perfect for younger readers (But a warning to younger readers, there may be some subject that may be unsuitable for really young readers).
Grade: B+
Wdebo :)
Yeah! I finally got a review out! I am very proud of myself.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tuesday's Taiwanese Superstar!! Xiao Zhu!!

So, I have decided to have a new spotlight thingy that has nothing for books (on my book blog..eeh) anyways, this will showcase Taiwanese idols (mostly) who I love and want to share with the whole world, because Taiwan is only so big!



To Kick start this spotlight I have decided to begin with...Xiao Zhu (Little Pig)!



Xiao Zhu is an AMAZING actor he is part of Corner with Love (Still havent seen it got to tho), and he dances sings and plays instruments (amazing right?) also a host on Entertainment 100%

Here is him making fun of Titanic, lol





And Xiao Zhu and Xiao Gui (His fellow host of Entertainment 100%) go to a beauty saloon lol!



And him just being well..him




Well, that's all please tell me what you think and if I should add anything (Will anyone even read this?!)

Wdebo :)

-------------------------------------

P.S. New parts available:

Part two

Friday, January 16, 2009

Butterfly Award (Kind of)

So, I wasn't really "nominated" but Lexi at http://anotherpageisused.blogspot.com/ said she nominated anyone who hasn't been nominated yet, and that kind of includes me. Please don't be angry at me!! :(



Now for the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

So I already said it was Lexi, now for my nominees!!

1. Kayla (http://midnighttwilightsbookblog.blogspot.com/) for giving me the inspiration to do my book blog and for helping me get it started! Thanks bunches!!

2. The Composive Reader (http://thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/) for also giving me additional help and advice!

3. Lauren (http://laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/) Because her blog is amazingly cool and great!

4. The Book Brat (http://thebookbrat.blogspot.com/) For her great reviews!

5. Vanessa (http://whatvanessareads.wordpress.com/) For her cool blog and great reviews!!

Wdebo:)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Vampire Academy By: Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy
Author: Richelle Mead
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 332
Publishing Company: Penguin Group
Publishing Year: 2007
Geared Towards: Older Teens


Summary (Credits to Back of the Book): Liss Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with an unbreakable bond to earth's magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest and most dangerous vampires-the ones who never die.

The Powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa's best friend, makes her a Dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making her one of them.

After two years of illict freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir's Amacdemy, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. Rose will continue her Dhampir education. Lissa will go back to being Queen of the elite Moroi social scene. And both girls will resume breaking Academy hearts.

Fear made Lissa and Rose run away from St. Vladimir's-inside the Academy's iron gates, their world is even more fraught with danger. Here, the cutthroat ranks of the Moroi perform unspeakable rituals, and their secretive nature and love of the night creates an enigmatic world full of social complexities. Rose and Lissa must navigate through this dangerous world, comfont the temptation of forbidden romance, and never once let their gaurd down, lest the Strigoi make Lissa one of them forever...

Wdebo's Review: I first read this book, because 1) lots of ppl have already read/reviewed it and it was complimented immensly. 2) It seemed like the next step for forgetting about Twilight and finding another vampire novel to love, all I can say is I am soo glad I picked this book up.

Pro: The story was wonderfully written, it was like this really good artwork, the characters complimented each other perfectly and the landscape (story) tied it in very well. Rose is such a strong character, while Lissa was a "weak-er" character, the complimented each other greatly.

Con: Like I have said in previous reviews I don't really like it when they have a lot of mention about sex, I was very happy when they kept this to a minimum. And for some strange reason I really liked Christian, but it annoyed me that *spoiler alert!-skip to the part after I say no more spoiler!* he would leave Lissa right after some stupid thing that Rose said, he's trying to pass off as being a bad ass (pardon my language) but he is doing a horrible job of it. *End of spoiler*

All in all, if you liked Twilight I highly reccommend you read Vampire Academy, it is an amazing book that you are sure to heart! (I actually think it is a lot better then Twilight-srry Twilight fans!)

Grade: A-

Wdebo :)

********

Books in the Vampire Academy series:

Vampire Academy [Click HERE for review]
Frostbite [Click HERE for review]
Shadow Kiss [Click HERE for review]
Blood Promise [Click HERE for review]
Spirit Bound [Click HERE for review]
Last Sacrifice [Coming December 7, 2010]

Saturday, January 10, 2009

It Started With a Kiss

I know I've already reviewed it before but it was such a small part, and it didn't even have its own post so I'm reviewing it again!

Here is a small part of the first episode (It gets A LOT better!)-It Started With a Kiss Ep. 1 (1/5)



It Started With a Kiss follows the love story between Xiang Qing (Ariel Lin) and Zhi Shu (Joe Cheng). Xiang Qing has always loved Zhi Shu ever since she first saw him giving his speech. Zhi shu is part of Class A (The smartest class in the whole school) while Xiang Qing is in Class F (The "dumbest" class in the whole school). When Xiang Qing tries to give her confession/love letter to Zhi Shu, he rejects it by not giving it a second glance. While Xiang Qing pains, so does Ah Jin (Jiro Wang) who has been in love with Xiang Qing forever.

XQ thinks that all hope is lost for her romantic fantasy about her and ZS. But when her house gets knocked down by an earthquake, her dad and XQ move to her dad's friends house, and surprise surprise, her dad's friend is ZS' dad.

While living together XQ does whatever it takes to make ZS in love with her. In the end she cracks his hard heart and their famous taiwanese love story begins.

It Started With a Kiss is quite an old (2005) Taiwanese Drama, but it is the most famous, second to Meteor Garden (even older-2001). It is absolutly ADORABLE and is filled with some of the best romance I've ever watched in my life, and it is also HILLARIOUS. It's sorta sappy, but not as bad and as dumb as romantic comedies. (Can't you tell I hate romantic comedies-they are just so FAKE). Sure TDramas are kinda fake, but they are SOOO much better.

I love this TDrama and I hope all of you can watch it! :D

Grade: A+

Wdebo :)

P.S. I hope all of you have the chance of watching lots of TDramas in your lifetime! :D

Friday, January 9, 2009

Lucky By: Rachel Vail

Title: Lucky
Author: Rachel Vail
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 233
Copyright Year: 2008
Publisher: Harper Teen
Geared Towards: Preteens and up
Extra Info: Check out Rachel Vail's Website!

Summary (Credits to flap): It's all good...and lucky Phoebe Avery plans to celebrate by throwing an end-of-the-year bash with her four closest friends. Everything will be perfect-from the guest list to the fashion photographer to the engraved invitations. The only thing left to do is find the perfect dress...until Phoebe goes from having it all to hiding all she's lost.
Phoebe's older sisters warn her to keep the family's crisis totally secret. Unfortunately, her alpha-girl best friend looks increasingly suspicious, and Phoebe's crush starts sending seriously mixed signals. Phoebe tries hard to keep smiling, but when her mother is humiliated in Neiman Marcus while buying Phoebe that perfect dress and her father decides to cancel her party, she panics. How far will she go to keep up her image as a lucky girl.

Wdebo's Review: For some reason when I first started to read it, I thought it would be geared more towards older teens then younger. It was an ok book, not absolutely amazing but it wasn't the worst book in the whole world.

Pro: It was cute, in its own way, of the main character, Phoebe growing up a bit. There were also dashes of humor over the whole book.

Con: While there was humor, especially in the beginning, it was kind of dry and was really childish. It matures after a hundred something pages. Phoebe really annoyed during the whole books and wouldn't stop annoying me until around some pages before the book ended. I know that it was suppose to make you feel sorry for her family's financial situation, but the way she was whinning, just made me want to slap her over the head for being such a spoiled brat.

All in all, if you want an easy and fast read I reccomend you read Lucky.

Grade: B

Wdebo :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Hana Kimi By: Hisaya Nakajo

Title of Manga: Hana Kimi: For you In Full Blossom
Author: Hisaya Nakajo
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: Varied usually around 100
Copyright date: Varied
Amount of books in series: 23
Geared Towards: Teens (13+)
Extra Info: Has been made into a Taiwanese Drama! (Super cute!)


Summary: Mizuki Ashiya a Japanese girl who lives in America has fallen in love with Izumi Sano, a Japanese high jumper who goes to the all boy high school Osaka Gakuen. So what's a smitten teenage girl to do? Dress up like a guy and hope you can get into the school of course!
When she gets there, the biggest shock of her life is that she and Sano are going to be room mates! Then begins the cutest love story of the ages while other guys start to question their own sexualtiy.


Wdebo's Review: Haha this is one of my favorite mangas and the very first manga I read, I read it because of watching my first Taiwanese Drama, 花樣少年少女, such a cute drama! The characters are so sweet and cute!!

Pro: Good characters that you just fall in love with! <3


Characters: Mizuki: The heroine of the story
Sano: The heroine's affection
Nakatsu: Mizuki and Sano's friend, who falls in love with Mizuki and believes he himself is gay.


All in all, if you have never seen a manga I believe this one should be the very first one you read!


Grade: A


Wdebo :)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation By: Simone Elkeles

Title: How to Ruin a Summer Vacation
Author: Simone Elkeles
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 233
Publishing year: 2006
Extra Info: The prequal to How to Ruin my Summer Vacation and How To Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation!

Summary (Credits to back of the book):

Moshav? What's a moshav? Is it "shopping mall" in Hebrew? I mean, from what Jessica was telling me, Israeli stores have the latest fashions from Europe. That black dress Jessica has is realy awesome. I know I'd be selling out if I go wtih the Sperm Donor to a mall, but I keep thinking about all the great stuff I could bring home...


Unfortunately for 16-year-old Amy Nelson, "moshav" is not Hebrew for "shopping mall." Not even close. Think goats, not Gucci.

Going to Isreal with her Estranged Isreali father is the last thing Amy wants to do this summer. She's got a serious grude against the "Sperm Donor" for showing up so rarely in her life. Now he's dragging her to a war zone to meet a family she's never known, where she'll be stuck in a house with no AC and only one bathroom for seven people all summer- no best friend, no boyfriend, no shopping, no cell phone...

Goodbye pride-hello Isreal.

Wdebo's Review: This book was very witty and charming it was so sweet and cute! I liked the story a lot, its nice to read about cultural shock once in a while.

Pro: Simone Elkeles' characters in this story are very funny, witty and smart. This is such a great funny and sweet story, I loved it!

Con: The characters can get a little annoying sometimes but just a bit.

All in all, it's such a sweet book that all of you should read!

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

Monday, January 5, 2009

Perfect Chemistry By: Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simone Elkeles
PAPERBACK
Amount of Pages: 357
Copyright Year: 2008
Publisher: Walker Books
Geared Towards: Older Teens (14+)
Extra Info: I got the ARC so some of the information might be different

Summary: Brittany Ellias is the puts on a perfect facade to being the "perfect" girl from the North. But no one knows, except her best friend how messed up her life really is and even she doens't know the whole extent from a mentally disabled older sister to a crazy mom, life is not all it seems to the people who don't know the real Brittany. On the South side, is Alex Fuentes, a total bad boy and part of the blood gang. Though he looks mean inside he is a really good person who wants to go to college and make a future for himself, but has to stay back to save and protect his family.

When the two are paired up as lab partners in Chemistry both of them can't be more angry at their chem teacher. But after a while both finds each others good points and the classic love stories between two totally different people blooms, well they do say "opposites attract!"

Wdebo's Review: This is one of the best books I've read so far in '09 (true this is the ONLY book I've read so far in '09 but it is very good. I couldn't put it down! The beginning really captured me, which is hard to say, because many books, even really good ones, have really horrible or horribly boring beginnings, but this one didn't!

Pro: Excellent writing, the characters are developed very well, and you can totally tell their personalities and how they out just from the writing. The story is also well developed and the plot is interesting, yes people have written about stories along these lines but not exactly.

Con: Though the story is well written I thought it was a little rough for me, I understand that that is Alex's character and how is life is settled but, yeah. I am also not the biggest fan of the cover, but I know that the author has no control over that.

All and all, I really enjoyed this story and I think all of you should go out and read it now!!

Grade: A-

Wdebo :)

Saturday, January 3, 2009

An appetizer mv and a big sorry!

Ok, I am so srry I haven't been on for like 2 or 3 weeks, but Ive been out for vacation and just got back!! I will try to get my review for Lucky, How to Ruin a Summer Vacation and Perfect Chemistry out soon, check back often!!!

So, for my chinese readers (I hope there are some out there!) Here is my new song obsession... 私奔到月球 by 五月天 ft. 陳綺貞, for those who don't understand chinese, I still hope you guys listen to it, it is so cute and sweet! (I have no idea what its saying either, I just know what the chorus is, *embarassed*)



Wdebo :)