American Hit Radio: A History of Popular Singles From 1955 to the Present

 American Hit Radio: A History of Popular Singles From 1955 to the Present

by Thomas Ryan

Pages: 672

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. 

This work arranges Top 40 hits chronologically. The essays about each one include information on the artist, inspiration for the songs and the cultural context of when the songs came out. The book begins with singles from 1955 since that is when the Top 40 charts came into existence. The book was printed in 1995 so, of course does not include more recent works. If only authors (and their editors) would choose to name books with From (date) to "the Present." Now if only all these facts I've been reading and learning about music and musical theater, would stick in my head and be recalled at the right moment during trivia games, etc.

Voice of Dominion by Melanie Cellier

I've enjoyed watching how the magic has evolved for Elena throughout the series.
Lucas is....a boy...which means he stupid sometimes.... it's fine.
Can we all stop being petty...please.
I'm here for the ship and the magic words...like actual magic words.
Also...when books follow a time schedule--like a school year.. excellent. consistency is great. I loves
We alls gon learn today....and by we I mean the children, and what they learn is...war.
Can adults just...stop.
Politics suck.
316 Pages

Voice of Command by Melanie Cellier

Alexa play "Gotta Get Back to Hogwarts" 
Elena...just...come on...use your brain. Stop being stupid
Ummmmm this plot hitting a little too close to home

Lucas is cool. He's stupid, but he's cool
266 Pages

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

With a family like his, it would be impossible for Gregory Bridgerton not to believe in true love. When he meets her, he’ll just know. And that was exactly how Gregory felt the moment he laid eyes on Miss Hermione Watson.

Except Hermione Watson wasn’t the one. Hermione is in love with someone else, someone entirely unsuitable, and her best friend, Lady Lucinda Abernathy, is determined to save Hermione from herself. She forms an alliance with Gregory. Who better than Hermione’s best friend to help Gregory steal her heart?

Lucy had no plans to fall in love with Gregory, but that’s exactly what happened, despite the engagement arranged by her uncle. Even when Gregory finally comes to his senses and realizes Lucy is the one for him, there’s no going back. Once again, a Bridgerton must risk it all for love.

Book #8 in the Bridgerton series. 371 pages.

Voice of Power by Melanie Cellier

Ok but the concept of not being able to write because writing is inherently magical is both amazing and awful.
So this magic system is really cool and I'm here for it. 
Ok but the boarding school vibes that gave me Hogwarts vibes. A little bit (tiny, like, a dash, barely noticeable) of a Hunger Games vibe--just with the way that children are used. 
The characters in this book: insert the I love Elena TikTok
314 Pages

 Teen Frankenstein (High School Horror Story #1)

by Chandler Baker

Pages: 336

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Story starts off with an intriguing premise, what if the high school age girl was the first scientist named Frankenstein to bring someone back from the dead. How would she and her best friend, lab partner, deal with the ethical implications? What would they do with the uh, person? during the day while they were in class? How does she keep Mom from finding out? A good beginning introduction to horror and science fiction for a young teen or even the right pre-teen. Some of the ethical questions brought up could lead to good classroom or book club discussion. Not scary at all for most adults and most older teens. 

Opening Night on Broadway: A Critical Quotebook of the Golden Era of the Musical Theatre from Oklahoma! (1943) to Fiddler on the Roof (1964)

 Opening Night on Broadway: A Critical Quotebook of the Golden Era of the Musical Theatre from Oklahoma! (1943) to Fiddler on the Roof (1964)

by Steven Suskin

Pages: 810

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Steven Suskin shares critiques of musicals on Broadway from 1943 to 1964. Many consider this time period, the golden era of musical theater. This time period does include many classics and musicals that even those who don't watch musicals, have heard of and may have watched the movie version, such as Hello Dolly, Funny Girl and the Music Man. The critiques are from well-known newspapers such as the Post, Daily Mirror, World-Telegram & Sun, the Times. A true collection of theater history. 

Ganzl's Book of the Broadway Musical: 75 Favorite Shows, from H.M.S. Pinafore to Sunset Boulevard

  Ganzl's Book of the Broadway Musical: 75 Favorite Shows, from H.M.S. Pinafore to Sunset Boulevard

by Kurt Gänzl

Pages: 488

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is a guide to 75 Broadway musical favorites ranging from the 1890s to the 1990s. Actor, author and producer, Karl Ganzl, provides full production information, casts, plot synopses, song titles and notes about each show. The work is illustrated throughout with photographs of the original Broadway productions. The Broadway shows featured include The King and I, Jesus Christ Superstar, Damn Yankees, Grease, My Fair Lady, The Music Man, A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Annie, The Sound of Music, Gypsy, Sweeny Todd, Evita, Show Boat, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Cats, Oklahoma, Hello Dolly!, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Hair, South Pacific, Phantom of the Opera, Guys and Dolls and Miss Saigon. Fascinating information for theater buffs. 

The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

"There is no point spending an entire life trying to win the love you didn't feel when you needed it" ....ummmm...ow. I knew I was going to be called out, but not like this. 

"You cannot try to be; you can only let yourself be"
272 Pages

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

"The teacher has never given a perfect score before; do you see the problem" response something along the lines of: "the teacher won't let students succeed" go off.
So he Scrooge McDuck rich. 
Ohhhh I don't know who to ship
Insert "I Think I'm Going to Like It Here" from Annie.
fjdskalfjklsafjklsdafjkadljj I'm here for the mystery and riddles...and the boys...all of the boys...
Aaaaaaaaaaand I have to wait until September for more content....To Barnes and Noble for the bonus epilogue. 
400 Pages

It’s in His Kiss by Julia Quinn

It’s in His Kiss by Julia Quinn

Gareth St. Clair isn’t quite sure what to do when he receives an old family diary, one of the few family heirlooms he’s sure he’ll ever get, given his father’s determination to run the St. Clair finances and estates into the ground. To make matters worse, the diary is written in Italian, and it may help Gareth learn more about his past. What’s a man in a bind to do?

 

Enter Hyacinth Bridgerton. She has a way of throwing off members of the ton: She’s almost too smart and decidedly outspoken. Thanks to an Italian governess, she also speaks Italian. Not fluently, but enough to get by. And Hyacinth might be just what Gareth needs.

 

Book #7 in the Bridgerton series. 384 pages.

Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

Summary: "Call Ava romantic, but she thinks love should be found in the real world, not on apps that filter men by height, job, or astrological sign. She believes in feelings, not algorithms. So after a recent breakup and dating app debacle, she decides to put love on hold and escapes to a writers' retreat in remote, coastal Italy. She's determined to finish writing the novel she's been fantasizing about, even though it means leaving her close-knit group of friends and her precious dog, Harold, behind.

At the retreat, she's not allowed to use her real name or reveal any personal information. When the neighboring martial arts retreat is canceled and a few of its attendees join their small writing group, Ava, now going by "Aria," meets "Dutch," a man who seems too good to be true. The two embark on a baggage-free, whirlwind love affair, cliff-jumping into gem-colored Mediterranean waters and exploring the splendor of the Italian coast. Things seem to be perfect."

I finished it!! Finally! Through sheer stubbornness, I did it. 

I usually love Sophie Kinsella, but this book was a miss for me. 

Favorite bits:

• Depicting Ava's friend Nell's struggle with chronic illness (lupus). A+++
• When Ava finally admitted "But real is hard sometimes. Real is really hard."

416 pages

goodreads | MOBIUS

Horrid by Katrina Leno

Don't mind me, not liking the mom. because that right there is not a healthy parental relationship. 
Will is cool. 
I'm still trying to figure out if eating paper is like...a fun fantasy thing in the story, or part of an eating disorder as it is in the real world....because like...Can we please address this.... Xylophagia....please.
The triangulation in this is making me uncomfy...
Yeah no I hate Ruth
Ummmm....Wut.
336 Pages

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

Hey look, the title.....also I'm worried for the safety of children
If Stevie and David don't end up together because of the camp guy (because I am always suspicious and afraid of love triangles happening because time has not been kind to me) I will riot. [I have no evidence that Stevie and camp guy will even be a thing. I have one text message]
Oh sweet baby yoda.
she effind dead
she ran into my knife
I love Nate. I love him so much. He is me.
fdksalfjlkasjfdklasjfdklsjadflsjal
I was expecting it to be darker, but you know. I'm cool with it. 
400 Pages

The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid

I loved the characters, and I loved the mythology of the world, and I just can't any more. Like....
I loved Gaspar and Evike and their relationship. Matthias and Nina vibes. I am weak. I live for tortured souls and children who are traumatized....that came out wrong.  
The politics and the drama. Great.
I wish I knew more about Jewish culture so that I could recognize it in the story. 
432 Pages

A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

 Alternate history. Cairo right after World War One....and it has magic. Sveet. My history nerd brain is screaming. 
all the Indiana Jones vibes.
Aaaaaaaaaaand the Brits are being Brits. Good times. I am here for commentary on countries doing things that are wrong. 
The mystery. the murder. the magic. 
I had a ship idea, but like....ok...
I love that rather than trying to get rid of magic or see it as bad or evil, the world co-exists, and there are just organizations to make sure nothing gets too out of hand. 
400 Pages

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary

 ....I didn't know British people went on road trips....
"I keep pressing ESC but I'm still here" ....
They think eight hours is a long drive. ha. I was in a car for 13 one way. 
Oh I feel personally attacked by Dylan's life. Absolutely attacked.
I really liked the time jumps...like....in the audiobook they have both of the characters say "Now" and "Then" and I feel like..the way that information was revealed was really well done.
He thinks in poetry....he is my soulmate..but he is me... I am my own soulmate...sigh...this is fine. Dylan is cute and trying his best now and I just, protec.
400 Pages

Craft Coffee: A Manual: Brewing a Better Cup at Home by Jessica Easto

I felt so classy and bougie while I read this because the cover is like....stylish. [And yes because it was talking about how to make coffee the right way (because yes there is a right way)].
Burr grinders and grinding coffee right before you use it are hills I will die on.
I am a coffee snob, but I am also forgetful and poor so like...yes.
My love of cold-brew. sdfkljakfls
I liked that we talked about the different countries and all of the places where coffee can be grown.
I wish there had been more pictures
272 Pages

A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair

Persephone...babe...just...speak...use your words. use your communication skills. I just wanna go off about how communication in relationships are hecka important and even if you uncomfy or it's hard you should just like...jump in the ice water and talk about the things so that we don't do the whole there's a secret and I came to the wrong conclusions. 
I will continue to mix this up with Lore Olympus even though they different....Nightclub. Remember the nightclub....
Ok so yeah now I remember the scenes....they just.... children...please....
Hades is just doing his best.
415 Pages

Bloodsworn by Scott Reintgen

When you haven't read the first book in a month and you have to remember what was happening and what the plot of the story was.
So I had a ship I wanted, but like....fine. I'm ok with that too.
I am so intrigued by what all these children are doing...
Pippa grows on me and I still love Adrian and Imelda.
I was surprised that this was only a duology...like...
368 Pages

Thorn by Intisar Khanani

Haha book title.
ohhhh the handwriting.
fsdjfkljsalfjdsaklfjklsjdfljsadfkj Can we just. jdfsklajs tension 
Oh come on... So that's the Goose Girl thing that happens... Ummm no...Thanks I hate it. 
No. Honey, we do not compare trauma in this family. 
jkfljaskldfjklsjffdjskjfdskl
sjkdfhskhjhksfdflsfhsjkafd

wreuiioeiwrwuivcdzkx nkejwkldaj
Can I just. I just.. Just let me love Kestrin. fjdsakfdjls
528 Pages

The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

Puck you fricking ding-dong
Puck do you....did you...listen to the promise you just made....
I'm here for the flashbacks.
Puck. you can't just slide the bi-card in and expect me to ignore it. Because I know. I know you and Ash were a thing at one point, even if it was only implicit. 
fskldjafsjfkdljfklsdjfklsjdkf
Grim! I love you my beautiful beautiful cat.
My ships. Oh how I've missed them.
....cliffhanger.
352 Pages