13th Annual Baltimore Book Festival

I encourage to anyone living in the Baltimore, Maryland vicinity to come to the 13th Annual Baltimore Book Festival!!! It would be a lot of fun if you did because you would enjoy the 200+ author appearances, readings, panel discussions, performances by the Baltimore Theatre Alliance, and much more!!! Bookdivas will be there since HQ is in the surrounding area and I would like to welcome everyone to be part of this amazing festival!!

Even if you can't come, it would help if you spread the word! :)


Where: Historic Mount Vernon Place centered on the 600 block of North Charles Street, 21201. Baltimore, MD.
When: Friday, September 26 from 5-9pm
Saturday, September 27 from 11am-7pm
Sunday, September 28 from 11am-7pm
Website: www.baltimorebookfestival.com

Train to Trieste by Domnica Radulescu

With her debut book, “Train to Trieste,” Dominica Radulescu writes the incredibly journey of seventeen-year-old Mona Manoliu and her struggles with the basic need for a woman- love- in a time of hunger, fear, and death. In the magical summer of 1977, Mona falls in love with Mihai, a mountain boy that sings melancholic melodies in his guitar, and spends the hot days in sensual pleasures with only the earth and the sky as her witnesses. This blissful time is quickly shattered by the secret police, the Stalinist regime that rules her country, and suspicions that Mihai may be one of them. Living under scarcity, paranoia, and fear for her life, Mona flees Romania to the United States without saying good-bye to her beloved Mihai. Years later, when she is a Doctoral student, married, and with children, Mona questions her decision from twenty years ago and is compelled to go back to her country to find the truth. The resolution, although shocking and riveting, brings a satisfaction and happiness; the true mark of a great writer.


This was perhaps one of the most touching stories that I had ever read. The sensorial language and the artistry in which the words are woven to tell the tale of Mona, connected me greatly with the character. I felt her love, passion, and anguish throughout the story. I have to say that for a debutante writer, Dominica Radulescu, created a magnificent story. I felt a great connection to her, as if she was speaking to me, almost in a luring way. Enchanting and beautiful, but at the same time chaotic and strong, Mona was a girl that I could envision and almost touch as if she were real. Fantastic in every way, I just simply loved it.

for more visit http://www.amazon.com/Train-Trieste-Domnica-Radulescu/dp/0307268233

Breaking Dawn

I recently finished the last book in the Twilight Series and must say I was stunned. WARNING: Spoilers Ahead.
I have been a true fan since the book came out in 2005, and followed Bella's story as if she were a part of me; I also have fallen for Edward over and over again. The last book in Stephenie Meyer's #1 Bestselling saga about a normal girl falling in love with the beautiful and utterly perfect Edward-who happens to be a vampire-has captivated the hearts of millions of women and men. I personally awaited for the release of this book since last year and have been glued to hisgoldeneyes.com for a long time. Needless to say that when I got my book on August 2, I was as happy as a little kid in Disney Land and consequently read the book in two days.
Now the interesting part comes, to my surprise unlike the last books in the series such as New Moon and Eclipse, this book was not as easily liked by some people more perhaps than when New Moon came out. Why is it that you my dear reader may ask? Because of the rather strange twists that Stephenie wrote. To my disbelief of my extensive knowledge of vampires ( Yes, I was into the whole vampire thing for a while and read everything there is about them including the many books out there dedicated to the mythical creatures of the night), I didn't know that they could reproduce...........comes the shocking secret that Bella has a baby with Edward. WOW, now that blew me away! The next thing was the whole imprinting on the baby-Renesme- by Jacob. Two major things that I so did not expect, and the whole stand against the Volturi fight (not really). Overall, the book brought a happy ending, too much of a happy ending for some, but it was a resolution for the story that we all love. I actually enjoyed the book for the most part, but I recommend rereading it again. Major Kudos from me!

The Secret Life of Bees

The book finally came to life!!!! Since I read the book The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, I fell in love with a story about trying to find love in a world that is still divided by boundaries of every kind. The story perhaps is so compelling because it is told through the eyes of Lily, a young girl who wants to find more about the life of her diseased mother. This is a touching story about acceptance of every kind. I can't wait to see it!

Sypnosis:"The Secret Life of Bees," based on the New York Times best selling novel and set in South Carolina in 1964, is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Okonedo and Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping.

find out more at http://www.aceshowbiz.com/movie/secret_life_of_bees_the/

Watchmen trailer

I have to say this only once....WOW. I didn't realise that there was a Watchmen comic to begin with so I was astounded when I first watched this trailer a while ago. It is apparently the only award comic book EVER. This is probably because its plot and characters are well layered with so much depth that it could pass as a book but it has the advantage of having artwork attached to itself. The cast seems fantastic and just fit well with the description given in the comic book, but also this isn't just another Marvel superhero for the heroes in the comic book, and soon to be movie, are so FLAWED that they seem human. A must watch for March 2009. PRAISE FOR WATCHMEN

Anthem 32 Interview

Yay!! Well, I got my first interview with a band!! I have to say that I have seen Anthem 32 slowly grow to be an incredible band. Although I feel guilty now for cruelly criticizing their works in The Storm, now a few months later, when I listened to their single Fallen Angel I was completely wrong to assume the worst. They just completely took my breath away. It is kind of cool that I go to school with them and that the guitarist, Richie, was very kind to give me an interview! Please enjoy their style and I wouldn't be surprised if they someday would be the next big thing! So here it is!

1. The Queen B.:What is your style in music?

Anthem 32:"Our style of music is pretty unique yet very familiar with bands like Blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, Dropkick Murphys, and many others. Our three main genres are Pop-Punk/Punk/Alternative."

2. The Queen B.: What motivates you to write/ produce/ play your music?

Anthem 32: "We are all songwriters and lyricist, we're motivated by our love for music and getting somewhere in life with this band. We have a record contract waiting for us out there and the only way we can make it to the top of that mountain is by making this band our first priority. Punk Rock music is what we love to do, what we love listen to. Our similar musical influences, friendship, and our hard team working efforts is what keeps this band alive up to this day."

3. The Queen B.: What are some hardships you and your band have gone through?

Anthem 32: "We've only been a full band since late December of 2007, the only hardships we could gone through was money. We're just kids in high school, except Zack (our bassist) who's now getting ready to start college, but at the moment we were just kids sitting in class everyday and our drummer Trey and myself still have to graduate. All three of us went through an upgrade of instruments which totaled to at least 2000 dollars. Then we professionally recorded our first single "Fallen Angel" at Pendelwood Studios thanks to The Greenlight Firm company, and this cost us almost 600 dollars. We are looking to playing a legion amount of shows and promoting ourselves more. If we were ever to get sign, I'm pretty sure there is a long winding road of hardships in our directions for a couple years until we gain ultimate success."

4. The Queen B.: If you could share the stage with a big musician, who would it be and why?

Anthem 32: "Blink-182 hands down, and that's not just me saying this, the rest of the band would surely agree. Despite the fact the band has broken up, they are still doing side projects (Angel & Airwaves and +44) Playing with them would be just as fine and a dream come true. The guys from Blink-182 are heroes to all of us, their style, jokes, music, everything. Blink-182 is what introduced me into pop-punk and rock music back in the 90's when I first heard "All The Small Things" In a Kids Bop CD at the age of 8-9. Same for Zack and Trey, they're are true loving fans, maybe even more than I am haha, but you can expect to see us play a blink cover at a show, it's always a lot of fun."

5. The Queen B.: Where can we find more info about your music? And do you have any gigs coming up soon?

Anthem 32: "At the moment we only have our single to listen to, but it's totally worth it. You can check out our myspace, purevolume, or ilike in facebook. Our single "Fallen Angel" Is up in any of those three to listen to."

Please check them out at http://www.myspace.com/anthem32

http://www.purevolume.com/anthem32

http://apps.facebook.com/ilike/artist/Anthem+32

Burn After Reading Trailer

Oh! WOW...this movie looks fantastic!! Great cast and is by the Coen Brothers, what else could you ask for? Plus, it was about time I saw a movie where Brad Pitt acted like a morron...it makes my day!!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailer

Harry Potter 6 http://teaser-trailer.com
by wolverine-movie

WHAT DO YOU THINK???? It looks good....very good.

The Roaches

I have to admit going back in time felt good. Especially with the band called The Roaches, that I so regret never hearing from them until now thanks to the trailer of How to Be and was swept away. This band just truly sung to my heart and made me feel all tingly and happy...which rarely happens with just listening to music. Oh the power of good lyrics and a beautiful voices, thats what I call therapy!!!


Without further do....here is my favorite song

Hammond Song

Knowing trailer

So what do you guys think? I hope the thriller is worth it because to me it has been a long time since I have watched a trailer about the end of the world in number sequence. Still I like Nicolas Cage's movies

Thrice

Although this band has been around for a while, I just recently listened to their new score The Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4. I must say it really touches me, its the type of band you could hear at an underground cafe and just relax and ponder about life. I regret not knowing about them earlier because their music is my type. Not to mention the guys are kinda sexy, but that's beyond the point. It is the music that they make that attracts me the most, especially the sonnets rhythm. Thrice recently launched on tour with Circa Survive and Pelican.

You can check them out at http://www.thrice.net/

YELLE

Well, I first heard her song "Je Veux Te Voir" at one of my friends myspace profile...and I have to say that I enjoyed The pop music very much!!!! She recently caught my attention because although I can only speak some French, the lyrics were still easy to follow and not intricate. The beat is what really hooked me up. My kind of music, the beat I would dance in front of the mirror! You should check her out at myspace where she actually became famous.


For more info visit http://www.yelle.fr/



And here is a little taste of her music style

HOW TO MAKE A ZINE!!!!!!

WOW...I have fallen in love with this guy SamProof, and he showed us how to make a simple zine!!!! Go Sam!...if this is his real name....but yeah! Enjoy!

Santogold

I just downloaded a couple of songs from Santogold! Yay! well, I really like her kind of New Wave with a hint of techno or maybe electronica. Her music has been featured in Commercials and so forth. Her distinticve ( and hell she has a great range of notes fom high pitch to lows) voice does attribute to her unique style of music. It was recently announced that she would be doing the opening for Coldplays tour in North America. If you have a chance check her music and videos, defenitely worth it!

For more info about this artist visit http://www.santogold.com/

How To Be

So, I love Robert Pattinson and I have been keeping tabs on his films. There's especially a new movie that is sort of an independent film called How To Be. I really want to watch it because it feels like he is going through a lot of crap ( the character Art) and I really love the somewhat witty, sarcastic style of the movie. Check it out, but lamentably it will only air in specific theaters in America and London. So enjoy if you are near the places that will be xcreening this particular movie.


Sypnosis:"A wry comedy about ART, a frustrated musician, who is undergoing what he sees as a quarter life crisis. This is not helped when his girlfriend dumps him and he has to move back in with his middle class parents — who are far from thrilled with the idea.
Art’s only friend, agoraphobic RONNY, has his own problems. Holed up in a London flat in a daze of nitrous oxide and electro music, Ronny wants to start a band with Art and happy-go-lucky friend NIKKI, but only if it involves going no further afield than the flat’s roof garden. Art discovers self-help guru, DR LEVI ELLINGTON, author of It’s Not Your Fault. Using inheritance money, Art pays for Dr Ellington to move in with him and his parents, becoming Art’s full-time life coach and shadowing him wherever he goes.
Art’s painfully funny journey to define his existence brings to the fore the dysfunctional relationship he has with his parents and the importance in his life of his oddball friends. Rich in detail and dark yet affectionate humour, How To Be is a timely look at the increasingly common phenomena of grown-up children living at home, frustrated creativity and self-help" How to Be movie.com.

For more info visit www.howtobemovie.com

Terminator Salvation

OMG..........that's my beginning impression on the new teaser trailer of the new movie Terminator Salvation starring CHRISTIAN BALE!!!! (I love him) So yeah, I think he can pull off a last Terminator movie without our governator *cough* Arnold Schwarzenegger. WHAT DO YOU THINK?? Is it worth it going to watch this? Or a waste of time?

The Ropes

I was browsing through my Facebook when I saw a funny advertisement about a band that only 200 people like...I thought it was weird that it said that so I clicked on it. It was the band or pair rather, called The Ropes which is a combination of Rock/ Indie/ New Wave ( or so it says in their myspace profile), but WOW!! Are they spychodelic! That's what I like about them, the I don't give a s*** attitude in a somewhat artistic and experimental way. Their New CD is out in stores Cry to the Beat which I highly recomend, major points to them in my list.


You can visit their myspace account http://www.myspace.com/theropes or their website http://www.theropesonline.com/


and a little sneak peak video at their music ( BEWARE the LYRICS ARE MATURE)

The American Mall

So what do you guys think? I would give it a shot to be sincere, although I must admit I am not a big fan of high school musical. I would still watch it though, because you never know :)

Lenka

I received some help from a Bookdivas member Sydni.Elise which I thought was SUPER COOL!!! Major Kudos to her!! This is a new artist for me so checked some of her music and I just thought it was fantastic! I like the lyrics and soft tempo, kind of like speaking from the soul. I was glad to listen to her and found out that the song "The Show" was featured in the Ugly Betty promo! She is defenitely going on the playlist...which if you haven't noticed is at the right on a black box.

For more info visit http://www.lenkamusic.com/

OMG Second TWILIGHT Trailer at ET!

Just watch....seriously. What do you think?? I am glad they made some changes in the effects.

Lady GaGa

I was recently watching Miss universe (yeah...I couldn't help it) and I watched the artist who sang for this year and it happend to be Lady GaGa who I just sang to my heart. Her look is also pretty unique, bringing a little of the 80's to the somewhat stylish power pop. Listen to her upcoming single Just Dance, it's amazing and brilliantly well put. For more visit http://www.ladygaga.com/

Book on The Spotlight

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie is a provocative tale of love, friendship in a time were the government commands you to its will. When I first read this story it took me away, it is simple in its narrative yet it conquers the reader with the story of two boys and the little girl their age who is a seamstress.

Sypnosis:
"The Cultural Revolution of Chairman Mao Zedong altered Chinese history in the 1960s and '70s, forcibly sending hundreds of thousands of Chinese intellectuals to peasant villages for "re-education." This moving, often wrenching short novel by a writer who was himself re-educated in the '70s tells how two young men weather years of banishment, emphasizing the power of literature to free the mind. Sijie's unnamed 17-year-old protagonist and his best friend, Luo, are bourgeois doctors' sons, and so condemned to serve four years in a remote mountain village, carrying pails of excrement daily up a hill. Only their ingenuity helps them to survive. The two friends are good at storytelling, and the village headman commands them to put on "oral cinema shows" for the villagers, reciting the plots and dialogue of movies. When another city boy leaves the mountains, the friends steal a suitcase full of forbidden books he has been hiding, knowing he will be afraid to call the authorities. Enchanted by the prose of a host of European writers, they dare to tell the story of The Count of Monte Cristo to the village tailor and to read Balzac to his shy and beautiful young daughter. Luo, who adores the Little Seamstress, dreams of transforming her from a simple country girl into a sophisticated lover with his foreign tales. He succeeds beyond his expectations, but the result is not what he might have hoped for, and leads to an unexpected, droll and poignant conclusion. The warmth and humor of Sijie's prose and the clarity of Rilke's translation distinguish this slim first novel, a wonderfully human tale. (Sept. 17)Forecast: Sijie's debut was a best-seller and prize winner in France in 2000, and rights have been sold in 19 countries; it is also scheduled to be made into a film. Its charm translates admirably strong sales can be expected on this side of the Atlantic" Publishers Weekly.

To buy it go to http://www.amazon.com/Balzac-Little-Chinese-Seamstress-Novel/dp/0385722206

Burn Notice

So Burn Notice is on!!!!!!! Finally I get to see who Burned Michael! This show is just freaking incredible. The scenery in Miami just make it colorful and an uxpected place for an ex-spy to wor at. Seriously, the entire show is just filled with amazing characters such as the chaotic Fiona- Michael's Ex, and his friend Sam (as close as a friend could be?). The New Season which aired in July 10 just brought more Questions...and a new character- Carla, whom we know wants something big from Michael. Just watch the show, USA is good at giving good shows.
For more info visit http://www.usanetwork.com/series/burnnotice/ and here is the trailer for the season

Eureka Season 3

Well, the third season of Eureka at sci-fi airs July 29!!!!! YAY! I am a big fan of this little town with big secrets. The gadgets, exploits, love affairs, the really weird characters and plots, make it one of the most unique tv shows I have ever seen!! I just love Sheriff Carter and being the average guy in a genius government town. This is a must watch, probably as quirky and eccentric as others, but with its own little inside humor and quantum physics complexity (not too complex really if I can watch it, so can many). I am just excited to finally see some good shows on TV beside Law and Order: SVU.

For more info visit http://www.scifi.com/eureka

Alanis Morissette

After listening to some of Alanis scores, I must admit I fell in love with a few of them such as Uninvited and Crazy. I searched more info on her music after a Book Diva- redsoxGirl, suggested her for my blog. The Canadian singer/song writer is quite talented and reinforces her music with pieces writtten from her life experiences. The husky, yet feminine vocals give it a feel of belonging and thought. I listen to her album while I work or study, it is somehow relaxing and not overpowering, yet with a meaning behing each song. For more visit her website at http://www.alanismorissette.com/

Also visit and read redsoxGilr's blog! http://www.excersiseyourmind.blogspot.com/ I found it very interesting!

Pineapple Express

There are times when a chick can't help but fall in love with films that are meant for a male audience, but Pineapple Express just seems like its going to be that type of movie. It has already stolen my heart with just the trailer!!

Sypnosis:

"Next summer, the guys who brought you Superbad reunite for the action-comedy Pineapple Express. Lazy stoner Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) has only one reason to visit his equally lazy dealer Saul Silver (James Franco): to purchase weed, specifically, a rare new strain called Pineapple Express. But when Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop (Rosie Perez) and the city's most dangerous drug lord (Gary Cole), he panics and dumps his roach of Pineapple Express at the scene. Dale now has another reason to visit Saul: to find out if the weed is so rare that it can be traced back to him. And it is. As Dale and Saul run for their lives, they quickly discover that theyre not suffering from weed-fueled paranoia; incredibly, the bad guys really are hot on their trail and trying to figure out the fastest way to kill them both. All aboard the Pineapple Express" IMDB Board.

UGLY BETTY

Ugly Betty is one of the best shows I have seen in YEARS! This is not saying that I am biased, since I saw the original Betty la Fea in Caracol TV aired in Columbia some years ago. I love the cast because they bring a piece of their own to the characters and to the plot. My favorite besides America Ferrera has to be Michael Urie who graduated from my High School!!!! The High fashion full of pretty shallowness meets an outsider who doesn't fit in but is at the same time what they needed all along. I love it!




You can visit for more info www.abc.go.com/primetime/uglybetty/index.html

Amon Tobin

His music is a delectable taste of the ecclectic and yet inspiring. I became a fan when I watched IGPX The Mortal grand Prix and one of his songs- Verbal was featured in it. I bought his scores and I was hooked. Some of my favorites are the Fooley room, Esther's, Verbal, At The end of the Day, and The Lighthouse. His unconvential use of bold materials to make music such as a motorcycles, acoustics from buildings, and stretches and skews beyond recognition. This Canadian DJ has produced great scores and released several albums such as Bricolage, Chaos Theory, and more recently Fooley Room.

If you want to listen to some of his songs visit his website at www.amontobin.com

The Day The Earth Stood Still

I am a big fan of sci-fi movies and for a while I have not been too happy with the many so called "best sci-fi movies of the year". I just watched the trailer for The Day Earth Stood Still, and adaptation of the original in 1951. The movie stars "Keanu Reeves who portrays Klaatu, an alien whose arrival on our planet triggers a global upheaval. As governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind the visitor’s appearance, a woman (Jennifer Connelly) and her young stepson get caught up in his mission - and come to understand the ramifications of his being a self-described “friend to the Earth.”

The film also stars Kathy Bates, Jaden Smith, Jon Hamm and Kyle Chandler.

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” is scheduled to hit theaters on December 12th.

Brought to you by www.filmofilia.com

Twilight Trailer.

Twilight in HD


Well, the trailer to one of the most expected movies by the fans of the book. Its a little old, but nonetheless, I love it. Many think that it is an awful adaptation of the book, but I am not going to judge it until I see it!! Brought to you by www.myspacetv.com

Book in The Spotlight

INK EXCHANGE

I really love Melissa Marr, she is such a great author that makes me believe in fairies and fairy tales. The next companion novel to the incredible Wicked Lovely is just as good to read.

From the cover flap:

"Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance between the Faerie Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly-vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.
17-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind that Leslie had dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faerie world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils.
Melissa Marr continues her tales of Faerie in a dark, ravishing story of temptation and consequences, and of heroism when least expected. "

Visit her website at http://www.wickedlovely.com/

Twilighters Anonymous

I love this podcast since it satisfies my thirst (lol) for TWILIGHT. A lot of the things they say make me crack up! They share my love for Rob, the book, the upcomming movie, and the queen Stephenie Meyer. You should check them out at http://twilightersanonymous.libsyn.com/lightersanonymous.libsyn.com/ or their podcast at iTunes. Enjoy!

Demetri Martin.

I love him, he is so funny...but in a soft yet dramatic way. Watch him sometimes at www.ComedyCentral.com

I am finally on!!!

Well, this is finally my first post!! YAY!!!!!!! Letting everybody know that this is my baby, my first blog ever. Forgive me for the bad grammar....the extreme opinions, my Twilight love, and everything else. I would love any help that you guys can give me, cool stuff to talk about, and don't be afraid, I don't bite. So yeah! Finally..........my first post.

Music

Amon Tobin
Alanis Morissette
Lady GaGa
Lenka
The Ropes
Santogold
YELLE
Thrice
The Roaches
Anthem32