Music Monday -- 1993

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1993

Book: Unknown

Music Selections:

1. Mariah Carey "Dream Lover" -- Yes it's cheesy pop but it was 1993 and I was 11 years old.  Give me some slack.
2. DC Talk "Lean on Me" -- I remember going on a few youth group trips and we sang along to this song on repeat.  I just love this version even now.
3. Smashing Pumpkins "Today" -- My introduction into alternative music.  I really liked this song, but didn't own any Pumpkins albums until late middle school.
4. Tom Petty "Mary Jane's Last Dance" -- Both of my parents were big Tom Petty fans.  I remember that when this song came out, we played it over and over in our house.  And the music video with Kim Basinger is just beautiful.
5. Bryan Adams "All for Love" -- Had to include it.  It was the hit of the year.

Music Monday -- 2003

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2003

Book: Unknown

Music Selections:

1. Linkin Park "Numb" -- This album came out right after the boys were born.  I just loved this song so much.
2. Dave Matthews "Gravedigger" -- I've liked Dave Matthews Band since "Ants Marching" and Dave's solo album is wonderful.  I actually think I like the electric version of this song more than the acoustic.  Usually that isn't the case, but this time it works.
3. Justin Timberlake "Cry Me a River" -- I do like me some Justin TImberlake.  It just gets stuck in your head and never leaves.
4. Evanescence "Bring Me To Life" -- Amy Lee's voice is to die for.  I can't get over this song.
5. The White Stripes "Seven Nation Army" -- My introduction to The White Stripes and it is an amazing one.  Enjoy!

Music Monday -- 1999

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1999

Book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Music Selections: Overall this year was really electic when it came to music.  I went to see Korn and Rob Zombie in concert, but I also listened to stuff like Sarah McLachlan.  I was all over the place musically!

1. Dixie Chicks "Ready to Run" -- Most country I don't like, but for some reason I really got into the Dixie Chicks.  I still listen to them every once in a while.
2. Lenny Kravitz "American Woman" -- I can't help but see Heather Graham as Felicity Shagwell writhing around on a car for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.  Hee hee!
3. Sarah McLachlan "I Will Remember You" -- Such a great song.  I can't help but remember listening to this all the time.
4. Santana and Rob Thomas "Smooth" -- Big hit of the summer.  The perfect summer song to sing along to.
5. The Offspring "The Kids aren't Alright" -- Love The Offspring.  Smash was one permanent rotation in my car throughout most of the year.  And then Americana was released and I had a whole new batch of songs.  Including this amazing anthem.  There's one particular reference in here that reminds me of one of my ex-boyfriends.

Music Monday -- 1982

Happy Birthday to Me Edition!

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1982 (It's my birth year!)

Book: TBD

Music Selections:

1. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts "I Love Rock n Roll" -- Has always been a favorite of mine and one of my go-to karaoke songs.
2. The Human League "Don't You Want Me" -- So incredibly 80s...  Everytime I hear this song, I go back to scenes of me dancing around the living room with pom poms or a fairy wand or something similar.
3. John Cougar Melloncamp "Jack and Diane" -- I don't care what he says his name is now to me it will always be John Cougar.  And this one was one I remember hearing all the time as a child.
4. The Clash "Should I Stay" -- Such a classic song.  And bonus points: the boys love The Clash.
5. Modern English "I Melt with You" -- About a couple making love while nuclear bombs fall.  Creepy, but I somehow always loved this song.

30 Years Ago Today...

  30 Years ago today.... 

I was pulled into this world by forceps screaming my little red face off.  It's my birthday day today!  How am I going to celebrate??  By going to work.  Yep that's right.  I get to work on my birthday.  But that's okay.  I plan on eating crap all day and not cooking or planning dinner tonight.  Later I must watch Logan's Run in all its beautiful cheesy glory.  Gotta go... my palm is flashing.

 Run, Runner, Run!

30th Birthday Extravaganza!!! (Giveaway)

This month, I am turning 30....  There I said it.  I'm getting old.  I feel like I'm getting old.  But I am determined to make the most of my month.  And you, my dear readers, get to participate in my celebrations.  I am doing my first ever (yep that's right, FIRST EVER) giveaway.  I'm sure you're all wondering how do I enter and what do I win.  Here's all the details:

• Contest runs March 1st through April 1st, 2012
• US/Canada only please (can't afford the postage overseas, sorry!)
• I will pick 8 winners using a random number generator
• As each winner responds to my emails...
• Each winner will get their pick of one of 10 prize packs
• If no response within 48 hours, I will pick a new number
• You don't have to be a follower to enter
• Share the love with other readers you know
• To enter, please fill out the form below (emails will be used only to contact the winners)

Prize Packs -- Each pack comes with books listed plus a few extra goodies.  Please be advised that all books are used.  I have notated the condition of the books if necessary.

Prize Pack #1 Reimagined Classics -- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters; Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Prize Pack #2 Hatter M series -- Volumes 1, 2, 3

Prize Pack #3 Willomere series by Candace Camp -- A Lady Never Tells; A Gentleman Always Remembers; An Affair without End (all three books are well used copies with creased spines)

Prize Pack #4 Immortals series by Alyson Noel -- Evermore; Blue Moon; Shadowland

Prize Pack #5 Romance-ish Pack -- Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster; The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens; The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

Prize Pack #6 Zombies Pack -- Zombie Blondes by Brian James; Night of the Necromancer by Kyle West and Jelani Sims

Prize Pack #7 Vampires Pack -- American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout; Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Prize Pack #8 Fantasy Pack -- Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Prize Pack #9-10 Your Choice Pack: Pick two books from the following list

• The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
• Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
• The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
• The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
• Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean
• This Book Will Change Your Life
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
• The Long Weekened by Savita Kalhan
• Cotillion by Georgette Heyer
• The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
• Heartless by Gail Carriger
• Flirting with Forever by Gwyn Cready
• Aching for Always by Gwyn Cready
• The Aeneid by Virgil
• Paradise Lost by John Milton
• East of the Eden by John Steinbeck
• Max by James Patterson
• The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson

 If you are not reading this on my site, please click through to enter the giveaway.

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Music Monday -- 2007

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2007

Book: Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster

Music Selections:

1. The White Stripes "Icky Thump"
2. Amy Winehouse "Rehab"
3. Maroon 5 "Makes Me Wonder"
4. Paramore "Misery Business"

Music Monday -- 2008

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2008

Book: Hatter M Volume 1

Music Selections:

1. Coldplay "Viva La Vida" -- The boys and I sang this song all summer.  It's still on my iPod shuffle.
2. Estelle and Kanye West "American Boy" -- There's something about this song that makes me want to get up and dance.  Every time!
3. Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire" -- The song has such atmosphere. And this music video is just hot. I dare you to watch.
4. John Mayer "Gravity" -- He might be an ass in his personal life, but John Mayer's music gets me every time.  I especially love this one.

Music Monday -- 1991

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1991

Book: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

Music Selections:

1. Amy Grant "Baby Baby" -- I'll admit it, my very first concert was Amy Grant and I was ecstatic.  I remember that I got tickets for my birthday (probably 1993ish).  I was super excited when she sang this song.  It takes me back...
2. C+C Music Factory "Gonna Make You Sweat" -- I was 9 in 1991.  This song was cool to a typical 9-year-old.
3. Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch "Good Vibrations" -- I remember hearing this one the radio and singing along.  I get much more fun out of this song now.  Mark Walberg as a half dressed rapper.  Love it!

Music Monday -- 1997

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Music Selections:

1. Spice Girls "Wannabe" -- Number 1 on the Billboard's Hot 100 during my birthday week.  It's a guilty pleasure.  As much as my friends and I made fun of this song, we know all the words.  I've even been known to do this song for karaoke, complete with interpretive dance in the middle.  It's a guilty pleasure.
2. Jars of Clay's Much Afraid -- One of my favorite bands of all time.  I saw them when they opened for Michael W. Smith right after "Flood" was released.  This was their second album and I think I loved it even more than their debut.
3. Radiohead's OK Computer -- Overall an amazing album.  Such mood music.  This is an album that fills me with images and emotions as I listen.  It's not just karaoke music.
4. The Wallflowers "One Headlight" -- I loved this album and especially this song.  Since then, I have sporadically followed The Wallflowers and then solo Jakob Dylan.  But I get really excited whenever this comes on the radio or my iPod shuffle.
5. Fiona Apple "Criminal" -- How much do you love this music video?  It is iconic of the late 90s.  I can't get this out of my head if I hear it.

Music Monday -- 2009

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2009

Book: The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks

Music Selections:

1. Lady Antebellum "I Run to You" -- Another LA song.  I just really like them.
2. Green Day "21st Century Breakdown" -- A blast from my past.  I remember listening to Dookie right after it came out and thinking "this is awesome."  While my fanatical nature ebbs and flows, I always end up revisiting Green Day and checking out their new stuff.
3. Kings of Leon "Use Somebody" -- Great band.  Interesting music.  I love turning this on in the background and quietly sing along.
4. Owl City "Fireflies" -- The boys and I were obsessed with this song over the summer of 2009.  Every time it would come on the radio, I had to crank it up and belt it out.  The boys even sang along.
5. Kelly Clarkson "My Life Would Suck Without You" -- There's something about Ms. Clarkson's synthesized studio music...  I sing along every time.  I guess it's my guilty pleasure.

Music Monday -- 2010

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2010

Book: Fables: Witches

Music Selections:

1. Lady Antebellum "Need You Now"
2. Muse "The Resistance"
3. The Black Keys "Tighten Up"
4. Switchfoot "Hello Hurricane"
5. Eminem and Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie"

I adore Lady Antebellum.  I can't say that I like many country artists, but Lady Antebellum has become a favorite.  Muse is one of my favorite bands.  Ditto for The Black Keys.  I am a spot in my heart for Switchfoot.  The odd one is Eminem and Rihanna.  There's just something about that song that gets me every time.  I find myself singing along...  Enjoy these music choices!

Music Monday -- 2011 Highlights

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 2011

Books: Jack of Fables: The End

Music Selections:

1. Mumford and Sons "The Cave"
2. Adele "Rolling in the Deep"
3. Adele "Set Fire to the Rain"
4. Bruno Mars"Grenade"
5. Foster the People "Pumped Up Kicks"

These are the songs that I got stuck in my head this past year.  I love each an every one of them.  Yes, even the Bruno Mars song.  Enjoy getting them stuck in your head! Plus, an extra little treat for you.

2012 My Years Reading Challenge

In honor of my 30th birthday this year, I thought i would create a reading challenge centered around the years I've been alive.  So I will read a book published in every one of my 30 years.  I'm also having a month long birthday celebration coming in March complete with my first contest.  And Music Monday will be featuring songs popular during past years.

• 1982
• 1983
• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992 - Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #2)
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995 -- The Dark Compass by Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials #1)
• 1996
• 1997 -- Drum of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #4)
• 1998
• 1999 -- HP 2 by J.K. Rowling
• 2000 -- HP 4 by J.K. Rowling
• 2001 -- The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #5)
• 2002
• 2003 -- Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (Weather Wardens #1)
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012

Run, Runner, Run!!!