newreleasetuesday.com

So as a broke college-bound student, anytime I hear the word 'free', my ears instantly perk up.

Also, I'm kinda a music junkie.

So when I heard 'free' and 'music' in close proximity on the internets, I was excited. I had heard from one of those little side bar Google ads about NRT (newreleasetuesday.com) and how I could get free music every tuesday. So I went in and signed up, just expecting it to be something I could do weekly and not worry about it.

But once I got involved in the site, I realized there was SO MUCH MORE than just free music. There are TONNES of other stuff on there - artist interviews, concert details for ALL OVER THE COUNTRY (not that that would really help me - I don't care if there's a concert in CA while I'm in IL. But the thought is nice :) ), book reviews, devotionals, so on and so forth. There's a bunch of stuff just outside the cheap-o music scene :) Really surprised me, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Another cool thing about this site is the community. I didn't expect this to have a community outside of the 'This is a good song' and 'MOAR MUSIC!' stuff. But there are prayer forums, where we can come on and pray for each other. That's so cool; we may not know each other in real life, but we're still connected by our faith in God. There's also just-for-fun forums, where we can just chat and have fun :) Love that!

Even the bigshot NRTeam administrators get in and chat- they actually listen to what the people have to say and are really cool about everything. They're so cool! :D

And the crowning jewel: the point store! ERMERGERSH. I love free stuff. I don't think you understand how much I LURVE it. So when I looked at their point system (you can earn points for posting reviews, song lyrics, artist/author info, referring people, etc.) and saw the stuff you can earn for it, I had a legit fangirl-y minute. This isn't just chuck-e-cheese stuff you get for the points; no, you can get shirts, cds, books, and other stuff (I pretty much stopped looking after those three things!) just by interacting on the site. The only improvements I would make would be to have a better layout for the point store; it was cool and all, but kind of weird for me personally. Also to have a sizing chart for the clothes (They have sizes posted, but different brands have different measurements for clothes - while I may be a Medium in one brand, I'd be a large in another. Confusion ensues.)

But I'm SO not complaining. I'm so glad to have found this site, and it's my new best friend. (Because I'm a forever-alone type of person)

(loljk:P)

(kinda)

Anyway, whoever has happened to stumble upon it, check it out here: http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/nrteam_register_invite.php?uname=livekerusso

No. Seriously. Visit http://www.newreleasetuesday.com NOW.

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris

Hey guys. So yall know normally when I have a new book in from a publisher, it’s through the Thomas Nelson booksneeze programme. But not this time! Nope, this time it’s from the Multnomah  Press, and this time I got an amazing, life - shaping, game - changing book, called “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.” by Alex and Brett Harris. This is an AMAZING book. It focuses mostly on simply NOT settling for mediocrity in your everyday life. For pushing the borders, expanding horizons, and reaching past what you’re ‘supposed’ to do and into what you SHOULD be doing.

I actually read it for the first time about two years ago, but I had since nearly forgotten everything. But when I read this again, I was personally really convicted about the way I act. As a Christian, I could always be doing more- that’s okay. I’ll never have it right. But this book made it especially clear to KEEP GOING. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. This book I loved enormously and I give it five out of five stars. I definitely recommend it.

And if you are so inclined, feel free to visit my ‘real’ blog (i.e., no book reviews) at : www.livingasakerusso.blogspot.com or find me on twitter! @livekerusso

Talk to you guys later! :)

To Be Perfectly Honest by Phil Callaway

Most of my books come from Thomas Nelson through the booksneeze program. Most of the ones that don’t come from Thomas Nelson come from Bethany House through their blogger review programme. Of the few that aren’t from Thomas Nelson or Bethany House, they come from Multnomah Publishers. This book that I just got, “To Be Perfectly Honest” by Phil Callaway, is one such book. In the book, Phil attempts to go an entire year without lying. At all. Not even ‘No, that dress doesn’t make you look fat,’ or ‘That green mush you served for dinner was DELICIOUS,’ lies. None of that. Nope, this man wants to go an entire year without any lies. Whatsoever. Not even to God.

This book was an extremely easy read- I devoured the whole thing in about three hours. As a humourist, Phil Callaway has a fantastic writing style and I literally laughed out loud at many, many points during the novel. He has enough fluff to keep you giggly and enough meat to keep you thinking.

Plus, he’s from Canada. So his awesomeness level went up by about a thousand points with that right there.

Overall, I loved this book, I would recommend it to near everyone (and I have!), and I give it five out of five stars.

Oh! And for all you people out there who read whatever I write, I'd love it if yall could go check out my new blog about life, God, and trying to muddle through it all. Check me out at www.livingasakerusso.blogspot.com

Yeah, I couldn't think of a better name...

And check me out on twitter: @livekerusso

I'd love to hear from you! :D

New Blog!

Hey! So, I'm moving more of my posts onto a new blog- it's essentially the same as this. Even the name is the same. This one I will be using more as a book reviewing blog, while the other will be my basic observations on the world around me, as well as some shameless self-promotion for new books and whatnot :) I've even reposted some of my posts from here onto the other one, so yall should recognize it! Anyway, here's the website: livingasakerusso.blogspot.com

I hope you come in and see me! Oh! And find me on twitter: @livekerusso
I would love you so much if you did!
Have a fantastic day peoples!
And be expecting more book reviews coming soon! :)
Talk to you later!!