[12 Days of Christmas] #8: That’s Christmas to Me, Cupid!

On the 8th day before Christmas, Hazy (and Weatherly) recommend:

STORY / BOOK – “Cupid and Psyche” from Mythology by Edith Hamilton

Edith Hamilton’s Mythology is one of my favorite books. It’s a collection of Greek (mostly), Roman, and Norse myths. I first read it when I was 11, and I truly enjoyed it. “Cupid and Psyche” quickly became one of my favorites (I’m such a hopeless romantic, I know 😆 ).

Quick Quotes

… that beautiful winged youth whom some call Cupid and others Love, against whose arrows there is no defense, neither in heaven nor on earth.

Psyche, the all beautiful, sat sad and solitary, only admired, never loved.

“Love cannot live where there is no trust.” – Cupid

SONG – “That’s Christmas to Me” by Pentatonix

This one is an original song from this very talented quintet. I like the simple arrangement and the feeling of nostalgia it evokes. 🙂

 

[12 Days of Christmas] #9: Holes and Bells

On the 9th day before Christmas, Hazy (and Weatherly) recommend:

BOOK – Holes by Louis Sachar

I actually saw the movie on Disney Channel (I think) before I even knew there was a book. I enjoyed both the book and movie. The story was a tad bit unusual, but the good kind of unusual. It was quite interesting, the way the past and present were connected. But I don’t think I’d be able to live every day digging holes in that place!

Quick Quotes

“I’m not stupid. I know everybody thinks I am. I just don’t like answering their questions.” – Zero

“Rattlesnakes would be a lot more dangerous if they didn’t have the rattle.”

“I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. Nothing in life is easy. But that’s no reason to give up. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it. After all, you only have one life, so you should try to make the most of it.” – Mr. Pendanski

SONG – “Carol of the Bells” by Pentatonix

Ding… dong… ding… dong! Enjoy~! 🙂

[12 Days of Christmas] #10: A Grimm Tale and A Happy Winter Wonderland

On the 10th day before Christmas, Hazy (and Weatherly) recommend:

BOOK – (Well, technically, just a story I guess?) Snow White and Rose Red by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

You see, I read this Well-loved Tales book which my dad bought for me when I was a kid. It became my favorite Grimm fairy tale. And it’s one that isn’t as grim as some (or most?) of the other tales collected by the Brothers Grimm.

 

SONG – “Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Pentatonix (ft. Tori Kelley)

It’s a medley! Oh, and if you’re wearing earphones or your speaker volume is on max, do mind your ears as the first note is a bit high (and startling!). Weatherly would never admit it but I think he jumped a little when the song started playing. I know I did. 😆

 

[12 Days of Christmas] #11: A Demigod and A Drummer Boy

And so, the 12 Days of Christmas series continues!

On the 11th day before Christmas, Hazy (and Weatherly) recommend:

BOOK – The Lightning Thief (Book 1, Percy Jackson & the Olympians series) by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson & the Olympians (PJ&O) is one of my all-time favorite book series to read and re-read. I love Greek mythology! Apart from fairy tales, Greek myths sparked my love of reading. And The Lightning Thief has tons of Greek myth elements! It’s the first of five books in the PJ&O series. It’s a fun and easy read, and it has characters that people of all ages can connect with (demigods or not). I really enjoy Percy’s funny and often sarcastic lines.

Quick Quotes

“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.” – Sally Jackson

“Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes.” – Annabeth Chase

“I have brought you a hero’s fate, and a hero’s fate is never happy. It is never anything but tragic.” – Poseidon

SONG – Little Drummer Boy by Pentatonix

This song isn’t really one of my favorite Christmas songs, but it has sentimental value to me. I remember performing this song with my classmates for a Christmas presentation thingy in school when I was about 7 years old. I was dressed up like a doll moving to the drum beats (kinda like the robot dance) 😆

And the Pentatonix love continues here on Undercover Bookworm.  Enjoy~!

[12 Days of Christmas] #12: A Mouse and a Sugar Plum Fairy

Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I thought, “Why not do a countdown to Christmas 2014?” And here we are. A song and a book recommendation to try and brighten the holiday/winter break.

Since it’s a countdown, I figured I should probably start with #12.

On the 12th day before Christmas, Hazy (and Weatherly) recommend:

BOOK – The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s a very nice story of love, hope, bravery, forgiveness, and redemption. The story has a good flow and the narrative is easy to follow.

Quick Quotes

Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. – Gregory

Forgiveness, reader, is, I think, something very much like hope and love – a powerful, wonderful thing. And a ridiculous thing, too.

“Despereaux,” she whispered. And then she shouted it, “Despereaux!” Reader, nothing is sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name. Nothing.

SONG – Well, technically, music.  Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Pentatonix.

Enjoy~!

I love Pentatonix! They’re an awesome a capella group.

I think all the holiday songs I’ll be posting would be their version. Yes, yes, I think that’s how it’s gonna be. 😀

[Random Babbles] Some Tunes and Drivels

Been really busy at work. Deadlines aren’t called deadlines if they aren’t even the slightest deadly, I suppose.

These don’t really have anything to do with books, but I felt like sharing some music stuff.

Tunes Trifecta! Shuffled my iPod Touch… This resulted.

• Back in Black (AC/DC) – Yeah! Rock on.
• Bella Luna (Jason Mraz) – He sounds even more awesome live.
• Poison and Wine (The Civil Wars) – Love this. Simply beautiful. And bittersweet. (He looks like Mr. Depp, no?)