“I never meant for it to go the way it did. I swear. I just wanted to talk to someone. I didn’t mean to fall in love.”- Eric from ‘Follow Me Back’
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘ Monday Memos’ we’re going to discuss a book called ‘Follow Me Back’, a psychological thriller that will definitely find a place among your TBR pile (or To Be Read for those of you who don’t speak BookTube) very soon. ‘Follow Me Back’ is the debut book from A.V. Geiger, one of the latest superstars to come out of the writing website Wattpad, and was provided for review by Sourcebooks Fire. On the outside this book seems like your typical Young Adult contemporary novel, but it quickly evolves into a story that will keep you mesmerized until the end. So now that you’re excited, let’s begin the review! Ready? Ok, let’s go!!!
‘Follow Me Back’ is a dual perspective novel that tells the story of 18 year old Tessa Hart who is a super fan of musician Eric Thorne. Tessa become famous within the Eric Thorne fandom when her fanfiction ‘Eric Thorne Obsessed’ goes viral. Due to her newfound internet fame, Tessa grabs the attention of fellow super fan MET (a screen name that stands for Mrs. Eric Thorne), as well as Eric’s management team. However, Tessa is harboring a deep secret that will eventually change her life forever. We also get insight into 18 year old superstar Eric’s deep resentment of his extreme fame, due to the fact that his fans seem to be more interested in his body than his music. When Eric creates a catfish Twitter account in order to ruin his own image, he sets off a series of events that will expose the dark sides of fame & obsession.
I feel like I have to start off this section by saying that not only is this a 5 smiley face book, but it broke the smiley face scale. Luckily the last few books I’ve reviewed have been very good reads, but this is undoubtedly the best book I’ll read this year. The characters are incredibly well developed & interesting, the plot grips you from the first word & never lets you go, & the twists and turns not only make perfect sense, but actually surprise you. Lastly, I really have to commend A.V. Geiger on her talent as a writer. She is able to perfectly jump between the perspectives of Tessa & Eric, while making their characters feel distinct and interesting. She is also able to use the tool of flashbacks through police reports to help her story become even more compelling. Needless to say I am so excited to not only read the sequel to this book, but to also add A.V. Geiger to my list of auto-buy authors. I am so excited to see where her career goes, & encourage all of you to invest in this duology TODAY!
Keep up with everything A.V. is doing here:
Website:https://avgeiger.com/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/av_geiger
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/adam_and_jane
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14784965.A_V_Geiger
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/avgeiger/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/avgeigerbooks/
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’ we’re going to talk about an amazing BookTuber that you NEED to be subscribed to. I’m serious. Go subscribe right now & then we’ll continue. Don’t worry I’ll wait. Did you subscribe? Awesome! Now that you’ve already made one great decision today, make another one by sticking around to find out why you’ll love Sophie’s channel (trust me you made the right decision by subscribing). Ready? Ok, let’s go!!!
The first video that we’re going to talk about is Sophie’s ‘The Booktube Newbie Tag!’, which was uploaded on March 27th, 2015 (you can check out this video below). This is a really great video to start off with because it allows you to not only get a glimpse of Sophie’s personality, but also her love of books. In this video Sophie allows us to really feel like we know her by explaining why she started a BookTube channel, what book/book series got her into reading, and what fun & unique things she can bring to the BookTube community. After watching this video you’ll feel like Sophie is already your bestie, and it will leave you wanting to know even more about her. Luckily for us, we can learn more about Sophie in her ‘FIVE OF MY AUTO BUY AUTHORS’ video, which was uploaded on July 10th, 2015. Honestly you can learn A LOT about a person based off of who their fav authors are. When you’re a bookworm you read A LOT of books, and I mean A LOT of books so because of this, we all have a small list of authors who we love so much that you can blindly buy any book they release and know that you’ll likely fall in love with it. It’s fun to see our fav BookTubers nerd out with us.
Next up we have Sophie’s ‘BOOKS I’M BRINGING TO COLLEGE!’ video, which was uploaded on September 26th, 2015. Ok, real talk for a second everyone. Now if you’re a book nerd then you know that this is a problem that you either have faced, or will face in your lifetime. For most of us books are like family, they take you to far away places when you need an escape, put a smile on your face during good times, and offer you a warm sheet to cry on during bad times. So the prospect of leaving behind these treasures when we pursue higher education is really sad. Luckily, Sophie is here to remind us that it’s fine if you take some of your books with you on this adventure they call college, and even describes how she decided which books to take. This video is a MUST WATCH for all book addicts. The last video that we’re going to talk about is Sophie’s ‘ANTICIPATED RELEASES OF 2016’ video, which was uploaded on January 9th, 2016 (you can check out the video below). In this video Sophie gives us a list of some of the INCREDIBLE books she’s excited for this year, and also a quick summary of why she’s excited for these books. If you love books then this video will definitely get you hyped for the many awesome 2016 releases (it’s going to be a VERY good year people of the internet!). So now that you’re completely addicted to Sophie’s channel, go check out the rest of her videos, I promise that this is one channel that you’ll constantly have on replay.
Keep up with everything Sophie is reading!:
YouTube: Sophie’s Series
Twitter: sophiesseries
Instagram: sophiesseries
Goodreads: Sophie’s Series
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’ we’re going to talk about an awesome new YouTuber that y’all need to check out. If you haven’t heard of Olivia Rouyre then you are missing out on a funny, cool, and very knowledgeable YouTuber that will instantly enchant you with her bubbly personality. On her channel you’ll find a wide variety of beauty/fashion/and lifestyle videos that you will replay over and over all winter long. So if you’re ready to meet you’re fav new YouTuber then keep reading. Ready? Ok, let’s go!
The first video that we’re going to talk about is Olivia’s ‘Whisper Challenge’ video, which was uploaded on January 18th, 2015 (you check out this video below). Now we know that we all still love The Whisper Challenge because it’s just so funny. Olivia’s sister Sixtine is also featured in this video, and together they make this video unbelievably funny. Even if you think that you’re tired of watching Whisper Challenge videos, you should check this video out because it will make you fall in love with this challenge all over again. Next up we have Olivia’s ‘My OTP + Losing a Toe + How I Started Modeling #ASKLIV’ video, which was uploaded on August 12th, 2015. This is a really interesting video that will help you not only learn about Olivia, but also learn how she became a model (who knows maybe you can use this video to launch your own career). I think that as YouTube viewers we love Q&A videos because they make us feel closer to our fav YouTuber stars and helps us see them as regular people, not just internet stars.
Next up we have Olivia’s ‘What’s On My IPhone 6s + How I Edit My Instagram Photos’ video, which was uploaded on November 7th, 2015 (you can check this video out below). If you have or are thinking of getting an IPhone, this is a great video to check out so you can discover new apps to fall in love with. Also, if you want to increases your Instagram likes then you can use the photo editing tips & tricks that Olivia mentions in this video (if you see her Instagram then you’ll know that she’s a pro at this!). The final video that we’re going to discuss is Olivia’s ‘What I Got For Christmas 2015’ video, which was uploaded on December 27th, 2015. If you’re looking to spend those Christmas gift cards or if you want to treat yourself to a late Christmas present then this video is a MUST SEE. In this video Olivia discusses a wide range of products so there’s guaranteed to be something (or many things that you’ll want to check out.
Keep up with everything Olivia is doing:
YouTube: Olivia Rouyre
Twitter: oliviarouyre
Instagram: oliviarouyre
Hello people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday; we are going to continue our Halloween series by talking about one of the most important parts of Halloween (no not the candy, although that is VERY important), we’re going to talk about Halloween costumes! We’re VERY close to October 31st, so if you don’t already have your Halloween costume ready then these videos will help you out. Most of the videos don’t involve too much extra work, except #1 which involves some sewing. So now let’s get to the costumes! Ready? Ok, let’s go!!!
3) The first video that we’re going to talk about is the ’30 Last-minute DIY Halloween Costume Ideas’ by CloeCouture, which was uploaded on October 25th, 2014. I really loved this video because it is such a cool and creative video. Most of the costumes are made up of stuff you can either buy or make easily, and there are so many costumes in the video that I’m sure you’ll find something that you’ll fall in love with. Whether you want your costume this year to look cute, unique, or you want to look like your favorite TV/movie/book character or pop culture figure, you’ll find the PERFECT costume for you. Also, the video is EXTREMELY entertaining to watch, so it’s definitely one you don’t want to miss!
2) Next up we have the ‘DIY Last Minute Easy & Cheap Halloween Costume Ideas for Teens’ by Alexa Mae video, which was uploaded on October 16th, 2015. Alexa is a YouTuber that we’ve spoken about before (you can check out that blog post here:YouTube Wednesday: Alexa Mae…the new YouTuber that you will spend your whole spring break obsessing over), and this video just continues to prove what an amazing guru she has become. In this video she shows us how to easily make 3 costumes that will be perfect for anyone who wants a unique/cute look this Halloween. My personal favorite is the popcorn costume, but they’re all AMAZING so definitely check this one out.
1) ‘DIY “THE DRESS”/DRESSGATE HALLOWEEN COSTUME’ by TheSorryGirls, which was uploaded on October 15th, 2015. Ok y’all it’s back, THE DRESS. You know the dress that divided the internet, and haunted our nightmares for weeks, yup that dress. As soon as I saw this video I knew that it had to make the list because this costume is just so amazing. It does require some sewing, but this costume is so worth it. If you want a super unique video that will give your friends a laugh this Halloween then definitely check out this video.
Hello people of the Internet! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’, we’re going to talk about fashion/beauty/DIY guru Stephanie Carina. This rising YouTube star is quickly winning the hearts of fans worldwide, and has gained a loyal following of 94,597 subscribers (or besties as she likes to call them), and 1,391,821 total channel views. I am really excited to feature Stephanie this week, because her videos are super addicting! Once you watch Stephanie’s videos, her fun and bubbly personality will instantly make you feel as if you’re talking to your best friend (and the best part is this best friend has the GREATEST fashion, beauty, & DIY tips!). So now let’s get to the fun part…the videos! Ready? Let’s go!!!
The first video that we’re going to talk about is Stephanie’s ‘DIY Pumpkin Spice Milkshake | Starbucks Inspired!’ video, which was uploaded on October 9th, 2014 (check out the video below). This is traditionally more of a fall treat, but who doesn’t love the idea of having Pumpkin Spice milkshakes all year long. Stephanie gives very detailed step by step instructions that make these milkshakes easy to prepare. These milkshakes are perfect for a party, or relaxing while you watch your fav YouTube videos, so you should definitely try them out! Next up we have Stephanie’s ‘How to Pack Healthy Lunches for School or Work! Quick & Easy!’ video, which was uploaded on November 15th, 2014. If you’re freaking out because you’ve waited until now to get in shape then don’t worry because Stephanie has you covered! The recipes in this video are easy/quick to make, and will give you a break from your typical lunch. This video also features really cute lunch boxes that are designed to help you correctly portion your food (you gotta love it when staying healthy is easy).
Now we’re going to talk about Stephanie’s ‘The Real Way to Fake Naturally Curly Hair WITHOUT HEAT!’ video, which was uploaded on March 26th, 2015. Ok let’s be real for a second. Spring/Summer is the perfect time to rock awesome curls, but it’s also the worst time of the year to use excessive heat on your hair. This videos shows you how to use an inexpensive product to make beautiful curls without any heat. It’s definitely worth checking out. The last video we’re going to discuss is Stephanie’s ‘Music Festival Inspired DIYs! Tumblr and Coachella Inspired!!!’ video, which was uploaded on April 12th, 2015. This is a MUST SEE video for all music festival junkies (or if you just like to look really cool). The various DIYs in this video are super easy to make, and look AMAZING! So check out the video below, and prepare to make all your friends jealous by how cool you look.
Keep up with everything Stephanie is doing:
YouTube: Stephanie Carina
Twitter: stephiecarina
Instagram: stephaniecarina
Hello people of the Internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’, we’re going to look at a rising YouTube star that you’ll instantly want to subscribe to. Clarissa May is a 15 year old beauty/fashion/DIY guru and dancer. Along with her beauty channel, she also has a dance channel called Live On Pointe, where she posts Q&As, tutorials, demonstrations, and a lots of other cool things related to dance (definitely check this channel out too). What I like most about Clarissa’s beauty/fashion channel, is that she really shows off her creativity with her channel, and constantly pushes the quality of her videos to higher and higher limits. So…now let’s get to the videos! Ready? Let’s go!!!
The first video we’re going to talk about is Clarissa’s ‘Get Ready With Me Photoshoot’, video which was uploaded on August 30th, 2014. I love how Clarissa explains her process step by step so it’s easy to replicate this look. This is a really good video to check out if you want to find a new look for any upcoming events such as graduation, or a party. Ok, the next video we’re going to talk about is Clarissa’s ‘DIY Starbucks Frappuccino Costume’, which was uploaded on October 26th, 2014 (you can check out the video below). I think y’all will really LOVE this video because it’s really creative and inexpensive to make. Another good thing about this costume idea is you can customize it to fit your individual style, and you can look cute for any selfies that the day brings (and if you take a selfie holding a Starbucks drink that’s the same as your costume then you can bring a new meaning to the #twinning!).
The next video we’re going to discuss is Clarissa’s ‘Silver Smokey Eye for Beginners’, which was uploaded on February 19th, 2015. Now if you’re like A LOT of us, we’ll, smokey eyes lead to issues. I mean what’s worse than spending all these time struggling to make your eyes look awesome and then someone asks “why do you have two black eyes” (#epicfail). The final video that we’re going to talk about is the Clarissa’s ‘Pinterest in Real Life’, which was uploaded on May 1st, 2015 (you can check out the video below). I thought that this was a fun change from the usual videos we discuss because it’s a really funny, comedic video. The video explains what happens sometimes, when we try and fail to mimic stuff we see on Pinterest. It’s a really funny video that’s honestly not only hilarious, but so relatable.
Keep up with everything Clarissa is doing:
YouTube:clarissamay09
Twitter:Clarissa May (@clarissa_may_) | Twitter
Instagram:Clarissa May (@clarissamay_) • Instagram
Tumblr:Clarissa May
Facebook:Live On Pointe | Facebook
Hello people of the Internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’, we are going to talk about director/music producer Kurt Hugo Schneider! Kurt is one of the AMAZING YouTube producers that has worked with so many of our fav musicians (both YouTubers and mainstream musicians). I guarantee that you’re VERY familiar with Kurt already, but just in case you’re new to his awesomeness, Ready? Ok let’s go!
Kurt began his online career in 2008, when he and his friend Sam Tsui released a cover of ‘Can I Have This Dance’ from the movie ‘High School Musical 3’ (this is the first video that is on their YouTube channel as of 3/31/2015). In this video, Kurt accompanies Sam on the piano, and also added cool effects on the video that make it look like multiple copies of Sam are singing at the same time. Kurt continued to post videos with Sam, with other people, and also solo, before he posted a cover that would begin to change his channel. On July 24th, 2009 Kurt uploaded a new cover with Sam Tsui, which was an a cappella Michael Jackson Medley, which features Kurt beatboxing (I included the video below so y’all can check it out). This video got a lot of media attention for Kurt & Sam, and is still one of their most popular videos with over 33 million total views. In 2009 & 2010, Kurt’s channel started growing so much that he & Sam were featured on: The Bonnie Hunt Show, Oprah, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Since then Kurt’s channel has definitely not slowed down, & he has worked with INCREDIBLE artists such as: Jason Derulo, Victoria Justice, Max Schneider (who we have already talked about, click here to read about him: ‘YouTube Wednesday’: Max Schneider, Hollywood’s longest kept secret | celindareyesblog), Alyson Stoner, Keke Palmer, Hunter Hayes, Jason Mraz, and so many more. Now that we know how Kurt built such an awesome channel, let’s move on to some of the bigger projects he has released.
Now let’s talk about some of the other amazing projects Kurt has been a part of (and remember guys that I’m just giving you a quick little highlight reel because honestly we could be here for days talking about why Kurt is so awesome). Kurt (along with Max Schneider) co-wrote the song ‘Standing In China’, which is on pop singer Cody Simpson’s album ‘Paradise’ (which was released in 2012). Another really awesome collaboration that Kurt did was a ‘Holiday Medley’ with Victoria Justice & Max Schneider which was uploaded on December 14th, 2012. This cool mash-up of popular Christmas songs features multiple videos that were played on multiple Sprint phones, that give the illusion that the vocalists in the videos are jumping from one phone to another phone (sorta hard to explain, but check out the video below to check out the greatness! In 2013, Kurt teamed up with Coca-Cola to create music videos (along with some really talented vocalists) where Kurt covered ‘Feel So Close’ by Calvin Harris & ‘Little Talks’ by Of Monsters and Men (this is the only cover that feature an instrument because the other artist in the video is a cellist) for their ‘The Sounds of AHH’ campaign. In the covers, Kurt is shown making the track playing only Coca-Cola bottles, glasses and cans. Like I said, this is only a small sample of the cool videos you’ll find on Kurt’s channel, so definitely add him to your “must watch” list!
YouTube: KurtHugoSchneider
2nd YouTube Channel: Kurt
Twitter: kurthschneider
Instagram: KurtSchneider
Website: Kurt Hugo Schneider
Facebook: Kurt Schneider | Facebook
Hello people of the Internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’ we are going to talk about your soon to be newest YouTube obsession, SouthernBelle606 (aka Meredith), a 17 year old beauty/fashion guru from Alabama. Her fun, outgoing personality will make you completely addicted to her videos, and you can always count on her to have the best fashion/beauty tips & tricks. So if you’re ready to learn about another YouTuber that you will spend all your free time watching, let’s jump into the blog post!
The first video that we’re going to talk about is Meredith’s ‘Get Ready with Me: A Day of Summer Vacation + My First Video’, which was uploaded on June 13th, 2013. I thought that this was such a fun video to talk about because it really shows just how much Meredith has grown as an entertainer. In this first video Meredith is a little shy, but we still get glimpses of the fun personality that keeps her viewers coming back. This video also shows that Meredith is very knowledgeable about beauty & fashion, which also makes you want to continue to watch her future videos. The next video that we’re going to watch is Meredith’s ‘Transitions Your Outfits: Winter to spring’ video, which was uploaded on March 8th, 2014 (you can check out the video below). This is a really awesome video to check out because even though we are in spring, it can still get a little chilly in some areas. There were so many cute outfit ideas in this video that can work for school or hanging out with friends/family.
The next video we’re going to talk about is Meredith’s ‘My Everyday 5-Minute Curls’ video, which was uploaded on January 9th, 2015. I just HAD to share this video with y’all because her curling method is so cool and easy to replicate. For those of us who are lazy (me!), and/or like to get that extra few minutes of sleep (also me!), this video shows you how to get cute curls quickly. Definitely a method you will want to add in your morning routine! The final video that we’re going to talk about is Meredith’s ‘Huge Spring Haul: BeautyCon, Lilly, F21, and More!’ video, which was uploaded on March 23rd, 2015 (you can check out this video below). Y’all know that we all love haul videos because you get the thrill of shopping for cute stuff without actually having to spend money (so everybody wins!). Once you watch this video you’ll fall even more in love with Meredith’s AMAZING style. Also, her bubbly, relatable personality will keep you anxiously waiting for her next video.
Keep up with everything Meredith is doing:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/southernbelle606/feed
Twitter: https://twitter.com/southernbellex6
Instagram: https://instagram.com/southernbelle606/
Tumblr: http://owlalwaysloveya.tumblr.com/
Hey people of the internet!!! On today’s ‘YouTube Wednesday’ blog post, we are going to talk about rising YouTube music superstar Mackenzie Johnson. Mackenzie is a 21 year old singer/songwriter from Philadelphia, PA that you will become OBSESSED with. She is not only a talented vocalist and guitarist, but also has the unique ability to make you fall in love with her music instantly. I have honestly spent the last few days listening to all of her covers and original music on repeat, and am so excited to share her channel with y’all. So please read on to discover your new favorite artist!
The first cover that we’re going to talk about is Mackenzie’s rendition of Skyscraper by Demi Lovato, which was uploaded on August 14th, 2011 (here’s the link Skyscraper – Demi Lovato Cover). I really love that this was one of Mackenzie’s first covers, because it really showed off her talent, showmanship, and level of artistry. Through this cover we got to learn that Mackenzie has an INCREDIBLE voice and can sing live while accompanying herself on the guitar. It’s hard enough to sing as well as Mackenzie does, and then when you add in the fact that she has to divide her mind between her voice and the guitar, it’s just becomes crazy that one person can be so talented. Another thing that I find important for musicians, who post covers on YouTube, is that they need to be able to find the right balance between not copying the original artist 100%, and maintaining what fans love about the original version of the song. Mackenzie is able to make her covers unique, and her natural ability to keep your attention throughout the song, proves that she has the ability to be a competitive artist in the music industry. The next cover that we’re going to talk about is Mackenzie’s cover of TLC’s hit song No Scrubs (here’s the link: No Scrubs – TLC Cover), which was uploaded on November 22nd, 2013. I really loved that she did a cover of this song, because it was a fun change from some of the other covers that she had uploaded at that point. I think that this cover really shows another layer of Mackenzie’s artistry, and proves that she can sing just about anything. I also loved that we got to really see her skills as a rapper in a song that is not easy for one person to cover. If you think about it, TLC was made up of 3 incredibly talented women who each used their individual skills to make magic, so it’s really awesome to see 1 person take on all 3 parts and do really well. I just fell completely in love with this cover. The final cover that we’re going to discuss is Mackenzie’s rendition of Fallin’ by Alicia Keys (here’s the link: Fallin’ – Alicia Keys Cover), which was uploaded on January 12th, 2015. This has to be one of my favorite covers that Mackenzie has done (which is saying a lot because I am ADDICTED to her channel). I really love that we’re able to truly see the just how well Mackenzie is able to control her pitch and still slay those big notes that have made this song a fan favorite. This is a very unforgiving song that not everyone can cover, so I was seriously impressed when I heard this cover. This was the first video that I saw on Mackenzie’s channel, and it instantly drew me in and made me want to hear more from her. I promise that once you heard this cover, you will not be able to turn away.
The first original song that Mackenzie uploaded on YouTube was entitled The Way We Love, and was uploaded on October 24th, 2011. Mackenzie says in the beginning of the video that this song is about a cute relationship that her friend was in. I love this song because it’s so sweet and has a very classic Taylor Swift vibe to it. This song honestly makes you feel like you’re in a Nicholas Sparks movie, and is just so amazing you will find yourself listening to it every day. I thought that this was a very good choice as Mackenzie’s debut original song in YouTube. It is also the perfect song for right now since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. The other Mackenzie original that we’re going to talk about is her song What I Want, which was uploaded on December 1st, 2014. This song has a really cool Jason Mraz meets Ed Sheeran feel to it that would definitely be a radio favorite. I also love that this song tells a really awesome story about a person who has been torn down by others so much that the person has always felt like they shouldn’t follow their dreams, but is now realizing that life is too short for fear. This is definitely a song that I think we can all relate to.
Keep up with everything Mackenzie is doing:
YouTube: Mackenzie Johnson
Twitter: Mackenzie Johnson (@KenzieMusic26) | Twitter
Instagram: Mackenzie Johnson (@mackenziemusic)