Beguile Thy Sorrow...

life interrupted...

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

Due to a death in the family I won't be blogging much (if at all) this November. This month has been rough and it seems to just be snowballing into emotionally overwhelming as the holidays are near.

So for La Toussaint & Dia de los Muertos I leave a chrysanthemum and a marigold in honor of loved ones gone from this life. Hopefully I really can once again beguile my sorrow with books in the future, but until then...well, that's all for now.

chrysanthème

cempasúchitl

eBook Freebies =)

2011-10-07T22:12:00.000-05:00

You can get Scepter of the Ancients :Skulduggery Pleasant Series #1

(Previously published as Skulduggery Pleasant) FREE for both Nook and Kindle!

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant

Ace Detective

Snappy Dresser

Razor-tongued Wit

Crackerjack

Sorcerer

and

Walking, Talking, Fire-throwing Skeleton -— as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old.

These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil.

The end of the world?

Over his dead body.

summary via goodreads.com

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

2011-10-07T00:19:00.000-05:00

Title: Anna and the French Kiss

Author(s): Stephanie Perkins

Reading Level/Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary

Hardcover:372 pages

ISBN: 0525423273

Publisher: Dutton Books (December 2, 2010)

Well, I don't even know what to say about this one because it I rarely talk about books that I didn't enjoy. However, so many people loved Anna and the French Kiss while I had such a strong dislike that I feel like I should explain why it didn't work for me.

But be warned, this has spoilers so do not read on if you don't like spoilers of any kind

*spoiler alert!!

Basically I didn't like the cheating that the two main characters do and how it was handled. And before someone tries to say "but wait, they didn't cheat!" read the book again. Because Etienne even admits to cheating on page 363 (in hardcover edition).

Etienne: "I'm saying I'm in love with you! I've been in love with you this whole bleeding year!"

Anna: My mind spins. "But Ellie-"

Etienne: "I cheated on her every day. In my mind, I thought of you in ways I shouldn't have, again and again. She was nothing compared to you. I've never felt this way about anybody before-"

And although he only admits to the emotional cheating and denies "actual cheating" in that same conversation, he does pursue Anna, flirtatiously touch her, and even spent several nights sleeping in same bed with her (though they do not have sexual contact) while still in the relationship with his long-term girlfriend Ellie. This kind of intimacy and emotional cheating just threw me completely! I didn't like that the storyline seemed to try and make all of it okay, or that major distress in life like a family member with cancer made Etienne's indiscretions logical or understandable.

I was kind of okay with the character of Anna because she at least tries to do the right thing, but even so it wasn't enough for me to be okay with the story. I hated Etienne for his leading on of girls! He leads on not only Anna, but also his long term girlfriend who he cheats on emotionally and physically (kissing Anna, sleeping in her room, flirty touches in movie theater etc), and also leads on a friend named Meredith with a crush on him!

As pointed out in excerpt below by Rashmi(page 315 hardcover) :

Anna: "I wasn't thinking, it just happened. I've ruined everything.

She hates me. Etienne hates me!"

Josh: "St. Clair definitely doesn't hate you," Josh says.

Rashmi: "Though if I were Mer, I'd hate him." Rashmi scowls. "He's been leading her on for way too long."

Josh is indignant. "He's never once given her the impression that he liked her more than a friend."

Rashmi: "Yeah but he's never discouraged her!"

Josh: "He's been dating Ellie for a year and a half. You'd think that'd be discouragement enough-oh. Sorry, Anna."

Anna: I sob harder.

I just could not get past all of these infidelities that happen repeatedly because of Etienne. And in my opinion, cheating is cheating no matter if it's emotional or physical in form. So yeah, I think he's a douche LOL

But I do also want to share what I did like about the book: I loved the details of Paris and SOAP, which is the school they attend there. The atmosphere and little details of French life for an American were fun to read about, and I enjoyed Anna's descriptions of how she navigated the new school and then a new and foreign city. And I liked that she was self-aware enough to know that her problems (of having to go to boarding school in Paris and liking an unavailable boy) were not on the same scale as others but also was still able to recognize and feel her feelings of loneliness and deal with them.

Overall, while I didn't like the book, I know a lot of others will and I hope that you'll check it out and decide for yourself if you think Etienne is swoon-worthy or not. And I'm actually looking forward to giving Lola and the Boy Next Door a try. I'm curious to see what happens there and if Stephanie is one of those hit and miss authors for me.

To Steve:

2011-10-05T23:03:00.000-05:00

The first personal computer I ever touched was a Mac. I used to love playing Oregon Trail, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, and Kid Pix on it. When I got to college I bought myself a Mac of my very own, one that I had coveted and saved up for over a year. It was a Mac G4 and I still have it because when everyone else seemed to continually need to replace their PCs after just a couple years to keep up with technology my trusty G4 updated on it's own and didn't need an OS update till after 7 years! My only other computer purchase is this Macbook Pro that I'm now typing on.

Steve Jobs was one of the most innovative visionaries of our time. He made Apple, Pixar, and the iPhone/iPod possible, and completely changed the way we interact in the world. His contributions to computers and technology have been and no doubt continue to be a major influence. In his commencement address to a graduating class at Stanford University he said, "Your time is limited..don’t waste it living someone else’s life" and "death is life's change agent..."

It's true. Death and the circle of life are the strongest and most constant agents of change that we all face. Life is short but if we find our passion, follow our hearts, and keep true to ourselves we can have an impact on the world.

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs. What a difference you made.

And the "All These Things I've Done" Winner is...

2011-10-04T07:36:00.000-05:00

Vivien!

I'm emailing you now, congratz:)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

2011-09-29T18:31:00.002-05:00

We're smack in the middle of Banned Books Week Sept 24 - Oct 1 2011, and I'm thrilled that one of my all-time favorite YA novels (which often gets challenged for sexuality and profane language) is being made into a film.

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author(s): Stephen Chbosky

Reading Level/Genre: Young Adult

Paperback:213 pages

ISBN: 9780671027346

Publisher: MTV Books (February 1, 1999)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is probably one of the few books I read that was actually in the YA genre when I was a teen. It's in the format of letters written to a friend from the main character Charlie. As he deals with high school & life in general, he touches you to the bone with his descriptions and explanations of his innermost thoughts and feelings. There are perks to being a wallflower, as Charlie most certainly is, but participation has its infinite possibilities too. I loved it even though its intimacy made me freak out a little, withdrawal, and fear. I "feel infinite" when i think about it:) What "banned books" have made an impact on you?

Amazon and OverDrive Roll Out Kindle Books to Libraries

2011-09-21T17:14:00.000-05:00

Amazon and OverDrive Roll Out Kindle Books to Libraries

A Fascinating Oral History: Jacqueline Kennedy In Her Own Words

2011-09-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

Today on Hulu I watched the ABC Special with Diane Sawyer about the oral history and subsequent book, Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy.
It was completely fascinating to me! I never had any real impression of her at all before, other than as a fashionable first lady. But this interview is so revealing about her personality, her feelings, and how smart she really was...you've gotta watch it if you like history and biographies.

Her understanding of history and what it would take to preserve those moments in time that she witnessed just blows me away. Especially when you consider the fact that she does these interviews just months after the tragic assassination of her husband. I can't imagine what it took for her to be able to do that under such incomprehensible hardship and loss. I always admired her presence of mind to look back to history and take note of Lincoln's funeral and proceedings for President Kennedy's own arrangements. And now after seeing the tv special I look forward to reading the book of the full interviews and learning more about her. I never realized how much of a reader she was, and how her translations and readings of various history books were so primary to her relationship with Jack, nor did I ever know how shy and private a person she had been. It's making her a very easy historical figure to relate to, and now I'm curious to learn more.

The documentary and book The Fog of War were awesome looks into the period as well, so I highly recommend them if you're interested.

At the very least watch the doc, because Robert McNamara is completely engaging and the Errol Morris film actually won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Feature-Length documentary.

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin (and Giveaway!)

2011-09-14T00:32:00.001-05:00

Title: All These Things I've Done

Author(s): Gabrielle Zevin

Reading Level/Genre: Young Adult

Hardcover:368 pages

ISBN: 9780374302108

Publisher: Farrar,Straus and Giroux (September 6, 2011)

This is an AMAZING book! At first it was simply very strange, and when I read Anya’s words as she narrates her story I thought to myself, “hmmmm....I don’t know if I can believe these are the thoughts of a 16 year old”. Then you realize she has internalized everything her deceased father ever told her and that she draws comfort from his adages and parrots them even if she doesn't fully understand them yet. It's her trust in her father's love and past guidance that she leans on for support. We see her repeatedly quote him and return again and again to his words to her, no matter how small the advice. The problem is her father was a crime boss and his death has left Anya and her siblings in a precarious situation because of illegal chocolate connections. Chocolate is an illegal substance in 2083! (It's not so crazy/impossible if you think about it lol)

Being so astute and practical, Anya thinks she has little use for typical teen luxuries like romance, dances, or even hobbies. Her free time is instead spent looking after her dying grandmother, her handicapped older brother and her younger sister. She puts all her effort and energy into making sure they are able to stay a family and not separated by child services. What’s interesting is how the book takes place in a future time of 2083 and yet its problems are both contemporary and reminiscent of our history at the same time;the illegal status and bootlegging of chocolate have the vintage feel of the 20s and Prohibition era times.

Anya does well keeping her head above water and in keeping her family’s survival stable until the most unexpected happens: she falls in love. And not just with any boy, but with the D.A.'s son. He makes her feel what she never let herself feel before and this scares her like nothing else. Why? Because Anya needs always to have a clear head if she is to survive. But love is not logical and that is how her story turns even more interesting.

I didn't know what this book was about when I started it but I loved it and very much looking forward to next in the series! So to spread the word I'm giving away my ARC. All you have to do to enter is click the link and fill out the form.

Enter Giveaway Here

Contest ends October 1st, 2011. Winner will be notified by email and posted here on blog, and must respond within 48 hours or new winner will be chosen. Open to everyone. Winner will be picked randomly.

Special Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group at ALA for the opportunity to receive and read the ARC, and even had fresh coffee and chocolate for us:)

Hunger Games Teaser Makes Debut

2011-08-29T15:20:00.000-05:00

So last night on the MTV VMAs the trailer for The Hunger Games was premiered!

If you haven't seen it, here it is:

Hunger Games Teaser Makes Debut

Eddie Vedder's Ukulele Songs

2011-08-25T01:36:00.002-05:00

I recently heard Eddie Vedder's performance of Without You on Letterman and the sweet sound of it prompted me to download Ukulele Songs.
I'm smitten with the lullaby feel this album has!
I never did really listen to Pearl Jam but this is completely different sound; his voice is soothing and lyrical in this, and its hauntingly beautiful melodies are what's sticking with me lately. Especially the little duet You Belong to Me :)

Rogue by Rachel Vincent (Shifters #2)

2011-08-22T23:36:00.001-05:00

Title: Rogue (Shifters, book 2)

Author(s): Rachel Vincent

Reading Level/Genre: Fiction -Paranormal

Paperback:400 pages

ISBN: 9780778329145

Publisher: Mira (February 1, 2010)

Ms Vincent, I am an idiot! LOL I almost didn't see how fantastic and awesome your Shifters series is and that would have sucKed!! Thank goodness there are other readers and bloggers out there that saved me from doing that because I am well and truly hooked on your books now:D I just finished reading Rogue and by the time I was on chapter 5 I was wondering how I ever felt so "meh" about Faythe, Marc, and all the other Pride peeps.

Faythe has won me over and I guess because I started out as not a fan, I love her that much more now that her story has drawn me in so deep. I find her relationship with her father and mother so interesting to watch as she works at building autonomy while balancing it with interdependance necessary for a shifter in a pack. It's something that definitely affects her fear of commitment to Marc too. I love Marc but just when I feel like Faythe is being dumb for not committing to him he does something over-the-top that makes me say, "well damn Faythe, you are right".

Then there's the details of the series itself: when I read book 1 I didn't expect some of the smallest details to turn into important leads in this book. I've been so used to the routine of reading series that I thought I pretty much knew exactly what was coming but Rogue did a great job of surprising me with a couple things and I liked that. Now I can't wait to read book 3 but since I'm short on cash I have to suffer and wait my turn for it through the library! lol

•¸¸.•¨•☆ •¸¸.•¨•☆wishlist 08•20•2011

2011-08-20T01:28:00.001-05:00

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where we list all the books we desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here.

Reading level/Genre: Biography-Humor

Hardcover: 277 pages

Publisher: Reagan Arthur/Little, Brown and Company;

(April 5, 2011)

Summary (via goodreads):

In her acceptance speech for Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Tina Fey announced that she was proud to make her home in "the 'not-real America'." It is perhaps that healthy sense of incongruity that makes the head writer, executive producer, and star of NBC's Emmy Award-winning 30 Rock such a cogent observer of the contemporary scene. Bossypants, her entertaining new memoir, shows that strangeness has been her constant companion. Fey's stories about her childhood in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania are only appetizers for LOL forays into her college disasters, honeymoon catastrophes, and Saturday Night Live shenanigans. Most funny read of the month; the best possible weekend update.

I think Tina Fey is one genius of a comedian and I've been meaning to get her book, Bossypants. I love her SNL skits and even her interviews are funny. I especially like when she collaborates with Amy Poehler:)

Reading level/Genre: YA - Horror

Hardcover: 277 pages

Publisher: Quirk Publishing - June 7, 2011

Summary (via goodreads):

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Author Danny Marks sold me on this one, after talking about how creepy and awesome weird this book by Ransom Riggs is. Ransom Riggs is the same guy who posted this popular Youtube short and also the guy that did the book trailer for Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (which I loved!) a couple years ago. Here's the vid for Miss Peregrine's: http://youtu.be/XWrNyVhSJUU

Gah! no matter what I do I cant friggin' get this thing to embed so it's just the link, sorry.
Blogger has been weird ever since it changed a couple weeks ago :-/

Stray by Rachel Vincent

2011-08-19T04:33:00.002-05:00

Title: Stray (Shifters, book 1)

Author(s): Rachel Vincent

Reading Level/Genre: Fiction -Paranormal

Paperback:400 pages

ISBN: 9780778329077

Publisher: Mira (April 1, 2010)

When I started this book it took me quite a while to really get into it. A lot of that had to do with the main character, Faythe Sanders. Faythe is a grad student in a Texas college with no desire to deal with her werecat family.

Tired of familial obligations and lack of privacy, she does everything she can think of to put off the inevitable issues having such a background entails. But in trying to do so she can be really immature, spoiled, and in many scenes downright unlikeable. I found Faythe's attitude to be a turnoff in the beginning but other characters (like her brothers and extended family) kept me fascinated.
I also didn't want to stop reading because so many people have sworn this series gets so much better as it goes on. Once I got toward the end of this book I started to believe them too. I began to really enjoy the journey and understand the trials Faythe endures, and how they change her. There's some good action, interesting plot twists, and a romantic lead that really grabbed my interest enough to make me want to continue the series and grab book 2.

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenges #4

2011-08-11T06:54:00.001-05:00

Mini Challenge #4:

Well challenge numero quattro is to work on updating review lists.

Um...how bout I didn't even know what a review list is! LOL ::blushes::

If I've got it right though it's basically a page listing all the reviews you've done. Usually they seem to be organized by titles in alphabetical order. I've gotta be honest, I'm not too keen on creating one. It's a lot of work to do and there's no way I'd get it done within the week that this challenge consists of since I'd be creating it completely seeing as I've never had one:P So this is a "skip" for me right now.

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenges #3

2011-08-11T06:39:00.002-05:00

Mini Challenge #3:
So I thought about how I could work on setting up future review posts and realized I had a ton of picture books that I read recently and really liked but hadn't even so much as "starred" them on goodreads. I used one to try out a basic review here yesterday, and figure it might be nice to post about the others too. I've set those up and they will be coming soon here and there between other posts.

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton

2011-08-10T23:14:00.002-05:00

Title: Shark vs. Train

Author(s): Chris Barton, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Reading Level/Genre: Children's Picturebook

Hardcover:40 pages

ISBN: 9780316007627

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers(April 1, 2010)

A while back I was lucky enough to attend an event here in town where the author read the book, talked about the creation process, and even shared some of the rejected illustrations. It was a funny story and I have to say I loved it! It's totally the kind of book I would have begged to have read to me over and over as a small child. For some reason I've always loved trains and to read about one that competes with a shark just makes good kid sense,LOL.

Basically two boys pick toys to play with: one picks a shark and one picks a train. And of course, being little boys, the ordinary act becomes a competition to see who is better. Is it Shark or is it Train?

Train can win a lemonade sale. But Shark can get the most Halloween candy. Both can do some things the other can't, and both can't do some things very well that the other can. But the fun is the challenge, and in imagining all the silly ways a shark and a train can compete with each other. They learn that while everybody has their strengths and their weaknesses, it matters what you make of it. It's a great book, especially for boys!

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenge #2

2011-08-08T02:23:00.001-05:00

Cross-posting Your Reviews

Thanks to Kristen and Kate at The Book Monsters for hosting this Review-a-thon Challenge! You can participate even if you don't blog but review books on a social network like goodreads, so check it out:)

Challenge #2 is to catch up on cross-posting your reviews on all the various reader social networks and sites like goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing, etc.

Luckily this is not something I am behind on. Last summer I made the effort to get all my social book networks synched up and have been on the ball!

Actually there is one exception: Amazon. Unless you received an advance copy of the book through their Amazon Vine™ review program, no one can post a review on the site for a book until after it's release. So for any of the ARCs I've read and reviewed I have yet to post those on Amazon for that reason.

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenge #1

2011-08-08T00:10:00.018-05:00

Rethinking Your Review Format

Thanks to Kristen and Kate at The Book Monsters for hosting this Review-a-thon Challenge! It came at a good time for me, so I've been inspired to tweak here and there on my blog. You can participate even if you don't blog but review books on a social network like goodreads, so check it out:)

1. Are you happy with your review format currently?
Pretty much.
I sometimeswish I could just do a brief opinion post with a quick # rating like I dosometimes on goodreads, but I feel like that would be too flimsy for a blog post...though it'spossible I might try something like that with tumbler someday. I find the brevity of tumbler very appealing.

2. Scrutinize it a little more, maybe compare it to other blogs you like, anything you think you might change?
Like you guys mentioned, I've always liked the idea of adding quotes or passages to the reviews too. Many times I've wanted to showcase a favorite part, or hook other readers to a book I adored with a great line from it, but I've been reticent to do so because I'm not sure of the rules. I think I heard somewhere that due to copyright you could only post a certain percentage of the book total or have some kind of permission from the publisher or something? Anyone know?

3. Implement some basic changes and tell us what you think. Or, you can tell us one or two aspects of your reviews that you like.

The major thing I've always focused on in my reviews is no spoilers. I HATE spoilers. So I try to write the kind of reviews I myself would like to read: brief and to the point, highlighting what it's about without giving away the whole story, and doing it only for books I enjoyed. Or if I didn't really like them but I felt it was still worth reading, or that it was a book that needed discussion by virtue of its theme or something, then I might post something, but otherwise it'd be a waste of my time to give any more focus to something I absolutely disliked. I generally just keep it simple and mark a 1-star rating on goodreads and move on for those.

The main change so far is adding the thank you line when I've received a review copy from NetGalley, GalleyGrab, or the publisher/author directly. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that I could do this before! ::smacks head:: But I like being able to show that simple thanks, because I really appreciate their effort. If I bought it myself or checked it out from the library I don't see any reason to add that so I probably won't. Hmmm....actually, that's how it started that it never occurred to me to include a line of thanks previously because all the books I reviewed when I began blogging were purchases and library books only. Wow, I figured it out lol

ASHFALL by Mike Mullin!

2011-08-07T03:04:00.002-05:00

Title: Ashfall

Author(s): Mike Mullin

Reading Level/Genre: Young Adult - Science Fiction/Fantasy

Hardcover: 466 pages

ISBN: 9781933718552

Publisher: Tanglewood Press (October 11, 2011)

Ashfall is hands-down the best book I’ve read this summer. I’m a fan of dystopian YA and love it when one of them really pulls me into the story so far that I can’t think of anything else. From the very first paragraph, I made an instant emotional connection as Alex (the main character) explains how he can recall exactly where he was and what he was doing “that Friday” in just the same way his parent’s recall 9/11. From that moment the book grabbed me by the gizzard and didn’t let go!

What first drew me to the story was that the natural disaster that causes the calamity is something entirely possible: an eruption of the underlying supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park. I’ve seen the Discovery Channel and History Channel supervolcano programs and frankly, they scared the tar outta me! So of course I couldn’t get enough of the intense details that Mike Mullin wove into Ashfall. And he doesn’t disappoint.

Alex is fifteen and home alone in Cedar Falls, Iowa for the weekend while his parents and younger sister visit his uncle’s farm in the next town of Warren, Illinois. His world turns upside down in a matter of minutes when it happens and though his town is more than 1100 miles away, the effects of the eruption are so catastrophic that he is forced to deal with nightmarish conditions while journeying to get to his family. Along the way he meets Darla, and together they work toward survival and the safety of friends and family. But their trudge through ashfallen Iowa is insane! With lots of action, scary but truly possible scenarios, and realistic relationships, Ashfall is a one kick-ass dystopian YA book!

You’ll definitely wanna buy/preorder this one. Go to http://www.mikemullinauthor.com/ to read the first chapters on Mike’s website:D

Special Thanks to NetGalley and Tanglewood Press for the opportunity to read the eARC

Kindlegraph! The Ebook Autograph

2011-08-03T07:31:00.000-05:00

So last week I was reading Karen Ranney's newsletter and she had one of the best things I've seen yet! I haven't seen anything like it for nook, but basically kindle has come up with a way for all of us peeps who buy ebooks to still have an author's signature/personalization.

I don't know about y'all but I ♥ this! Especially since I live in a tiny apartment and move a lot. It's made me give away all my paperbacks and mass markets little by little as I slowly replace them with e-copies. Moving with a ton of books in hardcopy is a b*tch, lemme tell you.

I hope to see how nook and kobo work this in too, seeing as how I have a nook. Has anyone tried it and had an author sign their kindle copy via kindlegraph? I'd love to know how it looks for ya.

Book Candy

2011-08-02T17:40:00.001-05:00

Book Candy: The Littlest Library, BookBook for iPhone
via Shelf Awareness

How Cute is This?!

Palo Alto: Stories by James Franco

2011-07-31T00:13:00.001-05:00

Title: Palo Alto: Stories

Author(s): James Franco

Reading Level/Genre: Fiction - Short Stories

Hardcover: 208 pages

ISBN: 9781439163146

Publisher: Scribner (October 19, 2010)

Well, he's got a crazy side to him that's for sure!

His crazy characters made me think more than once to myself about his past, lol!

Though I didn't find it to be a "great work", it was definitely a really good first book, worth the read and interesting right from the start.

Which in itself is a major accomplishment since so many writers are boring in their intros.

It's actually pretty typical of contemporary literary short fic, so I think that a lot of the reviewers and people hating it are probably readers not familiar with the already weird genre. At least for me it's a weird and cumbersome genre, with strange rhythms and odd ways of coming to endings.

But Palo Alto drew me in with its erratic, lost teen characters, nimble prose, and threads of symbiotic emotion throughout the collection. And as short stories (of which I'm not particularly fond) go, this collection was a good read.

It has a definite cadence to it and though I think that the writer's "voice" is still very much in process of really solidifying, the actual book is cohesive and works as a unit. Overall the interesting-ness of the whole makes up for the weakness of any of the stories on their own. The violence, graphic language, and sex all play a part in the characters' experiences and motivations but it was still not pleasant reading so to speak. Though I still wouldn't call it dark; it's too apparent that the characters are in a mainly affluent suburban environment regardless of their struggles. But that doesn't invalidate the stories, just makes for the baffling nature of teenage nihilism.

Divergent Winner! and where I've been...

2011-07-17T17:23:00.002-05:00

I'm overdue on posting the winner of Divergent arc so before I do anything else, let me announce the person who will finally be receiving it:

Susan!

(email begins with "oneof...")

Congratz Susan, I'll be emailing you shortly:)

I apologize for being incommunicado; life has just really sucked recently. I've been having issues with my kidneys since the end of June. If you've ever wondered about my blog title, getting sick is one of those sorrows I try to pacify with reading. When you're laid up in bed reading can become a natural hobby, and tv and blogging tend to follow too. But sometimes illness can be so draining and painful that I don't have the energy to get online or even read :-/ I confess that there was, however, time spent crying lol. Luckily I'm doing better even if I'm not 100%. In any case, I might be a little less active here for a while but I'm here. And I'll try and do a better job of not geting too behind :)

Giveaway: ARC of Divergent by Veronica Roth

2011-06-10T17:59:00.000-05:00

I have an ARC of Divergent for giveaway! The book has already released of course, but if you'd like it you can enter. All you have to do is fill out the form.
Contest ends June 30th, 2011 and will mail it the first week of July. Unfortunately I cannot afford international mailings at this time, but plan to have an international open giveaway next month to make up for it:)

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Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young

2011-06-01T17:04:00.002-05:00

Title: Blood Red Road

(Dustlands #1)

Author(s): Moira Young

Reading Level/Genre: YA Dystopic

Hardcover: 464 pages

ISBN: 9781442429987

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (June 7th 2011)

This title was one I'd posted on a wishlist and so I was thrilled when I had the chance to read it through Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab program. It's about a girl named Saba and her determination to find her best friend and twin brother, Lugh, after he's been mysteriously stolen away from their home by a strange a brutal group of men.

The reading was hard going at first because of it being written in dialect and the words spelled in ungrammatical phonetics, but after about page 50 or 60 I got into it.
And that's when I really began to fall into Saba's world. So give it a chance for the rhythm of the book to get going and to get comfortable with the speech.

Saba is an 18 year old with a twin brother and 9 year old sister. They live in a remote, dried up place with their father and their existence is harsh. But it's about to get much worse of course, and that's where the journey begins. Though the book is reminiscent of Hunger Games in its dystopic-ness, strong female lead, and never shying away from violence, it is also VERY much its OWN STORY.
And what a story it is! I swear, at first I didn't much care for Saba and her immaturity and coldness but she really did grow on me as her journey changes and affects her in ways she couldn't have expected.

And Saba does grow and so do her relationships and trust in people overall. This is book one in the series but it had an ending that left you wanting more without feeling cheated too! I'll definitely be getting myself the Dustlands series.

Special Thanks to GalleyGrab/Simon &Schuster for the opportunity to read the eARC.

LOTHAIRE By Kresley Cole Cover Reveal!

2011-05-24T00:44:00.000-05:00

Today, 5/24, at 9:00am Kresley Cole will host an exclusive reveal on her Facebook page:D

Like Kresley Cole’s official fan page to get the first look at the cover for LOTHAIRE!

LOTHAIRE

By Kresley Cole

On sale: 1/10/12

Gallery Books Hardcover

$25.00

Sweet Treats I've EnjOyed of Late:)

2011-05-23T15:51:00.000-05:00

The spring semester is finally over for me! And that means I'll have a break to read to my heart's content before summer semester begins and swamps me all over again with textbooks and homework :-s

Blogging has been almost impossible since I moved recently (again) and that's been throwing all my things into new places that I still have trouble locating. Plus Blogger was acting crazy and not letting me post, or erasing them when I tried till just a couple days ago. So suffice it to say things have been stressful but I did manage to read several books amidst all the craziness and also enjoy a few other treats along the way too.

First up, The Vampire Diaries. I hadn't cared for the books but I did see the pilot when it premiered. I wasn't into it though and after the second episode fell flat for me as well, I stopped watching altogether. Then my friend Maria insisted it was actually a great show and that I should watch the entire 1st season. So when I was home sick awhile back I watched all of Season 1 and I really liked it!!

It took the first disc for me to get drawn in but once Damon (played by Ian Somerhalder) became a consistent character I was hooked. He somehow makes me root for him even though he's kind of insane, lol.

My next indulgence was Showtime's Nurse Jackie. I was able to watch Season 1&2 and gotta say, it's my new favorite so far! Especially Season 1, because it has Mo-Mo de la Cruz! I'm so pissed that he didn't come back in the second one:(

But Akalitus is hilarious and the dark comedy is awesome goodness that will make you just as addicted as the lovely Jackie Peyton, R.N.

Definitely check it out if you're a fan of crazy cable tv dramas like Weeds, Dexter, Mad Men, etc

In the book arena, I fell in love with author Marie Force's Love At First Flight. It's an outstanding contemporary romance and well worth the purchase price! Thanks to Limecello for introducing me to Marie and her book over on her site; it's the best part of book blogging:)

The book is about Michael and Juliana who meet on a plane and pretty much click instantly as friends. Both are in current relationships and have a nice chat but don't much expect to see each other again. But fate intervenes and I loved the plot twists and characters. Here's the excerpt Lime posted that made me want to read the book:

“I’m only asking you for one thing, Juliana. Come find me. I’ll either be here or in Newport – you know where – and I’ll be waiting for you. I don’t care if it’s a week, a year, five years, twenty years. Find me.”

“But surely you’ll be married with a family -”He shook his head. “Never. It’s you or no one. So don’t think for a minute I won’t still want you or that my pride is too wounded to forgive you. I’ve already forgiven you. That’s how much I love you.”

Another book I enjoyed is Wither by Lauren DeStefano, book 1 of The Chemical Garden Trilogy. It's a YA Dystopic and pretty dark. It's set in a future where humans have basically genetically ruined themselves in hopes of prolonging life without illness. There was success with a "first generation" that has no health issues, long lives, and no fear of contracting disease. However, their children and any of the children born thereof, are doomed to lifespans of no more than 20-25 years depending on gender. Because people are dying out so young, and reproduction is under time constraints, and children then become orphaned, society is in a strange unbalanced chaos that includes child brides and polygamous "marriages" by men of wealth taking advantage of the desperate situation. It's an interesting take on biology, society, and genetic modifications.

And last but not least, the Starbucks Cake Pops, LOL. These things are my new favorite treats! I love the pink one called Birthday Cake the most, but have also had Tiramisu (the light brown/beige one) as well. I'm not a chocolate fan so Rocky Road has yet to be tasted but I'm sure it's just as delish. Try one!

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

2011-05-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

Title: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

(Highland Pleasures #1)

Author(s): Jennifer Ashley

Reading Level/Genre: Romance - Historical

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

ISBN: 9780843960433

Publisher: Leisure Books (April 28th 2009)

Looking for an interesting and none too typical romance? Try this one!

I absolutely loved this historical romance and was immediately drawn in by the whole family of characters. In 1881 many maladies were simply thought of as madness; if one were anywhere on the Autism Spectrum, they were probably going to be considered crazy. The hero of this book is a person with autistic tendencies/behaviors, and it makes this historical romance completely fascinating!

Lord Ian Mackenzie is introduced to us in the middle of a conversation. However we are hearing the words from Ian's point of view and like him, we are confused by the whole exchange. Ian is generally regarded as "mad" because of his many behaviors that don't fall in line with what is "normal". He's smart as a whip and in fact can recall from memory whole conversations verbatim, determine on sight whether rare asian bowls are genuine or fake, and other amazing things.

But his madness is not all it seems, and the widow Beth Ackerley is quick to recognize this. Beth is an amazingly sweet and patient person and her warmth instantly attracts Ian. The two are not a couple but things quickly heat up between them as their connection grows. Beth's openness to Ian's differences and Ian's devotion in return is a beautiful thing to see grow as the book continues. Their story is completely different from any I've read before and I adored it! Definitely get this book :D

So it's Earth Day 2011

2011-04-22T03:20:00.000-05:00

And like Vampire Bill once said, "we recycle in this house"!

So don't forget that you can:

Celebrate Earth Day @ your Library

"Planning to celebrate Earth Day today, but not sure what you can do to be “greener?” The solution could be a trip the library, your community’s original renewable resource.

In addition to offering books on topics like organic gardens, water conservation and renewable forms of energy, your library and libraries across the country are doing their part when it comes to reducing, reusing and recycling."

via Facebook post by I Love Libraries on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 5:29am

And if you're looking for some fun "green" deals, keep these two in mind:

Starbucks is giving away a free coffee when you bring your own mug and reduce the use of disposable cups. Starbucks will even fill your reusable cup with Free Coffee (or tea)! (US/Canada)

One of my favorite beauty stores, Origins, is celebrating Earth Day with a FREE trade!! RSVP and check out the event: http://on.fb.me/i3NLZB

So I know it's been a while...

2011-04-20T00:59:00.000-05:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Things have been crazy with my schedule lately. There've been lots of changes at work, a trip to TLA, and of course the ever present mound of homework I have to contend with when I'd like nothing more than to ignore it, lol.
But now I'm back from Austin and I'm working on really getting stuff done. There are too many books I've read and not even so much as clicked a star in goodreads for them, so that's gotta be remedied.
And I'm excited about the books I get to read this month, especially Divergent by Veronica Roth, which I've heard nothing but good things about. I also got an advanced copy of Joseph Monninger's new book, The World As We Know It, as well as a psychological thriller called Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson that sounds creepy and exciting enough to haunt my dreams once I start reading it, which I both love & hate :D
Another cool thing that happened was I by chance ran into other bloggers there! And then of course there were some great authors I got to meet and have sign books I purchased, and last but not least a chance to meet other library students, alumni, and faculty from my grad program. All in all it was a good time, and I'm glad for it all.
So bear with my adjusting and I promise to have some giveaways soon to make up for my absence :)

eBook Freebies =)

2011-03-28T06:13:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Jess at The Cozy Reader, I learned about and pre-ordered a kindle copy of 13 Little Blue Envelopes Free with Bonus Material by Maureen Johnson!

Also available for free pre-order was Aprilynne Pike's Wings and a bonus story by Christine Warren called Heart of the Sea, as well as many other YA and/or paranormal fiction freebies available right now.

So check 'em out and get yourself some great books for free!!

Books to Movies update: Hunger Games

2011-03-17T07:28:00.003-05:00

So an actress has been finalized for Katniss! What do y'all think? She seems like she can pull it off, though I've only ever seen her in Winter's Bone. I guess that's why I think so; she sort of played a similar character: girl living in poverty, going to extremes (though not as dire as in Hunger Games) to survive, and living in a part of the States that's pretty comparable to how Collins' has described the Seam's Appalachian heritage. Guess we'll have to wait for some trailers to see for sure...

"Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone) will play the role of Katniss in The Hunger Games, based on the bestselling novels by Suzanne Collins, the Wrap reported. Lionsgate "plans the franchise as a trilogy which will include The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) is directing the film, which will debut on March 23, 2012."

Several actors are rumored to be under consideration for the role of Peeta Mellark, including Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four), Josh Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right, Bridge to Terabithia) and Hunter Parrish (Weeds), the Wrap wrote." info via Shelf Awareness 03-17-11

Bones

2011-03-11T04:14:00.003-06:00

Argh, I know I've been an awful blogger as of late but after reading tons of journal articles, textbooks and filling out some scholarship apps I've been in no mood to kill my tired eyes and brain online. And that's left only one alternative:

Yep, rotting my eyes and brain with TV, hahaha! But not bad TV, awesome Netflix showings of stuff I never had time to see but heard people mention. The first one I checked out was Bones with Emily Deschanel playing the forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan and David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth. I love most good crime shows but since I personally never cared for CSI, I doubted I'd like Bones. Instead I find myself *LOVING* it!! There's a little bit of campy-ness to it but overall the mix of quirky and dark are exactly my kind of show.

The first season left me dying for more and I immediately started playing Season 2, thank goodness to Instant Play. I'm enjoying the tension between Booth and Brennan more than I ever thought I would without yelling "hurry up!" at the television screen. But now that I'm about to begin Season 3 I'm pretty antsy to see at least something occur between the two.

What's funny is Brennan's best friend Angela really annoys me! lol

I'm not exactly sure why though, except that she just seems like she's always out of sorts. I love Hodgins and Zack. Cam is cool but I preferred Season 1's Dr. Daniel Goodman. I thought he was funnier with his old man grumpiness and poking at Hodgins. I've been watching a couple other shows too, so I'll probably be posting some thoughts on those as well. Anyone else a fan of Bones?
I definitely recommend you check it out if you haven't yet :D

And the Oscar goes to...?

2011-02-27T00:05:00.004-06:00

So tonight is Oscar night and I'll be watching with my bestys as we chomp on pizza, chat about who's wearing what, and make a night of celebrating all the movie magic♥

I love movies just as much as books. It's all about the storytelling for me and the more someone does it well enough for me to lose myself in it, the better!
I can mark time by movies I've seen and songs I've heard, so watching award shows are just another facet of that enjoyment for me. We've made a tradition, my friends and I, of spending Oscar night in, with comfy couch pillows, drinks, carbs and cheap talk, LOL! So I'm really looking forward to tonight's 83rd Academy Awards and rooting for a couple of favorite flix. I think it'll also be interesting to see James Franco and Anne Hathaway host. I hope they're funny though because one thing I need is plenty of good jokes to break up any monotony.

This year there are so many nominees for Best Picture that I didn't get to see them all yet.

Usually I make it a point to have seen all those before the awards but I just didn't have enough time and money this year. I did manage to see all but two though, which is pretty good. I lack seeing True Grit and The Fighter but did finally manage to see Black Swan after tons of cancellations *whew*

I didn't want any spoilers so I just saw it tonight! I'm still reeling from the crazysauce that it was lol :D

In any case, I can't wait to see what film scores the little gold man in that category. They were all so good! It's rare that I'm able to say that about all the films in Best Picture category but I have enjoyed this year's picks immensely.

So happy movie watching everyone! Hope your night is as silly and fun-filled :)

Get Destined for an Early Grave For Only $1.99! | Avon Romance

2011-02-25T19:49:00.000-06:00

Hey Y'all, I thought this was a great deal!

Click on the link below to check it out:

Get Destined for an Early Grave For Only $1.99! | Avon Romance

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

2011-02-22T20:20:00.001-06:00

Happy Release Day! for:

Title: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf

Author(s): Molly Harper

Reading Level/Genre: Romance -Paranormal

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

ISBN:9781439195864

Publisher: Pocket (February 22, 2011)

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, book1 in Molly Harper's new Naked Werewolf series, is a lighthearted and funny story. There are a few serious moments but overall I'd label this more in the chick-lit genre than I would in paranormal romance.

Mo Wenstein is a 29 year old woman trying to finally break out on her own once and for all, away from her overbearing parents that can't seem to maintain healthy boundaries. The effort lands her in Grundy,Alaska with colorful small-town characters and a werewolf boyfriend to boot. Though it starts off a little slow it picks up as Mo creates new friends as she starts becoming a true Grundy citizen. And of course when Cooper the werewolf enters the fray her life becomes a lot more quirky!

I love Harper's sense of humor and enjoy reading her books on my work and school breaks when I need a quick escape because I know I'll be dragged back to drudgery soon, and her Naked Werewolf book was perfect for that:) Mo's crazy wisecracks and the easy going narrative are exactly my favorite kind for getting my mind off stressful things and having a laugh. So if you're looking for a fun romance with good surprises and a happy ending definitely pick it up :D

GEtting GraPhic: The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

2011-02-11T05:38:00.002-06:00

Title: The Night Bookmobile

Author(s): Audrey Niffenegger

Reading Level/Genre: Graphic Novel

Hardcover: 40 pages

ISBN:978-0810996175

Publisher: Abrams ComicArts (September 1, 2010)

I picked this one up because it's about a library and I saw the nice blurb by Neil Gaiman on back. Unfortunately I didn't find it at all to be a story "perfectly told".

The Night Bookmobile is the first of a larger work being titled The Library, as explained by the author in the "after words". Because of this I feel it's possible that my understanding of the story is in fact out of context until I read the completed book. But since it is published here as a single book, I also find it fair to review it based on itself alone.

About the length of a child's picture book, the story follows a woman named Alexandra from a random night in her early adult life when she comes across a mysterious and almost magical-seeming bookmobile. She becomes obsessed with it's existence, its strange librarian Mr. Openshaw, and with finding it again when she realizes its visits are inconsistent. However the story never really makes sense. We never find out why Alexandra gives up so much of her daily life to pursue this bookmobile, or share enough time with her to fully connect.

****************************SPOILER ALERT***********************************

reading beyond contains spoiler

Even so, I could have accepted all of that vague plot and thought the book strange but intriguing had the ending not included her choice at the end to commit suicide just to become a night bookmobile librarian herself. The wtf moment of that was just too insane for me. It seemed like a weak attempt to be deep without sufficient storyline and as if it glorified books over life itself at that point.

****************************SPOILER END*************************************

On the flip side I did like the idea of everyone's life being quietly documented through the books they've read, all by librarians on the other side so to speak. Exploring the concept of books as also having the ability to become a channel for checking out of present life and losing oneself in fantasy also made sense as the darker side of loneliness and using reading to live vicariously instead. But overall I still felt this book went dark without any logic or relatable context.

So I don't know...read it for yourself and let me know what you think. Or if you've already read it, loved it, and feel I missed something, feel free to share:) I'm really curious to hear others opinions on this one.

New Kindle + Whispernet = BookCrazy :)

2011-02-05T20:07:00.003-06:00

This week I have bought more books than I ever have without having a birthday or Christmas giftcard. I had a hell of a time reining myself back in. I'll share what I purchased in a bit but first let me explain where it all started...

So after pining away for 3 years I finally got a most coveted thing, my new Kindle 3. It's the graphite wi-fi one because I doubt the 3G would actually work for me in any place I know wi-fi isn't available, like the deep woods. And honestly I like the graphite color better than white so that was cool.

I would have gotten the Nook but several things happened:

1) I had a Target giftcard and Target sells the Kindle. I knew whatever eReader I chose, I wanted to buy it at a brick and mortar store because their merchandise generally travels in trucks rather than shipped through Fedex or UPS. I know from several close friends that work for either those places or USPS that packages go through a ton of abuse just by the nature of process.

At Target I would get the Kindle for $99 since I had a giftcard to pay the difference, which is a price that just sat better with me than anything over $100 ever did. Plus I would be able to look at the box and notice if I heard any rattles, AND I could return the item in person, problem free, if there happened to be issues.

2)I already had the Kindle app on my laptop and it worked for me seamlessly, unlike the B&N one. When I connected my account to the Kindle it was easy-peasy and quick as a bunny in putting all the freebie eBooks I'd been collecting right on the device. I'm a bit bummed that I can't borrow from the library too, but at this point physical books are still easier to acquire and check out from the system than the eBooks on Overdrive. That's because of funding and a still stronger demand for physical books so far; the public library system usually only buys one copy of an ebook per title. Each copy is like a physical book and you have to wait for it to be "returned". That my friends makes for a long waitlist I'm not willing to deal with.

3) Since I tend to buy most all of my books I decided not having compatibility with Overdrive right now wasn't something I couldn't handle. Amazon usually has the best prices on books, a great selection, and bundles on series. I hate the idea of being restricted to Amazon but can upload PDFs and I think it's called ePubs(?) fine so that's been good.

Here's some of what I bought to christian my new baby:
Beyond the Night and by Joss Ware It's only $1.99 right now! (book 1 in series)

Embrace the Night Eternal by Joss Ware, also on special for $3.99 (book 2)

All Night with a Rogue by Alexandra Hawkins just $2.99 right now (book 1 in series)

Lords of Underworld by Gena Showalter Kindle Bundle for $9.99

My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel $1.99! (book 1 in series)

But that didn't stop me from buying regular books either; I still purchased A Werewolf in Manhattan in paperback because I love the cover and the shipping was free from B&N. I also picked up some others but I can't recall which ones at the moment....
I'm tellin' ya, I went hog crazy buying books this week and still recovering :P

Molly Harper and an Icy Inspiration! brrr

2011-02-04T03:22:00.000-06:00

Did you know Pocket author Molly Harper

(of Jane Jameson series and an author who cracks me up! seriously, follow her on FB) based her new book on a 2009 Ice Storm Experience?

Well grab a cuppa' hot cocoa, settle in, and read on to see how her new NAKED WEREWOLF series was born one cold and wintry night:)

¸¸.•*¨*••*¨*•.¸¸❤¸¸.•*¨*••*¨*•.¸¸❤¸¸.•*¨*••*¨*•.¸¸❤¸¸.•*¨*••*¨*•.¸

An ice storm. Stranded in a strange, isolated place without power. Children with an unsettling ability to win staring contests. This is how horror movies start.

Watching the news coverage as cities across the Midwest are pelted by the much-touted historic blizzard, I’m having strange sympathy pangs. In January 2009, an ice storm ripped through Kentucky, taking out power and phone lines for thousands of homes, including mine. The first night I spent camped out in my in-laws’ darkened living room with my two young children, I was sure this was just a temporary blip. It was going to be a funny story we could tell the next winter. As in, “Remember that night we had to sleep on an air mattress in front of Grandma’s fireplace and cook on a gas grill in the garage?”

By the sixth night, I was no longer amused.

Over the next week, Kentuckians were cold, cranky and progressively ill-groomed. I returned to my dark, cold house to forage for supplies one afternoon, only to find my neighbor shaving his head in his driveway. I sincerely hoped that was related to the lack of electricity and not just a personality quirk I'd never noticed before. Neighborhood block parties have been stilted and awkward since.

But I managed to channel my cabin fever, before going the full fire-ax-through-bedroom-door and elevator-full-of-blood route. I started writing. Having recently published the Nice Girls books, a vampire romance series about an undead librarian in small-town Kentucky, I’d already decided that I wanted to write a werewolf story. And being isolated, in the dark, in an increasingly crowded, enclosed space, I decided to set the story in the frozen regions of Alaska.

While we waited for the power to come back on, I wrote about twenty pages of notes by candlelight. What emerged was the story of Mo Wenstein, a woman who moves across the country to escape her intrusive hippie parents and make a life for herself in the remote town of Grundy, Alaska. Cantankerous neighbor Cooper has been giving Mo a hard time about her place in her new community since day one. But when Cooper stumbles onto her porch, naked, with a bear trap clamped around his ankle, she realizes there’s more to him than a surly- though attractive- surface. A series of werewolf attacks, for which Cooper may or may not be responsible, dysfunctional werewolf clan drama, and romantic hijinks ensue.

The manuscript grew over the next few months and became HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF, which is due to be released by Pocket Books on Feb. 22, wherever books are sold. The sequel, THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF, will follow on March 29.

So, while the encroaching claustrophobia is frustrating, make the best of your snow days. Use the milk, eggs and bread you hoarded to make French toast. Plow through the To-Be-Read pile of paperbacks on your nightstand. Write journal entries about the sights, sounds and emotions you’re experiencing as a blizzard survivor.

You never know. You could turn this experience into your first manuscript.

***

Great Advice Molly, Thanks!

Even here in Texas we're freezing so I'd love nothing more than to curl up with Naked Werewolf right now ;)

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011-02-01T04:37:00.003-06:00

Title: Delirium

Author(s): Lauren Oliver

Reading Level/Genre: Young Adult

Hardcover:448 pages

ISBN:978-0061726828

Publisher: HarperTeen (February 01, 2011)

From the author of Before I Fall, Delirium is a love story set in a time and place where love itself is outlawed. 17 year old Lena (short for Magdalena) is anxiously awaiting her rite of passage to become safeguarded from the deadly disease known as Amor Deliria Nervosa, aka love. People are forced at the age of 18 to go through a procedure where the brain is surgically altered to be incapable of strong emotions, attachments, and love.

This is because society has deemed love & strong emotions to be dangerous and the catalyst for social problems like violence and hate. The solution therefore is without love, there can then be no hate, and without hate society is safe. Or so it seems...

Lena's own mother was mortally infected by the "disease", so she is hyper-aware and terrified of anything that could be a risk for it. But things change when she shocks herself and meets a boy who draws out a passion within her she never realized she had. From there her story mixes with dark adventure and incredible sacrifices that end with a bittersweet yet beautiful outcome. Overall I loved Oliver's writing and her description of the intensity of first love is perfect. Like the average teenage girl, I had a first love and it was such an intense and confusing experience, so I definitely could see how Lena's character would have a difficulty deciding between the promise of an uncomplicated life versus the chance of being hurt, tears and heartache.

We ask ourselves all the time if it's worth putting our heart on the line. Love can at once be our greatest fear and greatest hope, and I love how well Lauren Oliver conveyed that in Delirium. It's a great YA book and I look forward to reading the next in the series for sure!

a simple Bloodlines Countdown

2011-01-19T22:25:00.001-06:00

Classes began again this week so things are getting hairy again *sigh*
But this was pretty exciting to see: Bloodlines
Can't wait to see where the new Richelle Mead spinoff series goes;really hoping Adrian is in it:)

•¸¸.•¨•☆ •¸¸.•¨•☆wishlist 01•15•2011

2011-01-15T02:20:00.001-06:00

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where you list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too - Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click here!

It's been a while since I've done a wishlist but this one is exciting! I liked the cover, summary, and then got hooked by the 30 page preview I read for it. It's called Blood Red Road and sounds like it could be just my kind of book:

Hardcover 448 pages

Reading level/Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry/imprint of Simon&Schuster

(June 07, 2011)

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.(product details via goodreads.com)

So check out the sneak peek!

BLOOD RED ROAD - Sneak Peek

01.11.11 Across the Universe by Beth Revis Exclusive!

2011-01-11T06:07:00.003-06:00

Today is the official release of Across The Universe by Beth Revis!

And io9 will be posting a 111 pg excerpt from 11:11 AM Eastern to 11:11 PM Eastern today, 01.11.11. This is an io9 EXCLUSIVE!

Btw, this awes0me banner is by Jeremy at Novel Thoughts!

Review: Across the Universe is a Sci-Fi YA set in the ship Godspeed as it travels through the stars for centuries towards a new dream. In it, Amy and Elder come crashing together amidst time, space, and dark secrets.

Told in both point-of-views, the relationship between them builds little by little in a realistic fashion that requires the gaining of each others' trust before anything else. The process of cryogenic freezing is just the beginning to this strange adventure as the pair struggle to find truth in a society that seems founded completely on lies. Not only is Amy left struggling with the pain of wondering whether her family's sacrifice is worth all the risk, but murders of some of the other "frozens" has created discord and danger on the ship!

Honestly? I was hooked just by reading the first chapter! And I think you will be too. It's a fun mystery mixed with creepy dystopic Sci-Fi anyone would enjoy:) So watch the fabulous ATU book trailer(narrated by Lauren Ambrose)below and then look for the exclusive i09 excerpt!

And in this next clip, Beth explains where she got her inspiration and shares with us the detailed layout of spaceship Godspeed:

So how bout it? Could YOU survive a cryogenically frozen state in order to travel Across the Universe?
Would you want to?

ATU Facebook fan page ATU website

Be sure to check out the ship on the website! it's an interactive site where you can explore the ship design. I love that you can even zoom in and out on any level. I didn't really understand how the cargo boxes on Feeder level looked until I saw them on the site so it's a great help if you like visualizing what you read:)

You can find Beth Revis at:
Website: http://www.bethrevis.com/
Blog: http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bethrevis

And Penguin Teen at:
Website: http://www.penguin.com/teen
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/penguinteen
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/penguinteenbooks

Available for purchase:

Barnes and Noble BookPeople Austin,Texas

Book Depository

No Words...

2011-01-09T01:10:00.000-06:00

My post today was supposed to be about a book.

But I just can't get the tragic events of Saturday morning out of my mind. As I'm sure you have heard by now, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head at a community event. Eighteen other people were also shot; six have been confirmed dead, including 9 year old Christina Taylor Greene.
This is not about politics. I just want to express my condolences for the victims and their families. All are in my prayers and thoughts tonight. May those hurt recover fully and quickly. May there be peace for the ones lost in this senseless act of violence:
-John Roll, 63, a federal district court judge
-Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, Giffords' director of community outreach
-Dorwin Stoddard, 76, a pastor at Mountain Ave. Church of Christ
-Christina Greene, 9, a student at Mesa Verde Elementary
-Dorthy Murray, 76
-Phyllis Scheck, 79
*as reported by The Pima County Sheriff's Office

Review: Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

2011-01-07T05:17:00.005-06:00

Title: Practice Makes Perfect

Author(s): Julie James

Reading Level/Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Hardcover:304 pages

ISBN:978-0425226742

Publisher: Berkley (March 03, 2009)

I wanted so badly to put this in my top ten of 2010 because even though it came out in 2009, I didn't read it until this summer. And I love, lOvE, LOVED it! Julie James Rawks!!

This was my first of her books but I definitely started reading them all; Practice Makes Perfect was a sweet, witty, legal romance that had me laughing and gasping at some of the antics that the leading peeps, Payton & J.D., cook up for each other.
As they contend for a solo spot in their law firm to make partner, their long standing competitiveness, avoidance, and general annoyance with each other turns into blood thirsty war....and fireworks;)

If your looking for a contemporary romance with a hilarious yet smart leading lady, get this book. It's my favorite of the 3 Julie's written so far. Her others are Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Something About You. Can't wait for A Lot Like Love in March!

Bookish Things...

2011-01-07T04:24:00.001-06:00

Ever since I finally got my new computer a couple months ago I've been slowly getting it set up the way I like it and also buying little accessories for it. It's a 13" Macbook Pro so this is what I've gotten so far:

First thing I needed was a protective skin since I like to be able to snack while I'm working. I managed to find a reasonably priced one with the "Google Library" print I love from Decalgirl after finding a coupon on Melissa's blog.

Then I saved up for this spectacularly awesome case that I'd been eyeing since last January. It's called the BookBook by Twelve South and is my favorite thing right now.

I have the one in black but am materialistic enough to want the red one too, lol

If all goes as planned I'll also be getting my eReader with eInk soon as well. My eyes sure do need the respite from lcd screens.

GEtting GraPhic: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

2011-01-06T06:00:00.001-06:00

Title: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming

Author(s): Patricia Briggs

Reading Level/Genre: Graphic Novel

Hardcover:168 pages

ISBN:978-0345509888

Publisher: Del Rey/Dabel Brothers (August 25, 2009)

I love graphic novels but I'm also really picky about the artwork. I wasn't too excited about how Mercy looked, which I felt to be reeeally inconsistent throughout. She would look too masculine and then suddenly oversexualized on the next page, and her face/hair/everything look completely different from the drawings of her inside the book, not to mention nothing like how she looked on the original book covers. And I loved her on the book covers, especially on Iron-kissed.

But the story was ok, as it tells about Mercy meeting Tad and Zee for the first time, and also her first meet-up with Adam. However even the storyline was a bit shaky since it seemed to wanna veer completely away from what was described to happen in the books in some instances. Like how Stephan and she discuss her being a walker from the get-go, when in the books Mercy says she didn't realize he knew what she was. Nonetheless I enjoyed seeing Stephan illustrated, especially since he vastly differed from my own imagined form of him. Though you can see in the panels below Mercy already looks oddly different from the previous rendition of her character basically just a page before.

Overall though, I still liked seeing what Zee and Adam and others looked like in comic form and as a fan I'll definitely read the next one that comes out too, since I like reading every available piece of a story I can.

(read &reviewed on my goodreads March 2010)

2011 Reading Challenges & Resolutions

2011-01-05T08:08:00.000-06:00

Well, 2011 is almost a week old and I've had time to mull over my hopes and dreams for the year. When it comes to blogging, there are many things I'd like to accomplish but I've decided to keep it simple so that I do go overboard. So here are what I've decided on:

Get better Organized!
Keep up with Email and trash old messages to avoid confusion
Buy eReader so I can read eBooks faster and without eye exhaustion
Participate in a Reading Challenge from genre I've never read before

And that brings me to the Challenges. As mentioned, I looked for something to read outside of anything I've read before and it turns out that would be...

*drum roll*

Christian Fiction!

It's a genre that I didn't even know existed until fairly recently. It's being hosted by Jamie @ The Book Junkie's Book Shelf. The Challenge is to read at least 12 Christian Fiction books between January2011 and the end of the year in December 2011. I already picked one book called Head in the Clouds based solely on the adorable cover and title.

The next challenge is inspired by all the great new books I've heard about for 2011. It's the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren!

You can read the rules for participate on her site but basically it's read 12 YA/MG books between now and the end of the year by new/debuting authors of 2011. Though a couple may change depending on my reading mood as I go along, my tentative list includes:

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Wither by Lauren DeStefano*
Across the Universe by Beth Revis*
Unearthly by Cynthis Hand
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Vesper by Jeff Sampson
The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver*
Warped by Maurissa Guibord
Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. by Medeia Sherif

This last challenge is meant to get around to reading some books I've wanted to get to but haven't yet, as luckily many of them have been offered free on Amazon or BN.com for the nook. The Show Me the Free Reading Challenge is being hosted by The Unread Reader and it's a great idea! So check it out if you're in the same boat and want to give yourself a nudge to read all those Kindle freebies you keep downloading ;)

I may add a couple more later but for now these 3 are plenty. And if you have any suggestions or books that fit these challenges that you feel are definite *must-reads* then feel free to let me know in the comments and I'll look for them:)

❥My Top 10 Most Coveted Books of 2011❥

2011-01-01T05:25:00.000-06:00

There are a ton of books coming out this year and I don't know if I'll be able to keep up but these listed are definitely gonna be my priority and pre-ordered/purchased asap :)

There are 3 romance titles, 5 YA, and the rest Adult/Paranormal Fiction. I cheated a bit at the end and listed 3 books by Richelle Mead as 1 spot in the list because honestly, I couldn't bear to not include them all. Her books pretty much end up purchased by moi no matter what lol

I read chapter 1 of Across the Universe off the link from the FB page and was sucked in from page one. It's been a while since I've read a good straight up Sci-Fi book, especially one in the YA range, so I'm excited. And I was lucky enough to win a copy from LibraryThing so I'll be posting my review as soon as I finish:D

It releases January 11th 2011 though, so you don't have to wait but a few days to yourself copy too!

I love lOvE LoVe dystopics so when Melissa Marr mentioned Divergent was fab on twitter, I promptly took note. Her rec's haven't lead me wrong yet, and I can't wait to pick it up when it releases May 3, 2011.

The cover alone got me wantin' this baby. But read the summary and it gets even better!

It's a YA dystopian where everything "is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play." It releases June 7th, 2011.

How Possession starts:

Good girls don't walk with boys. Even if they're Good boys--and Zenn is the best.

The Dark and Hollow Places. I absolutely love that title. And book 1, Forest of Hands and Teeth is one of those zombie books that has stuck with me so I can't wait to read this when it comes out in March 22, 2011.

This dark romance has me addicted, thank God it releases January 25, 2011!

Yep, pretty much the same story here;except it doesn't come out till May 31, 2011 so I have to endure a torturous wait :-/

I read chapters 1&2 of Werewolf in Manhattan on Vicki's website and fell in love with the story immediately! It's a mix of the adorable cover and her writing that did it, and I'm seriously excited to get my paws on it when it releases this week January 4, 2011!

Ever love a character(s) so much you wish ya knew 'em? That's how I feel about Mercy and her crew. Such a funny, interesting, and exciting bunch of characters and plots! Even if you think you don't usually like paranormal fiction I think you'd enjoy these books:) River Marked releases March 1, 2011.

Marr's Wicked Lovely series has been one of the best darkly fey YA I've read and now her Adult Fiction novel Graveminder seems just as delicious! It releases May 2011 and is about a girl named Rebekkah Barrow, and her grandmother Maylene's strange ritual: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words “Sleep well, and stay where I put you.”

Count me in for that creepy-creeps for sure!!

As I said above, Richelle Mead's books are a must for me. Bloodlines is set to release around late summer/early fall of 2011. It's a YA spin-off from her Vampire Academy world, which I loved. I'm hoping that the side characters she mentions as continuing on in it include Adrian. Don't get me wrong, I loved Dimitri but Adrian was always tugging at my heart as well.
Iron Crowned( March 2011) is the 3rd in her Dark Swan series and I can't wait to see how things work out between Eugenie, Dorian, and that other guy. haha!
But it's her Georgina Kincaid series that really gets me all affected,lol. Damn, I love this story. Seth and Georgina just have to make it! Succubus Revelations, book 6 doesn't release till September 2011 and I just don't know how I'm going to cope with all that coveting till then :P

Happy New Year!!!

2010-12-31T23:59:00.089-06:00

...and here's to a better year in 2011 than we had in 2010, because Lord knows my 2010 was awwwwwful!

I'm hoping that things will settle down for me this year and allow me more time to center and de-stress. I'm still grieving the loss of the friends &family who passed away, but I'm slowly coming to terms with it all. I can't believe how upside-down my life went this year *shakes head*
But I made it through and somehow I still have a hopeful soul and can't help but look forward to the possibility of happiness in 2011.

It has also officially been 1 year since I started this blog. Now that is crazy! Time sure did fly by me, I'll tell you what. Little did I know when I named my blog that it would come to mean so much to my personal life. Books and reading other bloggers posts really were my little piece of solace when I took time for myself. Granted I didn't accomplish all the things I wanted to, and distractions kept me from really spending as much time as I wanted to here, but I'm aiming to improve in 2011. I didn't get to read as much as I would have liked, but here are the books that were my top 10 this past year. So here they are in no particular order:

My Top 10 Books of 2010

I stumbled upon this book quite by happy accident because I don't usually read Juvenile Fic too much any more, unless it's a quick and prettily illustrated picture book to pass the time on break at work. But I swept through this one in one night! Its protagonist is a 10 year old girl with Asperger's dealing with the death of her older brother, but overall it's about fitting in, working through grief, and learning to adapt when life keeps throwing you curveballs.

Hands-down the funniest f*cking thing I read all year! At one point I was so sad I was crying almost nonstop; so I picked this up in desperation to distract myself and started reading and couldn't help laughing out loud, even as tears were pouring down my face!lol This book will always hold a special place in my heart for that.

This is my favorite of the bunch because it surprised me in the best of ways and that doesn't happen to me too much any more. It's the most beautiful of love stories, poignant and deep. Note of warning though, it's general fiction and does have bittersweet ending, not at all HEA.

Awesome middle grade graphic novel! And there aren't many for that age group, especially for girls but Smile is really fun so I had to mention it. It's about a girl, braces, and her life in them as I'm sure you've detected.

People seemed to either hate it or love it, but I myself really felt like Mockingjay was true to the author's story. So many YA books seem to think that a completely nice and neat HEA is the only way to do it, and I'm glad Suzanne Collins didn't do that with this trilogy. It's just a nice change of pace to get that diversity. Of course, I had my hopes on things happening differently but life isn't like that. I for one loved every bit of the Hunger Games trilogy, including this one.

Lauren Oliver is definitely an author to watch; the characters in this book had so many intriguing traits and realistic voices that I felt like I knew them. A sort of Mean girls meets Groundhog Day, it comes together in a unique way and has me excited to read anything else Lauren writes:) Her upcoming book Delirium is my next read.

Oh do I LOVE this series. Mercy Thompson and all her friends make me wish I was a part of that world,lol. This is a definite *Must Read* series.

Ok, this one is a cheat because it was published in 2009 but I read it this year and LOVED it so I had to include it. Best contemporary romance I've read so far!

I love this woman's books!lol Nalini Singh writes a steamy scene and hot hero like nobody else can, and honestly I probably shoulda put Archangel's Kiss up here too:)

Wow, I can't believe I didn't write a single review for this book, not to mention any of the whole dang series! It's seriously one of my favorites and with the cliffhanger that Richelle Mead left us with on book #4, I almost had a coronary LOL!

So that's what stuck out for me in 2010, how bout you? Anything from 2010 you wish everybody'd read? I know some these on my list still dont have a review posted but I'll be doing so soon. Happy New Year :)

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!

2010-12-25T01:18:00.000-06:00

May you all be blessed with Happy Holidays of lovely books, warm cups of cider & cocoa, and family/friends to curl up with this Christmas :)

And remember....

An Early Holiday Present from Nalini Singh

2010-12-24T03:31:00.001-06:00

Nalini Singh posted the Chapter1 Unedited Advance Excerpt from Kiss of Snow!

Check it out :)

Oprah's Holiday Book Club Selection

2010-12-09T00:58:00.001-06:00

I've been reading along with the Oprah Book Club off and on since it began (sometime around 1998 I think?). And since this year is her last for the show I decided to jump on board and try to squeeze in a re-read of Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities.(that's the plan anyway,hahaha)
The Oprah edition released by Penguin is a pretty cover and includes both books. You can get it for $20 or less, and check out the publisher's page here.

I love Charles Dickens and was shocked when Oprah mentioned she'd never read anything by him. Who doesn't read Great Expectations in high school?! It just seemed everyone had to, lol. David Copperfield is another fave I read back then, too.

His A Christmas Carol meant so much to me I put it in my Scholastic Bookprint:) Seriously, that story has everything I love: paranormal, drama, romance, family, humor, friends, Christmas, and a moral to boot! It's my kind of book. Of course, I didn't actually read it till middle school. As a kid I just watched the Mickey Mouse version and the TV specials :P

So now I must read that for the holidays too; and how I wish I could go to dear Mr. Fezziwig's Ball *sigh*

How bout y'all? Ever read Dickens? Do you have a favorite?

Winners and there are more than 5 :D

2010-12-07T22:43:00.000-06:00

Ok so I know I'm posting this later than I intended, but I'm making it up to y'all by picking 10 winners instead of the original stated 5!
So here they are:

Throughthehaze
A Simple Love of Reading
Hope
Kaleena
Joyce
Beth S.
Brooke
Kristen@Bookworming
Debbie F.
Marcie

Some of the emails didnt show up clearly in my form for some reason so if you're one of the 10 winners listed here and havent heard from me by email on Thursday, please email me and let me know.

Gobble, Gobble!

2010-11-25T01:31:00.000-06:00

I know it's been a while since I've been able post or reply to anyone on the web, so I just wanted to make sure and wish y'all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

*psst* my turkey & dressing never look like this, lol

I've had a crazy week that began with losing internet access last Wednesday and then then just being so busy at work that I would come home and crash, not even stopping to watch TV or call to get my internetz fixed :-s
And now I know why I was getting so tired...I woke up at 2am Sunday night/Monday morning with the craziest sore throat pain. Theraflu and Zyrtec-D have been lifesavers but I hate hate hate being sick! I am determined to make it to my planned Black Friday sales! Oh well, at least I did get to do something fun this past Saturday.

David Sedaris was here in town for his book Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, and I was thrilled to get the chance to go hear him speak. He told some crazy jokes and says he sort of collects them. So if he comes to your city, have a joke handy! He read from his book as well, and that was funny as hell. Even if I'd heard it before, there's nothing like hearing him tell his stories. Plus he read some of his diary entries from the tour and shared hilarious observations of some of the people he's run into thus far. I didn't get to stay for the signing because I had run over right after a long day of work and the bracelets had been given out that morning already. Mr. Sedaris though, was kind enough to say that if you stayed, you'd probably get your book signed. I, sadly, was just too tired and hot (it was packed!). If you don't know Mr. Sedaris' books I highly recommend them but insist that you listen to his audiobooks to get familiar with his voice. He has a great satiric style that comes across beautifully when he reads his own stuff and never fails to make me laugh! (His sister, by the way, is Amy Sedaris.) David is one of my favorite humorists, and I always enjoy him. Oh, and sidenote: the book is illustrated by Ian Falconer from the Olivia books :)

What Are You Thankful For? Giveaway: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

2010-11-17T04:06:00.000-06:00

Here in the U.S. Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. And though this year has been one of the toughest for me, I am thankful for many, many things.

I am thankful for my friends, who are also my family. And even when I think no one's noticed, they do; and that makes all the difference.
I am also thankful for the opportunity to continue my studies. It's not something everyone has a chance to do, and I look forward to being a full-fledged librarian.

And I'm thankful for the good books that drop into my lap when I most need them. It's as if the universe knows a particular book(s) will resonate with me, and I run into them on purpose, and that feels amazing. And I'm thankful for the new online friends/community I've met that provide a place to share the book-love, and of course all the authors, publishers, libraries, etc that make it possible :)

And because I'm thankful for all of y'all, it's time to show the love! Especially since I received a very mysterious package this week. There was no note in the box or email about it's origins. And I don't recall ever entering a contest for it (though it's possible I forgot but I doubt it). But out of the blue a box of full of multiple copies of the same book showed up addressed to me. Remember how I mentioned the universe seeming to listen and books that resonate and seem meant to read falling into my lap at just the right time? Well here's proof:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is a book that I've wanted to read for awhile because I've heard so many romance readers say it's one of their all-time favorites. And at the library it's almost always checked out and consistently on the holds-list for patrons. So just when I was lamenting my lack of funds to buy myself the book (it looks too long for a slow reader like me to finish in the amount of time the library gives) this box appeared. And with more than one copy. So of course this means giveaway time!

Just one catch: I can't afford to ship the all at the same time, especially during the holidays when I'm having to save for gift giving. So I've decided to do one giveaway of 5 of the books for Thanksgiving and then the rest for Christmas! So consider this a black friday deal, lol! Enter to win by doing just 2 simple things:

Fill out the form below

Follow blog by GFC or FB

+1 Bonus! In the Comments for THIS post, tell me what you're thankful for this year?

That's it. Easy Peasy right? Happy Thanksgiving!
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Contest ends November 27th at noon CST. Winners have 48 hrs to respond from time email is sent or another winner will be chosen. Open to US addresses only due to shipping cost, sorry international:(

Beguile Thy Sorrow...

life interrupted...

eBook Freebies =)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

To Steve:

And the "All These Things I've Done" Winner is...

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Amazon and OverDrive Roll Out Kindle Books to Libraries

A Fascinating Oral History: Jacqueline Kennedy In Her Own Words

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin (and Giveaway!)

Hunger Games Teaser Makes Debut

Eddie Vedder's Ukulele Songs

Rogue by Rachel Vincent (Shifters #2)

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆wishlist 08•20•2011

Stray by Rachel Vincent

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenges #4

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenges #3

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenge #2

Monster Review-a-thon Mini Challenge #1

ASHFALL by Mike Mullin!

Kindlegraph! The Ebook Autograph

Book Candy

Palo Alto: Stories by James Franco

Divergent Winner! and where I've been...

Giveaway: ARC of Divergent by Veronica Roth

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young

LOTHAIRE By Kresley Cole Cover Reveal!

Sweet Treats I've EnjOyed of Late:)

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

So it's Earth Day 2011

So I know it's been a while...

eBook Freebies =)

Books to Movies update: Hunger Games

Bones

And the Oscar goes to...?

Get Destined for an Early Grave For Only $1.99! | Avon Romance

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

GEtting GraPhic: The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

New Kindle + Whispernet = BookCrazy :)

Molly Harper and an Icy Inspiration! *brrr*

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

a simple Bloodlines Countdown

•¸¸.•*¨*•☆ •¸¸.•*¨*•☆wishlist 01•15•2011

01.11.11 Across the Universe by Beth Revis Exclusive!

No Words...

Review: Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Bookish Things...

GEtting GraPhic: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

2011 Reading Challenges & Resolutions

❥My Top 10 Most Coveted Books of 2011❥

Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!

An Early Holiday Present from Nalini Singh

Oprah's Holiday Book Club Selection

*Winners* and there are more than 5 :D

Gobble, Gobble!

What Are You Thankful For? Giveaway: *Outlander* by Diana Gabaldon

•¸¸.•¨•☆ •¸¸.•¨•☆wishlist 08•20•2011

Molly Harper and an Icy Inspiration! brrr

•¸¸.•¨•☆ •¸¸.•¨•☆wishlist 01•15•2011

Winners and there are more than 5 :D

What Are You Thankful For? Giveaway: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon