Memes Galore

I was tagged for a few memes, and I haven't had the time to get to them--until now!  I have been seeing them on several sites, so as not to repeat anyone, I won't tag anyone specifically, but if you want to participate, consider yourself tagged!

Kaylee & Sharon sent me the Happy Tag:

Hey everyone, I was tagged by Sharon & Kaylee.

Rules of the tag:

- Link to the person who tagged you *For some reason, I can't link today*

- List 6 things that make you happy

- Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did so

- Then tell the person who tagged you your entry is finished!

My List!

1. My fiance-He's the best!!!  And treats me like a queen!

2. My immediate family-Mom, Dad, and little sister, Kesha

3. The color yellow-It is just so bright and related to so many things cheery, I can't help but smile!

4. Music-I love to dance, even though I am terrible.  Throw on some 80s, 90s, or boy band music and I am pumped!

5. Teen movies & TV shows-One Tree Hill, 90210, Degrassi, Clueless, Mean Girls, Sixteen Candles; love them all!

6. Books, of course!  Going to the bookstore or library, or getting packages in the mail, just make my day so much better!

Alea tagged me for the Bookshelf Meme:

1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!

2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.

3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.

4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…

1. The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:

I don't know which book I have owned the longest.  Most of the books from my childhood are still at my parents' house.  Are You My Mother was my favorite book as a child, but as far as the books on my bookshelf now, most I've only had for maybe 5, 6 years.  

2. A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):

Silver by Norma Fox Mazer holds a special place in my heart.  I first read this book in middle school, where I worked as a library aide (imagine that).  Everyday during the elective period, I would sit at the check-out desk and read, read, read.  I can't even tell you how many times I read Silver, but I loved it.  When I found it at a used bookstore, I snatched it up and everytime I look at it, I think of my days as a West Hardin Middle School librarian!

3. A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):

One of the books I received as a gift was The Great Gatsby.  I read it in high school and LOVED it! Somehow I lost my copy, so one year for Christmas, my little sister bought it for me.  

4. The most recent addition to your shelves:

Today my fiance bought me some R.L. Stine books on Amazon because a couple of mine had gotten torn and I was all bummed out.  However, I actually had multiple copies of them, so the new ones won't be on the shelf for long--I'm exchanging them for Evermore and something else (haven't decided yet)!  

5. A book that’s been with you to the most places:

I always carry a book in my purse.  But I don't know which I carried the longest. And I don't know if I've reread any of the books on my shelf, so I'm going to have to pass.

6. A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:

Ok, good story.  I have a signed copy of Looking for Alaska.  I was at a conference, and John Green had just won the Printz award, and I had no idea who he was.  I really just wanted to meet another author (I had already met Sharon Draper and Sarah Dessen and a couple of others).  There was no line so I just rushed toward the table, bought the book, and then stood in front of him like an idiot trying to decide who he should make the book out to (I didn't know if I was keeping it or giving it to my sister).  Even through my stupidity, he was so nice and told a story about his family's reaction to him winning the award.  I felt like such a moron the whole time, but felt like a bigger moron when I got home and realized how BIG John Green is and now see how GIGANTIC he has become.  So I now have this signed book, made out to no one (because I never did decide) and embarrassing memories!  

*For some reason, I cannot add links to today's post.  You can find links to Kaylee, Sharon, & Alea on my blogroll.

Old School Books in My Closet!

So in my last vlog, I showed you the books on my bookshelf.  Today I am going to share with you the old school books that have been hiding out in my closet.  Hopefully over the summer, I will get to take them out, and read through some of them. 

WARNING:  I am much older than most of you readers, so don't laugh at my oldies.  I am actually very proud of the collection in my closet, and once I have a house, they will be displayed somewhere.

In My Mailbox (January 25)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by Kristi.  Each Sunday, bloggers share what they received via mail, store, or library.  For more info click here.

1 Book received via mail

-Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols (Thanks so much, Jennifer!)

9 Books purchased (Thanks Mom!  You're the greatest!)

*The Waldenbooks in my hometown was closing, so everything was 40% off or more!  So sad to see the store close though because I bought all my books there before I went to college.

-Gossip Girl (not pictured) by Cecily Von Ziegesar (if you checked out my pics this week, you'll notice it was the only one missing from the series)

-Bleed by Laurie Faria Stolarz

-The Debs by Susan McBride

-The Au Pairs by Melissa de la Cruz

-A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

-Four Truths and a Lie by Lauren Barnholdt

-Leftovers by Laura Wiess

-Death By Bikini by Linda Gerber

-Far From You by Lisa Schroeder

10 Books checked out of the library (most were repeats that I never got around to reading, so I'll share with you the 5 new ones)

-3 Willows by Ann Brashares

-Zoe & Chloe on the Prowl by Sue Limb

-Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee

-Need by Carrie Jones

-Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Faria Stolarz

That's all for this week!  What did you guys get?

My First Contest!!!

I am so excited to announce the prizes for my first contest!

In September, during Micol Ostow's Popular Vote Cyber Launch, I won my first contest online.  The prize?  A signed copy of The Boys Next Door and Major Crush, both by Jennifer Echols.  So imagine my excitement, when Jenn offered to generously donate signed copies of both to give away here!

Because I love romantic novels and Valentine's Day is coming up, I decided throw in a brand new, shiny copy of Perfect Chemistry as well!  (It is not signed, as I purchased it myself.)

So....how does one win these 3 wonderful prizes?  Very simple, comment below telling me about your Valentine's Day plans.  Your plans can include anything--spending it with a significant other or hanging out in your pjs watching scary movies.  

For an extra entry, you may link this contest to your blog.  Be sure to leave the link in a separate comment (sidebars are fine).

And finally, you will receive two extra entries, if you become a follower or already a follower. Again, to make things easier for me, please include this info in a separate comment.

Please be sure to leave an email address so I can contact the winner.  If your email address is already  listed in your profile, no need to leave your addy.

One more thing...right now, there will only be one winner.  However, if the winner already has one of the titles, I will replace it, and there will be a second winner, who will receive only one book.  

This contest is only open to those in the US (sorry) and ends at midnight on Sunday, February 1.

Pics of the Shelves

My Shelves!

I am following the lead of Alea and Sharon and finally showing off my messy bookshelves. Sharon has been asking me to post a vlog, so I decided this would be an appropriate time. Because the video is a bit shaky (next time, I'll use my camcorder), I will also post images of the shelves.

Enjoy!

And be sure to check back tomorrow for info on my first ever contest! Woohoo!!!

In My Mailbox (January 18)

In My Mailbox comes from the awesome mind of Kristi "The Story Siren".  Each Sunday, bloggers share the books they received via mail, store, or library.  For more info about In My Mailbox, please click here.  

This week was a truly awesome week!  On Monday, a very special package arrived, and I could hardly wait to share with you all!  

In December, Steph hosted Girl Week.  I was lucky enough to win not only a prize, but in my eyes the absolute BEST prize.  Without further ado, here is what I received (all signed)!             

Yes, a SIGNED ARC of Perfect Fifths!  It totally made my week!  Thanks so much to Megan and to Steph for hosting the contest!

On Tuesday, I received another book.  This time, a book I received thanks to Steph (again) and Kristi.  I won a YA Connection contest before their break, and my prize (again signed):

Thanks to Cherry for donating and signing the book!  I am very excited to read this!

On Wednesday, I received a prize that I won on Hope's blog.  I am very excited because it is a continuation of a series featured on last week's In My Mailbox...

Thank you so much Jennifer for generously donating the book and also to Hope for the contest!

Thursday, I received a book for review from Book Divas.  This week's selection is exciting because I have not read any of the books from the earlier series:

Thanks Book Divas!

On Friday, I did not receive anything.  So, I decided to treat myself to a book on Saturday.  It is one that I've been wanting for quite some time, but was unable to find in the bookstores.

So thanks Me!  

That concludes this week's absolutely fabulous edition of In My Mailbox (maybe the best one yet)!  

Lauren is a genius--or maybe I'm just a dunce

Woo hoo to Lauren!  She totally solved my dilemma.  Apparently the original picture was just too large.  Now that it's smaller, my WOW post should not appear abnormal.

Thank you, Lauren!!!

I am so aggravated!

Okay, so if my post for Waiting on Wednesday looks funny, it is not my fault. For some reason, my edits aren't sticking. I created the original post in Safari, but then when I went to Internet Explorer, it looked all crazy!

So, depending on which browser you are using, the post may look normal. If not, I apologize!

Waiting on Wednesday-January 14

Title: Somebody

Author: Nancy Springer

Release Date: March 13, 2009

Summary (from Amazon): At the age of fifteen, a girl who has spent most of her life moving around the country with her father and brother remembers her real name, Sherica, and is moved to search the Internet to learn the truth about her mother and her own past.

My thoughts: Okay, so the summary does not give away much information, but for some reason this reminds me of several books I read during my younger years.

And check out the cover. I do not know if I've seen a cover more fitting for a book. The expression on the girl's face is one of sadness, confusion, and a ton of other emotions all rolled into one. I love how each of the images changes, just as the girl's life must change through all the moving about the country.

Even though I've not heard much about Somebody, I am very excited to read this one!

In My Mailbox (January 11)

In My Mailbox comes from the awesome mind of Kristi "The Story Siren".  Each Sunday, bloggers share the books they received via mail, store, or library.  For more info about In My Mailbox, click here.

This week, I forced myself to stay out of the library, and tried to stay away from the bookstore, but I had special ordered a book and needed to pick it up.  So, I only have three books to present to you today, but I am very excited about each of them!

Before, After, and Somebody in Between  by Jeannine Garsee (summary from Amazon): Although Martha is a smart student and a talented musician, she has few opportunities. A deceased father, an alcoholic mother with disreputable boyfriends, a dangerous neighborhood, extreme poverty, and an interracial friendship set the scene. After the tragedy of a drive-by shooting, some poor choices by her mother, and a bad foster-home experience, Martha finds a new home and new life with a wealthy, sympathetic lawyer. Along the way, Martha makes plenty of bad choices (including having sex in a van with someone she doesn't know), but she also has lots of saviors. 

I am so excited to have received this book in the mail.  It is a signed copy (yay!) that I won during a contest at Laura's Review Bookshelf.  I actually almost purchased this right before Christmas, but figured I shouldn't buy anything for myself until after Christmas.  Good thing I waited!  Thanks so much to Laura for hosting the contest and to Jeannine for being generous and donating a copy!

Be Mine by Sabrina James (summary from Amazon):  Valentine's Day is fast approaching at North Ridge High! And this year, the school is sponsoring a "Most Romantic Couple" contest. Everyone wants to win - including Jennifer, who's not going to let the fact that she doesn't actually have a boyfriend stop her!

Romantic twists and turns and comic mishaps abound. Will the proper couples be renunited in time for the Valentine's Dance?

You already know that I love romantic themes in novels.  With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought this would be a fun, easy read.  Look for a review of this one sometime in February!

The Elite by Jennifer Banash (summary from Amazon): When Casey McCloy steps into the elegant Bramford building, she’s overwhelmed. Fresh from the Midwest, she’s moved to New York’s Upper East Side to live with her grandmother and attend the prestigious Meadowlark Academy. Here all that matters is who you know. The girl to know is Madison Macallister: popular, pretty, platinumblond. She’s not just Casey’s new classmate and neighbor; she’s an icon. So Casey aims to get in with Madison and her gorgeous gal-pals from the start. As the reigning queen of coolness, Madison is capable of destroying reputations with one welltimed whisper. Better to be on her good side.

But after a city-haute makeover from her new frenemy Madison, Casey is wearing the right clothes, saying the right things, and meeting the right people—including Drew, the boy-about-town who Madison thinks belongs to her and her alone. 

I've heard all types of wonderful things about The Elite series, but my library does not carry the books, nor do any of the bookstores nearby.  So I marched my behind to the counter and requested that they special order the book for me!  I am very excited to now have this book, but only wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

So these are all my books for this week!  Short and simple, but definitely sweet!

Another Award--I Am So Flattered!

Lizzie from The Book Obsession gave me my very first I Heart Your Blog award!  Thank you very much Lizzie!  I am definitely flattered.  

I was going to pass the award on, but because so many of you are repeat winners of the award, I just decided it best to share it with all of you!!!

Also, earlier this week Lenore of Presenting Lenore gave out her very own awards (and they were very creative, might I add).  Imagine my surprise when I saw my very own name on the list!!!  I don't like to show favoritism, but Lenore really does have one of my very favorite blogs in the book blogging community.  It is top notch and I only hope that one day my blog can be as fabulous as Lenore's.  So Lenore, thank you very much.  It was a great honor to be included and brought a smile to my face!

GoldenGirl!!!

GoldenGirl: A Bradford Novel book trailer from FlirtyGirl Productions on Vimeo.

I was totally loving this book trailer and thought I'd share it with y'all! 

GoldenGirl review to come...

While you're waiting, be sure to check out the official Bradford Novels website.  It is awesome!!!

Waiting on Wednesday--January 7

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU

Heather Duffy Stone

Releases March 1, 2009

Summary (from Amazon):
The stories people tell are always about the things we left behind, and about the things we wish we could do again. The real story isn't about what you know; it's about what you wish you knew then. When my brother and my best friend fell in love—that was the end of everything I knew.

Fraternal twins Nadio and Noelle share a close connection—and as Noelle's best friend since they were five, Keeley Shipley fit perfectly into their world. But everything changes after Keeley spends the summer before junior year at Oxford. When Keeley returns, Nadio falls in love with her. Noelle, ripped apart by resentment, sees her as an ungrateful rich girl. But Keeley has a painful story that she can't tell yet. As Nadio and Keeley hide their romance, Noelle dives into something of her own—a destructive affair with an older boy.

Beautifully presented by dual narrators in a haunting stream of memories, this is the deeply moving story of how secrets can consume a friendship—and how love can heal it.

I am so excited about the release of this novel! As most of you know, I love a book that has a good love story intertwined in it somehow. This one has two!!! One that sounds like it will be hidden, but sweet, and the other sounds scandalous!

Plus (once again judging a book by its cover), I love the tape over the mouth in the picture. It's not threatening in any way. It just looks like a person who has trouble keeping secrets.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I Got a Butterfly Award!!!

Yay!  My first award!

I got this from my separated at birth twin sister Sharon at Sharon Loves Books and Cats.  Thank you very much Sharon!

This is a “meme” award, so it gets passed on. The rules for passing it on are:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded the blog to you.
3. Award up to ten other blogs.
4. Add links to the blogs you award onto your blog.
5. Leave a message for your awardees on their blogs.

Yay!  Giving out my first awards ever...
Paradox of Paradoxical who is the luckiest person in the world!
Khy The Frenetic Reader who gives out some of the most honest reviews I've read!
Vanessa of What Vanessa Reads who is always full of excitement!
Hope of Hope's Bookshelf or being so young, talented, and ambitious!
Ellie of 52 Books and 52 Weeks who is the best new blogger in the YA community!
Lauren of Shooting Stars Magazine who has the most wickedly awesome blog about EVERYTHING!!!  And besides that, she's so sweet, I feel like I've known her forever!
I would have nominated more people, but Sharon and I follow alot of the same blogs (if she nominated you, I would have too, but figured you wouldn't want two of the same awards on the same night) and so I figured I'd spread the happiness!  Really though, there are so many great blogs out there and I am just so excited to be a part of this community (I guess it's more like a circle of friends)!
Go Booktopia!!!

Upcoming Review!

Okay, so I told you that one of my resolutions is to read at least 2 books a week, and I'm starting off badly!  I thought that I would have The Hunger Games finished today, but unfortunately, I am a slow reader these days!  But be sure to keep your eyes out for it because I am totally loving it!  I haven't finished it yet, but I've already started recommending it to everyone I know (which I never do before reading the end, cause let's face it, sometimes they stink).  I really just think this highly of what I've read of the book so far, so make sure you check back in a few days for my thoughts on the book in its entirety.

Also, congratulations to Alexa Young for the release of Faketastic today and to Jennifer Banash for the release of In Too Deep (also released today)!

That's all for today!  See you tomorrow for Waiting on Wednesday!

In My Mailbox (January 4)

In My Mailbox comes from the awesome mind of Kristi "The Story Siren".  Each Sunday, bloggers share the books they received via mail, store, or library.  For more info about In My Mailbox, click here.

I have a weakness for buying books, and the last two weeks Barnes & Noble and Borders have been running these awesome sales.  Last week, I picked up 3 clearance books that were included in last week's In My Mailbox post.  This week, I got 14 more, (so I won't include pics or summaries, I'll just link them to the Amazon pages.)

Without further ado, I present you with this week's lot:

Eleven by Lauren Myracle

Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott

The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff

(All these came from Borders.  They were all hardcover and cost only $3.99!)

Confessions of a Bitter Secret Santa by Lara Bergen (I love Christmas books!)

Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell 

Skinny-Dipping (Au Pairs series #2) by Melissa de la Cruz

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt

The Dating Game by Natalie Standiford

Breaking Up is Really, Really Hard to Do (The Dating Game series #2) by Natalie Standiford

Can True Love Survive High School (The Dating Game series #3) by Natalie Standiford

Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski

How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zoey Dean

(These came from Barnes & Noble.  They are a mix of paperback and hardcover and ranged from $1.99-3.99!)

These should keep me busy for a while, but with so many new books out and a gift card burning in my wallet, I think in a moment I'm heading out to see what else I can find!!!

Odd Mom Out

Odd Mom Out

Jane Porter

Released September 2007

5 Spot

Summary:  Unmarried Marta Zinsser and her nine year old daughter Eva have recently moved from diverse New York to a wealthy--and snooty--section of Washington state.  While in New York, it was perfectly normal for Marta to drive her motorcycle and dress in camouflage clothing and combat boots.  However, she is totally out of place in Bellevue, where the suburban housewives dress in designer jeans and shoes.  To make matters worse, her daughter is snubbed by her classmates, mostly because of her mother’s abnormal appearance and behavior.  Will Marta ever fit in with the other country club mothers or will she forever remain an Odd Mom Out?

Review:  I have always heard about Jane Porter and her “fabulous” novels.  However, I have not read any of them other than Odd Mom Out.  And frankly, I do not plan to read any of her other titles after forcing myself through 400-something pages of boredom.  

I was very excited about receiving Odd Mom Out from Book Divas after reading an online summary and awesome reviews; however, I was deeply disappointed.  In my opinion, the story took way too long to get into.  By page 100, you'd think a reader would be hooked.  I just kept asking myself, Is it over yet?

In addition, it was so unrealistic (very over-exaggerated).  While I understand that every woman is not a Stepford wife, Marta seemed very extreme and her daughter was more like a 40 year-old best friend than an elementary school child.  I don't think I've ever read a book in which I disliked all the characters--until now!

At first I thought maybe I was being biased because I very seldom read books outside the YA genre; but, I have been very pleased with most adult books that I have read--especially those that have been praised as much as Jane Porter's books.  For some reason, I just did not click with Ms. Porter's writing style and characters.

If you are looking for good chick-lit, I do NOT recommend this title!  (Sorry Jane!)

So what about you guys?  Have any of you read Odd Mom Out or any of Jane Porter's other books?  If so, should I give her another try or did you dislike her book(s) as well?  Have you read any other adult chick-lit titles that you enjoyed?  

Very exciting time!

Hello to all!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful new year!  I know I sure did, but more about that later.

My blog has only been around for a short time, and I continue to learn from fellow book bloggers. This year, one of my resolutions is to improve my blog, and of course I need your help.  I plan to host some contests and interview a few authors, but what else do you guys think I should do to improve my blog?

So now for my other resolutions:

1.  Work out.   I joined a gym in April because I wanted to tone up and because I am just plain LAZY!  I have always been naturally thin, but that does not mean I'm healthy.  So this year, I am going to get my heart rate moving and my blood pumping!

2.  Read more.  When I was younger, I could read a book a day.  Now, it takes me much longer (probably because I have a job and other adult things to take care of).  I hope to read 2 books a week in 2009, beginning with The Hunger Games and GoldenGirl this week!

3.  Learn to cook.  I am a lousy cook!  Enough said.

4.  Plan the perfect wedding!  That's right, my exciting news is that my boyfriend of 4 years proposed to me on New Years Eve!  We haven't set a date yet, but I am sure I will be spending most, if not all, of 2009 perfecting our wedding plans.

Again, I hope everyone had a happy new year!!!