Shelving Saturday - #13

Welcome to Shelving Saturday

Shelving Saturday is a weekly blog event I have started here at Eastern Sunset Reads.   Each week I will post a shelving dilemma or question and you can join me in the response.

Please feel free to post on your blog and link back here, please be sure to post the link to your response in the comments so I can come and check your Shelving day out!

 

Over the past couple of weeks we started re-organizing our shelves. I know some of you are already done but for the rest of us -  Lets see your progress.

 

 

Well I finally managed to finish re-organizing my bookshelves! I already see things I want to change HAHAH!

 

I forgot to take before pictures of each shelf but here are the before of all the shelves:

And here is what they look like now . . .

On the right hand bookshelf the first two shelves are Young Adult alphabetical by author, as shown a few weeks ago.  The next shelf is romance again alphabetical by author. The next shelf is suspense & mystery (mostly Robin Cook) and the bottom shelf is my animal books (reference is on the left and photography on the right).

The Left hand bookshelf the top shelf has some ponies and breyers on it  so no books. The next shelf consists of the classics and then the poetry, again alphabetical by author. The next shelf has historical non fiction and historical fiction (plus a couple of books that don't fit anywhere). The next shelf has my writing notebooks and reference books and to the right are inspirational books. The bottom shelf are all my legal class notebooks and text books along with year books and magazines.

You may ask what happened to the antique books that were causing me so many problems.  Well while we cleaned out the basement I came across an old dvd rack that wasn't being used, it is perfect.

Yay! Finally done with that project, for now ;)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Bedtime Story: Leo the Lop (Tail Two)

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Even a cute and furry rabbit can be brave."

My Review: Another adorable tail for little Leo the lop ear rabbit. He learns a great lesson this time.  He doesn't want to be a cute furry bunny any more, he wishes he could be a tough lion or bear.  He even tries to make tough faces.  When all the other little creatures laugh at him for saying he looks brave today, he runs away and later discovers his home clearing is surrounded by smoke and fire. Instead of running away like other animals do he finds his way in to save the same creatures that laughed at him. Not only was he brave even though he is cute and cuddly, but he didn't hold a grudge.  The illustrations are again so cute!

My Rating: I think I liked this one better than the first tail! It gets Four Paws!

Goodnight, Sweet Dreams!

Follow Friday & In My Mailbox

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - The Book Addicted Girl & The Little Book Blog
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. LINKY TOOLS IS BACK! I paid for the subscription - finally so now you can add the links to your own post!!! To add the code to your own post click on GET THE CODE here under the list of names.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
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Q. Let's step away from books for a second and get personal. What T-Shirt slogan best describes you?

This was not a hard decision for me at all

What can I say? I love bacon! Another bacon lover and I discussed making taco shells out of bacon even just so we could have bacon with our tacos!

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In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren that I have decided to participate in.

How IMM works:
Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
I post every week, but you don’t have to. You can do one week out of the month or every other week it’s up to you.
You don't have to call your post In My Mailbox... (some people don't even have mailboxes!)
I post my IMM on Sunday, but choose a day of the week that works for you.
Once you have your IMM posted, come back to The Story Siren on Sunday and add your link to the list.
Try to post a comment on other bloggers IMM posts. I don’t expect you to post a comment on every single one, but pick a few!

All book bloggers are welcome, while I’d like to keep the theme to YA literature it’s NOT a requirement.

There is no right or wrong way to do In My Mailbox, you can vlog, you can take fun picture, you can use the books cover art, it’s up to you!

Most importantly HAVE FUN!

 

Besides my Border's breakdown, I have been pretty good about not buying any more books. I did however get sent two more books by Christine E. Schulze to read and review.

 

Synopsis from Goodreads: "This short but powerful novella chronicles the early life of Aaryn, who, in mourning after the recent death of his wife, Chrystine, reflects upon the girl whose name and healing nature made him fall in love with that wife at their first meeting—the other Krystine, his first love, a lovely, innocent, child-like Veela. In remembering her, he recounts his early ventures—how he became the very first vampire; how he protected Krystine from the lusts of the Princes of Night and struggled to protect her from himself; how he was forcibly drug into a mission in search for the One who could overthrow the evil of the Enchantress who created him—and how all these tales and misadventures weave together to tell the story of a love so beautiful and yet sorrowful, brimming with both hope and hopelessness. A tale of mystery, adventure, and passion, Aaryn's story echoes the unbreakable love and eternal bond between two immortals. Truly, this is the saddest vampire tale ever told."

I am really looking forward to this one, because I adored Aaryn in Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress though I am sure I will be in tears by the end!

 

 

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Zale. Gauthier. Varden. These three dynasties?They all sound like something out of an ancient, oriental myth or fairy tale. The concept of humans and dragons helping and living in harmony with one another, without fear. To me, that's exactly what they are. A distant dream only read of, whispered secretly, quietly yearned for. For, you see, I am the new Quelda of Tynan.
These words echo the mystery, horror, and romance found within Schulze's fantasy novel. Along with her new husband, Chalom, Crislin must choose to embrace cruel tradition, run from it, or stand against it. The young couple's only hope is to rally the help of the three peaceful dragon dynasties of Sulaimon—but tradition is not on their side, even outside the realm of Tynan. The dragons outside Tynan's borders have been rumored as too stubborn and proud to believe their Tynanian brothers would commit such horrors as inflicted upon the Quelda. Gaining their aid is not a likely hope. Yet, any hope at all is valued in Tynan...
If they are to stand a chance of bringing cruel tradition to a permanent end, Crislin and ChalomSulaimon as a whole once again. Their only aid stems from a sprite whose moods are as unstable as her magic, a young minstrel, and a mysterious fox. Despite the odds, such plans are daring, dangerous, unprecedented, but fully possible - if they can escape the Wall first."

 

This looks like an exciting adventure.

 

Review of Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow

Synopsis: "All her life, Breena had always dreamed about fairies as though she lived among them...beautiful fairies living among mortals and living in Feyland.

In her dreams, he was always there the breathtakingly handsome but dangerous Winter Prince, Kian, who is her intended. When Breena turns sixteen, she begins seeing fairies and other creatures mortals don't see. Her best friend Logan suddenly acts very protective.

Then she sees Kian, who seems intent on finding her and carrying her off to Feyland. That's fine and all, but for the fact that humans rarely survive a trip to Feyland, a kiss from a fairy generally means death to the human unless that human has fairy blood in them or is very strong, and although Kian seemed to be her intended, he seems to hate her and wants her dead."

My Review: What an exciting story, it just sucks you right in and wont let you go. I loved the characters, they were each unique. Breena was very interesting to me, she didn't really fit in her high school and was a fun down to earth girl, but while out of her comfort zone in feyland she steps up and doesn't wait around to be saved. I am not really sure what to think of Kian, but I think that is what Kailin Gow wanted for the readers, to constantly wonder is he against Breena or with her? I loved Logan, I think he was my favorite! The descriptions of the different fae were interesting, I found the pixies to be scary yet intriguing. I also enjoyed how Kailin described the differences between our world and theirs, she didn't go into so much detail that it distracted from the story but enough so you could understand. I found my heart racing at all the twists and turns that were thrown throughout the book and left anxious for the next book (thankfully it has been released, I just need to get my hands on it)!         

My Rating:  This was definitely a Four Paw book for me! I really enjoyed the journey it took me on and I can't wait for the next one!

Review: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Meg's father mysteriously disappears after experimenting with the fifth dimension of time travel. Determined to rescue him, Meg and her friends must outwit the forces of evil on a heart-stopping journey through space and time. A commemorative edition with an Introduction by the author. A Newbery Medal winner."
My Review: Well this one started out really good but I kind of lost interest about half way through and had to force myself to finish. At first I thought I would really connect with Meg because she seemed a lot like me but as I read she really struck me as kind of a whiner. She was so immature throughout the end of the book. Charlie kind of freaked me out, he was a great little brother but the more into the adventure they got he seemed to be far too intelligent. I loved Calvin, he was the most normal of the bunch. I also enjoyed the Mrs. Ws, they were interesting characters and I did like how they didn't just hand the kids the solution. I think though my favorite was Aunt Beast, and she played such a minor role, I wish that the entire story took place on her world. The storyline itself didn't seem to interest me, maybe it was a little too science related for me. I am beginning to think that these middle readers are books that are best read during the appropriate age, they seem to be a little lacking compared to my normal books, but are probably great as a kid/teen.

My Rating: While I enjoyed this one more than Bridge to Terabithia, I still don't think I enjoyed it as much as I should have, so I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag. I think maybe kids should read this one when they have the chance to enjoy it to its fullest rather than try to revisit it later in life.

Poetry Pause: Ode to Autumn by John Keats

Its about time I start working in the poetry section of my own 2011 Reading Challenge.  I had planned on posting the poems for you to join me in reflecting on them; however, I am not entirely certain on the copyright laws regarding some of the poets we will read.  So to be on the safe side I decided to try to link you to the poem I will be reading.

Another option, if you are looking to purchase a book of poetry, I suggest Half Hours with the Best Poets (Barnes & Noble or Amazon)

This is a fantastic collection of poems, nearly all of my top poems are in this one book!

So anyway on to our first poem . . .

Ode to Autumn by John Keats

Title links to poem

This is a wonderful autumn poem. I have seen a lot of people compare it to later years in the human life, but I definitely like it just for the season.  The first section brings me back to the years growing up when we had a garden. As the summer came to an end the garden was bursting with produce, granted during the harvesting I would eat almost as much as I would pick (especially of the carrots and sweet peas).  As the poem continues into the second section it seems to move into the time after the harvesting finishing and the food is stored.  There is a little lull in the activity and things to do that brings about a little bit of laziness. We have a little time to enjoy the last few warm days and can take a little time to remember these calm moments to take us through winter into spring.  The third and final section talks about the end of the day and brings to mind the ending of the season. The frantic activity of bugs and birds preparing for the winter.  The unique sunsets that seem to have colors we only see in fall.  As a whole it actually makes me look forward to the fall, though it normally isn't my favorite season.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I am going to bend the rules again because I want to share more of my own Nano story with you :D and I would love to hear some of your feedback! What do you think?!

Teaser taken from Night Rider by Myself ;)

Synopsis: This would be a YA type novel with a touch of romance and of course horses. Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

This Teaser is taken from a scene between Caleb (one of the main characters) and Trenton, his 5 year old brother. Caleb is picking him up in the school's library after playing an indoor soccer game.

Teaser: " “Hey Trey Trey, what are you looking at?” Caleb asked quietly as he pulled up a chair to sit next to his brother.

Without so much as moving Trey whispered “Waiting for the Night Goddess.”

Caleb was puzzled “The Night Goddess?”

Trey smiled with his nose still pressed against the glass, “When the moon is big and bright the Night Goddess uses the jumping ring.”

Caleb was about to question him more when Trey gave a little gasp and pointed a little finger out into the night “see here she is” he whispered with awe in his voice.

Caleb turned to see what had his normally squirmy little brother so riveted and saw a dark figure cantering into view headed right for the fence around the jumping ring. He jumped up prepared to rush out “that’s an accident waiting to happen” he said under his breath. When Trey reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t worry, the Night Goddess has wings! She never makes a mistake.” Trey  said urgently tugging Caleb’s arm."

I should not have been allowed into Borders!!

Our local Borders started their liquidation sale on Friday, I decided to go in today after work. Boy oh Boy! Its a good thing it was busy and nothing was organized otherwise I would have found way more books that I wanted! As it was I decided to leave some behind :(  You want to see my haul?! 

I am going to say this is a partial IMM since it would definitely be too large for one post!!

Thats 19 books, most of them are off my wish list and were 20% off (tell me you could pass it up)

Highland Guardian (Daughters of the Glen #2) Synopsis: "Ian McCullough is neck-deep in his own trouble. A half-mortal descendant of Faeries, he's been a Guardian for more than six hundred years, but he's never encountered a woman like Sarah. Assigned to protect her, he finds the job tougher than he could have imagined. Oh, he can handle the stalker, and even the renegade Faeries trying to kidnap her. But falling in love means forsaking his role as Guardian -- which is some-thing he could never do.

Swallowing Darkness & Divine Disdemeanors are to replace the HC copies on my shelf.

Synposis of Exile: "Crown princess Aurelia is a survivor. She survived attempted assassination. She survived the king's rejection. She survived her mother's abandonment. And now, in exile, she must survive her kingdom-from hostile crowds to raw frontier to desert sands. But even as unknown assailants track Aurelia and expedition guide Robert, she knows her greatest risk is falling in love... "

Synopsis of Inferno: "After being thrown out the window of his luxury apartment, science fiction writer Allen Carpentier wakes to find himself at the gates of hell. Feeling he's landed in a great opportunity for a book, he attempts to follow Dante's road map. Determined to meet Satan himself, Carpentier treks through the Nine Layers of Hell led by Benito Mussolini, and encounters countless mental and physical tortures. As he struggles to escape, he's taken through new, puzzling, and outlandish versions of sin—recast for the present day."

And 1984, Grapes of Wrath, Great Gatsby and Lolita are all for the 2011 Challenge.

With all these great new books its going to be hard to focus on the ones I already have planned!!

But there is no denying the passion that exists between two souls fated to be together."

A Highlander of Her Own (#4) Synopsis: "TEXAS, PRESENT DAY. Ellie Denton's world has spiraled out of control. A strange new birthmark, animals talking to her, and her mother's ex-husband laying claim to the family ranch have her thinking life can't get more complicated. But Ellie doesn't know the birthmark's connection to her Faerie ancestors. Complicated takes on a whole new meaning with her innocent wish to find her true love.

SCOTLAND, 1304. Caden MacAlister has more trouble than he can handle. With his brother held for ransom and the laird missing, the last thing he needs is another problem. But the Fae have other plans. A mysterious woman shows up in his stables, sent by Faerie Magic to find her true love. Fighting his attraction, Caden insists she's meant for one of his brothers. With his history, he has no desire for a woman in his life -- especially a woman sent by the Fae.
Only the magic of the Fae can determine whether Ellie will find a Highlander of her own..."     

Highlander's Homecoming (#6) Synopsis: "SCOTLAND, PRESENT DAY. When Faerie Magic swept Robert MacQuarrie forward in time, modern medicine saved him from a fatal wound. But he also left behind an unfulfilled vow -- to protect his friend's young daughter, Isabella. Haunted by guilt for more than a decade, he leaps at the chance to go back and keep that vow. The magic of the Fae works in its own mysterious ways, however. Not only does his homecoming turn out to be twenty years after he left, but there's also that tricky matter of the fate he escaped before.

SCOTLAND, 1292. Isabella MacGahan has reluctantly chosen a lonely existence, scorned for her Faerie blood and uncon-trollable power. When she's caught in a conflict between clans, a pawn in the struggle for power and land, her only option is to trust a handsome stranger. One who swears he was charged with her safety a full twenty years before...although the deluded man seems little older than her.
No one is safe when Mortal schemes and Faerie magic push Robbie and Isabella to confront their worst fears. Will the magic demand the ultimate price from them both -- or will they find their true homecoming in each other's arms?"

Healing The Highlander (#7) Synopsis: "ANDREW MACALISTER longs for a cure to free him from the excruciating pain caused by an old wound, but when he rescues a drowning woman, he has no idea how much his life is about to change. All Drew knows is that this mysterious woman is hiding secrets—and that he’s never felt such a consuming desire before. Yet he cannot deny her request for help, even if it means bringing the detested English army to his Highland clan’s home.
LEAH NOBLE MCQUARRIE still harbors a deep hatred of the Fae who tortured her eleven years ago, forcing her to escape back in time to the thirteenth century. A descendant of the Fae, Leah denies her heritage and her magical healing abilities. But the English army is holding her beloved adoptive grandfather captive, so Leah must seek help from the Fae—and the captivating man whose touch she craves.
Then Drew discovers Leah’s secrets, and he’s torn between old loyalties and trusting a woman who has the power to give him the future he’s sought—but could destroy his clan forever. . . ."  X2 one is a gift

This Is All I Ask (De Piaget #7) Synopsis: "National bestselling author Lynn Kurland takes a bold step forward with this stunning novel that beautifully captures the majesty of the Medieval period. Set near the Scottish border, it is the breathtaking story of two lost souls who find in each other a reason to live again, to laugh again, and to love for the first time."

One Magic Moment Synopsis: "Medieval studies scholar Tess Alexander is thrilled for the chance to live in a medieval castle. But then a trip to the village brings her face-to-face with the owner of the local garage, who looks a great deal like the man who married her sister...800 years in the past. She's determined to remain objective about magic and destiny, but she can't help wondering about that mysterious, sword-wielding mechanic."

One Enchanted Evening (#6) Synopsis: "A duty-bound knight has taken on the task of rebuilding the most dilapidated castle in all of England.
A costume designer gets her chance to shine by showcasing her fairy- tale designs at an upscale party in an authentic medieval castle.
And the magic that whispers along the castle's hallways is about to orchestrate an improbable happily-ever-after."

A Knights Vow Synopsis: "Fantasies are made of knights in shining armor. Men whose ferocity in battle was tempered by a code of chivalry...whose passions brought them to their knees before the women they desired...whose loyalty and honor never wavered - and whose vows were never broken. These are the men of our dreams. - and now you can find them in four breathtaking Medieval tales by today s most acclaimed writers of historical romance.."

Synopsis of Never After: "The bonds of love...The bonds of matrimony...The bonds between husband and wife...Let's face it-some bonds are made to be broken.
Here, for the first time ever, are four stories from today's most provocative authors that take the classic idea of the "faerie tale wedding" and give it a swift kick in the bustle."

Synopsis of Cravings: "Four favorite authors present their favorite characters in all-new tales of bloodlust, appetites that must be sated again and again, and the passion that feeds them. "

Its Monday! What are you Reading?

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

I decided to join in this meme for my sanity and your own to keep track of what books have bookmarks in them!

 

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Leo the Lop by Stephen Cosgrove

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

 

Currently Reading:

 

Fire by Kristin Cashore - PB ARC & Nook, page 43 of 461

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L. Engle - PB - page 151 of 245

Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow - PB - page 18 of 235

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - PB - on page 23 of 269

 

Next Books to be Read:

 

Leo the Lop (Tail Two) by Stephen Cosgrove - Childrens/ Bedtime Story

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris - Paranormal

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - YA/ 2011 Challenge

Ode to Autumn by John Keats - Poetry/ 2011 Challenge

 

 

 

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Nano Camp update: I have fallen horribly behind on my nano book as usual! I blame it all on technology! I got a new computer in the office and have spent an entire week trying to transfer files and get all the new programs up and running! Its like relearning to use a computer going from windows XP to Windows 7!  But the good news is I watched the movie about JK Rowling and her journey of writing Harry Potter, it was very inspiring to see that after years and years of working that it all can work out beyond our dreams!

 

 

Hope you all have a great week!

Review of Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Synopsis: "Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.
When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone."

My Review: The first time I read this book was February of last year, I re-read it multiple times last year because I loved it so much. I found it easy, with Cashore's writing, to really immerse myself in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. I fell in love with the characters, even in their bad times and with their downfalls. Katsa is such a strong character and it was great to watch her come into her own and finally become her own and be comfortable with herself. I was also great to watch her build friendships and relationships with the characters she meets along her journey, even trust others as she hadn't before. Po is of course amazing, though he can be a little self centered at times, but he is always patient with Katsa and tries to do what is best for others. But of all the characters I love Bitterblue the most. Even after all she has been through, or maybe because of it, she is strong, trusting and has more courage than so many others. She is prepared to face any challenge even if it is a large group of grown men with swords, to protect those she loves. A fantastic adventure in a beautifully created world that teaches us to each find our own strength.

My Rating: This is definitely a Four Paws and a Stump Wag book for me! I can't pull myself away from it once I start and when I finish the book I can't wait to get back into the world Kristin Cashore created and reconnected with the characters I love so much.

Shelving Saturday - #12

Welcome to Shelving Saturday

Shelving Saturday is a weekly blog event I have started here at Eastern Sunset Reads.   Each week I will post a shelving dilemma or question and you can join me in the response.

Please feel free to post on your blog and link back here, please be sure to post the link to your response in the comments so I can come and check your Shelving day out!

 

Over the past couple of weeks we started re-organizing our shelves. I know some of you are already done but for the rest of us -  Lets see your progress.

 

I unfortunately did not make any progress this week other than pulling piles of books off the shelves and trying to figure out how on earth they were all going to fit. It has just been too darn hot all this week to do anything other than drink iced tea and read books while laying under a fan!

 

I will make every effort to finish this project this week so we can move on to our next shelving dilemma!

 

Bedtime Story: Leo the Lop

Its time again for a Bedtime story, and I have finished the children's books for this years reading challenge so I thought I would share some other great children's books with you.  Some of my favorite books growing up were the Serendipity books and I have worked hard to collect many of them (still don't quite have them all).  So we will start with Leo the Lop and his tale about being normal.

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Leo the rabbit whose ears are different from all the other rabbits learns that "normal is whatever you are."

My Review: While Leo the Lop wasn't always my favorite I still enjoyed it when I was a kid and still do! Such a cute little bunny! The illustrations are amazing in this and all the serendipity books, Robin James is fantastic! Leo didn't know any thing was wrong with his ears until the other bunnies finally told him that his floppy ears was what they were laughing at, if only we could all not notice our downfalls like that little bunny. But once a flaw is pointed out, that he isn't normal he does his best to fix it until someone with a "different point of view" shows him that he was normal to begin with and he shouldn't change. That is indeed what our dearest friends and family are for, to tell us that our little quirks are normal, that everyone is normal just the way they are.  A great lesson for kids and really a lesson adults should remember from time to time as well.

My Rating: I love the story and the illustrations and because of that it ranks high on my list but isn't my favorite so I give Leo the Lop Three Stars and a Stump Wag.

Join me for more adventures in the Serendipity books next week!

Goodnight, Sweet Dreams!

Follow Friday & In My Mailbox

 

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers -We Fancy Books & Unrequited Desire
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. LINKY TOOLS IS BACK! I paid for the subscription - finally so now you can add the links to your own post!!! To add the code to your own post click on GET THE CODE here under the list of names.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q. Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

Well the first author comes to mind immediately, Kristin Cashore, author of Graceling and Fire. I went to one of her talks where she discussed her writing methods and I would love to have more time to sit down and talk about it in more detail. We seem to have similar methods but hers result in books and mine result in piles of notebooks with half finished stories.

The second author would probably have to be Laurell K. Hamilton, she is so in tune with her characters, I would love to hear how she gets so inside their heads and still manages to get it down on paper. Of course, I also love her books and gobble them up!

I think the third author I would love to sit down with would be Kenneth Thomasma, he was the first (besides my parents and teachers) to recognize my writing.  I would love to thank him for that recognition and tell him how whenever I start to wonder if I really can do it I think back to that day.

I went to an exclusive writing workshop when I was in 5th Grade, only 3 kids from each school in the district were able to go. I was one of the kids from my school selected.  Towards the end of the day he gave us all a line and asked us to write a story based on that line (I believe the line was something like "you are back country skiing with a group of friends and suddenly an avalanche starts taking your friends with it, you are the only one left who can get help, what happens next") I actually wasted most of the time he gave us to write, imagining what I would write and in the last minutes I filled the little card they gave us with a really suspenseful bit about skiing down the mountain, with tree branches grabbing my coat and scratching my face, and seeing a clearing ahead in the trees and thinking it was the lodge but only to find out it was just a meadow.  He chose a few winners and mine was one of those winners, he read it aloud in front of the whole workshop. It is still one of the most significant moments to me.



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In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren that I have decided to participate in.

How IMM works:
Make your own IMM post! You can post about books you've bought, gotten from the library, received for review... books don't have to arrive via your mailbox.
I post every week, but you don’t have to. You can do one week out of the month or every other week it’s up to you.
You don't have to call your post In My Mailbox... (some people don't even have mailboxes!)
I post my IMM on Sunday, but choose a day of the week that works for you.
Once you have your IMM posted, come back to The Story Siren on Sunday and add your link to the list.
Try to post a comment on other bloggers IMM posts. I don’t expect you to post a comment on every single one, but pick a few!

All book bloggers are welcome, while I’d like to keep the theme to YA literature it’s NOT a requirement.

There is no right or wrong way to do In My Mailbox, you can vlog, you can take fun picture, you can use the books cover art, it’s up to you!

Most importantly HAVE FUN!

 

 

I was fairly good this week, I only purchase two books (even though I am on a book buying ban).

 

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Helen Brown had no intention of adopting a pet when she brought her sons, Sam and Rob, to visit a friend's new kittens. But the runt of the litter was irresistible, with her overlarge ears and dainty chin.

When Cleo was delivered weeks later, she had no way of knowing that her new family had just been hit by a tragedy. Helen was sure she couldn't keep her-until she saw something she thought had vanished from the earth forever: her son's smile. The reckless, rambunctious kitten stayed.

 

I picked this one up at the pet store while buying Valerie's Birthday present (yes my cat gets a birthday present), she turned 8 on Friday last week.  I saw this book and of course am a huge sucker for black cats and it sounded like a touching story.

 

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't."

 

The movie for this one looks fantastic so of course I had to get the book to read before seeing the movie!

Review of Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Synopsis from Goodreads: "Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits."

My Review: I really wasn't too impressed with this one. It was kind of a let down for me because after watching the movie I had really high hopes. I didn't connect with the characters like I should have, and I didn't really get an visualizations from the descriptions. I felt like the book didn't focus too much on the imagination or Terabithia but rather Jess' lack of imagination. I also found it odd how a teacher would single a student out to pay special attention to them and take them on a private field trip. The one thing I did enjoy was the growing relationship between Jess and his sister, May Belle. It was touching reading about his sister's love even when he wasn't that nice to her and then seeing him finally realize that love.

My Rating: I really wish I had enjoyed this one more, but it just didn't click with me so I give Bridge to Terabithia Two Paws.

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

I decided to join in this meme for my sanity and your own to keep track of what books have bookmarks in them!

 

So I missed last week so I will roll those reviews in as well.

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

 

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress by Christine E. Schulze

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

 

Currently Reading:

 

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson - PB - on page 37 of 143

Graceling by Kristin Cashore - HC - on page 47 of 471

A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin - on my Nook, page 20 of 1439

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - PB - on page 23 of 269

 

Next Books to be Read:

 

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L. Engle - Middle Reader/ 2011 Challenge
Fire by Kristin Cashore - YA/ 2011 Challenge

Leo the Lop by Stephen Cosgrove - Children's Book/Bedtime Story

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris - Paranormal

Bitter Frost by Kailin Gow - YA

 

 

I am failing miserably again on my Nano book :( I am spending the next two days at work setting up a new computer but then it is back down to business, hopefully I can get at least halfway done and maybe finish in August.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Shelving Saturday - #11

Welcome to Shelving Saturday

Shelving Saturday is a weekly blog event I have started here at Eastern Sunset Reads.   Each week I will post a shelving dilemma or question and you can join me in the response.

Please feel free to post on your blog and link back here, please be sure to post the link to your response in the comments so I can come and check your Shelving day out!

Over the past couple of weeks we started re-organizing our shelves. I know some of you are already done but for the rest of us -  Lets see your progress.

As you all know I had a crazy busy week last week so I only got one shelf done (and since I missed last weeks post I will add it here).  This week I got two shelves done and then I hit a rock wall :(

So here are all the pre-organizing pictures . . . Look at that mess!!!

So I decided to make the top two shelves Middle Reader/ Young Adult alphabetical by author.

Look how pretty they are all organized! I am actually thinking about making them double deep, we will see what space I still need.

Here are some closer pictures so you can see what goodies I have ;)

And then these two stacks are on my personal challenge list for this year, so once I read them they will be added to the shelves.

So on the next shelf for some reason I decided to jump from young adult to romance! I think its because these are the shelves that I have the easiest access to and I read mostly romance and young adult.

I am honestly not very thrilled with the way this shelf looks, I think I need to replace my HC Merry Gentry Series with PB for a more uniform shelf. We will have to see.

Anywho so I hit a road block with the next shelf.  On it currently are some magazines (which I have now gotten cardboard boxes to stand them upright), the Anita Blake Comic Books (are they still called comic books even though they are for adults?!), and also some antique books I inherited from my Great Grandmother.  I think I want to keep the antique books together.  Should I put the comic books on the romance shelf with the rest of Laurell K. Hamilton's books? Should I put the magazines in the boxes and leave them aside for now?  I think I might have to skip this shelf for now and move on to the other book shelf.