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

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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!