Continuing the meme, here's Day 9...
Day 9: Why do you blog about books?
I started this blog as a way to keep track of my reading. I read a ton of books, but often can't recall the titles or if I liked some of them. I wanted a good place to track all of that. Once I began, I started branching out to personal posts, other media, and bookish events (readathons, challenges). I'd still say that this blog is primarily a journal for my record, but it's always nice to have visitors.
Title: Rises the Night (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #2)
Author: Colleen Gleason
Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2007
Genre: Vampires
Pages: 334
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Monthly -- July; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W29
How I Got It: I own it
THE CITY OF ROME GIVES RISE TO A NEW ARMY OF VAMPIRES ...As Victoria Gardella races across Europe to stop what could be the most deadly uprising vampire slayers have ever faced, she is accompanied by Sebastian Vioget, a man as tempting as he is devious. But when Victoria discovers that she has been betrayed by one of her most trusted allies, finding out the truth will be her greatest challenge.
This one was full on action right from the first page. I am really falling for this series. I love the writing. I love the characters. I love the plot lines. Gleason sure knows how to craft those twists and turns and keep the audience right there with Victoria. In this volume we learn more about other vampire threats out there. We also get more information about the Venators and their history. I liked the walk through the Venator museum highlighting some of the more interesting ancestors. And finally Gleason takes our hearts, rips them from our chests, and stomps all over them while we watch... but in an amazingly captivatingly way. I was completely stunned at the end of this book and ready for the next volume.
Gardella Vampire Chronicles:
Continuing the meme, here's Day 8...
Day 8: Quick! Write 15 bullet points of things that appeal to you on blogs!
I can't think of any other good ones, so 10 will have to suffice.
While sifting through all our music, I came across a ton of songs (over 1000) that I wanted to add to my 101 Favorite Songs list. I had to narrow it down. As part of my narrowing, I decide to delete all covers from the list. But those are some great songs, ones I really love. So, I decided to give them their own series on Music Monday. If you like covers, stay tuned for some good ones. Part I, Part II, Part III.
Maroon 5 "Pure Imagination"
Original -- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Lemonheads "Mrs Robinson"
Original -- Simon and Garfunkel
New Found Glory "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough"
Original -- Cyndi Lauper
Save Ferris "Build Me Up Buttercup"
Original -- The Foundations
The Offspring "I Wanna Be Sedated" (And it's the awesome clip from Idle Hands. Love that movie. Go, go Buffalo!)
Original -- The Ramones
Book finished: Reached; Lost; Vampire for Christmas; The Rest Falls Away
Reading: A Storm of Swords; Rises the Night
On the Nightstand: Rise of the Governor; The Host; Guns, Germs, and Steel
Making Lists: The usual weekly grocery list. It never ends...
Around the house: We came back from vacation and I went on a crazy organizing and cleaning kick. I take advantage of those when they come as I don't feel the urge often. I fixed up a ton of things around the house and felt much better. The urge has dissipatedbut now I am starting to feel the need to decorate Arthur's area of the boys' room. I've already got a wishlist on Amazon and Etsy for cute space theme decor. So far I've held off, but the urge to buy is growing.
From the kitchen: Mostly it was a week of tried and true favorites. I did experiment with pesto chicken breast packets. The recipe gave me a cook time that turned out to be less than half of what was needed. So, I had to quickly make something else for dinner that night. Maybe I'll try it again sometime.
Farmer's Market Finds: A bit disappointed with the market this week. I only grabbed some nectarines and a pound of fresh green beans (for our pulled park sandwiches on Monday).
Watching: The boys and I grabbed a few movies at the library to watch: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Pokemon movies, and Step Up: Revolution. Step Up was horrid, and I really like the first two. I didn't watch the Pokemon movies, but the boys were entertained. And the Pirates movie was better than 2 and 3. This one actually had a plot line I could follow. Not bad, although Jack Sparrow is really tiring now. On Friday, we went out with coworkers to see Despicable Me 2. Way funny! Even all the adults loved it.
Pregnancy Update: Feeling pretty good, although I am having the random aches and pains of pregnancy. Plus, Arthur is growing very active especially right after I eat. His kicks sometimes get me in just the right spot to make me flinch. I'm dreading the next two months. Hopefully he chills out a bit before making his appearance.
Wondering: How can the boys have so much energy and eat so little some days? I just cannot understand it.
From Nature: I'm really appreciating the 70-85 degree temperatures of South Bay. I love it being hot enough to go swimming and wear shorts, but not so hot that I am sweltering.
Shopping Scores: I went a little crazy today at Target buying baby things. I snapped up a cute baby blanket, some swim trunks, a set of space theme onsies, and a complete cool weather outfit. I think I need to start organizing Arthur's clothes and stop buying all the clearance items that appeal to me.
Project: Starting to really think about what we need for the baby. I'm finalizing my Amazon baby registry and thinking about making a Target one as well. I still need to do some research on strollers to see what I want/need and some various price points. I have an idea in my mind, but still need to look some up. I also want to get the crib soon so it's all set in case he decides to make an early appearance.
Continuing the meme, here's Day 7...
Day 7: Talk about your blogging quirks.
Blogging quirks? I have to think about this one... I guess I tend to blog in spurts, but my readers won't really know it. I tend to go through cycles of blogging ahead 2-3 months for my weekly meme posts (Music Monday, Quote Wednesday, Top Ten Tuesday). And then I let them publish when scheduled. If let up to a weekly basis, I would probably let those memes fall behind. This way I guarantee myself to finish them. That's really the only quirk I can think of.
Title: The Rest Falls Away(Gardella Vampire Chronicles #1)
Author: Colleen Gleason
Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2007
Genre: Vampire
Pages: 347
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Genre - Thriller; New Authors; Seriously Series; Mount TBR
How I Got It: I own it
Vampires have always lived among them, quietly attacking unsuspecting debutantes and dandified lords as well as hackney drivers and Bond Street milliners. If not for the vampire slayers of the Gardella family, these immortal creatures would have long taken over the world. In every generation, a Gardella is called to accept the family legacy, and this time, Victoria Gardella Grantworth is chosen, on the eve of her debut, to carry the stake. But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous, moonlit streets, Victoria's heart is torn between London's most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her enigmatic ally, Sebastian Vioget. And when she comes face to face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make the choice between duty and love.
The first in a book series that has sat on my shelves for way too long. If I had known the book was as good as it was, I would have read it years ago. I love finding gems in my TBR stacks. This book started with action and just never stopped. I loved the action scenes in this one. The writing is very clear and concise, yet beautifully constructed. The characters are amazing. I immediately connected to Victoria. I loved the meeting with Eustacia. Verbena was a surprising addition to the cast. And of course, the men are all intriguing. I flew through this novel in no time at all. I couldn't wait to see what happened with the Book of Anwartha, the Marquess of Rockley, and Lilith. I was a bit shocked at the ending, but realized that it completely makes sense for the overall storyline. I can't wait to read to the next installment of Victoria Gardella's adventures as a Venator.
Gardella Vampire Chronicles:
From Seasons of Reading:
It's time to sign up for the High Summer Read-a-Thon! I hope you will join me this month for the week of July 22. We will start on Monday, 7/22 at 12:00am CST and finish on Sunday, 7/28 at 11:59pm CST (adjust times according to your time zone). Read what you like during the week. I've decided it's not about quantity, but quality (although those who rock the quantity...I salute you!). So, if you have kids and want to read children's books, go for it! As always, this is a week long read-a-thon, but you can join in and read whenever it's convenient for you. It's all about being laid back and getting some reading done.
I will not be hosting any mini-challenges, as we learned from my last few read-a-thons, focusing on the reading rocks. However, if anyone else would like to host a mini-challenge (or giveaway), you are more than welcome...just let me know. If you know someone who would like to donate a prize, or authors, if you would like to promote your book through the read-a-thon, please contact me via the tab at the top of the blog. We will also have a few scheduled Twitter chats again. I will announce the times in the starting line post. Our Twitter hashtag is #HSreadathonYou do not have to have a blog. You can sign up using your Goodreads, Twitter, or Facebook accounts.
I have stayed away from readathons this summer as the boys and work have keep me very busy. But, I've always enjoyed no-fuss readathons. I feel like it's time to join up again. I will be posting my TBR pile and goals on Sunday July 21st. But if you want to join up, head on over to Seasons of Reading and sign up with us!
Continuing the meme, here's Day 6...
Day 6: Describe how you shop for books.
Well, I'm currently on a book buying ban because of my closet of towering unread book boxes. But usually I do have a routine. I don't normally buy books full price. Clearance racks are my weakness. If I'm actually trying, I bring my list of books I'm looking for. It's old school; a handwritten list of books to finish series I've started buying and a few stand alones. The list is 10 pages. I try to remember to bring my list so I can avoid rebuying books (done that a few times, oops!). Other than the list, I sometimes grab things that look interesting. But like I said, I'm not buying books right now. Surprisingly it's going well. I've stuck to my ban and read a ton of books in my owned stacks. Feels good to weed out the stacks.
Title: Lost
Author: Gregory Maguire
Publisher: William Morrow 2001
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 352
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Telling Tales; What's in a name -- Lost or Found; ebook; Bingo - 1 Reread
How I Got It: iPad read
Children's novelist Winifred Rudge flies from her Boston-area home to London to pay a visit to her distant cousin and old friend John. Instead of receiving his guest open-armed, John is nowhere to be found. His office staff is evasive in fielding Winnie's calls, and Mac and Jenkins, a pair of superstitious home remodelers hired by John to work on the kitchen in his absence, begin behaving strangely, as eerie symbols appear on the wall and inexplicable noises issue from the walled-up chimney space. That Winnie is not alone in her victimization by an otherworldly spirit is a good sign she's not having a breakdown. Setting the story in Winnie and John's ancestral home and filling the neighboring house with John's intimidating new inamorata, Allegra, makes us root for the self-destructive Winnie, a most unlikely heroine. An essential purchase and a substantial Halloween treat.
Hmmm... I loved Wicked and I liked Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. But for some reason, I'm just not that into Lost. I remember reading this back when it was released. I thought it was imaginative. Upon rereading, I still feel it's imaginative, but I'm not really sucked into the story. I can't really get behind Winnie as a main character. And the combination of various fairy tale stories gets a bit old after a while. I would have like a more streamlined plot line. I don't think I will be rereading this one.
Title: Vampire for Christmas
Author: Felicity Heaton
Publisher: Felicity Heaton 2010
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 142
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Sub-Genre - Paranormal; Women Authors; ebook
How I Got It: iPad read
It was one last mission. Shannon, a demon hunter with the agency, is looking forward to leaving behind the small town and the vampire she's been stuck with for the past two years. Things are getting complicated fast and she wants out. A fresh start, free of her vampire partner, awaits her if she can survive their final mission and the lonely Christmas holidays.
It was one last mission. Rafe, a vampire doing time with the agency, watches it approach with dread weighing heavily in his stomach. Two years of working with Shannon has been difficult, especially since he started falling for her, but he doesn't want their partnership to end. He has barely a few days to make her face her feelings and stop her from leaving, and he intends to do just that.
When a slimy demon threatens the season of peace and goodwill, it's the chance Rafe has been waiting for and the moment Shannon secretly fears. Rafe's determination to prise open her heart and her own resolve to keep it closed clash as violently as they do with the demon, and threatens to end as messily.
Can Rafe make Shannon see that his love for her is real and that she feels something for him too? Can Shannon face her fears and her past, and stop herself from running away from both? Will a wish on a star bring her what her heart truly desires--a vampire for Christmas?
Sitting by the pool, I finished my previous book (review pending) and felt in the mood for a quick read. So I picked this out of the random free ebooks on my iPad. For being a very predictable paranormal romance, this one kept me entertained throughout. I loved the charactersespecially Rafe. And at 142 pages, Heaton kept the plot nice and contained. We don't need an entire backstory, just enough to get to know the characters quickly. A nice little selection for a pool read.
Title: Reached (Matched #3)
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton Books 2012
Genre: YA Dystopia
Pages: 512
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Dystopian; Seriously Series; Library Loan; Bingo -- 3 from series
How I Got It: Library loan
The wait is over.
One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most—family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.
With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international–bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose.
A decent ending to this young adult trilogy. I won't say it's been my favorite dystopian, but I did enjoy reading it. After Crossed, I was a little concerned about where the story was going. I thought it wouldn't be fresh. I thought it would be too predictable. Thankfully, Condie infects her writing with so much lyricism and poetry that I didn't mind the predictable parts. I love the different voices of Ky, Cassia, and Xander. Three distinct personalities with hopes and fears came out in the separate chapters. Overall, I think I loved the style of Reached even more than the plot. I don't usually side with style, but in this case, it leads to a strong finish.
Matched:
Another color that I don't usually have the courage to wear, but it's just so gorgeous. I especially love the fresh look of yellow and white. This outfit just screams summer. Overall the outfit is feminine, but the scarf adds a bit of edge to it.
$35 - nelly.com
Roksanda Ilincic maxi skirt farfetch.com
$23 - newlook.com
stefanibags.com
mytheresa.com
Continuing the meme, here's Day 5...
Day 5: Recommend a tear jerker.
There have been many books in the last few months that left me in tears. I can't quite tell if it's the quality of the book or just my crazy pregnancy hormones. At any rate, I'm going to go with Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand. It's the true story of a WWII survivor. I knew he survived his ordeals at sea and as a Japanese POW, but at every devastating event, I broke down in tears. It's a great inspiring true story. Pick it up, but make sure to have some kleenex handy.
How amazing is John Green? (Just a hint: he's super duper amazing) This video is just way too fun... and it's making me crave the various alcoholic drinks he explains (yum, sangria), but don't worry I won't indulge until after October.
It's another fun Mental Floss video featuring the ever adorable John Green. I do love my random trivia videos.
I'm addicted to Ted Ed videos and not just because watching them is part of my job. They are just so much fun and informative. Here's a great example.
I really really miss coffee... I'm not even freaked out about the chemicals.
I'm left-handed. I feel like I must support my fellow left-handers. I hate right-handed desks!
Continuing the meme, here's Day 4...
Day 4: What's the last book you flung across the room?
I didn't actually fling it across the room, but I came close with our last book club book The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It's a fictionalized account of Ernest Hemingway's first marriage to Hadley Richardson. I can't stand Hemingway, so of course his character irked me. But I found that Hadley's weak nature made me even angrier. There were a few times when I felt like throwing the book across the room.
Continuing the meme, here's Day 3...
Day 3: Who are your blogging BFFs?
I'll admit to being a very insular blogger. I don't reach out to others as much as I would like. My schedule often gets in the way of reading and commenting on other blogs. Sometimes I can't even get my blog posts written. So, I guess I really don't have any blogging BFFs. A little sad, but I started this blog for my personal benefit. I didn't give any thought to reaching others in the beginning. It's only becoming more appealing to reach out a few years into this experiment. Possibly in the future...
It had been startling and disappointing to me to find out that story books had been written by people, that books were not natural wonders, coming up of themselves like grass. -- Eudora Welty
Sometimes I feel the same way. Some books just seem to spring from nowhere.
Continuing the meme, here's Day 2...
Day 2: What's your bedtime reading ritual?
Back when I was younger, I would consistently read a few chapters from my books before bed. But now, my life is not so routine. If the boys are here, I try to read them a chapter or two of whatever book we're reading at the time (right now it's The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan). If the boys aren't here, I'm much more sporadic about reading nightly. I try to go to bed at a decent hour (usually 11pm) and settle in for a chapter or two. Some nights I really get into the books I'm reading and find myself only stopping hours later, utterly exhausted. Some nights J and I get into a tv show and end up watching until I am too exhausted to read. I want to get more consistent about my reading, but with baby Arthur coming in October, that's not likely to happen.
I am so far behind on my blogroll, but I ran across this one and wanted to join up. Beyond my weekly meme posts, I haven't been very creative with my blog posts. This is a great chance to change things up. So here we go...
Day 1: Make 15 book related confessions.