FrightFall Readathon Oct. 1-7

From Seasons of Reading:

It's here! The official sign up for the FrightFall Read-a-Thon! A week long fest of scary reading (well, at least one scary book anyway).  All you have to do to participate is read at least one horror/scary book.  For the faint-hearted among you, it can be a spooky mystery, a scary thriller, or something classically gothic.  This time I'm allowing children's books for those of you who have kids...with one condition...five picture books equal one novel.  Sound fair?  Middle grade novels can count as one book.  I will not be hosting any mini-challenges, as we learned from my last two read-a-thons, focusing on the reading rocks.  However, if anyone else would like to host a mini-challenge, you are more than welcome.  Of course, there will be a big giveaway at the end.  And we will have a few scheduled Twitter chats again (and perhaps some more reading sprints).  Our twitter hashtag is #FrightFall.

I doing an all zombie readathon.  I have 7 more slots for my zombie reading challenge and I am determined to complete them this week.   7 books in 7 days... challenging yet possible.

My goals:

• Read at least 5 books
• Review all books read
• Update once a day

TBR List:

1. Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux
2. The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
3. Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater
4. Siege by Rhiannon Frater
5. Feed by Mira Grant
6. Deadline by Mira Grant
7. Blackout by Mira Grant

Bloggiesta Day #3 Update -- It's Over!

What I did today:

• Cleaned out my Google Reader -- I had over 700 posts to get through.  I skimmed through many posts and cleaned out some of the subscriptions.  I feel so much cleaner.
• Prepped quote wednesday/top ten tuesday posts for next six months -- Well, it's half down.  I have the templates ready and scheduled through March.  Now I just need to add the content.

Unfortunately I didn't get everything on my list completed.  But I think I made some great headway on my goals.  10/14 done!  I plan on continuing with my goals throughout this next week.  Overall I didn't really engage in mini challenges or connect with other bloggers, but I did like the opportunity to focus on my blog.

My goal list (even if it's a bit ambitious):

1. Clean up various pages (About; Quotes; Blogs; Review Policy; Thankfuls; RCs) √
2. Clean up right hand column √
3. Prep templates/posts through December
4. Recheck reading challenge spreadsheet/update posts and right column √
5. Update Day Zero Project (page and actual website) √
6. Clean out GoogleReader √
7. Connect with other bloggers
8. Make review templates for books in TBR piles
9. Get books prepped for giveaway (October 5th...)
10. Prep quote wednesday/top ten tuesday posts for next six months √
11. Update Music Monday spreadsheet √
12. Add series to book reviews with links to my reviews √
13. Transfer over paper TBR list to spreadsheet √
14. Add TBR spreadsheets to GR shelves √

The Sunday Salon #29

Listening To: A ton of new music including Mumford & Sons, Ben Folds Five, The Lumineers and Needtobreathe.  I keep putting those on repeat over and over again.  Plus I've restarted going through our entire music collection for my 101 favorite songs.  Done with the As through Cs.

Book finished: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Reading: Persuasion by Jane Austen.  A quick read before my zombie week.

On the Nightstand: Zombie books for the FrightFall Readathon! (Newsflesh trllogy, As the World Dies trilogy, Sadie Walker is Stranded)

Around the house: I got into a weird cleaning kick.  I dusted and vacuumed and organized.   I replaced the yucky old towels with new dark gray ones.  I finally hung some curtains in the bedroom.  The curtains look blue in this picture, but they're a beautiful gray that works with the black, white, and red of the rest of the bedroom.  Now if only we could get around to framing and hanging the pictures, it might actually look like a real bedroom.

From the kitchen: Nothing interesting.  Since J is still gone until next Saturday, I am finding ways to eat meals with minimal cooking.

Crafting: So much crafting this week.  I've really gotten on a roll lately.  We had a 3D Christmas ornaments class on Tuesday.  Check these out...

Then on Wednesday, I went to another craft meet and greet.  Unfortunately we didn't have a great turnout.  I did make this cute peacock inspired card.  Next time, I will definitely bring stuff to work on...

And at home, I got inspired to make some Valentine/Love themed cards.  I used a ton of scraps lying around.

Watching: I plowed through Gossip Girl S4 and Parenthood S2.  Unfortunately I will have to wait for GG S5 until the library or Netflix gets it.  Parenthood S3 is on Netflix instant queue, so that's probably up next.  I grabbed some new Redbox movies (romantic movies) and have been watching some of my cheesy movies while J is away.

Wondering: Why have I not read like anything this week?  I am feeling a bit ashamed of myself.  I keep finding other things (movies, crafting, cleaning) to spend my time. Hopefully this is rectified with next week's readathon...

From Nature: After cooler temps (60s), we're back into the low to mid 80s.  Of course, it's still sunny every day...

Shopping Scores: I sold some cds at Amazon, so I had a credit.  I snatched up Mira Grant's Blackout, a moleskine journal, The Hunger Games dvd, and Iron Jawed Angels dvd (replacement for my scratched beyond use copy).  I already received the journal and book, just waiting on the movies...

Project: I'm right at the tail end of Bloggiesta, trying to get a few more things checked off of my list...

Bloggiesta Day #2 Update

What I did today: After the crazy progress that was yesterday, I figured today would include a slump.  But I did finish writing my HP reviews last night and started reading Persuasion.

• Updated Blogs I Love page -- This was a chore.  First I had to go through my Google Reader subscriptions to get rid of the nonactive blogs and non interesting to me anymore blogs.  My total went from 399 to 325!  Then I had to organize those blog subscriptions into categories.  Finally I added them into my Blogs I Love page.  This is a task that I have really been putting off for months.  It feels great to get it checked off the list.

2012 Reading Challenges Update #3

I thought it would be a good idea to do a periodic checkup on my reading challenges.  A way of reminding myself of my successes and failures.  So here goes... Total Challenges:    8/27   29.6%

Total Spots:    470/742  63.3%

Individual Challenge Progress:

• Goodreads   135/175  77.1%
• Fall into Reading  1/50  2%
• Semi-Charmed Summer    9/14  60% -- Failed**
• Zombies    17/24  69%
• Young Adult    12/12 100%*
• Fantasy    8/10 80%
• Vampires   10/10 100%*
• Romance    10/10 100%*
• Telling Tales (fairy tales)   5/10 50%**
• Historical Fiction   4/10 40%**
• Graphic Novels   20/20 100%*
• Shakespeare    8/12 66.7%
• SciFi   2/5 40%**
• Outlander series   0/5 0%**
• Mixing It Up    12/16 75%
• Back to the Classics   5/9 55.6%
• Harry Potter series   7/7 100%
• Fables   5/5 100%
• Read Your Name   23/23 100%
• A to Z   23/26 88.5%
• What's in a Name? 5   4/6 66.7%
• Library    37/37 100%
• Mount TBR    59/150 39.3%**
• Dewey Decimal System   16/38 42.1%
• Book2Movie   17/20 85%
• MyYears 20/30 66.7%
• Color Coded 1/9 11.1%**

*Successes: I've knocked off some more challenges.  Yipee!!! Plus a few others are very very close to being completed.  In fact, I plan on completing the zombie challenge during October's FrightFall Readathon (and possibly Dewey 24 Hour Readathon).  I've also got an end of year plan to complete most of the challenges.  I don't think I'll get them all, but I want at least a 75% on total challenges.

**Failures (Needs Improvement): Scifi, Telling Tales (fairy tales), historical fiction, and Outlander.  For whatever reason, these just fell by the wayside.  I want to focus on these, but fear that at least two won't be completed (definitely Outlander, maybe telling tales).  I know the color coded challenge will not be finished and my Mount TBR challenge will not reach 150 by year's end (that would be almost 100 more books in three months.  Even I'm not that voracious of a reader).

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling -- Part 2

Because there are two movies, I tend to think about this book in two parts.  So I am splitting my review into two parts corresponding with the break in movies.  Part 2 covers pages 503-759 of the hardcover edition.

Title: Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 2007

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 759

Rating:   5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it! (in pretty hardcover no less)

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what, eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun

Favorite scenes:

• Break-in at Gringotts --  This entire scene feels like an amusement park ride complete with scary dragon.
• Harry standing up for Professor McGonagall -- Such a small gesture, but beautiful.
• The entire last 100 pages of the book -- Of course.  Amazing.  Heartbreaking.  Satisfying.

Favorite character(s):

• Neville Longbottom -- Who knew the scrawny kid in the first year would eventually land the killing blow to Nagini and stand up to all of the Death Eaters.

Other odds and ends:

• The story of Ariana's death is just heartbreaking.  That story alone explains so much about Dumbledore and his regrets.
• Along the same lines, Helena Ravenclaw's story involving the Bloody Baron also breaks my heart.
• Snape's memories feel like a stopping in the story although I understand why they are there and that they set up Harry is truly understand what he needs to do.
• I loved that Draco gets a semi-redemption in the end.
• I burst into tears not when Fred, Remus, and Tonks died, but when the ghosts appear in the forrest.  Ugh!  I bawled for pages afterwards.
• I still think I could have done without the epilogue...

Favorite quotes: 

"Because," said Harry before Hermione could answer, "sometimes you've got to think about more than your own safety!  Sometimes you've got to think about the greater good!" (pg. 568)

"Hallows," murmured Dumbledore, "not Horcruxes, Precisely."  (pg. 713)

"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.  Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprose that they wear it well."  (Dumbledore pg. 718)

"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!" (Mrs. Weasley pg. 736)

Movie fun Part 2

My favorite scenes:

• Inside the Lestrange vault.  The multiplying treasure is just gorgeous to watch.
• At much as I like the ending battle scenes, they are very different than the book's versions.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• Some of the little moments in the book that just aren't there.

Other odds and ends:

• The opening shot of the dementors surrounding the castle and Snape standing in the window is breathtaking.  Beautifully shot.
• I love the conversation between Griphook and Harry at the cottage.  Griphook has the right mix of contempt and curiosity.
• The dead Gringott's employees was a bit of a weird addition.
•  Loved the little before the battle moments of preparation, especially Mrs. Weasley and McGonagall calling forth the statues.

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows
   1. Part 1
   2. Part 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling -- Part 1

Because there are two movies, I tend to think about this book in two parts.  So I am splitting my review into two parts corresponding with the break in movies.  Part 1 covers pages 1-502 of the hardcover edition.

Title: Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 2007

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 759

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it! (in pretty hardcover no less)

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what, eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scenes:

• Goodbye scene with the Dursleys -- It's bittersweet.  You want to hate the Dursleys for how they treated Harry and yet I love how Dudley finally says something.  And I screamed at Petunia to say something comforting...
• Bill and Fleur's wedding -- I love the descriptions and seeing all the Weasley's together (expect for Percy of course).
• Bathilda Bagshot and Godric's Hollow -- I know what's coming but this scene still scares the crap out of me.  Maybe it's the dead body, maybe it's the snake.  All I know is it is extra extra creepy.

Favorite character(s):

• Kreacher -- Bet you weren't expecting that one...  I really love how he begrudgingly but finally accepts Harry as his master.  Plus his sneakiness comes in handy when they are trying to find the locket.
• Ron -- He leaves, he's a git, but he redeems himself by destroying the Horcrux and trying to get on Hermione's good side throughout most of the book.

Other odds and ends:

• I cried over Hedwig and downright bawled over Dobby.  I cried for them more than I did when Dumbledore died.  Plus I got a bit verklempt with George's injury.
• I detest Scrimgeour with a passion.  Ugh!  So not sorry when he dies.
• I love the description of Luna's bedroom with the painting of her friends.  She is always one of my favorite characters.

Favorite quotes: 

"He looked away, trying not to betray the resentment he felt.  There is was again: Choose what to believe.  He wanted the truth.  Why was everybody so determined that he should not get it?" (pg. 185) -- When Harry learns of Rita Skeeter's book.  He has to get over these selfish thoughts to see the truth later on...

Movie fun Part 1

My favorite scenes:

• Big chase scene with the 7 Harrys -- It's different than the book but with the same adrenaline rush and danger.
• Bathilda Bagshot and Godric's Hollow -- Creepiest scene ever.  I jumped in the theater when Nagini is revealed.  I jumped again in my home when I knew exactly how it was going to happen.  Creepy creepy!
• Favorite hands-down: The Tale of the Three Brothers -- I loved loved loved the animation and the creepy shadow figures.  It fits perfectly with the story and set-up.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• More Lupin and Tonks.  The movie cryptically alludes to Tonks' pregnancy, but it's mostly left out.  Pretty big deal in the books.
• Something with Dumbledore and his family.  I like that side story in the books and yet no mention in the movies.
• Wormtail death.  Stunning him in the cell just seems to let him off easily.  I would have felt more complete with his death.

Other odds and ends:

• I liked the change in opening to Rufus Scrimgeour's statement about the Ministry.  While it is untrue, I like the foreshadowing and foreboding it creates.  The same is true for Hermione, Ron, and Harry's saying goodbye to their "homes."
• Fleur's dress is just gorgeous.  I really wanted to see more of it.
• I like how they folded visions from Voldemort into some backstory for those nonrabid fans.

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows
   1. Part 1
   2. Part 2

Bloggiesta Day #1 Update

What I did today:

• Updated my Music Monday spreadsheet -- So I don't repeat songs, I'm trying to keep track.  Once I finish  my 101 favorites list, I want to highlight some artists/songs that I haven't featured yet.
• Transferred paper TBR to spreadsheet -- Now I have my entire crazy ass long TBR list in a spreadsheet that's easily organizable.  That was quite a project, but I'm glad it's all done.
• Added TBR spreadsheets to GR shelves -- Well, this is mostly done.  I got most of the likely TBR books in GR and ready to be added to the currently reading shelf.
• Cleaned up the right hand column -- Updated a few of the percentages and challenges (especially the perpetual challenges).
• Recheck the reading challenge spreadsheet/update posts and right column -- Everything should be updated and ready.
• Updated most of the pages: About, Inspirational quotes, review policy, thankfuls, reading challenges.  I also deleted the projects I love page as it was hopelessly outdated.  I still need to update the Blogs I Love.
• Updated DZP -- Finished updating the page on my blog and the projects site.
• Added series to book reviews with links to my reviews -- This took awhile, but I finally finished.  Now I just have to remember doing this for future reviews.

I am amazed that I got through this many points today.  Granted they were probably the easiest and quickest points on the master list.  Now on to the harder/more involved points.  I decided to add some of my mini challenges to my update posts to make them easier.

Organization and Scheduling Posts from On a Book Bender

After some tinkering and tryouts, I think I've finally landed on a weekly blog schedule:

• Monday -- Music Monday
• Tuesday -- Top Ten Tuesday
• Wednesday -- Quote Wednesday
• Thursday -- Thankful Thursday (sometimes)
• Friday -- *open*
• Saturday -- *open*
• Sunday -- Sunday Salon

Reviews get posted whenever I finish them.  Life posts and random nonsense get posted whenever, but I love to use some of those to fill in the open Friday and Saturday slots.  This has helped me keep myself on track.  I don't ever have a week where nothing is posted.  I like the stability of a weekly routine.

I learned a while back that I needed to keep a running calendar for all my posts.  While I do like using digital calendars for appointments, classes, etc, I can't use them for blog posts.  For those, I actually write out the days of the month in a notebook.  Then I add all drafts/routine posts.  When a draft is in WP, it gets one half of an X.  When I finish a post, it gets the full X.  At a glane I can see what I've done and what I need to finish.  It also helps me space out nonroutine posts instead of accidentally bunching three posts on one day.  I've also added templates for my routine posts.  I have templates for:

• Book reviews
• Monthly wrap-up posts
• Top Ten Tuesday posts
• Music Mondays
• Sunday Salon

These have helped me so much stay consistent.  I love organization, when I can keep on top of everything...

Bloggiesta's Here! Run for cover!

This is my first time joining Bloggiesta.  Before now, I just didn't have much to my blog.  Now my blog has grown and grown.  I think I have some projects lined up just for this event.  My goal list (even if it's a bit ambitious):

1. Clean up various pages (About; Quotes; Blogs; Review Policy; Thankfuls; RCs)
2. Clean up right hand column
3. Prep templates/posts through December
4. Recheck reading challenge spreadsheet/update posts and right column
5. Update Day Zero Project (page and actual website)
6. Clean out GoogleReader
7. Connect with other bloggers
8. Make review templates for books in TBR piles
9. Get books prepped for giveaway (October 5th...)
10. Prep quote wednesday/top ten tuesday posts for next six months
11. Update Music Monday spreadsheet
12. Add series to book reviews with links to my reviews
13. Transfer over paper TBR list to spreadsheet
14. Add TBR spreadsheets to GR shelves

Many of my goals are background and my own organization issues.  They probably won't be many visible changes to the blog, but hopefully these goals will get me organized and ahead in my routine blogging.

Fall Book Exchange

I'm so excited to be joining this exchange today!!!!  I love getting and giving books.  This just seems like the perfect way to connect with other readers and get some great books from the deal.  I've got a long list, but it's just for more variety and choices.  So here's my wish list:

• Storm Glass by Maria Snyder
• Desired by Nicola Cornick
• Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld
• Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
• The Vampire Who Loved Me by Teresa Medeiros
• Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
• Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
• Into the Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning
• Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
• Empress of Rome by Kate Quinn
• Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale
• The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
• Stealing Fire by Jo Graham
• A Lady Most Willing by Julia Quinn
• I Jane by Diane Haeger
• Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
• Reckless by Anne Stuart
• City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
• City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
• Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
• Reached by Ally Condie
• The Twelve by Justin Cronin
• Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
• The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
• Unseen by Rachel Caine
• Unbroken by Rachel Caine

From Ruby Reads:

Hello everyone! And welcome to the Fall Book Exchange 2.0! I'm glad to see all the returning participants (as well, I hope, some new ones!). I'm also please to announce that I have a co-host for these exchanges: the lurvley Amanda from Letters Inside Out. Welcome, Amanda! If you don't already know Amanda, make sure you stop by her gorgeous blog to say hello!

The Rules of the Exchange:

      First, here's a little refresher on how things will work: Each participant will link to at least one wishlist with a collection of titles they'd like to receive from their Santa. Names will be thrown in a virtual hat and drawn so that each person will have a Fall Santa who will give them a book, and a Fall Santee they will give to. Fall Santas will choose titles from their Santee's wishlist(s). We want to be clear: Everyone who signs up will both give and receive. Sounds like fun? Yeah, we thought so too.

Here are the rules:

1. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate. Everyone's welcome!
2. International participants are welcome, too, anywhere that the Book Depository ships. Please be aware, when you sign up, that you may be assigned an international santee. 
3. You will need wishlist in order to participate. Where you keep your wishlist--on Goodreads, Amazon, or your blog--is up to you and you will be able to link to two wishlists in the form. If you need help setting up a wishlist, email me and we'll help you figure it out. Amanda may be a technical genius, but Ruby is definitelynot.
4. PLEASE NOTE: Fall Santas (FSs--) will chose TWO books from your wishlist for a total of around $18-20. If you want one book for that price, it's up to you--let your FS know. Also remember that the Book Depository has free shipping. You shouldnot be spending half of your $18-$20 on shipping. This was an issue during the last exchange, and some people felt they didn't get a fair exchange.
5. Pre-ordered items are acceptable ONLY if this is agreed upon by both parties.
6. You may purchase your books from whatever source you choose, but please do not send used books. Ebooks must be okayed with the santee before purchasing.
7. Once santas and santees are assigned, addresses will be exchanged between individuals. If you're not comfortable with this, please do not sign up.
8. Sign ups begin on September 22, and end on October 22. This is a bit different from the usual, since the Summer Book Exchange 2.0 began late this year.
9. After you send the books to your santee, you must fill out the tracking information form I will provide for you.
10. To join the exchange, you must fill out THIS form. It is also included at the end of this post.

Quote Wednesday - Sockman

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as real strength. -- Ralph W. Sockman

An interesting point for today.  Now go and ponder it... that's an order!

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2012

Very excited to add this challenge to my year end push.  I have over 50 books to read to complete all the challenges I signed up for.  I know all those won't happen, so I'm setting a goal of 50 books total.  Here's the breakdown:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2, 3, 4. The First Days, Fighting to Survive, and Siege by Rhiannon Frater

5, 6, 7. Feed, Deadline, and Blackout by Mira Grant

8. Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeleine Roux

9, 10. Girl from Junchow and The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall

11. The Magician King by Lev Grossman

12. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

13. Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott

14. Mythology by Edith Hamilton

15. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

16. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees

17. The Firemaster's Mistress by Christie Dickason

18. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock

19. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

20, 21, 22, 23. As You Like It, Cymbeline, Othello, and Pericles by Shakespeare

24. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep? by Philip K. Dick

25. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

26. Persuasion by Jane Austen

27. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

28. Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton

29. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

30. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

31. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

32. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

33. Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes

34-50. TBD

From Callapidder Days:

Here’s a brief recap of how to be a part of Fall Into Reading 2012:

• Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this fall. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like.

• Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky.

• Get reading! The challenge goes from September 22nd through December 21st.

• Check out other participants’ lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile, if you wish!

• Write a post about your challenge experience in December, telling us all about whether you reached your goals and how Fall Into Reading went for you. But remember: this is a low-pressure challenge that should be fun.

Top Ten Tuesday -- Series I Haven't Finished

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We’d love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

I've really worked at finishing unfinished series I have lying around, so this weel's list is going to be shorter than 10.

1. Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus --  The boys and I were in the middle of reading Neptune's Son when they went back to Indiana.  So I will have to wait until Thanksgiving and Christmas to get back to this one.  I may not have the will power and may just finish reading it before then...

2. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander -- I read Outlander two (three?) years ago at the urging of a friend.  I loved it!  But somehow I never continued reading the series.  I've had them on my reading challenge list for the past two years without success.  I really really really need to read these.

3. Lev Grossman's The Magicians -- I finally picked up The Magicians this year after J's constant bugging.  Loved it!  Couldn't wait to read the sequel.  And yet it sits unread on my iPad.

Comic series

4. Neil Gaiman's The Sandman -- I'm six volumes in.  I will be finishing these next year for my potential Neil Gaiman reading challenge.

5. Bill Willingham's Fables -- Waiting for the new volumes to be out and at the library.

6. Garth Ennis' the Boys -- Awaiting the arrival of the last volume of this series.

7. Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead -- Four books in, I really should finish these.  I'm sure they will be on my first reads for 2013 and my next year's graphic novel reading challenge.

Music Monday -- Ben Folds Five "Do It Anyway"

We interrupt the regularly scheduled Music Monday posts to highlight a new and amazing music video!  For all of you born in the early 1980s...  I give you Fraggle Rock!!!!  Oh yeah, and Ben Folds Five.  Enjoy reliving your childhood.  And I really need to get the new Ben Folds Five record... 

The Sunday Salon #28

Last night, J left for Romania for a two week work trip.  (Part of the engineering team is in Cludj.)  So I am all alone for two weeks with not much to do.  I plan on reading a ton, applying for more jobs, do some crafting, and possibly go in to the city for a visit/exploring...  I'm really going to miss him.

Listening To: Rediscovering some cds.  My current faves are Relient K and Flogging Molly.  And I snatched the new Lumineers record from iTunes.  I love it!

Book finished: Slanted and Enchanted, Ten Discoveries that Rewrote History, On Target, Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun

Reading: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

On the Nightstand: Historical fiction and fairy tales...  and zombies are lurking in the back for the FrightFall Readathon October 1-7.  And I'm heading off to the library book sale to see if I can find any elusive titles and possibly gifts for the boys...  It's Sunday which means $5 bag sale!

MakingLists: Bloggiesta to dos and craft projects.  My Bloggiesta list is currently static (thank goodness).  I'm just waiting for Friday to dive in and get some things dones.

Around the house: After our fridge temper tantrums this past month, I really didn't need anything else to go wrong.  But of course it did.  We woke up on Sunday to a a dripping ceiling...  A bubble was forming in the ceiling.  I contacted the office who said they would page maintenance.  The guy from upstairs informed me that his sink was leaking, but he hadn't noticed until now.  I assume they fixed his sink as our ceiling stopped dripping.  But they never came to fix our ceiling, so we have a bubble that I hope isn't filled with water.  Argh!  Just one more problem. Thank goodness we don't own this place.

From the kitchen: I've been so lazy this week.  I made a giant pot of spaghetti and ate it most nights for dinner.  Blah!  I did make some scrumptious brownies for a pot luck last night.  According to the people at the party, they were a hit!

On the Web: I'm trying to get my GoogleReader unread down to 0, but it just keeps creeping back up.  And I don't even read every post.  A clean-out of subscriptions is on the Bloggiesta list.

Crafting: I had two (yes two!) card classes this week.  Fun times!  Monday's class was all about fall cards.

Saturday's class was Christmas cards.  I especially love the gift card holder idea.  I will have to keep that in mind for the holiday season...

Plus, I finished the spring break family album.  That was a ton of pages.  Now I need to order a few more prints to start the boys' spring break pages.  My next event/project is our move west.  We drove from Nebraska to California stopping in some crazy places.  Of course I have a ton of pictures to help me remember.

Watching: We finished Stargate Atlantis (really going to miss that show) and started Stargate Universe.  The change in tone is really something to get used to.  Universe is much darker and serious.  J says that they tried to copy Battlestar Galactica...  (I haven't watched that one yet, so don't know).  So far, I'm liking it, it's just a different show than the other two Stargate series.  I also plowed through Gossip Girl S3 and started S4.  It's my guilty pleasure show.  Unfortunately Netflix or the library doesn't have S5.  I may have to wait.

Shopping Scores: My Amazon music trade-in went through so I now have a credit in my account.  I'm resisting the urge to spend to all now.  But I did buy a copy of Blackout by Mira Grant so I can read the Newsflesh trilogy during the FrightFall Readathon.

Project: Scrapbooking?  I really getting back into the rhythm and want to get mostly up to date.  One season behind is my goal.  I'm almost there...

Mount TBR Challenge Checkpoint

We're nearing the end of the year...  time to check up on my progress.  I am afraid that it's not that good.  I let myself get side tracked with library books during the first half of the year.  I am committing myself to doing better next year.  I really want to cut down on the boxes of unread books stacked in the closet.

1. Tell us how many miles you've made it up your mountain (# of books read).  If you're really ambitious, you can do some intricate math and figure out how the number of books you've read correlates to actual miles up Pike's Peak, Mt. Ararat, etc. And feel free to tell us about any particularly exciting adventures you've had along the way.

I'm only 59 miles out of 150....  That's 39.3%.  I am so ashamed of myself.  I have boxes upon boxes of books in the closet and I've only read 59 of those this year.  And to make it even sadder, I've read 132 total books this year.

Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun by Gita May

Title: Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun

Author: Gita May

Publisher: Yale University 2005

Genre: Nonfiction - Biography

Pages: 256

Rating:  4 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Dewey -- 750s; Mixing It Up -- Biography

How I Got It: Library Loan

The foremost woman artist of her age, Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755—1842) exerted her considerable charm to become the friend, and then official portraitist, of Marie Antoinette. Though profitable, this role made Vigée Le Brun a public and controversial figure, and in 1789 it precipitated her exile. In a Europe torn by strife and revolution, she nevertheless managed to thrive as an independent, self-supporting artist, doggedly setting up studios in Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Vienna, St. Petersburg, and London. Long overlooked or dismissed, Vigée Le Brun’s portraits now hang in the Louvre, in a room of their own, as well as in all leading art museums of the world.

I first encountered Vigee Le Brun in my Women Artists class in college.  I instantly liked her neoclassical style of painting.  I can't believe that I never picked up a biography in the intervening years.  Thankfully I snatched this from the library shelves.  May does not disappoint in giving insight to a talented woman painter of the late 18th century.  Vigee Le Brun had the fortune of natural talent, a family that supported her painting, and the acquaintances of many rich patrons.  Originally my favorite of her paintings was Marie Antoinette with Her Children (1787), but after reading more about her own life, I love her self portraits.  She had a way of capturing people in a moment.  The paintings are less static than more neoclassicists.  I get a sense of movement in the poses.  They are almost like candid photographs.  Behind her actual art, I loved hearing about her early life and later travels throughout Europe.  And I now have a deeper understanding of the French Revolution's effects on the participants.  Overall,  a great biography of a great artists.

My current favorite painting: Self Portait in a Turban with Her Child 1786

Last of the Questions

As part of my Day Zero Project, I am answering “50 Questions to Free Your Mind” (Google it).   I had originally thought to do these in my personal journal, but then I thought, why not put them on my blog.  So get ready for some rambling answers.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you… Here's my post for questions #1-5.  And here for questions #6-10.  And here for questions #11-20. And here for questions #21-26.  And here for questions #27-34.  And here for questions #35-41.

42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? 

No.  Being attractive or famous would not necessarily increase my quality of life.  I would rather have those ten year to increase my quality of life and enjoy life.  We have to strive to be happy in our lives the way they are.  We can aspire to change things, but obviously certain things are out of our control.  Having a fairy tale fantasy doesn't help focus on your current life.  I want to think about every day as a chance to enjoy life.  Better to back to enjoying it...

43. What is the difference between beling alive and truly living? 

Wow.  I didn't read this question before writing the previous answer.  I think it goes back to the idea of striving for better life every day and being complacent.

44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

Now.  Too much time hemming and hawing gets you nowhere.  You don't get rewards or punishments not trying.  Instead you only become stagnant.  Get up and do something now.

45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

Uncertainty is always scary.  We are afraid to make a mistake because it is a mistake.  Instead, we should think of mistakes are learning tools.

46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

Dance and sing in the streets.  Wear whatever I happen to throw on in the morning (I have certain clothing rules).  Say what's on my mind.

47. When was the last time you notied the sound of your own breathing?

Last night while trying to fall asleep.  This cough has created some breathing issues especially at night.  The sound was a bit more of a wheezing than regular breathing.

48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?

My boys, J, reading, swimming pools, sunshine...  I think so.

49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?

No.  I try to keep a good recollection of daily events, but many days fall into a pretty regular routine.  Neuroscientists know that our memories like the unusual.  We tend to remember big impact events (good or bad).  Waking up, eating, showering, going to work, etc, bed time is a routine but not very memorable.

50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

I like to think I am making decisions, but I also have considerations of other people dependent or directly connected to me.  No person makes a decision completely on their own.

On Target by Laura Rowley

Title: On Target: How the World's Hottest Retailer Hit a Bulls-Eye

Author: Laura Rowley

Publisher: Wiley 2003

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 224

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Dewey -- 380

How I Got It: Library Loan

In On Target, award-winning business journalist Laura Rowley examines the methods and the success of the company from its shrewd merchandising strategy to its clever marketing campaigns, ingenious branding effort, and extensive philanthropy . An excellent education in how to beat the competition even in a crowded and weak retail market, Target's story details the history and incredible success of a unique company and an enticing, unmistakable brand. Both insightful and entertaining, On Target offers important business lessons for executives and managers in need of a bull's-eye.

I have to admit up front that I absolutely adore Target.  And much of what I love is due to Target's very careful approach to retail.  I am not naive enough to think that marketing doesn't affect me, it does, but I don't care.  I love Target and their products too much to change stores.  Rowley lays out the various arms of Target's approach to retail.  Target has married the old style department style to Walmart's style of discount.  We the consumers get the best of both worlds: cheap prices and stylish quality goods.  What more could you want?  Thankfully I live less than 1/2 mile from a Target with everything I need (it's not a SuperTarget, but does have a medium sized grocery area).   I go to grab kleenex or a loaf of bread and end up browsing through the clothes, season items, and home decor.  I love the one stop shopping with style.  Target has created the plan for business and dominated their current market.  They will keep getting my dollar if the prices and style continue.

Quote Wednesday - Wild

Seek the wisdom of age, but look at the world through the eyes of a child. -- Ron Wild

Missing the boys... needing some child like wonder today.