Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Bookography (41)

Bookography
Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Book
The Black Rose by Thomas B. Costain



Old Book

I couldn't decide which version I liked the most, I like each of them for a different reason. Do you have a favorite? I love this old tattered book, I especially love the title, don't be surprised if I use this one a few more times. I need to get some more books that look like this one.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.
 
To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 


<3Bookography

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Splash Into Summer Blog Hop Giveaway

Splash Into Summer 
Blog Hop Giveaway


Win
A SIGNED Hardback Crashed by Robin Wasserman

Rules
US Only (sorry)
Ends May 31th
Winner will be notified and has 48hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen

To Enter
 Answer the Question (in the comments): 
What is your favorite thing about summer?
Fill Out the FORM

My favorite things about summer are S'mores, Watermelon and camping with family



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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday (18)

Top 10 Tuesdays
Topic: Top Ten Blogs/Sites You Read That AREN'T about Books
This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

Blogs
This Woman's Work
This is my friend's blog about childbirth, motherhood and parenting. She is currently writing blog posts for Parenting Magazine. She has a very unique and entertaining voice that I just love to read about.

Mary's Kitchen
Another friends blog about cooking, she hasn't updated in a while, I should talk to her about that

The Hobbit Blog
Heck yes! I can't wait for this movie to come out!

Beginners Photography Blog
Have good information beginner information

Eloquent Nature by Gary Hart
Great photography tips

Gavtrain
Have great tutorials on how to do some of the more complicated photography

Sites
Digital Photography Review
Fun photography challenges

SLR Lounge
Awesome tutorials on how to use Lightroom

Selina Fenech
Fantastic fantasy artist, she has written two books, but I first found her art years ago.

IMDb
I can read and search this thing forever

What non book blogs/sites do you visit?


<3Books

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Stacking The Shelves #1

Stacking The Shelves #1
Two weeks worth of books
Hosted by Tynga's Reviews
It's all about sharing what books you got for the week.

For Review
I love everything by Kendra, she is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors and she sent me a review copy of the next book. Thanks Kendra. Already finished it and I loved it!

Part of the Fierce Reads Tour that I will be attending on June 9th, so excited for this event

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Part of the Fierce Reads Tour that I will be attending on June 9th, so excited for this event

Cold Fury by T.M. Goeglein
I won this from Library Things monthly member giveaway, thanks to both LT and Penguin

Bought
Sailor Moon Vol 2 & Vol 3
 Adding to my collection
She is a local author and will be with the ladies at Seattle's Fierce Reads stop

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekly Recap

My Reviews



Bookography


Events
Tahereh Mafi, Kimberly Derting, Veronica Rossi, Cynthia Hand

Reading Pile
1) Shadow Rising
2) Monument 14
3) Night Seeker
4) Cold Fury
5) Hearts of Darkness

What books did you add to your stacks this week?


<3Books

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Bookography (40)

Bookography
Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Inspired By:
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Blue Flower


I had to try my own attempt of recreating the flower on the front cover. I used blue tissue paper to create the flower, that in itself was a little difficult to do, but I managed. To take the picture I put a flash light behind the flower and in post I added fill light to brighten the front of the flower. 

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.
 
To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 



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This list will close in 7 days, 15 hrs, 56 min (5/23/2012 11:59 PM North America - Pacific Standard Time)


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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Dreamless Review

Dreamless

Summary
As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more.

What I Loved
Book Two
The middle book is always the killer book in a trilogy, I love the middle books but at the same time they drive me crazy because I'm so close yet so far from the ending. So many answers I want now and I have to wait, but I loved this one. Dreamless kept me entranced and captivated throughout the entire book. Lots of both good and bad things happened by the end of the book.
Emotions
Wow this book is filled with so many emotions; desire for the off limits, exhaustion for a seemingly impossible task, betrayal, developing feelings for another. . . the list can go on and on. Helen was being pulled in so many directions and I could feel her pain.
Character
Helen: She was amazing in this book, I admire her for her stamina and continually dealing with her horrible trips to the Underworld. Also handling another heart breaking situation that I don't want to say what it is. Her willingness to fight and learn how to defend herself without her abilities. I really do love Helen in this book and I will be 100% rooting for her in the battles to come. 
Greek Mythology 
My favorite thing about this series. I love any retelling or use of Greek mythology in books and Josie does wonderfully with creating her own use of the heroic mythological characters and archetypes. I will also admit that I love Hades especially when he is used as the brooding good guy and I'm so happy with how Josie portrayed Hades in her version. Oh and we get to meet Morpheus, WOW, I would love to visit him in my dreams.     

Didn't Like
Having to wait for the final book, killer!

Recommendation 
You have got to read this series especially if you love the tale of Romeo and Juliet mixed with Greek mythology.

Releases
May 29th 2012

Information 
Starcrossed Trilogy 
Starcrossed my review
Dreamless
Untitled Book 3 Spring/Summer 2013

Have you started this series yet?


<3Books

Monday, May 14, 2012

Of Poseidon Review

Of Poseidon

Summary
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

What I Loved
Merfolk 
I haven't read many merpeople stories, not because I don't like them, only because I haven't gotten my hot little hands on many of them. I personally am not much of a sea person, but if I grew a tail and could transform into a mermaid I would sure love the sea then. Love mermaids, especially the mermen after reading this story. Where can I find my own hot merman? I also enjoyed the merpeople history and use of both Triton and Poseidon with tie ins to Atlantis.
Characters
Galen: Oh swoon! I am completely in love with him! Love his I'm a tough bad ass merman superior to all the mere mortals. Love the attraction and how defensive he gets over Emma, so touching and cute.
Emma: She a quite an enjoyable character too. Her coming of age discoveries of herself and capabilities are fun to read. Her hot little temper adds some spice to her interactions with Galen and his sister.
Romance
Loved the romance in this book, it was perfect, cute, touching and sweet.
Rotating POV
Loved that we get to know both Galen and Emma's feelings through out the book with each chapter rotating characters. I Did think it was kinda odd that Emma's chapters were from 1st person while Galen's were told in 3rd person. I guess it was an easy way to distinguish who's chapter it was since the chapters weren't labeled as Emma or Galen.

Killing Me
Oh that ending! When I read the last sentence I was like "What?! I NEED MORE! NOW!" A tortuous cliffhanger ending, love them, but they do kill me.

Recommendation 
Got to read this fantastic merpeople book.

Releases 
May 22nd 2012
Amazon / B&N / Book Depository 
 
Information 
Of Poseidon
Book 2
So far only 2 books are contracted for the series

Anna will be part of the Fierce Reads Tour and I will be meeting her on June 9th, so excited for this event. 

Do you have a favorite merpeople story?
this easy became one of my favorites


<3Books

Friday, May 11, 2012

Struck Review

Struck

Summary
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She's survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn't who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.


What I Loved
Hook
The prologue hooked me from the very beginning, after I read those two short page I was like, "WOW! I really have to do some intense reading like now!" The quote that really had me very intrigued was "My name is Mia Price, and I'm a human lightening rod. Do they make a support group for that? They should, and let me tell you why. My name is Mia Price, and I'm a lightening addict!" This prologue sets the tone for the whole book. 
Characters
Mia: I really enjoyed her character, she is the ever reluctant hero of the story. She just wants to be left alone and not bothered about her weird freakish dangerous addiction. I was completely intrigued by her ability to survive  and crave so many lightening strikes. Love her ever stubborn attitude and completely loyalty and protectiveness to her family.
Jeremy: The mystery boy know one knows anything about. All the information about him doesn't get fully unveiled till the end of the story, but I had a feeling I knew where he was from by the last third of the book and oh man is it good.
Romance
As I like to put it the book has a side of romance. The main story doesn't fully focus on Mia and Jeremy's interest in each other. For me it was the perfect about, just enough for me to become invested in their happiness together.
Story
The majority of the book, besides the prologue and epilogue, took place over three days. Those three days contained a lot of information and action. Mass hysteria, starvation, end of the world predictions make for the perfect time for a religious fanatic to step in and control people with their fears. It is some crazy and intense stuff all throughout the book.  

Love to Hate
I hate the evil/bad person being a religious fanatic, they scare me more then anything because there is no reasoning with them. But at the same time they make for the greatest villains in books because they are complete nut jobs and I get strong feelings against them.

Recommendation 
A great read, got to go pick it up

Information 
Struck Series
Prophet short story prequel 
Struck
Currently Struck is a stand alone book with no more books under contract, but Jennifer has more planned.

Jennifer is going to be a part of the Fierce Reads Tour from June 5th - 18th and I will be meeting her on the 9th.

If you were struck by lightening, would you survive?


<3Books

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Bookography (39)

Bookography
Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Page Birds

These little page birds were strung up at Third Place Books in Ravenna. I thought they were so cool looking I just had to take a picture of them. The friend I was with wants to do this when she gets her own place. 

Would you rip apart a book to create these little guys as decor in your library? I would, but the book would have to be one that I don't care about.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.
To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 



You are next... Click here to enter
This list will close in 7 days, 13 hrs, 59 min (5/16/2012 11:59 PM North America - Pacific Standard Time)


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Sunday, May 6, 2012

Spring Into the Future Event Recap

SPRING INTO THE FUTURE EVENT
Tahereh Mafi, Veronica Rossi, Cynthia Hand & Kimberly Derting
May 5th 2012 
UW Bookstore in Millcreek

I took a lot of pictures while at the event, I did have a few more, but these were the best ones.

The book displays at the bookstore



This event was so awesome, I loved meeting Tahereh and Veronica for the first time and seeing Cynthia and Kimberly again. The energy of the event was so much fun and very entertaining. 


Talking about their books
 Veronica Rossi & Kimberly Derting

 Cynthia Hand & Tahereh Mafi

The Q&A session
I didn't even try to remember the questions and answers, that would be way too hard with this many authors.  There was lots of good questions asked that all of the girls each answered. 


The Fans
My seat has all the extra crap under it. I got there 45 minutes early to get that seat. Guess who also was there, Daniel Marks debut author of Velveteen, can you see him? 
(3rd row back, black shirt with his head down)

 Getting all prepared for the signing part. Each had some swag to giveaway.

Tahereh and Cynthia pre-signing the posters while Veronica started the signing line

Signing

 The girls signing their books

Picture Time

 The girls and I

 The girls and Anna

The girls and Jorge
fellow book lover

 This may seem really random, but this is Tahereh's purse. I saw it when she made her appearance and I just loved it. At the end of the signing I just had to ask her if I could take a picture of it. Too freaking cute!

Signatures 
 All the cool swag we got
Bookmarks for Rossi and Hand (I forgot to add Derting's bookmarks because I got it last week and didn't pick up any this week), a poster signed by all the girls and Tahereh's friend made a specialized necklace for the event. 

 The books I got signed at the event, all have been personalized 

I really loved this event and I hope I will see all of them again when their next books comes out. They were all so sweet and amazing. I will always recommend all of these girls books to everyone that will read them. 

Did you get to meet them at one of their tour stops?


<3Book Events