tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58446104386062128402024-02-20T14:26:52.299-05:00No Rest for the WickedJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-64759973394954818022010-11-04T15:28:00.000-04:002010-11-04T15:28:27.173-04:00Review: The Witch of HebronThis is my very first blog tour, which I am excited about. Thanks again Jen & Lori @ <a href="http://crazybooktours.blogspot.com/">Crazy Book Tours</a> for your patience with this newbie.<br />
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<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Witch-of-Hebron/James-Howard-Kunstler/e/9780802119612/?itm=2&USRI=witch+of+hebron">Kunstler, James Howard. The Witch of Hebron: A World Made by Hand Novel. Atlantic Monthly Press. Sept 2010. 336pp. ISBN 0802119611 </a><br />
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<strong>Synopsis:</strong><br />
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Already a renowned social commentator and a best-selling novelist and nonfiction writer, James Howard Kunstler has recently attained even greater prominence in the global conversation about energy and the environment. In the sequel to his novel, World Made by Hand, Kunstler expands on his vision of a post-oil society with a new novel about an America in which the electricity has flickered off, the Internet is a distant memory, and the government is little more than a rumor. In the tiny hamlet of Union Grove, New York, travel is horse-drawn and farming is back at the center of life. But it’s no pastoral haven. Wars are fought over dwindling resources and illness is a constant presence. Bandits roam the countryside, preying on the weak. And a sinister cult threatens to shatter Union Grove’s fragile stability. <br />
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In a book that is both shocking yet eerily convincing, Kunstler seamlessly weaves hot-button issues such as the decline of oil and the perils of climate change into a compelling narrative of violence, religious hysteria, innocence lost, and love found.<br />
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<strong>Review:</strong><br />
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Reading has been a chore for me lately. It takes me months to read a book now because the only time I can read for pleasure is on the treadmill at the gym twice a week; a total of maybe 40min a week reading. I read 4-5 hours a day for school. I miss reading for pleasure more than you can possibly imagine.<br />
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One of my guilty pleasures are dystopian books, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on The Witch of Hebron. I was concerned because it was a sequel to <a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/World-Made-by-Hand/James-Howard-Kunstler/e/9780802144010/?pt=BK&stage=bookproduct&pwb=1&">World Made by Hand</a>, which I hadn’t read. I don’t like starting midway through a series because I am forever thinking I am missing it out on something. That actually wasn’t the case here, I am pleased to say. Yes, it takes place in the same town and ties up some loose ends, but the central characters and the major plotlines/relationships are all recapped really well here.<br />
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In Witch of Hebron, the standout hero character amongst the ensemble is Jasper Copeland. He is the son of a doctor, and at 11 wants to strike out on his own as a doctor. This is completely against the wishes of his parents, who want him to finish school like any other parent. In post-apocalyptical society there is seemingly no need for a formal education, after all there is no government anymore. There are no laws saying he needs to obey his parents, and he needs to stay in school. The reality of a post-apocalyptical world is best experienced through Jasper’s adventures. During the book, Jasper runs away and it is his experiences that truly send the message home that the world is different beyond the obvious reasons. And his medical adventures while on his own that really make the book so chilling for me. I don’t want to spoil anything, but the appendectomy performed in this book was disturbing and so incredibly well researched and written.<br />
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My only real complaint about the book was the number of pop culture references. On one hand, they do serve a purpose to make the reader feel as though the book takes places in the not so distant future. On the other hand, I think it will date the book and cause it to lose impact over the years. That said, this is a tremendously impactful book and I can’t wait to read World Made by Hand. <br />
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<strong>Rating</strong>: 4 eyeglasses.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-80022877422393464862010-11-04T15:24:00.000-04:002010-11-04T15:24:59.521-04:00Torture Why oh why do I go to The Book Barn and buy a bag full of books when I know I can't read them for another 6 weeks? It's one thing to buy a bunch of books and know I have a lot to read all ready, but at least there is the hope one of them will skip to the head of the line because the mood struck me to read that book. It's another thing entirely when I just buy books that have no hope of being read until the semester is over and the review books are completed.<br />
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I do have good news though. I am about to post a review for The Witch of Hebron, and I have only 30 pages left to the latest Snipesville Chroncile: A Different Day, A Different Destiny (of which I will be giving away 2 shiny copies!) So thanks for sticking around - I had no idea just how hard this semester was going to be for me. I am reading other blogs faithfully, even if I don't have time to comment.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-47572826024619907382010-10-21T10:58:00.000-04:002010-10-21T10:58:14.232-04:00When I'm Not Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym0cTkWgZTJE-P684H6wW7hxUVP2ONNetvdbSqd6E8U7g7SpZioaxhhxZrENgl8kCcmLQg49fXjR_-4pvDOueTYrBMHcFLu0O7M61PTD05ZVUYOtSh6aeOMtka5csJn_oXd1rIUoSbuM/s1600/Not+Reading+Wide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgym0cTkWgZTJE-P684H6wW7hxUVP2ONNetvdbSqd6E8U7g7SpZioaxhhxZrENgl8kCcmLQg49fXjR_-4pvDOueTYrBMHcFLu0O7M61PTD05ZVUYOtSh6aeOMtka5csJn_oXd1rIUoSbuM/s320/Not+Reading+Wide.png" width="320" /></a></div>It's Thursday and I thought it would be a good way to use Missie's meme from <a href="http://www.theunreadreader.com/">The Unread Reader</a> to explain why I haven't been around much.<br />
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When I'm not reading, this is what my week is like on average:<br />
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<strong>Monday</strong>: I get up super early to make the hour and fifteen minute commute from my boyfriend's house to work. It's 40miles but lots of traffic. I spend my lunch hour doing reading for my classes, and when I leave work at 5 I either go to acupuncture (has helped me tremendously), or I go to class and go over my cataloging homework before our weekly quiz. Usually they let us out of class late and I get home around 10:30. I'm then up until 1 or 2 working on my reading for Tuesday night's class.<br />
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<strong>Tuesday:</strong> Fortunately I have a shorter commute during the week. This is a leave early day for me because I am in class from 3:30 until 9:30 (two classes). This is my very busy day because of the insane amount of reading for these classes (historical anthropology and archives). I get home around 10:30 and once again have about 2-3 hours of reading to do for the next day.<br />
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<strong>Weds:</strong> another leave early day for me. Once again my lunch hour is spent reading and writing for tonight's class - The Crusades. If I don't have a meeting (I'm very active in 2 student organizations and this has been a tremendously busy month for us) then I am typically home by 7:30. Sometimes I have book club, or sometimes I meet up with friends. I try to be home by 10:30 again because I have to do work on my online class: Public Librarianship.<br />
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<strong>Thursday.</strong> A full work day for me and no classes. Fortunately Thursdays are quiet at work so I can catch up on my online class if I get through my work in time. After work I go to my Grandmother's for "dinner and a story" and then it's home for laundry and reading. I average about 200-300 pages of reading a night for school. This is not light reading either - I'm taking a lot of notes and I am wring a lot of papers. I'm also in the process of packing since I will be moving in the next few months.<br />
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<strong>Friday:</strong> Another full day with no classes. Fridays are a lot like Thursdays for me, but this is the day I try to get some down time. If I don't go to karaoke with my friends then I work on packing and just plain zoning out in front of the tv with the dogs. <br />
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<strong>Saturday:</strong> I am starting a 1 credit internship/project for my archives class that involves me spending any free time for the remainder of the semester on saturday mornings working on this project. Then it's off to my boyfriend's house for the weekend for some downtime (that strangely results in me cooking for him for the week). And of course I have to make time on Sundays to do my homework!<br />
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So as you can see, I haven't had very much time to read (or at all really). I'm realizing that I really took on way too much and I'm overwhelmed. I am so overwhelmed that I am flaking out, which is completely unlike me and I apologize to anyone that I've caused aggravation with because of my being over-extended. I fully expect to be my normal rational and dependable stuff by Jan 1.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-11920743276395461782010-10-01T12:47:00.000-04:002010-10-01T12:47:42.800-04:00Banned Book Week - Guest Post by Lily from Lillium's Realm<em>I couldn't let banned book week go by without having someone do a guest spot for me on their favorite banned book. It just so happens this is also my favorite banned book.</em><br />
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<em>Lily from <a href="http://liliumsrealm2.blogspot.com/">Lillium's Realm</a> was so nice to write a post on To Kill A Mockingbird for me. Without further ado:</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Have you ever judged someone on the way they look? How about that guy behind you in line covered in tattoos and facial piercings? Or that lady with 8 kids and one in the belly? Or even that little old blue haired woman covered in cat hair? Or what about that group of young men just hanging out in front of the mall? When you walked past them did you hold your purse a little tighter? Try to keep an eye on them out of the corner of your eye? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Everyone would like to say “I don’t judge people!” They lie. We all judge, all the time. It is one of the first things our parents teach us as children…remember “I’m not taking you to store with me, you’re dirty.” Or “You can not wear that to church.”?? We are all judged and we are all judging all the time, but the content of what we judge each other on is often the issue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” we are introduced to Jem and Scout, the young children of Atticus Finch. The novel is set in 1930’s Alabama. The small town of Maycomb is suffering but Jem and Scout (who is really named Jean Lousie) don’t feel the Depression as bad because their father is a successful lawyer. As we are introduced to them we see the children acting like children do. Jem and Scout meet a new boy named Dill and Dill finds fascination with picking on local shut in, and in child pack fashion they do too. The main story line most remember though is the story of Tom Robinson, a local black man accused of raping a white woman. Unfortunately the town is mostly white and heavily prejudiced. Atticus agrees to defend the man, because he knows he is innocent. One of the scenes that sticks in my mind the most is where the night before the trial Atticus and his children face down a mob who is there to lynch Tom. Even though the mob is dispersed the trial begins and everyone is forced to inspect facts, but unfortunately this was not a Perry Mason ending with a nice bow on top. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This story has always stuck with me, always. I read this book when I was 12, and I was told I should not be reading “such filth” by my English teacher, no less. She told me the story was more apt to have me viewing my classmates by their race and not as people. I was outraged, as it was well known I had blonde hair and blue eyes and my family was from Germany. Want to talk about nasty? Look like me with my background the day after they show Shindler’s list in class. Good times. Anyways, she demanded I give my book to her and when I refused she wrote me up for insubordination. My dad framed the referral and put it up on the wall. There were amazing quotes from the book and ones I still use today. I actually wanted to name my son Atticus, but that was a big NO GO with his father. So to wrap this up I am going to close with my top quotes from the book:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience. ~ Atticus</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"There is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is the court."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Pass the damn ham, please."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.”</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and finally my fave line from the entire book:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness sake. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion faster than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em."</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-11929378669003316042010-09-28T08:58:00.000-04:002010-09-28T08:58:57.334-04:00Movie Review: The American I was so excited to see The American. The trailer made it seem like it was along the lines of The Bourne Identity only with George Clooney. How can you go wrong with that?<br />
I was feeling a bit down and figured this would be an excellent cheer up. I should have known since I didn't recognize the director or any of the cast that something was off about the movie, but again- George Clooney was in it. Oh George how you disappointed me. This was a foreign movie!<br />
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy foreign movies. I just like to know in advance that's what I'm watching. What was wrong with the movie was the lack of plot and character development. We don't know who George is. We don't know why he has an interest in butterflies. We don't know why people are after him. It was a jumbled mess that didn't translate well into American cinema and not even George Clooney's charm could fix it.<br />
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Rating: (It pains me to say this) 1 eyeglassJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-63949394833495112482010-09-27T20:49:00.000-04:002010-09-27T20:49:19.585-04:00Check out my Guest PostAmelia from <a href="http://theauthoress-amelia.blogspot.com/">The Authoress</a>, one of my favorite blogs, asked me to do a guest post for her on a memorable book. I spent a lot of time going back and forth trying to decide which one to write about (I almost chose The Little Prince) until I decided on Anne of Green Gables.<br />
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Please check out The Authoress, and my guest post which is dedicated to my very best friend that I miss dreadfully since she moved away.<br />
<a href="http://theauthoress-amelia.blogspot.com/2010/09/guest-post-jenn-no-rest-for-wicked.html">http://theauthoress-amelia.blogspot.com/2010/09/guest-post-jenn-no-rest-for-wicked.html</a><br />
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Thanks again Amelia for asking me. I had a great time going through my book memories. :-)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-50712631247430477482010-09-24T12:27:00.000-04:002010-09-24T12:27:35.117-04:00Book Review - The Red Queen by Philippa GregoryFirst: An apology for being absent. I'm taking 5 classes this semester, plus a full time job, and some personal issues. I haven't had much time to breathe the past couple of weeks, let alone actually blog. Now that I have a grasp on my schedule, I hope to post twice a week if not more.<br />
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Coming up I have a fantastic give-away and review of the next installment of The Snipesville Chronicles by Annette Laing. I should be finished reading it very soon and so far it's even better than the first! Stay Tuned!<br />
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Now on to the review...<br />
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<em>Gregory, Phillipa. The Red Queen. Simon & Schuster NY. August 2010. 382pp. ISBN</em><a class="isbn-a" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Red-Queen/Philippa-Gregory/e/9781416563723"><em>1416563725</em></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9WvVUhyA4q7qvgru5-E_p73n_5gMVDbooi2QCCv3B9H3LT52vpW5bgT36401L-PXzpJ6o_DLqyDreNosC1OLz2LO0AhW1uhTEb9TACGFS1ivRA1qKJEPasH1N93wuwSCnDj_bFQAXIs/s1600/65655719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9WvVUhyA4q7qvgru5-E_p73n_5gMVDbooi2QCCv3B9H3LT52vpW5bgT36401L-PXzpJ6o_DLqyDreNosC1OLz2LO0AhW1uhTEb9TACGFS1ivRA1qKJEPasH1N93wuwSCnDj_bFQAXIs/s200/65655719.jpg" width="134" /></strong></a></div><strong>Synopsis:</strong><br />
Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales. <br />
Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation. <br />
Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize. <br />
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<strong>Review:</strong><br />
I didn't know how Philippa Gregory was going to tackle a woman who was so disliked, who history has virtually ignored. This is a very cold and calculating woman with very little for the reader to sympathize with. And Gregory doesn't seem to make any effort to turn her into a sympathetic character. I appreciated that because doing so would throw away any ounce of credible historical fiction.<br />
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I found the book to be slow going at first, and much more violent than The White Queen. For those expecting it to be as romantic as the Gregory novels normally are will be disappointed. This is a woman that is too pious for something as human as love. Still, it was an interesting look at a period of time and a figure most historical fiction writers ignore. It served as a good follow up to The White Queen and I'm looking forward to the next in the trilogy. <br />
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For those interested in reading more about the war of the roses and the characters in this book, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sunne-Splendour-Sharon-Kay-Penman/dp/0345363132">The Sunne in Splendour</a> by Sharon Kay Penman<br />
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Rating: 3 and a quarter eyeglassesJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-24524754389903461142010-09-09T15:34:00.000-04:002010-09-09T15:34:13.617-04:00When I'm Not Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUdjuey0G0TI0Ubx49FMjlixYKb6T2J5Ugz_E4cjP9SnarkGFK_B8ZTCfy2BXCiykjcry3KObeWB-YPW_yu-mIamtrIcIL8zRfhsibFPUARoDUm_B9tEeDsszW8T50SbMOWJqQKUD8rU/s1600/Not+Reading+Wide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUdjuey0G0TI0Ubx49FMjlixYKb6T2J5Ugz_E4cjP9SnarkGFK_B8ZTCfy2BXCiykjcry3KObeWB-YPW_yu-mIamtrIcIL8zRfhsibFPUARoDUm_B9tEeDsszW8T50SbMOWJqQKUD8rU/s320/Not+Reading+Wide.png" /></a></div><br />
"When I'm not reading" is a Thursday meme hosted by Missie at <a href="http://www.theunreadreader.com/">The Unread Reader</a> . This is one of my favorite memes because it gives insight into bloggers beyond what they read.<br />
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This is back to school week, so when I'm not reading chances are I'm in the classroom. I work full time and I'm taking 5 classes this fall: The Crusades, Managing Archives and Special Collections, Historical Anthropology, Cataloging, and Public Librarianship. Yes, I am pretty sure I am out of my mind but it's how it worked out for me this semester.<br />
I probably won't be posting too many reviews this semester because the assigned reading for Crusades alone is pretty intense, but I will certainly be reading modern books as much as I can to temper the tedious assigned reading.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-36551230438032349492010-09-03T15:44:00.000-04:002010-09-03T15:44:41.007-04:00Call For Guest Posters<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am looking for some guest contributors for banned book week. I'd love to have a few bloggers write about their favorite banned book, or how a banned book affected them. If you're interested, shoot me a note at </span><a href="mailto:bookwormgal29@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bookwormgal29@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You don't have to have a blog to participate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Jenn</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-31079162409510445412010-09-03T12:44:00.000-04:002010-09-03T12:44:27.125-04:00Very Delayed Posting, but... I Got Another Award!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmVGh8asQ6p_SfLuSJVYau7c1H9huTeIJHjG1NP9x-HsPXifEfkli3yD9CNcdWUYK_wC_fFGI9xiLXMkjvgveRpYtTFahlVmtZNo2stp0jyV82mf0RbVuz5DVuefGtDwAT2xH-MRwW6M/s1600/OneLovelyBlog5B15D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmVGh8asQ6p_SfLuSJVYau7c1H9huTeIJHjG1NP9x-HsPXifEfkli3yD9CNcdWUYK_wC_fFGI9xiLXMkjvgveRpYtTFahlVmtZNo2stp0jyV82mf0RbVuz5DVuefGtDwAT2xH-MRwW6M/s200/OneLovelyBlog5B15D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heather from </span><a href="http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buried in Books</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> gave me the One Lovely Blog Award. Thanks so much Heather, and stay safe this weekend!!(she's potentially in the path of Earl).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am passing this award on to these very deserving bloggers:</span><br />
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<a href="http://nymfaux.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nymfaux</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jessica @ </span><a href="http://afanaticbookblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/lets-do-some-hopping.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AFanaticsBookBlog+%28A+Fanatics+Book+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader#uds-search-results"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Fanatic's Book Blog</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bella & Annabelle @ </span><a href="http://agirlreads.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Girl Reads a Book</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laura @ </span><a href="http://tampabookworm.blogspot.com/2010/09/lifestyle-changes.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Words from the Tampa Bookworm</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Margo @ </span><a href="http://fourthmusketeer.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Fourth Musketeer</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steph @ </span><a href="http://thethoughtsofabookjunky.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Thoughts of a Book Junky</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steph @ </span><a href="http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (warning: this blog is for the over 18 crowd)</span><br />
Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-72131469011418435772010-09-03T10:31:00.000-04:002010-09-03T10:31:35.494-04:00Hop and Follow - Sept 3rd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3i-BS98CplIuCnruWv_7HNPoAtXi85p-GKDYPW2aUSY1IZMeZZUwDONedu42kkdkLpkKzkFXjoX_D-4SCA3oSmaczwPXoXVnPrdSBL9UmMr6agWqzmmGUq_SEv4XmNA7dPcdvFCfUGM/s1600/cfb_meme_button.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3i-BS98CplIuCnruWv_7HNPoAtXi85p-GKDYPW2aUSY1IZMeZZUwDONedu42kkdkLpkKzkFXjoX_D-4SCA3oSmaczwPXoXVnPrdSBL9UmMr6agWqzmmGUq_SEv4XmNA7dPcdvFCfUGM/s200/cfb_meme_button.png" width="176" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's time for </span><a href="http://www.crazy-for-books.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crazy For Book's</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Book Blogger Hop. This week's question is:</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Do you judge a book by its cover?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually really don't. I will be more drawn to a book if I like the cover, but I don't recall ever turning a book away because I didn't like it. The synopsis and the first couple of pages are what is important to me; the cover art is just someone else's different taste.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also Friday Follow day over at </span><a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parajunkee's View</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week she is featuring Candace at </span><a href="http://candacesreadingblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Candace's Book Blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> so please check her out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parajunkee's question this week is: </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>what is your favorite brick and mortar bookstore?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love love love </span><a href="http://www.bookbarnniantic.com/WeSellBooks.htm"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Book Barn</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in Niantic, CT. It's over an hour away from my house but I try to get there at least 2-3 times a year. Niantic is in such a beautiful area, so the drive is definitely worth the trip alone. The location isn't the only reason why I adore The Book Barn. They have hundreds of thousands of books divided into different buildings with names like: Hades, and The Last Page. There are cats roaming around and lots of places where you can sit and read indoors and outdoors. I love it because of the whimsy it exudes as well as the incredible collections of books for very reasonable prices. Almost all of my antique books are from here, including my 2nd edition <u>Jo's Boys</u> by Louisa May Alcott.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This place really isn't for the faint hearted. They have such a high turnover rate that it is all but impossible to walk in, grab a book you were looking for, and walk out. The books you are looking for could be anywhere, so browsing and rambling is going to happen. That is a bad thing for my wallet because inevitably I buy bags of books. Hence why I only go a few times a year!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-30538183715188711872010-09-03T10:11:00.000-04:002010-09-03T10:11:13.705-04:00Review: Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel<em><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Infinite-Days/Rebecca-Maizel/e/9780312649913"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maizel, Rebecca. Infinite Days (Vampire Queen Series 1). St.Martens Press. Aug 2010. ARC. ISBN0312649916</span></a></em><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Synopsis</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Review:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My friend Nicole picked this up for me at ALA annual and I was so happy to read a vampire book that wasn't all sighing and Twilighty. In this book vampires are evil, bloodthirsty, and fearsome creatures. This book is about what happens when you get to become human again after centuries of being a vampire. Lenah is torn between her past and present. She misses Rhode and struggles to abandon herself to her humanity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is a very well written book, with a very clever and imaginative plot. Lenah was an original. As a reader I could really feel Lenah's struggle and her fear that she will once again lose her humanity. The plot is original and Lenah is a well developed character.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Once again, this is a YA book where the males just aren't as well developed. I don't understand why Lenah fell so hard for Justin. He was a selfish, self-absorbed, jerk. He was mean to her and he was mean to her friend Tony. Tony was probably the best developed character, so much so that I couldn't believe Lenah picked Justin over him!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The biggest gripe I have about the book is that lack of detail given to her coven. Why would they stop at nothing to find her when they realized she wasn't coming back? Why was Vicken so obsessed? All in all my complaints are pretty minor and don't affect the enjoyment of the book. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Rating:</strong> 4 eyeglasses</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-15231396141527273552010-09-02T16:37:00.000-04:002010-09-02T16:37:37.598-04:00Booking through Thursday and When I'm not Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2ly6kNK4FTy9slvxW2LE8a45Pv0fBUa2ceHWiWEV4Nqz_ye-CosrqaxxjHQ6PhE2hyphenhyphen7ITL1LQqOf-UH312ozg-DUf0O6roXI7mM3A_9GSXZauFcWy8y_uTon3rdQsC2ISuNSJzG5TUI/s1600/btt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2ly6kNK4FTy9slvxW2LE8a45Pv0fBUa2ceHWiWEV4Nqz_ye-CosrqaxxjHQ6PhE2hyphenhyphen7ITL1LQqOf-UH312ozg-DUf0O6roXI7mM3A_9GSXZauFcWy8y_uTon3rdQsC2ISuNSJzG5TUI/s320/btt2.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week's BTT question is:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Even though it’s usually a mistake (grin) … do movies made out of books make you want to read the original?</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If I loved the movie and I haven't read the books, then yes absolutely. The most recent example of this was Eat Pray Love. I poo-poo'ed the book until I saw the movie. I also read The Prestige because I loved the movie. That was a case where the movie was better than the book for me.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS526_mdcjosH8nt-DteWiC1ba6D8dO1mVcy1m07fnDJuraRTX9494yu2dG9aCqqz7X1uuGMxLNV6gCYJ8QRVmuJ8t6nSwb0aHJeGJMGgsqA3WvjgwjToz4S08jBOlTt1biZPmrpP8-A/s1600/Not+Reading+Wide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAS526_mdcjosH8nt-DteWiC1ba6D8dO1mVcy1m07fnDJuraRTX9494yu2dG9aCqqz7X1uuGMxLNV6gCYJ8QRVmuJ8t6nSwb0aHJeGJMGgsqA3WvjgwjToz4S08jBOlTt1biZPmrpP8-A/s200/Not+Reading+Wide.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I'm not reading, and if it's Thursday, I can be found at "Dinner and a Story". That's what my cousins, uncle, and I have nicknamed dinner with my Grandmother. I'm heading there in about a half an hour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basically 2 of my cousins, sometimes my sister, my uncle, and I meet at my grandmother's apartment for dinner. It's like fulfilling the visitation quota with reinforcements. Not that visiting my grandmother is any way a chore - she's a sassy broad who in no way acts her age (she doesn't care for old people).We eat, laugh, and have a conversation about pretty much anything.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> At some point during the conversation my Grandmother (who can't hear very well but refuses to admit it) interrupts with a story about something that really had nothing to do with what we were talking about. If you let her ramble on she will eventually tell us some long forgotten family dirt. Sometimes she'll go on about people in the family we have never met before. Huck Carlstrom is our favorite person she goes on about that we've never met.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It's a fun time and really nice to spend time with my family. I often feel as though I am the black sheep because I don't get invited much to last minute family get togethers. these thursdays make me feel included and I'm sad when I can't go for stretches of time because of my class schedule.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So... check out Missie's Meme over at Th<a href="http://www.theunreadreader.com/">e Unread Reader</a> She's featuring Jennifer @ Reading with Tequila and her love of zombie movies!</span></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-76035884432085387172010-09-02T12:38:00.000-04:002010-09-02T12:38:20.866-04:00Review: Speed Dating with the Dead<a href="http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/speeddating.htm"><i><b>Nicholson, Scott. Speed Dating with the Dead. Haunted Computer Books. E-book.2010. 274pp</b></i></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNnem01xK6PoJrjgru_aZcqk48JQrTURxul_ahTaZzGTtYl839HSj8M4aFtjwoi-9tISSkIANqmKeCGdA_P_wSGaGdJJENqtOdD4Hte7KptWOGpmDmSiCXxluP5JCdM5WhQP_zbYXFW4/s1600/SpeedDating300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNnem01xK6PoJrjgru_aZcqk48JQrTURxul_ahTaZzGTtYl839HSj8M4aFtjwoi-9tISSkIANqmKeCGdA_P_wSGaGdJJENqtOdD4Hte7KptWOGpmDmSiCXxluP5JCdM5WhQP_zbYXFW4/s200/SpeedDating300.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Summary:</b></div> <br />
<div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">When Wayne "Digger" Wilson hosts a paranormal conference at the haunted White Horse Inn, he has motives beyond searching for the inn's legendary ghosts.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Years ago, he made a honeymoon promise to his wife Beth that if one of them died, the survivor would return to the White Horse to summon the other's lost spirit. Now she's dead and Digger's back, with the daughter they conceived during that fateful honeymoon sixteen years before. And the ghost hunters are stirring up ancient evils that were better left in peace, because the inn's basement is home to a circle of demons that have been waiting for Wayne to return.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">They want his teenage daughter Kendra, and they'll play whatever tricks they need in order to satisfy their dark desires. And at the White Horse Inn, not even angels can be trusted . </span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Review:</span></b></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> Mr. Nicholson was nice to send me the e-book version of this book and <u>The Red Church</u> (review will be forthcoming). I was particularly intrigued to read this book after learning it was based on a real hotel where a paranormal conference took place.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> There is a lot going on in this book. Lots of characters with their own storyline and reasons to be at this hotel during the conference. I spent a lot of time in the beginning trying to get my bearings and figure out who was who in this book. Despite my confusion, I found myself really getting into the book fairly quickly. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> I find a lot of horror novels to be formulaic. Certainly this one had its Rose Red and Poltergeist-like elements, but there was enough spooks and chills in the book to overcome most of the feelings of "I read this before". I particularly liked the storyline involving Kendra, the daughter of conference leader Digger. She was a solid character in a book where character development was sacrificed for scares. As a reader you can understand Kendra's struggle to believe what was occurring is more than tricks and her Dad's imagination.I would definitely want to read more books with her in it, especially if they also explore her relationship with Cody. I also enjoyed the over the top-ness of the conference guests who all had their own agenda. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> There is a lot going on, and a lot of people to keep track of, in a relatively short (274 pp) book. I wish more was spent on character development, fewer characters, and the religious aspect of the book seemed gratuitous. I still don't understand how halo colors apply to Kendra. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> Overall this was a fast read and a chilling book. The kind of book that will scare the beejeezus out of you if you are reading it home alone on a rainy/windy night. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Rating</b>: a solid 3 eyeglasses</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-23719423999096712372010-09-02T11:00:00.000-04:002010-09-02T11:00:41.931-04:00Review: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Chelsea-Chelsea-Bang-Bang/Chelsea-Handler/e/9780446552448/?itm=2&USRI=chelsea+chelsea+bang+bang"><i>Handler, Chelsea. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. Grand Central Publishing. New York. 2010. ISBN 9780446552448. 247pp. Library Copy.</i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8513HxC5JOI0IqBscghNW-NHyAUAYavxKxO3YqrXgU0b6o7qqHr5wihzjQGddMT5RuZAPAB3r5cU3yJba_netZ5bKr45rpV_jO_ScXUDwFy5t0pYypdbxAczKbr_Q7-09sSBi7ftTg4/s1600/48695941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8513HxC5JOI0IqBscghNW-NHyAUAYavxKxO3YqrXgU0b6o7qqHr5wihzjQGddMT5RuZAPAB3r5cU3yJba_netZ5bKr45rpV_jO_ScXUDwFy5t0pYypdbxAczKbr_Q7-09sSBi7ftTg4/s200/48695941.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><h3 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Synopsis</h3><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The hilarious new book from the star of <em>Chelsea Lately</em> and the #1 <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of <em>Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea .</em> </div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Get ready for big laughs as Chelsea Handler lets loose with more comic personal essays. In this new, no-holds-barred account of life on the ridiculous side, Chelsea mines the wealth of material that is her family, her sex life, her career, and her distinctively outrageous worldview. Here is young Chelsea discovering "The Feeling" during a third-grade sleepover and getting shafted by clueless parents over Cabbage Patch dolls...and grown-up Chelsea at the mercy of the remote control, Lean Pockets, and </span><em style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sex and the City</em><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> --but still managing to convince her boyfriend that there are Swiss Army knives in the soles of her $16,000 shoes. Through it all, Chelsea never lets anyone off the hook, even herself, as she delivers page after page of irreverent humor, biting wit, and deliciously off-kilter entertainment. </span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Review:</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I've been waiting for this through my library's ILL since the book was released this spring. I was so thrilled to have it come in right when I really need to laugh. And this book makes me laugh the whole way through. Handler has a way of telling what would be considered inane stories from anyone else in a very funny manner. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As a huge fan of her show Chelsea Lately, I was all ready familiar with her opinions on her family and her now ex-boyfriend, but I don't think you need to be in order to appreciate her humor. Her re-telling of the wedding she went to with her ex, and the dog funeral had me laughing out loud. What really got me was the email communications between her and her siblings over her father's antics. Having a wacky family myself (although nowhere near the level of hers) I could really appreciate their interactions. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> There were some parts of the book that seemed to drag because she had all ready told the story on her show, but overall this was a really quick read. This is definitely not a book for anyone that is offended by sarcastic and bawdy humor though.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Rating</b>: 4 and a quarter eyeglasses. </div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-31781925594358906842010-09-02T10:31:00.000-04:002010-09-02T10:31:26.732-04:00The Winner of my 100 Follower Giveaway!!<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"> is Steph from <a href="http://thethoughtsofabookjunky.blogspot.com/">The Thoughts of a Book Junky</a></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Congrats Steph, you should be receiving your copy of Clockwork Angel and Torment soon.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Thank you everyone for participating. I am having another giveaway very soon, so please keep checking back!</span>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-68550642231589050482010-08-27T12:07:00.001-04:002010-08-27T12:09:14.517-04:00Friday Hop & Follow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMfatZvm2MMUUvhGQ1ZT105CGce-Mei_l-c7dCvfzPn31I9TUSC170IAR3hb9z3b0ixPXmO-5eBwe2XihYdee_Kjv4u_BTiRPhMUbstIGNpDDW6AICQ0QU51bb_suHBS4MlPP_d1xnqw/s1600/cfb_meme_button.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMfatZvm2MMUUvhGQ1ZT105CGce-Mei_l-c7dCvfzPn31I9TUSC170IAR3hb9z3b0ixPXmO-5eBwe2XihYdee_Kjv4u_BTiRPhMUbstIGNpDDW6AICQ0QU51bb_suHBS4MlPP_d1xnqw/s200/cfb_meme_button.png" width="176" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This week has been an absolute whirlwind. I've been so neglectful of this little blog, but I haven't had anything to review really, and most of my spare time has been basically birthday present shopping and combing the internet for textbooks. Those of you out there who are students probably sympathize with just how tedious the process can be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: purple;"> Don't forget to enter to win my 100 Follower Giveaway!!!!</b></span> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It's time for <a href="http://www.crazy-for-books.com/">Crazy For Book's </a>Book Blogger Hop. This week's question is:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?</span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></span> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As you can see, I have an eyeglass rating system. I am kind of proud of it since I created it myself and I had no previous experience doing anything with manipulating graphics. Eventually I'll have someone make a prettier version. As to why eyeglasses, well I wanted something that is a bit different and also that represents me. I'm a library student and I have librarian glasses, so Voila!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadGIgEycofR44RJLq_QkCydtELp9dO1S1H7nZ406Zgr9of6qrp64tnmD-TsEubjsZ5JFWaKxW4o3317FOFG_lkO7Xjfs1Aq4wj0RrNGv70msbK9vBAdzbnry0_ODOxBbVsudR84Uj_i4/s1600/4710921228_bf32d46f6d_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadGIgEycofR44RJLq_QkCydtELp9dO1S1H7nZ406Zgr9of6qrp64tnmD-TsEubjsZ5JFWaKxW4o3317FOFG_lkO7Xjfs1Aq4wj0RrNGv70msbK9vBAdzbnry0_ODOxBbVsudR84Uj_i4/s200/4710921228_bf32d46f6d_o.png" width="134" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's also Friday Follow day over at <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee's</a> View.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week she is featuring Manda @ <a href="http://bookge3k.blogspot.com/2010/08/follow-friday-and-blog-hop-and-update.html#idc-container">Book Ge3K</a>. I'm glad to have found Manda because I really enjoy her review style.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week's question at the follow is:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><h3 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My question for you guys, what is the first book that you remember reading?</h3><h3><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The first book I remember reading is the actual book I first learned to read. <u>In a People House</u> by Dr. Seuss. I would read it every night and eventually read it to my brother when he was a baby. </span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> What about you?</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3><h3><br />
</h3>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-87549463173184921342010-08-20T11:02:00.000-04:002010-08-20T11:02:00.637-04:00Movie Review: Eat Pray Love Confession time: I never read Elizabeth Gilbert's blockbuster book <u>Eat Pray Love</u>. I really had no interest in it and quite honestly I call(ed) it "the cult book" because everyone I know that read it started spouting these strange mantras and asking each other what their word was. <br />
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I was intrigued by the movie. I like Julia Roberts. I liked the concept of the movie. And I'm at a point in my life where I am approaching a crossroad so thought it would be a good movie for me. I didn't have very high expectations since my friends the book devotees thought it was slow and Julia Roberts was ill cast, but I had an open mind. I saw it with my friend Carolyn and enjoyed it immensely!<br />
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The scenery was beautiful. The acting was excellent (especially Richard Jenkins) and it had a perfect mix of laugh out loud moments and heart warming ones. I can see where people complained that it dragged and maybe I would be more critical if I read the book. After all, how often are you pleasantly surprised by a movie adaptation of a book you love?<br />
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More importantly, I actually was inspired by the movie. I want to pack up and move to Bali. I left with a lot to think about (much like after Inception) but I also felt as though that even if my marriage doesn't work out, I will be ok. I won't be alone forever (not with friends) and I will be able to love again. It's a message I sorely needed at this point in my life. So I am going out to buy the book this weekend. I guess you could say I'm the latest cult member and that's perfectly ok with me.<br />
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<b>Rating: 4 and 3/4 eyeglasses.</b>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-65787635742392646392010-08-20T10:44:00.000-04:002010-08-20T10:44:26.443-04:00It Seriously Can't Be Hop & Follow Friday All Ready!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV6huYuKMYlP9QJK0Znq8QpGTT6uNpkxTiTjQ5p4uWajIGX-8snoade3RHfMbHGxGQQ9cCb6dncvjs4WQiCJ73fD0LNMisxLN7fIuxEySl2FA8ca9HIyr7CuzFfyWKsjsuv9c5QVmfX4/s1600/cfb_meme_button.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPV6huYuKMYlP9QJK0Znq8QpGTT6uNpkxTiTjQ5p4uWajIGX-8snoade3RHfMbHGxGQQ9cCb6dncvjs4WQiCJ73fD0LNMisxLN7fIuxEySl2FA8ca9HIyr7CuzFfyWKsjsuv9c5QVmfX4/s200/cfb_meme_button.png" width="176" /></a></div>Wow! Time certainly does fly and this month for me reinforces my title "No Rest for the Wicked". Crazy busy here and it doesn't look as though it will stop anytime soon.<br />
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As it is Friday, it is time for <a href="http://www.crazy-for-books.com/">Crazy for Books'</a> Blogger Hop.<br />
This week's question is:<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">How many blogs do you follow?</span><br />
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I follow about 150 blogs as of right now. I'm sure there will be dozens more by the end of the day. That doesn't mean I check every day, but I do try to hit everyone at least once a week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnX5HDVA03SZ59GHNoYtt_pdzttr8dtW241pdIBq0sg3Eqo4gMsDGYbn1YWyWfuiwwmnhXIGQu2pbDotVVtZ_PEBU0SviKHi1KOjD7wHFwGIC-_TRJSi7KvHETLjLr2kf1BLKmQ-Cz9Q/s1600/4710921228_bf32d46f6d_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnX5HDVA03SZ59GHNoYtt_pdzttr8dtW241pdIBq0sg3Eqo4gMsDGYbn1YWyWfuiwwmnhXIGQu2pbDotVVtZ_PEBU0SviKHi1KOjD7wHFwGIC-_TRJSi7KvHETLjLr2kf1BLKmQ-Cz9Q/s200/4710921228_bf32d46f6d_o.png" width="134" /></a></div><br />
And it's also the Friday Follow over at <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee</a>'s View. These week she is featuring Joy from <a href="http://edgyinspirational.blogspot.com/">Edgy Inspirational Romance</a><br />
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Please take a moment to check out the links and support my fellow book bloggers.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-1716990597422339252010-08-19T15:25:00.005-04:002010-08-27T14:17:31.009-04:00It's 100 Follower Giveaway Time<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">If anyone is experiencing issues getting your information logged on the form, please send me an email at Bookwormgal29@gmail.com with your information and number of entries. I'll enter you in by hand to the master spreadsheet. Sorry about any aggravation!</span></b></div><span style="color: blue;"> </span> <br />
Thank you all so much for not only following me, but also for your own reviews. My husband probably doesn't thank you because of growth rate of my TBR shelves, but I do.<br />
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So, as mentioned earlier, to thank you I am hosting a giveaway to one of my lucky followers. Unfortunately the contest is only open to US readers this time. I promise to include international readers in the future. This contest is open until Midnight Monday August 30th, with the winner to be announced on August 31st<br />
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One reader gets to pick either ONE of the following (The Distant Hours or Fall of Giants):<br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Distant-Hours/Kate-Morton/e/9781439152782/?itm=1&USRI=distant+hours" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504979959899958034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0mctww6JV2Q1-uFbSSHPnwr9b9nt_DiK9Dhz8W97foAmI0-iwLwgIUghDOLNvreHbrnadeopEzgCZFzMNvC7STFve_qDJ8pbm-b02hI3ghyphenhyphenrTpQpLM-iKmn0vPZQ1yZt2iPjN4mkeFs/s200/66675475.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 133px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fall-of-Giants/Ken-Follett/e/9780525951650/?itm=1&USRI=fall+of+giants" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504979955317331170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFVLVwbps705iS9p4wO42vY4mr6ela_MQ61m3ALLWxzhTWaMSCOXAKxCF6OuxtKly-hDnqfq2Li7mel3Okaok7Wyo8XTSEVZDmxbB_dm6cpA3QfdLU49EOtjN7XYBvCc-50q2n2MYfKU/s200/63385827.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 131px;" /></a><br />
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Or TWO from these books (Clockwork Angel, Torment, Mockingjay, or The Iron Daughter):<br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Clockwork-Angel/Cassandra-Clare/e/9781416975861/?itm=1&USRI=clockwork+an" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504981149083879970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdXauAjbITb2OBgZGErIja_YD32CXL43Db-ZtUm7n4IiUtr2Fx19oGFxIbX8CCN2Nm3mRIuyl4lRlzTkdNwoM4De62GA2wV5Ow4Y5JYfHjmlNWjI_a36uS0YUTEufMHG0tNd2oBU9ZBk/s200/56901358.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 133px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Torment/Lauren-Kate/e/9780385739146/?itm=1&USRI=torment" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504979972294810946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3or5iMP7TD-nyG7ejS0VUJfUcyODuKc-1dhvizdWtN5T_8fgs5_BAOBWXyZz3yNXPtKhkNOv69sIT4LhxBbHZzxvZg3S_Jkh6-VcVNqDykKUz3Nq3lAT6UCGE2drJJ4FtYatRO_672_I/s200/torment.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 131px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Mockingjay/Suzanne-Collins/e/9780439023511/?itm=1&USRI=mockingjay" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504979966089320210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW2FbuGPYDb0Lsn8H8cDOqhO_1PzdAedvLG9UCpztNrsVzwkHLCfSrUUUuO4jwnX5NBVfYo7XoImfuq70Ojh175Ze3_M858x0FVqLJOcikM15Wyl8ts-g3SYU29Hlp4cj5HlVDw-6GNc/s200/mockingjay.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 193px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 127px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Iron-Daughter/Julie-Kagawa/e/9780373210138" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504981694332402370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4j4DbfPrTd8tBnV6GMdrd4GZhuI6W6TqjPwFckKbiXBv3k6nVH-9E-Eg6bZWaRUGcObB1_XCL4P3qUKAXOMzVCCFFhu5eENaIU78mKsvB9LheMDF3Yh7In5sg8KczBaJl8btGQBHvOU/s200/65676837.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 129px;" /></a><br />
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You can click on the photo to read more about each book. And don't forget to leave a comment when you're done.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="1044" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dHVBS25SMFljdmoxLVNKckNxeTdoMUE6MA" width="760">&lt;p&gt;Loading...&lt;/p&gt;</iframe>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-22843973030255267532010-08-19T14:37:00.003-04:002010-08-19T15:20:35.207-04:00Booking Through Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZVxT0_s6WQhEKM_6jnQbxLX1MuLIMS8d_sGjFVv8aksvT6rGabF4r1gBEZdwh1wB52axioREwhafsMTCAEt8Imxn-1ZvomdSSqDWqys85XXW6SZSWMjIh6OBawJT55HGnlqW9lEz-RA/s1600/btt2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 34px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZVxT0_s6WQhEKM_6jnQbxLX1MuLIMS8d_sGjFVv8aksvT6rGabF4r1gBEZdwh1wB52axioREwhafsMTCAEt8Imxn-1ZvomdSSqDWqys85XXW6SZSWMjIh6OBawJT55HGnlqW9lEz-RA/s200/btt2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507192368225126130" /></a><br /> I couldn't think of anything for "When I'm Not Reading" this week, so I decided to participate in <a href="http://btt2.wordpress.com/">Booking through Thursday</a>. This week, instead of a question, we have a quiz. Which is OK because I really enjoy reading other people's answers.<br /><br /><br /><strong>1. Favorite childhood book?</strong><br />This is really tough for me because I have no idea how to answer it. I would say the book that has remained with me since childhood and the first book that comes to mind is "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. <br /><br /><strong>2. What are you reading right now?</strong><br />Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler and Speed Dating with the Dead by Scott Nicholson<br /><br /><strong>3. What books do you have on request at the library?</strong><br />The latest House of Night book, Brave New World, and A Vintage Affair. Oh and I think I have Spirit Bound also on request.<br /><br /><strong>4. Bad book habit?</strong><br />it depends on who you ask. Either leaving a book in every room of the house, my car, and my bag (just in case I want to read)or buying books even though I have so many not yet read at home.<br /><br /><strong>5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?</strong><br />Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler<br /><br /><strong>6. Do you have an e-reader?</strong><br />I have a Nook<br /><br /><strong>7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?</strong><br />see answers # 2 and 4<br /><br /><strong>8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?</strong><br />I read a lot more YA<br /><br /><strong>9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)</strong><br />A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick<br /><br /><strong>10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?</strong><br />The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton<br /><br /><strong>11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?</strong><br />I don't know if I really have a comfort zone<br /><br /><strong>12. What is your reading comfort zone?</strong><br />I don't really have one - I read really anything that strikes my fancy at the time.<br /><br /><strong>13. Can you read on the bus?</strong><br />No. I can't read in a car either because of motion sickness.<br /><br /><strong>14. Favorite place to read?</strong><br />my hammock or my husband's recliner<br /><br /><strong>15. What is your policy on book lending?</strong><br />I lend to friends and family that I can trust to return the book. Unless I don't to read it again, in which case anyone who wants it can take it.<br /><br /><strong>16. Do you ever dog-ear books?</strong><br />only books I read for school<br /><br /><strong>17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?</strong><br />only books I read for school<br /><br /><strong>18. Not even with text books?</strong><br /> I actually don't really write in textbooks. Usually I just highlight <br /><br /><strong>19. What is your favorite language to read in?</strong><br />English<br /><strong><br />20. What makes you love a book?</strong>well written, developed characters, and I have to be able to escape while reading.<br /><br /><strong>21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?</strong><br />I tailor my recommendations based on what I think the person would like.<br /><br /><strong>22. Favorite genre?</strong><br />historical fiction<br /><br /><strong>23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)</strong><br />spy novels<br /><br /><strong>Favorite biography?</strong><br />Either Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris, or Shackleton by Roland Huntford<br /><br /><strong>25. Have you ever read a self-help book?</strong><br />yes<br /><strong><br />26. Favorite cookbook?</strong>For nostalgic reasons, The Fanny Farmer Cookbook<br /><br /><strong>27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?</strong><br />Hmm.. Probably The Happiness Project.<br /><br /><strong>28. Favorite reading snack?</strong><br />gingersnaps and tea.<br /><br /><strong>29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.</strong><br />This happens a lot. Most recently I would say A Reliable Wife, or The Girl Who Played with Fire.<br /><br /><strong>30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?</strong><br />about 50/50 I guess<br /><br /><strong>31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?</strong><br />I try to find something positive to soften the blow unless I despised the book. I strive to be honest and objective.<br /><br /><strong>32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?</strong><br />Latin and French<br /><br /><strong>33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?</strong><br />I don't get intimidated by books. If I hesitate to read one it's because it seems boring to me.<br /><br /><strong>34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?</strong><br />See above answer<br /><br /><strong>35. Favorite Poet?</strong><br />Edgar Allen Poe<br /><br /><strong>36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?</strong><br />Anywhere from 2 -8<br /><br /><strong>37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?</strong><br />rarely<br /><br /><strong>38. Favorite fictional character?</strong><br /> Anne Shirley<br /><strong><br />39. Favorite fictional villain?</strong>I don't know if he counts but Snape from the Harry Potter series<br /><br /><strong>40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?</strong><br />I like to read chick lit on vacation, or YA. Last vacation I brought The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins<br /><br /><strong>41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.</strong><br />a couple of days<br /><br /><strong>42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.</strong><br />Tale of Two Cities<br /><br /><strong>43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?</strong><br />my husband talking<br /><br /><strong>44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?</strong><br />The Prestige<br /><br /><strong>45. Most disappointing film adaptation?</strong><br />Timeline by Michael Crichton<br /><br /><strong>46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?</strong><br />not counting books for school? Between $100 - $200<br /><br /><strong>47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?</strong><br />I skim before buying a book<br /><br /><strong>48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?</strong><br />someone blabbing the ending<br /><br /><strong>49. Do you like to keep your books organized?</strong><br />I try to<br /><br /><strong>50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?</strong><br />keep<br /><br /><strong>51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?</strong><br />none that I can think of<br /><br /><strong>52. Name a book that made you angry.</strong><br />The DaVinci Code<br /><br /><strong>53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?</strong><br />The Help<br /><br /><strong>54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?</strong><br />The Girl who Played with Fire<br /><br /><strong>55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?</strong><br />either YA books or Philippa Gregory's booksJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-45360380342408452332010-08-18T11:21:00.003-04:002010-08-18T11:30:23.361-04:00E-bites<center><a href="http://www.blogwithbite.com" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Blog With Bite" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1106/4728285439_752e61086c_o.png"></a><br /> </center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogwithbite.com/">Blog with Bite</a> is hosting a weekly meme called e-bites, which is a showcase for e-books we are to take a bite of?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcaOnUa3Qn0rzhsoENXCoQRmxKD0LL4u0jezqbx6WjDiXq1xM0T5Hdp59tjoUxNusfI-9a5mFlO63ARaPgri0jKToyKOlp-3A8VMIXJFj-7p2mFskoO64CX4eMnfzWcu63S2fEf13lhA/s1600/SpeedDating300.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcaOnUa3Qn0rzhsoENXCoQRmxKD0LL4u0jezqbx6WjDiXq1xM0T5Hdp59tjoUxNusfI-9a5mFlO63ARaPgri0jKToyKOlp-3A8VMIXJFj-7p2mFskoO64CX4eMnfzWcu63S2fEf13lhA/s200/SpeedDating300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506772030539422626" /></a> Scott Nicholson sent me the digital version of two of his books to review. After some technical difficults, I was finally able to convert the e-book to Nook friendly format. I'm starting with Speed Dating with the Dead. I love a good spooky thriller and can't wait to take a bite out of it.<br /> Here's a summary from his site <a href="http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/speeddating.htm">Haunted Computer</a><br /><br /><em>When Wayne "Digger" Wilson hosts a paranormal conference at the haunted White Horse Inn, he has motives beyond searching for the inn's legendary ghosts.<br /><br />Years ago, he made a honeymoon promise to his wife Beth that if one of them died, the survivor would return to the White Horse to summon the other's lost spirit. Now she's dead and Digger's back, with the daughter they conceived during that fateful honeymoon sixteen years before. And the ghost hunters are stirring up ancient evils that were better left in peace, because the inn's basement is home to a circle of demons that have been waiting for Wayne to return.<br /><br />They want his teenage daughter Kendra, and they'll play whatever tricks they need in order to satisfy their dark desires. And at the White Horse Inn, not even angels can be trusted . . </em>.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-26006696598685364802010-08-18T11:04:00.005-04:002010-08-19T10:21:15.407-04:00Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Oyjw9C95ApyomEtyWGRXkeqhh21120iRbDHSgLx9Gv2icVPN3t25-aU5RBvBzBmeOv6MgAQoMk62fXgCJhWO4WI6NWB6fbRf_EvDVJO1njmNWFDe72gC5JLMJn0foE3s5buXPqgsK3Q/s1600/fallennn.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Oyjw9C95ApyomEtyWGRXkeqhh21120iRbDHSgLx9Gv2icVPN3t25-aU5RBvBzBmeOv6MgAQoMk62fXgCJhWO4WI6NWB6fbRf_EvDVJO1njmNWFDe72gC5JLMJn0foE3s5buXPqgsK3Q/s200/fallennn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506766647051202434" /></a><br /><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fallen/Lauren-Kate/e/9780385738934/?itm=2&USRI=fallen"><em>Kate, Lauren. Fallen. Delacorte Books for Young Readers. Dec 2009. 464pp. ISBN 385738935</em> </a><br /><br /><strong>Synopsis:</strong><br />Seventeen-Year-Old Luce is a new student at Sword & Cross, an unwelcoming boarding/reform school in Savannah, Georgia. Luce s boyfriend died under suspicious circumstances, and now she carries the guilt over his death with her as she navigates the unfriendly halls at Sword & Cross, WHERE every student seems to have an unpleasant even evil history.<br /><br />It s only when she sees Daniel, a gorgeous fellow student, that Luce feels there s a reason to be here though she doesn t know what it is. And Daniel s frosty cold demeanor toward her? It s really a protective device that he s used again . . . and again. For Daniel is a fallen angel, doomed to fall in love with the same girl every 17 years . . . and watch her die. And Luce is a fellow immortal, cursed to be reincarnated again and again as a mortal girl who has no idea of who she really is.<br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br /> Have you ever read a book that upon finishing it you decide you liked it, but when you stop to think about it you realize it really wasn't all that great of a book. In fact there was a lot wrong with it? The Twilight Books is one example for me. Fallen is another.<br /><br /> The plot and the creepy setting were both good. The book fails in both character development and character interactions. Luce stalks Daniel with really no reason beyond her instant attraction and feeling that she knew him before. Daniel was pretty much a jerk, and it was really easy to figure out what he is. Something was just off in how the characters interacted with each other. There was instant familiarity between them without any sort of believability, particularly considering the setting. <br /><br /> I'm willing to try the next book, Torment, to see if the issues I had with Fallen were just the result of a fledgling author. Overall, it was a good story that failed in its follow through.<br /><br />Rating: 2 and 3/4 eyeglassesJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-32122085098875211372010-08-18T10:37:00.002-04:002010-08-18T11:03:57.755-04:00Review: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?EAN=9780061583254"><em>Rubin, Gretchen. The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. Harper. New York. 2009. 320pp. ISBN 0061583251.</em></a><br /><br /><strong>Synopsis:</strong><br />Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. "The days are long, but the years are short," she realized. "Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project.<br /><br />In this lively and compelling account of that year, Rubin carves out her place alongside the authors of bestselling memoirs such as Julie and Julia, The Year of Living Biblically, and Eat, Pray, Love. With humor and insight, she chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.<br /><br />Rubin didn't have the option to uproot herself, nor did she really want to; instead she focused on improving her life as it was. Each month she tackled a new set of resolutions: give proofs of love, ask for help, find more fun, keep a gratitude notebook, forget about results. She immersed herself in principles set forth by all manner of experts, from Epicurus to Thoreau to Oprah to Martin Seligman to the Dalai Lama to see what worked for her—and what didn't.<br /><br />Her conclusions are sometimes surprising—she finds that money can buy happiness, when spent wisely; that novelty and challenge are powerful sources of happiness; that "treating" yourself can make you feel worse; that venting bad feelings doesn't relieve them; that the very smallest of changes can make the biggest difference—and they range from the practical to the profound.<br /><br />Written with charm and wit, The Happiness Project is illuminating yet entertaining, thought-provoking yet compulsively readable. Gretchen Rubin's passion for her subject jumps off the page, and reading just a few chapters of this book will inspire you to start your own happiness project. <br /><br /><strong>Review:</strong><br /> Right now I'm at a crossroads in my life. I don't know if my marriage is going to work out. I don't know if I should stick around this area after grad school. I don't know where to apply for PhD programs. Etc... What I do know is that I am tired of being stressed all of the time and I am very tired of putting the needs of others first in a pathetic attempt to please everyone. <br /> So, I got a copy of The Happiness Project from the library, even though I am not particularly fond of self-help or non-fiction books that aren't related to history. I figured this was going to be different because the author chronicals her experiences and in no way is on a soapbox. Rubin uses her experiences combined with research and philosophy to answer for herself, "Is it possible to become a happier person? Is happiness a meaningful and worthwhile goal?"<br /> I am very glad I picked up the book. While a lot of it really didn't apply to me, I was inspired to really take a look at my life and the behaviors I want to change. The change will come slowly - Rubin herself focused on one subject a month, which is important considering how difficult it is to change behavior.<br /> While Rubin's use of quotations and feedback from readers was incredibly helpful for me, she really did come across as privileged and overly demanding of kudos. She admits she does ask too much for credit and is working on it. We all have our burdens and everything but it is really hard to sympathize with her because, let's face it, she has a pretty good upper to upper middle class life.<br /> Am I a happier person for reading the book? Not really, but I do think it is much more tangible for me now. I know what I need to work on and I have a better idea of how to go about it. Plus I'm doing a really cool resolution chart to keep me on track!<br /><br /><strong>Rating: 3 eyeglasses</strong>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5844610438606212840.post-48225282008736950172010-08-13T12:03:00.002-04:002010-08-13T12:14:18.793-04:00A Hop Hop Here and a Follow There - August 13th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK8B0jItx9G4ROR2tCZvSMheAUwCkMYNLNggRuX-IaC-ubujXK9xK6NQHBa8LJNZHlzkBDLTkmcK8q4viV5zYxEbIls671mjQC9gTUxtTK7nhsZMugMomMTfiYkMAYtKG9nf-eIGOMtQ/s1600/cfb_meme_button.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK8B0jItx9G4ROR2tCZvSMheAUwCkMYNLNggRuX-IaC-ubujXK9xK6NQHBa8LJNZHlzkBDLTkmcK8q4viV5zYxEbIls671mjQC9gTUxtTK7nhsZMugMomMTfiYkMAYtKG9nf-eIGOMtQ/s200/cfb_meme_button.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504928475746675010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZF4jNN_bxvPBkBFzhI196i4p22woTXQXT2yBC14sYHl0G1wepMc2156_nct6GtU1vEE-NV5ckMsLeK5PDs5JHglw7vdAp7AGKOx1OMsop67Px8TODuSwXCrmsCc3vfqyUQaPwI3Kpeg/s1600/4710921228_bf32d46f6d_o.png"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZF4jNN_bxvPBkBFzhI196i4p22woTXQXT2yBC14sYHl0G1wepMc2156_nct6GtU1vEE-NV5ckMsLeK5PDs5JHglw7vdAp7AGKOx1OMsop67Px8TODuSwXCrmsCc3vfqyUQaPwI3Kpeg/s200/4710921228_bf32d46f6d_o.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504928468796049954" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Friday the 13th everyone, and welcome to another edition of <a href="http://www.crazy-for-books.com/">Crazy for Book's</a> Blogger Hop and <a href="http://www.parajunkee.com/">Parajunkee's</a> Friday Feature and Follow. Please click on the links and explore the other book bloggers out there.<br /><br />This week Parajunkee features <a href="http://nymfaux.blogspot.com/">Nymfaux</a> who I discovered not too long ago from the follow and have really been enjoying the reviews.<br /><br />Also, this week's Book Hop Question is:<br /><span style="color:red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">How many books do you have on your 'to be read shelf’?<br /><br /></span></b></span>To be honest, I have no idea. It's not a shelf, it's a bookcase. I think it's close to 100 books (a lot of them were free from conventions like ALA). That's not including all of the books on my wishlist either. What can I say? I'm a mood reader and I just haven't been in the mood to read those books yet. My husband thinks I have a problem. I don't believe him.<br /><br />So... what about you?Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05055669572892867472noreply@blogger.com6