Weekly Geek - Week 2

This week's Weekly Geek is inspired by Dewey's Knit-a-Long, a mini challenge of Dewey's Reading Challenge. Dewey had other passions besides reading and blogging. Knitting was one of them. This made me think, what are the Weekly Geek's other passions?

#1. What are you passionate about besides reading and blogging? For example, are you crafty (knitting, woodworking, scrapbooking, model building)? Do you cook? Into gaming (computer or board)? Sports (player or spectator)? Photography? Maybe you like geocaching, rock climbing? Or love attending events like renaissance fairs, concerts? Music? Dancing? You get the idea. Tell us why you're passionate about it. Post photos of what you've made or of yourself doing whatever it is you love doing.

#2. Get us involved. Link to tutorials, recipes, Youtube videos, websites, fan sites, etc, anything that will help us learn more about your interest or how to do your hobby. Maybe you'd like to link to another hobbyist whose work you admire or tell us about a book or magazine related to your interest.

#3. Visit other Weekly Geeks. Link in your post to other Geeks who've peaked your interest in their passion. Or maybe you might find a fellow aficionado among us, link to them.

#1 The only other thing that gets me as animated as books is sports. I just got my degree in journalism and I work doing PR and media relations for college athletics. Basically, I get paid to watch sports and I am completely addicted to my job. I am so lucky that I will never be someone who hates going to work because my job is so much fun. I have spent the last five years working for Northeastern University, where I went to school, and love all the teams there. I especially love working with the volleyball, basketball and hockey teams. But I have loved every second of working with football, men's and women's soccer, baseball, field hockey and...well...everyone. I don't just love the sports of my school. I am a die hard Atlanta Braves fan and pretty much live and die by the Dallas Cowboys.

#2 Check out some of the amazing links in my world.

The Northeastern hockey team is currently ranked 3rd in the country and first place in the conference. Which is truly amazing. Our goalie is one of the top players in the nation and up for the prestigious Hobey Baker award. Actually if you could all go vote for him just once I would be eternally grateful. PLEASE VOTE HERE! Brad Theissen is not only an exceptional goalie but a very good friend of mine.

Brad has a blog of his own you can check out here

The men's basketball team is also first place in the country. (The only school in the country with a first place basketball and hockey team!!!) They face off against conference rival Delaware today at 1 p.m. and you can listen to the game - and all games - at WRBB sports

Here is a video of a game a few years ago that still goes down as one of the best moments in my time there. With 2.6 seconds left Mike Morris scores to tie Boston College - one of our rivals and our arena was rocking. It was insane.

I could go on about NU sports until the end of time - trust me - but check GoNU for all the information you could need! I can't wait to see what else you all are passionate about!

The picture is myself on the right and another NU athletics employee loving ever second of working a football game last season.

#3 It seems most Weekly Geeks are WAY more crafty than I and enjoy knitting, crocheting and painting. However, Andrea love football too! YAY! And she should since the Gators are way, way better than Northeastern.

Always Remember

This post is off topic but something I really wanted to put up. Today it has been exactly one year since the passing of a very dear friend of mine. In his 23 years he was an amazing person and I miss him every day. I just wanted to use this to remember him today. These are the lyrics of a Flogging Molly song played at his memorial. Miss you Tommy!

If I ever leave this world alive
I'll thank for all the things you did in my life
If I ever leave this world alive
I'll come back down and sit beside your
feet tonight
Wherever I am you'll always be
More than just a memory
If I ever leave this world alive

Library Loot - Week 2

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by A Striped Armchair and Alessandra that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

This is a lighter week because I still have a few left from last week and I got a great haul from a couple of sales and bookmooch last week.

F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton
So I can continue my obsession with Kinsey Millhone.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes
Haven't read anything by Keyes but I have read great reviews so I grabbed this one.

I am working on reading E is for Evidence but it has been a hectic week. Hopefully I will get it finished soon.

Teaser Tuesday

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!

"I watched while she drained her bloody mary. 'Tell me about Hugh,' I said."

from E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton (page 97)

Musing Mondays

Musing Mondays is hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about lending books...

A few weeks back we had a question about borrowing books, this week I was wondering what your policy was on lending books. Do you lend books to anyone? Just friends? Only big readers? How long are they allowed to have them?

Unfortunately, I don't really have to have a policy on lending books because not too many of my friends are readers. I do lend them to my friends who are readers, however, and I haven't had any problems with it. I am not sure there is a time frame I have ever put on it but I have always gotten them back. I wouldn't lend my books to anyone I didn't trust because I love my books too much. My sister borrows them the most and she knows to take care of them.

Another week of contests

**Contests in italics are over**

Valentine's Giveaway from Mom Fuse. Ends Jan 27
Mia Sophia from The Downtown Boutique. Ends Jan 27
Anya CD from Fashion Fling. Ends Jan 29
Weight Watchers Winner's Circle Cookbook from At Home With Books. Ends Jan 30
Knitster from The Downtown Boutique. Ends Jan 30
Gift Basket from Yummy Mummy. Ends Jan 31
Sweet Irie gift set from The Downtown Boutique. Ends Jan 31
Coffee Cozy from Life As I Know It. Ends Jan 31
Cricket and Monkey from Frugal Mommy. Ends Feb 1
Sweet Boutique from Fashion Fling. Ends Feb 1
Passchal bag from Fashion Fling. Ends Feb 1
ROXoxox from Fashion Fling. Ends Feb 1
Designs by Ladajo from Twilightations. Ends Feb 1
Book/DVD/CD Giveaway from Enroute to Life. Ends Feb 1
Dagoba Organic Chocolate from Sage and Savvy. Ends Feb 2
Ampersand Designs from Fashion Fling. Ends Feb 2
Thats Caring from Frugal Mommy. Ends Feb 2
Alligator Alphabet from Simple Finds. Ends Feb 2
Shadowed Summer from Carrie's Procrastinatory Outlet. Ends Feb 2
Home Design Pendant from An Optimistic Beauty. Ends Feb 3
RibbedTee from Fashion Fling. Ends Feb 3
Amazon gift card from Mom of 2 Dancers. Ends Feb 3
Laptop tote from Musings of a Housewife. Ends Feb 4
Amazon Gift Card from Scrappy D. Ends Feb 4
Fly Girl from Reader Rabbit. Ends Feb 6
Yokomono from Simple Finds. Ends Feb 6
Tote from Just Another Hang Up. Ends Feb 8
Because I am Furniture from Harmony Books. Ends Feb 7
Midori by Moonlight from S. Krishna. Ends Feb 8
Pouchee from Scrappy D. Ends Feb 8
My Father's Paradise by Ariel Sabar. Ends Feb 8
My Little Red Book from So Many Books. Ends Feb 10
Snapshot from Tara's View on Books. Ends Feb 11
Valentine's Prize Pack from All American Mommy. Ends Feb 11
Wife Goes On from Brenda's Blog. Ends Feb 11
What Would Emma Do from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 14
ABC's of Kissing from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 15
Wintergirls from For The Love of Books. Ends Feb 15
The Magician's Book from Tara's View on Books. Ends Feb 16
Absolutely Maybe from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 17
Getting the Girl from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 18
Saving Juliet from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 19
Song of the Sparrow from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 19
Tom Tancin from Nocturnal Reviews. Ends Feb 20
Revolutionary Road from Mrs. Magoo Reads. Ends Feb 20
The Italian Lover from A Bookworm's World. Ends Feb 21
The Italian Lover from So Many Precious Books. Ends Feb 27
The Terror from So Many Precious Books. Ends Feb 27

Accidental It Girl

Accidental It Girl by Libby Street

Sadie Price is a New York photographer and people hate her. At least that is the first line of the book and I was hooked from there. It isn't any fault in her personality, although she is a little bit guarded, its that people tend to hate members of the paparazzi. She lives with her two best friends, loves her job and prizes her 1979 Camaro, left to her by her father when he passes away. But her life is thrown into a tailspin when she tracks down movie star Ethan Wyatt at the airport and can't seem to take his picture. Afraid she is losing her mojo she follows him to a restaurant where she gets a picture of him in a very precarious position. After that Ethan decides to turn the tables on Sadie, making her the object of the paparazzi attention and New York's newest "it" girl.

I loved this book and the characters in it. Sadie is great in her sarcastic moments and hilarious in her guarded moments. She breaks up with her boyfriend when he gives her a toothbrush to keep at his apartment and she lives on poptarts and cereal. Her friends are great additions to the book and the appearance of her distant mother makes for great internal moments. Plus I really think that the paparazzi and actor switching places is brilliant.

I didn't love the mock newspaper columns that appeared in between chapters but they didn't bother me too much either. I just could have lived without them.

Favorite quote: "Why is it that people think of the heart as this infallible GPS device? Isn't it just as possible that your heart gives bad directions? I mean, if it were really that accurate, wouldn't we all be consulting our hearts instead of Mapquest? Like, 'Hmmm, we need to get downtown. Hold on, let me consult my heart for the most direct route.'"

Up Next: I really can't decide. I have a lot of options as seen by my In My Mailbox post. We'll see what strikes my fancy after I watch the SAG awards and cheer for Kate Winslet to win everything. I do love her and she looks so amazing in her blue dress tonight.


This book counts toward my Library Challenge

In My Mailbox - My First!

"In My Mailbox" was started by The Story Siren. See her blog for more details.

Since I like doing Library Loot as well In My Mailbox will only contain things I actually get in the mail or buy in the store.

Bought Books:
A local bookstore was going out of business and the last day was Fridays. I got some great deals and a big stack of things to read.




Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.
I never saw the movie and now I am excited to read the book before it comes out on DVD.
Daniel X by James Patterson
You will quickly learn that I am obsessed with James Patterson and convinced that he is super human because he writes so many books a year.
Mermaids in the Basement by Michael Lee West
Honestly I picked this up because the cover was gorgeous. But it sounds like a good book.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Well, because I am the last person on the planet to read it.
Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander
Because his blog is absolutely hilarious.

The very next day there was a town sale at the local library where I picked up these goodies:


Roswell High by Melinda Metz
I was obsessed with this TV show and thought it would be fun to read this little (176 pgs) book.
Dumping Billy by Olivia Goldsmith
Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
The Ex Wife's Survival Guide by Derby Holt
Knight: My Story by Bob Knight
The only thing I love more than books is sports and I have always wanted to read his bio.
Beach Road by James Patterson
7th Heaven by James Patterson
Like I said, he is my favorite.

And finally two that actually came in the mailbox from bookmooch


The Entitled by Frank Deford
Surf Girl School by Cathy Yardley

Well that is all, have a lot to look forward to!

Weekly Geek - My First!

Weekly Geek
For your assignment this week, choose two or more of the following questions:

1) How do you feel about classic literature? Are you intimidated by it? Love it? Not sure because you never actually tried it? Don't get why anyone reads anything else? Which classics, if any, have you truly loved? Which would you recommend for someone who has very little experience reading older books? Go all out, sell us on it!

2) A challenge, should you choose to accept it: Read at least one chapter of a classic novel, preferably by an author you're not familiar with. Did you know you can find lots of classics in the public domain on the web? Check out The Popular Classic Book Corner, for example. Write a mini-review based on this chapter: what are your first impressions? Would you read further? (For a larger selection of authors, try The Complete Classic Literature Library).

3) Let's say you're vacationing with your dear cousin Myrtle, and she forgot to bring a book. The two of you venture into the hip independent bookstore around the corner, where she primly announces that she only reads classic literature. If you don't find her a book, she'll never let you get any reading done! What contemporary book/s with classic appeal would you pull off the shelf for her?

4) As you explore the other Weekly Geeks posts: Did any inspire you to want to read a book you've never read before—or reread one to give it another chance? Tell us all about it, including a link to the post or posts that sparked your interest. If you end up reading the book, be sure to include a link to your post about it in a future Weekly Geeks post!

1) I am not at all intimidated by the classics but I do find I have very strong feelings about them. I either love them or hate them, I have very little gray area. My favorites are anything Jane Austen and I really, really love House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. My favorite is Henry James, though. Daisy Miller and Washington Square are basically the best things ever written.

Oh yeah, and Shakespeare. Love it! Especially the comedies, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Taming of the Shrew. I also really love Merchant of Venice. Everyone should read Shakespeare, I recently read Mindy Klasky's A Girls Guide to Witchcraft and there were so many Shakespeare references that made the text that much richer because I understood the references.

3) After I slapped her for forgetting a book, because who really forgets books?? Anyway, I would sell her on one of the many modern twists on the classics like The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde because I thinks it a really fun genre. I love the classics redone like that.

OK there is my first weekly geek, I look forward to many more.

Contest Win

A big thanks to Kelsey at Reading Keeps You Sane and Stacey Jay author of You Are So Undead To Me for the t-shirt contest. I can't wait to get it! And of course post a pic of me wearing it.

It really must be my lucky day because I am also the lucky winner of Something Happened by Greg Logsted thanks to Linda Gerber.

A Girl's Guide To Witchcraft

A Girl's Guide To Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

Jane Madison is a librarian forced to wear a silly costume and serve coffee in an attempt to keep her library open but when her pay is cut anyway and she is forced to live in a cottage behind the library her life changes quite unexpectedly.

In the basement of her new home is a collection of magic books that Jane learns she has the power to use. She awakens her familiar, Neko and gets a warden to help teach her, David Montrose. These characters round out her inner circle which already included best friend forever, Melissa, and her grandmother who raised her. There is also her "Imaginary Boyfriend" Jason who is a local professor and frequents her library.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I will probably read the next two in the series (mostly because I am one of those people who has to read the whole series, not because I have to know what happens to the characters). I like Jane's relationship with Melissa and the way she interacts with her grandmother and I really like how she struggles with becoming a witch but I HATED her relationship with Jason. They went on one date and danced once and she was calling him her boyfriend and inviting him to family reunions. It just felt forced and unrealistic, thats right more unrealistic that the part about her being a witch.

I did love Jane's internal rambling and her constant Shakespeare references. And I really loved how she realistically handled every bad day with mojito therapy, that is my kind of remedy.

I'm hoping without Jason I will like the next book more and I actually want to know more about her magic which there wasn't a ton of in this book.

This also counts as another book done for my First In A Series Challenge

Up Next: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street


This book counts toward my Library Challenge and First in a Series

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by A Striped Armchair and Alessandra that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

I just got back from the library and I have four new books to look forward to as well as one more to read to my four-year-old sister.
The Accidental It Girl by Libby Street

Girls Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky
Excited about this book which I read about the first 30 pages of while I was at the library. It is very cute and it fits my first in a series challenge!

E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
I am truly addicted to Kinsey Millhone.

The Hot Flash Club by Nancy Thayer
Also for the first in a series challenge

I also strayed into the children's section of the library and found a book to read to my little sister. Mostly I liked the cover of it.
The Paper Princess by Elisa Kleven

While I was at the library today I discovered there will be a book sale there this Saturday so I now have that to look forward to as well. Now I am off to read my treasures!

My First Contest Win!

So less than a week into my head first dive into the world of book blogging I have won my first contest. A big thanks to Katrina over at Stone Soup for picking my name out of a hat. I can't wait to to read the Brenda Novak trilogy!!

Musing Mondays

How does your being sick (or injured) affect your reading? Do you read more? Less? Do you pick out a different book than you had already planned? Do you have a "comfort book" that makes you feel better?

I have seen the Musing Mondays on quite a few of the book blogs I have been checking out since I decided to start this so I decided to take part. (click the picture to go to the Musing Monday site). So here goes...

Being sick definitely affects my reading. Usually I get sick because I am super busy and run down so I tend to just sleep when I am sick and therefore get no reading done. And if I am not sleeping I am big on cheesy tv when sick, reality shows or soaps are all my brain can handle if I am sick.

D is for Deadbeat

D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton

Well I am glad this one is Done. Of the first four in the alphabet series this one is easily my least favorite. I actually didn't care how it ended so long as it ended. As seems to be the case Kinsey starts working for someone and he ends up dead just a few days later.

John Daggett is fresh out of jail when he shows up in Kinsey's office asking her to track down a fifteen year old boy and give him a check for $25,000. But when Daggett ends up dead a few days later and the police rule it an accident Kinsey is off on a wild goose chase trying to figure out if there is anyone in Santa Theresa that wouldn't want him dead. There are the family members of the people he killed in a car accident, his own wife and daughter and the woman he "married" when he got out of jail just to name a few.

I found that I didn't care who killed him and I didn't care about the people left behind when he died so this book just didn't captivate me like the first three in the series. There were a few redeeming moments however, like an appearance from Mike, who's hair is now purple instead of pink and he has traded in the mohawk for a spiky do. Also Kinsey and Jonah get together in this book...OK so its just margaritas and dancing but his wife wants an open relationship and I hope it opens the door to Kinsey. My favorite line of the book is the banter between these two.

Up Next: well I am not sure. I am headed to the library tomorrow to pick up the next in the alphabet series and whatever else catches my eye.

This book counts toward my Library Challenge

C is for Corpse

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

So far C is definitely my favorite in the alphabet series. Kinsey is hired by a young guy she meets at the gym (where she is rehabbing after getting shot in B) and when he ends up dead just a few days later Kinsey is determined to find out why. And suspects are everywhere from his stepfather and anorexic step sister to the parents of his best friend who died in a car accident that was meant for him.

There was just something about Bobby Callahan that Kinsey felt the need to help him, and it was the same thing that had me attached to this book. I needed to know what had happened to get Bobby killed and it certainly wasn't what I expected. I was a little disappointed I figured out who killed him so early (the doctor) but I NEVER saw the motive coming, now that was a twist (Bobby was in love with the doc's wife). And I certainly never would have guessed where the murder weapon was hidden (inside a John Doe corpse at the morgue).

And of course Kinsey almost gets herself killed tracking down the doc. There is a little more Jonah in C but not enough for me. He is back with his wife but I can't imagine it stays that way for long.

Up next: D is for Deadbeat and then I think I might switch gears for a few books. All the murder mysteries are making me jumpy. I about had a heart attack when my mom came in to say goodnight.

This book counts toward my Library Challenge

B is for Burglar

In book two of the Kinsey Millhone alphabet series Kinsey is hired to track down a woman she has never met but who no one seems able to locate. The case begins with a he-said, she-said between the missing women's sister and brother-in-law but it turns out the death is connected to the mysterious fire in a neighboring house.

Kinsey befriends a high-school drug dealer named Mike, who is one of my favorite characters right down to his motorcycle and pink mohawk. He proves to be full of useful information about the burned house, which belonged to his aunt and uncle. But there is more to his aunt who supposedly died in the fire and his uncle who is grieving at his sister's house.

B is also the introduction of Jonah, a local cop who you can tell will have a future with Kinsey despite the pity he feels for himself since his wife left him. I can't wait to see more of him.

I have to say I can't decide if I like B more than A but I adore Kinsey and her sarcastic, no-bull ways. Now on to C is for Corpse.

This book counts toward my Library Challenge

First in a Series

Guidelines for 1st in Series Challenge 2009

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.

3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

Click here to sign up

This looks like too much fun!

My 1st in Series Challenge 2009 Reading List:

1. A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
3. No Lesser Plea by Robert Tanenbaum
4. The Hot Flash Club by Nancy Thayer
5. Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
6. Girls Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky
7. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
8. Evernight by Claudia Gray
9.
10.
11.
12.

More to come as I read them and come up with more to read!

Simple pleasures

**Contests in italics are over**

-This book sounds amazing! Ends Jan 19
-This is really getting to be a fun way to spend my sunday. Enroute to Life Ends Jan. 19
-Happy Birthday! Another contest! Ends Jan 20
-Oh and one more (for now). Thanks Melissa Walker. Ends Jan 21.
-The Bluestocking Society give away M.J. Rose novels. Ends Jan 23
-Who knew there were so many ways to try and win amazing books. Here is another contest I am entering. Oh Happy Sunday! Reviewer X. Ends Jan 24.
-The Geography of Bliss Ends Jan 24
-From the Story Siren. Ends Jan 26
-James Patterson is my absolute favorite. I think I want this one the most. Ends Jan 26
-Another one for good measure. Thanks to the Shady Glade. Ends Jan 26
-Move Over Scarf on Simple Finds. Ends Jan 26
-Twilight Contest #6 Ends Jan 28
-Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson from Harmony Book Reviews. Ends Jan 28
-Linda Gerber YA mysteries from On My Bookshelf. Ends Jan 28
-Red Letter signs giveaway from Simple Finds. Ends Jan 28
-You Look Like A Gem from Simple Finds. Ends Jan 29
-Love and Other Natural Disasters Ends Jan 29
-Amazon Gift Card from Robyn's Online World. Ends Jan 30
-Deadly Little Secret Ends Jan. 30
-Starbucks GC from Connected 2 Christ. Ends Jan 30
-GC from Homeschool Classroom. Ends Jan 30
-Kate Spade from We Are That Family. Ends Jan 30
-GC from Many Little Blessing. Ends Jan 30
-Spring Lunch Tote from Thrifty and Chic Mom. Ends Jan 30
-Target GC from Frugal Finds. Ends Jan 30
-Janine King Tote from Fab Food Friday. Ends Jan 30
-Peek from 5 Mins For Giveaways. Ends Jan 30
-Amazon Gift Card from Robyns Online World. Ends Jan 30
-Thanks Harmony Book Reviews. Ends Jan 30.
-Another Harmony Book Review contest. Ends Jan 30
-Adios To All The Drama from Harmony Book Reviews Ends Jan. 30
-In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash from Harmony Book Reviews. Ends Jan 30.
-GC and books from This Side of Eternity. Ends Jan 30
-Daisy Necklace from Everything Up Close. Ends Jan 30
-Rachel Ray Cook Book from Queen Mother Blog. Ends Jan 30
-Thrifty Chic and Mom. Ends Jan 31
-Rose Gold Filled Chain from Shops Galore. Ends Jan 31
-Unique Boutique Jewelry from Wood n' Whimsy. Ends Jan 31
-Photo Pendant from Two of A Kind, Working on a Full House. Ends Jan 31
-Rock Bottom from Tara's View on Books. Ends Jan 31
-Cocoa/cookbook from Stop and Smell the Chocolates. Ends Jan 31
-GC from Le Papier Studio. Ends Jan 31
-Acorn Accessories from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Vintage Lovers Necklace from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Hair Accessories from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Pretty Organized from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-The Puddle People from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Solsisters from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Robyn's Art from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Scribble It from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Brooch and Mini Pin from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Love Squared Necklace from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Clipboard from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Kooky Hand Bag from Bella Casa. Ends Jan 31
-Bake Sale from Etsy's Edible Art. Ends Jan 31
-Thrifty and Chic Mom - Lagaz ring. Ends Jan 31
-Alaska Young Memorial Day Contest. Ends Jan 31.
-Beating Winter Blues from Goodies for Mom. Ends Jan 31
-Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell at My Friend Amy. Ends Jan 31.
-Borders GC from Sweet Savings. Ends Jan 31
-Another Birthday contest. Oh birthdays are fun. Ends Jan 31
-The Siege of Macindaw from Hope's bookshelf. Ends Jan 31 - I WON
If I Stay by Gayle Forman from Reviewer X. Ends Jan 31
-The first contest from Shalonda's blog. Ends Feb 1 - I WON!
-Eve Organics from Everything Up Close. Ends Feb 1
-Travel Games from Mom Most Traveled. Ends Feb 1
-James Patterson from Bookin with Bingo. Ends Feb 1
-Natural Elements from Piece of Me. Ends Feb 1
-Rockin Prize Pack from Love Giveaways. Ends Feb 1
-Mother's Joy Necklace from Blessings Abound. Ends Feb 1
-Books and Banners from Media Mafia. Ends Feb 1
-T-Shirt from Our 3 Day. Ends Feb 1
-Hip T from Tara's View of the World. Ends Feb 1
-Cherry Creek Charms from Summertime and A Glass of Lemonade. Ends Feb 1
-Twisted Silver from Rundpinne. Ends Feb 1
-Earrings from Helene's Dreams. Ends Feb 1
-I seriously want a copy of Not Anything. Ends Feb 1
-Land's End Throw from Carpe Libris Reviews.
-Picture Frame from Just Jenn. Ends Feb 1 - I WON
-GC from RHB Designs. Ends Feb 1
-EO products from Sage and Savvy. Ends Feb 1
-Victoria Secret GC from A Family Completed. Ends Feb 1
-Pamper Me from Le Vie De Laurie. Ends Feb 1
-Leather Journal from Carpe Libris Reviews. Ends Feb 1
-Inkheart from Brimful Curiosities. Ends Feb 2
-I really love me some James Patterson Ends Feb 2
-Absolutely Maybe from the Shady Glade. Ends Feb 2
-Honey Dipp from Everything Up Close. Ends Feb 2
-Coffee Maker from Grocery cart challenge. ends Feb 2
-Visa Gift Card from Unexpected Bliss. Ends Feb 3
-Planet Jill from Lisa'a Reviews. Ends Feb 3
2 prize packs from My Home Wellington. Ends Feb 3 I WON
-Chocolate gift basket from Double Dipped Sweets. Ends Feb 3
-Amazon Gift Card from Unexpected Bliss. Ends Feb 4
-Tailored Tadpole pillowcase from Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House. Ends Feb 4
Amazon GC from Ginny's Books. Ends Feb 5
Mineral Essence from Working Blogging Mommy. Ends Feb 6
Skirt from The Shopping Mama. Ends Feb 6
Fabrics from A Heart for Home. Ends Feb 6
b. happybags from Something Snappy. Ends Feb 6
Learn to age gracefully along with the art of cheap living all in one place, at Champagne Living. Ends Feb 6
Eon: Dragon Eye Reborn from Harmony Book Reviews. Ends Feb 7
Mary Poppins from Amanda. Ends Feb 8
Laptop Sleeve from Amanda. Ends Feb 9
Those McCourt brothers are talented. Thanks to A Bookworm's World Ends Feb 9
Taken by Storm from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 9
Tons of books from Tara's View on Books. Ends Feb 10
Death By Bikini from Reviewer X. Ends Feb 10
40,000 hits contest Ends Feb 10 - I WON!
Vera Bradley from Be Thou a Knight. Ends Feb 11
North of Beautiful from Books By Their Cover. Ends Feb 13
A very happy birthday to Megan. Enter her contest. Ends Feb 15
The Ranger's Apprentice from In Bed With Books Ends Feb 15
The Dotty Owl from A Kindred Spirit. Ends Feb 16
Burn Notice DVD contest Ends Feb 19
Camel Club audio books from J. Kaye's Book Blog Ends Feb 21
GC and Bookcharmer from A Novel Menagerie. No end date listed.
Kimono Dress (and more) from Blissfully Domestic. No end date listed
Amazon GC from All Rileyed Up

A little something extra

As I get more in to the possibilities of this blog I started checking out other book blogs to get ideas for what books to read when I get through the pile on my night stand and I am so please to discover all the fellow bookworms out there. So here is an awesome contest I am entering to win some amazing books. Head over to Presenting Lenore! Wish me luck I am really excited about some of the books in the prize pack and I know it will take months before they get to my little local library.

A is for Alibi

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

Confession time: I love a murder mystery, crime novel or legal thriller. I haven't met a version of CSI, Law and Order or Without A Trace that I didn't love and I haven't found a John Grisham, James Patterson-esque novel I didn't devour. So my latest project is to read the alphabet series by Sue Grafton from A to Z (or T because that is as far as she has written.) I was very happy to realize the local library has all of them sitting in a pretty little row so I checked out A-D and am well on my way.

A is for Alibi introduces Kinsey Millhone who I must admit I adore immediately. She is a twice-divorced, rebellious, minimalist who prides herself on being a good liar and, oh yeah, solves mysteries. Its like Nancy Drew all grown up with an attitude and I love her.

In A Kinsey is hired by a woman just out of prison for the murder of her husband to find out who actually murdered her husband. Turns out there were lots of people who wanted the guy dead but it wasn't his wife and it wasn't his supposed mistress who was also murdered.

Kinsey gets tripped up when she starts sleeping with the dead guys former business partner. She figures out the ex killed the guy but the trick is that his business partner killed the supposed mistress to cover up his embezzlement. And he nearly kills Kinsey when she figures it out but she kills him instead. Just another day in the office.

Favorite quote: "You try to keep life simple, but in the end it never works, and all you have is yourself."

This book counts toward my Library Challenge and First in a Series

Other reviews
Robin from My Two Blessings
Dorte H

Kiss My Book

Kiss my Book by Jamie Michaels

I was at the library searching for something very different from what I found and what I found was this little gem of a teen novel. The snarky title made me giggle so I just had to read it. And I liked it so much I named my blog after it, so thank you Jamie Michaels. OK, so it won't win any major awards or top the best sellers list but I sat down on a Friday night with a cup of tea and this book and four hours later I had read the whole thing and was happy with how I spent my evening.

Ruby Crane gets published, and famous, as a high school sophomore and when her life seems perfect she is accused of plagiarism. And this is when the book really starts. She runs away to upstate New York...where I am from a town as small as the one she hides...and settles in. She makes a friend, meets a boy, reforms the small town and faces her demons and has her life neatly cleaned up in 288 pages.

Like I said, not a literary masterpiece but I like reading about a girl who loves books and uses them to help people after her life falls apart. And it was the perfect book to read in one sitting. It is the only book by Jamie Michaels but I kind of hope there are more.

This book counts toward my Library Challenge

Twilight

I refused to do it. I refused to read the Twilight series. I am not really sure why, maybe a fierce loyalty to Harry Potter or the fact that vampires were never really my favorite supernatural creature but I finally broke down and read the series. All fours books in less than a week. What can I say, when I get into something I really go full tilt. And here is what I think, they are pretty good. I understand why teenagers everywhere are in love with Edward and Jacob (and if I were still 15 I would be a card-carrying member of team Jacob) and why Stephanie Meyer is making a damn killing.

However, because I read them all so fast I have a hard time separating them in to four books. It also does not help that I decided to do this blog after I had read them. Damn my bad timing. While I find Bella a bit whiny in the first book for me everything picks up when Jacob is developed in the second book. And certainly my favorite part of the series is told from Jacob's perspective in Breaking Dawn.

I also read the first twelve chapters of Midnight Sun that Meyer posted to her website after it was illegally leaked. If she ever decides to finish it I will read it just because I have invested this much time in the series already but I didn't really care for it told from Edward's perspective. I guess I can connect more easily to Bella than Edward.

I think I may have been an obsessive fan if I had read these books when I was 15 but at 22 they lack a little something for me.

Other Reviews
Melange
Belle of the Books

Epiphany!

So I just graduated college and I am tackling that huge list of books I have wanted to read and had no time because as an English and Journalism major I had enough required reading to do. The problem, sometimes I am picking up books and not remembering if I have read them or not because I have honestly read every book I could find since I first put together "run spot run" on my own. I am the quintessential book worm. So my brilliant idea is to blog about every book I finish from here on out. Basically my own personal library and I honestly don't care if there is never another human being who reads this. I just want to be able to track what I read from now until forever. I am going to back track to the beginning of 2009 and put those books in just so I have a clear starting point. It took me a few weeks but I now have a new year's resolution and I am pretty excited about it.

If by some miracle some one else stumbles across this feel free to add your own reviews and suggest books...I always seem to be running out of things to read and money to buy new books and let me tell you the Bloomsburg, PA library is not going to keep me long.

Authors/Publishers: I would be happy to read and review your book. If I you have a book that you would like to share with me, please contact me at sports (dot) erikalynn (at) gmail (dot) com.

"Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book." Stephan Mallarme