Froggy's Halloween-Book Review

Froggy's Halloween by Jonathan London

The Froggy books by Jonathon London are some of my absolute favorite reads in class. Froggy's Halloween comes a close second to Froggy Goes to School.

In this installment, Froggy can't make up his mind what to be for Halloween. He goes from costume to costume until he finds the perfect one. The perfect costume also seems to be the perfect choice for Frogilina.

She's a bit scary, but the book is not. This is a great, funny Halloween book for all ages.

5/5

Happy Halloween

halloween tree
Originally uploaded by my_weezy

Hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

trick or treat,
originally uploaded by my_weezy.

Hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween.

Trick or treat?

Whiskers on Wednesday Halloween Edition

the Jojo
Originally uploaded by my_weezy

I fear I have not taken a new Joey picture this Halloween so I am recycling last years. She looks so cute doing what she loves best, sitting on the windowsill, staring out at the birds in the trees. The pumpkin is in her way. She usually pushes it out of her way but this day, she sat with her paws curled under her and trying desperately to ignore the orange thing. After taking the picture, after walking away and making myself busy elsewhere, I heard the pumpkin fall to the ground and roll. Joey was back in her spot looking very innocent.

Teaser Tuesdays-10/28/08

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!

"Colin did not laugh. Instead, he thought, Tampons have strings?" pg57. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

On the Nightstand- October

Here is what I listed last month. Yup. Some of these books have been there for the last two months! I need to stop getting new books.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseini
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
Harsh Cry of the Heron by Lian Heron
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Dubliners by James Joyce
Violet In Private by Melissa Walker
Look At Me by Jennifer Egan (library)
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (bought)
Kandide and the Secret of the Mists by Diana S. Zimmerman (prize)

Books read this month:

Blue Bloods and Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz (oct)
Undone by Brooke Taylor (oct)
You Suck by Christopher Moore (oct)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (oct)
Aura by Carlos Fuente (oct)
Look at Me by Jennifer Egan (oct)
Double Helix by Nancy Werlin (oct)
Doctor Who: The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Raynor (oct)
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (oct)
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (oct)
the perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (oct)
Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists (The Calabiyau Chronicles: Book One) by Diana Zimmerman (oct)
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (sep)

(I still can't believe I read all these!)

Now reading:

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (purchased)
The Book of Lost Things by John Connelly (purchased)

New Books on the Nightstand:

The Book of Names by D. Brinkley Briggs
Courage in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum (prize)
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi (prize)

Books in the mail

Today was a good mail day for receiving books.



I got The Monster of Florence from Naida and Courage in Patience from J.Kaye. Thank you, ladies!



I also found The Book of Names sent by the author, D. Barkley Briggs for review. I can't wait to get started reading.

Texas Book Festival

I don't know how I hadn't heard about this before. I just found out about it on Melissa De La Cruz's website. The Texas Book Festival will be this coming weekend, November 1-2 at the State Capitol.

So, besides Melissa De La Cruz being there, other authors I would be interested in seeing are...

Shannon Hale author of Austenland and The Goose Girl
R.L. Stine author of Goosebumps
Jennifer Zeigler author of How Not to be Popular
Kathleen Kent author of The Heretic's Daughter

This is probably where you will find me on Saturday.

Blue Bloods and Masquerade-Book Review

I just finished both books by Melissa de la Cruz tonight. I had been wanting to read them for awhile and thought it would be best to do it soon since the third in the series is being released this Tuesday. I will be at Target to get my copy next weekend (after I get paid).

I really enjoyed these books. It is a good mix of historical fiction, vampires and Gossip Girl. They are fun, fast-paced and are set amongst the backdrop of New York and Venice. Two places I have been. I love it when books are set in places I have visited or lived in.

Schuyler Van Alan is not popular at her New York Private School so is surprised to receive an invitation to a meeting of The Committee, an exclusive social group. At this meeting she discovers that in the coming years she will be experiencing the transformation from human to vampire. With this new revelation and a place amongst the social elite of her school (the Blue Bloods), Schuyler finds herself in the middle of a vampire murder mystery and discovers her family's history and secrets.

Masquerade reveals the murderer but ends with more questions about the Silver Bloods and the connections between the families and Schuyler's mother. I look forward to reading the new book to see what is revealed.

3/5


Available Tuesday, October 28th.

belated birthday gift

knucks
Originally uploaded by my_weezy

A friend asked for fingerless gloves last spring for his birthday. His birthday was in June. No gloves were given just a promise to make him some. I have finally gotten around to knitting them. I figured he had no need for them then.

We live in Texas. It is hot!

I finished the first of the pair last night. Very cute. I want a pair for myself. When I finish his I will make myself some too. Warm and cozy, perfect for cool Texas fall nights. I would have loved a pair of these when I was in band and we had marching band practice before school in the cold. A metal flute is not fun to hold in 50 degree weather.

Sunday Salon

The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritson
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Broken by Kelley Armstrong
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

I have completed my very first challenge of 2008. This was definitely an easy one to do considering almost every book I read normally would fall into this category. Anyway, lots of fun. All the books have been reviewed. (Sorry, too lazy to link them all right now).

This week has been good. Feeling a little more like fall. Actually getting into the 50's at night. Very nice. I love sleeping with the windows open and cuddled under my blankets.

Much reading has been accomplished since last Sunday. I have been putting the books down though to get some knitting done as well. I have finished a couple books and am close to finishing a third. I can't believe I have read 12 books this month. keep an eye out for my On the Nightstand post later this week to see the list. I am quite proud of myself. :) If I keep that up I just may get to 100 books by the end of the year.

Okay time to knit and watch some football.

Happy Sunday!

still here and knitting

I am slowly making my way through Clue #4 of the Mystery Sock. The foot is always the slowest part of the sock for me, even with my small feet.

I missed the Jojo post yesterday. I have no new pics to share right now.

Hope you all have had a good week.

Undone- Book Review

Undone by Brooke Taylor

"We are more alike than you think."

These were some of the first words that Kori spoke to Serena on the day they met. For two years they were the best of friends until the accident. Deciding to not leave her friend's greatest wishes "undone", Serena takes on her list and comes across secrets she never knew her friend was keeping.

A slow start at the beginning but the second half is full of revelations that just sucked me in.

On a side note, there were a lot of pop culture references thrown in that just seemed unnecessary and some that felt outdated. Do teens know who Bob Newhart is these days?

3/5

Booking Through Thursday-10/23/08

“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful.

Elizabeth Bennett and Mr.Darcy (Pride & Prejudice)
Hermione and Ron (Harry Potter)
Claire and Henry (The Time Traveler's Wife)

Tuesday Thingers- 10/21/08

Do you collect any series? Do you read series books? Fantasy? Mystery? Science Fiction? Religious? Other genre? Do you use the series feature in LT to help you find new books or figure out what you might be missing from a series?

When I find an author I like I usually stick with them. Most tend to be series actually.
Most are mystery and/or fantasy, definitely not religious. I have used the series feature to see which books I haven’t read by Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta series of books

Let’s see. Here are some of the series’ I have on my bookshelves:



The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Women of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
House of Night by P.C and Kristin Cast
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson
Jane Rizzoli series by Tess Gerritson
Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs
Stephenie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Boleyn books by Philippa Gregory


Yup. You can say I read series. Lots of them. :)

Teaser Tuesdays-10/21/08

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 can't believe that San Francisco doesn't have a moor. Everywhere you go we have automated, coin-operated robotic bathrooms, or Frisbee golf courses, or some new stainless-steel epileptic razor-blade public-art thingy, you'd think the least they could do would be to install a decent moor- because there are a lot more people who like brooding than like Frisbee golf." pg 265

Brought to you directly from "Being the Chronicles of Abby Normal: Star-Crossed Lover and Tragic Femme Fatale"

I am so loving this book. It has me cracking up with every turned page.

A Big, Big Thank You!

I need to say a very big thank you. I have been very lucky to have won a few prizes in the last couple of weeks.

Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi from Naida.
Courage in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum from J.Kaye.
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr from Natasha.

I also was one of the winners of Jen's 100th Review Contest.
Not too mention also winning a book during BBAW!

I tell you...lucky.

So, I am feeling the need to spread a little of this luck to all of you. I will be announcing a giveaway of my own in the next couple of weeks. Still working on the particulars and the actual prizes, but I would expect to hear something the first week of November. :)

Frankestein-Book Review

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

In his quest for knowledge about nature and how to reanimate the non-living, Viktor Frankenstein creates an abomination that will haunt him until his death. What horrors can come from such knowledge and experimentation? Is it the daemon created or the creator who is the real monster?

I knew the story, of course, but had not read it until yesterday. It wasn't as scary as I had hoped but it kept me interested and in suspense many times. The chapters describing the travel was tedious to read, however, and I kept wanting to skim through it to get to the action. Beautifully written, but long stretches lacking in action pertaining to the story made it a difficult read at times.

I am glad I finally read this but not a favorite.


3/5

R.I.P III Challenge
Classics Challenge

Sunday Salon- Read a Thon finished

A wrap up of my Saturday. Today will be spent recovering, but still reading. I just can't stop. Plus, I must finish Frankenstein! I am so close. :)


The end meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?

Hour 19!

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

Anything shorter and easier than Frankenstein! :)
Scott Westerfield books would be perfect.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

I enjoyed it just as it is.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

The mini challenges were great.

5. How many books did you read?

2

6. What were the names of the books you read?

Aura by Carlos Fuente and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

7. Which book did you enjoy most?

I will say Aura. I finished it!

8. Which did you enjoy least?

I guess Frankenstein, but I am enjoying it.

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

No. They were great. Very encouraging!

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?

I will most definitely participate again. With shorter books next time. :) This being my first time, I really just wanted to experience the challenges, visit others and read. I unfortunately had other things I had to do and missed a lot of hours, but I enjoyed the time when I was able to participate.

Off to bed

Thanks for all the encouragement. I have less than 100 pages to go but I am fading. I think it is time I called it a night and went to bed. Finishing this book was my goal, but no such luck. I did finish one book at least and got through a lot of this one especially for starting this morning.

155 pages read of Frankenstein.
145 pages read of Aura (and finished).

Next Read A Thon...lot's of short easy reads! :)

Good Night.

Happy reading to everyone still awake. Four more hours. Good luck with that.

Hour 20

Still here. Barely.
Getting very sleepy.
I can't believe I haven't finished this book yet! Only half way through. I really should have picked something easier and shorter to read. Don't know what I was thinking. Not an easy read t at 2am!

Books Read this Hour:Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read: 24
Total pages read: 268
Books Completed: 1
Mini-Challenges Participated In: intro meme, Sarah's foreign language mini challenge , Meryl's Quote Challenge, RIP
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 30 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 3 hour 55 minutes
Caffeinated drinks consumed: 1 Dr Pepper

Hour 19

Books Read this Hour:Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read: 14
Total pages read: 242
Books Completed: 1
Mini-Challenges Participated In: intro meme, Sarah's foreign language mini challenge , Meryl's Quote Challenge, RIP
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 15 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 3 hour 25 minutes
Caffeinated drinks consumed: 1 Dr Pepper
Readers visited:0


I am back, but not sure how long I will last. I don't recommend parties on the same night as the Read a Thon. Carl's RIP Mini Challenge starts this hour. I am still working on Frankenstein, so I am good to go for the next couple hours. I feel the need to light candles and plug in the halloween lights. Not sure if that is a good idea with how sleepy I am though. Some more Advil may be needed as well. :)

Read a thon continued

What hour is it now? i just got back home, I have a Dr. Pepper and just filled up on a Wendy's hamburger and fries. I am ready to start reading again. I think. we shall see how it goes. I may fall asleep. When I signed up for this, there was no B-day party planned for tonight. Agh. Okay, back to reading.

Aura- Book Review

Aura: Bilingual Edition by Carlos Fuentes
I first read this book in college. It was in a Comparative Lit class on the Supernatural in fiction. We read a lot of great books. This was one of the best. I just reread it today for the first time since that class 10 years ago. A perfect, haunting novella to read during October.

This story puts you right inside the surreal and horrifying situation Felipe Montero finds himself in when he answers an advertisement in the paper to write the memoirs of an old lady's deceased husband. She lives in a dark, dank home, alone with her young and beautiful "niece". He lives with them during this time and comes to discover a disturbing truth about who Aura really is.

Read in Spanish gives it an even eerier feel. Not much is lost in the translation, however.

A wonderfully creepy story.

5/5

Hour 9

This will be my last update for awhile. I will be heading out for a birthday party at the Draught House. Yes, another one of those nights. Hopefully I will be home and ready to participate in the RIP mini challenge as planned.

Books Read this Hour: Aura by Carlos Fuente
Pages Read: 99
Total pages read: 228
Books Completed: 1
Mini-Challenges Participated In: intro meme, Sarah's foreign language mini challenge , Meryl's Quote Challenge
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 40 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 3 hour 10 minutes
Caffeinated drinks consumed: 1
Readers visited:Joanne


For Meryl's Quote Mini Challenge:

From Aura by Carlos Fuente

"esos ojos fluyen, se transforman, como si te ofrecieran in paisaje que solo tu puedes adivinar y desear"

"those eyes du surge, do change, as if offering you a landscape that only you can see and desire."

Hour 8

Books Read this Hour: Aura by Carlos Fuente ( in Spanish)
Pages Read: 46
Total pages read: 129
Books Completed: 0
Mini-Challenges Participated In: intro meme, read in Sarah's foreign language mini challenge
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 45 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 2 hour 30 minutes
Caffeinated drinks consumed: 0
Readers visited: Tammy, J.C. Montgomery, Tracy

It was nice to read in Spanish but very slow going. Don;t be fooled by the page numbers! Spanish is on one page, the translation into English on the other. So really, 23 pages read in Spanish. I was however using the English side to help when I didn't know a word or two. I think I will continue reading the book in English. Creepy and mysterious. I haven't read this since I first read it in college in my Supernatural Comparative Lit class.

Hour 7

Online too much this hour. Also, spent time looking for a book. Decided to take a shower, too.

Books Read this Hour: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read: 20
Total Pages Read: 83
Books Completed: 0
Mini-Challenges Participated In: intro meme, read in Sarah's foreign language mini challenge (starting now)
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 30 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 1 hour 45 minutes
Caffeinated drinks consumed: 1 iced latte from Starbucks (hubby came home early with one for me)
Readers visited: Sarah, Joanna

This next coming hour I will taking part in Sarah's mini-challenge.

Native language: English
Foriegn Language: Spanish
Book: Aura by Carlos Fuente
I will read between 2-3 pm Central Time, or 2000-2100 GMT.

Hour 6

Books Read this Hour: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read: 24
Total Pages read: 63
Books Completed: 0
Mini-Challenges Participated In:
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 35 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 1 hour 15 minutes
Readers visited: Traci, FyreFly

I have come to the conclusion that I am a very slow reader and very easily distracted. :)

Hour 5

Wow that went by quickly. I ate, so, not much reading happened. I may have watched a bit of football, but only about 10 minutes. When Texas-Mizzou starts, not sure I will be getting much reading done then.


Books Read this Hour: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read This Hour: 13
Total Pages Read: 39
Books Completed: 0
Mini-Challenges Participated In:
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 15 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 40 minutes
Readers visited: Chris, Valentina

Read a Thon Hour 4

It may be hour 4 but it has only been one for me since I got a late start due to a fun night. :)

So, book stats so far:

Books Read this Hour: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read This Hour: 22
Total Pages Read: 26
Books Completed: 0
Mini-Challenges Participated In: meme
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 30 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 35 minutes
Readers visited: Lynda, Nymeth

The hubby is off picking me up food then he will be leaving me here to read while he goes and gets some work done. I will have uninterrupted reading until 4:30pm when I have a birthday party to go to. Not sure how late that will go tonight. Hopefully, I get back in time for the RIP reading challenge.

Read a Thon meme

Where are you reading from today?

Home in Austin

3 facts about me …

I am a preK Teacher.
I play the flute (but not that well).
I have a cute little cat named Joey.

How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

About 6-7 books.

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?

To get some of my reading challenge books read and at least make a bit of a dent in that TBR pile.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, Any advice for people doing this for the first time?

This is my first time participating.

Read a Thon (First Post)

I am awake! (with a bit of a headache, but awake) I am getting started 2.5 hours late.

Books Read this Hour: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Pages Read This Hour: 4
Total Pages Read: 4
Books Completed: 0
Mini-Challenges Participated In: None
Time Spent Reading this Hour: 5 minutes
Total Time Spent Reading: 5 minutes

I just took some Advil and am headed back to bed with my book. Hopefully, I don't fall back to sleep. :)

Happy Reading

Look At Me - Book Review

Look at Me: A Novel by Jennifer Egan

This was an interesting book. No real plot that I could tell but I still read it.

The reason?

The characters. Each character is so interesting and so different, yet they are all interconnected in some way. They have their secrets, their faults and I just couldn't wait to see what was going to happen to them next.

So, who are these people?

There is the main character, Charlotte, a twenty-something model that had to have reconstructive surgery to her face after a car accident. Her old high school friend, Ellen, who is now married and has two children, one in remission from leukimia. The eldest, Charlotte, is sixteen, experimenting with sex and older men. Her uncle and Ellen's brother, Moose, a brilliant but troubled professor, who was institutionalized for awhile.

Like I said, interesting and captivating. It is like finding out about the gossip of people you once knew.

3/5

Double Helix-Book Review

Double Helix by Nancy Werlin
In search of answers to his father's dislike of his new boss at Wyatt Transgenics, Eli Samuels discovers secret testing going on in the lab that is somehow related to him and his mother.

A good medical thriller for teens. A bit of mystery, teen angst, and science all rolled into a quick read. It raises questions about medical testing with humans, genetic engineering and fertility. Big topics for teens? I don't think so. This is another great book that could get young adults interested in science, ethics and/or law.

3/5

Booking Through Thursday-10/16/08

"What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?"


There are many books on the bookshelf, the nightstand, the floor and the window sill of my bedroom all waiting to be read. Some have been there for years, others were bought, sent, checked out more recent. I am really hoping to make a dent in the number of books this Saturday during the Read-A-Thon ( check out the button to the right).
So, here is my working list for this Saturday:

Undone by Brooke Taylor
You Suck! by Christopher Moore
A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Violet In Private by Melissa Walker

WOW-Joey Update

Jojo
Originally uploaded by my_weezy

She doesn't look sick, does she?

Well, turns out she is a bit. The ultrasound showed thickening of the wall of the left ventricle of her heart. She has Feline Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. You can find info on it here. It sounds scary, but the vet thinks she has a good number of years still ahead of her. She will need daily medication, poor thing. She is going to hate that.

Finished Clue #2

Finished Clue #2
Originally uploaded by my_weezy

Both socks are finished up to the end of Clue #2. I am ready for the heal. Woohoo. These are pretty long legs for my short calfs. These may have to be gifted this Christmas. Who to give them to?

Sorry about the bad picture. It is hard taking pics at night. :)

I took some pictures of some of my Halloween decorations tonight, too. They came out kind of grainy, but you get the idea.



Love Halloween. Need to go buy some pumpkins for outside.

Teaser Tuesdays-10/14/08

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!

"Here at Wyatt, We're using transgenic technology to develop human proteins outside of humans-proteins that can then be harvested and used in humans. The potential medical and therapeutic benefits are mind-boggling." pg66

Tuesday Thingers-10/14/08

Today's question: Early Reviewers- do you participate? How many books (approximately) have you received through the program? Have you liked them generally? What's your favorite ER book? Do you participate in the discussion group on LT?

I just joined Early Reviewers in time to put in requests for August. I was lucky enough to win a copy of Any Given Doomsday that first month. No such luck in September. Hopefully October turns out to be a good month for getting a book.

As far as the Early Reviewers Group, I have read some of the postings but haven't really participated.

Halloween Meme

Halloween Meme:

1. Do you watch scary films? Which are your favorites?

I love scary movies. Poltergeist has been a favorite since I was a kid. Halloween we watch every year.




2. What is your favorite scary book?

Dracula by Bram Stoker

3. What scary book to film adaptation is your favorite?




4. What type of scary films do you think are better...the older ones like Psycho or the newer ones like Saw?

Older ones, definitely. The new ones are all about gore. I like the psychological thrillers. Much Scarier.

5. What is your fav Halloween treat?

Smarties. Candied Apples. Popcorn balls. Candy corn. You name it, I like it!



6. What is your favorite Halloween costume? Do you still dress up for Halloween?

I loved my ghost/monster costume from when I was about 7. Great use of sheet and make-up!
A few years ago I dressed up as Hermione and the hubby was Ron!

The Stone Rose- Review

Doctor Who: The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Rayner
This is my first audiobook. Really, the only reason for purchasing it off iTunes was the fact that David Tennant is the reader. Love his voice, both The Doctors and his own Scottish accent, and he is amazing. He sounds just like Mickey and even Jackie when he reads their parts.

The story itself is not so great but I really wasn't expecting it to be. There is a reason why I don't buy books based on T.V. shows. Still, with David Tennant's reading it was easy to ignore that. Plus, there are some sweet Rose and The Doctor moments.

3/5

Sunday Salon

I went to the library again this week. I can't seem to stay away. I returned Peeps and Dead Until Dark. I read through those books very quickly. Short (but sweet) reviews are up for both. Still working on Look at Me. I got some pages read yesterday, though. So, what did I get at the library? Undone by Brooke Taylor and Double Helix by Nancy Werlin.



So, this is what my October looks like:

Read:

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (oct)
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (oct)
the perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (oct)
Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists (The Calabiyau Chronicles: Book One) by Diana Zimmerman (oct)

Reading:

Look at Me by Jennifer Egan
The Stone Rose by Jac Raynor (audiobook)
Double Helix by Nancy Werlin (YA Book Club October pick)

To Read:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Classics Challenge, RIP III Challenge)
Undone by Brooke Taylor
You Suck by Christopher Moore

Wow, that is quite a list now that I have it written down. We will see how well I do with that. :)

I am thinking that I should join in on the 24 hour Read-a-Thon happening next Saturday. I could get a lot of these books read then and it sounds like fun. Yeah, I think I will be signing up.

Will any of you be participating?

Dead Until Dark-Book Review

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris


I picked it up because I knew it was the basis for True Blood, the new show on HBO that I can't seem to stop watching.

It reads exactly as the show. True Blood doesn't deviate too much from this first book in the Southern Vampire Series. There were some differences, but I know exactly the direction the show is going to go. Season 1=Book 1.

Anyway, the book was a quick read, fun and entertaining. I probably would not have picked it up had it not been for True Blood, but glad I did. I will probably read more of the series but I am not running out to get the next one.


3/5

celebrating socktoberfest

I am trudging along on the second clue of the TTL Mystery sock. I keep putting it down to do other things like bite my nails during the UT-OU football game. Go Longhorns!
Anyway, here is the first of the two socks. I am trying to work on both at the same time. :)



There is a Yarn Crawl happening here in the Hill Country but unfortunately I am not taking part. Just not enough money or time this weekend. I did head over to my LYS, Gauge, this morning before the game to buy a tapestry needle (my plastic ones snapped) and some more US1 DPN's. I have an inability to leave without purchasing any yarn so I did walk out with a couple skeins of Jojoland Melody.



Pretty.

Here is some more yummy sock yarn that I won from NovaMade awhile back. Beautiful colors, don't you think?

Winners of Any Given Doomsday

Yes. Winners. I have decided to also giveaway my read copy.

Carla will get the extra unread copy

and

Alicia will get my read copy.


Please send me your addresses and I will get those books out to you asap. :)

Happy reading.

Booking Through Thursday

Here are my answers for this week's Booking Through Thursday meme:

What was the last book you bought?
I have been trying to limit my book buying but did break down recently and bought Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

Name a book you have read MORE than once
It is really hard for me to reread books, but I have done it for all the HP books, Anne of Green Gables and The Perks of Being a Wallflower just last week for Banned Book Week.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
I would say no. All books have enhanced my life by providing me a place to escape, imagine, etc., but I wouldn't say they have "fundamentally changed the way I see life".

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
All of the above.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction!

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Gripping plot. All the beautiful writing in the world won't make me read a book unless their is a good story behind it.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables, Jo March from Little Women

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
A lot!

Look At Me by Jennifer Egan is what I am currently reading.
The Last Undercover by Bob Hamer was a prize I won from Amy during BBAW.
You Suck by Christopher Moore is a recent library pick.

The rest are all TBR at some point. Some are partially read, others are for Challenges, some have been on the bookshelf for almost a year!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseini
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
Harsh Cry of the Heron by Lian Heron
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Darfur Diaries by Jen Marlowe
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
The Dubliners by James Joyce
Violet In Private by Melissa Walker

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
I just finished Peeps by Scott Westerfeld last night.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes! I have a couple on my nightstand now that are read only half way. They are still there in case I get the urge to continue them.

Peeps-Book Review

Peeps / Parasite Positive by Scott Westerfeld


If I had read this as a teen I think I would be a biologist today. Seriously. The science in here, and how it is perfectly presented along with the story, is making me regret not doing better in my college science courses. I love this stuff. Who knew parasites could be so interesting and terrifying at the same time?



This is such a great take on vampires. The real science and info on parasites, though, much scarier than the vampires. :)

4/5

R.I.P III Challenge

* An ARC of Any Given Doomsday is up for grabs. Leave me a comment here by the end of tomorrow for a chance to win my extra copy.