Mailbox Monday (4/29/13)

It has been great having you all here at MariReads, Mailbox Monday-ers! Next month will be hosted by Abi at 4 the Love of Books. 
For those of you who may not be familiar with the meme, here is what it is all about:

"Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. It was started by Marcia, previously of The Printed Page and is now a Blog Tour, hosted by a different book blog each month."

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One book for me this week. I think it's time for me to stop getting books. My TBR pile is getting ridiculous. Anyway, I bought Amy Hatvany's Best Kept Secret at the book store downtown on sale. Woot! I enjoyed Heart Like Mine. Can't wait to read this one. ___________________________
So, what did you get this past week? Enquiring minds would like to know. Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

BlogHer TV

Hi All! Almost six years of blogging with no revenue for my efforts was fine when I had a job and income coming in that way. I have now been home with my daughter for two years and finding it a little more difficult to hold giveaways, buy books for review, etc., which impacts the blog more than I thought it would. I have been an Amazon Affiliate for a few years but have never actually made any money from that. Does anyone?
Anyway, I have joined BlogHer Promotions and have installed the BlogHer TV over in the left column. It is actually pretty cool. I chose the food and cooking channel which has recipes and cooking techniques, which I find useful. Hope some of you do as well. Any revenue will be used towards the blog. Thanks guys!
Happy Reading! _________________________________________  
FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Special Promotion: Chance to win a Victorian Choker

To celebrate the release of her new book, Seduction, author MJ Rose is giving readers a chance to win the beautiful Victorian choker seen on the cover of the book. Here's a better look at the actual necklace.

So, how do you enter?  It's easy.  Place Seduction on your TO READ list on Goodreads or Pre-Order your copy here.
This is open to US Residents only.  Be sure to let me know your username on Goodreads if you added it.  Email a copy of your receipt to mjrosewriteATgmailDOTcom if you pre-order a copy.  Good luck!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________  
FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Happy Earth Day!

A day to celebrate the planet we inhabit and try to be extra nice to it today.

The little girl and hubby rode their bike to get bagels this morning, we made our coffee at home (no disposable cups) and we plan on doing some Earth friendly crafts outside today- planting, reusing, etc!

What are your plans for today? Would love to hear what you do with your kids to teach them about conservation, recycling and Earth Day.

Mailbox Monday (4/22/13)

Welcome to MariReads, Mailbox Monday-ers! For those of you who may not be familiar with the meme, here is what it is all about:

"Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. It was started by Marcia, previously of The Printed Page and is now a Blog Tour, hosted by a different book blog each month."

____________________________ Don't you love finding good books in piles that friends are giving away? I do. I found a couple books just the other day in a large bin destined to go to the library.  Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon ___________________________ So, what did you get this past week? Enquiring minds would like to know.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________
 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

DNF or hold?: Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

February/March Book Group: Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner.  Written back in the 80's, about the lives of two couples, friends since meeting at the University the husbands taught at. Different in personalities, wealth and status they become friends despite those differences.  The book begins in the present day. They are older,  have adult children, and are adjusting to their later years while dealing with the illness and imminent death of one of the four. While waiting for the strictly planned activities during a last get together, flashbacks of their earlier lives are shared. This was a really hard book for me to get into. It took me over a month to get past the first paragraph. Not quite sure why. It's not written in difficult language but I have gotten used to lots of dialogue and this book doesn't have much of it. It started with a lot of internal thoughts from the main character and descriptions of his surroundings. However, once I got past this, it did get better and I did start to enjoy it.  Of course, two months after starting, I still am not done. I believe only 2 ladies in my group finished it. Perhaps being younger than the characters, in a different time and place we had a hard time relating.  Has anyone read this book? What did you think of it? Wondering if I should keep trudging through. Source: borrowed  Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Wordless Wednesday

Sculpted out of clay.

Sharon Art Studio

San Francisco

For more Wordless Wednesday visit http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com
Happy Reading! _________________________________________  

Mailbox Monday (4/15/13)

Welcome to MariReads, Mailbox Monday-ers! For those of you who may not be familiar with the meme, here is what it is all about:

"Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. It was started by Marcia, previously of The Printed Page and is now a Blog Tour, hosted by a different book blog each month."

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I got a couple of Sherlock Holmes books for Kindle ($.99 or free!) to read. I was thinking it would be fun to try and do a mini challenge for the last half of the year. I am in Sherlock withdrawal waiting for Season 3. Wondering if anyone else would like to read these (and maybe more), too?
A Study in Scarlet  The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes 
Anyway, can't wait to start reading these, either alone or with company. ___________________________
So, what did you get this past week? Enquiring minds would like to know. Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Finished Shawl

In a few weeks we will be attending an auction for my daughters school. It should be lots of fun and a chance to dress up Gatsby style.

Each family is required to contribute an auction item so I decided to give a knit shawl I finished knitting last year. I blocked it this weekend and is now ready to be taken to the school today. Hoping it sells well. ;)

This was a Through the Loops Mystery Shawl from last year, I think? It was awhile ago that I knit it. Glad I finally got it all finished and that it will hopefully go to a good home.

Mailbox Monday (4/8/13)

Welcome to MariReads, Mailbox Monday-ers!
April 8th. It is my little sister's birthday today. By little, I mean she is 34 today. :) Happy Birthday!
Wanted to apologize for the Mister Linky closing early last week. I forgot to renew my subscription so couldn't post more than one link at a time. I was trying to get today's post ready early. Oops. Anyway, it is all fixed now.
For those of you who may not be familiar with the meme, here is what it is all about:

"Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. It was started by Marcia, previously of The Printed Page and is now a Blog Tour, hosted by a different book blog each month."

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Only one book for me this week. I chose Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl for this month's book group. I really wanted a to read it before seeing the movie and felt we needed a lighter read after last month's book. Hoping the others like it.  Who has read it? Any good? ___________________________
So, what did you get this past week? Enquiring minds would like to know.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________  FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders

I am new to crochet. I have been knitting for many years and have used a hook on occasion to make edging, crochet chains and to tuck in ends but it is only recently that I have taken a real interest in learning more. I started with some small hearts for a Valentine garland and worked up to granny squares, now I think I am ready for something a little more challenging.

I was really excited to get to preview Crochet One-Skein Wonders. It has a varied collection of patterns to choose from that range from easy to advanced, from kitschy to modern. There is a little something for everyone in this one book. And I was very excited to get started on some of these patterns.

See that pillow on the cover? I must make that! The colors are beautiful and the texture looks amazing. The chart looks a little intimidating for this beginner, so before attempting the Sunflower Pillow I decided to begin with something smaller and simpler.  Coasters! 

The Blooming Blossom Coaster Set pattern was easy to follow, and the charts were nice to have to check that all was going well. I really appreciate having actual photographs as well, to help make sure that I am doing things correctly. Here is a picture of one of my coasters.

Not bad, right? Time to try out that pillow.

Crochet One-Skein Wonders, available April 9, 2013.

Storey Publishing

Source: NetGalley

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

 FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.