MariReads gets Social

While giving the blog a new look, I also got on Google+. My hubby asked if MariReads had a Facebook page, too. When I said, "no", he was amazed. I have a Twitter account, a G+ account- why not Facebook? I hadn't really thought about starting one before, but thought, "why not?". 
So, here is where you can all find me:
Twitter: @marireadsFacebook: MariReadsGoogle +: MariReads
Facebook page is a bit sad with no Likes, so if you are on there and you are a Follower of MariReads, stop by my page. :)
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Mailbox Monday

Thankfully, the number of books coming into my house has lightened up. I say thankfully, because I am getting way behind. (If you are waiting to see a review of your book here, bare with me.) I am finding it difficult to find enough time in the day to get anything done, including reading and reviewing.

I did, however, get one book last week. I think it will be the last book I accept until the new year.
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Fall. Can't wait to read. I reviewed The Strain last year and am very interested to see what happens in this sequel.
Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by Gwendolyn at A Sea of Books.
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Updating the Blog

Cleaning up the blog a bit and making it look new and shiny. Couldn't get the share buttons to show up on other template so figured it was time for a change. I like the green. I like how easy it was to make it three columns. There was no need to go mess with the code. 
However, I am not liking the placement of the title and description. I would very much like it to be on the right of the picture as it was before. I can't seem to figure out how to do that with this non-classic template. Do any of you know how? I would appreciate the help.
I would also love to know what you think of the new MariReads. Look good or should I keep working on it? What am I missing that I need to add?
Also, if there are any of you on Google+, you can find me there as Mari Reads. _________________________________________

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

Book Review: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
State of Wonder is very different from Bel Canto, the only other Ann Patchett novel I have read, but in some ways it is also very similar. It has the same subtle but hypnotic prose that draws you in. Every word written with purpose, every nuance of character important to the story. It was so hard to put down and so hard to stop thinking about when I did.
When I started reading I immediately started drawing parallels to Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Dr. Marina Singh is sent to the deep jungles of Brazil to try and find her former teacher, Dr. Annika Swenson, who has stopped communicating with the pharmaceutical company that is funding her research for a new fertility drug. She has ensconced herself in the village of the Lakashi, she rarely leaves and no one knows if any progress is being made. I kept expecting Marina to go down the river to Dr. Swenson's hidden lab in the jungle and find a Kurtz like character.
It wasn't quite that dark of an adventure into the jungle once Marina gets on the boat, but Dr. Swenson is definitely a different person from spending years away from civilization, immersed in her work in the jungle. You learn more and more about her and the others as you delve deeper into the jungle and into the story. 
I absolutely enjoyed reading State of Wonder. There is a bit of everything I like in my books- adventures in a foreign country, medical/science questions and ethics and a slightly mysterious death. 
5/5Source: pubisher for review
State of Wonder was released on June 7th in Hardback.
For more information about the book and author visit Ann Patchett's website.For other reviews, here is the list of others who participated in the book tour.

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

Books to Movies

I have been noticing that many books that I have read/reviewed in the past few years will soon be made into movies. These are a few I am excited to see. Austenland (review)(imdb)The Perks of Being A Wallflower (review)(imdb)The Hunger Games (review)(imdb)
Any others that I should be looking out for?_________________________________________

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

Wizards amongst us

I was walking down the street the other day when a balding man in a long purple trench coat and what looked like bell bottoms came walking past at a quick pace. He was looking side to side suspiciously but never slowed. I watched him as he continued down the street until he jumped on the MUNI train. I looked down at Emma and told her, "That was a wizard, Emma. Did you see what he was wearing?"
Do you ever think that there could be Wizards living amongst us as in the Harry Potter World of JK Rowling? It is fun to imagine at times and actually pretty easy to do here in San Francisco. The Wizards would blend in here quite easily.
 I believe I am actually just preparing myself for the end of the Potter movies next week. The last movie will be released and that will be it. At least, I thought that until I learned about Rowling's plans. How many of you are excited t hear about Pottermore? I can't wait to reread my books now, and have this site to get even more info on the characters I love. Sounds fun and I won't have to say goodbye to Potter et al after seeing Deathly Hallows pt. 2.
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Review: Dead Giveaway

Dead Giveaway by S.Furlong-Bolliger
"Untreed Reads is dedicated to bringing the best new fiction and nonfiction ebooks to readers throughout the world." 
Untreed Reads sent me  Dead Giveaway, a short story to read at my convenience. The other night while putting the little one to bed, I pulled up the ebook on my iPhone Kindle app and read it all in one sitting. 
Dead Giveaway was a lot of fun. Julie is home for her father's funeral where she discovers that her stepmother may have had something to do with his death. She does some amateur sleuthing and in the process introduces some really great characters. It made my late night feeding last a little longer since I didn't put the little girl down until I was finished. The length was perfect, the plot was fun and the characters were really quite funny. 
I think short story ebooks are a great match for me right now. Be sure to check out the other titles offered by Untreed Reads. 
Source: publisher for review


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

Mailbox Monday

I got a book! It has been awhile but finally I have one to share. This past week saw State of Wonder by Ann Patchett come into my house. I can't wait to get started and it has to be soon. I am scheduled to post my review on July 11th for the blog tour! Come back and check it out.

Mailbox Monday is being hosted this month by The Bluestocking Guide.

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

Book Review: The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton

The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton
I absolutely love when it feels like a book has transported you into a whole new world just with the words. Rosy Thornton sets the mood, the atmosphere within the first pages of The Tapestry of Love. I am amazed at how easily I was pulled into the story and the new adventure of Catherine. Now, it is not a an adventure full of non stop action but instead a quiet beginning to a new life in a new home, in a new country, far away from family and friends. 
Catherine moves herself to a rural mountain town in France where she hopes to set up a new business. First, she has to make her home comfortable, make nice with the neighbors and learn the ins and outs of living her new life. 
It was truly a joy to read and get lost in for awhile.
4/5
Source: from author for review_________________________________________

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

The Sunday Salon

Mommy News
We are finally home for a bit so we are working on getting the little girl back to sleeping on a schedule. Nights are going well, but she has recently decided that she doesn't need to take naps. Uh, no. 
Emma will be 9 months old in a couple weeks and she has finally cut her first tooth and the second is on the way soon. It's the bottom front tooth. Sharp little bugger. She won't let me see it but I can definitely feel it. 
Current Reads
The Tapestry of Love by Rosy ThorntonTurn Coat by Jim Butcher
Yup, still these same books. May has not been a good month for reading. I did finish one, though!

Next books TBR and reviewed:
Friday Mornings at Nine by Marilyn BrantGhellow Road by T.H. Waters
On The Blog
Mailbox MondayMailbox Monday has moved on to The Bluestocking Guide for the month of June. So go there tomorrow to participate. I had a great time hosting and am excited to see that I have some new Followers. Welcome! 
GiveawaysCheck back soon
New ReviewsDreamwalk by Sarah MacManus (review)
On the Needles
Still working on the blanket. No new progress to report. 

Wow, not much to share this week. Sorry. I don't know what I have been doing with my time? Actually, the last couple nights, once the girl is asleep, I have been watching movies. I have finally been able to sit down and watch some of the Oscar nominated movies. I loved The King's Speech and Black Swan was crazy but I liked it. Next I have Winter's Bone to watch.  Have to check out Jennifer Lawrence. Make sure she has what it takes to be Katniss in The Hunger Games. :)
Happy Sunday!_________________________________________

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