The Book Vixen is hosting a YA of the 80s and 90s Challenge.
It's pretty flexible in terms of which books, how many etc, as long as they were originally published in (duh) the 80s or 90s. I've decided to try for 15-30 (a new book for me if I reach 15, a new book for one of you if I reach 30, so recommendations are welcome, and remembered!)
A lot of the books on my list right now are re-reads that I've been meaning to revisit for a while, but haven't gotten around to. Who knows if I'll make time for them all, but it's nice to know they are on there.
Here is my tentative reading list: (I'll add more later...) ~1. After the Rain ~2. The Moorchild ~3. Yolanda's Genius ~4. One-Eyed Cat 5. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 6. The Mists of Avalon 7. Beyond the Chocolate War 8. Goodnight Mr. Tom 9. The Wright Brothers: How they Invented the Airplane ~10. December Stillness *11. Midnight in the Dollhouse *12. When the Dolls Woke *13. Homecoming *14. Dicey's Song *15. A Solitary Blue *16. The Runner *17. Come a Stranger *18. Sons from Afar *19. Seventeen Against the Dealer *20. The Hero and the Crown *21. The Blue Sword 22. Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mt. St. Helen's ~23. The Golden Compass ~24. The Subtle Knife 25. Howl's Moving Castle 26. Sabriel 27. In the Forests of the Night 28. 29. 30. *marks re-read ~marks owned
I was thinking about how many love triangles I've noticed popping up in YA literature lately, and whether or not I like them. And, it occurred to me that I cannot think of a single instance of a love triangle involving one boy and two girls. In my experience, it is always one girl deciding between two guys. I was trying to figure out why that is, why there were no cases involving two girls and one guy when I realized that as a general rule, we consider guys who are leading on two different females to be a player or a (insert string of long curse words here).
So why is it then okay for it to be a girl deciding between two guys?!
I'm sure every one, at one point or another has come across someone, either in literature or real life who is upset or affected by the gender stereotype/double standard that a boy who has many sexual partners is a stud, but a girl is a slut.
I've heard a lot of people get really up in arms over the above stereotype, both in real life and in literature, but I've never heard anyone talk that way about the reverse (love triangles).
So, what do you think? Why is it that one double standard is so offensive to people, but the other totally acceptable?
Whether you like reading love triangles or not, what are your thoughts on this?
I love Read-a-Thons, and I haven't participated in one for a while. So, when I heard that The Bookish Type and Book-Savvy were hosting a Read-a-Thon, I knew I wanted to sign up. So, head on over to their blogs to participate in the Out with a Bang Read-a-Thon!
Here are the details, as listed on their sites: The Readathon will run from December 29 — 31 and participants will be reading as many books as they can during that time! This Readathon is mainly to finish off the fabulous debuts for the Debut Author Challenge, but participants don't have to focus on that category if they have non-debut books that they would like to finish before 2010 ends.
And, if you need an extra incentive to participate, we'll also be giving away tons of swag and books during the Readathon (and a lot of it will be signed!)
Several awesome authors have been kind enough to donate items! I will do a special thank you post once we have all the details so that I don't miss anyone!
Heather and I will be hosting giveaways during the event, and there will also be fun daily Mini-Challenges, hosted by the following fabulous bloggers: (see their sites for the list)
It's Friday again, which means that both Parajunkee's View and Crazy for Books are hosting their weekly blog hops. I think it's a lot of fun to participate and love meeting new bloggers and finding new blogs! (And, I just have to say how totally excited I am that it's Friday the 13th. It's like... Awesome!)
If you are new, Welcome! Please leave me a comment with your blog URL so I can return the favor! And, please, enter my current giveaway for Samantha Bee's hilarious memior, I know I am but what are you?. You can find it HERE.
Jennifer asks us a question each week. Today's question is How many books are on your TBR Shelf? Well, if it was a shelf of books that I actually own needing to be read? Almost 200. However, if it's all the books that I want to read and think, I need to read that someday? Then the number is actually closer to 1400.:) I love books!
So, Princess Bookie is hosting a contest craze full of books and prizes and challenges and all that good stuff. I don't normally post about stuff like this, and I haven't, as yet, participated in any of the Waiting on book memes or things like that, so I figured that I'd add my comments this time.
She is asking for us to name our Top 5 books of 2011. I've run across enough 2011 releases lately that I'm willing to add what I'm waiting for. It should be fun. So, the top books I'm waiting for are:
1. Where She Went by Gayle Forman. The sequel to If I Stay, one of my favorite 2010 reads, this will be released in April and after the blog teaser tour a few weeks ago, I'm going crazy waiting to read this book.
2. Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I read Before I Fall this year and I loved it. When I realized Oliver was coming out with a second book, and a dystopian one at that, I was thrilled! It comes out in February.
3. Bitterblue by Krisin Cashore. I just finished reading Graceling and Fire and I loved them. Cashore is a great writer, and I've loved the world she's created. It's tentatively planned for April, but I'm not sure if that's official yet.
4. Cloakedby Alex Finn. I love fairy tale retellings, and I've enjoyed Finn's other modern retellings (Beastlyand A Kiss in Time) There aren't a lot of retellings about the Frog Prince, and I'm pretty excited to read this one.
5. Entwined by Heather Dixon. As I mentioned, I love fairy tales and their retellings and The Twelve Dancing Princesses has been my favorite as long as I can remember. Plus, if you look on Goodreads, the cover for this one is beautiful.
So, at the moment, these are my 5 most highly anticipated releases of 2011. What are yours?
everyone! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, or if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, a rockin' Thursday.
It's Friday again, and I'm hopping again. So, thanks to all the newcomers, for stopping by my blog! I hope you like what you see, and I'd love for you to leave a comment telling me what you enjoyed! (or not, if such is the case.: () If you are visiting, leave me a comment, and I'll be sure to return the favor, and stop by your blog as well!!
So, this blog hopping goodness is hosted in two separate locations, Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View and Jen over at Crazy For Books.
Jen asked us this week about our favorite book covers. I don't think there is room enough for me to answer this question, because there are tons of books that I think have stunningly beautiful/eye-catching covers.
Although, I have noticed that YA (especially recent YA) seems to do a better job at creating attractive covers than most adult fiction. I intend to write up a whole post talking about that in the near future, and why I think that might be so, and I'd love to have you stop by again to let me know what you think about that.
Anyway, some covers (just a few, just real fast) that I find I really loved and to help myself narrow it down a little, I'm picking simple covers that just really hit me:
Alright everyone, I really need some help here. I've been intentionally avoiding the Twitter thing for a while now, because I don't actually think anyone cares what I ate for breakfast or how stupid I think the people in line at the grocery store are. And, I know that, no matter how much I like you, I don't care about your split ends. However, I do like to think that people find my blog interesting and that Twitter would be a fun way to update people about my blog, and keep track of other people's blog happenings. But (and the people who know me realize this is a very big but) I've been so set on avoiding Twitter, and staying away from that particular bandwagon, that I don't know if I actually want to sign up or not.
So, I'm asking, begging, pleading, cajoling and all that jazz — What do you think?! Those who use Twitter — Do you like it?! Do you think I should use it? Do any of you use it and hate it? I'd love to hear from you! If you don't use Twitter? Why not? Do you like that you don't?
I need some help and some answers here people! Thanks in advance for all your help! I'm hoping to get some serious discussion out of this, because I definitely need help in deciding if Twitter is right for me... (Man, that sounds so cheesy... Gross)
I have really enjoyed blogging these last 6ish months. It's been a great experience. I've learned a lot, met a lot of great new people, gotten a lot of great book recommendations, and become more active in a community filled with people who get me.
But, I want to make the new year even better, now that I've sort of gotten the hang of this. So, here are my 2011 blogging and reading resolutions:
1. Expand the Memory Monday idea. I really want to get other people and bloggers to guest post their memories (which is something I'll make clearer next Monday) I'm really hoping to have lots of people offering their special reading memories. 2. Set up reviews in advance. I write most of my reviews the night before I post it, but when I do manage to schedule posts several days in advance, I've loved it. I feel like it works better, so I want to have bunches of posts saved up and ready to go if needed. 3. Read more of what I want to read, and be more careful with which books I agree to review. Some of the books I've agreed to review aren't what I want to read right now, which severely limits my ability to start them, get interested in them and enjoy them. But, I feel bad when they sit there forever, so I feel like I have to force myself to read them. So, I'll be a lot more selective. 4. Comment of more of the blogs that I read, and pay more attention to the details in their reviews. Meaning read more, skim less and respond lots.
I have more ideas tossing around, but am not yet totally sure how to phrase them all. I'll leave it here for now, and might come back and add more. But, here are my 2011 Resolutions. What are yours?
I believe I mentioned in a previous post that I'm going to be participating in The Bookish Type and Book Savvy 's Out with a Bang Read-a-Thon.
It runs for three days, the 29th-31st and there are going to be mini-challenges hosted each day. It's now midnight, officially the 29th, so here we go!
I am especially excited for this read-a-thon, because I haven't been reading as much lately as I have previously/would like. I've been rather unmotivated to read, and I sometimes feel that I can't be reading what I really want to read, because I now have reading obligations, which is a new thing for me.
Also, I rarely watch TV, while my BF loves it. She decided that I needed to watch at least one or two episodes of Criminal Minds, because she loves it and thinks it's something I would like, and I definitely enjoy it. So, I've been watching online episodes and seriously... that show is addictive. But, it does cut into my reading time.
So, I'm anxiously excited for these three days of reading time. I'm not going to watch any online episodes, spend time doing anything online that isn't related to books and reading beyond checking my email and am going to devote my upcoming days to reading and reviewing.
I plan to read between 6-10 books, as a conservative estimate and I want to get at least semi-caught up on my reviews. I have several books that I've read recently that have not yet gotten reviewed, and I want to change that.
So, my goals for these next few days include:
1. Read a lot of books. 2. Write at least 10 reviews — this can include some from what I'm now reading. 3. Update my Books I've Read in 2010 page. (all my links disappeared) 4. Create a reading challenge page. 5. Explore Twitter. I have avoided Twitter for a long time, but think I might need to rethink the non-tweeting thing. Anyone have any advice for me on that?
A tentative list of the books I plan to try and read include:
* Brooklyn Story — Suzanne Corso (319 pages) * North of Beautiful — Justina Chen Headley (373 pages) * Princess of Glass — Jessica Day George (257 pages) * The Ropemaker — Peter Dickinson * Postcards from No Man's Land — Aidan Chambers * The Perilous Gard — Elizabeth Marie Pope * The Olympic Charioteer — Helena Schrader * Numb — Sean Ferrell * The Inner Circle — Brad Meltzer * One Day in the life of Ivan Denisovich — Alexander Solzhenitsyn
* The Memory Bank — Carolyn Coman (279 pages) * Willow Run — Patricia Reilly Giff (160 pages) * America the Beautiful — Sri Chinmoy (105 pages) *The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner — Stephenie Meyer (178 pages)
Hopefully, I'll be able to read even more than just what I have listed here. I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished in the next three days. Wish me luck!!
Is anyone else participating?! I'd love to hear from you! Let me know what your plans are!
Today is my birthday! Which means, of course, that for the next 24 hours, I am, most definitely, the coolest person alive.;)
I love my birthday. Having a birthday 2 days after Christmas can be quite the downer. Over the years, I've gotten a lot of those — Merry Christmas/Happy Birthday gifts, which are super annoying. Not because it's only one present, but because it's apparently not important enough to separate. Grr. Growing up, my parents were really great at not combining the holidays for me, and allowing me to be the most important person on my birthday. If you have kids, or know anyone who has a birthday near Christmas, I highly recommend allowing them to be completely special. It helps.
Anyway, I am going to enjoy today as my own very special day, and spend the next 24 hours just being awesome.
I don't normally post a WoW, but it was part of the Holiday Reading Challenge, so I've decided I would today:
Right now, I'm definitely anxious for the release of Unwholly by Neal Shusterman — the sequel to Unwind. I'm also excited for Supernaturally by Kiersten White, the sequel to Paranormalcy.
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce is the sequel/companion novel to Sister's Red which I am very, very excited to read.
And, of course, as I've mentioned before, I'm totally dying to read Where She Went by Gayle Forman, the sequel to If I Stay and The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta, which is the sequel/companion novel to Saving Francesca.
I think this needs to be the last challenge I commit myself to for next year... Pretty soon, I'm going to get overwhelmed!:)
Among the Muses is having a Fairy Tale reading challenge for 2011. And I absolutely love retold fairy tales. It's one of my favorite genres, and one I consistently read and enjoy. So, I was really excited to hear about a challenge designed around them!
I've decided to go for the Magical level, which is 4-6 fairy tales, but it's very possible I'll end up reading more than that. This is just the number I'm committing myself to. We'll see how I do!:)
I've been a little unmotivated lately to do things in advance, and I don't really know what/where to go with a few things. So, when I stumbled across this Holiday Break Reading Challenge, I decided to participate in an attempt to focus my plans, get organized, and get motivated. It lasts from today, Friday the 17th and runs until January 2nd. I don't know exactly what's planned for the upcoming days, but I am excited to see! There are little challenges/activities to get us moving, and today's is setting goals. Easy right? So, my goals for this challenge, which will also kind of translate into goals to stick to: 1. Read at least 50% of the review copies I have waiting to be read. 2. Get ahead of my reviews — start writing/scheduling them in advance. At least 1/3 of the 'notebook reviews' should be typed by the end. 3. Explore twitter, and decide if I want to cave on that one... (Any suggestions?) 4. Clean up/rewrite/update some of the pages on my blog. Is anyone else planning to participate in this challenge? It looks like it could be a lot of fun, so here's to hoping!:)
I don't usually do a Mailbox-eqs post, partly because I don't usually get a ton of stuff, but mostly because I just... don't. But, this last week I got so much awesomeness that I just can't keep it all to myself, so I'm going to share it!:)
I participated in a blogger Secret Santa exchange, and my Secret Santa (Margot from Joyfully Retired) was made of awesome. I got a box which included a really pretty purple journal, a hardback copy of Revolutionby Jennifer Donnelly (in my blog for my review -loved it!) and a book called How to Plant a Tree. Each was individually wrapped, which is always lots of fun. I opened the tree book first, which I admit threw me for a minute, but then I opened the journal, which I included in a list of wants on a Chronicle Book list a few weeks back. I remembered that I had also linked a photographic coffee table volume of trees, with the aside, I seriously love trees. It's amazing how much thought she put into what to get me, and it definitely makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Basically, it was just amazing.:)
Then, as if that wasn't great enough, today I got 7 packages in the mail. In fact, my packages were the only mail that came today. We didn't even get any junk mail! 4 of those contained tour books, which I never bother mentioning, because I figure the reviews are usually up within a few weeks, so whatever, but the other three packages were all mine, and most exciting.
The first was a box from amazon, filled with books I've wanted for a while that I bought to get free shipping for my little brother's Christmas present. (I spent at least 15 dollars more than I would have spent on shipping, but I got new books!:) ) I bought Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Engdhal, The Thief and The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner, and The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DePrau. Yay for books!
A while ago, Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner had a birthday giveaway, and I won a journal. I love journals. When I was in high school, I wrote in them all the time. I filled 9 journals in 2 years. I can't promise that anything I said was at all interesting, but I was definitely diligent. I admit that now I seem to like the idea of a journal better than the actuality, but I still can't seem to stop buying/obtaining all these really pretty journals. I got my new journal today, and it's lovely. The pages don't have lines, which is, I admit, a potential problem, but there are really pretty flowers placed throughout the book, so I think I might turn it into something special, rather than the mundane ramblings of a potentially crazy person.;) Also included in that package was an 'Old School Ledger'! How cool is that?! The front has to-do lists with perforated edges, the middle looks like a way to track money, and the back is a lined notebook! I'm totally excited for it, and kind of wish I was cool enough to have something official to use it for.:)
And finally, the package I was the most excited for. Antony John had an awesome giveaway on his blog the other week, and I won!! I received a personalized copy of his novel, Five Flavors of Dumb, which I have wanted to read for a while now. It looks really interesting. And, I also received an ARC copy of Where She Went by Gayle Forman. This book has been eating at me for a while now, I want to read it so bad, so I was ecstatic when I found out I had won. Both books are definitely on my radar, and now they are mine! Mwa hahaha!;)
I'm so incredibly excited about everything that I got this week, I can't even handle it! It's beyond amazing. BooYa!
I've never participated in the WoW meme before, and I know this isn't Wednesday, but I feel like I totally need to let you all know how badly I want this book...
I recently read Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta and I loved it. A few months before that, I read Jellicoe Road which I loved hardcore. It is one of the best books I've read, ever. I've developed a bit of an author crush on Ms. Marchetta... I haven't reviewed either of them yet, but it's coming.:)
Anyway, I was browsing the blogosphere, and I can't remember where it was that I saw this, but a few days ago I saw this book being mentioned: The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta. It comes out in 2011, and it revisits the world of Saving Francesca. I loved those other books, and I was definitely a little... overcome by my excitement for this one, and I may or may not have made a series of Oh My Gosh freakout noises... ~shrugs what can I say... I was beyond excited to hear about this.
But, it doesn't come out until March of 2011, and I'm depressed. I want it bad! Sigh... Maybe my good luck fairy will come to visit me soon. A girl can dream, right?!
I have to say, that December is my very favorite month. It's Christmas time, which is excellent for lots of reasons. I love Christmas because I get presents (duh, and I think all of us lie if/when we leave this off) I get to give presents, which now that I'm older is just as exciting as getting them, and people just seem to be nicer.
Also, December is the best time to have snow. I love having a white Christmas, and snow has a certain novelty to it that always makes the first snow fall of the year exciting, even if you kind of hate it. But, December is the best time to have snow, and since I live in Idaho, where winter lasts longer than all the other seasons put together (almost) it's a good thing that I'm able to tolerate snow, at least for a little while.
And the best part about December?! It's my birthday, which means it just has to be awesome!:) I'm not a diva about it or anything, but I am definitely of the mindset that on my birthday, I am the most important person. I think I'd be a little like this no matter what, but the fact that my birthday is two days after Christmas means it has a tendency to be lumped into Christmas celebrations. Let me tell you, the absolute worst gift you could possibly give me is anything with 'Merry Christmas/Happy Birthday' attached to it. It definitely gives the gift a negative color, and makes me want to talk to my friends with birthdays in June and do the same.:) My birthday means it's about me, right?! It's great just having a day to celebrate my own awesomeness!:)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! May your day be filled with love and happiness.
Today is a day of thanks, which I think can be celebrated by everyone, whether you live in the US or not. I love today, because it reminds me never to take for granted those things which have blessed my life, to appreciate those things I have been given, and to be grateful always.
Chronicle Books is hosting a contest for the Holidays. They are giving $500 in free books to one blogger! Seriously, how cool is that? To participate, explore Chronicle's online book store, select the $500 in books of your choice, list them in a blog post, fill out the entry form (visible here) and wait, hope and pray that they draw your name on Dec. 13.
But, it gets even better! It's hard to believe, but it definitely does. Not only will the blogger receive their choice of books up to $500, but so will one lucky commenter on their blog! That's right! Comment on this post, and if I win, you might win too! I think this is the greatest idea ever! I win the books I pick out, and so do you! (Win the books I pick out, that is...)
So, what books would I select if I had $500 to spend at Chronicle?! These:
A Gratitude Journal (because it's always nice to be reminded of what we have to be grateful for, and I love new journals.
Anna Sui Calico Cabaret Journal (ahem... It's pretty, and I love journals. Remember?)
Blackbird Bakery: Gluten-Free (because my dad has a gluten allergy and is so sad that he rarely gets to eat dessert)
Whip Up Mini Quilts (because my mom is definitely a quilter, but I don't have the patience for it. Mini seems like a great way to start, but if I hate it, I can pretend I bought it for her birthday. Hehehe...)
Every Day's a Holiday (because crafting with kids (if you're okay with a mess) is just so much fun!)
The Life and Love of Trees (because I just seriously love trees)
Breaking Bounds 2011 Wall Calendar (because I need a calendar, and this looks ridiculously cool)
How to Speak Zombie (seriously, like I need to explain why I want this?!:) )
Mama, Do You Love Me?
The Story of Little Red Riding Hood
The Magic Flute
Spinning Out
The Space Between Trees
A Child's Garden of Verses
Aesop's Fables
Sylvia Long's Mother Goose
The Little Books Boxed Set
Hush Little Baby
Creature ABC
Duck! Rabbit!
Lullaby Baby
Vincent's Colors
Monet's Impressions
The Lonesome Puppy
Once Upon a Lily Pad
So, that's my list. I think it totals just under $480. I thought about adding another book or two, but decided that I didn't trust my math, and was too lazy to total everything up all over again. BUT, I'm pretty excited about my list, and now I think I'm probably going to cry a little if I don't win. Sigh... I guess a girl can only hope, right? Anyway, I hope you all comment away so that if, by some small miracle, I did win, you could too!
It's been a while for me since I participated in the Hop, but I'm excited to be back this week. I love visiting new blogs and 'meeting' new blogging friends! There are two weekly hops, one hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books, and one by Parajunkee at Parajunkee's View.
If you are visiting from the hops, please — Leave me a comment with a link to your blog so I can stop by and say hi back! I'd love to hear from you, and I hope you like my blog! This week, Parajunkee asked us how long we've been blogging — Almost 6 months (Dec. 2 is Basically Amazing's Half Birthday!) and Jen asked us what we are thankful for and what our holiday traditions are. I'm thankful for a lot of things right now, more than I could share in one blog post but a few of the major 'thankfuls' on my mind right now are My family, because they are pretty much great, Those really close friends that never get old, who no matter how long it's been since you've seen each other pick up as if you just talked yesterday, The holiday season because I think people are generally better this time of year, and (of course) Books! But more than books, I'm grateful for literacy and the ability to read. Thank you to everyone stopping by my blog today! Each of you are added to my list of 'thankfuls' because everyone loves hearing good things about them, and comments and new people are some of the greatest parts about blogging. Oh ya, and I do have a giveaway going on right now to win Lipstick in Afghanistan. Click the title to read my review, and be taken to the form that will enter you to win!:) Happy Hopping all!
I don't normally do any In My Mailbox type posts, because I don't usually get a lot of new books for me. I rarely buy new books right now, because I'm (like everyone else it seems) trying to save money, and I don't really have the space for them anyway. Most of the books I read right now are either the books I do own, books I get from the library, or (more recently) the books I receive through the ARC tour sites I follow. And, I figure if I get a tour book in the mail, I'll be reviewing it within a week or two anyway, so there's no real need for a post about it.
BUT, this past week, I got some of my giveaway prizes in the mail, and I'm so excited about them, I just had to share them!
So, back in September, I won a giveaway on the blog, The Mountains of Instead. She's a UK blogger, which is why they took so long to get here. I got The Enemy AND The Dead, both by Charlie Higson. And even better? The Dead doesn't come out over here until next year, so I get it early!:)
That same day I also received the book I won on Alexandra's blog — The Publication Follies of Alexandra Shostak. I received a personalized copy of Freefall by Mindi Scott, a book I have been wanting to read for a long time now. And, it came with signed bookmarks, which are always a plus!:)
And yesterday, I got the package I won on author Cindy C. Bennet's Blog. She sent me a signed copy of her book Geek Girl, which I had never heard of before but am intrigued by, several bookmarks, a large bag of Halloween Candy (it was a Halloween giveaway) and an Amazon gift card. My birthday is in December, so I'm letting myself take this as a birthday in a box.:) Definitely a great package to open!
I was definitely excited by my mailbox this week, and only wish that every week were as exciting for me.
