Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday #5


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we get to let everyone know about what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. Want to participate? Grab the logo on her page, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link on her blog!


Here's what I'm waiting on...

Love Story
by Jennifer Echols

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.
~from Goodreads


I kept seeing this on a bunch of other pages and had to let you guys know how much I want to read it too!

~Jessica

Monday, May 30, 2011

Teaser Tuesday #5

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser:



"Now, my eyes fixed on the crowd in front of me, I feel that same feeling of relief and release as I see a familiar face, someone who, until now, I had been desperately worried about. Someone I must have thought had drowned or slipped or been pulled under and might never be seen again."

~Matched by Ally Condie




Reading this book has been like reading Delirium... so enveloping that I don't want to put it down. But, I was going to finish Hold Still last week, so since I didn't, it holds priority first. I'm trying to be good. It'll help hold the suspense. ;)

~Jessica

Musing Monday #4

Musing Monday is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and here's our question for today:

Describe the last time you were stumped for something to read, and you took measures to remedy that — either by going to the bookstore, the library, or shopping elsewhere. What book did you choose? Did it get you out of your slump?

Well, I can't really remember anything in particular. I've always just been one to order a bunch of books, or pick up a few books from the library, and go from there. I'm sure I've been in a slump at some point. There's only one point I can think of where my reading changed a little bit.

A couple years ago, I didn't have much free time to read. I had a lot of responsibility and work to do and I was in a serious relationship. When the relationship was reaching it's end (it was going from good to bad fast at that point), that's when I picked up Twilight at the library. The movie was being advertised EVERY DAY at that point since it was getting released on DVD. I had been sort of irritated with it all at the time--I mean, everyone was just OBSESSED with it. The book was everywhere, the movie was everywhere, the actors were everywhere. There was only one thing I loved about it...

"Decode" by Paramore.

I loved that song. I adored that song. I was OBSESSED with that song. Of course, the only way to get it on CD was to buy the soundtrack to the Twilight movie. That annoyed me. But then, I couldn't help but want to know what the fuss was all about. So I picked up the book. Started reading the book. Couldn't put it down. I was staying up until, you guessed it, one in the morning to keep reading. And I had to get up early on the next day every night I did that. When I finished it, I wanted to see the movie. Then I wanted to read the other books. Before I knew it, I was getting into paranormal romance.

So there's my story. Not so much a slump per se... but just a moment where my genre's expanded and opened up a whole new world of books.

~Jessica

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Shelving Saturday #1 + news

May I present a little meme of a friend of mine called "Shelving Saturday". It is hosted by Angie @ Eastern Sunset Reads. She poses a question about shelving dilemmas and everyone answers. Once you write your own out, don't forget to post the link to her blog post. ^_^

This week's question is how do you decide what genre shelf you put your books on, if you shelve by genre? Do you go by what the book store has it shelved under? Or do you read it and then decide for yourself where the book belongs?


I was keeping my Kathy Reichs and also my more "adult" books (which are more like memoirs and non-teen or twenty something novels) separate from my Young Adult. Then I just mixed them all together. I'm at a bit of a standstill as far as keeping things in separate spots. I have all my childhood books (chapter books, old ones and newer purchases) on one shelf. Another shelf contains my Anne Of Green Gables series, other L.M. Montgomery novels, and my comic books, and by comic books I don't mean graphic novels, I mean Garfield, Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side, etc. Then my YA/other fiction novels comprise of 5 shelves, which also feature sideways turned writing reference books and other various non-categorized books. Then a couple more shelves have all of my other reference books (dictionaries, thesauruses, psychology, etc.)

I've kind of just given up on sorting that stuff out for now. I'll probably just suddenly organize it one of these days, just like my closet the other night, lol. Thought that would never get done...


Oh yes! And my news... which I've mentioned in some comments made on other posts and in my What's Your Status post... I bought myself a Nook finally! So excited. I wanted to start downloading books right away, but I'm going to wait until I get the Nook in my hands, hopefully by the end of this coming week. I should be able to read more books when I get this. And it may actually sort of help with my shelving situations as well. ^_^

~Jessica

What's Your Status #3

What's Your Status comes from Butterfly Feet Walking On Life. The object is to post what you have finished in the last week, what you are currently reading, what you plan to read in the coming week, and what you want to buy next. You can also post about reviews you've written and memes you have done, though these aren't mandatory. I will also be posting the status of my reading challenges.


Finished This Week:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Currently Reading:

Hold Still by Nina LaCour (still)
Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Matched by Ally Condie

To Be Read Next:
Wish by Alexandra Bullen (more like to be finished next, it's already started, lol)
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (I have been looking forward to this one!)
Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

What To Buy Next:
Considering I just bought a Nook... there will be WAY too many to list... Lol.

Reviews This Week:
... sadly none, even though I have 3 to be typed up at least.

Memes This Week:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #2
Teaser Tuesday #4
Waiting On Wednesday #4
Booking Through Thursday #3 AND Update Thursday #8
Book Blogger Hop #2, Follow Friday #5, AND In My Mailbox #4

Challenges Update:
Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge: At book #20 of #50, which is right on time! I should be ahead of the game by the end of the week. ^_^
Off The Shelf Challenge: I started 1 of the 5 books, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen.




Okay, back to reality momentarily.

~Jessica

Friday, May 27, 2011

Follow Friday # 5, Book Blogger Hop #2, & In My Mailbox #4




Alright! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. Just go to her page and follow the directions, and you'll be making some new friends!


Q. How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?


Apparently I only read about 1-3 books per week, depending on my time. 99% of the time I read a hard copy of a book, although I do have a few e-books on my laptop. I am probably going to buy a Nook soon though, because there are a lot of e-books I'd like to check out that are only available in that format.


To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - Louise @ Book Bliss
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!




Book Blogger Hop

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books.


This week's question:

"What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? Which have you disliked?"

Wow... I don't know how many I've even seen. I've seen all 3 of the Anne Of Green Gables movies--the first was the only one that did the books justice, the other two, oh please don't get me started. As far as current movies go, the only ones I've seen and read books of are the Twilight series. The first one was hardly like the book (except in a handful of ways), and the 2nd and 3rd were much MUCH closer to the book. I think this means I need to read more books that get adapted to movies. ^_^


In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I got one package in the mail (even though I have a couple more coming, they're just delaying and will be revealed next week).

What did I get?



Dylan by Lisi Harrison
Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols
Polo's Mother by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (book 4 from The Cat Pack series)
Anne Of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (finishing my collection of the Anne Of Green Gables series of books!)



Happy FF and BBH everyone! I'm off to work.

~Jessica

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Booking Through Thursday #3 & Update Thursday #8

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Deb @ BTT. This week's question asks the following:

Do you ever feel like you’re in a reading rut? That you don’t read enough variety? That you need to branch out, spread your literary wings and explore other genres, flavors, styles?

If you look at the books I've currently read, it's divided between paranormal romance and coming of age, which are like 90-some percent of the books I read. I'm in the middle of a true story book about obsessive love called I Know You Really Love Me by Doreen Orion (Goodreads link here). And I did read a kids chapter book recently (Teenage Mermaid by Ellen Schreiber). One thing I don't do is read the classics like Jane Austen, even though I have some of the books. I think I view the book as taking a very long time to finish, so I never take it on. I stick with the easier modern books. I know I need to read a little more variety, and book blogging has opened the way to A LOT of genres and novels I've never heard of, so that is helping with the "rut".



Update Thursday!

This week on Update Thursday...

1. Almost done with the library books, and thank goodness! I need to get started on the ones I've purchased recently. I should be finishing them today. Then I can get started on the 3 new ones I have planned.

2. I have either 2 or 3 book reviews that I need to type up and post on here. Not to mention my brief thoughts on the library books.

3. My TV season is over... no more new episodes of The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, or Bones. Maybe I can actually focus on reading and writing more!

4. Writing... haven't talked about that in awhile. I've been writing bits and pieces here and there. I came up with better ideas to connect a story line for one of my stories by adding a new element. Then thought of some good conversations and arguments. Oh it's just beautiful. I can't wait to actually sit my butt down and write it from the beginning.

5. I've been spending too much time online lately, just browsing through books on Goodreads and reading over blog posts. As much as I LOVE doing that, I can't keep it up and take care of other responsibilities, like spending time with family and my writing. So I may have to cut back a little bit.

Speaking of which, I do have to go. I have packages to pick up in the mail today... and this does include... NEW BOOKS... which will be featured in my "In My Mailbox" tomorrow. ^_^ Happy reading!

~Jessica

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday #4


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we get to let everyone know about what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. Want to participate? Grab the logo on her page, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link on her blog!

Here's what I'm waiting on...

Swear by Nina Malkin
(sequel to Swoon)

"A promise broken. A bond betrayed. It’s been six months since ghost-turned golem Sinclair Youngblood Powers confessed his love, stole Dice’s heart, and disappeared from Swoon, perhaps from existence. Despite the hurt, Dice has been moving steadily toward ordinary. Dreams of Sin still plague and pleasure her sleep, and the mark of Sin’s love remains on her skin, still sore. But Dice has been throwing herself into music, finding solace in song and sometimes even in the arms of her band mate, Tosh. Life seems almost…normal. The last thing Dice wants is to mess with anything remotely supernatural. But when her best friend’s boyfriend goes missing, Dice has no choice but to become very much involved. She knows that his disappearance was no accident, and it somehow has everything to do with Sin. Because Dice can feel it: Sin is back. And the promises and deceptions he left in his wake have returned to haunt him.

What do you do when an oath of devotion threatens to destroy the one you love?"


~from Goodreads

I like sequels to books I enjoyed. ^_^ What's your WoW?

~Jessica

*edited to switch title/sequel, lol*

Monday, May 23, 2011

Teaser Tuesday #4

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser:




"I pressed my palm flat against the frigid glass.

The distance between us had never felt so vast."

~Shiver by Maggie Steifvater





~Jessica

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #2

Okay! This weekly meme comes from Sheila at Book Journey. To participate, all you have to do is post what you've just finished reading last week, what you are currently reading, and what you plan on reading this week. It's a good way to find other books you may enjoy reading. Then post a link to your post on Sheila's blog at the bottom of her What are you reading? post.

Just Finished:



The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick


Currently Reading:



Shiver by Maggie Steifvater
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Hold Still by Nina LaCour


Up Next:



Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Matched by Ally Condie


~Jessica

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I'm Feeling Dorktastic Today...

...and I want to start reading the Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High series again. I went to a thrift store the other day and saw several SVH books on the shelf. I almost bought some. But at $1 per book, it was a little outrageous, considering you can probably get a lot of them off eBay for slightly cheaper, and probably better condition. The time before last that I went to the same thrift store, I bought a bunch of Sweet Valley University books... and I kinda regretted it. I never read any of the University books, and I've always been partial to the Twins and High since I read them when I was younger. (Anyone want some Sweet Valley University books for cheap? Lol.)

I was browsing on eBay and found a couple lots I may be interested in. My whole problem is that I need to be more... practical... when it comes to my book buying. I want the whole set of both series, of course, along with all The Baby Sitter's Club books (now, that one I was hugely obsessed with when I was 11). But I lack the space. Severely lack the space. Not to mention my mom and brother would have a fit if I started having boxes upon boxes of books coming in the mail (and the lady at the Post Office, she'd be freaking out, as if she doesn't already with me).

Why, oh, why did I sell off my Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High, and The Baby Sitter's Club books?!? Not that I really had that many (maybe 12-15 of SVT, 10 of SVH, and 35-40 of BSC). I'm glad I kept several books and toys from my childhood. It's just too bad that sometimes we reach a certain point that we drop a bunch of things we once loved in order to move on, or make some money to buy new stuff.

So, anyways. I think one of my next book goals will be to read both series all the way through. I never got to do that when I was a kid. I'll probably go to my library and see what books they have. Maybe I'll make this part of my next year's book goals. As if I don't already have a seemingly endless list of books to read. *sigh*

Does anyone else want to just jump back into their favorite childhood series and pretend you're a kid again? Also, on your Goodreads, have you added all of these types of books to your "read" section? That last part, I am working on.

Anyways, happy reading to everyone! ^_^

~Jessica

PS: "Dorktastic" the new word of the day, meaning to be a fantastic dork. Which probably just makes me more of a dork. ;)

Saturday, May 21, 2011

What's Your Status #2

What's Your Status comes from Butterfly Feet Walking On Life. The object is to post what you have finished in the last week, what you are currently reading, what you plan to read in the coming week, and what you want to buy next. You can also post about reviews you've written and memes you have done, though these aren't mandatory. I will also be posting the status of my reading challenges.


Finished This Week:
A Tale Of Two Pretties by Lisi Harrison (last book in The Clique series)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Currently Reading:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
Hold Still by Nina LaCour

To Be Read Next:
Second Helpings by Megan McCafferty
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Matched by Ally Condie

What To Buy Next:
It's Always Something by Gilda Radner

Reviews This Week:
Déjá Dead by Kathy Reichs
Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott
Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Memes This Week:
Musing Monday #3
Teaser Tuesday #3
Waiting On Wednesday #3
Booking Through Thursday #2 AND Third Sentence Thursday #1
Update Thursday #7
Book Blogger Hop #1, Follow Friday #4, AND In My Mailbox #3

Challenges Update:
Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge: I'm at book number 17 of 50, making me 3 ahead from last week, and only 2 books behind according to Goodreads. Doing better!
Off The Shelf Challenge: I've picked out the 5 books:

1. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
2. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
3. Looking For Alaska by John Green
4. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
5. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

...and I plan on starting This Lullaby this coming week when I'm done with my current books.


Okay, back to reality momentarily.

~Jessica

Friday, May 20, 2011

Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

In honor of Elizabeth Scott Week, here's my review of Something, Maybe. Also check out the review from Anna Reads, the host for this review.

“I wonder what it would like to do high school things. To go out on the weekends. To kiss a guy. To have a normal life. A real one.” ~from inside cover

Hannah’s life isn’t very normal. Her mom, Candy Madison, is the star of her own website, her fame stemming from the short lived sitcom Cowboy Dad which she starred in with Hannah’s father, Jackson James. Hannah believes Josh is her soul mate. But she can’t stop thinking about Finn.

Hannah works for the drive thru answering service for BurgerTown USA with both Josh and Finn. Which proves quite an amusing situation with the constant commentary and comments directed at and about Josh from both Hannah and Finn. As if she wasn’t dealing with enough with the two boys, her father wants her back in his life. She’s unsure how to feel about this, since it’s been a confusing life with him. He’s there, but always seems more interested in his tawdry life. Her father announces that his daughter will be visiting him, and of course, everyone at school knows about it.

As every story by Elizabeth Scott, the multiple story lines converging and merging make it so much better. Hannah learns how to come to terms with the boys and her unusual family after facing several realities. I can’t really elaborate any more without giving away spoilers. The whole thing is funny, Hannah’s thoughts and the conversations with Josh and Finn and Teagan, her best friend. Life lessons galore among the humor. Must read.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Book Blogger Hop #1, Follow Friday #4, & In My Mailbox #3

Book Blogger Hop

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books.

This week's question:

"If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?"


My answer: Anne Of Green Gables on Prince Edward Island ANYWHERE. I grew up loving the book, loving the scenes from the movie, it was all just amazingly beautiful. All the time in the world to do anything.





Alright! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. Just go to her page and follow the directions, and you'll be making some new friends!


Q. It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...

1. I love watching TV on DVD. I own literally over 50 different seasons. My favorites include Bones (side note: what a finale last night, right?!), How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Veronica Mars, The Simpsons, Scrubs, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I've been known to have marathons where I watch whole seasons within a few days.

2. I collect My Little Ponies, Kitty In My Pockets, plushies, and various other toys. I feel it keeps me connected with my childhood, and keeps my inner child going.

3. Aside from cats, my favorite animal is a lemur and I want nothing more than to have one as a pet as soon as it's possible. They are absolutely adorable.

4. I have had an obsession with Billy Joel since I was 16. I have memorized practically every song, including "We Didn't Start The Fire". Recently I've been popping random albums into my car's CD player to listen to on my way to work. (Most recent: Glass Houses, specifically because "Sleeping With The Television On" was stuck in my head)

5. I love slapstick and silly comedy. Anything from Saturday Night Live, Mel Brooks, The Red Green Show, Homestarrunner.com, YouTube Poops of Mario and Zelda games... I could watch them and laugh all day long.


To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://ninjagirlreads.blogspot.com/
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
  5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!




In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I received a package from Barnes & Noble and one from Amazon. Got some bargain books AND some newer books that I've been wanting for awhile. I also got a couple books for future giveaways, but I won't be sharing those in this feature today, since they're not for me. I will reveal those soon enough, just you wait!

So... what did I get?


Sealed With A Diss by Lisi Harrison
Dial L For Loser by Lisi Harrison
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Matched by Ally Condie
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Bumped by Megan McCafferty


As you can see, I got anxious to get into the other dytopian worlds. Can you blame me? I'm almost done with my library books, so I should be able to get these going very soon!

~Jessica

Review: Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

In honor of Elizabeth Scott Week, here's my review of Perfect You. Also check out the review from I Eat Words, the host for this review.

This story is multi-faceted. It not only has a boy likes girl, girl likes boy storyline going. There’s also her family dealing with the tension after her father’s choice to cash in his retirement fund to sell vitamins at the mall instead of sticking to his job at Corpus Software. And facing her former best friend Anna every day at school, the one who suddenly ditched her for the popular crowd and the boy she’s always wanted.

Of course, there is a boy/girl story here too. Kate and Will go to school together during the day, work at the mall at night. Kate helps her dad with his vitamin stand, and Will works at the Sports Shack. Kate has always had a problem with him for his reputation of hooking up with several girls, and he’s got the “I know I’m cute” attitude. They get to talking to each other while at work and eventually something more than irritation develops.

I really love the way their relationship progresses throughout the story. And then add on to that the other situations playing out in the background. All of them intricately woven into a wonderful coming of age tale. This is one of the handful of books I constantly pull down when I need a fix. I love reading my favorite scenes over and over. It’s my favorite Elizabeth Scott novel.

Update Thursday #7 May 19th 2011

And so it goes...


1. Finished a couple books so far this week. Should be finishing another by the end of the day. I'm trying to finish all the library books quickly, since I have so many others to catch up on that I own. Especially since the last handful of books I just purchased... expect an IMM tomorrow or Saturday!

2. It's Elizabeth Scott week and that makes me excited. I'll probably only be able to post a review for the book of the day today, which is Perfect You @ I Eat Words. That was my favorite. And the one I'm most familiar with. I guess I'm pretty familiar with Something, Maybe too, being hosted @ Anna Reads tomorrow.

3. Season Finale of Bones tonight! And of The Big Bang Theory too. ^_^ EXCITED TIMES A MILLION.

4. One of my best friends went into labor early this morning. I really want to go there, but my mom mentioned that I probably wouldn't even be able to see her since I'm not family. I have somewhere to be tonight, so it would be weird to go there now, then say mid-afternoon if she's still in labor, "Well, gotta go!" It kinda bums me out, but I'm patient. I'll await seeing an update on Facebook from her or her husband. I can see her and the baby tonight or tomorrow maybe. :)

5. Tomorrow is my last Friday off for awhile. It's been nice to be able to have an extra day to take care of big projects or hang out with friends or relax. I'm really hoping that I could make it a regular thing. It'll happen just as soon as the new girl gets into a routine with the pharmacy. I want to make the most of tomorrow though!


Okay, got a list of things to do today--including paying bills and organizing my closet. So I gotta get going!


~Jessica

Booking Through Thursday #2 & Third Sentence Thursday #1


Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Deb @ BTT. This week's question asks the following:

In contrast to last week’s question–What do you think of censoring books BECAUSE of their intended age? Say, books too “old” for your kids to read?

Well, I don't have kids but I wouldn't want to block everything out of a child's way. Sure, there are some books that are WAY out of their league for understanding at a certain age. Some things could be too intense when they are too young. Of course, I'm thinking about books I've read and loved now that I'm in my 20's. A few of these deal with very explicit topics, and exposing children to that may be too much for them. Once they are teenagers and understand the facts of life, yeah, they can read whatever they want. But, I kind of think this is fairly logical. I'm not going to be one of those mothers that tells libraries and schools to ban books from certain sections because I feel they aren't "age appropriate". I read banned books for crying out loud! Each parent has the right to choose what their child reads, but no parent has the right to choose what my child reads. There should be a healthy balance. (Somehow I'm thinking that this makes barely any sense, but I think it does at the same time; I woke up to early this morning, lol)


Third Sentence Thursday

Third Sentence Thursday is a weekly meme which waits with bated breath for third sentences from all over the world!


Third Sentence Thursday
1) Take the book you are reading now and post the third sentence
2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)
3) Post a link to your sentence at Sniffly Kitty’s (in the comments) or if you don’t have a blog, just post it in the comments there!





"My heart pounds so hard I can feel it in my ears."

~Hold Still by Nina LaCour



My Review:

Having been to that place before, I don't imagine wanting to go there again. The pounding continues, and my heart begins to hurt. Will this ever end?


~Jessica

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday #3


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we get to let everyone know about what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. WoW is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. Want to participate? Grab the logo on her page, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave your link on her blog!


Here's one I recently discovered:

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

"What if you woke up and didn't know where you were?

What if you didn't know who you were?

And what if, when your memories started to come back--what if they didn't match the you that you're supposed to be?

Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them--and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.

Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust."
~from Goodreads


Oh yeah. Kinda reminds me of Rosebush by Michelle Jaffe. I enjoyed every Elizabeth Scott book I've read thus far, so I believe it's going to be great.

~Jessica

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Teaser Tuesday #3

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My Teaser:

"They laughed, but he didn't seem to hear it, holding my eyes so singly with his own that I almost believed he'd carved a small, private world for us that no one else could reach.

Vulnerable, he mouthed."

~Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


That's my teaser! What's yours?

~Jessica

Monday, May 16, 2011

Musing Monday #3

Musing Monday is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and here's our question for today:

The local Catholic school board is closing its school libraries, and parents and teachers –and even the students– are in an uproar. Budget cuts demanded that the board choose something to get rid of… they choose libraries. As such, many librarians have lost their jobs. And, the board is moving the books to the classrooms, instead. They feel that it is a good solution.

What do you think? Should the schools be without an actual “library” room? Is this a good solution?

Oh man, do not get me started on schools and "budget cuts". When it comes to schools having to cut activities, the activities are always the ones involving creativity. Never sports. Ever. Yeah, I understand that sports "draw a bigger crowd", but where's the fairness? I didn't do sports in school (of course I was only in high school for one year, then homeschooled), so if they took away my library, I would have had nothing.

I understand that schools are under a lot of pressure these days. Teachers are either underpaid, or they get fired, or if another teacher gets fired it means they have a handful more kids per classroom. There are smaller logical ways to save money, and there's even the option to RAISE money with fundraisers as well. It's just a "quick fix" to cut a program rather than find other avenues to solve money problems.

The library that I frequent by my workplace had to cut it's hours. They used to be open M-F from 9-9, but now it's cut to 10-8:30 M-Tu, 9-6 W-F. It used to be so convenient to just stop by after work, but now I can only make it there once a week if I need something, sometimes not even once a month. Last time I was in there they had a bunch of various items for sale--candies, bookmarks, etc--to raise money for the library. It shouldn't have to get to that point.

It just comes down to being really sad that things get to that point.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Review: Déjá Dead by Kathy Reichs

For the Bones fans in the blogosphere, I would like to tell you about the book that got it all started. Now, the TV show and the book aren’t similar personal detail wise. The only similarities are the following: the name “Temperance Brennan” and the forensic anthropology. Tempe on the TV show has been said to be more alike in personality to Kathy Reichs herself. Tempe in the book is a divorced mom of one daughter, she’s a recovering alcoholic, and the book takes place in Canada.

This novel is truly an amazing piece. It is beyond full of detail on everything, but especially the forensics. It’s actually a good thing for the reader to be familiar with the TV show because the references and medical terminology could be hard to follow (unless of course you work in the medical/forensics field). I know I catch a lot more detail on other programs since I’ve picked up so much from Bones.

This particular story is about a girl being found in a plastic bag: decomposed and cut up. Tempe needs to identify the victim to find some answers. This crime scene is strangely familiar though. It reminds her of another girl who was found in almost the same way. She is convinced that the two cases are related, yet the detectives (especially one of them) refuse to believe in the possibility. She will not give up on provint that they are linked. So she searches (often by herself and not safely either, which is reminiscent of Tempe on Bones at times) to find the truth.

The pace of the book was a bit frustrating in the beginning (this is the first novel of this kind I have ever read), but then I had to realize that this wasn’t an episode of a TV show. Everything that takes place in real life with homicides takes hours upon days upon weeks upon months to get results and answers. As you get to the middle, things start to pick up with the little clues and ideas and details that surface. Reichs describes all the processes of identifying weapons used, identifying victims, etc. She discusses Tempe’s thoughts and fears and opinions, not only relating to the case, but also her own personal life, which is significant to understanding the way she is.

My opinion (without spoiling the details) is that this is a very compelling and well written book. For anyone who’s a Bones fan (or anyone who is a crime show fan), this book is a must read. The ending is powerful, and it certainly makes you want to watch her solve another case. And you’re in luck, because there are more Temperance Brennan novels (currently 13 are published, with #14 coming out soon) and there’s a Young Adult companion series called Virals by her as well.

Bottom line, if you love Bones (and other forensic novels), pick up this book. You’ll love it.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Weekly Prompt #1 & What's Your Status? #1

Weekly Prompt comes from Jenny @ New Books for New Bloggers.


Week #007: History, Present, or Future?
What is your preferred setting for books? What about that setting appeals to you most? What are your favorite books with this setting?

I like pretty much a combination of them all, but I'd say my focus has usually been on the present. In more recent times, I've been getting into the future dystopian universe. I have 3 of those on their way to me in the mail.



What's Your Status comes from Butterfly Feet Walking On Life. The object is to post what you have finished in the last week, what you are currently reading, what you plan to read in the coming week, and what you want to buy next. You can also post about reviews you've written and memes you have done, though these aren't mandatory. And to take on a good suggestion from Marla @ Starting The Next Chapter and also post the status of my reading challenges (since I have two now).

Finished This Week:
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty (reread)
Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Currently Reading:
A Tale Of Two Pretties by Lisi Harrison (last book in The Clique series)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

To Be Read Next:
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

What To Buy Next:
Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs (book #3 in the Temperance Brennan series... once I finish book #2, I need the next one ready to go!)
Fallout by Ellen Hopkins

Reviews This Week:
Pants On Fire by Meg Cabot
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

Memes This Week:
Musing Monday #2
Teaser Tuesday #2
Waiting On Wednesday #2
Booking Through Thursday #1 AND Update Thursday #6
Follow Friday #3

Challenges Update:
Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge: I'm at book number 14 of 50, which is 4 books behind. Working on getting ahead there!
Off The Shelf Challenge: I just started this one. I have the 5 books I'm going to read picked out. Just waiting to finish my library books first. ^_^


PHEW!! Now to get to reading and reviewing!

~Jessica

Friday, May 13, 2011

Off The Shelf Challenge

Off The Shelf!

This challenge is from Dutchie @ BA Reading Challenges.

Are your books multiplying like rabbits before you even get a chance to read them? Trying to keep up with them, but can't stop buying new ones?

Maybe this challenge is for you. I know what it's like. There's so many titles and so many beautiful books out there sometimes it's hard to keep that TBR shelf under control, but if you really want to try why not challenge yourself?

The challenge begins on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December 2011

Note: This challenge is to read those books you own copies of, but have never got around to reading. If you don't have many that you own, but have a massive TBR shelf you're welcome to read those ones as long as you don't add new ones. You don't need to actually get rid of your books after you've read them, this is just to read them.

How To Participate

  1. Decide which challenge level you'll be doing (further below) - do not include books that you buy from the start of this challenge.
  2. Grab the code for the badge down below and post it on a side bar or in a signature (if you want to participate, but aren't blogging, on a social network or forum - Submission For Non Bloggers).
  3. Create your own post to let all your readers know you’re taking part in the challenge and at what level (if you're really proficient you can list your books!). Make sure to link back to this page with either one of the buttons or a text link..
  4. Use the link form below to enter into the challenge by sharing your challenge post url and your name (either your name, blog name, or both).Please don't use the comment form to participate, only to comment on the challenge or something else..
  5. Submit your reviews (if you choose to review them, but that is optional) on the review page.
  6. When you’ve completed you’re challenge let us know on the completion post. If you're using a tag or category I recommend sharing the link back to that so everyone can find them

Challenge Levels
  1. Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
  2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
  3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
  4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
  5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
For extra hard challenges
  1. Hoarder – Choose 76-125 books to read
  2. Buried – Choose 126-200 books to read

You can view my progress HERE.


My Level of choice is Level 1 "Tempted" with 5 books that I'll read by the end of the year. I don't think I have 15 books I haven't read on my shelves, so I can't go up a level. A promise for 5 is good enough!

~Jessica

Follow Friday #3



Alright! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. Just go to her page and follow the directions, and you'll be making some new friends!


Here's our question of the day:

Q. The Blogger Apocalypse made me a little emotional. What is the most emotional scene in a book that you have read lately?




A. Where She Went by Gayle Forman was the most recent emotional roller coasters I read. I was teary as I reached the end. The first one had me, and I knew this one would get me just as much.






To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com } and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers -
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!


Happy Follow Friday!

~Jessica

Lost my BTT & Update Thursday #6

...and that makes me sad. BUT, I will move on... I noticed one comment on there, but couldn't respond to it... so here's my shout out to the lovely blogger (and I can't remember your name, I'm sorry!) who commented: Thanks a bunch for following back! :)


How about this... I'll write a couple things here that are kinda relevant from yesterday that I remember...

1. I was anxious for the latest Bones from last night... and after watching it... OMG. Wow. Finale next week.

2. Have a couple book orders on the way, including a few books for a future giveaway! Not sure when I'll host it, probably beginning of summer. I think I'd like to hit 100 followers, but if I don't I'll still host one sometime in June.

3. I love the Jessica Darling series. I missed the commentary on social and high school life.

My BTT: Yes, I read teen/YA novels, even though I'm 25. And I have the tendency to read kids books because I'm a firm believer in holding on to your childhood. I also read books a few grades ahead of me when I was in school too. :)


That's all I remember... it's so hot outside, I am tired! But I'm going to do my Follow Friday post in a minute here. Thank goodness we all survived the update! I was so happy to be able to log in fifteen minutes ago.

Oh, and by the way to LC's Adventures in Libraryland, I did have your button on my page yesterday prior to the "spring cleaning", and I'm putting it back up there today.

~Jessica

PS: It came back!!! Yay!!!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Booking Through Thursday #1 & Update Thursday #6 May 12th 2011


Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Deb @ BTT. This week's question asks the following:

Do you read books “meant” for other age groups? Adult books when you were a child; Young-Adult books now that you’re grown; Picture books just for kicks … You know … books not “meant” for you. Or do you pretty much stick to what’s written for people your age?

Oh, wow. When I was younger, I read books that were mostly age appropriate but usually a couple grades above me (like Anne Of Green Gables, lots of long vocab words in there for a girl in 4th grade!). I loved reading in elementary school, but somehow once I hit high school and started homeschooling, I became a bum about reading. I'd still read here and there, but not much. Then once I graduated and got my driver's license and could go to the bigger library not far from where I work, I started to read teen/YA novels. Eight years later and I'm still reading teen novels. I'm 25! Ha! I love them. I even love The Clique series even though it's about 12/13 year old girls. I just find adolescence so amusing. Sometimes I'll read novels for 20-somethings, but my main interest is YA. I randomly read kids books too because I'm a firm believer in not letting go of your childhood just because you're an adult.


Update Thursday!


This week on Update Thursday...

1. I finished Sloppy Firsts last night and oh my goodness I forgot how awesome it was. The one quote was like the epitome of my view on dating/marrying a guy, I couldn't help but laugh (it was after midnight, so I had to stifle it a teensy bit). I know that I'm supposed to be finishing the library books (and I will) but I really want to start reading book number two, Second Helpings, in the series of five. It makes me want to write a novel with a character like Jessica Darling--blunt with opinion, like my mind.

2. I made a B&N and Amazon purchase the other day (after several days of debating and subsequently losing a couple items from my cart due to availability being, well, unavailable). I even got a couple extra books for..... a giveaway! I'm waiting to figure out what to do with that. I think I want to hit a certain number of followers first. I want to host it possibly beginning of June.

3. Bones has two more episodes until the end of the season..... and somebody is supposed to die..... and Angela's having her baby..... and something might happen with Booth and Brennan..... I am such an obsessed fangirl. I can't help it. CAN'T WAIT FOR TONIGHT!

4. Haven't gotten back to writing my story yet. I've thought about it quite a lot. I actually got out a book on writing to help me with my rut. There's so much for me to take in first, then I can write properly, and describe skillfully. My continuous reading is making the difference.

5. The book blog community is amazing. I love looking at my dashboard seeing new blog posts, and reading through comments to find new blogs to follow. And when people follow me and comment and link to their page--I love it! More people to follow! I love books, and I love finding people who love books too. Hugs to all my book friends!


That's it for this week. I've gotta eat lunch and watch some more of The Simpsons Season 10 with my brother. Good times!

~Jessica