Update Thursday #46

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading...

Books I finished this week:

Beautiful by Amy Reed (TBR Pile Challenge)

Books I'm reading now (and some still):

I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith (Classics Challenge)

Divergent by Veronica Roth (TBR Pile Challenge)
Confessions Of A Call Center Gal by Lisa Lim (E-Book Challenge)

112 of 1026 E.E. Cummings poems finished (23 this week)

Writing...

I started this list of my favorite things and dream things (things I would love to have someday, like a literal library room, etc). What does this have to do with my writing? Well, it's for the sake of adding authenticity to my main character. I want to take things I love and incorporate them into my books. I've already done so a little bit here and there, but it needs more.

Otherwise...

I have this new found gif obsession. I blame Wetpaint for their awesome spoiler pages for my favorite shows--specifically Gossip Girl and Castle. On the GG page, they posted a gif of Dan/Blair (from Monday's preview of next week, HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER, how much I loved Monday's episode) and it made me want to look up MORE. So, I've collected a few fun ones. I want to share them, but don't want to be a spoiler of awesome shows. Here's one to tease you all that's found on this site here (I'd post the name of the site, but my blog is PG).

Until next time...

~Jessica

Follow Friday #25

Alright! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. Just go to their pages and follow the directions, and you'll be making some new friends! Our featured bloggers are the following Life Between Pages & Confuzzled Books. Congrats to being featured this week! ^_^

Q.If you could have characters from a particular book meet and form an epic storyline with characters from a particular TV series, which would you choose and why?

A. Gah! Something I have to think about... (one moment)... Aha! Gossip Girl (TV show) meets Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan series--OR--Bones (TV show) meets Cecily von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl series. Why? Isn't it obvious? It would be awesome. Murder mysteries plus a bunch of gossiping socialites with bonus catfights and real fights? I call that good television, or, good books.


Happy Follow Friday!!!

~Jessica

Update Thursday #26

Update Thursday #26

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading, Writing...

Books I finished this week: 

~Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Summer Romance Challenge)

Books I'm reading now (and some still):
~Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
~Virals by Kathy Reich
~Portal by Imogen Rose
~Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott (Off The Shelf Challenge)

Summer Romance Challenge Progress Link (8 of 8 finished) ~ends 09/30/11 *COMPLETED!!!*
Off The Shelf Reading Challenge Progress Link (1 of 5 finished) ~ends 12/31/11

Finished Summer Romance Challenge!! YAY! Thank goodness, I was getting worried. Onto the next one...

Writing: I added in about 800 words in my rewrite one chapter. It's going alright. I've come up with some nice dialogue ideas to add near the end.

And Otherwise...

CAN YOU BELIEVE I BROKE 300 FOLLOWERS??? I can't! This is thanks to the Banned Books Week Hop Giveaway. It's insane how fast it happened. Apparently a lot of people wanted to participate in my giveaway! Lol. I am so thankful for everyone that has made this possible. THANK YOU ALL! <3

Banned Books Week in general has been pretty awesome. I love the togetherness and the amazing conversations and discussions that it creates. It really gets everyone to think. What does everyone else think of Banned Books Week?

Ah, Gossip Girl premiered on Monday, finally watched it last night. I thought the CW would have had the episode available online like all my other favorite shows do for me... no such luck there! I had to rely on the wonderful copyright infringement folks on You Tube to watch the episode. Sure, they're going to get their accounts deleted, but they saved the day, for now. I'm setting up the VCR next week. The episode: pretty much expected all around. Can't wait to see how it continues!

Anyways... that's about it! Talk more to you guys later. :)

~Jessica

Spoiler Edition: Gossip Girl Season 5 Tomorrow Night--Woot!!!

Ah! Gossip Girl! Here's a bunch of Promos and Links to spoilers for my fellow Gossip Girl fans. ^_^

Sorry I don't have much else to say, I don't have much time! Enjoy!









~Gossip Girl Dan + Blair
Dan + Blair Tensions
~Blair Prepares For Wedding
Ed Westwick & Fashion Week
~Gossip Girl Set Photos Sept 7th
First Look At Gossip Girl Season 5!
~Interesting & Puzzling Gossip Girl Set Photos
Spoilers: Serena Finds Purpose, Blair Balances 3 Boys
~GG Actors On Set August 30th
Chuck's New Love Interest?
~No more Jenny & Vanessa?!
No More Eric Either?
~More Set Photos
Chuck Bass Walking a Dog?
~On The Set Aug 10th
Chuck & Blair Spoilers + More On Pregnancy Being Very True (no word on who)!
~Ed Westwick... PICTURES!
Dan Playing Softball
~Blake Lively & Ed Westwick At BAFTA
And More Set Photos
~TV Line GG Preview

(That's a lotta links! I made them bold/italic so they're a little easier to look through)

~Jessica

Update Thursday #25

Update Thursday #25

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading, Writing...

Books I finished this week:
~Garfield Minus Garfield by Jim Davis
~Persuasion by Jane Austen (Summer Romance Challenge)

Books I'm reading now (and some still):

~Virals by Kathy Reich
~Portal by Imogen Rose
~Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Summer Romance Challenge)
~Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott (Off The Shelf Challenge)

Summer Romance Challenge Progress Link (7 of 8 finished) ~ends 09/30/11
Off The Shelf Reading Challenge Progress Link (1 of 5 finished) ~ends 12/31/11

AHHH!! Almost done with Summer Romance Challenge. Can't wait to move on to the rest of the books I have lined up. Including my Banned Books Week personal read.

Speaking of Banned Books Week, we're only TWO DAYS AWAY! Get yourselves ready, I've got stuff lined up to get you to think and get involved. ^_^

Writing: Totally came up with another story idea. I still need to copy it out of my phone into my writing notebook. Other than that, not much happening this week. The focus has been reading, and blog writing and plotting. (Speaking of which, I had this great idea last night for a blog post dealing with balancing, I was up until 2 AM writing it...)

And Otherwise...

After I read some blog posts the other day, I was compelled to look up the audiobook Ed Westwick read for on You Tube, just for grins. I didn't think I'd find anything on it... I was so wrong...



I nearly fell off my chair upon hearing the first seconds of his voice. He probably had barely read a paragraph and I was opening a new tab to buy the audiobook. I couldn't wait to finish the other books first before buying the 4th. I don't care if I hate the series. I'd still listen to the audiobook. Even if I don't know what's going on. That's how crazy I am.

Speaking of Gossip Girl... the new season is starting NEXT MONDAY!!! Of course, they HAD to change the time to 8:00 PM instead of keeping it at 9:00 PM. This means I won't be able to watch it until next TUESDAY online. (Stupid new work schedule...) I need to buy a TiVo. In any case... I'll be posting a Gossip Girl mini party post Sunday. There will be links and videos and spoilers galore.


All for now lovelies!

~Jessica

Follow Friday #21

Alright! Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read and is a way for book bloggers to get to know each other better. Just go to their pages and follow the directions, and you'll be making some new friends! Our featured bloggers are the following: Alaskan Book Cafe & Librarian Mouse. Congrats to being featured this week! ^_^

Q. It's that pesky magic book fairy again! She has another wish: What imaginary book world would you like to make a reality?

Today I'm feeling like being part of the Gossip Girl world. I can't think of any other alternate reality that appeals at the moment. I want to go to swanky parties and wear cocktail dresses and high heels and drink champagne... and date Chuck Bass... BUT that's beside the point. Actually, that may be the point. I'm not even sure anymore. Yes. I am obsessed.


Happy Follow Friday everybody!!! <3

~Jessica

Update Thursday #22

Update Thursday #22

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading, Writing...

Books I finished this week:
~Heart On A Chain by Cindy C. Bennett (Summer Romance Challenge)

Books I'm reading now (and some still):
~Persuasion by Jane Austen (Summer Romance Challenge)
~The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
~Virals by Kathy Reich
~Portal by Imogen Rose 


Due to, ahem, a little bit of a distraction (more on that below), I accomplished very little in both aspects this week. Although I am almost done with my wildlife research for another future novel. It's pretty interesting stuff, and it will be perfect for the story. Thank goodness, those books are due back at the library very soon. I am planning on giving myself a boot in the behind (possibly literally, since that seems to be the only way) to get back to writing. Otherwise I'm not living up to my word of finishing on time. I don't want to procrastinate longer.

I keep coming up with new ideas for the stories I'm not working on. This is frustrating, since I'd like to focus on the one book, finish that, THEN move on to a new one. I blame my weird dreams for these odd revelations. Seriously, I had this one scene happen in my dream, it was a really sweet scene, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, I kept thinking about it, and kept thinking about it, and then came up with an epic story idea. I was able to use scraps of another story that I decided against because my feelings have changed on the person the story was originally surrounding. Now I still can't stop thinking about it. And it's becoming annoying because as much as I would like to start on it right after the current one, that would mean setting aside the other two ideas I have next in line. And I don't want to do that.

Talk about confusing. What to do, what to do... I think I'll just finish my current WIP, then see where my mind is by then.

And Otherwise...

My distraction... DO YOU EVEN NEED TO GUESS?! Gossip Girl Season 4..... FINISHED. Today, actually, right before I went online. As I was watching this season, I realized something... I need to start blogging about it. There are so many things I need to say but can't say without bringing out the blogger in me. There is just TOO MUCH to say! Too many thoughts swirling around in my head, too many jokes, too many quotes. I even started a chart of who dated/kissed who last night (at 2 AM) and it had me giggling like crazy. So anyways, I'm thinking about starting a once in awhile posting about Gossip Girl thoughts. Not necessarily "what happened on the episode last night" posts, but commentary in general.

I've gotta stop being obsessed with things.

Speaking of 'being obsessed with things'-slash-'TV series', it's that time of the year for me to go nuts... That's right, our favorite shows are releasing their last season to DVD. This means, I'll be onto some more TV on DVD marathons come mid-September to late-October. This also means, I will have no money by the end of October. Why are there so many good TV shows out there?! Why?!?! (Oh, and the TV shows I'm talking about are the following: How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Bones, Law & Order: SVU). Soon to follow the release of last season is the start of a new season. Since my work schedule is all messed up, I'll have to watch every one of my shows online the next day.


Took me a little bit longer than usual to get this up... I only had it half started last night.

~Jessica

PS: Don't forget the Giveaway!!! ;)

Update Thursday #21

Update Thursday #21

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading, Writing...

Books I finished this week:
~So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti (Summer Romance Challenge)
~The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Books I'm reading now (and some still):
~Persuasion by Jane Austen (Summer Romance Challenge)
~The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
~Heart On A Chain by Cindy C. Bennett (Summer Romance Challenge)


I've done much better on my reading. Two might not seem like much, but the other books I'm currently reading, um, yeah, they're long. (Except for The Grand Escape) They're really good, but really long.

Since my blog redo, I had a plan to have book reviews on Tuesday and Saturday. But, things don't always go as planned, do they? Since I've been behind on my reading, I haven't had any new books to review. Now that I've got two more finished, I can get some more up. I should have some alternate ideas set aside for moments like that.

On my story... I have the restart of it done. Now to rework the next scene and add dialogue from the first draft (of the first part of the book). Now that we're not using my laptop for the internet (we had to buy a new hard drive, and it's working GREAT), I have it back in my room where I can use it anytime again. I'm planning on getting back to the part where I left off in two weeks. The goal is to finish the whole thing by the end of the year at the latest.

And Otherwise...

I have just discovered the ABC Family show Switched At Birth, thanks to Jen @ A Book And A Latte. She posted this yesterday, I watched the first episode online and OMG it is amazing. So amazing. I found my newest addiction. For those who have never heard of the show, it's about two girls who find out they were switched at birth (obviously). But what makes it interesting is that the one girl is deaf. This really intrigued me upon learning this. I took sign classes from a friend for about a year about 8 years ago now. I've surprisingly retained quite a bit, but I wish I was able to continue. I was seriously considering becoming an interpreter. Instead I become a pharmacy technician.

That's life for ya.

Oh, and HAPPY DAY! Gossip Girl Season 4 came in the mail today. Oh my WOOT! Side note: I wonder if I'll finish anything this week... lol.


Speaking of which, if I plan on trying to start anything, I'd better log off! TTYL!

~Jessica

PS: Don't forget to enter my 200 Followers Giveaway (if you haven't already)!

Two hundred people... and other random commentary

I just broke 200 followers thanks to Follow Friday! WOOHOO! And, as promised, there will be a very awesome giveaway. I started working on it last night, but still have to tweak it a little bit before I post it and get it started. Which should be Monday night.

I almost forgot to post my book review today. I thought I had it scheduled. Apparently, I did, but didn't click publish post, lol. I'm a little behind on reviews, mostly because I'm a little behind on books. I plan on making the most of today and tomorrow to read and write out reviews. I spent a little bit of time writing last night, and plan on more since my brother will be cleaning the carpets and blocking this laptop from accessing the internet.

Next Tuesday = Gossip Girl Season 4

^ The above is what is extremely exciting to me at the moment. I'm debating on pre-ordering or getting it in the store. I'm not sure which will be faster, or cheaper, honestly. I'll have to check the ads tomorrow to see how they compare to Amazon.

That's it! Just a quick update! Have a great and wonderful Saturday everyone! And THANK YOU all for being amazing followers. LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

~Jessica

Review: Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

Title: Gossip Girl
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
Summary: Read Goodreads Synopsis
Source: Library
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:

I originally read this book probably when I was 19 or 20, back in the infancy of the series. I couldn’t get into it. I attribute my inability to enjoy it for a couple reasons. Number one, I had no idea what was going on. Too many characters and too many situations going on, I got lost. Number two, around that time I was reading mostly fluffy novels--YA romances with formulaic story lines that were easy to follow and easy to digest. So to read a story with a serious or detailed story line, I pretty much gave up early on. As time has gone on, though, I’ve picked up quite a few books with substance and intense story lines.

Since I didn’t enjoy the book, when the TV series came out I wasn’t interested at all. Over the years I’ve become more interested in young adult TV dramas. I used to be a huge fan of The OC when it was on, and then became obsessed with Veronica Mars. I discovered that the producer behind The OC is the producer behind Gossip Girl, and Kristen Bell (who played the character Veronica Mars) was the narrating voice for Gossip Girl. That, and my desire to find a new series to follow that revolved around teens/twenty-somethings, built up so much that when the series went on sale for $9.99 on Amazon, I bought it. I ended up getting hooked. And then wanting to try the series again.

Upon my second attempt to read the book, I found that I enjoyed it much more. Knowing the characters and the story lines from watching the show helped me keep things straight. Also, I believe that since I’m much older now (only by like 6 years, but still) I can grasp these stories a lot better when there’s a lot going on. I’m impressed at the way the show worked in the various scenes from the book. Not all of it is exact (you can pretty much never expect that), but they did a good job by not deviating too much from the basic theme (meaning it's still Upper East Side elite kids doing crazy stuff, but there are differences in some aspects of the characters, and some plot lines vary). The way the story plays out in the first book is different in a few ways (like the reason for the Kiss On The Lips party, Vanessa being there and filming, Serena’s modeling stint). Also the characters are much more inappropriate in the book than on the show (which you expect considering it’s on regular TV and not HBO). The immaturity of the thoughts and actions of the characters was surprisingly more amusing than anything. Elite socialites talking about bodily functions? Hilarious. Even the rich kids are just as childish as the rest of us.

So, you can say I did enjoy it. It wasn’t amazing or anything, but it was good. If you watch the show, take a look at the book. You may like it, or have a better appreciation for it like me.

My Rating:

Pretty Good... Stay up until your bedtime.

~Jessica

Update Thursday #18

Update Thursday #18

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading, Writing...

Books I finished this week:

~The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols (Nookbook/Summer Romance Challenge)
~Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart
~The Other Boy by Hailey Abbott (Nookbook/Summer Romance Challenge)

Books I'm reading now (and some still):

~Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
~The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
~Afterlife by Claudia Gray
~The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor


I'm a little behind on reading and writing but that's okay. I was pretty focused on getting the blog back up and running. I have a book on characters and viewpoint that's really helping me out with my story. And pretty much every day I'm thinking about my stories while going about daily activities. Come up with an idea, jot it down to work on later. I think it would be good for me to dedicate 15 minutes a day to writing, just so I don't get too far out of habit. It's been at least a week or two since I sat down to write last. I need to get caught up!

And Otherwise...

I'm planning on a day at the zoo to see the lemurs near the end of the month. I can't wait! I love lemurs. They're my favorite animal and I've never seen one in person before. It's exciting. ^_^

Thanks to my Ed Westwick obsession, I watched an interview with him on You Tube and RUINED the end of season three. Remember my article on spoilers? This is what I'm talking about. That's why I should always keep up with these TV shows instead of getting obsessed with them after they finish FOUR seasons. Lol.



Well, that's it. I can't think of anything else. See everyone tomorrow!

~Jessica

Update Thursday #16

Update Thursday #16

Welcome to Update Thursday, my own personal meme of sorts where I post an update of the goings on at my blog, with reading, with writing, and beyond. Feel free to borrow the idea from me for your own bookish musings.

~*~

Reading, Writing...

Books I finished this week (and maybe last week):
~Last Chapter And Worse by Gary Larson
~Cows Of Our Planet by Gary Larson
~The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
~Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Books I'm reading now (and some still):
~The Other Boy by Hailey Abbott (Nookbook/Summer Romance Challenge)
~At The Party (Books 1-4) by Lauren Barnholdt (4 short stories, I consider it one book)
~LoveSick by Jake Coburn
~Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
~Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
~The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

I've decided to update my Goodreads challenge... Not sure what number just yet. My reading has increased since I started. Having only read 6 books by mid-March I had lower expectations of being able to complete more than 50. I may change it by the end of the weekend.

Since putting my blog on temporary hiatus, I've been able to write out a few reviews. I also have come up with some great articles/commentaries on romance in YA novels. I wrote one and it actually felt pretty good.

Speaking of the temporary hiatus on my blog... what is in store? Here's the latest scoop. I'm restarting everything August 1st. This gives me a week and a half to rework the format/appearance of my blog (did a little bit of that already), get the articles/reviews together, and write out a schedule. So keep an eye out! I'll be back full force soon.

And Otherwise...

As some here know, I collect My Little Ponies. My best friend since Kindergarten got me started. She and I are doing a "pony swap" with another friend from pony forums. I received their lists of pony wants probably a month ago and still have barely started. I'll probably be using this 1 1/2 week gap in between here for online pony shopping too. The deadline is in September, so I need to get a move on considering how long it takes to receive stuff in the mail.

My obsession with Gossip Girl and Ed Westwick reaches new levels of awesome. My brother and I are on Season 3. Once we finish, I don't know what I'll do waiting for Season 4 to come out on DVD. It's more than a month away (August 23rd, which is surprisingly early for a TV series DVD release, most come out in September/October), but it gives me plenty of time to watch it before Season 5 starts on September 26th. Ed Westwick-wise, well, I decided to type in his name while on Barnes & Noble and an audiobook came up... City Of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments Series #4) by Cassandra Clare... I was like OMG WAIT WHAT?! Oh, to listen to his voice read a story to me. Talk about making me swoon. I haven't read the series, unsure if it's something I'd enjoy, but... I swear I'm tempted to get the audiobook just to listen to him, even if I have no idea what's going on. If that isn't obsession, I don't know what is.


That's all for now! Happy reading to everyone and have a great day!

~Jessica

Follow Friday #10 & Book Blogger Hop #7

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. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

Oh my... latest obsession: Chuck Bass/Ed Westwick from Gossip Girl! My first reaction...? "HOLY CRAP IT'S CHUCK BASS! I mean, ED WESTWICK!" That, or I'd probably just pass out... or forget how to breathe, then pass out. Or tackle him in some huge hug.





To join the fun and make new 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://imabookshark.blogspot.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. LINKY TOOLS IS BACK! I paid for the subscription - finally so now you can add the links to your own post!!! To add the code to your own post click on GET THE CODE here under the list of names.
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 is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books.

“What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?“

Hmm. Good writing, interesting dialogue, funny/dynamic characters. It's usually the writer's voice that makes or breaks the beginning. And by the same token, poor writing, lame dialogue, crappy/stupid characters. And if I can't get into the writer's style of writing.


~Jessica