Saturday, July 31, 2010

48 Hour Read-a-Thon--Official Start

I decided to start late since I know I will be up late Sunday to finish.  So official start...11:59 pm.  A slight change in my reading as I'm just about finished with Virgin and the Crab by Robert Parry.  Only have 88 pages to go! Then I will either start Venetia Kelly or work on The Red Door.  I'm also going to have to work on some backlogged reviews and get them posted by tomorrow.  No pressure on myself...just going to do my best.  Here goes!!!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Another 48 Hour Read-a-Thon

I know you're probably wondering why I keep doing these readathons when I fail so miserably at them.  Well, you know that motto, If at first you don't succeed...blah, blah, blah! It is true though.  I do keep trying until I get it right, but geez...you would think my love of reading would allow me to succeed! Anyway, this lovely 48 Hour Read-a-Thon is being hosted by the Unputdownables blog.  Click on the blog name to go and sign up.  Here are the details:

If You’re In:

1.Choose a few books that you will attempt to finish this weekend (Friday evening through Sunday night).

2.Post your TBR Read-a-Thon books on your blog so your readers can see what you are attempting for the weekend.

3.Challenge your readers to read along with you! (It’s OK if they don’t, but might be fun if they want to choose at least one book to participate with).

4.Join the discussion all weekend long at #bookblogchat on Twitter.

5.Post updates on your blog about what you are reading and what you have finished (full reviews can come later, but this will let your readers know what you are reading so they can either read along or look forward to your reviews!)

6.Visit other blogs that are doing the read-a-long. Post comments and follow your fellow bloggers.

7.Make sure you sign up here with Mr. Linky with a link to your first post so we can follow your progress!

8.*If you don’t have a blog but want to participate: Sign up with Mr. Linky, just don’t add a website (or you can link to your Twitter or GoodReads page).*

If You’re Not In, but Want to Support:

1.Check out the blogs that are participating below in the Mr. Linky list.
2.Visit those blogs and leave comments and encouragement
3.Add to your own TBRs as you see what others are reading!

Here is what I'll be reading:

1. The Red Door--Charles Todd
2. Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show--Frank Delaney
3. The Queen's Pawn--Christy English

My back-up list (if I should get through the first three):

1. Dracula in Love--Karen Essex
2. Under the Dome--Stephen King

So dear readers, how about joining me in my readathon craziness?!  You know, we all go a little crazy sometimes....whoooooooaaaaaahhhhh! Wish me luck. =O)

Friday Fill-In

Friday Fill-Ins was created and is hosted by Janet.

I haven't done this in awhile.  I was inspired by this week's fill-in so....

1. I'm going to make a solid effort in Unputdownables's 48 Hour Read-a-Thon this weekend.

2. Books give a reader adventure and daring.

3. Perhaps today you can make it a point to say a kind word to someone or at least smile at them.

4. A reader has a true adventurer’s spirit.

5. Compassion is a gift you can give every day.

6. I really always try to finish a book, no matter how difficult.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to starting reading, tomorrow my plans include reading, possibly a library sale, reading, lunch with mom & reading and Sunday, I want to read, read, read & read!!!

=O)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Cat Thursday

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! (Join us...share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

The summer has been so hot so I haven't really minded being cooped up with my illness in the air conditioning.  However, I do miss the swimming.  I'm probably not going to be able to swim the rest of the summer because of my leg. =O(  Anyway, I came across this pic on lol cats.  I would love to own a pool like this...or, at least, get to swim in it! I doubt if it still exists though.

A swimming pool in the shape of a cat at the Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami, circa 1955.
Photo: Slim Aarons, via Urlesque

Reminder: Two Book Giveaway at The Christmas Spirit blog





There are only 3 days left to enter the Christmas in July giveaway over at my Christmas blog, The Christmas Spirit. There will be two winners...one for each book. Up for grabs are The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck and 'Twas the Night Before by Jerry B. Jenkins. Giveaway ends on Saturday, July 31st at 11:59 pm. Click here to go to the original post for details and to enter.

Good luck!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is an event hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.  Starting next month, MM will be hosted in monthly blog tours.  The host for August is Chick Loves Lit.

(Click on the titles to read the book descriptions at Goodreads)

In the Mail:

Won:

Heavenly--Jennifer Laurens...won from the author, along with a gorgeous t-shirt!








Ordered from BOMC2:

The Spark: The 28-Day Breakthrough Plan for Losing Weight, Getting Fit, and Transforming Your Life--Chris Downie





Bought:

Finally got to go to a good library sale...it's been like 3 months! Got all of these for $9...wow!

Faerie Wars--Herbie Brennan


The Bottoms--Joe R. Lansdale


Looking for Alaska--John Green


Strange Angels--Lili St. Crow


The Absence of Nectar--Kathy Hepinstall


Heretic--Bernard Cornwell


Christmas Jars--Jason F. Wright








Final note:  This is an embarassing admission (sort of), but I picked a bookshelf from someone's curbside last week! Hey...it was in pretty good shape and free and I need more bookshelves so it was a no-brainer...LOL! Maybe I should change my name to The Thrifty Book Addict. =O)

It's Monday...What are you reading? and the Huge TBR Readathon wrap-up

So...big surprise...the readathon did not go as planned.  Life got in the way as usual! I'm begining to think that Me + Readathon = FAIL! Here is what I read:

Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia (review coming up in a day or two)
The International Kittens of Mystery! by Chris Dolley (reviewed on Cat Thursday last week)



This weekly event is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

My plans for reading this week are:

Virgin and the Crab by Robert Parry...finish and review
The Red Door by Charles Todd...finish and review, probably next week
Venetia's Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney

Other plans for reviews:

Review of Eclipse...book and movie

Next up:

The Queen's Pawn by Christy English
Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

and, darn it, I WILL start Under the Dome by Stephen King in August...I will, I will!

Have you tanked any readathons lately?  =O)   What's on your reading agenda?

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Cat Thursday

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! (Join us...share your post in the Mr. Linky below)

This week I have a very special treat for you.  I was contacted by Chris Dolley to read and review his new book, The International Kittens of Mystery!

Here's a description from Goodreads:

In an uncertain world there is one organisation that stands head and small furry shoulders above the rest. Whenever the planet is in danger – be it ...more In an uncertain world there is one organisation that stands head and small furry shoulders above the rest. Whenever the planet is in danger – be it from giant balls of wool or bands of renegade squirrels – only one group is guaranteed to answer the call.

The International Kittens of Mystery!

This is a journal of their stories. For the first time, cameras have been allowed into one of their top secret training camps – Training Camp Alpha. A camp where, under the supervision of pet humans, recruits are shown not only how to save the world but also how to manage their secret identities – how to blend in and infiltrate the human society that they alone can protect.

If you like a laugh and looking at cute pictures of kittens saving the planet, this is the book for you. It's a short read - about 25 minutes, if you can tear yourself away from the pictures.

My thoughts:

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves cats or even for anyone who gets a kick out of the LOL cats website.  Dolley uses pics that he has taken of his own cats and weaves a hilarious and exciting spy-in-training story about his two cats and five orange kittens.

The two older spies in the story are Tai and Xena.  As we cat owners know, our cats will try to nap (or squeeze) in some of the most ridiculous places.  Dolley smartly utilizes his cats' love of squeezing into these wicker bowls and refers to said bowls as The Wickerbowl Personal Transporter.  The bowls transport the kittens anywhere they need to go instantly, sort of like a bowl "beam me up Scottie" transporter, a la Star Trek.

Tai (left) and Xena in Wicker Bowl Transporters One & Two


Tai squeezed into Wicker Bowl Transport One
Then we have the new recruits, the five orange tabby kittens, referred to as The Tribbles.  These adorables have their own transporter, a padded and fleece-lined Wicker Bowl Three, the luxury heavy tribble transporter.  Their special skill is cuteness, described here in the following quotes:

The Tribbles in Wicker Bowl Transporter Three
"These are no ordinary kittens.  These are specially bred kittens with an augmented cuteness gene (aka the tribble gene). They are smaller and fluffier than the standard kitten and can incapacitate a human from ten yards."

"Human trainers have to wear special glasses when handling them."

We also receive the following warning:

"Warning: the following pictures are close-ups of cuteness enhanced kittens."

If you are driving, operating heavy machinery, or have your hand hovering over a ‘launch nuclear missile now’ button ... do NOT look at the pictures until you have moved yourself to a place of safety. The publishers of this book will not be liable for any injury, or piles of rubble that used to be major cities, should a reader enter a trance-like state or collapse.

HILARIOUS!

These are just examples of how the entire book reads.  It's whimsical.  Dolley penned a clever and funny cat spy story around various images of his cats doing what cats do...acting silly, cute and unique.  I can't wait to show this book to my sons.  I know it will remain a source of fun for us for years to come.

Thank you Chris for allowing me to read and review your book for Cat Thursday!

About the author:

Chris Dolley has written five books, started one revolution, and solved an international crime, the details of which take exactly 94,000 words to explain.

Chris Dolley was born in Bournemouth, England where several attempts to educate him were made by staff at Winton and Moordown and Bournemouth School. But he was too fast, graduating at a tender age with a degree in Geography and a talent for spinning a tale.

To read more of Chris's bio and to see more pics of the kittens, visit his website at http://www.chris-dolley.com/

Here's Mr. Linky!






Christmas in July Event Giveaway

I am having a two book giveaway in honor of my Christmas in July event over at my Christmas blog, The Christmas SpiritClick here for details on how to enter.  Better hurry...giveaway ends on July 31st!  Here are the books I'm giving away:


GOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Mailbox Monday/It's Monday...what are you reading?

Mailbox Monday is a weekly event currently hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.  Starting next Monday, Mailbox Monday will be going on weekly blog tours.  Stop by Marcia's page to find out where the next tour stop is.

It has been over a MONTH since I have done a MM post! Everyone knows why (pretty much) so these MM goodies are all from over a month...hope you don't mind. =O)

(click on the titles for book descriptions at Goodreads)

In the Mail:

Won:

The Scarlet Contessa--Jeanne Kalogridis...thanks to Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon.

A Night As Clear As Day--R.J. Rosenblum...thanks to Susan at Crazy Cat Lady's Library ( I do not have a link...I think she's moved her blog).

The Lady and the Poet--Maeve Haran...thanks to the GLBT Challenge host Amanda from The Zen Leaf.









For review:

Dracula in Love--Karen Essex...from Random House

By Fire, By Water--Mitchell James Kaplan...from the author

Quicksilver--Joy Spraycar...from the author

Angel Star--Jennifer Murgia...for a blog tour with Other Shelf Tours









From BookMooch:

The Archivist--Martha Cooley

Living Abroad in Ireland--Steenie Harvey...I can dream, can't I?!










Bought:

joined History Book Club (Introductory Package):

Blindspot:  By a Lady in Disguise & a Gentleman in Exile--Jane Kamensky & Jill Lepore

The Lady in the Tower:  The Fall of Anne Boleyn--Alison Weir

The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century--Ian Mortimer

A Kingdom Strange: The Brief and Tragic History of the Lost Colony of Roanoke--James Horn

Making Haste from Babylon: The Mayflower Pilgrims and Their World: A New History--Nick Bunker





 
 
 
 
It's Monday...what are you reading? is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

I haven't finished ANYTHING in the past week! I'm still working on Virgin and the Crab by Robert Parry.  Honestly, I'm really enjoying this book...can't really explain why I'm reading it so slow.  Maybe my leg problem affected my brain's regulation of reading speed...LOL!

On the agenda this week:

I'm just going to re-post my reading goals for Kristen's (Bookworming in the 21st Century) Huge TBR Readathon (Take 2).

Note:  I received Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia today so I will be reading it this week for the readathon.

This is my self-imposed goal...to read the following books (and start at least one):
  1. Finish Virgin and the Crab by Robert Parry (yes, I'm STILL reading it. I'm enjoying it, believe me...so I'm not sure what the problem is!)
  2. Read Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney
  3. Finish The Red Door by Charles Todd (I'm only in about 40-50 pages)
  4. Read The International Kittens of Mystery by Chris Dolley for this week's Cat Thursday
  5. Read (hopefully) or start The Queen's Pawn by Christy English
  6. Read (hopefully) or start Dracula in Love by Karen Essex
  7. Start Under the Dome by Stephen King (I have been wanting to read this for months...I'd like to at least start it!)
  8. Possible addition to list...I'm supposed to be receiving Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia from Other Shelf Tours.
I realize these are lofty goals so I know I will probably still be reading some of these...hopefully the latter ones on the list (excluding Angel Star)...until the end of the month.

Upcoming in August:

By Fire, By Water--Mitchell James Kaplan...for review from the author
Quicksilver--Joy Spraycar...for review from the author
The Handmaid's Tale--Margaret Atwood...going to join Hey Lady! Watcha Readin'?  in the Classic Reads Book Club read-a-long at the end of August and through September.

Not sure what else is on the agenda for August, but I have a ton of books slated for challenges that I MUST get to (Handmaid's Tale is one of them...woot)!

Whew...I forgot how long these posts take! So what are you reading from your mailbox this week? =O)

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