Tuesday, August 31, 2010

MAILBOX MONDAY

MAILBOX MONDAY was created by Marcia at The Printed Page and is currently on a monthly blog tour.  This month is being hosted by Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit.

This is a two week post because I missed last week due to my internet problems.  I now have a new connection and it's working perfectly! YAY!

(If a description was available, click on the title to read it at Goodreads)

In the mail:

For review:

Arcadia Falls--Carol Goodman...for blog tour with Crazy Book Tours

Adam & Eve--Sena Jeter Naslund...early reviewer from Library Thing

Won:

Hate List--Jennifer Brown...this is going to sound bad, but I don't know what blog I won this from! I rec'd no email and I never saw my name announced as a winner.  I do know the name of the person who sent it, so thanks, Rachel!

Crown in the Heather--N. Gemini Sasson...from Historical Novel Review

Write Away: One Novelists Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life--Elizabeth George...I won a $5 Amazon certificate from PCH Search & Win so I "won" this book!

From BOMC2:

A History of Ghosts: The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts, and Ghostbusters--Peter Ackroyd...Peter is actor Dan Ackroyd's father and his stories about ghosts are what inspired Dan to make the movie, Ghostbusters!

Bought:

From a library sale

Sarah: Women of Genesis--Orson Scott Card

The Christmas Tree--Julie Salamon

The Judge Who Stole Christmas--Randy Singer

Secret Santa--Anne Osborn Poelman







So...what goodies came into your house this week?

Monday, August 30, 2010

READ-A-THON WRAP-UP & IT'S MONDAY...WHAT ARE YOU READING?

While I really enjoyed the read-a-thon, as always, I did not get much reading in.  I finally finished Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney.  Great book! And I got started on The Queen's Pawn by Christy English.  Also, good...so far! Thanks so much again to Jenn at Book Crazy and Jami at YA Addict for hosting and I hope you will have another one in the (near) future!

In other read-a-thon news, just a reminder about my week long read-a-thon coming up the first week of fall, the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-ThonDetails here.  I will have a sign up post at the end of the week.

Also, Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon is coming up October 9th.  You can sign up now here.





It's Monday...What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Finished Last Week:

The Wives of Henry Oades--Johanna Moran
Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show--Frank Delaney

Currently reading:

The Queen's Pawn--Christy English
The Lace Reader--Brunonia Barry
Arcadia Falls--Carol Goodman
Under the Dome--Stephen King

Other current reading plans:

I was planning on reading The Handmaid's Tale--Margaret Atwood for the Classics read-a-long (which started almost two weeks ago), but I can't find my copy of the book.  That's what happens when your library is so disorganized! And then the library didn't have it.  I might borrow my mom's copy, but I may be too behind now.  We'll see.

In September, participating in a few book group discussions:

Vampire Academy--Richelle Mead for the Reading with Tequila book group on Goodreads.
The Other Queen--Philippa Gregory the Tudor History Lovers group on Goodreads.

Up next:

Dracula in Love--Karen Essex
By Fire, By Water--Mitchell James Kaplan
Quicksilver--Joy Spraycar

and

a new selection coming next week for #TuesBookTalk on Twitter.

A warning:

I am really behind on reviews so be prepared for a bombardment of reviews this week.  At least four of them!

So that's what I'm reading! How about you?

Sunday, August 29, 2010

READ-A-THON UPDATE AND JENN'S CHALLENGE

Last night, I actually didn't start reading until about 11pm.  I was watching movies with my mom.  So I ended up staying up all night...until 7am! I finally finished Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show and got started on The Queen's Pawn by Christy English.  I'm hoping I will finish that one tonight (it seems like a fast read so far and it's not very long) and get started on Dracula in Love by Karen Essex.

Now for a read-a-thon challenge:

Jenn (one of our hosts) at Book Crazy has asked us the following question:

If you could be read into a book, which book would it be and why? What is it about that story that you find utterly overpowering? Which world would you choose to lose what you have here on earth for?

My answer would be the Harry Potter series.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I have always loved school.  I've pretty much been in school in one way, shape or form all my life.  So to me, Harry Potter's world would be excellent.  First, you get to go and live at a school that is an awesome castle for almost a whole year and on top of that, you get to learn magic and other fantastical things! Plus the adventure and the mythical creatures.  I would absolutely love it! Just call me Hermione Granger...a muggle who loves school and wants to learn magic!


Fun challenge, Jenn...thanks!

Read-a-thon starts up again in an hour and a half.  Time to get my read on!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

READ-A-THON UPDATE OR EPIC FAIL...SO FAR!

So...let me give you my paltry progress this read-a-thon.  I didn't get to start until Thursday night.  I started on page 249 of Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney.  I'm now on page 329.  100 pages to go and I'll be finished.  Next I'm picking up The Queen's Pawn by Christy English.  I am going to do all in my power to stay awake all night tonight.  I have nothing going on tomorrow so an all-nighter is feasible.  Going to make me a pot of coffee and drink plenty of Diet Coke and snack continuously...LOL!

How is your read-a-thon progress going?

READ-A-THON MINI-CHALLENGE

This is the first read-a-thon mini-challenge I've been able to participate in because of my non-internet access for the past few days.  Thanks to Carina at Reading Through Life for keeping her mini-challenge open all weekend! Her challenge is inspired by Ramadan, during which practicing Muslims refrain from food and drink (plus some other, less obvious, things) from dawn until dusk. From dusk until dawn, however, they can eat and drink normally.  Where Carina lives in Toronto, this fasting can last 15-16 hours.  Her challenge for us is to write a post describing your ideal comfort food meal to break your hypothetical 15 hour fast one of the nights of this week’s read-a-thon.

One of my favorite restaurants is Chili's because they have tons of food that I really love.  So I would probably head straight over there and eat the following:

Chili's homemade salsa with bottomless tortilla chips
with Fire-Grilled Corn Guacamole...yum!






Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers with loaded mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.

A nice big piece of Cheesecake...hold the strawberry sauce please!

And keep those Diet Cokes coming--with lemon please!











Delicious! Now I'm hungry!

What about you?  Are you a fan of Chili's?  Or what is your favorite restaurant or type of food?  And what would you eat after a 15 hour fast?

Thanks to Carina for a fun challenge. =O)

Friday, August 27, 2010

VOTE FOR ME...PLEASE!

I'm going to attempt this post...and hope I don't lose connection! I created a button for Brizmus Blogs Books' create a button contest for Japanese Friday or Nihon no Kinyoubi.  She has a poll up on her blog here.  My button is #7.  Voting is open until September 5.  Please vote for me...thanks! Here is what mine looks like:


P.S. I took me over two hours to post this...aaaargh!

=O)

Thursday, August 26, 2010

PROBLEMS AND READ-A-THON

First of all, I want to apologize for the absence of Cat Thursday today.  I have a new internet connection at my house and it is a PIECE OF CRAP! I have already had a tech out and it still didn't help.  I lose my connection constantly! So, I ordered internet through T-Mobile and will have it in a few days.  It's more expensive than the other one, but now I see why the other one is so cheap...total crap...LOL! Anyway, I will be at my mom's tomorrow and all weekend and she has internet so...I'll be able to catch up on the read-a-thon challenges, etc. (hopefully!).

Regarding the read-a-thon, I didn't end up starting last night.  I went to a free movie (Going the Distance with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long...a good one) and when I got home, I was so exhausted I fell asleep until morning.  Never happens! Anyway, I officially started tonight at 8pm.  Started on page 249 of Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney.

Thanks for bearing with me!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

FROM DUSK TILL DAWN READ-A-THON

Another read-a-thon...woooo hoooo! The From Dusk Till Dawn Read-A-Thon is going on August 25th, until August 29th from the hours of 8 PM until 8 AM each day!!! There will be challenges going on during the day and lots of prizes will be given out.  This read-a-thon is being hosted by Jenn @ Book Crazy and Jami @ YA AddictClick here for details and to sign up.

I'm using this read-a-thon to catch up on my review books and to maybe read some more of Under the Dome!  Here is my list:

Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show--Frank Delaney (finish)
Arcadia Falls--Carol Goodman
The Queen's Pawn--Christy English
Dracula in Love--Karen Essex
By Fire, By Water--Mitchell James Kaplan
Quicksilver--Joy Spraycar
Under the Dome--Stephen King

I hope some of you good blog friends will join me! I know I've already seen some of you all over at the sign up.  Good luck!

Speaking of read-a-thons...in case you haven't heard, I am hosting my very own read-a-thon next month.  It's the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon, a week long event that will allow us to "catch-up" on our reading--whether it be review books, reading challenges or the giant TBR pile! The dates are September 20, @ 8am through September 26, @ 8pm.  Feel free to participate as much or as little as you want.  I will be giving away a prize for all who sign up at the starting line and who participate in the read-a-thon.  I'm not sure what that prize will be yet, but I will announce it closer to time.  If anyone would like to have a giveaway or a mini-challenge during the read-a-thon, just let me know.  I'm game for anything! Just email me at truebookaddict(at)gmail(dot)com.  I will have the sign up page ready around the first of the month and the starting line post will go up the day of the event.  Feel free to grab the button (link back here) and spread the word.  Hope you will join me for this fun Fall event!

Monday, August 23, 2010

WHAT IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK? MOVIE?

Steph over at Paper Cut Reviews posed this question and I thought it would be fun to answer it in a post!

I have a lot of favorite books, but I feel like a person's favorite book of all time should be one they have re-read many times.  I have read this book 4 times (although the 4th was listening to a less than stellar abridged audio version *frown*) and I know I will read it again someday.  So why do I love the third book in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles the most?  This is the book that tells the history and the origins of the vampires.  It takes us back to ancient Egypt and surrounding areas and explores ancient customs.  I think I love it for the historical details and it will always hold a special place because it was the first Anne Rice book I ever read.  Yes, I read the third book first!

Until I saw this movie, Excalibur was my favorite movie (it probably is still my second favorite).  Of course, I love any kind of historical epic movie, but something in the story of Scotland's 13th Century hero, William Wallace, really spoke to me.  I remember seeing the movie in the summer of 1995 and I was in awe.  I came out of the movie and said to my boyfriend (now my husband), "This movie should win an Academy Award!"  Ten months later (and it's almost unheard of for a movie released almost a year previously to win), Braveheart won FIVE Oscars, including best picture and best director! I was beyond thrilled! Well, that was 15 years ago and it still remains my favorite movie.  Despite what people may think of Mel Gibson (I do not judge...he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone), he is a brilliant director.  His film, Apocalypto, is another of my favorites.


So which book and movie are your favorites?

Saturday, August 21, 2010

NEWS: BLOG AND LIFE--BOOKISH AND NON....

There's a lot going on here and in the real life of The True Book Addict so I thought I would do an update post! 
  • First of all, I watched the film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo the other night.  WOW! What a great movie.  I kept thinking, "If the movie is this good, the book must be awesome!"  I can't wait to read it.  Supposedly, David Fincher is doing the American version of the film.  The part of Lisbeth Salander is being played by an actress I'm not familiar with, but rumor has it that Daniel Craig will play Mikael Blomkvist.  I wonder if this version will be as good as the Swedish version?  I guess we'll see!
  • Most people who really know me know that Aerosmith is my favorite band.  They've been my favorite since third grade, I've seen them in concert 7 times (front row once), and I have their wings logo tattooed on my ankle (my first tattoo I got when I was 22).  So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Steven Tyler (lead singer) will be taking Simon Cowell's place as a judge on American Idol! I am SO excited and now AI really will be must-see TV for me. =O)
  • I recently found out that I have capped out on my federal student loans for school so I will not be going back this fall.  I did get a Pell Grant, but it only covers half my tuition and I do not have the funds to pay the difference and I can't get a private student loan because of my credit.  At this point, I'm not sure when I'll be able to go back and finish my degree.  I've been pretty upset about it, but now I'm kind of taking it as a sign to really start focusing on writing my novel full-time.  I started a writing blog awhile back to post writing progress and updates called The Story Inside Me.  I'm hoping that blogging about my progress will help me to be accountable and to stay focused.  Kind of following J. Kaye's lead!
  • I have gotten so behind on my reading and reviewing.  Ever since I was hospitalized at the end of June and then recuperating at home throughout July, I have been behind.  I still have two books to review that I read in July (Virgin and the Crab and Angel Star) and one to review from last weekend's read-a-thon (Sense and Sensibility).  I also have 4-5 books to read for review.  There is a read-a-thon next week (From Dusk Till Dawn Read-A-Thon) so that should help, but I decided that I'm going to host a read-a-thon of my own in September.  It's the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon! This read-a-thon is for us to catch-up on our reading, whether it be review books, books for reading challenges, or even just to whittle down that TBR pile.  I'm having it the first week of Fall (Sept. 22 is the first day of Fall), Monday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 26.  It will start on that Monday at 8 AM and end Sunday at 8 PM.  I made it a week long so that people that work weekends can participate and people that go to school or work through the week can participate on the weekend.  And, of course, feel free to participate all week long.  I'm going to have one giveaway which will be a participaton giveaway.  If you sign up at the read-a-thon starting line and participate in the read-a-thon, you will be eligible for the giveaway...that's it...easy as pie! I'm not sure what I'll be giving away yet, but I will announce it closer to the read-a-thon date.  If anyone else would like to host a giveaway during the read-a-thon, just let me know.  You can email me at miller4plusmore@hotmail.com  I will have an official post with sign-up and all posted very soon.  In the meantime, help me spread the word by grabbing the button.  I'm really looking forward to this and I hope you are too...I love read-a-thons!
Well, there's my news! Hope it wasn't too boring!

Friday, August 20, 2010

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY...ON FRIDAY (1)

This is my first time doing Booking Through Thursday! A little late with it, but I couldn't resist...I saw this over at Ready When You Are, C.B. and I love Q & As so....
1. Favorite childhood book?
Little Women...I really wanted to be just like Jo!

2. What are you reading right now?
The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran
Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show by Frank Delaney
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
Under the Dome by Stephen King

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

4. Bad book habit?
I have a bad habit of spilling drinks...always when there is a book around to spill it on!

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing by Margaret Atwood
A Novel in a Year: From First Page to Last in 52 Weeks by Louise Doughty
Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life by Elizabeth George
How to Grow a Novel: The Most Common Mistakes Writers Make and How to Overcome Them by Sol Stein
The Game on Diet by Krista Vernoff & AZ Ferguson

Why so many books on writing?  Stay tuned for my life and blog update post for details!

6. Do you have an e-reader?
yes, a Sony Reader (pocket)...I know, I know! 'I thought you were against e-readers, Michelle?'  Well, I was (sort of)...I just don't want print books to go the way of the dinosaurs.  But I decided I wanted an e-reader because it would be cheaper (and less back strain) to download my college textbooks to it.  Well, due to recent news (again, stay tuned for my update), this will no longer be necessary! Anyway, I won it from Shawna @ Book Giveaways & Trying to Stay Calm...lucky me! I do not purchase e-books, but I do download free stuff.  I have Cranford and The Mysteries of Udolpho on my reader now, among a few others.

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
As you can see from question 2, I prefer several at once...obviously! Sometimes it is out of necessity!

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
I know I read more (largely because people are depending on me to review their books).  I've also become exposed to new genres.  I'm reading more YA and Dystopian books.  I'm also becoming more entrenched in my first loved genre, historical fiction.  I have found so many more wonderful historical authors since I started blogging.

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
That would be Powers by John B. Olson.  This was a did-not-finish...only the second in my life, if you can believe that!

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
This is hard because I've read some great ones.  So far, I'm going to say The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
rarely, if never.

12. What is your reading comfort zone?
historical fiction, horror, fantasy, general or literary fiction, classics

13. Can you read on the bus?
I don't ride the bus, but if I did, I know I could.  I used to read on the school bus as a child/teenager.

14. Favorite place to read?
In my library, sitting in my big, comfy armchair with my feet up.

15. What is your policy on book lending?
I can be persnickety about it.  I HATE when someone doesn't return a book.  Case in point:  One of my ex co-workers has 2 of my books, since last year!

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
NEVER!

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
No way!

18. Not even with text books?
Nope.

19. What is your favorite language to read in?
Well, since I only speak English...

20. What makes you love a book?
An engaging plot, great character development, and I especially appreciate beautifully written prose.  I also love any book with some kind of historical details regarding the characters, even if it's not an historical novel.

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
All of the above and, of course, books by my favorite authors.

22. Favorite genre?
historical fiction

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
romance....I wish I wasn't such a prude...not really! =O)

24. Favorite biography?
Sadly, I haven't read too many, although I have a ton on my shelf.  I have a Vincent Price biography really calling to me! I'm going to say Mommie Dearest...purely for nostalgia.  I read it when I was very young.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
quite a few, actually.

26. Favorite cookbook?
I have an old cookbook that my mom had when we were kids.  It's called The Settlement Cookbook.  My famous dressing for turkey comes from that book! I also like the Fix-It and Forget-It books by Phyllis Good.

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
Live a Life You Love by Dr. Susan Biali

28. Favorite reading snack?
I don't generally snack while reading.  Don't like to get the pages dirty.  Occasionally, some kind of non-sticky candy, like sour neon gummi worms!

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
Found out stuff that happens in Breaking Dawn that I would have rather found out about in reading it, but how could it be helped with all the hype!

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
It varies.  I don't think I'm as critical of books as are some people.  I just love books so much, that I usually can find something redeeming in the pages.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
I'm not fond of giving negative reviews (see above ?).  I tend to see the good amongst the bad in all that I read...mostly! However, I do not sugarcoat my reviews either.

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
French

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
Beowulf

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
I really do not get intimidated by books.  Well, maybe a smidge nervous about War and Peace.

35. Favorite Poet?
Edgar Allan Poe

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
Maybe 5-10

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
*hangs head in shame*  too many times to count!

38. Favorite fictional character?
The vampire Lestat from Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles

39. Favorite fictional villain?
Every villain in Stephen King's books.  I'm reading Under the Dome and I was just telling my Mom that King is so great at making you hate certain characters.  Also, Lord Voldemort!

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
Pretty much any books I'm reading at the time.  I don't have certain books for vacation reading, plus I haven't been on a REAL vacation since I went to New Orleans in 1999!

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
a day, maybe!

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
same as question 9...Powers by John B. Olson

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
My kids...ugh!

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
The Silence of the Lambs

45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
Queen of the Damned (my favorited book), HANDS DOWN! Terrible adaptation (but the soundtrack rocks)!

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
Bricks and mortar...$25  online...$60

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
I might read the first page once, but I usually dive right in.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
It would take a lot, but probably an annoying premise or if it was excruciatingly boring.

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
yes.  Fiction, alphabetical by author.  Non-fiction, organized by subject.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
Uh, yes! Case in point, I own over 3000 books and 1700+ are fiction!

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
Please don't ask me why because I really don't know, but The Help by Kathryn Stockett! I'll probably get around to reading it eventually!

52. Name a book that made you angry.
I hate to beat a dead horse here, but again, Powers.

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
The House of Sand and Fog

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
Elsewhere by William Peter Blatty

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
A really good horror novel!
$

Thursday, August 19, 2010

THE RED QUEEN GIVEAWAY!

Head over to my other blog, Historical Fiction Connection, where we're giving away a hardcover copy of The Red Queen by Philippa GregoryCLICK HERE TO ENTER.  Better hurry....the giveaway ends tomorrow, August 20! While you're there, be sure to read the excellent review of The Red Queen by my Historical Fiction Connection partner, Marie from The Burton Review.

Good luck!

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)
So, lately I've been dabbling in captioning LOL Cats pics.  For the next several weeks, I will feature one of my 'creations' (lolz...as they are called over there).  If I get enough votes, they may even feature one on their homepage.  If you would like to vote, visit the the pic page here.






- See more at: http://www.techtrickhome.com/2013/02/show-comment-box-above-comments-on.html#sthash.TjHz2Px9.dpuf