Where reading is a way of life

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge--Day 8


Today is Day 8 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





15 Things I look for in a good blog


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge--Day 7


Today is Day 7 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





My blogging quirks


Monday, July 29, 2013

TBR Pile for Beat the Heat Read a Thon!

Phantasmic Reads

I was so bummed that I missed the BookTube Readathon.  I didn't do it because it was the same week as my county fair, and being a 4H leader of 2 clubs, plus 4 kids involved in the fair and 4H, I knew I wouldn't have enough time!

So I was thrilled when I found this readathon!  So pumped!  Deets below!

  • The Beat the Heat Readathon runs from July 29th through August 11th. What does this readathon entail, you ask? Well, read as much or as little as you want – the main point is to READ! You set your own goal, and for two weeks you read as many books as you can/want to reach your goal!
  • There will be mini-challenges throughout the Readathon for participants, along with a grand prize giveaway at the end!
  • Sign up at Auntie Spinelli Reads or Phantasmic Reads. You may join whenever you like, but to be eligible for our grand prize giveaway, you must sign up by August 5th.
  • To join, all you have to do is make a sign-up post – even if it’s just a “Let’s do this!” thing – and add your post URL to the linky below! You can put your goals and progress (will be required for the final giveaway) in your sign-up post, or you can make it separate. Totally up to you! Feel free to copy and paste this handy little list for your post. We don’t mind. :)
  • In order to enter for the grand prize, you must have a post to keep track of your progress so we can see that you participated.
Sign up Here

Here is my TBR Pile!



Sunday, July 28, 2013

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge--Day 6


Today is Day 6 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





How do I shop for books?


Saturday, July 27, 2013

My Favorite Reads of 2013...So Far--Part 2


Top Reads of the First Half of 2013
Categories in this video:
YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal





Stay tuned for Part 3!

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge--Day 5


Today is Day 5 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





Recommended Tearjerker Reads





Friday, July 26, 2013

My Playlist for Eleanor & Park


Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE this book?  Like, really, really love it?  
I recently reread it again, and I loved it even more the second time.  
I love book playlists, and have several on my Spotify that authors create, but I really wanted to make my own on this one.  
So, here we go!





My Playlist on Spotify


15 Day Book Blogger Challenge--Day 4


Today is Day 4 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





Books I Flung Across the Room (or wanted to!)


Thursday, July 25, 2013

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge--Day 3


Today is Day 3 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





My Blogging BFFs






Jen's YouTube channel
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
Margie @Bumbles and Fairy Tales
Goddess Beth @ Living a Goddess Life
Arielle @ My Best Friends Are Books

Wednesday, July 24, 2013


Today is Day 2 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





My Bedtime Reading Ritual




See you tomorrow for Day 3!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Beat the Heat Read a Thon!

Phantasmic Reads

I was so bummed that I missed the BookTube Readathon.  I didn't do it because it was the same week as my county fair, and being a 4H leader of 2 clubs, plus 4 kids involved in the fair and 4H, I knew I wouldn't have enough time!

So I was thrilled when I found this readathon!  So pumped!  Deets below!

  • The Beat the Heat Readathon runs from July 29th through August 11th. What does this readathon entail, you ask? Well, read as much or as little as you want – the main point is to READ! You set your own goal, and for two weeks you read as many books as you can/want to reach your goal!
  • There will be mini-challenges throughout the Readathon for participants, along with a grand prize giveaway at the end!
  • Sign up at Auntie Spinelli Reads or Phantasmic Reads. You may join whenever you like, but to be eligible for our grand prize giveaway, you must sign up by August 5th.
  • To join, all you have to do is make a sign-up post – even if it’s just a “Let’s do this!” thing – and add your post URL to the linky below! You can put your goals and progress (will be required for the final giveaway) in your sign-up post, or you can make it separate. Totally up to you! Feel free to copy and paste this handy little list for your post. We don’t mind. :)
  • In order to enter for the grand prize, you must have a post to keep track of your progress so we can see that you participated.
Sign up Here

I don't know what I'll be reading yet, but I will make a TBR list a little later!

My Progress

Monday July 29th
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith-404 pages-- 4 stars
Rise by Anna Carey--212 pages

Tuesday July 30th
Rise by Anna Carey--last 98 pages--3 stars
The End Games by T. Michael Martin--last 149 pages--3 stars
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan--308 pages--4 stars
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz--audiobook--45 min listening time = 29 pages (reread)

Wednesday July 31st
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz--audiobook--1 hour listening time= 38 pages (reread)
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer--last 156 pages--4 stars

Thursday Aug. 1st
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (reread)--59 pages
Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo--356 pages--5 stars

Friday Aug. 2nd
Wool by Hugh Howey--56 pages--4 stars
Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl--261 pages--4.5 stars

Sat. Aug. 3rd
Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry--67 pages--4 stars
Stormbringers by Phillipa Gregory--327 pages--4 stars

Sun. Aug. 4th
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak--last 250 pages--5 stars
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz--45 min listening time=29 pages
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (reread) 114 pages

Mon Aug. 5th
Quarantine by Lex Thomas--404 pages--4 stars
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz(reread)  45 min listening time=29 pages

Tues Aug 6th
The Sun Dwellers by David Estes--122 pages
Pivot Point by Kasie West--192 pages
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz(reread)--1 hour listening time=38 pages to finish

Wed Aug 7th
Pivot Point by Kasie West--151 pages--5 stars
The Sun Dwellers by David Estes--248 pages--5 stars
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson--45 min listening time=30 pages
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood--267 pages--4 stars
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (reread)--62 pages

Thurs Aug 8th
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater--200 pages

Fri Aug 9th
Fear by Michael Grant--65 pages

Sat Aug 10th
Fear by Michael Grant--235 pages

Sun Aug 11th
Leisl and Po by Lauren Oliver--307 pages--4 stars
The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket--214 pages--3 stars
Fear by Michael Grant--200 pages--5 stars
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater--204 pages

Top Favorite Reads of 2013...So Far--Part 1


Top Reads of the First Half of 2013
Categories in this video:
NA Romance, YA Contemporary Romance
YA Suspense
YA Tale Retellings





Stay Tuned for Part 2!

15 Day Blogger Challenge--Day 1


Today is Day 1 in the 15 Day Blogger Challenge!

So I was scrolling around and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!





Make 15 Book Related Confessions


Monday, July 22, 2013

Underground Doomsday Caves Are Now A Reality


So it seems dystopians have now flooded the book market.  I've read many stories (including the ones up above) where humanity has resorted to living underground after a post-apocalyptic disaster.  

Well, now its become a reality.  A company from California has bought a huge man build underground cave from the military in Atchinson, KS.  Its over 2 million square feet and can hold 5,000 people for over a year. People can buy it as "real estate" based on the size of their RV.  

Here's the news video showing you more:

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/state/kansas/underground-doomsday-shelter-to-open-near-atchison-kansas


WOW.  Just wow.  I can't believe that things authors predicted just a few years ago are already coming to fruition!

What do you guys think?  Would you buy this kind of "real estate?" 


15 Day Book Blogger Challenge


So I was scrolling around today and I found an awesome new blogger challenge, created by Good Books, Good Wine.  Its a 15 day challenge, and I decided I'm going to try it!  It was created on her blog and Pinterest.  Here's the original post if you would like to join in!  Starter Post

And here's the challenge!


I'm going to try to do mine in vlog form, starting tomorrow, so keep your eye out! 

Friday, July 12, 2013

Thursday, July 11, 2013

15 Series to Read if You Enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed


This awesome article on Buzzfeed lists 15 books series of the best dystopian series out there.  There are some great choices on this list, but that is not why I have to share it with you guys.  I am beyond excited for my good friend, David Estes, because his books ARE ON THIS LIST!!! His books are the only self published books on the list, so this just ROCKS!  His books totally deserve to be up there, and I'm so excited that other people are taking notice!

The List




I have read the first two books in this series, and I loved them!

You can find the books on Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.  Also, if you haven't checked out my Moon Dwellers Book Birthday Post, you may want to!  David is giving away free downloads of the Moon Dwellers for the month of July!  The link is on the right hand side of the page.  

Congratulations, David!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Top Ten Best Book to Movie Adaptations

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at Broke and Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Today's topic is Top Ten Best Book to Movie Adaptations!  Here is my list and thoughts on each one!



10. Charlotte's Web 2006




9. Patriot Games 1992




8. Breaking Dawn 2011 and 2012




7. Carrie 1976




6. A Little Princess 1995




5.  The Hunger Games 2012




4. Romeo and Juliet 1996




3.  Gone With the Wind 1939




2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2010 and 2011




1. To Kill A Mockingbird 1962


Saturday, July 6, 2013

July Clear Off My Shelves Giveaway!


Time for another giveaway!  This month I have 5 new books you can choose from!






US only. Enter on the Rafflecopter below, and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, July 5, 2013

In My Mailbox #34

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren.  Us bloggers feature any new books we've received in the past week, either bought, borrowed, or received for review.





Books mentioned in this vlog

Immortal City
Revolution 19
Wasteland
Towering
The Roar
The Eleventh Plague
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Warm Bodies
Fyre
Unremembered
Rise
Also Known As
This is What Happy Looks Like
The End Games
Star Cursed

Everyone has a safe and Happy Independence Day!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Moon Dwellers First Book Birthday!


Today, The Moon Dwellers by David Estes turns 1 year old! It was 1 year ago today (June 30th) that David Estes first published the first book in his first ever YA dystopian series, The Dwellers Saga, and changed his life forever. Since then, The Moon Dwellers has outsold and drawn more hype than any other of his 13 published books, and has risen to the top 10 of many YA dystopian lists on Listopia, finding a place amongst bestselling books such as The Hunger Games, Delirium and Divergent. The birth of The Moon Dwellers also changed David’s life forever. As he’s gone from struggling Indie author to fulltime writer, he’s watched in amazement as his Goodreads fan group has swelled from 300 members to over 1,300. Since writing The Moon Dwellers, David has gone on to write and publish two sequels, The Star Dwellers and The Sun Dwellers, as well as three books in a sister series, The Country Saga (Fire Country, Ice Country, and Water & Storm Country). He plans to release the 7th and final book, The Earth Dwellers, in the combined series on September 5th later this year.
So what did David Estes want to do to celebrate The Moon Dwellers book birthday? His answer: “Give away as many free ebooks of The Moon Dwellers as possible!” So if you’re like so many others who are obsessed with YA dystopian novels like The Hunger Games, Delirium, and Divergent, and haven’t yet read the growing phenomenon that is The Moon Dwellers, now’s your chance to do so FOR FREE.
You can grab your free ebook of The Moon Dwellers from Smashwords.com using the coupon code below. And please feel free to share with your family and friends and pets, the more ebooks are given away the happier David will be. The only thing David asks for in return is that if you enjoy the read and continue on with the series, to please leave a positive review on Amazon.com for each of his books that you read.
Where you can find The Moon Dwellers: SMASHWORDS

Coupon Code: AQ92E

Please note, this code expires on July 31, 2013
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And for those of you planning on reading The Dwellers and/or The Country Saga, here’s a special note from the author, David Estes:
The Earth Dwellers will cap off an eighteen month journey that has taken me from unknown Indie author to still-mostly-unknown fulltime Indie author. The change is a subtle one for most people, but for me it’s a dream come true. To the hundreds (and now maybe even thousands!) of readers who have come along for the ride with me, either by reading the Dwellers Saga, the Country Saga, or both, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Now down to business. There may be some of you who have only read the three books in the Country Saga or only the three books in the Dwellers Saga, and are now thinking you’ll read The Earth Dwellers, which is supposedly the 4th book in BOTH the Country Saga and the Dwellers Saga. Well, that’s awesome! However, I must highly recommend that before reading The Earth Dwellers that you read the three books in BOTH series. Trust me, doing so will greatly enhance your experience, as The Earth Dwellers will be taking significant characters from both series and crashing them together (yes, like a water country wave) into an action-packed tale of struggle and loss and hope and friendship…and maybe a little love, too.
Anyway, that’s my advice, it’s up to you what to do with it. In any case, thanks for being a part of my own adventure, I’m a better person for having written stories for you!
Recommended Reading prior to The Earth Dwellers
Other YA Books by David Estes!
The Evolution Trilogy:
Children’s Books by David Estes
The Nikki Powergloves Adventures:
Nikki Powergloves vs. the Power Outlaws (Coming soon!)
David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. He grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife and soul mate, Adele, who he’s now been happily married to for more than two years.
A reader all his life, David began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and has completed 13 novels, 11 of which have been published.  In June of 2012, David became a fulltime writer and is now travelling the world with his wife while he writes books, and she writes and takes photographs.
David gleans inspiration from all sorts of crazy places, like watching random people do entertaining things, dreams (which he jots copious notes about immediately after waking up), and even from thin air sometimes! Recently he’s been inspired by some of his favorite authors, like Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, and Maggie Stiefvater.
David’s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, an obsessive Goodreads group member, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.  He loves responding to e-mails, Facebook messages, Tweets, blog comments, and Goodreads comments from his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends.
Where you can find David Estes hanging out:  David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite