Pop Culture Junkie

This Week in Books

2012-01-29T20:03:00.003-06:00

I haven't read the other two books by this author but people have been raving about them for years I picked them up awhile back.

Lookalikes 148

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Neither of these covers are doing much of anything for me but my vote is going to Jane Again for the clean simple design, can't really go wrong with that!

Thanks to Anna who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Hardcover vs Paperback 133

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Amazon.com:

Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke since their first day of college. Six years later, Peter is marrying Van's best friend, Janie. Loyal to a fault, Van dons her pumpkin-orange, maid-of- honor gown and stands up for the couple, struggling to hide her true feelings even when she couldn't be more conspicuous. After the wedding, nursing her broken heart with a Rin Tin Tin marathon plus a vodka chaser, Van accidentally orders a German Shepherd puppy over the Internet. When "Joe" turns out to be a hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak, Van is at the end of her rope-until she realizes that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better.

Let me start by saying I absolutely loved this book! Both covers are cute but there is something so cute about the paperback and it speaks a little to how Van got Joe. And the typeface of the title on the paperback has a little more character.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Currently Enjoying: Flats

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

If you noticed, I've been sort of digging flats lately. It might be winter and I might not actually be able to wear these outside just now but I've gone flat crazy, I've always been flat crazy but I've been buying them like crazy lately! The cool thing about all of these is they are all under $30!

1. Missoni for Target Flats - These flats took me out of my comfort zone of all black flats all the time. I still like a good black flat but it's fun to branch out with color too! 2. American Eagle Alexa Buckle Ankle Flat in Red and Black - I love the look of these with the 3 Mary Jane straps and zip up the back! 3. Mossimo Odell Ruffle Ballet Flats in Mushroom - I love this take on a simple flat with a ruffle! 4. Lower East Side Chelsea Flat in Black Glitter and Gold - This winter I went glitter crazy and it translated into the flats! 5. Mossimo Vilda Smoker Flat in Black - At first I wasn't sure about the style of these flats but I had to have them because of the colors I found them in. I liked them so much I got a black pair too! 6. Brash Blakely Floral Ballet Flat in Blue - I love this color of blue so I had to have them! 7. Lower East Side Alex Side Bow Mary Jane - I've always loved Mary Janes and the little bow on the side was too cute!

Are you flats crazy too? What are you must buys?

This Week In Books

2012-01-22T18:37:00.000-06:00

The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens (Review)

I don't believe I've read a book by this author but I think I have a few.

Lookalikes 147

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Definitely a fan of underwater photography. I definitely like the feeling Mara Dyer gives off more than Delirious, though a suit underwater looks pretty sweet!

Thanks to Gail who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Waiting On Wednesday 102

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

From I Spy DIY (the author's blog):

"I Spy DIY Style has 30 new projects inspired by celebrity, runway and vintage looks with projects and tips from some amazing fashion insiders including Rachel Roy, Rebecca Minkoff, Erin Fetherston, Gretchen Jones, InStyle's Fashion Directors, stylists and DIY bloggers."

Released April 17th!

I've been reading the author's blog often in the last year. She's really fabulous and has a great sense of style and how to incorporate DIY into it. I was disappointed to find out she didn't have a book at that time but now she does! When I found out I ran right home and pre-ordered it!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Hardcover vs Paperback 132

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Amazon.com:

Half-sisters Cassie and Peck could not be more different. Cassie is a newly divorced journalist with her feet firmly planted on the ground; Peck is a vintage-obsessed actress with her head in the clouds. In fact, the only thing they seem to have in common is their inheritance of Fool's House, a rundown cottage left to them by their beloved Aunt Lydia. But Cassie and Peck can't afford the house, and they can't agree on anything, much less what to do with the place. Plus, along with the house, they've inherited an artist-in-residence and self-proclaimed genius named Biggsy who seems to bring suspiciously bad luck wherever he goes. As these two likable sisters try to understand their aunt's puzzling instructions to "seek a thing of utmost value" from within the house, they're both distracted by romantic entanglements with men from their pasts. The Summer We Read Gatsby, set in the end-of-an-era summer of 2008, is filled with fabulous parties, eccentric characters, and insider society details that showcase Ganek's pitch-perfect sense of style and wit.

Neither of these covers really seem to capture what I see when I read the summary for the book. I guess I like the hardcover a bit more because it is reminiscent of The Great Gatsby's parties!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Currently Enjoying

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. ElectroPop Collection from China Glaze - I'm a sucker for pastel and bright nail polish and that's exactly what this collection is. 2. Cool Lemon Ice Cubes from Ice Breakers - I don't think I've ever had lemon gum. Yum. It doesn't last that long but while it does it's tasty! 3. Oh Lola! by Marc Jacobs - This has been my favorite perfume since I bought it a few months ago, can't get enough of it! 4. Baby Lips from Maybelline - I love the packaging, scent and feel of these. They just make me smile when I pull them out of my bag! 5. In Style Magazine - InStyle has quickly become my favorite of the fashion magazines a lot of great features and fun columns. <3 6. Mossimo Vilda Flats in Turquoise and Pink from Target - I just discovered these yesterday and had to have them in both of these colors. The Turquoise are only online and the pink are in stores only. 7. Blue/Teal Mini Skeins from Candy Skein - Yarn + little skeins + my favorite colors = happiness. These are so cute they are already sold out but check back in March for a whole new batch. Great for the Beekeeper's Quilt! 8. FaceOff on SyFy - I saw a commercial for this show and thought I would check it out. I have tons of respect for all art forms so I thought it might be interesting even though I don't really watch the types of programs these makeups would be done for. Turns out I LOVED THIS SHOW. I can't get enough of it! 9. 24 Hour Color Tattoo from Maybelline - I like cream eyeshadows and kind of went crazy when these came out and I heard how good they were. <3

What are you currently enjoying?

** I bought all of these products myself!

Nails: Half Moon Manicure

2012-01-15T18:11:00.000-06:00

Orly Luxe (Gold) + China Glaze Dance Baby from the new ElectroPop collection (Pink)

I've really gotten back into nail polish in the last year. Thought it might be fun to share some pictures of my nails, which I paint every Sunday. Hope you enjoy. :) Here's a tutorial if you are interested in trying it!

Lookalikes 146

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

I love the eye contact of this portrait. And I like how playful and sweet the cover of Ondine is. But on the other hand I like the sepia look of The Coven's Daughter. I think they both take the photo and use it in an interesting way.

Thanks to Ashley who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Hardcover vs Paperback 131

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

Amazon.com:

They're here for a higher education . . . and you won't believe how far they'll go.Dexter College is a small liberal arts college in the quiet town of Home, Maine. But it won't stay quiet for long with this group of freshmen. There's Shipley--blonde and beautiful, the object of envy and more than a little lust. Determined to assert herself and to shed her good-girl image, she buys cigarettes and condoms, because that's what every self-respecting college girl does. Her edgy roommate, Eliza, came to Dexter to get noticed, and she has the attitude and the mouth to prove it. Then there's Tom. Handsome, privileged, used to getting his own way, he's a jock-turned-artist who thinks his paintings will change the world. Sensitive Nick, Tom's wake-and-bake pot-smoking roommate, wants to follow in the footsteps of his boarding-school hero. And then there are brother and sister Adam and Tragedy Gatz. The freckle-faced farm boy lives at home with his parents and his little sister, who does all she can to stop him from being a wuss.As Shipley, Eliza, Tom, Nick, and Adam find out, that first year of college is more than credits and cramming. Between the lust and the love, the secrecy and the scandal, they'll all receive an unexpected education. It's a time of shifting alliances, unrequited crushes, and coming of age. Find Yourself is Dexter's motto. And they are determined to do just that.

Anyone have any thoughts about why the title was changed? I'm always curious about that. I like both covers but find Cum Laude a little more interesting.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Currently Enjoying...

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. Flicker from Berroco - This yarn is so light and squishy and it has a hint of metallic in it. 2. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling - I love her writing style and she has some great stories. 3. Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow from Sephora - I happened into Sephora the day these were released and couldn't leave without a few. 4. Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine - Have been listening to this over and over again on Spotify. 5. Twirl from Kate Spade - Got a sample of this and couldn't go more than a week or two without buying it! 6. Special Effects Flackies Collection from Finger Paints - I'm convinced this is 2012's answer to 2011's Crackle Polish. Check out some swatches here. Rumor has it these will only be sold in store not online so if you are interested head over to your nearest Sally Beauty, I got the last ones my store had! 7. Friendship Bracelets from Jewelmint - I've been kind of obsessed with Jewelmint for the past few months and have loved the 4 pieces of jewelry I've gotten off the website. There are all styles of jewelry and new things every month. Sign up here to take a style quiz to see your recommended pieces. 8. Coca Cola Zero - Sometimes I like to mix mine with grenadine. 9. Chelsea Flats from Payless - I bought these glittery flats in 3 colors. It's a party on your feet! 10. Jane By Design by ABC Family - This show just makes me giddy, so far in the first episode there wasn't anything I didn't like. Can't wait for more. 11. Dream Bouncy Blush from Maybelline - Some of you may know I've become somewhat of a makeup junkie in the last year and I have a thing about blushes that have a formula out of the ordinary. These look like a powder blush but they are almost like a spongy creme. Amazing and fun to put on! 12. Mollie Makes Magazine - I love that this is a mix of lifestyle and diy. Fun for crafty ideas. 13. iPad case from Missoni for Target - Was excited to get this for Christmas, my iPad didn't have a home until now!

I first did this type of post all the way back in 2007 and have been wanting to do it again ever since.

What are you currently enjoying?

** I bought all of these products myself and one was a Christmas gift!

This Week in Books

2012-01-08T15:08:00.001-06:00

Pretty Little Secrets by Sara Shepard (Amazon)

With Borders closed I'm enjoying using my Dad's Amazon Prime account to get my new releases. It's sad driving by the still abandoned Borders.

Lookalikes 145

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Neither of these really light my fire (ha ha) but I love that Shadow Hills has that vibrant streak through the black. It almost looks like blown glass.

Thanks to Gail who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Press Play: November + December (formerly This Year in Movies)

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

NOVEMBER

Bored to Death Season 2

Super

DECEMBER

Horrible Bosses

New Year's Eve (favorite)

Christmas Cupid

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Tiny Furniture

Breaking Dawn Part 1

Elf (rewatch favorite)

The Help

Have you seen any of these? What did you think?

Hardcover vs. Paperback 130

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Amazon.com:

Called "A writer to watch, a tremendous talent" by the Chicago Tribune, Bich Minh Nguyen makes her fiction debut with the deeply moving and entertaining story of two Vietnamese sisters. Aside from their petite stature, Van and Linny Luong couldn't be more different. Diligent, unassuming Van works as an immigration lawyer in the Michigan suburbs where she resides with her handsome, Chinese-American lawyer husband. Beautiful, fashionable Linny lives in Chicago and has drifted into an affair with a married man. When Van's picture-perfect marriage collapses and Linny finds herself grappling to escape her dead-end life, the long-estranged sisters are unable to confide in one another- until their eccentric inventor father calls them back home to the Vietnamese American community they fled long ago.

I LOOOOVE the photo on the paperback. I want those tights and that shoe! That's really all I have to say about that!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

The Lying Game: Winter Premiere Tonight!

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hey, The Lying Game and Pretty Little Liars fans! The Lying Game and Pretty Little Liars are back tonight with all new episodes. (yay!) I for one am very excited!

A few weeks back I got a mysterious package in the mail. Turns out it was the first two new episodes of The Lying Game's Winter Season!

I don't want to spoil anything in the upcoming episodes but I'll share a few tidbits.

In the first two episodes...

• We'll find out the outcome of the cliffhanger of the Summer Season

• A new mystery will be revealed that confuses more than just the audience

• There is a new cast member

• Emma will receive a belated and mysterious birthday gift

• Emma and Ethan will take the blame for something they didn't do

• Emma will act on her future, as Sutton

Basically there is a lot going on as usual!

Have you been watching The Lying Game, are you going to watch tonight? Also have you heard about Jane by Design? I'm super excited to see it Tuesday night! Some fashion and tv bloggers have been doing Style Challenges leading up the Jane by Design, here's the blogger I've been following!

This Week In Books

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. Ruthless by Sara Shepard (Amazon)

2. Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral (Review)

3. The Duke Is Mine by Eloise James (Review)

4. Get Your Sparkle On! Jewelry Kit by Lindsay Cain (Boutique)

5. Knit Noro Accessories (Amazon)

6. Teach Yourself Visually: Jewelry Making and Beading

by Chris Franchetti Michaels (Amazon)

7. Irises by Francisco X. Stork (Review)

8. Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Review)

9. The Girls of No Return Erin Saldin (Review)

A New Year, A New Look

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year! I'm celebrating with a blog redesign. I've had my look for about 4 years and decided it was time for a reinvention! Not just the blog itself but the way I create my posts. I've very excited to jolt my blog with some new energy and fun, I hope you enjoy it too! I'm not planning to change my content but expand on it with posts on some of my other interests!

Lookalikes 144

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

*waves*

Between by Jessica Warman

Unlovable by Sherry Gammon

It's very interesting that while these are two different pictures both of the girls have their heads down. I like the composition of Unlovable a little better but neither of them have that spark for me.

Thanks to Sophia who spotted this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Recently In Books

2011-11-20T20:23:00.001-06:00

Man a lot of time as passed since I last posted one of these, but I'm really excited about the books I got!

Book Depository: (this was my first order and it came faster than something I ordered from Amazon days beforehand!)
Meet Me at Mike's by Pip Lincolne
Meet Me at Mike's Crafty Journal by Pip Lincolne
Make Hey! While the Sun Shines by Pip Lincolne
Sew La Tea Do by Pip Lincolne
How to Make Jewellery with Tatty Devine

Amazon:
Microcrafts compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and Friends
The Best of Knitscene by Lisa Shroyer
60 More Quick Knits
Sewing in a Straight Line by Bretta Bara
State of Craft edited by Victoria Woodcock
Cakespy by Jesie Oleson
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Knitpicks.com:
Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench
A Life in Stitches by Rachael Herron
The Knitters Life List by Gwen W. Steege

Target:
Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl
Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

BooksAMillion: (Haven't been to one of these in years, it seemed a lot like Borders too bad it's too far away to go to often!)

The Summer of You by Kate Noble
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Just Showed Up Review Copies:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
The Vampire Diaries The Hunters Vol 1 Phantom created by L.J. Smith
Mastiff by Tamora Pierce
First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci

This Year in Movies: September & October

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

With Fall TV back on I haven't been watching too many dvds but here is what I watched in the last two months!

SEPTEMBER:

One Day- I thought there was no way this could be bad, turned out I was wrong. Rather disappointing.

The Good Wife Season 1

Starstruck

Burlesque- Was really surprised how much I liked it. It was just beautiful to watch!

Sherlock Holmes

The Greatest Movie Ever Sold- Great concept, he always makes great documentaries.

Prom- Really really liked this!

Never Let Me Go- Interesting concept for a movie... probably should have read the book first!

Something Borrowed

Cyrus

My Girlfriend's Boyfriend

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

You Again- Just a fun movie, enjoyed re-watching it.

OCTOBER:

Urbanized- Really interesting documentary by the man that made Helvetica!

Royal Pains Season 2- For being a show about a doctor I'm surprised but how much I like it!

Bad Teacher-Odd movie, for some reason it was fun watching her get away with it but at the same time I don't know what to really think of it. Felt really disjointed at times.

Weekly Dose of Crafts

2011-10-26T06:30:00.000-05:00

And the posting about crafts continues! Last Friday I found myself buying a kit to learn to glitter stamp, I have no idea how that happened but it made me very excited. I ended up learning a bit about the world of glitter and investigating other ways to use glitter. I somehow decided I also wanted to make some ornaments and when I found this tutorial both of these interests collided!

So far I've made 13 ornaments, Monday night I made 12 in about an hour and a half and that was with multiple breaks to admire the ornaments! Do you have any fun ideas for ways to use glitter? If so I'm all ears! I have a few other ideas but would love to hear more!

Last week I placed a KnitPicks order to make myself some new winter accessories including this set, and this and this and this. We'll see how many of these I actually end up making! I also ordered a few books!

Of my chosen winter accessories I decided to start with the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret because I had read it doesn't take very long! Below is my progress for two nights. I would have gotten further but I needed to get a needle!

Yarn used:

KnitPicks Sugarbunny in Lavender

Are you on Pinterest? I've been really enjoying it recently! You can find me on there as Mint910!

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

Weekly Dose of Crafts

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

I might not have posted anything crafty since July (err that was a long time ago) but I've still been making things. So let me share a few things!

My current favorite WIP is something a little new for me, I'm not totally following a pattern, well I am but I'm not at the same time. Back in September Target released a new designer line, Missoni by Target. People were in there buying up everything the day it released. I happened to go the same day to buy some food and luckily happened across these Missoni by Target shoes (I wasn't even on the hunt for them) and couldn't leave them there. I liked the pattern so much I decided I must make a blanket that mimicked them!

Mine look just a little different from this

First I decided I wanted to knit the blanket since I've never knit a blanket and then I decided I'd probably never finish it so I moved to crochet. I thought about yarn for a few days, I knew I wanted something soft and fluffy but still on the cheap side (my first crochet blanket ended up weighing too much and is a little uncomfortable to use). I settled on Bernat Roving when I realized its colors were very close to that of my shoes. I searched a few stores and ended up buying a few colors online. As you can see below one of the colors didn't pass the test.

Yarn Pyramid!

I started the blanket a little over a week ago using this stitch pattern but making up the stripes based exactly on my shoes and I'd say I'm almost close to half done! I've even been using it as its gotten a little cold here and it's very very warm so far but also not heavy at all! Hooray! I'm only getting about 7 and a half rows from each skein of yarn but its well worth it!

I really don't think I could be any happier with how this is turning out!

Yarn used:

Bernat Roving

Flint

Rice Paper

Lotus

Magenta

Orchid

Plum

Have you seen the new Caron yarn by Vickie Howell? Sheep(ish) from her new line Stitch. Rock. Love.? I've been eying it at Joann the last few months!

Just so happens that Vickie Howell was the cover girl on the Knit Simple Holiday Issue sporting her Cover Cowl full of giant cables! The cover claimed you could knit it during the day and wear it that night! Not having tried cables for a LONG time and really wanting to try Sheep(ish) I jumped at the chance to knit this cowl up!

I'm happy to report that the claims of a quick knit were true! I started it one late afternoon during the weekend and finished the following afternoon, I really think that's got to be some kind of record for me! This has renewed my fascination with cables and I have some plans for some upcoming cabled accessories!


Still needs buttons!

Yarn used:

Sheep(ish) Magenta

I just have to note this is not actually Magenta, it's really purple!!

Isn't Sheep(ish) pretty! This pile of yarn leads me to my next WIP.

While exploring Vickie Howell's blog I came across her Color Card Scarf, click the link to see how pretty it is! I gasped when I saw it! The catch was to make it that beautiful would involve using all 21 colors of Sheep(ish) and being the yarn hoarder I am I went for it instead of just trying to find something I already had. I think all but one color I got for at least 40% off over a few weeks.

I was working on this the week before my Missoni blanket when I got stopped by a color I didn't have at the time.

Rainbowy!

Yarn Used:

Sheep(ish) all colors

I really have a thing for novelty yarn so here are two scarves I made from two of the new Red Heart Boutique yarn lines. I made the first in maybe 2 or so weeks and the second in about 2 days!

The first is the Lengthwise Knit Scarf in Boutique Magical.

Yarn used:

Red Heart Boutique Magical Open Sesame

I also just had to try the new Boutique ribbon yarn Sashay in this pattern!

Yarn used:

Red Heart Boutique Sashay Jive

So that's what I've been up to recently, how about you?

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

This Week in Books

2011-10-09T20:23:00.002-05:00

This is actually about the last month or so in books!

Just showed up review copies:

Catwalk by Deborah Gregory

The Lost Songs by Caroline B. Cooney

All the Earth, Thrown to the Sky by Joe R. Lansdale

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

My Beating Teenage Heart by C.K. Kelly Martin

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments 3 by Arthur Slade

What Boys Really Want by Pete Hautman

A Plague Year by Edward Bloor

Unforsaken by Sophie Littlefield

Painting from the Cave by Gary Paulsen

You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis

Every You, Me Every by David Levithan

The Death Cure by James Dashner

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Purchased at Barnes & Noble (because it is the only place that sells this):

Yummy Crochet by Kristen Rask

Purchased at the William and Sonoma signing (so it's signed!):

Cake Pops by Bakerella

P.S. Like my new bedspread?

Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall

2011-10-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm a big fan of non-traditional books, ones that don't exactly fit in any one category and Missed Connections by Sophie Blackall is a great example of one. Sophie Blackall has a fascination with missed connections, a glance on a train or a brief chat, a meeting at the time didn't maybe mean a whole lot (or maybe it did) and a person wishing after the fact they could get in touch with the person.

Missed Connections is a blog turned book of beautifully illustrated missed connections. Blackall takes the words people have written and turns them into beautiful pieces of art. Originally I was taken with Blackall's beautiful paintings (beautiful and delicate detail and color) but I also found the idea of exploring Missed Connections really interesting. Blackall has written a really nice introduction to her book so when you look at and read the missed connections it is much more meaningful than just looking at some pretty pictures.

One of my favorite Missed Connections from the book

If you loved missed connections or beautiful artwork you should definitely check out Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections.

Missed Connections was released October 4th 2011
Genre: Awesome
4.5/5 Stars
Accepted Review Copy

Suburgatory: A TV Pilot Review + An Advance Viewing

2011-09-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Last week I received a bag of goodies in the mail. At first I was confused, what were they for and then I read the note from Dallas Royce and saw the card about an advance screening of Suburgatory which is a new fall tv show from ABC I was excited for!

Oddly enough I was really into some of the things in the bag, what does that say about me, yeah I'm from the suburbs. :)

Because I was already so excited to see this new sitcom I sat right down and watched the pilot episode and let me tell you, it did not disappoint, I actually liked it even more than I thought I would.

The show features Tessa (I love her look of disgust) and her father George (Jeremy Sisto as a father?! It's crazy, when I think of him I think of Clueless and Six Feet Under, definitely not a father but it somehow works) who move from NYC to the suburbs.

I found it to be a wonderful fish out of water story filled with sarcastic dialogue and narration, perfect suburban imagery and a whole bunch of laughs. If you like Mean Girls you'll love this!

One of my favorite characters is Dahlia (in the leopard print skirt) who has some of the funniest lines and deadpans them perfectly. Basically this show was awesome and if the creators can keep it going full steam ahead they are going to have a great show on their hands!

Are you interested? Here's the trailer:

While the show doesn't premiere until tomorrow (This Wednesday at 8:30/7:30 Central on ABC) I am able to share a code that allows you to watch the episode right now! If you can't tell I'd definitely recommend it!

To view, visit www.abc.com/suburgatoryscreening

Enter Code: pWNlhSSKa

If you check out the show, now or when it premieres stop back and let me know what you think! This Fall TV season is turning out to be something great!

This Week In Books

2011-09-11T20:35:00.001-05:00

Young Artists Draw Manga by Christopher Hart (Just showed up review copy)
Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall (Accepted review copy-already read this, and boy I loved it!)
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington (Just showed up review copy)

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

2011-09-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Earlier this summer when I found out the Lying Game was being made into a ABC Family show jut like the author's other series, Pretty Little Liars, I squealed with glee. And while I didn't finish the book before the show started it got me going on it.

For anyone else that has read the first 8 books in the Pretty Little Liars series there is a sort of funny connection (I think) between this series and that one, anyone else notice that? Anyhow onto the story... this is another mystery that involves a set of twins, one living and one dead (?) whom both narrate. The living twin, Emma ends up taking over her sister's life and tries to figure out what happened to her sister Sutton, who is basically a ghost who has no memory of what happened to her.

This first book in the series is very much a set up for the whole series (Just like the first PLL book) so not a ton is revealed or really happens for that matter but I'm really excited to see where it goes. I love the whole concept of the Lying Game, which is actually a game and I hope we get to learn more about that in the upcoming books.

And if you are interested I would definitely suggest the tv show, right now I think I might like that a little more than the book but of course everything happens faster on tv! ;P As it stands now the show is a little different than the book but we'll see how it plays out!

The Lying Game was released on December 7th 2010
Genre: Young Adult
3.5/5 Stars
Got copies from several places!

This Year In Movies: July & August

2011-09-07T20:08:00.001-05:00

The last two months I watched a lot of stuff, in July 12 movies and 4 tv shows and in August 5 movies and 6 tv shows. A lot of it was just ok so I'm just going to talk about the ones I have something to say about.

JULY:

Due Date

It's Kind of a Funny Story-I remember this one being kind of interesting.

Country Strong

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist-Rewatch!

Monk Season 7-I got back into my Monk kick from a few months ago!

Napolean Dynamite-Rewatch

Monk Season 8

Just Go With It-This was sort of fun.

The Other Woman

Scott Pilgrim-Rewatch

Hall Pass

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallow Part 2-Definitely not my favorite of the series but it did what it had to just like the book did.

Red Riding Hood-A lot of smoke and mirrors and not enough meat.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules-I love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, I think this is my new favorite book to movie series!

Life Unexpected Season 1-The people on this show fight so much I'm sort of glad they canceled it, it was stressful!

Life Unexpected Season 2

AUGUST:

The Hard Times of RJ Berger Season 1-I wanted to try out an MTV show, now that they don't really play music anymore, it was better than I thought it would be but still weird.

Dilema

My Future Boyfriend- I finally tried Netflix Instant View on my iPad and sort of fell in love with it!

Revenge of the Bridesmaids

Rio- This was a cute movie!

The Hard Times of RJ Berger Season 2

Jersey Shore Season 1- I cannot believe I even watched this. I've been curious for years and once I started I couldn't stop!

Arthur

Jersey Shore Season 2

Jersey Shore Season 3

10 Things I Hate About You Season 1- When I heard about this show I decided I would never watch it, why mess with a classic right? But then I saw it on Netflix Instant View and gave it a try, and actually it was really good and different enough. Too bad it got canceled!

This Week in Books

2011-09-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

All purchased at Borders, apparently it is closing in 10 days. :(

29 by Adena Halpern
The Book of Even More Awesome by Neil Pasricha
The English American by Alison Larkin
You Dropped a Blonde on Me by Dakota Cassidy

This Week In Books

2011-08-28T18:52:00.000-05:00

Just Showed Up for Review Copies:
Ingenue by Jillian Larkin
The Project by Brian Falkner
The Game of Triumphs by Laura Powell
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
Tiffany's Table Manners For Teenagers by Walter Hoving
Hooked by Catherine Greenman
Reaching Through Time: Three Novellas by Lurlene McDaniel
The Poison Diaries: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood
Fabulous Finds by J. Lee Drexler & James R. Cohen

This Week in Books or The Last Few Weeks

2011-08-21T22:23:00.000-05:00

Just Showed Up Review Copies:
The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce
The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt Jr
The pace Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (came with a cute bag, flower and tattoos)
Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber
Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me by Ian Morgan Cron
The Seduction of Scandal by Cathy Maxwell
Bronxwood by Coe Booth
Underdogs by Markus Zusak

Purchased at Target:
Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard

Borders (3 trips to 2 Borders): :(
How to Knit a Heart Back Home by Rachael Herron
How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosley
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
P.S. I Made This by Erica Domesek
Semi-Sweet by Roisin Meaney
The Corporate Creative by Andy Epstein
Been There, Done That by Carol Snow
The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Lookalikes 143

2011-08-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner

Shadowman by Erin Kellison

Here is another interesting one, B + C = A basically! While Shadowman isn't an exact match it's very similar to the girl on The Name of the Star. My vote instantly goes to The Silver Blade. The other two have too much going on for me and have a mixed bag of elements on their covers that make me stop and go "Huh?"

Thanks to Khy and Gail who helped me piece together this puzzle!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

The Lying Game Sneak Peek

2011-08-05T07:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I found a package on my front step containing a copy of Sara Shepard's The Lying Game. But since it was sent by ABC Family I figured it was no ordinary copy so I flipped it open.

At first glance I didn't notice anything inside of the book beyond that note until I sat down and slowly started flipping the pages. I noticed that certain letters were underlined.

Turned out the message read "Search Secret Sneak Peek on YouTube."

My search revealed this video! I'm so excited to read the books and watch the show! Are you?

#NinePaths Question Answered by Grace Phipps (Amy)

2011-08-02T19:30:00.001-05:00

When the Nine Paths game ended I had the opportunity to ask Grace Phipps who plays Amy a question! Here is her answer!

Are you guys watching The Nine Lives of Chloe King? Are you enjoying it! I've been enjoying the show so far! I love how a normal girl can one day all of a sudden basically kick everyone's butts if she needs to! I like how she's been using her powers to help her friends and people in need!

Anyone excited for the new ABC Family show, The Lying Game? Even thought I haven't read the book yet, I popped out today to buy the second book! I want to read it before the show starts on the 15th! Fingers crossed!

This Week in Books Or Really, Recently In Books

2011-07-31T20:37:00.000-05:00

My intake of books has been rather slow lately so I decided to hold off posting for a few weeks. It's rather nice because all that getting rid of piles of books recently really took it out of me so seeing them not pile up up again has been great!

Shelter by Harland Coben (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Craft-In edited by Kathleen McCafferty (Purchased at a local craft store)

New England Knits by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre (Purchased on KnitPicks.com)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins + A Chance to Win Lola

2011-07-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

Unless you are living under a rock you probably have heard at least a little something about Anna and the French Kiss. Maybe how squee worthy St Clair is or how it is the best type contemporary fiction out there. And you know I'd definitely agree with all of that. It was just a fun book but not a fun book you'd just brush off and go on your way, a fun book that stays with you. If every book had just a little bit of Anna's magic that would be a dream come true.

I really adored the setting of this book, boarding school in Paris, can you say jealous? I know I can. It sets the stage for Anna and what a beautiful stage it is. And St Clair, what a sweet character. I really think this book could become a wonderful movie. All the lusting these kids do it's crazy!

I'm going to keep this review brief but I wanted to touch on the very few things that bothered me in the book, I thought Anna cried a bit too much, I mean yes she's a teen, far away from home and going through some emotional stuff, but still. Too much. And the way something played out (vague to avoid spoilers), I wasn't so happy with it, but oh well.

Luckily I've had the chance to read Stephanie Perkin's next book, Lola and the Boy Next Door, the companion to Anna and I like it even more! Ahh Stephanie Perkin's has a gift and I hope she never stops using it.

Anna and the French Kiss was released on December 2nd 2010
Genre: Young Adult
4.5/5 Stars
Review copy provided by the publisher

Speaking of Lola, I have an extra copy I want to give away to one of you!

Here's how to enter to be the winner of an ARC of Lola and the Boy Next Door !

Fill out the entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this contest.

The giveaway will end August 17th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

I'm asking for your address straight up. I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.

GIVEAWAY: One Day Prize Pack

2011-07-22T20:48:00.000-05:00

Anyone else really excited to see One Day. Truthfully I got the book awhile back and still haven't read it but I'm so excited by the concept of the book it's hard to believe it won't be at least a little awesome as a book and a movie!

Synopsis

Twenty years…two people. Directed by Lone Scherfig (director of “An Education,” Academy Award-nominated for Best Picture), the motion picture “One Day” is adapted for the screen by David Nicholls from his beloved bestselling novel One Day. After one day together – July 15th, 1988, their college graduation – Emma Morley (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess of “Across the Universe”) begin a friendship that will last a lifetime. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground. For the next two decades, key moments of their relationship are experienced over several July 15ths in their lives. Together and apart, we see Dex and Em through their friendship and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they are searching and hoping for has been there for them all along. As the true meaning of that one day back in 1988 is revealed, they come to terms with the nature of love and life itself.

In theaters August 19th.

Here's how to enter to 1 of 2 winners of the One Day prize pack!

Fill out the entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this contest.

The giveaway will end August 1st at 6:59 pm Central Time.

I'm asking for your address straight up. I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.

The prize pack includes:

*Autographed* copies of the book (movie tie-in edition, paperback, signed by David Nicholls)
Clear cosmetic case
Necklace
Moleskin Journal

Prizing values: $30.95 per pack

Giveaway provided by Focus Features

Official Website
Readers Guide
Novel Featurette:

Lookalikes 142

2011-07-15T06:00:00.004-05:00

French Lessons by Ellen Sussman

The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright

Similar setting with a different pose. Usually I like symmetrical things in my design but in this case the symmetry in The Forgotten Waltz is kind of boring so my vote goes to French Lessons. I also really like the type treatment on that cover.

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Weekly Dose of Crafts

2011-07-13T06:00:00.034-05:00

Tami told me a few weeks ago about the Year of Projects and I thought it was a really neat idea! While I'm not really joining I started to make a list of things I would like to accomplish with my yarn crafts over the next year. This is my list:

Finish some WIPS (I have 23 right now) and specifically:
Finish 1 of my 3 WIP blankets
Finish 1 of 2 pairs of WIP socks
Make a pair of socks from Knit Picks Felici
Make a garment
Learn a new technique (like Entrelac or Brioche)
Utilize my books, magazines and booklets to make something (I have a lot)

Speaking of Tami, did you guys know she started a Raverly Group? And in that Raverly group we are going to do a Knit Along! I'm really excited!

Can I also say how happy I am that I am back to crafting!!! Onto a few WIPS, I'm working on a bunch of my existing WIPS but here are the highlights.

What's this purple thing you may ask? Well last weekend in a newsletter from a local craft shop that I love I noticed an upcoming class for a Knitted Tank Top. I've really been wanting to make a garment but wanted my hand to be held a little so this turned out to be the perfect opportunity. My first class was last Wednesday!

Yarn used:

Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Cotton in Hycinth

I received my stack of Berroco booklets a few weeks ago and 3 skeins of Boboli for this pattern. I started on it right away! I know it's going to take me forever and a day to finish but it's so pretty!

Yarn Used:

Berroco Boboli Bon Bon

A side note, last weekend I worked an entire color sequence on my Ripple blanket so I thought it was fitting to use it as a background here! I love how that pattern sucks up yarn!

I've been getting some new crafty magazines and such lately so I wanted to share a picture of some of that as well. Does anyone else adore Knitscene? I think it's my favorite Knitting magazine! Also last weekend I found out about this Mollie Makes magazine out of the UK and literally rushed out of the house a few minutes later to purchase a copy at Joann's. I'm sad I missed the first issue but I'm glad that Joann's will be carrying the magazine!

I've been contemplating getting the KnitPicks Nickel set of interchangables, and luckily enough the store that I'm taking my garment class at carries some of their needles and notions and I couldn't wait any any longer and picked up a set!

One final thing, someone at work is having a baby very soon and we are having a baby shower for her so I thought it might be fun to make some bibs for her baby as part of my present. I'm not sure how many I will have a chance to make but here is the first one!

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

Hardcover vs Paperback 129

2011-07-12T06:00:00.004-05:00

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange new girl in school, and the two soon become as close as sisters. Then Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate hold on Phoebe - but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon Phoebe discovers the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that they are from the faerie realm, here to collect on an age-old debt. And the price of that debt could cost Phoebe everything. But with the help of her friend Ben, Phoebe ultimately learns her own worth and breaks the generations-old curse.

I'm sort of torn on this one. I love the look of the Hardcover, a sort of down the rabbit hole look yet the eye contact on the paperback is fabulous. I wish we could have gotten that eye contact in the setting of the first.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Year In Movies: June

2011-07-11T06:00:00.002-05:00

6 movies for me in June.

No Strings Attached- Extremely predictable but cute. Fun seeing Natalie Portman in a chickflick.

The Tourist- This movie was kind of slow going but I adored the ending!

Tangled- I kept hearing how wonderful this movie was and thought I'd give it a try and it totally was!

Megamind- Also cute, reminded me a little of The Incredibles. Some laugh out loud moments.

The King's Speech- Finally saw this! It was enjoyable.

He's Just Not That Into You- Rewatch, I love movies that are told in vignettes.

This Week in Books or the Long Winded Post

2011-07-10T17:55:00.000-05:00

For some reason I have a lot to say this week!

Twisted by Sara Shepard (Purchased at Borders-I actually committed the ultimate betrayal to get this book... I went to Borders, my beloved bookstore and they had run out apparently they didn't get their full shipment and when asked if I wanted them to order it for me, I told them I was going to Target, I really wanted the book THAT second! I have started it and am still so giddy there are more books in the series!)

Love Story by Jennifer Echols (Requested Review Copy-I LOVE her books and it was funny, right before it showed up in the mail someone let me know I was quoted in it, it was the same quote from Forget You!)

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (Just Showed Up Review Copy-I sighed with happiness when I saw this cover, so much better than the US version)

Tighter by Adele Griffin (Duplicate Just Showed Up Review Copy- I don't usually show duplicates but it snuck in there.)

You Don't Know Me by Brian Meehl (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Welcome to Bordertown by Various (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

Lookalikes 141

2011-07-08T07:19:00.000-05:00

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Paperback)

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

In this case I like the Forest of Hands and Teeth better (though when it comes to that series I much prefer the first attempt at covers, they were so beautiful). The focus of Never Knowing doesn't do much for me.

Thanks to Book Chic who also spotted this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week in Books

2011-07-03T21:10:00.000-05:00

Cherished by Kim Hargreaves (Purchased on Kyarns.com I was so excited to find this since I believe it is out of print. I also got a nice big stack of Berroco booklets!)

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter (Just showed up review copy)
Dark Souls by Paula Morris (Just showed up review copy)

Weekly Dose of Crafts

2011-06-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

Not much to see today but I wanted to tell you that I finished my shawl from last week! It ate up yarn like crazy and during the bind off I finally ran out of yarn. I had to do some cringe worthy things to finish including using tails and eventually when those ran out I found a swatch of the same yarn and started to unravel it, the shawl was getting done and I wasn't going to go buy a new ball just for the bind off lol!

Sunday I ordered 2 seasons worth of the Berroco booklets and actually the yarn to start the scarf I linked to last week. When my package arrives later this week I think I will definitely be starting my scarf. But in the meantime I've been doing a little bit of work on two of my wips from long ago. They look like blobs here but eventually they will both be scarves/shawls!

A Little Ruffle

Melody's Shawl

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

This Week in Books or Say Hello to My Floor!

2011-06-26T20:58:00.000-05:00

The direct result of getting rid of all those books last week was having wayyyy more floor space so to celebrate I spread out all my new books on the floor to take a picture! Yay!

All the books this week are Just Showed Up review copies.

The Bed and the Bachelor by Tracy Anne Warren
Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Starstruck by Cyn Balog
Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris
Sass & Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards
Amen, L.A. by Cherie Bennett & Jeff Gottesfeld
The Sons of Liberty: Death and Taxes by a ton of people
Wildcat Fireflies by Amber Kizer
The Summer I Learned to Fly by Dana Reinhardt
Away Teri Hall
Stay with Me by Paul Griffin

Weekly Dose of Crafts

2011-06-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure when but sometime last week I got going again on this shawl I had started in the Spring! And I've been knitting daily on it ever since! I've recaught the knitting bug!

It is this pattern and the yarn I am using is Bernat Mosaic in Ambrosia, I've used this yarn before for a few projects I think, luckily they have come out with some new colors that I'm hoping to try sometime soon!

Also, any Berroco lovers out there? They recently came out with their new Fall/Winter yarns and booklets, I'm so excited! This is my favorite yarn and pattern!

Blog Tour: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

2011-06-21T06:00:00.008-05:00

Today I'm excited to welcome Nova Ren Suma, the author of Imaginary Girls! I've heard wonderful things about her book and can't wait to get my hands on a copy! The book was released on June 14th, here is a bit of information on the book:

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

On each blog tour stop Nova is sharing a secret about Imaginary Girls. Let's hear about Secret #2!

I’m here spilling secrets about my book Imaginary Girls. As the cover says, “Secrets never stay below the surface.” I guess not, because here’s another one bubbling up now…

Secret #2: I attempted—and failed—to write Imaginary Girls as a NaNoWriMo novel.

One year I needed a kick in the pants, so I signed up to write a novel in a month. It was November of 2007, and I decided to quickly draft my first YA novel for NaNoWriMo, aka National Novel Writing Month. That novel was an early, embryonic form of Imaginary Girls, and I gave those 1,667 words a day a solid try, even though my usual way of writing is to carefully carve and revise as I go. I got over 40,000 rough words in thirty days, which is miraculous for me, but that’s still not enough to “win” NaNoWriMo: You need 50,000. Still, it’s a good amount of words. The problem was that these words were terrifyingly bad. Awful. Cringe-worthy. In horror, I put the draft aside, unsure of how to fix it.

A few months later—when I could still barely bring myself to look at the NaNoWriMo draft—I was sitting in a café one morning before work and turned on my laptop only to find the screen ominously turn to rainbows and then go blank. Turns out my hard drive melted into nothingness and no data could be retrieved, not even by professionals. And guess what? I hadn’t backed up in months and the only place that novel existed was on my hard drive. Even if I’d wanted to revise the pages I’d written in a month, I couldn’t. They were gone forever. (Yes, I cried. Now I see it as a painful blessing. Also I now obsessively back up my computer and you should, too.)

So that’s why no words remain from my first attempt at writing Imaginary Girls. But I wanted to write the book so badly that I started over, from scratch, giving myself way longer than a single month to draft it, and now here we are.

And a few more goodies:

Book Trailer:

Book Sampler
Nova Ren Suma's website and twitter

And last but not least, a giveaway!

Here's how to enter to the winner of a signed finished copy of Imaginary Girls!

Fill out the entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this contest.

The giveaway will end July 5th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

I'm asking for your address straight up. I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.

Giveaway: 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2011-06-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

In celebration of the paperback release and launch of the 13 Reasons Why website I have a giveaway for you!

Penguin launched the 13RW Project at www.13RWProject.com as a place for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why to record their thoughts, stories, videos and photos relating to the book, and to view what other readers from all across the country have shared. Each review is logged on a map to show the many locations that viewers are posting from, and all content is shareable through Facebook and Twitter.

Here is a little about the book if you are unfamiliar:

Thirteen Reasons Why is the story of a girl named Hannah Baker who takes her own life. But before she does, she records several cassette tapes explaining why and sends them to the people she feels pushed her toward that decision. The story is told from the point of view of Clay Jensen who spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah’s voice as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah’s pain, and learns the truth about himself—a truth he never wanted to face.

The anti-bullying anthem was published in hardcover in October 2007 by Razorbill, and quickly became a word-of-mouth favorite among teenaged readers with fans claiming, “This book changed my life.” The novel has been on the New York Times children’s hardcover bestseller list for 65 weeks, foreign rights have been sold into 30 countries and it has been acquired by Universal Pictures and will star Selena Gomez.

I'll admit I have had the book for years but have been a little afraid to read it. I know my reaction to it will be really strong and I'm not sure if I'm ready for it yet. From what I've heard this book is amazing though!

Here's how to enter to be 1 of 2 winners of the paperback!

Fill out the entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this contest.

The giveaway will end June 27th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

I'm asking for your address straight up. I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.

This Week in Books or 354 books lighter

2011-06-19T19:21:00.000-05:00

I have something amazing to tell you. Once they get to their new homes I will have gotten rid of 354 books this week. Can you believe it?

Anyhow, two books for me this week, one I'm VERY excited about!

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (Requested review copy)

Exile by Rebecca Lim (Just showed up review copy)

#NinePaths Mystery Object & the Premiere of Chloe King!

2011-06-14T21:21:00.000-05:00

After finishing the Ninth Path yesterday I had one item left in my box, a copy of Romeo and Juliet, eventually I got an email saying that I would be able to figure out the meaning of it by watching tonight's premiere! At first I took it very literal expecting Chloe to be reading the book for school or something and then eventually it dawned on me what the book represented.

The book totally represents Chloe and Brian's relationship (if they end up having one) the Mai tell Chloe that Mai (Chloe) and Humans (Brian) can never be intimate or kiss because the human will die. So Romeo & Juliet perfectly represent the star crossed lover quality of their relationship!

Did you enjoy the premiere of Chloe King? I had a lot of fun watching it, gasping and squealing, I can't wait to see where it goes!

The Final Path of #NinePaths

2011-06-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

When I got home tonight and immediately checked my email on my MaiPad because I knew the first clue for the ninth and final path should be waiting for me and it was!

I found out it was finally time to get in touch with Chloe and I had to locate her email address. The first clue I was given was this:

I had to translate it using the book of Mai and it translated to YELTIHW. I was then told to enter it onto the Rezza Capital website where I would be able to find Chloe's email address.

I was told it might be a little hard to figure out which email address was Chloe's but it might be in Russian or Ukrainian.

There were a lot of possibilities but luckily I had Chloe's birth certificate out because I thought I might be able to match her name that way and while I wasn't I did locate something that told me which was her's!

See that red number, well it luckily corresponded to the numbers in this email list and wouldn't you know it, it was Chloe's!

I ended up using Google to translate it and luckily you don't even need to specify which language you are trying to translate, it just knows! I emailed ChloeKing@instamailr dot com to TRUST NO ONE and got back an auto reply from her, it looks like she is busy having fun and might not receive our warning! I'm excited to tune into the premiere tomorrow night to see what will happen to Chloe and see if she's received any of our warnings!

I do have one final item in my game box that I haven't used yet and I was told to watch the show tomorrow and see if I could figure out it's meaning!

#NinePaths Seventh & Eighth Paths

2011-06-12T21:21:00.000-05:00

Can you believe Chloe King premiers on Tuesday! Where has the time gone! It seems like just yesterday I started down the Nine Paths and I have it on good authority the Ninth and final path starts tomorrow!

Last week I received this business card and pen in that mail. I noticed how the top was cut strangely and knew there was something special about this business card, it was the start of the seventh path.

Turning it over revealed the message to "Check the box" and when reading that I knew exactly what this card fit with, the envelope Chloe's adoption papers came with.

The email from the Mai on my MaiPad revealed that the word "Hunter" is actually a key to unlock the Media Folder on my MaiPad. When I unlocked it, it revealed a short video of two men plotting something evil and revealed the face of Chloe's foe, Whitley Rezza.

I was also told that once I discovered his identity to tweet the Mai symbol for Foe which you will see below to signal I had completed the seventh path!

Friday afternoon I came home to two identical slim envelopes. One was a warning and the other a threat! Signaling the start of the eighth path! The warning was a note for the Mai saying the stakes were getting higher and to tread carefully. To help me along my journey they enclosed a Mai Protection charm and said there had been a breach in the Mai security system and that if anyone or any group tried to contact me about Chloe to let them know ASAP.

And it turns out the other envelope held a postcard with just that, a threat from Batko.me! So I immediately pulled out my MaiPad and emailed the Mai asking for help!

While I waited to hear back from the Mai I got a little curious about Batko's signature when I had talked to him on twitter his name was slightly different and didn't have a period in it. Guessing it might be a weblink I typed it into my browser and found this picture!

Poor Chloe she doesn't even know she's in danger!

The Mai wrote me back and said I have completed the Eighth path and that they have Protection Charms available to the first 500 people that request one with the word DECEPTION here.

This Week In Books

2011-06-12T20:37:00.001-05:00

As I try again to get rid of more books it's a relief that this weeks collection is so very tiny.

Want to Go Private by Sarah Darer Littman (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Knits to Fit and Flatter by Jane Ellison (Purchased at Borders)

Guest Post from Rainbow Rowell, author of Attachments

2011-06-08T06:00:00.004-05:00

You may remember my review of Attachments from several weeks back where I proclaimed the book was my favorite book of all time. Well I am giddy with excitement that Rainbow was kind enough to write a guest post for me to share with you!

When I started writing my first novel, Attachments, there was one thing I knew for certain:

I didn’t want to write a character who could be played by Matthew McConaughey.

Not that I dislike Matthew McConaughey. (He seems really nice, doesn’t he? Even with the bongo playing?)

But Matthew McConaughey represents a certain type of romantic-comedy hero that I’ve come to loathe.

The man-pig.

The bad boy. The louchebag. The guy who has to be tamed or fixed – or by-true-love cured.

When it’s not Matthew McConaughey in this role, it’s Gerard Butler. Or Josh Duhamel. Or occasionally even my precious Hugh Jackman.

It’s always somebody who looks good with his shirt off because that’s what this character has instead of redeeming qualities – a really spectacular chest. It’s supposed to be disarming, I think.

But it’s not.

For me, there’s nothing romantic – or even darkly irresistible – about a roguishly handsome guy who treats women like Kleenex. When one of these characters comes on screen, I always want Katherine Heigl to run the other way as fast as she can. (It’s always Katherine Heigl, isn’t it? Someone in Hollywood loves watching Katherine Heigl fall in love with lower primates.)

This stereotype – the guys who hates women until he finds the right one – isn’t just gross; it’s kind of a dangerous lie.

In real life, guys are either sexist, misogynist creeps or good guys who usually try to do the right thing. I’ve never met a creep who was just one Kate Hudson encounter away from being a great catch.

It’s insulting to men, I think, to imply that they need Kate Hudson to turn them. That they have to be tricked into wanting love at all.

And it’s insulting to love to imply that this is the point.

Falling in love isn’t about turning a bad person good. It’s about finding someone who’s already good – the specific kind of good that brings out the best in you.

Which brings me to Lincoln.

Lincoln is the main character of my novel, Attachments. He’s an IT guy who gets hired by a newspaper to make sure that nobody is abusing the company’s internet and email. (The book takes place in 1999.) Lincoln has to read everybody’s mail, and in doing so, he falls in love with a woman who works in the newsroom – a film critic who has strong feelings about romantic comedies.

I don’t want to tell you everything about Lincoln because I’m kind of hoping you’ll read my book. But I will tell you that he’s unapologetically good from the get-go.

He loves his mother, he looks up to his sister. He’s the kind of guy who opens doors for you because he opens doors for everyone, because it’s just a polite thing to do.

But being nice doesn’t make Lincoln boring.

It makes his whole journey more meaningful. Trying to do the right thing is so much harder and more exciting than being a jerk.

Of course … I hope that people who read the book also feel this way.

The last thing I want to read in reviews is, “Needs more McConaughey.”

#NinePaths Sixth Path

2011-06-07T21:45:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I received a package:

The note explained that to start on the Sixth path I would have to examine the t-shirt closely and then email the Mail with my findings. I obviously noticed the symbol on the front of the shirt which the symbol for danger.

DANGER

As protectors and warriors, the Mai have

acquired a few enemies. Some enemies

are extremely dangerous to the Mai and

this Danger symbol is used to flag the most deadly.

I also noticed the x99 but couldn't locate any meaning for it.

Eventually I found the phone number hidden in the bottom inside of the t-shirt and it all made sense.

Calling the number I heard the following message:

We believe the Uniter is here is San Francisco. If this girl is in fact the Uniter remember she has nine lives. You must eliminate the threat. One word of caution. It has come to our attention that a group called the circle is helping the Mai. Do not allow them to get in your way. I repeat do not allow the Circle to get in your way. Eliminate the threat.

After relaying that to the Mai they let me know you too can acquire one of these t-shirts. You have to figure out what the password is from the transcribed message above and enter it here. Good luck!

The Nine Paths to Chloe King Free Gift offer (“Offer”) is valid from 5/24/11 at 8:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time ("PDT") to 6/14/11 at 11:59:59 PM PDT or until supplies last, whichever is sooner. Offer open to residents of 50 US & DC, 13 & older who follow a participating blogger in The Nine Paths to Chloe King Blogger/Journalist Program (“Blogger”) at time of redeeming free gift (“Free Gift”). Each 1 of 3 Free Gifts available is tied to a different code word which will be revealed by Blogger at 3 separate times (estimated to be 5/24/11, 6/6/11, and 6/10/11). To redeem a Free Gift (while supplies last), go to abcfamily.com/ninepaths & enter code. Expect Free Gift within 8–10 weeks from 6/14/11. Limit: 1 Free Gift/person. Void where prohibited.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to persons who are, as of entry, 18 years of age or older, legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. and who are bloggers or journalists specifically invited to participate by Sponsor. Starts May 24, 2011 once game boxes are received and ends on June 14, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM PDT. Void where prohibited. Click here for Official Rules Terms and Conditions and complete entry and prize details.

Alea's 13 Most Anticipated BEA 2011 Titles

2011-06-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to share with you the 13 books that excited me the most at BEA this year. Most I came home with ARCs of, and then a few a sampler and a few posters but regardless of what I came home with these books have got me excited!

In no particular order, my 13 most anticipated BEA 2011 Titles!

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (January 2nd 2012)

This book just sounds super super super cute! I'm totally loving all the British love interests in YA lately! I also like how this is set over 24 hours and in an airport and a plane!

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

(September 5th 2011)

I really enjoyed Keplinger's first book, The DUFF so I'm sure this one will be just as good! She doesn't shy away from telling it how it is and using the real language teens actually use!

Straw House, Wood House,
Brick House, Blow by Daniel Nayeri (October 11th 2011)

I really enjoyed Another Faust that Nayeri wrote with his sister. And this sounds like a highly original book, it's 4 novellas from different genres. The sampler I got features the novella Blow I believe which is a love story told from Death's perspective, this definitely seems like it will be interesting!

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler art by Maira Kalman (January 2nd 2012)

This is the second year in a row I failed to meet Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket, hopefully someday! But I was still lucky enough to score a copy of his upcoming book Why We Broke Up. It looks like the story starts with a box of things from the relationship of these two people! I think it could be fabulous!

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler
(November 21st 2011)

I love the idea of The Future of Us, in 1996 two kids find their facebook pages from 15 years in the future. Not something you will see everyday! I am always attracted to books that explore social media as a means of storytelling!

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

(October 10th 201)

I danced for about 12 years from Elementary school until I graduated from High school and while I was never as serious as it sounds like the characters in this book are I've always had a soft spot for dance,t so I'm totally excited about this book!

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick
by Joe Schreiber (October 25th 2011)

When I saw the title for this book on the screen at the YA Editors Buzz I burst out laughing. And even though it turned out the book wasn't about anything I had expected it to be, it turned out to be even more crazy and original sounding! I don't want to give a lot away but the back of the ARC says "Ferris Bueller Meets La Femme Nikita in this funny, action-packed young adult novel."

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling (November 1st 2011)

I was lucky enough to hear Mindy speak at one of the Adult Author Breakfasts at BEA and let me tell you, she was HILARIOUS! I read a few of the sample chapters and I love her writing style, it's going to be wonderful! No wonder the Office can be so funny when they have someone like her writing it!

Cakespy: Sweet Treats for a
Sugar-Filled Life by Jessie Oleson
(October 11th 2011)

This book has never made me want to eat paper more. The sampler came with two recipes, one for S'moreos and one for Ice Cream Pudding Pie, both which look delicious There are also cute illustrations sprinkled throughout! To hold me over until the release I have been checking out the CakeSpy blog!

Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl (August 30th 2011)

I've loved all of the Victoria Dahl books I've read so far so I have a feeling this one will be just as fun!

Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins (October 25th 2011)

I've also really enjoyed all the Kristan Higgins books I've read! I think Victoria Dahl and Kristan Higgins are definitely my two favorite contemporary romance authors!

Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall (September 22nd 2011)

When I was looking up events that were going to be at BEA a found a listing for Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections and wondered how I had gone so long without knowing about her! The book is set to be a collection of her beautiful drawings of missed connections, you know, the ads in the newspaper, I saw you (insert place) and you were wearing (insert color and shirt type) and I was the person in the.... anyhow from what I've seen of her drawings and the poster she signed for me at BEA this is going to be one beautiful book!

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On: Things About Me by Jenny Slate & Dean Fleischer-Camp
(November 1st 2011)

What else can I say about this one besides it's Marcel the Shell AS A BOOK! I've heard there are going to be paintings in the book instead of photography like I had imagined. I was so excited to meet the two creators at BEA!

To see a full list of the books I picked up at BEA click here.

This Week in Books or Two Weeks Worth Again!

2011-06-05T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today I am sharing the books I got at home in the last two weeks, NYC and BEA will come later!

All just showed up review copies:

Legend by Marie Lu (this one came in an interesting little marketing box)

All You Desire by Kirsten Miller

Passion by Lauren Kate

Get Rid of Books Summer Challenge!

2011-06-04T14:06:00.000-05:00

Do you have so many books it would take multiple lifetimes to read them all? When you look at your books do you see clutter instead of wonderful reading adventures? Have you ruined a bookcase because of the weight you have tried to force it to hold? Do you laugh when someone asks you if you have enough bookcases for all those books? Do you regularly trip over stacks of books? Do you use a stack of books as a side table? If you answered yes to any of these questions I may have an answer for you.... the Get Rid of Books Summer Challenge!

Ok now seriously, I was chatting with a few lovely people on twitter asking if anyone would be interested in embarking on a challenge where we try and get rid of books, which I know is very hard! And both Sarah and Lilibeth were kind enough to express interest!

I'm going to keep this very simple and laid back, it is summer after all!

This is how it will work:

Starting today June 4th until September 4th do whatever you need to to get rid of some books, I don't care where they go, donate them, sell them, pass them on, have a contest. Whatever you feel comfortable with (please don't tell me if they go in the garbage though I might cry!) and keep track of the number of books that are no longer in your possession.

Come back here at the end of the challenge and give me your final tally, we will do this on the honor system. And whoever has gotten rid of the most books over the summer will win a book (Under $20 and something I can easily purchase in the US, and US only for shipping), yes totally against our point I know, but that's how I roll!

So that's basically it! Leave a comment here if you would like to join in! Maybe I'll do a mid-point check in to see how everyone is doing!

Also I couldn't have a challenge without a quick little button for you all if you want to use it! Ironically the books in that photo I've already looked through and they are not going to be going anywhere!

Let me know if you have any questions and good luck!

#NinePaths Fourth and Fifth Paths

2011-06-03T20:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I opened up my email on my MaiPad to see the beginning of the fourth path! The email instructed me to take out the mysterious pink bib (I couldn't wait to find out what the bib was for!) in my game box and look carefully to find the symbol on it.

Here is the symbol:

I translated the symbol using the Book of Mai on my MaiPad the symbol means:

TRUST

Although known for their cautious nature,

the Mai have an innate sense about who

can be trsted and use this Symbol as a

universal stamp of approval.

Then I typed in the web link that was listed by the symbol: Kiddiebibs.com. Then typed in trust (lowercase mind you) into the Vendor Code area which brought up a clip of Chloe King being chased ending with the words "Chloe is in danger and needs your help."

And today I started on the Fifth path as well! I received an email telling me there was someone out there trying to do harm to Chloe. They are @Batko614 on twitter and we (and I would love your help on this) are supposed to tweet him misleading messages so he doesn't find Chloe. I think I'm going to tweet him that I last saw her riding away on a tapir in the jungle. :P If you decide to tweet him too let me know what lie you told him on twitter! If you want to follow me on twitter you can find me at @mint910!

As I was getting ready to work on my post I received another email saying to continue the path I should search "Chloe's Crush" on Google to find a hidden video of Chloe's life!

It lead me to this video showing a bit more of the cute boy Chloe met in the trailer for the show!

Can't wait to see where the Sixth Path will take me!

Arrival of the BEA Box (only 1 this year!)

2011-06-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

My box of BEA books arrived this afternoon and I was very excited to see the box was intact, unlike last year! I tried to approach BEA with a more casual attitude this year (which included being more picky about what books I came home with), and I think I mostly succeeded! I'll share some highlights of my trip soon! If you want to see the visual highlights visit this post!

If you went to BEA or even if you didn't, what book are you most excited to read from BEA?

What Alea Saw in NYC

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

#NinePaths Third Path

2011-05-31T20:38:00.000-05:00

I returned home from my first day back at work after my vacation to a wonderful surprise. The start of the third path in the Nine Paths of Chloe King! While I was expecting some information on the third path I didn't expect it to come to my doorstep!

This is what was inside:

The back of the little slip of paper with symbols on it reads:

"To unmask the ancient Mai script, seek the Bastet in your Book of Mai. A secret waits beneath. Tweet the decoded message using #TheUniter."

I also ended up checking my special email account on my MaiPad and good thing too because that included a new version of the Book of Mai I needed to read to decode the message.

The message read "The Uniter is Chloe King" when I tweeted that I received a tweet back with this image:

Are you playing along with the Nine Paths of Chloe King? You can play along here! And also get your own Circle Charm by typing in the word Circle.

The Nine Paths to Chloe King Free Gift offer (“Offer”) is valid from 5/24/11 at 8:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time ("PDT") to 6/14/11 at 11:59:59 PM PDT or until supplies last, whichever is sooner. Offer open to residents of 50 US & DC, 13 & older who follow a participating blogger in The Nine Paths to Chloe King Blogger/Journalist Program (“Blogger”) at time of redeeming free gift (“Free Gift”). Each 1 of 3 Free Gifts available is tied to a different code word which will be revealed by Blogger at 3 separate times (estimated to be 5/24/11, 6/6/11, and 6/13/11). To redeem a Free Gift (while supplies last), go to ahttp://abcfamily.go.com/shows/nine-lives-chloe-king/nine-paths & enter code. Expect Free Gift within 8–10 weeks from 6/14/11. Limit: 1 Free Gift/person. Void where prohibited.

#NinePaths Second Path

2011-05-30T18:13:00.000-05:00

I actually found my way down the Second Path of the the Nine Paths of Chloe King the end of last week but coming down with a cold and traveling home from New York City has prevented me from sharing the conclusions I came to until now.

The second path started with an email, including a set of 3 questions and a photo.

The three questions were:

What is the ancient Egyptian name for this statue?
What very warm and bright star did ancient Egyptians originally connect to this statue?
What city in Egypt contained a "cult" that was dedicated to the Goddess connected to this statue?

And the photo was:

I was instructed to use the Google App on my MaiPad to photograph the image and after about 10 tries it came up with a result that looked rather similar to my photo and I set off on my journey to answer the three questions.

With the help of my BEA roommates and some Twitter pals here are the answers I came up with.

First of all the statue depicted is an ancient Egyptian cat statue. The ancient Egyptian name for it is the Bastet and the very warm and bright star that it was originally connected to in ancient Egypt is the sun! And finally the Egyptian city that contained a "cult" that was dedicated to the Goddess that was connected to the statue was Bubastis.

I was then instructed to type in the three answers (Bastet, Sun, and Bubastis) into a YouTube search and this is the video I found:

Don't forget, you can play along too by visiting this link! I can't wait to see what the third path will be!

#NinePaths First Path

2011-05-27T21:21:00.000-05:00

When I opened the Chloe King box on Tuesday I immediately started on my First Path or task. The notes led me to the MaiPad where I was instructed to open the notepad app.

There I found instructions on how to fold the birth certificate to locate a clue on the First Path.

Folded, the birth certificate reads "'Smila Ukraine Find This on MaiMap now."

I zoomed in on the MaiMap and found Smila and when I clicked it a message popped up saying to complete this path I had to look up to meaning of Smila and email it to the Mai. So I did just that, Smila means brave girl.

Don't forget you can sign up to receive a Circle charm! Visit this link and enter in the password Circle. There is only a limited quantity available.

The Nine Paths to Chloe King Free Gift offer (“Offer”) is valid from 5/24/11 at 8:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time ("PDT") to 6/14/11 at 11:59:59 PM PDT or until supplies last, whichever is sooner. Offer open to residents of 50 US & DC, 13 & older who follow a participating blogger in The Nine Paths to Chloe King Blogger/Journalist Program (“Blogger”) at time of redeeming free gift (“Free Gift”). Each 1 of 3 Free Gifts available is tied to a different code word which will be revealed by Blogger at 3 separate times (estimated to be 5/24/11, 6/6/11, and 6/13/11). To redeem a Free Gift (while supplies last), go to ahttp://abcfamily.go.com/shows/nine-lives-chloe-king/nine-paths & enter code. Expect Free Gift within 8–10 weeks from 6/14/11. Limit: 1 Free Gift/person. Void where prohibited.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to persons who are, as of entry, 18 years of age or older, legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. and who are bloggers or journalists specifically invited to participate by Sponsor. Starts May 24, 2011 once game boxes are received and ends on June 14, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM PDT. Void where prohibited. Click here for Official Rules Terms and Conditions and complete entry and prize details.

Lookalikes 140

2011-05-27T06:00:00.003-05:00

Consequences of the Heart by Peter Cunningham

FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michlle Cooper

I love this set of lookalikes, how the cropping of the photo can totally change the story that is playing out in the image. In the first cover we see a man kneeling down at the girl's feet which is totally missing in the second cover. Also having that second man in the cover really downplays the other man behind the girl. Is it just me or does the girl's long dress in the first cover make the photo look a little weird, like something is wrong with the proportions (her face is so small compared to that dress!)? While I like the photograph I think because of the weirdness I am getting from the less cropped dress I'm going to pick the second.

Thanks to Yan who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

The Nine Lives of Chloe King: Nine Paths Game

2011-05-25T21:24:00.000-05:00

Last week I received an email from ABC Family inviting me to participate in the Nine Paths to Chloe King game for the new show The Nine Live of Chloe King which premiers on June 14th.

The game started yesterday and I received a mysterious box in the mail. This is the sticker that was on the outside of the box.

When I opened the white shipping box a beautiful wooden box was revealed with symbols on it that I believe are part of the Chloe King world.

Sliding the lid off revealed two compartments within the box, one containing a MaiPad-a customized iPad 2 and a note that said start here and a letter.

Here is a photo of all of the contents including a myterious pink bib.

I will share more about my specific tasks at a later date but for now some information about how you can participate in the world of Chloe King.

Chloe King trailer

Everyone is invited to play along with the Nine Paths game on the ABC Family website, I was told it is similar to what I am playing but I am not sure how it is different. Check out the game here. The first person to win that version of the game can win a set visit!

In my box there was a circle charm pictured below. You can also receive a charm and become a part of the Circle of Strangers, visit this link and enter in the password Circle. There is only a limited quantity available.

The Nine Paths to Chloe King Free Gift offer (“Offer”) is valid from 5/24/11 at 8:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time ("PDT") to 6/14/11 at 11:59:59 PM PDT or until supplies last, whichever is sooner. Offer open to residents of 50 US & DC, 13 & older who follow a participating blogger in The Nine Paths to Chloe King Blogger/Journalist Program (“Blogger”) at time of redeeming free gift (“Free Gift”). Each 1 of 3 Free Gifts available is tied to a different code word which will be revealed by Blogger at 3 separate times (estimated to be 5/24/11, 6/6/11, and 6/13/11). To redeem a Free Gift (while supplies last), go to ahttp://abcfamily.go.com/shows/nine-lives-chloe-king/nine-paths & enter code. Expect Free Gift within 8–10 weeks from 6/14/11. Limit: 1 Free Gift/person. Void where prohibited.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to persons who are, as of entry, 18 years of age or older, legal residents of, and physically located within, the 50 United States or D.C. and who are bloggers or journalists specifically invited to participate by Sponsor. Starts May 24, 2011 once game boxes are received and ends on June 14, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM PDT. Void where prohibited. Click here for Official Rules Terms and Conditions and complete entry and prize details.

Hardcover vs Paperback 128

2011-05-24T06:00:00.016-05:00

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy—abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Brad Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl—and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape—but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world.

Even though I never think I'll read it I've always loved the Hardcover of The Passage, it's beautiful and kind of creepy at the same time. And they go and make the paperback orange? I really hope that has some kind of significance in the book because use as a design element alone it is really not fun to look at.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week in Books

2011-05-22T09:00:00.002-05:00

The book highlight of my week was getting to attend a reading and signing of The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen. She's just as sweet in person as you could imagine! If she is stopping near you I would definitely go meet her!

Purchased at Half Price Books:
Knitting Noro by Jane Ellison

Harlequin Ambassadors:
The Billionaire's Unexpected Heir by Kathie DeNosky

Just Showed Up Review Copies:
Here Come the Girls by Milly Johnson
Daughters of Fortune by Tara Hyland
Goddess of Vengeance by Jackie Collins
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

Giveaway: Random Boxes of Books

2011-05-15T09:42:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! I somehow found it within my self to clear out a few books (trust me you can't even see the dent) and I wanted to pass them onto some people here that might enjoy them!

Basically I grabbed the boxes I had and fit as many books as I could into them by category. The 3 boxes are:

Middle Grade arcs (14 books)
Young Adult arcs (10 books)
Harlequin titles (22 books)

I'm also going to ask for your address straight up when entering so I can get them out right away. I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.

I just know that three of you will make great homes for these books!

Here's how to enter to be one of 3 winners!!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here. OVER

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this specific contest.

The giveaway will end May 16th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

This Week in Books or Two Weeks Worth

2011-05-15T09:00:00.004-05:00

When I was getting ready to work on my post last Sunday night I was feeling rather under the weather so I've got two weeks here!

Purchased on Amazon:
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Amigurumi Toy Box by Ana Paula Rimoli
Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Just Showed Up Review Copies:
Viola in the Spotlight by Adrian Trigiani
The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries Vol 3 the Craving (they are really wishywashy about who the author is of this)
The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney
The Lucky Kind by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Tighter by Adele Griffin
Kiss of Death by Lauren Henderson

Bridesmaids: A Movie Review

2011-05-13T22:20:00.002-05:00

**I was hoping to post this in the morning for anyone that was planning to head out and see the movie tonight and wanted some info but as a lot of us known blogger was down. :( **

Remember forever ago when I used to review movies, you know when they were more than a 1 sentence reaction? Well it's finally time for another one of those! Last week I had the exciting opportunity to see a screening of Bridesmaids and boy was it funny!

It was a great balance of everything in love in a funny movie! Tons of laugh out loud moments and I mean tons but also a good amount of heart. It's definitely not a chick flick, daring to go to a few OMG they did not go there places having me practically in tears from laughter. But it also explores friendships between women and how they can change due to any number of factors.

Some of my favorite moments include a plane and a cameo by Melissa McCarthy's husband, a chocolate fountain, lip syncing and 2 British siblings. I definitely can't wait to watch this movie again!

First let's talk about the cast, so so many wonderful actresses and a few wonderful actors as well.

The movie stars Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live) as Annie who also co-wrote the movie as the best friend and Maid of Honor of Maya Rudolph (Saturday Night Live, Away We Go) as Lillian the bride, and Rose Byrne (Damages) who I always thought more as a dramatic actress as Helen the very put together new friend of Lillian. The cast of bridesmaids is rounded out by Melissa McCarthy (Gilmore Girls) like you have never seen her before as Megan, Ellie Kemper (The Office) as Becca and Wendi McLendon-Covey (Reno 911) as Rita. So definitely a very talented and hilarious cast.

You'll also see a cameo appearance by Jon Hamm (Mad Men) as Ted who I've always thought should do more comedy, 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live come to mind as HILARIOUS and Chris O'Dowd (The IT Crowd) takes the cake as my favorite male cast member, I love this guy!

I do wish we would have seen more of Becca and Rita, their storylines were much smaller than the rest of the women. I could not get over Melissa McCarthy and Megan, in a lot of scenes she stole the show.

Some of the funniest scenes were between Annie and Helen, Lillian's two best friends. They are complete opposites, Annie's life has pretty much fallen apart while Helen's cannot be more put together. The tension between them is hilarious, though they have just met for the first time at Lillian's Engagement party it doesn't stop them from going at it from the very start.

Oh man how I adore Chris O'Dowd and I had no idea he was even in this movie! When he came on screen for the first time my friend had to shush me because I was so excited and started chattering.

One super random comment, Kristen Wiig has the best earrings in this movie, did anyone else notice this? So if you go to see the movie I hope you enjoy it and stop back to tell me what you think!

Synopsis:

This spring, producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Superbad) and director Paul Feig (creator of Freaks and Geeks) invite you to experience Bridesmaids. Kristen Wiig leads the cast as Annie, a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony.

Annie’s life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian’s maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she’ll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you’ll go for someone you love.

And I have some 2 Bridesmaids Survival Kits to share with 2 of you!

Bridesmaids Survival Kit - Mesh bag filled with:
·         lip balm
·         mints
·         comb/mirror
·         nail files
·         shot glass engagement ring
·         Bridesmaids T-shirt
·         And a copy of the official soundtrack!

Here's how to enter!!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

The giveaway will end May 27th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Prize provided by marketing firm**

Blog Tour: So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti

2011-05-11T20:34:00.000-05:00

Today I'm excited to welcome back Susane Colasanti who's latest book So Much Closer was released on May 3rd. I'm really excited for this book of hers because is it just me or does the premise give a off a bit of a Felicity vibe, my all time favorite show!

Here is the book summary:

When Brooke's crush, Scott, moves from their suburban town to New York City, she decides to follow him there. Living with her formerly estranged dad and adapting to a new school are challenging, and things go from bad to worse when Brooke learns that Scott already has a girlfriend. But as she builds her new life, Brooke begins to discover a side of herself she never knew existed. And as she finds out, in the city that never sleeps, love can appear around any corner...

During the So Much Closer tour Susane is sharing a bit about some of the places that are featured or mentioned in the book! Take it away Susane!

Greetings, friendly neighbors! I’m stoked to share some of the inspiration for my fifth book, So Much Closer.

Realistic fiction is my thing. I like incorporating details inspired by my own experiences to make my books feel as realistic as possible. So Much Closer takes place in my neighborhood, the West Village. I had lots of fun including my fave New York City places and things in this book. For my blog tour, we thought it would be fun to share some of them with you. So here we go!

9. Strawberry Fields

There’s a place in Central Park where Beatles fans go to remember John Lennon. They bring guitars. They sing Beatles songs. They leave flowers and cards for John on a tile mosaic that says Imagine. That place is called Strawberry Fields. And tons of people gather there every single day.

Strawberry Fields is located in a little clearing across from the Dakota, where John Lennon lived. It’s an intense place where people from all around the city go to worship at the altar of their musical religion. To honor the memory of John Lennon, I wanted to include a scene at Strawberry Fields in So Much Closer. I also thought it would be funny for one of the characters to be singing all loudly even though he can’t sing. Plus, I brought back a character from one of my previous books readers told me they wanted to see more of. I hope you approve!

This book also has a really great book trailer, it is simple and sweet but definitely leaves you wanting to read the book I think!

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Also the Susane Colasanti Sampler has been updated with a excerpt of So Much Closer and a Q & A with Susane. To learn more visit Susane Colasanti's website.

And I also have a giveaway for you today!

Here's how to enter to win a signed finish copy of So Much Closer!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

The giveaway will end May 26th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Prize provided by the publisher**

Blog Tour: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

2011-05-05T06:00:00.065-05:00

Amazon.com:

Beth and Jennifer know their company monitors their office e-mail. But the women still spend all day sending each other messages, gossiping about their coworkers at the newspaper and baring their personal lives like an open book. Jennifer tells Beth everything she can't seem to tell her husband about her anxieties over starting a family. And Beth tells Jennifer everything, period.

When Lincoln applied to be an Internet security officer, he hardly imagined he'd be sifting through other people's inboxes like some sort of electronic Peeping Tom. Lincoln is supposed to turn people in for misusing company e-mail, but he can't quite bring himself to crack down on Beth and Jennifer. He can't help but be entertained-and captivated- by their stories.

But by the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late for him to ever introduce himself. What would he say to her? "Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you." After a series of close encounters and missed connections, Lincoln decides it's time to muster the courage to follow his heart . . . even if he can't see exactly where it's leading him.

Written with whip-smart precision and charm, Attachments is a strikingly clever and deeply romantic debut about falling in love with the person who makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Even if it's someone you've never met.

It's kind of funny that I originally was attracted to this book because part of it was told through emails. I thought it would be a fun book but it turned out to be one of my all time favorite books, and actually I'm pretty sure my #1 favorite of all time. (I don't joke around with favorites I think I've had maybe 6 in my life?)

Let's talk a little about the plot, so yes, there are those emails I was talking about between 2 friends Jennifer (who is married) and Beth (who has a long term boyfriend). Now we get to read these emails because it is Lincoln's job to monitor the emails at the newspaper they all work at and his portion of the story is told through I guess you would call it narrative? Emails with questionable content for whatever reason (flagged words etc), go to Lincoln and he is supposed to crack down on the offenders. I bet you are thinking "Say what, that's a crazy job!" And while it is, it makes a little more sense because the book takes place in 1999. So after reading a bunch of their emails Lincoln starts to feel weird about contacting them about their conduct but can't seem to stop reading their emails and ends falls for Beth in the process.

Lincoln is sort of lost in his path through life, he's gone to school A LOT, lives with his mother still (he's in his late 20s), is sort of shy and is still really affected by his one major relationship he had in his life. Basically he's a really sweet guy but no one but his small group of friends would know it and at first I don't think we the reader do either. In a lot of ways it kind of creeps me out how much I related to and understand Lincoln. And that's one thing I really loved about this book, of many.

The way the story evolves just hit all the right notes for me, seeing Lincoln starting to better himself for a woman he doesn't even really know, seeing Beth really decide what to do about her relationship... I really can't put into words how just right and wonderful this book is. It made me laugh, giggle and literally cry tears of joy over the ending of this book. I was so invested in the story. There are some wonderful twists and nuances I'm dying to tell you about but it's so much more fun if you read it yourself!

And oh that ending, talk about perfect, I finally realized, reading the ending, Attachments reminded me a lot of one of my favorite movies Amelie (the plot, the magic, the wonderful ending just so many things).

I read the book about a month ago over about 2 super busy days (every time I was at home I was reading) and whenever I think of it or mention it my heart literally leaps, I know that sounds super cheesy but I mean it. There is no way I can do this book justice so if you are at all intrigued do yourself a favor and check it out! I try not to tell people flat out, read this book, but seriously READ THIS BOOK!

Attachments was released on April 14th

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

5/5 Stars

Review copy provided by publisher for blog tour

And luckily enough I have the chance to give one of you a copy of this book!

Here's how to enter to be the winner of the Attachments:

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. and Canada only.

The giveaway will end May 19th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

Entries left in the comments of this blog post will not be counted, please fill out the giveaway entry form.

**Prize provided by the publisher **

Even though Pretty Little Liars is between seasons A is still keeping an eye on me....

2011-05-02T14:00:00.001-05:00

I was wondering if I would hear from A anytime soon since Pretty Little Liars isn't airing right now, the summer premiere is June 14th! But she decided to let me know she was still out there! Last Monday I got this package to celebrate Earth Day.

She sent me some black gardening gloves, a shovel and a note that read "Shovels and gloves go together like secrets and lies What will you dig up? Happy Earth Day! -A" and the note was printed on one of those cards that you can plant and it has seeds inside of it which will grow. It says they are annual and perennial wildflower seeds!

There was also a wood shaving with a web address on it, abcfamily.com/PlantingLies

Who else is excited for the summer premiere! And the next book in the series, Twisted which comes out on July 5th and FINALLY has a cover!

This Year in Movies: April

2011-05-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

This month I watched 6 movies nothing that really blew me away though....

The Switch- This movie started kind of weird but it ended up being pretty sweet in the end.

Love and Other Drugs- Ok, I felt like I've seen this exact movie sometime in the past, the most unique thing about it was the background of the pharmaceutical industry.

Waiting for Superman- This was my favorite movie this month. Everyone should see this documentary!

How Do You Know- Meh. I think there was something off with the writing here. The actors are usually great in other roles, the plot was all over the place and the dialogue was off.

10 to 11- I got to go to the local International Film Festival this year and I saw two movies. I went a few years ago and was excited to go again this year. I rather liked this movie, it was a quiet sort of humor, interesting.

The Bengali Detective- I saw this documentary at the film festival as well, it was a strange mix between really sad, disturbing and hilarious. I liked it but it ended rather abruptly.

This Week in Books

2011-05-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

Two more just showed up review copies.

Tempted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Wild by Aprilynne Pike

Hardcover vs Paperback 127

2011-04-26T21:14:00.000-05:00

A Separate Country by Robert Hicks

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Set in New Orleans in the years after the Civil War, A Separate Country is based on the incredible life of John Bell Hood, arguably one of the most controversial generals of the Confederate Army--and one of its most tragic figures. Robert E. Lee promoted him to major general after the Battle of Antietam. But the Civil War would mark him forever. At Gettysburg, he lost the use of his left arm. At the Battle of Chickamauga, his right leg was amputated. Starting fresh after the war, he married Anna Marie Hennen and fathered 11 children with her, including three sets of twins. But fate had other plans. Crippled by his war wounds and defeat, ravaged by financial misfortune, Hood had one last foe to battle: Yellow Fever. A Separate Country is the heartrending story of a decent and good man who struggled with his inability to admit his failures-and the story of those who taught him to love, and to be loved, and transformed him.

While this is a book I probably wouldn't ever read I am really attracted to the hardcover. The colors are so rich and I love the off center and cropped portrait and the typography, it all comes together to create a really yummy cover. While the paperback still uses those same basic elements it kind of loses its magic I think.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week in Books

2011-04-24T22:22:00.001-05:00

Well first of all, wow I have not been posting! Where has the time gone! Bad Alea! Anyhow.... all Just Showed Up Review copies this week.

Apothecary by Maile Meloy
Dark Eden by Patrick Carman
The Watery Part of the World by Michael Parker

This Week In Books

2011-04-17T21:30:00.000-05:00

This week I got all "Just Showed Up Review Copies"!

Monday:
Rotters by Daniel Kraus
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

Tuesday:
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

Thursday:
Pretty Bad Things by C.J. Skuse
Faerie Winter by Janni Lee Simner
Flip by Martyn Bedford
Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson

Saturday:

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson
Unfriended by Katie Finn

What's the Best Book You Have Read Lately?

2011-04-11T20:03:00.002-05:00

Well guess what friends, I'm finally reading again! After months and months of just BLAHHH just blah books and just blah not wanting to read I'm finally enjoying it again!

Among other generally good books, I've read some rather un-put-downable books lately, Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (which I now consider one of my all time favorite books) and Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, both I read in about a day or two. And those are exactly the kinds of book I need right now, ones that will keep me reading and reading and reading!

So I'm turning to you guys for some great suggestions for books you have read recently that you couldn't put down so I can keep myself on the right track and get back to my good ole friend reading once again!

Thanks!

Giveaway: Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe

2011-04-11T06:00:00.002-05:00

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe was a YA Paranormal I really enjoyed (see my review here) and it is coming out in paperback tomorrow, the paperback includes bonus material that wasn't available with the hardcover, such as a couple of deleted scenes featuring two ghosts who didn't make the final cut for the finished book! The author has been kind enough to give one of you a signed paperback!

Amazon.com:

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody . . . and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school. But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme is threatened. So when Tim asks her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, Cass reluctantly agrees. As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance. . . .

Here's how to enter to be the winner of the signed paperback of Give Up the Ghost:

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open worldwide

The giveaway will end April 25th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

Entries left in the comments of this blog post will not be counted, please fill out the giveaway entry form.

**Prize provided by the author**

Check out the book trailer!

This Week In Books

2011-04-10T20:17:00.000-05:00

Thursday:

Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott (Just Shows Up Review Copy)
Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

Friday:

Kiss and Tell by Marni Naomi + Estrus Collection Vol 2 Comic (Purchased from Book Perk and I got the comic as the perk!)

Pop Culture Junkie featured in Figment's Blogs to Stalk column!

2011-04-07T19:37:00.000-05:00

I just got my computer back after it being off getting repaired for a week! Earlier this week I was featured on Figment's blog in the column Blogs to Stalk!

Thanks to Claire and the people over at Figment for featuring me!

This Week in Books or Guess What I'm Actually Reading!

2011-04-03T18:08:00.000-05:00

Things are looking up for the reader in me, I'm actually reading. I finished a book Friday that I had started about a week or so ago and an already halfway through another, rejoice! Now I just have to write some reviews before I forget what I have read! :P

Monday:
The Lovely Shoes by Susan Shreve (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

Tuesday:
My One and Only by Kristan Higgins (Purchased at Target)
The Knitting Diairies by Various (Purchased at Target)

Thursday:
The Vampire Diairies: The Return: Shadow Souls Vol 2 by L.J. Smith (Just Shows Up Review Copy)
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight Vol 3 by L.J. Smith (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

Friday:
Animorphs: The Invasion by K.A. Applegate (Just Shows Up Review Copy)
Animorphs: The Visitor by K.A. Applegate (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

This Year in Movies: March

2011-04-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

This month I watched 7 movies and 1 tv show on dvd!

Monk Season 6- After taking a break for a bit I watched some more Monk!

Duplicity- Eh ok.

The International- Eh slightly less ok.

The Romantics- I liked this but was hoping for just a little more something.

Life As We Know It- Really cute, I was hoping it would be great and it was!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid- Rewatch, I think I wished I was really in the theater seeing the new movie though!

Morning Glory- Really cute too!

Flipped- Sweet, I think the dvd case said something about it being an instant classic, I agree!

Hardcover vs Paperback 126

2011-03-29T21:38:00.000-05:00

Faking 19 by Alyson Noel

Paperback

Paperback Reissue

Amazon.com:

On the surface, seventeen-year-old Alex has it made. She’s beautiful and smart, plus she’s best friends with M, the absolute most popular girl in school. Feeling bored with their fancy Orange County suburban town, Alex and M decide to check out L.A.’s glitzy nightlife scene.

Pretending to be nineteen, Alex and M meet Trevor and Connor, two rich older guys. At first Alex can’t believe her luck—she gets to hang out at hip Hollywood house parties and downtown L.A. clubs. These weekend trips into the city become the perfect distraction for Alex, who is secretly struggling with her failing senior-year grades, her absentee father, and her clueless mom.

But after the initial fun wears off for Alex, she is forced to re-evaluate her friendship with M, who is hiding some secrets beneath her perfect Burberry-clad exterior…

While I like the new paperback a lot more, because of the less posed photography and overall design, I don't think either really captures the essence of the summary. Why do the girls look like they are going on a road trip? I mean yeah they are going to LA but it seems like it is more about the city life and night life not driving around during the day?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week In Books

2011-03-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Tuesday:

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

The FitzOsbornes in Exile by Michelle Cooper (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

Seven Kinds of Ordinary Catastrophes by Amber Kizer (Just Shows Up Review Copy)

Lookalikes 139

2011-03-25T19:57:00.000-05:00

Pay It Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde

The Book of Getting Even by Benjamin Taylor

Going to keep it short today, I like the perfection of the shooting star in the first cover so that gets my vote.

Thanks to Lisette who suggested this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Hardcover vs Paperback 125

2011-03-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Colt and Julia were secretly together for a year, and no one ever knew, not even Julia's boyfriend. Why would they-they were from two different crowds. Julia lived in her country club world and Colt . . . didn't. Then Julia dies in a car accident. Colt is devastated but can't mourn openly, and he's tormented that he may have played a part in her death. And when Julia's journal ends up in his hands, he is forced to relive their year together-just when he is trying to forget. The problem is, how do you get over someone who was never really yours to begin with?

I've always thought the Hardcover of The Secret Year was really unique. I've read the book and think it is an interesting idea to have Julia be the made focus of the Paperback, that eye contact, since the story is told from Colt's perspective. It's almost another hint into Julia's life. I still say the Hardcover is more unique but the Paperback is rather nicely done as well!

Thanks to Liz who reminded me to post this H vs P!

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week In Books or Oh Noes!

2011-03-20T18:45:00.001-05:00

Purchased a few too many books this week compared to recently! Oops!

Just Shows Up Review Copies:
The Hunt of the Unicorn by C.C. Humphreys
Kindred by Tammar Stein
The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge
Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce
It Happened One Season by Various
Tomorrow Girls: Behind the Gates by Eva Gray
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Inside by Brenda Novak

Harlequin Ambassadors:
Smokin' Six-Shooter by B.J. Daniels

Dark Days of Winter Signed books:
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Hourglass by Claudia Gray

I also got my copies of Angelfire and A Touch Mortal signed!

Borders Closing Sale:
Maine Squeeze/Banana Splitsville b Catherine Clark
XVI by Julia Karr
Forget You by Jennifer Echols (had to get a final copy since I'm quoted in it!
I Like Him. He Likes Her by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs
Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City by Holly Denham
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
The Kid Table by Andrea Seigel

Amazon Order:
Scenes from an Impending Marriage by Adrian Tomine
The Tutor by Hope Tarr
My Milk Toof by Inhae Lee
A Knitter's Home Companion by Michelle Edwards

A leaves a spooky suprise on my doorstep

2011-03-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

A from Pretty Little Liars just doesn't stop! I got home late-ish Thursday night and went up to the front door and saw this box on the steps, it was pretty dark because the porch light bulb is burnt out and I was like what on earth is this, it was a long rectangular box, when I went inside I saw it was from A!

I thought it might be some kind of plant or flower based on the package and I was right!

A cute little clover plant! I love the hand-written note from A, I don't think she's written me a note herself before!

On the little plant tab was the web address abcfamily.com/luckylittleliars you will have to click the link to see where it takes you, this time it isn't a video!

Anyhow I'm super excited about the season finale of Pretty Little Liars Monday! The show has definitely been moving up my list of must watch ASAP shows!

Lookalikes 138

2011-03-18T21:09:00.000-05:00

Boundaries with Teens by Dr. John Townsend

His Eyes by Renee Carter

Neither of these really do much for me but I do like the title treatment on the first book, love the tape! Something seems off with the photo in the second cover like the picture was stretched, but who knows!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Weekly Dose of Crafts

2011-03-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

Two weeks in a row, can you believe it!? Anyhow, I was set on not posting this week since I didn't have anything and then Monday night I found this Stitch Sampler Shawl pattern and last night decided I just had to cast on and knit the first 5 rows! So it doesn't look like much now but I'm excited about it!

Yarn used:

Bernat Mosaic Ambrosa

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

Hardcover vs Paperback 124

2011-03-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Hardcover

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane Original Hardcover

Wolfsbane Final Hardcover

Amazon.com:

This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

While you can find me freaking out about the ever changing world of covers every Tuesday there is something about the change of the Nightshade paperback cover and Wolfsbane hardcover and has some people totally freaking out too. I'm not sure what exactly has people so upset but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents on the covers. I haven't read the books, I'm coming at this purely from my design background.

I will have to say that overall I agree that the first set of covers are better. If you look at the new set of covers you see that purple and green have been consistently used like in the first set but here they are being used almost exactly how you would see them on a color wheel, they are very bold and really exactly what you would think of when you think of purple and green. Those colors being using with a strong amount of black and some white give off a vibe of what I think of as Urban Adult Fantasy covers. It's really hard and honestly not something I enjoy in my color palettes and that Wolfsbane pose, just no.

In the first set of covers the colors are softer and are used with other colors to create a subtle more feminine look along with the more lifestyle type of photography which I think always wins out in my book. I will say though, in the paperback of Nightshade I appreciate how the idea of a wolf comes into play on the cover, I don't like exactly how it was done but it's better than nothing, that's always something that struck me odd about the Hardcover of Nightshade that it appeared to be about a pretty girl just by looking at it and that's all, I don't really pick up on the subtle hints of the eyes or the flowers, something was missing.

One final note, something that always bugs me when covers with models on them are changed, most of the time the main character looks completely different on the new cover, new hair color, length, face shape basically the total opposite of how they once looked so I'm glad in this case the models are so similar, i'd say it's even possible it's the same girl!

So to recap, I see these covers as going from very soft to very hard, and I pick soft. So those are my 2 cents, let's hear yours.

P.S. Can someone that has read the books tell me why her hair is purple on the Nightshade hardcover and blond in the rest?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Giveaway: Jane Eyre prize pack!

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland”) and Michael Fassbender (“Inglourious Basterds”) star in the romantic drama based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, from acclaimed director Cary Fukunaga (“Sin Nombre”). In the story, Jane Eyre flees Thornfield House, where she works as a governess for wealthy Edward Rochester. As she reflects upon the people and emotions that have defined her, it is clear that the isolated and imposing residence – and Mr. Rochester’s coldness – have sorely tested the young woman’s resilience, forged years earlier when she was orphaned. She must now act decisively to secure her own future and come to terms with the past that haunts her – and the terrible secret that Mr. Rochester is hiding and that she has uncovered…

Here's how to enter to be one of two winners of the Jane Eyre prize pack.

The prize includes:

·         Soundtrack sampler
·         Bookmark
·         Journal
·         Pencil
·         Copy of the book [movie tie-in edition]

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. only.

The giveaway will end March 28nd at 6:59 pm Central Time.

Entries left in the comments of this blog post will not be counted, please fill out the giveaway entry form.

**Giveaway is sponsored by Focus Features**

Jane Eyre started playing in theaters on March 11th, check out a sneak peek of the movie for reading groups below!

Reading Group Guide
Movie's Official Website
Jane Eyre GoodReads Challenge

This Week In Books

2011-03-13T18:45:00.001-05:00

Tuesday:

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
So Shelly by Ty Roth (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Jersey Tomatoes Are the Best by Maria Padian (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Exposed by Kimberly Marcu (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
The Queen of Water by Laura Resau (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

Wednesday:

Alex Rider: Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

Friday:

Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan (Purchased at a closing Borders)