tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36616096295557437222024-03-05T03:18:35.410-05:00The happily ever after . . .Sharing tales from the 'happily ever afters' I read in books, as well as from those in my real life!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.comBlogger759125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-1508047021683981052014-12-31T12:25:00.004-05:002014-12-31T12:28:16.058-05:00My Life According to the Books I Read in 2014<!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?-->
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hello friends! Remember me? I know this space is covered in a thick layer of dust, but I'm sweeping away the cobwebs this week. I'm so disappointed in myself for not posting anything here since last January. I've still been reading, albeit not nearly as much as I have in past years. I've also been investing time on instagram, where I have been participating in daily photo challenges and in essence, micro-blogging in the captions of my daily photos. It has been fun and rewarding, but I do miss the interaction here, especially over books and bookish related topics. And food, fitness, travel, crafts and everything else! I truly hope to revive this space in 2015. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I couldn't let the year end without revisiting this favorite book meme. I first spotted it on Angie's blog several years ago and have made it an annual end of the year tradition on my blog ever since. It's a fun, creative way to reminisce about all the books you read throughout the year. I'd love for you to join me! If anyone stumbles upon this post, anyway.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To play along, use only titles of books that you read this year (2014) and complete the prompts below. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Try not to repeat any book titles, think creatively and have fun! </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once you've posted your Life According to the Books You Read in 2014, please leave a comment below so I know to visit your blog and see what you've come up with! It's so much fun reading everyone's responses. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Also, Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: normal;">. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>My Life According to the Books I Read in 2014: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Describe yourself: </b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>How do you feel:</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hearts of Chaos by Kira Brady</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Describe where you currently live:</b> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nowhere But Home by Liza Palmer</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>If you could go anywhere, where would you go:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>Your favorite form of transportation:</b></span><span style="line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Angels' Flight by Nalini Singh </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Your best friend is:</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Weiss </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>You and your friends are:</b></span><br /><span style="line-height: normal;">Unveiled by Courtney Milan</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What's the weather like: </b></span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh [re-read]</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What is life to you: </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Birthday Gift by Courtney Milan </span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Favorite time of day: </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">His At Night by Sherry Thomas</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Your fear:</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>What is the best advice you have to give:</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Thought for the day:</b><br />Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews [re-read]</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /><b>How I would like to die:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>My soul's present condition: </b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Unlocked by Courtney Milan
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>My family is</b>: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daytripper by Fabio Moon</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(this last prompt idea is from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/" target="_blank">Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories</a> Thank you, Tanya!)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you have any suggestions for prompts to add to next year's meme, please leave it in the comments below! </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Happy New Year and here's to some more great reads in 2015! xxx</span></span></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-76767566855288692432014-01-21T09:22:00.002-05:002014-01-21T09:22:16.584-05:00Book Bingo 2014 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8FjdlIpXqBQSLS6SG9qUIXoE9DuqelGLGaQPfGAJ8jjGBOSz6HOaKvO0W3VWGGszd8Ft4iw6ma5L52bl4vOCy3YYUwnXrZ99HKwpGtByzSXdEfI4Ck3sGyKfHnRAW4HhVRMkUJvRQhnA/s1600/2014-bingo-challenge-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8FjdlIpXqBQSLS6SG9qUIXoE9DuqelGLGaQPfGAJ8jjGBOSz6HOaKvO0W3VWGGszd8Ft4iw6ma5L52bl4vOCy3YYUwnXrZ99HKwpGtByzSXdEfI4Ck3sGyKfHnRAW4HhVRMkUJvRQhnA/s1600/2014-bingo-challenge-01.png" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Host:</b> Kristilyn [readinginwinter.com]
and Anne [creativityscorner.com]<br />
<br />
<b>Link:</b> <a href="http://readinginwinter.com/2013/12/16/challenge-anne-kristilyns-2014-book-bingo-reading-challenge/" target="_blank">Book Bingo 2014 Sign Up</a><br />
<br />
<b>Goal:</b> Be amazing. Get any one BINGO or fill your whole board if you're an overachiever.<br />
<br />
<b>Time Frame:</b> Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2014<br />
<br />
I did this challenge last year and had a lot of fun keeping lists of the books I read for each category and crossing off squares. Kristilyn and Anne designed a new board for 2014 to keep things interesting. Check out the sign up page at the link above and join the Bingo fun! I'm aiming to fill the whole board this year.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmF3Cs52unWbltZNPchcXztHJ-SECPhTUZOD0DNBpKXYCWRqjBkHHoJSzutalNZY00UNfFtWeeUxnGy0ySkrM5ccY6JkGHG95sL6vC8xAF5LV1Zjq_pEKnCBhmzj2CUkiOMS0mLzhPL2Z/s1600/bingo-challenge-2014-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmF3Cs52unWbltZNPchcXztHJ-SECPhTUZOD0DNBpKXYCWRqjBkHHoJSzutalNZY00UNfFtWeeUxnGy0ySkrM5ccY6JkGHG95sL6vC8xAF5LV1Zjq_pEKnCBhmzj2CUkiOMS0mLzhPL2Z/s1600/bingo-challenge-2014-01.png" height="400" width="360" /></a></div>
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-12343405716471820242014-01-20T21:22:00.004-05:002014-01-20T21:22:47.016-05:00The 2014 Big Book Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3Z1J5ZAeVUP5YIt8fG-uNFsPL05xxcp5gSGsc9nHdYnxtI8XCE6PbvttIOqVpQ6z2dbANs4KWvo7ZSm6vSDSSFblETqqGOe8e1sCQeqz1ZVUDM_N3aCiG3U16GalPsm9H-Ar9LVvjpLi/s1600/The+2014+Big+Book+Challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3Z1J5ZAeVUP5YIt8fG-uNFsPL05xxcp5gSGsc9nHdYnxtI8XCE6PbvttIOqVpQ6z2dbANs4KWvo7ZSm6vSDSSFblETqqGOe8e1sCQeqz1ZVUDM_N3aCiG3U16GalPsm9H-Ar9LVvjpLi/s1600/The+2014+Big+Book+Challenge.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Host:</b> orianna at Walkabout<br />
<br />
<b>Link:</b> <a href="http://orannia.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-2014-big-book-challenge.html" target="_blank">The 2014 Big Book Challenge</a><br />
<br />
<b>My Goal:</b> Read at least one 500+ page book that I've been putting off because of it's length.<br />
<br />
<b>Time Frame:</b> Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2014<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hate to make promises I can't keep but I'm going to try once again to read Anna Karenina this year. My copy has 838 pages.
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-23562617628530012952014-01-19T07:15:00.000-05:002014-06-12T09:32:05.062-04:00TBR Challenge 2014 {Romance}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J5-FMmh7e_RMpQSNLPhfW0p3pAEV6qFuVSnjjQ2EdSx-OJKwW7MahtrPN_4n2AJI66TZDdxxqQMcMqF7wGmrXpKcnXFA_nax-yghyoFPevv4p20bUKpuDUe3ojhOs_MQm69sq0AKGH7E/s1600/TBRchallenge2014Wendy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-J5-FMmh7e_RMpQSNLPhfW0p3pAEV6qFuVSnjjQ2EdSx-OJKwW7MahtrPN_4n2AJI66TZDdxxqQMcMqF7wGmrXpKcnXFA_nax-yghyoFPevv4p20bUKpuDUe3ojhOs_MQm69sq0AKGH7E/s1600/TBRchallenge2014Wendy.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Host: </b>Wendy the Super Librarian<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Link:</b> <a href="http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/p/2014-tbr-challenge.html" target="_blank">2014 TBR Reading Challenge Sign Up</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Goal:</b> Read one book every month that's been languishing on your TBR pile and share via review or commentary.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Time Frame:</b> Once a month for 2014<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Schedule and suggested monthly themes:</i><br />
Jan 15 We Love Short Shorts!<br />
Feb 19 Series Catch-Up<br />
Mar 19 New-to-you-author<br />
Apr 16 Contemporary romance<br />
May 21 More Than One [author with more than one book on your TBR]<br />
Jun 18 Romance Classics<br />
Jul 18 Lovely RITA [past RITA winners or nominees]<br />
Aug 20 Luscious Love Scenes<br />
Sep 17 Recommended read<br />
Oct 15 Paranormal or Romantic Suspense<br />
Nov 19 Historical Romance<br />
Dec 17 Holiday themes<br />
<br />
<br />
Updated June 12, 2014<br />
I'm not doing well at all keeping up with this challenge in any organized way. I have, however, read a few romances from my TBR shelves, though, and will list them here:<br />
<br />
Wait For Me by Elisabeth Naughton [novella - rom suspense] JAN<br />
Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan [series catch up] FEB<br />
Dark Lycan by Christine Feehan [series catch up]<br />
Winning the Wallflower by Eloisa James<br />
His At Night by Sherry Thomas [new-to-me author] MAR<br />
Libertine's Kiss by Judith James<br />
Unveiled by Courtney Milan [more than one book on TBR] MAY<br />
Unlocked by Courtney Milan [more than one book on TBR]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-50697447965022315452014-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:002014-12-28T19:00:36.416-05:00What's In A Name? 2014 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj912AznZZcZqmktTc71jvzTZBkxo1R-iVa6VCy-LmaTdV59FJ-eH4VdHI4flE2AE_DfZuNl5Qdp2cTBiglctkREv9AIVuaewZ26ELZ12aB4ynCrFwAa4ASc53l7xLrbaFY9t8Be7BZfQof/s1600/challenge_2014whatsinaname4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj912AznZZcZqmktTc71jvzTZBkxo1R-iVa6VCy-LmaTdV59FJ-eH4VdHI4flE2AE_DfZuNl5Qdp2cTBiglctkREv9AIVuaewZ26ELZ12aB4ynCrFwAa4ASc53l7xLrbaFY9t8Be7BZfQof/s1600/challenge_2014whatsinaname4.png" height="161" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Host:</b> Originally BethFishReads but now being hosted by Charlie who blogs at The Worm Hole.<br />
<b>Link:</b> <a href="http://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/whats-in-a-name-2014-sign-up-post/" target="_blank">What's In a Name? 2014 Sign Up </a><br />
<b>Goal:</b> Read one book per category below<br />
<b>Time Frame:</b> Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2014<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
1. A reference to TIME<br />
2. A position of ROYALTY<br />
3. A NUMBER WRITTEN IN LETTERS<br />
4. A FORENAME or names<br />
5. A type or element of WEATHER<br />
<br />
1. a + e 4Ever by Ilike Merey<br />
2. The King by J.R. Ward<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
5. Kiss of Snow by Nalini SinghChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-44905790637333981702014-01-18T17:18:00.000-05:002014-01-18T17:34:16.782-05:00My Best Reads of 2013My most memorable reads of 2013 are based on the 98 books and stories I read in 2013 and does not represent books that were published in that year.
<br />
<br />
<b>The Book(s) That Broke My Heart: </b><br />
<i>I read more than my usual dose of heart wrenching books last year.. </i><br />
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness<br />
The Kite Runner Graphic Novel by Khaled Hosseini<br />
The Fault in Our Stars by Johen Green
<br />
<br />
<b>The Most Electric Shock Value: </b><br />
Sins & Needles by Karina Halle
<br />
<br />
<b>The Fantastic Fantasy:</b><br />
Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
<br />
<br />
<b>The Surprise Little Gem:</b><br />
One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry
<br />
<br />
<b>Kicking Myself for Waiting So Long to Read:</b><br />
The Guardians Series by Meljean Brook<br />
<i>still catching up...
</i><br />
<br />
<b>Short But Oh So Sweet:</b><br />
Wanderlust by Kitty French<br />
<i>It only has 3.76 stars on goodreads but I sure did love this sweet and sexy novella.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Most Sinful Guilty Pleasure:</b><br />
50 Shades of Gray series by E.L. James<br />
<i>Yes, it has its flaws but don't we all?</i><br />
<br />
<b>The Book That Swept Me Away:</b><br />
The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
<br />
<br />
<b>Book Most NOT Worth The Hype:</b><br />
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
<br />
<br />
<b>The Book That Challenged Me</b>:<br />
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
<br />
<br />
<b>Other books worth mentioning: </b><br />
A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki<br />
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley<br />
A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
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<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">What was your most memorable book(s) of 2013? </span></b>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-69311324389293269822014-01-18T13:07:00.002-05:002014-01-18T13:07:32.969-05:00Last Year's Book Challenges + stuffIs anyone still talking about the books they read last year? Yeah, I didn't think so. How was your year of reading in 2013? I did okay number wise, but you know, I'm a little disappointed with my year of reading in general.. I don't know exactly why, but it didn't feel like a stellar year. I think maybe I didn't read enough romance. Anyway, I'm just getting around to pulling together my book stats and reading challenge success and failures from last year now. Hoping it will inspire me for a fabulous year of books in 2014.
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<br />
First up.. Last Year's Reading Challenges:<br />
<br />
I actually had a lot of fun with these and plan on repeating all of them in 2014. <br />
<br />
<b>100 Books in a Year 2013:</b><br />
I read 98 books which includes 11 re-reads.<br />
My goodreads challenge goal was to read 101 books and only made it to 87 I guess because you can't count re-reads there. And then they delete your challenge if you don't make it which stinks because now I can't browse the books I read through that widget anymore. Darn it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://theromanticlife.blogspot.com/2013/01/100-books-in-year-reading-challenge.html" target="_blank">My list of Books Read in 2013</a><br />
<br />
<b>Big Book Challenge 2013 </b><br />
<br />
I read four 500+ page books:<br />
<i>The Winter Sea </i>by Susanna Kearsley [527 pages]<br />
<i>The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle</i> by Haruki Murakami [611 pages]<br />
<i>A Discovery of Witches</i> by Deborah Harkness [579 pages]<br />
<i>Shadow of the Night</i> by Deborah Harkness [584 pages]<br />
<br />
<b>TBR Challenge 2013</b> [romance]<br />
I missed December but read a book from my TBR pile for all the other months and kept to the suggested theme, too. I missed a few reviews, but am pretty happy about getting to all those books.
<br />
<br />
(NR = No Review)<br />
Jan 16 Surrender At Dawn by Laura Griffin<br />
Feb 20 The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt<br />
Mar 20 The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt<br />
Apr 17 Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson<br />
May 15 Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (NR)<br />
Jun 19 First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones<br />
Jul 17 Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale 1992<br />
Aug 21 Dirty by Megan Hart (NR)<br />
Sep 18 At Home in Stoney Creek by Linda Lael Miller<br />
Oct 16 Beg For Mercy by Jami Alden (NR)<br />
Nov 20 50 Shades of Gray by E.L. James (NR)<br />
Dec 18 ----<br />
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<b>What's In A Name 6 Reading Challenge </b><br />
The categories were tough for me this time around but I managed to get it done.<br />
<br />
1. A book with up or down (or equivalent) in title<br />
2. A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in title<br />
3. A book with a party or celebration in title<br />
4. A book with fire (or equivalent) in title<br />
5. A book with an emotion in title<br />
6. A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in title<br />
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1. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami<br />
2. French Milk by Lucy Knisley<br />
3. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs<br />
4. The Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafón<br />
5. A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen<br />
6. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn <br />
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<b>Haruki Murakami Reading Challenge 2013</b><br />
I read two of Murakami's books:<br />
<br />
<i>The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle</i><br />
<i>Sputnik Sweetheart </i><br />
<br />
Murakami is a great writer and story teller but I'm think not quite my thing. I am willing to read another of his books, though.. thinking of <i>Norwegian Wood</i> in 2014. <br />
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<b>In Death Series perpetual Reading Challenge</b><br />
My own challenge and I'm failing miserably. I read only one In Death book in 2013, which was Promises In Death back in March. I barely even remember what it was about. In theory I'd like to continue with this series, but I just haven't found the desire to. I think Kindred in Death is next on my list.. is it a good one? Someone motivate me to pick it up! HELP!<br />
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<b>Book Bingo 2013</b><br />
I almost filled the whole board.. I just needed two re-reads! I WAS SO CLOSE! And let me tell you I was very tempted to spend my New Year's Eve re-reading two novellas or something just to fill that Bingo board, but there was celebrating to be done so I let it slide. Here's by Book Bingo 2013 Scorecard:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZ-8C7hSz7Aw7BI4Yq67LJofYdodzkZw7ztAxr9pEpwfMfmrEU284jBhSvyz8rR4ixMcJlaYOEQx4dHPsShgpbE0TzdVbAZ1MBN8iRQ4MelNjDrVnJ21zOsu37zmUHr5LqeSBgYf3oF45/s1600/BingocardDEC-BIG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZ-8C7hSz7Aw7BI4Yq67LJofYdodzkZw7ztAxr9pEpwfMfmrEU284jBhSvyz8rR4ixMcJlaYOEQx4dHPsShgpbE0TzdVbAZ1MBN8iRQ4MelNjDrVnJ21zOsu37zmUHr5LqeSBgYf3oF45/s1600/BingocardDEC-BIG.png" height="400" width="358" /></a></div>
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<br />
Finally, the numbers: <br />
<br />
I read <b><i>98 books total, </i></b>11 of which were rereads.<br />
<br />
SO CLOSE TO MY GOAL OF 101 BOOKS! Did you know that goodreads basically deletes your book challenge data if you fail to meet your goal? What a bummer.. I'd rather it be there and show my failed numbers than be gone completely. I worked hard for those 87 books! (re-reads not counted). Anyway, more numbers...<br />
<br />
<i> where did the books come from? </i><br />
42 were library books<br />
53 were from my shelves<br />
3 were online shorts<br />
<br />
<i>what kind of books did I hold in my hand?</i><br />
21 were ebooks or online fiction<br />
77 were paper books<br />
<br />
<i>what kind of books did I read? </i><br />
54 novels/books<br />
13 novellas<br />
28 graphic novels<br />
3 online shorts<br />
<br />
<i>what percentage of male or female authors did I read?</i><br />
20 male authors 31.25%<br />
44 female authors 68.75%<br />
<br />
<i> what were the genre of books I read?</i><br />
9 nonfiction<br />
89 fiction<br />
<br />
<i> more specifically .. </i><br />
44 romance<br />
17 paranormal<br />
11 contemporary<br />
10 historical<br />
5 romantic suspense<br />
1 magical realism sort of (The Winter Sea)<br />
28 graphic novels<br />
9 general fiction<br />
5 urban fantasy<br />
2 young adult<br />
2 fantasy<br />
1 crime fiction<br />
<br />
<i>how many books did I read each month?</i><br />
Jan 6<br />
Feb 5<br />
Mar 9<br />
Apr 12<br />
May 10<br />
Jun 8<br />
Jul 5<br />
Aug 11<br />
Sep 12<br />
Oct 7<br />
Nov 6<br />
Dec 7<br />
<br />
Are you still with me? So what did I learn from these numbers? The one thing that stands out the most to me is that I read A LOT of graphic novels and I have no problem with that but I think they contribute to my feeling of not reading enough BOOKS. Also, and probably most indicative of my reading blahs, is that I ONLY read 44 romances in 2013!? That's only 45% of the books I read! Not good...
<br />
<br />
The moral of this story? <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">READ MORE ROMANCE IN 2014!
</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">What do you think? </span></b><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><b>If you had to recommend ONE ROMANCE NOVEL that you read in 2013, which would it be?</b> </span>Okay you can tell me more than one if you want to..
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Hope your 2014 reading is off to a great start! Let's not talk about mine.. January 18 and I've only read one book. A graphic novel. Not a good start...<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-14832890786223672592014-01-01T23:01:00.002-05:002014-01-01T23:02:59.817-05:00RefreshHello friends and Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
I'm so happy to see all the comments yesterday after being away from blogging for two whole months. I will reply to comments tomorrow, but I just wanted to share my #onelittleword for 2014 with you. I''ve decided on the word <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">refresh</span></i>. It will be my guiding word for the year, motivating and inspiring me to bring some much needed energy back into my diet, exercise regime, my home and even in a few personal relationships. Oh yeah.. and into my blogging too. ;)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/fb4d1d746f1211e3b2e80e06f0b0885f_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/fb4d1d746f1211e3b2e80e06f0b0885f_8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made by me using the Rhonna Designs App<br />
Available in the AppStore.<br />
Also available for Android</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Have you thought about your word for 2014? </span></b><br />
<br />
Wishing you all a super happy and healthy New Year to you and your loved ones.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-32242543926365238872013-12-31T15:15:00.002-05:002013-12-31T15:15:53.578-05:00My Life According to the Books I Read in 2013Well hello dear blogging friends.
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<br />
REMEMBER ME?
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<br />
It's been way too long since my last post. While I may have lost my blogging mojo in the last several months, I haven't forgotten all of you sweet friends and I have been missing you all and thinking of you often. I'm looking forward to some new blogging energy in 2014!
<br />
<br />
It's that time of year again! I first spotted this meme on Angie's blog [<a href="http://angie-ville.com/">http://angie-ville.com</a>] several years ago and have made it an annual end of the year tradition on my blog ever since. I love this book meme--it's a fun, creative way to reminisce all the books you read throughout the year.
<br />
<br />
What's even more fun?
<br />
<br />
Having your friends do the meme, too!
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<br />
To play along, use only titles of books that you read this year (2013) and complete the prompts below.
<br />
<br />
Try not to repeat any book titles. Think creatively and have fun!
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<br />
Once you've posted your Life According to the Books You Read in 2013, grab the link to your blog post and come back here to add you name and link to the Simply Linked list below. I can't wait to see what you come up with and spread the word! It's so much fun reading everyone's responses.
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Also, Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones.
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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<br />
<b>My Life According to the Books I Read in 2013:
</b><br />
<br />
<b>Describe yourself: </b><br />
The Girl Who Owned a City by O.T. Nelson
<br />
<br />
<b>How do you feel:</b><br />
Spellbound by Nora Roberts
<br />
<br />
<b>Describe where you currently live: </b><br />
Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan
<br />
<br />
<b>If you could go anywhere, where would you go:</b><br />
Paradise by Meljean Brook
<br />
<br />
<b>Your favorite form of transportation: </b><br />
The Last Unicorn [graphic novel] adaptation by Peter S. Beagle
<br />
<br />
<b>Your best friend is: </b><br />
Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson<br />
<i>(my husband)</i><br />
<br />
<b>You and your friends are: </b><br />
Working Out by Marie Harte
<br />
<br />
<b>What's the weather like: </b><br />
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsely
<br />
<br />
<b>What is life to you: </b><br />
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
<br />
<br />
<b>Favorite time of day: </b><br />
Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare
<br />
<br />
<b>Your fear: </b><br />
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
<br />
<br />
<b>What is the best advice you have to give: </b><br />
Wanderlust by Kitty French
<br />
<br />
<b>Thought for the day:</b><br />
It Happened Under the Mistletoe by Valerie Bowman
<br />
<br />
<b>How I would like to die: </b><br />
At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller
<br />
<br />
<b>My soul's present condition: </b><br />
One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>My family is:* </b></span><br />
To Die For by Linda Howard
<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><i>*this last prompt idea is from Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories <a href="http://momssmallvictories.com/" target="_blank">http://momssmallvictories.com/ </a>Thank you, Tanya!</i></span></b><br />
<br />
Can't get enough of reading these lists? Check out past years:<br />
<a href="http://theromanticlife.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-life-according-to-book-i-read-in-2012.html" target="_blank">My Life According to the Books I Read in 2012</a><br />
<a href="http://theromanticlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-life-according-to-books-i-read-in.html">My Life According to the Books I Read in 2011</a><br />
<a href="http://theromanticlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-life-according-to-books-i-read-in.html">My Life According to the Books I Read in 2010</a><br />
<a href="http://theromanticlife.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-life-according-to-books-i-read-in.html">My Life According to the Books I Read in 2009</a>
<br />
<br />
If you have any suggestions for prompts to add to next year's meme, please leave it in the comments below!
<br />
<br />
Happy New Year and here's to some more great reads in 2014! xxx
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<br />
This is my first time using Simply Linked widget... hope it's friendly.<br />
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<script src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=6609094e-3834-45d9-88b8-cbe374bc840f" type="text/javascript"></script>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-10016517383325510002013-10-31T23:18:00.003-04:002013-10-31T23:18:33.046-04:00Boo ! Well the cobwebs building up around here on this blog are certainly apropos for Halloween, don't you think? This has been a pretty pathetic year of blogging for me.. so sorry about that.
<br />
<br />
October has been another whirlwind of a month for me.. lots of things going on. Mostly good or at least productive things going on.. a few not so good things, but everyone is healthy, hanging in there and doing their best so that's a plus.
<br />
<br />
So here I am on Halloween night and have no trick-or-treating costumes or stories to share with you because Anna didn't dress up this year and Maria is away at school. I do know she dressed up as a flapper for a Halloween party tonight and she did text me a photo that she also posted on instagram, but it's not the same as seeing her in her costume in person and taking my own photo. Then to top it off, we got ZERO trick-or-treaters at our door today! So sad...
<br />
<br />
Despite the lack of child involvement, though, I do have a few fun and festive Halloween photos to share.
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<br />
This is a sunset photo that I took from the Home Depot parking lot a few weeks ago.
<br />
<br />
This is that same photo all dressed up for Halloween! I edited it right on my iphone using a really fabulous photo editing app called Rhonna Designs. I was lucky and bought it while it was offered for free but I think it's 99 cents now. Still a bargain if you're into this sort of thing.
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<br />
Home Depot Sunset
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Home Depot Haunted Sunset
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I may have eaten a piece or two of Halloween candy before Halloween..
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From where I stand at the welcome mat to our home..<br />
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Always a favorite time of year for black cats.
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A house in my neighborhood with spook-tacular Halloween decorations. Even better up close in person and even spookier at night with creepy-scary music and sound effects. Yikes.
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Trick-or-treat! I'm ready for the monsters to come!
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There's something in the attic!!!
(From the spooky house in town after dark.. )
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I hope you had a safe and happy Halloween!<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Do you have kids who dress up?</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">If so, what were they?</span> </b><br />
<br />
... still can't believe October is over already and 2014 is only two months away! Now THAT'S frightening!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-14721450792043148612013-10-27T14:09:00.001-04:002013-10-27T14:09:11.534-04:00REVIEW: Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi-CVd3nbEKmuYTPLXztIZzRyUjZHL-oQRKwgFUDJR-UPuGf12ewePcQiLstxjeQiJl4S1f9j6P_Em6ZYUKN2cScn1QjHbmyN_grDRdkN8tewuyNd9pQy0SFjlXPqQM7hbYxhc_okphv1/s1600/relish-lucy-knisley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi-CVd3nbEKmuYTPLXztIZzRyUjZHL-oQRKwgFUDJR-UPuGf12ewePcQiLstxjeQiJl4S1f9j6P_Em6ZYUKN2cScn1QjHbmyN_grDRdkN8tewuyNd9pQy0SFjlXPqQM7hbYxhc_okphv1/s1600/relish-lucy-knisley.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>Relish</i> is a food-themed memoir that reveals a young woman's love of good food through fond memories. Lucy Knisley grew up in both New York City and rural Hudson Valley, New York with a chef mother and gourmet-loving father who both exposed her to a wide variety of luxurious foods from babyhood through young adulthood. In this graphic novel, Lucy explores her relationship with and love of food through a series of vignettes and anecdotes from various stages of her life and several international trips as well, all of which instilled in her strong connections between food, places, and people. Her stories are honest and open, often laced with humor and sentimentality to which readers can relate well such as a grandmother's famous pickle and a mother's perfect chocolate chip cookie. Although Lucy clearly developed a gourmet palate like that of her parents, she still has a fondness for processed junk food every now and then, something that I think helps dilute the level of privilege that runs through this novel.
<br />
<br />
A few months ago I read Knisley's earlier work, <i>French Milk</i>, another food-themed graphic memoir that chronicled the author's month long visit to Paris with her mother, which I found to be a boring and pretentious recount of what should have been a trip of a lifetime for a college-aged girl yet instead was a whiny recollection of a trip of complaining and examples of how to be an ungrateful brat and treat your mother poorly. Anyway, I'm pleased to report that Lucy has matured a bit since she wrote <i>French Milk</i> and it shows in <i>Relish</i>. Each chapter of <i>Relish</i> visits a different place, phase and food experience of Lucy's life and each ends with a delightfully illustrated recipe (probably my favorite part of the book). As Knisley reflects on some striking food memories, she shares them with a fond affection for her family and friends connected to those experiences. I would have liked to see Knisley share more about other people's connections to foods, especially relating to her international travels. I was disappointed that Knisley never attempted to learn about or connect with any local people and their culture during her trips. Or if she did do those things on her travels, she doesn't share them in her book, which is a shame because I think those experiences would be a huge asset to her books.
<br />
<br />
In the future, I'd like to see Knisley develop a more heightened awareness of the world around her and write with a little less self absorption. I realize <i>Relish</i> is a memoir and therefore focused on the individual, but I still think a well written memoir includes some attention to the rest of the world and Kinsley's writing could be stellar if she wrote with a bit more substance and depth overall.
<br />
<br />
In the meantime, <i>Relish</i> is a quick, fun graphic memoir to read. The drawings are well done and I found the human expressions are accurately expressed as well as charming. Again, the recipes at the end of each chapter are great and a special touch to this food-based book. I also have to admit I particularly enjoyed reading the chapters in which Lucy was living in the Hudson Valley since I'm familiar with that area and have visited it regularly over the years.. both downtown Rhinebeck and Grieg Farm as a very close friend of mine lives in that same area.
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<b>GRADE: 3.5+ out of 5 stars</b>. Maybe <b>4 stars</b>. I really did enjoy it. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqDvQEuxKipJxV9Fw-yuFPVtlQP7KTpWmyqEquD0r02aiPx9L_PEgwR1DuvW0_O4v5-7q9u0MXSRpiSUELGlvHBuvVTbU_yjI3vTcpOMztNsqBd-pKmWgg6YxPWT3SWZJYcvmve1WAT8X/s1600/wkendcookingNEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqDvQEuxKipJxV9Fw-yuFPVtlQP7KTpWmyqEquD0r02aiPx9L_PEgwR1DuvW0_O4v5-7q9u0MXSRpiSUELGlvHBuvVTbU_yjI3vTcpOMztNsqBd-pKmWgg6YxPWT3SWZJYcvmve1WAT8X/s200/wkendcookingNEW.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/search/label/Weekend%20Cooking" target="_blank">Weekend Cooking</a>, a weekly blog event hosted by Beth Fish Reads. Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food related post to share--a food related book review (fiction or nonfiction), cookbook review, movie review, a recipe, random thoughts, gadgets, food quotations, photographs, etc. Please visit Beth's blog for more information and join the fun!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-24486965513913476582013-10-10T19:19:00.002-04:002013-10-10T19:19:34.581-04:00Birthday Gift Winner! Thanks to everyone who stopped by with birthday wishes over the last several days!<br />
<br />
Rafflecopter has randomly selected a winner for my Belated Birthday Giveaway and the winner is....<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">! </span></span></div>
<br />
Congratulations, Sonia!<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy the facial kit, tea, chocolate and book and that it both relaxes you and brings you joy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/10b3ef1/" id="rc-10b3ef1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-1197015158414145172013-10-07T13:57:00.000-04:002013-10-15T14:15:24.274-04:00My Book Bingo Scorecard: 3rd quarterIt's time for a Book Bingo update! I'm actually doing a lot better with this challenge than I expected. I've completed quite a few more squares since the last quarter update, but I still have a lot of reading to do to complete the grid. Some squares will be easier than others to complete.
<br />
<br />
I need to read:
<br />
<br />
2 TBR books<br />
3 books from a series<br />
5 books released in 2013<br />
5 books everyone else has read<br />
3 re-reads
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<br />
Not too bad, but I still think it's going to be a close finish!
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<br />
<b>Read From Your TBR Pile: [15] [see 1st column]</b><br />
[X]ONE book:<br />
1. Surrender At Dawn by Laura Griffin<br />
<br />
[X]TWO books:<br />
2. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb<br />
3. A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
<br />
<br />
[X]THREE books:<br />
4. First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones<br />
5. Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale<br />
6. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
<br />
<br />
[ ]FOUR books:<br />
7. To Die For by Linda Howard<br />
8. At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller<br />
9.<br />
10.
<br />
<br />
[X]FIVE books:<br />
11. Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson<br />
12. Stardust by Neil Gaiman<br />
13. The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn<br />
14. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn<br />
15. Spellbound by Nora Roberts<br />
<br />
<b>Read Books in a Series: [15] [see 2nd column]
</b><br />
<br />
[X]ONE Book in a Series:<br />
1. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs
<br />
<br />
[X]TWO Books in a Series:<br />
The Works Series by Marie Harte<br />
1. Bodywork by Marie Harte<br />
2. Working Out by Marie Harte
<br />
<br />
[X]THREE Books in a Series:<br />
The Princes Trilogy by Elizabeth Hoyt<br />
1. The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt<br />
2. The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt<br />
3. The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
<br />
<br />
[ ]FOUR Books in a Series:<br />
Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep<br />
1. Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep<br />
2. "Thread of Death" by Jennifer Estep [novella]<br />
3. By A Thread by Jennifer Estep<br />
4.
<br />
<br />
[ ]FIVE Books in a Series:<br />
Guardians Series by Meljean Brook<br />
1. Demon Bound by Meljean Brook <br />
2. Demon Forged by Meljean Brook<br />
3. "Blind Spot" by Meljean Brook [novella]<br />
4.<br />
5.
<br />
<br />
<b>Read 2013 Releases: [12] [see 3rd column]</b><br />
[X]ONE book:<br />
1. Sins & Needles by Karina Halle
<br />
<br />
[X]TWO books:<br />
2. Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas<br />
3. On Every Street by Karina Halle
<br />
<br />
[No THREE books in this category - see FREE SPACE below]
<br />
<br />
[X]FOUR books:<br />
4. Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh<br />
5. Hearts of Shadow by Kira Brady<br />
6. A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki<br />
7. Primates by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks
<br />
<br />
[ ]FIVE books:<br />
11.<br />
12.<br />
13.<br />
14.<br />
15.
<br />
<br />
<b>FREE SQUARE: [middle square] </b><br />
Read ONE book someone else has read for this challenge<br />
[X]1. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi ... read by http://msbuff.com/reading-challenges-2013/
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<br />
<b>Read Books Everyone Else Has Read: [15] [see 4th column]</b><br />
ONE book:
[X]<br />
1. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
<br />
<br />
[X]TWO books:<br />
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn<br />
3. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie
<br />
<br />
[X]THREE books:<br />
4. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami<br />
5. Dirty by Megan Hart<br />
6. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
<br />
<br />
[X]FOUR books:<br />
7. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey<br />
8. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness<br />
9. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi<br />
10. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
<br />
<br />
[ ]FIVE books:<br />
11.<br />
12.<br />
13.<br />
14.<br />
15.
<br />
<br />
<b>Re-Read books: [15] [see 5th column]</b><br />
ONE book:
[X]<br />
1. The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan
<br />
<br />
[X]TWO books:<br />
2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald<br />
3. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Expuréry
<br />
<br />
[X]THREE books:<br />
4. Demon Night by Meljean Brook<br />
5. "Thicker Than Blood" novella by Meljean Brook<br />
6. Sins & Needles by Karina Halle
<br />
<br />
[ ]FOUR books:<br />
7. Amulet, Vol. 4: The Last Council by Kazu Kibuishi<br />
8.<br />
9.<br />
10.
<br />
<br />
[X]FIVE books:<br />
11. Hearts of Darkness by Kira Brady<br />
12. "Falling For Anthony" by Meljean Book [novella]<br />
13. Demon Angel by Meljean Brook<br />
14. "Paradise" by Meljean Brook [novella]<br />
15. Demon Moon by Meljean Brook
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-38584137146601772422013-10-04T18:21:00.001-04:002013-10-04T18:24:57.531-04:00Someone had a birthday!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/ea9c26442c3411e380e022000ae9027c_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/ea9c26442c3411e380e022000ae9027c_6.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello 45</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hello 45! Ready or not, here I am!
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Yep. The good ol' age machine flipped another digit on me earlier this week. (hahaha! Get it?) I'm taking it well, though, reminding myself that every day is a gift and it's so good to be alive! And I vow to embrace every age as best I can, striving to be healthier, happier and a better citizen of the world every day. Some days are better than others because let's face it, as fabulous as the 40s really are..sometimes it really sucks when I think about how I'm probably closer to the end than I am to the beginning. Oh I try not to think about it too much or let it get me down, but sometimes it sneaks in on me! Not good.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/c1c680002ac911e3b1ee22000aaa09dd_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/c1c680002ac911e3b1ee22000aaa09dd_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cupcakes for my birthday!</td></tr>
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Anyway, I had a fabulous birthday on Tuesday. My husband gave me flowers and the new iphone 5S <i>woot!</i> which totally delights my youngest because she promptly inherited my 4S the lucky (spoiled) kid. My dear friend Claudia treated me to a fabulous lunch at nice Italian restaurant and the weather was so nice that we dined on the restaurant patio. It felt so decadent. I was flooded with birthday wishes from friends and family all over the world (thanks to Facebook and Instagram) throughout the day. Thank you so much for those of you who did this! Then around dinner time I got the sweetest surprise.. Maria came home from college for the evening just for my birthday! Wow! I was so surprised and so delighted. We all went out for sushi, came home for cupcakes and then Maria and I watched some cooking shows we had recorded while she was away. (We got into Cupcake Wars, Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen just before she left for college). What a special day!
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It turns out this is the first time since I started my blog over five years ago that I didn't post on my birthday and do a birthday giveaway. I feel badly about that so I'm doing a belated birthday giveaway now.
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My Birthday Present to one of you:
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>The 'Fabulous At Any Age' Gift Bag
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Mini facial kit </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Package of Harvest Blend Herbal Tea*</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Fancy chocolate bar.. your choice of dark or milk chocolate </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Book of your choice, up to $15 US value.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">*Harvest Blend tea is caffeine free and contains cinnamon, ginger, hibiscus, natural cinnamon and apple flavors with other natural flavors, chamomile, roasted chicory and orange peel. Other tea may be substituted per winner's request or if it becomes unavailable.</span></div>
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Sounds nice, right? To enter this birthday giveaway, all you need to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below and then leave a comment in the comment section of this post telling me what you love best about October.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">I love pumpkin desserts, cool evenings and warm sunny days and colorful leaves swirling to the ground in the breeze.
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Giveaway terms and conditions:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Giveaway runs from today, October 4, 2013 through Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 12 am EST (midnight). All entries received after the close of the giveaway will be disqualified. </li>
<li>You must be 18 years or older to enter. </li>
<li>No purchase necessary to win and void where prohibited. </li>
<li>Book may be sent anywhere in the world via TheBookDepository as long as they deliver to your mailing address. I will do my best to mail other gift items via international mail as allowed per shipping restrictions to your country. </li>
<li>Prize value: $25 US plus shipping </li>
<li>Odds of winning are dependent on the number of entries received. </li>
<li>One winner will be drawn on October 11, 2013 and notified by email within 48 hours. Winner will have one week from the time I send my email to get back to me with their book choice and mailing address or their gift will be forfeited and a new winner will be chosen. </li>
<li>Contact information [email and mailing address] will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner and prize delivery. Information will not be saved, sold or used for any other purpose.</li>
</ul>
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By entering your name in the Rafflecopter form below and in the comment section below, you agree to these terms and conditions.
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/10b3ef1/" id="rc-10b3ef1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-4022863006211142292013-09-25T11:58:00.003-04:002013-09-25T12:04:31.012-04:00From my Garden [Wordless Wednesday]Another weekly blog meme I've been wanting to do for so long. But.. but.. <i>WORDLESS</i> Wednesday? That's going to be soooo hard not to type anything. See? I've messed up already. ;)<br />
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<i><b>Oregano</b></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/f8b7518225f811e3b0b622000a9e5b33_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/f8b7518225f811e3b0b622000a9e5b33_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo taken on iphone 4S</td></tr>
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<i>For more wordless wednesday posts, visit <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/">here.</a></i>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-54846544857505416412013-09-23T16:26:00.001-04:002013-09-23T16:26:50.242-04:00It's Monday! What Are You Reading? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih99-Bwcej-SCWteOp0X-xASZoPFsiJJBQyEP-1o-W6nCWl_pD_xYIlFYvMEOfeOjgYOq8gjgjRk34zHa8GjptrF1fhNLXEDb21PAgoycltIEtchvObBkAaUMUDTt3kcN7W0Iuv6kcXU3s/s1600/whatareyoureadingMONDAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih99-Bwcej-SCWteOp0X-xASZoPFsiJJBQyEP-1o-W6nCWl_pD_xYIlFYvMEOfeOjgYOq8gjgjRk34zHa8GjptrF1fhNLXEDb21PAgoycltIEtchvObBkAaUMUDTt3kcN7W0Iuv6kcXU3s/s1600/whatareyoureadingMONDAY.jpg" /></a></div>
Happy Monday, everyone!<br />
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I've been thinking about participating in some weekly blog memes in hopes of sparking some blogging consistency on my part and this meme is one of them. It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog meme hosted by Sheila at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/">Book Journey</a>, the goal of which is for readers to share what they're reading, spark conversation and maybe expand our reading lists. There's usually a link up at Sheila's blog every Monday, but of course the first day I decide to join there isn't one. ;)
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Sheila has been busy hosting a Reading to Beat the Band book event for Banned Book Week last week, so go check that out.
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Now for the the books I'm reading this week. Normally I am a one book at a time kind of girl. Maybe two if one is a graphic novel and the other is a regular full length novel. But right now I find myself pages deep into not one, not two, not even three books but SIX! Who does that? Okay it's really more like five because I shouldn't be counting Anna Karenina if I haven't cracked it open in a few months already. Still, five is just ridiculous, but I couldn't seem to avoid it. I want to read all of these books yesterday.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOnLFAdVnjCGqdw4k_UBMP4T-98w7yiM4kZSIevd8LeilYmkqTsWg2nRKlK6AbKxrQc6ycJtx3bstGTrGHywTGN3P1_p8JerxEuv0wX5iszNYdprmoCntjOqRyuSyWIHGUfBlA_ycGh73/s1600/demon-forged-meljean-brook-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOnLFAdVnjCGqdw4k_UBMP4T-98w7yiM4kZSIevd8LeilYmkqTsWg2nRKlK6AbKxrQc6ycJtx3bstGTrGHywTGN3P1_p8JerxEuv0wX5iszNYdprmoCntjOqRyuSyWIHGUfBlA_ycGh73/s1600/demon-forged-meljean-brook-book.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">1. <i>Demon Forged</i> by Meljean Brook (p.148) </span></b><br />
Guardians series, #5<br />
The concluding book of this series that I LOVE so much came out in August so I am playing series catch up and LOVING it. I started reading Demon Forged within hours of finishing the previous book and I just can't put it down. So much is going on in this book's plot and the overall series arc, it's fantastic. Every single page is gripping! I have to tell you, it's going to take ALL of my resolve to read all the other books I've started reading already before reading the next book in the series. I don't know if I'll be able to do it!
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">2. <i>A Study in Scarlet</i> by Ian Edginton (p.11) </span></b><br />
This is a graphic novel adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes novel of the same title, of course. I've been on a graphic novel kick lately (I've recently read some really awesome ones, by the way..) and I picked this one up over the weekend. Would you believe I've never read a Sherlock Holmes story before? Have you?
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">3. <i>Lady Susan</i> by Jane Austen (maybe 10%?) </span></b><br />
I started reading this book in late August for the Austen in August book event hosted by Adam who blogs at Roof Beam Reader. I chose Lady Susan out of all of Jane Austen's books because it was the shortest in the collection I own, which I thought would increase my odds of reading an Austen book in Auguts, but alas, I still haven't finished it. Truthfully, I find it a little boring. Is that terrible? I'm determined to finish it though. Austen in September, perhaps?
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">4. <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> by Harper Lee (p.67) </span></b><br />
I started reading this beloved classic (yes, for the first time!) in August while on vacation for the July read along hosted again by Adam at Roof Beam Reader. My high school freshman daughter is reading it right now in her English class so OF COURSE this would be the ideal time to finish it!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtcq1eTA8YgQCgjPAgkxG-QHVkqxVDrNuNMbwkDbHw8U6lx3fs5FDY2OR1JV8piF9A1FRZtzBrBkgLG1BGLOaN5aKdhAZcGUxd3UrzCyCngXmAaHfsCTBRoCi8ietaU_wtIInFQUEbT7X/s1600/thefaultinourstars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtcq1eTA8YgQCgjPAgkxG-QHVkqxVDrNuNMbwkDbHw8U6lx3fs5FDY2OR1JV8piF9A1FRZtzBrBkgLG1BGLOaN5aKdhAZcGUxd3UrzCyCngXmAaHfsCTBRoCi8ietaU_wtIInFQUEbT7X/s1600/thefaultinourstars.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">5. <i>The Fault of Our Stars</i> by John Green (p.1) </span></b><br />
This book topped my 'The Ones That Got Away' 2012 list which consisted of a handful of books published in 2012 that I really, REALLY wanted to read when they came out, but never did. It was my suggestion for September's book club pick and it is the one we are reading. Yay! So I MUST read this before the end of the month! Which uh... is any day now. Yikes! I have to read this book NOW. (I haven't really started this one yet..)
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">6. <i>Anna Karenina</i> by Leo Tolstoy (p.252)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;"> </span></b><br />
Okay, okay, I guess I'm not really reading this NOW if I haven't picked it up in months.. but my bookmark still sits at p.252, so I'll list it here once but won't re-list it again in future What Am I Reading? memes unless I am ACTUALLY reading it at the time. Fair?
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So What are YOU reading right now?
</span></b>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-43903157868369941762013-09-19T16:33:00.001-04:002013-09-19T16:37:27.063-04:00Library Loot LXXII<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy71We8guV2qnNVbkZN69xjEQrFmfU6F5Elg8gS11_GV-hV0sXiBUoY_AUNo9BLZOxoEADfvuCxv4_E0GEcmz_0pcNvGLtd684xuOWFEkcXzTI1yZJemEiH8tXvgpkRCiYVG7X5s2eLsB/s1600/librarylootnew.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXy71We8guV2qnNVbkZN69xjEQrFmfU6F5Elg8gS11_GV-hV0sXiBUoY_AUNo9BLZOxoEADfvuCxv4_E0GEcmz_0pcNvGLtd684xuOWFEkcXzTI1yZJemEiH8tXvgpkRCiYVG7X5s2eLsB/s320/librarylootnew.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #400058; line-height: 18px;"><i>Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #400058; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://thecaptivereader.wordpress.com/" style="color: #72179d; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>The Captive Reader</i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #400058; line-height: 18px;"><i> and Marg from </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #400058; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/" style="color: #72179d; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader</i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #400058; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;"> that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries! </span></span></span><br />
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Hello friends, how is everyone?<br />
Things have been busy around here.. when are they not, right? Anna's in her second week of high school now and we are already counting the days down to summer! Oh yes, we are having that much fun. It's actually not that bad.. I think overall she's just not one of those kids who likes school and so far she says she's not crazy about any of her teachers and she barely has friends in any of her classes. She only has time go to her locker at the beginning of the day, at lunch time and at the end of the day, so she has to carry a lot of her books and notebooks around all day and up and down flights of stairs. Hey, at least it's exercise, right? Tonight is back-to-school night for parents, so husband and I will walk through her schedule and meet all her teachers. Maybe leave a little mommy & daddy love note in her locker.
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In other news, Maria came home last weekend! Yay! Those two weeks were the longest we've ever been apart since she was born (since I was pregnant with her?) but frankly she was more traumatized by the three weeks she had been apart from her boyfriend for the first time in 3.5 years. Oh how their love-priorities change so quickly yet a momma's love never does.. sigh. Her boyfriend, Nick came home this weekend, too (he goes to school in NYC), so we had to share her with him, but we'll take what we can get! Actually, Nick wanted to come hang out at our house so he could visit with us, too, which was very sweet.
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I picked up a pretty neat mix of books at the library in the last week or so, including an art how-to book, some cookbooks, a health and nutrition book, several graphic novels, and one novel.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73MmuA8gdoii5kEMUJSjiD0OjHCNTue_1HrjknAnUCVgcVgj1o1TXn4cIvCVr8so_6h_suP0JjB-MDuNOXpDNp1gdltKJe2NSu0wjTIp9NW-MSLRPaY0KK6qk5Zy69f51nO_W1NM13EGi/s1600/libbooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73MmuA8gdoii5kEMUJSjiD0OjHCNTue_1HrjknAnUCVgcVgj1o1TXn4cIvCVr8so_6h_suP0JjB-MDuNOXpDNp1gdltKJe2NSu0wjTIp9NW-MSLRPaY0KK6qk5Zy69f51nO_W1NM13EGi/s400/libbooks.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a stack of library books</td></tr>
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<i>nonfiction: </i><br />
nigellissima by Nigella Lawson<br />
VB6 by Mark Bittman<br />
One Zentangle A Day by Beckah Krahula
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<i>graphic novels: </i><br />
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle adapted by Peter B. Gillis<br />
The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman<br />
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle adapted by Ian Edginton<br />
Amulet: Prince of the Elves by Kazu Kibuishi<br />
The Girl Who Owned A City by O.T. Nelson<br />
One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry<br />
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<i>novel: </i><br />
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
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The last one is a re-loot from last year. Planning to read it for R.I.P. VIII along with The Sandman graphic novel.
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I also picked up (on a separate trip) three other books: <br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bpdmWPi14jGU0jMpg2OWgC2W-hm3yA4HQPOzQ1ULbj4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhoB9Uh8A1yh8RrrM5JDqpIASmbC295itTQIY9jU_lFJgGwo861s5nFOvhgmkU-ETzW0UeDtFtz-TIfWSdBaoPflxWJIvJlWIeY4_VrJA_KTUatUpivW9jW5fNPTKihKL8-6PaCHrDzTm/s800/curtis-stone-whats-for-dinner-cookbook.jpg" width="227" /></a> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tZe5ygNYIOsAbCSGdaUJQC2W-hm3yA4HQPOzQ1ULbj4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0BzmwxdJkWZH6kbWsUgd1Tn74vG6wZ46GO5ObPj0NTGHaEGs0KdRXhxPQkAcDl8x5Tk6HdIankZ5pKsEHmuFsLCnZYvjVvujedw1auhFKVNk7SYe49J26oPT6UkVdwvWKu65XLsbfs8b/s800/wrinkleintimeGN.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
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<i>Another cookbook and graphic novel:</i><br />
What Katie Ate by Katie Quinn Davis<i> (not pictured - this is a re-loot)</i><br />
What's For Dinner by Curtis Stone<br />
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel adapted by Hope Larson
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">See anything interesting in my stack?
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I've skimmed through all of the nonfiction already and read a couple of the graphic novels. If you have any questions about any of them, please ask!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>What are you reading from your library right now?
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-39035864405413260142013-09-18T23:46:00.001-04:002013-09-18T23:46:18.994-04:00REVIEW: At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael MillerPublished in 2009 by Silhouette Books.
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This is my September selection for the #TBRChallenge hosted by <a href="http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wendy the Super Librarian</a>. This month's theme is 'Western' and well.. I thought this was a western based on the title and cowboy hat on the cover, but it's actually a contemporary romance with no cowboys or even a ranch really. Well, the main character's brother runs a ranch but the story doesn't have anything to do with the ranch or ranch life at all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4sbxclJkLVr8B8Hrhswn2pQ8A68QuZqJ7PIQfXUwGLzXR-uppdO6CV8KJjwykgFbYhulXSs5EBg8A2KdQgWvsvpftghi6tjF-nMCRuAuCOHY02DiWhK3aOpzICnz8_d-LTQDVsdS33vF/s1600/athomeinstonecreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4sbxclJkLVr8B8Hrhswn2pQ8A68QuZqJ7PIQfXUwGLzXR-uppdO6CV8KJjwykgFbYhulXSs5EBg8A2KdQgWvsvpftghi6tjF-nMCRuAuCOHY02DiWhK3aOpzICnz8_d-LTQDVsdS33vF/s1600/athomeinstonecreek.jpg" /></a></div>
Ashley O'Ballivan is one of the only single women left in Stone Creek. She's had two pretty serious flings with Jack McCall but he's up and left her and Stone Creek without a word to anyone not once, but twice! Lonely and pretty much broken hearted, Ashley is trying to find some happiness in a simple life by cooking, quilting and taking care of guests in her bed and breakfast. Well, maybe she's not getting many guests, but that better change soon if she's ever going to repay her brother's generous business loan.
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After a very long dry spell of no customers, someone finally shows up to rent a room from Ashley ... and it's none other than Jack McCall. Jack actually arrives at her door in an ambulance after having been injected by a lethal toxin on a dangerous and secret assignment, but determined to recover in Stone Creek where he knew he'd find Ashley. Jack remains pretty secretive about his job and why he's walked out on Ashely in the past, but he keeps no secrets about how he loves her, 'always have, always will.' Ashely, in turn, has a soft spot for Jack and takes him into her bed and breakfast and into her bed without any hesitation. Her protective siblings want her to be happy, but no one seems to be thrilled with Jack showing up again, and rightly so if you ask me.
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Jack's work quickly gets in the way of any progress between Jack and Ashley, and complicating things for everyone. Eventually these two get together and get their happily ever after but it sure did take a lot of let downs, heartaches and half baked excuses before they got there.
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<br />
The premise of this story is very appealing--I really wanted to see Ashley and Jack solidify their love for each other and plan for a future together, but I felt none of that happened even though they did get their happily ever after by the end of the book. I understand the Silhouette line produces relatively shorter stories, so there's only so much page time for the characters, but still, I felt everything in Ashely and Jack's story was rushed. The worst part, I think, is that they never really discussed how hurtful it was every time Jack left Ashley for months and years at a time without warning, explanations or even an 'I love you' note. After being treated that way twice over several years, Ashley takes Jack back into her bed and into her heart so easily that she comes across reckless and even desperate. Although as I write this I wonder that perhaps Ashley takes Jack back into her heart and bed so quickly because she wants to experience something--anything close to a happy, loving life before someone else decides otherwise on her behalf! Why not forgive Jack for walking out on her twice before and take what she can from him while she can when her siblings and even Jack himself seem to make all the decisions in this book, know 'what's best for Ashley' and leave her practically a puppet in her own love story.
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Overall this story is cute, but both Jack and Ashely's family were way too controlling over Ashley's life and way too quick to make decisions for her. Neither party really ever gave her the chance to express how she felt or what she wanted. On the other hand, Ashley was too soft hearted and forgiving when it came Jack and she really deserved better from him even right to the end. So a few too many disappointments in this one for me to strongly recommend it to other readers, unless you are a fan of the Stone Creek series.
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It was okay, so <b>2 out of 3 stars</b> on goodreads.
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<b>GRADE: C </b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130;">Do you read western romances? </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">I have very, very few western romances on my shelves. If you had to recommend just one book to me, what would it be? </span></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-65039711011649517982013-09-12T07:30:00.000-04:002013-09-12T07:30:00.367-04:00My 2nd NJ Gran FondoHello everyone! Do you remember my super duper 107 mile Gran Fondo last year? Well I did the same event again this year last Sunday, September 8, 2013, but a shorter course. My friend and I decided over the winter that we'd do the Medio course this year instead so we wouldn't have to kill ourselves with all the training we'd need to do for the grueling full length Gran course. It turned out to be a really smart decision for us for a bunch of reasons, but most importantly because we really didn't have the opportunity to train much at all beyond our regular 20-40 mile rides once or twice a week. We each also put in solo 50 mile rides while the other was away on vacation, but that was pretty much it. We still did well, though!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the start line, ready to roll!</td></tr>
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The Medio course in the NJ Gran Fondo event was named one of "The 50 Best Rides in America" by Bicyling Magazine in 2012, so even though it was just under 63 miles [99 km], it's a pretty intense course with over 5200 ft. elevation gain-- a lot of climbing!<br />
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Speaking of climbing, the best part of the day for me, which was also the most difficult, was the first category 4 climb that always kicks my butt. The climb is about 2.4 miles long, but it's the last mile of the climb that's killer. It ranges from from 8% to 13% elevation for the entire last mile. Oh man, it's tough. The good part about this climb on Sunday was 1 - feeling so good mentally that I actually DID IT and 2 - the ego boost I got from passing the men who were walking their bikes up the hill! Oh I wanted to stop... but I didn't! Yay for me!!!
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That climb is at the 24 mile mark of the course and by the time we got to the 45 mile mark or so, our legs were getting pretty tired from all the hills. But we were rock stars and finished strong with a total cycle time of 4:43:27.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend (and cycling partner) and I <br />at the finish line.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.maripartyka.com/" target="_blank">My lovely friend Mari</a>, who is a fellow NJ blogger and athlete (go visit her blog.. she's got a Fondo post up, too!), saw my the photo to the left that I posted on instagram after picking up my race packet the Friday before and was inspired to join the Fondo at practically the last minute! She pulled her hybrid bike out of the garage (not a road bike), got it tuned up, bought herself a helmet and rode the entire Medio course on her own! Talk about inspiring, right? She's AMAZING! We were texting over the weekend and she found me at the start line where we had this cute photo of us snapped before we headed out onto the course. I took the liberty to spiff it up with some fun graphics to play tribute to her sense of adventure. ;)
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mari and I at start line!</td></tr>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">What about you.. what kind of fitness adventures have you been on lately?
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I'm linking this post up over at Joy Weese Moll's blog where she hosts a weekly blog meme for <a href="http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2013/09/10/readers-workouts-september-10/?utm_source=feedly" target="_blank">Readers' Workouts</a>. Head on over and check it out.. it's a great way to stay connected, inspired and motivated with other bloggers (most of who happen to also love books and reading) who are working out for pleasure and health. All fitness levels are welcome!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-48857997905241163032013-09-11T17:12:00.002-04:002013-09-11T17:12:16.201-04:00We will never forget..<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union County September 11 Memorial (NJ)</td></tr>
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I rode my bike this morning to my county's September 11 Memorial which serves as a tribute to the 60 men and women from out county who perished in the tragic events of 9/11. Seeing these steel girders up close and being able to touch them and read the names of the people who perished never fails to move me to tears.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of a steel girder from ground zero<br />at Union County September 11 Memorial (NJ)</td></tr>
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Twelve years later, my heart still aches for the families who were shattered by this horrific event.<br />
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But they are not alone.. our entire nation and millions of people around the world stand with them and share their grief.<br />
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We will never forget.<br />
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United we stand.<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-3718083945128364732013-09-09T23:24:00.001-04:002013-09-09T23:24:21.234-04:00First Day of School<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna's first day of high school. :)</td></tr>
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Finally the first day of school for my youngest, who started high school today! This is the first 'First Day of School' photo in which Anna poses alone. She has had her sister starting school on same day with her for the last nine years! On one hand I think Anna's pretty psyched to have the bathroom to herself.. but on the other hand, I think she misses her sister.<br />
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I can't believe I've got one off to college and now my baby is in high school! All these wonderful milestones for my girls which are <i><b>really super fantastic</b></i>, yet at the same time kind of suck for mom and dad. I'm not gonna lie.. I cried after dropping Anna off at school today. I know it will get easier with time and probably sooner than later, but in the meantime, I'm trying not think so much about how grown up and independent my girls are getting every day. Even though I know that's really a good thing.
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">If you've got kids back in school, how's it going for you?
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">For everyone, whether you have kids at all or not, what's your favorite school or office supply?
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I love those little post it tabs. I sometimes use them to mark favorite quotes or passages in books I'm reading or recipes in magazines or cookbooks. So handy.
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And have you seen the new white-out pens? They're not so new.. I bought one last year and they are the BEST! Not that anyone writes on paper a whole lot anymore.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-837808360914895242013-09-06T16:04:00.001-04:002013-09-06T16:04:23.697-04:00R.I.P. VIII<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Artists: <a href="http://www.jennifergordonart.com/">Jennifer Gordan</a> and <a href="http://www.romansirotin.com/">Roman Sirotin</a>.</div>
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This year marks the 8th annual <b>R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril</b> or <b>R.I.P.</b> reading event created and hosted by Carl at <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/" target="_blank">Stainless Steel Droppings</a>. This year will be my 2nd year participating.
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The purpose of <b>R.I.P.</b> is to enjoy books, movies or television shows that could be considered mystery, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, gothic, horror, supernatural, etc. and to share your experience with others. Um. Like maybe reviews? I'll try.. ;)<br />
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<b>R.I.P. VIII</b> takes place from September 1, 2013 through October 31, 2013 and includes a read along of <i>The Historian</i> by Elizabeth Kostova. I actually have this book on my shelves, but I'm not really in the frame of mind to tackle it just now (752 pages!) even though a read along would be a great motivator for this one! Instead I'm going to attempt to tackle this list of books that I've been wanting to read for sometime now, although I'll probably really get going on them in October when I'm more in the mood to read spooky stuff.<br />
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I'm aiming to read (and review!) at least <b style="font-style: italic;">four </b>of these books and anything else that might grab me:<br />
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The Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafón<br />
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón<br />
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness<br />
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman<br />
Joyland by Stephen King<br />
Darkhouse by Karina Halle<br />
The Devil's Metal by Karina Halle<br />
Unnatural Creatures by Neil Gaiman
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #20124d;">What do you think?</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Have you read any of these?
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Want to join R.I.P.? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">You can even read just ONE book!
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Sign up for the <b>R.I.P. VIII</b> event <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/r-eaders-i-mbibing-p-eril-viii" target="_blank">HERE</a> on Carl's blog.
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-43783537470549521562013-09-04T11:38:00.001-04:002013-09-05T08:35:45.661-04:00REVIEW: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>first published in 1943</i></td></tr>
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I first read<i> Le Petit Prince</i> in high school French class several decades ago and recall enjoying it very much. While my recollection of the story itself got very fuzzy over the years, the way it made me feel has always stuck with me... charmed, sentimental, sad, hopeful. I recently read a contemporary novel in which the female protagonist's favorite book was<i> The Little Prince</i>. She painted quotes from the book along the borders of her dining room walls and the book became a topic of conversation several times in the story, most significantly with her lover during which he speculated with whom she identified herself most--the fox or the rose. Of course, this promptly compelled me to re-read <i>The Little Prince</i>. I had no excuse not to revisit this French classic when I had a copy of the book in English on my bookshelf. So yesterday I read <i>The Little Prince</i> for the second time in my life, the first time in English.
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If you haven't yet read <i>The Little Prince</i>, I urge you to do so. It's a classic story loved by readers all over the world, and because it's a short book under 100 pages, there really is no excuse not to read it and decide for yourself if it's worthy of its accolades. I adored the The Little Prince and love that it appeals to so many readers. There are important messages about love, relationships, give and take and not taking your family, friends and lovers for granted. The book is often considered a children's book and comes across as such in its whimsical way, but ultimately, I believe adults are its intended audience and its ultimate message is to remind adults not to get so lost in the material and superficial matters of consequence where we ultimately lose sight of what's really important in life.. matters of the heart. To quote the wise fox,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."</i></blockquote>
My sentimental heart gives <i>The Little Prince</i> a five star rating, but I wonder if a large part of its charm comes from the affection I have for this book having read it in French as a young teen at a time when I probably enjoyed a book for the first time for its philosophical overtures in a foreign language, no less, and not because I truly think today that this book is perfect or near so. Still, the life lessons learned by both the Little Prince and the narrator in this book, and hopefully by readers as well, are truly timeless and invaluable, which maintain that <i>The Little Prince</i> is a true universal classic.
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<b>A sentimental 5 out of 5 stars.
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On a side note, if you read up a bit on the life of the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, you will see why <i>Le Petit Prince</i> is often considered an spiritual autobiography. I found it quite interesting.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Have you read <i>The Little Prince</i>?
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></b>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-36460146500089285432013-09-01T18:36:00.000-04:002013-09-01T18:45:11.671-04:00My oldest has left for college! Can you believe it's September 1st?! Aside from the jet lag after our trip to Asia that sort of put us in a sleepy slow motion for a week or so there, the rest of August was a complete blur! From Japan to home, an evening in NYC with some book club friends, a couple of beach days, some bike rides, our 20th wedding anniversary, a weekend getaway for two to Boston, and getting Maria ready for college, it was one awesome month! Well.. the part about Maria going away to college is awesome for her..... not so much for mom and dad. I mean it is.. but you know. Our baby has flown out of the nest.<br />
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We helped Maria move into her college dorm yesterday. What a milestone! I'm so proud of her for so many reasons and excited for her as she stands at the cusp of this new life experience that will further shape her into the person she is meant to be. Then there's this other part of me that's crying NOOOoooooo! DON'T GO! Mostly I keep that one to myself, knowing that the time is right for her to go out on her own (more or less) and discover herself and the world around her. I just can't figure out how we got to this chapter in our story so darn fast and I'm trying to not to think that my job is more or less done. I know she'll still need us for quite some time .. both financially and for guidance and emotional support.. but it's kind of different now, you know?<br />
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Anyway, here's a fun video I made using the iphone app Flipagram that pretty much shows what August looked like through my eyes, squeezed into one minute and two seconds. Don't blink!<br />
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Hope you liked it. : )<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">How was your August?</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Any changes in your life this September? </span></b><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3661609629555743722.post-88074467501682044332013-08-21T17:11:00.005-04:002013-08-21T17:12:18.358-04:00twenty years...My husband and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary today.. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/de4127f00aa111e3a73822000aaa08a0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/de4127f00aa111e3a73822000aaa08a0_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our wedding day.. August 21, 1993</td></tr>
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He stole my heart pretty much from<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><b> <a href="http://theromanticlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/perfect-first-date.html" target="_blank">Our First Date</a>.</b></span>..<br />
he's my lover, my best friend,<br />
my co-pilot in this parenting stint,<br />
my workout partner,<br />
my travel companion<br />
and the keeper of my heart. </blockquote>
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He truly is my prince from a far away land who swept me off my feet. </blockquote>
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I'm so lucky to be living happily ever after with this man.</blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/f8d9f9a60a7011e3b28822000a9f1468_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage6.s3.amazonaws.com/f8d9f9a60a7011e3b28822000a9f1468_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today on our 20th wedding anniverary.</td></tr>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">I love you. xo</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">My apologies for the repetition to those of you who saw these same photos and sentiments on facebook or instagram earlier today.. </span></i></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00420773211895134710noreply@blogger.com19