Fabulousity!

I've been awarded a book blog by Sharon! My First!!!! (I guess there a rules as well! :)) Rules are: Write 5 things you are addicted to and then nominate 5 other blogs to pass this award on to!

5. Entenmann's Chocolate Cake, I swear I can (and have) eaten the whole thing by myself.

4. Napping. I love to nap. Daily. If I don't nap, I'm a bear.

3. Muse. The Band. I. am. addicted. to. them. Love their music and the style.

2. My Books. They are being buried with me. I kid you not.

1. Red Wine. I love to try new Merlots.

My five nominees are:

Melange

Steph Su

Shelly

Bookworm Readers

Alison

Say the Word, Jeannine Garsee

First and foremost, Jeannine Garsee is a friend. A GOOD friend. We talk, I read her stuff and critique it. She's got an amazing book coming out on March 17, 2009 (and I created the widget for her and a playlist!) Look what was in this week's Pub Weekly

Say the Word Jeannine Garsee. Bloomsbury, $16.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1-59990-333-0 Garsee's (Before, After, and Somebody in Between) second novel hits the ground running and doesn't let up. Shawna Gallagher, a high school senior trying to live up to her domineering father's expectations, is awakened one night by a phone call: her estranged mother, who left Shawna and her father years earlier for a woman, Fran, has had a stroke. Following her mother's death, Shawna must confront her feelings about her mother and her own prejudices (she has particular issues with gay people, which are further complicated when her best friend comes out). Shawna's father, learning that one of Fran's sons is in fact his child by Shawna's mother, fights for (and gains) custody of the boy—finally spurring Shawna to defy him. The novel overflows with story lines and plot twists—Shawna's romance with her stepbrother (and her father's with her former babysitter), her ailing grandfather and the ridicule she faces in school. Nevertheless, Garsee presents a compelling portrait of a young woman growing up and coping with an overwhelming array of problems. Ages 14–up. (Mar.)

To all my readers, I encourage you to read this book and her debut Novel, "Before, After and Somebody in Between." You will be treated to literary greatness. She is a damn good storyteller. My first review was "Say the Word" and I really don't think I did it justice when I reviewed it.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is the brain child of The Story Siren Monday, February 16-Monday, February 23, 2009 Todd Parr's, /The I love you Book, Published by Little Brown, 2009 Prophecy of the Sisters, Michelle Zink, Published by Little Brown, 2009 North of Beautiful, Justina Chen Headley, Published by Little Brown, 2009 Breathing, Cheryl Renee Herbsman, Published by Viking, 2009 Bewitching Season, Marissa Doyle, Published by Henry Holt & Co. 2008

Winners of Scavenger Hunt

I'm cross-posting this from Lisa's blog *NOTE: I DO NOT KNOW WHO I'M MAILING YET, SO PLEASE BE PATIENT* Winners have been contacted via e-mail as of three minutes ago. We had over sixty entries, and the random number generator pulled the fifteen winners (so if you didn't win this time around, it's not MY shins you want to kick, I promise!) They are: Cecelia Pham Erika Carrubba Lenore Appelhans Rylie Chase Faith Kenney Lucile Elise Andie Contreras Jess (findthetimetoread) Paradox Revealed Sandra Dess Melissa Walker Karen Kincy Jill Eileen Robinson Christy Flynn Melissa Nunes The good news is that there will be another ARC giveaway the first week in March, so please stay tuned to this space. And another round of applause for the lovely hosts and hostesses of the Scavenger Hunt... I certainly couldn't have done it without them!! :)

Thank you

I want to thank all of the people who participated in the scavenger hunt here and on other sites. It was a huge success and I don't envy Lisa one bit trying to figure out the winners. I wish all of the entrants good luck and as soon as I know who to send the book to, I will. Congratulations to everyone!

If I Stay, Gayle Forman

I'm going to try to do a service to this book because it is so good. Some of you may know that I haven't been able to stop crying while reading this book. I don't know if there are enough adjectives to describe this book. But I'll do the best I can. Mia is a seventeen year old cellist. She has a 7 year old brother and two parents who are the hippest, coolest parents a girl could want. Mia's love for music stems from her parents love of music. Mia's dad was in a band for many years and finally left it after the birth of their son, Teddy. Mia's life for all intents and purposes is blessed. She's got a great boyfriend, Adam. A wonderful best friend, Kim. But everything changes in a blink of an eye. Mia needs to struggle with a decision that may or may not be in her hands. Gayle Forman writes from the heart and tears and plucks at the heartstrings. Although Mia tells the story, it's the why of the story that just leaves that lump in the throat. We all have to make certain decisions and some of them are really, extremely difficult. With a litany or cacophony of friends to help her pull through the most traumatic of moments, Mia opens herself up to us and brings us inside of her head and her heart. A lot of the book is told in flashback, and Gayle weaves the vignettes beautifully. Telling a book in this style can either be too gooey or heavy handed, but Ms. Forman weaves the delicate balance beautifully. This book gets 5 Bookmarks!

You guys like Scavenger Hunts?

Lisa Mantchev asked a bunch of us to do a scavenger hunt to give away extra copies of Eyes Like Stars that we recieved. So tomorrow, please go to Lisa's blog, lisamantchev.livejournal.com to get all the clues you need. Below are the rules and regulations, as Lisa created them. So stayed tuned to THIS blog on February 18, 2009 (Tomorrow) the fun begins! The Rules: 1) Contest limited to those in the USA. Apologies to our friends abroad, but these ARCs are being mailed out by the generous souls on the blogroll, and there will be other contests which will be eligible to readers overseas. 2) All entrants must be the age of 13 or older. Entrants 12 and under (if any) can be entered by their parents. 3) No family members of anyone connected with the Scavenger Hunt, please. How To Play: 1) Players should start at Lisa's Blog (lisamantchev.livejournal.com) to get the Official Blogroll and List of Clues 2) Players then need to visit the blogs, collect the quotes, AND leave a comment (like a trail of bread crumbs... we want to know you actually did the leg work!) 3) E-mail Lisa with your list of quotes: lisa@lisamantchev.com 4) Prizes will awarded thusly: to those who collect the most quotes. Should more people remit the complete quote list than we have ARCs to give away, Lisa shall award the prizes by lottery/random drawing. She shall also retain the right to add extra ARCs to the prize pool at her discretion.

Melange's Blog

Hey guys, there is a new blogger in our midst and right now she only has 5 followers. Why don't you go over and follow her. She has a cool contest going with several books that she'd give away on Paperbackswap.com, but if you guys want them, you can win them! So go ahead and tell Melange that Laura sent you. I think she's gonna have a great blog! http://melangesreviews.blogspot.com/

Dilemma

I'm currently reading "Lipstick Apology" and there is a GLARING continuity error. Should I contact the author or the publisher? (There are a bunch of them) But I wonder if they'll catch them in the revision process of the ARC? Just your thoughts?

Books to Raid...

Here is a list of books I have for the winners to raid. If there is anything not on this list, just tell me the pub name and I'll do my best to get it. I'm trying to get two copies of Hottie, but the ARCs are gone, however the finished copies will be available soon. I'm also going to try to get another copy of Prophecy of the Sisters either from Little Brown or Michelle (If you have an extra copy to spare, Michelle!) Okay here goes. My list is dwindling! Night Runner, Max Turner Jolted, Arthur Slade Simon Bloom, The Octopus Effect, Michael Reisman (second in series) If I stay, Gayle Forman Peace, Locomotion, Jacqueline Woodson The Kings Rose, Alisa M. Libby Eternal, Cynthia Leitich Smith The Pirates of Crocodile Swamp, Jim Arnosky The A-List, Hollywood, Royalty Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson (some water damage, not too bad) Beautiful Americans, Lucy Silag The Blonde of the Joke, Bennett Madison

Winners

Steph Su and Melange are the winners of the contest. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear. Please e-mail me at lauram68 at gmail dot com. If you're not sure what you want, I can guide you with what I already have.

Winners for Plea Contest

This is how I numbered New people: 1. Erika Lynn 2. Stargirlreads 3. Michelle Kuo 4. Sweet Melissa 5. Melange 6. Steph su 7. Karen Kincy 8. Sharon Anne 9. Ann Diana Dinh 10. Ceridwen83 11. Jenners 12. Diana Dang 13. Lenore 14. Emily Ruth 15. TruBlu93 16. Reeva 17. Shana Silva 18. Lauren Baratz-logstead Research Randomizer Results 1 Set of 2 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 18 -- Unsorted Job Status: Set #1: 6, 5 For the people who recommended people that was: Shalonda Yan Thao I'm going to give books to all of you. (can it be from my stash already?)

Vampire Academy Discussion

We first meet Lissa and Rose, they are on the run from the school. Rose is becoming a bit addicted to Lissa feeding off of her. The high turns her on. At first, when I read this I thought that maybe there was some girl on girl action going on (well as much as there can be for a YA novel!); But then they're brought back to the St. Vladimir Academy by the alluring Dimitri and his gang. Rose has known from the beginning that her life would be to guard the Princess, Lissa. But she doesn't really know at what cost to her. Therein lies the story. What I love about Rose is everything I dislike about Lissa. Rose is strong, spunky and smart. Lissa, granted a princess, is weak, afraid to break rules (unless it includes Christian). Rose's punishment for taking Lissa out of the Academy is to join training program that will make her to be the best Guardian that Lissa could have. But what Rose doesn't realize is that she will fall for her trainer, Dimitri Belikov. The relationship between Dimitri and Rose is anything but love and roses. He beats her and forces her to realize that outside of guardianship there IS no outside. Her life is to protect the Princess and that is all there is. No life outside of that. However, Rose has other plans for that. I like how Rose can get trapped into Lissa's body (or her mind), it creates a closeness for the both of them, but Rose also gets pulled into Lissa during not the most opportunistic times, too. All Rose knows is that she must protect Lissa to the ends of the earth. What are your thoughts on the first book? Do you think Rose gets a raw deal out of her heritage because her only focus in life is to protect Lissa? She's not allowed to have a life for herself. Does her feelings for Dimitri overtake her to the point that she puts Lissa in danger.?

My new layout

Is getting positive reviews. However, you will not hurt my feelings if you don't like it. My husband already told me he thought it was too busy. So you have until (I think) 7.30 tonight (EST) to vote on the layout. If the yeah's have it, it stays. If the nays win, it stays.. (just kidding); I'll continue to look around. You guys all rock! Just wanted you to know that!

Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead

I'll post my thoughts on the three books out in the series. Please remember if you haven't read them all, there will be spoilers, so please be prepared. If I gloss on anything that you really want to talk about, go right ahead. I'd like to get a dialogue going on the book. Think of it as an online bookclub! We'll also decide what to talk about next week as well, so get your thinking caps on! I'm really looking forward to this! I hope you are too!

I'm changing my layout!

However, I couldn't find a 3-column template I liked:( However, here is what I'm leaning towards. http://www.pyzam.com/bloggertemplates/details/nifty-pattern-purple or http://www.pyzam.com/bloggertemplates/details/butterflies-belong Which one do you guys like? (I'm REALLY leaning toward the first one!)

A Plea... and you get a prize

If you can recruit someone to join my blog and have them leave a message stating that YOU recruited them. You will get a book of your choice. (Um, if it's an ARC, let me make sure I can get it!) So I want you to post on YOUR blog about MY blog. And if you want, I'll POST about your blog on MY blog! so it's a win-win for everyone! I'll do the randomizer again. But I will guarantee 4 winners! Okay, this is what I'm going to do. There will be 2 winners of recruiters and 2 winners of new people! So EVERYONE gets a chance to win... Also, let me know if there is anything I can do to make this site even better! Thank you! Laura

New SpringWidget

Get this widget!

Winners!

Research Randomizer Results 2 Sets of 1 Unique Numbers Per Set Range: From 1 to 50 -- Unsorted These books will be sent out within the next couple of weeks. You know the drill, send me your e-mail address. Sorry I'm late, I had to run out and didn't have a chance to post this. If you've already read the book or have a copy, please let me know.

Set #1: Willow Winner 15: Paradox

Set #2: Peace, Love and Baby Ducks 46 Sarah MacLean

50 Followers!

And you know what that means! Contest! So two people will win Willow and Peace, Love and Baby Ducks! I'm gonna do randomizer from 1-50. So cross your fingers and say your prayers! :) I'll post the winners tonight at 7pm est!

And now for something fun...

On Friday, February 6, this website www.prophecyofthesisters.com (my linking is not working) went live! I was lucky to read a copy of this book and let me tell you, it is AMAZING! I'm going to do a re-read of it and then closer to publication date, review it. Oh and just in case you haven't seen it here is the cover, which is pretty cool, freaky and just beautiful in it's awesomeness. And just a word on author, Michelle Zink. She is amazing. She has been a big supporter of this site and just an amazing person. If you are able to get a copy of this book, you're in for a treat!

Eyes Like Stars, Lisa Mantchev

I'm going to start off that this book is GREAT. I was glued from page one and couldn't stop reading it until I was finished. Seventeen year old, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith calls the Theatre Illuminata home. And her friends are some of the most famous characters known in theatre. But her antics have caused her a reputation that could possibly kick her out of the only home she's ever known. The writing in this story is witty, snappy, snarky and just downright brilliant. Lisa weaves a story that makes you feel for Bertie and you really root for her all the way through to survive ordeal after ordeal. Lisa sets the story up as a play from the opening curtain to different scenes and scenery changes. Bertie's best friends also happen to be Faeries from the Shakesperean play "A Midsummer Night's Dream". The go through all the toil and trouble with her. With the Stage Manager wanting her gone and the Theatre Manager threatening her with expulsion, Bertie must come up with a reason why should stay in the Theatre. But that isn't the only mystery in the story. How Bertie came to live at the Theatre is the main mystery in this lovely story. This books deserves 5 and a half bookmarks! I really loved this story and can't wait to see what happens next!

Books to mail

For those of you expecting books, the current snow storm will not allow me to get them out today. Yesterday, my glasses broke so I had to run around (with mad headache) to get eyes examined and get new glasses. (They're pretty funky!) So I hope that I can get the books out by this weekend. Hopefully! Other than that, I'm blah... *rant* I'm editing this to include that I. HATE. SNOW. Living in the Northeast for nearly 41 years I am fully capable of saying that snow is the work of the devil. I don't like the cold or ice or freezing toes that comes with snow. */end rant* :)