Have You Seen My Newest Button

I love buttons. I love the ones you wear even more.

But...the ones that lead to something great, are even better. That instant gratification is always satisfying, even if I don't win.

Authors Lisa Mantchev (Eyes Like Stars) and Michelle Zink (Prophecy of the Sisters) have teamed up to have us battle it out to see who comes out on top. Faeries or Demons? I know who wins. Not really, just wishful thinkin'.

They elaborate more on the site. If you feel up to it, enter through the first method. Or, scroll down til you get to the bottom, and do like I've done and take the "easy" way out. There are some great prizes, though. Tisk,tisk. I'm still in the running for a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate (my choice).

Contest open to those 13 and older (must have parent's consent if younger). The Star-Crossed Prophecy Ends Saturday, August 8th.

Another Big ALA Giveaway Contest

BookWorming in the 21st Century has joined the crowd by giving away some extra copies of books and goodies she acquired at ALA last weekend.

Here's a list of a few of them:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
Hazel by Julie Hear
Sucks to Be Me bookmark
Set of four cards from Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Strange Angels postcard

Enter to win this great prize before or on Friday, July 31st, 2009.

Win Eyes Like Stars

BoyWithBooks.com is giving away a mega prize pack in honor of Eyes Like Stars Launch week. There are 14 other really good reads I've been hearing about for a while on it.

The requirements for entry can actually be fun.

Enter before or on Friday, July 31st, 2009. *USA & Canada ONLY!

Fantastic Book Review is also giving you the chance to win Eyes Like Stars along with a $20 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate.

Enter her contest on or before Fri., July 24th, 2009, ends @ midnight. *Open to Everyone.

* Both have chances for extra entries.

More Book Giveaways

Pop Culture Junkie is giving away 2 books, Tempo Change and Along For the Ride.


http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaway-tempo-change.html


http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaway-along-for-ride.html



Been looking for a chance to score an ARC of Propecy of Sister by Michelle Zink? Even though you only have 9 days to wait for the official release, there is a great opportunity to win an awesome prize at The Beautiful Creatures blog.

http://margaretstohl.typepad.com/beautifulcreatures/2009/07/beautiful-creatures-book-club-contest-win-arc-swag-for-prophecy-of-the-sisters-new-twist-.html#comments

ARC Giveaways

Carrie's YA Bookshelf is giving away 2 ARCs to one winner.

• The Hate List - Val helped her boyfriend make a list of things they hated. While he attacked the school somehow she decided she wanted to save one of the people. The story focuses on how she deals with the consequences five months later.

• Beautiful Creature - Gatlin County, is a small town where nothing ever happens. Then Lena Duchaness a girl with a power and secret curse moves in. Her neighbor, Ethan Wate, has been dreaming of her. His quest to find out there connection is probably what will bring out her secret. Which from the sound of it, could ruin everything.

I'm curious to see if these books are as predictable as they sound. Not trying to be harsh. They might blow me away. Something I've been looking forward to. (Inner pessimist)

Real reaction - These books sound great. The plot is a little different. I look forward to seeing how they turn out.
Head on over to Carrie's YA Bookshelf on or before Thursday, July 31st, 2009.

Saw the library in my college town yesterday

Think I might literally finish all the books there. It isn't even really the size of my current library's first floor.

I usually get happy when I go into a library. This one made me sad. I'll appreciate any place that allows me to read...it's just upsetting.

Haven't checked out the catalog. Probably will have to purchase my books from now on. They really need a grant or something. Maybe I should make that a project.

P.S. I got a library card. It's black like my mood was.

Remain true to myself

It's hard to decide whether you should read a book. A book I may love, you may hate. I shouldn't do things just because I see other book blogs doing it.

I hate the rating system and from this moment on it's banned.

You should be the only one deciding what you're going to read.

If you like my blog, you'll like it. If you don't, so be it.

Wish you all well. I appreciate your support.

Win an ARC of The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Jessica Verday's husband Lee is giving an ARC of The Hollow on Lee A Verday's Book/Writing Blog. Wait, it's not just any ARC, it's autographed too.

Every comment will count as an entry. You can comment on whatever you want. You can also gain additional prizes; The Hollow T-shirt and a copy of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. It's a special drawing so you could be 1 of 3 people to get this prize.

That's what I'm doing now. It would be great to win The Hollow. Getting a t-shirt and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow would also be nice.

Be nice, mention that you were sent by SerieslyReady.

The Hollow Autographed ARC Contest - Ends Sunday, July 26, 2009, Jessica's birthday.

For more information on Jessica, The Hollow, and to read the first chapter, head on over to http://www.jessicaverday.com/.

Entered first to Win Catching Fire

He who is first shall be last.

Probably won't win. Wouldn't be the first time. Really want to read Catching Fire. Will probably have to wait until September, depending on how long the Hold list is at the library.

While I'm probably waiting on Catching Fire, one of you could be the recipient of a brand new copy. Awaiting Serenity nabbed an extra copy at ALA.

So someone, probably not me. You know how Random.org is, will receive a copy.

Tell her your favorite character and why to enter to get Catching Fire. Ends Sat., Aug. 1st, 2009

Side note: Going off to college today. Officially, I won't be off until next month. Isn't that exciting. I want to go by their local library and get a card. Then take a bunch of shots of the town. Hope it happens.

I Loved I Lost...Now I'm eating spaghetti

Okay, technically I'm having pasta right now. Are at least I will be in a few minutes. I didn't win, again.

I loved the idea of getting I Loved I Lost I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci and The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Now I'm licking my wombs, about to eat pasta.

Today is the last day to enter to win The Shifters Series from Fantastic Book Review. Be sure to enter before midnight.

Might use a Rating Scale

I see a lot of blogs do this. My definition of good may not be the same a some one else's. So, I should try to clarify. My ratings are usually determined by my mood, sadly. I'll make an effort though.

I'll probably never give out a 5. That's supposedly perfect. And nothing ever written is perfect. When I do give out let's say a 4.75, for instance, it's probably because the book made me happy and want more. That is probably the highest I'll go. I don't even think Twilight could get that.

Again, since I'm moody, this whole scale could be invalid. I'll try to control it though.

Book/Film Review Howl's Moving Castle

It would be so easy to simply compare and contrast. I feel that would be giving too much away. So, I'll make this as brief and nice as possible.

I love both the book and the film. There isn't a preference. (The image on the right uploaded that way.)


There were some things included in the book that I wish they had put into the film. I won't complain about those though. You can find a synopsis of the book at barnesandnoble.com.

The gist of the story is as follows:

An ordinary girl, with a latent ability (not included so much in the film, but still present), sets out to cure her curse (book/film) and seek her fortune (in book). She figures that since she is already an old lady she might enjoy the life she has for once.

Sophie Hatter, leaves her hat shop and begins her quest. Along the way she encounters a scarecrow and a dog (in book), before making her way across the waste and wondering into Wizard Howl's moving castle. There, she makes a contract with the fire demon Calcifer. While trying to free him of his contract, in order to break her curse, she must put up with the Howl, and avoid further confrontation with the Witch of the Waste.

In the film, they focused more on war and Howl's part in it. The book seemed to focus more on the characters relationships and the drama as a result of all different things happening. Like the prince and Wizard Suliman missing (book), Howl's courtship, how much the witch hates them, etc. You'll have to read the book, to truly appreciate the film. Things will be more clear.

You have to admire Diana Wynn Jones writing and the way Hayao Miyazaki was able to bring it to life. He took some liberties to personalize it to his style, but the end result was just as amazing as the story that inspired it.

My rating for both will be a 4.75.

Wish I could win a copy of Eyes Like Stars

I've been seeing the book cover for at least two months. Over the past few weeks I have found at least two contests offering Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev.

The cover alone is breathtaking. Before I read a synopsis or review, the cover got me. If I didn't know what I know about the book now I would read this just for the cover.

I thought it had something to do with fairies. According to Amazon.com it's more than that.

I'm going to take a bit from one of my favorite blogs. Chick Lit Teens has this annual installment, You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover...Or Can You? I hope she doesn't mind. I'm going to deviate from that just a bit.

Starting next month I am going to pick up a few books based on nothing else but the cover. Then I'll start a semi-annual installment entitled, You Can Judge A Book By Its Cover...Might Be Wrong Though. Doesn't sound too good, but I'll try it for a while and see how it works out.

Contests Ending Soon

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Chocolate & Croissants is giving away 5 copies of I loved, I lost, I made Spaghetti Giveaway
Enter by naming your favorite Italian dish.

Bookin' with "Bingo" (6 pm) - Giving away 5 copies of The Host and one winner will also receive a new copy of Twilight. Tell them why you should get the bonus.

Series I'm currently reading and series(ly) lovin':

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows (Spring, 2010)

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer - Bloody Jack, Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger, In the Belly of the Bloodhound, Mississippi Jack, My Bonny Lighthorse, Rapture of the Deep (Sept, 09), The Wake of Lorelei Lee (2010)

Airhead by Meg Cabot - Airhead, Being Nikki, Runaway (2010)

The Clique by Lisi Harrison - (A little shaky right now) The Clique, Best Friends for Never, Revenge of the Wannabes, Invasion of the Boy Snatchers, The Pretty Committee Strikes Back, Dial L for Loser, It's Not Easy Being Mean, Sealed With A Diss, Bratfest at Tiffany's, P.S. I Loathe You, Boys "R" Us, Charmed and Dangerous: The Clique Prequel, These Boots Are Made for Stalking (2010)

Melissa Marr has changed the title of the fourth Wicked Lovely Book

This probably isn't new news to Wicked Lovely fans. I was really looking forward to Skin Starved. I mean, do you hear that title. Say it out loud, if need be. What a title.

Now, Radiant Shadows isn't bad. It's quite lovely actually. Does that mean this is going to be a happier book. (Haven't read the synopsis yet.) Not that the others were depressing, but you know. It is a beautiful title.

I wonder what made her change it? (I should really follow the authors I love more closely. I don't have time to be a stalker though.)

As you all know there is tons of information on the World Wide Web. I'll try my best to give you book news you might actually enjoy, and more timely next time.

Here's a simpler link to this matter by Melissa herself: Radiant Shadows

Note: Signed up for her newsletter. Will do that for all the other authors I like.

Author Interviews

This may seem silly. I will be having some Author Interviews. Almost sure that that will happen within the next month. I've typed up a few letters, but I'm going around trying to check my facts.

Getting these interviews will make this blog more well-rounded. Bare with me. Their are a lot of nice authors to interview. All I need to do is make contact.

I Love BUTTONS

I really like buttons. They are so much more cuter than zippers on clothing, and it's always nice to get them from other blogs.

More will be added in the future.

If you have a nice button, let me know. I'll be glad to add it.