Blogger Hop

This week's question:

"What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

--------------------------

Easy, I'd want a library.  A whole room with floor to ceiling bookshelves with cozy couches to read on.  I'd want it so big that I would need a card catalog to know where things are. 

Nice to dream!

-----------------------------------

If you have wondered in for the first time let me give you alittle info on Coffee, Books and Laundry.  I do very little memes, it's mostly reviews here.  I review everything and anything.  I don't stick to one particular genre simply because there is no way I could do it.  On the sidebar I have a link to all my 2009 books read with reviews, and the 2010 books read so far. 

I'm currently reading The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.  A hefty book about a dilapidated mansion and its dwellers. A very gothic tale, interesting so far.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade (Nightshade, #1)

Author:  Andrea Cremer

Genre:  Young Adult

Publisher:  Philomel

Date Released:  October 19, 2010

From Goodreads:

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

-------------------------------------------------

This is only my second book about werewolves, and so far I'm enjoying the werewolf hoopla. Nightshade left me wanting more.

Werewolves are guardians of keepers, which means that their only job is to protect them. Keepers are somewhat like witches, they have special powers and basically are the boss. Calla is an alpha female in charge of the Nightshade pack, she is about to form a union with Ren the alpha male in charge of the Bane pack. To form this unified pack, Calla and Ren must get married. Calla knows this is what must be because the it is what the keepers want, but she can't help but lust after the new guy Shay. Something is definitely different about Shay, she just can't figure out what it is.

Though Nightshade has somewhat of a slow beginning, you quickly get pulled in especially when you start to sense something not quite right with the keepers. The ending was none existent, it was more of a to be continuted. So frustrating, right when it was getting real good, it ends.

Definitely looking forward to the second book. Ms. Cremer wrote a intriguing werewolf book, that involves legends, secrets, and some powerful people (aka keepers)

Sunday Salon

I haven't done a Sunday Salon in quite awhile, thought it was about time to get back to it.

This reading week was not a great one, I think I'm going through a reading block.  I need a really awesome book to get me out of my funk.  Still, this week I finished You Had Me at Halo by Amanda Ashby.  I'm currently reading The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, and it's good so far but I'm only about 25 pages in, so basically the story hasn't begun rolling yet.  It will probably take me all week, it's pretty big. 

Part of the reason why i've been distracted from reading is AMC's Fear Fest.  They've been giving some awesome scary movies.  I actually just pulled away from the TV for a little to make this post, then I'll be heading back to couch with some popcorn.  I love Halloween! 

Have a great Sunday and week ahead!

Blogger Hop

This week's question:

"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

My favorite place to read would have to be in bed, though I do read on the sofa, outside, etc.  I tend to read at night, for some reason I can't get myself to read during the day much even if I have free time.  It has to be a really good book to pick it up during the day. 

----------------------

 

Chick Lit Challenge Completed

I just realized that I completed the Chick Lit Challenge 5 books ago. 

A little recap:

Goal was to complete 7 chick lit novels in 2010. 

Books read:




1. Stupid and Contagious- Caprice Crane

2. Reunion- J.L Penn

3. Passion Betrayal and Killer Highlights- Kyra Davis

4. Seven Year Switch- Claire Cook

5. Obsession, Deceit, and Really Dark Chocolate- Kyra Davis

6. Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss- Kyra Davis

7. Looking for Andrew McCarthy- Jenny Colgan

8. Just Like Me, Only Better- Carol Snow

9. One for the Money- Janet Evanovich

10. Two for the Dough- Janet Evanovich

11. Shoe Addicts Anonymous- Beth Harbison

12. You Had Me at Halo- Amanda Ashby

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

I don't think it has spoilers, but you never know...proceed at your own risk.


Mockingjay
Author:  Suzanne Collins
Publisher:  Scholastic Press
Date Published:  August 24th 2010


From Goodreads:

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.



It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.


The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.


--------------------

I stayed away from any reviews on Mockingjay until after I read it, then went back and checked out what people thought, and I see that it really is split 50/50 between people who liked it, and vice versa.  I put myself in the "like" catagory. 

The beginning seemed slightly off kiltered, almost like I didn't recognize the characters, and series, but I quickly fell into the groove.  Honestly, I didn't want to read more of the same, so after the initial puzzlement, I'm glad Ms. Collins gave us a little jolt.  Most of the complaints I've been seeing have to do with the characters, and how they seem unrecognizable, and though I agree to an extent, I also feel that Mockingjay was about the characters trying to break free from oppression with courage and fear, and had so much responsiblity.  Wouldn't that change you?  I think author Suzanne Collins brought them down a peg or two and made them real.  Yeah, Katniss is suppose to be bad ass, but even bad asses get discouraged, are afraid, and feel beaten down. 

Mockingjay didn't sway from the gruesome as neither did Hunger Games, or Catching Fire, so many moments are spent wincing while reading.  Plain and simple, it's sad just like the first two, but do I think Suzanne Collins have unneccesary things happen...no.  


As for the ending..I loved it.  I can understand how some might not, but things went my way, unlike the other popular YA series that took the world by storm and who's final book I couldn't stomach reading so I abruptly gave up (ya know which one i'm talking about).

Boo! Scary Reads for October

The month of October is all about the scary, and there's nothing like reading in bed with all the lights on scared out of your mind.   I thought it was the perfect time to spotlight some great authors, and books for the ones that want to get SPOOKED!

Oldies but Goodies

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson



Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin



Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

In With the New

The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff



Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill



The Shining by Stephen King













I read The Shining last October and it did a great job of creeping me out.  Also, I really wanted to bring attention to Alexandra Sokoloff.  The Harrowing is one of my favorite scary books ever, and I have a couple more of her books in my TBR.  I will be pulling The Price off my shelves in a couple of days, I'm looking so forward to reading it.

Any scary books you can recommend?

Mini Reviews-- Read A Thon Edition

All these mini reviews are of books I read during this past Read A Thon.  I got lucky and picked up some really great books.  I didn't exactly follow my list I had planned for the books I wanted to tackle, but  I read two from the list than went in search of smaller books.






Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen's books are never teen fluff, they always a serious note to them and Just Listen was no exception.  Annabel, a girl who people think has everything is actually going through a rough time.  Her sister has a eating disorder, and she lost her best friend.  During this rough time in her life she meets Owen, who is like nobody she has ever met.  Like I mentioned there are some pretty serious things going on in Annabel's life, and I find that Ms. Dessen has a good balance of sweet and serious in her books.






Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson

Sonata for Miriam is one of those books that has all these layers unfolding as you read.  The story is about grieving for a loved one, and in the process, discovering things about yourself.  Protagonist Adam Anker is on a journey discovering where he came from.  Buried lies come out, and the such but this small book was deeper than that.  A really well written novel.






Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Into the Wild is based on the true story of Chris McCandless, who at 24 left behind is family and friends to live as one with the wilderness in Alaska, sadly he did not make it out alive.  I was fascinated by the thinking of Chris.  He gave away 24,000 dollars to charity, and basically hit the road.  Though I do not agree with some of Chris McCandless's way of thinking I can understand his need for adventure, and his willingness to not be tied down by society.  Jon Krakauer is a great writer, but I could have done with less descriptions.






The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

The Weight of Silence quickly grabs you, and before you know it, you are turning the last page.  I was kept interested the whole way through.   The story revolves around the disappearance of two little girls.  I figured it out pretty early but still really enjoyed it.   Every chapter is told in different point of views, so you really get an idea of what everyone is thinking throughout.  Really great!

Read A Thon Summary

END OF THE LINE MEME

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? 

around the 21-22 hour.


2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year?

I really enjoyed The Weight of Silence, and Just Listen

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year?

If it ain't broken, don't fix it!


4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon?

Everything worked out great!


5. How many books did you read?

4


6. What were the names of the books you read?

The Weight of Silence, Just Listen, Into the Wild, Sonata for Miriam


7. Which book did you enjoy most?

The Weight of Silence


8. Which did you enjoy least?

Into the Wild, though it was still good.  I just got lucky and picked winners!


9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders?

Was not a cheerleader, but I do want to say they did   A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!


10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time?
 
This was my 3rd read a thon, and I will definitely be doing more.  I'm starting to get comfortable with my routine for it, so i'll probably start branching out soon hosting a challenge or being a cheerleader. 
 
---------------------------------
 
My goal this read a thon was to finish at least 3 books, and I'm happy to say I surpassed my goal completing four books.   I'm also super happy that I chilled out on snacks.  During April's read a thon I consumed more snacks than books, and felt sick the next day. 

I also want to give a shout out to the cheerleaders.  You all did a SUPER job, and really help to motivate!!  Everytime I took a break and logged on, I went straight to read ya'lls cheers!  THANKS!!!!
 
TOTAL TIME READING:
 

18.36 HOURS

Dewey's Readathon

Not a morning person, so I'm just barely starting the readathon.  This post is where I will make all my updates.  Any mini challenges I participate in throughout the day will all each have separate posts, so this might be shuffled down some.  I can't think of a better way to do it.  I'll be checking how ya'll be doing it to get some ideas for next time.

Good luck everyone!
------------------------
9:39 am  Start time

Breaking for lunch 12:02

Minutes read: 120 minutes

Book reading:  The Weight of Silence

Pages read:  125 pgs.

--------------

Back to reading 12:44 pm

Little break 3:41

Books read: 1

minutes read: 177 minutes
--------------------

Start up again 4:20 pm

Break 9:33

Books read : 2

Minutes read:  313 minutes

----------------------------------

Back to reading at 10:00 pm

Breaking at 1:35 am

total books read: still 2, but close to finishing bk 3

Minutes read:  215 minutes
------------------------------------------------------

Started back up:  2:07 am

Breaking at 4:20 am

Total books read:  4

Minutes read:  193 minutes

-----------------------------------
4:30 total update (just want to see where I'm at)

Books read:  The Weight of Silence, Just Listen, Sonata for Miriam, Into the Wild

Total time reading so far:  16.96 hrs  WOWSER!!

------------------------
back to reading:  4:33 am

Last time I looked at clock 5:57 am

minutes read 84 min.



total time 18.36 hours

Readathon challenges

Arm Chair Travelling challenge hosted by The Adventures of an intrepid Reader.

My challenge to you (if you choose to accept it) is to write a post sharing some of the sites from your books, or some facts about the place where your books are set. It could be books that you are reading for readathon, or books you have read recently, or some of your favourite books ever.


One of my favorite books is Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, after reading this book I fell in love with Barcelona.   Honestly I started researching and looking at pictures.  I think Mr. Zafon described Barcelona with such love, that it's hard not to read Shadow of the Wind and not want to go to Barcelona.

Another book I just recently read that had me planning a vacation in my head is When We Were Gods by Colin Falconer.  I've always wanted to go to Egypt, I have a slight infatuation with Ancient Egypt, so nothing sounds more exciting than looking at pyramids, and going down tombs.  Well, now I also want to visit Rome because of When We Were Gods.  Such great imagery in the book.
--------------------------------------------
Crystal at My Reading Room is hosting a challenge, Show Me the Books.

Here are some pictures of my books..

This is my TBR shelves..messy!


----------------------------------


Where are you reading from today?


I'll be moving about all over my house today.  I'll hit the bed, recliner, outside, and comfy couch. I like to move around.


3 facts about me …

I have two tattoos (small girly ones)
I love coffee
My dream is to open a book store/coffee shop


How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

5



Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?

I would really love to get through at least 3 books today.  That's my main goal.

If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?


This is my 3rd readathon, and basically just have fun with it.  Take breaks when you need to, and just go with the flow.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dewey's Read A Thon Reading List

It's read a thon time, and it's that time to pick out what i'm gonna read.  I plan on participating the full day tomorrow, and my husband will be joining with me.  Last readathon I went at it relaxed not really keeping track of minutes read and so forth, but this time i'm hoping to keep track, because I plan on putting in some serious reading time. lol! 

Here is my list of books (I reserve the right to change this up..lol)

Cleopatra's Daughter- Michelle Moran
The Weight of Silence- Heather Gudenkauf
Just Listen- Sarah Dessen
Discord's Apple- Carrie Vaughn
The Penny Tree- Holly Kennedy

Plus I have plenty on my kindle just in case.

This is going to be fun!

Review Writing Woes

Lately writing a review has been hard..hard I tell you!  I feel like I have so much to say, it's all jumbled in my brain, problem is I can't get it in coherent sentences.  Run-ons are galore, and I'm even forgetting all the punctation rules.  Let's not even get into spelling.  Me and spelling are like this (intertwining fingers).  I am a past spelling bee champ!  I'm not a writer, I'm quite aware of that, so I never aimed for those nicely written long reviews but churning out something decent would be nice.  Is churning a word?  Whatever..anyways, this is making me hesitant in writing right now.   Who wants to write when they feel like what they have to say is mediocre?   I think while i'm going through my little writers block, if you may, I'm just going to write exactly how I speak.  It might be a little unsophisticated, and raw, but it will be real.  It will be more me unfiltered. 

I'm falling behind in my reviews because of time issues, but also because the motivation is gone due to these writing woes, hopefully with this new way of reviewing i'll be able to spit out some of those reviews i'm behind.   I will be having a couple of down days ahead due to a nail slicing up my leg, it was ugly.  It sliced me up pretty good and deep.  Blood everywhere, five hours at the hospital, 6 stitches in all, and a tetanus shot equals  a mini break.   I'm sure there was a easier way to get a break, but hey that's not my style.  Go big or Go home!! 

I know many have had their own writing woes, anyone have any tips for times like these?

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkes

May Contain Spoilers from Bk 1. Leaving Paradise

Return to Paradise

Author:  Simone Elkeles

Publisher:  Flux

Date Published:  September 1st 2010

From Goodreads: 

Maggie and Caleb just went through the worst year of their lives. Hit by a car and starting life over with a limp, Maggie never thought she would forgive Caleb. But she did—and fell in love. What they shared was real. But Caleb wanted to be free from the past—and a terrible secret: he wasn't the one who hit Maggie. So he left Paradise—and Maggie—forever. When Maggie and Caleb run into each other in a different town, they can't deny their true feelings. Will Maggie let Caleb get away again? Or will Caleb face the truth and return to Paradise?

-----------------------

I am a huge fan of Leaving Paradise, so naturally I was super excited to jump on a tour for Return to Paradise.  I definitely was not disappointed.

Maggie and Caleb have quickly become my favorite YA couple, I truly love both of these wonderful characters.  When we last left these great characters, Caleb was leaving Paradise and Maggie.  In Return to Paradise  Maggie is reunited with Caleb when they both take part in a Re-Start program.  After months of not seeing each other they quickly fall into the push pull relationship we all know to well from book one Leaving Paradise, but don't get me wrong this is not more of the same ol' , same ol'.  I enjoyed the maturity growth that author Ms. Elkeles gave both characters. 

Return to Paradise put a smile on my face..what more can you ask for? 

By the way, the ending was superb!

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

Cracked Up To Be

Author:  Courtney Summers

Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin

Date Published:  December 23rd 2008

From Goodreads: 

What's the worst thing you've ever done?

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

---------------------------------

Cracked Up To Be is a slightly confusing book to me for some reason.  Not confusing in the context of I didn't understand it, but for the reason that I didn't understand the main character Parker.  I couldn't get into the why of most, if not all the of her actions.  Almost everything she did was beyond "What the hell are you doing".

From the beginning we get that something major has happen to Parker.  The first couple of pages gives us the background of who Parker is now, and who she use to be.  Basically, she's a badass that doesn't give a what-what, and before she was the queen of the school.   Of course, a new guy arrives to the school, and is intrigued by Parker.  Why are delinquents so intriguing?  As everything slowly comes out about why Parker went the other direction, I'm left saying "Ok, this girl need help", umm, she never thought once to call the police. 

Cracked Up To Be really wasn't all that great to me, but nonetheless it wasn't bad.  It was a quick read, and I know some people really enjoyed this book..I've read the reviews.   I'm thinking my expectations were too high.