Quick admin thing

Ok, so remember when some of you had trouble commenting on the new disqus format, and I had to revert to the older, more friendly version? Well, they've forced the new one onto everyone now. Have they fixed any of the issues for those of you who had trouble before? I'd been toying with switching to Wordpress, so I may move that up if they didn't fix anything.

Pin it- Do It May

Hey, 'sup there? If you hadn't noticed, I hadn't been here in a while. February was monitoring month (which is me watching construction teams dig holes), making for long days and not always much reading time. Add getting back into crafting, with a dash of not sure how to put bookish thoughts into review form and we come to today. Yup, pretty much sums it up for me. So I'm trying to slowly work my way back to my blog and reader (will probably have to purge subs there). But I digress.

Since I'm doing more crafty things, I'm going to try to do Pin It Do It with Trish of Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity. I'm going to do Timid Pinner 1-3 pins. I store pins for things I want to try in Things to Try and Craftiness to Do boards. I will try to post pictures on Ravelry too.

Jump Cut by Ted Staunton

Jump Cut by Ted Staunton
The Seven Series
Orca Book Publishers
Arc recieved from LibraryThing Early Reviewers giveaways
4 stars

Synopsis

Spencer loves movies, but real life is boring, right? When his late grandfather's will reveals the tasks he wants his grandsons to undertake, Spencer thinks he got screwed. He's not going to France or Spain or Africa. He's not even getting a cool tattoo, like his younger brother. No, he's going to Buffalo to get a kiss from an ancient movie star. Gross. And he's supposed to film it. Grosser. But Spencer hasn't bargained on Gloria Lorraine, star of the silver screen back in the day. Gloria has big plans--plans that involve her granddaughter AmberLea, a gun, a baker who might be a gangster, some real gangsters and a road trip to Nowheresville, Ontario. After being shot at, jumping into an icy lake and confronting some angry bikers, Spencer finally realizes that real life can be as exciting (and dangerous) as reel life.

Thoughts

First off, this doesn't seem like a series you need to read in any particular order. Each of the seven books tell the story through one of the grandsons, and the novels overlap each other in time. You'll get more if you read several, especially if you read ones about siblings. Spencer is Bunny's brother, so he gets quick messages about Bunny's task (Ink Me).

This was a very fast, middle grade read. The story is gender neutral, which is great. There are elements that will probably attract boys more, and some that will draw girls more. But it was the gangster part of the story line that really kept the story moving along. One thing I liked most was that Spencer seems to be more of an introverted character, and not the stereotypical boy who likes sports and showing off. If you are looking for a contemporary middle grade novel that is not romantic in nature, you should check this out.

Snapshot Saturday- Stitchery

Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. You can head to her blog to check out the linky list to see what others are posting.

This year I am trying to do more of my needle work. I have countless patterns, kits and a few long suffering in progress pieces. So around New Years I pulled out one of the kits, intended as a possible generic Christmas gift, and got cracking. I've been working on this while I've watched tv in the evenings, so my reading progress is not so quick. I aim to get a couple reviews. Completely forgot that I needed one for Classic's Club book.

Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013

So, sue me. Another one. But read and watch Austen is something I do regularly, so doesn't seem like a stretch.

The Thing
Austenprose is hosting The Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of this classic novel.

Details
It runs through December 31, 2013 and has three levels of participation.

I will do the Aficionada: 9-12 selections

You can read the full details at the Austenprose blog, linked above.

My list
Not sure on what order I'll take yet, but I'll start with a reread via the audiobook, and probably aim for one a month. Some might change, if something more interesting crosses my path.
Books:

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ Audio narrated by Lindsey Duncan
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame Smith
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith
• Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Rigaud
• Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen Wasylowski

Movies:

• Pride and Prejudice (2005)
• Pride and Prejudice (1940)
• Pride and Prejudice (2005)
• Bride and Prejudice (2004)
• Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2001 & 2004)
• Pride and Prejudice: A Latter Day Story (2003)

2012 Challenge wrap ups.

End of the year. I guess I did pretty well on my challenges. Mount TBR was a wash. I didn't get all 50 States for Where are you reading, but I wasn't really planning ahead to get all the states (and too many duplicate states).



Mt. Vancouver - Completed:
1. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick
2. Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
4. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
(eta)
6. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
7. Kindred by Octavia Butler
8. The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
9. Naked Heat by Richard Castle
10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
11.
12.
13.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
4. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
5. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
6. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (in progress)
7. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
8. Legend by Marie Lu
9. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
10. The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

1. Across the Universe by Beth Revis, audiobook
2. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, audiobook
3. Tithe by Holly Black, audiobook
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, audiobook
5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, audiobook
6. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
7. When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, audiobook
8. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
9. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, audiobook
10. The Postmistress by Sarah Blake, audiobook
11. Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King, audiobook
12. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan, audiobook
**completed**
13. Room by Emma Donoghue, audiobook
14. The Descnedants, Kaui Hart Hemmings
15. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
16. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, audiobook

See my Where are you Reading? map

Winner of the Historical Holiday Blog Hop giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway Congrats, Ileana A.! I've already emailed you, so just reply back with your choices and address.

Thanks everyone who stopped by!

2013 Challenge- BINGO!

The library challenge I did this year seems to be DOA, and this one sounds, crazy, evil, and fun. So, check it out.



Hosted by Reading in Winter and Creativity's Corner. Check out the full rules HERE.

Mailbox Monday

Mailbox Monday is a weekly meme hosted this December by Suko's Notebook.

I haven't done one of these in a while. Its not that I haven't gotten anything, but got in a bit of a funk about not wanting too. Which is the story of the last month or so. I got sick the week before Thankgiving, one of those pesky lingering cold. Worst part last about a week, screws with your sleeping habits kind of cold, with a lingering cough. Sorry, TMI. But the point of the story is it also screwed with my reading habits, and having trouble starting anything new that isn't an audiobook since.

So, the book for review I wanted posted already (At Drake's Command by David Wesley Hill will be a little later, sometime this month.

From Sawcat's Book Blog

These lovelies I found at a neighbor's yard sale: Labyrinth by Kate Moss (looks unread); Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton (same publisher & era as my Great Gatsby); One for the Money by Janet Evanovich; and for my nephews, an early reader of The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford; and Classics Illustrated (ie. Classics turned into comic books) editions of A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. I am determined to get at least one of my nephews into reading, so I figure these comic book versions might draw them in a bit more.

So what did you get?

1st Annual Historical Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the First Annual Historical Holiday Blog Hop, hosted by Passages to the Past.

For my giveaway, I am using Better World Books, who helps fund literacy projects around the world, and for each book purchased, they donate a book to someone in need. Good works! And all books ship internationally for free! So that means, this is open internationally! *confetti*

The winner will get to pick 3 books from the Bargin Bin sections of Historical Fiction and/or History.

Note: BWB gets their used books from donations from individuals and libraries. Conditions vary. Hardcovers may not have their dust jacket, some may have the various treatments done to them by libraries, some have bookcrossing stickers. The best available condition will be chosen. The books I've received have been in great condition, other than what has been noted.

Browse Historical Fiction
Browse History

Some of my favorites found in the Bargin Bin


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Plus, Amy is hosting Grand Prize drawings at her blog. They include:

Historical Holiday Blog Hop Grand Prizes

- $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card

- Prize package(s) of historical novels (titles will be added as authors sign up)

1. Oleanna by Julie Rose (pb)
2. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell (pb)
3. Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan by Robin Maxwell (Audio Books)
4. The King's Daughter by Barbara Kyle (pb)
5. The King's Concubine by Anne O'Brien (pb)
6. Royal Romances: Titillating Tales of Passion and Power in the Palaces of Europe by Leslie Carroll (pb)
7. The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell (pb)
8. The September Queen by Gillian Bagwell (pb)
9. The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
10. The Forever Queen by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
11. Sea Witch by Helen Hollick (pb) *w/signed bookplate
12. Claude & Camille by Stephanie Cowell (pb)
13. Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell (pb)
14. The Queen's Vow by Christopher Gortner (pb, UK edition)
15. Into the Path of Gods (Book 1, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (pb)
16. In the Shadow of Dragons (Book 2, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (pb)
17. The Anvil Stone (Book 3, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (hc)
18. A Land Beyond Ravens (Book 4, Macsen's Treasure Series) by Kathleen Cunningham Guler (hc)
19. Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth (pb)
20. The Rose of York: Love & War by Sandra Worth (pb)
21. A Dance of Manners (A Regency Anthology) by Susan Flanders, Cynthia Breeding, Kristi Ahlers, Gerri Bowen and Erin Hatton (pb)
22. The Book of Lost Fragrances by MJ Rose (hc)
23. The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan (pb)
24. Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland (signed pb)
25. The Master of Verona by David Blixt (hc)
26. Before Versailles by Karleen Koen (pb)
27. Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones (pb)
28. At the Mercy of the Queen by Anne Barnhill (pb)
29. What You Long For by Anne Barnhill (pb)
30. Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara (signed hc)
31. The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift (pb, UK edition)
32. The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman (signed pb)
33. The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd (pb, with Tower of London Tea Sachets)
34. The Mischief of the Mistletoe (2 copies - 1 pb, 1 hc - both signed)
35. The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot
36. The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stephanie Thornton (pb w/bookmark)
37. The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith (pb)
38. Illuminations by Mary Sharratt (hc)
39. Selene of Alexandria by Faith L. Justice (2 copies - 1 pb, 1 eBook)
40. A Thing Done by Tinney Sue Heath (2 copies, pb)
41. Rebel Puritan by Jo Ann Butler (pb)
42. The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen (audio cd's)
43. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan (2 copies, pb)
44. The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
45. Above All Things by Tanis Rideout (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
46. The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
47. Movement of Stars by Amy Brill (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
48. Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri (ARC, courtesy of Penguin Publishing)
49. The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry (hc)
50. The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase (pb)
51. Three Maids for a Crown by Ella March Chase (pb)
52. Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn (pb)
53. The Forgotten Queen by D.L. Bogdan (ARC)
54. The Sign of the Weeping Virgin by Alana White
55. A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick (pb)
56. The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau (signed pb)
57. Second Lisa by Veronica Knox