Farewell 2010

After doing my Top 10 books of 2010, I thought it would be fun to also do a list of my favorite memories/moments of the past year. Like the books, these are in no particular order.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This had to have been one of my favorite things of the year. I had been anticipating this park for quite some time and I told the Hubs that we were going to be going the same year it opened. We took our vacation in August and it was breathtaking. I felt like I was a part of Harry's world and the details were phenomenal. I can't wait to go back. 

 Second Wedding Anniversary

I know it's not a picture of the hubs and I, but for our anniversary we went to Chattanooga. While we were there Julie and her husband took us to the Aquarium and I just love this picture. Every year we try to go somewhere new for our anniversary and it's always fun planning for our new destination. 2011 will bring me back to Tucson, Arizona.

Book Festivals / Signings

This was definitely the year of books for me. I bought a lot and attended as many book related events as I could. The Alabama Book Festival started it all. I also attended the Decatur Book Festival which featured TONS of amazing authors (including Diana Gabaldon who I'm pictured with above) and individual signings for Rachel Hawkins, Lindsey Leavitt, Jen Lancaster, Kathryn Erskine, and Rachael Ray. I look forward to more festivals in 2011 including the LA Times Festival of Books (!!)

Auburn Writers Conference

 Not only was this my first conference, but it was also in my favorite town (and former home). I got to meet some really cool people and learn about various aspects of writing. The conference was Chantel's brainchild and she and everyone else did an amazing job.

Backstreet Boys concert

2010 finally allowed me to live out my teenage dream (and okay, current dream) of seeing the Backstreet Boys live in concert. Julie met me in Atlanta for a night of pure BSB Bliss and it was all I had hoped for and more. We had amazing seats and the only thing that could have made the night better would have been meeting them. I heart BSB.

Going to Auburn Football Games

 I had never gone to a non-high school football game until I started attending Auburn University in 2006. Once I started going, I was hooked and looked forward to the atmosphere. I now love Auburn Football and after moving away from Auburn, I was so happy to be able to go back and attend some SEC matchup games (Arkansas, LSU, and UGA) inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Hubs and I are going to try to get season tickets in 2011.

Auburn winning SEC Championship / Playing in National Championship

If going to games made the list, so does Auburn winning the SEC Championship game and making it into the National Championship game. I look forward to the games and I never imagined that we'd be undefeated and playing in Arizona a few months ago. War Eagle to that.

Meeting Amazing People

I have met SO many amazing people this year and feel so blessed to have turned cool internet friends into some of the best friends I've ever had. Not all of us live in the same town but we live close enough to get together at least once a month. They're all incredible and it never ceases to amaze my husband just how similar we all are to each other and how similar all our husbands are.

To the year 2010, you've brought me great friends and good times. I'll remember you for it but I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store. Happy New Year!

I can't help myself..

Yet another year is about to come to a close and although I'm not quite sure where it went, I want to leave you with my top 10 favorite books of 2010.

Let it be known that it was a hard decision. There were over fifty contenders but the following ten stuck with me for one reason or another. All books were enjoyed by me at some time this year, not necessarily published in 2010.

Without further ado, I give you my Top 10 books of 2010 (in no particular order):

Anna and the French Kiss

  I waited for all of 2010 to find out what my favorite book of the year would be and of course I didn't find her until almost the last minute. Jessica was kind enough to share her ARC with a few people in our writing group and after all the high praise, it was my turn. I feared that the hype would make me a little disappointed with the book but I quickly fell in love and all the fears vanished. I couldn't get enough and Etienne gave me pit-of-the-stomach-butterflies that only a few other characters (Marcus Flutie and Jamie Fraser) have done. Talk about saving the best for last.

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

I know I say I love covers a lot but I LOVE this cover. It's cute and fun and totally mirrors those characteristics from the story. I flew through this book so fast thanks to the great writing and the back and forth between Dash and Lily. The ending left a little to be desired, but everything else made up for it. 

Hex Hall

You had to have known Hex Hall would be on my list, didn't you? This book gets major cover love from me, of course, but the story, the voice, the writing was all fantastic. Sophie is a great character and someone I'd totally want to be friends with. I must admit, I liked her so much because how many characters move from Arizona to the Dirty South when they're around the same age you were when you made that same move? Plus, I've gotten to know Rachel Hawkins in 2010 and this book is SO her. She brings her personality and the funny to every single page and she just makes it seem so effortless. She has a reader for life right here and if she were to publish her grocery list, I bet you it would be frexing hysterical.

Before I Fall

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book from the description and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought that it sounded like the high school version of Groundhog Day. Lauren Oliver did an amazing job with her debut book and if I hadn't known it was her first book going into it, I would have been shocked. The characters in this book had such depth and felt so real to me, it was like I knew them at some point in life. Even the girl you're supposed to hate had me feeling sorry for her by the end.

Paranormalcy

When I first heard about this book, I kind of rolled my eyes and thought, "oh great, another paranormal book." Then I found out there were fairies and I REALLY didn't think I would like it. However, after sharing a few tweets with Kiersten and seeing how sweet (and cute as a button) she was, I was ready to start reading. The cover is gorgeous and when my signed copy came in the mail (Thanks again Jess!), I started it right away. It was fun and I loved that Evie had a pink bedazzled taser (appropriately named Tasey) in her life and that she didn't fall for some hot, undead guy from her Biology class. Even the fairies were tolerable (and I really hate fairies). I can't wait for Supernaturally to come out and see what happens next for Evie.

If I Stay 

 I'm a crier. When it comes to books or movies and I know something is going to make me sad, I avoid it. I kept hearing how great this book was and received this book as a gift and not knowing much about it, I picked it up. It's a good thing I didn't know much about it before starting, otherwise I would have put off reading it until I felt ready for a good cry. There were parts in this book that opened a fairly fresh wound of personal loss and hit VERY close to home that caused my tears to flow to the point I couldn't see. The writing was beautiful and this is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. I'm really looking forward to Where She Went in 2011.

The DUFF

First I have to say, Kody Keplinger makes me feel so..behind in life. She wrote and had this book published as a teenager. If that's not the mark of awesome, I don't know what is. Kody definitely used her age to her advantage when writing Bianca. She was cynical, sarcastic, and everything a seventeen year old girl is. I did have a few issues with the book but regardless, I LOVED it. It was very easy for me to go back to when I was seventeen and be able to know how Bianca was feeling and because of that, she was one of the characters I was able to most relate with.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians / The Heroes of Olympus

Rick Riordan's books captivated me like you wouldn't believe. I ate these stories up and you could throw a hundred more books about Camp Half-Blood at me and I still wouldn't get tired of them. I don't know what it is about these books and their spin-offs, but I absolutely adore them. I've always enjoyed mythology and these books are just plain fun. I cannot wait until the 2nd Heroes of Olympus book makes it way in front of me.

Mockingjay

Oh, Suzanne Collins. This was the most anticipated book in 2010 and rightly so. I first read The Hunger Games last year and I remember finishing chapter 2 and telling my husband what had already happened. Instead of the blank stare and him just saying "ok...?" he said that it actually sounded interesting and like something he might like! So thank you Suzanne for having an amazing trilogy that would get my husband to listen to audiobooks. Some people didn't like Mockingjay for whatever reason, but I thought it was a nice, and the right, ending for such a fabulous work. Team Katniss for life.

The Darkest Powers Trilogy 

When it comes to book recommendations, there are people who like the same thing I like and I trust them completely. I haven't been steered wrong yet. When my friend Leah told me I should give Kelley Armstrong's trilogy a try, I got it from my library that week and was hooked. It was a fun ride and as I was reading it, it felt like I had a movie playing in my head. It was fitting because that's how Chloe processed things in the book, as if looking through her camera. I remember having the second book on hand for when I finished the first, and it was after midnight when I did. I couldn't stop thinking about what was going to come next that I got up, grabbed book 2, and read the first three chapters.

My honorable mentions include:
Looking for Alaska
 The Dark Divine
Linger
Forget You
Some Girls Are
Sean Griswold's Head

Did any of my Top 10 books make your Top 10 list?

Fitness Friday (1)

My girl Stella is also doing P90X and asked me to join her in Fitness Friday so here I am!

There's not much to report on my end though. I know I was going to start last month but I got sick and then when it came time for the Hubs and I to start, I kept putting it off. One reason was that since we were going to be working out together, we'd have to do it when he came home from work. I would rather do it earlier in the day and relax at night so I made an executive decision.

We have now officially started, I work out during the day and he does the same thing that night when he gets home. This way we're still doing the same thing and holding each other accountable, but at the time that serves best for each of us.

I am definitely feeling soreness in the muscles I've started using. We still need to get some bands for some of the work outs, but I created my own modification for those using weights.

The Hubs is currently having some shoulder issues that make even getting in and out of the car hard, so we're going to wait to continue until he feels he's able to do so. I guess it works out though because his dad is staying with us for a few days for Christmas.

I'm really excited to continue, especially knowing that I'm doing something to make myself healthier and happier.

In My Mailbox (9)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

For the first time in a few weeks, I've gotten more than two or three books.

About two weeks ago Simon and Schuster had a Groupon deal for $40 of books for $20 so you know I had to jump on that. When I was able to use my code, I ordered:

 

I've already read Forget You but I had to have this one for my collection. I can't wait to get started on the others. 

Then I came across a coupon for our local used bookstore for a buy one, get one free and I had to go take advantage of that. I bought Kay Cassidy's The Cinderella Society and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. I must admit, part of the reason I bought the Sisterhood books was due to the color. I needed a little more yellow and purple on my color-coded portion of my bookshelf. Don't mock me.

Lastly, I took part in a Christmas gift exchange and my lovely elf, Becca, sent me Brenna Yovanoff's The Replacement. Thanks B! I can't wait to read it!

What do you think of my books? Have you read any of them? What did you get this past week?

Well, well, well..

Look who decided to finally come out of hiding. Yup, ME! Miss me?

I know I haven't been around much lately, but the last three weeks seem to have just flown by. I was sick for about a week and a half and of course the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one fell right smack in the middle of that. Yes, I put on my "I've been waiting forever to see this movie, I'm not letting a little illness get in my way" hat and went to the midnight show. It was AMAZING! I don't have to tell you that though, do I? You've probably already seen it and if you haven't then get thee to a theater now. Please?

This past week I have started a new earring making hobby. Want to know something kind of funny? I don't even have my ears pierced so I can't even wear my hobby. So I've opened an ETSY shop and you can check it out here if you'd like. I don't have much on there yet since I've only started a few days ago, but I'm going to be a busy bee next week and hope to add a lot more stuff soon.

If you know me AT ALL you will know that I'm a huge Auburn fan. I'm not going to gush because I pretty much did that here a few months ago. A lot has happened since I wrote that but nonetheless, I have always been (well, since 2006*) and always will be proud to be an Auburn Tiger. The following graphic pretty much describes the last few weeks pretty nicely, so I'll say WAR DAMN EAGLE and leave it at this:

Sadly, I will not be cheering my team on in Glendale, Arizona but the Hubs and I, along with our close friend will be traveling instead back to Auburn to watch the game there. If things go the way I hope, we'll end up at Toomer's Corner and take part in rolling the corner and making it white with toilet paper.

I must say I'm pretty bummed about not going to Arizona next month. It's not just because Auburn will be playing in the National Championship game (YAY), but because I have family and friends there that I haven't seen in years and also because I really want to meet Becca.

Hopefully I won't go this long without a non-meme post. I'm not going to promise anything because we all know how busy December gets, but you should be hearing more from me soon.

Have a great weekend!


*I grew up a tumbleweed and only moved to Alabama when I was in 8th grade. I had no clue about the Alabama/Auburn rivalry until I moved here and one of the first questions I was asked in school was "Alabama or Auburn?" I was asked so many times I was forced to pick one so I picked Auburn because my favorite color was blue and I always liked Tigers. My real fan-ness didn't come until 2006 when I became a student at Auburn University. Now I'm an Auburn girl for life. You may mock the whole Auburn Family thing, but it's real. You feel a connection with all Auburn people and when you're in freakin'  Haines, ALASKA on your honeymoon (like we were) and hear someone say War Eagle, it's special.

In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I may have had the chance to read Anna and the French Kiss by debut author Stephanie Perkins due to an ARC tour a month ago, but it wasn't my copy to keep. You know I had to pre-order a copy for my collection. Yes, it was the only book I got this past week but it's by far, a favorite of the year. I can't wait to read it again!

What books did you receive this past week? Have you read Anna and the French Kiss yet? If you haven't, you really should. Happy reading (and WAR EAGLE to any Auburn fans).

In My Mailbox (7)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

Again, I didn't get much this past week but what I DID get are two books that I've been anticipating since the second I found out about them.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver is a galley courtesy NetGalley and it's also the first book to be read on the Kindle I bought with birthday money. I'm reading Delirium right now and am only on chapter 4 but I'm really into it so far.


Fall for Anything is by Courtney Summers and don't you just LOVE the cover? It's even cooler to me because Courtney tweeted about the cover a while back and how the pictures on it, are actually pictures in the book! Thanks Jessica for sharing your ARC with me!

So that's it. What do you think? Are you looking forward to either/both of these books? Do you like Summers' or Oliver's previous work?

In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I was planning on doing a vlog, but I've been sick this past week and it probably would end up terrible. There's not much, and I actually got the books two weeks ago.

First up, I made another trip to 2nd and Charles about a week ago. I was trying to limit what I came home with so I only got Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot. I have to admit, part of the reason why I picked this book was because of it's purple-ness. I AM collecting all of these books (slowly but surely) but I recently rearranged some of my books by color and I needed a bit more purple.

 

I also won an auction The Undercover Book Lover was holding to help raise money for the flooding in Pakistan. I won a signed copy of Princess for Hire (given to my girl Tameka) and a signed ARC of Sean Griswold's Head by the fabulously sweet and cool Lindsey Leavitt. I can't wait to start reading it!

Lastly, I ordered some AH.MAZ.ING bookmarks as a birthday present to myself and they came this past week. Do you want to see them? Of course you do! 

I ordered these bad boys from Hot Topic and they even came in this nifty little case. I was quite impressed. I have more Harry Potter related stuff on my Christmas wishlist from Hot Topic (I totally want that Hogwarts Crest throw), so here's to hoping! Yes, I have seen Deathly Hallows part 1 and OMG..best yet in my opinion. Go see it!

So what do you think of my stuff? What did you get this past week?

Winners!

Wow, I kinda suck with the updates huh? The past week has just flown by and I'm sorry I didn't post the winners to my birthday giveaway sooner. Don't hate me!

I didn't have that many entrants, so basically if you entered you at least won something. That makes me happy to say that though, prezzies all around! Without further ado, I bring you the big winners.

First up, the winner for a signed copy of The Realm of Possibility is:

 

Jennifer S.!

Next up is the winner for a copy of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist signed by David Levithan is...

Kylene K.!

Thank you to everybody who entered. If you do not see your name above, fear not, I will still be sending you some book swag that I have squirreled away. 

So begins my journey

The husband and I have made a decision. This is something I've thought about doing for the last couple of weeks and after talking to a friend, we're going to bite the bullet and jump in. What is this life altering decision?

We are going to begin P90X. I know, I know. Going from basically a couch potato to beginning probably one of the toughest workout DVD that is out there, you probably think I'm crazy. Maybe I am but I desperately want a change. I'm not going to torture you with updates everyday, but I am going to post about it maybe every 2-3 weeks.

We did the fitness test today and with the exception of the pull-ups (we don't have anything that will allow us to do those so we just skipped them), we passed all the minimum requirements. Come Monday we'll officially have started P90X.

Have you ever tried P90X?

Lasso-dicking Around

Megan McCafferty. Don't know who she is? Man, do I feel bad for you. Megan is the author who wrote the fantastic Jessica Darling series and created one of my top book-crushes, Marcus Flutie. I mean, how could you NOT love a Backstreet Boys t-shirt wearing guy?

 just because I still love them..

She has quickly become one of my favorite authors because of that series through her characters, witty writing, great voice, and a fantastic personality.

Need examples of my fangirl-ishness? Inspired by Megan's books, a few of us from my online book club took to twitter to try and get #lassodicking as a trending topic (which Megan saw and loved and sent us each a signed book) and we became the Lasso-Dicking Posse. Later, we went on to come up with the 12 Days of Jessica and Marcus and I also have a ring with the quote "My thoughts create my world" stamped on it.

When I found out that she was working on a new project, Bumped, I stalked her twitter in anticipation of any news relating to it. Haven't heard about Bumped? Here's the synopsis:

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.


I'm really excited to be getting another book by Megan and this one sounds like it's going to be a good one and I really hope that I'll get the chance to read it before April because that is a long time to wait! Plus, this would be an awesome birthday present since she's picking the winners on my birthday.

 Here's lookin' at you, Megan

What do you think? Have you read any of her books? Are you interested in this one?


Bumped will be released on April 26, 2011 and you can pre-order it here.

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This week I'd like to think I hit the book jackpot. It may not have been in quantity, but it certainly was when it came to quality.

Jessica (member of my online book club/blogger/writer friend/super cool person) acquired a few ARCS that she was kind enough to share with our writing group. I don't know how it happened, but somehow I was going to have all three books at once so we diverted one of them to someone else first. Anyhoo, I received ARCs of Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins and Across the Universe by Beth Remis (which both happen to be debut novelists) courtesy of Jessica. I've already finished Anna and the French Kiss and it was absolutely fantastic! Etienne is so swoon-worthy and I must say, that he joins Marcus Flutie and Jamie Fraser as my number one book crush (because I don't want to choose).

The other book I got this week was Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere. I have been wanting to read this book for MONTHS (thanks to the previously mentioned Jessica saying this was one of the best books of the year) and only put it off this long because it was one of my choices to get my book club to read (along with Hex Hall, Shiver and Before I Fall) and it became November's book. I'm SO excited to finally get to read it, it's not even funny.

Like I said, it may only be three books but the three I got have been highly anticipated. I've already pre-ordered Anna and the French Kiss (you should too) and can't wait to have my very own copy. She will be loved.

You can also order The Sky is Everywhere and pre-order Across the Universe.

Have you or do you want to read any of these? What did you get in your mailbox this past week?

Here, have some stuff

November is probably my favorite month because SO many cool and fun things happen. There's Dia de los Muertos, Thanksgiving, the Iron Bowl, Black Friday (if you're into insane shopping crowds -- I am not), National Author's Day, and so on.

As much as I love all these days, there's a particular day, the 9th to be exact, that I just love. If you guessed it's my birthday, you'd be correct!

I have been stocking up on book swag and even have a few signed books to giveaway. My original plan was to hang on to everything to celebrate a year of blogging but I've already waited a few months and I want to give stuff away NOW! You don't mind, do you?

I'm not a huge fan of extra entries and making you jump through hoops to enter my giveaway, but I will be giving extra entries (this time) for old followers and new followers. In case anybody wants to earn an extra "share with the world" point, you can do that by tweeting.

I guess I should tell you what I kind of book swag I have stock piled, huh?

The books I have are Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Cohn, Levithan)* and The Realm of Possibility (Levithan).

The book swag includes:
Firelight bookmarks, postcards, and stickers courtesy of Sophie Jordan 
Mockingbird bookmarks, discussion guide, stickers, and temporary tattoos courtesy Kathryn Erskine
Leaving Gee's Bend bookmark courtesy Irene Latham
The Tension of Opposites bookmark (I got an extra in a contest I won)

Also, if you're name is Crystal you will be entered to win a special signed book surprise by one of my favorite authors! 

Ready, Set, ENTER!

*Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is only signed by David Levithan
 

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

First of all, Happy Halloween! I hope yours will be better than mine. The hubs worked all day Saturday and I have to work Halloween night..boo. If you dressed up, I would LOVE to see pictures so that way I can live through you. Mark these words, I WILL dress up next year.

I made two trips out solely for books this past week. Trip #1 had me going to Books-A-Million on Tuesday to pick up the newest David Levithan and Rachel Cohn collaboration titled Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. This book just sounds like it would be a fun read and I can't wait to get started on it. Also? The cover makes me happy. While at BAM I decided to browse the bargain section and came across Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, which I also purchased.

I had been jonesing to take another trip to that used bookstore I mentioned a few weeks ago, so Thursday ended up being that day. While there I made sure I limited myself to four books so that I could use my store credit without paying out of my pocket. I succeeded! I picked up Crank by Ellen Hopkins, Rebel Angels by Libba Bray, The Killer's Cousin by Nancy Werlin, and Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater.

While I was adding these new books to my shelves, I decided I needed to have an Excel sheet listing all my books (title, author, series, book #, signed copy) and while I was doing THAT, I decided that I needed to do a bit of rearranging. I might do a separate post later this week on that.

What do you think of the books I bought? Have you read any of them? Want to or not interested?

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

This past week I got two books that I have been itching to read, weirdly enough, I haven't started either yet. I'm trying to be good and finish the book I'm reading now.

First, I received Mindi Scott's debut novel Freefall. I completely forgot that I signed up for an ARC tour of this back in July so one day last week it just appeared in my mailbox and I had to pull a Veronica Mars and find out where it came from. Luckily, I was able to. Anymoo (yes, moo), a few days before I received the ARC, the husband and I had gone to Books-A-Million so I could look for it. They didn't have any copies but ordered me one and it came in Friday so now I have my very own copy. The universe just KNEW how much I wanted to read this book. Thanks Universe!

I also got Rick Riordan's first book of a new Percy Jackson related series called The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero. If you ever read my other blog, you'll know that I fell in love with the Percy Jackson series and almost cried when I finished it. Rick Riordan must have known my anguish because he decided he wasn't done with Percy and Co. The hubs ordered some stuff from Amazon on Tuesday so I told him to add this book since it had been sitting in my cart since July. Two days later when it was delivered, my life became just a tad more complete.

Are you planning on reading either of these? What did you get this past week?

Veronica Mars

A few weeks ago my cousin and my mom came over to watch The Vampire Diaries and have dinner. While we were waiting on VD (no, not to see if anyone had spontaneously contracted the disease), my cousin told me that I should watch Veronica Mars because he thought I would really like it.

This came after I made him sit down and watch Supernatural (which was a success!) and when I told him I had added Veronica Mars to my Netflix queue a few months ago, we decided to watch the first episode. Oh, streaming for the Wii how I'm glad you came into my life.

I enjoyed it after watching an episode but it wasn't until last week that I really started watching it. I always heard about what a good show it was and always intended to watch it and I even tried watching an episode while it was still airing but I figured I would just wait and watch the dvds. Why did I wait so long?!

You should know that I have a job that is in its slow season right now, therefore I only work weekends; yesterday and today were spent with me sitting in front of my tv getting sucked into Veronica's world. I kid you not. I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was turn on my Wii and tv. I stayed up til the wee hours this morning and am doing it again tonight. I think it's safe to say I've become obsessed and I'm sad to know my journey is almost over. I don't understand why this show was canceled.

I absolutely love the stories and the characters, especially Logan. I didn't understand his appeal until approximately 24 hours ago, and it wasn't only due to his actions but because of his line, "dream on Jumpstreet." Logan, you can be SUCH a douche but you are so damn complex and interesting. I find it very hard not to love this character.

Now that I've got that out, back to Veronica Mars!

ETA: I'm back to watching and I just had to add that this show officially has my heart after referring to Ghost World. If you know me, one of my screen names is a combination of things that happened in the movie.

SPEAK Winner

Wow, you guys. I can't believe I've waited this long to post the winner of the Speak Giveaway! Usually I stay up til midnight and pick a winner as soon as I can.

Anyway, the winner of a gently used copy of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak is

Asenath

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to reply to my email with your mailing address otherwise a new winner will be picked. Thanks to everyone who entered. Check back soon for a book swag giveaway.

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at The Story Siren and all you have to do is post about what books you received that week by mail, library, or store.

I went back to the used bookstore Wednesday and traded some stuff in for store credit. While I was checking out the YA section, two employees were putting some books on the shelves near me when a woman came up to them. She started asking if they had any copies of Hunger Games and my heart started singing. I quickly told them that I had not seen any copies of the book on the shelves but that they were totally worth reading and that they were some of my favorite books. One of the employees and I started talking (ok, I started telling him what Hunger Games was about because he said he liked books where people get fight/get killed) and after a minute or so he tells me that I seem to know a lot and that I should work there. Oh, book guy. If only you knew how big my love of books really is.

Anyway, I only got three books while I was there.

gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

I've been wanting to get a copy of Joshilyn Jackson's book after Anna raved about her panel at DBF.

What books did you get this past week? Do you think I should apply for a job at that bookstore? I'm considering it.

Banned Book Week

Ok guys, don't hate me. I kind of slacked a little bit this week on featuring a banned book a day. Part of the reason was because I got a bit behind but also because I had a very hard time picking which books I wanted to feature. Now that Banned Books Week is drawing to a close, I decided I would just go ahead and list a few more of my favorites.

1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Harper Lee's only published novel and an Alabama native. This year Monroeville, AL, where Lee still lives, celebrated the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird.

2. A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

One of my favorites. Especially the poem Crowded Tub. I can STILL recite this one from memory.

3. The Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty

 MarcusFlutieMarcusFlutieMarcusFlutie! Marcus Flutie wearing Backstreet Boys t-shirts. LASSODICKING!

4. Looking for Alaska by John Green

 Another Alabama author and it was SO weird reading about places I know/see/drive ALL the time.

5. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Dystopian that focuses on sleep-learning and reproduction. Read this in my College World Lit class and was so much fun to discuss.

What are some of your favorite banned books?