Tuesday, March 1, 2016

February Round Up

My February

Hey guys! I'm still alive.  Life has been crazy lately.  The renovation is still going on at my house (since October, I'm getting super sick of it!) and I've kind of been in a reading slump.  Alexander Hamilton is amazing, but it's so blasted long!  I've only completed one book so far this year, and I keep putting off writing a review for it.  Along with being overworked and coming home to a construction zone I did something stupid, I bought a PS4...then this happened.


Nate is so awesome, I love him!  But then my friend kept talking about the game he started playing, so I abandoned Nate and started playing the new game... I'm coming to the conclusion that my friend is a bad influence, he needs to stop finding things to obsess over, because he talks about to the point where I start getting into it and I get equally obsessed.  First Hamilton and now this:



I spend pretty much every free second playing this game, it's really not good, but the game is really really fun.  Not only does my friend play, but my brother plays to, so it's something we can do together since he lives almost 4 hours away.  I'm trying to readjust my schedule to accommodate reading and gaming, but my current Destiny obsession is just too great and the books I've been reading are so dense.

Right before my obsession got to be full force I even started writing a bit, something that I haven't done since high school, but that turned into I need to do way too much research that the internet isn't helping much with.  And of course, it took away from Destiny time.

One amazing thing happened this month (actually since the New Year since I haven't done one of these since December) I got to see Book of Mormon!! So good, so amazingly good.  I love Trey Parker and Matt Stone!


I went into the city with one of my best friends kind of on a whim, but it was an amazing day, things were still set up from Valentine's Day so there were golden hearts in Times Square which were pretty cool.  We also killed time in Forever 21, and unfortunately it looks like 90s fashion is back.  Hooray for pleather and overalls!



I'm still getting my OwlCrates, and I really should do more unboxing stuff, but they get delivered to work and how crazy things have been I didn't even open this month's until I got home and looked in was like AMAZING! then put it back in the box to play Destiny...did I mention I have a really bad problem with that game?  But I digress, in January I got an awesome Dumbledore pop figure.  He's now joined Loki and Yoda as my work desk guardians.


I'm intrigued by the January book, Words of Ink and Shadow.  It's about the Bronte sisters, I've never read their works, so I'm really not in too much of a rush to read it.  Not to mention it doesn't fit into my current historical period obsession (founding of the US)...or the time period for the research I need to do (1910s).

February's box was way cooler, I can't wait to pick up The Love that Split the World.  That one's been on my TBR for a while.  There was also an awesome tote bag with all the couples from the Lunar Chronicles!  

February's Artsy Stuff

So, I didn't really do anything in February.  Not even my nails - it's difficult to play well while not smudging the nail polish!  March should have much more.  I signed up for a jewelry making class to learn new tricks and skills.  My first class is tonight so I'm excited!

February Blog News

Because of the renovation I had to clear out all of my bookshelves, and now I'm refilling them, but in doing so I'm doing my best to purge books.  There's going to be a huge giveaway (similar to the summer one, a few winners that get a nice collection of books each) at some point in the near-ish future.  I'd like to have it done by May, but we'll see how ambitious I am.  There's going to be a small giveaway this month, so keep your eyes open for that.

I'm trying really hard to get back into the swing of blogging.  The reno should be done at the end of March, so by mid April my life should get back into some semblance of a routine, so bear with me for another month or so.

I meant to keep up with the Top Ten Tuesdays and Waiting on Wednesdays, but for the former, the topics haven't been much fun and required too much of my time to figure out what I'd do for them, and the latter...I'm lazy.  And I typically write entries while at work but I've been so swamped since December that my back log got used up and now Thursday mornings I go 'crap! I missed both days, oh well, next week!' rinse, recycle, repeat.  I actually went to do a TTT today then realized I forgot to write up this post. 

Be patient with me!  TTT and hopefully WoW will resume next week and tomorrow respectively. Good things are coming in the future, I just need to stop playing my PS4 and get stuff done!  At the very least in May/June there will be (hopefully) lots of reading on my travel days.  That is, unless my friend gives me something new to obsess about while we're away.

I'm also going to be updating the blog links and stuff as well.  The twitter link doesn't work (thanks for that Words and Peace!) and I'm not sure what else doesn't work, so I'll be looking into that.  

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday [31]



Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that allows bloggers to share their top ten lists for that week’s topics









Top Five Fictional Boyfriends
I know I did my ten top fictional crushes here, but this is boyfriends, fictional guys I'd absolutely love to be real so I can date them (and marry Thorly)



1 - Thorliff Bjorklund - Red River to the North / Return to Red River - Have I mentioned how much I love Thorly?  I've been in love with him since, probably the third book in the Bjorklund saga (because it started when he was 5, and a 12 year old crushing on a 5 year old is weird).  He's smart (and an author to boot!), tall, blonde, and those Bjorklund blue eyes...

2 - Josh Wasserstein - Isla and the Happily Ever After - So I like the artist types...and really smart guys.  Josh is brilliant, and super sweet, even if he makes completely idiotic mistakes, he knows exactly what to do to redeem himself.

3 - Etienne St. Clair - Anna and the French Kiss - What's not to love about Etienne?  He's so cute and charismatic.  Utimately I don't think it would work out between us, but that's fine, he and Anna really are perfect for each other.

4 - Cricket Bell - Lola and the Boy Next Door - Another really smart guy (who's also really tall), and another sweetheart.  Can I get a guy who draws a star on the back of his hand because I'm always on his mind?  

5 - Briar Moss - The Circle of Magic / The Circle Opens - Another crush of mine I've have since I read the books.  He's also fairly smart and loves plants, and a bit of an artist.  Those tattoos?  Awesome!



Top Five Fictional Couples

1 - Will and Lyra - His Dark Materials - They're so sweet together, and their relationship quite literally save the world.  I'm still hoping for a fourth book for them.

2 - Scarlet and Wolf - The Lunar Chronicles - If there ever were a couple completely devoted to each other it's them.  No matter what was thrown at them the came out stronger and more in love than ever.

3 - Alanna and Jon - Songs of the Lioness - Yeah yeah, everyone seems to prefer Alanna and George, but I loved her and Jon together.  It was so clandestine and they're great together!

4 - Elizabeth and Darcy - Pride and Prejudice - You can't have a list of best fictional couples and not include them.  They are like the fictional couple.

5 - Varian and Cathlin - The Leopard Lord - They were destined for each other, and their love was so great they were able to overcome everything.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday [30]



Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that allows bloggers to share their top ten lists for that week’s topics







Top Ten Books to Read Before Going to France and Italy

I'm going on an epic trip this spring to both France and Italy, so I'm currently all about everything for those countries and getting super excited for it, so this freebie is books that I'm planning on reading before I get there! 

1 - Rodin's Lover by Heather Webb





I've been meaning to read this for a while, and what better excuse than to read it before my upcoming trip!









2 - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins



This is, obviously, a reread but I can't go back to Paris without reading about Anna and St. Claire, I just can't.  Especially when one day I have planned for wandering around the Quartier Latin, including a stop at Point Zero (and I'm fully prepared to convince my travel buddies to climb up to the top of the bell tower at Notre Dame)






3 - Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins


So maybe I just finished rereading this book.  I had forgotten Josh's last name so I skimmed the first chapter to find it, and of course, I was hooked.  I love Josh...  But I'm planning on reading this one again (twice within 5 months is not a record for number of times I've read this book in that time span).  I might just plan it so I'm reading Anna and Isla on the flight over.  Although my friend may think I'm weirder than he originally thought with my squeeing over Josh...so that might not be a good idea... I did however add a trip to Album (the French one, not the American one) to the itinerary.  I almost want to add Pompidou, but since there will most likely be no kissing on the escalators I decided against it.



4 - Les Trois Mousquetaires by Alexandre Dumas


I started to read this one, then gave up because I wasn't in the French mood.  I love Dumas and really want to give it another try.









5 - Romancing the Dark in the City of Light by Ann Jacobus




Another one that's been on my to-read list and this trip gives me the perfect excuse to read it!







6 - City of Masks by Mary Hoffman



Another reread.  I first read this back in high school and I absolutely loved it.  I might even read the next two since they're Rome and Florence.  We'll see how much time I actually have.







7 - Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson




I love Maureen Johnson, so obviously this one I'll need to read.








8 - Venom by Fiona Paul


Since I didn't really know many books set in Italy (I'm much more of a Francophile) I had to do a search for them and this one sounded awesome.








9 - Da Vinci's Tiger by L.M. Elliott



This came in my Owlcrate last month and it takes place in Florence, so a perfect read for my trip!








10 - Masquerade by Kylie Fornasier



Another one I found on my Italy search that sounded really cool.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday [30]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine allows bloggers to share which books we are most anticipating











This week I am waiting on The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury (February 23, 2016)


Summary from GoodReads

She is the most powerful Jinni of all. He is a boy from the streets. Their love will shake the world... 

When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years -- a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. 

But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart?

As time unravels and her enemies close in, Zahra finds herself suspended between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Aladdin from acclaimed author Jessica Khoury.

Why I'm Waiting

I love that djinns/jinns/genies are the new supernatural being trend.  I've always loved them (my all-time favorite show is I Dream of Jeannie).  So, needless to say I'm excited to read different takes on them.  And this one even has a bit of I Dream of Jeannie to it (Jeannie and Tony fall in love, Zahra falls for Aladdin).  Plus I love Aladdin, so a retelling is fantastic!  

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday [29]

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that allows bloggers to share their top ten lists for that week’s topics











Top Ten Books I've Recently Added to My TBR 

1 - Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow



This one is a result of me going overboard with my Hamilton obsession.  Since I'm only halfway through Hamilton, also by Ron Chernow, I don't think I'll be reading this one any time soon.  Besides, Washington isn't nearly as awesome as Hamilton was.








2 - Doctor Who: The Legends of Ashildr by Justin Richards




 I do really want to read this one, I'm curious to see if it's just Ashildr or if it includes Clara, either would be awesome.









3 - Nyae Nyae !Kung Beliefs and Rites by Lorna J. Marshall




I minored in Anthropology in undergrad, so every once in a while I get interested in a cool cultural group and want to read an ethnography.  This one my cousin recommended when I was visiting them. 








4 - The Castle of Crossed Destinies by Italo Calvino



Another recommendation from my cousin, Calvino's stuff sounds awesome, and this one sounds even more awesome.  I will definitely be reading this one sooner rather than later.









5 - Stars Above by Marissa Meyer




Does this one even need explaining? 










6 - The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead




A new Richelle Mead! Only two things could possibly be more exciting, a new Stephanie Perkins or Winds of Winter actually being released.









7 - Emma by Charlotte Bronte



I had never heard of this one and I came across it mentioned somewhere, so I need to read it.  I love reading books that are titled with my name :)










8 - Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini




I don't remember adding this one, or where I would have even seen it.  But it does sound cool!









9 - A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston




This one sounded awesome and I've seen some pretty good reviews for it.  Once I'm done with the monster that is Hamilton I'll finally be able to pick this one up.








10 - In Real Life by Jessica Love



Again, I don't remember where I saw this or why I added it to my list, but it does sound cool and I'll probably get around to reading it.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday [29]

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine allows bloggers to share which books we are most anticipating











This week I am waiting on Broken Crowns by Lauren DeStefano (March 22, 2016)


 Summary from GoodReads

War rages everywhere and Morgan is caught in the middle in the haunting conclusion of The Internment Chronicles, from theNew York Times bestselling author of The Chemical Garden trilogy.

The city is falling out of the sky…

Morgan always thought it was just a saying. A metaphor. The words of the dying. But as they look up at the floating island that was their home, Pen and Morgan make a horrible discovery—Internment is sinking.

And it’s all Morgan’s fault.

Corrupted from the inside by one terrible king and assailed from the outside for precious resources by another, Internment could be destroyed because Morgan couldn’t keep a secret. As two wars become one, Morgan must find a way to bring her two worlds together to stop the kings that wage them…

Or face the furthest fall yet.

Why I'm Waiting

Why wouldn't I be waiting?  I absolutely love DeStefano, and this this the final installment of her latest amazing series.  I can't wait to see how everything turns out!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday [28]



Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish that allows bloggers to share their top ten lists for that week’s topics







Top Ten 2015 Releases I Meant to Get But I Didn't

1 - Emmy & Oliver by  Robin Benway



I had wanted to read this one last year, but I probably won't ever end up reading it now.










2 - Ash & Bramble by  Sarah Prineas




This is still pretty high on my TBR, I'll get to it eventually...










3 - The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan




I'd still like to read this one, I'm not sure when I'll get around to it though.









4 - The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu





I still need this one.  I love Ken Liu.









5 - Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George




Another one that I still would like to read, but we'll see if I ever get around to it.









6 - The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy




I really wanted to read this one, but I probably won't end up reading it...maybe if I stumble across it at the library I'll snag a copy, but I'm not going there in search for it.








7 - A Whole New World by Liz Braswell



I had wanted to read this one, but I really haven't read any reviews that made it sound amazing, so it's highly unlikely that I'd ever get to it










8 - Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein




This one is also high up on my TBR, I really want to read it, maybe before the second one comes out...









9 - Uprooted by Naomi Novik



This is also high on my TBR, so I'll be getting it at some point this year.










10 - Lock & Mori by Heather W. Petty



I'd like to read this one, and it's still on my TBR, but it's kind of far down on it, so I doubt I'll get to it any time soon.