Bloggiesta To Do List

So, today isn't going to be a productive day for me with Bloggiesta but I'll have more time on Saturday and Sunday...hopefully.  My tiny little plans are...

1 Clean up my labels. I actually put labels on all my posts LAST time for the very first time but I have way too many, I need to clean, clean, clean!  Done! Oh my heck, blogger! Find an easier way to delete labels!
2 Go through my Goodreads TBR list and delete books I no longer think I'll be reading. There's over 600 books on it! Done! Now there's 580 something. Not a huge improvement, but still.

3 I want to learn more about this Google Reader's Next button. :)
Done! Now let's see if I actually use it.

4 Write a Review policy. Done. It looks like crap and is ridiculously unprofessional but oh well.

5 Figure out what Widget may or may not be causing my comment issues. Huzzah! I think my background was causing the commenting problem. Let me know if you're still having trouble commenting...on Twitter if the comment isn't working. ;)

6 And check out all the amazing mini challenges and see about maybe learning a thing or two.


Yeah, not very lofty goals, I  know, but I have so little time! :(

Bloggiesta is hosted by There's A Book and It's All About Books. You're welcome to join still.

In My Thoughts This Fine Day # 6

Before we get started with my incoherent thoughts don't forget to enter my giveaway for the awesome book Sulan. If you liked The Hunger Games and Divergent you'll love this one too! I did and I HATED Divergent. ;)

1 I remember a time I used to read a book I'd never heard of and, if I enjoyed it, I'd try to get my hands on anything else the author had written. Nowadays, there's so many new debut authors or just so many books to read that I don't seem to have time to read more books by a certain author...at least not right at that moment. Does that makes sense? And then, at book club the other day, we started discussing how the average reader will probably only be able to read four thousand books in their lifetime. It definitely makes me wonder why I don't pursue author's books I know I'll love more. I guess I just can't help myself when tempted with lovely books and their debut authors but it's something to consider, anyway.

2 Yeah, I'm going to talk about CAPTCHA again. Yes, it's annoying and I wish people would stop using it on their blogs etc. etc....Or do I? Now that they've added those blurry, far away pictures of numbers to the incredibly hard to read letters I've decided it's my dream to see a picture of my own address on there. Can you imagine the happiness? "Oh my heck, Buns! (cause I talk to my cat like she's a person) I do believe that's a picture of our very own house numbers on CAPTCHA! And my mom thought I'd never amount to anything!"

3 Well, I've given in, people. I started watching Downton Abbey. Now I know some of you don't even know what that is but I know there's some of you who do know and are probably got all squeally when you read that. So let me gush. I HATE Thomas, hated him instantly even before he started pissing me off every episode. I don't know if any of you like Mary but if you do you should be ashamed! ;) No, I don't care who you like and dislike but she irks me so bad. She's the oldest favorite and doesn't realize how spoiled she is and every damn problem she has she makes for herself. But, no, I'm supposed to feel sorry for her. Not likely. Good grief! It makes me mad just talking about it! Now for whom I LOVE. I'm totally in love with Bates. Laugh if you will because he's really not that good looking and kinda old but he's such a freaking sweetheart! I want one! Alright, I'll stop gushing. If you read this even though you have no idea what Downton Abbey is, Kudos. ;)

Bloggiesta

Fine! I'll sign up! :) I have been the laziest person ever since starting a job and procrastinating up a storm but I figure laziness isn't an excuse for sitting on my butt in front of a computer and trying to spiff up the blog, you know?

So, if you aren't away of what Bloggiesta is you only need go to to There's a Book and see and maybe sign up yourself. It's always fun and you learn tons about blogging. Here's what you can expect.

to spend time that weekend (as much or as little as your schedule allows) working on your blog

to create a to do list to share on your blog and link up with other participants

to hopefully participant in several mini challenges and learn something new

to connect with other participants through blog hopping or twitter

to make new blogging friends!

to come away at the end of the three days with a spiffed up blog!

Wish me luck!

Review: Sulan

Title Sulan Episode 1: The League
By Camille Picott
Genre YA Dystopian
Pages 296
Recommended by Camille

First sentence "Mom!"

Synopsis
Math Prodigy, Sulan, lives in a future world where people live there lives in Vex (a virtual world) Ever since the US declared bankruptcy corporations have taken over running things plagued by a group known as the Anti-American League who destroy anything they consider a national resource. Scared and determined to learn to protect herself, Sulan starts going to a virtual fight club to learn to fight, but when Imugi, the leader of the Anti-American League attacks her family, Sulan must put her training into action.

What it has going for it
Holy Crapola, people! I've been in desperate need of a book that made me actually want to use any spare time I had for reading and, boy, did I find it. I'll admit I was skeptical that I'd really like this one...independently published books can be scary, but I should have known Camille was incapable of writing anything that wasn't amazing; I read and LOVE her blog, for heaven's sake! Sulan was filled with memorable, lovable characters! Sulan, herself, was amazing. She's incredibly book smart but when things start getting scary instead of just sitting around and accepting it, she wants to learn to fight and protect herself. She's fiercely loyal to her friends which I found delightful considering she hasn't actually ever met them in person, and she kicks butt! I loved it! The world building was so dang creative. I could imagine (as can we all) this future world becoming our reality. I loved the biotech creations too but I won't say more or you won't get to discover it yourself. And now to gush about Taro! See, I thought I'd like Gun, and I did, but then we met Taro and I fell hard! He was immediately loveable. I can't wait to learn more about him...and all the other characters as well. ;) Ugh, I've been dreading writing this review because I just knew I wouldn't be able to do this wonderful book justice. It was exciting, fast paced, and refreshing. Just go and buy it and read it and see for yourself.

What's lacking
If anything is at all it's that the next book isn't out! I was so mad I had to leave this world Camille created. There's just something so depressing about closing a book you loved and having to read "something else" *shudders* ;)

Favorite moment
Oh, so many! When I found out what Riska is truly capable of. When I met Taro for the first time, when Gun saves Sulan and her friends...I could go on and on.

Yea or Nay?
Yes, yes YES! And don't forget, you can enter my giveaway for your chance to win a copy of this one HERE. Don't tell me you don't want to read it, I know you do. ;)

Giveaway: Sulan

Oh, people, you so do not want to pass on this giveaway! I'm honored to be allowed to offer a chance to win this ebook by Camille Picott. But I won't start gushing about how much I loved it....yet...that comes tomorrow. :) In the meantime you'll want to enter this one. I promise! 

Publisher: Pixiu Press, June 4, 2012
Category: YA Dystopian, Cyberpunk (Dystopunk)
Tour Dates: September, 2012
Available in Print and eBook, 296 Pages, also available on Audible

Sixteen-year-old Sulan Hom can’t remember life before the Default—the day the United States government declared bankruptcy. As a math prodigy, she leads a protected life, kept safe from the hunger and crime plaguing the streets of America. She attends the corporate-sponsored Virtual High School, an academy in Vex (Virtual Experience) for gifted children.

Beyond the security of Sulan’s high-tech world, the Anti-American League wages a guerrilla war against the United States. Their leader, Imugi, is dedicated to undermining the nation’s reconstruction attempts. He attacks anything considered a national resource, including corporations, food storage facilities—and schools. When Sulan witnesses the public execution of a teenage student and the bombing of a college dorm, she panics.

Her mother, a retired mercenary, refuses to teach her how to defend herself. Sulan takes matters into her own hands. With the help of her hacker best friend, Hank, Sulan acquires Touch—an illegal Vex technology that allows her to share the physical experience of her avatar. With Touch, Sulan defies her mother and trains herself to fight.

When Imugi unleashes a new attack on the United States, Sulan finds herself caught in his net. Will her Vex training be enough to help her survive and escape?

About Camille Picott:

Camille Picott has been writing books since the age of twelve. She specializes in science fiction and fantasy stories with Asian-inspired settings and Asian main characters. She is the author of two middle grade fantasy books, Raggedy Chan and Nine-Tail Fox.

In her spare time, Camille loves to read books and write reviews. Her reviews are written from a writer’s perspective, highlighting various aspects of craft found in the books she reads.

To visit Camille, and to read her book reviews, go to www.camillepicott.com.

Still not convinced? Check out all these awesome reviews! Everyone is loving it...as they should! And don't leave yet. Scroll down for your chance to win. The winner will be emailed on October 2, 2012. Good Luck! 

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Review: The Handmaid's Tale

Title The Handmaid's Tale
By Margaret Atwood
Genre Adult dystopian
Pages 311
Recommended by Book Club

First sentence We slept in what had once been the gymnasium.


Synopsis
As a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, Offred lives her life quite differently then she once did. She used to have a husband and child, now she has neither. Woman are no longer allowed to read or own property. Her entire existence depends on getting pregnant by the Commander. She should forget her past, she should accept her fate, but can she?


What it has going for it
I've wanted to read this one for along time based on its popularity and synopsis. When my book club decided to read it I was excited to finally be getting to it. I'm not sure what I was expecting but what I got wasn't it. But I'm trying to say nice things...um, the writing was disjointed and eerie yet wonderful in its way. It wasn't particularly hard to read and I liked the tiny but beautiful message of love...um, yeah, that's about it.

What's lacking
Truthfully I just didn't like this one because it was way too disturbing at first and then just plain depressing. I hated that there were things that were never explained  about the world and how it really came to be and how things worked. I felt like the author just ignored those things because she just wanted an excuse to write about the way woman are used and how we could be used. But mainly I just hated that I had no freaking idea what the author was really trying to say and why she even bothered in the first place. Ugh, I can't even say anything more without being attacked so I'll just shut up now. I'll just end by saying I wasn't impressed....at all.  

Favorite moment
I liked the glimpses into the past but that's probably just because the future in the book was so bleak.

Yea or Nay
I'm finding that, once again, (surprise, surprise) I'm in the minority in my dislike so, yeah, go ahead and read it. And when you love it will you please tell me why? Why the heck did you like it!?

Is That Love or Fear?

Some fans at Real Madrid thought they were just going to have their picture taken with the club's new shirt...they didn't think they were going to get to meet some of my boys. (the handsome men in white are my boys, btw)

Here we see Arbeloa (the vampire) leaning down and saying something to this little girl but what???

You be the judge of that. Is that fear or love in her eyes? Either way she sure won't take her eyes off him, will she? 

Review: The Forever Contract

Title The Forever Contract
By Avery Sawyer
Genre YA dystopian
Pages 46
Recommended by Jessica

First sentece All anyone ever talked about these days was going into the system.

Synopsis
Told from alternating POVs, comes a novella about a very scary future world. Water is rationed, and people spend all their time digging wells,  but there's a chance to get out. Enter the system a computer program that offers whatever you can imagine. The problem? There's no coming out again.


What it has going for it
I was ready to really enjoy this one. I really loved Avery Sawyer's Notes To Self. The idea was, no, not unique but scarily realistic. It dragged up some interesting questions about how far we take technology and I liked that. It made me think and kinda scared me. I liked James and the lengths he was willing to go to for Casey. And, uh that's about all I liked.

What's lacking
I really was expecting something better than this. Sorry, but I was. Notes to Self was amazing and didn't feel at all like a self published book. This one, however, felt much more messily written. Plus there's the whole "short story"  thing I struggle with. It just wasn't memorable, so much so, that I almost forgot to review it. Plus I think that the cover is so steamy but it did not fit the book AT ALL. I just don't get it.

Favorite moment
It's really hard to choose a moment when you didn't particularly like the book. Just sayin'.

Yea or Nay?
Meh, it's not long and won't take you much time to read. I'll leave the decision up to you.

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Head on over and link up to join us.

Q: What hyped up book do you think was not worth all the talk?

I couldn't pass this one up! 

Seriously, if I have to listen to one more person rave on and on about how wonderful this book is I'm going to shoot myself...or them. K, not really. It just irritates me that people like this one. What's to like? The egotistical "hero" who's always telling Jane how silly and naive she is and how she needs him in her life, all the while, why he's locked his other wife in the attic?! And, sure, at least Jane leaves him when she finds out but then she goes back! Totally unbelievable. It's like the author couldn't even think of a reason for Jane to go back so she had to come up with divine intervention! *rolls eyes* No thanks!  

Book Bloggers I Miss

While cleaning up my side bar the other day I was noticing all the bloggers who aren't posting anymore. Sometimes there's a reason but sometimes bloggers just stop blogging and I get it, I really do. It's been a major struggle to keep up with this blogging world now that I'm working full time. All the same, I miss these bloggers and just thought I'd give them all a shout out...though, they probably don't even follow blogs anymore and probably won't see this. :(  I'll never take them off my sidebar, though, because one day they might start blogging again and I want to be there when it happens. (cause, yes, I'm a weirdo who reads blogs from my sidebar, not Google Reader.)

Tristan from Reads With Wreckless Abandon
I think Tristan's blog is absolutely beautiful and I could never visit it without adding a few books to the TBR pile.

Selina from Fragments Of Fiction
I still sometimes click on over to Selina's blog just to look at her design. I LOVE it! At least she's still around on Goodreads but I still miss her blog.

Bekka from Pretty Deadly Reviews
I'm so sad all the blogging drama that happens got to Bekka. I loved her posts. Her raving reviews of books she didn't like made me happy! I wasn't the only one who yells at books. :) Miss you, Bekka.

B.J from The Dark Side of the Covers
I can't even link to her site because it's gone but I miss B.J. Maybe she's out there still blogging under a different name and I just missed it.

Sheesh! That turned out to be a bit sad. I wasn't trying to me so morose just thought I'd say I missed their posts cause I do.  Anyone else out there who misses blogging buddies who don't blog anymore?

Review: A Midsummer's Nightmare

Title A Midsummer's Nightmare
By Kody Keplinger
Genre YA contemporary
Pages 304
Recommended by My love of The DUFF

First sentence Hangovers are a bitch.

Synopsis
Whitley is tired of her mom's depression and disinterest. Spending the summer after graduation with her dad seems like the perfect idea...that is until her dad surprises her with his fiance and her two kids...one of which she had a one night stand with. Things are about to get a complicated.


What it has going for it
I told myself I wasn't going to read this one in one sitting like I did with The DUFF, Keplinger's other book. I was going to enjoy it slowly. Ha! No such luck. I devoured it in one sitting. There's just something so gripping and entertaining about Keplinger's writing and stories. I love that there's always a purpose to each of the characters actions. Sure, the MC in this one was just as pessimistic and angsty as Bianca from The DUFF, but I love that there's a reason for their attitudes and I like watching them learn how to pull out of themselves as the story progresses. There's this gritty real feeling element to this book that blew me away. Especially considering I can't relate. My teen years were nothing like Whitley's but there's just something in the writing that makes you relate. I can't explain it but it's there. Mostly, I just love watching the characters mature and change. Oh, and Keplinger can write some steamy kisses! Just sayin'.

What's lacking
Is this book without faults? No, of course not. There's a tidiness at the end that comes off as fake and unrealistic and I'm not sure why Keplinger goes with those "happier" endings. I also had a hard time with the parents in this one. They just don't feel as real as the other characters. I also hate that I can't recommend these books to everyone. There's so much swearing (as you can tell from the very first sentence I posted) and sensuality I know some people just can't handle. I'm not saying I wish the books were cleaner, though, they shouldn't be. That's not the point. I just wish I could recommend them to anyone. You know?

Favorite moment
Which one to choose? I LOVED Harrison and when he rescues Whitley I was pumping my fist and cheering.

Would I recommend it?
Once again, I can't recommend this to anyone who likes to keep their reads squeaky clean, but I wish I could. There's always such a great message.

In The Mood

Here comes some rambling thoughts. See, the other day...or week. I was reading a post over at Must Love Books. It was a review of a Girl of Nightmares which unfortunately didn't quite do it for her. Not because it was a bad book but because she thought her setting just didn't mesh well with what was happening in the book. You can check out her post if you'd like. You should because it's what inspired this post.

She mentioned that the first book in the series, Anna Dressed in Blood, was read during a thunderstorm on a dark night. The perfect setting for the book. It got me thinking about our settings and if it could effect our like or dislike of a book.  I'm fairly certain it can. I read the book Stolen by Lucy Christopher on a crowded, noisy plane that I couldn't quite get into because I was too distracted. I like the book but a different setting and I might have loved it.

Another experience has convinced me once and for all. Let me explain.I don't get scared easily. I actually go to horror movies not to be scared but to have a good laugh. Scary books just aren't scary, and that strange noise in the other room doesn't evoke fear but annoyance that something is probably broken. So when I tell you that the only book or movie that has ever actually scared me was Stephen King's Salem's Lot, you would think, "wow, that must be one scary book." But the truth is, it wasn't THAT scary, it was the setting  I was reading it in. Let me elaborate. I was reading at night in my basement room with only a single bedside lamp on. The house was empty except for me and I was at a very intense part in the book where the characters are hiding in a house from the evil vampires. They think they're alone when they hear the floor boards creek from the upstairs. Right at that moment, in my own room, my bed side lamp's bulb burned out without a sound and I was left in darkness. Not two seconds later the front door above me opened and someone stepped inside the house and the floor boards creaked. You can imagine my fear then. Perfect setting for that book right? What might have been only an intense book became freaky as hell! All because of setting.

I also find it fascinating how books can actually effect our emotions. A happy book with a happy ending leaves us elated and a bad book with a disappointing ending can have us snapping at everyone.


But books also effect us physically. I've read books about freezing conditions, snow storms, and frost bite that had me shivering on a hot summer day and books about hot deserts, dry heat, and dehydrated characters that had me baking on a icy day. Similarly, I've read books that describe food so well that I'm suddenly quite hungry.

Yep, books are funny that way, agreed? What say you? Have you ever read a book in the perfect setting or vice versa? Do books effect you physically and emotionally too?

You Know It's Bad When A Gatorade Commercial Excites You

I miss soccer sooooooo bad! Thank goodness I came home today to see the little red message light on my cable box informing me I had a message. And thank goodness it was the message I'd been waiting for. Comcast FINALLY has beIN Sports! I get to watch my soccer games again! *happy dance*

It couldn't have come soon enough. I'm having such bad soccer withdrawals that I was watching TV and a Gatorade commercial came on and I just sat there staring at the athlete sweating in slow motion with a glazed look on my face. It wasn't even a soccer player, people! Pathetic. Anywho, thank goodness I get to watch my boys again! I might have gotten desperate and began trolling You Tube with the search words, soccer/gatorade. ;)

Hot player alert!

Divergent Winner!

Random.Org has spoken and the winner is...Ariell from My Best Friends Are Books!  Congrats, Arielle!

The winner will be notified by email and has two days to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Thanks for playing. Look for more giveaways soon.

August Wrapup 2012

Well, August was Utah Book Month and I had a blast following everything. The party was a blast and I'm glad I could commit to some Utah author books. Unfortunately I was only able to read 4, yes 4 books. :( Ah well, here they are.








Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Boring, mind numbing dribble.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Good story but I expected better writing for a NYT bestseller.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Sweet story but the ending was awfully tidy.

Seers by Heather Frost
Holy detailed details, Batman! Where's the story?!

Yep, that's it. That's all I managed to read this month. Sigh! My favorite was How To Save a Life. Least favorite was Ender's Game.  Maybe next month will go better...doubt it, though.