Happy New Years :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years! I'll be seeing you guys in 2010! Ha. I honestly can't believe that it's going to be 2010. I remember when 2000 was such a big deal! Wow - time flies by.

Cheers everyone :)

First Ever - It's Monday What are you Reading

Going off of what I saw on J. Kaye's Monday Post I will structure mine the same.

The book I finished last week was the third Harry Potter book. I seem to be the little engine that could when it comes to reading books - just 1 book at a time and slowly. I want to be able to read more books in a week so perhaps I'll make that a goal for myself.

The book I'm currently reading is the 4th Harry Potter book. I hope to get it done by next week.

I did not give up upon any books ( I have in the past though).

Books Up to bat . . .

1. Never Slow Dance With a Zombie
2. HP #5
3. Hush Hush

(and with my aforementioned goal I hope to knock out at least 1 book while still reading HP #4)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

This is my favorite Harry Potter book!!! I absolutely love the story line, and I always instantly fall in love with Sirius and Buckbeak.

Harry's second summer break from Hogwarts is a bit better from the last. He doesn't have a house elf trying to "help" him, his owl has some freedom, and he took some of his school supplies up to his room while the others weren't looking. One day he receives a letter from school which has his supplies for the new school year and a permission slip to be signed by the parent/guardian. The permission slip would allow Harry to visit a wizarding village - and Uncle Vernon won't be of use unless. . .

Aunt Marge (Vernon's sister) is coming to visit them. Harry makes a deal with Uncle Vernon - he'll behave if Vernon signs the slip. Everything was going well until the last night when Aunt Marge over stepped the line by calling Harry's parents "good for nothings". Harry gets so infuriated that he unwittingly starts to blow Aunt Marge up. In a split second decision he grabs all his school supplies and leaves the house. He's running away, and doesn't care if he gets expelled from Hogwarts - anything was better than being stuck in that house.

Harry is picked up by the Knight Bus and asked to be taken to Diagon Alley. When Harry arrives at Diagon Alley he runs into Fudge, who is the last person he wants to see. But instead of being expelled from school Harry is shocked when Fudge tells Harry to rent a room and wait till the school year begins. Harry later catches up with his friends and they enjoy the last days of summer.

The school year begins and Harry is glad to be back, well not entirely. Siruis Black has escaped from prison and everyone thinks he's after Harry. This means that the teachers follow Harry's every move, and soul sucking dementors. As the school year progresses sightings of Siruis Black don't occur until one day when their painting has been torn to shred and the painting says it was Siruis. Harry wants to find Siruis and get revenge for the death of his parents.

I loved this book. I liked how it wasn't like the other two - in which Harry once again become the hero. In this story Harry wasn't the bright start doing what we expected - him to save the day. The one thing I keeping asking myself is why was Voldermort so hot to get them? It said in the third book that Voldermort was always 1 step behind them but what was the Potter family to him? I always hated how J.K. killed Siruis off.

Books in this series:

1) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

3) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

4) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

5) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

7) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (c) 1999 US (c) 1999

12 Blogs of Christmas Day 8

Day 8 of the 12 days of Christmas is being held by Cindy of Princess Bookie! Hurry up and sign up to win amazing books! :) (Hyperlinked to general blog)

Day 1 Neverending Shelf
Day 2 Literary Escapism

Day 3 Library Lizard Lounge

Day 4 Bites

Day 5 Ellz Readz

Day 6 The Page Flipper

Day 7 Luxury Reading

Day 8 Princess Bookie

Day 9 Shooting Stars Mag

Day 10 Book Rat

Day 11 The Shady Glade

Day 12 vv32Reads

Good luck to everyone :)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry's summer has passed rather slowly and dully. He hasn't gotten any letter's from his best friends Ron or Hermonie - so what gives? What makes matters worse is ever since he came home his Uncle Vernon locked all his school materials underneath the stairs and locked his owl in her cage.

His summer gets worse the night that his uncle has a very important dinner party. A house elf named Dobby, with only the best intentions, ties to warn Harry not to go back to school - the only problem is Dobby goes about it the wrong way. When the Dursley's learn that Harry can't use magic outside of school they lock him up in his bedroom.

Finally his best friend Ron comes to his aide - and help Harry escape the evil clutch of the Dursley's. When it's time for everyone to go back to school the arrive at the train station - everyone makes it pass the barrier but Ron and Harry. They miss the train and they've started to draw the attention of the muggles - so they decided to take Ron's father's magic car to Hogwarts (bad idea boys.)

The adventure is fun until the car dies and they crash land into a walloping tree. To make matters worse they get caught by Snape - who hates them - and are told they are skating on thin ice and if 1 more toe get out of line then they will be expelled. The days pass on a little better until the 3 of them are caught standing near the "dead" body of Mrs. Norris. They were just at the wrong spot at the wrong time. On the wall someone wrote "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir beware" and when everyone sees it - chaos ensues. Attacks keep happening and with no solution insight. Whispers around school begin to grow as everyone suspects that Harry is the Heir causing all the attacks - but he's not and is going to prove it - even if it means expulsion.

I have to say, this is my least favorite book out of the whole series. It took me awhile to get into it. I just didn't like it - and I'm trying to think of why, because their are obviously reasons and I'm not a 3yr saying "because". Dobby irritated me, and I think it was the whole plot of this book - but I can see how it's leading up to the last book. Although Glidory Lockheart was funny, everyone hated him but he was too thick to see it!

Books in this series:

1) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

3) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

4) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

5) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

7) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (c) 1999 US (c) 1999

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

HOLLY SMOKES BATMAN! When I googeled the title of this book google mostly brought up pictures from the movie, and Daniel Radcliff was like 5! Ok, not that young but still. Man I remember when the 1st movie game out, and my dad pulled my sister and I out of school so we could see it. That was a magical day for me - not because of HP but because I got to spend time with my dad and he made it so magical.

Back to the review of this book.

Harry Potter doesn't know what's so special about him. In fact all he knows is that his life is miserable. His Aunt Petunia is nosey and loud, his Uncle Vernon is fat and vicious, and his cousin Dudley is spoiled rotten and vicious like his father. He has no friends at school because everyone fears Dudley and as far as comfy beds go Harry has a lumpy one under the stairs. He doesn't know what happened to his parents, except for they died in a car crash.

Odd things keep happening to Harry, he doesn't know why, and when they do his aunt and uncle become furious at him. The months following up to his 11th birthday begin to act strange - to say the least. People walk around in funny costumes, and owls are everywhere during daylight hours! Letters addressed to Harry start to arrive at the Dursley's house - and Uncle Vernon tries to stop Harry from reading them. Eventually Harry receives his letter and learns he is a wizard.

The wizarding world is strange for Harry but he adjusts quickly even making new friends and enemies. His school year begins to get adventurous when he believes on of the school's own professors is after a mysterious package that Albus Dumbledore does not want found. It's up to Harry, Ron, and Hermoine to stop the professor from getting that package!

Reading this book brought be back to the 6th grade when I first started reading the books. I can't believe how long it's been! I remember fighting with my sister over who would get to read the newest book first and waiting with strained patience when I didn't win and had to wait for her to finish. My only complaint for the WHOLE series was how it ended. It felt like a cop out! She should've at least done 1 more book this time being the gangs time in college and fighting a rouge group of Voldermort supporters or something. Eh. All in all though it was a great book :)

Books in this series:

1) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

3) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

4) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

5) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

6) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

7) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. (c) 1997 US (c) 1998

On the third day of blogging- bloggers gave to meeee. . .

Day 3 of the 12 Blogs of Christmas

Day 3 of the 12 Blogs of Christmas is being hosted by Darcy of Library Lounge Lizard. (hyperlink is only to her main blog). Thanks Darcy!!

Don't forget you can still enter the other blogger's competitions but do it before the 31st!!!!

Day 1 Neverending Shelf
Day 2 Literary Escapism

Day 3 Library Lizard Lounge

Day 4 Bites

Day 5 Ellz Readz

Day 6 The Page Flipper

Day 7 Luxury Reading

Day 8 Princess Bookie

Day 9 Shooting Stars Mag

Day 10 Book Rat

Day 11 The Shady Glade

Day 12 vv32Reads

Good luck to everyone :)

On the second day of Blogging - I entered . . .

Day 2 of 12 Blogs of Christmas

So today is the 2nd day in the 12 Blogs of Christmas. Yesterday was Katie's day over at Neverending Shelf (You still can hop over there and enter!! All entries must be in BEFORE the 31st.)

So day 2 is hosted by Jackie at Literary Escapism (link is to general blog, however in the list below it links to her giveaway)! Head on over to enter and win!! :)

I will strike the days I've entered but they're still ok to enter (entries must be in prior to the 31st)

Day 1 Neverending Shelf
Day 2 Literary Escapism

Day 3 Library Lizard Lounge

Day 4 Bites

Day 5 Ellz Readz

Day 6 The Page Flipper

Day 7 Luxury Reading

Day 8 Princess Bookie

Day 9 Shooting Stars Mag

Day 10 Book Rat

Day 11 The Shady Glade

Day 12 vv32Reads

Good luck to everyone :)

The 12 Blogs of Christmas

So I just stumbled upon this little treasure today, and I'm sad that I hadn't seen it sooner! Each day you will have to visit a predetermined blogger to sign up to maybe win a prize! I'm going to copy and paste the description since my brain seems to have fogged.

I'm am copying directly from The 12 Blog of Christmas Blog hosted by Elie.

"Starting December 12th, each one of The 12 Blogs of Christmas will be posting an incredible giveaway for you. Why? We love you.

Visit each blog on their special day and enter to win their contest. You will have to enter on their blog, but we will keep you updated here! Feeling lucky? You could win up to 12 prizes!

Don't miss anything, check the sidebar to make sure you are following all 12 of these blogs to get all the updates!

Spread the word, grab our button (it links back here!)"

ANd without further ado, here are the 12 Blog Of Christmas!

Day 1 Neverending Shelf
Day 2 Literary Escapism

Day 3 Library Lizard Lounge

Day 4 Bites

Day 5 Ellz Readz

Day 6 The Page Flipper

Day 7 Luxury Reading

Day 8 Princess Bookie

Day 9 Shooting Stars Mag

Day 10 Book Rat

Day 11 The Shady Glade

Day 12 vv32Reads

So those are the 12 Blogs of Christmas! It sounds fun :)

THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!!!

So last week I sent out my secret santa gift. To whomever: I hope you enjoy it!

Now that I think of it, I should've included at least my email so I could've asked them how they liked it. Oops. I got too cared away in the gift wrapping and purchasing. Oh well. Hopefully I'll remember for next year.

Well for my gifts, I can't say thank you enough!!! :)

Can I just say that I loved her handwriting? It's so pretty, and I immediately showed Vince (although he didn't seem to interested:P) She gave to me, a wonderful book light (I needed 1 of those), Generation Dead (SIGNED BY AUTHOR!! THANK YOU!!!!), a delicious bag of Cheese and Caramel popcorn (She WAS right, I couldn't stop eating it), and a beautiful B&N book tote!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! SO MUCH FOR MY WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

Kitty and the Silver Bullet

2 things come to the front of my mind before I begin this review.

1) I'D LIKE TO THANK DARLA D. FOR SHOWING ME THIS SERIES and. . .

2) I love guessing how the title of the book relates to the plot.

For those of you that follow this series you will recall with no problem that Kitty has been on the move for about a year. She had to leave her pack in Denver after her best friend T.J. was murdered by the Alpha Male Carl. Kitty and T.J. were a huge threat to Carl and Meg (the Alpha female). When Carl kills T.J. she has no choice but to leave Denver and ne'er return.

The journey that Kitty's been on in the past year has had many highs and extreme 'lows'. Well does public humiliation qualify as a "low"? She has come away from her adventures on the road as a strong person: more sure in the power of who she is both Human and Wolf. She has meet many helpful people (vampiric and lycanthropic alike) and has also helped to take down corrupt people in high places.

When she receives a call on night her world is turned askew. She receives a phone call telling her that her mother is ill and Kitty is needed immediately. Instant fear strikes kitty. This isn't a cold, not it's much worse: her mother might have breast cancer.

However, it won't be easy for Kitty to return to Denver. Her old pack still roams the lands, and Carl and Meg would be all too happy to end Kitty's life. Plus one of her friends Rick (a vampire) has asked for Kitty's help in staging a coo with the Master of the City. The coo won't be easy - for Carl has sided with the old Master - and this is a fight that will involve everyone.

I love these books. I know, I know I say that about every book but it's true! I've only picked up 1 book (ok 2) that I haven't been able to get past the first 100 pages! I can always trust Darla D's advice when she recommends me books. Kitty has grown much more in this last book - and she'd have too. Facing and illness is never easy for any party involved, but it makes your stronger (and I mean mentally). She also had to finally face the fact that she's a leader and can't always fun from her problems. Sure, she still may try - but don't we all?

I'm trying to think of any parts I might of hated in the book, and I can't think of a single on. Ok, maybe 1 but it's more of my opinion - but when I think about it - there is really no point. I sometimes which she'd gone with Cormac. I mean, Ben's alright and stuff but Cormac is like the rough and ruggedly handsome type and I see Ben as more of a rather drab person (even though he can clean up enough to be on GQ covers).

Recommend to me by Darla D.

Books in this series :

1) Kitty and the Midnight Hour

2) Kitty Goes to Washington

3) Kitty Takes A Holiday

4) Kitty And the Silver Bullet

5) Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand

6) Kitty Raises Hell

Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn. New York (c) 2008

And the award goes to . . . ME!

A great thanks goes to Jenn from Book Crazy! I'm so honored that you've given me this award.

Rules for Award:

1. Thank & post URL to the blog that gave the award.
2. Pass the award along to 4 brilliantly Over The Top blogs. Alert them so they know to receive the award!
3. Copy & paste the quiz-Answer with ONE word only.

Quiz:
Your cell phone? pointless
Your hair? clean
Your mother? idk
Your father? best
Your favorite food? PAPAS!
Your dream last night? odd
Your favorite drink? pepsi
Your dream/goal? teach
What room are you in? mine
Your hobby? read
Your fear? fear
Where do you want to be in 6 years? successful
Where were you last night? home
Something that you aren't? brave
Muffins? poppy
Wish list item? kindle
Where did you grow up? Virginia
Last thing you did? twitter
What are you wearing? pjs
Your TV? meh
Your Pets? alive (it said 1 word answers)
Friends? few
Your life? good
Your mood? alert
Missing someone? dad
Vehicle? zoom zoom
Something you're not wearing? tiara
Your favorite store? B&N
Your favorite color? green
When was the last time you laughed? tonight
Last time you cried? idk
Your best friend? vince
One place that you go to over and over? work
Facebook? pointless
Favorite place to eat? panera

1. Taschima @ Bloody Bookaholic
2. Meggin @ Serendipity Book Reviews
3. 3 Musketeers @ B.A.M. Book Reviews
4. AnimeGirl's Bookself

Thank you again Jenn!

Tales for Delicious Girls

This is my 1st ever book review for a publisher. OMG! I never thought this day would come :) Also, it is my first book read via PDF format - and I must say that although I'm used to reading words online I do prefer paper books (makes me wonder though if I'll like the kindle!)

The first thing that comes to my mind after reading this book is how warm and happy I feel after reading this book; like I'm snuggled in my favorite blanket in-front of the fire watching my favorite movie. This book is something I have needed to come across and read. It is a beacon of hope among a world of negative images for women.

Barbora gives us 25 delicious tales from her wonderful life. The tales cover relationships, friendships, jobs, life really. I am just a wee bit jealous that she's been to so many places in the world - and that she has actually found lover for herself. Finding love for myself is something I still struggle with today, but it's one of her powerful messages in her book: That it is obtainable but is worth the hard work obtaining it.

Her book helps women to see that they are important, smart, powerful beings in this world - and that men however cute, aren't that important to our happiness. She gives insight into the men's way of thinking and helps us to understand that they just plain think differently. Period. She helps us to understand that at the end of the day the only person that should love us the most is us. We should no longer belittle and berate ourselves of our "imperfections" and instead should embrace them and understand that they are what makes us unique.

One message from this book that hit home to me was that each time we want to "change" ourselves (either new hair color/cut, new clothes, new body, etc) we should first look inside ourselves and see what the real issue is. And I find it true. When I want a new dramatic hair color or hair cut there's a reason behind it. I don't know what the issues is but I know it's because I'm unhappy with myself, but I never dig deep enough to think why.

I recommend this book to every single woman out there. No topic goes untouched. She tells it to you in a delicious way that makes you think you've been friends forever and that you're just sitting down for a nice cup of coffee. When you're done reading this book (well at least for me) you feel happy and for now - you don't hate that your not a size 0 or that your hair isn't what "Hollywood" says is "in". You feel proud to be you - and that's what Barbora wants us to understand from her book.

My only tisk of the book would be that sometimes the pictures wouldn't match what I was reading (even though they were beautiful pictures) and that sometimes her word choice in a sentence/title would leave me confused. Again these are only my problems. I'm sure those of you reading would be like "Oh that word? I so know the meaning. How could she not know it??" Lol.

Also please stop by and visit her website!! Barbora Knobova's Website. Her book is Non-Fiction! (Thanks Darla! Sometimes I forget that not everyone can read my mind :P)

Go now and pick it up. PLEASE!

Tales for Delicious Girls by Barbora Knobova. 2009

Challenges Current in 2010

Good evening. I'm currently watching The Pixar's Short Movies right now. Seeing some of the old short movies bring me back :)

Anyway this post is about all the challenges I still have on going as some I might join for 2010 (the sign up sheets are going up). I got the idea from Michelle (Galleysmith) and I thought why not? It will help me to see what still needs to be done.

Challenge Continuation into 2010

1. The Margo Challenge (A challenge in-which I challenge myself to read 100 of the classics)

Progress: 0/100

DEADLINE: 8/2010

2. ABC Author's Challenge hosted by Meggin (fill out the ABC's with Author's names)

Progress: 8/26

DEADLINE: 8/2010

3. MG Book Challenge hosted by Bambi Reads (read books for kids 8-12)

Progress: 0/12

DEADLINE: 8/2010

4. Harry Potter Reading Challenge hosted by Michelle (read ALL HP books)

Progress: 0/7

DEADLINE: 7/2010

5. 345 Reading Challenge hosted by Cicks Love Lit ( Read 3 books from 1 series, 4 books from another and then 5 from another)

Progress: Bracket from Series 3 and 4 done.

DEADLINE: 8/2010

6. The Years Challenge hosted by Michelle (read books that were published in a certain year)

Progress: Years 2003 and 2006 are completed.

DEADLINE: 10/2010

New challenges for 2010.

1) J. Kaye's YA challenge (to be in a later post)

2) What's In a Name Challenge (to be in a later post)

3) Cybils Award Challenge (I want to do this challenge but I'm not sure....)