Book STD: The Meme that Shares!

 Have you ever read a book that was so good, you just had to share it with your friends?  Then you might have a Book STD!  The purpose of this meme is to share a book that you want everyone you know to read, or share a review of a book that your friends made you read.  Each month you can come here and add your linky. and have a chance to win a $10.00 gift certificate from Amazon or a book of up to equal value from the Book Depository.  To qualify, you just need to use one of the picture Book STD pictures in your post, and leave a link below. 

My BEA Two Cents

Some of you might have heard of this little blogger/author/publishing event called BEA, or BookExpo America.  Some of you might be sick and tired of hearing about all of us bloggers who are going to BEA and blowing up your reader with post after post of BEA tips and experiences.  To my readers that fall in that category, I'm sorry, because this is that kind of post.  But I urge you to check out Armchair BEA, which helped me through the years I couldn't go to BEA.

Last year was my first year at BEA and I have to tell you the experience was AMAZING!  I was so fortunate to be able to go- in large part because when I told my friend and fellow blogger, Kim, about the event she literally made it happen.  I've always wanted to go but it seemed too expensive (it is pricey, but the memories are priceless) and too much work to figure out on my own.  With Kim, and our friend Steph, we made our plans.  I found two awesome Canadian roommates, Cindy and Kellie, to share a hotel room with Kim and me.  Suddenly the price for BEA was a lot more within my price range.

4 women, lots of clothes, hundreds of books!

The room was tiny, but the hotel staff and breakfast was awesome.  Plus it helped that even though we had a small room, we all hit it off really well.  Pick good roommates.  If you don't know them ahead of time, get to know them.  The four of us skyped several times before BEA, and in that way Kim and I were already friends with Cindy and Kellie before arriving in NYC. This year I get to stay with an amazing friend and blogger, Pam, of Midnyte Reader.  I am so lucky!!!

The Javits Center is huge, and you will be overwhelmed when you walk in.  But no fear, because there are thousands of your people there.  That's right, we are book bloggers, sisters and brothers of the BOOK.  Those who have been there before are happy to share tips with you.  It's the closest thing to utopia that you will experience on earth.  Just don't be an ass and you should be fine.  Smile, be polite, and I promise you that you will meet people that will reaffirm your faith in humanity.  Bookworms are the very best kinds of people.

So, what do you need to survive BEA?  Here's a list:

• COMFORTABLE shoes. Everyone says this, and everyone is right.
• Some cash- to park your rolling suitcases and to use in the non-ticketed signing area.
• Business card- bring a lot, pass them around.  Also, there are apps you can download on your phone so that you can scan business cards, which I plan on using if some bloggers only have a few cards. 
• Rolling suitcase- check it in, and fill it up throughout the day.  I should have made more stops last year but I was worried I would miss stuff on the floor.  Here's the thing- you are going to miss stuff unless you've got a timeturner.  The beautiful thing about this is that other books will find you when you least expect it. 
• Play nicely!  There are always going to be some snobduches at BEA, don't let them get you down!  Keep on smiling, 99% of people there will be awesome, so you be awesome too.
• Bring snacks and a small water bottle- especially if you're on a budget.  The prices are high at the Javits Center, but it's the same if you go to any event.  Last year I brought a big bottle of water and it weighed a ton.  There are water fountains, so it's fine to bring a small bottle and re-fill. 
• Wear comfortable clothes!  I suggest going business casual, especially if you're planning on talking to any of the publishing professionals.  Just like a job interview, they will take you more seriously if you're not wearing a tank top and shorts. Unless you have a body like Gwyneth Paltrow or Jennifer Aniston and can make a torn sheet look classy....
• BEA is a marathon, not a sprint! Don't panic, even if you miss a book drop one day, another chance may come along.  There is never, ever, ever, any reason to run, shove, or frog leap over your fellow BEA attendees... unless you're playing leap frog, but honestly, I wouldn't do that on the floor. 
• Apologize when you bump into people.  Apologize if people bump into you.  It never hurts to be overly polite. Also be nice to the Power Readers that come the last day of BEA, even if they're clueless.  Some of them are librarians and teachers, most just really love books and don't understand how BEA works.  One Power Reader did me a solid last year, and it really helped my attitude.
• If you don't know, ask.  Sometimes it's hard to know if a book is available to be picked up, so it's better to ask.  If the book isn't available, try to chat up the publisher, show interest and you never know what will happen! 
• If you're mailing books, unless you have money to burn, just take it to the post office.  Bring lots of tape!!! Send it media mail, which is ridiculously cheap.  I was dreading the trip to the post office, but it was actually a great experience.  We ran into some fellow bloggers, the employees were really helpful, and it was easier than I could have imagined.  It's hard to let your book babies go, so I suggest traveling with your must read ARCs.  But seriously, tape the shiz out of those boxes like you were preparing them for mummification.  
• The first day at BEA will be crazy and you'll get lost a million times if it's your first time there.  By the third day, the venue will seem small and you'll know where everything is.  I promise!
• Listen to everyone's tips and advice, and then do what works for you! 

And finally look for me!

Sundays in Bed With... Sweet Salt Air

 Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

This morning I'm reading:

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

This is actually an ARC and doesn't come out until June 18th, but I have a feeling I'm going to see a lot of copies of this book when I go to the beach in August.  It has that beach read feeling- and one of the main characters is a food blogger (she's always taking pictures of food before eating it, which totally reminded me of taking pictures of books with drinks when I read at Panera or Starbucks).  I'm just a few chapters in, and although it's not a type of book I normally read, I'm surprised by how much I'm liking it.  Ultimately it's a book about friendship, and I think as we age- especially once we hit our 30's- we start to truly appreciate what a gift true friendship is.   Also the book takes place on an island off of Maine and now I'm worried that Fenwick Island in Delaware is not going to compare well when it comes time for vacation. There should be a special island just for book bloggers to vacation at, and every little cottage should have a well stocked library.  And we should only have to pay what we can afford to pay in order to vacation there.  Someone smarter and hardworking then me- look into this!

I'm also finishing up Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (less than 50 pages to go!) and I think if I power through today I can finish the last 5 hours of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss so that my Bout of Books won't be a complete failure. 

Be sure to check out and participate in my Book STD challenge! 

What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning? Are you reading the book you thought you'd be reading, or has today found you with a surprise? Link up below! I'm going to try running this more like a blog hop, so feel free to add the link in your meme posts!

S'up?

I've been soooo neglectful lately of my blog.  I'm reading, but I haven't been keeping up with reviews or other blogs like I should.  I've been working a lot, and... I've been watching a lot of HLN and following the Jodi Arias case because I am a trial junkie and I can no longer deny it. The downside is that this trial has been going on for months now, and even though it's in the penalty phase, it's still being drawn out. 

But as of today, and thru the rest of this month, I will be posting something book related EVERY DAY!  It's okay, you can be impressed. ;) Consider it a countdown to my BEA trip, when I get to hang with so many of you bookish lovelies!!

So, I'm sort of doing Bout of Books, although my goals have gone out the window.  Here's what I'm reading: 

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, which is amazing! 

I'm listening to The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.  I'm going to be featuring it as part of my Book STD feature, which you have to check out.  There's a giveaway and only 2 entries so far!  All you have to do is review a book that a friend made you read, or feature a book you want everyone in the world to read.  This will be a monthly giveaway.

This week I need to pack for BEA, because a week from tomorrow I head to New York!! I'm taking my very first train trip, so I'm very excited about it (let's ignore the train accident that happened up North recently, okay?). 

I'm also turning 36 this month, on May 22nd.  I am less excited about this, but I do love birthdays. 

So, dear ones, what is up with you? 

Bout of Books: I Feel the Need, the Need to Read!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 13th and runs through Sunday, May 19th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 7.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

- From the Bout of Books team

 I'm in!  Here are my goals:

Finish Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Finish The Name of the Wind (audio) by Patrick Rothfuss

Read a Christopher Pike book, make an update/link post for my challenge

Read at least 1 book off my TBR shelf.

Cull my bookshelves so I have room for all the BEA goodness I will be bringing home in June.

Update all my challenges

Write a review a day

Schedule posts for when I'll be at BEA

Figure out the BEA app for my phone  I finally figured it out!
And LOTS of commenting!  I've been a slacker for months!

Basically, just kick book ass all week long! ;) 

 

Sundays in Bed With... The Name of the Wind

 Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

This morning I'm reading:

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Hubs actually asked me if I'd read this, because one of his employees mentioned it to him as being a book I might like if I enjoyed George R. R. Martin books.  I downloaded it on Audible, and folks, it's a loooong book.  I'm 5 hours in, with 22 more hours to go.  But, I have to say, I'm really enjoying it.  It's similar to Martin only in that it's a complex fantasy novel.  It's a very easy listen, so it's not as daunting as a long book can be.   

Be sure to check out and participate in my Book STD challenge! 

What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning? Are you reading the book you thought you'd be reading, or has today found you with a surprise? Link up below! I'm going to try running this more like a blog hop, so feel free to add the link in your meme posts!

Night School (Night School #1) Review

Night School (Night School #1)
by C.J. Daughtery
Genre: YA
Format: ARC received through Around the World ARC Tours in exchange for my honest opinion.  I do not get to keep a copy of the books.
Midnight Minute: Allie's parents send her to the mysterious Cimmeria Academy after Allie gets arrested... again.  But it's not the curriculum that's proving hard for Allie, it's staying alive.
Expected Publication: 05.21.13
From Goodreads:

Allie's world is falling apart...

She hates her school. Her brother has run away. And she's just been arrested.

Again.

Now her parents are sending her away to a boarding school where she doesn't know a soul.

But instead of hating her new school, Allie finds she's happy there. She's making friends. And then there's Sylvain, a suave French student who openly flirts with her. And Carter, the brooding loner who seems to have her back.

Soon, though, Allie discovers Cimmeria Academy is no ordinary school. Nothing there is as it seems. And her new friends are hiding dangerous secrets.

Midnight Thoughts:

~ This book was not what I thought it was going to be about, and I'm so thankful for that!  I was honestly a little worried it would be another House of Night or Vampire Academy type series, however Daugherty keeps things nice and mysterious. 
~ Since her brother disappeared,  Allie has been acting out, and after another arrest her parents ship her off to Cimmeria Academy. 
~ I really wish that I wasn't about to turn 36, or that there was a boarding school for adults, because ya'll, I would totally sign up to go! Cimmeria Academy is no Hogwarts, but it's somewhere, hidden, in England!
~ Bad sign: when the boarding school you're attending is in a secret location and there's no cell phones, iPods or laptops allowed.  That's right, Cimmeria Academy students should learn to be grateful just for electricity.  Actually, I kind of like this idea, because with today's instant media culture, no doubt there'd be tweets and youtube videos of all that mysterious "Night School" society.
~ The vast majority of the kids at the boarding school are legacy students, so Allie garners a lot of attention, speculation and her fair share of distrust for not being legacy.  
~ The Night School is, as explained to Allie, a secret group of "advanced" students.  Hmmkay...
~ Allie has to do detention in the cemetery that's on the school grounds.  That does not sound as horrifying to me as it might to some of my more "normal" readers. ;) 
~ There's two boys, the broody Carter and the charming Sylvain.  Guess which one is the main boy!
~ Carter is a scholarship student, as his now deceased parents worked for the school before they died.  Which adds to Carter's dark broodiness.  
~ Mysterious growling?  Human-sounding footsteps? How are we not thinking werewolf, Allie?!  Seriously, were-wolf.  The description you just gave of what chased you and Jo?  Text book definition of an effing werewolf!!
~ As the mystery deepens, I become aware of the fact that this book is not going to go down the normal YA Paranormal path.  Oh, no, readers, Daugtherty is going all Dan Brown on your butts!
~ Jo teaches Allie how to play chess in the common room, which makes Jo Allie's Ron.  So does that make Gabe her Hermione?  lol
~ Allie visits the school chapel, which has poetry in many languages decorating the walls.  Love that!! Sounds amazing. 
~ Uh, oh, Jo is acting weird.  Or not.  Really, Allie, we barely know this girl.
~ Yeah, that's the second time I spoke to the character like she could hear me.  This book made me do that several times, and I see no reason not to share that tidbit with you.  At times it was like, "No, Allie!  Don't go by yourself in the dark, deadly woods/attic/basement/etc!"  Sadly, she did not always listen to me. 
~ Even though I got the feeling immediately that Carter was endgame, there were several cute moments with Sylvain and Allie.  Until...
~  SPOILER (highlight to read): The author has Sylvain do something so completely awful that despite her best efforts is IRREDEEMABLE.  This really made me upset, because I liked his character, and while I expected him to be revealed to be a jerk, what he actually did should have had him down at the police station recovering from the beat down the cops gave him with their little sticks.   You can't come back from that.  Well, I guess you can, because I used to watch soap operas and two of my favorite male leads (Jack on Days, Todd on OLTL and GH) were magically cured rapists, but I don't think YA is the place for this. No, there's no rape, but Sylvain still does something very unforgivable.
~ There's so much tension between Sylvain and Carter throughout the book, which normally has my eyes rolling, but not so much in this book.  I got why she was attractive to both boys, and not everyone in school was trying to get in her pleated skirt (actually, I can't remember if she wore a pleated skirt as part of her school uniform, but you get my drift, right?).
~ There should be more kissing whilst pressed against walls in this world.  I promise there would be less wars and violence.  Possibly more babies and chapped lips, though...
~ I flip-flopped teams several times until the spoiler thing happened, and I still wish that hadn't happened.  Sigh. 
~ Skinny dipping is "wholesome" fun!  lol And I envision the CW is already in line to make this into a tv show. 
~ Oh, Allie.  I have panic attacks when I'm naked all the time. ;)
~ The dance does NOT GO AS PLANNED.  
~ So, the Night School was slowly revealed, and trust me peeps, it was not what I thought it was.  I felt a bit like Vizzini in The Princess Bride shouting, "Inconceivable!" and Daugherty was all like, "Midnight Book Girl, I do not think the Night School is what you think it is!" Well played, author, well played. 
~  I have lots more notes, but I can't share anymore with you without majorly spoiling the book.  Trust me though, this is like the Da Vinci Code for the YA set to a certain degree, maybe a bit more gothic, a bit less complicated.

Timeless Characters:

Allie- our heroine, reeling from her brother's disappearance and acting out, finds herself at a mysterious boarding school stuck between two hotties. 
Carter- Bachelor #1, step right up!  Broody, hot mess boy.  Only he's not that broody or hot mess-ish.  Secretive. 
Sylvain- French hottie, charming.  Carter is not his biggest fan, and the two boys are pages away of having a dance off for Allie's hand.  
Isabelle- the headmistress of Cimmeria Academy.
Christopher- Allie's missing brother.
Jo- Allie's first real friend at boarding school.
Gabe- Jo's boyfriend, possible a Night School member.
Katie- red-headed wenchy girl, hates Allie, wants Sylvain. 
Jules- prefect, friend to Katie.
Mr. Zelazny- history teacher (but he's pretty much the Mr. Filch of the story).
Lucas- Jo's ex, part of Allie's new friends.
Rachel- gossipy new friend
Lisa, Ruth, Phil- more friends.  Don't get attached. o.0
Eloise- the school librarian.
Mr. Ellison- I think he's the groundskeeper.  He oversees the cemetery detention. 
Clare- Carter's ex. 
Lucinda- mystery woman.
Nathaniel- mysterious mothereffer. 
Mark and Harry- Allie's London friends.  I've recorded their names, but you don't need to.  They are but a blip on the radar, my dears.  OR are they?  (see, Daugherty, I can mess with readers too! ;)
 

Midnight Moment:

I realized that some shiz would go down at the dance.  One expects that.  I did not expect the shiz storm that was unleashed.  Some of it bothered me (Sylvain) and some of it shocked me a bit because I didn't realize this book was going to be that... intense? 

Stop The Clock:

Is this a perfect book?  Nope.  There's a few bumps in the road to a full on Midnight Read, including some truly difficult suspensions of belief, characters acting outside of their established personalities, convenient information supplied by characters who previously had been barely mentioned the first 200 pages or so, BUT, there's promise here.  I really liked that the book surprised me.  I really liked that Allie didn't hold onto her whole "teenage rebel" thing that I figured would only continue at boarding school.  I'm very intrigued with where this book is going, and even though some mystery has been answered, there's lots more to be revealed!  I am in this one for the long haul.  


Goodreads also shows this as a possible cover:

But the ARC I was sent had the cover I include with the synopsis.  I probably prefer the top one, just because I think it invokes the mystery of the novel a bit more.  What do ya'll think?  

C.J. Daugherty — Website |C.J Daugherty 
So, book 2 is already out in the U.K.?  Um, need it!  Plus that cover is Ah-mazing. 

Night School (Night School #1) gets a Midnight Book Rating of: 

Sundays In Bed With... What's a Ghoul to Do?

 Welcome to my Sundays In Bed With... Meme! The meme that dares to ask, what book has been in your bed this morning?  Come share what book you've spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

This morning I'm reading:

 What's A Ghoul to Do? (A Ghost Hunter Mystery #1) by Victoria Laurie.

So far, so good, but the chapters seem sooooo long.  I guess I've been reading a lot of books with short chapters lately?  And listening to audiobooks, so I don't even really notice how long the chapters are. 

I just finished Game (Jasper Dent #2) by Barry Lyga, and OMG did it end on a serious cliffhanger!  Actually, it ended in like 3 different major cliffhangers.  I am dying!  

Also, because I listened to Game on audio, and Testimony by Anita Shreve recently, I finally learned that I've been pronouncing Hachette wrong for years.  I feel like an idiot.  Granted, I often feel this way, so I guess no biggie. ;) 

What are you reading (or wish you had time to read) this morning? Are you reading the book you thought you'd be reading, or has today found you with a surprise? Link up below! I'm going to try running this more like a blog hop, so feel free to add the link in your meme posts!

All You Need is Readathon: Update #5 (and the last!)

I am feeling as tired as the Beatles here:

 JUST KIDDING!  Since I turned a simple nap into a SLEEPATHON!   It's sad really, but I'll read a few hours today and cheer my cats and dog on to make up for not being awake in the late night hours. 

So far I've read:
Bunnicula Strikes Again (Bunnicula #6) by James Howe In My Dreams by Sarah Addionson Allen Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson #3) by Molly Harper Stieg Larsson's The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo Vol. 1 (graphic novel) by Denise Mina, Leonardo Manco, and Andrea Mutti

Right now I'm reading:
Still listening to Game (Jasper Dent #2) by Barry Lyga

Challenges done so far:
Challenge 1 : Introduction
Challenge 2: Book Spine Poetry
Challenge 3: Book Appetit!
Challenge 4: Re-title Your Current Read Challenge 5: Self-Portrait
Challenge 6: Book Puzzle Challenge 7: Best and Worst Book Covers  
Challege 16: Turn the Page
Mid-Event Survey
1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?
I was tired, but I took a short nap.  I didn't sleep good last night, so I needed it.  I imagine I'll need another one if I don't get some caffeine soon!  The Hubs is bringing me home a Coke.
2) What have you finished reading?
I finished 3 audiobooks: Bunnicula Strikes Again by James Howe, In My Dreams by Sarah Addison Allen, and Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper.
3) What is your favorite read so far?
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever.  Molly Harper is hilarious!
4) What about your favorite snacks?
The Archer Farms Dark Chocolate Expresso Trail Mix.  Yummy in my tummy!
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!
Under My Apple Tree

End of Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Probably the ones I slept through, but lets not talk about them!
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Any books by Molly Harper, and audiobooks!!!
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? More chocolate!
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I thought this was one of the best run readathons I've participated in yet!  Great job everyone.  Cheerleading went particularly well, I think!
5. How many books did you read? 3 audiobooks and 1 graphic novel, over 1/3 of another audiobook.
6. What were the names of the books you read? Bunnicula Strikes Again, In My Dreams, Nice Girls Don't Live Forever, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo graphic novel Vol.1, and over 1/3 of Game (Jasper Dent #2).
7. Which book did you enjoy most? Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper.
8. Which did you enjoy least? In My Dreams by Sarah Addison Allen, but that's 99% because I didn't like the audiobook narrator. 
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Just tweet cheers too, especially in the later hours!
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? 100% likely!!!!  I'll do what I did this time, cheer, host a mini-challenge and listen to audiobooks.

What I've eaten:
 Sleep, I ate sleep, people.  
Now I'm gonna drink coffee.

A running tally:
Graasland
A Dragon's Love
Ciska's Book Chest
Kate's Book Nook
Leeswammer's Blog

For your viewing pleasure: 

All Your Readathon Are Belong to Us: Update #4

I may be a little drunk on words, ya'll.  Drunk on them, I say! 

So far I've read:
Bunnicula Strikes Again (Bunnicula #6) by James Howe
In My Dreams by Sarah Addionson Allen
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson #3) by Molly Harper
Stieg Larsson's The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo Vol. 1 (graphic novel) by Denise Mina, Leonardo Manco, and Andrea Mutti
AND THEN I FELL ASLEEP!!!

Right now I'm reading:
Game (Jasper Dent #2) by Barry Lyga- audio
Unbreakable (Unraveling #2) by Elizabeth Norris- finishing the last 100 pages or so!

Challenges done so far:
Challenge 1 : Introduction
Challenge 2: Book Spine Poetry
Challenge 3: Book Appetit!
Challenge 4: Re-title Your Current Read Challenge 5: Self-Portrait
Challenge 6: Book Puzzle Challenge 7: Best and Worst Book Covers  
Challege 16: Turn the Page
Mid-Event Survey
1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired?
I was tired, but I took a short nap.  I didn't sleep good last night, so I needed it.  I imagine I'll need another one if I don't get some caffeine soon!  The Hubs is bringing me home a Coke.
2) What have you finished reading?
I finished 3 audiobooks: Bunnicula Strikes Again by James Howe, In My Dreams by Sarah Addison Allen, and Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper.
3) What is your favorite read so far?
Nice Girls Don't Live Forever.  Molly Harper is hilarious!
4) What about your favorite snacks?
The Archer Farms Dark Chocolate Expresso Trail Mix.  Yummy in my tummy!
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love!
Under My Apple Tree

What I've eaten:
Papa John's Pizza!  
Coke!
Water!
Chocolate Chip Cookies!

A running tally:
Curiousity Killed the Bookworm
Stella Mutatina
Reflections of a Bookaholic

For your viewing pleasure: